Category Archives: soap opera

April 4, 2024 – Doc Sees a Striking Change In Heather, Bette’s FOMO, She’s the Worst, This Week’s Top, Two Awful Houses, For the Win & Pieces

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Tracy comes into an exam room, and Terry says, it’s her birthday. Tracy says, it is. A fact that only the two of them noticed. Terry says, well, happy birthday, and Tracy thanks her. Terry asks if she has any big plans, and Tracy says, just her, her couch, and the remote. Terry says, sounds blissful, to be honest. In other good news, she sees no cause for concern in Tracy’s bloodwork. Tracy asks if she’s surprised, and Terry says, no, but Tracy looks a little pale, enough so that she wondered if anemia was in play, but her hemoglobin looks good. Tracy says, if she’s pale, it’s because they’ve just slogged through winter, and like everybody else, she hasn’t been outside much. Terry says, fair enough, and Tracy says, if she has any complaints at all, it’s cold hands and feet, but she assumes it’s because of her age. (Is that why there are so many migrations to Florida after retirement?) And she has been a little lethargic lately. Is that an indication something is going on? Is she sick? Terry tells Tracy that she’s not qualified to say, but Tracy says, she’s Co-Chief of Staff. Who’s more qualified than her? Terry says, a psychiatrist? and Tracy laughs. Terry says she can refer Tracy to Dr. Collins if she likes, and Tracy asks, what possible diagnosis could be going on in here? Terry says, depression?

Cody’s phone rings at the stable, and Sasha tells Olivia that he stepped outside for a second. Should she go get him? Olivia says, no. She just wanted to give him the good news. Dante is being discharged. Sasha says, that’s fantastic, and Olivia says she’s pretty sure Cody would want to be filled in. Sasha says, absolutely. He’ll be thrilled to know Dante is coming home. Olivia says, while she has Sasha on the phone, is she at the house? Sasha says she’s at the stables. Why? Olivia says she was making mashed potatoes and chicken parm for Tracy’s birthday, but now with Dante and the kids coming home, Sam’s not going to have time to cook. She was thinking maybe she’d bring dinner for them instead and grab a cake to celebrate with Tracy. Sasha says, good idea, and Olivia says she could use Sasha’s help. She chopped up the veggies and peeled the potatoes, but the chicken still hasn’t been made. Does Sasha think she could get it started if Olivia talks her through it? Sasha says she could try.

Portia takes Heather’s vitals and asks, what happened to her restraints? Heather says she thinks maybe she lost some weight after the surgery or something. Her hands just slipped out.

Josslyn introduces Felicia to Bobbie’s new manager, Hunter Cruise, and Felicia says, this place is a favorite of hers, so expect to be seeing her a lot. Hunter says, looking forward to it, and Josslyn says, Felicia is one of their regulars. Felicia says she used to work here when she was Josslyn’s age, and Josslyn says, they get a lot of customers from the hospital because it’s a short walk. Curtis comes in with Trina, who tells him to remember he has back-up, and he says, slow and steady. Josslyn starts applauding and everyone else follows suit.

Kristina comes out of the hospital elevator and Blaze is there. Blaze asks, how’s her brother? and Kristina says, he’s good. Actually, he gets to come home today. Blaze says, that’s fantastic. She must be so relieved. Kristina says she is. Every day he’s awake and moving around, she feels a little bit better. Blaze says she bets. She was wondering if Kristina might have a minute. Kristina says, okay, and Blaze says she didn’t mean for Kristina to find out about the whole Deception/Crimson thing like that. She hopes Kristina didn’t think she was keeping it from her. Kristina says she really didn’t know what to think. She still doesn’t.

Cody puts Comet in his stall, when Sasha comes in. He says, Comet must have spring fever. He gave them both a workout. Where did she disappear to? She says she was up at the house. He left his phone on the table, and she answered a call from Olivia. He asks what she said, and Sasha tells him, Dante’s being released from the hospital today. He whoops and hugs her, lifting her in the air.

Tracy says she’s not depressed and doesn’t need a shrink, and Terry tells her, if you say so. Tracy says she leads a full life. She’s the head of a company. If she’s being honest, she’s the majority shareholder in a company that she wants to give to her granddaughter someday, but it keeps her very busy. Terry says she’s sure it does, and Tracy says, if she’s a little down or at loose ends sometimes, it’s because she lost her husband a little over two years ago and it’s grief, and it takes as long as it takes. Terry says, absolutely. There’s no buzzer that will ring and say, that’s it, you’re done. Tracy says, if there was, she’d ignore it. She’s doing this her way, and she doesn’t care what anybody else thinks. Terry says she knows Tracy’s family well enough to know her husband hasn’t been her only loss. Both her parents, her brother Alan – a legend here at GH – a nephew and a niece. Tracy says, that’s not unusual at her stage of life, but Terry says, that doesn’t make it easy. Her general health is good. All the numbers are in range. Maybe she needs to get out more, be a little more active. Tennis club, a women’s golf league… Tracy says, oh no. There will be no popping of my collar, thank you very much. Terry says, then something else, anything, to keep her body moving and get her interacting with people of similar interests. Tracy says she’ll keep it in mind. How’s that? Terry says she’ll take it, and leaves.

Portia tells the guard outside Heather’s room that she needs him inside, and he asks if there’s a problem. She says, the patient’s restraints are loose, and she needs to be supervised at all times. She calls Nurse Erin to come in and help tighten the patient’s restraints, and Erin does. Heather says, there you go – she shows Portia the restraints are on – and she’s not going to say thank you. Though these are more comfortable than handcuffs. (They also seem to be Velcro, so…)

Felicia says, it’s so good to see Curtis. Not only up and about, but on his feet. That must be a record. Trina says, he’s been working at it non-stop, and Felicia says, it shows. Curtis thanks her so much. He didn’t think going out for a bite to eat would call for a hero’s welcome. Trina says, a lot of people were worried about him. They’re allowed to be happy about his recovery. He says, on the road to recovery, and Felicia says, in the fast lane it looks like. Curtis says he’ll accept he applause and the encouragement, and Trina says, thank you. Felicia says she’s got to get back to the hospital, and tells Curtis, keep up the good, and what she’s sure is very hard, work. He thanks her, and Felicia leaves. He says, not exactly lowkey, and Trina says, there’s nothing lowkey about this. He didn’t just beat the odds; he defied them. She’s so proud of him.

Cody says, sorry about the sweat, and Sasha says, no problem. He says, Dante is coming home. That guy. They all thought he wasn’t going to make it, and he probably set a record for getting released from the hospital the fastest. She says, he’s pretty amazing, and Cody asks if Olivia said anything else. Sasha says, she did actually. She wanted to bring some food over to Dante’s because Sam won’t have time to cook. Olivia asked her to get her chicken parm started, but unfortunately, the chicken is spoiled. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, trust her. It won’t be much of a welcome home if Dante, Sam, and the kids all get food poisoning. (Been there, done that, did not like the T-shirt.) She’s going to go back to the house and look in the fridge. She’s sure she can figure something out. He says, she’s a good friend, and she says, it’s the least she can do since Dante helped him rescue her from Ferncliff. He says, she has every right to appreciate it, but he was actually talking about himself. Dante’s his best friend. She’s doing this for Dante, and he appreciates it. He appreciates her. She says she appreciates him too.

Terry goes into her office and says, sorry to keep them waiting. Alexis says, don’t apologize, and Laura says, they know how busy she is. Terry says, unlike Laura, who gets to relax all day, every day, and Laura says, relax? What’s that? Terry says, Portia is doing rounds, so she’s all Laura is going to get. Laura says, which is fine, since she only needs one Chief of Staff to sign off. She hands Terry a manila envelope and Terry takes out some paperwork. She asks what she’s looking at here, and Laura says, it’s a contract that would put city employees on GH’s health plan. Terry says, that’s great, and Laura says she thinks so. Alexis says, what their illustrious mayor is leaving out is that this was a culmination of her efforts. Terry asks how she pulled this off, and Laura says, there was a little bit of arm twisting involved, but she happens to believe city employees deserve access to the best possible health care. After all, they’re the ones who keep the city running, so they deserve it. Terry says, not every politician would make that a priority.

Doc goes in to see Heather, and she says, you again. He says he can come back if she’s not up to talking, but she says, it’s all right. She’s just not really sure where all these conversations are leading, except back to a prison cell. He says, all right. Does she know where she is? She says, he needs new material. She’s in the hospital. He says he means specifically, and she says, General Hospital, in good old Port Charles, New York. He asks if she knows what day it is, and she says she wishes. This place is like a casino. No clocks, the lights are on all the time… It’s like she’s a slot machine and he’s a five-card stud. See what she did there? He says, very clever, and she says she knows everybody thinks she’s dumb, but it’s not true. All the horrible things she did weren’t because of stupidity. It was more like… She doesn’t really know how to describe it. He says, try, and she says, it was like her blood was on fire, and the only way to put out that fire was to do something crazy. He says, or highly illegal, and she says, that too. She’s glad her hip’s better. He says, she must be in much less pain, and she says, it’s not just that. Now when they throw her back in the slammer, at least she’ll be able to pace the yard. It’s the small things, doc.

Josslyn says, PCU keeps bugging her about finding a new roommate, but she’s holding out hope, and Trina says she still doesn’t know what she’s going to do about the fall. The Sorbonne is holding a spot for her, but she can’t even think about going back to Paris. She’s not sure if she wants to go back to PCU either. Curtis says, luckily, she still has time to decide, and Josslyn says she can hold out on housing for as long as necessary. Trina thanks her, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Anything for her. Curtis says, that’s a real friend, when Dex walks in and sits at a table.

Curtis takes off his shirt (the new Nathan) and tells Comet, let’s get dry. He begins wiping Comet down, when Tracy comes in. She clears her throat, and he says, Matriarch Quartermaine. She says, hard note of that taken, and he says, okey-dokey. What should he call her now? She says she told him, Tracy. Can she have a word? He says, sure, and she says, clothed? He says, sorry about that, and puts on another shirt. He asks how he can help her, and she says she was speaking with someone earlier today and was reminded that she really enjoyed riding. So now that spring has sprung… He says, she really wants to get back up on that horse, and she says she hasn’t actually ridden any of the horses they have now, so she wants one with a sweet temper and an easy gait. He says, don’t we all? and she says, why doesn’t he make himself useful and help her make a selection. He says, follow him, and they go in the back to the stalls.

Trina asks if Josslyn is going to go talk to Dex, but Josslyn says, no, and she doesn’t intend to wait on him either. Curtis says he’s been out of the PI game for a minute and he’s guessing she and Dex aren’t together anymore. Trina says, very astute, and he asks what Josslyn thinks her grandmother would say. Josslyn says, about her relationship status? and Curtis says, Kelly’s, now Bobbie’s, has always been a place where everyone felt welcome. Does she think Bobbie would want a customer ignored? Josslyn says, that’s not fair, but Trina says, he’s not wrong. Curtis says, it is the hospitality business, right? and Josslyn says she’ll ask Hunter to wait on him. She’s the new manager.

Blaze and Kristina sit on a bench and Blaze says she’s sorry the first Kristina heard of her deal with Deception was in an office with Maxie and Nina. Kristina says, it caught her off-guard. She assumed if Blaze had something that big coming up, she would have told her. Blaze says she would have. She should have. But the first time she was approached by the Deception team, nothing came of it. So she didn’t say anything because she thought nothing was going to happen this time either. Then all of a sudden, it was done before she even had time to wrap her head around it. She swears she wasn’t keeping it a secret from Kristina. Kristina says she gets it. The whole thing just blindsided her, but this is very cool for Blaze. She thinks it’s great. It’s really going to broaden Blaze’s demographic. Blaze says she just hopes raising her profile will help her music career, and Kristina says, why wouldn’t it? Blaze says she doesn’t know. It’s a bumpy ride getting there, but the music world, she understands. The fashion and beauty world is a big unknown. Kristina says, fortunately, Blaze has Maxie. There is no one better than her. She’s savvy and she’s chic. She’s also so human. Blaze says, Maxie’s great. What she’s not so sure of is herself. She’s not sure she’ll fit in with what people consider hot or pretty or trendy. Kristina says, she’s beautiful, she’s hot, and she’s trendy. But who cares? That could change in the morning. Blaze says she guesses she’ll find out. But for now, her mom thinks it’s smart to keep her private life private. Is that going to be a problem for them?

Terry signs the document and says, it’s official. She tells Laura, congratulations, and thanks her. Laura says, it’s her pleasure, and Alexis says, since she’s covering this for The Invader, does Terry have any comments? Terry says, public relations isn’t really her strong suit. Can Alexis make something up? Alexis says, funny Terry should ask, because she’s already drafted something up. She takes a paper out of her bag, and says, concise and to the point, handing it to Terry. Terry looks it over, and says, on second thought, maybe she should have their public relations office come up with something.

Doc tells Heather, let’s pretend the restraints don’t exist, and she says, you mean these guys? holding up her hands. He says, and the doctors and the warden have told her that she’s free to go wherever she wants, do whatever she wants. What would that look like? She says she thinks about that all the time, but it’s not what he’d expect. He says, try him, and she says, okay. The first thing she’d do is put flowers on her daughter’s grave. Then she’d remember her daughter’s not in it. So she’d go and take those same flowers to the woman whose husband she killed, the one who’s really beautiful. He says, Sasha Corbin, and she says, yeah. And she’d give them to her instead. And then, if his brother had a will and left her something in it, which – spoiler alert – he didn’t… Doc says, let’s say he did, and she says, then she’d buy a tiny, little house with a yard where her grandson could play. She’d even get one of those playgrounds, the simple kind with the swing and slide and monkey bars. She cries and says, but what good is it to torture herself with things that are impossible? She sinks back down into the bed and says she’s sorry, but he says, no. That’s enough for today. He’ll be back.

Josslyn says, what do you want? and Dex asks if that’s how she talks to all the customers, or is he just lucky? She says, what would you like today, sir? and he says, a lot of things he knows he can’t have, so he’ll settle for a coffee and a grilled cheese, please. She says, coming right up.

Doc tells Portia that he was just in with Heather Webber, and she says, her apologies for that. He says he sees a change in her since her surgery. The difference is, to be honest, quite striking. She says, a difference in Heather? Maybe he should try telling someone who didn’t just almost lose their daughter to that madwoman.

Tracy says, so she plans on riding a few times a week, and Cody says, she won’t regret it. She says, her thighs might, but he says, she’ll be in riding shape in no time. She says, that’s it? He’s not going to try and discourage her? Tell her that she’s too old or fragile; she might break a hip? He says he’s been around long enough to know Tracy Quartermaine’s a lot of things, but fragile ain’t one of them. She says she’s glad he’s paying attention, when Sasha comes back. She says she’s not used to seeing Tracy at the stables, and Cody says, she’d better get used to it. Tracy says, Sasha has to listen to the man. She plans on getting back in the saddle. Pun intended. Sasha says, good for her, and Tracy asks if this is where she’s been spending her time. Sasha says she likes horses, so she asked Cody to put her to work, and Tracy says she’d rather be here too. She’s sorry things didn’t work out between Sasha and Deception. Sasha thanks her and says she really appreciates Tracy going to bat for her. She hopes she didn’t seem ungrateful. She just realized that she didn’t want to spend her days getting her picture taken. Tracy says, that’s definitely Sasha’s prerogative and she gives Sasha credit for making that decision and not going along with what everybody else wants. She tells Cody, see him soon, and he says, adios. Tracy leaves, and he says, that Tracy, all bark, no bite. Sasha gives him a look, and he says, plenty of bite, but she does have her moments. Sasha says, that, she does.

Curtis tells Trina, when he was sitting in that wheelchair, he felt so hopeless. He knew he wasn’t the man he was before, and society didn’t help either. Trina asks what he means, and he says he got to know what it’s like to be disabled in this world. Even if it was unintentional, you get the elbows to the face. You get drinks spilled in your lap, even at his own club. The disrespect was real. She says she’s so sorry he had to go through all that, but he says he’s not. It was a wake-up call. It made him realize that he’s always going to be him. Always, no matter whether he’s seated or he’s standing or somewhere in between. And no one should be made to feel small. No one.

Doc sees Laura with Alexis and says, wife. She says, husband, taking his hands, and he asks what this dynamic duo is up to. Alexis says, he’ll read about it tomorrow in The Invader. Or possibly the next day, depending on how fast the hospital’s PR department can draft an appropriate comment. Laura laughs, and he says, so the contracts are signed. Laura says, they’re signed, sealed, and delivered. From now on, the city employees will have access to GH’s health plan. He tells her, congratulations. He knows the work she put in to make this happen. She says she has to admit, it feels really good, and he asks if she’s headed home or back to city hall. She says, actually, she thought since she’s at the hospital, she should visit Heather. Sort of fulfill her Webber family duties. He says, she’s too good, and she says, she is, isn’t she? He suggests she meet him after, and she says she will. She heads for Heather’s room, and Alexis says, have a good one, but Doc asks if she has a moment. He was wondering if he could run something by her just to get a legal opinion. She says, he knows that she can’t advise him legally. However, she can speak to him as a friend who’s read a few books. He says, fair enough. So hypothetically, let’s say someone has been convicted of horrible, heinous crimes, but we’ve since learned there were mitigating circumstances. Something that wasn’t known during the trial. Not because someone hid it, but because no one knew it existed. She says, he’s talking about Heather Webber, and Portia watches from the reception desk.

Josslyn refills Dex’s coffee and he thanks her. She asks if he’s looking at an employment packet and he says he is. She says she didn’t realize they had employment agencies for bodyguards, and he says he’s trying out a new line of work. She picks up the top page and looks at it. She says, he’s working for the Port Charles Police Department?

Cody finds Sasha with Comet and says he was just reminded of their first photo shoot. Remember? She says, how could she forget? She had the most handsome co-model… the alpaca of course (🍷). Cody says, yeah, he was adorable, when Olivia comes in with a tray of food. Cody says, Mama Q, what’s good? and she asks, what is this? Sasha says, it’s shepherd’s pie; the chicken was bad. Olivia says she knows what it is, but who made it? Where did it come from?

Josslyn says, sorry, it’s just… Dex says, Josslyn Jax, at a loss for words, and she says, this is crazy. He’s going to go from working for Sonny to working for the police? He says, quite a leap, and she says, it’s reckless and stupid. He says, she’s assuming they’ll turn him down, but Anna actually invited him to apply. They’ll accept his military service in place of a college degree. All he has to do is take the test, but who knows? Maybe he’ll fail it. She says, he’s not going to fail the test. He can’t possibly think this is a good idea. He says, why not? and she says, because it makes him even more of a target for Sonny. He says, we can’t all be doctors… What’s that look? Something wrong at school?

Trina picks at her food, and Curtis says, not hungry? She says her appetite’s been pretty weak these days. Besides, it’s this place as well. He says he thought she liked the food here, and she says she does. The food’s amazing. She just doesn’t come here as much, since… He says, right. She and Spencer used to come here a lot. She says, it does sound ridiculous. She can’t even have lunch with her own dad like a normal person. He says, she doesn’t sound ridiculous. She sounds like someone whose heart’s been broken.

Kristina says, as long as she and Blaze can be their authentic selves, be who they are with their friends and family, that’s enough for her. Blaze asks if she’s sure. All she’s done so far with Deception is sign a contract. She can pull out of the deal. Kristina says, Blaze would blow up this deal for her? and Blaze says, that’s the least of what she’d do for Kristina, but Kristina says, no. This could be huge for her career. Blaze says, don’t get her wrong. She wants to be successful, but she also wants to be happy. And Kristina makes her happy.

Laura says she’s sorry she hasn’t come to visit more often, and Heather asks, why would she? Laura’s the mayor; she’s a convict. Laura’s got a city to run and she… doesn’t. Laura says, technically, they’re family. They’re connected through their grandson. Heather says, speaking of. Is he going to be calling Laura mom or grandma, now that she and Doc have adopted him? Laura says she hasn’t really thought about that one yet, but she thinks she has a little bit of time before she crosses that bridge. Heather wonders what his first words will be. She used to wonder that about Esme too. Laura says, Heather is looking really well. How is she feeling? Heather says she’s not in nearly as much pain, and Laura says, good. Heather says, from her hip anyway, and Laura asks if something else is bothering her. Heather says, not physically. But she can’t stop thinking about the disaster that is her life. What has she done? Laura takes her hand.

Alexis says, cobalt poisoning from and artificial hip, and Doc says he knows it sounds like fiction, but it’s real. The official name is metallosis. She says, there is legal recourse. It’s called post-conviction relief. Some say it can be abused, and she knows the governor has tightened up some loopholes over the year. So, in the event of, say, a forced confession, or a coerced guilty plea, suppressed evidence, or evidence that hasn’t been discovered until after the fact, yes, the case can be reopened. He says, so it’s a possibility, and she says, a real one. Eavesdropping from afar, Portia flies down from the desk, and says, please, please tell her they’re not considering letting Heather Webber skate.

Trina says she misses Spencer all the time, but it’s worse in places they used to be together, especially here. And it seems normal. Like in an instant – a literal split second – she’ll forget, and the door will open. She’ll look up, thinking he’s going to be there. Then he’s not. Curtis says he knows their situations are different, but she knows how he had to learn to walk again? She’s going to have to do something similar. She says, how? and he says, it’s going to take patience, grace… It’s definitely going to take time, but broken hearts, like broken bones, do mend themselves together again. Maybe not as strong as they once were in some ways, but miraculously stronger in others. She says she so wants to believe him, and he says, that’s all right. He has enough faith for both of them. She will love again, and she will be loved again, and he can say that with utmost certainty. She tells him that he has to say that, he’s her dad, but he says, no. Because there’s no one on this planet more deserving of love than her.

Josslyn tells Dex, it’s fine. She’s just not sure pre-med is for her anymore. He says, since when? and she says she’s been rethinking a lot of her decisions lately. He says, she told him she wanted to be a healer, that’s all, and she says, you can heal the world in plenty of other ways. Look at what pre-med did to Adam. He says, she’s not Adam, and she says she also sees how hard Trina’s mom works. And the patients aren’t always grateful or even good people. He says, patients like Cyrus Renault? and she picks up the coffee pot and leaves.

Sasha says she used the vegetables and potatoes Olivia had already prepped and found some ground beef in the fridge. She hopes that was okay. Olivia says, okay? and Cody says he can’t tell. Did that mean okay or not okay? Olivia says, it’s amazing, and Cody says, it meant okay. Sasha says, really? and Olivia says, absolutely. It’s delicious. Sam, Dante, and the kids are going to be so psyched. A, to have a homecooked meal, and B, it’s not one of her standard recipes, which she’s sure they’re sick of. Cody says, it does smell good, and Sasha says, Brando always liked it. (So do I. Stop talking about it.) Olivia says, how could he not? and thanks Sasha. Sasha says she’s glad to help, and Olivia says she’ll deliver this and make sure Sasha gets the credit. She’ll see them later. She leaves, and Cody says, wow. Sasha is just racking up the hidden talents. She has selling beauty products, ax throwing, shoveling horse manure. Now she has chef extraordinaire. What’s next? Sasha says she’s no slouch at curling or ice fishing either. He says, this he’s got to see, and she says, stick around and he just might.

Tracy walks into the nook and sees a paper bag on the counter. She slides out a birthday cake that says Birthday girl on it, and says, oh good Lord. She leaves the cake on the counter and walks out.

Trina asks if Curtis is ready, and he says, let’s do this. She helps him walk to the door, and says, he’s cool. He says he’s got this.

Josslyn plops Dex’s grilled cheese and fries on the table. The sandwich is burned and looks like there’s not much cheese in it. She probably spit in the fries. She says, anything else? and he says, nope. Looks great. He picks up the sandwich and takes a bite. (I laugh at how he’s just ignoring it.)

Portia says, this is insane. Doc has to know this. Laura approaches, and Doc says, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Just listen… Portia says she’s listening to everything they’re saying. It makes no sense. Laura wonders what she’s interrupting and asks if everything is okay. Doc says, everything is fine. Really. How was her visit with Heather? Laura says, actually it was surprisingly calm and uneventful. Has Portia noticed a change in Heather? She would love to get her thoughts about Heather’s progress. Portia says, Laura wants her thoughts on Heather Webber? Let her see. Don’t try to sell her on this. Poor, misunderstood Heather Webber? That woman is a murderer. She pulled one over on everyone and they’re going to let her do it again? Alexis says, of course (🍷) this is very personal to Portia… and Portia says, of course (🍷) it’s personal for her. Alexis says, Doc was just asking her if there was any legitimate legal reason… Portia says, no, no, no. She doesn’t want to hear it. She doesn’t want to hear any of that, especially from Alexis, considering she doesn’t practice law anymore. And after this, she thinks she’s seeing why. Alexis says, don’t hold back, and Portia says she won’t. She doesn’t care how nice or how changed or how victimized Heather seems to be to them. How much time has Laura actually spent with her? How much time has she actually spent with that woman? A moment here, a moment there? Why doesn’t Laura try being her or a member of her staff who actually had to deal with her unhinged madness 24/7? And just so they know, this doesn’t even touch on the pain she’s caused Portia’s family and countless other families. So if they want to bring her case in front of a judge and jury, she wants them to do it. Because she’ll fight it. She’ll fight them with every breath that is in her body.

Tomorrow, Carly tells Josslyn that only she knows the answer to that; Anna says she’ll consider it if Brennan gives her something in return; John says, Drew can be sent back to Pentenville; Dante asks if Sam thinks she might have made a mistake; and Sonny wonders if he can ask Natalia something she may not like.

💎 Not So Divine…

Maybe she better watch the show first.

What if she does it for scale?

🛟 Primary In Her Own Mind…

About that freeloader Jill.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13265725/rhony-jill-zarin-deck-worst-guest.html

Cry me a river.

🔪 No Croquettes For You…

The latest in Chefs.

https://people.com/top-chef-recap-episode-3-buddha-lo-calls-out-chefs-for-all-making-croquettes-8624513

🚣‍♂️ Don’t Go In the House…

I thought Kyle got rid of the mullet. It looks like it’s creeping back in. I actually didn’t watch much of this because A, I just can’t, and B, there was a great documentary on VICE about the early Real World shows. When it was an actual show and not just drunken hot tub sex.

https://people.com/summer-house-recap-lindsay-hubbard-didnt-want-kyle-cooke-as-a-groomsman-wedding-to-carl-radke-8624898

What I really don’t get are the spin-off people. Didn’t they see the show before signing up? Do they really want to be playing beer pong into middle age?

🦝 Will Work For Scraps…

It would have been nice to hear how these people came to have a raccoon as a pet. My chihuahua El Wray would be a shoo-in if he didn’t growl at everything bigger than him. Which is most of the world.

https://people.com/florida-rescue-raccoon-louie-wins-cadburys-annual-easter-photo-contest-8621406

🐈 Nervous As a Cat In a Room Full Of Big Dog Breeds…

Slide into my blog tomorrow for soap and mix of amusing diversions. Until then, stay safe; stay minding your CC’s and BCC’s, and don’t always reply to all; and stay remembering that no one should be made to feel small. No one.

April 3, 2023 – The Wedding Plans Change Again, Sudsy Stuff, Dead Talk, VanderEmo, The Queen’s Villa, Farewell To a Funny Man, Parade & Rainbow

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase and Brook visit Dante, who says he’s resting up for all the dancing he’s going to do at their wedding. Chase says he’s going to need a little more than dancing from Dante.

Tracy sees Gregory at the hospital, and says, this is a nice surprise. He says he’s here so often, he should pay rent. He could put in a little café table and have his own Bobbie’s. She says she thinks the seating would be too limited to be profitable. What’s on his docket today? He says, Dr. Cramer. He’s having a follow-up. Her? She says she just had a blood draw for her annual wellness visit with Dr. Randall. It’s a perk of being a board member, although she thinks they’re playing a little fast and loose with the term perk in this context. He says he remembers when his doctor visits were annual. Looking back, it was a perk. Elizabeth comes by and says, if he’s ready, they can go to the exam room. He says he’s as ready as he’ll ever be. Maybe he’ll see Tracy later. He leaves with Elizabeth.

Kristina goes to Nina’s office at Crimson, and Nina says she’s so glad Kristina decided to stop by. Kristina says she wants to clear the air. She’s really not okay with what Nina did to Carly and Drew – she closes the door – but she is willing to accept Nina made an impulsive decision that spiraled out way beyond what she ever intended. Nina says, yes, that’s it exactly, and Kristina says, one bad decision doesn’t negate all the good Nina’s done, and she has done a lot of good, especially for Kristina’s dad. She knows how happy he was when he was with Nina, and even if he never admits it, she knows he misses Nina.

Cody pushes around hay in a stall, when Sasha comes in wearing super cute overalls that would look incredibly stupid on me, and says, put me in, coach. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, yes. She got her check from Deception and now she can finally do something besides worry about how she looks. He says, she still looks too good for this place, but she says, nothing and no one is too good for this place, and that’s a fact. He says, Comet isn’t here. She can save her flattery. He asks if her overalls are new, and she says, they may or may not be. As he knows, she’s looking for her new purpose in life. He asks if she thinks she’s going to find it here in one of these stalls. Believe it or not, this isn’t exactly the resumé builder she might think it is. She says, honestly, she doesn’t know what she’s looking for or where she’s going to find it. But she figured if she’s someplace comfortable that makes her happy, inspiration might find her sooner. So if it’s okay with him… He asks if she’s sure, and she says, come on. Put her to work. What’s the worst that can happen?

Elizabeth takes Gregory’s temperature and says, everything looks good. How is he feeling? He says he’s like to be honest with her, if he may, and she says she hopes he’s always honest with her. He says, unless he’s mistaken, this was a standard follow-up, and yet somehow, it merits the attention of the head nurse of a very busy hospital. She says she assists doctors and nurses all the time, but he says, she has more important things to do and they both know it. She says, he is important, and he thanks her. He says, while he’s honored to have her look in on him, he was hoping to keep some aspects of his life private, and she says she’s sorry if she made him feel his privacy hasn’t been respected. He says, she’s always very respectful, but as his disease progresses, he would like to keep his patient life completely separate from the other parts of his life. She says she understands, and he says, she’s very important to her son and to him, so he realizes that may be easier said than done. She says, not at all. It’s not a problem. He says he means no offense. He hopes she knows that. She says, none taken, and she hopes he knows that she never meant to presume. He says he does, and she says, if he’s ready, she’ll let Dr. Cramer know that he’s here. She thanks him for telling her, he thanks her, and she leaves.

Chase tells Dante that he and Brook were planning on downsizing the wedding to a civil ceremony at city hall and a family only reception at the Quartermaines. Brook says, they didn’t see the point in throwing a big bash without him there, and Chase says, they want him to be a part of it. Finn is going to be his best man, but he’d be honored if Dante would be his groomsman. Dante says, the honor would be his, and Brook says, that would be so wonderful, except she doesn’t want to put any pressure on him. Being a groomsman involves a lot of standing and walking and dancing and drinking. Does he think he’ll be ready for all that? Dante says, they’re getting married in like, a month. He’d better be ready. Brook says she hopes she is too. She has so much to do. Chase says, whoa, and she says, no. He’s been wonderful, but let’s face it, it’s crunch time. They still have a million details to lock down, and decisions to be made, and a seating chart that has to be finalized. Dante says he doesn’t care where he sits, but when the dancing starts, he wants to be dance with Brook after Chase, not some rando cousin. First Chase, then him. Chase says he booked that spot for his dad on Brook’s dance card, and Dante says, of course (🍷). He’s a gentleman. How’s his dad doing? Chase says, he’s not looking too great at the moment. He’s also not too good at telling them what his doctors have to say. Brook says, maybe he just wants a tiny bit of privacy, and Chase says, if he had it his way, he wouldn’t have told them he was sick at all. Brook says, that is because he’s a self-sufficient adult who’s losing control of his body and who he chooses to share or keep things private from is one of the few ways he still has agency. Chase says, but they’re his family. They love him and just want to help. Brook says, he just wants to be Chase’s dad. Not his dad who needs his help. Everybody deserves a little privacy sometimes, even from their family who loves them the most. Sam comes in and says, this is a nice surprise. She kisses Dante and gets next to him in the bed. He says, she just kissed a groomsman. So now they have to get him in rehab so he’s ready to go. She says, between her and the kids, they’ll have him fixed, and Brook says, good luck. He’s not known for his patience. Sam says she’s way ahead of them there, and Chase says, they’re heading out, so if Dante needs anything… Dante tells him to go protect and serve and stuff, and Chase says he’s on it. They leave, and Sam says she was going to take Dante on his morning walk, but he says he already walked with Chase. For a 90-year-old man, he didn’t do too bad. She looks at her phone, and he asks, what’s going on? A new case? She says, sort of. She asked Danny’s best friend at school to text her if he ditched any classes. So far, so good. Dante says, maybe she’s giving him a bit of a hard time, but she says, Danny’s made some bad decisions lately. She doesn’t know if she can trust him. She certainly can’t trust his father.

Nina says, Kristina thinks Sonny misses her? and Kristina says she does. That’s why Ava and Avery are still at his place. It fills up the quiet and helps him forget what he lost. She doesn’t know if Nina and her dad will ever work things out, but she hopes that they do. That’s all she came here to say. Nina thanks her and says, it means so much to her. Kristina says she’s always liked Nina and wants the best for her, whatever that might be. Nina says she wants the best for Kristina too, whatever is going on in her life. She looks at Kristina’s bump, and Kristina says she’s pregnant with Molly and TJ’s baby. She’s their surrogate. Nina says, that’s wonderful. What an amazing, generous thing she’s doing. Kristina says, it’s amazing, but it’s also difficult. The morning sickness has been hard, but the hardest part has been not being able to tell everyone. For the longest time she’s wanted to shout it from the rooftops and tell strangers on the street, I’m having a baby! She means she’s having a niece or nephew baby. Nina says, it’s probably the hormones talking, when there’s a knock at the door. Nina says, it’s her 10 o’clock, and Kristina says she’ll leave Nina to it. It was great to see her. Nina says, it was very, very nice (WOTD) to see her too, and thanks her for reaching out. Kristina says, of course (🍷), and opens the door. Blaze is there with Maxie, who says hi to Kristina. Maxie says she’s sure Nina recognizes her, but she wanted to introduce her to the new Face of Deception. She introduces them, and Nina says, of course (🍷) she recognizes Blaze. She’s a big fan, and congratulations. Blaze, who has barely looked at Kristina, thanks Nina and says, it’s nice to meet her too. Nina says she remembers Blaze from Sonny’s compound in Puerto Rico when they got married, and Blaze says, belated congratulations to her. Nina thanks her and says, so Blaze remembers Kristina, and Blaze says she absolutely remembers Kristina. Nina says, a big change for Deception, and Maxie says, it’s very new and Nina is among the very first to find out. Nina says she would hope so, since this is Crimson after all. Kristina says she’s going to head over to GH to visit her brother, so she’ll let them get down to business. She tells Blaze, wow. The Face of Deception. She can really see it. (Ouch!) Congrats. She leaves and Blaze looks unhappy.

While helping Cody, Sasha says she grew up around horses. She used to love brushing them and feeding them. She would just sit on the fence and watch them do horse things. Cody says, horse things. She really is sounding like a ranch hand. She says, one day her neighbor put a saddle on a horse and let her mount. She did and she fell off like, a dozen times, but she never cried, and she kept getting back up. So eventually, they a saddle just for her. The rest is history. He says, and maybe her future if her love of horses and stables continues. She says she loves being here… at the stables. What about him? What does he look forward to in his post-Deception future? He says he’s doing it right now.

In the breakroom, Elizabeth tells Finn that his dad had an appointment with Dr. Cramer and she told his assistant that she’d do Gregory’s pre-appointment check-in. He asks if everything’s okay, and she says, everything is fine, but he did tell her – in the kindest, sweetest way possible – that she’s overstepping. Which means… He says, that they’re all overstepping, and she says, mm-hmm. Finn says, that’s his dad and he loves him. They’re all just trying to support him. She says, it’s possible their support makes him feel like they’ve already decided, without consulting him, that the time has come for them to take over, but it hasn’t. Because he can still make his own decisions and do things for himself and really, they have to let him. Finn says he always feels like he doesn’t do enough for him, and she says, because he always feels like he should be doing more for everyone else all the time. It’s who he is. He says he doesn’t know. He reached out to this buddy of his who’s a neurologist to see if he had any advice for them. She says, and? and he says, they didn’t get much of a chance to talk. They worked Doctors Without Borders together in the Ukraine, literally putting people back together in a war zone. It made him kind of miss those days. It made him feel useless with what he’s doing here. She says, it must be contagious, and he asks what she’s talking about. She says, that’s how she feels at home right now, useless with Jake. Everything she does or says is wrong and she feels like she’s making everything worse. He says, she’s being hard on herself. She’s an amazing mom. She says she didn’t feel that way when Jason came by yesterday. It was a complete trainwreck.

Gregory tells Dr. Carter, fair to say things aren’t improving, and the doctor says he’s worried about Gregory’s shortness of breath. It’s gotten a little worse. Gregory says, but it’s manageable if he doesn’t push it, which he can accommodate, with one exception. Dr. Carter says, which is? and Gregory says he needs to know if he can still preside over his son’s wedding. The doctor says he’s not a psychic, and Gregory says he’ll settle for an educated guess. Can he make it through the month speaking and walking under his own steam? Dr. Carter says, this is no more than his educated guess, okay? But he thinks a month is a safe bet. Gregory says, and when his son comes by asking for an update… The doctor says he won’t discuss a patient with anyone, not even another doctor, without he patient’s express permission. Gregory says, that’s what he was hoping to hear, and thanks him.

Nina says, it was a pleasure meeting Blaze, they shake hands, and Blaze leaves. Maxie says, that person? That’s not an act. That’s who she actually is. Nina says she does need to know. What happened to Sasha?

Sam tells Dante that she doesn’t think she’s ever felt so betrayed in his life. She thought – they all thought – Jason was dead, and he shows up out of nowhere, and tells their son to keep a secret from him. With no explanation, no idea where he’s been the past two years. She doesn’t know if Jason is different or if she’s actually seeing him clearly for the first time. Kristina says, knock-knock. Is it a good time for visitors? Sam says, yeah, and Kristina hugs Dante. She says, it’s about time he woke up. Not that he did that on purpose or anything, but maybe try to be a little more careful next time? Dante says he’s all about the caution, but she’s done some growing. Kristina says, isn’t it crazy? She’s been waiting and waiting and waiting to show, and it finally happened. Stella walks in and apologizes for the interruption, but how would Dante feel about going home today?

Tracy asks how Gregory’s appointment went, and he says, the doctor thinks with some rest and some medications and continued use of his CPAP machine for breath support, he should be in good shape for Chase’s wedding. She says, he must be so relieved, and he says he is. She says she’s guessing Alexis will be relieved as well, and he asks, why is that? She says, Alexis is a very accomplished, bright woman… He says, spare him the preamble, and she says, but she’s not particularly close to Chase or Brook, and were it not for him, she wouldn’t make the guest list.

Nina tells Maxie, that’s more or less what Sasha said to her. As long as it’s Sasha’s decision, she’s behind her 100%. Maxie says, so they circled back to Blaze and the timing is perfect. Blaze expands their youth market and she’s got a flawless complexion which they’d really like to pair with their new face cream. If they do it right, it could be huge. Nina says, definitely. She’s on board 100% for all of it. Isn’t it really nice what Kristina is doing, acting as a surrogate for her sister and TJ? Does she think it would be too much if Nina sent Sonny just a casual note, congratulating him? Because that baby is going to be his great niece or nephew. (I get confused for a moment, thinking it’s his grandchild, because biologically, it kinda is.) Maxie says, that depends. Does she care if Sonny casually throws that note in the trash? Nina says, Maxie… and Maxie tells Nina that she said it herself. Her marriage is over. Nina says, not legally, and Maxie says, not yet. Nina says, Kristina was just in here, so she thinks it’s only natural if she offers good wishes, and Maxie says, to Molly and TJ, and then to Kristina. Nina says, and Maxie thinks it looks desperate if she also includes Sonny.

Tracy tells Gregory that she has time before her appointment with Dr. Randolph. She was going to get a cup of coffee while they run her bloodwork. Would he care to join her? He says, more than he could express. But his mission, which he had to accept, is just getting started. He has to have his blood drawn and an EKG, and then a nerve conduction study. She says, that’s a full day, and he says, there was a time ALS was just his diagnosis. Now it’s his fulltime job. She says, he’s much more than his diagnosis. He’s much more than a patient. He says, it’s hard to remember that on a day like today, and she says, let her remind him. He is terrifically charming… and a wonderful conversationalist, and he’s intellectually challenging, and… he’s not bad to look at. He laughs and says, you, vixen, you (then I laugh), and walks down the hall.

Finn says, Jake has more reason than most to be shaken up by Jason’s appearance, and Elizabeth says, shaken? That’s a mild way to describe it. His anger with Jason is all over the place right now. Finn supposes that’s understandable. How is it otherwise seeing Jason again? She says, it’s strange. He’s just so vague about everything. Where he’s been, what he’s been doing, why he never reached out to anyone. He’s never been a big talker, but even for him, it was maddening. He says he knows a little bit about that. Some of his past relationships, the things he just accepted… He wonders how that was ever enough for him. He thinks about her and what they have and it’s deeper. She says she feels the same way. She can’t believe she settled for someone so limited in what they could or would share of themselves with her. She’s glad she got it right this time. He says, him too, when Chase pops in with Brook and asks if they’re allowed in here. Finn says, they’ll bend the rules, and Elizabeth asks if everything is okay. Brook says, perfectly fine. Except… Chase says, they need Finn’s help to save their wedding.

Kristina asks Dante to try and spend some time with their dad if he can. Their dad’s been worried about him. They’ve all been really worried about him, but dad has been blaming himself. Dante says he will. Sonny can come visit him and he can get his exercise walking down the hall to see Sonny. She asks what he thinks, and he says, about what? She says, Ava’s still living there. With Avery of course (🍷), but the whole thing just seems a little weird. He agrees it’s weird, but he doesn’t think Sonny’s going to care one way or the other what he thinks about Ava living there. But he’ll keep an eye on it. She says, maybe just in his spare time. The most important thing is, she wants him to focus on a full recovery. He says he’s way ahead of her there, when Sam comes in. Kristina tells Dante that she loves him, and he says he loves her too. She tells Sam to let her know if they need anything, and Sam says, will do. Kristina leaves, and Sam says, there’s general rejoicing about Dante going home from the hospital today. He says, as there should be, and she says, but she did tell Olivia, no visitors until tomorrow. She knows he’s going to be exhausted tonight. He says he’s just going to be happy he’s home, and she asks if everything is all right with Kristina. He says yeah. Why does she ask? She says, it’s just something she picked up on when Kristina was in here. If it’s private, he doesn’t have to say anything to her. She shouldn’t even be asking. He says, no. She’s just worried about their dad, and more importantly, the fact that Ava’s living with him. She thinks it’s weird. So does he.

Nina says, Maxie thinks sending Sonny a casual note, and nothing more, comes across as her looking desperate? Really? Maxie says, yes, really. Because she is desperate. Nina says she’s not desperate. She just misses Sonny, that’s all. She doesn’t want her marriage to be over. Maxie tells her that she’s saying all the right words, but it’s her tone that gives her away. She wants Sonny back and she’s willing to do anything. Nina says she has two things that give her hope that she can get him back. The first thing is, she hasn’t signed the divorce papers yet. Maxie sighs, and Nina says, the second thing is, she has a secret weapon.

Sasha and Cody take a break, and Sasha says she must admit, Cody’s post-Deception life has very good coffee. He says he has a connection that can get him Corinthos Coffee whenever he wants, and she says, what more can he ask? He says, not much. He’s not one of those guys that’s sweaty with want. He likes his job. He gets paid enough to cover basic expenses, he’s got his own room and board, and Monica enrolled him in GH’s HMO, in case one of these buckos kicks him or puts a nail in his hand instead of a horseshoe. She asks if that’s ever happened, and he says, not here. But he hasn’t – believe it or not – always been the consummate horse whisperer she sees before her. Don’t tell James though. James will never let him live it down. She says, he is Maxie’s son, and Cody agrees and says, he’s a fun little dude. Leo too. Sometimes they have more kids here than horses. He loves it. It’s kind of like being part of a family. She says, he does actually have a family he could be part of if he’d just come clean with Mac, and he says, that might be a little bit more than he can handle. Horses are enough… What? She says, nothing, but he says, come on. Tell him the truth. Did he make himself sound like too much of a loner?

Tracy finds Stella reading a magazine in the Bistro. Looking over Stella’s shoulder, Tracy says she doesn’t think women should color their hair. Stella says, there’s a shock. She doesn’t think she could carry the green off anyway. Tracy says she doesn’t think the model does either. She happens to have some time to kill before the appointment Stella relentlessly insisted she make with Dr. Randolph. May she join Stella? Stella says, yes, she may, and she’s not apologizing for insisting. She needs to get back soon too. She just needed a cup that wasn’t from the hospital cafeteria. Tracy says she’d rather be audited, and Stella says she heard Deception’s new Face person was a woman of color. Tracy says, yes, Blaze, and Stella says, you sure wouldn’t know from anything in here. Tracy says, it’s too soon. She just signed on. By the way, in those magazines, women of any color make her feel like she’s from another planet. Oh, to be young. Stella laughs and says, amen, sister. Amen.

Tracy says, while she’s sitting here waiting for her blood to be centrifuged, may she ask Stella a question? Stella says, yes, she may, and Tracy asks why she’s still working. Doesn’t she want to retire? Stella says, and do what? Knit? If she was in Baltimore, she’d have a whole group of friends, mostly widows that she could hang out with, but if she didn’t have anything better to do with her life than play matchstick poker on Thursday nights with the family, she’d lose her mind. Tracy asks why she doesn’t play for money, and Stella says, fear… theirs. They laugh, and Stella says, but Tracy is from here. She knows everybody. Tracy says she does. She knows hundreds of people. But social acquaintances are just that. They’re cordial, superficial… Not that it bothered her mother. Her mother was gracious to everybody. She had more friends than she knew what to do with. Stella says she gathers Tracy takes after her father, and Tracy says she does. And she was proud of it. She’s still proud of it, but truthfully, it has its disadvantages. She doesn’t have a lot of deep, meaningful relationships with people, and one of the very few, she… he… He’s otherwise occupied.

On the phone, Finn says, Simon is absolutely right… He will… Thank you. He tells Chase and Brook that dad’s doctor won’t tell him anything about how he’s doing. Patient confidentiality and all that. He didn’t have to ask before because he used to go to all of Gregory’s appointments with him. Then Gregory asked him to stop. Chase says, so if they want to find something out… Finn says, dad’s going to have to tell them himself, if and when he chooses to, and Brook says, until his father decides to talk, can Finn please help them pull their wedding back from the brink? Elizabeth asks, what happened? She thought they had everything under control. Chase says, it seemed like dad was getting worse, then Dante was in the ICU. So instead of just canceling it altogether, they just thought they’d downsize. Brook says, significantly, and Elizabeth asks, how significant? Brook says, a courthouse wedding, two witnesses, Chase in a suit and tie, and her in something understated. No gown, no veil… Elizabeth says, they can relax because Dante’s being discharged, and Chase says, and now dad’s holding his own. Brook says, and now they want everything to go back to the way they originally planned it. Finn says, absolutely. They’re here for them, whatever they need. Elizabeth says, let’s get you guys married in the style you deserve, and Chase tells Brook, see? Everything’s going to work out.

Nina tells Maxie that Ava and Avery are still at Sonny’s because of security reasons, and Ava can act as her advocate. Maxie looks like she has a headache and says, if Nina was depending on Ava for anything, she’s going to be disappointed. Nina says she disagrees, and Maxie says, let’s name one selfless or generous thing that Ava has ever done. Not a nice gesture. She’s talking about something real where Ava put someone else ahead of herself. Nina says, Ava has nothing at stake here. She trusts Ava to act in her best interests. Maxie says she doesn’t think Nina knows what her best interests really are. Any man she has to plot to get back isn’t a man she’s going to keep. And to be honest, she never liked Nina as Sonny’s wife anyway. Nina asks, since when? and Maxie says, since she started being Sonny’s wife. It took over Nina’s life, and frankly, Maxie never thought she’d become one of those women. The Nina she knows was erased by Mrs. Corinthos, and she misses her Nina.

Sasha says she doesn’t think Cody is a loner. She’s spent enough time with him to know better. He says, that’s a relief, and she tells him that she would say there’s something a little aloof. He asks if that’s because he doesn’t give her long, lustful looks and try to manhandle her, and she says, then he’d be trading aloof for creepy. He says, she knows what he means. She made it very clear she’s not ready for anything. She says she knows, and she likes how comfortable and easy it is between them. He says, him too. That’s why he’s kept his very significant interest at bay. But he has to be honest. Sometimes he thinks two or three days of manhandling could be fun too.

Tracy asks Stella if it isn’t hard to work with people who are suffering. How does she keep from feeling sorry for them? Stella says, sometimes she can’t. But she doesn’t let those feelings keep her from treating that person as a person. They’re much more than the terrible thing that’s happening to them. Tracy thanks her and says she appreciates that. She has a friend that’s going to appreciate it as well. Nothing annoys him more than being handled. As a matter of fact, it annoys her as well. Stella says she never would have guessed. If Tracy is up for some matchstick poker, she’d be happy to leave Tracy humbled. Tracy asks how she feels about backgammon, and Stella says, love it. Be happy to beat you at that too. Tracy says, she’s on, and Stella says, all right, sister, and they clink coffee cups.

Sam’s phone chimes and Dante asks if it’s his mother asking what she should bring for dinner. Sorry. Or is that Danny? Sam says, it’s actually her mother seeing if they need anything when he gets home. And yes, she does admit she was checking to see if there’s an update on Danny and there isn’t one. He says, that’s good news, right? and she says, for today. But what about tomorrow or next week? They know Danny, and when he decides to do something, he does it. She knows he’s going to try and see Jason again. Dante says, maybe there’s a compromise in there somewhere, but she says she doesn’t think so. Danny being anywhere near Jason is dangerous. Dante is actual, living proof of that. He tells her not to blame Jason, but she says she does blame Jason for putting Danny in danger. And she will make sure it never happens again.

Gregory walks into the breakroom, and says, excuse him, but the desk nurse said he could find Finn in here. Finn asks what he can do for him, and Gregory asks if he called Dr. Cramer about his condition. Finn says, yeah. He just wanted to check in with him, and Gregory says, from now on, he’d appreciate it if Finn would check in with him. Finn says, understood. How did his appointment go? Gregory says, Dr. Cramer told him that he might have had a little slump, but he’s much better now. Finn says, that’s good news, and Elizabeth says, Chase and Brook just left. Does Gregory want her to call them? Maybe they can give him a ride home. Gregory says he can get his own ride, and tells Finn, don’t end run him again. He leaves, and Finn says, Elizabeth is right. He needs to step back. This is going to be hard. She hugs him.

Brook says she knows she and Chase have a thousand details to finalize, but the venues are booked, the flowers have been picked, the menus are approved. Her dress is still a work in progress. Chase says, what about the honeymoon? and she says, excuse me? He says, you, me, alone together somewhere romantic? She says, ha-ha, funny. They’re going to Palm Beach. Unless… Did he cancel the reservation? That would be totally fine, and they can probably just rebook it… He says, they still have their reservation, and she says, don’t scare her like that. He says he’s just checking in. Is she sure she wants to go to Palm Beach? She says, absolutely. They already went over the places that are in their price range. He says, his price range. Her family is paying for this big wedding; he wants to cover the honeymoon. She says, and he is, and it’s going to be amazing. She’s never been to Palm Beach, but everybody tells her it’s gorgeous. And the hotel they picked looks exquisite. He asks if she has any other superlatives that she wants to throw in there, and she says, just one. They are going to Palm Beach as Mrs. and Mr. Harrison Chase, and that will be perfect. She kisses him and leaves, and he says he can do better than perfect.

Tomorrow, Josslyn says, Dex can’t possibly think this is a good idea; Laura tells Terry that they need only one Chief of Staff to sign off; Heather asks Doc, what need is there to torture herself with things that are impossible; and Blaze asks Kristina if that’s going to be a problem for them.

🧼 All the Soap That’s Fit To Print…

So glad they said something. I thought maybe I’d had it wrong all this time. Although Jack and John are sometimes interchangeable. I have no clue why and always thought it was weird.

I thought it was probably regarding the time Carly subbed for Sonny too.

There are worse jobs.

I wasn’t worried.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-says-his-new-series-wont-affect-gh

These two are super cute.

Reeling in the years.

In their Easter bonnets, or not.

⚰️ About Those Ones…

The consensus is, maybe or maybe not on Season 2.

https://ew.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-creators-season-2-future-8622369

I love Andrew Lincoln saying [it] would’ve been a bit rude to kill off Michonne and Rick at the end. So very British.

https://ew.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-finale-ending-explained-8622179

Someone actually took the time to make a detailed log.

https://thecosmiccircus.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-review

🍸 VanderTease…

Like the last one wasn’t emotionally draining.

https://extratv.com/2024/04/01/lisa-vanderpump-teases-emotionally-draining-pump-rules-reunion-exclusive

🏰 Past the Rules…

I haven’t had a chance to check this out yet, but since LVP can do no wrong, I know I’ll love it.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/lisa-vanderpump-vanderpump-villa-decadent-naughty-poignant/story?id=108727696

🧛🏻‍♂️ Goodbye Count Floyd…

SCTV was the best sketch comedy show ever. Even in its best years, SNL paled by comparison.

https://people.com/joe-flaherty-freaks-and-geeks-actor-dead-at-82-8623637

🐥 Peep This…

I’ve never gone to it, but this thing gets pretty crowded. I’d have to carry my dogs in tote bags or something.

🪺 Bobbin’ Like a Robin…

Join me tomorrow for soap and whatever gems can be mined from the entertainment pages. Until then, stay safe, stay not waiting for the right time (it will never come, so just do it), and stay remembering that any person you have to plot to get back isn’t someone you’re going to keep.

April 2, 2024 – Jason Gets a New Assignment, Circling the VanderDrain, High School Never Ends For Kristen & 500

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis locks his wheelchair, and after struggling for a moment, he stands. Stella comes out and gasps. She asks how long he’s been able to do this.

Drew asks Nina’s assistant if she’s in her office, and Madison says, yes, but… Drew barges into the office, where Nina is on the phone. She sees Drew and says she’ll have to get back to them. She tells Madison that she said she was on a call, and Madison starts to answer, but Nina says, close the door on her way out. Drew says, Nina doesn’t have to pick on her assistant. He didn’t give her a chance to announce him. He just came by to see what she’s up to because he doesn’t know how to do his own work and has nothing better to do.

Dex goes into the station and tells the desk sergeant that he’s here to see Detective Bennet. Bennet says, right here, and Dex says, Dex Heller. Nice to meet him. Dex holds out his hand, but Bennet ignores it and says, follow him. They go into the interrogation room, and Bennet says, have a seat. Dex sits, and Bennet says, Commissioner Devane asked him to interview Dex. He’s an instructor here at the police academy. Dex says he knows. He looked Bennet up. He likes to know who he’s dealing with. Bennet says, so does he. So why don’t they start with the obvious question. Why does he want to be a police officer?

In Sonny’s old kitchen, Donna is dressed for cooking in an apron that says mini chef and chef’s hat. She thanks Carly, and Carly says, it’s a lot of work. Josslyn comes over with a pot of sauce and says, but it’s worth it. Donna wonders what they do first, and Josslyn says, first, they put the pasta sauce in the pan, making a thin layer. Donna says, she can do it, but Josslyn says, how about if she does this, and then Donna can spread it around a little. Carly asks what she should do, and Josslyn says, she can check the noodles and make sure they’re not too hot for Donna. (I don’t see the moss bowl🎍, and have concerns they’re making moss bowl🎍lasagna.) Carly says, check them how? and Josslyn says, touch them. Just don’t pick them up please. Donna says, they don’t want to scare them, and Carly says she’d be insulted if she didn’t know they were right. Josslyn says, they’re lucky she’s so happy today, and Donna asks why Carly is so happy. Carly says, why wouldn’t she be happy. She’s with her girls and her best friend is back. Donna says, Jason Morgan, right?

Anna opens her office door and thanks Jason for coming by. She thanks him for getting himself a phone. She had to wrangle with his lawyer for a good fifteen minutes before she’d relay that message to him. Jason says, Diane is very cautious, and Anna says she doesn’t blame her. she saw Dante. He’s awake. It’s relief. And Jason is exonerated. Jason says, it’s a relief for him too, and Anna says, even though he’s not facing capital murder charges, he’s still in a great deal of trouble and she’s been giving his situation some thought. She thinks they have mutual goals.

Donna asks if Jason is coming for dinner, and Carly says, probably not tonight, but soon. Donna says she wants to meet him, and Carly says, she knows him. She just doesn’t remember. Donna asks if Carly thinks Jason will remember her, and Carly says she knows he’ll remember her. He’s going to be so amazed at how much she’s grown.

Anna says she has information from a special sauce source that Sonny was doing business with Pikeman and suddenly stopped, which could be why he was suddenly targeted. So what can Jason tell her about Pikeman’s internal organization and their areas of involvement? He says, nothing, and she says, why not? Because she already knows he was a part of it. He says he can’t, and she says, because of Agent Cates? He’s on his way over. Her desk phone rings, and she says, send him in. She says, speak of the devil, and tells John, come on in. She thanks him for coming, and says, he already knows Mr. Morgan.

Bennet says, Dex served in the army, and Dex says, he did two tours in Afghanistan, Lahgman and Kandahar. Then he was promoted to a post in Germany. Bennet says, he was discharged for assaulting a superior officer, and Dex says, yes, but he can explain. Bennet says, it wasn’t a dishonorable discharge, so he’s guessing there was some level of provocation. Still, it’s a blemish on Dex’s record just the same. What did he do after he got out? Dex says he worked in private security, and Bennet says he sees that on the application, but he doesn’t see any names or references. Dex says, they were private clients, high profile, rich. He signed non-disclosure agreements. Bennet says, legitimate? and Dex says, yes, sir. Corporate heads, politicians, Silicon Valley guys. Bennet says, what about his last employer? Corinthos Coffee? It’s not included on the application. Why is that? Does he not consider that employer legitimate? Dex says, technically, yes. In reality, no.

Curtis says, honestly, he didn’t know Stella was here, and she says, obviously. He asks where she was, and she says she was in the kitchen dropping off a coconut cake for Trina. It’s her favorite. (I like them too, so if she has an extra…) Now that he knows about her, what about him? He says he’s taken a few steps lately, but he knows he needs a lot more practice, and she says, this is great. Why on earth is he keeping this from his family, especially his wife?

Nina tells Drew that she’s had her hands full with the fall issue, pulling Crimson back from the brink. Carly did huge damage. He says, the only damage that was done during Carly’s tenure was by Nina. She literally ripped out walls to sabotage that first issue, but it went out on time. All her major advertisers, her designers, her collaborators all stayed. There wasn’t a dip in sales or circulation. In fact, there was a little bit of a bump because people were kind of curious to see what Carly would do. She says, if things were so wonderful, then by all means, bring Carly back and she’ll just walk. He says she’s not going anywhere. She’s just a rich, spoiled brat (way to keep an employee), and although she can’t find true love or even a functional relationship, she does have everything money can buy, except for this. This magazine is his and she wants it, she needs it. She says, and he needs her because Carly is long gone.

Michael comes into Sonny’s old kitchen with Wiley, and Carly says, wait a minute. There’s supposed to be four of them. Wiley says, mommy and Amelia aren’t here, and Carly says, what? Wiley says, April fool, and Michael says, Amelia fell asleep on the drive over, so Willow’s upstairs putting her down. (I always think putting them down sounds like they’re shooting a horse or something.) So they’re having lasagna? Donna says, yes, and she made it… She helped. Carly says, a little bit, and Wiley says he can help too. Josslyn says, the lasagna is already in the oven, but they can help her set the table. Wiley says, that’s not fun (agreed), and Josslyn says she gets it, but if they help her, they can play some Star Wars. Donna says she gets to be Darth Vader, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). She, Donna, and Wiley leave, and Carly says, okay. Before Jason turned himself in, he was with Michael, wasn’t he?

Curtis says, of course (🍷) he plans to tell his wife. He plans to tell all of them, just when he’s better able to walk. Stella does understand that, doesn’t she? She says she thinks she does, looking at his cane. After she had her stroke, she had to relearn things too. Not to the extent he has, but she had to put effort into being whole again. Look at her life differently and think differently about her health. But the hardest thing for her to come to terms with wasn’t just physical, it was mental. Accepting that she couldn’t do everything on her own, that she, too, needed help, that she wasn’t invulnerable. He says he gets it. This has motivated him more than ever. He just doesn’t want his family to have to witness him struggle, witness his baby steps, especially with everything he’s put everyone through. He just wants to be further along. She says she’s beyond thrilled and proud right now. She just wants the rest of the family to be able to experience the joy she’s having right now. They’re all on this journey with him. What happens to him affects them too, especially Portia. She’s been holding it down. Let her have some of this joy. Baby steps or big steps, let her experience it with him. Keeping secrets, even if your aim is true, it can destroy a marriage.

Carly says, Jason didn’t say anything to her, but the Quartermaine estate is the perfect place to hide, and Michael lives at the gatehouse. He says he and Willow were helping Jason, and she says, Willow? He says he knows he blindsided Willow when he told her Jason was shot and needed her help. She stepped right up. She took care of his wound and made sure he had the right medication. Willow’s the reason why Jason had such a good recovery. She says, he didn’t say anything about where he’s been, what he’s been doing? and Michael says, not really. Jason told him that he was picked up by somebody who has leverage over him and they had him working as a mercenary soldier. Did he say anything to her? She says, after the arraignment, Jason went straight to see Michael’s father. She was there, and surprise, surprise, so was Ava. He says, Ava’s been spending a lot of time with him these days, and she says, he thinks Ava is trustworthy and she and Michael are not. Which gives him a pretty good idea of how things went with Jason. He says, obviously, now dad realizes Jason didn’t shoot Dante, and she says, he also knows he was an informant for the FBI. He says, an informant? That’s what Jason couldn’t tell him. She says, and he didn’t say much more than that, which infuriated Michael’s father, and Sonny called Jason a traitor. She tried to calm him down. She tried to fix things, but it didn’t work, so she and Jason left. He asks if Jason said anything else, but she says, not really. They went to Bobbie’s and sat and talked, but he didn’t say anything about where he’s been or the FBI. And there’s a vacant room above Bobbie’s, so that’s where Jason is going to stay. He says, that’s good. It’s easier for him there than at the MetroCourt or… she says, the MetroCourt or with her? and he says, yeah, especially there. He’s been through something. She says she knows. She can see it. But Jason’s going to be okay. He’s got a lot of people pulling for him. Michael says, especially her. He knows it’s been an emotional ride. Is she okay? She says she hasn’t been this okay in a long time, and they hug. Willow comes in and says, Wiley needs Michael. He tells her, say no more, and leaves. Willow asks if she can do anything to help, and Carly says she’s been entrusted with the salad, so Willow can help her with that. Willow says she’s got it, and Carly says, hold on. She knows Willow really put herself on the line to help with Jason. Thank you.

John says he can’t imagine why Jason is here, and Anna says she told him to come. Jason says, Anna knows he’s working for John. He told her. John says, that violates the terms of their agreement, and Jason says, John lied when they made their agreement. Why should I continue to honor that, Jagger? John looks at Anna, and Jason says, John chose not to tell him that he knew him in high school. John knew his family. He knew Jason’s mother. And John engineered a scenario where he had to let her believe he was dead. John asks what it would matter if he told Jason something he can’t remember? It’s too bad about Jason’s personal life, but he took this deal of his own volitions, so don’t lecture him on the consequences of being Jason. Jason says, he couldn’t find anybody else to go after Pikeman? and John says, no one with Jason’s qualifications. No one he had leverage over dropped in his lap. He doesn’t give a damn how Jason feels about this job. He only cares that Jason gets it done.

Drew tells Nina that he’s going to save them both some time. They can keep playing chicken. She threatens to leave him. She goes to HR to star search for a new Editor-in-Chief. Or they can take that energy and focus it on the fall issue. (I was just thinking, Nina should put herself on the cover.) Nina says, let’s be clear here. We are not getting the fall issue out. She’s getting the fall issue out because she’s the driving force behind Crimson. That’s why he begged her to come back. He says he doesn’t beg anybody, least of all her. He came to her because there was a vacancy he needed to fill, and he knows how much she loves this magazine. He thought it was a bit of a win-win. He’s open to the possibility of them working together because they both get something they want. She says, it can’t really be that easy for him. Jason blows back into town and suddenly there’s a vacancy in Carly’s bed. Drew’s out; Jason’s in. He says, it was his choice to end things with Carly, but she says, he got out before Carly could dump him. And he’s standing here telling her that he doesn’t want payback? He asks what payback has ever gotten her.

Stella says, keeping secrets ended Curtis’s first marriage, and this one nearly ended before it got started because of a secret. The marriages that work best are the ones where partners can share. They can lean on each other and go through tough times together. Both he and Portia are strong enough to handle anything. And his desire to protect is admirable, but he’s got to ask himself, if he were Portia, wouldn’t he want to know? Portia conveniently walks in and says she’s home. Curtis wheels around and smiles at her.

Bennet asks Dex to clarify what he meant when he said, technically yes, but in reality, no. Dex says he worked closely with Mr. Corinthos. After a period of time, it became clear his business wasn’t one Dex could support. Bennet says, wasn’t he there nearly two years? and Dex says, it took him a while to figure out how to go about it, but eventually, he got out. He planned on leaving Port Charles for good, but… Bennet says, but what? and Dex says he didn’t like the idea of running away. So instead, he went to see Commissioner Devane. She suggested he become a cop, so here he is.

Willow tells Carly that she was more afraid that she wouldn’t be able to treat Jason correctly than she was about whatever legal jeopardy she’d be in. She was able to bandage him up and bring him antibiotics from the hospital, which lowered his risk of infection. Carly says, she took a huge risk, taking meds from the hospital, and Willow says she won’t lie. She was pretty nervous when the shortage showed up on the computer, but Michael called Spinelli… Carly says, and the shortage disappeared. Willow says, thankfully, and Carly says, Spinelli is a good person to know. Willow says, so is Jason. He helped save her from Shiloh. Michael loves him. So does Carly. He’s important to this family. Carly says, he is, but he was also a fugitive wanted for shooting a cop. And she knows it wouldn’t occur to Michael not to get involved, but it might have occurred to Willow. Willow says, sometimes you’ve got to put your own doubts aside and back the person you love. Michael’s done that for her. It was her turn to do it for him. Carly says she understands that because she knows what it’s like to have a special relationship, and Willow says, she must be relieved now that Jason’s back. So will he be all right now that the charges have been dropped? She still doesn’t understand what kind of trouble he was in or what happened to him. Carly says she doesn’t either. He’s said very little. Willow says, really. She thought Carly and Jason told each other everything.

Anna says, obviously, Jason’s cover is blown. He can no longer work for Pikeman as Alan Jacobs. John says, he can’t work there, but he still has value, and she says, how? They will have adjusted their protocols by now, and she’s sure they’ve relocated any personnel who have come in contact with him. John says, maybe, but he knows too much. Pikeman is going to want to shut him up. Jason is going to stay here in Port Charles. Out in the open. Anna asks if John wants to use him as bait, and John says he wants to draw Pikeman out. Jason says he’s not going to be a walking target in his hometown, surrounded by people he cares about. He’s not going to let anybody wind up as collateral damage. John says, then be real careful. Jason knows how Pikeman operates. Draw them out. He’s willing to bet they’ll send someone senior to deal with him. They turn the tables, take them into custody, and incentivize them to give up whoever runs the company. Jason asks how he’s going to turn the tables, and John says he’s sure Jason will think of something. He has an impressive skill set and he’s good at improvising. So what’s it going to be? Cooperate – Jason walks toward the door – or they use the information they already have and charge Carly Spencer with RICO violations and criminal conspiracy.

Jason says he’ll do what John wants as long as he leaves Carly alone, and John says, as long as Jason holds up his end, he has no use for Carly. Anna suggests they clarify the objective, and John says, Jason shouldn’t have involved her. It’s an FBI investigation. She’s not part of it. She says, but she is. They’ve already been over this. It’s her jurisdiction. She wants in. He says, the whole point of using Jason is, he’s not an agent. How they use Jason is at his discretion. He’s not going to risk a leak or open the door to some interagency turf war at this late date. She asks if he thinks any of that would apply to her. Why would it? He says, come on. She’s WSB and so is Pikeman.

Carly tells Willow, one of the great things about Jason is that even when he can’t tell her what’s going on, she knows she can trust him. He’ll let her in when he can. There were so many times Jason didn’t know what she was doing, but he trusted her anyway. Willow goes to the sink, and Carly asks why she has the feeling there’s something Willow wants to say. (I still haven’t seen the moss bowl🎍, and worry it’s part of the salad Carly is mixing.) Willow says she’s sorry. She didn’t want to bring it up. Drew told her that they broke up. Carly says she didn’t know Drew was going to say something to Willow. Not that it’s a secret or anything – it’s not. She just didn’t know how she’d feel when people found out. How is he? Willow says, she knows Drew. He puts on a game face, but she knows he was hurt. Carly says she loves him. She misses him. He went through so much with her and for her, and she really wanted to return that kind of loyalty, but… she didn’t know Jason was going to come back. Willow says, Drew is a good friend, literally her life saver. She hopes he can put his own life back together and find something that really matters to him.

Drew says, that’s Nina’s problem. When things don’t go her way, she focuses on the wrong thing. (I can’t stand this guy. He consistently talks to women like they’re five.) She says, right now, her problem is that she has a sanctimonious boss who barged into her office and now wants to lecture her about her shortcomings. He says he’s sorry he forgot to include victimhood complex in there. Nothing’s ever her fault, right? That’s how she justifies her actions. When she loses something, she just tries to take something from somebody else in return. Think about it for a second. She lost Nelle. She lied to Carly and made her think that she lost Sonny. She lost Willow and tried to send Carly to prison. Nina says, he’s still defending Carly. How pathetic. The best decision he ever made was to fire Carly and reinstate her. Why is he backtracking now? He says he’s not backtracking now. He’s not rewriting history. He has a very clear mind on what happened, and he has a very clear memory. But that’s in the past and they’re trying to move forward here, right? Hasn’t she ever heard that living well is the best revenge?

Portia says, Stella. This is a wonderful surprise. She’s staying for dinner, right? Stella says, no. She just came by to leave Trina a coconut cake. She left it in the kitchen. Portia says, that’s so thoughtful of her. It’s her favorite. Stella says, her pleasure, and she hopes they have a wonderful evening. She kisses Curtis on the cheek and says she’s sure they have a lot to catch up on. She leaves, and Portia says, Stella ran out of here so fast, she didn’t get a chance to tell her some good news. Dante woke up. Curtis says, that is good news. How’s he doing? She says, he’s amazing. He’s weak, but he’s coherent. Sam and Olivia are over the moon. She’s really happy for them. Does he remember how excited she was when he finally woke up? It felt like she hadn’t taken a breath in months. Then he opened his eyes and look at him now. He says he’d rather look at her, and she says she’d rather look at that cake. She runs into the kitchen. (A woman after my own stomach.)

Drew tells Nina, Carly never wanted to be the editor of Crimson. He talked her into it. She did it for him. Nina says, and it didn’t feel good at all to show her the door? but he says, no. That’s Nina’s petty way of thinking. He doesn’t want Carly to suffer at all. He gets nothing from that at all. He wins when he focuses on himself and builds something for himself. If she could only do that, focus on her talents and what she has and get out of her own way, she could probably eventually be happy. She says she was happy, happier than she’s ever been in her life. Does he know why? Because she had a family. Her surviving daughter was back in her life, she had two wonderful grandchildren, she was married to a man she loved and who loved her. She had a job she was great at too, and what does she have now? Nothing, except for Crimson, which is all she started with in the first place. He says, she bears no responsibility for those turn of events? Everything she claimed Carly had to begin with. Nina says she did not want anything from Carly. Things just happened the way they happened, and yes, she takes responsibility for keeping the truth about Sonny being alive in Nixon Falls from his family, but once Sonny remembered, it was his choice, and he chose her. She didn’t force him. It was Sonny’s decision. He says, she’s so big on choice. What about accountability? She asks if he wants to talk accountability. How about Carly? She chose to buy shares of Aurora and commit a crime, but was she held accountable? No. Carly always gets the pass. She even had Drew take the fall for her. He says, after Nina turned them in to the SEC, and she says, which was perfectly legal. But apparently unforgivable for her. Now she’s exiled from the man she loves and the only family she was ever able to call her own. Is that fair?

Josslyn sets the lasagna on the kitchen island, and Carly says, that’s so beautiful. It smells like heaven. Josslyn thanks her and says, it’s a great recipe. Carly asks when she learned how to cook lasagna. When did she learn to cook anything from scratch? Josslyn says, Dex was teaching her how to cook. He’s really good at it. Carly says, she misses him, huh? and Josslyn says she’s trying not to. She knows she has to let it go, and overall, she has. It’s just there’s that part of her that’s waiting for a text or call. Carly says, what if he does text or call? and Josslyn says she promised herself that she wouldn’t answer. Carly hugs her.

Bennet says he started off this interview asking why Dex wants to be a cop. Aside from him saying Commissioner Devane asked him to apply and stating he wanted to stay in town, he hasn’t answered the question. Dex says, yes, the Commissioner suggested he join the force. He could have refused, but he thought it over and realized he misses that feeling he had back in the army. Bennet asks, which is what? and Dex says, doing something good through service. The way he sees it, being a cop is like being a soldier. You go through a lot of tough stuff, but it’s for the greater good. It’s about serving others. Bennet says, Dex took an oath to serve his country and the Constitution in the military. Law enforcement officers take an oath to defend the Constitution and uphold the laws in their jurisdiction. Is he prepared to do that? Dex says, yes, sir. There’s another thing. He liked being a part of something bigger than himself. When he was in the army, the men and women he served with became his brothers and sisters. They were in it together and had each other’s backs. They were doing something real and important. It was hard as hell and it was challenging, but they had a purpose. They believed in a cause so strongly, they put their lives on the line for it. That gave his life meaning. To protect their way of life and their freedom was the goal. The goal in working private security and working for Sonny was to make money. That was a stupid and ugly reason to die.

Anna says, so now they get to the real reason for John’s attitude toward her since he came to town. Is she part of his investigation? John says, there’s no way to know, but they do know that Pikeman has longstanding and unhealthy ties to the WSB. She says, so he doesn’t like her poking around. He’s been playing nice to keep tabs on her, to keep her in check. He says he can neither confirm nor deny, but the ties between Pikeman and the WSB go back to her early days as an agent in the 80s. She says she can tell him flat out, she’s never had anything to do with Pikeman. Jack Brennan, who ended his rather brief tenure as head of the WSB by being shipped off to Pentenville, could tell him more. It’s alleged he was running both Pikeman and WSB. Unless he thinks she’s the new head of Pikeman and by packing Jack off to prison she was making a big power grab. He says, anything is possible, and it falls within the scope of his investigation. He wants Pikeman and everything affiliated with it to go down. That’s his focus. She says, it’s hers too, but how do they do it? and he says, that is the billion-dollar question. Hopefully Jason will get them an answer.

Portia says, it took every ounce of willpower she had to make sure… She sees Curtis standing, and he says, wait a second. He puts down his cane and takes a few steps toward her. He falters, but rights himself and says, looks like he’s going to need a little more practice. He could certainly use a good coach. She says, he’s got one, and takes his hands. He walks the rest of the way to her, and they hug, then kiss.

Nina says she could almost believe Drew if she hadn’t personally experienced his version of payback. Maybe he’s seen the light. Maybe he’s a kinder, gentler Drew, but she somehow doubts it. She thinks the rage and the anger is still in there somewhere. She wonders, if there was a button he could somehow push that would make Jason disappear again, and no one would know except for him, would he push it, knowing his brother would just go away and everything would go back to the way it was? Madison comes in and says, the article on how the wellness/fitness market is booming and evolving is in her inbox. Nina thanks her and says she’ll look at it right away. Madison leaves, and Nina tells Drew that she needs to get back to work. He says, so he heard. What’s this piece about? She says, it’s for the next issue. It’s about feeling good. It’s a powerful, profitable industry. Fitness and wellbeing are not just trendy buzzwords. He asks if she’ll forward it to him. He’d like to read it. She says she’s forwarding it right now, his phone dings, and he says he’s got it. He thanks her and says, maybe they can work together after all. He leaves, and she says, stranger things have happened.

Bennet says he gets what Dex did in the military. He respects Dex’s discretion about his private clients. He doesn’t like the gaps in Dex’s work history, but he’s familiar with that road and non-disclosures. What concerns him the most is Dex’s familiarity with the Corinthos organization. What he’s seen. What he’s done. Dex says, it’s because of the time he worked for Sonny that he wants this. He did things he regrets. Bennet asks if he thinks he can make up for them by becoming a cop. That’s not how this works. The Commissioner may have suggested this, but if he’s thinking of it as some kind of penance, don’t do it. Dex says he told Bennet, he wants a purpose in his life. He needs to do better for himself.

The kids run into Sonny’s old kitchen, and Josslyn asks, who won? The Rebels or the Empire? Wiley says, they haven’t finished yet. The Rebels will win. Carly asks how he knows that, and he says, because Josslyn’s playing for them and she’s the best. Michael says he plays for the Empire and he’s a pretty good pilot, and Josslyn says, they’ll see what happens. Carly says, before they sit down to dinner, she just wants to thank Willow, Josslyn, and Donna for making dinner. Cutest child in the universe Donna says, Carly helped too, and Carly tells her that it’s nice of her to say that. She also wants to say she loves them very much and how lucky they are that they have each other. And they’re lucky Dante is doing better, and they’re so lucky Jason’s back. They have so much to celebrate. Donna says, let’s eat, and they all move to the dining room with their plates.

Jason says he knows a lot about Pikeman, but he doesn’t know who’s in charge or the chain of command. But John is right. they’re going to want to shut him up. Anna say, the same way they tried to eliminate Sonny, but Jason says he doesn’t know. They sent separate teams for Sonny. The first team was at the MetroCourt, then Puerto Rico. He was on the third team, as they know, but their approach is not working. They’re definitely going to try something different with him. John says he regrets Jason has to be used as bait, but it’s real. He’s playing the hand he’s been dealt with now. The mission remains shutting Pikeman down. He leaves, and Anna asks if Jason is okay with this. Jason imperceptibly shakes his head and says, it just has to be done. She says, it all makes sense now. He didn’t become an FBI informant to protect himself. It was to save Carly. He says, she can’t know, and Anna asks, why? but Jason says nothing and leaves.

Tomorrow, Sam tells Dante that she doesn’t think she’s ever felt so betrayed in her life; Kristina wants to clear the air; Nina has a secret weapon; and Chase says, they need someone’s help to save their wedding.

Vanderpump Rules

Starting with a random fact. We find out instead of Play-Doh, in New Zealand, Brock had mud. The girls work out in the park, and in Katie’s interview, she says she doesn’t understand how fitness people are addicted to endorphins. It’s like they never drank wine or experienced true happiness. This isn’t it. Lala asks if Ariana and Katie are coming to the water tasting. She warns them that she invited everyone, including Sandoval. Ann comes to Ariana and Sandoval’s house dressed in a suit and tells Ariana that she came professional and prepared. In Ariana’s interview, she says, it might be rough with her roommate if she poached his assistant. But he didn’t respect her enough not to f*** her friend while she was at her grandma’s funeral, so she’ll poach gleefully. She says, Ann typically comes in at 11 and stays all day whether there’s stuff to do or not. Ann says she usually has to pick up Sandoval’s socks and underwear, and in her interview, Ariana says, he sometimes wears them for days in a row. Change your drawers, bro. Anna says she can’t wait to do more administrative work and she’d love to work for an amazing girl boss. She’d love to work with Ariana, but if it doesn’t work out, she’ll understand. Ariana says she loves Ann. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, Ariana’s already got his friends. Now she wants his assistant when she can hire anybody she wants. Ariana tells Ann, it’s weird now with the living situation, but once she’s out of the house… Ann says, they’ll keep in touch, and Ariana says, lucky for Ann, she’s the HR department.

Schwartz visits Scheana and Brock, bringing them a plant, his new M.O. He says, when he looked on Instagram, the first six posts were people having kids, and in his interview, he says, Father Time is knocking in the back of his mind. He’s not getting any younger. He’s not sure about a lot of things, but he’s sure he’d be a good dad. He hopes he’d be a DILF, but he’ll be 60 when they graduate high school. As I always say, there’s 60 and there’s 60. Although I’m not so sure Schwartz will end up in the latter category. Katie goes to see Ariana, and says she’s had six shots of espresso and she’s got to keep the buzz going. Ariana tells her about Ann coming for an interview. She had a suit on brought her resume. She told Ann that they could do something in the future, but right now it would be petty and vindictive. When she was getting ready to leave, she found Ann in the kitchen crying. Ann told her that Sandoval had been coming down on her; he was eavesdropping. Katie says she doesn’t like the invasion of privacy. She feels like hers was invaded by Scheana tracking her. Nice turning that around to herself, although she must be tired of being on the outskirts of Ariana’s limelight. We flash back to last week, and Ariana says, Scheana knows her location, but how many locations does she have? Katie says, it’s none of her business, and Ariana says she never had Sandoval’s location.

Scheana tells Brock that it wasn’t his place to talk about Katie and Max. And it backfired on her. Brock reminds her that Katie said she wanted to watch Scheana’s world burn, and we flash back to that. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Katie was his closest friend, and he kissed Raquel once. She can be upset all she wants, but at the end of the day, he doesn’t feel bad. It’s not like they had an agreement. Lala texts Katie and Ariana about coming to her water tasting, and Ariana says she’s not feeling it. Considering it’s Lala’s thing, it makes sense Sandoval will be there. She’s trying to understand that this is part of Lala’s healing journey. In Ariana’s interview, she says, short of removing herself from the friend group, it’s not possible for her not to be in the same room with him. Lala is her friend, and she wants to find out what a water tasting is.

James tells Ally that he’s seen Lala’s water guy on the news talking about water. Well, we would assume if he was a water guy, that would be his area of expertise. We see a news clip with Martin, water sommelier, and James and Ally set up the backyard. Lala arrives and thanks them for hosting. James says, her water man is here, and Lala says she’s excited. In her interview, she says, since she quit drinking, she’s become a sparkling water connoisseur. She asks Martin how he is, and he says, living the dream. In James’s interview, he says he’s more of a Red Bull/Coca Cola kind of guy. The friends trickle in, Scheana bringing vodka because it goes well with sparkling water. I can’t argue with that. In Katie’s interview, she wonders if Brock telling Schwartz about Max is payback for her talking about his private life. We flash back to Katie talking smack about Brock seeing his kids and questioning his child support, and she says, so are they good? Lala thanks everyone for coming. She’s been sober for nearly five years. One day at a time. In her interview, she says, sparkling water was there for her when she wanted to go buck wild, when she felt stressed, and when she felt sad. It’s at the point where, if she can’t get the sparkling water she wanted, it can f*** up her entire day. Martin talks about some water from the oldest spring or whatever, and says, it might be dino piss. He tells them that he’s the Harry Potter of water, and shows them a bottle of still water, shakes it, and it turns into sparkling. He says, it’s natural carbonation, which I’ve never heard of and now want to check out. He shows them another bottle, and says, it’s the only cuvée water created and is $1000 a bottle. He pops it like champagne, and Sandoval asks why it’s so expensive. Martin says, it comes from two spring sources like a Bordeaux blend. They toast with it, and in Katie’s interview, she says, it tastes like water. This doesn’t compare to a wine tasting at all. Brock asks Sandoval what happened with Tii, and he says, they’re just chilling.

The girls gather inside, and Ariana gives a Medusa look to Sandoval when he comes through with the guys to get the pizza delivery. She makes a few snarky remarks, and in his interview, Sandoval says, it’s harder to be a wallflower when he hears Ariana making comments about him. He’s working hard to rebuild relationships and Ariana is putting pressure on their friends to choose her. The deck is stacked against him. The guys hang out in the back, and Sandoval says, Tii told him that Ariana was asking her questions at the bar, and we flash back to that. Sandoval says, she was talking sh*t when he was on a first date. It felt tacky. Brock says, Sandoval and Ariana’s change in status is still in the infant stages. They have to figure how to go through living together. They should have a conversation. Sandoval says, maybe everybody needs to chill, and Brock says, if he doesn’t want Ariana attacking Tii, he has to talk to Ariana, not them. Sandoval says he loves how people put it on him. Inside, Ariana wonders if Ann is okay, since Sandoval sent her home. Lala says, she’s not just an assistant, Ann’s their middleman. What’s the game plan? Ariana says she’ll probably have her lawyer do it, and Scheana says, she won’t have someone telling her when it’s all clear to go upstairs. Lala says, she’s got to figure it out, and in Lala’s interview, she says, Ariana’s lawyer has better things to do than mediate between Ariana and her boyfriend when Ariana is choosing to stay in the house. Katie goes outside, and Schwartz asks if she wants to talk. Katie says she thinks he does, and he calls her a dirty dog. She says she’s trying on his pants, but he says, don’t put it on him. He’s not mad, even though Max was literally his best friend and Katie roasted him into oblivion because he kissed Rachel. Katie says, he couldn’t respect one simple wish, and he says, it was a flimsy agreement, but he’s sorry he hurt her feelings. Katie says, everything felt flimsy to him, and her feelings didn’t matter. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, after he betrayed their agreement, Katie had an air of moral superiority. He says, she’s f***ed up too. It feels good to say it. She tells him that she’s let a lot go over the years, and he asks her to shake and start fresh, not delve into the past. He’s not saying be BFFs, but they can get dinner and just hang out. Katie jokes that she doesn’t want to until he makes better choices in clothing.  Inside, Brock asks about Ann applying to be Ariana’s assistant, and Ariana says Ann told her that she’d love to work for her, and the attempted dog murderer was eavesdropping. Once again, said attempted dog murderer is within earshot, and she says when she left for Katie’s, Ann was crying. Brock wonders who the attempted dog murderer is, and Sandoval says, she’s referring to him.

Sandoval says, Ariana left food out, and in Ariana says, Sandoval went into her room, where the door was closed. In Ariana’s interview, she says, he let Mya in and locked her in there for hours. While she was trapped, she chewed on a takeout container that had wooden skewers in it. His carelessness could have ended her dog’s life. Sandoval says, she never empties the litter box, and the argument begins. Ariana says she guesses she’ll have to take pictures, but no, she doesn’t, because Bravo has, and we see her cleaning the litter box. She asks if he wants to kill her dog over a litter box. It was her only safe space and he wrecked it. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, she’s quick to jump from accident to murderer. There’s no dead dog. Outside, Schwartz asks Katie if they’re fighting, and Ariana tells Sandoval to stop interrupting her. Her lawyer will deal with him, not her. Sandoval says, then her lawyer should be professional, and she says, he is and he’ll be sending Sandoval an email with a well thought out response. Sandoval says, it’s been two months, so it better be. Ariana asks why he’s talking to her. She also found the door wide open when she came home from SUR. One more example of his carelessness and callousness. He wants to destroy her dream house and her children. Get the f*** away from her. She keeps repeating this until he’s on his way, and she tells to never look her in the eye again, calling him a f***ing POS. He says, she has everything. She has all the campaigns. Now she’s taking his assistant. Ariana tells him to run for his life. He tried to kill her dog. Outside, James says, sorry dude, and Sandoval says, her dream home for her kids? Okay. He leaves, and Katie promises not to f*** any more of Schwartz’s friends. Ariana tells the table that Mya ate the shit from her taken container, including wooden skewers. She spent $6000 have that sh*t extrapolated. I’m guessing she means extracted because that word does not mean what she thinks it means. In Lala’s interview, she says, Sandoval shouldn’t have gone in, but the dog eating sh*t is Ariana’s fault. Throw you trash away. Didn’t you do a trash bag commercial? Sandoval calls Schwartz and says, Ariana called him a dog murderer, but he had to get in the room and either him or Ann, didn’t close the door. Throwing Ann under the bus is new – what a d-bag. Schwartz says, that stuff happens with dogs, and we flash back to him saying his dog ate laxative pills. He wonders if it’s a lowkey trial run to see if they can co-exist, but Sandoval says, it’s the rage he dealt with during the relationship. Schwartz says he should probably excuse himself and go. Ariana is still going on and on, and says, Sandoval is taking literally zero responsibility for locking Mya in her room. She made sure Mya wasn’t in the room and shut the door, which she does responsibly every time. Lala says, they need to have a productive conversation, but Ariana says she’s not capable of that with a sociopath, disgusting, psycho, narcissist, gaslighter, piece of sh*t person. In Scheana’s interview, she says, seeing Ariana upset breaks her heart. Ultimately, she has to figure out the best way to process her emotions and move on. Schwartz asks how the pizza is, and Ariana says, now she’s mad at him again because of association. Schwartz tells Katie to call him and leaves.

Ariana gets a text from Katie asking if they’re going to Scheana’s beach day or faking their deaths, but Ariana says she’s not missing out because of dumbass him. Brock and Scheana have the same old nanny discussion again because Gaby isn’t more available. Scheana says she hates going back to the drawing board, but Brock wonders how many times they’ve gone to the drawing board at all. In Brock’s interview, he says, before the pandemic, he co-owned a couple of fitness studios, but he sold them. Scheana became the bread winner while he was home with Summer. A nanny will help him figure out the next step in his career. Scheana tells him that he has to uninvite Sandoval after last night, and we flash back to two seconds ago. Brock says, if you can’t handle it, don’t go. What he saw wasn’t okay. Scheana says she’s assuming there was no interaction when they got home, but she’s curious if there was. Brock says, it’s childish stuff, and Scheana says, sometimes Brock gets heated quick. Who the f*** is he to judge someone? She hates that Sandoval did something irresponsible that sent the dog to the hospital. He says he doesn’t condone Sandoval’s actions, but Ariana needs to let it go for her own sanity. In Scheana’s interview, she says, what Sandoval did was the best thing to happen to Ariana. It brought her prosperity, wealth, and opportunities in life. She’s afraid if she says anything to Ariana about wanting to move past the anger and hatred, Ariana will cut her off.  

Interior designer Lucinda comes to see Ariana – which I could swear they did already – and in Ariana’s interview, she says, suffering through the water testing made it more clear that she has to get out of the house as soon as possible. She and Sandoval furnished the home together and Lucinda helped design and pick out everything. She put it in an inventory and has who paid for what. Ariana doesn’t want there to be any loopholes to f*** her over in her counteroffer to Sandoval. They go through house, and Ariana says she doesn’t care about the little things, like the penis flute Sandoval made Ann glue back together. In her interview, Ariana says she’s sure when Sandoval sent the letter of intent, he thought she’d say, great, thanks for the cash, and leave him everything. She doesn’t f***ing think so. She tells Lucinda that she’s going to attach the list to an email to her attorney, and then they’ll send it to Sandoval.

In James’s interview, he says, going to the beach in LA is work. You have to pack a picnic bag, go through traffic, and deal with parking. That’s why he has a pool now.  Brock sets up the canopy, and Scheana asks if Schwartz is ready to get a drink thrown in his face. We flash back to that, and Schwartz says, it’s beach day redemption. Brock wonders if Sandoval is coming, and Ariana says, when she was ready to leave, he had that stripy crochet thing in the dryer, so he must be planning on coming. Brock sees Sandoval in the distance wearing the stripy crochet thing, and says, Ariana was right on the money. Sandoval joins them, and James makes a literal line in the sand. Sandoval says he met a girl who puts on singles events in LA, and he signed up for one on Saturday night. Schwarz asks if Katie wants to be his date. Ironically, he thinks their divorce brought them closer together, and Katie says, he was getting it while they were together. Schwartz says he was pretty faithful, almost nil mistakes. Katie asks if Sandoval knew that Schwartz had kissed Scheana in Vegas, and we’re back. She says, Scheana can keep a secret, and Scheana says she buried that sh*t. Every guy in the group has been flirty with her at one time or another. Sandoval says, more like the recipient, and Brock asks if that’s what he told Raquel. Sandoval says, that was low hanging fruit, and Ariana says, the subject matter is disgusting. Have this conversation somewhere else.

Lala is late, having had to take Ocean to the eye doctor, and Katie says she heard Ann was out of a job. Sandoval says he didn’t fire her. He said, let’s take a couple days off. James asks who’s mediating, and Ariana says they haven’t crossed that bridge yet. He asks about Mya, but she says, Ann wasn’t Mya’s sitter. James asks if she feels Mya is safe, and Ariana says, now she does. Schwartz says, she and Sandoval are great pet parents, but Ariana says, the pets are hers. James asks if Sandoval agrees, and Sandoval says, no, but Ally says, Ariana paid the adoption fee. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Mya is her dog. She pays for everything, and she’s the only one who walks her and bathes her. He can suck her d*ck. Sandoval says, that’s one bill she paid. Since he applied for and got the loan for the house… Ariana tells him to stop speaking to her, like, twelve times, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, anything he does or says triggers Ariana. He had this delusional idea that they’d be more civil than Schwartz and Katie. Delusional. He might try taking into consideration that the circumstances are radically different. Lala arrives, and Ariana says, Sandoval is saying sh*t and she won’t do this again. He ruined her entire life. In Lala’s interview, she says, what the f*** did she just walk into? Brock says, Sandoval has been walking around with his tail between his legs all summer, and Schwartz says, when they go to the next spot, he and Sandoval will sit somewhere else. Ariana says, none of them put Sandoval in check, and in James’s interview, he tells us that he’s not saying forgive and forget, but the anger is consuming her life and she’d be more at peace if she released it. Ariana says, they should step in as men and tell him to STFU. He only respects men and they need to put him in his place because he’s in the wrong. Brock says, they don’t need to do all that. He left. Lala says, he’s going to be in defense mode about anything they say, and Ariana says she doesn’t need Lala playing devil’s advocate. Lala says she’s not, and in her interview, she says she understands Sandoval was an uber douche and it was a devastating break-up, but at what point do you choose inner peace? He didn’t win. Look at his life. You won. Ariana says, if Sandoval’s not going to be remorseful and take jabs at her, and they’re going to shove him down her throat, what do they expect?  

To be continued…

🍼 Down In the Valley…

Congratulations. In record time, this show has become a Vanderpump Rules, the early, even more immature seasons. Once again Kristen played telephone and got herself backed in a corner. Ho-hum. There was even one point where there were literal crickets chirping after Kristen’s firing from VPR was brought up. I don’t think Kristen is a racist and I don’t think that’s the reason she went after the girl whose name I’ve already forgotten in whatever season that was. But I do think she’s emotionally juvenile and not the brightest bulb in the box. It might not be cause for cancelation, but those crickets have their work cut out for them.

https://people.com/the-valley-recap-kristen-doute-revisits-painful-vanderpump-rules-firing-racist-actions-8623783

🐕 Seeing a Dog About a Dog…

Stop in tomorrow for soap and a heavy discussion about current events and politics. April fool. See? Works even better when no one’s expecting it. Until then, stay safe, stay extending more grace than you would expect or hope for were the roles reversed, and stay not keeping secrets from your significant other, even if your aim is true.

April 1, 2024 – Blaze Becomes the New Face Of Deception, Jill Zarin Thinks She’s the Primary On Deck, Finale Of Who Lived & Ball

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny sees Dante slowly walking in the corridor at the hospital, along with a nurse, and says, it’s good to see him up and walking. He wasn’t there when Dante took his first steps, but he’s getting a taste of that right now. This time if Dante falls, he’ll be there to catch him.

Elizabeth calls upstairs for Jake to hurry up. She’d really like to take a shower after her shift. There’s a knock at the door, and Elizabeth asks Aiden to get that. She’s not dressed. She heads upstairs and Aiden answers the door to Jason. Aiden says, hi, and Jason says, Aiden, right? Aiden says, yeah. He’s Jason. Jason says, it’s been a while, and Aiden says, sorry. Does he want to come in? Jason comes inside, and Elizabeth comes back down. He says he hopes it’s okay that he stopped by, and she says, of course (🍷). He says he saw her at his arraignment and wanted to say thanks for being there, and she says she just wanted to see for herself what’s going on. Congratulations on having the charges dropped. He thanks her and says he’s sorry. He should have dropped by sooner. She says, that’s okay. To be honest, she doesn’t know what kind of reception he’d have received if he stopped by earlier. So maybe now the timing is just right.

In Alexis’s office, Adrian says, Nina made him associate publisher, and he has every right to weigh in on where his pieces are run, but Alexis says, he doesn’t have any right to decide the layout of the paper because that’s her job. He suggests they call Nina and see what she says, and he picks up the phone. Alexis asks if he’s five years old. This is not kindergarten. Is he going to call the principal? No, they’re not doing that. She puts the phone back, and Diane says, knock-knock. Bad time?

Blaze looks at the contract, and Maxie asks how it looks. Blaze says, looking at it makes it seem real, and Lucy says, of course (🍷) it’s real. They’re so excited that they’ve decided to have her as the new Face of Deception. Blaze thanks her. She’s glad they circled back and that it’s working out this time. Lucy says, of course (🍷) it’s working out. Blaze is the perfect pairing with Deception, like peanut butter and chocolate, or wine and cheese, or a facial and a massage. Brook says, Lucy is right. It’s going to be a perfect partnership. She says that not only on behalf of Deception, but also as Blaze’s music manager. This is a really smart step for her career. Maxie says, her popularity as an artist will bring eyes to Deception, and Deception’s leverage will boost her profile and expose her to a whole new audience. It’s a win-win. Lucy says, they just need her signature, when Natalia walks in. She says she’s so sorry she’s late. Traffic was crazy. Has Blaze signed that yet? Blaze says, not yet, and Natalia says, great, taking the contract from Blaze. Because it’s so much harder to tear these things up and start from scratch. (Um… Isn’t Brook her manager?)

Elizabeth tells Jason, excuse the mess. She just got off a double shift. She’s head nurse now. He says he heard Epiphany died. It’s just so much to process. First Bobbie, then Britt, now Epiphany. So much can happen in two years. But he’s happy she made head nurse. She deserves it. He knows Epiphany would be proud of her. She thanks him and says, big shoes to fill, but so far, she’s loving it. He says, she looks good, happy, and she thanks him. She says, he looks different, and he says, that’s because he is.

Alexis says she’s so glad she and Diane could meet. She was just showing Adrian out. She steers Adrian to the door, and he says, point of fact, they have not yet finished. She says, call Nina. She’s probably really busy, so email Nina and make sure he cc’s her. He says, make space for the review on the front page, as Alexis closes the door. She tells Diane, perfect timing, and Diane laughs and says, it looks like her day is going well. Alexis says, Nina has foisted this gossip columnist on her and made him associate publisher. Now he thinks he runs the place. Diane says she’s sure that’s fun for Alexis, but Alexis says, no. She’s determined to turn The Invader into some fluffy, gossipy, rag magazine, and making her life a living hell. Diane says, so obviously, she could use some good news, and Alexis asks if Diane has some to share. Diane says she’s done some digging, and with the information she’s found out, they’re half a step closer to getting Alexis back to practicing law.

Natalia says she understands this isn’t the first time they’ve approached Allison about being the Face of Deception. The woman who had the position until just recently, why did they separate? Lucy says, that’s Sasha Gilmore. Sasha was wonderful and amazing, and they love her. And they’re so grateful to her for all she contributed. It’s just that, you know pop culture is always evolving and changing, and her look was just a little too wholesome, and the magazines right now want hipper, edgier, the Gen Z that has that style. Brook says, Blaze, as a musician, obviously has that in spades, and Natalia says, that’s unacceptable. Maxie asks, which part? and Natalia says she’s not going to have the word edgy associated with Blaze because it has less than savory connotations. (Come into this century…) Now, creative, gifted, those are acceptable. Maxie asks what Blaze thinks, and Blaze says, her mom makes a good point. She defines herself as a creative. Whether people find her look, her presentation as edgy, so be it. That’s not something she’s striving for. Lucy says, they just want Blaze to be her own, lovely, wonderful self, and Blaze thanks her. Natalia says she’s having a little problem here with clause #3. It says something about Blaze being a spokesmodel for Deception products. What exactly does that mean?

Sonny tells Dante, anything he needs, he just has to say it, and Dante says he wants his strength back. He feels like he just ran a marathon or something. Sonny says, it’s going to take time because he’s been through a lot, but he’s getting his color back to his face. So when he was unconscious… Dante says, hey, he’s going to be okay. He was shocked when he heard Jason was arrested for shooting him. He’s glad he got that all squared up with Anna. Sonny asks if he’s positive that’s what happened, and Dante says, yeah. He went after the two suspects, caught up with them at the pier. He told them to stop. One of them did, the other one didn’t. The guy that did, he told him to turn around and put his hands in the air, and when he did, it was Jason. The other guy came back, and he opened fire.

Aiden says he saw on the news that Jason had been shot, but Jason says he’s okay and thanks Aiden. Jake comes downstairs and says the bathroom is all Elizabeth’s. If she still wants to get him that electric razor for his birthday… He sees Jason, who says, hi, and Jake asks, why is he here?

Diane says, something about the disciplinary hearing that resulted in Alexis’s disbarment has never sat right with her, so she did some digging. One of the original attorneys on the panel had to recuse himself. Alexis says, on what grounds? and Diane says, you tell me. The attorney in question, Fergus Byrne. Alexis says, Byrne… Byrne! and Diane says, as in the brother of Dr. Neil Byrne, with whom Alexis had a relationship, then lied to the board to protect. Alexis says, and also the reason she was disbarred. She had no idea there was a third brother, and yet he was the lawyer who recused himself in her case? Diane says, the Byrnes were quite the overachieving Irish American family – a doctor, a lawyer, and executive turned blackmailer. Alexis says, this is really intriguing, although, how does it help her? and Diane says, when Fergus Byrne recused himself, he was replaced with his very own law partner. That alone gives the whole proceeding an air of illegitimacy. Doesn’t she think?

In her office, Anna says she wanted to talk to Detective Bennet about a possible candidate for the police academy, and he says, they’re always looking for new recruits, especially one who comes recommended by the Police Commissioner. She says, his name is Dex Heller, and she wanted to talk to Bennet because he’s an instructor at the academy and she wanted him to access Dex’s potential. He says, sure. He’d be happy to meet with him. How did he do on the written exam? Anna says, he didn’t sit that yet. She wanted them to get the ball rolling first. He asks, why is that? and she says, he’s ex-military. He served in Afghanistan and so she’s sure he’ll pass the physical and the JST and the drug screening. She just wanted him to have extra time to study for the written exam. He says, that’s definitely not the usual process, but he trusts her judgement, and she thanks him. She says she has a good feeling about Dex. She thinks his experience with his former employer is going to be very useful for them. He asks what Dex was doing, and she says, working for Sonny Corinthos.

Dante tells Sonny that he’d never seen the other guy who shot him before. Not that it matters. They can’t find his body anymore and none of the forensic evidence was helpful. Sonny says he guesses Jason knows what happened to him, since they were working together, and Dante says, they were working together on the roof, yeah. Sonny says, lining up a shot at him, and Dante says he doesn’t know what Jason was doing, but he remembers Jason was trying to get him help and trying to stop the bleeding. Sonny says he guesses he knows where their tax dollars are going, and Dante asks what he’s talking about. Sonny says he saw Jason last night. He’s working as an informant for the FBI.

Jake says, Jason has been on the news a lot. Everyone’s talking about him, but Jake hasn’t heard anyone say where he’s been this whole time. Jason tells him that all he can say is, he got into some trouble and had to take a job he didn’t want in a place far away from here. Jake says, and they didn’t have phones in this faraway place or computers. Or did Jason just not feel like telling them he was alive? Elizabeth says, Jake… but Jason says, it’s okay. He’d be asking the same question. He knows this doesn’t make much sense to Jake, but if he could have gotten in touch, he would have. He knows it’s a lot to ask, but please believe him. Jake says, would you believe you?

Lucy says, Blaze would represent Deception at all their in-store product launches and of course (🍷) on the Home & Heart Shopping Channel. She would be showing off their merchandise and look at that face. This face would sell millions of units of beauty and wellness products. Brook says, and it will get a ton of eyes on Blaze. They can’t buy that kind of publicity. Natalia says, absolutely not. Blaze will do photoshoots, but she won’t be personally hawking products on some home shopping show or live events. No. Maxie says she’s sure they can come up with a compromise that works for everyone, but Natalia says, no compromise. Blaze won’t be signing the contract unless they agree that the Face of Deception is completely separate from this traveling salesperson of Deception.

Bennet tells Anna, in the old days, organized crime would quietly infiltrate the force or hand out bribes and put some cops in their back pocket. Now she’s telling him the department is actively recruiting mobsters. She says, Dex had a somewhat contentious parting with his former employer. She believes he’s left that life firmly behind and he will be 100% loyal to them here. He says, she knows hiring this guy is going to cause conflict with Corinthos, and she says she thinks it’s natural to have conflict between law enforcement and racketeers. He says he always thought she had a soft spot for Corinthos and tried to go easy on him, and she apologizes if she gave that impression. They go back… and Detective Falconari is his son, which she knows has raised a few eyebrows around here. But he’s never cut his father any slack, nor will anyone else in this department, including her. Sonny Corinthos will be held to the same standards they hold everyone else. He wonders if he can ask what prompted this change of heart, and Anna tells him, let’s say it was a series of events that occurred recently that shed light on the fact they have to check organized crime in this city, specifically limit Sonny’s influence. To that end, Dex will be invaluable to them. He will be able to give them insight into how Sonny’s operation is run. She thinks if they pass up this opportunity, they will never get one like this again.

Dante says, Jason’s been working for the Feds this whole time, and Sonny says, supposedly. Dante asks, why? Did he explain it? Sonny says, not really. He just said he’s working as an informant for the FBI and wanted him to swallow it, but how can he swallow something that’s the worst thing Jason could have done? Dante says, nice to know how Sonny feels about it, and Sonny says, the Feds? Jason is dead to him. Dante says, come on. Why doesn’t he get the full story first before he writes Jason off? Sonny says he doesn’t want to talk about it. Go ahead. Say it. Whatever it is Dante’s got to say, say it. Dante says, Jason was Sonny’s righthand man for years. Sonny relied on him. Sonny says, when he came back from Nixon Falls, he’d had amnesia. He comes back and his wife is marrying his best friend. He had feelings for another woman, and things were never the same after that. Jason’s not the Jason he knew. Dante says he’s sorry, and Sonny says he doesn’t want to waste their valuable time talking about this right now. Once Dante gets better, he wants Dante to even make fun of him if he wants. Dante laughs, and Sonny says, he won’t even care. He’ll even let Dante. How’s that? Dante says he’s going to hold Sonny to that, and Sonny says, he’d better.

Alexis says, this is all very intriguing, but she doesn’t want to get her hopes up, and Diane says she believes the implication of bias is further grounds to appeal her disbarment. Alexis says she should have paid more attention to Neil’s family tree. She knew there was a lawyer out there somewhere, vaguely, but if Neil’s brother Fergus was at his memorial, she never met him. Diane says, maybe there’s a very good reason Fergus didn’t introduce himself to Alexis. If he was even partially responsible for her disbarment, he’d want to stay as far away from her as humanly possible before she started putting the pieces all together. Alexis says, true, and Diane says, but Fergus is no longer on the disciplinary committee. She checked. So he won’t be a factor in her appeal this time. Alexis says, all joking aside, she’s truly impressed with the progress Diane has made on this so quickly. She’s just not sure she should proceed with this. Diane says, why the hell not? and Alexis says, because her job at The Invader is annoying and frustrating, but an argument in its favor is she gets to sleep at night. She won’t be up at 3 in the morning making revisions on a closing argument or having nightmares she makes a procedural error and gets her client wrongly convicted. Diane tells her, there’s a lot to be said for a restful night’s sleep, but the Alexis she knows never took the easy way out for anything. She loves a challenge and loves being a lawyer, so what is this really all about? Alexis says, Molly’s worried. She said the last time Alexis practiced law, she also happened to be a raging alcoholic and turned her life into a car wreck. And she’s worried if the appeal is dismissed, Alexis will dive right back into the bottle. Diane asks what she said to that, and Alexis says, Molly’s got enough on her plate right now, so she doesn’t want to worry her. She told Molly that she goes to meetings regularly and she’s working the program. And that is all true. But what if by trying to get her law license back, it derails her sobriety and everything else she’s worked so hard to salvage from the ruins of her old life?

Natalia crosses out some things in the contract and says, okay. She’s crossed out everything about the live participation and pitching products, and the rest of it looks good to her. Lucy says, what if they want the live participation to remain in force? and Natalia says, then they’ll have to find another Face of Deception. Lucy tells Blaze that she knows her mom wants the best for her and her career, of course (🍷), but she does realize being the Face of Deception is a very prestigious role. It’s big, big, big. Is she really willing to just pass that up? Blaze says, she doesn’t want to, but – she looks at Natalia – her mom makes a valid point. She’s a singer, a performer, not a spokesmodel. Lucy says she sees, and Blaze says, but she doesn’t think that means they have to forget about the whole thing. Would they be open to hiring a second Face?

Elizabeth tells Jake that she knows this isn’t easy. First, he had to mourn his dad and accept that he’s gone, and all of a sudden, his dad is back with no real explanation of where he went for so long… But this isn’t good for Jake to be so angry with him. Jake says he doesn’t think it’s good for Elizabeth to be so okay with this and act all nice to him like he didn’t do anything wrong and everything’s fine. She says, that’s not what she’s doing. She knows Jake is hurting, but that doesn’t make it okay for him to lash out at everyone around him. So can he turn down the snark just a little? Jake nods and asks if she knows. She says, know what? and he says, that his dad was alive. Jason didn’t call her or get in touch with her or send her something? Did she know and then keep it a secret from him? She says, no. God no. She didn’t know he was alive, she promises. Jake says, it’s just hard. He feels guilty because… Never mind. He starts to get up, and she says, no. Just tell her. All of his feelings matter, and he gets to feel however he wants about this, and he can talk to her. No judgement here. She promises him that. He says he feels guilty because he was so sad when dad died. He used to lay in bed at night, wishing he could talk to him, wishing he had more time. But now he thinks it was easier having a dead father that people would tell you stories about, rather than one who’s alive, but only shows up to commit crimes and get arrested and has nothing to say to his own family.

There’s a knock at Anna’s office door and she says, come in. Sonny walks in and asks how she is. She asks what she can do for him. She’s very busy. She doesn’t have a lot of time. He says, okay. He’ll get to it. He just got back from seeing Dante. She asks how Dante is doing, and Sonny says, he’s doing fine. He got up and he was walking. Full recovery is going to take a while, but he hates seeing Dante that way. She says, of course (🍷), but then the alternative is much worse, and he tells her that Dante also said he’s positive it wasn’t Jason who shot him. She says she’s aware. She has a lot of work to do so… He says, even if Jason isn’t guilty of shooting Dante, he’s still guilty of being on the roof with that sniper who shot at him. She says, fortunately, he wasn’t hit, and he says, that was lucky, but she knows Jason was there. Does she have any idea what she’s going to charge him with?

Jason goes into Dante’s room and says, sorry. He didn’t mean to startle him. Dante says he just didn’t know he would see Jason here. He wants to thank him. Jason says, for what? and Dante says, for the bandage, calling 911… He thinks he probably would have bled out by the time the ambulance got there. Jason says, if it hadn’t been for him, Dante probably wouldn’t have been on the pier in the first place, and Dante says, that’s a good point. He takes it back. He laughs and Jason almost smiles. Dante says, one thing he can’t figure out. Why did Jason turn around? If he didn’t want to be identified, why didn’t he keep running? Jason says, because he knew Dante wouldn’t stop chasing them. He thought it would be safer if he let Dante arrest him, but it turns out he was wrong. Dante says, let him ask Jason this, as a cop and a victim, can Jason tell him what happened to the guy who shot him? Jason says, no. The name he had for him was fake, but what’s real is, he’s dead. Dante asks, what happened to his body? but Jason says he has no idea. He has some theories, but it doesn’t really matter. Dante says, maybe Jason can tell him this then. Was he also an FBI informant?

Diane says, my friend, none of us knows the future. If Alexis’s appeal is denied, could the disappointment she feels cause her to start drinking again? She doesn’t know. She guesses anything’s possible. But she knows Alexis and knows how strong she is. She’s accomplished everything she’s set her mind to, so there’s no reason to think this would cause her to start drinking again. This place is a nightmare, but she’s not tossing them back, is she? Alexis says, no, and Diane says, so there you go. Alexis thanks her, and Diane says, let’s get to her other big news. Her petition to petition the court was granted. So now the justices just need to agree there are grounds for an appeal, even though technically speaking, that window was closed a long time ago. Alexis says, they both know motions to vacate disbarment are rarely granted, and Diane groans and says she doesn’t have the time right now to manage Alexis’s fear of success. So would she please stop being the voice of doom? She’s ready to run with this, but only if Alexis is committed to seeing it through. And of course (🍷) paying her back for all the hours she’s put in by joining her practice once they see this through.

Adrian barges in Alexis’s office and says, he and Nina have an idea he’d like to run by her, but Alexis says she’s busy. Can’t it wait? He says, it will just take a minute. Everyone has been loving his column so much, that he and Nina thought they could split it off into daily pieces. They’ll call it something like Spotlight of Society, highlighting what all the movers and shakers of Port Charles are up to. Who are the hot new couples, who’s getting divorced, who lost all their money? It could be a big hit. What does she think? Diane applauds, and Alexis says she thinks if Adrian doesn’t leave her office right now, he’ll be putting out the evening’s additional by himself. He walks up to her desk and says he knows that’s meant to be a threat, but… Alexis stands up and says, get out! Adrian backs up to the door, backs out, and closes it. Alexis tells Diane, do it. Please. Get her the hell out of here. Diane laughs.

The lawyer hands Lucy the contract and tells her to consider it official. Maxie says she’ll walk him out, and they leave. Lucy thanks Blaze and says she’s so glad they could work this out. They’re going to do amazing, great things together. Blaze says, her too. She’s the new Face of Deception. Natalia says, and what a gorgeous face it is, and they hug. Brook says, congratulations, and Maxie comes back. She says she has so many shoot ideas she can’t wait to talk to Blaze about. Lucy says, see? Everybody is so, so excited to get started working with Blaze, and Natalia says, just one more thing. This doesn’t have to be in writing or anything, but she really would like their word that moving forward, Allison will be a woman of mystery. Maxie asks what that means, and Natalia says, just that her private life will remain off-limits. So she won’t be doing interviews. They won’t publish puff pieces about her. Allison, or Blaze as they’ll be calling her, will just be known to the public by her beauty and her music. Maxie says, okay… Is that what Blaze wants? Blaze says, absolutely, but Maxie looks like she doesn’t quite buy it.

Elizabeth says, Jake’s father is a man of few words, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. He wouldn’t have shown up here if he didn’t want to see Jake. Jake says, maybe he just felt like he had to, but she says, no. She doesn’t know where he’s been for the past few years or why, but she saw the way he looked at Jake just now. He wouldn’t have stayed away on his own. Jake asks why he’s like this, and she says, he’s complicated, but he never makes things up and he doesn’t lie. He may not say a whole lot, but every word that comes out of his mouth is the truth. Jake says, she always defends him, but she says she’s explaining him. It’s different. Jake says, it doesn’t matter anyway. Jason knows he’s mad at him. He doubts he’ll ever show up here again. She says she wouldn’t count on that. He’s not going to make some big declaration that he’s Jake’s dad and he loves him. Instead, he’s going to keep showing up until Jake realizes it’s the only explanation.

Jason says he guesses Dante’s been talking to Sonny, and Dante says, he left a while ago. Jason working for the Feds really messed him up. Jason says he’s an informant, not an agent, and Dante says, Sonny thinks he’s a traitor. There’s something else going on here. How many deals did Jason get offered over the years and he didn’t take them? How many times could he have flipped on Sonny, and he didn’t do it? Jason says he didn’t inform on Sonny, and Dante says, then who? Jason sighs and says, that, he can’t say. Dante says, the FBI must have some serious leverage, something big to get him to cooperate, and Jason says, it was big enough that he had no choice but to take their deal and do exactly what they wanted. Dante says, can Jason swear to him that it has nothing to do with his father? and Jason says, Sonny has nothing to do with this. He’s safe. And Jason is going to do his best to make sure he stays that way.

Anna says, son of a bitch. Sonny has the gall to come in here and try and get her to file charges against Jason. Sonny says he just wanted a heads up in case he has to testify, and she says, there are no charges to file. It’s clear Jason stopped that sniper from shooting him. Anyway, this is an FBI case now, so if he’ll… If he wants her to arrest someone, she can always circle back to the attack on Cyrus on Christmas Eve. He asks, where’s this hostility coming from? and she says, it’s an open case in her jurisdiction and she has a lot of DNA evidence collected from the victim indicating him as the attacker. Cyrus may have declined to press charges on Sonny, but honestly, she doesn’t need him to move forward. He says he thought they were getting closer and that doesn’t seem to be the case now. What’s happening? She says, it’s not the case. She thinks her attitude toward him was really colored by his friendship with Robin and what he did for her and Stone. But if he thought for one second that she was okay with him beating an old man bloody and unconscious, no matter if he’s a vile person, he was sorely mistaken. She’s Police Commissioner, and his days of thinking he’s going to skate no matter what the offense, they’re over. So if he doesn’t mind – even if he does mind – get out of her office.

Tomorrow, Stella asks why Curtis is keeping this from his family; Anna says, it’s her jurisdiction and she wants in; Dex says, that was a stupid and ugly reason to die; Willow says she thought Carly and Jason told each other everything; and Jason asks John why he should continue to honor that.

Below Deck

Port Louis Marina – We backtrack a little to Xandi asking why she has to change herself to make a 22-year-old feel good about herself. In his bunk with Sunny, Ben tells her that she needs to trust him, and she apologizes because she’s an idiot. He’s totally untrustworthy. The crew all go to bed, and Xandi mumbles that she’s a 30-year-old involved in child’s play. Apparently, she is obsessed with ages. In Kyle’s interview, he says that he and Barbie formed a relationship. He doesn’t know if he’ll be friendzoned, but time will tell. In the morning, Sunny says she needs to get a grip, and in her interview, she says she has an alter-ego when she drinks, and Sabrina is a jealous bitch. The guys she used to date were little a-holes and cheated on her. Sabrina was her protective shield, but she wants her gone now. Tequila Sabrina, buh-bye. Fraser whines that he’s so hungover, and Sunny apologizes to Xandi. Xandi tells her that there’s no reason to be jealous.

Fraser calls the interior to the sundeck and says, they were hoping for a new stew, but there’s been no news. Captain Kerry calls Curtis at yacht service and asks to see resumés. Fraser suggests they get everything done so they can clock off with a happy heart. In Kyle’s interview, he says, his mom is the best. She raised him on her own until he was five, when she got together with his stepdad. His dad came around later, but he decided his dad couldn’t just jump in when he felt like it. His stepdad adopted him, and he considers him his dad. The deckhands rinse down the boat and Fraser asks the captain about a new stew. Captain Kerry explains that it’s busy season, and asks, how’s the chef? Fraser says he thinks Anthony has too much on his plate and it’s a sh*tshow. We flash back to the galley in disarray, and Frasers says, the organization is terrible. He wonders if the captain can step in, and in Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, chefs are artists. He once hired a good friend who was a chef and ruined the friendship. He tells Fraser, there’s got to be balance. Anthony will believe his art is being critiqued. In Anthony’s interview, he says, revenge is his motivation. Since he was a kid, he’s been dyslexic. It’s hard be focused and it makes the job more difficult. You need to love what you do. The captain calls Fraser, Anthony, and Ben for the preference sheet meeting.

Captain Kerry says he’s impressed with how hard they worked on the last charter. This charter, the primary is Melinda, who was a cruise director. There are a bunch of people coming with her, but the only important one is Jill Zarin, a RHONY OG, who is guest Gary’s girlfriend. Fraser asks what pickleball is and the captain tells him, tennis for rich people. There are tons of food preferences and foods the guests are allergic too. So many, I can’t even keep up. The primary is egg free, gluten free, and dairy free. She’s a vegetarian who’s beginning to integrate fish into her diet, but doesn’t want raw seafood. Anthony says he’ll give her dust. She wants a gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free Piña Colada-inspired birthday cake for herself, and a regular-ass cake for her husband Noah, as they’re both celebrating. In Anthony’s interview, he says he’s stressed. There are a lot of restrictions, and he keeps hoping it’s not real, but it’s real. Ben reads that one of the guests is a yogi, who will lead the guests in a sunset flow after pickleball at the beach. The crew gets to bed early, and in the morning, Dylan says he loves the feeling of getting a pump. If he doesn’t have a dumbbell, he feels sad. Well, he should have no problem with that since Ben is around. Captain Kerry walks around the boat with Ben and says, it’s better. Provisions come in and we find out the fridge is named Christopher because it’s a walk-in. BA-DUM-CHH! In Fraser’s interview, he says, he’s feeling a stew down, and Xandi says, yachting is f***ed.  

The guests are arriving in 15 minutes, and I’ve decided they must be a-holes just because they hang with Jill. The guests arrive, the usual happens, and Jill thinks the hot tub is too hot. Anthony slices the biggest avocado I’ve ever seen, and Fraser points out that there are quite a few dietary restrictions. Sunny calls departure for the first time, and in her interview, she says she grew up on the water and it reminds her of home in Montreal. When she went to university, she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life, and it damaged her self-esteem. Why it should, I’m not sure. She says, yachting opened a door to new self-esteem and confidence. En route to Le Phare Bleu, Jill complains that they don’t have the best ice machine and she needs her Diet Coke to be in the freezer. Barbie suggests nugget ice, and Jill is good with that. In Barbie’s interview, she says, Jill is the primary in her head. Jill tells the other guests that she just showed them how to make a good Diet Coke. Anthony tells Fraser that he wants to do lobster, but Fraser reminds him that the primary doesn’t like lobster. In his interview, Fraser says he thinks Anthony is overwhelmed. He’s not focused and doesn’t know what to do, so he’s not there. Anthony says, welcome to paradise.

Anchor is dropped, and Jill babbles to Fraser about guest Noah’s father inventing the Moderna vaccine. The toys are put out and the guests go into the water, while Jill sits on the boat. In Barbie’s interview, she says, this boat is three times bigger than what she’s used to, but her dad didn’t raise a quitter. Jill blabs to Captain Kerry about how she drove a boat. The captain calls Ben to the wheelhouse, and Ben says he’s putting more responsibility on the others. The captain asks if he’s worked out who his lead deckhand needs to be. Dylan has experience, but may or may not be the one. Dylan tells the guests that he’s happy to be here. This is living. And he’s going to be lead deckhand. Xandi and Captain Kerry eat in the crew mess, and Xandi asks how long he’s been with his girlfriend. He tells her, three years, and in her interview, she says, after her divorce, she had a good relationship, but they broke up and it hurt her. She went to a healer to release her from the pain. She needed to love herself and she’s taken a stage of celibacy. If you don’t want marriage and kids, move along. Jill wants a makeup mirror, and bitches that there’s no electric in her bathroom for her to dry her hair. Barbie explains that the outlet is hidden in the drawer and goes to the bathroom to show her. While Jill has a captive audience, she tells Barbie that every yacht she’s been on has a load of toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, etc. in a vanity drawer, so she can pocket them. In her interview, Barbie says, she’s annoying. It’s too much. The primary’s freeloading guest is so demanding, she needs another stew just for Jill. Jill kvetches that she wants a chocolate on her pillow, and I’m pretty sure now that Bobby died just to get away from her.

Jill starts the list again, and Barbie tells Jill that she’ll hook this whole situation up for her. She tells Fraser about Jill saying, yachts are supposed to have this stuff, and Xandi frantically tries to find toiletries. Barbie brings Jill a little basket of stuff, and instead of thank you, Jill says, somebody’s been scrambling. Captain Kerry texts about the new stew and is told they’re working on it. The table is beautiful with a collection of candles in different colors and heights. In Anthony’s interview, he says he loves scallops. They melt in your mouth. Someone is vegan and he wants to make them feel like the other guests, so he’s going to use tofu, so they feel like they’re at the same party. Fraser calls the crew to the upper pantry for the birthday cake presentation. Anthony tells the primary that there’s a pina colada flan and a raspberry shortcake. In their interview, Fraser tells Anthony, it wasn’t easy, but he nailed it, and they high-five. The guests go to bed at 11:30, so, there’s that. Barbie says, Jill is super needy, and she has to get to f***ing bed.

Second day of charter. Jill screeches for Gary, and says, that’s her life. Sadly, it’s Gary’s life too. The guests sit for breakfast. Somebody wants hot sauce, and another guest wants a drink. Jill says, they need a doorbell, when Fraser appears, and Jill says she recommend a button for her the primary to use. On her yacht, they used to have a doorbell that went to the kitchen. Fraser says, they must have loved her, and Jill laughs, but I don’t think he was being playful. He tells her that there’s usually a crew member around, but she says, most of the time, there isn’t, which is just an outright lie. She says, they can get a bell on Amazon, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, Jill is crawling into his brain and eating away his soul. He tells Captain Kerry about the button conversation, and it’s a hard no on the doorbell.

Fraser packs for pickleball, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, Dylan is a good lad, but they’ve high-fived more times than he can count. We flash back to several of those, and Jill tells primary Melinda that she put on her preference sheet that she wants food out all the time and thinks something should be out all day. When Barbie comes by, Jill tells her that they should have snacks on the bar all the time, and Barbie says she’ll make that happen. Jill tells Melinda that she has to get involved. She’s pushy, but they’ll be satisfied. Is that her word for embarrassed? Fraser and Sunny scout for a beach location, and Anthony looks spaced out when Barbie gives him lunch burger orders and writes it on the whiteboard. In Anthony’s interview, he says he’s had dyslexia his entire life. Letters and numbers. He has no idea what to do. He’s lost. Has he bothered telling anyone this? Barbie writes it down on a legal pad, and in her interview, she says, lunch is turning out to be a complete nightmare. Jill says, her burger is cold, and yells if anybody else’s burger is cold, just tell them. They love it. Because she’s with a troop of five-year-olds and their crew of mommies. The offending burgers are bright back to the galley. On the beach, Fraser asks if Sunny has feelings for Ben, and she tells him about Tequila Sabrina. Jill gripes that they should done a buffet. Anthony says, it’s hard to understand, and Xandi says, the menu isn’t converted properly. Barbie tells the captain that Anthony is disorganized, and it caused a disaster. He tells her that he’ll do damage control, and at the table, Jill says she wants to know the meals in advance. The captain comes to the table and says he heard there was some confusion, but it looks like everything is all out now. Everybody tells him, it’s all great, so he goes back to his real job. Jill says, the captain shouldn’t be bothered with this, so apparently, there’s no pleasing her. Barbie tells the captain that she appreciates him. It won’t happen again. Dylan washes the fat residue from his ham, which I totally get. Jill wants to talk to the chef under the guise of Melinda talking to the chef. She says she has to be mommy now. Kyle and Ben laugh about pickleball, while Anthony goes to meet with faux primary Jill. He says he wants to make everyone happy, and chicken pad tai is decided on, along with a tofu option. Jill asks if they can have sushi at the bar before dinner, and crudites for her since she doesn’t do sushi. In Anthony’s interview, he wonders if the primary is okay with her friend taking over the boat like a f***ing captain. The guests leave in the tender, and Fraser welcomes them to pickleball beach. In Ben’s interview, he says, he’s been known to play Grand Slam champions, and we flash back to that last season. He thinks pickleball will be a breeze. Barbie calls friend Brit and complains about Xandi. In his interview, Fraser says, please, God, help me.

Fraser tells Jill that he’s sorry about lunch, and she says, don’t be, but then proceeds to complain about it. She says, something’s off, and in Barbie’s interview, she says, this situation is f***ed. She’s doing everything herself. The guests do meditation at the beach, while on the boat, Barbie complains to Anthony that she had to do everything while Xandi was doing yoga. When Fraser gets back with the guests, Barbie complains to him, and he says, they’re just going until they die. In Xandi’s interview, she says, Barbie has become Jill’s personal assistant. Fraser puts out the sushi and remembers the primary didn’t want any raw seafood. I’m guessing the primary didn’t remember either or doesn’t know what sushi is, since she was right there when Jill told Anthony to serve it before dinner. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, Jill is rattling their cages. They should be focused on the primary; they’re number one and in charge. Anthony should be focused, but he’s out of his depth and imploding. He tells Fraser that they can’t afford these mistakes. They can’t drift from what the primary wants. Otherwise, they’ll make more mistakes.

Next time, the crew gets a day off; Barbie thinks Fraser wants to fire her; the new stew arrives; and Ben finds the new stew attractive. I’m pretty sure Ben would find Godzilla attractive if Godzilla had boobies.

⚰️ This Week In Ones…

I’m just going to put this out there. This was the finale, and it was good, but I felt a bit ripped off at the end. Either they should have had an extra-long episode or one more episode. It was a little too quickly and neatly wrapped up for me.

Rick meets with General Beale; General Beale tells Rick, the sword that kills is the sword that gives life – and they’re the sword; a hiding place inside a sculpture; reflection on everything that ever happened on The Walking Dead; a day completely about tomorrow; the CRM’s plans; burning things to bring things back; and love doesn’t die.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-season-1-episode-6-recap-finale-rick-michonne

🚴‍♀️ Better Late Than Even Later…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderMess. Until then, stay safe, stay not using your phone as a security blanket to avoid social interaction, and stay getting the full story before writing someone off.

March 29, 2024 – Dante Answers the Big Question, Return Interview, No Wonderland Here, Incoming Dragon, Easter Pets (!), Double the Four Quotes & Hallelujah

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly asks Sonny what the hell is wrong with him, and he says, there’s nothing wrong with him. She says, so if someone says something to him that isn’t flattery or groveling, he’s going to take that as betrayal. And now he’s putting his trust in Ava? He asks what he’s supposed to do. At least Ava didn’t pay somebody to spy on him like she paid traitor Dex. She says she’s talking about Jason. He risked his life for Sonny. He took beatings and bullets for him. He ran Sonny’s business when Sonny couldn’t and went to prison to protect their son. Sonny says, her son. He’s another one Sonny can’t count on. She says, so they’re just going to add Michael to that list, and he says, pretty much. She says, when people you love are turning against you, maybe they aren’t the problem – you are, and he says, who is he supposed to trust? Her? For all he knows she and Jason are working together.

The phone rings in the Nook, and Olivia answers. Sam says, he’s awake. Dante is awake. Elizabeth and the doctors are in there with him now. Olivia tells Lois, Danny, and Rocco that Dante is awake, and they get all excited. Rocco asks if he’s okay, and Lois says, his dad is all right. He’s coming back to him. Sam tells Olivia, he’s going to be okay.

Riding in a van, John Brennan (who Valentin calls Jack, so I guess we will too) says, as exhilarating and as it is to get out of Pentenville, he wouldn’t mind knowing where they’re going. The driver says nothing, and he says, strong, silent type, he sees. The driver stops the van and opens the passenger doors. Valentin hands him a wad of cash and gets in. Valentin says, hi, Jack. You’re looking well… for a prisoner. Jack says he was starting to think Valentin abandoned him, and Valentin says he got here as soon as he could. Jack left him a few fires to put out. Jack asks if he put them out or is he letting Pikeman burn down around him.

Jason approaches the penthouse and asks Frank if Sonny is home. Frank says he’s under strict orders not to let anyone in, but the boss would make an exception for him. Welcome back. They shake hands and Jason thanks him.

Carly says she wishes that instead of spending the last three years missing and grieving for Jason – Jason walks int behind her – she wishes she was secretly calling him and conspiring against Sonny. She sees Sonny staring behind her and turns around.

Jason says he can come back, but Carly says, no. He shouldn’t have to answer this, but for some reason, Sonny needs to hear it. Did he shoot Dante? Jason says, no. How is he? Sonny says, he hasn’t woken up. Did Jason get out on bail? Carly says, five million dollars. Michael paid it. Of course (🍷) he did. It’s Jason. Sonny asks if Jason wants to tell him where he’s been and why he hasn’t reached out. Carly says, does Ava really need to be… Sonny says, yes, she needs to be here, because Ava was at the warehouse when someone took a shot at him. Jason was on the roof. He’s not going to deny that, right? Jason admits he was on the roof that night, and Sonny says, Jason didn’t mean for him to die? Jason says he made sure Sonny didn’t, and Sonny asks if Jason can tell him why he should believe him. (Because, it’s Jason!)

Jack asks if Valentin can explain what went wrong with taking out Sonny Corinthos, and Valentin says, for starters, his oldest friend was assigned to the sniper team. Alan Jacobs? That was an alias being used by Jason Morgan. He wasn’t at the shooting, and they can’t ask the sniper because he’s dead. But he guesses Jason Morgan sabotaged the operation. Nobody at Pikeman realized they had Jason Morgan on the payroll? Jack says, at any given time, Pikeman employs upwards of 15,000 mercenaries deployed to their various clients around the world. So forgive him if he didn’t vet one personally. Valentin says, he didn’t just pass the vetting process, he worked his way up to the asset group. Jack tells him, what can he say? They only promote the best. Valentin says, how about in the future if they only employ the best more carefully? and Jack tells him to make sure they do that. How about issuing a whole new policy? What are they doing right now to fix this? Valentin says, Jason might have derailed their latest attempt to get rid of Sonny, but he’s going to be joining Jack in Pentenville very soon for shooting a cop, Dante Falconari, Sonny’s son no less. Jack says, this is like an oil slick; it keeps spreading. So not only was the op a failure, but the cop gets what? Winged? Injured? Valentin says, he’s probably going to die, and Jack says, a dead cop, even better. And the icing on the cake is their operative is now in custody. So was it really Morgan who shot Falconari? Valentin tells him, it’s impossible to say. It could have been their sniper, but like he said, he’s dead. The extraction team was able to get the body and the weapon off the pier before the first responders got there. Jack says, so the only way to prove it wasn’t Morgan is if the cop ID’s the shooter. What about Valentin? Valentin says, what about him? and Jack says, the only prayer Morgan has is if he gives up Pikeman. Could Jason know Valentin’s been running the company since his arrest?

Olivia says she can’t believe Dante’s awake, and Lois says, all those prayers they sent up did the trick. Olivia says, they certainly did. If they need her, she’ll be at the hospital. Rocco says he’s coming with her, and Danny says, him too. Olivia says, their dad is in ICU and they don’t allow a lot of visitors there, and Danny says, that’s okay they can wait outside. Rocco says, as long as they can see him, and Olivia says, their dad’s wounds are very serious. It might be kind of hard for them to see him like that. It might be hard for him too. Rocco says, dad told him there was never a wrong time to come to him, that he would be there for Rocco always, and Olivia says, of course (🍷) he said that. It’s true. Lois tells her, take them to GH. They can handle it, can’t they? Danny says, not knowing is way worse than seeing him for themselves. Plus, he’ll stay with Rocco the entire time. Olivia says, okay. Get their coats. They leave and Olivia asks if Lois is sure she’s okay staying with Scout. Lois says, of course (🍷) she’s okay. Don’t worry about it. And tell Dante that she was praying for him, and she was praying in Italian, the language of the Popes… most of the Popes. Olivia says she loves Lois, hugs her, and jets. Lois looks up and says, grazie mille.

Sam asks Dr. Park how Dante is. Can she see him? The doctor says she can. The breathing tube’s out, but Dante will still have some trouble speaking. If he wants some water, don’t give him more than a sip at a time, and if he starts coughing, use the call button. He’ll order something to coat and numb his throat. That should help. Sam thanks him, and he asks Elizabeth, what else? Elizabeth says, they took his chest tube out when his lung reinflated, so be careful. He’s going to be pretty sore. Sam goes into Dante’s room and says, welcome back, detective. Don’t you dare ever scare me like that again. Dante says, get… and Sam asks if he’s thirsty. Does he need some water? He says, get… over here, and she goes to his bedside. She asks if it hurts, and he shakes his head. She says, he lies, and he says he’s sorry. She says, don’t you dare be sorry. He has nothing to be sorry for. He says he loves her, and she kisses his forehead and tells him that she loves him too.

Valentin says, Jack knows he’s all about discretion, and Jack says he does know that. All those years he was instrumental in Pikeman’s expansion, and no one had any idea he was involved. And now he’s running the place. Valentin says he’s not. He’s fielding shareholder’s calls and dealing with supervisors through cryptic communication. There’s nothing to be traced to him. Jack says, he hopes, and Valentin says, Jack has been sloppy. Coming to Port Charles personally, getting involved with Carly… Jack says he doesn’t know if he’d call it involved. Diverted maybe. Interested certainly. It’s his bad luck her ex was the man who had to be removed. Speaking of, where is Corinthos now? Valentin says, Sonny knows enough not to show his face where they can get a clear shot at him. Valentin left some breadcrumbs, some misinformation. He thinks he’s being targeted by some mysterious man by the name of Stone. Jack asks, who’s Stone? and Valentin says, somebody who Sonny was very fond of, but he’s been dead for decades. And if Sonny thinks he’s being targeted by a dead man, it will probably take his attention off of Pikeman. There have been far too many misfires. That has to change now. Sonny Corinthos has a stranglehold on Port Charles and he’s not willing to do business with them. Jack says, no matter how much they offer him, and Valentin says, they need him gone. Jack says, so what’s the plan? He does have a plan, right? They have colleagues in the WSB eager to make sure the right supplies get into the right hands. They have very lucrative contracts to fill, and they have volatile customers to satisfy. They need a reliable shipping situation and Port Charles is ideally situated. Corinthos is in the way and it’s on Valentin to get him out of the way. Valentin says, of course (🍷) he has a plan, and Jacks says, don’t leave him in suspense. How do they take Corinthos down? Valentin says, they don’t. Sonny does it for them.

Jason says, so when the cave collapsed in Greece, he followed the tunnel outside. That’s when he got picked up by the FBI. Carly says, the FBI was in Greece? and Jason says, yeah. They had Peter August under surveillance. That’s why they were watching Cassadine Island. Sonny says, they picked him up, then what? and Jason says he’s been an informant ever since. Carly says, he was an informant for the FBI? and Sonny says, why the hell would he do that? Jason says he had no choice, and Sonny says, he was an informant for the FBI. He must be protecting someone. Who? Who is he protecting? Jason says, himself.

Olivia goes into Dante’s room and says, it’s true. He’s awake. He says, hey, mom, and she kisses his forehead and says, don’t ever do that to them again. Sam says she read him the riot act, and Olivia says, good. She loves Dante so much. He says, how could she not? and she says, he’s cracking jokes already, huh? That’s probably a good sign. Sam says she thinks so, and Olivia says she does too. She loves him so much. Sam sees the boys in the hallway and says, it looks like Olivia brought some tagalongs. Olivia says, they wouldn’t take no for an answer. She hopes it was okay. Sam asks Elizabeth if it’s okay if they come in and say a quick hi, and Elizabeth says, there are a lot of things that happen around here that she has no idea about. She lets the boys in, and Rocco says, hi, dad. Dante says, hey, pal. It’s okay. He won’t bite. Sam says, it’s a little hard for his dad to talk right now, but he could use a hug, and Rocco says, it won’t hurt him? She says, just be gentle, and Rocco goes over to the bed. He hugs Dante and says he missed him so much. Dante tells Danny, hey, you, and Danny comes over and they do a soft fist bump. Danny says, they’re all glad he’s okay, and Dante says, him too.

Rocco says, Dante has been in the paper every day since he got hurt. Today he’s on the front page because of the hearing. Sam says, maybe they can show his dad that tomorrow. He needs rest right now. Dante says, hearing? and Danny says, he means arraignment. A lot of people think his dad’s the one who shot Dante, but now that he’s awake, he can tell them it wasn’t him, right? Sam says she thinks it’s time for Dante to get some rest, and Olivia says, they heard the woman. Everybody out. Rocco says, dad doesn’t want them to go, but Olivia says, sometimes dads don’t know what’s best for them. Everybody. Just for a minute. She and the boys leave, and Sam sits next to the bed. She asks if she can get Dante anything, and he says, Anna.

Valentin says, it’s no secret that Sonny suffers from bi-polar disorder, and Jack says, he’s certainly managed to turn it to his advantage. Apparently even a crime boss can get good press for being openly afflicted. Valentin says, he’s managed his condition through medication. He’s made contact with Sonny’s source for bi-polar meds. Let’s just say we’ve come to an agreement. He’ll be filling Sonny’s prescription at one-quarter strength and three-quarters placebo. Jack says, so Corinthos will believe that he’s medicated per usual, and Valentin says, he’ll become increasingly erratic and paranoid. Removing him will become child’s play. Jack says, don’t underestimate the man. That was his mistake. He thought Sonny could be bought, just like they bought all the others, and eliminated once they were done with him. But Corinthos didn’t survive this long by being stupid. Valentin says, no. He survived by being medicated. Now he won’t be. He’s already derailed. He’s not covering his tracks. He tried to beat an old man to death with his bare hands. Jack laughs, and Valentin says, they’re not going to have to go through the trouble of killing him, not if he gets himself arrested and convicted first. (Wow. Sooo disappointed in this change in Valentin’s character.)

Sonny says, so that’s it. That’s all Jason is going to give them? That he’s an informant for the Feds? Carly says, Jason would tell them more if he could, and Sonny says, of course (🍷) Carly is defending him. She says, the question is, why isn’t Sonny? Sonny says, because he let them believe he was dead for two years, and Carly says, he had his reasons. Sonny says he doesn’t care about Jason’s reasons, and she says, since when? Why is he ignoring his history with someone who’s always been loyal to him? Sonny says, until now, and she says, Jason has his reasons. Sonny says, he’s working for the Feds. Jason was there the night someone took a shot at him. Carly says, and look at him, standing here just fine thanks to Jason, and Sonny says, they don’t know that for sure. Carly says she does. You know why? Because he just told them. Sonny throws his hands up and says, oh, and Ava rushes over, suggesting they table this discussion for a while until cooler heads prevail. Carly asks if she can please shut up, and Sonny says, don’t speak to her that way. Carly asks, what’s happened to him? and Sonny says he’s not the one who’s changed. This is his survival instincts kicking in, and it’s telling him, if Jason is working for the Feds and not going to tell him why, that means he can’t trust Jason and he can’t trust Carly. They’re both traitors to him. Carly asks if he hears himself, and Sonny says, get out of his house. Carly says, Sonny… but Sonny tells her that he’s not going to say it again. Jason tells her, they need to go, and she says, this is crazy. They leave together and Sonny does that scary death stare.

Anna arrives at Dante’s room, and Sam thanks her for coming so late. Anna says she would be happy to get this call if it came at 3 am, and Sam says, he pulled through. They hug, and Anna says, thank God. She’s so glad for Sam and the boys and her a little and the department. Without Dante… He’s just such a good friend. And he’s her MVD. Sam says, MVD? and Anna says, most valuable detective, obviously. Sam says she loves it and knows Dante is going to love it too. She tells the boys that they’ll be right back and they go into Dante’s room, where Olivia is sitting with him. Sam says, he’s got a visitor, and Anna says, good to see him. Dante says, her too, and Sam says, speaking is a little rough for him, and tells Dante not to strain himself. Olivia says she’ll give them some space, kisses Dante’s cheek, and leaves. Sam says, guess what? He has a nickname. Anna says, MVD, most valuable detective, and Sam asks if he likes it. He says, Chase won’t, but he does, and Anna says he’s relieved they didn’t lose him. He says, him too, and Anna asks if he’s all caught up. Sam says, some. He knows about the arraignment today, but she wanted everyone else out of the room before the discussion went any further, and Dante wanted Anna. Anna says she’s got to ask him. Does he know who shot him? Dante says he’s never seen them before, and Anna says, they can get him a pen and paper or something, but he says, not Jason. Sam says, Jason didn’t shoot him? and Dante says, no. Anna says, but he saw Jason though, and Dante says, he’s the reason I’m alive.

Jack says, it’s official, folks. He’s still diabolical. Valentin says, apparently that isn’t a character trait one easily grows out of. So how is Jack doing in Pentenville? Jack says, it’s a regular vacation, and Valentin says, otherwise, no problems? Jack says, other than the occasional sleepless night where he wonders if Valentin is up for this. A gift for logistics doesn’t necessarily translate to a gift for leadership. Valentin says, Jack is a natural born leader. He knows because it says so on his psyche eval. Jack laughs, and Valentin says, and look at where it’s gotten him. In a prison jumpsuit in maximum security, giving control over to him and hoping he can handle it. He can handle it. Jack asks if that’s confidence or ego speaking, and Valentin says he thinks they’re done here. Jack says he needs cash, and Valentin says, bribing his way through the system, he sees. Jack asks how else Valentin gets through, and Valentin says, fair enough, handing him some money. He tells Jack that he thinks that should suffice, and Jack says, thank you, Daddy Warbucks. He puts the cash in his pocket and says, one more thing. How’s Anna Devane? Valentin wonders why he asks, and Jack says, gives a whole new meaning to careful what you wish for, doesn’t it? Valentin finally achieves his undying dream of getting Anna to love him, only to watch it go up in smoke. (No. The writers got me to love him only to watch it go up in smoke.😖) Valentin asks if he’s done, and Jack says he supposes. Valentin says, because if Anna finds out about his involvement with Pikeman, it’s going to be the last Jack sees outside the prison walls. Jack tells him, don’t worry. Valentin’s secret is safe with him. Valentin says, he really is a bastard, isn’t he? and Jack says, so is Valentin. Two of a kind, eh? and Valentin gets out of the van.

Ava says, that was something else, huh? and Sonny says, that’s one way to describe it. She says, what’s his? and he says she doesn’t want to talk about this right now. She says she just wants to say one more thing, and thanks him for defending her to Carly. He says, she’s welcome. He knew it would piss Carly off. She says, still. It doesn’t happen very often and she appreciates it. He says he can’t believe he ever loved Carly. They raised a family together and he thought she would stick by him until the end, whether they were married or not. Ava says, whatever the relationship, he thought she’d always be loyal, and he says, there was always Jason. They were always together. They got married. She says, it’s been a hell of a day. Why doesn’t she fix him a drink. God knows she could use one. He thanks her and says he’ll be right back. He leaves the room, and she pours drinks, when Sonny’s phone dings. Ava picks it up and sees a text from Olivia: He’s awake, Sonny! Dante came out of it! He’s even talking! Ava put the phone face down on the mantel.

Sam tells Olivia, her turn, and Olivia goes into Dante’s room. Elizabeth asks Sam how Dante is doing, and Sam says, it’s definitely a struggle for him to talk, but other than that… Elizabeth says, she must be letting out the biggest exhale right now, and Sam says she honestly didn’t know. Elizabeth says she’s really happy for all of them, and Sam says, Dante confirmed it wasn’t Jason who shot him. She thought Elizabeth would want to tell Jake. She knows that Danny will definitely be comforted to hear that. Elizabeth says, so will Jake.

Carly and Jason go to a closed Bobbie’s, and he says he likes the new name. She says, Elizabeth made the sign, and he says, it’s a great tribute to her mom. She says she feels her mom here. She feels her everywhere, but this place was special to her. He says, so was Carly, and they go inside.

Elizabeth tells Danny that she saw him at the arraignment today, and he says he was hoping that wouldn’t happen. She says she could tell. She doesn’t think anybody noticed. They were all pretty distracted. Danny says he had to be there because he knew Jason was innocent, and she says, he really believes in his dad, doesn’t he? Danny says, of course (🍷), and Elizabeth says, he’s lucky to have Danny in his corner.

Jason says, to Bobbie, Carly says, to Bobbie, and they clink beer bottles. He says he’s sorry he wasn’t here for her, and she says, he would have been if he could. She knows that. Jason sighs, and she says, it’s crazy to her that Sonny doesn’t see that. What the hell is wrong with him? She’s used to him acting like that with her, but with him… It’s him and he’s back and she still can’t believe it’s real. He says he knows she has questions, and she laughs and says, a hundred and one. He says, she knows he can’t answer most of them, and she says she knows. But instead of them talking about where he’s been, why don’t they just stay in the here and now? They sit down, and she asks, how’s his gunshot wound? He says, it’s sore, but he’s healing, and she asks what Diane said. What are his chances? He says, uphill battle unless Dante exonerates him, and she says, then they just have to believe that’s going to happen. That he’s going to come to and tell everyone that Jason didn’t shoot him. He says he just wants Dante to pull through, and she says, her too, but she wants it for a lot of reasons. He asks if that’s all she’s got for him, and she says, one more. Obviously, he’s back. He says he doesn’t know for how long, and she says, he’s here until the trial starts, right? He says, yeah, and she asks where he’s going to stay.

Ava hands Sonny a drink and says she has the most incredible news. Sonny asks if he’s going to have to guess, and she says, Dante’s awake. He asks if she’s kidding him, and she says she just called the hospital for an update, and they said he’s awake and he’s even speaking. Sonny says, thank God, and she says, it’s a miracle, right? He says he should go to GH, right? but she says, they told her that he’s in with the doctor and they can’t be disturbed. So he’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see Dante. He says he has to call Olivia and Sam. Where’s the phone? She says she’s sure the hospital’s already done that. Why doesn’t he just sit down, relax, and rejoice in Dante’s good fortune? And put what Carly and Jason put him through out of his head. Honestly, that whole ordeal was just exhausting. He sits and says, exhausting, but necessary. He finally sees the truth about those two. It’s been staring him in the face for years. She asks if she can get him anything else, and he says, why doesn’t she have a seat? They can rejoice in the good fortune of his son. She says, happy to.

Once again the van is moving, and Jack tells the driver that he’s trying to figure out how long he’s known the man he just met with. They came up in the business together. Unlike most in their work, they were never true believers in anything other than getting the job done. Pragmatists. That’s why they rose in the job together. He’s sure this hardly looks like the job, seeing he’s being returned to his prison cell. He’s not going to complain. Anything to get a break from this place. Home sweet home. The driver stops the van and gets out. He opens the passenger doors, and Jack gets out. He says he’s sorry if he’s boring the driver. He doesn’t get out much. The driver starts to sign, and Jack says, Valentin. Val… Val… Val. Damn you’re good.

Sonny says he knows the hospital said Dante woke up. Did they say anything else? Like is he going to need surgery? Ava says she was so happy about the update, she didn’t think to ask those questions. Should she call back and ask? He says, that’s okay. Life is amazing, isn’t it? She says, in what respect? and he says, the constant balancing the scales. Just a few hours ago, he lost his best friend, but he also gained his son back. She says she’s so sorry about the first, and so happy about the second. She knows she hasn’t been in play nearly as long as Carly or Jason, but she’s here. He can count on her. He finishes his drink and says, it’s amazing with everything that’s happened with him, she’s the only one who’s been here for him. She says she’s probably not the only one, and he kisses her, tells her goodnight, and leaves.

Carly says, Jason has to stay somewhere, and he says he’s going to figure it out. She asks if he has any money, and he says, not at the moment. She gets up to get her bag, and he says he has money. He’ll have to get access to it tomorrow. She says he doesn’t have money to pay for a place to stay, so she wants him to come stay with her, but he says, that’s not happening. People could be looking for him. She says, then stay at the MetroCourt. He knows the security is great there. He says, no, that’s not happening, and she says, oh my God. Does he remember the room that she has here? When he lived above Jake’s and she lived here, does he remember that? He says, yes, he remembers, and she says, the room’s available. It’s nothing fancy or anything, but it’s clean. He’ll be safe and he’ll be fed. He can use the entrance for the delivery people. He can come and go as he wants. What does he say? He says, it sounds perfect, and thanks her. She says, it’s so funny. She had that room painted after the last tenant left, and she went up there to inspect. She walked around the room, and she was hit right between the eyes about how she used to feel when she lived there. How she came up with every excuse just to go to Jake’s so she could see him. She stood in the middle of that room, missing him so much, she could barely breathe. Now she doesn’t have to miss him anymore because he’s here. He’s home. They hug, and she says, oh my God. Does he think she’s psychic? Does he think she had that room painted because she knew he was coming back? He says, no, and she says, probably not, but he has to admit, it was really crazy. He says, it was, and she says, that’s always been the case with them, huh? Either perfect timing or… He says, the worst, when her phone rings. She says, Anna, and answers. Anna asks if Jason is there, and Carly says, no. Why? Jason listens in, and Anna says, when Carly sees him, will she let him know Dante’s awake? And he made it very clear that not only did Jason not shoot him, he saved his life. Carly says, that is amazing. She thanks Anna for calling her and says she’ll tell Jason when she sees him. Anna says, when she sees him, and Carly says, that’s right. Anna asks if she’ll also tell him thank you from her. Because if it wasn’t for him, she’d be down one friend. Carly says she will, and ends the call. She says, Jason heard that, right? and he says, Dante woke up. Carly says, that’s right, and he told everyone that Jason didn’t shoot him, and that Jason saved his life. Is he all right? Jason says, better than he was, and she says, her too, hugging him.

On Monday, Brook tells Blaze, this is a really smart step for her career; Natalia says something is unacceptable; Alexis tells Diane she’s not sure if she should proceed with this; and Jake asks why Jason is here.

🪨 Stone Cold Back…

Excellent interview.

🍸 He’s Annoyed…

I think he should be grateful she called him an A-list celebrity.

https://okmagazine.com/p/john-mayer-annoyed-scheana-shay-keeps-hinting-once-hooked-up

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3508534/john-mayer-denies-having-a-threesome-with-vanderpumps-scheana-shay-after-she-bragged-about-it-on-tv-for-years

Why shouldn’t she keep the receipts? Wouldn’t you?

https://www.the-sun.com/tv/10926714/vanderpump-rules-scheana-shay-john-mayer-hookup

🐉 Dragon Flying In Soon…

Season 2 will be here on June 16th.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-dance-of-the-dragons-season-1-buildup

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/take-the-black-most-important-moments-in-the-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-trailers-01ht0tcfpcsb

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/take-the-black-most-important-moments-in-the-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-trailers-01ht0tcfpcsb

https://screenrant.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-aemond-criston-plans-image

Episode guide.

https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/streaming/heres-the-full-episode-schedule-for-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-including-the-big-finale

🐣 Pets Love Easter Too…

The wearin’ o’ the ears and general holiday cuteness.

You know no candy, especially chocolate, right?

🪻 Quotes of the Week

You have to be able to lick the spoon once in a while if you’re going to stir the pot. – Chris Combs, 1000-Lb. Sisters

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity… successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results. – DuPree Jordan, Jr. (Getting out my tiara…)

I know now a loss can be a gift. A chance to grow. Losing has taught me to be a better winner and a better person, one who is always looking for opportunities to learn. – Serena Williams

CHANGE: Don’t just talk about it, go out there and do it. Don’t just meditate about it, go out there and create it. Don’t just pray about it go out there and take action; participate in the answering of your own prayer. If you want change, get out there and live it. – Steve Maraboli

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. – Alan Watts

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

War is what happens when language fails. – Margaret Atwood

He smells like 1000 different houses, and I can’t trust that. – Hunter (Randall Park) referring to the mailman, Strays

✝️ Happy Easter…

Enjoy making and/or receiving your basket, going to your house of worship, or if those aren’t your deal, do something to celebrate the spring. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to ditch the winterwear. Then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and angst on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay being respectful of all beliefs and holidays, and stay remembering, when people you love are turning against you, maybe they aren’t the problem – you are. (Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.)

March 28, 2024 – Jason Is Arraigned, Peace Out, Double the Awful, Not First Choice, VanderDeck, Wealthy Pets (!) & Can’t

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the courthouse, Josslyn asks Kristina if there’s any news on Dante, and Kristina says, not that she knows of. Josslyn says she guesses that’s kind of good news. He’s still fighting and everything. Kristina says, you bet he is, and Josslyn says she doesn’t know why they’re wasting their time with this hearing. They should be going after whoever actually shot Dante. Kristina says she thinks they already found him.

Michael goes into the courtroom and wonders how he knew Carly would be here early for Jason’s arraignment. She says she tried to get in to see him last night, but they wouldn’t allow any visitors. Has he heard from Diane? Do they know if he’s still okay? Michael says he’s sure Jason is still okay, and Carly says, he’s recovering from a gunshot wound. Michael knows Jason. He’s not going to speak up if he needs anything. He tells her to breathe. It’s going to be okay. Diane is going to get Jason out on bail. Diane comes in and says, that’s certainly the plan. Carly thanks her so much for being here, and Diane says she’s not doing this out of the goodness of her heart. Jason is just another client. It’s just a job. Carly says, that’s her story? and Diane says, and she’s sticking to it. She goes to the defense table, and Carly asks if Michael has seen any sign of Sonny, but he says, not yet.

Sam reads to Dante: Angelo took a deep breath, let it out, and case his line into the stream. Just as the lure hit the water, it hit him. He caught the wrong man. She tells Dante that she’s going to need him to wake up soon because she’s losing her voice. Portia comes in and asks if Sam wanted to speak with her, and they step outside. Portia asks what she can do for Sam, and Sam says she was just informed the hospital wants to move Dante to Turning Woods, and Portia is the sitting Chief of Staff. She needs Portia to stop that from happening.

At the Penthouse, Ava asks Sonny, how was Dante? and he says, no change. She says, he’s pushing himself too hard. Is there anything she can do for him before he heads back out? He asks if she’s kicking him out of his own house, and she says she just thought he’d be going to the courthouse for Jason’s arraignment.

Sam says, unless of course (🍷) there’s been a mistake, and Portia doesn’t think Dante should be transferred. Portia says she’s going to have to look into this. She personally isn’t aware of any transfer. But now that Dante appears to be stabilized, it might be in his best interest to be transferred to a better facility where they have the right equipment to care for him. Sam says, because the doctors don’t think there’s anything more they can do for him here, but Portia says, because the ICU doesn’t offer appropriate care. Sam says, but she thinks the doctors are right and there is no hope, and Portia tells her that she’s not saying that and certainly doesn’t believe that at all. Sam says, but she is backing the transfer, and Portia says, what she is going to do is look into it for Sam. Sam says, because she has to wonder if it was Curtis who had been slow to wake up after he was shot, would Portia be okay with the hospital transferring him? Portia says she does understand what Sam is going through and she’s going to do her best to get Sam some answers. Portia leaves, and Sam goes back into Dante’s room. She takes his hand and says, it’s okay. Just a little hiccup. He’s not going anywhere.

Josslyn says, Kristina doesn’t actually believe Jason is guilty, and Kristina says, Josslyn is telling her that she can’t believe Jason actually shot the cop who was following him? Josslyn says, Jason would never shoot Dante, and Kristina says, that’s not what the evidence is pointing to. Josslyn says, evidence is not proof, but Kristina says, it’s pointing pretty hard. Josslyn asks where she’s getting this information, and Kristina says, from Molly. She knows this case better than anyone. Josslyn says, Molly is prosecuting Jason? That’s not a conflict of interest? Kristina says, now Josslyn is questioning her sister’s ability to maintain her professional objectivity? and Josslyn says, no, but if Molly stays objective, despite this so-called evidence, it will be pretty clear that no one actually knows what happened. Kristina says, that’s what a trial’s for, and Josslyn asks why Jason should have to stand trial for something he didn’t do.

Alexis asks Molly how it’s going, and Molly says she’s a little nervous. Alexis says, it’s just an arraignment. She can handle it. Although Alexis is a little annoyed that Robert left Molly to handle his dirty work. Molly says, ADAs have to take the cases they’re offered. All she can do now is make her case and let the judge decide whether he wants to let Jason walk free or keep him behind bars.

Drew walks into the courtroom with Olivia, and Carly asks, how’s Dante? Olivia says, no change (maybe they could just wear buttons that say that), and Michael says he’s sorry to hear that. At least that means he’s stable though, right? Olivia says, Dante’s lucky to be alive. Armor piercing bullets are terrible things. Carly says, good thing Jason kept him alive until help arrived, and Olivia says, maybe Jason wouldn’t have had to keep him alive if he hadn’t shot him in the first place. Drew says, okay. Emotions are running high. This is not the time, it is not the place. Carly says she didn’t mean to upset Olivia, and Drew says he thinks they should find a seat. Olivia says, Carly and Michael need to open their eyes, and goes to sit with Drew. Michael says, Olivia is just upset about Dante, and Carly says, that’s because Olivia only knows one side of things. No one’s heard Jason’s side yet. Michael doesn’t say anything and looks away, and Carly says, Michael…

Kristina says, Josslyn is unbelievable. She wants Jason to be innocent, so he is? Never mind the evidence. Never mind the fact that Dante might die. Or the fact that Sam and her father both know he’s guilty. Josslyn says, they know that? They told her? Kristina says, Sam and her dad aren’t here today. Why does she think that is? Because they know he did this. They know he’s guilty. They don’t want to see him, let alone hear Diane make some convoluted argument about why he’s not. Josslyn says, now she gets it. Sonny thinks Jason is guilty, and in Kristina’s brain, Sonny can do no wrong. Wake up. Her father is wrong about everything. Kristina starts to respond, when Elizabeth comes along and asks if they want to go in. The arraignment is about to start. Kristina says, that’s a great idea, and Josslyn says she has to find her mom. She leaves, and Kristina says she’s sorry. This is the last thing Elizabeth needed, to hear them screaming about Jason. Elizabeth says she’s more worried about them getting removed from the courthouse, and Kristina says, what a shame that would be. Elizabeth says, people are going to feel how they’re going to feel. Josslyn isn’t the enemy. Kristina says, people are going to have to choose sides, and goes to a seat.

Sonny says he’s not going to the arraignment, and Ava says, clearly, this is tearing him up. Has he seen Jason? He asks if she knows how many hours he’s spent at Dante’s hospital bed, listening to those machines that are trying to keep him alive, willing his son to open his eyes. The last thing he wants to do is see the man who put him there. She says, there could be another explanation, and he says, they saw Jason’s surveillance picture. Jason was at Selina Wu’s warehouse. Dante followed him and some other guy to the pier. Even if he didn’t pull the trigger, Jason was involved with these guys who want him dead. She says she knows it looks bad, but if Jason shot Dante – if he wanted to shoot Dante – why did he help him? Why not leave him for dead? He says, how would he know anything about what Jason wants anymore? No one knows. She tells him that she’s not saying he doesn’t have a reason to doubt Jason. There are a lot of questions. Why was he there? Why did he help Dante? Why did Jason let everyone believe he was dead for all these years? Sonny says he can’t answer that. All he cares about is whether his son is going to make it. She says she’s sorry. She knows how much Jason’s betrayal hurt him. He says, you know what hurts the most? Knowing his choices put his son in the hospital.

Ava asks what Sonny could have possibly done… Sonny says, it’s his business, his decisions. That’s why Dante got caught in the line of fire. She says, Dante is a police officer. He puts himself in the line of fire. Sonny says, Dante’s a cop and he is what he is. There’s always been a wall between them; the personal side and what they do. She says she thinks that wall is a gift that they give one another, so despite their work, they can be father and son and have a relationship that’s meaningful. He says, they’ve formed a bond in the last couple years because of the compromises that Dante’s made, and she asks if Dante has ever found evidence against him and looked the other way. He says, only in the beginning when he shot Dante. He didn’t know Dante was his son and Dante lied to cover for him. She says, since she’s known him, it’s been very obvious that the two of them love each other very much. Sonny says, that’s because of Dante. Dante always gives him another chance, even when he got together with Nina. His son’s a good man. Better than he’ll ever be.

Stella opens the door to Dante’s room and asks if she can come in. Sam says, yes, of course (🍷). She’s sorry. She’s not quite sure what she should call Stella. Stella says, because Sam’s not sure if she’s there as family or representing the hospital? Sam says, maybe a little bit of both. She’s just realizing that Curtis is one of her closest friends and TJ is essentially her brother-in-law, but she and Stella really don’t know each other. Stella says, how about if they start? Call her Stella. Sam shakes her hand and says she’s Sam, and Stella says, nice to meet her. Dante’s looking better. Sam tells her, that’s what she’s been saying. She should probably apologize to Portia. Stella says she’s sure that’s not necessary, but on behalf of the hospital, allow her to apologize. Sam shouldn’t have been blindsided by this decision. Sam says she’s been in this town a long time and knows this hospital really well. She’s been a patient here, she’s lost loved ones here, she even almost married a doctor here. Stella says, sounds like a story, and Sam says, maybe she’ll tell it to her sometime. But one thing she’s never seen this hospital do is give up on a patient.

Carly asks what Michael isn’t telling her, and he says, not here. She asks if he’ll tell her after, and Josslyn joins them. She says she’s so sorry she was almost late. She was here an hour early. She had an interesting conversation with Kristina. Nina walks in and asks Carly, how’s Dante? Carly says, as far as she knows, there’s been no change, but if Nina came here hoping to run into Sonny, there’s been no sign of him. Nina says, Sonny is still her husband, and she cares about him and his family, and Carly says, really? Has she asked how they feel about her? Nina says, believe it or not, one of the reasons she came here was to thank Carly, and Carly says, for what? Nina says she’s back at Crimson. Carly probably already knows that, and whatever she said to Drew helped him see the light, and fortunately there’s nothing Carly did in her brief tenure at Crimson that can’t be undone. Carly says, let her be really clear. She doesn’t give a damn about that magazine right now.

Olivia asks Drew, what’s going on with him and Carly? and Drew says, nothing. She says, it looked like something, and he says, they broke up. So nothing. She says, when? and he says, when Jason came back to town, he realized Jason would always be first with her. The bailiff says, court is about to convene. Everybody, please find your seats. Jason is brought in, and there are soap looks all around. An officer takes his cuffs off, and Jason looks at Carly, imperceptibly nods, and she smiles.

Stella says, no one is giving up on Dante, and Sam says, palliative care? That’s what they give people who are dying. Stella says, it’s what they give people they want to make more comfortable, and Sam says, while they’re dying. Stella says, and while they’re recovering, which is where Dante is. He’s out of danger and he’s getting stronger, but it may be a while before he wakes up. Sam thanks her for sugarcoating it, but Stella says she doesn’t sugarcoat. Now as for Turning Woods… Sam says, when she hears Turning Woods, she just thinks if Dante’s grandfather Mike losing himself there, then finally letting go of everything. Stella says, Mike was very dear to her. They became very close. But when he passed, it was after a long, long fight and it was on his terms. He knew it was time for him to leave. Sam says, it’s not Dante’s time, and Stella says, exactly. Anyone could see that Dante’s a fighter. He came this far, but for him to go all the way, he needs to be in a place that can give him the tools and the comfort to win this battle. Sam says, Turning Woods, and Stella says, they provide excellent care and a more homelike environment. Look around. Sam says she knows. There’s no place like home. Stella says, there sure isn’t. And she understands how difficult it is when a loved one is stuck in limbo the way Dante is. It can wear your down. When was the last time Sam had a good night’s sleep? Sam says, it’s been a while. She gets an hour here and an hour there, but before Stella tells her to go home… Stella says she wasn’t going to, and Sam says, really? Stella says, Sam wouldn’t, so what would be the point? and Sam says she can’t leave Dante. She sleeps when she sleeps, but the nurses are always coming in to check his vitals, which is good. It’s great that they’re on top of things. Stella says, hospitals aren’t very restful, and Sam says, no. And she sees what Stella just did there, and she hears what Stella is saying about Turning Woods. Stella says, but she’s not convinced, and Sam says, sending Dante there is like admitting defeat, giving in to the idea he might never wake up. Stella says, but once he’s there, he might wake up sooner, and Sam says, okay, maybe, but that’s not it. Dante’s son Rocco, his mother is in a long-term care facility, and if Dante winds up in one, Rocco is going to think he lost his father too. And she’s not going to put him through that.

Ava says, like Sonny, Dante’s a good father, and a father should never lose hope in his child. Or is she wrong about that? Has he lost hope in his son? He says, she knows the answer to that, and she says, damn right she does. He has to believe it in his heart that he and Dante have plenty of time left together. He says, time to disappoint him, and she says, time to disappoint each other. He says, Dante could never disappoint him, and she says, tell her that the next time Dante slaps the cuffs on him. He says, that would be his brightest moment, and she says, liar. He says he’s glad she’s here. He’s glad she can help him and talk to him. Who would have guessed? She says, sometimes people aren’t who you think they are, and he says, sometimes they are not.

Molly gets up and says, at this time, the defendant Jason Morgan is charged with two counts of attempted murder in the first degree, as well as conspiracy to commit murder. Further charges pending. Danny walks in, and the judge asks the defendant to please rise. He asks how Jason pleads to the charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. After a long pause containing soap looks, Jason says, not guilty.

Ava hands Sonny a folded paper and says, it’s Avery’s get-well card for Dante. He says, she sure loves her big brother, and Ava says, she does. He makes such a fuss over her, and she loves every minute of it. Sonny says he remembers when Dante went to Avery’s class on career day. She always brags about her big brother. A little boy went up to her and says, he doesn’t look like your brother because he’s too old. Avery’s feelings are hurt, so she wanted to call Dante, and the teacher called the PCPD, and Dante came back to class. The teacher told him what happened, so Dante gets in front of the whole class and says, Avery, is your dad my dad? She says, yeah, and he said, that’s because you’re my sister. So they high fived and he left the class. She says, Dante to the rescue, and he says he just hopes Avery gets to have more days with her big brother.

Sam says, Stella should see Dante when he’s conscious and not pale. He’s a good guy. Totally not her type. Stella says, have it bad for the bad boys? and Sam says, the more dangerous they are, the harder she falls. Stella says, and Dante isn’t dangerous, but Sam says, that’s the thing. She thinks he may be the most dangerous man she ever loved, because he’s a good guy. He’s got a sense of right and wrong and justice. That’s not to say he can’t be a total wise ass about it. There was this one time they were both after Jason and Britt Westbourne. Not together, but she needed to get to them first. Stella asks what she did, and Sam says, what any good woman would do. She slashed his tires. Stella says, and this is where their great romance began? but Sam says, no. He showed up at her place, slashed tire in hand. Stella asks what she did, and Sam says, he demanded reimbursement, so she was very old school about it and wrote him a check. Stella says, that is old school, and Sam says, which he tore up. Stella says, sounds like a good man, and Sam says, he’s the best, taking his hand, and he knows it.

The judge says, the defendant has entered a plea of not guilty. Where do the people stand on bail? Molly says, the people ask that the defendant be held without bail. Mr. Morgan is a textbook flight risk. Diane asks if she may, and the judge says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Diane thanks him and says, if the defendant had wanted to fly, believe her, he would have flown already. Instead, he turned himself in. Mr. Morgan is eager for his day in court to prove his innocence. Molly says, after disappearing for years, allowing his loved ones to believe he was dead, and only resurfacing in a shooting that left a member of local law enforcement in mortal peril, and Diane says, if esteemed counsel will let her finish. Molly says she apologizes. She thought Diane finished. Diane says, no. Mr. Morgan has deep ties to this community. He is the son of the late Dr. Alan Quartermaine and Dr. Monica Quartermaine. Molly says, it’s worth noting that Mr. Morgan’s rap sheet is longer than a CVS receipt, and Diane says, this discussion is about bail as it pertains to current charges against her client, not his long, long list of acquittals and dismissals. They ask that Mr. Morgan be released on his own recognizance. Molly says, it’s also worth noting the brutality of the crimes involved. There is video evidence placing Mr. Morgan at the warehouse where an attempt was made on the life of Sonny Corinthos, Mr. Morgan’s former business partner, and DNA evidence places Mr. Morgan on the pier where Detective Falconari was shot using armor piercing bullets. Said evidence also places the defendant in direct contact with the victim. Diane says, this DNA evidence could only exist if the item in question had been used to staunch Detective Falconari’s bleeding. Molly says, the defendant fled and evaded capture for days. These are the actions of a guilty man. Diane says, right, because only guilty individuals want to avoid incarceration. May she remind the court of the PCPD’s long history of demonstrated bias against her client. Molly says she wonders why, and the judge thanks them both. He says, indeed, he’s familiar with the PCPD’s history with Mr. Morgan and Mr. Morgan’s history with the law, and he’s ready to make his ruling. Bail is set at 5 million. Court is in recess. The bailiff says, all rise, and Danny jets. Elizabeth follows and watches him go down the hallway. Josslyn says she hopes Michael brought a check, and Jason asks if the officer can give him a minute. He goes over to Carly and hugs her. Drew and Nina watch.

Sam thanks Stella, who says, of course (🍷). She can understand Sam’s reservations about Turning Woods, but that’s where Dante can get the best care and have the best chance of recovery. Sam says she hears what Stella is saying, and Stella says she’ll talk to Rocco if Sam would like her to, and make sure he knows there’s still hope. Sam says, Stella would do that for her? and Stella says, of course (🍷). And as someone who’s worked in this environment five days a week, hospitals might be a good place to get well, but they’re an even better place to get sick. Sam says she’ll talk to Sonny and Olivia about Turning Woods, and Stella says, it really is the best choice because no one is giving up on Dante. She leaves, and Sam looks back at Dante.

At the station, Diane says she’ll get the ball rolling on Jason’s bail, so when they’re ready for Michael… He says, he’ll be here, and Diane leaves. Josslyn says she’s so glad Jason doesn’t have to wait behind bars until the trial, and Michael says, Jason hates being locked up. But that didn’t stop him from getting himself sent to Pentenville when Michael needed him. Josslyn says, of course (🍷) he did. He shows up for the people he loves, unlike Sonny. Michael says he can’t believe Sonny didn’t show up at the hearing, but Josslyn says she’s glad he didn’t show. Jason’s better off. He says, why is that? and she says, Sonny doesn’t deserve Jason’s loyalty. He never has.

Kristina tells Molly that she was a stone pro. Never flinched, never wavered. Alexis says she’ll be right back, and asks Drew, what’s up? Drew says he has some good news for her, and she says, about? He says he thought she should know, Nina’s back at Crimson. She says, define back, and he says, she’s Editor-in-Chief once again. Alexis says, but Nina’s still her publisher, and he says, technically, yes. Olivia says, but between running the MetroCourt with her… Drew says, and running CrimsonAlexis says, Nina won’t be able to torment her anymore? He says, pretty much, and Alexis says, welcome news indeed. He says, congratulations, and she thanks him. She goes back to Molly and Kristina, and Olivia tells Drew, welcome back. Drew says, to what? and she says, the support group of people forced to work with Nina on a professional basis. He asks if the group has a name, and she says she was thinking, Oh No Not Nina Anonymous, and he says, there’s a ring to that. They leave, and Kristina hugs Molly. She says she’s so proud of Molly, and leaves. Alexis says, so ADA Lansing-Davis, and Molly asks if she has any notes. Alexis says she didn’t want to interrupt Molly and Kristina, but she has a few, and Molly says, hit me. Alexis says, she presented the facts of the case not only with accuracy, but she effectively landed the argument. And she did it with flair and the judge was impressed. Molly says, he still granted bail, and Alexis says, five million dollars. But considering the case, the evidence, and Diane, it’s a victory, so take the win, kid. Molly says, when she puts it like that… Was Alexis ever, maybe not glad, but maybe not terribly disappointed when she lost a motion? Alexis says, of course (🍷). Why? Molly says, between Alexis and her, she thinks Jason is innocent, and Alexis says, okay, so she kept her personal opinions to herself, and she followed the law, which, by the way, is what she’s supposed to do. Molly thanks her.

In the hallway, Kristina asks if Nina is waiting for her father, and Nina guesses it’s pointless to deny it. She’s sure Kristina has thoughts about that. Kristina says she does. She knows things between Nina and her dad are… bad would be an understatement, but for what it’s worth (🍷), she saw how happy they were together, and she hopes they work it out. Nina thanks her and says she can’t tell Kristina how much that means to her. Kristina says she just wants him to be happy, and Nina says, believe it or not, so does she. She’s really surprised he’s not here. Kristina says, his absence speaks volumes, and Nina wonders if he’s lost faith in Jason. Kristina says, whatever he’s thinking or feeling right now, she knows he must feel very alone. She’s not saying it’s a good time to reach out to him, but she’s also not saying it isn’t. Nina says she wants Kristina to know she’s committed to her marriage, and Kristina says she got that feeling. Nina says she’s going to prove to Sonny that they belong together.

Ava asks if there’s anything she can do to make things easier, but Sonny says, she’s already doing it, and thanks her. There’s a knock at the door, and Ava tells him, stay right there. She’ll get rid of whoever it is. Ava opens the door to Carly, who says she needs to talk to Sonny. Ava says, it’s not really a good time, but Carly says she doesn’t give a damn, and walks in. She asks Sonny, where were you? and he says, with his son. Where else would he be? She says she just came from Jason’s arraignment, and he asks if they charged Jason for shooting Dante. She says, he didn’t do it, and he says, how is he supposed to know Jason is not the reason that Dante might die? Ava again looks like she’s watching a tennis match.

Sam wipes Dante’s neck and hands with a washcloth, and settles into a really squeaky chair. As she’s about to drift off, she hears something, and sees the cup of water on the floor. She goes to the bed and tells Dante that he moved. He dropped her water on the floor. Look at me. Open your eyes. You’re coming back to me.

Molly tells Alexis, so she told Kristina that she didn’t mean to imply Kristina wasn’t doing what was best for the baby, any more than Kristina meant to imply she would let her personal feelings influence her professionally, which was kind of what they were both doing. So here they are. Alexis says, Molly knows her sister believes in her, and Molly says she does. Kristina was here for her today, even though she still treats Molly likes she’s a teenager writing romance novels. Well, romance novel. Alexis says, her best-selling romance novel, and Molly says, if only she could convince Kristina she’s an assistant district attorney. Alexis says, about that. She thinks it’s really difficult for a lot of people to understand why lawyers are so committed to the law. She thinks it’s difficult for them to understand that, since every rule has an exception, and every law has a loophole. It can be wildly unfair, right? And when you bring politicians and power brokers into it makes it even worse. Not to mention the people they help when they prosecute. One would think that Lady Justice is not only blind, she’s left the building entirely. She hasn’t. And despite all the system’s vast imperfections, it’s people like Molly who make sure the law is followed and that justice is tempered with fairness and mercy. As much as she thinks Molly won’t believe this right now, when the system does work, it’s because of lawyers like her. Molly says, that was exactly what she needed to hear, and Alexis says she tries. Molly says she hopes Alexis does get her law license back. When she was disbarred, everybody lost. Alexis says she did kind of bring it on herself with that whole perjury thing, and Molly says, stack that against the people she helped and got justice for, and all the people she could have helped. Talk about an unfair system.

Carly asks how Sonny could think Jason would ever shoot Dante, and Sonny asks, what’s going on with Jason? Has he said anything to her? She says she went to the police station, but they wouldn’t let her see him. Sonny and Anna are friends. She might have made an exception for him had he bothered to show up. He says he was with his son who’s dying, and she says, who’s only alive because of Jason. He says, he only got shot because of Jason. Jason wouldn’t have stayed away this long and then come back and try to kill him. She says he’s jumping to conclusions. The truth is, he doesn’t know why Jason came back and doesn’t know why he was in that warehouse. But he does know Jason has saved his life so many times. He owes Jason the chance to explain. He says, I don’t owe Jason nothing.

Jason comes into the squad room, and Michael says, bail is posted. They’re good to go. Jason thanks him, and Diane says she’s sure he doesn’t need to hear the caveat about not leaving town, and Jason says he’d never do that to Michael. She says, just a small piece of advice. It might behoove him to keep a low profile for a while. Michael says, no crashing through skylights, and Diane says, please don’t make her have to prepare a second defense because she’s going to be real busy with this one. Jason says he promises, and she says, good, and leaves. Michael says, let’s go home, but Jason says he’s sorry. He can’t go home yet.

Tomorrow, Sam asks if she can get Dante anything, and he says, Anna; John Brennan says he was starting to think he’d been abandoned; Elizabeth says Jason is lucky to have Danny in his corner; and Sonny asks Jason why he should believe him.  

✒️ There Goes Another One…

What’s up with this changing of the writers? All those Emmys weren’t’ good enough?

🏊‍♂️ A Tale Of Two Awful Houses…

I can’t look.

https://shows.acast.com/ebbm/episodes/welcome-to-season-2-a-pop-culture-roundup-summer-house-marth

🛟 Not Mine Either…

Although if we go by the lesser of two evils, he’s better than Jared was.

https://ew.com/below-deck-captain-kerry-ben-willoughby-not-first-choice-bosun-8619631

🍸 Deck On Pump…

I blinked. I missed it.

🐈‍⬛ Pets With More Money Than Us…

Come on. They deserve it.

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/the-wealthy-paws-richest-celebrity-pets-and-their-net-worth/3415885

🎆 Baby, You’re a Sparkler…

Join me tomorrow for soap, Dragon talk, and more. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping voicemails simple, and stay being aware that while hospitals are a good place to get well, they’re an even better place to get sick.

March 27, 2024 – Anna Asks Dex To Work For Her, Lotsa Suds, She’s Escaped, Valley Bore, Latest Chefs, Dead Shocks, More Never, My Kind Of Pack & Rise

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason waits in the interrogation room when Sam walks in and sits across from him. Because, like the hospital, the PCPD plays fast and loose with security.

Danny opens the door to the boathouse and sees it’s empty. Jake asks if he’s looking for something.

Trina finds Josslyn at the courthouse and says, she went looking for her at the dorm. When she saw Josslyn wasn’t in their room, she figured she’d find her here. Josslyn says, it’s nice to hear Trina call it their room, even though she’s not living there right now. Trina asks if it’s okay if she sits, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Is she here to make sure Jason gets the book thrown at him? Trina says she’s actually not here for Jason. She’s here for Josslyn.

In the courtroom, Molly goes through her documents and drops them. She starts to pick them up, when Kristina comes in and helps. Molly says she wasn’t sure if she’d see Kristina today, but Kristina says, is Molly kidding her? A chance to support her sister. Molly is looking the part. Molly says, at least she’s got that going for her, and Kristina says, and a million other things. Don’t sell herself short. Molly says she thinks she’s shaking, and Kristina takes her hand and says, breathe. It has to be tough, prosecuting someone who means so much to her. Molly says, tough would be a cakewalk. This feels nearly impossible.

Sam asks if Jason did it. Did he shoot Dante? He says, no, and she says she believes him. He says, there’s something else. It’s about Danny. She says, what about Danny? and he says, after he was shot, he hid out at the boathouse and Danny found him. She says, so he’s seen Danny? and he says, yeah. Danny helped him. He got a first aid kit from the main house and brought it down to the boathouse. She says she’s a little confused. Why didn’t Danny tell her that he saw Jason? He says he told Danny not to.

Danny asks if Aiden’s here too, but Jake says, he’s up at the main house. Danny says, why? and Jake says, why is Aiden at the main house or why are they here? Danny says, the second one, and Jake says, his mom figured if they’re all staying home to see the arraignment, they might as well all stay together. But he assumes it will go pretty quickly. They’ll see dad shot Dante, they’ll decide he’s guilty, and he won’t be granted bail. Danny says, first of all, that’s not how arraignments work. Second of all, what makes him so sure that dad’s guilty?

Molly tells Kristina, her main job today is to remain impartial. How is she supposed to argue that Jason is some awful murderer after all the history they have together? His years with Sam. He’s Danny’s father. How does she do that? Kristina says, that’s the other reason she’s here, and Molly says she thought Kristina was here for moral support. Kristina says, of course (🍷) she is. That’s what she’s here for first and foremost. Also, Molly can’t give in to her soft spot for Jason. He’s guilty. Molly asks, says who? and Kristina says, her father for starters. She saw him the last couple of times she visited Dante, and he didn’t want to believe it at first, but there’s evidence linking Jason to the warehouse shooting. So obviously, Dante followed him and that’s when Jason shot him. Molly asks if it’s obvious to Sonny or Kristina, because it certainly isn’t obvious to the police or to the DA’s office or to her personally. Kristina asks why they’d be charging Jason if they didn’t think he did it, and Molly says, there is reasonable suspicion and supporting evidence that Jason shot Dante. But there was also another unidentified individual present, and they’re not sure what part they played, so nothing is obvious. And let’s not forget, in our legal system, the defendant is innocent until proven guilty, no matter what Sonny thinks. Kristina says, that’s exactly what she was afraid of, and Molly says, what? Kristina says, Molly doesn’t want Jason to be guilty so she’s scrambling to come up with a scenario where he’s not. But as hard as this is going to be – and she knows this is going to be hard for Molly – she has to check her feelings at the door and do her job. (Are they having two different conversations?)

On the phone, Anna asks what Portia’s professional opinion is… She knows she’s not family, but she’s really worried… Okay. She appreciates that. She thanks Portia for the update and says she’ll call her back. Dex comes in, and she asks him to close the door. He does and asks if that was about Dante. How is he? She says, he’s the same, and Dex says, his family must be going out of their minds. Anna says, waiting is a special kind of torture. She appreciates him coming in. He says he assumes this is about their last conversation. He figured once she thought about it, she’d change her mind about pursuing a case against Sonny, and he’ll still testify against Sonny if that’s what she’s wondering. No matter what it costs. She says, even if it costs him his life?

Anna says, Sonny has resources. He would know Dex intended to testify against him before Dex even took the stand. Dex asks if that’s where she comes in. Is she going to offer him some kind of protection? She says she can authorize that, but it wouldn’t guarantee his safety because Sonny has a way of getting around everything. Dex says, he does, and she says, there’s Witness Protection, but from what she understands, he wants to stay in town. He asks where that leaves him, and she says, not in a courtroom, that’s for sure. She does not want him testifying. He says he doesn’t understand. If she doesn’t want him to testify, what is he doing here? She says, a thought occurred to her, a way he can ensure his own safety. He says he’s listening, and she says, he comes to work for her at the PCPD.

Josslyn and Trina both say, I’m sorry, and Trina says, jinx. Josslyn can’t talk until she says her name… That was a joke… Josslyn. They both laugh, and Josslyn says, clearly, she takes her jinx very seriously. Trina says, obviously, but for real, she is sorry. She was a total B and Josslyn didn’t deserve it. Josslyn says she kind of did deserve it, and Trina asks, why? Josslyn says, of course (🍷) she’s very relieved and happy Jason is alive, but she does really think he’s innocent. That’s her and how she feels, and Trina is more than entitled to feel differently about it. She’s really sorry if she acted like Trina wasn’t. Trina says, apology accepted, and Josslyn says, back at her. Trina tells her that she will say, her attitude wasn’t entirely about Jason being a suspect in her father’s shooting, and Josslyn says, what was it? Trina says she was… still is having a hard time with the unfairness that Jason got to come back, while Spencer’s still gone.

Molly says, thank you so much, and Kristina says she’s getting the sense Molly doesn’t mean that. Molly says she just doesn’t need Kristina coming in here moments before the arraignment to tell her something that not only she already knows, but she’s struggling with in real time. Because it’s so nice to be Kristina, right? With her advice and her nuggets of wisdom, sitting all cozy in the back of the courthouse, while Molly actually has to make the argument why somebody she loves and respects and probably has an explanation for what he did, shouldn’t make bail. Kristina says, that’s a valid point, multiple points actually, and Molly thanks her. Kristina says, Molly is an excellent lawyer. She’s also the most ethical person Kristina knows. She’s sorry. She should have just kept her mouth shut. Molly says, it wouldn’t really track for her, and Kristina says, true. Molly wonders if she can ask Kristina a question. Since when is she so anti-Jason?

Jake tells Danny not to be naïve, and Danny asks what that even means. Jake says, of course (🍷) he’s guilty. The guy took off. Danny says, now he’s the guy? and Jake says, he made them all think he was dead, then came back and shot Dante. If Danny’s waiting for him to be proven innocent, he’ll be waiting forever. Danny says he doesn’t know any of that, and Jake says, Danny doesn’t know dad left them or that they had a memorial service for him? Danny says, that’s the story Jake told himself. Unless Jake’s talked to him, or the police. Did they fill Jake in on all the evidence they’ve collected? Jake says, don’t be stupid, but Danny says, he’s the one being stupid. He’s mad at dad. Danny gets it. So Jake wants him to be guilty. Rocco comes along, and Jake says he doesn’t want any of this. Danny lives with Dante. He’s the best. He’s always fun. He’s always joking around and always has time for everybody. Now he’s lying in a hospital bed because their father put him there. Rocco tells them to stop, and Danny says he loves Dante and Rocco is like a brother to him. He’s barely left the hospital to get updates on his dad. Rocco asks if they can please… Jake asks if Danny is telling Rocco that their dad is innocent, like he doesn’t have enough to deal with already. Obviously, Danny doesn’t care about Dante or Rocco. Danny says, that’s messed up. How does he believing their dad is innocent make him not care about Rocco or Dante? Jake asks why he isn’t mad at Jason, and Danny asks why Jake isn’t giving him the benefit of the doubt. Jake says, because he doesn’t deserve it, and Danny punches him in the face. (Sorry, I thought it was Rocco in the  preview. They look interchangeable.)

Sam says, just so she’s getting this straight, Jason told their son not to tell her that he’d seen him? And he was helping Jason? Jason says, yes, and Sam says she’s Danny’s mother. She’s been raising their son on her own for most of his life. What the hell is wrong with him? Danny is just a kid, a kid that has issues. Jason asks what she means. What kind of issues? She says, don’t do that. Don’t pretend to be a father to him now. She gets up and says, he disappeared, leaving her to pick up the pieces and put their son’s life back together. And she did that, by the way. He doesn’t get to just some out of the sky out of nowhere and tell their son to lie to her, to keep secrets from her, and use him because he’s in trouble. Putting him in a situation where he… My God. Danny could be brought up on federal charges. That is their baby she’s been protecting. Say something. Don’t just sit there. Tell her that he knows she’s right about all of it. He says, she’s right, and she says, he is a danger to their son. Does he hear her? Stay the hell away from Danny. She walks out and the Jason sigh is back.

Dex says, Anna wants him to join the PCPD? and she says, don’t look so shocked. She happens to think that this is inspired. He says, until very recently, he was working on the inside of Sonny’s organization, doing all kinds of illegal things on his orders. She says, exactly. That’s what makes him an asset. He says he almost murdered an old man on Sonny’s orders, and she says she knows it’s hard for him to wrap his head around it. When Mayor Collins offered her this position again, she felt like her past disqualitfied her somehow, but now she realizes the best cops are the ones who know how easy it is to go wrong, because they’ve been there themselves. He says, so it’s fine he’s no better than the criminals she’s trying to put away, and she says, it’s more than fine. She thinks it’s a bonus.

Trina says, this all sounds so irrational, but Josslyn says, not to her. Trina says, every morning, she wakes up and the first thing she thinks is, it’s all a nightmare and Spencer’s still here. And today’s the day she’ll get that call, that they made a mistake and Spencer’s fine. And to see that scenario playing out for Josslyn and her mom and everyone that loves Jason… Josslyn says she knows. Trina wants that to happen for Spencer. It’s okay, he’s just chilling with Netflix. Trina says, so badly, and Josslyn says she’s so sorry. For her, it was different. She knew that Oscar’s death was coming, but she understands. Trina says she knows Josslyn does, and Josslyn says, that kind of grief consumes you. Trina says, and she can’t get out from under it, and Josslyn says, she will. One day, eventually, her time with Spencer, those memories will make her smile. It’s not going to break her heart anymore. Trina says she doesn’t know if she’s there yet, and Josslyn says, no one expects her to be there. Trina says she just misses him so much, in a way she didn’t even know you could miss people. And she feels like she’s gone too. Josslyn says, she very understandably lost her way for a bit, but she’s going to find her way back. Trina says, what if she doesn’t? and Josslyn says, then Trina can reach out her hand and she’ll take it, and they’ll make it through together.

Kristina says she’s not anti-Jason, and Molly says, she’s certainly not pro. Kristina says she guesses she’s not. Don’t look so surprised. Molly says she is. Kristina was literally drugged and five minutes away from being tattooed and sexually assaulted, when Jason carried her out of Dawn of Day. Kristina says she knows and she’ll forever grateful to Jason and to Sam for getting her away from Shiloh. But they don’t know what’s happened in the last couple of years. Jason could be a totally different person now, and the evidence is pointing in that direction. Molly says, evidence is subject to interpretation. That’s the whole point of the trial. The prosecution interprets it one way and the defense interprets it another. Kristina says, and the evidence shows Jason was there when Dante was shot, and Molly says, so just because Sonny believes Jason shot Dante, Kristina believes it too. Kristina says, for her father to go against Jason is a big deal and Molly knows that. So she’s inclined to believe him. Molly tells her to be careful who she talks like this around, and Kristina asks what she’s talking about. Molly says, Danny, their nephew. She knows she has to have a talk with him after today, explain that she’s just doing her job. Kristina can believe whatever she wants, but Jason is still Danny’s father. Kristina says, please. Dante has been more of a father than Jason has been or ever will be.

Diane goes into the interrogation room and tells Jason that she saw Sam leaving. She’d ask how that went, but she hates talking to herself. Let’s focus on your case. They have a hero cop in the hospital on life support, and chances are getting smaller and smaller every day that he’ll wake up to exonerate Jason. They have a DA with a working and perfectly reasonable theory that Jason shot said cop without realizing who he was. Then Jason realized it and tried to save him. Too little too late. Jason knows that’s not true. She knows that’s not true. So how do they get the rest of the world on board? Give her something she can use. Does he have an alibi? Is there a timeline? Is there someone she can call who will say, nope, Jason didn’t shoot Dante? Is there anything he can give her. Please. He says he can’t.

Rocco and Jake continue to fight, while Rocco continues to shout at them to stop. Jake knocks Danny down with a punch, and Rocco says, they’re family. They can’t do this to each other. Jake says he can’t with this, and walks off. Rocco says he’s really sorry and runs after Jake. Danny lies down on the deck.

Josslyn asks Trina to tell her something about their time together in Paris, and Trina says, like what? Josslyn says, anything. After Oscar died, nobody wanted to talk to her about him. Probably because they didn’t want to upset her, but she felt the opposite. She wanted to talk about him and wanted to relive their times together. Trina says, yes. That’s the perfect way to describe it. Josslyn says, so tell her something about Paris, and Trina says, it’s the happiest she’s ever been. Josslyn says she bets Spencer would say the same, and Trina says she thinks so too. Josslyn says, it doesn’t get more romantic than the City of Lights, and Trina says, no, it was more than that. Their ease at being together. They found the perfect rhythm with paradise as their backdrop. She felt more like herself in Paris with Spencer than she ever has before. Josslyn says, it sounds so special, and Trina says, it was, until it wasn’t. Josslyn suggests staying with the was, and Trina says, okay. Josslyn says she’s so grateful Trina got that time with him and that the time with him was so incredibly special. Trina says she’s grateful too, and Josslyn hugs her.

Dex says, Anna seems to be under the impression that he needs this job, and she says, doesn’t he? He says he’s ex-military. He’s been through his share of close calls and here he is, still standing. She says, he’s just been at the police station twice in two days, not clandestinely either. He says, so? and she says, so what makes him think that Sonny doesn’t already suspect him of being a turncoat? It’s fine. If he wants to go it alone, he’s welcome to, but she feels that the PCPD could offer him some cover. Think about it. He says he will, and goes to the door. She says, don’t take too long. Time is not on his side.

Molly tells Kristina that she keeps remembering when they decorated Sam and Jason’s apartment for Valentine’s Day. She hasn’t thought about it in years, but she can remember it like it was yesterday. Kristina wonders if they can really call that decorating. More like an absolute flooding of Valentine’s Day bling all over that place. Molly says, come on. It was beautiful. Kristina says, it was. It was also pink. A little red, but a lot of pink. Kristina says, so not Jason’s style. Candles and flowers. But it was Jason’s fault. Kristina says, it totally was. He gave them an insane budget to work with and they were so young. Of course (🍷) they were going to go full out. Molly says she just remembers thinking it was the most romantic thing he did for Sam, and Kristina says, it was romantic. It was also a really long time ago. Things change. People change. Molly says, how much? and Kristina says, a lot sometimes. She thinks Molly needs to face the fact that the Jason who came home might not be the Jason they remember. Molly says, okay. She’ll consider the possibility if Kristina considers the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she’s got this all wrong.

Jason says he wishes he could give Diane what she needs, but he can’t, and she says, they’ve known each other a long time, haven’t they? He says, they have, and she says she’s sure he’s recognized that very often she makes things sound worse than they are, so she looks like even more of a genius when she pulls off a victory at the end. But this is not that case. If Dante dies, it’s murder one. That’s as bad as it gets. The state of New York doesn’t have a death penalty, but if he’s convicted, he’ll spend the rest of his life in prison. He’s her favorite client. Difficult in his own way, absolutely, but she’d hate to see him get put away for life for something he didn’t do, especially since they just got him back. So if there’s anything at all that can help her help him – anything – he’s got her number. She leaves.

Brook comes through the revolving door to the interrogation room, and Jason says, Brook Lynn. She says, surprise. She’s guessing she’s not who he expected to see here. He says, not really, no, and she says she knows the desk sergeant. He let her in. She’s soon to be marrying one of the detectives. She sits down, and he says, congratulations. She thanks him and says she’s sorry. She doesn’t know why this is so awkward. She’s usually so good at small talk, but it’s tripping her up for some reason. He says, why doesn’t she just start with why she’s here? She says, Monica asked if she could come. She wanted Brook to give him this. She slides an envelope across the table, and he sees his name written on it.

Sam goes to the boathouse and says, Jake told her that she’d find Danny here. Danny asks if he said anything else, and she says, he just looked a little worse for the wear. She sees his face and says, ouch. Does it hurt? He says, not really, and she asks why he’d get in a fight with his brother. (Like that never happens.) He says, Jake kept saying dad was guilty and it really pissed him off, and she says she just saw him. He says, dad? and she says, yeah. He told her that he was here, and Danny was helping him. He says, she’s mad, and she says she’s furious, but not at him. What his father did was completely unfair. It’s not his fault he did what his father asked him to do, but he’s to never do that again, okay? He says, mom… but she says, ever. He says he wanted to help his dad, and she says she’s sure he did. Danny says, it’s not like dad asked him to rob a bank or anything. He just needed some bandages, so Danny got him a first aid kit. She says, listen to her. A, Jason involved him in a situation where he’s wanted by the FBI and the PCPD. And B – this is the worst part for her – he told Danny to lie to her, to keep a secret from her. It’s not okay under any circumstances, but when there are criminal charges flying around… She never thought she would actually say this about his father, but that did it for her. Any trust between her and Jason has been broken.

Anna comes into her office to find Robert there. She asks if they had a meeting, and he asks if a man has to make an appointment to meet with his ex-wife these days. She says, when he’s the DA and his ex-wife is the Commissioner. She has a lot on her plate these days. He says, why doesn’t she try delegating sometime? and she says, it’s okay. What is this about? He says he’ll be quick. He’s here to make a confession. She asks what he’s confessing to, and he says he’s a big, fat coward.

Molly says she doesn’t want to fight about this, and Kristina asks if Molly thinks she does. Molly says she wishes Kristina was less focused on the arraignment and more focused on her health, and Kristina says, she means the baby’s health. Molly asks if they’re not the same thing. Stress of any kind is not good for a pregnancy. So if Kristina really came to support her – Kristina says she did – then the best thing she can do is just go home. Kristina says she sees. Is that an order, ADA Lansing-Davis?

Trina thanks Josslyn, and Josslyn says, for what? Trina says, being a best friend when she knows Josslyn could use one right now, and Josslyn says she’s fine. Trina says, liar. What’s going on between her and Dex? Josslyn says, not much, and Trina asks if they’ve spoken since they broke up, but Josslyn says, no. He’s called her a few times, but she’s not ready to talk to him. Trina says, what about Josslyn? She still doesn’t know what happened, although she has the impression that it has something to do with Dex working for Sonny. Josslyn says, yes, it does, and that’s all she can say about it without compromising him. Trina says, then she must still care for him, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷) she does. She thinks she always will, but she also feels like she never really knew him. Trina says she’s sorry. That’s a horrible feeling. Josslyn says, anyway, she’s fine. She loves Trina for showing up here, but she doesn’t need to stay. Trina says she has nothing better to do. She lives at home and she’s not in school. Josslyn says, she has the gallery, and Trina says, but not today. So she doesn’t mind staying a little longer and hanging out. On second thought – Josslyn turns around and Dex is there – she thinks Josslyn should spend some time alone. Josslyn and Dex soap look at each other.

Trina says, so thanks for the talk. She’ll call Josslyn later. Josslyn thanks her, and Trina leaves, smiling at Dex as she passes him. Dex says, hi, and Josslyn says, hi. What is he doing here? He says he had an appointment, and she says, really? In the Hall of Justice complex? With whom? He asks if she got his messages, and she says, nice dodge. Yeah, she got them. He says he didn’t like how they left things, and she says, speaking of leaving, she thought he left town. He says, thought or hoped? He’s really sorry he let her down. She asks why he’s still here in Port Charles, and he says he thinks he was just given a reason to stay.

Molly says she knows better than to issue Kristina an order and she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to imply Kristina was putting the baby at risk. She knows Kristina never would. Just like Kristina knows she would never let her personal feelings influence her work. Kristina laughs and says, well played, sister. Molly says, if Kristina doesn’t mind, she has a little bit of time left, and she would like to prepare her argument against releasing Jason on bail. Not because of anything Kristina said, but because it’s her civic duty.

Robert says, Anna knows it’s Jason Morgan’s arraignment today, and she says she thought he told her that this wasn’t going to take up too much of her time. He says, it won’t. Normally, it would be up to him to argue against bail, but in this particular case, he thought he’d let Molly Lansing-Davis do it. She says, so he doesn’t look like the bad guy in Robin’s eyes. He’s going to let his ADA do his dirty work because he’s scared of his daughter. He says, that’s it in a nutshell, yeah, and she says she envies him. He says, she does? and she says she doesn’t have the luxury of not investigating Jason. Sadly, that is not an option for her, but it is an option for him, and she wholly supports him taking it. He says, it doesn’t bother her that he’s a coward for ducking out on the arraignment? and she says she thinks he’s a wonderful coward… She means, father.

Jason picks up the envelope, and asks if Monica is sick or hurt, and Brook says, both, but she’s okay. He knows how that driveway is; it always gets so icy. Monica took a pretty bad fall right before Christmas. She’s been in a wheelchair ever since, but she’s still considering going to work. He says, sounds like her, and Brook says, she picked up a bug at the hospital. Nothing serious, but the doctors don’t want her to push herself or she would be at the arraignment. He opens the envelope and takes out a handwritten note: Jason, I believe in you. Love, Mom. An officer comes in and says, ten minutes and he really needs to get the prisoner downstairs, and Brook thanks him. She tells Jason, good luck at the arraignment, and goes to the door. Wiping his eyes, Jason says, tell her that he loves her and he’s sorry, and Brook says, he’s got it.

Sam comes out of the boathouse with something in a plastic bag and tells Danny that she found this in the freezer. She has him hold it against his head and he says, thanks. How’s Dante? She says, no change, and he asks if she thinks… She says, what is it? Say something. He says, nothing, but she says, it’s obviously something. Talk to her. He says, Dante knows he loves him, right? and she says, yes. Of course (🍷) he does. He says, and that he really appreciates Dante and sees everything Dante does for him? She says, yeah. Why would he think Dante wouldn’t? He says he doesn’t know. Just making sure. She says she’s so sorry, and he says, for what? She says, his father coming home and being alive should be the most wonderful, amazing experience, not this. She doesn’t know if she’s changed or Jason’s changed or she’s never been able to see him clearly, but it’s just become obvious to her that she can’t rely on him to protect Danny and have his best interests at heart. She just wants him to know that she’s his mother and she’ll do everything in her power to keep him safe. And she loves him so much. He says he loves her too, and she takes his hand. She says, they’re going to get through this together because they have each other. She hugs him and says, he’s never going to have to see his dad again, okay? But from the look on his face, it’s not okay.

Tomorrow, Sam needs Portia to stop something from happening; Carly wants to know what Michael isn’t telling her; Josslyn tells Kristina that her father is wrong about everything; and Sonny says he doesn’t owe Jason anything.

🧼 All the Soap Fit To Print…

Guess who’s back? Frankly, it didn’t seem like he was gone all that long.

Easton Rocket Sweda Teases His Return to GENERAL HOSPITAL

Keeping in touch.

Side gigs. I’m all about the pup (!).

Sweet reunion. Hard to believe Todd’s daughter is now a mom.

🍸 Mya Is Now Safe…

Not my vibe, but the view sounds very cool.

🏌️‍♂️ If You Must…

IMO, this show is a real snoozefest.

🍛 Quickfire This…

So when are we going to get TVs that have tastevision?

https://people.com/top-chef-recap-episode-2-contestant-reveals-kennedys-disease-buddha-lo-8621332

⚰️ The Ones Who Didn’t Die…

Surprise and surprise.

https://ew.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-seth-gilliam-father-gabriel-surprise-8613080

https://ew.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-pollyanna-mcintosh-jadis-fate-8619368

Never Ever Ending…

I’ll have them know, Falcor is a luck dragon, not a dog, but luck dragons do look suspiciously like Pekingese.

https://ew.com/the-neverending-story-getting-new-movie-8611732

https://screenrant.com/the-neverending-story-movie-reboot-franchise-confirmed

🐶 Doggy Style…

I’m well aware I’m late to the party here. I’d wanted to see Strays when it was playing at the movie theater, but didn’t get the chance. Being caught up in several series on Netflix, I put it off when it came to Prime, but I recently watched it and I loved it so much. It has more crude language than a Quentin Tarantino film, but hearing it come out of the mouths of dogs, cats, and an eagle, makes it hysterically funny somehow. It’s now going to be on constant rotation for me, because it’s also one of those movies that left me smiling without taking me on a trip to the cornfield. I don’t need a Friday the 13th ending, but the worst is a horror film that has a Hallmark ending or ends up being a PSA for the environment. (Yes, I’m talking to you Mother! That’s 2 hours and 1 minute I will never get back.) Besides causing me to literally lol, Strays has a stellar cast, a heartfelt message, and of course, dogs.

👖 Caught With My Pants Up…

If you come back tomorrow, I promise soap, topics of interest in entertainment, and probably a pet or two. Until then, stay safe, stay not making/discussing plans in front of somebody not invited, and stay being a best friend even when you could use one.

March 26, 2024 – Jason Breaks His Silence, Tea Is Spilled At TomTom But Sandoval Is Still the Most Awful, Valley Villain & My Girls

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura comes to the PT room to find Curtis doing his leg weights and tells him not to stop on her account. He’s doing great. He says, it’s nothing like his workouts before he got shot, but it does feel good to work up a sweat again. She says she’s so glad. Maybe it’s the music he’s listening to. Send her his playlists when he gets a chance. She doesn’t want to interrupt him, so she’ll let him get back to it. He says, if she needs someone to hang with, she’s more than welcome.

Chase and Brook come out of the hospital elevator, and Chase says he keeps thinking he’s going to walk into Dante’s hospital room and he’s just going to be awake. He never wanted to hear someone’s words so much in his life. She says she knows he’s worried Dante’s condition hasn’t changed, and she is too. It’ll happen. The Dante she knows and loves isn’t a quitter. He says, that is the last word he’d use to describe Dante. Besides, Sam would never let him quit on her. She’s been here around the clock sitting with him. Brook asks if that’s why he didn’t tell Sam that Jason turned himself in. He doesn’t want to distract her? Chase says, Jason Morgan has done enough damage. She’ll find out soon enough. Finn and Gregory come out of the elevator, Gregory heavily leaning on his cane and breathing heavily. Chase asks, what happened?

Michael goes to the penthouse and Ava answers the door. He says he’s there to see his father, and she says, he should have called. She doesn’t know if Sonny wants to see anyone. He says, that’s why he stopped by. He knows the news must have hit Sonny pretty hard. Sonny comes out and says, the news about what?

John goes into Bobbie’s, and Carly asks what she can get him. He says he’s not here for food. He owes her an apology. He suspected she was harboring a fugitive. He was wrong. She asks, what changed his mind? and he says, Jason Morgan is in custody.

An officer brings Jason into the interrogation room where Anna is waiting. He leads Jason to a chair and leaves. Anna says, hello, Jason, and he says, Anna. She says, just to be clear, he’s under no obligation to answer her questions without the benefit of counsel, and he says he understands. She says, but she wanted to see him and ask him face to face. Did he shoot Dante? He says, no, and she thanks him. She says she believes him, but her faith in his innocence isn’t going to do him much good.

Michael says, Sonny doesn’t know? and Sonny says he’s not in the mood to play games right now. Say what he’s going to say and go. Michael says, Jason turned himself in to the cops, and Sonny says, is that all? Michael says, he walked into the PCPD with Diane beside him and turned himself in. The arraignment is already scheduled for tomorrow. They don’t have much time. Sonny says, time for what? and Michael says, to help Jason. Sonny says, Diane’s with him. She’ll do everything she can. Michael says, so that’s it. Sonny’s not going to do anything to help Jason himself. Sonny says, Michael isn’t getting it. Just leave, now. Michael says, no. He’s not going anywhere. Ava looks like she’s watching a tennis match.

Laura asks Curtis if she’s that transparent. She guesses it’s no secret that Heather Webber is having her surgery tonight, and he says, no, it’s not. She says she’s a little concerned about Heather. She doesn’t want to minimize the horrible things Heather has done, but her situation is more complicated than most people realize. He says he’ll take her word for it, and she says she ran into Portia. Portia told her that Curtis was up here exercising, and she realized they hadn’t talked in a long time, so she came to say hi and make sure he’s not being too hard on himself. He says, there’s no such thing. He’s determined to start walking as soon as possible. She says she’s sure he will, and he thanks her. And about his playlist. That wasn’t music he was listening to just now. It was breaking news about Jason Morgan.

Chase asks, what is going on? Is Gregory okay? Gregory says, don’t worry. He’s fine. Chase asks, what happened? Do they need to call a doctor? Finn says he is a doctor. Remember? Chase says he meant, do they need to call dad’s specialist? and Brook says she can take care of that if they want her to. Gregory says, that’s not necessary. He just came from his office. Chase asks what he said, and Finn suggests they talk about it at home. Gregory says, it’s fine. He said… He runs out of breath, and Brook suggests they let Gregory have a few minutes of rest. Chase wants to help Gregory to a seat, but Gregory says, it’s not necessary. He’s fine. Finn says, don’t be so stubborn. Let them help him. Gregory yells that he’s fine. He can stand on his own two feet. He doesn’t need his sons to hold him up. Finn says he’s sorry, and Chase says, they didn’t mean to offend him. They were just trying to make things easier for him. Gregory says, well, they can’t. What’s happening to him isn’t a crisis or an emergency. It’s just a new normal. Finn says, they don’t have to do this here, and Gregory says he rushed down here just to have his doctor remind him that the symptoms are to be expected. It’s the same old song. The prognosis is hard to predict. He just has to take it day by day. Chase asks Finn if Gregory’s doctor really said that, and Gregory says he still hears just fine. So don’t talk about it like he’s not standing here. Finn says, they’ll talk about this later. Right now, he’s taking Gregory home so he can get some rest. Gregory says, not yet. Because there’s something he wants to say to all of them… Back… off.

Carly asks if John talked to Jason. Where did they find him? John says, they didn’t. Mr. Morgan was accompanied by his lawyer when he turned himself in. She says, so he brought Diane with him. That’s great. At least his rights are being protected. Did John see Jason, or did someone pass this information on to him? John says he saw him. He spoke with him. Although Jason didn’t tell him anything useful.

Anna says, so there’s this plausible theory, supported by evidence, that Jason shot Dante before Dante recognized him, but it’s good to hear he didn’t. Dante isn’t just a detective on her squad. He’s a friend. He’s someone she admires and respects. He says, him too, and she says, he’s been informed that there’s footage of him and another man on the roof of the warehouse at 257 Water Street – Jason nods – and the other man has a sniper rifle. Can he explain what he was doing there? He says he has nothing to say without his attorney, and she says, it just makes it all the more curious why he would waive his right to counsel in order to meet with Special Agent Cates, alone. And according to the desk sergeant, they were both in here for the better part of an hour, and she can’t believe that he would spend most of that time talking about the good old days. Jason asks what she means, and she says, high school. The two of them. Robin told her that they both fell in love with the same girl at one point. He says he can’t even remember anything about high school, and she says, but he knows John Cates was Stone’s older brother. He used to go by the name Jagger. Jason says he’s heard the name… but he didn’t know it was Agent Cates. Anna says, he probably had no reason to mention it. It was years ago and has absolutely nothing to do with why Jason is in handcuffs now. Jason bangs on the table, stands up, and says he’s been working for Agent John Cates since November 2021. (The floodgates are officially open.)

Laura says, so Curtis already knows they have Jason in custody, and Curtis says, it’s all over the news. She says, it must have come as a shock though, especially since he turned himself in. How is Curtis doing with all of this? He says he’s not sure, because if Jason took a shot at Sonny at the MetroCourt, then Jason is the one who put him in this wheelchair. She says she thinks it’s a good thing they have Jason in custody. Now they’ll get some answers about what’s really going on. He asks what she means, and she says she just has a very hard time believing Jason would target Sonny. He says, maybe she has a hard time believing it because that’s not what really happened, and she asks why he says that. Does he know something? He says, it’s nothing for certain, but everyone knows how close Sonny and Jason were. Jason was his righthand man. So Jason taking a shot at Sonny just doesn’t make sense to him. So if Jason wasn’t gunning for Sonny, then maybe he was still working for Sonny and he was the intended target. (Oh, okay. That’s new.)

Sonny says, it’s always something with Michael. Save it. He’s not interested. Michael says, he needs to hear this, and Sonny asks what part of I’m not interested is he not getting? Ava says, Michael heard his father. He’s done talking. It’s time to cut his losses and go. Michael says, he doesn’t understand… but Sonny says he does understand. Michael sent Dex to spy on him. Carly knew about it. The three people he trusted the most went behind his back and betrayed him. Michael says, they weren’t betraying him. They were keeping him safe. Sonny says, and Michael kept the secret that Nina turned Drew and Carly in to the SEC because he wanted to blackmail her to stay away from Willow and the kids. Why is that safe for him? Does he have the answer? Because everything’s about him. Michael says, that is not true… and Sonny says, now Michael comes to him when Jason left Dante at the pier to die. What is wrong with him?

Anna says, Jason is working for Agent Cates. In what capacity? Jason says, as an informant, and she says, for the FBI? He says, yes, and she asks how this arrangement came about. She doesn’t know how he got involved with Cates and the FBI, or how he wound up on a roof with a sniper, but if there’s any chance she can help him, he has to tell her the truth. He has to know that he can trust her. He says he knows, and they sit back down. He says, after the tunnel collapsed on Cassadine Island, he couldn’t make it back to Britt and the others, he found his way out. Anna says, go on, but he says he saw it in her face when he said Britt’s name. What is it? What’s wrong? She says she’s sorry. Britt died. She was murdered. It was New Year’s Eve, 2022. He exhales and asks if they know who killed her, and she says, the killer is in custody. She’s really sorry. He’s obviously distressed (at least as much as Jason can be), and she asks if he needs a minute. He says, Britt. She just had such a great smile. Anna says she didn’t know Britt, but she’s glad he has that memory of her, and he composes himself. He says, when he made it out of the tunnel, he started toward the main house. That’s when two FBI agents stopped him and placed him under arrest.

Carly tells Beth that she’s going to need her to hold down the fort for a little while. She’ll be back as soon as she can. Beth says, sure, and John asks where she’s going. She says she’s going to see that Jason’s okay for herself, and he blocks her way and says, she can’t do that.

Finn asks what Gregory means, back off, and Chase asks if he wants them to stop helping him. Gregory sits, and Brook says, their father obviously has something to say. Let him talk. Gregory thanks her, and says, at least someone in this family is paying attention to what he wants. Chase and Finn exchange glances, and Gregory tells them not to look at each other like their worried, like it isn’t just his body that’s going, but his mind too. Finn says, that’s not what they think, and Chase says, they’re worried about him. Gregory says he knows they are and he loves them both for caring about him. Brook says, they all do, and Gregory says, but he’s not an invalid and he refuses to be treated like one. Finn says, understood. He’s sorry if they made him feel like that. It wasn’t their intention. Gregory says he knows that too. It’s only natural to want to swoop in and take care of someone when they’re sick. But they both have lives to lead and he won’t let them put their lives on hold because of him. Chase says, no one’s putting anything on hold, but Gregory says, aren’t they? Finn has patients who depend on him. He should be attending to them, not sitting in on every single one of Gregory’s doctor’s appointments. If he learns something important, he’ll let them know. Finn says, okay, and Gregory says he knows how worried Chase is about Dante. Dante and his family need Chase right now. That’s where his focus should be. So go donate blood again or say a prayer in the chapel. Maybe even take Rocco to a movie and help take his mind off of what’s happening with his father. Chase says, that’s actually a great idea, and Brook says she bets Sam would love that. And it would be good for Chase to hang out with Rocco too. Chase says he’ll talk to her after this, and Gregory says, good. He’ll call a ride and head home – alone, which he’s perfectly capable of doing. He gets up and walks off. Chase says, okay, dad, and Finn says, see him at home. He tells Chase, for what it’s worth (🍷), he might want to consider moving up his wedding date.

Laura pulls up a stool and asks Curtis if he’s telling her that he thinks Jason was following Sonny’s orders when he shot Curtis and tried to kill him. Why? What possible reason could Sonny have for wanting him dead? He says he’s not sure. It’s just a theory right now. She asks if it’s his theory or somebody else’s, and he says, just looking at everything through a different lens. Everyone assumed that what happened to him was just bad luck, wrong place, wrong time. He believed it too. She says, but he doesn’t anymore, and he says he doesn’t know. Because ever since they found out Jason was alive, someone floated the idea to him that Jason’s death might be staged. If that’s the case, that means Sonny has himself a hitman that can’t be traced. Doesn’t that have a certain logic to it? She says, that depends, and he says, on what? She says, on who’s posing the question.

Michael says, Sonny really doesn’t trust anyone anymore, does he? and Sonny says, should he? Michael says, yes, he should. He gets that Sonny is hurt, but he’s seeing enemies behind every door, even when there is none. How could he possibly think Jason would shoot Dante? Sonny says, it’s not like he’s never been betrayed before. Repeatedly. Why would he think Jason wouldn’t do it? Michael says, because it’s Jason. He has no reason to shoot Dante. Sonny says, none that he knows of, but it doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. Ava asks if it isn’t possible Jason shot Dante by mistake. That in all the confusion, he didn’t realize it was Dante until it was too late. That would explain why he stayed and gave Dante first aid. Right, Sonny? Sonny says, anything’s possible, and Michael says, even forgiveness?

Carly tells John to get out of her way, and he says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Jason is currently in police custody awaiting arraignment. He can’t have any visitors. She says, that’s all Jason is to him, right? A criminal in police custody? He couldn’t be more wrong. He doesn’t know a damn thing about Jason. Jason has saved her more times than she can count. He would do anything for the people he loves. Jason is the best person she knows. If John knew anything about him… John says, she thinks she’s the expert on everything, but she couldn’t be more wrong. The name Jason Morgan means nothing to him, but Jason Quartermaine is whole other story.

Jason tells Anna, they brought him to Quantico and put him in a room with no windows, and John Cates came in. He played a recording for him. It was proof of RICO violations and criminal conspiracy. They offered him a deal. The FBI wouldn’t file charges if he agreed to act as an informant. She says, on Sonny? but he says, no. That would never happen. It’s a company called Pikeman. She says, Pikeman Security Group, and he says, yeah. Cates thinks Pikeman has been selling illegal arms to rogue states and anybody flagged by the NSA. But Pikeman has really close ties to the WSB. She says she’s aware, and he says, that’s why the FBI investigation couldn’t be on the books. She says, right. Because if the WSB learned of it, they risk them running interference with Pikeman. He says, so they couldn’t use a federal agent. They needed a civilian. She says, him, and he says, yeah. Another reason they couldn’t use an agent was, Pikeman promotes from within. So for him to get to whoever’s in charge, he had to start by signing on as a military contractor. She says, so he’s been working as a mercenary soldier, and he nods. She says, for how long? and he says, the whole time. He was at the warehouse. He was part of the team that was sent to eliminate Sonny.

Chase asks if Finn knows how hard it would be to change the wedding date, how much work it would take, and Finn says he knows it’s not ideal, but maybe they want to give it some thought. Chase says, Brook has worked so hard on this. Everything has already been chosen, from the menus to the color of Violet’s rose petals, and who’s to say all this will be available on another day? Finn says, the last thing he wants to do is disappoint them or Violet, but despite what dad just said, he’s not okay. He’s having respiratory issues too often, and they just don’t know where things are going from here or how fast. Brook says she thinks they should listen to Finn and move up the date, and Chase says, she does? She says, what’s important about their wedding isn’t about what entrée they’ll serve or any of the other choices they picked. It’s about having their family and friends celebrating with them. And the sooner that day comes, the more likely his dad will be okay and really be able to enjoy himself. Chase says, she’s right, and she tells him that he’ll have to get used to saying that more often when they’re married. He says, and she’s positive she’s okay about moving the wedding date? She says, absolutely. Any problems that come up can be solved. His father is most important. He says he’s never been more sure he’s marrying the right person, and Finn says, he picked a good one. Brook says, family comes first. There’s another problem though. They can’t have this big, beautiful, elaborate wedding when Dante is unconscious and fighting for his life. Chase asks if she’s saying they should call off the wedding.

Anna says, Jason can confirm Pikeman is targeting Sonny? and he says, yeah. They’ve tried three times that he knows of. The MetroCourt, Puerto Rico, and the other night at the warehouse. She asks if he was involved with the other shootings, but he says, no. Pikeman sent a different team each time. They were tracking him and the sniper due to the two other failed attempts. That’s how he knows about them. She asks if he knows why they’re targeting Sonny, but he tells her, Pikeman doesn’t say anything. There’s no information. The decisions come down from executive and it’s guys like him who carry out the orders. She asks if John knew he was assigned to eliminate Sonny, and he says he told John as soon as he got the assignment. He gave John all the information he had; the time, the place, and how to access the roof. She says, so when she and Cates went into that warehouse to confront Sonny and Miss Wu, he knew Jason was on the roof with the sniper waiting to target Sonny. He says, yes, and Anna looks pretty pissed off.

Carly says, Jason Quartermaine. He hasn’t been called that in a long time. John says, maybe not, but that doesn’t mean that person never existed, and she says, you’re right, Jagger. So he used to live here in Port Charles and Stone was his brother. She never realized he knew Jason. Were they friends? John says, for a while. Then they both fell for the same girl, and it all changed. She says, they both fell for Karen Wexler, and he says, yes. She says, so he and Jason competed over the same girl. So what? That was a million years ago. He says, that’s true, but even when they were rivals, he always thought Jason was a good person. He finds it hard to believe the Jason he knew became Sonny Corinthos’s gun for hire. She says, at least he didn’t grow up to be a liar.

Sonny says, it funny Michael brings up forgiveness. Did Michael know he used to be an altar boy? Michael says, no, and Sonny says, hard for him to believe, isn’t it? Michael says, dad… but Sonny says, let him talk. Michael says he’s listening, and Sonny says, Father Joe used to say, forgiveness belongs to God. Anybody else can put up or shut up. Michael says, exactly. That’s why he came here today knowing the reception he’d get. That’s him putting up. He’s willing to take whatever Sonny has for him because it’s important Sonny hear about Jason from him. Sonny asks if that’s his best. Go ahead and go. Michael says, okay, fine. If Sonny needs anything or Sonny needs someone to sit at Dante’s bedside with him, he’s here. Sonny says he won’t, and Michael leaves. Sonny walks over to the bar and pours a drink, while Ava watches him. He brings it to his lips.

Curtis says he just wants to know why he’s stuck in this wheelchair, and Laura says she knows. She gets it. And she’s not saying he should ignore the possibility that he might be the actual target. She’s just saying he should be careful. There are people out there who might profit from him turning against Sonny and Jason. So before he passes judgement on them, consider the source.

Brook says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t want to call off the wedding. Chase isn’t getting out of marrying her that easily. They just have to come up with the simplest solution that works best for everyone. Finn says he feels like he kicked the hornet’s nest a little here and he’s sorry. Maybe he should have just kept his mouth shut. Chase says, Finn was right to bring it up. Dad was already worried about being a distraction, so the more comfortable they can make him, the happier he’ll be. That’s what matters most to them. Brook says, they want to do right by Gregory and Dante. She doesn’t know exactly what that looks like just yet, but they’ll figure it out. Finn says he has to check on some patients. If there’s anything he can do, just let him know. Chase says, even if that means putting together new flower arrangements himself? and Finn says, especially if it involves that. He leaves and Brook says she’s going to make some calls, get the ball rolling, but Chase says, wait. He has to say something to her first. It means the world to him that she’s being so understanding about this, but it’s also important to him that she has the wedding of her dreams. She says, her dream has already come true. She gets to spend the rest of her life with him. As for the wedding, all of their problems can be fixed with one word. Downsizing.

Sonny asks why Ava doesn’t join him, and she says, why not? She takes a drink from him, and he says he always thought he could trust Michael, but it didn’t even seem to bother Michael that he betrayed him. Lesson learned. She says, hard lesson, and he says, now what he’s going through with Jason, he doesn’t even know who Jason is anymore. How could Jason not tell him that he wasn’t dead for two and a half years? Maybe she’s right. Maybe he shot Dante by accident, but it doesn’t really matter at this point. She says, not if Dante doesn’t wake up, and he says, no matter what happens, Jason isn’t the man that he knew. She says she thinks Jason stopped being that man the minute Sonny got back from Nixon Falls and found him with Carly. Jason might have thought Sonny was dead, but he certainly got together with Carly pretty quickly. A different kind of betrayal, sure, but it proves Jason isn’t a man he can depend on anymore. She touches his face and says, there is someone else he can depend on.

John tells Carly that he might not have been fully transparent, but he was up front about being an FBI agent. He told her that he was in town because he had a job to do. And that’s more than he owed her, so don’t go crying foul now. She says she’s not crying. She saves her tears for people who are worth it. And he – John, Jagger, or whatever the hell his name is – is not. Does the FBI know he used to be friends with Jason, and he’s always hated Sonny? Because those are clear conflicts of interest. So if he had any integrity at all, he would recuse himself from both their cases. And since he doesn’t, she wants him to get the hell out of her restaurant. Go find his food someplace else. She walks out, but he looks like he kind of likes it.

Jason tells Anna that he made sure the sniper missed, but he told him to leave his rifle. Cates said they could use it as evidence that they’re tied to some other aspect of this case. She says, the cache of weapons that went missing from the WSB turned up at multiple crime scenes. One was found at the shooting at the MetroCourt. He says, they left the rooftop and were headed toward the waterfront. They were supposed to meet the extraction team at Pier 50. Somehow Dante must have seen them and caught up to them on the pier. He told them to stop and he did. The sniper didn’t. He put his hands up, turned around, and he knew if Dante recognized him, all the work he’d done for the past two and a half years was gone. And he did. And that’s when the sniper shot him. She asks, where’s the sniper now? and he says, he’s dead. She says, there on the pier? and he says, mm-hmm. She says, they didn’t find a trace, and he says, Pikeman’s people are very thorough. She says she guesses that all tracks, except for one thing. Once the sniper was dead and Jason had called 911, Dante was in pretty bad shape. Why didn’t Jason stay with him until the first responders arrived? (Why does everyone keep asking this when the answer is obvious that he didn’t want to get caught?)

Chase says, it also means Brook can’t get everything she wants, everything that they planned. She’s been so excited about all this, he couldn’t ask that of her. She says, the thing she’s most excited for is getting to call him her husband. And she gets that whether or not her grandmother hires a string quartet to play her down the aisle. He says, there’s going to be a string quartet at their wedding? and she says, surprise. The most important thing is that his father is there and that he’s well enough to enjoy himself. If that means they have to have a smaller, more lowkey wedding, even at the house, it’s fine by her. He asks if she’s really okay with downsizing that much, and she says, absolutely. It actually saves her the headache of needing to deconstruct Aunt Lila’s dress and sew it back together. (She was going to do that herself? Why?) She was kind of worried about that. She’s just going to get a new dress. Don’t worry. She’s still going to knock his socks off. He says he knows she will because she looks absolutely stunning in everything, and they kiss. He says, okay. This is her last chance. Does she want to back out? She says, nope. She’s happy with her decision. He says he thinks he’s the luckiest man in the world, and she tells him, don’t you forget it.

Laura says she thinks she’s going to let Curtis get back to his physical therapy. She’s interrupted him long enough. He says, she was no interruption. He knows she’s only looking out for him and he’s grateful for her friendship. She says, he’ll always have it. She knows he wants justice, but she thinks the best way to go about it isn’t chasing after these shadows, but to maybe throw himself even further into what he’s doing right here right now. Just a thought. She leaves and Curtis ponders this.

Ava and Sonny look like they might kiss (again), but he says, it’s getting late. She says, they should call it a night and he says, they should. He takes her glass from her and suggests she get some sleep. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow. She says she and Avery have to get up early to go over her book report before school. He tells her, sleep well, and she says, him too. She starts to leave, and he tells her that he’s glad she’s here. She says she is too, and leaves.

Carly tells the desk sergeant that she heard Jason Morgan turned himself in. She needs to see him. He says he’s sorry, but that’s impossible. He’s in with the Commissioner.

Jason says he was trying to honor his deal with the FBI. If he would have stayed with Dante, he would have been arrested. He doesn’t think Cates would have wanted that. And he’d been shot and needed a place to hide and a place to heal. He called 911 for Dante. He knew the police recorded his voice, but he had no idea there was a shot of him on the roof with the sniper. He thought maybe he could go back to the FBI and if they couldn’t use him for Pikeman, they could use him for something else. She asks if that’s what he was discussing with John, and he says, if Dante dies, he gets charged with capital murder. Then he’s of no use to the FBI if he’s in prison for the rest of his life. She says, don’t give up on Dante. He’s a very determined man. By saving him, Jason might well have saved himself. Carly watches from the window.

Tomorrow, Kristina tells Molly to check her feelings at the door; Diane asks someone to give her something she can use; Danny punches Jake; and Sam says, Jason knows she’s right.

Vanderpump Rules

In Ally’s interview, she says, James picks out her clothes and steams her dresses. He doesn’t curl her hair yet, but she’s working up to that. Yay James. James says he’s doing a gig at Hotel Ziggy, and he invited Jo, and Ally says, she’s not trying to be besties, but she wants Jo to be comfortable coming to things. In his interview, James says he always invites everyone to his parties. He shows up and the venue has the best business they’ve seen in a long time or their money back. Ally says, the last time they were at Hotel Ziggy, it was awkward. It was the first time she met Raquel. We flash back to that, and James says, a lot has changed. Literally everything.

At Sandoval and Ariana’s house, Billie tells Sandoval that every time she comes over, she’s nervous about Ariana. She asks if he’s coming to Hotel Ziggy. She invited Tii, and wonders if Sandoval shouldn’t get back in the dating game. Not that he needs to jump into another relationship. Living with an ex-girlfriend is worse than living with his mother. He says he doesn’t know what’s going on with Ariana, but he loves this house. The ball’s in her court. This is the second time he’s said this. I blame pickleball. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, two months ago his lawyers drafted a letter of intent to buy her out at top market value. He tells Billie that he needs her to respond, and in his interview, he says, he wanted to make it clear that he’ll give her a check for the entire amount, and she can walk away free and clear. But he hasn’t heard back.  

On FaceTime, Ariana talks with Ann, who’s getting ready to see Taylor Swift. Ariana says she’s getting ready and leaving in 45 minutes and asks if Sandoval is bogarting the downstairs. She feels like she’s on the verge of full burnout and needs an assistant. She asks if Ann knows anybody, and Ann asks if she can please be in running. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Ann is so sweet. She deserves more than putting up with Ariana’s ex-boyfriend.  #SaveAnn. She says she doesn’t want Sandoval pissed off, but Ann says she wants to work for Ariana so bad. Okay, so Ariana wishes Sandoval death by a thousand paper cuts, but won’t hire Ann away from him when she wants to go? Por qué?

Lala meets Schwartz at a health food restaurant and they order syringes with smoothies in them. WTF? They sit outside, and Lala asks if Schwartz has had sober sex. Scwartz says, when he’s in a relationship, he loves it. Moderation is king, but he likes the occasional bender, sometimes with drugs and alcohol, sometimes with sobriety. He likes to fall apart once in a while in a good way and a bad way. Another WTF? They discuss Hotel Ziggy, and Schwartz says, they saw Jax at TomTom. Sandoval hasn’t seen Jax in years. We flash back to a million years ago, and then forward to Sandoval and Jax hugging it out at the steakhouse. Schwartz says he has post-Sandoval brain fog. They’ve all cheated. He was a make out slut. He even made out with Scheana 12 years ago in Vegas. Lala keeps saying, what? and he says he thinks he and Katie were dating, but it was at a rocky moment. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he just wants to let the record show that they’re all human and do dumb sh*t sometimes. It’s the summer of forgiveness. He tells Lala that they joked about it at the last holiday party, and Lala says she’s straight up over people lying to her face. In her interview, she says, she and Scheana have gotten close. It seems strange that Scheana never told her. She asks if Katie knows, and Schwartz says he doesn’t know if he told her. Maybe Schwartz needs some ginkgo biloba. Or needs to drink less.

Katie visits Lala, who’s putting away toys. She says she enjoys clean time when she doesn’t have Ocean, and Katie says she knows how Lala feels. It’s the same with the dogs, who gut their stuffed animals. Lala says she’s got to tell Katie something, but she might want to make a drink first. Katie makes a drink, and Lala says, Katie may or may not care, but she had smoothies with Schwartz, and he dropped on her that years ago, he made out with Scheana in Vegas. In Katie’s interview, she says, what the actual f***? She has so many questions. When was this and where? Was this the time he said he made out with a friend of Scheana’s? Was it really Scheana? We flash back to 2013, and Katie says, there are so many lies in the group, it’s hard to keep track. Lala says she doesn’t think she was there. She wants to ask Scheana about it, but wanted to talk to Katie first. In Lala’s interview, she says she went back and forth about who to talk to first and decided to talk to Katie first. She doesn’t want to give Scheana time to figure out a way to make it a pretty picture.

Sandoval shows up at Hotel Ziggy with Kyle and tells him that Ariana looks great. He wants to say something to her about the house, but he’s afraid to. Brock says he needs to try and figure out how to start a conversation. They’d all like to see them figure out how to talk. Schwartz and Jo come in together, and Scheana wonders if they’re dating. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Jo literally drove with Raquel to meet the Toms in Big Bear and left Raquel with Sandoval there. Come on, bitch. You knew. The girls try to get Jo to ditch her baseball cap, but in Jo’s interview, she says, it’s comfortable and looks good on her. Chill. She’s gotten a lot of hate from the girls. It’s 100% bullying and it’s horrible. Scheana says she’s going to drink, which she doesn’t do very often, and in Katie’s interview, she says, because maybe when she does, Scheana makes out with people like her boyfriend. Billie tells Sandoval that the girls are mugging behind him, and in her interview, Jo says, in the past year, the things they’ve said don’t go away. Insinuating she’s a crackhead is hurtful, and harmful to anyone who has ADD. It’s one thing to hear it on social media and it’s another feeling to see five girls talking sh*t about you. Jo plugs her ears. Ally tells the girls that Jo didn’t like questions about Schwartz. She said she feels emotional about him the same way she feels about her dad. She’s trying to come in peace… Katie says, she’s a psychopath, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, before anyone boohoos about how Jo is treated, she’s a full-blown mean girl bully. Jo didn’t give a flying that she spent Thanksgiving in Ariana’s home, while knowing Raquel was with her boyfriend in her home. Jo walks past with Billie, and Katie says, if Jo is uncomfortable, she’s thrilled. In the hallway, Jo starts crying.

Jo whines that she doesn’t like being attacked and wants to go home. She leaves and James does his thing. Scheana says she’s drinking for the first time, so they’ll see where this goes. Lala tells Ariana about Schwartz and Scheana making out in Vegas. He said they were joking about it, but it doesn’t like a joke; it feels gross. Sandoval approaches Ariana and says he doesn’t want to bother her, but he wants to make sure she got the email. She says, her lawyer has it, and Sandoval says, if she could have him respond, they can start working on stuff. Lala asks what it’s about, and Sandoval says, the house. Let him know since it’s been a while. He wanders off, and in Lala’s interview, she says, it’s taking Ariana a long time to rid herself of this house. The brand deals are endless. Trust her. Ariana can afford an apartment. Lala says, this is so awkward, and Sandoval talks to Tii, but who cares what he’s saying? In Sandoval’s interview, he says, Tii seems super chill and laid back. He always thinks dating people he just met is awkward. Maybe because he hasn’t experienced them in a long time. Maybe it’s time to rip the Band-Aid off. Katie tells Scheana that she doesn’t know how to bring it up, since it was brought up to her in an abrupt way. Lala was having juice with Schwartz, and Schwartz said when he was all f***ed up, he made out with Scheana in Vegas. Scheana says she and Ariana were there with her mom and sister for her sister’s cheer competition. Schwartz pulled her in to a corner and kissed her. She thinks she and Shay were just engaged. We flash back to Shay’s proposal for no good reason, and Katie asks why they made out, but Scheana says, it wasn’t a make out. She did make out with Ariana though. In Scheana’s interview, she says she wanted to pretend it never happened. She never told anybody and would have never told Katie, especially back then. It was the peak Tequila Katie hates Scheana days. We flash back to Katie hating on Scheana, and Scheana says, no, never. Scheana says, why blow up both relationships? and Katie says, now Scheana thinks it’s funny. Schwartz said they were joking about it over the holidays. Scheana says she may have made a comment that he was a make out whore and even tried with her, and Katie says she was looking over the course of their friendship. Scheana was even her bridesmaid, and it never come up at all. She was a broken person, a shell of herself and not confident about her self-worth. Scheana says she knew Schwartz had already done a number on their relationship. Why hurt her more? She wanted them to work it out and wanted Katie to have her happily ever after. Katie says, someone was part of that narrative, and in her interview, Katie says she’d expect it from Schwartz. Scheana had years to tell her. She hates lying by omission and wonders if she can fully trust Scheana.

Lala, James, and Ally meet Schwartz at a restaurant, and Schwartz says, Sandoval said he might pop in, but he’s on Sandoval time, so who knows? Sandoval does pop in, and Lala says, he looks happy. She’s used to him looking low. He says he is happy, but he had A/C issues and left the main bedroom door open. Mya got in there and ate weird stuff. Schwartz says, Mya once ate 500 laxative pills, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, she’s eaten pillows and hair color. He tells them, Mya shat on the top of the couch, and no one can believe he just used the word shat. In his interview, he says, Ariana is going to be upset with him no matter what, but it was an accident. Lala says she’s doing a water sommelier thing in a couple of days, and everyone is welcome to come. James says he’s down for it and asks how Sandoval feels about last night. Lala says she gets why Ariana gave him the cold shoulder, but she was wondering if it was weird for her to feel bad for him. Sandoval says he’s trying to move forward, and Lala says she knows how it feels to be held hostage to your past, or someone else’s version of it. Sandoval says he’s doing guided meditation and exploring other ways to handle his anxiety and anger. James says, meditation, therapy, and working out are good alternatives, and Sandoval says he’s working with a guy who does breath work and self-improvement. He asks if Lala wants to come, and in his interview, he says he doesn’t know if he and Lala were ever close, but it’s less about reconnecting and more about building something new. Lala says she doesn’t want to hold his past against him, but doesn’t know if she can participate. She appreciates him inviting her, but does he mind if she sleeps on it? Like he’s going to say he minds.

At Sandoval and Ariana’s house, Dr. Vuu gives Sandoval some breathing exercises. Lala walks in while he’s hyperventilating and the whole thing looks stupid, like this bioenergetics class I was forced to take in acting school. Dr. Vuu says, the universe prioritizes growth over comfort, and tells Sandoval to exhale with a big ass scream. He laugh/cry/ screams, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, it felt like an emotional orgasm. That sh*t was cool. They go outside, and Sandoval says he appreciates her coming. She says she thinks it’s amazing that he did it solo, and in her interview, she says, they reserve the right to evolve and f*** what anyone says. Sandoval has to sleep with himself at night. He doesn’t affect her life. Lala says, what happened last year was just the cherry on top. She feels like she tried for a long time. She texted him about how proud she was about the bar, but got no response. When her life went south, he never asked how she was doing. Not once. Sandoval apologizes and says he felt there was a disconnect with them. She says she wants him to know it’s not just last year for her. She doesn’t approve or understand the decisions he made, but sees the parallel to what happened in her life. It f***ed her up and she knows it’s not fair, but she’s working on it. She’s trying to heal and trust. She doesn’t want him paying for her experience with someone else. He says he wants positivity and wants to be positive with other people. He feels the way things worked was supposed to happen, and maybe for her too. She says she’s been held prisoner to her experience for too long. What he did isn’t her fight. She has to go into what she wants and feels good about, and she feels good about this. He says he appreciates her vulnerability and would like to be better friends. He’s invested in seeing where it goes.

Consultant Penny goes over the sandwiches with Ariana and Katie, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, the last time we saw Something About Her, it was just a blank slate… In Katie’s interview, she says, now it’s a beautiful, feminine, elegant sandwich shop. It’s like something out of a rom-com movie. Their progress was halted because of permit issues… Ariana says, but they have a lovely sandwich menu. TomTom’s manager Logan arrives, along with Lala, Ally, James, Brock, Scheana, and Schwartz, who brings orchids. They do a tasting, and in Lala’s interview, she wonders why they’re doing this again when they did this last summer. We flash back to that, and Lala says, they can they fast forward. We do, and she says, wait. This part is funny. Schwartz suggests something super savory, kill a hangover, and James says, Schwartz likes Sloppy Jo. In James’s interview, he says he had high hopes for the sandwich shop, but weeks turned into months that turned into more months, and it’s not much different that Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Little D*ck’s Schwartz & Sandy’s. Lala says she, James, and Ally went to do mocktails with Schwartz and Sandoval popped in. He said he was doing breath work and wanted her to do it with him. She doesn’t think they’re there, but there’s been some growth. They had the most productive conversation they’ve had in all her years of knowing him. In Ariana’s interview, she says, very cool. She doesn’t know if she buys it, but cool. Ariana says she had to go to the emergency vet with Mya because of Sandoval being insanely irresponsible with her dog. Mya needed an endoscopy. Ariana had takeout in her room, and not only did Sandoval let Mya in there, he shut her in for hours. She ate everything, including the wooden skewers. The bill was $6000. Sadly, I relate, having had a few large vet bills in my day. In her interview, Ariana says, the vet was able to get everything out and Mya is okay, but it’s added to the laundry list of why her ex can’t be trusted with decent judgement when it comes to anything. Lala recommends they have a conversation, but Ariana says she can’t have one right now without slitting his throat and being arrested. It’s not the first time Sandoval gave zero sh*ts about who she considers her children.

Lisa goes TomTom along with Ken and Puffy (!). She wants to taste the sandwiches, and Katie brings over a three-tiered dish of them. In Lisa’s interview, she says she can’t believe they’re still not open. They’ve been paying on the lease for over a year and it’s costing them a fortune for an empty space. Lisa approves of the sandwiches, and in her interview, she says, they’ve got a sh*tload of sandwiches and need to start. Katie talks to Schwartz in the kitchen and asks about him kissing Scheana. She says she’s glad they’re done for this same reason. It’s another thing she was kept in the dark about. He had it so good for so many years, but he blew it. He fumbled hard, but now he’s got Sloppy Jo. Schwartz says he’s got to go. Abort. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, didn’t we just work through this? She’s like Gordo with a bone. He won’t let it go. Katie tells Lisa that Schwartz orbits in her universe and fails. Ariana says, it’s arrested development. Schwartz tells Brock that he was just grilled about kissing Scheana back in the day, and they do a shot. In Brock’s interview, he says, Katie is overreacting about a kiss 10 years ago. She needs to get off her high horse. A double standard is happening. He tells Schwartz that they were partying, and Katie left with left someone in the friend group. Schwartz asks, who is it? and Brock says, his boy.

Schwartz says, Max? She f***ed him? In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Max is a former manager for TomTom. It’s a telltale sign of revenge. Brock says, after the party, Katie invited Max back to her house. It was bound to happen, In Scheana’s interview, she says, Katie invited Max to the party, and they left together. She tracked his location and didn’t think he lived in the same building as Katie. The next morning, she tracked him again and he was still there. Brock tells Schwartz that he calls Scheana the location collector, and in her interview, Scheana says she has 56 people whose locations she tracks, but it’s not weird or creepy. Sandoval comes in with Tii, and says, they went bowling. Schwartz tells Sandoval about Max and Katie, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, it’s a double standard when it comes to Katie. It’s so obvious how ridiculous it is. The Toms go to the garden to confer with Lisa about something, and Brock introduces Tii to Ariana and Scheana. Brock says, Tii and Sandoval went bowling, and Ariana asks how old Tii is. Tii says, 25, and Ariana says, that makes sense. She’s sure Tii has been given a different version of events, but don’t waste her time on a 41-year-old narcissist. Scheana tells Brock that she’s upset with him about spilling the Schwartz kiss tea, and he says he thought she was going to say something. In Scheana’s interview, she says she and Katie are in a good place. What the f*** is he doing? Brock says, she’s annoying the sh*t out of him. Ariana tells Tii that when she was at her grandma’s funeral, Sandoval was at her house f***ing her friend. You’re a prize. He’s not. Lala asks Scheana, what’s wrong? and Brock says, Scheana is upset that he told Schwartz about Katie and Max. Ariana asks, what happened? and Katie asks, what is he talking about? Lala asks if they have a thing, and Katie says, Max came over. What’s the big deal? Brock says, she put restrictions on Schwartz, but Katie says she just asked him not to f*** anyone in their friend group. Lala asks if Katie and Max slept together, and Scheana says she’s staying out of it. In Lala’s interview, she says she knows Katie talks revenge, but she doesn’t seek it. Scheana decides to get back into it and explains that she thought Max dropped Katie off, but she checked the next day, and he was still there. Brock saw her phone. In Lala’s interview, she says she feels like everyone is full of sh*t. Ariana is lying about her financial situation and the house; Scheana is following everyone’s location; Schwartz made out with Scheana; and Katie hooked up with Max. The way everyone in the group is moving is eech. She tells everyone, this group is chaotic. She’s leaving. She’s annoyed. She loves them all. Goodbye. Scheana says she wants to strangle Brock.

Next time, Brock thinks Ariana needs to figure out forgiveness is more powerful than being bitter and angry; and Ariana says, the group keeps shoving Sandoval down her throat.

🧰 In Lieu Of a Recap…

Nothing was online yet, but there is this.

🪱 Full Worm Moon Rising…

Join me tomorrow for soap and mid-week tidbits. Until then, stay safe, stay filling the tank after borrowing someone’s car, and stay considering the source before passing judgement.

March 25, 2024 – Trina Has Her Own Memorial For Spencer, A Murder Mystery On Deck, Those Ones & Because

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason sits in the interrogation room, while in the squad room, Chase calls Anna. He says, she has to get down here right away. He asks if Brook is good, and she says she’s glad Jason is alive and turned himself in, but she doesn’t know what it all means. Chase says, neither does he, but he’s going to get answers… for Dante’s sake. John walks in and asks, where’s Jason Morgan?

Trina walks into Bobbie’s and says, Josslyn’s working. Josslyn says she’s just taking over for her mom, but the lunch rush is over, so they can actually talk. Trina says she’s actually meeting someone, and she doesn’t have much to talk about. Josslyn says, that’s fine. It’s just she hasn’t seen Trina since she broke up with Dex. Where has she been?

Elizabeth frantically looks around for something at the reception desk, and Willow asks if she’s looking for this. She found it in the linen cart. She hands Elizabeth a tablet, and Elizabeth thanks her. She says, between Heather Webber and the missing meds, this has been quite a day, and on only two hours of sleep. Willow says she’s so sorry. She’s sure it’s been hard on Elizabeth’s family since they found out Jason’s back. Elizabeth says, thanks, but Willow has nothing to be sorry about, when Willow’s phone dings. Willow sees Michael’s text: No groceries. Boathouse empty. Elizabeth asks if everything is okay, and Willow says, everything is fine. It’s just Michael texting about groceries. She can’t believe he has time to remember about apple juice. Elizabeth says she’s completely out of everything at home. She can’t believe she’s so on edge. Willow says, can’t she? Give herself a break. Elizabeth says, believe it or not, this is her giving herself a break. She just wishes she knew anything about Jason.

Chase tells Jason, this is Special Agent Cates with the FBI. Jason doesn’t have to speak with him without his counsel present. Jason says he doesn’t need his lawyer, and Chase says, since when? She was with him when he turned himself in. If he thinks talking to Agent Cates without Diane present, that he’s going to get out of this on a technicality… John says, he’s waiving his right to counsel. Is that correct? Jason says, that is correct, and John thanks Chase and says he’ll take it from here. Chase leaves and John asks, what the hell is Jason doing here?

Willow walks with Elizabeth, who says, her whole family is on edge. And Jake is so moody and angry right now. Willow says, about what? and Elizabeth says, about what’s been on the news and online, and who knows what the kids are saying at school. Willow says, he didn’t tell her? and Elizabeth says, just wait until they get to be Jake’s age. You expect them to come running to you and tell you their feelings. You have to dig, which she does, sometimes lovingly, sometimes with a pickax. Willow says she’ll remember that. Elizabeth is a good mom. She’s sure Elizabeth is handling things in the best way possible. Elizabeth says she’s trying, but honestly, she’s as anxious as Jake. She desperately wants to know something too. She guesses all she can do is hold her breath and wait like everyone else, right? She shrugs and goes to the elevator.

Trina says, it’s not that big of a deal. She’s been busy at the gallery and Josslyn made it clear that she didn’t want to talk about Dex all that much. So she just figured they needed space. Josslyn says she didn’t mean to push Trina away. She just knows Trina is going through a lot and she misses her. They’re not roommates anymore; she’s never on campus. They should hang out. Trina says she’s not ready to do that yet. It’s different. She’s not that much fun to be around. Josslyn says, neither is she. That’s why it’s perfect. They can be downers together. Trina says she’s sorry for what Josslyn is going through, which is why she figured Josslyn needed space. She didn’t want to pile on. Josslyn says, Trina can tell her anything, and Trina tells her that she didn’t want to say anything before because Josslyn was so upset about Dex. Josslyn says, this is about her? and Trina says she’s trying not to put Josslyn in a difficult position because of Jason Morgan, because she knows how much he means to Josslyn and her mom. Josslyn says, this is about Jason, and Trina says, yes. It’s about Jason. Hasn’t it occurred to her that he could have been the one who shot Trina’s father?

Brook says, Chase is telling her that Jason agreed to talk to a federal agent without Diane present? and he tells her that’s what he said. What does she want to bet Cates is going to offer Jason a deal? His shift is up. Why doesn’t she go home, and he’ll catch up with her later? She says, he’s making all kinds of assumptions right now. He’s being really reactive, which is so not like him. Just take a minute, okay? Tell her what he’s really thinking. Tell her what he wants. He says he wants to get out of here. He wants… he needs to see how his partner is doing. She says, then that’s what they’ll do, and leaves with him.

John asks, why turn himself in? and Jason says, to set the record straight. He didn’t shoot Dante Falconari. John tells him, the evidence says otherwise.

Josslyn says, Jason didn’t shoot Curtis. It’s just not possible because the shooter was aiming for Sonny and Jason would have never shot Sonny. Trina says she doesn’t think Josslyn knows Jason as well as she thinks she does, because why did he leave Port Charles? Why did he let everyone believe he was dead? Josslyn says she doesn’t know, but she’s sure there’s an explanation. She’s just grateful he’s alive. Trina says, lucky him, when Michael walks in. He asks Josslyn if Carly is here, but Josslyn says, no. Carly is picking up Donna and she’s covering for her. What’s up? Michael tells Trina that he’s sorry about Spencer, and Trina says, thanks. She’s got to go. Josslyn says, stay. Let’s talk about it. But Trina says she has to meet her Aunt Stella. She tells them, take care, and leaves. Michael asks if everything is okay, and Josslyn says, everything’s fine. What’s going on? He says he has some news about Jason.

John asks, what happened? and Jason says he was on the roof of the warehouse at 257 Water Street with the sniper at 8 pm, exactly like he told John. John says, he sabotaged the shot? and Jason says, yes. But he wanted to try again. He told him that they didn’t have time. He told him to leave the rifle. John says, as instructed. So what went wrong? Jason says, Dante saw them leave the area. He followed and ran into them on the pier. He told them to stop. He did. Hamish didn’t. He raised his hands and turned around. Dante recognized him and that’s when Hamish shot him. John says, it was a mistake to turn around and let Falconari ID him. Although as it happens, his cover was already blown. Sonny Corinthos had video surveillance in the warehouse and a drone covering the roof. There’s a clear shot of Jason right beside the man with the rifle, which adds conspiracy to the laundry list he’s facing.

In the hospital elevator, Chase tells Brook, there has to be a deal on the table. That’s the only reason Jason would talk without a lawyer. She says she thinks they should take a moment before going to see Dante. He’s still all amped up. He says, she’s right, and they get out of the elevator. The last thing he wants to do is bring this negative energy into Dante’s room. She says, it had to come as a real shock seeing Jason, and he says, it was a punch to the gut. Willow and Elizabeth listen, and he says, Dante is fighting for his life and in walks the guy who tried to kill him? Lawyered up and angling for some kind of deal? She says she knows he’s worried about Dante, but he still doesn’t have all the facts and circumstances, so he can’t lose his cool or objectivity. He’s better than that. He says, not today, and she says, every day. He asks what she thinks about all this, for real, and she says, honestly, she doesn’t know what to make of it. If Jason shot Dante, then he immediately turned around and tried to save his life. At least Jason had the decency to turn himself in. Elizabeth looks stunned.

Stella meets Trina outside Bobbie’s and says she’s sorry she’s late. The parking was awful. Has she been waiting long? Trina says, not long. She was actually just texting Stella. Stella asks why she isn’t inside. It doesn’t look too crowded. Is that Josslyn in there? Why isn’t Trina in there with her? (Because today is assumption day.) Trina says she just felt like being alone. Besides, it’s really nice out. Stella asks if Trina was texting her to cancel. Doesn’t she want to have lunch with her auntie? Trina says, it’s not her. She’s not up to being anywhere with anyone. Stella says she’s sorry. Grief is so personal, and at the same time, universal. But that sadness and the pain she’s feeling will be different in the weeks to come, the months, the years. Trina says, that’s the thing. She barely knows how she’s feeling from one moment to the other. She mostly feels numb. Every now and then she’ll feel pain or anger, but for the most part, she’s just walking through a fog. She doesn’t really taste what she’s eating, she doesn’t care about much anymore, and she’s really just going through the motions. Stella tells her, like she said, it’s personal. It sounds to her like Trina is still in shock. Trina says, maybe, and Stella says, and this going through the motions is admirable. She supposes Trina is doing it because she feels like she’s supposed to be moving on, but the question is how? Trina asks if there’s even a way how, because she sure can’s see it. Stella says, that’s why she asked Trina to meet her here. She’s been worried that Trina is taking this a little too well. She doesn’t want Trina to think she has to suffer in silence because she doesn’t. And she shouldn’t.

Michael tells Josslyn, Jason contacted Diane and asked her to meet him at the PCPD. She did, and Jason showed up. He turned himself in. It’s probably going to be all over the media soon, so he wanted to give her and mom a heads up first. Josslyn thanks him and says she guesses it’s a relief. They know where he is, and they know he’s alive. But if Dante dies and Jason gets blamed, he could be set up for murder.

Elizabeth leaves to do inventory, and Willow chases her with the tablet. Elizabeth says she’d lose her head if it wasn’t attached, and Willow says, that’s actually when you’re super stressed. She’s not trying to pry, but they both heard the same thing just now. Elizabeth says she doesn’t know what to think. Is this a good thing that Jason did? Is it a strategic move? Willow asks if it couldn’t be both, and Elizabeth asks how Jake is supposed to take this. He’s so afraid his dad is guilty and she’s the one who’s been pushing him to keep an open mind about this. Maybe this was a mistake or happened for a legit reason. Willow says she sees that this has been a real challenge for their whole family, but she thinks before Elizabeth tackles them, she should be clear with herself first. What does she believe? Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. She wants to believe Jason is innocent and that he turned himself in to clear his name. What does Willow think? Willow says, Elizabeth has known Jason longer than she has. They share a child. For what it’s worth (🍷), Michael is his family and Dante is Michael’s brother. Not only that, he’s Sonny’s son and everyone says Sonny and Jason were like brothers. So in putting all that together, she can’t believe under any circumstances that Jason would shoot Dante. Just her two cents. Don’t give up hope. Elizabeth says, thanks. She needed to hear that. The boys are getting out of school soon and she needs to get home so she can talk to them about all of this before they hear it from anyone else. Willow says, good luck, and Elizabeth says, thanks. She’s going to need it. Teenage boys are a handful under the best of circumstances, and these are not the best. Willow says, maybe it’s a pivot point. Maybe Jason turning himself in will lead to him proving he’s innocent.

Brook asks if Chase is feeling calmer, and he says, as long as she doesn’t bring up Jason’s decency anymore. She says, okay, then she’ll bring up his. He’s far too good, too smart, to let his personal feelings interfere with his work. He says he knows. That’s why he’s doing everything by the book. She says she’s actually really glad he decided to leave. He’s a stand-up cop, but he’s still a human. He can protest all he wants, but she knows every bone in his body wants payback for Dante.

John asks, what happened to the sniper? and Jason says, he’s dead. (I swear there’s a hint of a smile.) John says he doesn’t have time for this. He has no idea when the Police Commissioner is going to show up here and he doesn’t want to be here when she does. So Jason needs to tell him everything, from the minute Dante Falconari was shot on the pier until the minute he walked through the police station door to turn himself in. Jason says he went to check on Dante. Hamish just wanted to leave. They were supposed to meet the extraction team on Pier 50. He told Hamish to go without him, he pulled his gun, they exchanged fire. Jason shot him. John says, they didn’t find a body. Did Jason dump him in the harbor? Jason says, no. He left him where he fell. If he had to guess, the extraction team came back, looked for them, and took him. John sits down and says, they know Jason gave Detective Falconari first aid. They know he called 911, knowing they record on calls and knowing they would eventually ID his voice. Jason says, yeah, he called 911. He left the line open so they could pin Dante’s location. He stayed until he heard the sirens, then he left. John says, why not call him? Why not come in? Why did he run?

Trina says she can’t do this, and walks away. Stella says, do what? and follows her. Talk. Trina says she’s not up for exploring her feelings or even thinking about a way to get over Spencer, and Stella says, nobody’s asking her to do that, certainly not her. Trina’s friends and family don’t want her in pain. They don’t want her walking around pretending she’s okay. Trina says, what if she doesn’t want to be okay? What if she never wants to get over it? Stella says, ever? and Trina says, no. Maybe. She just knows she never wants to get over Spencer. She never wants to get over him. She loved him so much and now he’s gone. Stella hugs her and says she understands. She thinks holding onto the pain is going to keep Spencer alive in her heart. She knows what Trina and Spencer had was special and she loved him very much, but Spencer loved her very much too. She doesn’t think he’d want his memory swaddled in pain. He wouldn’t want her to suffer because of him. Trina says, but what if he was the love of her life? and Stella says, she has her whole life ahead of her. Maybe it’s too soon to wonder about the future, so just focus on the here and now – they sit down – and leave herself open to trying to heal herself. Trina says she doesn’t know if she can do that. When she’s not down, she’s angry. And she stuffs it down because she hates Esme, and she has so much anger that it scares her. Stella says she hears Trina. And now that Esme’s gone, she has nowhere to put it. Trina says she doesn’t even care that Esme is dead. It’s like she got away with it, with blowing up their lives. And it’s not fair. Stella says, it’s not. None of it’s fair. But that anger she’s feeling is going to pass. It’s still fresh now because there’s been no closure. It’s a shame they weren’t able to give Spencer a proper funeral. She knows it must seem like some antiquated ritual, but it can help loved ones come to terms with their loss. Unity. Coming together to bear witness and support those who are left behind. Trina says, they gave Spencer a memorial, but she doesn’t think it was enough. She barely even remembers it. Stella says, maybe it wasn’t enough. Maybe she should create one of her own. Something special for her and Spencer.

In the kitchen at Bobbie’s, Josslyn tells Michael that they know Jason didn’t shoot Dante because they know him. But they’re the only ones. It’s all over the media that Jason is a suspect in Dante’s shooting and for possibly taking a shot at Sonny. Which missed, so that should be everyone’s first clue that this wasn’t Jason. Michael says, Jason would never shoot his father, and she says she knows that, he knows that, and mom knows that, but nobody else does. And people are starting to blame Jason for other shots taken. He says, they’re wrong, and she says, how do they prove that? Does Jason have an alibi? Where has he been? He didn’t tell mom anything. Michael says, he didn’t have a chance to talk to mom. What did she say? Josslyn tells him, she said Jason showed up in her living room, he’d been shot, and they didn’t really get a chance to talk about anything because Anna showed up with that FBI agent with a warrant to search the house. He says he knows about the FBI agent. Willow said he was at the hospital, questioning Elizabeth Baldwin about Jason. She says, thank God Jason turned himself in before he questioned them. Except she kind of wishes they had. She    would have loved to call Diane and watched her tear into everybody. Speaking of Diane, has Jason not told her anything about where he’s been? Michael says, no. She called him after she left the PCPD. She said they talked, but only about the charges he’s facing. He asked if she thought she could get him out on bail, but she told him not to get his hopes up. Josslyn says, she makes everything sound worse, so her victory sounds that much better, and he says he hates to break it to her, but he doesn’t think Diane is exaggerating this time. It really is that bad. He should go update Willow. By the way, does Dex know that mom talked to Jason? Josslyn says she doesn’t know why he would. She hasn’t talked to him. Go be with his wife and talk to her later. He says, okay, and leaves.

As they walk in the house, Aiden tells Jake that he’s cultivating wild yeast and friendly bacteria. That’s why he has to feed them every day. Pretty cool, huh? They go to the kitchen, where Aiden takes down the jar. He says he thinks it’s about ready. Does Jake want to see?  Jake says, no, and Aiden says, the real test of the starter is baking a loaf that rises. There’s this chocolate walnut recipe he saw. Jake says he doesn’t care about bread, and Aiden says, fine. Elizabeth walks in, and Aiden says he was just trying to… Jake says, what? Make him feel better about his psycho dad? Elizabeth hears them, and they hear her close the door.

Chase says, when Brook’s right, she’s right, and she says, absolutely. Wait. What? He’s agreeing with her? He says he doesn’t want to do anything that could compromise this case. It’s too important. He just has to figure out what went down at the docks and how Dante wound up with two bullets in his chest. He has to somehow figure this out. Not just for Dante, but for his family. She says she knows, and he will. She just knows it. He’ll figure it out and bring whoever’s responsible to justice. Let’s go sit with Dante. Chase can tell him right now. Chase can tell him every day until he wakes up. Chase says, until Dante tells him to shut up already? but she says, that’s her job. He’s really such a good man. She’s so lucky to have him. He says he’s the lucky one. He doesn’t know what he’d do without her. She tells him not to do anything to find out, and they head for Dante’s room.

Jason says, Dante saw him. Dante can ID him. John says, he had two bullets in his chest. He had to have known his chances of surviving were slim at best. Jason says he called 911, and like John said, the police had his voice on record. He couldn’t go back to the extraction team. If they hadn’t figured out he’d killed Hamish, they’d figure it out pretty quickly when they heard an APB out on him as Jason Morgan. John says, Jason should have called him, but Jason says he left the phone with Dante. John says, there are back-up protocols, but Jason says, the sirens were close. He had to keep moving. John asks where he went, and Jason says, the bridge. John says, he and the Commissioner were already at the bridge when Jason showed up. He went somewhere else first. He went to Carly Spencer.

Jason says, John and Anna got to the bridge ahead of him because he was shot and he was on foot, but John says, no. Jason was already at the house when he and the Commissioner arrived. He heard every word of Carly’s epic stonewall. Jason says he went from the pier to the bridge, and John says he already got a search warrant for the house. He can get another one and Jason was bleeding. There will be traces of his DNA. Jason doesn’t say anything, and John says, Jason agreed to full cooperation. This isn’t cooperating. After a long pause, Jason leans forward and says he went from the pier to the bridge. John says, fine. He was trapped on the bridge. Why not turn himself in? Why jump? Jason says, the Police Commissioner was there. He didn’t think John would want her or the local police involved. John says he sees. Jason was just being helpful. Jason holds up his hands with the cuffs on, and John says, after he jumped from the bridge, he disappeared. Where’d he go? Who took care of him?

Michael finds Willow at the hospital and says he needs to talk to her. They step away, and she says she’s so glad he’s here. She just overheard Chase say Jason was at the PCPD. He says, he turned himself in, and she says, why? She thought he was helping Jason escape. He says, he turned down going to the Keys. He said there would be consequences if he left. She says, like what? and he says he doesn’t know. He wouldn’t get into it, but it must be something severe if he’s willing to risk taking the fall for Dante’s shooting. She says she feels so guilty. She’s grateful that at least by turning himself in, he’s keeping Danny out of it. Michael says he didn’t like Agent Cates snooping around and talking to Danny; that was too close. He guesses it’s over now. She says, is it? and he says, Jason would never give them up. Jason didn’t say this, but he thinks that’s the reason Jason turned himself in, to stop the search and make sure they’re not implicated in any way. He’d rather go to prison than have this coming down on any of them.

Elizabeth sits with Aiden and Jake, and says she knows they must have a lot of questions. She’ll do her best to answer them. Aiden says he heard Jason jumped off a bridge. Was he hurt? She says she heard that too, and she doesn’t know. If he was, someone must be taking care of him, because he hasn’t been admitted to GH. Aiden asks if he’s going to jail then, and she says she imagines he’ll have to go to court. Jake says, of course (🍷) he’ll go to jail, but she says, they don’t really know that for sure. Jake says, they know he was here in Port Charles, hiding. Why would he do that? She says she doesn’t know. She’s sure he has his reasons. Jake says, why doesn’t she just tell them the truth? He turned himself in. That means he did it. His father’s a killer and everyone knows it. He hopes Jason gets life in prison so they can just go back to thinking he was dead. He starts to leave, but Elizabeth says, wait. She’s sorry all of this is happening. She’s sorry for all of it. She’s just really sorry.

Josslyn tells Stella that she heated up her pie, and Stella thanks her. She asks if Josslyn can sit, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). She’s sorry Stella and Trina couldn’t have their coffee date. Stella says, she had something important to do, and Josslyn asks, is she okay? Stella says she thinks Trina is doing the best she can, and Josslyn says she’s worried about Trina. She’s not sure how to be Trina’s friend right now. Stella says, she’s an excellent friend and her saying that just proves it. She really cares about Trina. Josslyn says, Trina’s her best friend, and Stella says, and Josslyn’s hers, but she’s going to have to give Trina time to process what she’s going through. She knows Josslyn wants to rush in, but she can’t. Josslyn says she understands. When Oscar died, everyone kept saying these motivating things to her to try and make her feel better, but sometimes they made her feel worse. So she learned you’ve just kind of got to do that yourself. Stella says, so Josslyn knows how it is. Everyone’s just kind of got to walk through grief their own way in their own timeline. Their Trina is a strong young woman. She’ll find her way home.  

Trina goes to the cemetery and says, hi, Spencer’s grave. She’s sorry. She can’t call it Spencer because Spencer’s not here. You’re just a stand-in, a tangible marker for the incredible lifeforce that went by Spencer Cassadine. No disrespect, but you’re at a complete disadvantage, because there’s no way you could encapsulate what Spencer was. She kneels down and says, but you’re all I’ve got. So, hi, Spencer. She supposes Laura picked this spot because it’s toward the water. That’s fitting, huh? She knew he loved the water. The last time she saw him, it was near the water. Sometimes, she keeps wishing she gets a call that he made it to shore somewhere, that this is some horrible nightmare, that he’s fine. She knows that’s not good for her to fantasize about something that won’t ever happen. But she does like being near the water. She touches the stone and says, because it’s calm and it feels like he’s near her. Even when it rains, it’s like he’s near her. It’s like he’s in the atmosphere or something. Like he’s everywhere. But she feels like she’s disappeared.

Trina says, and she goes to her classes in the morning. He comes to pick her up at the end of the day, and her classmates want to know, who’s her mysterious and devastatingly handsome boyfriend? Did I hear that he was a prince? But she plays it cool, and they spend their free time going to museums, continuing their debate on who’s better, Monet or Degas? It’s Monet. Then they visit galleries, and bookstores, and they dine at bistros rating the coq au vin, and they just walk around the streets of Paris, hand in hand. That’s her fantasy. Her reality, she’s back in Port Charles. She’s not in school. She’s living at home and working at the gallery. And these days, even art hurts, but she does it to fill the time, so she doesn’t miss him so much. Because she doesn’t want to say goodbye to him. How can she say goodbye to him while he’s nowhere and everywhere at the same time? But she’s got to try, because if she doesn’t, she’s going to drown too.

Aiden says, there could be all kinds of reasons why Jake’s dad was alive and why he came back. They don’t know. That’s basically the point. He tells Elizabeth, it’s going to be okay, and puts his arm around her. Jake says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean what he said. She says, it’s okay. He gets to be angry, and so does she because this is hard. She’s just glad she has her boys with her. She takes their hands and says, maybe they can help each other through it. They have a three-way hug.

Michael says he didn’t give Willow much of a choice about helping Jason. He didn’t have time to think. He needed her help and Danny was already involved. She says she’s not blaming him and doesn’t regret it. She’d do it again. She hates what comes next. She’s worried about Jason and his children and she’s worried about Elizabeth. She heard Chase talking about Jason and not only is she grappling with everything that’s going on, she’s really worried about Jake and how all this is affecting him. He’s bound to be confused. She wishes they could tell them that Jason didn’t shoot Dante. He says, they can’t tell anyone. They have to keep quiet and let this play out.

John says, the booking report indicates a healing gunshot wound on Jason’s left side. It’s been sutured. Apparently by a professional, so it couldn’t have been done by him. Who helped him? Was it his lawyer? Did she arrange something for him? Miss Miller’s got quite the reputation of defending guilty clients and setting them free. But she would need to be a magician to get him out of this one if Dante Falconari dies. Since the sniper disappeared, Jason is on the hook for shooting a cop. That’s capital murder. He’ll spend the rest of his life in prison. Jason says, Dante is still alive. He could recover. John says, Jason better hope he does. They’ve invested two and a half years in this investigation. They place Jason inside that organization and now his cover is blown. So if after all this time and energy and intelligence they don’t get anything back, the Bureau will have no choice but to move forward with the evidence that leveraged his cooperation in the first place. And they both know he doesn’t want that. John walks out.

Tomorrow, Chase asks if Brook is saying they should call off the wedding; Gregory tells someone to back off; Sonny says, anything’s possible, and Michael wonders, even forgiveness; and Anna says Jason has to tell her the truth if she’s going to help him.

Below Deck

Captain Kerry says he’s picturing the Titanic; the boat going down and the band playing. Xandi says, they all have these personal things going on, and in her interview, she says, Barbie gives her anxiety. There’s a term she uses in yachting – spinning. You seem busy and productive, but aren’t getting anything done. She wants to give Barbie a Xanax. Fraser says, they need a crime and clues, and in his interview, he says, they’re in deep sh*t. He’s never done a murder mystery. They’re missing someone and have run aground, but they have to pretend to the guests that it’s all good. Kerry says he can ferry the guests to the beach, and in his interview, he says, usually the amazing places are the most difficult to get to. The current is pushing him, and he has to think, is the risk worth the reward? When it comes to this beach, it is. Guest Lesley says she was anxious about not being fed enough, but she’s being fed too much. Well, just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to eat all of it.

The guests leave for the beach. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, Carriacou is the most amazing beach in the world. It’s absolutely spectacular. The guests are ferried over and agree that it’s gorgeous. In Anthony’s interview, he says, tonight, he’s having an ocean party. Grenada has the best fresh seafood in the world. He has to be organized, but he and organization are not the best match. He acts with his feelings. After dropping off the guests, the captain has difficulty pulling the boat back out. In Ben’s interview, he says, it’s a sound you never want to hear, sand stuck in the impellor. The grinding and crunching means you’re in trouble. Captain Kerry says, they have no battery. They’re f***ed. In Barbie’s interview, she says, they’re a stew down and she has to be everywhere. She’s exhausted. In Xandi’s interview, she says, it’s frustrating. They should all work together and do what they’re told. The captain suggests packing up while the guests hang out. They’ll put all the stuff in a small boat they have and get the guests off by working with the tide. On the yacht, Anthony can’t find the garlic, and in his interview, he says he has no idea WTF he’s doing. He’s spending his time and his life looking for stuff. Instead of cooking, he’s going to the store. Bad weather is coming, and Captain Kerry says, they’ve got to get the guests back. Ben radios the boat, and in his interview, he says, not only is bad weather approaching, the tide is changing. If they beach the boat, they’re stuck here for the night. The crew packs up around the guests, and when it’s time for them to get in the boat, primary Lesley is a little too anxious. The captain barks, no one move toward the boat until I say! startling her so hard, she jumps back. She tells the others, the captain is getting agro.

In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says he’s doing what he can to keep the guests safe. There are a lot of moving parts and it’s a very dangerous situation. Because all that’s not enough, it starts to rain. The guests are finally in the boat, and Fraser says, welcome to the experience. After the guests are back safe, Xandi tells Fraser that she’s literally sat down for three minutes since the morning, and Fraser says, they’re ready to get a murder under way. Proud of the seafood, Anthony says he was expecting a disaster, but got an – he wrestles with the word – extravagrande [sic]. And an extravagrande it is. Fraser asks Ben to do a murder scene and in Fraser’s interview, he says he’s never done this before, but he’s got the gist. He ordered props and bits and bobs, and he’s shifting the responsibility to someone else so he can focus on service. That’s what the job is about as a manager. Ben tells the deckhands, let’s make up some crap, and they confer in the crew mess. In Kyle’s interview, he says he’s not the most theatrical person, but he’s got good ideas. He does have moments of brilliance.  Blue marlin en papillote is served – papillote is not unlike when you cook something in an aluminum foil pouch, but parchment paper is used – and in his interview, Fraser says, the chef is brilliant and they vibe, but he’s concerned about cleanliness in the galley. He can’t take on another job, and that’s what he feels like he’s doing. Captain Kerry swings by the guests’ table, explaining that he got firm at the beach, but he was worried about their safety. Behind the scenes, Barbie messes up her hair. She runs out screaming, there’s been a murder! She flops on the floor, her skirt flying up and exposing her no undies look. Lesley says she quite forgot this was happening, and Barbie runs back out. Fraser comes in and says, they’re first clue is on the deck closest to the sun, where they can play 21. They go to the deck and find the next clue: find the bell. It has a story to tell. They find the bell along with the next clue: spin the globe and the world is at your feet. Fraser is told that they’re coming, and the guests read the next clue is to be found outside room 104. They find the pizza roller that was the weapon and read: open the door. Someone might be on the floor. Fraser is lying there with a bloody cloth on him, along with the last clue: retrace their steps. Whoever has the number one has killed me. They go back to the table and guest Kristi (I think; they all seem interchangeable) has the number one on the bottom of her glass. There’s much applause, and Kyle says, the guests are happy, right? Ben says, no, they’re drunk.

The guests go to bed. Fraser says he’s aged 30 years, and Xandi says she’s the hot mess express. Anthony cleans in the galley until 3 am, and in Anthony’s interview, he says he spent hours cleaning. It’s hard to be creative in that vibe. He asks Fraser about what he should serve for breakfast, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, Anthony’s not bringing it. That’s not how yachting works. There’s only so much he can do. He suggests a breakfast sandwich, and wonders who came up with that one. Anthony correctly answers, McDonald’s. Curtis from yacht service calls Captain Kerry, and says, new deckhand Dylan is arriving. The captain calls Ben and says he has good news. He tells Ben that Dylan has been a chase boat captain and also been on bigger boats, and in Dylan’s interview, he says he’s originally from Cape Town. He’s 23, and he’s been in yachting for four years. He’s worked from deckhand to chase boat cap, so far. While he’s running, he likes to give people he passes a high five. They won’t understand, but they will remember him. In Sunny’s interview, she asks, who’s that model looking man coming on board? Ben tells Dylan that he hasn’t made a decision on lead deckhand, although I could swear that honor went to Sunny. In his interview, Dylan says he’s ready to show Ben what he’s got. The guests are seated for breakfast, and Fraser says, the specials are French toast and an Egg McMuffin British breakfast bun. Captain Kerry points out an enormous carrier at the dock, and in Ben’s interview, he says, there’s a lot of sh*t riding on this. Sunny doesn’t know the boat well and they have to nail this, or he might as well pack his bags. They come up to Port Louis Marina next to this big honking boat, and in the captain’s interview, he says, it’s massive. If he comes in too far, he’ll hit the buoys and possibly the reef, but if he’s not far enough, he could wipe out the back of the ship. He can’t f*** this up.

The docking is done, and the guests get ready to leave. There are hugs and goodbyes, and Lesley says, this is making her emotional because it’s something that’s been on her bucket list and they truly exceeded all expectations. She’s truly grateful and had an extraordinary time. She thanks them and gives the captain the tip envelope. The guests leave, and Captain Kerry says he’s never had a better thank you from guests before. In Sunny’s interview, she says she’s feeling positive about her and Ben’s relationship. The last guy she was involved with was a mountaineer while she was a mermaid. He got away, but there’s Ben. Dylan tells Sunny that if he has a choice between McDonald’s and a salad, he’ll take the salad. He was fat and bullied when he was a kid. In Dylan’s interview, he says he decided it could break or make him. His proudest accomplishment is his double chest bump. He flexes his pecs individually (my dad could do that) and introduces us to James and Barry. His pecs if you didn’t gather that already. He tells Sunny that he has stretch marks. He had a proper fat ass. It’s time for the tip meeting, and Captain Kerry welcomes Dylan. He says, they kicked off the charter a crew member down, then Cat departed. He saw them help each other and they did an amazing job. He doesn’t know when they’ll get another stew, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s been an emotional roller coaster. It’s tough, but they’ve just got to take what they’re given and roll with the punches. The tip is a generous $30K or $2,727 each. The captain tells them that he took $50 out of each one so he could give Dylan $550. Nice! That reminds me of a job I 2 weeks paid vacation after I’d only been there 2 weeks. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, they did an absolutely amazing job. They surprise him all the time. He’s extremely impressed.

The crew heads to a restaurant, while Captain Kerry practices Turkish on the boat. Barbie asks if they think déjà vu is a real thing, and after trying to get Kyle to snort a shot, Dylan says he thinks there are different timelines, and it’s a memory from one. In Barbie’s interview, she says if she was dating Dylan, she’d ask him to be quiet for the whole dinner. The guys go for a smoke, and Dylan tells Anthony that all the ladies are sexy. Anthony tells him that Sunny is with Ben. He’s waiting for the other stew and hopes she’s hot. At the table, Fraser says, the galley is a mess. He feels like he’s doing too much for what’s expected. He’s got to talk to Anthony. Enough is enough. They move on to a club, dance, and do many shots. Dylan says he’s loving it so much, and tells Ben, vibe time is my time. Ben dances close with Xandi and says, she’s his favorite. Sunny sees Ben whisper in Xandi’s ear, and in Sunny’s interview, she says, he’s pissing her the f*** off. He’s being touchy feely with Xandi and it’s disrespectful to what they have. It makes her want to set his bunk bed on fire.

In the bathroom, Barbie tells Sunny that Ben’s not into Xandi and they’re not here for f***ing love story. On the way back, Kyle says he loves Fraser, and they kiss. In Fraser’s interview, he says, people love making out with him. Straight men sometimes show appreciation more than by being a bud, by giving him a kiss. He’s not mad about it. Back at the boat, Ben asks how Sunny’s night was, and she says, good, but she needs a minute to herself. He says he’ll leave her to it, and she says, in her cabin without so many people. Ben tells Fraser that he can’t deal with Sunny. He can’t read her and he’s sick of the bullsh*t. In Ben’s interview, he says, it’s been a rollercoaster. One minute, they’re kissing, and the next, she gives him the cold shoulder. We flash back to some examples, and he says he doesn’t know what to do. That’s why he doesn’t get attached. Too much bullsh*t comes with a relationship. Dylan eats a bunch of drunk food, and says, tomorrow is a big gym session. Ben and Xandi are talking on deck, and Sunny asks if he has a cigarette left. He says, it got wet, so he threw it out. Sunny says, copy that, and leaves. She vents to Fraser who says, she and Ben have had a thing since they got on the boat. Sunny says she made it, but he wanted it. Barbie tells Xandi there’s drama and Sunny is getting a bad vibe. When Xandi is drinking, Ben wants to take care of her, but Sunny sees it differently. Xandi says she probably has more chemistry with Sunny than Ben. He’s like a brother. Barbie says, Sunny doesn’t get that, and in Xandi’s interview, she says, Sunny’s got nothing to worry about. Ben’s a friend and she’s doing nothing wrong so get off her tits. Barbie says she thinks it’s a personal issue Sunny is projecting through Xandi. Ben tells Sunny that his dancing with Xandi isn’t sexual, but Sunny says she has a hard time accepting that. Xandi asks why she needs to change herself to make a 22-year-old kid feel better about herself? In her interview, she says she’s changed for enough people. She’s not changing being herself. The whole thing can f*** off. Kyle says, Sunny is young in this situation, but Xandi says, cash me outside, which sounds even stupider when she says it. She tells them that she’s done with this sh*t.

Later this season, Captain Kerry says, they don’t do this because it’s easy, the easy sh*t is on shore; Anthony thinks he’s not good enough; Fraser wants Barbie to go; Karry lectures Ben; Xandi has a panic attack; in Dylan’s interview, he says he has a d*ck, but he’s not going to be a d*ck; a lot of falling; Jill Zarin is a difficult guest; Anthony needs a translator in the galley; a new stew arrives and Ben says he’s in trouble; Barbie decides she likes Kyle; lots of crying; Captain Kerry says, if they’re not thriving or adding value to the rest of the crew, he can’t have them here; half the guests’ food ends up in the water; Ben has never been this stressed in a speedo in his life; Kyle talks to the captain about insubordination; and a disappointing tip.

⚰️ This Week In Ones…

A fearful old friend returns; an odd friendship with a Same Time Next Year vibe; calcified zombies (like perogies); ungrateful a-holes; you don’t get noodles for pulling a gun; Jadis finds something she’s looking for; amazing fight scenes; Jadis in palazzo pants; and irony!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-recap-season-1-episode-5-become-jadis

🐰 Hoppin’ Down the Bunny Trail…

Walk right back tomorrow for soap and VanderNotions. Until then, stay safe, stay putting gratitude into action, and stay remembering, vibe time is your time.

March 22, 2024 – Jason Does the Only Thing He Can, Background, Next Wives, Post Reunion, Dead Talk, 2 For 2, Festival Time, A Hug, Pets (!) Online, A Frame’s Worth Of Quotes & Night

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie says, let’s just kind of put this whole Bellpo thing behind. Things got a little tense for them for a second. Sasha says she’s an educated woman having a serious conversation with other intelligent women about how she has to look less wholesome. How nuts is that? Lucy says, her face is really perfect, and Sasha says, except it’s not edgy enough. She’s willing to change her look, but not the way Lucy means it. Lucy says, that’s fine. It’s just that this cover for Bellpo was a huge, huge score, and now they have nothing. Maxie says, there are other magazines in town and they all have covers, but Lucy says, no. She doesn’t get it. Bellpo is the jewel in the industry’s crown. They have to have this exposure if they’re going to pull Deception out of this financial hole. They need those jewels and need Sasha on every single cover they can get. Sasha says she’s been doing this for a while now, and she thinks it’s been long enough, and Maxie says, take some time to think about it. They all should. Sasha says, fine. She’s not hurt. She’s not offended. Not at all. She’s been hearing comments about her appearance since the day she started modeling. It’s the nature of the job. Lucy says, see? She’s a pro and she gets it. And she gets Lucy. Sasha says, after what she’s been through in the past year, especially last summer, she realizes there are more important things in life. More important things in her life than being paid to be looked at. Maxie says she can pretty much guarantee they’re not going to get anything productive done tonight. So she would consider it a personal favor if they could just schedule the time in the future to discuss everyone’s concerns properly. Brook says, sounds good, and Sasha says, good for Maxie. Sure. Lucy says, no. They’re going to settle this right now. Maxie says she really thinks it would be best… Lucy says, they cannot just hug this out this time. She doesn’t think that what just happened to them with Bellpo isn’t going to get out right away. If they stand any chance of salvaging their reputation and recovering all the losses they suffered last summer, they need to do something. And she’s not about to let this tank her company. Brook says, excuse me? Your company?

Cody walks into the stables and says he hopes Comet likes looking at this face, because he’s going to be seeing a lot more of it. He kind of lost it at Deception today. He doesn’t know if he told Comet, but he was the official male Face of Deception. He knows. Didn’t make any sense to him either and he hated it. Anyways, today Lucy told Sasha that her face was too wholesome, and she needed to be edgier. Then Lucy said some more stuff. He doesn’t really know what it was because he kind of tunes her out. He picks up some carrots and says, anyways, what he said to her was, if she’s gonna replace Sasha, she’s gonna replace him too. And then Lucy said he was a bad model anyway… Yeah, he knows, right? So he quit. He gives Comet a carrot and says, you know what? It felt really good to stick it to Lucy. Now he’s wondering if he made the right decision.

Diane meets Robert at the PC Grill and apologizes for being late to lunch. He asks what kept the redhead this time, and she says, interesting question. Nothing but the pursuit of justice.

Chase leads a bunch of children wearing play badges into the squad room and tells them, this is where the action is. Donna asks if this is where they bring bad guys, and he says, yes, and then we question them in there. That is the interrogation room. It’s quieter, a little more private. This is his desk. This is where he works on his cases or helps other detectives work on their cases. He doesn’t just arrest people. Donna points to Dante’s desk, and says, that’s her brother’s desk. He’s a detective too. Chase says, Dante Falconari is one of their best detectives, and Donna says, he got hurt. He’s in the hospital getting better. Chase says, he sure is. So that’s Dante’s desk, this is his desk. They also talk to witnesses here and in the field and collect evidence. Being a police officer can be very dangerous. Officers sacrifice practically everything to keep this community and them safe.

Michael asks how Jason is feeling, and Jason says, better, thanks to him and Willow. Michael says, it looks like he’s moving around better, and Jason says he is. Michael says, that’s good, and Jason asks, what’s wrong? Michael says, Jason has to leave.

Brook says, Lucy’s company is majority owned by her grandmother, and Lucy says, by the thinnest of majorities. Brook says, still, the majority. Any discussion about the Face of Deception – past, present, or future – will involve Tracy. Got it? Lucy says, her grandmother Tracy does not care about the future of Deception, and Brook knows that. Otherwise, she’d still be here, instead of throwing her weight around at some hospital board meeting. Brook says, she didn’t leave the country. She’ll be back. Lucy says, that would be so nice for all of them, and for Deception, if she would just leave the country, but Brook says, it wouldn’t matter. They can’t make a move without Tracy’s involvement or her proxy. Maxie tells them, this is why she said they weren’t going to get anything productive done right now. She’s got to say, a little break is looking better and… Lucy says she founded this company. It was an idea in her head, and she made it a successful reality. Brook says, and somewhere along the way, she left herself vulnerable to a lawsuit, and Lucy says, that’s it. End of discussion. They’re not going to discuss anything now, after a break, ever. Because she doesn’t care what kind of stake Tracy has in the company. It’s more hers than Tracy’s. It’s more hers than anybody else’s, so guess what? If there is a problem, she’ll find a way to handle it, and she’ll fix it. And if Brook doesn’t like it, there’s the door.

As Cody brushes Comet, he says, how dumb is modeling as a job anyways, right? There’s these people standing around, touching your face, your hair, your clothes, putting on makeup. Being around Sasha and Maxie, that was pretty great, but he hadn’t really thought about how this is going to affect them. But they want him to be happy, right? And they’re more than capable of taking care of themselves. He hears Olivia ask if he’s around and he says, in here, Mama Q. Olivia comes in with a casserole dish, and he asks if everything’s okay. She says, Dante’s the same. Sam is with him right now. She came home to get some rest. She tried to take a nap, but it turns out, she can’t relax. So she cooked instead. He thanks her for bringing it down, and she says she guesses she had an ulterior motive. It’s very peaceful here, and she could use a little bit of that right about now.

Michael says, the numbers in the GH pharmacy didn’t match up to what they had in storage, and Jason says, because Willow took meds out to help him. Michael says, the computerized update doesn’t always happen in real time and only a few bottles were taken. They weren’t the kind that had any real value on the streets, so nobody was panicking, but Elizabeth is the head nurse, so… Jason says, so she would have been held responsible for the missing drugs, and Michael says, and Willow would never let her take the fall for this, so he contacted Spinelli. He hacked into the inventory and adjusted the numbers, so Elizabeth and Willow are in the clear. Jason says, that kind of medicine, the amount, it took Spinelli two minutes to figure out who the meds were for. Michael says, he didn’t, but Jason says, too many people are getting pulled into this. Michael says, he’s right, and he feels like crap for saying this, but he can’t keep putting Willow in this position. The FBI are asking questions and it’s not fair to Wiley and Amelia to be taking these kinds of chances. Jason says, Michael is right. He has to leave. Michael says he agrees. And that’s why he found a way for Jason to disappear.

Olivia tells Cody that she’s been talking to Dante non-stop, repeating all those crazy stories from his childhood, the crazy things he did. It’s a miracle she didn’t have fully stark white hair by the time she was 25. It really struck her looking back at how resilient Dante always was. He still is. Cody agrees, and she says, sleep can be very healing, and that’s what her son is doing right now. He is healing. So she talked herself hoarse, and now Sam is talking herself hoarse, and Cody’s got a free meal. He takes the dish from her and says, the day he turns down any of her cooking, she knows he’s been kicked in the head by one of these guys and it’s time to have him committed. She tells him not to get excited; it’s standard issue manicotti. He says, it smells amazing, and she says, it was relaxing to actually do something for someone instead of just sitting around and waiting. He says, no one is good at the kind of waiting she’s doing. If she could spare the time, he’d really love the company. If she doesn’t mind the horse smell of course (🍷). She takes off her coat and says, it’s better than the smell of the hospital. She sits down and says she can see why Leo likes it down here. To be around healthy living things is really nice.

Diane tells Robert that she’s looking into having Alexis’s disbarment vacated. Alexis didn’t even get a hearing. Evidence was just presented that she perjured herself at Neil Byrne’s medical board hearing. Robert says, as he recalls, he was her therapist and she was sleeping with him, but Diane says, oh no. He wasn’t her therapist at the time. They simply didn’t wait the requisite two years before… enjoying each other’s company. Unfortunately, in a regrettable lapse of judgement, Alexis decided to tell the board they were not sleeping together in order to save Neil’s license, but then that lie was discovered and her license was yanked. He says, lawyers who perjure themselves are generally frowned upon, and she says, yes, but they didn’t even give Alexis the chance to challenge the charge. They simply yanked her license and washed their hands of her. He says, she’s a smart woman. She could have appealed. Diane says, she’s a very smart lawyer and she deserved to have a hearing. Everyone deserves to be heard. Robert says, that’s certainly true, and she says she wants to find out who exactly was sitting on the committee at that time, and why the process moved so quickly, and was so under the radar. He says he thinks it was an open and shut case. True? She says she thinks a lot of things are possible. That’s not one of them. She can feel it in her bones. He says he’s intrigued. He loves watching her mind work. He wants to see the sparks fly. She says, don’t go looking for any fire extinguishers, because she’s just getting started.

Lucy says, Sasha knows this crazy business. Has she said anything that isn’t true? No. She had to sacrifice more than anybody else here for this business. She’s given her heart, her mind, her body, her soul, her bank account to make a success of all of this. Sasha says she knows. She cares about this company and its success too. Just not the way she used to. Lucy asks what she’s saying, and Sasha says, hearing Cody speak made her realize what she’s been feeling. She’s so grateful to Lucy for giving her the opportunity to work at Deception. Lucy changed her life. And she loved coming in every day and seeing them. She loves them, but she thinks she’s over all of this. Effective immediately, she’s resigning as the Face of Deception.

Diane tells Robert, at her core, Alexis will always be a lawyer. You can take her bar card away, but she’ll always be driven by the pursuit of justice. It’s one of the things that made them such great friends, this passion that borders on obsession. He says, which plays to the more colorful versions of some of her clients, and she asks what she can say. A life of muted tones is not for her. Alexis has a fondness for colors too. That, and her incredible skill, made Diane offer her a job at her firm. So when her license is reinstated, he’s going to have to go up against both of them in court. He says, and when he wins, he takes them all out to celebrate, and she laughs. She says she knows him – you generous thing – he would anyway, and he says, let’s just hope it happens for Alexis. Diane says she’s contacted everybody she knows, she’s called in almost all her favors, and she will find out why Alexis was barred in such unceremonious fashion. He says, if he can help in any way, he’s at her disposal, and she thanks him and says, that’s very sweet of him. He says, so she’s not going to need him, is she? and she says, no. She has it well in hand. He says he would never bet against her, and she says, only a fool would bet against her and he’s no fool.

Olivia tells Cody that she shouldn’t be here right now. She’s Dante’s mother and should be at his bedside, channeling all her energy to him until he wakes up. She starts to get up, but Cody puts his hand on her arm, and says, an actual mama bear doesn’t have anything on her, but she needs to give herself a break. Otherwise, she’s going to end up in the bed next to Dante. He wouldn’t want that. No one does. She sits back down, and he says, she’s an amazing mom. Dante always says it. She says she knows. You hear those stories sometimes about the moms seeing a kid pinned under a car or something, and they get a big rush of adrenaline, and pick the car up like some kind of superhero. He says he kind of thinks she’s sort of a superhero. She’s been dealing with an incredible amount of stress lately and she’s practically living at the hospital. Any mere mortal would have been crushed by it all. He’d grab her cape and prove it to her, but it’s at the drycleaner. She laughs, and he says he knows if anyone can pull through this, it’s Dante. That same strength is in every fiber of his being. He got it from her.

Maxie asks Sasha, please think about this. Deception needs her. Brook says, she’s right. Deception wouldn’t be where it is without her. Sasha tells them, thank you, and she meant what she said; she loves them. But it’s time. Lucy says, that’s it. It’s time for Sasha to take a vacation. They’ve been expanding the marketing so fast, and all that pressure has been on her. Sasha’s been carrying this all alone. That’s why she thought of maybe a second face, someone who could help her carry the burden, just help her to breathe. Brook tells her, that’s not why she said what she said, and they all know it, and Lucy asks if Brook is living inside her head now. Brook says, God forbid. No wonder Sasha wants out. Lucy says, if Brook is so miserable, she’s not being held hostage. Go. Brook says, should she ever want to leave Deception, she’ll discuss it with the majority shareholder, her grandmother. As for Sasha, she could hire a thousand new Faces of Deception, but it won’t matter. Lucy asks, why is that? and Brook says, because Lucy will run every single one of them off too. She walks out, and Lucy asks, is that true? Is Sasha quitting because of her?

Michael says he can get Jason on the ELQ jet and send him to the Grand Keys. It will only take a couple phone calls to get a doctor to meet him there to oversee his recovery. Jason says, the workers, the flight plans, the money transfers, everything can be traced back to Michael, but Michael says he’ll charter a jet. Jason says, too risky, and Michael says, for Jason, it’s a risk he’s willing to take. Jason says he appreciates that, but Michael knows he can’t let him do it, and Michael says he’s not going to let Jason take off in the middle of the night by himself. What happens to Jason matters to him. Jason says, even if he makes it to the Grand Keys, it would do no good. He told Michael, somebody has leverage over him. If he runs, there’s going to be consequences. Michael asks what he’s going to do, and Jason says, the only thing he can.

As Brook watches, Chase tells the kids that they are now official friends of the Port Charles Police Department. Everybody, raise your right hand. Do they solemnly swear to uphold the law; to be kind, thoughtful, and respectful to other people in their family, school, and community? They nod, and he says, all right. He hereby elevates them to honorary deputy status. Be proud. Cutest child in the world Donna says, this is awesome, and thanks him. Chase says, she’s welcome. The teacher tells them, let’s go get your coats, and leads them out. Brook gives Chase a kiss and says, they’re so cute. He says, it’s definitely one of his more interesting tours, and she says, seeing him be adorable with a bunch of kids is exactly what she needed. He says he thought she was supposed to be at Deception, and she says, she was. She could no longer be kind and helpful and respectful, so she took a break and came here. He asks, what happened? and she says, same thing as always. Lucy Coe. What started off as a simple meeting, turned into a mini disaster because of Lucy. If she strangles Lucy, can she plead temporary insanity? He says she can plead however she wants, but he’d still have to arrest her. Could she maybe hold off on the strangling? At least until after their wedding? Very few people get her the way Lucy does. Brook says, she has a unique… gift, and he says he’s worried about her. Is she sure it was the right thing, going back to Deception? She says, not anymore. She’s starting to think her plan to hand Maxie back Deception is just making everything worse all the way around.

Sasha says, it’s not Lucy’s fault she’s leaving Deception. Lucy is not driving her out. Lucy says, great, and thanks her. She knows they can work something out because she doesn’t want Sasha to leave either. Sasha thanks her for saying that, but she’s not going to change her mind. Lucy knows she never wanted to be a model. Then Michael negotiated an amazing deal for her that included a stake in the company, and she couldn’t say no. Lucy says she remembers. He made that deal with her. Sasha says, she was, and still is, so grateful to Lucy, but she’s not the same person she was when she signed on. The things she’s lived through, the things that she’s lost, they’ve changed her. She isn’t sure what she wants out of life, but she’s sure she doesn’t want to stand in front of cameras getting her picture taken. Or try to fit anyone’s concept of who they want her to be or what she’s supposed to do. Lucy says, okay. She guesses if Sasha feels that’s necessary to live her very best life… She picks up a folder from the desk and says, she would be remiss though, if she didn’t remind Sasha of a couple of the deal points that were in that contract that they all signed together – her Deception shares and her leadership position. If she resigns and she’s not their spokesmodel anymore, then she has to give up both of those. Maxie looks disgruntled.

Diane’s phone rings, and it says, Michael Corinthos. She asks Robert to excuse her. She has to take this. She goes out to the hallway and asks what she can do for Michael. Jason says, it’s not Michael, and she says she’s been expecting this call. What took him so long? He says, the timing wasn’t right, and she says, well, timing is everything. Tell her what he needs.

Talking with his mouth full, Cody tells Olivia that he doesn’t know exactly what time it was, but they were at camp. Dante, being Mr. City Kid, had no idea which end to milk the cow from. (Come on.) Olivia laughs and says, in his defense, we didn’t milk a lot of cows in Bensonhurst. He says, it didn’t matter though, because in three days, Dante was like Bear Grylls. She says, and that’s a good thing? and he says, it’s a great thing. Bear Grylls is like this outdoor British survival guy. He could survive on air and bark if he needed to, and Dante was so smart. He could adapt to changes in altitude, time of day, terrain, better than anyone. He started racking up badges right away. Canoeing, first aid, tracking… She says, whatever happened to making lanyards and tying knots? and he says, oh, they tied knots. He laughs and says he practiced tying knots on Dante. He tied Dante into a canoe and pushed him into the middle of the lake. Olivia says, Cody… but Cody says, don’t worry, Mama Q. He pulled a full Houdini. He got out and brought himself back in like, fifteen minutes. And that only took so long because he actually took a nap in the middle of the lake. She laughs, and he says, the fact that his knots didn’t slow Dante down almost cost him his badge. She says, Dante could fall asleep anywhere, and Cody says he knows when Dante wakes up this time, he’s going to look at him with the same look at me, dummy smile that he had last time. She says she hopes so. She should go. She should get herself back to the hospital. She thanks him for cheering her up, and he says, anytime. Thanks for lunch. She hugs him and asks him to do her one favor. He says, anything, and she says, don’t tell her any more stories about camp. He says, all right, and she leaves.

Maxie asks if Lucy hasn’t done enough, and Lucy says she’s just trying to be honest. She wants Sasha to know the consequences if she just walks out. She wants Sasha to understand, to be perfectly clear about what happens. Maxie says, and she’s already dug a hole for them, so why not make it deeper? and Lucy tells Sasha, there is something else. If she resigns and walks away from Deception, she has to sell back her shares at market price. Sasha says, fine. Just send her a check. Lucy says, no. It’s not fine. They’re not worth what it used to be. The market price has gone way down. So if she could just wait until their market strategies work, then maybe when she leaves, she can end up with a big chunk of change. Because right now, she’s going to walk away with 30% of not much, which equals… not much. Sasha says, Gladys basically cleared her out, so whatever she gets, it will be more than she has now. And you can’t put a price on happiness. She leaves, and Lucy looks at Maxie. Maxie says, what the hell is wrong with you?

Chase says, Maxie is lucky to have Brook as a friend. What she’s doing will change Maxie’s life. Brook says, that was the idea, but now Lucy’s over there having a tantrum that she can’t do whatever she wants whenever she wants. That she has to answer to Tracy, and by extension, Brook, and if she can’t… He says, share her toy? and Brook says, exactly. The way things are going, at this point, there might not even be a company to hand over to Maxie, assuming she can pry it out of her grandmother’s hands, which was a long shot to begin with, and is getting longer every day. He says, she can’t control Lucy’s actions. No one can, including Lucy. But she comes from a long line of accomplished schemers, and she’s emerged as one of the family’s best. She can handle Lucy Coe. She tells him that he says the sweetest things, when Diane walks in. Chase asks if she has someone in lock-up today, and she says, no. She’s accompanying her client, who is – she speaks louder – surrendering voluntarily. She goes over to the door, opens it, and Jason walks in. Jason says, yo. Not really, but it looked like he should.

Lucy tells Maxie that they still have an ace in the hole. Blaze. Remember? Maxie was really excited about having her be the Face of Deception before Tracy shot them down. Maxie says, and she still could, but Lucy says, there are so many more possibilities now for Blaze. She doesn’t think Tracy can say no. Think about it. Blaze is really a big deal now. She brings lots of fans and followers. Think of all those folks she could bring to them. Maxie says, yep. She’s right. Blaze is a bigger deal. So she might not be interested or available. And even if she were interested, who’s her manager again? Oh, that’s right. Brook Lynn. And somehow, by the magic of Lucy being Lucy, she’s managed to get even more on Brook’s bad side. Lucy says, come on. This is Deception they’re talking about. Blaze will be interested, and she’ll make herself available to them. She can fix this. She swears. Maxie puts her head in her hands and tells Lucy that anything she does will be temporary. Because she’s not a partner. She’s a one-woman wrecking ball. Lucy doesn’t consult with her. She just does whatever the hell she wants and to hell with everyone else. Their lives don’t matter. Does Lucy have any idea what it’s cost Maxie to stick with her? She can’t even look at Lucy right now. Lucy says, please… but Maxie says, no! This is still her office. Please leave. Lucy picks up her bag, looks back at Maxie, whose head is in her hands again, and she leaves.

There’s a knock at the stable door, and Sasha comes in. Cody says he always knew the stables were the hip place to be, and she says she likes the regulars who hang out here. He asks how she left things at Deception, and she says she’s done at Deception. She walked too. He says he wasn’t pushing her to do that. She didn’t think that, did she? She says, no. Does he think she’d let him push her into doing anything she didn’t want? Relax. She did it for her. She’s been feeling like she needed a change, but she didn’t quite know what that looked like. It’s kind of dumb. He says, not really. It’s hard to see things clearly when you’re in the middle of them. She says, when he just walked like that, something clicked for her. She thinks it was so much harder leaving Deception in her head than it actually was, and he asks if she’s sure. She has history and friends there. She says, they’ll still be her friends. But she’s so tired of hearing about how she looks all the time. If she wakes up with Troll doll hair, she wants to just go with it. He says he’s not sure how that would happen, but he’d love to see it, and she says he might regret saying that. He says, just tell him if he’s overstepping, but is she going to be okay financially? Gladys didn’t help her there. She says her rent is paid for the rest of the month and after that, she’ll think of something. She always does. And she’s not above enhancing her resumé a little bit. He says if she needs a reference for her time spent as CEO of Comet Incorporated, tell them to give him a call. She says he can count on it. Cody gets more carrots, and she asks if he always knew what he wanted to do with his life professionally. He says he never had any idea. You’d think that a guy who made a living getting tossed off of horses would make some kind of plan for the future, but no. There was never a time where he was like, one more year and it’s back to school and off to his real career as a brain surgeon/astronaut. In hindsight, he probably should have been a little smarter. She says he doesn’t really mean that, and he says, she’s right. He was never cut out for a suit and tie kind of job. She asks if it made him nervous when he didn’t know how he was going to pay the rent the next month, and he says, yeah, sometimes. He was also free to pick up any gig interesting or fun. That kind of freedom comes with a price. He gives Comet a carrot, and Sasha says, anxiety? Sleepless nights? He says, sometimes. That kind of life isn’t for everyone. He’s not even sure if it’s for him anymore. She says, that’s a change, and he says he guesses so. He’s happy living here in Port Charles, working for the Q’s. And because he stayed, he has family and friends… horses. Sasha says, really good friends? and he says, yeah. And because of the money that he made standing around and smiling – horribly, apparently – he can afford to have some new dreams. She says, like Serenity? and he says, that’s one of them. She asks, what’s the other? and he just smiles. She says she’s excited for the possibilities. She knows there’s a truly fulfilling career out there, and she’s going to find it. He says, yeah, she is. Here is to her new career. He hands her a carrot, and they clink carrots. Cody takes a bite of his, then gives it to Comet.

Michael goes into the boathouse and texts Willow: No groceries. Boathouse is empty. He says he hopes Jason is right about this.

Chase gives Jason his rights, and Diane congratulates him on his scrupulous recitation of her client’s Miranda rights. Now if Chase doesn’t mind, she’d like a moment to confer with him. Chase says he does mind. She can talk to him after he’s been booked. Diane says she can cite any number of cases where defendants needed to be released due to technicalities that occurred during the booking process, specifically when the booking process was used as a stall to deny defendant’s counsel. She’s sure that’s not his intention, but the easiest way to ensure the booking process goes smoothly at the proper time, is to let her talk to Jason first. Chase looks at Jason, who stares straight ahead, and says, fine. Right this way. He takes them into the interrogation room and closes the door on his way out. Chase tells Brook, Dante is lying in a bed unconscious and the guy who put him there looks just fine to him. She says, looks can be deceiving though, right? It’s a good thing Jason came in. They need to hear what he’s going to say. Chase says, he’s not going to talk. He has Diane for that. He wishes he could… He raises his fists, but Brook puts her hands on his and says she knows. But he has a bunch of honorary deputies out there and they need him here, doing his job, keeping them safe.

Diane says she sure hopes Jason knows what he’s doing. He’s looking at some very serious charges. Two counts of attempted murder, one against a police officer with armor piercing rounds. That alone carries a special circumstance charge. She’ll try to get an arraignment for tomorrow. He thanks her, and she tells him that if she hasn’t said it already, it’s very, very good to see him again. She just wishes it were under better circumstances. He says, him too, and she says, any chance he’s going to tell her what this is all about? He says he can tell her this. He won’t be in here for long.

On Monday, Elizabeth tells Willow that she just wishes she knew anything about Jason; John asks someone what the hell they’re doing here; Chase tells Brook that he’s going to get answers for Dante’s sake; and Michael says he has some news about Jason.

🧼 Filling In the Blanks…

All about the original Stone.

All about Blair. This was suddenly in the headlines on Soaps In Depth, so I wonder if she’s coming back.

👠 Duck and Cover…

New Housewives coming up. I have to admit to being intrigued by the whole Alexis thing. You can’t tell me Andy/Bravo didn’t know this would set Shannon off like a firecracker.

And what’s wrong with McDonald’s?

💎 After the Reunion Is Over…

Can you blame her?

Can you blame her? And seriously, Dorit felt manipulated? If you don’t like it, ignore it and do what you want.

He’d like to stop it, but he’s too busy raiding the refrigerator after an attack of the munchies.

Even if nobody asked her to.

⚰️ Upcoming Ones…

What’s on the burner for Sunday night.

https://www.cbr.com/the-walking-dead-towl-105-clip

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-ethanol-fire-ones-who-live-ending-hint

🐉 Dragon Times Two…

A peek at Season 2.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-dueling-trailers-ryan-condal-breaks-down-secrets-8611648

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-trailers-black-vs-green

🎸 It’s On…

All you need to know.

https://www.lollapalooza.com

🌊 Gentle Giant…

One of my favorite animals!

https://people.com/footage-manatee-hugs-surfer-board-in-water-8608177

🐕 Socialized Pets…

I’m all about Redford. He reminds me of Jim on Mike & Molly.

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Don’t try to be young. Just open your mind. Stay interested in stuff.Betty White

The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made. – Groucho Marx

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. – Colin Powell

For those who fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know. – Wise Man (Scott Glenn), Sucker Punch

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. Wayne Dyer

It is, of course, quite true that God will not love you any the less, or have less use for you, if you happen to have been born with a very second-rate brain. He has room for people with very little sense, but He wants everyone to use what sense they have. – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (He sounds like Anthony Hopkins in my head.)

Live your vision and demand your success. – Steve Maraboli

Church is meaningless if you’re a monster once you step outside into the real world. – Allen Clifton

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. – George Washington

I haven’t seen this much sh*t since my last bowel movement. – Jack Warner (Stanley Tucci), The Feud: Bette and Joan

🚣‍♀️ Rowing the Boat Ashore…

You go, Glen Coco, but then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and a murderous Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay not interrupting workers when they’re helping other customers; and stay being kind, thoughtful, and respectful to other people in your family, school, and community.