Category Archives: soap opera

Feb9

February 8, 2024 – Commissioner Devane Is Reinstated, Jagger, Very Soon, 80s Fun, Her Message, Leaving Atlanta, Joining Us, Dragon New Year, Rescue Bowling & What

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Michael goes to Sonny’s office and asks if he can come in. Sonny says, sure. What’s he doing here? Michael says, they haven’t spoken since New Year’s. The longer they wait, the harder it will be to have this conversation.

Nina goes over some business with Trish at the MetroCourt, when Carly comes in. She tells Trish, dinner for two, and Trish says, her guest is waiting. She brings Carly to a table where a man introduces himself as Bryson Somebody-or-Other, and they shake hands. Obviously familiar with Bryson, Nina wonders what Carly is up to.

Drew comes to the gatehouse with paperwork for Michael, and Willow says, he’s not here, but she’ll let him know Drew dropped it off. He tells her to have a good evening, and starts to leave, but Willow says she’s glad he and Michael are on good footing again. He says, him too, and he hopes things are better between her and Michael. She says, they’re working through it, and he says, he was just trying to protect his family. Drew’s not condoning anything. He’s just saying he gets that. She says, so does she. Michael’s impulse is always to control a situation, but she would rather know the truth than be protected from it. She thinks Michael understands that now. He says he’s really glad Michael was able to put Nina behind him, and she says, from the sound of things, Drew hasn’t been able to put Nina behind him.

Gregory, Chase, and Finn sit at a table at Charlie’s discussing basketball, and Lois approaches. She says, who knew the Chase boys were such Knicks fans? She thinks they were heard all the way to the Garden. Chase says, actually, his dad was rooting for Boston, and Gregory tells him, keep it quiet. They’re in a home team bar. Lois says she doesn’t mean to interrupt their post-game wrap-up, but can she steal their dad for a minute? Chase wonders if it’s about the rehearsal dinner, but she says, that’s none of his beeswax, and they sit at another table. Chase asks why Finn is watching their dad so close, but Finn says he’s not. Chase says, Finn was sneaking looks at him the whole game. What’s going on? Finn says he thinks their dad might be worse off than he’s telling them.

At the station, Jordan says, it is with great pleasure she reinstates Anna Devane as Commissioner of the Port Charles Police Department. Welcome back, Commissioner Devane. She gives Anna her badge, and everyone applauds. Anna thanks Jordan and Dante asks if she has any words for the crew on her first official day back. She says she’s very grateful to the mayor’s department for entrusting her with this role, and she’d like to acknowledge the fact that the baton is being passed by two great Commissioners, Jordan Ashford and Mac Scorpio. It is a profound honor to guide and support the hard-working officers of the PCPD. They all share the same goal, which is to protect and serve the good citizens of Port Charles. John walks in, and Anna says, and anyone who’s not with them is against them.

Dante wonders if they can trust John, and Jordan says, Anna seems to. Let’s take our lead from her.

In the interrogation room, John says, nice office, and Anna says, hers is being decorated. He says, of course (🍷). She took the job on short notice. She says, let’s get to it, shall we? She wants him to know, the PCPD is officially running an investigation on the cache stolen from the WSB and their buyers. He says, there’s still an FBI investigation, and she says she’s aware, but the way she sees it, the crime was originally committed here in her jurisdiction, putting the community of Port Charles in harm’s way. And a possible conspirator was apprehended, here, again in her jurisdiction. So the FBI can accept a partnership with the PCPD, or respectfully get the hell out of her way.

Lois tells Gregory that the rehearsal dinner used to be referred to as the groom’s dinner, so she wants to make sure her future son-in-law is well taken care of. He says, it looks like she’s going all out. Be careful or she might upset a lifetime of him and Chase’s mother trying not to spoil him. Lois says, a little spoiling never hurt anyone. Besides, she wants to take advantage of this. It’s been a while since she’s lived so close to Brook. You never know how much time you get to spend together as a family. Gregory tells her, you can say that again.

Finn tells Chase, after Spencer’s funeral, Gregory had trouble breathing. That wasn’t the first time he had an incident. The first time was with Tracy, and it’s got him wondering, what happens when he’s alone, or what could happen. What if he falls down? What if he needs an ambulance? Chase says, all that is very concerning, but it hasn’t happened yet. They’ve been lucky. Finn says, so far. He was wondering if it’s not time for their dad to stop living on his own.

At the MetroCourt bar, Martin tells Nina that he hasn’t got long. He’s leaving town today. She says she needs his legal help, and he says, his ears must deceive him. He was unaware he’d won back her trust. She says, he hasn’t, but he owes her.

Carly says she’s glad Bryson could meet on such short notice, and he says he agreed to this dinner as a courtesy. His firm has been advertising in Crimson for years. She says, and she’d like to show her appreciation. She knows that Windsor and Golden and Crimson have both enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship, and she sees no reason for that to end. He says, here’s a reason. Her relationship is garnering bad press.

Willow asks if it isn’t enough that Drew has taken Crimson away from Nina and given it to Carly to run. Nina lived for that magazine. He asks if she’s feeling sorry for Nina, because Nina doesn’t deserve that. She says she can’t help feeling partly responsible. She didn’t tell anyone about her diagnosis, and of course (🍷) the second Carly found out, she admitted Nina was her mother, but Nina blamed Carly for keeping the secret, which is what triggered Nina to do what she did. Willow set everything in motion, now everyone is suffering. Just as the family was finally coming together, they’ve completely fallen apart. He says he’s going to stop her right there because she doesn’t need to take responsibility for Nina. Nina brought this on herself. She deserves to pay the consequences. She says her concern isn’t for Nina. Her concern is for him. Carrying a grudge, meting out punishment? That’s not him. The Drew she knows is kind and forgiving. Is that man lost forever?

Michael says he started to call Sonny a dozen times, and Sonny asks, what stopped him? Michael says he wasn’t sure Sonny would answer, and Sonny says, so he thought he’d come here, where Sonny could throw him out? Michael says, it hasn’t happened yet, and Sonny tells him, that depends on what he has to say. Michael says he came to tell Sonny that he’s sorry and he hopes Sonny can forgive him.

Drew tells Willow, people change. Maybe the old Drew died in Pentenville. Willow says, Drew didn’t deserve what happened to him, and she hates that Nina’s vengeance put him in that position, especially after he saved her life. He says, all that matters is that she’s healthy and well, and he’d do anything for her in a heartbeat. She says, that sounds like the Drew she knows and loves. Please don’t let what happened to him in Pentenville change who he is. He says, maybe everything just caught up with him. Pentenville isn’t the only time he was put behind bars under terrible circumstances. The guy she knew with the rosy outlook took work to cultivate after everything Victor did to him for years, so that people wouldn’t be uncomfortable around him, so they wouldn’t worry about him. He just was so happy being back with his family and friends, he didn’t want to look back, but the joke was on him. He just went from one hellhole to another. And the thing about the attack, he didn’t see that coming. The threats were right in front of his face, and he missed them, and that’s not him either. How did he end up on the floor of a prison shower, bleeding out? Because he let his guard down. He literally turned his back, and she can trust him that it’s never going to happen again. She says, he’s been through a lot. She has too, not as extreme as him of course (🍷), but despite all that, she still believes in the power of forgiveness. And not just for the people who wronged us, but for ourselves. He says, good for her. He’s not there yet.

Nina says she’s considering starting her own magazine, and Martin says, no doubt, something to rival her old publication. She wants to go toe to toe with Crimson. What inspired this? She says, actually, Valentin suggested it. She’s warming to the idea, but only if she can use the best features of Crimson, those she developed when she was Editor-in-Chief. He asks how she proposes to do that, and she says, that’s where he comes in. She calls hello to Brook, who comes over. Brook says she’s going to do Olivia a favor by not telling Nina exactly what she thinks of her in the middle of the restaurant she co-owns. She walks away, and Martin asks, what just happened? Nina says, her attorney couldn’t keep his big mouth shut.

Bryson tells Carly that they’re aware of public sentiment. There was already concern when their highly regarded Editor-in-Chief Nina Reeves was replaced, suddenly and without cause. You add to that the controversial article about Carly and her publisher boyfriend, at this time, they’re not convinced their brands align with where this new Crimson is going. Carly says she appreciates straight talk, so she’s just going to respond in kind. Crimson magazine has just changed hands. Their editorial mission statement still remains the same, a celebration of style, art, and provocative journalism. And the publisher and owner of Aurora Media, Drew Cain, shares her mission to maintain the impeccable quality that their readers are familiar with. And she’s confident the public is going to understand this. She knows he said he wanted to suspend advertising with them, but she wants the opportunity to explain to him why she thinks he should reconsider. They want to take what’s working with Crimson and elevate the rest. He says, that’s all great, but how is she going to do that if her photographers and designers are booking other gigs rather than staying loyal to Crimson or to her?

John says, his superiors see the benefit of working with the PCPD, and Anna says, but he doesn’t. Well, it’s not his call, is it? He says, whether he agrees or not is irrelevant. Information will be provided – Jordan and Dante come in – on a need-to-know basis, and he’ll be the one to determine what qualifies. Anna says, Detective Falconari is one of her most senior officers and she trusts him implicitly. Deputy Mayor Ashford will be reporting to Mayor Collins about all of the federal operations here in Port Charles. John says, fine, but this circle of trust doesn’t get any wider. Any leaks could have deadly applications. Anna says she thinks they all understand that. Does he want to bring them up to speed? He says, her first. What information did she go to jail to hide from him?

Sonny says, Michael told him that he withheld the truth about Nina because he didn’t want to hurt him, but he doesn’t think that’s the only reason. Michael says, Sonny is the only reason he kept quiet. When he found out Nina was the SEC informant, it was after Sonny and Nina exchanged vows. How could he say anything in that moment? It would have affected everybody there. Not just Sonny and Willow and Nina, but Wiley, Kristina, Donna. And honestly, would Sonny have believed him, or given his history with Nina, would he have thought Michael was trying to sabotage her? Sonny says, they’ll never know because Michael didn’t say anything, and Michael says he needed to get evidence first. Sonny says, Michael could have pulled him aside and tried as hard as he could, but he didn’t want to do that. Why? Michael says, because once he decided to keep quiet about what Nina did, he needed to find another way to protect his family, and Sonny says, protect them how? Michael says he leveraged the truth against Nina to keep her away from them.

Anna tells John, O’Neal claims he sold multiple weapons from the stolen WSB shipment to a single buyer. One of the weapons was the rifle used to shoot Curtis Ashford. O’Neal also claims that this client is based here in Port Charles. John says, so this shooter could be right under their nose, and Dante says, this alleged client could have resold the weapons or maybe he’s part of a larger group. John says, at this point, they lack the evidence to rule out either scenario, and Jordan says, then start with what he knows. Anna says, his turn to share information with them, and John says, four individuals have been targeted for assassination since the unmarked weapons were stolen, and there’s a common denominator. Dante says, which is what? and John says, all four individuals were high-level organized crime figures.

Michael says he recorded Martin Grey admitting Nina ordered him to turn in Carly and Drew in to the SEC, and he intended on playing the recording for Sonny, but he pleaded for Nina instead. He gave her two options. Either she admitted what she did and face the consequences, or she let him decide when and how she got to see Willow and the kids. Sonny says, he blackmailed her? and Michael says, Nina had every chance to come clean about what she did, and she didn’t. That is on her. Then Ned remembered and started to push Nina, but Nina came to him to buy Ned off. That was his second mistake. He should have just called Ned’s bluff and let him expose her if that’s what he wanted. He struck a deal with Ned to keep the peace, but it didn’t matter because Lois found out anyway, and the whole thing blew up. Sonny asks why Nina didn’t come to him instead of living a lie, and Michael says, because bottom line is, she’s guilty. And she was desperate to keep the truth from Sonny and Willow because she thought neither one of them would forgive her. Sonny says, what about Michael? Where would Michael stand with him if he did?

Carly tells Bryson not to believe everything he hears. Crimson still boasts the most sought-after collaborators in the industry. He says, they enjoyed a long and profitable relationship with Nina Reeves, but Carly is untested. He’ll be frank, they have doubts. She says she can assure him this transition will be seamless. She’s already elevated her Senior Editor to Managing Editor. The Crimson he knows, and loves is only going to get better. His phone rings and he says he has to take this. He gets up and says, they can discuss terminating their current agreement when he gets back. He leaves, and Brook comes by. She says, Carly doesn’t seem to be enjoying her dinner companion, and Carly says, it’s really hard to enjoy dinner when it can cost her 2.1 million annual. Brook says, ouch.

Martin tells Nina, to be fair, long before she had him alert the SEC to Carly and Drew’s insider trading, she had a knack for alienating people. Bryson comes over, and Nina asks how he is. What’s going on? He says, it’s a complete waste of time. Crimson without her? Unthinkable. They give each other a Hollywood kiss as Carly watches. Carly says, well, that explains it.

Lois tells Gregory that she’s happy Brook found her independence, but to be honest, that’s not how she grew up. In their house, family was a generational thing. Brook grew up with her grandparents just like Lois did, with her aunt, her uncle, her two cousins living two doors down. It’s what they call the Bensonhurst Brigade. Gregory says he’s familiar with the term, and there’s a lot to be said for that. But he’s curious. When she was growing up, did she ever find that intrusive? Lois says, waiting for the bathroom was like waiting in line for the Cyclone in Coney Island. And there were eyes on you at all times. They were loving eyes, but they were there to keep you honest. But family is family, right? And looking back, she’s got to say she’s so glad she got to know her parents and her grandparents as well as she did. Violet must really appreciate him living so close by.

Chase asks if Finn is thinking about putting their dad in a long-term care facility, and Finn says, what is he talking about? No. Chase says, Finn doesn’t want their dad to live alone. He lives in a one-bedroom apartment with Brook, so he assumes Finn is talking about his place. Finn says, things will be tight with Violet there, but he thinks he can move his office to the small bedroom. Chase says he doesn’t think their dad would care about the amount of space. The main challenge would be their dad feeling like Finn is taking away his independence.

Chase says, their dad has his challenges; there’s no two ways about it. But he’s still able to navigate them. He sees what Finn is saying about all the things that can go wrong with him living alone, but for now, that hasn’t happened. They’ll get him a watch that will send an alert when he falls. Finn says, he wants to rely on a watch, but Chase says he wants to rely on their dad. He thinks there’s a way they can keep a close eye on him without being too intrusive. Then they can step in if they see a problem. But they should let him keep his independence for as long as possible and get him a watch.

Gregory asks Lois, how was it living with her grandparents? Does she think they felt infantilized by having their kids taking care of them? She says, is he kidding her? They loved it. It kept them young. He knows the saying, it takes a village? Well, that only works if you actually have a village. And as they got older, they knew somebody was always going to be there to help them out. They really loved that, especially when it came to the TV remote and the microwave. Anyway, she has to go, but she’ll keep him posted on everything about the rehearsal dinner as soon as the vendors confirm. He says, vendors? and holds out his hand. She says, stop it with that. They’re almost family. She kisses his cheek, wipes the lipstick off, and leaves.

Brook says, Carly just took over. She’ll make her mark and then everyone will forget all about Nina Reeves. Carly says, unfortunately, she’s not off to a great start. Advertisers and contributors are threatening to cut ties with the magazine, and if she loses Bryson’s account, it could really affect the bottom line. They see Bryson tell Nina goodbye, and Brook asks what she can do, but Carly says, nothing. She doesn’t need to worry about this; this is not her problem. Brook says, of course (🍷) it is. Nina is doing everything in her power to undermine Carly. (Apparently, it doesn’t take much, since she really hasn’t done anything.) This is the same woman who let everyone believe Brook’s father turned Carly over to the SEC when he had a head injury and couldn’t even defend himself. Is she over it? Not even a little bit. Let’s do this. They can get Windsor and Golden back. They just have to be a little creative.

Nina says, as Martin can see, she’s the one with the relationships, and he says, the gentleman certainly seemed to hold her in high esteem. Nina says, Bryson is an ad rep for Windsor and Golden. For years, they were Crimson’s top advertisers, but no more. Which positions them beautifully to be one of the first ad buys in her venture. What she needs now is her staff getting compete clauses waived. Can he get around that?

Michael says, if Sonny decides to forgive Nina or if he doesn’t, it’s not for him to judge, but Sonny says, that wasn’t an answer to his question. Michael says he thinks they’re all better off without Nina in their lives, but he won’t pursue any further action to drive her away. If Willow wants to let her back in, he’ll have to live with that. Sonny says, all right. What about him? Michael says, no matter who Sonny is with, he’ll always have a place in Wiley and Amelia’s lives, and Sonny says he loves those kids. He hated being estranged all those months. Michael says, it’ll never happen again, and he hopes Sonny will choose to be a part of his life too. He can’t promise to like or trust Nina, but he can’t allow Nina to cost him his wife or his father.

Anna says, it seems to her that whoever is ordering these hits is cutting a swathe across the country. Would this be mafia power grabs or what? John says, that’s what’s puzzling. No one is stepping forward to claim responsibility. There’s been no resulting turf wars. Anna says, that would suggest it’s not business, it’s personal, and Dante asks what they’re doing to protect those who’ve been targeted. John says, they’re not in the business of protecting criminals. If they’re going to nail this perp, they can’t tip them off that they know the pattern. Dante says, so what John’s telling them is, he just wants to get his guy and to hell with saving lives?

Finn says he understands Chase’s point, but he’s still uneasy about this. Gregory comes back and says, uneasy about what? Finn says, the Knicks chances of making it to the finals, and Gregory says, good luck with that. Chase asks if everything is okay with Lois, and Gregory says, yes. She was telling him about how she grew up in a multigenerational home and it got him to thinking. He’s had a couple of health scares recently. Nothing to be alarmed about, but enough to make him wonder if it’s wise to live alone. He doesn’t want to intrude on Finn, but it might make sense to be near a doctor (and Finn gets free babysitting!). Finn says he’s sure they can work something out. It would be nice to have Gregory in the apartment, someone to keep an eye on Violet in case he has an emergency at the hospital. But only if it’s something Gregory really wants. Gregory says, yes, he does. I wonder why they don’t they pool their money and get a big-ass house for everybody.

John says, sounds to him like Dante’s personal connection could be a problem, and Dante says, sounds to him like John’s personal animosity toward Sonny could be a problem. (Touché!) Anna says, everyone in this room has a personal connection to Sonny. Let’s just get that out of the way. But she thinks they also share a determination to bring whoever is behind these shootings to justice. That should be their one and only focus. Jordan says she agrees. Whoever is behind this is organized, calculated, and doesn’t care about collateral damage. Anna says, they need to be stopped before they hurt anyone else. She asks if she can have a word with John, and Jordan says she has some calls to make. She’ll be right outside if she’s needed. She leaves and Dante starts to follow, when John says, what Dante’s been told is classified. Dante leaves, and Anna asks if that was necessary. John asks if she doesn’t think he’s going to warn his old man, and she says, of course (🍷) he wants to, but he won’t. John should be the one to do that. John says, no. Tipping off Sonny Corinthos just gives him a pass for vigilante justice. Anna says, or it enables him to check in with his security and figure out how to protect himself. She understands there’s no love lost between him and Sonny, but he shouldn’t let that cloud his judgement. He asks, what’s that supposed to mean? and she says, despite his disapproval, Sonny means the world to a lot of people. Tell her. What would he think Stone would want him to do? That’s kind of what I was thinking. Why is John so pissed at Sonny when Sonny was so good to Stone?

Sonny tells Michael that sometimes he looks at Nina and still sees the woman he married. Then he thinks of Donna and how close she came to losing her mother to a prison sentence, and Drew getting close to being beaten to death in Pentenville. And Nina set all that in motion. Michael says he realizes it’s not his right to make decisions for the people he loves. So if Sonny wants to forgive Nina and let her back into his life again, it won’t affect their relationship. That is, if they still have a relationship.

Drew stares into the fire, and Willow comes downstairs. She says, sorry it took so long. Amelia is still adjusting to the sippy cup. He says he can’t believe she’s one now, and she says, her neither. She and Michael didn’t want to have a big birthday celebration, especially with everything going on. They kept it just them and the kids. Drew says he gets that. He missed out on so many birthdays with Scout. That’s time he’ll never get back. She says, but they have the rest of their lives now, and he says, her outlook is remarkable. She says she realizes some people might find her too forgiving, but she doesn’t view that as a weakness. Actually, it’s been the key to her survival. Forgiveness and gratitude have helped her over the worst things that have happened to her. She’s just so thankful to be alive and well, everything else takes a backseat to that. He says he thinks she’s one of the strongest people he knows, and she says, same. She’s standing here raising her children thanks to him. He says, she did all the work. She’s standing here because she’s a fighter. She says she didn’t fight alone. He flew across the globe and put his life on the line to bring her bone marrow donor home. Would he still do that today for her? Or would punishing Nina take precedence? He says he wouldn’t think twice. He would never turn his back on her. She says, even if she let him down, and he tells her, like he said, people change, but some things don’t. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for the people that he loves, but Nina is not one of them.

Martin says, Nina doesn’t need a lawyer. She needs a magician. Aurora’s contracts are ironclad. He’d have to be Houdini to get anybody released from something like that. Then again, it is her money, and if she wants him to waste time and energy… She says, forgive her, but he’s going to do this pro bono because she did him a favor. He broke attorney/client privilege. She could have him disbarred. He asks exactly how she’s going to do that, prove that privilege was breached. Is she going to get Michael Corinthos to sign an affidavit? Once again, she’s doing this all wrong. She’s going about it the wrong way. If she starts the conversation like that, he’s not inclined to help her. He’ll peruse the contracts and look for a loophole, some way to get her staff released. But not because of her threat… Stop grinning at him. Not because she threatened him, but because he accepts responsibility for the part he played in what happened. She says she’s glad he recognizes that. She’s focused on two things. One, she wants her staff back. He says he’s got that part, and she says, and two, she wants Crimson to eat her dust.

Brook says she’s sure Salvadore will be thrilled to accept. The entire team at Deception is thrilled with how seamlessly Carly has taken control. Bryson approaches the table, and Carly thanks Brook so much. Brook asks if she’s in his seat, and he says, is she at Deception? Carly says, Brook is Deception. She and her grandmother Tracy are the majority shareholders. Brook says, and he is? and he says he’s Bryson Daugherty. They shake hands, and Carly says, he’s Crimson’s longstanding advertising rep with Windsor and Golden. Bryson asks if he just heard her mention Salvadore, the photographer. That guy’s a phenomenal talent. Brook says she thinks so too, and he says he heard Salvadore was boycotting Crimson. Carly says she told him not to believe everything he hears. Does Brook mind if she shares the good news about the Face of Deception? Brook says, by all means, and Carly says she offered Sasha Gilmore the cover to be designed by a top designer and to be shot by Salvadore. He says, that is exciting, both for her and Deception. He tried to make a marketing deal with Lucy Coe, but they just could never agree on terms. Brook says, just like Crimson, Deception is under new management, and Carly says, which means, new opportunities. Would he like to join them and throw around some ideas? Bryson says he’s all ears and sits with them.

Nina sees Bryson shaking hands with Carly and ducks around the corner. Bryson says he looks forward to working with Carly and goes to the elevator. Carly approaches Nina and says, she’s right. The magazine industry is tough. Good thing she’s tougher. She gets in the elevator with Bryson and Brook, tossing her head like a circus pony. Martin tells Nina that he has to get going. He’s got to catch a flight, but if she needs any more legal advice, rub the lamp and he’ll be in touch. She says, wait. She just realized what she wants him to do.

Gregory says, it will be nice moving in with Finn and Violet. It will give them more time together as a family. Chase says he’s not going to lie. He’s feeling a little FOMO right now. Gregory laughs and asks if Chase is impressed that he knows what that means. Violet hipped him to it. Chase says he was impressed until Gregory said hipped, and Gregory tells Finn, if he moves in, Violet is going to start asking questions. They’re going to have to tell her about his disease. Finn says he knows. Maybe they can tell her together. Gregory says, together sounds good.

Willow walks Drew to the door and says, Michael seems more at peace now that he’s dropped his vendetta against Nina. She just wants the same thing for him. Drew says, maybe Michael’s a better man than him right now, and she says, still, she won’t stop wishing. He says, she probably won’t, tells her to take care, and leaves. Willow calls Michael, who asks if everything is okay. She says, everything’s fine. Drew brought over some paperwork for him. He thanks her and says he’ll pick it up later when he comes by to tuck the kids in. She says, or he could just stay here at the gatehouse tonight. There’s plenty of room and the kids would like waking up to him in the morning. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she’d like it too. He says, okay. He’ll see her at home.

Dante tells Anna that he’s sorry if he was out of line. He doesn’t want to be taken off this investigation, but he also doesn’t want to undermine it at the same time. They’re talking about information that could be the difference between his father living or dying. Anna asks if there’s any way around this, and Jordan says, not unless she wants to start her tenure as Commissioner under fire, but Dante says he’s not asking her to compromise herself. He’ll deal with it. Anna says, don’t. He’s worried about his father. She is too. That’s why she just pressured John to do the right thing. He says he’s not going to hold his breath. The thing is, he had information to offer up before Agent Cates took off. Jordan asks, what’s going on? and Dante says, Sonny thinks the shooter could be known to him. Jordan says, part of his organization, and Dante says, possibly. The shooter’s getting information from inside his organization. He doesn’t want Sonny left in the dark. He doesn’t want Sonny overlooking the real threat while he’s off chasing shadows.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door and Frank comes in. He says, there’s a federal agent here to see Sonny, and Sonny asks if he has a warrant. Frank says, no. He said he just wants a word. Sonny throws up his hands, and Frank lets John in. John says, long time, no see, Sonny, and Sonny says, Jagger Cates, and smiles. John asks if he has a minute.

Tomorrow, Brick says, Jordan needs to consider the much bigger picture; Drew says, it’s up to Carly; Willow tells Michael that maybe she doesn’t believe in lost causes; and Sonny tells John to take his best shot.

🚓 Returning From the Night Shift…

Funny. He doesn’t look like Antonio Sabato, Jr.

Who Is John “Jagger” Cates on GENERAL HOSPITAL?

🚴‍♂️ He’s This-Close…

Monday, March 4th. Be there or miss Jason’s entrance.

Steve Burton’s First Air Date at GENERAL HOSPITAL Revealed!

👖 A Flock Of Gearys…

Good times in the 80s.

Check Out a Vintage Commercial Starring Multiple Anthony Gearys!

❤️‍🩹 Sharing Her Heart…

Wise words from a beautiful soul.

Kristina Wagner Shares a Beautiful Message About Grief

🍑 Atlanta’s Loss…

I can’t say I blame her. She’s too talented for this.

https://people.com/kandi-burruss-departs-real-housewives-of-atlanta-ahead-season-16-8558560

Those with the feels.

Andy Cohen Breaks Silence on Kandi Burruss Leaving ‘RHOA’
Kenya Moore ‘Disappointed’ Kandi Burruss Is Leaving RHOA

📋 Casting a Character…

No doubt she’ll be interesting.

https://people.com/the-last-of-us-catherine-ohara-joins-season-2-8558192

🐉 Year Of the Dragon…

Read all about it.

https://chinesenewyear.net

The condensed version.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/lunar-new-year-2024-illustrated-guide-intl-hnk/index.html

🐾 Tail Wagging Bowls…

Another Bowl worth watching. I got one of my cats from North Shore Animal League. I went in for a kitten, and came out with the biggest one there. He grabbed my coat and cried as I was walking by. How could I leave him? He was a great cat too. RIP Kipling.

https://ew.com/great-american-rescue-bowl-meet-precious-puppies-and-kittens-8549899

https://ew.com/watch-adorable-kittens-displaced-hawaii-fires-8558122

🏒 A Hockey Game Broke Out At This Fight…

U-turn it back tomorrow for soap and pre-Bowl shenanigans. Until then, stay safe, stay being fully present in your interactions, and stay considering belief in the power of forgiveness. Not just for the people who wronged you, but for yourself.

Feb8

February 7, 2024 – A Funeral Is Held For Spencer, Thoughts, Letting It Go In Sitges & Stand

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

As Doc and Laura put a white rose on Spencer’s grave, and in a voiceover, Alexis asks how they’re expected to say goodbye to Spencer. He was so young. He was so vibrant and good (the latter being a matter of opinion). He had his whole life ahead of him, and she can’t fathom it really. And yet here they are now, all of them, having to pick up and go on without him. She doesn’t want to, and she knows none of them do either. Cyrus places a white rose on the grave, and Alexis says, so she’s been trying to figure out a way to sum up Spencer, aptly describe who he was – Sonny puts a rose with the others – as it turns out, that’s a very difficult task, because Spencer was so many things; he was complex. Ava puts a rose down, and Alexis says, as a young boy, Spencer was bewildering, precocious, precious, and fun. Trina walks to the grave with Portia, and Alexis says, he was mature beyond his years. Spencer had a knack of entertaining and aggravating them all at the same time. Before their eyes, he grew up into this confident, curious young man, magnetic really. Larger than life – Josslyn adds her rose – and he was able to captivate you with his soulfulness and his depth. At the same time, he could make you laugh so hard, you cried. Kristina arrives at the cemetery, and Alexis says, but he grew up to be strong and grounded – Josslyn hugs Trina – and he took responsibility for his choices. She was so intensely proud of him. Cameron places a rose with the others, and Alexis says she knows she’s not alone in saying she’ll miss him every day, but if they can’t hold on to Spencer in the flesh – Cameron hugs Trina – at least they can hold him in their hearts, fiercely, tightly. Alexis puts her rose down, and we hear her say, and maybe in his honor, get up to a little bit of mischief, because she knows that’s what he would have wanted for all of them. We see everyone gathered at the cemetery.

Michael wipes his shirt with a towel and picks up Wiley’s workbook, wondering how Willow makes this look so easy. Willow comes in and asks if he’s having trouble. He says he got Wiley off to school, but he forgot his workbook. He gave Amelia breakfast, and she got it all over his shirt and her hair and her face. She says, his face, and wipes it. He asks what her secret is, and she says, the secret is, there is no secret. Just be here. Have someone capable on call when you can’t be. She’s lucky that way. In a lot of ways actually. Sometimes it feels too easy to forget. He says, on days like today, it’s important to remember.

Trina says she can’t believe this is happening, and Cameron says he’s so sorry. She says she’s sorry for him too, both him and Josslyn. She doesn’t know if she said that. She loved Spencer more than anything, but the three of them had been friends since they were kids. Josslyn says hi to Cameron and asks if she can get one of those. He hugs her, and she says she’s so happy he came. He asks if she thinks he wouldn’t and she says, no. She knows he would. He says he’ll see them at Windymere, and Josslyn says she’ll be there, but Trina says she’s not sure. She doesn’t think she can handle all that. Cameron tells her to take care of herself, and she says she’ll try. He says, if she needs absolutely anything… She says she knows.

Sonny hugs Alexis and says, she was great. She says she feels like it was all a blur, but he says, she was still great. Laura joins them and says, that was a beautiful eulogy. She thanks Alexis, and Alexis says, it was an honor. Laura says, transportation to the launch is ready if they care to go, and she thanks Ava for opening up the house. Ava says, of course (🍷). She’s happy to do it. Laura says she knows a lot of people think Windymere is just a pile of rocks, but to Spencer, it was very special. It was his home for a very long time. Ava says she’ll see them there and goes over to Trina, hugging her. She asks how Trina is doing and Trina says she’s pretty numb right now, but in five minutes she’ll probably be a puddle on the floor. Ava says, that’s grief. She guesses it’s like a roller coaster. There’s so much she wants to say to Trina, but Trina says, Ava doesn’t have to say anything. Ava’s always been there for her, supported her, even when Ava had her doubts about Spencer. Ava says, he certainly proved her wrong. She’s so sorry he’s gone, but she’s here for Trina, and she’ll always be here for Trina. Portia joins them, and Ava asks if they’re coming to Windymere. Portia thanks her for the offer, but she thinks she’s taking Trina home. Ava says she understands and hugs Trina again, saying, remember, she’s just a phone call away. Ava leaves, and Portia says, unless Trina wants to go. She’ll leave that up to her. Trina says she’s tired and suggests they go home.

Elizabeth tells Cameron that it must be surreal, losing his oldest friend, and he says, oldest friend and oldest adversary. Finn says, do tell, and Elizabeth says, the competition between Spencer and Cameron is legendary, all the way back to the two of them fighting over Emma Drake. Cameron says he’s going to miss giving Spencer a hard time, and Elizabeth says she knows. Gregory says, they’re very sorry for his loss, and Finn says, whatever he needs. Cameron thanks them and tells Elizabeth that he’ll see her at home after the reception. She says, Aiden’s been baking all morning, so get ready, and Cameron leaves. Finn asks if they should head out, but Elizabeth says she just has that one thing first. He says, the offer of back-up still stands, and she says, thank you, but she’ll be fine.

Sonny asks if Dante and Sam are going to Windymere, and Dante says they are. Is Sonny? Sonny says, it’s the least he can do for his nephew, and Dante says, see him there.

Laura says she can’t tell Cameron what it does for her soul to see him here. She’s missed him. He says, it’s good to see her too, and she asks if he’s all right. He says he will be eventually, and she says she knows the feeling. The car is ready if Doc is. Doc says he’ll catch up. He needs to take care of something. Laura and Cameron leave.

Finn says, dad? and Gregory says, sorry. He was just thinking. Finn says, he doesn’t have to apologize for that, and Gregory says he wanted to be cremated, but now he doesn’t know. He thinks maybe he wants a spot of his own. The right plot, the right marker, the right words. He wants that for all of them, a place that they can gather and share memories; tell him about all the good times they’re having. Finn says, he doesn’t have to think about that right now, but Gregory says, that’s all he can think about. I think I won’t care what happens after I’m gone, since I won’t be here.

Elizabeth kneels by a grave that has no headstone, just a marker that says, Esme Prince. (Is Doc cheap?) She puts down a white rose and adjusts the sign. Doc joins her and adds another rose.

Finn says he hopes that doesn’t mean Gregory can’t talk about his ALS or what the future will look like. He can. He wants Gregory to… He just meant the burial stuff. They’re not there yet. Gregory says he knows what Finn meant. He’s getting a little cold. He thinks he’ll wait… He gasps for breath, and Finn asks, what’s wrong?

At home, Portia gives Trina a letter from the Sorbonne, and Trina opens it. She says, they’re saying they’ll save a spot for her next semester. Curtis says, that’s decent of them, and Trina says, it is, but there’s no way she’s going back to Paris. Ever. Portia says, she doesn’t have to, and Curtis says, it holds painful memories for her. They get it. Portia says she’s sure PCU can find Trina a different… but Trina says she doesn’t think they understand. Curtis asks her to help them understand, and she says she’s not going to PCU or anywhere else. School is meaningless now. Everything is. (Oh please. Not Trina being like that. I can’t.)

Laura looks through a photo album and says, such wonderful pictures. It’s really thoughtful of Ava. Ava says she can’t take too much credit. She found a cabinet full when she moved out, and Laura says, Nikolas. For all his flaws, he really loved his son. Dante joins them with Sam, and says he feels like it has to be said. He knows Laura called him, but he found no joy in arresting Nikolas. Laura says she knows that, and Sam says, at least they know Ace is being well cared for. Ava says, a silver lining, shall they call it? and Laura says she could really use one of those right now. The doorbell rings, and Ava leaves to answer it. Sam says she still can’t believe it. Spencer. Laura says, it’s like a nightmare she can’t wake up from. Sonny says, that’s why they call it the circle of life, and Alexis says, one life ends, and another begins.

Ava opens the door, and Cyrus is standing there.

Doc says he didn’t think anyone else would here. He didn’t expect to see Elizabeth here. Elizabeth says, it’s difficult, given all the pain she inflicted on Cameron, but she sent that pain right back to Esme, didn’t she? Helping Nikolas hold Esme captive… Did he arrange for the marker? He says, yes. He doesn’t think he’s ever known anyone quite as alone as Esme. When she woke at GH with no memory, no past, she was so frightened. She had no idea how she got there, who she was, and a newborn baby. He felt for her. Elizabeth says, it showed, but he tells her that he’d say his efforts ran short. She says she disagrees. He did his best to make her feel like she had a family. He says, a family she should have run screaming from, but she says, not from him. He says, maybe, but his brother for a father? And don’t get him started on Heather. Speaking of… Heather says, where is she? Where’s her baby? An officer brings her into the cemetery in shackles, and she wails, no, no, no, dropping to her knees in front of the grave. She touches the marker, saying, Esme, and wails some more.

Heather says she tried to warn Esme. She told her to forget about Spencer, get on with her life, bide her time until Heather could help her hold her little boy again. She clutches the marker and says, why? Why Spencer? That guy was never worthy of her. None of those people were. Why couldn’t Esme have listened to her? Why did she go to France? They told her that Spencer threw himself into the river and took her with him. They can’t find her. They said she could have been washed out to sea. She sobs and says, how come? She must be so cold. Elizabeth says she’s so sorry for Heather’s loss. It probably doesn’t mean much coming from her. Heather says, coming from her? and Elizabeth says, Heather probably hates her for helping Nikolas keep Esme prisoner… Heather says, quite the opposite. Elizabeth stopped Nikolas from killing Esme after the baby was born. She came forward and she told the truth, knowing what price she’d have to pay for that. She admires Elizabeth and knows why her Franco loved Elizabeth so much. It’s because of what Elizabeth did that Esme stood a fighting chance in this world. She gets up, looks at Doc, and says, Esme’s dead because of him.

Michael asks if Amelia is good, and Willow says, happily playing with Melanie. Noticing he’s looking at Wiley’s workbook, she asks if he needs help with his homework, and he says he wouldn’t be able to answer half these questions when he was Wiley’s age. She says, there’s an explanation for that. Their son is a genius. He asks what that makes him, and she says, the father of a genius. He says, nice save, and she says, he’s in a rush to get to work. He says, she noticed, and she says, hard not to. Is he still having issues with Drew? He says, they actually managed to patch things up, for the most part, and she asks, what’s the lesser part? He says Drew asked him for help in getting back at Nina. He said no.

Finn helps Gregory sit down and asks if he’s all right. Does he want Finn to call an ambulance? Still trying to catch his breath, Gregory says, no. It’ll pass. Finn says, he doesn’t know that, but Gregory says he just needs a distraction. Talk to him. Finn says, about what? and Gregory says, anything, just to take his mind off of what’s happening. Finn says, what is happening? and gasping, Gregory says, trust him. Would he do that? Finn says he offered to bring the snacks for Violet’s winter party at the school, and with labored breathing, Gregory says, sounds fun. Finn says, for Violet. Not so much for him. His first two attempts at making brownies were a disaster. That oven timer is trickier than people tell you. Elizabeth suggested he have Aiden make the brownies, so now her whole class is clamoring for his famous brownies, but they’re not really his; they’re Aiden’s. He thinks the jig is up. Gregory says, if Aiden was smart, he’d start charging Finn for his time, and Finn says, don’t think he hasn’t mentioned it. Gregory starts to breathe easier, and Finn asks if this has happened before. Gregory nods, and Finn says he wishes Gregory would have told him. Gregory says, Finn had other stuff on his mind, like ensuring he kept his job, saving lives, and Finn says, the life he wants to save most right now is Gregory’s. Is it a loss of sensation, or is it the opposite? Does he feel pain? Gregory says, it’s more like a shortness of breath and a twinge in his chest. It happened the first time not long ago. He laughs and says, Tracy came up with the cure for it. She ticked him off, on purpose, so bad, he forgot all about it. Finn says, that’s pretty on point. He’s glad Tracy was there, but he’s here now, and like it or not, they’re going to the hospital. He gets up, but Gregory says, no. They’re staying right here.

Josslyn and Cameron look at each other. She turns away, but then turns back and puts her head on his shoulder.

Sam says, Dante’s not on duty. He can grieve just like everyone else. He says he’s sorry. It’s not that simple after the latest attempt on his father’s life. She asks if he thinks it was an inside job, and he says, Sonny sure is convinced, and he may be right, but what he doesn’t know is it’s all part of a bigger investigation, centering around a shipment of illegal missing weapons. She says, weapons as in used in other crimes? He doesn’t think Sonny was the only target? He says, it’s looking that way, and now the FBI is involved, the lead investigator being John Cates. She says, Cates? Does that have anything to do with Stone? He says, it’s Stone’s older brother, and guess what? He and Sonny of course (🍷) have a long-standing beef with each other. She says, and he still hasn’t told Sonny yet, has he? So Sonny doesn’t know. In perfect soap timing, Sonny says, Sonny doesn’t know what?

Ava says, Cyrus isn’t welcome here, and he says he came for his sister. Surely, she could understand that. Laura comes out, and Ava says, it’s her call, and tells Cyrus not to call her Shirley. Laura nods, and Ava gestures Cyrus in. He thanks her, but Ava says, don’t thank her and leaves, closing the living room door behind her. Cyrus says he must admit, he wasn’t expecting quite that level of hostility, and Laura asks, how can he expect anything else?

Portia says she knows Trina is hurting right now, but she’s always found serenity and purpose in the classroom. And when she discovered art history… Trina says she gets education is important to Portia, and Portia says, it’s important to Trina. Trina says, but how does that help Spencer? He died saving her life. Curtis says, now is not the time to make any life-altering decisions, and Portia says, Spencer would want her to live her life. Trina says, but what about his life? His future? His purpose? It’s all gone. Spencer is gone and there’s nothing she can do to bring him back. Portia hugs her.

Willow asks why Michael refused to go along with Drew’s plan, and Michael says, while Drew has every right to go after Nina, he has other priorities. Willow says, be honest. He must have been tempted. He says he was, but then he thought about her and the kids. This family’s more important to him than anything. He’s not going to risk that again. Willow thanks him, not only for saying that, but for backing it up with his actions. It means a lot. He says, there’s more, isn’t there? Whatever it is, just say it. She says, it’s not just the people under this roof that need healing. He and his father need it too.

Laura says, Cyrus has hurt a lot of people. He’s committed a lot of crimes. How does he not realize that when people see him, they still see… He says, a monster? And what about her? Is that how she sees him too?

Dante tells Sonny that, it’s not just the PCPD trying to figure out who’s targeting him. Jordan and Anna are also looking into it. Sonny asks if they’re making progress… What is Dante not telling him?

Heather says her daughter might still be alive if it wasn’t for Doc, but Elizabeth says, that’s not fair. Doc tried to help Esme, as her therapist, but more importantly as her uncle. Heather says, right. She forgot. The dutiful uncle. So loyal to his psycho brother, while she did everything in the world she possibly could to keep her baby from knowing him. Elizabeth says, she can’t blame Doc for Ryan’s crimes, but Doc says, it’s all right. Let her say her piece. Heather thanks him and says, he thought he could save Ryan, didn’t he. Ha-ha. What a God complex. So convinced he could cure what ailed Ryan, he did the exact opposite. He nursed Ryan back to full strength, then unleashed him on the world again. She did everything she could to shield her daughter from that maniac, then Doc went ahead and brought Ryan back out in the world. They call her a criminal. Ha! It’s good people like him who destroy lives.

Elizabeth says, that’s Heather’s grief talking. Doc is not responsible for what his brother did or for what happened to Esme or Spencer. Heather says, Elizabeth has such a good heart, like her sweet Franco did and Elizabeth’s boys do. She’s always determined to see the best in everyone, isn’t she? But Doc knows better, doesn’t he? Come on, admit it. Every single word she just said here just now is true. The guard says, visitation time’s up, but Heather says she just needs a few more minutes, one last thing that she has to say, because her daughter can’t.

Michael says he should probably get to the office, and Willow says, now he’s in a hurry to get to work. One mention of his father is all it takes, huh? He tells her that he doesn’t know what to say, and she says, he can’t avoid Sonny forever, and it’s not like this is the first conflict they’ve had. Michael says, that’s an understatement, and she says, they’ve patched things up before. They’ll do it again. He says, last time, it took over a year to reconcile, and she says, but when it finally happened, he and Sonny were getting along great. Michael even went to the island for his wedding. He says, they had a nice time, but that was before everything blew up. He hasn’t seen or talked to his father since his grandmother’s funeral. She says, there are hurdles to clear, and he says, big hurdles. She says, then clear them. He didn’t give up on them. Don’t give up on his father. He sighs and leaves for work.

Dante says, Sonny knows the drill. He can’t tell Sonny about an ongoing investigation, but when there’s something to tell Sonny, he’ll let him know. Sonny says he has some unfinished business back at the office anyway, so he’s going to take care of it. He’ll see Dante later. Dante tells him, be safe, and Sonny says he’s on it. Sonny thanks Ava for hosting. He knows her relationship with Spencer was complicated. She says her relationship with everybody is complicated, and he says he has security for her here, so when she’s ready to leave… She says, straight back to his place, and he says he’ll see her at home. He leaves, and Dante asks if Sam thinks he messed up. She says, no. She actually thinks it’s a good thing he didn’t tell his dad about the FBI investigation. Dante says he doesn’t know if Sonny will see it that way.

Cameron asks if Josslyn remembers what a pain in the ass Spencer was, and she asks if he means in general. He says he was thinking more about when Spencer was younger, and she says, insufferable. He says, the ego on that guy, and she says, eventually, it became tolerable, and then loveable. She thinks a lot of that had to do with Cameron. Spencer really looked up to him. Cameron says, get out of here. He had everything. She says, he didn’t have a stable home and he didn’t have a lot of friends. People were naturally drawn to Cameron. It wasn’t like that for Spencer; he had to work on that. But he had a really good example in Cameron.

Gregory tells Finn to wait for Elizabeth. He’s going to call a Ride Share and go home. Finn says he thought the goal was to stick around for a while, make Chase and Brook’s wedding, and Gregory says, Finn knows it is. Finn says, then why did Gregory hide symptoms from him? but Gregory says he didn’t. Finn says, Gregory didn’t tell him either. Maybe there’s something they can do, or maybe there’s some protocol, or physical therapy. Gregory says, there’s nothing. It’s just the way this disease goes. It eats away at you, little by little. Sometimes a lot by a lot. Finn says he thought Gregory wanted his help. What’s the point in having a medical license if he can’t do something to help his own father? Gregory says, Finn doesn’t want to help him, but Finn says, of course (🍷) he does. Gregory says, Finn wants to save him, and he loves Finn for it, but Finn can’t save him. No one can. Finn asks what he can do, and Gregory says, they can have an honest, loving relationship where they don’t walk on eggshells. Finn says, where they don’t hide things from one another, and Gregory says, where they just are, father and son. Can they stand here on this sacred ground and give that to each other? Finn says, yeah, they can, and they hug.

Heather wonders what’s going to happen to her grandson, now that her daughter’s not around to protect him, and Doc says, Ace will be well taken care of. She has his word. She says, yeah, right. Just like he took care of Esme? He says, Laura loves her grandson. She can trust that he’s in good hands. She tells Elizabeth, please. She’s depending on her. Keep an eye on them. She tells Doc, do better by her grandson than he did by her daughter, or there will be hell to pay. She says she’s ready… Hold on. She tosses a rose off the grave, kisses the marker, and leaves with the guard.

Willow sits in semi-darkness, looking at family photos on her tablet.

Cyrus asks if he can escort Laura home, and she says she has a driver, but thanks him. He says, in that case, he’ll say goodbye and hope this sad occasion can be a new beginning for them. He thinks Spencer would want it that way. She says, would he? and Cyrus says he’s not the enemy. He’s her brother who cares about her and wants to do right by her. He’s confident she’ll see that one day. He leaves.

On the phone, Sonny asks what Brick has for him… Uh-huh. Let him know, because he wants to know who the traitor is. So he can be dealt with permanently.

Finn asks how it went, and Elizabeth says, it was interesting. She’ll tell him about it on the way home. Did his dad leave? He says his dad’s waiting in the car, and she asks, what’s wrong? He says he knows what’s ahead of them with ALS, at least his head does, and she says, but his heart is having a hard time catching up. He says he sees his dad struggle and it’s getting worse, and she asks if something happened. Finn says, he’s okay. It’s just… She takes his hand and says she knows. She’s sorry. He says, his dad is a hardboiled guy. He values his independence so much, but he thinks they have to face the facts. His father won’t be able to look after himself much longer.

Josslyn thanks Ava so much, and Ava says, she’s welcome. Josslyn and Cameron leave, and outside, Josslyn says she wishes they could have seen each other under less horrible circumstances. He says, him too, but he’s glad they did. How are she and Dex? She says, they’re fine. He makes her happy. Cameron says, good. That’s all he wants for anyone anymore. For the people he loves to be happy. She says, it’s a real shame they didn’t get that with Spencer.

Trina puts on her coat, and Curtis asks where she’s going. She says she’s just going to take a walk by the lake, and Portia asks if she wants some company. Trina says she won’t be long, and goes outside. She takes the turtle dove out of her pocket and remembers Spencer giving it to her. She closes her hand over it.

Drew tells Willow that it’s never going to happen again; John wants to know what information Anna and Jordan went to jail to hide from him; Finn tells Chase that he thinks it’s time for their dad to stop living on his own; and Michael hopes Sonny can forgive him.

💭 Thoughts… I’m not loving this Spencer is dead storyline. Mainly because we all know he’s coming back. Perhaps GH should have kept that fact under their hat. It’s like the reverse of everyone pretending Bobbie was alive for the good part of a year when Jaqueline Zeman passed away. It just feels weird.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Still inflicting themselves on Barcelona, Sutton tells Kyle that she lost her dad’s ashes because she moved so many times. As much as I like Sutton, I can’t imagine losing something like that in a move. Sutton cries and says she feels like she’s scattering the ashes of her marriage too. Kyle says she gets that. It’s symbolic of a big part of Sutton’s life. Sutton says she’s been angry for so long, maybe what’s inside needs to come out, and they hug. Trevor arrives, and Sutton says, they’re on a strict timeline. She and Travor put Merce’s ashes in a box, spilling some on the table. In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s realizing it’s not just Merce, but two decades of her life that she needs to let go of. It’s time to release everything, stand on her own, and be alone. It’s completely scary, but she’s strong and can do it. Trevor tells the women that his friends were happy to meet them, and Garcelle says, even Erika? We flash back to Merce is in the purse, and Trevor says, especially Erika. They get in a fancy little bus and talk about gay sex terms.

Sitges, Spain. Sutton tells Trevor not to drop Merce. He’s not in a Ziploc anymore. She tells Garcelle and Kyle, no shopping, and in her interview, Sutton says she’s prepping mentally and emotionally for the ceremony. They go to a cliff on the beach, and Sutton thanks them for putting up with her. She’s been emotional about her dad, but it’s been 20 years, and she has to release that. We flash back to her telling Dorit that her father’s suicide was tough, and they never addressed it as a family. She says she’s releasing the pain from her marriage. We flash back to Garcelle saying, Sutton gave up her power, and in Sutton’s interview, she says, at the end of their marriage, Christian called her and said she needed to get an attorney because she’d be receiving papers. She didn’t understand and she was scared, lost in the middle of nowhere by herself. Sutton tells the women that they all have things they’re holding on to, and she wants them to do this for her, even though it’s hard. In Kyle’s interview, she says she thinks the pain of Sutton’s divorce was more than she imagined, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says, Sutton has always had anger about Christian and it’s good to see her let it go. She can relate. Sutton says she’s letting all three go, and in her interview, she says, it’s so silly that she gets sad about her divorce. Christian, her dad, and Merce were three very important men in her life, and she’s about to say goodbye to all three.

Sutton and Trevor toss the ashes, and they blow back, just like with Sonja’s dog on RHONY. The women dust themselves off, and in Kyle’s interview, she says, it’s blowing in her face, her hair, and her mouth. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, it’s all over her black dress and hair, and in Erika’s interview, she says she doesn’t know this man and doesn’t want to taste this man. They say goodbye to Trevor and continue with the ritual. As each woman says what she wants to let go of, they toss their leis into the water. Garcelle says she’d like to let go of feeling alone. She has a lot of abandonment issues. She thinks not having her dad in her life contributes to how she leads her life. In her interview, Garcelle says, her dad left when she was 3, and didn’t come back in her life until she was 14. She was betrayed by the man of her dreams, and it led her to being protective of her heart. If she has to be alone, she can do that, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel lonely. Crystal says, her brother is leaving. He’s moving away, probably forever. We flash back to Jeffrey saying he’s going to relocate to Thailand, and in Crystal’s interview, she says she knows he has to get away from her and their mother for a while and start his own life. She knows that’s what he needs. Annemarie (ugh) says she has a very confident exterior, but needs to do a lot of work to feel that she’s in a peaceful place. She wants to be happy. Dorit says, this is no guarantee she’s leaving the PTSD she lives with behind, but she’s going to try. We flash back to PK being an a-hole, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, maybe if she lets go of some expectations with PK, she can find release and start to heal all areas of her life. Erika says, this represents all the hurt from the last 2½ years, some of which they contributed to. She’s turned a new page, and is releasing her hurt, anger, and her old life. In her interview, Garcelle says, if they caused Erika pain, it’s because they were showing her a mirror when they felt she wasn’t compassionate. We flash back to the victims/earrings stuff, and Garcelle says, it’s a little awkward. Kyle says she wants to let go of the guilt of thinking she could have done something different with and for Lorene, with her sisters, and the group. She’s letting go of any of the things she’s held onto that hurt her. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it feels strange not be sharing what’s really weighing on her. She doesn’t know if her marriage is going to survive. When she’s ready, she’ll share. She wants to let go of the uncertainty in not having the answers to what the future holds. There’s a group hug, and Kyle thinks seeing them vulnerable and sharing these moments shows they came a long way.

They walk around, and Crystal says she’s sorry she contributed to Erika’s pain. Erika says, it’s okay. Sh*t happens. That’s how you recover. In Erika’s interview, she says she loves someone taking a chance and saying they’re sorry they misjudged her. No one else has. At least Crystal has the balls. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Merce didn’t get on her, instead, he blew over her. He was known for his great leaps, so it was good. She tells the women that tour guide Manolo is walking them to their flamenco dinner where they’re going to perform their dance. In her interview, she says, it’s not ballet, but it’s good choreography. It’s sexy. They’re taking it slow because these ladies are not dancers, except for Erika. We see a clip of them at their lesson.

Everyone gets ready, and in Erika’s interview, she says, it bothers her that she didn’t get apologies. You go to therapy to acknowledge your feelings, but wanting someone else to acknowledge how you feel isn’t going to happen, so maybe she should stop looking for it.  Kyle calls home and talks to her daughters. In her interview, she says, she feels like they’re going through a hard time, and she’s sensitive to how everyone in her family is feeling. She worries and feels like everyone is more fragile. All the women are dressed in red, except for Kyle, who’s leaning toward orange, and Sutton says she’ll photoshop it. In Dorit’s interview, she says she knows Kyle didn’t get the memo on dressing in red, but considering her other choices, thank goodness she wore orange. Dorit navigates getting to the bus in her heels, and in her interview, she says she’s spent so much time in Europe, you’d think she’d know how to walk on cobblestone in heels. At least she’ll trip in style. On the bus, they talk about signing any document their husbands put in front of them without looking at it. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Marriage 101: don’t sign a document without reading it. She doesn’t care if you marry the Pope. Kyle says she signs stuff and hopes for the best, and in Erika’s interview, she says, that’s how she got in trouble. It’s okay to trust your husband until it’s not okay to trust your husband.

Manolo serenades the women as they go into the restaurant, and In Kyle’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to perform. She doesn’t know the dance and doesn’t drink anymore. We flash back to her doing the splits on several occasions. Manolo makes a toast in Spanish, and Annemarie asks about everyone’s favorite part of the trip. Crystal says, watching Storm’s father make paella, and Kyle says, today they had honest, real moment. It was an emotional, but good moment. Erika says, it’s been a long time since she felt relaxed and good on a trip. The trip to Aspen last year was horrible. We flash back to the women saying she should show compassion for the victims, and Erika saying she doesn’t give a f*** about anyone but herself. Erika says, they’re not going home Pollyanna, but for her it’s more positive than it’s been in a long time. Annemarie says she doesn’t know the histories in the group, so it seemed cryptic to her when Erika said she was letting some things go despite what anybody had to say. She felt many of them contributed to her pain. What did she mean?

Erika says she felt mischaracterized and misunderstood. The appeal was reversed, but those things will always hurt. Garcelle says, when they were at the retreat, Erika told them that she wasn’t sure if she trusted the group, but Erika says she feels more relaxed now. Trust is earned over time, and she’s taking it step by step. In her interview, Garcelle says she sees how deeply Erika was affected by them. Although they were just asking questions, and thought Erika understood they wanted to see her side, but also wanted her to show compassion and empathy. They could have just moved on. Sutton makes a toast to Erika, and says, even though some of them didn’t receive a door invitation to Erika’s show – we see a clip of Kyle getting an invite like she won Publisher’s Clearing House – she wants to congratulate Erika on her residency. She knows it’s a big deal. They’re proud of her and they’ll all be there. In her interview, Sutton says, in elementary school, her mother made her invite the entire class to her birthday party. Erika says she remembers their support when she was on Broadway, and Sutton chartered a plane. We flash back to that, and Sutton tells her that she’s just saying she could have gotten an invite. (After chartering the jet? Yes, she should have. Maybe Erika should think about acknowledging other people’s feelings instead of being so concerned about her own.) They watch some dancing, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she’s nervous and embarrassed. There are professional performers up there. Nobody wants to see them; they want to see the professionals. Dorit says she doesn’t know if she can do it in her dress and shoes, but Erika tells her, stomp that sh*t out. The MC announces that they have VIP guests, and the women get up on stage. In Sutton’s interview, she says, it’s been emotional, but at the end of the day, she loves them. She wants them to stay happy like this forever. They’re laughing and having fun and sharing things they’ve never shared before. Getting through problems individually and as a group is so good. Friends become family, and this is her family, and she loves it. They do a few hand moves, and stamp their feet, and there’s applause. It wasn’t really dancing, but okay.

The women are back in Beverly Hills and back to routine. Dorit pops by (her words) Kyle’s house and asks how she and Mauricio are doing. Kyle says, good. She was seeing a therapist, and now Mauricio joined in. Dorit asks how it’s going, but Kyle says she doesn’t know. In Dorit’s interview, she says, lately, one of her best friends is as disconnected as possible. She wants to be there for Kyle. She wants Kyle to know she supports her. Kyle says, she and Mauricio never fight, but on the bad side, they’re not communicating. They’d rather not deal. We flash back to the mom/tattoo sort of argument, and Kyle says she’s more the one who has a fiery side, and Mauricio wants to be stoned peaceful. Add in traveling and their work schedules… Dorit says, traveling took a toll on her and PK, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she thinks Mauricio believes if he gives her time, she’ll get over it, but they need help. She tells Dorit that the agency is expanding and it’s like his child. He takes his energy to fix the agency’s problems, so why can he give the energy he gives to the company to them? In her interview, she says she’s supported Mauricio through everything from day one, when he had nothing, When she said they were in trouble and she needed him to work through it with her, she needed to feel it was a priority. If Mauricio puts no effort into them, they’re not going to end up together. They’ll never survive this.  

Next time, Sutton goes on date number two with Steve; Dorit wants PK home for Mother’s Day, but PK tells her that she’s not his mother; and Erika dabs at her eyes and says, it never had to be this way.

📺 Tortured By Reality TV Society…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a more relaxed atmosphere. Until then, stay safe, stay not clicking your fingers for the waitstaff, and stay never signing a document without reading it, even if it’s given to you by the Pope.

Feb7

February 6, 2024 – Robert Asks Special Agent Cates For a Favor, Oops, Guess Who’s Back In Town, No Hospitality & Good

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lucy breaks away from Scotty and says, what is this? He says, what they’ve always wanted, and kisses her again. They fall behind the hay bales.

Martin says, for the life of him, he can’t figure out why Tracy wants to suddenly unburden her conscience, but like he said, he’s not up for it right now. She wants him to say she’s right? She’s right. He’s broken up with Lucy. They’re done now. Unless of course (🍷), she wants to discuss some obscure point of law, in which case, she can call his office. Tracy says she’s the reason he and Lucy broke up.

John calls for a car to come to the station of the PCPD… He wants to transport a couple of detainees. Robert comes in and says, look what the cat dragged in – Jagger Cates. John tells him that it’s John now. It’s been a while. He looks good. Robert says, better than the last time John saw him, and John says, he beat the cancer well. He and Robin stay in touch, although it’s been a few months since they caught up. How is she? Robert says, they’re doing great, out there saving lives. Noah’s captain of the soccer team and Emma is an intern at Berkeley Astrophysics Center. John asks why it doesn’t surprise him that Robin’s daughter is a genius. He’s glad to hear they’re all doing so well. It’s good to see Robert. Robert says, him too. What brings him to Port Charles?

An officer locks Jordan and Anna in a cell, explaining that Special Agent Cates asked for them to be detained. Anna says, of course (🍷) he did, and Jordan asks if they don’t get a phone call. The officer says he’ll check on that and leaves. Jordan wonders how far Anna’s friend is going to push these obstruction charges, and Anna says, Lord knows. Jordan suggests they tell him what they know. He might be interested to learn that the buyer for the weapons is in Port Charles. Anna says, if they give him their intel, they use their leverage. If they want to be involved in this investigation, then they have to keep what they know to themselves. Jordan says, they won’t have much time to investigate while they’re being arraigned in federal court, and Anna says she’s just hoping their friends intervene. Dante comes in and says, friends like him?

On the phone in his office, Michael tells Drew that he’s glad the meeting went well… There’s no need to come back. Everyone’s gone for the day. He’s just wrapping up a few things himself… Looking forward to it. AND HE ACTAULLY SAYS GOODBYE. Unheard of on a soap phone call. Dex walks in and Michael asks what he’s doing here. Dex says, somebody tried to kill Michael’s father.

At the penthouse, Sonny thanks Brick for coming by so quickly, and Brick says, it sounded urgent. Sonny says, it is, and Brick says, whatever he needs. He knows Sonny is going through a lot right now. Sonny says he needs people he can trust.

Sitting in the interrogation room, and John tells Robert that he’s in Port Charles working on a case. Murder, attempted murder, stolen weapons. Robert says, sounds serious, and John says, it is, but on a lighter note, he hears Robert is DA now. Congratulations. Robert says, John knows him; keep moving, so to speak. Which brings him to why he’s here. He understands Anna was arrested, so after he sorts that little mess out, the three of them should get together. He knows Anna would love to see John. John says he doubts that. He’s the one who arrested her.

Anna asks, who told Dante they were in custody? and Dante says, Nikolas Cassadine is back in town and turned himself in. He brought Nikolas in for booking, and the desk sergeant told him they were down here. What’s going on? Anna says, the Feds arrested them for an obstruction charge, and he says, really? What happened with that? Jordan says, she and Anna tangled with them while following a lead, but Dante says he’ll need a little more information than that. Anna says, they tried to keep the PCPD’s hands clean while they gathered some extra information, and Dante says, right. Well, too late, right? Because here they are the PCPD jail. He can’t override the Feds, but if he’s going to help sort this out at all, they have to tell him what happened. Start from the beginning. Tell him everything. Anna says, it all started with Dante’s father.

Sonny says, someone close to him targeted him and his family in Puerto Rico, and Brick says, so he thinks the shooter is someone he knows? Sonny says, has to be, because they had to have knowledge of his island. They knew how to get through security, they knew where his men were, and they knew how they worked. That kind of information isn’t easy to get, so it’s got to be somebody he trusts. Brick says, so his theory is, someone inside was the shooter or was working with the shooter, and Sonny says, that’s the only thing he can think of. Brick says, no one on the outside would have any knowledge whatsoever of Sonny’s security plans. Hell, some of his own men don’t know. Sonny says, that’s right, and Brick wonders, who the hell can it be? He personally vetted every single person who works for Sonny. Sonny says he guesses he has to question the source, and Brick says, what?! Sonny thinks he’s behind this? Does he?

Dex tells Michael, after they realized the shooter had gotten away, Sonny didn’t want to stay on the island, so they came back to Port Charles. Michael says, everyone’s okay though, right? His dad and Ava… Avery didn’t see anything, did she? Dex says, everyone’s fine. Fortunately, Avery was in her room with her bodyguard the whole time and never even realized anything was wrong. Michael says, that’s good at least. How could someone get close enough to Sonny to shoot him in his own house with Avery there, and why is this the first he’s hearing about it? Dex says, Sonny probably didn’t tell Michael because he didn’t want to worry him, and Michael says, this is exactly why he wanted Dex to keep working for him, so Dex can tell him when things start to spiral for Sonny, and it seems like it’s happening now.

On the phone, Gregory says he needs to make an appointment with the doctor. He’s expecting Gregory’s call… Yes, he can hold. He looks into the restaurant and sees Tracy sitting with Martin.

Martin says he gets it. Tracy and Lucy don’t like each other. He understands. What he’s telling her is, if she wants to gloat, to bask in Lucy’s misfortune, she’d better have the decency to do it somewhere else. His relationship issues have nothing to do with her. She says, they do. With her and with Scotty. He says he’s telling her that he wants to be alone. It’s none of her business. She says, the trouble with Lucy started when she warned him about Lucy and Scotty. She’s the one who put it in his head that their tawdry history has a habit of repeating itself.  He asks what kind of game she’s playing, but she says she’s not playing a game; she’s trying to stop the games. She’s trying to be honest with him. She’s been manipulating him. She’s been misleading him. He says, in what way? and she says she doesn’t want to bore him with the details, but she got wind of the fact that Lucy and Scotty were plotting against her. They wanted her to fall for Scotty. He asks, why the hell would they do that? and she says she doesn’t know. She thinks it’s got something to do with Deception. When she found out, she decided to turn the tables and started manipulating them and thereby Martin. Her intention was only to get revenge on Lucy, then he got swept up in it… She’s so sorry. Martin bangs on the table and says, of all the self-centered and hateful… How could she do something like that? She says, believe her, she’s done worse. So he has a choice now that he knows the truth. He can either waste his time berating her or use it more wisely and try to get Lucy back.

Lucy sits up, her hair full of straw and her dress off one shoulder. She says, oh my God. What did I just do? Scotty sits up, looking more rumpled than usual, and says, this was amazing. At the same time, Lucy says, this was a disaster,

Martin says, Lucy’s not picking up, and Tracy asks if he expected her to jump at his call. He just broke up with her. Try again. He says, that’s the third call in a row. Obviously, she doesn’t want to talk to him, and he can’t say as he blames her. He’s an idiot. He let someone like Tracy poison their relationship. He would be surprised if she ever forgives him. Tracy says, if he gives up this easily, maybe she shouldn’t. Why doesn’t he stop wallowing and figure out a way to get her to listen to him? Martin says, do him a favor. Don’t help. She’s done enough already. Then again, he can’t stop thinking, if it’s that easy for her to turn the two of them against one another, maybe it’s not meant to be after all. She says, that’s between him and Lucy. She for one thinks he could do a lot better, but for some unfathomable reason, he’s in love with Lucy, so he deserves the truth. He says, after the damage is done. That’s what he doesn’t understand. Why? She got what she wanted. She got her revenge. She blew up his relationship with Lucy. Why confess now? She looks over at Gregory and says, why indeed.

As she zips up her dress, Lucy wonders how this just happened. How, how, how? What were they thinking? Really, what was she thinking? How in the world did she and Scotty just end up here – again? Scotty says, hang on. She’s single. He’s single. They didn’t do anything wrong. She says, right. Technically, she is single because Marty just broke up with her. But she just ended up with another man in bed… Well, it wasn’t in bed, was it? It was horizontal behind a haystack. He says, it’s a haybale, not a haystack, and she says, who cares? She just had sex with another man when the love of her life just broke up with her. She’s not particularly proud of this. He says, she’s very emotional from all those things Martin said to her. It’s not like they planned this. Lucy says, right. It just sort of happened because she was emotional and devastated and very, very, very hurt. So he’s right. He was here and it just happened. It felt familiar. Scotty says, she better be honest with herself and she sure as hell better start being honest with him, dammit.

John tells Robert, after Anna and Jordan refused to disclose whatever information they had about the unsub, he had no choice but to arrest them. They’re hiding something. Robert says he gets that John has a job to do here, but if Anna… John knows her. If she’s prepared to go to these lengths to check this out, then he’s got to know that she’s got a good reason. John says, too much is at stake here. He needs to clear this case, and both Anna and Jordan are getting in his way. Jordan ignored his warning, then she and Anna joined forces and cost him his best lead. Robert asks how they did that, and John says, the gun dealer lawyered up and isn’t talking. They admit they learned something from him, but they won’t say what. Robert says, so he thinks throwing them in jail on an obstruction charge is going to help, and John says, whatever it takes. They’re both former law enforcement. They understand time is of the essence in a case like this, but Anna is more interested in protecting Sonny Corinthos. Robert says, don’t start him on Sonny. They’re both on the same page when it comes to that guy. As the DA, he understands the position John is in. John says he appreciates that, and Robert says, but he’s going to insist John drop the charges.

Dante says he understands why Jordan wants to investigate who shot Curtis. He’s her ex-husband and she wants someone to pay. Jordan says, Curtis could be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Whoever did that to him should be behind bars. Dante says he agrees, but the problem is, the Feds told her to back off and she went and got Anna involved. Anna says she didn’t need convincing. It could have just as easily been her that day instead of Curtis. Dante says he gets it, but he wishes they’d come to him, but Jordan says, they didn’t want to involve him or anyone else in a fight with the Feds. He says, it would have been better than this. Now they’re in a cell facing serious criminal charges, and Jordan says, if they’d had just a few more minutes with the gun dealer, this would all have been a moot point. He was just on the verge of talking to them when the FBI burst in. They were so close to identifying the person who shot Curtis. Dante asks if they got anything, and Anna says, they did get one piece of intel they can use.

Brick says, Sonny thinks he’s behind this? and Sonny says, wait a minute. They’ve known each other a long time. He can always count on Brick. That’s why he asked Brick to be second in command. Brick says, and he gladly accepted the position and all it entails, and Sonny says he knows that, but he’s been in this business a long time and he knows people have a breaking point. and if Brick was ever in a position like that, he hopes Brick would come to him before he did anything he shouldn’t do. Brick says, of course (🍷) he would. They’ve been through entirely too much together for him to even think of doing something against Sonny. Sonny says he didn’t think it was Brick, but he had to make sure. With all these people that are close to him, it’s making him question everything. Brick says he understands. If he was in Sonny’s position, he’d do the same thing. Sonny says, so they’re good? and Brick says, yeah, we good. But in the spirit of honesty, he has a confession to make.

Brick says he did a favor for Jordan Ashford, and Sonny says, since when does Brick work for the cops? Brick says he doesn’t. Never have, never will. But Jordan isn’t part of the PCPD anymore. She hasn’t been a cop for a while, and now she owes him a favor, whenever he asks, no questions asked. Sonny says, somebody in the mayor’s office owing him could be good down the line, and Brick says, that’s what he was thinking, but Sonny says, it still doesn’t help them with who the rat in his organization is. Brick says, no, it doesn’t. Based on the intricacy of the attack and how easily the shooter escaped from Puerto Rico, this isn’t the result of someone just shooting off at the mouth loosely or letting some information slip. Sonny says, this wasn’t a mistake or an accident. Somebody he trusts wants him dead.

Michael says, Sonny doesn’t know Dex is here? and Dex says, he doesn’t, but Sonny is going to tell him to keep this from Michael, so he’s not going behind Sonny’s back. Between the shooting and Spencer dying so unexpectedly, Sonny’s been going non-stop. He doesn’t think Sonny’s had time to process either of those things yet. Michael says, his first instinct is to go see his father, but he doesn’t think he’s welcome in Sonny’s house right now. Dex says he can’t speak on Michael’s relationship with his father. That’s between the two of them. Michael says, that’s why he made the decision not to turn Sonny in to the Feds. He started working on their reconciliation and they made it. He thinks they did. Things were good between them in Puerto Rico. That’s why he couldn’t bring himself to tell Sonny what Nina did. It would break his heart. He also thought Sonny would take it as him saying Sonny was wrong to choose Nina over his mom. Sonny claims he’s angry with Michael because he kept quiet about what Nina did, but he’s more angry because Michael was right about Nina all along.

Anna says, as they surmised, the shooting was an attempt on Sonny’s life, but it’s a smaller piece of a much larger case, and Dante asks how she knows. She says, because the agent who arrested them gave up a piece of intel. Apparently, the Feds are investigating this string of killings committed using the cache of weapons stolen from the WSB. They believe a single person is responsible for these murders and that all the victims have something in common, but he wouldn’t give up what that something is. Dante says, they should know as well that another attempt was made on Sonny’s life a few days ago on his island, and Anna asks if anyone was hurt. Dante says, everyone’s fine, but obviously whoever this is wants to finish the job, and Jordan says, and they’re stuck in this cell, unable to help. Can he get them out of here? Dante asks, why? So they can run around town, investigating again and putting themselves in harm’s way again? Jordan says, come on. The Feds don’t want to work with anyone else on this, and Sonny isn’t their favorite person anyway. Anna says, which puts them in a better position to help, and they can’t just sit in here while someone makes an attempt on his life. Dante says he knows. He’ll talk to Robert and see if he can get them arraigned and released tonight. Anna thanks him, and he says, don’t make him regret it.

John says, not Robert too. He’s the District Attorney. He should understand better than anyone that no one can be above the law. Robert says, look at this. Something they agree on. Anna is the mother of his child. They’re always going to have each other’s backs. So he’s asking John, let them go. John says he hears Robert, but he needs to know whatever Anna and Jordan are hiding. If he lets them walk, he ends up with nothing. Robert says, if John drops the charges, he’ll get them to share whatever they know with him, and John asks if Robert really thinks he can get them to do that. Robert says, Anna responds better to those who are on her good side.

Scotty says, Lucy can deny this all she wants, but there’s something between them. That spark that they had years ago, that’s still there. So why fight it? Him being with her is like him just breathing. She says, their history says otherwise, doesn’t it? How many times did they cheat on nice, deserving people with each other? How many times did they scheme? How many lies have they told? How much damage have the done everywhere, and how many times did they try to make this – what is this? – this relationship work? Every time, they fail. He says, maybe that’s because all of that didn’t matter… until now. Now, this is their time. She says she admits she feels close to him, and she’s more of her real self with him than with anybody else, and he says, then stop fighting it. He’s about to kiss her, when Martin walks in.

Lucy asks what Martin is doing here, and he says, apparently interrupting. Scotty says, yeah, they’re busy, and Martin says he can see that. He doesn’t have to ask what they’re doing here. Lucy says, you know what? Martin doesn’t get a say. He just broke up with her, remember? He doesn’t get to say what she does. Martin says, they just broke up fifteen minutes ago. Of course (🍷) what she does still matters to him. for her information, he came here to tell her that he was wrong, that he made a mistake when he said they were over. Because it turns out, all of their problems were manufactured by Tracy Quartermaine.

Gregory meets Tracy at the bar and says he’s sorry he kept her waiting. The call took longer than he expected. She says, it’s fine, and he asks if they’re still on for dinner. She says, actually, she’d rather not, and he says, if this is about him leaving her alone for so long, he apologizes, but she says, no. She just lost her appetite. He says, something’s going on here. If she wants to deal with it all alone, he’ll go, no questions asked, but he saw that she and Martin were having a rather animated discussion and he’s here for her if she wants to talk about what happened that got her so upset. She says she doesn’t have a problem with Martin. She has a problem with him.

John says he appreciates how close Robert and Anna are, and he appreciates Robert wanting to look out for her, but nothing Robert does will matter if Jordan and Anna keep interfering in his investigation. Robert says, if John releases them to him, he’ll take personal responsibility for their supervision, and John says he hopes Robert knows what he’s doing. Fine. He’ll extend Robert this one-time professional courtesy and drop the charges against Anna and Jordan, provided he keeps them in line. Robert says he knows John is in a tough position. He owes John one. John laughs and says he’s got to admit, if he’d been told when he was running around Port Charles causing trouble that one day the DA would ask him for a favor, he never would have believed it. Robert says, people change. John should be proud of the man he’s become. Dante says, sorry to interrupt, but can he steal the DA for a minute? John says, sure, and Dante and Robert step away. Dante says he wants to talk about Anna and Jordan, and Robert says he had a little talk with the FBI and they’re going to drop the charges. Dante says, that’s great, and Robert calls to John, saying they have to get together before he leaves town. John says, looking forward to it, and Robert leaves. Dante says, they haven’t met, and introduces himself to John. John says, he’s Sonny Corinthos’s son, and Dante says, yeah. Who is he? John says he’s Special Agent John Cates.

Brick says, Sonny was right to start by looking at the people closest to him. It takes people with the right kind of knowledge to pull a job off like this. He would start off with Frank, Gabe, and Dex. Sonny says, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t find anything on Dex, but Brick says, Dex hasn’t been the most transparent person with Sonny. Sonny says, Dex has been loyal to him repeatedly. He got shot saving Sonny’s life when they were ambushed. If Tony hadn’t come back, Dex would be dead right now. He also did a really good job in Puerto Rico. Dex let him know when the guard was knocked out, and it allowed him and Ava to take cover. Brick says, there could be a simple explanation for this. Whoever’s doing this, they have to deflect attention away from themselves, right? Sonny says, maybe, and Brick says, he put the wheels in motion, so he can come to the rescue and save the day for Sonny and Ava. That way, he looks like the hero, he provides himself some cover, and ultimately Sonny feels gratitude toward him, and maybe allows him even more access into his operation. Sonny says, that sounds like smart play, but the thing is, they don’t know it’s Dex and don’t have evidence of that, do they? Brick says, Dex was coordinating with the head of security on the island. Plus, he’s the one who found the shooter’s hideout. He’s just sayin’, it fits.

Dex says he’s not telling Michael that stuff’s not important, but Sonny is more worried about keeping his family safe, and Michael says, that means finding the person behind the attack. Any leads? Dex says, Sonny’s theory is that it’s someone on the inside, and Michael says, maybe there’s a way he can help his father. Dex asks, how? and Michael says, you.

Sonny tells Brick, it’s possible Dex is a traitor, but he doesn’t really know a lot about the business. That means he would have had to get access elsewhere. Brick says, he doesn’t need to know the inner workings of the organization. He just needs to know how, where, and when Sonny is most vulnerable. Sonny says, like he told Brick before, Dex has gone above and beyond. He offered Dex a job he wouldn’t trust many people to do because it would have bound him for the rest of his life, and he didn’t even blink. He would have gone through with it if Sonny hadn’t stopped him. Brick says he gets it. Sonny likes the kid. He exposed Dex to a lot of sensitive things and he came through, but here’s the question. Is it possible what Sonny is feeling is exactly what Dex wants him to feel?

Dex says he wants to find out who’s after Sonny just as much as Michael does. Because as long as Sonny is in danger, so is his family, and he doesn’t want anything to happen to Joss or anyone she loves. He’ll do anything in his power to keep them all safe. Michael says, good, because if Sonny is right and someone on the inside is working against him, Dex is in a perfect position to find out who it is. Dex says, Sonny hasn’t asked him to look at anyone in the organization yet, but Michael says, he can be discreet. Sonny never has to know. Dex says, it’s risky. If Sonny catches him, he could assume Dex is the traitor and trying to cover his tracks. Michael says, make sure he never finds out. Dex is the best at this, and he’ll gladly pay Dex extra for the risk he’s taking.

Jordan says she thought Dante would be back with an update by now, and Anna says she’s sure he’s moving as fast as he can. Robert comes in and says, they’ve got themselves in a bit of a situation, have they? Anna says, don’t gloat, please. Did he talk to Dante? Robert says, yes. He’s got good news and bad news. Anna asks, what is it? and he says, thanks to his incredible powers of persuasion, Cates agreed to drop the charges. Anna says, that’s great, and Jordan thanks him. Anna asks, what’s the bad news? and Robert says, they have to back off this investigation. Jordan says, they were just making progress, and Anna says, they’re going to find out who’s behind this entire operation. They can’t stop now. He says, they might as well stay in this cell, because Cates isn’t going to give them another chance. They’re civilians. They have no right being involved in this business. They have no power. What are they going to do if they catch this perp? They can’t do anything with him. They may as well cooperate with Cates. Anna says, maybe she’ll do exactly that, and Jordan says, meaning? Anna says, the conversation she had with Mayor Collins last week. Laura offered her a position in her administration, but the timing wasn’t right. She thinks the timing has just changed.

Gregory says he doesn’t understand how Tracy can have a problem with him. All he’s ever done is try to be a friend to her. She says, that’s her problem. His friendship is changing her, and she doesn’t like it. He says, changing her how? and she says, ever since she met him, she’s been getting… soft. She surrenders in feuds. She compromises with the Bensonhurst brigade. She’s trying to help people she doesn’t even like. He says, making donations to grieving widows? and she says, it’s poor form to ask a lady about her finances. But if she did, it’s a direct result of his influence. Being around him is making her nice. He asks if that’s really so bad, and she tells him, that’s easy for him to say; he doesn’t have to live with the consequences. She takes a sharp breath and says, oh my God, I’m so sorry. That’s not what she meant. It came out wrong. She wasn’t thinking. He starts to laugh, barely containing himself.

Lucy asks what Tracy has to do with any of this, and Martin says, for weeks now she’s been intentionally feeding him little tidbits of information about Lucy and her history and her relationship with Scotty, because she wanted to poison the well. She wanted him to doubt Lucy, make him believe that she was being unfaithful to him. Lucy says, what? and he says, that was his reaction when she accosted him in the restaurant just now. Some kind of attempt to unburden her conscience. She mentioned something about turning the tables on Lucy and Scotty because she realized they were plotting against her. Scotty says, their plan was foolproof, and Lucy says, that conniving snake. Martin says, ya think? Because from where he’s standing, she wasn’t far off. Obviously, Lucy has been hiding parts of herself from him and Scotty’s had full access. She and Scotty have been getting closer together while they’ve been drifting apart. Lucy says, that’s not true. He knows her really well, and they’re very, very good together. She doesn’t know what this was. It was just some sort of mistake, that’s all. It was a big mistake. Martin says, the mistake was him coming here to ask her for forgiveness. It was so easy for Tracy to manipulate them. All she had to do was use Lucy’s nature against her. Lucy says, that’s not true. Please. Can they just go somewhere and talk together? She knows she can make it right. She loves him. Martin says, that’s what makes this so sad, because he loves her too. But he’s all talked out. In fact, right now he doesn’t think he ever wants to see her again. He walks out.

Dante asks if John is any relation to Stone Cates, and John says he has a son named Stone, but he thinks Dante is referring to his younger brother. Dante says, so that’s how John knows his father. He used to talk a lot about Stone. He guesses they were really close. John says, they were, and Dante asks if John and Sonny go way back then. John says, they have plenty of history, and Dante says, now John is in charge of an FBI case against his father. Robert brings in Anna and Jordan, and John says he takes it this means they accepted his terms. Anna says, actually no. She’s not stepping back from the case. She’s going to continue to investigate… as the new Police Commissioner.

Lucy tells Scotty that Martin couldn’t even stand to be in the same room with her. He couldn’t even look at her. Scotty says, so what? He wouldn’t even hear her out. She deserves better than him. Lucy says, no, she doesn’t. He just broke up with her and somehow, she ends up in Scotty’s arms, so he’s right. She’s a horrible, horrible person. He says, that’s not true. Listen to him for a second. She says, will he please just leave? and he says, Lucy… but she says, get out now. Now. Please leave. He leaves, and she sits and cries.

Gregory tries to get ahold of himself and tells Tracy that he hasn’t laughed that hard in a long time. She says she doesn’t understand what’s funny, and he says, ever since he was diagnosed with ALS, people have been tiptoeing around him, being so proper and polite and handling him with kid gloves like he’s going to break at any moment. He hates it. He didn’t realize how much he needed someone to talk to him like he wasn’t sick. He laughs some more, and she says, he knows she didn’t mean it the way it came out. He says he knows, but even she did, he’s fine with it. He may have a fatal disease, but he’s still the same Gregory on the inside. It’s just so nice to have someone talk to him like he’s normal. He appreciates it more than she knows. So no matter how nice she may become, he hopes she’ll never stop doing that. She says she’ll do her best, and he keeps laughing.

John says, since when is Anna the Police Commissioner? and she says, Mayor Collins asked her if she wanted her old position back. Anna told her that she needed to think about it, which she did, when she was stuck in the cell. And she accepted that job. John says, so she can continue to undermine his investigation, but she says, no. So she can hunt down the threat to Port Charles in her new capacity as law enforcement, and no one can stand in her way. So if you want the PCPD’s help, Special Agent Cates, you’re going to have to give us the FBI’s help in return.

Sonny says, they can’t count anyone out as a suspect. He needs Brick to look into everyone in his organization, and that includes Dex. Brick says he’ll get right on it. He knows Sonny is fond of Dex. So for Sonny’s sake, he hopes he jumped to the wrong conclusion. But this is him. Sonny knows he’s rarely wrong about stuff like this. He’ll find out if Dex is hiding something.

Michael says, the money is in Dex’s account now, and Dex says he appreciates it, but this isn’t about the money. He just wants to keep Joss and her family safe. And stay in Sonny’s good graces. If he even gets a hint that Dex came on with an ulterior motive… Michael says, he won’t. They both want the same thing here. Just find out who the threat is to Sonny and his family and report back to him. Dex says, he can count on it.

At the door, Brick asks what Sonny will do to Dex if he finds out Dex hasn’t been loyal after all, and Sonny says, he’ll make Dex beg for death. Brick nods his head and says, yeah.

Tomorrow, Ava tells someone that they’re not welcome here; Michael asks what Willow’s secret is; Cyrus tells Laura that he wasn’t expecting quite that level of hostility; and Finn wants to take Gregory to the hospital.

😳 My bad, I got my days mixed up yesterday. Probably because I desperately want this season of RHOBH over. Tonight, it’s the awful people on VPR. Well, one anyway.

Vanderpump Rules

Nice update on the new beginning credits, showing the different restaurants.

The outcast is home and poor assistant Ann has to run interference between him and Ariana. In Sandoval’s interview, he says he came back from a competition reality show after being on the receiving end of more hate than he’s ever gotten. He wanted to punish himself, penance through pain. He’s brought a bribe of athletic shoes for Schwartz, and tells Ann that things are cool between them, but in his interview, he says, things are not okay with Schwartz. Schwartz talked sh*t about him on Jax and Brittany’s podcast, and he feels betrayed. Tomorrow is his birthday, and he wants to have people over. He’s open to having Ariana there, but Ann says she doubts Ariana would want to be there. He tells Ann to text Ariana that he’ll get her a nice hotel room, and in Sandoval’s interview, a producer asks what it’s like for exes to be living in the same house. He says, stupid, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, awkward. He’s done stuff like opening her mail and got a white noise machine that’s annoyingly loud. In his interview, Sandoval says he got it because Ariana would overhear what he was talking about, and in her interview, Ariana wonders if it’s psychological warfare. Ann presents the offer to Ariana, but Ariana says, that’s not happening. She thinks it’s disrespectful and inappropriate, and if they make noise, she’s going to call the cops. In her interview, she says she’s spiraling thinking about parties Sandoval used to have. Loud music and a mess. It was disgusting and would sometimes last until 6 am. Now that they’re not together, she’s not putting up that sh*t. Ann tells Ariana, everything is great, but when she’s out of earshot, Ann says she thinks it’s weird.

Villa Rosa! Hairstylist Patrick does Lisa’s hair for the last celebration at Pump. In Lisa’s interview, she says, Pump is closing after 10 years. The rent is going up, so it’s going to be more expensive, and Ken wants to retire. Ken will be stomping around West Hollywood when he’s in his 80s, and her in her… 40s. It’s just too old. She tells Patrick, sometimes it’s good to know when to walk away.  James and Ally discuss if they’re ready to get a dog, and we see clips of James with Graham. In James’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what happened with his dog. He’s never gotten over it and he’s heartbroken. He and Ally get ready to say bye-bye to Pump.

One of Sandoval’s few remaining friends, Jason, visits, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, since the scandal, he’s lost friends, but Jason stuck around. He’s also the band manager and kept him from being in a bad place. Jason asks about Raquel, but Sandoval says he hasn’t heard from her in a few weeks. In his interview, he says he’s still in love with Raquel and hoping to give their relationship a real chance. He tells Jason that Ariana nixed the birthday party, but Jason says, what’s she going to do? Ann says, she mentioned calling the police, and in his interview, Sandoval says, obviously, Ariana is still very upset with him. (Yeah, obviously.) She thinks what he did makes him a criminal, but he doesn’t think the police would agree. He says, what if they’re out by midnight? and Ann texts Ariana with the idea, including more than one so sorry!

Lala and Ariana meet for smoothies, and Ariana tells Lala about squelching the party idea, but Lala says, he’s allowed to have a party. Ariana says, she’ll call about a noise complaint, and Lala says, what about if she compromises and everyone is gone by a certain time? Ariana admits the suggestion was made, and Lala says, it will be easier when Ariana moves out. Ariana says she will when the house is sold, and Lala says, Sandoval is getting off on making her uncomfortable. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Sandoval wants to buy her out, but she’s not going just because he offered her a measly sum. He f***ed this up, so he doesn’t get to do that and keep it. Lala asks what new boyfriend Dan thinks, and Ariana says, he’s looking forward to her getting her own space, since they’re paying to stay somewhere when Sandoval is in town. She says she thinks Dan has opened her mind to possibilities she couldn’t see with Sandoval. In her interview, Ariana says, being with Sandoval affected her about having kids more than she thought. We flash back to Sandoval saying he wants 3 or 4 kids, and Ariana saying she wants none. She says, Dan made her realize there can be more than just a 50/50 partnership. On a day where she can only give 10%, he can give 90%.

Lisa and Ken go into Pump amid cheers, and I wonder where Pride Day will be celebrated. The guests chant, Lisa! Lisa! and she says, 10 years ago, they had a dream to create the most beautiful garden in West Hollywood. We go down Pump Memory Lane, ending with TomTom. Lisa thanks everyone for their support, and says, that’s a wrap. Let’s f***ing party. Schwartz bartends, and in his interview, he says he feels more at ease than he did 10 years ago. We flash back to him having a panic attack, and he asks Lisa how she’s feeling about closing the restaurant. She says she has mixed emotions, but if it’s not carrying its own weight, it will be a drain. Schwartz says, Sandoval tainted their Schwartz & Sandy’s brand. Their partners said, if he comes in, they’ll close the doors. He’s not welcome. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he didn’t expect Sandoval to fully check out. He could have at least come up with ideas on how to weather this storm. Lisa says she thinks it’s time for Schwartz to reevaluate things, and in her interview, she says she thinks it’s unfair to blame Sandoval totally for the failings of the business. She tells Schwartz to tell Sandoval how he feels.

Scheana goes to the recording studio and says she’s going to be DJing with Ariana and Katie on Emo Night. In Scheana’s interview, she says, it’s a huge event. They listen to emo music and if you’re sad AF, you’re supposed to be because it’s Emo Night. But you’re sad in a happy place. She wants to do Good As Gold as an emo screamo cover, and in Brock’s interview, he says he loves this version of his wife. In her interview, Scheana says, in 2019, after the negativity about her One More Time song and video, she threw in the towel and moved on. But everyone loves a good reunion tour, so guess what bitches? I’m back. I actually have Good As Gold on one of my playlists, but I forgot all about One More Time. Apparently, it was forgettable. She tells Brock that the next thing she and her therapist are working on in exposure work is having someone else watch Summer Moon. In her interview, she says she was diagnosed with post-partum OCD, which magnified her worst fears. It took her almost a year to do anything alone with her daughter. She tells Brock that she’s known Tori since she was 16 and trusts her, and Brock says he’ll take anyone she wants.

Sandoval meets Schwartz at a place they don’t own, and Sandoval drinks a non-alcoholic beer. In his interview, Sandoval says, the catalyst in him getting sober was that he knew Raquel couldn’t drink where she was. He wanted to do it with her. They make small talk for a hot minute, and Sandoval says he knows he caused collateral damage. He can feel Schwartz is angry with him, but he had to tour because Ariana didn’t pay bills for 8 months. In Sandoval’s interview, he says he’s pretty much been paying for everything, and it’s like pulling teeth to get Ariana to pay him back. He says, Schwartz hurt his feelings, saying he was living his rock star dreams. Schwartz says he was dealing with Sandoval’s sh*tshow at the bar. Had he been in Sandoval’s position, he would have at least been pitching solutions. Sandoval tries to spin it six different ways, but Schwartz says, all he should be saying is that he’s sorry. Sandoval says he understands he f***ed up and he’s sorry. He wants to move on. Scwartz says, he’s going get there, and Sandoval asks if Scwartz is sticking with him. Schwartz says he’s doing what’s best for himself. I don’t want to say I like this new Schwartz, but I’ll go with disliking him less.

Tori comes over to Scheana and Brock’s, and Scheana’s mom says she’ll be there with Tori, but she has a torn rotator cuff and can’t be doing any heavy lifting. In Scheana’s interview, she says she absolutely trusts Tori. She’s hoping her OCD brain can take a nap tonight. Brock decides to be an agitator, not seeming to grasp Scheana’s issue, and wanting it to be done with; and this frustrates Scheana even more than she is already. In Brock’s interview, he says, before Summer was born, he and Scheana were a juggernaut of getting things done. Now simple tasks are overwhelming for her, and they get nothing done. Scheana’s mom tells Brock that he needs to validate his wife’s feelings, and in her interview, Scheana says she’s hoping to get to a place where she’s not afraid to do things alone with her daughter, and not worried about something bad happening. She wants to live in the moment without thinking it might be the last moment. Her mom says she’s proud of Scheana putting in the work.

Schwartz visits James and Ally, admiring their new house. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, it’s hard not to feel the sting of losing his dream home. In Ally’s interview, she says she started an astrology business. She did Schwartz’s birth chart. She feels like he could use a little direction. She tells him that it’s the most Libra chart she’s ever seen. He’s a peacekeeper. Sandoval texts James about the birthday party, and James says, if Sandoval comes at him, he’s egging the place when he leaves.

Poor Ann has to decorate too, and Sandoval says, it’s giving him baby shower vibes. He likes it. On the way there, Ally says, it’s not too late to not do this, but James says, he’s not mending things with Sandoval. He feels he needs an apology and Sandoval needs to mean it and show he’s a friend. Ally decides to wait in the car, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t have a relationship with Sandoval, but she does care about Ariana. She doesn’t see the point in forcing a relationship with him.  Meanwhile, Katie, Ariana, Lala, Scheana, and Brock go to Emo Night.

In James’s interview, he says, the party is like a who’s who. Like, who the f*** are you people? Sandoval used to be the coolest guy. Now look. A guy named Brett comes up to James and says he has a question about the friend group situation, and James wonders, who the f*** is this guy? He tells Brett that he came to talk to Sandoval, and he and Sandoval step away from the crowd. James says, he feels like a big brother got lost. He was waiting for a text that never came. Sandoval makes time excuses, but James says he’s seen him on Instagram. Sandoval says, sorry he didn’t reach out, and James says, it’s the ultimate betrayal. Sandoval asks why he’s so angry when James hooked up with Kristen. James says, that was 10 years ago, but Sandoval insists it wasn’t. We flash back, and yep, it was. James says, Sandoval is embarrassing, and walks out. In James’s interview, he says, Sandoval is bringing up the past when he’s looking for an apology. He was made to seem crazy when Sandoval was getting his d*ck wet. He pees on the bushes outside, and from the car, Ally says, those are Ariana’s bushes too.

I watched the later airing and there was no preview.

🥃 I keep trying to watch Southern Hospitality, the poor man’s Vanderpump Rules. Or Summer House in a restaurant, if you will. But the more I watch it, the less I care about it. I checked for recaps to include here, but none were posted yet. They’re probably staring at their screens, wondering how to write about this drivel.

🧀 Sweet Dreams Are Made Of Cheese…

Join me tomorrow for soap and RHOBH – for real this time. Until then, stay safe, stay not deciding on your order at the counter, and stay remembering that sometimes it’s good to know when to walk away.

Feb6

February 5, 2024 – Laura Tells Nikolas To Turn Himself In, New Captain On Deck, Nothing But the Grammys & Everyday

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny says, listen to him. Somebody tried to take him out on his own private island, and they haven’t found out who it is yet? There’s a knock at the door, and he says he’s going to give them 24 hours to find out who it is. If they don’t, he’s going to find a new head of security. Do they understand him? He opens the door to Dante and Sam, and Sam hugs him. She says she can’t believe Spencer is gone. He says he can’t either and invites them in. Dante says he’s sorry about Spencer. He was one of a kind, right? Sonny asks how Alexis is holding up, and Sam says, mom is doing what she does best and just diving into work.

Gregory tells Alexis that he just wanted her to know he’ll be unavailable for the next several hours. He’s taking Tracy to either a late lunch or early dinner. Whatever it is, it’s in the name of future in-law solidarity. Alexis says, good. Have fun. He asks if everything is okay, but she says, no. Everything is not okay. Her nephew Spencer is dead.

On a photoshoot set, Lucy tells the assistant that she needs better hay. This is wrong, so very wrong. It’s coarse, it’s brittle, and it’s icky. The assistant says, they tried the artificial hay, but it was reading fake, so she put it back on the truck. Lucy says she doesn’t care. They’re selling rustic romance, not barnyard reality. The assistant says she’ll get right on that, and Lucy asks if Martin happened to call for her at the office, but the assistant says, no. Lucy says she really needs to let him know where to find her, and the assistant says she left him a message about the photoshoot. Lucy says, great, did she leave him all the… and she says, time, location, and her number if for any reason he can’t reach Lucy. Lucy says, while she’s still standing there, she knows what they need. Giddyap. The assistant leaves, and Lucy looks at her phone. She says, not a text. Nothing. Fine. If he’s not going to call her, then she’ll call him – again, and again, and again. Scotty walks in and says, not to worry. He’s here. She says, great. She could really use some good news, so please tell her, how’d it go with Tracy and the flowers? He says he doesn’t know; he hasn’t talked to her. Lucy says, that’s not good news, is it? and he says he can’t get Tracy to just call him. Lucy suggests he call her, but he says, that would look desperate. She says, then he can call her in a non-desperate way, and he has to make it fast. Marty is so annoyed with her, and she can’t exactly tell him about their plans to revenge on Tracy. So could he please call Tracy, and fast? He tells her, take it easy, and takes out his phone.

At the MetroCourt Tracy’s phone rings with a call from Ambulance Chaser (ha-ha!). She says, he’s going to have to twist a little bit longer, when Martin walks in. She goes over to him at the bar and asks if he’s okay, but he says, actually, no. She’ll have to forgive him, but at present, he doesn’t have the will or the patience to entertain her constant insinuations about Lucy and Scotty. As he’s stated ad nauseum, Lucy’s past is none of his business. She asks if that isn’t the exact problem. Lucy never puts the past behind her, and when she gets involved with someone, Scotty starts sniffing around like he is now. Martin says, if she’s going to make the accusation, the least she can do is provide some evidence of it, and she says, he wants evidence? The other day when he and Lucy had their public dustup, Scotty bolted off, abandoned her, and went to comfort Lucy.

Jagger tells Anna and Jordan that O’Neal is in custody, and Anna says, good. She introduces Jordan to Jagger, and he says, John, please. He’s outgrown the old nickname. Jordan asks how they know each other, and Anna says, John is a friend of her daughter Robin’s. He says, tell her that she owes him an email, from six months ago (I suddenly feel guilty about several people), and Anna says she’ll mention it. Can he fill them in on this investigation? He says he’s the special agent in charge, and the two of them are interfering. His agents told Jordan to stay out of this. She should have listened.

Laura opens the door to find Nikolas holding Ace, and he says, hello, mother. She says, thank God he’s all right, and hugs him. He says he heard that Spencer… Is it true? She says, yes, Spencer’s gone, and he cries, asking, what happened? She invites him in and says, Spencer went overboard. He was on a ship on the Seine. The French authorities couldn’t find his body, but he couldn’t have survived that. He asks if it was Esme, and she says, yes. He says, which means Spencer’s dead because he took Ace. His son is dead because of him.

Tracy says, if Martin doesn’t mind her asking, what did he and Lucy fight about? but he says he does mind. That is personal, between Lucy and himself. She says, don’t tell her the two of them broke up, and he says, no, they did not. He’s so sorry to disappoint her. She says she’s sorry. She’s sorry to see what Lucy has done to him. Doesn’t he get it? Scotty and Lucy cannot stay away from each other, and worse yet, they don’t want to.

Scotty tells Lucy that he doesn’t know why Tracy cooled on him. He thought he was making progress with her. In fact, she even got a little jealous when she saw him paying attention to Lucy and her dandy of a boyfriend and their little squabble. She asks if he means when he abandoned Tracy in the middle of the MetroCourt, and he says he was worried about her. She asks, how is being worried about her endearing himself to Tracy? and he says, pardon him for thinking about her emotional well-being. She says her emotional well-being is just fine. It will be. She knows Marty is really angry, but she thinks she can convince him to work things out with her. He says, maybe she can, maybe she can’t, but she says she can, and she will. He asks if this guy is really worth it, and she says, of course (🍷) he is. They’re just hitting a rough patch. They’re really good together. He says, then he hopes they work things out, and she says, does he really? He says, no. He just wants her to be happy. He puts his hands on her shoulders, and she says she’s got to go right now. She’s got to find Marty now. Right this minute. She’s going to go look for him. He says, what about the Tracy business? and she says, don’t worry. She’ll take care of it. Stay put and she’ll be right back.

Sonny tells Dante and Sam that he briefly spoke to Trina. She’s broken up. She’s with Ava right now. Dante asks, what’s happening with that? How long is Ava staying here? Sonny says, it’s open-ended. She’s going through a lot right now, but at least they get to spend more time with Avery. Sam says she’s amazed the two of them have been able to co-exist this long, and Sonny says, Avery is happy with her mother and that’s all that matters. Dante asks, how was the family vacation on this island? and Sonny says, it had its moments. Sam says she’s got to get going, but Sonny says he wanted to offer her coffee. She says she’s good. She’s going to see her mom at The Invader. She tells Dante that she’ll see him at home, and they kiss. She says she loves him, and leaves. Dante asks if Sonny wants to tell him what’s really going on, and Sonny says, death is never easy, especially if you’re blindsided. He still can’t believe Spencer is gone. Dante says, it feels like something else is happening. Sonny’s got extra security. Was there some kind of threat? Sonny says, there was an incident on the island, and Dante asks what he means. Sonny says, somebody almost took him out.

Jordan tells John that Curtis Ashford is her ex-husband. He almost died in the shooting. John says he understands that, but neither of them are law enforcement, not anymore. They’re not even deputized. So he’s telling them, stop pursuing this. Jordan says, or he could deputize them, and Anna says, problem solved. He says, that’s not happening, and Anna asks if he doesn’t understand. She and Jordan were there when Curtis was shot. She doesn’t understand how he expects them to walk away. He says, because this is an FBI investigation, and Curtis’s shooting is only one part of something much, much bigger.

Alexis tells Gregory that they’d all have been much better off if Esme had just left town. Her nephew would be alive if she hadn’t offered Esme that job. He says, but she gave Esme a chance to prove herself, and she did. She proved to be a capable assistant, and proved to them all that she was a capable mother because of Alexis’s generosity of spirit. She says, no good deed, and he says he doesn’t believe reaching out to someone is ever a mistake, but she says, it clearly was a mistake, wasn’t it? And now they’re all well down that road to hell that she helped build. Nikolas is God knows where with Ace and Spencer is dead.

Nikolas sniffles on the couch, and Laura says, Ace is finally down for a nap. She didn’t want is son to see him so upset. He says, she means his one remaining son. He thanks her and says he wasn’t thinking. She says, they’re all in shock. She thanks God that he still has Ace. That is something to be really grateful for. It’s so good he came home. He needs to be with his family now. He says he was afraid she’d slam the door in his face, and she says she supposes she should have, after everything he’s put her through. He knows he should never have taken Ace, right? He says he knows. That’s what led to his Spencer’s death. She tells him, please sit down. This is important. She wants him to listen to her. He’s not responsible for Spencer’s death. He didn’t do that; Esme did it. Esme was trying to attack Trina, and Spencer tried to stop her. Nikolas says he knows, and Spencer lost his life in the process. He knows he didn’t put Spencer in the Seine, but his actions did put him in Esme’s crosshairs. He doesn’t even know how she could look at him right now. She says, he’s her son. She loves him. She’ll always loves him. She’ll always be here for him. Always. He thanks her and says he knows he doesn’t deserve her kindness, but she says, he does. He did the right thing by coming back here… He’s not going to stay, is he? He says he can’t. If he stays, he’ll go to prison. She says, he held a pregnant woman captive for months. Has it occurred to him maybe he belongs in prison? He says he knows it’s what he deserves, but he still has one son who needs him. He’s sorry, but he has to go. She asks if he’s kidding her. If that’s the kind of man he is, if that’s the kind of father he is, Ace would be better off without him.

Lucy goes over to Martin at the bar and says, his secretary told her where to find him. She supposes she should be glad he allowed his secretary to tell her. He says he needed a little space, and she says, does he still? He says, yeah, and she tears up and says, as he wishes. Before she goes, she just wants to say, he’s really hard to apologize to if he won’t answer her phone calls. He gets up and says he’s honestly not sure if there’s really much to say, and she says, for God’s sake, it was just a slip of the tongue. She said she loved him and she did; before that moment, during this moment, at this moment. She loves him. She doesn’t know what happened. She panicked. She made a mistake. He says, they both know how she meant it, but she says, no. Please just give her another chance. Tracy watches from her table.

Dante says he doesn’t understand. Sonny’s island is like a fortress. How did anyone get that close to him? Sonny says, they’re looking into it, and Dante asks what he means, but Sonny says he doesn’t want to talk right now. He doesn’t want any questions or anything. He’s not in the mood. Dante says he’s on Sonny’s side. Sonny knows that, right? Sonny says, really? Because it didn’t seem that way when he was being cuffed. Dante was reading him his rights. Dante says, they already talked about that. If he doesn’t want to be arrested, don’t beat people up in churches. Sonny says he’ll take that as good advice, and Dante says, Sonny’s his father, no matter what. He loves Sonny, no matter what. And he wants to help Sonny if he can. Sonny says, Dante’s right. He shouldn’t have snapped. It’s just that he doesn’t know who to trust anymore. Dante asks if he’s saying it was an inside job.

Nikolas says, Laura’s right. His taking Ace isn’t the only thing that led to Spencer’s death. The loneliness that led him to being vulnerable to Esme in the first place. Allowing him, and all of them, to believe he was dead. What kind of father does that to his little boy? Ace is better off without him. He’s going to leave Ace here with her and Doc where he belongs, and he’s going to disappear. Laura says, that’s not what she meant, and Nikolas says he’s agreeing with her. He wants Ace to have a good life. She says, yes, he deserves to have a good life – with his father. If Nikolas would just face the mistakes he’s made and take responsibility for them, it’s not too late for him to have a good life too.

Now seated at a table, Lucy tells Martin that she’s so sorry. She has been distracted and so worried about keeping eyes on Tracy and Scotty. But he has to believe her; it’s more about Tracy than Scotty. He says, this isn’t about Scotty, and she says, it isn’t? He says, it’s about her and him. It’s about them. Her moving away from him, little by little, inch by inch. It’s been quite a while now. Since Bobbie Spencer died, she’s wanted to be with someone else. With Scotty, not him. She says, it’s just because her, Bobbie, and Scotty have had a long and complicated, turbulent history, that’s all. He says, kind of a tired euphemism for a love triangle, isn’t it? It doesn’t really matter what the reason is. The simple fact is, now whenever she requires solace, her instinct is to turn to Scotty. That’s got to say something about him and Lucy, doesn’t it?

Gregory apologizes for keeping Tracy waiting, but she says, that’s okay. She’s been kept waiting longer. He sees her staring at Lucy and Martin, and says, at least she found something to keep her occupied. She laughs and says, those two? Who wouldn’t be curious? He says, given their expressions, he’d imagine they’re discussing the same subject that held him up. She asks, what would that be? and he says, she doesn’t know. He’s not sure how well she knew him, but Martin’s great nephew, Spencer Cassadine, was killed in Paris.

Alexis thanks Sam for coming, and Sam says, just tell her what she can do to help. Alexis says, it’s incumbent on her to write Spencer’s obituary, and she has no idea how to begin. Sam says, that’s a lot. She doesn’t know. He had a lot of flair. Alexis says, he did indeed, and if she has to talk about him in the past one more time, she’s going to lose it. Sam says she bets she could make Alexis smile with one word, but Alexis says she bets Sam can’t. Sam says, chupacabra, and Alexis half-smiles and says, chupacabra. She forgot about that. Sam says, and it turned out to be Heather Webber hiding in the stables, but all along they thought it was Spencer because he insisted.

Alexis asks if Sam remembers went all Phantom of the Opera at the Nurses Ball. Then there was the election tampering where he sent his chauffeur into the harbor to retrieve the stolen ballot box. Sam says she thinks that covers the big-ticket items from when he was 10. Spencer was a dramatic child. Alexis says, he never ceased to amaze her, and Sam says, damn right. Alexis says, he was brilliant kid, and he had a lot to offer. And now all they have are memories.

John says, out of professional respect for both Anna and Jordan, he’s going to bring them up to speed on a few things. If only to persuade them that they have this under control, so they can let it alone. Got it? Anna says, by all means, and John says, the weapon that was used to shoot Curtis Ashford is one of a number of unmarked weapons stolen from the WSB. Other weapons in the same cache have been used in a string of shootings throughout the US. He’s afraid that’s all he can tell them. Anna says, come on. Don’t be ridiculous. He says, she knows how much he respects her and he’s aware of Jordan’s exemplary record as Police Commissioner of Port Charles. Jordan thanks him, and he says, then again, neither of them are currently law enforcement. He can’t have them conducting their own investigation. Anna says, of course (🍷) he can’t, and he thanks her for understanding. She says, so bring them in. They can work together.

Nikolas tells Laura that it is too late for him. He made all the wrong choices, and in the process, he lost his son. She says, but Ace is still here. Instead of giving him up, do what it takes to deserve a place in his life. He says, by going to prison, and she says, he’s got to make this right. He has to fix what he can, and he has to atone for the rest of it. She’s sorry, but it’s the only way. It’s the only way for him to be the good man that he was. He says he doesn’t know if he can do that, but she says, he can try. For Ace’s sake, he’s got to. Please. They just lost Spencer. Don’t make her lose him again too.

Nikolas asks if Laura really still has faith in him, and she says, always. He says, even if he was to run away today? and she says, that would break her heart, but she would still hold out hope that he would one day find the strength to come back, to be a good father to the child he has left. He says he’s amazed she thinks he has any strength, and she cups his face in her hands, saying, she knows he does. Because she saw it in Spencer, and he got it from Nikolas. Nikolas cries and she hugs him.

On the phone, John says, thanks for letting him know, and Anna asks if his superiors need a little more convincing before bringing them in. He says, actually, he’s been informed that the two of them have blown his best lead, and Jordan says, how could they possibly… He says, Mr. O’Neal, the gun dealer they met tonight in their little citizen sting operation. He was supplying the unsub with weapons. He’s just lawyered up and he’s refusing to talk without the promise of full immunity, which his boss will not sign off on. So thanks so much for their help. Jordan says she’s sorry about that, but he says, her being sorry doesn’t do him much good right now. If they really want to help, tell him about the meeting with the dealer. Did they get anything useful from him?

Lucy admits that she’s been different since Bobbie died and tells Martin that Bobbie’s death affected her in ways she couldn’t imagine. He says, losing a loved one will do that to you, and she laughs. She says, that’s just it. They didn’t even like each other. She thinks sometimes hate is too strong of a word, but they certainly never got along. And it wasn’t just because of Scotty. There were so many other reasons. Martin says, in one way or another, Bobbie was important to her. Think about it. They saw each other at their best over the years. They got to know each other, intimately, at their worst. That forms some kind of bond. She says she guesses she never thought about it that way… Yes. He says, now you lose that person, that bond gets broken all of a sudden, you look at your life with a new sense that time really is short; that it’s precious. You get to realize the importance of letting go of something when it’s just not working anymore. She says, they’re not working?

Gregory says he’s sorry he had to be the one to tell Tracy. He didn’t realize she and Spencer were close. She says, they weren’t close. She hardly knew him. He says he doesn’t know all the details, but apparently, Esme Prince was involved. She’s also missing and presumed dead. She says, it’s all a tragedy. How’s Alexis? He says, grieving, and she says she’s sure. He says, and blaming herself, and Tracy says, for what? He says, for taking a chance on Esme. He believes Esme was making a sincere effort to be a better person. She was proving to be an excellent mother, he’s sure to everyone’s surprise. So he mourns the loss of the person she could have been if her father hadn’t manipulated her feelings, turning her into a bitter, angry young woman. Tracy looks at Lucy and Martin.

Sonny tells Dante that the shooter knew the layout and security so well, he got past the guards. He even knocked one guard out. Dante says, now he can see why Sonny thinks it’s someone from his organization, and Sonny asks if he has any ideas. Dante says, not yet, but he’ll see, and Sonny asks, what’s next, detective? Dante says, question suspects, and Sonny asks if Dante means the people closest to him, but Dante says he has to question everyone, no matter how much it hurts. Everyone is guilty until proven otherwise.

Alexis wonders how they distill the best of Spencer Cassadine in 450 words, and Sam says, just focus on the positive. Alexis says, so they leave out his teenage crime spree? and Sam says she thinks they focus on what made Spencer Spencer. His love for drama obviously. Alexis says, of all kinds, and Sam says, and his love of horseback riding. His quick quips. Alexis says, his quips and schemes. Spencer acting all shallow and spoiled, he was pretending. It wasn’t real. He was just guarded. He was fearful and he had every right to be. Then he grew up and he really opened up and allowed them to see who he really was, and he was a gift.

Martin says, now there’s this thing with Scotty, but Lucy swears it’s not what he thinks. He says, it’s something, and whatever it is tends to eclipse what they are. Or might have been. He’d be the first person to admit he hasn’t always been the most honorable man, but he loves her. How he loves her. More than any of the women he’s married. And that’s done something for him. He doesn’t want to spend too much time looking over his shoulder wondering what the hell is going on. He thinks he deserves better. She cries and says, but… He gets up and says, goodbye, Lucy. She runs to the elevator, crying, and gets in.

On the phone, Gregory says, thanks. He’ll call right now. He tells Tracy that he’s sorry. The doctor’s referring him to a specialist, and he has to get an appointment right away. She says, go ahead. Take his time. He thanks her and says he’s sorry. He didn’t realize Spencer’s death would affect her so much. She thanks him and says she’ll be fine. He leaves, and she watches Martin sitting alone.

Lucy finds Scotty sitting on a bale of hay, and he asks, for cryin’ out loud, what took her so long? He realizes she’s crying and says, uh-oh. What happened? She says, Marty broke up with her. He said… Scotty says, if he insulted Lucy, he’ll knock Martin’s teeth out and then he’ll slap a lawsuit on the dentist that fixes them. She says, no. He said he deserves better. Scotty holds her as she cries.

John says, so they did get something from their gunrunner friend, and Anna looks at Jordan, who nods. Anna says, yeah. They learned something about the unidentified subject. But rather than just give John that information… Jordan says, after which, he most certainly would discard them, and Anna says, she proposes that they have an exchange of information. Like they tell him everything they know about the dealer, and he tells them everything he knows about the unsub so far. Jordan says, everything for everything is a fair trade, and Anna says, for starters, obviously, they don’t believe Curtis was the intended target. They think it was Sonny Corinthos. He says, believe it or not, the FBI did consider the possibility that the crime boss might be a more logical target than the nightclub owner, and Anna says, there you go. And Sonny has reason to believe that whoever’s after him is still trying. So whatever he can tell them about the unsub will be incentive for Sonny to tell them what he knows. He says, they want him to provide them with intel they plan on sharing with Sonny Corinthos? The man should have been in prison decades ago. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Anna says, that’s the Sonny he remembers. That’s not the one she knows. He says, only because that’s the Sonny he shows her, and she says, perhaps, but she can keep him in line. He says, really? Because nobody’s ever been able to put a leash on Sonny Corinthos. She says, maybe she’ll be the first.

Sonny thanks Dante for coming through for him like this, and Dante says, of course (🍷). Sonny says, it hasn’t been easy with Michael and Nina… What he’s trying to say is, it’s hard to trust anyone, but he knows he can trust Dante. Dante says, Sonny’s damn right he can. And he promises this will stay between him. His phone rings and he says, it’s Laura. He asks, what’s going on? and Laura says she’s home. She needs him to come over as soon as possible. He asks if everything is okay, and she says she’s here with Nikolas. He’s ready to turn himself in.

Tracy approaches Martin’s table, and he says, stop. As he’s sure she’s observed by now, he’s not exactly in the mood for company, so he’d consider it a favor if she left him to his solitude. She says, this won’t take long, and sits down. She says she owes him the truth.

Lucy tells Scotty that she doesn’t know why, she meets a guy and he’s nice enough of a guy. Maybe the man of her dreams. And she just screws it up. She keeps screwing it up. He says, she’s being a little hard on herself, but she says, no. She thinks she’s being much too easy on herself. He says he’s not going to listen to her talk that way about herself. If Martin is too stupid to know how great she is, then to hell with him. She’s Lucy Coe, the best that there is. He kisses her.

On the phone, Sonny says, it’s him. He needs to see them right away.

John says, what about Jordan? Is she wiling to vouch for Sonny Corinthos? She says, Sonny’s been useful in the past. As for this, she trusts Anna. Anna says, it’s best for them to work together. What does he say? He says he hopes she has a good lawyer, because they’re both under arrest for obstructing a federal investigation.

Alexis reads, Spencer Cassadine is survived by his father Nikolas, his brother Ace, his grandmother, the Mayor Laura Collins, and an extended family who remember him dearly. His legacy will be the Spencer Cassadine Drama Fund, devoted to teaching theater, particularly the works of Shakespeare, to prison inmates, underserved communities, and children. To quote his favorite work of the Bard, now cracks a noble heart… She starts to cry, and Sam puts her hands on Alexis’s shoulders. Goodnight, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Alexis breaks down sobbing, and Sam puts her arms around her.

Dante asks if Nikolas understands his rights as explained to him, and Nikolas says he does. Dante says, let’s go, and Nikolas asks if he may say goodbye to his son. Dante nods, and Nikolas turns to Laura holding Ace. He tells Ace that he loves him and kisses his head. Laura says, they’ll meet him at the station, and Nikolas thanks her… for everything. He wants her to know that he’s doing this for her and for Ace and Spencer. He wants to become someone they can all be proud of. Dante leads him out, and Laura watches from the doorway.

Tomorrow, Sonny says he needs people he can trust; Tracy says she’s the reason Martin and Lucy broke up; Dex says he’ll do everything in his power to keep them all safe; and John says, Robert is insisting they drop the charges.

Below Deck – The Next Generation

I’m less than thrilled that Captain Lee was retired involuntarily. I’m guessing it could be for insurance reasons, so now I really can’t wait for Teresa Giudice to cause Bravo a lawsuit. New Captain Kerry is from Below Deck Adventure, which I watched once upon a time. It was good, but I can only watch so much Deck.

This season’s port of call is Grenada. Fraser is chief stew, and a familiar face. Just not the one I want to see. In his interview, he says he’s not going to be as easy going this time around. This year, mommy is still here for her babies, but don’t bite the tit that feeds you. The bosun is Jared, who says in his interview, being bosun is f***ing horrible and hard, but what better way to travel then on someone else’s dime while making a nickel? Ben, another familiar face and more welcome, is lead deckhand. In Ben’s interview, he says, after being a bosun, coming back as lead deckhand is a kick in the gut. We flash back to his happier bosun times. In Chef Anthony’s (aka Frenchie) interview, he says he’s going blow our mind. Cooking brings people together. Fraser wonders who else is coming to destroy his life. Stews Barbie, Xandi, Cat, and Sunny arrive, and in Barbie’s interview, she says, people think she’s snobby. She comes from a good family, but her father taught her to work. Now she works hard so she can buy all the stupid sh*t she wants. Deckhand Kyle rounds out the crew.

At the crew meeting, Captain Kerry rolls out his resume, and we see clips of his previous adventures. He tells the crew that both their physical safety and mental health us important.  He won’t pick on them for having a sulk, but don’t take his kindness for weakness. In his interview, he says he’s firm but fair. He gives a crew his respect, but if they disrespect him, they’re out of here. Hard work will be rewarded, but if you f*** around, you’re off the boat. He tells the crew that they’re going to bust it out. No baseball references for him. In Fraser’s interview, he says, last year was tough. He had two stews who didn’t get along and he gave too many chances. This year is going to be different.  

Captain Kerry wants no surprises on the boat. The captain has to be aware of everything. Communication is key. We find out everyone is single, and in Ben’s interview, he says he and Camille met up after the season, but long story short, she cheated on him. He doesn’t want to get as involved again. He’s wounded, but wiser.

At the preference sheet meeting, Captain Kerry says, their first guests are Brian and Rebecca, newlyweds, both in finance. Coming along are their oldest and dearest friends. Anthony reads that they want a multi-course dinner, and in his interview, he says, it’s a lot of pressure. He grew up being the kid no girl wanted and needed to make an impression. (Hint: The way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach.) Jared reads that guest Leanne wants an 80s dance party for her birthday, and all guests except Michelle want to take kayaks to the mangroves. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says he loves eco-tourism. He especially loves kayaking and getting up close and personal with the mangroves. We see a clip of this, and it looks amazing. Sign me up. Jared says, the guests also want to go to the beach, and the captain says, they’re going to have their hands full. In Xandi’s interview, she says she loves housekeeping. She’d rather put her hand in a blender than make small talk. She was a chief stew for years and wants a break. Let someone else be chief bitch. In his interview, Captain Kerry says, he left working on multimillion dollar yachts to paint houses so he could be there for his kids and get himself better. I’m guessing he went back to those multimillion dollar yachts when those same kids needed to go to multimillion dollar college. In Jared’s interview, he says he has a 3½ year old daughter, but because of the distance, he only gets to do video calls. Cat places her amethyst (I think) rock on a shelf near her bunk and says, now she can feel rested. It’s early to bed for the crew.

In the morning, Fraser meets with the stews. He says, Barbie will be on service, Cat will be on the late shift, and Xandi will be on housekeeping and laundry. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says he can’t run the boat by himself. A good crew can make a bad captain look good, and a bad crew can make a good captain look bad. The guests arrive to background music that does not fit with them at all. Think middle-aged Florida tourists being accompanied by rap music. The captain welcomes them aboard the St. David, and in his interview, he says, Grenada is stunning, but challenging. The winds are terrible. As they leave the marina, Jared seems to have difficulty telling Captain Kerry how much room he has. In Jared’s interview, he says he works in feet and needs to transfer it to meters. Doing multiplication on the fly with stress could make this go tits up. Moving right along, Jared follows his feet/meters bumbling with not being sure of how much chain to let out while anchoring. Then blames Ben for not telling him. Not a good look. In the captain’s interview, he says, the anchor can be dislodged if there’s too much chain let out.

In Anthony’s interview, he says, first lunch, first impression. It has to be amazing. We are more than chefs; we are artists. M-m-m… Asian fusion… Bao buns…. In Fraser’s interview, he says, there’s a lot of sexual energy with the guests. He thinks he’ll have a good time, but not as good as the guests will have with each other. Ben thanks Jared for throwing him under the bus, and in Ben’s interview, he says, if there’s any question, Jared should check in with the bridge. He’s giving Jared the benefit of the doubt. It’s charter one and they need to get the cobwebs out. M-m-m… lobster pad Thai. In Fraser’s interview, he says, he’s impressed with Anthony’s cooking, but the galley looks like a bomb has gone off. He thinks Anthony will perfect that, but if not, they’re f***ed. The guests jump off the boat and lounge on the swim platform, while Captain Kerry checks out the interior of the yacht, which he seems to do constantly. He tells the stews to make paper folds on the toilet paper, but everything else is fantastic. In Barbie’s interview, she says, Cat is slow and it’s annoying, and in Cat’s interview, she says she’s helping everybody. Fraser finds Cat in the crew mess crying.

Cat whimpers that it’s a big boat and a big crew, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, they need thicker skin. Cat says she doesn’t want her work to go unnoticed, and Fraser hugs her. On his way up the stairs, he mumbles that she’s not going to last. In Sunny’s interview, she says, she’s all here for learning, but it’s hard because of Ben being eye candy. In Anthony’s interview, he says he took so much time prepping, he has two hours to make four courses. In Barbie’s interview, she says she suffers from OCD, and tried everything. Crystals and sage do the trick. Ben says, day one is not off to a good start. Jared is nervous and Ben thinks it’s because he’s been out of the game. He forgot what big boats were like. He’s got to perform, or he’ll find himself on the dock. He feels dumber already when he’s around Jared.

Anthony is running late on three courses and dessert. In his interview, he says, perfection is important. Like with a woman, he needs to take time if he wants to make them happy. It’s slow going with the entrée, and primary Rebecca asks Fraser to speed it up. Fraser asks Anthony to get the entrée out as soon as possible, and Anthony says he’ll do his best. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, the key to management is mutual respect. He doesn’t want to micromanage, but the bosun has made a few mistakes and the chef is behind. He’s getting to know everyone, but the jury is out. If they can’t do the job, he’ll change them out. Man, it’s a mess.

This season, meditation; angst in the crew; food porn; waterfalls; a guest wants their plate set down more quietly; a disgusting hot tub; Fraser gives someone a New Year’s kiss; a murder mystery party; Fraser tells Ben not to get involved in interior drama; and Captain Kerry says, it was a total disregard for his authority.

🤷🏽‍♀️ So far, eh.

🛟 Meet the Crew…

All the deets, including their star sign.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/below-deck-season-11-meet-the-cast-captain

🏆 Who, What, and WTF…

The winners. Taylor Swift and Taylor Swift.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list

Best and worst moments.

https://people.com/2024-grammys-best-moments-8558642

https://ew.com/grammys-2024-best-and-worst-moments-8558533

Most important, the fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/36824/grammys-2024-celebrity-red-carpet-fashion

After the show is over and before Denny’s.

https://pagesix.com/2024/02/05/style/grammys-2024-afterparty-outfits-megan-fox-paris-jackson-and-more

And the worst dressed. Wow. There are some real head shakers here. My jury is out on Chrissy Teigen though. In the video, it actually looks kind of cute.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-13044865/Grammys-2024-WORST-dressed-stars-revealed.html

🍕 Pizza My Heart…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the seemingly endless, awful season of RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay never pretending to be someone you are not, and stay realizing the importance of letting go of something when it’s just not working anymore.

Feb3

February 2, 2024 – Two Surprise Returns, Agent Jagger, Goodbye Hello, Side Gigs, Her BFF, Closed Door, VanderScraps, Two For Ones, Grammy Stuff, Bowl Parties, Opossum Pirate, Pups In the Bowl, Two Fivers Of Quotes & Living

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Doc says he’s glad Laura is home, and she says she’s glad to be home. It took forever to get here. He asks what he can do. She says, hold her, and he does. He says he kept picturing her on that boat in the dark. He should have been there. She says, he was in the hospital, recovering. Thank God for that. And there was nothing he could do anyway. He says, there are few feelings in life like feeling helpless, and she says, when they got there, the search and rescue thing was well underway. Then at some point, Dante came over, and he said they couldn’t find them anywhere. All she could think was, it’s a mistake. It just can’t be. Not her Spencer. He says, she was in shock. She probably still is. She says she guesses. She and Trina stood on the deck of the boat for a very long time. She held onto hope so tightly, but then as the search went on, they could both feel it slipping away. He says, it’s good they were there for each other, and she says, everyone was really supportive. She starts to cry, and says, then Dante and Curtis took care of everything, every detail. She’s so grateful for that. She doesn’t know if she thanked them. He says he’s sure she did, but they’ll do it again. She says she feels like she blinked, and Nikolas was gone. Then Ace, and then Spencer. It’s like her whole family is just fading away before her eyes. He holds her as she cries.

Ava lets Nina in the penthouse, and Nina asks if she’s sure Sonny isn’t going to be home any time soon. Ava says, they got back from Puerto Rico, he got a phone call, and turned around and left. She hopes the call is about whatever’s going on in Paris. Nina says she heard about that. Ava must be worried sick about Trina. Ava says she’s beyond worried. It seems the universe decided one crisis at a time isn’t enough. She and Sonny are lucky to be alive. Nina asks, what the hell is going on? Who’s after Ava and Sonny?

Anna and Jordan hide their guns in a hotel room, and Anna sets up a camera. Jordan says, good coverage, and Anna says, all they can do is be prepared. Jordan says she hopes all of these precautions turn out to be unnecessary, and Anna says, for their target’s sake, so does she.

Carly tells the server at Bobbie’s that it looks like she has things covered, and she says, for the moment anyway. Carly says, if anything changes, don’t hesitate to call her, handing the server the keys. Until Carly hires a manager, she’s the cavalry. The server says, Carly’s got it, and Carly leaves, colliding into a good-looking guy in the doorway.

Trina is about to let herself into the dorm room when Josslyn comes out. She asks what Trina is doing here. Why isn’t she in Paris? Trina says she would have let herself in, but… She walks inside and Josslyn asks, what’s wrong? Trina says, Spencer’s dead.

Sonny knocks at Laura’s door and asks Doc if she’s back. Doc says, she is, and invites him in. Sonny asks Laura if it’s true, and she says, Spencer’s gone. They hug.

Jordan asks if Anna thinks they can count on Brennan’s information, and Anna says she thinks they can count on his opportunism. He doesn’t do anything that doesn’t work to his advantage. They’re in a position to help him, only the gun dealer is not. Jordan says, Brennan gave them the right referrals or O’Neal would have never agreed to meet them. Anna says, keep it short and sweet. If Jordan can get him talking about his clients who have bought guns from him, great. If not, they make a buy and spring their trap. Jordan says, the threat of federal charges should be enough to make him give up whoever bought the rifle used to shoot Curtis. Anna says she hopes so, and there’s a knock at the door.

Carly says she’s so sorry and asks if she spilled coffee on him, but the guy says, no. How about her? Is she okay? Carly says she’s fine. This isn’t how she wants to welcome people to her place. He says, she owns this place? and she says, yeah. He asks when she changed the name, and she says, recently. He says he used to work here when it was Kelly’s. He’s John. She says she’s embarrassed, and introduces herself. They shake hands, and she asks if it’s too late to welcome him back. He says, not at all. Thanks. It’s good to be back. She tells him to enjoy his meal, and he goes inside. Leo calls to Carly, and runs up to her, hugging her. He says he hasn’t seen her in forever, and she says, that means she gets an extra hug. Olivia suggests he go inside and look at his book. She’s going to talk to Carly about getting him some breakfast. Leo asks if they’re going to talk about extra powdered sugar on his waffles, and Olivia asks if he thinks this is her first time or what. He says, no, it isn’t, and goes inside. Carly asks, what’s up? and Olivia says, just so she knows, they’re not here just for the sugar rush. She wanted to check on Carly. Carly asks, why? and Olivia asks if she read the fashion article in the City Gazette, written by Gemma someone or other. Carly says, she came by the office and asked for a comment. Is the article out already? Olivia shows Carly her phone, and says, this morning. Carly reads, Drew Cain is leading with his heart, not with his head. This has Nina’s fingerprints written all over it. (Because no one else could possibly think that.) Olivia says, she quotes an anonymous source, and Carly says, they both know who that anonymous source is. Olivia says she wishes she could say she doesn’t agree with Carly. She was really hoping that Nina was going to try and make peace. That’s what’s best for everyone. Carly asks if that’s why Olivia kept Nina’s secret. Because it was best for everyone?

Ava says, if Dex hadn’t told her and Sonny to run for cover, she wouldn’t be sitting here telling Nina this story right now. Nina asks if Avery was with her, and Ava says, Avery was in her room. She didn’t know they were in any danger. She thought the gunfire was fireworks, thank God. Nina asks if she’s okay, and Ava says, yeah, just a couple of scratches. Nina looks at Ava’s hand and says, that’s more than a scratch. Is she in pain? Ava says, it’s fine. Like she told the doctor, it’s nothing a good, stiff drink can’t fix. Nina asks if Sonny has any idea who did this, but Ava says, nothing he’s talked about in any detail. She knows Sonny. He doesn’t really discuss his concerns. He just gets very, very, very quiet. Nina says, he doesn’t eat, he doesn’t sleep, he just moves on with the next thing. She doesn’t know how he does it. Ava says she got the feeling he thinks it’s a second attempt by the people behind Curtis’s shooting, and Nina says, that means they’re not going to stop until they succeed. Ava tells her not to worry though. She knows Sonny works with only the very best and takes every precaution. Nina says she’s just got to remind herself that he wouldn’t be where he is if he took chances, and Ava says, and he wouldn’t have been there for so long, right? Relax. She’s not going to be a widow anytime soon. Nina says she doesn’t even know if she’s still a wife.

Trina tells Josslyn, before she could even move, Esme and Spencer were in the water. They had helicopters and divers, but nobody could find them. Josslyn asks if they’re still searching, but Trina says, they can’t be rescued. It’s been too long. It’s impossible. Josslyn says, but they can bring him home? and Trina says, no. The police don’t expect to find their bodies. They think Esme and Spencer were carried out to sea. Josslyn says she’s sorry and hugs Trina.

Laura says she’s sorry she told Sonny about Spencer on the phone. It’s a horrible way to find out. He says, any way would be horrible. It’s good to face the truth. Any update from the French police? She says, they searched for the mandatory 48 hours. After that point, Spencer and Esme were presumed dead. Their bodies were taken by the current out to the English Channel. They’re just gone. She starts to cry again, and Sonny says, she’s going to be fine. Is she doing all right? Laura says he has to remind herself to breathe, and he says, if there’s anything he can do, but she says, there isn’t. He says, if something comes up… She says, it’s not going to, and Doc says, it’s good of Sonny to come by. Laura says, this is very difficult for her, and Sonny says he gets it. She says, it’s not just about Spencer. This is also about her brother. The way Sonny laid hands on him was unconscionable. Sonny says he doesn’t think Laura knows who Cyrus is, but she says she does. She knows what he’s capable of. She thought she knew Sonny. She thought he was a different man. He says he is, and she says she’s sure Cyrus goaded him, and she hopes Sonny just lost control because he nearly killed Cyrus with his bare hands. Sonny says he made a mistake. Cyrus played him. He went after him. He shouldn’t have done that. Is Cyrus worth her trouble? She says she doesn’t know, but Sonny is. Their friendship is, or that’s what she thought. She thinks they owe each other the truth, so she’s going to give it to him now. She’s had a lot of violence and bloodshed in her life and she can’t take it anymore. She won’t take it anymore, friendship or no friendship. He says he gets that, and she says she hopes he does. They hear Cyrus in the hallway saying he has every right… Doc says, impeccable timing. That must be her brother. Dex says he can’t let Cyrus in, and Doc opens the door.

Cyrus tells Sonny to call of his dog. He’s here to see his family. Laura nods, and Doc invites Cyrus in. Laura says, it’s not a good time, and Cyrus says, that’s why he’s here, so he can help his sister walk through this. Doc says he can start by respecting his sister’s wishes, and Cyrus says he has nothing but respect for his sister and the profound loss she’s suffered. Sonny asks how he found out about Spencer, and Cyrus says he watched over Spencer while he was in Pentenville, and he continued to stay abreast of his family’s movements. Sonny says, whether they wanted him to or not? and Cyrus says he laments that he wasn’t able to protect Spencer in the end and he grieves with his dear sister and for her. Sonny says, nobody wants to hear that, and Cyrus says, blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Laura says, stop it. This is not comforting her. Just go. Cyrus says he just hopes she can find some comfort knowing that there is a coming glory… She yells, stop it!

Nina says, it’s good that Ava is staying here with Sonny, and Ava says she doesn’t know how good it is, but it’s safe. There are guards everywhere. Avery’s happy being with her father. Nina says, of course (🍷). Sonny is such a great dad. Ava says, he talks about his family all the time, that’s for sure, and Nina asks if he’s said anything else. Ava says, they don’t exactly sit down at the end of the day and chat about what happened at the office, and Nina asks if he ever talks about his marriage. Ava says, no, sorry. He wouldn’t talk to her about that, of all people. She noticed he’s still wearing his wedding ring though. Nina says, that’s something. It’s easy enough to take off, so if he’s still wearing it, there must be something inside of him that says he doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. Ava says she hopes so. She really hopes that things work out for Nina and Sonny. Nina says, but…? and Ava says she just thinks Nina ought to prepare herself for a life without him, but Nina says she can’t. She can’t lose Sonny. She can’t lose his family because they’re her family too. She can’t lose Willow, Wiley, and Amelia; they’re her world. Ava says she knows, and Nina says, Ava has that beautiful gallery. Ava has Avery. Nina doesn’t have Crimson anymore, and if she loses Sonny and her daughter and her grandchildren, she has nothing.

Leo looks at his book, then looks outside at Carly and Olivia. He takes out his fidget spinner as John watches him from another table.

Olivia says she wasn’t trying to protect Nina, and Carly says, then who was she trying to protect? Because Nina was the only one who benefitted from her silence.

John comes over to Leo’s table and asks if he likes animals. Leo says he’s not supposed to talk to strangers, and John says, that’s a good rule. He taught his son the same rule, but – he sits down – he also told him that it was okay to talk to law enforcement. He shows Leo his badge and says he’s Agent John. Leo asks if he’s really from the FBI, and John says, yes, sir. Leo says, then he’s Leo Falconari, and John says, it’s nice to meet him.

Jordan lets O’Neal in, and he puts his case on the bed. He starts to frisk her, and she asks if it’s necessary. He says, can’t be too careful, and she says she wants to make a buy, not commit a robbery. He says, it’s for someone’s capacity, not their intentions. He’s covering all his bases. She says, no kidding. Buy her dinner first? He says, no wire, no gun. Good start. So who referred her? She says, Maloy, but he already knows that, and he asks how she knows Maloy. She says, book club. Him?… Yeah. That’s what she thought. It’s probably neither of their business. He moves his case to the credenza and opens it. He says he’s got a <insert complicated gun description> gun with the longest fair fight sniper shot in history. (This sounds like an oxymoron, but I swear that’s what he said.) He hands it to her, and she looks it over. She says, let’s talk price, and he says, it’s not a negotiation. She says, since when? and he says, if she wants quality and confidentiality, this thing’s untraceable. She’ll never know where it came from, and he’ll never know how she chose to use it. So, is it an agreement or not?

Trina tells Josslyn that she heard the sirens from police boats and turned away from Spencer just for a second. He was saying something, then he gasped, and when she turned around, he had the strangest look on his face. He looked surprised and he had fear in his eyes. Then she saw Esme with the needle and then Esme tried to come for her. Somehow, Spencer found enough strength to grab her, and they both went in the water.

Jordan says, all right, let’s do this, and hands the gun back to O’Neal. She takes out her phone and asks, what’s the routing number for the wire transfer? He says, it has to be an encrypted transaction, and she says, fine. Give her whatever device he wants to use, and she’ll make the transfer. He says he prefers human touch, and she says she’s aware. He says, she can make the transfer directly to his accountant, and she says, how quaint. Is he outside? Is he on his way here? O’Neal says he’s afraid not. They’re going to him.

Leo says his mom is outside arguing with Aunt Carly, and John asks, what makes him think they’re arguing? Leo says, the way they’re standing and what they do with their arms, and John looks outside. He says, kind of like a threat display from an animal, and Leo says, humans are animals. John says, that is very true. What kind of animals are in Leo’s book? Leo says, all kinds, and John asks if there are bears in there. Leo asks if he likes bears, and John says he does. Bears are smart and they’re strong. He wouldn’t want to meet one in the wild, but he likes reading about them.

Olivia tells Carly that Drew had already gone to prison. Carly’s accounts had already been frozen. Nothing she knew could have changed any of that. All she could do was stop the damage Nina had already done from going even further. Carly says, and the fact Olivia and Ned were also victims of Nina’s lies didn’t matter, but Olivia says, of course (🍷) it mattered. Carly asks if Olivia’s forgotten how furious she was at her for accusing Ned, because she hasn’t. Olivia says she hasn’t forgotten. She thinks about it every day. Carly says, then why would she shield the woman who was actually responsible? Nina stood back and let Ned take the blame.

Ava says she never, not in a million years, would have predicted that Drew would remove Nina from Crimson and replace her with Carly. Nina says, he’s not the same person as he was before he went to prison. He’s harder. Ava says putting Carly in a position Nina has held successfully for years adds a lot of uncertainty and risk to Crimson for no good reason. Nina says, making her suffer is reason enough in Drew’s book, and Ava says, he’s making choices he’s going to regret, that’s for sure. Nina thanks her, and Ava says, she’s welcome. She’s just stating the obvious here. Nina says she appreciates that, but she’s thinking, Ava doesn’t always agree with her choices, but she understands Nina’s reasoning behind it and doesn’t make her suffer. Ava doesn’t punish her for them. Ava says, nobody in this room has a monopoly on bad choices, and Nina says she’s very grateful for Ava’s friendship and her loyalty. She loves Ava so much and thanks her. Ava says she loves Nina too, and she’s welcome. Nina says she shouldn’t be bothering Ava about this. She’s worried about Trina. Ava says she can listen to Nina and worry at the same time, and Nina says, and she’s still coming down from being shot at and attacked. Ava says, the first time somebody shoots at you, it does come as a bit of a surprise, but with time and experience, you kind of get used to people trying to kill you. Nina laughs and says she’s very impressed by Ava’s resilience, more than she’ll ever know, but she must have been afraid in Puerto Rico. Avery could have lost both of her parents. She can’t always look out for Sonny anymore, no matter how much she wants to. Ava has to promise her that she and Sonny will always look out for each other.

Trina tells Josslyn, when they were in Greenland, and Spencer went missing, everyone lost hope. Not her. She didn’t believe he was gone. Josslyn says, and now? and holding back tears, Trina says she wants to believe so badly, but something tells her that this time there won’t be a happy ending.

Doc holds open the door, and Cyrus says he meant no harm. He gives them his word. Sonny says, they all know what that means. Let him walk out with Cyrus. Sonny tells Laura that he’ll call her, and Cyrus says, Laura may not believe in his spiritual awakening, but he prays she believes this. He cared about Spencer as he cares about her. Sonny says, that’s nice. Let’s go. Sonny steers Cyrus out, and in the hallway, Cyrus shakes him off. He says he gave Sonny a pass on the assault charges, but just the one. He’s a believer, not a saint. Sonny says, that makes two of them.

Josslyn asks what Trina is going to do. Is she going to stay here? Is she going back to Paris? Maybe Josslyn could take some time off… Trina says she doesn’t think she could go back to Paris ever again, and Josslyn says she doesn’t want a new roommate. Trina should come live with her again. Trina says she appreciates it, but she’s going to live with her parents and she’s going to take a semester off. She can’t even think about school. All of this seems so trivial. Like, what’s even important anymore? Josslyn says she understands. It’s hard to act like there’s a tomorrow when you lose someone you love. Trina asks if that’s what it was like when Josslyn lost Oscar, and Josslyn says, kind of, but he was sick, so it was peaceful in the end. It’s different than what Trina just went through. But the way you feel like you can’t breathe and the way your heart actually hurts – she tears up – that’s the same. They both cry, and Trina says she feels like it took so long for her and Spencer to finally be together. Then they finally were, and they were in a happy place. Then, like in a heartbeat, all of that was over. She and Josslyn hug.

Olivia tells Carly that she and Ned looked at the situation and made a judgement call. Exposing Nina wasn’t going to help anybody fix anything. And a huge blow-up would have just made everything so much worse. Carly says, so that’s what she and Ned decided, and Olivia says, he took a little convincing, but… She looks inside, seeing Leo with John, and tells Carly, hold on a second. She goes inside, directly to Leo’s table, where he’s reading to John from his book. Olivia says, pretty friendly, huh? and Leo says, this is John. Olivia says hello to John and suggests Leo wash his hands before his waffle gets here. Leo leaves, and John stands up. He says, he’s a great kid, and Olivia says, yeah. He says, he’s on the spectrum? and she says, he has ASD, yeah. He says, so does his son. He’s sorry for approaching her boy, but he could tell Leo was getting agitated watching her and Carly. She says she should have realized he could see them out there and it would bother him, but John says, it’s fine. He thinks he distracted Leo. She says, looks like he did and thanks him. She asks, how old is his son? and he says, he’s grown now, and living independently. She says, so he’s doing well? and John says, he’s doing great. His phone rings, and he asks her to excuse him for a moment. She says, of course (🍷), and he steps away.

John asks, what’s the word?… Nobody moves until he gets there. He dashes out of the diner.

Jordan says, everyone and their cat knows you don’t go to a second location, and he says, suit yourself. He starts to pack up, and she says, there’s got to be a way they can make this happen, right here, right now. He says, it’s unusual for a customer to make this hard a sell. Why does this deal need to happen before he leaves this room? She says she thought she was paying for confidentiality, and he says, at the moment, he doesn’t know what she’s paying him for. She says, that’s too bad. Sorry they couldn’t get this done. She’s about to reach behind a chair pillow for a gun, but he grabs her and says, they’re not done until she tells him who she really is. Anna comes out of nowhere and says, remove your hand or I’ll remove it for you. O’Neal lets go of Jordan and puts his hands up.

As they approach the penthouse, Sonny asks Dex if he’s talked to Josslyn, but Dex says, not recently. Sonny says, Dex should go to her because she should hear about Spencer from him. Go ahead. He has a lot of protection. Dex leaves, and Sonny goes inside. Ava jumps up, and Sonny asks if she’s all right. She says, yeah. She just wasn’t expecting him back so soon. He asks if she has a problem with him being back, but she says, no. She’s just a little jumpy, for obvious reasons. When he left in such a hurry, was that about Trina and Spencer? He says, it turns out, Spencer’s dead, Ava says, oh no, and Nina walks out.

Nina says she’s so sorry, and Ava says, Trina. Sonny tells her, Trina’s safe, and Nina asks, what happened to Spencer? Sonny says, he went over the side of a boat in Paris, he and Esme, and Nina says she knows he loved his nephew. She can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. He says he can’t do this right now.

Doc gives Laura a mug of what I hope is whiskey, and says, this will help her keep up her strength. A little edge cutter was in order. She says she already regrets losing her cool with Cyrus, but the conversation with Sonny was long overdue. He tells her not to beat herself up over Cyrus. What happened was understandable, especially given the loss she’s feeling. She says, but she’s not the only one, is she? Esme was his niece. She knows he did everything he could for her. He says, they both did, and Laura says, the way she was with Ace, she’s never going to believe that was an act. He says, it wasn’t. Esme’s love for Ace was genuine and maybe the only pure emotion she felt in her life. When Nikolas took Ace away, she was isolated, afraid, angry, and she chose the worst possible course of action. Laura says she was the one who talked Esme into turning herself in for breaking into Windymere. If she hadn’t… He says, there is no way she could have predicted that would happen. She didn’t know that Esme had regained her memory, and there was no way to know Nikolas would come back and convince Spencer to let him run away with Ace. There was no way she could know that. He hopes she’s hearing him when he says that. She says, if she’s being honest, all she can hear is silence in a house that used to be filled with voices. He puts his arm around her and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly tells Olivia that Leo’s order is next up, and she did tell them extra powdered sugar. Olivia says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s going to crush at Crimson. She’s wicked smart, nobody can match her instincts, and she makes being a leader look easy. That’s why the employees at the MetroCourt are so loyal to her. And she’s going to make a whole new generation of customers fall in love with Bobbie’s. Carly thanks her for saying that, and Olivia says, it’s the truth. Which she’ll never hide from Carly in the future.

O’Neal says, his other clients don’t behave this way, and Anna says, they’re not his other clients. Sit. He sits on the edge of the bed and says, they’re not so different as they keep telling themselves. There must be something in the water here. Anna says she’s under no illusion as to who or what she is, and Jordan asks what he means, there must be something in the water here? He says he doesn’t mean anything, and she says, they’re not the only ones in Port Charles buying from him, are they? He says he can’t talk about his clients. It’ll end his business. Anna says, Einstein, your business is over. He’s been peddling guns stolen from the WSB. So he has a choice to make. He’s either going to tell them what they want to know, or he waits for the Bureau to get here and then they’ll pick him up. They’re not going to sweep this under the rug. He asks what they want to know, and Jordan says, they need to know the names of every person who purchased a weapon from that WSB shipment. The door busts in, and John comes in with some men, saying, freeze. Jordan says, guns down, and they all aim their guns at one another, except for O’Neal, still on the bed with his hands up. He says, don’t shoot, and John says, FBI. Drop your weapons now.

Nina says she didn’t want to make Sonny’s night worse by being here. That’s not what she wanted. She walks out of the apartment, and Ava says she’s sorry. She knows how he feels about Nina being here. He says, it doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters. She says, Spencer. She’s so sorry. That’s just terrible. Trina must be absolutely gutted. She’s going to call her. She puts her hand on Sonny’s shoulder, he thanks her, and she leaves.

Josslyn asks if Cam knows, and Trina says she doubts it. The word hasn’t gotten out yet. Josslyn says, they’ve got to tell him, and makes the call. She says she’s here with Trina and they have to tell him something. She starts to cry and says, they need him to hear it from them.

Olivia asks if Leo wants to say goodbye to his Aunt Carly. She’s got to get to work. He asks if they’re done arguing, and Carly says, sometimes friends disagree. Olivia says she and Carly haven’t been on the same wavelength for a while, but maybe pretty soon they can try to fix that. Carly says she thinks they’ve already started, and Leo says he can tell. Their body language is better. Carly says, you know what? He’s right. Olivia says, how’s this for body language? and hugs Leo. Carly pulls them in for a three-way hug.

Anna says she and her colleague are going to lower their weapons, and John says, do that, nice and slow. O’Neal gets up and says he’s just a bystander. Anna, Jordan, and John say, shut up, and O’Neal says, okay, sitting back down. Anna says she takes it John is the agent in charge, and he asks if she doesn’t recognize him. Anna says, wait… Jagger? and John smiles.

Laura looks at a photo of young Spencer on her phone, when there’s a knock at the door. Laura opens it, and Nikolas is standing there with Ace. He says, hello, mother, and Laura cries tears of joy.

On Monday, Laura asks if it’s occurred to Nikolas that he belongs in prison; Lucy asks Martin for another chance; Anna suggests they bring the case in together; and Dante asks Sonny if it was an inside job.

🪪 Something Old Is Something New…

So far, I’m thinking we should keep him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-harrington-is-the-new-jagger-on-general-hospital

🚑 Coming and Going…

The circle of soap life.

William Lipton Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL!
Joshua Benard Done at GENERAL HOSPITAL

🤹‍♂️ No Idle Hands Here…

Teaching, directing, kicking ass as a spy. Is there nothing she can’t do?

Ian Buchanan and Finola Hughes Together Again!

Boogieing down for mental health.

Maurice Benard Boogies With TikTok’s Dancing UPS Man!

🐶 Whiskey A Go-Go…

Including this because, dog.

GH Alum Kelly Thiebaud Shares the Cutest Photo of Her Injured Dog

🍑 They Hear Her Knocking…

IRL this makes sense, but in Bravoland, anything can happen.

Kenya Moore Says ‘Door Is Closed’ for NeNe Leakes and RHOA

🍸 Extra Rules…

Maybe she’s hoping for screen time since no one wants to film with him.

Ariana Madix Thinks Billie Lee Is Living in Her House

Totally understandable.

Pump Rules Banned From Filming at Schwartz & Sandy’s

⚰️ Premiere Of Ones…

So be sure to watch the premiere before the premiere.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/amc-amc-presents-the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-premiere-event

🏆 One Grammy Coming Up…

If you just want the basics.

https://ew.com/2024-grammys-everything-we-know-8431969

Or the whole shebang.

https://live.grammy.com

🏈 Don’t Try This At Home…

 Super Bowl party fails.

Super Bowl Party Fails

Super Bowl party mistakes. These could go for any party.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/big-game/big-game-parties/game-day-party-mistakes

Real Bowl blunders.

5 Worst Super Bowl Blunders

🦡 He Was Hungry…

The opossum is always the last one they suspect.

https://people.com/opossum-caught-on-camera-stealing-birthday-cookie-delivery-8557650

🐕 Best Bowl Of All…

The Ravens and the pups.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/baltimore-ravens-hang-out-with-rescue-puppies-for-puppy-bowl-xx-

Up for adoption.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/adoptables

Guest appearances!

Puppy Bowl XX slated to be ‘puppiest’ ever

🐬 Quotes of the Week

Take your camera, and take your selfie stick, and take your dogs, and get the f*** out of here. – crazy Karen neighbor, Neighborhood Wars

You are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into training. – Tom Hopkins

At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable. – Christopher Reeve

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man (and woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. – Blaise Pascal

Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – John Wooden

You’re no scientist. You’re just crazy. – Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee), Gyeonsueong Creature

Judge a person by their questions rather than their answers. – Voltaire

Babies are supposed to cry and throw a fit. Not you. – Amanda Halterman, 1000-Lb. Sisters

One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. – Lucille Ball

Geometry made me its bitch. – Vince (Louis Mustillo), Mike & Molly (I so relate.)

🎤 Accepting All the Grammys…

Go out and live real life, then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and perhaps a little Deck talk. Until then, stay safe, stay away from doom scrolling, and stay never going to a second location. Everyone and their cat knows that.

Feb2

February 1, 2024 – Felicia Advocates For Adam, Coney, See Ya, Doubles, On His Way, About Emmy, Feelings, Dragon Girl, Saturday Night Cast, Be Your Dog’s Valentine & Groove

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura stands on the deck of the French Haunted Star when Dante comes out. She asks if he’s spoken to the French authorities, and he says he did. They’re very thorough and very professional. She tells him, just say it. Where is Spencer?

Trina sits in her stateroom, flashing back to the struggle with Esme, when Portia and Curtis come in. Trina hugs Portia and takes Curtis’s hand.

Felicia finds Josslyn at the hospital and says she heard Josslyn’s friend Adam needs a patient advocate.

Nurse Willow tells Adam that she has a friend of his outside, and he says, if she’s talking about Josslyn… She says she isn’t. She’s talking about this. She brings in his guitar and he smiles. He says he wasn’t sure what happened to it, and she says, they were keeping it for him. He thanks her, but she says, thank Josslyn. She was the one who brought it from the park the night he was admitted. She thought he might want it. Killjoy Mr. Wright aka Adam’s father comes to the door and says he was hoping Adam had outgrown this thing. It’s time he got his priorities straight.

Lois asks Chase and Brook if they can imagine anything more appropriate or beautiful than St. Anthony’s in Bensonhurst. The entire neighborhood will be there. All the Cerullos and the Falconaris and Father Tom. He does a great service. (Yeah, but isn’t Aunt Gloria not allowed near that church anymore?) Brook says, they already asked Gregory to officiate, and Lois says, not to worry. Father Tom is very liberal. She’s sure he would have no problem sharing the pulpit. So have they thought about the reception? Brook says, one idea is a yacht, and Lois says, that is romantic in theory. It’s risky in practice. The night of her second wedding to Ned – the one that was actually sanctioned by the church, as opposed to the quickie one where she thought she was marrying Eddie Maine – they had a yacht cruise. The ship ran aground and almost sank with the entire wedding party and family and friends on board. Chase says, so they should be looking at venues on dry land, and Lois says, but some risks are worth taking. Could they imagine a moonlight cruise off Coney Island? They can welcome all of the guests on board under the Brooklyn Bridge, and they can sail around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. And when everybody’s ready to disembark, they can send them off with popcorn. Doesn’t that sound spectacular? (It sounds like, one of these things is not like the others.) Gregory says, spectacular, and Chase tells her, he has to say, they’re… Brook says, speechless, but Tracy says she’s not.

At Crimson, Drew asks Carly how it’s going, and she says, ask her in a couple of days because they’re in the middle of putting out the first issue of the magazine with her name on it. Her head is spinning. He says, with her here and Nina gone, Crimson has already improved, but Carly says she doesn’t know about that. She despises Nina, but Nina knew a lot more than she does about putting a magazine out. He says, Nina learned on the job. She’s going to learn on the job too. She’s a natural leader, runs a big company, and she’s got great taste, if he does say so himself. It’s only a matter of time before she surpasses Nina. She says she loves his confidence, and he says, nobody is even going to remember Nina ran this place. She says, Nina who? and they kiss. He says, the best business decision he ever made was making her Editor-in-Chief of Crimson. (I just had a thought, have the angry shareholders started calling yet? They might still be smarting from the merger debacle.) Michael walks in and asks if Drew has a minute.

Felicia tells Josslyn, after Carly called, she took a look at Adam’s recent psyche evaluation, and it turns out it’s up to him if he wants to go home or go back to school or stay here at General Hospital for observation. Josslyn says she thinks Adam just wants to live his life and not feel like he’s one big disappointment. Can Felicia help him? Felicia says she’ll do her best. There’s no underestimating the hold a parent has on a child.

Lois says, before Tracy insists the wedding be at this house with a bunch of snooty waiters and unnecessary etiquette, she wants Tracy to think about what Brook and Chase want. Tracy flashes back to Gregory saying, no more petty fighting with Lois and Olivia about the reception and arguing with Ned about anything. All that matters is that those two beautiful souls belong together, and we do everything to make that happen. He asks if they understand each other, and she says, they do. Lois tells Tracy, because this is supposed to be a celebration, and celebrations are supposed to be fun. She knows it’s important to have gorgeous flowers and beautiful table settings, but that is not as important as the food and the music and the dancing, especially the dancing. Because what’s really important is for the bride and the groom to enjoy the occasion. And what is more enjoyable than for Brook to be married in her neighborhood, surrounded by the people who’ve known her and loved her for her entire life? Brook tells Tracy, say something, and Tracy says she couldn’t agree more.

Dante tells Laura, the police found the captain locked in a closet, unconscious. When he came to, he confirmed Spencer chartered the boat to cruise the river to the English Channel. When the boat left the pier, he found an American woman on deck. She said she was lost, but he didn’t believe her. When he tried to take her into custody, she fought back and smacked him in the head with a fire extinguisher. Laura asks if the captain was able to ID her, and Dante says, he picked out Esme’s picture right away. She asks, what about the search for Spencer? and he says, they have every boat at their disposal in the water, searching. So far there’s no sign of Esme or Spencer. She says, then they can still be alive, and Dante says, yeah. He’ll check in again and see if there’s any updates. She thanks him, he says, of course (🍷), and leaves.

Trina asks, when did they get here? and Portia says, they just arrived. Ned Quartermaine kindly let them borrow the ELQ jet and they came as soon as they heard Esme was on her way to Paris. Curtis says, Laura and Dante are coordinating with the French police. He promises they’re doing all they can to rescue Spencer. Trina says she knows Spencer is alive, and Portia asks, so what happened? The police told them that Esme tried to stab Spencer with a needle. Trina says, she ambushed him from behind. Whatever drug she was using was so powerful, he couldn’t even stand. Then Esme tried to come for her and tried to inject her with the needle. Then Spencer grabbed her and they both went over the side… He saved her life like he did in Greenland. Curtis says, thank God for that, and Trina says she thought she lost him then too. Then he came back to her, so – Laura comes in – she just knows in her heart that he’s alive still. Laura tells her to trust her heart.

Michael congratulates Carly on the new job, and she thanks him. He says, the MetroCourt’s loss is Crimson’s gain. She says, don’t worry. She’s definitely getting her half of the MetroCourt back one day, with her own money. She’s not going to take loans from anyone. So until then, she’s just going to enjoy her time at Crimson. Michael says, she’ll knock it out of the ballpark, and she thanks him for the vote of confidence. But that’s not why he’s here, is it? He says, no. He was looking for Drew. His office said he was here. Drew suggests they relocate, but Carly says she’s going to GH because she thinks Josslyn could use some back-up. She hugs Drew, saying, take it easy on him, in his ear. She leaves, and Drew says, it’s late. Anything Michael needs to say to him, he can say to him in the morning. Michale says he’s afraid not. He’s resigning.

Mr. Wright says, this has got to go, trying to take Adam’s guitar, but Adam says, no, it doesn’t. Willow says, he’s upsetting the patient. Please wait outside. Wright tells Adam that they have far more important things to discuss than his musical hobby, like the reason he’s here in this hospital. Josslyn walks in with Felicia, and Wright says, then moving on to the many lies Adam’s told. Adam owes him that. Josslyn says, Adam doesn’t owe him anything, and Wright tells Willow that he thought he made it clear that this young woman was not to be allowed near his son. Felicia tells him, please do what Nurse Corinthos says and wait outside, and Wright asks who she is. She says she’s Felicia Scorpio. She’s on staff here as a patient advocate and she needs to talk to Adam, just the two of them.

Lois says she’s sorry. She doesn’t think she heard correctly. Did Tracy just agree with her? Tracy says, as mother of the bride, Lois is traditionally hostess of the wedding and the reception. She knows their tastes differ and Quartermaine traditions are not necessarily right for everyone. Lois says she always thought Tracy was too snooty to see past her own stuck-up nose, but clearly, she was wrong. Tracy says, live and learn, and Brook asks if she and Chase can have a word with grandmother privately. Gregory says, of course (🍷). Shall we? Lois says, delighted, and they leave, Gregory closing the door. Tracy says, now that they’re all on the same page, the wedding can proceed. The ceremony at St. Anthony’s in Bensonhurst, the festival hall of their choosing for the reception, and the streamers, balloons, and bunting in whatever color palette Brook’s mother desires. No need for them to thank her. Brook says, thank her? They were counting on her to say no.

Portia asks if Laura has any news, and Laura says, Dante is with the police now, but no word yet. Trina says she knows they’ll find him, and Laura asks if Trina can just tell her what happened and what Esme thought she was going to accomplish. Trina says, Esme wanted to take Spencer hostage to force Nikolas out of hiding and trade him for Ace, but Laura says, Esme’s a tiny little girl. How could she possibly overpower Spencer? Did she have a gun? Curtis says, that’s why she planned to drug him, and Trina tells them, Esme said the drug would make Spencer docile, but it didn’t work. He found a way to fight it, and then Esme came for her with the needle, and he grabbed her. That’s how she knows he loves her, and she knows he’s alive. Dante comes in, and Laura asks if there’s an update, but Dante says he’s sorry. He doesn’t have good news.

Tracy says she doesn’t understand. She thought Brook was on board with her mother’s vision. Brook asks if Tracy knows how many weddings she’s been to at St. Anthony’s. Don’t misunderstand. They’ve all been beautiful and a lot of fun, but as much as she loves the old neighborhood, she doesn’t want to be married there. Chase says he and Brook met in Port Charles. They fell in love here and the people they love and are closest to live here. Brook says, they want a Port Charles wedding. Whether they have the reception here at the house or at The Savoy or at the MetroCourt ballroom, they just want it to be in a place that has meaning for them as a couple. Chase says, it’s not that he doesn’t want to get to know Brook’s family in Bensonhurst. He does. Brook says, just not on their wedding day. They want it to be a day to celebrate their love, not a meet and greet with the Falconari and Cerullo clans. Tracy says, if that’s the way she feels, why doesn’t she tell her mother? and Brook says, because she’s her ma’s only child and she’s a daughter. A big neighborhood wedding is like a rite of passage. Her ma has always been rebellious, but when it came to marrying her dad, they did the ceremony in Bensonhurst. Tracy says she remembers the stories, running around Brooklyn in their wedding attire, hoping to make it to the church on time, and Brook says, now it’s her mother’s turn to be mother of the bride. To have all the uncles and cousins and nonnas congratulate her. And since she divorced Brook’s dad and raised Brook as a single mom, it’s an even bigger deal for her. Tracy says, so maybe Brook should defer to her wishes? and Chase says, she’s got a point. Brook says she doesn’t want to hurt her mom’s feelings, but she just wants their wedding to be their wedding. Tracy says, it will be. She promises.

Michael hands Drew his resignation and says he’s happy for his mom. He knows she’ll make Crimson even better, but Drew fired Nina and hired his mom without even asking him. He knows it’s Drew’s call, but as somebody who’s been handling the day-to-day for years, he should have at least been consulted. Drew says, like Michael shared the inside information about Nina with him? and Michael says he found out Nina tipped off the SEC at their wedding reception. He was on the phone call with his source when he looked over and saw Nina dancing with Willow and his son. Drew says he understands it’s complicated, and Michael says, that’s why he needed proof. He recorded Martin Grey admitting to everything. He went to his father. He was going to play him the recording and expose Nina; get her out of his father’s life, Willow’s life, and his kids’ life, once and for all. Drew says, Michael doesn’t have to explain it. He didn’t want to break Sonny’s heart. Michael says he and his father had been estranged ever since he chose Nina over Michael’s mom and his family. They finally reconciled, so if Michael was to go over to him and basically say, see? I was right. Nina’s a liar and you were a fool to choose her over us, he felt it would break their relationship for good. Drew says, he could have found a gentler way to bring it to him, but Michael says, no matter how he would have said it, that’s what Sonny would have heard. That’s what he heard when Michael told him the truth finally. Drew says, Sonny blames Michael as much as he blames Nina, and Michael says, if not more. That’s for him and his father to work out, or not. The point is, he owed it to Drew to let him know everything and he didn’t. He’ll stick around and help with the transition as long as Drew needs him, until he can find someone he trusts with the position. Michael starts to leave, but Drew says, wait. The truth is, his anger was misdirected toward Michael. Nina is the one who caused all the harm. Now that Carly is here in her place, the books are balanced. Michael asks what he’s saying, and Drew tells him that he’s saying he wants Michael here. But with new ground rules in place.

Wright says his son doesn’t need an advocate. He has his father. Josslyn asks how that’s worked out, and Wright says, if she doesn’t leave now, he’ll call security. Carly arrives and says, no, he won’t. Wright asks who she is, and she says she’s Josslyn’s mother. And instead of insulting her daughter, why isn’t he thanking her for saving his son’s life? Felicia says, if they’d all just step outside and give her a moment alone with Adam, but Wright says he’s staying. Willow says, Adam? and Adam says he’d like to talk to the advocate. Willow says, he heard his son. He needs to leave. Or should she call security? Wright tells Adam that he’ll be right outside, and Josslyn says she’ll be right outside too, in case Adam needs her. Everyone leaves, and Adam asks Felicia, what happens now? She says, it’s his life. He’s been given a second chance to live it. How he does so is up to him.

Dante says, the authorities are dragging the river. They’ve got divers out there and helicopters along the shoreline, but the currents are stronger the closer the river gets to the Channel. Trina says, there must be something more they can do to rescue Spencer, but Dante says, the problem is this. They’ve been in the water for more than 24 hours now. Given the temperature and whatever Esme gave to Spencer, they’re no longer calling this a rescue mission; they’re calling it recovery. Trina says she doesn’t care what they call it, recovery or rescue. What matters is they get Spencer back. Dante tells Trina and Laura that he’s so sorry. Spencer is now presumed dead. Laura starts to cry, and Trina says, they’re wrong. He’s alive. She knows he is. She runs out, crying.

Portia asks if Curtis minds, and he says, of course (🍷) not. Go after their daughter. She runs after Trina, and Curtis tells Laura that Spencer was her grandson and he’s very sorry. She thanks him, and Curtis asks who Dante’s contact is at the local police. Dante says, Captain Auboire. She has a command station set up on the bridge. She can give him all the details. Curtis says he’s going to need to hear that so he can relay it to Trina when she’s ready. He leaves, and Dante asks Laura if there’s anything he can do. She says, find her grandson, and he says he wishes he could. She says she knows. She knows Dante would bring him back if he could. They all would. But nothing can be done. She sobs and Dante puts his hand on her shoulder.

Felicia says, Adam tried to end his life. She and his medical team are going to make sure he knows they’re going to continue to support him even after he walks out the door. He’s not alone. He has help. All he has to do is ask for it.

In the hallway, Josslyn says, there’s something Wright needs to know. When she found Adam in the park, he was clutching the thing he loves most, that guitar. Does he know what she likes to think? That even when he was out of it and about to drift off forever, he heard music, and it gave him a reason to live. He believes he’s doing what’s best for his son, but what’s best for Adam is for his father to see him and accept him for who he is.

Tracy asks Lois and Gregory to join them, and Lois makes a beeline for Brook, while Gregory asks if Tracy is okay. She says, no thanks to him. Agreeing with Lois took years off her life. Lois says she doesn’t want them to worry about a thing. The cost of the boat and the food… she’s going to foot the bill. Tracy says she’s footing the bill. And on further review, she’s decided the wedding is going to take place here in Port Charles. Formal attire, flowers by Genevieve, string quartet, and French champagne. Lois asks if that’s really what they want, and Chase says, as much as he wants to meet Lois’s extended family, he and Brook are based here, and this is where they would like to have the wedding. Brook says, a formal reception with flowers and champagne and a string quartet sounds beautiful, and Lois says, beautiful, yeah, but where’s the fun? Tracy says she’s so glad Lois brought that up, because it’s the night before the wedding when the fun really happens.

Portia finds Trina on deck, and Trina asks how she’s supposed to walk away from him. How can she let him go? Portia hugs her.

Brook and Chase both say, Coney Island? and Tracy says, it may not be the proper venue for the wedding, but it’s perfect for the rehearsal dinner. Lois says, of course (🍷). Why didn’t she think of that? Tracy says, nail polish remover. Silent killer. They can recreate all the outer borough charm right on the wharf. They can hire a carnival… and rockers. Whatever. Lois says, that’s true, but Tracy could do even better than that, right? Because why recreate Coney Island, when they could have the real thing? Chase says, the rehearsal dinner is the night before the ceremony, and Brook says, they can’t get everybody down there and back to Port Charles. Lois says, is she sure? What does Tracy think? Tracy says, they can charter buses, and Lois says, buses? What about jets? Tracy is a fancy shmancy cosmeticsy old lady. She can fly everybody down there and back in one night. She can rent out the whole park. Lois can just see it now. Waiters on roller skates handing out pigs in blankets, the Salt N Sizzle, the sideshow, and oh! The Cyclone. Gregory says he’d pay money to see Tracy on The Slingshot, and Lois says, and maybe they can get the groom to serenade the bride on the beach. Brook looks at Chase, and Lois says, what? No. They’re going to tell her that they hate it? Brook says, she couldn’t be more wrong, and Chase says, they love it. Lois says, they do? and Brook hugs her. Gregory and Tracy go into the foyer.

Felicia says, Adam would like to see Josslyn now, and Josslyn goes to his room. She says, looking for her? and Adam says, the nurse told him that it was her who brought his guitar from the park to the hospital. She says she knew he’d want it, and he says, but she didn’t know if he’d be around to use it. She says, no, but she hoped, and he thanks her. She says, it wasn’t a big deal, and he says, not just about the guitar. For him. He tried to kill himself. If it hadn’t been for her, he would have. She says she was just doing what a friend does, and he says, even after everything, the way he treated her, she can still say that. She says she just did, and she promises to keep on saying it as long as he promises to hear it.

Wright tells Felicia that he still needs to see his son, when Josslyn comes back with Adam and his guitar. Wright says, oh good, he’s dressed. Enough talk. They’re going home. Adam says, no, he’s not.

Drew says he needs to know that he can trust Michael. That was never an issue before. Michael always had his back and he always had Michael’s back. He’s not blaming Michael for making the choice to protect his family, but he’s saying Michael has to remember he’s family too. Michael asks how he rebuilds that trust. Where does he start? Drew says, him firing Nina and putting Carly in her place, that’s just the beginning, and Michael asks if he’s planning more changes at Aurora. Drew says he’s planning more changes for Nina. He’s going to make her pay for every single day she kept him away from his daughter, for every scar he carried with him when he walked away from Pentenville. That woman thinks she’s lost everything. She has no idea. She’s going to keep losing until she’s alone, as broke, and as empty as she deserves to be. So is Michael with him? Ugh. I’m not liking this new, dark Drew. I wasn’t exactly a Drew fan to begin with, but he’s kind of creepy now.

Laura tells Dante that she knows better than to play with what ifs. She knows it’s not going to change anything, but she can’t stop herself. What if Spencer had just refused to give Ace to his father? Or what if when Esme finished in court, she just took her son and went back home? Then they would all just be in Port Charles tonight, wouldn’t they? And Spencer and Trina would be together. They’d be young and in love and in Paris. She cries and says, instead, they have this. She can’t imagine a world without Spencer. She just can’t.

Portia tells Trina to take her jacket, but Trina says, no. Portia says she doesn’t want Trina to get cold, but Trina says she doesn’t care. Think about how cold the water is. Spencer loved to swim, but he hated the cold. She remembers when they were at the cabin, and he couldn’t wait to make a fire… At the cabin. That’s when Esme showed her true colors. Why didn’t they pay attention? Why didn’t they get away from her then? Even Spencer… especially Spencer. Portia says, Esme can’t hurt anyone anymore. Spencer saw to that. He really was a hero. She suggests getting Trina home, since there’s really nothing they can do here now, and Trina says she’ll meet Portia at the stateroom. Portia leaves, and Trina asks Spencer, how do I do it? How do I say goodbye?

Lois says she got carried away and suggested a wedding and reception that’s very similar to… Brook looks at her, and she says, okay, almost identical to her wedding to Brook’s father… and her cousin Teresa’s… and her cousin Angela’s… All right, and to Luciana Falconari’s, which all happened this past year. Brook says, and they were all beautiful, and Lois says, yes, and Brook’s wedding will be beautiful too. As long as it’s the wedding of Brook’s dreams, not hers. Brook says she loves Lois, and Lois says she loves Brook too. Brook says, as long as they have their families wishing them well… Chase says, their wedding will be perfect. Lois agrees.

Gregory says, Tracy never ceases to amaze him. She has all sorts of hidden talents when she lets herself show them. She says, sometimes all she needs is a little encouragement. However, there is no amount of encouragement that will ever get her on anything called The Slingshot. He says he begs to differ. If he can get Alexis into a parachute, he can get her onto The Slingshot. (See below.)

Wright says, don’t be foolish. Adam’s proven he can’t be trusted on his own. After some time home with family, he can enroll in another college. Get a fresh start. Adam says he’s going back to PCU. He’s got unfinished business there. Besides, there’s a really great music department there. Wright asks, who will pay the tuition? and Felicia says, with his musical talent, perhaps PCU will want to recruit Adam. Adam says, or he’ll get a job, put himself through school, and Wright says, this is a mistake, but Adam says, it’s his to make. He has his dad’s phone number, and his dad has his. Whenever he feels like talking, they’ll talk. Wright looks disgusted, and leaves. Josslyn hugs Adam, and he says he’s not complaining, but what was that for? She says, for being you, and Carly looks on proudly.

Michael says, if regaining Drew’s trust means pursuing a vendetta against Nina, he’s sorry, but the answer’s no. Drew asks if Michael thinks he’s being too hard on her, but Michael says, it’s not worth what he stands to lose. He already went behind Willow’s back in order to protect her from her mother, and it nearly cost him his family. He can’t do that again. He wants Nina to lose everything, but he can’t be involved in making that happen. Drew had better start screening for a CEO. Drew says he already has his CEO. Michael just proved it right now. Michael asks if this was a test, and Drew says he told Michael what he was planning. Michael declined to be involved and he respects Michael’s reasons and respects his honesty. That’s what they need. They need transparency. Collaboration can’t happen without it. He rips up Michael’s resignation and says he expects to see Michael at his desk first thing in the morning.

Portia asks what the police had to say, and Curtis says, they’re going to extend the search for the next 48 hours. If they don’t find anything, they’re going to assume Spencer and Esme’s bodies were swept out into the English Channel and lost. She says, any idea on the odds of recovering their bodies? and he says, less than 50%. He doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, if they don’t find the body, Trina will never accept Spencer’s gone. If they do find the body, she’s going to insist on viewing it. He just doesn’t want her to see Spencer that way. He wants to spare her that. Portia says she wanted Spencer out of Trina’s life. He brought trouble and she wanted to protect Trina from all of that. But the thought of that young man losing his life saving Trina’s and how Trina’s feeling tonight… She didn’t want it to happen like this. She cries and says, not this way.

Laura and Dante go out on deck, and Laura goes over to Trina. Trina asks if Doc is okay, and Laura says, he still has a headache. Other than that, he’s fine. Trina says she knows Laura wants to get home soon, so she promises she won’t be long, but Laura tells her to take as much time as she needs. She kisses Trina on the forehead, and she and Dante go back inside. Trina flashes back over her and Spencer being in Paris before Esme came along, and there’s a song part. She says, this isn’t goodbye. Somehow, some way…

We see the turtle dove washed up on a rocky shore.

Tomorrow, Olivia says, it’s best for everyone; Laura says, we owe each other the truth; Trina says, this time it won’t be a happy ending; and Ava tells Nina to prepare herself for a life without him (presumably Sonny).

🛟 Sweeping Down the Seine…

Never fear, Spencer is making a series for Netflix. This doesn’t say much about his ex-partner in crime. Only that yesterday was her last day on screen. My hopes of Spencer and Esme both having lost their memories and being stuck in a Blue Lagoon scenario are officially dashed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/avery-pohl-leaves-general-hospital

🤸‍♀️ Stunts On the Water…

This sounds like fun, and kudos to Avery Pohl for being her own stunt double.

The Secrets Behind GH’s Paris Fight Scenes!

🛵 He’s Getting There…

No definitive date, but the speculation is late February/early March.

Steve Burton Teases His GENERAL HOSPITAL Return!

🏆 Variations In Category…

The Daytime Emmys make a few changes.

NATAS Announces Changes to Daytime Emmy Categories

🍹 Some Type Of Way…

Checking in on how everyone feels. Even though it’s probably the least important thing in the history of the world.

How Does Taylor Ann Green’s Boyfriend Feel About Her Friendship With Ex Shep Rose?

🐉 When Worlds Collide…

Seasons are so sparse now, she can probably take on a few more projects and have spare time.

https://ew.com/supergirl-casting-milly-alcock-house-of-the-dragon-8549512

🗽 Live From New York…

This sounds promising.

https://ew.com/snl-1975-movie-cast-and-real-people-8551014

❣️ Ahead Of the Pack…

No shame in having your dog as your date. As a matter of fact, it’s probably better than a lot of human dates.

https://www.dailypaws.com/gear-apparel/pet-gifts/dog-valentines-day-gifts

https://www.dogtopia.com/blog/how-to-celebrate-valentines-day-with-your-dog

🏃🏽‍♀️ One February A-Leaping…

Check in tomorrow for soap, amusement, knowledge, and as always, music. Until then, stay safe, stay refraining from posting every moment of your life on social media, and stay not playing with what ifs. They won’t change anything.

Feb1

January 31, 2024 – Esme Tells Spencer Her Evil Plan, Sutton’s Friend Brings The Erudites To Dinner & Wake Up

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly invites, Maxie, Sasha and Brook into her Crimson office, thanking them for seeing her on such short… well, no notice. She knows some of them are close with Nina, so she wanted to reach out first. She gets it. She knows everyone is a little blindsided by her presence here. She knows how they feel. If someone would have told her even 24 hours ago that she’d be in this position, she would have said they were crazy. But here she is, and here they all are, so why don’t they just focus on the business at hand? She wanted to do this in person. Leave the lawyers out of it, at least for now. Deception’s advertising contract with Crimson is up for renewal, and she’s eager to maintain this relationship, and hopefully see how it will evolve.

A woman walks into Nina’s MetroCourt office, and Nina asks how she can help her. The woman says she’s here to help Nina. She’s Gemma Somebody-Or-Other and she writes… Nina says, To the Nines column in the City Gazette. She shakes Gemma’s hand and Gemma says she’s flattered. Nina says she loves Gemma’s takes on fashion, and Gemma says, even when she disagrees with Nina? Nina says, especially when Gemma disagrees with her. How does Gemma want to help her? Gemma says she thought Nina might want to set the record straight. Why was the woman who saved Crimson from financial ruin just shown the door?

Lois approaches Olivia at the MetroCourt and asks if she’s got a few. Olivia says she’s actually kind of busy. It’ll have to wait. Lois says, can it? Because she gets the feeling if she leaves it up to Olivia, they may never speak again. Is that what she wants?

Paris On The Seine. On the French Haunted Star, Spencer comes out and sees a trail of the captain’s blood smeared across the deck, along with the fire extinguisher Esme used to knock him out. He follows the trail.

Trina asks what Esme is doing here, and Esme says, with Ace gone, she’s been all by herself. She missed Trina and Spencer so much, where else would she be? She walks toward Trina.

Dex yells for Sonny and Ava to get down, and they duck under a table. Shots are fired.

Nina says, it was her decision to leave Crimson, and Gemma says, is that right? Did she have any input on hiring her successor, Carly Spencer? Nina says she’s sorry to disappoint Gemma, but she promises, there is no story here. Gemma says, and if anyone would know, it’s Nina Reeves, the woman who revolutionized fashion guerrillaism, and Nina says, that’s very flattering, strategically so. Gemma says, it’s still true. Under Nina’s guiding hand, Crimson was a setter of trends. She also did in-depth exposés on botched plastic surgery and how fashion affects body image in both women and men. And now the magazine she brought back from bankruptcy has been given to her husband’s ex-wife. She’s sorry she’s barreling on, but this must be difficult. Nina says, Gemma isn’t telling her anything she doesn’t already know, and she’s still not throwing Carly under the bus. Gemma says, so there is a bus, and Nina says, Gemma wants a statement, she’ll give her a statement. She’s certain Carly Spencer will provide a fresh, new take on fashion and take the magazine in bold, new directions. There, that’s it. Gemma says, about a year ago, Nina – Crimson that is – celebrated how working women could be fashionable and stylish on any income on a busy schedule. And why every woman, every person, should do that for themselves. She adored that piece. Nina says she remembers that, and Gemma says she must confess she’s a little outraged about Nina’s departure, which is why she’s stumped. Even if it was Nina’s decision to leave, how could Drew Cain even consider letting her go? Nina says he’s very proud of her tenure at Crimson and will always remember it fondly. That’s all she has to say… on the record. Off the record, and in her own personal opinion, Drew Cain is no businessman. When it comes to running Aurora or Crimson, he’s listening more to his… heart than he is his head. (Agreed.)

Carly asks if anyone has any questions, and Maxie says, so many, she doesn’t even know where to start. Carly says she acknowledges Nina played a crucial part in forming the partnership between Deception and Crimson, one that’s been profitable for both parties. So if they think she’s going to come in here and change everything solely to do things differently than Nina, that’s not going to happen. In fact, the only changes she wants to make are the ones that maximize both of their successes. Sasha says she’s so sorry. She’s been trying to think of a way to ask this that doesn’t sound… Brook says, snarky? and Maxie asks who she thinks she’s in the room with. Carly says, Sasha can say anything to her, and Sasha says, it’s just that running the MetroCourt and the diner require a very different skillset than running a magazine. Brook says, they want to know how they can trust Carly in running this very new, untested version of Crimson, and Carly says, that’s fair. Maxie might know this, but she doubts Brook and Sasha do. Back in the 90s, she was part owner of the original Deception fragrance company. She has a history with Deception and an affection for it. That’s why she wants to do right by it and them. (Which is great, but doesn’t answer the question.) Maxie says, they’re listening, and Carly says, they’re in the process of closing out their April issue, and as they know, it’s one of the biggest issues of the year. Maxie says, second only to September, and Carly says, that’s right. How about if she increases Deception’s page count at a favorable rate? Maxie asks, how favorable are they talking? when Tracy comes in. She says, don’t sign anything. Oh wait. She’s the only one who can do that. Thank God. So what did she miss? Anything good? Like the part where Carly explains how a rank amateur can avoid running Crimson right into the ground?

Olivia says, it’s highly inappropriate, Lois coming in here like this, and Lois says, it’s a public place. Olivia says, it is a restaurant and it’s her place of business. It’s very important to her that she keep her personal life and professional life very separate. Lois says, what personal life is she talking about? Lately she’s been spending all her time in this place, which begs the question, is Olivia avoiding her? Olivia says she’s not avoiding Lois and she’ll prove it to her by talking to her – at home, but Lois says she doesn’t believe Olivia. Because on the off chance they even bump into each other at the Q’s, Olivia ducks out. Then when Lois chases after her, she disappears. Are there secret passages or something she’s not aware of? Olivia says, if Lois hasn’t noticed, she’s the working mother of a young child who happens to have special needs, and Lois says, Olivia is a wonderful mother to Leo, which doesn’t change the fact that Olivia is avoiding her. And this is the only place she’s able to get a face-to-face with Olivia, so here she is. Olivia says, fine, and stomps off, Lois following her. She sits in one of the private areas and says, make it quick. Sitting across from her, Lois says, make what quick? and Olivia says, her apology.

Spencer runs into the stateroom and yells for Trina. He says, the captain’s been attacked. Someone’s on board the vessel. He turns around, and Esme says, hello, Spence. He grabs her by the throat and slams her against the wall, saying, where is she?

Dex peeks in to where Sonny and Ava are, and says, the gunfire’s coming from the other side of the hotel. They think it’s a single shooter and they’re closing in on his location. Can Sonny and Ava make it inside? Sonny nods, and Dex covers them while they dash inside.

Esme tells Spencer to let go of her neck. That could be bad for his little girl. He says he radioed for help when he found the captain. They’ll be here any second. She says, they’re headed for the English Channel, and she’s already smashed the satellite tracking. They’ll be long gone before the police arrive. Spencer says he’s not going anywhere with her. He’ll kill her first. She says, go ahead. Then he’ll never find Trina in time, and he’ll have killed them both.

Esme asks Spencer how it feels not knowing where Trina is and not knowing if she’s safe. Every second of separation is agony, isn’t it? Well, his little pangs are nothing compared to the torture that Spencer and his father have put her through. He took away her child. Ace is a part of her and now he’s gone, so go ahead, squeeze the life out of her. Kill her and Trina both. Do it. He says he’s not going to kill her because he wants her to live a very long life, living with the pain she just described to him, because she’s never, ever going to see her son again. He lets go, and she says, she is Ace’s mother. Spencer pretended to love him, and he gave Ace away, and she’ll do anything to get her son back. He says, and he’ll do anything to stop her. She unzips her backpack, and says, oh really? So he’d let Trina die. Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen if he doesn’t do exactly as she says. Now give her his hands. She will kill Trina. He knows she will. Now turn around and give her his hands. He does asks she asks, and she binds his wrists together.

Bound and gagged in the wheelhouse, Trina struggles to get out. She scoots across the floor.

Tracy says, what she’s dying to know is how an innkeeper is qualified to run a fashion magazine, and how to explain fashion to Carly. Carly says she guesses she’ll look it up online. As she was explaining to Tracy’s partners – Tracy says, junior partners – she’s run several businesses, learning from the ground up. Nothing is going to change with Crimson except the name on the masthead. Tracy says, so they’re swapping out the current Mrs. Corinthos for the previous gun moll, which just doesn’t sound like progress to her. Brook says, come on. At least hear what she has to say. Maxie says, Carly is offering Deception substantial concessions, and Sasha says, exactly at a time they can use them. They’re pushing a new fragrance and they’re launching their men’s line with Cody as their spokesmodel. Tracy says, so all of them are perfectly content to risk Deception’s brand on a dilettante? and Carly says, Nina was a baby stealing lunatic when she took over the magazine, and it was only given to her so she could run it into the ground. Maxie says she really wants to object to that characterization, but that’s exactly what happened, and Carly says, and look at it now. Julian took a gamble on Nina, and it paid off. Not in the way he wanted it to. Drew is taking a much smaller gamble with her, and she’s just asking Tracy to do the same. A small gamble. She thinks it’s an opportunity they can’t afford to miss.

Lois says she was out of line throwing what happened between Sonny and Dante in Olivia’s face, and Olivia says, when Sonny shot Dante, he didn’t know they were father and son because she kept quiet about it? Lois says she’s sorry. It was a lousy thing to say. Her mouth ran away with her, and she wishes she could take that back, but she’s not going to apologize for telling Sonny that Ned wasn’t the one responsible for turning Carly and Drew in to SEC, because that was the right thing to do. Olivia says, according to her, Lois Cerullo, the world expert on who gets to know what, but Lois asks how she was supposed to look Sonny in the face and not tell him? Olivia says, because she begged Lois not to. Because when she told Lois, she told her in confidence and Lois broke that confidence in like, two seconds. A lifetime of trust she threw away. What Olivia wanted, what mattered to her, didn’t mean a damn thing. Lois just ran off and blabbed. Lois asks what she was supposed to do, and Olivia says, not that. And that’s exactly her point. Lois says, after everything they’ve been through in their lives, don’t they owe it to each other to work out their differences? and Olivia says, to be honest with her, she’s not sure they can at this point. This goes a lot deeper then just Lois betraying her trust. Lois says, that is a little extreme, and Olivia asks if this relationship means something to her. Lois says, of course (🍷). It means everything to her, and Olivia says she used to believe that. What are they supposed to mean to each other when Lois’s relationship with Sonny trumps theirs every single time?

In the living room, still ducking down, Sonny asks if Ava is okay, and she says, they need to check on Avery. He says, she’s with the bodyguard. She’s in her room safe. Ava insists she has to check on Avery, and Sonny takes out his phone. He says, this is a live feed, and shows her. He says, the bodyguard’s with her right there, but Ava says she needs to see it for herself. It gets quiet, and Sonny says, once they get the all-clear, she can go. Dex comes in and says, they’re all clear, and notices Ava’s hand is bleeding. Sonny asks if she was hit.

Tracy says she’s deeply disinclined to put Deception’s money on Carly until she has something to show for her tenure. They wait a few months… Maxie jumps up and says, a few months? Crimson is closing their April issue now. Sasha says, what if everything turns out just fine? They’ll have missed April ad space in Crimson. Brook says, and September is a long way away. By then, their competition will have overtaken them in ads and sales. Maxie says, they need this opportunity, and Carly says, and it’s not going to come around again. Tracy says, okay, and Brook asks, what exactly does she mean by okay? Tracy says she means okay. They’ll take Carly up on her offer. Carly says, she will not regret this decision, and Tracy says, but no contract. Brook says, and there she is, and Carly says, they’re not doing anything without a contract. Tracy says, no contract. Not until they see real data about her circulation numbers. She needs to know if Crimson under Carly works. What has she got planned for September? Carly says, today is the first day of this job for her. September is four issues away. Tracy says she doesn’t think that would bother the good people at Vogue, Elle… Brook asks if she’s trying to tank this, but Carly says, that’s okay. She knows that Tracy is the decision maker… currently. All right. She’ll give them April as discussed, and if in three months she hasn’t hit the agreed upon circulation numbers, they can walk. Maxie says, that seems totally fair, and Tracy says, three month out, 8% off ad rate.

While there’s so much wrong with this scenario, there’s not enough time to list it, wouldn’t a magazine like Crimson already have their advertisements locked down if the issue is ready to roll? And how could Carly offer them extra pages at this point? Just asking.

Dex bandages Ava’s hand, while on the phone, Sonny says, lock down the perimeter. Get men to the docks and the airstrip. No one leaves the island. Is he understood? He hangs up, and Ava asks if they have the all-clear or not. She really needs to see their daughter. Sonny tells a guard to take Ava and do not leave her side. He closes the door after them, and Dex says, the residence is secured. Sonny says, someone took a shot at him and his child, in his building. He wants Dex and Alario to find the shooter and bring the shooter to him.

Trina is still struggling, and Esme secures Spencer’s feet while he’s seated in a comfortable chair. She’s not totally heartless. She thanks him for his cooperation and says, here’s what’s going to happen. He asks if this is the part where the villain tells him her evil plan, and she asks how she’s the villain here. Her son was taken from her, literally by an evil billionaire and his lapdog son. She’s crossed an ocean in pursuit of justice. Nothing matters to her but Ace. And until she has Ace safe in her arms, she wants everyone who took him to suffer. Now sit tight while she gets their itinerary. He asks where she’s taking him, and she says, someplace where his grandmother won’t find them. He says, tell him where Trina is right now, and she says, Trina happens to be vital to her so-called evil plan. She left instructions for Trina to all Laura when she’s free and that’ll take a minute. By then, they’ll be long gone, and Trina will tell Laura to produce Ace at a time and place of her choosing. He says his grandmother does not know where Ace is, but Esme says, Laura is a resourceful woman. She’s sure Laura will get word to Nikolas somehow. Anyway, she’ll be plenty motivated, because the only way Spencer survives is if she gets Ace. He says his father isn’t going to give Ace up, and she says she’s sure his father would prefer two living sons, even if Spencer is the one he’s stuck with (ha-ha!). Spencer says she doesn’t get it. He made his father promise that he’s not going to put Ace in any danger, and he knows Spencer would sacrifice his own life to save his brother. She says, wow. He’s so noble. Quick question. Is he willing to sacrifice Trina? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen if he doesn’t do his part. He says, even if his father gives up Ace, which he won’t, but even if he does, how does she think this goes down. She goes riding off into the sunset with Ace? She lives happily ever after? After assault and kidnapping, her best bet is to give up now. She says she will not give up on her son, and he says, just know he’s going to fight her every step of the way. She says, that’ll be difficult in his condition. She has on her hands… let’s just call it some special medicine. Just the right amount will make him completely obedient. A little too much, and he’ll turn into a drooling imbecile. More than that, he’ll just stop breathing. He says, the more she talks, the more he thinks he was probably right to give Ace to his father, and she says she’s tired of listening to him. Why don’t they give that medicine a try? She digs in her backpack, when Trina storms in and says, stay away from him.

Esme says, Trina came to save her boyfriend? Think fast. She chucks the backpack at Trina and runs over to Spencer with the syringe. Since the backpack wasn’t much of a distraction, Esme and Trina struggle over the syringe, while Spencer struggles to free himself. The syringe falls to the floor, and Esme and Trina fall on the bed, continuing their fight. Esme gets Trina down.

Gemma thanks Nina for her time and for her insight on the upheaval at Crimson. Nina says, let her confirm. This is all background, correct? Gemma tells her, sources say, and Nina says she looks forward to reading Gemma’s column. Gemma says she looks forward to writing it, and leaves.

Carly says, 8%? Is that a joke? Tracy says she never jokes about money, and Brook says she can vouch for that. Tracy says, as the majority stakeholder in Deception, she thinks it’s time they cut ties with Crimson and align themselves with a much more reputable fashion magazine. Carly asks if Tracy thinks another magazine is going to make room in their April issue for Deception. Does she think they’re going to alienate Fusion or Enchantment by offering Deception as low of an ad rate as she’s offering? Maxie says, she hasn’t mentioned a rate yet, and Carly says, 3% off.

Lois follows Olivia into her office, asking, how can she say that? She’s been… Olivia asks what Nina is doing in her office, and Nina says, Olivia said she could use it since hers is being repainted. Olivia says, she’s redecorating again? and Nina says she’s sure she mentioned it, but Olivia says she’s sure she didn’t. And Lois, her true-blue friend. Why is it when she and Sonny don’t see eye to eye on something, Lois can’t wait to fall in line behind him, every single time? Lois says, not every time, but Olivia says, every single time. Name one time she didn’t… Exactly. She told Lois, all she wanted was to keep the peace. That it would spare so many people so much heartache, Sonny included, if Ned just took the fall, but no. What she wanted took a backseat to Lois scoring points with Sonny. Nina keeps glancing over as she works, and Lois says she does not need to score points with Sonny. Olivia asks, then why did she go to him, way beyond, and say, look at me, Sonny. No one’s got your back like I do, Sonny. And now because of her, the man’s life is a dumpster fire. Nina asks if they can just go back a little bit. Did something happen with Sonny? Lois tells her, stay out of this, but Nina says, that man is her husband and if they have information about him or her marriage, she wants to know about it. Lois says, what marriage? And where is her husband? Where is he? Nowhere near her, that’s for sure. Nina says, thanks to Lois. What right did Lois have to interfere in her life and her marriage? Lois says she doesn’t let people lie to her friends, especially upper east side princesses, and Nina says, that’s classy. She guesses she’s supposed to respond with a crack about Brooklyn. Any decent person would have come to her first. Lois asks, who is she to talk to anybody about decency? Nina says she was going to go to Sonny herself, and Lois says, of course (🍷) she was. That’s what liars say when they get caught. Nina says, she barged into a situation that had nothing to do with her. Lois blew up her life, she blew up Sonny’s life, and she blew up their marriage. Lois says, your life deserved to be blown up, you lying, dime dropping, family wrecking slob, and Olivia says, that’s enough. Nina thanks her, but Olivia says, if Nina is trying to blame Lois for the sorry state of her marriage, Nina is further gone than she thought.

Esme and Trina continue to struggle, and Trina gets the best of Esme, but Esme kicks her off the bed. Esme flies down after her, grabbing the syringe. As she tries to inject Trina, Trina reaches around on the floor and picks up a giant wrench, whacking Esme in the head with it. Esme is out, and Trina runs to Spencer. He says, his hero, and she takes a look at the ties on his ankles. She says she’ll be right back, and leaves.

Sonny tells Ava, the shooter’s gone. They’re going to find him. How’s Avery? Ava says, she’s fine. Avery asked what all the noise was, so Ava said it was fireworks. She’s happy. She’s watching Frozen again. He says, good. How’s Ava’s hand? She says she’ll survive, and he says, she always does. She says she doesn’t want to talk about scrapes and bruises. Who did this? He asks if she has anybody in mind, and she says, how about the same person who killed Austin? He says, it’s too soon to speculate, and she says, when would be a good time then? She just had bullets whizzing past her head, and their daughter was just out here showing them seashells. He says, nothing is going to happen to Avery. Nothing is going to happen to his family.

Trina comes back with a knife and frees Spencer. She says, they’ve got to get out of here, and he says, what about Esme? Trina says, let her wait, and they leave, Spencer closing the door behind them. Yeah, don’t make sure she can’t get out.

Olivia says, Nina went to the SEC because she wanted Carly to go to prison. She wanted Carly away from Willow and Wiley and Amelia. And oh yeah, Nina wanted her away from Sonny. She didn’t give a damn about Carly or her kids, even little Donna who she claims to love so much. Nina says, let her remind Olivia that insider trading is illegal. Carly was guilty. Olivia says, illegal. You want to know who else does illegal things? Let her see… Who could it be? Nina’s husband, which she knew when she married him. So please spare them all her newfound position as queen of law and order. Now she wants to blame Lois for squealing on her to Sonny, instead of blaming herself for lying to Sonny in the first place. Nina says she thought Olivia was one of the few people in this town who didn’t actually hate her, and Olivia says she doesn’t hate Nina. But she has to say, Nina makes it very difficult to like someone who goes around blaming everyone for her own mistakes. There’s a little something called humility. She might want to try it sometime. She walks out, and Lois follows, giving Nina the I’m-watching-you sign before she goes.

Tracy asks Carly, was that so difficult? Carly is talking her language. Carly says, then she accepts? and Tracy says, absolutely not. 3% is paltry. Seven. Carly says, four, and Tracy says, six. Carly says, five, but Crimson gets an exclusive for Deception’s launch of the new contour palette. Tracy wonders how she knew about that, and Carly says, final offer, and holds out a paper. Do they have a deal? Tracy asks if the terms of the offer they just discussed in this contract, and Carly says, down to the decimal. Tracy says, wow. Well played. Give her a pen. Carly hands her a pen and she signs, saying, they have a deal. For now. She walks out.

Going back to the bar, Lois asks how often Nina uses Olivia’s office, and Olivia says, Lois heard her; she’s redecorating. Which she seems to do a lot. Like she thinks a new coat of paint will give her a miraculous redo on her horrifying relationships. Lois thanks her for what she said, but Olivia says she was long overdue to tell Nina off. Lois says she’s been coming to Port Charles for a really long time and since she’s been back with Olivia and everyone, she got to see what she’s been missing. She got to see all the family stuff and all the memories they share. The Thanksgiving pizzas… Olivia says, the singing and eating, and Lois says, all that stuff. The relationship Olivia has with Sonny, it’s not just a connection. They’ve got Dante and they’ve got a history that goes way back. Everyone in Port Charles has been really welcoming to her, aside from Tracy. She’s the one who left a long time ago, and even though she was part of Olivia and Sonny’s lives back in the day, they’ve gone on without her. She guesses what she’s trying to say is, she sees Olivia’s point about her going overboard to get Sonny’s approval. She’s really sorry that she let that come between them. She’s really sorry that she betrayed Olivia’s confidence. She really wishes she could take that back. Okay, she’s going to let Olivia go back to work. She turns to go, but Olivia says, wait.

Dex tells Sonny that they found the shooter’s set-up, shell casings, camouflage… Sonny says, and the shooter? Dex says, gone. No trace, no trail, nothing. Sonny asks how they got past security, and Dex says, Alario is working on that now. Sonny says he wants to know what Dex thinks, and Dex says he found a guard unconscious by the gate. They usually work in pairs, right? Sonny says, always, and Dex says, his partner got called to a disturbance in the east wing. The shooter must have set it up. This guy planted himself in the exact place to get a clear shot at the terrace. He knew the right elevation of the rifle. He had the sun at his back and was positioned perfectly for a quick escape. They knew exactly what they were doing. Sonny says, they knew more than that.

Trina and Spencer run out on deck and wave their arms, trying to signal a nearby boat. Spencer suddenly slumps down, Esme behind him holding the syringe.

Olivia tells Lois that she couldn’t imagine how to tell Sonny. He was so happy. They were newlyweds, for God’s sake. All she ever wants is for the people she loves to be happy. Lois says, that’s all she wants too. And she never should have said anything about Dante to Olivia. Olivia says, no, she should not have, and Lois says, Olivia’s a wonderful mother. Olivia says, water under the Verrazano, and they hug. Lois says, now that all the cats are out of the bag, maybe everybody’s just going to be better off, but Olivia says she thinks the jury is going to be out on that for a while. A lot of hearts got broken here. Lois says, but Sonny’s going to put his back together. He always does. What matters most is her and Olivia. Because Olivia is one of her best friends in this entire world, and she always will be. They hug again.

Nina picks up an issue of Crimson, looks at her name on the masthead, and tosses it onto the desk.

Carly says she knows this change puts Sasha in the middle. Please let her know if there’s anything she can do to make it easier. Sasha says, as long as she and Nina don’t ask her to pick a side, but Carly says she’d never do that, no matter how much she wants to. She tells Maxie that she knows Nina is James’s aunt, and Maxie says, she is and she loves Nina, but that doesn’t mean she’s okay with what Nina did to Carly and Drew. Fortunately, in this office, it’s all business. Besides, she liked how Carly handled Tracy. Brook says she thinks even granny had to respect the way Carly played that negotiation. She didn’t like it, but she respected it. Maxie says, they look forward to further developing the partnership… once Tracy settles down. Carly says she’ll have the lawyer send over the contracts this afternoon, Maxie says, sounds good, and they leave. Carly sits at her desk like she’s had a full day, when Gemma knocks at the door. Carly says, yes? and Gemma introduces herself. Carly invites her in and asks what she can do for her. Gemma says she hopes Carly can provide a comment on the story she’s writing. Carly says, of course (🍷), but she thinks she has to clear everything through the Crimson communication team. Gemma says, of course (🍷), and they can direct her to the proper Aurora rep, right? She’d like to get a comment from Drew Cain as well. Carly asks what she’s reporting on, and Gemma says she’s looking at why Mr. Cain fired Nina Reeves and hired Carly, a woman with no publishing experience and his romantic partner, to replace her.

Sonny tells Dex that they’ll need a complete overhaul of security. Whoever did this, knows their system from the inside out, procedures, operations…

Trina asks what Esme did, and Esme tells her not to worry. She only gave him enough to keep him loopy. There’s enough left for her. She comes after Trina, and Trina says, get away from her. As they fight, Spencer drags himself up and pries Esme off of Trina. He and Esme stumbled backward and through the railing, going overboard. Trina screams for Spencer.

Tomorrow, Felicia tells Adam that it’s up to him; Brook says, they were counting on Tracy to say no; Laura asks Dante, where’s Spencer?

The Real Long Season Of Housewives of Beverly Hills

Crystal says she feels dizzy, and her hands are tingly. In Dorit’s interview, she says, Crystal’s hands are swollen, and her veins are raised. What if something is truly wrong?🫣In Annemarie’s interview, she says, this isn’t a lay down, have a ginger ale, and walk it off situation. Given how Crystal was insulting and degrading her profession, the irony is shocking. Oh, like someone else couldn’t have deduced 9-1-1 needed to be called. I see she’s going to want a medal for something most average people could have done. The ambulancia comes, and the EMT says, Crystal’s blood pressure is high, and they need to take her to the hospital. The women send Gavin with her, whoever he is, then light candles in the chapel. In her interview, Erika reminds us that she had a chapel in her old house, and we flash back. The women pretend to pray and be concerned. In Sutton’s interview, she says, being closer to God means being closer to her father. She thinks he’s with God despite the Catholic beliefs she grew up with. In Erika’s interview, she says her intentions are to pick up, rebuild, move forward. She’s glad the earring judgement went in her favor, but she’s annoyed that no one bowed down to her about it. Sutton tells Kyle that a friend had a dream about her dad. He said, Sutton was right. He was tired. In her interview, Sutton says, rebuilding her and Kyle’s friendship means everything, and in Kyle’s interview, she says she was hurt by Sutton’s questions, but she’s happier with their friendship being in a good place. The women head to Barcelona.

Crystal calls and tells the group that they gave her anti-nausea medication. She’s getting a drip and waiting on a prescription. The women tour the old town. I love how other countries/cultures have kept so much old architecture. The US doesn’t value it as much, and it makes me feel sad every time they tear down something in NYC that’s been around for a million years. They check out something built for the 1929 World’s Fair and go down a street with lines of umbrella tops hanging over it (see below, since I stink at description). Kyle wants to know where Hermes is, and in her interview, she explains that it’s the center of town for her and what she uses to guide herself, her compass. They stop for lunch, and Annemarie says she knows they’re all thinking about Crystal. She toasts to health, and Kyle says, it’s an interesting after what happened yesterday. Annemarie says she takes her profession seriously; it’s part of her. The comments about fake doctor and not a doctor were true hurtful. Erika doesn’t think Crystal will say it again. A twist of fate. It’s how life works. What a Confucious she is. If that’s the case, she’d better duck and run, since she has a few twists coming. Garcelle says, she and Dorit had more than a hiccup in their relationship.

Garcelle tells the women that Dorit had triggered her on Taco Tuesday, and they had a discussion about it. Dorit says, Garcelle called her a Karen, and we flash back to Garcelle saying she thought Dorit was exhibiting unconscious Karen behavior. Garcelle says she doesn’t think anyone here is racist, but certain things make her feel a certain way. In her opinion, Dorit had led a sheltered life and doesn’t understand her walk. Dorit says she appreciates Garcelle saying that, but her bubble might be different than Garcelle assumes. Her father was Israeli, and when they moved, they’d been the only Jews in the neighborhood. She remembers people making anti-Semitic remarks. In Dorit’s interview, she says, one of her early childhood memories was being teased for being Jewish and being asked why she didn’t have horns. She tells Garcelle that she’s not comparing their issues, but she felt it wasn’t a fair characterization of her. If she triggers Garcelle, tell her, and she won’t do it again. Garcelle says she believes that. This is the stuff that really bonds them. You don’t know where someone has been. In her interview, Dorit says, this has allowed them to go deeper and have a better, stronger, deeper friendship. In Sutton’s interview, she says, tonight, her old friend Trevor will be joining them. They both started in the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. He’s bringing his architect friends, and she wants the ladies to know a different side of her. Dorit says, Sutton should be ashamed for not letting them shop, and in her interview, Sutton says she’s shopped with Kyle and Dorit before. We flash back to that, and Sutton says, if she doesn’t put a time limit on it, they’ll be here for week. In Dorit’s interview, she says, who doesn’t need a hand painted antique fan? She needs seven.

Crystal arrives back and they all climb in bed with her. This would be my recovery nightmare, but she seems to be taking it well. Crystal tells them that it was just high blood pressure, and in her interview, she says, there’s a history of high blood pressure in her family. It’s something she’s struggled with, but she didn’t know it could get to this point. She says she’s super lethargic, and Annemarie says, her body went through a lot, fishing for a worship moment from Crystal. Crystal thanks all of them for being supportive, and everybody pats her like she’s a Golden Retriever. She hugs Annemarie, and in Crystal’s interview, she says her dad told her the signs of a stroke. She was never faced with her own mortality. How could she leave her young family at 40? She appreciates Annemarie for being there and just wants to be okay for her family. She tells them that she’s not having alcohol and Kyle says, join the club. Seriously though, Annemarie doing what any halfway decent person would – which was to basically say that Crystal was in bad shape and needed more professional help than her – doesn’t discount her unacceptable behavior for several episodes. And she’s not a doctor, which many of them called her out on, on social media. I didn’t even see her taking Crystal’s pulse. I guess she could have turned her back or said Crystal would be okay, but then how would that look? Come on. It’s not all that special.

Tonight is paella night (I love paella!), and Sutton talks about Mercury being in retrograde to her glam squad. Crystal talks to Rob, and Kyle calls Mauricio, but the call goes in and out. Erika tells her squad that she’s drunk and now has to pretend to be a paella making master. Sutton described Trevor’s friends as erudite, so they are dubbed The Erudites in the descriptive text. In Suttons interview, she says she and Trevor got in trouble together. She learned words like fakakta from him and what teabagging meant. A producer asks what she thinks about teabagging, and she says she’s not opposed to it. That Sutton, always full of surprises. Erika and Trevor have a no, after you moment, where neither wants to go first.

In Dorit’s interview, she says, Erika is lathered. Chef Storm says, they’re ready, and the women go in the back, where Storm’s father is the chief paella chef. Crystal tells Garcelle that she’s going for the dad, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she can see herself moving to Spain, learning the language, and being stepmother to Storm. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Garcelle will probably win. Her bosoms are bigger. Crystal asks Garcelle about talking to Dorit, and Erika praises Annemarie for letting her professional side ride over her personal sh*t. Annemarie says, she would always do that. In Crystal’s interview, she says she’d like to move forward. She saw Annemarie’s kind, generous side, and it makes her want to start fresh. Storm’s dad does a paella demonstration, and everyone sits down to eat. Dorit wants Trevor to divulge every single dirty detail about Sutton, and Trevor says, she was mean to him. She liked to act like she was in charge even if when she wasn’t. He says, Sutton was in Brooklyn, and Erika says, what a dump. In her interview, Sutton says she was poor and bought five-dollar dresses, but she was truly independent, and she loved it. Trevor says, Sutton arranged parties for the studio, and Sutton says, she was dating Christian at the time. Erika says she knows they love Merce, but he was in a Ziploc bag. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Erika is very intoxicated. That’s not a good sign.

In Dorit’s interview, she says she has to agree that Merce should not be in a Ziploc bag. In Sutton’s interview, she says, that’s how people carry ashes, in a bag like a goldish. I was wondering, how else would you transport them? You couldn’t count on any kind of container not opening. When you receive pet ashes, they’re not in a Ziploc per se, but they’re in a bag inside the container. In Kyle’s interview, she says she guesses she’s seen too many movies where ashes are knocked over or vacuumed up, so her mother is in the guest bathroom. It’s a beautiful bathroom. The architect friends introduce themselves, and in Erika’s interview, she says, she’s used to dining and socializing with erudites due to Tom. Provided they’re not stuck up, erudites are cool. In Crystal’s interview, she says she doesn’t know what happens to Erika, but when she’s drunk, she suddenly becomes the world circle. Sutton picks up Merce, now in a svelte container, and Erika says, Merce is in her purse, causing everyone to barely contain their laughter. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she could watch this all night. Sutton suggests a toast, they say, viva España, and everyone toddles off. Kyle raids the chocolate stash, and Garcelle asks how Erika knows so much stuff. Erika says, when Tom had guests, she asked a lot of questions. Outside, Trevor tells Sutton that she was a goody two shoes. She wasn’t as comfortable in her own skin as she is now. She’s come into her own and she’s where she’s supposed to be. Sutton says, so is Merce.

In the morning, Erika says her head hurts, which is no surprise to anyone, and Kyle says, she was so funny. Crystal says she feels good, but low, and Garcelle says, it’s probably because of the medication. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Crystal just needs to calm down. Garcelle has high blood pressure in her family too. She tells Crystal that it’s still high, but it’s not going down overnight. Crystal asks about dinner, and Garcelle says, Erika was funny. Crystal says, and Sutton was not happy. Sutton gives everyone leis made out of carnations, the flower of Spain. She says, when they release them, they release what’s inside that they want to let go of and send it off. In Sutton’s interview, she says, when she releases the ashes, she wants them to think about something internalized that they need to release. They all have an opportunity to share something and bring them closer together. In Dorit’s interview, she says, PK is traveling, and her mom is with the kids. She doesn’t travel that much and wonders why PK couldn’t stay home.

Kyle finds Sutton crying, and Sutton says she’s losing it. She doesn’t want to open the ashes. Kyle hugs her, and Sutton says, a lot of her dad is wrapped up in this. When she lost her dad, they each got a Ziploc bag of his ashes, but she lost it since she’d moved so much. Kyle says, he’s watching over her and not thinking about that. In Sutton’s interview, she says, Merce’s ashes are symbolic of her father’s ashes. Merce was one of the first to call her when her dad died, with Trevor. She tells Kyle that she’s also scattering her marriage ashes. She was angry for so long. Divorce consumes you. In her interview, Sutton says she thought it would be a good idea to separate and go to couple’s therapy while they worked on their marriage. As soon as Christian moved out, he filed. The emoji of an exploding brain was her getting the call telling her to get an attorney.🤯Her marriage, her dad’s death, and Merce’s death; the three most important men in her life. She has to let them go. She’s 52, and needs to be that 24-year-old girl who moved to NYC again. Kyle says, being alone can be lonely, but it can be incredible too, and they hug.

Next time, the ashes are spread, and blow back; Kyle wants Mauricio to say yes to more things; and Kyle says, if Mauricio can’t make an effort, they might not end up together. I admit I didn’t totally pay attention here because I was wondering when the finale is of this season that’s gone on for at least a year now.

🩶 Heart Of Platinum…

Let’s reunite tomorrow for soap, a spot of tea, and points of entertainment interest. Until then, stay safe, stay taking a mint if someone offers you one, and stay not listening more to your… heart when running a business.

Jan31

January 30, 2024 – Esme In Paris, Life After Scandoval, Thoughts & Jazz

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Puerto Rico. Sonny tells Dex that he’s glad they’re away from Port Charles. The environment is easier to control in Puerto Rico, and there’s a lot more things that Avery can do to keep her occupied. Dex says, per Sonny’s request, security was added before they came, so it’s more secure than normal. He’s going to go over all of it himself to make sure. Ava comes in and says, Sonny has gone above and beyond. She doesn’t remember this kind of security the last time she was here. Sonny says, times change. So do threats.

In the visiting room at Pentenville, Jordan says, Anna has a complicated history with the man. She can question him alone if Anna likes. Anna asks if Jordan is worried that he’s going to get under her skin, but Jordan says, on the contrary. She’s worried Anna will wring his neck. Anna says she’s not going to do anything. He’s playing games. She wants to find out why. John Brennan walks his suave self in and sits down. He says, Anna Devane. How lovely to see you. She tells him to spare her the polite chit-chat, and he tells Jordan, she’s in a mood. His compliments to Jordan for figuring out he was the one who contacted her. He wasn’t sure she would put it all together. She says, happy to exceed his expectations. He told her that he had information on the rifle that shot Curtis Ashford. He said he’d be in touch, then went silent. Why? He says, first, let’s talk about what you’re going to do for me.

Martin tells Finn that he needs a decision. What are they doing? Are they going forward as planned or going with this new theory, the malpractice suit is fraudulent? Finn says, Mrs. Muldoon and her kids are a grieving family. He can’t go after them. Drop it. Martin asks if he’s sure. They’ve got the records to prove Dennis Muldoon was financially strapped before he met with Finn, and they’re about to get proof that he was either seen or being treated by an oncologist before he ever set foot in Finn’s office. Whatever his wife’s involvement was, it’s obvious Finn was never going to get the chance to diagnose that cancer. It’s a solid way out. Is he sure he wants to pass it up? The bailiff says, all rise, and Judge Arnold takes the bench. Finn says he can’t put the mother of four at risk for prosecution.

In the hallway, Mrs. Muldoon (who has no first name) says she’s not interested in anything Tracy has to say, and Tracy says, few people are. But she never lets that get in the way, especially when a crime is being committed on a good friend of hers. Mrs. Muldoon says, if she’s referring to Dr. Finn, he’s the one that committed the crime. He allowed her husband to leave, undiagnosed and untreated. Tracy says, Mrs. Muldoon doesn’t know the first thing about Dr. Finn, or her for that matter, but she’s about to get an education on both.

At the hospital, Portia says she knew Curtis was going to push himself hard during his physical therapy session. So honestly, how his he feeling? Curtis says, a little sore, but that is to be expected. He knows it’s going to take a lot of work for him to regain his mobility, but he’s here for it. Marshall joins them and says, that’s his boy, always rising to meet a challenge. Curtis says he knows all this hard work is going to pay off as soon as he’s back on his feet, and Portia says, and he will be. Marshall says, and in no time, he gets to be courtside in what promises to be a fierce game of basketball. Curtis says he knows Portia has her mind on Trina. Is she going to be okay by herself? Portia says she’ll be fine. She has plenty of work to do. And besides, she’ll just wait for Trina to call and tell her what a wonderful time she’s having in Paris.

Paris on the Banks of the Seine. Spencer leads a blindfolded Trina along the deck of the Haunted Star a yacht, and tells her, one more step. He takes off the blindfold and says, welcome aboard. She looks out over the water and says, what is all this? He says he arranged a private getaway for her. He thought she should have a chance to see the countryside before she has to start hitting the books. She says she can’t believe he did this, and he says, they’re going to go on a private cruise. They’re going to travel down the Seine to Normandy. He had the hotel bring their things after dinner and tomorrow morning she’s going to wake up to the most beautiful coast she’s ever seen. She says, it’s hard to imagine anything more spectacular than this, and he says he’s sure they’ll figure out a way.

On shore, Esme says, he can’t steal Ace away from her so easy. She looks in her bag and takes out a capped syringe.

Mrs. Muldoon says she’s already learned all she needs to about Dr. Finn, but Treacy says, she’s wrong. She claims she brought this lawsuit for her family. Dr. Finn has a family. They adore him, especially his young daughter. As a doctor, there is none better. In fact, he’s the reason she’s able to stand here and talk to Mrs. Muldoon. When he came to Port Charles, she was very sick. She’d run out of options, and he saved her life. She’s not the only person who can say that. Dr. Finn is a kind, caring, generous, good man, and Port Charles is so much better for having him here. Mrs. Muldoon says, Tracy is obviously very passionate about her friend Dr. Finn, but for all of his supposed brilliance, his negligence led directly to her husband’s death. She starts to walk away, and Tracy says she was hoping to break through Mrs. Muldoon’s grief to appeal to her sense of fairness, but clearly, she’s going to have to appeal to something else. So how about her sense of self-preservation?

Brennan says he’s offering a trade. His help in exchange for his freedom. Anna says, after he tried to kill her? and he says, if someone tried to kill her, he wasn’t present. Nor can she prove he gave the order. Since their time together is limited, they should spend it on all the valuable information he possesses. Jordan says, neither of them has the power to grant immunity, but he says, Anna has ties to the DA. She even married him – twice. Tell Scorpio that he wants immunity and all charges dropped. Anna says, never going to happen, and he says, then he’s sorry. He just can’t help her. Good luck with the investigation. He nods to the guard, but Anna says, no, and holds up her hand. What if she was to give him an even better offer? He asks, what’s better than his freedom? and she says, his life.

Dex says he’s going to walk the perimeter, and he’ll check back in with Sonny later. He leaves, and Sonny says, it looks like Ava is about to jump out of her skin. She says she could use something to calm her nerves, preferably something with a little umbrella in it. She was on board when he said he wanted to come down here. She thought it would give them more room to breathe instead of being cooped up in the penthouse. But now that she’s here, she feels so exposed. He says he’s making it as secure as he can, and she says, Avery doesn’t seem at all concerned, does she? She practically sprinted from the tarmac to the beach. He says, Avery loves the ocean, and she’s secure with the guards they have and the nanny. No one’s going to get near her. Ava says, okay. That makes her feel a little better. He says, she’s got to stop making herself crazy. All Avery knows is, she’s in Puerto Rico having fun with her parents. Ava says, she’s not such a little girl anymore though. She notices more than he may think. It won’t be long before he’ll have to be having some pretty difficult discussions with her.

Portia tells Curtis not to worry about her and have fun at the game with Marshall, and Curtis says, they definitely will. Laura comes by and says she was just on her way to Portia’s office to look for her. It’s good that everyone’s here because they should all know this. Curtis asks, what’s wrong? and she says, Esme’s not in Toronto. She’s in Paris.

Diane tells the judge, during the recess, Mr. Grey informed her that he’d be adding a witness. She moves to adjourn so that she may prepare for that testimony. Mrs. Muldoon comes in and taps Diane on the shoulder, and the judge asks if Martin has any objections. Martin says he’s afraid he owes the judge and opposing counsel an apology. There’s been a change of plans. He had intended to add a new witness – Tracy comes back – but on further reflection, that will no longer be necessary. So with all due respect, he’d just like to proceed with the witness list he presented to the court. The judge tells him to proceed, and Diane says, if she may. Martin says, this is a first. He hasn’t even started yet, and already Ms. Miller is objecting. Diane says, if her esteemed counsel will just give her a moment, she’s been informed by her client that she wishes to drop the lawsuit. Soap looks all around.

Judge Arnold says, order, even though there’s no reason to, and asks Diane and Martin to join him in his chambers. The bailiff says, all rise, and Diane and Martin go with the judge. Finn says, what the hell just happened?

Sonny says, discussing his business is off-limits to his kids, just like it’s off-limits to Ava. It’s just safer that way. She hasn’t been discussing anything with Avery, right? She says, of course (🍷) not. She’s too young to understand anything about that. She’s talking about the other radioactive subject they’ve all been avoiding… Nina. She knows he thinks he’s been hiding it, but it’s all over his face. She can tell the situation has him all tied up in knots, and being here doesn’t help any. This is where he and Nina were married. She’s sure it’s bringing up all kinds of feelings. He says he’s fine, and she says, is he though? Because she saw him when they ran into Nina and Valentin, and he didn’t seem fine. He looked like somebody punched him in the gut. He says, discussing Nina is off-limits, and she says, all right. Fine. She’s just bringing it up because their daughter is smart. And if she can tell something’s off with him, then so can Avery. He says, Donna and Avery are just kids. He’s done his best to shield them from anything that’s happened with Nina, and he thinks he’s done a good job because Avery hasn’t asked him about it. Ava says, Avery’s asked her.

 The captain says, good evening, to Spencer and Trina, and welcomes them aboard. Their suitcases arrived in their state room. Please make themselves comfortable. They’ll be leaving shortly. Spencer thanks him and he leaves. Trina thanks Spencer, and he says, of course (🍷). She says, since being with him, she’s gotten to experience the most amazing things. Not just this trip and all of the amazing things they’ve done in Paris and all the fantastic things he planned in New York to show how well he knows her. But the entire feeling of being with him and loving him and being loved by him in return is the most amazing thing. And it’s all because of him and the incredible person he is. He says, she’s done that for him a thousand times over, but she knows that, right? Before her, all he could see is pain and she opened his eyes to a whole new world. He showed her that there’s much more to feel, and she taught him that he’s a person who’s worthy of love. Being with her has made it so much better; every day is better than the last. She’s everything he’s always wanted, but never believed he could have, and he wants to love her for the rest of his life. They kiss.

Laura says, after laying a false trail in Toronto, Esme used The Invader’s corporate credit card to buy herself a ticket to Paris, and Curtis says, there’s absolutely no reason Esme would have for going to Paris unless she’s going after Spencer. Or worse, Spencer and Trina. Either way, their daughter is in serious trouble. Marshall says, maybe there’s another explanation. Esme had to know the credit card charge would be found. Maybe this is just another attempt by Esme to throw everybody off her trail. They don’t know for a face that she’s even in Paris. Portia says, Marshall is right. She wouldn’t put anything past this girl. Maybe this is just her version of toying with them. Curtis says, or just simply ruining Spencer and Trina’s trip, but Laura says, no. The PCPD has some security footage of Esme getting on a plane to Paris, so she’s definitely there. Portia says, they have to warn Trina, and takes out her phone.

Spencer holds out his arm, and offers to escort Trina to her stateroom, and they leave the deck. Esme watches from the top of the stairs, then walks down.

Finn asks Martin, what’s going on? Why did the judge want to talk to him? The bailiff says, court is now in session, and Judge Arnold says, the case against Hamilton Finn and General Hospital has been dropped. This case is dismissed. He bangs his gavel, and Elizabeth runs over to Finn. She hugs him and says, it’s over. Congratulations. He says he didn’t do anything. Did Martin? Martin says, no, he didn’t. He knows what Finn is thinking, and he swears, no pressure was applied. Mrs. Muldoon just had a change of heart. Gregory says he’s thrilled for Finn. This case was a lie from the start. Nothing that happened to Muldoon was Finn’s fault. Elizabeth says she completely agrees, but that doesn’t explain why Mrs. Muldoon dropped the lawsuit. Tracy says, who cares? Justice prevailed. That’s all that matters. She hugs Finn.

Brennan asks if his life is at stake, and Anna says, you tell me. He claims he can give them information to help them find the person who shot Curtis Ashford. He says he can, and she says, they’ve come to believe the intended target was Sonny Corinthos. She’s sure he’s well-acquainted with Sonny’s reputation. She just wonders, if Sonny were to find out he was withholding this information, how long Brennan would last in Pentenville. That’s not a rhetorical question. He either deals with them or Sonny. Take his pick. He says, how the mighty have fallen. Anna Devane, reformed double agent, zealous defender of law and order, and this is all she’s got, her only leverage is to go tattling to a thug. She asks if that’s a yes or no, and he says, Cesar Faison would be so disappointed in his protégé. She says, you son of a bitch.

Sonny wonders if Avery doesn’t think she can talk to him, but Ava says she doesn’t think it’s that at all. She just thinks, Nina was gone suddenly. Avery can tell he’s upset, and she doesn’t want to make anything worse. She’s done her best to deflect Avery’s questions, but she thinks Sonny has to talk to her. However he wants to do it; she’ll follow his lead. Avery comes in with a basket and shows them the seashells she found. She gives Sonny one that she picked out just for him, and he thanks her. He says he needs to talk to her about something, and they sit down. Ava says she’ll go get settled in her room, but Sonny asks her to stay. He tells Avery that he’s sure she’s noticed Nina isn’t staying at the penthouse. He’s sure she’s a little confused about that. So he wanted to let her know that he and Nina are going to be living apart for a while. She asks, why? and he says, with adults, things get complicated and they kind of have to stay away and figure things out. But he wants her to know everything’s fine with him. She says, okay, and he says he just wants everything to be fine with her too. So how does she feel about Nina living apart somewhere else? She says she guesses it’s okay, but she misses Nina. Nina was really nice to her. Is she ever going to see Nina again?

Martin tells Diane that he’s afraid his curiosity has gotten the best of him. Why did she drop the suit? She says, because her client instructed her to, and he says, as thrilled as he is with today’s outcome, he wishes he’d gotten the chance to best her, fair and square. They shake hands, and she says, he may get that chance – she adds a Southern accent – when hell freezes over. She leaves, chuckling.

Tracy says, this calls for a celebration. Champagne at the MetroCourt, her treat. Finn says, that’s very generous of her, and glances at Elizabeth, who nods. He says he thinks they’ll take her up on it, and Gregory says, count him in too. Mrs. Muldoon walks over and asks if she can speak with Dr. Finn.

On the phone, Spencer says, Laura is cutting in and out… She’s cutting in and out… Hello? Trina asks if the call dropped, and he says, it was super staticky, then it went silent. She says her service is bad too, but he says he wouldn’t worry about it. It will probably get better when they’re off the river.

Portia leaves a message for Trina, telling her to stay safe and call her as soon as she gets this. She loves her. She tells Curtis that she doesn’t get this. Why didn’t she pick up the phone? Laura comes back and says she was able to get Spencer on the phone for just a few seconds before the cell dropped. It wasn’t long enough to warn them about Esme, but he sounded normal, like everything was just fine. Portia says, but when she called Trina, it went straight to voicemail. She never, ever has her phone off. What if Esme’s already gotten to her? Curtis says, don’t do that, and Marshall says, Curtis is right. Don’t panic until they know something for sure. Portia says, they do know something. They know that crazy girl, that psychotic girl is after Trina again, and Trina is halfway around the world from Portia and in danger. And it all comes back to who? Spencer Cassadine.

The captain sees Esme on deck and says something to her in French, but she says she’s sorry. She’s lost. Is this the river tour? He says, this is a private vessel. She’s a stowaway. She’s coming with him. She takes off, but he grabs her. She elbows him, and he doubles over. She grabs the fire extinguisher and whacks him in the head with it. He drops to the floor.

Ava says, even if Nina isn’t living with Avery’s dad, Nina still loves her just the same. That’s not going to change. Avery says, good, and asks if she can go put her seashells back in the ocean. Sonny says, yeah, but hurry up because they’re going to have lunch. Avery says, then candy? and he says, what? Candy? She hugs him and runs off. Ava says, she’s got him wrapped around her little finger and she knows it, and he says he’d do anything for that little girl. He just wants to let Ava know that he appreciates her telling him that Avery was confused about Nina and helping him with her questions. She says, he’s welcome. She thinks he handled it perfectly, although he didn’t really answer her question about Nina. Is that because he doesn’t know? He wonders if she’s asking for herself or for her best friend Nina.

Finn meets Mrs. Muldoon in the hallway, and she says she doesn’t really know how to say this. She owes him an apology. She just learned that Dennis went to see an oncologist before he saw Finn for the first time. He must have known more about his diagnosis than she was aware of. Finn says he sees, and she says she’s so sorry. He may not believe her, but Dennis was a really good man. He loved them. He must have felt so desperate. Finn says, people will go to great lengths for their family to make sure they’re taken care of, and she says, he’s being so understanding after what she put him through. She can’t help but wonder why. Elizabeth watches from a distance, and Finn says, perhaps because he’s a single father to a little girl. He knows how hard it is to be the only person responsible for your family’s well-being. Her family just suffered a terrible loss. He wanted to spare her and her children from any more pain. She says, his kindness won’t be forgotten. His daughter is really lucky to have a man like him for a father. She leaves.

Portia says, Trina should be enjoying her time in Paris and studying. Instead, she’s a sitting duck, because some psycho girl wants revenge? Is that what she wants? Laura says she’s so sorry that Trina has been drown into yet another conflict because of her family, and Portia says she knows Laura is worried about Spencer too. There’s going to be time for them to figure out the why – why this is happening. Right now, the only thing that matters is finding Trina and Spencer, and stopping whatever Esme has planned for them. Laura says she’s on her way to the airport right now. Ned has allowed her to use the ELQ jet, so she’ll get to Paris as quickly as possible. Portia thanks her, but Curtis says, wait. Is she going by herself? Laura says, just on the flight. Dante’s already gone on ahead of her and the Paris authorities have been notified. Curtis says he hopes the ELQ jet has room for one more because he’s coming along.

Esme runs over to the captain and says she’s so, so sorry. She was just trying to find her son and get him back to her. She checks his pulse, and says, thank God. Just keep breathing, okay? She’s in trouble already. She drags him off the deck by his feet.

In their stateroom, Trina says, look at this place. It’s incredible. How does he keep on topping himself? (I’m not impressed. Not only does it look suspiciously like the room Trina was in on the Haunted Star, it has no window.) He says he doesn’t know. He guesses she’s worth it. This is a nice room, isn’t it? He thinks he prefers the New York hotel room though because of what happened there. She says, something happened there? She can’t quite remember what. He says, maybe he should refresh her memory. He’s about to kiss her, when she yawns, trying to hide it. He asks, what was that? They just got on board. She says she’s jetlagged, but she’s guessing he has another surprise for her. He says, no, not tonight, but tomorrow is going to be very special. She says, now she’s really intrigued, but she guesses tomorrow is soon enough. He says, they had a very long day today, so if she is sleepy, they can just go to bed if she wants. They kiss, and she says she wants him – today, tomorrow, and forever. They fall onto the bed.

Gregory says he’s just curious. Was Tracy aware that Mrs. Muldoon has a fundraising page on My Face? He just found out about it a few days ago. A friend helped her set it up to cover expenses after her husband died. Tracy says, Mrs. Muldoon is fortunate to have such caring friends. What does that have to do with her? He says he just checked, and it seems someone made a very generous donation right around the time Mrs. Muldoon dropped her lawsuit. Quite a coincidence, wouldn’t she say?

Elizabeth asks Finn if everything is okay, and he says, yeah. Mrs. Muldoon just wanted to apologize for everything she put them through. She says she’s surprised. She’s glad. Is he relieved that the case was dismissed? He says, of course (🍷). He also feels kind of bad. She says, why? and he says, the Muldoons have lost a husband and a father. They’ll never be the same. Winning that case would have made a big difference for them. Elizabeth asks if he knows how amazing he is. Dennis Muldoon set him up to be falsely accused of malpractice, possibly destroying his entire career, and yet here he is having compassion for the man’s family. He says, that’s very kind, but he doesn’t deserve her praise. He’s no hero.

Laura tells Curtis that she’s sure there’s enough room. She’ll let Ned know right now. She leaves, and Marshall asks if Curtis is sure. Is it a good idea for him to go to Paris. Curtis says his recovery is right on schedule. He’s fine, and even if he weren’t, his daughter needs him, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. Marshall says he understands that. He’s worried about Trina, too, but he’s also concerned about Curtis. Curtis tells Marshall not to worry about him. He’s gotten pretty good at wheeling around in this chair. He’s not going to let it stop him. Marshall says he knows Curtis won’t. Being in that chair doesn’t change who Curti is, and that’s a loving father who’s determined to protect his family – at all costs. Curtis says, damn right, and Marshall says, that’s why he’s concerned about what Curtis will do to Esme Prince if he gets within ten feet of that girl. Portia says, he can double that concern because she’s going to Paris too.

In bed, Spencer touches Trina’s hand and whispers, how did I get so lucky? She says she’s not sleeping. He says, she’s just resting her eyes? That’s okay. Keep them closed. He’ll be right back. She asks where he’s going, and he says he doesn’t know about her, but he’s starving. He’s going to go get a snack. She says, hurry back, and he promises he will. He kisses her and leaves.

Jordan asks if Brennan wants to make a deal, or should she call Sonny? Brennan apologizes and says he and Anna have a history that tends to intrude in the present. She was saying? Jordan says, how did a rifle seized by the WSB end up shooting Curtis Ashford? He tells her, in 2019, the WSB conducted a raid where a cache of mixed weapons, all unmarked, was confiscated. They were given serial numbers and stored in a locker at the Bureau’s Berlin station. The whole shipment disappeared while en route to WSB headquarters in London. Jordan asks if he knows who took them, and he says he only figured out who was likely responsible shortly before he was arrested, so he didn’t have time to act on the information. Anna says, so he sat on it, and he says he thought it might be a useful bargaining chip. And here they are. And since his life hangs in the balance… Anna says she can see he’s terrified, and he says, a bargain’s a bargain, and he said he’d tell them all he knows. Someone’s been selling the weapons at a high price. Find them, and they’ll be lead to the shooter.

Ava tells Sonny, forget she said anything. Just know that Avery isn’t the only person around here concerned about him. Sonny’s phone rings, and Laura says she thought he should know, they found out where Esme went. He says, that’s great news, and tells Ava that Laura found Esme. He says he’s going to put Laura on speaker. Ava’s here. Ava says, please tell her that awful girl is on her way to a jail cell. Laura says, unfortunately, no. She’s in Paris. Ava asks if she’s after Trina, but Laura says, they don’t know exactly. She and Dante are going there to meet with the authorities. Sonny asks if there’s anything he can do, but she says, they’ve got it covered. She’ll update him after they’ve landed. Ava says, please do, and Sonny tells Laura, listen. Esme has nothing to lose, so that’s going to make her unpredictable. So she needs to be careful. He hangs up and tells Ava that he knows she’s concerned about Trina. He’s concerned about Spencer, but Laura and Dante are going to have it all covered. They’ll make sure they’re safe. And that means one less threat to Ava. Ava says, for the moment.

Dex goes out the front gate and calls to guard Adam. He sees Adam lying on the ground and runs over to him.

Tracy tells Gregory, maybe when Mrs. Muldoon posted that she dropped the lawsuit, and someone felt bad and made a donation. He asks if Tracy didn’t speak to her, and she says, they may have exchanged a few words. She may have imparted what a good doctor Finn is. He says, that’s it? Tracy didn’t use her financial powers of persuasion to make it worth her while to drop the lawsuit? She says, if she was to ever conceive of doing such a thing, so what? and he says, it would be unethical for one thing. And she might be in a heap of trouble if the District Attorney constitutes it’s a bribe. She says, lucky they’re just speaking in hypotheticals, and he says, hypothetically, if it were true, he would be extremely grateful that Finn has a friend who’s willing to put herself on the line for him. and he would owe that friend quite a debt. She says, good to know, but she doubts that friend would ever collect.

Elizabeth takes Finn’s hand and says, he was willing to risk everything he’s accomplished in his life for the Muldoon family. She thinks that’s the very definition of a hero. He says he wasn’t risking everything. There was a time when he thought being a doctor was the very essence of his being, that it defined who he was. Then with this case, he realized he has people in his life that he really loves and somehow, they love him back. If he couldn’t practice medicine anymore, he’d still have Violet and his family and her. As much as he loves being a doctor, they’re the ones he couldn’t live without. His true purpose is all of them. As long as he has that, he’ll always be okay.

Jordan says, before they leave, is there any other pertinent information Brennan has for them? but he says he’s told them everything he knows. Anna says, somehow she doubts that, and motions for the guard. She tells Brennan, enjoy the rest of his stay, and he says he looks forward to seeing her again soon. The guard leads him away.

Curtis asks if Portia got someone to cover for her, but she says she’ll do it from the plane. Trina’s in danger. The only thing that matters right now is getting to her. Marshall says, it’s great to see them working as a team, even under these circumstances. Esme’s going to be sorry she ever messed with their girl. Portia says, he’s got that right, when Laura comes back. She says, time to go. Curtis is still coming with her, right? Curtis says, both of them are, and Laura says she’s not surprised. As a mother, she’d want to be there too. Marshall tells Curtis to bring his granddaughter home, safe, and Curtis says, he’s got it. They’re going to get to Trina and Spencer before Esme does.

As Spencer heads for the galley, he sees the door to the deck is open. He steps out and sees the streak of the captain’s blood going across the deck, along with the fire extinguisher.

As she’s getting dressed, Trina hears the door open. She says she hopes those snacks include a baguette. The bread here’s incredible. She turns around and sees Esme.

Dex hears something, and grabs Adam’s gun and his radio.

Sonny says he won’t let anything happen to Ava or Avery, when Dex radios for them to get down. Sonny and Ava duck under the table, and shots ring out.

Tomorrow, Carly tells Tracy that it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to miss; Lois says, if she leaves it up to Olivia, they may never speak again; and Nina tells someone that it’s all she has to say on the record.

Vanderpump Rules

Ariana has a cinnamon pen. I’ve never seen that before. Is that from Brookstone or something? We see what everyone is up to. None of it very exciting. Katie says, everything is falling into place with Something About Her, but as far as I know, it still hasn’t opened. In Ariana’s interview, she explains that she and Sandoval live under the same roof, but they communicate through assistant Ann. Tom and Raquel/Rachel/ whatever are still sending love notes to one another. James and Ally now have a house, albeit too close to the airport, with a pool. In James’s interview, he says he’s seen Sandoval’s cuckoo performances, yelling about Raquel and Itsy-Bitsy Spider, and thinks he’s out of his mind. Scheana tells Brock that Sandoval blocked her, Shenanigans, her sister, and Summer Moon. They talk about Raquel, and Brock says, that one is a whole bag of mixed worms. Best quote of the night.

Lala’s mom lives with her, which is probably the best roommate she could ask for at this point, a built-in support system. The custody battle with Randall is still going on, and Lala says she has a lot of trauma to work through. She thought everything was perfect, then ended up fixated with a custody battle before she could deal with her heartbreak. In order for her to be a good role model for Ocean, she has to work through her emotions. She trusts no one. Her mom says, she’ll work through it.

James meets Schwartz, who comes bearing housewarming gifts. He’s probably glad anyone in the friend circle wants to talk to him. Scwartz is wearing a Schwartz & Sandy’s hat, and says he was worried he’d get booed. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, the bar became a casualty of Scandoval and it was toxic. He had enough problems in his life and didn’t need this. It was the radioactive cherry on the sh*t sundae that was his year. James says, Schwartz is his best Tom when he’s alone, but not so much when he’s TomTom. James is now California sober because Ally gave him an old tomato ultimatum. He’s only drinking Red Bull and Fiji Water, but weed just makes his day better. James is playing at TomTom, and Schwartz asks for advice about approaching Ariana if she shows.

Ariana and Scheana go for a spa day. They talk about Scheana’s kid and Ariana’s new boyfriend Dan. In Scheana’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Ariana has processed the Tom trauma, but if Dan doesn’t sleep with one of her best friends, it will still be a step up. She tells us that she was diagnosed with OCD, and just when she was managing it, the affair took her OCD and mixed it with her anxiety. Scheana asks Ariana about Schwartz, and Ariana says she was on the fence until Schwartz was on Watch What Happens Live and suggested everyone hug Sandoval. Scheana says she doesn’t need Ozempic. She’s got Scandoval.

Ariana hasn’t been back at TomTom since the discovery of Sandoval’s infidelity. In her interview, she says she doesn’t want to make her life smaller because of that idiot. There’s a Lisa sighting, and Ariana decides to ice Schwartz out. In his interview, he calls her the patron saint of scorned women. If she’s not friends with him, it gives him no hope with the other women. In Ariana’s interview, she says, being there is bringing back all her old Sandoval memories, and we flash back to a bunch of those. I always thought he was kind of a d*ck, so not much has changed for me emotionally there. A little more scorn perhaps.

The ladies toast to a Bad Bitch Summer. Lala tells Lisa that she’s feeling a lot of different ways about the Raquel situation. She knows the feeling of thinking there’s only one person on your side. In Lala’s interview, she says she knows what it’s like to have someone paint a beautiful picture and see a future with them, while ignoring what everyone else is telling you. Lisa is glad Lala isn’t being rigid in her position, and in Lisa’s interview, she says, Lala was the last person she expected to have forgiveness. If Lala can come around, she wonders if the others can. Lisa wisely leaves before things get messy. It looks like a good time, but too crowded. I can’t imagine how long it takes to get a drink in that place. Scheana apologizes to Katie, and in her interview, Scheana says she was about to write off their friendship, especially after years of walking on eggshells, but they put their differences aside for Ariana and bonded over not one, but two, common enemies. In Lala’s interview, she says, everything Raquel did was stupid, but as someone who knows what it’s like to see comments about being a mistress, she doesn’t want Raquel to wear that forever. She leaves Raquel a text, and after seeing that Raquel viewed it, she says she’s going to throw up and sh*t her pants.

In Katie’s interview, she says, after 12 years together, she’s happy to say Schwartz isn’t her problem anymore. After the way he spoke about her, he has no access to her life other than joint custody of the dogs. It’s the switching of the dogs day, and when Katie drops them off, she makes the mistake of sitting down. Schwartz says he wants to get on Ariana’s good side, and hints around at Katie helping him, but she’s like, no thanks. That night, Katie has drinks with the girls and tells them about Schwartz’s pet bugs. Against her better judgement, she asks to play devil’s advocate for Schwartz, but in Ariana’s interview, she says, the devil doesn’t need any more advocates. Lala feels like she’s a dog in everyone’s fight, but still has to fend for herself. In Lala’s interview, she says she doesn’t know how to have a friendship when someone shuts her out like Ariana does. She explains her train of Raquel thought to Ariana and admits to sending Raquel a message. (On WWHL, Lala said, Raquel never responded.)

In Ariana’s interview, she compares Lala reaching out to Raquel with Lala having said, no one who communicates with Randall will be in her friend circle, which is apples and oranges. Randall is a creeper, and Raquel is a dumbass. Lala tells Ariana that she can relate to the feeling, and in Scheana’s interview, she says, the temporary restraining order changed everything, referring to the one Raquel took out on her. Ariana says, as far as Raquel getting a foot in the door, there’s not a foot to be had. In a few minutes though, all is well, and everybody loves everybody.

Sandoval comes home to an empty house from wherever the hell he was. I wasn’t paying attention.

This season, same sh*t, different season. A few highlights: Lisa calls Jax a f***ing hypocrite; Schwartz goes blonde; Schwartz says he made out with Scheana in Vegas; lots of arguing between Ariana and Sandoval over the house.

💭 Thoughts: While I’m pretty much over the Housewives – I can’t take one more season of 14-year-old mean girls in middle aged, sequined gowned bodies – for now I’m sticking with the Rules. For one, there are always Lisa/Villa Rosa/various pet sightings. And unlike those women who are outmaneuvering each other for screen time and circle the same drains, we actually see growth in the cast members. Lala is the MVP of this show – so far. That’s why I think it’s a shame they fired Stassi, et. al. Aren’t people supposed to grow and learn from their screw-ups? Kathryn Dennis is another example. Keeping them on by no means condones what they’ve done, but these are reality shows and those people exist. And it’s doubtful ostracizing someone forever teaches them anything. Scandoval aside, watching the VPR cast go from practically children to adults with houses and children and businesses of their own is what reality is about. That and a few ponies, swans, and a pink puppy or two.

🐓 Duck, Duck, Bantam Rooster…

Join me tomorrow for soap and holding my nose before I plunge into RHOBH. Is it me, or has this been an extra-long season? Until then, stay safe, stay never ordering the most expensive menu item if someone else is paying (unless it’s with an expense account), and stay not letting your work define you. Let your true purpose be the people in your life that you really love and somehow love you back.

Jan30

January 29, 2024 – Esme Fakes Out the PCPD, Talk to Nik, Returning Soon, A Loss, Chef Slam, She Sipped, VanderSoon, Live Reading, New Captain, Dolly’s Gala & Gloom

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. Trina and Spencer are seated at a restaurant that looks suspiciously similar to the PC Grill. Trina says, Spencer said thank you, and the waitress said… something right away. He says, very good. She said she’ll be back right away. She says, this place is incredible. This is one of his favorite spots? He says, actually, he’s never been in this restaurant before. He wanted to go to a place that’s new to both of them to start their new beginning together. She says she loves that. She loves everything about Paris so far… except, tonight, considering he’s left her completely in the dark about what he has in store for them. So let’s hear it. He says, and spoil the surprise? No.

Portia and Laura go into Doc’s hospital room, and Laura says, he’s asleep again. She should have been here when he woke up. Portia asks, how are his vitals? and the nurse says, the same. He’s been in and out. Portia suggests Laura speak to him and let him know she’s here. Laura sits by the bed and says, it’s her. She’s here. She doesn’t know if he can hear her, but she really needs him to wake up. Can he do that? Can he open his eyes for her? He does, and she thanks him for coming back to her.

Toronto, Canada. Dante and Chase approach an apartment where a Canadian officer stands guard. Dante introduces himself and Chase, and the officer says, they were told the detectives were coming. Chase says, any updates? and the officer says, they’ve been monitoring the apartment for 24 hours. No one matching the nanny’s or Esme Prince’s description have exited. Dante says, so the apartment’s still occupied? and the officer nods. Dante thanks him for holding off and waiting for them. This could be trouble. Dante and Chase put their hands on their weapons, and the officer knocks at the door. He says, police. Open up.

PT therapist Ben asks if Curtis felt that as he squeezes Curtis’s leg. Curtis says he felt a pinch, and Ben says, so far, so good. The surgery confirmed Curtis’s body is capable of healing from his injury. To what extent, they’ll find out. Curtis says, yes, they will. He’s guessing physical therapy is going to change now that he has feeling in his legs. Ben says, yes, but keep in mind, they still have a long road ahead, and Curtis asks, how long exactly? Ben says, each patient is different, so it’s hard to say, and Curtis says, fair enough. Stella walks in behind Curtis, and Curtis suggests they see if he can stand, but buttinsky Stella says, oh no he won’t.

Tracy walks into the courtroom, and says she gathers court is in recess. Finn says, the prosecution just rested their case, and Tracy says, then he’s up next, but Finn says, Diane already called him as a witness. His time on the stand is done. Alexis comes in and says she’s sorry she’s late. How did it go? Tracy says, Finn just told them that he was called as a witness for the plaintiff, and Alexis says, and? Finn says, eh, and she says, that good. Elizabeth says, it was bumpy, but Sam may have saved the day, and Alexis says, Sam? Where is she? Martin says, chasing down more information, and Alexis says, pertaining to? Finn says, Muldoon saw an oncologist weeks before Muldoon came to see him, and Alexis asks how an oncologist could miss late-stage cancer. Gregory says, he didn’t.

Martin tells Alexis, the theory is, after losing his shirt in the market and cashing in a life insurance policy, Muldoon finds out he has late-stage cancer, not much time left. Rather than bankrupting his family with medical bills, he goes after Finn for malpractice. Tracy says, total con job, and Finn asks what Alexis thinks. She says, the reasoning is sound. What kind of circumstantial evidence did Sam uncover? Elizabeth says proof that Muldoon went to the medical pavilion where he saw an oncologist before he ever went to see Finn, but there are other medical offices in that building. Alexis says, so it’s far from conclusive. And even if Muldoon did set Finn up, they don’t know if the wife had knowledge of it. Elizabeth asks if it isn’t enough for the judge to throw out the case, and Tracy says, correct her if she’s wrong. If they don’t have hard evidence of Muldoon’s cancer diagnosis, they’ve got nothing. So put her back on the stand. Make her crack. Make the attempted fraud public record.

Stella says she’s sorry to interrupt like this, and Ben says, as she can see, they’re in the middle of a therapy session. Curtis asks what she’s doing here, and she says, just peeping in since she was here at the hospital. Is this his first session since the surgery? Curtis says, she knows good and well it is. She doesn’t have to check on him. He’s got this. She says, that’s what he’s been saying since he was a little boy, always getting ahead of himself, and Ben says he’s got to get some more towels, wisely making himself scarce. Curtis says, she doesn’t need to check on him and she doesn’t need to worry, but she says, it’s too late for that. She’s been doing that all his life. Does he remember when he insisted that he could play basketball with the neighborhood teenagers? He was eight years old. He says he knows Tommy made those kids let him play, and she asks, does he remember how many times he limped home with a skinned knee or a bloody nose when an elbow went awry? (Oh, like all kids?) He says, yeah, and she always patched him up and he lived through it. He didn’t give up then and he’s not going to give up now. He just wants to assess how the surgery went. She says, he needs to do that today? and he asks if that isn’t the point of physical therapy, to get him walking again. She says, and they call her stubborn. She calls to Ben, asking if he’s got enough towels yet, and he comes back. She says she can’t tell her nephew what to do, but please… Curtis says, that would be a first, and she says, hush. Please tell them, isn’t it dangerous for Curtis to try and push himself to stand too quickly?

Trina says, coq au vin is a classic. She thinks she’ll try that. What kind of vin does he think they should drink with it? Rouge or blanc?… Monsieur Cassadine? He says he’s sorry, and she asks, what’s on his mind? He says, they have black caviar here. When he was younger and a little bit more… She says, cute? and he tells her that he was going to say pretentious. He once went to a restaurant with his father, and they had black caviar and he asked if they could get it. His father said, no, so he asked if they could have it at home. He asked and asked and asked, and eventually his father gave in and had it served. And he loved it. Trina asks how old he was, and he says, young enough to be served black beans and believe it was caviar. (True story. For my sister’s 18th birthday, she was having a dinner party at home and had caviar. I was still in elementary school, but insisted on trying it and promptly spit it into the sink as she said, what are you doing? That’s stuff’s expensive! My tastes have, however, changed since then.) He says he hopes Ace grows up a bit more grounded than he did, and she says she’s sure his father has learned a lot since him. Maybe even from him. He says, they don’t have to talk about that. He doesn’t want to ruin their night. She says, he’s not ruining her night by telling her his feelings. She wants to hear his stories, share his troubles. That’s what couples do. He takes her hand and says he guesses he’s still getting used to being in a healthy relationship. She’ll have to be patient with him. She says, of course (🍷). She loves him. He kisses her hand and says he loves her too.

Portia asks if Doc can tell them where they are, and he says, General Hospital. He assumes on the 10th floor. She says, that’s correct. What about what year it is? He says, 1912? and Laura laughs. He says, 2023… No, 24. Sorry. He’s still getting used to saying it. Laura asks, who did this to him? and he says, it was Esme.

Maggie opens the door with the chain lock still on it, and the officer says, Miss Fitzgerald? She asks what he wants, and he says, these are American law enforcement officers. They have questions for her. She says she doesn’t have to answer them, but the officer says he’d cooperate if he was her. She’s an Irish Nationalist, not a Canadian citizen. American law enforcement is looking for her. She recognizes Dante, and he asks if they can come in and talk with her a minute. She lets them in and asks, how’s Dante’s lovely lady friend? Dante says, Sam is doing great. Thanks for asking. She says she’s doing great too. Shortly after they came to see her in Devon, she started a new position here with a family in Toronto. Things have been quiet for her. She’d like to keep them that way. He says, they’ll make this quick. They’re not looking to cause her any trouble. They’re just looking for Esme Prince.

Laura says, when they found Doc on the floor of Alexis’s office, they assumed it was Esme, and he asks if she’s in custody. She says, no. Esme is gone, but Dante and Chase got a lead that Esme traveled to Toronto. She has an old nanny there that she was going to see. They’re looking for her now. Does he have any idea why Esme attacked him? He says he found her in the office. They were talking. He thought he was getting through to her. They were seated, and she started pacing when she was talking about her hopes for Ace’s future. Then the world went black. Laura says, that’s probably enough for right now. He should probably get his rest. She looks to Portia for confirmation, and he says, actually, he’s kind of hungry. Portia says, that’s a good sign. She’ll let the nurse know. Laura’s right though; get some rest. He says, what else is he going to do in here? and Portia leaves. He tells Laura not to look so worried, but she says, it was so scary finding him on the floor like that, unconscious. And she couldn’t wake him. He says he didn’t survive Ryan all these years just to be done in by his daughter, but all that concern isn’t just for him, is it? She says she’s really upset about Esme. She believed in Esme. She really believed Esme’s love for her baby Ace was going to be the thing that gave her the strength to turn her life around. And it did. She was doing so well. She was a good mom, and then she got her memory back. She thinks Esme didn’t have a chance to reconcile her two identities before Nikolas came back and took her son. Ace is a grounding force for Esme, and she thinks Esme losing her son pushed her over the edge. He says, love is a powerful motivator… both for good and ill. (That Doc is a real philosopher.) She asks if he’s in pain, but he says, no, but he’s bothered by the assumption that Esme went to Toronto to see her nanny. He thinks she’d go after Nikolas. Laura says, her too, but she thinks Esme doesn’t have anything to go on. She has no resources and Toronto isn’t very far and wouldn’t put too much strain on Esme’s credit card to travel there. He says, Esme’s credit card? and she says she forgot to tell him. The PCPD found out Esme charged a bus ticket to Toronto. He says, something’s off. It’s like something happened in Alexis’s office that he can’t quite remember.

Maggie says, Dante is telling her that he doesn’t want to cause trouble, but there are three police officers from two countries in her apartment. Chase and the Canadian officer go into another room, and she asks what those two are doing. Dante says, like he told her; they’re not here for her. They’re looking for Esme. She says, they’re looking in the wrong place. She hears a noise and yells, don’t go throwing things about! Dante tells her, if she’s saying Esme isn’t here, then she’s got to come clean. She’s got to tell them where she is. She asks how she would know that, and he says, they have reason to believe Esme came her to see her. She says, that’s pure rubbish. She hasn’t seen Esme in years.

Trina says she thinks shell try every coq au vin to see which is the best one in Paris, and Spencer says, that’s a good idea. Considering the fact he doesn’t know how to cook, he thinks they’ll be doing a fair amount of dining out. But if she only has coq au vin, won’t she miss out on a lot of other fantastic French food? She says she thinks she’ll have plenty of opportunities to try other tasty dishes, and he says, there’ll be a lot more to this trip than just food. She says, like what? Studying? He says, very important, and she says, dancing? He says he’s sure they’ll wander into a club or two, and she says, starting tonight? Is he going to tell her what he has planned? He says, she’ll certainly be getting the VIP treatment, and she says, he’s enjoying this secrecy a little too much. he says, maybe… Okay, fine. He doesn’t want to drag it out if she really wants to know. She says, and ruin the surprise? How dare he? He says, she certainly keeps him on his toes.

Curtis tells Stella, it won’t be dangerous. Ben is right here. Ben says he supposes there’s no harm in trying. He’ll be with Curtis, and Curtis will have the parallel bars to stabilize him. Curtis says, let’s do it.

Curtis hoists himself out of the chair, grabbing onto the parallel bars. Ben tells him to align his hands above his hips and use his arms to push his way up. Three, two, one. Curtis stands for a moment, then falls back into the chair. Ben says, good work. Curtis wanted a gauge and now they know. Curtis wheels himself away from the bars, and Ben asks if he wants to get to work, but Curtis says, no. that’ll be it for today. Ben asks if he’s sure. There’s still twenty minutes to their session. Stella asks if they can have a moment, and Ben leaves. Curtis says, she was right. It was a mistake to try and stand so soon. She asks if he made a slam dunk on the first try. No. So why did he think this was going to work on the first try?

Martin says, Alexis is right. At this point, their first step should be to compel the oncologist to expose that Muldoon had a cancer diagnosis prior to his visit with Finn. That would establish intent for Muldoon, but to accuse his wife of complicity with circumstantial evidence, that’s risky. They have no way of proving she had prior knowledge of his condition. To point a finger at her and start ranting about fraud would be a complete Hail Mary on their part. Tracy asks if that’s not what lawyers are supposed to do, throw out alternative possibilities. At least if the accusation is out there, the GH lawyers can run with it, especially if she has anything to say about it. Elizabeth asks what Finn thinks, and Finn asks, what will happen to Mrs. Muldoon if they accuse her of fraud? Tracy says, who cares? and Gregory says he could use some water. He asks Tracy to come with him, and she says, if he insists. They leave, and Martin says, in answer to Finn’s question, she’d be charged with fraud. If those charges are proven, she’d be looking at jail time. Elizabeth says, if she knew her husband was lying. That’s the question, but how do they know if Mrs. Muldoon was in on the fraud or not? Martin looks over at Diane and says he’s got one idea.

Trina says, Tuesday will be non-stop, but she thinks she can meet Spencer for a quick dinner, and he says he’d love to spend every single day with her here if he could. But he understands that she’s here first and foremost for school. So if she needs to prioritize her classes, that’s okay. She doesn’t have to worry about him. He’ll keep himself busy. She asks, how? and he says he’s been giving it a lot of thought. She’s so passionate about art, the way she talks about it and lives her life for it. He’d like to figure out what that is for him, what his passion is. Maybe he’ll figure that out in Paris. She says, there’s always Le Cordon Bleu, but he says he doesn’t think even they could help him with his cooking skills. Maybe it’s a good option, but he thinks there are a lot of things here for him to explore. So they’ll have to see. He just hates that he wasted so much time when he was here… before. Being angry with his father and planning to get back at Ava… She says, he had help. Esme stoked his anger and did everything she could to manipulate him. He says, first Esme, then Uncle Victor, but he’s just very glad they can finally put that all behind them. He’s very sorry he dragged her into all that. She didn’t deserve it. She says, neither did he, and he asks how she does that. She’s so supportive and so sweet. And she’s so hot. She makes him want to be better. She says she thinks he’s pretty amazing (ugh), and he thanks her, but he thinks there’s still plenty of room for improvement. (Agreed.) She says, he’ll get there.

Dante says, Esme hasn’t reached out to Maggie? Called her, texted her, mailed her a letter? Maggie says she wrote Esme with her address here in Toronto, but that was months ago. Esme never wrote back. She hasn’t heard from her. He says, they’ve got a letter that Maggie wrote to Esme, inviting Esme here to see her, and she asks if he had the handwriting analyzed, because she never extended any such invitation. The family she works for now are very private, very security conscious. Esme’s a troubled girl with a criminal record. She feels terrible for Esme, but she doesn’t want to jeopardize her current employment. Writing letters is one thing. Seeing Esme face to face, she’d never do it. Chase and the officer come back out, and Chase says, there’s no sign of Esme, nothing to suggest she’s ever been here.

Stella says she knows Curtis is disappointed, but he’s got to be patient with himself. He says he’s been nothing but patient. He feels like he’s been beating back this feeling of powerlessness forever, doing everything he can to make things better. He was at that point of acceptance, but this procedure has renewed his hope. Now that it has, he wants to move forward. She says, but he is moving forward. Just slower than he’d like. He says, so slow, he’s standing still. Oh, his bad. He can’t even stand. She says, now he’s feeling sorry for himself, and that’s not like him. Listen to her. He’s going to keep at it and he’s going to get this one effort at a time. What’s the alternative? Giving up? He asks if she wasn’t the one saying pushing it was a bad idea, and she says she’s always offering her two cents where it’s not needed, but the last thing she wanted was to undermine his belief in himself. He says, that wasn’t her; his legs did. She says, he’s always exceeded people’s expectations. Wasn’t he the only freshman who made varsity basketball in high school? He says, the coach didn’t even want him to try out, and she says, but he proved the coach wrong, didn’t he? She guesses all those skinned knees playing street ball eventually paid off. He proved everybody wrong. He says, what if his streak is over? but she says, it’s not. He just needs to pace himself. He’ll get there. She believes that, and she believes in him. Portia comes in and says she’s glad Stella is here too. Doc is awake and he’s doing better. Stella says, praise be, and Curtis says, good news. Portia asks, where’s Ben? Is his physical therapy session over? Stella looks at Curtis and says, is it?

Back in the courtroom, Gregory sips some water and says he needed this. He thanks Tracy, and she says, anything for a friend. He asks if that’s what they are, and she says she only allows friends and family to manipulate her, so she guesses so. He says he really did need the water, but she has to admit, she wasn’t exactly helping. She says, yes, she was. This is no time for Finn to be noble or selfless. He’s losing patients because of this groundless lawsuit, and he’s such a good doctor. Gregory says, no argument here. He’s just glad Finn has her on his side.

Mrs. Muldoon tells Diane, her children not only lost a father, Dr. Finn has jeopardized their future. Without Dennis, how is she going to pay for their schools, their college? Diane says she’s doing everything she can to get a settlement that will meet the needs of her children, when Martin asks if he can have a word. Diane says, of course (🍷), and tells Mrs. Muldoon that she’s going to confer with Martin. She’ll be right back. Take this moment for herself. Do some deep breathing. It sounds trite, but it does help. And whatever she does, do not engage with the defendant.

Finn asks Alexis what she thinks. Should he let Martin accuse Mrs. Muldoon of fraud? Elizabeth says, heads up. She’s coming. Instead of listening to her high-priced lawyer, Mrs. Muldoon makes a beeline for Finn. She says, if he had any shred of decency, he would change his plea to guilty and end this right now. Alexis says, they shouldn’t be speaking, but Finn says, it’s okay. He wants to hear what she has to say. Go ahead. Let’s talk about decency.

Curtis says he’s just on a break and asks Stella to find Ben and tell him they still have work to do. Stella says she’d be happy to, and leaves. Portia asks what she missed, and Curtis says he messed around and pushed too hard, but nothing was hurt except his ego. He’s really glad Doc is okay. Has she heard anything about Esme? She says, nothing yet. She’s hoping Dante and Chase find her in Toronto, apprehend her, and put her in prison where she belongs. She’s absolutely done with Esme and never wants to worry about Esme Prince again.

Dante tells Chase that it looks like Esme played them. She gave them a false lead. Chase says, if Esme didn’t come looking for Maggie, where did she go? Dante tells Maggie that he’s not sure if she knows, but Esme’s regained her memory. She just assaulted a man and put him in the hospital, nearly killed him. So any insights into Esme would be greatly appreciated. Places she would go, people she’d want to see. Maggie says she doesn’t know. She did her best by Esme. She tried to steer her right, but nothing would sway her. She was dead set on reuniting with her family. Dante says, her family. Maybe that’s the key.

Detective Bennet asks, what happened when Doc arrived on the scene? and Doc says he came into Alexis Davis’s office, and Esme was already there. She was seated, she had her laptop open, and she startled when she realized he was there. It was like she thought he caught her doing something. He flashes back to that, and says, Laura told him that Esme used her credit card to purchase travel to Toronto. Her own credit card? Laura says, yeah, and he says, then what was she doing with The Invader’s corporate card? She had it in her hand. He saw it when he came into the room. Laura says, they’d better call Alexis, and takes out her phone.

Spencer says, they should get the check. He doesn’t want them to be late. Trina says, late for what? and he says, she’ll see.

Martin says he’d like to add someone to the witness list, and Diane says, it’s a little late in the game. He agrees, it is and apologizes for the short notice, but some new information has suddenly come to light. She asks, who’s the witness? and he says, Dr. Powell. Doesn’t ring a bell? She says, no. Should it? He says he guesses they’ll find out, and walks off.

Mrs. Muldoon whines to Finn that they’ll have to sell their home, when Alexis gets a text from Laura: Call me, 911. She tells Elizabeth, and Mrs. Muldoon says, their futures were all planned. Her husband went to Finn and now he’s dead. (Um… Apparently, they didn’t plan that well. Sounds like they played fast and loose with the kids’ college fund.) She asks if he was just another faceless patient to Finn, but Finn says, none of his patients are faceless, not ever. He’s very sorry for her loss, but he did tell her husband that he needed follow-up testing and he failed to do that. She says, that’s not Dennis. He’s wrong. Dennis would have taken proper steps if he’d understood something was seriously wrong. He never would have left her and the children. Even at the very end, all he could think about was the kids. That’s why he told her to sue, so he could make sure his family was taken care of. Finn says, so the malpractice suit was her husband’s idea, and she says, that’s how much he loved them. And when he was in terrible pain, he didn’t worry about himself; he was worried about his family. It’s not right a man that loving should die so young. Finn says, no, it isn’t.

Diane comes running in, saying, no, no, no, no, no. She thought she asked Mrs. Muldoon not to talk to Dr. Finn. What did Finn say? Finn says, not much. Her client, however, said plenty. Diane leads Mrs. Muldoon to the other side of the courtroom, and Gregory asks what she said to Finn. Martin says he’d like to hear the answer to that question himself, and Elizabeth says, she made a lot of accusations, but Finn says, it doesn’t matter. She’s in pain. How did it go with Diane? Martin says, Diane has the best poker face he’s ever seen, but he honestly thinks she doesn’t know why he’s calling a late witness. He mentioned the oncologist’s name and there was nothing. No indication of recognition whatsoever. Tracy asks if Martin mentioned he was an oncologist, and he asks if he looks like an idiot. She says, well… and Gregory clears his throat. Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Diane would be an accessory to fraud, and Finn says, probably Mrs. Muldoon isn’t either. He didn’t get the feeling she knew. Elizabeth says neither did she, and Tracy says, that is for her lawyer to prove. Finn says, if Mrs. Muldoon goes to prison, what will happen to her kids? and Tracy says she thinks the question he should be asking is, if he doesn’t win this case, what will happen to his kid?

Dante asks Maggie to excuse them for a minute, and steps into the hallway with Chase. He says, they have to explore the family aspect, and Chase asks, what family? Esme’s mother is in Pentenville, and since Esme attacked Doc, that rules out any support she’d get from him and Laura. Who else is left? Dante says, her son, and takes out his phone. He looks at Laura’s number.

Laura says, Alexis should be here any moment now, when her phone rings. She says, this is Dante, and tells Dante that she’s here with Doc and Detective Bennet and he’s on speaker. Dante asks how Doc is doing, and Doc says, his head hurts. Otherwise, he’s okay. Dante says, good to hear, and Laura asks if they’ve found anything in Toronto, but Dante says, it’s a dead end. He thinks Esme was just trying to buy some time. He was wondering if she heard from Nikolas. Laura says, the last person to speak to him was Spencer. Why? He says, they were thinking Esme might track down Nikolas to reclaim Ace before she goes into hiding, and Laura says she’s sure that’s what Esme would like to do, but she has no means of tracking down Nikolas. However, they might have a new lead on their end. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, actually, Alexis just walked in right now. She tells Alexis that she has Chase and Dante on speaker phone from Canada. Did she find anything? Alexis says she had her assistant email every charge on the corporate credit card in the last 72 hours, and Bennet asks if she was aware the credit card was stolen. She says, no, but Esme, as her assistant, had the authority to use the card and she continually used it. She looks at her phone and says, here’s the email right now… Whoa. What is this here?

Spencer says, shall we go? and he and Trina get up. She asks where they’re off to, and he says, the rest of their lives. He kisses her hand.

Elizabeth tells Finn, as much as she hates to say it, Tracy has a point. if he doesn’t push this fraud angle, he could lose this case and his position at GH. He says he could always go back to research, and she says, really? Here in Port Charles? Or would he and Violet have to move away from everyone who loves them? Is that really what he wants to do? He says, no, of course (🍷) not. But he doesn’t want to see Mrs. Muldoon go to prison for fraud. Those kids already lost their father. She’s all they have. Believe it or not, he can almost understand the desperation Dennis Muldoon was feeling. He was in an impossible situation and made the only choice he thought he could to take care of his family. She says she gets that he was in an impossible situation and just trying to take care of his family, but for Mr. Muldoon to use Finn as a scapegoat, someone who was only trying to help him, and make Finn pay for his misfortune? He asks if it’s any better to throw a grieving widow under the bus. It seems like no matter what, someone’s going to get hurt.

Ben tells Curtis, good work today, and Curtis thanks him for letting the session run over, especially since they ran him in and out of there for an hour. Ben says he’s glad they got it all in. See him next Thursday? Curtis says, you bet, they fist bump, and Ben leaves. Portia says, it looks like Curtis had a pretty good workout, and he says he sure did. Stella says, his first step to a first step, and Curtis says he sees what she did there. He will be walking when Trina comes home from Paris.

The bailiff says, court will reconvene in five minutes, and Mrs. Muldoon says she’s going to splash some water on her face. Diane asks if she’s sure she doesn’t know a Dr. Powell, but she says, no, and leaves.

Martin tells Finn that his assistant is drawing up a subpoena to have the oncologist testify. He got the motion to add a late witness. Finn says, already? and Martin says, if they’re going to do this, they’ve got to get the ball rolling. They’ve got less than five minutes here. How would Finn like him to proceed? Gregory says he’ll support whatever decision Finn makes, and Finn says he doesn’t want to risk Mrs. Muldoon going to prison. Martin says, he may have to, to clear his name.

In the hallway, Tracy tells Mrs. Muldoon that she needs a word, but Mrs. Muldoon says her attorney advised her not to speak to Dr. Finn or any of his supporters. (Like she listened before.) Tracy says, that’s okay. She’ll do all the talking.

The bailiff asks everyone to take their seats, and Gregory asks Elizabeth, where did Tracy go? Martin tells Finn, all right, doc. It’s go time. What are we doing?

Alexis says, there’s an airline charge on the corporate credit card, and Esme’s name is on the ticket. Dante says, ticket to where? and Doc says, Paris. She was booking a flight to Paris. (Okay, so Esme didn’t save Alexis money.) Alexis says, he’s right. Esme’s ticket was to Paris. Laura says, oh my God. She’s going after Spencer and Trina.

Spencer and Trina leave the French PC Grill restaurant, and Trina says, he’s too cute. He tells her that she’s beautiful. Take it all in. It’s all for them. She says she can’t believe this is all happening, and he says, she’s too cute. (All right already with cute.) Is she ready for her next surprise? She says she doesn’t need a surprise. She’s got him. That’s all she could ever need. He kisses her and they continue walking. Apparently, Trina needs some Spidey-sense too, since Esme steps out of the shadows and follows them.

Tomorrow, Martin tells Finn, they go with what they planned, or go with this new theory; Anna tells Jordan that someone is playing games, and she wants to find out why; and Sonny tells Ava, things have changed and so have the threats.

🍼 Ask Where Ace Is…

IMO, the best Nikolas of them all. Wednesday, January 31, 3 pm.

Chat Live With GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Adam Huss!

🚑 She’ll Be Back…

OG Josslyn is getting there.

Eden McCoy’s GH Return Date Revealed!

🥀 Way Too Soon…

It doesn’t give details, but regardless, so sad.

Erika Slezak Mourns the Death of Her Daughter Amanda

🛸 Bring On the Space Cake….

I’m not saying anyone is wrong here. Maybe Denise is owning what’s hers; maybe she’s a big a-hole. It’s hard to tell judge everything that’s going on in two minutes of film out of an entire evening. But in regard to her saying she might have been slipped something, until this chef went apesh*t, I didn’t think for once she meant him. I thought she was inferring it might have been one of the other cast members. Which, considering past behavior, isn’t a stretch.

Kyle Richards’ Weed Chef Slams ‘Absolutely Obliterated’ Denise Richards

💎 She Knows Nothing…

I’ve been leaning this way too. Only because the whole thing looks so awkward. Mauricio is so high all the time, it doesn’t seem like he gives a flying what’s going on, and Kyle seems like a bad actress in a script she wrote herself.

Sutton Stracke Won’t Answer if She Thinks Kyle Richards’ Marital Struggles Are for ‘Clicks’

🍸 Latest Rules…

But is it still the best time of our life?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/something-about-her-in-vanderpump-rules-season-11-intro-details

🎬 Très Amusant…

Because sitting through the reality of it wasn’t enough.

https://ew.com/all-star-live-reading-of-vanderpump-rules-scandoval-8551139

⛴ New Boat Daddy…

Sorry, Captain Kerry, I will forever miss Stud of the Sea, Captain Lee. It’s nice to see Ben again though.

Below Deck’s Ben Willoughby Discusses ‘Fresh Breeze’ With Captain Kerry Titheradge

🐩 Furbaby Fête…

Spoiler: They’re all cute.

“Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” to Air February 21 on CBS

🍳 Putting All My Eggs In One Frying Pan…

IKR? Early today. Come back tomorrow for soap and VanderTalk. Until then, stay safe, stay not being that person in the express checkout lane, and stay always exceeding people’s expectations.

Jan27

January 26, 2024 – Sprina’s First Day In Paris, Side Gig, He’s Serious, Random Wives, VanderComeback, Too Soon For Awful, Trailer For Ones, Puppy (!) Party, Practically 10 Quotes & Key

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. Trina and Spencer are shown to their hotel room, and Trina says she didn’t think anything could be nicer than their hotel room in New York, but this… They’re literally on the Sienne. It’s incredible. (A slight exaggeration. They dressed up a decent room with champagne bucket and a bunch of peonies.) He says, she’s incredible. He thought they deserved the very best to welcome them to the next chapter of their lives. They kiss.

At the hospital, Chase tells Jordan that they pulled Esme’s credit card records. There was a bus ticket bought yesterday, destination Toronto. She says, any stops along the way? but he says, straight shot. If Esme’s hiding out at her former nanny’s, they have the address of where to find her.

Anna runs over to Laura and says she just heard about Kevin. How’s he doing? Laura says, he’s stable. He’s in and out of consciousness right now, but they’re doing more tests. Anna tells her to hang in there, and she says she is. Anna says, he’s so strong; he’ll pull through this. Laura thanks her, and Anna says she wishes she could do more than give her just words. Laura says she thinks Anna can. She can come back to the PCPD.

Nina sits at Charlie’s looking at The Invader headline: A CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT CRIMSON; NINA REEVES OUT, CARLY SPENCER IN. Ava calls, but she doesn’t answer.

Ava leaves a message asking Nina what she’s seeing in The Invader. Call her. She’s worried about her. Sonny asks who she’s talking to, and Ava says, Nina’s voicemail. Has he seen this? She shows him her tablet, and he says he hasn’t read the article, but he knows there’s a transition. She says, a transition. Otherwise known as an ousting. He asks if that surprises her after what Nina did to Carly and Drew. She says, even so, someone has to check up on her. She’s not picking up. Is that a problem for him? He says, Brick is on his way up here with an update, and she asks if he’s learned anything about the threats against her. He says, the sooner they can stop this, the sooner they can end this living arrangement they have.

At the courthouse, Martin apologizes for his late arrival. Miss McCall was keeping him apprised of her investigation. Finn asks how that’s going, and Elizabeth asks if she found anything that could help the case. Sam says, it’s going, and yes, she did.

Brick knocks on the penthouse door, and Sonny says, it’s good to see him. Brick says, it’s always good to be seen. He asks Ava, how’s everything? and she says, fine. She asks if he’d care for an espresso, but he says, no thank you, and Sonny asks him to have a seat. Brick says, unfortunately, he has to keep this brief. He has a meeting this afternoon. Sonny says, as long as he’s caught up, Brick can make it as brief as he wants. He looks at Ava, and Ava says, if he’s waiting for her to make herself scarce, that’s not going to happen. This concerns her. He says he knows that, but as soon as it becomes business, leave, and she says, okay. They sit, and Sonny says, fill him in. Brick says he couldn’t pull any prints off the photograph or notes sent to Ava, but he was able to trace the weapon. It was part of a set of unmarked weapons from the Bureau… Yeah, he knows. Ava asks, what’s the significance of the gun being stolen from the WSB? and Sonny says, it means it’s connected to the rifle that shot at him a year ago at the MetroCourt pool.

Sam says she was able to access Muldoon’s EZ-Pass records and cross-reference them with the security cameras from the gas station across the street from the oncologist’s office. Elizabth says, tell them there was something on that footage, and Sam says, a big something. Muldoon entering the medical pavilion long before his meeting with Finn. Gregory says, there they have it. Proof that he was being treated for cancer. Martin says, maybe, but unfortunately, it’s circumstantial, and Finn says, it’s a medical pavilion. There must be dozens of specialists working out of that building. Martin says, exactly. A dentist, and ENT and an allergist, just to name a few. Finn says, Muldoon could have been going to see any one of them, but Gregory says, he wasn’t. He was there to see the oncologist. Finn asks how they prove that, and Martin says, that’s the number one question. The second being, if he was being treated by that oncologist, why wouldn’t he tell Finn that? Elizabeth says, it doesn’t make any sense, and Sam says she has one more lead to follow up on. If she gets results, she’ll be in touch ASAP. Finn says he really appreciates it, and Sam tells him, good luck, and leaves. Martin says, shall we? and Finn says, no time like the present. Let’s do this.

Spencer asks the bellhop for a converter because his phone died, and the bellhop leaves. Trina says, that accent is to die for, and Spencer says, mine or his? She says, his. Spencer’s is decent though. Spencer says, moi? Blah-blah-blah Française? (I took two years of French and still know nothing but how Jean Paul and Pierre pack a suitcase and how to curse someone out.) She says, mais oui, and that’s about as much as she knows. Thank God for the translator app though. He says she doesn’t have to rely on a translator app. He’s happy to give her French lessons. She says, he’s going to teach her, huh? and he clicks on the remote, turning on some music. He says, to start, and speaks French like Gomez Addams as he kisses her neck. They work their way over to the bed and get busy.

Jordan asks if the Toronto authorities have been notified, and Chase says, they have, but there’s another way. Dante has met Esme’s former nanny. They can reach out to her. Keep things nice and clean. That is, if the department can spare them. She says, absolutely. She’ll make arrangements with their superior. She does know it’s his brother’s trial today, so if he wants her to send someone else with Dante… He says he’ll go, and she asks if he’s sure. He says, Finn understands that this is important. She says, okay. Good luck and keep her posted. He says, copy that, and leaves.

Laura says, Anna looks shocked, and Anna says, because she is. Laura says, the PCPD has been without an active Commissioner for months now. It’s been chaotic and confusing. It may even be part of the reason Esme was able to slip between the cracks. (Huh?) Anna says she thought Mac was doing an excellent job, and Laura says, he is, but not only has he made it very clear he’s not interested in the position full-time. He’s been out of the country for she doesn’t even know how long now. The department needs stability and Anna could provide that. Anna says, Laura… but Laura says, just hear her out. Next to Jordan, who’s made it very clear to her that she’s happy in her new role as the Deputy Mayor, Anna is the next, most qualified candidate. Anna says, and the most controversial. Forget about her public humiliation. What about what happened with Laura’s granddaughter? Laura says she doesn’t blame Anna for that, and Anna says she shot a child. Laura says, but she was being manipulated by her former director, Brennan. And on top of that, Valentin chose to keep her completely in the dark about what was going on with Charlotte. This was a horrible accident, but it’s one that doesn’t change the fact that she believes Port Charles would be safer under Anna’s leadership. Jordan comes over and says, and for what it’s worth (🍷), she agrees 1000%. Anna says, they have no idea what this means to her, but she’s sorry. She can’t. What happened with Charlotte makes her feel like she’s not ready. She doesn’t deserve the badge. Laura says she understands what Anna is going through, but she’s asking Anna to take some time to consider this offer. Laura sees Portia coming their way, and asks if she’s heard anything about Doc. Is he going to be okay?

The bailiff says, all rise. The honorable Judge Arnold presiding. The judge tells them, be seated, and Elizabeth mouths I love you to Finn, who winks at her.

Portia says she just spoke with Doc’s doctors and they’re still running some tests, but they’re cautiously optimistic that his prognosis will be good. She’ll know more when he wakes up. Laura says, thank God, and Portia says, if Laura hadn’t found him when she did, this could be an entirely different conversation. Laura says she doesn’t want to think about that, and thanks Portia for keeping her in the loop. Portia says, of course (🍷), and Anna says, that’s great news, hugging Laura. She’s sorry. She’s late for a phlebotomy treatment, so she has to go. She’ll catch up with Laura later. She says goodbye to them and leaves. Jordan says she has to go as well, but asks Laura to let her know if she needs anything. They hug and Jordan says she’s really glad Doc is going to be okay. She leaves, and Portia asks if Laura has heard from Spencer at all. Laura says she hasn’t. She’s a little surprised since she thinks she may have sounded a little frantic in her message, but maybe his plane hasn’t landed yet. Portia says she tracked the flight; it landed. Maybe she should call Trina again. Laura says, don’t bother. Esme is in Canada and Doc is out of the woods. Spencer will call her when he calls her. Let them have a good time. Portia says, they’re in Paris. How could they not be?

Basking in the afterglow, Trina kisses Spencer, and he says, champagne toast? He gets out of bed and takes out the bottle of champagne. He says, it’s a good year, and starts to unwrap the foil, when the bellhop walks in. They don’t knock in Paris?

Diane says, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the name Hamilton Finn – Dr. Hamilton Finn – may be all over the docket in this case, but make no mistake, the story belongs to Dennis Muldoon, deceased husband of the plaintiff. You’re going to hear how Dennis Muldoon sought the help of a trusted doctor in his time of need, and how that doctor, through sheer negligence, failed to order a test which could have caught the cancer in time. This story is by no means uncommon. Medical practitioners make mistakes all the time. Which is why it is of the upmost importance that we hold them accountable. Not just for the error itself, but for the birthdays, weddings, graduations, everything that Dennis Muldoon will now sadly, tragically have to miss. She indicates the grieving widow.

Martin says, I can, and will, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dr. Hamilton Finn did encourage Dennis Muldoon to follow up with further testing, and that far from being in error with medical negligence, this was an error of personal responsibility… as tragic as that may be.

Ava asks if they’re saying the same person that killed Austin shot Curtis, and Brick says, in a botched attempt to assassinate Sonny. Sonny asks if Brick thinks this theory has anything to do with the anonymous bid on Windymere. Can Ava do him a favor? Can she give Brick all the information she has? She says, on the shell corporation. She doesn’t have much, but she’ll get what she has. She leaves, and Sonny says he wants Brick to coordinate with Dex as far as stepping up surveillance. Brick says, all the usual suspects? and Sonny says, Carly, the kids, Olivia, and now Ava because she’s in the middle of all this. Brick says he’s on it, but he doesn’t have a question. Does Nina get added to that list?

Sitting with Nina, Valentin asks if she’s all right, and she says she’s pretty sure she lost her husband and her daughter. And the final kicker is, Drew and Carly want to take everything else from her too. He says, otherwise okay? and she laughs. She says she brought it on herself, right? At least that’s what everyone tells her. He says, she may be down, but at least she’s not down for the count. So what’s the plan? She says, for what? and he says, for taking back what’s yours.

Averting his eyes, the bellhop tells Spencer that he’s very sorry. He knocked on the door and there was no answer. He assumed they’d stepped out. He holds out a bag, and Spencer takes it, thanking him. The bellhop says, his converter, and leaves. Trina says, if he’d shown up a few minutes earlier, he would have gotten quite the show. She asks for his phone to charge it, and tells him to open up the champagne. He asks if she heard the bellhop knock, and she says, in all fairness, they could have put up the Do Not Disturb sign. He says, that would have kind of killed the romantic flow, and she says, option A, take a two-second break from making out, or option B, getting caught by the bellhop in your underwear. He says, fine. Next time, they’ll put up the Do Not Disturb sign. She says, there’s going to be a next time? and he says, oh yeah. And a next time, and a next time, and a next time… He kisses her with each next time. He sees the turtle dove sticking out of her purse, and he says, she brought it with her? She says, there might be weekends where he’s going to be back home, and she’ll be here. It’ll be like they’re still together. That’s what this thing is for, isn’t it? He says, it sure is. That’s pretty cute. He takes the other turtle dove out of his bag, and she says, he has his with him. He says he takes it with him everywhere he goes. Once he gets his apartment here, it will have a permanent place on his bedside table. He kisses her and his phone dings. He looks at it and says, his grandmother left him a voicemail.

Brick says he doesn’t mean to bring up a tough subject, but he doesn’t know where Sonny and Nina stand right now. Sonny says, she’s his wife legally, so she’s going to be a potential target, and Brick says he’ll make sure to keep eyes on her. Ava comes back and says she made copies for Brick. This is it. She gives him a folder, and Brick says he’ll look into it. He tells Sonny to let him know if he needs anything, they shake hands, and Brick leaves. Ava asks how seriously she needs to take this. Stay vigilant or complete lockdown? He says, they’re not there yet, and she says, thank God. Because nothing good can come of them stuck in this penthouse. On that note, what does he say they get out of here?

Nina asks if Valentin thinks she has a leg to stand on, and he says he thinks she has two gorgeous legs to stand on. (BA-DUM-CHH!) She’s Nina Reeves for God’s sake. She built Crimson into the empire it is today. He can’t imagine her advertisers and top designers are thrilled with what Drew has decided. She says, it doesn’t matter, but he says, of course (🍷) it matters. She says she doesn’t have any recourse, and he says, how about if she gives him a number. How much would it cost to create a rival publication and poach every top staffer at Crimson that would give Drew and Carly a fighting chance at success?

Diane asks Mrs. Muldoon if she ever got a sense that there were any health concerns prior to this diagnosis, but Mrs. Muldoon says, no. They were shocked when they learned he had Stage IV cancer. He seemed totally fine. It’s like they blinked, and he was gone. Diane says, the doctors who took care of her husband in hospice, were they able to provide any insight? and she says, they told her any physician who would have run even the most basic tests would have seen the cancer. If only someone had. She looks at Finn and says, a few months would have made the difference. Her children would still have a father. Martin says, objection, your honor. That calls for speculation. Diane says, Mrs. Muldoon’s testimony will be corroborated by Dennis Muldoon’s oncologist, but Judge Arnold says, then they’ll hear it when he or she takes the stand. Sustained. Diane says, no further questions, and the judge says, Martin’s witness. Martin says he’d just like to start by saying how sorry they all are for her loss. She thanks him, and he says he’d just like to know one thing. Was she there when her husband met with Dr. Hamilton Finn, when he was told he needed to go for further testing? She says, no, she was not, and he says, so her opinion on Dr. Finn’s urgency, or lack thereof, is based solely on how her husband described it to her. She says, yes, but… and he says, thank you. That’s all. No further questions. The judge says, she may step down, and Mrs. Muldoon leaves the stand. Gregory whispers, that’s it? to Martin, and Martin says, no one ever won a civil trial by ripping the grieving widow to shreds on the witness stand. The jury is right there. She has her story, we have ours. Diane says she’d like to call Dr. Hamilton Finn to the stand.

Laura puts Spencer on speaker and thanks him for calling her back. He says, of course (🍷). What’s going on? She says she has good news on both fronts. First of all, Doc is going to be okay. He says, thank God, and she says, and they’ve tracked Esme to Canada. The authorities there have the address where she’s staying, and Chase and Dante are on their way there right now. He asks what she needs from him, but she says, nothing. Just stay right where he is. She’s sort of comforted by the knowledge that there’s an entire ocean between him and Esme at the moment. Portia says, Laura is right. They’re far safer there than they would be here in Port Charles. Just let the police handle Esme. Spencer promises to look after Portia’s daughter, and she says she’s going to hold him to that. She asks for Trina, and Trina says, hey. Portia says she wants Trina to be safe. She loves her. Trina says she loves Portia too, and she will. Laura says she’ll keep them posted if she hears anything, and Spencer says, sounds good.

Nina says she didn’t agree to have lunch with Valentin to take his money, but he says she wouldn’t be taking it. He’d be investing it – in her. With her prowess, and the help of her editors and advertisers, he thinks any new publication she launched would bury anything Drew and Carly could cook up at Crimson. They don’t know publishing and she does. Sometimes the best revenge is good business. She says, if she does this… He says, she’s considering it, and she says, maybe. If she does this, this war with Carly will only escalate until one of them surrenders. He lifts his glass and says, to it not being you. They clink glasses, when Sonny walks in with Ava.

Brick says, he’s got to admit, he didn’t think the hospital is where his meeting with Jordan would take place, and she says, if he gives her something she can use, maybe she’ll give him an upgrade. He says he can dream, and she asks if he traced the number that called her. He says he went through some backchannels, which he’s guessing is why she reached out to him in the first place. The call came from a burner phone, one of those prepaid deals you can get it at any gas station. She says, so it wasn’t registered, and he says, hold on. The phone pinged a cell tower a stone’s throw away from Pentenville the night the call came in. No residents or roads nearby. She says, Pentenville, and he says, they know better than anyone how to smuggle phones in. She thanks him, and he says, no sweat. He starts to leave, but comes back and says he hasn’t lost her number. He hopes she’s not going to lose his. She rolls her eyes as he leaves.

Diane asks how long Finn has been a department head at General Hospital, and he says, seven years and eleven months. She says, that’s a long time. And in that time, he found a cure for Blackwood’s disease, which was ravaging certain oceanic regions. Is she correct? Finn says, that is correct, and she says, that’s quite a feat, to use deductive reasoning and applied science to find a cure. Finn says, it’s part of the job, and she says, it is. So what went wrong on the day Dennis Muldoon came to visit him? Martin says, objection, and Diane says she’ll rephrase. How did Finn not catch the Stage IV cancer that other doctors insist would have been blatantly obvious at that time? Finn says he’s an infectious disease specialist. Mr. Muldoon came to see him for treatment for a tapeworm, which he had. However, Finn knew something else was wrong, so he suggested Muldoon have some more tests run. Diane asks if there was any urgency to this suggestion, a bit of a warning that he might be dealing with something more serious, perhaps life threatening. Finn says he recommended Muldoon have further tests run. He doesn’t recall the level to which he stressed urgency. Diane says, so it’s his contention that another infectious disease specialist couldn’t have deduced that cancer was at play, but Finn says he can’t speculate on other doctors, and her statement does not equate to malpractice. Diane says, even if he wasn’t at the top of his game, shall they say? and he says he doesn’t know what that means. She asks if he was suspended from General Hospital six years ago, and Finn says he was. She says, care to tell the court why? and Martin says, objection. Medical privacy. Diane says, withdrawn. Would Finn agree that a doctor at the top of his game could have suspected cancer? Could have ordered the proper tests and could have conveyed to Mr. Muldoon the gravity of his situation? Finn tells her, like he said he can’t speculate… She says, yes or no will suffice, and he says, the expectation that a doctor in another field could immediately catch everything wrong with a patient is not only unreasonable, it’s completely absurd. He did what needed to be done on the day. (Apparently, Finn forgot the number one rule here.) Diane says, just what needed to be done, and Finn tells her, that’s not what he said. She says, no further questions. Martin asks if Finn ever told Dennis Muldoon that a tapeworm wasn’t the only cause of his symptoms, and Finn says, no. Martin says, and did he in fact advise Muldoon that further tests were necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and Finn says, yes. Martin asks if he took that advice, and Finn says, no, he did not. Martin says, so conveyed urgency aside, does he as a physician have the authority to compel a patient to undergo a test they do not wish to have done? and Finn says, no, he doesn’t. Martin says, no further questions, and Judge Arnold says, Finn can step down. Finn goes back to his seat, and Elizabeth says she thought Martin told them that Diane would talk about Finn’s past drug use, but Martin says, she didn’t have to. She did more damage by hanging it in the window. Finn says, and she knows it, and Martin says, up to this point, he’s kept his questioning brief because he honestly believes the facts are on Finn’s side in this case. But he has to be honest. That little tit for tat with Miss Miller just now? He doesn’t think Finn did himself any favors.

Diane thanks a doctor on the stand for his input and expertise, and says, the prosecution rests. The judge calls for a brief recess and says, court will resume at 1:45. The bailiff says, all rise, the judge leaves, and the bailiff says, the jury is excused. Sam comes in and asks how it’s going. Martin says, all is not lost, but he’s not going to lie. He could use some more help. Sam says she did some more digging and found out that several debt collectors have placed liens on the Muldoons. Finn takes an envelope from her and looks at the paperwork. He says, it looks like their house is about to be foreclosed on. Elizabeth says she thought they were wealthy, but Sam says, they’ve been cash poor for a while now. Gregory says he’s sure cancer can get expensive, and Sam says, this has actually been going on for a while. The Muldoons were heavily invested in Aurora. When the stocks went down, they pretty much lost everything. Finn says, that was eighteen months ago. Soap looks all around.

Jordan sees Anna and asks if her phlebotomy went okay, and Anna says, everything’s fine. What’s going on? Jordan says she traced the number for the source who called about the unmarked gun, and Anna asks if she has a lead on who shot Curtis. Jordan says, Sonny may have been the intended target, but she thinks Anna is still connected to this as well.

Nina tells Sonny that she heard about Ace. Is Spencer okay? He says, that’s none of her business (harsh!), and keeps walking. Ava says she got Nina’s voicemail. She’s so sorry to hear about Crimson. Call her when she gets a chance, and they’ll talk. Nina starts to respond, but Ava joins Sonny, and Nina goes back to her table. Valentin asks if she wants to go somewhere else, but she says, Phyllis told her that she’s always welcome here. She won’t be run off with her tail between her legs. He says his offer still stands. What does she say? She tells him that she says the two of them have a bad habit of bringing out the worst in each other.

Portia says she’s got some good news, and Laura says, that’s her favorite kind. Portia says, the doctors think that Doc should be waking up very soon. They’re going to be moving him to his room and Laura should be able to see him shortly after that. Laura cries and thanks her, and Portia says, Doc’s going to be okay. The kids are safe. They’re lucky, all things considered. Laura says she agrees, but if she could only stop blaming herself. Portia says, blaming herself for what? and Laura says, Esme. She knew what Esme was capable of, but Esme is her husband’s niece, she’s the mother of her grandchild. She thinks she just wanted so badly to see the good in Esme, she let it blind her to all the horrible things Esme has done that she never paid for. She did awful things to Portia’s daughter. Portia must be so angry with her.

Spencer tells Trina that he wishes he could say he was wrong, that Esme hadn’t gotten her memory back and that Ace could still be safe with her. But he guesses he did the right thing giving Ace to his father. If anyone has a knack for disappearing, it’s him. There’s no way Esme’s going to… Trina is preoccupied with her phone, and he asks what she’s doing. She says, there’s a flight back to New York in two hours. He can make it before midnight. He says, she’s telling him this because… and she says, Doc just got attacked and his brother is in danger. She appreciates him coming with her, but his family needs him now.

Sam says, looks like Muldoon has been trying to stop the bleeding for months. He even cashed out a life insurance policy to pay his bills. Martin says, before or after he saw an oncologist? and Sam says, before. Martin says, thanks to Sam, they now have one hell of a theory to present to the court, and Elizabeth says, Muldoon came to Finn on purpose. The whole malpractice suit… Finn says, it was part of his plan. Muldoon set him up.

I called it at the beginning. And I have receipts! Proof! Timelines! Screenshots! Not really. Just one message to a fellow GH watcher, but I called it pretty early on.

Spencer says, Trina heard his grandmother. Doc is on the mend, and Esme’s in Canada, and the police are on her trail. Trina says, and if any of that changes? and Spencer says, then he’ll get on a plane and go home, but she heard him promise her mother that he’d look after her, and they both know he’s on her hit list. So he thinks it’s best he keeps his word. She asks if he’s sure. Don’t stay for her. He says, of course (🍷) he’s going to stay for her. And for him, for them. Now is she ready for the best weekend of her life? She says, so ready, and he says, very good answer. He kisses her and pops the champagne cork. They kiss some more.

Portia asks why she would be angry with Laura, and Laura says, at the very least, Portia must think she’s naïve. Portia says she thinks Esme is that good of a liar, and Laura says, except Portia never believed it. Portia says she never truly bought into the idea that Esme had changed (more history revision!), but she thinks it’s a little different with her. Laura asks, why is that? and Portia says, because Esme hurt Trina in a very specific, targeted, vindictive way. It’s hard to see your child suffer like that. It leaves a mark. Laura says she’s so sorry, but Portia says, she doesn’t have to be. There’s nothing wrong with hoping someone can change, if and when they take accountability for their actions, but Esme never took accountability for anything. So right now, there’s only one path forward for her. Laura says, absolutely. Agreed. Esme must be found. Esme must be brought to trial for the things she’s done.

Toronto, Canada. Dante and Chase arrive at an apartment, where a Canadian officer stands outside the door. Dante introduces himself and Chase, and the officer says, they were told the detectives were coming. Chase says, any updates? and the officer says, they’ve been monitoring the apartment for 24 hours. No one matching the nanny’s or Prince’s description has exited. Dante says, it’s still occupied? and the officer nods. Dante thanks him for holding off while they waited for him and Chase. There’s going to be trouble. The officer knocks at the door, and Chase and Dante put their hands on their guns.

Nina says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t tempted by Valentin’s offer, and he says, but? She says, but she has to try and control these impulses she has if she’s going to have any hope of salvaging a relationship with Willow. He says, okay, but if she changes her mind… She says she knows where to find him, and he says, they have a long history of twisting themselves in knots, pretending they’re something they aren’t for other people. She doesn’t have to do that with him. He’s on her side, no matter what. She puts her hand on his and thanks him. Sonny watches.

Sonny tells Ava that he was thinking, and she says, uh-oh. He says, there’s still a threat out there against Ava. Esme’s on the run. Maybe she should spend some time on his island. She says, the gallery is being refreshed this week. She supposes there are worse places to stay vigilant. He says he and Dex will get her settled in and make sure she’s protected. She says, okay. Because going to Puerto Rico is all about her and her safety, right? He asks, what else would it be about? and she says, maybe getting as far away from Nina as possible.

Anna says, so the call that attempted to give Jordan information on the gun came from Pentenville? and Jordan says she’s been looking into this for months and gotten nowhere. Dead end after dead end. So what’s changed in the past few weeks? Who’s new to Pentenville and knew about a shipment of unmarked guns meant to be in the Bureau’s possession? She knew she recognized that voice from somewhere, but she couldn’t put her finger on it until she overheard Anna and Laura talking. Anna says, the person who called Jordan was John Brennan.

On Monday, Portia tells Curtis that she never wants to worry about Esme Prince again; Martin tells Diane that he’d like to add someone to the witness list; and Tracy comes to the courtroom, saying that they should make the fraud public record.

👬🏻 Whole Different Brother…

It’s great how the cast is given wiggle room to do other projects. A happy employee is more likely to stick around.

Nicholas Chavez’s Temporary Exit from GENERAL HOSPITAL Detailed

💻 Not Kidding…

It’s awful how scammers get away with this stuff, but it’s also shocking to see how many people fall for it. One rule of thumb is, if you’re a 2 and they’re a 10, and you don’t know each other personally IRL, it’s not happening.

Scott Clifton Shares a Serious Warning for Soap Fans

💎 Diamonds In the Rough…

Hey, she did finally get that second date.

Sutton Stracke’s Dating Dos and Don’ts

We’ve all been there. The one that just doesn’t go as planned.

Denise Richards Admits RHOBH Comeback Went ‘Sideways’

This one’s diamond should be repossessed.

Why Annemarie Will Probably Regret Becoming a Housewife

🍸 Back To the Rules…

Here’s a thought. If the rest of the cast doesn’t want to film with them, replace them. Or just work with two fewer cast members. People thought Charlie Sheen and Roseanne couldn’t be replaced either.

Season 11 Could Make or Break Vanderpump Rules

🏊‍♀️ Awful Summer People Return…

How is this back already? It might be worth watching for the big break-up though.

Everything We Know About Summer House Season 8

⚰️ Dead Coming Soon…

The final trailer for The Ones Who Live.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-trailer-rick-and-michonne-search-broken-world-8550132

🐕 Bowling At Home…

You, too, can be host of your own Puppy Bowl.

https://be.chewy.com/how-to-throw-a-puppy-bowl-party/

https://www.dogtv.com/blog/how-to-throw-a-puppy-bowl-party-dogtvs-guide-to-tail-gating

https://wearwagrepeat.com/puppy-bowl-party/

🎋 Quotes of the Week

I’m not Dr. Phil. – Judge Marilyn Milian, People’s Court

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Indian Proverb

What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change. – James Orbinski (Now if I could just figure out what the something is…)

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia

The healthy being craves an occasional wildness, a jolt from normality, a sharpening of the edge of appetite, his own little festival of Saturnalia, a brief excursion from his way of life. – Robert MacIver

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. – Mae West

Peace is not absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. – Ronald Reagan

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee

The best way to learn how to enjoy life is from a dog. – Nils Sandmann

🪗 Making My Own Kind Of Music…

Come back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and whatever the future holds. Until then, stay safe, stay parking between the lines, and stay remembering that sometimes the best revenge is good business.