Category Archives: Downton Abbey

September 5, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Jason Returns To the Five Poppies, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, New Dance, Uncommon Sightings, Ten Of Quotes & Wake Me

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

GH did not air a new episode because, Labor Day.

Tuesday:

Curtis went to see Alexis to thank her for getting Stella released. They agreed Stella was being railroaded, and Alexis said it wasn’t over. Drew wasn’t going to let this go.

Trina said Kai might be in a position to keep Drew from causing more damage. He needed to save her mother.

Portia met Nina at the Brown Dog Bar and apologized for not stepping up when she should have. She could have stopped Drew from running roughshod over all their lives.

Carly said, if Drew messed with her family, she’d kill him herself, when Elizabeth walked in. Drew said now Elizabeth knew how low Carly’s family had sunk.

At the hospital, Chase told Willow what Judge Haran had said at Bobbie’s, but she said she’d already come up with a way to get her kids back.

Kristina went to see Michael and asked what was going on. He said there was a problem with the judge who’d given him custody.

Danny called Sonny, who went to the pier. Danny and Rocco told him they’d found a body in the water, and Sonny said he’d check it out.

Dante showed up with Anna, and Sonny explained that Jason told Danny to always make him his first call. Danny and Rocco told Anna what happened, and she said, maybe in the future, call her first. She asked if they’d seen anything out of the ordinary or a person or boat, but they hadn’t. She said she might have questions later and asked an officer to make sure the boys got home safely.

Nina told Portia that Curtis had been promoted to appease Michael after Drew kissed Willow, and her choice to keep quiet about sleeping with Drew was what impacted everything. Portia said they all had agency. Nina had been trying to protect her daughter, and it was selfish, but she’d made the same kind of choices and made herself vulnerable to Drew’s blackmail. It all started because she’d wanted to protect her family, but she’d managed to destroy them. Trina would never look at her the same.

Kai told Trina that he’d done the right thing for the wrong person and repeated her parents’ conversation to Drew. He was sorrier than he could say. Trina said Drew was blackmailing her mom and Kai asked what Drew had against her. Trina said her mom could lose her medical license or go to prison. If she told him this, he had to swear not to tell anyone and mean it this time.

Curtis said Drew put a target on Stella’s back to get to him, and Alexis said if the investigators were incentivized, they’d dig until they found something. Stella could be proven to have committed fraud and could go to prison if Drew kept hammering. Curtis said, the investigation wasn’t going away unless Drew did.

Drew said Carly was mad because he was getting back together with Willow, but Carly was surprised to hear it. Drew said it was only a matter of time before Wiley and Amelia came home with them and there was nothing Carly could do about it. He left.

Willow told Chase that she’d decided to get back together with Drew. She couldn’t win on her own and needed Drew’s power and influence, so they came to an agreement. If he guaranteed she’d get her kids back, she agreed to go back to him. Chase said she didn’t need Drew and could get them back on her own.

Michael told Kristina that Judge Haran had received a one-million-dollar payment before the custody hearing. Their dad didn’t do it, but everyone would make that assumption. Kristina asked if he’d seen any proof, and he said no, but even he was surprised at the judge’s ruling. She said if it came out that the judge was bribed, then what? and he said, it meant going back to family court and it could be a real problem.

Anna said, judging by the marks on the judge’s neck, she was strangled, and they were dealing with murder. Dante said it was Judge Haran, the judge in Michael’s custody trial.

Curtis told Alexis that Drew wasn’t always like this. At one time, he’d considered Drew his best friend. Alexi said she’d thought he was a loving husband and father. Now he was a monster who would use and abuse his power of office and manipulate the legal system to settle his personal vendettas. Curtis said Stella was suffering for it, and Alexis said so was her granddaughter. Curtis said Drew would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. But if Drew thought he was going to let that happen, he was dead wrong. (Let’s just hang up a neon sign that says, Drew is going to get killed or at least someone will attempt it.)

Nina said Portia’s daughter loved and respected her, but Portia said she wasn’t sure about that. Trina hated Drew for the pressure he’d put on her and Curtis. Nina said she thought they’d work things out, but Portia said they couldn’t. She lied to Curtis, and the more she lied, the angrier he got when he found out. It all came to a head this afternoon in her office, and he walked out on her. Their marriage was over. Nina said she was sorry, but Portia said, as painful as it was, it was liberating.

Kai said he’d do everything he could to regain Trina’s trust. Whatever she said would stay between them. Trina said she went to her mom’s office and made her mom tell her everything – the feud with Drew and why she and Trina’s dad were having trouble. Drew was blackmailing her mom and trying to destroy her family and her parent’s marriage, and he was succeeding. Kai asked what Drew had on her mom, and she said her mom altered a patient’s blood test results. Drew found out and had been holding it over her head for months.

Carly asked Elizabeth to tell her that Willow wasn’t stupid enough to go back to that jackass, but Elizabeth said that was why she came to see Carly. Carly and Michael were forcing her to do it. Carly said no one was forcing Willow to do anything. That was why she was so messed up. Everyone was coddling Willow, and no one was forcing her to take responsibility. Elizabeth said Willow was desperate to see her kids, so she was going to be susceptible. She knew Michael could get the judge to change her mind, so they were pushing Willow back into Drew’s arms. Carly said, if Willow believed a word coming out of Drew’s mouth, that was on her. (Why, Elizabeth? Why?)

Chase told Willow that the court’s priority was the welfare of the children, and a relationship with both their mother and father was in their best interest, and she said, then why did Michael get full custody? Chase said, that could change. All she had to do was meet the minimum standard requirements and she was doing more than that. Willow asked if the judge promised she’d grant visitation, and he said, she couldn’t. They were talking in hypotheticals, but Willow had done all she needed to do. She was enough. She didn’t need Drew. Drew appeared and said none of this was Chase’s business.

Michael told Kristina that he needed to talk to the judge and find out who paid her to make sure he got custody, when his phone rang. Sonny said he had news about Judge Haran, and it wasn’t good. They pulled her body out of the water near Pier 55. Michael told Kristina that the judge wouldn’t be able to help because she was dead.

Elizabeth said Willow was desperate and the only way to get around Drew was to give her a different path to her children, but Carly said she didn’t think Willow should be around the children, especially if Drew was in the picture. Elizabeth said don’t tell her Carly wouldn’t make a deal with the devil if it was the only way for her to see her children, and Carly asked if that was what Willow was doing. Elizabeth said Willow didn’t love him, but she was desperate. Drew made her believe he was the only way to get her kids back in her life.

Drew said what Willow did or didn’t do was none of Chase’s business. She didn’t need Chase’s advice, especially if it pertained to him. Chase said he was just informing Willow that she had rights. All the things she was doing proved she was a fit mother. Drew asked if he had that in writing, and Chase said, no, but he had faith in Willow and thought the court would see it too. Drew said how Willow got her kids back was up to them, but Chase said Willow didn’t need help to secure something that she already had the legal right to. Drew wondered if Brook would be happy that he was putting his energy into his ex’s problem, and Chase said, she would. They could call her. She’d love to know he wasn’t letting a sleaze like Drew take advantage of Willow or anyone. Drew was doing this to make Willow dependent on him. He manipulated people and situations, and he was playing on Willow’s worst fears. Chase hoped Willow could see that. Drew said she didn’t believe that, did she?

Michael said the judge’s body was found in the water near Pier 55, and Kristina said now he can’t find out who paid her off, so everyone would jump to the wrong conclusion, that he bribed her. He said it could be enough for Drew to get an emergency custody order for Willow, but Kristina said Willow wouldn’t accept help from Drew. She got smart and turned her back on him. She knows she can’t trust him. Michael’s phone rang and he said it was his mom.

Alexis told Curtis about the restraining orders and said Drew wanted to isolate Scout, so no one was around to paint him in a negative light. Curtis asked if there were grounds, and she said it was a grey area. And she was fighting a judge who was a political appointee. Drew was clearly pulling the strings with Stella and Scout. He was using the system built to protect them to protect himself and punish his enemies.

Portia told Nina that the past few months had been horrible. She’d been living in constant fear wondering what would happen when Curtis found out the truth. Now she could stop being afraid of hurting, losing, or disappointing Curtis. Now he knew everything and so did her daughter. Nina asked how Trina took it, and Portia said it was a lot to process all at once. Trina was protective of her dad and knew she’d been lying to him. She told Trina about Drew’s blackmail and how it started. It seemed like all she did was make Trina feel worse about everyone. Nina said, maybe she should.

Kai said Trina’s mom altered the test results to keep her safe. Heather Webber was evil, killed five people, and Trina was her target. As far as he was concerned, her mom did nothing wrong. She did what she had to, and Drew was using that to hurt her parents. Trina said, and control them, and he wondered how he couldn’t see the slightest bit who Drew was. She said Drew was good at hiding it, and he said he’d do what he could to help. She said, according to her mom, Drew had the only evidence, a hard copy of the results with her login. If that went away, so did Drew’s leverage. He asked if she was there to look for it, but she said she came there to plead for Drew’s mercy on her parents. He said Drew didn’t have any to give, and she said she thought she’d try. Drew trusted Kai. If anybody could figure out where Drew was keeping the evidence, it was him. Did he have any idea where it could be? He said he did, but it wasn’t there.

Anna said she was betting the judge was dead before she hit the water, and asked Dante to call in the details. Anna said, who knew Sonny would be first on the scene? and Sonny said he was here because Danny called him. Also, Rocco was his grandson. She said Rocco’s father was also a detective, and he said he’d never involve the boys in anything like this. He told Danny to call the cops. She asked if he had any dealings with the judge other than the custody case, but he said he’d never even talked to the judge and didn’t go to the proceedings. She said she had to accompany the body to the morgue, but was sure she’d have questions later, and he said he was definitely bringing his lawyer. She said she expected nothing less, and left.

Carly told Michael that Willow was back with Drew and Drew was calling the shots. He asked who told her, and she said, Drew. Elizabeth confirmed it. She knew Drew was threatening Michael, saying he had proof the judge was bribed. Don’t give in to him. Michael agreed and said Drew was making assumptions about what he could control and had no idea how quickly circumstances could change for him. They’d talk later. He told Kristina that Willow was back with Drew, and Kristina said, why? Michael said Willow made lot of bad choices. Now she had to live with the consequences.

Chase told Drew that he was just being a good friend, when his phone rang and he stepped away. Drew said he wasn’t telling Willow who to be friends with, but obviously, Chase had it out for him. (Paranoid much?) He didn’t know if it was a great idea for Willow to spend time with him. Willow said, don’t worry about Chase. She trusted Drew completely and that’s all that mattered. He asked, why not come home with him? but she said she couldn’t leave in the middle of a shift. He told her not to let Chase get to her, and she said Drew was the only person she’d listen to about her kids. (I wonder if she’s playing him.)

Curtis told Alexis that he knew a truce was impossible. Drew was too laser focused on destroying him and his family, but he’d do whatever it took to protect them. Alexis said, so would she. She couldn’t protect her daughter when she was murdered, but she could and would protect Sam’s daughter. Drew had crossed every line and couldn’t be allowed to do that again.

At Drew’s house in the dark, Trina asked how much time they had, but Kai said he didn’t know. Drew was mad after the fight he had with her dad and was headed to see Carly, but he didn’t know where Drew was going after that. She said good thing he had a key, and he said he still had to break into Drew’s safe.

Willow said she was sorry… and Chase said, stop. He should be sorry. She asked, why? and he said Judge Haran was dead. Dante said the judge’s body was found floating off Pier 55. She was murdered. He didn’t know much else yet. Willow said, so everything he’d told her about getting her kids back… She left crying and Chase made a call. He said he needed them to get to GH as soon as possible. He had potential evidence in a murder investigation.

Kai told Trina that he was trying all the codes he could think of, but none of them were working. In the living room, Trina saw a car pulling in and told Kai that she thought Drew was home. They had to go. He said, this way.

Portia told Nina that she had two failed marriages. What kind of example was she setting? Nina said, of a mother who loves her child unconditionally and would do anything to protect them. Trina knew that. Portia was also a brilliant, caring doctor who’d helped save countless lives. She had so much to be proud of. Portia said it didn’t feel like that, and Nina told her, don’t do that. Portia admitted they were beating themselves up about their mistakes, while Drew was out there tormenting someone else, and Nina said they couldn’t afford to let Drew hurt anyone else. He’d systematically removed everyone in Willow’s life who supported her. He wanted her completely dependent on him. As long as Drew was breathing, her daughter would never be free. Portia said, none of them would.

Drew went into his house.

Sonny told Dante that he’d never involve the boys in anything illegal. He hated that they had to see this. Dante said he didn’t like it either, but he believed Sonny would never involve his son in a murder or a cover-up. Sonny said he had nothing to do with Judge Haran’s death, but found it interesting that her body was found on this pier across from Spoon Island where Sidwell lived.  

Anna asked Chase if he had a suspect, and Chase said he had a pretty good idea.

Kristina went into Alexis’s house and called for her, but no one was there.

The waiter picked up his tip, and we saw that Nina and Portia were gone.

Drew had a drink, while Kai and Trina held their collective breaths in the bedroom. Drew opened the safe and took out a box. He looked at a photo of him and Willow and took a ring out of the box. He flashed back to Willow saying the ring had belonged to Lila, and him telling her that he had as much right to it as Michael did. He said, it’s all going to work out, Willow, and as he finished his drink, he was shot in the back. He fell and someone shot him again. (It’s about time.)

Wednesday:

Josslyn was shocked that Britt didn’t help them, but Vaughn wasn’t. Josslyn said Britt wasn’t heartless. Britt saved her life. Vaughn said, then she faked death her own death, when Pascal came in with water. He said they could have it once they told him who else knew they were here. Josslyn said they were the lowest level agents, reconnaissance only, and Vaughn said he’d just needed Josslyn for a cover. Pascal said, that made her expendable.

On the phone, Jason said he was on his way home and would text with an ETA. He flashed back to Britt saying when she looked at him, she saw home, and he had no idea how hard it was for her. Forget he’d seen her.

Jack relaxed at his desk, when Colette came in and said, still no word? He said, not yet, and she said it had been 48 hours. Anyone else would acknowledge the op was dead. He said he wasn’t anyone else and it seemed she wanted the op to be over and see him fail.

Lucas couldn’t find Willow, and Elizabeth said she was afraid Willow walked out on her shift.

Chase told Anna that he thought Drew murdered Judge Haran.

Drew opened his safe while Kai and Trina hid in the bedroom. He took out Lila’s ring, looked at a photo of him and Willow, and said, it’s all going to work out, Willow. You’ll see. Suddenly, he was shot in the back, he fell, then was shot again at closer range. Trina wanted to see if anyone needed help, but Kai told her to stay there.

They heard the door and Kai said he’d check, but Trina should stay outside. She waited a hot minute, then said that wasn’t happening.

Chase told Anna that the hearing coming up to determine whether Willow should see her kids and Drew was trying to convince her that she couldn’t get her kids back without him. The judge had indicated she could get visitation if she proved she was responsible and stable. What if she told Drew that she didn’t need him anymore? He bet Drew would do anything to keep her. Anna said, including murder?

Kai went in with a baseball bat and Trina followed. She ran to Drew and said he had pulse, but Kai said they couldn’t be here.

Britt approached the door and heard Pascal inside. Pascal’s goon had a knife at Josslyn’s throat, and Pascal said if the combination she’d given him didn’t work, he’d know they were as useless as they claimed, and he’d get rid of them. He tossed the water bottles at them and left.

Outside, Pascal told his goon that fewer people were around now, so it would be easier to erase their presence once he tied up loose ends.

Jack said, sometimes agents didn’t make contact rather than blow a cover, but Colette said there was something wrong, He couldn’t admit Josslyn wasn’t ready, but he sent her anyway because she was his protégé. Let her go. Brief her in what they’re looking for and she’d clean up their mess. His desk phone rang, and he said, send her in. He told Colette that they were done here, and she said, let her guess. Carly. Colette left and Carly came in. She said she needed Jack’s help. She’d made a mistake.

Kai told Trina that they weren’t supposed to be there, when he saw a car coming. They could help Drew. Go out the back. He opened the front door a little and followed.

Michael came home to find Brook and Wiley in the nook. Brook said Wiley had a bad dream, and Michael said he was there now.

Jack said anything Carly needed was hers, and she said, including his honesty? He said he’d try, and she said she’d had a big blow up with Drew. He was determined to get Willow’s kids back even if he destroyed Michael. She was with Drew for over a year, and it turned out, he wasn’t the man she thought he was. Jack said, now she was afraid she was wrong about him, and she said, was she?

Josslyn said now they would think they could use her to break Vaughn, and he said they weren’t wrong, but he didn’t tell them anything they didn’t know. They knew about the black box which meant there was a mole at the Bureau. Britt came in.

At the airport, Jason flashed back to Britt talking about how he’d helped her in the past, then left to marry Carly. Then when Sonny reappeared, he’d crawled back to her.

Anna said it was a big allegation, but Chase said, look at Drew’s track record. He bothered Willow after she’d asked him not to. He’d upset Wiley and goaded Michael into punching him. He was desperate to have Willow and told her if she came back, he’d help her get her kids back. Being her hero was how he kept Willow. Anna asked if he thought his past with Willow wasn’t affecting his viewpoint, and he said she was more objective, but Drew Cain was capable of murder.

Willow came back to the hospital soaking wet, and Elizabeth asked where she’d been.

Tracy approached Drew’s house and when there was no answer, she walked in. She called to him, then saw him on the floor and ran to him.  She told him, don’t dare die on her, and tried to stop the bleeding. She called 911 and said, Drew Cain’s been shot. Get here quickly.

Portia cuddled in bed with Isaiah. (Alrighty then.)

Wiley said Michael was all wet, and Michael said it was raining. (RHPS fans will appreciate that.) Wiley said he called, but Michael didn’t answer, and Michael said he forgot his phone. Bad dreams felt scary and real, but they weren’t. He was home now and would be with Wiley and his sister always. Wiley told him, that’s what mommy said. Now they never saw her.

Elizabeth told Lucas that Willow was back. Apparently, she’d gotten bad news and went for a walk to clear her head, but it started raining. Lucas said Willow left without permission and didn’t tell Elizabeth where she was going. Elizabeth said when she’d been in trouble, people helped her, and she wanted to pay it forward, but he said she was also the head nurse. Someone else would notice Willow’s lack of focus on the job, and he didn’t want Willow taking Elizabeth down with her.

Chase came out of the elevator and saw Willow. He said, Anna got a call about Drew that he’d been shot. He was alive, but it was bad. Willow collapsed in his arms.

Trina was upset about leaving Drew and not calling 911, but Kai said there would be a record and they already looked guilty. How could they explain why they were hiding in the bedroom? They had no reason to be there. She said there was no excuse for them leaving Drew there to die.

Drew was wheeled out on a gurney, and Anna told Tracy that she had some questions.

Jack asked if he’d given Carly any reason to distrust him, but she said, neither did Drew. He’d presented himself one way and turned out to be completely different. Jack had been nothing but good to her and transparent about the dangers and limitations of his job. She was sorry and didn’t want him to feel like she was punishing him for Drew’s sins, but she just wanted to believe in him, in them, and she couldn’t be wrong again.

Josslyn said Britt had to help them, but Britt said she couldn’t just snap her fingers and get them out. What were they doing here? Were they married because Josslyn said yes to the wrong guy? Josslyn said they were WSB agents and asked Britt to check Vaughn for injuries. She asked if Britt faked her death to come here, but Britt said there was no time. No one could know she was alive. Josslyn asked her to help get them out, but Britt said she didn’t know how difficult it was to get out. Josslyn said help them and come with them, but Britt said there was only so much she could do. They had to help themselves. She left and Pascal was standing outside.

Jason flashed back to Britt talking to him about Greta.

Pascal asked what Britt was doing in there, and Britt asked, what the hell is going on? They were supposed to keep a low profile, and he kidnapped honeymooners? Pascal said he was handling it, but she said, don’t do anything else until he came back. Pascal was terrible at taking initiative.

Vaughn said Britt was everything he’d expect Cesar Faison’s daughter to be. What were the odds she’d actually help them? Josslyn said, better than he thought, and he asked what was in her hand. She said, manicure scissors, and he said it wasn’t great. She said, no, but it was something.

Wiley asked, what if the judge said Michael couldn’t see them either? but Brook said, that would never happen, and no matter what, he’d never be alone. There would always be someone here who loved him. Michael said she was right. He had Grandma Carly and Grandpa Sonny, Aunt Josslyn, and Great-Grandma Monica, and… was he forgetting someone? Brook said, hello, and Wiley said, Aunt Brook Lynn. Brook said, and Uncle Chase and Aunt Olivia, and Michael asked if Wiley felt better. Wiley nodded, and Michael took him back upstairs.

Portia and Isaiah were kissing, when her phone rang. She answered and said, of course (🍷). She was on her way. She told Isaiah that she wasn’t sure what it was about, but Deanna said a VIP was incoming and they needed the Co-Chief. She was sorry. She left.

Dante told Anna that he got ahold of Scout’s nanny, and she was at the Lila’s Kids sleepover. She was fine. Anna asked Tracy to take it from the beginning, and Tracy said she knocked, and the door swung open. She came in, called to Drew, and asked if he was home. Then she saw him lying on the floor. She tried to staunch the bleeding, then dialed 911 and waited for the paramedics. Anna asked if she saw or heard anybody. Was anybody leaving when she drove up? Tracy said, it was dark, and Anna asked what she was doing there.

Willow said she needed to find out what was going on, and Chase said she’d had a shock. Drew was brought in by ambulance and he believed Lucas was working on him now. Did she know if Scout was home? She said Scout was at the end of summer sleepover at Lila’s Kids, and he said he’d let Dante know. Willow asked if Drew was going to make it.

Elizabeth and Lucas worked on Drew, and Lucas said he needed to get the bullets out without damaging the spine. Elizabeth told Drew, stay with us.

Michael thanked Brook for helping with Wiley. She’d put Wiley’s needs first, unlike Willow. Brook said she was in no position to judge or give advice, but as his friend, did he think it was best for Wiley and Amelia not see their mom at all? Michael said, if she was the person as when they first got together, it would be different, but all Willow cared about was what she wanted. She’d upset Wiley more than once and didn’t care. Brook said Willow had gone downhill since she’d been with Drew, but now it was over. Michael said it wasn’t over. Willow went back to Drew.

Lucas told Elizabeth to call another doctor to assist, and as Elizabeth ran off, she saw Portia. She told Portia that Drew had been shot, two bullets in the back. He was critical and needed surgery.

Tracy told Anna that she heard Drew orchestrated Stella Henry’s arrest. He was completely out of control. He’d gotten restraining orders on every member of Scout’s family, including Rocco. She wasn’t allowed to be seen by anybody who loved her. Dante and Rocco lived with them, so she couldn’t visit Monica. It was upsetting, seeing that the children were the only thing in that lifted Monica’s spirits. She came to reason with Drew, to get him to show compassion, especially for her sister-in-law. Drew was a loathsome human being, but she didn’t know how she’d tell Monica if he died. Dante interrupted, telling Anna that someone went out the back door. Whoever it was, didn’t break in. Anna said, maybe it was unlocked or Drew let them in, and he said, the safe was open, but not empty. If it was a robbery, they did a crappy job, since there was a sapphire ring on the mantel. There was a glass on the floor and no sign of a struggle. The only thing out of place was a softball bat.

Kai said there were no alerts yet, and Trina wondered how that was possible. She didn’t think they should have left, but Kai said he saw someone coming up the driveway. He cracked the door to make sure they could get in and find Drew. He had a reason to be there, but how could he have explained her being there? Then they’d find out Drew was blackmailing her parents, and they’d be suspects. Trina said, what if they find the evidence on her mom? but he said, they won’t. Because he found it first. He gave her the paperwork.

Jack said he couldn’t tell Carly that he’d never hurt her. Nobody knew the future. But just the thought of causing her pain tore him apart. He couldn’t tell her how badly he wanted this, wanted them. They kissed and she thanked him for listening to her and being up front with her. He said she could always come to him, when his desk phone rang. Anna told him that they had a security situation. Drew Cain had been shot.

In her room, Britt called Jason on the burner phone.

Jason’s flight started boarding, and Britt said it wasn’t go through. She moved to the window as Jason was about to board.

Jack told Carly about Drew, and she asked if he was going to make it, but he said it was too soon to tell. She asked if they knew who did it. Were there any witnesses? He said there were no witnesses, and Drew appeared to be home alone. Good thing she was there with him the whole time.

Brook said, Willow was going back to Drew? and Michael said he found out tonight. That’s why he couldn’t trust her with the kids anymore and he’d do whatever it took to keep Willow away from Wiley and Amelia.

Anna asked if it was raining when Tracy got there, and Tracy said, no. She left her umbrella in the car, so it must have stopped. Anna asked if she noticed anything out place, like the baseball bat.

Kai said he saw the safe was open and saw the evidence with some other papers, and Trina said, that was so dangerous. He could have gotten caught. He said he didn’t want this awful night to be for nothing. At least he found the evidence Drew was holding over her parents. She said no one could know they were there. She couldn’t even tell her parents that they were in the clear. (So wait a minute, then say you got it some other way later. Who are they gonna tell anyway?)

Elizabeth told Portia that a transfusion got Drew’s blood volume back up. He was in the OR and Lucas was preparing for surgery. Willow asked Lucas if Drew was alive, and Lucas said he got Drew stable. She asked if he was going to be okay, and he said he’d do everything he could for Drew. He told Portia that the bullets were dangerously close to the spine. The sooner he got in, the better his chance to save Drew’s mobility. They were waiting for another doctor to assist. Portia said she’d fill in for the doctor.

Tracy said she’d had to step over the bat when she came in, and Dante wondered if the paramedics knocked it over. He’d look at the crime scene photos. Anna said Tracy could give her statement at the station and asked if she was okay to drive. Tracy said she was, and Anna asked an officer to escort her to her car. She asked Dante for a rough estimate of how many people wanted Drew Cain dead, and he said that was a long list. She asked who was at the top.

Pascal’s goon came in and Vaughn grabbed him.

Jason was almost at the door, when the burner phone rang. Britt said he had to come back now. He asked what was going on, and she said he had to come back. Pascal appeared and grabbed her by the arm. He said he thought things had gone too far and didn’t care what he thought.

Thursday:

Lulu met Martin at the PC Grille, and he said he was about to change her life.

Ava went to Alexis’s house and gave Kristina medication to keep Ric docile. There was a knock at the door and Ava stepped aside while Kristina opened it to Dante. She asked what brought him by, and he said, an attempted murder.

Jordan met Curtis at the Brown Dog Bar and Curtis told her that his marriage was over.

Kai said he and Trina got lucky. Drew left the safe open and he was fast on his feet. Trina was shocked about Portia changing the test results, and Kai said it was pretty extreme. She wondered if Portia had done something even more extreme tonight.

Anna talked to Chase about the media complicating things and said they had to get out ahead of it.

Nina found Willow at the hospital and asked if there was an update on Drew. Willow said he was in surgery and asked how Nina knew he’d been shot.

Brook wondered how Drew lived with himself, but Michael said the only thing that mattered was keeping Drew away from his kids. Tracy came in and told them that Drew had been shot.

Portia scrubbed up for surgery.

Lucas said medical stuff and told the team that he had to find the bullets and stop the bleeding, and there wasn’t a lot of time to do it. Portia joined them.

Jordan said she was sorry and asked if Curtis wanted to talk. He said it was the first time he and Portia had been open and honest with each other, but afterward, it was painfully clear there was no way forward for them. He’d tried everything, but the bottom line was, he didn’t trust Portia anymore and life was too short to be with someone he couldn’t trust.

Kai said Drew had enemies way more dangerous than Trina’s mom and asked what she wanted to do with the evidence. Trina said it gave her mom motive to shoot Drew and could send her to prison, but he said if the evidence was destroyed… She said no one could connect them to Drew’s shooting.

Martin said he had a story, the story, that was going establish Lulu as the foremost investigative journalist in Port Charles, and Lulu assumed he didn’t want his name connected to it. He said he wanted complete anonymity because he was going to break attorney/client privilege, and he’d get disbarred. She said, it must be big, but no outlet would run a story without attributes. She couldn’t take it on. He said, what if he told her that it involved Congressman Cutthroat?

Michael asked why Tracy was at Drew’s, and she said she went to talk to him about Stella Henry and to see if he’d reconsider the restraining orders on Scout’s family. The door was open, so she stepped inside and saw Drew had been shot in the back. She called 911 right away. Despite their differences, he was still her brother’s son, and it was going to be a shock to Monica. She didn’t want to be the one to tell her.

Ava came out and Dante asked why she was there. She said she had business with Kristina, which was none of his. Kristina said she was fine and asked, who was almost murdered? Dante said he needed to speak to Alexis, when Alexis came in from the back. She asked if everything was okay, and he said it depended. Could she account for her whereabouts last night? It was in connection to the shooting of her former son-in-law Drew Cain.

Willow asked how Nina knew about Drew, and Nina said she heard the nurses talking. Willow asked why she was there, and Nina said she was hoping to see her. Was there a suspect? Willow said she didn’t know anything, and she was terrified.

Anna suggested they make a preliminary list of suspects, and Chase said it would be a long list. Anna said, Alexis was recently served a restraining order to stay away from her own granddaughter. Carly and Michael both recently had public blowouts with Drew. Chase said, Sonny, since Drew was supporting Measure C, among other things. Drew and Curtis had a falling out over Aurora Media. Anna said Drew’s love life was in shambles, so they could add Willow and Nina to the list.

Martin told Lulu that Drew was in league with Sidwell, Ezra Boyle, and Tracy about Measure C, and she asked if he had something else. He said Drew had taken corruption and abuse of his office to another level, and she said, now he was talking.

Kai said, if it protected Trina’s parents, he was okay with destroying the evidence, and she said she was too. She set the paperwork on fire, when there was a knock at the door. She threw the paper in the sink.

Anna said. Willow might be a suspect and she and Chase were married at one point. Could she still count on him to be objective? He said he never thought Willow was capable of murder, but he could follow the facts wherever they led. One fact was that Drew and Willow had recently reconciled. Anna asked, how recently? and Chase said, hours ago. She said, it could still be fragile, and Drew could have already broken it.  

Lucas said more medical stuff and worked on Drew. He extracted a bullet and said, bullet number one. The easy part was done. Now he had to go fishing for the second bullet. It was deeper and up against an artery. If it wasn’t handled perfectly, it could kill Drew.

Tracy said she’d always see Drew as a part of Alan. Michael being injured almost destroyed Monica. Now she was frail. Brook said, it might be too much, and Tracy said she didn’t want to take the chance. Brook and Yuri had to make sure Monica stayed off of her devices and not watch TV. Someone had to be with her at all times. Brook said she was on it, and left. Michael said he was sorry that Tracy had to find Drew, and she said, be grateful. She wouldn’t tell anyone he was there too.

Curtis said he knew Portia was insecure about Jordan, but her issues went way beyond that. She assumed that he liked to hide things like she did, and that mindset led to more lies and suspicions. When Stella had been hauled off in handcuffs, Portia lost it when he called Jordan for help. Jordan said they were just concerned about Stella, but he said Portia didn’t get that. He was starting to notice there were a lot more similarities between him and Jordan than he and Portia ever had.

Stella called to Trina, and Trina said she’d be right there. She opened the door and said she and Kai were working on something. Stella said she was sorry to come over with no notice (totally missing the opportunity to joke about what they must be working on). She was looking for Curtis. She dropped him off at his place and hadn’t seen him since. And he wasn’t answering her calls or texts. Trina said she hadn’t heard anything, and Stella asked if something was burning.

Dante said things had been contentious between Alexis and Drew, and Drew wound up with two bullet holes in him. Could anyone verify her whereabouts? Alexis said she wasn’t going to answer without counsel. Unless had a warrant or was going to arrest her, she was asking him to leave.

Michael said he wasn’t sure what Tracy saw… and she said, don’t bother. He parked up the street and she saw him pull away. When she went into the house, she saw Drew bleeding out. Don’t say a word. If he doesn’t say anything, there’s nothing she can repeat on a witness stand. He said if she saw someone, it was someone else, but she said if anything happened to him, it would be the end of Monica. Get an alibi for his children and Monica’s sake. He thanked her, and she said, make sure Monica never hears about this, and he left.

Anna wondered if she could ask Willow some questions, and Willow said, of course (🍷). Nina asked if Anna thought she was going to leave Willow alone with no lawyer or anyone to advise her, but Willow told Nina, stop, and told Anna, go ahead. Anna asked where she was tonight, and Willow said, working. Anna said, the entire night? and Willow said she got some upsetting news and went for a walk. Anna asked, what kind of news? and Willow said she found out the judge in her custody case had been killed. Chase thought the judge might be open to granting visitation, and now she was gone, so it was a setback. She went out to clear her head. Anna said, in the rain? and Willow said it wasn’t raining when she went out. Anna asked if Willow was alone, but Nina said, no. She was with Willow.

Lulu told Martin, so Drew used his position to investigate Stella because of his personal vendetta against Curtis. Was there any recorded evidence, like a meeting, or any proof beyond Drew telling him? Martin said she was the journalist. Start digging and she’d find out Drew is deliberately trying to destroy a good woman, who has the values Drew campaigned on and that got him into office. She won’t just take down Drew if she exposes his corruption. She’ll tank Ezra Boyle’s campaign and save Stella. Lulu asked if Stella didn’t bend the rules. Maybe she could expose Drew for being corrupt, but she couldn’t save Stella.

Dante said it didn’t look good if Alexis didn’t tell him where she was, but someone would contact her, and they’d schedule an interview with her lawyer present. He’d see her at the station. He left, and Ava asked if Alexis had any bubbly. Kristina said Alexis was sober, and Ava said, if there was ever any time to raise a glass, it was now. Drew got what he deserved, and obviously, all the credit went to Alexis.

Brook came back and told Tracy that Monica hadn’t heard about Drew and she and Yuri would keep it that way. Tracy said Michael had something to take care of, and Brook asked if she wanted to talk. Tracy said, it was awful seeing Drew lying lifeless. She forgot the man he’d become and felt compassion. However, once they took him away, she was furious and worried for Monica. Furious because Drew finally pushed someone so far that they shot him.

Anna asked if Nina and Willow’s walk happened around the time of the shooting, and Nina said, it would seem so. Anna said, then she was going to have to question them separately, and Nina said she wasn’t leaving her daughter to answer questions without a lawyer. Anna asked how they ended up walking together, and Nina said she was going into the hospital, saw Willow, and caught up with her. Anna said she was under the impression they were estranged, and Nina said, any good mother would step in if they saw their child in pain. Anna asked if they encountered anyone, and Nina said, so much happened today, she couldn’t recall. Chase asked why she wasn’t wet when she came back, and Nina said she dropped Willow off at the entrance, went home, changed, and came back. That’s when Willow told her about Drew. Anna said that’s all she needed right now.

Chase asked what Anna thought, and she said, they were both lying. Nina’s improvisation was bad, but they couldn’t deal with it now. They had to concentrate on Michael’s timeline and whereabouts. Chase said, got it, and left.

Willow said, what the hell? Nina lied to the Police Commissioner. Nina said she gave Willow an alibi, but Willow said, no. Nina gave herself one.

Trina said she’d accidentally set a magazine on fire, and Stella told her to  be more careful. (When I was around Trina’s age, that would have been a cover story for smoking weed, along with the hope your Aunt Stella didn’t know what that smelled like.) Kai’s phone rang, and Anna told him that she had bad news. Drew Cain had been shot. Kai acted shocked and asked if he was going to be okay, and Anna said they weren’t sure yet. She had to stay at GH and asked if he could come there so she could ask him a few questions. He said, of course (🍷), and Stella asked, what happened? Kai said Drew was in the hospital. He’d been shot and the Commissioner wanted to talk to him. Trina said it made sense since he was Drew’s intern. Did he want her to go with him? He said he’d text her when he knew something, and left. Stella said she wasn’t sure, but she thought she knew who might have shot Drew.

Lucas asked if Portia was ready to do this, and Portia flashed back to arguing with Drew about altering Michael’s bloodwork. Portia said, okay, and Lucas said he was going to extract the bullet now. He began, when an alarm went off. Portia said, the dam broke. The bullet must have lodged in the artery and there was a major hemorrhage. Lucas said more medical stuff and then said Drew was crashing. Portia said, let’s go.

Lulu said she knew Martin wanted her to undo the damage, but there was nothing she could write that would prove Stella innocent if she wasn’t innocent to begin with. Martin said, maybe not, but if she could prove Drew was behind it, it might be enough shade to halt the investigation. She said she’d look into it, but he had to manage his expectations. He said, of course (🍷), when his phone rang. He said, what?… No. Thank you. He told Lulu that it was the hospital. Apparently, he was still on Drew’s emergency contact list. He was shot tonight.

Tracy said Drew wanted what Michael had and was dismantling Michael’s life to get it, and Brook said if Drew thought he could replace Michael, he was downright delusional. Tracy said there was nothing more dangerous than a man with delusions or power and Drew had both, when Chase came in. He asked how Tracy was doing, and she said she was fine. Any word? He said Drew was still in surgery. Now he had to figure out what happened and needed both of them to do it.

Michael told the bartender at the PC Grille that he’d been talking to a woman, blonde, attractive, around his age. By any chance, was she still there? It was extremely important that he find her.

Jordan said maybe Curtis and Portia should take some time. Some breathing room might help them remember the good. Curtis said it wouldn’t make a difference. Portia never thought they stood a chance. Jordan asked, why? and he said, Portia told him the only reason he’d wound up with her was because he was rebounding from Jordan.

Ava said Alexis might as well tell them already, and Alexis said she was downstairs with their houseguest. Ava said she couldn’t use their houseguest as her alibi, and Alexis said he wasn’t. Ava and Kristina were.

Kai arrived at the hospital and Anna thanked him and asked if he kept the congressman’s schedule. He said he did, and she asked if he’d noticed an altercation or a meeting that didn’t go so well. He said, none that he knew of, and she said they had reason to believe whoever shot Drew had a key to the house. She was guessing he had one.

Nina said she was helping Willow and Willow should be thanking her, and Willow said now she was involved in one of Nina’s lies. Nina said Willow was the prime suspect, and Willow asked why she’d kill Drew. They just got back together, and he was her only chance to get her kids back. If anyone had a reason to shoot him, it was Nina.

Anna asked if anyone else had a key, and Kai said, Scout, Scout’s nanny Chelsea, Wanda the cleaning lady, Willow, Alexis maybe. They were the only people he knew of, but there could be more. Anna thanked him and said he’d given her a place to start.

Nina said Willow couldn’t believe she’d shot Drew, but Willow said, why not? Nina had slept with Drew and kept it from her for a year. Drew told her that Nina made him keep it from her. Maybe Nina blamed him for ruining their relationship. Nina also had a history of violence. Nina said they’d both done things they regretted. She lied because she loved Willow. Willow left and Nina followed. Lucas and Portia were there, and Willow asked if Drew was going to be okay. Was he going to live? They looked grim, but that means nothing on this show.

Lucas said, there were two bullets near Drew’s spine. The first came out clean, but the second was lodged in an artery and basically acting a plug. When it was extracted, Drew had a massive hemorrhage. Portia said he coded, and they lost him for a minute, but when it was repaired, they got him back. Lucas said, Portia saved his life, and Portia said he was still critical, but they were optimistic he’d be stable soon. Willow said she couldn’t thank them enough.

Ava asked why Alexis didn’t tell Dante. It would obviously look like a cover-up. Alexis said, Dante would never believe Kristina would lie, and no one would believe Ava would lie on her behalf. She must be telling the truth. Ava said, okay. Put the coffee on and they’ll make their alibi airtight.

Trina asked what Stella meant by, she knew who killed Drew, and Stella said she didn’t know. It was a theory. Drew had been stirring up a lot of trouble and her parents would do anything to protect the family. She was afraid Trina’s father shot Drew.

Jordan asked if Curtis thought Portia was right and his relationship with her was just on the rebound, and he said if Portia hadn’t been so eager to start something, would he have given them another shot? He didn’t know. Jordan’s phone buzzed and she said it was a text from a colleague at the PCPD she rarely spoke to. Oh my God. Someone tried to murder Drew Cain tonight.

Chase went to the Quartermaines and Brook said he just missed Michael. He asked if Michael had been here all night, and she said he’d been out earlier, but Wiley needed his dad, so she called him, and he came home. Chase asked where he was, but she said she didn’t know. He asked her to check her phone so he could see the times. This was serious and he needed to know where Michael was.

Michael continued to talk to the bartender, and Lulu said Michael seemed upset. Martin said he’s sure Michael is at the top of the suspect list. The bartender told Michael that he was sorry, but he was new there. He didn’t know the woman, and since Michael picked up the check, he couldn’t pull her name. Lulu asked if Martin heard about Drew, and he said, Tracy found him. She asked if Tracy was okay, and Martin said, shaken, but holding steady.

Anna said Drew Cain was out of surgery, and Chase said he was still in critical condition. They were almost dealing with a murder investigation. Between the congressman’s abuse of political power and the salaciousness of his personal entanglements, there are multiple suspects with ample motive. He wronged a lot of people. (We see them all as Chase talks.) Chase said he didn’t know if the crime was born of revenge or righteous indignation. If it was someone driven to protect their family or someone driven by passion. What he did know was that it was someone well-connected in Port Charles, and most importantly, dangerously close to Drew. Anna said, this time, they had to remain vigilant. Whoever did this was walking amongst them, and they couldn’t rest until the found out who pulled the trigger.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

At the Café Cherie, Diane says it’s about time Sonny took her out for coffee, and he says he’s going to work on that, but don’t get too excited. This is work. She says she expected as much. Let’s cut to the chase. Drew Cain’s been shot. So who should she prepare to defend –Carly, Michael, or him?

Michael tells Elizabeth that he’s at the hospital to get his blood drawn, but thought he’d check in to see how Drew is doing first. She says she guesses, technically, Michael is family. He’s in critical, but stable condition. Willow comes downstairs, and Michael asks how Willow is doing. Has she been here all night?

Lulu asks if Willow has a few minutes to talk, but Willow says she’s sorry, but no. She heard Lulu questioning the staff about Drew’s shooting and she has no comment. Lulu says she gets it. It must be a really hard time for Willow. It seems like she and Drew have a pretty complicated relationship. But if Willow is up to it, she’d like to hear what Willow has to say. Off the record.

On the phone, Portia asks if there’s an update on Drew… If anything changes, she wants to be the first person they notify. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina comes in. She asks how Drew is, and Portia says she just called to get an update. It looks like he’ll live. (Disappointment all around.)

On the phone, Molly thanks someone for looking into it. She appreciates their help. Alexis says, so? and Molly says, there have been no updates on their filings to lift Drew’s restraining orders. Kristina asks how this is even possible. Scout’s only parent has been shot and he’s unconscious. This is an emergency. Molly says, the good news is, Drew’s grounds for filing these orders to begin with were flimsy. So once they get in front of a judge, she’s hopes it’s obvious that it’s in Scout’s best interest that she be there with family in this house.

Jack says, Colette has forgotten that he’s her superior one too many times, so she and her insubordination are going to be relocated in the field office in Algiers, effective immediately. She says, banishing her won’t erase his negligence, and he says, no, but it will lower his blood pressure. He opens the door, and Anna is in the hallway. Colette says he’s pushing her out? and he asks if she’d prefer him to throw her out.

Josslyn and Vaughn sit on the floor, tied up back-to-back. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s fine. She just fell asleep for a second. He tells her, don’t fight it. She’s got to save her strength. If she can sleep, she should. She says, they can come back any second, and he says, grab some sleep while she can. She’ll need all the strength she’s got if they’re going to get out of this thing alive.

Pascal says he took the liberty of giving Jason (aka Mr. Moore) the same room he stayed in previously, if that’s all right. If it’s not… Jason says, no. It’s fine. Thank you. Pascal says he’s pleased Jason is back so soon, and Jason says, turns out he just couldn’t stay away.

Molly says she’s going to head to the family court administrative office to see if she can get in front of a judge this morning. Sometimes an in person visit from the ADA can move things along. Alexis says, good. She guesses they can’t keep Scout in limbo. At some point, a friend of hers is going to tell her that her father was shot and they can’t let her find out that way. Kristina asks if Alexis saw the piece by Lulu, and Alexis says, in the Port Charles Press? Yeah. Aside from the clickbait headline, it was somewhat respectful. Kristina reads, The Colorful Life – And Death? – of Drew Cain. Colorful? Molly says, yeah, sure. Go with that. She’s going to head out. Alexis says she knows Molly is doing all she can, and Molly says she hopes it helps. She leaves, and Kristina says, what the hell is Alexis doing? Bringing Scout here would be worst thing.

Lulu says she doesn’t need a quote from Willow, but Willow is very close with Drew. She may have a unique perspective on who would have reason to hurt him. Willow says, Drew made a lot of enemies. Any one of them could have been pushed to the point of lashing out. She looks over at Michael and says, Michael and his father are both dangerous men to cross.

Elizabeth tells Michael that she and Willow did night shift. She seems to be getting through this as well as can be expected. They’re all just hoping Drew pulls through. Michael says, yeah. He should get going. It’s kind of Elizabeth to look out for Willow. Elizabeth says, no problem, and Michael thanks her again and leaves.  

Nina says she keeps thinking about the irony that she and Portia were at the Brown Dog Bar last night together, taking stock of the devastation Drew had caused in both their lives. Within an hour of their conversation, or maybe less, someone tried to kill Drew. Portia said it seemed like very soon after their conversation, someone did.

Jason tells Pascal that he had work obligations in Istanbul, but it turned out they were canceled. So he figured he’d stay here for a few days longer before heading back to the states. Pascal says, wonderful. He’s glad they made such a good impression, and gives Jason the keycard. Jason says, by the way, is Greta Larson still a guest? and Pascal says, she is. Would Jason like him to give her a message?

Jack tells Colette, get out. Pack up her things and expect to see security shortly. They’ll want her devices and keycard. Colette says, shipping her off won’t change the fact that he lost control of his operation and lost two agents. She’ll be submitting a detailed report to his superior. He says, you do that, and she passes Anna on her way out. Anna says, would one of the missing agents be Josslyn Jax?

Vaughn says he wishes Josslyn had run while she had the chance, and she says she knows. It was an amateur move. He jumped the guy and she should have taken the time to get out and warn the WSB. They failed the op. She gets it. He says, it’s not about the op. It’s about her. He cares that she might die.

Sonny says, whatever happened to Drew doesn’t concern him, and Diane says, given the enmity between Drew and nearly every member of his family, it should. The PCPD will be looking at all of them very carefully. It would be wise for each of them to secure an alibi as soon as possible, and she would take it as a personal favor if not one of them included Tracy Quartermaine’s bedroom. He says, all right. He’ll talk to all of them. In the meantime, she needs information on the judge who ruled in Michael’s custody case, Judge Haran. She says, So they’re not actually going to talk about the attempted murder of a sitting congressman. They’re here to discuss the actual murder of a judge.

Kristina tells Alexis, it’s hard enough to keep Ric locked up in the basement while Molly is staying here. Does she want Scout to go exploring and find Molly’s father being held captive down there… with a ball gag in his mouth? Alexis says they don’t have a lot of options. Scout definitely needs her family right now. She doesn’t have anybody. Kristina says, what if Scout stays at her place? and Alexis says, that’s something to explore, but right now, she’s the grandmother and in the best position to secure emergency custody, if she can get that damn restraining order lifted. And if she can, then Scout has to be at this house.

Lulu thanks Willow for speaking so honestly about Drew, and again, it’s all off the record. Willow says she hopes so, and Lulu says, Willow has her word. All she wants to do is report the news. She doesn’t want to sensationalize anything. And she never gives up a source. If the day comes when Willow wants to tell her story on record, she hopes she’s the one Willow tells it to. She leaves.

Nina tells Portia, the police already started their investigation. They questioned Willow last night about her whereabouts during the time Drew was shot. Portia says, that must have been easy to verify. She was scheduled to work. Nina says she’s surprised Portia knows that detail, and Portia says she’s the Co-Chief of Staff. It’s her job to know everything that’s going on. Nina says she’s correct that Willow was working, but she also took a walk, and Portia says, the staff go out for walks. They take a break from the hospital all the time. She knows she does. Nina says she and Willow were actually together taking a walk last night. They got soaked in the rain. Portia says, that’s quite a turnaround. When they were at the Brown Dog, Nina told her that Willow didn’t want anything to do with her, and then less than an hour later, they’re taking a walk in the rain. How implausible, yet so fortunate.

Michael tells the desk nurse who he is and says he has an appointment for a blood draw. She thanks him for checking in and says she’ll let him know when they’re ready for him. He thanks her and sits on a nearby bench. He looks at the headline about Drew on his phone, and says, wonderful. He sees the photo of Drew doing body shots off of Jacinda, and flashes back to being at the PC Grille bar. Jacinda is at a seat nearby and says, great. They raised the prices since she was last there… Sorry. She didn’t want anybody else to hear that. She just ordered a champagne cocktail which costs about half her rent. Fingers crossed her card’s not declined. Michael tells the bartender to put her drink on his tab, please.

Jack says he has every intention of getting Josslyn home safe, and Anna asks, how many dead agents did he have the same intention for? He says, the op had a glitch. He’s handling it as they speak. She says, is he? and he says he can assure her he’s extremely motivated to get Josslyn home safely. She says she’s sure he is, because now how much is it going to cost him if he doesn’t? He says he expects the mission to have a successful conclusion. She has her hands full at the PCPD. Can she say the same?

Josslyn asks what Vaughn means, he cares that she might die. An agent is never above the mission. He and the WSB drilled that into her brain since day one. He says, yes, the mission has to come first. If she’d taken off when she had the chance like she was supposed to, this might all be over by now. He should have forced her to leave when he realized how dangerous the mission actually was. She says, he can’t force her to do anything. She knew the risk and chose to stay with the op until they got what they came for to begin with. He says she shouldn’t have been in on the op to begin with. He gets that Brennan thought this was just going to be reconnaissance and surveillance, but she’s a new recruit and neither of them should have put her at risk. She wonders if she can ask him something, and he says he can’t exactly stop her. She asks if he really would have sacrificed his life for hers.

Jason goes into his room, when a guy with a gun pops out. Jason ducks behind the bed, takes out his gun, and shoots. They struggle on the floor until there’s another shot. The guy rolls over and we see he’s been shot with his own gun. Jason looks through his pockets and finds a keycard to his own room.

Alexis says she didn’t expect Molly back so soon. How’d it go? Molly says she’s sorry. It’s not good. Alexis asks if it’s Drew, and Molly says, no, but the court should be calling any minute. Alexis’s petition to have Drew’s restraining order suspended was denied. It remains in effect indefinitely. Alexis says, she’s kidding. It makes no sense. Scout doesn’t have a parent capable of taking care of her and has no legal guardian. What’s the alternative? Child Protective Services? Kristina says, that can never happen.

Elizabeth says she saw Willow talking to Lulu. She knows Lulu can be a little aggressive when she chases a story. Is she okay? Willow says she’s fine. Just… everything feels like it’s in limbo right now. Drew is fighting for his life, the judge assigned to her case is dead, and she is still no closer to seeing her children. Elizabeth says she knows the world is unsettled right now. Willow just needs to hang on to the knowledge that as much as she misses her kids, they are loved and being well cared for. Felicia joins them and says she’s sorry to interrupt. She just spoke to Martin Grey. He’s Drew’s attorney of record. Willow asks what he said, and Felicia says, as Drew’s patient advocate, she reached out to him and he filled her in on some things, like Scout’s whereabouts and Drew’s legal directive in the event of his incapacitation. Willow has been appointed Scout’s custodial guardian.

Nina says, Portia is also very fortunate. Her hatred for Drew is so public, everyone knows about it, but Portia’s is private, known only to her, Curtis, and their daughter. Portia says, and to Nina, and Nina says, true. There’s a knock at the door, and Portia says, come in. Lulu says she was wondering if they… Sorry. She didn’t realize someone was here. Portia says, as Lulu can see, she’s in the middle of an appointment. Maybe she can come back.

Michael flashes back to Jacinda thanking him and saying that he doesn’t have to. He says, not a problem. Enjoy. She says, if buying her a drink is his good Samaritan act of the day, she’ll happily accept. He says, good. He hopes she doesn’t mind him asking, but she’d said they raised the prices since she was here last. It sounds like she hasn’t been here in a while. She says she’s been away traveling. She went on her dream vacation, but it didn’t end the way she’d hoped.

Jack says, Anna is currently dealing with two very important cases – the murder of a judge and the attempted murder of a sitting congressman. Which case is taking priority? Anna says she can multitask. She has an excellent department. She’s got it covered. He says he’s sure she does. He can’t say he’s losing sleep over Drew Cain. When he and Carly got word Drew was shot, his first thought was that he hoped the bullet didn’t miss the mark. She says, so Carly was with him when he found out. She doesn’t know why he summoned her here. It certainly wasn’t to discuss her case load or to give her an update on Josslyn. So why is she here?

Jason looks around and sees some pieces of broken pottery. He picks them up and sticks them in a cup on the shelf and leaves.

Willow tells Felicia that she and Drew were appointed guardians of each other’s kids, and Felicia says, with Drew in his current condition, his legal directive will go into effect. Willow is of course (🍷) free to refuse. Willow says, no. She doesn’t want to refuse. Scout could lose her father. Of course (🍷) Scout can stay with her… Oh my God. Scout could lose both parents. That can’t happen. Elizabeth says, just take one step at a time, and Felicia says, yeah. She’ll call Martin and the camp director and let them know the plans to pick Scout up. Willow says, if she needs to sign anything, she’ll be here, and Felicia says she’ll let the necessary parties know. Willow thanks her and Felicia leaves. Willow tells Elizabeth that she just realized something. She said she’d take Scout, and of course (🍷) she will, but where is she going to take her?

Alexis says, this is unbelievable. The court is giving her granddaughter to Willow Tate? Molly says, Drew signed the legal directive giving Willow custody of Scout in the event that he became incapacitated, and Alexis says she’s Scout’s legal next of kin. Willow doesn’t even have custody of her own kids. Molly says, that’s a legal argument Alexis can make in court, but right now, Scout’s only options are Willow or Child Protective Services. She thinks they just need to rally their support behind someone who is a known quantity, not just to them, but to Scout. Alexis says, she’s right. They just need to make it okay for Scout right now. She’ll pack a bag for Scout to take. Kristina says she’ll help, but Alexis says, no. She doesn’t need help. Apparently, this is the only thing the court will allow her to do, so she’s going to damn well do it. She goes upstairs.

Diane tells Sonny that she wants to make sure she understands correctly. Drew Cain alleged that a recent deposit of one million dollars in Judge Haran’s bank account is proof she was bribed to award Michael full custody of his children. Sonny says, who knows? He may be right. She says, right or wrong, it’s going to get the entire ruling thrown into question. Drew is in critical condition, and the judge, the only person who can confirm or refute said allegation, is conveniently dead.

Michael says Jacinda was backpacking in the Australian Outback? and she says, that makes it sound like she was roughing it. She wasn’t, believe her, but the scenery was stunning. She asks the bartender for another one, and says, the trip was a dream come true, but she ran through her nest egg way faster than she thought she would. Basically, her finances said it was time to come home. He says, it sounds like her trip was worth it, even if it brought her back sooner than she’d like, and she says she knows why she’s in the bar tonight. Why doesn’t he tell her why he is? He says he just needed to decompress, and she says, did he? He says he did and thanks her for helping with that. He needs to get going, but it was lovely meeting her. He hopes everything works out for her. She thanks him and says she hopes it works out for him too, and he leaves. In the present, the nurse tells Michael that they’re ready for him.

Lulu tells Portia that she can come back. No problem. She was just following up on Stella Henry’s arrest and seeing what, if anything, the hospital is doing to defend her. There’s a rumor going around that she was possibly targeted by Drew Cain. If Portia would like to offer a comment, she’s love to get it on record. Portia says, Stella is a first rate employee and she is an exceptional patient advocate. Beyond that, she has no comment and that goes for her staff as well. If Lulu has any other questions, feel free to direct them to the communications department of the hospital. Lulu says, okay. If she doesn’t want to comment on Stella, does she want go on record regarding the conflict between Drew and her husband? Portia says, no, she wouldn’t. As she said, she has an appointment with Nina, so… Lulu says, of course (🍷). She’ll let them get back to it. She should probably just ask Curtis anyway. She thanks Portia and leaves.

Anna asks what Jack is up to, and he says, well, there was something, but he changed his mind. He’s already put her in the uncomfortable position of having information she can’t disclose. He doesn’t want to add to her burden. He’ll walk her out. Anna laughs and say she knows him well enough to know when he’s pulling something and she doesn’t like being used. He owes her and she will collect. She leaves and he sighs. (Poor Jack. He’s having a rough day.)

Jason goes to Britt’s room with his gun drawn. He calls to her, but she’s not there. He looks around.

Josslyn tells Vaughn that when she joined the WSB, she was fully aware there would be life and death choices to make, and she’s not dying here today. He says, they need to figure out a way to get out of here and tell Brennan there is a mole in the WSB.

Walking into Jack’s office on the phone, Colette says, he just left… She doesn’t have time. He’s putting her on a plane to Algiers. She looks around the office and tries a combination on the black box. She says, the code didn’t work. She’ll try again. She puts it in and says, damn it. She’s telling him that code is not the right one. She can’t get what he needs. He’s been lied to.

Diane says she doesn’t know lot about Judge Haran. She has had a reputation for being scrupulously fair. So much so, frankly, she was shocked the judge awarded full custody to Michael and Willow wasn’t even awarded visitation. Sonny asks if she thinks Haran was bought, and she says, given what she just learned, she suspects so. Any idea who? He says he thinks it’s interesting that Haran’s body washed up at Pier 55, right across the way from Spoon Island. Does she think it’s a coincidence? She asks if he thinks Jenz Sidwell is responsible.

Molly says she hopes their mom can get through to Willow, and Kristina says, even Willow looks like a good option when the alternative is Child Protective Services. She just doesn’t know how much ground their mom will gain with Willow. Molly says, why? Willow’s not behind the restraining order; Drew is. Kristina says she knows, but Willow might have reason to hold a grudge against another person in their family, and Molly asks what she did. Kristina says she may have told Willow that she doesn’t deserve to see or even be in her children’s lives.

Willow tells Elizabeth that she can’t take Scout to the house where Drew was shot. Besides it being an active crime scene, it would terrify her. Elizabeth says, bring Scout to her house. There’s plenty of room and she’d love for them both to be there. Willow says, she’d do that? and Elizabeth says, of course (🍷). No problem. Willow says, that would be great. Thanks. Alexis joins them and says she’s sure Willow has heard by now the news about Scout, and Willow says, Felicia told her about Drew’s legal directive. Alexis says, what she probably doesn’t know is, before Drew was shot, he filed restraining orders against her and Scout’s entire family. Willow says she didn’t know that, and Alexis says, legally, she’s not allowed within 500 feet of her own granddaughter and Scout needs her family right now. She’s trying to get that rescinded, but until she can do that, she’s really counting on Willow to take the best care of Scout as possible. Can she do that?

Nina tells Portia, unfortunately, the entire world knows how much Curtis hates Drew. Does she think he’ll be blamed for the shooting? Portia says, Curtis used to be in law enforcement. He can handle himself. And the fact is, the list of people Drew hurt was getting longer and longer by the day. He could have pushed any one of them too far. Nina says, but not her or Portia, and Portia says, right. Someone knocks at the door (geez, it’s like Grand Central), and Portia says, if it’s Lulu again, she swears… She opens the door and it’s Jacinda.

Pascal says Vaughn and Josslyn seem to have found themselves in an unfortunate situation. The code they gave him to unlock the black box did not work. He’d say they wasted his time, but it gave him the opportunity to work out the best way to get rid of them. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Nash. Their bodies swept away in a tragic boating accident on their honeymoon. Lost forever to the Adriatic Sea. Tragic, but very romantic. N’est pas? Bon voyage. He leaves with his goon.

Colette says, it’s not opening. She needs to get out of here… He wouldn’t keep anything in desk… She looks through the papers on Jack’s desk.

Jason looks around Britt’s room and finds a hidden note: J – Find me. Take cliff path, turn left, pink tiled entrance. Right corridor. Code 7572.

Sonny says he’s been Diane’s client a long time and he’d like her to get some information on Sidwell and Judge Haran. She says, yeah, okay. Does he want her as counsel or a co-defendant? Jenz Sidwell is also a client of her firm. Ergo, for that legal reason, she can’t give him that information. He’ll have to get that for himself, and she advises him to do so quickly. He says, how quickly? and she says, yesterday. The day before if possible. With or without Drew Cain, Judge Haran is dead. The investigators will be looking into her bank accounts and will find that one million deposit. The only thing worse than the authorities and family court suspecting that it came from him, is them believing that it came from Michael.

Michael sees Lulu at the hospital and says he just read her article. She says, send his complaints to her editor, and he says he doesn’t have any complaints, but this woman here… He shows her his phone, and she says, the sex worker Drew was doing body shots off of? (I love how they love saying body shots at every opportunity) and Michael says, uh-huh. He needs to find her.

Nina says, look, it’s Jacinda, and Portia asks what she’s doing here. Jacinda says she’s back in town and thought she’d reconnect with old friends. She walks into the office and says, them being together is sheer luck. It saved her a trip. Nina says, she wanted to see them? and Jacinda says, don’t sound so surprised. They’re friends, right? Nina says, of course (🍷), and Jacinda says, good, because friend to friend, she needs money. She thought they could help her out with that.

Willow tells Alexis that she loves Scout. Whether or not she’s with Drew, Scout is like family. She promises to take good care of her. Elizabeth says, Willow and Scout are going to be staying with her. She’ll make sure Willow’s got everything she needs. Alexis thanks her, and Felicia approaches. She says she’s glad Alexis is here too. Lila’s Kids called. Scout was there at breakfast this morning, but no one has seen her since. She’s so sorry, but Scout is missing.

Kristina says she had no way of knowing they’d be in this position with Scout, and Molly says, because, as always, and she knows Kristina hates to hear this, Kristina does not think things through. Look at what she did to Ava and Cody. Kristina says she was just trying to help, and Molly says, what she did was cause trouble. Cody has enough problems on his own without her adding to them. Her phone rings, and Kristina asks if it’s her friend from family court, but Molly says, no. It’s Cody. She doesn’t have time for this right now. She needs to stay focused on doing what she can to help Scout.

Pascal tells Josslyn and Vaughn, it was really such an elegant solution, don’t they think? The current washing away their bodies in the Adriatic. It was poetry is what it was. Too bad it’s not going to happen. It’s been decided they’re still of use.

Colette says, there are no references to Dalton here. Everything must be in that damn black box… No. She doesn’t have time. She needs to get out of here. They need to find someone else to get what they need. As she’s about to leave, Jack walks in with a gun. He says he has good news and bad news. The good news is, she’s not going to Algiers after all. The bad news is, she is going to a black site and she knows what that entails. Unless she tells him who she’s really working for right now.

Jason skulks around outside a door, his gun drawn. He puts in the code and walks into the lab.

On Monday, Ava tells Kristina that she needs to handle this now; Josslyn asks if the job is worth someone’s life; and Jason says he’s not going to hurt Britt. He’s going to get her out of here.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It is a pretty long list. I love a soap whodunnit.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1212737/general-hospital-cameron-mathison-who-shot-drew/

I was thinking, Drew dies and the news kills Monica, proving Drew is an evil man even after death.

https://parade.com/news/what-happened-to-monica-on-general-hospital

A peek into the future. I can’t wait for Erika Slezak to make her debut.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-fall-preview-2025-nathan-and-valentin-return-erika-slezak-debuts-and-more/

Oh yeah. I remember him.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/young-and-restless-casting-shocker-general-hospital-alum-matt-cohen-heads-to-genoa-city/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

They did a particularly difficult docking, since apparently St. Barth’s wants to cram as many ships in as tightly as possible. The guests kibbitzing didn’t help, but Captain Kerry aced it. The biggest chunk of the episode was about the exterior crew being told not to distract Solène from her work by engaging her in chit-chat. She threw a pity party for herself, but no one way buying it and we got a flashback montage of her laziness. The tip was $21K or $1650 each. While it wasn’t that much more than the stingy group last time, these guests were the least problematic of any I’ve seen, so a win-win.

The Real Housewives Of Orange County

I’m not sure why, but RHOC and RHOM are both on the same night now. I assume it’s to make room for Love Island, but I can’t sit through that one.

Gretchen got sick after the naked wasted night. Zzzzz… it looked like they were ready to cut Katie loose, but come on. If they were going to bring Gretchen back, the past was going to come up, and it’s not like it was anything anybody didn’t already know. And while we’re on the subject, is Jo on the show now? How did that happen? Jenn was cautiously optimistic about moving forward with a friendship with Tamra. No. Don’t be friends with her. Support her bettering herself from a distance, then move closer if and when it sticks. It was all sweetness and light at the end… probably until next week.

The Real Housewives Of Miami

Marysol took the women on a cruise, although even she wondered why after their behavior in Spain. Me too. Stephanie’s delivery was discussed, of course at dinner on the cruise. Adriana had serious problems with her birthday, thinking it shouldn’t be celebrated after 40. I found this really sad. While I agree that the world can be ageist, the way she was talking, you’d think she was a crone with a cane banished to a mountaintop. It’s hard to feel sympathy for her when she’s gorgeous, has a ton of money, and is going on vacation every other day. It also might cause some sensitive regular folk to get overly hard on themselves. Okay. Off the soapbox now. Marysol did give the best quote: I’d rather starve than exercise. Although my perspective is just the opposite. I’d rather put in more time working out than pass up Arby’s once in a while. Oddly, IMO, they make the best burgers, and those Jalapeño Bites are literal and figurative fire.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhom-recap-is-marysol-miamis-puppet-master/

Random Reality Items

She’s right about second chances. Many of them have had endless chances.

Wishing them all good things! They seem like the nicest couple ever.

What’s up with those photos?

I dunno. It’s kind of nostalgic at this point.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

This week is a little short on the streaming since I went to a Labor Day party and participated in, of all things, a cornhole tournament. These people were not fooling around either. We had T-shirts and everything. I’d never played before, and I think it’s safe to say I stink. Thank God they also had karaoke. And food. I’m good at those two things.

Downton Abbey: A New Era. Netflix. While this has been streaming for a while, when I saw the ads for the new film, I realized I hadn’t gotten around to this one. No surprise, this is for fans of the series and/or lovers of the post-Edwardian era. A visit from the queen elicits a variety of emotions and hijinks from the staff. I loved it. A few years ago, practically the whole house went on an exhibition tour, and I went to see it with a friend. It did not disappoint. We spent the good part of a day looking at costumes, props, holograms, and entirely recreated rooms. I’m surprised they didn’t have to kick us out.

https://www.filmreviewdaily.com/all-reviews/downton-abbey-a-new-era

The last chapter coming up.

https://deadline.com/2025/09/downton-abbey-the-grand-finale-review-1236505277/

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. Netflix. A high school couple starts to get vicious texts from an unknown number. It’s obvious they’re coming from someone who’s watching them, but when they mystery is finally solved, it’s a real shocker. There is nothing on this where there isn’t a spoiler, so don’t read further if that’s a deal breaker, since it’s worth a watch.

https://people.com/unknown-number-the-high-school-catfish-true-story-11797200

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37865/the-true-story-behind-netflixs-unknown-number-the-high-school-catfish

Also finished Twisted Metal and Hollywood Demons. Peacock and Hulu, et al., respectively. While Hollywood Demons was enjoyable, and episode 4 was Housewives Gone Bad, there’s no shortage of documentaries like this. On the other hand, Twisted Metal now has me wandering around aimlessly, hoping and praying for a season 3.

💃🏽 Dance Like Everyone Is Watching…

The new cast of DWTS.

https://ew.com/dancing-with-the-stars-reveals-full-season-34-cast-11802314

🦄 Out Of the Ordinary…

🦇 Candid snaps in the wild.

https://people.com/wildlife-photographer-of-year-contest-shares-photos-11802157

🐬 A rare sighting.

https://people.com/rare-albino-dolphin-spotted-swimming-near-virginia-video-11793349

🐅 For the most part, do not try this at home.

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/lists/unconventional-pets-owned-by-celebrities/

🐕 But it wasn’t in the job description.

https://people.com/pet-sitter-delivers-14-puppies-while-watching-pregnant-labrador-retriever-dog-11801991

🐦‍🔥 Quotes of the Week

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. – John Lubbock

Just because things hadn’t gone the way I had planned didn’t necessarily mean they had gone wrong. – Ann Patchett

The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. – Dale Carnegie

You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. – Albert Einstein (The first guy to figure out Survivor.)

The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook. – William James

We were very unsuccessful swingers. – Veronica Rodriguez, 90 Day: Hunt For Love Tell All, Part 1

If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking. – Haruki Murakami

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.Carl Jung

We’re married now. My hell is her hell. – Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell), Mike & Molly

🌼 Summer’s Last Stand…

Until next week, stay safe; stay shopping your wardrobe and upcycle rather than waste your money on what you already have; and stay never letting an awful night be for nothing.

September 30, 2024 – On the Ground In Port Charles, Soap Suds, Big Apples, Salty Talk, The Real Hills, Two To Watch, Final Bow, Funny Finalists & September

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly sits with Lulu, and Jack knocks at the door. He tells her, all passengers are safe, sound, and on the ground in Port Charles.

Lucky and Jason walk into the hospital, and Lucky introduces himself to Portia. She says, they’ve been expecting him. She’s been treating his sister. Terry introduces herself, and Porta says she’ll run some tests on Lucky. Jason tells Lucky that he’ll be here, and Lucky leaves with Portia. He asks how Lulu’s condition is, and Portia says, it’s deteriorating. They’re running out of time.

Anna gets home and flops onto the sofa. She flashes back to Jason kissing her, and says, Devane, what are you doing?

Nina goes to Curtis’s office and tells him that Crimson was delayed because of a hailstorm. She stares at him for a moment, and says, his new position looks good on him.

Elizabeth says she needs to talk to Aiden. His dad called and he’s on his way back to Port Charles. Aiden asks when he’s getting here, and she says, today.

On the phone, Robert says, they’re overdue for a catch up… Now? Perfect.

James opens the door, and Holly is there. She says, he may or may not remember her… He says, she’s Holly, and she says, and he’s James, like the king. He says he was named after his dad, and she says, either way, it suits him. She asks if there are any boring grown-ups around, and he yells for Mac. Mac comes out and asks what he’s yelling for… Holly… She says, hello, Mac.

Mac asks when Holly got in, and she says, just now. He says, a red eye? Her? She says, a private jet. While she’s pleased to see him, she was hoping to find Robert. She tried his house and his office, but had no luck. She thought he might be here. Mac asks if Robert knows she’s in town, but she says she wanted to surprise him. He says he has to take James to school, and asks if she can wait here. She asks if there’s coffee, and he tells her to help herself, and he leaves with James.

Felicia asks if Anna is all right, and Anna says, it was an exhaustive trip. Felicia says, Anna never gets tired. So what’s up? Anna says she thinks the mission was more than she expected, and Felicia says she needs to know everything that happened from start to finish.

Luck asks, what now? and Portia says she has to make sure he’s a match. He asks if the odds aren’t pretty good, and she says, with the same parents, the chance is good, but she still needs to confirm it. After the results come back, she’ll send him for more tests to make sure his liver is heathy. He asks if they can’t run them now, and she says, he’ll be undergoing major surgery, so she can’t risk skipping anything. She’s moving as fast as she can. He says he appreciates everything even if it seems like he doesn’t, and she says she needs to figure out if he’s in good enough physical shape to be a donor. Then all they have to do is wait for the results. He says he’s not great at waiting.

Elizabeth asks how Aiden feels, but he says he’s not sure. She says she knows they’ve been emailing and video chatting. She also knows it’s difficult when someone is in front of you, especially when it’s your dad. He says, it’s been a long time since he heard from Lucky. He’s always been the first one to reach out. One time, he waited five months, but nothing. He’s not sad or mad. He’s like, okay, whatever. She says she’s sorry, and he says he doesn’t hate Lucky. He’s glad Lucky is coming back, but it’s not like Lucky is coming back for him. His dad is here to save Aunt Lulu. How can he be mad?

Carly says she knows Jack risked his job, but he says, it’s all good. It turns out haranguing an international law enforcement agency on her friend’s behalf paid off. She thanks him and he says, they make a good team.

Curtis tells Nina, Crimson’s numbers are up, but he thinks they can make them go higher. He found a distributor in Australia. Nina says she’ll give them a call, but he says he already called. It’s a go. Nina says, it’s exciting and embarrassing for her. She should have seen the opportunity. He says, she’s been busy with Crimson and saving the nation, and she says she likes hyperbole in a man. He says, if working on Drew’s campaign distracted her, it’s the price they pay to make sure Drew gets in office. She says, he is distracting… She means, with the campaign and politicking. It’s all very distracting.

Anna tells Felicia that she planned to steal Sidwell’s phone and put it back before he realized. Jason was going to engage Sidwell in a card game, and he did very well. He occupied Sidwell and challenged him. She was about to copy the phone’s chip, and Felicia will never believe who stepped out of the woodwork to stop her. Sidwell’s girlfriend – Holly.  

On the phone and sipping champagne, Holly says, hear that? It’s the sound of ice. Which is exactly what she’s calling them about.

Portia says she’ll let Lucky know when he can see Lulu, and Jason asks how he’s doing. Lucky says he’s doing okay. They ran a lot of tests. All this time, and now he’s here. Jason says he knows, and Lucky says, it’s been a long time, but coming back is harder than leaving. Carly joins them and hugs Lucky. she says she can’t believe he’s here, and he says he can’t either. She says she’s trying to get in touch with his mom and Doc, and he asks where they’re at. She says, at the refugee camp where he was last staying, but the weather is bad, and the service has been spotty. He says he can’t believe they went to Africa, and she says, it’s Laura. What does he expect? He says he expected her to be at Lulu’s bedside, and she says, when they found out Nikolas wasn’t a match… He says, she took off. He got Carly’s email and meant to write back. He was sorry to hear about Bobbie. She says, Bobbie was a hero to the end, and he says he’s sorry he wasn’t here. She says, her mom loved him, wherever he was, when Portia comes back and says, Lucky has been cleared to see Lulu. She’ll let him know if he’s a match as soon as she hears. Lucky says he’s going to see his sister, and Carly says, she’s on 10.  

Elizabeth says, Lulu is the main reason Lucky is back, but not the only reason, and Aiden says, they both know that’s not true. Elizabeth says, Lucky loves him, even though he has a terrible way of showing it. She didn’t want him to be caught off guard. He says, Lucky might help Lulu, then take off again. There are days he doesn’t think of Lucky, and he kind of feels bad about it. Elizabeth tells him, don’t. He has a big heart and so does his does dad. She can’t imagine anything changing that. He says, it’s going to be weird, but he wouldn’t say no to hanging out with Lucky before he leaves again. She asks if he wants her to let Lucky know, but he says, Lucky knows how to reach him. Does she think he’s like his dad? She says, they’re both very handsome, and he tells her that people say he’s like her and he hopes that’s true. He knows that means they must think a lot of him. They might call him a mama’s boy, but he doesn’t care. He’s good with being his mom’s son. He kisses her on the cheek and leaves.

Jack comes to Robert’s office, and Robert says he’d like the like latest on the foray of the Bureau into the field. Jack says, he’s not with the Bureau anymore, and Robert says, tell him anyway. Jack asks, why? and Robert says, Anna is the mother of his child and almost died on Jack’s watch. Jack says, works for him, and sits down. He says, the WSB satellites pinpointed Jenz Sidwell’s location. Considering his strip-mining efforts, it wasn’t difficult. Robert asks if Sidwell converted what he stole? and Jack says, of course (🍷). Robert says, Sidwell leaves the countries he strips more destitute than ever. So Jack used the Bureau’s resources to curtail Sidwell’s operation. Is he still alive? Jack says, unknown. Nobody in the mission is safe if he is.  

Mac comes back, and Holly says, breakfast? indicating the champagne. He says, it’s a little early, but she says she’s on Africa time, calling him grandpa. He says he wears the title proudly, and she says, he should. It suits him. He says he’s getting a lot of practice, and she says, his family tree is growing. He tells her that he has a son by Dominique, and she asks if he’s met him. Mac says, he lives in town. He works for the Quartermaines. She asks if he was raised by Leopold Taub, and Mac nods. He says she’s sorry he didn’t get to know his son sooner, and she says, Dominique lived a complicated life. He probably won’t believe it, but she’ll always regret how Dominique’s jealousy of their friendship helped split them up. He says he doesn’t believe it, and she says she’ll always be grateful for their friendship. He says, back at her. He asks about Ethan, and she says, Ethan is currently out of trouble and doing splendidly. He asks what brings her back, and she says, her last visit was bittersweet. So when chance tossed her toward their shores, she took it. She asks, what’s going on with Robert? and he says, Robert has built a life post-WSB, and it makes him happy. He’s worried her visit will ruin it.  

Anna says, Holly confirmed Lucky was at the compound, and persuaded Sidwell to invite them back. Felicia says, she put her life on the line, and Anna says, they all did. They all went back, and Holly knew where Lucky was, but it was tricky to get him out. Then they found out their covers had been blown. Sidwell insisted that Jason and Lucky play a final card game. Felicia says she has the feeling it wasn’t for money, and Anna says, no. If Lucky won, Holly kept her life, and if Jason won, she kept hers. If Sidwell won, they were all going to die.

Carly asks how Jason is, and he says, fine. She says, really, and he says he’s fine. She asks, what about Lucky, and don’t say fine, and he says, Lucky is physically okay. She says, otherwise? and he says, coming back this way is tough. She says, their situations are different, but after the transplant, they can help Lucky figure things out. He says, if Lucky stays long enough, and she asks if he’s leaving. Jason says he doesn’t know, and he has no idea what Holly is doing. She says, that’s a name she didn’t expect to hear. What was she doing there? She wasn’t a part of the mission. He says, she was on her own mission, which she started before them. She helped them, and he’s got to give that to her. If Holly didn’t love Luke so much, they’d probably be dead.

Terry shows up at Elizabeth’s house, and tells Elizabeth that she can’t stay long, but she wanted to tell her that Lucky is at the hospital. Elizabeth asks if he’s going through tests, and Terry says, Portia is running them now. Given Lulu’s numbers this morning, he’s just in time. Elizabeth says, that’s Lucky, heroically skidding through the door just in time, and Terry says, he came straight from the airport. He was exhausted and anxious, and she didn’t get the hero vibe. He seemed like he’d been through some stuff, but he still looked good.

Lucky goes to Lulu’s room. He sits next to the bed and takes her hand. He says he’s here and kisses it. He flashes back to talking to Baby Lulu.

Curtis says he’s impressed. It wasn’t that long ago, Nina got Drew sent to prison. Nina says, for something he totally did, and Curtis says, and look at them now. Working together and helping each other. She says, being Drew’s campaign wife is incredible, and he says he didn’t realize that was her title. She says, people draw their own conclusions, and he asks where she finds time for herself. She says, 12 hours a day devoted to Crimson, 12 to the campaign, and 12 to her. He says, a 36-hour workday. That’s a lot of time to invest in someone who’s just a friend. She says she never thought it would happen. She thinks her and Drew’s relationship has evolved into something more, something real.

Mac says, Holly will disrupt what’s going on and say she needs help getting out of her latest jam. She wouldn’t ask if there were anyone else, and on and on until the last shoe she threw up in the air falls on the ground. Then she’ll be gone and leave Robert to pick up the pieces of the ruins she’s left behind. She thanks him for his honesty and says she’ll send over a bottle of champagne to replace the bottle she opened. He says, not necessary, but she says she doesn’t want to ruin anything more than she already has, and leaves.

Carly asks how Jason and Anna aren’t dead, and Jason says, Sidwell ordered his men to kill him and Anna, and they would have if it hadn’t been for the drone strike. She says, that was her. She knows a guy. He says, Jack Brennan? and she says, yes. She asked him for help, and he was amazing. She watched the drone strike in real time. They watched it together.

Robert says, he takes it all protocols were put in place to protect the Bureau’s exposure, and Jack says, he followed them to the letter. Robert says, they require no civilian witnesses. Were there any? Jack says, other than the intended targets, no, but he’s not worried about three of the four rescued being a risk. Jason isn’t going to talk, Anna is Anna, and Lucky won’t bite the hand that saved his sister. Robert asks, who’s the fourth? and Jack says he’s not familiar with them. That’s why he came right over when Robert called. He’s hoping Robert can tell him how worried he needs to be about Holly Sutton.  

Terry asks if there’s anything about Lucky coming home that’s a good thing, and Elizabeth says she’s happy for Lulu and the family, but she and Lucky are practically strangers. He called the hospital, and she happened to answer. Terry asks what it was like to hear his voice, and Elziabeth says, there were a lot of feelings for the person he was, the man she used to love and had a child with. Feelings for the voice she used to hear every day, but hasn’t heard in years. Terry asks if she’s okay with it, and Elizabeth says she’s not surprised Lucky would come back to help his sister. Terry says, that can’t be the only reason (like it isn’t enough), and Elizabeth says she told Aiden that, but she gets why he’s doubtful. Lucky isn’t coming to rebuild a relationship with his son and build a life here. Terry says, Elizabeth doesn’t have to answer, but part of her wonders if Elizabeth is going overboard in managing her expectations. What does she expect?  

Lucky says, the first time he met Lulu, she was so small. She made all these noises, but now she’s so… quiet. Lulu Spencer isn’t supposed to be quiet. He promised to take care of her, and he wasn’t there when she needed him the most. He was too busy hiding out in Ireland or Africa or anywhere but here. He told himself that he was doing good in the world, but they both know he was just running and hiding, and if he’d stayed in Port Charles and fought for his family, maybe he could have stopped all this from happening in the first place.

Lucky tells Lulu that their mom is looking for him too. That’s how much she loves Lulu. He loves her too, and prays she can forgive him for not being the brother she deserved or needed. But he’s here now and who knows? Maybe he can still save her and when she’s in the clear, awake and talking again as loud as ever, they can figure out then if he deserves her forgiveness… or anyone’s.

Felicia asks how they got away, and Anna says, Sidwell’s guards threw Jason in a cell with her and were ordered to kill them. There was no bomb to diffuse and no bullet to dodge. Felicia says, there was no way out, and Anna says, they had a kind of understanding that they could lose their lives. Felicia says, at least Jason was there. He must have been a comfort in that moment like he was with Robin all those years ago, when she was staring death in the face.

Jack says he was hoping he could impose on Robert, since he’s the expert. He did debrief Holly. Robert says he’s no longer part of the Bureau, but Jack says, workarounds are his thing. Off the record, does Robert think Holly is a security risk? Robert says, absolutely, but not in the way Jack thinks. After he’s spoken to her, he’ll get back to Jack. Jack thanks him and says, always a pleasure. Robert says, he’s such a liar, and Jack leaves.

Curtis asks how Drew feels about their relationship, and Nina says, the vibe between them is nice. He says, when he hears about their relationship evolving from pretend to real, it’s not that much different from what happened in Nixon Falls. She says, it’s completely different (agreed – Drew never thought he was someone else), and he says he doesn’t want to see her hurt. She asks why he thinks she’ll be hurt, and he says, when she cares about someone, she’s vulnerable. In the circles she and Drew are traveling in, she can’t afford to be vulnerable. His phone rings, and he answers. He listens a moment, and says, thanks for reaching out. He tells Nina, that was the music promotor congratulating him. His father is going to be touring with Wynton Marsalis. She says, that’s a good thing, right? and he says, yeah, but why was his father hiding this?

Elizabeth says, Lucky saved her and her sanity during a difficult time. After she was raped, he helped her realize that she’s a lot stronger than she thought and everything she didn’t think was possible, was. She’ll forever be grateful for that. Terry says, he sounds like a helluva guy, and Elizabeth says, he was. He probably still is, but 15 years can change a lot. Terry says she wishes she could stay, but she has to get back to the hospital. She’s going to leave Elizabeth with one infuriating thought. Everything she said makes perfect sense, but sometimes things that should make sense, don’t anymore. She leaves.

Anna says she doesn’t think she and Jason were a comfort to one another when they were so close to dying, and Felicia asks how they got away. Anna says, the drone strike occurred. She thinks it was a group effort. Felicia says, so the drones took out their would-be killers and left her and Jason unscathed, and Anna says, pretty much. They managed to get Lucky away from Sidwell and get away. Holly stole a jeep and drove them to the airstrip where the WSB had a jet waiting. And here she is. Felicia says, wow. All she can says is, she thinks Anna should do that more often.

Jason says he doesn’t like Carly working with Brennan, but she says she’s not. She just worked with him so that Jason could be safe, and now he and Lulu are safe. He says, she can’t trust Brennan. She seems to think he’s helping her because he likes her. She says she actually does think that, and he pulls her aside. He says, it’s what they call an investment, and Brennan is going to want a return on his investment. She says, owing Brennan it’s a small price to keep them alive, and he says he hopes she doesn’t regret it when Brennan wants to collect. She says, he already has, and he asks what Brennan wanted. She says, a burger from Bobbie’s. She’s got this. What else happened on the mission? Jason says, nothing, and walks to the elevator. She says she knows him. What else happened? He says, nothing, and the elevator doors close.

Robert looks through some paperwork, and outside, Holly is about to knock on his office door. She decides not to and walks away.

Portia looks at the computer, and Terry asks about the test results. Portia says, they just came in. (Her face looks grim, but you know they like to mess with us.) Terry asks if she can see, and Portia turns the screen toward her. She says, it looks like they found their donor just in time.

Lucky goes to Bobbie’s and looks through the window. He sees Elizabeth and goes inside. She turns and sees him.

On Thursday (we hope), Ava says she likes the sound of that; Lucky says he can’t give Elizabeth promises he can’t keep; and Heather refuses to go down without a fight.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

GH is preempted for baseball on Tuesday and Wednesday. And depending on how those games go, possibly Thursday.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-is-preempted-multiple-times-this-week

I just don’t get this. It sounds like she didn’t either.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-has-taped-her-last-scenes-at-gh

I can’t keep these kids straight anymore. Lucky won’t be able to recognize him, and not because it’s been a long time.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/colin-cassidy-is-the-new-aiden-on-general-hospital

Farewell to yet another soap legend.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/days-of-our-lives/days-co-stars-remembers-drake-hogestyn

🗽 From the Wide-Awake City…

I find it hard to believe they’re going through the same sh*t everyone else is going through.

Shout out to the Bronx!

https://www.thewrap.com/who-is-racquel-chevremont-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/

🧂 Shakers Of Salt…

Well, if she doesn’t know, how are we supposed to know?

https://people.com/meredith-marks-mary-cosby-fight-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-season-5-explained-8720027

She can’t win because she’s not doing it for the right reasons. There, I said it.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1407421/why-rhoslcs-heather-gay-feels-like-she-cant-win-after-losing-weight-on-ozempic

💎 Giving the Real Real…

So was it not real before?

I can’t imagine this show being good for anyone’s spirit or career.

👀 This Weekend’s Watch…

The critics are right. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable and amazing as Oswald Oz Cobb aka The Penguin. The show is like Batman meets Boardwalk Empire, weirdly set in today’s world, but with a 1930s feel. Admittedly, a lot of it feels cliché, like Oz’s accent – he commits a moider – but it woiks. Of course, Gotham is a city in its own world, so it can be what it wants. All of the visuals were captivating, and I was fascinated with the view of the Times Square like center of the town. TBH, I haven’t paid much attention to the Batman films. I loved the comics as a kid, but I leaned more toward the female villains like Cat Woman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy. A friend once showed up at a karaoke Halloween party dressed as Poison Ivy, and said I was the only one who recognized who she was, but I digress. Filled with murder, mayhem, and style, I thought The Penguin was a worthwhile watch, and since it’s only 8 episodes, I’m in it for the not-so-long haul.

https://www.cbr.com/the-penguin-big-splash-hbo-premiere/

Forget that other guy.

https://www.cbr.com/the-penguin-differences-from-the-batman/

How he became Oz.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0jtmqbj/colin-farrell-describes-how-he-transformed-into-the-penguin

The other series on my short list was Grotesquerie. The story was compelling and sucked me in right away. Niecy Nash-Betts is world weary, alcoholic detective Lois Tryon, who has to solve a series of murders committed by an entity only known as Grotesquerie. Helping her track down the killer is a crime writer and amateur detective, who also happens to be a nun. Lois’s husband is in a coma, but returns in flashbacks, suggesting her drinking is turning from a pastime into a profession, and her job has become more of an obsession than a profession. The characters are captivating, the acting is award worthy, and it’s directed beautifully. Fresh off playing Lyle Menendez in Monsters, Nicholas Chavez is amazing as a young priest with some odd proclivities, who is also the nun’s best friend. IMO, if he continues with the trajectory he’s on, he’ll be up there with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, et al. My only complaint, a SWAT team sneaking around a building after loudly busting down a gate with their vehicle to get on the property. I think whoever was inside would hear that.

Only slight revelations here.

https://www.thewrap.com/grotesquerie-review-niecy-nash-betts-fx/

He had a good time.

https://www.thewrap.com/monsters-grotesquerie-nicholas-chavez-interview/

Warning: spoilers.

https://deadline.com/2024/09/grotesquerie-niecy-nash-betts-talks-premiere-episodes-fx-ryan-murphy-1236101830/

👒 Never Complain, Never Explain…

Downton Abbey will never be the same.

https://ew.com/downton-abbey-creator-and-cast-pay-tribute-to-maggie-smith-8719727

Some of her best.

https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1108201/dowager-countess-quotes/

🦧 Same To You, Monkey…

The amusing side of wildlife.

https://people.com/2024-comedy-wildlife-awards-finalists-photos-8719560

🧶 A Sweater Is Like Life…

Join me tomorrow for a glance at NYC and who knows what else? Until then, stay safe, stay always leaving them wanting more, and stay occasionally reevaluating, because sometimes things that should make sense, don’t anymore.

May 26, 2022 – Sonny Takes the Stand, Loss Of a Good Fella, Surprise Fans & Letter

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny is sworn in, and Scotty thanks him. He says they’re here to find out if Nina should have visitation with her grandson Wiley, a grandson Sonny shares. So why don’t they cut to the chase. He asks Sonny to tell them about his relationship with Nina in Nixon Falls.

At the hospital on the phone, Amy tells someone to call her back asap. She needs to know everything’s working out like they discussed. She sees Terry, and flashes back to Nurse Julie telling her that she saw Terry with Chet at the MetroCourt Garden, and they seemed to be having a great time.

Josslyn sees Cameron locking his bike outside Kelly’s. She says she was hoping to catch him before his shift. She has excellent news. She’s figured out a way to stop Esme and prove Trina’s innocence. He says, that’s good, but seems distracted, and she asks, what’s going on? He says, it’s his mom. She’s… He can’t finish, and Josslyn hugs him.

Nikolas tells Britt that he hasn’t been able to get ahold of Elizabeth, and just wants to know what’s going on. Britt says, call her back. Laura can share if she wants, but Britt can’t. HIPPA. He says he know about HIPPA, and she says, then he knows she can’t give out patient information, no matter how close he is to said patient. He says she knows him, and she says, that’s not helping his case. He says, she knows he’s been a generous donor to this hospital, and she says, wow. Prince Moneybags. He’s even more entitled than that son of his.

Spencer walks into one of the many rooms at Windymere, and Esme says, there he is. She was hoping they could have a picnic this afternoon; her, him, and riding horseback. He says, very romantic, and she says, maybe they’ll even invite his father to tag along. He says, less romantic, and she says, if he has to go back to the gallery for his restitution this afternoon, they can just come back early. He says he’d love to, but they have to spend the rest of the afternoon packing.

Trina is working at the gallery, when Rory comes in and says, beautiful. She says he should know better than to sneak up on a woman who’s by herself… again, and he says he’s just too stealthy. It’s his curse. She asks why she’s seeing him here. Isn’t he supposed to be keeping an eye on things; covertly monitoring her safety? He says he’s not on duty today, and she asks what brings him by. He says he got some news, and wanted to see if she was okay.

The MetroCourt bartender says, successful business lunch? and Ava says, yes, indeed. She just arranged for a very important exhibit to be shown in her gallery. He asks if a martini would be in order, and she hesitates, but then says, she absolutely could. Pretty it up. She thinks she’s earned the afternoon off. Victor says, a woman after his own heart, and joins Ava at the bar. He says, no welcome home for her favorite in-law?

Nikolas asks Britt where this is coming from. She and Nikolas have always been thick as thieves. She tells him, what can she say? Times change; people change. He says, meaning? and she says, meaning his son came here, asking for a favor, just like he is. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he retaliated by saying some incredibly unkind things to her. Great job he’s doing, raising that one. He says he’s made a lot of mistakes with Spencer, and she says, this might be a wild guess, but the whole pretending to be dead thing might have messed him up a little. Does either one of them have any excuse for their entitled behavior? He can shove that big, fat donation… Terry interrupts, asking if there’s a problem.

Victor says, let him get this round, if Ava will allow it, and she says, yes,  of course (🍷), Uncle Victor. She had no idea he was back in town. He says, his business overseas has been concluded, and she says, he missed a lot while he was gone. He says she must catch him up, and she says, for starters, they found Luke Spencer’s killer. She imagines that’s quite a weight off his shoulders.

Trina thanks Rory for checking in, and says, she’s far from okay, but she’s managing. He counts that as a win, and she says she keeps trying to tell herself that this Title IX report is just that; a report. It’s not a ruling in a court of law. He says, all this Title IX stuff is new to him (me too), and she says, he never had his university investigate him for misconduct? (Is this a common thing?) He says, no, but that’s probably because he didn’t go, and she says, foot meet mouth, but he says, it was his choice. After he saw how much debt he’d be taking on, he realized there were other, better ways to achieve the life he wanted. He started taking classes, trying to figure out how to get from where he was to where he wanted to be, find a passion, but nothing really spoke to him. Until one day, he saw the PCPD doing an outreach program, and that did speak to him. He realized he could make a difference; maybe right some wrongs. She asks how that’s working out for him so far, and he says, he’s still pretty new, but the first wrong he’s righting is what’s been happening to her.

Esme says she can’t believe Ava finally convinced Spencer’s father to kick them out, but Spencer says, no one is kicking them out. In fact, Ava agreed to give him an allowance from his trust fund. She asks, what’s the catch? and he says, no catch. He gets ten thousand a week, although they do have to move out. This place has just been so stifling, hasn’t it? Almost as much as Ava’s stranglehold on his purse strings, but now they’re both going to be free from his father and Ava, which is exactly what they’ve always wanted, right?

Chet comes into the hospital, and Amy says, he’s early. She hugs him, and says she just needs a few minutes. He tells her to take as much time as she needs, and she asks if he’s okay. He seems preoccupied. He says, something kind of crazy just happened. A recruiter from the veteran’s hospital called this morning. They’re looking for someone to manage their mental health outreach. She says she remembers that one. He showed her the job listing a couple weeks ago, right? He says he was pretty sure he wasn’t qualified for that position, and she tells him, quit doubting himself. He was a medic and a volunteer; she’s sure he’d be perfect. She’s proud of him for applying. He says, that’s the thing. He didn’t apply. Someone submitted his info to the recruiter.

Sonny says, two years ago, he was on a bridge and it collapsed. He suffered head trauma. He lost his memory. He was carried downriver to a small town named Nixon Falls. He was there a few months. Nina found him, and she knew he was missing and presumed dead. She didn’t tell anyone he was alive. Scotty says, so his son Michael and his girlfriend Willow, the parents of Wiley, both believe Nina is responsible for keeping him from his family, and Sonny says, Nina was responsible, but she wasn’t the only one. Scotty says, who else? and Sonny says he was.

Amy says, somebody applied for Chet? How would that even work? He says, the hospital goes through a recruiter, who reached out to him. He just doesn’t know how the recruiter got his info. She says, it could have been someone he served with, or someone he helped; a lot of people love him. He says he wouldn’t go that far, but he’s close with the guys he served with. She says, maybe it’s one of them, but he says he doesn’t think they’d do this without telling him. She says, they may never know, but let’s focus on the now. Did he get the job or not? He says he did, and she squeals, throwing her arms around him. She says, that’s wonderful. When does he start? He says, a few days from now, and she says, that’s fast. He says, and it’s in Chicago, and she says she forgot about that part. She’d hate for him to leave Port Charles. He says, him too, and she says, but they talked all the time when he was overseas, and Chicago is like a two-hour flight; that’s nothing. He says he guesses, and she asks, what’s the matter? This is good news, right? He says, it’s supposed to be, but he’s sort of seeing someone here. She says, this is the first time she’s hearing about it. Who’s the lucky lady?

Britt says she’s glad Terry’s here. This magnanimous doner won’t listen to her. Maybe a tag team will get through to him. Terry asks what she can do for him, and he says he’s just trying to get information on Elizabeth. Terry says, he knows they can’t release information on a patient without their consent, and he says he understands that. Terry says, but as a friend of the patient, without revealing any confidential information, she can tell him that Elizabeth herself will be able to catch him up soon. He thanks her, saying, he can live with that. He tells Britt, see how easy that was? and she says, Terry is Elizabeth’s friend; she’s not. He asks if she’s anybody’s friend, and she tells him, don’t come back unless he’s injured or dying. She pumps his hand, and says, hope to see you soon. He leaves, and Terry says, clearly, that wasn’t entirely about Nikolas. What is going on with her?

Esme says, of course (🍷) it’s what she wants, and Spencer says, let’s get packing. She says, moving out of Windymere is going to be complicated. They haven’t shared a room since before he went to prison. If they get their own place, does that mean he’s ready to share a bed with her again? He says, he was thinking about getting a two-bedroom at least. 10K a week isn’t Quartermaine money, but it will keep them in style. She says, sounds perfect.

Josslyn says, so all of the craziness at Cameron’s house was his mom? and he says, yeah. Not consciously, but the medication was making her sleepwalk. She asks if anybody knows why. She gets that it’s the medication, but why was she doing the specific things she was doing? He says he doesn’t know, and he’s terrified him mom won’t get better until they find out.

Scotty says, Sonny is claiming he’s responsible. Can he enlighten the court as to what he means? Diane says, if opposing counsel continues to chew the scenery, she’ll order him a side of hollandaise, and I’m confused, since that means he’s being overly dramatic, and he’s not. Judge Foster says, in the interest of everyone’s time, just let his client answer the question, and Scotty tells Sonny, be his guest. Sonny says, he was living in Nixon Falls for months before Nina found him. He didn’t know who he was, and before long, he stopped trying to find out. By time Nina arrived, he’d decided he didn’t want to know who he used to be.

Victor asks Ava, what’s all this about finding the culprit? He thought Luke’s death was just a tragic accident. She says, he really has been away from the news, hasn’t he? and he says, don’t keep him in suspense. Who wrote the final chapter in the legend of Luke Spencer? She says, Jennifer Smith, the infamous Frank Smith’s daughter. She was obsessed with Luke, or so Ava understands; she only knew the Smiths by reputation. He asks what their reputation was, and she says, that they were sloppy. He says, unlike her. Ava is always the picture of neatness itself.

Spencer tells Esme, this is going to be great for them; the start of a whole new chapter. Nikolas walks in, and says, new chapter of what? and Spencer says, there’s something he needs to tell Nikolas. Nikolas says he wants to hear it, but he needs to tell Spencer something first. Nikolas protests, but Esme says, of course (🍷). What is it? Nikolas says, Cameron’s mother is in the hospital, and Spencer asks, why? Nikolas says, Spencer’s grandmother is with her, and neither one of them has returned his calls, so he doesn’t have any details, but it seems pretty serious. Spencer says he has to go. He needs to check on Cameron before he goes to the gallery. Esme says she probably shouldn’t go with him. She’s sure her presence will only make it worse. Spencer jets.

Trina says, nothing would make her happier than for the wrongs to be righted, so she appreciates Rory. He says he knows it’s a while until the trial… and Trina says, part of her is glad it’s later this summer, but she can’t tell him what it’s like knowing you didn’t do what you’re accused of doing, and knowing it might not matter. She needs to wrap things up, then find a distraction to keep her from obsessing. He suggests he distract her. He took her up on seeing The Chuck; how about if he takes her somewhere? She asks, where was he thinking? and he says he was thinking the Natural History Museum. The planetarium has a new show. Maybe they can catch it this afternoon. She says she loves the planetarium – what nerd doesn’t? – but she doesn’t think she’s in a planetarium mood. He says, okay. Maybe they can hang out by the pool. She says, she can’t, and he asks if she doesn’t like the pool, but she says, it’s not about the pool. It’s about not wanting mess up his life too.

In Terry’s office, Britt says, Spencer basically called her sad and lonely, and Terry says, in so many words? Britt says, no. It was the tone. She’s known this kid since he was slurping Go-Gurts, and practically overnight, he’s this grown man giving her the tone. Terry knows the tone. Terry says she knows symphonies and orchestras of that tone, and Britt says, she knows she shouldn’t let it get to her, but he was such a special kid. Smart, precocious, and yes, spoiled and entitled, and so, so extra. But he was going to grow up and be this… not this, but instead… Terry says, he’s one of them, and Britt says, exactly, and even worse, he’s not wrong. She does want to find a partner. When the best relationship you’ve ever had is when you were on the run with an alleged hitman, who marries someone else, then dies in a cave-in after saving you… Terry says she doesn’t think they make any candy hearts for that, and Britt says, moving on. There is an in-person Society Setups singles event after work, and she was dreading going alone. She doesn’t suppose Terry would care to join her. Terry says she’s open to being Britt’s wingwoman, but as for looking, she’s kind of seeing someone. Britt says, talk about burying the lead. Who’s the guy?

Amy says, Chet is dating Terry Randolph, her boss who hates her. He says, she doesn’t hate Amy, and Amy says, has it in for her? Chet says, she doesn’t have it in for Amy, but Amy says, it kinda feels that way. He says he would have told her sooner, but it’s new. He honestly didn’t think there would be anything to tell. She says, now there is? and he says, it’s only been a few dates, and this job is going to take him away from her just as they’re starting to get to know each other. She says, but it’s his dream job. Like he said, it’s only been a few dates. That’s no reason to give up on his future. He says he guesses, but those few dates were nice, and she says, they were? He says, Amy of all people knows the bad place he was in. She was the one dragging him out of it. She says, because that’s what a great sister does, and he says, it is. She’s also been pushing him to get back in the romance scene. She says, she may have nudged, and he says, he’s self-conscious, and it’s not okay. He gave up on it for a long time, but when he met Terry, they clicked. It’s like he woke up.

Scotty asks if Sonny told Nina about his decision not to pursue his identity, and Sonny says, he did. Scotty asks if Nina ever told him that she knew who he was, and Sonny says, no. What Nina did was unforgiveable, and she’ll have to pay for those choices the rest of her life, but what she committed was against him, and they’ve made peace with that. Scotty asks if he’s forgiven Nina, and Sonny says he has. Scotty asks if he thinks she should be barred from Wiley’s life, and Sonny says, that’s for Michael and Willow to decide, but Scotty says he’s asking Sonny; he’s on the stand. Does he thinks Nina should be a part of Wiley’s life? Sonny says, yes. He absolutely thinks Wiley should be a part of Nina’s life. Steam comes out of Carly’s ears.

Scotty says, no further questions, and Carly tells Michael that she’s sorry. Michael says he’s not surprised, and Diane says, don’t worry; she’ll handle this. She says, Sonny said, and she understands, that he was reticent to learn about the life he left in Port Charles, but he was wearing a wedding ring. Did he not suppose he was married or had been married? Did he have any evidence that he had children or a family that loves him? He says, no, and she says, would it have changed the calculus that he wanted to return to his former life; that he wanted to discover it? He says, it may have, and she says, but Nina kept the fact from him that he had children, did she not? He says, she did, and Diane says, Nina never mentioned he had grandchildren? He says, no, and she says, never mentioned they share a grandchild? Scotty objects, saying, asked and answered, but Judge Foster says, overruled. Diane says, Nina not only harmed him, but she harmed his entire family, and Scotty objects; counsel is testifying. The judge says, sustained, and Diane says she’ll rephrase. She asks if it made Sonny angry that she kept Sonny’s other grandchild, Rocco, from him, and he says, yes it did. She says, did it make him angry that Nina kept him from his children – Michael, Dante, Kristina, Donna, and Avery? He says, yes, but they got past it, and she says, he got past it. Did he ever inquire if his family got past it? Speaking of family, speaking of children, let’s talk about how his daughter Avery was brought into this world.

Victor says he hopes he hasn’t missed Ava and Nikolas’s vow renewal ceremony, and she says, no, he didn’t. As a matter-of-fact, she and Nikolas may as well be through.

Esme says she’s sorry, excuse her, and Nikolas asks if she’s okay. She says, it’s just been difficult. Joss and Cameron are blaming her for something she didn’t do, but they’re also Spencer’s oldest friends. Spence is so loyal. That’s why she loves him; that’s one of the many reasons. He says, Spencer’s being a good friend right now, but not a good boyfriend. She says she doesn’t want to make Spencer choose between her and his friends, but Nikolas says, Spencer will choose eventually, and he’ll choose her. She says, he really thinks so? and he says, Cassadine men are stubborn sometimes, but eventually we wise up. She thanks him, touching his arm, and says, he gives great advice. She’s going to miss their talks when she and Spence move out. He says, move out?

Spencer sees Josslyn and Cameron outside Kelly’s, and Josslyn barely acknowledges him, walking away. He says he heard something was up with Cameron’s mom. Is everything okay? Cameron says, she’s going to be away for a little bit, and Spencer says, and? He doesn’t need to know the details, but he wants Cameron to know he’s here for him if he needs anything, even if it’s just keeping an eye on Aiden and Jake while Cameron’s at work. Cameron thanks Spencer, and says he appreciates that. Spencer says he has to head back to the gallery, and leaves. Josslyn looks at Cameron, and he says, what? She says she finds it weird that Spencer can be a good friend to him and not to Trina. Which reminds her of what she wanted to talk to him about. She’s figured out a way to stop Esme once and for all.

Chet tells Amy, that’s why he kept going overseas. So he didn’t have to think about meeting someone just to be rejected. Now that he found somebody, he feels like he can stop running around and just be home. She says, Terry really makes him that happy? and he says, yeah, but it has only been a few dates, and this is his dream job. He guesses he has to find her and tell her what’s what. He asks for a raincheck on lunch, and Amy says, of course (🍷). Do what he needs to do. He leaves, and her phone rings. She says, Chet’s taking the job, and thanks them for looking at the resumé she sent.

Terry tells Britt, she’s not ready to go public with him yet. There are some personnel issues that have to be ironed out first. Britt says, please tell her that he doesn’t work for them, and Terry says, no. It is a loaded situation though. Britt asks if he makes Terry happy, and Terry says she thinks he does. Britt says, then she’s happy for Terry. She’ll be glad to hear all the details tomorrow. Terry says she has to get back to work too, and Britt says, before she leaves, it’s no secret she’s not Elizabeth’s number one fan, but she knows Elizabeth is important to Terry. If Terry and/or Elizabeth need anything, she’s here for them. Terry says she appreciates that, and Britt leaves.

Diane says, Sonny co-parents with Avery’s mother Ava Jerome, and he says, yes; she knows it. She says, the court might not. She asks Sonny about the circumstances of Avery’s birth. Was she born in a hospital? Scotty says, Avery’s birth is a matter of public record, and Diane says, again for the ease of the court, let’s remind her how it happened, and how Nina Reeves was involved. The judge says, let’s hear it, and Diane asks again if Avery was born in a hospital. Sonny says, no, and Diane asks him to describe the circumstances of her birth. Scotty says, he doesn’t have to answer that, and Diane says, absolutely not. If counsel will stipulate that Nina Reeves abducted Ava Jerome when she was nine months pregnant, induced labor, and kidnapped the infant. Scotty says, there were extenuating circumstances, and Judge Foster asks if he’s disputing facts. He says, no, and she tells Diane to proceed. Diane asks Sonny to tell them what happened after Avery was born, and he says, Nina took Avery to Canada. She says, by took, does he mean kidnapped? and he says, yeah. She asks if Nina was alone, and he says, no. Diane asks who Nina’s accomplice was. Was her accomplice Franco Baldwin, son of Scott(y) Baldwin, and a suspected serial killer? He says, yeah, and she asks if he’s forgiven all that too. He says, Nina was unwell at the time, and she says, yes or no will suffice. Let us be perfectly clear. Not only was he romantically involved with the woman who kept him from his family, but he’s now continuing to defend the woman who abducted his daughter. He says, Nina had a breakdown. How many has he had? Diane says, no further questions, and Sonny asks if he can state one thing for the record. Judge Foster says, if it will move things along, and he says he believes Nina is healed and grown. She’s going to have to pay for the mistakes she’s made for the rest of her life, just like he’ll have to pay for the mistakes he’s made for the rest of his life. Diane says, but he’s not the only victim here. In fact, one could argue he’s less of a victim of Nina’s actions than his entire family. Than the people who love him, who grieved for him. Scotty says, objection, and the judge says, sustained. Diane says, she has one more question. Sonny has stated he thinks Nina should be in Wiley’s life, but with the facts of this case apparent, why should they trust his judgement about this woman? Scotty says, the questioning is out of line, and Diane says, Sonny suffered from head trauma. Perhaps there are ramifications from the injury that affect Sonny’s moral and ethical judgement. Sonny says, enough, and Diane says she’s done. Judge Foster tells Sonny that he can step down, and he gets off the stand

Trina says, Rory shouldn’t be hanging out with her. Fraternizing with a suspect while they await trial, seems like a big no-no. He says he went through the rule book with a fine-toothed comb. It is against policy to associate with a felon. She hasn’t been convicted of anything, and he’s not her arresting officer. There’s no conflict. She says, except there is. Her dad was a cop, and even though there’s no rule, they both know this kind of stuff is frowned upon. He says, so what? He’s tough enough to handle a few frowns.

Ava says, when it comes to Esme, Spencer has blinders on, and Victor says, he makes no judgement as to Esme’s guilt or innocence. She says, Esme is guilty, and Victor says, be that as it may, his point is that his nephew, fool that he is, is shamefully ignoring something means a great deal to his wife. She says, the worst part is, Nikolas was never a fool. Foolish at times perhaps; who isn’t? Maybe not Victor. Victor says, trust him. He’s had his foolish moments. She says, that’s all Nikolas seems to have these days, and worse, it exposed something festering between them; a lack of trust. Victor says, he’s afraid Cassadine men tend toward pigheadedness. Fortunately, they’re wise enough to choose partners who put up with them until they set them on the right path. She says, it’s not her life’s mission to put up with any man. She deserves better, and won’t settle for less. He says, nor should she, and they drink.

Nikolas says, Esme and Spencer are moving out? Since when? Esme says, since Ava agreed to release Spencer’s trust fund to him, provided they find their own place. She’s sorry. Did Ava not say anything to Nikolas? He says he has to go, and on his way out the door, she says she hopes she didn’t cause any trouble.

Cameron says, Josslyn knows how to stop Esme? but she says, they don’t have to talk about this right now, with everything that’s happening with his mom. He says, there’s nothing he can do about his mom. Tell him the plan. She says, every time they come close to catching Esme, somebody is there to protect her, whether it’s Nikolas or Victor, or of course (🍷) Spencer. So this is how they get the evidence to exonerate Trina; they get rid of all of Esme’s shields. He asks, how do they do that? and she says, by breaking up Esme and Spencer, but Cameron says, they can’t do that.

Trina says, there could be consequences to Rory’s career, and he just started. She’s not letting him take that risk, but she appreciates it; it means a lot. He says, there’s no harm in him checking out a few paintings while he’s here, is there? They gaze at a painting, when Spencer walks in.  

Cameron says, they can’t break up Spencer and Esme, and Josslyn says, why not? Cameron flashes back to Spencer explaining that he’s trying to get Esme to lower her guard, and lead him to something that will exonerate Trina. Cameron tells Josslyn, it would just backfire on them in all kinds of ways, but she says he hasn’t even heard the plan. Esme is bad news, and she’s turned Spencer into a tool… He says, let’s not talk about Esme for one day. Please, just one day. She says, sure, and he says he has to go to work, and goes inside Kelly’s.

Pleased with herself, Esme says, it won’t be long now.

Victor says, Ava is a remarkable woman, and Ava says she knows. She thanks him for noticing, and he says, if his nephew can’t recognize and appreciate Ava’s brilliance, he’s more of a fool than Victor thought. Ava says she’ll definitely drink to that, and they both see Nikolas has walked in.

Britt says, she thought Amy had lunch plans with her brother, and Amy says, now he has other plans. He has to talk about something with the woman he’s seeing. Britt guesses it all comes down to that; finding that special someone to help you through the day.

Chet goes to Terrys office, and she says, this is a pleasant surprise. She takes it he told Amy that she’s the person he’s seeing, and he says he did, but that’s not why he stopped by. There’s something he needs to tell her.

Judge Foster asks Scotty to call his next witness, but please spare the theatrics. Again, I don’t get it. Diane is being more theatrical than Scotty. Scotty calls Michael to the stand, and Michael asks what Diane thinks Scotty is up to. She says she doesn’t know yet, but whatever it is, she’s prepared for it, so just answer honestly. Willow tells him, good luck, and he’s sworn in. Scotty says, since this hearing is about morals and character and ethics, can Michael tell the court what happened between him and Claudia Zacara. Everyone gives each other soap looks.

Tomorrow, Esme tells Spencer that she may not be here when he gets back; Victor tells Ava and Nikolas they have to compromise; Diane asks why Michael is opposing Nina’s petition; and Nina tells Sonny that she did what she had to.

🥀 Goodbye Goodfella…

A broker friend of mine once showed him a house, and said he was the nicest guy ever. She’d forgotten his name, and said, that actor with the eyes who plays the gangster. I knew exactly who she meant.

https://extratv.com/2022/05/26/ray-liotta-goodfellas-star-dies-at-67/

https://people.com/movies/ray-liotta-dead-at-age-67/

🎩 Not In a Million Years…

Well, here’s a combination I never would have put together.

https://people.com/movies/downton-abbey-michelle-dockery-and-elizabeth-mcgovern-obsessed-with-real-housewives-exclusive/

🦩 Not Today Kevin…

Wrapping it up early, but see you tomorrow for soap, tea, great quotes, and an even better musical selection. Until then, stay safe, stay not settling for less than, and stay not being a fool, even if you’re foolish at times.

February 17, 2022 – Maxie Makes a Bloody Brilliant Move, Model Temp, Réal Deal, Downton Trailer, Dead’s Back & Train

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn asks what Elizabeth is doing at the hospital. He thought her shift ended hours ago. She says, it did, but she picked up another one that starts soon. It made more sense to crash there than go back home. Cameron’s with Jake and Aiden. He says he knows the last couple days have been difficult for her, and she says, her anniversary with Franco, followed by the one-year anniversary of his death. He says he’s not making assumptions about how she’s feeling, but is working herself to death really the answer?

On the phone with Lucy at the MetroCourt, temp Sasha (see below) says, she understands. The investors want them to hold off on the IPO until Maxie is found. That makes total sense. It would sound too tone-deaf to proceed. Maybe they can pivot and… No, she’s right. Maybe they should just take a breath. Brando comes in, and Sasha says she’ll talk to Lucy tomorrow. Sasha tells Brando, this is a surprise, and he says, sorry to ambush her. He hasn’t been able to get ahold of her for days. He even stopped by her place for Valentine’s Day, but she wasn’t there. She says she’s just been working a lot, and he says that’s why he tracked her down. He sits down, and says, they need to say all the things they’ve been avoiding saying to each other.

Austin is listening in on Victor, when Obrecht comes up behind him, and says, well? He jumps, and says, she scared him, and she says, it’s only one of her formidable skills. How is the operation going? He says, all day, he’s been listening to this bug she put on Victor, and listening to someone’s life 24/7 is very tedious. For this diabolical guy they think he is, his life is very mundane. He hasn’t said anything of interest. She says, keep listening. If they’re right, and he helped Peter escape, it can be their key to finding Maxie.

Victor looks at The Sun tarot card, and flashes back to Peter saying if Victor gets him and Louise out of Port Charles, Peter will tell him everything he wants to know about Drew. Yohan joins him, and says they have eyes on their target. He’s alone; no witnesses. Victor says, then let’s get going.

Drew rips off the crime scene tape at the pier, and looks around. He hears someone coming, and slips into the shadows. He sees Sam, and says, enjoying the view? She says she didn’t come there for sightseeing, and doubts he did either. He says he hates feeling so helpless. He figured the best way to beat that feeling was to come to the last place Maxie was. He’s just hoping the police missed something to help them bring her back home.

Anna finds Felicia crying at the hospital and hugs her. She asks, what’s going on?

Driving, with Maxie as his passenger, Peter tells her not to worry. All those people back in Port Charles standing in their way are in the past. They’re going somewhere no one will ever find them.

Sasha asks what’s on Brando’s mind, and he says he thinks she’s been avoiding him since Liam’s funeral. He barely sees her, and when he does, she has her nose buried in her tablet doing work. He understands it’s her way of coping, and the last thing he wants to do is get in the way of her healing. He’s glad she’s managing all this so well, but the truth is, he’s not.

Felicia tells Anna that she’s sorry. She just wanted to pull herself together before she saw Mac. Anna says, if anyone would understand, it’s Mac. Felicia just made a very hard decision, giving Maxie’s baby back to Brook. It was the right thing to do. It’s the only home that little girl has  ever known. Felicia says, she’s a stranger to that baby. She knows that intellectually, and she’s feeling just a fraction of what Maxie must have felt all those months, to not be able to be with the child you love, and take care of her. She knows it was the right thing to do, but wishes she had some connection to Maxie right now. She starts to cry again, and Anna puts Maxie’s earring in her hand. She tells Felicia, that’s Maxie’s. It was with the baby when Anna found her at the firehouse. The PCPD already pulled prints from it, and confirmed it is hers. Maxie left it there deliberately, so her daughter would have something to remember her by. Felicia says, that is so Maxie, to be thinking ahead even in the most impossible situations. Anna tells her to hold on to that. She knows Anna will stop at nothing to bring Maxie home. Felicia says she does know that, and thanks Anna. Anna asks if Felicia wants her to stick around, but Felicia says, no; she just needs a minute. Anna tells Felicia that she’s got this, and leaves.

Maxie says Peter’s been very quiet about where they’re going, and now he’s so confident that no one will ever find them. Peter asks if she remembers him telling her about his time in boarding school, and Maxie remembers that he said he was relieved when Faison sent him away to school, where he could really be himself. He says, it was one of the happiest times he can remember. Until he met her, of course (🍷). Most of the students went home for the summer holidays, but there were a few of them who would stick around. The school would send them to this beautiful cabin in the mountains. Incredible. Last year, when he felt the walls closing in, he saw the academy was listing the farm for sale, so he arranged to buy it. Not in his name of course (🍷). Virtually not traceable in fact, in case he ever needs to disappear. He wishes Louise could have joined them, but who knows? If it becomes secure enough, they could send for her.

Elizabeth says she appreciates Finn’s concern, and he says, but it’s none of his business, and if she needed his help, she’d ask for it, right? She’ll have to forgive him. It’s an occupational hazard; he can never stop diagnosing. She says, he’s not totally wrong. She did have a good cry this morning, but she doesn’t have the luxury of curling up in a ball. Cameron’s been so selfless, such a hands-on big brother over the past year, he deserves a chance to live in the dorms. Which means she has to pick up extra shifts so she can afford it. He says he’s been working on his listening skills. He’s actually taking a refresher course at the college. He can listen if there’s something on her mind she wants to talk about. She flashes back to looking at her slashed dress, and says, actually… Anna comes in, and asks if it’s a bad time, but Elizabeth says, no, what’s up? Anna asks if they have a minute, and the three of them step away. Anna says, she just wanted them to know she got the PCPD to increase patrols for Brook and Chase’s protection. Just in case Peter decides to come back and make another attempt at taking Louise. Finn thanks her, and Elizabeth says she hates that Peter’s still a threat. She’s relieved the baby is safe, but hates that it comes at Maxie’s expense. Anna says they’re going after Peter now, and Finn says, this never would have happened if he’d just finished Peter off.

Drew tells Sam, he doesn’t know what he was expecting. Obviously, Peter’s not going to leave a copy of his travel itinerary. She says, plus, the police already canvassed the whole area, but he says, they could miss something; they’re not perfect. She says, really? and he says, that wasn’t a dig against Dante. She says she gets it; they’re all doing their best. Drew asks how Dante is holding up, and Sam says, he’s driving himself hard to get a lead. Not that she’s expecting anything less from someone so dedicated. He says he’s glad she and Dante are in a good place, and she says, her too. And she’s glad they are as well. He suddenly moves her behind him, and Victor comes onto the pier. He says he does hope he’s not interrupting.

Sasha says she has been avoiding Brando. It’s very clear they’re grieving very differently. He needs to sit with his feelings; she can’t do that. He says he needs to talk about it with the one person who went through it with him. This whole experience, from getting pregnant to losing their beautiful son, it bonded them. She’s the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, the person he loves. If they can’t be there for each other now, what are they doing here?

Felicia goes into Mac’s room, and Laura is sitting next to the bed. Laura hugs her, and says, Mac told her that they chose to leave the baby with Brook and Chase, at least until Maxie comes home. It must have been a very tough decision for her. Felicia says, it’s in Louise’s best interest. Moving forward, she and Mac can visit her regularly, and they’ll no longer be strangers. Laura says she’s going to give them some privacy. If they need anything, call her. Mac thanks her for coming by, and Laura leaves. Mac asks, how’d it go? and Felicia says, their granddaughter is very happy. So that at least makes one of them. He says, it’s only temporary. They just have to keep visiting her, so she knows they’re her family too. Felicia says, he’s right. She’s safe and she’s in good hands until Maxie comes home. And she will come home. She looks at the earring.

Peter says, Maxie is going to love it. It’s in a very remote area. The nearest village is so small, it only shows up on local maps. It’s so beautiful. There’s a caretaker, modern amenities. It’s well-stocked. The best of both worlds. Everything they could possibly need for their life together, until Louise joins them. Maxie asks, where is this place again? and he says, it’s best she doesn’t know. It’s for her own protection, trust him. She says, if he can’t tell her where they’re going, she’s not going to know how long they’ll be in the car. Does he think they can pull over someplace so she can use the restroom? He asks if it’s a trick, but she says she’s not going to run. She knows what their deal is.

Austin tells Obrecht, he can’t do this anymore. Listening to Victor go about his daily business is odd, and exhausting. She says, it’s a small price to pay for what he did. His vendetta against Brook is the whole reason Maxie’s daughter’s identity was compromised. Consider this his penance. He says she’s right. He’d do anything to make it up to Maxie. He wishes he could go back and not do the dumb thing he did, and she says, vengeance seldom turns out the way one expects. Once we set events in motion, we cannot control the outcome. But he should know this. If anything happens to Maxie, there will be hell to pay. He says, Victor is talking to someone, and she leans in to listen. He’s talking to two people.

Victor says, Drew Cain and his dear niece. What brings the two of them down here? Sam says, to find Maxie. What brings him down here? He says he was hoping to offer his financial resources to the authorities heading the investigation. He thought maybe someone official would still be down here. Sam asks why he would offer them money, and he says, truth be told, he feels partly responsible for the horror Peter August has unleashed on them all. Drew says, there’s a good reason for that. Victor actually is responsible. Victor says, in retrospect, he sees his dealings with Peter were a bad mistake, and to that end, he’s been making some small amends. He’s been reaching out to Nikolas and Spencer for the last few months, but he’s afraid their family is still badly broken. And he left some phone calls for Sam which she hasn’t returned. He’s beginning to think her and her sisters don’t really want to get to know him. Sam says, maybe Victor should be the P.I., because he is right on the money. As fun as this conversation was, if Victor is done, she and Drew would like to get back to work. Victor says, of course (🍷). He’ll leave them to it, but before he goes, he’s glad he bumped into Drew, because he has something that might be of interest to him. He holds up The Sun tarot card, and says, activate.

Austin tells Obrecht that Victor is talking to Drew. Is that possible? Obrecht says, it’s certainly suspicious, and asks for an earbud. She listens in.

Sam asks what Victor is doing, and Drew asks if that’s supposed to mean something to him. Visibly surprised, Victor says, the WSB just released his personal effects from the compound in Crete, and this card was amongst it. He can only guess this is from the tarot card deck that Peter used to condition Drew. Drew should probably keep hold of it in case some unsavory character tries to take advantage of his conditioning. Drew says, it’s not as simple as flashing some random card, but he should probably know that considering Faison and Helena kept him stashed at a clinic Victor ran. Victor says, he was always very prudent not to dig too deeply into Helena’s various projects. But it’s a pity Drew didn’t take advantage of his conditioning himself. Maybe gain access to some of those memories that are out of reach. Sam says, Victor doesn’t expect them to believe this BS, does he? and Drew takes her aside. He asks her to give him a few minutes with Victor, and she asks if he’s sure. He says he is, and if he doesn’t come looking for her at GH, then she knows to come looking for him. She says he can trust that, and leaves. Victor asks if there’s something Drew doesn’t want his niece to be privy to, and Drew tells him, he could say that. He grabs Victor’s lapels, and slams Victor against the wall, the mic falling off Victor’s lapel. Drew says, it’s much better for them to just deal with this between them. That way, if he loses his temper and snaps Victor’s neck, no one else will see it and feel obligated to cover for him. Drew moves closer to Victor, and steps on the mic.

Austin and Obrecht yell, and Austin says, what just happened? She says, she doesn’t know. So much noise.

Finn tells Anna, he just meant he shouldn’t have gone along with Peter’s blackmail. Maybe he could have stopped Peter if he’d just turned him over to the police. Elizabeth says she has to get back work, and leaves. Finn says he’s sorry. He almost forgot Elizabeth wasn’t aware of what he did to Peter. Anna says she knows he’s protecting… someone else who was there when Peter fell down the stairs. Just so he knows, he should consider that person under her protection also. He thanks her, and asks how she’s doing. She says she doesn’t know where to start, and he says, start anywhere; it’s him she’s talking to. She says, the search for Peter and Maxie is going to be grueling, but Peter’s options are dwindling, and he’s going to make a mistake, if he hasn’t already. And it’s her job to be there when he makes that mistake so she can pick up his trail. She’s got to end this whole thing. He says, that all sounds great, but he was asking how she’s holding up. She says, she doesn’t know. She’s alone, but not lonely

Maxie looks around the restroom, and Peter says he’s right out here. Sorry to be standing guard at the door, but they can’t be too careful. She says, no, they can’t, and roots through the trashcans. She digs out a lipstick tube, and calls to Peter, don’t worry. I won’t be long.

Mac tells Felicia that he was told over and over again about Peter. All this could have been avoided if he’d just believed it. She says she didn’t see Peter for who he was either, as long as Maxie was telling her that she was happy. She wanted to believe that. Someone who would make up for the time she didn’t spend with Maxie and Georgie when they were young. She willingly ignored the red flags, and she’s done turning a blind eye. She’ll never let anyone hurt her family like this again. Mac says, neither will he.

Outside the door, someone asks in German if there’s a problem with the restroom, and Peter says, nien. No problem. He’s waiting for someone. Maxie says, all set. She’s coming out now, and throws the tube back in the trashcan. Maxie leaves, and a woman comes in. She sees Maxie’s earring on the sink, and turns to call to Maxie, but sees writing on the mirror. Help! Call Anna! USA, and Anna’s phone number.

Deanna tells Elizabeth, she almost forgot. Someone sent this to the hospital. She holds out a red envelope, and says it’s addressed to Elizabeth. Elizabeth takes it, and thanks Deanna.  

Sasha says she wants to be there for Brando. She never meant to make him feel otherwise, but if she stops moving forward, she’s afraid she’ll never start moving again. He says, and she’s avoiding him because he’s a reminder of what she lost.

Drew says, when Victor flashed that tarot card, he was hoping to activate Drew’s conditioning. Jason and Britt watched Peter use it to control him, and Victor thought he’d do the same. He shakes Victor, and says, Victor literally drew the wrong card. Victor says, don’t be ridiculous. He just showed Drew a playing card; nothing magic in that. Drew lets go of Victor, and says, stay away from him, stay away from his family, from Sam, from Maxie, from all of them. Does he understand that? Victor says, message received and understood, and Drew walks off. Victor straightens up his suit jacket.

Anna says there were times when she’d come home at night, and really miss finding Finn with his head buried in a medical tome, and Violet with her whole tea set laid out, just waiting. The three of them together was a really lovely time in her life. He says, theirs too, and she tells him that she has to say, she had this underlying tension. She felt like she was running to stand still. She wanted to give him and Violet all her love and attention, but still reserve some emotional bandwidth for her work. There were times she was really stretched thin, and she couldn’t give them both what they needed. He says, she did the best she could, but she says, sometimes her best wasn’t good enough. She knows that and she’s sorry. The upside of being alone is that she does get to devote all her time to finding Peter and bringing Maxie home, without worrying that she’s neglecting both of them. There’s a kind of odd satisfaction, isn’t there, from pouring yourself into what you do well? It’s kind of like finding your power in a way. They both know she’s a terrible muddle at relationships, but she thinks she’s a damn good spy. He says, she is, and she says she’s going to use all her expertise to clear up this mess she’s made here. He says, don’t do that to herself. Peter’s mess is his and no one else’s. She says, this all started because she believed in his redemption, and he says, no one could blame her for wanting Peter to be better than he is. She says, he didn’t. Finn always had misgivings about Peter, and she should have listened to him. They would be in a very different position if she had. He says, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Her instincts over the years saved a lot of people’s lives. Don’t ever forget that. She says, that’s very sweet to say that. Him and Elizabeth, how is it? He says, it’s new, and she says, that’s nice. He says, it’s different. Dating a super spy was a unique experience for him. She says, he’s welcome, and they laugh. She says, he seems very happy, and he says he is. She says, good, and he tells her, good luck finding Peter. If she needs anything, she knows where he is. He’s rooting for her. She thanks him, and he leaves. Anna’s phone rings, and she wonders who’s calling her internationally. The woman from the restroom says, Anna? and Anna says, who’s this? The woman says she’s in a ladies restroom at a rest stop in Switzerland. Some woman left a message to call her. She needs help, and she left an earring. Anna says, oh God. Maxie.

Anna walks into Mac’s room, where Sam and Drew have also shown up, and says, his daughter is bloody brilliant. Felicia says, she heard from Maxie? and Anna asks if Felicia has the earring. Felicia says, right here, and Anna shows Felicia her phone, saying, this was found at a rest stop in Switzerland. We found her; we found Maxie. Felicia laughs and kisses Mac.

Back in the car, Peter tells Maxie that he’s sorry if he was hovering, but they can’t take any chances. He doesn’t want to say she’d try to escape – she’s not his prisoner. Let’s say he didn’t want her to leave without saying goodbye. She says she gets it, and he says he had his doubts, but the only reason he agreed to leave Louise behind is that she promised they’d spend the rest of their lives together. Here we are. Together again. Til death do us part.

Anna says, apparently, someone left a message on the mirror in lipstick. It said, help, call Anna, with her phone number underneath it, and this earring, which is an exact match for the one Maxie left with Bailey. Felicia says, Maxie is telling them where to find her. Sam asks, what’s the plan? and Anna says she thinks they have to approach it from all angles. Can Sam stay here and follow up on the Victor connection? Sam says, yes, of course (🍷), and Anna says she’ll book a Bureau flight to Europe. Drew says he’s going with her, and she says she’ll call Dante, and have him meet them at the airport. Felicia tells Anna to reserve four seats on that flight. She’s coming with them.

Victor says he assumes Yohan saw that Drew had absolutely no reaction to that tarot card. That sniveling weasel Peter August lied again. Clearly, he has no intention of giving Victor control over Drew. Yohan says, if he knows what Victor is looking for, perhaps he can help. Victor says he supposes Yohan has earned his trust. Drew’s memory has been altered. He once knew secrets he no longer has access to. They’re memories that hold the key to everything. The key to his entire life’s work.

Getting off the hospital elevator, Laura sees Obrecht and Austin arguing whether it’s the signal or the equipment. She asks if everything is okay, and Austin says, they’re just having one of those normal, day to day, whispering, bickering conversations. Obrecht says, the mayor might be the perfect person to involve in their undertaking, and Laura says she doesn’t know if that’s a compliment or a threat. Austin says, it depends, and Obrecht says, it involves a good friend of Laura’s. Victor Cassadine.

Elizabeth opens the envelope, and finds a card with a picture of a dark, gothic archway on it. Inside, it says: Thinking of you. We’re both thinking of him today. B. Elizabeth drops it like it’s on fire, and Finn asks, what is it? She picks it up, and says, this. He takes it, and reads it. He asks, who’s B? and she says, if she had to guess, she’d say, Betsy Frank. She’s Franco’s adopted mom. He says he didn’t know they kept in touch, but she says, they don’t. Franco hardly had a relationship with her toward the end. He asks if she came to the funeral, and Elizabeth says, she did. They barely spoke to each other, and she left town the same day. He says, it’s a strange image for a sympathy card; it’s very macabre. She says, that’s Betsy; that’s where Franco got it from. Love of the odd kind of runs in the family. He suggests she talk to Epiphany, and call it a night. He’s sure she can get someone to cover Elizabeth’s shift. Elizabeth says she’s fine, and tells him to go home to Violet. He tells her to have a good night, and leaves.

Sasha says, this is definitely one of those situations where it’s not Brando, it’s her. She loves him. He says he loves her too, and she says she knows he likes to present himself as a tough guy. He owns a garage; he fought in the war. Let’s be real. He wears his heart on his sleeve way more than she does. She admires that, but it’s just not how she operates. She will make sure he never doubts how she feels about him again. He asks if she’s the tough guy in the relationship now, and she says, pretty much.

Laura says, Obrecht thinks a tarot card can activate Drew’s conditioning, and Obrecht says, along with a certain phrase, yes. Laura says, they know Peter and Victor were working together, and Peter was the one who held Drew captive all those years. And it’s very clear Victor wants something from Drew. Austin says, what? and Laura says, that is the question. She can’t help but wonder if this was the real reason Victor came back to Port Charles.

Victor tells Yohan, buried deep in Cain’s memory is confidential information, specifically information on the location of a long buried Cassadine secret, a secret he’s been searching for, for years. Now he’ll have to find a new way to track that location. Yohan says he’s ready to assist Victor in any way he needs, and Victor says, wait a minute. He walks over to where he was with Drew, and says, what have we here? and picks up what’s left of the mic.

In the hallway, Anna tells Felicia, it’s not a good idea for her to come with them on the search for Maxie and Peter. Felicia asks, why not? Brook and chase are looking after Louise, and Spinelli has Georgie and James. Anna says, what about Mac? and Felicia says, he has Robert. Maxie’s her daughter; she needs to see this through. Anna says, she understands, but this could get dangerous, and Felicia says she knows it’s been a while, but this is not her first rodeo. Anna says, if Felicia comes, her focus will be divided. She can’t look out for Felicia, and find her daughter at the same time. Felicia has to trust her on this. They go back into Mac’s room, and Anna says, she was just telling Felicia that she thinks it’s better for her to stay there with him, so Anna can focus all of her attention on bringing their girl home. Mac says he knows how badly Felicia wants to help Maxie, but he thinks Anna’s right. He tells Anna, bring their daughter back, and Drew says he thinks they better get going. Peter already has a big head start on them, plus the flight to Europe is going to put them back even more. Anna tells Mac, get better, and she and Drew leave. Mac says he knows every bone in Felicia’s body was telling her to go with Anna. His was too, but trust him, this is for the best.

Maxie tells Peter that he doesn’t have to worry. She made a choice to be with him, and she’s not changing. She feels like she’s going to enjoy her future.

Anna tells Drew it was hard for her to tell Felicia that she’d be a liability to them searching for Maxie, but she needs to know he won’t be one either, given what Peter was able to do to him in the past. He says, he’ll tell her what he told Jason. If comes down to it, and Peter finds a way to activate him for his uses, he trusts her to do what needs to be done. She says, understood. Let’s go find Maxie, and put an end to this.

In the car, Maxie smiles. It’s the first emotion she’s shown.

Tomorrow, Britt tells someone, try it and she’ll harpoon them; Anna says, maybe Peter is telling them where he’s going in his own way; and Peter says he has an escape plan all set.

👠 Hospital Temp…

She’s slipping into sister Sasha’s shoes.

👮🏾‍♂️ Being Réal…

He’s my favorite Taggert.

🕍 New Abbey…

Downton Abbey goes Hollywood. Looks good.

https://ew.com/movies/trailers/downton-abbey-a-new-era-full-trailer/

⚰️ Coming To a TV Near You…

This weekend TWD is back. The whole Commonwealth thing looks interesting. That’s what I liked about Z Nation. They showed how various groups were regrouping. And yes, I’m still bitter that it was canceled.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-showrunner-11b-commonwealth-preview/

🍦 Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This…

This Sunday begins another round of Dead, but I’ll also be here tomorrow for soap, tea, insightful words, and a random tune. Until then, stay safe, stay unafraid to be introspective, and stay never willingly ignoring red flags.

May 11, 2020 – Michael Pops the Partnership, a Charter With Meaning, Date For Deck, Some New Crew, Tour the Boat, Reading Harry, a Legend Leaves Us, MIA, a Queen’s Visit & Shake On

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

On the phone, Brook says, disturbing the peace… Yes, it was Chase again… No; I’m not making a habit of it… Hello? Dad? Chase says, tough love, and she says her father is a busy man. She asks if she can make one more phone call, but he says she only gets one; like last time, and the time before that. She says, too bad there’s no loyalty program. He tells her, go ahead, and she asks, what’s the catch? He says, none. He’s just curious. If her father won’t help her, he wants to see who will.

Nelle goes into Charlie’s, and tells Julian that he’s just the man she wanted to see. He says they’re closed, but she says, the door is open. He says they’re just closed to her. She says, of all people, she thought he would understand her struggle to put the past behind her, while the Corinthoses hold it over her head. He says he doesn’t even sell Sonny’s coffee anymore, and asks what she wants. She says she wants to make him a generous offer. From the heart.

Diane tells Michael to repeat what she said. He tells her, I will not let Nelle bait me in court. She says, now, Willow, and Willow says she won’t let Nelle bait her either. Diane says, let Nelle roll out her manipulation and histrionics, while they remain calm and stay the course, and Michael will be the same loving, committed, stalwart presence that he’s always been. Michael asks if she thinks he can manage that, and she says, of course (🍷). But she’s seen Willow give way to anger in the courtroom against Shiloh. Nelle is just as bad, if not worse. Willow says she understands, and she’s ready for Nelle. Diane says the two of them make an excellent team. They both know Wiley’s favorites, how to put him down for a nap, and his first words. Nelle is practically a stranger. Michael asks if that doesn’t support Nelle’s argument that she deserves more time with him. Diane says, let Nelle argue what’s best for Nelle, and they’ll argue what’s best for Wiley. After all the trauma Wiley has been through, it’s crucial that he stay with people he loves and trusts. They’ve already proven they’ll do what it takes for him.

Julian tells Nelle, she has five seconds. She asks why he’s in such a rush. There’s a light crowd, and it’s not like he has any family to get back to. Is anyone even speaking to him, besides Lucas and Wiley? He says, time’s up, and she tells him, don’t be a baby. They have one horrible thing in common. They’re both victims of Brad. He left Nelle unconscious by the side of the road after she gave birth to Wiley. It’s too bad she didn’t remember until after it came out. Julian says, bad timing. What he finds tragic is that she expects him to believe Brad pulled a number on her. She asks if that’s a compliment, but he says, no. What does she want? She says she wants to offer him a spot in her son’s life. On one condition.

Brook says, Dusty, pick up, but gets voicemail. She hangs up, and Chase says, don’t tell him that she’s run out of people to turn her down. She says, cut to the chase, Chase, and he says, according to the report… She asks if says anything about abuse of power or false arrest. He didn’t like her calling him out for betraying his girlfriend, and if he had any decency, he’d admit she’s not the only guilty party, and let her go. She might have a big mouth, but she’s not a lying jerk like him. He flashes back to lying to Willow about having his pretend affair with Sasha, and he says Brook is right. She says, what? and he says, about him; about everything. Goodbye. She says he can’t just leave her there, and he says she still broke the law. She tore up the citation, and disturbed the peace. Being right doesn’t change that.  She asks if she’s supposed to sit there until tomorrow, and he says she has a phone. Either find someone to get her out, or spend the night in custody. Either way, he doesn’t give a damn.

Diane says, Nelle’s lawyer might try to discredit Willow, as a woman unwilling to relinquish a child that’s not hers, but no one, aside from Michael has shown more backbone and been willing to sacrifice more than she has. And they have the legal documents to prove she’s put Wiley’s needs first. It’s gold. Willow and Michael thank her, and Diane leaves. Michael says, Willow heard her; she’s gold. Willow says he’s not so bad himself, and he says the only way she’d be a better advocate is if she married him.

Julian tells Nelle to run it by him one more time. She says, what’s complicated? Wiley’s custody suit is tomorrow. She wants him to testify on her behalf, as Wiley’s former grandfather and character witness, and tell them what a wonderful mother she is. He says he’d be lying under oath, but she says he knows the truth is that Wiley would be better off with his mother than with Michael, who’s not Julian’s favorite person. He laughs, and he says, the child in question, who he used to believe was his grandson, is better off with the same woman who left his father to die in a burning car? She says she was under stress because Michael was trying to take the child from her, and her hormones were raging. He says he’s not going help her, and she says he will if he wants to stay in Wiley’s life. When she has sole custody, Wiley can call him grandpa again if he wants. Again, it’s a very generous offer. Once she has sole custody… He says she likes saying that, like it’s a possibility. She says, it’s a lock. Once she has Wiley, he’ll never see a Corinthos or Quartermaine again – not even Willow – but he’ll have access. Julian says he can’t imagine Sonny being too happy, and she says, Sonny and Carly will suffer even more; they’re on the same page. He says, they’re not even in the same book. He loves Wiley, and cares about what happens to him. If anybody asks, he’ll say Wiley is better off with his father, and his mother is a heartless monster who only uses him as a weapon. So by all means, invite him to court to testify on her behalf. His phone rings, and he asks what the hell they want. Absolutely not. On second thought, he’ll be right there. Nelle asks if everything is okay, and he tells the waitress that he needs her to watch the bar. And don’t serve Nelle. She’s done here.

Chase goes into Charlie’s, where Nelle sits without a drink at the bar. He flashes back to Willow coming home, and telling her that he has wine and takeout, whatever she wants. She asks him to just hold her. Nelle says he looks like he could use a drink and some company. He says, no thank you, and she asks if he’s that afraid of her. He says that’s not the word he’d use to describe how he feels about her. She says, so he does have feelings for her. Now they’re getting somewhere.

Michael tells Willow, when they talked about getting married to protect Wiley before, it wasn’t an option for her. She says, it turns out, her situation has changed. She flashes back to seeing Sasha and Chase making out on the couch, and telling Chase that, never in a million years did she think he’d do this. When he said he loved her, she thought he meant forever, but she didn’t know him at all. She tells Michael, drastically, and Michael says, he knows it’s not how they imagined their marriages or futures, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a partnership that works. She says, if they do this, she needs to be upfront, and he says he expects nothing less. She tells him, despite what he did, she’s still in love with Chase. He’s the first man she loved, and until they broke up, she didn’t plan on loving anyone else. She’s not sure she’s even capable of it. Can he marry a woman who will probably never be in love with him? He says if they commit themselves to loving Wiley, and raising him together in a family that respects and supports each other, that’s all he can ask for. She says, okay then, and he says she needs to know she’ll be marrying a Corinthos and Quartermaine. Two powerful families, unique in their traditions and customs, with a lot of secrets. It’s like joining a club you can’t resign from, and life will be very different if they do this.

Julian says he paid Brook’s bail; let’s go. She promises to pay him back, and he says, damn straight. She thanks him, and he says, don’t mention it. He might have left her there, but she stopped him from throttling someone.

Michael tells Willow, they may not love each other romantically, but she knows how much he profoundly values her friendship. He flashes back talking to her about the grief group and her introducing herself; him saying he was nervous about speaking in the group, but then saw her face, and talked about Jonah; her telling him that she’s wiling help Kristina by telling her about Shiloh; Willow telling Michael about the adoption, and him saying he’s glad Wiley has her. He remembers Willow in jail, and then playing with Wiley. She tells him that she feels the same way. He’s helped her so much, from the support group to everything since. He’s been her rock. He says she’s been there for Wiley, which means she’s been there for him, so she’s been his rock too. He relies on her honesty. She says she relies on his too. She wishes there was a better way to say it, but she’s in awe of his integrity. He says, some people call it self-righteousness, and she says, there’s that in there too.

Chase tells Nelle that he can pay for his own drink, and no one should accept a beverage from her without a toxicologist checking it first. Nelle asks if he wants to sit down, but he says, no. Life is short; he doesn’t have time for her games. She says, one would think he wasn’t single, and had a hot teacher warming his bed. They’re both single, so who knows? Maybe she’ll give him a second chance. We flash back to Nelle going to his hotel room in Florida, and seducing him. He wonders how it is she’s become more delusional. He would have thought she’d reached a threshold by now. She says she gets what she wants. She’ll get Wiley, and if she wants Chase, she’ll get him. Anyone who underestimates her, including his friend Michael, is delusional. Chase stomps out, and Nelle heads the other way. To the bathroom?

Finn calls Chase, and asks where he is. Chase says, Pier 55; why? Finn says he talked to Willow, and Chase clearly didn’t take his advice. Chase says he’s not in the mood for a lecture, and Finn says, what about a beer? Does he want to meet at The Rib in fifteen? Chase tells him, some other time. He hangs up, and looks at the water.

Julian hears Brook come into Charlie’s, and says they’re closed. She says she doesn’t want a drink, and he says he figured she’d be on her way home. Why did she decide to call him to spring her? Isn’t there a houseful of Quartermaines who will send a butler? She says they used to have a butler, but he left in the 90s; it’s just housekeepers now. He says, bailing her out isn’t in the job description? She says he wasn’t her first call. Or her second or third. She got tired of reaching out, and hearing, I told you so. He suggests she should have called her father, and she says he was her first phone call, and her first, I told you so. Julian asks what made her think he’d get her out? and she says she has leverage. He proved that when he showed up, but he says, it was a good excuse get out of a bad conversation.

As Chase looks at the water, he remembers meeting Willow when she was crying in her car, and seeing the pamphlet for the grief group. He flashes back on bringing her home for the first time, and her saying she has no interest in being in his lair; her apologizing for overreacting, and him telling her that he likes her, and wants to spend more time together as a couple; her saying she wants that too. He remembers her throwing away her letter of resignation, and saying she’s staying; her saying he’s her first relationship, and thanking him for standing by her through the Shiloh trauma; and him saying she’s the hero, and he was just the backup, and kissing her.

Finn finds Chase at the pier, and says he can see why Chase didn’t want to meet at The Rib. It’s much better ambiance there. Chase says, it’s perfect, and Finn says, the smell of fish… and whatever that is. Chase appreciates Finn coming and wanting to help, but he can’t. Willow is gone because he wanted her to go, but knowing it was right doesn’t make it hurt any less. Finn says, believe him, he knows.

Willow tells Michael, it’s just her way of saying she knows he’ll always be straight with her, and treat her with the respect she never had until she met him. Michael says, and Wiley. He loves everything about Wiley, of course (🍷), but he especially loves the way Wiley smiles at her. We flash back to Michael introducing Wiley to her as his godson, and her saying she’s not able to stay away. They smile.

Chase says he appreciates Finn tracking him down. He’s sorry he acted like a jerk. Finn says, if it’s any consolation, Willow probably thinks it’s a family trait. Chase asks what he said, and Finn says he mistakenly believed Chase took his advice, and told Willow the truth. They talked for a while at cross purposes, and she probably thinks he’s okay with what Chase did. Why didn’t Chase tell her it was staged? Chase says, that would have been selfish. It’s not about how bad he feels, but what’s right for Wiley. He knows what Nelle is capable of, and whatever it takes is worth it. Finn asks what he can do, and Chase says, not a damn thing. It’s already done. Finn gives him a beer, and Chase toasts to Willow, a beautiful and kind woman, who he will always love. He could have been happy spending the rest of his life with her, but she wouldn’t have been happy if Wiley was suffering or hurting. So this is what he had to do; this is how he shows his love. He drinks.

Brook tells Julian, if he’d turned her down, she would have called his bluff and gone to Sonny with her suspicions. He says thanks for reminding him how she holds his life in her hands. She says, fortunately, she doesn’t have to use her leverage. It’s best for everyone, especially Lucas. It would break his heart, and he’s been through enough. They toast to Lucas, and Brook says, accommodate the occasional favor, and she doesn’t have to tell anyone that he tampered with Brad’s car. They clink glasses, as Nelle listens in.

Chase tells Finn, the first time he and Willow met, she was sitting in her car crying. She didn’t seem helpless or fragile. She’s beautiful, even in tears, and he could tell there was something rare and strong about her. Then he got to know her. People must have thought he was trying to rescue her, but she didn’t need rescuing. She’s so determined, and so fierce in her quiet way. He laughs, and says, it took a long time for Willow to love him, but he was a goner in the first ten seconds. Finn says he hears that. Chase says he got used to thinking they had a lifetime, and part of him still can’t stop thinking they won’t. He tells Finn, thanks, and Finn says, for the beer? Chase says for respecting his decision, even though he doesn’t agree with it. Finn says he thinks Chase is a well-intentioned idiot. Love has a way of making fools out of all of them. Chase says, he appreciates Finn coming, but… Finn says, he’d rather be on his own? and Chase says, yeah. Finn tells Chase, call him, even if he just wants Finn to sit with him. Chase thanks him, they hug, and Finn leaves.

Michael tells Willow, his son loves her, and he knows she loves him. So if she agrees, they’ll still have a marriage based on love; for each other as friends, and love for Wiley. She gets up, and he asks what she’s thinking. She flashes back to Chase asking if she still considers his apartment his lair. She says she considers it the place where he is; the place she feels happy and safe because she’s with him. She remembers them telling each other, I love you, for the first time, and him saying he knows what a good person she is, what a good mom she’ll be, and how he definitely wants kids with her. She tells Michael, it’s not the marriage she imagined, and he says, him neither. She says, but she has faith they can make it work. He says, if that’s what she wants. If not, no harm, no foul. She says, Wiley deserves a safe, happy future. One with parents who love and care for him, and care about each other, and she would like to be part of it. So her answer is yes. She’ll marry him.

Tomorrow, Cyrus is sure he and Jordan will cross paths again; Lucy tells Sasha that she knows what it’s like to be labeled the town tramp; Nelle tells Martin they need a counter move now; and Michael asks if everyone is ready for a wedding.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Adam tells Jenna, he’s used to flying solo, and it scares him to change it. Jenna says, this isn’t what it should be like. It either needs to be fixed or he pissed all over something she believed was there. She’s put him first in a lot of things, and it hasn’t always been reciprocal. Adam says he can be closed off, and she says he’s not used to supporting a partner. He says she’s probably right. He shuts down. She asks if there’s a reason why, and he says, maybe it’s because he traveled so much as a kid. She says he readily showed her affection, so it’s there, but he needs to trust her, and she needs to trust him. He says he has hard time with that, and she says she does too. She’s scared. He says he’s sorry for what he said, and they hug. In his interview, Adam says emotional attachment is hard for him. His parents worked internationally, and he was moved all the time. He’d go in and out of schools, make friends, and then goodbye. He wants a great relationship, but didn’t think he was capable of it. A producer asks if he thinks he’s the problem, and he says he knows he’s the problem. He tells Jenna that he’s going to make a valiant effort not to clam up. He’s sorry for that.

Guest Dina tells Kerry, tomorrow is going to be her day, and Kerry says she’s going to bed. Jenna sits on Adam’s lap in the crew mess. Georgia comes by to ask Jenna a question, but says, sorry, as you were, and keeps going. In Ciara’s interview, she says, they’re so wrapped up in each other, they’re not paying attention to anyone else. It gives couples in yachting a bad rep. Georgia comes back, and says, trying this again. She asks when they’re starting in the morning. Everyone goes to bed.

Byron drains the oil that had leaked. Guests Jennifer and Mark meet with Glenn and Jenna. Jennifer says this is probably never going to happen again, and they want to make sure to get the most out of every moment, and do activities. In Glenn’s interview, he says, it’s heart wrenching. The guests could ask for anything. He wants to make it the charter of a lifetime. Jenna tells Georgia, sorry about last night. Georgia says she’s not changing her vote, but Jenna says, it’s complicated. They need to work out some things, and there’s more to it than Georgia knows. In Georgia’s interview, she says, since they’ve gotten on the boat, Jenna’s half the person she thought she was, and Adam is showing his true colors. This guy is going to screw Jenna up later.

Breakfast is served, and Jenna tells the guests they’re going to do water skiing, tubing, and waterboarding, then have cocktails on the beach. Georgia and Madison straighten up the cabins. Madison says, someone has to do the work, instead of sitting in the galley. Jenna pops in, and Madison isn’t sure if she heard. Jenna tells them she’s going to clear everything from breakfast. When she’s gone, Madison says Jenna makes her uncomfortable. Paget and Chris work on deck, and in Paget’s interview, he says, Chris has brought a new lease on life to the boat; he’s very spongy. Little does he know he has very small shoes to fill. The guests jump off the boat into the water, and Jenna asks Madison to relieve Georgia in the laundry room, so Georgia can go on break.

A guest asks Byron for some vodka, and he tells Jenna. She asks why they told him, and he says, because she’s not up there. Jenna tells Adam that she’s going to lie down, and he asks if she wants him to come; he’s got some free time. He asks if her minions are lying down, and she says, Georgia is on break and Madison is on laundry. She asks Madison if she wants be on service. In Madison’s interview, she says, whew! We’re good. Adam tells Jenna, it’s his first break all season. In Madison’s interview, she says, Jenna isn’t in her bed, and Adam isn’t in the galley. We’re supposed to be working, not sleeping on someone’s d*ck. Madison gripes to Ciara, and in Ciara’s interview, she says, if someone isn’t doing their job properly, someone else has to do it, and it’s not fair. Madison says she knows there’s just one more charter, but still… Chris watches the guests in the water, and in his interview, he says, it’s astonishing that Kerry has cancer. She’s such a positive, vibrant person. He’s always been positive, but it’s a reminder that, no matter how sh*tty your life can be, there’s always something to be positive about. In Jenna’s interview, she says, given that she’s given the majority of her life in yachting, at some point, she needs to be selfish. She deserves this feeling, and she’s enjoying every minute of it.

Glenn asks who’s on service, as he helps Madison. In Madison’s interview, she says, thanks for being a third stew. In Adam’s bunk, Adam tells Jenna, he wishes they could do this every day. Ciara tells Glenn, Madison is on service and laundry, so Jenna can take a nap with Adam. She left the guests. Glenn asks if the guests are okay, and she says, they are, but they can’t have no one on service. In Ciara’s interview, she says, it’s none of her business, but she can give her opinion if the captain is asking for it. She’s been working in yachting a long time. She tells Glenn that Jenna spends more time in Adam’s lap than working. She adds that the guests want the inflatable hotdog. Madison asks Georgia to check the cabins while the guests are in the water. Several of the guests try to get on the hotdog at once, and fall off. Glenn asks Madison if there’s a problem. She says she thinks as adults, they should be able to handle it, but it happened a lot this weekend. Although they just have one charter left. Jenna and Adam hug. The guests finally manage to get on the hotdog, and it takes off, pulled by the tender with Chris driving.

Jenna asks about the evening’s weather, and Glenn says, it’s not supposed to be windy. She tells him the guests are having a PJ party. Chris helps Paget lift a water vehicle called a seabob, and in his interview, he says, as he was lifting, he felt his back go out. He’s spent his life playing rugby and working on yachts; two of the worst things for your back. He’s used to just getting on with it. Guest Dino tells Kerry that she’s a role model for him; so positive and living in the now. Kerry says it’s a shame she had to go through this to wake up. Jenna tells the stews that at 6:30, the guests are going to the beach. Then they’re having a PJ party tonight. She tells Madison to get the PJs for the crew. Adam and Jenna go out on the tender, and Mark passes out the PJs they’ve gotten for everyone. In Chris’s interview, he says he has a high threshold for pain, and when he’s got a job to do, he just gets on with it.

Jenna comes back, and tells Madison, the guests are ready to go. She’ll clean up, and Madison and Georgia can go with them. In Madison’s interview, she says Jenna’s tone is demoralizing. I dunno. She sounds like a normal boss to me. Chris, Paget, and Ciara also go with the guests. Glenn looks over his glasses at Adam and Jenna goofing around. In his interview, Glenn says the last thing he wants to do is upset people who are face to face with the guests on charter, but he doesn’t want lovey-dovey stuff in the crew mess. It’s unprofessional, and needs to stop.

Georgia welcomes the guests to their private beach. Chris tells Paget, Georgia’s shorts are particularly short. Paget says Chris noticed, and Chris says, every day. Back at the boat, Adam cooks, and Jenna cleans up. On the beach, Georgia brings out her guitar. Kerry suggests Paget sing and take his clothes off. Georgia says they’ll do one of Paget’s songs. In Chris’s interview, he says he’s picking up flirtatious energy from Paget and Georgia. The tender starts to float away, and Chris runs to grab it. It’s time for the guests to go back to the boat, and Paget tells them that they’re the most fun guests yet. As Paget dismantles the umbrella, Georgia says something suggestive about getting it in the hole, and Paget says her mind is in the gutter. He asks, what’s going on with Chris? and she asks, why? Is he curious? He says he begs her pardon. In Georgia’s interview, she says, it’s difficult, because she finds him endearing. She has moments where she wonders how it’s possible someone is so like herself. She hasn’t found anyone she’s had a weakness for. Knowing the season is ending is torture for her.

Kerry tells the guests to put on their jammies. Glenn and Byron set up the dining table on deck. The stews put their PJs on, and they’re cute. Button down short sleeve tops and matching shorts, maroon with pinkish piping, and various sleep masks to go with them. Chris blows up helium balloons, and inhales some, giving a weather report in a helium voice. Ooh, the table has fairy lights; my favorite. Byron says Madison has been in a grumpy mood, and she says just because she isn’t perky doesn’t mean she’s in a bad mood, which definitely makes her sound like she’s in a bad mood. Byron tells Glenn that he looks like Aladdin in his PJs. Everyone comes up, and stands in a line in front of the guests. Jennifer tells them to take their walk, and they’ll judge them. The winner gets a prize. Everyone does a crazy dance or model walk, and the guests take pictures. Chris says if he’s going to do it, he’s doing it properly. He does a bump and grind, slides into the hot tub, and ends with taking his shirt off. In his interview, he says, did it hurt? Yeah, but it was worth it? 100%. Chris gets the prize of a fancy robe and $200. In his interview, he says, it’s fantastic. It will probably go into a massage for his back. The guests are served risotto to start, which always makes me think of Gordon Ramsay yelling at chefs.

Georgia tells Madison that she’s taking a break, and Jenna calls Madison to the galley to help serve the main course; surf and turf, with chateaubriand and lobster. One of the guests says, if food shuts the table up, it’s good. Kerry says she’s going to cry when they have to leave. Guest Jacque says, it’s a special gathering, and Jenna says, it has a lot of meaning. It’s nice to be part of it. Kerry says she’s never eaten so much good food in her entire life.

Chris takes some meds in the morning. Guest Mark dives off the boat. Paget drops his radio while lifting the seabob (which is now officially a pain in the ass), and slips. In his interview, Paget says he felt his hamstring go. In Chris’s interview, he says he swears their crew has been cursed. They have to just push through the pain or they’re screwed.

It’s the last day of charter, and some of the guests jump off the side of the boat into the water. Jenna tells Georgia that someone is leaving clothes piled in a ball in the laundry room. Adam says, it’s because clothes keep being left in the washing machine. In Madison’s interview, she says, Jenna and Adam are the Kim and Kanye of yachting. They’re pretty to look at, but you don’t want to be in a room with them for more than three seconds. Ciara asks if Paget is okay, and he says, it really hurts. Glenn wants to look over everything. In his interview, he says, after the oil accident, he wants to make sure all the i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed. He doesn’t want anything else to bite them in the ass. He tells Byron that he wants to send Chris up the rig. In Chris’s interview, he says, it’s dangerous, going up 60 meters on the mast. He’s putting his life in the hands of someone else. There’s a lot of potential for things to go wrong, but it’s what he lives for. Should he be doing this? Absolutely not. Does he want to? Hell yeah. He gets into a harness, and goes up, Byron holding the rope below. In Glenn’s interview, he says, the mast is 62 meters from the water, or 190+ feet. In his interview, Chris says he feels most alive doing scary, fun, adrenaline filled stuff like that. It’s the way life should be lived. He finds that a light isn’t working, changes the bulb, and comes back down.

Glenn asks the deckhands to put away the swim platform. Adam makes breakfast, and Kerry calls it, the last supper. Jennifer says her favorite part of the trip was seeing them in the hotdog, and Kerry says she doesn’t think she’s laughed that hard in a long time. Glenn docks the boat. Madison complains about helping with the luggage, and Georgia says, it’s part of the job. In his interview, Paget says, life’s not fair. As rich as you are, you might not be here. You need to live every moment like it’s your last breath. There’s no excuse not be grateful. Jenna says their favorite part was making Kerry happy, and Kerry says, laughter is the best medicine. Dino says they’ll never know how much the trip meant. They leave, and Glenn blasts the horn.

Chris tells Glenn about hurting himself when he was lifting the seabob. He says he can still do the job, just slower. Glenn suggests seeing a doctor, and tells Chris about getting an injection when he was injured. In Chris’s interview, he says, it sucks. There’s no mercy when it comes to an injury. If you hurt yourself, you’re off the boat. Glenn tells him, keep an eye on it, and let him know how he’s progressing. Jenna tells Madison to start making beds. Glenn radios everyone for a charter debrief.

Glenn says, it was charter number eight, and the ultimate charter. It was the most challenging, having the hydraulic oil spill on the deck. He tells Chris a doctor will be coming, and they’re going to retire the seabob. He thinks service has dropped a little compared to earlier, and wants to talk with them about that. He wants to make sure they iron out any issues moving forward, and finish on a high note. In Jenna’s interview, she says, it’s complete bullsh*t. The guests are always happy, and that’s a result of her guidance. Glenn says, they have another charter tomorrow, and need to flip the boat quickly. Their tip was $12,700, or $1400 each. Georgia says, it was the sweetest charter. They made such an effort to help each other enjoy themselves. In her interview, she says, she’d love to have a friend group like these people. They’re her kind of people. Glenn tells them to eat lunch, and get back into it. They have a quick glass of champagne, and some food. Chris tells Madison to have a seat, but she says she has a lot to do. In her interview, Madison says she doesn’t think Jenna wants to accept responsibility for what transpired this season. She should have been called out long ago. Jenna tells Adam that she’s pissed. They should have come to her. Tell her what the guests said. She’s trying to control her rage.

Glenn requests a doctor for Chris. Chris finds Georgia in the laundry, and asks if she’s back in her hole already. She says it’s safer in there. Paget lies down. Georgia suggests to Madison that she shouldn’t have spoken to Ciara about her issue with Jenna, since Ciara will go directly to Glenn. Madison says, don’t flip on this; she needs someone in her corner. In Georgia’s interview, she doesn’t know if Madison likes to play the victim, or thinks she actually is the victim. We flash back to Madison bitching, and she says, they’ve all been effected. Madison isn’t the only one who has to deal with this sh*t. Madison says she’s not saying anything against Jenna. Georgia says, it’s a combination of things. Jenna’s lack of performance has gotten progressively worse, and Paget and Chris have been hurt. They’ll have to pick up the slack on the last charter. Jenna is on the defensive, so let her be angry, and when she calms down, they’ll see how she acts.

Glenn asks if Jenna has a minute. In his interview, he says Jenna made a choice to get involved with Adam, and now her work life and personal life have run together. He tells her, a couple of things have come to his attention, and they’ve got a big problem.

Next time, Chris needs an MRI scan, the last charter of the season, Glenn is concerned about illegal substances on board, and says a guest will be in deep sh*t if he finds drugs in one of the cabins. Captain Lee kicked someone’s ass off the boat for that once.

🛥 FYI, Below Deck Mediterranean will return on Hannah, Hannah, June 1st.

🧜‍♂️ Meet the Cast…

And be sure to catch the trailer.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/below-deck-med-season-5-crew-includes-a-published-author-and-former-professional-model.html/?amp=1

⛴ A Three Hour Tour…

Check out the new boat on Below Deck Med.

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=cFutByQkG2C&brand=0

🔮 Keeping You Busy…

Harry Potter reads Harry Potter.

https://nerdist.com/article/daniel-radcliffe-reads-harry-potter-recording/

🎤 Good Golly…

My best memory of him is when he officiated at Bo and Nora’s wedding on One Life To Live.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1150088/rock-legend-little-richard-dead-at-87?source=email&medium=emn-content-1&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

🏰 I watched the Downton Abbey movie over the weekend. Twice. It was great to see the Crawley’s back again, and all the servant politics. It’s the usual suspects, with the plot revolving around a visit from the queen. If you loved the show, you’ll love the movie.

🔎 Still Missing…

The Shahs of Sunset reunion. And absolutely no info. Zilch. Zero. Nada. What is it? A lawsuit? A restraining order? Everyone’s computers crashed on the same day? What?

🕯 Oh Say Do I See…

There seems to be the glimmer of hope on the horizon that we’re going to have a soft quarantine opening soon. Someday, you will know what day it is again. Until then, stay safe, stay following the guidelines, and stay remembering that giving yourself a haircut is a bad idea.

March 13, 2020 – Cyrus Sends a Message, a Pool Party Goes Bad, Another One, VanderShade, World’s Fashion, a Rescue, a Promise, Ten Little Quotians & Perfect Ending

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Franco brings Elizabeth to The Floating Rib. Sam and Spinelli walk in, and Spinelli tells Sam, it pains him to admit it, but Peter did a masterful job framing Obrecht. Sam says, one might say she had it coming, but Spinelli says, in this time and in this moment, she shouldn’t be in jail. Franco doesn’t mean to interrupt, but asks if they just said Obrecht was in jail. Sam says, Anna arrested Obrecht yesterday, and Franco asks, why? Spinelli says, a plethora of charges, including trying to kill Franco.

In her cell, Obrecht shouts that she’s a victim of Nelle’s maternal guilt, and that woman needs a psychiatrist. Nina comes in, and Obrecht says, it’s so good to see a friendly face. Nina doesn’t look happy, and Obrecht asks, what’s the matter?

Chase and Willow walk into Charlie’s, and Willow says she swears Nelle was goading her on purpose. Chase says, of course (🍷) she was. Nelle is always scheming. If she can get you to blow up, she can play the victim. Willow says, so she should ignore her? He says, if possible. Try not to give her anything she can use in family court. The goal is to weaken her case, and strengthen Michael’s. She tells him that Sasha told her about Diane suggesting they get married, and she’s considering it. He says, Michael is too. Harmony walks in, and Willow asks if she wants to join them.

Julian says, Britt works with his son Lucas at GH, and she says she did. Although she’s closer to his son-in-law. Brad’s her best friend. He says she might want to find a new one. He’s facing serious time. She says she just saw him at the courthouse before they transferred him to Pentenville. Julian asks how he’s doing, and she says, at rock bottom. She can’t believe he kept Wiley’s paternity secret all by himself. It’s crazy. She’d almost say it’s unbelievable.

Michael tells Sasha, hypothetically, if they did get married… Sasha says, hypothetically, it could tip things in his favor with Wiley’s custody. He says he doesn’t want to pressure her into something she’s not ready for, and she says she didn’t think she was at a place where motherhood works for her, but then she ran into Willow. The thought of Wiley growing up with Nelle gave her a sinking feeling, and she’ll do anything she can to stop Nelle. And she can. If marrying him will help protect his son from that awful woman, she’s in.

Curtis asks Jordan, what’s going on? and she says maybe it wasn’t the best idea for her to see Cyrus tonight. She was more emotional than she realized. Her phone dings, and she looks at a text. Tell no one about TJ. Don’t want to ruin Aunt Stella’s visit. You’ll have a visitor soon. Be alone. She tells Curtis, ballistics traced every shell casing, but there’s nothing that tie it back to Cyrus. He asks if that’s all, and she says she told him, she shouldn’t have gone to Pentenville. Cyrus was gloating about killing Taggert without actually incriminating himself. Curtis says, of course (🍷), and she says, every time he said Taggert, she saw Trina’s face, and she lost it in front of him. She got emotional, and showed him that she was in pain, and she hates giving him that satisfaction. He tells her not to let it poison her. She doesn’t have to go back. It’s over. She says they both know it’s not, and asks him to take Stella out to dinner so she can decompress. Tell Stella his neurotic wife needs time alone. He says his beautiful wife isn’t neurotic. He’ll book Stella a room at the MetroCourt. She thanks him, and he says he’ll let her know where they end up getting dinner. If she changes her mind, they’d love for her to meet them.

Franco tells Spinelli, when Andre was performing the memory map procedure, they were interrupted by a gunman. Anna thinks Obrecht hired the gunman? Spinelli says, Anna was led to believe Obrecht hired the gunman, and Elizabeth says, by whom? Sam says, evidence. That’s what they heard. Sam says sorry to interrupt their night, and Spinelli says, apologies. They move on, and Elizabeth tells Franco, sorry. She knows Obrecht has done her fair share of terrible things, but she and Franco are friends. Franco says, there’s no way Obrecht hired the gunman, and asks if Elizabeth disagrees. She says, Anna isn’t one to act rashly. If she arrested Obrecht, it was for a good reason.

Obrecht says Nina doesn’t actually believe the heinous lies that are being told about her. Nina says she’s lost track of how many times she’s forgive Obrecht. Each time, she’s convinced herself she did the right thing, but Obrecht is making it harder and harder to defend her. Obrecht says she was framed by Anna’s devious son. Peter arranged Drew’s plane crash, and sent the assassin after Andre and Franco. And that conniving weasel set her up to take the fall.

Britt tells Julian, Brad adores Lucas. He’d never intentionally hurt his husband. She admires that about Brad. She doesn’t know if she would have done the same in his shoes. Julian asks, what? and she says, take the fall by himself. Julian tells her to just come out and say what she’s after, but she says, where’s the fun in that? She knows he was helping Brad. What made him throw Brad to the wolves?

Harmony apologizes to Willow for not being more available, and asks how she’s holding up. Willow says, some days are better than others, and Harmony says she’s grateful Willow has Chase. Chase say he’s doing the best he can, and Willow says, he’s been amazing. Harmony says Willow has her as well. Willow thanks her, and says she knows it’s been a lot for Harmony too. Harmony says as long as Willow’s okay, she’ll be fine.

Michael asks if Sasha is really okay with this, and she says, better than okay. He takes her hands, and says he’s lucky to have her. She says she’s the lucky one. He’s always had faith in her, even when she didn’t deserve it. His support restored her faith in herself. He’s a good person, and she’s stronger with him. He says they’re stronger together, and Sasha agrees. He says he’s not just saying this because it’s what you’re supposed to say to someone you’re marrying, but he loves her. She says she loves him too, and he asks if she could love Wiley. She says she already does.

Franco tells Elizabeth, Obrecht’s track record is troubling, but she’s always been there for him. She’s never judged him, even for his past, and she’s been such a rock of a friend; it makes no sense. She says the only one who can answer that question is Obrecht. Franco wants to go to the PCPD, but it’s their night out. She says they’ll have plenty of nights out, and he deserves answers. She tells him to go; she’ll wait there.

Spinelli asks why Sam cut him off, and she says he was about to tell Elizabeth and Franco everything they know about Peter. He says, the more people that know he’s deceptive, the better, but she says, no. Peter will feel cornered and desperate, and who knows what he’ll do. He could come after them or their families. Spinelli says he’d like to think Peter wouldn’t actually hurt Maxie or her children – not physically – but the toll it’s going to take on Maxie, knowing she trusted the wrong guy… Sam says she’s sorry, but there’s no way they can help or warn Maxie. If Maxie is pushed, she’ll feel forced to choose, and they both know what her choice is going to be.

Stella asks if they aren’t waiting for Jordan, but Curtis says they’re going without her; she needs alone time. Stella didn’t know her presence was such an inconvenience, and Curtis says, it’s not her. Jordan’s not up for company right now. She says, family doesn’t skip out when someone is struggling, like Jordan is. She wants to be there to support her. Curtis says supporting Jordan means giving her the space she asked for. Stella says, for the record, she’s still worried about Jordan, and Curtis says, noted, and they can talk all about it after dinner from the lovely room he booked her at the MetroCourt. She says he’s sweet.

Jordan sends a text. I’m alone. Now what?

Nina tells Obrecht, Peter changed. He and Maxie are building a life together. Obrecht says, one destined to be ruined, but Nina says, he’s not the same man. He’s actively trying to be a better person – unlike some of us. Obrecht says she’s committed many transgressions in the past. But while Peter only pretended to change, she really did. She didn’t kill Drew, and didn’t order the attack on Franco and Andre. Please believe her and help her. Nina asks why should she? and Obrecht says, because Nathan would want her to.

Julian says Britt doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but Britt says she and Brad have a very open friendship. He tells her everything. Julian agreed to work with him, then bailed, and worked against him. What gives? Julian supposes Brad failed to tell her that he was blackmailing him; threatening to tell Sonny that Julian was keeping his grandson from him. Britt admits Brad did fail to mention that. He doubts Brad told her that he repeatedly refused to listen to him, and sabotaged their plan at every turn. It’s Brad’s fault everything fell apart. She says she hasn’t seen Brad in a while. He’s completely lost his nerve, and is still concerned what people think. Julian says, that’s not a bad thing, but Britt says, people should live however they want. Why care about the choices you make? She sure as hell doesn’t.

Harmony’s phone dings. She looks at it, and frowns. Willow asks if everything is okay, and Harmony says, it’s work; she has to go. Willow suggests a hike on Saturday, and Harmony says, maybe. She tells Willow that she really appreciates the second chance, and she’s taking it seriously. She leaves, and Willow says, that was interesting. Chase says he didn’t realize Willow and her mother were getting close.

Michael tells Sasha, they’ll talk about any problems that come up, and they will because that’s life. Sasha promises to be honest and communicate, and he says he’ll do the same. She says, so does that mean… He gets down on one knee, and says, Sasha Gilmore, will you marry me? She says, yes, and they kiss.

Obrecht says, Nathan made them a family. If he was there, he’d want Nina to help her. Nina says he sure as hell wouldn’t want Obrecht to use his memory to manipulate her. Obrecht says, that’s not what she’s doing, but Nina says she’s done being dragged into this; it’s gone too far. Obrecht is on her own. Obrecht says, please, wait. She can explain how Peter did it, but Nina tells her, save it. Accept the consequences of her actions just once. She’s in a cell because of herself. If she genuinely cared what Nathan would have wanted, think about how important Peter is to Maxie and James. He’d want them to be happy. Consider that the next time she wants to tear their world apart. Nina calls for the guard, and leaves.

Diane asks Michael why she’s there. More Nelle shenanigans? He says he and Sasha have given some thought to the best way to fight Nelle. Diane suggested he get married, and Sasha agreed to be his wife. Diane says, that’s an absolutely awful idea.

Britt says, bottoms up, and she and Julian drink a shot. He says it’s probably a bad idea, but she says, who cares? Life is too short. No one hands you happiness. You have to reach out and grab it for yourself. Julian says, that’s awfully philosophical. Maybe when he was in his 20s, but he has a family now. She says that’s not what she heard.

Willow tells Chase, her mom is busy, and they mostly email or text. Chase says, letting her mom back in her life is a big deal, even if it’s in a small way. Willow says Shiloh messed with her mom’s life as much, if not more, than he messed with hers. It took courage to face it and break free. Her mom stood up to Shiloh, and she’s proud of her. She doesn’t want to waste a chance at a relationship with her. Chase says, if that’s what Willow wants, he supports her. He hopes Harmony lives up to her expectations.

😷 Here’s where there was a special report, but you know the drill.

Jordan looks at the picture she was sent of TJ. There’s a knock at the door. Jordan opens it, and asks what they’re doing here. Harmony says, Cyrus sent her, and walks in. Okay. Didn’t see that coming.

Franco visits Obrecht, who says he doesn’t believe this nonsense. He says, is it though? Is it nonsense? Did she hire someone to murder him? She says she’d never do anything to harm him. He’s her best friend. He says best friends don’t do things like hit you over the head at the pier, and she says, or put you in a position to get caught by the police. He says that’s what he’s talking about. Maybe they’re not so close after all. She says she never wanted him dead, and he says, except that one time she did. She says, not ever. He says, so when Andre was performing the procedure to restore his memory, she wasn’t concerned Drew might remember something that would incriminate her? She says she wasn’t involved in Faison’s demented scheme, but he says, maybe she was. Maybe her cover was blown, and she had to improvise. That meant destroying everyone who was in her way. Even her best friend.

Julian says Britt doesn’t know anything about his family, and she says Brad told her about his bumpy relationship with Lucas and his daughter doesn’t speak to him either. He says she really doesn’t care if she hurts someone else’s feelings, does she? but she says, she’s just saying what’s the point in acting like life’s a fairytale? You should take life as it comes; good, bad, and everything in between. He says she has a point, and she says she’ll drink to that. He says if she insists.

Diane says, the whole point of the marriage is to show that Michael can provide a more stable environment than Nelle, and can give Wiley a stable mother figure. He says, Sasha is a lot more stable than Nelle, but Diane says based on Sasha’s previous conduct, Nelle’s attorneys could argue otherwise. He asks who she thought he was going to get married to? and she says she may have been a little hasty in the suggestion department, especially now that she’s been briefed on Sasha’s past. He says, she did a background check? and she says, yeah. She wants to beat Nelle’s lawyers to the punch, and needs the full picture before the custody hearing. She was unaware of how untruthful Sasha had been while she’s been in Port Charles. Sasha asks if she would hurt Michael’s chances if she married him, and Diane says, unfortunately, she would.

Spinelli looks at his iPad, and says, there is no perfect frame. He’s going to find something to expose Peter. At the bar, Sam asks Elizabeth how Cameron is doing. Elizabeth says, he’s staying strong, but still has nightmares about that guy chasing him down and trying to kill him. She’s glad Jason was there. Sam says she thought the kids were in a warehouse, but Elizabeth says, they were. Then Taggert told Cameron to run, and he did, but a gunman followed him, Jason shot him before he could hurt Cameron.

Stella tells Curtis how much she enjoyed the meal, and he asks, what’s next? She says he doesn’t have to humor her anymore. She knows he’s worried about Jordan. She doesn’t blame him. The last time Jordan pushed them away, she was dying of kidney failure. Curtis says they learned a lot from that, and she’ll never keep anything important from him again.

Jordan says Harmony is working for Cyrus? How the hell did that even happen? That’s what I’d like to know too. Harmony asks if it even matters, and Jordan says, that she’s working for the head of a drug cartel? She’d say it matters a little bit. Harmony says she does what she can to get by, and Jordan says, why her? Harmony says she’s easily overlooked and dismissed. The crazy cult lady with the weird name. No one would suspect she’s working for Cyrus. They won’t suspect Jordan either. Jordan asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Harmony tells her, she’s going to be Cyrus’s person inside the PCPD. When shipments come in, she’ll assure the police attention is elsewhere. Cyrus will communicate through Harmony, and if she has a message for Cyrus, Harmony will make sure he gets it. Jordan says Cyrus thought this one up. Does Harmony know he has her son TJ, and he’s threatening to kill TJ if she doesn’t cooperate? Harmony says Jordan had better do what Cyrus says, and Jordan asks how long she’s supposed to break the law before TJ is freed? What guarantee does she have that TJ will be let go if she follows his orders? Harmony says, none. The only guarantee she has is what Cyrus will do to him if she doesn’t. She knows what Jordan is thinking. That she won’t compromise her morals, and turn the tables on Cyrus somehow. She thought the same thing. She has some advice. Jordan shouldn’t waste her time thinking. Cyrus is too powerful and his reach is too long. Until he says otherwise, Harmony works for Jordan, and so does she. Cyrus doesn’t want a trail leading back to him, so if she wants to reach Cyrus, she goes through Harmony. Jordan asks what Cyrus has on her, and Harmony says he offered to pull some strings so she could go with the early release program. She jumped at the chance to be near her daughter, but didn’t know the favor she’d have to do would be this big. If she messes up, it won’t be just her that pays. Jordan says Harmony is an accomplice to kidnapping and extortion, all while she’s on parole. Does she have any idea how big of a risk she’s taking? Harmony says, going against Cyrus is an even bigger risk. She has to go, and Cyrus will be in touch – through her. Jordan says, before Harmony leaves, she has a message for Cyrus. She needs proof TJ is alive. She wants photos of her son with the date and time, every single day. Harmony nods, and says she’ll do that. She leaves, and Jordan leans against the door.

Nina goes to The Floating Rib, and runs over to Stella, hugging her, and saying she’s glad Stella is okay. Curtis slides over so Nina can sit. Nina says the jetset lifestyle suits Stella, but Curtis is always happier when she’s in town. He says, he is? Nina says, he is, and she wishes she could say the same about herself and Obrecht. Stella says she heard about Obrecht’s arrest, and Nina says, unfortunately, she thinks Obrecht is guilty.

Obrecht says she won’t let Franco throw away their friendship, and he says then she has to give him something to work with; evidence, an alibi. She has to give him a reason to believe her. She says she can do one better. She’ll give him the person who actually did this – Peter August. He needed a fall guy, and chose her, and it worked. Everyone is willing to rush to judgement against her. She just never thought Franco would too. He knows better than anyone what it’s like to be wrongfully accused. She’s done things she’s not proud of. She wasted years of her life on Faison, but that ended when he killed Nathan. She’s a changed person, and didn’t do what she’s accused of. He has to believe her.

Diane says Sasha committing fraud is a problem, and Sasha says, even though she was never charged? Diane says she’s sure Nelle’s lawyers can find people who are willing to testify as to how she deceived Nina. That could badly undermine Michael’s case. Michael says, there has to be a way around it, and Sasha tells him, don’t. Diane is the only lawyer in the room right now, and knows what the courts will be looking for. Diane is right. She can’t marry him. Diane says that’s her recommendation. Unless Michael can marry a paragon – someone with good character, potentially Snow White and Mary Poppins all in one, don’t get married at all. She leaves, and Michael says, sorry about that. Sasha says, don’t be, but he says he wishes it was different. She laugh/cries and says they were engaged for all of fifteen minutes. Why is she so disappointed that they’re not getting married?

Julian comps Willow and Chase’s meal, saying he enjoyed seeing Willow take Nelle down a peg. Willow tells Chase, she may have thrown a drink in Nelle’s face. She knows it’s not very mature, but she couldn’t stand hearing Nelle talk about Wiley. It’s obvious she doesn’t care about him, and is just using him to hurt Michael. Chase asks how it happened, and Willow says, Nelle said something, then she said something back, then Nelle said something, and then she was wearing a drink. It’s everything he warned her not to do, but she can’t say she regrets it. He wishes he was there to see it.

Julian asks if Britt wants another round. She says she shouldn’t, but he pours it anyway, and she laughs. She says she has to visit her mom in the morning in jail. She definitely doesn’t want to be hung over for that. She told herself she was never setting foot in a jail again. At least she’ll be on the other side of the bars this time. But tomorrow is still some time away. She feels like letting loose tonight. She drains her drink.

Spinelli and Sam clink beer bottle and glass, respectively.

Obrecht asks Franco to tell her what he’s thinking, and he says he honestly doesn’t know. She asks him to chose to believe her, but he doesn’t think he can. She’s been a good friend, but she’s a survivor and it frightens him how far she’d go to protect herself. He leaves, and Obrecht looks really sad.

Jordan asks Curtis how dinner was, and he says it was nice. He thought she was going to bed. She says she can’t sleep anyway, and he says she didn’t even change her clothes. She says she got distracted, and asks if Stella is upset about not staying there. Curtis says, a little, because she wanted to help Jordan. Jordan looks like she might cry, and Curtis says he’s there for her; they’re in this together. She says she’s just upset about Cyrus. He doesn’t seem to have any weak spots. Curtis says, of course (🍷) he does. Everybody does. They just need to find his.

Michael tells Sasha he’s sorry, and she says, don’t be. He says, even though she’s not Wiley’s stepmother, Wiley is lucky to have her in his life. So is he. She thanks him, and he says he trusts her with Wiley completely. She says she trusts him, and they kiss. She asks what they do now, and he says, go back to the drawing board. There are plenty of ways to beat Nelle, and they’re going to find one that works for them. She says, sounds like a plan.

Willow asks Chase if he thinks Nelle will press charges for having a drink thrown on her. He says, anything’s possible, and she says that’s why she shouldn’t engage, but she’ll always stand up for Wiley whatever the cost. He says he loves that about her, and they kiss. He suggests they get out of there before Julian changes his mind. She says she feels weird leaving without thanking him again. Did Chase see where he went?

Julian is in the back room, crazy kissing with Britt. They get busy while there’s a song part. Didn’t see that coming either. Well, not until they started drinking anyway.

Sonny gets bad news, Jordan gives Sam false information, and Cyrus is surprised.

Shahs of Sunset

At Mj’s house, she says that life is baby laundry, nursing, pumping, feeding, and golden showers. The best gift she got is a peepee teepee, to keep Baby Shams from taking a shot at her during a diaper change. She’s focused on her incredible, beautiful, innocent angel. He is pretty cute. Nema video chats with her, and asks how Shams is. She says, he’s very well-tempered. Nema can’t believe he hasn’t seen her, Tommy, and Shams since the baby was born. He tells her to soak up much Shams as she can, but they should hang out. We flash back to Shams’s birth a month ago, and in her interview, MJ says if her uterus wasn’t removed, she was going to die. No one saw her or came to visit. It was like she and her baby weren’t important. Nema says he can’t wait to see her. In MJ’s interview, she says Reza’s favorite thing about pup Marti is how he clasps his paws, and Shams clasps his hands the same way. It reminds her of Reza, and it’s like a tsunami of pain. Her friends were anywhere but there.

Adam visits GG, and she asks where her cake is. He says he kind of ate it. She asks what happened after she left the cooking class, and Adam says, everyone was worried. In GG’s interview, she says the pain sharp, and we flash back to her leaving the class. We see a clip of GG calling the IVF nurse. The nurse tells her if she’s not having spotting, she’ll be okay. Spotting would mean she’s having a miscarriage. GG, Anita, and Yasmin go back to GG’s condo, and she goes into the bathroom. She comes out, and says, no blood. So should they party? She says she’s just kidding. Adam says the wondered if she could be pregnant, and in GG’s interview, she says that’s not the way she wanted anyone to know, and she’s not ready to tell them. She tells Adam that she’s already upset with Destiney. It’s like she has a new personality. She slept with Sara’s brother, and d*ck seems to be more important than friendship. She wants to talk to Destiney, but if Destiney comes at her hard, she’ll snatch Destiney’s wig off. Adam tells her about Reza wearing a piece of Destiney’s weave on the party bus going back.

Reza meets Sara at Aerial class, and says, it smells like excitement and regret. In his interview, Reza says somehow he lost his way, and gained some weight. If using the silks can help him lose some, he’s all for it. The instructor shows them how to hang upside down, which I’m sure is harder than it looks. Reza slides to the floor. He wraps himself up in a silk, and says he’s sure there’s a market in Iran. After class, he and Sara sit on the floor and talk. Sara tells him about two special agents knocking on her door, and serving her with a subpoena about her ex; his life is playing out in the media. In Sara’s interview, she says there’s a lot of media attention about her ex-boyfriend. Reza asks who the hell her ex-boyfriend is, and she says, Robert Kelly. They met in 2013, and were together three years. In her interview, she says he was charming and kind, and definitely not what she expected. Reza asks if he was anything like the person being described in the documentary (Surviving R, Kelly), and she says, no. It was an adult relationship, and there was never anything that was a red flag. Reza says, all she can do is speak the truth. She says she broke up with him when she found out he was sleeping with other women. In her interview, Sara says that he was having a party in Chicago, and told her, if she can’t be cool, don’t come, It was literally a full-on club; a happening. When a couple of women showed up, it hit her that he was screwing everyone. She watched the documentary, and the person she loved was a monster. Reza says she can’t blame herself, and she says she doesn’t understand how it’s possible. In her interview, she says that it wasn’t a perfect relationship. He was controlling, but she thinks her experience was different because of the boundaries she set. In hindsight, every small boundary and decision altered the dynamic, saving her life. Reza is glad she confided in him, and promises he won’t say a word to anyone.

Destiney goes wig shopping. In her interview, she says wigs are her thing. Hers was not a normal childhood, so maybe she’s living her childhood life as an adult. She chooses a wig that she thinks looks like a cross between Marie Antoinette and Elvira. She says, her first alter-ego was Rosie, who had a bowl haircut. She asks can she hide things in the wig, and the clerk is like, um… GG joins her, and says she didn’t recognize Destiney, who’s now a blonde. GG says she’s never worn a wig, and Destiney thinks she should try some on. She does, and says it feels like she’s wearing a helmet. She broaches the subject of the cooking competition, and Destiney says, it was intense. GG says she was irritated, and has been seeing a different Destiney than the one she met. Destiney was all about woman power and loyalty. Destiney says if she’d slept with GG’s brother, she would have talked to her first. GG says, maybe that’s why Sara is hurt, and they should have a conversation. In Destiney’s interview, she can’t understand why she’s pissed everyone off. Frankly, me neither.

Reza goes to a fancy jewelry store, and picks up a $95K Rolex. Nema joins him, and Reza says it brings a tear to his eye that Nema is getting his first Rolex. In Nema’s interview, he says, if you’re in the market for gold, a Rolex, or rubies, get a Reza. Nema’s life goal is to connect with his Persian culture. The next step in the evolution of his Persianity, is a gold Rolex. It goes gold, Rolex, Bentley, He says Reza is bougie when it comes to his Rolexes, and he and Nema’s tastes don’t line up. Nema picks out a simple $6500 watch, and the clerk congratulates him.

Mike puts together a wagon for Paulina’s kids. In his interview, he says he never thought he’d be with a woman who had children, and he wants to be with Paulina for the rest of his life. He wonders what he’s doing sometimes, and if he’s ready to be a stepdad. What Nema said, affected his thoughts, and it runs in his head non-stop. We flash back to Nema telling Mike that he doesn’t think Mike is ready to be a stepdad. Nema doesn’t get that Paulina knows Mikes strengths and weaknesses. He shares his insecurities with her, and he’s sure she knows he’s not perfect, but because she loves him, she sees he’s attempting to do it, and gives him a pass.

Nema meets MJ for lunch. He says she looks amazing, and she compliments his white teeth. He says it’s hard to see what happened to her and Reza. She says Reza claims she meddled in his marriage, and Nema says, instead of going to Reza directly about Adam, she went to Destiney; then Ali got involved. MJ says she had nothing to do with it. Nema says that’s huge difference from what Destiney is saying, that she was at the start of this. It makes her look like a homewrecker. Like she was bored in her hospital room, wondering how to eff up Reza’s life. She says she’s sure she wasn’t bored. Nema doesn’t want the perception of her to be like that, and she says that’s not her problem. It’s coming from people who are riddled with fear, jealousy, and lies. In Nema’s interview, he says both MJ and Reza like to meddle in other people’s drama constantly. We flash back to MJ and Reza springing Shalom on GG in the middle of a public event, and telling Jessica about Mike cheating. Nema tells MJ about Sara’s pool party that’s coming up. In his interview, he says, at the end of the day, Reza and MJ are better together. He tells MJ that she can come as his plus one. Thirty years of friendship is worth a conversation. She says she’ll think about it.

Destiney aka Veronica, who has shoulder length kind of blue hair, meets Sara at a restaurant. Destiney tells Sara that she wanted to go over some things. She did get Sara’s text about the party, and Sara says she hopes Destiney comes. Destiney thinks it would be super weird if she goes before they have a conversation. Sara says she’s not concerned that Destiney hooked up with her brother; it’s just awkward, since it’s not like a real love connection. Sam and Destiney are at different places in their lives. She wonders why Destiney is even talking to Sam. In Destiney’s interview, she says Sara can tell her this all day, but aren’t they all adults? Destiney says they’re planning on seeing each other again, and Sara doesn’t understand what she wants. Destiney says nobody is going to tell her how to navigate anything in her life. In Sara’s interview, she says when she and Destiney met, it was awkward. Now Destiney is hooking up with her brother. Sara says Destiney wanted to meet up to talk more sh*t, and it takes the soul and energy out of her. (I’ll have to remember that one.) Destiney doesn’t understand why Sara feels that way. Sara says she wants Destiney to come tomorrow, but doesn’t have the energy to care more. As she’s leaving, Sara says her brother won’t be there.

Adam tells Reza that he doesn’t know how to play Monopoly. Reza says, the game was made for Persians, and helps make you more successful in life. In Reza’s interview, he says he and Adam are doing better. We flash back to Reza confronting Adam about strip Jenga, and the inappropriate texts. Because Sara is having a pool party, he called a tanning guy to come and spray him and Destiney. He asks Adam if he wants one, and Adam says he’s in. Destiney joins them, and Reza asks what happened when she met with Sara. He knows she feels hurt. Destiney says she doesn’t hook up randomly, but doesn’t regret it. She and Sara had a powwow, and she tried to tell herself to understand, since she doesn’t have a brother. Reza says he wants details. WTF did she say? She says Sara wasn’t okay with it, and didn’t realize they were going to continue seeing each other. Reza says, she thought he was just going to hit it. Destiney doesn’t want it to be uncomfortable at the party. Spray tan specialist Robby arrives, asking, are they excited for tans or what? reminding me of a substitute dance teacher I had once. Reza wants to get alarmingly tan. Robby drops pearls of wisdom like, once you go Persian, there’s no other version, and the key to a good tan is drying as you go. In Reza’s interview, he says the spray tanning makes him sad because it reminds him of MJ. We flash back to when they got tans together. Robby says, the tanning has come to an end, and Reza says, he feels like he had a three-way. In his interview, he says he never imagined that on the day MJ give birth, she’d be thinking of coming at his marriage. It makes him feel sad.

Sara gets the house ready for the party, while friend Benny helps out. The DJ sets up, the food comes, and floaties are put in the pool. I’m ready.

Nema gets ready. In his interview, he says he’s the product of divorced parents. He’s had two separate Christmases his entire life. Awkward or not, he’s bringing MJ. All he’s asking is that she and Reza talk. If they talk, and still can’t move forward, at least he’ll know he tried.

MJ meets Nema at his place. Tommy brings in Shams, and Nema says they must be on cloud nine. In MJ’s interview, she says, what really mattered was her best friend of thirty years should have been there.

GG says she hired muscle, in case someone decides they want to step up to her. She’s more familiar with getting into a fight, and might forget what she’s going through, since it’s brand new. Destiney is a blonde, and GG’s bodyguard introduces himself as C. Destiney tells GG that she’s Cynthia today, and in GG’s interview, she says, fashion is expression, so let it be.

Sara loves the set-up, and thinks the bartenders might need to take a drink, since her friends are a lot. Destiney makes GG go in first, and Destiney walks in on C’s arm. In Sara’s interview, she says, Destiney is always like, look at me. Reza and Adam arrive, and GG attacks the food. Mike and Paulina come in, and Mike thinks Destiney looks like a character from Mod Squad. Destiney keeps getting her heels stuck in the deck, and GG says, maybe Cynthia isn’t feeling it today.

In the car, Nema tells MJ to absolve Reza, since he’s coming from place of hurt. He helps MJ put on her necklace, and says she has too much hair. She tells him, she has too much weave.

Adam jumps in the pool, trying to land on a floatie. Nema says he brought a friend, and Reza says he’s leaving. GG says she’s going too, and Reza says he’s not at a place where he’s ready to talk. The betrayal is in his heart, and he needs time to process sh*t. Nema tells him, don’t leave, and follows him, saying, a thirty-year friendship. Reza says Nema could have texted him. Nema says MJ has a different perspective; hear her out. GG asks how Nema could do that, and not tell anyone, and he says he wants to be peacemaker. She says ambushing people isn’t peaceful. At the party, MJ says Reza ran like a bitch. In MJ’s interview, she says, how dare he? Where does he think he’s going? And after she’s been loyal for thirty years.

Mike tells MJ that she should engage with Reza. Ali is the problem. MJ says she almost died, but she should go away? This had nothing to do with her. Out by the cars, GG says, MJ isn’t a good person. She’s screwed everyone who’s good to her. What did Adam ever do in all this? Nema asks Mike to convince MJ to come down. In Mike’s interview, he says he sees the issue from both sides. They need a therapist or a mediator. MJ tells Destiney, she can’t blame other people who aren’t there to defend themselves. Destiney told them that MJ told her to bring up Adam’s cheating. Destiney tells MJ, she never said that. She had lunch with Reza and Ali, and Ali brought it up. What motive would she have to say MJ told her to do that? MJ says she chooses not to believe Destiney, and Mike says, it’s too many years of friendship to waste on a possible rumor. In Mike’s interview, he says a sliver of him thinks maybe Reza is in such a dark place, because he didn’t have his friend of thirty years to confide in. He hopes they connect, and make sense of this craziness.

Reza goes back to the party, and MJ tells him to get away from her. Destiney says, it’s a thirty year friendship (should have done a drinking game with that one). MJ tells her, STFU, and Reza asks if MJ isn’t embarrassed. MJ tells him to go back to his stupid husband. They can cheat on each other, and go to the bathhouse. I’m not even sure if there are still any of those around. I think the last one in NYC closed recently. If you haven’t guessed, I’m a font of useless information.

It gets kind of chaotic, and by now, everyone has noticed, and is like, WTF? Destiney says she never lied, and MJ throws a drink in Reza’s face. He asks if she isn’t embarrassed, and now Sara says, WTF is going on? Reza says MJ has no shame, and she tells him, STFU, which is obviously her go-to phrase. Adam gets into the mix, and Reza tells MJ to screw herself. Go home and watch her baby. Why is she even there? Mike says it’s all he can do not to slap the sh*t out of Reza; WTF is he thinking? He’s talking to a woman.

MJ says Adam’s cheating has nothing to do with her. Reza says no wonder MJ’s uterus exploded, since she’s had ten abortions. I literally gasp, and say, nooo. I can’t believe he said something like that, and in the middle of a crowded party. Destiney says, enough is enough. Stop. Mike asks WTF Reza thinks he’s doing, and Reza says, f*** you people. He takes a binder out of a car (MJ’s?) and throws the contents up in the air, and the papers rain down. MJ says he’s an effing liar, and Mike goes after Reza.

Next time. Mike says it’s going to get messy, Tommy trashes Reza’s patio, Tommy says he broke a plant when he wanted to break Reza’s legs, GG says it’s the most agonizing twelve days of her life, and Reza tells Nema to butt out.

🎩 Pinkies Up For Round Two…

You can’t keep a good dowager down.

https://guestofaguest.com/london/movies/the-downtown-abbey-movie-is-getting-a-sequel

📸 Replacing Alcohol With Shade…

It’s hard to pick a side when everyone is behaving badly.

https://betches.com/lala-kent-is-feuding-with-tom-sandoval-ariana-madix-on-instagram/

👗 Worldly Beauties…

Westworld’s red carpet.

https://pagesix.com/2020/03/06/the-best-looks-from-the-westworld-season-3-premiere-red-carpet/

💍 In All That’s 90…

Alexei to the rescue. I’m sure Loren must be very proud.

https://extratv.com/videos/wezlof5n-si/?adid=extra_eme_27410_2020-03-04_features2

🤒 Going Viral…

Just so you know, the only Corona you’ll find here, is beer.

🎙 Quotes of the Week

Sometimes it’s easy to lose faith in people. And sometimes one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again. – Randa Abdel-Fattah

It is our wounds that create in us a desire to reach for miracles. – Jocelyn Soriano

When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful. – Malala Yousafzai

Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of. – Roy T. Bennett

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. – Maya Angelou

Anger, it’s a paralyzing emotion, you can’t get anything done. – Toni Morrison

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him. – Niccolò Machiavelli

We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane.Kurt Vonnegut

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. – Lao Tzu

The great Western disease is, ‘I’ll be happy when… When I get the money. When I get a BMW. When I get this job.’ Well, the reality is, you never get to when. The only way to find happiness is to understand that happiness is not out there. It’s in here. And happiness is not next week. It’s now. – Marshall Goldsmith, American Author

🎪 No Surprise…

Of course this week would end with Friday the 13th.  See you in the Dead zone.

March 28, 2019 – Anna Advises Dante, Tracy Takes Dubai, Andy On Vacay, Project Nasty, a New Show, an Old Abbey, It Never Ends, No Paris & Friday Reality

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Anna tells Finn, it’s official. Alex is in Steinmaur. Finn asks if she’s having second thoughts. She is a little, but Alex wasn’t surprised, which leads her to believe Alex double-crossed her. Finn says she seemed genuinely affected. She’s also an expert at manipulation. Anna asks if Alex tried to seduce him. He says, no, but Alex did try to convince him that he’s not good enough for her.

Chase sees Willow, and says he saw her throw something away, and noticed she tore it up first. Tell him it was her letter of resignation. She says she never turned it in. She’s staying. They hug, and he kisses her. He says, sorry, but she tells him, don’t apologize; she liked it. He says he did too, and asks what made her change her mind.

Elizabeth is sitting in Kelly’s, when Nina comes in. Nina says she’s happy to hear Franco was exonerated. She knew he was innocent. Elizabeth says she’s not sure he realized that. She didn’t. Nina knows things are tense between them because of Charlotte and Aiden, but hopefully, that’s behind them, and they can create a new start. Especially now that Miss Tait is leaving.

Valentin brings Charlotte to Lulu’s house. He says they were power shopping, and Charlotte bought something for Dante. Is he there?

In the MetroCourt bar, Dante’s hand shakes as he brings a drink to his mouth. Carly tells him it’s on the house. He jumps, and she says she didn’t mean to startle him. He says it’s good to see her. She says it’s good to see him too. He’s been gone too long. He says, it feels that way.

At the hospital, Josslyn asks if, besides wanting out, Oscar wants to check things off their list. There’s Eckert’s and the ballroom at the MetroCourt. He says she put that in, but she shows him. He says they’re supposed to perform at the Nurses’ Ball, but it’s weeks away. She says the ballroom is free today. They can plan out their act, unless he’s not feeling up to it. He says he’s actually feeling pretty good. Josslyn makes him put on his alert bracelet. He thinks it looks stupid. She says it looks like a watch, but it doesn’t tell time. Oscar says, it doesn’t have to.

Kim and Drew meet with Monica. Monica says she’s read the lab results, and the tumor is becoming more aggressive. Drew says, he probably has a couple of weeks. Monica was hoping for more time, but at this point, they have to prepare Oscar for the end.

Willow tells Chase that she thought it over, and he was right. If she runs now, she’ll be running for the rest of her life. The only way to deal with Shiloh is to face him down; prove to him and herself that he has no power over her. He says he’ll do whatever he can to help her. She knows he means that in the best and most generous way, but she can’t rely on anyone else. She has to protect herself. He respects that, and her. He tells her do what she thinks is right, but know he has her back. She says, lucky her, and they kiss.

Lulu tells Valentin she’s sorry, but Dante’s not home. Charlotte says she’ll tell Lulu what it is, if she promises not to tell Dante. Their Monopoly game is missing pieces, so she got a new one. They can all play. Valentin says, she misses family game night since Dante’s been gone. Lulu says they all do. Charlotte can’t wait until Dante is there, and they can play together. She says she has a birthday party to get to, and goes to get her pink sweater. Lulu thanks Valentin, but he says, it was Charlotte’s idea. She cares about Dante, and she’s glad he’s home. She said, maybe mommy will smile a bit more now.

Carly is sorry she and Sonny couldn’t make Dante’s party. He knows they’re busy, and tells her, congratulations. She says the baby is an unexpected, amazing surprise. Dante says, a fresh start. They’re lucky to have that chance. Jason comes in, and tells Carly, everything is okay and there’s nothing to worry about. He tells Dante, welcome home. Carly says Sonny is proud that he rescued Dante, when the WSB couldn’t. Dante says, it was a complex operation. Carly says Sonny told her that he had to dress up like a guard, and as they were sneaking out, some kid showed up. He’d met the kid while he was picking someone’s pocket at the café. A server drops a tray, and Dante picks up a knife, and Jason grabs his arm.

Jason tells Dante, let go of the knife. Just let it go. Carly says, it’s okay. It’s just a service tray; it’s fine. Dante drops the knife, and says he’s sorry. He heard a crash. Jason asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine. Carly tells him not to worry. He’s been undercover for months. He’s allowed to be shaky. Dante says he hasn’t acclimated yet. He has to get out. Carly tells him, stay and eat something, but he says he has to call somebody. He’s sorry. He leaves, and Carly looks at Jason.

In the hallway, Dante makes a call. He leaves a message to call him back. He has a problem.

Valentin asks Lulu if she got the information he sent about the high achiever program. She says she did, but needs to go over it in depth. He says, it’s pretty straightforward, and Charlotte is more than qualified. Lulu agrees that Charlotte is intelligent, but thinks it’s too soon to be pushing her into the high achiever program. Valentin thinks she’s bored in school, and that’s why she’s getting into mischief. She says it’s the parent’s responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen, and he says that means all four of them. She tells him she doesn’t trust him, but believes he puts Charlotte first. He says that’s why he’s there. Charlotte comes back, and asks Lulu to tell Dante that she can’t wait to welcome him home in person.

Anna tells Finn, it’s completely unrelated, but she has to meet someone. Robert comes out of the elevator, and Anna says she needs to ask a favor. He tells her, Alex has a lovely room with a view. She knows that, but needs him to do research on an old case. He’ll have to go to London and dig through the files to unearth information about an operative involved, Boris Makala. He was a scientist who was defecting and got ambushed. Robert says she was the courier, but Anna says Alex claims she was, and the memory was transplanted. Robert thinks it’s unimportant, but she says, it matters. He died in front of her – or Alex – and she needs to know which of them it was. She wants to know the truth about her own life. She leaves, and Finn tells Robert that he’s right. This thing with Alex’s memories is real, and it’s getting to her.

Nina sits with Elizabeth. She knows Willow had her supporters, but believes it’s a blessing in disguise. Elizabeth asks, how? and Nina says whatever happened with Charlotte and Aiden is over, but a more experienced teacher would have nipped it in the bud on the first day. Elizabeth asks if Willow is leaving at the end of the school year, but Nina says she was handing in her resignation yesterday. Elizabeth says, it makes no sense. Willow is meeting with her there. Why would she do that if she was planning on leaving?

Willow has to get going, and Chase says this is him not infringing on her independence. She’s glad to know he means it. He says he never wants her to feel pressured. She can tell it’s not his style. He says, she knows his style? She says she’s learning it little by little. He’s glad she’s staying. She is too.

Cameron comes by Oscar’s room, and asks if they’re interested in a magazine. Oscar is surprised he’s pushing the library cart, and Cameron says, community service takes many forms. This might be the last time they see him as a free man. Oscar asks if he wants them to come to court with him, and explain what happened. Cameron says he’s learned Judge Carson isn’t interested in excuses. He’s going to tell her that he’s making up the hours, and throw himself on her mercy. Josslyn is sorry, but Cameron says he was the one who wanted to get out of Port Charles. Before he takes off, Oscar needs to tell him something.

Monica asks if they’ve discussed anything, and Kim says Terry brought it up a few months ago, but it was too soon. Drew says when he hears the term, palliative care, he thinks of an old person who needs help because they’ve used their life up. He doesn’t think of a kid. Monica says, it’s really unfair. She’s seen the tests. The tumor is already beginning to affect his cognitive awareness and emotional responses. Kim’s phone dings. She has a patient to attend to, and Drew tells her, it’s okay. She leaves, and Monica says she knows he’s being strong for Oscar and his mom, but how’s he doing? Drew says, okay, but she says, no, he’s not. He wouldn’t be human if he was okay.

Elizabeth tells Nina that Willow helped Aiden. it’s hard to believe she resigned with no notice. Nina says she and Valentin stopped by the classroom, and Willow told them herself. Willow comes in, apologizing for being late. Nina is sure they have a lot to talk about, and sits with Valentin. Willow tells Elizabeth that she’s just been handling some stuff. Elizabeth asks if it’s true she’s leaving Port Charles Elementary, but Willow says, no. She’s not going anywhere.

Chase visits Lulu, and she thanks him. He asks what he did, and she says, saved her from reading Valentin’s email about the high achiever program. Valentin wants to enroll Charlotte, and Lulu agrees she’s ready. She wanted Charlotte to be a normal child in a normal classroom, but doesn’t want to deprive her of a shot at an Ivy League school. Chase thinks she has a few years to worry about that. She doesn’t want another fight with Valentin, but Chase says she has backup, now that Dante is home.

Anna meets Dante. She’s glad to see him. They hug, and she asks, what’s going on? He tells her that he took his grandfather to breakfast at the MetroCourt. They talked, and he sees an interesting man slipping away, but felt that Mike could really hear him. Maybe his guard was down with him. He took Mike back to Turning Woods, and should have gone straight home, but stopped for a drink at the MetroCourt. He was talking to Carly and Jason, and heard a loud noise. The next thing he knew, he and Jason were wrestling over a knife. He doesn’t remember what he did, but Jason stopped him. Anna asks if he has PTSD, and he says PTSD is the least of his worries. He thinks he’s been brainwashed.

Jason tells Carly that he doesn’t think Dante realized what was going on. Sonny knew he was struggling. Maybe she should tell him to back off, and give Dante a chance to solve his own problem. Carly asks what Jason was thinking, taking a swing at Shiloh? He says he didn’t take a swing; he tried to strangle him. He wanted Shiloh to know how easy it would be for Jason to make him disappear.

Anna says, can you hear the waters whispering? and tells Dante it was her trigger phrase when she was brainwashed early in her career. It’s such a violation of who are as a person. You can’t rebel because you don’t remember. Dante says he remembers bits and pieces of Raj’s interrogation techniques. Raj wanted to break him down, and prove he was trustworthy. He has tasks he doesn’t know about. When they feed him the trigger phrase or image, he’s given the mission, and it’s over. He doesn’t remember a thing. He thinks he’s supposed to kill someone. She asks if he knows who, and he says, no, but he had a dream that he was loading a gun, and saying, he will complete the mission. Then Lulu walked in. She wasn’t supposed to see, so he shot her point blank. Then he was awake. He told himself it was just a dream, and to get himself under control, but he can’t. He’s not in control, and it’s getting worse.

Chase says he should have texted Lulu first, but she says he’s always welcome. He saved her from Valentin’s insight on their daughter’s future. He was wondering about Dante, and when he’s coming back to work. She says, he hasn’t had a chance to think about it, and Chase says, that doesn’t sound like Dante. The only thing he loves more than being a detective, is her and the kids. He tells her good luck planning her daughter’s academic career, and leaves.

Elizabeth tells Willow that Nina said she was leaving. Was it wishful thinking? Willow says she did tell them that she was dealing with a personal situation. Elizabeth asks if there’s anything she can do, but Willow says she’s handling it. She realized quitting a job she loves won’t solve anything.

Nina tells Valentin that Willow and Elizabeth look like two porcelain dolls. Women who act helpless and frail, are really passive/aggressive and manipulative. When someone like her calls them out, she’s being a mean and insensitive bully. She teases him, asking how he can be with her, and he says, some men have taste, and kisses her.

Elizabeth tells Willow about the party, saying, it’s not as overt, but every kid was invited except Aiden. Willow says, Bianca is his best friend. Elizabeth says, according to Bianca’s narrow-minded mom, ex best friend. It’s about what people perceive as his gender identity. If that’s not bullying, she doesn’t know what it is.

Carly says Sam left Danny alone with a cult leader who could have manipulated him, and Jason says that’s why he wanted to make sure Shiloh didn’t approach Danny again. He stopped Shiloh in front of Kelly’s, and told him to stay away from Danny. Shiloh got in his face, talking his cult crap, and baiting him. He let Shiloh get closer, and told Shiloh not to touch him. When he did, he took Shiloh down. Shiloh decided to forgive him – Sam was there watching, of course – but now Shiloh knows Jason can take him out any time. He’s far from beaten, but he knows to be afraid. It’s a good place to start.

Cameron says, assuming he’s not shipped off to juvie, does Oscar want him to get his car? They took the bus back, so it’s still in Niagara Falls. They can do a road trip; legit this time. They can take the bus, and really go see the Falls. Josslyn says, it would be great but… Cameron says Oscar doesn’t trust him behind the wheel. Oscar says he trusts Cameron, but it’s just that he can’t take any more road trips. Argh! I hate that they’re manipulating me into feeling terrible about this, and tearing up over something other than Mike.

Monica gives Drew her award for years of meritorious service. She wants him to throw it against the wall, or out window, but don’t hit anyone. He needs to break something before the pain bottled up inside him breaks him. He thanks her, but it won’t give Oscar more days or help him say goodbye. Monica wishes she had some advice, but she doesn’t. He just has to see it through when the time comes. Drew says, the time is here. Oscar is dying, and there’s nothing he can do about it. Monica says he can still talk to Oscar, and touch him. Treasure every moment, no matter how brief. Kim comes back, saying, false alarm. Monica would like to suggest something. She knows they want to have better care for Oscar when he can’t care for himself. Drew says Oscar made it clear that he didn’t want to spend his last days in a hospital bed. Monica says she wouldn’t want that either. He should be surrounded by the people who love and care about him, and will see him through every step. She’d like Oscar to stay at the Quartermaine house.

Robert wants to speak to Finn about Anna. She’s an incredible woman, but emotionally damaged. She can’t fall in love. She’ll never ask for a commitment. She won’t ask you to make promises. Finn appreciates the information, but none of it is Robert’s business. Robert says, it is, because of the family. The family wants her happy. Robert does too. Finn has the ability to make her happy, but just as it’s starting to happen, her past comes back to bite her, and she pushes him away. Beat her to the punch. Finn asks if Robert wants him to break up with Anna. Robert says, he is an idiot, isn’t he?

Anna says the good part is that Dante recognizes something was done to him. Dante says, the first step is admitting you have a problem. Anna says, the next step is more painful. You have to address it. Dante asks, how? He doesn’t know what he was programmed to do or what the triggers are. What happens if an innocent person gets hurt, or someone he loves is caught up in it? She says he needs to be treated by experts in a secure environment. There’s an estate in Wales; it’s nice, remote, and restricted. You’re not locked in a cell, but have to stay on the grounds. He says it sounds like she’s had personal experience, and she says she was there. It’s like rehab, but with an open-ended stay, and they practice Gestalt therapy. Dante is concerned that he’ll be reprogrammed for their objectives, but Anna says they’ll give him the tools to help set him free of Raj’s influences. He has to confront who he is, as opposed to who he thought he was. He thinks he should leave as soon as possible, and Anna says she’ll make the arrangements.

Elizabeth has to get going. Willow is glad Elizabeth told her about the party, and says she’ll monitor the situation in the classroom; Aiden has her support. Elizabeth says, it means everything to him. Willow says, it’s not enough. She wants to get more involved in the community, and if certain people don’t like it, too bad. Elizabeth is glad she’s Aiden’s teacher, and thinks she’s a good example for him.

Nina tells Valentin that she can see a judgmental smirk a mile away. Willow approaches their table. She wants them both to know she’s staying on. Nina asks, what happened to the emergency? and Willow says, it’s been addressed. She hopes everyone will consider this a restart. Nina says, everyone? Valentin says Willow has expressed a clear bias against his fiancé and daughter. Willow says things got heated, and she overstated. Nina says Willow told her Charlotte didn’t stan a chance with Nina in her life. She’s messed with the wrong stepmother. She’ll see to it that Willow’s days at the school are numbered.

Kim knows that the Quartermaines would offer care and comfort, but… Monica says they have plenty of room, and she wouldn’t dream of separating them. Kim and Drew are invited as well. Kim says it’s a lovely gesture, but she can’t be the one to accept. It has to be Oscar’s choice. Monica says she’s right. It’s Oscar’s journey, and he gets to decide what path to take.

Oscar explains to Cameron that he’s in the end stage. He’s going to die in a month; maybe sooner. Cameron asks if the doctors are sure, and Cameron says they were told last night, but honestly, he can feel it. He tires easily, and his coordination is shot. He got dizzy when Josslyn was tying his shoes. Cameron asks if they’re doing something or just going home. Oscar says they’re going to Eckert’s; does he want to come with? Josslyn says he has court, but Cameron says it’s in a half hour, and Eckert’s is near the courthouse. This might be his last sugar cookie for a long time. He asks if they’re walking or Ubering. Oscar says they’ll start walking, and Uber if they need to.

Finn tells Robert that he said Anna would push him away unless he beat her to the punch. Robert says he meant putting his heart on the line. Tell her that you love her, and her background doesn’t matter. Whatever goofy thing pops in his head. She’s not groveling; he has to do it. Anna returns, and Robert tells her that their granddaughter won some prize, and wants to tell her in person. He leaves, and Anna tells Finn that he’s a strange and lovely man. She adds, never tell him that she said that, and Finn says her secret is safe. He kisses her, and she asks, what was that for? He asks if there has to be a reason, and she says, no.

Dante comes home. He looks at the folded up welcome home sign. Lulu asks if something is wrong, and he says, it’s hard to explain. Lulu tells him to take his time. He says he’s out of time. He has to leave.

Tomorrow, Obrecht tells Valentin that he should have heeded her warning, Laura doesn’t want a divorce, and Ava is getting phone calls from beyond the grave.

💰 Tonight was the season finale of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, and I’m happy to say, Tracy was given the job as US Ambassador for Royal Atlantis in Dubai. She had an open house for brokers, who were impressed, thereby impressing the owner. I can’t imagine a more amazing, and lucrative, real estate opportunity. Josh Altman sold a one-bedroom house with a twenty-five car garage, for $7.3 million, making it the most expensive garage in LA. Josh Flagg had to learn the meaning of compromise when, after wanting a house based only on his own taste, husband Bobby wondered when he got to be happy. In his interview, JoshF admitted to knowing he was selfish because he feels entitled, but is dealing with it in therapy. Like Dante said above, admitting you have a problem is the first step, so my hat’s off to him for that. Next time and season, the Josh’s co-list a property to hedge their bets, and guarantee themselves a listing. That should be interesting.

👄 Watch What Happens Live is going on one of its many hiatuses, and will be back on Sunday, April 7th.

👗 I’ve kind of been watching Project Runway. While I love fashion, I’ve never been that interested in this show, but it’s on when I’m waiting for the next program, and nothing else is competing. It’s made me glad I’m not in the business, since designers can be more temperamental than Housewives. Or at least give them a run for their money. Tonight, Nadine was asked to pack her sewing kit and go, and I said, good riddance. The only reason I’m even posting about this show is that, while emotions can run high, it’s mostly crying or pitching a hissy fit about a bolt of tulle. This woman was nasty. She tried to blame her bad design on the model – IMO the top of her pantsuit was great, but the pants part was a mess – saying the model disrupted the flow somehow because she was curvy. In case you didn’t know, that’s fashionspeak for fat and/or big. This wasn’t the first time a designer has been thrown off by their model’s stature, so you’d think they’d keep that in mind in the planning. She was mean to her model from the jump, getting impatient with how she walked. Even the judges were horrified at how she spoke regarding this unfortunate woman who had to work with her. As soon as she realized she was on the bottom, the attitude really came out. By the time she went to the back, to await her fate, Nadine got even worse. She said, and I quote, them bitches can send me home. After being told she was out, she didn’t even wait for Karlie Kloss to say her piece, and marched off the stage. To her credit, she did admit that it was a bit much for her, and she just wasn’t cut out for it. She got that one right.

🐮 New Bravo show, Texicanas, premieres Tuesday, May 7th. You can read about it here:

https://www.bravotv.com/texicanas

🗽 I Love It Too…

Downton Abbey’s creator talks about my favorite city. On a side note, I didn’t know Cindy Adams was still alive.

https://pagesix.com/2019/03/26/why-downton-abbey-creator-julian-fellowes-loves-new-york/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20190327&tpcc=pagesix_daily&mpweb=755-7730516-711673032

🎤 This also gave me my favorite quote this week, right from the streets: April holidays are coming. You recognize old age when your wife gives up sex for Lent — and you don’t even notice it until Labor Day. – muttered by a senior

🎠 Someone Stop the Merry-Go-Round…

Suckerfish Hoppy needs to make like Elsa and let it go. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t been court ordered to seek help.

The suckerfish FaceTimes…

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/03/bethenny-frankel-sobs-ex-jason-hoppy-facetime-plays-court/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

The suckerfish makes girls cry…

https://www.eonline.com/news/1026573/bethenny-frankel-tears-up-during-custody-battle-with-jason-hoppy?source=email&medium=emn-content-3&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

But sometimes they put him back in the water, where he belongs.

https://pagesix.com/2019/03/25/bethenny-frankel-threw-water-on-ex-called-him-white-trash/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20190326&tpcc=pagesix_daily&mpweb=755-7728291-711673032

🚫 Andy Nixes the Rumor…

I’d rather see reruns of The Simple Life anyway. Or a video of her dogs in their two-story house.

https://pagesix.com/tv/andy-cohen-responds-to-the-paris-hilton-housewives-rumors/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20190327&tpcc=pagesix_daily&mpweb=755-7730516-711673032

😀 Friday Is Here…

What I anticipate…

FridayFresh

Friday night’s reality…

PeanutsSnooze

September 7, 2018 – Nina Inherits a Half-Necklace, Purging, New from Bravo, Goodbye Jack, QuaterQuotes & Last Weekend

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny tells someone to let him know what they find out. Mike approaches Sonny, and says he needs to know how much trouble he made, referring to the body in the basement at Charlie’s.

Kristina tells Julian it’s a shame she can’t hang out at Charlie’s. He asks, why not? and she says, the owner. She thinks it’s a clever mob front, and he says he’s out of that. She tells him that he’s said that before. He says it’s a legit business. Like it or not, he’s here stay. If not, there’s the door.

Jordan tells someone on the phone she appreciates their assistance. Let her know if the PCPD can help in the future. She tells Curtis that Carter is being remanded to his adult children, but he’s being brought to Port Charles as they speak. In the interim, he needs a place to stay, and she arranged for it to be there. Curtis thanks her, saying it means a lot, and more to Nina if it leads to the daughter she didn’t know she has.

Maxie wonders what the homeless lady was doing at the church, and tells Nina that she felt bad. The woman really smelled, and she wanted to take her for a spa day. There’s a delivery for Nina. Nina says it’s from her mother’s lawyers.

Sam tells Jason sorry she didn’t give him notice she was going to Oregon; her sister needed her support. Jason says Sonny told him that Kristina is moving back, and Sam says Kristina is staying with her. Their mother offered, but she doesn’t want friction. Jason asks if she’s playing peacemaker, and Sam says she’s giving Kristina space. It’s hard getting over a relationship, after giving up time and emotions. She needs to take a step back to rebuild her life, and figure out what she wants and needs without pressure. She was lucky to have support, so she’s giving Kristina the same. Jason says she’s a good sister. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Drew. He wants to see Scout, but thinks it might be a bad time. Jason says he was just leaving, and asks how Oscar is.

Josslyn tells Oscar to keep his eyes closed, and they approach her decorated bench. She says she’s shocked his mom let him come out after being released from the hospital. She notices the balloons are deflated and the crepe paper isn’t looking so great. She tells him it looked less depressing yesterday. He loves that she did it; it’s not her fault. He’ll try his best not pass out next anniversary. Josslyn says waking up in the ER must be scary, even though it turned out to not be serious.

Carter Buckley is brought to Curtis’s room. Curtis and Jordan introduce themselves. Carter says he’d shake hands, but… and shows them the cuffs. Curtis says before they start, condolences on his recent prognosis. Carter appreciates it, and wonders what the meeting is about. Curtis knows he was arrested for brokering illegal adoptions, and has a question about one of his clients. Carter was advised not to discuss that, and Curtis says he doesn’t want to make trouble. He just has a question about one client. What can Carter tell him about Madeline Reeves?

Maxie asks if Nina wants her to get rid of the box, but Nina rips it open. She looks inside, and says it’s a box of stuff from her childhood. She takes out some scarves, her first running gloves, and a framed picture of her and Nathan when he was a baby. Maxie looks at it.

Kristina tells Julian that she needs a job, and asks if he’s hiring. He says he needs a bartender, and she tells him she’s an expert, but not in an obnoxious mixologist way. He wonders how much it would piss her father off if he hired her, and says he’s not interested in making waves, especially with Sonny. Kristina says Julian sells Sonny’s coffee, so he obviously has a stake in the business; he should be on board.

Mike is concerned about what happens if Julian get the go-ahead for renovation. Sonny says they don’t know the extent of what he’s doing, and so far, he’s been able to block him getting a permit; it’s a non-issue. Mike says what if the next one isn’t rejected? What is he going to do? Mike says he thought he was watching Sonny’s back when he moved the body, but he created more problems. Sonny says he’ll take care of it. Mike says he created the mess; he’s cleaning it up for good this time.

Sam asks if something happened to Oscar, and Jason says he collapsed and ended up in the ER, but he seemed okay. He leaves, and Sam asks Drew, what’s going on? He says he just wanted to see his favorite girl.

Josslyn says she and Oscar still have a lot to learn about each other. He asks if she means the low blood sugar thing, and says it’s nothing to worry about. She says it sounds silly, and bringing it up is trivial in the grand scheme of things, but something is bothering her. She found out the riddle he texted to her wasn’t from him.

Sonny tells Mike there’s nothing to fix, and Mike says don’t treat him like that. Sonny understands Mike was trying to protect him, but he was eighteen, and he’s not that kid anymore; he has resources. Julian, he can handle. He tells Mike the less he knows, the better. If he really wants to help, then let it go. it’s not good for him to be stressed.

Julian tells Kristina, if Sonny has a problem, he’s the one who will hear about it. Why doesn’t she try somewhere else? He has some business to take care of, and Kristina says she’ll help with the garnishes, and gets behind the bar. Valerie comes in, and tells Julian that she has a message from the city council. They’ve reached a decision about his permit.

Sonny says it’s time to take Mike for his checkup. Jason comes in, and Sonny suggests he come along so they can talk. Mike says it’s ridiculous. Sonny has better things to do than babysit him. He has a nurse, and one of Sonny’s guys can drive. He tells Sonny to focus on his business, and he’ll feel like less of a burden. Sonny agrees.

Valerie tells Julian that his renovation plans were approved. Kristina tells him that he’s low on vermouth. Valerie is excited to see her, and Kristina apologizes for not texting. She tells Valerie that she’s moving back, and Valerie says she missed hanging out with her. Kristina says she just started working at Charlie’s, and Julian says he hasn’t offered her a job. Valerie says she can vouch for Kristina’s classic cocktails. Kristina starts rattling off cocktail recipes. Julian says he has to make some calls; they’ll talk later. Valerie says if she keeps reciting recipes, he’ll hire her just to shut her up. She wonders why Kristina is back when she’s living with Parker.

Drew holds Scout, and Sam says he has the magic touch. Usually when she needs a nap, she’s all kinds of fussy. He says, it’s crazy. Kids grow so quickly, and change so fast. It’s like a lifetime in a few months. He wishes he could slow it down. Sam suggest she put Scout down for her nap, so they can talk. Drew says he could use it.

Oscar says he should have told Josslyn that Cameron helped. He’s not best the at romantic gestures. She says, he is; he put the video together. He put a lot of thought into it. He says, the point is, there is a lot they don’t know, even after a year. She says the good news is, they’re young and have plenty of time to figure each other out. Geez. Not trying to tug at the audience’s heartstrings too hard or anything.

Carter says he never heard of Madeline. Curtis shows him her picture. He says Carter looks pale. Carter says he’s fine. He’s sorry, but he has an obligation to protect the identity of his clients. Jordan says, here’s the deal. They’re sorry he has a terminal illness, but compassionate release can be revoked as soon as he aids and abets another crime. Carter says, fine; he’ll talk.

Nina takes out a note from the executor. It’s what Madeline left her. She lifts a jewelry box out. Inside is a note from her mom. In the envelope is a necklace, and a note that says, this will mend a broken heart. Nina says, this means something.

Sonny tells Jason that Mike is on his way to the hospital. Mike feels good and focused today. Jason wonders what happens if Julian gets the permit to renovate; if they find the body and gun. Sonny says they can find a contractor they can control, and put a person on the crew. Jason says he can inspect after hours. If anything turns up, he’ll make sure they’re the only ones who know.

Julian calls Kim, and leaves a message asking about Oscar, and telling her that he’s there if she needs him. Kristina tells Valerie that she and Parker broke up. They’re lives were going in opposite directions, and if she stayed, she’d be fading further into the background. She needed to find her own path. Valerie is all for it, especially if it keeps her there. She’s missed Kristina. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Sam asks Drew, what’s going on with Oscar? Drew says Oscar stayed the night at the hospital, and Drew stayed there until he was discharged. Sam asks if something serious is going on, and Drew tells her. Oscar has a brain tumor. It’s malignant and inoperable. She’s so sorry; Drew is too. She says Oscar must be so scared, and Drew says, that’s the thing, Oscar has no clue. He was already so sick when Kim found out, she chose to keep it from him. She doesn’t want him worrying about dying, and wants him to enjoy living, and being a regular teenager. Sam asks if he agrees.

Josslyn tells Oscar it will be their goal for this year. He says they’re setting goals now. He says they don’t know a lot about each other, and should start finding out. What is something Josslyn has wanted to do, but hasn’t? She says make out with her boyfriend in the woods. He thinks he can help her with that, and takes her hand.

Nina can’t believe her mom remembered. She holds up the necklace, a jade half-heart. Nina says Annie was her first Broadway show when she was little. She loved it. Maxie did too, and gets all excited. Nina says she was obsessed. She used to run around singing every song, then go to her mom’s bedroom and take out the necklace, pretending it was a locket like Annie’s. Maxie asks, where’s the other half?

Carter tells Curtis that he’d recognize Madeline anywhere. She was one of his clients. He was hired to find parents for a baby. It was unusual. Her daughter was in a coma, and gave birth to a baby girl. Madeline thought her son-in-law had something to do with her daughter’s condition. She kept the pregnancy under wraps, so he wouldn’t find out. When the time came, he arranged for the baby to be sent somewhere he couldn’t find her. Curtis asks who he ended up giving baby to.

Maxie tells Nina, way of making peace. Nina says, it’s kind of late, but Maxie says maybe she found it hard to ask forgiveness. Nina wonders what the significance is of the missing half.

Carter couldn’t tell Curtis who it was. Curtis says he must have records. Carter says if he did, they’re long gone. Keeping records in his business is a giant liability. He’s sorry he’s not more help. Jordan thanks him, and say they’re done there. Carter says, for what it’s worth (the phrase of the week), he wishes he could do more. The officers take him away. Jordan tells Curtis that she’s sorry it didn’t pan out the way he wanted it to. At least they know the child survived. Curtis says they know more than that.

Kristina asks Valerie what’s new, and Valerie says she’s taking a detective exam. Kristina says they have to celebrate, but Valerie says not until she passes. Kristina says she’ll miss seeing Valerie in her uniform. She rocks it.

Sonny tells Jason if they could control how the body is found, it would be a weight off his shoulders, and his dad’s. Jason asks if Mike has said any more, but Sonny doesn’t want to ask. Mike gets agitated and confused, and needs to stay calm. On a day like today, he seems like his old self, and it’s tempting to ask, but he doesn’t want to take the risk.

Mike looks in the window at Charlie’s. Inside, Kristina makes Valerie promise they’ll hang out after she slays the exam. Valerie says, deal, and tells Kristina, welcome home. She leaves, and Mike hides around a corner.

Drew tells Sam that he thinks Oscar has the right to know what he’s facing, but up until a year ago, Kim was raising him alone. Who is he to contradict, if she thinks letting him live his best life in the time he’s got is the best thing? Sam sees the point. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Once you know the truth, it’s hard to unknow. Drew says they’re just starting to get to know and understand each other. Oscar is starting to trust him as a father, and now he’s keeping a secret. Unless a miracle happens, he’s going to lose his son. Sam says, miracles happen every day. She’s seen them for herself, and hopes for a miracle for Oscar. She tells Drew to love him as best he can, and spend as much time as possible with him now.

As the come out of the woods, Josslyn tells Oscar, it was a worthwhile experience. They almost kiss, and Oscar’s phone dings. He says his mom is picking him up, and asks if she wants a ride. She says she needs to clean up, and he says he’ll help. His phone dings again, and he figures he’d better go before she freaks. He has an idea. Between now and their next anniversary, they should keep this up. She says, making out? and he says, that too, but doing stuff they’ve always wanted to do, but together. She says, like a bucket list for people with lots of time. She likes it.

Nina tells Maxie, hypothetically, maybe her mother felt something other than greed; maybe affection or guilt. She knew Nina loved the necklace, but dividing it in half might have meaning. In the musical, Annie thinks finding her parents will mend her broken heart. Maybe her mom meant it literally. Maybe she’s sending a message from the grave that Nina didn’t miscarry; that her child is alive somewhere.

Jordan asks Curtis, how is this not a dead end? Curtis says, she heard him. Madeline hired a private nurse, not to mention a doctor. Where there’s money, there’s a trail.

Sonny tells Jason that his dad overheard when he was talking to Carly. He was upset, but not disoriented. He knew what happened, and that if the body was uncovered, Sonny could be implicated. Jason says Mike seemed okay when he got there. Sonny says he told Mike that he has resources to handle it. Jason says, that’s true, but Sonny says, a lot could still go wrong.

Kristina congratulates Julian. She bets the renovation is going to keep him busy. He might need help. He says he’ll be busy managing the contractor, and won’t have time to do interviews. She can have a job on one condition – that she start now.

Mike sneaks downstairs in Charlie’s, and looks around with a flashlight. He sees some pipes, and takes out a wrench.

On Monday, Valentin says Madeline was telling the truth, Michael gets a letter from Nelle, And Mike tells Kristina that she’s not supposed to be there.

💀 I saw the first episode of The Purge (USA), and thought it was pretty good. Part of it focused on a group that was working on purge night, and I thought, that would be my luck. Stuck at the office. I liked the second and third movie (haven’t seen the fourth), but I wasn’t crazy about the first one. I think it’s a very scary concept, but that blond guy talked so much, I thought I could have killed him ten times while he was going on and on. This is a good choice for a series, since there’s a wealth of stories that can be pried out of it.

🏈 On September 24th, Bravo will premiere it’s new show, Bravo Play by Play hosted by Jerry O’Connell. Originally, it was supposed to be called Real Men Watch Bravo, which I thought was brilliant, but since we’re living in a super-sensitive society now, it was changed. Enough already. They showed a snippet on Wednesday’s Watch What Happens Live, and it looked great. It’s not The People’s Couch (what happened to that?), but I’ll take it. Jerry was a guest that night, along with LuAnn (The Real Housewives of NYC), who wore the outfit she would have worn had she attended the reunion. It was fabulous and sparkly. Andy took a poll on the best NYC reunion outfit, and I was pleased that everyone agreed with me that it was Bethenny. I wouldn’t mind a dress-up box with all of the reunion outfits in it.

😥 Sad News…

I only saw this guy smile once, when Dr. Phil made a funny, but he was still awesome.

https://www.drphil.com/videos/his-absence-will-be-felt-deeply-says-dr-phil-on-death-of-friend-former-fbi-special-agent-jack-trimarco/

🏁 Quotes of the Week

Do you have a horseshoe up your ass? You’re the luckiest bastard alive. – Ben (Charlie O’Connell), Obsessed

We see things not as they are, but as we are.H. M. Tomlinson

For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.Virginia Woolf

The nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly. – Truvy (Dolly Parton), Steel Magnolias.

🏇 And We’re Off…

While I wish you an entertaining weekend, I thought I’d also share my entertainment from last weekend.

Home

 

January 27, 2017 – Franco is Found, You Can Always Go Downton, Slenderman Hits the Big Time, Thoughts & Quotes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I want Hayden’s necklace! I have a ring that almost matches it. Occasionally they sell replicas of the jewelry from the show on the ABC website – I vote for this one.

Finn and Hayden see Brad at the hospital. He says he needs to speak to them.

After dumping the wine outside, because the drain isn’t good enough, Alexis says she can do this, and starts to go back in the house. Dante pops out of nowhere, saying he needs to asks her questions about Tom Baker. She tells him that it’s not a good time, and he says they can do it here and now or at the station.

Nathan asks Elizabeth why she thinks Franco is innocent. She says despite his past, she believes that he’s changed, and the truth always comes out. Seth comes storming in, saying that Franco killed his brother.

Franco wakes up. Roger Howarth has the best hair, even under duress. He wonders where he’s seen one of the trophies before, and who did this to him.

Going back to the bar to find her phone, Sam finds Franco’s note on the floor – the yellow piece of paper on a dark clean and bare floor –  as well. She says this isn’t happening. Au contraire, it is. She calls Kiki, and says she needs to see her right away.

At the reception desk, Amy 2.0 wonders what’s going on with “those three,” referring to Brad, Finn, and Hayden. She says it’s definitely not a love triangle.

Brad tells Finn that the serum has a lot of potential applications. Hayden says they’ve recovered, but nothing else has happened, and maybe he’s getting ahead of himself. He thinks his name should be on the patent. Finn says the only thing he cares about is that the cure is available to people who need it, but Hayden thinks it might be good PR for the hospital. Griff interrupts, and Finn suggests he and Brad talk later.

Hayden has to get to work, but Griff replaces her, asking Finn if everything is okay, and telling him that his discovery is the talk of the hospital. He thinks science owes Finn a debt. Finn just happens to need a  favor.

Alexis tells Dante that she’s pressed for time, since she needs to prepare for the bar hearing. He asks if she knows Tom Baker. She asks why he’s asking. He says her name has come up during the course of the investigation, and she wants to know in what context. He asks her where she was on December 21st.

Nathan tells Seth there’s a warrant out for Franco’s arrest, but he’s missing. Seth suggests checking Elizabeth’s place. Nathan says there’s an APB out, but they need more evidence. Seth brings up Franco’s past character defects, but Nathan says they can’t go by his past. He storms out and Elizabeth follows. She tells him she wants to help.

Franco doesn’t know how long he’s been in the storage unit. He talks to himself, saying his abductor probably isn’t coming back. He pounds on the door but there’s a padlock on the outside. He says no one can hear him scream. Everything hurts, and he’s cold. He starts to draw with the nub of a pencil.

Kiki joins Sam. Sam shows her the paper and asks where she found it, asking for the address. Kiki gives it to her and asks why. Sam opens it, and Kiki sees the note. I’m hoping she’s feeling really stupid right about now. Kiki wants to go with her, but Sam says no.

Amy II approaches Hayden. She says she couldn’t help but overhear that Hayden almost died. Hayden says both she and Finn were almost dead, explaining that they both had the same fatal disease, but Finn was able to come up with a cure. Amy thinks it’s all incredibly romantic, but Hayden thinks it’s none of her business. Amy tells her that she and Finn are now a hot item.

Finn tells Griff about an old hockey injury that’s flaring up. He says the sports medicine doctor is at a conference, and wonders if Griff can help until he can get together a pain management plan. Griff knows from Finn’s X-rays that he has issues, and gives him a prescription for 10 pills. I assume painkillers.

Alexis says she doesn’t remember; it was over a month ago. She says if he was questioning a client, she would advise them to have counsel present. He says that she’s a lawyer, but she says she knows better than to represent herself. She tells him that Diane will be there soon if he wants to wait. He says that she’s not being accused of anything, but she refuses to answer any questions.

Sam says that there are things going on that Kiki doesn’t know about, and she has to talk to Franco alone. Kiki says that Sam hates Franco and besides, she’s pregnant. Sam says she’ll call Jason to come along, and promises that she won’t let anything happen to Franco. Kiki gives her fifteen minutes, after which she’s going to the police.

Franco sketches Elizabeth. He says he doesn’t know if he’ll make it out of there. He tried to be better for her and the boys, but doesn’t know if they’ll be together again. He flashes back to when they talked about collaborating, and says he loves her. He lies down again and falls asleep.

Seth says Elizabeth seems confused, but nice, and he’s sorry for what Tom did to her – there’s no excuse – but it doesn’t give her boyfriend the right to murder him. Elizabeth suggests they work together (my bad or I need glasses – I’d thought she was talking to Jason in the preview), but he says Franco is capable of anything. He locked Tom in a cage like a dog, and he’s guilty as sin.

Hayden tells revamped Amy that they’re only co-workers. Amy says she’s not a very good liar, despite her having been a con-woman. Hayden tells her to buzz off, and Amy apologizes, saying there’s not much going on in her own life. When she sees someone else happy, she can’t help being a cheerleader. She suggests Hayden share with Tracy, and Hayden scares her by saying Tracy is behind her. Amy says she wants to be Hayden’s friend and wonders if it’s love between her and Finn.

Finn wonders why so few pills, but Griff says he doesn’t want to overprescribe. Finn says the doctor is going to be gone for week, and Griff doubles the prescription. I don’t have an opinion here, since we have no clue what they are. I have this vision of Griff just writing “10 pills” on the script.

Alexis says she knows Dante isn’t trying to insult her, but he is. She tells him for the sake of their friendship and mutual family, they’re done. He says she knows where to find him if she changes her mind, but she says she won’t. He leaves and she slides down to the floor.

Elizabeth goes to Seth’s house and tells him that they need to talk. He says what for, since Franco killed his brother, but lets her in anyway. She says if she thought for a second that Franco did it, she wouldn’t defend him, but she needs to find the truth. She says there’s something confusing her. Something he said.

Sam goes (sans Jason) to the storage place. She calls out Franco’s name. She hears him say, “In here.”

Hayden tells Amy that there is a little something going on. Amy gets all excited, and Hayden asks her to tone it down. Amy says she’ll be the soul of discretion. Ha-ha! I guess Hayden hasn’t been around her much.

Griff has to leave, and Brad comes back to replace him. He tells Finn that he’s playing a dangerous game with his heath and his career.

Dante gets back to the station, and Nathan tells him about Elizabeth and Seth. Dante wants a search warrant for Alexis’s house. He tells Nathan what happened, and says somehow Alexis is involved.

Diane arrives at Alexis’s house. She says she has news about the hearing, but then asks if Alexis is okay. Alexis says something just happened, and doesn’t think she handled it properly. Diane has news, but Alexis says she doesn’t think she can go through with the hearing.

Elizabeth tells Seth that she heard him talk about Franco locking Tom in the cage. She knows it was confidential information, and wonders how he knew.

Kiki tries to call Sam, but her phone is dead.

Sam tells Franco that she’ll get him out. She calls Jason to bring her kit, but the call goes to voicemail. She starts to bang on the lock with a fire extinguisher.

Amy Part Two says she has the feeling that she and Hayden will be great friends. Griff tells Hayden that she must have had some great gossip, since it looks like she made Amy’s day. He says he’s glad she and Finn are feeling better, and it’s good to have them back.

Brad tells Finn he saw Griff writing the script. He says they both know about the addictive drug he’s been taking. Brad says if he’s trying to kick it, it might be harder than he realizes. He’s seen this kind of behavior before, and feels it’s his duty to disclose his suspicions. Finn asks what he wants, and Brad says now they’re getting somewhere. Wow. I thought Brad had cleaned up his act before he married Lucas.

Seth says that Tom told him about the dog cage. Elizabeth asks if Seth saw him. He says no, but he talked to him on the phone after he escaped. Tom was freaking out, and it was the last time he heard his brother’s voice. Elizabeth asks if Tom said how he escaped, but Seth said he was afraid Franco was coming after him. Elizabeth asks if he said anything about putting Franco in the cage. Seth wonders if that’s what Franco told her. She asks if Tom ever mentioned Gene’s or anyone he met there. She thinks someone else is responsible for Tom’s murder.

Diane asks if Alexis can explain, but Alexis says it won’t do any good. Oh, please, Diane is the person most on her side and a brilliant lawyer – why? Diane thinks her guilt, doubts and fear are stopping Alexis from wanting to be a lawyer again. She says Alexis just needs to relax, and fake it until she makes it. She says the judge who was supposed to chair the ethics hearing has the flu. She takes no pleasure in his distress, but he’s been replaced by someone who takes extenuating circumstances – which she suggests be the title of Alexis’s memoirs – into consideration, and thinks what’s being done to Alexis is a travesty. If she wants to reschedule, by that time, the other guy will be over the flu. Diane says Alexis is a good attorney and an upright moral person, and the law needs her. She asks aside from the jitters, if there’s any other reason why Alexis can’t make it.

Sam gets the door open. She finds Franco on the floor.

Brad says Finn is addicted to a designer drug that he no longer needs for medical purposes. He says for all he knows Finn’s plan might work, but he wants his share when the serum is patented. If he doesn’t agree, Brad will tell his superiors what’s going on.

Rebooted Amy asks if Griff has ever kept a secret, and tells him that Finn and Hayden are a couple. She adds to remember doctor/priest/patient confidentiality, but he says that’s not a thing. Amy says just don’t tell.

Finn tells Hayden that everything is cool.

Alexis is glad to have Diane in her corner. She tells Diane to go ahead without her. There’s something she needs to do first.

Dante thinks Alexis knows something. Kiki runs in. She says she thinks they’ve found Franco and Sam went after him.

Franco wakes up thinking Sam is a vison. She says she has to save his worthless ass, and he agrees. Sam asks who did this to him, and he says someone who was once good at basketball. She asks who he thinks it was, and if it’s Julian.

Seth says the sooner Elizabeth accepts that Franco killed Tom, the better. She asks him to consider that he might be wrong, and asks if he doesn’t want the murderer brought to justice. The camera pans over to a shelf full of trophies. DUN-DUN-DUNNN!

On Monday, Seth tells Elizabeth that she’s never going to see Franco again, Nina wants to do what’s best for Charlotte, and Alexis wants to cooperate.

Downton Musings

Since even with 500+ channels, there is nothing to watch on the weekend – until everything is on at the same time Sunday night – I’ve been indulging in Downton Abbey. I’m no stranger to being late to the party. I didn’t “discover” Barry Manilow until 1979 (quit laughing and listen to his songs that weren’t top 40 hits), started watching Game of Thrones in season three, and got my first microwave in 1997. I was so excited, one of my neighbors asked if I realized they’d been around for a while. (Doomed eternally to a small kitchen, I hadn’t had the space before then.) While I’d caught an episode of Downton here and there, and had a general idea of what the show was about, I’d never actually followed the series.

Last New Year’s Day, not being much good for anything except goofing around on the computer, I parked the remote on channel 13 (PBS) and watched the final day of their Downton Abbey marathon. As it neared the end, my hungover self got FOMO every time they showed the over-priced gift set, containing 52 hours of the entire series plus bonus material. The clincher was the decorative bell plaque which you cannot get in their online store; they knew what they were doing. My husband was no help, encouraging me by saying it was really for charity. Hey, it came with a set of coasters too.

If, like myself, you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s reminiscent of The Thornbirds, but there are more characters who are wealthy, instead of just Barbara Stanwyck, and it’s a million times longer. It’s got that same roller coaster feel though, and when things are going well, you just know the rug is going to get pulled out from under the whole thing any minute. There are all the standard requirements of a soap opera: a core family, bitches, villains, super couples, and the longsuffering. It’s soap of the utmost magnitude, Masterpiece Theatre soap. It has more ups and downs than your favorite roller coaster – a character getting left at the altar one minute and the family estate being saved from foreclosure the next. And it has Maggie Smith, with Shirley MacLaine guest starring. It has Elizabeth McGovern too, but I’m not sure how she ended up in the mix. We need an American immediately! I know, we’ll get that girl whose last memorable film was in 1980! And we’ll throw in a microwave while we’re at it. Not that she isn’t lovely and a wonderful actress; it just surprised me.

Sometimes things are worth the hype and this is one of those things. The story is gripping, the characters are intriguing; the casting and acting are on point. The costumes are to die for, and that house, that phenomenal house. One of the bonus features includes some behind-the-scenes footage of the cast on location there, with Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) talking about how in awe they were of the place.

Since God forbid I should miss an episode of The Real Housewives of Anywhere, I’ve been watching it on the weekends, casting aside all Lifetime and Chiller movies, as well as my email. I’m in the middle of season three now, and I’m sure I’ll get the shakes when it starts getting close to the end. After that, I’ll watch the DVDs with the bonus material, and then maybe cry a little and eat some ice cream. At least the weekdays break things up. Before Mad Men’s final episode, AMC had a nearly week-long marathon of the entire series, and I saw most of it, getting very little sleep. Afterward, I felt lost, and longing for the 60s again, even though I barely remember them and was too young for any real fun. Since my obsessions often cost me money, I have a couple of props, bought at auction after the show ended.

The upside was a satisfying ending to the series, which Downton Abbey also has, although I think Six Feet Under wins Best. Ending. Ever. And even though I already do know the ending to this one, I won’t enjoy Downton any less.

Proof positive that I do watch more than trash on Bravo. Although no matter how you lather it, it’s still soap.

Randomness

Married to Medicine is now on Friday night? And Grimm is now on at 8 pm, opposite it? Thanks a lot.

So sad to hear about Mary Tyler Moore’s passing. Even with all the celebrities dropping like flies – no doubt to get away from the Internet and all its angry people – that was a real surprise. I’ll bet Dick Van Dyke never thought he was going to outlive her. He still seems to be in pretty good shape, but geez, I’d watch out if I were him.

If you haven’t seen HBO’s Beware the Slenderman, give it a look. In 2009, Eric Knudson created the online boogeyman for a forum called Something Awful. A tall, faceless ghoul in a suit who terrorizes children (as adults, we call him the mortgage holder), Slenderman subsequently took on a life of his own, most notably on the website Creepypasta, becoming an urban legend, with many contributors adding to his infamy. In 2014, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, both 12-year-olds at the time, stabbed their classmate, Payton Leutnor, and left her for dead. Their idea was to sacrifice her, so that Slenderman would spare them and their families, and they would go live in his mansion in a forest 300 miles away. Fortunately, Payton survived, and after much deliberation, her two attackers will be tried as adults. Since the part of the brain that understands consequences for actions isn’t fully developed until age 25, and both girls have been diagnosed with mental disorders, I find this a little disconcerting. The film is fascinating though, giving us Slenderman’s history, as well as interviews with the two girls’ parents (Payton’s family chose not to participate) and videos of their questioning. I’ve always loved true crime, and truth being stranger than fiction, this one is about as strange as it gets.

Quotes of the Week

At my age, one must ration one’s excitement. – Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), Downton Abbey

It would be wrong to think that you’re always right and correct and perfect and brilliant. Self-doubt is the thing that drives you to try to improve yourself.Helen Mirren, Esquire, August 2011

I’m woke, but I gotta live my life too. – Carlotta Brown (Queen Latifah), Star