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August 14, 2024 – James Disappears From the Park, Oh No, Two For Tea, This Week In LA, NYC Comeback, Next Squid, Witchy, No Cameo, Cover Girl & Goes

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Mac and Spinelli play frisbee in the park. James wanders off, and Mac wonders what he did.

At the stables, Cody flashes back to Sasha kissing him. Tracy comes by, and he asks if she wants him to prep Hades, but she says she’s planning on taking him for a ride. So buckle up.

Sasha flashes back to Cody saying he loves James, when Willow comes in and tells her that Cody left his hat. She suggests Sasha take it back to him, but Sasha says she has to be on a call with the caterers. Willow says, Olivia isn’t here. She must have forgotten. Sasha says, it’s not with Olivia. It’s with Drew and he’s MIA.

Drew wakes up next to Nina and asks, what time is it? She says, too early to get up, but he says he’s got a call he can’t miss with Sasha and the caterers. It’s for the campaign. Nina tells him to skip it, but he says, it’s too late to bail. She says, Sasha can handle it, but he says, she can’t make decisions without him. Nina kisses him.

Brook, Lois, and Gio eat on the patio, and Lois asks if Blaze got off okay. Brook says, she got on the plane, and Gio says he has to get going. Lois says, pretty soon, he’ll be focusing on concerts, but he says, there might not be as many as he thought. He was counting on the gallery concert for exposure, but who’s going to go to a gallery owned by a murderer?  

On the phone, Sonny says he needs to find Clement. He opens the door and Natalia is there. She says she came to say goodbye. She’s going home to Puerto Rico.

Tracy says she plans on testing Cody’s mind, not his body, and Cody says, fair warning. He has a finite set of skills. She says she’ll go easy on him, and he says, it doesn’t sound like fun. She asks if he can count and differentiate between black and white, and he says he can. She says, then he can play backgammon.

Lois tells Gio that she’s sure the show will go on in spite of Ava, and Brook says, it might bring more people out of curiosity. Lois says, artists would jump at the chance to attach themselves to Ava’s notoriety. He’s too good and has too many positive things in his life to play background music for the upper-class bourgeoisie. He says he doesn’t care what people think about him, but there are a few people whose opinions matter. Like Uncle Sonny.

Natalia tells Sonny about Blaze’s tour, and says, she and Kristina broke up. Sonny says, Kristina didn’t tell him, and Natalia says, it was difficult for both of them. Maybe Kristina is still processing. She saw Blaze off, but they didn’t part on good terms. Sonny says he’s been there. It’s not easy, but they love each other and he’s sure it will work out. Natalia says, hopefully, but their potential reconciliation won’t take place here. Sonny says, so it’s a permanent move, and she says, that’s the plan. Alison doesn’t want her on tour, and she came here be with her, so she has no reason to stick around. He says, what if he gave her one.

Drew says, it’s a great way to start the day, and Nina says, it was a great way to spend the night. He says he thinks they set a new record. It’s been 10 hours, and they haven’t said anything nasty to each other. Now his would-be constituents await. She says, duty calls.

Michael asks if Willow has seen Drew, and she flashes back to her and Drew being in the elevator. She says, not since last night, and he asks if she’d mind calling him. He’s sure Drew will pick up for his star fundraiser. She says she doesn’t know where he is and doesn’t want to call. They hardly cross paths, and from now on, they won’t see each other at the foundation at all. Michael asks what that means.

Spinelli finds James sitting under a tree and asks if James wants to play frisbee, but James says, no, and asks how long they’re going to stay. Spinelli says, they just got here, but James says he’s bored. Spinelli asks what he wants to do. It will just be between them. James says he wants to ride horses with Cody, but Grandpa Mac said no.

Mac tells Felicia and Maxie, Two Trees is amazing, but Maxie says, there’s no Cody. She knows Mac has his own issues with Cody, but forbidding James to see him wasn’t Mac’s call. Felicia says, they discussed this at home, and Mac says, summer is almost over. James will be back in school before he knows it and he’ll forget about Cody. Maxie says she doubts it and asks if he doesn’t think he’s punished Cody long enough. She leaves, and Felicia says, Mac messed up big. She hopes he plans on fixing it, since she’s not doing it for him.

Maxie meets Nina as she walks into the park, and Nina thanks her for texting. It’s a lovely day. Maxie says, Nina is in a good mood. Did she have her teeth whitened? Nina says, no, and Maxie asks if she did her hair. Something is definitely different. Lucy would say her aura is glowing. Lucy would say, when Scott… Did she sleep with Drew again?

Drew comes in and tells Sasha that they’ll have to reschedule. His campaign strategy session went late and he overslept. She tells him, no problem, and Drew apologizes for barging in. Michael tells him that he and Willow were talking about her work at the Institute, and Willow says she’s come to a decision. She’s decided to go back to nursing. She’s resigning.

Tracy says, Cody gets the first roll, and Cody says, she must have been playing for a long time; she’s so knowledgeable. She says she played with her boys when they were young, then picked it back up when she was in the hospital for a while. He asks what she was in the hospital for, and she says, that’s a little forward. He says, she brought up, and she says she was infected with parasitic brain worms on a tropical vacation from a treat fed to her by Ned’s con artist father, Larry Ashton. Cody says, sounds scary, and she says, it was. He says, there are worse ways to spend time in the hospital than playing backgammon, and she says she remembers it fondly. He says, because she got to be the center of attention, but she says, because she made a friend. (I went through a backgammon phase years ago, so I get why Tracy loves it. It can be addicting.)

Brook says she thinks Sonny would respect Gio for sticking to his word, and Lois says, he has to do what’s best for him. Sonny isn’t his keeper. He’s his own man. Gio says he doesn’t want to let Sonny down, and what’s best for him right now is to get to work. He leaves, and Brook says, Lois is usually Sonny’s biggest defender, but she’s telling Gio not to care what Sonny thinks. What’s going on?

Sonny asks if Natalia wants to stay in Port Charles, and she says, it has its charms, but in her current situation, she lacks the income to sustain a bicoastal life. He says, this is where he can help, but she says, the only thing she knows about coffee is that she’s useless in the morning without it. (Same.) He says, she knows numbers, and he calls Brook. He says he was wondering if she could come over. He’s got a proposition for her. Brook asks, what kind of proposition?

Willow tells Drew and Michael that she agonized about it for weeks. She missed nursing. It fulfilled her and she feels she has a purpose as a nurse more than doing PSAs. Michael says he would have understood, and she says she wanted to be sure. She didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Nina has been helpful, and they won’t be working together anymore. Neither will she and Drew, and he’s been so supportive. Drew says he’ll always believe in her. She’s got his faith and support whether she works at the Institute or GH. He and Michael feel the same way. She should do what makes her happy. Willow says she appreciates him making it easy. She has to get the beach stuff together. She’ll meet Michael back here. She and Drew leave in opposite directions, and Sasha says, Michael rolled with Willow’s decision, but he says, what choice did he have?

Nina says she thought Drew would ditch his plans. They had an amazing time. Maxie says she knows. They had great sex. There were fireworks. Drew spending the night was unexpected. Nina says, it’s not like they’re in love. They’re two consenting adults enjoying each other. The more Drew sees it as enjoyable, the less he’ll intrude on her daughter’s marriage.

Spinelli tells James that he knows it seems unfair, but disagreements happen sometimes. Like how he has fights with his friends. James says, they usually make up, and Spinelli says he’s sure Mac and Cody will too, but it will take time.  

Mac says he’s not apologizing to make it easier on Cody. He’s a liar and a sneak. He doesn’t need or want Cody in his life. Felicia says she’s not convinced Cody shouldn’t get a second chance, but it’s Mac’s decision and she’s good with whatever he decides. He says, thanks, and she says, but don’t drag their grandson into it. The longer he keeps James and Cody apart with no explanation, the worse his and James’s relationship will be. Is that a price he’s willing to pay?

Tracy tells Cody that she was not a model patient. Her doctor weathered her ill humor with grace and got to know her. He was gentle and kind, but he was tough. And don’t get her started on how prickly he could be. Cody says, he sounds like an interesting fellow, and she says she clicks with few people the way she did with him. He says he’s glad the doctor was there for her, and she says, her too. Finn is one of a kind. He says, she misses him, and she says, very much.

James sneaks around and watches the others from behind a tree. Spinelli asks if Nina and Maxie want to play frisbee.  

As they sit on a bench, Mac tells Felicia that he’s trying to shield James from disappointment, but sooner or later, he’ll realize Cody is not the hero he pretends to be. She says, what if he’s wrong? What if Cody lives up to James’s expectations? Sometimes people can be better if they know someone believes in them.

James slips behind another tree and watches Mac and Felicia.

Lois and Brook go to the penthouse, and Sonny says he didn’t know Lois was going to show up. Lois says she was with Brook when he called and it piqued her curiosity, so she thought she’d come along. She and Brook greet Natalia, and Lois asks, what’s the idea he’s got them so eager to hear? Sonny says he was investing in a new record label, and Brook says, don’t get her wrong. She’s happy that Blaze is living her dream on tour, but she’s disappointed their idea got shelved. Sonny says, the money he set aside is still there, and he thought of a better use for it than it sitting in a bank collecting interest. Brook asks what he has in mind, and he says he’d like to invest in Deception.

Drew goes to the boathouse where Willow is getting the beach stuff together and asks if Willow needs some help. She says, thanks, but no thanks, then slips moving a box and falls on her behind. He holds out his hand, but she says she’s got it. She gathers what she needs and says she doesn’t want to keep Michael waiting. Drew says he doesn’t want her to make a big mistake.

Sasha says she knows Michael was excited about Willow’s job at the Institute, but he says, only because Willow was. If he’s learned anything from her, it’s that time is precious, and he doesn’t want her wasting it being unhappy. He doesn’t have to tell Sasha how precious time is with the person you love. He’s sorry. He wasn’t thinking. She says she’s made as much peace as she’s going to with Brando’s death. Now she smiles most of the time, rather than cries, when she thinks about him. She doesn’t think she could survive another heartbreak. He says she’s stronger than she thinks. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. You can wonder if you missed out on something great or risk being hurt.

Cody asks if Tracy has heard much from Finn, and she says she thinks he’s been concentrating on his recovery. He says it sounds like they have a special relationship, and he’s sure they’ll be happy to see each other when Finn comes home. She says she doesn’t know how happy Finn will be to see her, and he asks, why not? She says she may have been too hard on him. He hugged her when he left, but she hasn’t heard from him. He says he’s had friends go through rehab, and when Finn is thinking clearly, he’ll understand. She says she hopes so. Her only goal was to help him. He says, it sounds like underneath that tough shell, she’s pretty warm, fuzzy, and compassionate. Did he just win? She says, what? How? He says, beginner’s luck.

Sonny says, Deception has been struggling since last summer. He thinks the cash will take them over the hump and they’ll expand their audience. He’ll structure the deal, but be a silent partner. Brook says, this could be a game changer, and he says, on one condition. They hire Natalia.

Maxie brings Nina over to the group, and Nina says she wanted to come by to see them and James. Mac says, if James is still hellbent on taking riding lessons with Cody, he won’t stand in his way, and Maxie says, finally. She calls to James, but there’s no answer. She wonders where he is and yells, answer me right now!

Sonny says he wants to invest a lot of cash in Deception without taking an active role, but he wants a representative to handle his interests. Natalia is great with finances and negotiating. Brook says, Natalia’s haggling over Blaze’s contract kept Lucy awake at night, but Lois says, the music business is different than a cosmetics company. Brook says, she and Lucy lean more toward the creative side rather than financial, and Sonny says, Natalia knows numbers and will work in his best interest. Lois says, what about when his best interests don’t align with Deception’s? and Natalia says, that’s a fair question. Deception’s best interests are identical to Sonny’s. If he succeeds, then they do. Brook says she needs to discuss it with her partners. She’ll start with Tracy.  She suggests Natalia come along, since she thinks Natalia is her own best advocate, and Natalia says she’d love to. Brook thanks Sonny and says she’ll be in touch, and Natalia tells him, what she said. They leave, and Sonny asks Lois to stick around. He has a few words to say to her. She says she has a dictionary she’d like to break over his head, and he tells her that he just wants to say he’s sorry.

Spinelli suggests they split up to search for James, and Nina says, he’s a smart kid. Maxie says, too smart for his own good, and Spinelli says, it’s the first time he’s taken off like that. Maxie says she thinks she knows where to find him, and leaves, when Nina gets a call from Michael. She asks if everything is all right, and he says, everything’s fine, but he needs to talk to her about Willow.

At the boathouse, Willow tells Drew that her role isn’t what she expected. She’s not feeling fulfilled. He says, then they’ll make her feel fulfilled, but she says, they can’t. Being there at all is the problem. He says he had no indication, and she says she didn’t realize until she visited Kristina. When she was helping Kristina, she remembered why she fell in love with nursing and realized she missed the work. He says, she’s so good. He’s seen the numbers and she’s driving up donor registration. She says she’ll keep doing it until the Institute finds a replacement, but she can’t commit to anything else. She’s going back to GH. He says he’s happy for her, but wants to make sure her motivation is honest. Does her resignation have anything to do with him?

Tracy says, Cody cheated, but he says, how could he? She was watching him the whole time. She says, he’s not a beginner, and he says he never told her that he was. She assumed. It’s only hustling if you’re playing for money. She says she could have won if she hadn’t been distracted by his questions about Finn, and he says he wanted to know more about her. If he happened to win in the meantime, good. She says, next time, she won’t be so benevolent, and he says he expects nothing less. Sasha comes in and says she doesn’t want to interrupt, but Tracy says she arrived just in time. She was about to beat Cody senseless. Rematch? He says he looks forward to it, when Tracy’s phone rings. She walks out while talking to Brook, and Cody tells Sasha, backgammon is a bloodsport around here. She says she found this, and hands him his hat. He puts it on, and she says she found something else – her senses. He asks what she means, and she says she’s tired of being scared and playing it safe. Life is short. She thinks they should do this. He says, do what? and she kisses him.

Mac says he saw James and Spinelli with their heads together. What were they talking about? Spinelli says, James is distressed about Mac’s antipathy toward Cody, and Felicia says, this isn’t the way she wanted to be proved right.

Sasha asks if Cody can take a break, and he says he can take the whole day. He has to shower too. She says, he doesn’t smell bad. They can get dirtier together. They start to get busy, when Maxie walks in. She says she’s sorry. She doesn’t need to see this. Congratulations. She’ll let them both get back to it, but she has a question. Have they seen James anywhere?  

Nina asks Michael, what’s wrong? and Michael tells her that she and Willow won’t be collaborating on the New Tomorrow Institute anymore. Willow is resigning and returning to GH. He’ll let Willow be the one to tell her why. Nina says she can probably guess.  

Drew says, Willow’s work at the Institute is important to them and she’s changing lives. Don’t give up because he made it complicated. She says, it’s the only way to make it better. She loves Michael, and she’s committed to him and her family. But she can’t stop thinking about Drew. It’s wrong, and she wants as much distance put between them as possible before she does anything else she regrets. She takes the beach stuff and leaves.

Sonny says he found out that his meds had been off for a while, and Lois says, that’s a big deal. Is he okay? Did they fix the dosage? He says he’s back on track. He wants her to know she means the world to him. She always has and always will. Lois says, he means the world to her too, and thanks him for telling her. She saw he was off. Now she knows why. He asks if they’re friends again. Are they square? She says, they’re always friends. Square, not so much. He asks what she means, and she says, the infusion of money to Deception. Where is it coming from? (Didn’t they have this conversation? It’s the same money.) He says, every dime is legit. She can call his accountant. She says she believes him, but even the appearance of impropriety will be more damaging than maleficence. He asks what’s worrying her, and she says she loves him, and his personal life is his own, but she doesn’t want the business under federal scrutiny because he’s trying to impress a woman.

Brook tells Tracy, it’s a large infusion of capital that could fund Research and Development for five years. They can finally break ground on that. Tracy asks what Natalia thinks her title should be, and Natalia says she thinks CFO is appropriate. Tracy says she’s surprised the financial institution didn’t contact her, and Brook says, it’s a small bank, but the money is vetted and secured. Tracy asks, what’s the name of the bank? and Brook says, the Bank of Sonny. Tracy says, over my dead body

Tomorrow, Lucy says she thinks it’s a great idea; John tells Ava that he’s got Sonny where he wants him; Maxie says, nobody is going to find James unless he wants them to; and Cody dives into the water, presumably looking for James.

🍽 Eating My Words…

I have no words. Actually, I do, but this blog is rated PG-13.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jacqueline-grace-lopez-says-goodbye-to-general-hospital-2

🫖 Striving For Elegance…

Love these two together.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-jophielle-love-on-violet-and-tracys-tea-party

💰 Hard Times In Listings…

Not only does the market still stink, buyers are also pulling out of deals; JoshA saying the fallout was around 25%. He came close to getting a new house for JoshF, going so far as to forego his commission, but JoshF wasn’t willing to come up even another $200K. I always figure, when you’re talking millions, what’s another couple hundred thousand? Tracy, playing the role of JoshF’s broker, had already agreed to no commission since JoshF had done the same for her. Since they were at an impasse, Tracy suggested they finish the tequila and call it a night. JoshF then began to lean toward rebuilding his gutted dreamhouse. In an interesting panty twist, Tracy found a pair of satin undies amongst the rubble and threw them over the fence. Nice. She’s going to be exiled to Summer House if she’s not careful.

🗽 Returning To New York…

That pigeon décor is pretty impressive.

https://extratv.com/2024/08/13/watch-erin-lichy-confront-husband-abe-about-lying-in-rhony-season-15-trailer/

🐙 Your Post Christmas Present…

A new Game is coming December 26th.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2-new-players-trailer/

🧹 Channeling Those Before…

Instead of WandaVision’s sitcom approach, Agatha will be using the witches of yore to tell her story.  

https://ew.com/agatha-all-along-trailer-kathryn-hahn-joe-locke-d23-8693175

🦸 Not Done Yet…

The ones who didn’t make it.

https://ew.com/halle-berry-says-ryan-reynolds-never-asked-me-to-cameo-in-deadpool-and-wolverine-8695666

https://people.com/robert-downey-iron-man-cameo-deadpool-wolverine-8693208

🐶 What a Dogue…

Pilaf deserves her own magazine cover. She’s an unbelievably cute little nugget of pup.

https://people.com/demi-moore-tiny-dog-pilaf-gets-her-own-vogue-cover-8695515

🍫 Love You S’more…

Join me tomorrow for soap and the OC in LaQuinta. Until then, stay safe, stay understanding that integrity and character are what really matter, and stay not wasting time being unhappy. Time is precious.

August 13, 2024 – Blaze Makes Two Decisions, New Heather, Old Friends, Next Chapter, Dubai Swings In Bali, Watch Party With Awful People, VanderSales & Sugar

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I was busy with something else at the beginning, but my main takeaway point was Tracy having a tea party for Violet and her stuffed animals. And Ava, John, and Scotty showed up…

At the MetroCourt, Carly says she doesn’t understand why Ava is here and not in jail, and Ava says she pled not guilty and made bail. Carly says, Kristina could die and her baby did die, and Ava sails in here like she doesn’t give a damn. She’s not capable of shame. Ava says, Kristinka’s fall was an accident, and Scotty tells her to hold her peace until the trial. Ava says she wants to collect her things, but Carly tells her, good luck. Her room is a crime scene. Ava says, that’s ridiculous. Nothing happened. Carly says, she’ll also have to find other accommodations. They’re booked. Ava says, of course (🍷), and Carly tells her to contact the PCPD for her things. John asks if they can have a table, and Carly says she’ll send someone over.  

Anna wonders what Jack wants with Carly, and he asks if the table and the wine don’t give it away. She says, a romantic dinner for two? and he says, exactly. Valentin must have used that tactic on her. She asks why he’s using it on Carly, and he says he enjoys Carly’s company. She wonders if he’s incapable of giving a straight answer, and he asks if it’s difficult to believe he’s intrigued by a woman, enjoys her company, and wants to see where it leads. She says, yeah. Something big is definitely in the works. Why else would the WSB open an office here? Jack admits that the WSB never does anything without an ulterior motive.

Kristina says, Blaze worked her whole life for a break like this. Her mother is right. She has to go. Blaze asks why Kristina is pushing her away. Yes, she focused on her career at the expense of everything else. Love, happiness, and belonging were things she was afraid to hope for because she was afraid to lose her mother and family’s love. Then Kristina happened and became her everything else. Now Kristina wants to push her away. Go ahead, but she’s not leaving Kristina alone to deal with her grief because she loves her. Kristina says, she really does, and Blaze says, so much. Kristina says, then she really has to leave.

Sonny tells Jason that Ava will say anything to save her skin, and Jason says, they’d still have to prove or disprove what she says. If it wasn’t her, who was it? Sonny says, she had easy access, and Jason wonders, what if the switch didn’t happen here? Sonny says, then it’s the pharmacy. Jason needs to go and find out who’s filling his prescription and see what they have to say, and Jason says, copy that. Sonny’s phone rings, and he tells Jason that it’s good news. Ava made bail. Jason asks why he wants Ava out of jail, and Sonny says, it’s easier to even the score.

Ava says, John being there made all the difference. Who knew she was being called to testify as a material witness in an ongoing FBI investigation? Carly approaches the table and asks, what kind of investigation? If she contacts the FBI, how surprised will they be that there’s an investigation? Ava asks what she’s implying, and Carly says, the FBI isn’t interested in Sonny, but that’s all Cates cares about. John says, it’s his job to arrest criminals, and Carly says, he’s using Ava like he used her and Jason. The only thing he cares about is sending Sonny to prison.

Anna says, something else is going on, and Jack says, absolutely yes, but he has no idea what. The WSB’s hidden agenda remains hidden. She says, he expects her to believe he has no inkling, and he says he’s been demoted to lowly station chief. She sits down and tells him to level with her. She’s already figured out his arrest and Valentin being revealed as the head of Pikeman was a charade. John asks, how many syllables? (BA-DUM-CHH!) and she asks if Valentin is really on the run. She imagines he’s cozied up with Charlotte in a chalet in Switzerland courtesy of the WSB. He says, Valentin was allowed to flee their jurisdiction, and asks whose side Anna is on. Anna says, whose side indeed, when her phone rings. She answers and tells them, thank you. She tells Jack, it’s been fun, and he says, either jaywalking or a parking violation. She says, trespassing. Enjoy what’s left of his evening. The wine is really good. She leaves.

Violet asks if Tracy’s mother liked tea parties, and Tracy says, she loved them. She was a proper Englishwoman and had tea every afternoon. Violet says, there are a lot of pictures of her all over. She was pretty. Tracy says, she was a beauty, and Violet says, she seemed nice. Tracy says, she was the nicest and down to earth. She could put someone in their place and still be kind. She was impossible to argue with. Violet asks, if she was so nice, why argue with her? and Tracy says she doesn’t know. Sometimes families argue and the Quartermaines do it more than most.

Kristina tells Blaze that she loved the baby so much and had so much hope, but all her hope and love went with her. She’s empty and has nothing left to give, even to Blaze. Blaze asks if Kristina is saying she doesn’t love her anymore, but Kristina tells her that she’s saying she can’t love anything or anyone, and it’s not fair for Blaze to give up something that could make her life great, when Kristina will make her life miserable. Blaze says, what if it’s the grief talking? What if they can navigate it and Blaze can see her through this hell, and they find heaven on the other side? Kristina says, it sounds beautiful. It seems like it belongs in a song. Maybe Blaze can sing it on tour. What if, in the best-case scenario, they get through this, then what? What if every time Blaze sees someone performing and living the life she could have had, Blaze hates her, or worse resents her? She’ll leave anyway and they’ll be where they are now. Is Blaze telling her that some part of her doesn’t want to get on the plane to Hong Kong and open for Miguel Morez? Blaze says, of course (🍷) she wants to go, but why is Kristina making her feel like she has to choose her career over her? Kristina says, because she has to live her best life right now and Blaze’s best life is not here with her.

Jason says, Kristina is strong. She’s made it through so far, and she’ll make through this. Sonny says, Jason didn’t see her eyes when she asked him to make Ava pay. Jason says, of course (🍷) she was angry. She should be, but when she calms down… Sonny says, Kristina didn’t know that kind of hate, but he understands because he has the same hate. Ask Alexis. She walked in and asked him not to kill Ava. Jason says, she believes in the law and thinks that’s the way to get justice, and Sonny says, she thinks if Ava dies, Kristina will think it’s because of her and not be able to live with herself. But if she goes through a long trial and Ava walks or worse… Kristina deserves peace. Jason asks what he’s going to do. 

John says, how dare Carly question his integrity? She just squirmed out from under RICO charges because the evidence conveniently disappeared. She escaped justice. Carly says, John was using her. He doesn’t care about justice or the law or his son. John gets all ruffled, and she asks if he’s been in the city where his son lives or where Sonny lives. It’s only a matter of time before the FBI finds out what he’s been doing. She leaves and Scotty says, some celebration. He’s going to split. He leaves, and Ava thanks John. She tells him not to let it get to him. Carly is naturally abrasive, and Sonny brainwashed her for decades. John asks, then why doesn’t she let Donna stay with him? and Ava says, only Carly can judge Sonny. Speaking of Sonny, there’s something she’s been meaning to tell him. When she was in lockup, Sonny sent Jason to intimidate her. She’s afraid her life is in danger.

Sonny says he can’t make a move now, especially with Jagger here. He’s going to bide his time. Jason asks, what about Kristina? Is she willing to sit back and not take matters into her own hands? Sonny says, Kristina doesn’t have it in her on her own to kill Ava. There’s a knock at the door, and Frank says, the Police Commissioner is here. Anna comes in and says, it’s like old times. She learned Ava made bail. Sonny asks what that has to do with him, and she says, nothing and it needs to stay that way. If Ava so much as skins her knee, she’s going to come down on him with full force. Do not touch a hair on Ava’s head.

Tracy says, no argument with her mother lasted long. Everybody adored her. She was the perfect combination of fun and elegant. Violet asks if elegant is the same as fancy, and Tracy says, yes and no. It can also mean tacky, which is the opposite of elegant. When you’re elegant, everything is just right – your words, your voice, the way you carry yourself. Her mother made it look effortless. Violet asks if Tracy is elegant, and Tracy says, on occasion. Violet asks if she is, and Tracy says, for a nine-year-old, very elegant. Keep at it. It takes work. Strive to be elegant and avoid animal prints. Violet says, but she loves animals.

Kristina says, Blaze wants to do what’s best for her and them. She can’t stay here just to be with her or feel like she has to or because she thinks she loves Kristina. All she’ll think about is the tour. Blaze says, if she goes on tour, all she’ll think about is Kristina, and Kristina says, Blaze can be living her dream or living Kristina’s nightmare wishing she was living her dream, and Blaze says, fine. She’ll go, but she’s just a phone call away if Kristina needs anything. After the tour ends… Kristina says, stop. They can’t make promises. They don’t know what they’ll be doing or who they’ll be after the tour. Blaze says she knows she’ll still love Kristina, but Kristina says she can’t put a timeline on grief and healing. She can’t guess what her life will be like. Blaze asks if they can at least check in and see how the other is doing, and Kristina says, deal.  Blaze says, finally, a win, and Kristina says she just wants Blaze to be happy and free to live her life. Blaze says she can’t if Kristina isn’t there, but Kristina says, she’d be surprised. Blaze says, great. Another surprise. She cries and takes Kristina’s hand. She says she’s going to miss Kristina so much, and Kristina says, she’s going to be doing the thing she was born to do. Watching Blaze soar will make her happy. She’ll be so proud. Blaze kisses her and leaves, and Kristina cries.

Anna tells Sonny, stay away from Ava, and he agrees. He says, she’s not a priority. He has Donna, Avery, and Kristina to worry about and no time to worry about Ava. Anna says, see it stays that way. The same for Jason. Sonny says he knows he’s been out of line. He went through some stuff and wants her to know he’s handling it. She says she’s glad he’s doing better, and he thanks her. She says, but she has a job to do, and he says, to serve and protect. Even Ava? She says, even Ava, and he says, she doesn’t have to worry. It’s good seeing her. She leaves.

John asks if Jason threatened Ava, but she says, he’s not much for talking, but he got the point across. He asks what Jason said, and she says, he accused her of replacing Sonny’s medication with the placeboes. She said she didn’t do it, which is true. The point is… He says he knows. The pharmacist is safe and out of Sonny’s reach. She can finally tell him who paid Clement to sabotage Sonny’s mental health. She says she doesn’t know, but don’t tell Sonny. Jack walks in, and John says, unbelievable. Ava asks, who’s that? and John says, somebody who’s supposed to be in prison. At the bar, Trish asks if she can help Jack, and he asks if Carly is still around.

Tracy says she likes animals as much as the next person, and Violet says, she doesn’t like Annabelle II. Tracy says, Annabelle II has one virtue – she’s housebroken. Other than that, she’s ill-mannered and ill-trained. The house is full of antiques, and they might as well put them on the lawn and make an obstacle course. Violet asks if they can ask Monica’s permission, but Tracy says, no. She’d probably say yes, and she’s not turning the house into a canine obstacle course. Violet says, it’s Monica’s house. Alan gave it to her. Tracy says, Alan was too generous for his own good.

Kristina hugs her blanket when there’s a knock at the door. Molly asks how she is. Is she in pain? Kristina says, not so much. She’s able to come home in a couple days. She asks how Molly is doing, and Molly says she was just with TJ at Woodlawn Cemetery. She went to see Ava in jail. Kristina asks, why? and Molly says she wanted Ava to know she’s not getting away with it. Kristina says, she won’t, and Molly says she wishes she was so sure. Kristina says she is sure. She promises Ava is going to pay for what she did. Molly says she doesn’t know how strong a case they have, and Kristina says, there are photos. Has Molly seen them? Molly says she found a note in the case folder, but she hasn’t, and Kristina says she had Michael send them to her. Everyone, including the jury, will see that Ava is the reason she went through that window. She shows Molly the photos on her phone.

In the car at the airport, Natalia tells Blaze that the tour manger will be waiting for her. She’s got to snap out of it. She hasn’t said a word. Blaze looks at her, and Natalia says she knows leaving is hard. She knows leaving Kristina behind in pain is hard, but Blaze must know that the tour is going to boost her career. Opening for Miguel Morez on an international stage in front of millions is not something to pass up. Blaze says, it’s not like she had a choice, and Natalia says, of course (🍷) she did. She can go and be a huge success or stay… Blaze says, and wind up a failure, but Natalia says, it will just take longer. Blaze says she agreed. Natalia doesn’t need to sell it, and she isn’t coming. Natalia says she has to tie up some things in Port Charles and will meet Blaze in Europe, but Blaze says she meant Natalia isn’t joining her at all. She got what she wanted. Kristina broke up with her. Now she’s breaking up with Natalia. You’re fired.

Ava asks what Jack did to get John so spooked, but John says he’s just surprised to see him here.

Carly asks if Jack and Anna got things settled, and he apologizes for the interruption. He suggests she come back and finish the bottle of wine, but she says she doesn’t think that’s a good idea. He says, if he buys her a drink here, is it a better idea? and she says she thinks that would be okay.

John tells Ava not to worry. Sonny won’t get his hands on Clement. Not yet. Ava asks what he means, and he says, when the time is right, he’ll lead Sonny right to him.  

Jason says, Anna doesn’t make empty threats, but Sonny says, nothing is going to happen to Ava. They have other problems. He doesn’t want Avery being influenced by Ava. He’s going to let the court handle it, but don’t forget he has pictures of Ava putting her hands on Kristina. It’s Ava’s fault Kristina went through the window and the baby died. Ava is going down and he’s getting full custody of Avery. Ava is going to prison. Jason wonders what happens once Ava is in prison, and Sonny says, bad things happen in prison.

Violet asks how someone could be too generous for their own good, and Tracy says, her brother was a good man, but sometimes he gave too much of himself. He liked to make others happy, and that side of generosity can be exhausting. Violet says, there are a lot of pictures of him too. Sometimes he looks happy and sometimes he looks serious. Monica said he was a doctor, and they were very much in love. Tracy says, they were a perfect match and loved each other, but it took a while for them to realize it. She thinks Alan giving Monica the house was a stretch. Violet says, they wouldn’t have a place to live or have tea parties, and Tracy says she can’t argue with that. Who was it who told her to say, this is Monica’s house, and Alan gave it to her? Violet says, everybody, and Tracy laughs and says she’s not surprised.

Blaze says she’s firing Natalia, and Natalia says, she doesn’t mean that. Blaze says, doesn’t she? Natalia is always dismissing her. Nothing she wants or feels matters. Natalia is her parent, but as a business manager, Natalia works for her. This is happening whether she wants it to or not. You… are… fired. Now she’s done. She gets out of the car.

Kristina says, the pictures show what happened, and Molly agrees. Kristina says she asked Ava to withdraw the subpoena, and Ava went after their family. She said, their mother was a pathetic drunk and her father was a violent thug not fit to be around a child. Kristina said she’d testify that Ava was the reason Morgan died and that she shot Connie in cold blood and got away with it. She’d tell the court everything she knows about Ava. That’s when Ava grabbed her.

Jack toasts, to new friends, and Carly asks if that’s what they are. He asks if there’s some other zone she prefers, and she says, pals. They clink glasses and she asks why he’s in Port Charles. He says, like she heard him tell Anna, the WSB opened an office here. She says, the real reason, and he admits he didn’t tell Anna everything. She asks what he held back, and he says he was given a choice of positions, here or Bali. She says, and he chose Port Charles? Why? He says, once you’ve seen one tropical paradise, you’ve seen them all, and because she’s here. Carly says, that’s a line, but he says he always speaks the truth.

Ava says, sorry, she doesn’t think she heard right. John wants Sonny to find Clement? John says he’s using Clement as bait. When Sonny goes after him, he’ll be there to arrest Sonny. Ava says, in order for John to do that, doesn’t Sonny have to do something to Clement first? John says he’ll make sure Clement survives to testify. He’s going to use Sonny’s relentless pursuit of vengeance to take him down once and for all.

Jason says, either Ava is lying and she got to the pharmacist, or she’s telling the truth and it’s someone else. Either way, there will be a trail. Sonny wonders if there’s anybody out there who’s actively coming at him, and Jason asks, what about Ava? Sonny says he’ll wait as long as it takes. Kristina doesn’t know that the last words Ava is going to hear will be, this is for Kristina and her baby.

Tomorrow, Tracy says she’s planning on taking Cody for a ride; and Sonny asks, what if he gives Natalia another reason to stick around?

⛓️‍💥 Change Of Heart…

Portia’s head is going to explode.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/alley-mills-on-the-new-heather-on-general-hospital

🎊 Double the Fun…

Lucky and Stone Cold, together again.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-steve-burton-jonathan-jackson-reunite

📺 Grotesque Return…

Doubtful he’s ever coming back to GH. He was using it as a springboard. I’m not sad about it though. Gio is a much better match for Trina. Spencer was too loud and talked too fast. If they decide to bring Spencer back, they should recast.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicholas-chavez-teases-his-return-to-tv

🐪 Dollar Stores In Dubai…

This was the end of the trip to Bali, and I had mixed emotions. The women who griped about wearing the traditional dresses decided that, rather than be seen in these beautiful creations, they just wouldn’t show up. Nice. I was disappointed in Stanbury. Being British, you’d think she’d have more manners than that. She evened it out by making up with Ayan and afterward, they got on a Bali Swing (see below). It looked absolutely terrifying, so better them than me. The episode ended on an all-around positive note, when Ayan announced that the group was like sisters who fought and made up. She’s not wrong, even if that’s because it’s against the law to publicly display your anger at others.

Apparently, these swings are a thing in Bali.

https://www.walkmyworld.com/posts/the-bali-swing

There was also a palm reader who told Stanbury that she’d have a boy. It was unclear whether she meant a baby or just that Stanbury would remain married to Sergio. It looks like there’s a possibility of both happening.

👠 Unreunion In Jersey…

This was kind of weird, but not entirely an awful premise. The group was split in two and had watch parties for the last awful episode. They consisted of Teresa, JenniferA, and Jackie in one room, and Danielle, Rachel, Marge, and JennF in another. According to the recap, Delores played Switzerland and switched between the two rooms, but it seemed like she was mostly with the former group. Admittedly, I wasn’t totally paying attention, but I don’t think she spent much time with the latter. JennF was a bit of a tie breaker, since she was late and chose her own room. Although that might just be a sign that production didn’t care. At the very end, the women gave individual thoughts on their feelings about the season – a need for change seemed to be the universal theme – and Rachel announced to her group that she was pregnant.

Looks like Rachel wasn’t buying what Teresa’s group was selling.

And there are still questions. I, too, was somewhat disappointed, although I don’t know why. Maybe because I decided to watch it in the first place.

👕 Something About Merch…

I’m surprised they bothered opening. That’s some chunk of change for T-shirts and whatnot.

🌇 Left a Mediocre Job In the City…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and the LA art of the deal. Until then, stay safe: stay standing up to rude behavior, but not losing your cool; and stay striving to be elegant and avoiding animal prints.

August 9, 2024 – Sonny Says Ava Is His Problem, VanderDeux, Miami Fanning, WWDD, Negan In the City, Coming Last, Stream This, Stuck, Furry Reunions, Twice 4 Quotes & Beach

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth says, Heather is looking good. She predicts Heather’s tests are going to come back great and she won’t need to stay at GH as long as they thought. Heather says, oh… joy. She’ll be back in Pentenville in time for Mah Jong. Elizabeth says she’ll check on Heather in a bit. Did she get enough lunch? Is there anything else she can bring Heather? Heather says, hospital food is like five-star dining compared to prison fare. Does Elizabeth think she could square her up with some vanilla pudding? Elizabeth says she’ll see what she can do, and Heather says, she’s an angel. Elizabeth leaves and goes to the reception desk.

Laura comes out of the elevator, while Elizabeth is on the phone asking for a lunch tray. She tells them to just bring it up to the 10th floor and she’ll take it in. She asks what brings Laura here, and Laura says she had a free hour and thought she’d spend it with her husband, but he’s not in his office. Has she seen him around? Elizabeth says she hasn’t. He’s probably with a patient. She assumed Laura was here to see Heather. Laura says, she’s here? She didn’t know that. What room is she in? She’ll visit her. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to speak out of turn, but Laura might want to visit her another day.

At the MetroCourt, Nina thanks Michael for the working lunch, and he says, Crimson’s budget is on track. It was a good call to increase the print run on the latest issue. She says, he’s not going to regret it. This latest issue is going to fly off the racks. (I drift off for a moment, wishing ABC would actually publish a real issue of Crimson.) He says he has to admit, he’s not much of a Crimson reader himself, but Willow is, and he’s sure she’ll enjoy it. He asks if he can get her another cappuccino, but she says she’s still working on the one she has. She’s always loved the coffee here. It was one of the perks when she owned… She never thought he’d agree to her request so easily. She appreciates it. He says, nobody knows more about Crimson than she does. He wants to make sure she has everything she needs to be successful. Plus, he wants to show his appreciation for everything she’s done for Willow.

Willow gets in the elevator, but as the doors close, Drew stops them and gets in with her. He asks if she has room for one more.

On the phone with Sam, Alexis says she thinks Sam should go to Scout’s softball game. She’s got everything covered at the hospital… Kristina is improving. Why doesn’t she just fill Sam in on everything later. She calls Molly and leaves a message that she just wants Molly to know she’s thinking about her every minute, and she loves her.

Sonny says, Kristina doesn’t have to worry about Ava. He’s got it handled. She’s not going to get away with this. She asks what he’s going to do, and he says, she has to rest. That’s all she’s got to concentrate on. Just rest. Understand? She says she’s resting. It’s not like she’s going to feel better. There is no better from here. She needs Sonny to promise her that he won’t let Ava take another life like Ava took her daughter’s.

Heather is officially in the opening credits!

Laura asks, what’s going on with Heather? and Elizabeth says, she was brought in for a standard follow-up and some tests. They’re waiting on the results. Physically, she seems fine. It’s her mental state. Laura says, what about it? and Elizabeth says, she seems really down, like there was a switch in her mood and demeanor. She’s not her usual chaotic self. She’ll see if a psychiatrist can chat with her. Laura says, let her talk with Heather first. She thinks she can cheer Heather up.

Michael says, thanks to Nina’s coaching, Willow is more confident in her role as spokeswoman for the New Tomorrow Institute. Nina says, she’s knocking those PSAs out of the park. He doesn’t need her to tell him this, but Willow’s got a lot going for her. She’s intelligent, she’s approachable, she’s kind and strong and fearless and relatable. He says, everyone at the Institute is thrilled with her, and she says, they should be. She puts an alluring face on a very daunting issue. She’s living proof that donations save lives. Michael says, she’s a living miracle and they’re forever thankful. And the kids love their mom’s new job because she’s around more often. He’s really got to hand it to Drew for giving Willow this opportunity.

Drew asks Willow – who can’t meet his eyes – what brings her to the MetroCourt? Is she here to see Michael? She says, actually, she’s going to Crimson. Nina left a few outfit choices for her upcoming meeting with New Tomorrow’s board. He says, that reminds him. He wanted to speak with her. He just spoke with them, and he’s got some really good news for her. The elevator makes a buzzing sound and jerks to a stop, and he says, that didn’t sound very good.

Sonny says he knows Kristina is upset and he wants to make Ava pay too, but there’s a time and place for… She says, think about everything Ava has done to this family. How she shot Connie in cold blood. How she switched Morgan’s meds. He never would have been in that car if not for Ava. She is the reason that he died. And with Mike. She used Mike’s Alzheimer’s to blackmail Sonny into sharing custody of Avery. When is Ava finally going to pay for everything she has done? Her baby is dead because of Ava. Please. He has to do something so Ava can’t hurt anyone else in their family. (She left out destroying Alexis’s career for a good couple of years.)

On his phone, Drew tells Olivia that they’re both fine, but how long is it going to take to fix this thing?… No. He understands… Absolutely. They don’t really have any choice but to wait it out. Just keep him updated, okay? He tells Willow, the elevator company is on their way, but they’re going to be a while. She’s not claustrophobic, right? She says, no. Is he? He says, no, but he’s a little warm. Would she mind if he took his pants jacket off? She shakes her head, and he takes his jacket off and loosens his tie. She says, so what was the good news he was about to mention? and he says, the Institute’s director called about the PSAs. They’re getting a great response, and they owe it all to her. She says, that’s nice of them to say, but she gives some of the credit to Nina. Well, a lot actually. Since she’s been working with Nina, Nina has made her a lot more comfortable in front of the camera. He says, Nina’s been great, but she’s a natural at this. And he’s sure they were planning on bringing this up at the board meeting, but everybody at the Institute loves her and the director wants to fly them out to LA for the big annual fundraiser. She says, us, as in you and me? In LA?

Nina says she knows Drew sat in on Willow’s earlier rehearsals, but she imagines he’s super busy now with his own campaign. Michael says, he did agree on focusing on expanding the donor pool because of his late son Oscar, so he makes the time. He and Willow are working really closely together. She says, he really needs to focus in on his own campaign now. Go full throttle. And if he gets elected, his base will be in DC. He says, they all get that. Willow didn’t say anything, but he thinks she’s really going to miss Drew when he’s gone.

Drew says, it’ll be a quick trip, but the fundraiser sounds really impressive. They’ve got a celebrity host, celebrity presenters, Tamron Hall wants to get an interview with Willow. They rented out the Getty villa in Malibu. It’s a magical spot. Willow says she can’t.

Heather looks at a picture of Ace, and Laura says, he’s such a cut-up, right? Heather says, he’s got quite the little personality. She wonders where he gets it from. Laura says she supposes both Nikolas and Esme had a certain kind of charisma, and Spencer was every bit the prankster when he was young. Heather thanks her for including Esme in that assessment. She loved that little boy so much. If she ever gave her best self to anybody, it was him. Laura says she saw that. She was a really good mom. Laura shows her another picture, and Heather says she thinks he’s beginning to look a little like her in this one. Does Laura think so? Laura says, that’s interesting. Tell her something. How is she feeling? Heather says, everybody keeps asking her that around here (well, it is a hospital). She’s sorry. She doesn’t mean to be cranky, but she’s feeling sort of discombobulated. She had a visit from Trina Robinson earlier today. Laura asks how it went, and Heather says, Trina listened to her apology, but in the end, she didn’t accept it. She can’t blame her, and at least she listened, which is more than her mother is ever going to do. Not that she blames her either though. That’s the thing. Laura says she’s so sorry. She thinks it’s admirable the way Heather wants to take responsibility for the things she’s done and try to make amends. Heather says, like in AA, except without the perks of boozing it up first. Not that being an alcoholic is like a perk exactly. She meant that it’s not so serious… She doesn’t even know what she’s talking about. She doesn’t know if she’s coming or going right now. Being here is totally giving her the heebie-jeebies. She’s been thinking a lot about her future. Laura says she thinks she understands. She wants to put Heather’s mind at ease about her sentencing. Heather says, that’s what she’s been thinking about, and Laura says, the last time they talked, Heather made it really clear that she wanted to stay in prison and serve out her whole sentence. She just wants Heather to know that she heard her, and when Heather asked her to drop it, she did. Heather tells Laura that she knows she said that… Laura says, it’s over. She promises she’ll never bring it up again. Heather has her word on that.

Sonny says he knows how Kristina is feeling because he’s been there. She’s in a place of emotional distress, grief, but she’s going to feel differently when this passes. Kristina says, no. She’s going to feel differently when she knows Ava can’t hurt anyone else. He asks if she thinks payback is the answer. It wasn’t for him and Morgan. He did everything he could to Ava. It didn’t bring Morgan back. She says, at least Ava would have been out of the picture and her baby would still be alive. Now all she can do is get justice for her child. He says, she’s not going to get peace because in the end, she’ll have grief, but she says, please spare her the conversation on grief right now. He’s wasting his time. He says, there’s a time and place for everything. Hear him out. He doesn’t know how or when, but Ava is going to pay. She says, she didn’t pay for Connie. She didn’t pay for Morgan. They died and nothing happened. Ava just went on living her life and she’s going to do the exact same thing again. He says he has proof that Ava laid hands on her. Brick had her under surveillance and one of his guys took photos. She says, let her see them, and he says, she will, but she asks if he has them now. Are they on his phone? Let her see them. If he wants to make her feel better, show her. Please let her see them. He takes out his phone, and she scrolls through the photos. He says he wants her to know, those are at the PCPD and Ava is in custody. She’s not walking away from this. He’s going to make sure.

Laura tells Heather that she and Ace aren’t going anywhere, but in the meantime, she’ll print up the photos and drop them off the next time she visits. Heather says, Laura knows where to find her, and Laura tells her to take care of herself, and leaves.

Doc tells Alexis that he happened to be seeing someone else on this floor, so he inquired about Kristina. Things seem to be improving. Alexis says, they are, and he says his guess is, she’s been by her daughters’ sides since Kristina came out of surgery, scared to death. She’s been the chief communicator between friends, family, and medical staff. She hasn’t slept. She probably hasn’t eaten, and yet she’s done it with composure and a game face. How is he doing? She says, pretty good. She’s been doing it here alone. She’s been holding down the fort, making calls. She’s testing, making sure everybody’s okay, dealing with all the conflicting emotions, which for her most recently is rage. He says, which is understandable. It isn’t easy to be caregiver to a loved one who’s hospitalized, even with lots of support. His advice is to let anyone who offers to help, help, and make herself a priority. She can’t do it all alone, even if she is a pillar of strength. It’s times like this that it’s really okay to take your comfort where you can get it. She says, Sonny’s in there with Kristina now, and he says, good. Then she gets a bit of a break. And his door’s always open if she ever wants to talk. She says she might just take him up on that.

Kristina says, maybe Ava will get convicted and go to prison. Maybe she’ll be there for the rest of her godforsaken life, but Ava will still be alive, and her baby will still be dead. It’s not fair. Sonny says he doesn’t want her to think that way. She’s got her whole life ahead of her. She has a family that loves her, and he knows it doesn’t feel like it right now, but she’s going to be okay. She says she won’t be okay until she knows Ava Jerome is no longer breathing. He hugs her and says, listen to him. She doesn’t have to worry. He’s going to take care of Ava. Alexis walks in and says, take care of Ava how exactly?

Willow says she can’t go to a fundraiser in LA with Drew. Wiley starts school soon and he’s transitioning to full days, which will be a big adjustment. And they’re talking about taking a little family vacation before school starts. He says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to spring this on her. He just kind of thought she’d be interested. She says, no. She’s sorry. If these kinds of business trips are expected of her, she doesn’t know. Maybe this isn’t the right position for her after all. He says, hold on. She’s really the perfect person for this position. He was just telling her how much everybody loves her in this role. It’s completely fine if she doesn’t want to go. She says, really? and he says, of course (🍷). They know she has two young kids. They want to make this work for her, not the other way around. She says she’s sorry. She overreacted. It’s just the wrong time. Not that she wouldn’t have loved a trip to California. It all sounds great, but… He says, if he’s the reason she doesn’t want to go, that’s something they should talk about.

Nina wonders what’s taking the elevator so long. You’d think Carly… someone would look into this… They probably are.

Willow says, there’s nothing to talk about. They’ve gotten past what happened on the 4th and it’s never going to happen again. He says he’s sorry. He’d never forgive himself if he ruined this chance for her. She says, he hasn’t. She’s so thankful to him for giving her this opportunity and she’s enjoyed working with him. He says he’s enjoyed working with her too, and he supports her no matter what she does.

Michael says he wants to check on Kristina at the hospital before he goes to the office, so he thinks he’s just going to take the stairs. He’ll see Nina at the office. She thanks him again for lunch, and he says, his pleasure, and leaves.

The elevator starts up, and Drew says he guesses they’re back in business. She should go to the benefit. He’ll stay in Port Charles. She says, but he’ll miss out, and he says, that’s not important. She’s one of his favorite people, and all he wants is for her to be happy. They gaze at each other, when the elevator door opens, and Nina is there.

Nina asks if Willow is okay, and Willow says she’s just anxious to get on with her day. How did Nina know they were stuck? Nina says she didn’t. She just knew that the elevator was slow. She and Michael were having a business lunch. Willow says, Michael’s here? but Nina says, no. He just left. He took the stairs. He said he was going to the hospital. Willow says she should go, and Drew says, didn’t she tell him that she had some outfits to pick up? Nina says, they could go to her office and get them, or she could have Madison pick them up. Is Willow hungry? She could keep Willow company. Willow says, thanks, but she can’t stay. She’ll pick up the outfits later. She leaves, and Nina asks Drew, what did you do now? (I laugh.)

Willow’s phone rings and she sees it’s Michael. She says she just missed him.

Kristina says she just wants to make sure she has her day in court, and that Ava will pay for what she’s done to her and her daughter. Alexis asks if she can speak to Sonny outside for a moment. They’ll be right back. Sonny winks at Kristina on his way out.

In the hallway, Alexis says, please tell her that Kristina didn’t ask him to do what she thinks she did, and Sonny says, don’t worry about it. She says she’s worried about it, because if Kristina is seeking revenge… He says, he doesn’t think they should be having this conversation right here. Can they go somewhere in private?

Portia sees Laura and asks if she can speak to her for just a moment, and Laura says, of course (🍷). Portia says, Trina told her that Laura’s given up trying to reopen Heather’s case and she wanted to thank her. She just knows Trina will be safer with Heather remaining behind bars. Laura says, don’t thank her. She didn’t do it because Portia put pressure on her to do so. Heather had a sudden change of heart and asked her to let it go and she has.

Elizabeth brings Heather some lunch and says, sorry for the wait. She brought Heather some soup and crackers… and vanilla pudding. Heather says she’s not hungry anymore. She’s sorry Elizabeth went to all that trouble. Why is everybody so busy trying to get her in tip-top shape just so she can go live out the rest of her life behind bars? What does it even really matter? Elizabeth says, of course (🍷) it matters, and Heather says she knows. It’s probably all for the best. She did terrible things, there’s no getting around that. People are dead because of her, because she killed them. But is it really all on her? Is justice really going to be served if she’s the only one who pays? (She’s not wrong.)

Sonny and Alexis go to the chapel, and Alexis says, this is much better. It’s the perfect place to discuss murder. He says, no one’s getting murdered, and she asks if he’s telling her that their daughter didn’t ask him for help. Sonny says, she asked, and Alexis says, listen to her. She has lethal thoughts about Ava too, after what Ava did to her family, her career, and the agony that her daughters are in because of her. It’s unbearable. He asks if she’s at a breaking point, and she says, not yet, but sadly, Kristina is. So she’s asking him, this request of Kristina’s, he isn’t going to do it, is he?

Michael goes to see Kristina and says he’s so, so sorry. He wishes there was something he could say, something he could do. He knows this pain, and he would do anything he could to take it away from her. She says, he got a happy ending. Wiley is still alive. Did he see the photos Brick had taken? He says, yeah. Did she see them? How? She says, dad told her there was proof Ava pushed her, there were photos. So she made him show them to her. Does he have them too? He says he does, and she says, send them to her. He asks if she really needs that right now, and she tells him that he said he would do anything to help her. She needs those pictures.

Portia says, Laura can see her concern. As a mother, her very real fear that Laura’s questions would gain momentum and Heather’s sentence might be reduced or she might be set free. Either way, she’s relieved. She’s grateful it’s not going to happen. Laura says she understands and wants Portia to know that she treasures Trina. Trina is a very special young woman. She had a profound effect on Spencer. She made him a better man. Portia says, Trina loved Spencer very much. Trina thinks the world of Laura as well. Laura says she hopes now they can put their differences behind them and move forward in a more positive way, and Portia says she’s all for that. (Until she isn’t.)

Heather says, the truth is, she wouldn’t have done any of those horrible things if that medical supply company hadn’t given her a radioactive hip. So really, shouldn’t one of their fancy executives be in a jail cell right next to hers? Elizabeth says she sees Heather’s point, and she’s appalled at the lack of quality control. Heather says, they probably knew all about this and they just hushed it up. That’s what they do. (Again, not wrong.) She took responsibility, but it wasn’t all on her. So why should she have to spend the rest of her life without her grandson in a prison cell? It isn’t fair to Ace to have his grandma in the slammer. Elizabeth says she knows Heather misses him, and Heather says she does. The other thing is, she’s never been compensated at all for their negligence. Isn’t she really entitled? She doesn’t want anything astronomical. Just something to make her comfortable. Maybe a little house with room for Ace, a little garden with petunias. She loves petunias. Elizabeth says she’s going to just take the tray right now. Use her call button if she wants it back or if she wants anything else. Heather asks her to wait. By any chance has she seen Scott Baldwin around?

Nina asks if Drew saw how quickly Willow left. She couldn’t wait to get away from him. He says he didn’t do anything, and she tells him to give her a break. She’s probably running down the stairs two steps at a time. What is wrong with him? She loves Michael. She doesn’t want to lose him. She doesn’t want to hurt her kids or blow up her life. He says he doesn’t want that either, and she says, then leave her alone. Just get over whatever this is, this hero complex of his and cut her loose before he destroys her life. He says, it was one kiss. He’s not trying to defend it, but he already told Nina that they got caught up in the moment and it’s not going to happen again. His phone rings and he says, it’s McConkey. He has to take this. He steps away and asks what he can do for the congressman… He understands and he’ll take care of that… He looks at the phone and says, suddenly being stuck in an elevator doesn’t sound so bad. Nina says, dare she ask? and Drew says, McConkey doesn’t think he’s making enough progress with the school board, that he’s not being proactive enough to get their support. She asks what he’s doing tonight, and straightens his tie. He asks, why? and she says, because she might be able to help.

Laura goes to Doc’s office, and he says, hey, wife. It’s good to see her, if only for a few minutes. It’s been a busy day. She hugs him and says, it has been. She came to see him, but he wasn’t here, so she visited Heather. He says, she’s in the building? He didn’t know that. She says, yeah. Elizabeth said she was kind of depressed, so she tried to cheer Heather up. He says, with pictures of Ace, and she says, yes, and some reassurance that she stopped looking into Heather’s sentencing. He asks if that did the trick, but she says, not really. Heather seems concerned that she’s going to abandon her and will stop visiting her. He says, that sounds like reality is setting in. Her emotions will be all over the place. She says she tried to reassure Heather that she’ll keep visiting just as she has been, and she’ll keep Ace in her life with photos. She perked up just a little bit, but she thinks the reality of Pentenville is weighing on Heather. He says, trips to the hospital can be a mixed blessing. It’s a break from prison, but then she has glimpses into a life she can no longer have. Laura says, make no mistake. She knows who Heather is. She knows the things Heather has done pre and post metallosis, but there’s always been this sort of tragic, poignant thing about Heather. But the horror she became is something altogether different. He asks what she thinks now that she’s taken a step back, and she says she has mixed feelings, but she’s relieved to have made the decision to put it behind her and she knows Portia’s relieved too. He says, she spoke to Portia? and she says she ran into Portia here. Portia wanted to thank her for dropping Heather’s case.

Kristina looks at the photos and tells Michael, that bump. That’s her. That’s the last time the baby was with her, safe and protected. Why did she go in there? What was she thinking? Why didn’t she just leave Ava alone? He says, it doesn’t help going down that path, and she says, he’s never asked himself what if? What if I had made some different choices would everything be different? He says, many times, but it doesn’t change anything. It’s just another way to beat yourself up. She doesn’t need that. She says she wishes she could go back in time. Just walk out that door. Turn around and leave. Then her baby would still be here. Her baby would still be with her. She would still be alive.

Alexis says, Kristina is traumatized, and while she and Sonny are lucky she’s alive, her baby didn’t make it. And she still doesn’t know if she’ll be able to have a child again. Sonny says he didn’t know that, and she says, that’s why they’ve been monitoring her so closely, because they’re trying to avoid a hysterectomy. She is so fragile right now. He says, she thinks he didn’t see that when he walked into the room? It broke his heart. She says, good. Then he realizes Kristina doesn’t know what she’s asking. He says he knows what she’s saying, but this is between him and Kristina, and she says, no. They’re not doing this again. She’s Kristina’s mother and she’s telling him that he can’t do what she asked. Because if Ava dies or disappears or whatever euphemism applies here, he’ll leave a forever mark on Kristina’s soul.

Doc says he’s glad Laura and Portia were able to mend fences, and she says her too. She’s always liked Portia and she adores Trina. And she does understand where Portia was coming from. As a mother, if you perceive a threat to your child, you do anything you can to stop it. Ironically, that’s what Heather was doing too. He says he admires her for asking the questions, and for her sense of fairness and decency, and for overlooking what’s popular and politically expedient. Come to think of it, he admires himself. She laughs and says, really, and he says, for having the good sense to marry her. She hugs him and says, he’s not so bad himself. She doesn’t regret raising the questions she raised, but she thinks in the end, it’s best Heather remains in prison.

Elizabeth says she hasn’t seen Scotty today, and Heather says, he was in here earlier. Could Elizabeth ask him to come back in and see her in her room? Elizabeth says she doesn’t know if he’s going to be back by the time Heather is discharged, and Heather asks if she can just make a teeny-weeny phone call. Elizabeth says, Heather knows she’s not supposed to call from unmonitored lines, but Heather says, it’s really important. It’s actually kind of urgent. Could she ask Elizabeth to call on her own phone? Elizabeth says she doesn’t think she wants to get involved, but Heather says, just leave a message. Just two words, that’s all. Simple. Heather’s in.

Drew says, after reading him the riot act, Nina is offering to help him? and she says she promised she was going to help him get elected and she really needs him to be elected. And McConkey is counting on Drew, and she doesn’t want to let him down. So why doesn’t he just come by her place tonight and they’ll order dinner. He asks if she’s sure about this, and she says, if she wasn’t sure, she wouldn’t have offered. See him tonight. She leaves.

Willow finds Michael and hugs him, and he says he’s glad to see her. She says she’s glad he called. How’s Kristina? He says, she’s not good. Physically, she’s on the mend, but emotionally she’s in a dark place. She’s hurt and she doesn’t see an end in sight. Willow says she understands that. He does too. Michael says he was thinking, if she’s willing, Kristina could really benefit from someone who’s carried and lost a child. He knows it’s a big ask, and she can obviously say no, but would Willow be willing to talk to Kristina?

Kristina looks at the photos and says, you will always be with me. We were a part of each other, and I pray you knew just how loved you were. How loved you still are. You changed my life, baby girl. You taught me the power of a mother’s love, and that is something Ava can never take away from me… like she has everything else.

Alexis says, their daughter is surging with grief right now, and if Sonny takes any action against Ava, she will feel responsible. He says, everything she’s saying, he already knows. He loves his daughter. He’d do anything for his daughter to protect her, but Ava is his problem, and he will take it from here.

On Monday, Maxie says, this is an unexpected turn of events; Anna says, ruining someone’s evening is the only thing she’s happy about; Jack tells Carly, an experience like this shouldn’t be rushed; and Brook tells Blaze that she has to grab the chance.

🐪 Coveted Seating…

IMO, Chanel and Stanbury should have gotten the seats next to Andy.

🍸 Second VanderChapter…

I thought, instead of firing Stassi for something she did years before, it would have been better to watch her grow from it. But she grew anyway and has obviously moved on. However, the LVP connection remains. I started watching Vanderpump Villa, but drifted away. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.

🌴 They’ve Got Style…

In theory, a Bravo FanFest sounds like a good idea, but it’s probably hot, crowded, and ultimately annoying.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/bravo-fan-fest-miami-2024

⚰️ The Next Chapters…

It will be interesting to see how they top themselves after that stellar first season.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/melissa-mcbride-and-norman-reedus-talk-about-carol-and-daryl-s-time-to-shine-01j45se86fkn

Ah for the days of more than a handful of episodes in a season.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-how-many-episodes-per-season-01j4j9whkv7k

Hola, Daryl!

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/daryl-dixon-season-3-confirmed-with-story-moving-to-spain-here-s-everything-we-know-01j3x6ppyak7

🗽 City To Come…

I never knew his last name was Smith. Come to think of it, I never knew he had a last name.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/walking-dead-did-negan-s-redemption-arc-reveal-his-true-nature-or-just-a-path-to-survival-01j4pdzwvt8b

Geez. A little benefit of the doubt would be nice.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/dead-city-negan-s-motivation-to-squander-the-second-chance-given-to-him-by-rick-grimes-01j44ztttajb

I’m including this mostly because I saw Frozen Empire a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun, and the little Stay Puft marshmallow guys were adorable, but I would have liked more of the frozen part.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/watch-dead-city-actor-logan-kim-in-ghostbusters-frozen-empire-now-streaming-on-netflix-01j3j9fjy50d

🌁 The Latest On Last…

It seems like it’s been forever already.

https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/the-last-of-us-season-2-first-look-catherine-ohara-joels-rescue-aftermath-and-more

https://deadline.com/feature/the-last-of-us-season-2-cast-release-date-everything-to-know-1235940502/

🦄 IF You’re Streaming…

This is on Paramount+ right now. Saw it. Loved it. It rides that fine line of being sentimental without taking a trip to the cornfield. Kind of like a sweeter version of Drop Dead Fred.   

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/if-cast-imaginary-friends-voice-actor-guide/

🦫 Is It Me Or…

It would probably be my luck that when I finally got a prize from one of those stupid machines, it would be a groundhog.

https://people.com/penn-officials-rescue-groundhog-stuck-in-claw-machine-at-mini-golf-course-an-unusual-prize-8693471

🐶 Only a Tail Wag Away…

I was gone like, four hours the other day, and according to my dogs, it was four years. Nothing like a pup to make you feel wanted.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/chihuahua-best-reaction-being-reunited-with-mom

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/dog-reunites-with-girlfriend

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/australian-shepherd-reunites-with-mom-after-month

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you. – Jim Rohn

So let me get this hetero-straight. So you’s a vampire, that can come out in the daytime?… Oh there goes the damn neighborhood. – Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis), True Blood

Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy. – Howard W. Newton

Each day we are given the opportunity to choose between that which is easy and fast and that which is more difficult and slow. The fast and easy track is attractive, but doesn’t bear fruit. The slow and hard track is intimidating, but has the most potential. – Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

Critical thinking and curiosity are the key to creativity. – Amala Akkineni

His self-awareness makes him almost invincible. – Chris Evans in reference to Ryan Reynolds

Don’t make us die. – girls going parasailing to the boat captain, Customer Wars

🌈 If You Want the Rainbow…

Do something fabulous this weekend, or at least watch something fabulous. Then come back again on Monday for soap and mischief on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay doing what you’re afraid to do, and stay not going down the path of what if. It doesn’t change anything.

August 8, 2024 – Ava Has More Visitors, Other Side, First Look, New Team, In the OC, Go Already, A Return, House Finale, Next Knight, Furry Influencers & Day

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina holds her baby, and says, so perfect. Ready to take on the world. She’s a Davis girl through and through. She knew it was going to be a girl, and she’s glad she’s finally here. She kisses the baby’s head, then wakes up. She feels her stomach and cries. She says, my baby.

Portia says she’s glad Trina came to see her. They’ll finish their conversation later. Trina heads for the elevator, and Heather is wheeled out. Heather says, she’s so… when Portia runs in between them, and says, no. Stay away from her daughter.

In Donna’s hospital room, Carly asks if she’s feeling okay, and Donna says her throat hurts. Sonny asks if she knows what helps a sore throat, and Donna says, popsicles. She wonders if she’s in trouble for eating daddy’s vitamins.

Ava yells that she needs to make a phone call to the FBI. She knows the guard can hear her. She needs to speak to Agent John Cates immediately.

John goes to Anna’s office and says he doesn’t appreciate being summoned. She says, the sooner they do this, the better, and he asks what she wants. She says, the truth would be nice. What is the nature of his relationship with Ava Jerome?

Heather says she just wanted to apologize, but Portia says, her daughter is completely off limits. Heather says she’s just here for a follow-up, and Portia says, that doesn’t change the fact that she’s a killer, and Portia will do whatever she has to in order to protect her daughter and keep Heather off the streets. She tells the guard to get Heather out of her sight, and he wheels Heather away. Trina asks, what the hell was that?

Sonny says, Donna isn’t in trouble. They’re just happy she’s okay. Carly says, but she needs to know she can’t take other people’s medicine. Don’t take a pill or swallow anything unless there’s an adult there. Sonny says, medication is good for you, but it’s dangerous unless a doctor gives it to you, and Donna asks if she can go home. Carly says, as soon as the doctor says it’s okay. Daddy will stay here with her. Sonny says he’s going to check in on Kristina, and Donna says, tell Kristina that she hopes she feels better. Maybe get her two popsicles, one for her and one for the baby. (Ouch. Another knife to the heart of the viewers.)

Kristina struggles to sit up, but Alexis says, she can’t get up. Is she in pain? Kristina says she was holding the baby in her arms. She was so beautiful, and she was gone. Alexis says, she was dreaming. She has to try and relax. Her body has been through a lot. Kristina cries and says she was holding her and when she woke up, she was gone. In real life, that’s how it’s always going to be. She was pregnant for eight and a half months and will never get to hold or see the baby except in her dreams, forever. Alexis takes her hand, kisses it, and smooths her hair.

John says, Ava is a friend, and Anna says, just a friend? He says his personal life is his business, and she says, unless it connects him to a crime. His luggage was found in Ava’s room. Does he care to explain? He says, absolutely not, and she says, Ava is in custody. She pushed Kristina Corinthos-Davis, and she fell from a third story window. Ava is being charged with assault, attempted murder, and manslaughter. Kristina was eight and a half months pregnant, and the baby didn’t make it. Would he like to shed some light regarding his and Ava’s relationship? John tells her that he has nothing more to say, and she asks if he doesn’t care that an innocent life was lost before it had a chance to be born. Or doesn’t it matter because it’s Sonny’s grandchild? He says, of course (🍷) it matters. It’s a tragedy. She asks him again to shed light on his relationship with Ava, and he says, one last time, no. Anna says, then she can only speculate. He thinks Ava is an ally against Sonny or maybe a vehicle to bring Sonny down, but that’s a mistake. He’s spent his life dedicated to law enforcement. Don’t let his hatred destroy his career and him. He needs to distance himself from Ava. He says, like she distanced herself from Valentin? and she says, it’s a slippery slope and the bottom is ugly. He accuses her of being an apologist for Sonny. It’s the only way Sonny has lasted this long. She asks if he knows how many professionals wrecked themselves to get Sonny. It’s a long list, and he’s about to add his name. John tells her to stay out of his way. Nothing is going to stop him from taking Sonny down. He leaves.

Portia asks if Trina is worried that she embarrassed herself. She doesn’t care. Her only concern is to protect her daughter. Trina says, Heather is handcuffed and has a guard with her, but Portia says, she’s escaped from the hospital before. Trina says, Portia is Co-Chief of Staff. She can’t afford to lose it on a patient even if it’s Heather.

Scotty goes to Heather’s room and shows the guard his ID. He says he needs to speak to his client, but the guard says, she’s here for a check-up, not a legal conference. Scotty says he has every right to see her, and if he doesn’t, he’ll sue the guard, the hospital, Pentenville, and everybody. The guard steps aside, and he goes in. Heather says, it’s always a treat to see him, but they both know he’s not her attorney. He says, not yet.

Felicia goes to Kristina’s room and says she wanted to check in. She’s so sorry about what happened and for Kristina’s loss. Her entire family has her in their thoughts and will do whatever they can to help. Kristina stays turned away and silent, but Alexis thanks her. Felicia says, on a professional note, she’s a patient advocate, and one of the things she does is ensure that patients take full advantage of the hospital resources, including counseling, therapy, and grief support. Whatever she needs. Alexis says, they’ll take that into consideration, and Felicia says, feel free to reach out with any questions or anything. She knows from experience there’s no timeline or standard of how to handle grief, but she knows it helps to lean on family. If Kristina needs the support of a friend, she’s here. She leaves, and Alexis spoons Kristina in the bed. She asks what she can do, and Kristina asks why this happened.  

John goes to Ava’s cell, and Ava says she told them that she wanted to call him, but they wouldn’t let her. How did he find her? He says, the Police Commissioner said she was arrested. He asks if she’s responsible for Kristina going through the window, but she says, absolutely not. It was an accident. She tripped and fell, but it won’t matter. It’s her word against Kristina’s. If Kristina doesn’t make it, Sonny is going to blame her. John says, Kristina is expected to recover, but the baby died, and she says, they’re blaming her and charging her with manslaughter. She’s not likely to live long enough to go to trial. Sonny is coming after her and probably him. Kristina tripped over his duffel bag and she hid it, but the police found it. He asks what she told them, and she says, nothing, but Sonny will find out. It’s only going to get worse when he realizes his pills are placebos.  

Jason comes into the hospital and sees Donna with Sonny and Carly. He asks if everything is okay, and Donna says, she’s going home – and she gets two popsicles. Jason says he took Josslyn to her Ride Share, so he can take Carly and Donna home, but Carly says she wants him to stay with Sonny. Keep her posted about Kristina and what’s going on with the meds. She and Donna leave, and Jason says he’s glad Donna is okay. Sonny says, it was too close for comfort. For Donna’s sake, he’s glad they were placebos, but it took him a long time to recognize it. He was all over the place. Jason and Carly knew, and he should have listened. Jason says, they can’t go back and change anything, but ultimately, Sonny did the right thing seeing Doc. His instincts kicked in and he’s glad Sonny trusted them. Sonny says he feels better knowing what’s going on. Now he wants to know who switched his medication for placebos in the first place.

Scotty says he did some research after the article in The Invader, and Heather says, it upset a lot of people. He says he’s intrigued, and she asks, why? He says, cobalt poisoning is a real thing, and she got a bum sentence. She’s done wild things, but she’s not movie slasher crazy. She says, they all were a little wild back in the day if she recalls, and he says, those were different times with different standards. They’re dealing with right now. She left a wake of death and terror, but it’s not her fault. She didn’t give herself cobalt poisoning like she gave herself LSD. She wasn’t in her right mind, but it’s not her fault her judgment was gaflute. Let him help her. She asks why he wants to, and he says, they’re family a little bit. They share Franco. She says, he did not just use the dead son card. What’s in this for him?

Portia tells Trina that she’s aware of her position, but she’s not apologizing for protecting her child. She’ll tell the board if they have a problem with it. Trina says she understands, but Portia says, she doesn’t. It’s nice that Laura backed off, but the damage was done. She won’t have a lawyer make a name for themselves putting Heather back on the street. Trina says she’s not worried about Heather; she’s worried about Portia. Don’t let her hatred consume her. She’s got to let this go. Portia says, if Trina wants to put her mind at ease, stay away from Heather.

John asks what makes Ava think Sonny is going to find out, and she says, he’s getting treatment. Doc came to see her, and she heard him on a phone call. John asks if Doc noticed there was a problem, and she says, of course (🍷) he would. Sonny was undermedicated for months. She’s terrified about the fallout. John asks if she’ll be blamed, and she says, of course (🍷), but she didn’t do it. It was the GH pharmacist, Clement. Somebody paid or coerced him into switching the meds. John says, it’s only a matter of time before Sonny confronts him unless he can get to him first. Ava tells him, go to GH and find Clement. Tell him to run. Do whatever he can to keep alive. John says, he’s hardly innocent, but she says she went to Clement’s office. Sonny is going to think she put him up to it. At the very least, he’ll know that she knew. John says he won’t let that happen, and she asks how he’s going to stop it. He says, don’t worry. Sonny’s days of trampling over people are about to come to an end.

Jason shows Sonny the photos on the phone and says, Brick had a guy posted opposite Ava’s room. Sonny says, Ava had her hands on Kristina and pushed her? and Jason says, looks that way. Sonny says, it all leads to Ava. The baby’s death, Kristina falling, and his medication. She did it to Morgan. She switched his lithium with a placebo and made him think he was losing his mind when he was fine. If she could do that to his son, she could do it to him. Jason asks what Sonny wants him to do, and Sonny says he wants her to pay. He thinks for a moment, and says, do him a favor and pay Ava a visit. See if she has anything to say. Jason says, copy that, and leaves.

Kristina asks Alexis how she’s supposed to do this. How can she be here when her baby is gone? My baby. She’s said those words so many times, but it’s the first time she let herself feel them. She was Kristina’s baby. She was a part of Kristina, and Kristina was a part of her. Now that she’s gone, Kristina is acknowledging that she was her mother. Alexis says, sometimes questions don’t have answers. Sometimes terrible things happen for no reason. Kristina says, she was her baby and grew in her body. She’s the only one who truly knew her. She knew what every kick meant. She knew when the baby was happy, excited, or hungry, when she liked or didn’t like something. Every day for the last eight and a half months, it was just the two of them. She felt her and knew she was real. She was hers. She cries and says, she was my baby.  

Scotty tells Heather that the company that manufactured the defective implant has deep pockets, and they can sue the pants off them. Heather says, even if she wins, what good is it to her in prison? and he tells her, who said she was going to stay in prison if they appeal and get a new trial? She says, it’s a big if, and he says, they can use the cobalt poisoning as a defense. She says, people are still dead, and he says, it’s tragic, but she’s not responsible for killing them. She was literally not in her right mind. If she’s acquitted, she’ll be free and have big fat cat bank account. She has life left in her, right? She says she hopes so, and he asks if she wants to spend it with her grandchild or punching out license plates. The manufacturer stole her life. They don’t care about the little people, only profit. They went after her. She’s the victim. She asks if he isn’t laying it on a little thick, and he says he’s practicing his opening statement. He sees she’s interested. Let him get her out of here and they’ll go after a piece of the big corporate pie.

Alexis comes out and Sonny asks if Kristina is all right, but she says, no. Kristina is shattered and devastated, and she has no idea how they’ll get her through. He says, whatever she needs, they’ll give it to her, and she says, they have to be at their best. He says he’s getting help and she says she’s glad to hear it. He says he’s not going to go in and scare Kristina, and she says, they have to keep it together. She needs them more than ever. Sonny says, they’re in this together. He has to tell her something. Ava is responsible for everything that happened, and he has proof.

Portia tells the desk nurse that she wants to get Heather discharged as quickly as possible. No coddling or special treatment. It’s not a day spa for her. Felicia says she doesn’t want to overstep, but she’s not sure rushing a patient is giving them the best care possible.

The guard tells Heather that someone insists on speaking with her, and she says, tell her attorney that she’ll get back to him, but Trina walks in.

Carly calls Anna and asks her to come over. She needs to report a crime.  

Ava hears footsteps, and Jason walks in. She asks what he wants.

Heather says she didn’t expect it to be Trina, especially considering the warm reception she got from Trina’s mother. Trina says, her mother doesn’t speak for her. She’s an adult and wants to hear Heather say whatever she has to say. Heather thanks Trina for letting her and says she’s so sorry. She realizes that changes nothing, that people are dead and there’s no replacing them. It was like waking up from a nightmare to find herself in a worse one. Now she knows what she did, and she’ll regret it for the rest of her life.  

Portia tells Felicia that she’s maintained to her staff and law enforcement that they don’t have to like every patient, but have to provide everyone with the best medical care. Heather is receiving the same care as every other patient, and yes, Felicia is overstepping. Felicia says she’s a patient advocate and her job is to ensure all patients receive the full scope of the hospital’s resources, including those who are criminals and in jail. Portia says, like Ryan Chamberlain? She doesn’t recall Felicia advocating for him. (Felicia wasn’t a patient advocate then. Ugh, Portia.) She does appreciate Felicia’s passion for patient care, but reminds Felicia that she’s Co-Chief of Staff. She walks away.

Sonny tells Alexis that Ava intentionally pushed their daughter out a window, and she asks how he knows. He says he has surveillance pictures of her putting her hands on Kristina. It was no accident. She says, that hateful, evil, obscene woman, and he says he’s sorry to tell her. She says, take care of Kristina. She needs some air. She leaves and he looks at Kristina through the window.

Carly thanks Anna for coming by. She just settled Donna in after she’d been in the hospital. She had her stomach pumped. Anna asks if she’s all right, and Carly says, she’s got a popsicle. Anna asks, what happened? and Carly says, she swallowed some of Sonny’s lithium. She thought they were vitamins. But it turns out they went through all that for nothing. The pills were placebos. Anna asks if Sonny knows, and Carly says, he was there. Anna asks how long Carly thinks that’s been going on, and Carly says she’s guessing since New Year’s Eve. They did a blood test on Sonny and there was no medication in his bloodstream. Anna says, that explains his reckless behavior. It’s not an excuse, but it gives some perspective. Carly says she’s more concerned about who tampered with the medication, and Anna asks if she has any idea. Carly says she does. Ava Jerome. (Ava is still the answer to every question.)

Ava asks why Jason is here. Did Sonny send him? Is he back working for Sonny? Jason says nothing, and she calls for the guard. She says, they’ll be making their rounds soon, but Jason shakes his head and says, no one is coming for her. She says, whatever he was told or whatever he thinks he knows about what happened, it was an accident. It’s an accusation Sonny cooked up. He’s too volatile. Not that long ago, he wanted Jason dead. Jason says, the baby died, and she says, it was an accident. Why would she do anything to intentionally harm Kristina, let alone push her out a window? Jason says he’s given up thinking about why people do what they do. They have proof. She says, photos can be manipulated. Sonny would do anything to get rid of her. He’s violent and erratic. He says, now they know why. She switched his medication for placebos like she did with Morgan.

Scotty sees Alexis in the hallway and says he heard about Kristina. How is she doing? She asks, who wants to know? Him or his murderous client? Scotty says he heard there was an accident, and Alexis says, Kristina had an abrupted placenta after being pitched three stories down. The baby died, so she is not okay. Scotty says he doesn’t want to upset Alexis. Can he get her some coffee? She says she just needs some air, and he asks if she’s got a minute so they can put their heads together. She says, no, and he says he understands she had a theory about how Heather’s case could be overturned. He’s taken her on as a client and thought Alexis might want to be second chair. Alexis says, he’s insane to ask right now. No. No way in hell will she ever help Heather.

Trina says she heard Heather’s apology and she’s glad Heather’s not homicidal. She hopes it sticks. She starts to leave, but Heather says, wait. She’s truly sorry for everything she did to Trina and the people around her. And one more thing. She’s sorry for what Esme did to Trina too. She was manipulated by her father. Trina knows how evil Ryan was and how jealous Esme was about how much Spencer loved Trina. Ryan exploited that because he knew the worst thing about being in love… Trina says, Esme was not in love with Spencer. She used Spencer. Don’t apologize for her. She won’t forgive Heather or Esme. Heather says, okay. She understands. Why did Trina come to see her? Trina says she’s not going to be trapped by her fear and hatred. She’s not going to let Heather or Esme have that power over her, but she wants Heather to have her day in court. She prays justice is served in the end, whatever that means. She prays no one is hurt by Heather again. Heather says, and she prays she never hurts anyone again, ever, and Trina says, good, a tear running down her cheek. They all deserve some peace. She leaves, and Heather cries.

Anna asks if Carly is accusing Ava of tampering with Sonny’s medication, and Carly says, she did the same to Morgan. She pushed him to a manic episode that led to his death. Anna says, the legal record doesn’t reflect that, and it’s not proof she did the same to Sonny. Carly says, Ava has motive and opportunity. She was living in the penthouse and Sonny turned her into his watchdog. She was there when Dante got shot. Anna says, Ava did seem protective of Sonny, and Carly says, she was trying to control him. She isolated him and kept him unmedicated. It worked for a while. He pushed everyone away. Anna says, it’s not easy to prove, and Carly asks if she isn’t Police Commissioner. Isn’t it a crime? Anna says, it is. How much does Sonny know? Right now, the only life at stake could be Ava’s.

Jason wonders who else could have done it, since Ava was living at the penthouse, but Ava says she didn’t switch the medication. She found out by accident and made it her business to follow up. Sonny has a dangerous enemy. He tells her to give him a name, but she says, they both know how this works. If she tells him, she’s expendable. The only thing keeping her alive is what she knows that Sonny doesn’t.

John goes to Clement’s office and shows his ID. He says he’s going to need Clement to come with him.

Sonny kisses Kristina’s forehead, and she turns to him. He says he didn’t mean to wake her. When she was a little girl, he would kiss her booboo to make it better. She says she’s glad he’s here and takes his hand. He asks if he can get her anything, and she says, he needs make Ava pay for what she did to her baby.

I’m in.

Tomorrow, Drew says he’s got good news for someone; Doc tells Alexis that she can’t do it alone; Michael wants to show his appreciation to Nina for everything she’s done for Willow; and Kristina asks Sonny when Ava is finally going to pay for everything she’s done.

🔦 What They Do In the Shadows…

I visited the One Life To Live set once, and the rooms are side by side, almost like in a good furniture store. And the lights are hot. So hot. There’s also a lot of hurry up and wait. I was so impressed by both the actors and production in how they’re able to make it seem so real.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/steve-burton-shows-fans-a-side-of-gh-never-seen-before

🍀 We’re All Lucky…

Laura is going to go out of her mind with joy.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-shares-a-first-look-at-jonathan-jacksons-return

📝 Flipping the Script…

It always seems to go the same way. There are casualties – Finn – and the story gets amped up, along with a few big twists – the whole baby/Ava/Sonny’s meds storylines.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-names-new-headwriting-team

🍊 Meanwhile, In the County Of Oranges…

We saw that clearly, Gina had encouraged Katie to call Heather out on the old paparazzi thing, then later, told Katie that she shouldn’t have said anything. I guess she thought better about stirring Heather’s pot, but it was too late. Heather was annoyed and confused, but I’m not sure why she gives a flying. She’s already won by having the most toys. The worst, most cringeworthy thing was Tamra berating Shannon – no surprise, in public at a brunch – about drinking and calling her an alcoholic. I’m not a Shannon fan, but I felt badly for her once again. It’s not bad enough she has to share the stage with Johnny’s new squeeze, now she has to endure the wrath of Tamra for something that Tamra obviously knows nothing about. I don’t know if Shannon is an alcoholic, or her drinking is just problematic – there’s a difference – but only Shannon can make that call. On Watch What Happens Live, Andy read a post from a viewer who called it tough love, but I don’t think it’s that at all. I think it’s just Tamra being her screechy, bitchy self, and not being helpful at all. Shannon left the table and Alexis brought up the lawsuit, producing actual receipts for Shannon’s facelift. There was a side conversation about how good Shannon looked, so there’s always an upside. In keeping with the immaturity of the situation, Alexis said, liar face better shush it. What are we? Ten? Sadly, Vicki was the voice of reason, but Tamra called her an enabler, which made me wonder. If Tamra is so concerned about Shannon’s drinking, why doesn’t she not drink in comradery? TBH, neither one of them should be drinking since it always leads to screaming and yelling. There were some amusing flashbacks of Vicki screaming at various people, although some of them were actually warranted.

👠 Bye, Jersey, Bye…

I’m actually watching this right now and agreed. The episode itself comes across as final.

https://ew.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-andy-cohen-think-cast-is-done-8691427

https://www.eonline.com/news/1405670/why-rhonjs-season-14-last-supper-proves-the-current-cast-is-done-for-good

Yeah Delores, we all wish we could go back in time.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1405670/why-rhonjs-season-14-last-supper-proves-the-current-cast-is-done-for-good

Too bad. All that plastic surgery for nothing.

🍑 Just Peachy…

Like Colleen Hoover said on Watch What Happens Live, she’s good TV.

https://people.com/phaedra-parks-joins-real-housewives-of-atlanta-season-16-8685417

🐉 Here There Be Dragons…

Warning: probably a million spoilers if you haven’t watched the finale.

https://ew.com/daeron-house-of-the-dragon-explained-season-2-finale-teaser-8687123

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-ending-explained-where-war-goes-from-here-8687671

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-battle-of-rooks-rest-rhaenys-death-cast-interviews-exclusive-8674281

My takeaway point: Aww! Baby dragon!

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-why-jon-snow-not-in-season-2-finale-creator-ryan-condal-8690570

⚔️ What Comes Next…

But will they know something? I’m unfamiliar with these books, but they sound intriguing. I loved the A Song of Ice and Fire series. It’s not even my jam to read, but I was hooked immediately.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-spinoff-a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-first-footage-8690112

https://ew.com/knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-casts-its-own-daeron-targaryen-8692527

Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Spinoff Announces New Cast Members

🐕 Will Work For Treats…

Feeling influenced by cuteness already.

☔️ Checking Ark Blueprints…

Join me tomorrow for soap, insights into entertainment, words to think about, and a song to set the mood by. Until then, stay safe, stay donating those clothes you haven’t worn in eons, and stay never being trapped by fear and hatred.

August 7, 2024 – Donna Is Rushed To the ER, Tough Scene, Listing Millions, Her Life, Trying To Move On, Lala Speaks, They’re Contenders, More For the Pool, Giving Them a 10 & Taylor’s August

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex and Josslyn wake up, and Josslyn says she forgot for a second about Kristina. Dex says he texted a cadet who was on the nightshift, and Kristina made it through the surgery. He has no information on the baby though. She thanks him for finding out, and he asks what else he can do. She says, he’s already doing it, and they snuggle.

TJ looks at memorial services online, and Molly asks if he’s seen her briefcase. He asks why she’s dressed for work, and she says, her caseload is insane. He says, she can’t go in, but she says she has to. They need her. He says he needs her more.

At the hospital, Portia says, Elizabeth is just the person she wants to see, and Elizabeth asks, what’s up? Portia says, she and Terry looked at Elizabeth’s proposal for the nurses’ schedule change and they love it. She’s doing a fantastic job as head nurse.

In her cell, Ava tells the guard to take the food away. She doesn’t eat slop. (FYI, it does not look like slop or even like jail food. Maybe Denny’s.) Trina comes in and asks if it’s okay that she’s here. Ava asks why it wouldn’t be, and Trina says she didn’t know, considering her statement helped put Ava in a cell. Ava says, the police asked Trina questions, and she answered honestly. It’s all she could do. She’s still reeling from yesterday. It was a terrible, tragic accident. Trina asks, was it an accident or did Ava push Kristina?

Jason asks Carly if things are good, and she says, Avery and Donna are playing with Pilar. He asks if Avery had any questions, but she says, none. She’s here all the time, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary. She’s glad Sonny is okay and took it upon himself to reach out and see Doc. Jason says, that shows how hard it hit, and she asks how Sonny seemed when Jason drove him home. Jason says, he was quiet. He didn’t talk much. She says, but he did ask Jason to drive him, and Jason says, he did. She says, Sonny is coming back to them. She knows he is.

There’s a knock at the penthouse door, and Doc comes in. Sonny says he didn’t know doctors made house calls, and Doc says, touché. He thought he’d come and see how Sonny is feeling. Sonny says his mind is clearer, and Doc says, good. That means the meds are working. To be honest, he’s concerned about Sonny’s emotional state. What does he think about discussing what happened last night?

Carly tells Jason that she’s relieved Sonny realized there was a problem. She was convinced he’d stopped taking his meds, but she saw that she was wrong. She hopes Doc was able to recalibrate them. Jason says, he still has to deal with what happened, and Carly wonders what the hell Kristina was doing in Ava’s room. Jason says he talked to Dante, and Ava had served Kristina with a subpoena for Avery’s custody case. She says, because Kristina saw Sonny beat up Dex. Ava wanted to force her to put it on record. He says, they’re assuming Kristina was served and went to confront Ava, and they argued. She wonders if Ava could push Kristina hard enough to break a window, and he says, they don’t know exactly what happened, but Kristina was there to protect her father.

Dex says he’s going to make coffee. Didn’t Josslyn tell Donna that she’d be with her today? Josslyn says she did, but she’s willing to skip coffee to stay in bed with him. He asks if she’s avoiding the real world, and she says, yes. It’s a horrible, scary place. Only good things happen in this bed. Is it terrible she wants to stay? He says, no, and kisses her. They get busy.

Elizabeth says she’s just doing her job, and Portia says she made a promise to herself that if the staff was doing a good job, she wants them to know it, and Elizabeth is doing a very good job. Elizabeth says she learned from the best, and Portia says, Epiphany. Elizabeth says, Epiphany was the type of nurse she aspired to be. Professional and no-nonsense, but kind and compassionate.

Sonny tells Doc that he was sent to the dark side. He felt responsible for Kristina losing the baby, and his niece Molly told him as much. Doc says, it must have been hard to hear, and Sonny says, Jason and Carly figured out something was off, that he wasn’t thinking clearly, but he didn’t trust them. Doc asks if that isn’t unusual when it comes to Jason and Carly, and Sonny says, it should have been a warning sign, but he didn’t understand. Doc says, Sonny was fine according to himself, and Sonny says, until last night. That’s why he went to Doc’s office. Obviously, his pills need readjusting. Doc says he got the results of Sonny’s blood test. He put a rush on it. There was no lorphenadine or lithium in his system – none. Sonny says, that doesn’t make sense. He takes his medication every day like clockwork. Doc says, and as prescribed? and Sonny says, yeah. Doc says he’d like to schedule some sessions until Sonny’s meds are recalibrated, and they determine a new protocol. How does Sonny feel about this? Sonny says, confused, but relieved he has something physical to blame. Doc says, just a triple check. Sonny never skipped a dose? Sonny says, never. That’s why it makes no sense.

Ava tells Trina that she had nothing to do with Kristina’s fall. Kristina was in a rage, manic, there was no reasoning with her. She tripped on a shoe and fell through the window. It happened so fast, she’s still spinning from it. She would have grabbed Kristina if she could have. Trina asks, if that’s true, why was she arrested? and Ava says, when something this awful happens, people need someone to blame. It can’t be the woman who lost her child. That’s too cruel, so it falls on her. She knows how most of the people here feel about her. It’s easy to make her the scapegoat. Trina asks if that’s really all it is, and Ava says she’s completely innocent.

Molly says she thought TJ’s mom was coming, and he says, she is, along with Aunt Stella and Curtis. They’re going to help pack up the nursery. Doesn’t she want to be here? She says she can’t, and he says he knows how incredibly hard it is. She says, it’s impossible. The nursery is like a time capsule, but instead of the past, it’s the future they’ll never have. She knows she has to let it go and she will, but she can’t physically get rid of what’s in there. Does he understand? He says, yeah, but some things can’t wait. Like a name for their daughter. They still need to plan a funeral. Molly says, they’ll talk later. Pick what he wants. He says, it happened to both of them, when there’s a knock at the door. Molly lets Jordan in, and says she’s got to go to work. Just for an hour or so. She’ll check on the urgent cases and be back. She leaves, and Jordan asks if she’s all right, but he says, how can she be?

Stella tells TJ that she’s so sorry. It’s the most unfair, unfathomable loss. She hugs TJ, and Curtis asks, where’s Molly? but Jordan shakes her head.

Finally. We see what we all need right now – the moss bowl🎍– and Carly tells Josslyn that she just missed Jason. He went to check in on Sonny. Josslyn says, it must have been tough, and Carly says, it was tough on Josslyn too. It’s good to see her. Josslyn says she texted, but Carly says, it’s not the same. She needs eyes on Josslyn to know she’s okay. Josslyn says she’s fine, and Carly says she was so worried about her. She was the lifeguard on duty, and it had to be devastating. Josslyn says she’s happy she knew what to do in that moment, and Carly says, her too. She’s proud of Josslyn and glad she had Trina to be with to decompress. Josslyn says she wasn’t with Trina. She spent the night with Dex.

Molly goes to see Ava, and says, Cadet Heller is here as an impartial witness. The ADA isn’t allowed to speak to a defendant without a third-party present. Ava asks, how’s Kristina? and Molly says, she survived. Her baby did not. That’s one reason Ava is here in a cell. Ava says she’s so sorry. She knows what it’s like to lose a child and it’s unbearable. Molly takes out some papers, and says, it’s the autopsy report. She’d like to take a look at the facts. The patient was a newborn female, 5 pounds, 2 ounces. Death occurred one minute after delivery by emergency C-section. The examination determined the death to be from blunt force trauma to the head and body.

Stella says she’ll make some food, but TJ says he’s not hungry. She says she won’t accept that answer. She’ll scrounge something up. Jordan says she’ll help, and they go to the kitchen. Curtis sees the laptop and asks if that’s what TJ has been doing. TJ says he wanted to bring up the funeral to Molly, but whenever he mentions the baby, she shuts down. Curtis says he knows it can’t be easy, but if it’s any consolation, people deal with grief differently. TJ says he’s worried Molly’s not dealing with it at all.

Jason goes to the penthouse, and Sonny thanks him for bringing him home. Jason says he was happy to, and Sonny says, he’s not going to ask questions? Jason says, no, but he’ll listen to what Sonny wants to tell him, and Sonny says he talked to Alexis. Jason asks how Kristina is, and Sonny says, she’s resting after the surgery. It’s got to be tough on her, not just the injuries, but the emotional toll from losing the baby. Jason says, luckily, she has family and friends to help her through it, and Sonny says, Molly blaming him for the fall hit him hard. She’s not wrong. He always hurts the people he loves. He didn’t want to do that anymore, so he went to the roof. Jason says, of the hospital? and Sonny says he just wanted the pain and suffering to end, and felt it was the only way out. Jason asks, what stopped him? and Sonny says, Morgan.

Trina shows up at Portia’s office and asks if she’s got a minute to talk. Portia says she has infinite minutes for Trina, and hugs her. She asks, what’s wrong? and Trina says she can’t stop thinking about Kristina. She was doing an amazing thing for her sister, and she was almost at the finish line. Now the baby died, and she feels awful for her, Molly, and TJ. They had the baby’s whole life planned out and now it’s over. Portia says, it’s heartbreaking, and Trina asks why some people are taken too soon. Portia says she wishes she knew the answer. This time, Ava shoulders the blame. How could she push Kristina that hard? Trina says, that’s not what happened. Ava told her. Portia says, she went to see Ava in jail? and Trina says, that’s where she just came from.

Molly continues to read, the infant died from internal bleeding and blunt force trauma to the head and body. Because of Ava, her child’s life ended before she had a chance to live. Ava says she could never intentionally hurt a child, and Molly says, that’s why she’s being charged with manslaughter instead of murder. She didn’t plan it, but her actions led to the baby’s death and it’s time for her to take responsibility.

TJ pushes away his plate, and says, it’s delicious, but he can’t eat any more. Stella says she understands, and he says he’s glad someone does. None of this feels real. How can his daughter be gone? Curtis says, they’re all trying to wrap their minds around it, and TJ says, everything was fine. Despite his worrying, Kristina was healthy, and the baby was healthy. It was a standard pregnancy, except for the surrogacy, and she was due in 3 weeks. They finally built the nursery, when Kristina goes to Ava’s hotel about a stupid custody battle. He feels like such an idiot. Jordan asks, why? and he says, out of all the ways he imagined Sonny could endanger his child, not once did he expect this.

Sonny tells Jason that he was convinced his children were better off without him. Then Morgan showed up and kept telling him that his kids needed him and pleaded for him to live. Jason says, maybe it was that part of him that knew something was wrong, his medication was wrong, and Sonny says, when he figured it out, he had to do something. He couldn’t sit in that darkness anymore, so he went to see Doc. Jason says he’s glad Sonny did, and Sonny says, him too. Jason asks what Doc said about Morgan, but Sonny says he didn’t tell Doc. He doesn’t want to talk to Doc about it. Jason is the only one.

Josslyn says she was surprised to realize that Dex was the one person she wanted to see, and Carly says, after her mother and the moss bowl 🎍. Josslyn says, of course (🍷). He makes her feel safe. That’s the only way she can explain it. Carly says, it sounds perfect. Does that mean they’re back together? Donna runs in and says, Josslyn came. Josslyn hugs Donna, and Donna asks if she wants some vitamins. Josslyn asks, what kind? The chewable ones? and Carly asks what she’s talking about. Donna says, daddy’s vitamins, and shows her the bottle of lithium. Carly asks if she took any, and Donna says, she took a bunch, but doesn’t want any more. Her tummy hurts. Carly tells Josslyn to grab her keys. They’re going to see the doctor. (I’m guessing these are the placebos, but Donna seems a little old to be doing something like that and you’d think she would have been told not to touch prescription bottles.)

Stella says, they’ll take the boxes to the shelter and asks if there’s something TJ wants to save. He says, no, but she asks if he’s sure. He says, it hurts to look at it, but she says, someday there might be something he wants to remember his daughter by. He looks in one of the boxes.  

Trina says, Portia knows she and Ava are close, but Portia says, given what just happened, she doesn’t understand what compelled Trina to visit Ava. Trina says she felt guilty, and Portia says, for what? Trina says she told the police that she saw Ava looking down from the window, and Portia says she didn’t know that. Trina says, just because Ava was looking down and standing there doesn’t mean anything. They don’t know what happened. Ava is more than her optics. Everyone always thinks the worst of Ava, but she’s seen another side of her. Ava would never hurt a child on purpose. Ava was there for her when Spencer died, so she doesn’t want to abandon her. Portia asks if Trina believes Ava is innocent, and Trina says she wants to. Portia asks if she’s not sure, and Trina says, deep down, Ava is a good person. She knows she is. Portia says, sometimes good people are capable of doing bad things.  

Molly tells Ava, plead guilty. Do the right thing and save them the pain of a trial. Ava says she did nothing wrong – the opposite. Has Molly asked herself what Kristina was doing in her suite? She didn’t invite Kristina over for a chat. Kristina forced herself in and refused to leave. She lost it, attacked Ava, tripped, and fell. She’s sorry for Molly’s loss, but she needs to face reality. She’s not responsible for the baby’s death. Kristina is. (Did she forget about all those pictures that show her with her hands on Kristina?)

Curtis and Jordan leave with the boxes, and Stella tells TJ to let it out, but he says he doesn’t want to. She says, the only way past pain is through it, but he says he can’t. It’s too much. When he tries to envision his life now, it’s blank. There’s nothing. She says, they say that grief is love with no place to put it. What feels like sadness and anger is actually the love he had for his baby girl that has no place to call home anymore. That’s why it feels so heavy. She’s here to help shoulder the burden and collect the love piece by piece and find a new place to put it. TJ says he’s not ready to let go, and cries. She says, he doesn’t have to. They’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. She hugs him as he cries, and he says he can’t do it.

Carly tells Elizabeth that they need to see a doctor now. Donna may have taken some of Sonny’s lithium. Elizabeth tells a nurse to page Dr. Fernandez and tells Donna and Carly to go to a room. She asks Josslyn to give them a minute, and Josslyn hands her the bottle. Elizabeth says, they’ll do everything they can. She promises.

Sonny says, he was happy that Avery stayed with Carly last night, and Jason says he was just there, and Avery and Donna were having a great time. Sonny’s phone rings, and he sees it’s Josslyn. He says, that’s strange, and answers. Josslyn says, he needs to get to the hospital right now. Donna might have taken some of his lithium pills and they brought her to the ER.  

In the hallway, Jordan cries, and Curtis hugs her. She says she can’t stand to see TJ like this. She’d do anything to take away the pain. He says him too, but all they can do is show up and show their support. Jordan says, just like his domestic partner… She’s sorry. That was bitter and immature. He says, it was human, and she asks, where’s Molly? She should be here. They should be together. Curtis agrees and says he’s sure she’ll be here soon. Jordan hopes it’s sooner rather than later. They need each other. He says he’s sorry for her loss. He knows she had big hopes and dreams for her grandchild. Jordan says, now she’s gone. She wants to be strong for TJ. Curtis says, she is, but she says, it doesn’t feel like it. He says, remember he’s here for TJ and her, and she thanks him. They go back inside, and Stella says she thinks they should leave. Jordan asks if she’s sure. She was planning on staying. TJ thanks them for everything and says he’s grateful for their support, but they have lives to get back to and he could use the alone time. Curtis says, they’re only a phone call or text away, and hugs him. Jordan hugs him and tells him that she loves him, and they leave.

Trina asks if Portia honestly thinks Ava would push a pregnant woman out a window, and Portia says, she didn’t jump. Trina has a big heart and is afraid she’s trusting someone she shouldn’t. She said herself that she’s not sure she believes Ava. Why? Trina says she doesn’t know exactly. Ava did feel off. That being said, Ava just spent the night in jail. She’d be off too. Portia suggests they go a different route. Who’s most likely to lie? Ava or Kristina? Ava has been arrested and is behind bars. The police must have evidence that makes them believe Ava is guilty.

Doc goes to see Ava, who says she’s a popular girl today. She can’t believe this is happening. The incident keeps playing over and over again. It’s like a nightmare she can’t wake up from. She’s worried about Avery. Doc says, she spent the night at Carly’s and she’s fine, but Ava says, she needs her mother. Sonny is out of control and can’t be counted on. She suggests Doc come to her arraignment and speak on her behalf. Tell them that she needs to make bail and get emergency custody of Avery. Avery’s wellbeing depends on her. He says, she can rest easy about Avery, and she says, how? He says, Sonny won’t be a concern. He’s getting treatment.

Sonny and Jason come into the hospital, and Carly tells them that they’re pumping Donna’s stomach. It happened so fast. Sonny asks if Donna is scared, and Carly says, a little. He thanks them for calling him, and Josslyn says, he’s her dad. Sonny asks, what happened? and Carly says, Donna found a bottle of what she thought were daddy’s vitamins in Avery’s overnight bag. How many pills did he have left? Sonny says he’s not sure, and asks what Pilar was doing. Carly says, she was in the playroom with Avery and Donna didn’t want to share. Sonny asks if Donna was still talking, and Carly says, she seemed okay, but said her stomach hurt. Jason says, it’s good they got her here fast, and Carly says, their little girl’s got to be okay.

TJ looks at a pair of baby socks and cries, because we all haven’t wept over this story enough. Molly hears him from outside, and he clutches the socks to his chest. She almost leaves, but then goes in.

On the phone, Portia says, when?… She understands. Thanks for the heads up. She tells Trina that she needs to go. That was Pentenville. Heather Webber is on her way to GH for a follow-up.

Ava asks what Doc means, but he says, that’s going into doctor/patient confidentiality. He’s already said too much. The main thing is Avery is safe and not in danger. Ava says she’s pleased to know Sonny is getting help, when Doc’s phone rings. He says he has to take this, and walks out as he’s talking. He says, what kind of problem with Sonny’s meds? and Ava hears him.

Elizabeth comes out and Carly asks, how’s Donna? Elizabeth says, she’ll be fine, and Josslyn says, thank God. Elizabeth says, she’s still groggy from the anesthesia and her throat will be sore, but she’s doing great. Jason wonders, what’s the problem? and Elizabeth says, the remaining capsules weren’t lithium. Sonny asks, what was it? and she says, nothing. He asks what she means, and she says, there was no medication in the pills. Carly says, she was holding Sonny’s prescription bottle and said she’d taken the pills from the bottle, but Elizabeth says, not only was there no lithium in the pills, there was none in Donna’s system. She would have had different reaction – vomiting, confusion, seizures, a coma. Sonny asks if she’s telling him that he’s been taking a placebo.

Tomorrow, Anna says, the list is long, and someone is about to add their name to it; Heather asks, what’s in it for Scotty; and John tells Ava, Sonny’s days of trampling over people are coming to an end. Hmm… I think it’s John’s trampling days that are coming to an end.

💣 Up On the Roof…

Wow. He did these scenes after he took a break for his own mental health.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-maurice-benard-on-shooting-the-difficult-rooftop-scenes

💰 Welcome To the Market…

Tracy had a listing with a glass bathroom. No. Just no. This time, JoshF’s listing had no dead rat, but there was a rat trap to which the potential buyer said, eww! as we all would. In an ironic twist, JoshA had a listing that JoshF made an offer on for himself, since his childhood dreamhouse turned out to be a bust. To be specific, he had Tracy make the offer, which she told JoshA was going to be lower than [he’s] gonna like.

🎉 Fabulous Mid-Life Existential Crisis…

What happened with Whitney this week.

https://www.accessonline.com/videos/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitey-says-shes-having-a-mid-life-existential-crisis

Whitney also planned a bachelorette party for her niece and had to explain adult toys to her half-sister.

https://popculture.com/reality-tv/news/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitney-way-thore-goes-all-out-bachelorette-party-planning-in-exclusive-sneak-peek/

🌾 Not So Welcome Anymore…

While everyone tries to tie up loose ends, the usual suspects – Ethan and Barry – still hang on by a thread.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-recap-olivia-plath-says-ethan-plath-still-texts-her-8691420

🍼 Have Some Lala…

She’s ready for single motherhood, round 2.

https://okmagazine.com/p/lala-kent-declares-single-motherhood-suits-best-await-baby-no-2/

I’m with her here. Yeah, the whole thing sucked, but Sandoval was certainly getting ripped a new one from just about everyone, and there could have been a workaround for the show.

🏆 Nom, Nom, Nom…

This year’s nominees.

https://ew.com/2024-mtv-video-music-awards-nominations-full-list-8690719

🦸 Because I Can’t Stop…

All the cameos.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-cameos-8681113

Another good reason to stick out the credits.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-post-credits-scene-chris-evans-dirty-monologue-exclusive-8689972

Puberty sucks sometimes.

https://ew.com/walker-scobell-kidpool-deadpool-and-wolverine-exclusive-8686020

🐳 The Olympics Are For Animals Too…

The only time I ever watched the Olympics was when Tonya Harding was whining over her skate lace, but I would definitely watch these two.

https://people.com/whale-breach-during-paris-olympics-surfing-semifinal-tahiti-8690769

https://people.com/polar-bear-at-alaska-zoo-goes-viral-for-diving-in-exhibit-watch-8687366

Imagine the possibilities. I’m pretty sure all of my dogs would be an Olympic fail. Unless there was cheese involved.

https://tlcfirst.com/news/if-olympic-sports-were-designed-for-pets-a-whimsical-look-at-the-possibilities

You, too, can make an Olympic champion out of your dog!

Doglympics 🔥

🎢 Riding Life’s Rollercoaster…

Join me tomorrow for soap and sitting in the OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay not being afraid to ask for help when you need it, and stay helping to shoulder someone’s burden, because grief is love with no place to put it, and it feels so heavy.

August 5, 2024 – The Aftermath Of Kristina’s Fall, Goddess Birthday On Deck, Best Collaboration Ever & Bye

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Josslyn knocks at Dex’s door, and he asks if she’s okay. She says, physically, she’s fine, but she’s not okay. He hugs her.

At the hospital, Natalia thinks they should go, but Blaze says, Kristina is her girlfriend and it’s an emergency. Natalia says, it’s not the place for them. Blaze and Kristina have only been seeing each other about six months, and everyone here is related by blood. They’re family and Blaze is not. She thinks the respectful thing to do is let the family hold vigil as a family. They don’t need to get into it here. They leave.

In the interrogation room, Dante says, there are multiple discrepancies in Ava’s story. When Kristina showed up at her hotel room, were the curtains open or closed? It looked like there was a struggle. Outside, Trina watches through the window, and Chase comes by. She asks if he’ll need her statement, and he says, someone will take it shortly. He knows she and Ava are friends, but thinks it’s best if they kept their distance. Trina asks if there’s any news on Kristina.

Molly runs into the hospital and asks TJ, what’s going on? Is Kristina in labor? She’s not due for another 3 weeks. He says, there’s been an accident and Kristina was hurt. They’re giving her an emergency C-section. Molly asks if Kristina and the baby are going to be okay.  

Josslyn tells Dex that she was in the water, but doesn’t remember getting in. She didn’t know who it was, but given how they fell, she thought there was probably a spinal injury, so she was super careful turning them over. She saw it was Kristina, and it was so awful. She cries and says she froze for a second. She was afraid to move Kristina in case it would cause more damage. That second might have made all the difference. He says he’s sure it did. It sounds like she was assessing the situation. Her lifeguard training kicked in and she calmed herself, then she knew what do in the next second. It sounds like she saved Kristina’s life. She’s alive, isn’t she? Josslyn says, as far as she knows, and Dex says, Josslyn got her as far as the paramedics, then it was up to them and the doctors. She says, what if she’s not okay? Or the baby? She has a horrible feeling one of them won’t make it.

Anna meets Chase at the station, and they go into the interrogation room.

Ava says she’s sorry her answers aren’t satisfying Dante. It happened so fast. How is Kristina doing? Anna says, there’s no news, and tells Dante to go to GH. Dante says, Ava’s statement has inconsistencies, but Anna says she’ll fill in the blanks and they’ll compare notes later. He should be with his family. Chase says he’ll take it from here, and Dante leaves. Ava says she appreciates that Dante is distraught and related to Kristina, and he keeps trying to persuade her to confirm his theories instead of letting her explain. Anna says, Chase isn’t distraught, and he’s not related to Kristina. He’ll continue the questioning. She’ll interrogate the witness. She leaves, and Chase asks what Ava remembers from the moment Kristina walked in until she fell. Ava says, first she needs to say it was just a horrible accident.

Alexis says she doesn’t know anything other than Kristina fell out of the north tower in the MetroCourt and into the pool, thank God. Molly asks if she and the baby are alive, and Alexis says, yes. Kristina sustained multiple injuries and they’re doing an emergency C-section to save the baby. TJ wonders what Kristina was doing at the MetroCourt, and Alexis says, she was in Ava’s suite, but she doesn’t know why. Molly says she knows why, and looks at Sonny.

Dr. Park says he’ll notify the family that the baby didn’t make it, when Kristina wakes up. The doctor tells her to lie still, and she asks where her baby is. What happened?

Kristina asks to see the baby, and Dr. Park says, they’re going to give Kristina a mild sedative. She says, tell her what happened with the baby, and he says, they did everything they could, but the injuries were too severe. She didn’t survive. Kristina asks if he’s saying they couldn’t save the baby, and he says he’s sorry. She asks if he’s sure they did everything they could, and he says he’s sorry. She says she had a girl? and he says, she did. She says she had a daughter. She needs her sister. She as to be the one to tell Molly. She cries.  

At the Bistro, Natalia orders a bowl of chicken soup for Blaze. She says, obviously Blaze’s blood sugar was crashing, and Blaze says she counts herself lucky. Most stage mothers starve their daughters. But she’s still angry that Natalia made her leave. Natalia says she didn’t mean to upset Blaze. She was wrong and she’s come to accept that Blaze loves Kristina. Blaze says, Natalia can’t bring herself to say they’re in a relationship, and Natalia says she’s trying. Blaze says, try harder, and Natalia says she wants to understand. Help her do it. She wants Blaze to tell her about she and Kristina.  

Dr. Park tells the family that Kristina is awake. She’s in the ICU asking for her sister Molly. Molly jets, and TJ asks, how’s the baby?

Chase tells Ava to start from the beginning, she says, Kristina showed up at her room. As he knows, her father is Sonny Corinthos, and they’re involved in a custody hearing. Kristina was subpoenaed to testify. Chase asks, on whose behalf? and she says she’d hoped it would be hers. Kristina is aware her father is too volatile to have custody. She witnessed him brutally beating one of their cadets at Chase’s wedding reception. She’s sure Chase is aware of it. Her attorney subpoenaed Kristina to talk about that, and she showed up at Ava’s room. She shares her father’s temper. Maybe she’s bipolar as well, since manic is the only way to describe her. (I literally gasp, since suggesting something like that without being a medical professional is a big no-no.) Chase asks, what happened? and Ava says, Kristina barged in. She was overwrought and not listening to a word Ava said. She tried to calm Kristina down… She flashes back to berating Kristina about her mother and father, but tells Chase that she suggested they sit down and talk it out. She tried to remind Kristina that being upset wasn’t good for the baby, but Kristina kept screaming at her. She wasn’t making any sense. She flashes back to Kristina saying that if Ava forced her to testify against Sonny, she’d tell the court about Ava’s involvement in Morgan’s death and how she murdered Connie. Ava tells Chase that she asked Kristina to go, kindly and politely, but she just wouldn’t leave. Chase asks if Ava attempted to guide or escort her out, but Ava says she would never handle a pregnant woman that way, much less one that was enraged. She never laid a finger on Kristina. Chase asks, then what happened? and Ava says, Kristina came rushing at her. It was terrifying. She got out of the way, but Kristina was in a blind rage and tripped over a shoe. She didn’t see it until after Kristina fell. She could barely believe what happened. She saw Kristina go through the glass and heard it shatter and heard the most awful scream. It happened so fast, she couldn’t do anything to stop it. She prays Kristina and the baby will be all right.

Molly goes to Kristina’s room and asks how she’s doing. The nurse says she’s stable, but she’s lost a lot of blood and needs rest. Molly asks if she should come back, but Kristina weakly says her name. Molly goes over to the bed and says, the doctor told her that Kristina was asking for her. Kristina says, the baby… and Molly starts to cry.

Dr. Park tells the family, Kristina sustained an abruptive placenta in the fall. Despite all their efforts, they couldn’t save the baby. He’s sorry. Everyone looks sad, and Alexis hugs Sonny and cries.

Anna asks when Trina realized something had happened, and Trina says, when she heard the scream. She saw someone land face down in the pool and she froze. Luckily, Joss and Gio got her out of the pool safely. Anna asks if she noticed anything else, and Trina says she looked up, trying to see where Kristina came from – she literally fell from the sky. She saw Ava standing in the broken window, so it must have been her suite. Anna asks what Ava did next, but Trina says, nothing. She stood there, then backed away. Anna says, nothing else? and Trina says, no. Ava closed the drapes and she couldn’t see anything after that.

Dex gives Josslyn some tea, and she says she feels better with him being here and back in her life. She’s grateful he didn’t stay away. He says, she didn’t give him much choice, but she says he could have disappeared again and stayed away. He repeats that he had no other choice, and she says she’s so sorry she was judgmental when they broke up. He says he thinks she was entitled to be judgy, but she says she didn’t try to understand that he was changing. She couldn’t just go through it with him; she had to judge. He says, she held him accountable and pointed out that he wasn’t the man he wanted to be. Look at him now. She says, lucky her. She learned things too. Never take anything for granted, especially after today. The disaster made her realize that good or bad, young or old, all we have is right now. They kiss.  

Molly says, the baby is gone? and Kristina says, their precious little girl is gone. Molly says, it was a girl? and they both cry. (I want to cry.) Kristina says she’s sorry it wasn’t her, but Molly tells her not to say that. She doesn’t have to say anything. Just rest. Kristina says, they lost their baby girl, and Molly holds her hand.

Jordan says she wishes she had the words, and TJ says, him too. He’s not proud of this and probably shouldn’t say it… She tells him to get it off his chest no matter how bad, and he says he was wondering what Kristina was doing there in the first place. He knows it doesn’t matter and only hopes she’ll be okay. It’s all they have left to hope for. Jordan says, he’s suffered a great loss and can feel however he wants. Don’t edit himself with her. He says, his first instinct is to blame Kristina and say, it’s her fault. His mind is screaming that her mom said, I told you so. He feels terrible, but he can’t help it. Their child is gone. His child won’t have the chance to be born, and all his thoughts and anger can’t make that stop.

Dante asks how Kristina and the baby are, and Alexis says, Kristina is awake and stable. She’ll be okay, but they weren’t able to save the baby. She hasn’t called Sam yet. Dante says he will, but she says she has to do it and leaves. Dante tells Sonny that he’s sorry, and Sonny asks if he thinks Ava had something to do with it. Dante tells him that she’s saying it was an accident, and Sonny asks if he believes her. Ava and Jagger are trying to take Avery away from him and tried to take Kristina too. Dante suggests they focus on Kristina, and Sonny says, they will pay.

Dex says, maybe they should slow down, and Josslyn asks, why? He says, she just went through a traumatic event, and he’d never want to take advantage, and she says, that’s one of the many reasons she trusts him. When she walked out of the hospital, all she could think was how much she loves him. She let her pride get in the way of that love. He says he loves her too. Him joining the PCPD and getting his life back on track was something he needed to do for himself, but it’s all part of loving her. She says he doesn’t have to prove anything, but she appreciates that. He says he had to prove it to himself, and she says, that’s between him and him. As for them, love isn’t a job or a to-do list. It doesn’t have to be earned. It just is.

Blaze tells Natalia that she and Kristina started seeing each other around Christmas. Kristina is beautiful and a force of a personality. She’s so comfortable being who she is, Blaze admired that. She was worried about her career and terrified of being outed. Not because of her fans… Natalia says, because of her, and Blaze says she was afraid Natalia would stop loving her. She wouldn’t be the first parent who wrote off their child for being gay. She and Kristina went to Rice Plaza around the holidays, and they held hands in a public place. It’s a big deal, not just for them, but for a lot of gay people. When some people who knew them saw them and said hello, she pulled her hand away. She didn’t realize it; it was a reflex. Kristina called her on it and said she was hurt. Blaze had gotten so used to hiding who she was, she almost missed out on getting to know Kristina at all. Natalia takes her hand and says she’s sorry Blaze felt that way. She’s sorry for how she reacted finding Kristina in Blaze’s hotel room and for dismissing Blaze’s feelings as a reaction to what a man did.  Blaze says she hopes Natalia gets it now, and Natalia says she got arrogant, giving Blaze what she thought was incredible insight, saying she found safety in women because men were dangerous. There was no way her baby girl had feelings for a woman or could be attracted to a woman because she was a good girl, and good girls don’t behave that way. Blaze asks if part of her still feels that way.

Alexis says, Sam is devastated, and Dante asks if Alexis is okay. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s just angry. He wants to be able to do more to help. Alexis says she’s sure he’ll find a way, and he hopes she’s right. Molly comes out crying, and says she guesses they all know. She hugs Alexis, and says, the baby was a girl. Kristina needs her mom. Alexis goes to Kristina’s room, and TJ holds Molly while she cries.

Alexis hugs Kristina, who also cries.

TJ says, they had a daughter, and Molly says, they did. Sonny heads for Kristina’s room, but Molly stands in front of the door and says, he’s not going anywhere near her sister.

Natalia says, it’s hard to shake beliefs you’ve had your whole life. It’s like learning how to write with your left hand when you’ve been forced to use your right hand your whole life. She feels like she should probably thank Ava, and Blaze says she doesn’t have to worry about being outed now. Natalia says she heard her words. She was so sure it was a phase. Blaze says, because gay people aren’t serious, and Natalia says she’s been on the receiving end of Kristina’s outrage. She must be pretty special if Blaze is willing to risk everything. Blaze says, Kristina is the most amazing person she’s ever met. Kristina’s courage, heart, and strength inspire her every day. She cries and says she can’t lose that. Natalia says, they just have to have faith that Kristina has the courage, heart, and strength to pull though this.

Sonny says he wants to see his daughter, but Molly says, he’s the reason Kristina is in the ICU. He’s the reason Kristina almost died. He says he had nothing to do with it, but she says, he had everything to do with it. Does he even know why Kristina was in Ava’s room? She’d subpoenaed Kristina to testify against him at the custody hearing. She wanted Kristina to tell the world that he’s a violent thug who attacked a cadet at a reception and threatened to murder him. He says he knows she’s upset and he’s sorry she lost her daughter. If anything happens to Kristina, he doesn’t know what… She says, Kristina went to see Ava because of him. She almost died because of him. Her daughter is dead because of him. He walks away.

Trina asks if it’s all right if she speaks to Ava, and Anna tells her, go ahead. Chase tells Anna that he took Ava’s statement, and he thinks she’s hiding something. Ava asks if Trina is all right, and Trina says, is she? Ava says, not really. She can’t believe what happened, and she’s sorry Trina got dragged into it. Trina says she was at the pool when Kristina fell, and Chase wanted her statement. Ava asks what she saw, and Trina says, almost nothing. After Kristina fell, she looked up and saw Ava standing at the window. Anna thanks Trina for her help and says, she’s free to go, but they need Ava to stay.

Josslyn and Dex get busy because somebody has to make this day not as sad.

Blaze says she feels better, and Natalia says, it’s the chicken soup, but Blaze says, it’s not just the soup. It’s her. She thanks Natalia for listening and letting her talk about Kristina and their relationship. Natalia didn’t even shudder when she called Kristina her girlfriend. Natalia says she doesn’t shudder, and Blaze says, she didn’t make a disappointed mother look. Not this time. She’ll take it as a win. She thanks Natalia for the soup and the talk, when her phone rings. It’s Jordan, and Blaze asks how Kristina is. Jordan says, she made it through the C-section and is with her mother now. Blaze says, thank God. How’s the baby? Jordan says, unfortunately, they couldn’t save the baby.  

Ava says she’s explained more than once and been nothing but cooperative. She even allowed herself to be subjected to the humiliation of being brought in wearing handcuffs because she knew Dante wasn’t thinking straight. Are they charging her? Anna says, not at this point, and Ava says, then she’ll be going. Anna says, they’d rather she stayed, and Ava asks, why? Chase says, forensics is still in her suite, and Ava says, why? It’s a slip and fall. She hopes Kristina and the baby are all right, but it’s not a crime scene. Anna says, yet to be determined. She needs to transcribe Ava’s statement and might have further questions. It would be better if they knew her whereabouts and won’t have to keep track of her if she doesn’t leave. Ava says, fine, but she’s not saying one more word until her lawyer gets here. She asks them to call Scotty Baldwin right away.

Jordan asks if Dante arrested Ava, and he says, if she was just Deputy Mayor, he might talk about it, but she’s related to the parties involved. She says, so is he, and he says, Chase is taking over so he can be with the family. He’s sorry, but he can’t tell her anything else. She says she understands, and nothing can bring her granddaughter back.  

Molly says she’s sorry she wasn’t here, and TJ says, there was no way for her to know. It wasn’t like she was ignoring phone calls or texts. She was in court, and when he was able to get word to her, she came right away. She says she was too late, but he says, even if she’d been there sooner or been here the whole time, there was nothing she could do. She’s here now and that’s all that matters. She says, they had a baby girl and she’s gone. They hug.

Alexis tells Kristina that she’s so sorry, but they’ll get through this. She promises. Kristina closes her eyes, and alarms start to go off. Alexis yells that they need help.  

Sonny goes up on the roof. He takes his jacket off and puts it on the ledge. He looks down and flashes back to saying Dante’s forsaken him and Dante saying he’s trying to save him. He’s reached his limit and he’s done protecting him. If he commits a crime, now he’s going to face the consequences. He remembers talking to Kristina in the ladies’ room at the wedding reception and her being afraid of him and remembers Josslyn calling him a criminal and a liar, and saying she’ll never forgive him. He flashes back to Anna saying, the days of him thinking he can skate are over, and kicking him out of her office. He hears Molly saying that Kristina went to see Ava because of him and almost died because of him. Her daughter is dead because of him.

Tomorrow, Laura tells Doc that sometimes it pays to be in politics; Anna feels Ava isn’t being truthful; and Sonny stands on the ledge talking to someone in his imagination.

Below Deck Mediterranean

We ended last week with the captain telling Bri and Ellie: Everyone here is replaceable. You’ll be on the ferry going back. You both.

Ist day of charter. Through her tears, Ellie says she’s behaved responsibly and is a good leader and teacher. She’s had no issues or problems with anything. Captain Sandy says, Aesha came to her. Aesha is doing what she can to keep the peace. The last thing she wants is to let them both go, but she has to think about this. Be kind and get through charter. Ellie wipes her eyes and Bri curses in the laundry. The captain calls Aesha to the bridge, and Jono asks Bri to meet him in the galley. In Jono’s interview, he says, you learn baking in culinary school.  He skipped that part of the job. He asks Bri to help him with dessert. Aesha brings food with her to see Captain Sandy, since she hasn’t had a chance to eat. The captain says she had a talk with Bri and Ellie, and they still both… Aesha says, they don’t like each other and at the end of the day, it’s a toxic thing in the workplace. Captain Sandy says, the way it’s going, she’s going to have to let both of them go, but she has to make sure they have a crew. Aesha thanks her, and the captain says, it’s her job.

In Gael’s interview, she says she’s never jumped from one relationship to another this fast. She knows Nathan pretty well, but she doesn’t want to ruin the moment by thinking too far ahead. Aesha tells Ellie to start setting up for the goddess party, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, she feels like it’s always something. If it’s not professional, it’s personal, and if it’s not personal, it’s professional. She feels like she’s failing as chief stew because she doesn’t know what the answer is. In Ellie’s interview, she says her head shouldn’t be anywhere near the chopping block. She’s going to keep her mouth shut and put up with Bri’s bullsh*t. The goddess dinner table is set, and Captain Sandy asks Aesha if Ellie and Bri share a cabin. Aesha says, yes. Can she change that? The captain says, if that’s what she wants, do it. That’s what happens when you’re the boss. Aesha calls Bri and Ellie to meet her in the crew mess. Gael is there, and Aesha says she’s glad because they’re going to swap cabins. Bri will bunk with her, and Ellie will bunk with Gael. Gael jokes that they have to get their sh*t together, and Nathan eats a rib bigger than me. The guests tell primary Coleen, happy birthday, and Aesha tells Bri to do cabins. Seafood pasta food porn is served, with chorizo filling in for the scallops for the non-seafood lover.   Ellie sets up the slumber party and makes tents. Aesha tells Jono that the guests loved the meal, and he dances. Joe plays piano and makes up a song about Bri and Ellie – ♫ I’ve already had one and now it’s time for two ♫ – and Nathan and Iain lose their sh*t laughing. Unfortunately, Ellie is within hearing distance, and when she says she’s enjoying the music, Joe asks if she likes the song. She says, it’s beautiful, but she thinks she heard plenty. He says, it’s just a joke with the boys, and in Ellie’s interview, she says, that motherf***er got attention from her once. Now he thinks he can get whoever he wants, but not her. She’s dried up.  

There’s an ad for Goddess perfume. Coincidence or wise placement?

Ellie tells Aesha that the fort is completed, and Joe practices singing Happy Birthday. At the table, the guests reminisce about Coleen. Aesha brings in the gold cake, while the crew sings Happy Birthday much better than the last time. Aesha thanks Coleen for letting them share her birthday, and Coleen cries. Joe goes on and on about not knowing Ellie was there to anyone who will listen. Aesha tells the guests, it’s pajama party time, and Coleen tells them, get your jammies on, ladies. The set-up is very cute, a large tent with little white lights. Some of the guests ask for porn star martinis, but guest Nikki says she’s not liking the drinks. Aesha asks Ellie what she’s putting in them, and Ellie shows her. In Aesha’s interview, she says, the job of the second stew is cocktails and decorating. Ellie can decorate, but her cocktails suck and she mislabeled Jono’s pants. She never knows what she can rely on with Ellie. Nikki tells Aesha that she’s got to teach Ellie how to make martinis, and Aesha promises she will. On the phone with her friend, Bri says, she and Ellie’s fighting is affecting others and now she has to change cabins. Her friend says, at least she’s not with that bitch. The guests go to bed, and Ellie says she needs this trip to end. Me too.

Guest Stacy is up early in the morning and asks Bri if she can get in the jacuzzi. Bri calls Nathan and he sets it up with Gael. After Stacy is finished with her tub time, Chief Engineer Ionel tells Nathan that there’s no hot water because no one closed the valve. Ionel tells Captain Sandy about it, and she says, mistakes like that shouldn’t happen on charter 5. She calls Nathan and Iain to the bridge and say she doesn’t want to do this after the tip meeting. The jacuzzi valve was open, so there was no hot water. Even though it’s Gael’s responsibility, Nathan cops to it, and the captain says, it’s not a small thing. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, thankfully, it didn’t become a guest problem. It’s a leadership problem, which makes it an Iain problem. A lot of little things keep happening that shouldn’t happen by charter 6. We flash back and wow. It’s definitely a lot. She says, it’s a systematic issue. Systems need to be in place, which is something Iain failed to do.

Iain calls Nathan and Joe on deck, and says, it’s his fault even if it’s not his fault. They’ve got to check the valve. In Joe’s interview, he says, he understands why Nathan took the blame, but he doesn’t agree. Coleen tells the captain that the food is phenomenal. The chef kicked butt. Nathan tells Gael about the valve, and says he told the captain that they were both there, even though she turned on the jacuzzi. Gael doesn’t think Nathan should take the blame and wants to take responsibility for it with the captain. She goes to the bridge and tells Captain Sandy that she apologizes. She turned on the jacuzzi. The captain says, Gael’s not in trouble. When she says something, it’s to educate and tell them to try to work on this. Gael thanks her, and in the captain’s interview, she says she loves when people take accountability. It was a mistake. Gael is visibly nervous, and she’s accountable. The captain wishes Iain would do more of it. Nathan says he hates getting sh*t the last day, and Joe says, Gael isn’t a princess; she’s a deckhand. They dock, and the captain says, good pivot. They’re meeting in five minutes to see the guests off.

The guests say goodbye, and Coleen says, it was amazing. They made her birthday memorable. They’re not an easy bunch. She thanks them, give the captain the tip envelope, and the guests leave. The captain says, good job. Now she’s taking the tip envelope shopping. I think she’s joking… She tells the crew to get in their reds and turn the boat around. In Joe’s interview, he says, Ellie has every right to be upset and he’s going to apologize. They clean the boat, and Bri finds a mess in the laundry. She sings, ♫ why this so annoying? ♫ and in her interview, she says she wished everything would be different when she came back. Did she make a mess or did Ellie? She thinks Ellie might be sabotaging her. She tells Ellie, in the future, don’t move the laundry, and Ellie says she’s sorry. Bri says, don’t do laundry. She’ll do it. Ellie says, okay, and when Bri sees Aesha, she says she’s taking full responsibility for the laundry and told Ellie not to do it. Aesha says, they can’t have that, and Bri says she doesn’t want her doing it. Aesha says, it’s not about what Bri wants. She’s running the boat. If Bri is on break and Ellie has a spare moment, she’s not going to not do laundry. Nothing personal.

The crew goes to the salon for the tip meeting, and the captain says, they had great guests. They were pretty awesome. The client loved the food, so she wants Jono to keep doing what he does. It seems to be working. As far as disagreements, she knows how they feel, and their mental status is important. By charter 5, they’re tired and they don’t get much rest. She thinks they need a reset, and the owner has arranged a day out. They’ll start with the Acropolis, followed by a day at a beach club. It’s going to be an awesome time. Aesha yells like Tarzan, and Captain Sandy says, the tip is $21,500, $1790 each or 1500 euros each. Aesha is amazed at the amount for one day. The crew gets ready to go out, but Ellie says she needs sleep. She wants to start fresh. In Ellie’s interview, she says, she’s over the drama with Bri. It’s the same thing over and over, and she’s completely emotionally battered. She doesn’t have it in her to be around other people. She needs to sort herself out. Joe whines that he upset her, since all worlds revolve around him.

In the taxi, Nathan explains what happened with Joe singing, and Jono says, it was a song about who he should choose. We flash back to Joe singing, ♫ I’ve already had one, now it’s time for two ♫, and Ellie hearing. Aesha says, oh my God, and Jono says, how cringe. In Bri’s interview, she says, Ellie triggers her, but hearing someone talking about you and being there, the feeling of your heart sinking… She feels sorry for Ellie. Joe says he’s going to tell Ellie that he’s sorry, but Aesha says, don’t.

The drinking commences, and Aesha says she hopes Bri doesn’t feel she’s hard on her. Bri says, Aesha is the reason she picks herself back up, and Aesha says, if she wants to be on service, she can’t let her lows show. Bri seems surprised that she does, and Aesha says, big time. In Aesha’s interview, she says, Bri is very emotional, but she understands why Bri isn’t being fired. She does cabins well, and when she helps with breakfast service, she does that well. The laundry is her Achille’s heel. If she could do that and get the squabbling sorted out, she could be a great stew… Well, maybe not great, but a good stew… Well, a passable one… Well, maybe just a stew, but not a bad one. Joe tells Gael that she came to him with an aggressive attitude, and she says she had a rough morning. She didn’t want Nathan to take the blame for something she’d done. Joe says, it made him annoyed, and she says she went to the captain. Joe says he didn’t want her to have princess treatment, and she says she’d never take princess treatment. He says he didn’t know that. All he saw was Nathan taking the blame. In Gael’s interview, she says, she’s not entitled. Better fix it up. She says she’s telling him and now he knows. The crew heads back to the boat because, beach day.

Aesha says her two favorite things are history and the beach. Nothing can bring her down today. She’s going to look at old sh*t, then tan. Just let her do that. Bri tells Ellie that she heard about Joe on the piano and she’s sorry. Ellie says he was taking the piss out of both of them. She didn’t want to upset Bri, so she didn’t say anything. She wanted to tell Joe, bitch, I got NFL players in my DMs. The group gathers to leave, and Ellie says she feels like a new person. They go to the Acropolis, and Aesha reads factoids out loud as they walk. They can see the Parthenon from where they are, and in Aesha’s interview, she says, she was picturing herself here, and she acts out a scene about her delivering goods to the Acropolis that the survival of civilization depends on. On the boat, Captain Sandy tells her laptop, download, you mofo, and has never been more relatable. In Ellie’s interview, she says she’d like Joe to take accountability. She has no intention of speaking to him unless he apologizes. His behavior caused the rift that has now threatened her job. Jono asks if Gael is going to say yes or no to Nathan’s proposal, and in Nathan’s interview, he says he hopes he and Gael can do something outside of charter season, just the two of them, and see if they can make this something. Aesha says she’s hungry and wants a cocktail. They move on to the beach club.

They sit in a little tent with a table in it and order drinks. Aesha says, Joe is quiet, and Nathan says, they all have their moments. Nice work, team. Ellie says, when she heard Joe’s song… Nathan says, she wasn’t happy, and she says, it sounded disrespectful. Nathan says he’s just staying quiet, and in his interview, he says he’s not dealing with this. Joe can. He’s gone. He leaves the table, and Joe (aka Mr. Insightful) says, he’s upset her, hasn’t he? There are crickets for a moment, and Ellie says, it was disrespectful. He says, it was just a little song with the boys. It was a playful moment. She says she doesn’t give a sh*t. It was disrespectful. He says he’s sorry he offended her. He knows he’s a pr*ck. She says she doesn’t accept disrespect, and he says, she doesn’t deserve it. He apologizes. She says she appreciates it. It’s kind of him. In Ellie’s interview, she says she can see he means it and has remorse. He’s immature and his ego got carried away. She doesn’t think he was being malicious, so she’s happy to forget about it. Nathan slips back into his chair, and Jono says, no more singing. The server brings what looks like pizza, and everyone dives in. Aesha says she’s proud of everyone, and they chant, Mustique! and clink glasses. Ellie says she’s ready for the beach, and they go to a cabana. Some of them get in the water, and Bri twerks. Aesha says, it’s the first time she’s seen Ellie… Jono says, enjoy herself? Ellie dances and everyone clinks glasses again. Nathan asks if he can kiss Gael, but she says he has to take her on a picnic first. In Gael’s interview, she says, it’s not like she doesn’t want to kiss him, but she hates PDA. (Me too.) They go back to the boat, and Aesha says, they needed today. Jono says, 100%, and Aesha says, it’s nice and early, but he says he still hates to leave. In Ellie’s interview, she says she thinks it’s healthy for her and Bri to part ways. She can start fresh and focus on herself rather than what Bri is doing.  

Zea Marina. 7 hours to charter. Aesha says she hates that Gael is leaving, and Gael says she wants to cry. Captain Sandy says, it’s going to be windy, and she wants to get off the dock early. She tells the crew that they’ll be receiving the provisions and guests on anchor. She calls Aesha, Jono, and Iain for the preference sheet meeting. She says, it’s a short charter with a late arrival. The primary is Mahisha, who founded a natural hair care brand Curls. She’ll be joined by her husband and friends. Jono reads that the guests want every meal to be a culinary masterpiece that rivals any Michelin restaurant. Captain Sandy asks Jono, whatchu gonna do, boo? She asks if they feel good going into the next charter. They’re going to have fun.

The move happens, and in Bri’s interview, she says, you know what they say, that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Captain Sandy tells Iain that they’re going to leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, they’ll be stuck at the dock. Jono says he’s going to make a charcuterie board to welcome the guests. He can make it look more dramatic than it is. In his interview, he says, he doesn’t think any Michelin restaurant has only one chef. He’ll do his best, but he might be f***ed for this one. They go to the Bay of Zea, and the captain says she’s missing a red shirt. The one she was given isn’t hers. She gives it to Bri, and Aesha says, everyone should label their clothes at the beginning so there’s never a mix-up. Bri says she doesn’t know where the other one is, and Aesha wonders how it can go missing. Bri looks for it, and Aesha says, such a sh*tshow. In Aesha’s interview, she says, unfortunately, she can’t fully trust her stews. We flash back to the many laundry issues this season, and she says she needs to be on all the time. It’s not sustainable to maintain this. She hopes this works out. They need to get to the bottom of what’s going on. She tells Ellie to only do rags, napkins, and towels. Then they can see where the problem lies and can prove it. In her interview, she says she had a lightbulb moment. She can go for it in a way where no one can point a finger. She tells Bri that Ellie is allowed to come in the laundry and explains the new system. If something that belongs to a person goes missing, they’ll know it’s 100% her fault, but if she keeps making these mistakes, Aesha will have to consider letting her go.  

This season, Jono serves a guest raw food when it could kill her; Captain Sandy says she has to fire Jono; Athens; guests find the couch an eyesore and want it moved; Bri tells Ellie that Joe is playing both of them; Captain Sandy says something is a fireable offense; Ellie says she’s being made a scapegoat; a new stew arrives: Nathan says, Joe is going for another one; the new stew is a pathological flirt; and a bad storm floods the boat.

🦸‍♂️ Everything and More, Peanut…🐺

How did I love this movie? Let me count the ways. If you only see one thing on the big screen this year, it should be this movie. The jokes come so fast and furious, I would have watched it a second time if I could have. The action? Incredible. The special effects? Magnificent. The cameos? Sublime. And Dogpool? The new love of my life. Deadpool and Wolverine are the best pairing since Romeo and Juliet. Even better, since – spoiler alert – neither of them drinks poison and dies. Although there are deaths a-plenty and more Deadpool variants than you can shake a katana at. I’m hoping this film’s thunder keeps rolling for a long time to come. I’m also hoping this isn’t the last film. Although how can it be, when Disney is going to make Hugh Jackman do this until he’s 90?

https://ew.com/deadpool-wolverine-elektra-blade-gambit-x-23-action-scene-breakdown-exclusive-8687405

Some of the guests.

https://people.com/jennifer-garner-shares-how-she-got-marvel-fit-for-deadpool-and-wolverine-8690592

https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-says-deadpool-wolverine-costar-channing-tatum-was-born-to-play-gambit-8690676

https://ew.com/chris-evans-shares-behind-the-scenes-look-at-his-deadpool-and-wolverine-cameo-8687115

https://people.com/chris-evans-says-ryan-reynolds-offered-him-cue-cards-for-his-surprise-monologue-in-deadpool-and-wolverine-exclusive-8689836

An almost was. How could he turn this down?

https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/ryan-reynolds-nicolas-cage-ghost-rider-deadpool-and-wolverine-1235032716/

I always stick it out for the credits, and I have to admit, when I saw Wrangler for Hugh Jackman, I wondered where I could apply for the job.

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-daughter-deadpool-and-wolverine-role-on-set-for-hugh-jackman-8684962

All the records broken. Sit on it, Titanic.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-and-wolverine-box-office-record-second-weekend-1235965690/

🐚 Seashell Wishes…

Join me tomorrow for soap and Dubai talk. Until then, stay safe, stay creating an alternate weather plan when having a party, and stay remembering, good or bad, young or old, all we have is right now.

August 2, 2024 – Dante Questions Ava, Exclusive, Happy Anniversary, She’s Got Texts, Future Plans, Done, VanderDish, New Reality, Big Baby, Excellent, Pool Noodles, Stripes X 4, Pickle, Quote Tenner & Take

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava says she’s so looking forward to sitting in that courtroom while Kristina testifies that her father is a violent brutal thug who doesn’t belong anywhere near their daughter. Kristina says, if Ava forces her to get on that stand, she’ll tell them that Ava messed with Morgan’s bipolar meds. She replaced them with placebos and caused him to have a mental breakdown. She won’t stop there either. She’ll also share that Ava murdered Connie Falconari. If Ava forces her to tell the truth about her father, she can be damn sure Kristina will tell the truth about her too. Ava grabs Kristina’s arm, and Kristina says, don’t you touch me. She takes a step back and trips over John’s bag, stumbling backward and crashing through the window. She falls down several stories into the pool, screaming all the way. Everyone is horrified. (The looks on their faces makes me want to burst into tears.)

Sonny says, Lois is one of his dearest friends and he loves her, but his is not a good time. Can they table this conversation for another time? She says, no. They cannot table it when it affects her daughter’s future.

TJ tells Alexis that he and Molly have done the research. When the biological parents aren’t married to each other, courts tend to favor the mother in terms of physical custody which gives Kristina a definite advantage. Alexis says, he’s getting way ahead of himself, but he says he disagrees. Their baby is almost here. It’s time to know where they all stand. Alexis says she doesn’t know what Kristina is going to do. She doesn’t have control over her. She’s an adult. He says, this is his child they’re talking about. He wants to know if he’s going to spend the first few months or years of their life in family court. She says, again, he’s asking her to respond to a hypothetical situation that they don’t know will happen, and he asks if that isn’t what lawyers do. Weigh every possible angle so they can prepare their client for every possible contingency. She says, he’s not her client, and he says, no, he’s not. He’s her daughter’s partner. He’s family. She says, he is family, and so are her three daughters, two of which are in an impossible situation right now. He tells her, she just said it. She’s Molly and Kristina’s mom, and they’re both going to look to her. What is she going to do when Kristina tries to take their baby?

Kristina floats face down in the pool, threads of blood coming from her nose and mouth, and Josslyn tells everyone to stay back. She tells Brook to call 911, and Brook says she’s on it. Gio asks what he can do, and she tells him to get the backboard. Ava looks down from the smashed-out window, and Josslyn turns Kristina over. Blaze yells, Kristina! and now, everyone is doubly freaked out.

Blaze tries to run toward the pool, but Natalia holds her back and tells her to let Josslyn do her job. Help is on the way. Trina looks up and says, Ava? and Ava quickly closes the curtains. On the phone, Brook says, they need help. She fell from one of the upper windows into the pool. She’s unconscious… She doesn’t know. Just tell the paramedics to hurry. She’s pregnant.

In her room, Ava tells herself to think and picks up her phone.

Josslyn tells Kristina, hang in there. Help is on the way.

Ava leaves a message for Scotty. She needs him like she’s never needed him before.

Lois asks, is the money Sonny is going to invest in this record company legit? Yes or no? Sonny says, yes, and she says, fine. Then she wants to see proof. She wants to see the financials. She wants to see where the money originated and the taxes he paid on it. She’s not trying to offend him, but as much as she loves him, she’s a mother first, and has to make sure Brook is protected. He says he’ll call his accountant, and Lois can talk to him. She can ask him anything she wants. She says, don’t push her off on his accountant, but he says, it’s not a good time. She asks if he’s mad at her, but he says he’s not. He just has a lot going on. She says, fine, but Brook’s involvement in this record company depends on her seeing the proof, and he says, fine. She says she’s sorry. She hates leaving things like this between them, but she guesses for now this is how it’s got to be. He gives her the number, and she leaves.

Natalia continues to hold Blaze back, when Gio returns with the board. Josslyn says she’s going to need his help to get Kristina out of the water, and he asks what she needs him to do. She says, he has to get the backboard under her, but he has to be very careful. She doesn’t know if Kristina injured her back or her spine. He’s going to turn the board on its side and turn it back very swiftly when it’s in the water. Then get it under Kristina as it floats back up…. Very good. Now they have to get her head stable, so she can get Kristina to the stairs. Place one hand firmly under her chin… Very good. Now place his other hand under the backboard. Now they have to get her strapped in.

Alexis tells TJ that she hopes to God it doesn’t happen, but she can’t be put in the middle. She can’t be put in a position where she has to choose between her daughters. He says he wishes she didn’t have to. He knows what a terrible position this is for her to be in, but it’s time. She says, her girls have done without a lot, but they’ve never done without her, and they count on that. Again, she can’t be put in a position where she has to choose one daughter at the expense of another. He says, that’s just where they are now, but she says, not if he and Molly don’t force the issue. He says, Kristina says she and Blaze, who she’s known less than a year, would make better parents than him and Molly. She’s testing the water. Alexis is the one who told them about the law surrounding this before they ever agreed to the surrogacy. Who has the strongest claim to the baby? She says, Kristina, and he says, if Kristina decides to exercise that claim and keep the baby, then he and Molly have already lost. Is she going to say, the law is the law? She says, the law is the law and there’s nothing she can do about it, and he says, so in other words, she’s a coward. He walks away.

Josslyn asks if Kristina can hear her. Can she open her eyes? She listens for a heartbeat, and Trina brings over towels. Trina asks if anyone has called Kristina’s parents, but Gio says he doesn’t know. She says, shouldn’t they? when the paramedics come in. Josslyn tells them that Kristina fell out of that window and into the pool. She’s been unconscious since they got to her. They tried to be careful. She doesn’t know what injuries Kristina has. A paramedic says, they’ll take it from here, and they get to work.

Dante and Chase arrive at the scene with some officers, and Dante tells an officer to clear everyone away from the pool and clear this whole area. Brook goes over to them, and Chase asks, what’s wrong? Brook says, it’s Kristina, and Dante goes over to Kristina and says, it’s me. He’s here, okay? She’s going to be all right. They’re taking her to the hospital and they’re going to take care of her. She’s just got to hang in there. Chase tells the officers that the entire place needs to be locked down immediately. He doesn’t want anyone leaving here without his okay. They have no idea what they’re dealing with. He asks if Brook saw what happened, but she says, not really. She was here meeting with Blaze and Natalia. Everything was completely normal, and literally out of the clear blue sky, this. The paramedic says, they’re ready to go, and Dante tells Kristina that he loves her. She’s going to be fine. Blaze says, she’s coming with them, and the paramedic asks if she’s family. Josslyn says she’s Kristina’s sister. She’ll go and they’ll meet Blaze there. Crying, Blaze asks her to hold Kristina’s hand for her. She just doesn’t want Kristina to feel like she’s alone. Josslyn says she will, and they leave. Natalia tells Blaze that she’ll drive and they follow. Chase asks if Brook is okay, but she says, not really. Such an awful thing to see. Her hands are still shaking. Would it be okay if she just went to the ladies room to splash some cold water on her face? He says, sure, and she leaves. Dante calls Sonny.

Ava leaves another message for Scotty asking, where the hell is he? She needs him and she needs him right now. She looks at John’s bag and flashes back to Kristina threatening to tell the truth about her and Kristina’s subsequent fall. She says, everything is falling apart, and peeks out through the curtains. Please. She needs him. Come to her room at the MetroCourt as soon as he can. She flashes back to Kristina tripping over the bag and out the window, and says, everything’s going to be all right. She didn’t mean for that to happen. It was an accident. She remembers touching Kristina, and Kristina backing away before she tripped. She says, but no one’s going to believe it… unless she helps them believe it.

Alexis says she knows TJ is under a lot of stress. She just doesn’t know what he wants her to do. She doesn’t know what she can do. He says, so she’ll say nothing and do nothing, and doing nothing about the situation is the exact same thing as choosing Kristina. If she does nothing, Molly is going to interpret that as her supporting what Kristina is doing and that’s going to devastate her. Alexis says, and if she supports Molly and doesn’t support Kristina, Kristina will be devastated. She warned everyone from the very beginning. This was her biggest fear. It’s an unwinnable situation. He says, the only reason Kristina is even pregnant is because he and Molly wanted to have a baby. If she changes her mind, that’s wrong. It’s theft. That’s something Sonny would do, so he guesses she’s her father’s daughter, right? Alexis says she told everyone from the beginning that the law is on Kristina’s side, and he says, she’s not powerless. Her hands are not tied. She asks what he’d have her do. Seriously, tell her what she’s supposed to do. He says, talk to Kristina. He thinks Kristina will listen to her. Explain to her that if she decides to keep their baby, that will destroy her relationship with Molly. It will decimate it. Talk to her. Kristina will listen to her. She can get through to Kristina and might be the only one who can.

In the ambulance, the paramedic reads Kristina’s vitals, and Josslyn says, oh God. Her blood pressure’s dropping. He asks, how far along is her pregnancy? and Josslyn says, eight months. Why? Kristina’s eyes flutter open, and Josslyn says, it’s her. They’re on their way to GH. Kristina asks if the baby will be okay.

Sonny’s phone rings, and he says, what? Gio says, Uncle Sonny? and Sonny asks, what’s up? Gio says, Dante’s been trying to call him, and Sonny says he’s been busy. What does he need? Gio says, it’s not… He’s at work at the pool at the MetroCourt. Something’s happened. Sonny asks, what’s wrong? and Gio says, there was an accident. At least he thinks it was an accident. She fell out of a window and into the pool. She’s hurt. Sonny says, who? and Gio says, Kristina.

Chase asks how Dante is doing, and he says he’s fine. Seeing his sister on that gurney… She looked pretty terrible. Chase says, Kristina’s a fighter, just like Dante. She’s going to be okay. He can take it from here. Dante should go to the hospital. Dante asks if he’s sure. They don’t even know what this is. Chase says he can handle it. It’s more important for Dante to be there for his sister and his family right now. Gio says, sorry to interrupt. He got through to Sonny. Dante thanks him for doing that, and Gio says, of course (🍷). He steps away, and Dante says, his dad can make sure Kristina is taken care of. He needs to figure out what happened to Kristina, if she fell out of that window. If she didn’t fall out, that means a crime was committed. He has to find out what it was either way. Chase says, okay. Let’s get to work. Dante asks how many witnesses they have, and Chase says, they’re still collecting them, but from the people he’s talked to, they don’t know much. They were focused on the pool and only saw Kristina after she fell. Dante says, they’ve got to talk to security. They have footage and they have to get their hands on that. They have to get inside that room. Kristina fell out of the window with the curtains closed. Wouldn’t she have grabbed onto them and wouldn’t a curtain be following her down to the pool? Chase says, he’s right. Someone must have closed them after she fell. Kristina wasn’t alone in that room. Trina walks over to them, and Dante says, what is it? Does she know something?

TJ tells Alexis, Sonny is going to back Kristina no matter what. They can’t count on him to be the voice of reason, but Kristina knows Alexis will say the truth to her even if it’s hard to hear. Please help guide her to doing the right thing. Be her parent. Alexis says, being a parent is a lot harder than he thinks. He’s going to find that out soon enough. He says he may never get that chance if Kristina gets her way. He may not have the years of parenting experience Alexis does, but if he gets that chance, he’ll make sure his child knows family is to be cherished above all else and is the only thing that can be counted on, which he’s sure Kristina knows, given that she’s had Molly’s unwavering support for her whole life. Alexis says, it’s true, she has, and he says he’ll make sure his child understands the ramifications of taking family for granted. She says, understood, and he asks if she understands if she takes Kristina’s side over Molly’s, that will not just cause a rift between the sister, she could lose Molly, and that could shatter her entire family. She says she did try to prevent this. She warned everyone that this could happen. He says, so that’s the best she’s got; I told you so.

Brook takes a breather in the ladies’ room and flashes back to seeing Kristina crash through the window and into the pool. Lois comes in and runs to Brook and hugs her. She says, Chase told her that Brook was in here. He didn’t have time to tell her what was going on, so she asked an attendant. They said, someone fell out of a window and into the pool, and that Brook saw everything. Is she okay? Brook says, not just someone. It’s Kristina.

Kristina looks around, and Josslyn says she’s right here. Kristina asks where she is, and Josslyn says, she’s in the ambulance on the way to GH. Kristina asks, why? What happened? Josslyn says, she fell through a window and into the pool, but she’s going to be okay. Kristina says she’s scared, and Josslyn says she knows, but the paramedics already alerted the doctors at GH. They know what’s happened and they’re ready to treat her and the baby. She’s in the best possible hands. Kristina says she wants her dad and mom, and Josslyn says she thinks they’re already on their way. She’s going to see them soon. Just try to hang on, for her and for the baby. Kristina says she’s so scared, and slips into unconsciousness again.

TJ thanks Alexis for clarifying, but she says, instead of blaming her, sit down with Molly and talk. They’ll get through it. He says, they’ve already talked. Actually, they’re in perfect agreement. The baby is theirs. That’s been the expectation and the agreement for the last eight months until Kristina decided it wasn’t. So now it’s all on her. She has all the power. She thinks it’s her kid to do whatever she wants with; him and Molly be damned. Kristina is wheeled in, and the paramedic tells Dr. Park that she’s pregnant and fell through a glass window. She’s been in and out of consciousness. He gives the doctor her vitals and says, her abdomen is very firm. She may be abrupting. TJ and Alexis realize it’s Kristina.

Trina sits with Gio and says, he should be proud of himself. He says, for what? and she says, he doesn’t have any medical training, does he? He says, not really, and she says, but he still jumped up and helped Joss. He says he was kind of just going on autopilot. He just did what she told him to. He should have known to go straight for the backboard without her having to say it. She says, he can’t beat himself up. He didn’t have any training. He says, still, and she says, if it’s on him, then it’s on all of them. None of them knew what to do. They just froze, so thank God for Joss. He says, she was amazing. He just doesn’t get it. How could something like this happen? How can you just fall out of a window? Did she see the fall? She says, no. She just looked up after. It’s Ava’s room. She saw Ava standing at the window. He says, Ava her boss? and Trina says, Ava’s not just her boss. Ava’s her friend. He asks how well she really knows Ava, and she says she’s not sure. Maybe she doesn’t really know her at all.

Kristina is wheeled into one of the rooms, and Dr. Park says, they’re going to do everything they can. She’s in great hands. TJ says, Kristina is carrying his child. He can help. Where is he needed? Dr. Park says, don’t worry. They’ve got this. Just stay here with the family. Alexis asks, what happened? and Josslyn says, she fell out of a window in the MetroCourt and into the pool. Alexis says, what? and Josslyn says she doesn’t know what happened. She gave Kristina first aid until the paramedics got there. That’s all she knows. TJ says, the paramedics said the placenta is separating from the uterus, and Alexis says she doesn’t know what that means. How is the baby? He says, Kristina’s hanging in there. The baby has to be hanging in there, right? Alexis says, how the hell did it happen?

Ava ditches John’s bags in the bedroom, then takes an ice bucket full of ice out of the credenza. She dumps it all over the floor, throws down a water pitcher, and drops her shoes in front of the window. She says, Kristina did this to herself, when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it and Dante is there.

Josslyn says she doesn’t know how it happened. All she knows is, Kristina fell from the window and into the pool. It happened very quickly. TJ wonders what she was even doing at the MetroCourt, and Josslyn says she doesn’t know, but she’s going to give them a minute. Blaze comes in with Natalia, and Blaze says she’s so glad Alexis is here. Where is Kristina? Alexis says, they’re working on her, and Natalia says, any word on her condition or the baby? TJ says, they don’t know anything yet, and Blaze asks, where’s Molly? TJ says, in court. He hasn’t called her yet. Everything happened so fast. He doesn’t know how to tell her. Blaze says, that’s okay. She’ll help him. They leave, and Natalia asks if she can get Alexis coffee or water or something, but Alexis shakes her head, trying not to cry. Sonny comes in and they hug.

Ava says, thank God Dante is here. She knew the police would show up eventually, so she didn’t dare leave. How is Kristina? He says he’s not here to answer questions; he’s here to ask them. He takes out his notebook and says, why doesn’t she tell him what happened? She says, Kristina showed up here about forty-five minutes ago. She wasn’t expecting her, but thought Kristina was here to help with her custody case. He says, she thought Kristina was going to help her take Avery away from her father? and she says she was under the impression Kristina had witnessed enough of Sonny’s irrational behavior to know he’s unstable right now. She’d hoped Kristina knew that Avery isn’t safe with him. He says, that’s what she believed? and she says, yes, but she was wrong. He says, why doesn’t she tell him why Kristina was really here, and checks out the curtains. She says, because she thought Kristina was willing to help her. Her attorney, Scott Baldwin, subpoenaed Kristina to get her deposition. She thought Kristina would be willing to talk to him, but she wasn’t. She was irate about the subpoena. He says, so she didn’t ask Kristina to testify first. She just served her with the subpoena? She says she misjudged Kristina, and he says, clearly. She says, Kristina demanded that she recall the subpoena. She told Kristina that she didn’t think she could do that, that things had already been set in motion, and that just made her angrier. He says, she’s eight and a half months pregnant. Ava is trying to turn her against her father. Of course (🍷) she’s going to be angry. She says, this was not about being pregnant. This was a lot more. Kristina lost it. Kristina was trying to attack her. She went for Ava’s throat. He says, that just doesn’t sound like Kristina, and Ava says she knows. That’s why she was so shocked. She didn’t want Kristina to hurt her, but she didn’t want Kristina to hurt herself. She moved away. She was trying to get some distance between them, but Kristina kept coming at her. He says, why doesn’t she tell him how Kristina went out the window, and she says, Kristina lunged at her. She moved out of the way and Kristina tripped over her shoes. She fell into the glass, then to Ava’s horror, she fell through it. He says, let him get this straight. Kristina showed up here so irate that Ava was trying to turn her against Sonny, that she came at Ava physically. Ava evaded her and she trips, flies through the curtains, and into the window and down to the pool below. Ava says, that’s right, and he says, the curtains were open. A witness saw her standing at the window after Kristina fell through. They saw her close the curtains. Does she want to revise that part of her story? She says, now that he mentions it, yes. She did close the curtains. She was so horrified by what happened, she was afraid to look down. He says, so she closed the curtains, then she opened them, then she closed them again? and she says she thinks that’s correct. He says, and there’s no sign that Kristina went through the curtains or tried to grab at them to stop herself from falling, and she says she doesn’t know. It was such a blur. He says, or she’s lying through her damn teeth about the entire thing.

Lois says, Kristina? Sonny’s daughter? That’s who fell? Brook says, it was horrible. At first, everything was completely normal, and all of a sudden, there was this loud noise of glass breaking and a woman screaming and then Kristina in the pool just not moving. Lois says, but she’s pregnant. She’s in her last trimester. Brook says she knows. And yeah, the fall was horrible and shocking, but she didn’t know who it was until Josslyn turned her over. It’s not just Kristina. It’s the baby too. They fell at least three stories. Lois asks if they know how badly she’s hurt, and Brook says, there was no way to tell. Josslyn was terrific and Gio helped her. Josslyn was holding Kristina up in the pool, when Gio went to get the backboard. Then they maneuvered her out of the pool. She wanted to help, but all she could do was call 911. Lois says, that was the best thing she could have done, and Brook says, Blaze was going out of her mind. Her mother had to hold her back. Then the paramedics came, and they were preparing Kristina for transport. Josslyn rode with her in the ambulance. Kristina was still unconscious when they left. Lois says, poor Sonny. He said he wasn’t in a good place. When he gets this news, he’ll be out of his mind. Brook asks, what happened with her and Sonny? but Lois says, that doesn’t matter now. Brook says, Lois just told her that Sonny said he wasn’t in a good place, which implies, A, she was with him, and B, they were having a relatively serious conversation. Lois says, they were, and Brook says, about? Lois tells her that she and Sonny are old friends. They talk about all kinds of things. Brook says, Lois is doing backflips not to give her a straight answer, which leads her to believe that Lois and Uncle Sonny were talking about her, weren’t they?

Sonny says, Gio called him and said Kristina was in some kind of accident. What happened? Alexis says, Josslyn was there, and Natalia says, Josslyn saved her life. Kristina fell out of a window from several stories up. She fell into the pool and Josslyn jumped in right after her and put her on a backboard to stabilize her spine in case she had injuries, then stayed with her until the paramedics came. (I wonder why Natalia is answering for Josslyn.) Alexis thanks Josslyn and says, they’re very grateful. Josslyn says she’s just happy she was able to help in any way. But she rode in the ambulance with Kristina. She woke up for a second and asked about the baby and asked for them. She just told Kristina that they were on their way to the hospital, and that the doctors would help her and the baby, and that they’d be here. She just tried to ease Kristina’s mind as best she could. Dr. Park comes out, and Sonny asks, how’s our daughter?

Trina tells Gio that Ava’s always been a good friend to her. Ava is her mentor. Working at her gallery is the reason she got the invitation to study at the Sorbonne. (And we all know how that turned out.) He says, that’s a big deal, and she says she knows Ava isn’t a saint. Ava can be pretty tough, and she’s done some bad things, and she’s not excusing any of that. He says, but she sees a different side to her, and Trina says, yeah. They’ve been through some pretty difficult things and Ava’s always had her back. Ava’s always been there for her. She’s had her doubts about Ava, but sticks up for her because she feels that Ava is more than the mistakes she’s made in the past. He says, but now… and she says, but now – she looks up at the window – maybe she was right to doubt Ava. Maybe she’s everything everybody says she is… or worse.

Ava says, this is preposterous. What does it matter if the curtains were open or closed? Dantes says, it means she’s lying about something. It means she’s trying to hide something. She asks what exactly he’s accusing her of, and he says, she can figure it out, can’t she? She says, everything happened just the way she said it did. This is her hotel suite. Kristina showed up here to confront her. She was angry. She was out of control. He says, that’s one of the parts where she loses him. She’s talking about someone who doesn’t have a violent bone in her body coming at her and attacking her, putting herself and her unborn child in jeopardy. She tells him that she didn’t say it was rational. Kristina was unhinged. Just like her father. He goes over to the shoes and says, this is what she tripped over, huh? and Ava says, yeah. He says, she’s telling him that Kristina flew out this window with such force, breaking a hotel window, from a pair of shoes? He’s not buying it. She says she doesn’t know what to tell him. Like he said, Kristina is very pregnant. Maybe she’s not so light on her feet. Kristina came rushing at her and she tripped. She did not touch Kristina. In fact, everything that happened here is of Kristina’s own doing. He says he guesses that’s one possibility. The other is that she assaulted Kristina. He takes out his handcuffs and says, now she’s lying about it. She says she did no such thing. He’s arresting her? He puts the cuffs on her and asks what it looks like. She says, this is ridiculous. She’s innocent. He says, she’d better hope Kristina and her baby make it alive or she’s going to be facing two murder charges. That’s if she makes it that far. She’s under arrest. She has the right to remain silent… etc., etc., etc.

Lois says she had questions about the origin of the money Sonny plans to invest in the record company, and Brook says, questions. Lois says, more like concerns. She’s not privy to the details, nor does she want to be, but suffice it to say not all of Sonny’s income comes from legitimate sources. Brook says, she actually thinks Uncle Sonny would use mob money to invest in the record label he wants her to run? Lois says she doesn’t know, but she had to be sure, and Brook says, excuse her, but that’s not Lois’s call to make. She’s an adult. She’s a businesswoman and if she has questions about the source of the money Uncle Sonny gives to her or any other investment, she will ask those questions. Lois says, okay, but Brook has a blind spot where Sonny is concerned, and that is her fault. She adores Sonny and raised Brook to adore her Uncle Sonny, and they give him all the benefits of every single doubt. But when it comes to his finances and the compliance with federal law, as much as she wants to trust, she’s got to verify. Brook says, then bring those concerns to her instead of going behind her back to Uncle Sonny, but Lois says she doesn’t see it as going behind Brook’s back. Brook says, be honest. Put herself in Brook’s place. If Grandma Gloria did to her when Lois just did, how would she feel? Lois says she would feel like Gloria went behind her back, but she’d know she did it with love. Brook says, no question, but then she would set appropriate boundaries, would she not? Lois says, yes, and Brook thanks her and says, that’s all she’s asking, for Lois to respect her and her judgment as a businesswoman. Lois says, understood, but as much as Brook is an adult, she wants Brook to respect the fact that she’s always going to be her little girl and she’s always going to look out for Brook’s best interests. Brooks says she knows Lois will. She knows Kristina is probably feeling… If anything happens to Kristina and that baby… Lois suggests they not jump to any conclusions. Kristina is a very strong woman and she’s sure the baby is strong as well. Brook says, she didn’t see how pale and still Kristina was. She’s been carrying that baby for nearly nine months. It would be cruel for something to go wrong now. Lois says, let’s pray that it doesn’t, okay? and they hug.

Dr. Park tells Sonny that his daughter suffered multiple internal injuries from the fall, causing severe hemorrhaging. Kristina has gone into hypovolemic shock. The baby is in fetal distress and the placenta is separating from the uterus, which is the baby’s lifeline. We see them prepping Kristina, and Dr. Park says, they’re going to take her to the OR for an emergency C-section. We see Kristina hooked up to machines and wearing an oxygen mask.

On Monday, TJ tells Jordan, whatever happens, it’s her fault; Josslyn tells Dex, that second could have made all the difference; Anna asks if Trina noticed anything after Kristina fell; and Sonny says, they will pay.

🏨 Showdown At the MetroCourt…

Excellent scene and spectacular fall.

💐 And Many More…

I love Scotty, and he’s so funny IRL too. I only wish GH would recognize what a gem of a couple they have in him and Obrecht.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kin-shriners-special-anniversary-message-to-fans

🍊 Shannon’s Shade Is Leaking…

I wonder who the disgusting friend is. There are so many choices.

💰 Jumping On Josh’s Coattails…

She could do worse. I’d actually love to see this.

⚔️ A House Divided Must Reboot…

Now On Display is going to be stuck in my head for God only knows how long.

🦄 And a Black Swan In a Rosé Tree…

Of course she’s nice. Was there ever any question?

🐦‍🔥 Complicated Things…

Loved her first reality show and I’m hoping this one has the same outlook. It left you feeling good instead of like you wanted to punch someone.

🦌 Reindeer Games Continue…

This is just stupid. And like she’s really making her case for being a sane person who’s done no wrong. She’s literally scary.

https://ew.com/baby-reindeer-richard-gadd-responds-fiona-harvey-lawsuit-8686363

https://ew.com/netflix-concedes-alleged-baby-reindeer-real-life-martha-not-convicted-stalker-8687694

🎭 Next Stop For the Telephone Booth…

I’d love to see this. I saw John Glover in Waiting for Godot years ago. Too bad Broadway is so damn expensive. And don’t get me started on the cost of transportation.

https://ew.com/bill-and-ted-stars-keanu-reeves-and-alex-winter-reunite-broadway-8687596

🦸🏻‍♂️ Blowing Collective Minds…

I’m going to see it this weekend. I can’t wait!

https://ew.com/deadpool-wolverine-elektra-blade-gambit-x-23-action-scene-breakdown-exclusive-8687405

If you’re a superhero supernerd and need all the background.

https://ew.com/how-to-watch-x-men-movies-in-order-8683590

Best variants ever.

https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/dogpool-catpool-mousepool-infinity-comics-marvel-unlimited

🦓 Quadruple the Stripes…

A precious quartet.

https://people.com/disney-world-welcomes-4-baby-zebras-animal-kingdom-park-8683181

🥒 And If He Plays Ball…

Love, love, love the name. It goes without saying he’s cute.

https://people.com/demi-lovato-new-dog-pickle-with-fiance-jutes-instagram-photos-8685696

🥁 Quotes of the Week

Darth Vader polling higher than all potential 2016 candidates. – The Washington Post, analyzing polls on what Americans thought of their options for the next president in 2016.

Take your camera and your selfie stick and your dog and get the f*** out of here. – Rita, Neighborhood Wars

Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so intensely. – Percy Colson

A lifetime isn’t forever, so take the first chance, don’t wait for the second one! Because sometimes, there aren’t second chances! And if it turns out to be a mistake? So what! This is life! A whole bunch of mistakes! But if you never get a second chance at something you didn’t take a first chance at? That’s true failure. – C. JoyBell C.

To handle yourself use your head; to handle others, use your heart. – Eleanor Roosevelt

No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it. – George Washington Carver

I’ve learned to never say never because when you say never, it happens. – Olivia Plath, Welcome to Plathville (Truth! This has happened to me more than once.)

Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty. – Thomas S. Monson

We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. – Brad Meltzer

Sh*t doesn’t get real until it’s real, and it’s real. – Gina Kirschenheiter, Real Housewives of Orange County

⛺️ Sing Around the Campfire…

Enjoy what life holds for you over the weekend – be it rowing down the stream or streaming – and join me on Monday for soap and Med antics. Until then, stay safe, stay practicing wildfire prevention, and stay not going behind someone’s back, even if it’s with love.

August 1, 2024 – Kristina Confronts Ava, First Look, Milestone, Teed Off In the OC, VanderItems, Perfection, New Dance, Instagrammable & First

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the pool, Lois tells Brook that it was very generous of Sonny to bankroll a new label for Blaze and put Brook in charge. Has she spoken to him about how many employees he’s willing to pay for? Brook says she’s sure he’ll be open to whatever. It just happened and it will all come together. She’s just grateful for the amazing opportunity to prove herself and for Blaze to make the music she believes in. Lois says, true, but managing a label is like night and day from managing an artist. Is Brook 100% sure she’s willing to take this on?

Ava goes over gallery stuff with Trina in her room, when John walks out wearing nothing but a towel. (You’d think he’d have learned from the last time.)

Jordan finds TJ at the hospital, and says, her favorite son. He says he’s her only son, and she says, a minor detail. She’s sorry she had to cancel dinner the other night, but she has the feeling something is bothering him and thought she’d check in. He says, the situation with Kristina has gone from bad to worse.

On the phone with DeWitt, Alexis tells him that Kristina made her statement. If she sees any inflammatory words about her daughter in print, he’ll answer to her.

Molly meets Sam at the Port Charles Surf Lodge and says she’s guessing Sam is as shocked as she is about the interview. Sam says, it was unexpected, and Molly says, it was a sucker punch. Everyone is buying that Kristina claims the baby is hers and Blaze’s.

On the phone with Brick, Sonny says he wants to know what Ava and Jagger are doing and who else Ava is seeing. 24-hour surveillance with photos. Kristina comes in and says, he won’t believe what happened. He asks if she’s okay, but she says, no. She was served with a subpoena by Ava. She’s being forced to testify. He says he knew Ava fought dirty, but didn’t know she was that dirty, and Kristina says, Molly told her that if she doesn’t show up, she’ll be held in contempt. He says, she can’t ignore it, and she says she’s afraid if they question her, she’ll have to tell them about him beating Dex at the wedding. He’s going to lose custody of Avery and get arrested. He says, she doesn’t have to worry. It won’t get that far.

Brook says she knows she’s got a lot to learn, but she’s excited. She thinks it’s a great move for her, but Lois doesn’t seem convinced. Is she worried Brook can’t do it? Lois says, absolutely not. Her daughter can do anything she puts her mind to. Brook says she thinks they’re getting ahead of themselves. She hasn’t told Blaze yet, and if Blaze doesn’t want to take this leap of faith with her, they’re dead in the water. Lois says, it’s a great opportunity. What artist would turn down this kind of comeback after being dropped by their label? Brook says, Blaze has been through a lot, and this could rebuild her career and take her to the next level, and Lois says she’s always rooting for Brook. That being said, she has some questions about Sonny’s involvement. Brook says, other than the money, she doesn’t think he wants to be involved. She’ll make all the decision. It’s perfect, right?

Trina says she’s so sorry, and Ava says, John was just using her shower. The place he’s staying at has terrible water pressure, and he needs to be shipshape for important FBI business. Trina says, showers are important. She has to go to work. She’ll see Ava at the gallery. She leaves, and Ava says, discreet goes a long way, so heads up, but he says he didn’t realize she had a visitor. If she doesn’t want him to get caught, tell him someone is here. She says she didn’t expect him to come out undressed, and he says she didn’t mind him staying undressed last night. (Thank God I didn’t have to see that.) She says, they had fun, but he can’t stay here. She’s going through a custody battle. If it had been anybody other than Trina, it would have made her look bad.

Sonny tells Kristina, don’t worry. She won’t have to testify. It’s going to be over before the court date. She says she hopes so, and he tells her to sit down and relax. Tell him what else is going on. Scotty walks in and says, the court ruled against Sonny’s attempt to block Ava’s visitation. She’s spending the weekend with her kid. He shows Sonny a paper, and Sonny says, we’ll see. Scotty says, it’s not up for negotiation. The court has spoken, and when he’s through, the only way Sonny will see his kid is through binoculars. Sonny asks if Scotty is threatening him, and Kristina says, Scotty is riling him up. It’s not worth it. Sonny tells him, get out, and Scotty says he’ll see Kristina tomorrow at 10 am on the nose. She says she doesn’t have an appointment with him, but he says, she hasn’t read the subpoena very well.

Sam asks if Molly thinks it’s possible that she misinterpreted Kristina, and Molly says, it sounds like Sam talked to Kristina. Is that why she wanted to meet? Sam says she hasn’t seen Kristina, and they haven’t talked, but maybe Kristina didn’t mean to imply the baby was hers and Blaze’s. Molly says, obviously, they interpreted it the same way. Saying it was private implied they’re going to be new parents, and social media is thinking the same thing. Sam tells her, stop scrolling, and Molly says she talked to Kristina. She said that she was protecting Molly and TJ’s privacy. Sam says, that’s plausible. Does Molly believe her? Molly says she doesn’t know. She wants to trust Kristina will honor her promise, but in trying to force her hand, she might have pushed Kristina to do the opposite.  

TJ says, it sounded like Kristina was going back on her word and was going to keep the baby, and Jordan asks what Molly thinks. TJ says, she thought the same thing and took documents to Kristina to sign. She refused, and now he’s even more worried. She always knew she’d have to sign them. It’s the only way Molly can adopt the baby and legally become its mother. What message is Kristina sending? Jordan says she’s sorry to hear that. This should be a happy and exciting time for them. He says he doesn’t know where to go from here, and she says, at least the law recognizes him as the baby’s biological father. That gives him a lot of rights. He says, but what about Molly’s rights? Kristina is the egg donor and the biological mother. What if she refuses to sign? She says she wishes she had an answer, but she’s not knowledgeable on the subject. Maybe it’s time they consulted a lawyer. He says, that’s what he was afraid of. He doesn’t want the baby to start life in the middle of a custody battle and he’s worried that’s where they’re headed.

Brook says she’s grateful that Sonny displayed how much he believes in her, but it’s a lot of pressure. She doesn’t want to let him down. Lois says, that will never happen, and Brook says she thinks something else is going on besides supporting Blaze. Lois says she sees how much Sonny loves Kristina, and it’s clear he wants to provide support. Just put her head down and do her work. Blaze comes in, and Lois says she’ll leave them to it. She hugs Blaze and leaves. Blaze says, Brook sounded excited. Don’t keep her in suspense. Brook says, she’s about to take Blaze to the next level. She knows Blaze has been up in the air since her label dropped her, but now she’s not tied down. She’s free to use this moment as an opportunity to take herself independent and release an album on her own label. This could be the biggest move of her career. All she has to do is say yes.

Sonny says, get to the point, and Scotty says, Kristina has to give a deposition. She can’t lie or it will be perjury. Talk to her mother about that, since she’s familiar with it. Kristina asks why he’s doing this, and he says he’s doing his job. If Kristina has to testify, so be it. Kristina says, go to hell, and he says he thinks she’s just nervous. She knows what’s going to happen. Ava is going to win, so Sonny should probably get used to saying adios to Avery. Sonny says, don’t be too sure, Scotty, and Scotty laughs. He leaves, and Sonny crumples up the paper.

At the pool, Trina says, Josslyn will never guess what she saw that she wasn’t supposed to see. Josslyn says, something criminal? and Trina says, criminally embarrassing. She’ll never believe it. John Cates came out half-naked from the bedroom in Ava’s suite. Josslyn says she doesn’t know if she wants to know, and Trina says, he definitely spent the night. She doesn’t know what Ava was thinking. Josslyn says, Ava never does anything without an agenda. She thinks Cates must be helpful somehow.

Ava says, good. John put on pants. If only he’d thought to do that before Trina got there. He says, she acts like he wants to get caught. She’s beautiful and intelligent, but he’s not looking to parade her around town. She says, he could do worse, and he says he’s already in hot water. His bosses don’t need to find out he’s getting to know a member of the Jerome crime family, former, alleged, or whatever. She asks if he’s worried that she’ll tarnish his stellar reputation. He managed to do that without her help.  She thinks it’s time for him to go and take his bags with him, but he says he’s going to work and can’t be dragging his bags with him. What would people think? He’ll come grab them tonight and they can see each other again. He gives her a smarmy look and leaves. (When did he turn into such a creeper? I’m so disappointed in this character.)

Jordan says, it must be hard on Molly. Not only is Kristina her sister, she has no biological or legal rights. She must feel like she has no control. How is she doing? TJ says, she’s all over the place. At first, after they saw the interview, she was as worried as him, but now she’s backing off and giving Kristina space. Jordan says, that’s smart. Molly has good instincts and knows her sister. TJ says he thinks she’s blinded be her love for Kristina and not seeing clear. She wants to trust Kristina, but he doesn’t think they can. Jordan asks if that’s put them at odds, and he says he feels like they’re pulling in opposite directions. That scares him most of all. She says she knows the situation seems unfixable, but everyone involved is a good person and she thinks they’ll come to a compromise. But if it comes down to going to court to fight for his rights, she’ll be right there, fighting beside him.  

Molly says, it was the wrong move and of course (🍷) it didn’t go well, and Sam says, Kristina defines contrary. When someone forces her to do something, she digs in her heels and does the opposite just to prove them wrong. Molly says she knew that and did it anyway. They got in a fight, and it got ugly. She said things she regrets, and Kristina said terrible things too. Kristina said she and TJ could break up, and it would be better for her to keep the baby. It would be a more stable home. Sam says, that’s very harsh, and Molly says she doesn’t know if Kristina believes they’re going to break up – which they aren’t – or she’s using it as an excuse to keep the baby.

Brook says she thinks this is an amazing opportunity, but if Blaze isn’t on board, they won’t move forward. Blaze says she thinks it’s amazing, and Brook says, the offer was presented to her before the interview. Blaze asks why Brook didn’t tell her then, and Brook says, Blaze was reintroducing herself to the public on her own terms and was answering for what her mom said. It was a lot of pressure, and she didn’t want to add to it. Blaze says, it was the right call, and Brook says she thinks it’s the perfect moment for Blaze to reintroduce her music. Blaze says she’s impressed. She knew Brook was great, but her putting so much effort into Blaze’s career is making her feel good just when she can use it.  Brook says she believes in Blaze 100%. She’s one of the most talented people Brook has worked with. It was her mother’s idea. She knows Natalia feels terrible about what her words have done to Blaze’s career and believes Natalia thinks this one way she can make almonds amends. Obviously, she wants to be involved in Blaze’s success, but if Blaze doesn’t want to continue working with her, it’s up to her. Blaze says she needs to think about it, and Brook says, Natalia is coming to discuss the new label with them, but if Blaze isn’t ready, she can cancel. Natalia approaches their table and says, it looks like they’re in a serious conversation. What did she miss?

Alexis finds TJ at the reception desk and asks if they can talk a minute. He says, sure, and she says she’s not going to pretend it’s not awkward, but she’ll just start from a place of honesty. She knows things are tense between him, Molly, and Kristina. He says, that’s an understatement, and she says, he knows she loves her girls, but she loves him too. He’s an important part of the family. It’s her sincere hope that they can put their differences aside and love each other again like they did prior to all this. He says he wants that too, as long as Kristina follows through with her word and gives them the baby, and Alexis says she knows Molly brought Kristina the termination papers and Kristina refused to sign. Then Molly backed off to make things calmer. TJ says, Kristina threatened to keep the baby. He doesn’t know about calm. She says, just give it time and do what he can to keep the peace, and he asks if that applies to Kristina, or is she just warning him and Molly?

Molly says, this is the last thing she wants, to think the worst of Kristina. She’s always trusted Kristina, but this time… Sam says, she’s not sure what to believe, and Molly says she’s the only one not biologically related to the baby and has no legal standpoint. She can’t control it and is at the mercy of everyone else. Even the implication that Kristina was going to back out triggered her into being geared up for a fight. Kristina talked to mom and mom talked to her. She said Molly has to be the one to keep the peace and give Kristina the space to calm down. So she apologized to Kristina for bringing the papers. Sam says she’s proud of her and admires Molly’s ability to be the bigger person, and Molly says, good thing she was there. Ava subpoenaed Kristina to testify at Avery’s custody hearing. Kristina was upset and confused on how it worked, and she helped her with the best way to handle it. Sam says, that’s insane. She’s glad Molly was there to advise Kristina. Molly says she’s glad they can be on the same side of something again. As crazy as Kristina makes her, Kristina is her sister and not the enemy. The reason Kristina is pregnant in the first place is, she’s carrying Molly’s baby.  

Natalia says she’s sorry. She assumed she was expected. She’ll let them finish. Brook says, she was expected. She told Blaze about their plans and how it was Natalia’s idea. Natalia says, a lesser woman would have taken credit, but Brook says, that’s not how she does business. Maybe Natalia can share the details of her inspired idea. She’ll give them a minute. She leaves the table and goes over to the bar.  

Brook tells Gio that she’s having a great day. How should she celebrate? He suggests the guac trio, but she says, it’s not lunchtime yet. He says he knows people and can hook her up, and she says she knows he loves working here, but would he be interested in local session work? He says, absolutely, and she says she may have a new label that has use for his talents.

On the phone, Sonny says he wants Ava’s visitation blocked. He doesn’t want her anywhere near his daughter. Lois comes to the door and asks if she’s interrupting, but he says, never. They hug and she says she misses his face. How has he been? He says, busy. He saw Gio at the pool and he seems to be settling in well. She says, Gio is a charmer, and he asks how the Quartermaines are treating him. She says, they all love him. Even Tracy is cordial. It’s going well. She’d love to chitchat, but this actually isn’t a social call. She wants to talk to him about the record company he generously offered to fund for her daughter. He says, it’s not just for Brook. He’s investing in Blaze and Kristina, and Brook will be running the label. He had this discussion with Brook. She says she’d like him to have this discussion with her, especially regarding the financing.

Natalia tells Blaze that she can’t say how genuinely sorry she is. She never wanted to cause Blaze any hurt. They may not see eye to eye on everything, but Blaze is her baby, and she doesn’t ever want to cause her pain. Blaze says she appreciates that, and Natalia says she’s especially sorry for the things she said that caused Blaze to be dropped from her label. What the hell were they thinking letting go of her talent? Blaze says she assumes they were scared of the bad publicity, and Natalia says she wants Blaze to know how deeply she regrets the things she said that cost Blaze her hard-earned success. It never should have happened. She’s proud of the artist Blaze is and thinks the world should know and hear her talent. The new label is her way of trying to make things right. It’s an opportunity for Blaze to take back control of her career and put out the music she loves. Sonny is backing it financially and Brook will run it. She’d love to be involved, but it’s Blaze’s call. She’ll respect whatever Blaze decides.

Sonny asks if Lois is accusing him or needs to ask him something, and she says, speaking her mind has never been an issue. Funding a recording company feels like déjà vu, but this time it’s not L&B and she’s not involved. It’s her daughter. He says, she sounds like she’s worried, and she says, should she be? He says he’d never do anything to hurt Brook. He doesn’t know why she’d think that. She says she knows that and don’t try to guilt trip her about looking out for her kid. He says, she doesn’t have to defend her daughter with him, but she says, if anyone else swooped in out of nowhere and made the same offer, she’d say, walk away. She loves him and Brook loves her Uncle Dimples. It’s an amazing opportunity for her and Lois wants to trust him. He asks, why not? and she says, because she knows one thing. History will repeat itself if ignored. That’s why she’s here. She’s asking him to tell the truth. Is the record label going to be clean or not?

TJ says, everyone is coddling Kristina and walking on eggshells, while she’s giving an interview on a major platform, implying that the baby is hers and Blaze’s. Alexis says she doesn’t know if that’s fair, but TJ says, none of this is fair. Alexis keeps defending Kristina, which raises a question. He knows she loves her daughters. She says, fiercely and equally, and he says, what happens if Kristina tries to keep this baby?

There’s a knock at Ava’s door, and Kristina strides in. She tells Ava to withdraw the subpoena, but Ava says she’ll do no such thing. Kristina asks why she’s doing this, and Ava says she’s a concerned mother protecting her child. She’d think Kristina would understand. The maternal instincts must have kicked in by now. Kristina says, she and Ava have nothing in common. Not now or ever. Scotty is supposed to take her deposition tomorrow, but she won’t be there, and she won’t show up to testify at the hearing. Ava says, do what she wants. She’s a grown-up. She’s sure Kristina’s lawyer explained that she’ll be cited for contempt, and it will only bolster Ava’s case. What exactly is she hiding that’s making her afraid to testify?

Natalia says, Blaze hasn’t answered if it’s okay for her to be involved with the new label, and Blaze says she’s grateful for everything Natalia has done for her career. Natalia always supported her and pushed her to success. She doesn’t know where she’d have been without her. She couldn’t have been lucky enough to accomplish a fraction of what she has. But she’s moving into a new, authentic phase of her career and her personal life and she can’t see Natalia’s involvement in either based on Natalia not accepting who she is and has always been. Natalia says she knows she hasn’t been on board with Blaze’s lifestyle, but Blaze says, it’s not a lifestyle. It’s her. Natalia can’t accept who she is or who she’s in a relationship with. Kristina is amazing. She knows it bothers Natalia that she’s in a relationship with another woman, but if she can’t accept how much she loves Kristina and embrace it and them, she doesn’t know where they go from here.

Lois says she doesn’t know the inner workings of Sonny’s business, so she’s asking. She’ll be damned if she lets anyone – old friends included – stop her from protecting her daughter. If the situations were reversed, Sonny would do anything to protect his children, and she wouldn’t want to be the person he found using them. She’s trying to protect her little girl and the career she’s worked so hard for. Sonny says, it’s one thing for Ava to turn on him. Now his great friend of all time is turning on him. Everybody is turning on him. That’s just the way it is. She can leave. She folds her arms and doesn’t move.

Sam says, it’s been nice catching up, and Molly thanks her for hanging out and talking. She feels better. Hopeful even. Sam says she’s glad she hasn’t lost her touch, and Molly says, it’s a bumpy ride, but they’re at the homestretch. When the baby comes and they’re all looking at its cute, little face, everything will work out.

Kristina says, Ava isn’t going to like what happens next, and Ava asks if that was a threat. Kristina says, take it how she likes, and Ava says, Kristina is her father’s daughter. Kristina says, better than being like Ava with no moral compass, and Ava asks if she’s going to perjure herself like her mother. Kristina saw what that got her. Or is she going to tell the truth, that she witnessed her father brutally beating Dex and threatening to kill him. Kristina says she feels sorry for Avery being stuck with Ava as a mother. She deserves better. Ava says, and Kristina hit the parent lottery? Her mother is a pathetic, lying drunk, who destroys the men she claims to love. Her father is a volatile headcase who’s going to prison. Someone takes pictures through the window, and Kristina says, if she testifies, she’s going to tell the court that Ava is the reason Morgan died. That she messed with his meds and caused a mental breakdown. She’s going to tell them how Ava murdered Connie Falconari too. If she’s forced to tell the truth about her father, she’s going to tell the truth about Ava too. Ava reaches for her, and Kristina says, don’t touch me, stepping back. She trips over one of John’s bags and stumbles backward, crashing through the window and down into the pool. We all stare, open-mouthed, as she floats in the pool motionless, blood on her face.

Holy! That was some fall. Wow, wow, wow.

Tomorrow, TJ asks Alexis what she’s going to do when Kristina tries to take their baby; Chase says he doesn’t want anyone leaving without his okay; and Ava tells someone that she needs them like she’s never needed them before.

🎿 Maybe He Was Polishing His Skis…

Kind of weird how Ric never had a real exit.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rick-hearst-shares-a-first-look-at-his-gh-return

📸 She’s Got Cred…

This kid makes me want kids. She’s such a bundle of cute.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/scarlett-spears-reaches-a-general-hospital-milestone

🍊 Situation Heather…

I just can’t imagine being their age and exhibiting what amounts to frat boy behavior. Heather mistakenly tagging Katie in an Instagram post – or what Gina called this Heather situation – was completely plausible. Also that she wouldn’t be doing her own posting. Anyone who’s dealt with the annoying autocorrect knows a word can be missed. Usually to the amusement of the recipient. Same with clicking the wrong suggestion that Google comes up with. So, yeah, I can see her assistant clicking on the first thing she saw – Katie’s name. But these women have nothing better to do than speculate as to why/if/how Heather is being shady and lying to them. When my friends and I hang out, we do not spend hours on topics like this, and if we could afford the good times these girls can, I guarantee we wouldn’t even care if Heather was lying her ass off. I just don’t get it, and it’s what puts me off these Housewives shows. Although the worst is the toddler-like behavior they sometimes exhibit, physically assaulting one another. Let me think… Nope. Not once have any of my friends had a fistfight or thrown anything at each other. However, I can’t confirm or deny that a drink has never been thrown in a man’s face. The best thing about this episode was a golf game Katie had set up. Emily won, but unfortunately, Tamra made sure the topic was Katie claiming Heather called the paparazzi on herself. Déjà vu, anyone?

About the Tres Amigas going Dos.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-vicki-gunvalson-says-tamra-judge-has-black-heart-after-ditching-tres-amigas-8687807

She has receipts! Proof! Timelines! Screenshots!

https://www.etonline.com/rhocs-katie-ginella-responds-to-heather-dubrows-noella-15-dig-amid-paparazzi-feud-exclusive-229943

🍸 It’s a VanderWorld…

It’s about time, but will he really follow through? Maybe a drug rehab would be a good idea first. I don’t have receipts, proof, timelines, or screenshots, but he acts like he’s on something.

And in a crossover no one saw coming.

👠 How Could She Not Be…

I never had any doubts. Even if I had, seeing them together on Watch What Happens Live would have squelched them.

🩰 Dancing Like Everyone’s Watching…

Meet the new cast.

https://ew.com/meet-the-cast-of-dance-moms-a-new-era-8682610

I don’t think Abby Lee invented everyone’s replaceable.

🐾 All Ears and Smiles…

I would love to have this kitty.

https://people.com/abandoned-kitten-born-with-4-ears-at-tennessee-rescue-8687715

This is one happy pup!

https://people.com/smiley-dog-hikes-across-the-county-in-rv-adventure-with-family-8680913

☀️ Feeling the Heat…

Before starting your weekend, boomerang back tomorrow for soap and both trash and treasure. Until then, stay safe, stay going for your personal gold, and stay accepting who people are and who they’re in a relationship with.

July 31, 2024 – Sonny Wants To Teach Jagger a Lesson, Her Mom, In LA, Fab Noel, She’s Sued, New City, Revealed Dragons, More Pool, Game To Come, Nope & Dear

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Molly knocks on Kristina’s door, and Kristina says she still didn’t sign the papers Molly left there. Molly tells her to trash them. Even better, she’ll tear them up herself.

Scotty says, Laura is a compelling witness, but Ava wonders about that, considering the negative press Laura’s gotten lately. Scotty says, Laura was her mother-in-law, and she’s lucky Laura is going to bat for her at all, since she and Nikolas are divorced. It’s weighty, but they need more. Sonny will call Carly, who will lie about what he had for breakfast with conviction. Ava says she’s not worried. Carly won’t be as convincing after she’s convicted of RICO charges. (She’s clearly out of the loop.)

Carly and Michael show up at the pool, where Wiley’s birthday party is still going on. Donna runs to Carly and hugs her.

Dante finds Anna in the interrogation room and says, the arraignment is happening as they speak. Michael and Sonny are there. She says, at least Sonny hasn’t been brought in in handcuffs. They’re ahead of the game. Dante says, it was a close call. Sonny took a swing at Cates, but it didn’t connect, and Molly saw the whole thing. She asks if charges were filed, but he says, not as of yet. She says, that’s a relief, and he says he followed up on Brennan at the hospital. Same deal as Pentenville. There was no record of him. Anna says, he’s at the WSB station in DC. He’s been reinstated, but she doesn’t think he ever lost his status in the first place. John walks in and says he and Anna need to talk in private, and Anna tells Dante that they’ll pick this up later. John tells Dante, a word of advice. Put a leash on his father or his father is going to find himself locked up. Dante leaves.

In his office on the phone, Sonny tells Brick that he needs a location on Jagger… Let him know when he does. Sonny opens a drawer and reaches for a locked box, but there’s a knock at the door. Jason comes in, and Sonny says he has nothing to say to him. Jason says, that’s fine. This time he’ll do all the talking.

Molly asks how Kristina is feeling, and Kristina says, the baby is fine, but Molly says, how is Kristina feeling? Kristina says, her feet and back hurt and she’s sleeping sitting up, but other than that, she’s great. It’s totally worth it. Molly says she doesn’t want Kristina too stressed, but Kristina says, Molly could have fooled her. Molly says she never should have come by with that document, and Kristina wonders if Molly really expected her to sign it. Molly says she got scared when she heard the interview. She was blindsided that Kristina and Blaze looked like the happy expectant couple, and Kristina didn’t say otherwise. Kristina says she explained that, and Molly says she and TJ are the expectant couple. They’re preparing the nursey and she’s working hard so she can get maternity leave. TJ is taking a leave of absence so they can watch the baby Kristina claims is hers. Kristina says she didn’t do that and would never… Molly admits she leapt to conclusions. It’s not a court of law, and she shouldn’t do that with her sister. She shouldn’t assume the worst and sincerely apologizes. Can Kristina forgive her?

Carly says she’s happy to see Donna, and Donna asks where she was. She missed most of the party. Wiley runs over and hugs Carly, and Carly says she’s sorry she’s late. She was trying to explain to Donna that she had a problem, but it’s solved now, and everything is fine. She’s glad to be here. The kids bring her over to the cake, and Carly asks Josslyn to watch the kids for a moment. Josslyn takes the kids, and Willow says, so? Michael says, the charges were dropped, and Maxie asks how that happened. Michael says, lack of evidence. It disappeared. Maxie says, amazing, and Carly says, isn’t it though?  

John says, Anna erased something from the database of the most secure system in the world. The prosecution agreed to the defense motion to dismiss the case and Carly skated. Three years of time and effort handling Jason is down the drain. Anna says she thinks he’s conflating the two situations. Pikeman might not have had a resolution to his liking, but the FBI has enough evidence to shut the company down. The case against Carly had nothing to do with Pikeman. John says, Carly dared him to charge her, and he had enough evidence to convict her. How miraculously convenient that it’s gone, and Anna doesn’t seem surprised or bothered. She made a deal with Jason, didn’t she? He let her boyfriend Valentin get away in return for the disappeared evidence against Carly.

Jason explains what happened after he went to Greece and tells Sonny that he wasn’t offered a phone call or representation. Cates started playing the recording that incriminated Carly and said they had her dead to rights. He made it clear that Jason had to work for him, or Carly would go to prison. Sonny says, so they sat on the evidence for over a year, and Jason says, maybe they were waiting for an opportune moment. Sonny wonders if Jason was asked to give him up, and Jason says, he was, but he refused. That’s when Cates brought up Pikeman. The FBI wanted proof of their illegal arms sales and who was in charge. In exchange for that, they wouldn’t charge Carly. Sonny asks if it’s his fault now, but Jason says he’s just explaining his decision. Sonny asks why Jason didn’t come to him when they asked him to spy on Pikeman. He knows all about Jagger. He’s Jagger’s number one target. He always has been. Jason says, Sonny is right, but Cates didn’t make it obvious until now, and Sonny says, Jason didn’t trust him and went behind his back. Jagger played him, and now he’s got to protect himself. He’s got nobody else to protect him.

Michael tells Willow that he still can’t believe it, and she says, the evidence disappeared? He says he doesn’t know how or who, but he’s grateful. They watch the kids, and he says his mom is the heart of the family. She says, too bad Sonny can’t see this. It’s the perfect opportunity to set aside their differences. He says he tries not to take it personally, but he thinks there are other things going on, and she says, like what? He says, Sonny attacked Dex, and yesterday he had to stop Sonny from punching Cates outside the courtroom. He barely managed to grab Sonny’s arm. Donna is lucky both of her parents are free today.

Anna says, John gives her too much credit. He thinks she disappeared the evidence, but she doesn’t have access to that database and wouldn’t even attempt a breach of that magnitude. He says, the WSB are the only ones with that kind of tech, but she says she’s not WSB. She’s the Police Commissioner of Port Charles. She’s watched him trash her jurisdiction and harass the citizens. Maybe if he was more focused, he could have better handled the evidence. He says, whoever did it tried to frame him by using his credentials, and Anna says, he’s going to have to answer to his superiors for that. He asks, what happened to her? He wants to know. Why did she turn from her promise to protect and serve? She says, that’s what she’s doing, and he says, by literally climbing into bed with the enemy? Valentin escaped and Sonny is going free because of her. Well done. She’s protecting and serving… them. He stomps out. (He’s been doing a lot of that lately.)

Kristina says she rewatched the interview and saw how Molly interpreted her response as coy and suggesting it was her and Blaze having a baby. But just to be clear, that’s not what she meant. Molly says she understands that now. Emotions were raw. Kristina says she just wants it to work out and for the baby to be healthy and grow up safe, happy, and loved. Molly says, she wants that too, but she also wants them as sisters to be okay, and Kristina says she wants that too. The whole reason she agreed to this is because she loves Molly so much. She hates that it’s coming between them. Molly says, it doesn’t have to, when there’s a knock at the door. A guy asks if Kristina is Kristina Corinthos-Davis, and she says she is. He hands her an envelope and says, you’ve been served.

Scotty’s phone rings, and he tells Ava, it was a notification that Kristina has been served. Ava says, Kristina has always been so entitled like her high and mighty mother. She’s going to come crashing down to earth when she has to admit what a brutal lunatic her father is. Scotty says he’s going to enjoy it. It’s the least Sonny deserves after everything he’s done. She says, Kristina might not realize it now, but this is the kindest thing she can do for her little sister, and he says, she’ll fight on the stand. She’s very loyal to her father. Ava says she’s not worried. The odds are when Sonny sees his beloved Kristina take the stand, he’ll have a meltdown.

Sonny says, Jagger is obsessed with him and will keep coming at him unless he puts Jagger down, but Jason says, Cates was damaged in court. He overreached and there are going to be repercussions from the FBI. They can watch him go down in flames. Sonny says, it’s his problem and he’ll deal with it. He doesn’t want Jason involved. End of conversation. Dante comes in and says, sorry to interrupt, but maybe it’s good he did. Jason says he was just leaving. He tells Sonny that last night, Cates offered to let Carly go if he testified against Sonny, but he refused… again, and he leaves.  

Michael tells Willow that his dad’s attitude toward him has been more volatile lately. His mom thinks Sonny is off his meds, but Sonny insists he’s not. Maybe this is how he is now. He’s sorry. He doesn’t want to get her down. They should go back to the celebration. What did he miss? She says, Wiley was hanging with the kids and having a great time. She’s so blessed that she gets to watch him grow up. Thanks to Michael. Michael says, they’re lucky because they have her in their lives.

Josslyn tells Carly that Donna is having a blast, and Carly says, Donna adores Josslyn. Josslyn says, the feeling is mutual, and Carly says she’s glad they have each other. When she thought she might go to prison, she was making a mental list of things to tell her about Donna in case she wasn’t here. Josslyn says, she doesn’t have to worry about that now, and Carly says she couldn’t bring herself to tell Donna that she was trying to one-up a rogue FBI agent. Josslyn says, she’s too young to understand, and Carly says she’s sorry she put Josslyn through this.

Molly says, whatever that is, she has nothing to do with it, and Kristina takes papers out of the envelope. She says, it’s a subpoena for family court. She’s being summoned to appear at Avery’s custody hearing. Molly asks if it’s for Sonny, but Kristina says, no, Ava. Molly looks at the papers, and Kristina says she can’t testify against her father. Molly says, she has no choice, and Kristina asks what she says. Molly says, tell the truth. Diane will mitigate the damage in her cross examination. Kristina says, Diane can’t spin this. Ava knows she saw her father beat up Dex and knows Kristina can’t stand her. Molly says, Diane will rehearse with her. Keep her answers as brief as possible. Kristina says she can’t be the reason dad loses custody of Avery.

John goes to Ava’s hotel room, and she says, John doesn’t look happy. He says he’s not. Carly walked. The charges were dropped. The audio file mysteriously disappeared from the FBI database. She asks if they don’t have a backup, and he says, of course (🍷), but a copy is inadmissible. They have to prove it’s not faked or tampered with. The chain of custody is essential. Now he has no leverage against Jason and he’s no closer to putting Sonny behind bars where he belongs.

Dante asks what he walked in on, and Sonny says, Jason was explaining how Jagger was forcing him to infiltrate Pikeman, but that’s not what this is about. He’s the target for Jagger. He always has been. Jagger wants to take him down, and everybody says he’s paranoid. Dante says he believes Sonny. Cates crossed the line. The problem is, Sonny can’t cross the line with him. He’s got to stand down.

Ava says, maybe John overreached. Counting on Jason and Carly to give up Sonny was never going to be a reality. They’ll be loyal to the bitter end. John says, no. He had them. He knew they would flip to save each other. Whoever erased the file screwed him. She says, he’ll find another angle to get Sonny, and he says he’s sorry. He knows she’s worried about her case too. He thought if Sonny was locked up, she wouldn’t have to go through with the custody case. She says, there’s still a way for her to get what she wants.  

Molly says, short of a medical emergency, Kristina will have to testify or be held in contempt. Kristina says, what if she doesn’t answer the questions? and Molly says, she’ll get a contempt citation, and perjuring herself is an actual crime. Kristina says, only if they can prove it, and wonders who else was subpoenaed. Molly says, maybe Dex, and he’s a cop now, and Kristina says, there has to be some way out. How can she avoid testifying? Molly says, she doesn’t. She’s sorry. No matter how much Kristina hates getting on the stand, she has to swear to tell the truth about what she saw her father do.

Maxie says, Carly must have been going out of her mind worrying about the kids, and Spinelli says, the evidence was like a dagger over Jason and now he’s finally free. Maxie says, good news all around, and Spinelli says, and a reminder of what can be lost in an instant. She says, he’s usually an optimist, but he says, seeing how this played out made him assess certain priorities and recommit to them. That’s her and the kids, their family.

Carly says, if the evidence hadn’t disappeared, she’d have been sent to prison just because she lost her temper, but Josslyn says, it’s okay. Carly says she literally taunted an FBI agent into arresting her. How stupid. Josslyn says she loves how Carly didn’t let John walk on her, but Carly says she had more to lose than gain. She wants to learn from her mistake. There’s a time to stand up and a time to stand down. She should have thought more about Josslyn and Donna. Josslyn says, Carly might have been impulsive and reckless, but she loves her and she’s happy Carly is free.  

Jason goes to see and Anna, and says, she heard. She says, it’s a good day. The charges against Carly were dropped and the FBI no longer has leverage over him, and it happened in one fell swoop. Jason says he was wondering who to thank. He has it on good authority that even the best hacker couldn’t delete the file. Anna says she wanted to talk to him about that. She owes him. Valentin wouldn’t have gotten away if he hadn’t cooperated. She has a debt to repay. He asks if that’s what happened, but she says she had nothing to do with the audio file disappearing. He says, who did?

Maxie says she knows she and the kids are a priority. Spinelli shows her that every day. But that doesn’t mean she wants him to stop doing what he does, as long as he’s careful. He says he took every precaution, and she says, he hacked the FBI. She realizes how loud she’s talking and lowers her voice, saying, he’s amazing. He says he wants to assure her that before he does anything else impressive, he’ll talk to her first and they’ll weigh the risk. He won’t do it if she doesn’t like it. She says, deal, and Carly says she’s sorry to interrupt, but can she ask Spinelli for a minute? Maxie says she has to check in with the office and leaves. Carly sits down and thanks Spinelli, but he says he didn’t do anything to delete the file.

Anna tells Jason that she found Jack at the WSB in DB. It’s as if the last few months never happened. Jason asks why he did that, and she says, he didn’t confirm it, but her theory is that the WSB wanted to get out from Pikeman. Jack set himself up to get arrested and the WSB laid a trail of breadcrumbs to control the pace, giving them time to sever ties. Jason says, leaving Brennan and the WSB to walk free. What about Valentin? Does she think he was in on this? She says, probably. She doesn’t know to what extent. She thinks they bankrolled his disappearance and hopes he and Charlotte are somewhere safe with new IDs. He says, it makes sense, and she says, except for one thing. Why did Jack help Carly?  

Ava tells John that Kristina was just served with a subpoena to testify against her father. She can try to avoid Scotty’s questions, but she’s going to have to testify that she was a witness to her father’s attack on Dex. John says, that’s good news, and Ava says she predicts a spectacular meltdown in front of everyone. Everyone can see with their own eyes that Sonny isn’t a suitable parent for Avery. He says, assuming Sonny doesn’t have a meltdown before that. He provoked Sonny, and Sonny nearly assaulted him. He’s a ticking time bomb and it’s just a matter of time before he goes off.

Sonny asks why he should sit back and let Jagger come after him. That son of a bitch needs to be taught a lesson. Dante says, if he goes after Cates, he’ll give Cates what he wants. He’s smarter than that, so do the smart thing and step back. Sonny asks if he thinks Jagger will go away. He’s got a lot to prove. Dante says, his case was thrown out. Let his bosses deal with him. Maybe they’ll put him out to pasture, but not yet. If Sonny doesn’t back off, he could open himself up to federal charges.   Sonny says he’s heard this before. The law comes first. Dante’s a cop first and his son second. Why should he listen to what Dante is saying? Dante says, Sonny can only push everybody so far, even him.

Jason asks if Anna thinks Brennan intervened, and she says she does. A while back, he talked about how he enjoyed Carly visiting him. She thinks he meant it. And when she was in Washington, he commented that he wasn’t in the business of ruining good people’s lives. It’s a huge risk to break into the FBI database, which begs the question, why would Jack go to the trouble of saving Carly?

Carly says, Spinelli didn’t get rid of the evidence? and he says, not for lack of trying. He was able to gain access to the account, but couldn’t delete or corrupt the file. She says, if not him, then who? and he says, maybe someone on the inside, but she says, the only person who knows about the file is John, and he didn’t do it. Spinelli says, someone invested in her freedom. She must have a guardian angel.

Molly suggests Kristina sit down and take deep breaths. She’ll make tea and coach Kristina. They’ll prep together. Kristina asks if Molly wants to or does she feel obligated, but Molly says, of course (🍷) she wants to help Kristina. Aside from the incident at the wedding, is there any other reason Ava would want her to testify? Is there something she knows about Sonny that she’s sitting on? Kristina says, the only reason Ava called her was to get her to talk about the wedding, and Molly says she’ll make some calls. She’ll find out what else has been filed. Kristina says, what if she never has to take the stand? What if Ava changes her mind? Molly says, that would be unusual. It can happen, but it’s not going to. Ava has no reason to withdraw the subpoena. Kristina says she supposes not, and Molly goes to the kitchen. Kristina says, unless she gives Ava a reason.

Ava says she thought of something. That little ruckus between John and Sonny. Would John be willing to testify? John says, it would be his pleasure. Don’t forget Michael was there too. Ava says, Kristina and Michael both witnessed their father’s out of control behavior, and he says he just wants one person to rat on that bastard. Ava says she’ll do her best with a little help from her friend, he says, anytime, and they kiss. (Blech.)

Dante asks if Sonny is doing this again. If he’s not with Sonny, he’s against him. He’s not Jagger Cates. He’s trying to help. If Sonny wants to go after Cates, he’ll fall into his trap. Sonny’s phone rings, and Sonny says, sorry. He’s got to get this. It’s private. Dante says he doesn’t want to hear it anyway, and leaves. Sonny asks Brick, where’s Jagger?… With Ava, in the suite. Good. Take a lot of pictures.

Tomorrow, Blaze doesn’t know where she and Natalia go from here; Lois asks if Brook is willing to take on Sonny; and Sonny tells Kristina not to worry. She’s not going to have to testify.

🧴 Adding Soap To Content…

This is actually pretty funny.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nancy-lee-grahn-and-daughter-kates-hilarious-soap-star-tiktok

💰 Listing Those Millions…

Tracy was still trying to unload the house in the path of an apartment building and a flight pattern. JoshF was given a week to sell a house he thought was overpriced, the seller insisting Josh wasn’t showing it to the right clientele. Although when his assistant found a dead rat in a pool considered a selling feature and he refused to remove it, I thought, maybe it is him. JoshA checked out a property with developer Max that he thought could be listed at $120 to $150 million after being rebuilt – in its own stratosphere. We learned from JoshA, the only thing worse than not finding a property for a client is finding them a property and not being able to put a deal together.

Next time, JoshA finds JoshF a house that he says is just like JoshF- annoying and over the top.

🎄 Needing a Fabulous Little Christmas…

The best I could find was a recap in video form, but it’s not bad. Kind of like a condensed version of the show.

https://www.accessonline.com/videos/my-big-fat-fabulous-life-whitney-glenn-thore-crash-hunter-karens-date

💸 Brooks Taught Her Nothing… Or Everything…

This isn’t exactly surprising. Vicki has always been about making the buck.

No surprise either that Teddi jumped in.

⚰️ The City That Never Dies…

The latest on Dead City’s Season 2.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-dead-city-unveils-season-2-teaser-comic-con-2024-8683308

🐉 Leak In the House…

Welcome to the internet.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-finale-leaks-tiktok-hbo-responds-8686991

🦸🏻 Pool Floaties…

Their original plan. Which would have been kinda mean.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-almost-showed-bad-fake-movie-in-theaters-as-joke-8683653

He won’t dance. Don’t ask him.

https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-not-dancing-nsync-deadpool-wolverine-8685672

Be sure to check out Hugh Jackman’s reaction to the final battle.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-star-ryan-reynolds-shares-video-of-audience-reaction-to-spoiler-a212419#gs.cf621z

The box office.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/deadpool-wolverine-tuesday-box-office-record-1236027253/

🐙 Squid On the Menu…

What’s coming and when it’s ending.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2-release-date-netflix/

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-3-2025-netflix-final-season/

🐶 TikTok Fail…

Yep. They don’t care who you are. They will embarrass you every time.

https://people.com/courteney-cox-posts-hilarious-video-of-her-dog-failing-hands-in-challenge-8685113

🍦 Follow That Ice Cream Truck…

Join me tomorrow for soap and talk of oranges. Until then, stay safe, stay never diving into the shallow end, and stay knowing that there’s a time to stand up and a time to stand down. 

July 30, 2024 – An Arraignment Surprise, Soap Bubbles, Messy New Jersey, Ramonacoaster Return, Ending the Feud, New Freedoms, Where’s Whitney, Last Of the Shadows, Super Rescue & Suddenly

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna goes to the WSB and introduces herself as the Police Commissioner of Port Charles, New York. She asks if the desk agent can point her in the direction of someone who knows what happened to Jack Brennan and why he was removed from Pentenville.

Wiley is celebrating his birthday at the pool and tells Willow that he thought daddy was coming. Willow says, he wanted to, but had to do something with grandma. Wiley says, Grandma Nina! but Willow says, no, his other grandma. Wiley says, no. Grandma Nina is here at the pool.  

John tells Sonny, Carly is going to lose her children, her hotel, and the restaurant left to her by her deceased mother. Jason is going to talk. Sonny says, no one has anything to say to John, and John says, Jason is going to testify against him, and Sonny is going to be in that courtroom with all his money while John is beside him listing all the crimes he’s committed. John ends his tirade with calling Sonny a miserable son of a bitch, and Sonny is ready to punch him, but Michael grabs him and says, calm down. Sonny says, let him go, and John tells Michael to listen to the guy who’s not his real dad. Listen to the one who blew his real dad away. For once, he took care of it himself. Michael tells Sonny not to give John the satisfaction. Donna may lose her mother. Does Sonny want her to lose her father too?

Michael tells Sonny, just walk away. It’s not worth it. His family needs him. Sonny says, Jagger finally showed his true colors, and John says, same for Sonny. Sonny laughs, and John says he’s looking forward to seeing more of Sonny. Michael and Sonny step away, and John says, nice uncle. She’s an officer of the court. Why is she protecting him? She says she’s not, and he says, it’s a point of integrity for the county. She tells him to make a formal request. Fill out an official form, and she’ll have it processed. Then if he wants to drag Sonny to court and put him in prison, he’s more than welcome. He’s been waving his badge around, making demands, and using his power to service his own vendetta. He says, she has more than enough to go on and is hiding behind bureaucracy instead of serving justice, and she says, be her guest. Have Sonny arrested and prosecuted, but if he wants assistance, fill out an official request. He accuses her of being in bed with Sonny, and she tells him to request a court order. Until then, their business is done. Good day.

Nina hugs Wiley, and James says, greetings and salvations (not a mistake; he gets Spinelli’s hello a bit wrong). Willow says she’s happy that James’s mommy brought him to the pool, and Maxie says, no one needs to remind them whose birthday it is. Nina looks at Willow, who nods, and she says she brought something for the birthday boy. Spinelli tells Maxie, so far, so good. Wiley is happy to have one of his grandmas at the party. Maxie says, they all know Carly has to appear in federal court, but they don’t know why, and Spinelli says he found out Cates is using the incriminating evidence he has on Carly as a threat to coerce Jason into working for him. Maxie says, that snake, and Wiley thanks Nina for his gift. He tells James that they can show Nina how fast they can swim, and the boys get in the pool. Nina asks Willow if that was okay, and Willow says, Nina has great taste, as always. Wiley definitely liked it. (I think it was a truck, but I wasn’t totally paying attention.) Nina says she’s in the middle of a workday, so when the boys are out of the pool, she’ll be on her way, but Willow asks if she’s sure she has to leave.

On the phone, Dante says, Jack Brennan was at the hotel in December of 2023… Then go up the chain of command to the co-owner Olivia Falconari. Tell her it’s Dante Falconari… Right. He’s her son. He thanks them for their cooperation. Molly comes into the station looking for Anna, but Dante says, she’s out of town. Molly asks if he knows when she’ll be back, but he says he doesn’t. Is there something he can help her with? She says, there’s a rogue FBI agent roaming the courthouse and Dante’s father is hellbent on tearing him limb from limb.

Michael asks if Sonny is okay, and Sonny says he’s fine. Michael is right. Jagger’s not worth it. Diane joins them with Josslyn and Jason, and asks if everything is all right. Michael says, it’s fine, and Sonny looks at Jason then walks into the courtroom. Diane asks if she needs to worry, but Michael tells her to focus on their mom. She says she can multitask, and he says, they all rely on that. Josslyn asks if Jason is sure Sonny is taking his meds, and Jason says, Carly checked. Josslyn says, it’s possible they stopped working, and John lurks behind them. He stares at Michael and moves on. Jason asks what they missed, and Michael says, he can probably guess. How’s Donna? Josslyn says, she keeps asking where her mom is and they keep saying she’s on a business trip where there’s no cell service. She’s going to grow up to be a cop or detective. Pilar has her at Wiley’s birthday party. She’s sorry Michael is missing it, but they’ve got to figure out what to tell Donna if Carly doesn’t make bail. She asks if Jason thinks she will.  

Anna tells the desk agent that Brennan’s time in Pentenville was completely wiped out, as well as the PCPD records of him. That only happens when someone high up wants it. Whoever that is, is who she needs to speak to. He says, she probably knows what he’s about to say, but she says she needs to hear it. He says, the information she’s seeking is probably highly classified. Without a federal court order, they can’t and won’t provide it. Anna says she’s not a civilian, she’s a Police Commissioner, but he says, she’s local law enforcement. She says she’s a former WSB agent, but he says, all that gets her is in the door. She needs a special clearance. She suggests he get ahold of Mia Granahan, the Deputy Director. She’ll be happy to wait. Brennan was arrested for crimes in her jurisdiction. She arrested him herself and won’t sit by and allow the WSB to disappear him. She’s not leaving until she gets an answer. Brennan comes out of a nearby office and asks, must she always make a nuisance of herself? (I love Jack. He’s so much fun.)

Dante asks, how bad was it? and Molly says, words were exchanged, but John was way up in Sonny’s face. He wanted more to happen and almost got it. Sonny took a swing at him. Dante says, but there was no assault? and she says, the punch never landed. If it weren’t for Michael, Sonny would be in federal custody.

The kids play in the pool, and Willow thanks Nina. Nina says, of course (🍷), and Willow says, not just for the present, but for arranging for Michael to meet Congressman McConkey. Nina says, it’s her pleasure, and Willow says she’s sure it was as difficult for Nina to say yes as it was for Michael to ask. He considered asking Monica or Tracy, but Nina has a closer relationship with McConkey. Nina says, wise move, and Willow says, she wasn’t sure, considering how things are between Nina and… Nina says, Willow wasn’t sure if she would go to bat for Carly, but Willow says, no undue influence. They just want the congressman to look into Agent Cates’s abuse of authority. She thanks Nina, and Nina flashes back to Michael saying that she owes his family one and can make it right with one phone call. When his mom is free, he’ll make sure Willow knows all the credit goes to her. Nina tells Willow, spoiler alert. She may be shocked by why Nina did it. No matter what their differences, she knows how important Carly is to the family. How could she say no?

John wanders around the hallway and runs into US Attorney Wilcox. He tells John that he read the files and asks if there’s anything else he should know. John says, plenty.

Carly is brought into the courtroom and hugs Josslyn, but the officer says, no contact. She asks how Donna is, and Josslyn says, she thinks Carly is away on business. John comes in and Carly stares at him, but Diane says, look at her. From this point on, she’s not to look at Cates. Not a glare, not a side-eye, not looking backwards when she tosses her hair. Carly says she never tosses her hair, and Diane says, she’s not to speak to him. Carly says, she’s not an idiot, but Diane says, she’s impulsive. Carly says, Diane made her point, and she can hear Jason agreeing. Diane says, the most important thing to remember is, once the arraignment starts, no words. Not a peep, not a noise, no audible breathing until she argues for dismissal. Josslyn asks if she thinks it will work, and Diane says, no, but the court expects it and it starts the road to acquittal. Michael says he’s meeting with McConkey and asking him to look into Cates’s conduct, and Carly says she hopes they turn over every rock to find something. If she’s going down, Cates is going down with her. The bailiff says, all rise.

Alexis comes to the station and says she’s dropping off some paperwork for Anna. Dante says, it’s official, and she says, once again she’s a licensed and practicing attorney. Dante says, now they can have a different picture on their dartboard instead of hating on Diane. Sam wanted to have them over for dinner, and he thinks this would be a good excuse to celebrate. Alexis says she looks forward to it, and Dante takes the paperwork and leaves. Alexis asks if Molly’s got a minute, and Molly says, she must have spoken to Kristina. Alexis says, yes, she did.

Anna goes into the office and says, it’s good to see Jack, especially since every trace of him has disappeared. He says, there’s a reasonable explanation. He was never there. She says she kept a hard copy of his intake arrest record, and he says, damn. Now he’ll have to burn down the police department – again. He swore it was the last time. Anna tells him to stop whatever game he’s playing. He’s won. He says, what was that last bit? and she says, he won. He’s out and free, and she, the lowly, local Police Commissioner, can’t touch him. What’s going on? He says, sorry, she has no clearance, but she says, that’s never stopped her before. Or him. He says, the Bureau found a use for him. It’s as simple as that. Why does she ask? Was she worried about him? She says she was really worried… that he wouldn’t pay for the crimes he’s committed and that’s exactly what happened. He’s been rewarded for them. He says, he’ll be running a local station in the hinterlands. Some reward. She says, the WSB needed to divorce themselves from Pikeman. It did a good job for them, but things were getting conspicuous. The FBI wasn’t on board, so the WSB let them take Pikeman down and walked away clean. Is she close? He shrugs.

Maxie tells Spinelli that she knows she said she was okay with it, but she wants to know what happened. He says he can’t divulge his methods, and she says, but he could deny them in detail. He says, for instance, he absolutely did not access the evidence Cates is using against Carly, and Maxie says, of course (🍷) not. How would he do that? He says, not by having Sam distract Cates and borrowing Cates’s digital ID. She wonders why he couldn’t use the ID to get rid of the evidence and throw it away, but he says, even The Jackal couldn’t pull that off.

The judge says, the defendant is charged with racketeering violations, and Diane says, they can waive the reading. Wilcox has no objection, and the judge asks if the defendant understands the charges. Diane says she’s making a motion to dismiss. The prosecution hasn’t shared the evidence, which consists of a single recording. There’s no eyewitness testimony, just one audio file recorded by an FBI agent. A guy comes in and whispers something to Wilcox, and Diane says, Carly is a long standing pilar if the community and the charges are lacking in merit. She voluntarily turned herself in hoping to get this whole thing over with. It reeks of malicious prosecution, and she hopes the court sees it for what it is. The judge says, it always pleases her to hear Diane argue a motion, and Wilcox says, the people don’t oppose the motion to dismiss. We all go, whaaat?

The judge bangs her gavel and asks if she heard correctly. Are they agreeing to dismiss the case? John jumps up and says, they’re not, and Wilcox asks, who the hell is he? The judge says she’ll ask the questions. Who the hell is he and what business is it of his? John says he’s Special Agent Cates. He brought Carly in and the US Attorney is making his job impossible. The judge asks the attorneys and John to approach the bench, and John says, they have an iron clad case, but Wilcox says, the audio file is gone. It no longer exists. (I laaaaugh.)

Anna says, the FBI was closing in on Pikeman and Jack got himself arrested knowing he’d never face trial. The WSB left him in Pentenville until everyone forgot about him. He says, everyone but her, and she says, now he’s a free man. And Valentin his scapegoat is also fine? Lounging with his daughter on some extradition free beach? Jack says, she’s right. There. He said it. It’s all true. Anna says, but none of it will see the light, and he says, that’s how the game is played. Speaking of games, he doesn’t think she came to the nation’s capital just to badger the WSB into divulging his whereabouts. She wants something. Anna asks, what kind of leverage does he have against John? and Jack says, John is FBI and he’s WSB. Why would she think he has pull? She says, because you’re you. You have connections. Jack says he’s flattered, and she says, John is off the rails and targeting Jack’s friend Carly.

John says he has an official summary on his phone, but Diane says, in this day and age of deepfakes, evidence isn’t evidence unless there’s a chain of custody. John says, there is, and accuses the DA’s office of being incompetent. Maybe they should look for the file. Wilcox says, they did, and the last time it was accessed was by John. The judge says, so they have no evidence, and Wilcox says, none. She thanks them, and Carly asks Diane, what’s happening? Diane says, wait for it, and the judge asks if the prosecution wishes to proceed. Wilcox says, they’re not moving forward with the case, and the judge says, case dismissed. Carly looks at Jason and everyone looks stunned. Sonny smiles. (I can’t stop laughing.)

Carly asks, what happened? and John says, it can’t be gone. The judge asks if he didn’t hear the dismissal. One more word, and she’ll hold him in contempt. He’s stopped talking? Good. Now listen. For the record, she recommends he take his questions, accusations, and excuses to his superior. His conduct is not for court. Understood? John nods, and she says, good. Now they’re done. Court is adjourned. The bailiff says, all rise, and the judge leaves. Carly hugs Josslyn and Michael, and everyone is happy. John says he doesn’t know how they pulled it off, but it’s not going to work. It’s evidence tampering and he has a good idea who’s behind it. He flashes back to Diane assuring him that this is going to blow up in his face, and Anna telling him to ignore the evidence. Carly says she’d love to send a thank you note to whoever did this, but Jason says, it’s not over. Michael says, it is, and John tells Sonny, enjoy his reprieve. It won’t last. He’s going to put Sonny behind bars for the rest of his life, and make sure Jason and Carly are rotting beside him. He stomps out.

In the interrogation room – where everyone goes to talk – Alexis says she spoke to Kristina and has one question. Molly says, hit her with it, and Alexis asks, what was Molly thinking? Molly says, nailed it, and Alexis says, she jumped the gun and tried to force Kristina to sign the termination of parental rights on the spot. Molly says she just presented Kristina with documents she’d always intend to sign, but Alexis says, it wasn’t a formality. By Molly’s own admission, she said Kristina was being cagey. Molly says, it was obvious that Kristina wanted to keep the baby, and Alexis says, Kristina said she tried to explain that she was protecting Molly and TJ’s privacy. Molly asks if Alexis buys that, and Alexis says, Kristina didn’t want to discuss Molly’s fertility issues without permission. Molly says, then Kristina should have asked her before the interview. How could it not come up in the prepping? The obvious assumption is that Kristina and Blaze are having a baby together. A message Kristina perpetuated.

Nina says, Wiley and James are fast, and Spinelli says, especially for children with their mass and density. Wiley asks if Nina wants a hot dog, but Nina says she has to go back to work. Spinelli goes to get hot dogs for the kids, and Wiley thanks Nina for coming. He hugs her and everyone smiles. (Oh wow. This episode is way too happy. An asteroid is surely hitting Port Charles soon. Or the Ice Princess. Or something.)

Carly hugs Jason and says, it’s over. He’s free. Jason sighs, and Josslyn and Michael hug Carly. Sonny flashes back to Carly telling him about the recording, and Josslyn says, the look on Cates’s face… Michael says, priceless, and Jason asks if she knows how it happened. Carly says she has an idea, but Diane strongly suggests they keep their theories to themselves forever. Michael says, it’s a solid plan, and Wilcox says, Diane had an excellent argument. She says, it’s a pity they’ll never know, and he says, almost. He tells Carly, on behalf of the US Government and the Justice Department, their sincerest apologies, and Carly says, they were just doing their job. He says, it’s come to their attention that Agent Cates has been less than professional on other fronts, and they’ll be looking further into his conduct. Carly says she hopes they take a long hard look, and Wilcox leaves. Carly asks if she can walk out, and Diane says, unless she has a burning desire to stay. She strongly suggests Carly go to the PCPD and pick up her personal items. Michael says, it’s cause for celebration. He knows of a party already in progress. Carly wonders if it’s still going on, but Josslyn says, if it’s not, they’ll get the party started again. Michael asks if Sonny wants to come, and Sonny asks, what’s wrong with you people?

Alexis says she doesn’t think Kristina’s reasoning is up to par. Her body is flooded with hormones that are telling her to protect the baby and keep it. But she wants Molly to have it. Molly asks if that’s why Kristina is claiming she and TJ are breaking up. It’s like she wants it to happen for an excuse just to keep the baby. Alexis says, they both have her genes. Molly has the ones that want justice, law, and order, and Kristina’s got the ones that make her think she’s right, she’s the smartest one in the room, and her ideas are better. Lucky you. She has another great idea – back off please. Just talk to her and accept her explanation. Trust her to be honest. Molly’s impulse was to have Kristina sign the termination on the spot. If she pushes back, Kristina will push harder, double down, and dig in. Molly knows she’s right.  

Jack says he’s sorry Carly is experiencing difficulty, and Anna says, she’s been charged with RICO violations. He says he doesn’t see her as a racketeer, and she says, Cates is targeting her ex-husband and using it for extortion. They have an agent running roughshod over the law in town. He’s a wrecking ball and she’s not letting him play out his vendetta. Jack says, a code of honor and actual honor are very different. If anyone knows… She says, it’s them. How many people’s lives has he destroyed in his performance of duty? Does he keep track? Does he care? Jack says, she has a tendency to jump to conclusions. It’s a bad habit for a spy… She says, ex-spy, and he tells her, try to have patience. She may discover that he’s not in the business of ruining people’s lives if he can help it.  

Sonny says, this did not have to happen. Carly should have told him what was going on before it was too late. Jason should have called him three years ago and told him what Jagger was up to. He could have stopped it. Jason says he tried to explain what he could, but Sonny says, Jason didn’t trust hurt him. None of them did, but that’s all right. He’s going to take care of Jagger himself. He walks out, and Jason looks at Carly.

This was a great episode.

Tomorrow, Anna tells Jason that she has a debt to repay; Molly apologizes to Kristina; Ava tells John that she has every reason to believe she’ll get the outcome she wants; and Dante tells Sonny that he can only push everybody so far, even him.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

A blast from the past returns.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/emma-samms-returns-to-general-hospital-2024

So many of the soap stars love cooking, the Food Network should create a show for them. I miss Soap Net… sniff…

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kirsten-storms-shows-off-her-incredible-cooking-skills

Sounds like she had a pretty normal life, but still, it must be weird.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-kimberly-mccullough-on-growing-up-on-tv

She should thank her lucky stars that she practically skated. Uber. It’s called Uber.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospitals-haley-pullos-sentenced-for-dui

This sounds like a good time. I actually considered going for a hot minute, but couldn’t think of anyone I could force coerce into going with me.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dont-miss-the-2024-general-hospital-fan-celebration

👠 What Happens In Jersey…

I love Marge sending Teresa a funeral bouquet in memory of her dignity. Apparently, she has tea to spill.

Danielle’s take.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1405006/rhonjs-danielle-cabral-confirms-the-season-14-finale-is-just-as-shocking-as-youd-expect

The uncivil war rages on.

https://okmagazine.com/p/rhonj-season-14-finale-war-revealed/

Seriously, Andy, reboot that thing or get rid of it.

https://people.com/andy-cohen-teases-rhonj-reboot-heres-the-truth-exclusive-8685366

What happened last week.

🗽 And In a Surprise Crossover…

Come on. What does anyone expect from this clueless throwback? If she was a dude, she’d be one of those guys from Manhattan who wouldn’t date you if you lived in Queens. A word about New Jersey. It’s like any place else. It has its good points and bad points. It’s geographically beautiful, there are tons of things to see, and the food is fantastic. On the other hand, the taxes are high, the government is corrupt, and it’s way expensive to live here. But best of all, you’re highly unlikely to run into anyone like the cast of RHONJ. Or Ramona.

🛟 Making Up Off Deck…

Hannah is a mom now. She’s too tired to argue.

🚜 They’re Moving On…

Interesting how both Barry and Ethan can’t let go of their respective relationships, yet their exes are moving on quickly. No crying and eating ice cream for them.

🪄 Looking For Fabulous…

Note: As of this posting, there was no recap for My Big Fat Fabulous Life, but I did watch it and it was very touching. The episode revolved around the Thores’ second Christmas without matriarch Babs, and the first time actually celebrating. Shopping for a tree, a Christmas costume party, the family together – including Hunter’s new girlfriend Karen – and Goosie in a Christmas sweater. There was nothing not to like. Hopefully tomorrow will bring a recap.

🧛🏻‍♀️ Fading Shadows…

The beginning of the end airs October 21st.

https://ew.com/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-final-season-preview-exclusive-photos-8676830

🐕 Best In Pool…

If you take nothing else away from my obsession with this dog, remember that a rescue dog (or other pet) can be the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and you to them.

https://people.com/all-about-dogpool-the-canine-rescue-star-of-deadpool-and-wolverine-8685503

📝 The Back To School Slippery Slope Arrives…

Join me tomorrow for soap and new Listings. Until then, stay safe; stay keeping dirt/grass outdoors and not tracking it inside; and stay remembering that a code of honor and actual honor are very different, and choosing wisely.