What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna finds Finn at the hospital. She thinks there should be guards, but Finn says Britt won’t get far with her ankle bracelet. Anna says she’s worse than her mother. She has to stay away from pillows, or she’ll start feeling the need to find out what it’s like to shut her up. He says he’s not available to bail her out today. The future of GH depends on him.

Charlotte says the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s Career Day. Chase walks in, and loudly says, for all.

Elizabeth hurries Aiden. He’s already missed the bus. Franco says he’s happy to drive him. Elizabeth asks where Aiden’s backpack is. He tells her, upstairs, and suggests staying home, since he’s late already, but Elizabeth doesn’t think so. She tells him to get it.

Curtis is waiting for Nina at Crimson. He says he came to find out what he did wrong. He’s not feel the love there for him. She asks why, and he says she hasn’t RSVP’d.

Max is having coffee at the MetroCourt. Peter says she’s doing it wrong. You’re supposed to be inconspicuous on a stakeout. Valentin and Sasha are there, and Valentin asks for a word. Sasha says she can’t be late for her first day at work. She took Nina up on her offer to work at Crimson. He says they need to talk, but she says there are eyes on them. Valentin says that’s why she should go. She knows; the longer she stays, the more likely she’ll be found out. Why is he worried. No one will tell Nina; no one knows. She’s treading lightly. Laura appears and asks Valentin who his friend is.

He introduces them, and Laura asks how they’re acquainted. Valentin tells her that Sasha is Nina’s daughter. Laura wasn’t aware she had one, and Sasha says, neither was she. They recently met. Laura says Nina must be thrilled she’s visiting Port Charles. Sasha says it’s more serious than that. She’s starting a job at Crimson today. Valentin says he’ll go up with her. Laura welcomes her to Port Charles.

Peter tells Maxie that Sasha must have missed the memo to avoid Valentin. Maxie says Valentin is the one who tracked her down. Peter thought it was Curtis, and Maxie says Valentin hired him. Peter says that explains why she has her guard down. He wonders why Maxie isn’t getting involved, but she says she’s not putting her nose in places it doesn’t belong. She accuses Peter of looking at her like she’s backsliding. He asks if it’s that hard, and she says, especially when she’s sitting across from someone she has a burning question for. Is he planning on going to Curtis and Jordan’s wedding with Nina or not?

Nina tells Curtis that she has the invitation right there, and shows him. He says he’ll accept a verbal confirmation, and she says, of course it’s yes. He has a favor to ask. Nina says, yes, and he says she doesn’t know what it is. She says it doesn’t matter. He says even if it means standing up for him? Drew has a personal situation. She wonders if he’s asking her to be his best man, and he says, best person. Someone he trusts, who has his back, and wants the best for him and his bride. The true definition of a friend. She says she’d be honored to be his best person, and hugs him.

Finn feels warm. Anna asks if he’s nervous. He says he keeps telling himself that they’re just third graders. She says he’s a doctor on career day. It’s a match made in heaven. She doesn’t know why he’s worried; he’s great with kids. Emma is a fan. He says Emma is biased. She says either he’ll inspire the next generation to be doctors, or send them running to law school. She believes in him.

Lulu is happy Chase could make it. He says it’s community outreach. She asks if he volunteered when he knew Charlotte’s teacher was having Career Day. Willow welcomes their special guests. Michael and Stella are also there. Willow says they have everything from a police officer to a reporter, and some in between. Charlotte tells her, not everybody is there. Where’s Aiden?

Elizabeth checks Aiden’s backpack, and takes something out that looks like a belt. She asks if he’s wearing this, and tells him he knows the rules. He says, just for lunch, but she tells him no, hand it to her or lose screen time. He hands it over. Franco says goodbye, and leaves with Aiden.

At the hospital, Scotty tells Elizabeth that his client in 009 is getting the short end of the stick, and asks if she can swing by his room. He’s headed toward suing the hospital on top of the taco truck. She snaps at him to wait a second.

Franco tells Aiden that he’s a good kid, and his mom loves him. Nothing will ever change that. He gives Aiden some money for lunch, and an extra dollar not to tell Elizabeth about the conversation. Then another dollar not to tell her about the extra dollar. Aiden goes into class. Finn sees Franco, and asks where Willow’s room is. Franco gives him long directions that end with going through the gym and out the double-doors.

Maxie accuses Peter of ghosting Nina. He says he’d be more comfortable making the decision if he knew why she’d invited him. Maxie suggests he ask. Laura approaches, wanting to thank him in person for The Invader’s endorsement. He thinks she’s the right choice, and wishes her the best of luck. She appreciates the support, and needs all she can get if she’s going to take advantage of the election postponement. She hopes to get the chance to prove herself. Anna joins them and says, that makes two of us.

Curtis asks if Nina is bringing a date. She says she’s asked, but they’ve yet to confirm – it’s not Valentin. He says he’ll leave her plus one blank. Nina says if they can’t come, she’ll ask Sasha. Curtis asks if she’s staying in Port Charles. Nina says she is, and Curtis is surprised. He thought Sasha felt they were getting too close too soon. He asks what changed her mind. Nina says they’re getting to know each other, and Sasha is working there now. It didn’t work out with temp agency, and they had an opening. Curtis asks if she doesn’t think it’s too much. Sasha comes in.

Franco is reading a child psychology book, when the doorbell rings. It’s Scotty. He says Elizabeth was late for work, and he’s lounging around; some people are having a productive morning. He has some clients at GH who could use art therapy. Franco says his first appointment was canceled so he’s brushing up. Scotty asks which kid is having a problem. He says the boys are angels, and Scotty asks why he’s reading a child psychology. Franco says he works with kids. Scotty says Elizabeth is would as tight as piano wire, and Franco is catching up? There’s obviously something wrong. He’d thought by now if Franco had a problem he’d come to his father.

Laura runs into Elizabeth at the hospital. She asks if Elizabeth is okay, and Elizabeth says she has everything under control. Laura says, control is key when raising three boys, but she’s not at home, and doesn’t have to be in control in front of Laura. Elizabeth says she has nothing under control, and feels like she’s failing.

Willow introduces the first speaker – Stella. Finn runs in, out of breath. Willow is glad he made it. He says he took a wrong turn, and she says she’s glad he’s here now, and tells him to take a seat. Chase says, smooth, and Finn tells him, shut up. Willow introduces Stella. Stella says people think she’s just an average citizen, who no one would look twice at. They don’t know what she really is, but she’s letting them in on the secret. She’s out there fighting to make sure everyone gets treated decently. She takes off her jacket and has a shirt that says SWW. She’s Social Worker Woman! Finn says, she has a costume.

Lulu gets up next, and explains the basics of reporting: who, what, when, where, and most important, why and how. She says it’s not a reporter’s job to tell them what to believe, but to provide information, so they can make up their own mind.

Michael asks, who knows what ELQ does? No one raises their hand, so he says, let’s find out together. He says they make important chemicals for innovative technology, and pours something in a beaker. The kids are like, wow… He shows them a giant pumpkin, and says they also fight world hunger. They grow food with special seeds, and he’s brought seeds for all of them to start their own gardens. I start wondering if GMOs are involved, and if they’ll all get giant vegetables like in that Gilligan’s Island episode. Finn frets. Michael says, a good CEO helps his company help the world, which leads to their motto – do a little bit of everything, and a whole lot of good. Chase tells Finn not to worry. Chase is called up. Finn says he’s not worried at all, and fans himself.

Nina asks Sasha if she remembers Curtis. She says she has him to thank for being there. He’s just glad she found her way to Nina; Valentin was the brains behind the operation. Sasha says they’re both her heroes. Nina says Curtis is her hero. Sasha thought Valentin would make the cut. She puts something on Nina’s desk and leaves. Curtis asks Nina what about her and Valentin, but Nina says he just had them over for dinner. There’s nothing to be worried about.

Anna asks to borrow Peter, and they step away from the table. Anna appreciates his discretion. He tells her, enjoy it while it lasts. He can’t hold off Lulu much longer. She says the gag order has been lifted. He asks what about the plan to nail Obrecht. She tells him that his sister at GH in room 510; she’s been taken extremely ill. She has an infirmity they can’t diagnose. Peter says she didn’t seem ill at The Floating Rib, but Anna says, looks can be deceiving. He says she once asked him to plant a false story, and he refused. She’s refined her strategy by giving him false information. She asks if he wants to spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. The less he knows, the less he has to worry about. He says she sounds like Valentin; one more thing they have in common. She says, sharing goals? and he says, having to make things right. Anna asks what Valentin can do, and Peter says, for one thing, he reunited a mother and child, separated through no fault of their own.

Chase says, if trouble arises over the next ten minutes, he’s deputizing Charlotte. He shows them how to do fingerprinting. Charlotte asks if it isn’t digitalized now, and he says it is, but before that, it was done on cards. No two people’s fingerprints are exactly the same. Even identical twins. He says he’s brought his special assistant, and goes to get him. Stella asks Michael if he has any idea what Chase has planned, and Michael says, no idea. Chase brings in a gorgeous German Shepherd, saying, this is Thor. Chase worked with the K9 unit before he was a detective. One of Thor’s favorite parts of the job is public outreach. He loves meeting people. He tells Thor to say hi, and Thor barks, and shakes hands with Willow. Chase goes on to bike safety, ending with how they should never illegally park. Willow says time’s up, and Chase quietly says he wasn’t talking to them. Finn says if he knew it was bring a cool animal day, he’d have brought Roxie. Willow says they have one more speaker.

Franco asks Scotty, what if a kid changes his personality from outgoing to uptight? Scotty says kids sometimes go through phases that run their course eventually. Franco doesn’t think that’s the case. Scotty suggests talking to him, but Franco says Aiden is shutting him out. Scotty says what about talking to his teacher; maybe she can shed some light on it. Franco says she can’t. Scotty says, it’s a tough case, and Franco wonders where that leaves him. Scotty says, where it leaves all parents – worried.

Elizabeth starts to cry, and Laura says, everyone has their moments. What does she think she’s failing at? and Elizabeth says, motherhood. Laura finds that hard to believe. Elizabeth says, something is wrong with Aiden.

Finn gets up, and says, so many little kids. He asks if anyone knows why the cookie went to the doctor, and Charlotte says, it felt crummy. She asks where he went to medical school. He tells her, Stoneybrook, and she balks at a state school. Willow tells her not to interrupt, and Finn says, it’s a good school. He asks if anyone has heard of the bird flu, and Charlotte asks if he has it; he looks like a bird. I wonder what’s gotten into her, and Willow says she’ll see Charlotte after school. She asks if Aiden as a question, and Charlotte says, he never talks. He might not have a voice. Chase asks if it’s true that Finn saved a patient from brain worms. Finn says it was his most fascinating case, and the bell rings. One of the kids says, time for gym, and they all run out. Willow thanks the guests.

Maxie asks Peter what that was about. He says he and Agent Devane have a difference of opinion as to what constitutes accurate reporting. Maxie says, Agent Devane? He says he’s not feeling the bond, and probably never will. Maxie asks, where were they? and he says, Nina’s invitation. She assumes he’s going to accept.

Anna says Valentin has been busy in her absence, and he asks what he did now. She says he gave Nina the one thing she couldn’t have. She wonders if he thought he’d find redemption in conjuring up a daughter. He says there was no conjuring. There were two labs, and two separate tests to prove they’re related. He could think of worse things to make a play for redemption. Maybe he can win back Peter’s friendship, and maybe hers. She tells him to stay away from her son.

Peter asks Maxie if it was her idea for Nina to ask him to the wedding, but she says, it was all Nina. He says it’s nice of her, but he doesn’t think he should be within a mile of it. The wedding will be loaded with police, and people who care about Nathan. It might be insensitive. Maxie is sure no one will notice. Nathan would be fine with Nina taking anyone but Valentin. Peter tells her that he’ll go, but first, he wants to know who she’s taking.

Valentin shows up at Nina’s office. Curtis says he’ll consider that her RSVP. She wants the table next to Stella. He tells her Stella won’t be there, and they’ll talk next time. He leaves, and Valentin has something he thinks belongs to Nina. He found her earring under the couch where she fell asleep. She tells him she has a deadline, and he asks if she has time to talk about what happened. Or they could talk about what could have happened.

Willow thanks the guests for making Career Day a success. Finn thinks he can be left off that list. Willow thinks they could do another day, and asks Michael to bring seeds for her next time. Stella says she’s bringing props next time. They leave, but Chase lingers, and asks Willow for her contact information. He says it’s for Finn, and she says she can give it to him directly. Chase says Finn is nervous, but he’s a bright guy. Willow says she can catch up with him, and Chase says, or she can give him her number.

Franco tells Scotty, hopefully the book is more enlightening. Scotty says Franco has the sense God gave a goose, and should trust it. Kids need a roof over their heads, clothes, and food. He can figure out the rest. Franco says he needs Aiden to trust him now, so Elizabeth believes he’s a good parent. Scotty asks if his problem is with Aiden or Elizabeth.

Elizabeth tells Laura that she snapped at Aiden because he missed the bus. She should be focusing on him, not him being late. She sure he thinks she doesn’t care about him. Laura says she’s a good mom; she just had a bad morning. Elizabeth says Franco is going to do art therapy with Aiden to see if it helps like it did with Jake. Maybe she’ll talk to Doc. Laura suggests maybe she talk to someone else – Lucky.

Chase asks if he can call Willow to ask her out sometime. She says maybe she could be persuaded if he brings Thor. He asks when, and she says she hasn’t said yes. He says she didn’t say no. She tells him it’s been a while, and he says for him too. He says they can see who’s the worst first date, and she says she’ll knock him out in round one. She gives him the number, and says she looks forward to his call.

Laura asks if Elizabeth has told Lucky. Elizabeth asks if Laura thinks she should. He’s not part of Aiden’s life, but if he knew what Aiden was going through, he’d come running. She thinks it might do more harm than good, and Laura says she could be right. Whatever she decides Laura is there for her and Aiden. They hug.

Scotty asks what’s really bothering Franco. Is his problem with the kid or proving himself to Elizabeth. Franco says, both. Scotty wants to help. Maybe he should take Aiden out fishing or hiking. Franco doesn’t think he’d be interested, and Scotty says figure what he is interested in, and eventually they’ll connect. Problem solved. The bride-to-be will know he’s the man for the job. Franco says it’s not bad advice, and Scotty says, ten bucks. Franco thinks that’s steep for the family rate. Scotty suggests they play catch, but Franco says Scotty knows he doesn’t do well at that; he has trouble with his spiral.

Willow calls Elizabeth. Elizabeth asks if everything is okay. Willow thinks it’s time for another conversation about her son.

Valentin tells Nina they have unfinished business. Nina says she has meeting to go to, and asks that they at least agree the conversation is far from over. Sasha says Nina has another visitor. Valentin says she’s busy, but Peter says he’ll just be a moment. He’s accepting her invitation. Valentin asks, for what? and Maxie says Curtis and Jordan’s wedding. Nina invited Peter as her date.

Anna runs into Finn at the hospital. He wonders why she’s still there, and she says she came to check on a patient. She asks how the presentation went, and he says the look on his face is how he’s thinking; he’s bleeding. Anna asks, how could he go wrong? Curtis approaches them, and says this came in the mail, and gives an envelope to Finn. He says, it’s from Hayden.

Tomorrow, Anna asks Finn what was in the part he didn’t read to her, Curtis says Drew is being generous, and not-Doc asks Franco what makes him think he can catch the killer?

The Real Housewives of Dallas

Day 2 – Copenhagen. LeeAnne is tired; it’s late. D’Andra and Kameron are the only ones still up. D’Andra is sorry she hurt Kameron’s feelings. She didn’t mean to hurt Kameron’s family. Kameron says she’d never intentionally try to hurt someone she loves. D’Andra says they know each other differently. No one else understands the family dynamic. In her interview, D’Andra says she and Kameron bonded over the pressure of Dallas society, and how you have to be a certain way. D’Andra tells Kameron she has principles. She got mad and thought Kameron wasn’t a loyal friend. In D’Andra’s interview, she admits she was wrong, and never meant to hurt Kameron. She was wound up because Kameron and LeeAnne poked and tag teamed. D’Andra says when her dad was there, he was the defender. She has a small family; it’s just her and her mother, and they’re not getting along. She thinks it’s finally settled, but she just has her husband. Kameron says she’ll always be there for D’Andra. She knows D’Andra is dealing with stuff. D’Andra apologizes, saying it’s time for her to learn and to be better. She hopes they can move on. If it takes time, she understands. She’s going to do her best to be a better friend. She gets teary, and says, it’s hard. They hug it out. In her interview, Kameron says their families are in similar social circles, and they understand each other because of that. Kameron thinks they can move forward, and there are more hugs. In her interview, D’Andra says she doesn’t know if they can go back to where they were, but they have peace. They laugh over last night when D’Andra got in Kameron’s elevator.

D’Andra feels lighter, like a weight lifted. LeeAnne asks Cary what the agenda is, and Cary says, biking. Everyone shuffles out. Kameron jokes that she’ll decide what to do depending on who she wants to hang out with. LeeAnne says her ass is sitting on the boat. Stephanie says whatever Brandi decides, she’ll go along with. In Cary’s interview, she says, these girls have been clinging to their besties for dear life. Not today. LeeAnne and Kameron, separate; Brandi and Stephanie, separate. Brandi says LeeAnne would look like the wicked witch on a bike, and LeeAnne asks if she’s still mad. LeeAnne says they need to talk, but Brandi says it’s too early. LeeAnne walks off. She tells Stephanie that Brandi is still mad, and Stephanie says she’s mad about the alcoholic stuff. LeeAnne wonders why D’Andra acts in a more violent manner – we flash back to her putting her finger in LeeAnne’s face – but there’s no repercussion. LeeAnne says Brandi thinks she’s the punching bag of the group. Kameron agrees. Kameron thinks the only way to move forward for LeeAnne, is to get an apology.

D’Andra, Stephanie, and LeeAnne go on the boat. Stephanie isn’t a fan of boats, but she’s a fan of hot captains. They drink rose, and the hot captain says it’s the best way to experience Copenhagen. He explains a bunch of stuff in Danish, and they reply, skoal! Kameron loves biking because she’s more in control of her environment. Brandi and Cary go biking with her. In her interview, Cary says she dated Lance Armstrong, who taught her a thing or two. Cary remembers the shopping area. She says she was ten when she was in Denmark, but just wanted to be home with her boyfriend and friends. She iddn’t stop and smell the roses. Ten seems too young to have a boyfriend, but I can identify, having gone to the Bahamas with my father when I was fourteen. I just wanted to get back home and enjoy the summer with my friends. Oh how I wish someone would take me on that trip now. On the boat, they go past the backside of an old world palace. Carved dragon tails make the main spire. It’s just beautiful.

Cary wants to stop at a trampoline park. The boat goes past, and the girls yell they have wine. Cary says it’s a small city, but it’s crazy. What are the odds they’d run into each other? These bitches can’t be separated. She wonders who has the tracking device. The hot captain, who really can speak English, drops them off. Some of them bounce on the trampolines. Cary steers, while D’Andra sits on the front of the bike. Stephanie, D’Andra and LeeAnne stop for lunch. In her interview, D’Andra thinks Stephanie is a calming force, and can help them get back on track.

D’Andra excuses herself to go to the bathroom. LeeAnne tells Stephanie that they’re pretending like nothing is wrong. It’s what old people do. LeeAnne wants to keep the caps from their beer bottles, and talks about saving things like the bouquet from D’Andra’s wedding. In her interview, Stephanie says she sees two close friends who have drifted apart. It reminds her of what she went through with her best friend. D’Andra comes back, and Stephanie tells them that she wants them to talk and be friends. She asks if D’Andra loves LeeAnne. After a pause, that might or might not be editing, she says, yes. She doesn’t think they’re not friends. LeeAnne feels like D’Andra doesn’t respect her. D’Andra says LeeAnne made her financial situation clear. I roll my eyes, and LeeAnne says she mentioned it once, and said it out of love, but D’Andra is still harping on it a month later. She wanted to solve a problem for D’Andra, and she’s said she’s sorry a million times. She thinks their tit for tat isn’t helping them move forward. D’Andra says if they promise not to talk about it anymore, they can put it to bed. LeeAnne doesn’t think D’Andra has respect for her or their friendship. D’Andra thinks they’ll get past it. In D’Andra’s interview, she says she’s done everything she knows to do, except apologize. And why not? She says she and LeeAnne have a long history. They’ve shared a lot, and she wants her friend back. She says great things are happening in LeeAnne’s life, and she’d love to be there to support her. She understands it might take time, but she’ll do her best to make it up. LeeAnne says when D’Andra took away the opportunity to love her, she took LeeAnne’s heart. In her interview, Stephanie says she’d love to see them be friends again. LeeAnne says she’d love to turn back time. Stephanie says she’s super proud of both of them. They’ve been friends for a long time, and they’re great people. LeeAnne thanks her for being a calming influence.

Cary says they’re going to Tivoli Gardens, and artsy amusement part in the center of town. And they’re wearing Danish girl outfits. Yes, they are. They skip across the street. The park is so cool. I would love this place. LeeAnne says this is how carnivals got started. She grew up with Siamese twins, and a snake pit where she put a python around her waist. She had a larger than life, vibrant childhood. it gave her a view on world no one else has. She adds, by the way, no one dressed like this. Cary wishes Zuri was there, but it’s cool being there with friends. They look like idiots.

They ride the carousel. The Ferris wheel has seats that look like hot air balloons. They have a beer, saying, skoal! since it’s all they know. Everyone agrees it’s been fun. D’Andra says Stephanie was calm and centered. D’Andra and LeeAnne concur that they’ve had a breakthrough. In her interview, Brandi says they had lunch with Dr. Phil, now everything is okay. Cary says she told Brandi that LeeAnne was upset about her joke, and LeeAnne says Brandi is still mad. Brandi says LeeAnne told people to be careful about her, and that she had a baby to save her marriage. The bottom line is, if LeeAnne is feeling hurt because Brandi called her a wicked witch, she’s not apologizing. LeeAnne says she doesn’t have to, and she wouldn’t expect it. Brandi says maybe she should have said wicked bitch. LeeAnne says she’s apologized, and obviously Brandi doesn’t want to accept it. She’s agitated and angry. Brandi says it’s just going to happen again, and that’s why she feels done with LeeAnne.

Cary is bringing the girls to meet the rest of the cousins. They’re having lunch at Cousin Lotte’s house. She tells D’Andra that she should have brought a swimsuit. It’s tradition to swim in the Baltic Sea. In her interview, Cary says you’re supposed to be naked, but it’s cool if you wear a suit. They head out. Everyone looks at their phones on the bus. D’Andra says her husband had a party. LeeAnne says she got a message at midnight that Rich loves and needs her. Brandi says, and send naked pictures.

The neighborhood is adorable, with sweet, little houses. Cary meets all the cousins, and Camilla is there. There’s a spread outside, and Lotte says she has one more cousin to introduce. She brings out Zuri, followed by Mark. Cary is beyond excited. Zuri says they came to Copenhagen for her. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says, this is what life is about – family. It’s the one thing she doesn’t have. It’s beautiful to watch and be a part of, even for a second. Geez, even I’m tearing up. Mark tells Cary that he worked it out with her dad. In her interview, Cary says for him to come all that way with her baby girl; he knows how important it is for her to have a relationship with her family. Copenhagen is incredible.

Time to eat. Lotte says it’s a traditional Danish lunch. They start with spiced herring. Zuri tells Cary that she doesn’t have to eat the pickled herring, but Cary says she’s going to try everything. Stephanie has a hard time putting a piece in her mouth, and chews for a long time. In her interview, she says, it tastes like salty a-hole; gross. I’ve had it, and disagree totally. Mark says he has another surprise. Cary’s dad is on FaceTime. It’s 6 am where he is. Everyone waves. In Cary’s interview, she says everyone who matters to her is in the room. It’s a blessing to be there, and feel the love, the sense of belonging, and energy. She wants to pack it in her suitcase, and bring it home to her dad. They do shots. Lotte tells them to look each other in the eye, and say, skoal!

Cary says it’s tradition to take a naked dip in the Baltic for good luck in the year to come. You go in naked, come out, and put your clothes back on, It’s not a big deal. It’s also 50*F. Zuri asks if there are sharks, and that’s a no. They see a fisherman, and Zuri says, okay, you don’t get privacy? I die laughing. Cary explains that it’s okay to be naked there. In her interview, she says she’s all about experiencing the culture. She’s going to do the plunge the way the Danes do. In Stephanie’s interview, she says Cary loves being naked. If she had to see her family naked, she’d need fifteen years of therapy. LeeAnne says she passes. She has a fashion show coming up, and doesn’t want to get sick. In her interview, LeeAnne says the last time Cary persuaded her to swim naked in the Mexican ocean, she came home with a flesh-eating bacteria. Plus, it’s thirty degrees. Stephanie says there are vaginas and franks everywhere. In Brandi’s interview, she says she thought it was liberating and freeing to get in naked, and then she saw LeeAnne take out her phone. Have some respect. Stephanie takes off her extensions, and she and Kameron get in with suits on. Mark and Cary go in, and in her interview, Cary says it’s the infamous Duber d*ck that allegedly got s*cked at the Round up. Feast your eyes, ladies; feast your eyes. Lotte says Brandi and Cary passed the Viking test. Cary tells them it’s hard to say goodbye. She tells Zuri that they’ll meet back at the hotel. In her interview, she says she’s just getting to know everyone again, but she will be back, 100%.

On the bus back, Cary thanks everyone for making the day special. Mark made reservations for them at a Michelin star restaurant. Brandi says she needs to collect LeeAnne’s phone. She asks why LeeAnne would do that, and LeeAnne says the video isn’t seeing the light of day. Brandi says, it’s disrespectful, and LeeAnne deletes it. Brandi tells her to delete it from her trash too. She does things like that, and will use them against people. LeeAnne tells her that she’s wrong. In Brandi’s interview, she says, why take it in the first place? She knows LeeAnne is vindictive. She could have texted it, or emailed it to herself, or put it in her iCloud. She calls LeeAnne a manipulative bitch, and says she wants to use it against them. LeeAnne tells Brandi that she’s special, which shuts her up momentarily. I think she doesn’t know how to respond to that. In her interview, Kameron says they’re on national TV, and wonders why Brandi is angry about a cell phone. Cary confirms the deletion. Stephanie says, everyone is good.

Back at the hotel, LeeAnne says she genuinely thought the video was something they’d want to see later. Kameron thinks Brandi is paranoid. LeeAnne says it was spur of the moment, and she thought she was doing a good thing. She didn’t even think about them being naked. Everyone gets ready for dinner. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says Brandi is agitated because she hasn’t broken a glass, called people names, or started a fight. She wants the old LeeAnne to be the dragon, so she can act afraid, and everyone will hug her.

At Hõst restaurant, server Ken suggests a tasting menu, and starts them with champagne. In her interview, Kameron says the food has been fancy and sophisticated; everything Cary wants to eat. She’s hungry. Stephanie points out that the shrimp has eyeballs. D’Andra says, don’t look, just eat. Stephanie thinks it’s lazy not to take the head off the shrimp.

Cary asks about everybody’s favorite moment. LeeAnne says hers was Tivoli. D’Andra thought the boat was fantastic. Brandi – who is wearing way too much bronzer – says meeting Cary’s family, and the bonding thing was great. Because she just can’t STFU, she adds she does feel hurt by LeeAnne, so that took away from it. LeeAnne says she had no malicious intent. Brandi asks how she’d like it if she filmed LeeAnne’s sunny-side up boobies. Omg, I can’t believe her. I think 1) LeeAnne is right; Brandi’s pissed because she’s not getting a rise out of her, 2) she’s overtired and yes, drinking too much, and 3) she’s also pissed that Stephanie is now friends with LeeAnne. In LeeAnne’s interview, she taps the bowl that makes the meditative sound, and keeps tapping.

LeeAnne says she didn’t sneak around to do it, and Kameron says it was about capturing the moment, not blackmail. Stephanie doesn’t think there was anything wrong about it, but understands why Brandi didn’t want her doing it. LeeAnne says it was deleted. Brandi says she’s insecure about that. How does she know? LeeAnne says Brandi can look at her phone. She shows D’Andra that it says, no photos or videos. LeeAnne says if it went elsewhere, she’d know who did it. Cary says, that’s true. LeeAnne says, it was done in innocence. No one gets the same amount of punishment, and LeeAnne thinks the street is unbalanced. Stephanie says it wasn’t malicious. Brandi says it’s a trust issue, and in her interview, whines once again about LeeAnne making up rumors that she’s an alcoholic and had a baby to save her marriage. Brandi says LeeAnne always has an agenda. She’ll use against Brandi when she gets mad at her. She’ll talk to everyone else, except her. In her interview, Brandi says, LeeAnne is pretending to be Zen, but can only keep it up for so long. She’s a good manipulator. LeeAnne says she’s not mad at Brandi, nor is she going to be, or let herself get that way. Brandi says she doesn’t trust LeeAnne. LeeAnne says she doesn’t trust Brandi either. LeeAnne says she’s not going down History Street again

In LeeAnne’s interview, she says Brandi wants to prove the old LeeAnne exists. She does. She just controls her better. It’s called maturity – try it. All LeeAnne can say is, sorry, she can’t trust Brandi. Brandi doesn’t think anyone there trusts LeeAnne.

Next time, Brandi calls the group fake bitches, D’Andra is on friend probation, and LeeAnne has her fashion show – one dress worn 175 ways.

Star

Cassie heard sirens, and DEA and FBI agents raided the club. She got her gun ready, and then we saw, 24 hours earlier…

Cassie found out Xander was taking his wife to an Atlanta gala, when she thought it was over. He tossed an engagement ring to her as she was about to drive away.

Star’s biggest fear was depending on someone else. She told Jackson they weren’t from the same place. He didn’t understand.

Alex confronted Derek about the girl at the club, but he said it wasn’t like that. She had to trust him. He left, and she had a panic attack.

Maurice told Noah that he was cool with whatever Noah and Megan had going on, as long as it didn’t interfere with business. He said Noah was slipping, but Noah said, hits don’t come overnight. His plaques and Grammys spoke for themselves. Maurice said he needed to step up his game; there was always someone who wants it just as bad. Noah wondered if that was a threat, but Maurice said he was talking business.

Take 3 and Miss Bruce met with Maurice, who thought they needed to up their social presence game. He introduced Chloe, who he’d hired to help with that. He thought Noah needed to engage with the fans more. Miss Bruce said the festival was supposed to showcase Take 3, but Maurice said Noah was the comeback kid. Mateo hired him to do as he saw fit, and that’s how he sees it. Miss Bruce told Take 3 to take to the stage and figure it out. Star suggested getting Chloe’s attention on them. The girls were in.

Cassie wanted to go to the gala with Xander. He told her that Karma was too hot, and still had a rat problem that she was supposed to handle. It was affecting his business and reputation. He called Cassie a sloppy bitch, and told her fix it. Then he asked her to marry him.

The undercover girl told Derek not to lose his focus. If he worked smart and fast, they’d find a way to get closer to the action.

Cassie told her thug, Mike, they had to find and plug a leak. Derek came looking for a job, and Mike said he could use more manpower. Cassie told him that she was doing it for his granny, and what goes on in the club, stays in the club.

Noah was confronted by a girl whose DMs he was ignoring. She insisted they’d slept together when he was on tour, and he was so good, he gave her the clap. He said he’d never met her, but she showed him a photo of the two of them looking intimate. She wanted $20K or was going public. Maurice said the truth didn’t matter; it would be bad publicity. Megan said it was extortion, and they should call the authorities. She told Noah, whatever he decided, she’d make it work, but if he paid the blackmailer, she’d keep coming back. Noah went with his lawyer.

Star said she was all the baby has, and Jackson said she acted like he wasn’t a part of it. She wouldn’t move in with him, or even talk about it. It was his baby too, and he was going to be there every step of the way, but he and Star were done.

Mike told Derek he’d have to sweat to make cheese. If Derek wanted real money, mike said he’d contact his boys. Cassie sang, and Xander confronted her about Cotton going to the police. Cassie said it was a family problem, and Cotton had nothing to do with this. She had Cotton under control. He saw where that had gotten them, and said he wasn’t sitting back and letting her throw away the future. She said she had him, and he said he trusted her.

The accusations against Noah ended up on TV. Maurice asked if he was someone Megan wanted to be with.

Mike brought Derek in the back of the club, saying Jamal had been skimming off the top. Jamal said, just once, and Mike held a gun to his head. He asked Derek what he thought, and handed him the gun. Derek thought of his grandma, and took it. It was a set-up, and Mike was just seeing if Derek would have his back. Jamal said he almost believed him. Mike said Derek proved himself, and had a job. Derek said he was a quick learner. Mike told him to keep his mouth shut, and his grandma’s mortgage would be paid sooner than he thought. Cassie thinks she’s calling the shots, but she ain’t.

At the salon, Star said they were busting ass, but couldn’t get press. Cassie blew in, and told Cotton, you don’t snitch on family. Cotton told Cassie that she was paranoid, and Miss Bruce told Cassie, stop coming for family. Cassie insisted she was protecting them from the cops sniffing around Carlotta. Miss Bruce suggested she leave Xander alone. He beats her ass. Cassie told them it was none of their business. Miss Bruce said she was on a roller coaster ride she couldn’t get off.

Simone told Alex to quit pretending everything was okay, and talk to her. Alex said she thought Derek was cheating. She saw him and a girl at the club. Simone never saw a man more sure of his love, and said they’d been thought too much not to fight for what they had.

Cassie told Xander everything was locked down. Star came to Cassie’s office, and said Cassie was letting any man treat her any way. Cassie told her get the hell out. She didn’t know about life, especially Cassie’s. Star said she got her ass beat when she was with Hunter, and kept coming back. Something good was waiting on the other side of the decision if she dumped Xander.

Derek talks to the undercover girl before the club opens, and kisses her when Mike looks at them, but Simone sees them too. Maurice tried to convince Megan that Noah wasn’t who she thought, but Megan said every time she looked at Maurice, she saw their daughter. It was too painful. She needed to move on, and he had to let her. With Megan’s help, Noah proved the photo was fake. He said, whatever is done in the dark will come to light. He didn’t press charges, just wanting to focus on his music.

Star, Simone, and Alex created a ruckus, pretending to fight. Chloe fell for it, and filmed them. Alex said she was glad it was their last album, and Simone pretended to be shocked that Chloe was filming them. Alex grabbed her phone, and threw it.

That’s when it went back to the beginning. Cassie hearing sirens, and seeing the raid. And getting her gun ready.

Cassie confronted Xander at the gala. She thought he was coming alone, but he said his wife decided to come at the last second. She told him the feds raided the club, but she got out before they could talk to her. There was no evidence, since she wasn’t sloppy. He told her it wasn’t just cash; he had boys running drugs in her club. She said she should blow his brains out. Xander said he did it for them, so they’d never have to worry, and he was filing for divorce. He said he loved her, then asked her to take the fall. She slapped him instead.

Star brought Jackson to a new house where there was plenty room for a kid. She wanted Jackson there too. She couldn’t change the past or how it happened so fast, but she wanted to try and make sure the future was better. Jackson said it was too late, but Star asked him not to walk away. They’d both done that their entire relationship. She wanted the baby to have a functioning family, like Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv. Jackson didn’t know if they’d ever be that great, but they could try.

Derek told Alex it wasn’t what she thought, and she asked if it was payback for Noah. He said he couldn’t explain right then, and he got a call from undercover girl. Alex told him to go be with that bitch; she was done with him. He said he loved her more than anything.

Noah and Megan were walking outside, when a guy with a gun came up behind them, and knocked Noah down. He told Noah to stay down when Noah asked him not to hurt Megan.

At the studio, Alex told Simone she was right. Simone started crying, and said it wasn’t just about Alex and Derek, but her and Nina. Alex asked what she meant, but Star interrupted, telling them Chloe’s video of their fight went viral. She showed them the comments, and one said, not missing their last performance. Alex said, it happens all the time; people grow apart. Star said people were calling it their goodbye album. They were trying to help Carlotta, but they’re different artists with different dreams. Alex told Star that they did everything they said they would. Star said, they did more. Simone thought it was right. Their last album. Star said they were going to do it right.

As Take 3 went over their plans, behind the club, undercover girl tried to get Derek on the phone, but Mike grabbed her. Cassie put the ring back in the box. Mike strangled undercover girl. Cassie went to the cops, and turned herself in.

Next time, the finale, Xander says he always wins, Carlotta is back, and Noah pulls a gun on Derek.

✂ There was no great hair tonight, except for an extra dude in the studio with interesting dreads.

💅 On The Real Housewives of New Jersey, once again, dog poop was the great leveler. When Melissa invited new wife Jackie and her kids over, they had to dance around an accident in the hallway. That’s right, no matter how much money you have, that dog is going to poop in the house. Jackie is a mom blogger, and said if anyone doesn’t like her style, she cordially invites them to go eff themselves. I like her already. Teresa pressured BroJoe to spend more time with their father. She’s still in training, and was fretting about an upcoming trip to Oklahoma, where no doubt her friends would encourage her to drink and eat. This prompted a great quote from trainer Tracy – no chicken pot pies for you.

🐛 Inching Toward the Weekend…