(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
⚾️ General Hospital turned into baseball today when MLB took over.
💬 There was also no The Haves and The Have Nots. It will be back with a new episode next week.
🛥 Bravo had nothing new, sort of. There were a couple of episodes of Watch with Kate Chastain: Below Deck Mediterranean. This was probably the best way to watch that show this season. Kate knows how to make a snarky comment, and after viewing Tom’s first meltdown, said she felt like she’d watched 40 episodes. She gave the best quote of the night after Malia asked Tom to meet with Captain Sandy, and he said he wasn’t fully prepared to cook. She pointed out the majority of the Below Deck chefs weren’t, and said, You know how to make nachos? You’re hired.
👶 It’s a B…aby…
In case you hadn’t heard, Lala and Randell have made their reveal.
While I admit to a certain amount of schadenfreude when karma befalls a Bravolebrity, like Teddi getting the ax from RHOBH, there’s no reason to pick on someone just because they’re more rich, famous, and more talented than you. I saw The Spice Girls – all five, twice – in 2000 when they had a reunion tour. I don’t care what anybody says; they were amazing. There was dancing in the aisles.
It looks like this week is mostly full of repeats and rehashes, and Friday’s GH remains uncertain. Soap Digest said yes, but the digital guide says no. Magic Eightball says… keep some mystery in life, so we’ll see. Sunday starts the week hot and heavy with the finale of The Walking Dead’s season 10, and the premiere of The Walking Dead: World Beyond. Gone are my date nights with 90 Day Fiance: Whatever show is on in the franchise right now, and a bag of cookies. Nothing lasts forever. As we fumble through the TV week, stay safe, stay ready for anything, and stay clapping back at the haters.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Chase comes home, and Brook says, back so soon from solving crimes? He says he’s taking a shower, then going back out. Brook is painting her toenails, and asks if he could get her some fresh coffee.
Ned sees Julian at the MetroCourt, and Julian asks what he can do for him. Ned says, not for him; for Julian’s son Leo. Leo is wondering when Julian’s next visit will be. Julian says, tell Leo, soon, and Ned says, that sounds vague. Doesn’t he normally schedule it with Olivia? Julian says he does; he’ll give her a call. Ned asks when was the last time Julian heard from Olivia? and Julian asks if she’s missing. Ned says, no, she’s in Geneva to visit Dante. Julian asks Ned to wish her luck, and tell her that he hopes it goes well. Ned says he can do that, or Julian could call. Julian says he’s not sure what’s going on, and doesn’t care, but if Ned wants to know how Olivia is, he should speak to her. Ned says, if only it was that simple, and Julian asks what he means. Ned tells him, never mind, and Julian says he’s as helpful as ever.
Sitting outside Kelly’s, TJ tells Molly, he forgot about Neil’s death. It was so sudden, it knocked everyone for a loop. She says, especially her mom; he died in her bed, and she didn’t even know he had a drug problem. She’s not going to be able to host their commitment ceremony. They’ll need a new venue. He says they might have to postpone it, and she says, it seems inevitable. Stella approaches and says, the problem with their generation is they give in too easy. If they want a ceremony, she’ll get the job done.
Lulu tells Nikolas, she could be wrong, but it sounds like he’s falling for his wife. His phone dings, and he sees the photo of him kissing Elizabeth. Underneath, it says, I know what you did, and he says, what the hell? She asks if it’s bad news, and he reads, Meet me at the docks ASAP. It’s going to cost you big.
Nina says, Ava is falling for Nikolas. Ava’s phone dings, and she sees the photo of her and Franco kissing. Underneath, it says, I know what you did. Nina asks if she’s okay. What did the message say? Ava reads, Meet me at the docks in an hour. It’s going to cost you big.
At a booth in The Floating Rib, Bobbie and Scotty sit with martinis, while Scotty concentrates on shelling nuts. Bobbie tells him, the hardest part is physically being away from the building. She knows details will be missed, or not taken care of as good as they could be. It’s not like the nurses won’t do their jobs without her, but they won’t do it as well. You’d think she’d enjoy her time off. She has ten different household projects she’s been dreaming about, but it doesn’t give her the same sense of fulfillment she had at GH. She sees he’s not paying attention, and says maybe she’ll go back to her old job of giving the girlfriend experience (i.e. – being a hooker). At least she’ll get companionship out of it. She says he hasn’t been listening to a word she said. He says she just told him she’s going back to her former profession, and she tells him that she was pushed to desperate measures. Tell her why he’s so preoccupied.
Sonny asks if Avery is okay, and she says she’s hungry. Sonny suggests they go get a snack. He sees the half-heart necklace on the ground, and picks it up. He says she dropped this, and she says it’s hers. He asks if mommy gave it to her, and she says she thought she’d keep it for good luck. He says, now what? It’s not good?
Carly tells Jax, she hopes anything incriminating stays gone, along with Nelle. Jason comes in, and she says she’s glad he’s there. Sonny is on the back patio talking to Avery about Mike, and Jax came to check on Josslyn. Jason asks how she’s doing, and Jax says she’s sad about Mike, but she’s doing okay. Carly says Josslyn is shopping for a homecoming dress as they speak. Jax says he and Carly will talk later. Just keep in mind what he said before. He says goodbye to Jason, and leaves. Carly tells Jason, she did something he’s not going to like.
Chase asks if Brook has given any more thought as to what she might do. She says, about what? and he says he has a one-bedroom, one bathroom apartment. She can’t be comfortable. She says she can see moving some furniture around to make more space, and he says, maybe there’s someone else she could stay with. She says he’s kicking her out, but he tells her that he didn’t say that. She says he strongly hinted, and in case he forgot, he invited her. Sorry for the inconvenience; she’ll go. He says he didn’t ask her to leave, but she says she doesn’t stay where she’s not wanted. That’s how she ended up there in the first place. He says he’s not kicking her out, but it was supposed to be temporary. They barely know one another. She says, aside from three arrests. He asks if there isn’t a close friend or family member she’d rather live with, and she says she’d rather live under a rock than crawl back to her family.
Julian asks how Brook is, and Ned says, her spirit is unbroken. Julian asks, how about her vocal chords? and Ned says she’s not using them to speak to him. Julian understands, and says he hopes it works out. For what it’s worth, he’s sorry Brook crossed paths with Nelle. Ned says they’re all sorry for the chaos Nelle left in her wake. Julian says, for sure; now she’s a fugitive on the run. Ned thinks it would be a good time to sever ties, and Julian says he plans on it.
Lulu asks Nikolas if it’s something about Spencer, but he says it’s just a business situation he needs to handle. She ask if he’s sure it’s not more about Ava than business. The way he’s acting, it seems like it. He says, a little bit of both, and tells her that they’ll talk later.
Ava says, you know that kiss she told Nina about? and shows Nina the picture. Somebody saw her, and she wonders how it happened. Nina says someone has been following her, but Ava says she was at the gallery. It’s not like she and Franco were making spectacles of themselves. No one was there. At least that’s what she thought. Nina says she was preoccupied with Franco, but Ava says, just for a moment. It wasn’t like her and Nikolas at the cabin.
TJ wonders how Stella manages to show up when she’s needed most. She’s like one of the Avengers; the psychic social worker. Stella says, too much flying. He says with Mike passing, he knows the family was grateful to her. She says she was glad to be there; Mike was a good man. She heard about their commitment ceremony, and Molly says she’ll let TJ fill Stella in, while she grabs a half ice tea, half lemonade. She knows it’s Stella’s favorite. Stella tells TJ to hang onto Molly.
Sonny tells Avery, he thinks the necklace is still good luck. Like how her grandpa is with her always in her heart. She says, but it’s only half, and he says, maybe the other half is out there somewhere. Even if it isn’t, it’s still pretty. He tells her, let’s get a snack, and they go inside.
Scotty tells Bobbie, for cryin’ out loud, he’s not preoccupied; calm down. He’s just thinking about the payoff she’ll get from the hospital for wrongful termination. Bobbie says she doesn’t want a payoff; she wants her job back. But it’s not going to happen as long as Cyrus is Chairman of the Board. Scotty says, okay then, find another job. Bobbie says she had some interest from Mercy, but he laughs and says, that rusty old hospital?The future is in telemedicine. A start-up company would love an experienced nurse. She can get in on the bottom floor, get equity, and when it becomes an IPO, the sky’s the limit. She says, it’s something to explore, and Scotty’s phone dings. He says, ugh. He has to work.
Jason asks Carly if what she needs to tell him is time sensitive. Does he need to do something? She says, no; it already happened. She’s doing potential damage control. He asks if it involves Jax, and she says it does. He says, and Jax doesn’t want him to know? She says Jax doesn’t want him or Sonny to know.
Brook tells Chase to go ahead and call her dramatic, and he says, isn’t she? She asks if it isn’t the ultimate betrayal, being abandoned by her family. They threw her into the street. He says he saw her dad’s face outside her hospital room, and Monica and Michael’s. No family is perfect, but it’s clear her family loves her and wants to help. She says she knows they love her. Staying there isn’t about what they did to her, but what she did to them.
TJ sees Stella looking at him, and says, what? and Stella says she’s just checking his beautiful face. When Curtis said he’d been beaten, it nearly killed her. How is he doing, really? He says, a few more PT sessions, and he’ll be good as new. She says she was sure he was off licking his wounds after Molly turned down his proposal, but that wasn’t the case. No one expected him to be abducted, least of all him. A person doesn’t go through hell and not carry some of it back with them. How is he really? The truth.
Carly says she knows what Jason is thinking. She didn’t sleep with Jax. He says he didn’t think so, but what’s going on? The doorbell rings, and she tells him, wait. He says he’s not going anywhere. It’s Lulu, and Carly invites her in. Carly says she’s sorry. She’s been meaning to call and thank Lulu and her mother for the donation to Alzheimer’s research. It was generous of them. Lulu says she was thinking about how Mike lent a sympathetic ear when she was a teen. Sonny joins them, and Lulu says she wanted to tell him how sorry she was, and see how he’s doing. He says Mike’s passing was peaceful, but he couldn’t have done it without the support of the family. She says she’s sorry Dante wasn’t there. She knows he’d love the chance to be supportive as well.
Nina wonders if Nikolas took the picture, but Ava says he went to the cabin to catch her cheating. There would have been no point if he’d taken it. And there was nothing going on with her and Franco, contrary to the proof. She asks how she could be so sloppy, and Nina asks what she’s going to do. Ava says they want big money, but she doesn’t have that yet. It could put her fidelity in question, and it’s the ammunition Nikolas needs to divorce her without her getting a dime.
Nikolas goes to the pier, and says, whatever Ava paid to get them to take the picture, he’ll pay much more. He looks up the stairs and says, you’ve got to be kidding.
Brook tells Chase, believe it or not, she gets why her dad threw her out. From his perspective, she betrayed the family when she sold her stock; never mind the other Quartermaines who did. She should have known better, and should have said something. That’s on her. Chase says, none of that mattered when she was fighting for her life and almost died. She asks if he thinks bygones should be bygones. If she didn’t have the power now, her dad wouldn’t be begging her to come home. He traded anger for pity. He’s not sorry; he feels sorry for her. It’s the one thing she can’t bear to live with. She tells Chase, it’s his space, and he wants her gone, and she will be, but she’s not going home. Chase’s phone rings, and he asks if they’re sure. He’s on his way. Brook asks if it’s a killing spree, a bank robbery, or another one of Lulu’s epic pouts. He says he understands where she’s coming from, but he thinks she’s underestimating her family. She can stay there as long as she needs to. He opens the door, and Ned is there. He says he understands his daughter is there, and Chase says, she’s all his. He leaves, and Ned comes in. He says, Brook, sweetheart, we need to talk. She says, we absolutely do not.
TJ asks if Stella can’t just enjoy the visit, and not have to use her social worker superpowers on him. She tells him, start talking, and he says, yes. The abduction was terrifying and painful; all of it. He doesn’t know who they were or what they wanted. The police have no leads, and all he can do is focus on his career and his life with Molly. She says she wants what’s best for him, and wants him to grab what he can from life, but there are no shortcuts to healing. He says he wakes up from the nightmares, and feels like he’s still tied up. He doesn’t know if he’s going to live or die. The thing that got him through it was thinking of Molly, and knowing she was waiting. Molly listens from the doorway.
Nina asks if Ava has any idea who would blackmail her like that. Ava says, in general, she can think of plenty of people, but this? No one who would care. It’s not like Nikolas has a lot of people rooting for him. Nina says, maybe Nikolas hired a P.I., and Ava says, maybe a P.I. wants to shake her down. Even if she’s right, that doesn’t solve the problem of the picture. Whoever took it has proof of her indiscretion with Franco, and she has to decide what to do about it.
Nikolas tells the mystery person that he’s not handing over that kind of money. He needs 24 hours. If they do anything with the photo before then, they’re done.
On the patio, Lulu and Sonny look at pictures. Lulu says, Mike with Ruby, were they a thing? Sonny says his dad only wished. She was immune to Mike’s flirting. Lulu says, she must have had an iron will. She doesn’t know how Ruby resisted his charms. Sonny says, Mike was everyone confidant and friend. Everyone adored Mike, except him.
Carly says she’ll tell Jason what happened, and he can tell her what he thinks. Something serious happened. Jason says, and Jax knows, and doesn’t want her to tell Sonny. She says she couldn’t, and she doesn’t feel she can tell him now. I tell her, well, for God’s sake, tell Jason before he has apoplexy. He looks like his head is going to explode.
Molly tells Stella, you’d think a dining room table is the last thing they’d need, but you’d be wrong. They’re students, and spend half their lives there. TJ’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Stella says she’s glad she and Molly can spend some time alone. So much has happened. How is Molly holding up? Molly says, okay. TJ was the worst of it. Stella says, Lord knows it must have gone through her mind that TJ walked out on their commitment, especially after she refused his proposal. Molly says, he wasn’t taking her calls, and Jordan told her that he didn’t want to talk to her; that she should be responsible for her own actions. She got more and more desperate, until she finally… Stella says, what? but Molly says she doesn’t want to say. Stella says she thinks she understands. She’ll say it for Molly. She finally lost faith in TJ.
Ava says she’ll tell Nina one thing, she’s not losing her claim for one picture of her and Franco. She gets up, and Nina says she’s not thinking of going by herself? Why don’t she and Jax go with her? Ava says she can handle it, and jets. Jax comes over, and asks, what’s going on with Ava? Does he want to know? Nina says, no. It’s just a reminder of how glad she is to have a relationship with him. No games and no secrets.
Carly tells Jason, Sonny just lost Mike. Like he doesn’t know. She says, he needs time to grieve. She can’t put it on him unless Jason thinks she should. He says, obviously she’s trying to protect Sonny, and she says, that’s all she’s doing. She just wants to protect Sonny.
Sonny tells Lulu, he held on to so much anger, and couldn’t let it go. She says, he had a right to his anger. However wonderful Mike was to the rest of them, he left Sonny when he was a little boy. She wouldn’t want that for Rocco, hating Dante. It’s not the same struggle, but Sonny made peace with Mike’s gambling being a disease. Once he understood that, is when he started to forgive. It happened the way it was supposed to.
Bobbie signs the receipt, and Scotty returns to the table. He says his clients think his time has no value. Where were they? She says, nowhere, and he asks if she’s mad. She says she’s mad and disappointed. Scotty says she’s right, and he’ll make it up to her, but she says she’s not mad and disappointed at him. He suggests they enjoy their cocktails then. She says he’s being who he is – himself, a self-absorbed schemer. He has good intentions, but a terrible follow-through. He says, that’s harsh, and she says she adores him. He’s the sweetest guy when he gets out of his own way, which is never. He’s a good friend, but a lousy boyfriend. The person she’s mad and disappointed at is herself, for going down the same road again, knowing how it ends again. What scares her is one day she’ll lose his friendship, and it will break her heart. For both their sakes, she’s calling it quits. Aww.
Ava waits for the elevator, and Nikolas comes out of it. She says he’s not following her or having her followed, is he? He says he didn’t know where she was. She says she hopes not. They both saw how his jealousy ended last night. He says he thinks they need to talk – about us.
Brook asks Ned if something is the matter, and he says, it’s a nice apartment… She says, but… and he says this can’t be how she wants to live, sleeping on a couch in someone else’s living room. She says, you don’t know until you’ve tried it, and he says doesn’t she want to go home? They can work through their issues. She says, why do that? and he says she’s been through a trauma. Not just the attack, but how he treated her, his daughter. She’ll always be his daughter, and he wants to take care of her. She says, that never works out.No matter how good the intentions, they inevitably disappear. They get angry, and end up hurting each other, like they always do. He says, it doesn’t have to be that way. They can be better. She says, even if that’s true, it’s not a good time to try it. Doesn’t he have a big enough mess to clean up?
Scotty says, don’t do this, but Bobbie says, it’s already done. He says they can undo it. They can talk about anything she wants. She thanks him for teaching her a valuable lesson. The next time she has a setback, she’ll face it, and not fall back on a sort of romance to feel safe. It’s good – he makes her laugh a lot – until she finds out he’s cheating. He says he doesn’t always, and she says he can’t if they’re not together. Good luck with his client. He thanks her for the drink, and she says she put it on his tab. He looks at the tab, and does a spit-take, and Bobbie says, the next time they meet for drinks as friends, he’ll know not to keep her hanging.
Stella says, how would Molly know? It’s not like she’s had experience. She never had a serious relationship other than TJ, and no history with other men. She’s not trying to embarrass Molly; she’s putting herself in Molly’s shoes. She might have questioned the relationship, if she’d thought he walked out after their first disagreement. Molly says, Stella doesn’t blame her? and Stella says, for doubting? If Molly had said she never wavered, Stella would have known Molly was lying to her and herself. She’s glad she’s come to know and love Molly. It’s no sin to doubt. Better to doubt than to deceive.
Ava tells Nikolas, they should stick to the plan. They’ll rendezvous at Windymere, and see what happens. She gets in the elevator.
Nina asks Jax how Josslyn is, and he says, okay. She’s sad about Mike, of course (🍷), but she’s carrying on. He felt it had less to do with that, than a lesson of the heart. Sometimes he just has to listen. Nina says, do her a favor, and share some of his parental wisdom. She wants to be that kind of a parent if she finds her child one day.
Lulu says, when Mike was diagnosed, Sonny brought Mike home to live with him. Think of what’s happened in the two and a half years Mike has been there. Sonny recreated Luke’s Club; it was a gift.Even though Mike’s memory was fading he could feel it in his heart. Sonny never failed be present. All Mike wanted was to find his way back to Sonny, and Sonny gave that to him. He gave Mike the one thing that made him happy – a family.
Carly says she wants to tell Sonny, and Jason says, do what she needs, but it’s not fair. She should give Sonny a chance to be there for her. She’d hate if Sonny did that to her. She says he’s right. She needs to tell him. She needs to tell them both.
Ned says Brook can’t expect him to walk away, and leave things the way they are. She says, why not? She’s still the same daughter, and it’s not enough for him. He could give her all the I’m sorries in the world right now. He says it’s not too late, and she tells him not to hold his breath. He says there’s unfinished business between them. Fighting with his daughter, another Quartermain trait they’d be better off without. She says, it’s a shame that’s who they are.
Lulu and Sonny come in, and Lulu says Jason should have seen the pictures her mom sent. There’s one of Jason and Mike, when Jason was a valet at the club. Carly says she’d like to see that. Sonny says he’ll walk Lulu out. At the door, he says her mom did a world of good, sending the pictures. She thanks him for sharing them with her. She’s keeping him in her prayers, and Mike too. I don’t think Mike looked like he needed prayers when he went off with Courtney, but okay; it’s nice of Lulu. Sonny thanks her, and goes back to join Carly and Jason. He says, what? and Carly says, something happened and she needs to tell them both. Jason’s phone rings, and he says, it could be important.
TJ comes back, and Stella says Molly was giving her pearls of wisdom on their not-married commitment ceremony. TJ says, all that matters is he’s sharing his life with Molly. He hopes Stella isn’t disappointed. She says, two of her favorite people, vowing to cherish and love each other; it’s icing on the cake. There will be cake, right?
Ava goes to the pier, and says, all right she’s there. Where are they? She feels someone behind her, and turns around, pointing a gun at them.
Nikolas looks at the picture of him and Elizabeth. He deletes it.
Jax says he doesn’t know how big Mike’s funeral might be. He’ll ask Carly if he should go. Nina asks if he thinks Nelle might show up. Forget she said that. Nelle is probably halfway across the country by now.Has Carly heard anything from the police; do they have any leads? He says, no more than he does, and he doesn’t know any more
Jason thanks the caller. He tells Sonny, it’s an update from their guy at the PCPD. They can confirm Nelle is dead. They’ve found the body.
Tomorrow, Chase tells Jason that he’s come on police business, Willow asks Sasha if she’s still in love with Michael, Ava asks if she’s being blackmailed, and Carly says she didn’t lie; she just didn’t tell them everything.
💎 Shortest RHOBH Recap Yet…
Even though Kyle said, the Secrets Revealed show was, the sh*t you thought you got away with, there were neither any secrets nor any revelations. Except for one. I finally found out that Dorit’s Gucci ice cubes were ice cubes shaped like the Gucci logo. As I’ve said, it’s either nice, peaceful stuff that didn’t make the cut since it was too low-key, or stuff that was a real snooze.
There were some nice moments between Garcelle and Denise, where they talked about acting and family life. We saw a little more of their NYC trip, and Erika told us, New York City in the 80s is where it was at. We agree on this. However, when getting a hot dog, not one of them knew what sauerkraut was. Since Teddi is supposed to know about nutrition (see more on that in links below), I’m surprised she doesn’t know it’s fermented cabbage. And WTF? A Nathan’s hot dog without sauerkraut from the hot dog cart? Go back to Beverly Hills, the lot of you. There was also ax throwing and drinking canned wine at a dive bar. In her interview, Denise remarked that the women were a little out of place. Okay, Denise can stay.
Kyle told us that she wants Farrah engaged to boyfriend Alex asap, because she wants to be a young grandmother. Her mom had five grandchildren by her age. In one of the things I would have liked to see during the season, Kyle had discovered a picture online of a women wearing one of the rings she’d had stolen. (Some time back, there was a break-in at Kyle’s house, where all her bags and jewelry were taken.) She and Teddi played amateur detective, and went on a hunt to find the woman, who was a psychic with very distinctive nails.
Garcelle’s new house just missed the fires, and she managed to move in before quarantine.
The secret behind Bravo, Bravo, Bravo – which is no secret if you’ve watched Bravo, Bravo, Bravo for any length of time, time, time – was that if the phrase was said, the footage wouldn’t be aired. Apparently, this information came from Kyle, who said, it was a misunderstanding of an old joke. LisaR, who couldn’t stand being left out, said the information probably came from her.
In another scene I would have liked to have seen, we attended Sutton’s 48th birthday party, where the cake was displayed inside a giant birdcage adorned with flowers. It was also on a swing, which Sutton sat on after the cake was removed. I think. She was a bit tipsy. Jennifer Tilly was a guest, and we found out that instead of a tiara that year, Dolce and Gabbana sent Sutton a toaster. TBH, it was a pretty cool toaster.
They ended the show with a clip from the reunion, where Sutton said, quarantine was so bad, she’d go to Rome with them again tomorrow.
🏆 Better Late Than Never…
A rundown on the Emmys. Schitt’s Creek gets a paddle.
Teddi is out at RHOBH, but not for being a full-fledged mean girl after being merely a follower last season. She’s finally had to take accountability for her lousy fitness program.
Can it be? Can I truly get to bed before almost sunrise? I’m going to do my best, and you do yours by making it your business to stay safe, stay progressing, and stay being the icing on the cake.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Ned brings Alexis to the hospital, and Portia asks what she can do for them. Alexis says she can reassure Ned there’s nothing wrong with her. Portia says she’ll need a few more details, and Alexis says she fell at the gym and aggravated an old injury. Ned says it was weeks ago, and Alexis is still in pain. Portia says she can examine Alexis and Ned can come if Alexis is okay with it. Alexis says she wants Ned to be there when Portia tells her there’s nothing wrong.
Outside Kelly’s, TJ tells Brando he’s being too hard on himself. He just got out of the hospital, maybe it was too early for him to get out on the field. Brando says, from now on, they stick to basketball, and TJ says he should have said that earlier. Moving forward, they’ll stick to the court. Molly sees them together and looks horrified.
New York City. Nina asks Jax, how is it this woman who paid to have her necklace divided became her nurse twenty years later? He says, it would be quite the coincidence, and she says, there has to be a connection. She knows what happened to Nina’s child.
Josslyn tells Jason, it might sound crazy, but she wanted to feel her lungs fill up with air. He says it doesn’t sound crazy, and she wonders how long it’s been since Mike ran until he was out of breath. Little by little, everything was taken away from him until there was nothing left. She cries, and says she doesn’t even know what she’s saying anymore. He was a great grandpa. She’s going to miss him. Jason says he’ll miss Mike too, and she says Mike dies, and all she wants is to feel alive. He says, that’s what Mike would have wanted. Mike made some big mistakes, but he lived his life. He didn’t stand on the sidelines, watching and criticizing. Mike made sure he lived. He took chances and had to live with the consequences. There are people who run the race, and people who stand by and do nothing but watch. He knows she’s going to be someone who runs the race. She’s won’t know who’s going to win, but those are lessons she’ll learn. She’s going to live her life to the fullest, and it’s all Mike would have asked for.
Sonny looks at the picture of the boy on the bike, and shows it to Carly, asking if she saw this picture that Avery drew. His dad loved it, and said it looked like Sonny when he was a kid, but he doesn’t think it looks like him. They laugh, and Sonny says his dad never gave him the bike he wanted when he was a kid. He nursed that broken promise for years, and thought it was proof Mike wasn’t a good father. He didn’t know it haunted Mike. Even when his mind was gone, he needed to get Sonny the bike, and keep his word. Carly says Mike knew Sonny loved him, and Sonny says he knows. He asks if she can imagine them riding bikes together after all these years. The laugh some more, and Sonny says, it hurts.
Winston tells Ethan and Robert to keep their hands where he can see them. He says, this must be Ethan Lovett. He was afraid the calvary would come riding to the rescue when Holly placed the call. Robert says Winston knew Holly was alive.
Winston says, he takes their lack of professional detachment to mean there’s a personal interest. Robert calls Winston a smarmy bastard, and says, tell him where Holly is, or he’ll rip Winton’s throat out with his bare hands. Winston says Robert showed up for a gunfight with no gun, and tells his henchmen to restrain them, without shooting if possible. He tells Robert, Holly was investigating their less than reputable businesses that were being run from the casino. When he learned of her interest, he arranged for her ship to sink, but brought her there to manage her. They wanted to know just how much the Bureau had. Ethan tells him to take them to Holly, but Winston says she managed to distract a guard, and appropriate his phone. By the time they knew what was going on, it was too late. Robert says he knew it was her voice. Where is she? Winston says she had to be dealt with, and Robert asks what that means. Winston says, he’ll demonstrate. He raises his gun, but Olivia comes up behind him, and hits him over the head with an automatic weapon that she got from who knows where.
Nikolas tells Ava, he squandered his son’s chance at being close with this grandfather, and having a connection to his own mother. Mike knew Courtney better than he did; the things could Mike could have shared. It goes to show how messed up his priorities are. Ava says they’ve all been there, but he says, not as much as he has. The truth is, he keeps making the same mistakes. He doesn’t see how valuable something is until he lets it go.
Chase brings Brook to Turning Woods, and Brook thanks Michael for letting her know. She asks if Sonny is in Mike’s room, and Michael says he is, so she goes to find him. Chase tells Michael that he gave Brook a ride. He’s sorry about Mike. Michael thanks him for bringing Brook. He thinks it will do his dad good to see her. He knows she had a big fight with Ned, and she’s too prideful to accept help. He’s worried about her being by herself. She didn’t say anything about a plan, and he wonders if she has a place to stay. Chase says he thinks she’s going to crash with him.
Nina tells Jax, after all the years of unanswered questions, she has an actual fact. He tells her, be prepared; she might not like what Phyllis has to say. She says she knows, and thanks him. Because of his connections, she’s closer than ever before to knowing what happened to her child. It would mean the world to her. He says he’d give her the world if he could, and she says she knows he would.
Molly joins TJ and Brando, and TJ says he believes Molly is a couple of minutes late; she’s obnoxious about being on time. Brando says he’s guilty of it too; it was drilled into him in the military. Molly says she didn’t know Brando was joining them, and TJ says they’re having a drink after their game. He’s buying; a consolation prize for beating Brando in all 8 innings. Brando asks if they don’t have plans, and Molly says, just studying medicine and law. TJ says they can take one night off, but Molly says, maybe Brando has someplace to be.
Portia presses on Alexis’s wrist, and asks if it hurts. Alexis says, ow! and Portia says, it’s definitely swollen. It might be more than a sprain. Ned says Alexis got an injury last summer, and Alexis says she thinks Portia was speaking to her. He says, sorry, and she says she slipped on the porch steps, and when she tried to steady herself, jammed her wrist. It ached for a week or two, then it felt better, until she fell at the gym. Portia asks if there was any weakness, and Alexis says, some in between incidents. Portia asks if it was continuous, and Alexis says not that she can recall. Portia asks, what about this time? and Alexis says this time, it’s been aching since she fell at the gym. She’s left-handed, and trying not do things with her left hand, and icing it. Portia asks if she’s done anything besides icing it, and Alexis says, nothing stronger than taking over the counter medication. She’s a recovering addict, and also highly sensitive after Neil’s death. Portia says she can prescribe a non-narcotic pain medication. They can take x-rays, and take it from there. She’s sorry to hear about Neil. She didn’t work with him very long, but he was a good man. Portia leaves, and Ned says, it’s okay to cry. He won’t judge.
Olivia says, a little help here? and Robert and Ethan deck the guards. Robert takes the gun from Olivia, and Ethan punches a guard one more time, saying, that one was for his mother. Robert gets on the phone, and says, it’s former field agent Robert Scorpio, and he’d like a direct line to the field office for District 3. He has a prisoner of interest.
Alexis cries, and says, the last place she expected to be was an examining room. Ned says he’s sorry, and suggests she get checked out; not just her wrist, everything. She says Neil was only in her life for two years, but changed it so much. He got her to dig inside for answers, and believe she’s worth being loved without conditions, secrets, or pain. If she hadn’t met him, she wouldn’t have risked her career for happiness. Now he’s just gone, and she’s in there getting a check-up for her aching wrist, like it’s any other day. Life just goes on, but it doesn’t. It’s not fair. Ned holds her, and says he’s so sorry.
Molly says Brando doesn’t want to hang out with a couple of studyholics. He might have someone to see. TJ says, the ladies are probably lining up, but Brando says he’s going through a dry spell. TJ says Molly can hook him up with one of her friends from law school. Ashley and CJ are smart and fun. Molly says she’ll see what she can do, and TJ says he’ll grab some ice teas, and Molly can arrange something with her friends. Molly says, no pressure, and TJ goes inside Kelly’s. She says TJ and Brando are bonding all over the place, and Brando says TJ is a good guy, but he’ll start making himself scarce.
Ava comes running in, and tells Nikolas, Avery is gone. The sliding door was open, and she’s gone. He says, she couldn’t have gone far.
Looking in the phone directory, Nina says she told Jax that she just wanted a trail to follow, and this is it. The woman she remembered, and will recognize when she sees, but she still has to find her. Who knew there were so many Phillis Caulfield in NYC? He says, there’s more than one? and she says, a lot more. Jax gets a call from Josslyn, and asks if everything is okay. Josslyn says, actually, no, and he says, Mike? Josslyn says, he’s gone. She knows it’s a good thing. It was time, and he doesn’t have to suffer now, but she just wanted to call and hear his voice, and know he’s still there to talk to. He says, always.
Sonny thanks Brook for everything she did for his dad. When she would visit and sing, Mike lit up like a kid. She says she’s glad Mike liked her singing and company, but the person he lit up for was Sonny. He loved Sonny so much, and Sonny was with him to the end. He did good. So, so good.
Avery walks through the woods with a flashlight.
Molly says, so Brando is just going to take off and leave her to explain? He says, isn’t that what she wants? She says she’s asking him not to be rude. When TJ challenges him to a basketball game or whatever, he can be busy. He tells her not to worry; he’s not getting in her business. She says she and TJ are in a great place; she’s not worried. There’s not going to be a repeat them. He says, no offense, but he’s not looking for one. She says, no offense, but she’s clear about what she wants in life, and it’s TJ. He says he likes hanging out with TJ; he’s a cool guy. TJ likes hanging out with him and wants to be friends, but he doesn’t lie to friends. She says neither does she, and he says maybe they should tell TJ the truth.
Ned waits in the hallway, and Portia says she wanted to give Alexis privacy, since Ned isn’t a family member. The orthopedic specialist confirmed it’s a fracture, which explains her limited movement and pain. Alexis says it’s not like when she fell in the spring, and it healed on its own. Portia says women lose bone density rapidly after menopause, and can get a fracture easily. They’re going to put her wrist in a cast. They stay on six to eight weeks, sometimes longer, but that only addresses the immediate injury. She suggests Alexis consult with the specialist, and have more tests to see if bone loss is the reason for the break. A fall shouldn’t result in a fracture, and there could be an underlying condition.
Jax tells Josslyn that he’ll be home first thing in the morning. In between, if she needs to, what should she do? She says, call him, and he says, that’s right. He loves her. She says she loves him too.
Avery finds Nelle’s half of the heart necklace, and hears Ava calling to her. Avery says, ooh, pretty. Ava calls again, and she says, coming, mom.
A WSB agent tells Robert his people are doing a sweep of the casino. There’s a laundry list of illegal activities there, enough to put Winston and his cronies in Steinmaur until they’re old and grey. Ethan asks if they found his mother, but the agent says, there’s no sign of Holly. She’s not there, if she ever was. Robert grabs Winston by his lapels, picks him up and shoves him against the wall, saying, you bastard, where is she?
Josslyn says, it must be strange for Willow. She joined the family five minutes ago, then has to jump into this experience. Willow says it’s sad, and she’s sorry about their grandfather, but what she’s experiencing is really how close they are, and how much they love each other. She was never part of a family in that way. To see them help sustain each other makes her more grateful than before.
Winston says, Holly is gone, and Robert says, son of a bitch. The agent says, let him go, and Robert drops him. Robert says, he’s lying, but the agent says it’s out of Robert’s hands. The Bureau is taking over. Ethan says, hell, the Bureau sent her there, and kicks Winston, asking, where is my mother? Winston says, gone. Disparue. What’s Mandarin for gone? The agent tells Ethan, don’t make them arrest him. They’ll search the grounds. The WSB is grateful for their help, so they avoided running Ethan’s name and finding out he has outstanding warrants. He’d like to see Ethan walk out a free man, so don’t kick Winston again. He tells another agent to help him load the prisoner for transport, and they take Winston out. Ethan says, Winston is lying. He has to be.
Molly says she thinks about telling TJ every day, and Brando says he thinks if she tells him the actual reason – that she thought he was ghosting her – he’ll realize there’s nothing to forgive. She says, except for keeping the truth from him. He says he’ll keep his distance, and she says she doesn’t want that; obviously TJ doesn’t want that. He says TJ can’t force him to shoot hoops; he has a garage to run. And if she keeps driving her hybrid like a tank, she’s going to severely damage it. TJ comes back with the drinks, and says, sorry. He was phoning a guy in his study group. He asks if Molly gave Brando contact with CJ and Ashley.
Willow asks if Michael is going to wait for his parents, but he says he thinks his dad would like to be alone with his mom for a bit. He and Willow leave.
Carly tells Sonny that she spoke with administration, and he can have all the time he wants with Mike. Sonny asks if they’re ready to take him, and she says if he’s ready. He says, let’s do this. He goes over to Mike, and picks up the drawing. He says he got his bicycle. He loves this bike; he loves this picture. And I’ll always love you, dad. He cries a little, and joins Carly.
Back at the cabin, Ava tells Avery, no more woods. Promise her. Avery promises.
Portia tells Alexis, a nurse practitioner will come in to cast her, and she can consult with the orthopedic specialist. They might be able to run more tests tonight. Alexis says, it’s kind of her to offer, but she’d like to get home. She’s dealing with a lot, and just wants to take a moment to catch her breath. She promises to make an appointment. Portia says, obviously, it’s her call, but she doesn’t advise putting it off, since any underlying condition needs to be addressed. Alexis asks what tests the specialist will want to run, and Portia says a big term that means bone density scan. Alexis asks what condition Portia thinks she has, and Portia says, the specialist will explain in depth. Alexis says the specialist isn’t there, Portia is. What does Portia thinks she’s dealing with? Portia says, based on her symptoms, Alexis might have osteoporosis.
Brando tells TJ, the garage needs his attention; he has no time for a social life. TJ says he’s said the same thing a million times. If not for Molly, he’d have no social life. Brando says, there’s only one Molly, but TJ says, her friends are really cool. What if the set up a meeting while supporting a righteous cause? They have a group who’s standing with GH. Brando says, against what? and Molly says, not what; who. Cyrus Renault, the Chairman of the Board.
Ethan tells Robert, the agent told them they have enough on Winston to send him to Steinmaur. They can use it as a bargaining chip, and trade Holly’s whereabouts for a lighter sentence. Robert says, Holly wasn’t an agent; she did contract work. They’re not going to bargain for her return. Ethan says, they have to. They said she was investigating the casino. She risked her life for the Bureau; they have to find her. The agent comes back, and says, they did find her. They found a shallow grave, containing a woman’s body burned beyond recognition. Ethan says, it could be anyone, and the agent says, they’ll find out when they do an autopsy, but the body matches Holly’s height and build. And they found this. He gives Robert something, and says, it was on the body. Ethan asks, what is it? and Robert shows him a ring.
We see Holly and Robert back when we were all so much younger. He says she should have a ring. He bought it a while back, and after tonight, he realized she might want it for appearances sake. He puts it in her hand, and she thanks him.
Robert tells Ethan, it’s Holly’s wedding ring.
Outside Turning Woods, a staff member says they have something for Sonny. It came several weeks ago, and they put it in the back for safe keeping. Sorry no one told him. They bring out a bicycle with a big bow on it, and my heart sings. Carly says, how… and he says, who cares? He hands her the picture, and opens the card. Sonny reads, Sonny, this is late, but I hope it’s not too late. I love you. Dad. She says, it’s a beauty, and he says, it’s perfect.
Nikolas asks Ava if Avery is all right, and she says, Avery is snug as a bug in a rug. She thanks him for helping her look, and being wonderful with her. She thinks he’s got himself a fan in her daughter. He says Ava must be relieved they found her. She’s quite an adventurous girl. He wonders where she gets it from. Ava asks if he’s leaving, and he says, yeah. He thinks there’s been enough excitement for one night. He asks if she’s returning to Windymere tomorrow, and she says she is. It’s her home. He tells her, goodnight, and she says, drive safe.
Jax says he hates to bail on Nina, but she says, is he out of his mind? Of course (🍷) he has to be with his daughter. This can wait. He says she could continue without him, and she says she could, but she wants him to be with her, no matter how it ends, if he wants to be. He says he does, and she asks if he’d mind company on the flight back. He says he’d love that. We see the necklace around her neck.
Avery takes the necklace out from under her pillow, and puts it in her backpack. She gets back in bed.
Brando says he understands why the hospital isn’t thrilled by Cyrus being on the board – Molly says, Chairman of the Boar – but maybe they could volunteer for another cause. TJ says, GH is the heart of Port Charles. They can’t let Cyrus corrupt it. He’s signing up staff members, and Molly is pulling some people from law school. Brando says, Cyrus could bring them a lot of trouble, and TJ says, let him bring it. The hospital is worth fighting for. Brando asks if Molly agrees, and she says she backs TJ all the way. Brando says, okay; he’s in. TJ says he knew it. Brando might be a sorry softball player, but he’s a man with principles. Brando hopes Molly’s friends are worth the trouble.
Alexis asks if osteoporosis isn’t common in women older than she is, but Portia says, that’s a misconception. Post-menopausal women over 50 are at risk. She can’t say for certain that’s it though, until the test results come back. Alexis says she’ll make arrangements. Ned pops in, and asks if everything is okay. Alexis says she’s waiting to get a cast, and tells him, go ahead and say it – I told you so. He says he’s just thankful she’s being treated. He tells her, he’ll wait outside, but Alexis says, they’d like to run more tests; it could take time. She’ll grab a Ride Share. He says, nice try. He’s not going anywhere. For once, stop arguing and say thank you. She says, thank you, and he says he’ll be outside.
Ned calls Olivia, and says, come on. Call him back.
Olivia gives Robert a drink, saying she thinks he could use this. Ethan says Holly was wearing the ring the last time he saw her. They met in Singapore to run game on a billionaire. Robert says he gave it to her when they got married. One thing after another happened, and it wound up in a safety deposit box in Switzerland. He gave it back to her after a two-year separation, saying, while they were separated, they were never going to be done with each other. He says he never should have given Ethan false hope that she was alive, but Ethan says now they know the truth, and who’s responsible. Robert says he should have gotten there sooner, and Olivia says he did what he could, but he says, it doesn’t feel like it. The agent comes in, and says the Bureau sent for a plane to take them home; it’s waiting on the tarmac in Nice. Robert wonders why the Bureau is so accommodating, and the agent says they’ve wanted the casino shut down, and now they were given a way to do it. Olivia says, as a girl from Kansas said, there’s no place like home. Robert asks Ethan if he’s going somewhere, and Ethan says, any continent but this one. When they leave, a man comes out and makes a call.
We see a woman’s hand pick a phone up. The man says, they’re gone. Scorpio and Ethan were given proof she’s dead. The casino was shut down, but the Bureau might be able to link the place to her. Winston knows to keep his mouth shut about what she really did with Holly. On one of the screens, we see a room with a woman sitting on the floor, leaning against a bed. She gets up, and starts yelling, open the door. Holly looks at the camera, and says, you bastard, let me out of here.
On Monday, Lulu asks Curtis what his fascination with her mother is; Curtis tells Jordan that she should have skipped this visit; and Jason tells Brando, he told Sonny they need a plan, but it will take both of them.
The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished. – Nelson De Mille
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity. – Albert Einstein
Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent. – Freeman Dyson
You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. – Epicurus
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself. – Harvey Fierstein
Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman (Hmm… Apparently I’ve been mature since I was 5.)
I Call You Dog
Author Unknown
When God had made the earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals,
The fish, the birds and bees.
And when at last He’d finished,
Not one was quite the same,
God said, “I’ll walk this earth of mine,
And give each one a name.”
And so He traveled far and wide,
And everywhere He went,
A little creature followed Him,
Until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the earth,
And in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, “Dear Lord,
There’s not one left for me.”
Kindly the Father said to him,
“I’ve left you to the end,
I’ve turned my own name back to front,
And called you DOG, my friend.”
🍂 A New Season…
We made it to autumn, and another weekend. Or whatever name you’ve made up for what used to be your weekend. No matter the term, stay safe, stay discriminating, and stay running the race instead of watching from the sidelines.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
😳 Oops. My bad. After the insane week I’ve had, I had a hard time reading my own shorthand yesterday and attributed Nelle and Brook’s final words backward. Sorry about that. I did question myself at the time, and should have known Brook would never back down to Nelle. The correct version is in today’s post. Moving forward…
Lucy welcomes us back, and says, once again, the 2020 General Hospital Nurses Ball telethon, a spectacular event to raise money for frontline workers’ special safety equipment. It’s a great honor to introduce everyone’s favorite nurse at GH, EpiphanyJohnson. Epiphany comes out, and explains that hospitals are a collaboration. They aren’t made up of just doctors and nurses, but orderlies, lab technicians, cleaners and other workers.Together they provide essential services. These are incredibly stressful jobs, and take their toll on service providers and their families. The viewer donations let them know that the community they support, supports them back. Lucy says the telethon is a way to say thank you to all the medical personnel and first responders, who are heroes, along with their families, and who do so much for them. While the viewers are making donations, they’ll be entertained with amazing acts still to come.
In the bathroom, Ava tells Nina, the Cassadine men do have a way of getting under their skin. Nina says, which brings her back to Nikolas. Is he trying to make Ava jealous by making a fuss over Elizabeth? Even if they’re married in name only, flirting, especially with a married woman, is just tacky. Ava says, and also profitable. If Nikolas sleeps with another woman, he’ll break the infidelity clause, and she’ll wind up with 90% of the Cassadine estate. Nikolas can shower tributes on Elizabeth to his heart’s content, and if he woos her into bed, Ava gets the payoff she deserves. Inside one of the stalls, Elizabeth listens.
Carly tells Jax that Josslyn called. He wonders if there’s something wrong, but she says she thinks Josslyn was just checking in. She might be looking for a congratulatory present. Jax asks if Carly knows Josslyn has been angling for a car, and Carly says she does. She’ll let him handle that. Before he leaves, Jax tells Nikolas, the scholarship for the nursing students in Elizabeth’s name was generous, but maybe he should have thought about it a little more. Franco says, Jax has a point. Next time a wave of generosity washes over him, he may want to shower it onto his wife.
Michael explains the Quartermaine relationships to Willow, telling her, Tracy married Luke. Michael thought it was a fraudulent marriage, but he can’t keep track. They definitely turned out to be life partners though. She asks if unconventional marriages are a thing for the Quartermaines, and he says they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Monica sits back down on the couch, and says, still sleeping; disaster averted. Julian comes up behind her, and chloroforms her, knocking her out. Wiley sleeps peacefully with Mr. Hopsicle.
Brook tells Nelle that she can’t wait until Nelle is hauled off in handcuffs in front of everyone there, and all the people viewing at home. Nelle says the police won’t believe Brook; they’ll say she’s harassing Nelle. Brook says, she’ll call Michael, and he can call the police, but Nelle smacks the phone out of Brook’s hand. Brook says, no worries. Mac is there; he can arrest her himself. Brook heads for the door, and Nelle says she’s sorry. She picks up the shears, and asks Brook to pretend that she didn’t see or hear anything. Brook turns around, and stupidly walks back to Nelle, and says she messed with her last Quartermaine. Nelle slashes at Brook, and we see blood on the shears. Why? Why do they always do that? Like Tuco said in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, if you’re going to shoot, shoot; don’t talk.
Michael sees that Brook called, but didn’t leave a message. Willow says maybe Brook wanted to make peace with him, but he say she doesn’t need to. He didn’t like the idea that she sold her shares, but so did other members of his family. At least she didn’t know she sold them to Valentin. She says he’s less worried than Ned seems to be, and he says he hates the idea of Valentin being in charge, and intends to force him out eventually, but in the short term, Valentin is a smart businessman. He doesn’t think ELQ will suffer. Willow says he doesn’t think of it as a betrayal, so maybe he should tell Brook. He tries calling.
Nelle stands over an unconscious Brook, and says she should have been nicer, more sympathetic. Her mistake. Now Nelle’s plan to have Wiley vanish has gone south. She needs to go. Brook lies on the floor in a pool of blood, next to her ringing phone. Nelle slips out.
Monica is knocked out, and Julian says, sorry. He turns off the TV, and his phone dings. He sees a text from Nelle that says, the timetable has been moved up. We need to move now. Is it done? He closes the doors to the living room, and trots up the stairs.
Michael gives Willow a bottle of water, and raises his own, saying, to Wiley, and his amazing new life. He’s safe from Nelle because of her. Willow says, because of us, and Diane. He says, to Wiley and Diane. Carly watches, and smiles. Michael smiles at Willow, and little hearts start to pop out of his eyes.
Lucy asks Amy if she’s found Jordan. Maybe she’s warming up, since she’s the next act. Amy says she couldn’t find Jordan, so she asked Curtis, who said she was called away on a case. Lucy says, no; that doesn’t work. Jordan is the Police Commissioner. She doesn’t have to solve every case. She can delegate to other police people. Lucy can’t delegate an act. Amy says she called the PCPD and the hospital, but no one has seen her. Lucy will have to cut her number. Lucy says it can’t just be her out there; she needs acts. Acts and asking for money. They need alternate activities. It’s like the NFL draft, but she doesn’t have an act to draft. Amy tells Lucy not to panic; she can panic later. She asks if Lucy wants to shut the Ball down, and Lucy asks if Amy is losing her mind. She tells Amy to find Epiphany and Deanna, and warm up. She’ll stall. She’ll do a tap dance. She doesn’t know how to tap dance. She hates tap dancing. She’ll just stall.
Anna tells Valentin that his song was beautiful, and he says, at least someone appreciates it. She says false modesty doesn’t look good on him. It was wonderful, and he knows it, as was his pledge. He asks if she’s going to chastise him for burnishing his public image. She says, isn’t he? and he says, that’s part of it. He hears congratulations are in order. She must be thrilled for Peter and Maxie. Being a parent changes everything. It makes you better. It did with him and Charlotte, and her and Robin. Maybe it will with Peter. She says, of course (🍷) it will. He hopes so, and says, some mistakes are impossible to fix.
Nina tells Ava, Franco is her friend. She hopes Ava isn’t playing with his marriage. Ava says she’s doing no such thing. She’s heard rumors that under that angelic façade, Elizabeth is chronically unfaithful. If she chooses to break her vows to her husband, Franco should know the truth. Nina sees one flaw in Ava’s big plan. The way she and Nikolas were looking at each other, either she’s getting good at pretending to love him, or something changed in the last few days. Ava says Nina is projecting her issues with Valentin onto her. They leave, and Elizabeth comes out.
Michael tells Willow, they’re supposed to take a tally, and give Lucy the paperwork. What if after that, they sneak out? She says, abandon their post? He says they’ve done more than enough. They can go home, and check on Wiley. She says he’s making her an offer she can’t refuse. She glances at Sonny, and says, did she really just say that? They leave to finish up.
Lucy says hello to all their gorgeous, generous, amazing donors. They’re doing a great job, and she hopes they realize how important it is to the frontline workers who help them every day. When they work together, they do something more than raising money. They’re building a community, and showing the medical personnel and first responders that they support them. Any amount is great. Keep pitching in, and they’ll keep entertaining. They’re in for a special treat.
Nelle dashes through the corridors in the MetroCourt, and around runs outside. Julian sends a text that says, it’s done.
As Monica sleeps, Julian comes downstairs with Wiley, and leaves with him.
Michael and Willow arrive home, and Michael says, sorry the evening crashed and burned. She says, it didn’t. She had a good time. He says, until Chase and Sasha. She says, they were fantastic (I guess we don’t get to see that), and he says, someday it won’t hurt so much. Until then, they can make some popcorn, and watch the funniest movie ever made. She says he doesn’t have to cheer her up, and he says he’s cheering himself up. They sit on the stairs.
Sonny says, Michael and Willow aren’t coming back? and Carly says, they probably went to check on Wiley; they’re such good parents. Sonny says he’s glad it wasn’t her idea; Chase and Sasha pretending to be involved so Michael and Willow would get married. Face it. It’s exactly the kind of plan that’s up her alley. She says, back in the day, 100%. She’d be seeing all of their hearts breaking and feel guilty. Instead, she’s grateful Michael and Willow got custody of Wiley, and Wiley got the best stepmother on the planet. Sonny says he knows there’s too much going on, and Carly asks if he wants to check in with Turning Woods, but he says, no. They’ll call if there’s any change. The best thing he can do for his dad is to stay and support the people who have given him such amazing care.
Olivia tells Ned, she’s trying to call Brook, but there’s no answer. He says, his problem daughter? No surprise. He tells Olivia to save the lecture for now, but she says she’s just expressing her opinion. He says, on this topic, they’re one and the same, and she says he’s scaring the hell of her. She’s heard stories about his grandfather, and his intentions were good, but his methods were toxic. She says this with love, but he’s turning more into Edward every day. He says, that’s not true, and she says, prove it. Find his daughter, and talk to her.
We see Brook lying on the floor, unconscious.
Ned asks if Dustin and Lulu have seen Brook, but Dusting says, not for a while. She might be warming up. They’ll go check. Ned thanks them.
Robert asks Olivia if she’s got a minute, and she asks if he’s okay. He says he has good news. The commissioner at the Bureau said he can get her in to see Dante. Olivia gets super excited, and asks, when? Where is he? Robert says, he’s at a facility in Geneva. No civilians are allowed, so he’ll go with her. The supervisor is waiting for his boss to return, and there’s a narrow window. They have to hurry. He’d like to leave now if they could. She throws her arms around him, and thanks him. Ned watches.
Willow says, popcorn and the funniest movie ever? and Michael says, if only to cheer him up. Feel free not be cheered, since it’s only about him. He asks what she’d like to see, and she asks him, promise not to laugh, but he says, that’s the point. She says it’s a kid movie, with silly humor, and he tells her, cue it up, and he’ll check on Wiley. They go into the living room, and see Monica asleep. Michael tries to wake her, but she stays out.
Julian waits at the pier, and says, sorry, Wiley; you deserve better than this. Unfortunately, your crazy birth mother has other plans. Why is he going along with it? He’s the world’s biggest coward. He should have told Sonny that he knew all along, but Sonny can kill someone. He’s run out of options. He flashes back to telling Ava, go ahead. Tell him what an idiot he is for getting mixed up with Nelle. Ava asks what on earth was he thinking, and why hasn’t he killed her yet? He says he wouldn’t be there if she didn’t have him over a barrel. Ava says if he thinks Nelle will release him when it’s over, he’s a damn fool. On the pier, Julian says, maybe not.
Lulu says, if she’s not backstage, Brook probably bailed, but Dustin says, she might have stage fright, but she wouldn’t run away. They go into the makeshift dressing room, and see Brook on the floor. Dustin runs to check her pulse, and Lulu says, oh my God. Dustin tells her, call 911, and tells Brook to wake up.
Lucy tells the viewers that the Nurses Ball is still so passionately committed to HIV and AIDS. Sonny and Nikolas’s generous donations will be going to those charities. She wants to introduce a woman committed to both causes, and welcomes Anna. Anna thanks the viewers for their donations. She’s been answering the phones, and got to speak to some of them; they’ve been lovely. She’s grateful for their generosity. The Nurses Ball has a special place in her heart, and not just because she received a lovely marriage proposal on this very stage a year ago from Dr. Hamilton Finn (I always forget he has a first name). She says, it’s special because so many lives have been touched by HIV and AIDS. She’s the mother of an HIV survivor. She was diagnosed at a time when the prognosis wasn’t as optimistic; a time when prejudice and fear were more rampant. Her daughter Robin, and countless others, are alive today because of medical research. Perhaps that’s why Robin became a doctor herself. This leads her to tell them how important the telethon is. She served as Police Commissioner, and saw how closely first responders and medical staff work together. Their work is vitally important. The police, doctors, the ambulance crew, the hospital cleaners; no one does their job alone. They need each other, and we desperately need them. So give what you can. Any donation, whatever size. I have a friend who was diagnosed with HIV many years ago, like Robin, and he’s doing fine today.
Elizabeth tells Franco, Nikolas isn’t the problem, Ava is. She’s playing emotional chess with Nikolas, and they’re the pawns.
Robert tells Olivia he has to go back inside. Anna is going to have a fit because he wasn’t there during her speech. Olivia says, tell her the truth. He found a way for her to see her son; Anna will understand. He says he’ll be waiting, and she says she doesn’t know how to thank him. He leaves, and Ned comes out. He says, amazing. They have a fight and she runs to Robert because he says the right things. Olivia says it has nothing to do with their marriage. Robert found a way for her to see Dante. Ned says, that’s great news, and Olivia says, he’s at a facility in Geneva. Robert knows the guy in charge. Ned says he’ll change his schedule, and they’ll go, but Olivia says Robert has to sneak her in as it is. Only one person can go. Ned says, okay, and Lulu comes running in. She says, Brook has been attacked.
Michael begs Monica to please wake up. Monica opens her eyes, and asks if everything is all right. He says she scared him half to death. Is she okay? She says she must have dozed off, and Michael says she was sleeping pretty heavily. Where’s Wiley? She says she doesn’t remember. The phone rang, and she’d left it in the foyer. She came back in, and heard Wiley. Michael asks if Wiley was downstairs or did she hear him on the monitor? Willow says she’ll check the nursery.
Nelle goes to meet Julian, and asks where Wiley is. He says Wiley is safe in his car, and she asks if he’s saying he’s giving her a set of wheels. That’s totally nice, but unnecessary. Just put Wiley in her car, and they can get going.
Elizabeth tells Franco, Ava is encouraging Nikolas to cheat, so she can get the Cassadine fortune. Franco says she has it backward. Nikolas is the one who’s playing them.
Lucy thanks everyone, saying the Nurses Ball was a resounding success; just amazing. She’d like to thank the volunteers who jumped in at the last minute, and gave generously of their time, and the amazing performers backstage who pitched in and made this happen. She thanks her rack of gowns on stage with her, and goes behind the rack, coming out in a volunteer T-shirt and jeans. She says the most deserving of all is their amazing audience. It’s her great pleasure to introduce the intrepid nurses of GH. Epiphany, Amy, Deanna, and an unidentified flying nurse sing. I’ve had zero luck with finding the titles of songs I don’t recognize, but if I can find a list, I’ll post them. They sing in front of a grid with candles everywhere on it, and I think, that’s impressive for something done on the fly.
Backstage, Lucy smiles at her success.
Brook is taken out on a stretcher, while Mac gathers evidence. He asks if Dustin and Lulu saw anybody. Did anyone look like they were fleeing the scene? Lulu says, they didn’t see anyone. Ned tells Brook to hang in there. He won’t leave her side. He’ll be right there. They leave, and Finn goes with them. Mac tells Lulu and Dustin, if they remember any detail, no matter how small, call him.
Michael asks what Monica was doing before she fell sleep. Was Wiley downstairs, or in the nursery? She says she doesn’t remember, and Willow runs down the stairs. She tells them, Wiley’s not in his room, and Monica says, what?
Nelle says, all right, hubby; it’s been fun, but it’s time go. Julian says, sorry, but she’s not going anywhere. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says she pushed him too far. Now he’s pushing back. He takes out a gun.
To be continued…
On Monday, Portia has an update on Brook, Nina tells Jax not to hate her for what she’s going to say, Julian tells Nelle that someone has to stop her, and Sonny says someone is going to tell him right now.
Sunday August 30th, starting at 6 pm, AMC will also be showing the first episode of each season of The Walking Dead. I still think the very first episode was the best one. Rick’s WTF? face can’t be topped.
I didn’t know you could scream that loud after smoking cigarettes. – Cynthia Decker, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé, referring to Angela screaming at Michael
Tough times never last. Tough people do. – Robert Schuller
Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. – Kent Nerburn
How to sell books in 2020: Put them near the toilet paper. – NY Times
An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. May you be open to each thread that comes into your life – the golden ones and the coarse ones – and may you weave them into a brilliant and beautiful life. – Unknown
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
Do one thing every day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt
The noisiest thing in the world is someone trying to be quiet. – me
People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action. – Steve Maraboli
Luckily for me, I have all my best ideas drunk. – Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Birds of Prey
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius
Immature love says: ‘I love you because I need you.’ Mature love says ‘I need you because I love you.’ – Erich Fromm
Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying. – Roy T. Bennett
🏍 Moving Forward…
Next week has to be better, right? Right? Enjoy your weekend, or pretend it’s the weekend, depending. Until Monday, stay safe, stay supportive of the front line, and stay away from psychopaths with fabric shears.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Ava calls to Nikolas, telling him, the guests are starting to arrive. She’s wearing a black sequined number and he says, quite the outfit. He’s only wearing a towel, and she says, him too, trying not to look. She tells him, you should probably get chest… dressed. He says, don’t worry, and she says they need to sizzle tonight. If he ruins the night for her, he’ll regret it for a looooong time.
Franco thinks about Elizabeth saying he’s about money like everyone else. He took Ava’s commission for it, and he’s playing into her hands. Scotty comes in and says, the man of the hour, and Franco thanks him for coming. Scotty says he wouldn’t take the ferry if not for Franco. He’s sure Franco would like to see some nice friendly faces for his big comeback. Franco says, Ava calls it a revival, and Scotty says, a lucrative reboot. Franco’s got to get work, make money, and pay the bills. Where’s his wife?
At the hospital, Terry sees Elizabeth, and says, just the person she needs. Enlighten her; rumors are flying. Elizabeth says, the rumors are true. Unfortunately, Cyrus is on the board. Terry asks why it’s unfortunate. Now they have enough money to run the hospital. Elizabeth says, money is all they care about. Cyrus is involved in the drug trade, and now he’s right in the heart of the hospital.
Lucy walks up to the door at Windymere with Maxie and Peter, but says she’s afraid she’s not up for a party. The Nurses Ball is tomorrow, and she has a million things to do. Maxie says she thought Lucy would want to be there for Deception. They need to see and be seen, and talk up the company. Lucy says Maxie is more than capable of doing that by herself. Go schmooze. She’ll see Maxie later. Ta-ta! Maxie grabs her arm, and says she’s staying. They go inside, and Lucy says she’ll be right there, and pretends to look at the artwork in another room. Maxie tells Peter that she thinks Lucy is hiding something, and Peter thinks she’s right. Maxie hopes it’s not too terrible.
Lulu thanks Dustin for letting her drag him there, and he tells her to stop acting like he’s doing her a favor. Talent is talent, despite the subject matter.
Franco tells Scotty that Elizabeth isn’t coming. She’s upset that Ava is dredging up his past. It’s the ten year anniversary of Francophenia. Scotty says he can see why she’d be upset, but there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Franco says he tried to explain that, and Scotty says, but she’s not buying it? Franco says, not at all. Even worse, he thinks Elizabeth would prefer to pretend his past never happened at all.
Anna and Finn go over their wedding list at The Floating Rib. Anna says, Chase and Sasha? but Finn isn’t sure of their status. Anna says, just Chase then. He suggests she add Robin and Patrick, but she says they’re not finished with his family yet. He says, Violet? and she asks if he isn’t going to invite his father.
Peter goes to get drinks, and Lulu says, Maxie didn’t tell him she was pregnant? Maxie says, shhh. Nina comes in with Jax, and he says, it can’t be easy, being back. She says this big, drafty house is part of the gloomy past that she’s glad to forget. She’d rather focus on her bright, handsome future.
Ava says, shall we, darling? And tells Nikolas to smile. It’s going to be a night to remember. I think, so was the sinking of the Titanic.
Lucy tells Ava, some people would think it was tasteless to have a private function just before the biggest, brightest charity event of the year. Ava says, you’d think Lucy would be at home before the one night of the year when she’s actually socially relevant.
Nina tells Franco that she’s glad he’s painting again. She’ll make sure he and Ava are in their Out and About page. He thanks her for her support. Lulu tells Maxie, she hates to point out the obvious, but Peter is the dad, and the longer she keeps the secret, the worse it will be. Maxie says, it’s not a secret. She just hasn’t found the time to tell him. Lulu says, really? and Maxie amends that to, the right time. Lulu asks what time will be right, but Maxie says she doesn’t know. Like she said, she and Peter have never even discussed having a child; not once. She’s not sure how Peter feels about it. Lulu says she knows how to find out, and Maxie says, how? Lulu says, by telling him.
Terry tells Elizabeth that Lucy almost single-handedly organizes the Nurses Ball. You’d think she’d vote with the Quartermaines. Elizabeth says, apparently Valentin backed the relaunch of Deception, and Lucy couldn’t jeopardize it. Terry asks if there was no one except the Quartermaines who could help, and Elizabeth tells her, Nikolas stepped up, but it was too late. At least he was willing to do it. It’s too bad he won’t get rid of Ava. He’s going to be at her side when her portrait is unveiled. Ava made tonight about resurrecting the old Franco, who couldn’t tell the difference between good and evil, because he had a brain tumor. He became famous for the wrong reasons, and that’s not her husband. She’s not supporting or celebrating him.
Ava tells Franco, sorry. He deserves better, especially from his wife. Nikolas says Ava is all about being a supportive spouse, and she tells him, not now. Nikolas says, sorry. He’s out of sorts since Spencer said he wants nothing to do with him unless he has the Cassadine money. Franco says, it’s got to be rough, being rejected by a kid he lied to for three years. Ava says she’s sorry Spencer took a hard line with Nikolas, and Nikolas says, they both lost a child. As much as they’d love to be celebrating with Kiki and Spencer, it’s not meant to be. Ava says they’ve all made their choices, haven’t they? She says she needs some air, and leaves. Franco says, what the hell? Spencer thinks Nikolas is an ass, but Kiki is dead. There’s no comparison. Nikolas says, Ava barely bated an eyelash, but Franco says, she finds any mention of Kiki devastating. Anyone who cares about her knows that.
Lulu and Maxie go outside, and Lulu asks if that’s the only reason Maxie hasn’t told Peter. Or is she on the fence about having a baby? Maxie says, the timing is all wrong. She thinks about how incredible it would be, having a child with Peter, but she’s not sure Peter feels the same way. Lulu asks if they don’t get along, and Maxie says, growing up with Faison caused Peter to doubt himself. What if he’s made the choice not to be a father? Well, I’m guessing Peter knows how babies are made, so wouldn’t he have thought about that before?
Finn says he hasn’t seen his father since he diagnosed him with Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, and Anna asks if Finn isn’t happy about that. He says, he is, but they mostly communicate through Chase. She says, what about Violet? Doesn’t she deserve to have a relationship with her grandfather?
Nina asks how well Jax knows Lucy, and he says, not that well, but he’s known her forever. She asks if he has any idea why she voted for Valentin to be in charge of ELQ. He says, of course (🍷) he does, and so does she. He bought into Lucy’s company to have leverage. He has no respect for Valentin, but admits it was a good business move. Elizabeth shows up, and Nikolas says he thought she wasn’t coming. She says she changed her mind, and needs to find Franco. He thinks Franco is out on the parapet, and says he’ll take her.
Franco finds Ava in the stables, and tells her that Nikolas is out of line, but she says he can’t get to her. He asks what she’s doing out there then, and she tells him, like she said, she just needed some air. Franco says, if she was looking for fresh air, it’s probably better in the stables, and she laughs. She sits, and wonders if she’ll ever be able to hear Kiki’s name without it breaking her heart. Franco says Nikolas was deliberately trying to wound her, and she says, maybe with cause. She thinks she’s gone too far.
Lulu says Maxie has to figure out what to do. Peter is a father, and needs to know. Nikolas and Elizabeth come out, looking for Franco, and Maxie grabs Lulu, saying they’re going to start their own search party. Nikolas tells Elizabeth, sorry. He thought Franco was there, but since they are, they might as well enjoy the view. He can have a nice moment where he can pretend his life is fantastic. She says, Spencer will come around, and he says he hopes so. He tells him that he did the right thing, offering to help the hospital financially. He says, if only Cyrus hadn’t gotten there first. He can’t believe the hospital is taking money from him. She says, it gets better. Cyrus is the new chairman.
Dustin shows Peter a little toy car that Rocco gave him as a present. He wanted to come, but Dustin asked if he really wanted to listen to grown-up conversation while looking at a painting, and Rocco decided video games and pizza were better. Peter says, kids never stop surprising you. James and Georgie keep him on his toes. Dustin asks if Peter didn’t ever want kids, and Peter says he’d never thought about it until Maxie came into his life. Maxie and Lulu come out, and he says, there she is; the love of his life.
Scotty tells Lucy, with all the problems Monica has caused, maybe the family can finally earn some money now. Lucy says, the most important thing is that GH was saved, no matter where the money came from. He says, that’s crazy talk. They don’t want a new benefactor coming in, and changing the policies and the staff. They could change what makes the hospital special. Lucy says, no more hospital talk, and suggests they focus on Deception. It was no walk in the park, reviving a company from the 90s, but she did it. She had help, but it was her vision and inspiration that made it happen. Finances don’t fall from the sky. Entrepreneurs make compromises sometimes. He says, Lucy… What have you done?
Nikolas tells Elizabeth, sorry he was too late, but she says, at least he was willing to provide the funding. That’s the Nikolas she remembers. He says he’s trying to get back to who he was. She tells him, hurry up; she misses him. He says he misses her too. He hates the distance between them. She says she needs to find Franco. There are some things between them she needs to clear up.
Lucy tells Scotty, Valentin was adamant about ELQ not bailing out the hospital, and she voted with him. Scotty says, what? She repeats that she voted with Valentin. She knew there was someone else who was going to help. He says, that Cyrus guy. He’s a threat to the community. Lucy tells him, the Commissioner said he’d been framed, wrongly jailed, and was focused on doing good for the community. So she voted with Valentin. Scotty says, she owed him, and knew the day would come when he’d need her tie-breaking vote. She says, it’s not her fault he got controlling interest. It’s on the shoulders of the family members who sold him their shares. The hospital will be fine. ELQ couldn’t do it, so Cyrus did. He says, you can’t trust him; especially since he’s a guy with a ponytail, for cryin’ out loud. She says she doesn’t know anything about that, and Maxie asks for a word with her. Scotty leaves, and Lucy says she knew this would happen, and one day she’d be the town pariah again. Maxie asks if that’s why she didn’t want to come, and Lucy wonders why no one can understand why she did it. She had no choice. She knew if she didn’t, Valentin would pull his money out. There would be no Deception, no launch; they’d have nothing. Jax asks if Lucy minds if he talks to her for a second. She says, that depends. Is he going to harp on her betraying the Quartermaines too?
Anna says she knows for a fact Chase told Finn’s father about Violet. He asks if his father has made any effort to get to know Violet, and Anna says he’s respecting Finn’s boundaries, and waiting for an invitation. Finn says he’s uncomfortable with his father and his father’s wife, and thinks Violet will pick up on it. Say he does let his father in, they don’t get past it, and it gets more uncomfortable. It’s the last thing Violet needs; someone being there, and suddenly gone. Anna thinks there’s another obstacle, and it’s not just because his father remarried.
Ava tells Franco that she’s ashamed to admit it, but she turned Spencer against his father. He says, if there’s anyone to blame, it’s Nikolas, but she says Spencer sees her as a traitor, and gave Nikolas an ultimatum. He’ll be in Nikolas’s life if she’s out. He says, then why not walk away? and she says, money. According to their post-nup, if Nikolas divorces her, she gets 90% of everything. Franco asks if she’s serious, and she says, the remaining 10% would be put in a trust for Spencer, but the kid wants to inherit the entire estate. So if she stays married to Nikolas, Spencer stays on the other side of the world. Franco says, it’s not her responsibility. The person to blame is Nikolas. Ava says she contributed to the problem and can solve it. If she ends the marriage, and doesn’t take the money, Spencer will take his father back. He asks if she can do it, and she says, just imagine if Kiki was still out there. If there was a possibility of Ava seeing her face again, it would be worth anything. What if she could do that? Give Spencer and Nikolas the healing and closure she and Kiki never had. Elizabeth listens in.
Elizabeth says hi to Ava, who says they weren’t expecting her. Elizabeth says, surprise, surprise, and Ava says, it’s good to see her. She has to get back to her guests, but she’s glad Elizabeth made it. She goes inside, and Franco thanks Elizabeth for changing her mind. She says she came to stand by her man and see his masterpiece unveiled. He says she’s made him happy. She’s made his whole night.
Anna says Finn’s father has been married for a decade. She understands, but thinks Finn’s estrangement from his father is going to affect Violet. Finn disagrees. He thinks Violet should know her grandfather, but he lives in California. It’s not like he has a presence in her life. Anna says she lives the same distance from Robin, but they stay in touch. Kids live half their lives on a screen, and it’s made long distance relationships easier. Although she does wish she lived closer. There’s nothing she loves more than giving her grandchildren a hug.
Maxie stumbles, and Peter asks if she’s okay. She says she just slipped on her heel.
Lucy thanks Jax for being a gentleman, and not berating her. He says he’s a businessman, and understands the deal she made, but Cyrus is another story. She says, that’s not her fault, and he says, that may be true, but she defended him earlier. She needs to understand, Jax’s daughter was almost caught in the crossfire when Cyrus went after Sonny’s family. She could have been killed; Laura too. She says, that was Cyrus? and he says, there’s no official proof, but Sonny is convinced, and on this subject, he trusts Sonny. Lucy tells him, butJordan said… and he says he doesn’t pretend to understand why Jordan did that, but technically, it’s true. Cyrus was wrongfully imprisoned, but he’s still a dangerous criminal. If he were her, he’d be careful.
Ava sees Nina on the parapet, and asks if Nina was looking for her. Nina says she wondered where Ava disappeared to, but came out for a breath of fresh air. She loved coming out there when she lived at Windymere. Ava asks if she misses it, and Nina says, parts of it. She misses family time with Charlotte, but she’s accepted the fact that a relationship based on lies and secrets can’t last. Ava says she’s starting to think a relationship based on extortion can’t last. They laugh, and Ava says, trapping Nikolas into a loveless marriage seemed like a good idea at the time, but now she sees it’s not only hurting Nikolas, but Spencer too.
Lulu tells Nikolas, she wanted to check in with him about Spencer. Nikolas hopes their relationship is improving, and Lulu asks, how? He says Spencer told him that he wanted to be his son again if he divorced Ava. She says, clearly, that’s not happening, and he says he’d rather not go into detail. She asks, why? He’s her brother, and she knows he loves his son. It makes zero sense, accepting what’s going on. He says he’s not accepting it, and she asks if keeping one secret is more important than their relationship. Is it more important than regaining her trust? He says, no; it isn’t.
Maxie says she takes full responsibility for dragging Lucy there, but she neglected to inform Maxie that she totally sold out the Quartermaines. Lucy says she did it to save Deception, their bread and butter. Maxie says, no judgement, but Lucy needs to leave. She’s not the best brand ambassador right now. Lucy says, sorry, and Maxie says, this too shall pass. Go rest, so she can be her dazzling self at the Nurses Ball. Lucy suggests Maxie also call it an early night; she’s looking peaked. They need to knock them dead, and be on point tomorrow. Scotty says he got a new convertible; let’s go. Lucy leaves with Scotty, and Peter says, Lucy is right. Maxie looks pale. Is she sure she’s okay? Maxie says she just wants to schmooze the artist, and get it over with. She asks Franco, how long until the great unveiling? How much did Ava pay him to glorify her, and make himself relevant again? Franco says, hostile, and she says she remembers him, but he proved he’s a changed man. He convinced a judge he was a changed man, and now he’s free to be living his best life. Instead, he’s reliving his bad boy genius. The whole thing makes her nauseous. Elizabeth says Maxie has a point. He says the only important thing is, he’s the guy who gets to be married to her, but she wonders where that guy is. The only important things seem to be about everything except the man she loves.
Lulu says Nikolas recruited Spencer to be involved in his power struggle with Ava, but Nikolas says, Spencer jumped at the chance. She says he’s not understanding. He needs to have faith in Spencer that he’ll choose his father over money, not recruit him to be his accomplice. Nikolas says, Spencer is fighting for his inheritance, but Lulu says he’s bonding with Spencer by making his son his partner in crime.
Ava tells Nina, she never had the opportunity to see Spencer and Nikolas together, but she did see how Spencer mourned his father. They had a special bond, and seeing how upset Spencer was when he found out Nikolas was alive spoke volumes. She sees how Nikolas is taking their estrangement. Nina says, it’s one thing to help them reconcile, but the question is, can Ava give up her revenge? Ava doesn’t know. Nikolas made her think she was crazy, and that she saw his ghost. He used Kiki against her, and said they were in hell together. Although she wasn’t much better. The only thing stopping a reconciliation is the stupid post-nup she forced Nikolas to sign. Nina says, revenge is not all it’s cracked up to be. At least for her it wasn’t. Even if you hurt the person, it just ties you more closely to them. She exposed Valentin’s lies at the altar, and got zero satisfaction. It was only when she turned away from the bitterness and ugliness that she found peace. Ava knows what she has to do.
Franco says he thought Elizabeth was there to support him. She says she was, but she’s not comfortable with any of it. She can’t stay. He says he’ll try not to be late, then wonders if she wants him to come with her.
Maxie tells Peter, Franco and Ava are in there all smug and satisfied. She couldn’t help herself. Franco was dishonest. Elizabeth married him and brought him in as a stepfather, but he’s loving his first chance in the spotlight. Franco isn’t like Peter. Peter put in hard work to turn his life around. He says he hopes he never disappoints her, and she says he won’t, as long as he’s honest. She thinks her water smells weird, and he asks, what’s going on with her? She says this is working her last nerve, and he says she’s been dizzy and lightheaded recently. He’s seen her navigate a playground in stilettos. Is she okay?
Jax asks if Nina found Ava. She says she did, and dared to give Ava advice. He says, giving advice can be tricky, but she says she was willing to risk it. It was because of him. He’s proof she can make smart life decisions. Ava comes out wondering where her husband disappeared to.
Lulu says, so Nikolas and Spencer are working together, and he says he has his son back. She asks if she should be happy about him dragging Spencer into the game he’s playing with Ava. He asks, what’s the alternative? Let Ava walk away with 90%? It’s unacceptable to Spencer and him. She asks if it ever occurred to him that Spencer just wants to please him. Spencer isn’t going along for the money, but for his father. Nikolas is missing his moment to turn this around, and stop manipulating. Choose his son, and let Ava decide if she’s going to keep the money. He says he can’t take that risk. Ava has to give up before the marriage ends. She says, he’s pulling Spencer into a lie, and he says, Ava forced his hand. He has to get back out by manipulating the situation. Lulu says, wow. He’s as set on revenge as much as he was when he first came back, and refuses to see what it’s costing.
Anna says she and Finn have been telling Violet that the wedding is about family. Having his father there will show her that he’s part of the family. Finn says maybe he would like them to get to know each other, but that’s not the only problem. He’ll leave it at that. She says, she’s not leaving it at that; it’s about his stepmother. He says he can’t imagine her at their wedding. It will take away from the day – for him anyway. If he invites his father, he can’t exclude her. It’s too complicated. She says she hates to break it to him, but families are complicated. His father is still family, so can’t he put their differences aside for one day? For Violet’s sake?
Dustin says Lulu looks pissed, and she says, once again, her brother has gone below her worst expectations. Ava tells Nikolas, it’s showtime. Franco tells Elizabeth that Ava can take over after the unveiling, but she says she has to leave. Is he coming or not?
Ava tells her guests, on behalf of herself and Nikolas, she thanks them for coming to this celebration of revival and redemption. She teased the return of a talented artist for some time, and would like him to come join her next to her portrait. Franco looks at Elizabeth, but she doesn’t look at him. He goes up front, and Ava says she was going to make a speech, but she realized what she had planned doesn’t seem important anymore. So she’s just going to say she was so happy when Franco agreed to paint her portrait. She’s proud to share it with them tonight. So without further ado… Franco unveils the portrait, and everyone looks shocked. Elizabeth shakes her head, and Franco and Ava look at each other.
Is she naked maybe?
On Monday, Maxie says she has something to tell Peter, Elizabeth tells Nikolas that Ava will destroy what good is left in him if he’s not careful, and Ava says she plans to remedy the situation perfectly.
Every time I hear Clare Crawley, I think they’re talking about Downton Abbey. I’m not a huge fan of The Bachelor franchise, only because I can smell the desperation, and become embarrassed for the contestants, but no judgement.
MEN: Can she steal you for a sec? According to Glamour, Bachelorette Clare Crawley “will have extra men on hand, just in case” anyone gets coronavirus during taping. Meanwhile, we will have extra men on hand, just in case we can’t reach the Tate’s cookies we forgot were on the top shelf of the pantry… – Newsette
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. – Oscar Wilde
It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll
What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming. – Muhammad Ali
Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. – Dennis P. Kimbro
A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. – Mark Twain
If you can’t laugh at yourself, at least let me do it. – Charlie (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men
People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion. – Steve Maraboli
Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. – Lucille Ball
🌃 Hey, It’s Still Dark Out…
Long story short, the new site editor causes difficulty for some links. So until I have a minute to figure out a way around it, I switched back to the classic version, an upscale word for the way it was done before. Thank God it’s Friday. We still call it that, right? Keep that weekend sacred, and change your environment for a moment. But while you’re doing that, stay safe, stay authentic, and stay like Bill Murray in Meatballs, telling yourself, it just doesn’t matter.
Chase dreamed about Willow, but woke up alone. Willow woke up alone too, at the Quartermaine mansion. She saw her rings on the nightstand, and remembered getting married to Michael. Michael came downstairs for breakfast, and Brook asked if he’d gotten any sleep. He said he felt ready, and she said he’d done what he could for Wiley, and even gotten married. They’re not all so lucky. Michael said it would happen for her too, when she was old and grey. She threw a bagel at him, insisting she would never go grey. She said Willow was sweet, kind, and gorgeous; the perfect wife for him, and the perfect stepmom for Wiley. Ava brought Avery to visit Mike at Turning Woods. Sonny watched from the doorway as Avery showed Mike her drawings. Carly went to the MetroCourt, and told Olivia she was worried about the hearing, and figured she might as well come in. Olivia asked if there was anything she could do, and Carly suggested dropping a house on Nelle, but Olivia said she was fresh out of tornados. Carly said she could use some advice, and asked if Olivia had any words of wisdom regarding mother-in-law-hood. Olivia saw Lulu come in with Dustin, and said, bite your tongue, exercise patience, and slap on a smile. Robert woke up on Laura’s couch, wondering where he was. Laura asked if she should be offended that he didn’t remember.
Michael told Brook that he’d hit the jackpot with Willow, but she had to give up everything, and was in love with Chase. Brook said that was Chase’s fault, but Michael said Willow had to sacrifice a lot. He didn’t want her regretting it. Brook said Chase was a giant tool, but even if he walked on water, Willow was trading up. Michael being loaded was a plus, but he was an amazing guy, and Willow had enough sense to appreciate how fabulous he was. Seeing Willow in the doorway, Brook said, right? Still in bed, Chase scrolled through pictures on his phone of himself and Willow. Mac called and told Chase that he was late, and Chase jumped out of bed, saying he’d be there in ten minutes. Laura gave Robert some coffee, and asked if he wanted to pick up where they’d left off. He asked where that was, and she said, where you’d expect old friends with history and chemistry to be. He put his head in his hands, and she laughed. She said he came to her house drunk. She managed to get him on the couch, settled him in, and went to bed. He said she was a vision of true evilness, and she asked why he came to her doorstep. Carly asked if Olivia wasn’t a fan of Mr. Phillips; that’s how she knew him, since he was Josslyn’s teacher. Lulu and Dustin walked over to the bar, and Lulu said Dustin was there to meet Brook. Dustin said he and Brook were checking out the venue, since they were performing at the Nurses Ball, but he also wanted Olivia’s culinary expertise. Lulu said Rocco needed cupcakes for school, and Dustin volunteered to oversee the baking. Olivia asked what the occasion was, and Lulu said it was Take Your Dad to School Day. Avery continued to show Mike her artwork, and Ava told Sonny that she hoped bringing Avery there was okay. Sonny said Avery never needed permission to see her grandfather, and asked how Mike had been. Ava said it took him a while to warm up, but he’d been smiling ever since. He wasn’t talking much though. Sonny asked if Avery was scared, but Ava said she was fine. Avery had experience from when Ava was in Shadybrook. She didn’t understand, so it didn’t make her sad. She was just spending time with her grandfather, and loving him.
Carly asked to talk to Dustin about Josslyn’s curriculum. Lulu asked Olivia if something was wrong. Olivia said Lulu had barely known Dustin a year, and she was trying to erase Dante from Rocco’s life. Ava asked Sonny if Mike’s good days were becoming fewer and farther between, but Sonny said he’d stopped measuring. He was trying to stay in the moment. He wondered if Mike had coherent thoughts and couldn’t voice them, or if he had no coherent thoughts at all. He said, once in a while, Mike made a precise observation, and Ava said that showed Mike was still in there. She told Sonny that she owed him an apology. Robert said he couldn’t believe Holly was dead, and Laura said she was so sorry. Robert said he was sorry for dragging her out of bed. He knew she and Holly didn’t have the greatest relationship. She said, it was a long time ago, and people important to her cared about Holly, him topping the list. She asked, what happened? Was she ill? He said it would have been easier that way, but she was on a ship that went down in a storm, and it was no ordinary ship. Laura said, of course (🍷) not, and Robert said Holly did contract work for the WSB; another one of her secrets. On the phone with Anna, Mac looked at the report on Holly’s death, and said, there’s nothing here. Chase came in, apologizing for being late, and Mac asked if Chase needed a day off. Even though he was there, he wasn’t, and if he needed to take care of something, do it. Brook told Willow and Michael that she had a meeting, but good luck in court. She didn’t think they’d need it though. The judge would take one look at them, and know Wiley belonged with them. She left, and Michael said Brook had a flair for the dramatic. Willow said she hadn’t noticed, and Michael said everyone was talking them up to each other. Willow said you’d think they defied gravity, and Michael said he already knew she was incredible.
Carly didn’t think Dustin understood how fraught the situation was. It was hard on Olivia, seeing Lulu move forward, and not reserving room for Dante in Rocco’s life. She wasn’t judging; she thought it was the right decision in Lulu’s mind. It was great for Lulu, but she didn’t think Lulu understood how it was affecting Olivia. Maybe Dustin could see it from Olivia’s perspective. If Carly was in her position, her daughter-in-law would have been out on the street with half her hair ripped out. Rocco was bringing a new man to Take Your Dad to School Day, but it’s not like Dante was a deadbeat. He had severe PTSD, and it was hard for Olivia. Lulu told Olivia, no one was erasing Dante. She was sending Dustin in his place to make Rocco happy. He didn’t want to feel left out, and had asked for Dustin. They’d all decided together to make Dustin and honorary uncle, and he’d be wearing a Yankees hat to represent Dante. It’s what Rocco wanted, and what Dante would want too. Robert told Laura, when he and Holly saw each other, it wasn’t always under the friendliest of circumstances. Laura said Holly had broken Robert’s heart, and ran away with a piece of it. Part of him had thought he’d get it back, but now that would never happen. Michael told Willow that it was important they tell the truth to each other. He admitted that if he was going to court without her, he’d be nervous, but going with her, he knew he was going to win. Maybe not today, and it wouldn’t be easy, but he was going to get custody of Wiley. She said she’d heard what he’d said to Brook, and she regretted nothing. Ava apologized to Sonny for having Mike arrested for kidnapping Avery. Sonny said he appreciated it, and appreciated her bringing Avery. They went back in Mike’s room, and Avery showed them a drawing she and her grandpa made; he’d told her what to do, and she did it. Ava asked who the boy riding the bike was, and Mike said, his son. Ava asked if he’d taught his son to ride a bike, and Mike nodded. Avery said her daddy had taught her, and Ava said, all the best dads do that. She had to take Avery to school, and Sonny suggested they put the picture up on Mike’s wall. In the hallway, Avery asked if Ava would ever forget her like her grandpa forgot her daddy, and Ava said, no. Even if it did happen, by then Avery would be grown up with her own family. Avery asked if she’d ever forget Ava, and Ava said, just try.
Dustin thanked Carly for the advice. Brook came in, and Dustin headed back to the bar. Carly asked Brook how the newlyweds were, and Brook said, calm and focused. She couldn’t figure out Chase though; she’d never have pegged him as a cheater. He’d broken Willow’s heart, but was walking around with puppy dog eyes like he was the wronged one. Brook told Carly about Chase arresting her because she’d had the audacity to call him out, and accidentally bopped Sasha in the nose. She’d ripped up the ticket – like any sensible person would – and Chase hauled her to the station. Carly said she needed to go, and Brook wondered if it was something she’d said. Lulu told Olivia, the Dante she knew before everything happened, would want his son to feel safe with a man as good and kind as Dustin. Sonny gave Mike an iPad already loaded with his favorites, and put the earbuds on him. Mike said it was loud, and Sonny said they’d do it some other time. He asked what Mike thought of Avery, and Mike laughed, looking at her artwork. Sonny said he needed to know what Mike wanted; the next time he might not be able to say. Did he want help? Did he want to stay or go? The doctor asked if he could speak to Sonny, and it was back out to the hallway. Chase told Mac that he didn’t need time off, and Mac read from Brook’s police report. Chase said she was combative and belligerent, and Mac said all the Quartermaines were. Chase had arrested Brook three times in three months, and the Civilian Review Board might see it as an abuse of power. Robert told Laura he must have given the wrong address to the Ride Share guy, and she said if he didn’t want it straight, he wouldn’t have come there. He had to grieve Holly, and say goodbye.
Dustin told Olivia that he’d never try to take Dante’s place. He had respect for Dante putting himself on the line for justice. He said he was in a strange position, and Olivia said that’s the way it was. Lulu went to see Laura for advice and calming down. She thought she’d blown her relationship with Rocco’s other grandmother. The doctor told Sonny that Mike had stopped eating. They could give Mike a feeding tube, and keep him as comfortable as possible, but the greater challenge was that it might further disorient Mike. Sonny asked what he recommended, and the doctor said some patients made provision that they don’t want life extending measures, but Mike had left it to Sonny. Sonny said he needed time, and the doctor left Sonny with his thoughts. Michael showed up, and said he wanted to tell Mike that he got married. Sonny told him that they wanted to put a feeding tube in Mike, but he didn’t know what Mike wanted. Michael said he should ask Mike if he could, but Sonny said, what if he couldn’t? Michael said Sonny knew what his dad would want more than anyone, and to trust that. Sonny said he wasn’t ready for Mike to go, and didn’t think Mike was ready. What if he wanted to stick around and see his grandchildren? What if he didn’t want to die? Mac told Chase to make peace with Brook, and Chase told him, if you say so. Robert came into the station, and Mac said, interrogation room – now. He’d thought he put Robert in a Ride Share; what happened? Robert said he washed up on Laura couch. He’d thought work would get his mind off of things, but it didn’t. He was going to take the day off. Mac told him, take a look at this, handing him a folder, saying it was a heavily redacted report from the WSB on Holly’s death. Willow walked in, and went over to Chase’s desk.
Robert said it was black; there was nothing there. He told Mac that he had a headache, and asked what he was missing. Mac told Robert to look at it some more, and Robert would see what he and Anna had. There was more to Holly’s death, and they weren’t convinced the ship went down in an accident. Lulu asked Laura if she was supposed to run her parenting decisions by Olivia, and Laura said, absolutely not; but Olivia was Dante’s mother, and mothers didn’t move on the same way. Sadly, Olivia might be waiting the rest of her life for Dante to recover, and Lulu should have compassion. Olivia told Dustin that she wasn’t going to pretend it was easy. It was hard on Lulu too, but she was happy Lulu had found someone like him; a decent person. It meant a lot, but just so they were clear, she was never going to give up on Dante, and would be hoping, praying, and doing everything in her power to get him back home. He said Rocco and Lulu would never stop hoping either. Brook joined them, and Dustin left with her to look at the ballroom.
Michael asked Sonny how long Mike hadn’t been eating, and Sonny said, a few days. It wasn’t like he was starving on purpose; it was like he’d forgotten how to eat. Mike had been happy with Avery. Sometimes Sonny thought it would be easier to let it be over, but it wasn’t what he wanted. It was what his dad wanted. Mike had a moment with Avery, more like a connection. If keeping him alive for five more months gave him five more moments like that, who was he to say Mike couldn’t have that? Chase asked why Willow was there, and she said there was something she had to tell him that couldn’t wait. She and Michael had gotten married. She didn’t want him to hear elsewhere. She thought it would hurt less coming from her. He asked if it hurting him mattered to her, and she said she thought it always would. Goodbye. He told her, good luck in court. Carly watched their exchange.
🧼 Here Comes Another One…
The soap world has definitely kept fans busy with virtual reunions. This one’s for you, ATWT lovers.
Alien-Con virtually begins July 28th. Since you can enjoy this free event from the comfort of your home, there’s a lot less chance of your getting probed.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. – Teddy Roosevelt, speaking at the Sorbonne in 1910
You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too. No, I think there was too rigid a pattern. You came out of an education and are supposed to know your vocation. Your vocation is fixed, and maybe ten years later you find you are not a teacher anymore or you’re not a painter anymore. It may happen. It has happened. I mean Gauguin decided at a certain point he wasn’t a banker anymore; he was a painter. And so he walked away from banking. I think we have a right to change course. But society is the one that keeps demanding that we fit in and not disturb things. They would like you to fit in right away so that things work now. – Anaïs Nin
⚾️ Rounding It Out…
It’s Friday again, or another in a long line of when-is-this-pandemiconium-going-to-end? days, depending. But you know the world is still spinning when the Dead series are given premier dates, and the Shahs reunion finally rears its ugly head (part 2 on Sunday – July 26th). So stay safe, stay strong, and stay knowing one day you’ll be griping about your job again.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Round, and round, and round it goes. Where it stops is a GH Flashback from July 26th, 2016.
At the MetroCourt bar, Nina showed Carly the progress Crimson had made in finding Josslyn’s kidney donor, by using their website to reach out. Kristina asked Sonny if he could accept and deal with her being gay. Could he accept her? Sonny said it was a lot of information to take in. At Perks, Alexis was freaking out because Kristina hadn’t come home last night, and hadn’t called. She left a message for Kristina, saying she knew Kristina was an adult, but as long as she was under Alexis’s roof, she had to call and say she was all right. Paul showed up, and told Alexis that Julian was being arraigned, and she said she’d be watching while Julian was remanded without bail. Julian was in the hospital, griping about how all of this was driving him and Alexis apart. He said he wasn’t giving up or going to the arraignment, and ripped up his divorce papers. Julian’s henchman came in, and Julian asked about Ava, but the orderly said no one had heard from her. Julian told him to get a dose of the medication that would make him sick, since he needed to stall.
On Cassadine Island in Greece, a load of people – Ava, Laura, Doc (who’d been shot), Lulu, Dante, Sam, and Jason (really Drew who still thought he was Jason) – were being held prisoner by Valentin, who at the time called himself Theo. Nikolas had been with them, but Theo had already shot him and he’d fallen out a window and disappeared (he was later presumed dead until he showed up for Valentin and Nina’s wedding, two years later). Lulu had gotten away through a secret door which led to underground tunnels. Sam and Jason were in a separate room with a guard, and Jason was chained to a chair. They woke up the guard, who told them to be quiet or he’d shoot them. Sam got up to get some water, felt dizzy, and fainted. In another room, Theo told the rest of them that he’d like to let them go, but it was unlikely they’d keep their mouths shut. He asked who wanted to be the first to die, and Lulu showed up with a gun, saying she voted for him. She told him to drop his gun, and order his guard to do the same.
Paul told Alexis that she should concentrate on her own situation. The Bar Association was going to charge her with a violation, as she’d refused to take a deal for Carrrlos in exchange for him testifying against Julian. She hadn’t been acting in the best interest of her client. He suggested she do herself a favor, call Diane and work on a defense strategy. She was looking at disbarment. Kristina told Sonny about her attraction to Parker, but Sonny said he’d known gay guys from his club days in Brooklyn, and they’d all known they were gay early on. Nina read one of the responses to Josslyn’s story to Carly, who said they weren’t a match for Josslyn’s blood type. Even though it wasn’t Josslyn’s donor, Carly still wanted to contact the parents, and tell them how grateful she was for what they’d done.
Lulu said if Theo thought she couldn’t or wouldn’t pull the trigger, he’d be wrong. Theo said if she pulled the trigger, so would he, and asked if she thought she could kill him before he killed her mother. Would she bet Laura’s life on it? Jason told the guard to help Sam, and swore if something happened to her, he’d kill him. Like the Hulk, he broke the arms off the chair, and the chains holding him to it.
Carly told Nina it was a huge undertaking, and Nina volunteered to help her with the follow-ups. Carly said they had a bond, since they’d both made the mistake of dating Franco, but wondered why Nina wanted to help. Nina said it was good for business, and driving traffic to the website, but Carly didn’t buy it. Nina said her chance at being a mom came and went when she was asleep, so it made her feel good to help. It made her feel motherly. Paul went to Julian’s hospital room, and suggested he save the taxpayers some expense, but Julian wanted to prove he was innocent. Paul said he was going to personally oversee Julian’s hospital release, and escort him to the courthouse. Julian would be doing a perp walk, and Paul arranged for press photographers. Julian said his next show with the press would be an apology. Paul said this was just the preliminary round. The main event would be when he took Sonny down. Kristina told Sonny that she’d never felt this way before Parker, who’d helped her after her break-up. Sonny asked if Parker reciprocated, and Kristina said she thought so. Sonny said when Kristina propositioned Parker in exchange for a better grade, Parker had turned her into the administration. Kristina said she’d broken the rules. This was all new to her, and she wondered if they could talk about it. Sonny said if he hadn’t seen Kristina and Parker kissing, would she have told him the truth?
Alexis called Diane, and told her the Ethics Committee and the ABA was coming after her. Diane had to come up with a strategy. Julian was being arraigned, and she needed to be there. She told Diane to send her an email with the precedents on ethics violations. She saw Parker getting coffee at Perks. Sam opened her eyes, and Jason told her that she’d fainted, and gave her some water. She asked how he got free; what happened? He said the chair was old, it broke, and he got free, which didn’t exactly explain how he broke those chains. He told her to stay there, but she said they were in this together. He said she was the most stubborn person he’d ever met in his life. Theo told Lulu, put the gun down, or watch her mommy die. Lulu lowered the gun, and the guard took it from her. Dante had gotten the guard’s gun, and Theo said that went for him as well. He told Dante and Lulu to hold hands so they could die together. It showed he was merciful.
Paul said he’d gotten Julian dead to rights, and was going to send him to prison. Julian said Paul had obtained his confession illegally, and he was going to get his attorney to suppress it. Paul said Julian was going to answer for his crimes. Julian’s thug, dressed as an orderly, said he needed to check Julian’s vitals. Paul said, it was time for Julian to face justice afterward. Paul left, and the orderly showed Julian a vial. Alexis asked Parker why she was at Perks, and Parker said she was attending a conference at PCU. Alexis said she was at Kristina’s workplace, but Parker said she didn’t know Kristina worked there; she was just there to get coffee. She had no idea why the hostility, and thought they’d found common ground. Alexis told Parker that she’d said she’d stay away from Kristina, yet here she was. Kristina didn’t come home last night, and hadn’t called home. Parker said Kristina was fine, and Alexis asked if Kristina had been with Parker. Parker said they’d spent the night together.
Kristina admitted that Alexis knew months ago, and Sonny asked why she didn’t tell him. Kristina said Alexis had encouraged her to be honest with him, but she didn’t think he’d understand. He was Sonny Corinthos; the real deal. She was his seriously messed up kid, and they couldn’t manage a relationship. She’d been suspended from school, and was constantly questioning who she was. She was scared. He said, of what? Did she think he wouldn’t love her or he would turn his back on her? She told him, yes. Nina told Carly that she had to get back to Crimson before their publisher went to jail. Carly said it would be great to have Julian behind bars, and Nina said she wasn’t going to miss him. Josslyn came in, and on her way out, Nina said Josslyn’s story was an inspiration to her readers – and to her. Carly told Josslyn that Nina was referring to the response to her transplant, and Josslyn said she knew they meant well, but she wanted them to stop the search for her donor.
The orderly told Julian that he could only get one dose, so make it count. Nina came in, and Julian said he couldn’t catch a break. He assumed she was there to gloat, but she said he assumed wrong. It was a document giving her full autonomy over Crimson, in exchange for her silence about acts of corporate sabotage. If he was convicted, she had to protect the magazine. He said he wasn’t going to prison, but she said he couldn’t be too sure. He signed, and she was almost out of the room, but turned around, saying he missed a spot. She bumped into the orderly, and he dropped the vial, spilling what was inside. She said good thing they were at the hospital, and he could get more medication. Kristina told Sonny that she loved him, but sometimes he could be intimidating. He told her, everyone said that, but it wasn’t about him; it was about her, and them together, trying to make it right. She could tell him anything. He might not understand, but they’d work together to figure out where to start. He’d been under the impression that she was more than friends with Aaron. But then she met Parker? Kristina said she liked Aaron, but their relationship was on the surface. She connected on another level with Parker, and never felt a deep connection like this. Sonny said Parker had been Kristina’s professor and mentor, which put Kristina at a disadvantage emotionally. If she wanted to go out with women, fine, but Parker wasn’t right for her. Alexis told Parker that she’d taken advantage of Kristina, but Parker said she hadn’t; Kristina had sought her out. Kristina wanted closure, they talked, and it led to something else. It was innocent. Alexis said, it wasn’t innocent. Parker was an adult in a position of power, and seduced a young, questioning girl. Parker said she and Kristina were both adults and willing participants, and Kristina couldn’t find her identity without exploration. Alexis said it was nice of Parker to take time away from her marriage to be Kristina’s guide. Parker said she was getting a divorce, and Alexis said now she didn’t know if Parker was rebounding, or had convinced herself she cared. Parker said she cared very much about Kristina, and Alexis said she cares about her intern, but doesn’t sleep with him. She wondered if Parker could see a future with Kristina, because Kristina did. She thought Parker should put an end to that fantasy.
Carly told Josslyn it was important to complete her medical records, and Josslyn said it was more important to protect her privacy. Carly was making her life story public. Carly said she didn’t know it was a problem, and Josslyn said it got worse every day. It was bad enough she had a scar, now everyone knows how she got it. Carly said the transplant saved Josslyn’s life, but Josslyn didn’t see why it had to be public knowledge. She hated that kids were talking about her behind her back. Carly said she was sorry people were so stupid and ignorant, and Josslyn said she wanted to go back to when it was normal. Carly said they needed the information, but Josslyn said the longer she went without a recurrence, the longer it was certain she’d be fine. She said if Carly didn’t stop the search, the next time she visited her dad, she was staying and never coming home again.
Sam and Jason came in, and overtook Theo and the guards. Theo took off, and Jason and Dante disarmed the guards, then Jason went off to find Theo. The guards were tied up, and locked in a room. Lulu hugged Dante, and said she’d gotten scared when the guard took him away. He asked where she’d gotten a gun, and she said she’d knocked out a guard, but he could be awake by now. She flashed back to going through the tunnel, and finding remains. Laura said Doc saved her life. Theo was going to shoot her, and Doc got in the way. Ava suggests they get the hell out of there, but Sam wanted to wait for Jason. Lulu said, he’d saved their lives, but Ava said they didn’t want to give that maniac a chance to do to them what he’d done to Doc and Nikolas. Jason tore through the house, looking for Theo, but he was gone.
Carly said she needed to safeguard Josslyn’s health, but Josslyn said her dad was on her side. Carly said there were no sides, and Josslyn said, her privacy versus Carly’s public quest. Carly said she almost lost Josslyn once, she wasn’t losing her again, but Josslyn asked if Carly every thought about how it affected her. Carly said she did, but she was the adult, and had to make decisions Josslyn might not like. That was a parent’s job. Josslyn said it wasn’t fair. Carly was so afraid of losing her that she was hurting her. Julian put the final signature on the document, and told Nina, go. Nina said he was rude, and not to expect her to visit him in Pentenville. Julian told the orderly that he needed to get another vial, but the orderly said he didn’t know where they were kept. It was too late, because Paul came in, and said Julian was cleared to leave the hospital. His arraignment awaited. Carly called Nina, and told her to call off the search, and remove it from the website. She couldn’t get into it; just do it. Parker told Alexis, she couldn’t break things off with Kristina just like that, and Alexis told her, do right thing and save Kristina hurt down the road. If she cared about Kristina, walk away. Parker said she didn’t want to hurt Kristina, and Alexis said she should have thought about that before she set this in motion. She needed to end it, and Alexis would help Kristina pick up the pieces. Kristina told Sonny that he didn’t have to worry, but he said he always would. She was his little girl, and he’d never give up on her – ever. She said he didn’t answer when she asked if he could accept a gay daughter, and Sonny said she was his daughter. There was no question – no matter what.
Carly apologized to Josslyn, and said her story would be removed from the website, and Josslyn thanked her. Josslyn went off to get some ice cream, and Sonny came in, followed by Nina. Nina said she’d concluded her business with Julian. She passed Paul on the way out; he was there to slap the cuffs on Julian personally, and roll him out the door. Sonny said that was good news. Nina told Carly that she’d thought some more about how they could zero in on the donor, but then Carly called off the search. Carly said Josslyn felt her privacy was being violated, so it would be removed from the website, while they discreetly continued. Nina left, and Sonny asked if Carly thought that was a good idea. Carly said she knew what was best, and Josslyn would come around when they found her donor.
Josslyn called Jax and said he was wrong. Her mom got why she was upset, and promised to drop the search. She handled it. Carly asked why Sonny was so blue. Kristina saw Alexis at Perks, and apologized for not calling; she’d gotten busy. Alexis said she was worried, but she knew Kristina had been with Parker. Kristina asked if Sonny told her, and Alexis was surprised that Sonny knew. Kristina said he saw her with Parker. Alexis asked how it went, and Kristina said, better than she thought it would. Sonny told Carly that he’d talked to Kristina, and she’d come out to him. Kristina told Alexis that she was glad she’d told Sonny the truth. It was a lot for him to process, but he still loved her. Alexis said, of course (🍷) he did, and Kristina asked how Alexis knew she was with Parker. Alexis said she ran into Parker at Perks, and Kristina said they made each other happy, and they were going to figure out what happened next together. Meanwhile Parker was writing a letter to Kristina saying, I’m sorry. I can’t.
Jason told the others that Theo was gone. He’d barricaded himself in a room, and by the time Jason broke in, Theo had disappeared. He said they were getting out, and they started to leave. Lulu didn’t want to leave Nikolas, but Laura said Doc needed help, and they had to get back to Spencer. In the tunnel, Theo made a call, and said the guests weren’t leaving alive.
🗽 So Says Jill…
Interesting how Jill thinks Kyle should leave a franchise she so desperately wants to go back to.
I hadn’t heard about Friday Night In with the Morgans, but I’ve been a little busy. It looks like fun, and you can stream full episodes from AMC’s website.
The time is always right to do what is right. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict—alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence. – Dorothy Thompson
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. – Muhammad Ali
You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. – Indira Gandhi
Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together. – Eugene Ionesco
We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated. – Maya Angelou
The bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep. – E. Cossman (Or sometimes a good stiff drink…)
You never know how or when you’ll have an impact, or how important your example can be to someone else. – Denzel Washington
I would put on my old uniform and go to war all over again to protect the right of Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump to say offensive things on TV and Twitter. – Sen. Tammy Duckworth, responding in The New York Times to Carlson and Trump’s attacks on her patriotism
There’s not enough wine for this show. – Cynthia Decker, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiance Happily Ever After
Those French fries are so old, they’ve had birthdays. – Robert Springs, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiance Happily Ever After
One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings. – Franklin Thomas
🤿 Here We Go Again…
Get your mask on and do something different, whether or not you call this a weekend. It’s been another long week for me, waiting on test results for one of the dogs, and hoping for a (technically) negative outcome. I have several who are the same age, and they all seem to be reaching that age. See you on Monday-really-Tuesday, and meanwhile, stay safe, stay hoping for the best, and stay holding your fluffballs close.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Yumiko asks who the stranger is, and what she wants. The woman says, they’re the ones making a racket. She thought they needed help. She hasn’t seen real people in over a year, and now she meets a bunch of meanies. Ezekiel says they weren’t sure if she was going to attack, and she says, if she wanted to attack, she’d be pointing the gun at them. She demonstrates, and says, pointing it the other way means hello. Even though they can agree she wasn’t attacking, now she’s not so sure. Maybe it’s up to them. Are they going to hurt her? Yumiko says if she keeps pointing the gun at them, she’ll find out. Ezekiel says they have no intention of hurting her. They were just admiring her displays. Are they hers? She asks if they like them. She out them up as decorations. They were a pain in the ass to put together, but they make the place more alive. Now that she’s met actual live people… They are real, right? Yumiko asks if she’s joking, and the woman says she’s never hallucinated before, but there’s a first time for everything. She asks them, what’s the capital of Pennsylvania? Eugene says, Harrisburg, and she says she knew that. Maybe they are a hallucination. Maybe she’s been on own too long. It’s been over a year, and totally sucks. She should be nicer. Talking to real people is making her freak out, so she’s going to shut up. She covers mouth, and Ezekiel asks her name. She says she never liked Juanita, so call her Princess. He asks, why? and she says, queen makes her sound old and pretentious. Ezekiel says it’s a pleasure to meet her, and introduces his friends Eugene and Yumiko. Princess says she can show them around. There’s plenty of space. They can chill out and put their feet up. She asks if they need food. She’s also got a neat place to swim. Eugene says they appreciate the hospitality, but they can’t stay. They’re on an important mission. Princess asks, what’s the story? and Yumiko says, it’s their business. Princess says she can show them the best way through the city, but Yumiko says they don’t know her. Princess says, of course they do; she just introduced herself. A few zombies approach from behind the three, and Princess says, watch how helpful she can be. She wipes them out with her automatic weapon, and the horses jet. She says, damn. Sorry about that.
Ezekiel says, it’s not a total loss. They can find the horses tomorrow. Eugene hates to be the naysayer (even though I don’t notice, later, Chris Hardwick points this out to be a horse pun), but they should just travel by foot. An additional day spent searching will put them outside the window of the meeting time. Yumiko says, too many people are counting on them; they have to start off now. Ezekiel says Princess offered to help. Why not take her up on it? Yumiko says, absolutely not, and Ezekiel asks, what can it hurt? She says, plenty. Princess is selfish and crazy, and they can’t trust her. Ezekiel says he’s not suggesting they follow Princess blindly, but if they know she has transportation… Yumiko says, if she did, she wouldn’t be there alone; it’s a trap. Eugene agrees Princess is a few bananas short of a bunch, but at present, they have limited options. There’s a slim possibility that it will be worth the invitation, so his apologies, but his vote is with the king.
Ezekiel calls Princess over, and she thanks him. She says she feels bad about what happened. She can make it up to them. She has access to transportation; a garage full. She can take them there. Yumiko says if they’re going to follow her, she has to hand over her weapon. Princess says she wants to spend time with living people, but she’s not so sure she wants it to be them. She’s outnumbered. She doesn’t have a death wish, but she’s been living there alone for so long… Fine. They can have it. She gives her gun to Eugene, and says she knows where she can find more. Ezekiel says, she knows of a garage? and she says, all those in the market for a new set of wheels, follow her. Yumiko tells Ezekiel that Princess is selfish and crazy.
The horde follows Beta, who is asking Alpha’s spirit (I guess) where he should go. He stops at an abandoned Alexandria.
What’s left of the Alexandrians, Hilltoppers, Oceanside, and the Kingdom have gathered together at an abandoned hospital tower. They quietly get ready for whatever is coming. Gabriel tells Dianne, it’s her turn to watch. Luke is concerned that everyone is counting on him, but one of the women says he’ll come through. He says, she thinks so? He needs somebody to run an errand, and Carol says, she’ll go.
In the woods, Daryl is on the radio. He says they’re making a plan; there will never be another one like it. It reminds him of the old gang. He asks if Michonne can hear him, but only gets static.
Beta stands on the windmill balcony, observing the horde. A Whisperer says, there’s no sign of them. They left quickly. Another says they’ll search elsewhere, but Beta asks, where? Alden peeks out from a window above. He signs to Aaron, who writes something on his mechanical arm. They both watch Beta, and Alden peeks a little too far out. Beta turns, but the window is empty. Aaron and Alden sign to each other. Beta says they’re going to walk. Aaron mouths, come with me, and he and Alden look out the opposite window.
Lydia pets a cat, and Judith says, sorry about her mom. Lydia says she doesn’t have to be. Judith asks if Lydia misses her, but Lydia says, no. Not everyone gets to have a mom like Judith’s. Judith walks away looking sad. Negan watches, and sighs.
Carol and Kelly meet a guy watching the horses in the woods. He asks if everything is okay, and Carol says they’re running an errand for Luke, and getting some exercise.
Elsewhere in the woods, Judith stabs a zombie in the head. Daryl sees her, and asks what she’s doing. She says she’s fine, and he asks who she’s with. She says, no one, and he tells her, come on; he’ll take her back. She says she wants to stay, but he says, no; let’s go. She says she hates it there, and he asks what she wants to do. She says she wants to do what he does, in case something happens. He says he walks the perimeter, looking to see what’s wrong. If anything does happen, she’s to go somewhere safe, where there’s a radio. There’s no room for mistakes. She says she knows, and he tells her to do what he says, and stay next to him. She promises.
Beta tells a Whisperer, they expect them; the path isn’t clear. The Whisperer says they believe in his wisdom, and follow the Alpha… the Beta. She apologizes, and he takes out a huge knife, but then stops. He says, wait, and listens. He says, show me. Show me the path. He moves forward, and the horde follows. Tons of them. From a hilltop, Aaron and Alden radio Gabriel that the horde is heading toward them, as expected. Gabriel says one of them should stay, and if anything changes, send word.
Princess leads the group, and Eugene asks, how much longer? Princess says they’re almost there, and Yumiko says, it’s a waste of time. Princess says, it will be worth it. Stick close and watch their step. She goes through a gap in a metal fence, and counts in Spanish as she walks. Eugene tells Yumiko, he’s starting to wonder if she’s right, and Yumiko says she is, but she wants to figure out what Princess is up to first. Eugene asks Princess if this is her navigational technique method, or is she meandering about? They come across a dead horse, and Princess says she thinks it’s one of theirs. Yumiko says, walkers? but Princess says, probably stepped on a mine. Eugene asks what she means, and she says, the things you step on that go boom. Ezekiel asks if this is a mine field, and she says, yeah, but a small one. Yumiko asks why she kept that information from them, and Princess says she didn’t want to worry them. She walks there all the time; it’s no big deal. Ezekiel asks if she can get them out, but she says she kind of lost count. Yumiko says if Princess doesn’t get them out safely, she’ll kill Princess herself. Princess says, that’s fair. She drinks down the water in her canteen, and throws it, hitting a mine that explodes. Princess guesses no one has an extra canteen.
Carol tries to hotwire a car, and tells Kelly, she almost had it. Kelly takes over, and is successful. Carly thanks her for coming; she didn’t have to. Kelly says, it’s okay, but Carol says, no; it’s not. If she could go back… Kelly says Connie isn’t dead. Because she’s so tough, she can survive anything. Maybe a part of her won’t accept Connie is gone, and understands why Carol did it. When Kelly started losing her hearing, her sister told her it was her superpower. Now look. Everyone learning sign because of her. She asks if Carol thinks the way she is, is a weakness. She’s heard stories about her from the old days; they all have them. Carol would just go off, and do the thing only she can do. It’s her superpower. She can’t give up everything about herself because bad things happen. Carol has to believe that. Carol smiles.
Lydia pets Dog, and Negan says he doesn’t think she ate anything today. He holds out a bowl of food, but she says she’s good. He says he can’t tell. Is it one of those things, the craziness of moving to an abandoned tower, or is she avoiding him? She says she’s avoiding him, and he says, sh*t. That’s honest. She asks if he wants her to lie to make him feel better. He says, no, and she tells him to give someone else the rat. He says, it’s possum, which is basically a big rat, but he just wanted to say that he liked her mom. She did horrible sh*t, and there’s no excusing any of it, but he liked a lot about her. He wishes he didn’t have to do what he did. If there’s something she wants to say, she should say it. Lydia says, mostly, she wishes Alpha had died too, and leaves.
Princess thinks, then counts. Yumiko says this is exactly the kind of thing she was afraid of happening. Ezekiel says, he’s been afraid of many things, but this one is new. Eugene says, FYI, they’re running out of time on all fronts. A zombie comes out of the woods, and explodes. Eugene says they don’t want to be stuck there when the zombies start popping off, and Ezekiel says, maybe there’s something he can do. Princess says she kind of lost count. She didn’t mean to; she’s sorry. She says, eenie, meenie, no miney, mo, and walks. She stops, and says she’s still here. It should be good from there. They follow her.
Daryl leads Judith through the woods. He tells her, just spot things that don’t belong or don’t feel right. Take a look, and tell him what she sees. She looks around, and he says, living or dead? She says, walker, and he says, stay behind him. Several zombies come by, as they hide behind a tree. Daryl shoots one with an arrow, and it runs. Daryl stabs the others, and he and Judith take off after the other one.
Princess and company come to a street sign that says Fleetwood Drive. Eugene says they passed it earlier, but Princess says, there’s five of them; Street, Drive, Boulevard… – which I understand, having lived in Queens – but Eugene says he most certainly remembers it was Drive. Yumiko says Princess led them around when they could have walked straight there. Maybe she missed a turn? Princess says she was having fun, taking them by the scenic route, and Yumiko says, fun? Going through a mine field? Princess says it was bad, she knows. She’s been there a billion times, and never thought it was a problem – until it was. She wanted to show them the garage, and hoped they’d think it was amazing, and maybe they’d stay and be friends, but she screwed it up. When she was first there by herself, she figured someone would show up. She waited days and months, but it stayed empty. It really didn’t feel much different than before. Maybe it’s her, and she deserves it. All day she heard a voice in her head, saying it’s her. She knows she should have told them the truth, but she didn’t want the voice to be right, so she’s sorry. Eugene says, he has an all too familiar sense of how she feels. He puts a hand on her shoulder (his hand; I realized I have to be specific with this show), and says she made a poor decision to lie to them, because the alternative meant being left alone. No one wants that. Just to clarify, she does have access to wheels, correct?
Daryl sees the shot Whisperer, lying on the ground, and takes aim. The Whisperer takes off her mask, and takes out a knife, although I’m not sure why, since she’s at a total disadvantage. Daryl says, roll over now, and she says she can’t die like this. It ain’t natural. He tells her, drop the knife. She thinks about it for a millisecond, and does as he asks. He asks where her people are at, and she says, a few miles east; headed to the ocean. Daryl asks if they’re with the horde. Is she a scout? She says she was. She went out on own. He asks, why? and she says she had no choice. She loves them, but he’s… She’s not going to stay there. Daryl says, he’s what? and she says, he lost it after what they did to her. Daryl asks if she knows where they are, and she says she doesn’t know, but they’re going to keep coming for them. They’ve taken too much. Please. She wants to walk. He asks again if she knows where they are, and she say she doesn’t. She shoots her, finishing her off. Judith says he didn’t have to do that, and he says she had no information for them. She was going to die, so it’s better to be quick. Judith asks if they’re leaving her, and he says, come on. She says, maybe she has a family, and he says, they’re only a few miles away. They can spot them at the top of the tower. He urges her along, and she looks back as they’re walking. At first, I agreed that he didn’t have to kill her, but if she was going to die anyway, it was the better thing to do. They don’t need one more zombie hanging around.
Beta walks, and says, be my strength. He looks up, then sees a cat run across the road. A zombie gets up close and personal with him, and he laughs. Alden and Aaron walk parallel to the horde, without being seen. Alden says they always thought with Alpha dead, it would be easier, and Aaron says, they have to be sure they don’t lose again. Whatever it takes. He sees the horde is changing direction, and takes out the out the radio. He radios Gabriel, saying, it’s no good. They’ve got to leave now. He and Alden start to run, but they’re surrounded by Whisperers. One puts a gun in Aaron’s face.
Lydia comes back to Negan, and says he doesn’t get to tell her what to do. He says, she’s right. If she thinks hitting him will make her feel better… She says she feels fine, but he says she has to mourn; to say goodbye. Otherwise, it will eat her up inside. Trust him. Alpha was still her mom, and you only get one, so she should hit him. Just try it; let it out. Otherwise, she’ll drift further away from these people, and he knows she doesn’t want to. She asks how he knows what she wants. He’s a selfish a-hole. He killed Alpha so they’ll think he’s a hero, but nothing he does will make him that here. He cares about himself, and now he’s trying to get her to do this. Telling her how he liked her mother. She hated her, and wanted her dead. Screw him, telling her she can’t do that. He says, it’s okay, and she says, it’s not okay. She starts hitting him, and he stands there and takes it. Finally, she collapses, crying, into his arms, and he holds her. Wow. I absolutely love him at this moment.
A garage door opens. Ezekiel, Eugene, Yumiko, and Princess look into the garage, which contains bicycles. Yumiko says, they’re wheels, and Ezekiel says it wasn’t the ride he was picturing. Eugene says, fifteen miles per hour is a significant increase past walking speed. Ezekiel says, to be fair, Princess wasn’t lying. She came through with a garage. He laughs, and Yumiko approaches Princess. Princess says she’s not a bad person. They have every reason not to trust her. It’s hard to take a chance on people in this world, and when they lie… Yumiko knows; it sucks. Princess says she blew it; she knows. She’s sorry. She wishes she’d done better. Her people skills are rusty. Yumiko says, they’ll have to work on that. She came over to see if Princess wants to join them. Princess says, for real? and Yumiko says, as long as she doesn’t lie again. Princess hugs her, and says, yes, and Yumiko says Princess knows the area. Ezekiel laughs some more, and Princess says, if they’ve got time, she has food, clothes, a cool spear, and candy. Can she have her gun back?
Daryl asks Judith, what is it? Judith says she can’t believe Daryl left her in a ditch. What if he was lost, and no one could find him? He asks, where this is coming from? and she says she just wants them to be back together; at home again. Daryl says he radioed Judith’s mom, so she knows not to go home, and to let her know Judith is safe, and where to find them. Judith asks if he talked to Michonne, and he says, no, but he’s going to keep trying. Judith says she talked to her mom after the fire. Maybe she won’t come home. Daryl asks what Michonne said, and Judith tells him, she went to help people she met who needed her. She didn’t want to tell him. He asks, why is that? and she says she knew he’d be mad, but he says he won’t. He promises he can’t, and he can’t lie to her. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen; no one can. What he does know is that there are a whole bunch of people who would do anything for her, and when she’s older, she’ll do anything for them. She’s got a whole lot of family. Nothing can take the place of someone you love being gone, but it doesn’t mean everything that follows will break your heart. She hugs him, and wipes her tears away. He says they’ve got to go. The radio crackles, and Daryl says, Gabriel? Gabriel speaks, but there’s so much static, Daryl can’t understand what Gabriel is saying. Daryl says, he’s breaking up, and Gabriel says, come back… surrounded…
Beta continues to walk. He stops, and says, we walk. The Whisperers say, we walk, in unison. They stand in front of the hospital.
Next time, Daryl says they won’t all make it through, but it’s the only way; Eugene thinks he missed his rendezvous; Kelly puts on a Whisperer mask; Ezekiel says, they must try; Gabriel tells the kids, together, you’re a mighty weapon; and Maggie gets the news in a letter from Carol.
⚰️ Fear the Walking Dead will return this summer.
🩺 Good For Jill…
We should all support medical workers, and those on the new frontlines any way we can, even if it’s just a thank you for their service.
Not Monty Python, but different for my blog. While the majority of people are being good about the world being in crisis mode, some aren’t handling it very well. It goes from those speculating that every cough must be the virus, or laying blame anywhere they can. (Hint: Now is not the time.) I can assure you, crystal balls do not really tell the future. No one expected this, everyone is flying by the seat of their pants, and surprisingly, most are doing the best they can. Today, this poem came to mind, so I thought I’d pass it along. If you follow the advice, you’ll not only be a man (or woman), but you’ll end up being a decent human being overall.
💆🏽 If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
🦇 And Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite…
Or anything else. I had the pleasure of watching the first few episodes of What We Do In the Shadows this weekend on FX. I hadn’t seen it before, and thought it was a lot of fun. So stay safe out there, be it from human illness or something more otherworldly.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Negan sits in his cell in Alexandria. The cell door opens, and he says, as he lives and breathes. It’s Carol, and he says he thought Gabriel was coming down to give him last rights. She asks if he wants forgiveness, but he says he’s done what he’s done, and he’s not getting on his knees. She asks what he wants, and he says, TiVo, a beer, and some rocky road ice cream. What does it matter to her? She says, what if he didn’t have to die? and he says he didn’t know she had a say on the kangaroo council. She says she’s not there for the council, and he says he’s getting that. What he doesn’t get is, why she’s dealing with him instead of lining up the skin queen in her crosshairs? She asks what he thinks this is, and he smiles. He says, damn. Word has it, she’s certainly a badass, but she missed her shot. What happens if he muffs it? It will make things worse for everyone, and despite what people think, he’s not down with that. Carol says they need this done; it will help everyone there. He asks what he gets out of it, and she says he’s been eating whatever sh*t they throw his way, hoping they forget. They won’t. Not unless he does something to make them forget. Bring her Alpha’s head, and that’s what people will remember him for. She’ll make sure of it. He has her word, but do it fast.
Carol puts Alpha’s head on a pike, and steps back to admire her work. Negan says, it’s what she wanted. Alpha’s mouth continues to move, making zombie gurgles, and Negan suggests they get moving. It was their deal; start spreading the news. She asks, what took him so long? and he says, doing her dirty work? He guesses he wanted get out with his head attached. Sh*t like that takes time. He’s held up his end, and he’s asking her to hold up hers. He wants to open a new chapter in the Book of Negan. She says they’re not going back; not yet. He says he can’t go back alone without a noose immediately being tied around his neck, and she says, then wait. She starts to walk, and he asks how long she’s taking. She says he’s free. Now he can do whatever he wants. Wait or don’t; it’s up to him. She says she needs to be alone. Sh*t like that takes time.
Dianne tells Ezekiel that he did good, but he says he got lucky. It doesn’t absolve his failings. Jerry tells him to take it easy on himself, but Ezekiel says, these days mistakes stick easier than trials. He and Jerry hug Magna, and Ezekiel says he’s so sorry. She says she’s okay.
Rosita checks out her wound, and Eugene asks how she feels. She says, all right, and he says they can bring her to see Alex when they find him. She says they don’t have to. He has to go; tell them already. Eugene stands up, and gets everyone’s attention. He says he has something he needs to confess. He’s been communicado on the radio with someone outside of their orbit; a new person. They’ve set up a time to meet. Yumiko asks who it is, and he says, her name is Stephanie. She’s from another community. Jerry asks what it is, and Dianne says, he’s meeting her? Magna says, she could be a spy, and Yumiko asks how long Eugene has been talking to her. Ezekiel says he has some of the same questions, but if Eugene’s instincts are that Stephanie is a new ally, they should hear him out before they jump to conclusions. They’re all on the same side. Eugene says some of them are aware that he relocated to Hilltop to make a metaphorically fresh start. He struggled, burying himself in work and community duties, and the voice in the void became a friend. Some might think he’s foolish, but spare him their derision. After what just happened, he’s willing to be a fool, and believes new good people are worth the risk.
Magna sits outside, and Yumiko joins her. Yumiko says, Magna can and should take her horse and go with them. She’s never wanted to be cooped up. She can go back out on road, and have an adventure. Look forward, not back. Magna says she likes it there. Some routine might be good for her. Someone else can have an adventure and meet new people. It’s okay. Yumiko says she’d be leaving at the worst time, but Magna says, there’s nothing to fix. Go. Yumiko leaves.
Ezekiel gets his horse ready, and Jerry asks if he’s really going. Ezekiel says he is, but Jerry doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Ezekiel says, because he’s sick? Jerry says, because he’ll miss Ezekiel. He can’t stop a man willing to be foolish. Ezekiel says, or a fool willing to believe in future friends. It’s enough for now. He tells Jerry, the Kingdom needs him. Make sure the legacy lives on. Jerry says he’s got it, and they hug.
Alpha’s head moves its mouth as Beta approaches with two Whisperers. One says, he’s the Alpha now, and Beta tells him that Alpha can hear him. Take off his mask (that’s never good), and hear her. He tells the guy to move forward, and asks if he’s listening. What is she saying to him? Beta he pushes him closer, and says, just listen. He pushes the guy’s head near Alpha’s mouth, and she bites his ear, pulling it off. The other guy takes off, as we all would. Beta says, just listen, and I wonder how he’s going to do that with no ear. Beta shoves him aside, and takes down Alpha’s head, cradling it in his arms.
Negan goes to the cabin where Lydia was being held. He sees she’s gone, and says, sh*t. Daryl puts a crossbow in Negan’s face, and asks where Alpha is. Negan says, she’s dead; he killed her. Daryl calls him a liar, but he says he’s not lying. He has something in his pocket; it’s not a weapon. He’s going to do a slow reach. He pulls Alpha’s mask out of his pocket, and shows Daryl. He says the whole reason he threw in with them was to get close enough to slit Alpha’s throat, and silence Alpha. Why else does Daryl think his girlfriend let him out of his cell?
Carol walks through the woods, and hears her name being whispered. She hears it more clearly, and turns to see Alpha. Alpha says she’s always watching.
Beta strolls along with the Whisperer bitten by Alpha, who starts coughing. A zombie comes by, and the guy moves to kill it, but Beta shoves him down. The zombie descends on the guy, and finishes him off. Beta listens to Alpha’s head, that he’s now carrying in a bag. He hears a noise, and moves toward it.
Beta goes inside a hotel, and shoves things aside, even though he doesn’t need to. He puts Alpha’s head down, and picks up a note. He reads, these 2 eyes see 1 truth. He sees a gun on the floor, and looks up at a poster for the band Half Moon. He rips it down, and smashes a nearby guitar.
Alpha tells Carol, she’s lost. So was her boy. She sent him away, and he never came back. He died out there, alone and afraid, just like Sophia. She respects what Carol did. Negan drew the blade, but Carol ended her, like a true Alpha. Carol says, stop it, and Alpha asks if she regrets it. Carol says she doesn’t, and Alpha says people were hurt in the name of vengeance, and now she can’t go back. They don’t accept what she’s done, but maybe they would if she says she’s sorry. Sorry you’re mad; please don’t be mad at me. She tried being on her own before, but they always pull her back. She’s always wanting more; love, motherhood, death. They don’t know what she truly wants. Admit it. What does she want? Say it. A zombie pops out of a tree, and Carol spears it through the throat and into the head. She says she wants to be alone, but Alpha says, that’s not it.
Eugene, Ezekiel, and Yumiko head out on horses. Ezekiel wonders if the new community will be handy, and Yumiko asks what Eugene thinks about that. He says his mother was a pistol, but he remembered something kind she’d done. She used to get him chocolate bunnies at Easter. Biting their heads off made him upset, but he associates it with family. Yumiko says, please don’t tell her that they’re on this journey for chocolate bunnies. Eugene says he’s on the journey for the future hope of mankind, but candy would be nice. He asks if Ezekiel is okay, and Ezekiel says he’s not the best audience at the moment. They ride past a cage with two zombies in it, and Yumiko wonders if it’s a trap. Eugene doesn’t think that’s the modus operandi, but Ezekiel says, they’re not alone. Who would do this? Yumiko suggests they take the time to investigate in case it’s a warning.
Off by himself, Ezekiel gets off his horse. He sees some wandering zombies, and kills them. He coughs and stumbles, as another one comes closer, but he manages to stab it. He sits on a fallen tree. Yumiko says, all clear, and calls to him. He says he’s coming. All clear here.
Negan, his hands bound behind his back, walks in front of Daryl. He says, this follow-the-leader routine is like déjà vu. It’s the same way it went down with Alpha. He tells Daryl to get pissed at his gal pal for not letting him in on the plan. He’s pissed too. The lone wolf isn’t thinking of the pack. Daryl says the children at Hilltop almost died because of Negan. Although I’m not sure how Daryl came to that conclusion.
Beta looks at a record album, Half Moon Live in Concert. He puts on a turntable, and I try not to think about why the turntable works when there’s no electricity, and any batteries in it would have leaked or gone dead by now. The music draws zombies to the hotel.
Carol goes to the cabin, and Alpha says, this is her plan? and calls Carol brainless. She had no peace on the ocean, thinking about Alpha, and wondering where they’re going to land, and looking for sign. Give it up. If Alpha knows the truth, so does she. Hear her. Carol gets up on a stepladder, and fiddles with something on the ceiling, but the whole thing caves in, and she falls, the ceiling and everything surrounding her falling on top of her. Alpha says, she’s stupid too.
Negan leads Daryl to where Alpha’s head was, and tells Daryl, it was right here, on this spike. They can wait there for Carol. Daryl says take him to Lydia, but Negan asks what he’s talking about. Why would he stash her out there unless it was to keep her safe? He used her as bait to get Alpha alone. What’s wrong? He didn’t do it fast enough? It took a minute; he had to get her trust. He wasn’t going off half-cocked on a suicide mission. Daryl says, it was because Negan liked it. They hear the sound of a gun cocking, and some Whisperers step out of the woods, one of them holding a shotgun. Daryl drops his crossbow, and one of them says, Alpha is dead because of Negan. Kneel to the new Alpha. They kneel, and Negan laughs.
The music plays, while zombies gather. Beta stands above them, on the balcony, his arms outstretched. He smiles, something we’ve never seen, and pulls half of his mask off.
Negan tells Daryl, sorry. He’s savoring the moment. Daryl’s wrists are now tied, while Negan is free, and Negan says he’s taking his sweet-ass time. All right, fellas, down to business. Wait one damn minute. He’s the Alpha, right? He’s a bit confused. If he’s the Alpha, why is someone who’s not the Alpha holding the badass shotgun? The Whisperer holding the gun gives it to Negan, who says, that’s what he’s talking about. It feels good. He’s never had a kid of his own, but if he did, he imagines this is what it’s like holding your baby for the first time. But it turns out his baby can kill people by spitting bullets at them. He wants Daryl to kneel to the Alpha, and the Whisperers try to push Daryl down, but he shrugs them off and kneels. Negan says, it’s starting to get real now, ain’t it? Daryl was right when he said Negan liked it. In fact – he points the gun at Daryl – he likes it a lot. Daryl says Negan should probably shoot him, and Negan says, don’t threaten him with a good time. Negan shoots two Whisperers, and stabs the other in the head. When they’re down, Daryl tells Negan, untie me, a-hole, and Negan laughs.
Ezekiel, Eugen, and Yumiko sit by a fire, when Ezekiel’s horse suddenly whinnies and keels over. I had to look away here – that’s right, I can watch a million people get their heads stomped, but I cannot bear for an animal to be hurt. Ezekiel tells his horse, it’s not going to hurt anymore, and puts the horse out of its misery. Yumiko tells him that she’s sorry, and he says he shouldn’t have come. She asks, why? and he says, if he falls, they have to promise to leave him behind. His horse wasn’t strong enough to make the journey. Maybe he’s not either. He’s okay with that, but not with putting them at risk. Yumiko asks if he wants to turn back because of what might happen, and he says, it’s for the best. She says they don’t know what lies ahead; no one does. She had all these plans for her life, and for what? She’s here to find out what’s possible. None of them can predict or imagine what’s ahead, but she knows who they need with them. A man who built a kingdom.
Carol lies under the rubble, as a zombie pulls itself out of the creek nearby. Alpha says, her mom used to say, everything works out the way it’s supposed to, and Carol tells her, shut up already. The zombie crawls toward what’s left of the cabin, and Alpha says, this way, friend. Is Carol ready for them, and to see how this ends? No one is coming to save her. Not Ezekiel, and certainly not Daryl. Not after what she did to Connie. The zombie, who’s pretty well deteriorated, starts pushing through the slats in the wall. Alpha says, no matter what Carol does, she loses people. If she goes back, Daryl could be next. Carol says she won’t let that happen. She knows what she has to do. Alpha says, it could have been anyone, but they chose her. She gets the job done. Carol struggles, and Alpha tells her, look at the flowers like she’s supposed to. One…two… The zombie pushes through, but Carol pulls herself out, takes out her knife, and stabs it in the head. She collapses, and Alpha is gone.
Ezekiel now rides behind Yumiko. They ride down a highway, seeing a city in the distance.
Negan drinks from a canteen, and passes it to Daryl. They sit side by side, each facing a different way. Negan says, not to be a spinning record, but he doesn’t think Carol is coming back. He’s not bullsh*tting Daryl. Daryl says he knows, and Negan tells him, when he said he liked it, that wasn’t part of the act. Daryl says he knows. Negan says, when Daryl’s people locked him up, he lost everything. He spent seven years staring out that little window. It sucked so bad, even his memories have bars painted on them. When Alpha took him in, he admits he liked it. It was nice, feeling like he mattered again, and being respected, but she took it too far. You don’t kill people who don’t deserve it, and you never kill kids. Daryl asks if that’s supposed to make him like Negan, and Negan says, no. Daryl says, good, and Negan asks, what about his winning personality? Daryl gets up, and starts to walk. Negan asks, what about Carol? and follows.
Carol walks to the gate, and Daryl opens it. She walks in, and neither one of them says anything. Daryl closes the gate.
Eugene, Yumiko, and Ezekiel ride into the city. They go past a store, where a zombie in costume is tied to a rocker. The look into a café, where two zombies sit with martinis. Another sits on a delivery cart. It’s like a weird Disney ride, with zombies in various tableaus. They look around, and find one in a car, handcuffed to the steering wheel, while a police zombie is about to give them a ticket. Ezekiel starts to laugh and point. He laughs so hard, he has to wipe tears from his eyes. They see a pile of bones on the ground, wearing a boa, and a voice says, oh my God! Hi! A woman, also wearing a boa, and dressed sort of like Madonna, circa the late 80s, stands in front of them, holding an automatic weapon. (For those who are familiar with the comics, it’s Princess.)
Beta takes out the note, and says, someday we’ll rise. He takes Alpha’s head out of the bag, and says, thank you. He sees now, like she does. He puts a knife through Alpha’s head, and sits nose to nose with her for a moment. Zombies clamor at the hotel door.
Beta opens the hotel door, and walks out. He walks through the crowd of zombies, and they follow him as he walks down the street.
Next time – the last episode before the finale – Alpha says we walk, Judith and Daryl run from zombies, and Aaron and Alden hide to watch Beta.
🐭 On Talking Dead: Home Edition, comedian Ron Funches thought the zombie tableaus were like the ones at Chuck E. Cheese, but not as frightening. I couldn’t agree more.
While I’m by no means downplaying the seriousness of the current world situation, there is good news that most of those who aren’t in a high risk group only experience mild to moderate symptoms.
I’ve never given myself a haircut while drunk, but when I had my first apartment, I did let my next door neighbor cut my hair when we’d been drinking. It wasn’t awful. And it grew out.
While housebound, you can find loads of fun, free things on the internet. Museum and city tours, concerts, Doug the Pug’s workout on Instagram, and Fiona!
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
Michonne walks through the woods with two chained, armless, mouthless zombie buddies. She whacks a non-buddy and picks up some bullets from the ground. She sees Andrea running through the woods, with some zombies following her. Andrea hits one in the head with a rock, and stabs another, but she falls. She tries to scramble away from a third, as Michonne watches and does nothing, then turns away.
Michonne unlocks the chains binding Virgil to the boat. He says she could have done that five hours ago, but she asks why would she? They walk through the trees to a field, and she says she needs to get back. Virgil picks some flower blossoms, and says he can’t show up empty handed. His wife wouldn’t like it. He explains that he’s picking herbs. They’re good for everything; pain, nerves, and sleep. Michonne asks where the munition depot is, and he says, the old lab has structural damage. It’s best to stay away. They walk to a building where a sign says restricted area. Virgil tells her that his little boy seems to think a sailor left buried treasure in one of the grain silos. It’s hard to keep him from going inside. He’s just like his mom; when he decides to do something, there’s nothing you can do to stop him. Michonne whips around with her katana, and tells him, stop the bullsh*t. Where the hell is his family? He says he told her that he was coming home to his family, and he meant it.
Virgil stops in front of three open graves. He says he promised his wife when they got married, he’d bring her flowers every day. Michonne says he waited until now to tell her? and he says, the words don’t come easy, and neither does trust. He promised to help her, and he will. The island isn’t clear. It was until the others came and brought violence. The sickness came with it, and killed his family. He never got good at doing what she does. She’s good with a sword. She wonders what he’s asking, and he says his family is still in there; his wife and his babies. That’s why he asked her to come. He needed her to come.
They approach a building, where a zombie waits just inside the door. Michonne busts in, kills the zombie, and walks forward. Virgil closes the door behind them. A zombie is stuck inside a hallway that’s been partially blocked by a refrigerator. Michonne pierces it’s head, and kills it. Virgil drags it out of the way, as Michonne opens the next door. On his way back, Virgil knocks over some stacked furniture, and blocks the passage. He says, sorry, which hardly seems adequate. A small crowd of zombies is gathered in a room further on. The door is locked, and Michonne tells Virgil, stay close, and thunders in, rushing the zombies, holding a cot in front of her. There are about ten to fifteen of them, and she gives Virgil the cot, telling him to get behind it. She stabs and slashes, slicing off the tops of two zombies’ heads. Virgil is pushed back, and blocks himself in. Wow. Michonne is fast. The zombies all down, Virgil thanks her.
She opens the door to yet one more room. Zombies hang from ceiling, still moving. Virgil looks around, and sees a woman’s shoe. He picks it up, and gently puts it back on a zombie’s foot. This is depressing, and I wonder where Negan is when I need him.
As they walk past some chairs and stacks of books, Virgil says he wanted give them something his daughter loved to take with them, and she loved that book. Michonne says she knows how hard it is, but she’s sorry. She’s got to get back. He says he had a hard time, and his wife talked him through it. Without her, he doesn’t know who he is. She says, it’s not too late to find out. He thanks her again, and she tells him to show her what she came for, so she can go. He says, it’s late. The tide is low, and he’s not sure the boat will go through the channel. He suggests she stay night, and not risk it. They’ll need to hole up. She says she kept her end of the bargain; he needs to keep his. He says, it’s getting dark. Some of the buildings aren’t safe. They can do it in the morning. She says, first thing.
Michonne tries her radio, but gets nothing. She walks to another building, and shines her flashlight around. She sees wooden crates, and looks inside them, but none of them have guns. She sees a group of cages with dead rats in them, some just skeletons. She quietly walks through into another room, and hears a voice say, everyone be quiet. Virgil shuts her inside, and tells her, wait until morning; it’s not safe. He trusted her, and now she ruined it. She tells him, open the damn door, but he walks away.
Michonne bangs on the door to no avail. She sits, sword at the ready. A faucet drips, and she says, sh*t. She sees a food tray, and bangs on the door again. She hears someone say, calm down. They’ve been trying to talk to her. She asks how long she’s been in there, and a man’s voice says, a day maybe. We see two men and a woman in the next room. She asks why they didn’t answer when she was calling out, and the man says, Virgil blows up. He gets in a mood. The woman says, when he’s angry, it’s best to be quiet. The man says, don’t bother to try to escape; it’s boobytrapped. Virgil comes there as little as possible; he doesn’t like to see them. They were researchers together. They wrote papers, and had a life there. Michonne says, they knew each other? and he says, they were friends. She asks, what went wrong? and the woman says, stragglers came by boat, and they took them all in. One night, the food supply ran low, and a fight broke out over rations when Virgil was late. A stranger pulled a knife, and was killed. When Virgil came back, he panicked, and locked all the doors. But he didn’t know… Michonne says, what? and the woman says, his wife and kids were inside. He snapped. The man says, he was never the same, and the woman says they’ve been there ever since. The man asks if Michonne is okay, and she says she will be. She’s not staying there long. The man says she can’t kill if she doesn’t have the strength, and suggests she eat. He asks her name. Michonne bites into an apple, and says, Michonne. Virgil looks in, and says he’s glad she ate. She tells him, open the damn door, but he says he can’t do that. She says, why the hell not? and he says she’ll kill him. She says, we reap what we sow, a-hole, and he says he doesn’t want to fight. Michonne feels weird, and starts to hallucinate. Virgil says, Violet has a gift. It can help Michonne the way it helped him. She sees a woman, but then the woman disappears. She asks what Virgil did.
The room spins, and she asks, what did he do? He says, it makes a nice tea. He wants her to see. She’s in pain, like he is. She needs peace, like he does. She realizes he’s drugged her, and Michonne says she doesn’t drug people and toss them in a cell. He needs to hear her. Think about his daughter and son. He tells her that he said that too; no one listened. Everything he did was to protect his family. She laughs, and says she’s sure they’re proud of him now. He says, she’s no angel. She falls onto her side, and he says, picture the sun. She sees Siddiq, and he says she was supposed to protect them. She says she did her best, and he says she let him die. This is how it feels to be her family. She touches him, and sees blood on her hands. When she looks at him again, he’s a zombie. She yells, make it stop! The faucet continues to drip, and she gets up. Virgil tells her, stop fighting it. Suddenly, there are chains around her wrists, and she’s pulled forward.
In the woods, Michonne relives seeing Andrea crawling away from the zombie, and turns away. She goes back to Andrea’s body, and takes Andrea’s knife, wiping the blood off it. She also takes Andrea’s canteen. She goes to the road, where a car is going past. She tries to flag it down, but they keep going. The car slows, and stops. Daryl gets out, gets something from the trunk. Although Michonne yells for help, Daryl ignores her, and says, come on; let’s go. The car takes off, and Michonne runs after it. She goes back into the woods, and kills a zombie. Negan comes toward her, along with a few other people, and says, look what we have here. She takes a swing at him with her sword, but misses, and he knocks her down with Lucille. He says, this chick has cajones. She says she doesn’t want trouble, and he says she shouldn’t take a swing at him then. He picks up her sword, and says he’s not much on saving people on the road, especially those who try to take his head off, but he likes her and her massive lady nuts. Besides, it would be a waste for her to have a nice sword without the strength to use it. A woman tosses her an apple, and he says, the name’s Negan.
Glenn comes into the room where Michonne is, and suddenly, she’s back at the Sanctuary with Rick and the Alexandrians (good name for a group!), who are shooting the place up. She shoots Glenn and Heath. Negan whistles, and we’re back to when Negan had them all on their knees in the woods, and he’s choosing who he’s going to kill. He points Lucille at each one, saying, eenie, meenie, miney, mo. He stops in front of Daryl, then says, just kidding, a-hole. He was going to do the next part himself, but his right hand gal Michonne is on a wicked-ass tear these days. Who the hell is he to stand in her way? He takes her sword, and holds it in one hand and the Lucille in the other. She chooses Lucille. She says, the Alexandrians didn’t know who they were or where they were from. They didn’t know sh*t about them, but they came in the dead of night and slaughtered them anyway. She faces Rick, and says, like a coward. Remember. They did this. What happens next – she points the bat – is their fault. Welcome to the new world. She swings. Well, I hate to say it, but point well made.
Michonne is running through the woods, and is shot with an arrow. She drops to her knees, and Daryl walks over and kicks her down. She grabs for her sword, but he steps on her hand. Rick cocks his gun, and shoots.
Michonne throws up into a bucket. Virgil asks if she feels better. He says she will, and gives her some water. She stabs him with a fork. They struggle, but he takes off, and she follows. The woman in the next room calls to Michonne not to leave them. Michonne runs out of the building, and the people run out behind her. They run to the shore, but the boat is on fire. Well, that sucks.
They run through woods, and Michonne knocks Virgil down. Virgil says he wanted help. He wanted to let them go, but he wanted her to be there, so they wouldn’t kill him. Then he knew she’d kill him too. He’s sorry. One of the men says, sorry doesn’t cut it. Virgil says his wife always did the right thing. When she was gone, he didn’t know what to do. The guy tells Michonne that she has as much reason to kill the a-hole as they do. She says, she does, and he says, do it, or move. She says, look at him. He owes them more than can ever make right. In taking his life, they loose more of themselves. Their mercy gives them something; they get something. The woman asks, what? and she says, peace. They mull this over, and one of the guys slugs Virgil.
Now Virgil is in a locked a room. He sits up, and Michonne says, there’s nothing there. She checked every building, even the ones he said had structural damage. There’s not a goddam thing. He says he never lied about the weapons. He never saw them, but told her that he could show her the spots. She says he’s got to do better, but he says, sorry; he can’t. Sometimes he finds a stray shell; nothing more. She says she’s not going back empty handed. He tells her to take what she wants, and clear his debt with Oceanside. She took the risk. She says she had no choice. She had to find out. There’s no tea, so don’t even ask. She asks what he sees when he’s tripping anyway. He says, Violet with her damn camera pointed at everyone. His babies, and daughter sitting by the fire with that damn book, asking questions about a world she’d never know. Him and his son looking at stars; at heaven. He wanted, hoped, that she would see that too. She says he took her family from her, and she saw hell. He says he’s sorry. The only world he ever wanted, was the one they were in. He doesn’t know how to do without them. She says, he tries, like the rest of them. Now how about if he tries to find her stuff?
They look around, Michonne carrying the flashlight. She sees a pair of boots. She looks them over, and cries. She grabs Virgil, and asks where the hell did he get these?
There’s a large ship right off the shore. Inside, Michonne pushes Virgil into the captain’s quarters, and he says the boots washed up. He doesn’t know where they came from. She looks through the captain’s log, and whatever papers are there. She sees a dead cell phone, and realizes there’s a picture of herself and Judith etched into the glass, along with Rick and some figures. Virgil says, holy sh*t; it’s her and the kid? She says he knew. He came to find them at Oceanside. He asks why he’d do that, and she says, because of this. He says he’s never seen it, and she asks what it’s doing there. He says how would he know? and she says he knew the boat was there. He says, the world ended, boats wash up. She grabs him, and says he knew there were no munitions. He was setting a trap, and laid a trap for him. What did Virgil do to him? Virgil asks who she’s talking about, and she presses her sword lengthwise against his throat. She slowly releases him, and looks at the phone. He says he doesn’t know what she thinks he has, or who she’s looking for, but maybe it wasn’t an accident that they met. If the others help, he thinks he can get the engine working again. If the person was on this boat, maybe she can find him again.
Next to the road, Michonne caresses Rick’s boots. Virgil pulls a wagon, and the three people take their stuff from it. She says, it’s going to take some time, and Virgil says they’re out of time. She says they’re willing to let him come. There’s only one boat left. Either he leaves now, or doesn’t leave. He says, after everything, he can’t believe they’d want him to come, and she says, sometimes the most injured are the most forgiving. They’re good people. They’re giving him a chance; a way off the island. He says he promised her flowers every day.
The boat moves off. Michonne looks at Virgil, standing on shore.
Michonne cries as she looks at the phone. She takes out her radio, and says, Jojo, are you there? It’s Danto. Anyone? There’s dead air for a moment, and then crackling. Judith says she’s there. She’s been trying to get Michonne. Michonne says she’s sorry; she’s here now. Judith asks if she’s still with Virgil, and Michonne says, no, but she found three people she’s bringing back. She missed Judith and her brother so much. RJ says, mama? and she says, hey baby, and tells him to talk in code for safety. She asks how he is, and says she loves her little brave man. She asks Judith how she’s doing, and Judith guesses okay; better now. Michonne asks, how’s home? Anything with the Whisperers? Judith says they got them. Alpha can’t hurt them anymore. Michonne cries, and says she found something. It’s something really important to all of them. Judith asks, what does she mean? and Michonne says she found something that belonged to the brave man. It points to where he might have been recently. She doesn’t know what it means, or if means anything at all. Judith asks if he’s alive, but Michonne doesn’t know. Judith says if Michonne thinks he’s alive, she’s got to find him. Michonne says, not now. Judith and her brother need her with everything that’s going on in Alexandria. Judith says Michonne has to go. She has to. They’re okay. What if he needs her more? What if he’s trying come home and no one will help? Michonne says, if she goes, and Judith interrupts, saying, when she goes. Michonne says when she goes and finds the brave man… One of the men says, they’re at the coast, and Michonne says she has to go. Judith says, she knows. Listen to Uncle Daryl. Michonne says she’s going to try. She’s heading north. She’ll call every morning for as long as she can. Judith says she’ll take the walkie with her everywhere. Michonne says she loves Judith and her brother so much. Judith says they love her too. Go get him. Over and out. Michonne heaves a huge sigh.
Michonne cuts the arms and mouths off two zombies, and ties them to her. She walks through the woods, and sees a man and woman, stumbling through an overgrown field. They ask if she can help; they’ll leave without them. She asks, who? and looks out over the cliff, seeing a crowd of people forming a square. The woman says, please. They won’t wait.
Michonne remembers how Rick let her into the prison. The man asks who she is, and she swipes her sword across the necks of her zombie buddies, slicing their heads off. The couple is afraid as she comes toward them, but she holds out her hand, saying, come on, and helps them up.
The camera pans out to show several blocks of people in formation in the distance.
Next time, Alpha’s head on a pike, Negan tells Carol to hold up her end of the bargain, carol says she’s not coming back, Eugene is willing to be the fool, and Beta gathers the Whisperers.
⭐️ Best quote of the night: Sometimes the most injured are the most forgiving.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 