March 24, 2021 – The Start Of a Beautiful Friendship, a Dinner Gone South & Late

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina says she’s not that blond woman Sonny has been dreaming about, but he says she seems so familiar. She says, there are a lot of blond women in the world, and she’s known a few memorable ones. He tells her, if she says so, and she says, hey, Mike. Everything is going to be okay. He goes in the back, and she makes a call to Carly. Nina says she has something very important to tell Carly, and Carly says she’s sure Nina does. She knows exactly what it is.

On the phone, Trina asks if someone can make it happen… Tonight?

Portia tells Curtis, that was pretty impressive. Cameron came in there to hire someone to kill Jason, and Curtis convinced him to channel his anger and grief into his music. Curtis says, it wasn’t him. That was Trina. She says, Trina chimed in, after Curtis told Cameron to use his grief, and turn it into something positive. Trina joins them, and says, Cameron is on his way home with his mom. He feels a lot better than when he came in here. She thanks Curtis.

Jordan goes to see Taggert in his cell. She says she checked the visitor’s log earlier, and saw Laura was there. Taggert says they were discussing how much time he could get for falsifying proof that put Cyrus away. Five years, if he’s lucky. She says, about that. There’s been a development. He should consider a not guilty plea.

Brook walks quickly into the hospital, and Maxie is by the reception area with Britt. Maxie says, Brook is back. And she’s pregnant. Brook says she’s right. When did that happen? Isn’t she going to ask who the baby daddy is? Maxie says she didn’t want to pry, and Brook says, since when? Maxie says, fine. Who’s the guy? and Brook says, let’s just say both their babies have fathers everyone hates.

At the MetroCourt, Valentin asks if Charlotte wants dessert. She asks if she can have a Shirley Temple, and he says, double cherries. He might get one too. They have something to celebrate. She asks what it is, and he says he’ll tell her when he gets back. On his way to the bar, he runs into Anna, who says she hasn’t seen him since Maxie’s (non) wedding. He says he’s been busy. He’s going to be a father again.

Lucas goes to the room where the Lamaze class is going to be, and Felix says he’s in the wrong room… unless he switched teams and got busy. Lucas says he heard Felix was covering the class for Epiphany, and he wanted to hang out, and see Felix in action. Felix says, really? Is that really why he’s there?

Maxie says Brook is having a baby with Valentin? Didn’t he steal her shares of ELQ, and take over her family’s company? Brook says, things happen. She heard about Lulu. She’s really sorry. Lulu deserves to be with her kids, not in a long-term care facility. She’s sure Maxie misses Lulu a lot, and Maxie says she does. She’s naming the baby Louise, and going to call her Lu after Lulu. Brook says, Lulu would love that. It’s crazy how their lives have changed in a few months; Lulu is gone, Maxie and Peter… She read what he did, and it sounds like he has a long list of bad acts. Does Maxie think he’ll still be in the baby’s life? Maxie says she hasn’t figured out that part yet. How about Brook and Valentin? She doesn’t see them living happily ever after. Brook says he’ll have some role in the baby’s life, but she hasn’t figured it out yet. Britt says if Brook is staying in Port Charles, she should have her medical records transferred to GH. She can help facilitate that. Who’s Brook’s obstetrician in Brooklyn? Brook says, someone in King’s County Hospital, and Britt asks if it’s Lenore Thompson; they went to medical school together. Brook says she’s never heard of Lenore. Maxie says if Brook is staying in Port Charles, she’s going to need a doctor. How about Britt?  

Anna says she didn’t know Brook and Valentin were involved. Hasn’t Brook been away? He says, it was one night before Brook left. Now she’s back and carrying his child. Anna asks if she should give condolences or congratulations, and he says, congratulations, absolutely. She says, Brook is going to let him be part of the baby’s life, even though he took her family’s business away? and he says she seems to be willing to let him. He’s going to break the news to Charlotte over a few Shirley Temples. How about Anna? Is she okay?

Trina says Curtis gave Cameron good advice. She should have taken it herself, instead of ripping into Curtis when she thought her dad was dead. Curtis says, sometimes the best way to fight grief is with anger. You can focus on something in front of you. He didn’t mind being her target. Portia says Curtis was trying to save Trina’s life; so was her dad when he pretended to be dead. Can she see the bigger picture now? Everybody was just trying to save her from Cyrus.

Taggert tells Jordan that Portia was trying to get him to plead not guilty, but if he’s set free, Cyrus is going to be out for revenge. The first one is going to be Trina. He needs to do his time, and protect Trina. She says, the situation has changed. Cyrus doesn’t have the power he used to. Taggert asks, what happened? and she says, they have leverage. He says, what kind? and she says, Renault’s mother. He says, Cyrus has a mother? She says, he does, a gracious woman who doesn’t appreciate her son’s crimes. She’s being well cared for, but since she’s been out of Cyrus’s reach, he’s been near paralyzed. He asks how the hell she kidnapped Cyrus’s mother.

Carly says, Ava told her that Nina is going to sue for the right to see Wiley. She’s telling Nina right now, it’s a bad idea to play games with her grandson. Nina tries to interrupt, saying, that’s not what… but Carly says if Nina pushes hard, they’ll push harder. Diane will destroy her. She’ll drag Nina’s sad history into evidence. Remember when she kidnapped Ava when she was in labor with Avery, and then told everyone Avery was her daughter? The judge is going to love that. Nina says, please stop, but Carly tells Nina to stop, before it’s too late. Nina had her chance, and she blew it. She needs to back off and give everybody time, especially Wiley. If she pushes this, and takes legal action, Nina will lose, and never get near Wiley again. I tell Nina, Carly is such an a-hole.

Jordan tells Taggert, she didn’t kidnap Cyrus’s mother. He asks, who did? and she says, they both know there are people outside law enforcement who need to keep Cyrus in check. He says, especially now that Sonny has passed, and she says, Cyrus knows, if he hurts Taggert or Trina, he’ll never see his mother again. He says, Cyrus loves his mother that much? and she says, he does. So change his plea before sentencing. Fight the charges against him. He asks if she thinks he has a chance, and she says, talk to his lawyer. She thinks, considering the damage Cyrus has done – the overdoses, the drug deaths, the violence – a jury will understand why he felt compelled to lock Cyrus up. He says, he broke the law, and she says, he put a dangerous man in prison. If he gets a sympathetic jury, he could be exonerated, and he’ll have a chance to repair his relationship with Trina.

Trina says she does understand why her father let her believe he was dead, and she thinks she can forgive him now. Portia hugs her, and says she’s so proud of Trina. Trina says she thinks she liked it when Portia was less proud. She’s got to go. Portia says, she has the quiz to study for, and Trina says she’s got a lot to learn. She leaves, and Curtis says he thinks Portia’s daughter just had a major breakthrough. Why does Portia look like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders? She says, all this talk about Trina forgiving her father. His sentencing is tomorrow. She could lose him all over again.

Anna tells Valentin, seeing Charlotte reminds her of Violet’s birthday party, and he says, the infamous snake in Ava’s purse. She laughs, and says, sorry. It’s not so funny, is it? He says, it is. He gets it, by the way. That day wasn’t just a celebration of Violet, but of Anna and Finn starting a family together. He takes it that she and Finn didn’t work out, and she says, no. Finn said he’d forgive her if she’d promise not to keep the truth from him anymore… Valentin says, and she couldn’t do that because the Bureau has too much on her. She says, yeah, but she can see Violet whenever she wants. The home she and Finn started together, she won’t get that back. Charlotte comes along, and hugs Anna, who says, look how tall she is. Charlotte asks how Violet is. She hasn’t seen Violet since Christmas. Violet was super excited about the wedding, and papa told her it didn’t happen. If Violet needs cheering up, they could always have a playdate.  

Brook tells Maxie, really? Does she think Brook wants to be treated by the woman who took her Aunt Monica’s job? Maxie guesses not, and Britt says she can recommend some excellent obstetricians working out of GH. Brook says, she’ll get back to Britt. She says, so Maxie and Peter are splitsville, and she has a baby on the way. How is Maxie doing? Maxie says she’s actually doing okay. Britt’s been a huge help, and is pinch-hitting for her in Lamaze class. Britt says Brook should join them. Why not ask Valentin  to be her birthing partner?

Lucas says he wants to see if Felix can keep his cool while teaching these moms-to-be how to breathe properly. Epiphany’s a hard act to follow. Felix thanks him for rubbing it in, and says he’ll do his best. Lucas says he’s sure Felix will be great, and when class is over, he’ll take Felix out for a drink to celebrate his survival.

Carly says it’s best if Wiley doesn’t see Nina. If Nina can accept that, great. If not, she can talk to Carly’s lawyer. Nina says, she actually doesn’t know what she’s going to do about Wiley. All she knows is she met this… Carly interrupts, saying, she has no doubt, but Nina needs to think about the consequences before she does anything drastic. Nina asks if Carly is finished, and Carly says, that depends. Do they have anything else discuss? Nina looks at Sonny putting away glasses, and says, there was another thing she wanted to talk, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Carly did this to herself. She just made her life more miserable than it had to be. Carly made her bed, and now she has to lie in it – alone. She hangs up, and Sonny comes over. He says, hey. Who got her so upset? She says, no one. No one important. Just a bitter widow.   

Curtis asks if there’s a chance Taggert could walk, but Portia says, Cyrus is still a threat. Taggert is determined to plead guilty, but at least Jordan is keeping him in jail so Cyrus can’t get to him. Curtis says, that’s one thing Jordan told the truth about. She asks if he’s seen Jordan lately, and he says he saw her today. Portia says, and? He says, and they’re in limbo. He can’t pretend and just go back to the way they were before the lies came out, but he can’t move on either. Portia says he must miss Jordan, and he says he misses the Jordan he thought he knew, but now he’s thinking he never knew her at all. He had an idea of who she was, and she let him believe that idea. He only saw one side of her, and there are many sides. From the choices Jordan has made to her priorities. He felt like he was with a stranger. Portia says, it makes perfect sense. When she was with Taggert, she was never sure which Taggert she was with. The Taggert who was her husband, the one who spent 90% of his time undercover, or the one who spent 10% of his time with her and Trina, but was always thinking about something else. None of which he shared with her.

Taggert tells Jordan, what if he goes to trial and is found guilty? He’ll serve more time than if he just manned up to what he did. She says he has a shot at going free. Isn’t it worth the risk for Trina? Taggert hears the door, and sees Trina. He asks if Jordan did this, and she says Trina called earlier, and asked to see him. Trina comes to the cell, and says Jordan gave her permission to see him. She heard his sentencing was tomorrow. Jordan says she’ll give them some privacy, and tells Taggert, think about what she said. Taggert says he’s sorry Trina has to see him like this, and she says, not as sorry as she is for the grief she gave him when she learned he was alive. He asks if this means she forgives him, and she says she wishes she could give him the biggest hug he’s ever had in his life. He takes her hands through the bars, and says, him too.

Valentin tells Charlotte that he’ll contact Violet’s dad, and arrange for a playdate. He needs two minutes with Anna, and then he’ll bring the Shirley Temples over. She says, then he’ll tell her what they’re celebrating? and he says le blah-blah-blah in French. Charlotte goes back to their table, and Valentin says he doesn’t want to bring Anna further down, but Britt told him that Maxie said Peter is showing up at the apartment all hours of the day and night, knocking on the doors and the windows. Maxie sends him away, but he comes back the next day, and does it all over again. It sounds obsessive. She says, it sounds like Faison. She tried talking to Peter, and appealing to his good side, but he doesn’t want to hear it. Valentin says he hired more security for Charlotte, and Anna says that’s one positive thing that came out of her and Finn breaking up. Violet is no longer vulnerable to Peter. He says he doesn’t hear the exact words, but he senses she’s blaming herself. She says she has good reason, and he says he’s been around the world, and found no cure for regret, but can offer her one thing. She says, okay, and he says he can spring for a Shirley Temple with double cherries. Does she want to join them? She laughs, and says, no, but thanks him for the offer. She’s waiting for someone, and thinks he and Charlotte should be alone when he breaks the news about her baby brother or sister. He says he misses Nina every day, but as long as there’s breath in his body, he can be a shoulder for her to cry on. She says they’re quite a pair. He nods, smiling.

Sonny pours Nina some wine, and says she can tell him it’s none of his business, but what did this widow do to get her so bent out of shape? Nina says she had a daughter. Her daughter was taken from her after she was born, and years later, came back into her life. But Nina didn’t learn she was her daughter until after she died. He says he’s sorry, and she says the woman she was talking to was there when her daughter died. She could have saved her, but she hesitated. Then the widow and Nina’s ex lied, and tried to cover up the truth. Sonny says, that’s damn awful, and Nina says, her daughter wasn’t perfect. She had problems, and hurt a lot of people. Sonny asks if Nina knows who raised her, and she says, sort of. Her adoptive mother died before her daughter knew her, and her adoptive father was terrible. If Nina had raised her daughter, she would have been a different person. She would have known what love was, and been able to give love. Sonny says, maybe, but you can’t get caught up in the what ifs. You just got to live in the moment.

Carly frowns, and Michael asks if it’s bad news. She says, Nina called, and he says, about Wiley? She says Ava told her that Nina is considering legal action for visitation rights. Michael asks if Nina has a shot, and she says, Martin said she might. Grandparents have rights in New York state. She’s sure Nina was calling to put her on notice. He says he imagines she took that well, and she says she may have been harsh, but told Nina the truth. If Nina comes after them, Diane will destroy her. He sits, and says he’s sure Nina loved hearing that. Carly says he has to understand, with Sonny gone, she has to fight harder for their family.   

Brook says she’s not there for Lamaze class, and even if she was, Valentin would be her last pick as a partner. She’ll read the book. Maxie asks why is Brook there, and Lucas comes out. Brook hugs him, and says she’s there to see Lucas. She was wondering if he wanted to grab a coffee – herbal tea for her – and catch up on the latest. He says he sees the latest. They definitely have to catch up. Maxie says, wait. Is she brilliant, or is she brilliant. Lucas can be Brook’s birthing coach. Brook says Maxie isn’t brilliant; she’s insensitive. Does she really think Lucas wants to help birth another baby after what happened with Wiley? Lucas says he’d like to think he’s capable of separating the two. He’d be honored to be her Lamaze partner. Maxie says, then it’s settled, and Brook says, but coffee… He says, coffee can wait. He was planning on sitting in on the class anyway. Now he’ll be a part of it. Maxie says, excellent, and drags Brook down the hall. Lucas and Britt follow them.  

Felix sees Lucas come in, and says Lucas couldn’t resist joining them. Lucas says he’s helping Brook as a friend, and Felix says, the more, the merrier. He thanks everyone for coming, and says they made a great choice to practice Lamaze for the birth of their babies. Peter runs in, and says sorry he’s late. The traffic was murder. Is that a joking choice of word?

Peter says Maxie forgot to remind him about the class, but fortunately, he had it on his calendar app. The class hasn’t started yet, right? Felix says it hasn’t, and Peter says, good. He wouldn’t want to miss anything. He goes over to Maxie, and says, remember when she gave birth to James? Of course (🍷) she remembers. That birth was a bit too memorable, but this time will be much better, he promises. Their little girl is going to have a perfect birthing experience. He thanks Britt for filling in, and says he’ll take it from there, but Britt says, no, he won’t.

Charlotte asks if Valentin is buying her another snake, but he says, this is better than a snake. She says, a playmate for Butterscotch? and he says, a playmate for her. Leo isn’t going to be her only sibling. She’s going to have a baby brother or sister. Charlotte says, what?!

Anna joins Jordan at a table, and Jordan says, before dinner, she wants to set the terms. Anna says, it sounds it sounds ominous, and Jordan says, no discussion of work. Anna says, and no discussion of men, but Jordan says, all she wants to talk about is men. She tells Anna to go first. What’s going on with her and Finn? Anna says, Finn and Violet moved out, and Jordan says she’s sorry. Anna says her old cases at the Bureau caught up with her. She can’t discuss them with Finn; they’re too dangerous. What about Jordan and Curtis? Jordan says Curtis won’t forgive her for lying to him about Taggert being alive. Anna says she’s obviously still in love with him, and Jordan says, in high school, she was in love with the captain of the football team. He was handsome and tall, and had a great smile. Anna asks if he was going out with the lead cheerleader, and Jordan says, oh yeah, and she was absolutely not one. But she would walk by his locker at least once a day, which was on the opposite side of the school, just to get a glimpse of him. Kind of sad. Anna says, so sad, and Jordan says, she asked her mom, when do you get old enough to get over guys? Her mom said, never. Anna says her mother was wise.

Portia tells Curtis, when she and Taggert first got married, she imagined they’d come home and tell each other about their days. She was really looking forward to that when they got engaged. Curtis says, that’s what couples do. They tell stories and share about their lives. She says, with Taggert, it wasn’t a two-way street. She didn’t even know who his DEA partners were, or what he was working on. He’d leave when he was on an undercover assignment, and be gone for days, sometimes weeks. When he came home, he’d be so distracted and distant, she could never get his full attention. Which is why she started to look for attention from someone else.

Taggert tells Trina, not that he’s complaining, but what changed her mind? She asks if he remembers Cameron. Unfortunately, his dad was murdered. Taggert says he’s sorry; Jordan didn’t tell him. She says he has enough to worry about. Seeing what Cameron is going through, made her realize that she should be glad he’s alive. She has no time to waste being mad. He thanks her, and says she wishes she’d seen him sooner, but Jordan wouldn’t let her. He says, Jordan isn’t responsible for that – he is. He didn’t want to see her.

Michael asks how angry Nina was when Carly laid into her, and Carly tells him, she said something strange. Nina said she’d made her bed, and now she has to lie in it – alone. Michael wonders what that means, but Carly doesn’t know. She says, she could hear glasses clinking in the background, like Nina was in a bar or restaurant. Maybe she was drunk. He says it sounds like Nina got to her, and she says, it wasn’t the words; it was how Nina said it, like a threat. It’s something Nelle would have said. I’m starting to think Carly needs to go to Ferncliff for real, since she’s just making things up now, and finding connections that aren’t there.

Sonny asks where the bitter widow comes in, and Nina says her daughter left behind an adorable little boy; he’s the love of her life. Sonny says, Wiley. He heard her on the phone. She says the woman she was talking to is his other grandmother. She’s trying to keep Nina away from Wiley. Sonny asks why someone would keep people who love each other apart?    

Felix escorts Peter out, and Peter says he has every right to be in that class. He’s the baby’s father. Felix asks if he should call security, but Britt says let her talk to Peter first. Felix goes back in, and Britt asks what the hell Peter is playing at. Maxie said she needed space, and he needs to back off. He asks if backing off includes not being part of his daughter’s birth, and she says that could be a real possibility if he doesn’t stop harassing Maxie. He says he’s trying to be a father to his unborn child, and she tells him, wake up. Stalking Maxie isn’t scoring him any points with her. If he wants to be back in Maxie’s life and in the baby’s life, listen carefully. Maxie is fragile, and she’s asking him for space. He needs to respect her feelings. Got it?

Maxie says, that was so embarrassing, and Brook says, Peter should be embarrassed for barging in like that. Lucas says he’ll get Maxie some water, and Brook goes with him. She says she didn’t see that coming, and Lucas says, Peter is a determined father-to-be, he’ll give him that. What about her baby’s father? Is he going to be part of the baby’s birth?

Charlotte says, a baby is really coming? and Valentin, isn’t that cause for celebration? Doesn’t she want to have a little brother or sister? She says, no. It’s impossible. He says she can teach them to love everything she loves. Horseback riding, ice skating; she’ll have somebody to share her cranberry scones with. She says those are her favorite things, and she’s not sharing them with anyone.   

Anna and Jordan place their orders, and Jordan asks what’s next for Anna. Anna says, the past is over. She has to keep moving forward, and find a way to help Maxie send off Peter. Jordan says she has all her available detectives looking for evidence that Peter tried to have Andre and Franco killed, and Anna says they’re talking about work. Jordan says, they can’t help themselves sometimes, but Maxie and the baby are too important not to discuss. Anna says, indeed. Robert is keeping her updated on the plane crash that killed Drew, and so far, there’s no concrete evidence linking Peter to the crash. Jordan says, or the assassination attempts. She can’t believe those are Peter’s only crimes. He has a pattern of covering up his wrongs, and the cover-up is usually worse than the crime. Anna asks Jordan to do her a favor. Look into Franco’s murder again. Jordan says, the case is practically airtight against Jason, and Anna says, yeah, but Peter is quite effective at framing someone.

Portia says she can’t apologize enough for not telling Curtis that she was married when they started seeing each other. He says, that was years ago, and they’ve talked about it. She says, they did, but things changed; they’re friends now, and in different placed in in their lives. She doesn’t want him to think she’d lie to him again. He says he appreciates that. She says she does have a confession to make. When they first met, it was just a physical attraction, but once she got to know him, he became more important to her happiness. She started to have real feelings for him. She couldn’t tell him the truth because she was afraid she’d lose him. Of course (🍷) when she did tell him the truth, that’s exactly what happened.

Trina guesses Taggert didn’t want to see her because he knew how mad she was at him, but he says, no. He understood why she was angry, but he knew if he saw her, he couldn’t keep his resolve to plead guilty. If he takes this to court, even if he gets freed, it will put her back in Cyrus’s sights. She says, he’s sacrificing his freedom for her? What sense does that make? Cyrus belongs in prison, not him. Where does this end? He says Jordan thinks there’s a way out. Trina says, what? and he says, to plead not guilty. She says, then do it, but he says he is guilty. She says he made up evidence against Cyrus for all the right reasons. She’ll stand up in front of the judge and jury, and tell them her father is a hero.

Michael tells Carly, Nina has struggled with mental health problems in the past, but he wouldn’t put her in the same category as Nelle. Carly says she wouldn’t have either, until today. It sounded like Nina was threatening her, which is all the more reason she shouldn’t be around Wiley. He says he told Willow about that, and Willow was surprised and hurt that he made the decision without talking to her. Carly says, there was no time to consult Willow. He made the right decision. Please don’t take it back.   

Nina tells Sonny, that’s a good question. She doesn’t know why someone would deliberately keep two people who love each other apart. She’s still trying to figure it out. He says maybe if the widow felt the way Nina does, she’d understand. Nina says, how so? and he says, if someone kept her from the person she loved, she might understand Nina’s pain.

Taggert says Trina knows how much he loves her, and she says, then fight the charges. Fight for his freedom. Do it for her, so she can hug him again.  

Curtis says he appreciates Portia coming clean. He feels guilty. He should been more understanding when Portia told him she was married. Instead, he walked away. She says she doesn’t want him to feel guilty. She just wanted to make sure he knew he could trust her now. He says he does, and she says she’s going; she has an early call. He tells her to wish Taggert good luck at his sentencing hearing, and she says she will.

Anna tells Jordan that Jason warned her about Peter, but she refused to listen. She’s not making that mistake again. Peter has far more reason to kill Franco than Jason did. Jordan tells her to come into the office, and they’ll talk about it. Anna says they’re going to order another drink, and Jordan says, and talk about their favorite topic. Anna says, themselves, and they laugh.

Valentin says Charlotte lets Rocco pet Butterscotch and play with her snake, and Charlotte says, one brother is enough. Besides he’s her mom’s son, not Valentin’s. He asks if she’s thinking that he’ll love the baby more than her, and she says, everyone loves babies. Nina would have loved her just ask much, but Nina doesn’t live with them anymore. He says he’ll never love anyone the way he loves her, and she asks if he promises. He says, cross his heart and hope to die.

Brook tells Lucas not to worry about her baby’s daddy. Even if they had a relationship, she wouldn’t want him anywhere near the birthing room. Lucas is the perfect person to help her. He says he’s honored, and she says, don’t be. Not until he hears what she has planned.

Britt and Felix come back to the class, and Maxie asks if Britt got rid of Peter. Britt says she did, but he can’t keep thinking he has a chance with Maxie. A, it’s not true; and B, he won’t give up. Maxie says she knows, and Britt says they have to figure out how to get Peter to back off permanently, without tipping him into outright obsession. Maxie says, don’t worry. She has a plan, and once her plan is set in motion, Peter won’t know what hit him.

Michael tells Carly, he hasn’t made a decision about Nina’s role in Wiley’s life. He has to discuss with Willow. Carly says, if he and Willow had heard the conversation just now, they’d be convinced. They’d know Nina isn’t a in a good place. She shouldn’t be near Wiley. Michael says, and if Nina decides to sue him and Willow for visitation rights? She says, they stop her. Whatever it takes.

Nina thanks Sonny, and says, sometimes she feels like she’s fighting windmills by herself. She appreciates his support. He says, maybe they were meant to meet. Like they say in the movies, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. She says, it already is.

Tomorrow, Anna tells Dante to get on with the rest of his life, Brando says his mother is the eyewitness, and Cyrus asks if he and Carly understand each other.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Explaining last week’s drunken state, as well as throwing up in Bill’s Ferrari and the entryway, Jennifer said she’d needed to blow off steam. She didn’t want to think about the problems she had to go home to. She claimed she’d never gotten that drunk like that before, and I said, wait… What about Tequila Jen? She said, once you start seeing the room move, it’s your cue to stop. I’d say so.

Delores’s daughter Gabrielle was home from Tufts. Frankly, I’d forgotten Delores had a daughter. Delores said Gabby had been in vet school in the Caribbean, but had started attending Tufts due to the pandemic, bringing along six dogs. At least that’s how many I counted. She was home because Delores was receiving the Ambassador of Hope Award for the work she’d done with breast cancer. Frank Jr. said one of his earliest memories was of Gabby saying she wanted be a veterinarian, but she was so young, she couldn’t even pronounce it.

Teresa’s girls called Joe #1 in Italy, and he said he was coming out with the Rolls Royce of massagers. In her interview, Teresa explained that Joe was in the sex toy business, and had asked her to be a part of it. In what capacity, she didn’t say, and I don’t want to know. She said there was nothing wrong with sex toys, and they were paying the bills. I hear that. She said she’d gotten the house in the divorce, and Joe got nothing, since she’d paid off his debts. She told Joe that Melissa had planned a trip to the Jersey shore, where they’d be having celebration of her dad. In Teresa’s interview, she said she felt like an orphan, but she was happy about her parents being together again. This was one of the few times I had sympathy for her, but I knew she’d do something to negate that before the end of the episode. I was right.

Delores had David’s house covered in flowers – they were even hanging from the ceiling. She said, normally, the award was celebrated with a huge event, but because of the pandemic, it was being given to her in front of her family. Tonight, she was having friends over to celebrate. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she didn’t understand David and Delores’s relationship. Delores said she wasn’t moving in without a ring, but they were both there all the time. Now, there was a party for Delores, and he wasn’t staying. (He had to work.) When Jackie arrived, Delores told her that Teresa wasn’t coming, and Jackie said she didn’t want any negative energy. We flashed back to Jackie making arrangements to stay at Melissa’s house. The rest of the women arrived, sans Teresa, who was at the soccer tournament. Melissa filled Jackie in on Jennifer getting hammered at Teresa’s pool party. In Marge’s interview, she said seeing Jennifer drunk gave her flashbacks of her mother. She didn’t want Jennifer’s five kids to deal with that. Melissa asked why Delores didn’t live in David’s house, and Delores said she’d built a life in her own house and liked her freedom. In Melissa’s interview, she thought it was a coping mechanism on Delores’s part, but Delores said if she wanted to move in, she would. in Marge’s interview, she said Delores didn’t need to be taken care of by a man; that wasn’t what this was about. Delores said David was getting no benefit out of them being there, since he’d have to do the clean up later. She showed the women her award, and Melissa said helping people was where Delores shined. Melissa asked how many days a week Delores and David had sex, which was pretty intrusive, and in Delores’s interview, she said she was old school, and it was none of Melissa’s business. Melissa told everyone that Teresa wasn’t coming tonight, but they were going to do a party of life for her father-in-law at the shore. Jackie said she wasn’t giving any energy or life any more to her and Teresa’s argument.

Headed to the shore, and in the car with Delores, Frank, and Jennifer, Teresa said her divorce was being finalized after five years. In her interview, she said she and Juicy Joe had been together so long, it was crazy to think you could sign a paper and poof! your marriage is over. Teresa said no one could take Joe #1’s place, but she’d like to find someone. Delores was encouraging, and in Jennifer’s interview, she wondered how Delores could clearly see what Teresa deserved, but not what she deserved herself. Jackie said Evan was coming for day two. She wanted to make sure it wasn’t a sh*t show first. In the car, Jennifer said Bill claimed Joe #3 heard the rumor about Evan. Teresa felt it kind of validated what she’d said. In Frank’s interview, he said what happened at guy’s night, stayed at guy’s night. Teresa having information was like waiting for a bomb to go off. Teresa said she wasn’t doing round two of Lake George. I said, yeah, right

It always seems weird to me that when they talk about the Jersey shore on this show, they mean Tom’s River. I live at the shore, maybe twenty minutes from there, and don’t really consider it a shore town. Teresa said she hadn’t been to Delores’s house there since she was in her twenties, and we saw some cool old photos. Jackie was staying at Melissa’s house with Marge. Teresa got a call from realtor Chad that some people wanted to see her house, and she said she was going to have a heart attack. She showed the women texts from her daughters, saying it was time for a fresh start, but she’d always have them. In Delores’s interview, she said Teresa had been through a lot. She’d gone to jail, lost both her parents, and her husband had been deported. How much could a person take? She said Teresa had handled it with strength and grace, and not too many people could get through all that the way she did. She left out all the fits Teresa has pitched. With strength and grace of course.  

Melissa said you never knew what you were going to get with Teresa, and Jackie said she didn’t think Teresa was going to hold back. Delores thought it was going to be a bloodbath. Jennifer made sure her dad and kids had gotten to the airport on time for their flight to Turkey. She said her mother wouldn’t go because her dad was going. Jennifer said it bothered her that her mother was willing to sabotage her own happiness just because she was mad at her dad. When Teresa arrived, she gave out gift bags with humongous purple vibrators in them. Marge pointed out that they were kind of big, and not being able to resist, Teresa said she didn’t know if it would fit up Jackie’s ass, but Jackie could try. But she did say it with strength and grace. Jackie said she wasn’t doing this with Teresa, and Teresa said Jackie told her to stick her olive branch up her ass. Jackie said that was because she knew it wasn’t really an olive branch. She was included in a group text, and it was nothing personal. Jackie wondered why they couldn’t just agree not to be friends, and Delores said, how about them Mets? now that everything that had to be said was out of the way, that’s it. Teresa said it was out of her system, but Jackie didn’t believe Teresa was done. Me neither.  

Marge asked if Teresa was emotional over selling her house, and Teresa said a little. Her divorce was also being finalized today. She said Delores and Joe #2 should take back what they said; Joe #1 was a class act. We flashed back to the reunion where Joe #2 and Delores expressed concern about Joe #1 would try to take Teresa’s money in the divorce. In Joe #2’s interview, he said Juicy Joe was not always good to his sister, and he was there to protect her. Joe #1 had put an article out about him – we saw a quick headline about Juicy Joe shading Joe #2’s marriage – and Teresa said nothing. Teresa made everyone promise not to talk smack about Joe #1. Marge said Teresa was aggressive and had just made the guys uncomfortable. She was always yelling about something, and causing turmoil in the group. Teresa said Jennifer brought up what Joe #3 had said at boy’s night, that he’d heard the rumor about Evan. Now everyone was even more uncomfortable. Jennifer confirmed Bill claimed Joe #3 said he’d heard it in town, and Marge asked if Jennifer was there. Jennifer said, no, Bill told her, and Marge told her to shut up. There was some back and forth shut up’ing, and in Frank’s interview, he said he wasn’t going to throe his boy under the bus, or make the night go further south. Marge asked Joe #3 if he’d heard it, but he insisted he’d never said that. In Marge’s interview, she said Joe #3 heard the rumor from the blabbermouth across the table from him – i.e. Teresa. Jackie said she wasn’t giving this POS life, and Marge asked why Teresa was treating her this way. The best part was how, from the moment Teresa walked in, Melissa and Marge kept fussing over Jackie, and Jackie kept saying she didn’t give flying, and barely reacted. Jackie said Teresa treated everyone like sh*t, and Marge said Teresa did have her hair pulled. Melissa said Teresa had called her a stripper, and we flashed back to that, but no mention of the trashed sprinkle cookies was made. Now that I think of it, Sprinkle Cookies would be a great stripper name. Joe #2 told them to stop it, and Jackie suggested they drop it and be cordial. Teresa said Jackie wasn’t confident, and she liked to be around confident people, although I’ll be damned if I know how she was connecting that to anything. Jackie asked if Teresa had gotten her confidence in jail, and Teresa said she went to jail; big deal. She called Jackie a nasty bitch, got up, saying she didn’t want to be in the same room with Jackie, and everyone could go f*** themselves.

To be continued…

🌃 All Through the Night…

Desperate. For. Sleep. Meet you tomorrow for tea and what I keep hoping is the finale of Make It Stop Summer House. Until then, stay safe, stay making sound decisions, and stay not bothering to explain anything to Carly. She won’t listen anyway.

March 23, 2021 – Sonny Thinks He Knows Nina, LVP Pours the Drinks & My Kind Of Town

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Phyllis tells Nina not to be a stranger. Nina says she won’t, thanks Phyllis, and leaves. Sonny comes down, and asks who that was, and Phyllis says, an old patient of hers stopped by to say hello. Sonny says, she forgot something, and picks Nina’s passport up off the table. Phyllis says, she’ll need that; she’s planning to travel. Sonny says he’ll catch her, and Phyllis thanks him. Nina comes back in, and comes face to face with Sonny.

At the hospital, Finn is on the phone with Violet, and tells her, daddy is going to be a little but late tonight. He has one other stop to make… No, it’s not to see Anna. Could she do him the biggest favor, and feed Roxie for him?… That’s right, three little squares of lettuce. He says, what?… Here in the hospital? She knows he’s a respected doctor… never mind. All right, just one. He makes a loud kissing noise, and blows it into the phone. He asks if she got it. Now it’s his turn. He catches the kiss, as a nurse goes by. He says it’s from his daughter.

Elizabeth lets Laura in, and Laura says she knows it’s late, and it’s been a long emotional day, but she has some news. She didn’t want Elizabeth to hear it from anyone but her. Elizabeth says she appreciates it, but she already knows. Carly told her that an eyewitness came forward, and Jason was arrested for killing Franco. Cameron listens from the hallway, and Laura says, then Elizabeth also knows that Carly is going to fight tooth and nail to get Jason exonerated. Elizabeth says, Carly will do whatever she can to make sure Jason walks, and Cameron says, she can’t. If the law won’t make Jason pay for killing Franco, he’ll find someone who will.

Curtis hears someone coming into the club, and says if they’re from the inspector’s office, they’re early. He has an email confirming an appointment for next week. Portia says, he’s at the inspection stage, huh? Things seem to be moving along. He says, that’s the plan, and she says it didn’t take him long to switch from P.I. to nightclub entrepreneur. He says he has her to thank for that. If she hadn’t convinced him that night they were there on the case, he wouldn’t have bought the place. She says so she’s not in any trouble; no buyer’s remorse? He says he’s never looking back. She says, so it was good advice. Maybe he can pay it forward for her. Trina comes down the stairs.

Brook asks if anyone wants anything, and goes to the bar. Ned says he knows what she’s doing, and she says, getting a seltzer? He says she’s going to use her child to get Valentin to give back ELQ. She says he’s talking about her very own baby. Does he really think she’s capable of using it for such a devious reason? He says, absolutely, at the same time Michael says, without a doubt.

Valentin  thanks Martin for meeting him on such short notice, and Martin says Valentin insisted it was important. What’s the latest emergency? Valentin says he’s going to be a father again, and Martin says, Nina finally came around. He’s happy for Valentin. Valentin says, not Nina, and Martin says, oh. Valentin being a man of the world, must want Martin to arrange a quiet settlement. He’ll be as discreet as possible. Valentin says it would save them time if Martin would speculate a little less. The last thing he wants is a way out. Martin asks, what does he want? And Valentin says, the same thing he always wants. Everything.

Carly tells Jax, trust her. If Nina left town because of him, it’s a clear sign she still has feelings for him. He says Carly keeps saying that, but he doubts it. Carly says, there’s one way to prove it. Find her. Ava comes by as Jax says, he wouldn’t know where to start looking for Nina. Ava says perhaps she does.

Sonny says, hold on. He knows Nina.

Elizabeth says, now Cameron is upset, and so is she, but they really need to let the law handle Jason. He says, the law? The same law that sent Franco away for crimes he didn’t commit? That’s the law he’s supposed to trust? Laura says his mother is right. The law isn’t perfect, but they do need to trust the system. He says, there’s one kind of law for Jason Morgan, and another kind for everybody else. They can’t let Franco’s killer get away with it, can that? Elizabeth says Cameron isn’t wrong. She hasn’t changed her mind. She knows Jason pulled that trigger. Cameron says he knows what comes next. Laura is going to say it’s just his mom’s grief talking, and he’s just a kid so his opinion doesn’t matter, and life is tough, but he just has to get over it. Isn’t that what she’s supposed to say? Laura tells him, she’s never been much for saying what she’s supposed to say, and he asks what that means. She tells him to grab his jacket, and come with her. Elizabeth asks where they’re going, and Laura says, Cameron needs to find someone who can help him find justice, and she knows just where to start. Cameron asks where they’re going, she says he’ll see, and they leave.

Trina says, this was a mistake; let’s just go home. Portia says her father’s sentencing is coming up soon. It’s going to dredge up his whole history with Cyrus Renault. It’s also going to remind them of the night her father was gunned down, and the months after, when they thought he was dead. They’ll have to face the aftermath of all those lies, no matter how necessary they were at the time. Curtis says, the main thing is, her father is alive, and Trina says she’s sure Curtis hasn’t forgotten about the time when she hated him. When she blamed him for dragging her to safety, and leaving her father to die. But that was before any of them knew what was happening. Curtis says, and before Trina realized that he was as much in the dark as she was. It’s okay. It’s called hard feelings, and he doesn’t expect them to disappear overnight, or maybe ever. Trina says she wanted to blame him for her dad’s death and the cover-up. He was an easy target, and it hurt less if she could blame everything on him. Everything’s changed now, since she learned her dad and Jordan lied. She’s sorry for the pain and anger, and the ugly things she said to him. She was wrong, and she apologizes. Curtis tells her, that took courage. He knows a lot of adults who can’t admit it when they’re wrong. What does she say to them starting over?

Brook says, both Michael and her father are convinced she’s going to use the baby as leverage. Why bother denying it? She sits, and says, it’s true what they say about the third trimester taking its toll on your back. Ned says, to be clear, she’s admitting she’s using this child as a ploy, and Brook says, this pregnancy was obviously unplanned. After she had time to wrap her mind around it, she discovered maternal instincts she didn’t know she had. She loves this baby, but she also loves this family. If her unexpected bundle of joy can be used to hit Valentin where he’s most vulnerable, then damn right she’s going to use it.  

Martin tells Valentin, as his attorney, he advises making sure the mother and child are provided for, and Valentin can walk away with a clear conscience. Valentin says Martin’s not listening. If he’s going to be a dad again, he’s going to be a father in every way possible. No matter what anyone says about him, he’s been a good father to Charlotte. It’s Martin’s job to make sure no one – not even the child’s mother – keeps him out of this child’s life.

Carly tells Ava, this is a private conversation that doesn’t concern her. Ava says, always so high mighty. Pardon her for the intrusion, but she thought Carly would want to know that while Nina didn’t confide in Jax, Nina confided in her. Jax asks how much Nina told Ava, and Ava says, enough to know Nina is finished with him. Enough to know Carly is still furious at Nina for what she said at Sonny’s gravesite. Carly says, can Ava blame her? and Ava asks if Carly isn’t blaming Nina for simply wanting to be involved in her grandson’s life? Carly says, if Nina sees Wiley, that’s up to Michael and Willow, and I wonder if they know how often she throws them under the bus. Ava says, Carly is always pulling the strings, and Carly laughs. Ava says, think about it. In the wake of Sonny’s death, Ava has let Carly spend significant time with Avery. She doesn’t have to do that. She’s under no legal obligation to let Carly see Avery, but she does it because she thinks it’s best for her daughter. The same way she thinks it would be best for Wiley to spend time with his other grandmother. So can Carly get down from her high horse just once, and do for Nina what Ava did for her?

Nina says, of course (🍷) Sonny knows her. She’s… He says he just had a dream about her – not that kind of dream – and it’s not the first time. He could never see her face, but the blond hair was unmistakable. It always left him with the feeling like he knows her, or remembers her, but he doesn’t know how. When she walked through the door, he realized it wasn’t a dream. They’ve met before, haven’t they?

Elizabeth answers the door to Finn, who says she was clearly expecting someone else. She says, come in, and tells him, Cameron is with his grandmother, and they’ve been out an awfully long time. Finn asks if that’s a bad thing, and she says, Jason was arrested for killing Franco. Cameron is afraid he’ll get away with it, and he’s upset, so Laura took him out. She doesn’t know where they went, and she’s worried. Finn says he doesn’t want to bother her, but he knows a little about what she’s going through. He’s been there. She’ll always be Violet’s aunt, and that means they’ll always be family. She thanks him, and he asks how she is. She says, hanging in there. How is he? She heard the wedding didn’t happen. He says, nice try. They were talking about her.

Curtis says the club isn’t reopening for another couple of weeks; clearly, he has a lot of work to do. If Trina needs to talk, she knows where to find him. Trina says she’s a talker. He might regret his offer. He says, try him, and she says, okay; she’ll think about it. She tells Portia that she has a quiz to study for, and Portia says she can’t wait until Curtis is open for business. Curtis says, he can’t either, but when it is, he’ll save her a seat. Laura comes in with Cameron, and Trina asks what Cameron is doing there. He says, he was about to ask her the same thing. Laura says she hopes she’s not interrupting, but she has business she wants to discuss with Curtis. Portia and Trina leave the room, and Curtis asks, what’s up? She says her grandson would like some help, and she thought of him. Curtis asks how he can help, and Cameron says he needs Curtis to help him make sure Jason pays for killing Franco.

Ned says he realizes he hasn’t been a good role model. He let his loyalty to the family turn him into a ruthless, cutthroat businessman. In other words, he turned into his grandfather, which he swore he’d never do. Brook tells him that he doesn’t have to worry. She has no intentions of channeling the worst of their family. Ned says, don’t be so sure. It’s not like you just go off the deep end; it’s more like a slippery slope. You make one small decision at a time. He has no doubt she loves this child, but she thinks she can have the best of both worlds. But using her child as a pawn in business is a recipe for heartbreak. Michael says that’s why he turned down Valentin’s offer, and Ned says he’s also done some growing while she was gone. Believe him when he says she doesn’t have to prove herself to him. She owes him nothing, and if he gave that impression, it was wrong, and apologizes. The baby is going to be his first grandchild, and she won’t turn it into a bargaining chip.

Valentin tells Martin, as long as the mother is pregnant, he’ll respect any decision she makes, but once the baby is born, it’s his child also. Martin asks what Valentin needs from him, and Valentin says, the mother is stubborn and uncooperative, and he wants Martin to turn things around.  

Carly says, so Ava thinks she should treat Nina the way Ava treats her? Is she sure about that? Jax says he understands what Ava is saying. Nina’s search for her daughter was a way to make her feel grounded, like there was still a chance of having a family, like he and Carly have with Josslyn, or Carly has with Donna and Michael. Ava says, and Avery, out of the goodness of her heart. Carly says she had sympathy for Nina, but her sympathy stopped when Nina left Wiley confused, and she hurt Willow. Ava says, and it’s Carly’s job to dole out the punishment. Is that why she drove Nina out of town? Carly says, oh, come on, and Jax says, Ava started the conversation by saying she knows where he might find Nina, so he’s open to suggestions.

Nina says, Sonny really doesn’t remember her, or how they know each other? He says her voice is familiar. She called there once for Phyllis. She wanted Phyllis to go to… Nina says, Port Charles, New York? and Sonny says he’s bad with names, but great with voices, and hers is memorable. She says, he’s pretty memorable himself, but she doesn’t understand what he’s doing there. Phyllis comes back and says she’s glad Mike caught Nina before she ran off without her passport. Nina asks if Phyllis just called Sonny Mike, and Sonny says, that’s his name.   

Trina hangs back, and Portia says she thought Trina was in a hurry to study for her quiz. Trina says, it can wait. Cameron is upset, and she wants to make sure he’s okay. Portia asks if she’s told Trina that she’s proud of her lately.

Curtis says Cameron wants to hire a hit man, and Laura thought of him? She says, of course not (🍷). Curtis is a man of many talents. She thought he could come up with a creative, out-of-the-box recommendation. Cameron says, there has to be something they can do to make sure Jason doesn’t get away with killing Franco. He knows Curtis has connections in the P.I. world. Curtis says, he’s not in that world anymore. He gave up his license when he bought the nightclub. Cameron says, if Laura knew that, what are they doing there? Is this some kind of diversion? He starts to leave, and Curtis says, wait. He might know of some kind of way to help Cameron.

Finn tells Elizabeth, he had no intention of talking about his problems. Quite the opposite. She’s always been good to him, and he’d like to try and be there for her. Elizabeth says, maybe they can start by accepting they’re both going through a really difficult time, and they might be able to help each other. Finn wants to know who says he needs any help, and she says, a wild guess. He says, sadly, completely accurate. He and Anna are over. She says she’s so sorry. They seemed so in love. He says, the love part wasn’t the problem. It was me, her, us; he doesn’t want to bore her with the gory details. She says he know how word spreads at the hospital. She’s going to find out one way or another, and she’d rather hear it from him than as gossip. He says, allow his misery to distract her from hers for a second. He asks if she’s seen The Invader lately, but she says she’s been avoiding the news. He says, lucky her, because his private life just become very public.

Brook admits, at first she was shocked to learn she was pregnant. Then she realized it was the perfect way to get back at Valentin for using her to get control of ELQ. Ned says that doesn’t sound like she’s putting her child’s needs first, but she says, let her finish. Somewhere along the way, something changed. The baby became the most important thing; beautiful, sweet, and good. It could help fix the damage she did, and bring them closer, and restore the family business. If that doesn’t sound like a win-win, she doesn’t know what does. Ned says, it has a certain logic to it, and Michael says, it does? Ned tells her, he’s said similar things himself. Love equals family, equals profit; it’s the Quartermaine philosophy. And look where it’s gotten him. He’s estranged from his wife, he’s a part-time dad to Leo when Leo needs him most, and worst of all, watching his beautiful daughter follow in his footsteps. He won’s let her make the same mistakes he made.

Valentin says he’s seen Martin in action. He’s a real charmer when he wants to be. He wants Martin to charm the mother; make her believe it’s in her best interest and the interest of her child, if he stays involved in the child’s life. Martin says, what if she’s immune to his charms? and Valentin says, then he takes off the velvet gloves, and shows her the bare knuckle brawler he’ll be when they take her to court. Martin says he has a better idea. Forget the lawyers, and yes, this is him, willing to give up the money. Valentin should go to the mother with his heart on his sleeve. Don’t threaten her; be a good guy. Maybe she’ll remember why she fell into bed with him in the first place, and they can work it out amicably. That’s his advice, and for once, it’s free. His phone rings, and he says he has to take it. After all, he does have other clients.

Ava tells Jax that Nina didn’t share her exact destination, but if she was guessing, she’d guess Nina went someplace where she feels understood and safe. Jax says he doesn’t know where that would be, or with whom. Everyone Nina knows is here in Port Charles. He does know what Nina does for a living, right? Carly says, Nina left to put distance between herself and her problems. She has an unlimited budget, so Carly is guessing she went somewhere where there are no bad memories. Where she’s not reminded of all the mistakes she’s made.

Sonny says Nina knows his name, but he doesn’t know hers. He looks in her passport, and says, Nina Reeves. Her picture is good, but doesn’t do her justice. It’s nice to meet her. They shake hands, and he goes om the back. Phyllis asks if Nina is okay. Is she having second thoughts about her trip? Nina asks if Mike told Phyllis that was his name, and Phyllis says, not exactly. They met at the clinic where she works. She doesn’t think it’s violating patient privilege to tell Nina that he was in bad shape when he was brought in. He was in some kind of accident, and almost drowned. His memory has been compromised, and he doesn’t know who he is or where he came from. Nina asks how he knows his name is Mike, and Phyllis says, he had no wallet or ID. All he had were two rings – a pinkie ring and a band that might be a wedding ring – and a watch that was engraved. Nina says, Mike. Phyllis says, it suits him, doesn’t she think? and Nina says, yeah, in a way it does.  

Curtis says he understands what Cameron is going through. Franco was more than a stepfather to him and his brothers. He knows it hurts real bad to have him taken away, and Cameron says, and not just by anyone – Jake’s dad who always gets away with these things. Laura says Cameron knows the law. A man is innocent until proven guilty. Curtis says, take it from him, the law moves slowly. It’s Cameron’s senior year. He doesn’t want to spend it angry. Why doesn’t he transmute that energy into something positive? Cameron asks, how? He didn’t get to say goodbye at Franco’s memorial. Jake painted a painting, and Aiden found the right words, but he froze. He didn’t say anything. He failed, so don’t tell him it can be positive. Curtis says, it doesn’t have to work that way, but Cameron starts to leave. Trina says, wait. Don’t go.  

Brook says, Ned and Michael can keep talking, but her mind is made up. There’s nothing more to discuss. Ned says he doesn’t know what else to say. Does Michael? Michael says, Brook was lurking on the terrace while he was talking with Valentin. Brook says she still doesn’t know why Michael didn’t jump on Valentin’s deal, and Michael says he was tempted, but Wiley has already lived a turbulent life, so he had to put his son first, even if it cost him the shares. Brook says, great. He has a conscience. Forget the business angle. With all his faults, Valentin is a good and loving father to Charlotte. Whether they like it or not, he’s her baby’s father. Can’t they put this aside and make this work for the baby, their family… everyone? Valentin walks in, and tells her that he couldn’t have said it better. 

Jax says he has contacts at the state department who might be able to figure out if Nina left the country. He leaves, and Ava says Carly ought to thank her. Nina was thinking about going to court to fight to share time with Wiley, and Ava tried to talk her out of it. Carly asks how hard Ava tried, and Ava says Carly is always spiteful; she can’t help herself. Nina was willing to meet Carly halfway, and Carly refused. It’s only a matter of time before Nina realizes that in the state of New York, biological grandparents do indeed have rights. Carly asks if she blinked, and Ava graduated from law school. She’s not a legal expert. Martin walks in, and Ava says, that’s true. Why don’t they ask one? Unless of course (🍷) Carly is afraid to hear the answer.   

Nina says, Mike never mentioned anyone from his past? and Phyllis says, with no ID or memory, Mike showed up without a past. Nina asks if Phyllis has tried to help him remember, and Phyllis says she thought she should keep Mike calm, and not pressure him too much. Nina wonders if he has friends and family searching for him, and Phyllis says, the doctors told her that he might stay this way forever. Unless someone comes along who’s able to fill in the blanks for him.   

Trina tells Cameron, his brothers aren’t the only ones who can express what’s in their hearts. She knows him, and he can too. He says, it won’t bring Franco back, and she says, Franco’s gift was in his art. Cameron says, he’s gone now, and all of Franco’s gifts are gone too. Trina says, Franco might be gone, but no one can take his gifts away from Cameron. Franco will be in his heart forever. Look what she found. She takes out a guitar, and Laura tells Portia that she raised a wonderful daughter. She wonders where the guitar came from, and Curtis says, the former owner must have left it behind. Cameron tells Trina, that old thing? It’s probably way out of tune, and she says he doesn’t know until he tries. He takes it from her.

Elizabeth says, wow. Finn is Chase’s father. How did Chase take the news? Finn says, not well. Chase feels like he lost a father and a brother, and he can’t blame Chase. These days, it feels like everything is slipping away. She says, not everything. Finn’s little girl adores him, and she and the boys are there for him. He says Elizabeth has so much on her plate already. Her phone rings, and he tells her to get it; it might be Cameron. It’s Laura, and Elizabeth asks if Cameron is okay. Laura says, he’s just fine, and asks if Elizabeth knows the nightclub on Suncrest. Elizabeth says she does, and Laura tells her to get there as soon as she can. Finn asks what Laura said, and Elizabeth tells him that Laura wants to meet her. Does he mind staying with Jake and Aiden until she gets back? He says, of course (🍷). Take all the time she needs.

Brook asks for some privacy, and Ned asks if Michael is leaving. Michael says, no; you? Ned says, not a chance. She says she doesn’t need protection from Valentin, but Valentin says he sees no reason they shouldn’t stay. Because of the baby, they’re family now. Ned says, never… and Brook suggests they hear what Valentin has to say. Valentin apologizes, saying it was strong, and he sounded patronizing. He wants Brook to know that he respects her decisions regarding this pregnancy, and hopes she can trust he’s willing to help in any way he can. Brook smiles.

Ava asks if Martin can assist them, and he asks what he’s walking into. She says they were just wondering if in their state, biological grandparents have rights – hypothetically speaking, of course (🍷). He says, most certainly in the state of New York, especially in the situation where one of the parents has died. Ava thanks him, and he asks if that’s it. She says, yes, and he goes back to his table, having given his second piece of free advice today. Ava tells Carly that she tried to keep the peace, but it’s impossible for Carly. She’s going to make sure Nina knows she has the right to sue for visitation, since fighting in court is the only thing Carly understands. Once Nina goes after what’s rightfully hers, Carly might just lose that precious grandson of hers, and Ava will see to it that she has a front row seat.   

Nina asks Phyllis if Mike remembering is a potential risk medically speaking. Did they say he might not be ready, or it would add to his confusion, or do more damage? Phyllis says, knowing Mike, she’s pretty sure he’d take the risk. He’s a lovely man, and must have people out there who miss him terribly. Sonny answers the phone, and tells Phyllis, it’s Joey from the liquor supplies. Phyllis deals with the call, and Nina takes off her coat. She says, hey, Mike. Phyllis is crazy about him. He says, the feeling is mutual, and she says she hopes he doesn’t mind, but Phyllis told her about his memory loss. He says, that’s him, Mr. Nobody, but Nina says she doubts it. Everybody is somebody. He says he heard a little bit of Nina and Phyllis’s conversation. If Nina has something to say, go head and say it.

Cameron plays guitar, and sings a song about memories not going away; about someone not being there, and how it feels wrong. We weren’t done with this yet. Laura watches with Elizabeth, and wipes tears from her eyes. As Cameron ends the song, he realizes Elizabeth is there, and tears up.

Valentin thanks Brook for the second chance, and she says he’s the father of her baby. They have to find a way to cooperate. He thinks with honesty and respect, they should be able to make it work, and she says, that’s the goal. She’ll be in touch. He leaves, and she asks if Ned and Michael heard that. Her plan is already working.

Jax tells Ava, according to his source, Nina didn’t use her passport to leave the country. Ava says, that might change. He really hurt Nina. No woman wants to come in second place to a man’s ex-wife. He says he knows he messed up, and she says, he certainly did. He says, if she hears from Nina… She says, if she does hear from Nina, she will absolutely not plead his case. He says he’s not asking her to. He just wants her to tell Nina how much he misses her.

Nina tells Sonny that she’s not the blond woman he’s been dreaming about. He says she seems so familiar, and she says, there’s a lot of blond women in the world. She’s known a few memorable ones. He tells her, if she says so, and she says, everything is going to be okay. He says, yeah, and tends to things behind the bar. She gets out her phone, and makes a call. She says she has something important to tell Carly.   

Tomorrow, Brook tells Maxie that she hasn’t figured it out yet, Portia asks if Curtis sees the bigger picture, Carly says someone (Nina?) needs to think about the consequences, and Sonny says you’ve just got to live in the moment.  

🍹 I checked out the preview of Overserved (Thursdays at 10 pm on E!), and I love it already. LVP hosts a dinner at Villa Rosa, and gets her guests drunk so they’ll spill some tea. Tori Spelling and Jeff Lewis were the guests in this episode. Ken and Pandora were also in attendance, as well as Puffy and Giggy! (RIP) Pandora forewarned the guests that they were going to be getting absolutely wasted, and she poured an entire bottle of tequila into a blender. They played a game called Drink or Dare, where Jeff crossed the pool on a flamingo floatie in his nice suit, and Tori ate the tequila worm. Then ate another for good measure, and because she didn’t want to just leave it there. Hey, waste not, want not. LVP took the dare to moon the neighbors, and Jeff said there went the resale value. LVP claimed Jessica Alba lived in the direction of her mooning, but I don’t know if that was true, since Tori talked about her later, saying Jessica had bad-mouthed her time on 90210, and the entire cast had been baffled about her comments. Tori ended up sliding off of a swing, albeit gracefully, and we found out Kelly Dodd was banned from PUMP for not paying her tab. Next time, Cheryl Hines and Joel McHale (who’s funny as hell) join LVP for dinner, but mostly drinks.

🧘🏽Curly Shuffling On Out…

Seriously? We’re just hitting Wednesday? Funny how two days can feel like a week. See you tomorrow, when we join those wild and crazy Jersey girls, although I’m not sure why. Horrible fascination perhaps? Until then, stay safe, stay off slippery slopes, and stay paying your tab at PUMP, or you will be banned.

March 22 – 2021 – Nina Gets Sidetracked At the Tan-O, Headline Making Guests On Deck, More About That Scandal & Flying

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny tells Phyllis, he tries to remember, but except for that dream with that blonde woman, he doesn’t know what his life was like before. He just hopes no one is out there who thinks he took off on them. He doesn’t even want to go there, because why worry when you don’t have the answers? She says, he was out all night. Why doesn’t he grab a nap until they open? He says he thinks he’ll take her up on that, and she tells him, sweet dreams. He goes upstairs, and Phyllis hears the door. She says she’s sorry, but they’re not open yet, and looks up to see Nina. Nina says, surprise! and they hug.

Valentin orders scotch, neat, two fingers, at the MetroCourt bar. He gets a call, and thanks Martin for calling him back. He’s at the MetroCourt bar. How soon can Martin get there?… He’ll wait… It is kind of important. He flashes back to seeing Brook, and saying, you’re pregnant. Brook says he’s very observant, and he asks if he’s the father. She says, it seems their one-night stand was more memorable than either of them expected, and starts to leave, but he asks why she didn’t tell him before. He could have helped and offered support. She tells him to slow his roll. They had one night together, and it was just for fun. She doesn’t want him bound to her or this baby. He says, it’s a little late for that. If he’s the father, the baby is every bit his responsibility as hers. He’s not letting her go through this by herself. He drinks his scotch, and says, a baby.

Ned tells Brook, he doesn’t mean to sound condescending, but she can’t handle Valentin. She says, sounds condescending to her, and starts to walk away. He says she saw how Valentin came after ELQ. He won’t hesitate to come after her the same way, especially if he knows she’s carrying his baby. She says, he already knows, and Ned says, God help us.

Michael opens the door to see Chase. Chase says he tried the gatehouse, but no one answered. He thought Willow might be there. Michael says, no, she’s not. She mentioned an exam prep class, but he’s not sure when she’s getting back. Chase says, right. He’s sorry for bothering Michael. He starts to leave, and Michael says, wait. He knows what’s going on.

Britt arrives at Maxie’s place, and asks where her nephew is. Maxie says, Mac has him, and Brook says, serious spoiling in progress. She tells Maxie to sit, so she can take Maxie’s BP, and Maxie sits. Britt asks how she and the baby are doing, and Maxie says, the baby is kicking up a storm. Her, not so good. She lost her phone, and has no idea where it is. Britt asks if she tried looking, and Maxie says, nothing’s working. Does Britt know how many photos are on that phone? Britt says, she’s sure it will turn up; don’t worry. She’s avoiding stress, remember? Has she heard from Peter? Maxie says, actually, he came by yesterday, when she was getting rid of his things. He’s still insisting they’re going to be together. Britt says, he has a point. He is the father of Maxie’s baby.

Jax sees Carly at the MetroCourt, and asks if they can talk. She asks, what’s going on? and he says, Nina insists Carly is trying to keep her away from Wiley. Carly says, Michael and Willow are in charge of those decisions, so they don’t need to be talking about it. He says, Nina doesn’t see it that way, and she says, so he and Nina are finally talking.

Phyllis asks what on earth Nina is doing there. Why didn’t she call? Nina says she didn’t know she was coming. She’s on a road trip. She thought about Nixon Falls, and there was literally a sign. She put the address in her GPS, and here she is. Phyllis says she’s delighted to see Nina. Where is she headed? Nina says she honestly doesn’t know, but she knew she wanted to see Phyllis. She’s always been so kind and accepting, and Nina could really use someone to talk to right now.

Ned says Brook saw Valentin, and she saw him? Brook says, yet here she stands. Not locked up in some dark tower until she births his heir. He says, most people run from trouble. Not her. She runs right into it. She says she didn’t plan on seeing Valentin. She ran into him, literally, outside Kelly’s, and she thought, why wait? He says he could think of plenty of reasons, and she says she wasn’t going to turn tail and look away. If Ned is so embarrassed by her condition, she’ll spare him and leave. He says he wants to make himself clear. He’s not embarrassed, but she has to admit this is a challenging situation. How did Valentin take the news? She says, he was surprised, but she made it absolutely clear she has no expectations of him being involved in this baby’s life. He says, and that went over how? She says she got the distinct impression he wanted to be involved in the baby’s life, and Ned says, okay. So they’ll get the lawyers involved, and come up with a strategy. She says she’s got this covered. She has a plan already.

Michael says he saw the Invader article about Chase and his family, and Chase says, it’s everywhere. It’s bad enough having his family implode without the whole damn town watching him. Michael says, believe him, he knows what it’s like having your personal life spread all over the headlines. Chase says, first time for him, and Michael asks if he wants to talk about it. Chase says he wouldn’t know where to start. He doesn’t know what to think half the time, he doesn’t recognize his family, and doesn’t even recognize himself. That’s why he was looking for Willow. Michael says Willow is a great listener, and Chase says, Willow is great all around, but Michael knew that.

At a table in the MetroCourt, Robert says he’s not exactly a fan of Olivia’s husband, and she says he’s not a fan of Robert’s either. He’s threatened by their friendship. Robert says, imagine that. How about if he’s less charming? Olivia laughs, and says, impossible. He says they’re only talking 10%, and she says she’d like to see him try it. He says, maybe nine and a half.

Jax tells Carly, Nina hasn’t been returning his phone calls, so he took a chance, and showed up at Franco’s memorial. Carly makes a face, and he says it was over by the time he got there, so he and Nina were able to talk. Valentin says, well done, Jax. Their little talk chased Nina out of Port Charles.

Phyllis and Nina sit, and Phyllis asks, what’s going on? Nina says Phyllis already knows how Jax knew about her daughter, but didn’t say anything. Phyllis says she remembers thinking, it might have been Jax’s misguided attempt at protecting Nina. Was Nina able to talk to him? Nina says, she tried, but things were more complicated than she realized. Jax didn’t lie about her daughter to protect her. He lied to protect his ex-wife.

Maxie asks if Britt is advocating she get back together with Peter, but Britt says, absolutely not. But she knows Peter, and it’s unrealistic to think he’ll just give up, and let Maxie and the baby go. She’s guessing Maxie asked for some space, and Maxie says she told him that she needed time to heal. Britt asks how he took it, and Maxie tells her that Peter said to take all the time she needs. Britt says, but… and Maxie says, but he still believes in them. Britt says that’s what she’s talking about. Peter has never had anyone like Maxie in his life. He doesn’t want to give her up, and like it or not, Maxie will always be tied to him because of their child. So how is she going to deal with that? Peter knocks at the door, and calls for Maxie. Britt says he must think she’s a fast healer, and he says he needs to see Maxie. It’s important.

Chase tells Michael, he already told Willow about the possibility that Finn was his father, and when the DNA test confirmed it, Willow was there. She convinced him to talk to Finn. Michael asks if that’s why Chase is there, to tell Willow how it went, and Chase says, yes. It was already incredibly awkward, then the Invader article broke.   

Ned says, the last plan Brook had involving Valentin resulted in the family losing control of ELQ. She asks why he’s throwing that in her face, and he suggests they go back to their corners, and start again. **Valentin swears he was only offering her a helping hand, and she appreciates it, but she’d appreciate it more if Ned would trust her. She’s got this.   

Olivia tells Robert that Maxie seemed clear about not wanting Peter in her life. Dante was helping her box up Peter’s stuff yesterday. He says that’s music to his ears, but why the hell didn’t Maxie do it sooner? At least everything came out before they were married. Olivia says, thank God, and Robert says, there’s still the issue of the baby. It’s Peter’s leverage, and don’t think he won’t use it. Maybe Olivia can convince him otherwise.

Sonny lies down. He dreams about seeing Carly in the shadows at the door to the Tan-O.  

Phyllis asks Nina if Jax was there when Nelle fell, and Nina says, no, but he was there soon after. Carly said she and Nelle had struggled, and Nelle ran off. It was dark, Nelle didn’t see the edge of the cliff, and fell off. She was hanging on for dear life, and Carly admitted she hesitated before she helped Nelle. Who does that, when every second counts? Carly claims she couldn’t have saved Nelle. Phyllis asks if Nina thinks Carly did it on purpose, and Nina says, Carly told her, after that moment, she did her best. Whether she did or didn’t, Nina doesn’t know, but Carly keeps lying. If she and Jax had alerted the authorities, and told the truth about how Nelle fell, she could have been buried with dignity. Nina starts to cry, and says, instead, her daughter’s body was exposed to the elements. Doesn’t Phyllis see? Jax is more concerned about Carly and any legal complications. And that’s the thing. Carly will always come first with Jax.

Valentin says Jax wouldn’t leave Nina alone, so she left. Jax asks where she went, but Valentin says if Nina wanted him to know, she’d have told him herself. Carly says, Valentin doesn’t know either. The only reason Nina even told him that she was leaving was because of Charlotte. Valentin says he’s surprised she and Jax are there, and not camped out at the police department. Jax asks what he means, and he says, Jason was arrested

Valentin goes over to Olivia and Robert, and says, sorry to interrupt, but he’d like a private word with Olivia. 

Jax says, Jason was arrested? Why didn’t Carly tell him? She says, there’s nothing he can do. It’s up to Diane to get the charges dropped. He asks, what happened? and she says, Jason was accused of killing Franco. Jax asks, did he? 

Peter tells Maxie, open the door; he needs to see her. Maxie gets up, and Britt grabs her arm, but Maxie shakes her off. She says she told Peter that she needed time, and he says he knows. She’s right, and he wants to give her that, but something’s come up and they need to talk. She says she’s not ready, and he says, they have to try. He knows they can make it through this. She always said with love anything is possible. Britt says he heard Maxie; stop harassing her. He tries the door, but it doesn’t open. He asks if Maxie changed the locks. Why did she do that? Britt says, it was clearly necessary, but he says he needed to see Maxie to make sure she was okay, and Dante that hadn’t threatened her. She asks if something happened, and he says, let him tell her. Britt suggests they call the cops, but Maxie says she’ll handle it. Peter says, please, and she opens the door. He says, thank God.   

Michael says, it must have been awkward seeing the article with Finn right there, and Chase says, it gets better. His mom showed up. He knows he should have compassion; what they did was wrong, but they didn’t deserve to see their mistake in a headline. Ned goes to the living room door, and asks if Brook is ready to talk. Chase says, Brook is back? and Michael tells him to go in and see her. Chase goes into the living room, and says he hopes Brook was planning on calling him to tell him that she’s back. She turns around, and he sees that she’s pregnant. She says he just saved her the trouble.

Phyllis says she’s hearing what Nina is saying about Jax and Carly, but Jax insisted on the cover-up in the first place. If he hadn’t, would she still be jealous of their relationship? Nina says she asks herself that all the time. She feels betrayed. She understands Jax’s instinct to protect the mother of his only child, but once again Carly gets what she wants. Carly is uncompromising, and if she perceives someone is a threat to her family, she just goes after them. Phyllis says, goodness, and Nina says, no kidding. Her daughter did damage to Carly and her family, and now Carly is treating her like a threat, and insisted she stay away from Wiley. Phyllis asks, what about Wiley’s parents? and Nina says, they’re great people. Left to their own devices, she doesn’t think there would be a problem. Carly is a different story. Thanks to Carly, she might not have a relationship with her grandson.   

Carly says, Jason did not kill Franco, and Jax says he’s sure Jason denies it. She says, the way it went down was too messy. Jason wouldn’t have been caught with the gun by an eyewitness. Jax says, Jason was arrested, and there was a weapon and an eyewitness. Carly says, either the eyewitness is seriously mistaken or lying. What makes it worse is Elizabeth is taking out her grief and loss on Jason. She’s convinced he’s guilty. Of all people, if Jason was going to kill Franco, he would have done it a long time ago. Shooting Franco in his studio is obvious and stupid, and Jason is neither. Jax doesn’t think that argument is going to stick with law enforcement, and she says, it has to. She can’t lose Jason too.

Valentin thanks Olivia for sending Robert on his way, and tells her that he saw Brook. He knows she’s pregnant with his child. She asks if he wants a cigar, and he says he wants Brook to be reasonable. He’s the baby’s father, and wants to be in the baby’s life. She asks how Brook feels about that, and he says Brook doesn’t want him involved, but she made it clear she wants nothing from him. Nevertheless, he’s offering. She says, offering or demanding? and he says, that depends on Olivia.

Michael tells Ned that Valentin stopped by, and Ned asks if he came by to see Brook. Michael says Valentin came by to see him, and Ned asks what he wanted. Michael says Valentin offered him control of Danny and Scout’s ELQ stock.  

Chase hugs Brook, and says, so she’s pregnant. She says, yes, and the baby needs a father.

Maxie asks, what happened? and Peter says Dante held him at gunpoint. She asks why Dante would do that, and he says Dante lured him to Nathan’s grave. He sent a text from Maxie, saying she wanted to meet him. Dante must have stolen her phone. Maxie says her phone is missing; she’s looked everywhere. Britt says, obviously Peter isn’t shot. How did he get away? He says, Sam was with him when he got the text, and showed up when Dante had a gun on him. She talked Dante down. Britt laughs, and says, Sam stopped Dante from shooting him? Peter says, thank God. He could have been killed. Maxie says she’s not understanding why Dante would do that, and he says, Dante snapped. He was talking about a mission, and Peter was afraid he’d show up there, and hurt Maxie or the baby. He had Maxie’s phone. Britt says, Peter had a phone. Did he call the police? He says he couldn’t, for Maxie’s sake, but he was terrified for her. That’s why he’s here. He thought Dante might harm her. Britt says, all that worry and concern, and he didn’t call the police? Peter says, clearly, Dante isn’t well, and he knows how much Dante means to Maxie. If Dante was arrested, Peter didn’t know what she’d think. He loves Maxie and the baby, and wants to keep them safe. Britt says, now that he sees Maxie is safe, he can go. He tells her, stay out of it. He’s not going anywhere. Robert walks in, and says, yes, he is. It’s time to pack it in, Henrik. Peter says, if he doesn’t? and Robert says he guesses he’ll have to convince Peter.

Valentin asks Olivia to explain to Brook that him being involved is in her best interest. Olivia says, is it? and he says, consider her personal experience with Sonny and Dante, and Julian and Leo. She tells him, don’t presume to judge her. He has no idea why she made the choices she did. He says he’s not judging her. He’s merely pointing out that even with her best efforts to exclude the fathers, they both had strong relationships with their sons. Now Sonny and Julian are gone, and he’s sure she wishes Dante and Leo had more time with them. Olivia says, Leo would have been better off not knowing who Julian was, and Valentin says he’s a better man than Julian. She says, really? How so?  

Chase says, the baby already has a father, but Brook says Chase has stepped up before when a child’s welfare was at stake, and she needs help. She looks at him and laughs. She says he should have seen his face. She almost gave him a heart attack. He says he was considering one before he broke out in a cold sweat. She says, they both know how far he’d go for a baby, and he says, not funny, but she says, everything worked out. He told Willow that he loves her, and they’re back together. He says, it hasn’t exactly been resolved, and she says, enlighten her. He says, when he told Willow how he still feels, he didn’t realize that Willow and Michael were so close.

Ned says Valentin offered Michael control of the stock? In exchange for what? Michael says, for promising Nina a part in Wiley’s life. Ned says, that’s right. She’s Wiley’s grandmother. When they get control of the shares, they’ll be in a majority position again. Michael tells him, stop scheming. He already said no.

Robert asks Peter for one good reason he shouldn’t throw Peter out, and Peter says, don’t press your luck, old man. Maxie says, enough. They both know that stressful situations aren’t good for the baby. She suggests Peter leave on his own, and Peter says, or Robert and Britt could leave. Robert says, don’t let the door smack you on the ass, and Peter says, okay; he’ll leave. He tells Maxie, they’ll talk soon, and goes. Robert suggests Maxie sit and relax. He wants her to understand that he’ll always be there for her, because they’re family. She says she knows, and he asks her to answer one question. How did the bastard get through the door in the first place?

Nina tells Phyllis that she didn’t mean any harm in telling Wiley about Nelle. She was being honest. All the books tell you to be truthful with a child. Phyllis says, it sounds like a miscommunication on Nina’s part. She understands Nina’s concern, but hadn’t Nina said Willow had been Wiley’s mommy as long as she could remember? Nina says Willow is Michael’s wife. She doesn’t want to disrupt their bond, but they’d intended on writing Nelle out of Wiley’s life, and it’s not healthy. In the end, it snowballed, and they wrote her out. Phyllis asks if Nina thinks Michael wanted that, and Nina says she supposes not. What bothers her is that Carly uses an error in judgement on her part to her own advantage. If anyone was hurt, it was Willow, and Nina deeply regrets the incident. But Carly made it about her, and used it to distance Nina from Wiley. She’s tired of Carly always winning. Phyllis says, she makes it sound like some kind of competition. Are they both keeping score, or only Nina? Be careful not to compare her inside to Carly’s outside. Nina asks what Phyllis means, and Phyllis asks if Nina thinks Carly is as strong and invulnerable as she seems. Nina says, Carly has lost a lot too. Her husband died around Christmas. It was sudden and  tragic, and he vanished without a trace.

Carly tells Jax, if Jason goes to trial and goes to prison, it’s not just wrong; it will kill her. She just lost Sonny. She can’t lose Jason too. He’s her best friend. Jax says, Diane is doing what she can to help, and whatever comes next, she’ll still have him and her entire family. She doesn’t have to pretend to be made of steel. He promises her that whatever comes next, he’ll help rebuild her life. They hug.

Sonny dreams of seeing Carly from behind in the woods. She’s about to turn around, when he wakes up. He sits up and says, who are you?

Brook tells Chase, what she’s hearing is, Willow and Michael aren’t so platonic. They actually got together? Michael said he was back with Sasha, and Chase was back with Willow. Chase says they’re finding their way, and she says, great. He says, it was, until The Invader article. She says she knew something was going on, and he says, her intuition will come in handy when her child is a teen. Brook says, that’s a little premature. It’s really complicated. He asks if she’s thinking about adoption.

Carly thanks Jax for his support and for not mentioning that Jason and Sonny chose the business and have to face the consequences. Jax says, Jason and Sonny have nothing to do with this. Carly is hurting, and he wants her to feel better. She thanks him, and says she’s done wallowing now. She suggests they talk about what happened with Jax and Nina at Franco’s memorial, and he says he thought she didn’t care about Nina. She says she doesn’t, but she cares about him. He says Nina told him as much, and she asks what Nina said. He tells her, very little. He didn’t even know she left town until Valentin told him, so… Carly says, that’s a good thing.   

Nina tells Phyllis, Carly loved Sonny a great deal. Losing him upended her life. Phyllis says, maybe they just need cool off time, and Nina says she thinks she’ll cool off better far away; outside Carly’s sphere of influence. Phyllis says, sometimes distance gives you a new perspective, and helps you see more clearly, and Nina says, sometimes you need a whole new pair of glasses. When she thinks of being shut out of Wiley’s life… Phyllis says, when Nina reached out, she was looking for a miracle. She didn’t get what she expected, her daughter is gone, but the miracle is still there in her grandson. She knows he’s safe, in a good home, and knows exactly where he is. It’s a blessing. Given time, Phyllis believes Nina will still be a part of his life. Nina says, that’s precisely why she took this exit. She still has no idea where she’s going. She booked a weekend in Serenity Springs (nice nod to One Life to Live), and she has this. She shows Phyllis a passport, and says she could go to Cabo or Lake Cuomo. Phyllis says, or maybe she could be with people who care about her, instead of being alone, It’s not glamorous or luxurious, but she’s welcome to stay there.

Maxie tells Robert, she wanted Peter to say his piece and leave on his own. She loves Robert, but he’s the DA, and can’t threaten people like that. He tells her, the guy is dangerous, and she shouldn’t let him in. Peter isn’t there for anything good. Maxie says, even if he does get in, they’re not getting back together, especially now that she knows who he is. Britt says, she’s glad that Maxie finally has wisdom, but still thinks they should have called the cops the second that Peter came there. Robert seconds that, but Maxie says, no cops.

Olivia tells Valentin to prove he’s a better man than Julian. It’s not that high of a bar. He says he’s a more consistent and committed parent. Charlotte knows he loves her, and she’s always a priority. Olivia says she’ll give him that. Despite his obvious shortcomings, Charlotte is a bright, lovely girl. He’s obviously a good father. He says, and he hopes to be for the sake of his and Brook’s child. Peter appears and says Valentin did this. Valentin tried to turn Maxie against him, and now she doesn’t know which way to turn. Olivia says, as long as Maxie turns away from him, and Peter tells her to focus on her own family, mainly Dante. She asks if he’s threatening Dante, and he says he’s not, but they had a run-in, and Dante is in bad shape. She asks what Peter did to Dante, and Peter says he wasn’t the one with the gun. Olivia calls Dante, leaving a message to call her back. She asks Peter where Dante is, and Peter says when he left, Dante was with Sam. If she had any sense, she took Dante to the hospital. Olivia jets, and Valentin says, terrorizing Olivia. Faison couldn’t have done better himself.

Ned says, Valentin offered them control of the company again, and Michael sent him packing without consulting him? Michael says he didn’t need to. His son is not for sale. What kind of person would use a child as leverage. Ned says he can think of someone.   

Chase tells Brook that she knows she can talk to him about anything. They’re still friends. Adoption is a big decision and responsibility, especially if she’s not a mom just yet. Ned comes in, and says, he’s sorry to interrupt, but they need to talk. It can’t wait. Chase says he’ll see Brook soon, and leaves. Ned tells Brook that he knows what she’s doing. She’s going to use the child to get Valentin to give them back ELQ.

Maxie tells Britt, the cops are not needed. She and Peter are finished, and there’s nothing he can say that will change her mind. Britt says, he lashes out when he’s threatened, and Maxie says that’s why she’s giving him just enough hope to think he can win her back. Robert says, be really careful in creating false hope. It’s dangerous stuff. She says she knows. That’s why she has to come up with a move of her own.   

Peter says he’s tired of Valentin throwing his father in his face, and Valentin says, then stop acting like him. Peter says, Valentin delivered him to his father, but Valentin tells Peter to take responsibility for what he’s become. He doesn’t deserve a baby in his life. Peter says they’ll see about that.  

Jax tells Carly that he doesn’t see it as a good thing, especially for him. Carly says, Nina left to get away from him, and he says he’s still lost here. She says Nina took off to escape her feelings for him. Any emotions, negative or positive, mean he’s still affecting Nina. It also means that he still has a chance. He says, that’s just wonderful, but he has no idea where Nina is. Carly says, find her. Go after her.

Phyllis tells Nina that she and Lenny have a guest room with a lovely view of the woods and its own bathroom. She hopes Nina doesn’t mind the sound of birds. They present a chorus in the morning. Nina says, it sounds wonderful, but she wouldn’t dream of putting them out. Phyllis says, if it was inconvenient, she wouldn’t be offering, and Nina says she appreciates it, but she’s already asked way too much of Phyllis in the past few months. She should get going. She thanks Phyllis for listening and talking to her. It’s exactly what she needed. Phyllis says, it goes both ways, and they hug. She tells Nina, don’t be a stranger, and Nina promises she won’t. She thanks Phyllis again and leaves.

Sonny comes down, and asks who was there. Phyllis says, an old patient stopped by to say hello, and Sonny says, they forgot something, picking up Nina’s passport from the table. Phyllis says, she’s going to need it; she’s planning to travel. He says he’ll catch her, and Phyllis thanks him. As he’s about to go out the door, Nina is coming back in, and they stand face to face. Nina looks shocked.

Next time, Curtis says he has Portia to thank, Finn says his private life just became public, Valentin tells Cyrus that the last thing he wants is a way out, and Sonny says he knows Nina.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

The guests were shown the door dock while Captain Glenn waited for the test results. Gary tells Glenn, it was an interesting charter, and Glenn says, it’s interesting times. He wonders what if the guests have covid, and Gary says he thinks everyone will get it. In Daisy’s interview, she says, if this ends the season, they’re screwed. Who knows when they can pick up another boat? Everything is an unknown, and it’s pretty scary.

Glenn’s phone rings, and it’s Dr. Laura with the news that the first round of tests are negative for all four guests, but Andy is still symptomatic. She recommends no one come back. Glenn calls for everyone to come to the crew mess, and tells the crew that he just heard from the doctor. The good news is, the tests are negative. However, the guests aren’t going to make it back in time to finish the charter. He tells the stews to pack up the cabins, and get the guests’ stuff off the boat. They’ll get to work turning the boat over for the next charter in a couple of days.

Daisy tells Alli and Dani to just throw the stuff in the suitcases, since they’re not getting a tip anyway. Then she’s calling it a night. Sydney tries to engage Gary in conversation, but he’s not receptive. In his interview, he says, it was a mistake sleeping with Sydney because he has to work with her for the rest of the season. She’s a good chick, but he doesn’t like her that way. The captain gets a message that the guests sent a wire. He radios the crew to the saloon for – believe it or not – a tip meeting. He tells them, obviously he feels badly about the second charter, but at least the guests are safe. They handled it well, since the guests were demanding for four people, but they still kept up. Because they took such good care of the guests, they got $5000 (or $550 each) for the one day. It’s shown him again that they’re an amazing team. He tells them, it’s okay to have a couple of drinks, but don’t go crazy.

Gary tells Alli to have a beer with him, and they can get to know each other. In Alli’s interview, she says Gary is fun, but he and Sydney have got their thing, so this is going nowhere. It’s just for fun. The crew begins to drink, and Colin asks Jean Luc what his longest relationship has been. Jean Luc says, three weeks, and we all go, what? Gary joins them, and Colin tells him what Jean Luc said. Jean Luc says he’s not in a rush, especially working in this industry. Look at the girls on board. Colin asks who Jean Luc thinks is the hottest, but he can’t answer. He says they’ve all got something different. In Jean Luc’s interview, he says he’s never been in a full-on relationship. He moves too much, and enjoys talking to a bunch of different women. Why have one when you can have them all?  Ugh.

Sydney asks Natasha if everyone thinks she and Gary slept together, but Natasha says everyone thinks they just kissed. Gary says he’s calling his mom for advice. In Gary’s interview, he says his mom brought him up, and had to be both parents. She did the best she could, and they’re close. They chat a lot. Some might say, too much. He calls his mom, and tells her that he needs some advice. He kissed his deckhand. She tells him not to play with people’s emotions, and tell them straight-up where he’s at. He says, the girls are coming out, so he has to say goodbye. Natasha sits down, and says, hi to Gary’s mom, and she asks if Natasha is the one he kissed. They all laugh, and Natasha is like, God, no. Everyone clinks glasses, and Daisy says, chuckers instead of cheers, like they do in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.   

Alli tells Gary that she has two sisters; her poor dad. There’s a bunch of nothing banter between Gary and Alli, with Sydney looking pained. Gary says he’s way more fun when he’s drunk, and Alli tells him, most of her best friends are males. While Gary is off talking to the guys, Sydney tells Alli that it’s been weird, and Gary is being standoffish. Alli asks if Sydney likes him, and Sydney says she does, but it’s nothing serious. Alli says she can’t help it if he flirts with her, and asks if Sydney will get upset if he does. Sydney says, not with Alli, and she’s also flirty. Alli says, it’s just for fun. The girls put on bathing suits, and Gary says he thinks he’ll hook up with Alli tonight. I love how he just assumes she wants to. Colin says he can’t believe Gary shagged Sydney the first night, and in his interview, he says he tried to advise Gary not to do it. He’s definitely putting himself in an interesting situation. Glenn is in bed already, and it’s crew gone wild. Colin says he feels bad for the girls. He’s out of it, and Jean Luc is too drunk. Daisy says, and Gary will f*** anything that moves. Sydney dares Gary to crunk, and the crew chants, go Gary – shake your penis. Gary shakes whatever, and Jean Luc says, truth or dare. He dares Alli to kiss Sydney, and she does. Gary tells Colin, it makes your d*ck go bam. Alli says, truth or dare? and asks if Jean Luc fancies Gary. Colin dares Jean Luc to kiss Dani, and in Dani’s interview, she wonders what her life has come to. She’s 32, and playing a high school game with twenty-year-olds. Alli and Jean Luc kiss, but Alli holds something up, so I don’t know if it’s fake or not. Natasha says she’s exhausted, Daisy make drinks, and Alli sits in Gary’s lap. Alli says she wants to go to bed, and Gary says, one last drink. In Sydney’s interview, she says she’s confused, but do whatever you want, bro. She joins Gary and Alli, and Alli splits with her drink. Sydney asks if Gary is okay, and everyone starts going to bed.

Jean Luc tries to be stealthy getting into the bunk above Glenn. Gary tells Sydney that he’s sorry he’s not that nice guy she wants. She says she knows, and she’s sorry she likes him They go their separate ways, and Gary tells Colin that whenever he does something, Sydney is there. Proving his point, she pops into his room, and he says, WTF? She gets into his bunk, and Colin asks if this is the sex cabin. Gary gets in next to her, but says they’re not doing anything. She says, it’s up to him.

Sydney sneaks back to her cabin before dawn, and goes to bed. At 8:30, everyone is starting to get up. Gary tells Colin about what happened, and Colin says Gary made his bed; now he’s got to sleep in it. Gary says he prefers it unmade. He tells Sydney that they need to have a chat about what happened. He put himself in the situation – they both did – and now they have to deal with it. She says she likes him as a person, and he says she’s super cool, but he doesn’t know if this can carry on. She says, it’s unfortunate, and he asks if they can be friends. She says, of course; she’s not going to destroy his life. He says she wouldn’t be able to, and she asks if that’s a challenge. In her interview, she says, if he’s going to like her, he’ll like her, and if he doesn’t, he doesn’t; that’s fine. She makes a pouty face. Gary puts his arm around her. I’m surprised he didn’t do the hug/pat thing.

Glenn asks Gary, Daisy, and Natasha to the crew mess for a preference sheet meeting. He asks if they’re ready for another one, and says the primary is Barrie. He and his ex-husband Tony have been in the limelight for being the UK’s first same sex couple to use a surrogate to have children. They’re divorced, but still the best of friends. They live together with their five children, and their respective boyfriends, who will all be joining them. Daisy, says, sorry, what? Glenn says, it’s nine people, and Daisy wonders where they’ll be sleeping. Glenn reads that Barrie wants to spend time with the chef to discuss the meals, and Daisy says, they want a drag themed night full of fun and dancing, and when everyone’s gone to bed, Barrie would like to propose to boyfriend Scott on the bow in a private moment with champagne. Gary says he’ll keep the kids in the water as much as possible.

Glenn tries to figure out where the guests will be sleeping. Jean Luc says the interior has their work cut out for them. Alli’s dad sends her a message to call right away; it’s about Pa. She calls, and he says Pa passed away. She starts to cry, and says she’s so sorry. He tells her, it’s okay. Pa wanted to go, and he went quickly. She says she wishes she was there to give her dad a hug, and in her interview, she says, Pa was her last grandparent. He was a hard man, but when he developed dementia, it softened him. It’s been hard on her dad, since the relationship he had with Pa growing up is different that the relationship he’s having at the end. It was beautiful to be able to witness, but hearing the grief her father feels, makes her want to give him a hug, and protect and love him. Her heart breaks because she can’t be there. She can’t just run home, but she wants to. It’s the hard part of yachting. She sits and cries.

She tells Dani what happened, and Dani asks if there’s anything she can do. Alli says, it sucks that she can’t be there for him, and Dani says let them know if she needs anything. Daisy tells Alli that it’s going to take a day or two for it to settle in, to not be emotional. She asks if Alli wants some chocolate (which I think is a very sisterly thing to offer), but Alli says the only time she says no to treats is when she’s sad. Sydney asks why Gary is quiet, and in Gary’s interview, he says he thinks Sydney is the kind of girl who won’t take a hint. He friend-zoned her, but it’s not good enough. He wonders if he’ll have to get a tattoo that says I’m not into you. Daisy asks how Alli’s family is, and she says her dad is handling it better than she thought he would. It’s a difficult time to grieve. The last few weeks weren’t happy for Pa, so there’s also a level of release. In her interview, Alli says, what would make Pa most proud would be for her to push through.

Daisy meets with the stews, and says, if it was only six guests, it would be fine, but they’re going to have nine. Natasha makes chocolate-covered strawberries. The provisions come in, and Glenn tells the crew to change into their polos and meet on the aft deck. The guests arrive, and are all wearing suits, with the exception of the one daughter. In Dani’s interview, she says, they must be hot. If they’re this high maintenance with their clothes, imagine how they’re going to be onboard. Glenn says he’s going to pass them to Daisy, she’ll take them on a tour, then they’ll be on their way. Daisy shows them the boat, and a large platter of men’s shoes arrives. I’m not kidding. I have no clue what that’s about. I can understand not wanting to pack them with you clothing, but why an uncovered dish? It’s a mystery.

Natalie meets with Barrie, ex-husband Tony, and the boys. She suggests service be family style, but Barrie says, no buffet. It’s too much work for Tony. He asks who serves the meals, and when she tells him that the stews do it, he says, Daddy Long Legs would be lovely, referring to Jean Luc. She says she’ll put in a word, and tells Daisy, they’re going to be a lot. She says they want Jean Luc to help with service, and in her interview, she says, she’s going to be serving four grown men and four growing boys. She’s f***ed. She tells Daisy, it’s going to be complicated.

Both anchors are home, and Glenn asks Sydney to steer, while he checks out the sail. The engine is turned off, and the boat is at 15 degrees. Guest Brent wonders if he’s unbalanced, and is it the boat or the alcohol? Natasha says she doesn’t have a sailor’s blood, and in her interview, she says, it’s dangerous to cut and cook while sailing, but she has to do a plated service for nine in a short amount of time. Daisy tells Jean Luc that the guests requested him for service, and to do it for the tip. In Daisy’s interview, she says they have nine guests drinking pina coladas and daiquiris from crystal glasses that need to be hand washed and polished. You wouldn’t think washing dishes could weigh a department down, but it does. She asks Gary if she can get some help, and Glenn tells her that someone will come, since Gary can’t be bothered to respond.  

Daisy checks on the dinner orders, and Natasha says, they’re very picky. Daisy gives her the list, and in Natasha’s interview, she says, they want filet at four or five different temperatures, four different kinds of mashed potatoes, and fries. She’s not a Hindu god with eight arms who can do a million things at once. This is ridiculous. Gary suggests Daisy google Barrie, and she reads about a married man falling in love with his daughter’s boyfriend, who’s half his age. She says, it’s what broke up Barrie’s marriage, his daughter’s boyfriend. My dad is my ex-boyfriend. Barrie says his expectations of this dinner are so high, and Daisy calls Jean Luc to help serve. She brings up a bowl muscles and says there are more coming. Barrie says, he’s glad, because the bowl should be his portion alone; he’s not kidding. Barrie says the chef must not have noticed his size.   

Gary and Colin laugh at Jean Luc. Daisy sees them sitting around in the crew mess, and Dani agrees that they should be more helpful. Barrie asks where Jean Luc is hiding during the day, and Jean Luc says he’s working on deck. Jean Luc tells Daisy that he’s proud about his first service. Natasha looks at the list of orders, Barrie bitches that the food is slow to come out, and Brent wonders why alcohol makes you so hungry. Barrie tells Dani, for the future, they can’t eat like this. The food has to come out all together, so they can eat at the same time. Dani tells Daisy, and in Daisy’s interview, she says she thinks there’s a lot going on, and Natasha can’t keep up. It’s embarrassing. Tony says his only criticism apart from the time is, it’s cold. I don’t think it should be embarrassing, since Natasha is one person. If it was a restaurant, or bigger boat, she’d at least have a sous chef.

Next time, Barrie sends food back, and says they should have brought their own chef; Natalie says, Daisy is a bitch; Alli loves the relationship she and Gary have; and when they tender dies, the guests are stuck at the beach. Barrie says he’s literally wasting away, but I say that’s highly unlikely.

😮 Oh It Gets Better…

All about the charter guests who are living an Invader story.

‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht’: Who Are Charter Guests Barrie and Tony Drewitt-Barlow?

🐥 Gonna Fly Now…

Tomorrow, prepare to be Overserved. Until then, stay safe, stay having integrity, and stay not getting involved with your deckhand when you have to work together for the rest of the season.

March 21, 2021 – Princess Removes a Splinter, The Commonwealth, the Eleventh Season & the Top

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What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

In a voiceover, Eugene tells us that he, Ezekiel, and Yumiko embarked on a journey to look for another civilization, and met Princess along the way. We flash back to that, and he says, arriving at the railyard, it appeared they’d missed their rendezvous. We see what look like a group of stormtroopers grabbing them, and Eugene says they found themselves in a nefarious pickle.

They stand back to back, hands up, and the soldiers take Yumiko. She tries to run back, yelling for them to leave Princess alone, but they grab her again, saying it’s her last chance. Yumiko yells, don’t hurt her, sh*theads! but they drag Princess away in the other direction. She’s thrown into a wooden boxcar so violently that she whacks her head on the far wall. She hears noise outside, and yells, what’s going on? She looks around, but the car is empty. She looks up to the ceiling, and sinks to the floor.

Princess tries to pry the door open, but no luck. She walks back, counting her steps in Spanish. She sees shadows of people outside, and remembers what happened. She recites the state capitals, and breathes a sigh of relief that she can still do it. She looks under an old tarp, but there’s nothing. She tries to look out the slats, but can only see part of the soldiers walking by.

She goes to the other side, and manages to pull off part of a slat, cutting her finger. She hears a voice say, Princess, are you there? and says, Yumiko? Yumiko tells her, shh. It’s her. She’s in the next car over. Princess says she’ll try to get to Yumiko, and asks her to move closer. She says she feels terrible, but she’s going make it up to Yumiko. She’s just got to find a way through the wall. She suggests Yumiko get the soldiers to come over there, so they can talk to them, but Yumiko says it’s a terrible idea. Princess says she has to do something. She says Yumiko sounds a little groggy. Did she hit her head? Yumiko says she did, and Princess asks, how bad? Is it bleeding? Yumiko tells Princess to calm down, but Princess says she can’t sit while Yumiko is hurt. Yumiko tells Princess, just do what she says, and Princess agrees, saying, sorry. It’s just that it’s dark and small. Can Yumiko still hear her? Yumiko says, yeah, and Princess says, stay awake. She’s going to try and get help, but keep talking. Princess picks at the wall, and tells Yumiko about an infection she got when she was 14, and had to stay home from school. There were some cool kids at school, and a girl who totally changed her life. Princess wonders where she is now, and blesses herself. She asks if Yumiko is still with her, but gets no answer. She says she nagged her mom, and her mom sent her back to school, but her finger got infected again. It swelled up like a birthday balloon; she felt like a swamp monster. Her stepdad wouldn’t let her eat at the table. He was mad, but she said he couldn’t push her away. It was her house first. He smacked her hard across her jaw. She told her mom, and asked if her mom was going to do something. Don’t send her out to eat by herself. Her mom said, don’t eat. She calls to Yumiko, but doesn’t hear anything. She tells Yumiko, wake up. Answer her. She hears someone, and yells that her friend needs help. She hears them come into Yumiko’s car, and asks where they’re taking her. Are they helping her? She’s told to shut up, and she starts to recite the state capitals again.

The soldiers walk outside of the boxcars, and Princess calls for Yumiko, asking if she’s back. There’s no response, and Princess walks the length of the car. She sees light coming through, and says, no way. She sees a loose board, and takes it off. There’s an opening bug enough for her to slide through, and she sees Eugene in the next car. He tells her, stop. Get back in. They’re making frequent checks. She tells him, they took Yumiko, and he suggests their potential benefactors are giving Yumiko assistance. Princess asks him to come with her, but he says, not a good idea. They’ll see what’s going on when they clear the process. Their metal is being tested. He’s sure the soldiers are required to keep them in good enough shape to talk. Princess says, this is bad sh*t, and he says, stop it. The soldiers walk past, and she slips around the back of the car, and watches them. They keep going, and she goes back to Eugene. He says, if they catch her, it could be disastrous. They’re in the middle of a fierce battle, and he’s being counted on to be a cross between Santa Claus and a guardian angel. They have to present themselves as being in allegiance. There’s no room for miscalculations. Don’t make things worse. She goes back into the car, and covers the opening.

The door opens, and a soldier tells Princess to come; hands up, move slow. She asks where they’re going, but he just says, walk.  

Princess is naked, and asks what they’re going to do to her. A soldier tells her, turn around, and she says, if he’s looking for bites, she doesn’t have any. She does have a splinter that’s driving her nuts. Can they take it out? She sits at a table, and works at the splinter, while the head soldier watches her from the other side. She says, please tell her why she’s there, and he says, start with her name. She doesn’t say anything, and he asks if she doesn’t know her name. She says, Princess, and he asks if she thinks this is a joke. She asks how her friend is. They’re helping her, right? He asks, how old is she? and she says, 28, 29. She could be 50. She’s lost track. He asks where she’s from, and she asks where she is. He says, okay, fine. Where was she when the fall happened? She asks why any of that is important? then says, Pittsburgh. Just tell her if they’re alive. He asks why they came there, and she says her friend hurt her head. He tells her that she’s avoiding the questions, and she says her friend might have a concussion. Just let her see… He says tell him about her friends. Start with the one she’s worried about. What’s her name? Princess asks why she’s there, and he says, the others; what are their names? She says, can’t he ask them that? and he says, tell him why they’re there. Where are they from? He gets up, and she asks what he wants. He says, they’re done. She says she gave him answers. Why can’t she see her friend? He says because she’s being a bitch, and Princess says she wants to see her friend. He whacks her across the face, and she falls to the floor. He says she should have answered.

Princess is back in the boxcar, and looks through the slat. She says, Yumiko? She’s so sorry. She tried to do like Yumiko said, and didn’t tell them anything. They kept grilling her, and asking what she knew about them, like she’s some kind of narc. Her friends… They used that word. She hears something, and listens where the opening is. She takes the board away, and slips out again. She looks into the next car, but Eugene is gone, and all she sees is his dousing rod on the floor. She hears the soldiers coming, and slips around the side, going back in the car, and replacing the board. She tries to get the image out of her head, and the car roof opens. Ezekiel looks in, and puts his finger to his lips. He drops down, and tells her, it took some maneuvering not to be spotted. She hugs him, and says, they got him too. He says, not the most fun interview he’s ever had. He tells her, they’ll be here soon, and she asks if he has any idea where the others are. Yumiko and Eugene are gone. He says he doesn’t know, but they’ll figure it out. They have to get out of there. She says, right now? and he says, no; next week. Yes, right now. She says she thinks they took Yumiko, and she didn’t do them any favors during the interview. He asks what she did, and she says, nothing… She got a little bit upset, and she might have… She hits her palm with her fist, and he says, the inquisition was aggressive. These people are toying with them. He tells her, let’s go, and asks, what’s wrong? She says she doesn’t think running will help, but Eugene said these people would help, and Ezekiel says he doesn’t know if they can be trusted. She asks if they can find a way out, but he doesn’t know. He tells her, it will be fine, but she says, nothing is fine. He can see something is wrong, and she says, d*ckhead nailed her over an old fracture, and she nurses her jaw. He examines it, and she says she’ll be okay. It healed fine every time before. He says, no one is going to hurt her anymore. Not while he’s there.

Ezekiel tells Princess, he’ll keep watch at the top for when they change the guards. She asks where Eugene is, and says, they can’t leave the rest of them. He asks if she thinks he doesn’t know that. They’re his friends. She says he doesn’t have to be an a-hole about it. She knows how to be friends with people, and was just trying to be helpful. He says, fear brings out the worst in them, as it just did in him. He apologizes, and they sit on the floor. He asks, what if Eugene trusted the wrong people this time? and Princess says, people suck. He says, they say one thing, and mean another. They tell you they love you… She says, and don’t act like it. People are a-holes, especially family. He says, not all families, but she says, most families. She just wants to do the right thing. He says he knows. They need a better plan. The door suddenly opens, and Ezekiel somehow makes himself scarce. A soldier brings in a plate of food, and Princess says, sorry about before. She didn’t mean to be difficult, but this is a little scary. The questions, the guns, the whole get-up. Ezekiel comes up behind the soldier, and knocks him out. Princess asks what the hell he just did, and Ezekiel closes the door.

Princess wonders what’s going to happen to them now. What about Yumiko and Eugene? This is not a better plan. He says, the opportunity presented itself, and he took it. Who cares? He’s here now. He takes the gun, the soldier rouses, and Ezekiel tells him, quiet. What did they do with their friends? The soldier says they don’t have to do this, and Princess tells Ezekiel to let her do the talking. She says, she just needs to  know her friend is okay. His boss said she’s getting help. Is she? He asks why she wouldn’t be. She’s probably with a medic. Ezekiel asks if they’re supposed to believe him, and the soldier says, for the benefit of all; and for all who seek solace. It’s what they stand for. She says they beat up her friend, and he says she doesn’t know that. What if it’s possible they’re not the bad guys? Just stay calm. She says, they’re locked in cars, and he says they can help. They have access to things that are valuable in times like these. She says, like food and medicine? but he tells her, he’s not saying yes, and he’s not saying no. They’re organized. Let them help. It’s why they came, right? She tells him, let’s say they’re actually helpful, even though they look like scary action figures come to life. What’s the point of messing with them? He tells her, this just standard protocol. They have paperwork to fill out. The place where they live is a good place, and it’s their job to keep the good people who live there safe. They have to be careful; they have a lot to lose. She says she gets that, but she still needs answers. Like a good will gesture. Where are her friends? He says he doesn’t know. His orders are to keep then fed until they’re ready. She says, for what? but he says he’s just a grunt. Three squares and a uniform. She has to believe him. He’s so green, the gun isn’t even loaded. He’s on probation, and this is going to get him fired, being snatched up by some chick. He tries to get away, and Ezekiel jumps him. He starts to pound on the soldier, and Princess tells him, stop. She says Ezekiel is going to kill him. Ezekiel keeps punching, and says, no one is going to hurt them anymore. Princess looks down, and sees the soldiers blood on her hands. She flashes back to everything that’s happened in this episode, and realizes she’s alone with the soldier.   

The soldier handcuffed in the car, Princess takes off running with his gun. She tries crawling under a fence, but the gun gets caught, and hangs her up. She remembers her friends, and turns around. She hears Ezekiel say, come on, girl. Get your sh*t together. Don’t be so hard on yourself. She looks back at the fence, and sees Ezekiel, standing between two zombies. He says, time waits for no one. They say we start dying the day we’re born. He tells her to come over there, but she says she doesn’t think she can. What about her friends? He says she met them a week ago. She says, that’s lifetime in apocalypse years. He says she’s learned to trust her instincts by now. She knows better than that. She looks at the splinter in her finger, and he says, she’s good on her own. She says she’s a superhero on her own. He says, so go on, and she says she wants to. He says, believe him. He knows it makes him like her like mom. She says her mom was a survivor, and he says, she was a monster. There are always monsters. She says she’s scared, and he says, everybody gets scared. His mom was like hers. They had to learn their lessons the hard way, and take their freedom. She says, not everyone is bad. Travis… She smiles, and says, Sammy and his people, and them. Ezekiel says, there are the stories you tell yourself, and then there’s the truth. She says, maybe, but they came back for her. She walks back to the cars, and we see there are only two zombies on the other side of the fence, yoked together, guarding it. She goes back into the boxcar.

She says she gets stressed at times, and the soldier asks who she’s talking to now. She says, him. She’s not crazy, if that’s what he’s thinking. There is the ADHD, anxiety, depression, crushing loneliness, an over-active imagination, and PTSD, but it helps her cope. Maybe it’s the only sane response to an insane world. Small dark spaces do bad things to her head. She doesn’t like them. He says, who does? and she says, screw him for judging. He says, he didn’t say anything, and she says, sorry. She doesn’t want mess anything else up. He says, then don’t, but she says she’d like to hold onto the gun a while longer, if it’s all same to him. He says, can she at least…? and holds out hands. She undoes the cuffs, and says, the splinter came out. He gets up, and she thanks him for not screaming. He says this isn’t exactly going to look good for him, and she asks if he’s really going to get busted. He says, what’s it to her? He’ll have to explain this, and he needs his rifle. She says maybe he could say he slipped, but he says, no. He screwed up, and he has to face the consequences. Then she and her friends can go back to whatever sh*tty part of the world they came from. She says there’s got to be a way they can help each other out, and he says he’s listening. She says, what if she answers his boss’s questions. Could she see her friends? He says, it’s not his call, and she says, fine. She just met them, and doesn’t now how old they are. Who cares? If you’re alive during the apocalypse, you’re 150 years old anyway. She doesn’t know where they’re from; nowhere and everywhere probably, like everyone else. She’s from Pittsburgh by way of San Juan. Do days and countries exist or even matter anymore? They had been on the road for a week. They had wheels for a while, then walked; that’s how they got there. He asks why she’s there, and she says, to be with them. Their names are Eugene, Yumiko, and Ezekiel. He already knew her name; it’s really Princess. He says, good, and  thanks her. She gives him the rifle back, and he says, see? It didn’t have to be hard. The rules are simple, and the questions are routine. People complicate them. They just need to know she can play ball with them. He puts his helmet back on, and she asks when she can see her friends. He says, right now, and yells he’s got her; let’s go. He opens the door, and she sees Eugene, Yumiko, and Ezekiel kneeling, flanked by soldiers, and wearing hoods over their heads. The soldier slips a hood over Princess’s head.  

Next time, another Carol and Daryl adventure. Daryl tells Carol that he’s staying a while longer, and they wish each other good luck. They go in different directions, but Dog goes with Carol.

🏙 Friend Or Foe…?

What role with the Commonwealth play?

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a35875268/walking-dead-commonwealth-season-10-villain/

⚰️  All About Eleven…

Teasers…

Spoilers…

And Mercer.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-season-11-mercer-explained/

🌠 Here Comes Another One…

I hope the weekend brought you something different, or you at least binged a good show. I checked out Showtime’s Your Honor (On Demand), and it was well worth it. Bryan Cranston stars as a judge who has to make a tough decision about his son, who’s been involved in a hit-and-run. It will make you question the lengths you’d go to protect someone you loved. As we move on through March, remember to stay safe, stay attentive, and stay giving a sane response to an insane world, whatever that may be for you.

March 19, 2021 – Cyrus Drops A Bombshell Through Peter, Liz’s 3 Sons, a Reunion, Brytni’s Five, Celebs O’Celebrating, a Villain’s Goodbye, Post Award Fashion, Not So Happily, Amish Now, an Adoption, VanderSpeaks, Double Septuple Quotes & World

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny walks into the Tan-O, looking disheveled. Phyllis says he’s been gone all day. She was starting to worry. Where’d he disappear to? He says he’s sorry. He had something very important to take care of.

Carly knocks on Elizabeth’s door, but Elizabeth says, it’s not a good time. Carly says she’ll keep it brief, and Elizabeth lets her in. Carly asks if the kids are there, and Elizabeth says, no. Why? Carly says she doesn’t want them to hear and get upset, although they’re going to find out soon enough. Jason was arrested for Franco’s murder.

Finn moons over a picture of him and Anna, when Chase walks into his office. Chase asks if it’s a bad time, but Finn says, no; never. Chase says he knows he could have handled things better, and shouldn’t have stormed off after they got the results. Finn says, none of this is Chase’s fault. Chase doesn’t have to apologize or explain anything. He has a lot to process. Chase says, they both did, but Finn isn’t his brother. Finn is his biological father.

Cyrus says it seems Jackie has had a busy week, and plops down across from her at the MetroCourt. She says she doesn’t have time to play games. Get lost. Cyrus urges her to reconsider, when Robert puts his hand on Cyrus’s shoulder, and says he thinks Cyrus is sitting in his seat.

Olivia opens the door to Ned, who thanks her for having him over. He didn’t think he’d be hearing from her again so soon. She says, hear her out, and he says he just wants her to know how glad he is that they’re at least talking. He knows they have a lot to work through… She says, it’s not about them. She needs to talk to him about his daughter.

Outside Kelly’s, Nina tells Valentin that she needs to get out of Port Charles for a while. He asks, why? What happened? Talk to him. She tells him, don’t make it any harder. Just tell Charlotte that she loves her. He says he does, every night, and she says he’s a great father. She puts her hand on his cheek, and leaves. He runs into Brook on his way out, and asks when she got back to Port Charles. She says she just hit town, and he says it’s great to see her; they have a lot to catch up on. She says he has no idea.

At Kelly’s, Sam calls Spinelli. She says she needs him to find Maxie. She’s afraid Maxie is meeting with Peter… Maxie is with him? If she didn’t text Peter, then who did?

Dante stands by Nathan’s grave, and takes out his gun. Peter runs in, and asks, where’s Maxie? She texted him to meet her there. Dante says, Maxie didn’t text Peter. He did. Peter says, Dante texted him from Maxie’s phone? Why? Dante says it was the easiest way to get Peter there, and Peter asks why Dante wants him there. Dante aims his gun at Peter, and says, to complete the mission.

Chase says, when Finn opened the test results, he didn’t know what to expect. Part of him hoped it was just some horrible misunderstanding that the dad he grew up with wasn’t his actual father. But the DNA test results show otherwise. Finn says he hasn’t always had the best experience with test results from the lab at GH. With Chase’s permission, he’d like to run another paternity test with someone he knows at the lab at Mercy Hospital. Chase says it’s Finn’s call. Does he think the results will change? Finn says he doesn’t know, but thinks it’s worth exhausting all their options, just to eliminate any doubt. Chase says if it makes Finn feel better, and Finn says, if it’s any consolation, it blindsided him too. He believed in his heart, Chase was his brother, but dad will always be Chase’s father. It’s up to Chase. Maybe this doesn’t have to change their relationship. Chase says he can’t keep pretending Finn is his brother. Everything he counted on, everything he thought he knew about his family, is wrong. He thinks differently now, and doesn’t know how to deal with it. Finn says, him neither.

Valentin says he was almost going to call Brook the other day. They’ve had some positive strides at Deception, and he wondered if she wanted to be included. She says it’s sweet of him to think of her, but her voice hasn’t fully recovered yet, and it may never recover. He says he doesn’t know if he can offer her consolation for a lost singing career, but she’s very good, and very creative, and very good at thinking outside the box. She says, not everyone views those qualities in a positive light, and thanks him. He says he thinks she’d make a good manager, if she’s interested, and wants to put in the hours. She says she’d love to, but she has other plans at the moment. She turns to go, and he says, wait a minute. Is she avoiding him? She says, obviously she’s trying to, but it’s not working. She tells him that she might as well get this over with, and opens her coat. He laughs.

Olivia tells Ned that Brook is back in Port Charles, and he asks if she’s seen Brook. She says, Brook spent last night at the house, but she didn’t know anything about it, until she saw Brook this morning. He wonders why Brook wouldn’t call him, and Olivia says, she was probably trying to delay the reunion. She’s got some news. He asks, what kind of news? and Olivia tells him, it’s not her place to say. He says, this is Brook Lynn they’re talking about. The more advance warning, the better. She promises Brook isn’t in any jeopardy, but she thought them being under the same roof increased their chances of coming face to face. He says she’s still looking out for him, in spite of everything, and she asks if he thought she wouldn’t.

Phyllis asks if Sonny wants to talk about it, and he asks if the coffee is fresh. She says, it is, and she’ll be happy to pour him a cup, as soon as he assures her that he’s taking his medication. He says, like clockwork, and she says she’s sorry if she seems intrusive, but he’s still getting used to the prescription. When he’s gone all day, and shows up looking… exhausted… He says he appreciates her worrying, but it has nothing to do with his health. He didn’t get in any kind of trouble. He was playing poker, trying to win enough money to get his rings back.

Elizabeth tells Carly, she literally just got back from Franco’s memorial, and starts to open the door. Carly says, it must have been incredibly painful. Sonny’s was for her. Elizabeth closes the door again, and says she knows Carly has also suffered a devastating loss, but she doesn’t want to fight. Carly says, then let’s not fight. She knows Elizabeth wants justice for Franco, and she knows Jason is innocent. Elizabeth says, the police disagree, and Carly says, because they’re acting on bad information, some of which they got from Elizabeth. Elizabeth says her statement was accurate. She told them exactly what she saw the night Franco was shot. Franco was lying on the ground, and bleeding from his chest, from a gunshot wound, and Jason was kneeling over him. Carly asks if Jason had a gun, and Elizabeth says, Jason always has a gun. Carly asks if Elizabeth saw Jason with a gun, and Elizabeth says, no. Carly asks if it’s possible Jason found Franco lying there, and was kneeling beside Franco to check his pulse. Elizabeth says, no. Jason would never help Franco. Carly asks how Elizabeth knows that? How does she know what happened before she got there? Why is she so sure Jason is guilty?

Peter backs away from Dante, and asks what Dante is doing. Dante says, isolated spot, no witnesses. He doubts anyone will know Peter was there or wonder where he is, because he has no friends left anymore. Peter says he’s never done anything to Dante, but Dante says Peter is a threat to Maxie.

Valentin says, Brook is pregnant, and she says he’s very observant. He asks if he’s the father, and she says he cuts right to the chase. He says, yes or no? and she says they had a one-night stand that turned out to be more memorable than either of them expected. He asks why she didn’t tell him. He could have offered to help, offered support. She tells him to slow his roll. They had one night together and it was just for fun. She doesn’t want him bound to her or this baby. He says, it’s a little late for that. Assuming he’s the father, he has every bit as much responsibility as she does. He’s not letting her go through this by herself.   

Ned asks Olivia if there’s any way to make it right between them, but she says she can’t get into it now. He says, if not now, when? They’ve seen each other three times since it went down. She says she doesn’t know how to go forward, but if they’re able to put the marriage together, it won’t be the same marriage. He asks what she means, and she says, they’ve changed. She’s watched him become more cutthroat in business, especially where family members are concerned. Ned says he’s made some decisions he regrets, and Olivia says, it’s not a judgement. She’s not saying ambition is a bad thing. She’s just surprised ELQ became his prime focus in life. He asks how she’s changed, and she says she would hope he’s seen it for himself. When she gave up hope that Dante was coming home, she was devastated, but at the same time, it opened up her life in a way she never would have imagined. For the first time in years, she could see herself as her own person again; not just an appendage, or Dante and Leo’s mother, or… He says, or his wife. She says it gave her a chance to rediscover the Olivia who took big chances, who leaped before she looked. She got to see new parts of the world, and got in trouble. He says he can’t help but notice all this happened when she was with Robert.

Cyrus gets up, and Robert takes the seat. Robert says Cyrus is going to have to move along. He doesn’t want to be accused of loitering. Cyrus says he’s glad Jackie is speaking to her lawyers. She’ll be hearing from his soon, regarding his mother. He leaves, and Robert asks if she’s all right. She says Cyrus doesn’t intimidate her, and he says he’s not talking about Cyrus. She asks if he talked to Anna, and he says, Anna kind of filled in the gaps in that chaos of a wedding. She says, then he knows her secret. The secret she’s been keeping all these years. He says he’s not one to make a judgement call, but it’s too bad she went through it alone. She asks who would have been there to help? Gregory? Finn? Her son? Robert says, how about him? but she says he was halfway around the world when she got pregnant. She couldn’t call him long distance – remember long distance? And even if she’d reached out, what could he have done? Robert says he’d like to think he would have listened back then, but he can certainly listen now. In some ways, he feels closer to her than he ever did.  

Chase says, ever since he can remember, he wanted a relationship with his older brother. He finally got one, and now it’s gone. Finn isn’t who he thought at all. Finn says Chase is absolutely right. Their relationship can’t ever be the same, but maybe they can figure out how it can work now. Chase says, it’s not a bad idea, but even if they push past this awkwardness, how can he treat Finn as a dad and not betray the dad he knows?  

Peter tells Dante that he loves Maxie. Maxie is carrying his child. He would never hurt her. Dante says Maxie is better off without Peter, and Peter says Dante is suffering from PTSD, and not in his right mind. Dante says he has to complete the mission, and Peter asks who gave him the mission? Peter backs up and trips, falling to the ground. Dante stands over him with the gun, when Sam runs in, and says, stop!

Brook tells Valentin, it’s her pregnancy, and she doesn’t want him involved. She didn’t intend to make a child, but thanks him for his initial contribution. She’ll take it from here. He says her decisions about her body are her own, but when the baby is born, they’re his too. He wants a role in the baby’s life, and it’s not up for negotiation. She says, if he has any role in this child’s life, it will be on her terms. Now if he’ll excuse her… He says they’re not done, and she says she’ll call him.

Phyllis says she didn’t notice that Sonny’s rings were gone, and he says she’s had a few things on her mind. She says he sold them to buy his way into the game? and he says he pawned them. She says, then he used his winnings to save the Tan-O. He says he’s happy to do it, and she says she’s happy he did, but he didn’t have to give them everything. He should have kept something to buy his rings back. He says he didn’t think he needed to. He was going to play again, but the boys learned from their mistakes, and took it out on him. He barely broke even. She says she’s sorry, but he says she doesn’t need to be. That’s how the game is played. She says he can’t lose his rings. Besides his watch, they’re the only thing connecting him to his past.

Elizabeth tells Carly, Franco made a mistake, and asked Jason to kill him. That night, Franco was agitated. Carly asks, how agitated? but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. Sam and Dante said Franco was at the MetroCourt looking for Jason, and Franco said to tell Jason, I’m still me. Does Carly know what that means? Carly says it sounds like Elizabeth does, and Elizabeth says, it means Franco knew he wasn’t a threat, and didn’t want Jason to kill him, but Jason didn’t care. He tracked Franco to the art studio, and shot him anyway. Carly says, if Jason had been responsible, there would be no evidence, and probably not even a body. Franco would have disappeared without a trace. Elizabeth says she’s sure that was what was supposed to happen, but then she showed up. Carly says, and she’s determined to blame Jason. Elizabeth says, Jason did it. She begged him not to. Franco had told her about their horrific deal, and she confronted Jason, telling him it was unnecessary, but he wouldn’t listen. He wouldn’t call it off. Carly says the reason why she knows Jason didn’t kill Franco is because Elizabeth knew. Jason would never put Elizabeth and Jake in that position, and Elizabeth knows that.

Sam tells Dante, stop; don’t do this. What’s going on? Peter tells her, call the police, but she says she’s not talking to him. She tells Dante, it’s her, Sam. What is he doing? Dante says Peter is a threat to Maxie and the baby. He has to protect them and keep them safe. Sam agrees Peter deserves to pay, but not like this. Dante says he has to complete the mission, and Sam asks if someone ordered him to kill Peter. Dante says, this is justice for Maxie and Drew, but Sam says justice is for Peter to be arrested, stand trial, and spend the rest of his life in prison. That’s what Peter deserves, not Dante. Don’t throw his life away because of Peter.

Sam tells Dante, think about it. Everyone loses if he pulls the trigger; his mom, his brothers, his son. Think about Rocco. Rocco needs a father, and Dante is all he has. Dante flashes back to holding baby Rocco, and Sam asks, isn’t Rocco more important than his mission? Dante lowers the gun, and she says, it’s okay, taking it from him. She tells Peter, he dodged a bullet. Get out. Peter says that crazy bastard tried to kill him. He’s not getting away with it. He leaves, and Dante asks where Peter is. Sam says, he’s gone; he took off running. Is Dante okay? He says, she stopped him, and she says, someone had to.

Sonny says, pawning his rings was the only way to buy into the game, and the only shot he had at getting the money they needed to hold on to the Tan-O. Phyllis asks, since when is it his job to save their business? and he says, is she kidding him? After everything they’ve done for him, he wants to repay them in a small way. She laughs, and says, small? They didn’t want to sell, but it might have been for the best. The closest thing they have to family are the strays she takes under her wing, like him and Elijah. She’d like to know the Tan-O is in good hands when they’re six feet under.

Carly tells Elizabeth, forget about the bargain and the circumstantial evidence. Think about the Jason she knows. He’d never hurt her or Jake by killing Franco. Elizabeth says, he knew the tumor was back, and was convinced Franco was a threat. In his mind, killing Franco was protecting them. Carly asks if that’s what was going through Elizabeth’s mind when she saw Jason, what shaped her perspective. Is it possible she saw what she expected to see? Think about it. Can’t she see Jason was just trying to help Franco, and not hurt him? Elizabeth asks if this is where Carly tells her to change her statement, and say she saw what she didn’t. She’s not perjuring herself. Carly says, someone already has that handled.

Olivia says, not this again. For the millionth time, nothing is going on between her and Robert. Ned is projecting his infidelities on her. He says, she’s right. His actions tore them apart, and he regrets it every minute of every day, but he’s starting to wonder if that’s why they can’t move past this, and the other problems in their marriage that they weren’t able to recognize until now. She says, such as? and he says she was a brilliant first lady of Port Charles, and an equally brilliant wife and mother. It never occurred to him that while he was relying on her to do everything she does to run the house, support the family, and stand by his side, he might also be holding her back, while maybe another man was allowing her to soar.

Brook walks into the Quartermaine mansion, and asks if Michael is still there. Ned comes out, and says, Brook. She says, hi, and he says, she’s … is that? She nods, and says, congratulations. He’s going to be a grandpa.  

Jackie tells Robert, if the last few days showed her anything, it’s that she has a lot of soul searching to do, and a lot to figure out. She’s a walking cliché; a professional success, but her personal life is a disaster. He thinks she’s exaggerating, but she says, especially where Gregory is concerned. He’s a good man. They loved each other, and she left his life in tatters. Robert says it sounds like she needs a friend.

Finn says, Gregory will always be the man who raised Chase. He wouldn’t change that if he could. He wonders where that leaves them, but Chase doesn’t know. He just thought it was fair to tell Finn what was going through his head. He owes Finn that much. Finn says, it means a lot that Chase came to see him, and that they’re still talking. Both of their phones ding. They look at their phones, and then look at each other.

Robert tells Jackie, most of his exes can attest that he was a lousy father, but a good friend. He’s offering himself in that capacity as of now. She thanks him, and says, it means more than he knows. He asks what she’s drinking, and she says, scotch, of course (🍷). He thinks he’ll join her, and her phone dings. She sees a headline in The Invader, asking, Who’s the Daddy? along with photos of her, Chase, Finn, and Gregory, and an article about the paternity test.

Ned says, a baby? and Brook asks if he’s disappointed. He says, never. He’s surprised, very surprised. Why didn’t she say anything? She says, for the same reason she left. She needed to find a way to prove herself on her own. He says he was incredibly unfair, but she says she was unfair to him too. Face it. They’re a lot alike, in both good and not so good ways. She needed time and distance to figure out her life. After her singing career stopped, everything changed. He asks if the baby’s father is in the picture, and she says, about that. He might want to sit down.

Jackie goes to Finn’s office, and he and Chase just look at her. She asks if they saw, and then guesses they did. Chase says, the article in The Invader? They saw it, along with most of Port Charles. She says she had no idea, and Finn says, another one for the tight security at GH. She says she’s going to have Peter’s head on a pike. I tell her, get in line, and Chase says she’s got to love the irony.

Carly tells Elizabeth, the witness claims they saw Jason put the gun in the garbage shoot. The PCPD retrieved the gun, and there were no prints on it, but the pegged it as the murder weapon. Elizabeth says, that proves Jason is guilty, but Carly says, think about the Jason she knows. He’d never panic, or get sloppy, or drop incriminating evidence in a garbage shoot where the victim was. Elizabeth says Jason didn’t expect her to show up, but Carly says, the witness lying; it’s a set up. Elizabeth can’t see it because she’s determined to blame Jason. (BTW, my bad yesterday for calling it a laundry shoot. To throw the gun in there would have been stupider than Jason being the one to throw it.)

Sonny asks if Phyllis and Lenny never had kids, and Phyllis says they had a baby girl a long time ago. She only lived a few days, but they loved her a lot. Losing her was terrible, indescribable. They wanted another child, but they were afraid, so they kept trying to put it off. They kept putting it off, and next thing they knew, too much time had passed. He says he’s sorry, and she says, don’t be. She and Lenny have a good life, besides, it left room in her heart for strays like him. Sonny says, a lot of people think she’s crazy for taking him in, and she says, everyone can keep their opinions to themselves. What about him? Does he think he has children out there?

Sam asks what Dante was thinking, going after Peter? He says he wasn’t, and Sam says Dante was going to shoot Peter, and Dante says he wasn’t thinking. In his head, he had to eliminate Peter. It was like he was outside himself, watching it happen. He holds his head, and says they told him he was better. He spent time in the Geneva facility, and they told him he was better. They told him that he’s recovered, but he’s not. He thinks he needs help; he’s scared. She takes his hand, and says, it’s okay. They’ll get him some help. He clutches her hand.

On the phone, Valentin tells Martin that he wants to meet. There have been unexpected developments that require Martin’s expertise.

Brook tells Ned, she crashed on Chase’s couch, but he’s completely in love with Willow. She flirted with Dustin, but it was nothing, and now she feels doubly guilty. He asks what she’s not telling him, and she says he already knows some of it. They had that hideous fight, and she was feeling reckless and misunderstood. She ended up commiserating with Valentin. He says, stop. Valentin is the father of the baby? She says, get it over with. Be as mad as he needs to. He says he’s not mad, and she says, disappointed. He says he’s not mad or disappointed. He’s thrilled to be a grandfather, and thrilled she’s going to be a mother. She says, but he’s less than thrilled about the father? He says he finds it concerning that Valentin, the man who orchestrated a hostile takeover, and manipulated their family to do it, is now tied to the same family through her baby. She says she gets it, but he has to trust her. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

Olivia sees Robert at the MetroCourt, and tells him that she and Ned are trying to talk, but it’s slow going. One step forward, six back. He says he’s sorry, and she says, her too. She wants to move forward, but she’s stuck. She can’t get past him having cheated. He says he had his suspicions at Thanksgiving when Ned and Alexis had their heads together. He should have said something then, but he didn’t want to make trouble, and figured she was smart enough to figure it out for herself. She thanks him, and he says, you’re welcome… for what? She says giving her credit for being as strong as she knows she is. He says he’s seen her as a spy. It was a game changer. She laughs, and he says, as it turns out, his table for two shrunk to a table for one. Does she care to join him? She says, sounds perfect.

Chase says Jackie’s whole career has been uncovering secrets. She says her gold standard is truth and integrity, but it’s secretly her own double-standard. Jackie suggests they talk, but Chase says he’s all talked out, and leaves. Jackie asks if Finn thinks Chase will ever forgive her, and he says he doesn’t know, but he’s entitled to feel what he wants to feel, including anger. She has to give him time. She says, this is exactly what she was afraid of when Finn wanted the DNA test; they’d have to brave a whole new world. But now that the whole world knows, are they any better off?

Cyrus says Peter seems worse for the wear, and Peter says, there’s a reason for that. Cyrus asks if he’d care to elaborate. Peter asks if he has Cyrus’s assurance that his witness will hold up, and Cyrus says, they will. Now Peter has kept his end of the bargain. Peter says he doesn’t blame Cyrus for wanting payback. He’s lucky Jackie had a family scandal waiting to be exposed. Cyrus remembers calling the lab and saying there’s a DNA test that’s of interest to him. Make sure the results show what he wants them to show. Cyrus tells Peter, since they’ve entered this mutually beneficial arrangement, he should know Cyrus makes his own luck.   

Sam brings Dante to the hospital, and asks the reception nurse to call Doc. It’s important. It’s about his son-in-law.  

Carly says, Elizabeth wanted Jason to forget Franco’s past. She wanted the tumor to be the cause of everything, and wanted Jason to forget and forgive the horrible things Franco did, but he wouldn’t. Elizabeth says, no, he wouldn’t, even when Franco turned his life around. Even when Franco helped Jake heal, and got Carly out of Ferncliff. Even when Franco married her, and made her happy. Jason hated Franco, and the first chance he got, Jason killed him. Carly says it doesn’t matter how bad Elizabeth needs to believe it; she’s wrong. But someone killed Franco, and as long as she clings to the lie that Jason did it, she’s helping whoever did, get away with it. She leaves, and Elizabeth closes the door.    

Sonny tells Phyllis, he doesn’t remember anyone, except in his dream. He doesn’t know what his life was before. He just hopes no one thinks he took off on them, but he doesn’t want to go there. Why worry about something he doesn’t have the answers to? She says he was out all night. Maybe he wants to grab a nap before they open. He says he thinks he’ll take her up on that. She laughs, and says, sweet dreams. He goes upstairs, and she hears the door. She says, sorry; they’re not open yet. Nina walks in, and says, surprise! Phyllis runs to her, and they hug.    

On Monday, Michael tells Chase that he knows what’s going on, Brook has a plan, and Nina tells Phyllis it was more complicated than she realized.

👨‍👨‍👦 In Case You’re Confused…

I just forget on a regular basis.

🕍 Return To Carrington Manor…

I’d like to see her return to Port Charles already.

🤸🏾‍♀️ Fun With Brytni…

I miss her on GH, but it was nice to see her on HAHN.

🍀 They’re Just O’Like Us…

If you consider it a real holiday.

💣 Bye To a Baddie…

In addition to his many characters, he twirled a moustache on GH.

👠 After the Party’s Over…

The real fashion comes out.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/32420/inside-the-2021-grammys-after-party

https://pagesix.com/2021/03/15/best-grammys-2021-afterparty-fashion-beyonce-lizzo-more/

🐸 Not Again…

I thought Tinsley had finally gotten her fairytale ending, but her prince turned out to be a frog.

https://extratv.com/2021/03/18/tinsley-mortimer-and-scott-kluth-call-off-engagement/

https://pagesix.com/2021/03/19/scott-kluth-attempted-to-break-up-with-tinsley-mortimer-for-months/

https://pagesix.com/2021/03/18/tinsley-mortimers-pals-furious-scott-kluth-dumped-her-after-marriage-ultimatum/

https://pagesix.com/2021/03/18/leah-mcsweeney-supports-tinsley-mortimer-amid-scott-kluth-breakup/

🐎 New Amish, Who Dis…?

Returning to those who returned.

https://www.distractify.com/p/where-is-original-return-to-amish-cast-now

https://www.distractify.com/p/abe-and-rebecca-return-to-amish-now

🐶 Lucky Dog…

And she’s lucky too. Rescue pups seem to know they’ve been rescued.

https://pagesix.com/2021/03/17/awkwafina-adopts-a-shelter-puppy/

💋 LVP Speaks…

FYI, Vivica Fox and Trixie Mattel will be guests on Overserved.

https://extratv.com/2021/03/18/lisa-vanderpump-talks-tv-from-vanderpump-rules-and-rhobh-to-pooch-perfect-and-overserved/

🤖 Quotes of the Week

Until you’re impersonated, nothing about you is different. – Bette Davis

De Blasio just said, now is not the time for profiteering. Does that mean there is a time?Me on Facebook 3/16/2020

It’s shady enough that you can have a picnic under it.Dr. Phil

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. – George Addair

Maybe part of our formal education should be training in empathy. Imagine how different the world would be if, in fact, that were ‘reading, writing, arithmetic, empathy. – Neil deGrasse Tyson

There’s no such thing as neutral education. Education either functions as an instrument to bring about conformity or freedom.Paulo Freire

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try. – Beverly Sills

Don’t worry about being effective. Just concentrate on being faithful to the truth. – Dorothy Day

Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. – Ayn Rand

When people don’t express themselves, they die one piece at a time. – Laurie Halse Anderson

Don’t waste your time in anger, regrets, worries, and grudges. Life is too short to be unhappy. – Roy T. Bennett

If you come back here again, I’ll beat your ass with a Kindle. – Wanda Sykes, Jexi

Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. – Voltaire

👜 Packing It In…

We’re off to another weekend, and for some of us, it’s actually starting to feel like one. No matter what, change it up once a week, on whatever day you want it to be. And while you’re at it, stay safe, stay adding new things to the menu, and stay not having a family scandal ready to be exposed. Do it yourself.

March 18, 2021 – Jordan Has an Eyewitness, Something In the Water, Really, New Chefs, a Thought & Proud

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Apparently, I’m doomed to repeat history, and missed the beginning. What happened was, Jordan brought Jason into the station in cuffs, Carly railing and ranting that she couldn’t arrest him based on what Elizabeth had said. Diane arrived shortly afterward. At Kelly’s, Sam told Peter that he wouldn’t see Jason coming, but Peter said he thought Jason had bigger problems. Valentin went to the hospital to check on Maxie, and Britt said he should worry about himself, and Peter coming after him. The nanny brought Violet to the hospital to see Finn, and Olivia was surprised to find a pregnant Brook lying on the couch. Brook practically lunged for the take-out bags in Olivia’s hands. Chase went to the gatehouse, and told Willow about Finn being his dad, and told her the whole, sad story. Brando and Gladys met at the bistro, and Jax showed up at Franco’s memorial. Then…

Chase says Willow must be tired of talking about this, but she says, of course (🍷) not. She asks if he wants to sit, and hands him a plush frog. She says, it’s not Wiley’s favorite, but he left it there for when he needs comfort during anxious moments. Wiley wouldn’t mind if Chase borrows it for a while. He says he might, and she says it’s nice to see him smile. He says he can’t help thinking about the talk show segment that’s been his life, and she says, coming from a mundane background, she can’t tell how he’s feeling. She imagines Finn is thinking the same things, but Chase says he doesn’t know. He hasn’t talked to him. She says, maybe it’s time to change that.

Violet tells Finn that she misses her dollhouse and her bed, and he says she’s due a proper tea party. He’ll phone Trish at the MetroCourt, and they can do it after he gets home. She says, tea is at four, and he says, then they’re on for four tomorrow at the hotel. It will be like Eloise at the Plaza. She asks if they can invite Anna, and miraculously, Anna appears. She asks if someone is planning a tea party, and Violet runs to her. She says she misses Anna, and  Anna says she misses Violet too. Violet asks if they can go home together now, and get married.

Gladys says her heart broke when she heard Brando was shot. It must have been hard dealing with Sonny’s family with Carly in the mix. Sonny could have done better. Carly is selfish to the core, but she’s going to reap what she’s sown. He says, how so? What does she think Carly deserves?

Carly says, every moment Jordan focuses on Jason, Franco’s killer has time to cover his tracks. Jordan asks if Carly is worried about getting justice for Franco, but Carly says she’s worried about Jason going down for a crime he didn’t commit. Diane says she’s there to address any potential injustice. Jordan leaves, and Diane asks why Carly is there. Carly says she was with Jason when Jordan brought him in, and Diane says, as distressing as it was, Carly should have stayed home. Jason asks, what’s going on? and Diane says Jordan doesn’t make an arrest if she doesn’t think it’s going to stick. She’s got something on Jason. Carly says, impossible, and Jason wonders what Jordan has. Diane says she doesn’t know yet. Is there anything he hasn’t told her? He says he didn’t do it, and she says she has to find out what Jordan has. As it stands, it looks like he’s in serious trouble.

Anna tells Violet, she knows it was unfair that her big night got interrupted, and Violet suggests they do it again. This time with no interruptions. Anna says, sounds like a good idea. She wishes she’d thought of it. She came to talk to Violet’s daddy about that very subject, but she’ll let them continue to plan their tea party. Violet says, how about scones and hot chocolate? and Anna says those are her absolute favorites. How did Violet know? Finn says he’ll get hot chocolate and scones from Kelly’s, and hugs Violet. Violet hugs Anna, and goes off with the nanny. Finn says, sorry. He thinks Violet still expects them to be a family, like everything is okay. He should have prepared her better. Violet blows him a kiss from the elevator, and he catches it, and blows one back.   

Brook tells Olivia, it smells amazing; it’s good to see Olivia too. Olivia looks at Brook’s belly, and says, this certainly is a surprise. Brook says it was a surprise to her too. In the words of her mother, you can take all the precautions you want, but nothing avoids pregnancy like good choices. Olivia asks if Brook’s father knows. The last time she saw Brook, she and Ned were mending fences after the brouhaha with Valentin… Is Valentin the father? Brook says, he doesn’t know yet, and Olivia says, no. He should never know about this.

Valentin says he’s touched by Britt’s concern, but Peter isn’t coming after him. Britt wonders if that’s humor talking or insanity. Valentin set the course for Peter’s entire miserable life, and in Peter’s mind, Valentin double-crossed him. Valentin says he thought she was single-minded when it came to Peter, but she says, just because she knows who Peter is, doesn’t mean the man who made him that way gets a pass. Now she gets to watch her remaining sibling follow in their father’s footsteps. He tells her not to let it cloud her judgement. Maxie and her child come first. She says, without them, what does Peter have left? and he says, Peter is a lost cause. She says, because his mother was Alex Marick and his father was Cesar Faison? Her father was Faison and her mother is Obrecht. Does that make her a lost cause too? Her hand begins to shake uncontrollably, and she slams it on the desk. Valentin is concerned, and says he wants to make sure she’s taken care of.

Dante meets Obrecht at the cemetery, where she tells him that the WSB wants a permanent solution to Peter. Peter is still a clear and present danger. They have no idea what he’s going to do next. Dante says he’ll keep cultivating leads. Something has to shake out. She says, it’s been decided, and he asks what she means by a permanent solution. She clicks her pen, and says Dante must complete the mission. He must assassinate Peter.

Sam asks what Peter thinks he knows about Jason, and Peter says he wouldn’t spread any information that hasn’t been completely vetted yet, and doesn’t want to put a strain on Sam and Jason’s relationship. She says Peter killed the father of her child, and he says, unfounded allegations. He gets it. The anxiety with Jason, her mother’s drinking; she’s got a lot on her plate. Her family is practically falling apart. He’s sorry about her difficulties, but it’s good that she created distance between herself and Jason. She doesn’t want to be dragged down with him. She asks, for what? and he says, the murder of Franco Baldwin.

Gladys asks why Brando cares. What has Carly done for him except be ungrateful for him saving her life? Carly should be down on her knees thanking him, but treats him like a poor relation. She knows Carly was the one who told Sonny to boot him out of the family because he got a better offer than working in a garage. He suggests she drive back in the car Sonny gave her, and he’ll deal with the mess she’ll leave behind. She says she’s the one who’s been cleaning up messes, and he asks what she did. She says, her civic duty.

Diane tells Jason, Jordan will be back to question him. What is he going to say? He says, I don’t know or I don’t recall, and Diane tells Carly, for the record, that’s how it’s done. Jordan is going to want to gather information, and so will she. What evidence does Jordan have that’s so compelling, she had the confidence to arrest him? Word has it, Jordan is fast tracking Jason’s arraignment. Carly says, good. They want Jason out as soon as possible, and Jason says he has no time to be sitting in a cell. Diane says she’ll do what she can, but they have to prepare for the possibility that Jason will be held without bail, especially with his extensive rap sheet. Carly says, that’s why they have Diane on retainer, and Diane says she’ll do her utmost, but she needs to hear what the evidence is before she can refute it. Jordan comes in with a gun in an evidence bag, and says, it’s the gun that was used to kill Franco. Does Jason recognize it? Jason says he’s never seen it before, and Jordan says, interesting. An eyewitness saw it in his hand.

Nina says she didn’t expect to see Jax. Is he paying his respects to Franco? He says, to be honest, he was hoping to find her there, but it’s an impressive display. If someone had told him ten years ago what Franco would accomplish… She says, he never would have believed it. Franco turned his life around. Jax says Nina turned her life around, and she says she has her moments, but what she did at the graveside wasn’t one of them. He says he doesn’t blame her, and she says she’s not asking his forgiveness. He says he understands, but actually, he’s asking for hers.

Chase tells Willow that he doesn’t see the point in going to Finn. He doesn’t know what to say. Willow asks what makes it his responsibility? She’s guessing Finn has lot to say to him, and Chase asks if she’s met Finn. She says, Finn is a great guy and a great dad. He’s done right by Violet, and she bets anything Finn wants to do right by him too.

Finn asks how Maxie is, and Anna says she hasn’t seen Maxie, but thinks she’s good. Maxie and the baby are doing well, all things considered. He says, good, and she says he sounds professional. Can’t they just talk like them? He says, sure, and she asks how he is. He says, managing, and her? She says she feels a bit beaten up… lonely. She keeps looking behind her at the house, thinking he’s there, and hearing little footsteps upstairs, thinking it’s Violet. She misses them both so much. She loves him. Finn says, we feel the same way, and she asks if that isn’t what’s important. That they love each other. Isn’t it enough to bridge the distance? Why doesn’t he come home, and they can work it out? Unless he doesn’t want to.

Obrecht says Dante has procured Maxie’s phone. He’s going to use it to lure Peter with a text message. Then he’s going to use this to kill him. She gives Dante a gun, and says, when Peter is dead, walk away. Leave him, and throw the gun into the harbor. If he’s questioned by the authorities, remember he’s to say he was under the orders of Dr. Kirk, who dictated Dante’s course of action before he left the doctor’s care in Switzerland. Does he understand his directives? He says he does, and she says they have to protect Maxie, her child, and countless others. Dante won’t be troubled by Peter’s death. He must complete the mission. He repeats, must complete the mission, and she leaves. He looks around, and looks at the gun and the phone in his hands.

Sam tells Peter, Jason didn’t kill Franco, and he asks if she doesn’t think Jason is capable of it. It was no secret that Franco’s mental health was unstable, and his condition was volatile. She says, and Peter made sure everyone found out. She doesn’t need a recap. He says he thinks she dodged a bullet, but she says she thinks he has. He looks at his phone, and says he has to go. Maxie wants to meet him. She says he’s lying, and he tells her, see for herself, showing her Maxie’s message to meet her at Nathan’s grave. They have to talk. Sam wonders why Maxie would want to meet at Nathan’s grave, and he says Nathan was his brother, and Maxie’s husband. Another way they’re connected. Excuse him. He has other pressing priorities.   

Britt tells Valentin, she knows she has nurses on staff who are waiting to justify their salaries, and he says he just wants to help. She says she’s fine, and he says he’s read about people who can take excruciating pain, but she says, he’s the one who’s going to be hurting. Peter is going to want payback, and he’s going to take a page from Faison’s playbook. He’s going to hurt the people Valentin cares about. If Valentin wants to protect Anna, Maxie, and Maxie’s child, he has to stop Peter.

Olivia tells Brook, she’s so sorry. She swears she’s not judging, and Brook says Olivia isn’t in a position to judge. Olivia says, that’s her point exactly. She didn’t want Julian to be part of Leo’s life, but the truth came out, and it might come out for Brook too. Brook has to play it close to the vest right now. Valentin is smarter and more duplicitous than Julian. Brook saw Valentin’s ELQ takeover, and how he played her. Her advice is to look to Charlotte, and take her cues from that. Brook says all she did was ask for some food, and now she’s getting extremely premature parenting advice from someone who has no business doing it. Olivia says it’s because she loves Brook. Brook says, and Olivia loves her father. Michael told her Olivia and Ned were having hard times. Is Ned there? Olivia says Ned isn’t living there right now, and Brook says, don’t tell her father. He has enough to be miserable about.

Finn tells Anna that he thinks about Violet, and what’s best for her. He tried to come up with an arrangement where he can deal with being involved with a WSB agent… She says she’ll quit. She doesn’t need the job, and they don’t need her anymore. She gave her life to the Bureau, and they’ve taken more than enough in return. She doesn’t care about it anymore; he and Violet are all that matters. He says he appreciates the gesture, but they’ve had this conversation before. He’d thought their future was secure, but then she left for six months to find her sister. She says, Alex is dead, but he says, it’s not about Alex; it’s about her. She’ll always have her own priorities and the need to do things on her own, and that’s good, but he’s old-fashioned and thinks marriage should be a  partnership. Any time the past comes up, she shuts him out. It was hard for him to deal with before Violet, but now, he can’t tear her life apart on a moment’s notice. He has to know they’ll be honest with each other, and next time there’s a crisis, they’ll face it together. Anna says it’s the least he should expect, but she can’t guarantee she won’t have to deal with something from her past. He says he doesn’t know what kind of relationship he can have with someone who only reveals part of themselves, and keeps another part hidden. She says, she doesn’t mean to keep anything hidden, but it’s like a reflex; it kind of just happens without her thinking about it. He says he gets it, but it’s working against them and their life together. If she could learn to tell the truth and be honest, maybe they could find a way to move forward with this. If they can do that, maybe they could have a tea party.

Chase tells Willow that Gregory will always be his dad. If he takes steps toward Finn, it will hurt Gregory like hell. She asks if he thinks his dad will feel like Chase is leaving him behind, and Chase says Gregory wouldn’t want to, but you can’t help how you feel. She suggests he talk to Gregory. They were always close; maybe it can help their bond. Things might change, but Gregory will be there for him if they confront it together. Chase says, okay. In the meantime, he’ll let Finn come to him. He can’t even look Finn in the eye, much less talk to him. She says, what if Finn is thinking the same thing, and waiting for Chase? If they’re waiting for the same signal, and never get it, they’ll never get anywhere. He’s definitely the wronged party, but the longer he waits to deal with it, the harder it will be. Chase asks why he has to be the one, and she says, maybe because he’s better at handling it than Finn. Finn cut himself off from the family, and there were years of silence and distance. The longer Chase waits, the more likely it is they won’t be able to repair this mistake.

Finn tells Anna, when he was watching Violet sleeping, he didn’t think there was a path back. Maybe he still doesn’t. Anna says, no, and he says, the lies have to stop. Promise him that, and maybe there’s a chance to make it work. She says she wishes she could make that promise, but there are things that are too dangerous for him to know, that could put him, and God forbid, Violet at risk. There might be times when she has to deal with a situation on her own, or turn to someone trained to provide cover. He says, like Robert or Cassadine, and she says she’s not choosing them or trusting them over Finn. She’s taking action to keep him and Violet safe. He says, including lying to his face, and she says, in her line of work, sometimes it’s necessary to lie. He says, like the ones she was telling herself. It’s not the first time he and Violet moved out. He suspected Peter was dangerous, but she convinced him otherwise. She knew Violet was a priority, and knew if she told him the truth about what Alex and Peter were capable of, he and Violet would leave. Anna says, he’s right. She did, and she’s sorry. It was really selfish, but she loves them so much. He says he doesn’t blame her. He knows what it’s like. Thinking you’re doing something right has a way of clouding your judgement. Secrets and lies keep you sick. He understands from his disease. His life was turned upside down, like now. He doesn’t need much justification to reach for an injection or a pill, but he can’t jeopardize his sobriety. It’s not just for himself anymore. He has people who need him. She asks if there’s no other way, and he says he’s looking, but he can’t see it. The only way forward is to be apart.

Jax says he tried calling Nina a few times, but she says she wasn’t up to talking. He says he understands; he just wanted to make sure she was okay… and apologize. He desperately regrets how things turned out, but he’ll never regret loving her. She says she can’t listen to this, and starts to walk out. He says, if there’s a chance that things can work out between them, he wants to take it, because they’re worth fighting for.

Carly says, this is crazy. It’s one thing for Elizabeth to make things up – she’s hysterical – but to believe them? Diane says she reviewed Elizabeth’s statement, and nowhere did she read that Elizabeth saw her client with a gun. Jason wasn’t there when Franco got shot, and when Elizabeth arrived, she and Jason were in each other’s presence until the medics arrived. Jordan asks Jason if it’s true that he was always in Elizabeth’s sight, but Diane says, he can’t attest to someone else’s observation. Jordan asks if he didn’t step into the corridor when he called 911. Carly says, when he called for help. That proves he was trying to assist with the situation. Jordan says, it proves that he can’t account for his whereabouts for a brief time. Diane says, emphasis on brief, but Jordan says, it was enough time to drop the gun down the laundry shoot, which is where they found it. Diane asks if Jason’s fingerprints were on it, and Jordan doesn’t say anything. Diane says she didn’t think so, and Carly says Elizabeth was with Franco the whole time. She couldn’t have possibly witnessed anything that corroborates Jason getting rid of the gun. Jordan tells them, she didn’t say Elizabeth was the eyewitness.

Brando says, Gladys did her civic duty? She doesn’t have a civic-minded bone in her body. She says she did Port Charles a service at great risk to her personal safety. Gladys remembers telling Jordan that she was standing in a loft on Talmage Street, a short term rental. She heard a noise, and looked out the door. She saw the studio door open, and he came out with a gun. He dropped it in the laundry shoot, and went back inside. Jordan asks if she’s certain, and Gladys says she’s sure. She’s seen him plenty of times, and would know those cold eyes anywhere. She looks at a picture of Jason, and says, it was him, Sonny’s guy. Jason killed that man, she swears it on Mike’s grave. Huh. Nice little twist.

Finn tells Anna, it’s okay. They’ll make arrangements to come by and get Roxie. She says, whatever he wants is fine. She’ll make arrangements to get Violet’s tea set over to the hotel. She knows Violet wants it. She was thinking, if he wants her to talk to Violet, she can explain or reassure her. Unless he prefers she stay out of it. He thanks her for the offer, but he doesn’t know how Violet is going to react. He’s going to do his best to explain. He wants Anna to know that he’s not going to take Violet away from her, or her away from Violet, and she says she’ll be there anytime he asks. She tells him, it seems like she’s resigned to walking away, but she’s not. Finn says, him neither, and smiles. He says, it’s good to know they went down fighting, and she says, yeah. When she fell in love with him, she told herself it was for the last time. She cries a little, and says, it felt like a fresh start for her. He did change her. He takes her hand, and says she changed him too. They just didn’t change enough. She guesses not, and they hug. She leaves, and he says, goodbye, Anna.

Willow asks Olivia if that was Brook, but Olivia is on the phone. She tells Ned that she’s at the house, and asks if he can come over. She needs to speak with him right away.

Finn is looking at his tablet, when Chase comes in.

Britt calls to confirm her appointment, and asks what they mean, reschedule? She can’t do that. She needs to see the doctor now. Her hand shakes even more.  

Brando says, Jason shot Franco? He finds it hard to believe, and Gladys asks if he’s calling her a liar. She’s been working up the nerve to see him. She already went to the police. She says she thought he’d be grateful. Jason is a menace, and the streets are safer without him. She thanks him for lunch, and says she’ll see him at dinner.

Diane asks Jordan who the unnamed eyewitness is, and Jordan says Diane will get the information during discovery. In the meantime, she’ll see them in court. She leaves, and Carly asks, what happens now? Diane says, now, they have a problem.   

Valentin meets Nina outside Kelly’s, and asks if she’s been waiting long. He came as soon as he could. She thanks him for meeting her, and he says, it sounded urgent. She gives him an envelope, and asks him to give it to Charlotte. She’d give it to Charlotte herself, but she’s leaving. She needs to get away from Port Charles. He asks, what happened? and she tells him not to make it harder than it is. Just tell Charlotte that she loves her. He says he tells Charlotte that every night, and she says he’s a great father. She touches his face, and walks away. He starts to leave, and comes face to face with Brook.   

Obrecht sees Jax, and says, Heir Jax. He says he heard she was out, and she says she understands he’s been busy breaking her niece’s heart. He says she’s probably not too happy with him, but she says, not at all. He did what he thought necessary for the greater good; she knows the feeling. It’s a shame Franco, who truly turned his life around, is gone, while those who are evil and pretend to be good are walking free. Jax leaves, and she says, but not for much longer, and smiles.

Sam tries calling Maxie, and says, pick up. Don’t do this to her.

Dante puts Maxie’s phone in his pocket. Peter arrives, and asks, where’s Maxie? She texted him to meet her there. Dante says, Maxie didn’t text Peter. He did.

Tomorrow, Olivia wants to talk to Ned about his daughter, Finn wants to run another paternity test, Carly asks why Elizabeth is sure Jason is guilty, and Dante has to complete the mission.

🏖 On Horror Summer House, Lindsay claimed Stephen did nothing terrible, but he wasn’t giving her what she wanted in the relationship. Kyle – possibly the most humongous baby of a man I’ve ever seen – whined that he’d literally lost sleep over his clashes with Hannah, and Amanda told him to decide which battles were worth the fight. He questioned whether Hannah believed in his and Amanda’s relationship, and I failed to see why he should even care. He and Hannah had yet another argument where Hannah compared Kyle to her father, then screeched at him not to bring her family into it. I’m telling you, there’s something in the water there that makes people unreasonable and immature. Hannah told Ciara that she’d wanted to have fun this summer, so why did she have to be attacked by a little blonde leprechaun? In Hannah’s interview, she said having to win at tennis to get her dad’s love as a child caused her to fear not being good enough, and she couldn’t handle it when men were aggressive. Luke did the first smart thing since he got there, and stayed out of it, playing his guitar on the back porch. Carl was quarantined in his room, after having made a trip home after his brother died, which was probably a blessing in disguise. Later, Hannah said she’d reflected, and was sorry for the negativity. She said she looked up to Kyle, and in her interview, Lindsay said she was no actress, but was calling bullsh*t. Everyone was friends again.

Hannah started talking up Des, and in Luke’s interview, he called Des a backup plan for Hannah. The group had a beach picnic, and Lindsay broke up with Stephen over the phone, saying she thought they should go their separate ways, even though she acknowledged he’d been trying. This one is so spoiled, I don’t think she knows what she wants. He kept doing what she told him to, and then the terms would change. He most likely dodged a bullet. Ciara thought it was weird that Lindsay seemed to feel unbothered, and said she would have been bawling. The other girls predicted a Luke and Lindsay hook-up by the end of the summer. Amanda told Kyle that she wanted to start a family right away (God no), but Kyle said, although Loverboy was doing well, he wasn’t ready for responsibilities like a house and mortgage. Hannah’s psychic told her that Luke and Lindsay were POS, and she was better off without Luke. The girls speculated as to whether Lindsay and Luke had already hooked up, and Amanda insisted they had to get to the bottom of it. For whatever reason, Paige was recruited to question Luke, and she said she was so chicken, she was going to throw up. I guess it must get boring after a while, sipping margaritas on a swan floatie in the pool, and eating barbecue.

Best exchange of the night:

Ciara: Welcome to the single girls club. Lindsay: Well, I’m thirty-four and you’re twenty-four. Ciara: A welcome is a welcome.

Next time, sexual tension is in the air, Lindsay asks if they know who she is, Luke says he doesn’t like Kyle, and a possible fistfight. Yay.  

📺 For Real: The Story of Reality TV, hosted by Andy Cohen, will air on E! Thursday, March 25th at 9 pm.

https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/andy-cohen-e-tv-news-roundup-1234907438/

🔪 Bravo’s Top Chef Portland will begin on April 1st at 8 pm. No foolin’.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/top-chef-season-18-cast-premiere-date-trailer

💭 Just a thought. People who remove messages all the time on social media or messenger should have their phones taken away. Maybe people would start thinking more about what they write before they write it. It’s so annoying. I want to see what you wrote when you were drunk/pissed off/just being an idiot.

🍵 Tea You Tomorrow…

It got late while I wasn’t looking, but there will be time for tea and GH tomorrow. In the meantime, stay safe, stay buckling your seatbelt, and stay appreciating any welcome you get.

March 17, 2021 – Franco’s Legacy Is Displayed, Teresa Has a Pool Party, Some St. Patrick’s O’Tidbits & Pub

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the gallery, Nikolas says he followed Ava’s instructions to the letter. Everything is ready for Franco’s memorial. Nina says the guests should be arriving soon. Nina sees the display (which we don’t), and says, it’s inspiring. She thinks Franco would love this. Ava thanks her, and says she wishes Franco was there to see it. Nina says, her too. She’ll go open the doors. Nikolas asks how Ava is doing, and she says, okay.

Laura goes to Elizabeth’s house, and hugs her. Elizabeth says she didn’t expect to see Laura until the memorial. Why is she there so early? Laura says she wanted to make this day easier for Elizabeth. Please tell her what she can do to help. Elizabeth says they’re fine, as much as they can be under the circumstances. Laura says she knows Elizabeth has to be strong for her boys, but she’s there to take care of Elizabeth.

TJ sees Curtis at the hospital, and Curtis says, there he is, the newly domestic partnered, and on Valentine’s Day no less. How does he feel? TJ says he feels great. It’s funny. All they did was sign some papers, and nothing has changed, but it feels like the bond he and Molly share is deeper and more solid. Curtis asks why TJ thinks that is, but TJ has no idea. It’s not like he and Molly are suddenly more committed to each other. Curtis says he thinks they are. Saying you’re committed to spending the rest of your lives together, and putting it on record, says something. He’s saying that he’ll be there when times get rough, and whatever it is, they’ll stick it out. Jordan walks in.

Dante thanks Sam for meeting him at Kelly’s, and she says, of course (🍷). What’s going on? He says he ran into her mom yesterday, and they got to talking about her trial. He was honest with Alexis about the testimony he’d have to give. She says she doesn’t think he’ll have to worry about that, because there’s been a change in plans. Her mom told her and her sisters that she’s decided to plead guilty.

Carly stands near the great and mighty moss bowl, as Josslyn walks into the kitchen. Carly puts her coffee cup down, and Josslyn asks if there’s something wrong with it. Carly says, it’s just cold. She asks if Josslyn is ready for Franco’s memorial, and Josslyn says she is, but it’s going to be weird listening to people talk about how great Franco was. (Um… Doesn’t Cameron do that all the time?) Carly says, one of the many reasons she’s not going. How’s Cameron? Josslyn says, he’s hurting. He really loved Franco. Jason walks in, and Josslyn asks if Carly is upset that she’s going to the memorial.

Obrecht arrives at the gallery, and Nina says she’s so glad Obrecht came. Obrecht says, here she is, and asks if that’s all Nina has to say. Nina says, she’s so glad Obrecht was exonerated, and Obrecht says, indeed she was. Months ago. Yet no one believed her when she said she was innocent. But no matter. Peter has finally been unmasked as the villain he is. Nina says she’s truly sorry for assuming the worst, and Obrecht says, as she should be, but now is not the time to hold grudges. And today – Obrecht tears up – they are there to say goodbye to Franco.

Peter enters the cemetery, and goes over to Nathan’s grave. He says, hello, brother. Strange place for a meeting, he knows, but he didn’t pick the venue. Cyrus says, good morning, Mr. August, and Peter spins around, gun drawn. He says, good morning, Mr. Renault.

Trina walks in the gallery, and says, this is all Franco’s? Cool. She tells Ava that she’s never been to a memorial in a gallery before, and Ava says, at Trina’s age, she’s sorry Trina has been to as many memorials as she has. It’s a little unorthodox, but she and Elizabeth agreed Franco’s life should be celebrated there in the gallery. It’s going to be a surprise. Nikolas says, she doesn’t know? and Ava says, not yet. Trina says, Cameron is going to love it, and Nikolas says he’s sure Elizabeth will too. He puts his arm around Ava.

Obrecht says she can’t believe Nelle was Nina’s long lost daughter, and Nina says, it’s a shame she only knew about it after Nelle died. To think they knew each other all those years. They’d been in the same room so many times, and didn’t grasp… She had the idea that her daughter was out there, living this happy life. Then she learned, not only did she have a horrible life, it was too late for Nina to do anything about it. When the dust settled, not only did she miss out on her chance to be a mother to her daughter, she lost the man she loved. Obrecht touches Nina’s arm, and says, she never would have thought Heir Jax capable of such deception. In business, certainly, but not with someone he proposed to love. Nina says, that’s the thing. Above all else, Jax will protect the people he loves, right? But this time, he protected Carly, not her.  

Josslyn tells Carly and Jax that she just wants to make it clear to both of them, she’s going to this memorial not to celebrate Franco, but to support Cameron. Carly says she loves Josslyn for that, and memorials are more for the people still living than the people who have died. Josslyn asks if Sonny’s funeral helped Carly, and Carly says, yeah. It was important to acknowledge Sonny’s life, but also important to acknowledge that he’s gone. It helped. Josslyn asks if Carly is okay, and Carly says she is. Josslyn needs to get going. Josslyn leaves, and Carly asks what brings Jason by. Is something going on? He says, you tell me. What’s wrong?

Dante asks how Sam feels about her mother’s decision, and Sam says she doesn’t think pleading guilty is the right idea right now. When her mother attacked Dante… or Franco, and got Dante by accident, she was out of her mind. She was drunk, she was scared, and she thinks her mother should plead not guilty, and have a lawyer explain all those things. He says, trials are costly and time-consuming, and if Alexis is going to plead out, it favors the court. If she admits her guilt and shows remorse, the system will go easier on her. Sam asks how can he, of all people, have faith in the system, when Peter probably won’t be charged with Drew’s murder?

Cyrus asks if this is how Peter begins all his business meetings, and Peter says, only the ones in the graveyards. Cyrus laughs, and says, that’s fair, but if Peter shoots him, it will be the last thing he does. Look at his chest. Peter sees a red dot, and Cyrus says, there’s another one on the back of his head. Obviously he can’t see that, so Peter will have to take his word for it. He tells Peter, at this point, he should put the gun down. He just wants to talk. Peter asks if it’s about the Jackie Templeton article, but Cyrus says that’s not why they’re there. He’s already spoken to Jackie himself. Peter asks if there’s going to be a follow-up interview, or is her body in a metal foundry? Cyrus says, neither. He’s well aware that once something is made public, it can’t be undone. That’s the value in secrets, and why Peter has been working so hard to protect his.

Jordan sees TJ and Curtis, and says, it’s a nice surprise. She asks what they’re up to, and Curtis says he was taking TJ to lunch to celebrate his domestic partnership. Jordan says she was happy she got to be there, and TJ says he needed a ride. She even used the siren to make sure he got there before they were closed. Curtis says, of course (🍷) she did. She’s a secret romantic. Jordan says Curtis has more soul than she thought, and TJ says he’s confused. Are they back together? Jordan says, she meant… and Curtis says he was going to tell TJ the news over lunch. She says, sorry. Spoiler she guesses. TJ says, now that he knows there’s something to know, tell him. Curtis says he’s making big changes to his life.

Elizabeth tells Aiden that he looks handsome, and Scotty comes in wearing sunglasses. He tells them that they don’t have to send out a search party; he’s there. Aiden says, hi, grandpa, and Scotty tells him that he looks sharp. Laura says she’s glad he’s there, and he says he’s sorry he missed the breakfast. Elizabeth says there’s some left, and asks if he wants her to heat it up, but he says, sorry, he couldn’t eat. Laura says, no apology necessary. Everyone knows how hard the day is for him. He says, when he was putting on his suit, he remembered how Franco made fun of his pocket squares, saying they were dated. It made him crazy. Laura says Scotty is funny when he’s annoyed, and he says, Franco got a kick out of it. He thought of the memories when he found out Franco was his son, and couldn’t put a square in his pocket today. Laura says she’s sorry. She wishes there was something she could say or do to make it easier. He says, the fact that she’s there makes it much better, and they hug.

Jake says Cameron went over his speech with him, and Elizabeth says, Franco would be glad he was prepared. Jake asks if Aiden is going to say anything, but Elizabeth says he doesn’t have to. Franco knew Aiden loved him. Aiden says, Franco wasn’t good at baking, although he tried hard. What he was good at was being a dad.

Josslyn tells Nina that she’s so sorry. She knows Nina and Franco were close. Nina thanks her, and says they were. Josslyn says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s sorry that Nina and her dad broke up. She thought they were great together. Nina says, so did she, and Josslyn says she knows Nina finding out Nelle was her daughter was horrible… She didn’t mean it like that; she means the way Nina found out. Nina says, it was horrible, but she wants Josslyn to know that she doesn’t blame her for her father’s actions. Josslyn says Jax wasn’t trying to hurt Nina; he was trying to protect his family. Her mom and dad will always be family because of her. She says, it’s all coming out so wrong. She’s sorry. She didn’t mean to make Nina feel bad. Nina takes her hands, and tells Josslyn to promise never to say she’s sorry for being honest.

Cyrus says he’s been watching Peter closely for the past few days. Peter’s been busy since it turned out Anna’s not his mother, and Maxie kicked him to the curb. Peter says, Maxie will come around, and Cyrus says, as long as nothing else comes out. That’s where he can help. Peter asks why he should trust Cyrus, but Cyrus tells him, he never said trust. He simply wants to work together to solve a common problem.

Carly tells Jason that she doesn’t want to talk about it; it’s stupid. Jason says, maybe, but it’s bothering her, so… She says, it’s her coffee. He says, her coffee? and she says she told him it was stupid. Sonny would make her the first cup every morning, and every morning it was perfect. She doesn’t know what he did or how he did it. She’s tried to make it like him, but she can’t. Whatever she does, it’s wrong. It’s not bad, but it’s not right. It doesn’t taste the way it’s supposed to taste; it tastes like the same coffee she has all day. Every time she takes a sip she’s reminded that the person who made the cup is missing, and he’s never coming back, and she’s sick of forcing herself to drink the wrong damn cup. She throws the mug across the room, and it shatters.

Elizabeth says, Aiden is so right. Franco was an amazing dad, and the memorial is the perfect place to tell everyone before they say goodbye. Aiden says he doesn’t know what to say, and Jake says, maybe if he reads his, Aiden will think of something. Aiden says, okay, and Jake reads, before Franco was his stepdad, Franco was his friend. They talked a lot, but a lot of the time, they didn’t need to. They could just draw. He misses Franco. He misses drawing with him, but he misses being Franco’s son even more. Elizabeth says, beautiful, and hugs him.

Obrecht asks if Nina is all right, and Nina says she’s okay. Josslyn is a wonderful young woman, but she shares her mother’s hate for Nelle. Obrecht says she can’t blame Josslyn. Perhaps Nelle’s life would have been different if she’d known Nina was her mother, but she didn’t. Nelle was treacherous and vindictive. Nina says she understands Nelle did terrible things and hurt a lot of people, but she didn’t deserve to die. Obrecht says, it’s not like Nelle was murdered. She was running from the law, and literally ran off a cliff. Nina says, but she could have been saved. Instead, she died alone like she spent her life. Obrecht says she had more than a passing familiarity with Nina’s daughter. She helped deliver Nelle’s baby. Nina says, she helped deliver Wiley? and Obrecht says she’d been arrested. She was on her way to another unlawful incarceration, when the van crashed, and she escaped into the woods. She came across Nelle in labor, and couldn’t leave her. Nina says, thank God Obrecht was there, or Wiley might not have survived. Obrecht says she’s happy that at least Nina will have a chance to know her grandson, but Nina says, not if Carly has anything to do with it.

Josslyn sees Trina, and says, thank God she’s there to save her from herself. She already put her foot in it with Nina. Trina asks, what happened? but Josslyn says it’s the last thing she wants to relive right now. Trina says she’s worried about Cameron. The last time they saw him, he was upset. Josslyn says, he was by his father grave, and Trina says Cameron needs them, and they have to do whatever it takes.

Obrecht agrees that Carly has Nina at a disadvantage, and Nina says she realized she needs a break. She’s sick of the lies and betrayal. She can’t do it anymore. Obrecht asks what she’s saying, and Nina says, it’s time for her to get out of Port Charles.

Curtis tells TJ, he bought a nightclub, and TJ says he thought Curtis loved being a P.I. Curtis says he did, but after a while he got tired of trading in secrets. He wants to start over, and do something positive. What’s more positive than bringing good vibes and good music to people? Jordan says she thinks it’s a good idea, and TJ says he does too, but he has to wrap his head around it; it’s a big adjustment. It’s not who he knows Curtis to be, but it’s totally who he is. It’s good to know, because so much is changing. Curtis says, lives change, and sometimes it can be good. Jordan says, it can be.

Sam tells Dante, Drew deserves justice, but she doesn’t think it’s going to happen. Dante asks, what’s the alternative? Vigilante justice? Sam says, Jason didn’t kill Franco, if that’s what he’s implying, and he says, it’s not, but Elizabeth thinks otherwise. Sam says she knows Elizabeth is wrong, and Dante asks, how? She says Jason told her that he didn’t do it, and she believes him.

Aiden asks what Cameron is going to say, and Cameron says, Franco saved his life, literally, and gave their family a new life. He’ll forever be grateful for that, and regrets giving Franco a hard time in the beginning. Jake says Cameron had to make sure Franco was good enough for their mom, and Elizabeth says, her brave boys; always protecting her. Scotty says, they were always up front, and Franco couldn’t have been happier when they accepted him into the family. Cameron wishes he knew that Franco knew that, and Aiden says, him too. That’s why he wants to say something. Elizabeth goes into the kitchen, and Laura follows her. Laura asks, what’s wrong? and Elizabeth says she hates that the boys have to defend Franco when he was taken so cruelly from them.

Cyrus says he can’t imagine Jason is pleased with the role Peter played in his brother’s death. Is Peter willing to look over his shoulder for the rest of Jason’s life, however short it might be? Peter asks what Cyrus thinks he can do about that? Cyrus says, they can do a lot.

Peter says he can see how it would benefit him, but what does Cyrus get out of it? Cyrus says, in the short term, he gets rid of a nuisance, and Peter says, and the long term? Cyrus says he’s sure Peter will be of use to him. Do they have a deal? Cyrus holds out his hand and smiles, and Peter takes it.

Jordan shows Curtis pictures from the commitment ceremony, and he says TJ and Molly look great together. TJ says he can’t wait to show Curtis his moves at the nightclub, and Curtis says he’s seen TJ’s moves, and can’t wait to see an improvement. Jordan’s phone rings, and Curtis says, work? She says, sorry. It was great bumping into them. Enjoy their lunch. She leaves, and TJ asks if Curtis is sure the changes he’s making are for the better.   

Obrecht says, Nina is leaving? Obrecht just got back, and will miss her. Nina says, it’s not for good. She just needs time away. Obrecht says, as long as she remembers Port Charles is her home, and Nina says, it doesn’t feel like it is right now. Obrecht says, it will again, and Nina says, maybe when she gets perspective on what happened.  

Nikolas tells Ava, a lot of people would rather celebrate Franco’s death than mourn him, and Ava says she thinks they should celebrate Franco. Remember the good he did, and the effort he made to redeem himself, and make amends for the wrongs he did. He asks if Ava thinks Franco did redeem himself, and she says she does, as much as possible. Despite Franco’s faults, there were people who loved him.

Elizabeth tells Laura, she thought it was her and Franco against the world. He tried to be a decent person, and for what? Jason killed him anyway. Laura says they don’t know that for sure, and Elizabeth says she saw Jason standing over Franco’s body. She thought Jason’s love for Jake would overcome his hate for Franco, but she was wrong. His hate won, and she’s going to make sure Jason pays.

While Carly cleans up the mess, she tells Jason, she not only destroyed her cup of coffee, now she destroyed her favorite mug. Why did he push her? She gets louder as she talks, and says, why did he make her confront her feelings? It’s not like he’s in touch with his feelings; he doesn’t even like to admit he has any. She has to be fine for her family. Why did he ask her what was wrong? Sonny is gone, and she’s grieving, but she has to function as a mom, and run the MetroCourt. She has no time to cry. Jason suggests she find the time, and she tells him, stop being calm and reasonable. She’s yelling at him; yell back! He says he knows she’s not mad at him. She’s mad at Sonny. She says he’s damn right.

Laura arrives at the memorial, and Obrecht asks her if Peter has been arrested yet, but Laura says she’s afraid not. Obrecht asks what she’s waiting for. Peter confessed. Everyone at his wedding disaster heard it. Laura says, he only confessed to Valentin. They only have Valentin’s word, and Peter swears he’s innocent. She’s sorry. She leaves, and Obrecht says she has nothing to be sorry for. It’s almost a relief. She’d much rather do it herself.

Laura tells Ava and Nikolas that Elizabeth and the boys are late, but they’ll be there soon. Nikolas asks how Elizabeth is doing, and Laura says, she’s staying strong for the boys, but she’s grieving. She’s positive Jason killed Franco. Nikolas asks if Laura thinks he did it, but she says, honestly, she’s not sure. He says if Elizabeth believes it, that’s good enough for him, but Laura says, there will be no justice if the wrong man is accused.

Carly tells Jason, Sonny left her, and she doesn’t know what happened, not really. She knows Sonny was on the bridge when it fell – Jason saw it – but then what? He drowned? Where is his body? In the water they dragged? There’s no sign of him. Was it in the water that blows through the marsh and out to sea? They don’t know, but the thought of Sonny and his body lost forever under the cold water is more than she can stand. Jason says he knows. It’s going to take time. He touches her shoulder, but she shrugs him off, saying, how much time? Sonny is gone, and everything is wrong. She’s up with Donna at all hours because Sonny isn’t there to sing her back to sleep. Avery is at Windymere instead of there at home where she belongs. All this time, it’s been on her to keep what family they have left together. Jason says she doesn’t have to do it by herself, but she says, yes she does. She has to keep it together, and be strong. Jason says he knows, and he knows she can, but she doesn’t have to do this alone. She cries, and he holds her. I tell them once again to get a room.

Sam doesn’t get it. Dante has faith in the system? He says he thinks ultimately there are enough good people working within the system to make it good. She asks when he became such a Pollyanna, and he tells her that’s his middle name; Dante Angelo Pollyanna Falconari. His phone rings, and he says, sorry, and steps away. It’s Obrecht, who tells him, they must meet at once. He asks, where?… He’ll be there. He tells Sam, sorry, he has to go. She says, work? and he says, hopefully a chance to do some good.

Aiden asks Scotty if his speech is okay, and Scotty says he makes speeches for a living, and thinks it’s top drawer. He guesses they can get going, and they get their coats on. Elizabeth hangs back. She looks into the living room, and remembers her relationship with Franco – becoming friends; her saying he was a good friend, even when everyone hated her; and him saying, everyone make mistakes; everyone needs a friend. She flashes back to him asking if she believes he’s changed, and her saying she does. She thinks about him planning a special evening, and showing the portrait he painted of her; saying she deserves to be with someone who treats her right, someone like him. She remembers him saying he promises to never intentionally hurt her, and their first kiss. She thinks about him being in the hospital, and telling him that they’ll face it together or not at all. She flashes back to them making it official, and Franco giving her a ring; Franco with the boys, baking with Aiden; and their jailhouse wedding ceremony, with Franco saying, till death do us part. She says, I love you too, and leaves. I’m more pissed off than sad, since I feel like Franco’s death is a rip-off.

Ava tells Nina, she got a text from Scotty. They’re on their way over, so she thinks people should take their seats. Nina says she knows Ava is going to get busier, and wants to make sure to say goodbye. Ava asks where Nina is going, and Nina says she needs a break. Ava says, from Carly? Wait; she’ll come with Nina. Nina says she needs breathing room to figure out who she is with Jax and Wiley. She’s going to leave after the memorial. Ava says, she’s coming back? and Nina says, yeah. Ava says she’d better. Believe it or not, she’s going to miss Nina. Nina says, believe it or not, she’s going to miss Ava too.  

TJ tells Curtis, forget he said anything. It’s none of his busines. Curtis says, it means a lot that TJ cares enough to speak out. As to whether the change is for the better, it’s too soon to know, but he’s hopeful. TJ says, him too. So does the club have a name? Curtis laughs, and says, not yet. Does TJ have a suggestion? TJ says he’ll have to see it first, then they’ll talk.

Dante stands at Nathan’s grave, when Obrecht shows up. He asks, what’s going on? and she says she’s made a decision. She has no interest in delayed gratification. It’s time to finally take care of Peter. At this rate, it’s going to be like Murder on the Orient Express, with everyone having a hand in it.

Sam looks up to see Peter, and tells him, keep walking. He says, no need for animosity, and she says she can agree. Once he’s behind bars, she won’t have to look at him again. He says he hates to disappoint her, but the bogus charges will never stick.

Jason asks if Carly is okay, and she says she had so much bottled up. She misses Sonny so much, and feels so bad. She’s so angry, and it’s not fair. Sonny didn’t want to be gone. Jason says, it doesn’t have to make sense, and she thanks him for being there. She doesn’t know what she’d do without him. He says he’s not going anywhere, and a guard says, sorry to interrupt. The Commissioner is here. Carly tells him to ask Jordan to come in. Jordan joins them, and Carly says, please, tell her there’s some good news, and Jordan isn’t bothering Jason with a million questions. Jordan says Jason is under arrest for the murder of Franco Baldwin.

Elizabeth thanks Ava for holding the memorial there, and Ava says, of course (🍷). Before they go in, she wants to give everyone chance to share their memories, but to her, it felt like Franco’s life couldn’t be summed up in words. She decided to show a collection she considers his greatest work.

They go in, and Elizabeth says, oh! Aiden says he doesn’t get it; Jake did that one. Elizabeth says, these were painted by the people Franco helped in art therapy at GH. Scotty says, it was his true legacy. Franco would be proud to see them hanging here. Cameron asks if Elizabeth is okay, and she smiles and nods. She says she can’t thank Ava enough. This is the Franco she loves. The kind and caring man she married, and wants the world to remember. Her Franco. We’re all sad.

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Brook that he can never know, Jax finds Nina, Obrecht tells Dante that they need a permanent solution, and Diane says it looks like Jason is in serious trouble.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Joe #2 and Melissa took the kids to their Tom’s River house, where they were celebrating Joe’s 46th birthday. Melissa told him that he was the only person who could get through to Teresa, and in Joe’s interview, he said Teresa had taken things way too far. It was time for her to step up and do the right thing. Melissa and Joe had lunch with Melissa’s sisters and their husbands (one of which is a Joe #4012), and Teresa, who informed us that eating pineapple or peaches would make you taste sweeter, before ordering a vodka and pineapple. I dunno if that’s true, but I’ve read that if you feed dogs pineapple, they’re less likely to eat poopies. True story. The group teased Teresa about liking pool boy Tony, and Teresa screeched she was having a midweek pool party. Joe wanted Teresa to invite Jackie, and own her part in what went wrong. He said he thought Jackie had given a sincere apology at Evan’s birthday part two, but Teresa suggested he tell Jackie to stop being a crybaby. He told Teresa that it was his birthday wish, and Teresa had Melissa send out a group text invite, including Jackie. She told Melissa to invite Michelle too, and Joe asked if that wasn’t the crazy bitch who said he owed her husband money. Teresa told him that she’d informed Michelle that she wouldn’t sell the house until Jon made good with Joe.  

In Paramus, Jennifer, her sister, and dad discussed a trip to Turkey. There was concern Jennifer’s mom would want to go, but she couldn’t be included in the same trip as her dad, because she continually fought with him. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she was just trying to keep the peace, and wished her mom could see that she loved her parents equally.

David didn’t believe Delores was ever moving in with him, even after he’d built the house to her specifications. She said when the house was finished, they were supposed to get engaged. When she didn’t get a ring, she thought he was pushing her away. They made a pact to spend more time together.

Marge wanted Joe #3 to hurry up with the house, since it was filled with boxes and plastic tubs of stuff. Marge was on a diet because she was going to be shooting her book cover, and had a meeting with ghostwriter Emily. She told Emily, she got Joe to do more when she was his girlfriend. Well, of course. I’ll have what Marge is having though. She looks fabulous. She told Emily that she had let men in power manipulate her when she was younger, because she was intimidated, and her mother’s self-worth hinged on being attractive to men. Marge came from instability, and thought first husband Jan was stable, marrying him at a young age. Her relationship with Joe #3 was the first nurturing, healthy adult relationship she’d had. In her interview, she said Joe was the culmination of everything she wanted in a relationship. She told Emily that she wasn’t sure how Joe was going to like the book, and Emily said people feeling that way was to be expected, but she thought they were off to a good start.

Joe #1, aka Juicy Joe, signed the divorce papers, and Teresa said it was the easiest divorce in the world. In her interview, she said, despite what everyone had been thinking about Joe coming after her money, she knew he’d do the right thing because of their daughters.

Everyone got ready for the pool party, and Marge told Joe #3 that his red shorts would bring out the pimento in the olives. Melissa said she didn’t want any man fights, and when Delores told Frank about Teresa inviting Michelle and Jon, Frank asked if Delores had ever seen Joe #2 lose his temper. We flashed back to the Joe versus Joe take-down at the christening. Jackie and Evan didn’t show, so the point was moot. Melissa said when she’d told Jackie that Teresa was extending an olive branch, she said Teresa could put the branch up her ass. Why Melissa relayed those exact words to Teresa, I’ll never know, because that prompted Teresa to say Jackie could shove it up her husband’s ass. Then maybe he wouldn’t cheat. Nice. Marge said Jackie was upset, and the invitation should have been more personal; not in a group text. Melissa said she just wanted to get to a place where Teresa and Jackie could be in the same room. Delores said she was getting an award for Breast Cancer Awareness; she’d done some PSAs and helped raise money for it. She was getting the Ambassador of Hope Award, and was inviting everyone over afterward. Teresa said she was going to be out of town for a soccer tournament, and Marge said the issue was really going to drag TF out.

When Michelle and Jon showed up, Joe #2 called Jon over, and Marge said, this could get really ugly really fast, and Melissa said it stressed her when men had conversations. IMO, it’s a lot less likely for it to result in a fistfight if it’s the men. Joe told Jon that he’d heard stuff Jon’s been saying (I’ve heard things…), and Jon was saying Joe owed him tens of thousands of dollars. Jon said they were partners on the deal, but Joe said the event was called Grow with Gorga. Jon asked why Joe thought he’d send $20K worth of vendor memberships for nothing in return, and Joe said to ride his coattails. Not to be left out, Melissa called Michelle over, and wanted to know why Michelle complained to Jennifer about Joe at Jackie’s party, but never said anything to her. Michelle said she hadn’t thought it was a big deal, but Melissa called it a schmear fest. Michelle said it was true. In the men’s department, Joe told Jon that had there been money involved, it would have been done up front. Jon said he thought they had a handshake deal, and were going to split the proceeds if the event worked out, then do more of them. Joe said he meant going forward, which sounded shady to me, but whatever. Michelle told Melissa, it had nothing to do with them, but Delores said Michelle shouldn’t have been talking about it at the party. Michelle agreed that it hadn’t been the right atmosphere, and apologized, but said again that it was between the husbands. She’d told Jon to talk to Joe, and that was happening. Jon suggested he and Joe squash their beef, but he also wanted Joe to allow his wife to sell Teresa’s house. Joe told Jon to say he didn’t mean anything by it (really, he said that), and Jon said it had been a miscommunication – code for, I did nothing wrong. Jon said next time, they’d do it in writing, and they shook hands. Michelle said, if they were good, there was no reason for her and Melissa not to be good, and Teresa encouraged everyone to have shots.

Bill came late, followed by pool boy Tony. Joe #2 eyeballed Tony flirting with Teresa, and in his interview, he said Tony was his best friend. He’d known Tony since he was five, but he didn’t want Tony near his sister. He was a dirty, dirty dog. Jennifer got very drunk early on, and when Bill asked how many shots she’d had, she slurred that she had tequila drinks. Teresa wanted everyone in the pool – which turned out to be the women and Tony – and they played tequila pong using a raft float. Marge wondered why Jennifer was drinking so much, as Jennifer totally missed her mouth trying to drink from a bottle of water. In Marge’s interview, she said she was all about a good time, but it wasn’t the first time she’d seen Tequila Jennifer. We flashed back to a few times, and Marge said this was falling into serious drinking issue problem. She was worried about Jennifer. Marge told Jennifer that it was time to go home, and Jennifer fell over.  

Bill asked Jennifer if she was okay, and told her they had to go home. He picked her up in his arms, and carried her, which was really sweet. Before he got to the car, Joe #2 and Joe #3 came out to help, and Jennifer laughed her ass off. They got her in the car, and she said, so embarrassing, but they told her, we all do it. Then we flashed back to Bill doing it. Joe #3 said Jennifer must have done 40 effing shots, and Joe #2 told Bill to be ready to pull over. As they went down the driveway, it sounded like maybe he didn’t have time for that.  

Next time, Jennifer tells Delores that Joe #3 fueled the rumor fire, Marge and Jen get into it, and Teresa tells everyone to go f*** themselves before storming off. In other words, same old. Minus the Solo cup.

🍀 O’Something For St. Patrick’s Day…

Everything you need to know about the o’holiday.

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/real-meaning-saint-patricks-day

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/who-invented-st-patricks-day

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-patricks-day-why-we-celebrate

📺 Goodnight, Chet…

Calling it a night. Almost. Like Vanessa Williams, I have work to do, but I’ll meet you tomorrow for tea at that God awful House I can’t look away from like it’s a bad accident. Until then, stay safe, stay taking care of your corner of the world, and stay not bottling up your emotions so much, you end up smashing your favorite mug.

March 16, 2021 – Fatherly Advice From Beyond the Grave, Meet Zander, a Return, Tiffany’s Birthday, Window Of Convenience, a Tradition & Zooming

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

The week continues with me missing the beginning, so here’s what happened before it had my full concentration. Alexis called someone for backup, and her daughters arrived, asking what the emergency was. Alexis said she was changing her plea to guilty, which didn’t go over too big with the Davis girls. Valentin rang the doorbell, and Molly told him it wasn’t a good time, but Alexis said she wanted to see him. At Kelly’s, Trina and Josslyn looked at the social media posts about Franco’s funeral, and hoped Cameron was ignoring them. They decided to put flowers on Sonny and Dev’s graves. Already at the cemetery, Cameron saw his biological father’s gravestone, and listed all the bad things that had happened to him, saying that if Zander had been there, it might have been different. Zander appeared and said he got it; it was all his fault. Sasha went to see Brando in his hospital room, where he was getting dressed. She told him the nurses had been talking about the hot guy who was checking out against the doctor’s advice. She helped him with a button he’d missed, but Cyrus interrupted. Maxie told Peter that Sam would be back soon, but he doubted it, since he’d seen her leaving with the boxes. She wanted him to unlock the door and give her back the key, but he said she was safer with him around. Michael saw that Brook was pregnant, but she avoided the subject, and told him how heartbroken she was to hear about Sonny. She said she would have come back, but she figured Michael had Willow… or Sasha. And then…

Zander says it’s good see Cameron. He can only imagine what Cameron’s mom told him. Cameron says she almost never mentions him. He was her best friend’s boyfriend, something happened, they left town, and he got Cameron’s mom pregnant. Then, he died. He read about Zander’s death online at a site on suicide by cop. He was surrounded by police, saw no way out, and pulled an imaginary gun. He knew the police would have no choice but to shoot him. He’s got to say, as father figures go, Zander went in style. Zander says, and he’s to blame for everything wrong in Cameron’s life. Cameron says, when he was seven, he fell off his bike, and got ten stitches. Maybe it is Zander’s fault. Maybe if he’d been there to teach Cameron how to ride a bike, it wouldn’t have happened. Zander says, maybe he can still teach Cameron something, but Cameron says, one problem; he’s dead. Zander says, true, but Cameron isn’t. Is he really throwing away his future because today hurts so bad? Cameron asks why he cares. He had his chance to be a dad, and blew it. Zander says he’s still Cameron’s dad, and always will be, whether Cameron likes it or not. Cameron should take the opportunity to from his mistakes.

Cyrus says, so it’s true. Brando is being released. He asks if Brando is ready to leave. His job has been on hold since his unfortunate accident, and still needs his attention. Brando says he wasn’t sure he had a job to come back to, and Cyrus asks who Brando thinks is paying his medical bills. Brando says he’s grateful, but Cyrus says, there’s no need for gratitude; benefits are part of the job. Sasha asks if the job benefits include getting shot, when Gladys comes in. She asks, where’s her boy? and runs to Brando, hugging him. She says, if something had happened to her boy, she could never forgive herself – or anyone else.

Michael tells Brook, some things have changed since she’s been gone. He and Willow had their marriage annulled, but Willow is living in the gatehouse so she can be close to Wiley. Brook says she’s glad Nelle’s plan to abduct Wiley was stopped, and he says, thanks to her. Any update on her voice? She says, let it suffice to say she won’t be singing any duets with Taylor Swift any time soon. But she’s alive, which is more than she can say for Julian. Michael says, he was on the bridge with Sonny, but only Julian’s body was recovered. She asks how Lucas is handing it, and he says, it hit Lucas harder than Lucas wanted it to, but he thinks Lucas has moved on. Lucas sees Wiley, which is good for both of them. She guesses that was his idea, and he says, there can’t be too many people to love Wiley. She says she can think of one more. Sonny was someone she thought would always be there. They hug.

Alexis says she wants Valentin to stay, and asks for Molly’s take on her plea. Molly says just because she’s in law school doesn’t mean she’s an expert, and Kristina says she works at the DA’s office, but Molly says that doesn’t mean she has privileged information. Alexis says she just wants Molly’s legal opinion, and Molly says, it hasn’t changed. If Alexis pleads not guilty, even if she’s not acquitted, the sentence should be lenient; maybe a combination of rehab and community service. Alexis says, and if she pleads guilty? Molly says, she’ll be sent to Pentenville.  

Maxie says she knows what she told Peter at the hospital wasn’t easy to hear, but she hasn’t changed her mind. If anything, she’s more certain they have no future together. He says they have to, for their family and daughter. She says she’s thinking about their daughter. She knows no matter what else he’s done, he loves their daughter. He says he does. That’s why they have to provide a healthy, happy home. He’s not suggesting rushing back into a wedding. They can take time to work things out. Maybe go to couples counseling. She says she doesn’t think couples counseling is the answer. He killed Drew. He says, hearsay from unreliable sources like Valentin and Obrecht. They have no proof. The past is dead. He killed it. She asks, how exactly did he do that?

Zander tells Cameron, he made mistakes. He made bad choices, and now his time was wasted. He did a few good things – Cameron is one of them – but in the end, his bad choices won. They dragged him down like a riptide, and pulled him under, but it’s not too late for Cameron to make good choices. Cameron says he’s a senior in high school. Now Zander is giving him fatherly advice? It’s too late, doesn’t he think? Zander says Cameron sounds like him. For him, it was a bluff because he was hurting, and didn’t know how to express it. Cameron insists he’s not hurting; he’s mad. Zander says, Cameron is right to be mad as hell. He feels hopeless, and like it will never end, but he can’t give in. Cameron says, like him? but Zander says they’re not talking about him; they’re talking about Cameron. If Cameron doesn’t want to do it for himself, do it for those who need him, and give him a purpose. He’s seen Cameron with Jake and Aiden. He puts his hands on Cameron’s shoulders and says, he has so much potential. Don’t follow his example. Don’t give in to negative impulses and anger. Cameron says, easy for him to say, and Zander tells Cameron that he was hurting, and wanted the world to hurt with him. Cameron has a chance he never did. Franco turned out to be a great father. Cameron was safe and loved. Don’t make a lie out of everything Franco did for him. It’s his choice.

Brando asks when Gladys got to town, and she says, actually, she’s been there a few days. She was working up the nerve to see him. Things didn’t end on the best note. She says hello to Cyrus, and says, it’s good to see him. She hopes in the future, Cyrus takes better care of her son. Cyrus assures her that Brando is in good hands, and Gladys says she and Sasha met at Sonny’s house at Christmastime. Sasha was with Michael. Sasha says, they broke up, and Gladys says she bets Sasha couldn’t stand his pushy mother. She can’t say she blames Sasha. Brando says, sorry about his mother, but Sasha says, it’s okay. It’s not easy for her to see her son in the hospital. She’ll leave them alone. Cyrus says he’ll join her, and they leave. Brando closes the door, and says, okay. Now they’re alone. What is she doing there, and what’s in it for her?

Brook tells Michael, the last time she spoke to Granny, she said Ned and Olivia hadn’t reconciled, despite her best efforts. He asks if Tracy told her how far she went, and Brook shakes her head. He says, Tracy framed Alexis for drunk driving, thinking she’d go to rehab, and wouldn’t be able to talk about her and Ned’s one-night stand. Brook guesses it backfired, and Olivia found out. That’s why her dad wanted her to come back. Michael says, and Tracy went back to Europe. That leaves him with the question, who’s the father? She says, the answer is, none of his business. 

Molly says, Alexis injured Dante, and almost killed him. They’re not going to give her a slap on the wrist. Kristina says, Franco was just shot. Someone else thought he was dangerous too. Alexis says they’re talking about her. She did it because she was drunk, and never would have done it if she’d been sober. She won’t get sober unless she faces what she’s done. Kristina says, if Dante can forgive her, maybe the jury can, but Alexis says, it’s a disease, not an excuse. She asks what Valentin thinks, and he says he thinks she’s a fighter. She asks if he thinks she should plead not guilty, and he says, not if she wants to take responsibility. If she wants that, she’ll have to plead guilty.   

Peter tells Maxie that he was talking symbolically. The past died when he turned his back on Anna and her lies. The past died when he found out Valentin wasn’t his true friend. For better or worse, he’s the son of Alex Marick and Cesar Faison. Faison was Nathan’s father too, and Maxie loved him with all her heart. Maxie almost smiles, remembering Nathan, and says, he’s right. This doesn’t have anything to do with DNA or what name Peter uses. It’s about the man Peter is. He says, exactly, and starting today, everything he does is for her and their daughter. The bond between the three of them can’t be broken. She says he already broke it, with his lies and his actions. He was never honest with her, but she’s going to be honest with him. He’s going to have no part in her life or this baby’s.

Cameron tells Zander that he’s the very definition of too little too late. Where was he when Cameron was afraid of the dark? When he needed someone to check under the bed and look in the closet, and promise no monsters were there? Where was he when Cameron’s dog died? Where was he when Cameron messed up, and had to face a judge, and got community service? Where was he when Cameron’s heart got broken, when he was kidnapped, or lost his best friend to cancer?

Peter says Maxie doesn’t know what she’s saying. They got into her head. Spinelli and Robert have been gunning for him since he got to town. Valentin and Anna are just the latest. Don’t listen to them. He understands why Mac is important to Maxie, since her father abandoned her, and she was deprived of a father’s love. Would she do the same with their child? She says she’s going to do her best for their child, and he says, of course (🍷) she will. She’s loving and generous, and also smart. She knows better than to try and keep him from his child. She asks if he’s  threatening her, and he says she’s been lied to by people she loves and trusts. He’s trying to give her time to recover from the shock. When she’s healed, her natural goodness will give her the clarity to see through the lies, and everything will be as it was meant to be… as they’re meant to be.

Michael says, it’s not like Brook can hide until the baby comes. What if he arranges a family dinner? She can tell everyone at once. She says her immediate plans are up in the air, but who would he invite? He says, Ned would want to be there, and maybe he and Olivia could make it through a full dinner if they don’t have to focus on themselves. Monica and Willow; maybe Valentin. She asks if he’s kidding her. That crazy guy tricked her into selling her stock, and took ELQ away from Michael. He asks if that’s why she waited until Valentin left before she said hello, but she says she didn’t know he was there. He says, then she missed the part where Valentin offered to give him back control of the company if he’d let Nina spend time with Wiley. She says, did he really? He actually has a heart. Who knew?

Molly asks Alexis to help her understand. If she pleads guilty, she’ll be sent to prison, and somehow free herself of addiction? Kristina says, it makes no sense. If Alexis needs help, go to rehab. Alexis says Dante told her that demons follow you wherever you go, and Valentin says, unless you face them. Alexis says she’s tired. Tired of running. She needs to confront what she did, and not just one thing, all of it. She tells Kristina and Molly, it’s the only way she’s going to survive.

Gladys says, Brando got shot. Of course (🍷) she’s there. How could he doubt her intentions? He says he knows her, so save the lecture. He already knows she told Cyrus that Dev wasn’t Sonny’s cousin, but a refugee Sonny was shielding. She says she doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Poor Dev. She couldn’t have loved him more if he’d been her own grandson. To think he was killed in a blast… It’s surreal. Now her son was almost gone. He says, let that be a lesson to her. The closer you get to Cyrus, the more dangerous life gets.

Cyrus asks if Sasha has time for coffee; his treat. And he’s not talking the diesel fuel from the vending machine. He has an espresso maker in his office. She says the last time she accepted his hospitality, she ended up in the hospital, and he says, as she wishes. She tells him, wait. She’s not minimizing who he is, or the things he sells, but no one put a gun to her head. She has no one to blame but herself. He asks if it’s her talking, or her counseling, and she says she’s quoting her counselor, but she believes she’s responsible for her choices.

Zander says he should been there. Instead, he gave up. He gave up on himself, life, everything. In one moment, he threw away everything. Now Cameron is at his own fork in the road, and it’s time for him to choose. If he chooses wrong, he knows what they’ll say; like father, like son. Trina and Josslyn show up, and Trina reads the gravestone, Alexander Smith. Josslyn says, Cameron’s biological father. He used to be called Zander, right? Cameron says, right. He was just here.

Cameron repeats, he was just here, and Trina says, who? Cameron says, it doesn’t matter. He left, just like everyone else. Josslyn says, that’s not true. She and Trina are there. That counts, right? He asks who the flowers are for, and Josslyn says, they’re for Dev and Sonny’s graves. Cameron says, typical. Someone else gets the flowers and the girl. Trina asks what he’s talking about, and Josslyn says, no offense, but has he been drinking? He says he wishes he had that as an excuse. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much.

Gladys says, if anyone is close to Cyrus, it’s him. What does he do for Cyrus? Anything his mother should know about? He says he’s a driver; it’s just a job. And if she doesn’t mind, he’d like to get out, and get back to earning his pay. She says he’s so conscientiousness, but she’s not letting him do anything until he recovers. He asks how she’s going to monitor him from Bridgeport, and she says she’s sticking around to make sure her baby boy is okay.

Sasha says, sometimes she can’t figure Cyrus out. It seems like he has genuine concern for Brando. He says he’s not the only one, and she says, Brando has been a good friend, and she appreciates Cyrus looking out for him. It makes him seem almost human. Cyrus says she’d be surprised how human he is, and she says she knows exactly what he is.

Michael tells Brook, of course (🍷) he wants the company back, but his duty is to his son’s interests first. He’s not trading Wiley’s emotional well-being for stock. She says, whatever the case, she’s tired and wants to lie down. She asks him to get her suitcase from the car; she has no energy to talk to anyone else about the latest developments. He says she’s going to have to talk to the baby’s father, and she says, no offense, but he had a baby with a psychopath, and he’s offering her advice? Back off. He says he’s trying to make her understand it’s imperative she tells the truth, and she tells him to handle the suitcase; she’ll handle the rest. He says, Valentin is the baby’s father, isn’t he?   

Kristina says, what’s it to Valentin if her mom goes to prison? Molly says she agrees with Kristina. She tells Alexis that it sounds brave and noble to take responsibility for her actions, but Pentenville isn’t equipped with the kind of rehab Alexis needs. Alexis says she doubts she’ll be the only one drinking. There’s probably an AA meeting, and if there isn’t, she’ll start one. Sam says, prison isn’t rehab. If she goes to Pentenville, she’ll have no support system. Is she ready for that?

Maxie tells Peter that she wants to believe there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a freight train coming at her. He says, the light she sees is real. Their love and their family is real. Maxie says, he was right. She just needs time to figure out where they go from here. He tells her to take all the time she needs. He thinks he’ll hold on to the key in the meantime. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something happened to her, James, or the baby. She looks at him stone-faced. Um… can’t she just change the locks?

Trina says, okay. They went to Dev and Sonny’s graves. Josslyn says, now they can take Cameron home, but he says, actually, he’s not going home. One thing he learned tonight is that he doesn’t need anybody. Josslyn says he’s not the only one who lost someone. Unfortunately, there’s plenty of grief to go around. Quit feeling sorry for himself. He says, she’s right. He’s just another loser. We see Zander watching, and Cameron says, like father, like son. Trina hopes the pity party is over soon. For the record, she and Josslyn don’t hang out with losers. He’ll have to accept they’re amazing friends, and he’s lucky to have them. Cameron says, right, the luckiest, and smiles. Zander watches.

Gladys comes back out, and tells Sasha that Brando is asking to see her. Sasha goes to see Brando, and Cyrus asks how Gladys likes her accommodations. She says she’d prefer an upgrade to the MetroCourt. It’s the least he could do in exchange for her looking out for his interests.

Brando is packing when Sasha comes in. She asks if he needs a ride, but he says his mother insists on taking him home. She says his mother is talking to Cyrus, and he says, hopefully, she’s just passing through. His advice, keep her distance. She tells him, don’t worry. She has no intention of letting anyone too close.

Michael tells Brook, don’t deny it. He knows she spent the night with Valentin before she left Port Charles. She admits Valentin is the father, and Michael asks when she’s going to tell him. She says, it’s complicated, and she might not tell him. Michael says, the man can do the math, and she says, if she deceives him though, there will be fewer heartbreaks. Michael says, he didn’t say that, she did Still, playing with Valentin Cassadine is playing a dangerous game.

Kristina and Molly tell Alexis that they love her, give her a hug, and leave. Sam asks Valentin if he’s leaving too, and he says he’d like to stick around and discuss options if it’s okay with Alexis. Alexis says it is, and Sam asks if she’s sure about that. Alexis says yes, Sam tells Alexis that she loves her, and leaves. Alexis tells Valentin, this is getting to be a habit. He says if she wants him to leave, say the word. She says, milk and sugar? and he says, two sugars.

Maxie says, maybe there still is a place for Peter in her life, with her and the baby. He says, that’s more like it. He smiles and leaves, and she calls a locksmith. Not really, but she should. She puts the chain lock on the door, and tells the baby, one thing I’ll never share, sweetheart, is you. Never ever.

Tomorrow, Laura asks how she can help, Sam tells Dante there’s been a change in plans, Peter asks Cyrus what’s in it for him, and Elizabeth says she’s going to make sure Jason pays.

👔 Cameron’s Bio-Dad…

If you need a refresher course, like I did.

🥾 Same Zander, Different Day…

I wonder if it felt like going home.

https://www.tvinsider.com/990371/chad-brannon-zander-returns-to-general-hospital-first-look/

🐎 I caught a little of The Real Housewives of Dallas, and the women did some kind of meditation exercise with D’Andra’s shaman. Kameron and Kary reacted the same way I would. While everyone else was going, ohm-m-m, they could barely contain their laughter. Kary had a birthday party for Tiffany, which included a weird wall, where hands came out of small windows to hand them glasses of wine. I have to mention that D’Andra wears expensive headbands. I’ve noticed them on her before, and I can’t remember the brand, but I checked them out once. I couldn’t see paying $40 for a headband, when I can get one for a fraction of that at Ulta. It’s not a tiara for God’s sake. Tiffany was thrilled, since she never had a birthday party while growing up. She received a boiled egg per tradition – symbolizing wishes for a good year ahead – and a red envelope containing $20. Since the alcohol was flowing, she got sappy, telling the women that she’d just wanted to fit in. They said they’d thought she was the cool one. Me too. In her interview, she said it felt good to be part of this messed up group. I guess her bar is set pretty low. Everyone got really drunk, and Brandi fell off a swing, but she didn’t let it slow her down any. D’Andra ended up pitching a fit at Mama Dee over why she’d changed her last name to her stepfather’s. While D’Andra said it was because he’d taken care of her, Mama Dee said it was because D’Andra thought the name could open doors for her. It got pretty nasty. Brandi and Tiffany tried to comfort D’Andra, who also fell off the swing along with Tiffany, while Brandi managed to stay standing. I have no idea if a good time was had by all, or anybody really.

Next time, D’Andra defends the practice of meditation, and calls Brandi a cafeteria Christian.

🍷 Windows Of Wine…

Everything old is new again. They literally came in handy then and now.

https://www.foodandwine.com/news/plague-wine-windows-italy

🥚 Birthday Egg…

Why Tiffany got that egg, and some other interesting traditions.

https://russian13chinesefoodsuperstitions.wordpress.com/author/angelazhu96/

🚴‍♀️ No Moss Gathering Here…

While tomorrow brings Teresa and tea, for now, it’s time for me to roll. Until we and the Jersey Wives meet, stay safe, stay classy, and stay off the swing at Kary’s parties.

March 15, 2021 – Valentin Offers Michael the Deal Of a Lifetime, a Feverish Guest Is a Quarantined Guest, Grammy Winners, Oscar Noms, Academy Snubs, Going For the Gold, Empty Apple & Cheap

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the very beginning, but all you need to know is… Sam and Alexis met at Kelly’s, and Maxie was released from the hospital. She’s packing up Peter’s stuff, and Olivia and Dante are with her. Chase went to see Willow, Valentin went to see Michael, and Ava went to see Nina. Finn, Gregory, and Jackie are at the hospital, discussing the DNA test results, and Jason has just walked in on Anna and Peter’s conversation in Peter’s office. And away we go.

Peter says he was wondering when Jason would show up. Predictable as always. Jason says, that’s right, and Peter says he’s aware of the lies Anna and Valentin are speaking about him. That’s all they are, lies, so go for it. He saved Jason the trouble of breaking in, but – spoiler alert – there’s nothing to find. He leaves, and Jason closes the door. He tells Anna, let’s do a sweep.

Olivia asks if Maxie was checked out, and Maxie says she and the baby are fine. Olivia says, thank God, and Dante says, Peter is going to look for Maxie, but Maxie says he already did. He came to the hospital. Anna and Valentin ran interference, but she wanted to face him. Dante asks how it went, and she says she told him it was over. Olivia asks how she feels, but Maxie isn’t sure how she feels about anything. She loved him. Olivia says, of course (🍷) she did, and Maxie says, but the man she loved wasn’t real.

At Kelly’s, Sam asks if Alexis is sure she’s okay, and Alexis says she has coffee. She’ll be okay. Sam asks if she’s sure, and tells Alexis that she can stay, but Alexis says, there are people who have it much worse. Go see Maxie. She can’t imagine what Maxie is going through. Sam says she loves Alexis, and Alexis says she loves Sam too. Sam says she’s really proud of her mom, and leaves. Ned walks in, sees Alexis, and says, on second thought, he’ll head to Perks. Alexis says, for God’s sake, get some coffee, and keep her company. He asks if everything is all right, and she says, perfect. Couldn’t be better.

Chase tells Willow, sorry for just showing up, and she says, stop apologizing. She’s glad he came. He says he knows this is the part where he tells her everything, but he doesn’t know where to start. She says, wherever he wants, and he says, Finn slept with his mom. She says, wow. Okay. When was this? He says the night before she married his dad. Now he doesn’t know if his dad is his father, or Finn is. Willow takes the glass of water out of his hand, and he asks what she’s doing. She says she’s getting them some wine. For a moment, I actually entertained a notion of what I’d do if I found out my father wasn’t my father. Then I remembered, we all look so much alike in my family, I couldn’t even pretend I was adopted when I was little, like you do when you’re mad at your parents.

Nina asks if Ava remembers how happy she was when Michael called and asked if she’d like to spend more time with Wiley. She’s surprised she didn’t get a speeding ticket on her way there. Wiley was playing with blocks, and he was so adorable. He was constructing towers, and knocking them down; his laugh is contagious. Ava asks if Wiley was receptive to her, and she says, very much so. Willow and Michael were too; they’ve been really generous. Ava asks, what on earth happened?

Valentin tells Michael that he’s going to sign over Scout and Danny’s ELQ proxies, and Michael will have majority control of the company. Michael says, just like that? and Valentin says, just like that. Michael asks what’s in it for Valentin, and Valentin says, not much, which makes it the deal of a lifetime. Michael just allows Nina to see her grandson, and he can have control of the company. Someone watches them from outside.

Nina tells Ava, Carly arrived, and Ava says, to keep an eye on Nina no doubt. Nina says, it wasn’t a problem… Not at first. She didn’t think a problem was there. Ava tells her to get to the part where she lost Wiley, and Nina says she told Wiley that she was his grandma, but not like Grandma Carly. She wanted to make sure he understood that she’s not Willow’s mother. Ava says, she told him the truth? Nina says, yes, and then Wiley told Willow.    

Someone continues to watch Valentin and Michael. Valentin says, Nina gets to spend time with her grandson, and Michael retains control of the company. How does that sound? It’s a no-brainer. Michael says Valentin is right. It is a no-brainer. No. He’s not going to trade his son to be subject to something potentially harmful. No more than Valentin would with Charlotte.

Chase tells Willow, he’s furious at Finn and his mom, but at the same time, he can’t judge. Stuff happens. People become attracted to each other, and sleep together when they shouldn’t. Willow says, they’re not just people, and he says, how could Finn do that to his dad? What the hell? Finn disappeared and punished his father, making Gregory think it was his fault for daring to be happy after his wife died. And don’t get him started on his mom. She’s supposed to be a fearless journalist. When she saw Finn, and should have told him to get a DNA test, so he didn’t blame their father for falling in love. She asks if one is pending, and he says, it’s sitting at GH, waiting to be opened. She says, he’s not there, and he says he doesn’t know if can face it; not yet. She says he doesn’t have to.

Gregory says, there’s no undoing what’s done. Chase swore Gregory would always be his father, but if it turns out he’s not, that sort of thing wears on people. Even if they destroy the results, they’ll always wonder, every single one of them. They might as well do it, and find out who the father is. Finn nods, and leaves to get the results.   

Ned says he and Alexis made mistakes, and took the fallout, but they’ve been in and out of each other’s lives for decades. He can tell when she’s hurting. Is there anything he can do? She says, yes. Tell her the damage isn’t irreparable, and he and Olivia are back together.

Olivia asks if Maxie is sure she’s ready, and Maxie says, not really, but it’s not like she has a choice. The community center will be enjoying some custom-made menswear. Olivia says, where Peter is going, he won’t need them. There’s a knock at the door, and Maxie says, it’s probably Sam. Dante opens the door, and Sam comes in bearing carboard boxes. She says she can take them back if Maxie doesn’t want them, but Maxie says she’ll put them to good use. Sam says, well? How is Maxie holding up? Maxie says she’s still searching for the right answer to that question, and Dante says he doesn’t think there is one. Olivia says, life threw Maxie a major loop, and she needs time to adjust. Maxie asks Dante if his mom is right about where Peter is headed. Is he going to serve time?

Anna tells Jason, all clear. There’s no surveillance equipment. She didn’t expect any though. Jason says she wouldn’t put it past Peter to plant a bug, would she? and she says she knows Peter would like to be privy to their conversation, but she doubts he’d have coverage 24/7 in the office. Jason looks around Peter’s desk, and she says he’s not saying I told you so, so she’ll say it for him. He was right about Peter. She knows he told her again and again but she refused to see it. It’s part of what made Maxie willing to open up love, and believe in Peter; Anna was by his side, and strengthened his case. Maxie isn’t safe. She can see the obsession in Peter’s eyes. He’s going to turn into his father. Just the thought… Faison made her life a living hell for so many years. It’s an awful thing to say, but Peter is fully capable of the same thing. The fact that he’s this far along, and in this terrible place, is on her.

Ned tells Alexis that he and Olivia are in limbo; they’re not broken up, but they’re definitely not together. Alexis says, they should be. They love each other. He says he knows he loves Olivia, but he also hurt her deeply, and he honestly doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Alexis says she’s so sorry, but he says, don’t be. She’s not at fault. She says, they’re both at fault. They were both three sheets to the wind. They were both wrong, and both at fault. The only good thing is, her daughter stood by her, and Olivia was gracious enough to hear her out. He says, Olivia is nothing if not gracious and forgiving. She says, that gives them hope.

Dante tells Maxie that he knows the PCPD is reopening the investigation into the assassination attempt on Andre and Franco, and Olivia says, may he rest. Maxie asks, what about Drew’s plane crash? and Dante says, that too. Olivia says, something has to stick, right? and Maxie thanks them for checking on her. She appreciates it. Dante asks if she’s kicking them out, and she says, no, but she knows they have lives, and Sam is there; she’ll be fine. Olivia says she’ll put the ziti in the fridge, and Maxie goes with her. Sam says Dante isn’t being fully honest, right? He asks if it’s that obvious, but Sam says, only to her. Dante says, Peter’s had too much time to cover his tracks, and he’s good at it already. Sam says, he killed Scout’s father, but Dante says, the plane has been underwater; there’s no evidence to be had. Maybe something else will turn up. She asks what he means, and he says he thinks Peter is going to slip up. He’s desperate and panicking, and he’s going to do what he’s been doing. Sam says, making sure he stays out of prison.

Jason says he was with Anna when she was tracking Henrick. Jason saw how he messed with her head. She wanted to believe so badly that he wasn’t Faison. She was wrong, but it’s not solely on her. She’s not sure that’s true, and he says, she’s not the first person who wanted to believe someone was better than they are. Peter was good at manipulating and covering his tracks. She says, Jason didn’t believe Peter, but he says, Peter wasn’t his son. He didn’t have to believe it, even when she did. He gets it, okay? She’s human. She thanks him for that, but says he doesn’t understand how far she went. When he was putting together that the assassin and Peter knew each other, what he didn’t know was that there were records that tied them together. She pulled those from the WSB file, but instead of handing them to the authorities, she kept them. She just hoped they didn’t mean what she thought… what she knew they meant. So when she confronted Peter about it, thinking he’d tell her the truth, he didn’t. He took them from her and destroyed them.

Nina says she was just being honest, and Ava says, with a toddler? Nina says she was reading books on how to deal with sensitive issues and small children. She opens one, and tells Ava, look. The advice says, just say the thing. Ava asks if Nina doesn’t think the parents should be the people saying the thing, and Nina says, yeah. It went terribly wrong, but in her defense, she had no malicious intent. She wanted to do the right thing, and tried to convey that to Michael. Ava says she’s had too much experience. Let her tell Nina what it’s like taking on the Corinthos clan.

Valentin tells Michael, harmful? Nina? She just wants to see her grandson. She’s a wonderful person with an enormous heart. No doubt Michael knew that enough to let Nina see Wiley initially. Michael says he gets it. Nina is a loving, warm person, but it’s going to be difficult if there’s a confrontation every time. When things settle, and Nina works through the shock, she can and will have a great relationship with Wiley, but not now.

Chase tells Willow, part of him never wants to talk to Finn and his mom again, which is ridiculous, but the person he feels worst for is his dad. Maybe that’s BS. He feels worst for himself, which makes him feel insanely selfish. Willow asks, why? and he says he had a great childhood; happy, healthy, full of love It shouldn’t affect his life one way or another. She says, first of all, of course (🍷) it should affect his life; it’s his family. Secondly, two things can be true. You can have amazing parts of your life that you cherish, and still grieve the parts you lost. For what it’s worth (🍷), she’s sorry he’s going through this. He says, it’s worth more than she knows, and she puts her hand over his.

Ava asks Nina to go over it step by step. Michael and Willow brought Wiley there to visit. Nina says, correct, and Ava asks what she thinks happened after they left. Carly reminded them how awful and unhinged Nina is, and the second time she and Wiley visited, Nina proved that they shouldn’t let Wiley be around her. Now Carly has momentum, and Michael will do what she says. Nina wonders how she convinces them that Wiley will be better off having contact with her. How do they get to where they were before? Ava thinks Nina’s best bet is to divide and conquer.

Valentin tells Michael, Nina made a mistake, and said something dumb. She feels terrible, and to issue an ultimatum ultimately makes it worse. Nina will double down and Michael will double down, and no one wants that. If they talk, and learn to communicate, maybe there’s a negotiation be had. Michael says, like what? and Valentin says, maybe Nina goes to counseling; maybe they should all go, and get the tools for how to handle this intermediary step. There’s a lot between all access and no contact. He’s not doubting Michael wants what’s best for his son, and hopes Michael considers the options. He leaves, and someone watches him.   

Chase tells Willow that he keeps trying to get to a Zen place, but he can’t. Finn has to be most self-absorbed person ever. It never crossed his mind what he was doing to their dad – or mom. She’s in the wrong, but Finn did worse; he moved on. Chase doesn’t want to find out this guy is his dad for a lot of reasons, but how he handled this is at the top. Willow thinks it’s good to remember that Finn was in his early 20s. He made a choice, and over time got entrenched. Chase asks if she’s saying he should give Finn a pass, but she says, hell no. The only real advice she can give him is, don’t police his feelings. He’s been betrayed by people he trusted. She’s felt the way he feels. He says, speaking of policing, maybe he should think like a cop. She asks what he means, and he says, the evidence. Finn had just one night with his mom. The odds are in his dad’s favor. He’s got to go to GH and see the results. He tells Willow to pray his dad is his dad, since he wants him to be. Willow asks if he’ll be okay, but he says that can’t happen until he knows. She asks if he wants her to go with him, and he says he didn’t want to ask. She says that’s why she offered, and he says he’d like that very much. She says she’ll get her coat.  

Olivia tells Dante, poor Maxie. It’s so hard on her. He says, she’s tough; she’ll be fine. Olivia says with friends like him, how could she not be? He asks how Olivia is, and she says, she’s great… She’s fine… She’s hanging in. He says he knows she get to decide how to handle her life, but he can see she misses Ned. She says, of course (🍷) she misses him. He’s her husband. He asks, what’s next? but she says she honestly doesn’t know. She suggests they go into Kelly’s, and they see Ned and Alexis. Olivia asks, is she seeing this? and Ned says, it’s just coffee, he swears. Alexis says, it’s true, and Dante tells Olivia, try not to judge. Ned says he knows it’s hard because he fell victim to jumping to the wrong conclusion about Olivia and Robert. Don’t make the same mistake.

Maxie thanks Sam for helping her pack, and Sam says she’d do anything for Maxie. Maxie says she would understand if Sam decided to sit this one out. Saying she’s sorry isn’t enough, but she’s so sorry about what Peter did to Drew. Sam says, don’t. Peter fooled a lot of people for a long time. Maxie says, last night, Peter asked – insisted

Jason tells Anna that he’s sorry, and she wonders why. He says, a mistake like that, he knows it’s tough to carry, but they can’t look back. They’ve got to go forward and find a way to stop Peter. She says, there’s no evidence. What do they have on him? He says, maybe they can get him for murder. He thinks Peter is the one who killed Franco. She says, and everyone would  think Jason killed him. Jason says they know Peter has killed before, and tried to cover up what he did with Helena. Anna says, and Drew’s memories were surfacing. Jason says, at first, Franco thought he was hearing voices, but when he found out it was a memory, he told Peter. She says, Peter knew? and he says, yes. Peter knew, and not long after, he saw Britt. He played the brother card, and used her log-in to access the GH server. She had no idea what he was doing until the next day when the article came out. Anna says, Peter was desperate to instill fear and anger, and hoped someone would try to take out Franco, and Jason says, it’s a win-win for Peter. Either his problem is taken care of, or there’s a cover so he can take care of it himself. She says, it’s a compelling theory. How do they prove it?

Jackie tells Gregory that she’s so sorry, but he says, too late for that. She asks, if she’d told him 30 years ago, would it have made a difference? when Chase walks in. He asks if they know, and she says, not yet. Finn comes back, and says he has the results. Jackie asks if he’s looked, but he says, no. Chase tells him, open it, and he does.   

Nina asks what Ava means by divide and conquer, and Ava says, maybe start with Willow. Go see her, woman to woman, mother to mother. Get Willow to see what she was trying to do. Valentin comes in, and says he hopes he’s not interrupting. He just had an interesting conversation with Michael. Ava asks if he’s going to let Nina see Wiley, but Valentin says, no. Nina says, and he’s not going to. He’s firmly under mommy’s thumb. Valentin says she’s not helping the situation.

Dante says he’s glad he ran into Alexis, and asks to talk to her for a second. She says, of course (🍷), and they sit at the counter. Ned tells Olivia that he knows she has no reason to trust him, but it was really just coffee. Please. Just sit with him. She sits. Dante tells Alexis that he just wanted to give them a minute, and Alexis says she’s glad he did, for all three of them. She’s sorry for what she did to Dante, and Dante says, okay. Enough. It’s over and done with, and he’s good. It was an accident, but maybe she should figure out how she got so out of control.   

Sam says, Maxie doesn’t know where Peter is? Does she think he left town? Maxie doubts it. The last thing he said was that he wasn’t giving up. All they had was the future. Sam says, it’s going to be okay. Maxie and the baby will be fine, she promises. Maxie asks, how? How can Sam promise she’ll be fine? Sam says, because a lot of people love her, and are looking out for her. They’ll make sure everything is okay. They hug.

Anna tells Jason, it will give them a chance to put Peter away, and insure Maxie’s safety, but Jason says, it doesn’t help that he’s the prime suspect. She says she has to admit the idea isn’t shocking to anyone. Jason wasn’t exactly subtle about hating Franco. Jason says, it was a trap. He doesn’t think Franco meant it to be, but he was terrified he’d regress, and asked Jason to take him out if he exhibited the same symptoms. She says, my God. It’s an interesting position to be put in. He says he doesn’t think it was a mind game, or that Franco was trying to screw him over, and she says, no. If you’re in an uncontrollable situation, you try to get the illusion of control somehow. Franco knew if anyone was willing to kill him, it would be Jason. Jason says, he did, and didn’t think the most likely one would be Peter.  

Finn takes out the paper and looks at it. Jackie says, Hamilton… Finn says, it’s him. I gasp. He’s Chase’s father. Chase hangs his head, and Gregory turns his back.

Jackie reaches for Chase, but he shrugs her off. He tells Gregory that he’s the best dad in the world, and he loves him. Nothing will ever change that. They hug, and Chase tells Finn that he doesn’t care what that piece of paper says. He’ll never accept Finn as his father. He leaves, and Willow follows him. Gregory looks like he might cry.

Michael hears someone ask, is it safe? He turns and sees Brook inside the patio doors. She says, well, is it?

Valentin tells Nina, going to war with Carly is going to help no one. Nina said something to a small child who got confused. Think it over. If Nina pushes back, Carly will push back twice as hard. Nina says, so there’s no hope, but he tells her, he didn’t say that. Benefit from his mistake. Not long ago, he couldn’t stomach that Nina didn’t love him, but rather than give her time and space, he concocted a daughter, and they know how that turned out. It will take some time to solve the problem. Take a step back. If she’s lucky, Nina will get what she wants more than anything in the world. Let them feel safe, and come to her. He smiles, and leaves, and Ava makes a face.

Dante says he used to be a cop. If they subpoena him, he’ll be honest. She came after Franco, and he got in between them, but he forgives her. She thanks him, and he says he’ll also have to tell them she came out with a loaded syringe intending bodily harm, or worse. That’s what happened, but she wasn’t in her right mind. He guesses that’s up to a jury to decide, right? 

Ned reaches for Olivia’s hand, but she pulls it away. He says he’s so sorry. He knows how royally he screwed up, how badly he hurt her, and how much damage he caused, but he loves her and would do anything to make things right and better. He’d climb any mountain, and slay any dragon. Please. Just tell him there’s a chance.

Sam tells Maxie that she’s going run the last of the boxes to the community center, and Maxie thanks her. She asks if Maxie is sure she’s okay alone, but Maxie says she’s never alone. She has her sidekick. Sam asks if she doesn’t mean her frontkick (BA-DUM-CHH!), and tells Maxie to call if she needs anything. They exchange I love yous, and Maxie closes the door.

Jason says his and Anna’s biggest problem is Elizabeth and Scotty. They’re convinced he was just waiting to kill Franco. Anna says, and they believe he did, obscuring what really happened. He won’t take the fall for a crime Peter committed. This time, they stop him, and this time, Peter doesn’t have her to hide behind.

Maxie hears the door, and says she was about to text Sam. She forgot a tie. Peter says, it’s not Sam. He was starting to think she’d never leave. He closes the door, and locks it.    

Tomorrow, Brook tells Michael, the answer is none of his business: Brando says, the closer Cyrus gets, the more dangerous life is; and Peter tells Maxie, the past is dead; he killed it.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

It’s the morning after the night before, and everyone struggles to get up. Behind the closed doors of the guest cabin, Sydney says Gary can’t leave her there, and asks where her bathing suit is. She tells him that she’ll leave first. In her interview, she says, it’s the worst walk of shame she could possibly imagine. She’ll just have to act like nothing happened. Gary comes out a couple of minutes later. In Gary’s interview, he says, my God. This is not happening. The captain asks if they had fun, and Gary said they had a lot of laughs. His cheeks were hurting. He tells the captain that he has a good bunch of crew on there. Jean Luc is still feeling sick, and says, this is gonna be rough today.

The girls ask Sydney, what happened? and Sydney says, nothing. Daisy asks if she hooked up with Gary, and Sydney says, no, but they slept in the guest cabin. Natasha says, and he didn’t get it? Sydney says, no, and Natasha calls her a liar. In Sydney’s interview, she says, yes, they had sex. Yeah, they hooked up. It’s their business, and no one needs to know the dirty details… and they were dirty.

Jean Luc says he’s not feeling too good, and everyone tries to straighten up. Jean Luc thinks he’s going to be forced to change rooms. Natasha tells Colin about Sydney and Gary hooking up, and in her interview Alli wonders if they’re on the same boat. She thought she and Gary were flirting, but whatever. Natasha says, never trust the quiet ones. Colin tells Gary that the water pressure is just going down, and the engine is just starting to behave properly. He asks about Gary’s night, and Gary says, not much happened; just a cheeky kiss, but he feels like a d*ckhead this morning. In his interview, he laughs and says they just cuddled. In Colin’s interview, he says, Gary got himself in a pickle. Gary says they’ll wait until the ciggies come. I’m not sure what he means by that, but I assume it’s that he’ll tell Colin the whole story when they can relax over a smoke.

Glenn calls Gary, Daisy, and Natasha for a preference sheet meeting. He hands them the sheets, saying, here’s their mission, should they chose to accept it. He tells them that he just got a message from primary Dr. Nichols (there’s no first name on the sheet, which is very weird), informing him that due to a family emergency, she and her husband weren’t able to make the flight in time. So there will be no primaries. Daisy says, someone naturally takes the lead. The other guests are Victoria, who’s a nutritionist; Ryan, a Sotheby’s salesman; and married couple, Hannah and Andy. They want an endless flow of delicious drinks. Natalie reads that they like to be surprised at dinner, and Gary says he’ll hide around the corner. Glenn says the guests will be there around 2, and the crew begins to clean the boat. Dani tells Daisy that someone used the guest head. In Daisy’s interview, she says, there’s an unspoken rule that you never use the guest head – ever. (For you landlubbers, the head is the bathroom.) She says, it pisses her off, especially when it’s been detailed. She radios the crew, asking if someone used the main saloon. Please don’t use the guest head, especially after it’s been cleaned and detailed. Gary copies, and in her interview, Daisy says she doesn’t really care if they use it when it’s dirty. Next time, maybe she’ll pee in the jacuzzi.

Daisy tells Dani that there are drops on the bathroom floor, the bowl is dirty, and the toilet paper is undone. Dani asks if Daisy is 100% sure, and Daisy says, yeah. In Daisy’s interview, she says, are you kidding her? This is over the limit. It’s so effing rude. She calls everyone to the crew mess, and Jean Luc wonders if he’s in trouble. Daisy tells them, someone used the guest head. The toilet paper was used, and there were drops on the floor. Jean Luc says he’d never do that, and she says, no one has been in there since yesterday? Everyone denies it, and in Gary’s interview, he says, maybe someone used it, and didn’t say anything about it. They’re such a d*ck. Daisy says if no one cares about her department, she’s not going to care about theirs. In her interview, she says, it’s pretty obvious that it’s them. Have a bit of consideration for your teammates. If they’re not going to admit it, she’s going to make sure they know it’s not acceptable. Glenn says they want to look after everyone’s department, but make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s disrespecting the interior. Don’t let it become a bigger problem.

Sydney and Gary work at scrubbing the deck, and in Sydney’s interview, she says, she and Gary haven’t talked, but fine. She’s very confused. Daisy and Dani talk about the hook-up, and Dani says, they all work together; they’re going to talk. Alli thinks it’s funny, and Daisy says, it’s none of her business, but she thinks Gary should know better. Dani 100% agrees. Gary can’t find his hair tie, and Dani tells him there are two marks by the guest cabin bed that look like they could be hands. He tells her that he and Sydney just talked sh*t, and he passed out, but she obviously doesn’t believe him. In Dani’s interview, she says a detective has to be suspicious. The perpetrator always goes back to the scene of the crime. Daisy inspects the guest cabin, and says, it looks good.

One hour to charter. Provisions come in. Natasha says Daisy ordered 10 kilos of carrots, and wonders if she thought there was going to be a load of bunnies on board. Glenn radios for the crew to be dressed and on deck in 15 minutes. Dani says, there’s no ice in the ice machine behind the bar, and Colin says, give him a break. Glenn calls the crew to the aft deck, and champagne is popped. In Dani’s interview, she says, the guests behave because there’s a primary there. Without one, the guests take advantage. It’s a potential nightmare. Guest Victoria tells guest Hannah not to be too impressed, or the crew will think they’re peasants. Yep. Potential nightmare.

Gary says, number two under way. The crew greets the guests, and introduces themselves. Glenn welcomes them, and says Daisy will give them a tour. They’ll get out quick, look for wind, and do some sailing. While bringing the luggage on board, Glenn wonders if he has the one with the gold bars in it. Daisy tells them they can duke it out over the master. Natasha asks if Gary is good at shucking oysters, and he says he used to be famous for it. Victoria asks Daisy to unpack for them, and Ryan says he needs three jackets steamed. Daisy tells Dani, it’s going to be hard work. I can’t believe anyone would want someone else unpacking for them. I don’t really want some stranger touching all my stuff. Colin tells Daisy, the ice machine is broken, and Dani and Alli do the unpacking. Gary eats more oysters than he shucks. In Natasha’s interview, she says she did well her first charter, but she knows there’s a problem between her and Daisy. It’s awkward, but she doesn’t give a f***. She’s there to work, and that’s what she’s going to do. Colin says something about a bad connection, and thinks he fixed the machine.

Natasha serves oysters, and Glenn tells the deckhands to drop the lines, and let him know when they’re on board. He’s going at full speed, and wants to get sailed up as soon as possible. Jean Luc takes the wheel. The sails start to go up. Daisy asks Dani to lead dinner, and she’ll help Alli with the turn downs. In her interview, Daisy says Alli is still pretty slow. She’ll teach Alli the way she learned, and see if she sinks or swims. Get your fins on Alli. It’s time to start swimming. The sails are sticking to each other, and Glenn tells Gary to climb up, and spray them. He suggests Gary strap himself on, but Gary says he’s good. As the sail is raised, he sprays it, and Glenn tells Jean Luc, it sounds like it’s ripping, but it’s just plastic separating. Gary says, it’s coming out of the track, and Glenn says, that’s a big problem. He’ll have to go up. Something pops, and Gary nearly falls.

Gary says, the boltrope is broken off the luff, and Glenn says, that’s a big problem. In Glenn’s interview, he explains that both sails are attached to a rope that holds the sail to the mast. It’s 180 feet of sail. Are we following him? He laughs, and says, if the rope pops away , the whole thing can let go. He tells Gary, they’ll sail with the genny and mizzen. When they anchor, they’ll fix it; it should be fine. Gary tells Sydney that he almost fell. In his interview, he says he’s in a bit of a predicament. He’s attracted for sure, but you never want to go there with your [work] partner. There are circuits in his brain that are fried. Ryan asks for a fruity, but still masculine cocktail, giving Daisy too many adjectives. He narrows it down to smoldering sparkle, and in her interview, Daisy says she’ll garnish it with diamonds, top it with a mermaid’s fart, and add smoke from a volcano in Narnia. He’s getting Kir Royale. Dani serves Ryan the smoldering sparkle, and he says, it’s fired.   

Gary tells Sydney that he’ll see her at 12, and she says she expects coffee. Colin says, naughty, naughty, naughty. Gary radios for Jean Luc, but he’s in the crew mess getting coffee and ignores it. Several crew members tell him that Gary is calling him, so he finally returns Gary’s calls. Gary says meet him in the bridge, and Jean Luc says he’s getting coffee. Gary tells him to put the a hold on the coffee. When Jean Luc gets there, Gary tells him, blah-blah-blah, bringing the pin down. Which is no doubt how Jean Luc is hearing it today too.

Licice, Croatia. The container holding the lobster garbage falls on the floor, and in Alli’s interview, she says, the goo smells like death. She and Dani freak out cleaning it up. Jean Luc explains the water toys to the guests, and says the floating pads are called naughty boys. Daisy tells Natasha that dinner is at 8, and Gary instructs guest Hannah on the paddle board. Guest Victoria says she’s impressed, but Hannah says don’t talk to her, as she concentrates on balancing. Gary instructs Jean Luc about the lines, and says, a lot of times, he’ll tell Jean Luc to do something, and he just stands around. In Jean Luc’s interview, he says he hates to be micromanaged. Don’t do it. Gary tells him to drag the line to a certain spot, but Jean Luc says he was told not to drag the line across the teak. Gary says that means not the whole thing, and mumbles that they’re going to swap cabins. Jean Luc mutters, effing a-hole.

The guests get back on the boat. Dani asks if Jean Luc is moving, and he says Gary forced him to. It makes him nervous to bunk with the captain. Guest Andy says he’s tired, and wants to eat some food.  Glenn asks Gary to go back up to where the sail came up, and feed it up manually. In Glenn’s interview, he says, it’s like a zipper. You can’t start in the middle; you have to go back to the start. Fingers crossed that it lasts through the rest of the season. Natasha plates a fabulous scallop appetizer, using half a scallop shell instead of a regular plate. In her interview, Natasha says, she loves working with Dani. One, Dani’s her roommate, and two, life is easier because she’s not Daisy. Even the guests who don’t like scallops love the dish. In Alli’s interview, she says she’s going to do her best to show Daisy that she can do turndowns. She’s a diving master. If she can breathe underwater, she can make a bed.

The sail is in the track, and in his interview, Glenn says, not all first mates can repair a sail with a hangover the way Gary can. He’s impressed. After the lobster is served, Andy says he likes that there’s no shell. He doesn’t have to work for the lobster. I concur. I ordered a whole lobster once, and it was more work than it was worth. Sydney tells Gary that she wrote herself a honey-do list of deck tasks. In her interview, she says, Gary has been all work and no flirt. She doesn’t know what’s going on. Jean Luc gets in his new bed. Colin asks if Gary snores or farts, and he says he doesn’t. Like he’s going to answer some other way. Jean Luc hopes he doesn’t wake Glenn, but Glenn tells him not to worry about it. The guests go to bed, and so does Sydney.  

The next morning, Gary asks Jean Luc how the new cabin is, and Jean Luc says he definitely has more leg room. Guest Hannah tells Daisy that Andy isn’t feeling well. She thinks he has a fever. She amends that to, she knows. It’s 101. In Daisy’s interview, she says, holy f***. She tells Hannah that she’ll ask he captain what to do. She goes to Glenn’s cabin, where he’s just getting up. She tells him that Andy isn’t well, and has a fever of 101. He’s in bed. Glenn says he’ll make a call, and in his interview, he says, obviously the first thing that pops in your head is that you have covid on board. It’s the first thing you think of when someone has a fever. It’s scary. He tells Daisy to tell them to stay in their cabins until he finds out what to do. Daisy tells the guests, and says she’ll leave breakfast by the door.

Glenn calls Dr. Kelly, a medical officer, and tells her that a guest has a fever 101. He asked them to stay in their cabin. She says she’s sending Dr. Laura out to retest all four guests. She tells Glenn to keep them in their cabins. Glenn tells the crew what’s going on, and that a doctor is on route. They’ll have to keep the guests in their cabins. In Daisy’s interview, she says they’ve been through tests and quarantine. She doesn’t know how it’s possible. If the guest has covid, they’re f***ed. Daisy tells Natasha, who says, WTF?

Glenn tells Gary that a water taxi is coming with the doctor. Gary meets them, and everyone is masked. They change into hazmat suits, and tell the guests that they’re going to test the throat first, then do a nasal test. Dr. Laura tests, Andy, who’s coughing. She says his temperature is 99.8, and in Daisy’s interview, she says, it will be the biggest f*** up in the effing world if the guest is positive. Dr. Laura tells the other guests that they have to be tested, and Ryan asks if she’s serous. She tells them that they have to stay in the cabin. Dr. Laura tells Glenn, they plan to shoot the tests to the lab, and he asks what her assessment is. She says, the guests have all been in close contact and unmasked. They should be quarantined. Glenn says, it’s not pleasant, but it is what it is. The medical team leaves, and Andy coughs some more. Glenn calls everyone to the main saloon.

Glenn says, only one guest had a high temperature, so after speaking to the medical staff, he’s decided to go back to the dock. He’s going to see if they can be put in a hotel for quarantine. Natasha says, it could be that they have it as well, and wonders if they need to quarantine. Glenn tells the crew, if the guest is positive, it will take them to a whole new level. They could have been exposed. Get ready to leave. They have to take all the precautions. He tells the guests that they’ll be moving back to the dock. Daisy says the guests are going to be pissed at their friends, and Ryan bitches to Glenn that they were in quarantine for over a week, and they’ve had enough. They spent a lot of money. Because, as you know, it’s Glenn’s fault. Glenn suggests they chill out, and catch their breath. He leaves a radio in case the guests want anything. In his interview, Glenn says the guests have to isolate, and they still want to serve them, but it’s critical they adhere to protocol. It’s a delicate balance.

The anchor is in the pocket, and Daisy leaves coffee outside the guests’ rooms per Victoria’s request. Sydney says she’s shook by this, and Alli says, it’s bizarre. They dock, and Glenn asks the crew to come up. He tells them that the guests will have to take their own stuff off the boat, and go straight to quarantine. Ryan says he’s so pissed, and in Colin’s interview, he says, it’s an extra messy situation for everyone. Glenn says he’ll get the results as soon as he can, and will keep them posted. He’s sorry for the inconvenience. In Glenn’s interview, he says, they were just getting started. They can probably pull this off, but this could be it.

Next time, Glenn tells the crew they can have a couple of drinks, but don’t go crazy; Gary wants to hook up with Alli; Sydney is confused; and the test results come back.

🏆 The Winners…

Who took it home at the Grammys.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/14/entertainment/grammy-winners-2021/index.html

🎭 The Nominees…

The ones who will hear, the award goes to.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/15/entertainment/oscar-nominations-2021/index.html

🤔 The Snubs…

We can’t all be nominated, but apparently, these are the biggest offenders.

https://film.avclub.com/on-the-snubs-surprises-and-bad-terminators-of-the-202-1846477877

🍀 Blarney This…

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Educate yourself on how to trap a leprechaun.

🗽 When the City Sleeps…

A year in a city transformed.

https://nypost.com/2021/03/14/how-i-survived-a-year-in-weird-empty-manhattan/

👗 Twirling Away Like Kenya…

Time for me to change hamster wheels. Whatever spin you’re in, stay safe, stay canny, and stay never using the guest head – ever. Unless you’re a guest.

March 14, 2021 – Gabriel and Aaron Follow Maggie’s Map, Fun With the Dead, Nervous Norman & Spell

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

We hear Gabriel in a voiceover saying, the Whisperers took their toll, and they saw darkness, but they kept the faith. The righteous enter and are safe. They had moments of despair, but a miracle happened, and by the grace of their friends, they were saved. But they still have more work to do to rebuild their community, provide for their families, and save their souls.

Gabriel and Aaron are surrounded by zombies in a clearing. They hack away, covering the surrounding wildflowers in blood. They walk through the woods and come across some ruins. Gabriel looks at his map of possible food sources. I guess not this one anymore. Aaron sees several burned bodies that are nothing but charred bones now, and asks, what happened here? Gabriel says they’ll never know, and they keep walking. The see a decrepit zombie sitting up against a tree, and it pulls away, part of it staying on the tree. It doesn’t get far, since Gabriel slices it through the top of the head. Gabriel sets a timer, and throws it into a field area. When it goes off, a bunch of zombies rise out of the grass, and head off to who knows where. Gabriel looks at Aaron, and they follow at a distance.    

Near a road, they see more skeletons, and a line of cars. Aaron looks at a zombie in a van, and Gabriel opens another car. Aaron asks what he’s doing, and he says, he’s searching; there could be something there. Aaron slides open the van he’s been looking in, and they go through all the cars. Gabriel opens a trunk, and finds some cans of food, but he turns it over to see what looks like a bullet hole in it. He tells Aaron, two more.   

They try to smash into an old, boarded up casino, and zombie arms pop out. Gabriel hacks off an arm. Aaron motions for him to remove a board, and when the zombie emerges, Aaron stabs it in the head. They each take an arm to pull it out, but the skin comes off, and they fall back with skin arms in their hands. When they realize what happened, they quickly rid themselves of the skin arms, and I laugh my head off. Aaron sees a shopping cart hanging off the roof, and Gabriel climbs up. He sees a near-skeleton lying down, and another with a little more flesh on it, tied to post, moving around a little. He sees a skeletal couple lying on mattress. Aaron asks if he sees anything, and Gabriel looks at the couple and says, just a ladder. The camera pans out, and we see SAVE US written on the roof.

Zombie arms reach for Aaron, and he hears Gabriel hacking away inside. Gabriel opens the door, and comes out. Aaron says, anything? and Gabriel shakes his head. He sheaths his machete, and looks at his map again. He says, one more, and Aaron says they’ve been at this two weeks, and what do they have to show for it? He can’t. Gabriel says they have to see this through. Aaron says they can go back to the hunting ground, but Gabriel says, it’s spent; there’s nothing there. Aaron says, so is every other place on Maggie’s goddam map. He misses his daughter, and he knows Gabriel misses his too. Gabriel says, one more, and starts to walk. Aaron follows.

They walk through some mud, and Gabriel slips, tripped up by a hidden zombie. It rises, covered with mud, but Gabriel holds his machete point up, and Aaron pushes the zombie onto it. Aaron laughs, and Gabriel says, a little help? Aaron helps get the zombie off of Gabriel, and helps him up. The map is officially screwed, covered in mud like Gabriel. Gabriel says there was a water tower by their last location. They just need to head north until they see it. Aaron says he’s not doing this without a map, and Gabriel says, it’s only an hour. Aaron says he doesn’t care, it begins to rain, and Gabriel says, fine. They’ll follow their tracks back. It starts to pour.

They come out of the woods, and Aaron asks, is this on the map? We see a warehouse, and Gabriel says, no

They shine flashlights around inside the warehouse. Aaron bangs on something, but there’s no response. Gabriel closes the door, and they split up. Gabriel finds a pile of Bibles, and picks one up, finding a bunch of pages torn out. Aaron hears something from behind a door, and says hello? Gabriel looks in a file cabinet. Aaron says, hello? again. He says his name is Aaron. He’s a friend. Please don’t be afraid. Hello? He opens the door, and Gabriel hears yelling, and takes off. He runs to where Aaron is, and finds Aaron standing over a wild boar. He says, it came at him, and Gabriel smiles. I say, food! Aaron says, what? and Gabriel says, nothing. That was quite the scream. Aaron says, these things are vicious, and Gabriel says, clearly… hence the scream. Gabriel starts to laugh, and says, sorry, but doubles over. Aaron says, all right. Let it all out. Is he through? Gabriel shakes his head, and keeps laughing, saying, oh Lord! Aaron smiles, and Gabriel says, know what he feels like? Aaron says, what? and Gabriel says, dinner. And drink. He holds up a bottle of whiskey.

Aaron shows Gabriel a toy, and says, remember these? Gabriel says he remembers news footage of people trampling each other at toy stores to get them. Aaron says, Grace will go nuts. They sit to eat, and Gabriel pours them each a tiny bit of whiskey. Aaron says, that’s it? That’s all they get? Why? It’s just whiskey. Gabriel says, no; it’s not just whiskey. It’s perfection. It’s rare. This bottle is easily over $2000. Aaron says, the fact people would pay that much to get drunk was a huge part of what was wrong with the world. Gabriel says, it’s not to get drunk. Smell it. Aaron does, and Gabriel asks what he’s getting. What does it remind him of? Aaron says, maple syrup… vanilla… breakfast as kid. Gabriel says, take a sip. Let it sit. Pay attention to the finish, and how the flavor evolves. Aaron says, wow, and Gabriel says, exactly. Now eat, and the meat will taste even better. Aaron says, look, he gets that it’s rare and all, but they had a rough day. He holds out his cup, and Gabriel pours some more, but Aaron continues to hold it out.  

They play poker for bottlecaps, and Aaron says he’s out. Gabriel says, he has the whiskey. Aaron considers putting his cup in the pot, but folds. Gabriel says, many thanks, but Aaron wants to see the cards. Gabriel shows him what I assume is a really poor hand, and Aaron rolls his eyes.

Aaron asks Gabriel what God would think about him gambling, and Gabriel says, He’d probably okay it. Aaron says, a card shark priest. Did he get training in whiskey class at the seminary? Gabriel says, Reverend George was his mentor. He was a good friend, and a great teacher. His first class was at a boy’s funeral; Tony Franklin. He died of cancer. He was in his freshman year of college and he died. Everyone in town came, and Reverend George performed the service. He spoke, and said all the right things without trying; it didn’t look like he was anyway. They got in the car to go to the wake, and he just took off. He floored it the whole way, saying they had to get there before the others. He was running stop signs, saying a prayer each time, and Gabriel had his eyes closed the whole way. They got there and the Reverend headed for the liquor cabinet. He asked what the Reverend was doing, and was told to shut up. The Reverend snatched off Gabriel’s collar, pulled off his own, and started pouring. The boy’s father walked in, and the Reverend walked over to him with two drinks in hand, and just started talking. He talked to everyone; put them at ease, smiling and laughing. He told Gabriel, just be with them in the moment. Speak from the heart, and don’t worry what you think they want to hear. He tried, but he’s not as good as Reverend George. Later, the Reverend told him, real ministering isn’t preaching from a pulpit. It’s talking to people one on one, on their own terms, relating to them. He smiles, and says, that’s how he knows about whiskey. That’s how he knows about a lot of things. Aaron says Gabriel needs to start preaching again. He’ll be mad if Gabriel doesn’t. When he was out there, finding people to bring to Alexandria, it felt right. Helping people was right. They haven’t done that in a long time, and they’ve got to get back to it. Gabriel says he doesn’t want to preach anymore, and Aaron asks, why? Gabriel says, does Aaron really think things will go back the way they were? Aaron says he does, and Gabriel says, they won’t. The world isn’t built for the way they used to be. Aaron says Gabriel’s head is full of Whisperers, who and what they were, and it’s not most people. Gabriel says, evil people are not the exception to the rule; they are the rule. Aaron says he’s getting sober. After the next round, he’s going to climb up on the roof and jump off head first. Gabriel says he wants to perform last rights, and Aaron says, they’re back to him again.  

Gabriel snores, and an obviously hung over and/or still drunk Aaron gets up. Gabriel asks where he’s going, and Aaron says, to piss. Gabriel goes back to sleep.

Light comes in through a dirty window, and Gabriel wakes up. He doesn’t see Aaron, and walks around the warehouse, his machete drawn. He sees a man by the entrance, and the man asks what he was cooking. Gabriel says, boar, and the man asks, how was it? Gabriel says, it was good, and the man walks into the light. He removes his hood, and we see his face is scarred. He says he’d like a bite.

The man eats, and Gabriel introduces himself, asking the man’s name. The man says Gabriel came there with a friend, and Gabriel asks if he’s seen Aaron, but the man says nothing. Gabriel asks what he wants, and the man says it seems like Gabriel is the one who wants something. They broke into his place, ate his boar, and drank his whiskey. Gabriel says it didn’t look like anyone lived there, and he asks if Gabriel thinks the boar got in there by itself. Gabriel says they were looking for food. They didn’t mean any harm. The man takes out Aaron’s metal spiked ball hand, and tosses it on the table, saying, does this say no harm to you? Gabriel says they’re part of a larger group, more than twenty armed fighters. They’ll be coming if he and Aaron don’t get back. The man wonders if they’re joining the card game. He sits back, his automatic rifle in his lap, and asks if Gabriel thinks it’s loaded. Gabriel says, there aren’t a lot of bullets left, and the man lets a load of shots fly. He asks Gabriel if he thinks he made it. Gabriel doesn’t understand, and the man says his friend is in there, pointing to the wall he shot at. He gets up, tells Gabriel, easy, and opens the door. He says, still breathing… he thinks. Gabriel says he wants to see Aaron, and the man asks why he’s still wearing his collar. Gabriel says, probably for the same reason the man keeps the Bibles. Because the Word of God still matters. It’s a light in an otherwise dark world; a reminder that light is still in them… love, mercy, forgiveness. The man says, toilet paper, and Gabriel says, what? The man says, the Bible. He like the bent pages. Gabriel suggests that he read it instead of wiping his ass with it, and the man says he read it, cover to cover. That’s why he wipes his ass with it. He says, it must be hard preaching about something Gabriel doesn’t believe in, and Gabriel says he does believe. The man says, evil people aren’t the exception to the rule, and Gabriel says he was drunk. The man says, drunk is honest. There’s nothing left but thieves and murderers. Gabriel says, there’s still goodness, but you have to look for it, and he man asks who Gabriel is trying to convince, him or himself? He’s so close. Gabriel says, close to what? and the man gets up, keeping the gun on Gabriel. He kicks he door open, and drags Aaron out, tied to a chair and gagged. He puts Aaron at the table, and takes the gag off. He unties one of Aaron’s wrists, and knocks all the bullets out of a handgun. He puts one back in, and says, one round. One in six chances. He spins it, and shuts it, and says they’ve got a choice. Each time, they can aim it at themselves, or the man sitting across from them. The winner goes home.

Gabriel says, they’re not doing this, and the man says, then they both die. Aaron asks how they know he won’t kill them both anyway? and the man says, they don’t. Aaron says, they’ll make it right. They’ll get him a new boar. The man says, it’s not about the boar, and Gabriel asks what it is about. The man says, enlightenment. Go ahead. Gabriel looks at Aaron, and picks up the gun. He puts it to his own head, and pulls the trigger, but it just clicks. Aaron looks freaked out, and the man slides the gun over to him, saying, now you. Aaron follows Gabriel’s example, and asks why the man is doing this. The man asks what happened to Aaron’s arm, and Aaron says, it was crushed in a construction accident. The man asks who blinded Gabriel, and Gabriel says, no one. It was an infection. He wanted to hear someone plucked out Gabriel’s eye or chopped off Aaron’s arm? Why? To prove how evil man is? Does the man think he or Aaron will shoot each other? The man tells Gabriel, pick it up now, and Gabriel repeats what he did the first time, and the gun only clicks. Aaron takes the gun and cocks it, and the man asks if Aaron heard that. It makes a different sound when the chamber loads. It’s his choice to make.

Aaron says, they’re not thieves or murderers. They don’t kill each other; they protect each other like family. The man asks if family is supposed to mean something. He knows about family. When he was with his brother and his brother’s family on the road, he saved their lives more times than he could count. One day, he woke up to find his brother stealing the last of his food. His brother just stared at him, then came at him with a knife. Aaron asks, what happened? and the man says he handled it. He didn’t blame his brother, because his brother gave him something valuable that day. Gabriel says, his brother didn’t give him anything. He’s just trying to make sense of what happened. He walled himself off, believing everyone left out there was evil. It was easier to accept than the truth – that he meant less to his brother than a scrap of food. Aaron says, Gabriel… but Gabriel says the man needs to hear it. He knows about looking for meaning. Most times, there is no answer, no grand design, no enlightenment. The man’s brother ripped up his face, and he’s so hate filled, he can’t see. So he murders good people for what? To prove what? The man tells Aaron, pull the trigger. Him or you? Who’s it gonna be?

Aaron starts to point the gun at his own head, and  the man says, what about Gracie. Aaron wants to see her. He knows what he’s got to do. Aaron looks like he’s going to cry, or maybe throw up, and the man says, does he want to see his daughter again or not? Aaron says he does and the man says, then what is he waiting for. Three…  two… one… Aaron starts to put the gun to his own head again, the man says, stop. That’s who people are. Gabriel says, he was wrong. People are capable of more than killing each other. They still love and sacrifice for their brothers. His brother didn’t give him truth; his brother only betrayed him. If he punishes them for his brother’s sins, he’s no better than his brother. He wasn’t always like this; none of them were. But they have to remember who they were, and know who they are. The man says he knows who he is, and Gabriel says he does too. He knows people like the man, good people who’ve been broken by the world. He doesn’t have to be; there’s another way. They have a community of real people, people who were lost and found their way back. He can too. They can help if he lets them. The man says he doesn’t believe Gabriel, but Aaron says, it’s true, and puts the gun down. He says the man should believe Gabriel because that’s who they are. The man thinks about it, sighs, and picks up the gun. He sticks it in his waistband, and cuts Aaron free.

The man says, Mays. His name is Mays. Then, stunning all of us, but mostly Mays, Gabriel takes Aaron’s metal hand, and whacks Mays with it, presumably killing him, and spattering Aaron’s face with his blood. He tells Aaron, it’s okay. They’re good. Aaron says, are they? and Gabriel says they couldn’t take him with them. He killed his brother’s family. Aaron says, let’s just go.    

Wow. I’m so disappointed. Can we not have one episode where everyone plays nice? I want Z Nation back.

Gabriel says Mays heard everything they said. Where was he hiding? Gabriel opens a hatch, and sees a lantern. They walk through the space, which is flanked by steel shelving holding all kinds of supplies. The see a restrained man, who looks like your classic hermit, cowering in the corner. Aaron says, it’s his brother. They see the brother’s wife and child dead on the floor, and Gabriel says they’re not going to hurt him. The brother is obviously scared out of his wits, and Gabriel moves forward. He undoes the restraints, but the brother suddenly has a gun. Aaron tells him, drop it, and Gabriel says they just want to help him. The brother says, help? and Gabriel says, yes; get him out of there. Aaron asks if he wants to come with them, and Gabriel says, just put the gun down. The brother sees his dead family, and in possibly the saddest moment ever, puts the gun to his own head. Gabriel and I both say, no! but he shoots himself, falling next to his wife and child. I almost want to cry.

Gabriel takes the gun, and grabs some cans of food and other supplies. Aaron looks at pictures of Mays, his brother, and his brother’s family in happier times.

Gabriel and Aaron continue to walk. We see a water tower in the distance, and Gabriel says, the water tower. It’s the last place on the map. What does Aaron think? Aaron looks sad, as he has through a lot of this episode, and he nods. He says, one more, and they walk toward the tower.  

Next time, Aaron’s nervous breakdown (just kidding). Princess and the others are captured by stormtroopers, and plan an escape. Ezekiel says they don’t know these people, and they can’t trust what they don’t know.

⚰️ On the flipside, Talking Dead was one of the funniest ever. Seth Gilliam (Gabriel), Ross Marquand (Aaron), Robert Patrick (Mays/Mays’s brother), and writer & co-executive producer Jim Barnes were guests. The lot of them were hysterically funny, with Ross doing a spot-on imitation of Sly Stallone. Robert said Ross had entertained them throughout filming with impressions, and ragged on Seth for being a lousy priest through the entire episode. We also got some nice insight into Robert’s acting technique. He said when playing the brother, he didn’t have much to work with as far as character development went, but tried to incorporate what a rescue dog would have felt like; one that’s been abused, and was afraid of strangers. I thought it was a brilliant choice. Another tidbit we got was that the whiskey brand was named after Duane Jones, who played Ben in the original Night of the Living Dead. This was probably one of the best TD episodes of all time IMO.

🏍 Not So Smooth Daryl…

I’m not sure why he was so nervous. It’s not like there was human contact.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-norman-reedus-daryl-leah-find-me-interview/

🖇 Next…

Time to move on to my other job, and hopefully making up for that lost hour this weekend. Until we meet once again at the Hospital and/or on Deck, stay safe, stay looking forward to spring, and stay on Gabriel’s good side.