(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
When we last left, Beta was leading the zombies to the hospital where everyone was holed up, and they chanted, we are the world, but not like in the Coke commercial. Eugene, Ezekiel, and Yumiko had gone off on a mission to meet Eugene’s radio buddy Stephanie. Along the way, the picked up Princess. We’re told, The Whisperer War: The Final Showdown starts now.
Inside, everyone runs around gathering supplies and weapons. Gabriel slams into Dianne. He peeks outside and sees the zombie hoard gathering. He tells the kids they’re safe, but they’re worried about the zombies having lots more than they have. He waggles his fingers, and says, see his fingers? They’re not much to look at, but together, they make a mighty weapon. That’s who they are. Alexandria, Hilltop, Oceanside, what’s left of the Kingdom… He shows them his thumb, and says, andthe others. We see Carol, Daryl, and Kelly run inside a building, killing zombies on the way. Gabriel says, those who might find help – we see Yumiko, Princess, Eugene, and Ezekiel – or come here and help – we see Virgil (who trapped Michonne on an island a while ago) – together we’ll fight – we see Aaron and Alden in the woods – and that’s how we’ll survive… We see Maggie in the woods. She finds a buried tackle box with a letter inside. The letter tells her to come back. Rick is gone. Jesus, Enid, and Tara are all dead. Gabriel says, together.
The Whisperers chant, we are ready; we are here. Beta rocks his mask, and they chant, we are here; this is the end of the world. Beta says, begin. They turn and head closer to the hospital. A crane shot shows us there are… a lot of them. Like, a whole lot.
Eugene sits on the ground. His bicycle is out of commission, and Ezekiel says he doesn’t know about the chain. Eugene checks himself out in a car window, and says, don’t bother; it’s too late. He’s run the calculations, and the time it will take to get there is too long. Yumiko says they’ll figure something out, but he says, unless they can slow the passage of time, there’s nothing else to figure out. The rendezvous time was set in stone, and they’re not there. She won’t be either. He says he’s sorry. After all they hoped, and went through to hold onto said hope, he believes it’s time to go eye to eye with reality. It’s time to head back home. Ezekiel says they’re not going back. They said they’d do this, and they’re going to do this. In his moment of doubt, Eugene didn’t let him waver, so he’s not letting Eugene waver now. His journey must be complete for all of them, and the ones left behind. Ezekiel says Eugene has to try. He’s gotten this far in his journey and his life. What do they want to remember? That they did everything they could, even if it means he has to carry Eugene. Eugene sniffles, and Ezekiel holds out his hand. He helps Eugene up, but Eugene says, it won’t change anything. Princess says she didn’t think she’d ever see other people again, and look at her now. Yumiko says, they’ll know when they get there tomorrow. They have tomorrow to deal with tomorrow’s problems.
Daryl puts wires around the banisters to boobytrap them. He and Carol have a conversation that I can barely understand. I can’t believe the two people who rarely talk, and when they do, you have to strain to hear them, are the ones getting a spin-off. It didn’t sound that important, but still.
Gabriel says, the plan is for the horde to be led away, but not to Oceanside as planned. When it’s clear, they’ll meet at rendezvous point B. He asks if Luke is ready, and Luke says, technically. The final pieces need to connect to the wagon in order for them to do the Pied Piper thing and get the zombies over the cliff. But they need to get from point A to point B to plug it in. Someone has to go through the horde. Gabriel says they have four crews, two people each. Jerry says it’s crucial that the equipment makes it to the wagon. Lydia says she’ll help; she can make it. A woman from Oceanside says they’re in, but only if Lydia isn’t going. They understand the people there forgave her, but Oceanside isn’t ready. Gabriel says Lydia’s role is there anyway, and Captain Obvious Daryl says, they’re not all going to make it.
Dianne says Carol keeps thinking she could have helped them, but she couldn’t. Carol says she knows; she’s sorry. She puts knife in her sleeve. Lydia tells Carol that she doesn’t hate her for what she did, and Carol says she should. It didn’t fix anything. Lydia says, it did for her; a little at least. It sounds awful, but it’s the truth. The truth is, she didn’t love her mother, so thanks. She’d like it if she and Carol could still talk about whatever. She starts to leave, but Carol calls her back. Carol says Lydia needs to find her own way, and Lydia says she’s not looking for another mom. That’s not what this is. She could use a friend, and so could Carol.
The group going out covers themselves in guts. Negan tells Daryl, he ain’t going. He’s at the top of every skin’s kill list. The idea is to get through it, and after the sh*tload of attention he’s gotten, he’s the last person anyone wants next to them. Daryl says if he wants to be a part of it, he has to put his ass on the line like everyone else. Gabriel says, it’s time, and opens the vestibule door, as Judith stands next to him. The group files into the vestibule. Judith closes the door, and Daryl puts his hand on the window. She puts her hand against his on the other side. Kelly puts on a skin mask, and Jerry opens the door. Zombies come in, ignoring them. It gets tight quickly, and I almost want to freak out myself. Daryl and the others shuffle out, as the zombies are shuffling in. Soon enough, the zombies begin to shuffle back out when they realize there’s nowhere else to go. The group allow themselves to be pushed along.
Gabriel watches through binoculars. The group blends into the crowd, which has to be in the thousands. Magna looks like she’s going to freak or throw up. Jerry puts a hand on her shoulder. Daryl keeps looking around, and sees a Whisperer with a knife, who immediately gets shot by an arrow. The zombies feed on the downed Whisperer.
Gabriel continues to watch, and Dianne says, there, in the center. She aims her bow and arrow, but someone else shoots the Whisperer who is heading for Magna. The zombies feed again, and Beta is like, hmm… He looks up, but doesn’t see anyone in the windows. Nothing phases this dude, and he tells a passing Whisperer, tight together. They begin to chant, together. Beta looks around. It’s like Woodstock.
Gabriel says he can’t find them in the horde, and Dianne asks what she should do. Another woman with a bow says she got one, and Gabriel tells her to be certain before she shoots. A crash is heard downstairs, and Judith takes a look. She sees a zombie (or a Whisperer) crawling up the stairs, which is creepy enough, but it’s got a knife in its eyeball. She runs back, and says, they’re coming up.
Gabriel says they all know what to do. He tells Dianne to be in the first group, and the children and Rosita are to go to the office. Negan tells Lydia, they know how this ends, but she says, that’s not true. She doesn’t, and neither does he. He says her being there won’t change anything about the sh*tstorm going down. She can slip out, go down, and dance her way through the dead. She says so could he, but he says she told him herself, he ain’t no hero. She says, he could be, and he says, he guesses that’s why he’s doing what he’s doing now. He hands her a mask, and he grabs a rope that’s tied around a pillar, using it to go down the elevator shaft.
The outside group intersperses themselves among the horde. This is a very slow moving crowd. Worse than the line at Trader Joe’s last June. Luke, Magna, and Jerry go through the woods, and come across a small group of zombies. Carol shuffles into the crowd, exchanging glances with one of the women from Oceanside. Oceansider Beatrice has a knife, and a Whisperer sees it, slamming it out of her hand. Carol quickly slices the Whisperer open. The Whisperer falls, but grabs Beatrice by the foot, and slices her across the calf. Ow. Beatrice cries out, and the zombies get a two-for-one meal. Beatrice calls Carol’s name, and Carol stops for a moment, but keeps going. Even I agree, there’s no point. It’s pretty gruesome, with lots of blood gushing out of severed limbs, and the traditional zombies eating intestines. I’m guessing they’re trying to throw a lot in since it was supposed to be the finale. Carol goes off to the side where there’s less traffic, comes eye to eye with Lydia, who’s in a skin mask, but still wearing her backpack. They go past Daryl.
At the hospital, Gabriel radios Daryl, who tells him something about the wires on the stairway. Gabriel says his prayers are with them, but Daryl says, don’t need ‘em. Oh, bleepity-bleep-bleep. Dog starts barking, and I’d forgotten about him. I swear to God, I will never watch this show again if Dog gets it. The doorway is barricaded with furniture, but the Whisperers use an ax to try and get through. Judith aims her bow and arrow.
A Whisperer passes Beta, saying, almost here. Beta is still wondering, WTF? We hear music in the distance, and the horde turns and moves toward it. Luke drives a wagon, carrying loudspeakers that are blasting Burning Down the House. The rest of the group walks alongside and behind the wagon.
Back at the hospital, the Whisperers are almost in, when Daryl’s boobytrap goes off.
Jerry slowly leads the horde on a dirt road through the woods. Daryl seems amused. Someone yells, they’re coming, and Carol and Lydia shoot their arrows. Daryl gets out his crossbow. Whisperers come out of the woods; some of them are shot, some are nailed by boobytraps. A wheel comes off the wagon, and Daryl tells everyone to go. They take off, along with the horses, and some Whisperers destroy the wagon.
Daryl radios Gabriel, and says they lost the wagon. He tells the others, it’s not a good plan, but it’s all he’s got. They go back, and hunt the skins; take them out one by one. If they don’t, all their people will die. Magna wonders how they’re going to lead the zombies away, Lydia says she knows how; her mother taught her. Luke says they have to be lead off a cliff, but they have no wagon to lead them over the edge. It’s suicide. Daryl says, they’ll deal with that later. They’ve got to go now.
Gabriel backs up, huge gun in his hands. Everyone is gone, except Judith, and he tells her that she should go. She asks if he’s not coming, and he says someone needs to stop them. She asks if Rosita knows, and he says, tell her, Eres mi media naranja… Judith says, you’re my half orange? and he says, she’ll know. Judith leaves, and the Whisperers finally get the door open. Gabriel shoots one, but decides to save bullets, and starts whacking them with both ends of the weapon. He’s no match for two of them, who get him down. A third raises an ax above Gabriel, but someone comes in from behind and goes crazy on the lot of them. Behind the crazy guy is Maggie, who helps Gabriel up. He hugs her, and Aaron looks at the surprise guest killer, who’s wearing some kind of Power Rangers outfit.
In the horde, Daryl and the others are killing off Whisperers, and Beta is sure now that something is going on, looking around more quickly than usual. A Whisperer shuffles past him, saying, go back. He takes out a sword, but a masked Negan says, hey sh*thead, from behind him. Beta flies toward Negan, throwing whoever out of the way. he throws a zombie (or a Whisperer; it’s unclear) at Negan, who falls down. Negan throws the zombie off of him, but Beta is over him with his weapon. Daryl comes up behind Beta, and slams two knives into Beta’s eyeballs. Beta’s life with Alpha flashes before him. He hears, we are nothing; we are free; we embrace death. The zombies move in around him. Daryl helps Negan up. Beta’s mask is removed, and he seems like he’s in ecstasy as he’s pulled to the ground by the zombies. Negan says, sh*t. Does Daryl know who that a-hole was? Daryl says, Nobody. Dammit. Dammit! Are we never to know?
The horde wanders toward the cliff, and Carol says she’ll do it, bypassing Lydia. I think, but wait. Carol can’t die. She has a spin-off coming. Carol gets close to the edge of the cliff, and stands there. The horde catches up, and a hand grabs Carol, pulling her back, as the zombies keep going, and walk off the cliff. Lydia pulls Carol into a hole, and Carol says she told Lydia to go. Lydia says, Carol told her to find her own way. They cry, and hold one another. Zombies walk past, and tumble down into the ravine. Carol thanks her, and they watch as the lemmings zombies continue to drop over the side. Lydia tosses her mask, and it goes over with the zombies. This is a pretty good throw, since it must have had to zigzag through the crowd.
It takes less time than you’d think for all those zombies to plummet into the abyss, but the show only has another few minutes. Lydia and Carol look out over the canyon, and the sun breaks through the clouds.
In a clearing, everyone regroups. Gabrielle kisses Rosita, and Maggie says hello to everyone. She sees Judith, and kneels down. Judith hugs her. Magna bandages Kelly. Carol and Lydia come back, and Jerry says, is it…? and Lydia says, it is. Carol says, thanks to her. Jerry says, thanks all around. He can’t believe they pulled it off. Lydia says Negan is still there, and he says, for now. She hugs him, and Carol hugs Jerry. Carol asks Daryl if they’re good, and he says, yeah. It’s over. She says, it is, and he says she got what she wanted. She says, not really, and he asks if she still loves him. She says, yeah, and he nods, and says, yeah. They hug – lots of hugging going on – and Daryl says she could go to New Mexico. She says, maybe someday. They still have things to do there.
A hand claws at the dry leaves in the woods. A woman stands up, and stumbles forward. It’s Connie, covered head to toe in dirt. She falls. A horse approaches, and the rider looks down. It’s Virgil.
Eugene, Princess, Ezekiel, and Magna – the ones who should really have the spin-off – get to the meeting spot. Princess asks if they have a secret code or something, and Eugene shouts that it’s Eugene Porter there. Princess noses around, and Eugene goes to the door.
Princess and Eugene sit looking dejected. Ezekiel says they can stay in one of the cars. Maybe in the morning… Eugene says, she’s not there anymore; if she ever was. Yumiko says, no regrets, and Eugene says they’re not turning back. There are people out there – maybe not in this trainyard or in a mile radius – but they’re going to keep on trekking until they find them. The reason they assimilated was to make what built stronger with like-minded folks. Assimilate they can. Princess says Eugene is one horny dude.
They all laugh, and stadium lights come on. We hear, weapons down; hands in the air. Suddenly, they’re surrounded by people in stormtrooper uniforms, with guns pointed at them.
TWD will be back in early 2021. Next week – Fear the Walking Dead – Rick gets some play, and we find out more about Al and those circles.
The Walking Dead: The World Beyond
I enjoyed this show, and definitely want to see more. It’s kind of the YA version of The Walking Dead, but I love YA novels, so I can easily get behind this.
Iris and Hope are sisters, living in one of three existing colonies of survivors. Theirs is called the Omaha or Campus Colony, as it’s housed in Nebraska State University. They refer to an incident ten years ago as the night the sky fell, when their mother was killed. Later, their father Leo went to work for a government organization called the Civic Republic, trying to find a cure for zombieism. FYI, zombies in this part of the franchise are called empties. The organization has something to do with those three circles Al discovered in Fear the Walking Dead, so I’m sure more will be revealed as time goes on.
Iris is the more conservative of the two, participating in Monument Day – a day to celebrate those who survived and found safety, and are monuments to the past – and schmoozing with Elizabeth, a lieutenant colonel who heads the military and works with the Civic Republic. Hope is more rebellious, getting nailed for having a distillery on campus, and pretty much telling Elizabeth to f*** off. Iris is also going to a therapist, since she has nightmares, and when she wakes up, has anxiety about everything she has to do. I can identify with the latter, which sounds like me most mornings. She also has guilt over getting separated from Hope when their mom was killed, since Hope saw everything. The doctor pinpoints that Iris feels guilty over not doing enough when she and Hope got separated, and she now feels she has to do everything for everybody. She suggests Iris talk to her sister, and let go of what she’s been holding on to for her.
Between both Iris and Hope’s flashbacks, the night the sky fell is pieced together, and we see the aftermath of a plane crash, where their parents tried to steer them past falling wreckage and the dead coming back as zombies. When Leo stopped to help a pregnant woman, he and Iris became separated from Hope and their mother. Later, their mother tried to get the same pregnant woman to share a car with her so she could find the rest of her family. The woman shot their mother (it seemed to be more accidental than intentional), and in turn, Hope shot her.
It’s normal life, sort of. As Iris tells us, they still live behind walls, but the dead still have the world. Leo has made security force officer Felix the sisters’ legal guardian while he’s gone, and has been sending them secret messages. Another officer, Felix’s sidekick Huck, has been teaching Hope how to fight the dead. During the first episode, the girls receive a message from Leo saying his safety is not assured. Overhearing Hope talking to Iris about her distrust for the Civic Republic, Elizabeth assures them that all is well. She gives them a map to the facility where she says their father is teaching other scientists and working toward a cure, telling them she could get in trouble for doing it. But then they receive yet one more message from their father – It’s gone bad. Keeping my head down. I’ll find help. Don’t tell the Council. Don’t tell Felix. Iris then also becomes suspicious of the Civic Republic. It doesn’t help when she discovers her therapist has turned into a zombie, which was kind of sad, but at least the doctor had the good sense to put serious bars on the entrance to her apartment, so she couldn’t have Iris as a snack when Iris showed up for her appointment. The girls decide to go on a mission to help their father, along with the assistance of two classmates, Elton and Silas, both nerdy outsiders. This reminded somewhat of A Wrinkle in Time, one of my all-time favorite YA novels. When Elton shows them a photo of his mother, we see it’s the pregnant woman from long ago. I also see an awkward conversation in the future.
It’s a 1100 mile trip to NY, and why they decide to go on foot, I’m not sure, but they leave Felix a note and head out. When Felix finds the note, he tells Huck, they’ll never make it; they’ll die. He and Huck decide to follow them. On the outside, it’s both beautiful and creepy. Elton, who is like a cheerier Eugene, says, let’s see what discoveries await us, shall we? just before Iris has to kill her first zombie.
Back at the colony, Elizabeth is destroying the whole place and killing everyone. Why? We don’t know yet. One of her soldiers tells Elizabeth that they couldn’t find her, and Elizabeth says, good. Who? We don’t know yet.
While this was basically just the set up, I think TWB shows a lot of promise. It’s certainly more upbeat, which is a refreshing change. Hopefully, Rick doesn’t show up.
👩🏽🚀 Over and Out…
While I enjoyed it, it was tough to get back into Sunday night Dead mode. I decided to forego Talking Dead to watch Lovecraft Country, which gets eerier every week. I hope I don’t dream about those strange twins from bizarro Little Rascals world, who kept doing Twyla Tharp choreography. Until we meet on Deck, stay safe, stay informed, and stay not walking off the cliff with the zombies.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
⚾️ In the spirit of the week, MLB came back today, and there was no General Hospital. I’m guessing we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming on Monday, but as 2020 taught us, anything can happen. In the meantime, a little tea, a little Dead, and lists for you to plan ahead.
The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. – Ida B. Wells
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. – Alice Walker
Don’t lose your sense of humor. – my father – it was the only advice he gave me when I left home. I’ve come close.
Above all else, go with a sense of humor. It is needed armor. Joy in one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lip is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. – Hugh Sidey
I’m currently standing on a pair of pants, a broken vacuum cleaner, and horse feed. – a hoarder’s son on Hoarding: Buried Alive
Life’s not a competition – it’s a collaboration. – Mike Guest
Every time I fail, I assume I will be a stronger person for it. – Joan Benoit Samuelson, Olympic marathon runner
When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us. – wisdom from the Arapaho tribe
Take responsibility of your own happiness, never put it in other people’s hands. – Roy T. Bennett
It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
You can never be overdressed or overeducated. – Oscar Wilde
Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood. – George Orwell
Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained. – Marie Curie
The GPS says, idiot, go home. – Annie Suwan, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé
🏋️♀️ Preparing For War…
I have to rest up for Sunday night’s onslaught of new walking, talking, and beyond Dead shows. And somehow squeeze in 90 Day Fiancé. Sunday night vacation officially over. Whether your vacation is over, just starting, or you’re on a perpetual vacation for now, stay safe, stay occupied, and stay bringing in ‘da noise, and bringing in ‘da funk.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Well, this was a surprise. Both the soap sites and the digital guide claimed MLB would be on today. The iffy day was Friday. Ten minutes after 3, I said to myself, I should check, and GH was on. So I missed that ten minutes, but here are the takeaway points. Brando brought Dev to Jax’s for the pre-homecoming thing. Before Brando went inside, Cyrus called him, and said some of his men went rogue, and were the ones who beat Brando up. Nice try. Cyrus wanted to make it up to Brando, by getting him some new shop equipment, but Brando said no. Cyrus wanted Brando on his team (even mobsters use Zoomspeak now), and when Brando asked, which one? Cyrus said they’d talk, and went into Charlie’s. Sam was following Jason, who was following Cyrus. In the bar, Cyrus told Julian that if he needed help, just ask for it. Nina called Ava, who was at Windymere, wondering what was going on with the blackmailer thing. Ava acted like it was all good, but said she didn’t want to talk about it right then, and didn’t want to give Nikolas any ammunition. That’s about all you need to know. Here’s where I came in…
Nikolas goes through the mail, and pulls something out. Ava asks if something is wrong, and he asks how she could do this behind his back.
Jason and Sam look peek in the window at Charlie’s, and see Julian with Cyrus. Sam wonders why Cyrus is there, and Jason tells her that Julian had dabbled in drug trafficking long ago. Maybe Cyrus is trying to recruit him. Sam says, there’s one way to find out.
At Jax’s place, Carly takes a ton of pictures of the kids, who are ready for homecoming. She says Sonny is going to love them. Jax asks how Carly is feeling, now that she knows Nelle was found. She says she’s relieved. She hated keeping it from Sonny, but she did it because of Mike. She’s not sure now was the time to tell Sonny, because Mike’s passing is so recent, but Jason made her realize she was robbing Sonny of the chance to be able to support her. They’ve had too many secrets between them. Jax says he hates keeping a secret from Nina; the last thing she needs is another Valentin. But if it comes out that he helped cover it up, he doesn’t want Nina being pulled in as an accessory. Carly says, that won’t happen; there’s no evidence to be found. He says Nina couldn’t help being sympathetic to Nelle, at least on the level of being a mom who wanted to be with her child. Nelle’s death hit her hard. Portia overhears, and asks how Nelle died. Carly says, her body was found on the Pennsylvania side of the river (🍷), but no cause death has been determined yet. Elizabeth says she’s glad they found Nelle. Everyone will have closure, including Wiley. Now Carly doesn’t have to look over her shoulder. Josslyn asks what they’re talking about, and Carly says, how beautiful she looks. Jax says homecoming is going to start soon, but Josslyn says he knows they can’t be the first ones there.
Cameron asks how Trina is feeling. She asks if he means about going to the dance, since the last time, they were kidnapped and her dad was killed. He says, sorry. Sometimes he should just shut up. She says, sometimes he should, but not this time. It’s hard, but the only thing she needs to feel safe is him. Dev hears them, and tells Josslyn that she looks… some word that sounds like eureka. He says, too bad Mike isn’t there to see her. She says she’s hoping he can. She hopes Mike is looking down, and telling her to have fun. He says he didn’t mean to bring it up, but she says she’s glad to hear about Mike. She goes to join the others, and he looks after her longingly.
Ava tells Nikolas that she can explain, and he says, $10,000 for sheets and bedding? She says she has sensitive skin. Besides, they can afford it. He says not if she keeps throwing his money away on pointless extravagances. She says she expected a certain lifestyle when she moved there. He says cotton sheets were fine in Sonny’s cabin. She could have been sleeping on straw. She asks what that’s supposed to mean, and he says when they were having sex, the thread count was the last thing on her mind. She tells him, says you, and he says sex wasn’t part of the contract. She says she hasn’t forgotten that; she just hasn’t given it much thought. He asks if she regrets sleeping with him.
Sam and Jason go into Charlie’s, and Cyrus says, a pleasure, as always. Sam asks to talk to Julian privately, and Cyrus says, of course (🍷). He says he was sorry to hear about Mike. Family is precious. It’s terrible to lose someone you love.
Julian asks Sam to what he owes the pleasure, and she says she’ll cut to the chase. What’s the deal with Cyrus? He knows Cyrus is a drug trafficker and murderer. She doesn’t believe he just came in for a beer. He says, even kingpins get thirsty. He tells her, Cyrus expressed interest in buying Charlie’s, but he turned Cyrus down. Sam asks why Cyrus is still there, and he says hell if he knows. He’s in no position to turn away business, and doesn’t appreciate the sudden interest. He has to wonder why she’s wasting her time interrogating him, when she should be focusing on her mother. Cyrus tells Jason, his deepest sympathies about the ordeal everyone has gone through, especially Sonny. He must have been torn between his professional demands and his father’s last days. Did his business suffer? Cyrus answers his own question, saying, of course (🍷) not. Jason has Sonny’s back, but there has been trouble, hasn’t there? Jason says he doesn’t know what Cyrus is talking about, and Cyrus says he’s referring to the vicious attack on Brando. It was lucky Jason arrived before Brando was seriously hurt. Jason says Brando insists he can take care of himself, which is fine by him. Cyrus asks if Brando hasn’t been taken under the Corinthos wing.
Brando says he saw Dev talking to Josslyn. He’s no expert, but it looked like there was a connection. Dev asks if Brando really thinks so, and Brando tells him, relax and be himself. He’s got a big night ahead.
Portia wonders if she’s doing the right thing, letting Trina go, and Elizabeth says she’s not going to lie. She’s spent some sleepless nights over it, but she thinks they’re ready. Portia says they are ready, but at least she and Elizabeth are chaperones; chaperones with benefits. Carly tells the kids that Tony is ready with the car, and Jax says, no drinking. Josslyn says she learned her lesson last time, and Cameron says he did too. Carly says, no leaving the dance without Tony, and Jax says, the same rule applies after the dance. Wherever they go to eat, Tony will be watching from a discreet distance. Josslyn suggests they include Tony in the photos, since he’s part of the night. Carly says she told Sonny that she’s going to capture every moment, but Josslyn says he hardly needs more photos. Carly says she doesn’t think so. She tells them to smile, and show how happy they are. The kids pose as she takes more pictures.
Ava asks if Nikolas regrets sleeping together, but he says he asked her first. She says Nina thinks she’s crazy, and he says, she told Nina? Ava says, they’re friends now, and he says, if what they did was so unimportant, why confide in Nina? She says, unlike him, she happens to have friends who care about her life. He says he’s not surprised Nina thought she was crazy, bringing sex into an arranged marriage from hell. She says as she recalls, there were two of them, and he didn’t object. He says, point taken, and she asks what they do now. He says, go back to the way things were, and she says, just forget they ever had sex? Nikolas smiles.
Julian says he heard Alexis was with Neil when he died from an OD, yet Sam is focusing on him being at the pub with Cyrus. Sam says she thinks he’s up to no good. If he had anything to do with Nelle’s death, it will mean war with Sonny. He says she’s worried Jason would get caught in the crossfire. It’s a valid concern. The best way to take Sonny out would be to take Jason out first. She asks if he’s speaking about Cyrus, or his own experience. He says it’s not his battle. He’s washing his hands of any blood Sonny wants. He’s got his own problems. He excuses himself, and walks away.
Cyrus tells Jason, it sounds like Sonny and his cousin aren’t getting along, and Jason says he can think what he wants. Cyrus says he heard about Dr. Bern… Mr. Bern. He lost his license, then he died from a drug overdose. It’s a terrible shame. Sam says they were all shocked that Neil was using hard drugs. Cyrus wouldn’t happen to know where Neil would have gotten those, would he?
At The Haunted Star, Trina says Portia and Elizabeth aren’t walking in with them, are they? Portia tells her to go in; she and Elizabeth have some catching up to do. They won’t be long. On the way in, Cameron asks how Trina is holding up? She says she’s smiling, right? and he follows her in. Portia tells Elizabeth, it’s taking every ounce of restraint in her being to let Trina out of her sight. Elizabeth is glad she’s not the only one, and Portia suggests they talk about something other than the kids. Elizabeth says she did want talk someone; Britt. Portia says she’s so sorry Elizabeth’s hours were cut, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t have to apologize. Portia says she went to bat for Elizabeth and Epiphany, but she was overruled. Elizabeth says she and Britt have a history. She’s sure that’s one reason. Portia says she’s an excellent nurse. Britt must have an outside vendetta. What reason would she have to sideline them? Elizabeth flashes back to telling Jason what happened, and saying she thinks Britt is trying to get rid of the old guard; the people who know how the hospital is run. Jason says, that makes sense, and it’s no secret the both of them are close with him and Sonny. Cyrus wants them away from whatever he’s planning. Elizabeth tells Portia it’s got nothing to do with her. She’s glad Portia remained in her position at the hospital. They need doctors like her. Portia wonders if Britt knows what she’s getting into. Being Cyrus’s puppet sounds like a dangerous job to her.
Carly told Brando that Dev looked adorable, and Brando suggested Carly not say that to Dev’s face. Carly says it’s great that Brando is looking out for Dev, and he says, Dev is a likeable kid. Although he wears his heart on his sleeve. He thanks Carly for inviting him to the festivities. He had a better time than he thought he would. She says he’s family now. He’s going to get invited to come to events like this whether he wants to or not.
Jax asks if Nina is okay, and she says she’s just being silly. He says, tell him, and she says she was wondering if her son or daughter had a night like this. He says he hopes so, and she says she does too. She hopes they’ve had a happy, normal life. She just wishes she could be a part of it.
Josslyn and Dev walk out on deck, and Josslyn says she’s glad to have a social life after being stuck under house arrest for so long. Dev says, Sonny’s house and grounds are huge, but he still felt confined. She says she’s glad he was there with her, and he says she was glad for someone else to talk to other than her family and the guards. She says he made her laugh, and he tells her that he’s glad he was good for something. She says they’ve been through a lot together, and he tells her again that she looks eureka. She hopes that’s good, and he says, it means gorgeous, which she is even when she’s not dressed up. An aside here. I looked this up, and the word for gorgeous in Turkish is muhteşem, which doesn’t sound like eureka to me. (See more on this below.) Josslyn tells him, that’s what it means to be part of a family; you ignore the messy hair and bunny slippers. He says he knows they’re pretending to be cousins, but he doesn’t see her that way. Not anymore.
Dev says he wants to tell Josslyn… something. She says he might not be her cousin, but she’s happy being his friend. It’s a good thing they get along. She tells him that she said she’d catch up with Dena and Kelsey from volleyball, so she’s going over to say hi.
Cyrus says he’s not sure why Sam would think he knows the drug habits of her mother’s late beau. Sam says maybe he should think harder, and he asks, what’s her point? He reminds her that the charges were dropped that the late DEA agent Taggert and his associates trumped up. He says, this is his cue to leave, but do give her mother his condolences. Sam laughs, and tells him, mention her mother again, and they’ll have a problem. He says he sees, and leaves. Sam tells Jason that she doesn’t like what’s happening here. Apparently, Cyrus tried to buy the bar. His mentioning her mother made her feel like he was taunting her. Jason says, he was definitely pushing the boundaries of the agreement. She asks if Sonny knows, and Jason says, he will.
Trina sits alone, and Cameron brings her some punch. He says, talk to him; what’s up? She says, it turns out homecoming was a big mistake, and he says he gets it. Her dad passed away, and she feels guilty. She suggests he set up a booth in the corner, and he says her dad would want her to live her life and be happy. It’s okay to miss him when she’s hanging out with friends. She says she wishes that night… She’s got to go. He asks her not to leave, but she says she needs a minute, and says, promise she’ll be back. She does, and hands him her drink before she runs out.
Elizabeth says, having Cyrus as Chairman of the Board is bad, right? and Portia says, it’s worse than she can possibly imagine. Elizabeth says she knows Cyrus killed Portia’s ex, and kidnapped her daughter… Portia says, and Elizabeth’s son. Elizabeth says they’re supposed to say allegedly. She can’t imagine what it’s like dealing with him. Portia says Elizabeth has no idea, and thanks her for checking in and caring. Elizabeth says, the good guys have to stick together, and watch each other’s backs. Is she in? Portia says, does Elizabeth have to ask? They go onto the boat.
Cameron asks if Dev has seen Josslyn, and Dev says, she was talking to her friends from volleyball. Cameron says he was talking to Trina, but she ran off. He needs to find her.
Ava tells Nikolas, their marriage is a business arrangement, so sex ought to be off the table. He asks if that’s what she wants, and she asks what he wants. They’re about to kiss, when there’s a knock at the door. Nikolas answers, and it’s Julian. Julian asks if his sister is there, and Ava asks, what’s wrong? He says he needs to talk in private, and slams the living room door in Nikolas’s face. He tells Ava that he’s in trouble, and needs her help.
Brando asks Carly if Jason is with Sonny, but she says she doesn’t think so; why? He says there’s something he wants to talk to Jason about, but it’s not important. Jax asks if anyone wants something else to drink, and Brando says he should be heading out. He thanks Jax for hosting, and Jax thanks him for coming, and says he’ll walk Brando to his car. Nina says she’ll understand if Carly cried, and Carly says if she had, Josslyn would have ignored her for a month. Nina says, the kids probably won’t realize what this night means for years; it’s a watershed moment, even though they think it’s a night out with friends having a good time. She can picture her own child with them, although she knows they’re not the same age. Carly says she missed that moment, but Charlotte will be in high school soon and have her own homecoming. Nina says, that’s unacceptable. Charlotte has to remain a little girl forever. Carly says, damn kids. They grow up anyway. Nina says she’ll be happy to see her child grown up. Thanks to Jax, she’s a little closer. Carly says, tell her about it, and Nina says, there was a nurse named Phyllis Caulfield. She was kind and caring, and seemed like she cared about Nina as a person. She and Jax went to New York and found the jeweler who divided her pendant, and he had an order from 1991 under the name of Phyllis Caulfield. Carly says, the woman who took care of Nina when she was in a coma? and Nina says, her theory and hope is that Phyllis had the pendant divided, one for her and one for her child. If that’s the case, Phyllis may know where her child is now.
Cameron finds Josslyn, and asks if she’s seen Trina. Josslyn says, no; why? and he says, she kind of ran off. They were talking, and she said she’d be back, but she seemed upset. He feels like she shouldn’t be alone. Does Josslyn think he’s overreacting? Josslyn says, no. He’s being a great friend. He thanks her, and says, it’s tough figuring out the right thing to do. She says, tell her about it. At the end of the day, you’ve got to be honest with yourself and the people around you, and follow your heart. He asks if that’s another way of saying, don’t second-guess yourself, and she supposes it is. He asks what she’s doing out there. Dev said she was talking to friends. She says she was, but she needed some fresh air. He asks, what’s up? and she says she’s just tired of letting people down. He asks, when has that ever happened? and she says she can’t always be what people expect. He asks why she’d want to; she’s amazing the way she is. He asks if she remembers when they were counselor’s for Lila’s Kids. There was a kid who was getting bullied. She says, Bijou, and he says Josslyn took Bijou under her wing, and made her feel like she was Josslyn’s best friend. Josslyn says, she was a sweet kid, and he says, Josslyn was the coolest counselor. By the end of the summer, everyone wanted to be friends with Bijou because of her. Has anyone else done the same? He says, at the risk of sounding incredibly dorky, he’s glad she’s always been in his life. She says, it’s not dorky. She’s glad he’s in her life too. He says, just so she knows, she could never let him down. She asks if he means that, and he says, absolutely.
On the phone with Sonny, Jason says there’s been an update in regard to Cyrus. Can Sonny meet with him?
Jax asks what he missed, and Nina says she was bringing Carly up to speed on her search for her daughter, and how he’s helping. She knows it’s a long shot. What are the odds Phyllis would know her child’s whereabouts after all these years? Carly says she and Bobbie found each other years after she’d given up. Nina says they had a rough start, and Carly says look at them now. She can’t imagine life without her mom. Nina says, what if she chases her dream, and instead of a pot of gold, she finds nothing? Jax says, if she stops looking, she’ll never know. Carly says she doesn’t know if Nina’s child had a good or bad life, but she knows Nina has to find them – for their sake. They need to know who their mother is, and how they want be in her life, whatever way works for them. They need to know where they came from. Where they got their eyes; where they got their nose; where they got their crazy hair. Why they’re a terrific dancer. Carly takes Nina’s hand, and says Nina deserves to be a mother.
Dev finds Trina and asks where she went; Cameron was looking for her. She says she tried to rally, but she’s not going to make it. It’s too hard. Her stomach hurts, and she’s going home. He says she should tell Josslyn and Cameron she’s leaving. I’m adding, and her mother. She asks if he has any idea where they are.
Josslyn says they should head back, and Cameron says they should. He moves in for a kiss, confusing the hell out of me.
Ava says Julian came barging in like his hair was on fire; he’s not very subtle. He says it’s about Nelle. She never gave Martin the letter. Someone else has the proof that he was in on the plot to keep Sonny’s grandson from him. She asks, who? and he says, it could be Nelle’s manicurist for all he knows. Nikolas walks in, and Ava says, it’s a private conversation. He says, too bad. This is his living room. Ava says it’s her living room too. There are fifty other rooms in the house, and he has to be there now? Nikolas says, clearly they don’t want him knowing what’s going on. Well, yeah. FYI, Nikolas, that’s why it’s called a private conversation.
Ava gets a call from an unknown number. She answers, and an operator says she has a collect call from Pentenville from Ryan Chamberlain. Will she accept the charges?
Just for the record, it would have said Pentenville, not Unknown. I know. I once got a call from someone in the slammer. Not for anything huge.
There was no preview. Your guess is as good as mine whether it’s on tomorrow, but I’ll be prepared. It wasn’t supposed to be on today, so they are playing with us. Stay strong.
📑 About that word. It wasn’t eureka; it was harika. While I was rooting around, trying to find out what happened in the first ten minutes without actually having to watch it, some diligent recapper surprised me by including it. However, it still doesn’t mean gorgeous, as Dev said. According to Google’s Turkish to English translator, It means great. I know. I’m hopeless, and such a nerd.
🗽 Tonight’s Bravo offering was The Real Housewives of New York City: Secrets Revealed. They’ve started to get a little better with these shows, experimenting with format, although there’s never anything particularly shocking or revealing. Leah talked about her rookie season being a roller coaster ride of emotions. We saw Ramona melting down over men, Dorinda being angry, and a lot of eating. Personally, now that the seasons of RHONY and RHOBH are over, I’m trying to stay away from the vanilla wafers. Dorinda and LuAnn had an egg-off, where LuAnn’s eggsà la Française competed against Dorinda’s scrambled then poached eggs. She explained how she makes this fluffiest-of-all egg concoctions, but she lost me halfway through. It was declared a tie, and Sonja informed us, nobody loses because everyone gets eggs. I could agree with that, although in her interview, Leah said she didn’t like either one, and preferred her own. She gave no recipe though. They did a segment with never before seen footage, and a multiple choice Guess What Happens Next? Nothing very telling or exciting, although it was interesting to see Sonja and Ramona – two grown women – hide under a restaurant table in Newport when they wanted to extract themselves from a conversation. We watched how the women keep in shape, and Leah and Sonja went to a workout that uses electroshock. I’ve seen this technique before, and I’m not so sure I’d do it. Sonja tried to sneak out, and it reminded me of the time I took a dance class with a friend who suddenly hurt their ankle – <making an I don’t think so face> – and left me to fumble along fend for myself. There were outtakes from interviews; interruptions, words mispronounced, and made up words. The women talked about their interview outfits throughout the seasons, and how their styles had changed. There were dating tips, but no advice you’d actually want to take.
Andy and Ramona walked through the set from the last reunion, and Andy pointed out artifacts from reunions past. We also saw clips from the moments he mentioned, like when Ramona walked off after Alex’s nude photos were brought up during the first reunion. Tinsley said the only redeeming factor of the reunion was getting to wear a big glamorous dress. She claimed she wouldn’t want to have an argument in jeans and a T-shirt, but she could do it in a ballgown. I laughed at the waiter at one of their lunches desperately trying to find out if they wanted still or sparkling water, while Dorinda prattled on about Ramona eating too many oysters, and saying Ramona was going to turn into a huge vagina. We saw other innocent bystanders as well, including Martini Mike, who apparently became an instant icon (see below). Dorinda told us, when they were in the groove, it didn’t matter what was going on around them.
All in all, the show wasn’t a bad thing to watch, but nothing new to see here. Except Martini Mike.
October is here, so as far as I’m concerned, Halloween is too. I love these weird vintage Halloween costumes. If I saw anything like this coming down the street, I’d pee myself and run for my life. Yet I can’t look away.
🌆 Calling It a Day…
We still call them days, right? Until the new normal becomes an old memory, stay safe, stay making new plans, and stay double-checking the TV guide.
October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations about them once again. – Hal Borland
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
🏥 As you already know, due to an MLB takeover, General Hospital wasn’t on today, and will return either Friday or Monday.
👁 Tonight Bravo give us Watch with Kelly and Shannon, where the women from RHOC watched the women on RHOBH. It was the episode where Brandi showed up at Dorit’s party, and the group went to see Erika in Chicago, minus Denise and Garcelle. Kelly and Shannon were surprisingly articulate and funny, and seemed to get along pretty well. One of my favorite moments was when Brandi showed up at the party wearing a furry pink jacket, and Kelly just kept repeating, What is Brandi wearing??? She also described Sutton’s dress as looking like she put her grandma’s doilies on it, which was pretty accurate. I still could see me dressing like Sutton in the 80s if I could have afforded it. How many of you are thinking, I watch TV with friends and make funny comments, and I don’t get a paycheck for it? Yeah, me too. Who knew it would end up being a thing.
🏖 She Needs Time Off…
After her daughter’s documentary This Is Paris came out, the only thing Kathy should be interested in is therapy. I think that lady has been stuffing a few emotions for some time. If you haven’t seen it, you can watch it for free on YouTube. It’s well worth watching. If you thought you knew Paris Hilton, you don’t.
Or at least make a comeback. Disney Plus will be streaming Once Upon a Time, but if you can’t access it, TV Guide has some other recommendations for you.
Mad Men! My So-Called Life! The Middle! And I highly recommend the U.K. (original) version of Being Human. It aired on BBC America years ago, and the U.S. version paled in comparison. No surprise.
This site never fails to calm me down and/or make me smile. There are livecams for days, and don’t forget to cast your vote for the fattest bear on the Fat Bear Week page.
Unless you’re one of the glitterati who got to spend it between your house in the Hamptons and your yacht docked at the Hamptons, I don’t imagine it’s been your favorite summer. Goodbye 4th of July Oceanfest. Goodbye flea market season. Goodbye street festivals. Goodbye county fair. We barely knew ye. Goodbye crowded beaches. Oh, wait. We did have those. Brought to you by the idiots who think only about themselves. Don’t be them. Stay safe, stay kindhearted, and stay not being an idiot. And while you’re at it, don’t take fashion tips from Brandi. Or any other kind of tips.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
⚾️ General Hospital turned into baseball today when MLB took over.
💬 There was also no The Haves and The Have Nots. It will be back with a new episode next week.
🛥 Bravo had nothing new, sort of. There were a couple of episodes of Watch with Kate Chastain: Below Deck Mediterranean. This was probably the best way to watch that show this season. Kate knows how to make a snarky comment, and after viewing Tom’s first meltdown, said she felt like she’d watched 40 episodes. She gave the best quote of the night after Malia asked Tom to meet with Captain Sandy, and he said he wasn’t fully prepared to cook. She pointed out the majority of the Below Deck chefs weren’t, and said, You know how to make nachos? You’re hired.
👶 It’s a B…aby…
In case you hadn’t heard, Lala and Randell have made their reveal.
While I admit to a certain amount of schadenfreude when karma befalls a Bravolebrity, like Teddi getting the ax from RHOBH, there’s no reason to pick on someone just because they’re more rich, famous, and more talented than you. I saw The Spice Girls – all five, twice – in 2000 when they had a reunion tour. I don’t care what anybody says; they were amazing. There was dancing in the aisles.
It looks like this week is mostly full of repeats and rehashes, and Friday’s GH remains uncertain. Soap Digest said yes, but the digital guide says no. Magic Eightball says… keep some mystery in life, so we’ll see. Sunday starts the week hot and heavy with the finale of The Walking Dead’s season 10, and the premiere of The Walking Dead: World Beyond. Gone are my date nights with 90 Day Fiance: Whatever show is on in the franchise right now, and a bag of cookies. Nothing lasts forever. As we fumble through the TV week, stay safe, stay ready for anything, and stay clapping back at the haters.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
WSB Facility, Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Kirk asks if Dante read the brief for his assignment. Dante asks if it’s a joke, or if it’s another test. This can’t be true. The doctor says, the Bureau doesn’t know. It’s Dante’s mission to find out.
At the MetroCourt, Olivia asks how Robert would feel about a suite with a view of the harbor. Robert says, it’s not necessary, but she says, it’s her screw-up, her hotel, and her responsibility. She’s throwing in a hot stone massage for good measure. He says she needs to go home and be with her hubby, and she says she will. As soon as Robert is settled. She’s waited this long to talk to Ned. She can wait a few more minutes.
Outside The Floating Rib, Valentin tells Ned that he’s drunk. He starts to walk away, but Ned grabs his arm and punches him. Chase intervenes, and Ned says he’s just trying to protect Alexis from this viper. Valentin says, Alexis doesn’t need protecting. She can handle herself.
Inside, at the bar, the bartender asks Alexis if it helped. She says, it will, and suggests he speed it along. He pours quite a bit of vodka into a tumbler that has some ice in it. Where is this bar where they’re so heavy-handed?
Portia says Jordan told Curtis, didn’t she? He doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she says she ran into Jordan outside of Charlie’s, and they had a conversation. He says, about his integrity, and she says, for the record, she meant every word. He and Jordan are lucky to have found each other. He says he appreciates that, but he wanted to talk to her for a different reason. He wants her to tell him about Cyrus’s Chief of Staff, Britt Westbourne. Martin comes in, bleeding and clutching his head, saying he needs a doctor. Please help. He’s just been mugged. Portia says he’ll be all right.
Julian dumps Martin’s briefcase, along with some garbage in the alley trashcan – which is a brilliant move – and takes out Nelle’s letter. Cyrus says, just the man he’s looking for. Julian has something he wants.
Nina tells Jax that he just missed Josslyn. She’s upstairs, getting dressed for homecoming. Nina says she’s so excited to be part of it. Josslyn comes down in her robe, saying, it’s a complete disaster. She can’t find her makeup kit. Jax points to a case on the table, and asks if that’s it. Josslyn says it is, and Nina says she knows tonight is a special night, but Josslyn seems off. Is she feeling okay? Josslyn says she thinks about Mike, and she’s sad. Then she thinks about Nelle, and she’s relieved. Weird things are running through her head when she should be doing her hair and makeup. Nina asks if there’s been news about Nelle. Did the police find her? Josslyn says, oh my God. Nina hasn’t heard? The doorbell rings, and Nina tells her, hold that thought. It’s probably Trina arriving to get dressed. She gives Josslyn a warning that she’s probably going to take a hundred pictures. She opens the door, and Sonny and Carly are there.
Dr. Kirk asks if something in the file concerns Dante, and Dante says, all of it. What the hell is going on in Port Charles? The doctor says, there have been a great many changes since Dante gave himself over to the WSB’s custody. If he takes the mission, he’ll have to make adjustments, and face the people he left. Dante says, Mike died, and Dr. Kirk says, the rest of Dante’s family lives on. His father, his mother, and his son. Dante says, and his wife.
At the MetroCourt, Lulu runs into Peter. She says she doesn’t know if she told him, but Dustin is staying with her while he’s looking for a new place. He just put up a tire swing in the backyard. Peter says, that’s thoughtful, and she apologizes, saying she didn’t need to update him on her domestic arrangement. He must want to know if she got an A-list reporter to go after Cyrus. No such luck, but she’s still going down her list of names. He says his concern is more immediate. Her ex mother-in-law is there with her special friend. She sees Olivia with Robert.
Chase says he’s doing Ned a favor. Don’t let him have to write Ned up over this. He’s had a few too many, and Chase will call him a car. Ned says, no way is he leaving Alexis alone with Valentin.
In the examining room, Portia tells Martin, he has a bump on the head. He says, that’s where he was hit, and Curtis asks if he had any sense of the weight or height of the person. Martin says they were behind him. Portia says he has bruises, but he thinks he got them when he fell. Curtis asks if he saw shoes or anything else, but Martin says he told Curtis, he was hit from behind. Portia says she knows Curtis is trying to be helpful, but asks him to wait outside.
Chase says, Ned just punched Valentin in the face, unprovoked, in front of a police witness. If Ned lets it go now, it’s over. If he continues, it could escalate to a criminal charge, and he doesn’t think anyone wants that for Ned. Curtis calls Chase, who says it’s not a good time, but Curtis says Chase might want to get over to GH as soon as possible. Martin was robbed and mugged. Chase says, Nelle’s lawyer? and Curtis says, that’s him. Chase says he’s on his way. He tells Ned and Valentin, he has to go. He expects them to both go to their separate corners. If another fight happens, and someone calls the cops, they’ll send a regular squad car who is more like to send them to lock-up. Valentin says Martin is his attorney too; what happened? Chase says Martin got jumped, and he’s getting more details at the hospital. Valentin says he’ll come with Chase, and Chase asks if he has any idea why someone would be out for Martin. Valentin says, he’s a lawyer, isn’t he? and they leave.
Julian asks Cyrus if there’s something he wanted. Cyrus asks if Julian remembers the last time he dropped in. He suggested a collaboration of mutual interest. Julian says he’d think a guy like Cyrus would be too busy for another venture, but Cyrus says he prides himself in time management and diversifying his interests. Julian says he’s not following. Why is Cyrus talking to him? Cyrus says, Julian owns this charming pub and he wants to buy it.
Carly thanks Nina for hosting the pre-homecoming gathering, but Nina says, she’s the co-host; itwas all Jax’s idea. Carly suggests they get Josslyn upstairs and get her gorgeous. Jax says, more gorgeous, but Josslyn says, first Carly should tell them about Nelle. Jax says, what about Nelle? and Carly says she called Josslyn earlier to break the news; Nelle is dead.
Robert says, when they were in the air, all Olivia could do was talk about calling Ned. Since they’ve been back, she’s focused on his accommodation. She’s not doing her marriage any favors having out with the likes of him. Olivia sits down, and says it’s just that things were so tense when she left, she’s afraid there’s not much of a marriage to go home to.
At the bar, Ned tells Alexis, smacking Valentin’s smug face felt so damn good. She asks what he became a Neanderthal, and he says, sorry. He sounds obnoxious, and he wouldn’t blame her if she headed home. She asks, what about him? and he says, home is kind of empty these days. What the hell was she doing sitting there with Valentin anyway? She says, earlier this year, she ran into Valentin when he’d hit rock bottom, and decided to be nice to him. Now she’s at rock bottom, and Valentin has decided to be nice to her. Ned says, believe him, if Valentin decided to do a good deed, there had to be something in it for him.
Chase gets to the hospital, and asks Curtis where Martin is. Curtis says, he’s in the examining room, and Portia comes out. Chase asks about the prognosis, and she says, fortunately, it’s just a slight concussion. Martin is going to have a bad headache; he has a lump the size of a golf ball on the back of his head. Chase wonders if he can ask some questions, and she tells him, keep it brief. Chase and Valentin go into the room, and Martin says, finally, a friendly face, even if it does belong to a client. Valentin asks how he’s doing, and Martin says he’s had better days. Chase asks Martin to walk him through it, and Martin says, there’s not much to it. He met with a potential client at the MetroCourt, and when they’d finished up, he headed for his car in the parking garage. The next thing he knew, he was flat on the floor. Chase asks if they took anything, and Martin says, his briefcase. Chase asks if there was anything of value, and Martin says, contracts, a legal brief, and an envelope from Nelle. Chase asks what that was about, and Martin says Nelle gave it to him for safekeeping before she fired him. Her intent was clear that it not be opened unless she had an untimely demise, which she has.
Julian says he appreciates Cyrus’s interest; Charlie’s isn’t for sale. Cyrus says he hasn’t heard the offer, but Julian says he doesn’t want a partner or any strings attached. He doesn’t want his past dragging him down. Cyrus says, escaping the past is never easy, especially in a city like Port Charles.
Nina asks how Carly found out, and Sonny says, Chase came by. Nelle’s body was found on the Pennsylvania side of the river (🍷). Jax asks how Josslyn feels about it, and she says she’s not sure. She wanted Nelle to pay for the pain she caused, especially to her mom and Michael, but she didn’t want Nelle dead. Nina says, there was something so damaged in Nelle, nothing could fill the void, not even an innocent child. Carly says, it’s sad, but she doesn’t want to dwell on it. It’s Josslyn’s night, and she wants Josslyn to have fun with her friends. Nothing is going to stop that. She, Josslyn, and Nina go upstairs, and Jax smiles at Sonny.
Chase asks how Julian reacted to his wife’s death, and Martin says, he shed no tears. He was more interested in Nelle’s legal estate documents. Chase says that’s enough for tonight, but he’ll circle back. Valentin says Martin isn’t just his attorney, but a friend. He’ll let Chase know if anything jogs Martin’s memory. Chase leaves, and Valentin says, the detective is gone. Does Martin want to tell him what was inside the envelope?
Chase tells Portia that Martin answered his questions for now, but he’ll be back. When he’s gone, Curtis asks Portia to tell him what she knows about Britt. She says, there’s nothing to tell, and most important, he should stop asking questions.
Jax says he heard about Sonny’s dad, and offers his condolences. Nina offers hers as well, and says she heard great things about Mike from Carly and Josslyn; she’s so very, very sorry for his loss. Sonny says he and his dad had a complicated relationship. He’s glad they spent the last few years together. The last year was a roller coaster. Losing his dad, finding out about Nelle, and the circumstances surrounding her death, but like Carly said they have to make it a special night for Josslyn and the kids; memories they’ll never forget. Nina says there are some high school memories that she prefers to forget, and Jax says, her? She says, in his world, no one ever does anything they regret. He says, maybe one or two things.
Cyrus says a man can remake himself over and over, but what does it matter if some people will only remember him as he was? he’s heard stories of Julian holding a knife to his wife’s throat, Duke’s murder, and the bombing that killed Sonny’s kid. Julian says he had nothing to do with that; he was the intended target. Cyrus says, it’s unfair to treat a changed man as though he’s culpable, still capable of savagery and murder… unless he is. Chase comes in, and says he’s there on official business. Cyrus says he’s sick and tired of the police harassment. Chase will be hearing from his lawyer. Chase says, not everything is about him. He has a question for Julian. Julian wonders what he did now, and Chase says Martin was robbed and mugged after Julian asks him about an annulment from his wife. Or should he say, late wife?
Ned tells Alexis, he got a call and learned to his astonishment that his wife was in a honeymoon suite in Monte Carlo with another man. Alexis is sure there’s an explanation, and he says he’s sure he’ll hear it eventually. In the meantime, what about her rock bottom led her to lean on Valentin? She says let her know if he’s heard this story. She went to bed with Mr. Right, and woke up with Mr. Dead. She’d just gotten back from Neil’s memorial. It was a huge mistake to go. He says, according to who? and she says, according to Neil’s brother. She destroyed Neil’s life and drove him to OD. Maybe that’s true. Ned says, it’s not. He doesn’t know Neil’s brother, but he knows her. She didn’t destroy Neil’s life. If Neil had demons she didn’t know about, that’s on him. She wonders what happened to her and Ned. They had so many possibilities. They weren’t smoldering together or a fabulous couple, but they were smart and witty, and people liked them. Ned says they were the family gatekeepers; the power couple to be reckoned with. She asks how long it took him to forget her after she dumped him, and he tells her, who said he ever did? She leans her head on his shoulder.
Robert says Olivia and Ned will throw themselves into each other’s arms, and Ned will throw himself at her feet. He’s such a damn fool. Lulu approaches, and says she’s sorry to interrupt, but did Olivia get her message? Olivia says she had a minor phone catastrophe. Robert excuses himself, and Lulu says she and Dustin wanted to set up a dinner date with Olivia and Ned. She was hoping soon. Olivia says she has to replace her phone, and Lulu asks if it crashed. Olivia says it was lost or when she was on a trip. Lulu asks where she went, and Olivia says she went to Geneva to see Dante.
Dr. Kirk tells Dante, the people he was close to have experienced years without him. He can’t expect to pick up where he left off. Dante says he doesn’t, and flashes back to Lulu saying she wasn’t going to give up on him, and would wait forever if she had to. Dante says he has no illusions, and no right to ask anything of anyone he’s left behind. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone. Dr. Kirk says good, and Dante says he’s ready to complete the mission. He sits, and says, the questions is, what kind of trap is going to catch the target? He looks at a picture of Peter.
Ned says, cheers, to good times past, and he and Alexis clink glasses. She says they had some good times, but her bolting did him a favor. What they had was never true love; he must know that. He says he doesn’t rate past loves, but he’s glad for the time they had together. She says, her too, but if she hadn’t dumped him, he’d never have found Olivia. He says he found her, lost her, lost ELQ, and lost his daughter. She says he didn’t lose them permanently. If he did, shame on Brook and Olivia, and shame on the . He’s a Quartermaine; the last of the princes. She thanks him, and says she did kiss a lot of frogs. He says he thought Neil was a good man, and she says she thought he was, but sometimes you think you know someone, and you don’t. He says, it turns out sometimes you have to lose everything in order to realize what was there in front of you.
Lulu asks how it went, but Olivia says she didn’t see Dante. She got outside his room, but he wouldn’t open the door. She pounded on it, and pleaded. She begged, and told him how much she loved him. She knows her son, and he’s afraid he’s still a danger to his family, so he wouldn’t let her in. She starts to cry, and says she hates the people who took her son away from his family; away from himself.
Dr. Kirk says he understands Dante knows Peter. Dante says, a little bit. Peter was around when Peter’s father, Faison, killed Dante’s partner Nathan. He guesses Peter is hanging out with Lulu’s best friend Maxie. The doctor asks if Peter was implicated in Faison’s crimes, and Dante says, Peter denounced Faison. He was cleared, more or less. Dr. Kirk says, some in the Bureau believe Peter was involved in illegal acts after Faison’s death. Dante says, some, and the doctor says, that’s why the mission is off the books. The case was closed and they moved on. They wonder if Peter is faking his reform. If anyone can help, it’s Dante. Dante looks through the folder, and sees Anna’s picture.
Lulu tells Olivia that she’s so sorry. Peter runs into Robert. Robert asks if Peter missed him.
Curtis wonders why Portia is running interference for Britt, but she says she’s looking out for him. He said himself that Cyrus appointed Britt, and she doesn’t want him anywhere near Cyrus. Curtis appreciates it, but says he can take care of himself. She tells him, that’s exactly what Taggert said, and all it did was get him killed. He says he’ll be okay, but she says she doesn’t want the same thing to happen to him that happened to Taggert. Whatever they had ended a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean she stopped caring.
Martin wonders why Valentin cares about Nelle’s will. Valentin says he doesn’t. He wants to know if the envelope contains something about him.
Julian asks if Chase is accusing him of committing assault, and Chase says he’s curious about Julian’s relationship to the victim. Cyrus says Julian doesn’t have to answer that without a lawyer. Julian says he doesn’t need one. He has no relationship with Martin. Nelle fired Martin before the custody decision was made. He asked Martin about possibly ending his marriage, and that’s when Martin told him the news that Nelle was found dead. Chase says he sees Julian is really emotional about his wife’s passing, and Cyrus says, about that lawyer… Chase says Martin left the MetroCourt and took the elevator to the parking garage. He was heading to his car when someone struck him, and stole his briefcase containing sensitive legal documents. He asks where Julian was at 5 pm, and Cyrus says, no way was Julian in the parking garage. He was at Charlie’s taking care of him.
Sonny asks what it is Jax regrets, and Jax says, not what he did, but what he didn’t do. Nina says, that’s the white knight talking. She’s sure he had good intentions. He says, some people might not agree, and Carly comes downstairs with Josslyn. She says they need a second opinion. Hair up or down? Josslyn says, and is her eyeshadow too much or not enough? Jax says, this isn’t his area of expertise, and Carly says that’s why she’s glad they have a fashion editor sitting in his living room. Nina says she’d love to help, and takes Josslyn back upstairs. Sonny says, nice move, getting Nina out of the room so he can talk to Jax. Jax says, he knows what Sonny is going to say, but Sonny says he doesn’t think so, and thanks him.
Peter says he didn’t know Robert was back. He’d stopped looking over his shoulder. Robert says, don’t worry. He calls Peter Henrik, and says when he comes for him, he’ll be direct.
Ned tells Alexis that a car is on its way. They can drop her off first, and then he’ll head back to his house, which is full of Quartermaines, but the wing he shares with his wife has been pretty empty lately. Alexis says her house is empty too; and creepy, but she deserves it. He says she doesn’t deserve it. It’s not even dark. They could go somewhere else. She says, like where? and he suggests listening to live music. The night is still young. She says, they’re not, and he tells her, says who? He leans toward her, but she pulls back.
Valentin asks if Martin has any idea what was in the envelope, but Martin says, even if he did, Valentin doesn’t pay him enough to reveal it. Valentin says it’s not about him. Nelle made other people’s business her business, people he cares about. People he’s sworn to protect, and nobody is going to get in the way.
Curtis tells Portia, he can’t back off. Cyrus has bigger plans than just the hospital. She says, let the police handle it. It’s their job. He says his wife is the Police Commissioner; that makes him family. She tells him, what about her family. He said he’d do right by Trina. How is he going to do that if he’s not around?
Chase asks if Cyrus is ready to sign a statement that Julian was with him. Cyrus says, ready when Chase is, and Chase says Julian might want to get that lawyer. He still has questions, and Cyrus won’t be there to run interference. He slams out, and Julian thanks Cyrus for the alibi. He didn’t do anything wrong. Cyrus says, of course (🍷) not.
Jax says Sonny doesn’t often express gratitude toward him. Sonny says he’s grateful Jax didn’t run to the cops. Jax says, full disclosure, he didn’t want Carly to tell him. Sonny says, that was a mistake. He’s been handling situations like this for years. From now on, they’ll do it his way. Jax says he’s not having this conversation there, where they can be overheard. There’s no way he’s making Nina an accessory. Nina appears at the bottom of the stairs.
Julian says he’ll buy Cyrus a drink, and some house nachos. Cyrus tells Julian that he’ll say yes to both, but on one condition. At least agree to hear his offer.
Olivia says, Lulu can’t imagine how hard it was. Lulu warned her, but she had to know for herself. Now she does, and she’s accepted there’s no getting through to Dante. It will be easier now; from here on out, she won’t hope. That’s what hurts. Clinging to the hope that someday Dante will come home. Lulu says hope makes Olivia who she is. There’s no changing that. Olivia wipes her eyes, and says she’s not doing that here, bawling her eyes out in the middle of the hotel. It’s her refuge. Lulu says Olivia can call her anytime. She asks why Olivia doesn’t find Ned. She’s sure he can’t wait to see her.
Ned looks at his phone, and tells Alexis, the car is there. It’s time to go home. Alexis says, home alone.
Nina says she obviously interrupted, and Jax says Sonny was just telling him more about Nelle’s death. He wanted to spare her the gruesome details. Nina says, it’s still so hard to believe Nelle is actually gone.
Curtis tells Portia, he gets that there’s a risk, but he has a personal stake from keeping Cyrus from sinking his hooks deeper into Port Charles. It’s for Trina’s sake, and the sake of his wife. She says she knows she can’t do anything to stop him, but please be careful.
Martin tells Valentin, it’s never a good idea to threaten your lawyer. Nelle isn’t the first client to share secrets with their lawyer. Or has he forgotten? Valentin says he remembers, but has Martin considered what he pays for attorney/client privilege. Martin’s first loyalty is to him. Martin says, Nelle was a reptile, but she didn’t trust anyone, including him. Whatever secrets she had, went to the grave with her. Valentin asks if Martin is a religious man, and Martin says, Episcopalian, lapsed; why? Valentin thinks it’s time Martin started praying he’s right.
Julian reads the letter. It says, he’s so predictable. She knew he’d find a way to get the letter away from Martin. The real letter still out there. Good hunting. She might be dead, but he’s in hell. His loving wife, Nelle. He says, dammit, Nelle. Who did you give to? Who do you trust?
A guard goes through mail at Pentenville. He picks up a letter addressed to Ryan.
Peter guesses it was too much to ask for Robert to return home from the memorial mellower. Robert says, if it taught him anything, it was that time runs out sooner than you think. The sooner he brings Peter to justice, the sooner he can go about living. Lulu says, whatever threats Robert is making, give it a rest, and he says how a daughter of Luke Spencer can go on defending Peter is a mystery to him. She says she weighed the evidence, and made up her own mind. He says she saw what she wanted. He’s known some good reporters in his time, and she could measure up, but first she has to take the blinders off. Robert walks off, and Peter asks, what happened with Olivia? Lulu says she doesn’t want to go into detail, but it made her even more determined to go after Cyrus. People like him can’t get away with it. If she had a national platform… She says, oh my God. Robert just gave her a great idea to get their Cyrus project off the ground, and it might have the added benefit of getting Robert off his back.
Dante gets ready to leave, while Dr. Kirk’s voiceover says he’s to lose any preconceived notions of who Anna and Peter are. Investigate. Examine the evidence. Dante asks, and if he finds out Peter isn’t as reformed as he claims? The doctor says, find out, and they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. Dante leaves the facility.
Dr. Kirk goes into an office, and says, it’s done. Dante has undertaken the mission. A voice with a familiar accent says, good. He’ll prove her innocence and Peter’s guilt in one fell swope. Dr. Kirk says, and then? We see Obrecht sitting behind a desk, and she says, and then, Herr doctor, she’ll have her revenge.
Woohoo!
On Friday? Monday? Who knows. Trina tells Cameron that all she needs to feel safe is him, Cyrus wants someone to be part of his team, and Nikolas asks Ava how she can do this.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Is it me, or is this season endless?
When we left, Tom had gone apesh*t about the fish, and Captain Sandy told Malia to stay away from him.
Captain Sandy tells Malia, stay out of the galley, but Malia says Tom needs help. He’s going to walk off. The captain says, if he walks, she’ll handle it. Aesha asks how long until the guests’ arrival? and Bugs thinks it’s at 11. Tom says bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleep, pissing him off. He thought Malia was on his side. She says she is, and he wails that he can’t do it. He burned the croutons and the bread, and has no crew lunch. Even if he gets the sh*t together. nothing will be good, and it’s his effing reputation. She tells him not to let it come between them, and he says, ofcoursenot. She says, they have one more charter. He’s been a lifesaver and hasn’t let them down. She seems to have talked him down, and he goes back to the galley. In the captain’s interview, she says if the chef on a super yacht has a problem, they should bring it to the captain. She can’t help unless he communicates, and he’s only doing it through Malia. He has to figure it out. This dude is way too high maintenance for me.
Tom sweats and gripes about the state of the pantry. In his interview, he asks, what’s the point in having a good chef if he can’t get the provisions he’s asked for? If Captain Sandy can’t amend this, he’s going to walk. I guess a fully stocked pantry and refrigerator that most of us would die for isn’t good enough. And isn’t part of being a chef being creative? I honestly can’t imagine Gordon Ramsay acting like this much of a diva. Aesha and Rob fold laundry and trade innuendo laden banter. In Jess’s interview, she says if he was Aesha’s boyfriend, she wouldn’t be having inappropriate conversation. The captain calls a pre-charter meeting, and calls Malia to her office. Bugs says, the atmosphere is weird, and Alex says she’ll handle it. Captain Sandy says Malia is her pride and joy. He’s her boyfriend, so there’s an extra level of caring. If Tom chooses to walk, she hopes Malia will stay. Malia says she doesn’t think he will, but if he does, she has to respect that as his partner in life. The captain doesn’t want Malia to crash and burn. Tom’s problem is with the her, and she needs to be clear, don’t help him. He needs to come to her. She says Malia is doing great; she doesn’t want this to come between them. The provisioner brings more seafood, but everything is frozen except for the oysters. Bugs tells her that if they can get something fresh, they’ll probably send the frozen back, and brings the provisions inside.
Malia tells Tom, she feels like shit that he’s there; it’s her fault. The captain was talking to her about being in the galley. She’s the bosun. and if there’s a problem, she’s going to get involved. Agreed. Unless the captain – i.e. her boss – says otherwise. Tom tells her that he just wants to get it over with; be done with it. Bugs tells Tom about the fish being frozen, and he says, frozen halibut is better than fresh… not really. Ugh. He’s such a douche. Captain Sandy wants to talk to him, and she says she called for fresh fish, and all she needs to know is if the fish is fresh or frozen. He says he doesn’t know – he hasn’t looked at it yet – and tells her to have patience. She says she does. She has no idea what’s going on. He says he just told her – it’s frozen. She says he told her that he didn’t know, and at this point, she’s had enough, and walks away. She says she’s not taking this, and he whimpers that he can’t do it.
It’s 14 minutes before charter, and everyone gathers for the meeting. No surprise, the captain has to radio Malia, Tom, and Bugs. She says she was the wrong person to piss off. If he doesn’t like it, he can leave. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, what makes a good chef is being a perfectionist, but a chef of Tom’s caliber needs to know how to improvise. It’s the last charter. She tells the group, she knows right now Tom is challenged with provisions, but what makes them stand out is working with what they’re given. It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s how you finesse it. She wants all of them to feel supported. It’s not like she’s trying take them down, because she’s not, but she won’t be spoken to like that again. Everyone is emotional, and it’s a lot. It’s challenging them. She feels like the emotions are tiring them out, and they’re getting mad. She tears up, saying, she wants them to do their best. Sometimes it’s not going to be that. Since day one she’s said she doesn’t care what the client says, she cares what she thinks. She sees them every day, and they work hard. They need to look at what’s important; it’s about being a team, and she wants to see champions, not them at each other’s throats. She knows if they give it all they have, they’ll have a great charter. Now go to the dock and make it happen. In the galley, Tom is mystified. He asks Bugs if he was speaking out of order. She says she doesn’t know because she’s afraid he’ll have another tantrum, and he says he doesn’t know because he’s an a-hole. In Tom’s interview, he says Captain Sandy didn’t like how he was talking to her. He understands and got the gist of it, but it’s not relevant. His years in Gordon Ramsay’s and Gary Rhodes’s restaurants is where it comes from. Really? I don’t know Gary, but I don’t think Gordon would condone this behavior. He says he knows they’re first world problems, but they’re on a bloody yacht, so it’s a first world problem
Bugs pours champagne. The captain welcomes the guests, noting primary Hannah is wearing a cast. She says her A-team is going to show them a great time. Bugs will show them around, then they’ll take off for their first anchorage. Bugs hand out warm towels, and tells them, it’s nice and refreshing to have an all-girls trip. She gives the tour, and they discuss lunch. In his interview, Tom sniffles about the halibut, saying he’s not prepared, and lunch is going to be rushed. It goes back to quality. Malia asks Alex to help in the galley. In Malia’s interview, she says she relies on Alex to help her help Tom hold it together. Hannah noses around the galley, and says she looks forward to lunch. In the crew mess, Malia tells the deckhands that she wanted to give an inspirational meeting, but they don’t have time. She’s naming a lead deckhand, and says Pete had a rocky start, but took it on the chin. Rob has been the most consistent, and Alex – she never thought she’d say this – is lead deckhand. He’s shown it, the crew respects him, and the crew comes to him for a lift. She can rely on him, and they’re an amazing team. In her interview, Alex says, it’s awesome. She can trust him to be lead deckhand, and he’s getting a role where he feels like he can grow in industry. Malia asks Tom if he’s going to be okay, and he says, whatever, because he’s an a-hole.
Tom bitches about the provisions again. He says, if he speaks to Captain Sandy he runs the risk… f*** that. Jess takes pictures of the guests. Tom asks Malia to come to the galley, and shows her the rock hard halibut that he just found out about. She says tell the captain that he’s not happy with the quality, and calm down. Aesha tells Bugs that Tom is having a meltdown. Bugs says she’s texting the provisioner to tell her that her provisions are sh*t. The captain hears what she’s doing, and tells Bugs not to get on Tom’s wagon. Rise above it; he has to come to her. Bugs says she’s just trying help. Tom grumbles that he could have been seeing his family in the UK, but he’s not. Hannah wonders what girls doing back home, and decides she doesn’t care. Malia tells Tom, the guests are there, but he says he doesn’t care about the guests. I wonder why he’s even there. Malia tells him to calm down and go to the captain, but he says he’s not doing this. Captain Sandy tells Bugs to be calm. She can shoulder this. Tom’s energy is running off on her. Instead of improvising, he’s putting his sh*t on everyone else. He has provisions he can cook. In her interview, Bugs says the food is 90% of what the guests remember. She wants Tom to develop a get-through mentality. Tom says he gets it. He’s supposed to go to Captain Sandy.
Tom rallies, and manages to cook something. Rob kisses Jess in the laundry room. Tom gripes, it’s an effing disaster of meal; it’s disgusting. The guests say the food is excellent, and in his interview, Tom bitches about how great his chicken was the last time. It’s so frustrating. In Aesha’s interview, she says, Tom is acting like a spoiled little British brat. She fails to see how that’s attractive. Tom says, bleep-bleep-bleep, and tells Malia, it’s all effing sh*t. Bugs hunts for Tom, but he’s hiding in his cabin. Malia tells him, they have two more dinners to get through, but he doesn’t care. He’s not happy. He’s a chef, and that’s what defines him. It’s not right. Bugs asks for extra something, and says the guests are loving it, which probably just pisses him off more. Just in case you were wondering, Wikipedia says, a chef is a trained professional cook and tradesman who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation, often focusing on a particular cuisine. The word “chef” is derived from the term chef de cuisine, the director or head of a kitchen.Occupation type: Tradesman. This doesn’t sound like the definition of Tom at all.
The ship anchors in Mallorca near this awesome looking rock. I mean like a cliff, not a little rock. The guests are loving lunch, no complaints, and think it’s fantastic. Tom tells Malia it’s got nothing to do with her and him, and she tells him to turn it around and shake it off. Taylor Swift plays in my head. Some of the guests decide to get in the water. Aesha has to pass Tom in a tight hallway on her way bathroom, and he acts like it’s such an imposition. He needs a smack in the head. Bugs tells him, the guests absolutely loved lunch. A guest asks Alex if he promises she won’t get her hair wet, and he says she 100% will. She tells him, no tip for you, and goes down the slide. Hannah takes a spill on a jet ski, and Rob goes out. She says she thinks it’s out of gas. On the way back to the boat, they talk career moves and how they lost track of themselves. Hannah doesn’t have the best luck today, and is stung on the arm by a jellyfish while swimming back. Rob goes to get some vinegar, and tells her that she makes him nervous. She seems observant and mindful, and he’s not used to being seen. In Jess’s interview, she says Rob is flirting again. Is he kidding? She doesn’t think she can be with somebody who keeps doing the same thing over and over. It’s the definition of insanity. Not quite. That’s doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result. These people all need a thesaurus of some kind.
The guests hang out in the hot tub, and Alex asks if anyone wants to use the slide before it’s packed up, but they’re ready to relax. Bugs brings up drinks, saying she’s not playing around; she brought their shots. She tells them, watch it; the gummies are soaked in vodka. The guests discuss Alex, calling him the hot one. In his interview, he says he has no complaints. He has a bunch of moms who are into him, and was just made lead deckhand. What more can he ask for? It’s nap time for the guests, and no one is cliff jumping today. Malia says she might jump off a cliff. We can only hope. Aesha holds the bag for Rob to put trash in, and Jess sighs. Tom says his food was literal sh*t, but Bugs says, the guests spoke highly of it. In Tom’s interview, he says, even if the guests are happy, so many people are willing to give a bad review for an inferior product, but that’s not him. I don’t know what it is, except that he’s ceased making sense altogether. Bugs tosses some laundry to Jess, and asks Malia for deck crew help with dinner. Malia tells her, they’ll get through it. Bugs decorates the table, putting down a red runner, and using fall colors, along with many bottles. As usual, it’s stunning.
The captain asks Malia about how she met Tom, and how long they’ve been together. Malia says, almost a year; they met on a boat. It was fun, but you get to know someone quickly that way. In her interview, Captain Sandy says she cares about her team. The bosun used to be dealing with deck issues, not boyfriend and fish issues. The stress Tom is putting on Malia, and the stress she’s putting on herself, is getting to her. This place is gorgeous, and the sunset is not to be believed. The guests dress for dinner, proving we really do dress for each other. In the cigar lounge, renamed the champagne lounge for this trip, several of them express their hunger level. The captain pops in, asking if she heard someone was hungry. She asks if they want to start, and Bugs greets them at the table. Tom tells bugs it will be 20 minutes, and in her interview, she says, after Tom being temperamental, the last thing she wants is to tell him the guests are waiting. To be fair, the guests didn’t give anyone a set time, so… Bugs stalls while Tom makes tater tots. On the other hand, he could have a cheese plate or something handy. The guests are starving, and in Bugs’s interview, she says it’s like she’s walking on eggshells, and wishes she could stay out of the galley. She gives them some plates of olives, and Hannah dares Zaida to bite into the pineapple in the table centerpiece. Zaida says she’d rather sit there angrily. Tom delicately decorates the food, and Bugs finally gets to serve. She kisses Alex on the cheek as she goes by.
Tom calls Malia to give him a hand, and she sighs. He throws a slab of something on the counter (bacon?) and gives her orders on what to do with it. In Bugs’s interview, she says she feels like Malia is under a ton of pressure, dealing with her boyfriend, who’s also head chef, and running the deck department. It’s a lot of emotional stress. She wouldn’t want to be in that position. Aesha puts her head on Rob’s shoulder in front of Jess, and I’m disappointed in her. The guests order cocktails. Alex says goodnight. Tom asks if Malia still loves him, saying he’d understand if she didn’t. She says, that hasn’t changed. They all have bad days. I’d hate to see Tom’s really bad day. In Tom’s interview, he says since he came there he’s seem more of Malia, but she hasn’t seen him in a better light. He regrets it, and doesn’t want it to overflow into their relationship. Two of the guests (I honestly don’t know who’s who except for Hannah, and it’s not her) go into a cabin, and one says she had to get away. The other says, the conversation isn’t flowing, and she’s had to bite her tongue since she has issues. In the galley, Aesha tells Malia, the guests are nice, but one of the primaries is weird; like she grew up getting everything she wants. Two of the other guests talk privately, one saying, those girls are bitches. The other says, they don’t vibe. She just had to vent. Everyone gathers on the deck. Zaida asks Ron why the crew dresses up when the guests don’t see them, and he says, so when they do, the crew looks good. The women ask Rob to be with them in a selfie, and he gets in the middle. They ask how he got into yachting, and he says he had been in modeling. One of the guests says people still want to take pictures of him. They try to get him to take his shirt off, but that’s a no. The bitching continues among the guests, one saying she couldn’t believe the complaints about being hungry. They’ve been given food all day. Tom says, it’s been a long day. He’s glad it’s over. Aesha finishes cleaning up.
It’s the second day of charter, and Bugs tells Jess that Rob and Aesha are going to shore with the guests, while Jess gets to do cabins. In Jess’s interview, she says, is Bugs effing kidding her? What woman wouldn’t be jealous? She had insecurities before, now she has to put on her stew face, and wish them a good trip – together. Aesha wonders why Jess hasn’t been cleaning the soap dishes the whole time, and reminds her to do those and the mirrors when she does the bathrooms. Like she needs this added on right now. Bugs asks if the guests are ready, and the tender is put in the water. Rob asks Jess if she’s good, and she says, fine, but she’s jealous that she didn’t get to go. He tells her, don’t be. He hopes she understand his intentions, and she hopes the women do too. In Aesha’s interview, she says there’s no reason for Jess to be jealous. It’s obvious Rob is smitten with her. Aesha finds him too intense.
The guests line up with Rob and Aesha for a photo, and Jess watches. Everyone has their arms around each other’s backs, and Aesha’s hand wanders down to Rob’s butt. Jess says she’ll punch Aesha in the face if she touches Ron’s ass again; that wasn’t cool. As she walks through the boat, she says she’s not playing that sh*t. She will f*** her up.
Next time, the guests dare to be hungry again, jumping off the boat, Bugs says the guests and Tom are high maintenance, a guest doesn’t eat beef, Bugs says it’s going to be bad, and Jess confronts Aesha about her ass grab.
👄 Bravo’s Chat Room was excellent. The guests? panel? were Gizelle from The Real Housewives of Potomac, Kate from Below Deck, Porsha from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Hannah from the nightmare that is SummerHouse. I love Kate, and Porsha has grown so much since she started on Bravo. She’s come a long way since thinking the Underground Railroad was an actual railroad. It was a lot of fun, with the ladies discussing all manner of reality TV gossip.
🌍 Something To Take You Away…
Far from the pandemic and everything that comes with it.
Another week, more running around, and that pesky need for sleep getting in the way. Hoping you stay safe, stay resilient, and stay unconcerned about first world problems.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Alexis and Valentin arrive at Neil’s memorial, and Alexis says she appreciates Valentin bringing her, but she’ll get a car back. He says he drove her there himself, and he’ll drive her home. She wonders when he got so chivalrous, and he says he’s leveling the playing field. She was good to him when he needed it. They go inside, and she sees a photo of Neil.
On her phone at the hospital, Sasha says she needs to make a purchase. The usual. She asks them to meet her at GH, and text when they’re outside. Chase startles her.
Brook gets that it’s a shock to find out Olivia is in Monte Carlo, and Ned says, in the honeymoon suit at a glamorous hotel, with ex-spy Robert Scorpio. She says he sounds insecure and jealous. She thought he and Olivia were solid. Did something happen? He says, ELQ happened. Olivia hasn’t been happy since he took over the company, then Robert was able to get her in to see Dante. She might have had a hard time leaving him. It’s not her fault; they’ll work it out. He just wants her home safe and sound. The same goes for Brook. Can he convince her to come home? She says she doesn’t think it’s a good idea for either of them right now, but she’ll do what she said. She’ll let him know where she lands. He thanks her for trying to make him feel better about Olivia. Brook says, don’t tell Olivia that she said so, but Olivia is smart. She wouldn’t blow things up like that. He tells her, call him if she needs anything at all. She says, okay, and he says, maybe there’s hope for them yet. She says, maybe.
On a private plane with Robert and Ethan, Olivia says, well, it’s official. Her phone is nowhere to be found. She left it in Monte Carlo. Ethan says there’s no Wi-Fi anyway; it’s intentional. Robert says, the Bureau likes to get a head start on spinning the story. The casino bust is a way for them to control the narrative. Ethan says his mother is dead, buried in a shallow grave. How are they going to control the narrative for that? Olivia says she’s so sorry. Holly probably would have been saved if not for her.
Josslyn and Cameron are at the Bistro. Which, by the way, suddenly has an identifying name. I’ve been calling it the café for years now. Cameron says they just saw each other. Why did she text him to meet her? She says she’s fine. She didn’t feel like being at home. Cameron asks, why not? and she says, Mike just died and her mom is acting upbeat about homecoming. Josslyn knows it’s for her sake, but figured if she wasn’t around, they could be honest about how they’re feeling. Cameron totally gets it. It’s strange at his house too. There’s tension, and his parents are pretending there isn’t.
Scotty tells Franco and Elizabeth that he met with Ava and Nikolas. Elizabeth asks, what happened? and Scotty takes out the phone, pointing to the pictures. He says he showed them –boom… boom. Franco says the photos have remarkable composition, but he doesn’t like to look at a picture of Elizabeth with that other dude. Elizabeth says she doesn’t like to see him and Ava either. Scotty says, the make-out sessions were their idea. He thought it was hairbrained at first. However, the two of them are masterminds, and it worked out great. They’ve got Ava and Nikolas right where they want them – scared, and ready to pay. They all smile at each other.
Robert asks what Olivia is talking about, and she says Holly would be alive, but they didn’t get there in time. Robert took her to Geneva first, and it was a waste of time to try and see Dante. Ethan asks if the call didn’t come after Holly’s memorial, and Robert says he didn’t want to go to the memorial. He only went because Olivia badgered him into it. If she hadn’t, he would have been in Port Charles when Holly called. He would have had no time to get to Monte Carlo. Ethan says, and Winston would have covered his track. They wouldn’t have gotten answers, but because of Olivia, they did. Robert says, he can only speak for himself, but he’s sure Ethan feels the same. He’s more than grateful.
Chase apologizes, saying he didn’t realize Sasha was on the phone. She says, no problem; what’s up? He asks if she’s heard about Nelle. She asks if Nelle was captured, but Chase says her body was recovered. She’s dead. Sasha asks, how? and he says, her body was found on the Pennsylvania side of the river (🍷 – a new drinking game phrase for today). She asks if he’s sure, and he says the body was positively ID’d, but he’s there to get more details. She asks if Michael knows, and how he’s taking it. She guesses he must be relieved, for himself and Wiley. She’s sorry she feels this way, but she’s thankful they’re free from Nelle’s constant torment. Wiley is truly safe. She clutches her stomach a little, and he asks if she’s okay. She says she’s fine. It’s the finality of everything. It’s finally over, and it’s too late.
Scotty says they should have seen the look on Nikolas’s face when Nikolas saw it was him; like he’d seen a ghost. To be honest, Ava felt like he’d betrayed her. Franco says, if anything, she betrayed Scotty, since he’s Scotty’s son. Where’s Ava’s loyalty to Franco, and respect for his marriage? Elizabeth says Ava and Nikolas are both just as bad, using them as pawns in their chess game. All Nikolas cares about is the infidelity clause and post-nuptial agreement.
Cameron tells Josslyn, he walked in on a conversation where his parents were discussing the bills, and they froze up. They always change the subject. How interested in his soccer practice can they be? Josslyn says she knows what he means; it’s awful the way they find a way to cover, and make like everything is all right. He says he knows his parents took out a loan when the pipe burst. Britt Westbourne is Chief of Staff, and she hates his mom, so Britt cut her hours back. Franco thinks he’s going to be fired. For no reason. She says, like Monica and Bobbie were fired. Michael thinks they should sue. He doesn’t think that’s an option for his mom or Franco. He’s looking for after school jobs. He has to help out with the expenses.
Valentin asks if Neil had any immediate family, and Alexis says, he had a brother in New Jersey. She sees a man sitting down, and says, that must be him. Valentin says, why doesn’t she pay her respects? She goes over to the man, and asks if he’s Neil’s brother. He says he’s proud to say he is. She says she’s terribly sorry for his loss, and he thanks her. He asks if she worked with his brother. Valentin introduces himself, and Alexis does the same. She says, she and Neil… and Brendan (we find out his name in the course of conversation) says he knows who she is.
Alexis says, of course (🍷). He was probably told about the circumstances of Neil’s death. He says he was, and Neil used to talk about her. That surprised him, since Neil never mentioned his personal life. He didn’t have much of one. He dated, but never seriously. He kept saying he had finally met his match. Alexis says they had a special connection. He says, Neil was a wonderful, caring person, who spent his entire life helping others. She says she was extraordinarily lucky to know him. He says, she was, and he wishes to God Neil had never met her.
Olivia tells Robert, it’s ironic. She always loved spy movies. They were so glamourous and exciting. But when you really see what goes on, it’s not that glamorous anymore, is it? She starts to cry, and says, sorry. She gets up and goes (presumably) to the bathroom. Ethan asks what the story is between them, and Robert stammers a little. He says, him and Olivia? Ethan says, no, the other bombshell on the plane. Robert says, a couple of years back, he was a fugitive, and he… well, she… she’s married. Ethan says it never stopped Robert before, and Robert calls him Mr. Leap Before You Look. Ethan says, life is short. You’ve got to cut loose. Why wait in line? You should take all the chances you can, and a few more. Play the cards your dealt, and bluff if you have to. At least you know you lived. Robert says, for a moment, Ethan reminded him of Holly.
Chase tells Sasha, it’s not too late. They got exactly what they wanted. Not for Nelle to die necessarily, but be out of Wiley’s life. Michael and Willow don’t have to be married anymore. She asks, what if they don’t want to divorce? and he asks if she’s talking about the kiss. It’s natural that it would happen. They both love Wiley, but that doesn’t mean they have feelings for one another. One kiss doesn’t make a romance. She says neither one of them would take a kiss casually; that’s not who they are. As much as they’re hurt, she and Chase have to accept the truth. The kiss was a turning point.
Josslyn asks what kind of job Cameron is going to get that doesn’t interfere with school, homework, and soccer. He says all he knows is, he has to do something. They might be able to fool Jake and Aiden, but they can’t fool him. He sees how stressed they are about being able to afford college for him. She asks, what about a scholarship? and he says, soccer scholarships are mostly partial – if he gets one at all. Josslyn thinks he should get tons of offers, since he’s all-around amazing.
Elizabeth says, no party over what Ava and Nikolas did, especially Nikolas. She got her friend back, and watched him sinking lower and lower. Scotty says, he’s a Cassadine, but she says, he’s better than this. Now look at them, stooping to blackmail. Scotty says, they asked for it. Franco says, think about it. It could be the thing that keeps them afloat. Scotty says, it was a drop in the bucket. Nikolas and Ava were lowballing them. The reality is, they could probably get enough to pay off their mortgage, put Cameron through college, and have a cushion. Elizabeth asks Scotty what he’s done.
Cameron says Josslyn always knows how to make him feel better. She says, same. They’ve been through a lot together. He says, true that, and she says she hated house arrest. She was so lost without him and Trina; she felt left out. He says he missed her too. She says she knows he and Trina got closer during that time, with the whole kiss that happened. The important thing is, they got through it. It’s cool how they’re going to homecoming as a group. None of that date pressure. Everything’s back to normal, which is great, right? He says, yeah, totally.
Chase asks Sasha if she doesn’t see it. Everything has changed. Nelle is dead, and they’re free to tell the truth. She says, then what? Michael and Willow will realize she and Chase lied because they love them, and thank them for manipulating them for their own good? Now it’s over, and they can just pick up where they left off? He says he knows it sounds crazy, and she says, because it is. Stop living in a fantasy world. He says she’s acting like she wants Michael and Willow to hate them, and she says she didn’t mean to come at him. She’s not sleeping well. Launching Deception is a 24/7 job. He says, no doubt. He doesn’t think that’s all that’s going on.
Scotty says, when he saw the desperation on their faces, he knew Nikolas and Ava would pay, so he asked for $125K. Franco says, they agreed on $50K, and Scotty says, that’s not what he meant. He asked for $125K from each of them. Franco says, $250,000? What’s wrong with him? Elizabeth says, it’s a quarter of a million dollars; that’s extortion. Scotty says, what’s done is done. You don’t go back after a shakedown, and say, oops, I changed my mind. Even if they negotiate, they’ll come out ahead. Franco says there’s so much they could do. He and Scotty shake hands, and Franco says he’s got to hand it to Scotty. Bummer Elizabeth says she can’t believe what she’s hearing. It’s got to stop right now.
Robert says, Holly didn’t raise Ethan, but he’s just like her. Ethan says, coming from Robert, that’s a high compliment. Robert says he appreciated Ethan’s help at the casino. He doesn’t think he could have taken Winston down without him. Ethan says, actually, Olivia took him down, clobbering him with the Uzi. They laugh, and Robert says Ethan played a big part. Ethan says he wanted answers, and owed Robert one. Robert dropped everything to help them, leaving Port Charles and Anna behind to get them out of a jam. Robert says he got something out of it too; he reconnected to Holly. Too bad they couldn’t make it last, but they had a great time. Ethan says he didn’t hang around much after that because of his guilt. Robert says, about what? and Ethan says, about letting Robert think he was Robert’s son.
Valentin says he realizes the difficult circumstances, but Brendan’s words are uncalled for. Brendan doesn’t think so, and Alexis says, let him speak. He obviously has something say. Brendan says he wasn’t sure he’d get the opportunity to talk to her. He didn’t know if she’d dare show up. From what he can see, she caused more sorrow than joy. Neil took it hard when they broke up, and he couldn’t pursue her. He was moving on, then he bumped into her at the opera – the one night that ended his career, the one thing that kept him going after his daughter died. His practice helped others, and it drove Neil to despair. She dismantled his life and Neil took what was left, and threw it away on a drug overdose.
Josslyn tells Cameron, she’s seen the Crimson wardrobe vault – it’s the 8th wonder of the world. Cameron must be anointed to be allowed access, Cameron says it was complicated. Nina is all about the fit and the cut, and all the accessories; a shirt, the collar, a tie, cufflinks. She asks if he found anything he liked. She thinks it will pay off. He says he plans on looking smoking hot, and she says she bets he will.
Scotty says Elizabeth wants to torpedo their plan. Ava and Nikolas are the ones acting like bad guys, and messing with his family. He takes family seriously, and thought she would too. Franco says he thought what her friend did was unacceptable. He wants them to feel what’s it’s like to be used and tricked. Scotty says, if not, they can feel it in their wallets. Elizabeth says, blackmail is a crime, and she wants no part of it. Franco shouldn’t either. Scotty asks if she thinks they’re going to the cops. Franco says, come on. Technically, it’s not blackmail until money exchanges hands. They don’t know if Ava and Nikolas are going to pay at all, so maybe wait see what happens. She says, okay. When are they meeting with Scotty? Scotty says he gave them 24 hours. They’ll never know Franco and Elizabeth had anything to do with this; it’s all on him. Franco says he appreciates everything Scotty had done for them, and says, Elizabeth? She says she knows Scotty’s heart is in the right place, and she appreciates that he’s overprotective of his family, even if they don’t agree on his methods. He says, no one messes with his family. Not on his watch.
Robert says, all the same, what are the odds he and Ethan would be stuck on the same plane? Get it over with. Ethan says Robert thought Robin was dead, and Holly told him Ethan was his son, so Robert would feel obligated to save him. Robert says Ethan’s real father had a big hand it; it’s a convoluted Spencer special. Holly lied to give him hope, but without Holly and hope, he doesn’t know if he would have survived. She was almost always right. Ethan says, and she never let them forget it. Robert says, that’s for damn sure. They drink.
Chase says Sasha is trying to hide her feelings, but he can tell she’s struggling. She’s trying to convince him, but giving up Michael is too painful to admit. She says she wishes she could, and he says, she buried herself in her work, so she doesn’t have to face what’s going on. She says she never expected life to turn into this, and he says the two of them are in it together. He’s here for her anytime she wants to call, and she knows he’ll understand. She thanks him for being a good friend. Brook appears, and says, hey, roomie. Sasha says she’s on her way out, but Brook tells her, don’t jump to conclusions. She’s just crashing at Chase’s place. He’s being a sweetheart, but nothing is going on. Sasha says, nothing is going on with her and Chase either. Chase says there’s something Brook should know; Nelle is dead. Her body was recovered on the Pennsylvania side of the river (🍷). He’s going to the morgue to follow up. Brook says she should be sorry for the loss of any human life, but all she feels is relief. Chase says, him too, and he moves along. Brook says, wow. Nelle is dead. (I expect her to say, and her body was recovered on the Pennsylvania side of the river, but she doesn’t.) Sasha asks if she’s okay, and Brook says she’s just processing. Sasha doesn’t blame her, and says Brook has been through a lot. Brook says she’s on the mend, and stronger every day. Sasha says she’s glad to hear it. They need her voice for Deception. When is she recording a new song?
Valentin says, Neil was a grown man; he made his own decisions. What happened was tragic, but don’t put it on Alexis. Alexis says Brendan has a right to feel the way he does, and Brendan says, the memorial is a celebration of Neil’s life. She stripped him of everything worth living for. He doesn’t want the memorial tainted with her presence, and tells her that she’s not welcome. Alexis runs out crying. Well, he’s not making a very good first impression.
Chase orders some food to go at The Floating Rib. Valentin and Alexis walk in, and Valentin suggests she get something to eat. She says she doesn’t have much of an appetite, and he says, Neil’s brother was out of line. He’s grieving, and needs someone to take it out on. He chose her. She says Branden used words that she can’t unhear, and watches as a drink is poured.
On the phone, Josslyn says she’s glad Carly called, instead of waiting until she got home. She’s with Cameron, but she’ll see Carly soon. She loves her. Cameron says he heard her say Nelle was dead. Is she really gone? Josslyn says her mom told her they found the body on the Pennsylvania side of the river. (🍷) He asks, what happened? and she says, it’s too early to say exactly how Nelle died. He says, after everything that happened, it’s really over. Nelle is gone.
Alexis tells Valentin, she can’t be angry with Neil’s brother. He didn’t know how their relationship was. Ned comes in, and orders a double scotch, neat, at the bar. Chase asks if he’s okay, and he says, just great, throwing back his drink. He doesn’t know whether to be annoyed with Chase or grateful that he’s letting Brook stay. If he hadn’t, it might be easier to convince her to come home. Chase says he tried to give her options. At their table, Valentin says, Brendan is furious that Neil threw his life away, and is looking for someone to blame. She’s an easy target. Ned tells Chase, women like to have options, loud enough for Valentin to hear, and looks pointedly at Valentin.
Ethan says, all the stories he heard of their adventures together; Holly loved Robert, in her way. Robert says he loved Holly. That’s all he wants to say about it. He’s sorry she wasn’t a conventional mother. Ethan says conventions are overrated. They were perfect partners in crime. They could go a month not seeing each other, then she’d then send up a flare, and he’d come on the run. The cons were just an excuse. She really wanted to spend time together. Robert said she knew she could trust him, and Ethan says he doesn’t know how to get over it, but it helps knowing there’s someone else out there who remembers her too. Olivia comes back, and says, sorry for making a scene. How did the two of them manage without her? Robert says they buried a few hatchets, and Olivia asks when they’re landing. Robert tells her, he’ll check with the pilot, and goes up front. Olivia tells Ethan, when they get there, she’s putting him up at the MetroCourt; no argument. He says he appreciates it, but as soon as they touch down, he has a date in Antigua. She asks, what it would hurt to stick around Port Charles?
Sasha says she has to go, but she wants to see Brook in the recording studio asap. Geez, Brook practically just got off the operating table for an injury to her vocal chords. I know Sasha is high, but come on. Brook says she’s going to have to extend that timeline, and Sasha says Deception gained momentum from the Nurses Ball telethon. Brook says, her doctors haven’t cleared her for singing, and Sasha says, sorry. She’s just excited. She’s a partner, and brand ambassador. The projections are through the roof. It’s going to be a huge success, and she wants Brook to be a part of that. Brook says she does too. She’d love to be involved in the business aspect. Sasha says she didn’t think Brook was interested in that, but Brook says, sure she would. She’s always wanted to be part of a winning team. Sasha says Brook doesn’t have to prove her worth. They just want her voice; it’s more than enough.
Franco tells Elizabeth, it’s just a threat. They’ll destroy the picture, whether or not they pay. She says, okay, but he says she’s still angry. She thinks they deserved a scare. Marriage means nothing to them, and everything to her. She doesn’t take what they tried to do lightly. Franco says, they were just trying; no real damage was done. She says, right, and he says, checking in. Around the time of the party, things were rocky. Elizabeth says, she’s glad she overheard Ava and Nina talking about Ava’s post-nup and wanting Nikolas to cheat. She finally understood what was going on. Franco says they feel solid. Does she think they’re better than ever? Elizabeth says, yeah. They never lost faith in each other. It doesn’t matter what happens with Ava and Nikolas. Clearly, they’re the winners. They hug.
Cameron asks if Josslyn is okay. How does she feel about things, honestly? She says, conflicted. She can’t tell him how much she’d wished Nelle would disappear and not come back. Nelle deliberately set out to ruin her mom’s life, and manipulated her to go against her mom, and she let Nelle do it. She should hate Nelle, but despite all she did, she’s the reason Wiley exists, and she can’t regret Wiley. So being glad Nelle is dead is harsh, but she’s relieved that Nelle will never hurt them again. Does that make her a horrible person? He says, no, but it does add another thing to deal with. Josslyn says she should get going. She needs to start getting ready for homecoming if she’s going to keep up with him. Cameron says she always looks beautiful, and Josslyn says she should probably go.
Brook tells Sasha, she has a follow-up appointment with her surgeon, and Sasha says, her too. She means an appointment. She tells Brook, hurry up and get well. She can’t wait work with Brook. Sasha leaves, and Brook says she has to figure out how to be the voice of Deception without a voice.
Chase tells Ned that he doesn’t think Brook would be this angry if she didn’t love him. At the table, Valentin tells Alexis, she wants to blame herself, but she’s not the reason Neil did drugs. Chase tells Ned, Brook couldn’t be indifferent if she wanted to, and Ned thanks him for trying. He walks over to the table, and asks if he can have a word with Valentin. Valentin says he’s a little busy, and Alexis says she’d consider it a favor. Valentin says, okay, as a favor. He and Ned go outside, and Alexis joneses after the alcoholic drinks.
Ethan says, Port Charles hasn’t been his home in years, but Olivia says, Robert is there, and they’re both grieving Holly. They can help each other. Robert says they don’t have to be in the same city. If Ethan is in a tight spot, he’ll be there, like his mother would have. Ethan says, it goes both ways, and Olivia asks if he’s absolutely sure. Ethan says he has a score to settle, and Olivia hopes when he’s ready to settle down, Port Charles is the first place he thinks of. He says he’ll keep it in mind.
Valentin tells Ned, if he wants to talk about ELQ, call his office. Ned calls him a smug bastard, saying Valentin preyed on his daughter when she was vulnerable. He’s not letting Valentin do the same to Alexis. Valentin says Ned is drunk, and starts to walk away, but Ned grabs him and punches him.
Alexis orders a double vodka.
On… whatever day it’s on next (see below), Portia tells Curtis that he shouldn’t be asking questions, Robert asks Peter if he was missed, and Olivia tells Lulu about seeing Dante.
I liked this show, and liked the idea of a family living off the media grid, social and otherwise. It looks like the kids will be branching out some this season. You can take a trip to Plathville on November 10th.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe. – Albert Einstein (I question as to whether he really said that, but it’s a good one.)
Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself. – Roy T. Bennett
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt
Aggressive is protecting your rights, but hurting others. Assertive is protecting your rights and not hurting others. – Dr. Phil (Fat blipping chance a huge percentage of the world will ever get that.)
Everything’s funny eventually. Sometimes it takes a while but the day will come when you’re able to laugh about anything. – David Sedaris
Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. – David Ogden Stiers (Ha-ha! Good thing we have friends.)
People dress up for funerals. Why not dress up to celebrate that you’re alive? – Gay Talese
I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to forget the rest. – Venus Williams
Live your vision and demand your success. – Steve Maraboli
Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. – Joshua J. Marine (Seriously though, I’d like a break from both.)
This one matches our curtains. – Eric helping Larissa choose lingerie, 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?
Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. – Dale Carnegie
And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about. – Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
👷🏽♀️ You Know the Drill…
It’s that time again. Those two days that may or may not have taken on a whole new meaning for you. As the Dowager Countess said, what’s a weekend? I say it too, but it’s because I never get one. I’ve questioned the validity of the word vacation for quite a while too. Regardless of how you view them, make the next two days different. Listen to music you’ve never heard before, gather some fall leaves to press or the last bloom of the summer. Get outside, and get outside your head. And while you’re at it, stay safe, stay appreciative, and stay away from the Pennsylvania side of the river. I hear they find bodies there.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Franco tells Elizabeth to hold on as she jets to the elevator. He says, money problems shouldn’t get between them, but she says, money’s not the problem. He says, she’s right. People are the problem, but they found a solution. She says he found a solution. One that could cause more problems, and he knows that. She gets in the elevator and the doors close.
Ava goes to the pier. She looks around and says, all right. She’s here; where are they? She hears someone behind her, and whips around, pointing a gun. It’s Scotty, who tells her, be careful with that heater. She says she’s meeting someone there, and it would be better for her if she’s alone when they got there. He asks if she’s going to plug them, and she says, it’s a very sensitive business transaction. He says he might be of some service, and she says it’s kind of him, but he needs to go. He says he has a transaction for her – $125K for a picture he has of her and Franco making out, before it finds its way to Nikolas.
Nikolas and Martin sit at a table at the MetroCourt. Martin says he was curious when he got Nikolas’s call. How may he be of assistance? Nikolas says, first – he slides an envelope over to Martin – consider that his retainer. Martin says, he would, but if it’s related to Valentin, his hands are tied. Nikolas says, no; there’s no conflict of interest. Martin asks why Nikolas requires his legal expertise, and Nikolas says, for a post-nuptial agreement.
Ned tells Brook, if she’s not coming home he’d like one consideration. She says, forget it, and he says, just one. Then he’ll leave. She says, fine, and he asks her to let him know where she’s staying when she leaves Chase’s place. She says she’ll send him a change of address card. Ned’s phone rings, and he says, she did what? No. He’ll have his assistant get in touch. Brook asks, what is it? and he says, a motel in Monaco seems to think he and Olivia are there on their honeymoon.
Willow and Michael go into the hospital. Michael tells her they have to find Epiphany. If anyone knows how Cyrus’s new regime is affecting the hospital, it’s her. Elizabeth says she’s sorry hear about Michael’s grandfather passing, and he thanks her for visiting Mike. She says, Mike was a special man. She’s going to miss him. Sasha runs up, and says, Mike died? She almost hugs Michael, but backs up, saying, sorry for his loss.
On his phone, Jason thanks someone for the update. Sonny asks, what is it? and he says, they are their guy at the PCPD confirmed Nelle is dead. They found her body. Sonny says, finally. May she rot in hell.
Sasha tells Michael to give his parents her sympathies about Mike. He says, they’ll appreciate that. Willow asks him to go see if he can find Epiphany; she’ll stay right there. He says, okay. He’ll only be a minute. Sasha tells Willow that she should get going, but Willow asks her to wait.
Ava says Scotty has got to be kidding. He says he’s very serious, and she says, he’s been spying on her? He says, that’s one way to look at it, or look at it like… Yeah, he’s been spying on her. Ava says she knows how it looks, and he says, so does he. He’s got a picture. She says she was in a vulnerable space. Franco seemed supportive, and the kiss just happened. He says he knows. He hears that in divorce court a lot. She tells him, erase his lapse in judgement, and she’ll forgive his.
Nikolas explains to Martin, Ava will get 90% of his assets, with 10% going in trust for his son if he’s unfaithful. If she’s unfaithful, she gets nothing. Martin says, as long as the agreement clearly defines what constitutes infidelity, then the situation is straightforward, but Nikolas says, suppose it isn’t defined? Martin says, then it’s a veritable minefield of complications, any of which could trigger Nikolas into losing his fortune.
Scotty tells Ava, he’s had no lapse in judgment, and she says, what?! They’re supposed to be friends; she relies on him. He ask when was the last time she called him? and she asks when was the last time he called her. He says he tried every night, wanting to go out, have martinis, and have fun, but she got busy with her new husband. She says, now he’s punishing her for marrying Nikolas. He says, he’s not punishing her for being a bad friend, but she didn’t even let him do the post-nup. She says she wanted to. She almost did, but she didn’t want to put him in an awkward situation. So she went with Dingleberry and Dingleberry (okay, I didn’t catch it). He says, those guys are all bozos, but she says, those bozos did a good job. Delete the photo. She says he knows the only reason she married Nikolas was to punish him. Scotty says, and clean him out. She says, eventually, but right now she’s enjoying the glamorous life, using the Cassadine coffers. He says the money he’s trying to get is peanuts; what’s the big deal? She’ll get the Cassadine money, unless the photo hits social media. She says he’s not going do that, and he asks, why? She says, because Franco is his son. Even if he hurts her, she knows he wouldn’t want to hurt Franco. He tells her, says you.
Sonny asks Jason if they’re sure, and Jason says, the body was found on the Pennsylvania side of the river. Their guy is handling the paperwork and arranging transport of the body. Sonny asks if they know how she died, and Jason says, he didn’t want say before the autopsy. He’s sure they’ll know soon. Sonny says, Carly must be relieved. After all this time, and the damage Nelle has done, it’s hard to believe they’ll never have to worry about her again. Jason asks if Carly is sure she’s okay, and Carly says she’s just shocked. It’s over. Sonny says, Nelle stalked Carly and tried to dismantle her life. Now she’s dead. Carly should be jumping up and down.
Sonny says, Carly wanted to tell him and Jason something, then Nelle’s death was confirmed. Now she seems more worried. What’s going on? She says, okay. They need to understand why she didn’t say anything. Mike was dying and she didn’t want anything to interfere with his last few days, least of all, Nelle. Sonny asks if she lied about what happened at the cabin, and she says, no, but there was more. He asks, what’s the rest? Did she kill Nelle?
Ned tells Brook, the hotel thinks Olivia left her stuff behind in their honeymoon suite in Monte Carlo. Olivia’s credit card must have been hacked or stolen. He’ll call the bank and report it. Brook says she wouldn’t, but Ned says, Olivia is in Geneva to meet Dante, not Monte Carlo. It’s crazy. She says, not as crazy as he thinks.
Sasha tells Willow, she’s sorry. It was just force of habit. Willow says she knows; it’s okay. Sasha wanted to comfort and support Michael in his time of grief. Sasha says she has no right, after what she and Chase did, and Willow says she hasn’t forgotten or forgiven. Sasha says she didn’t think Willow had, but Willow says, that’s neither here nor there. The point is, she saw how difficult it was for Sasha. Sasha says, and inappropriate for her to comfort Willow’s husband. Willow says, Sasha is still in love with Michael, isn’t she?
Martin says, the old definition of infidelity was to stray outside the marriage sexually. Nikolas says, and now? Martin says, currently, emotional intimacy is just as sacred as physical intimacy, and Nikolas says, so all he has to do is have sexual or romantic feelings to be considered unfaithful? Martin says, it’s not quite that simple, but if his spouse has proof that he behaved in a manner that compromised either the emotional or physical integrity of their agreement, they might have a cogent argument for infidelity. Nikolas says, but there has to be proof? and Martin says, exactly. In the absence of proof, there’s no accusation that can be sustained. He’d be in the clear.
Ava says, no way is Scotty blowing up Franco’s life and marriage for a few bucks. That’s what would happen if he released the photo. He won’t get any money, but he’ll get an unhappy son. It was a mistake; a slip-up. He says, sure, Elizabeth would be livid, but she’ll blame Ava. She already thinks Ava exploited Franco’s past, and she’s going to protect her territory. Ava says, that’s not the way she sees it; the portrait was an opportunity for Franco. Scotty says, maybe if he posts the photo, Franco will come to his senses. So the options are, post, don’t post. She says she’s not as heartless as he describes. She and Franco had something wonderful once. How does Scotty know she’s not in love with him?
Elizabeth asks if she can do something for Michael, and he says he’d like to talk to Epiphany, but she’s no longer on the schedule. Elizabeth says she’s been moved to administration now, and Michael asks, why? She says, what can she say? Their new Chief of Staff, Britt Westbourne, gets her marching orders from Cyrus. Michael asks what other changes were made, and Elizabeth says her hours were cut. He says, sorry, and she says she’s there for the time being. Is there something she can do for him? He says, Wiley is due for surgery. Given its current state, is GH still the best hospital for him? She says she still loves the place, and the staff and doctors, but as a parent, she understands his concern. Given everything that’s going on, she thinks he should look at other options. He guesses he should do some research, and she says he didn’t hear it from her, but Mercy’s cardiac unit is on the rise. He thanks her.
Scotty tells Ava, she likes to play all her cray 8s, but she says she’s not playing cards. This is her life. He says, okay. Say she’s in love with Franco. He’ll put it out there to the world, and let everybody know. All it takes is one tap. She says he’ll do nothing of the sort, and he says, now there’s his girl. She says he knows what Nikolas did to her. She ended up in an asylum because of him, and now Scotty wants to spoil her revenge? Why? He says she did it for the money, her marriage went to hell, then she went after Franco to scratch a few itches. That’s why she’s going to pay. Ava says they have a rare thing here and now. Most friends disappear or fade away. Knowing the exact time of death, the exact moment a friendship ends is a rarity. He says, well then let him mark the exact time of death. She’s got 24 hours to pay up. Got it?
Nikolas sees Julian at the MetroCourt bar, and asks if he’s spoken to Ava since her trip to Sonny’s cabin. He says, no, and asks if something happened. Nikolas flashes back to him and Ava in the cabin, and says, not that he’s aware of. Julian says, but Nikolas hasn’t heard from her and doesn’t know where she is? Nikolas says, she’s a strong, independent woman, and makes her own schedule. He’s not concerned. Julian says they both know Nikolas doesn’t care, and Nikolas tells Julian, he didn’t say that. Julian says, everybody knows; he approves. Nikolas says he’d rather Ava be in a loveless marriage than with someone who makes her happy? Julian says, their family doesn’t do happiness. He tells Nikolas, he’s got his own problems to deal with, and leaves.
Sasha tells Willow, she’ll always care for Michael, but she’s not acting on it. She heard Mike died, and knowing how much he meant to Michael, it was an impulse. Willow says, a good impulse, but just so Sasha knows, Michael hasn’t had to grieve alone. He’s had his family – both of them – and Wiley. Sasha says, and Willow. Willow says, yes, and Sasha says, good. She’s glad Michael’s had all sorts of people to lean on. He needs that. He needs Willow. She got one thing right, about how much they all need each other.
Carly tells Sonny, no; she didn’t kill Nelle. It’s more complicated than that. Jason tells her to take them through it, step by step. She says she found Michael and Wiley in the cabin. Jax was there, outside, calling the police. That’s when Michael told her that Nelle took off. Jason says, and Carly ran after her, and caught up with her in the clearing. They fought, and Nelle got away. Carly says, Nelle ran, and a few minutes later, she heard Nelle screaming. She followed Nelle’s voice, and ran to the cliff. Nelle was screaming and begging for Carly to help her, but she hesitated; she thought it was some kind of trick. Nelle kept screaming and begging for help. She looked over the edge, and Nelle was dangling. She tried to help. She had Nelle’s hand in her hand, but Nelle slipped. Jason says, it’s not Carly’s fault, and Carly says, maybe not, but if she’d gotten there sooner, she could have done something. The doorbell rings, and Jason answers. It’s Chase, who says he’s there on police business. Can he come in?
Ned tells Brook, what if Olivia got her purse stolen, with her wallet, passport, and phone in it? That would explain why she hasn’t called him back. Brook flashes back to listening to the message Olivia left about staying overseas with Robert for a few mores days. She remembers deleting the message, and saying, let Ned worry about not hearing from her. Ned says, she could be stranded with no ID or passport. He’s going to call Interpol; no, he’s calling the WSB. She tells him, don’t; that didn’t happen. He asks how she knows, and she says she did something impulsive. It was after Dr. Robinson told her that she’d have a long recovery time. Does he remember when he left his phone in her room? There was a voicemail. He insists there wasn’t, and she says that’s because she deleted it. He asks why she did that, and she says she doesn’t know. She guesses she was upset about Olivia running all over Europe with Robert while she was laid up. He asks what she means, running all over Europe? Tell him what his wife said. Brook says, Olivia said she and Robert would be a few days in Monte Carlo. She didn’t leave any details. Ned says he thinks he’ll call the hotel back.
Chase comes into the living room, and says he just explained to Jason that he’s there on police business. Sonny thanks him for bringing Brook to Turning Woods; it meant a lot. (Nice deflection and mood setting.) Chase says he was glad to help, and he’s sorry for their loss. Carly asks what they can do for him, and he says he wanted to tell them in person that Nelle’s body was recovered on the Pennsylvania side of the river. It’s now in the Port Charles morgue. Sonny asks if he’s sure it’s her; was there a positive ID? Jason asks how she died, and Chase says her body was on the riverbank. Apparently, she drowned, but a full autopsy is being conducted. He thought they should know, after what Nelle put their family through. Since Carly was the last person to see Nelle, he was wondering if he could ask a few questions.
Julian meets with Martin, and says he wants to annul his marriage to Nelle, and Martin recommends consulting a lawyer. Julian asks if that’s not what he’s doing, and Martin says he has to get his own lawyer. He can’t handle the case. He’s no longer Nelle’s attorney, but it’s still a conflict of interest. If Julian wants to annul his marriage to the charming Mrs. Benson-Jerome, he’ll have to find another attorney. Perhaps he could hire a new lawyer on Nelle’s behalf, but when he does, do him a favor. Nelle left an important document in his care, and it needs to be transferred to her new representation. Martin’s phone rings, and he says he no longer represents Mrs. Benson-Jerome. He sees. He thanks them for calling. He tells Julian, it would appear his marital woes resolved themselves. Julian asks, how’s that? and Martin says, congratulations. He’s now a widower.
Willow tells Sasha, regardless of what went wrong, they’re four adults, who all want Wiley to be happy. Sasha says, and safe from Nelle. She heard Michael got sole custody, and Willow says, he did, and he’s arranging for her to adopt Wiley. She’ll legally and officially be Wiley’s mom. Sasha says, that’s great. It couldn’t have turned out better. Michael comes back, and asks if everything is okay. Sasha excuses herself, saying she has to go. Again, condolences on his grandfather. She leaves, and Michael asks Willow if that was as uncomfortable as he thinks it was. She says, the whole situation is still a little raw. It probably didn’t help that she told Sasha that he’d asked her to adopt Wiley.
Sonny tells Chase, what happened was terrible, and they’re still reeling over the news. Can he do this some other time? Carly says she gave Valerie her statement at the cabin, but Chase says, now that there’s a body, he has to do follow-up questions. She asks what he needs to know, and he asks her to summarize the events of the evening, starting with going after Nelle. Carly says she caught up to Nelle in the clearing, about a half-mile from the cabin. They fought, Nelle scratched her, she fell, and Nelle took off. Jason says they’ve been up for days with Mike, and asks if Chase can do this later. Chase says he’ll reach out if he has more questions. Sonny says he appreciates it, and Chase says, it’s nice to close the case.
Sasha asks Elizabeth if she has a second. She was hoping for help with a referral. She’s not feeling well; she has insomnia and everything that comes with it. She was wondering if she could get a prescription for something to help her sleep. Elizabeth says Doc is a great psychiatrist, but Sasha says, it’s not a therapy issue. She’s just having trouble sleeping. Elizabeth says she can refer Sasha to a GP, but prescriptions aren’t as easy to come by as they used to be because of people abusing them. Sasha says she can imagine, but all she needs are one or two good night’s sleep. Elizabeth tells her to be careful when she uses them, and Sasha says, don’t worry. She’s always careful about what she puts in her body.
Julian says, Nelle is dead? and Martin says that was the police notifying him. Apparently he’s still Nelle’s counsel of record. Julian asks how it happened, and Martin tells him, being Nelle’s next of kin, the police will supply him with the details. The body is awaiting autopsy. Julian casually says, what about the document Martin mentioned? and Martin guesses the legally responsible way to handle it is how the deceased intended. Julian asks if there’s anything he can do to take it off Martin’s hands, but Martin says, no. He’s afraid everything is on hold until the death certificate has been filed. He excuses himself, telling Julian, his dance card is suddenly quite full.
Nikolas waits for the elevator. He remembers meeting Scotty at the pier. He tells Scotty, people he cares about are going to get hurt, and Scotty says, collateral damage. Nikolas says Franco is his own son, and what about Ava? They’re supposed to be friends. Scotty says, don’t pretend to care. Part of him hopes Nikolas doesn’t pay, and everyone will see exactly who he really is, but in the meantime, he’d really prefer the money. Nikolas gets in the elevator.
At the hospital, Franco asks Elizabeth if she’s ready, and she says, as she’ll ever be. They get in elevator, and meet Scotty in an office. Scotty says, so…? and Franco says he wanted see them.
Ned tells Brook, so it was her. The hotel sent a copy of the room receipt. It’s definitely Olivia’s signature. The housekeeper found Olivia’s phone in the room, and they called him because he’s the emergency contact. Brook is sure Olivia had a reason to be going to Monte Carlo, and he asks where her certainty was when she deleted the message. He apologizes, saying, he doesn’t mean to come down on her. He doesn’t know what Olivia was thinking. He can’t call her, and doesn’t have Robert’s contact information. Brook suggests checking with Anna, and he guesses he can do that. Brook says she doesn’t think Olivia left a message to cover her tracks; she has to be on the up and up. He says, all he knows is, she checked into the honeymoon suite at a five-star hotel in Monte Carlo, and left her phone there. Now God knows where she is. What the hell has Robert gotten his wife into?
Willow asks if she shouldn’t have told Sasha, but Michael says, of course (🍷) she should. She’s going to be Wiley’s legal mother, but in the meantime, they have to deal with Wiley’s heart surgery. They need to find a GP. He spoke to Elizabeth, and she confirmed his suspicions. Even though his family has a long history with GH, he thinks it’s best they explore surgical care at other hospitals. She says she’s sorry. She knows how much the place means to him. He says it always will, but as Wiley’s parents, they have to make the right choice for their son. Chase comes by, and says he’s glad he ran into them. Nelle’s body was found earlier. Michael asks if he’s sure, and Chase says, it’s been positively ID’d. He’s headed to the morgue to confirm it. Michael thanks him for letting them know. Chase moves on, and Willow says, it really is over. Wiley is safe. Michael says, they’re safe. Nelle is never going to try to mess with their lives again.
On the phone, Sasha says she needs to make a purchase. The usual.
Scotty tells Franco and Elizabeth, he met with Ava and Nikolas, and showed them these. He holds up his phone, and says, boom, boom.
Nikolas sees Ava, and she asks if he had a nice lunch at the MetroCourt. He says he didn’t eat, and Ava says, ah. He says, what? and she says, nothing. Just ah. He asks if everything is all right, and she says, just fine. Why wouldn’t it be?
Carly tells Sonny and Jason, she messed up. She changed her story. She told Chase that she fell, but when she gave her statement, she said Nelle pushed her. It’s a huge difference, and they’re going to notice. Sonny says, it happened quickly, and Jason says, a change in detail isn’t unusual. It would be more suspicious if she told the same story, word for word over and over. She says, what about the follow-up? and Jason says, Diane will be there. The important thing is, Nelle is dead, and no one else saw anything. Carly says, except for Jax. I see Sonny’s face, and l laugh.
Tomorrow, Ned asks if he can convince Brook to come home, Scotty says they’ve got Ava and Nikolas exactly where they want them, Valentin tells Alexis that he’s leveling the playing field, and Sasha tells Chase that the kiss was the turning point.
The Real Housewives of New York City – The Reunion – Part Three
We flash back on this season of Ramona’s eternal apology tour; Sonja wanting to catch a d*ck; LuAnn wrangling Ramona, and trying to get everyone moving or sitting or whatever; Dorinda’s overuse of the phrases here’s the thing and can you imagine; and Leah smelling things. LuAnn says, who knew Leah was a sniffer? Dorinda asks if Leah knew that about herself, and we see a clip of Leah sniffing her own armpit. Andy asks if she was stunned by her habit of smelling things, and she says she had no idea. She tends to learn by touching things. Viewer Donnie in Ann Arbor says the way Dorinda speaks is almost a European thing. He wonders if she picked up phrasing in England or it was her mom’s influence. She says, here’s the thing… and everyone laughs. Andy says LuAnn seemed to keep the ladies on track and maintained decorum. Does she see herself as the peacekeeper mom? LuAnn says it took work. He asks what Sonja’s fascination was with catching d*ck, and she says, the law of attraction. If you say it enough, it appears. That’s why she was eating so much; she wasn’t getting any d*ck. A viewer says, d*ck pics reared their ugly heads (sigh), and excluding Leah, who in the group received the most? They all say, Ramona, then LuAnn says, Sonja. We flash back to Sonja saying the only one she’s ever gotten was a wrong number. She says, they tried to backtrack the number because she liked the décor.
Andy says Ramona has been known as the Singer stinger and apologizer, but this season the women wondered if Ramona could be called a good friend. We flash back to Ramona being an a-hole and ditching everyone every chance she got to scout a place for men. We see LuAnn’s interview where she said Ramona was the winner of the worst hostess award. We revisit Ramona fat shaming Sonja, and forcing her 50/60/70 girlfriends to get her a pocketbook via $100 donations, and Leah saying, at least it’s a real Gucci bag. Ramona insists her bags are real, and Leah says, no; they’re not. A viewer says Ramona is different in the Hamptons. It seems like her sole reason for being there is to see and be seen. Sonja says, amen, and Ramona says she’s popular and has a lot of parties. Viewer Bryan from Chattanooga says we know Ramona is a double-booker, but leaving her own party is nuts. She suffers desperately from FOMO. Ramona says she didn’t want leave, but she knew the group was going to crash. Sonja says, Ramona is horny. Alrighty then. Can we go home now? Andy says Ramona bringing up how many friends she has seemed to be a trigger for Sonja. Sonja feels a lot of Ramona’s friends are really hers, and tries to talk, but Ramona won’t let her. Sonja gets up, and tells Ramona, S-T-F-U, actually saying the letters. Ramona says she sees them all the time, and Sonja doesn’t see anybody. Sonja says they don’t care about Ramona, and they’re using her. Ramona says she loves them and they hang out all the time. Sonja asks, where are these people going to be when it’s you and me, and two for one at Burger Heaven?
Andy asks Dorinda what’s wrong with a 63 year old throwing themselves a birthday party? and Dorinda says, it doesn’t seem sincere. She just met some of them like Maria. We flash back to Ramona talking to somebody named Maria, who was apparently totally forgettable. Ramona says Maria is at her house every day. I can’t imagine anyone having that little to do, so I translate that as, we text once in a while. Dorinda thinks it comes off as insincere, and Sonja says she’s social climbing. Ramona says she’s so wrong, and Andy asks if Leah can spot a Gucci fake. I wonder how we got back here again, and we flash back to Ramona and her fake-ass bag. Ramona insists her bags are all real, and Sonja says, Chinatown. Side story. I have a couple of fakes that I bought just because I liked the bags. They must be good ones because someone I went out with actually thought I owned I Louis Vuitton bag. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I just looked at them like they were nuts. Like I’d sink that kind of money into a purse, even if I had it. Leah says Ramona acted like she’d never seen a bag before; it was weird. We go back to Ramona’s birthday where she’s going apesh*t over the bag she orchestrated her friends into giving to her. Ramona says she loves presents, and she was excited. A viewer asks why she would call a close friend heavy, and thinks what she said to Sonja was rude and uncalled for. Ramona says her girlfriends tell her when she’s getting porky, and all she said was Sonja needed to lose a little weight. Sonja says that’s when she ate more. She’d stopped having sex with her Netffix and chill guy. Maybe she should get a friend with more compassion. A viewer says Dorinda gave Elyse grief for defending Ramona, when Sonja has defended Ramona for years. Dorinda explains that Elyse was coming to her and Leah, saying Ramona was being a terrible friend. She would flip-flop. We see clips of Elyse saying Ramona shuts her down in front of the group, and, Ramonaville is filled with one-way streets. Dorinda wonders why Ramona fell out with Elyse, and Ramona says, Elyse is a black widow, which makes no sense, since isn’t that someone who marries a guy and then kills him? Is there something I don’t know? Ramona says she should never have trusted Elyse and brought her on the show. Elyse had said she had Ramona’s back and betrayed her. She’s not being very specific, and I’m sure whatever it is, she’s making it sound more dramatic than it was. Andy says Ramona wanted blind loyalty, and suggests Elyse was the Barb K. of the season. He asks if Barb and LuAnn are still friends, but LuAnn says they’re not friends anymore. Andy says it was a long friendship, and LuAnn says it was Barb’s doing. We see some clips with Barb, and I want to know more about this falling out, but they move on. Viewer Valerie from Chicago says, Ramona was accused of being a friend when it was convenient. It seems like it’s Ramona’s world, and everyone else is just living in it. Ramona says she wants friends who are happy and positive, but Dorinda says, that’s not what friendships are about; those are superficial acquaintances. If she’s going through something traumatic, she wants friend who can shepherd her and journey with her. Andy asks how they’re feeling about Ramona after this season, and Sonja says Ramona is family, and she loves her. Leah says she’ll never ruin Ramona’s backyard again, and Ramona says she wants to see Leah naked though. I’m not sure what to make of that.
Andy welcomes us back, when I didn’t even leave to go to the bathroom. He says they’re freshly sanitized, and ready for more. Sonja by Sonja Morgan had a promising deal with a major retailer that was a dream, but her townhouse continued to be an expensive nightmare. We flash back to Sonja’s runway show, and Sonja dealing with the townhouse. Sonja says she hides when she’s going through something. We see Sonja going over the zero sales from the show, and getting her Century 21 deal. Andy congratulates her, and she says she’s still pinching herself. It was a long haul, but it feels good from where she’s sitting. Ramona – who just can’t help herself – says she was in the fashion business for two years (wow – that long?), and Sonja being front and center in two retail stores says it all. LuAnn says she’s proud of Sonja, and even bought a dress. Sonja says LuAnn has been there every step of the way. Andy says, it’s cool. They’ve been sitting here for so many years with Sonja planning. Her toaster never came to fruition. We flash back to a million years ago, when Sonja talked about having a signature toaster oven. Andy says the women had been all over her for various things. Bethenny called her out for being a cheater brand, and she was called out for products that never launched. Now here she is in a store, and it must feel satisfying. She says it is, and her daughter is proud of her. She’s told her daughter, there are no mistakes, but experiences. She made connections in business along the way. Andy asks how the pandemic has affected things, and she says online sales are up 117%, and she’s sold out. It’s tough for retail. Funny. Doesn’t sound like it. Leah says the cashmere suit Sonja wanted her to wear – we flash back to that – and anything that looks like that, is selling out. No one is wearing dresses. Andy asks what the price on the townhouse is now, and Sonja says she’s dropping it to $8.5 million. Leah has one request. She wants to see it before Sonja sells it. Andy asks if Sonja has any male prospects, and she says she’s not getting laid. She’s been focusing on her daughter, but now Sophie is in an Ivy League school. It’s time for her mama to get something. Leah says Sonja looks hot, and Sonja says she needs to lose another five pounds. Andy says he doesn’t know about that.
Andy tells us, a wise woman once said she made it nice. This season, her temper rose, and nice was not always on the table. We flash back to Dorinda talking about Bluestone Manor being flooded; Dorinda telling Sonja that there’s nothing carefree about her anymore, and that she’s afraid John can’t take care of her; Dorinda telling Ramona that she has schadenfreude; rubbing LuAnn’s mugshot in her face; and killing the messenger when LuAnn told her what Ramona said, at her insistence. We revisit LuAnn’s interview, where she said Dorinda deflects and it’s your fault; and Sonja’s interview, where she said Dorinda was in pain, and projecting it rather than feeling it. Then comes the pièce de resistance, Dorinda flipping out over Leah saying Tinsley’s name at the Christmas party. Viewer Jack from Minneapolis points out, at the beginning of the season, Dorinda said there was nothing carefree about her, and she wasn’t nice to anybody anymore; then proved it. He asks if she ended in a better place than she started. Dorinda says she was more overwhelmed than she’s ever been, but she didn’t reach out for help. She was dealing with the house, and John, then broke a rib. She couldn’t catch a break. She was angry about what was happening, and projected it. She felt she couldn’t cope, and was at her wit’s end. It made her sad, and she was most upset about Ramona. She knows Ramona so well. She had a right to be angry, and was struggling. She felt Ramona made it worse. She never called Dorinda once, or took her out after the show ended. She just reminded Dorinda how much she didn’t like John. Ramona whips out a pile of papers, and says she texted Dorinda. Dorinda says she got through it, and moved on, but Ramona wanted it to continue. She needed Ramona to pull her aside, not hammer at her inf front of people. LuAnn says she tried to talk to Dorinda, but Dorinda wasn’t open to it. We flash back to Dorinda not having LuAnn’s advice, and she says she does feel bad about LuAnn, who was coming from a good place. She’s sorry. It was like Ramona was just waiting to jump on her. Leah thinks so too, and says when Dorinda and John broke up, she noticed Dorinda was in pain, and not admitting it. They’d been together for so long. Dorinda says, it was terrible, and Leah says, they didn’t get to see that. Andy says Dorinda held Tinsley to the standard that she needed to do everything on the show. Dorinda says she did show everything. She wanted Ramona to call her up, and ask if she was okay; say, I love you, and, I’m here for you. Ramona says, when Tinsley left, she turned into Dorinda’s punching bag. Ramona says Dorinda came to her home for cocktails and conversation, and said hurtful things. Dorinda wants to put people down. Dorinda says Ramona doesn’t know how to let it go. Sorry. Ramona says the next day, Dorinda made her an old-fashioned playlist. Sonja says, Dorinda was hurt, and Ramona starts to read from the texts, but Dorinda isn’t having it. Andy tells Dorinda to let Ramona read them (no surprise), and Dorinda says it’s one-sided. She used them to get a free party. She uses people. Ramona throws the papers in the air, and says she loves Dorinda. Why is she doing this?
Sonja says Ramona does use people, and Ramona asks again why Dorinda is doing this. Dorinda tells her, don’t throw things. It’s low class. How anyone on any of the shows in the franchise can say anything is low class, is beyond me. Every single one of them has done something low class. Except for LVP. Who can do no wrong. Andy asks LuAnn what she has to say about the trip to the Berkshires. LuAnn says they all drank too much, and said hurtful things. But how Sonja was behaving didn’t give Dorinda an excuse to say what she did. Sonja says she brought it up again in Mexico. LuAnn says she knows Dorinda didn’t mean it. She hopes Dorinda recognized she was being hurtful. When she was on Watch What Happens Live, Andy asked if Dorinda regretted what she’d said to LuAnn, and she said no. LuAnn says she thought Dorinda had no remorse for the way she’d behave. She doesn’t look at herself. If LuAnn had done that, she would have thought, oh my God, I can’t believe I said that. Dorinda says she was wrong, and definitely wants to go back to where they were when they met. LuAnn says she must have been harboring those thoughts, and Dorinda says she wants to work on it. LuAnn says work on the fact she’s holding resentments. Andy picks up Ramona’s sheaf of papers, and Ramona says he can read them later, then laughs like a hyena. Andy says, Dorinda obviously brought up all these things, like LuAnn’s mugshot, probation, Jovani. Dorinda says she’ll never stop saying Jovani, and she doesn’t need a lecture from LuAnn when it’s between her and Ramona. LuAnn says it doesn’t feel like means it. She shouldn’t have said those things. How can she see the show, and not say, holy sh*t, I need to change? To her credit, Dorinda takes it like a man, and says she does feel that way. Andy asks about the Mexico trip, and says, Leah was fried. Dorinda says, Leah had her back. Leah says she’s not making an excuse for bad behavior, but she’d rather deal with anger issues than someone who just says horrific things like Ramona does. She doesn’t think Dorinda hit below the belt. I’m guessing she’s talking specifically about what she’s said about Ramona. LuAnn can’t say Dorinda doesn’t hit below the belt, especially with what Dorinda said to her. Dorinda agrees.
A viewer from Richmond, Virginia says there wasn’t a single sincere apology from Dorinda. What’s her theory on why she’s as defensive as she is? Dorinda says she was in a lot pain, and felt wounded, weak, and vulnerable. Ramona says, all she wanted to say… and Dorinda says Ramona’s not listening. She couldn’t. She was in a damaged place, and needed someone. She literally should have taken off last season; she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Andy says the anger intervention lunch in Mexico was a bust, and Dorinda says, it was ridiculous. Andy says it didn’t seem like they picked the right moment. We flash back to when Dorinda was on the phone with Hannah. Leah says, even though she thought it was overboard for Dorinda to tell her and Sonja to get off their laptops, it wasn’t the same as Dorinda talking to her daughter. It didn’t add up. Dorinda says they made a bigger thing out of it. Andy says, it’s ironic how it ended, given that Leah and Dorinda are pals. Leah says, yeah, and he asks what was going through her mind, and she says she was kind of shocked, and bummed. She was about to give them props, tell them she loved and appreciated them, and had a great time. Her saying Tinsley set it off, but Dorinda called her the next day. She was upset about it and apologized. Andy wonders why the mere mention of Tinsley’s name caused such a reaction, and Dorinda says she thought it wasn’t authentic; Tinsley wasn’t there. They’d done great as a group after Tinsley left, and she was surprised they were going back to that. Leah says Tinley was an important person to her in terms of them. Dorinda says, that’s why she called the next day. Leah tells her, it’s okay to be wrong. Dorinda says she feels bad about LuAnn, and Leah, but she and Ramona can’t reconcile things. It’s a 20 year friendship. If Ramona wants continue, she can’t rehash everything. They need to build their friendship again, if it’s important to her. Ramona says she’ll always love Dorinda, and Dorinda’s not sure Ramona always does, but she tries. If that’s what Ramona wants, they’ll do it. They elbow bump – otherwise known as the new hug. Andy says they’re in a great place, so he’s going to leave it there. Dorinda says, by the grace of God she got through it, and hopes she’s moving to a better place.
Andy says, it’s another one for the books, and the months followed were stranger than fiction. They’ve all had time to reflect, and he wants to know which moments they’d like to socially distance themselves from, and which Housewife do they look forward to hugging most? Ramona is first, and she says she wants to distance herself from when she talked about Leah’s mental issues. She should have gone directly to her. She wants to hug Dorinda. Dorinda says, obviously what she said to LuAnn. She hurt LuAnn when she was in a vulnerable place. She’s going to work on it. She feels the hugging question is unfair. She’s looking forward to hugging everyone. She’s a big hugger; it’s like food to her. LuAnn says she’d like to socially distance herself form the night in the Berkshires; it was ugly behavior toward Sonja. She agrees with Dorinda, and would love to hug everybody. Sonja says she’s made it clear she wants to socially distance from not having control and being present when she’s drinking. She’s grateful to have the show to show her how she was behaving, and she’s grateful to Ramona for telling she needed to look into some things. Ramona is her girl. She says, Dorinda called her all the time, but even though she didn’t want Dorinda to know what she was trying to handle, Dorinda would share what was going on with her. Sonja felt like she wasn’t alone, and owes Dorinda big time. Dorinda says she did something right. Leah says she wants to distance herself from the entire state of Rhode Island, and wants to hug Ramona. Her mommy issues are apparently still alive. Ramona says she wants to be more of a friend than a mommy, and Leah says, it feels like that will work. Ramona says, it will. Andy thanks everyone for an incredible season. He’s looking forward to getting close enough to toast, and can’t wait to hug them all.
They take a socially distant selfie, and Sonja asks Ramona, can we go to the speakeasy after this? I guess that’s the grown-up version of getting ice cream.
🤸♀️ Go Leah… Go Leah…
She got her raise, but whether Ramona will get to see her naked next season, remains to be seen.
I don’t know if the world has quite gone to hell in a handbasket yet, but it’s certainly on fire, both literally and figuratively. It’s your job to rise above it, and stay safe, stay funky, and stay socially distant from Ramona.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Chase comes home, and Brook says, back so soon from solving crimes? He says he’s taking a shower, then going back out. Brook is painting her toenails, and asks if he could get her some fresh coffee.
Ned sees Julian at the MetroCourt, and Julian asks what he can do for him. Ned says, not for him; for Julian’s son Leo. Leo is wondering when Julian’s next visit will be. Julian says, tell Leo, soon, and Ned says, that sounds vague. Doesn’t he normally schedule it with Olivia? Julian says he does; he’ll give her a call. Ned asks when was the last time Julian heard from Olivia? and Julian asks if she’s missing. Ned says, no, she’s in Geneva to visit Dante. Julian asks Ned to wish her luck, and tell her that he hopes it goes well. Ned says he can do that, or Julian could call. Julian says he’s not sure what’s going on, and doesn’t care, but if Ned wants to know how Olivia is, he should speak to her. Ned says, if only it was that simple, and Julian asks what he means. Ned tells him, never mind, and Julian says he’s as helpful as ever.
Sitting outside Kelly’s, TJ tells Molly, he forgot about Neil’s death. It was so sudden, it knocked everyone for a loop. She says, especially her mom; he died in her bed, and she didn’t even know he had a drug problem. She’s not going to be able to host their commitment ceremony. They’ll need a new venue. He says they might have to postpone it, and she says, it seems inevitable. Stella approaches and says, the problem with their generation is they give in too easy. If they want a ceremony, she’ll get the job done.
Lulu tells Nikolas, she could be wrong, but it sounds like he’s falling for his wife. His phone dings, and he sees the photo of him kissing Elizabeth. Underneath, it says, I know what you did, and he says, what the hell? She asks if it’s bad news, and he reads, Meet me at the docks ASAP. It’s going to cost you big.
Nina says, Ava is falling for Nikolas. Ava’s phone dings, and she sees the photo of her and Franco kissing. Underneath, it says, I know what you did. Nina asks if she’s okay. What did the message say? Ava reads, Meet me at the docks in an hour. It’s going to cost you big.
At a booth in The Floating Rib, Bobbie and Scotty sit with martinis, while Scotty concentrates on shelling nuts. Bobbie tells him, the hardest part is physically being away from the building. She knows details will be missed, or not taken care of as good as they could be. It’s not like the nurses won’t do their jobs without her, but they won’t do it as well. You’d think she’d enjoy her time off. She has ten different household projects she’s been dreaming about, but it doesn’t give her the same sense of fulfillment she had at GH. She sees he’s not paying attention, and says maybe she’ll go back to her old job of giving the girlfriend experience (i.e. – being a hooker). At least she’ll get companionship out of it. She says he hasn’t been listening to a word she said. He says she just told him she’s going back to her former profession, and she tells him that she was pushed to desperate measures. Tell her why he’s so preoccupied.
Sonny asks if Avery is okay, and she says she’s hungry. Sonny suggests they go get a snack. He sees the half-heart necklace on the ground, and picks it up. He says she dropped this, and she says it’s hers. He asks if mommy gave it to her, and she says she thought she’d keep it for good luck. He says, now what? It’s not good?
Carly tells Jax, she hopes anything incriminating stays gone, along with Nelle. Jason comes in, and she says she’s glad he’s there. Sonny is on the back patio talking to Avery about Mike, and Jax came to check on Josslyn. Jason asks how she’s doing, and Jax says she’s sad about Mike, but she’s doing okay. Carly says Josslyn is shopping for a homecoming dress as they speak. Jax says he and Carly will talk later. Just keep in mind what he said before. He says goodbye to Jason, and leaves. Carly tells Jason, she did something he’s not going to like.
Chase asks if Brook has given any more thought as to what she might do. She says, about what? and he says he has a one-bedroom, one bathroom apartment. She can’t be comfortable. She says she can see moving some furniture around to make more space, and he says, maybe there’s someone else she could stay with. She says he’s kicking her out, but he tells her that he didn’t say that. She says he strongly hinted, and in case he forgot, he invited her. Sorry for the inconvenience; she’ll go. He says he didn’t ask her to leave, but she says she doesn’t stay where she’s not wanted. That’s how she ended up there in the first place. He says he’s not kicking her out, but it was supposed to be temporary. They barely know one another. She says, aside from three arrests. He asks if there isn’t a close friend or family member she’d rather live with, and she says she’d rather live under a rock than crawl back to her family.
Julian asks how Brook is, and Ned says, her spirit is unbroken. Julian asks, how about her vocal chords? and Ned says she’s not using them to speak to him. Julian understands, and says he hopes it works out. For what it’s worth, he’s sorry Brook crossed paths with Nelle. Ned says they’re all sorry for the chaos Nelle left in her wake. Julian says, for sure; now she’s a fugitive on the run. Ned thinks it would be a good time to sever ties, and Julian says he plans on it.
Lulu asks Nikolas if it’s something about Spencer, but he says it’s just a business situation he needs to handle. She ask if he’s sure it’s not more about Ava than business. The way he’s acting, it seems like it. He says, a little bit of both, and tells her that they’ll talk later.
Ava says, you know that kiss she told Nina about? and shows Nina the picture. Somebody saw her, and she wonders how it happened. Nina says someone has been following her, but Ava says she was at the gallery. It’s not like she and Franco were making spectacles of themselves. No one was there. At least that’s what she thought. Nina says she was preoccupied with Franco, but Ava says, just for a moment. It wasn’t like her and Nikolas at the cabin.
TJ wonders how Stella manages to show up when she’s needed most. She’s like one of the Avengers; the psychic social worker. Stella says, too much flying. He says with Mike passing, he knows the family was grateful to her. She says she was glad to be there; Mike was a good man. She heard about their commitment ceremony, and Molly says she’ll let TJ fill Stella in, while she grabs a half ice tea, half lemonade. She knows it’s Stella’s favorite. Stella tells TJ to hang onto Molly.
Sonny tells Avery, he thinks the necklace is still good luck. Like how her grandpa is with her always in her heart. She says, but it’s only half, and he says, maybe the other half is out there somewhere. Even if it isn’t, it’s still pretty. He tells her, let’s get a snack, and they go inside.
Scotty tells Bobbie, for cryin’ out loud, he’s not preoccupied; calm down. He’s just thinking about the payoff she’ll get from the hospital for wrongful termination. Bobbie says she doesn’t want a payoff; she wants her job back. But it’s not going to happen as long as Cyrus is Chairman of the Board. Scotty says, okay then, find another job. Bobbie says she had some interest from Mercy, but he laughs and says, that rusty old hospital?The future is in telemedicine. A start-up company would love an experienced nurse. She can get in on the bottom floor, get equity, and when it becomes an IPO, the sky’s the limit. She says, it’s something to explore, and Scotty’s phone dings. He says, ugh. He has to work.
Jason asks Carly if what she needs to tell him is time sensitive. Does he need to do something? She says, no; it already happened. She’s doing potential damage control. He asks if it involves Jax, and she says it does. He says, and Jax doesn’t want him to know? She says Jax doesn’t want him or Sonny to know.
Brook tells Chase to go ahead and call her dramatic, and he says, isn’t she? She asks if it isn’t the ultimate betrayal, being abandoned by her family. They threw her into the street. He says he saw her dad’s face outside her hospital room, and Monica and Michael’s. No family is perfect, but it’s clear her family loves her and wants to help. She says she knows they love her. Staying there isn’t about what they did to her, but what she did to them.
TJ sees Stella looking at him, and says, what? and Stella says she’s just checking his beautiful face. When Curtis said he’d been beaten, it nearly killed her. How is he doing, really? He says, a few more PT sessions, and he’ll be good as new. She says she was sure he was off licking his wounds after Molly turned down his proposal, but that wasn’t the case. No one expected him to be abducted, least of all him. A person doesn’t go through hell and not carry some of it back with them. How is he really? The truth.
Carly says she knows what Jason is thinking. She didn’t sleep with Jax. He says he didn’t think so, but what’s going on? The doorbell rings, and she tells him, wait. He says he’s not going anywhere. It’s Lulu, and Carly invites her in. Carly says she’s sorry. She’s been meaning to call and thank Lulu and her mother for the donation to Alzheimer’s research. It was generous of them. Lulu says she was thinking about how Mike lent a sympathetic ear when she was a teen. Sonny joins them, and Lulu says she wanted to tell him how sorry she was, and see how he’s doing. He says Mike’s passing was peaceful, but he couldn’t have done it without the support of the family. She says she’s sorry Dante wasn’t there. She knows he’d love the chance to be supportive as well.
Nina wonders if Nikolas took the picture, but Ava says he went to the cabin to catch her cheating. There would have been no point if he’d taken it. And there was nothing going on with her and Franco, contrary to the proof. She asks how she could be so sloppy, and Nina asks what she’s going to do. Ava says they want big money, but she doesn’t have that yet. It could put her fidelity in question, and it’s the ammunition Nikolas needs to divorce her without her getting a dime.
Nikolas goes to the pier, and says, whatever Ava paid to get them to take the picture, he’ll pay much more. He looks up the stairs and says, you’ve got to be kidding.
Brook tells Chase, believe it or not, she gets why her dad threw her out. From his perspective, she betrayed the family when she sold her stock; never mind the other Quartermaines who did. She should have known better, and should have said something. That’s on her. Chase says, none of that mattered when she was fighting for her life and almost died. She asks if he thinks bygones should be bygones. If she didn’t have the power now, her dad wouldn’t be begging her to come home. He traded anger for pity. He’s not sorry; he feels sorry for her. It’s the one thing she can’t bear to live with. She tells Chase, it’s his space, and he wants her gone, and she will be, but she’s not going home. Chase’s phone rings, and he asks if they’re sure. He’s on his way. Brook asks if it’s a killing spree, a bank robbery, or another one of Lulu’s epic pouts. He says he understands where she’s coming from, but he thinks she’s underestimating her family. She can stay there as long as she needs to. He opens the door, and Ned is there. He says he understands his daughter is there, and Chase says, she’s all his. He leaves, and Ned comes in. He says, Brook, sweetheart, we need to talk. She says, we absolutely do not.
TJ asks if Stella can’t just enjoy the visit, and not have to use her social worker superpowers on him. She tells him, start talking, and he says, yes. The abduction was terrifying and painful; all of it. He doesn’t know who they were or what they wanted. The police have no leads, and all he can do is focus on his career and his life with Molly. She says she wants what’s best for him, and wants him to grab what he can from life, but there are no shortcuts to healing. He says he wakes up from the nightmares, and feels like he’s still tied up. He doesn’t know if he’s going to live or die. The thing that got him through it was thinking of Molly, and knowing she was waiting. Molly listens from the doorway.
Nina asks if Ava has any idea who would blackmail her like that. Ava says, in general, she can think of plenty of people, but this? No one who would care. It’s not like Nikolas has a lot of people rooting for him. Nina says, maybe Nikolas hired a P.I., and Ava says, maybe a P.I. wants to shake her down. Even if she’s right, that doesn’t solve the problem of the picture. Whoever took it has proof of her indiscretion with Franco, and she has to decide what to do about it.
Nikolas tells the mystery person that he’s not handing over that kind of money. He needs 24 hours. If they do anything with the photo before then, they’re done.
On the patio, Lulu and Sonny look at pictures. Lulu says, Mike with Ruby, were they a thing? Sonny says his dad only wished. She was immune to Mike’s flirting. Lulu says, she must have had an iron will. She doesn’t know how Ruby resisted his charms. Sonny says, Mike was everyone confidant and friend. Everyone adored Mike, except him.
Carly says she’ll tell Jason what happened, and he can tell her what he thinks. Something serious happened. Jason says, and Jax knows, and doesn’t want her to tell Sonny. She says she couldn’t, and she doesn’t feel she can tell him now. I tell her, well, for God’s sake, tell Jason before he has apoplexy. He looks like his head is going to explode.
Molly tells Stella, you’d think a dining room table is the last thing they’d need, but you’d be wrong. They’re students, and spend half their lives there. TJ’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Stella says she’s glad she and Molly can spend some time alone. So much has happened. How is Molly holding up? Molly says, okay. TJ was the worst of it. Stella says, Lord knows it must have gone through her mind that TJ walked out on their commitment, especially after she refused his proposal. Molly says, he wasn’t taking her calls, and Jordan told her that he didn’t want to talk to her; that she should be responsible for her own actions. She got more and more desperate, until she finally… Stella says, what? but Molly says she doesn’t want to say. Stella says she thinks she understands. She’ll say it for Molly. She finally lost faith in TJ.
Ava says she’ll tell Nina one thing, she’s not losing her claim for one picture of her and Franco. She gets up, and Nina says she’s not thinking of going by herself? Why don’t she and Jax go with her? Ava says she can handle it, and jets. Jax comes over, and asks, what’s going on with Ava? Does he want to know? Nina says, no. It’s just a reminder of how glad she is to have a relationship with him. No games and no secrets.
Carly tells Jason, Sonny just lost Mike. Like he doesn’t know. She says, he needs time to grieve. She can’t put it on him unless Jason thinks she should. He says, obviously she’s trying to protect Sonny, and she says, that’s all she’s doing. She just wants to protect Sonny.
Sonny tells Lulu, he held on to so much anger, and couldn’t let it go. She says, he had a right to his anger. However wonderful Mike was to the rest of them, he left Sonny when he was a little boy. She wouldn’t want that for Rocco, hating Dante. It’s not the same struggle, but Sonny made peace with Mike’s gambling being a disease. Once he understood that, is when he started to forgive. It happened the way it was supposed to.
Bobbie signs the receipt, and Scotty returns to the table. He says his clients think his time has no value. Where were they? She says, nowhere, and he asks if she’s mad. She says she’s mad and disappointed. Scotty says she’s right, and he’ll make it up to her, but she says she’s not mad and disappointed at him. He suggests they enjoy their cocktails then. She says he’s being who he is – himself, a self-absorbed schemer. He has good intentions, but a terrible follow-through. He says, that’s harsh, and she says she adores him. He’s the sweetest guy when he gets out of his own way, which is never. He’s a good friend, but a lousy boyfriend. The person she’s mad and disappointed at is herself, for going down the same road again, knowing how it ends again. What scares her is one day she’ll lose his friendship, and it will break her heart. For both their sakes, she’s calling it quits. Aww.
Ava waits for the elevator, and Nikolas comes out of it. She says he’s not following her or having her followed, is he? He says he didn’t know where she was. She says she hopes not. They both saw how his jealousy ended last night. He says he thinks they need to talk – about us.
Brook asks Ned if something is the matter, and he says, it’s a nice apartment… She says, but… and he says this can’t be how she wants to live, sleeping on a couch in someone else’s living room. She says, you don’t know until you’ve tried it, and he says doesn’t she want to go home? They can work through their issues. She says, why do that? and he says she’s been through a trauma. Not just the attack, but how he treated her, his daughter. She’ll always be his daughter, and he wants to take care of her. She says, that never works out.No matter how good the intentions, they inevitably disappear. They get angry, and end up hurting each other, like they always do. He says, it doesn’t have to be that way. They can be better. She says, even if that’s true, it’s not a good time to try it. Doesn’t he have a big enough mess to clean up?
Scotty says, don’t do this, but Bobbie says, it’s already done. He says they can undo it. They can talk about anything she wants. She thanks him for teaching her a valuable lesson. The next time she has a setback, she’ll face it, and not fall back on a sort of romance to feel safe. It’s good – he makes her laugh a lot – until she finds out he’s cheating. He says he doesn’t always, and she says he can’t if they’re not together. Good luck with his client. He thanks her for the drink, and she says she put it on his tab. He looks at the tab, and does a spit-take, and Bobbie says, the next time they meet for drinks as friends, he’ll know not to keep her hanging.
Stella says, how would Molly know? It’s not like she’s had experience. She never had a serious relationship other than TJ, and no history with other men. She’s not trying to embarrass Molly; she’s putting herself in Molly’s shoes. She might have questioned the relationship, if she’d thought he walked out after their first disagreement. Molly says, Stella doesn’t blame her? and Stella says, for doubting? If Molly had said she never wavered, Stella would have known Molly was lying to her and herself. She’s glad she’s come to know and love Molly. It’s no sin to doubt. Better to doubt than to deceive.
Ava tells Nikolas, they should stick to the plan. They’ll rendezvous at Windymere, and see what happens. She gets in the elevator.
Nina asks Jax how Josslyn is, and he says, okay. She’s sad about Mike, of course (🍷), but she’s carrying on. He felt it had less to do with that, than a lesson of the heart. Sometimes he just has to listen. Nina says, do her a favor, and share some of his parental wisdom. She wants to be that kind of a parent if she finds her child one day.
Lulu says, when Mike was diagnosed, Sonny brought Mike home to live with him. Think of what’s happened in the two and a half years Mike has been there. Sonny recreated Luke’s Club; it was a gift.Even though Mike’s memory was fading he could feel it in his heart. Sonny never failed be present. All Mike wanted was to find his way back to Sonny, and Sonny gave that to him. He gave Mike the one thing that made him happy – a family.
Carly says she wants to tell Sonny, and Jason says, do what she needs, but it’s not fair. She should give Sonny a chance to be there for her. She’d hate if Sonny did that to her. She says he’s right. She needs to tell him. She needs to tell them both.
Ned says Brook can’t expect him to walk away, and leave things the way they are. She says, why not? She’s still the same daughter, and it’s not enough for him. He could give her all the I’m sorries in the world right now. He says it’s not too late, and she tells him not to hold his breath. He says there’s unfinished business between them. Fighting with his daughter, another Quartermain trait they’d be better off without. She says, it’s a shame that’s who they are.
Lulu and Sonny come in, and Lulu says Jason should have seen the pictures her mom sent. There’s one of Jason and Mike, when Jason was a valet at the club. Carly says she’d like to see that. Sonny says he’ll walk Lulu out. At the door, he says her mom did a world of good, sending the pictures. She thanks him for sharing them with her. She’s keeping him in her prayers, and Mike too. I don’t think Mike looked like he needed prayers when he went off with Courtney, but okay; it’s nice of Lulu. Sonny thanks her, and goes back to join Carly and Jason. He says, what? and Carly says, something happened and she needs to tell them both. Jason’s phone rings, and he says, it could be important.
TJ comes back, and Stella says Molly was giving her pearls of wisdom on their not-married commitment ceremony. TJ says, all that matters is he’s sharing his life with Molly. He hopes Stella isn’t disappointed. She says, two of her favorite people, vowing to cherish and love each other; it’s icing on the cake. There will be cake, right?
Ava goes to the pier, and says, all right she’s there. Where are they? She feels someone behind her, and turns around, pointing a gun at them.
Nikolas looks at the picture of him and Elizabeth. He deletes it.
Jax says he doesn’t know how big Mike’s funeral might be. He’ll ask Carly if he should go. Nina asks if he thinks Nelle might show up. Forget she said that. Nelle is probably halfway across the country by now.Has Carly heard anything from the police; do they have any leads? He says, no more than he does, and he doesn’t know any more
Jason thanks the caller. He tells Sonny, it’s an update from their guy at the PCPD. They can confirm Nelle is dead. They’ve found the body.
Tomorrow, Chase tells Jason that he’s come on police business, Willow asks Sasha if she’s still in love with Michael, Ava asks if she’s being blackmailed, and Carly says she didn’t lie; she just didn’t tell them everything.
💎 Shortest RHOBH Recap Yet…
Even though Kyle said, the Secrets Revealed show was, the sh*t you thought you got away with, there were neither any secrets nor any revelations. Except for one. I finally found out that Dorit’s Gucci ice cubes were ice cubes shaped like the Gucci logo. As I’ve said, it’s either nice, peaceful stuff that didn’t make the cut since it was too low-key, or stuff that was a real snooze.
There were some nice moments between Garcelle and Denise, where they talked about acting and family life. We saw a little more of their NYC trip, and Erika told us, New York City in the 80s is where it was at. We agree on this. However, when getting a hot dog, not one of them knew what sauerkraut was. Since Teddi is supposed to know about nutrition (see more on that in links below), I’m surprised she doesn’t know it’s fermented cabbage. And WTF? A Nathan’s hot dog without sauerkraut from the hot dog cart? Go back to Beverly Hills, the lot of you. There was also ax throwing and drinking canned wine at a dive bar. In her interview, Denise remarked that the women were a little out of place. Okay, Denise can stay.
Kyle told us that she wants Farrah engaged to boyfriend Alex asap, because she wants to be a young grandmother. Her mom had five grandchildren by her age. In one of the things I would have liked to see during the season, Kyle had discovered a picture online of a women wearing one of the rings she’d had stolen. (Some time back, there was a break-in at Kyle’s house, where all her bags and jewelry were taken.) She and Teddi played amateur detective, and went on a hunt to find the woman, who was a psychic with very distinctive nails.
Garcelle’s new house just missed the fires, and she managed to move in before quarantine.
The secret behind Bravo, Bravo, Bravo – which is no secret if you’ve watched Bravo, Bravo, Bravo for any length of time, time, time – was that if the phrase was said, the footage wouldn’t be aired. Apparently, this information came from Kyle, who said, it was a misunderstanding of an old joke. LisaR, who couldn’t stand being left out, said the information probably came from her.
In another scene I would have liked to have seen, we attended Sutton’s 48th birthday party, where the cake was displayed inside a giant birdcage adorned with flowers. It was also on a swing, which Sutton sat on after the cake was removed. I think. She was a bit tipsy. Jennifer Tilly was a guest, and we found out that instead of a tiara that year, Dolce and Gabbana sent Sutton a toaster. TBH, it was a pretty cool toaster.
They ended the show with a clip from the reunion, where Sutton said, quarantine was so bad, she’d go to Rome with them again tomorrow.
🏆 Better Late Than Never…
A rundown on the Emmys. Schitt’s Creek gets a paddle.
Teddi is out at RHOBH, but not for being a full-fledged mean girl after being merely a follower last season. She’s finally had to take accountability for her lousy fitness program.
Can it be? Can I truly get to bed before almost sunrise? I’m going to do my best, and you do yours by making it your business to stay safe, stay progressing, and stay being the icing on the cake.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
I missed the very beginning, but here are the takeaway points. Valentin gave Alexis a ride home, since she couldn’t drive her car, Cameron told Franco about homecoming, and said he needed a tux, Lulu and Elizabeth met for lunch at Kelly’s, and Ava and Nina met for lunch at the MetroCourt. Maxie discovered Brando hadn’t gotten to her car, and said she was going to leave him a bad review, but Sam walked in and diffused the situation. Onward…
Alexis thanks Valentin for the lift. He says he’s happy to help, and she says he’s only happy when something’s in it for him. Doesn’t he have a stolen corporation to run? He says he didn’t steal it. He staged a legitimate takeover. He’s not above self-interest, but that’s not why he’s there. She says she doesn’t care why he’s there. Under other circumstances, she’d be happy to spar with him, but it’s not a good time. Again, she thanks him for unlocking the door, but kindly use it to leave. He says she’s being rude, but he won’t hold it against her after what she’s been through. It’s more than anyone should bear. He heard about Neil, and he’s so, so sorry.
Cameron tells Franco that he and Trina decided they were better off as friends. Franco says, that’s mature, and Cameron says, except he likes her. He likes the times they spend together, just the two of them. He thinks they should try dating for real. Franco says, tell her, and Cameron says he makes it sound easy. Franco says, it’s tortuously difficult, but Cameron and Trina went through a horrible ordeal and came out the other side together; it’s a special bond. Cameron wonders what if he missed the chance, and Franco says, then he did. Trina is a straight shooter. Just tell her how he feels. It will be okay. Cameron says, there’s a catch – Josslyn.
Lulu tells Elizabeth, if it’s any consolation, Peter approved something that might change the public’s perception of Cyrus. Elizabeth says, the sooner, the better, and Lulu says she knows her mother would help with Elizabeth and Franco’s finances, since their hours were cut. Elizabeth knows she would, but for now, they’re managing. Trina comes in, and says hello to them, and Elizabeth says she heard about homecoming. She asks if Trina is excited, and Trina says, definitely, but it’s a lot to plan. She’s going to grab a drink and get started. Trina goes to the counter, and Lulu says, it just hit her. They’re all seniors now. Elizabeth says she knows. It seems like just yesterday she was bringing Cameron home from the hospital, and now they’re talking about colleges. Lulu says she remembers being the annoying little sisters. A lot has changed since then.
Ava tells Nina, she took Avery to Sonny’s cabin while the dealt with Mike. Who should interrupt, but Nikolas. He was trying to catch her in an affair. Nina should have seen him. He was ridiculous; demanding to know which window Franco planned to escape out of. Nina asks, what’s the human part? and Ava says, when Nikolas realized it was just her and Avery, the dad in him came out. He helped Avery catch fireflies, and helped her to search for Avery in the dark. Nina asks if Avery is okay, and Ava says, Avery is fine. It’s her mother who’s hopelessly confused. She and Nikolas were hating each other, and now he’s kind and understanding for no apparent reason. Nina says, wait; back up. Ava and Nikolas had sex?
Sam tells Maxie, yes; she does know Brando, and he hasn’t neglected Maxie’s car. He got jumped. Can’t she tell by his face? Maxie says she sees the bruises, but figured he was greasing an axel and dropped a wrench on himself or something. Sam’s phone rings, and she steps away to take the call. Maxie says she’s sorry about what happened, and asks if Brando is still in pain. He says only when he’s threatened with a bad review. He introduces himself, and Maxie says, Sonny’s relative, who just popped up to save Carly’s life. He says, right place, right time. Sam says she has to take off. She tells them, play nice, and tells Brando, feel better. He thanks her for stopping to check on him. When she’s gone, Maxie says, Sam’s stamp of approval. How’d he get that?
Cameron explains to Franco that he, Josslyn, Trina, and Dev are all going together. Franco says he doesn’t know whether to give Cameron a high five or give him a lecture on respect and honesty. Cameron says they’re going as friends, and Franco says, sounds like fun. Cameron says, itsounds complicated. If he does nothing, he stays in the friendzone. If he says how he feels, he could be rejected and hurt someone’s feelings. Someone he cares about. Franco says he doesn’t know how to tell Cameron who go with, or how to sort it out, but for the tux rental, he’s got Cameron covered.
Lulu tells Elizabeth, she loves Nikolas, but the game he’s playing with Ava isn’t worth the cost to Spencer. He’s staying in this farce of a marriage just to best Ava. It’s driving her nuts. Elizabeth says, her too, but to be fair, Ava and Nikolas are doing it to each other. Lulu says she has to believe Nikolas is better than that, and there’s still some good under all the hurt and pain. She’s seen glimmers of it. Elizabeth has seen it too, right? Elizabeth flashes back to Nikolas kissing her, and says she can think of a few things he’s done, and he’s not better. Nikolas walks into Kelly’s.
Dante asks Dr. Kirk where this is coming from. The doctor came to him, and said they wanted him on a mission where a close friend or family member was involved; that he was uniquely suited for it. Dr. Kirk says, correct, and Dante asks what the problem is. The doctor says they doubt Dante can complete the mission. He’s still a danger to himself and those around him. Dante says, that’s what he told the doctor, and why he turned it down. Then his mother got in there, and he heard her crying. He’s not saving his family by staying there; he’s hurting them worse. He wants to accept the mission, and now they’re taking it away. He asks, who made the decision? Dr. Kirk says, the recommendation is in Dante’s file, and Dante says, he’s the one. Dante does look kind of crazed right now.
Nikolas tells Lulu and Elizabeth that he just came from Sonny and Carly’s; he heard about Mike. Elizabeth says, Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease, and Lulu asks how Spencer is handling it. Nikolas says, he never met Courtney’s father, and now he never will. Elizabeth says, it’s too bad Spencer is in Europe instead of being close to his family, and Nikolas says, if he could take back the past few years… Elizabeth says she has to get to the hospital, and jets. Lulu asks what Nikolas did to upset her, and he says, it’s a long list. What did he walk in on? It sounded like they were in the middle of something important. Lulu says they were. They were talking about him.
Nina says, Ava had sex with her husband? and Ava says she can hardly believe it happened too. Now she’s confused. It was easy to hate Nikolas when he was manipulating and gaslighting her, but last night the bastard reminded her that he’s capable of passion, empathy, and deep humanity. Nina says, that’s awful, and Ava says, it’sterrible. She should have seen him with Avery. He was truly sincerely sad that Sonny’s father had passed away. It’s the first time since they were stuck on Cassadine Island that he’s treated her like a human being. Nina asks, now that she’s rediscovered his humanity, what does it mean for her marriage? Franco walks in.
Alexis thanks Valentin for being so kind. They don’t typically have a cordial relationship. He says she’s been kind to him. She was the only one who didn’t condemn him in the light of Sasha and Nina, and finding out he wasn’t a Cassadine. When he was at rock bottom, she reached out. He’s returning the favor. They might not be siblings, but they can be friends. She wonders if he’s going to give her friendly advice, but he says he’s fresh out, and doubts she would take if offered. But he can sip tea, and she can tell him about Neil. She says she got a notice for Neil’s memorial; it’s happening today. It bothers her that they boil people’s lives down to two sentences. Neil’s was, esteemed colleague and respected psychiatrist. He was a lot more than a professional bio and a tragic opioid statistic. Valentin says, tell him about Neil, and she says, he was a wonderful man, full of contradictions and interests. He loved the opera and vinyl records, and had courage. He saved children from dangerous cults, and he was a father. He sang to his daughter on the anniversary of her death each year for her. So they made a mess of their careers for each other, and were planning a future of hope the night he died. The next morning, that was all gone. He’s gone. Valentin says he’s sorry. Sam walks in, and says Molly texted and said she should check on Alexis. She sees Alexis’s cast, and says, you son of a bitch. What happened? Alexis says Valentin didn’t do it. She did it to herself.
Maxie says, Sam is usually guarded, and Brando flashes back to Sam telling him that if he tries to make trouble for Molly, he’ll be in a world of trouble with her. He says, doesn’t he know it, and Maxie says, it takes a special person to win Sam over. What did he do? He guesses he made the cut, and asks about her car. She says it’s her boyfriend’s car, and he asks what it was doing before it stopped running. She says, sputtering, and not accelerating, like it was losing its grip. It would stall, catch, then loose steam. A light came on, and they looked it up. Brando says, thecrankshaft position sensor, and she says, so he is good.
Dante says, Dr. Kirk did this. He got the director to rescind the offer. Dr. Kirk says Dante’s pulse is elevated, and he’s raising his voice. Dante says, no kidding. He moves closer to the doctor, who tells him, stop. Dante says Dr. Kirk told him going would be the right thing. He pounds on the door, and shouts that he was going to go home and rebuild his life. Now that’s being taken away. No way in hell is Dr. Kirk doing that to him.
Brando tells Maxie, he noticed she has two car seats, and she says she has two kids – Georgie, James, and another one on the way. She might as well sell the car and get a minivan. Oh God. Her in a minivan. He says he can see it, and she asks him if he has kids. He starts to say no, but says, yes; one boy. She says, he forgot? and Brando says, he’s a teen, and he didn’t know him in a car seat. She says there’s still time to get to know his son, and time to put a little one in a car seat. Does he want more kids? He says, most women don’t asks that question until the sixth date.
Sam tells Alexis that she’s surprised, and Alexis says osteoporosis surprised her too, but the scan says she definitely has it. Molly was there. She thought Alexis shouldn’t be alone, so she’s sure that’s why Molly texted. Sam says she’s glad Molly did. Who knows when Alexis would have told her about this. Alexis says she needed time alone to process it. Sam asks if that’s why she was having tea with Valentin, and Alexis says Valentin helped her open the door, and he invited himself in. Sam says, if she can’t open… and Alexis says she has a lot on her mind. She’s distracted. She’s been disbarred and lost her license to protect a man who died in her bed of an overdose. She just got a notice about his memorial, and found out on her phone five minutes ago. Meanwhile, she’s klutzing around with one good hand and weak bones. Her position has been diminished in her place too, and now she has to spend extra time getting the damn front door open.
Dr. Kirk tells Dante, step back, and Dante asks if the doctor is afraid of what he might do. After Dr. Kirk offered him hope, he snatched it away from him. Dante walks to the other side of the room, and says he’s not going to do that. Dr. Kirk says that’s what he told his superiors when they insisted on subjecting him to this exercise. They have an audience. He points to a camera, and says his superiors wanted him to assess whether Dante could handle the stress, to make sure he won’t harm any innocents in the course of his mission. Dante says, to make sure they’re not libel in case he snaps. The doctor says he passed the test, but it’s by no means the only metric measure of fitness. Going home won’t be easy. It will be harder than Dante can imagine, but he can still see his family, and let his demons go free.
Cameron asks Trina how she feels about the four of them going as friends. She guesses she feels fine. It’s what they all decided. What’s the problem? Is he having second thoughts?
Lulu says she’d love to believe Nikolas will make the right choice in the end, and not the lucrative one. He says he’s not ready to give up. She asks if he’s close to driving Ava away for good – he flashes back to him and Ava kissing – or is he having second thoughts?
Franco tells Nina and Ava, good morning. They all just look at each other, and he says he was hoping to find Nina. He wants to ask a favor. Cameron needs a tux, and he was hoping she might help him out. Nina tells him to call the office, and they’ll set it up. He says he knew he could count on her. She’s been a good friend, and always has his best intentions at heart. He goes back to the elevator, and Nina says, nice of Franco to say why he came there. She has a feeling it wasn’t about her. Ava says, maybe it’s because they kissed.
Brando tells Maxie, he’s starting a business, and has no time for a social life, but he does have two ladies he’s crazy about – Avery and Donna. He’s enjoying getting to know his family. Maxie asks, what about his son? and Brando says, he’s a great kid. He wouldn’t mind more… someday. She asks, what’s his son’s mom like? Are they still in touch? He says, no. Like he said, he didn’t even know about Dev until a year ago, but they’re forming a strong bond. Dev just came by and asked for help with a girl problem, although he’s the last guy for that. Maxie says she would think a guy like him had vast experience with women.
Sam tells Alexis, calm down. She knows it’s a shock, but osteoporosis isn’t a rare condition; a lot of women have it. Alexis says she knows that intellectually, but when Portia gave her the diagnosis, it was like she’d been run over by a truck. It’s a chronic condition, and doesn’t go away. She has a pamphlet listing treatments that will help manage it. Apparently, she’ll be making lifestyle changes. Sam looks at the pamphlet, and says she’s ahead with cutting back on alcohol. Eating leafy greens and more calcium, Molly has been telling her that for years. Alexis says, keep reading. She has to wear comfortable shoes, and take special care when she exercises to prevent a fall risking her bones. Sam says, life without heels can be daunting, but seriously, talk to her doctor and come up with a plan. Alexis says she thought she wouldn’t have to think about this for years. It’s too much. Valentin says she should make the necessary arrangements for her funeral. Would she like a pine box or a ceramic funerary urn?
Cameron tells Trina, he was thinking about how the decision came to be, and she tells him, just spit it out. He says he was thinking… Josslyn shows up, and says she didn’t think she’d make it. Cameron says he’s sorry to hear about Mike; he was a great guy. He hugs Josslyn, and Trina says, he was. Josslyn thanks them, and says her dad reminded her that Mike would want her to get on with her life. Have they decided anything? Trina says she started a playlist, but Cameron was about tell her something. Cameron says he doesn’t want this to get in the way, in case Trina was thinking about taking someone. Josslyn asks if there’s someone they don’t know about.
Nikolas says, it turns out he and Ava can’t hate each other for an extended period of time. Lulu asks if they’re getting along better, and he says he doesn’t know what happened. He thought the plan was foolproof until Ava overheard her talking about him and Spencer working together. She says he’s welcome, and he says, try not be happy for his failure. She says she’s on his side, and he says he supposes she is. She wonders if he’d be better off if he cut Ava loose and lost his fortune, than torturing her and losing his soul.
Nina says, Ava kissed Franco? and Ava says, it sort of happened. Nina says, like it sort of happened she slept with Nikolas? Was it mutual? Ava says, it seemed that way at the time. Afterwards, it was obvious it was a mistake. Nina says as an outsider looking at Ava’s marriage, it seems like she and Nikolas don’t hate each other as much as they think they do. Maybe a marriage of convenience could become something more, like a real marriage. Ava doesn’t know if last night was a one-time truce, or if Nikolas wants more, or wants anything at all. Nina says, who cares what Nikolas wants? What does Ava want?
Alexis says Valentin couldn’t be any more insensitive, but he’s right. It’s not a tragedy; it’s a setback. He says, it’s a fact of life. She has the option to give up or make adjustments. Sam thinks Valentin should keep his take on women’s health issues to himself, and Alexis says she knows Sam is trying to support her, but she has something to discuss with Valentin that doesn’t concern Sam. She hustles Sam to the door, and Sam says Alexis is making her nervous. Alexis says she knows what she’s doing, and Sam says she hopes so. Alexis promises to call. When Sam is gone, Alexis thanks Valentin. He completely overstepped, but he said what she needed to hear. He says she didn’t want to thank him in front of Sam, but she says she didn’t want Sam to know she wants to borrow his car and driver. He asks where she’s going, and she says, Neil’s memorial. She can’t drive herself, and needs to be there. It might give her insight into who Neil was, and why he did what he did. If she finds that out, she can learn to let go and start living her life.
Dr. Kirk gives Dante some medication, and says he’ll help Dante every step of the way. Dante says, with what? He still doesn’t know what he’s doing. Dr. Kirk gives him some papers, and says, his mission. He walks out, and Dante starts to read.
Brando says Maxie doesn’t hold back, does she? She says, there’s a new single guy in town, and she has single friends. She admits she’s trying to figure him out. He says he’ll call her a car, and she ponders.
Dr. Kirk goes into an office, and says, it’s done. Dante is going home, in spite of his strong misgivings. Dante thinks he’s in control, but he’s dangerously close to the edge, and could snap. The doctor knows he has no choice. If they say it has to happen, it has to happen.
Franco goes to the hospital, and sees Elizabeth. She says, good timing. She was just going to text him. She’d been catching up with Lulu, and saw Nikolas. He says, what a coincidence; he just saw Ava. He thinks they should talk, and Elizabeth agrees. She thinks they need to clear the air.
Trina says there is someone she wants to take, but it would be impossible. Josslyn asks, why? Trina is funny, smart, and popular. There’s no way guys aren’t lining up to ask her out. Trina thanks her, but she meant her dad. If he could be there, they could have one last father/daughter dance, where he’d be smiling and snapping photos, but obviously, that can’t happen. The four of them will just have to have a wonderful night. She suggests they get to it, and stop making it complicated.
Nikolas tells Lulu, his and Ava’s relationship might be dysfunctional, but his soul isn’t at risk. The more time he spends with Ava, the more he finds… Admire is a strong word… respect…? Lulu says, appreciate? and he says he wouldn’t go that far. Ava has a toughness that masks a deep vulnerability. She has a cutting sense of humor, and a maternal side that people wouldn’t guess of her. Lulu says she could be wrong, but it sounds like Nikolas is falling for his wife. Nikolas’s phone dings, and he sees a picture of him kissing Elizabeth. Underneath, it says, I know what you did.
Ava tells Nina, she’s not sure what she wants anymore. Nikolas is clearly a scoundrel. He hid from his family for years, and his gaslighting sent her straight to Shadybrook. Yet… Nina says, oh my God. Ava is falling for Nikolas. Ava’s phone dings, and she sees a picture of her and Franco kissing. Underneath, it says, I know what you did.
I can’t believe it. At the time someone snapped the photos, I told a friend that I wondered if it was the same person who would try to blackmail both of them, and she said she didn’t think so. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I was right.
Tomorrow, Scotty says the sky’s the limit, Avery tells Sonny the necklace is hers, and Carly tells Jason she did something he’s not going to like.
The Haves and The Have Nots
Vinny takes the gun from Sandy, and shoots Wyatt. Or so we think. Wyatt slumps to the floor, but he’s not shot. Vinny asks what the hell is wrong with Sandy? Is he a pansy? Sandy says, no, and Vinny says, he can’t shoot somebody? What kind of Malone can’t shoot somebody? Take the gun. Wyatt says his parents have money, but Vinny tells him, shut up, and says, this kid is a wuss. He asks if Sandy wants him to tell Mama Rose that he can’t pull the trigger. Sandy says he can do it; he’ll get better. Vinny says he won’t because he’s a wimp. He tells Sandy, get out of here, and Sandy says he’s not a wimp. Vinny says, the only person afraid of him is that girl of his. If he wants to carry the Malone name, he’d better step up. Mama Rose isn’t running this thing; he is. If Sandy thinks he’s going to put up with this sh*t… Sandy says he knows Vinny won’t. Vinny pats Sandy’s face, gives him the gun, and tells him to get the hell out. Sandy leaves, and Vinny wonders what to do with Wyatt. Wyatt begs, please, whatever Vinny wants, but Vinny asks if he said Wyatt could talk. Wyatt says, sorry, and Vinny says the only reason Wyatt is still alive is because he’s worth a million dollars. That’s what his mother says, but him? He wants Wyatt’s blood.
Vinny tells Wyatt to sit up. He’s not worth a million dollars to Vinny. He wants Wyatt dead. Vinny points to his neck, and says, Wyatt did this. Wyatt says, sorry, man, and Vinny asks if he said Wyatt could talk. WTF is wrong with him? What happened that he’s in this strung out position? Does he ever trade sex for a fix? Wyatt says, no, but Vinny bets he has. Look at those lips. His mom and dad gave him everything. If Vinny had his life, he could have been President. He asks what happened to Wyatt’s wrists? and Wyatt says he cut them. Vinny asks if he’s talking about trying to kill himself, but Wyatt says he was trying to get out of jail. Vinny says, he was in jail? This story gets better and better. Wyatt says he was trying to get out and get to a hospital to get pain meds, but he found another way out. Vinny asks if he made bail, but Wyatt says he escaped. Vinny asks what Wyatt was in jail for, and Wyatt says he shot his parents. Vinny says, man, you ungrateful piece of crap. He should do everyone a favor and kill Wyatt. The hell with the million. It’s what Mama Rose wants. Wyatt’s mother got fresh with his mother, and now she wants a million. He thought his family was bad, but Wyatt’s family sucks. Wyatt stats to cry, and Vinny asks if he looks like a therapist. Don’t cry.
On the phone, Benny says he’ll come by someone’s office. Candace comes in from the bathroom, and Benny says they want $18 for a water, and the phone is $2 a minute. She says, thank God he has his cell. He says the realtor sounds hot, and she tells him, don’t be a douche. She asks if he’s meeting with her, and he says he is. She asks what his price range is, and he says she knows him. She tells him, get something nice, and he asks if she wants to come meet with the realtor. She says she’s not feeling well. She thinks she ate something bad. He says, the $45 hamburger. She tells him to send pictures, and he leaves. Candace calls Mitch, who asks, what’s going on? She asks if he can come over, and gives him her room number.
At Charles’s house, Conley has a drink. Landon comes in, and Conley asks if he’s not Charles’s Press Secretary. He’s been watching, and thinks Landon is doing a good job. He’s also been watching Landon and him; he takes good care of him. Landon says, he’s an important man. Conley says, he is, but the attention Landon gives him is more personal. Landon says it’s his job, but Conley says he goes above and beyond. He tells Landon, don’t apologize; it’s a good thing. He needs looking after. Landon thanks him, and says he thinks so too. Conley says, so tell him about Candace Young. Landon says, well… and Conley says he knows Charles loves her. He knows Landon’s been doing clean-up with the press, and it’s going well. He thinks Charles should reach out to her. Landon says, well… and Conley says, do him a favor. Stop saying well. Charles told him that Landon knows Candace. Landon says he does, and Conley says, and…? Landon says, well… and Conley tells him, stop. Landon says he’s not comfortable talking about this. Conley says, then he won’t press it. So does Landon think Charles should reach out? Just answer the question, boy. Landon says he thinks if Charles wanted to, he would. Conley says, no; he wouldn’t. Conley suggests he reach out, but Landon says, that’s not a good idea, and Conley says, he knows this? Conley has known Charles since Charles was his student years ago. Landon says, he’s not a college kid; he’s President Elect. Charles has got to consider that in his decisions. Conley says he’s right. Charles should keep him around. He’s smart. Landon thanks him, and jets.
Veronica knocks on the window to get Samuel’s attention. He comes in, and she asks if she can talk to him. He says he’s a little sweaty, but she says she likes sweaty. He asks, what’s up? and she says she’s having a hard time reaching a cake plate. She asks if he can get for her, and he takes it down. She says he’s very handsome… and tall. She’s sure his wife appreciates it. He says she does, and Veronica asks if he’s happily married. He says, yes, and she laughs. He asks, what’s funny? and she says she laughs when men say they’re happily married. She knows they’re lying. He says he loves Laura very much; he adores her. Veronica asks if he’s cheated, but he says, no. She says he’s lying, but he says he hasn’t. Call Laura; she’ll tell her. She says, Laura went to the store, and why would she know? Maybe he’s just that good. He says he’s never cheated, and she says, there are a lot of unlucky women out there. He’s man enough to go around. He thanks her, and asks if he can go back to cleaning the pool. She asks if that’s all he wants; just to be a pool boy. He says he told her that he’s a contractor, and she asks if he doesn’t want to be rich. Doesn’t he want all this? He says, it’s nice, but he’s happy with his life. She says, nobody is happy with their life. He says she’s hanging around with the wrong people. She asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to take a load off; have a drink. He says he doesn’t drink. She asks if he’s in recovery, and he says it’s not his thing. He’s not into it. He thanks her, and goes back to work. She says she’ll have him drinking, cheating, cussing, and in her bed in no time. She could use a man like him. Kind of dumb, but pretty. He doesn’t have to talk.
Candace let’s Mitch in, and thanks him for coming. He says, she calls, he comes, and asks, what’s going on? She says, Benny. What did Mitch say to him? Mitch says he told Benny that he had the wrong guy and had bogus information. Why? She says, Benny is acting strange. He’s too calm. It’s as if they’d never talked about Derrick being a rapist. Benny is up to something. Mitch says, with Derrick? and she says, yeah. Mitch guesses Benny fell for it, but Candace isn’t sure, and asks Mitch to keep an eye on him. He says she could have asked on the phone, and she says she just wanted company. Not like that. He ask if she’s okay, and she says she’s just trying to clear her mind. Mitch says, of what? and she says, of him. He says, Mr. President? and she says, yeah, but she doesn’t want to talk about him. Mitch says, sometimes it’s good to talk about things like this, but she says she can’t. He asks, why not? and she shakes her head. He says, oh man. The last time he saw that face was when they broke up. He thinks she loves Charles, but she says, no. What does it matter? He says, it matters a lot, and she says Charles treated her like sh*t, so there’s that. He asks what Charles did exactly, and she says, before or after he had her escorted out of his house, and put her in the car trunk? Mitch says, not cool. Sorry about that. He knows her, so talk to him. She says she’s still in love with Charles. He had her believe everything they went through was over, and he also had her believe they’d be together through thick and thin, but when the thick started to happen… Mitch says he gets it, but she’s got to understand, he’s the President Elect. A guy in that position’s got a choice to make. She says, he didn’t have to lie, and Mitch says, he made a choice. She says she wanted to be that choice, and he says he’s sorry. She says she believed him, and believed her dream had come true. The truth is, she’s done so much sh*t in her life, no matter how far she runs away and thinks it’s behind her, it will always hunt her down. He says she’s a strong woman. She’ll always have that, and she’ll be fine. Take the money she’s got and start over. But don’t be surprised if Mr. President shows his face again. She says, that’s what Landon said, and Mitch says, maybe he’s right. She says she doesn’t think so, but you never know. Mitch looks at the bottles on the table, and says they have drinks sitting there; he might as well have one. I say, that’s probably $80. He asks if she wants one, but she says, no. He says he’ll make himself a double. She tells him, don’t drink too much, and he says, okay, mom. He tells her, she’s beautiful, and she’ll be fine. He’ll check on Benny. He downs his drink, and she thanks him. He thanks her for the drink, kisses her cheek, and leaves.
A guy walks into Madison’s apartment, and starts taking off his clothes. Jeffrey comes out of the bathroom in a towel, and the guy says he was just about to join him. He realizes it’s not Madison, and says, sorry. Jeffrey asks who he is, and he says, Colby. Who’s he? Jeffrey says, a friend of Madison’s. Colby says he’s embarrassed, and Jeffrey says, obviously he knows Madison pretty well to walk in and get naked. Colby apologizes, and says he knows where Madison leaves the key. He asks if Jeffrey is dating Madison, but Jeffrey says, no. Colby says, then he’s like an escort? and Jeffrey says, no. Colby says Jeffrey looks like a guy he knows who’s a stripper; Leo. Jeffrey says he’s not him, and Colby says, okay, sorry. He’s just going to go. Jeffrey says he was just leaving, and asks how Colby knows Madison. Colby says, he’s a friend, and Jeffrey asks, what kind? Colby says, his ex, and Jeffrey asks how long he and Madison were together. Colby says, about a year, and Jeffrey asks, what happened? Colby says they both decided it was best if they went in different directions. Jeffrey says, but he’s still coming over for sex? and Colby says, sometimes. He’s said too much. He asks again if Jeffrey and Madison are dating, and Jeffrey says he asked already; no. Colby says, so it’s just hook-up sex. Jeffrey asks Colby to please finish putting on his clothes, and Colby asks if he’s turning Jeffrey on. Jeffrey tells him, put his clothes on, and Colby says, can Jeffrey? Jeffrey says he’s got to get going, and Colby asks, why the rush? Jeffrey says he has a lunch date – with Madison. Colby asks if Jeffrey is thinking what he’s thinking. They can both say hi together. Jeffrey says he’d love that. Colby asks if Jeffrey wants to ride with him; he has a nice bike. Jeffrey declines, and Colby says he’ll go with Jeffrey then. He asks Jeffrey to drop his towel. He wants to see what Jeffrey is hiding; his ass is out of this world. Jeffrey says Colby’s is too, and Colby says, squats… and lots of sex. Jeffrey says he’ll get changed, and Colby asks if he needs help. Jeffrey says he’s good, and Colby says he has skin like honey. Jeffrey says he’s heard that before, and Colby asks if he’s sure he’s not Leo.
Jim asks what David found out, but David says he wasn’t able to get any information from the police; they need to talk to Jim. Jim says, dammit, and David gives him a note, saying, it’s the password. Jim thanks him, and David calls the tracking company. He says he has Jim on the line, and Jim takes the phone. He says he has the password, but then looks at David, and says, this can’t be right. David says it is, Jim tells the tracking rep, thank you Jesus, and they laugh. Jim says he needs to know where the car is. They have his phone on file; ping it. Almost immediately, he gets an update, and tells David, it’s at 2343 Western. David says, that’s the Malone place, but Jim says, Wyatt’s not that stupid. David insists it’s the Iron Bone, and Jim says he needs to get out. He tries to sit up, and says he needs to find his son. David says Jim can’t run after Wyatt; he was just shot. Jim says David ran after Veronica after she tried to burn him, but David says, he’ll handle it. Jim agrees, and thanks him. He tries to call Mama Rose, and says, the phone’s been disconnected. She’s had the same number for 30 years. David says he’ll go over there. Staycalm. He’ll call with an update.
Tanner asks, what makes Justin do that? Justin says, what? and Tanner says, with other men. Justin says he doesn’t know, and Tanner says, no brother of his is a queer. Justin says he’s not queer, and Tanner says, gay then. Justin says he’s not gay, and Tanner says that’s not what he heard; Justin is gay and disgusting. Justin says he’s sorry for disappointing Tanner. He doesn’t know how he got like this. Tanner says he told Justin to stop playing with his cousins, and playing with pom-poms. Justin says he was six years old, and Tanner asks if he’s defending what he did. Justin says he’s just saying, and Tanner says he told Justin what it was to be a man, didn’t he? Does Justin know how bad it looks on him? Justin says it has nothing to do with Tanner, but Tanner says, it has everything to do with him. Their dad died, and he was the man of the house, and Justin wanted to act like a little girl, a p*ssy. He toughened Justin up. Remember what he did? Justin enjoyed it. Justin says he didn’t. She was fifteen and he was six. Tanner asks what’s wrong with Justin? He was fifteen too. Justin says he was six the first time he was with a girl; it’s not the same. Tanner says he’s going to fix this thing. Justin can’t be this, understand? It’s killing him and their mom and Justin’s wife. He told them that he’d talk to Justin, and he’d get himself together, understand? Justin says, yeah, and Tanner says he loves Justin. Wow. He has a funny way of showing it.
David walks into the Iron Bone, and approaches Sandy at the bar. He says he’s there to see… and Sandy says, nobody; they’re closed. David asks if Sandy knows who he is, but Sandy says he doesn’t care; they’re closed. David asks where Mama Rose is, and Sandy asks if David didn’t hear what he said. They’re not open. David says there’s a car outside that belongs to Wyatt Cryer, and he needs to find him. Has he been there? Sandy asks if David is hard of hearing, and tells the bouncers to take David out. David says, okay, and the bouncers steer him to the door. Sandy says, don’t come back. Vinny walks in while he’s on the phone. He asks someone if they’re sure about it, and thanks them. He sits down and looks at Sandy. Sandy says, sorry, Uncle Vin, and Vinny asks what he’s sorry about. Sandy says he’ll get better, and Vinny says, yes, he will. Sandy promises, and Vinny says, Mama Rose is retiring, and Mitch doesn’t want to be in the family business. He’s all that’s left, and he’ll be damned if he’ll let the Jews and Blacks take over. Sandy’s got no kids; he has five. Sandy and Mitch have nothing, and family is everything. Sandy had better start. Sandy says, he’s on it, and Vinny says Sandy said that about the girl who just had an abortion. Sandy says he didn’t know she was doing it, and Vinny says, there are a lot of things he doesn’t know. Vinny pats Sandy on the back, and says, got to get better, kid.
Hanna looks at paperwork at the Cryers, and rubs her forehead. There’s a knock at the door, and Marty comes in. He asks how she’s doing. He heard there was a break in, and she says, at least they got the door fixed. He asks if anything was taken, and she says a lot of Kathryn’s jewelry. He asks if they know who did it, and she says, Wyatt. He says, Wyatt is in jail, but Hanna says, it was him. Marty says he met with the accountant, and he wants to go over some stuff. He asks if they can set up a time. How about tonight? She agrees, and he asks if she’s starting to get the hang of this, but she says, it’s a lot of information. He tells her, don’t try to do it all at once. It takes people years to learn. She says she doesn’t have years; she was thrown into this position. He tells her, have faith, and she thanks him.
Kendrick (yep, misheard his name last week, and again wish they would all wear nametags) gives Kathryn some food wrapped in tin foil. She says, clearly, they don’t want her going to the cafeteria, and asks if he has any word on her son. Kendrick tells her, the hospital said he’s okay. She says, thank God, but he says, there’s been another problem. She says she thought everything was okay, and Kendrick says, he escaped. Apparently, he got out of his cuffs, and walked straight out. There was a break-in at her place, and it was him. He’s sorry. Kathryn asks if she can make a phone call, but he says, sorry, but they said she can’t. He needs his job. His wife just had a child, and he just started. She asks if he can make a call for her, but he says he doesn’t want to lose his job. She asks how much they’re paying him, and he says, fifty. She says, a year? How is he supposed to survive on that? He says he lives a modest life, and she says she can get him anything he needs if he’ll just help her. He says he doesn’t need anything, but she says she’ll get him money; just make a phone call for her. He says, okay, but he’ll come back after his shift change; his boss there. He’s not supposed to be talking to her. He jets, and a man walks over to Kathryn’s cell. He says he’s Chief Shepherd, and she says, finally, someone in charge. She needs to talk to him about the conditions in there. He says she’s not at a hotel, and she says she knows, but she’s been sleeping on a bench every night. He says she’s in jail, and she’s there for her own safety. She asks what he means, and he asks if she’d like to go to prison. She says, no, but she’d like to sleep on something other than a bench. He says, it’s as nice as it’s going to get. He needs to go look into an officer who was shot on duty. She says she needs him to look into something more comfortable. He says as soon as she looks into that million dollars. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, he was told someone asked her for a million dollars for her son, and she refused. Kathryn says, so he’s working for her. He says he doesn’t know what she means, and she says he’s on her payroll. Tell that bitch she’s never paying any money. He says, what if he told her that her son was with them? She says she’d tell him that he’s lying. He asks if she wants to take that chance, and she says she’s not paying a dime. He doesn’t scare her, and she will get even. He says he doesn’t know what she means. He’ll try to make her more comfortable. He walks down the hallway, and makes a phone call. He says, she said no, and hangs up.
The realtor is on the phone in her office, and says, please stop; she has to work. Benny comes in, and she tells him that she pulled the listing. He asks if she’s okay; she looks like she’s been crying. She says, allergies, and gives him a folder to look at. She leaves, and his phone rings. He says, yo, and Veronica asks if that’s any way to talk. He asks what she wants, and she says he asked for information on Derrick, and he says he already got it. She says, then he doesn’t want it, and he says, just tell him. She says Derrick was in jail in Savannah. She thinks it’s his guy. He said he wanted to know about the guy who raped his mom. He asks how she knows, and she says she’s Veronica. She knows these things. He asks for the address, saying he’s going to kill Derrick, and she hangs up.
Next time – October 6th – retribution is coming; Veronica tells Benny that Derrick has a record as long as his penis; Kathryn says she might be in jail, but she’s still Kathryn Cryer; Veronica tells Samuel that she loves covered in sweat; Benny asks Mitch why he lied; and Benny finds Derrick.
🌅 The Sun Also Rises…
But maybe I can get to bed before it does. Meet me for some tea tomorrow, but in the meantime, stay safe, stay high-spirited, and stay eating your leafy greens.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 