What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth sees Franco’s painting of her propped up on the mantel, and drops the mail in her hands. We see someone in a pair of boots is also in the house.

Sam hugs Drew, and says, it’s good to have him back safe and sound. He must be relieved that Peter is dead. He says he’s especially relieved that Maxie is safe and finally reunited with her daughter. She says, Peter held him prisoner for two years, and kept him away from his own daughter. He says, and killed his brother, so yeah, he’s glad Peter is dead. He feels free, and now that he does, he’s thinking about his own future.

At the MetroCourt bar, Carly says she’s sorry she missed the staff meeting, and asks Olivia how it went. Olivia says, it was great, and asks how the kids are. Carly says, the kids are fine, but that’s not why she’s late. She’s late because she went to file her divorce papers. Olivia says, already? and asks how she feels. Carly says, like a failure.

Willow is digging through her bag at the hospital, and Michael asks if she forgot something. She turns around to see him with her tablet, and she says, he’s a life saver. She has a huge exam to study for and all her notes are on it. She asks, what’s going on? and he says, his mom called. She filed the papers, so the divorce is in motion. She wanted him to be prepared to answer questions from Donna and Avery, and help with the transition. Willow says she’s so sorry his family is going through this. She hates bringing this up, but thinks now’s the time. He says, time for what? and she says, to have a talk about Nina.

Curtis and Stella walk into Charlie’s, and she thanks him for indulging her craving. He says, only because she agreed to share, but she tells him that he’d better get his own. At the bar, Nina flashes back to telling Drew that she doesn’t care what anyone thinks anymore. She just wants to move on with her life. He says, with Sonny, and she says she cares about Sonny, but they’re not together. He asks if Sonny knows that. Curtis says, long time, no see, and Nina hugs him and Stella, saying, this is her lucky day. She’d ask them to join her, but she’s actually leaving. She was dawdling, hoping she could talk to Phyllis, but she’s not going to be in until later. Stella says she’s sorry they missed her; she likes Phyllis too. Nina says, Phyllis always knows the perfect thing to say, and she needed that today. Curtis says, then it’s a good thing they came to Charlie’s. What’s on her mind?

Chase asks, what strange things have been happening to Elizabeth? and Finn says, there was a fire in Franco’s art studio; the police think it was arson. Then the night of their first date, Elizabeth found her wedding ring in her locker at work, which was weird because she’d left it at home. Then she was going to donate some clothing, and discovered the dress she married Franco in, completely cut to shreds. Chase says, it’s suspicious that everything had significance to Franco, and Finn says, it is. They thought maybe one of the boys was having a problem with him seeing their mom, but Chase says, those are sophisticated pranks for kids. Finn says, agreed. Then again, these boys aren’t kids anymore.

Elizabeth turns around, and gasps. It’s Cameron, who says he’s sorry; he didn’t mean to startle her. Is she okay? She says she didn’t hear him come in, she was so distracted by the portrait. He says, that’s the portrait of her that Franco painted. He thought it was destroyed in the fire. She says, so did she. When she walked in, it was just there. She never thought she would see it again. He says, she didn’t put it there? and she says, no. Was it here when he got home? He says, yeah, but he got here ten minutes ago. He crashed in Carter’s dorm room. What’s going on? She says she’s not sure. Aiden spent the night at Laura’s last night, and Jake is at an overnight trip for school, so she slept at the hospital. As far as she knows, nobody’s been home for the past 24 hours. Which means whoever put that there was in their house. She needs to check on the boys and make sure they’re okay and where they’re supposed to be. He asks what he should do, and she says, call the police.

Chase says, whoever did this had access to Elizabeth’s wedding ring, which means they also had access to her house, and also access to her locker at General Hospital. Does Finn remember what day it was, or if there were any signs of Elizabeth’s locker being tampered with? Because they can access the footage at the hospital. Finn tells him to slow down. He’s not even sure Elizabeth would want Chase to know about this. Chase says, then what are they going to do about it? and Finn says, Chase is his brother, so he told him, but they have to wait and see what Elizabeth wants to do about it. How long before Chase is reinstated anyway? Chase says, a few months. He can’t wait. Finn asks if he’s given any thought to what he’s going to do in the meantime, but Chase says he hasn’t given it much thought. Don’t worry about him; he’ll be fine.

Willow says, remember when she told Michael that she ran into Nina the other night at the hospital? and he says, the night he found out about Nina and his dad? Yes. She says, Nina made a point of asking if there was a way for her to see Wiley, even if she and Carly could never get along, and he says he’s guessing she skipped over the part where his mom had just found Nina and his dad in bed together. She says, Nina played her. She intentionally held back about what she’d done, knowing full well something that monumental would have ramifications for their whole family, and of course (🍷) affect her relationship with Wiley. He says she knows how he feels about Nina, but his dad doesn’t get a pass; he’s just as much to blame. She says, it’s a pattern with Nina. She reaches out, makes a pitch for access to Wiley, and carefully omits whatever objectionable thing she’s done. She doesn’t want to keep Wiley from family members who love him, but she thinks Michael was right all along. Nina isn’t the type of person she wants in Wiley’s life.

Stella says she knows what she wants, and asks if she can get Nina anything, but Nina says, no. Curtis says he’ll have a double order of whatever Stella’s having, and Stella says, coming right up. She goes to the bar, and Curtis tells Nina, she won’t be gone long, so they better talk fast. What’s going on with her, and does it have to do with Sonny? She says, that was a quick change of subject, and he says, the last time he saw her was at The Savoy when she diffused tensions between Sonny and his father. She says, Sonny wasn’t himself that night, and he says, he’s never seen Sonny like that. She says, but his father, she’s never seen anyone stand up to Sonny like that, and he says, it’s not his father’s first time dealing with someone of Sonny’s caliber. She asks how he feels about that, and he says, nice deflection. He just accepted it, and accepted he’s never going to get the answers he wants from Marshall, so he let it go. It definitely eased tensions between his father and him, but then things changed.

Olivia brings Carly a drink, and says, it’s five o’clock somewhere. Carly says she knows she made the right decision, but it’s just hitting her pretty hard, and Olivia says, of course (🍷) it is, because she’s not a robot. Does she want to talk about it? Carly says, no, she thinks she should just work, but Olivia says, forget work. What is the strongest emotion she’s feeling right now? Carly says, disappointment. Obviously in Sonny, but also in herself, because she just wants to be done with it. She keeps asking herself over and over again, what happened? How could her marriage be over? How could she mean so little to Sonny in the end? Then she has to stop herself, because whatever Sonny does or however Sonny feels, it’s not her problem anymore.

Drew tells Sam that he’s considering a leadership position at Aurora, and taking a more active role. He knows she hired Michael as head of media, and he’s doing a great job. The numbers are solid, so he doesn’t want to step on what Michael’s doing, but he does have ideas on where the company should go. Sam says he doesn’t need her approval. He still owns the company, and now that Jax is devested due to conflicts of interest, he can implement anything he wants. She thinks he should go for it. Her phone beeps, and she says she has another appointment; she has to run. He has her full support.

Sam goes to the bar, and joins Olivia and Carly. She says, so are they doing this? and Carly asks what they’re doing. Olivia says she took the liberty of planning a little something to help Carly process her emotions. Carly says, okay, and drains her glass.

The three women go to an ax-throwing place that also serves alcohol (great combination), and Carly asks if they’re really doing this. Olivia says, damn straight. We’re going to throw some axes, ladies.

Nina asks if something happened between Curtis and his dad, when Stella comes back. She says she thought Curtis was making progress with Marshall, and Curtis says, they were. Where’s the food? Stella says, it’s coming. He was saying? Curtis says, he and Portia are moving in together, so the equation has changed. Nina says, that’s great news. She’s glad things are working out for him. He says, they are, but with his situation changing, he needs to know more about his father’s past. Stella says she thought he made his peace with that, and he says he was keeping an open mind. Marshall, of his own admission, said he got mixed up with some dangerous people. So now that Portia is moving in with him, he needs to know he’s not putting her life at risk. If he’s going to let Marshall in his life, he needs to know more about his. Stella says, give him time, but Curtis says, it’s not dependent on Marshall anymore. Drew is helping him find out what Marshall’s been hiding. Nina’s phone dings, and she says she’s sorry. She’d love to stay, but she can’t. She says it was nice to see Stella, and hugs Curtis, telling him that she loves him and to be safe. She leaves, and Stella asks if Curtis is out of his damn mind. He says, absolutely not. He just wants to protect the people he loves. She asks, how? What exactly is he planning?

Drew shakes Marshall’s hand, and says he’s glad Marshall gave him a call. Marshall says Drew had him curious at this proposition, and they sit. Drew says, now that he’s back in town, he’s getting more involved with his media company. He’s not exactly sure how much Marshall knows about his past, and Marshall says, Curtis told him that Drew had been presumed dead for two years, but had really been captured by this August guy. Drew says, sad, but true, and Marshall says he’s been doing some reading about Drew online. He knows Drew is a member of the Quartermaine family, and he also read about Drew’s brother who died. Drew says Marshall has done his homework, and Marshall says he always likes to know about the people he’s potentially doing business with. He hopes that doesn’t make Drew feel uncomfortable. Drew says, not at all. He feels exactly the same way.

Finn tells Chase, he wouldn’t pretend to know the first thing about life or love. He just wants his little brother to find the happiness he deserves. If there’s anything Chase needs, Finn’s here for him. Chase thanks him, and Finn’s phone rings. He says, it’s Elizabeth, and tells her that he’s sorry he’s late. He stopped at Chase’s, and he’s on his way right now. Elizabeth says, someone broke into her house, and he asks if she and the boys are okay. She says, nobody was home, and he says, that’s good. Was anything taken? She says she doesn’t know; she hasn’t had a chance to look. Does he remember she told him about that painting Franco did of her? He says, she told him that she was sorry she didn’t bring it home. It got destroyed in that fire in the studio. She says, except it didn’t. Somehow that painting survived, and whoever broke in, placed it front and center in her house. She has to go; the police are here. Finn says he’s on his way, and Chase asks, what happened? Finn says, someone broke into Elizabeth’s house, and Chase says he’ll come with Finn, but Finn thinks Chase being at a crime scene while he’s on suspension isn’t a good look. Chase tells Finn to call and keep him posted, and Finn says, absolutely.

Michael says he’s all for keeping Nina away from Wiley, especially now, but something tells him that they should take their time and look at the situation from all angles, so they know emotion isn’t driving their decision. The bottom line is, they both want what’s best for Wiley. She says she’s glad she talked to him about this. She’s really angry at Nina right now for a variety of reasons, but they don’t know what will happen in the future, right? Carly and Sonny could reconcile. He says he loves her optimism, but she shouldn’t hold her breath, and she says she thought Chase would never forgive her when he found out about them, but they found a way past the pain and betrayal, and he forgave her… At least until she kind of blew everything up again. He says he thinks she means we. They judged Chase and Brook for sleeping together, when the whole time, they were actually trying to protect Maxie’s baby. She says, now they owe them an apology; she especially owes one to Brook. He suggests they stop by tonight, but she says she has a big exam tomorrow. If he wants to go without her, she promises to touch base with them tomorrow. He says, that works, and tells her, study hard. He’ll see her at the house later. They kiss, and she says she’ll try not to be too late, and Michael leaves. Willow sits down, and Nina comes by.

Finn runs into Elizabeth’s house, and asks if she’s all right. She hugs him, and says she’s a little freaked out. Dante joins them, and says, there’s no evidence of forced break-in anywhere. Could this person have stolen a key? She says she used her key to get in, and Cameron says, him too. Dante asks, what about his brothers? and Cameron says, they have their own housekeys, but Aiden’s at school and Jake is at the library doing a project. Elizabeth says, there’s a hidden key out front, but only she and the boys know about it. Of course (🍷) Franco knew. Dante says he supposes whoever broke in could have used that one. Is she sure the painting was in the studio at the time of the fire? She says, yes; she never moved it. He says, it seems that whoever this arsonist is, is the same person who broke into her house. Elizabeth says, oh my God. She thinks she knows who did this.

Drew says, he wants to expand into the jazz empire. With Aurora’s reach, he really believes they can help talented artists connect with their audiences. He has to confess, he’s not even a novice. He knows little to nothing about jazz. He needs expert advice. He needs a consultant or a concierge, if you will. Somebody who really has a feeling for the music, and where it’s evolving. Marshall says, it sounds like he’s Drew’s man, and Drew says he needs Marshall’s experience. Has he always strictly been a gig musician? Marshall says, it’s how he made the majority of his money, but a job in that field is feast or famine, so from time to time, he had to take jobs to pay the bills. Drew asks, what about now? and Marshall says he hasn’t had a steady gig since he came to Port Charles. He’s starting over and going to reestablish himself. Drew says, he knows the feeling, and Marshall says he supposes Drew does. Come on, man. He knows what this is. Curtis put him up to this, didn’t he?

Curtis says, Drew is just helping him get answers to the questions Marshall refuses to answer, and Stella says, in other words, he’s sneaking around. No good has ever come from that. He says he was a former P.I. Sometimes sneaking around is the only way to get to the truth. If it was just him, he could let it go, but he has Portia and Trina to consider. Marshall left this family for decades. That speaks volumes for how dangerous the folks he was running with are. She says, Portia knows what he does about his father, and she’s still in. Give her credit for making her own choices. He says, what about Trina? He doesn’t want to gamble with her safety. He pulled her out of danger one time, and doesn’t want to put her back in it again. He needs complete answers. She says she understands that, but she’s just worried he’s going about it the wrong way. Instead of him and Drew sneaking around like spies, why doesn’t he do what she suggested, and talk to him. He says he’s tried repeatedly; with Marshall, it’s always a dead end. He’s made it abundantly clear, he’s only going to tell Curtis so much. He knows Stella has her opinions, but could she please trust that he knows what he’s doing? She asks if he remembers when she interfered with his and Portia’s relationship, and he says, how could he forget? She says she stuck her nose in where it didn’t belong, and Trina was hurt as a result. If he keeps poking around behind Marshall’s back. someone could get hurt, and she’s afraid that someone will be him.

Chase is about to go out the door with a box, and finds Michael about to knock. He says, Brook’s not here, and Michael asks if he can come in. Chase says, sure, and Michael says he was hoping to talk to both of them. Will Brook be back soon? Chase says, she’s in Bensonhurst visiting her mother. It’s been rough on her, giving Bailey back to Maxie. She needed to decompress. He’s packing up his things, and he and Michael are far from friends right now, so can it wait? Michael says he’s afraid not.

Carly says, this is ridiculous, but Olivia says, this is therapeutic. Instead of avoiding her emotions, she can release them by throwing an ax at some wood. She even brought a picture for inspiration. She shows a picture of Nina to Carly, but Carly tells her to put it away; she’ll use her imagination. They throw axes, and there’s a song part, but it’s not nearly as fun as when Anna and Obrecht smashed stuff.

Nina tells Willow that she’s visiting her photo editor; she got her appendix out. Willow tells her, enjoy the visit. If Nina will excuse her, she has a big exam to study for. Nina asks if she can spare a few minutes, but Willow says she has a lot of notes to go over. Nina promises it won’t take long. She was hoping after their conversation the other day, Willow was more open to her spending time with Wiley; maybe this weekend. Willow says she can’t talk about this right now, but Nina says, she’s missing her grandson. She knows Willow has to discuss it with Michael, but she was wondering if Willow could give her any indication of how he’s feeling. Willow says she’s astounded that Nina would ask her about Wiley, given the situation with Michael’s parents. Nina says she’s sorry Carly and Sonny weren’t able to work things out, but she doesn’t see how it has any bearing on her relationship with Wiley. Willow says, Carly caught Nina in bed with Sonny. Nina went after a married man like a heat seeking missile, and she doesn’t see why they’d have a problem with that? Nina guesses she shouldn’t be surprised Willow found out, but she never intended for that to happen. Willow asks if Nina keeps a running tally on how many times she’s used that phrase. How many lives have been ruined or damaged by things she never intended? How the hell can Nina ask Willow to advocate for her when she doesn’t believe a word Nina says?

Drew says, it’s a job interview, and Marshall says, and Drew is only doing this because Curtis asked him to help Marshall out. Or does Drew expect him believe he’d hire a musician he doesn’t know to be his jazz concierge? He’s nobody’s charity case, least of all his son’s. The interview is over. He gets up, and Drew says, hear him out.

Michael says he came to apologize, and Chase says, for what? Michael says he had no right coming down so hard on Chase about Brook and Bailey. He’s sorry. Chase says, apology accepted, and Michael says, that was way too easy. Chase says, he’s in the middle of packing up his life; he doesn’t really have it in him to lay into Michael right now, even though he most definitely deserves it. Michael says, Chase loved Bailey too. He can only imagine what Chase must be going through having to let her go. Would he feel better unloading? Chase took a lot of heat from everyone, himself included. He got suspended from the PCPD. He was doing a good thing; Michael had no right to judge. Chase says, Michael had zero right. He acted like Chase sleeping with Brook – which did not happen, by the way – was on par with what Michael and Willow did to him. Michael slept with his wife, and then had the nerve to lay into him because he hurt Willow’s feelings? Cut the crap. The real reason he’s here is to absolve his own guilt. It’s selfish and self-righteous. Michael asks if Chase feels better, and Chase says, actually, yeah. Wow. It would take a lot more than that for me to feel better.

Dante says, Elizabeth has a suspect? and she says, Betsy Frank. He says, Franco’s mother, and Finn asks if she told Dante about the other incident. She says she did, and Dante asks what evidence she has that points to Betsy. She says, Betsy sent her a Valentine’s card. It was very gothic, almost morbid. So she called Betsy today, and it turns out she’s in town visiting Franco’s grave. Convenient, doesn’t he think? She claims she just got here, but she could have been here for months. Dante says he’d like to see the card, but what did she and Betsy talk about? She says, Betsy told her about visiting Franco’s grave, and that she likes to pretend he’s still alive. She also knows Elizabeth is dating Finn because Betsy follows her on social media, which makes her wonder if that pushed her over the edge. Finn says he doesn’t know this woman at all, but for her to go to those lengths seems kind of extreme. Elizabeth says, Betsy’s not there on a good day, and now she’s grieving. People can be pushed to do desperate things while they’re grieving.

Nina wonders where this is coming from. She thought she and Willow had a cordial conversation the other day. Willow says, they did, but she realized it’s just part of Nina’s pattern. Every time she thinks they’ve made headway, she finds out Nina held onto information, or just plain lied by omission. Nina says, what happened between her and Sonny is no one else’s business, and Willow asks, then why go out of her way to drop hints that things between her and Carly were irreconcilable? This isn’t the first time Nina threw her under the bus, but it’s going to be the last. If she’s going to create discord between Michael’s parents, then be nice to her while withholding that information, Willow is going to feel used, played. And trust her, she’s going to resent it. Nina says she’s not trying to play Willow. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. She’s so appreciative of Willow trying to be her ally. Willow says, she’s not Nina’s ally; she’s Wiley’s mother. And until Wiley is old enough, it’s her job to decide what’s best for him, and that includes vetting the people he spends time with. Nina says, Wiley is her family. He’s her grandson. He’s the only thing she has left of her daughter. He’s her blood. Willow says, blood doesn’t entitle Nina to have a relationship with someone. Not if she’s going to hurt them.

Stella says, maybe Curtis should trust that Marshall knows what’s safe or not safe. He’s the one who’s lived his life, and in a much better position to judge than Curtis. Curtis says he wants to know and trust his father, but he can’t do that when he’s so closed off, and Stella says, he needs to trust Curtis too. Give the relationship time to grow; put in the work. Maybe then Marshall will disclose the things he wants to know. But mark her words, if he sneaks around in Marshall’s private business, there will be no chance of that happening.

Drew says, Curtis did ask him to interview Marshall for this job, and he was happy to oblige because he needs a jazz musician. Curtis thought Marshall would be a good fit, and he agreed. Is it so terrible his son is trying to help him out? Marshall says, he supposes not, and sits back down. Drew says, if his friendship with Curtis complicates things, feel free to walk away; no harm, no foul. He’s just got to look elsewhere. Marshall says he doesn’t want to be hasty; the job does sound interesting. Drew says, if they are going to work together, he does have to tell Marshall about the company’s HR policies. Aurora has contracts with the government, and due to their sensitive nature, he has contacts with intelligence agencies to do in depth background checks as a precaution. Marshall asks if all that is necessary, and Drew says he’s afraid so. It’s a condition of their standard policy, just in case of clearance or security issues; it’s pretty simple. HR sends some forms, he puts in his past employers and past addresses, any aliases in case he performed under a stage name. Marshall says, this job doesn’t sound like he’ll have enough time for his own music. He’s going to have to respectfully decline. He hopes there are no hard feelings. Drew says, no, and they shake hands. Marshall says he hopes he sees Drew at his gig, and Drew says, absolutely. He looks forward to it. He thanks Marshall for his time, and Marshall says, sure thing, and leaves.

Michael says, what Chase said about him feeling guilty, he was right. He and Willow felt guilty about their feelings for each other, and hated that it would hurt Chase, so they put off telling him for what they thought were the right reasons, but it was still dishonest. When Chase said he’d slept with Brook, it seemed to balance the scales, and let him off the hook a little. He’s sorry. Chase says, Willow married him because she thought he was dying. Then when he couldn’t walk, she stayed with him to give him hope. He’ll always wish they hadn’t lied to him, but he understands why they did it. Michael wonders when they try to do the right thing they always end up lying, and Chase says, it’s definitely counterintuitive. Michael says, when it comes to doing the right thing, Chase definitely wins. This is the second child he’s saved, right? Chase says, yeah, but Michael and Willow kind of saved his life, so they’re even. Michael says, not even close, and Chase suggests Michael help close that gap by helping him load boxes into his car. He hands Michael a heavy box that says BLQ Bathroom on it.   

Dante asks if Elizabeth minds if he hangs onto the card, and she says, not at all. He asks if Betsy knew about the spare key, but she says, not to her knowledge. She supposes Franco could have told her, but she can’t imagine why. He asks, what about the boys? Could she have checked in with them, and they told her? Cameron says he hasn’t spoken to her, and how weird would it be for her to contact Jake and Aiden? Dante says, Jake and Aiden didn’t mention anything when Elizabeth checked in with them, did they? She says she didn’t tell them about the break-in; she just wanted to make sure they were okay. She never considered Betsy could be using her sons. Dante says, in case one of the kids is involved, he’ll keep a low profile on this, so she can take that worry off her mind.

Olivia tells Carly, looking good, as they pour from a pitcher of beer. Carly says, who knew it could be so much fun and feel incredible to throw an ax? Who came up with this idea? Sam thinks a lumberjack, and Olivia says, if only they could throw axes at all of their problems. Although she guesses in Sonny and Nina’s case, that might not be a very good thing. Sam asks if they really think it’s a good idea to drink beer and throw axes at the same time, and Carly says she does. Speaking of Sonny, she just signed away all her claims to community property. Olivia asks if Carly thinks that’s a good idea, and Carly says she just wanted it to be over, and move forward. Sam asks if she thinks she can, and Carly says, not right now. She can’t move past all the damage Nina did, no matter how hard she tries, and doesn’t think she’ll be able to move past it until Nina pays. Olivia says she doesn’t blame Carly, but karma will take care of this. Nina will get what’s coming to her. Carly says, karma takes too long, and Olivia says, it’s not healthy to focus on revenge. Sam says she thinks Olivia is right. Carly has a new life ahead of her; why doesn’t she focus on that?

Nina asks how Willow could say that. She’d never hurt Wiley. Willow says she doesn’t doubt Nina’s love for Wiley; she just doesn’t know what she’ll get with Nina. Nina says she thinks about Wiley all the time, and misses him every day. She realizes she’s made mistakes. It might be hard to believe, but she’s learning from her mistakes, and promises to be more forthcoming in the future. Willow says she wants to keep the door open for Wiley to have a relationship with Nina, but Michael is another story, and she’s starting to understand where he’s coming from. Nina says, do not keep her from her grandchild.

Curtis says, maybe he and Drew planned the wrong move, and Stella tells him, be patient a while longer, and she believes he’ll learn all he needs to know, and then he can make better decisions to keep all of them safe. He says, that’s all that matters, and his phone rings. He says, Drew, and tells Drew that he was just about to call him. Drew says he has news about Curtis’s dad, and Curtis says, never mind about the interview. Drew says, too late, they just finished, and Curtis asks how it went. Drew says, Marshall turned him down. He wouldn’t agree to a background check.

Dante says he’ll look into Betsy’s whereabouts for the last few months or so, when Cameron comes in, and says he just finished talking with the officer. He showed him the hiding place for the key. Dante thanks him, and tells them not to touch the painting for a little longer. He leaves, and Finn asks how Elizabeth is holding up. She says, the thought that Betsy’s been here for months, using her knowledge of Elizabeth and Franco to play these games is creepy. Has she been breaking into the house the entire time? Following her to work, getting her key, and bringing it back? She’s been working too much. Betsy could have hurt the boys, and she wasn’t there to protect them. Cameron says he can protect them just fine. He’s going to get someone to cover his shift. He doesn’t want Elizabeth to be alone. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want Cameron upending his life over this, and Finn suggests he bunk there for a couple days, just until Dante sorts this out. Chase has been bugging him to spend time with Violet, and she’d like it; more candy, staying up late, and Chase could really use her company right now. Elizabeth says, it’s not an imposition? and Finn says, not at all. Under the circumstances, he’d feel better if he stayed. Cameron says, then it’s settled. He’ll get ready for work. He goes upstairs, and Finn holds Elizabeth. She says she doesn’t want Cameron taking this on. Does he thinks she’s overreacting? He says, no. She’s doing the right thing. He’ll stay until she feels safe again.

Carly tells Sam and Olivia, she’s going with her Initial instinct; she deserves a fresh start. They clink glasses, and she says, watch this. With this throw, she releases herself from Sonny and Nina. Good riddance. She throws the ax, and makes a bullseye. Olivia and Sam cheer.

Willow tells Nina, she’s not saying Nina will never see Wiley again, but they need to let things settle. Nina asks what that means, and Willow says she doesn’t think there’s a path to Nina seeing Wiley on Saturday. Nina says, let her remind Willow, as Wiley’s biological grandmother, she has rights in this state. She hasn’t pushed it out of a gesture of goodwill. But if this is the path they’ll be taking now, that Willow and Michael get to decide to block access to her grandson, then they leave her no choice. She will fight for her rights. She walks away.

Tomorrow, Finn asks if Elizabeth thinks he’s accusing her sons; Anna says, the investigation isn’t completely wrapped up; Marshall says, it might not be safe to do that; and Dante thinks Elizabeth has a stalker.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Another show I often wonder why I watch.

Teresa said Luis was the love of her life, and she was going to protect them. She told a producer, go f*** yourself, and peeled out. Jennifer tried calling her, but got voicemail, so she sent a message for Teresa to call. Bill called, saying he was on his way, and Jennifer told him that Teresa had stormed out, but she had no idea what happened. Teresa was having a party at her house, and invited people Jennifer didn’t like, then took off. It was the definition of leaving someone hanging, and now she had to play hostess. Dolores ranted to Frank about Jackie commenting on Bill sticking his d*ck in someone else, and in her interview, she said it pissed her off that Jackie questioned her loyalty to Jennifer, then talked behind Jennifer’s back.

Bill arrived, and the the guests follow shortly after. In Marge’s interview, she said things were improving with Jennifer, but things were awkward with Bill. She had nothing against him, but she had an issue with the way Jennifer chastised women. In particular, this woman. Jennifer told them about Teresa jetting, and Jackie asked what upset her? She wondered if it had something to do with Luis, and Melissa said she was warned this would happen. Marge asked if Teresa took the food, because she was starving, which sounded like something I would say. Jennifer said they had food, and everyone sat outside. Melissa said she and Jennifer were always going at it, and Jennifer insisted she was just teasing. We flashed back to some nasty comments from Jennifer that didn’t look like teasing to me, and Jennifer said she didn’t know Melissa would get offended that much, which was really another dig. Dolores and Frank joined the group, and they started eating. Dolores asked if Teresa was coming, but nobody knew.

Marge wondered if Teresa wasn’t going to show up for her own party, and Melissa said Teresa was terrified they’d talk about Luis. In Teresa’s interview, she said, since Marge brought up the video, she was sure Marge was talking behind her back. She wanted to handle the situation, and said no one should judge, especially about someone’s past. That’s when she steps in. At the party, Marge said Luis wanted to be with Teresa, and things being made public went with the territory. Teresa and Luis arrived, and in Marge’s interview, she said it was so Teresa. She leaves in a huff, and comes back like nothing happened. Joe #2 asked what Lewis played in high school, and without missing a beat, Frank said, with himself. I laughed so hard, I have no idea what Luis said. It suddenly got very quiet, and Marge said, an awkward silence. Traci whispered to Melissa that she wondered if they’d be addressing the elephant in the room, and Teresa honed in on it, demanding, what elephant? Marge told her that Jennifer had said she left in a fit, and Teresa looked all shocked like she had no idea what Jennifer was talking about. Jennifer said Teresa had been upset, and she was unsure if Teresa was coming back, but Teresa insisted that didn’t happen. She said if stuff was going on behind her back, she was going to find out. Marge said nothing was being said behind her back, but they were curious about the video. People were concerned about her. Teresa said, whatever happened in the past was past. All she wanted to focus on was her present and future with Luis. Luis asked what they wanted to know, but Teresa said he didn’t owe anyone an explanation. Marge said, it was out there, and Teresa was a public figure. Why was she so  defensive? Teresa got louder, and said she didn’t like how nasty Marge was, talking behind her back. She’d been with Luis a year, and Marge should be happy for her. Marge said she was happy, but concerned, and Teresa told Luis not to answer Marge’s question. Marge said she hadn’t asked anything, and Teresa said she got protective when someone went after Luis. Marge said, no one was going after him, and Luis got up to talk. Teresa told him, stop, but he ignored her. He told Marge that on her best day, she didn’t intimidate him, and in Marge’s interview, she said she was trying to help him explain himself. Everyone thought the video was crazy. Teresa kept trying to get Luis to stop talking, and he told her that she had two ears and one mouth; stop interrupting him. Marge said the video was all over the internet, and everyone had wondered about the camp. Luis said he’d become good at business, but had grown up in trauma. A friend of his had started a Warrior camp in California where men could visit their pain and get clarity. He had to learn to be vulnerable, and he’d needed to tell someone that he didn’t want to marry them, and apologize for not being honest. In Jackie’s interview, she said, in the video she saw, Luis was asking someone to marry him. In Marge’s interview, she wondered if he was lying to their faces. Luis said he had a thirsty ex who tried to embarrass him by posting it, but he was proud of the work he’d done. Teresa said, happy now? and Joe #2 asked what she was upset about. Jennifer gossiped all the time, and called him a crook, but Teresa still hung out with her. Teresa said he and Melissa hung out with Marge who went after Jennifer. Marge said Jennifer had been coming at her since they met, and in Dolores’s interview, she said she couldn’t believe they were talking about this again. Has she seen the show?

Jennifer said Marge had exposed a secret, but everything she brought up was already out there. Melissa said Jennifer had dug around, trying to find out who Evan was banging, but Jennifer said Frank had said he knew the woman. Frank told her that he’d never said that, and Jennifer threw Bill under the bus, saying, he was the one who told her. In Jackie’s interview, she said, if Jennifer had found out Evan cheated, she would have shouted about it so everyone could hear it. Jennifer had just been trying to hurt her, like Teresa did. Be a real woman and admit it. Tiki walked into the middle of this mess, and I’m surprised he didn’t walk right back out. Melissa said, when it was about Luis, Teresa said they were digging, but when Jennifer went after someone, it wasn’t digging. Jennifer had called her husband a crook. Jennifer said it was hearsay, and already out there. We flashed back to realtor Michelle telling Jennifer that Joe #2 hadn’t paid her husband. Melissa said Jennifer had written a f***ing novel on social media. Jennifer whined that Melissa had started it, and she was retaliating, adding Joe was a little bitch boy. In Melissa’s interview, she said she would never speak of any of the men that way. Melissa got up, and she and Jennifer got in each other’s faces. When Melissa tried to go into the house, Jennifer grabbed her.  

No surprise, this triggered Melissa to start swinging (and rightly so), but Dolores got in the middle. Melissa said Jennifer looked like a loser; have some couth. Jennifer said, no, you, and Melissa said, you don’t you’re your hands on people. Because she can take responsibility for nothing, Jennifer said Melissa started it. Melissa said she didn’t give a f*** about Jennifer, and Jackie said she was done with Jennifer. Jennifer said Jackie had come to her, pretending to be her friend, and then said Bill had stuck his d*ck in someone else. Jackie said, he did. By the way, during this entire thing, Bill just hung around the outskirts, looking like he wasn’t even paying attention. In Jackie’s interview, she said Jennifer had tried to dig up information on Evan, and shown no remorse. Then she put her hands on Jackie’s friend, so she was done with her. Jennifer screeched for Melissa and Jackie to get out of her house. Jackie had tried to ruin her friendship with Dolores. In Dolores’s interview, she said, Jennifer got herself into trouble and pissed people off, but they were ganging up on her right now. Jennifer was hurt, and no one had empathy for her, when her husband had been called out as a cheater. Tiki and Traci escaped with the others, and in the car, Melissa said, Bill can’t stand Jennifer.

Jennifer ranted that Melissa had started with her, then Teresa’s brother got in on it. Um… He is Melissa’s husband. In the car, Melissa said that if her sisters had been sitting there, everybody would need to watch it, but Joe’s sister didn’t even budge, and it annoyed her. As a matter-of-fact, she was going to text Teresa right now. Bill hid in the kitchen with the other guy, and Teresa said she knew Jennifer had no ill intentions. In Frank’s interview, he said, these women are crazy. This wasn’t going to be the end of it, but he was a man’s man, and took the position of not getting involved in women’s drama. Teresa texted Melissa back that she’d make this better tomorrow.

Back at their own house, Dolores told Frank that melissa had charged at Jennifer, and when you charge at someone, where they come from, it means a fight. I don’t know where she got this charging business, since Jennifer grabbed Melissa as she was walking past, but they’re all idiots who make it up as they go along. Joe #2 told Melissa that Jennifer was not a nice person, and Melissa said, Bill checked out of the building, walking away when his wife got in another woman’s face. Jennifer wasn’t happy about that either, and told Bill that he just stood there. He should have gotten in the middle, and now everyone is thinking he didn’t defend her, and probably can’t stand her. Jackie told Evan that she’d made the comment in the context of feeling bad for Jennifer. Jennifer had taken all the pain, when it was Bill who had done wrong. In Jackie’s interview, she said she knew how it hurt because she’d been there, and to think Jennifer had been trying to add to her pain was upsetting. Jennifer had taken the friendship she’d offered, and thrown it in her face. She was done. Joe #3 told Marge that it had been psychotic, and Marge said she was glad they went past the video topic. Luis told them he’d been breaking up with someone, but on the video, he’d asked them to marry him. Tiki told Tracy that he didn’t even get to finish his drink, and Teresa told Luis that Marge had an evil streak. Luis asked if they could stop talking about it. I’m starting to like him, but I wonder if he’ll last.

At Missy G’s, everyone gathered for breakfast, and Jackie wondered what happened at Jennifer’s after they left. At Jennifer’s place, she made a traditional Turkish breakfast. I don’t know what all was on the table, but it looked good, and it was a lot of food. She told the kids to go play because it was going to be adult time. Jennifer insisted Melissa had charged at her. Marge told Joe #3 that Luis had said she wouldn’t intimidate him on her best day. What man would say that to a woman? Melissa got ready for her pink party, and said, pink makes people happy. Teresa said she was going to talk to Melissa. She was family, and Jennifer was a dear friend. She was going to make it worse help then make up.

At Joe #2 and Melissa’s house, everyone got in the pool. They played a stupid game where the couples were asked questions like, who was more likely to…? The questions ended up being mostly about sex, and it was TMI. Jennifer told Gabby that since they weren’t going to Melissa’s party, they’d have a family night, and their own pink party. Dolores found a photo of her and Frank’s first New Year’s Eve together, and OH MY GOD, THE HAIR. In her interview, she said it was her first night out with her older boyfriend, and she was so excited. Frank ended up staying over on a mattress in the living room, and woke to her mom throwing holy water on him. He’d thought the dog was peeing on him. At Melissa and Joe’s, Marge said, a friend who couldn’t be honest with you wasn’t a friend, and Traci wondered why Teresa was staying at Jennifer’s after Jennifer insulted her brother and fought with Melissa. If someone had done that to her, she would demand her siblings not be friends with them. At Jennifer’s, Teresa left for Melissa’s party, and told Jennifer that they’d make it better. Jennifer said, don’t lose her temper.

Melissa squealed over all the pink, and the food looked fantastic. Melissa asked, what happened after they left? and Dolores said Melissa had charged at Jennifer like she was going to hit her. Again, is she watching the same show I am? Melissa said she stood up to make her point, but Dolores said she thought Melissa was going to hit Jennifer, and Melissa said, Jennifer was the one who grabbed her. Marge said Jackie had been empathetic toward Jennifer, and Jackie said that showed how much she could let go of things. Dolores said she thought what Jackie had said was cruel and vulgar, and Jackie said, it had been misconstrued. I’m sure Dolores wished she had a dictionary handy, and Jackie said, Jennifer shouldn’t have had to shoulder all the guilt and shame. In Jackie’s interview, she said, Dolores would take any opportunity to throw her under the bus, and make herself look like the better friend. Jackie said Jennifer had only doubled down on the things she’d said, and she had enough. Dolores said everyone had ganged up on Jennifer, and Traci said, everyone jumped in, but it could have been resolved. Marge said Jennifer never apologized for anything, and she was an a-hole.  

Luis said he felt bad for Jennifer, but Joe #2 said he didn’t. Jennifer had evilness in her. Teresa said, if she thought that was true, she wouldn’t hang out with Jennifer, but Joe said Jennifer was malicious. Crook was a serious word. He’d been offended, but Teresa still hung out with her. Marge said that Jennifer talked sh*t, and Joe said they might have wondered about Luis’s video, but didn’t say he was a crook. In Joe #2’s interview, he said, when Jennifer talked about Teresa’s little brother like that, who’d busted his ass as far back as he could recall, Teresa should have eaten her alive. Traci told Teresa that Jennifer had called Joe #2 a little bitch boy, and you had to stand up for family; it worked both ways. Teresa said, only family? and in Teresa’s interview, she said Traci was trying to cause problems. Traci said she’d think Teresa would want Joe #2 to be vocal in supporting her, if the shoe was on the other foot, and this pissed Teresa off, so she and Luis left the party.

Tell me again how she doesn’t storm off.

Next time, a (literal) hornet’s nest, Dolores asks if Jennifer is still mad about the affair, and Evan tells Bill that Jennifer is not a good person.

🪕 Fare Thee Well…

Meet me tomorrow for soap and some OC. Until then, stay safe, stay having strength in the face of adversity, and stay remembering it’s not healthy to focus on revenge.