(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)
General Hospital
At The Savoy, Curtis tells the crowd about their family relying on each other’s love and tenacity. By the grace of God, they come through and they soar. There’s no finer example than his father, his dad, his pop. All Marshall’s life, he practiced his art in the shadows, and in the studio sessions, cruises, and dive bars, he was working on his craft while working on developing a reputation of respect from his fellow musicians. Today is a long overdue and very well-earned time for him to step into the spotlight and show the world what he does. Everyone toasts to Marshall.
Dante goes to see Sonny in his office and says, for the first time in a long time, everything is okay. They found a donor for Lulu. It’s Sam.
Elizabeth says she scored an extra pillow for Sam and asks if she can get her anything else. Sam says she’s okay, and thanks Elizabeth for taking good care of her. Elizabeth says she’s happy to, and leaves. Felicia comes in and says she’s here as Sam’s patient advocate and friend. How is she doing? Sam says, good, and Felicia says, things are moving fast because of Lulu’s condition. She wants to make sure Sam’s not feeling rushed and see if she has any questions or concerns. Sam tells her that Lucas is stopping by to go over everything, and Felicia tells her to try and get some rest. Maxie and Spinelli come in with balloons, and Maxie thanks Sam so much for doing this.
At (I think) the Bistro, Ava says, Ric rehearsed her for hours, grilling her on what to say and how to say it. He says he wants her to feel comfortable taking the stand. How does she feel? Ava says, good… confident… ready… What? Ric says, usually defendants testifying is risky. It makes it easy for the prosecution to score points cross examining. Ava asks if he’s saying she wasted her time rehearsing and he’s not letting her take the stand.
Holly goes to Anna’s office and Anna thanks her for coming. Holly says she’d have come even if Anna hadn’t reached out. Anna says, there are developments with Sidwell… and Holly says she and Robert have a daughter.
Spinelli says he’s speechless, and Sam says she’s glad to help Lulu. Maxie asks where Molly and Kristina are, and Sam says, somewhere. Felicia says, Sam has revelers a-plenty, even though she’s supposed to be getting some rest, and Maxie says, organ donation is a beautiful thing and so is Sam. Sam thanks her.
Josslyn tells Dex that they owe Trina for the invitation, since they never get a night out. There aren’t enough hours in the day. He says, they have a night out here now, and kisses her.
At one of the tables, Molly’s phone rings, and TJ asks if she’s not going to answer. She says, it’s just her mom, letting her know what time Sam’s surgery is tomorrow, and he asks if she wants to see Sam. She says she’s not sure Sam wants to see her. Besides, she wants to be here for him and his family.
Gio thanks Trina for inviting him and asks if she thinks her grandfather is going to play. Trina says she doesn’t know, but she has recordings if he wants to hear them. She wanted him to meet Marshall before he takes off.
Marshall says he hopes he can live up to Curtis’s words, but Curtis says, he already has. Portia says, they’re proud of him, and Curtis says he’s been checking the tour dates so they can get tickets. Stella asks if Marhsall would mind if she tagged along, and Marshall says he would love that.
Ric says, if Ava can keep her composure the way they practiced, he thinks she can convince the jury. She’s compelling when she wants to be. She asks if he finds her compelling, and he says, at times, very. He’s going to do best do his best to make sure she doesn’t go to prison, and Ava says, that’s his job. Ric says he’s good at it, and she asks if he thinks she’s guilty or does he believe Kristina’s fall was an accident.
Holly repeats that she and Robert have a daughter, but Anna says, that’s not possible. She never said anything all these years. Holly says she’s sure Anna understands not telling the father, and Anna asks if Robert knows. Holly says, this morning history repeated itself, and Anna is in no position to throw stones. Anna says, Robin was five, and Holly has been sitting on this since when? Holly says, since the WSB tried to kill Robert, and they all believed they’d succeeded. Anna asks if she knows where her daughter is, and Holly says, she’s in Port Charles. Sasha Corbin is their daughter. Anna says, this is low, even for Holly.
Sonny says, so Sam is the donor, and asks Dante, how are the kids? Dante says, Rocco is excited. Scout and Danny are happy. They’re scared for their mom, but there’s been so much bonding of the family, they feel closer together. Sonny says, it’s great the way Dante and Sam co-parent, and Dante says, the families blended better than he’d hoped. Sonny says, Dante has a great family, but Dante gives Sam all the credit. She did the heavy lifting.
Ava says she swears Kristina’s fall was a terrible accident, and Ric says he wouldn’t have taken the case if he’d thought otherwise. She asks how Molly is reacting, and he says, rough. Molly can’t see it yet, but he took the case for her sake. The only way for her to get past her anger and drive for revenge is if she accepts Kristina’s fall was an accident. Hopefully, then she can move on. She says, he’s a good father, and he says, few people would agree. She says, that doesn’t make it any less true. People say the same things about her, but she loves her daughter with her whole heart. His phone rings and he says he has to take it, and steps away.
Anna says she’s not sure anyone has hurt Robert as much as Holly. Now she’s kept this information for 20 plus years. Holly says, glass houses and all that, and Anna asks if Sasha knows. Holly says, she just found out, and Anna says, it’s shameful. Sasha has been through so much, and now she’s dating Cody, Mac’s son. Holly asks why Anna thinks she told Sasha, and Anna says, she gets no points for that. Holly says she doesn’t care what Anna thinks. She just lost her daughter and the man… Robert and Sasha will never speak to her again. Anna asks if Holly can think of a reason they should.
Gio says, Marshall has played with the greats, and Trina says, so will he. She introduces him to Marshall, and Dex tells Josslyn that it’s good to see her enjoying herself. She says, Alexis was exonerated and now her mom can concentrate less on Sonny, and Dex says, there have been a lot of coincidences lately.
Stella asks how Portia is doing, and Portia says, stressed. The fact that a judge is even entertaining Heather’s case makes her nervous. Stella says, they can’t do anything to change that, not tonight.Don’t let something out of their control make her miss good timeswith family and friends.
Ric comes back and tells Ava that he took care of the bill. He says he has to go, and jets.
Sam asks Maxie to run interference if her sisters show up, and Maxie says she’s on it. She knows about sister drama… and every other kind of drama. Spinelli tells Sam to focus on being the courageous heroine of her own story, when Lucas joins them. He wonders if he missed his invitation to the party, and Sam says she’s glad he’s here. They hug, and Felicia says, they need to let Sam get some rest. They say their goodbyes, and Sam tells Spinelli, don’t break into any databases without her. Lucas says, she’s the popular one. He stopped in to see if she had any questions or needed anything. Sam says she’s good on both, and Lucas says, Dr. Comstock will be by to discuss her surgery. He’s a great surgeon… Sam says she thought Lucas was doing her surgery, but he says he thought she knew he can’t do that.
Ric goes into the hospital and tells Elizabeth that he needs to speak with her. It’s important. She says, what has he done now?
Jordan picks up an order at Bobbie’s and sees Isaiah at a table, pouring over papers, an untouched burger in front of him. She says she sees he’s absorbed, and he asks if she’s coming from a run. She says she missed her morning one, and he says he admires her dedication. She says, back at him. Laura told her that he’s doing Lulu’s surgery. He says he was grabbing dinner before he went to the hospital, and she says she thinks he should do more than grab it. He might want to eat it too. He says, busted. But if she sits, he might have a better chance. She sits down and asks, what changed his mind? She thought he was done performing miracles. He says, Lucky asked for his help. His sister pulled him out of trouble more than once. Jordan says she hopes he has one more miracle left in him.
Marshall says, it’s good to see TJ and Molly. They made it through a terrible time. Molly says, each day is better, and he says, have faith that in the future they’ll have a family. Don’t be afraid to try again. TJ says, when the time is right, and Marhsall says, they’re going to make spectacular parents one day. Molly excuses herself.
Josslyn tells Dex that she doesn’t think about Cates’s murder or Sonny. She realized it’s not her job to make Sonny face justice or his conscience. She’s going to stay as far away from Sonny as possible. Dex says, wise move.
TJ finds Molly at the bar, looking at her phone. She says, her dad said he was going to stop by, but she hasn’t seen him. TJ says he just came to get a drink. (Or five.)
Ric says, Judge Orvis ruled in favor of Heather. He agreed that there was cobalt poisoning, and therefore, Heather was not in her right mind. He was hoping she’d be transferred to minimum security or something. Elizabeth says, that’s not what’s happening, and Ric says, Orvis vacated Heather’s sentence. She’s being released.
Anna says, Robert must be in shock, and Holly says, he definitely is, but Sasha’s reaction is the most troubling.She’s in complete denial. She’d told Sasha that her father was dead, and Sasha thinks this is another lie. Anna says, clearly, Sasha knows her, and Holly says she doesn’t know what to do. Anna says, leave. If she ever loved Robert, then she should leave town and maybe never come back. Her being here is destructive and she thinks it’s hurting Robert and their daughter. Holly says she’s Sasha’s mother, and Anna says, then put the welfare of her child first above her own. Holly says, Anna thinks she deserves this pain, but Anna says she doesn’t know. Holly asked her what she thought she should do and she’s telling her. The best way to help the situation is if she goes. Holly walks out.
Dante tells Sonny that he keeps worrying Lulu won’t make it through surgery. He’s scared. Sonny says, he’s probably preparing for the worst, but he should hope for the best, and Dante says, Lulu is a fighter. Sonny says, there’s still a chance because of Sam. Don’t count her out.
Lucas says, it’s against policy to perform surgery on family members, and Sam asks if Dr. Comstock is a better surgeon. Lucas says, he has stellar credentials, and Sam asks again, is he a better surgeon? Lucas says, no, and she says she shouldn’t be penalized just because she’s family. Lucas says, she’s not being penalized. That’s the way it’s done. She asks if he thinks he can perform surgery on her or not.
Isaiah says he can’t discuss Lulu’s surgery with Jordan, but the odds of rejection in a transplant are high already. Jordan says, her odds weren’t great and here she is. He says, she’s a recipient? and she says she received a kidney a few years ago from an unlikely donor. Her situation was dire, and her family was losing hope, but look at her now. He says he is, and she says, figuratively. She just ran six miles. He asks if that’s why she looks so good.
Ava thanks Nina for coming. Ric was called away and she’s not ready to call it a night. Nina asks if they were having dinner, but Ava says, a strategy session. She thanks Nina again for the referral and says she feels good. Ric is a tenacious lawyer and he’s in her corner. Nina says, unscrupulous is a better word. All he cares about is Ric. If her well-being aligns with his love of money, Ava is golden. Ric married her when she was in a fragile state of mind, tried to steal her money, and put her in the looney bin. Ava says, people can change. She sees how much he loves his daughter and he’s passionate about the law. He’s working hard to defend her. Nina asks if Ava is interested in Ric, but Ava says, no.
Elizabeth asks when Heather is being released, and Ric says, tomorrow. He never thought she’d be freed. He doesn’t believe she’s a threat to society… She says she’s sure the families Heather terrorized don’t feel that way. Why come to her? He says, the Ashfords are having a going away party for Marshall and Molly is there. She says, all the people he needs to tell in one room, but he says he doesn’t want to spoil the celebration. She asks if he doesn’t think they should know before they see it on the news, and he asks if she’ll go with him. She says, it’s all him. He needs to take responsibility for just doing his job. (I love when Elizabeth gets snippy.)
Portia tells Curtis, it was a wonderful speech, and Marshall says he was incredibly touched. The party is beautiful. Curtis says he’s glad to see Portia smiling again. She says, it’s a good party with a good turnout. It’s a good day.
Trina introduces Gio to Marshall, and Gio says, Wynton Marsalis is one of his favorites. Marshall says his too, and Gio says he’s sorry he won’t get to hear Marshall play. Trina says she’s going to miss him, and Marshall says he’ll miss her too. She should pursue her own music. She has the voice of an angel, and it would be something if she trained.
Stella tells Molly that it’s good to see her and TJ making an effort, and Molly says, they’re still healing. Stella says, it takes time, and Molly says, sometimes it’s so hard, she can barely breathe. Stella asks if she’s shared that with TJ, but Molly says, he has his own grief. She doesn’t want to put it on him. Stella says, after she says this, she’ll butt out… for a minute. Right now, she just sees them going through the motions. She understands that sometimes all you can do is go through to get through, but the words they don’t say are building a wall between them Tell TJ how she feels and listen to how he’s feeling. It’s the only way they’ll have a future together.
Curtis asks if Stella is sure that she wants to drive Marhsall to the airport, and she says, they’ll be fine. (Hmm… At this point, I trust nothing.)
Marshall tells Trina, be happy, and she says she loves him. He says he loves her more. She’ll be just fine. Stella says he doesn’t want to miss his plane, and he says, she loves bossing him. There are hugs and goodbyes, and Marshall says, y’all be kind to each other. Much love. He throws them a kiss, and leaves amid applause.
Nina says, Ric is not relationship material, and Ava says she can take care of herself. She’s not helpless and naïve. Nina says, she’s vulnerable and it’s worked against her in the past. Ava says, if Nina is referring to the late, lamented Cates, he was using her, and she was using him. Nina says she was talking about Nikolas.
Felicia tells Maxie and Spinelli to get some rest, and leaves. Spinelli asks, what’s on Maxie’s mind? and she says, it’s so strange that Sam ends up being the one to save Lulu.If Lulu wasn’t in a coma, she and Dante would be together. Spinelli says, they were divorced, and Lulu was engaged to Dustin, but Maxie says, Lulu confided in her after the explosion that she still loved Dante, but she didn’t get the chance to tell him. Maybe she should have told Dante. Maybe she still should. Spinelli asks, to what end? Wouldn’t Lulu want Dante and Sam to be happy? Maxie says she wouldn’t, and Spinelli says, just leave it alone and let fate decide. Maxie says, she and fate have never been besties.
Sonny says, letting go is hard, but sometimes moving on is harder, and Dante says he thought Lulu was it and it’s his fault he lost her. He never had the chance to tell her how he felt. Sonny says, thanks to Julian, and Dante says, Sam came out of nowhere. She snuck up on him and became everything. She put him and Rocco back together, and now she’s going to save Lulu’s life. He loves her more than he thought possible.
Sam asks if Lucas is worried his emotions will be involved, and Lucas says, it’s an important question and the answer is of course (🍷) he’ll be effected, but Lulu is the more serious risk. She asks how many times he’s done this surgery, and he says, dozens. She asks if she has to call her advocate, and he says he’s sure the lawyers have a waiver she could sign. She says, as long as he does the surgery. There’s no one she trusts more than her brother. He says, she wins again, and they hug.
Molly says she’s going to miss Marshall, and TJ says, there are lots of goodbyes these days. They hug, and Ric walks in. Molly asks where he’s been, and he says he needs to speak to Curtis and Portia.
Portia says, there’s something she’s been meaning to tell Curtis, when Ric joins them. He says he’d like to speak with them in private. It’s important. Curtis says, they can use his office, but Portia says she’s not going anywhere with Ric.
Isaiah says, a Deputy Mayor’s work is never done? and Jordan says she loves it on a good day. She hopes he has one tomorrow. Good luck. He says he doesn’t need luck, just skill, and she says, his ego is still intact. He says, you have to think you’ll be the best to be the best, and she says, that’s just what Lulu needs.
Dante kisses Sam and asks how she’s doing. She says, better. She got Lucas to agree to do the surgery. He says, as long as she’s comfortable. He wishes he could find the words to tell her how grateful he is. She says, just hold her, and he says, it would be his absolute pleasure.
Cricket sounds come from Anna’s computer, and she sees it says, ALERT! She says, Interpol? and sees a headline: Wanted Suspect At Large. Sidwell Spotted in Miami. There’s a photo of Sidwell at the airport, and Anna says, what are you coming for, Sidwell?
There’s a knock at Sonny’s door, and Frank says, his appointment is here. Sonny says, show her in, and tells Holly, we meet again. She says, good to see you, Mr. Corinthos, and he tells her to call him Sonny. She thanks him for meeting her, and he asks her to have a seat. What can he do for her? She says she hears he’s a man of many resources. Someone who can make things happen. He says, depends on the things, and she puts her tote bag on his desk. She says, in that case, she has a business proposition for him.
Ava says she and Nikolas are over, and Nina says, that doesn’t make being alone easier. Don’t be so quick to get involved with something new and shiny. Ava says she’ll take it under advisement, and Nina says she hopes Ava does. Underneath that charming exterior is a man who loves two things, himself and money. Expect anything more, and she’s courting disaster.
Elizabeth tells Terry, heads up. They’re going to need to support Portia. She’s about to get very bad news.
Portia says, this can only be about one thing – Heather Webber. Ric says, yes, and she says, what is it? Everyone! Listen to the news about Heather. Curtis tells Ric to say what he came to say, and Ric says he received a call from Judge Orvis. He ruled in Heather’s favor and vacated her conviction. Trina asks what that means, and he says, as of tomorrow, Heather is a free woman. There’s shock all around.
Tomorrow, Isaiah tells Lucas that if Lucky’s sister has a shot in hell of making it through this, she’s going to need him; Ric tells Molly, that’s why he can’t drop the case; Anna tells Holly, stop lying for once; and Sonny says someone must be in some kind of trouble.
🗽 No Sleeping In the City…
I wasn’t totally paying attention, but zoned in when Erinn had the women over for Shabat. In her interview, she wondered how anyone could be a Jew and a Scientologist. I assumed she was talking about Rebecca and rolled that over in my mind. I can actually see it meshing, although I’m sure it’s uncommon. It was story time, and Jenna told an interesting tale about dating a writer who was writing about sex clubs in NYC and going with him to one. She thought it was disgusting, and it sounded disgusting. Then they played Never Have I Ever with, no surprise, sex questions. I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m tired of the Housewives version of this game only involving one subject. Especially when it’s people whose freak number I do not want to know.
Brynn and Erin thought it would be amusing to put fake cockroaches in the beyond fabulous pavlova dessert, which made Sai literally run to the bathroom to throw up. I’m not sure what Brynn was wearing, but it looked like something stolen from a circus clown. Again, wrong people with the money. Ubah told the groups that whenever she was out of alignment, it was because of Brynn. Brynn told Ubah not to come off angry, and Ubah begged Brynn not to be condescending, which only stoked her anger. Brynn said she didn’t like and wouldn’t take anyone calling her names, and Ubah said if Brynn acted condescending again, she would call her a snake again. A snake? I’m pretty sure Brynn has been called worse. I know I have. In Brynn’s interview, she said she didn’t want Ubah to be a stereotype. And so we circled that drain again.
Next time, Sai’s birthday; and Erinn doesn’t want to be close to Jenna.
Here’s the full story outlined, if you crave more.
Join me tomorrow for soap and a shaker of Salt. Until then, stay safe, stay not giving out boxes of raisins on Halloween (no one wants raisins, no one); and stay focused on being the courageous hero/heroine/human of your own story.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Brattleboro, Vermont. Elizabeth and Finn walk into the cabin, and Elizabeth says she’s impressed. Finn says he really loves it up here. He and Dan interned together. He’s a good guy. Make herself at home; put her stuff anywhere. She flops on the couch and says, this is comfy and perfect. Finn looks around and says, Dan said it would be here somewhere, he just didn’t say where, and she asks what he’s looking for. If he told her, she could help him look for it. He looks under the sink and says, found it, holding up a hammer. She says she never would have guessed that was what he was looking for. What are they doing, hunting vampires? Viewers who watched Port Charles are collectively laughing at the reference.
Esme asks if Alexis has time to talk to Mayor Collins. She’s here to see her. Alexis says she always has time for Laura; send her in. Laura thanks Esme and says, she’s really settled into her role as a receptionist. Alexis says, she’s actually doing a very good job. In fact, Esme caught a mistake she made and saved her a lot of trouble a few weeks ago. Esme says, it’s all part of her job. Let her know if they need anything. She leaves, and Alexis says, welcome home. She hugs Laura and says, it’s good to see her. Laura says, her too, and Alexis asks what she found out about Nikolas. Laura says, before she gets into all of that, she wants to thank Alexis for keeping an eye on Esme while she was out of town with Doc. Esme listens outside the door.
Austin watches as TJ goes into Mason’s room. TJ tells Mason that he needs to check his incision site to make sure it’s healing properly and there’s no sign of infection. He needs Mason to roll over on his side. Mason says, and he needs TJ to make himself useful. He needs some painkillers.
Josslyn calls Trina at the gallery and asks why she left so early this morning. She woke up and Trina was gone. Trina says she’s at the gallery covering for Ava. After everything that’s happened in the last couple days, she wanted to spend the morning with Avery. Josslyn says, that’s sweet of her, and Trina asks if Josslyn can do her a favor. Josslyn says, anything, and Trina says, somebody is supposed to drop off an art book at the dorm for her. Has it come yet? Josslyn says, it hasn’t, and she’s been at the dorm all morning, studying with Adam for Organic Chem. Trina asks if Josslyn can just leave it on her bed when it comes, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Trina thanks her and says, somebody’s here; she has to go. Cyrus walks in.
Elizabeth and Finn carry metal buckets through the woods, and she asks if he’s done this before. He says, once, but he has to warn her, it can get pretty messy, and she says she’s not the one who’s afraid to get messy.
Esme continues to listen in, and Laura says she can’t tell Alexis what a relief it was to her that Esme was here working with her and her baby was just down the hall in the daycare center. Alexis says she wasn’t kidding. Esme is actually doing a good job. Who’d-a thunk it? And she loves having that cute little boy down the hall; he’s darling. Has Laura seen how big he’s gotten? Laura says she has. She just wishes Nikolas could see him.
TJ says he’ll let Mason’s surgeon know he’s still in pain, but right now, he is receiving the correct dosage of pain medicine. Mason says he’s really hurting here and needs something stronger. Does TJ think he’s lying? TJ says he believes Mason is telling the truth, but according to his chart, he just received his pain meds. Just relax and let the medicine take effect. Mason tells him to get another doctor in here, but TJ says, any other doctor will come to the same conclusion. They can’t endanger his health by giving him additional pain medicine. Mason asks if TJ needs his ears checked, because obviously he does if he didn’t hear Mason the first time. He needs more drugs – now! TJ says he needs Mason to take a better tone, and Mason tells him to go now. TJ says he needs Mason to calm down, and Mason says, TJ’s ego is running his mouth. He can’t listen to TJ’s whining anymore. He can’t wait for this to be over so he never has to hear TJ speak again. He never used to shut up down there either. TJ says, wait. He knows who Mason is. Mason says, he’s TJ’s patient. Now get him more drugs. TJ says, Mason’s one of the men who was holding him when he was abducted. Mason kept him a prisoner for days. Mason says, then cry him a river. So is that it? The roles are reversed, and now he’s TJ’s prisoner?… He guesses he doesn’t know what he’s saying. He must really be stoned. TJ says, Mason knows what he did to him, doesn’t he? And you’re going to pay for it, you sick son of a bitch. He leaves, and Austin watches him stride down the hall.
Adam tells Josslyn, that’s so old school, handwritten notes. He doesn’t know how she can keep up with what the professor’s saying and write everything down fast enough. She says she doesn’t. She actually records the lecture and then later transcribes it in her own handwriting. Apparently, there’s a lot of research on this. If you actually (WOTD) write things down in your own handwriting, you remember them better instead of like, typing it. (I have actually found this to be true.) He says she’s full of surprises, and she suggests he try it sometime. He says, it seems like a waste of time, and she says she gets it. His grades are already perfect. But it helps a lot with memory retention. It’s the easiest way for her to remember all the details.
Cyrus tells Trina, what a nice surprise. Forgive him for startling her. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says, right down to business. He likes that. He’s not sure if she heard, but he was released from Pentenville. God bless our justice system. She asks what he wants, and he says he’s here to find some artwork for his new place. He thought Ava would be here. This is just a fortuitous accident finding Trina here. She says, there’s no such thing as an accident when it comes to him, and he says he stopped by General Hospital to apologize to Dr. Robinson, and she gave him a stern warning not to seek Trina out, and of course (🍷) he would abide by her mother’s wishes. She says, then leave, and he says, she’s right; he should go. But before he does, he’d like to apologize to her for his past actions, for what he put her and her mother through. She says, for what he put them through? She can’t believe this BS she’s hearing. He held them hostage at gunpoint, and he wants her to forgive him? He’s more of a psychopath than she thought he was. Now get out!Now! She points to the door, and Spencer says, what’s going on? He comes in and asks what Cyrus is doing here. Cyrus says, Spencer, my boy. He really would like Spencer to call him uncle.
Alexis gives Laura some coffee and says, lay it on her. What does she know about Nikolas? Laura says, everyone who told her Chechnya would be a dead end was right. Alexis says, he wasn’t there, and Laura says, right, and no sign that he’d ever been there. The same with Cassadine Island. There was no trace of him. So then she and Doc went to Italy to the Cassadine mansion on Lake Como. Alexis says she knows it well, and Laura says, that was also a dead end. Then she got this gut feeling that maybe she should check in with his banker in Geneva, because eventually he’s going to need money and that’s where his biggest holdings are. Alexis asks if he was there, and Laura says, no, but they just missed him. And she got confirmation that he had been there several times, and one time, he moved a very large sum of money. She couldn’t get the details on it, but the good news is, she walked away from there knowing her son is alive. Alexis says, great. Thank God,right? Laura says, yes, but the bad news is that he doesn’t want to be found.
TJ storms into Jordan’s office, and she asks, what’s wrong? He says he just found out who abducted him and held him prisoner. She says, what? Who? He says, Mason Gatlin, and she says, the man who abducted Ava Jerome? And he’s sure of this? He says he’s never been more certain of anything in his life. It is him.
Austin goes into Mason’s room, and Mason says, if it isn’t the doctor in the family. Austin tells him, says the felon in the family, and Mason asks if Austin missed him. Austin says, not at all, and Mason asks if Austin at least brought him better drugs. Austin says, he’s had enough drugs. What did he tell the cops? Mason asks what Austin thinks he told the cops, but Austin says he’s not messing around here. What did Mason tell them? Mason says he told them that he kidnapped Ava… for Austin.
Spencer says, Cyrus is out of prison, and Cyrus says he is. Miracles do happen if you believe. Trina says she thought Spencer knew he was released, but Spencer says, no. Trina says, he went to GH and harassed her mother yesterday. She called Trina yesterday and said she’s getting a restraining order so Cyrus stays away from them, but here he is, bothering her. Cyrus says he explained this to Trina already. He had no idea she would be here. He stopped in to patronize Ava’s gallery. Trina says, if Ava wants to sell him something, that’s on her, but she refuses to wait on him. He says he doesn’t blame her, and she stamps her foot and says, stop with this disgusting act. She doesn’t buy it. Cyrus says, she’s angry at him and he understands. He did a terrible thing to her and her mother – she says, he’s damn right – and he regrets it deeply. But since finding the Lord, he’s tried to make almonds amends. Spencer knows this; he witnessed it at Pentenville. He did everything he could to make sure no harm came to Spencer while he was there. He did everything to protect Spencer.
Finn says, they have to pick one carefully, and Elizabeth asks, why? He says, sometimes it doesn’t work. She asks if there’s a trick to hitting a vein, but he says, no. A little luck, a little skill. Usually, you don’t get one on the first try, but maybe they will. Let’s see. He checks out a tree and says, this one looks good. He helps her hold the spigot up to the tree and tells her to watch her fingers. She says she’s going to need to watch both their fingers. She’s got it. Let go. She raises the hammer.
Spencer says, Cyrus did look after him while he was in Pentenville. But what Cyrus did to Trina and Dr. Robinson and to his grandmother is unforgiveable. Someone could have been killed that night. Cyrus says he realizes that, and he’s trying to make amends with everyone he’s wronged, and Trina asks if Spencer is buying this. Cyrus sees her desk, and says, look at that, the turtle dove. He gave those to Spencer before Christmas last year in the hope he would share them with her, and he did. That warms his heart. Trina says, he doesn’t have a heart, and Cyrus says he hopes Spencer kept the other one. Spencer says he did, and Cyrus says, good. He reaches for it, saying, may I? but Trina snatches it off the desk and says, no. She’s not going to stand here and make pleasant conversation with somebody who held her and her mother at gunpoint.
Mason laughs and says, Austin should see his face. Oh no, I’m going to prison. He’s an idiot. If he’d given Austin up to the almighty PCPD, he’d be in custody, not walking the halls of a hospital. He’s a joke. Austin says, Mason is certifiably insane. What did he tell them? Mason says he came in with two bullet holes in his back. He didn’t really have time for a sit-down and chit chat. But worry not. He’ll do a tell all when the cops make him a deal. Austin says, they’re not going to offer Mason a deal, but Mason says, if he surrenders up enough details, he’s pretty sure they will. He plans to tell the police that it was him and Austin together in on the Ava kidnapping. Austin says, there’s no proof he had anything to do with it, and they are never going to believe a word out of Mason’s mouth. Mason says he thinks they will.
Jordan asks TJ to tell her why he thinks Mason Gatlin is the one who abducted him, and TJ says he kept running into Mason in his cousin’s office, Dr. Gatlin Holt. And he had this feeling he knew Mason from somewhere. He just couldn’t put his finger on how or where. Today… She tells him, take a deep breath, and he does. He says, today it finally clicked. He was treating Gatlin and it was something Gatlin said to him that made him recognize his voice. It was distinctive. He was the leader of those men who held him captive. It was him. She says, he was abducted to force her cooperation, and he says, now they can both get justice. They can make sure Mason Gatlin is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. She says, no, they can’t, and he asks, why not?
Alexis says she really feels bad for Nikolas, and Laura says, the decisions he’s been making now are affecting every single relationship in his life, and she just wishes she could get him to see that. But out of her three children, he’s the hardest to get through to. Alexis says, the brooding and the stubborn side of him, that’s Cassadine. The light and loving side of him is Laura. But the bottom line is, he did a lot of bad things. He made bad choices in the past year, and they just compounded to the point where he felt the only alternative was for him to run and hide, which is exactly what he did. Even if it meant leaving Spencer and Ace. Laura says, from a legal standpoint, if Nikolas were to come back to Port Charles today, how severe would the charges be against him for holding Esme hostage? Alexis says, Esme doesn’t remember being held hostage, so at the moment, that would work in his favor. As far as the rest of it, that’s up to Robert Scorpio the DA to decide whether he wants to prosecute or not. She knows the only thing they have right now is the statement from Elizabeth Baldwin. Laura says, she’s a very credible witness, but Alexis says, they still need corroborating evidence, and they need Esme’s testimony. Without that, she doesn’t think he’ll face criminal charges. Laura says she wishes Nikolas knew that, and Alexis says, the truth is, even if he did, it wouldn’t matter.
Elizabeth gets sap out of the tree, and Finn says, wow. She asks what he said about not getting it on the first time, and he says, beginner’s luck. She tastes it, and he asks how it is. She sticks her finger in the bucket, and says, see for himself. He puts her finger in his mouth to taste it and says, amazing, and they kiss.
Laura tells Alexis that she wishes there was a way for her to get ahold of Nikolas. Although she knows when he makes up his mind, there’s usually no changing it. Alexis says, Nikolas prides himself on being the good son, the good father, and he was all those things, until he wasn’t. He blew it and he knows that, which is why he ran. He doesn’t want to face the people he disappointed. Laura says, that’s why she feels it’s so important for her to reach out to him, to let him know she loves and supports him, even though he made some bad decisions. Alexis tells Laura that she’s sorry to say this, but Nikolas has resources the rest of them don’t have. And when a Cassadine wants to disappear without a trace, they do. She thinks the only choice they have is to let him figure this out and come back on his own time. Laura says, but he’s got a beautiful little boy he’s never even met, and he’s missing moments in the baby’s life he’ll never be able to get back again. She just wishes he’d come to his senses and come back. Alexis says she wishes that too, for Ace’s sake. Spencer believes he’s very independent, but he needs his father. Laura says, it’s so ironic that she can’t bring her son home, but her brother’s back, whether she wants him or not.
Josslyn asks Adam a question about alkanes, and he says, is that the best she can do? She moves his phone out of his hand with her foot, and says, no cheating. He answers her question with a bunch of science stuff (not my forte), and she says, it’s official; he’s a genius. That’s why he gets such great grades. He says he has to. The competition is fierce to get into any med school, let alone the ones his parents have on their approved list. ( I get confused for a moment, because Sonny is his father IRL.) She says, his parents have a list of medical schools? and he says, they want him to either go to Harvard, Stanford, or Johns Hopkins. He’s leaning toward Harvard. He really loves Boston. She says, Boston’s beautiful in the fall, and he says, what about her? What medical school is she leaning toward? She says she doesn’t know. She hasn’t really thought that far ahead. Her goal right now is to just do well in undergrad and then move on to the next thing; take it in manageable steps. He says, her parents are okay with that approach? and she says her parents are okay with anything as long as it’s reasonably productive and she’s happy doing it. He wonders what that’s like.
TJ asks what Jordan means that Gatlin can’t be prosecuted for what he did to him, and she says, yes, he was a victim of abduction. But let’s look at this the way DA Scorpio would. He was blindfolded, correct? He says, yes, and she says, disoriented? He says, yeah, and she says, his account of the situation and the details around it are unreliable at best. And they have no supporting evidence to corroborate his statement. They don’t even know where he was held. He says, this is ridiculous, and she says, he’s right. It is. But with her experience in law enforcement, this isn’t a case she’d ever bring to the prosecutors. TJ says, Mason did this to him. He knows this. He knows it was him. That voice. He has no doubt about this. She says she believes him, but it’s not up to her. She hates that this happened to him, but if there’s any consolation in this, it’s that Mason Gatlin is going to be charged with abduction and attempted murder for what he did to Ava Jerome. He says, that’s so great for Ava. He’s happy she’s getting her justice, but what about him? Where’s his justice? He throws up his hands and walks out.
Trina says she’s not going to allow Cyrus to waltz in here and pretend he didn’t hold her hostage at gunpoint. He threatened to shoot her if her mother didn’t tend to his gunshot wound. And if Laura hadn’t offered to take their places as his hostage, he would have killed them. Those words came out of his mouth. So he just wants her to forget all that? He says he never asked anyone to forget what he did. He asked them to forgive, like the Good Book says. She says, so let bygones be bygones? He expects her to accept his pathetic, meaningless apology just because he’s Spencer’s uncle? But guess what? She doesn’t forgive him. And she doesn’t care if he did protect Spencer in Pentenville. If he comes near her again, she’ll call the cops.
Mason says, come on, cuz. He and Austin have been seen together plenty of times in plenty of places by plenty of people, especially his co-workers here at General Hospital. Face it. When it comes to masterminding an abduction, who’s better at being the boss? Who’s better to play the henchman? He can play dumb. He’s going to tell the cops that he was just doing what his big, smart doctor cousin told him to do. Austin asks, why? Really. Why? Implicating him isn’t going to make Mason less guilty. He’s already going to go down for this, he knows that. Mason says, yeah, he knows, but he’s going to take Austin down with him. Austin’s been a pain in his ass for years. Always being so high and mighty, thinking he’s better than Mason because he has a piece of paper from a college? He wants to see how high and mighty Austin is when they’re sharing a prison cell. Austin says nothing and walks out.
Finn starts to tap another tree and asks Elizabeth, how many tries is this? She says, there was that time he hit his finger and then he hit the tree. And the other time… She doesn’t know what he was aiming for. He says, let’s just call it four times, and she says, good luck. He says, what? and she says, ten times is the charm. She watches him, and he says he thinks hunting vampires would have been easier. I get this, since sometimes I think a real zombie apocalypse would be easier. She says she has enough for both of them and takes down her bucket. He says, beginner’s luck, and she says, they can put this on their pancakes tomorrow morning. He says, speaking of which, is she hungry? She says, starving, and he says, let’s go make some dinner. They walk back hand in hand.
Back at the cabin, Elizabeth says, this was so much fun, and thanks Finn. He says, it’s nice to be out of the city. It’s nice to be out of the hospital. It’s nice to be out here in nature with her. She says she couldn’t agree more. Her fingers are so sticky. She runs the water and asks if there’s any soap. He finds some and puts a blob in her hand, and then in his own. He asks if she minds if he joins her, and she says, of course (🍷). He gets closer, and they wash each other’s hands. I guess that’s romantic, but it’s weirding me out a little. They gaze into each other’s eyes, and he kisses her. Better now.
Adam asks Josslyn for an example of a functional group, and she asks if she can use her notes. He says, no, she may not. By memory only. She says, a functional group is a specific structural arrangement of atoms or bonds that forms a… I give up at this point because now it’s getting too complicated, but she gives him the answer. It has something to do with molecules, and he says he knew she’d get it. She says she feels like she just ran a marathon – me too – and now she needs a break. They should maybe go down and get some food… There’s a knock at the door, and she says, that’s probably the art book getting delivered, but as we’ve all guessed, it’s Dex. She throws her arms around him and says, he’s just in time to save her. Adam looks disappointed. Aww.
Esme is still listening. Doesn’t she have work to do? Alexis says she wasn’t going to bring Cyrus up, but Laura says, that’s okay; she’s fine. Alexis says, it’s baffling to her that a miscarriage of justice, to that extent, could happen and Laura agrees. She says, leave it to Cyrus to finagle a hardship release. Alexis says, it’s really unbelievable. She doesn’t know how Laura deals with it. He is Laura’s brother, but still… Laura says she’s very, very conflicted. She does believe in rehabilitation, but that would mean restoring somebody to a normal state that’s acceptable to society. She doesn’t know that that’s possible with Cyrus, and after all the things that he’s done, does he even deserve that? Alexis says, the judge felt he did, and Laura sighs. She says, then she guesses she’ll do her best to believe that the judge is right, and Cyrus can become a productive member of society. But between her and Alexis, it’s going to be a really long time before she trusts her brother.
Cyrus says he can understand why Trina doesn’t trust in him, and Spencer puts his arm around Cyrus and says, it’s time for him to go. Now. Cyrus says, okay. Spencer follows him to the doorway, where Cyrus turns around and says he owes Trina a great debt. If she ever needs his help for any reason, she only needs to ask. She says she will never ask him for anything. Does he hear her? Never! Now get the hell out! Cyrus leaves, and when he’s gone, Spencer comes back to Trina. He tells her, it’s okay, he’s here, and holds her.
Elizabeth says, she and Finn should wash their hands together more often (please don’t), and he says, definitely. He’s filthy all the time. They kiss again, and he says, maybe dinner can wait, but she says she doesn’t know… He kisses her, and she says, okay. Dinner can definitely wait. There’s more kissing.
Dex asks what he’s saving Josslyn from, and she says, organic chem. She was just telling Adam that she was going stir crazy in here. Dex asks how long they’ve been studying, and she says, a few hours. Adam says, with their midterms coming up, they could probably use a few more hours, but Josslyn says, oh God no. She’s done. Adam says, they didn’t go over the identification of hydrocarbons though, and Dex says, if she needs to stay, he can come back, but she says she needs fresh air. He says, that he can do. He has to take Sonny’s speedboat upriver to drydock it for the winter if she wants to come. She says, okay, and gets her jacket. She tells Adam, it looks like hydrocarbon structures are going to have to wait, but if she aces this midterm, it’s thanks to him. He says, pick up later this evening? but she says she can’t. Thursday? Adam says, perfect. Their midterm is Friday. Josslyn says, cool, and Adam gets his stuff together. He says, what about Trina’s art book? Does she want him to stick around here and wait for it? She says, that’s really sweet of him, but it’s no big deal. She’s sure the delivery person will leave it outside the door. He says he doesn’t mind, but she says, it’s totally fine. He leaves, and Dex tells Josslyn, if there’s time after, they could get lunch at Kelly’s. He knows the owner. They leave, and Adam comes out from around the corner and watches them.
Alexis tells Laura, they say that trust is built over time. See if Cyrus can earn her trust. Does she believe his religious conversion is sincere? Laura says, to be perfectly honest, she’s not sure. She wants to sit down with her brother Martin and compare notes with him and get his take on it. There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says, come in. Esme says, sorry to interrupt, but Alexis has a video conference call in fifteen minutes. Does Alexis want her to reschedule it? Laura says, absolutely not, not on her account. She’s going to let Alexis get on with her business day. Alexis thanks Laura for coming by and catching her up, and they hug. Alexis says, before Laura goes, she has a question. Does Laura know Judge Kim, the judge that sentenced Drew Cain? Laura says she doesn’t know him. She’s sorry. Alexis says, thanks anyway. It’s good to see her. Laura says, her too, and says she’ll see Esme at home tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning they can all wake up and have family breakfast together? Esme says, okay, she’d like that, and Laura leaves. Esme says she knows Alexis has a video conference call to prep for, but she has a quick question if Alexis doesn’t mind. Alexis tells her, go ahead, and Esme says she doesn’t really know how to ask this. Alexis says, just ask, and Esme asks if she can have a raise. Alexis says, she wants a raise? and Esme says, yes. She wants to move out of Laura and Doc’s apartment. With them back, it’s just all so crowded. Alexis asks if that’s the real reason, and Esme says, yeah. Alexis says, Esme… and Esme says, okay. She’s starting to… have feelings for Spencer.
Spencer brings Trina some water, and she says she shouldn’t have given Cyrus that much power over her. Nobody should have that much power over anybody. She’s not going to let him make her a victim again. Spencer says, she did really good. She practically kicked him out all by herself. She asks if he can promise her something, and he says he’s never going to let Cyrus come near her, but she says, that’s not what she means. She knows Spencer would never let Cyrus do anything to her. She needs him to promise he’ll never tell anyone she lost it like that with Cyrus, especially her mom and Curtis. Because her mom is already angry and terrified that he’s been released. She doesn’t want to add fuel to the fire. Curtis is in a wheelchair and feels he can’t protect them from Cyrus. He says he promises. He’s not going to tell anyone. Clearly, she can take care of herself, but know if she ever needs back-up, he’s here. She says she knows he is, and hugs him.
Austin goes back into Mason’s room, closes the door, and shuts the blinds. Mason says, if Austin is here to beg and plead, save his breath. He’s going to take Austin down with him. Austin says he’s done begging for things in his life. Besides, how would he be begging? There’s no one in this shell of Mason that’s remotely human. He puts on surgical gloves, and says, there’s no reason. Mason wouldn’t help him, would he? Mason says, not on your life, and Austin says, then he guesses it’s time to help himself. He pats Mason’s shoulder, turns off the machine Mason is hooked up to, and takes a pillow from the chair. He slowly walks over to Mason, and Mason says, he doesn’t have the guts. Austin smiles.
TJ walks past Mason’s room, and peeks through the window. The slats are open enough that he sees Austin smothering Mason.
On Monday, Brook tells Kristina that she needs a clear head for what she’s about to do; Sasha says, count her in too; Lucy tells Martin that she needs to show Tracy exactly who she’s dealing with; and Eddie/Ned asks why Tracy can’t take no for an answer.
✂️ Feeling Trim…
I had the feeling it was a crew member. And if you notice, usually when one of the cast gets a new hairdo, many of them do. It’s like picture day in school.
They could have spent a little more time on Kiki Palmer and Jurnee Smollett. And while more sci/fi than horror, Octavia Spencer was amazing in Snowpiercer.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. – Dalai Lama
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. – Desmond Tutu
To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone. – Reba McEntire
Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie: A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. – George Herbert
The first to cry is the first to fry. – Omarosa, House of Villains
Happiness can exist only in acceptance. – George Orwell
Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults. – Benjamin Franklin
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself. – Harvey Fierstein
A mask tells us more than a face. – Oscar Wilde
🎭 Masking My Mask…
Stop by on Sunday for a little Fear. Until then, stay safe, stay springing for the good candy, and stay forgiving, but not forgetting. Especially if they’ve held you hostage.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Jordan tells the desk sergeant that Michael was just released on bail and they’re waiting for the paperwork. Michael sits, and she tells him, do everyone a favor. If that reporter gets in his face again, walk the other way. She sees Curtis, and asks if everything is okay. He says, that’s just what he’s trying to find out. He really needs her help. Willow comes in and hugs Michael.
Harmony shows up at Alexis’s office, and Alexis says, this is a surprise. Harmony says she just got off work, and wondered if she could pick Alexis’s brain about something. Only if she has a minute, and it isn’t an interruption. Alexis says she just put the last edition to bed. What’s this about? Is it about Willow? Harmony says, kind of. It’s more about Nina Reeves.
Nina walks into an empty Charlie’s and Sonny says, hey. She says she doesn’t know why she’s always surprised to see him here. He owns the bar after all. He says, that’s true. Phyllis had to see a distributor. Instead of closing down during the dead zone, which is between twelve and happy hour, he said he’d cover. She says, that’s sweet of him. Nostalgic for running a bar? He says, it’s better than sitting in his office all by himself; too many ghosts, especially with Jason gone. She says she hears him, and he asks if she’s there to see Phyllis. Does she want a drink? She says, actually, she was following up on something important. He asks if it’s anything he can help her with.
Laura hugs Spencer, and he says, it almost seems like she missed him. She says she did. A month in Spring Ridge didn’t hurt him at all. He says, except label him a convicted felon. He guesses he’ll be serving soft drinks and sandwiches at Kelly’s for the rest of his life, but Nikolas suggests Spencer worry about his future later, and they take a moment to celebrate his homecoming. Nikolas has dinner reservations at the MetroCourt, and hopes Laura and Doc can join them. Laura says she doesn’t know about Doc, but she’ll certainly try to make it. She asks Spencer if everything is okay, and Esme says she’s sure he’s wondering why she’s still here. Don’t worry. She was just leaving.
At the MetroCourt, Victor tells Yohan, if they want people to believe they’ve done nothing wrong, they must act as if they’ve done nothing wrong, and they haven’t. He showed Drew a tarot card, for heaven’s sake. If a crime was committed, it’s when Drew attacked Yohan. Yohan says, on Victor’s orders, and Victor says, which was a test… which he passed until the Corinthos woman showed up, and Drew was forced to reveal he was just playing along and the whole thing was a set-up from the start. That warning Victor was given about Laura being on to him seems like it must have some merit.
Sam opens the door to Anna, and says, welcome back. Drew says, long trip, and Anna says she got a cab from the airport. Felicia is filling Maxie in. Sam says, they were worried when they didn’t hear from her in Austria, but Anna says she didn’t want to call from an unsecure line. Drew asks if they found something out, and Anna says, yeah, proof that Luke’s death wasn’t an accident. He was murdered.
Esme says she won’t be joining them for dinner. Spence has made it clear he no longer wants her to be a part of his life. She’s leaving. Laura asks if she and Spencer would like a little time to talk this through. They don’t have to rush on their account. Nikolas apologizes for making dinner plans without checking with Spencer first, but he’s sure Spencer wouldn’t mind if Esme joined them. They all shared in Spencer’s ordeal at Spring Ridge, her especially. Esme says she’s not sure, but Laura says, please, come along. Nikolas says, the whole family will be there; Ava and Victor. Laura says, Victor, and Nikolas asks if that’s a problem.
Yohan says, the plan Victor put together relies on taking everyone by surprise, but Victor says he’s not overly concerned. The only possibly damning thing Drew mentioned is Operation Demeter, and if Drew has no memory of that op, he and Laura are going to hit a dead end. Yohan says, but Victor is concerned about something, and Victor says, Anna and Felicia’s investigation into the cable car accident that killed Luke. Yohan says, Victor had to kill Luke Spencer; he was getting too close to the truth about what Victor is planning. Victor says, nothing can be traced back to him, which is why he needs to find someone else to take the fall for Luke’s death. Yohan says he’ll do a lot for the cause, but he hopes Victor’s not expecting him to be his fall guy, and Victor says, don’t worry. He has someone else in mind. Ava approaches, and asks if she’s late for the big family dinner, or is Victor early? Is his friend going to be joining them?
Anna says, this employee at the Transportation Bureau did admit to sabotaging Luke’s cable car. There’s no indication as to whether he was acting alone, but her gut says he wasn’t. Unfortunately, before they could get anymore information out of him, the man took his own life in front of them. Sam says, okay, so technically they have one man’s confession, but no evidence to back it up, and Anna says, and so far all of their efforts to keep this quiet have failed. Now the Bureau is officially involved. Drew asks if the Bureau won’t have a better chance of finding a connection between Victor and Luke’s death, and Anna says, just because the WSB is investigating, doesn’t mean she’ll be privy to their intel. She’s been deemed to close to the situation because of her involvement with Luke. Sam says, basically, she’s iced out, and Anna says, yeah, but they do have to keep in mind the fact that Victor was director of the WSB for a time. That is something they don’t want to revisit; they don’t want his name to come up. They don’t want to draw any scrutiny, so she thinks it’s possible they’ll steer this investigation down a path that isn’t embarrassing to them. What she’s saying is, if they want to expose Victor, Drew is their best chance. Drew says, about that. They hit a little bit of a snag.
Curtis asks what TJ has told Jordan about their situation with Marshall, and she says, not much. She thinks TJ has been avoiding the subject, given her history with Tommy. Curtis says, okay. What did Tommy tell her about their father?
Willow says, one night in jail isn’t terrible, and Michael says he had a cell to himself, so no complaints. She says he doesn’t have to be a hero for her, and he says he always wants to be a hero for her, and it was worth it. That reporter got what he deserved for trash talking his sister. She says, at least Michael didn’t break his jaw, and Michael says he can’t be sorry he hit the guy, but he’s sorry Nina is probably going to use this against him when she petitions the court for visitation with Wiley. She says, let’s not worry about that right now. She’s sorry she wasn’t there when he was booked. He says he appreciates that, but there’s nothing she could have done. Diane handled everything, and Willow is here now. He heard from his mom that she was held up at work. She says that’s what she told Carly when she texted, but she wasn’t being honest with Carly, or with him.
Harmony tells Alexis that Nina is trying to enlist her help with Wiley without going to court. Alexis asks, how? and Harmony says, Nina wants her to influence Willow; she says Wiley’s grandfather is on her side. Alexis says, but Harmony doesn’t want to get involved, and Harmony says she thinks it will cause so much tension between her and her daughter. Alexis says she doesn’t want to get involved either because Wiley is Kristina’s nephew, so she wants to stay out of any potential conflict between Nina and Willow. She suggests Harmony do the same thing, and Harmony says she wishes it was that simple.
Nina says she’ll have a club soda, and Sonny laughs, putting some in a glass. She says, perfect, and he says, now that that’s taken care of, how about the help? She says, it’s not that she doesn’t want his help, but she doesn’t think he should offer it. He asks if it’s about Wiley. Is she going to file a petition? She says she hasn’t talked to the lawyer yet. Has he tried to talk to Michael again? Sonny flashes back to Michael saying he’s prioritizing Nina, and that a family man wouldn’t sabotage his family by putting the woman who blew their lives apart ahead of them. Sonny tells Nina that he couldn’t get anywhere with Michael because he’s very stubborn, and she says she wishes she could walk away for his sake. He says, she’s allowed to see her grandson. He’d do the same if he was in her shoes. She says she’ll try not to get him involved, but he says he’s already involved. The choices she makes and her pain matters to him, but she has to know, if she goes to court on this, lines are going to be drawn and sides are going to be taken. If he doesn’t take a side, that means he’s taking her side. She says she’d never ask him to choose her over his son, so if he has to go against her in court and support Michael’s attempt to block her petition, she’ll understand. He asks if they can just hope it doesn’t get to that, and she says, they can hope, but he needs to know that she’ll do whatever’s necessary to ensure she has a role in her grandson’s life.
Anna says, let her get this straight. In trying to save Drew… Sam says, Carly blew the scam wide open. Drew says, but they did get one piece of intel before Carly arrived, and Sam says, Victor mentioned Operation Demeter. Anna says she doesn’t know what that is. What is Demeter? The goddess of harvest? She presides over the cycles of life and death? Sam asks if it’s not familiar to Anna, and Anna says, no, but she can access the WSB file. Drew says, all the ops he did as a SEAL are classified, and Anna asks if he reached out to Kim, but he says she doesn’t remember him ever mentioning it. Anna looks at her phone, and says she doesn’t see an Operation Demeter here; there’s nothing. Sam says, so the operation probably initiated with U.S. Intelligence, and Anna says, or the operation is above her clearance, which is entirely possible. Or the operation went so horribly wrong, they’ve deleted all records.
Victor tells Ava that he and Yohan were catching up on some business while he was waiting for the rest of the family. He tells Yohan, that about covers it, thanks him, and says he’ll be in touch. Yohan pulls out Ava’s chair for her, and leaves. Ava says, Victor must have had some super pressing business to have a meeting at the MetroCourt before their family dinner. He says, pressing, yes, but before family, never. She completely agrees, and says she can’t recall what he said he was doing for work these days. He says, perhaps that’s because he never told her. Why does he get the feeling she’s playing him because she wants something? She says, because she always wants something, and usually she gets it.
Laura says she thinks Spencer and Nikolas both know Victor’s not her favorite person, and Nikolas says he hopes she’ll still join them. It wouldn’t be a family celebration without her. Laura’s phone dings, and she says she completely forgot. It’s the chairperson from the Traffic Commission. They have a meeting in ten minutes. It’s been rescheduled so many times, she doesn’t feel she can cancel. She’ll meet them over at the MetroCourt. She tells Spencer, welcome back, hugs him, and leaves. Nikolas asks if they should head out, but Spencer says, he and Esme have some things they need to say to each other first. Nikolas says, of course (🍷), and Spencer says, in private. Nikolas says, Spencer will still join them for dinner? and Spencer shrugs. Nikolas says he’ll hope for the best, and leaves. Esme says she was hoping to be gone before Spencer returned, but his grandmother convinced her they could talk things out. He says, really, and she says he saw her earlier. Apparently, Laura is warming up to her. Spencer asks when that happened, and she says, Laura thinks she might actually be a good influence on him. Unlike what his friends think.
Jordan says, Tommy is just a couple of years older than Curtis. His memories of their father were vague; he rarely mentioned them. Curtis says, maybe Tommy remembered something he didn’t think was important at the time, and she says, if he did, he never shared it with her. Besides, Tommy was way too young for Marshall to confide in him about entering Witness Protection. He says, if that’s what really happened, and she asks what he’s saying. He tells her, Marshall didn’t outright say he was in the Witness Protection Program. (Thank you.) Curtis inferred, and Marshall didn’t deny it. She asks if he learned something that contradicts that, and he says, possibly. That’s why he needs her help to shed some light on it. She asks, how? and he says, Marshall applied for a job, and confided in him that he had an arrest record; a sealed arrest record, which might explain why he disappeared and let them think he was dead. Jordan has access to that record. She can unseal it, and let him know anything important Marshall might be keeping from him. She says she’s sorry, but there is no way.
Nina tells Sonny, how about this? They stop talking about Wiley, they stop talking about competitions, they stop talking about family feuds. He says he seconds that motion, and they clink glasses, saying, cheers. He asks if she wants more club soda, but she says, no, she’s got to drive later. She asks if he refilled the decanters at his penthouse, but he says, no. She says, he’s not tempted by the display of all the bottles here? He says, baby steps, and she says, his baby steps are pretty big. She’s proud of him. He says, it’s not going to be easy, but the plan was to let Phyllis have the bar. She says, right, but life gets complicated. Does he still want to follow through on that plan? He says he has to convince Phyllis that it’s her bar, but Nina says she doesn’t think it’s going to take a lot of persuasion. Think about it. Phyllis owning the local watering hole? It’ll feel like old times… well, almost. He asks if she means when they were back in Nixon Falls; that was their home. She says, that life seemed real, but it wasn’t, because didn’t know the truth about himself. Now everyone knows the truth, and it’s up to them to decide what’s real.
Willow tells Michael, it was nothing serious, but she fainted in an empty patient room. He asks why she fainted; is she sick? Why didn’t she tell him sooner? She says she told him, it wasn’t serious. She hadn’t eaten all day and she was dehydrated. Between parenting Wiley and studying for nursing exams, she was running herself thin, but Epiphany took good care of her. He says he’ll have to thank her, but he wishes Willow had told him sooner. She says, he was spending the night in a cell. She didn’t want him worrying about her. It’s not like he could do anything about it. She didn’t go to Carly because she was dealing with Josslyn, and didn’t need to worry about her too. He says he hates that she was alone. Epiphany’s great, but she was on duty and couldn’t stay with Willow. Willow says she wasn’t alone. Her mom showed up for her.
Alexis asks, what’s so complicated about Harmony staying out of Willow and Michael’s business? and Harmony says, things are always complicated when it comes to her grandson. She thanks Alexis for the advice about Nina, and says she’s going to get out of Alexis’s hair. Alexis asks if there’s anything else Harmony would like to talk about, but Harmony says, no, and asks if Shawn is around. She’s like to avoid him. Alexis says, she doesn’t think that’s going to be a problem because Shawn went to San Francisco, and she doesn’t know when he’s going to be back. Harmony asks if Alexis okay about that, and Alexis says, things got a little tense before he left.
Curtis says Jordan isn’t going to help him? and she says, hunting down sealed records and unsealing them without a court order is illegal. He was in law enforcement and knows that as well as she does. He says, the man is lying to him and TJ. He has questions and needs answers, and she has the ability to get them. She says, unethically, and he asks when that’s ever stopped her. She didn’t think twice about getting Laura’s sealed arrest record for Cyrus Renault. She says, that’s not the same. She was being blackmailed; TJ’s life was at stake. She had no choice. He says, because TJ is family, and they’re not that to each other anymore. Is that how it is? Curtis is pissing me off. He wanted the divorce, and so, no, they’re not family anymore. Way to pressure her when she just got back from a long stay at a hospital.
Nina looks down the bar, and asks if those are 45s. What are they doing here? She goes over to look at the stack of records, and he says, Phyllis wanted to add a vintage jukebox to the place, but then she figured out it would block the customer’s path to the tables and bar. Nina says, that’s too bad. She loved it when they played music at the Tan-O. He laughs, and she picks up one of the 45s, saying, she remembers when they danced to this song. She picks up another one, and says. she can’t believe Phyllis has a copy of this; this is a great song. She forgot about it. She says she knows how it goes, and starts to sing, I woke up in the morning… Sonny says, she’s doing good, but that’s not quite it. He brings out his phone, and puts on the song. She says she loves this one, and he goes around the bar. He holds out his hand, and they dance.
Jordan says, he’s not being fair, and Curtis whines, what’s not fair is that she’s doing this to him after all she put him through. She says she knows he’s going through a lot right now, and knows they have a lot of unresolved issues from their marriage, but do not equate the two. And do not, under any circumstances, come in here and tell her how to do her job, or what code she can or cannot live by. She thought they were in a good place, but he’s come too close to destroying all that good will they built up. She’s not the bad guy here. He says, so she really won’t get the records for him, and she asks if he’s heard a single word she said. She can’t, but she’s willing to help him in any way she can. He tells her, don’t bother, and slams out like the big baby he’s being.
Laura sits down with Sam, Anna, and Drew. She says she’s due to have dinner with Victor and the family. Is it too much to hope they found something to put Victor behind bars? Anna says, she and Felicia were able to access the files at the Transportation Bureau in Innsbruck, and a certain Kurt Markovich, and employee there, became suspicious of them. But eventually, he did admit to sabotaging Luke’s cable car. Laura says, it was not an accident; he was murdered. Sam says she’s so sorry Laura found out this way. She wishes it could have been different. Anna says she’s sorry. The crash was deliberate, but this Kurt didn’t admit to targeting Luke, and unfortunately, they couldn’t get anything else out of him because he took his own life there. Laura says, but they know it was Luke, don’t they? and Anna says, unless the Bureau finds evidence to the contrary, they’ll proceed as if Luke was just another victim that day. Laura says, collateral damage? and Anna says, yes, to Kurt’s fanatical cause. Drew says, whatever that was, and Anna says, unfortunately, they weren’t able to connect this crash and Luke to Victor. Laura says, maybe not yet, but knowledge is power, and they’re off to a good start.
Ava says, she suspects when Victor finally reveals his big plan for the family, it’ll behoove her to remain in his good graces. He says, so her friendliness toward him has a more selfish motivation, and she says, he knows better than anybody they all have selfish motivations. She’s just up front about hers. Besides she and Nikolas are married; she and Victor are family now. They’ll be in each other’s lives from now on. Shouldn’t that make them allies, able to enjoy each other’s company? He lifts his glass, when Nikolas arrives. He says he hopes they didn’t order without him, and she says, of course (🍷) not. She was beginning to think he’d stood them up. Where’s Spencer? Nikolas says, things were a little tense between him and Esme. Spencer wanted some time to talk to her. Victor hopes they’re coming; this celebration is for Spencer. Nikolas says, Spencer woudn’t make any promises, and Ava says she’s sorry. She knows how anxious Nikolas has been to make almonds amends to him. Nikolas says, the reality is, he and Spencer have a long way to go before any healing takes place, but Victor says, no. That is absolutely unacceptable.
Spencer says he’s glad Esme didn’t leave before he returned home. They left a lot unsaid. In fairness, it’s not like he could have chased after her with twelve hours left on his sentence. She says she didn’t like how they ended things either. She tossed and turned all night, wondering if he meant all the horrible things he said to her; that he actually believed she was the one responsible for filming Joss and Cameron doing the dirty. Thank you for realizing that wasn’t true. She moves closer to him, but he backs up and tells her, he never said that. She says she’s a little confused. If he doesn’t believe her, then what’s been left unsaid? He says he wants to believe her. He wants to believe in her, but right now she’s blaming Trina for something he knows she couldn’t possibly… Esme says, but she could, and he says he doesn’t know. What he does know is, she was at the cabin, and she has a side to her that is capable of going to extremes. She says, he means like what she did to Ava: setting her car on fire, planting her dead daughter’s hospital ID badge beneath the car. She’d never even heard of Ava Jerome until Spencer decided to frighten her away from his father. How does she know he’s not the one capable of filming his friends without their consent? He was at the cabin too, but he doesn’t see her going around accusing him. How do they know it isn’t all his doing?
Nikolas says he knows Victor is invested in healing the rift between him and Spencer, but it’s going to take time. Victor says, Nikolas doesn’t understand. He gave Nikolas room to take this process as slowly as he needed to bring the family together, but he trusted the wrong people, and now they’re running out of time. Valentin and Alexis will most likely never want to have anything to do with him again, but the rest of the family might come together while they still can. Nikolas says, while they still can? What’s that supposed to mean?
Harmony tells Alexis not to pressure herself. She’ll know when it’s time to move on. Alexis says, what she wants to move on from is this office. And since she’s the boss, she can declare the work day over. So she declares the work day’s over. Molly and TJ are making her a feast tonight to thank her for letting them stay with her. Harmony says, are they moving out? and Alexis says, they are. They found another place. She’s sad and she’ll miss them, but it’s good they have their own space. Harmony says, it must be nice to have a home cooked meal. Her motel room doesn’t have a kitchen. Alexis asks if she said motel room. She’s staying in a motel? Since she left prison? That’s a year ago. Harmony says, yeah. It’s tough to save up for a deposit on what she makes at Spring Ridge. Alexis says she’s sorry. Would it help if someone co-signed a lease for her? Harmony says, someone like Alexis?
The desk sergeant tells Michael that they need Commissioner Ashford to sign off on the paperwork before he leaves, and goes in the back. Michael says, while they wait, Willow can tell him about Harmony. Willow says, her condition wasn’t serious, but when Harmony heard she was in the hospital, she couldn’t get there fast enough. Michael says, that’s what parents do; they move heaven and earth for their kids. She says, easy for him to say. He knows her history. Her mom is a seeker, and her love for Willow always came second place to enlightenment. Michael says, and last night was different, and Willow says, yeah. It was like the mom she’d always hoped for showed up. She was so loving and concerned. He says, it must have been nice for her, and she says, it was the first time her mom put her needs ahead of her own, or some spiritual leader’s. She’s grateful, even if she doesn’t know what inspired this new Harmony.
Sonny and Nina slow dance, and flash back to slow dancing at the Tan-O. He spins her, and they get closer. He says, she has to admit, he’s pretty good, and she says she gives him an A for effort. He says, what about execution? and she says he’s a little rusty, but she can whip him back into shape. They have all the time in the world… except… that’s the one they thing don’t have. I can tell you this, what they do have is Sonny’s dimples.
Alexis says she’s not necessarily saying it should be her, and Harmony says she has the feeling they’d be crossing a line. Alexis says, what if she helps Harmony with a security deposit; a loan. Harmony says she wouldn’t want to jeopardize their friendship by owing Alexis money, and Alexis says she has an empty house, and Harmony needs a home. So why doesn’t Harmony take the next few weeks, save some money, and stay with her?
Jordon tells Michael, he’s good to go. Make sure he makes his court date. He says, understood. Jordan’s phone rings, and she steps away. Michael asks if Willow is ready, and she says, let’s go. He takes her hand, and says he owes her a second apology. In addition to decking that reporter, he delayed their vacation. She says, turnabout’s fair play. She delayed it first with the search for her birth certificate. Now he’s out on bail, and has to stay in town. He asks if she’ll settle for a candlelit dinner, and she says, with coq au vin, mousse au chocolat, and a lovely Bordeaux? See? She already speaks the language. He tells her, you know what they say, we’ll always have Paris, and they kiss.
On the phone with Robert, Jordan says, the judge set a date for the trial. Diane Miller is gearing up for a fight. There’s been no additional pressure from the Quartermaines or Sonny Corinthos. No special requests… Right. She’ll keep him posted.
Sonny says he’s got to go, and Nina says, her too. Curtis walks in, and says, Sonny’s office said he could find Sonny here. He asks if he came at a bad time, but Nina says, no. She came to see Phyllis, but she’s not here, so she was just leaving. She grabs her bag, and Curtis asks if she’s sure. She says, she and Curtis will catch up soon, and she leaves. Sonny asks what he can do for Curtis, and Curtis says he needs to ask Sonny a favor.
Spencer tells Esme, knock it off. She knows he was in Spring Ridge and couldn’t have posted the video. She says, he told her that he was able to sneak in and out of Spring Ridge thanks to Uncle Victor, and she knows he and Cam were enemies when they were kids. Maybe that sex tape was payback. He says, that is not at all… and she says, calm down. She doesn’t actually believe he did it; she was just making a point. He had motive and opportunity, but he doesn’t see her accusing him, because she has faith in her partner’s character. She has faith in them, or at least she used to. But he can’t seem to extend that same grace to her, can he? He doesn’t answer, and she says she guesses there’s nothing more they can say to one another. She drops her purse going out the door, and quickly moves to retrieve it, but not before Spencer picks up a pregnancy test that’s fallen out.
Anna says, Tracy and Bobbie will be informed that the crash was deliberate, but Sam wonders if they should tell them the truth. Laura says, she’d rather not. Bobbie already suspects Luke was targeted, but she doesn’t know Victor might be a part of it. Tracy’s in the Netherlands. Drew says, the less they know the safer they’ll be, and Laura says, exactly. Drew says, especially after that scam on the bridge. Victor now knows Drew is coming for him. Anna says, he’ll realize the walls are closing in on him, and Laura says, anyone he suspects is working to expose him will be in grave danger now.
Victor apologizes to Ava and Nikolas for his outburst. He says he supposes he was just airing his frustration with Valentin. Nikolas says, because Valentin doesn’t want Victor in his life? and Victor says not to let an old fool project his problems on Nikolas’s relationship with his son. Nikolas says, it’s not the first time Victor has alluded that something is eating him up, and Ava says, obviously something important, even dangerous, is happening. Nikolas says, Victor made it clear that he couldn’t or wouldn’t discuss it with them, but they are family. Ava says, they can’t help ease his burden, they can’t help him if he doesn’t share it with them. Nikolas says, perhaps it’s time Victor told them exactly what he’s been planning since before he was back in town. Victor rubs his signet ring, and says, maybe they’re right.
Tomorrow, Josslyn asks if Cameron is saying it’s her fault; Esme says Spencer has broken her heart; Victor asks if he has Nikolas and Ava’s support; and Sonny says, with all due respect, how is it Curtis’s business?
See you tomorrow for the wild card that is Friday, where you’ll find soap, tea, sage statements, and something to tickle your musical bone. Until then, stay safe, stay not changing lanes without signaling, and stay remembering knowledge is power.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sonny goes home. He looks around, and checks out his new scruffiness in the mirror. Upstairs, Jason puts his and Carly’s champagne glasses on the mantel. Carly says she trusts Jason more than anyone. She can’t believe how nervous she is. He says, there’s no rush. They have the rest of their lives. Sonny looks around the living room, glad to be back. He looks at framed family photos and smiles. Carly says she told Jason this morning, if they got married, she’d fall in love with him. She flashes back to telling Jason that she was in love with him back then, and realized if she married him, she might fall in love with him again. In the present, she says, she was wrong. She was in love with him then, and she’s in love with him now. He says he loves her too, and they kiss. Sonny goes out on the terrace, looks at the stars, and comes back in.
On the phone outside, Peter says he’s at the rendezvous; where’s the ride?… He doesn’t have ten minutes to wait. They said they’d get him out of there. Make it happen. Anna says, scheduling problems? and Peter turns to see her with her gun aimed at him. She says she woudn’t worry. He’s not going anywhere. She tells him to put his hands where she can see them. He asks what brings her to Nixon Falls, and she says, catching a killer and bringing him to justice. She tells him to throw his phone, and lie face down on the ground. We see there’s a gun in the back of his waistband, and he says, let’s talk first.
Maxie tells Austin that she’s sorry, but she has to go. Peter’s been spotted. He says, her ex? and she says, yeah. She needs to get to the Quartermaines. He asks why she has to go there, and she says, because of the baby.
Brook thanks Chase for staying. She could really use his help. He says, with what? and she says she’s been struggling with something, and thinks he might have the answer.
At the hospital, Britt tells Elizabeth that Terry has nearly perfect recall, and Elizabeth says. Always. She was jealous of Terry when they were kids in school. Finn says he thought Elizabeth and Terry were heading out to some dance place, and Elizabeth says they were, but she deleted some shared documents, and they had to stay late to reconstruct them. Britt was nice enough to help them out. Britt says, can they stop please? They both know what tonight was really about.
Jason asks if Carly is still nervous, but she says, no. He looks great in the tux. He guesses it’s all right, and she says, a little formal. She undoes his tie, gazing into his eyes. Sonny walks in, and everyone is all, wtf? She says, Sonny? and Sonny says, it’s him. She faints, and Jason catches her.
Jason puts Carly on the bed, and Sonny asks if she’s all right. Jason says, she’s in shock. He’s in shock. How is Sonny even here? Sonny says, it’s a long story, and sits on the bed. He tells Carly to wake up, and she opens her eyes, startled, and asks if she’s dreaming. He says, no, he’s there, and she sits up. She says, Sonny? He’s real? He says he missed her, and he hugs her. She says, he’s here. Oh my God, Sonny, totally forgetting about Jason, who is now the third wheel in the room.
Peter says he was hoping he’d never have to lay his eyes on Anna again. But since they’re both here, why don’t they make the most of their time together? Clear the air, once and for all. She says, if he reaches for the gun in his waistband, she’ll put a bullet in his gut. It will be horrifically painful, and his chances of survival will be pretty slim. He says, she’d really do it, wouldn’t she? and she says she wants to; he doesn’t need to give her an excuse. He says, suppose he lets her take him into custody? What then? Does she really want him to give his statement to the police? Where he tells them how he fled for his life from the upstanding Dr. Finn, who was trying to kill him?
Britt asks if she can trouble Elizabeth for a minute in private, and Elizabeth says, sure. They walk down the hall, and Britt says she knows Elizabeth deleted the notes on purpose. Elizabeth asks, what gave her that idea? and Britt says she was headed to her room at the MetroCourt, to stare at the wall and worry about her mother, and Elizabeth and Terry wanted her to focus on something else. It was four hours of pointless busywork, and it worked. Britt thanks her, and Elizabeth asks how she knew. Britt says, Elizabeth doesn’t make mistakes like that. In fact, Elizabeth rarely makes mistakes. It’s one of her more annoying qualities. Elizabeth kind of smiles.
Maxie says she’s sorry to put Austin on the spot, but they came in his car, and she doesn’t have time to wait for a Ride Share. He asks if it had something to do with the phone call she got, and she says, yes. It was from her sister-in-law Nina. Austin met her at Kelly’s. Nina’s been staying in this small town in Pennsylvania, and they spotted Peter there. They think he might be coming to Port Charles. He asks what it has to do with the Quartermaines or Bailey, and she says, it has to do with Bailey’s father, Valentin Cassadine. Peter and Valentin have a history together, most of it bad. Since Peter just lost his own daughter, it would make sense that he’d go after Valentin’s out of spite. He says she thinks Peter would go after a baby? and she says she does, and thinks they need to warn them. Austin says, let’s go.
Chase says, this is a real mess, and Brook says, clearly. He says she should have come to him sooner, and she says her first instinct is to always handle things on her own, but this is beyond her. We see a jigsaw puzzle on the table, and he asks what she’s tried so far. She says she started with sorting by color, and he can see how well that turned out. Maybe sorted by shape? He says, that’s a good call. Why didn’t she mention she was into puzzling? She says, it’s a recent hobby, since Bailey was born. It helps her focus, but this one is stressing her out. He says, that’s because it’s bigger than she’s used to, and she say she likes hundreds of pieces. She finds a piece that fits, and he says she’s getting the hang of it.
Scotty comes into the hospital, and asks Finn if Britt is in. Finn says he just saw her, and Scotty says, any word on her mother?
At the reception, Willow and Michael slow dance, and he says, it looks like they’re the last ones there. Willow wonders if they’ll get kicked out, but he says his mom’s the co-owner. They can stay until sunrise if they want. Maxie put so much work into the decorations, they owe it to her to take full advantage. Willow says, oh, well, if they’re doing it for Maxie’s sake, and he says, besides, it’s their first outing as an official couple. No secrets to keep; just her and him together. She says she likes the sound of that, and they kiss.
Carly asks Sonny, what happened? When the bridge collapsed they searched for him for weeks. Jason says he saw Sonny fall in; he jumped in after him. Carly says they thought he’d drowned, and Sonny says, he almost did. She says, it was months ago. Where was he? He says he’s sorry. He couldn’t find his way home. Carly hugs him again.
Britt tells Elizabeth that she’s going to rearrange her schedule, so she can show up at the staff meeting tomorrow, and Elizabeth laughs. Her phone dings, and she says, Cameron just sent her some pictures of him and Josslyn. She shows Britt, who says, Jason and Carly’s wedding reception. Did everyone have fun? Elizabeth says she doesn’t know, and Britt wonders if anyone found a hair in their soup. Elizabeth says, excuse me? and Britt tells her, it’s something her mother said when Maxie told her that she was planning the wedding. Mutter didn’t think Jason and Carly should have such a perfect day.She wanted Maxie to build in a minor hiccup. Elizabeth says, a hair in the soup kind of seems kind of tame for Obrecht, and Britt says, don’t tell anyone, but she thinks her mother is mellowing… or she was. Scotty and Finn come along, and Scotty says he’ll take it from here. Finn says just make sure he’s recovered from his involuntary skydiving. Scotty says he doesn’t remember anything. He certainly didn’t wake up on a beach; he woke up on the ground. Britt says she wishes he remembered something about her mother. Scotty says, so does he. He’s been climbing the walls. That’s why he came to the hospital. He thought he and Britt could work together.
Michael and Willow sit at a table with champagne, and Michael asks, if they got married again, would she want a reception like this? He knows it’s a silly superstition, but she did catch the bouquet. She says, it’s a nice fantasy. Them, surrounded by flowers, Wiley in a cute little suit, their friends and family wishing them well. But she’s too happy where are right now to think about planning a wedding. He sees her point. They’ve barely had time to be reunited. They should take the time to savor where they are right now, before they start finding new ways to complicate it. She says, as long as he knows that he is who she wants. Him, her, and Wiley, and the life they make together. She’s not worried about the future because she knows he’ll be there. Like she’ll be there for him. He says, that’s all he needs to hear.
Brook has a puzzle section completed, and Chase says, impressive. She says, don’t be so amazed, and he says he meant it as a compliment. She says because he didn’t think she’d be any good, and he says, puzzling is a little quiet for her. She says she’s a huge fan of quiet moments; she thinks they’re very valuable. That proves how little he knows her. He says he can’t argue with her there. He’s already proved he can’t see what’s right in front of him. She tells him not to go all negative on her. He didn’t deserve what Michael and Willow did to him, but the good news is, it’s behind him. It’s over, and he gets to focus on what’s next. He says, whatever that is, and she tells him, uncertainty about your future can be a good thing. Look at her. She never thought she’d be living in this house – Monica’s house – with a brand new baby. Over half the time, she doesn’t even know what she’s doing. He says, Bailey doesn’t seem to mind. Why would she? Brook is a great mom. She says that means a lot coming from him. She just loves this little girl so much. She’s completely changed Brook’s world. The doorbell rings, and Brook says, Yuri will get it. Motherhood is completely different from what she expected. It’s much bigger, scarier, and more amazing than she imagined. Sometimes, Bailey will look at her and smile, or grab something and look at it like, oh my gosh, look what I picked up. It takes her breath away; it’s unbelievable. Maxie bursts in, and says, where is she? and Brook says, Bailey’s right there; what’s wrong? Maxie goes to the bassinette, and touches Bailey, saying, she’s okay. Chase asks if something happened, and Maxie says, Peter’s back.
Peter asks how long Anna thinks Finn will last in prison. She’ll have to kill him or let him go, because as soon as he’s in custody, he’s going to explain how Finn pushed him down a flight of stairs, and dumped his unconscious body in a freezer, and left him there to die. Since his story is true, forensics will back him up. She says he dropped some blood in the hospital basement that could easily have been placed there. He’s got nothing. He says, assuming Finn doesn’t feel morally obligated to confess. He does strike Peter as that kind of guy. She asks why Finn would confess to something that never happened. He’s got more important things to do with his life. He says he sees; she’s going to convince Finn to lie. What happened to the pursuit of justice? She says she lost interest in justice right around the time he hired a psychopath to kidnap Maxie. That psycho snapped, took Maxie’s baby, and gave her to God knows who.Maxie’s daughter could be anywhere. He says, his daughter. Louise is his, and he will find her. He pulls the gun from his waistband. While Valentin is grilling the guy Peter was going to meet, he hears a gunshot, and runs toward it.
Carly asks why Sonny smells like smoke; was he in a fire? He says he was physically under a beam, and there was a fire, and he thought he was going to die. That’s when it all came to him. Her, the kids, his whole life. She says he couldn’t remember them? and he says, he called himself Mike because it was on his watch. Actually, he threw his dad’s watch away. Jason says Sonny has to tell him what happened in order, because last December, they were in Secaucus. Sonny chased Julian out on the footbridge and it collapsed. He jumped in after them, and they searched for weeks, and there was no sign of him. Sonny says, all he remembers is, he wound up on the river bank. A hiker found him and took him to a clinic. People helped him out. He didn’t know who he was. What about them? What happened while he was gone? Jason says, there’s so much to explain and figure out, but the most important thing is that Sonny is right here. He can’t believe Sonny is alive. He thought he’d never see Sonny again. They hug.
Chase says he’ll need Maxie to take a deep breath, and tell him everything that happened, step by step. Maxie says, Nina called her while she was at the wedding reception. She said Peter was in Nixon Falls, Pennsylvania, but he left. She thinks he’s on his way to Port Charles, which of course (🍷) he is. Chase asks if Nina called the police in Nixon Falls, but Maxie doesn’t know. He says he’s going to make a few calls, and make sure the authorities in Nixon Falls know to be on the lookout for Peter. He asks if she’s talked to Mac, and she says, not yet. He says he’ll call Mac too, and get the PCPD on high alert. Brook asks if he’ll let Yuri know that Peter’s been sighted. He says he will, and jets. Brook looks on her phone for updates in Nixon Falls, and says, it looks like there was a fire in a bar. Three people were injured and they think it’s arson. Maxie says, it has to be Peter.
Scotty asks Britt to walk with him to Kelly’s, and she says she could use the fresh air. Scotty asks if anyone wants donuts, but has no takers. He leaves with Britt, and Elizabeth says she’s worried about him. It’s not like Scotty to show up and offer to get people coffee. She knows he’s a nice guy and all, but he’s generally a little more… Finn says, disheveled? No, self-absorbed. Elizabeth thinks he’s lonely. It was hard on him losing Franco; he was blindsided. Then he hooked up with Obrecht. Not that Obrecht is her first choice… Finn says, would she be anyone’s? Austin comes in, and says he’s looking for Britt. Elizabeth says she’s on a coffee run, but she thinks Britt is coming back. Finn tells him to try Kelly’s, and Austin says if they see her before he does, Maxie is trying to give her a message. Peter August is in Pennsylvania.
Anna kicks Peter’s gun away, and he says she actually shot him. He has a wound in his shoulder, and she says, it went clean through. She doubts he’ll need more than a few stitches. He asks if she shot to kill, and missed, but she says she didn’t miss. Where’s Drew Cain? He says, what? and she says, that plane crash over the Gulf of Adan was just a cover for his abduction. Where did Peter put him? He says, make him an offer, and maybe he’ll decide to tell her. She says he’s such a son of a bitch, and he asks if that’s any way to talk about her sister. She says, Alex is to blame for a lot of things, but this is all him, every step of the way. Valentin runs up, gun drawn, and asks if everything is under control. He says, hello, Peter. His guide can’t make the rendezvous; he’s handcuffed to a telephone pole, waiting for the authorities. Peter laughs, and says, look at him, suddenly a man of law and order. Anna picks up Peter’s phone, and Valentin tells her to call and tell the authorities they have Peter in custody; he’s going to tell them everything. Peter says, think again, and jumps into the river. Anna says, no!
Carly says, the local people who helped Sonny, who were they? Where has he been? He says, a little place in Pennsylvania, but he doesn’t want to get into it now. How are the kids? She says, the kids are fine.Avery and Donna are asleep. They’re going to be so excited to see him; Donna missed him so much. He says, nine months is a long time for a little kid. How’s Michael, Dante, Josslyn, and Kristina? Carly says, Josslyn’s at PCU. She can’t believe this. She can’t believe she’s talking to him about the kids. They missed him so much. They grieved for him every single day. She gave up praying and hoping for a miracle. Sonny says, she had to; both of them. They thought he was dead, and he’s so happy they had each other to lean on. Jason says, they did more than lean on each other. They got married.
Elizabeth tells Finn, they were in a hurry. They were traumatized. They must have made a mistake. Finn says, how? and she says, Peter must have regained consciousness in the freezer, opened it up, and climbed out. He says, how? and she says, what about Maxie?
Scotty sees Austin, and says, if it’s about the Quartermaine lawsuit, they’ll strategize another time; office hours. Austin says, thank you, but he’s there to talk to Britt. Maxie’s asked that he warn her. Peter August has resurfaced, and she’s fearful that he’s on his way back to Port Charles. Britt says, that’s sweet of Maxie to warn her, but Maxie is the one at risk. Peter’s obsessed with her.
Maxie tells Brook, thank God they did this. Thank God Peter has no idea Louise is here. Brook says she doesn’t blame Maxie for seeing for herself that Louise is okay. Maxie knows she took a risk in coming there, but she told Austin that Peter might lash out at Valentin by going after his baby. So if anyone asks… Brook says she’ll tell them the same thing. She’s sure Yuri gave Valentin a call to update him on Peter, but she should call Valentin herself. Maxie says Brook promised Valentin could handle Peter, and Brook says, Valentin understands how Peter thinks. He’s the best person to protect Bailey. Valentin lives there; maybe Maxie should too.
Willow says, it’s a beautiful night, and Michael agrees, but when she’s across from him, he can’t look anywhere else. She says, as long as she has his undivided attention, there’s something important they have to discuss. At one point, they talked about living together in the gatehouse, but he’s still in the main house, and she was wondering if he feels like it’s a better arrangement. He says, absolutely not, but he didn’t want to crowd her. The situation with Chase was tough on her… She says, it was tough on all of them, including Chase. He says, which is why he didn’t want to just move in the next day, like ready or not, the Chase part of her life is over, and a new one is about to begin. She says he’d never do that, and he says, exactly. That’s why he stayed in the main house. Willow says, the thing is, she’ll always be sorry Chase got hurt, but she’ll never regret falling in love with Michael. They hug.
On the phone, Anna says, it’s not search and rescue; it’s hunt for a fugitive. She wants roadblocks, and teams on both sides of the river. Yes?… Keep her posted. She says, anything? but Valentin says he doesn’t see any sign of Peter. It took guts to make a jump like that. She says, the fall will probably kill him, and Valentin says, given his father’s knack for survival, they’d be fools to assume he’s dead. She says he doesn’t strike her as a fool, and he says he’s not. Neither is she.
Sonny says, married, when? and Carly says, today, a couple hours ago. He asks if those are her wedding clothes, and she says, yeah. He says she looks beautiful, and she says, thanks. It was complicated. It was really crazy. Sonny says, just tell him, and Jason says, as soon as Sonny disappeared, there was pressure from the Five Families bruschetta, and from Cyrus. They had to secure their position, so they declared Sonny legally dead and held a funeral. Sonny says, that makes sense. They had to let people think the business was stable. Was he running things? Jason says he was, until Peter framed him for Franco’s murder. Sonny says, Franco’s dead? No big loss. Jason was being blamed? Carly says, thanks to Gladys. Jason tells Sonny, Gladys said she saw him ditch the murder weapon. He was remanded for trial, and held at Pentenville. Sonny asks, so who was running the business? and Carly says, her.
Maxie says, Brook wants her to live with the Quartermaines? and Brook says, absolutely. She could bring Georgie and James with her. They have so much room, two housekeepers, a cook, a live-in nanny, and they have Yuri. Maxie says, this is Monica’s house, and Brook says, she’s already letting Valentin and Charlotte stay here. She’s sure it would be no problem with Maxie. Maxie says, except Monica thinks she has an unnatural attachment to Bailey, and needs therapy. Brook says, that was before. The situation is radically different now. Peter is alive. He’s an active threat, and this house has fantastic security. She’s sure Monica would have no problem with Maxie moving in. Maxie says, she would, but she can’t live in a house with her daughter, and not take care of her like she’s her own. She doesn’t care how big this house is. Brook asks, then how do they make sure Maxie is protected from Peter?
Willow appreciates Michael wanting to give her time, but she doesn’t need it. Just the opposite. She can’t wait to start their life together. He asks if she’s sure. As much as he loves her, she has the habit of doing what she thinks other people would want. She says, person in a glass house, please don’t throw stones, and he says he does do that a lot, doesn’t he? She tells him, this time, she’s saying what she wants; everything they talked about. She wants to wake up every morning in bed with him, eat breakfast in the kitchen, hang out on couch and read stories to Wiley, or watch The Emperor’s New Groove for the hundred-thousandth time. He says he loves how much she laughs at it, and she says she loves how he laughs at it with her. She actually thinks they enjoy it more than Wiley. She knows their life won’t always be easy and perfect. He has a stressful job, and an even more stressful family. She’s navigating nursing school, and if they wait for the perfect time, it will never come. He completely disagrees. The perfect time is now. They kiss, and he says, let’s get home. She picks up the bouquet on their way out.
Sonny says, Carly was running the business? and she says, Jason couldn’t do it. He was in Pentenville, and Cyrus was being relentless. He was trying to have Jason killed. Sonny says, clearly, he failed, and Jason says, Diane was sure she could get him exonerated at trial, but it would have taken months, and they didn’t have that kind of time, so he escaped. Sonny says, with everyone depending on Jason, he made himself a fugitive. That’s not something Jason would do. Carly says, it was her. She forced Jason to escape.
Chase tells Maxie, here’s the deal. He and Yuri went through whole house. They checked all the entry points, and it’s clear. There’s a patrol car sitting at the front gate, and there’s one in front of Maxie’s apartment. Mac is sending a car there to take Maxie home, and Mac and her mom will meet her there with Georgie and James. Maxie says, there are some advantages to having a stepdad who’s acting Police Commissioner. Brook asks if he has any news from Nixon Falls, and he says, the PCPD is coordinating with the Pennsylvania state police. He doesn’t have any specifics, but they’re searching for Peter, and roadblocks are going up. Brook says, hopefully, they find him before he gets anywhere near Port Charles. She thinks this tension isn’t good for Bailey. There’s a ton of literature on how babies pick up on energy. Chase asks if she wants him to take Bailey to the nursery, and she asks if he’s volunteering. He says he and Bailey are like old friends, and Brook takes Bailey from the bassinette. She asks if Bailey wants Uncle Chase to take her to the nursery, and says she thinks Bailey does. She hands the baby to Chase, and he says he’s not going to tell Maxie not to worry, but the PCPD is on this. They’re going to do everything in their power to make sure Peter doesn’t get near her. He takes Bailey upstairs.
Britt asks where Maxie is now, and Austin says, he dropped her at the Quartermaines. Scotty wonders why she’d go there, and Austin says, apparently Peter August is obsessed with Valentin, and Maxie was worried Peter would go after his daughter. Scotty says, that’s a bit of a stretch, but Britt says, not for Peter. He has no idea how vindictive Peter can be.
Elizabeth tells Finn, let’s talk about something else for a moment. How’s Violet? He says, Violet is wonderful and amazing, and she wants a do-over of the camping trip. She’s disappointed she didn’t get to sleep in the tent. Apparently, setting one up in the living room isn’t the same. She says, let’s do it; let’s plan another trip. Before Scotty’s unexpected arrival, she thought things were going well. Doesn’t he think?
Carly tells Sonny that she had Jason stabbed in Pentenville. Just bad enough that he’d be taken to the hospital, where Britt could break him out. The plan would have worked, except Cyrus tried to kill Britt, and Jason went back in to save her, and got shot. Sonny says, so basically, everything went completely sideways, but Jason says, not completely. He got away and Britt patched him up. Sonny asks, what turned, so they got married? and Jason says, Carly broke him out that night because there was a meeting with the Five Families grissini. Cyrus was pushing to take Sonny’s place at the table, and open the territory to anybody who wanted to move product through the harbor. He was hurt too bad to go, so Carly went. Sonny says, she met with the Five Families crostini? and she says she didn’t have a choice.
Anna tells someone on the phone that she wants them to continue the search on the first mile downstream of the overlook… Where are they with the guide?… Okay, let her know. She tells Valentin, the guide’s local, retired military. He was contacted on the dark web, so they can pull a warrant and search his phone, but she doubts they’ll find anything. Valentin says, they can search Peter’s phone, and she says, but it’s blocked. Even if the techs crack it, she imagines his accomplice covered his tracks. He says, if the accomplice is able to evade a trace by the WSB, they have a remarkable level of expertise. She says, it’s just speculation on her part, but from what she overheard in the tone of Peter’s voice, he was urgent and impatient, but he wasn’t giving orders. Really? Make it happen isn’t an order? Valentin says, so she doesn’t think the accomplice was working for Peter? She says, no. Whoever Peter’s ally may be, she got the sense that they, not Peter, were the one with the power.
Finn tells Elizabeth, he thought the camping was going very well. The kids were having fun. She says, but not him? and he says he’d sit in front of a campfire with her anytime. Scotty comes by, and says, sorry to interrupt; they look a little intense. Elizabeth says, they were just talking about going camping, as a family.
On the phone, Maxie tells Britt, she’s fine; she promises. Britt says she can come stay with Maxie, but Maxie says, it’s okay. Mac and her mom have that covered. They’re meeting her at her place, and they’re going to stay there. Mac is sending a car for her. Britt tells Maxie to text her a selfie when she gets home, so she can be sure. Maxie says, deal, and tells Britt to be careful too. She’s not Peter’s favorite person. Britt says she’s not afraid of Peter. It’s actually kind of a relief to know he’s out there. She doesn’t have to wonder anymore. She just has to be ready to defend herself. Maxie tells her again to be careful, and Britt says, Maxie too. Brook tells Maxie that her car is here. It’s definitely the PCPD; Chase knows them. Maxie hands Brook the binky she stole, and says, take care of her, okay? Brook says she will, and Maxie thanks her, adding, she means that, and leaves.
Jason says, Sonny can ask Brando; he was there as Cyrus’s bodyguard. Carly rallied the rest of the families against Cyrus, and shut him down.She had Brick blow up one of his shipments, and it was the right message, perfectly timed. Sonny says, nice work, and Carly says, thanks, but it may have worked too well. She had to reassure the families that she was in charge. Her, by herself, sitting in his chair, making all the decisions, and they accepted her. Until Jason came back. Sonny says, the Five Familiespolpette don’t believe in shared power. They expected one of them to eliminate the other. Jason says, exactly right. So they had to send a message that he was in charge, and Carly backed him, so Carly wasn’t a liability. Sonny shrugs and says, so they got married. Great strategy.
Tomorrow, Brook says it’s an offer she can’t refuse, Spencer wonders if there’s a chance, Ava has to sign the divorce papers, and Jason needs to tell Dante something.
Below Deck Mediterranean
We backtrack a little on the crew dinner out, where Lexi told Mathew that his parents should have aborted him, and if there weren’t any cameras, she’d smack his ass. She says, the real bitch is out now, and stomps off. Courtney tells Mathew, they love him, and not to let it ruin the night. Lloyd says, it was a disgusting thing to say, and Delaney tries to blend into the woodwork. Lexi comes back, and Mathew says, welcome back, worst person in the world. Courtney tells Lexi that no one cares about how much money anyone has. It’s disgusting the way Lexi talks, and everybody has been gobsmacked be the things that come out of her mouth. Lexi tells her, everybody has said rude things, and Courtney reminds her that she just said Mathew should have been aborted. Lexi says, Mathew is rude AF, yet they give him a pass and let it slide. Courtney says they both should have been fired, and Mzi says Lexi is rude to all of them. Lexi calls someone that r-word, but it’s unclear if she means Mathew again, Mzi, or both. Katie asks what’s wrong with her, and Lloyd tells her, sit back down and shut up. Courtney asks if Lexi wants to be there, and Lexi says it’s not Courtney’s question to ask. She’s not Lexi’s superior, and she’s shady AF. Lloyd leaves the table, and the waiters watch from the doorway as Lexi and Courtney have it out, and Courtney calls Lexi the c-word. Katie tells them to stop it, and joins Lloyd, telling him that stress makes her want to vomit. They head for the taxis, and Malia thanks the waitstaff for a beautiful evening.
In the taxi, Courtney says she doesn’t like using the c-word, but if it applies to anyone, it’s Lexi. There’s a lot of bleeped stuff, and Courtney says, it was Mathew’s fault as well. Mathew says he knows. In the other taxi, Malia says she doesn’t disagree that when Mathew is drunk he says offensive things, but then Lexi stoops low. She doesn’t remember the night in the hot tub. But we do, and we flash back to that. Malia says, if that night hadn’t happened, some of the crew might have backed her. In Lexi’s interview, she says, Malia didn’t have to explain. She knew that. She didn’t come into yachting to hold hands and be friends. In the first taxi, Mzi and the others make fun of Lexi calling everyone poor. Mzi says, your poorness makes me angry. Malia tells Lexi that she should drop the money thing. Some people aren’t as fortunate as she is. The taxis arrive back at the boat.
In her cabin, Lexi says she’s so confused, and calls her mom. In the crew mess, Delaney is like, get me out of here, and David says he couldn’t be part of that conversation. Delaney says, it wasn’t Mathew’s fault, but he didn’t help, and Katie says, Lexi just isolated herself. Malia says, both Lexi and Mathew were throwing insults, but Katie says Lexi’s were more repulsive. She doesn’t think Lexi gets it. Katie says she’s going to talk to Captain Sandy, and make a decision. Malia says, as captain, she’d know a chef isn’t easily replaceable, and Mathew and Lexi aren’t going to work well together. Lexi tells her mother that every time she has a friend who’s not rich, they try to ruin her. Okay… Not sure where that’s coming from, since she has no friends on this boat.
Delaney takes a shower, and comes back to the crew mess, saying she’s feeling fresh. Malia thanks her for her help, and Katie says she was amazing. Delaney says she learned some new things about laundry. Everyone toddles off to bed, and Lexi tells her mom, how she’s feeling is none of their business. Katie asks if Lexi is good, and she says she is. She has nothing to say, and suggests they don’t talk about everything. In Katie’s interview, she says, there’s no point; the damage has been done. Lexi talks smack about Mathew, and her mother says she’s a preacher’s kid; she’s better than this. They want her fired, but everyone should be fired at this point for insubordination. In her interview, Lexi says, there’s going to be no apology. She’s had it with Mathew, and isn’t apologizing in any way, shape, or form.
In the morning, Delaney packs. In his interview, David says between a cramp in his calf and the bruise on his thigh, it’s the worst combination. When he’s been injured before, he’s told himself he’s fine, and tried to push through it, and it is usually fine. Delaney tells Lexi that she’s leaving, and Lexi deigns to give her a hug. In Delaney’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Lexi is a bad person, but they don’t agree on some things. She doesn’t think they can be friends, since they don’t have the same values. Katie hugs Delaney, who says, it was fun, and she definitely has a new appreciation for interior. In Delaney’s interview, she says, working in yachting, you’ve just got to keep going no matter what happens. You find your next boat and your next captain, and improve yourself.
Katie asks if she can talk to Captain Sandy, and Mathew tells Malia, it was awkward last night. Malia says, it started with something little and grew from there, and in Mathew’s interview, he says, he feels bad that his behavior ruined everyone’s time, but he’s not apologizing. He meant what he said. Lexi comes in, and Malia asks how she is. Lexi says, much better, but just grabs something to eat without looking at anyone, and jets. Malia asks the deckhands if everyone is okay. If anyone has any concerns, they should bring them to her, since she’s the head of their department. She doesn’t want anyone to feel like their voice or complaint isn’t being heard. Lloyd says, this time Lexi can’t say she doesn’t remember, and in his interview, he says he doesn’t like aggressive situations. Everyone shouting at each other is his worst nightmare. Malia says they should never be okay with an insult, and tells them, let’s get the boat washed.
Captain Sandy calls Katie and Malia to meet her, and Malia tells Katie that the captain picks up on sh*t even if she’s not around. They join the captain, and Malia says, it was a sh*t show last night. Mathew and Lexi don’t like each other, and it started at lunch. Captain Sandy asks, who started it? but Malia doesn’t actually know. In the galley, Mathew sings True Colors. Katie tells the captain that one of them gets mad, and the other feeds the fire, and Malia says, but Lexi takes her comments to a whole new level. Katie says Lexi told Mathew that he should been aborted, and called him the r-word. The captain says, this is ridiculous. Do they know who started it? Katie says, Mathew told Lexi that no one likes her (truth!), and Courtney stood up, and said they were both wrong both and should have both been fired. Then Lexi called Courtney lazy, when that’s not the case. It’s become a problem. The captain tells Katie to get Lexi in the main salon to talk, and in the captain’s interview, she says, even when the crew is out, they represent the vessel. They should emulate the behavior of what it should be on board. They must maintain that behavior within the crew, but sometimes that doesn’t happen, and that’s when she has to fire people.
Lexi and Mathew are called to the bridge salon, and Captain Sandy says, they had an incredible day planned yesterday; water sports, Krka Falls, and a beautiful dinner. How did it turn into fighting? Lexi says, Matt’s been attacking her from the second charter, and she was trying to avoid him like the plague, but he started drinking in the morning. The captain asks if that’s true, and Mathew says, everyone did. She asks who started it, and no surprise, Lexi points the finger at Mathew. She tells the captain that he’d been saying things to her all day, and Mathew says, during the first charter, he and Lexi had issues in the galley. Mathew says, Lexi said his mother should have aborted him, and that he was a r****d. Lexi admits she shouldn’t have said that, but Mathew says wild stuff and gets a pass. Katie says, none of them are innocent, but when Mathew gets aggressive, Lexi takes her reaction to another level. Lexi whines that Mathew is harboring old feelings, and Captain Sandy says, if she feels attacked, go to her chief officer, and if it’s not addressed, come to her. They’re there for guests, and what she’s hearing is that Lexi is difficult to work with. Lexi says, Mathew said that he was going to give the captain an ultimatum; him or her? The captain asks if he said that, and he says, it was in the heat of the moment. She says, she doesn’t ever want to be given an ultimatum – ever. Whoever gives her one can pack their f***ing sh*t and walk off the boat. She never wants to be given an ultimatum. She says, Mathew can go, and calls in Courtney.
The captain speaks with Malia and Courtney, and asks if Courtney called Lexi a see you next Tuesday. Courtney says, it just came out, but as soon as it did, she said she was sorry. Captain Sandy wonders how such a beautiful day could turn into a disaster, and Courtney says, Lexi told Mathew that he should have been aborted, and she said things back. Captain Sandy says, everyone started stuff, but Lexi is the one they’ve got the problem with. No one person is starting it all the time. Malia says that Lexi stooped low, and literally picked a fight the first night out with everyone. We flash back to that, and Malia says, Lexi pushed her, and threatened to slap Mathew. She gets super nasty, and when people step in, she gets mad. Lexi is called to the bridge, which sounds so Star Trek.
Lexi sits down, and the captain says, from what she sees, Lexi is a terrific human being , but she doesn’t go out drinking with them, and have their experiences, and Lexi’s been threatening people. Lexi says she didn’t mean it, but Captain Sandy says, it’s permeated the entire boat, and some of the crew can’t get around it.The many outweigh the one. She has to make a hard decision, and it’s not easy for her. She’s going to have to let Lexi go. When Lexi gets in the crew members’ faces, and threatens them physically, especially in the workplace, it will never work. She needs to look hard at that. Lexi says she’s sorry, and the captain says, when she came into this season, she wanted to finish with the crew she started with, but that’s not happening. They hug, and Captain Sandy says Lexi just has things to learn. Lexi says, she knows, but Mathew… In her interview, Captain Sandy says, Lexi crossing the line made her come to her decision. If you’re poking the bear when you’re off the boat, you have to figure it out; she’s not getting involved. But if one person is disturbing the whole crew, she has to deal with that person. She tells Katie to help get Lexi’s luggage, and be graceful about it. She says, Delaney is still there. She’s not a stew, but she is another person. Think about it. Katie goes the cabin she shares shared with Lexi, who refuses to say goodbye, and goes in the bathroom, shutting the door. Katie tells Malia that Lexi doesn’t want to talk, and Malia says, then we were two.
In Mzi’s interview, he says he’s not embarrassed about getting Courtney the flowers, but he wishes he hadn’t gotten so trashed. He’s going to respect the other person’s space. Malia tells Lexi that she knows it seems unfair that she and Mathew both said things, but only one of them is leaving. Captain Sandy calls Mathew to the galley, and tells him that she let Lexi go, but his behavior wasn’t the best either. Obviously he and Lexi had an issue that he couldn’t reset from, and he needs to own that. He is replaceable, and she has someone in quarantine to take his job, so don’t ever do an ultimatum. She was especially disturbed by their rocky start. He’s a head chef, and has to rise above it. She needs him to act that part. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, the chef in quarantine doesn’t have the same record as Mathew. There have been no complaints, and she doesn’t want to screw that up. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don’t.
Lexi leaves, bringing her suitcase through the galley, with her back to everyone. In her interview, she says, why say goodbye to a crew that were evil? They weren’t being nice to her, so they don’t exist. She’s not acknowledging them. She allows Malia to help her to bring her luggage to the dock, and in Lexi’s interview, she says, she hates that she got on Mathew’s level. She feels like in a way he won. She was wallowing in the mud with him, so he won. She leaves, and I think, good riddance. Mathew says, bye forever.
The captain has a crew meeting, and says, obviously, she let Lexi go. They have two more charters, and she was hoping to have a third stew and finish with the same crew she started with. That didn’t happen, but there will be no name calling from now on. They’re all adults. And no threatening. The ultimate goal is to provide for the clients. It’s going to be a challenge, but when it’s done, they’ll never have to do it again. She thinks they’re amazing. Let’s get ready to do our best. At least she didn’t say, team work makes the dream work. Delaney sends a message to David, saying, meeting him was epic and she wishes him an amazing end to the season. He’s all happy about it, until he finds out Mzi and Lloyd got the exact same message. Malia says, Delaney copied and pasted them. They clean the boat, and Malia tells them to enjoy their evening. In Lloyd’s interview, he says, nothing personal, but he’s glad David is moving back to his old cabin. Three guys in one room is not ideal.
The captain has a preference sheet meeting with Mathew, Katie, and Malia. She says, they’re three-quarters of the way through the season. The new primary is gospel artist Anthony, and his wife Chris, who he met in church. Captain Sandy loves that he’s a gospel singer, and Katie says she’s always wanted to go to a church like that. The captain reads that the guests want a mixture of adventure, and time to stop and smell the roses, and the primary doesn’t drink. Malia says, they’re an active group, and want to use all the water toys, and Katie adds that they want a beach picnic. She has the feeling these guests will be heavy on the deck crew. Mathew notes one allergy and guest who’s lactose intolerant. They want an Italian feast decorated with roses. Katie says she’s getting a nice vibe.
Lloyd tells David that he’d forgotten about Lexi’s commenting when David gave his speech, and we flash back to that. He says he told her to shut up. They’ll see what happens tomorrow; it should be interesting. Malia asks if Katie is getting someone, and Katie says, either way, they’re f***ed. Mzi calls his brother, and Malia tries to convince Katie to keep Delaney on. She thinks having only two people is crazy. In her interview, she says, she’s happy to help out, but only after the deck is taken care of. She’s not going to be the one who looks like sh*t if the guests come out, and the water toys aren’t there. In Katie’s interview, she says she’d rather work harder for longer than have the emotional stress of bringing in someone new or bringing Delaney back.
Sibenik, Croatia. Katie tells Courtney that she’s made up her mind. What does she think of it being just them? In Courtney’s interview, she wonders if this makes her second stew, since there’s only two of them. She says, we’ve got this, sister. Malia can’t believe there are only two charters left, and tells the deckhands that the second to the last is always hardest. Captain Sandy says she doesn’t want to pressure Katie in to taking on another stew, but she doesn’t want the clients to feel any lack of service. Katie says, the last trip was actually more work. She’s going to trust her gut since she didn’t last time. The captain says Katie made a decision, and she trusts her. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, it’s going to be harder on Katie, but she trusts her. She’s going to allow Katie to have this journey and support her.
Provisions come in, and Malia says they haven’t gotten flowers yet. Courtney says she gets them all the time, and we flash back to Mzi’s flower delivery at dinner. Captain Sandy sees David limping, and says, not cool. Malia tells David that she knows he’s injured, and doesn’t want him in the harness, but David insists he’s good to go. She says she’s trusting him. Katie tells Courtney, we’ve got this, and David gets into the harness. The captain goes to where David is on deck, and radios Malia to meet them. She asks why David is limping, and David says he fell. She wants to see it, and he lifts his pant leg to show her a massive bruise. She says, that’s a major injury, and asks how he did it. He tells her he fell coming out of the hot tub, and she asks why it wasn’t reported. She’s disappointed in Malia 1000%. It’s a f***ing incident. She tells David, do not get in the harness, and tells Malia to make a report. It’s something you don’t keep from the captain – at all. Malia says, understood. It was… Captain Sandy says, was what? David fell and injured himself, and she has no idea why Malia didn’t report it. Malia says, it’s a bruise, and the captain says she can minimize it if she wants. Malia says she asked if he wanted to see a doctor, and he said, no. Captain Sandy says she doesn’t want him in a harness, and in her interview, she says, learning David was injured pisses her off. To not report a safety issue causes a liability to the crew and the owner. The fact that Malia knew is not okay. Malia broke her trust. The provisions are put away.
Captain Sandy says Malia should come to her when someone is injured, but Malia says she did her part. She asked if he wanted to see a doctor, and if it was serious. She’s not a chief officer. The captain says she doesn’t give a f***. Malia should have told her. David was hurt pretty bad. Why take the risk? She made it clear to call her when someone is hurt. We flash back, and yep, she did. She tells Malia to stop trying to make excuses and get back to her job.
Next time, Captain Sandy promises the guests pure perfection, guests on jet skis go rogue, Katie flirts with a guest, and Malia is pissed off at the deck crew.
🍸 Is That All There Is…?
Tune in tomorrow for soap and the next chapter in the Erika saga. Will her son have rolled the car 7 times? Will Tom have had another accident? Or maybe one less accident? Until then, stay safe, stay driven to succeed, and stay not throwing stones if you’re a person in a glass house.
(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.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 