What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Music plays way too loud as Mr. Novak walks into the chapel. He and Jason give each other the eye. Spinelli asks Jason if he’s sure about this. He’s not referring to the wedding, but the other thing. Jason says, sure, and Spinelli says, let fate take its course. Monica comes in, and tells Jason that he looks so handsome. The bride is a lucky woman. He says he thinks he’s the lucky one, and she says, they disagree; that’s good. What’s a Quartermaine wedding without a little conflict? He says, true, and she asks if he’s nervous. Who is she talking to? Of course (🍷) he’s not nervous. He says he’s glad she’s there, and she says, he’s her son. Where else would she be? They hug.
Bobbie comes into Carly’s dressing room, and says she’s dazzling. Jason won’t know what hit him. She’s going to take his breath away. Not that she’ll be able to tell. Carly says she will, and Bobbie says, that’s true. If anyone can read what Jason is feeling, it’s her. Carly says he can read her too, and Bobbie says, no bridal jitters? No second thoughts? Carly says, no, and Bobbie says, because she happens to know Carly disappeared for a couple of hours this morning. She thought Carly might have a case of cold feet. Carly says, no. She was feeling nostalgic. She was remembering how she and Jason first met, and everything they’ve been through. Jason tracked her down, and they had a long talk. Bobbie says, good. She can actually get Jason to talk. If that’s not love, she doesn’t know what is. Carly says she was late for the makeup artist, but Josslyn helped her pull everything together. How did she get such an amazing daughter? Bobbie says, circle of life. One day, they come into town, hellbent on destroying you, and all of a sudden you blink, and they don’t need you anymore. Carly says, that’s not true. She’s always going to need Bobbie. They hug, and Josslyn walks in with the bouquet. She says, Maxie asked to deliver these, but she made Maxie let her. She hands the bouquet to Carly, and asks if she’s ready. Carly holds the bouquet and asks what they think. Bobbie says she’s one beautiful bride, and Josslyn tells her, what grandma said.
Cameron looks at his phone, when Trina snatches it out of his hand. She says she thinks it’s time for a digital detox, and he says he was just waiting for her. They hug, and he says, Josslyn told him that Trina’s mom was in an accident. Is she okay? What happened? Trina says, thankfully, yes. She doesn’t want to get into it right now, but let’s just say, it’s been quite a day. He says he’s glad she’s all right. He’s also glad Trina is there. Josslyn’s been so busy with her maid of honor duties, he’s been at major risk of boredom. She says, and now that she’s here? and he says, it’s time to have some fun. Or, they can be bored together. She says, sounds like a plan.
Ned tells Olivia to stop giving Austin the evil eye, and she asks how else she’s supposed to put a curse on him. He asks if a curse isn’t a little extreme, and she asks who the hell Austin thinks he is, telling her there’s something wrong with her child. Ned says, a doctor?
Maxie tells Austin that she needs to check in with the bride. Can she trust him to be on his own for ten minutes? He says he hopes so, but realistically, there’s probably one or two people left in Port Charles that he hasn’t unsettled. She asks, what Olivia is miffed at him about anyway? She usually stays out of ELQ business. He asks how she knows that, and she says, because Olivia often says, ELQ, not my business. He says, that’s probably a pretty good clue. Olivia isn’t upset at Austin the Quartermaine; she’s upset at Austin the doctor. She says, so this has to do with whatever he and Ned were talking about after he found Leo. He tells her, here’s what he’ll say. He can hardly blame Olivia for being defensive; she just cares about her kid. Maxie says, of course (🍷) she does, and he says, so do I.
On the phone, Brando tells Sasha to put her feet up, and he’ll bring her a slice of cake. He wants her and the baby to take it easy, and he’ll see her soon. Gladys walks in with Novak, and she says, he remembers her son Brando. He says, of course (🍷). It’s a pleasure to see him. They shake hands, and Gladys says, wasn’t it kind of Mr. Novak to bring her as a guest to her dear, departed cousin’s widow’s wedding? My Lord, what would Sonny make of his wife moving on so soon after meeting his maker?
Nina tries to go back inside the Tan-O, but Jax says he’s not letting her go in there. It’s too dangerous. She says, Mike’s still in there; they have to help him. She yells, Mike! and struggles with Jax.
Lying unconscious in the middle of the burning Tan-O, Sonny coughs.
Diane tells Jason that she’s happy for him and Carly. Jason says they’re happy too, and she says she’s glad to hear it. Carly was full of substantial misgivings when she first approached Diane about it. He says, she was afraid it would ruin their friendship, but Diane says, it was a little deeper than that. Carly thought it was the first step in losing him, and Diane told her it was patently absurd. He says, she did? and she says, of course (🍷). She told Carly, with all the stunts she’s pulled, all the plans gone wrong, and the messes Jason has gotten her out of, if she hadn’t lost him by now, she never will.
Brando imagines Novak has gotten to know Sonny pretty well over the years, and Novak says, as well as you can know a respected colleague. Brando says, then well enough to know what was important to Sonny, and Novak says, the late Mr. Corinthos always said, nothing was more important than family. Brando says, then they agree that Sonny would want the two people closest to him to find happiness, and Novak says Brando makes an excellent point. Gladys says, her boy is so loyal; Sonny valued that. Novak says he couldn’t place Brando when he saw him earlier with his lovely lady at the MetroCourt, then it occurred to him – Cyrus Renault’s driver. Is that right? Brando says, that’s right, sir, and Novak says he heard what Cyrus did to Brando and his enchanting mother. An unscrupulous man; no honor. Brando says, then Novak must remember, if it weren’t for Carly, Cyrus would have killed him and his enchanting mother. Gladys says, don’t give Carly all the credit, and Brando says, Jason deserves his share as well. She says, Jason? and he says, Renault was still trying to force Carly to hand Gladys over, but Jason came back at the risk of his own freedom. If Jason hadn’t shot Renault when he did, who knows what would have happened? Novak says, true. Cyrus was a difficult man, as he’s sure Brando knows. By the way, if Brando is looking for work, the Novak association appreciates dedicated men. Gladys is all happy, and says that’s very generous of Vincent, but Brando says, considering they both barely escaped with their lives, he thinks it’s best if he and his dear mother steer clear of any association with his former line of work. He hopes Novak understands.
Ned tells Olivia, he’s just saying, she went from zero to sixty with Austin. She says, for good reason. Austin was willing to take advantage of poor, sweet, innocent Chase to his own ends. Chase was practically dead, he could barely walk, and his heart was broken into a million pieces. Then this nice guy manipulated Chase, a guest in their home, to get Edward’s papers. Ned says, this isn’t about ELQ, but she says, what if this game he’s playing with Leo is just about jockeying for position at ELQ, trying to ingratiate himself? Why take it on faith when this guy did nothing to deserve it? Ned says, they shouldn’t, but they should also leave room for the possibility that he’s on to something. She says, he’s not the doctor Leo is seeing, and Ned says, he’s not, but Leo has a connection with him, and that should count for something. Olivia gives Austin another evil eye.
Michael tells Willow, that’s quite a dress (eh), and she says she doesn’t think anyone will be looking at her. All eyes will be on the bride. He says he’s not too sure about that, because whenever she walks into a room, he finds it impossible to look at anyone else. She says, it’s almost showtime. Shouldn’t he be getting ready? He says, what’s to prepare? He just has to stand next to Jason while Jason does all the work. Besides, after months of having to steal time with her, he doesn’t want to be rushed. She says, if she has her way, they have a lifetime ahead of them. She wants to make sure he’s okay. He says, about? and she says she knows he’s happy for his mom, but he’s got to be thinking about his father right now. He says she really does know him inside out (like this would be a hard call), and she says she’s been paying attention. He says his dad has been on his mind a lot, but right now, he doesn’t feel sad. He feels like his dad is with them.
A fireman tries to get everyone to move, but Nina says she’s not going until she knows Mike is safe. Jax says they will move, but they want to stay close until they know their friend is safe. The fireman says, fine. Follow him.
Inside, Sonny coughs. He seems to be regaining consciousness, and sees the vision of Carly from behind. He says he knows this woman.
Carly thanks Josslyn and Bobbie for standing beside her, and Bobbie says, always. Josslyn says, and forever, when Maxie comes flying in, asking, where’s the bouquet? She trusted Josslyn with it. She better not have lost it. Carly produces it, and says, it’s right here. Maxie says, the bride is a vision, the groom is dashing, and the chapel is full of love. Let’s get this show on the road.
Gladys tells Brando, he blew that, and he says he told her, he’s only pursuing legitimate business ventures now. She says, he calls stripping a legit business venture? and he says he calls it a paying job. She says, there are jobs that pay better, and he tells her, stop. First she tries to get Carly and Jason to hire him, and now Novak? She of all people knows what that world is like, or does he have to remind her of the bullet wound she’s got to show for it? She says she was just trying to set him up for success. He claims he wants to move in with Sasha, and support her and his child, this is his chance. Vincent is clearly interested, and he’s a man with influence. He says he promised Sasha that he’d stay away from Novak’s kind of influence. She says, where is Sasha, by the way? and he says, the OB appointment didn’t go as smoothly as planned. Sasha’s blood pressure was a little elevated, so the doctor decided to put her on bed rest. Gladys says she’s sorry to hear that. Is the baby all right? He says, both the baby and Sasha are fine. It’s just a precautionary measure to protect them both. She says, if there’s anything she can do… and he says, actually there is. If she’s really concerned about Sasha’s blood pressure, stop trying to get him a job in organized crime.
Buscema asks Novak if it’s set, and Novak nods. Woo says, so there’s been no deviation from the plan? and Novak tells them, let’s just say, it will be a wedding to remember.
Diane goes over to Spinelli and says, let’s see if she’s got this straight. The rather heavyset gentleman is Vincent Novak. The other gentleman is Charles Buscema. The very elegant woman is Ms. Woo. He says he believes so, and she says, he believes so? He’s hacked into every device known that holds their secrets. He says he can neither confirm nor deny, and she says, now that they’ve established that, let’s sit back and watch the two people she never thought would, get married. He says he has to agree it surprised him at first, but now it seems inevitable. She tells him, don’t count your chickens. They watch Monica head toward Jason, and Diane says, it looks like the groom’s mother is going to make one last attempt to talk him out of it.
Monica tells Jason, she noticed his lawyer is here. Does he think she brought a prenup for him to sign? She’d sorry. She should never have asked that. Jason says he knows it’s not ever going to be easy for her and Carly, but Carly told him that she showed up to offer them her blessing, and it meant a lot to Carly. Monica says she’d do anything for him, and they seem genuinely happy. He says they are, and she says she noticed he’s also very magnanimous; he invited his brand new cousin. He says, actually, he didn’t, when Epiphany joins them. She says, he cleans up nice. Carly is the most obstinate, high-maintenance woman she’s ever known, but the two of them together, it works. They deserve happiness, especially him. He was always kind to her son, and always had her back. Jason says she’s always been good to him, and she says, even when she shouldn’t have been. She tells Monica that she’s not referring to anything specific, and Monica says she’s not listening. Jason says he’ll always have Epiphany’s back, and he knows she’ll always be straight with him. She says, always. Good luck. With that bride of his, he’s going to need it. Monica laughs.
Novack approaches Jason, and says he heard there was another dust-up with his nephew Joey. Jason says Joey crashed his bachelor party, and Novak says, that boy is out of control. Which is why he got Joey a one way ticket to Gdansk. He offers his sincere regrets if any offense was taken, and Jason says, it almost sounds like an apology. Novak says, it almost was. These things have a way of working themselves out. Jason says he can be sure of that, and Maxie says, excuse me. If everyone could please be seated, the ceremony is about to begin.
Canon in D major – otherwise known as the theme from Ordinary People – plays, as Josslyn walks in. Cameron smiles at her. Here Comes the Bride starts to play.
Nina is coughing her head off, and Jax tells her that she should see the paramedics. She won’t budge though, and he asks, what the hell happened? Nina grabs a fireman, and says, there’s one person in there. A beam collapsed, and he’s under it. The fireman says they can’t get in, but Jax says, there’s a delivery entrance where he can get to the bar. It was smoky, but clear enough for him to get Nina out. The fireman tells the others, go, and asks if they know how the fire started. Phyllis says, it was set deliberately, and he asks Nina what her friend’s name is. Nina says, his name is… Sonny, but he answers to Mike.
Inside, Sonny sees the back of Carly like he did in the beginning. She walks away, and he says, Nina. You’ve got to help me. Please. Come back.
Carly walks down the aisle.
Sonny says, wait. Who are you? Come back.
Carly gets to the altar, and Spinelli and Diane are all giggly. Novak, Buscema, and Woo exchange looks. Carly gives Josslyn her bouquet, and winks at Michael. Everyone is smiling, and Carly and Jason join hands, eyes twinkling.
The minister says they’re gathered for the wedding of Caroline and Jason, who are long time friends. So rather than bearing witness to a new love, Jason and Carly are affirming the latest chapter in their lives together. They open with a reading from Josslyn, which I later find out is the Apache Wedding Blessing (see below).
Sonny is by the river again, and Mike tells him to get on his feet. Sonny asks who Mike is, and Mike laughs, saying, he thinks Sonny already knows. Sonny says he remembers Mike, and Mike says, of course (🍷) he does. Who could forget a face like this? Sonny says Mike helped him when he washed up. Mike gave Sonny his jacket. Mike says, that’s a good first step. What else does he recall? Sonny says, it seemed like time stopped. He looks at his wrist, but his watch is no longer there. Mike asks if he managed to get it working, and Sonny says, yeah, he did, but he let the watch go. Mike says, well, he let go of a lot. What would Lenny say about leaving loved ones behind? Sonny says, Mike knows Lenny? He doesn’t understand. Mike shows him Lenny’s dog tags, and says, Sonny was in a bad way. He made sure Sonny got somewhere he knew he’d be safe; to a brother in arms. Sonny says he owes Mike and Lenny a lot. They helped Sonny survive and come to Nixon Falls. Sonny says, Lenny was one of the reasons why he settled down there, and Mike says, that’s beautiful, but it’s time to go home now.
A fireman says, they’re doing everything they can to rescue their friend, but the building is likely a total loss. Nina says she’s so sorry; it’s her fault. If she hadn’t lied, the Tan-O wouldn’t have gone up in smoke with Mike inside. Phyllis says, it hurts to lose the Tan-O, but it’s brick-and-mortar. As for the lie, that discussion can wait. The important thing is saving a man they both care about. A police officer asks who owns the property, and Phyllis says she does. He says the captain told him, the fire was started intentionally. Can they tell him who torched the place? Nina says she can tell him exactly who did it. His name is Peter August, and he’s a wanted man. Jax is like, huh?
Phyllis goes with the fireman, and Jax says, Peter did this? Nina says, Peter confronted her about where Maxie is keeping the baby. Then he ran into Sonny, and used that information to blackmail her. He says, she knew Peter was stalking Maxie and searching for her baby, and didn’t tell anyone? How long did she allow Peter to operate unchecked? She says, it wasn’t like that, and he says she could have died; Phyllis too. And all to keep Sonny’s identity a secret? She says, Peter threatened to kidnap James, and he knows as well as she does, as far as Peter is concerned, Maxie’s other children are expendable. Jax says, all the more reason to let go of Sonny, and she says she was going to do that exact thing, but thought she had another out. He says, Valentin? and she says she set Peter up on a false lead; Obrecht was supposed to ambush him. He says she’s kidding. She conspired with Obrecht? She says she didn’t ask for details. She just knew that when Obrecht got done with Peter, he would never hurt anyone again. Jax asks how that worked out, and she says, it worked out great. She’s proud of what she’s accomplished. Thanks for pointing that out. It really helps. Peter alluded to the fact that something happened to her aunt. Does he know anything about that? if she loses one more person she loves because of her actions, she won’t be able forgive herself.
The minister invites the bride and groom to share their vows with one another. Wake me when it’s over. Jason says they know and accept each other. They trust each other, and there’s nobody he’d rather build a life and future with. So with her hand in his, it starts the rest of their lives together.
Sonny tells Mike, Nixon Falls is his home; the Tan-O, his friends, Nina. He’s happy there. He’s got everything he needs. Mike says he knows something about embracing life and love after the slate’s been wiped clean. He found it’s possible to make new memories and find happiness without the baggage from the past. Sonny laughs, and says, this guy gets it. He doesn’t have to justify his decisions to anyone. Mike says, another thing he’s learned is that you can’t run away from the past and who you are. Not really. Sonny says, it’s working for him, but Mike says, you can’t turn away from who you are, and the past will always find you. Sonny asks, what if he doesn’t want to be found? and Mike says, he knows Sonny likes his life in Nixon Falls, and loves being Mike, but there’s only one problem with that. Mike is dead.
Nina tells Jax, obviously, she made a terrible mistake, but she had her reasons, and she’s doing her damnedest to fix them now. He says he hopes it’s not too late, because Peter is still out there, putting pretty much everyone she knows in danger. She says, laying blame doesn’t help anyone, and he says she’s right. Only one thing will help, and that’s getting the word out. Nina goes over to Phyllis, and says, waiting for… Sonny is tortuous. She asks if Phyllis needs anything. Does she want Nina to call a paramedic for her? Phyllis says it’s not herself she’s worried about. She tells Nina to listen to herself. Even now, she can’t decide what she wants to call him. Nina says, when he comes out, she’s going to tell him the truth. Phyllis says, and if he doesn’t make it? Nina says she can’t think about that, but Phyllis says she has to. If Sonny dies in there, which man will she mourn? (I’d hazard a guess, it won’t be Sonny.) A fireman says they were able to reach the building, and Nina asks if they found him. He says, unfortunately, the hallway was engulfed. There was no way to reach the bar room. Nina asks, what exactly does that mean?
Sonny says he doesn’t know why Mike is pushing him like this. Life is good here. He’s fine. Mike laughs, and says, he can’t be fine, not until he knows his past, and knows who he is, and embrace it. Once he knows the facts, he can move forward in any direction he chooses, but he needs to know. Close his eyes. Sonny just looks at him, and Mike says, do you trust me? Sonny closes his eyes, and remembers when he was first in Port Charles. Omg, he looks like a child. He flashes back to shooting Dante, visiting Morgan’s grave, and catching Julian on the bridge. He sits down on the ground, and asks, what the hell was that? Mike says, his past, his life, and Sonny says, he’s supposed to embrace that guy, whoever he was? So much hurt, so much death because of him. Mike says, he was also generous, and loyal, and at times, even heroic. Sonny says he didn’t see a hero, and Mike crouches down in front of him. He says, despite Sonny’s flaws and sins, he was pretty damn proud of who he was. Sonny says, there’s no way he should have been, but Mike says, yes, he should. He made mistakes… Sonny says, he thinks they’re called crimes; he killed people. Mike says, he did what he did to protect his family, and Sonny says, if his family was targeted because of him, then they’re better off without him. Mike says, it’s not for him to say, and not for Sonny to say either. Those painful memories are just part of his story. Why did he stop looking for the rest of the picture? Sonny says, because he’s seen his bad side, and Mike says, so he thinks the man he was, has nothing to do with the man he thinks he is now? How did Nixon Falls Mike sniff out that con artist? How did he hustle a poker game, or handle a gun with ease? The best parts of that Mike, come from who he really is. The protector, the friend, come from who he really is. Sonny says, Mike told him that he knows something about this, and Mike says, yes. Sonny asks, what would you do? and Mike says, given the choice, he’d always choose to remember. He’d fight for everything he was. There’s a bright light, and Sonny sees Carly’s back, but this time, she turns to him and smiles.
Carly says, Jason, my dearest friend. When they met years ago, playing pool at Jake’s, there was an instant connection. She couldn’t describe it then, and still can’t. What she does know is, this isn’t chance; it’s a choice. She chooses to stand by him for the rest of their lives. Her determination isn’t as quiet as his, but it’s just as fierce. She cherishes their past, and can’t wait to step into their future together.
The fireman says the Tan-O is structurally unsound, and the hallway’s impassible. There’s no way they can reach the bar room. Nina says, their friend is still in there. They have to get him out. He says, he’s sorry. They’re doing their best they can, but there’s no way to reach him. Jax makes a call, and says, come on; pick up.
The minister says Jason and Carly are going to light a remembrance candle; honoring those loved ones who can’t be there in body, but are with them in spirit. Maxie looks at her phone, and sees a call from Jax coming in.
Carly walks to Sonny and Mike, and Mike says, Sonny may have found love in Nixon Falls, but he found it as someone else; as Mike. Sonny asks if Mike is saying his love isn’t real but Mike says, of course (🍷) it’s real. But there’s real love in the world he chose to forget; the love he has for others, and the love others have for him. Is he still willing to turn his back on what’s right in front of him? It’s up to him. Which home does he want to go to? He can die as Mike, or live as the man he really is. (When you put it that way…) Sonny asks if Carly is a part of that life, and Mike says, the best and the brightest.
Jason and Carly light the candle. The minister says, this candle burns in memory of those we’ve loved and lost.
Sonny goes to Carly, and she holds out her hand. He takes it, and I feel sad. Sonny flashes back to telling Carly she’s his wife and the mother of his children. He’ll always love her. She says she loves him too, and they kiss. Back when we were all in diapers.
Sonny opens his eyes, and says, Carly.
Tomorrow, the old speak now or forever hold your peace, Maxie wonders why Jax was calling, and Nina says they have to get Sonny out before it’s too late.
🙏 What She Read…
The prayer Josslyn read at Carly and Jason’s wedding.
💰 In this week’s highlights from Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, Fredrik got a listing for an incredibly ornate house, complete with custom-made furniture, which was included whether the buyer wanted it or not. I didn’t catch the square footage, but one of the 11 bathrooms was 1200 square feet, so that gives you an idea. It was filled with beautiful touches like handmade fabric wallpaper, and a floral wallpaper that matched the floral headboard and footboard of a bed. It also had a view to die for, but don’t they all in L.A.? Fredrik thought the 6 bedroom house had a suggested retail price of between $26 and $28 million. No surprise, the representative for the seller insisted on 28. Also included was a bright orange kitchen island, and the rep said, everyone loves orange. Um… I’d still take it though. It was built in 1987, but I would have thought it had come from the Downton Abbey days. While Fredrik was afraid he’d lose a deal over the flowered bed or too much marble, he hoped the caché would offset the orange. The only catch was, the rep wanted him to co-list it with JoshA. Fredrik sucked it up and made the call, and Josh agreed. Because of the pandemic, the usual open houses and events were out of the question, so Josh and Fredrik created a YouTube video, showcasing not just the house, but their different styles. To get even more eyes on the property, they were going to have viewers vote for who they liked best. That ought to be good. I can’t see either one of them accepting being second best.
In the meantime, since Tracy’s buyer had backed out because he felt he was too tall for the house, she had to explain that one to the seller. The seller, who was weird to begin with, not wanting anyone inside the house, got weirder, wanting a buyer with no contingencies. I was fuzzy on exactly what contingencies were in regard to real estate, so I saved you the trouble of googling. See below. Tracy ended up getting the deal done with one of the buyers with a back-up offer. JoshF got a listing for a Rat Pack throwback house, built in 1956. While the house was around 2400 square feet, and only 2 bedrooms, the lot was nearly 18,000 square feet (it’s the land, Katie Scarlett), and the view included the Hollywood sign. I loved the house, but I’m enamored of the 50s/60s/70s real estate. The owner loved the house too, but was recently divorced, and wasn’t keen on living there alone. It was kind of out of the way. At first, she was open to offers from developers, but then decided she was willing to wait for the right buyer; someone who appreciated the vibe. If she could take about $3,499,995 off the price tag, I’m her buyer.
Next time, Fredrik meets Dolph Lundgren.
🏡 What They Are…
Everything you wanted to know about real estate contingencies, but were afraid to ask. Or not.
👮🏾♀️ The Commissioner Has Left the Building…
It took me a while to get used to new Jordan, and then she became just Jordan. I got to like her, and now I’m back to square one.
👠 Intentional Slip…
Apparently, a tease about Ava got the interest that was hoped for.
🚗 Accidents Run In the Family…
This was pretty amusing. They left out the part where an extra roll was added to Erika’s son’s car though.
https://ew.com/tv/recaps/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-11-episode-17/
💋 Of Course They Did…
It’s the ultimate crossover.
https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-beyond-salem-stars-housewives-bdsm/
🌜 Goodnight, My Someones…
We inch toward another week’s end, and ponder, just how many times did Erika’s son’s car roll? I don’t have all the answers, but I do have soap, tea, and maybe some answers for you tomorrow. Until then, stay safe, stay paying your fair share, and stay knowing you can’t turn away from who you are. The past will always find you.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 