Tag Archives: Ariana Madix

Dec6

December 5, 2023 – Brennan Reveals His Intentions, Thanks, Happy Anniversary, Who He Is, Leads Lunch, Still Closed, Stupidity, On the House, About Us, Winging It, Check That Tree & Good

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura and Esme carry some boxes into the living room, and Esme wonders how everything is going to fit in her new place. Laura says, she can always leave some stuff here. That way it will be here when she visits, which she hopes Esme is going to do often. Esme tells Laura that she knows she doesn’t say this enough, but she’s really grateful for everything Laura’s done for her and Ace. Laura says she’s going to miss both of them, and they hug.

Mopping the floor at the PC Grill, Cyrus hears someone come in. He says, we’re closed, and Ava says, then he ought to lock the door. He says, when the restaurant’s closed, that means the bar is no longer serving, so… She laughs (me too) and says she sees his newfound devotion to the Lord hasn’t dulled what’s meant to be his wit, but he says he wasn’t joking, and he is busy. So if she’s not here for the cuisine… She says she came here for a little bit of his wisdom, and he says he’s but a simple man of God, but if he can help her on her way… She says she only has the one question. Austin Gatlin-Holt is dead. Why did Cyrus kill him?

Blaze asks if she overstepped, and Kristina asks if Blaze didn’t notice her kissing back. Blaze says she noticed, and Kristina says she’s glad to know she’s still got it. Blaze says she didn’t mean to ambush Kristina like that. The last thing she wants to do is make Kristina feel uncomfortable. Kristina says she’s not uncomfortable. In fact, she’s just the opposite.

Felicia says she’s glad Anna could make it, and Anna thanks Felicia for having her over. Felicia asks how she’s doing, and Anna says, okay. Robert surprised her for Thanksgiving with Emma. She’s so smart. She’s studying dark matter and subatomic something or other. Anna doesn’t understand any of it. Felicia says, as long as she’s not majoring in the didgeridoo, they can count their blessings, and they laugh. Anna says, Emma’s back at school now. She could really use a friend. Felicia says, she’s come to the right place.

Sam sees Dante holding an evidence bag and asks, what’s that? He says, this is literally the key to help them find out who’s after Anna, and tosses it on the table.

Hume opens the money briefcase and tells Brennan, it’s all here. Brennan says, trust, but verify. Too bad Corinthos didn’t take the money. It would have been so much easier if they could have just paid him off. He shuts the case.

At Pozzulo’s, Curtis thanks Sonny for seeing him, and Sonny says, for him, anytime. He asks if Curtis wants a drink, but Curtis says he has to stay sharp, and Sonny says he understands. What does Curtis want from him? Curtis says, specifically, names. Who would have a reason to take a shot at Sonny at the MetroCourt?  

Felicia says, after everything that’s happened, maybe a visit to Berkeley to see Robin? and Anna says, Robin will want to know everything, and she doesn’t want to… Felicia says, talk to her, and Anna starts to cry. She says she shot a kid, and Felicia hugs her.

Sam asks what it’s literally a key to, and Dante says, a private locker at the train station. The M.E. found a key on this guy named Jameson Forsythe, who was killed in a hit and run that sounds deliberate actually; the vehicle didn’t even slow down. Sam asks what that has to do with Anna, and Dante says, he and Anna were in the WSB together in the 80s. She had evidence against this guy, and recently, it vanished.

Hume asks how long Brennan will be in Port Charles, and Brennan says, as long as it takes to set up operations so that Pikeman can send shipments to Canada and do international distribution. Hume asks if he’s going to handle it in person, and Brennan says, if you want a job done right and all that. He learned that the hard way with Forsythe. He also needs to clean up that mess, since Forsythe failed to handle Anna Devane. Hume says he understands, but won’t an extended absence be a problem for the head of the WSB?

Sonny tells Curtis that there are several people who might want him gone. He’s looked into all of them, and so has the PCPD. Curtis says, nothing? and Sonny says, let’s put it this way, the case is still open. Has Curtis talked to Anna about this? Curtis says, not yet, and Sonny says, because her list of enemies is as long as his, but they’re harder to track down. Curtis says he knew this was going to be difficult from the start. He’s got to know who put him in this wheelchair. Sonny asks if he thinks he can do better than the police, and Curtis says he was a P.I. He’s done undercover work, and he’s not juggling a dozen cases. Sonny says he understands. If he were Curtis, nothing would stop him. Curtis thanks him for understanding and asks, who’s at the top of his list?

Cyrus says, Dr. Gatlin-Holt is dead? When? How? Ava says, two shots, close range, shortly before Thanksgiving, and Cyrus says, well, that is a tragedy, and Ava is a callous woman. She says, at least she’s not the one who killed him. Cyrus did that, didn’t he? Cyrus says, even if he had been responsible for Austin’s death, why would he tell her? and she says, that’s okay. She expected him to deny it. He says, then why ask the question? and she says, just to see if she believed the answer. He says, and does she? but she says, he didn’t answer it. And before we get to what I believe, let’s talk about what I know, shall we? She knows, for example, that he ordered Austin’s cousin Mason to kidnap her, so that Austin would testify about his fragile health and a judge would grant him early release from Pentenville. Now look at him. He’s a free man. And how did he repay Austin for giving him his life back? By taking Austin’s?

Esme says, Laura doesn’t think she’s doing the wrong thing by moving out, does she? and Laura says, if she thought Esme was doing the wrong thing, she would have never co-signed the lease. Esme suggests it might have been a bad decision on Laura’s part, but Laura says she couldn’t be more proud of Esme, that she took a stand to create an independent life for herself and for her son. Esme says, now that it’s all happening, she’s terrified she’s going to blow it all, but Laura says she thinks that’s a good thing, because Esme will be careful. It’s the people who think they know everything who fall on their faces. Esme says she’s terrified of failure, and Laura says, let’s say for a moment it was a mistake. Esme can always move back in because Laura’s home will always be a nice, soft, landing place for her and her son. Esme thanks her and says, that’s incredibly reassuring, and Laura says she’s watched Esme grow into a competent and self-sufficient single mom. So now believe her when she says, Esme’s got this.

Kristina says she had no idea Blaze might be gay, and Blaze says, there’s a reason for that. The way her life is, she can’t be open like that, and she totally understands if that’s offensive to Kristina. She personally has so much respect for people who are out and proud, and she’s more than a little jealous of them, but for her it’s not an option. Kristina says, first of all, she’s not offended. Blaze’s sexuality is just that, it’s hers. How she chooses to express it and when is entirely up to her. So don’t ever feel like she has to defend herself to Kristina. Everyone’s on their own journey. Blaze thanks her for everything. She can’t tell Kristina how much it means to hear her say that.

Curtis says, maybe Austin didn’t tell Ava, but he paid for Austin to go to medical school. He supported Austin during his residency, so forgive him if the news of Austin’s passing is a loss for him. Ava says, he’s positively bereft, and he says, now that he’s answered her question, would she mind returning the favor? She says, has she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior? but he says, did she kill Austin? Because from what she’s told him, she has many reasons to do so. More than he does. She says, he did it and now he’s trying to shift blame, and he asks if she’d like to speak to his manager. She says, to report a murder? but he says, to check his alibi. He’s worked past closing every night since he got this job, so he has an alibi. Does she? She walks out.

Blaze tells Kristina that she’s never been in a long-term relationship. Part of it’s her career. She sees so many artists wreck everything they had, break the heart of someone who didn’t deserve it, or get theirs broken when the person they left behind moved on. For her, it was easier, safer, to put her focus on her career. Kristina asks if Blaze really thinks her fans would have a problem with her sexuality.

Anna tells Felicia that she’s not sleeping at all really. When she does, she has these nightmares of pulling the trigger. And when she wakes up, it’s always the same. She realizes it wasn’t a nightmare; it happened. Felicia says, what happened was a tragedy, but Charlotte survived, and Anna says she doesn’t know what she would have done if… Felicia says she knows Anna. She’s a professional. She doesn’t shoot first and ask questions later. Anna says, but she did, and Felicia asks, why? What made this time different? Anna says she convinced herself that this enemy of hers from back in the WSB was the person who was after her. That he’d been stalking her and harassing her. Burned her house down. And when she got back to Maxie’s apartment that night, she thought he was the one inside waiting for her. She had no way of knowing it was Charlotte… Valentin didn’t tell her.

Brennan tells Hume, that’s the thing about being Director. Only a few people know where you actually are at any given time. Hume says, he can run the WSB as he sees fit, and Brennan says, once he was able to oust Frisco Jones, the rest was easy. Anyone who might have been an obstacle was transferred to a very out of the way station, demoted, or thrown out of the Bureau altogether. He has to fly to London now and then to keep everyone on their toes, but everything else, he can pretty much do it his way. Hume says, speaking of obstacles, who is their priority? Sonny Corinthos or Anna Devane? Brennan says, both.

Laura walks into the PC Grill and says hello to Cyrus. He says, what a surprise, and she says she just saw Ava leaving. He says, her former daughter-in-law stopped by to pay him a visit. Apparently, he’s quite popular this evening. She says, anything she should be concerned about? and he says, with Ava? No. She is a troubled soul though. Always in search of absolution it seems. That’s what comes with a guilty conscience. Believe him; he knows. Anyway, enough about him. What brings her here so late?

Kristina asks Blaze if this was Linc’s idea. Was he afraid being queer would conflict with the whole pop star image he was trying to create for her, and it would then alienate her fanbase? Blaze says, Linc didn’t know, and Kristina says, there goes her theory. Blaze says, not that he cared. He would have gone right on harassing her regardless. She never wanted to expose anything personal about herself. Kristina says, it’s good Blaze never has to deal with Linc again, but if it’s not that she’s worried about what the public would think of her… Blaze says, if she came out now, she’s pretty sure she would turn off some fans, but it’s 2023. She thinks most of them would accept her. Unfortunately, her very Catholic family would absolutely not.

Sam asks what kind of evidence it would turn up, and Dante says, Anna told him that she had a hard copy of a report on a mission, an op that went sideways, that incriminated Forsythe. Sam says, that shouldn’t be a big deal. The WSB probably has hard copies and digital copies. He says, but they wanted to bury that report, and Anna wanted to keep a copy so she wouldn’t be scapegoated into being the reason the op went bad. She had it with her the night she shot Charlotte. She was obviously distracted with Charlotte, and when she went back to get her bag, the report was gone, so were any corroborating documents that went along with it. Then Forsythe’s body turns up, and the M.E. finds a key in his shoe. Sam says, so the report is in the locker, and Dante says, most likely, but he won’t know until he checks. She asks what Anna thinks, but he says, Anna doesn’t know yet.

Felicia says, Charlotte was stalking her? and Anna says, yeah. Victor got in her head, and convinced Charlotte that she was a threat to her father. So Charlotte was trying to drive her away to protect him. Felicia says, and Valentin knew? and Anna says, yes. Valentin knew the night Charlotte broke into her hotel suite and didn’t tell her. Felicia asks, why the hell not? Valentin should have known Anna would want to be supportive and want to get Charlotte help. Anna says, Valentin doesn’t trust her. She doesn’t think he trusts anyone, because he himself is untrustworthy. It’s over. That is it for them. This whole thing with Charlotte shattered any illusions she had about him. Felicia says she’s so sorry, and Anna says, it was a risk going into a relationship with him, but she didn’t have any idea it would end this badly. Felicia says, it wasn’t her fault, and Anna says, that’s very nice of Felicia… She’s the one who pulled the trigger. Felicia says, there were very extenuating circumstances. Who was this person at the WSB who she thought was targeting her?

Sonny says he’s sure Curtis heard about his arrest this summer, and Curtis says, just that it happened, and Sonny’s time in custody was so brief. Why was that? Sonny says, because Cyrus Renault was behind it. Even though he was in prison at the time, Cyrus tried to frame Sonny. Curtis says, if he had the resources to get Sonny arrested, he could have arranged the hit, and Sonny says he doesn’t know. Curtis says, it’s worth looking into. Anyone else? Sonny asks if Curtis has access to the police investigation, and Curtis says he does. Sonny says, then Curtis knows the sniper rifle that was recovered was liberated from a WSB station in Berlin, and Curtis says, so Sonny thinks Anna was the target? Sonny says, not necessarily.

Laura says she stopped by to check in, see how the job’s going. They seem to be working Cyrus long hours. He asks if she really cares, and she says, excuse me? He says he visited her in her home, and she threw him out. He came to see her in her office, and he clearly wasn’t welcome there. Shouldn’t this be a two-way street? He’ll stay clear of her place of business, and she’ll stay clear of his. She says, it’s not really the same thing though, and he says, why not? Because she’s the mayor and he’s an ex-con whose existence embarrasses her? She says, that’s not what she means. She means, she works in a private office, and he works in a public gathering place. He thanks her for that clarification and says, now if she doesn’t mind, he knows it’s not really an important job, but it’s his and he should get back to it. Please. She says she’ll go if he wants her to. She just wanted to say that she thinks he was right when he said they were family, and because they’re family, they should look for middle ground. He says, that’s all he’s been trying to do since the day he found out who she was. Only now for whatever reason, does she deign to recognize him, begrudgingly no less, as her brother. It’s a little late.

Blaze says, Kristina knows how she went down to see her abuela in Puerto Rico when Kristina’s dad was getting married, and Kristina says, vividly. Blaze says, she adores her abuela. Obviously. She’s wonderful, loving, and also deeply old-school religious. So are Blaze’s parents, her brothers and  sisters, her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kristina gets the picture. Kristina says, yeah, she gets it, and Blaze says, she has this one uncle who no one talks about. She can’t say with any certainty whether he’s gay or not. She hasn’t seen him since she was a little girl. Kristina asks if Blaze has tried looking him up on social media, and Blaze says she has, but it was all for nothing. There are a bunch of people with the same name as him, but she can’t be sure if any of them are him. It’s been way too long and none of their family are mutuals. Kristina says, it must be really hard, and Blaze says, impossible. And even if she did meet him, what would she even say? If he is gay and he came out to her family, he lost them because of it, and she’s not brave enough to risk a loss like that. Kristina says, revealing your true self, especially to your loved ones, can be… it is the scariest decision you can make, but it’s also a necessary one.

Sam says, right now, the only people who know about the key are… Dante says, him, the M.E., and now Sam, and she says, the M.E. didn’t put in a report for it? He says, not yet, and she says, and clearly Dante hasn’t gone to check the lock for himself. He says he doesn’t know what his approach is going to be. If somebody is watching Forsythe’s body, he doesn’t want to lead them to the locker. She says, why not just tell Anna? and he says, if she was Anna and she knew about this key and this report, what is she going to do? She says she’s going to the train station and opening the locker, and he says, which sounds like a trap. Forsythe was murdered. Whoever killed him… She says, could also be after Anna. And she’s sure the locker is under surveillance. He says, this whole thing could just be a set-up to draw Anna out, and she says, right. So why not just turn the key over to the PCPD?

Anna tells Felicia, years ago at the beginning of her career with the WSB, she was involved with this op that got blown. The original report exonerated her, which it should have, and placed the blame on the person who planned and executed the op. Felicia says, as it should have? and Anna says, her opinion was yes, and it was the Bureau’s position. At least it was at the time. Felicia says, they changed their minds, and Anna says, they did. This agent in question, Jameson Forsythe, managed to make himself indispensable to the Bureau, so… Felicia says, they buried the report, and Anna says, they did, but she kept a copy of it, just for insurance. Felicia says, just in case they tried to pin it on her, and Anna says, right. But nothing ever came of it, so she kept the report, but just put it away in this trunk that she had full of reports. She was very fastidious about stuff like that. She put in it in storage in England, where it remained for decades. Then a couple of years ago, she brought it out here, thinking she’d go through the trunk, and she never got around to it. (We’ve all been there, even if it’s just a box of stuff.) Felicia says, she has been kind of busy the last couple of years, and Anna says she supposes so. Anyway, when it was clear she was never going to go through the trunk, she put it in storage in Port Charles. Felicia says, when her house burned down, was the trunk still in storage? and Anna says, yeah. So after the fire, she wondered if there was something in there that could help her figure out who’s after her. So Robert helped her bring it to Maxie’s apartment, and as soon as she saw Forsythe’s name, she just knew it. He would kill to keep that report buried.

Hume says he has no preference personally, but why not eliminate Corinthos altogether? and Brennan says, that option’s still on the table, but only as a last resort. Corinthos has controlled Port Charles for decades. Removing him would create a power vacuum. The last thing they need is a bunch of crime families vying for control of Port Charles and its waterways. Next thing they know, state and federal law enforcement will be nosing around. Hume says, exactly the kind of attention Pikeman wants to avoid, to get their merchandise to international buyers, and Brennan says, they’re much better off securing Sonny’s cooperation. Hume says, except that hasn’t really worked so far, and Brennan says, money hasn’t worked. Sometimes it doesn’t. All that means is, they find a different kind of leverage.

Sonny asks if Curtis has ever heard of Pikeman Security Group, and Curtis says, yeah, basically corporate mercenaries and they supply weapons systems. They’ve been in the news once or twice. Sonny says, what hasn’t been in the news is, Pikeman is in bed with the WSB. They have some kind of revolving door arrangement where former WSB agents work for Pikeman. Then Pikeman personnel work for the Bureau. Curtis says, another connection to Anna, but Sonny says, guess what? Pikeman has made overtures to him. Curtis says he takes it Sonny didn’t accept those overtures, and Sonny tells him, let’s just say it didn’t live up to Pikeman’s satisfaction. Curtis says, so Pikeman may have a reason to come gunning for Sonny, and Sonny says, anything is possible.

Dante tells Sam that he thought about turning the key over to the PCPD, but then they’d have access to Anna’s files and records. This guy was WSB, and they’d want to monitor the case. Sam says, they probably are already, and he says, then they’d confiscate the key. She says, and if the report is in the locker, the WSB will grab it and destroy it forever, and he says, right. Which puts Anna in even more danger.

Hume says, Anna Devane. Again, professional curiosity. Why is she so important? Brennan says, that’s classified, and Hume says, understood. Brennan tells him, that said, he can see how this intel might help Hume help him. Back in the 80s, Anna worked a WSB op that went sideways. Forsythe was the field agent in charge and screwed it up big time. And the WSB buried the incident. Hume says, of course (🍷), and Brennan says, but Anna was thinking ahead. She kept a copy of the original mission report naming those responsible, including Forsythe. Hume says, and he imagines if this report got out, it would be embarrassing, and Brennan says, which is why Forsythe was supposed to retrieve the report and eliminate Anna. It’s too bad he failed at both.

Anna tells Felicia, on Halloween night, she took the report and a journal she had supporting it to show Robert. He agreed with the theory, so then when she returned to Maxie’s and saw the door was unlocked, she thought, oh no. There’s someone inside her home again. Felicia says, she thought it was Forsythe, and Anna says, yeah, and if it was him, he was there to kill her. So she just went through that door with her gun leveled and the safety off. She saw a figure in the shadow and yelled, freeze, but they didn’t; they turned. They had what she thought was a weapon in their hand, and she fired, thinking it was him.

Kristina tells Blaze that she didn’t mean to imply it was a requirement to come out to your family. It’s just, when she decided to come out to her parents, who again, are very different from Blaze’s… Blaze thanks her for acknowledging that, and Kristina says she tied herself up in knots over it. With her mother, it wasn’t so much her sexuality that was the problem. The problem was, she was involved with an older woman, which in hindsight, her concerns were valid. And if Blaze tells anyone that, she will deny it. Blaze says, Kristina’s secret is safe with her, and Kristina says, with her dad, he’s totally old school and traditional. She and her dad are incredibly close. Even at times when she didn’t think she and her mom were that close, her dad has always been there for her. And she was afraid, terrified, that if she revealed her true self to him that he would reject her. Blaze says, clearly, he didn’t. Did he come around eventually, or… Kristina says, he accepted her immediately. You might not think a devout Catholic and legitimate coffee importer would be that open-minded, but his love and support for her allowed her to truly explore who she is.

Cyrus tells Laura, all his life, he’s bent over backwards for his family, for his parents who were never satisfied with anything he did. His mother won’t even accept money from him unless it’s funneled through his brother first. Every single cent that’s gone for her care has come from him. As soon as he heard that Spencer was sentenced to Pentenville, he went out of his way to make sure Spencer would be protected. Not that Spencer ever asked for his help, but he’s Laura’s grandson, and that makes him family and that’s what family does. So she and Martin and his mother can continue to treat him like he’s less than dirt, but he knows, and more importantly, God knows what’s in his heart. And that’s more than enough for him.

Blaze says, she and hers aren’t there yet, and she doesn’t know if they ever will be. Kristina says she respects that, but Blaze says she thinks she’s a coward. Kristina asks if she’s met herself. She’s kind of amazing. Blaze says she kind of is, isn’t she? and Kristina says, as far as coming out to her family, if and when that’s what Blaze decides to do, the timing is totally her own. Whatever Blaze needs from her, she’s got it. Blaze thanks her, and Kristina says, of course (🍷). Blaze says, and for the record, Kristina’s pretty amazing herself. Kristina says she is, and they kiss.

Laura says she’s sorry. Cyrus is absolutely right. She had no idea what family means to him, but she does know that she hopes every single doubt she’s had about him is wrong. She thanks him for keeping Spencer safe, and he says, it’s what they do. She says, and as far as the rest of it goes, can they just wait and see? He says he’ll take that as a downpayment on a future apology, and she says she looks forward to giving it to him. He says, all right then. If she doesn’t see him around in the next week or so, don’t worry that he’s fallen back into his old ways. He’s going to be visiting his mother. She says, good for him. Give his mother her best. He says he will. He missed her while he was in prison, even if she didn’t miss him. He goes to the back with his mop and bucket, and Laura leaves.

Kristina walks Blaze to the door, and Blaze says, see you around? Kristina says, you bet, and Blaze leaves. These two have more chemistry than most of the other couples put together, especially now that Anna and Valentin are off the table.

Sam says she doesn’t understand why they would work so hard pinning this on Anna, and Dante says, maybe there’s someone implicated in the report besides Forsythe. She says, maybe that’s why Forsythe is dead. Maybe he knew who that someone was. Dante says, so the only person who knows about the report is the person who was in on the op, and Sam says, and that person was Anna. He says, she’s the only other witness. Whoever wants to bury that report, wants to bury her too.

Felicia asks if Anna thinks he’s still after her, and Anna says she thinks he was. Felicia says, was? and Anna says, when she returned to Maxie’s apartment, after the shooting, someone had been there, and they’d been through the trunk and taken anything pertaining to Forsythe and the op. It was all gone. And shortly after that, Forsythe turned up in Port Charles morgue. He was the victim of a hit and run. He was found on the side of the road, and there was no indication that the vehicle even slowed down. Felicia says, murdered? and Anna says, that’s what it looks like. She bets Forsythe died because of something that was in that report.

Hume says, their team went through Forsythe’s hotel room, his luggage, and his car. They gave Brennan everything they found. Brennan says, the last message from Forsythe, he said he had the report. So he either lied about having it or left it somewhere as insurance, which means that report is still out there somewhere. A ticking bomb.

Curtis asks, what if Sonny was the intended target and they wanted to lead the investigation away from that assumption? If Sonny had been hit by a WSB rifle, the investigators could claim that gun was bought on the black market, and no one would connect it to Pikeman. Sonny says he’s not ruling anything out. He wants to be clear. He doesn’t know for sure if Pikeman tried to kill him, but he doesn’t see a reason why they would try to kill Anna. Curtis says, that they know of. But to find out, he’s going to have to start back at square one and see where this trail leads.

Tomorrow, Maxie says, Cody and Sasha have this special chemistry that everyone can see; Esme says she can’t rely on Spencer anymore; and Jake says he never knows what Charlotte is thinking.

🏆 He’s Welcome…

The only soap fit to print.

Maurice Benard Thanks You for Helping GH Hit a Major Milestone!

💐 Deserving Of Two Bouquets…

One of the most underrated actors in daytime, but he does get double the fun. Ryan might be dead, but I fully expect him to show up again.

Jon Lindstrom Celebrates His Anniversary at GENERAL HOSPITAL

💣 New Villain In Town…

I thought I recognized him. He’s been in quite a few TV shows.

Who Was Brennan on GENERAL HOSPITAL?

🍹 Soap Ladies Who Lunch…

This is such a cool idea. It must be fun.

Inside This Year’s Lead Actress Luncheon — See the Videos!

🥪 Something About Opening Already…

To be fair, the socks are really cute. But the place looks gorgeous, so what the hell?

Something About Her Better Open Soon, Here’s Why

💉 Don’t Try This Anywhere…

Seriously, is she stupid or crazy? Is keeping up with the Housewives really worth it?

Jennifer Fessler Sent to Hospital Over Weight Loss Drug, Continues to Take It

🐉 Imagining Dragons…

The latest on House of the Dragon, Season 2.

https://people.com/bloody-war-is-coming-in-the-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-teaser-8410126

🌁 Latest On The Last…

I could see Bella Ramsey playing The Joker.

https://winteriscoming.net/2023/12/05/the-last-of-us-season-2-sets-february-2024-filming-date/

More game versus series talk.

The Last of Us Season 2 Has an Impossible Role to Cast

⚰️ Improvising the Dead…

Since there’s precious little news at this time.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/12/02/walking-dead-ad-libbed-lines/

🦥 Double Check That Thing…

This story is hysterical, but don’t let this happen to you.

https://people.com/woman-discovers-possum-hiding-in-christmas-tree-8410211

🦌 Playing Reindeer Games…

Join me tomorrow for soap and trying to stomach Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting others’ holiday differences, and stay trusting, but verifying.

Nov11

November 10, 2023 – Spencer Explodes At Trina, Lolly Lover, Not Gone, Soap Fun, Final Date, The Best, Resilient, VanderNo, Not Yet, Downhill, Dead Revival, Roommates, One More, Nonagon Of Quotes & Battle

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Olivia gets to Eddie/Ned just in time, and extracts him from the tangle of seaweed and netting he’s in. Although I wonder why he’s wearing shoes when he left them at the boathouse.

At the MetroCourt, Alexis says, another precious minute lost. Where are you, Kristina? Blaze comes by and introduces herself as a friend of Kristina’s. She says she was supposed to meet a friend, but it seems fate has other ideas today; they just cancelled. She was on her way out, saw Alexis, and thought she’d introduced herself. Alexis says, that’s nice… Not that Blaze’s friend cancelled, but that Blaze introduced herself. Would Blaze like to join her? Maybe it’s fate. Blaze says, maybe it is, and sits down.

Drew sees Curtis at another table, and says, it’s nice to see him. Curtis says, likewise, and they hug.

Carrying a takeout bag, Trina joins Spencer outside Dex’s apartment, followed by Josslyn and Dex. She says, sorry he had to wait, but they have extra crunchy prawn, and Josslyn says, there was a delay in ordering because someone – she looks at Dex – had to weigh out the whole Marvel movie to catalog Monica’s powers. He says, in the last edition… and she says, yes, she understands. Trina asks Spencer, what happened? and he says, Esme happened. And this time she has his grandmother on her side.

Anna sees Valentin outside of Charlotte’s room and asks, how is she? He says, sleeping. The doctors say she’s going to make a full recovery. She says, thank God. There’s something he needs to know. He asks, what is it? but she says, not here, and they go to the stairwell.

Olivia gets Eddie to the surface and struggles to bring him to shore. She tells him, don’t make this hard. He’s got to be okay. She pounds on him, trying to get him to cough up water, then does chest compression and mouth-to-mouth. He coughs and she asks if he’s all right. He’s alive. He sits up, and she says he’s alive. He says, it’s her. She saved him. She says, of course (🍷) she did. She’d do anything for him. He says he should have always known this, and she says, it’s okay, Eddie, hugging him. He says he’s not Eddie; he’s Ned.

Kristina walks into the MetroCourt and sees Blaze talking to Alexis. She goes to the table and says she didn’t know Blaze knew her mother. Sorry she’s late. Alexis says, only forty-five minutes, and Blaze says her plans were a no-show, and she saw Kristina’s mother. Alexis says, Blaze introduced herself. That was so 1990s. Blaze says, and a lot of fun. She tells Kristina to sit, and says she was grilling Alexis about her job. Alexis says, actually, Blaze was keeping her company while she waited for Kristina… and waited… and waited… Kristina says, okay. Sorry about that. She got caught up with some planning commission things at the youth center. Alexis says, she’s here now and Blaze is here, so why don’t they all have dinner together?

Curtis says, it must be strange, being about to get up and go to sleep when he wants to and turn off his own lights, and Drew says, absolutely. But there are a few things he can think of that he missed more than that. Curtis says he knows that must have been hard. He’s sorry he didn’t visit Drew. Drew says, Curtis had a few things going on. What he went through is nothing in comparison to what Curtis went through. Curtis protests, but Drew says he’s serious. Doesn’t he think it’s silly for either one of them to feel they need to apologize to each other? They’ve been through it. Curtis has been there for him more times than he can count. This friendship is forged in fire. It’s brotherhood born in battle. Curtis says, wow, and raises his glass. To the battle… and to freedom. Drew says, and to survival, and they clink glasses.

Josslyn says, Esme again, and Spencer asks if Josslyn and Dex can give him a minute. Josslyn says, gladly, and she and Dex go into his apartment, Josslyn touching Trina’s shoulder as she passes. Trina asks what Esme did, and Spencer says, it’s nothing that Esme did; it’s what she’s going to do. She’s going to take Ace and she’s going to move into another apartment. Trina says, finally.

Laura looks in the window to Charlotte’s room. Elizabeth is with Charlotte, sees Laura, and comes out. Laura says, she looks so fragile in that bed, and Elizabeth says she knows, but Charlotte’s just sleeping right now. It’s best to let her rest as long as possible because her system is still fighting. But her vitals are excellent. She’s on track to make a full recovery. Laura breathes a sigh of relief and says, that’s fantastic. Where’s Valentin? She can’t imagine he’d leave her alone. (Geez, the poor guy doesn’t even get a bathroom break?) Elizabeth says, no. He’s been here the entire time. In fact, she just saw him walking down the hall with Anna just a little bit ago. Laura asks how Jake is handling all of this. She knows they all went trick-or-treating together, and heard he was the first one back to Anna’s house right after it happened. Elizabeth says she’s never seen him like this. It’s like he’s caught in this loop of feeling upset and feeling guilty that he lost track of her. He promised Valentin they would stick together, and that’s why he went looking for her. And now he’s scared and confused and doesn’t understand how Anna could have shot Charlotte. And honestly, neither can she.

First of all, didn’t anyone notice Charlotte was wearing a huge, dark, hooded robe and the apartment was dark? And on another topic, Jake knows that Charlotte had the keys and what she’d said about them getting her everything she wanted. This hasn’t come up yet, but I’m thinking it might give him a clue she was up to no good.

On a landing in the stairwell, Valentin asks Anna what it is he needs to know. She says, he has to believe her when she tells him, what happened with Charlotte was an accident. She had no way of knowing Charlotte was in that apartment. He says he knows that. She says she’s not making an excuse, because she understands this is killing him, and he says, there’s nothing she could have done. She says, when she left the apartment, she locked it, and when she returned, it was unlocked. So she knew there was someone inside there, and she thought she was going to be ambushed. That’s why she pulled her gun, and that’s when she made a terrible mistake. And she wishes she could make it all go away. When she saw Charlotte lying on the ground like that, and his face when he came in… He says, it was an accident. It was a tragic accident. She says, yes… How did he know to come to the apartment?

Ned and Olivia are dripping wet and sitting on the ground. Olivia asks what Ned is saying. Her Ned? Is it really him? He says, it’s really him. He saw her. He doesn’t even know how it happened. His mind was rushing like a whirlwind. Literally. The next thing he knows, he’s in the water, and stuck. And there she was. And now they’re here. She says, Lois told her that he was depressed. She went to the boathouse and saw his guitar and his shoes(🤷🏽‍♀️), and she thought… She cries, and he takes her face in his hands and says, it’s okay. They made it. She made it. They’re going to be okay. She says she thought she lost him, and he says, but she didn’t. She found him. It was her all along. She says, what? and he says, in the song. He knows how it ends. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, the siren song. He knows how to finish it. She says, Eddie… Ned, let’s not do this right now, and he says he’s not Eddie. He’s Ned. She says, if he’s not Eddie, how did he remember the song? He says he remembers everything, and they kiss. So is he going to kind of be like Sonny/Mike now?

Spencer says, finally? Trina didn’t really just say that. She says, yes, she did. She knows he’s going to miss living with Ace, but it’s way past time that Esme go live on her own. He yells, who cares about Esme? He’s talking about Ace. Ace is the one he’s worried about in this instance. Josslyn and Dex come out, and Josslyn asks, what the hell is going on out here?

Kristina asks if Alexis knows that Blaze just signed with BLQ Management, and Alexis says, Brook Lynn Quartermaine. Blaze says, makes a refreshing change from that sleaze Linc Brown, and Alexis says she remembers his public takedown at the Nurses Ball. To Catch a Predator anyone? Blaze says, oh, we caught him, and Alexis says, and then he disappeared, and as she recalls, the whole thing went radio silent. She’s curious. How long before the abuse started?

Curtis asks how it feels to be back in the real world, and Drew says, he has no idea. Although he has to say, some things are more challenging than he anticipated. Curtis says, Drew has been out of the mix for a while, but Drew says, compared to when he broke out of captivity in Greece, the life he came back to this time hasn’t changed nearly as drastically. But Curtis’s has. What about him?

Elizabeth tells Laura that she knows Anna would never intentionally hurt Charlotte. Obviously, it was just a terrible mistake. But what was she doing carrying a gun around on Halloween? With people in costumes and kids jumping out at each other, acting all crazy. Laura says, she’s right, and Elizabeth says, and you add a gun in that mix? It only increases the odds that something tragic is going to happen. Yes, Charlotte is going to recover physically, but what about her emotional scars? And Jake is going to have to deal with this as well.

Valentin says he was supposed to pick up Charlotte and the other kids after trick-or-treating. Apparently, Charlotte went off on her own, and according to Georgie and Danny, Jake went after Charlotte in the direction of Maxie’s place, so he thought she was heading there. Anna says, well, he was right. She couldn’t figure out why Charlotte would come to the apartment. The police found her backpack, and in it was the keychain she showed him to Maxie’s apartment. Remember the one that had the shoe on it? In there were also these two cans of spray paint that were the same color that was used to paint the word murderer on her door. He says, Charlotte told him about the keychain; she didn’t tell him about the paint. She says, that doesn’t matter. What she’s trying to tell him is, she’s figured out who’s after her. He says he’s so sorry, and she says, and it is the WSB. Former WSB. She figured out the connection, and it’s a man called Jameson Forsythe. Old guard Bureau. They crossed swords ages ago. He says, no. She doesn’t understand… but she says she does. She found evidence, and Forsythe is trying to discredit, destabilize her, and somehow he’s involved Charlotte. She doesn’t know how he’s done it, but he’s using Charlotte to get to her.

Olivia and Ned go into the boathouse, and Ned puts a towel around her shoulders, then takes one for himself. She says she’s a little behind the curve. He has to catch her up. He’s not Eddie Maine anymore. He says, no. He’s just plain old Ned, her husband. She says, they have to get back to the house. They have to get him to a doctor. He says, you know what? He doesn’t want to go to the house. He wants to stay right here with her because it’s been too long. He just wants to enjoy this moment with her, okay? She says, okay, and they sit down. She says she doesn’t understand. He remembers everything? He says, it’s a bit fuzzy, a little disjointed, but he was here the whole time, like he was on autopilot. Or like playing one of Leo’s video games. He’s Ned, but he’s a little fuzzy. She asks if he remembers his daughter, and Tracy, and Leo. He says, yeah. He remembers everyone. He’s a Quartermaine. They were married in 2017. It’s now 2022. She says, 2023, and he says, right. He told her that things were fuzzy. She says, that’s just the small stuff. The important thing is that he’s here. They hug, and she says she was praying so hard for this, and he came back to her. He says, but she was willing to let Eddie stay, wasn’t she?

Blaze tells Alexis, at first, she was starstruck around all the beautiful people, all the glitz and glamour of the industry. She was so lost in it. When Linc began to overstep, she thought, maybe that’s just the way this world works; maybe he’s that way with all his artists. She didn’t want to seem uptight, so she stayed quiet and avoided being alone with him. Alexis says, Blaze made it her problem, not his, and Blaze says, exactly. One more layer of pressure to being in the public eye. Backstage, where you’re supposed to let your guard down, she was constantly looking over her shoulder. Alexis says, so she’s spending her downtime dodging him, and Kristina says, no one should have to do that. Alexis says, women are conditioned to normalize that kind of behavior, and then that message gets passed down to other artists. Blaze says she gets that entirely. By keeping her mouth shut, she was basically endorsing him.

Curtis tells Drew that his life is upside down for sure. Simple things like walking, running, even standing up, he can’t take for granted anymore. Drew says, but he’s not alone in this. He has family, friends. Curtis says he does and he’s grateful for that, but everything has shifted. The dynamic is different. Hell, he’s different.

They all go into Dex’s apartment, and Josslyn says she gets it. Spencer’s upset. One thing she’s learned about living in the dorms is, you have to be considerate of your neighbors and your own business. The whole building doesn’t need to know what’s going on right now. Spencer asks if she really thinks he cares what the building thinks. He gets louder, and says, Esme just told him that she’s taking Ace and moving into a new apartment, and his grandmother is going to co-sign the lease because they think Ace shouldn’t be a part of his life anymore. And when he comes to Trina with this, saying he’s going to be losing his baby brother, all she can say is, finally.

Anna tells Valentin that this is her past catching up to her. And somehow, it’s caught up to Charlotte, and she never wanted that. Forsythe has gotten to her somehow. Valentin says, there is no Forsythe. At least not the way she’s thinking. She asks what he’s trying to say, and he says his daughter’s been stalking her for months. And he’s been covering for her.

Laura sits next to Charlotte’s bed and says she’s here. How does it feel? Charlotte says her stomach hurts, but not too bad, and Laura says, she’s such a brave girl. Charlotte asks, where’s papa? He promised to be here. Laura says, he’s been here the whole time. He just went for a walk with Anna. Charlotte gets agitated, and says, it’s dangerous. They can’t trust Anna. She’ll hurt him.

Olivia tells Ned, every waking moment, with every beat of her heart, she was fighting for him. He says, no… and she says, he’s got to hear this. He needed to find his way back to them. She couldn’t push him. He needed to choose to come back to them. If he thinks she preferred Eddie Maine… He tells her, stop. She misunderstands. He’s not accusing her of being disloyal. He knows she was supporting him, and he loves her all the more for it. She says, Eddie… and realizes her mistake. He laughs and hugs her. He says he needed that space. After the accident, when he woke up in the hospital, everything was so confusing and unfamiliar, he grabbed the first thing that made him feel safe and comfortable. She says, Eddie Maine, and he says, it was his escape to a time when life was less complicated, and he wasn’t feeling the weight of his family and business suffocating him. To a time when it was just him, on stage, playing his music, no restraints, no judgements, just freedom.

Blaze says she didn’t mean to open a vein here, but Alexis says she’s the one who pried. Old attorney habits die hard. Kristina says, Blaze doesn’t know her mother; this is like catnip for her. Alexis says she’s more than curious. She’s outraged. Her nerve endings are twitching thinking about the lawsuit Blaze could file. Blaze says she doesn’t know… and Alexis says she’s serious. Kristina says, if Blaze doesn’t want to go the legal route, how about collaborating together on a piece about sexual harassment in the music industry? What does Alexis think? A feature with Blaze as the focus? Alexis says she thinks it’s a great idea; shed light on a rampant issue. Is Blaze willing to go on the record? Blaze says, it’s no secret what happened what happened to her. Anyone who was at the Nurses Ball or who saw it on television knows about it, but she wants to move forward with her career. She doesn’t want to go backward. Kristina tells her, what about what she just said? What about all of the artists who could fall into the same trap? Here’s her chance to show that predators aren’t the only way to do business. This is an opportunity for her to break that cycle.

Curtis tells Drew that sometimes he actually feels fortunate. There’s this guy, Devon, his gym buddy. Devon has it way worse than him, but this guy always stays positive. He has the most amazing outlook on life. Drew says, that’s incredible. He’s so glad to hear that. Curtis says, but to be perfectly honest, there are moments, split seconds, where he forgets about his new reality and tries to do normal things like get out of bed and stand up. Then reality slams back, so he’s learning to adjust.

Trina tells Spencer that she never meant to say it was a good thing losing Ace. She just thinks that Esme moving out is healthy for her, and ultimately for him. He says, healthy for him, to be separated from Ace. He’s losing a member of his family, and he thought she would understand that. Josslyn says, it’s not like Esme’s moving to another planet. She’s still going to be in Port Charles and so will Ace. He can see them whenever he wants. Isn’t that a good thing? Dex says, but it won’t be the same thing, and Josslyn and Trina look at him, as I would. Thanks, Dex.

Valentin says, Charlotte’s the one who vandalized Anna’s hotel suite. Security footage showed her breaking into that room with a backpack. Anna says, what? and he says he had Nina delete the footage from the server. She asks why he would have Nina do that. Why would he hide that from her? He says, the moment he saw it, he knew she was the one who spray painted Anna’s front door, that she was the one who set Anna’s house on fire. Anna says, no, but Valentin says, she knew how to get in Anna’s house. Her camp was less than an hour away. She could have gotten there easily. Anna says, it’s not possible, but he says he doesn’t know what Charlotte is capable of anymore. She says, so he knew his daughter was terrorizing her and he just let Charlotte keep doing it? and he says he was protecting Charlotte because he failed her so many times as a father. And he thinks he was protecting himself… She says, what about protecting her? Didn’t she have a right to know?

Laura tells Charlotte, it’s okay. Her father isn’t in any danger from Anna. Charlotte says, she’s wrong. Grandfather Victor warned her about Anna. He told her to protect papa. Laura asks what Victor said about Anna, and Charlotte tells her, he said she was a double-agent, and everyone would know about it soon. He visited her at school and told her to stay there where she’d be safe from Anna. He even wrote her a letter. She grabs her side, and Laura tells her, try to be still. She doesn’t want to reopen the wound. Charlotte says, Laura doesn’t understand. Grandfather told her that Anna was going to use her and pretend to be nice to her so she could trick papa. Laura says, he told her all of this in a letter? and Charlotte says, yes. He said that papa was so in love with Anna, he wouldn’t realize she was using him. Anna’s done a lot of bad things in the past, and made papa take the blame. She’s going to do it again and this time, papa’s going to end up in prison forever. He’ll be killed if she doesn’t keep Anna away from him. Laura says, shhh. It’s okay.

Olivia says she can understand Ned getting nostalgic for the past, for simpler times. So she’s got to ask him. Does Lois figure into this equation? (I laugh because Lois likes math.) He asks why she would bring Lois up, and she says, Lois was the last one he talked to before he jumped in, and everything changed. Is Lois the reason he came back to them?

Kristina says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to put Blaze on the spot. Her mother can vouch that is something she does. Blaze says, don’t worry about it. She appreciates Kristina’s passion. Alexis says, there’s no pressure here at all. It was a just an idea. She sees Drew and Curtis, and says she sees two friends over there who she’d love to say hello to. She’ll be right back. She leaves, and Kristina tells Blaze, that was not her place. Here she is, lecturing Blaze about her story when she knows better than anyone it’s an intensely personal decision. Blaze says, Kristina’s fire, her commitment to justice is infectious. It’s okay to want to make a difference. The thing she’d hate is if Kristina started editing herself and only told her what she wanted to hear.

Curtis says, Drew told him the whole story. Alexis is one gutsy reporter. Threatening to expose that judge like that? He’s glad it all worked out. They really missed Drew and he’s glad Drew’s back. Drew says he appreciates that, and there are smiles all around.

Ned tells Olivia that he was talking to Lois before he came down here to the boathouse. She was giving him a pep talk about finishing the song. Olivia says she wanted him to finish the song too, and he says he guesses he needed Lois’s no-nonsense bullying, and Olivia laughs. He says, Lois told him to take a leap of faith and go find the siren. She says, the siren, and he says, maybe she knew that was the key to getting him back to his real self. Or maybe not. But Olivia. She’s the one who actually pulled him back. She cries and he kisses the top of her head, pulling her to him. He says, turns out, she’s the siren. Hers is the only voice that could have brought him back. Lois may have had the idea, but Olivia made it a reality.

Dex says he understands where Spencer is coming from. Up to now, he and Esme have been raising Ace together. Obviously, living apart changes that dynamic, like a divorce. Spencer says, yes, a divorce where, if he wants to spend time with his own brother, he’ll have to act like a visitor. And it’s not the same as living together. He tells Trina, it’s just not, and Dex asks, what if they could get shared custody? and Spencer says, Esme’s not going to do shared custody with him, not with grandmother on her side. Trina says, Esme doesn’t have to share custody. He’s Ace’s brother, not his father.

Laura says she needs Charlotte to help her understand. She’s trying to keep her father away from Anna to protect him? Charlotte says, yes. Maybe move to London or somewhere near her granddaughter Emma. Anywhere really, as long as she’s away from papa and papa is safe. Laura says, okay, but this is what Victor wanted her to do, right? Charlotte tells her, he said it was the only way. Anna must have figured out she knew about her. That’s why Anna shot her, so she wouldn’t ruin Anna’s plans. Laura says, no, that was a terrible accident, but Charlotte says, it wasn’t. Anna saw her in the apartment. She knew it was her. Anna shot her on purpose. Anna wanted to kill her. Just like she’ll do to papa.

Valentin says he loves Anna, but Charlotte is everything to him. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her that Charlotte was targeting her. She says, so he just lied to her over and over again, and he says he wanted to tell her the truth. She says, but he didn’t. What did he think? That he could fix this? That he would just stitch this whole mess together and they would live in separate worlds, and it would all work? He says he was hoping by moving her into the house and giving her a home with him, that for once it would end her destructive behavior. They met with Doc. She was willing to have… Anna slaps him in the face, then pushes him, and says, shut up. If she’d known Charlotte was the one after her, she never would have pulled a gun. She shot a child. His child. She has to live with that for the rest of her life. She’s never going to forgive him. She storms out, and he can’t believe how stupid he is.

Ned and Olivia leave the boathouse, and he picks up his guitar. He says he thinks he knows the way the song ends now. She says she can’t wait to hear it, and they look out over the water, his arm around her. He says, she saved his life – literally and figuratively. She says, they save each other. That’s what love is. They kiss.

Drew and Curtis’s food comes, and Alexis says, that’s her cue to leave. She has to get back to her dates over there. It was such a pleasure to see Curtis, and he says, good to see her too. Drew says it was good to see her, and she leaves. Curtis tells Drew, sometimes it is so hard to just have a conversation without everyone trying to help when they know good and well they can’t. So that’s why it’s good to just hang out with a good friend who gets it. Drew says, any time, and Curtis asks what he thinks of the Nets’ chances this year, but Drew says he’s not falling for that. Curtis got him last time. Although they do have some good games coming up. Curtis agrees, and says, Boston tomorrow. Drew says, Curtis’s couch, his beer? and Curtis says he’s in… Portia may have other ideas. Drew says, then he’ll have to bring some wine, and Curtis laughs.

Alexis sits down, and Blaze says she’s decided. Kristina says she doesn’t want Blaze to feel pressured, but Blaze says, she’s in. A complete interview; nothing off limits. Alexis says, really? and Blaze says, yes. Kristina brought up some really good points. She can’t complain about what happened to her on one hand and not do everything she can to change it on the other. This is something she can do to stand up for those coming after her. Her contribution to their art, and to their voices. Kristina says she didn’t put it nearly as poetically as that, and Blaze says, that’s what collaboration’s all about. Someone comes up with an idea, someone comes up with the words, put it together, you’ve got magic. She has to make a quick call, but they can talk details when she gets back. She excuses herself and leaves, and Kristina asks what Alexis thinks. Alexis says she thinks Blaze likes Kristina, and Kristina says she likes Blaze too; she’s cool. Alexis says, no. I mean she likes you likes you.

Spencer says, Trina… but Trina says, no. Let’s unpack this. The only way he gets to be Ace’s father is if he’s with Esme, in a relationship. If the two of them are a couple, then they get to raise him together. That is a sure-fire way to solve his problem. Is that what he wants? He says, no, of course (🍷) not. He doesn’t love Esme; he loves her. But he also really loves his little brother, and he knows in his heart that Ace needs to be in his life. Trina says, he will always be in Spencer’s life, just not in the house, but Spencer says, no, because that would be abandoning him, and she knows he’s not going to do that. She says, then he knows what the solution is for that, but where does that leave them? He tells her not to ask him to choose between her and Ace. She’s not going to like the answer. She says, don’t worry. She’ll save him the trouble. She grabs her bag and walks out.

Laura tells Charlotte, don’t worry. She’ll make sure Charlotte’s papa is safe. They’re going to figure all of this out. Charlotte says, Anna can tell that she knows she’s bad. That’s why Anna shot her. Papa can’t trust her. Laura has to tell him. Laura says, it’s going to be all right, she promises. Close her eyes and get some rest. It’s going to be okay. She kisses Charlotte’s forehead and leaves.

In the hallway, Anna says she really needs to talk to Charlotte, but Elizabeth says, it’s only family. Anna says, it will only take one minute, but Elizabeth says, it’s not possible. Laura comes out of Charlotte’s room and Elizabeth goes in. Valentin comes out of the stairwell, and Laura tells Anna that Charlotte’s just fallen back to sleep. Anna says, she doesn’t understand. It’s imperative that she speak with Charlotte right now. Laura says she really thinks Anna should wait… but Anna says, it can’t wait. She has to tell her… Laura says, Anna can’t go in there. Charlotte is terrified of her. She thinks Anna shot her on purpose. Anna cries and says she didn’t, and Valentin hangs his head, as he should.

On Monday… they show scenes from several days ago, so I’m not sure what that means. Either it’s a mistake, or we’re going to be forced to watch news-not-news.

💣 He’s Just Misunderstood…

They’ll have to dig deep to find some redeeming qualities.

Nathanyael Grey Insists GH’s Mason Isn’t All Bad

🍕 Didn’t Think So…

What would the Q mansion be without her? My money’s on her coming back for Thanksgiving pizza.

Jane Elliot Is Not Leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL!

👻 Fun And Games…

The kids always look like they’re having a good time off-camera.

Backstage at GH’s Halloween With Scarlett Fernandez

🏆 For Real This Time…

As predicted, the main event of the Daytime Emmys will be aired on December 15th.

The 2023 Daytime Emmys Ceremony Will be Held in December!

👖 It’s Not The Pants…

I knew there was a reason I liked Sutton so much. This is it.

Sutton Is The Best Housewife, Argue With The Wall

👠 Bouncing Back…

Hopefully, she can keep the momentum going. Talk about making (hard) lemonade out of lemons.

https://extratv.com/2023/11/08/ariana-madix-on-fan-support-at-bravocon-and-her-resiliency-exclusive/

🍸 Her Calendar Is Full…

Why would she come back? Just to be harassed by Erika and get offers of fake friendship from Kyle? It’s not like she has nothing to do.

Lisa Vanderpump Reveals if She Would Return to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

And while we’re on the subject.

Everything We Know About Vanderpump Rules Season 11

🌁 Lasting Long Enough For Last…

2025? Really? Although I can hardly blame Pedro Pascal.

https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-season-2-everything-we-know/

https://collider.com/gladiator-2-filming-start-pedro-pascal-last-of-us/

🛟 Like They’re On A Water Slide…

The short answer: yes. The golden years with Captain Lee and Kate are over, but we’ll always have Couch Talk.

Is Below Deck Going Downhill?

⚰️ A Diabolical Plot…

Of course, he’s not against reviving the original series. It’s got to be a billion dollar franchise by now. And brilliant idea to merge all the Deads into one big kumbaya Dead.

https://winteriscoming.net/2023/11/09/the-walking-dead-boss-not-against-reviving-the-original-series/

🦥 This Guy…

I’m obsessed with 90 Day Fiancé and all its spin-offs. I don’t include it here because I already give it too much time. If this guy’s mother wasn’t living in the closet, it might be fun to live there. For about a week. I love the annoyed chihuahua.

https://people.com/90-day-fiance-clayton-introduces-5-roommates-including-two-guinea-pigs-exclusive-8386660

🐩 You Didn’t Think I Was Done…

Oh, come on, just one more.

https://www.homecrux.com/celebrity-pet-halloween-costumes/181675/

🍿 Quotes of the Week

Never trust humans just to let things be. – David (Mike Colter), Extinction

I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. – Alexander the Great

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. – Ronald E. Osborn

It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot

It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end. – Ursula K. Le Guin

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Many things—such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly—are done worst when we try hardest to do them. – C.S. Lewis, Studies in Medieval Literature, compiled in Words to Live By

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

An idea is a fart your brain makes. But if you patent an idea, it’s an asset. – Rufus Griswold (Michael Trucco), Fall of the House of Usher

🍠 Keep Your Yams To Yourself…

On Sunday, stop the scaries by dropping in for some Fear. Until then, stay safe, stay considering going out for Thanksgiving dinner (nothing says Thanksgiving like Oysters Rockefeller!), and stay toasting to the battle, freedom, and survival.

Oct21

October 20, 2023 – Alexis Blindsides Judge Kim, Mr. Christmas, Salt Shaking, Villainous, VanderSecrets, About Fear, Mary Deleted, Reasons Why, All Dressed Up, Seven Quotes Plus a Tagline & Everybody

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna tells her bodyguard that she’s not used to having one, and she really appreciates everything he’s doing. He says, not a problem, Miss Devane, and she asks him to call her Anna. She asks if he saw anything suspicious when she was with her friends, but he says, there was nothing out of the ordinary. She says, nobody paid special attention to her or… He says he watched the surrounding area the whole time and saw nothing that was a threat to her.

As they approach the house, Charlotte asks why Valentin insisted on picking her up early from school. He says, because he has a surprise for her, and opens the door. Laura is there and Charlotte runs to her, hugging her, and saying she missed Laura so much.

Esme brings Ace into the hospital and Spencer runs up to him, saying, Ace has a doctor’s appointment today. That’s so cool. He asks why Esme didn’t tell him that Ace had a doctor’s appointment today.

Robert sees Diane at the fitness studio and says, it’s Killer Miller. What’s she doing here at this time of day? Hold on. Does her infamous client Mr. Corinthos know she’s here doing yoga, and not sitting around clutching her cellphone, waiting for his beck and call?

Elizabeth goes into Drew’s room, and he says, she’s not his regular nurse. She says, he’s not her regular patient. She asks how he’s feeling, and he says, good. Maybe a little too good.

Gregory says he’s read Judge Kim’s opinions, and he considers himself an originalist. Correct? The judge says, yes. He believes the meaning of our Constitution doesn’t change over time. Alexis says she was just reading an article about Ascher Alexander, and he shares that view. Gregory asks if that isn’t the millionaire investment banker? and Alexis says, mm-hmm. Kim says he’s certainly heard of him, but he wouldn’t know if Alexander would agree with any of his judicial opinions. He’s never met the man. Alexis says, really. Interesting. So he flew to St. Thomas on this man’s private jet to go deep sea fishing, and yet he’s never met him? Visibly uncomfortable, Kim says, with all due respect to her sources, he believes she’s been misinformed, but Alexis says, on the contrary. She can provide dates, records, flight manifests, or anything else she needs to prove he did fly to the Caribbean with Ascher Alexander. It seems to be a major conflict of interest. Would he care to comment?

Meeting Dante at the Bistro, Cody asks what he’s got there, and Dante says, just some paperwork he has to file for administrative leave. Cody says, Sam told him about that. Does this mean he gets to just hang around the house in his PJs and still get paid? Dante says, no, not quite. The PCPD is going to do an investigation to see if his reasons for shooting the perp were justified. Cody says, he’s a great cop. Just doing his job, right? Nothing’s simple. Everything’s so damn complicated. It’s pretty frustrating. Dante asks what he’s talking about, and Cody says, it seems like you do the right thing and get the wrong outcome.

Elizabeth says, once Drew’s made a full recovery and is cleared by the doctors, he’ll be sent back to Pentenville. It’s got to be tough. Drew says, in the meantime, he gets the pleasure of her company, and she says, nice deflection. He says, she’s got to fill him in on the boys; how’s Cameron doing? She takes his blood pressure and says, the boys are actually really well. Cameron is loving being at Stanford. Academically, he’s doing well, and as for soccer, he’s not a starter yet – he hasn’t played enough games – but he’s proven himself to be a very valuable player. Drew says, that’s fantastic. What about Aiden? She says, he’s still baking. He made a pie the other day; it was so delicious. Drew says, when she talks about Aiden’s baking, his mouth starts watering, and she says, he’s very talented, and he’s determined. He plans on going to the most prestigious pastry academy in Paris. And he wants to pay for it himself. Drew says, wow. How’s he going to manage that? She says, he started his own little business. He has a website and everything. He’s selling fancy cupcakes. He ships them out or delivers them if they’re local. She keeps telling him to talk to Carly and see if she can sell them at Kelly’s. Drew says, that’s a good idea. He’ll put in a good word for him with Carly. She says, he would love that, and he asks, how’s Jake? She says, Jake has a girlfriend.

Alexis says, since Judge Kim is claiming not to know Ascher Alexander, she’s assuming he neglected to report this deep-sea fishing trip on his tax filings or any other gifts or accommodations he received from this very influential friend. Is she right in that assumption? The judge gets up and says he agreed to be interviewed on his judicial philosophy, not to answer questions about where or with whom he chooses to vacation. Although he shouldn’t be surprised by this blatant ambush. He remembers her reputation as an attorney. That is, when she could still practice law. Cheap tricks and judicial violations. No wonder she was disbarred. Gregory says, so far, they haven’t heard a denial.

Diane says, for Robert’s information, she’s often here at this time of day. It’s the only time the studio offers this particular class. And might she remind him, she works for herself, unlike him. So no matter how demanding her clients are, her life is her own to schedule. But him, a public servant taking a three-hour lunch break to pump some iron? She wonders what The Invader would have to say about that.

Doc joins Esme, and Spencer says, it just that the first he heard about Ace’s appointment with his pediatrician was this morning when he got a confirmation text from the doctor’s office, so a heads up would have been nice. Esme says, it’s really not a big deal. The pediatrician had a cancellation this morning and offered the spot to Ace, so she took it. Doc was nice enough to offer them a ride to the hospital. Spencer says he appreciates Doc doing that; he’s sorry that Doc had to. Doc says, it was no trouble, and Spencer says he would have taken them himself had he known. Esme says, it’s just as well. Spencer was with Trina, and she didn’t want to interrupt that. Spencer says, they’ve talked about this multiple times, including in that parenting class she suggested they take with one another. He wants to be at all of Ace’s medical appointments, even the small ones. She says, and what for? and he says he’s Ace’s older brother. She tells him, and she’s his mother and she’s perfectly capable of looking after her own son.

Charlotte says she’s missed Laura so much, and Laura says she missed Charlotte too. And she’s sorry she was away so long. Charlotte asks if she found Uncle Nikolas, and Laura says she didn’t actually see Uncle Nikolas. Charlotte says, that’s too bad, but Laura says, that’s okay. She does know he’s all right. She thinks he’s traveling right now. He needs a little time to himself. Charlotte asks if she knows when he’ll be back in Port Charles, and Laura says she’s not sure, but she didn’t want to wait to see Charlotte any longer. She wants to hear everything about Charlotte’s life. She wants to hear about school and her friends and her classes. Valentin says, this third wheel is going to let them catch up. He has some errands to run. He’ll be back later. He kisses the top of Charlotte’s head and leaves. Charlotte watches him go, and Laura asks if she’s worried about her father.

Gregory tells Judge Kim, with all due respect, a simple denial of this fishing trip would clear up any misunderstanding. He denies he took the trip; he denies he was a passenger on Alexander’s jet? Kim says, this interview is over, but Alexis says, he agreed to this interview on the record, which means she’s free to publish anything and everything that was said here today, which in the end, could prove very embarrassing to him. It might also stall his rise to the Federal Circuit. Kim says, she lured him here under false pretenses, and she says, all he has to do is commute the sentence, the unfair, harsh sentence he imposed on Drew Cain, to time served and set him free. Then this interview will never see the light of day. Kim says, so that’s what this is all about. Blackmail? She belongs in a prison cell next to Drew Cain. He walks out. Um… That didn’t go well. Maybe she played that hand too quickly.

Robert asks if Diane is questioning his work ethic, and she says, he’s questioning hers. He says he’s just happy to see her, and she says, that’s how he shows it? He says, yeah, and she laughs. She says she thinks they’re so used to sparring with each other in court, that’s become their default M.O. He says he’s thinking maybe they should change that, and she says, then what would they do for fun?

Dante tells Cody, Sasha went through a pretty big ordeal. Maybe her leaving town isn’t a bad idea. Cody says, it’s a terrible idea and he told her so. Sasha wouldn’t listen to him. Dante asks what he said to her, and Cody says, he told her, moving to Austin without a job or friends or family would be a mistake. Dante says, and? and Cody says, and what? Dante asks what else he said to her, and Cody says, nothing. Dante says, he didn’t tell Sasha that he wanted her to stay? and Cody says, no. Dante asks, why not?

A nurse tells Esme that the doctor is ready to see Ace now, and Spencer picks up the diaper bag, but Esme says she’s got it, taking it from him. She says she’d prefer to speak to the pediatrician alone, and follows the nurse. Spencer says, what the hell was that about? and Doc says, that was Esme exerting her parental rights, which Spencer does not share.

Charlotte say she thinks papa is worried about her, and Laura says, most parents do worry about their kids. Is there something specific she thinks her dad’s worried about? Charlotte says, he’s never pulled her out of school early to see Laura. She knows Laura was gone, but she could have just seen her tonight, so why did he pick her up early from school? Laura says she thinks she can solve this mystery. She requested this special meeting because Charlotte is her number one priority ahead of everything else, and she wanted to have this time together before she had to go back and assume her mayoral duties. Charlotte says, now that Laura’s back, she doesn’t feel so alone now, and they hug.

Valentin asks if Anna has been sitting alone in the dining room since her meeting with Jordan, and she says she has. He asks, why? and kisses her. He could have just as easily met her in her room. She says she doesn’t like being alone in her suite, but he says, she’s not alone, is she? She has Sonny’s bodyguard watching over her. She says she just feels trapped… vulnerable, and isolated from the rest of the world. Like a sitting duck, waiting for whoever’s after her to strike again.

Cody tells Dante that he didn’t let Sasha know he wanted her to stay in Port Charles because he did what he always does; he made it about himself. Dante asks, how so? and Cody says he doesn’t even know how it happened. He started talking about people making mistakes and how everyone does it, and the next thing he knows, he’s confessing to her that Mac Scorpio is his biological father and he lied to Mac about it. Dante asks what he was thinking, and Cody says he wasn’t. Dante says, he really did make it all about himself, and Cody says he knows. He was desperate. He really doesn’t want her to go.

Valentin says, Anna doesn’t have to stay here alone if she doesn’t feel safe. She has other alternatives. She says she’s not staying with him, because he has Charlotte to consider, and she’s not about to bring whatever danger is after her down on Charlotte. He says she’s right. He’s going to have to get along with his daughter right now and it’s not a good time, but he did buy that house for the two of them. She says, regardless of what she just said, she is fine here, but he says he disagrees. She doesn’t have to stay here alone. She has plenty of friends In Port Charles she can turn to.

Robert says, you want to have fun with moi? and Diane says, if it hasn’t been made clear, she does. She enjoys spending time with him. What she doesn’t enjoy is being made to think she’s an afterthought or a default friend. He says, wait a minute. He’d like them not to be just friends, and she says, meaning? He says, why don’t they pick up where they left off? She says, absolutely not.

Alexis tells Gregory, what difference does it make? She just let that guy leave with the upper hand. What was she thinking? That she was going to hammer him so hard, he would admit he’s corrupt in taking gifts from special interests? Gregory says, she doesn’t know what he was thinking when he left, and she says, that guy is scum, but he has an excellent legal mind, and he did what he should have done. He walked out. And her? She’s left with half an interview where he didn’t admit to doing anything wrong and zero leverage to help Drew.

Drew asks, who’s the lucky girl? and Elizabeth says, Charlotte Cassadine. He says, good for them. He loves hearing all this good news. She says, Charlotte wasn’t her favorite person when she was little, but she’s grown up a lot. She thinks Charlotte might actually be good for Jake. He says, in what ways? and she says, her boy is so shy and reserved, and Charlotte is very confident, and it seems to be rubbing off on him. It’s the first time since Franco’s death that Jake doesn’t seem down all the time. He says he’s really glad to hear that, and she says, and Charlotte is the most popular girl in the class, so dating her has really boosted his self-esteem. He says, that’s great. He loves Jake like Jake was his own son. She says she knows. Jake loves Drew too. Drew means a lot to all of them. A guard comes in and says, the transfer paperwork’s been approved. He’ll be taking Drew to Pentenville.

Laura says she knows Charlotte doesn’t know very much about her or her childhood, but to tell her the truth, she was very alone as a kid. And it was really painful. She guesses she just wanted Charlotte to know that she’s not alone because Charlotte has her, and she also has her dad. Charlotte says, Laura is right. She does have her and papa, but that’s it. She doesn’t have any friends at school. Laura says she’s so sorry and asks if Charlotte is having trouble making friends. Charlotte says, yes and no. She thinks she’s just been away from Port Charles for too long. All her old friends are into different things now. They just keep their distance from her. (I’m confused. Didn’t Elizabeth just say she was the most popular girl in class?) Laura says, Elizabeth told her that Charlotte and Jake have become friends. Sometimes all you need is one good friend. Charlotte says she and Jake are friends, and he’s really nice, but he’s a boy. That’s a lot different when you don’t have another girl to talk about things with. Laura says, Charlotte’s got her, and Charlotte says, yeah, but Laura’s her grandma. It’s not the same. She just doesn’t have someone to hang out with. And papa’s never around; he’s always busy. Laura says, yeah. He spends an awful lot of time with Anna, doesn’t he?

Anna tells Valentin that she’s not going to impose herself on Jordan like that. Or Mac and Felicia. That’s just too much to ask. He says he doesn’t think any of them would feel like it was an imposition. Mac and Jordan have law enforcement training, so if whoever’s targeting her is… She says, the solution is not for her to hole up with her friends and bring danger to their door. The solution is for her to go after whoever’s trying to dismantle her life and shut them down.

Spencer tells Doc, there’s really no need for people to keep reminding him that he’s not Ace’s father. He gets that. But Ace’s father, who is also his father, is missing in action because he doesn’t care that he has  two sons. Doc says, Spencer doesn’t know what’s going on in Nikolas’s head any more than he does. Benefit of the doubt is always the healthiest approach until you know the facts. (Not according to Dr. Phil.) Spencer says, his grandmother, who is the kindest, sweetest, most determined person on the planet, has finally had to admit to herself that his father isn’t coming back. And someone needs to fill that void. Someone needs to be there for him. Someone who’s not Esme. To be honest, Spencer doesn’t much care what the official title is, be it father or brother, he’s going to step up and take care of his baby brother. He’s going to do it. Doc says, he should care. His love and commitment to Ace is commendable, but he doesn’t have any actual parental rights where Ace is concerned. He understands that, yeah? Spencer says he understands that, and he’d really like to stop hearing that from people like Doc and everybody else. Doc says, he’s heard this before? and Spencer says, yes. He gets it. From a legal standpoint, Esme has the final say. Doc says, that’s right, and Spencer says, fortunately, with the exception of this… he guesses they’ll chalk it up to a miscommunication, he and Esme have been able to work together to take care of Ace, and he’s not expecting that’s going to change any time soon.

Robert tells Diane that he’s a little confused. He thinks he’s getting mixed signals. She says, nope. She doesn’t send mixed signals. Picking up where they left off would leave such a bad taste in her mouth. It would just remind her of how she was used for Holly’s agenda and how she was treated when Holly was around. He says he’s sorry, and she thanks him, but asks him to let her finish. She’s been back and forth in her head about him. The moment she starts to think, even for a second, about what a great guy he is – funny, charming – she’s blindsided again by yet another revelation about something, anything in his past. So he wants to know where she is right now with this? He says, definitely, and she says, good. She’ll tell him.

Cody says he’s been going on and on about his troubles when Dante, his best friend, is under investigation at work for shooting someone. Dante says, it’s nothing. This is just police procedure. It’s easier than doing math homework with Rocco. Dante sucks at math. Cody thanks him, and Dante says, for what? Cody says, for everything he’s done. Not just for him since he got here to Port Charles, but for Sasha too. He doesn’t know if they could have pulled this off without Dante and Sam. He’s a good friend. So is Sam. Dante says, she came around, huh? and Cody says he knew that was going to happen; he’s irresistible. Dante says he doesn’t know if Sasha thinks so. He’s sorry all this stuff is happening with Sasha. He knows she’s come to mean a lot to Cody.

Laura says, when Charlotte first got back from camp, she went to live with Dante and Sam, and her dad lived with Anna. What did she think about that? Charlotte says, that was just temporary while papa was buying this house for them, so she didn’t try to think about it. She asks what Laura thinks about the house papa bought for her, and Laura says her opinion isn’t as important as Charlotte’s is, so what does she think about the house? Charlotte flashes back to Valentin telling Anna that he bought the house for them, so they could move in with Charlotte and start a life together. She tells Laura, it’s all she wanted, and Laura says, a house like this? but Charlotte says, a home for her and papa. All to themselves.

Valentin says he’s sorry this is happening to Anna. She doesn’t deserve this at all. Anna says she disagrees, because they both know she brought this down on herself. She was a double agent. She betrayed the WSB and betrayed her country. And she has to accept the fallout from that. She wipes some tears away, and he says, no. Nothing could be further from the truth. She’s being targeted. She’s having her entire life dismantled by someone’s twisted idea of vengeance. She asks why he’d say that. Why does he think it’s revenge instead of justice?

Cody says he’s just being selfish, and Dante asks, how so? Cody says, wanting Sasha to stay here in Port Charles, but Dante says he doesn’t think it’s selfish. Cody likes her and wants what’s best for her. Cody says, if he does, maybe he needs to realize this is going to be really hard for her. These reminders of Brando and Liam, and that nightmare Gladys. Dante says, they’re never going to have to worry about Gladys again. She’s not going to show up in Port Charles. Cody says, Sam told him that Dante’s dad made sure of that, and Dante says, Sonny can be persuasive. Cody laughs and says he bets.

Robert asks why he feels he’s about to get hit by the infamous Killer Miller atom bomb, and Diane says, buck up, soldier. She has the feeling Robert Scorpio can handle what she’s about to say. Besides, this a golden opportunity for someone, who shall remain nameless, but who is him, to become a better human being. He says, okay. Lay it on him. She says, no. They’re not going to pick up where they left off. There’s too much hurt and confusion and betrayal and dishonesty down that road. He asks what she’s suggesting, and she says, they wipe the slate clean. They clear the chessboard as it were. And this is great. He gets to put his paw in anywhere he wants to, because he’s starting at square one.

Alexis tells Gregory, that might have been their only chance to get Drew released and she fumbled it. He says, she didn’t fumble it. She got to him. She says she should have approached this like in negotiations where each party gets what they want. A subtle warning to Judge Kim about a potentially embarrassing career decision and then he gets a chance to clean it up before the dam breaks, and then an early, quiet release for Drew. Nothing said overtly, only implied. This is how deals are done every day, but she had to go for the jugular. She had to grandstand. Does he know why she did that? He says he thinks she’s about to tell him, and she says, because that’s what lawyers do and she’s a lawyer. Or she wants to be one and she misses it. She wanted to win and she lost big; not for her, but for Drew.

Elizabeth tells Drew, maybe they can delay this. Dr. Ashford is on duty. She could speak to him, and he could say there are more tests that need to be done tomorrow, and he can stay here an extra night. Drew says, there’s not point in delaying the inevitable. Honestly, it would probably make it more torturous. They both know he’s going to end up in prison eventually. She says, then let her call Carly for him, but he says, no. She says, why not? and he says, because he doesn’t want her to see him literally hauled out of here in chains. It would be better if she just finds out about it once he’s gone.

Dante gets up, and Cody says, he’s leaving? He thought Dante could sit around all day and listen to him sulk. Dante says, that sounds like a lot of fun, but he has to get this stuff to Mac. Seeing that Cody’s told Sasha that Mac is his father, doesn’t Cody think he should tell Mac the truth too? He thinks Mac deserves to know he’s got a son. Cody says, no way. He lied to Mac’s face about being his son. There’s no way he could look at Mac’s face and see the disappointment and hurt when he found out. Dante says he’s not going to push it, but think about what he’s keeping from Mac. This isn’t a minor thing. Cody not telling Mac that he’s his son, makes his life a lot more complicated. Dante leaves.

Robert says, as an ex-spy, he’s strategic and an excellent chess player, and Diane asks what he’s saying. He says he accepts the challenge and the conditions, and she says, excellent. She’s just going to give him a warning. He says, wait a minute. A warning. A strategic advantage to him. She says, sometimes a warning is just a warning. This is a game between her and him. If he invites anyone else to play, or even watch, then she’s going to take her queen and go home. He says, just her and him. and she says, those are her terms. He says he’s liking how this sounds already. Just them; Robert and Diane. She says, more like Diane and Robert, but here’s one more thing. Not only will she take her queen and go home, she will take the entire chessboard, and there won’t be a rematch. She leaves, and he half-smiles.

Doc says he gets it. Ace is Spencer’s little brother, and Spencer wants only the best for him. But he really doesn’t help Ace if he denies the reality of the situation. Spencer says, the reality is that he’s going to do what he can for Ace, but Doc says, the reality is, Spencer and Esme no longer have anything in common except Ace. And as their lives diverge, and they will, Spencer may have to accept a reduced role in Ace’s life. Spencer says, no. He doesn’t accept that. Esme comes back with Ace, and Spencer asks, how’d it go? Esme says, Ace is once again in the 99 percentile, and Spencer tells Ace, way to go. That’s what he’s talking about. This calls for a celebration. Why don’t they go to Kelly’s and celebrate? He thanks Doc for his help, and says he appreciates it. He’ll take it from here. He leaves with Esme, who tells Ace, a cup of hot cocoa from Kelly’s does sound good, doesn’t it?

Laura say she knows how close Charlotte is with her father, but as much as he loves her, he was never a teenage girl. But Laura was and she remembers what it felt like. And it was really, really hard sometimes, just to be yourself. She felt like no one understood her. She never knew how she fit in, in her family. She didn’t feel like she fit in at school at all, or with her friends. And she had two really successful doctor parents and that was kind of hard. She didn’t always believe everything they told her. Did she take the advice they gave her? No, she didn’t. It was a very hard time. Painful. Confusing. Can Charlotte keep a secret? Charlotte says, sure, and Laura says, when she was Charlotte’s age, she made some really big mistakes. Charlotte says, really? and Laura says, yes, she did. She takes Charlotte’s hand and says, and it was Charlotte’s great-grandmother Leslie who saved her really. She was like Laura’s rock, and Laura wants to be there for Charlotte now, the way Leslie was there for her. She wants that more than anything and wouldn’t have it any other way. So if there’s something Charlotte needs to say to someone, something that maybe she needs to share, she’s here to listen to Charlotte. Charlotte says, grandma… Laura says, yes, dear? and Charlotte says she’s really glad Laura is back. She missed her. Laura says she missed Charlotte too, and they hug.  

Valentin says, this all started at the reading of Victor’s will and Anna’s WSB file being released to the press. She says, his father’s final act of revenge on her, and he says, no doubt. He thinks there’s someone else targeting her on Victor’s behalf.

Gregory asks if Alexis has always been this hard on herself, and she says, yes, especially when she screws up like she did today, and the screw up affects somebody she cares about. He says he’s sorry. He doesn’t see it that way. He was here, and saw and heard her in action. She was great. And if anything significant happened today, it was that she made a sacrifice. She says, what sacrifice? and he says, every instinct she had was, is still, screaming to publish an exposé on Kim’s corruption, barbecue him in The Invader. But she pulled back for Drew’s sake and offered him a deal. Alexis says she came on too strong, but Gregory says, there’s no guarantee that a softer approach would have been any more effective. She says, the point is, she went after Judge Kim because she wanted to, and it was stupid and unprofessional. Alexis’s phone rings, and she thanks them for letting her know. Keep her posted. She tells Gregory, that was a friend of hers from the Federal building. She said that Judge Kim asked his clerk to pull Drew Cain’s file. Gregory says, and? and she says, apparently, he may be reconsidering Drew’s sentence. Gregory says, see? Nice work, counselor.

Elizabeth watches as Drew is wheeled out wearing leg irons, since he might make a sprint from the wheelchair. They lock eyes for a moment, and she watches as he’s wheeled into the elevator. She stands in front of the elevator, and they look at each other with sad faces as the elevator doors close.

On Monday, Brook asks, since when does granny’s opinion hold any weight with Lois; Cody says he had his chance and threw it away; and Sonny tells someone, the next thing they say could have lasting repercussions.

🎄 Nathan Rushes the Season…

I swear this guy is in every other holiday movie.

Preview Ryan Paevey’s Magical New Christmas Movie!

🧂 Salting the Lake…

This week’s shenanigans.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 7 Recap: Tempers Rise at Angie’s Easter Brunch

It says something about you when your own son wants to hide his marriage.

https://people.com/rhoslc-recap-mary-cosby-son-robert-jr-was-secretly-married-for-a-year-8362974

🗽 Gorgeous Is Gonna Devour Cute…

Tiffany is awful, but I like her, and God help me, I might have to take Jax off the awful list. I’m surprised at how good this show is.

Tiffany Pollard Discusses Making Jax Taylor Cry and Omarosa Feud on House of Villains

https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/tiffany-pollard-a-hero-in-the-villain-house

🍸 SURish Secrets…

It’s not really all that interesting, mostly about Bravo being cheap, but keeping the Pump rolling until the new season begins.

Ariana Madix Reveals Vanderpump Rules Secrets

⚰️ One Fear Coming Up…

Sunday, October 22nd, 9 pm EST. Be dead or be there. Of course the finale is in two parts. It’s a thing now.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-series-finale/

https://screenrant.com/fear-walking-dead-season-8-two-part-finale/

🧹 Extra Extra…

Wow. It’s all pretty tame by today’s standards.

https://ew.com/movies/hocus-pocus-deleted-scene-grocery-store-mary-steals-child/

🎃 Today’s Lesson…

More Halloween lore.

https://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/a40250/heres-why-we-really-celebrate-halloween/

🐶 Will Do a Trick a Treat…

I love this dog.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/pug-latte-costume

Come on. You know you want to dress your dogs up. You probably want to dress up your cats too, but we all know how that can go.

https://people.com/best-dog-halloween-costumes-8362521

https://www.etonline.com/the-best-last-minute-dog-halloween-costume-ideas-to-put-a-spell-on-everyone-hocus-pocus-baby-yoda

🐝 Quotes of the Week

Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us. – Susan L. Taylor

The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away. – David Viscott

One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain’t nothin’ can beat teamwork. – Edward Abbey

Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty. – Thomas S. Monson

To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to change often. – Winston Churchill

Once you start recognizing the truth of your story, finish the story. It happened but you’re still here, you’re still capable, powerful, you’re not your circumstance. It happened and you made it through. You’re still fully equipped with every single tool you need to fulfill your purpose. – Steve Maraboli (Or as Sweet Pea said in Sucker Punch: You’ve got your weapons. Now fight.)

For better or worse, Beanies were like crack. – Rich Kelley, The Beanie Bubble

🫦 My Real Housewives tagline: Sometimes going commando really does mean you’re carrying a machine gun. Holla!

🕸 Being Altogether Ooky…

Meet me here on Sunday for a Fear quickie. Until then, stay safe, stay bringing the appropriate hostess gift to a Halloween party – you know, like a coffin – and stay remembering, sometimes all you need is one good friend.

Oct7

October 6, 2023 – Sonny Has Errands To Run, She’s Out, She’s In, Faux Housewives, Simon Says, Sharing, Stop It, Dead Talk, Turkey Time, Vintage Scares, Pets (!) In Costume, Just Shy Of 10 Quotes & It’s That Time

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny goes to Michael’s office, and Michael says he wasn’t expecting to see him. It must be important if Sonny decided to come all the way down to his office. Sonny asks if it’s a problem, but Michael says, no, just unusual. Sonny says he’s trying to be a little more spontaneous in his old age, and Michael asks what brings him here. Sonny says he knows he shouldn’t be asking this, but he has a favor that only Michael can do for him.

Moving right along, Sonny sees Anna at the MetroCourt bar, and thanks her for meeting him. She says she was a bit surprised by the invite, and he says he’s been looking out for her since the shooting at the MetroCourt. She says she appreciates that. She’s being very cautious, one eye looking over her shoulder, because apparently, she’s got a target on her back now. He asks if any threats have happened, but she says, no, and he says, that’s good to hear. She asks if that’s why he asked to see her, to check up on her, but he says he just wanted to let her know he’s going to be gone for a few days. If she needs anything, he’s just a phone call away.

Alexis says she can’t remember how long it’s been since they’ve visited her at her office. It must be important. What did she do to deserve this visit? We see it’s Sonny, and he says, it’s not what she’s done; it’s what she’s going to do. She says, typically, when someone wants her to do a favor for them, they ask her nicely and say please. What does he need? He says, put this paper to good use, and save a man’s life.

Setting a cup of coffee on the bar at Charlie’s, Kristina says, just tell her when and where, and she’s there. Sonny says, that’s my girl, and she says she’s actually pretty excited about it. After all he’s done for her lately, how could she possibly say no. He thanks her, and says he knows he can always count on her. She says, that’s not something she hears every day and it’s so nice. She hugs him, and Dante walks in.

Carly leaves a message for Diane to call her. She just wants some kind of update as to when they’re taking Drew back to Pentenville. Sonny knocks at his old kitchen door, and Carly says she just needs to know. She tells Sonny, hey, and he says he knows this must be difficult for her. Nobody wants Drew to go back to prison. She says she keeps hoping Diane is going to call and tell her they’ve figured out something, some kind of loophole to stop Drew from going back there. They’re looking into the judge to see if they can find some sort of bias, but it seems to be a longshot, so she doesn’t know. He says, she’s doing everything she can. There’s nobody more tenacious than Diane. She says, the girls are in school, and he knows that, so he must be here to see her, and he says, she guessed right. That, and to see the moss bowl🎍. She says, please tell her this isn’t bad news, and he says, it kind of depends on her perspective. She says, that’s cryptic. What’s going on? He says he and Nina are eloping.

Valentin is working on his laptop, when a message pops up with the number for a therapist in his area. He picks up his phone, but there’s a knock at the door. He opens it to Nina, who says she came by to see if things were any better with Charlotte. He invites her in, and she says, this place is so beautiful. Charlotte must be so thrilled to be in her own home with her dad… What’s wrong? What happened?

Robert meets Anna at the MetroCourt and asks, who’s the suit? She says, it’s a gift from Sonny, and he asks if she can send it back. She says, no, and he asks where Sonny gets off sending a goon over here to keep an eye on her. She says, he has a very caring side, and he says, so did Attila the Hun. She says, Sonny was worried about her and wanted to offer her protection, which she refused first of all; she didn’t think she needed it. He says, but now she does, and she says she changed her mind. He asks if something’s happened, and she says, other than the recent disturbing events, no. Nothing has happened in the last 24 hours since she’s had protection. He says, so she’s living in the MetroCourt, and she says, yes, until she moves into the new place. Valentin has bought a house for them. He asks when she went house hunting, but she says she didn’t. He bought the house on his own. Robert says, Valentin could have at least made her part of the process. Unless of course (🍷) she thinks he’s hiding something. She says, he’s always hiding something, but the house isn’t part of that. It was indeed meant to be a surprise. He says, Valentin is nothing if not full of those, and she says, he certainly is.

Gregory comes into Alexis’s office and asks how it went with Sonny. She asks how he knew Sonny was… Esme has to quit sharing every visitor that comes into her office. It’s not that she has anything to hide, Esme just needs to learn a little discretion. He says, Esme’s not to blame. When a notorious coffee importer shows up here, people tend to talk, and usually in hushed tones. Sonny’s good fodder for the water cooler. Alexis says, they’re going to be very disappointed. He just came to ask for a favor. Gregory says, he hopes nothing illegal, and she says, Sonny wanted to see if The Invader could help leverage Judge Albert Kim. He’s the judge who sentenced Drew Cain to three years in Pentenville. Gregory asks what outcome Sonny is hoping for, and she says, Carly thinks the judge’s sentence was unnecessarily harsh, and they’re hoping maybe they can get the sentence reduced or at the very least, have him moved to a safer facility. He asks just how Sonny suggests she do that, and she says, that’s what they have to figure out.

Carly says, eloping? What happened to the big blow-out wedding Sonny and Nina were planning? He says he wasn’t planning the wedding. He just told Nina that she can do whatever she wants with the wedding. Carly says she knows Olivia was helping, and he asks if that’s tough for her, but she says, no. She’s a big girl. Olivia can do what she wants, and they’re way too close for her to let something like that bother her. Sonny says, there were just so many details and things like that. A wedding should be about a celebration, not a deadline. She says, it’s just surprising considering all the noise Nina was making about her big wedding celebration, and he says, they’re just going to fly down to the island. It’s not going to be a big deal; just a small ceremony. It’s just going to be him and Nina, and whatever kids are able to go. She says, kids. That’s why he’s here. He says he would love if Donna could go. It would mean everything. If she’s okay with that.

Valentin tells Nina that he’s totally lost. He and Charlotte used to be so close, and now he feels like he doesn’t even know her. She says she knows this must be so difficult for him, but he says, not just him. Charlotte’s going to need professional help. He’s trying to find her a therapist. (I guess Montague is out.) She says, it might take him a while to find someone. Charlotte’s in a very serious situation, and he’s going to have to find the doctor who’s the right fit. He says he’s always been able to talk to her, hasn’t he? No matter how raw it gets. She knows him, maybe better than anybody; maybe even Anna. He doesn’t know how it got this way. This is his little girl they’re talking about. Nina says, they’re going to figure this out together. Where is Charlotte now? He says, she went on a bike ride. That’s why he’s doing research and making phone calls. Nina asks if he hasn’t said anything to Charlotte, and he says he just doesn’t know what he’d say if she lied to him, if she denied it. He doesn’t know how he’d react. Why is this happening? Did he do something to make her act out like this?

Kristina says, he told dad what? and Dante says he explained he couldn’t go to the wedding, but he’d go to the next one. She says, that’s not even funny, but he says he’s just kidding. She says, so he is going to go, but he says he’s not kidding about that part. She says, he has to go. Dad asked Dante to be his best man, didn’t he? Dante says, he did, and he’s honored. He just can’t go away right now. She says, that, she does get, because the PCPD softball team really need their star pitcher, and he says, they probably do, but he’s just got a lot of stuff going on here. She says, what stuff is more important than dad’s wedding? and he says, Charlotte was living with them; she’s moved out. They’re dealing with the fact Scout’s father Drew is behind bars, and it’s tough on her. His job… She seems more annoyed than Sonny did. He took this a lot better than her. She says she just thinks it’s important they be there to support dad, and he says he agrees. Dad knows he supports him. They’ve had their ups and downs, but he knows Dante’s behind his and Nina’s relationship. She says, nothing can keep her away, and he says, that’s good. She’ll be representing. She says she doesn’t think she’ll be the only one actually. Dad asked Michael to come. Dante says, that’s big. What did Michael say?

At the hospital, Michael looks for Willow, and a nurse tells him that she thinks Willow’s still on break. She’ll check. He sits down and remembers Sonny saying he wanted to tell Michael in person. Michael tells him, usually when somebody says that, it’s not good news, but Sonny says, it’s good news, for him at least. He and Nina are eloping; they’re going down to the island. Michael says, congratulations are in order, and Sonny says he knows times have been tough this year, but he thinks they’ve moved past that, and Michael says, with everything that happened with Willow, he realizes how important family is. Sonny says, Nina is Michael’s family. He knows there’s been a strain between them… Michael says, that’s an understatement, and Sonny says, she’s tried to make an effort between Michael and Willow. What makes her happy is spending time with Amelia and Wiley. Michael says he has to admit things have been better with Nina, and he knows she’s trying to respect their boundaries. Sonny says, nothing would mean more to Nina than to have Willow at her wedding, and it would mean a lot to him to have Michael there. So is there any chance he’ll go?

Nina says, this is not Valentin’s fault. She wishes she had the answer. Charlotte is a teenage girl, and teenage girls can be very complicated. He says, she’s a Cassadine. Cursed, isn’t it? None of this godforsaken family gets to be happy. Nina says, please, don’t go there. This has nothing to do with a curse. Charlotte isn’t doomed. She’s an adolescent who got herself into trouble. She’s struggling, but they will get her help. He says, it’s so overwhelming, and she says she’s sure Anna’s been supportive. What does she think? He says he hasn’t told her. How is he going to tell her that his daughter is the one who’s been tormenting her? Charlotte’s the one who set the fire; she’s going to be facing very serious criminal charges. Nina says, they have to just be very grateful no one was in the house. If Charlotte did do this, she made sure of that. He asks if that’s supposed to make him feel better, but Nina says she’s just making the point that Charlotte isn’t trying to hurt Anna. She’s not a murderer; she’s just crying out for help. He says, it’s more than that. Charlotte’s terrorizing the woman he loves, and he’s trying to keep that from escalating, but is he doing the right thing by not telling Anna?

Carly says, Sonny knows how much Donna loves weddings. Of course (🍷) she can go. Sonny thanks her and she says she knows how happy Donna was at Michael’s wedding. Hopefully, both girls can go. He says, that’s the plan, and she asks if he’s called Ava, because Avery wouldn’t want to miss it. He says he called Ava, but she hasn’t gotten back to him yet. He hopes there’s no problem there, because it would not be the same without Avery. She says, it looks like he’s thought of everything for his tropical ceremony, and he says he’s trying. He thinks he covered all the bases. Oh no, wait. The favor she asked for Drew? He’s working on it. She says, let’s hope it comes in time to save Drew.

Gregory asks if Alexis is sure she wants to get into this. He’s heard a lot of stories about people who do Sonny’s bidding and sometimes it doesn’t end well. She says, ya think? She’s very well aware of the methods Sonny uses to handle things. This time, he would like it handled legitimately. He asks if she’s sure that she and Sonny don’t share any similarities, and she says she thinks she’s offended. He says he doesn’t know Sonny well, but from what he hears, Sonny has reputation for ruthlessness. He knows firsthand how ruthless Alexis can be… when it comes to the pursuit of truth in journalism. She says, really? Do go on. He tells her that he’s just saying she’s a force of nature when it comes to business, and that’s a good thing by the way. She says, this is really very entertaining. Trying to compliment her after calling her ruthless. That is some fancy footwork. He says, unfortunately, that’s the only footwork he’s capable of these days.

Kristina tells Dante that she knows Michael wants to make peace with dad. There’s definitely been a lot less tension lately. Dante says, yeah, but that’s a far cry from Michael attending the wedding. They have to start somewhere to get back to where they were. She says she doesn’t know if they’ll ever get back to where they were, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. He asks, so is Michael going to the wedding or not? and she says, she doesn’t know. She hopes so. She’ll tell Dante one thing. She’s not excited to be on an island with him and Nina for the next few days. He says he thought she was Team Nina, and she says she is. She likes Nina a lot. Most important, dad loves her, but she hasn’t forgotten what Nina did to Michael and Willow. That’s some serous damage, and they both know their brother holds a grudge. He says, kind of just like… and they both say, dad. Blaze comes in, and Kristina introduces her to Dante. Blaze says, we meet again.

Michael remembers telling Sonny that he can’t give him an answer now. Not without talking to Willow first. Sonny says he gets it. He just hopes Willow does this for Nina, because the ceremony wouldn’t be the same without Wiley there. She wants Wiley to be the ring bearer, like he was at Michael’s wedding. He’s a pro now. Michael says, Willow has a lot going on right now and she just got back to work. He’s not sure she’s going to want to drop all that and get on a plane. Sonny says, okay. He just wanted Michael to think about it. In the present, Willow dashes over to Michael and says she heard he was waiting for her. Is everything all right? Did something happen with the kids?

Valentin tells Nina that he just doesn’t know what to do. They can’t involve the police. She says, no. They’re not bringing the police into this. She’s a teenager; she’s fifteen years old. If she did do this, and the police find out, they will send her away. He can’t let that happen. They’re just going to have to handle this themselves. He asks how they do that, and she says, they’re going to find a way to get through to Charlotte. They’re not giving up on her. He says he’s always appreciated her support, and she hooks her arm in his and says, even though they went their separate ways, she’ll always care about him. She loves Charlotte. He says he doesn’t know what he’d do without her help, and she says, about that. He’s going to have to deal with this on his own. That’s what she came by to tell him. She’s leaving town.

Anna tells Robert that she thinks Valentin feels this house is a way for him to focus on his daughter. He feels Charlotte needs a more stable environment. She’s had a very rough year. Robert asks if she didn’t tell him that Victor was keeping her at the boarding school, and Anna says, when she finally did come home, she’s been bouncing from house to house. First she was at Laura’s, then she lived with Dante. That’s not to say they weren’t there for her. They were very supportive, but Charlotte is fifteen, and along with that age comes anxiety and insecurity. He says, Mac was having a problem with Robin like that, and she says, Charlotte needs her father’s undivided attention. She totally understands that. She thinks maybe Valentin feels that buying a house for her is the first step in putting her on more solid ground. He says, in the meantime, Anna’s roughing it in the hotel, but she says she doesn’t call room service roughing it. She thought Robert didn’t want her with Valentin. He says he doesn’t. However, she should have the final choice in where she lives. She suggests they agree to disagree when it comes to the subject of her relationship with Valentin, and says she asked him here because she needs his help. He says, with? and she says, something crucial.

Sonny tells Carly that he pretty much politely demanded Alexis use that paper and her investigation skills to look into Judge Kim, because they have to figure out why he gave Drew such a harsh sentence. Carly says, they need to do more than look into Judge Kim. They need to get the judge to commute Drew’s sentence, or at least send him to a safer facility. Does Alexis understand that? He says, Alexis knows that the goal is to get Drew out of Pentenville, but it’s not going to happen overnight. The first thing she needs to do is a deep dive into Kim’s record. They have to figure out what makes him vulnerable. Then they have an opening. She asks if he thinks Alexis is going to come through, and he says he’s confident she’ll deliver for them.

Gregory apologizes to Alexis and says, that was meant to be a joke, but clearly it didn’t land. She says, he has every right to handle his disease any way he sees fit. If he wants to joke about it, joke about it. Go for it. He doesn’t have to edit his words with her. She’s going to follow his lead. He says he feels like he’s constantly thanking her for being understand, but thanks her again. She says, he doesn’t need to keep thanking her or apologizing. What’s that quote from that movie? Friendship means never having to say you’re sorry. He says he thinks that’s, love means… (Actually, I think her version makes more sense.) She says, he just doesn’t need to keep thanking her, and he says he still hasn’t told Chase. He knows she keeps telling him to wait until he’s ready, but when will that be? He can’t keep hiding behind his work here. He wakes up some mornings and he’s so determined to tell Chase the truth. Then he finds himself here instead. He used to lecture his students about procrastination. He’d tell them, putting off that term paper won’t make it easier. She says, this is a little bigger than a homework assignment. He’s going to tell Chase when he tells Chase. He says he’s just being selfish. He just wants more time with his son before his son looks at him with pity. Before he sees the disease, not his father. She says she thinks he’s wrong. She doesn’t think Chase is going to react that way at all, but Gregory will do what feels right for him and she’s not judging him. He says, speaking of judges, how are they going to handle Judge Kim?

Dante says, good to see Blaze again, and she says, good to see him too. She tells Kristina, Dante was her hero at the Nurses Ball, and he says he doesn’t like to brag. Kristina says, since when? and Blaze says, after Brook outed Linc on stage, Dante grabbed him and dragged him out of the MetroCourt. Nice work, detective. He says, just doing my job, ma’am, and Kristina says, that’s great. She almost forgot; her brother, the knight in shining armor. Blaze says, don’t think she’s forgotten how nice Dante was the day they ran into each other at Kelly’s, and he says, that was a few months ago. He saw Blaze at Kelly’s and Rocco had been watching her music videos; he’s a big fan. And they saw her at Rice Plaza years ago, and she was so gracious to them. Thanks. Blaze thanks him, and Kristina says, they’re practically BFFs. Who’d have guessed that?

Michael says, everything’s fine. He didn’t mean to worry Willow. She says, it must be something important for him to come all the way to GH, and they sit down. He says he wanted to tell her that Sonny paid him a visit earlier and apparently, he and Nina are eloping in Puerto Rico. She says, okay. The last time she spoke to Nina, Nina was knee-deep in wedding planning. It sounded like a huge event here in Port Charles. He says he guesses Nina changed her mind, and Willow asks if this means they get out of going to the wedding, but he says, no such luck. They’re definitely on the guest list. Sonny wants them to fly down to Puerto Rico.

Valentin says, she’s leaving town? but Nina says, it’s just for a few days. Don’t worry. She feels silly talking about it, given everything Valentin is going through, but she and Sonny are going to Puerto Rico; they’re eloping. He says he thought she was having a big wedding at the MetroCourt, and she says, that was the plan, but it got complicated, and it was really stressful. They just want to get married as soon as possible and the best solution was to have a small ceremony on Sonny’s island. He says, if that’s what she wants, he’s happy for her, and she says, he can always call her, but he says he’s not going to call her. He’s not going to interrupt her wedding. Unless she wants Sonny after him. Besides, Laura’s coming back from London. They’re going to figure out what to do about Charlotte together. Charlotte walks in and asks if Valentin is keeping things from her.

Robert says, Anna will do whatever she wants, so what does she need? She says, let’s just look at the recent events, starting with the shooting at the pool. She thinks that bullet was meant for Sonny, not her. Robert says, he’s got his fair share of enemies, and Anna says, so does she, but she thinks she’s being targeted in a completely different way. He says he doesn’t follow, and she says, after the shooting at the pool, her house was torched. Then her room here was vandalized. What does that tell him? He says, that her enemy is toying with her. They’re trying to break her down. What is she going to do about that?

Charlotte says, Valentin didn’t tell her Nina was coming over. She was putting her bike away, and she saw Nina’s car out front. She’s so happy to see Nina. They hug, and Nina says, it’s so nice to see Charlotte. How is she? Charlotte says, much better now that she’s living with papa, and Nina says, it’s a beautiful place. Is she settling in okay? Charlotte says, everything’s perfect. Can Nina stay and have lunch with them? Nina says, no, she’s so sorry. She just came over to tell Charlotte’s dad that she was leaving town for a few days. She and Sonny are going to Puerto Rico. Charlotte says, cool. She wishes she and papa could take a trip with Nina someday. Nina says she’s not sure Anna would be so thrilled with that, and Charlotte says she knows. She was just thinking how great it would be if they could go to Europe. Remember how they used to always talk about doing that? Nina says, that’s right. How about this? They plan a girls trip, just the two of them. Maybe she can convince Maxie to allow Georgie to come with them. She likes Georgie, right? (The way she says this, she may as well have been saying, Charlotte’s not going to set fire to Georgie, is she?) Charlotte says, yeah. She used to see Georgie a lot when her mom was still with them. But she’d rather just go with Nina if papa can’t come with them. Nina says, it’s a deal, and Charlotte says she loves Nina. They hug, and Nina says she loves Charlotte too.

Alexis tells Gregory, it looks like Judge Kim has a number of high-profile cases. His opinions that he wrote for his decisions read like bait for a promotion. Gregory asks, can you elaborate on that for those of us who didn’t attend law school? and she says, from what she can tell, it sounds like he’s trying to impress the Judicial Board in hopes of a higher appointment. Gregory asks how he goes about that, and she says, when judges are trying to climb the ladder, they set new precedents. And they do that with their opinions. And what they want is for those precedents to be appealed and upheld. So in simpler terms, it looks like Judge Kim is trying to get the attention of those above him. And if that’s the case, then maybe they can help him do just that.

Carly thanks Sonny for everything he’s doing for Drew’s case, and he says, Drew’s a good man. He doesn’t deserve what’s happening to him. And Drew being in prison affects her, and no matter what’s happened between them, she’s the mother of his children and he just wants her to be happy. She says, that means a lot. So from all the research Diane has gathered, it looks like Judge Kim is hoping for a promotion to the Federal Bench. She’s thinking he’d be more than happy to meet with the press and cooperate. He says, that gives Alexis a way in, and she says, that’s all they have for now. Sonny says, do him a favor and tell Drew to sit tight, because he’s doing everything he can behind the scenes to get him out of there. Carly says she will and asks if he ever found out who Austen was visiting in Pentenville.

Gregory tells Alexis, from the look on her face, he’d say she has a plan. What is she thinking? She says, her guess is, this guy has an ego; most judges do. He says he hears the same about lawyers, and she says she’s not sure who’s worse, but what she thinks is, this guy is really career oriented. He wants to get ahead which means he’ll be very susceptible to the lure of publicity. Gregory says, and that’s where she comes in, and she says, they call him in for an interview. They pump him up. They tell him that they’re interested in doing an article about his decisions, take some pictures, and hopefully he’ll eat it up. Gregory says, and then, she goes in for the kill and ask him about Drew’s sentence. She says, mm-hmm, and he says, good plan of attack. Like he said, ruthless.

Sonny tells Carly, unfortunately, they have no information on that yet. They don’t know who’s pulling the strings when it comes to Austen and Mason. She says, trailing Betty didn’t turn up anything? and he says he had Dex watching her every move, thinking she’d lead them to the boss, but that didn’t happen. They have someone watching Austin, and his guys are doing everything they can until he gets back from the wedding. She says, that’s what he should be concentrating on right now, and he says he knows. She says she’s going to have Donna packed and all ready to go. She can’t wait to see Donna’s face when she tells her. Please take a couple of pictures of Donna for her. He says, okay, and she says, let her know if he hears from Ava. She can just bring Avery here and he can pick up both girls at the same time. He says, thanks, that means a lot, and she says, it’s been a painful couple years. He agrees, and she says, and she just wants him to be happy too. He says, yeah. He feels the same way. They soap stare at each other for a moment, while the moss bowl🎍 yawns, and Sonny says he’ll see her.

Kristina says she’s flying down to Puerto Rico later for her dad’s wedding, and Blaze says, a destination wedding. How exciting. Dante says, they’re eloping, thank God, and Kristina says, Dante. He says he’s just telling it like it is. He thinks they’re being smart by keeping it a small, family ceremony. (Is that really eloping then?) Kristina asks why he says that, and he tells her, because he thinks if they had a big wedding in Port Charles, they’d be asking for trouble.

Anna says, this is where Robert comes in. She needs his help. Because she’s almost certain this threat is coming from inside the WSB. Or someone with access to the Bureau’s resources. He asks if she thinks this is the same person who outed her for being a double-agent, and she says she has her suspicions. Look at the timing; think about it. None of this started until she was exposed in the press. It has to be connected. It can’t just be a coincidence. He says, this is revenge from someone she’s wronged in a past case? and she says her actions hurt a lot of people who might want payback. He says, she hasn’t been an active operative in years. Could somebody hold a grudge that long? She says she doesn’t know. She just really needs his help to get some information from inside the Bureau. He tells her, as he said, since Frisco left, his influence there is limited. As for this new director, whatever influence he might have is going to be limited at best. She says, limited is better than non-existent. Please. Will he help her find out what is going on and who is after her?

Nina says, it was so good to see Charlotte. Does she remember their handshake? They do a fancy pattycake thing, and Nina says she has to go to the gallery. She’s been trying to get ahold of Ava with no luck, so she thought she’d try her there. Charlotte says she misses Nina so much. Please come over after her trip. Nina says she will, and kisses Charlotte’s forehead. Valentin walks her to the door, and outside, he thanks her for coming. It meant a lot to Charlotte. It’s good to see her smile. Nina says, they’re going to figure this out when she gets back, okay? and they hug as Charlotte watches. He tells Nina, have a nice trip, and Charlotte half smiles.

Willow says, fly to an intimate wedding? It would be one thing if it was 200 guests at the MetroCourt. They’d be able to blend into the background, but this… Michael says, yeah. It would just be family, so they’d be front and center. She says she knows she’s been pushing him lately to accept Nina, but this is a lot. He’s finally made peace with his dad and Nina, and it’s so new. He asks if she really wants to put it to the test.

Alone outside, Nina looks at a picture of Charlotte as a young child. She says, Charlotte, what happened to you? As she starts to go down the walk, her phone rings. Sonny asks, how is his bride-to-be? and she says she’s okay, but he says she doesn’t sound okay. What’s wrong? She says, it’s just been an emotional day. Where is he? He says he’s been all over town doing things, but he’s finished now. He’s all hers. She says, that’s all she’s ever wanted, and he says, then she better get packing. We’re getting married. She says, yes, we are.

On Monday, Nina says, this is the best wedding present she could ever ask for; Gregory tells Finn, now because of him, Chase is paying the price; Carly tells Alexis that there’s proof, and she can get it for her; and Cyrus asks what someone has in store for him.

🚗 Enjoy the Ride…

We say goodbye to Gladys. Her last scenes with Sonny were so much fun!

Bonnie Burroughs Says Goodbye to GENERAL HOSPITAL

🎤 Old Is New Again…

We say hello to Lois. Brook needs her mom, and hopefully, she’ll go head-to-head with Tracy.

A Sneak Peek at Rena Sofer’s First Scene Back at GENERAL HOSPITAL!

💰 Not As Rich As They Seem…

She has a point. It does seem like you get demoted to friend if you can’t keep up the image.

Bethenny Frankel Shades Andy Cohen for Dissing Gina’s House and Wonders If Shaming Housewives is Why They “Steal & Go Bankrupt” to “Look Rich”

Case in point? She seems like the kind of person who would ditch her financial responsibilities.

‘RHONYC’ Star Brynn Whitfield Evicted for $7K Unpaid Rent and Owes IRS Thousands!

🍊 Who’s a POS Cheater…?

I figured that’s what Jenn was referring to.

Past Interview Surfaces of Tamra Judge’s Ex Simon Accusing Her of Cheating With Eddie, After Tamra Slammed RHOC Costars Jen and Ryan Over Past Infidelity

🍸 Something About Her Living Her Best Life…

Can’t wait to read her book. This has been one of those rare times we got to see karma at work immediately.

Ariana Madix Shares Status on Sandwich Shop & Explains Delay, Plus She Gushes Over Beau Daniel’s DWTS Support, and Talks Single AF Cocktails Being Her “Breakup Album”

🍾 Words Of Wisdom…

She must be doing something right. She looks amazing. And what I said yesterday. It really is ridiculous how they all just keep circling the same dating drain.

Southern Charm’s Patricia Altschul Thinks Cast Should Stop Being ‘Incestuous’

⚰️ Put That Dead Thing Down…

I have to admit, I’m surprised, but he probably has a big fan base.

‘TWD Daryl Dixon’ Becomes Most Viewed Premiere and Season in AMC+ History (collider.com)

This sounds like a great convention.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/new-york-comic-con-2023-the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-rick-michonne/

I knew it. I knew I saw this scene somewhere and there had already been a connection to France.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/10/05/walking-dead-world-beyond-two-years-ago/

🦃 The Forgotten Holiday…

That holiday we jump over between Halloween and whatever December holiday you celebrate now has its own slasher film. If Eli Roth is involved, it’s bound to be good.

https://ew.com/movies/thanksgiving-trailer-patrick-dempsey-eli-roth-addison-rae/

🎃 Not Halloween Without It…

Weird-ass vintage costumes. Just remember, that bag is not a toy, or a costume.

https://www.travelchannel.com/ghostober/photos/13-iconic-vintage-costumes-to-recreate-this-halloween?xp=sistersite

👻 It’s That Time Of Year…

One holiday where celebrities are just like us.

Celebrity Pets’ Best Halloween Costumes Over the Years

👄 Quotes of the Week

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. – Shari R. Barr

Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. – John D. Rockefeller

The deeper the truth in a creative work, the longer it will live. – Sir Charlie Chaplin

It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it. – Abraham Lincoln

He ain’t no Christian; he’s a dope fiend. – Judge Mathis

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent Van Gogh

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us. – Socrates

October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations about them once again. – Hal Borland

🦖 Main Character Energy…

Join me again on Monday really Tuesday for soap and yachting with awful people. Until then, stay safe, stay treating and not tricking (take that however you like), and stay making parties celebrations not deadlines.

Aug26

August 25, 2023 – Cody Asks Sam For Help, Newbie, Atlanta Receipts, Called Out, No Shock, Leaky Deck, VanderLock, Tasty Move, New Horror, Dead News, Second Last, Stray Training, Apple Pups, 9 Crisp Quotes & Out

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Willow comes into the hospital, and Elizabeth asks if she’s had a setback, but Willow says, just the opposite. She wants to get back to work. Does Elizabeth have room for one more nurse?

Finn sets up the backgammon board, and Tracy says she hopes he’s been practicing. He’s going to need it. He asks if she’s kidding. He has an eight-year-old daughter, and there’s not a day that goes by that there isn’t new disease at the hospital to challenge him. Does she really think he has time to practice backgammon? She looks at him, and he says, okay. The minute he knew she was back in town, he started practicing his ass off. She says, good choice – she takes a paper out of her pocket – because according to her calculations, Tracy-47, Finn-29. He says, 47-29? She kept that all this time? She asks what he thinks and he says, of course (🍷) she kept it; she’s winning. She says she loves to win, and shakes the dice.

Cody says he’s desperate here. Sasha’s in trouble, and Sam could be his only chance. She says, to get himself locked up in Ferncliff? and he says, to help Sasha. She says she thinks it’s a terrible plan, but he says, it’s the only plan he’s got. Please. She says she won’t help him, much less be the one who commits him.

On his phone at the Crimson office, Sonny asks what Brick’s got for him. Has the fake information Betty stole from his computer been downloaded?… He gets that, but he’s impatient. It’s just that he wants some answers. He may have to figure this out. Nina comes out of the elevator, and Sonny says, he’ll see Brick later. Nina comes in and asks, what’s wrong? Sonny says, nothing. A beautiful woman is in front of him. What could be wrong with that? She says, nothing’s wrong with that, and they hug. Absolutely nothing.

At the pool, Molly thanks Alexis for coming, and Alexis says, of course (🍷) she would be here. She knows how much this means to Molly and TJ. Molly says she really wants Alexis to like her, and Alexis says she thinks it’s more important that Molly and TJ like her. Molly says, they really do, when Andrea comes in. Molly introduces her to Alexis, and they sit at a table. Kristina appears in the doorway and sees them.

On the phone, Brook says, so it’s all true?… She can’t say she’s completely surprised. She could kill her with her bare hands… No, no. Not them. A certain member of her family.

Tracy asks, how’s Finn’s father? and Finn says, he’s… fine. She says, fine? Really? She was supposed to have dinner a few days ago at the MetroCourt with her sister-in-law who had to cancel. There, she ran into Finn’s father, who coerced her into having dinner with him. Finn asks, how bad was the dinner? and she says, actually, the food was much improved now that Carly Spencer is no longer running the show. He says he meant, how was his dad’s company? and she says, he’s charming, but he couldn’t hide the fact that his hand was cramping. What’s wrong with him? Finn says he’ll have to ask her not to pursue that line of questioning, and she asks, why? He says he’d prefer not to lie to her, and she says, fine. He shakes the dice, and asks how Ned is doing. She says, he’s still singing on streetcorners and hanging out with her favorite person, Sonny Corinthos. And how is Detective Chase? He says, Chase is convinced Tracy is forcing Brook to give up her music career to work at Deception, and she says she needs to ask him not to pursue that line of questioning. He asks, why? and she says she’d prefer not to lie to him. He laughs.

Willow tells Elizabeth that she’s feeling stronger every day. She’s got her energy back and she’s really starting to feel like her old self again. Elizabeth says, that’s such great news, and Willow says she loves her time with Michael and the kids, but what she really wants is to get back to nursing. Taking care of people who need help, like she did when she was getting her transplant. This hospital is full of excellent nurses who took such amazing care of her and really supported her when she needed it. She’s not sure what she would have done without them. Elizabeth says, they do have excellent nurses here, but Willow wasn’t just any patient; she’s one of them. Willow says she wants to pay it forward and give that type of care to other patients who need it. Elizabeth says, that’s why they do this, and she’s all for Willow coming back to GH because she’s an amazing nurse, and she can’t wait to have Willow back on rotation, as soon as her doctors approve her return. It would be a bad way to repay all those nurses by coming back too soon and pushing herself too hard, compromising her immune system. Willow says, of course (🍷). She agrees. That’s why she’s here, to talk to Dr. Randolph and see when she’ll be approved. Elizabeth says, great. This place needs people like Willow, and she can’t wait to get that documentation that says Willow is ready to work.

Sonny says he doesn’t want to keep Nina from her work. Maybe she should see if something urgent came up. Nina says she’s just fine in his arms. Besides, there’s nothing that can’t wait. He asks if she’s sure about that, and she says she would have gotten a text or an email from one of her assistants. He says, maybe its one of those old fashioned phone things. Why doesn’t she just check it out? She asks why he’s acting so weird, and he says he doesn’t want her to miss something important. She goes to her desk and finds a jewelry box, and asks, what’s this? He says he doesn’t know; maybe she should open it. She opens it, and says, oh! revealing a stunning diamond pendant necklace. She says she loves it; it’s beautiful. He says, it’s going to be even more beautiful when he puts it on her, and she asks if it’s an apology for being so secretive with her. He says, yes and no, and she asks, which is it? He says, why doesn’t she turn around and he’ll put it on her. She says, it’s gorgeous (it gets my vote), and he says, it’s absolutely amazing, putting the necklace on her. He hooks the clasp, and she asks how it looks. He says, she looks beautiful and that just compliments it, and she says, he always has a way of making her feel special. What happened to him to put him so at ease? He says he’s just happy, but she says when she saw him in his office the other night talking to Ava, they both seemed pretty tense.

Sam says, even if she wanted to – which she doesn’t – she couldn’t have Cody committed because she’s not related to him. Therefore, there’s no legal standing to do it. He says, easy fix, and she says she can’t wait to hear this. He says he gives her power of attorney. She becomes his medical executor. She says, so he appoints her one day, and she has him committed the next. That’s not going to look suspicious at all, is it? He says, it’s good enough to get him into Ferncliff, and if people start asking questions afterward, who cares? She says she cares. This is a bad idea. He says, no, it’s not. It could work. She says, this is a pointless discussion because she’s not going to do it, and he says, why? She says, because she’s not going to do anything that’s going to make Sasha worse.

Andrea says, the view from up here is amazing, and Alexis says, you can see most of Port Charles from up here. Kristina says, TJ likes to come here and go swimming to blow off steam, and afterward they grab something to eat. Alexis notices Kristina, who ducks out. Molly and Andrea discuss the food there, and their favorite dishes. Alexis looks over and sees Kristina is gone.

Tracy says she wins, and Finn says he has the feeling that’s her favorite phrase. She says, it’s definitely one of her favorites. Isn’t he even going to try to beat her? He says, just wait til next game, and she says she appreciates his enthusiasm, adding something to the paper. She says, the running score is now 48 to 29, and he tells her that she doesn’t have to say it so loud. He’s surprised she doesn’t have her own Quartermaine score tab stationery with a little family crest on it. He can see it now; one for Brook, two for Tracy, Ned zero. She says, that’s a clever idea, and he says, you’re welcome. She asks what they’re going to talk about now that he’s removed his father from the topic of conversation and she’s removed her granddaughter? She knows he doesn’t want to waste any more time talking about stationery. He says he discovered a fascinating new bacteria… but she says, no. Infectious diseases is off the table. He says he has a topic, and she says, Monica’s cheap china or business cards? He says, what about Luke?

Gregory comes into the hospital, and Elizabeth asks if he’s here to see Finn, but he says, actually, he was hoping to have a word with her. She says, sure. Is everything okay? He tells her, let’s just say, it’s extremely important.

Sam tells Cody, they’ve been over this. Sasha has suffered a psychotic break. Right now she needs medical attention because she’s dangerous and delusional. He says, no, she isn’t, and Sam asks what he’s talking about. He has a scar on his side where Sasha stabbed him. He says he’s telling her that Sasha is being drugged, and somehow, Gladys is responsible for it. How is he the only one who sees it? She says, he may think that, but Sasha also has a history of mental illness, and he says he knows all about her history, but one minute she’s fine, and the next minute, she’s hallucinating. How does that happen? He’s telling her, something isn’t right. She says, okay. Say he does get in to see Sasha and he pushes her further into her delusion. He says he wouldn’t, but she says, he doesn’t know that. Or maybe even the worst-case scenario. Maybe she thinks he’s Cyrus Renault again and attacks him a second time, and he’s not so lucky and winds up in the hospital, or worse. He says he’s thought through all that. He’ll be on his guard this time, and he can defend himself from Sasha. She says she’s not worried about him, and he says, gee, thanks. She says she’s worried about Sasha and him traumatizing her more. Is he willing to take that risk?

Sonny says he understands why Nina feels excluded, and she says, good, because she did. First, Dex and Gabe wouldn’t let her in the penthouse. Then when she went to his office, she found him talking with Ava, and she seemed to be in the know about what was going on. He says, because he and Ava share Avery, and she says, but then he tells her that it’s for her safety that she doesn’t know. Who wouldn’t feel left out? He says, because some things in his business are better left unsaid. They’ve gone over this a thousand times and he doesn’t want to put her in danger. She says, he’s willing to put Ava’s life in danger? and he takes her hand. He says he came here to apologize for making her feel like an outsider. He doesn’t let her in on things because it puts her at risk. She knows everything else. She says she feels like Frank or Gabe when his office door is shut in her face, and he says he doesn’t ever want her to feel like an employee. She says she knew from day one what she was getting into when she fell in love with him, and she accepts all of him; this charming, amazing man in front of her, and the ruthless businessman. She loves all of him. He says he doesn’t ever want her to forget how much he loves her. That’s all that matters. She says, just let her in. Maybe she can help him. She can handle it. He says, some things are best not knowing.

Kristina goes to the reception desk and asks if Dr. Randolph is in. Walking by, Willow says, Dr. Randolph had an emergency that pulled her away, and Kristina hugs her. She says, Willow looks great. It’s nice to see her out. Willow says, it’s great to be out. She’s feeling a lot better. Kristina says she’s sorry she didn’t come see Willow. She didn’t know when Willow was accepting visitors again. Willow says, it’s okay. After she left the hospital, she had to restrict her visitors to a small group, since her immune system might be compromised, but now she’s almost fully recovered, so they can see each other any time. Kristina says, that’s amazing news, and Willow says she couldn’t be more grateful for what Liesl did for her. She’s actually here to see Dr. Randolph too. She’s hoping to get the all-clear to go back to work. What about Kristina? Is she okay? Kristina says, not really. Actually, it’s probably best she doesn’t see Dr. Randolph today.

Elizabeth tells Gregory, she’s officially on break, so she’s all his. What’s going on? Are Finn and Violet okay? He says, they’re fine, and they sit down. He needs her to accept his apology. She says, for what? and he says he’s been keeping something from her, from everyone close to him. But the time has come for him to be up front and transparent. He waited too long. He never should have agreed to watch Violet the other night. She asks, what happened? and he says he fell, and Violet came in and saw him on the floor. She says she’s sure it was scary for Violet, but she’s going to be okay. What about him? Is he hurt? Does he want to see a doctor? He says, no. The fall was nothing serious, but Violet was worried and so was he. He told Finn and now he’s telling her. He has ALS.

Tracy tells Finn that she keeps forgetting Luke is gone. The fact that he’s not around to drive her crazy is something she finds impossible to wrap her head around. Finn says, she really misses him, doesn’t she? and she says, yeah. He has her at loose ends, so she concentrates on her good friend – she nods to him – and focuses on a business project she’s involved in. He asks if she wants to talk about it, or is it one of those subjects they shouldn’t pursue a line of questioning? She says she prefers not to lie to him, and he laughs. Brook storms in and says, how could she? Tracy says, they’re in the middle of a game, and Brook swipes the board onto the floor. She says, now they’re not.

Nina and Sonny sit at a table, fully set for dinner in her office, and she says, one of the perks of having her office in the MetroCourt is that she can have them send dinner down when they’re feeling hungry and romantic. He says, speaking of romantic, they haven’t even talked about the details for the wedding, and she says, they’ve been a little preoccupied. Him with whatever he’s doing and Michael, and her with  the MetroCourt and the magazine and Willow. He asks if they can focus on themselves. They haven’t even set a date when she wants to marry him. She says she’s glad he asked because she wants a winter wedding, and she wants their table centerpieces to be filled with anemones and orchids and roses, and she was thinking about wearing an off-white gown. He says, she thought about this? and she says, a little. He says, a lot, and she says, if they have a winter wedding, she saw these amazing emerald and gold invitations; they’re gorgeous. And he would look dashing in a burgundy tux, and she could picture them in Crimson’s January issue. He says he’s not very comfortable with being splashed across her magazine, but he does like a winter wedding because they have time to plan and she can have what she wants. She says, there’s another reason she wants to wait for winter. She wants to make sure Willow is fully recovered. If they have a wedding before Willow is completely cleared, she thinks it would be disrespectful to her. He says, Nina wants her to come around so she can be part of the wedding.

Kristina says she doesn’t know if Willow heard, but she’s starting an LGBTQIA+ youth center here in Port Charles. Willow says, Michael told her. She thinks it’s an amazing idea. Kristina says she asked Dr. Randolph if she would be on the board of directors, and Willows says, she would be excellent. What did she say? Kristina says, she seemed interested, but she didn’t commit yet, so she’s here hopefully to convince her to get on board. (No pun intended?) Willow says, she will, and Kristina says she’s glad she ran into Willow first. She’s realizing she’s not quite in the right head space to talk to Dr. Randolph today, and the worst thing she could possibly do is throw herself into business to distract herself and potential risk messing things up for the foundation. Willow says, distract herself from what? and Kristina says, from feeling left out of her sister’s life.

Alexis asks what led Andrea to wanting to become a surrogate, and Andrea tells her, like she said, she’s married. She and Ben have a young son, Randy; he’s just a baby. Her husband is a plumber and she used to work as an executive assistant. Alexis says, so she’s no longer working, and Andrea says she really wanted to stay home with her son and not look for another job, and she and her husband decided being a surrogate would allow her to do that. Randy’s young enough that he won’t remember her being pregnant. Someday they’ll explain to him of course (🍷), when he’s old enough to understand. Alexis says, it’s good to come clean about things like that, and Andrea says, at this point, he’s so young, he won’t anticipate a sibling when he sees her pregnant. So it won’t mean anything to him. Alexis asks, what will it mean to her?

Cody tells Sam that he can’t think of anything more traumatic than Sasha being trapped in Ferncliff. Please, just hear him out. She sits down, and he says, so Sasha had a breakdown after her baby and husband died within a year. Then she started using drugs; that’s when she cracked. That’s when she smashed in the windshield. Sam asks if he’s trying to prove her point, and he says he gets it, but then Sasha got help. She made a full recovery and was doing so great, she was even able to go back on TV selling Deception’s beauty products. And just when she’s ready to dump Gladys as her guardian and start taking control of her own affairs, she cracks again, even worse than before, leaving greedy Gladys in control of her money. Come on. Doesn’t Sam find that way too convenient?

Finn points to the game on the floor and says he was going to win. It doesn’t matter; Tracy and Brook should talk. He’ll show himself out. Tracy says she apologizes for the rudeness of her granddaughter. She was clearly raised by her mother. He says he’ll call Tracy later and leaves. Brook asks why she did it. Why? Tracy says, do what? and Brook says, go after Deception and in the process hurt her friends. Tracy says, please. She’s told Brook time and again, there are no friends in business. Does Brook think her great grandfather could have built ELQ into what it is today by making friends? Besides, they got what was coming to them. Brook asks how she can say that, and Tracy says, Lucy Coe stole the designs for The Deceptor. Brook says, from who? Tracy? Tracy says, no, and Brook asks, then who? Tracy says, from the company she’s working with, and Brook says, so there it is. Tracy just revealed the whole plot. Tracy used her. Tracy says, Brook used her to get Chase back his job, and Brook says, and Tracy used that to blackmail her into hurting her friends so she could help some random company. For what? Some revenge on Lucy Coe? Some bizarre vendetta? What’s happened to her? My guess: Tracy is working with Martin’s ex-wife number three, whose idea he inadvertently passed to Lucy.

Cody tells Sam, Sasha isn’t in Ferncliff because she’s a danger to him or herself. She’s in Ferncliff because she’s a threat to Gladys controlling her money. Sam asks if he really believes Gladys had Sasha drugged and sent to Ferncliff so she could remain in control of Sasha’s assets, and he says he’s played cards with Gladys. She’s an addict, like anyone who’s addicted to booze or coke. She says, that’s a big accusation to make, and he says, yeah, and Gladys has an even bigger debt to pay. Addicts are liars. He has no idea what lies Gladys has told herself to justify what she’s doing to Sasha. Frankly, he doesn’t care. All he cares about here is the victim. So is Sam going to let Sasha just rot in Ferncliff, or is she going to help him get in there and help her?

Sonny tells Nina, Willow’s on the road to making a full recovery, so they have to believe that. Nina says she does. She saw Willow earlier at Kelly’s and she looked a lot better. She just doesn’t want to tempt fate. He says, she’s going through a lot; she’s been through a lot. She’s a fighter. Nina says, she is a fighter, but it’s hard not to worry about her, and he says, they’re always going to worry about their kids. Nothing’s going to change that. But Nina’s been doing a lot of praying, and her prayers seem to be answered. Nina says, Sonny knows her a little too well, and he tells her not to forget that. He knows how important it is to have Willow at their wedding. Nina says, they’ve made a lot of progress. They’ve had some really good conversations, and Willow has made it clear she wants more of a relationship with her. He says, that’s great, and she says, it’s just going to be a long, hard road to rebuild that trust, but she wants Willow at the wedding, and they both know she won’t attend as long as Michael’s not there. (I dunno about that.) How does he feel about that? He says, if Michael wants to show up, nothing would make him happier. If you’d asked him six months ago if there was a chance Michael would come to their wedding – they laugh – he would say, no way. But you‘ve got to have hope, and he and Michael are doing a lot better. She says, that’s great, because she knows how important that is to him. He says, they’ve got to be thankful for everything they’ve got, and things seem to be looking up for them.

Willow says, Kristina can talk to her. What happened? Kristina says she knows she can trust Willow with this, and the secret is going to be out in nine months anyway. Molly and TJ have been having some infertility issues; Molly specifically has been. Willow says, poor Molly, and Kristina says, she’s been taking it really hard, and ever since they found out, she – they – have been talking about ways to have a baby of their own. So Kristina stepped up and committed the unpardonable sin of offering to be their surrogate. Willow says, wow. That is quite an offer. She’s taking it that it didn’t go over well. Kristina says, but it should have. You’d think Molly would see it as the selfless and loving gift she intended it to be. Instead, she’s insulted and completely shut Kristina out.

Andrea says she’s sure Alexis knows, there’s no greater joy than being a mom, and she was blessed with an easy and healthy pregnancy. If she can somehow pass that joy on to Molly and TJ by being their surrogate and giving them the gift of being parents, she’s also providing for her family and she’s willing to do it. Molly says, she and TJ can’t thank Molly enough. And they’ll both be there for Andrea every step of the way. Andrea says, luckily, she does know what to anticipate with the pregnancy, and going into it, knowing she’s carrying Molly and TJ’s baby and not her own, will make it possible for her to do this. That’s why she signed the contract. Alexis says she knows something about contracts, having been a lawyer for most of her life. She also knows what they can’t do. They really can’t capture the emotional part of what it means to have a child. So she thanks Andrea. It’s an incredible gift Andrea is giving to her child.

Elizabeth says she’s so sorry this is happening to him, and Gregory thanks her. It’s been a struggle to wrap his mind around it. (There’s a lot of that going around.) He put off facing it for as long as he could, which is why he hid his diagnosis from Finn and Chase for so long. He still hasn’t found the strength to tell Chase. Now that Finn knows, on the one hand, he’s relieved; on the other hand, he knows his son. She says, he’ll do everything he can for Gregory, and he says, that’s what he’s afraid of. Finn will act as both his doctor and his son, and he’ll forget to feel. But he’ll need to be in touch with those feelings, and for that he’ll need Elizabeth. Gregory dreads what’s ahead for him, but knowing Finn has her beside him, supporting him, he can dread it a little less.

Tracy says, what’s happened to her? What’s happened to Brook? Chase has softened her beyond recognition. Brook says, thank you, but Tracy says, that wasn’t a compliment. Brook says, Luke’s death has hardened Tracy more than she could have possibly imagined. She’s not only destroyed a company, she’s destroyed dreams. Does she understand that? Tracy says, please, and Brook says, if there’s any merit to this suit, it could bankrupt Deception. Tracy says, well, then Lucy Coe hasn’t kept very good books if her company’s that financially fragile, and Brook says, she’s unbelievable. This could leave Deception vulnerable to a hostile takeover. Or it could crumble before it ever has a chance to get back up on its feet. Tracy says, that’s the plan.

Elizabeth says she’ll do everything she can to support Finn, and Gregory. And she’ll be there for Chase and Violet. Gregory tells her that he had no doubt she’d say that, and thanks her. She asks, who else knows? and he says, at this point, it’s her, Finn, and Alexis Davis. He knows he’s being a coward, but he’s dreading telling Chase. She says, he’s anything but a coward. Facing this alone for months takes way more strength than he’s willing to admit. He’ll find the right moment to tell Chase. He says, Chase is the baby of the family, but boy, the optimist; the one who believes no matter how bad things get, it’s going to be okay in the end. He doesn’t know how to tell Chase that he’s sick, getting sicker, and one day, he’ll be helpless. There are days when he doesn’t believe it himself, but then his hands cramp up, or he struggles to stand up, or he falls down like he did with Violet, and it hits him. He’s going to die. This is real. She says, yeah, it’s real. There are still good days ahead, and she’s going to help him enjoy them. He thanks her and they hug, and Finn sees them.

Brook says, what plan? What is Tracy really after? She hasn’t been interested in ELQ in years, and that’s money to run a small country. What’s really going on here? Who sets out to ruin people’s lives? Oh wait. She’s sorry. Of course (🍷). A Quartermaine. Well look how well that’s turned out for this family. No wonder her dad woke up thinking he was someone else. Who’d want to be Tracy’s kid? Brook stomps out, and Tracy ponders this.

Andrea thanks Molly and Alexis for the lovely meal and even lovelier company. She’s so glad she’s in the position to help Molly and TJ. Molly says, they’re the fortunate ones to have found Andrea, and Andrea tells Alexis, it’s been a pleasure. Alexis says, it was a pleasure for her as well. It was a wonderful night. Andrea leaves, and Molly asks what Alexis thinks, and please, be honest. This is too important for anything else. Alexis says she likes Andrea. She thinks Andrea has a good head on her shoulders, and a good understanding of what it’s like to be a surrogate. Molly says she’s so relieved to hear Alexis say that, and Alexis says she thinks Molly and TJ are going to make fantastic parents. Molly thanks her, and they hug.

Kristina tells Willow, if she’s honest, it feels like Molly is punishing her because she can have a baby and Molly can’t. She knows that sounds harsh. Willow says, Kristina has a right to her feelings. She won’t pretend to know the answers, but one thing she’s learned is that babies are great bridge builders. Once the child is there and you’re interacting with this small miracle and the immediacy of them, it makes the old wounds seem less painful. So don’t assume she and Molly will feel this way forever. It’s very possible once the baby gets here, Kristina will just be aunty and Molly will be mom, and neither one of them will feel the need to be so territorial. It’ll all get easier. Kristina says she really hopes Willow is right, and she hopes the same for Kristina and Nina. She knows there’s negative history there and she gets it, but she’s been spending some time with Nina and she’s really a good person. Kristina’s dad loves her a lot. Maybe it’s like Willow just said, the immediacy will make the old wounds seem less painful. She hopes things get easier for Willow too, and Nina. Willow says she likes the sound of that.

Nina says, she and Sonny need to have these romantic dinners more often, and he says he knows. He’ll see what he can do. They kiss and his phone rings. He says he’s got to get this, and she says, go. He steps away and asks, what’s the update?

Cody says, what if it was Sam in Ferncliff? Or one of her sisters? Alone and afraid, being held against your will, being told by the doctors and staff that you’re crazy. Wouldn’t she want someone to check on her and make sure she’s safe? Wouldn’t she want someone to do something for her if she wasn’t? Wouldn’t she want someone to save her if they could? Or would she prefer everyone just stands on the sideline, does nothing, and hopes for the best? Because when that doesn’t work out, her and everyone she loves are going to regret it for the rest of their lives. Sam says, okay. She’ll do it. She’ll have him committed.

On Monday, Marshall asks if Portia has any good news; Lucy calls Martin an idiot; Trina tells Josslyn, there’s got to be a way to bring them back together; and Stella tells Curtis that he’s not giving up.

⚖️ New Lawyer In Town…

Too bad Nora wasn’t available. Then we’d have both Pine Valley and Llanview representing.

Carly Hughes Cast on GENERAL HOSPITAL!

🍑 Peach Of a Reunion…

I’ve been watching this off and on, but I still can’t get the image out of my head of Shereé and Marlo screeching at each other in gibberish back in (I think) season 4. No one seems to have matured much since then either.

VIDEO: See RHOA Season 15 Reunion Trailer! Kenya Serves Marlo a Subpoena, Drew’s “Incriminating” Texts With Ty Are Exposed as Ralph & Drew Face Off, and Kandi Accuses Drew of “Gaslighting”

🍊 Clap This…

Tamra can make justifications and excuses all she wants, but that episode was disgusting, and she hasn’t changed for the better in all these years.

RHOC’s Tamra Judge Claps Back After Bethenny Calls Out “Naked Wasted” Drama With Gretchen and Accuses Her of Going After Son Ryan, Plus Claims Narrative Aired is “Completely False”

🛟 His Ship Is Sinking…

Never liked him. Never will.

Former ‘Below Deck’ Production Member Accuses Gary King of Sexual Misconduct

https://people.com/below-deck-sailing-yacht-gary-king-accused-alleged-sexual-misconduct-7852575

⛴ The Latest In Decks…

Not sure how I’m going to feel about Captain Lee’s replacement.

Everything That’s Leaked About Below Deck Season 11

🍸 Because Can’t Let It Go…

Why doesn’t he just leave already? No matter what she says, this can’t be comfortable for her.

https://ew.com/tv/vanderpump-rules-ariana-madix-sleeps-with-door-locked-tom-sandoval/

At least she has something to balance it out.

Ariana Madix Opens up About ‘Calming’ Relationship With Daniel Wai

🍜 Tastes Change…

It’s a wonder she didn’t end up in the hospital from exhaustion.

Padma Lakshmi Reveals Why She Left Top Chef

👹 Delicacies Of Horror…

Some of what to expect in AHS season 12.

https://ew.com/tv/everything-we-know-about-american-horror-story-12-delicate/

AHS trivia. Maybe they should do an AHS: Barbie.

https://ew.com/tv/margot-robbie-almost-starred-in-american-horror-story-asylum/

⚰️ Dead Review…

Apparently, it doesn’t take much to impress him. Just because you’re not repeating the same lines over and over doesn’t make it art. TBD.

https://winteriscoming.net/2023/08/24/norman-reedus-teases-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-making-art/

For the life of me, I can’t remember this guy.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/08/24/fear-walking-dead-watch-return-troy-otto/

Teasing Rick and Michonne. Mostly Michonne.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/08/22/walking-dead-ones-live-teaser-cast-release/

Maggie’s plans in the City.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/26/walking-dead-city-season-2-maggies-plan-negan/

🏞 Mapping the Last…

They’re ready to roll. Now if the strike would just end.

https://ew.com/awards/the-last-of-us-season-2-mapped-out-craig-mazin/

🐶 No Dogs Under 17 Allowed…

I think this says it all: For years, I have been saying, Somebody needs to make an R-rated talking dog movie, the animal trainer says.

https://people.com/strays-dog-casting-training-exclusive-7692967

🦮 Pets in 3D…

I love it! Kudos to Apple. 🍎

https://people.com/dogs-with-prostheses-star-apple-iphone-campaign-the-invincibles-7724735

🐝 Quotes of the Week

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. – Neale Donald Walsch

You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals. – Booker T. Washington (Well, if I ever reach my goals, it will be one helluva yardstick.)

New beginnings are disguised as painful endings. – Lao Tzu

No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. – Calvin Coolidge

Nobody can make you a doormat unless you lay down on the floor. – Judge Star Jones, Divorce Court

Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us. – Susan L. Taylor

Today stretches ahead of you waiting to be shaped. You are the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to you. – Steve Maraboli

The fruit of your own hard work is the sweetest. – Deepika Padukone

Don’t spend major time on minor things. – Jim Rohn

🍒 Outside the Club…

While you’re enjoying what’s left of the summer, stop by on Monday really Tuesday for soap and random cups of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay tempering your ambition with courtesy, and stay being thankful for everything you’ve got.

Aug17

August 16, 2023 – Selina Makes Curtis an Offer, Wakey-Wakey, Their Message, VanderSurplus, New Villains, Well-Timed, Cos That Play & Life

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Trina sits with Ava at the pool, and Ava asks if they think Curtis’s condition is permanent. Trina tells her, the doctor said the bullet nicked his spine, but he also said all spine injuries aren’t the same, so they’re hoping he regains the use of his legs. Ava says, Trina knows she’d do anything for her, so if she ever needs anything… What are her plans until school starts up again? Trina says she’s not really sure, and Ava asks if The Chuck offered her a part time position after her internship. Trina says, they did, but she turned it down, and Ava asks, why? Trina says she was hoping she could go back to Ava’s gallery, and Ava says her gallery isn’t as prestigious as The Chuck, but she’d be happy to have Trina back. Trina says she just feels more comfortable with Ava, and she can make her own hours, which is important now that so much is going on in her personal life. Spencer calls to Trina from the pool where he has Ace, and asks if she wants to join them.

At her desk, Portia looks at her and Curtis’s wedding photo, and flashes back to seeing him in physical therapy. There’s a knock at the door, and Marshall comes in. He asks how she’s doing, and she says, trying to hang in there. He says, they all are. He hates to bother her with this, but they have a problem. It’s The Savoy.

Curtis tries to lift himself up, but is unsuccessful. Selina lurks around the doorway, and Roy says, he can do this, but Curtis says he can’t. He could do it yesterday. Roy says, Curtis is the type of guy who doesn’t give up. He has a competitive spirit and doesn’t like to lose, so come on. Curtis says, Roy doesn’t know what he’s capable of, but Roy says he’s pretty good at reading people, and he has Curtis’s number. Curtis asks what it says, and Roy says, Curtis isn’t going to let a spinal injury get him down. No way. Let’s go. Just focus and relax. Selina continues to watch without letting her presence be known.

Austin sees Michael and Willow at the hospital, and says, look at Willow, all out and about. She looks well. She thanks him, and says she’s surprised people recognize her standing; she was in that hospital bed for so long. She’s got her color back and she’s feeling better. Michael says, they’re just glad to be here for her check-up and not a treatment, and Austin asks how many weeks it’s been since the transplant. Willow says, twelve weeks, although it feels like a lifetime ago. She’s finally getting her life back. Michael notices Dex hanging around.

Sam meets Cody at the Bistro, and says she got his message; what’s up? He says he needs her help, and she says, no surprise there. What happened this time? Please don’t tell her that he’s in trouble with the PCPD again. He says, no, it’s not him. It’s Sasha. She’s in danger, and it’s time they do something drastic.

Gladys goes into the station and says she has to speak with Detective Falconari. It’s a matter of life and death. Dante comes out, and she says she needs his help. It’s an emergency. He asks why she didn’t just call 9-1-1 and save herself a trip? but she says, 9-1-1 can’t issue a restraining order and she needs one now. He asks who she needs to get a restraining order against, and she says, his pal, Cody Bell. She needs to keep him away from Sasha.

Sasha stares into space, and Mandy says, it’s very important that Sasha tell her what she’s been taking. Sasha says she’s not taking anything, but Mandy says she’s looked at Sasha’s chart, and none of the medications she’s on should cause this. Sasha says she doesn’t know. It’s something they’re giving her. Mandy says, who’s giving it to her? when Dr. Montague comes in and asks if there’s a problem here. Mandy says she’s not sure. Sasha’s completely incoherent and it doesn’t square with her prescribed medications. He motions her into the hallway, and says, patients can often have unexplained reactions to mild sedatives. Mandy says she thinks Sasha is getting unprescribed medications from somewhere, so she’s running a blood test just to be sure.

Ava tells Trina, Spencer is so good with his little brother, isn’t he? That’s so nice to see. Trina says, Spencer is devoted to Ace. Ava should see them at home. Spencer changes him, he feeds him, he even sings him a lullaby. Ace was being so fussy one day when she was there, and Spencer calmed him down with a lullaby. It was the sweetest thing. Ava says, and that’s not a problem for her? and Trina asks, why would it be? Ava says, if Spencer’s spending so much time with Ace, then he’s also spending time with Esme. That must be a little uncomfortable for her. Nina comes over to their table, and says, Curtis told her that they’re moving him to rehab. That’s great news. He’s strong. He’s going to get through this. Trina thanks her, and says, if they’ll excuse her, there’s a cute baby in the water and his equally cute brother. She leaves, and Nina sits down. She says, Ava told her they were meeting to celebrate. What are they celebrating? Ava says, the end of her nightmare.

Willow tells Austin, she’s been given a second chance at life. She’s so grateful to everyone at GH, but especially to her husband. Michael’s support has been incredible. Michael tells her not to give him too much credit. She’s the strong one in this relationship. Willow tells Austin not to listen to him. He’ll never admit how much he’s done for her. Thinking about their children was another inspiration. Austin says, they can agree it was a group effort. He’s not an oncologist, but the transplant seems to have been a success because clearly, she’s on the road to recovery. He won’t keep them. Willow thanks him, and he moves on. Willow tells Michael that she can’t believe how light she feels, like a huge weight’s been lifted off her shoulders. She used to dread stepping into this building. Each week brought more bad news or another setback, but now she’s not nervous going for her check-up. She knows she’s going to hear something positive for a change. He says he loves seeing her this happy. He knows it sounds cliché, but he doesn’t take anything for granted anymore. Every morning he wakes up with her or sees her playing with the kids or hearing her laugh is a gift. He’s the luckiest guy in the world.

Portia asks if something happened at the club, and Marshall says he just got a call from N’neka. She’s trying to cover things, but it’s way too much for one person to do, and she doesn’t have the experience running the day to day business. Portia asks if there’s anyone else who can do it, but he says, no one who knows how to do everything. Liquor needs to be ordered, books balanced, checks cut; N’neka’s completely overwhelmed. And it’s not like they can just hire any manager. Curtis did more than just paperwork. He was the heart and soul of the place; he was a presence. He not only welcomed the customers; some of them came just because he was there. She says, he’s right. Curtis didn’t just run The Savoy; he was The Savoy. Marshall says, exactly. Anyone can run a club, but nobody can replace Curtis. He worked so hard to make his dream a reality. And that’s why the two of them need to keep it alive. Geez, they’re acting like Curtis is dead.

Curtis does bicep curls as Selina watches. Roy comes in, and she ducks back. Roy tells him, that’s enough for now, and to put down the weights, but Curtis says, no. Roy is the one who said he could do this. He’s not stopping. Damn. He lost his count. Roy says, stop. Please. Work himself too hard, he could do some real damage. Curtis insists he’s got ten more in him, and Roy says he doesn’t doubt it, but suggests they take a break. They’ll move on to the resistance bands. Sound good? Curtis says, yeah, and Roy leaves. Selina comes in, and says, Curtis’s situation is most unfortunate. He has her deepest sympathy. She puts her hand on his shoulder.

Montague says he appreciates Mandy being so conscientious, but from now on he needs her to check with him before she orders any tests on this patient. Is he clear? She says, yes, she’s sorry, but he says, no need for apologies. She was just doing her job. Sasha is extremely fragile, so he needs to be consulted on everything about her case, even her medication. The poor thing suffered a psychotic episode the other day. The man she stabbed got into her room. She thought he wanted revenge, and had a complete breakdown. Mandy says, that’s the problem. Her symptoms don’t seem to be linked to psychosis. She seems like she’s stoned on something. He thanks her for bringing it to his attention, and she says she’ll make sure he gets the report on the bloodwork. He says, that’s not necessary. He’ll follow up on the bloodwork himself. She can go now.

Cody says he finally managed to get into Ferncliff to see Sasha, and Sam says, back up. She thought Gladys banned him. He says, technically, yes, and she says, he had other ways of getting in? He says he enlisted Brook’s help. She was able to distract Nurse Ratchet at the front desk long enough for him to sneak by. When he got to Sasha’s room, he was shocked. She was totally out of it. She was curled up on the floor… Her face was covered in tears; she was shaking. She had this blank look on her face. She didn’t seem to recognize him at first, so he kneeled down and tried to take her hand, and she just freaked out. She started screaming at the top of her lungs, and she thought he was there to kill her. That’s when Brook and some orderly came in, and he made them leave. Sam says, that’s awful, but what is happening with Sasha? He says, she’s being drugged, and he needs Sam’s help to prove it.

Dante suggests Gladys tell him what happened before they get going on all the paperwork, and she says she sees how this is going to be. Cody is his friend, so he’s going to try and talk her out of this. He says, actually, it’s standard procedure. The fact that Cody’s his friend has nothing to do with it. Why doesn’t she take a seat? They sit down at Dante’s desk, and he asks her to tell him what happened. She says, Cody took advantage of an extremely vulnerable woman. He snuck into Ferncliff and upset Sasha. She’s been in a severely traumatized state, and his visit made it worse. Mac comes out and asks, what’s going on? Dante says, Gladys would like to file a restraining order against Cody Bell, and Gladys says, he terrorized her daughter-in-law. He didn’t have permission to visit her, but he slipped past the front desk and got into her room. So she thought he was there to pay her back for stabbing him, and entered into another breakdown. As Sasha’s guardian and her mother-in-law, Gladys needs to protect her, and she wants that restraining order. Mac says, Officer Robinson will fill out the paperwork, and Gladys goes to the front desk. Mac asks Dante, what kind of trouble is Cody causing now?

Dante tells Mac, obviously, Cody’s in some kind of trouble, but he wants to hear Cody’s side of the story first. You’ve got to take whatever Gladys says with a grain of salt. Mac says he knows, but if Cody was restricted from seeing Sasha, he’s already in violation, and Dante says, it’s not like he was trying to do harm to Sasha; he cares about her. Mac says, Dante’s right, and he can’t throw stones because he did the same thing. Dante says, Mac will have to tell him that story, and Mac says he doesn’t know if Cody’s aware of this, but decades ago, his mother Dominique was committed. Leopold Taub, Cody’s father, was a, evil son of a bitch who had her committed. Taub didn’t want Mac anywhere near Dominique, so he had to break into the place to see her. So he gets where Cody is coming from. They both share the same impulse to rescue the women they care about. Dante flashes back to finding out Mac is really Cody’s father.

Sam asks if Cody is sure Sasha is being drugged, and Cody asks, what other explanation could there be? Go see for herself. Something is going on. She asks if he thinks Gladys has something to do with it, and he says, yes. Let’s go over the facts again. Gladys is Sasha’s guardian, right? Gladys is also flat broke. Sasha was thinking of ending the guardianship. He thinks that put Gladys into a panic. Sam says, because her meal ticket’s gone, and he says, exactly. And the timing is so suspicious. Sasha was doing and feeling great. That nasty lady at Home & Heart tried to rattle her. Sasha held it together, then all of a sudden, she started to spiral. Sam says, they’re going to need something more than his suspicions to go on, and Cody says, maybe she doesn’t buy his theory. So he’ll just take care of it… She says, no. She believes him and wants to help him, but there’s no proof. He needs proof. He gets up, and she asks where he’s going. He tells her, she said they need proof. He’s going to go find it.

Montague tells Sasha that he’s here to help her, and she says she doesn’t know what’s going on. Why does she feel this way? He says, because she’s still using. She’s still taking illegal drugs. They’re not sure how she’s getting them in, but they’re going to find out. She says, no, that’s not it. They’re giving her something. He says, just admit it. She still has a problem. He’s going to get her some help. There’s a knock at the door, and Janice says, the doctor wanted to see her? He says, yes. They have a problem.

Dex asks what Michael wanted to talk to him about, and Michael says he has a few questions. Dex says, make it quick; he has somewhere he needs to be. Michael says, somewhere or someone? He’s clearly following Austin. (Someone he needs to be? That makes no sense. Although I have to agree with Michael that Dex is less than stealthy.) Dex says, it’s a job for Sonny, and Michael asks why his father has Dex following the doctor.

Curtis asks what the hell Selina is doing here, and she says she heard what happened to him. He says, everybody heard about it. The shooting was all over the news. She says, the news said he was shot, so naturally, she was concerned about him, and he says, since when? She says she cares about his welfare. She tried to visit him at the hospital, but they said he wasn’t accepting visitors, and he says, if he didn’t want his family as visitors, what made her think he wanted to see her? She says she’s sensing some hostility, and he says, she’d be right, so why doesn’t she leave? She says, it’s at times like this we need our friends, and he tells her, who says they’re friends?

Nina says, Ava is going to have to give her some more information. What nightmare is she referring to? Ava says she’s just had a lot of stress lately, and now things have shifted, and it’s a huge weight off her shoulders, that’s all. Nina says, weight. She’s going to have to elaborate. What’s going on? Ava says she doesn’t even want to talk about it. She just wants to put it behind her. Nina says, don’t do this. If she was to guess, she’d guess it was something she walked in on yesterday in Sonny’s office. They seemed very tense, like there was a lot of things unsaid. Ava says, Nina knows Sonny as well as she does. He’s not that big on communication. Nina says, but usually Ava is. Come on. What is the deal? She feels like Ava and Sonny are shutting her out. Ava tells her, let’s just say, it’s nothing for Nina to worry about, and soon, it will be the same for her. She raises her martini glass.

Betty dashes into Austin’s office, and doesn’t see him. I love how they think he never leaves his office, like he doesn’t have a real job. She says, hello? and he comes out of (I assume) the bathroom. He says, if it isn’t Mrs. Baylock, and she says, who? He asks if she hasn’t seen The Omen, and she says she doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about and she doesn’t care. Because she got this. She shows him the flashdrive, and he says, his turn now. He doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about. She says, this, and he says, what is this? She says, the jackpot.

Selina says, of course (🍷) she and Curtis are friends. She would do anything to help him. He says he already has enough friends, and he doesn’t need anything from her. She says, it’s a shame to hear him say that, and he asks why she just doesn’t cut the crap and tell him why she came here. Because he’s not buying the goodwill tour. She says, he offends her; always so suspicious. If he won’t accept her as a friend, she hopes he continues to deal with her as a business partner, because she has an offer for him. He asks what that would be, and she says, with him being out of commission, he won’t be able to run the club. She’d like to take The Savoy off his hands, and she’s prepared to make him a generous offer. Marshall walks in and says, over my dead body.

Esme sees Spencer and Trina sitting on chaise lounges, playing with Ace. They try to get him to wear a tiny bucket hat, but he’s not having it, and Trina says she used to have one of these as a baby. Her mom even took a picture of her with it on at the beach. Spencer says he bets she was adorable as a baby, and she shrugs. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, thinking about the photo made her think of her mom and what she’s going through. Things were just getting back on track for her and Curtis when he was shot. And now she has to see him in a wheelchair. She’s just so worried for her. Spencer says, of course (🍷) he wishes he could spend the whole day with her, but he thinks she’d feel better if she checked on her mom. Esme watches.

Cody goes into the station and finds Dante, who asks, what’s going on? Cody says, Dante has to start doing his job. Isn’t he supposed to serve and protect? Well, there’s a woman – a vulnerable, innocent woman – out there… Gladys storms out and says she has something for Cody. Obviously irritated, he says, what is it? She says, here, and slaps the restraining order on his chest.

Willow runs up to Michael, hugging him from behind, and he says, it looks like someone got good news. She says she did. She got the green light to go out in public again. Michael says, that’s huge. Are there any restrictions? She tells him, Dr. Randolph said it could take up to a year for her immune system to fully recover, but it’s already been three months and she’s happy with Willow’s blood cell count. He asks if there are any limitations about what she can do or where she can go, and she says, Dr. Randolph advised against travel for a while, so Paris will have to wait, and she doesn’t think she’ll be going to concerts any time soon, but the doctor encouraged her to go for walks. The doctor said it’s a great way for Willow to build up her strength, and he knows how much Wiley likes to explore down at the boathouse, and she finally has enough energy to push Amelia in her stroller. It’s just a win for the entire family. He says, she’s not planning on going back to work yet, but she tells him, don’t worry; she won’t push it. Even though she got the all clear, she’s not even thinking about going back to work until she’s in 100% remission. But she’s not complaining. Right now she’s just thrilled to be out of house jail, although the warden’s pretty cute. He says, and he can provide special privileges. He’s so happy she got a good report. She says, and she got to see Clara. She was the nurse assigned to Willow during isolation. She was so comforting. Clara has three kids, so she understood how hard it was for Willow to be away from Wiley and Amelia. He says, sounds like she was just what Willow needed, and she says she doesn’t want this great feeling to stop. How about if they go celebrate? He takes her hand, and they leave the hospital.

Portia says, Dex? and he says, hi, Dr. Robinson. She tells him to call her Portia, and asks, what brings him to GH? She hopes everything is okay. He says, all good. He’s just here for his yearly check-up. She says, it’s good he’s taking care of his health. Just let her know if he needs anything. He says, of course (🍷). Will do. Thank you, Dr. Robin… Portia. She continues down the hall.

Trina tells Spencer that she knows her mom is trying to be strong for Curtis, but she sees it’s taking a toll on her, and thinks she’s struggling right now. Esme continues to listen, and she’s been leaning on the doorway so long, I’m surprised they haven’t noticed. Spencer asks if Portia has been able to spend much time with Curtis, and Trina says, she was able to see him at rehab, but she guesses it didn’t go well. This is really tearing her up inside. He says, it can’t be easy on Trina either, and Trina says, no, but she doesn’t want to burden her mom with her feelings. She’s already going through enough. He says he thinks the best thing Trina can do right now is be there for her mom. Even if they’re not talking, just hold her hand, that sort of thing. She says, he gives really good advice for a boy, and he says he does. She says, his girlfriend’s really lucky, and he says he knows. They have a quick kiss over Ace’s head, and Trina leaves.

Selina says, how lovely to see Marshall, but he says he’s not sure he can say the same. Curtis says he can handle this, but Marshall says, Curtis needs to focus on getting better. He’s going to set Miss Wu straight on a few things. Selina says she came here out of kindness. She thought her offer would take the burden off of Curtis. Marshall says, The Savoy’s not for sale, so they respectfully decline her offer, and she says, Curtis has a long road ahead of him. Curtis says, his legs might not work, but his mind is perfectly fine and he’s more than capable of running his club. Marshall says, and until he’s ready to come back, the family’s going to take care of everything. Selina says she thinks they’ll find the day to day operations very challenging. She came here making an offer in good faith, but it’s clear Curtis doesn’t want her help. Running a nightclub isn’t for the faint of heart, so they’d be wise to keep her proposal in mind. She leaves, and Marshall and Curtis look at each other.

Janice asks, what’s the problem? and Montague says, this patient has been taking illegal substances. Someone has been smuggling drugs into this facility, and with Miss Gilmore’s money, he’s sure she found someone on staff who she could bribe to supply her. Can she tell him who’s been assigned to her case? She says, Mandy Green, and he says, they’ll replace Miss Green. She says, Mandy’s one of the best nurse practitioners here. She can’t imagine Mandy doing something like that. He says he’s in no way accusing her, but if she’s taken off the case, it removes her from suspicion. It’s really for Miss Green’s protection. He’s only a visiting psychiatrist, but this is a very prominent patient, so they need a team they can trust. Miss Gilmore’s welfare is very important to him. He takes out his phone and makes a call.

Wow. This guy’s story has more holes than Swiss cheese. Not only does Sasha not have access to her money, Mandy requested the blood tests for outside drugs. This is a tremendous lawsuit waiting to happen.

Cody asks, what the hell is this? and Gladys says, it’s a restraining order, cowboy. Read it. He’s not allowed within 500 feet of Sasha. He asks if she’s out of her mind. She’s the one who belongs in Ferncliff. She says, he won’t be able to terrorize Sasha anymore because he can’t go anywhere near her, and if he tries, there’s a bunk waiting for him… He says, if anyone’s been terrorizing her, it’s Gladys. Gladys got her locked away in the looney bin and threw away the key. And he knows why. As long as Sasha stays committed, she can’t cut Gladys off. Gladys stays her guardian, which is what she’s wanted the whole time, isn’t it? Gladys says, he’s crazy. Don’t listen to him. Cody says, she doesn’t care about Sasha. All she cares about is Sasha’s money. Sasha is trapped and helpless, and she couldn’t care less. Maybe it’s time she felt trapped and helpless. He lunges toward her, but Dante and Robinson hold him back.

Portia looks at her computer and writes down some figures. She calculates how much it will cost to revamp the house for Curtis. Trina comes in and says she thought Portia could use some company, along with some caffeine. Portia takes a coffee from her and thanks her. Trina looks at the screen and says, that’s a lot to take in. She had no idea it was that expensive. Portia says, it will be an adjustment for all of them. She just wants to make sure Curtis is as comfortable as possible. Trina says, she will, and Portia says she’s glad Trina stopped by. It was just what she needed. Trina says she can’t take all the credit. She was at the pool with Spencer and Ace, and Spencer knew she was worried about Portia, so he suggested she come check on her. But the latte was her idea.

Spencer asks if Ace is going to throw the ball far and show all the ladies at the pool his big muscles. Esme joins them and says, there’s her boy. They look like they’re having fun. Spencer says, they’re having lots of fun, and she says she saw his text that they were going to the pool, so she thought she’d take her chances that they’d still be here. She can’t wait for him to be in the water. She asks Ace if he wants to take a swim with mommy, and removes her robe, underneath which she wears a teeny bikini.

Dex pretends to fill out a form, and sees Mason head for Austin’s office. He follows Mason at a distance. Mason walks into the office, and Austin says, no one knocks anymore. Who invited him? Betty says she did, and Austin closes the door. Mason asks what Betty’s got for him, and she says, everything he wanted. She holds up the flashdrive and says, she got the Pikeman goods on Sonny.

Nina says she’s getting the impression that no matter how much she presses, Ava’s not going to come clean. Ava says, it’s not like she’s hiding anything from Nina, but Nina says, yes, she is. Ava says she just doesn’t want to burden Nina with information that will draw her in to something that has nothing to do with her. Nina says, if it involves Sonny, it involves her, because she’s getting married to him, and Ava says, unless the truth about the SEC comes out. Nina says, don’t try to deflect, and that was mean, and Ava says she’s sorry. Nina says, if and when Ava is willing to tell her what’s going on, she’s willing to listen, and leaves.

Cody says, you wretch, throwing down the restraining order. As Robinson drags him away, Cody says he’s going to make Gladys pay for what she did to Sasha. Believe him. She’s going to pay. Robinson pushes Cody into the interrogation room, and Mac asks if Gladys is all right. She says, no, she’s not. He could have killed her. She wants Cody arrested.

Mandy tells Janice that she just heard from Dr. Kirkwood that she’s being pulled from being Sasha Gilmore’s primary caregiver. Janice asks if she said why, but Mandy says, no. The doctor just said she needs to reassign her. She wonders if she did something wrong or if Dr. Montague is unhappy with the way she was taking care of Miss Gilmore. Janice says she wouldn’t worry about it. She knows how those visiting psychiatrists are. They come in here thinking they can run this place better than we do. Don’t take it personally.

Montague injects Sasha with something, and she falls unconscious.

Esme and Spencer play in the pool with Ace, and Spencer says, a regular Michael Phelps in the making.

Michael and Willow walk into the pool area, and Ava says, nice to see Willow. Willow says, it’s nice to be seen out in public, and Ava says, she just missed Nina. Michale says, lucky for them, and Ava says she wishes they’d give Nina another chance. Willow says she’s been making an effort lately, and Ava says, that’s good. Keep in mind that her mother loves her very much, and they’ll all be better off spreading love. Michael says, Ava seems to be in a good mood, and Ava says she is. Life is good, and it’s about to get a whole helluva lot better.

Austin closes the blind on the door, while Dex lurks outside his office. Austin says he’s out. He helped them play their little games. He helped them get Pilar out, so Mary Poppins here could spy on Sonny. He’s done everything they’ve asked him to do. Yay me. Mission accomplished. Mason asks what makes him think he can just walk away, and Austin says he’s done everything Mason has asked him to do. Why can’t Mason just leave him alone? Mason says, cuz you’re not out until the boss says you’re out. You got it?

Portia tells Trina that she thinks she’s ordered everything Curtis should need, and she’s called the company to come out and make the modifications to the house. So she thinks she’s good. Trina says, there’s a lot more to this than just installing ramps. How’s Curtis going to face life in a wheelchair, and how is Portia going to watch him go through it? Portia says, it’s not about her right now. It’s about Curtis and making the house comfortable for him. And this isn’t going to be easy for him at all, but she needs Curtis home.

Curtis thanks Marshall and says he appreciates him, but he doesn’t need Marshall fighting his battles. He’s been dealing with Miss Wu for a long time, and it’s nothing he can’t handle. Marshall says he wasn’t trying to speak for Curtis, but he was afraid Curtis would consider her offer. Curtis says, why? Because he’s in a wheelchair? He doesn’t plan on being here for the rest of his life, but even if he were, he’s more than capable of running his own club. Marhsall pulls up a stool and sits, saying, he knows Curtis is. He’s sorry if he overstepped, but he also knows how much Curtis loves that place. He has every intention of keeping that place going until Curtis is ready to come back. Curtis says, Marshall doesn’t know anything about the business, but Marshall says he plans on learning from the best. That is if Curtis doesn’t mind teaching his old man a few tricks of the trade. Curtis says, it’s complicated, and Marshall says he knows it’s not going to be easy, but this is one small way he can show his gratitude for all Curtis has done for him. Curtis gave him a family. Please, let him do this. Roy comes in with the resistance bands, and asks if Curtis is ready for round two. Marhsall says he’ll get out of their way. He’ll see Curtis soon. He loves him. Curtis says he loves Marshall too, and Marshall leaves.

Gladys says, Mac saw Cody attack her. If he doesn’t arrest Cody, she’ll sue the PCPD. He says, okay, they can arrest Cody. But that means they’ll have to open up an investigation. That means Cody will have to give them a statement, and he’ll write down all his allegations against Gladys. Then it’s their duty to follow up on those claims, and if any of those accusations turn out to be true, that could mean a lot of trouble for her. Is that really what she wants? She says, he wins. She picks up the restraining order and hands it to him, saying, she expects it to be reinforced. She walks out, and Mac goes into the interrogation room. He tells Cody that he’s lucky. He convinced Gladys not to press charges, but Cody is inches away from a jail cell. Dante asks, what the hell is going on with Cody?

Montague comes out of Sasha’s room, and tells Janice that he appreciates her help regarding Miss Gilmore’s care. They don’t want to risk a lawsuit.😐He leaves, and Janice goes into Sasha’s room. Sam peeks out from around the corner, and in the room, Janice takes Sasha’s pulse. Sasha wakes up and scootches away, saying, no, no, no. Stay away from her. Leave her alone. Sam tries to look through the window, and Sasha yells, no, no, no! Stay away from me! She screams, nooo!

Tomorrow, Tracy wants to know, where are the ukuleles; Finn asks Elizabeth, what’s changed this time around; Molly says she has fantastic news; and Sam asks if there isn’t someone missing.

🛌🏼 Survey Says…

The headline is a wee bit misleading.

Emme Rylan Shares an Update on Returning to GH as Lulu

☎️ Reliable Source…

Block, report, and don’t engage. Got it.

Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson Have an Important Message for Fans

🍸 In the Meantime…

Ariana and new boyfriend live their best lives.

Ariana Madix’s Boyfriend Daniel Wai Partying With Summer House Cast While Filming
Ariana Madix Joins Dolly Parton and John Legend in NBC Olympics Ad

Lisa probably wants to keep an eye on those two idiots.

https://people.com/lisa-vanderpump-restaurant-pump-reopen-next-to-tomtom-7644296

💣 Baddest Of the Bad…

The latest in reality desperation.

https://ew.com/tv/house-of-villains-meet-the-cast-reveal/

🤎 It’s Time…

This looks like a great series.

ESSENCE MAGAZINE SERIES “TIME OF ESSENCE” DEBUTS ON OWN

🧙🏽‍♂️ Altering Their Egos…

https://ew.com/tv/see-the-best-cosplayers-from-star-wars-stranger-things-and-more-at-fan-expo-chicago/

🧚🏽‍♂️ Midsummer Night’s Dreaming…

Join me tomorrow for soap and thoughts on the Runway. Until then, stay safe, stay not being pretentious, and stay not demanding someone’s arrest when you have your own dirt to hide. It could mean a lot of trouble for you.

Aug1

July 31, 2023 – Drew Intervenes For Cyrus, IRL, NYC SOS, Aspen Girlfriend, Caught, Tyrone, Collie & Goodbye

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny says he needs them to find out everything they can on a Gordon Stevens. He did a little time in Pentenville. He took two bullets outside of GH, and Sonny wants to find out who’s responsible. He goes to the MetroCourt rooftop seating and finds Anna. He asks if this seat is taken, and she says, it is now. He sits across from her, and says he’s glad he found her. He was a worried about her the last time he saw her. She seemed a bit off. She says she got tired of hiding out at home. She got tired of eating cereal for dinner. She’s not very good in the kitchen, and with Valentin gone, it’s possible she could starve. Apparently, she’s never heard of Door Dash. Sonny says he’s surprised Valentin hasn’t come home from his trip, especially with what’s going on with her, but she says she’s fine on her own. She doesn’t need Valentin to protect her. He says, Anna might not need Valentin, but does Valentin know the WSB is trying to kill her?

Gregory gets in the elevator at the MetroCourt, and Tracy yells for him to hold it. He does, and she gets in. He says, you’re welcome.

Alexis lets herself into Molly’s apartment, and asks, how’s the patient? Molly says, she’s making way too much of this. She’s more embarrassed than she is hurt. Alexis tells her, that boot says otherwise. Alexis is her mommy, so let Alexis take care of her, for no other reason than to make Alexis feel better. Molly says she just wishes she could go back to work, but Alexis says, she needs to take a minute. Does she need anything? Molly says she’s good. Sam came by and made sure the fridge was full; Krissy offered to shop for her. Alexis says, good. It’s good of the girls to bring her groceries. Molly says, Krissy didn’t exactly bring her food. She came with something much better. Molly shows her Valiant, and Alexis takes him, saying, aww.

Michael says, Kristina wants to know why he’s so hard on Nina, but she tells him, that’s not what she said. She asked why he’s being such a bastard to her. He says, let him ask her a question. Why is she always so damn nice to Nina? She says she knows their family was hurt by what happened between dad and Nina, but they’re engaged. They’re a part of their family now, so he has to get over it.

Sitting in the prison library, Cyrus reads out loud, peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. Better let it be afraid… Book slams the Bible shut, and Cyrus says, Lord, let me be a channel of Your peace. Book grabs him and lifts him out of his chair, and slams him up against the wall. He says, there’s no one to help you, old man. No warden, no guards. He’s all alone. There’s no one to help him now. Drew says, but he can. Get the hell away from him. Um… I feel like I missed something with Cyrus becoming this weaker character.

Meeting for drinks, Felicia asks if things are hectic at Deception, and Lucy says, that’s an understatement. She feels like she’s swamped. They’re all scrambling to do massive damage control. Felicia says she feels terrible for poor Sasha, and Cody. She’s just glad he’s going to be okay. It could have been a lot worse. Lucy says, she’s right. They just don’t know what happened. It was so sudden. Sasha’s life was on track. She was doing fine. She was happy. She was looking forward to doing the interview. Then she just lost it – boom. Sasha’s meltdown could have tanked Deception completely. It sent their stock tumbling, but thankfully, they have the Deceptor. The sales are incredible, and she thinks it’s going to save the company. Felicia says, at least that’s good news, and Lucy says, it should be. Felicia says, it’s not, and Lucy says, it’s just… she can’t help it. She discusses and brings up the Deceptor, and all she can think about is Martin was the inspiration for her to create it. Felicia says, and the problem with that would be? and Lucy says she can’t stop thinking about how he gets $50,000 in alimony a month from ex-wife number three. Why didn’t he tell her that? Why keep that a secret? And what else could he be hiding from her?

Tracy says, he’s welcome for what exactly? and Gregory says he held the door for her. The polite response would be, thank you. She says, I’m so sorry, Emily Post. She didn’t realize he expected to be thanked for a basic courtesy. Her phone rings, and he says, so she is familiar with the concept of basic courtesy. Tracy answers, and tells Monica that she’s in the elevator on her way to the restaurant. Although she wishes she’d taken the stairs… She’s canceling? Could Monica have given her a warning?… It is always a medical emergency with her… No, she wasn’t aware Monica was a doctor. She’ll see Monica at home. The door opens, and Gregory says, ladies first. She thanks him, and gets out.

Anna tells Sonny that she doesn’t want to worry Valentin at all. He has his hands full with Laura and Doc and whatever he’s doing. Besides, she doesn’t believe for one second that the Bureau has a hit out on her. Sonny asks if she’s sure about that, because they both know the gun was traced back to the WSB. Anna says, the easiest explanation is that the gun was stolen and sold on the black market. He says, and the shooter? and she says she doesn’t know. A rogue agent? At worst, maybe someone whose family was hurt by her actions. It’s a long time ago, but maybe they want payback. He asks if she’s still planning on using herself as bait to draw them out.

Alexis asks Molly, where on earth did Kristina find Valiant? Where was he hiding? Molly says, Kristina was going through stuff in Alexis’s attic, looking for stuff to sell at the fundraiser. She opened a box, and guess who was sitting there? Alexis says, Kristina used to brush his tail and braid it every night. Then she’d sleep with him in the crook of her neck, and Alexis had to put out carrots in case he got hungry in the middle of the night. Molly says she forgot about the carrots, and Alexis says, Valiant was a very special pony, and Valiant was the only one who could sleep on the bed, where the other stuffed animals were relegated to the floor. Because Molly believed that Valiant was special and needed a place of prominence. Molly asks if she really used that word, and Alexis says, of course (🍷) she did. She had a very big vocabulary at six; she still does. This pony went with her into every important moment of her life when she was little. Molly doesn’t know this, but Alexis actually heard her having a conversation with Valiant when she was getting ready for junior prom. She actually took Valiant with her when she took her SATs. Alexis didn’t know you could do that, but Kristina did. It was a second ago that Kristina was a little girl and had a stuffed pony, and now she’s Alexis’s big girl. She’s practicing law. Kristina says she may be all grown up, but she still needs her mom.

Michael says he doesn’t want to get into this with Kristina. Nina has caused enough stress in his life. The last thing he wants to do is fight about Nina with her. Kristina says, good. She’s not looking for a fight. She’s just offering Michael a simple solution. He asks if she’s giving him advice, and she says she is. He can be Mr. Big Shot Business Guy here, but they all know she has a sixth sense when it comes to people. He asks what her sixth sense is telling her, and she says, that he should drop this grudge and just give Nina a chance. He says, that’s just it. He’s given Nina chance after chance, and she keeps crossing the line. Kristina says, he shouldn’t even be drawing a line. Make peace. If not for his sake, do it for Willow. He says, if he just does what she’s telling him, everybody will be happy, and she says, yeah, basically. He says, it’s not about him. This is about Willow. When it comes to Nina, whatever Willow decides, he’ll support. She says, wow. How does he do that? He has to teach her. He says, teach her what?

Book says, this has nothing to do with Drew. So why doesn’t he just walk away and pretend he didn’t see anything? Drew says he can’t do that, and Book says, if he gets involved, he’ll pay the price. Is this codger really worth it to him? I wonder who uses words like codger, and Cyrus says, he’s making a mistake, but Book says, Cyrus is the one making a mistake. He thinks he has power here? That everyone’s still in his pocket? He doesn’t have any more allies; those days are gone. Cyrus starts looking uncomfortable and rubbing his chest, and Drew says, he told Book to leave him alone. Book says he’s giving Drew one more chance to get the hell out of here and forget he saw this. Cyrus starts to breath heavily, and Drew says he really doesn’t want any trouble here. Book tells Cyrus, you’re getting weak, old man. (What is Cyrus? Like 50?) We all see it. Drew decks Book, who falls to the floor. Cyrus crouches down, clutching his chest.

Michael asks what skill Kristina wants him to teach her, and more important, why? She says, he never actually committed to giving Nina a second chance, and he didn’t even say he’d try to get along with her. What he did say was he would leave it up to Willow. He says he still doesn’t follow because he’s stupid, and she says, it’s a classic move out of the Michael Corinthos playbook. Keep everything close to the vest, don’t give anything away, always keep your options open. It’s very admirable. Meanwhile, she’s over here like an open book. Leaping before she looks, impulsive. It doesn’t always bode well for her professionally or personally. He says, she’s giving him too much credit. Yes, he’s very analytical and thinks about everything, but she’s open, honest, and a free spirit. She goes where her heart tells her to go, and that’s not always a bad thing. Plus, she genuinely wants to help people. He admires her for that. She thanks him, and says she’s glad he sees them as good qualities, because honestly, it doesn’t always get the job done.

Anna tells Sonny that she’s got a few ideas, but it will take more investigating before she puts a plan in motion. Sonny says, let him know if she needs help. He doesn’t like that she’s alone in that house when there are threats coming. She says she really appreciates Sonny looking out for her, but can he call his watchdog off? She sees him parked outside her house, and she doesn’t need that kind of protection. She just doesn’t want it. He says he gets it. She wants him to stay out of it. She says, he has enough on his plate. He doesn’t need to add her to his long list of problems. He says he’s got a lot going on, but he always has time for her.

Molly says, when Alexis talks about memories from when she was little, now it’s bittersweet. It’s something she might never get to experience. Will she ever get to make memories like that with a child of her own someday? It’s something she really wants. Alexis asks if TJ feels the same way, and Molly says, he does. Alexis asks if they’ve talked about options, and Kristina says, when they committed to each other, they always thought kids were something in the future. They wanted to establish their careers first, but deep down, she wanted to be a mom. They were both so disappointed when they found out she wasn’t pregnant. For a few short hours before she took the home pregnancy test, they were just excited about the thought of being parents. Then they got hit with the endometriosis news, and she couldn’t accept that she couldn’t have a baby. It leaves them with a lot to think about. Alexis says she’s certain Molly and TJ will make the right decision, because it’s certainly their decision to make. Molly says, they definitely want a baby, but how do they make that happen?

The hostess says, table for two? and Tracy says, no, but Gregory says, yes. Come on. Live a little. Her dinner date canceled. Tracy says, it wasn’t a date; it was her former sister-in-law. He says, just join him for dinner. Please. She says, well, since he said please… Table for two. The hostess says, right this way. She’ll send their waitress right over. Gregory holds Tracy’s chair for her, and she says, thank you, kind sir. I love courtesy, but I have to admit, chair holding makes me nervous. I’m always afraid I’ll end up just half on the chair or on the floor. He says, she’s welcome. See? They’re making progress. She asks if this is going to be a running theme. He does his best Cary Grant, holding elevators and pulling out chairs, and she’s supposed to say thank you every time? What’s next? Throwing his jacket over a puddle? He asks if that would be so bad, and she says, torture. They open their menus.

Drew asks if Book has allies or he’s working on his own, and bent over and panting, Cyrus says, allies. Drew asks, how many? And Cyrus says something indecipherable. Drew says, they have to get him out of here. Can he walk? Cyrus shakes his head, and Drew says, they’re going to get him to the infirmary. Book comes to and gets up. He takes a shiv out of his sock, and runs toward Drew.

Molly says, their first choice was IVF, and Alexis says, understandable. IVF is very common now. Molly says, exactly. She thought it was simple. Use her eggs and TJ sperm. An embryo would be carried by a gestational surrogate. Now they know that can’t happen because her eggs aren’t viable. So the next option would be using someone else’s eggs, and that could be from the donor or the surrogate. Alexis says, she has a lot to process, and Molly says she knows. She just can’t help but think using Kristina might be the best solution.

Michael and Kristina sit down, and Michael asks, what job needs to get done? Is this about the foundation she’s starting? She says, the shelter, yeah. She’s setting up a shelter for LGBTQIA+ teens that are at risk. Dad found the site and set up all the funding. He says, that’s good, right? and she says, it’s amazing. She has to get everything off the ground; contractors and architects, and securing building permits. She has to learn all these new tax codes for non-profit. It’s a lot, and she’s just realizing how in over her head she is. He asks how he can help, and she says she thought he’d never ask.

Sonny says he hates what that bastard Victor did to Anna. Exposing her past is cruel. She says, the Cassadines can be a cruel bunch sometimes, and he says, but there is a collateral to this. They’re not on opposite sides. They don’t have to pretend they’re not friends. She says she never pretended, and they laugh. He says, so all this time she’s been judging him and digging him for his criminal activity, she’s meant it? and she says, absolutely. But if she’s being honest, she has to admit, even when she was doing her duty to uphold the law and bring him to justice, there was part of her that really admired how he was able to… He says, get away with it, and she says, okay, and laughs.

Felicia tells Lucy not to jump to conclusions. They don’t know for sure that those payments are alimony. Lucy says, come on. You don’t have to be a lawyer to figure it out. She gets up and says, your honor, exhibit A; Mr. Grey is receiving $50,000 every single month from a company in Pine Valley called Maquillage. That said company is owned by his horrible, greedy ex-wife number three. She looks at Felicia, and Felicia says, what? Lucy says, it just occurred to her. They only have Marty’s word that ex-wife number three is so horrible and greedy. She’s the one that’s shelling out all that alimony. What if it’s Marty? What if he’s the one who’s so greedy? Felicia says she doesn’t think… and Lucy says, wait a second. That’s the reason he couldn’t marry her. Because he would lose all that money. She digs in her bag, and Felicia asks what she’s looking for. Lucy says she’s looking for any gummi, even if it’s stale, and Felicia says she thought Lucy told her that wasn’t working for her. Martin walks in, and says, lookee here. Two of his favorite ladies. It must be his lucky night. Can he join them?

Book rushes Drew, as Cyrus remains doubled over and breathing heavily. Drew and Book circle each other, and Drew gives Book a kick, sending him flying into the shelves. Book picks up a book (ha-ha), and tries to hit Drew with it, but Drew dodges it and knocks Book down. He picks Book back up, and is punching the hell out of him, when the guards walk in. Two of them grab Drew and Book, and the third says, solitary for the both of them. Cyrus slides to the floor.

Anna says, there was always a part of her that admired Sonny’s ability to compartmentalize. On the one hand, he’s a loving father, going to dance recitals, soccer matches, whatever. On the other hand, he’s head of a criminal enterprise. It’s an interesting dichotomy, doesn’t he think? The doting father, then the commitment to running his business. He says, it’s a good thing, right? and she laughs, saying, yeah. It’s a good thing. But as an agent, she didn’t have the luxury of admiring the person she was trying to take down, because then it’s her personal feelings affecting her work. It compromises the whole situation. And if she’s being honest, that’s exactly what happened early on in her career, and she was determined that wasn’t going to happen with him. Now her reputation is kind of tarnished. She can say with 100% certainty, she never turned a blind eye to him or his organization. He says, that’s for damn sure. When she was Police commissioner, she was all over him, and he’s sure she was like that with any agent she was up against. She says, yes, she was, and he looks down. She asks if she hurt his feelings, but he says, no… What if it wasn’t Victor?

Kristina says, all foundations have a Board of Directors. She wants Michael to join. He says, who else is on the Board? and she says, no one, yet, but that’s only because he’s her first and only choice. She knows how busy he is here, but not just here; he has a lot going on everywhere. She knows he’s covering for Drew while he’s away, and at home, he has things going on with Willow and the kids. The last thing she wants to do is add to that, but he’s the smartest person she knows. Please? What does he say?

Gregory tells Tracy that his friend was in a bind and asked him to watch his dog. He said Astro wouldn’t be a problem. He just didn’t like to be left alone, so of course (🍷), he had to take Astro to class with him. So he’s in the middle of this passionate lecture about freedom of the press, and he hears tittering in the class. He’s a little offended, so he stops and says, does anybody have any questions? One student raises his hand and says, Professor, did you forget to walk your dog this morning? That’s when he realized Astro was relieving himself in the middle of the classroom. Tracy laughs, and he says, the moral of the story is don’t ever bring a pet to class. They will upstage you every time. She says, that was surprisingly charming, and he says, thank you… I think.

Molly says she must sound like a hypocrite after her reaction when Kristina first brought up the idea, but Alexis says, absolutely not. Her reaction was completely appropriate. Kristina’s timing, however, was not. There’s a lot to weigh with Kristina’s offer. Molly says she went ballistic when she overheard Kristina talking about being the egg donor and surrogate, but the more she thinks about it, it could be a good option. She and Krissy share DNA, so the baby would technically be a part of her. And it’s not like they’re using some stranger who could have a questionable lifestyle. They know Kristina’s medical history and her social habits. That’s a good thing, right? Alexis says, Molly sounds like she’s trying to talk herself into it. Is she? Molly says, she’s pointing out that Kristina seems to check all the boxes, which means she could be the perfect choice to carry their baby. What does Alexis think?

Lucy says, funny. She was just singing Martin’s praises. She was telling Felicia that the sales for The Deceptor are skyrocketing, thank goodness, and she owes it all to him because he was the inspiration for it. Martin says, they all know The Deceptor is 100% Lucy’s baby. There’s no reason to bring him into it. Lucy looks at Felicia, and Martin asks how their trip went. Felicia says, it was a fun getaway, and he asks where they went. Felicia says, they went to the spa… and Lucy says, in Llanview. Who knew? It was just beautiful. Felicia says, it was a real girls trip; wine, facials, and spa treatments. It’s getting late. She needs to check in with Mac and relieve him of his babysitting duties. A grandmother’s work is never done. She jets, and Martin asks Lucy if Felicia is okay.

A guard examines Cyrus, and Drew says he thinks Cyrus is having a heart attack. Please just get him out of here. The guard tells him to shut up and tells the others to take Drew and Book out of here. Book is hauled out, but Drew says he was in the military. Please. Just let him help Cyrus. The guard says, fine. Let him go. Drew runs to Cyrus and starts checking him out like he knows what he’s doing.

Tracy tells the waitress, separate checks, but Gregory says he’s got it. Tracy says she can pay for herself, and he says he’s not questioning her finances, but he insisted she join him, so his treat. She says, he’s definitely more entertaining than her sister-in-law, and he says, that’s not exactly a stellar review, but he’ll take it. Next time, she can grab the check. She says, next time? Who says there will be a next time? He just smiles.

Cyrus is on his back on the floor, and Drew blots his face with water. He tells Cyrus, try to relax. Take deep breaths. It’s very important. Take deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth. He tells the guards that they have to call the infirmary again, and the main guard tells the other to find out what’s taking so long. Drew tells Cyrus, hang in there. You got this.

Alexis says, it’s such a personal decision for Molly; she doesn’t want to influence her. Molly asks if Alexis can at least help her weigh the options. Try and sit back and talk to her as a former lawyer, not her mother. Alexis says, on the positive side, Kristina is in good health and she’s at a good age, but there are so many other things to consider. She knows Molly wants this to be the perfect solution because Kristina is her sister and she loves her, and because the baby would share her DNA; but on the minus side, most surrogates don’t have a relationship with the baby after it’s born, and Kristina would have a relationship with the baby forever. Molly says, but she already knows Kristina is an amazing aunt, and she’d be the same for… and Alexis says, that’s just it. She wouldn’t really be the baby’s aunt. She would be the baby’s biological mother, and that just buys Molly a whole lot of really complex issues that could come down the line. She just wants Molly to think about it and be prepared. Molly asks if she’s saying Kristina wouldn’t accept the role of aunt, and she’d want to be more, but Alexis says she doesn’t know that. Molly doesn’t know that. Kristina doesn’t know that. She’s never been pregnant before, and nobody knows if she’d be able to detach or not. Molly says, Alexis is freaking her out, but Alexis says she’s not trying to. She’s just trying to make Molly think. This is a huge commitment for Kristina. Molly says she realizes that, but she’s not sure Kristina does.

Michael says he’d be honored to have a seat on the Board, and Kristina thanks him, hugging him. She says she knew she could count on him, and he says he knows she’s going to make this youth center a huge success. She says she hopes so. She wishes she had that confidence. She feels like with her running things, it’s only going to last six months. He says, she has to believe in herself, and she tells him, funny he should say that. Molly was literally saying that to her the other day. She thinks her big fear is that she’s going to make huge mess out of everything – again – and then dad’s going to have to clean up after her. And mom is going to be totally disappointed with her again. And ultimately, she’ll prove everyone right, that she can’t do anything and follow through with something. He tells her to stop being so hard on herself, and she says, dad really gave her a great head start with this foundation. She just knows if she doesn’t succeed, she’s going to let him down. He says he can’t believe he’s saying this, but she underestimates dad.

Sonny says, all this information about Anna being a double agent that got to the press. He’s sure the WSB sealed the records. Why expose her now? She says, the timing isn’t a coincidence. Even in death, Victor is the gift that keeps on giving. It all just came out when his will was being read. The lawyer played this taped message from Victor, saying he was leaving her with the truth. She wasn’t sure what that meant, then less than an hour later, she was here, remember? And she was arrested by Agent Hursley. Then the whole media blitz started. Her face was plastered on every newspaper: Anna Devane, Double Agent. He says, so Cassadine exposing her past was all about payback? His final act of revenge? She says she thinks so. What else could it be?

Michael tells Kristina, despite his feelings about dad, he can be objective. He’s always been a savvy businessman. He wouldn’t invest time and money in Kristina if he thought she’d fail. If she needs Sonny’s guidance, just reach out to him. He’ll surround her with professionals who know how to get the job done. She says, that’s what she thought too, but once they got the funding set up, he completely backed off. Michael says, probably because he doesn’t want to overstep and make it seem like he’s keeping tabs on her. Dad is her biggest fan, and he’ll give her all the tools she needs to succeed. All she has to do is reach out to him. She says, it’s annoying how right he is sometimes. Michael’s got to admit, he still loves dad. Otherwise, Michael wouldn’t have this much faith in him. Michael says she should get out of here, and hugs her. Her new Board member needs to get to work. She thanks him and leaves.

Anna says, clearly someone else from the WSB could have reason to leak those confidential files, and Sonny says, she was a damn good agent. He’s sure she was a threat to somebody in the organization who thought they could shut her out. She says, could be. Her ego would really like to believe that’s true, but she has no way of knowing. She doesn’t even know if that bullet was meant for her at the pool. It could have just as easily been meant for him. He says he considered that. He’s been working with a high-powered security firm lately. Has she heard of Pikeman? She says, yes, she’s heard of Pikeman. Trust her. He doesn’t want anything to do with them.

Tracy guesses Gregory doesn’t miss lecturing, since he does so much of it outside the classroom, and he laughs. He notices his hand shaking and steadies it with his other hand. She asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine. Too many years of writing on a blackboard. Teachers don’t have to worry about that anymore; everything’s electronic. He’s sorry, but he has to run. He promised Alexis that he’d look over an article for her before it goes to press. They say goodnight, and he heads for the elevator, steadying himself for a moment along the way. Tracy watches him, and takes out her phone.

Molly thanks Alexis, and says, Alexis has given her a lot to think about. She wasn’t looking at it from Kristina’s viewpoint, and that’s something she and TJ have to consider. Alexis says she knows this is hard, and she’s sorry, but she knows Molly is brave and can handle it. And like she’s said, sometimes the most difficult things in life… Molly joins her in saying, can be the most rewarding. Alexis gives Molly a kiss, and says, Molly’s her favorite. Molly says, she tells all of them that, and Alexis says she does. The good news is, Molly isn’t doing this alone. Alexis did it alone twice, and it’s hard. But Molly has TJ, and that little guy; she points to the horse. Molly thanks her, and asks what she’d do without her. Alexis says, hopefully, she won’t have to know for a very long time. See ya, Valiant. She leaves, and in the hallway, her phone rings. She asks what she can do for Tracy, and Tracy says she just had dinner with a friend of Alexis’s, Gregory Chase. Alexis asks what Tracy was having dinner with Gregory for, and Tracy says, it’s not important. She wants to know if something’s wrong with him. Alexis says, in what way? and Tracy says, his health.

Lucy asks if Martin has checked in with his mother today, and he says he does every day; she knows that. If he doesn’t call, mama calls the neighbors. She says, so how is his mother today? and he says, she’s as vivacious as ever. He thanks her for asking, and says, as a matter of fact, she was trying on a new lipstick when they spoke. It’s Bingo night, and she’s vying for the affections of one Mr. Brewster, the most eligible bachelor there. Lucy says, clearly, she seems to be enjoying herself at the retirement home. It’s good, right? They take good care of her. She hears those places are very, very expensive. It makes her think he has such a huge financial burden; his mom and paying all that alimony to his ex-wives, three of them. He says, they’re a rather unique set of rapacious creatures, to be sure, especially number three. She’s a real piece of work. A vulture. Picks at your bones until there’s nothing left. Lucy says, she just sounds awful, and he says, she is, but he manages somehow for mama. He has to. It’s not like Cyrus can provide for her.

On the radio, the guard asks, where the hell’s that doctor? They need him here now. Drew tells Cyrus to stay with him, while he continues to blot Cyrus’s forehead. He says, hang on. Help is on the way. Stay with him. Come on. Stay with me. Cyrus sees a bright white light.

I’m no paramedic, but shouldn’t Drew be doing… something more?

Tomorrow, Anna asks how involved Sonny is with them; Carly accuses Ava of being up to her old tricks; and Dante asks, what happens if his old man’s theory is right?

🌱 Celebration Of Life…

The real-life memorial for Jacklyn Zeman. Still no word on how GH will be handling this. I don’t blame them. We haven’t recovered from Sonja Eddy yet.

Celebrating the Life of GH’s Jacklyn Zeman

🗽 What Happens In NYC…

Recapping the same old in younger packaging. So disappointing.

RHONY Recap: Jenna is Called Out for Leaving Erin’s Home as Brynn Accuses Erin of Double Standard and the Ladies Grill Jessel Over Her Incessant Complaining

💎 Latest Edition…

So is this the best and final? What’s up with this woman?

Bravo Alum Claims Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade Are “Clearly Together” & “Definitely a Couple” as RHOBH Star and Morgan Are Pictured in Aspen Together, See the Pic

🤢 Ptooey…

Eww. I’ll bet she’s thrilled to hear this.

VIDEO: Tom Sandoval is Caught Checking Out Ariana Amid Filming on Vanderpump Rules, Watch as She Refuses to Acknowledge Him After Near-Run-in at $2 Million Home

⚗️ Watch This…

I watched this movie last weekend, and I loved it. Very funny and at times even poignant. It should also get an Oscar nod for costumes.

Review: A pusher, pimp and prostitute walk into Netflix for sci-fi comedy ‘They Cloned Tyrone’

https://www.salon.com/2023/07/30/jamie-foxx-they-cloned-tyrone/

🐕 Don’t Dream It, Be It…

This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while. Maybe it’s weird, but more power to him for living his dream. And he’s bringing happiness to people. A real life Sam from True Blood. I always thought Sam would make the perfect boyfriend. When he became tiresome, he could turn into a dog.

https://people.com/japanese-man-steps-out-in-usd14k-custom-made-border-collie-costume-for-the-first-time-7567864

https://nypost.com/2023/07/28/toco-the-human-border-collie-steps-out-for-first-ever-walk-in-public/

☃️ Get Out the Parkas…

Join me tomorrow for soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay holding the elevator door if someone asks, and stay remembering that sometimes the most difficult things in life can be the most rewarding.

Jul29

July 28, 2023 – Sonny Turns the Tables, Reject Dress, The Loud Woman, VanderStatus, Roadblock, Not Barbie, About Those Dead, Kitty Cooper, Funny Pets (!), Quotes of Eight & Rain

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chechnya, Russia. Valentin and Laura walk into a mansion that’s obviously unoccupied. He says, there’s no car in the driveway and no lights on, and she says, it’s deserted. He says, none of the Cassadines have been here in years, when a man runs down the stairs, holding a gun and yelling in Russian.

Dante brings Charlotte to see Lulu in a hospital that looks suspiciously like GH. Charlotte says she wants to see her mom, but she’s worried about her grandmother too. Is it safe for her to be in Russia? Papa knows his way around, but she’s nervous about grandma. Dante says, she’s going to be okay. Charlotte’s dad is with her and Doc is with her; she’s in good hands. Is she ready? Charlotte nods, and they go inside Lulu’s room.

Spencer thinks about calling Trina, and Esme asks if he’s heard from his grandmother. He says, nothing, and Esme says she hasn’t heard anything either. Not that she’s family, but she’s worried. Does he think it’s a bad sign he hasn’t heard from her? He says he doesn’t know, and she asks if he thinks she’s in trouble. He says he doesn’t know, but even if she was, there isn’t a damn thing he can do about it. Just leave it alone.

Kristina lets herself in to Molly’s apartment and says, it’s her favorite sister. Molly says she’s not surprised to see Kristina since she texted, but she’s surprised because that wasn’t very Kristina-like. Kristina says she’s working on being much more sisterlike. How is she doing? Molly says, A for effort. How does Kristina think she’s doing? Kristina says, there’s a definite learning curve, but whenever she’s in doubt, she asks herself, what would her younger, wiser, more beautiful sister do?

In his office, Michael discusses the budget with someone on the phone, when there’s a knock at the door. Carly comes in, and Michael says he’s got to go. Send him the accurate numbers by the end of the day. She says she’s sorry she just barged in. His assistant said she could come. She’s so happy to see him back in the office. He says, it’s not exactly by choice, and she says, he hasn’t left Willow’s side for months, but this must mean she’s continuing to get better. He says he’s very grateful her strength is coming back. When she tells him to stop hovering, he guesses it’s a good thing, but it means he has to give her some space. So he decided to come back to the office. Now that Drew is… She says, in prison. He can say it. She didn’t come here to talk about Drew, but she does have something she needs to talk to him about. He says, what about? and she says, his father.

Sonny does some work in his office, when his phone rings. It’s Nina, and he asks where she is. She says she’s at the MetroCourt. She’s trying to get some work done, but can’t keep her mind off the situation with Willow. He says he thought she told him things were better, but she says, Willow’s not the problem. It’s Michael. Ava walks into Sonny’s office, and says, they need to talk. Sonny tells Nina that he has to go. He has to take care of something. He asks Ava, what’s the problem? and she says, the problem is him. He told her that he was going to take care of that woman. This is how he takes care of it? He sends Avery off with that psychopath? She shows him a picture of Betty and Avery on her phone.

Avery swims in the pool, and Betty tells her, it’s time to go, but she says, just one more. Please. She swims off and Josslyn walks in. Avery calls to her, and Josslyn asks what she’s doing. Avery says she had swim class today and learned this. She floats on her back, and Josslyn says, amazing. Avery is better than she is. She could go to the Olympics with that. Dex stands near the entrance, and Trina sees him. She tells him, if he’s looking for Joss, she’s right over there. He says he’s not. He’s actually working. Avery tells Josslyn that she has a new nanny. Her name is Betty. Betty and Josslyn smile at each other.

Ava says she stopped by Sonny’s apartment to see Avery, and the guard said she’s out with that Mary Poppins from hell. Sonny says, relax. Betty took Avery to the MetroCourt pool for her swimming lessons. Ava says, don’t tell her to relax. The woman is violent. Betty smacked her face. What if she hurts Avery? What if she kidnaps Avery? What was he thinking? He says, Betty is their best bet to lead them to whoever blackmailed Ava, but she says she already told him. It’s that creep Mason. He says, Mason is taking orders from somebody else. They have to find out who it is and Betty’s going to steer them right to his boss.

Josslyn says she didn’t realize Avery had a new nanny. What happened to Pilar? Betty says she has no idea. She interviewed with Ava Jerome, Avery’s mother. Josslyn says she knows Ava, and Betty says, Mr. Corinthos joined them and asked her to start today. Josslyn says, she must have really impressed him, and Betty says, who is Josslyn again? Josslyn tells her that she’s Josslyn Jax, Avery’s older sister, but Betty says she’s confused. Miss Jerome told her that Avery has a half-sister, but she’s younger than Avery. Either Josslyn is big for her age, or she’s not really Avery’s sister.

Michael asks if something is up with Sonny, and Carly says she was hoping he could tell her. Has he heard anything from Dex? Michael says, so far, he’s sticking to the agreement. He’s keeping tabs on Sonny and letting Michael know if there are any big deals in the works. Carly says, so what’s the latest? and Michael says, last night, Dex found a dead body. Carly asks if he knows who it was, and Michael says, apparently, it’s a guy with a connection to Dr. Gatlin-Holt. Carly asks if Austin isn’t seeing Ava. She saw them together at the Nurses Ball. He says he doesn’t know, but Dex called Sonny and told him that he found a dead body near a dumpster, and surprisingly, Sonny told him to call the police. She says, that doesn’t make any sense. Why would Sonny have Dex call the police? I’m not sure why everyone is so shocked. Sonny didn’t know Gordon and has nothing to do with him, so why wouldn’t he be a good citizen?

Kristina says she’s not here for Molly’s sage advice; she’s here to serve her sister. What can she get Kristina? She sees Kristina has water and snacks. She knows – a smoothie. Molly says, Sam beat her to it, and Kristina says, Sam the good sister. She knows one thing she doesn’t think Sam got for Kristina, and takes a stuffed horse out of her bag. Kristina says, Valiant, and takes the horse. This is exactly what she needed.

Esme asks if her concern for Spencer’s grandmother is bothering him. For all they know, she could be locked up in some Russian prison, but clearly he’s not worried, so she’ll keep it to herself from now on. He says he’s sorry he snapped at her. He’s very worried and concerned about his grandmother, but right now, he’s far more worried about Trina. Her father was shot and he could also be paralyzed, and he has no idea how to help her. Esme says, getting upset with her isn’t going to fix anything, but why doesn’t he call Trina and tell her that he’s thinking about her?

The man asks in Russian what Valentin and Laura are doing here, and Valentin answers in Russian, they mean no harm. They’re looking for someone. He tells them, get out, and in Russian, Laura says, we come in peace. The man says he speaks English. They’re trespassing. Now get out. Laura says, they don’t want to hurt anyone. All they want is information. They’re looking for someone. He asks who they’re looking for, and Valentin says, Nikolas Cassadine. The man says, Cassadines are evil, and spits. They’re all gone. What is that American expression? Good riddance. They’re very dangerous people. Stay away from that family. Laura says, he doesn’t understand. Nikolas Cassadine is her son, and they’ve got to find him. The man asks why they’re looking in Chechnya. Has he been kidnapped? Or is he running from authorities? Valentin says, they don’t know. That’s what they’re trying to find out. Laura says, he disappeared from his home in the United States five months ago and they have no idea what happened to him. The man says, if he’s a Cassadine, nothing good.

Charlotte tells Lulu (who we never really see) about winning a ribbon in her equestrian show. Dante says, she was amazing. Rocco’s doing amazing as well. He doesn’t know how, but Rocco’s got straight As. He’s always talking about every girl in his class; he’s got a crush every week. Charlotte says, Lulu is missing so much. She’s starting high school in the fall. She spent so many years at boarding school, but she’s happier staying in Port Charles and being close to her family. But Lulu isn’t there. She has to wake up and come back to them. Dante says he’ll give Charlotte time with her mom, and gets up. He says, they’ll see Lulu soon. They miss her. He leaves, and Charlotte says, Dante’s right. They really, really miss her, but she misses Lulu more.

Ava says, Sonny can follow any lead he wants, just please don’t involve their daughter. He says, does she really think he’d put his daughter at risk? Ava says, that’s what he’s doing right now, but he says, she’s not at risk. He’s going to take care of this like he said he was. She’s going to have to trust him.

Avery gets out of the pool, and Josslyn puts a towel around her. She asks Avery to do her a favor and tell her new nanny who she is, and Avery says, Josslyn’s her big sister. Josslyn says, the branches of their family are very complicated. She’d be happy to draw Betty a diagram. Betty says, that won’t be necessary, but thanks for the offer. They’re both smiling, but I don’t think they’re smiling in their heads. Josslyn says, Betty’s probably right. She’ll be gone before she can memorize any names. Betty tells Avery, time to go, and Josslyn says, nice meeting you. Betty says nothing, and leaves with Avery. Dex watches, then follows. Trina asks Josslyn what that was all about, and Josslyn says she has no idea, but she needs to find out. She has to call Sonny. What the hell is he thinking letting that girl look after Avery? Trina says, don’t call Sonny, and Josslyn asks, why? Trina says she has the feeling something else is going on. When she got here, Josslyn’s boyfriend was over there, but it didn’t look like he was soaking up rays. He was keeping a low profile watching Avery and the nanny. He never took his eyes off them. That’s got to mean something, right? Josslyn says, but what?

Michael tells Carly that he’s not sure how all this fits together, but Dex will get more information soon. He really needs to thank her. Carly says, for what? and he says, she’s the one who encouraged this arrangement with Dex. It’s nice to know they have somebody they can trust in Sonny’s organization. It works out for both of them, since Sonny thinks he has a trustworthy lieutenant, and they don’t get blindsided by his illegal dealings. She says she thinks this is about more than getting information from Dex. She thinks a part of him wants Dex to protect his father. He says he’s not saying he can forgive or even wants to forgive Sonny, but a part of him still cares about Sonny. Carly says she’ll take that as a plan and hugs him.

Kristina kisses the stuffed horse, and says she’s missed him. Where has he been hiding all these years? She thought she lost him. Kristina says, he was in some mislabeled box. She was in mom’s attic looking for pieces to sell at the community fundraiser, and she saw this box labeled law books. She opened it up, and there was Valiant, right there on top of the New York Penal Code. Molly says she’s so grateful Kristina found him. She knows it must sound silly, but this little guy meant so much to her. Kristina says, Molly was the only four-year-old on this planet who would name their stuffed animal Valiant and actually knew what it was. Kristina had stuffed animals named like the rest of them; Fluffy, Stuffy, Coco. Molly says, one time when she was six or seven, she had friends over and showed them Valiant, and they all made fun of his name. Kristina came storming in the room, saying they were all stupid, and if they didn’t stop making fun of Molly, she was going to pour maple syrup in their hair. Kristina says she remembers that. Then they ran out the door so fast. She thinks it’s the last time they came over to their house. She thinks she made life a lot harder for Kristina than it needed to be. Sorry. Kristina says she’s not. She was proud of her big sister then, and she still is.

Laura says, this is about her son, and asks the man if he has any children. He says, da. Two daughters. She says, then he must understand what she’s going through now. Is there anything he can tell her? He says he’s sorry he was harsh with her. He would help her if he could, but he has no idea where this Nikolas Cassadine is. Valentin asks if this is his house, and the man says he bought it for his family. But it was all done through lawyers. He never saw the previous owner. Valentin says, lucky him.

Spencer says he wants to be there for Trina, but it’s complicated, and Esme asks, why? He says, Trina’s mother isn’t a fan of any Cassadine, particularly him, and he does understand why she doesn’t like him. His father has done a lot of damage, but even he pales in comparison to his Uncle Victor. To make matters worse, she’s holding the other side of his family accountable for her husband’s shooting. Esme says, what? and he says he told her it was complicated. Curtis Ashford was shot, and Dr. Robinson thinks the bullet was meant for his Uncle Sonny. She says, so Trina’s mom pretty much hates everyone related to him? and he says, yeah, with the exception of his grandmother and Ace, and one of them is a baby and the other isn’t even in this country.

Josslyn tells Trina that she’s happy Dex is looking out for Avery, but she gets bad vibes from that girl. Trina is absorbed with her phone, and Josslyn asks if she’s there. Trina says she’s sorry. She was hoping there would be a message from Spencer. Josslyn asks why she doesn’t text him, and Trina says she would, but it wouldn’t be right. Josslyn asks what that means, and Trina says her mom is dealing with so much since Curtis was shot, and she never liked Spencer, so she’s trying to keep her distance from him. She doesn’t want to add more stress. Josslyn says, but she misses him, and Trina says, yeah. Josslyn says she understands Trina’s mom needs support, but Trina needs support too. She bets the only reason Spencer isn’t reaching out is because he doesn’t want to put pressure on Trina. But if Trina needs him, let him know. She won’t regret it.

Molly says she appreciates Kristina looking out for her, and Kristina says, it’s usually the other way around. She was always jumping from one thing to the next, getting herself in these difficult situations, and leaving an absolute mess in her wake. But there she was, her Molly, cleaning up her messes. Molly says she just never wanted Kristina to get in trouble, and Kristina asks if Molly remembers doing her homework for her. Molly was like three grades below her and would do her homework. She covered for Kristina when she was in trouble with mom, and comforted her when she cried or was upset. Molly always took care of her. Molly says, not always. She didn’t take care of Kristina when her abusive boyfriend Kiefer Bauer was beating her up.

Betty comes into Pozzulo’s with Avery, who runs to Ava, hugging her. Avery tells Ava that she can float on her back, and Ava says she’s so proud of Avery. Betty says, Avery had a terrific lesson. She could barely get Avery out of the water when it was time to go. Sonny says he wants to hear all about it, but right now he wants Avery to stay with Frank. He and Betty need to have a conversation. Maybe Frank can give Avery some biscotti. Frank says, sounds good, and Sonny, Ava, and Betty go into Sonny’s office. Sonny says he knows it’s Betty’s first day and Avery seems to like her a lot. That’s important to him. Betty says, he has a wonderful daughter, and he says, anybody who can make his daughter that happy, is okay by him. Betty asks if he’d like her to take Avery to his place, but he says, no. She can pick Avery up there tomorrow morning. They’re not going to need her for the rest of the day. He gives her some cash, she thanks him, and she leaves. Avery and Frank are playing cards while they have biscotti, and Betty tells Avery, see you tomorrow. Ava comes out, and Sonny says he has a phone call to make, closing his office door.

The man says, Laura seems like a nice woman, but it’s obvious her son has left her. It must be painful. She says she doesn’t believe her son would just leave her. He has kids and she doesn’t believe he’d abandon them. Maybe he was forced to leave. The man says he’s sorry. He wishes he could help her, but there’s nothing he can do. Please show themselves out. He leaves, and Valentin says, where do they go from here?

Charlotte tells Lulu that the other girls talk about doing things with their mothers; shopping, getting manicures, going away for the weekend. She just smiles and pretends it’s okay. Sam and Grandmother take her out, but it’s just not the same. She never actually told her friends what really happened to Lulu. If she doesn’t tell them where Lulu is, she can believe it isn’t real; that she’s just away for a little while, and she’ll be back soon. So she has to wake up. Charlotte puts her head down on the bed and cries.

Esme says, it’s such a beautiful day. As soon as Ace wakes up, why don’t she and Spencer take him to the park? He says he has a better idea. Why don’t they take him to the MetroCourt pool, and they can dip his feet in the water. He’ll love it. She says, yes, absolutely. She just got him a bathing suit and he has a matching hat. He’ll look adorable. She goes into the other room, and Spencer opens the front door. Trina is there, and he says he’s surprised to see her… in the best way. She says she’s sorry for just showing up without calling, but he says, don’t apologize. Come in. She’s always welcome here. She says she’s glad to hear him say that. These last few days have just been really hard, and she’s missed him. He hugs her, and Esme watches.

Carly goes into Sonny’s office, and Ava asks, what brings her here? Carly says she came to pick up Avery. Avery is coming with her for a sleepover with Donna and Josslyn. Sonny says he appreciates her doing this on short notice, and Ava says, how short? When did Sonny set this up? Carly says, he called her just a few minutes ago. What’s going on here?

Kristina asks why Molly would bring up Kiefer. She hasn’t thought about him in years. Molly says, really? and Kristina says, no. That’s not true. She just doesn’t like to admit how often she does think about that time in her life, but she does. Especially now, working with troubled teens. So many of them are in abusive relationships, and it just brings her back to Kiefer. She tries to help them, but she can’t even help herself. Molly says she should have helped Kristina. She knew something was wrong and she should have said something. She could hear Kristina crying in her room every night, and she knew something was wrong. Every time she asked Kristina, Kristina got upset and said to leave her alone. So she did. She’s so sorry. She should have pushed harder to get Kristina to open up. Kristina takes Molly’s hand, and says, she has nothing to be sorry for. It’s on her. She couldn’t find a way to get herself out of that hole. Sometimes she wonders if that’s when everything started. Molly says, when what started? and Kristina says, her life just derailed when she was with Kiefer. Ever since then, she tries, but she’s never been able to get it back on track.

Michael opens his office door to Nina, who thanks him for seeing her. She knows she’s not his favorite person right now. He asks what he can do for her, and she asks if they can make peace for Willow’s sake.

Sonny says he just thought Avery would like to spend some time with her sisters, and Carly says, whatever. The girls will be thrilled to have Avery. They walk out, and Carly tells Avery, let’s get this sleepover started. Avery heads for the door, and Carly looks at Sonny and Ava. She says, whatever, and follows.

Nina says she and Willow had a wonderful visit the other day, but Michael says he doesn’t quite remember it that way. She says, if he remembers correctly, she was at the hospital checking on Sasha, he stepped outside, and she and Willow made significant progress. He asks, what exactly does that mean? and she says, it means she and Willow communicate better when he’s not in the room. He says he’s pretty busy, so can she get to the point? and she says her point is, at best, he just tolerates her and wishes she wasn’t in Willow’s life, but she’s Willow’s mother. Michael says she’s mentioned that once or twice, and she says she now knows Willow is open to the idea of them having a relationship. And she’s wondering, is he open to that too?

Molly says, Kristina has gotten her life back on track. Look what she’s doing with the youth center. She’s going to make a difference in these kids’ lives. She thought that made Kristina happy. Kristina says, it does, but she doesn’t know if she’s enough for them. These kids are so desperate for help, and she doesn’t know if she has the skills or the tools to adequately help them. Soon her center is going to be up and running, and her name is going to be on that building, but it’s not going to be hers. She thinks she’s been fooling herself this whole time, thinking she can make a difference and help these kids, but she doesn’t know if she can. Molly tells her, don’t say that. She knows Kristina can. Kristina says, stop. Molly is here with an injured leg and she’s doing it again; she’s comforting Kristina. Molly says, because that’s what she does when she loves someone. And before Kristina talks herself out of being useful to these kids, take the time to educate herself. No one knows how to take on a project like that without experience. So take some classes. Study management. Talk to people who’ve done this before. She can do this. Kristina asks why she’s so sure, and Molly says, because she believes in Kristina. She’s just got to believe in herself.

Esme says, Spencer told her about Trina’s dad. She’s so sorry. It must be so scary thinking he could be paralyzed. Trina says, it’s been awful, and Esme says she’s going to check on Ace. He’s about to get up from his nap and she’s going to take him to the park. She leaves, and Spencer says he’s so sorry for what Trina’s going through. How is she holding up? She says she’s so worried for Curtis. She’s trying to stay strong for her mom, but she doesn’t know what to do to make her feel better. He says he does. Stay away from him.

Laura asks if Valentin think the owner would mind if they had a look around the house, and he says, she could ask him, but he doesn’t think they’re going to find any clues around here. She says she guesses he’s probably right, but she did get the feeling he was telling them the truth. He says, they need to regroup; think of somewhere else Nikolas could be hiding. She says, what if he’s not hiding? What if he’s being held against his will? Victor could have turned on him just like he turned on Valentin and Spencer. Valentin says, Victor’s dead. Nikolas could be anywhere. Doc is probably back at the hotel by now. Let’s get the hell out of here.

Dante says it’s tough for Charlotte to see her mom like that, but the doctors say maybe she can hear them, so it’s important they’re here as much as they can be. Charlotte says she knows. She just wants her mom to come home – their home. She went by there the other day and looked in the window. It made her sad. Everything was covered in sheets and so quiet. Not like it used to be. He says, they had some really good memories there, didn’t they? and she says she just doesn’t like seeing it so empty. She bets mom would want someone to live there.

Trina says, the last thing she wants is to stay away from Spencer. She needs him more than ever. He’s the thing that gives her strength to hang on right now. He says he thinks she’s the first person who’s ever said that to him, and she says she doesn’t care what people say. They don’t know him like she does. She needs him. He says he’s always here for her, but he thinks it’s going to add a lot of stress to her mom’s life right now if she knows he’s spending time with her. She says she hates to admit it, but she thinks he might be right. She doesn’t want to stay away from him, but it would probably be best to keep their relationship low key for now. He says, yeah, he gets it. He’s the last person her mom wants to see, so he’ll steer clear of her, and if Trina needs him, he’ll be here whenever. She says, now would be a good time, and they kiss.

In the bedroom, Esme tells Ace, sorry, buddy. She wanted to take him to the pool today, but his big brother has other plans. She guesses that means Trina is more important than they are. It’s just her and him; they’ve only got each other. Unless she takes steps to change that situation.

Michael says he’ll support any decision his wife makes. If she wants to have a relationship with Nina, he has no problem with that. She tells him that his attitude says otherwise, and he asks what she’s trying to say. She says, while he’s polite to her somewhat in front of Willow, it’s clear he wants nothing to do with her and just wants her to go away. Willow knows that, and it’s just a matter of time before Wiley and Amelia feel it as well. She knows she’s made mistakes. She just wants to rectify them and make peace. Kristina barges in and asks if she’s interrupting something, but Michael says, no. Nina was just leaving. Nina says she guesses she was just leaving, and asks Michael to please give her a second chance. That’s all she’s asking. Whether he likes it or not, they’re family and she’s not giving up. She gives Kristina a quick kiss as she goes by, and when she’s gone, Kristina asks why Michael is being such a bastard to Nina.

Dex goes over to Josslyn, who’s lying on a chaise lounge, and she says she wanted to ask him something. Trina said she saw him earlier, and it looked like he was doing surveillance on Avery and her nanny. Does he want to tell her what that’s about? He says, Sonny asked him to keep an eye on Avery and the new nanny, so he was tailing her. Josslyn says, Avery’s her sister, so she kind of has a right to know, and he says he’d tell her if he knew, but Sonny hasn’t shared the details. But he thinks it has something to do with Ava Jerome.

Ava says, please tell her that he’s not bringing Carly into this. Sonny has to promise her that he’s not going to tell Carly what she did to Nikolas. He says, that she killed him? and she says, it was an accident. She didn’t mean to do it. He says he won’t tell Carly about Nikolas unless he has to, and she asks what that means. He says, the good thing is, Betty bought his act. She thinks she’s spying on him, but it’s the other way around. She’s going to lead them to whoever’s behind this. And when he finds them, they’re not going to know what hit them.

On Monday, Sonny asks if Anna is still planning to use herself as bait; Kristina says she thought someone would never ask; Tracy says, Gregory is surprisingly charming; Martin says, it must be his lucky night; and Drew tells someone, get the hell away from him.

👧🏼 New Kid On the Block…

The latest in Georgies.

Eden Harker Is the New Georgie on GENERAL HOSPITAL!

👗 The Right Choice…

Jen dishes on the wedding of the century and her rejected Reunion dress.

https://pagesix.com/video/jennifer-fessler-reveals-rejected-rhonj-reunion-dress-best-pic-from-teresa-giudices-wedding/

🍊 Don’t Say It…

It really doesn’t sound like all that big a deal, but oh yeah, it’s Shannon.

VIDEO: Tamra Judge Reveals What Heather Told Her About Shannon’s Relationship as Shannon Calls Heather a “Mother-F**ker” in RHOC Sneak Peek, Plus Tamra Accuses Jennifer and Ryan of “Threatening” Heather Amin

Was she kicked out or just looking for her Uber? I want to know what the argument was about.

https://pagesix.com/2023/07/27/wasted-shannon-beador-kicked-out-of-bar-after-screaming-at-ex-john-janssens-daughter/

🍸 Good Luck With This…

Who will and won’t film with the undesirable Tom.

Where Does Tom Sandoval Stand With the Rest of the Vanderpump Rules Cast?

🥪 Something About Them…

I thought it was open already, they’ve had so many soft launches.

REPORT: Ariana Madix and Katie’s Sandwich Shop Faces “Six-Figure” Road Block Before They Can Open, Plus Ariana Refuses to Film One-on-One With Tom Sandoval for Vanderpump Rules

👶 Comes With Accessory Baby…

This is actually a pretty funny idea.

https://pagesix.com/2023/07/27/kathryn-dennis-reclaims-her-salacious-pregnancies-with-midge-costume/

⚰️ Let’s Talk About Dead…

FWD, coming to your TV in October.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/24/fear-walking-dead-season-8-part-2-release-date/

Obviously not a real New Yorker.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/28/walking-dead-city-jeffrey-dean-morgan-leave/

I’m hoping it goes on forever.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/27/walking-dead-dead-city-limited-series/

The name isn’t what you thought it was.

https://ew.com/events/comic-con/rick-and-michonne-walking-dead-title-teaser-explained-ones-who-live/

We are from France.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/28/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-hope-france/

🐱 He Is Not a Cat…

Although he does kind of look like one.

https://ew.com/tv/anderson-cooper-compared-dog-cat-live-with-kelly-mark/

🐕 Comedic Companions…

These are great! How come I never catch my pets doing this stuff? By the time I get the camera, they get bored and walk away or they’ve moved on to something else. I have a lot of pictures of tails.

https://people.com/finalists-announced-of-the-2023-comedy-pet-photography-awards-see-photos-7561437

🪶 Quotes of the Week

Moderation is the feebleness and sloth of the soul, whereas ambition is the warmth and activity of it. – François de La Rochefoucauld

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little; do something. – Sydney Smith

You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past. – Richard Bach (I’m not too sure about that past thing… maybe a different viewpoint of the past.)

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore Vail

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. – Carl Jung

Everyone must choose one of two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. – Jim Rohn

I don’t do anything in order to cause trouble. It just so happens that what I do naturally causes trouble. I’m proud to be a troublemaker. – Sinead O’Connor

So let me get this hetero-straight. So you’s a vampire, that can come out in the daytime? … Oh there goes the damn neighborhood. – Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis), True Blood

🔮 I Ain’t Got No Crystal Ball…

Come back for more soap and tea on Monday really Tuesday. FYI, Below Deck Down Under is airing a new season on Mondays, but I’m Decked out. Until then, stay safe, stay always being polite to waitstaff, and stay talking to people who’ve done it before when you take on a big project without experience.

Jul8

July 7, 2023 – Tracy Joins Finn’s Family Dinner, Why, On the Edge, Hotlanta, Crappie, Off Camera Drama, Bye-Bye Fame, VanderNext, She Wins, Dead Talk, Lotsa Cute, Not Ten Quotes & Habit

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt bar, Violet finishes another Shirley Temple, and tells Finn, that was delicious. She asks for another, and he says, she knows it’s 100% sugar, right? She nods enthusiastically, when Chase comes up behind her, and says, guess who? She says, Uncle Chase! and he asks what they’re doing at the bar. She says, they’re having cocktails before dinner. Everybody knows that’s when you have cocktails. He says, we already know that, do we? He asks if they’ve seen Brook, and Violet says, Brook bought her a Shirley Temple. Finn says he didn’t know Brook was joining them, and Chase asks if it’s okay. Finn says, absolutely. He last saw her by the pool with Tracy. Chase says he’d better rescue her… He’d better find her.

Tracy asks, why on earth would Brook confess to downloading proprietary information on The Deceptor? Why didn’t she just let Maxie take the fall? Brook says, because she has a conscience? A soul? A shred of decency? Tracy says, and she doesn’t? and Brook says, and she couldn’t stand to see Maxie and Lucy fight. Tracy asks, why not? and Brook says, because she likes them. That’s why she hates doing this so much. Tracy says she thinks Brook misspoke. She loves working at Deception. Otherwise, her boyfriend Detective Chase is going to know just what role Tracy played in getting his badge back. Chase walks in, and says, just the two he was looking for. Finn said they were by the pool. Brook says, they were, but they’re done, and Chase says, good evening, to Tracy. She asks if he had a busy day keeping the citizens of Port Charles safe.

Anna and Jordan sit at a table poolside, and Anna says she’s glad Jordan called. They haven’t really seen one another since her past was splashed across the newspapers. Jordan says, for the record, that’s not why she hasn’t called. Anna says she knows, but it has to be hard to process how she’s going to be friends with… basically a traitor. Jordan says, not for a second. How’s she handling all that? Anna says she guesses she’s been able to wait out her relevance in the news cycle. It’s almost insulting how reporters stop harassing you and just move on to the next thing. Jordan tells Anna to count her blessings, and Anna says her life is probably returning to a new normal. Jordan asks if she thinks it’s normal to find the word murderer spray painted across her front door.

Elizabeth asks how things are with Trina and Curtis, and Portia says, Trina approached her yesterday, and it’s the first time since the wedding. Elizabeth says, that’s amazing, but what about Curtis? and Portia says, they’ve yet to talk… because she’s been avoiding him.

Curtis says, sorry for the interruption, but TJ says, it’s cool. Curtis has a club to run. He should probably be going and get out of Curtis’s hair (which is funny, since Curtis doesn’t have hair). Curtis says he’ll always make time for TJ, and TJ says he appreciates that. Curtis says he appreciates TJ coming to him. TJ and Molly have been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. TJ says, that’s an understatement, and Curtis says, if TJ wants to talk, he’s here. TJ thanks him, and says, because right now, he doesn’t know how to talk to Molly about having a child or not having a child without making her feel pressured. Curtis says, which reminds him. TJ never answered his question. How would he feel if Molly decides she doesn’t want to have children? The Davis girls walk in, and Molly locks eyes with TJ.

Having dinner at the MetroCourt, Sonny tells Dante that he has a confession to make, and Dante asks if he should take his phone out to record it. Sonny says, it’s nothing like that. He called Dante out to dinner under false pretenses. He needs a favor. He and Nina are getting married, and he wanted to know if Dante wanted to be his best man.

Brook says, nice talking to Tracy, but she and Chase have dinner plans. Tracy says, romantic night? Just the two of them? Chase says, actually, they’re meeting his brother. He and Violet are at the bar. Brook says, they can’t keep them waiting, and she and Chase leave.

Anna asks how Jordan knew about the spray paint on her door, and Jordan says, how does she think? Anna says, Valentin, and Jordan says, he called her before he left town. He told her about the vandalism at Anna’s house. It’s funny. She checked, but there was no police report on the incident. Anna says she didn’t make a report. It’s kids. It’s just a prank. It’s not a major crime. Valentin shouldn’t have bothered Jordan with that. Jordan says, Valentin is worried about her. He feels it’s a bad time to be gone, and from what she’s hearing, she agrees. Anna thanks her for her concern, but surely as the new Deputy Mayor, she’s got bigger things to focus on. How is the new job going? Jordan says, nice try and don’t call her Shirley, but Anna says she’s interested. Jordan is embarking on a whole new career. Jordan says she hasn’t really started yet; there’s not much to tell. Back to Anna. Has their been any fallout from the article? What about from her family? Anna says, nobody’s thrilled. Robin understands, but Emma… It’s more difficult with her. She’s just hoping with time, Emma gives her the benefit of the doubt. And her friends are her friends. Jordan takes Anna’s hands, and says she’ll always be one of them. Anna says she’s grateful for that, and she does feel, as lucky as she is with the people who love her, there are those that are really angry, and they have a right to be. Because she did hurt a lot of people. Jordan says, that was a long time ago. She’s helped countless others since then, and what she did was dangerous, no matter whose side she was on. Anna says she was on both. Ask Robin. Jordan says, undercover work is risky and complicated, both physically and emotionally. It takes a toll on you, your relationships, your whole life. Believe her. She knows. Anna says she knows Jordan does. What is she looking forward to in this new job? Jordan says, honestly, she’s hoping it will distract her from the rest of her life, and Anna says, what happened with her and the… Jordan says, the kiss, and Anna says, yeah, that. Jordan says, yes and no.

Curtis says he sees the Davis women showed up in full force tonight, and Alexis says, they sure did. Molly asks what TJ is doing here, and Alexis suggests they get a table, and let Molly and TJ have some privacy. Curtis says he’ll set them up. First drinks are on him. Kristina says, he should know, they’re drinking champagne, and Alexis says, club soda for her. Curtis says he’d expect nothing less, and tells them to enjoy their night. They go to their table, and Curtis asks if he can talk to Sam. She asks, what’s up? and he says he just wanted to check in; how’s Drew? She says, that’s a good question. Her head is still spinning. She doesn’t know how Drew’s plea deal went so wrong. Curtis says he heard that judge might be running for office, so maybe the judge wanted to prove he wasn’t soft on white collar crimes. She says, it still doesn’t justify Drew missing three years of his daughter’s life.

TJ says he’s sorry. He just came to talk to his Uncle Curtis. he was planning on leaving before she got here. He guesses he lost track of time. She’s here now, so he guesses he’ll head out. He tells her to have fun with her mom and sisters, and he’ll see her at home. Okay? She says, nothing about this is okay.

Dante says he’ll be honored to be Sonny’s best man, and Sonny says he appreciates Dante’s support when it comes to his relationship with Nina. Dante says, you got to do what makes you happy. Does he know when the big day is? Sonny says, sometime in the fall, and Dante says, pretty close. Sonny says, they want to keep it simple. Nina doesn’t want a big wedding. Dante asks if that’s the only reason, and Sonny asks if Dante thinks no one is going to show up at his wedding. Dante laughs, and says, Sonny could have a point, but that’s not what he was saying. Does Sonny think he should keep a low profile about this wedding because there could be trouble?

Elizabeth says, the last time she and Portia talked about Curtis, Portia was afraid she’d say something out of anger she didn’t mean. She doesn’t know what happened between them, but is Portia still angry… Portia says, yes, and Elizabeth says, no hesitation there. Portia says she’s angry and extremely hurt. The whole situation is sad, and she misses Curtis and knows that they need to talk. A part of her is worried that maybe it’s already too late. Given everything that’s already happened, and given everything they’ve done to each other at this point, do they even want to try again? Elizabeth says, that’s why Portia’s been avoiding him, and Portia says she knows they need to talk. Elizabeth says she totally gets why they haven’t, and why Portia keeps putting it off. After so much hurt, she has to consider is it even fair to ask him to risk his heart again. Portia asks if Elizabeth and Finn are talking about getting back together again, but Elizabeth says, they’re talking about Portia. Portia says, Elizabeth and Finn are getting closer again, aren’t they? and Elizabeth says, they have been talking about doing stuff together as a family for the kids. Portia says, that’s good, and Elizabeth says, it is, but she doesn’t think she should push it. It isn’t just about her and Finn. Violet’s happiness is also at stake. That little girl wants her and her dad to get back together so badly, she arranged for them to go on a date last night. Portia says, that sweet faced little girl is absolutely sneaky, and Elizabeth says, she is. After dinner, Finn just kept apologizing for Violet having the wrong idea about them. And if he wants to just be friends, she doesn’t want to jeopardize that. If they were to try again, and for some reason Elizabeth couldn’t make it work, she doesn’t want to be responsible for breaking that little girl’s heart again. Portia asks if it’s really Violet’s heart Elizabeth is worried about breaking, or is it her own?

Violet says, Chase lost Brook, and Finn says, Chase just found her. How did he lose her again so fast? Chase says, she told him she had something urgent, and asks, where’s dad? Finn says, he should be here any minute, and Violet says, grandpa’s sleeping over tonight. Does Uncle Chase want to sleep over too? He can bring Brook. Chase says, another time. How’s this weekend? She asks if he promises, when Tracy comes over. She says, they meet again, and Finn says, it’s been a whole twenty minutes, but always a pleasure. Violet says, Auntie Tracy, look. They’re having cocktails. Tracy says, you’re starting early, but Violet says, it’s not early; it’s almost dinnertime. Tracy says, that’s not what she meant, but she won’t intrude. She just wants to get some take-out. She hates dining alone. Violet says, she doesn’t have to eat alone, and asks Finn if Auntie Tracy can have dinner with them. Finn says he doesn’t think she’d… and Tracy says she’d loved to. She thanks Violet for her kind invitation, and Violet says, now they’ll have the same number of boys and girls. Tracy says, but Brook is joining them, and Violet says she knows. It will be Uncle Chase and Brook, her and Daddy, and Auntie Tracy and… grandpa! She runs over to Gregory, and he picks her up. Tracy says, this is going to be fun, and Chase asks Gregory how it’s going.

Molly says she can’t believe it’s come to this, and TJ says he swears he wasn’t trying to intrude on her night out. He knows she needs time. She says, that’s not why she’s upset. She’s upset because he thought he needed to sneak out before she got here. Has she made him feel like she can’t stand to be around him? He says, she hasn’t, but to be fair, she didn’t seem all that happy to see him. She says she was just surprised, and he says, then demanding to know what he’s doing here at his uncle’s club. She says she thought maybe this was… He says, like an ambush? and she says, maybe. Everything is so scrambled right now, but one thing she does know is that she’d never want to chase him away. He says, and he wants he to know that he’d understand if she needs some time away from him, but she says she’d never need that. What she needs is a break from her fertility issues, but not from her life partner; never from him. She would never want to shut him out, but if he wants to talk, they should talk. He says, not tonight. She needs a break. Go have fun. She says, only if he stays, and he says, if she insists, and they kiss.

Coming out of the elevator, Brook sees Tracy sitting down for dinner, and says, why God? What have I done to deserve this? On second thought, God, don’t answer that. At the table, Gregory says he didn’t realize Tracy was joining them, and Tracy says, how could she refuse his delightful granddaughter’s invitation? Brook comes over to the table, and Gregory says, speaking of delightful granddaughters… Tracy asks how many he has, and Brook says, he was talking about her. Chase says, she is delightful, and Finn says, now that she’s finally here, try not to lose her again. Chase says, never, and Tracy says she needs a drink. What’s everybody having? Violet says, the Shirley Temples are delightful (WOTD), and Tracy says she needs something stronger. Much, much stronger.

Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to hurt Finn, Violet, or her boys any more than she already has, and Portia says, she’s making it seem like everything that went down was her fault. Elizabeth says, wasn’t it though? but Portia says, no. From what she recalls, they both made plenty of mistakes, and they both were trying to protect people they care about, including one another. What if Finn does wants to try it out again? (Um.. it’s not a car.) Elizabeth says, what if he doesn’t? and Portia says she knows how hard it can be to put your heart on the line. She let her fear come between her and Curtis, and now she’ll never know what would have happened if she’d just told Curtis the truth from the beginning. And Elizabeth will never know what’s going to happen if she doesn’t tell Finn how she really feels. Elizabeth says, Portia’s right. She’s going for it. She walks out the door, and Portia says, she’s going for it right now? Elizabeth says, if she doesn’t do it right now, she’s going to lose her nerve. She knows Finn and Violet are having a date right now at the MetroCourt. So she’s just going to head over there, and see what happens. Portia says, that’s a great idea, but why doesn’t Elizabeth go home first, take a shower, and put something on she feels good in, and then meet him? She can show him what he’s really missing. Elizabeth says she has a better idea.

Anna says, Portia’s brother? To get over Curtis, Jordan slept with… Jordan says, his brother-in-law. Anna says, whoa, and Jordan says she knows; she was there. Had she known who he was, she certainly wouldn’t have told him that she recently kissed her ex-husband. Anna says, would she have slept with him anyway? and Jordan says, no… No. The point is that when Zeke realized who she was, he told Portia about the kiss. Anna says, no, and Jordan says, which was completely unnecessary. Curtis decided he wants to saved his marriage, which is the only reason she was with Zeke in the first place. Anna says, it’s the only reason? and Jordan says, well, not the only reason. Zeke is charming… and funny… and… Anna says, is he hot? and Jordan says, stupidly hot. There’s no reason he should be related to anyone she knows, but it doesn’t really matter now. Anna asks if Zeke left town or something, and Jordan sees Zeke walk in.

Dante says, something went down the night of the Nurses Ball; there were shots fired in the warehouse district; Sonny’s been beefing up his security detail. That’s the word on the street. Sonny says he doesn’t know what to tell Dante, and Dante asks, where’s Dex? Sonny says, why? and Dante says, he’s usually joined at Sonny’s hip. He was even staying with Sonny for a while, wasn’t he? Sonny says, what’s with the questions? What is Dante fishing for?

Sonny says he invited Dante here ask him to be his best man, and Dante says, and he proudly accepted. Sonny says, so what’s with all the questions? Unless the PCPD is trying to pin something on him. Dante says he’s not trying to pin anything on Sonny. They have an agreement, right? Sonny says, right, and Dante says, Sonny doesn’t tell him about his business, and he doesn’t ask. Sonny says, but here he is asking, and Dante says he’s not asking as a cop; he’s asking as Sonny’s son. He doesn’t want details. He’s just noticed some changes in Sonny’s routine. Sonny says he has everything under control. Dante doesn’t have to worry about it. Dante says he can’t help it, and Sonny asks if it’s because he’s a cop. Dante says, no. Because he’s Sonny’s son.

Violet shows Tracy some stuff on her phone, and everyone is laughing and having a good time. Chase asks if Brook is feeling okay, and she says she guesses. She’s sorry her grandmother hijacked their dinner. He says he’s kind of surprised she stayed. Brook doesn’t think… No. That’s a crazy idea. She says, what? and he says he’s just wondering. Does she think Tracy’s lonely? Brook says, she’s something all right.

In the hallway with Curtis, Sam says, so how are things going between him, Trina, and Portia? Curtis says, things with him and Trina were going good, but now he’s messed things up with Portia. She asks what he messed up, and he says he just hopes he and Trina can get through it. He always Admired Portia and Trina’s relationship, and subconsciously, he always knew if he was to establish a relationship with Trina, it would be secondary. There’s something about knowing that she’s his daughter, that he’s her biological father, that makes it different. Sam says she gets that. Before he found out, Portia connected him to Trina, but now he has his own connection whether he and Portia stay together or not. He says he sure hopes they do. He just hopes he and Trina can learn to be father and daughter no matter what. She says, they will, and he asks how she knows. She says she knows him, and that gives her faith that things will work out. He says, sometimes it feels like it takes a lifetime to get to know someone. Then you look back, and you realize it’s just a blink of an eye. Take his father for instance. He thought he’d never let that man back in his life after he abandoned them, but look at them now. He just wishes he’d let Marshall in sooner. She says, exactly, and sooner or later, Trina is going to realize that. Then she’s going to regret all the time she spent being angry at Curtis and judging him. Because in the end, we never have enough time with the people we love.

In the locker room, a nurse tells Portia, looking good, and asks if she’s going home. Portia says, nope. She’s going out. The nurse says, good for her, and Portia heads out.

Anna asks if that’s him, and Jordan says, mm-hm. Zeke comes over to the table, and says hi to Jordan. Jordan introduces her good friend Anna to Portia’s brother Zeke. Anna says, nice to meet him, and he says he didn’t mean to interrupt. Anna says she has to make a phone call, and Jordan says, really? Anna says, really, so if they’ll excuse her… She leaves, and Jordan says, he doesn’t have to stay. He says he knows his timing was bad, coming to her office when Curtis was there, and she says, ya think so? He asks her to please hear him out.

Anna calls Sonny, and asks where he is. She has to talk to him about something. He says he’s with Dante at the MetroCourt. They’re just wrapping up dinner. He can come to her. Where is she? She says she’s here too; she’s up by the pool. He says he’ll be there.

Zeke says he knows Jordan is mad about him telling his sister that she kissed Curtis, but she says she’s not mad at him. He asks if she’s sure. She seemed mad. She still seems mad. She says she was mad at him because he didn’t give her a heads up, not because he told Portia about her and Curtis. Portia is his sister, and he wants to protect her. She gets that. If Portia had found out about the kiss and he didn’t tell her, she’d feel betrayed. And family like that shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. Zeke barely knows her. He says he’d like to change that, now that they’ve cleared the air. Let’s just start over. She says she thinks it’s a little late for that, and he says, it doesn’t have to be, but it’s up to her. How about it? Will she give him another chance?

Dante asks if Sonny is cool with Anna, and Sonny says, she’s good. She just wants to talk to him. He and Dante are good? Dante says, they’re great. He just wants Sonny to be careful. Sonny says, Dante too. She’s by the pool. Does he want to say hi? Dante says he’d like to, but he should be getting home with dessert for the kids. Especially Scout; she could use the pick-me-up. Sonny asks how she’s doing, and Dante says, she’s doing her best, but not great. It’s tough. Sonny says, give her his love, and Dante says, same with Anna. Keep him posted with what he and Nina got going. He doesn’t want to be shirking his duties as best man. They hug, and Sonny leaves.

Gregory asks Brook how it is being back at Deception, and Brook says she’s glad to be back. Tracy says, things must be very busy over there with the success of their new product. What is it called?… The Deceptor. Brook says, yes, they’re very busy, and Gregory says, last time they spoke, she was excited about focusing on her song writing. Will she still be able to do that if she’s working full-time?

Anna thanks Sonny for meeting her, and he says she looks good. She thanks him, and says, better than she did the other night probably. She thanks him for coming over when he did. It made her feel a little less lonely. He says, she didn’t have to see him to thank him, but she says, that’s not what she’s doing. She has a message from Valentin.

Zeke says, his and Jordan’s night together wasn’t just about sex. At least not for him. She says, it was for her… At least that’s what she wanted it to be. He says, but it wasn’t. He thought they at least had some potential. Before everything that went down, before all that crazy, he was looking forward to seeing her again. She says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she felt the same way, and he says, great. Then let’s start over. She says she just started a new job, and she’s beyond busy, and he says, he’s a lawyer. He’s always busy too. But they’re both pretty free right now. Have dinner with him.  

Alexis asks Kristina to tell her about the plans for the shelter, and Kristina says she’s glad Alexis asked. She had a really interesting lunch with the head of the food pantry. Alexis says, where she’s volunteering, and Kristina says, he really helped her understand the whole manpower end of things, like how much staff they have to hire, and what tasks volunteers can handle. Alexis says, that’s great, and Kristina says, it’s a lot, but now that she understands what she’s up against, she thinks she can pull this off. Alexis says she knows Kristina can pull this off, and she’s very proud of her. Kristina says, this may come as a shock, but she’s proud of herself too. Getting this shelter off the ground is going to be a lot of work, way more than she imagined, but she’s going to see this through to the end. Alexis says she knew if Kristina found the right thing, she would soar, and Kristina says she doesn’t know if she’s soaring. She doesn’t know if she’s even on the runway. There’s so much she doesn’t know. Alexis says, if she doesn’t know, she’ll learn. If it’s too much, she can hire someone to advise her. She knows this is going to be great. Kristina can do this. Kristina thanks her.

Tracy says, Brook is just being practical. It’s always good to have back-up when you’re working in the arts. Gregory hopes she keeps writing songs. He really enjoys listening to them, especially when Chase is singing. Chase says, inspiration happens when it happens. Brook can do anything she sets her mind to. Whatever it is, it will work out. Brook says, Finn’s been quiet, and Chase asks how she can tell. Brook asks what he’s been up to, and Finn says, besides work, nothing much. Violet says, daddy, tell them about your date.

TJ asks if the shelter will provide basic medical care, and Kristina says she wants it to. LGBTQIA+ teens tend to avoid going to doctors because they’re concerned their gender identity isn’t going to be accepted, but she doesn’t know if it’s feasible. TJ says, let him know if he can help on that end, or anything at all. Whatever she needs. Kristina thanks him, and Molly says, he should be on the board. Kristina says, it’s not for profit, so she needs to assemble a board before she breaks ground; before she does anything really. Alexis says, she can’t do everything herself. She’s running a business. She’s the boss. Delegation is the key. Molly asks, who is she and what has she done with their mother? and Kristina says she’s worried that she’ll miss being with the kids directly and helping them, being behind a desk all day. Sam comes back with Curtis, and says, then plan it. That’s what mom or Molly would do. Molly says, she has to set time aside on her schedule to talk to the kids one-on-one, and TJ says, that way she can see what kids need more structure, and the ones who need more freedom. Curtis tells TJ, let’s get that champagne, and TJ leaves with him. By the bar, Curtis asks if things are good with TJ and Molly, and TJ says, somehow, they are. Curtis was right; they’ll get through this. He doesn’t know if a kid is in his future, but Molly definitely is. Curtis says he’s glad, and asks if TJ minds if he takes off. TJ says, no, and thanks him for listening. Curtis says, any time, and TJ asks where he’s headed. Curtis says he thinks it’s time he takes his own advice, and leaves.

The champagne has been poured, and TJ is back at the table. Molly asks if he’s ready to dance, and he says he thought she’d never ask. Molly asks if the others are coming, but Sam and Alexis beg off. Kristina says she’ll be there in a minute, and Molly says, don’t wait too long. She and TJ go onto the dance floor. Sam says, it looks like Molly is feeling better, and Alexis says she’s glad Molly is giving herself a break from all the pressure she’s putting on herself. Kristina says she wants to really make sure Molly knows she’s not alone in this, but Sam says, Molly knows they all have her back. Kristina says, of course (🍷). She knows that it’s their decision, but she wishes they’d move forward with having a baby. Sam says, so does she, if that’s what makes them happy, but she doesn’t want to pressure them about anything. Kristina says, of course (🍷), of course (🍷). She knows, but just wishes they could help make their decision easier… That’s it. Why didn’t she think of that before?

Anna says, obviously Sonny is aware Valentin went with Laura to find her son, right? and Sonny says, Charlotte’s staying with Sam and Dante. Dante filled him in, but he’s surprised that Valentin would have her pass along a message. He and Valentin don’t really say much to each other. Anna says, normally, she wouldn’t be a go-between with something quite so precarious, not even for Valentin, and Sonny says, why now? She says, Sonny is involved in a business venture with Valentin? Or rather, Valentin is involved with him. This is all she knows. She doesn’t know any of the details. She doesn’t think she really wants to. But right before he left, Valentin gave her the message. Knowing Sonny would rather do any kind of business in person than over the phone, he wanted her to pass on the message. Sonny says, go ahead, and she says, he’s not to speak to anyone new. If his contact person is to change, do not proceed until he’s spoken with his original contact person. Does that make sense? Sonny says, yeah, and she asks, does he want to tell her what’s going on with Valentin? Why Sonny would be in any kind of business with him?

Jordan says she doesn’t know how this is going to work, and Zeke says, only one way to find out, right? She says, and then what? This situation is just too messy. He says, when she told him that she was done with her ex, did she mean it? and she says, they are over. Whatever happens between Portia and Curtis, she’s moving on. He says, then what’s stopping them from seeing each other? and she says, reality? She’s sure Portia’s already given him an earful on why he should avoid her like the plague. He says he doesn’t let his family dictate who he sees. Does she? She says she doesn’t want to cause problems between him and his sister, and he says, Portia will cope. Portia walks in, and Jordan says, you think so? He turns and sees her.

Violet yawns, and Finn says he thinks someone’s tired and they’re going to be heading home. He reaches for Violet, who insists she’s not tired, as we all did at her age, and he picks her up. Tracy thanks him so much for allowing her to join his family for dinner, and he says, it was surprisingly fun having her here. She says, for her as well, and thanks him. She looks at Gregory, and says, and you? He says, yes? and she says, he’s a lucky man. He says he knows, and thanks her. He tells Chase that he’ll see him at the next tea party, and tells Brook, it’s always a pleasure. She says, he can’t imagine how nice that is to hear, and he says he thinks he can. He leaves with Finn and Violet, and Tracy says she’ll see Brook at home. Don’t stay out too late. She has work tomorrow. Brook says, goodnight, granny, I laugh, and Tracy leaves. Brook asks what Chase says about her and him getting a nightcap at the pool bar, and he says he’d love to. She says, great. The sooner, the better. He says, there’s something he needs to ask her first.

Elizabeth comes out of the elevator, and sees Finn, who says, hi. Violet says, she looks like a princess, and Elizabeth thanks her. Finn says, she looks beautiful, and she thanks him. She asks if they’re leaving, and Gregory says he and Violet are heading home, but Finn can stay. Finn says, he can stay? and Violet nods. Finn tells Elizabeth that he can stay, and hands off Violet to Gregory.

Brook says, whatever it is, can she and Chase talk about it on the way to the bar? and he asks, what’s going on with her? Something’s been off with her all evening. She says she knows, and her name is granny. She’s always on edge around her. Chase says, it’s not just Tracy. When his dad asked Brook about her job, he knew he was right. She says, about what? and he says, her work at Deception. Her heart’s not in it. She doesn’t want to be there. Brook says, of course (🍷) she does. It’s a day job. He says, exactly. She’d rather be writing music and managing artists. So he has to ask; why did she go back?

Kristina says, it solves so many problems. It’s perfect. Alexis says she shudders to think. What? Sam says, what’s her big idea? and Kristina says she can be Molly and TJ’s surrogate. Molly overhears.

Portia says, so this is why Zeke isn’t taking her calls. He’s on a little date with Jordan? Jordan says, that’s not what’s… She and Portia both see Curtis walk in.

Sonny asks what else Valentin said, when Dante walks in. He looks up, and yells, everybody down! We hear a gunshot.

On Monday, Spencer tells Esme, this is him cooperating; TJ asks why Molly doesn’t want to be around her mom and her sisters; Dex asks if Sonny is okay; and Chase reports that shots were fired at the MetroCourt pool.

🩺 Having His Reasons…

He’s one of my favorite actors. I got to see him as Ben in a revival of Follies on Broadway. He was filling in for someone else, and when I found that out, I thought, meh, but he was amazing. I’m glad he took this gig.

Gregory Harrison Reveals Why He Joined the Cast of GH

👩‍❤️‍👨 The Struggle Is Real…

Two Wives. Two roller coaster marriages.

REPORT: Kyle Richards and Mauricio Have Been “Struggling in Their Relationship” & “Spending Time Apart” Before Alleged Separation, Plus When Kyle Met Rumored Flame Morgan Wade’s Mom

As Dr. Phil says, better to come from a broken home than to live in one.

Breaking: Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann Call Off Divorce!

🍑 Next Peach…

The upcoming season of RHOA.

Real Housewives of Atlanta Midseason Trailer Has Been Released

🗽 Andy Says It’s Good…

This sounds like a fun one.

https://www.etonline.com/sonja-morgan-and-luann-de-lesseps-on-their-crappie-lake-adventure-and-rhonys-return-to-scary-island

📹 Taking Their Word…

Juicy Joe’s phone call was definitely cringeworthy.

The Most Dramatic Real Housewives Moments That Happened Off Camera

🎸 And Stay Out…

My heart is bleeding for him. For those not familiar with sarcasm, that’s an example.

Signs That Tom Sandoval’s Pump Rules Fame Is Going Away for Good

🍸 Rules Coming Up…

The latest on the next season of VPR.

PHOTOS: Tom Sandoval Has Tense Chat With Tom Schwartz Amid Filming on Vanderpump Rules, Find Out What They Were Discussing as He Also Joins Lisa Vanderpump at PUMP

💃🏼 Dancing Like Everyone’s Watching…

For once, good triumphs over evil, and we all get to see it.

https://people.com/ariana-madix-joining-dancing-with-the-stars-7557819

⚰️ Unearthing The Dead…

Everyone’s looking for Rick.

https://screenrant.com/rick-grimes-walking-dead-biggest-priority-fear-spinoff/

The Fear reunion I’ve been waiting for.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/06/fear-walking-dead-final-season-madison-victor-reunion/

There are no small parts.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/03/walking-dead-city-actors-play-tribespeople/

A preview of the next Dead City episode.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/07/07/walking-dead-city-episode-4-sneak-peek/

🦎 Fuzzballs And Fluffballs And A Lizard, Oh My…

I spent more time than I care to admit looking at this page.

https://toofab.com/2023/01/01/celebrities-who-love-to-show-off-adorable-pets/

🎋 Quotes of the Week

Maybe you can afford to wait. Maybe for you there’s a tomorrow. Maybe for you there’s one thousand tomorrows, or three thousand, or ten, so much time you can bathe in it, roll around it, let it slide like coins through your fingers. So much time you can waste it. But for some of us there’s only today. And the truth is, you never really know. – Lauren Oliver

The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth. – Niels Bohr

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. – the 14th Dalai Lama

No one forgets the truth, Frank. They just get better at lying. – April Wheeler (Kate Winslet), Revolutionary Road

We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark. – Whoopi Goldberg

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. – Les Brown

Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed – there’s so little competition. – Elbert Hubbard

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. – Mark Twain

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.  – Jimi Hendrix

🍺 Didn’t Come Here, Ain’t Leaving…

Come back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and a double Decker. Until then, stay safe, stay not making loud phone calls on the train (text for Pete’s sake), and stay remembering, in the end, we never have enough time with the people we love.

Jun23

June 22, 2023 – Selina Forces a Truce, Surprise, Her Start, Again, In the OC, Wanting Spin, Unfollowed, VanderTalk, Hotel Pets (!) & Only

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

💔 In my area, GH was interrupted for the majority of the show. Normally, it annoys me, since it’s usually news we can wait for, but today I felt differently, having rooted for the rescue of those in the Titan submersible. Sadly, it was not to be, so RIP to those brave souls who died doing what they loved.

General Hospital

Sasha comes back to the table, and asks what Maxie just said. What did Maxie mean, Cody may feel something more than friendship for her? Lucy starts to talk, but Sasha says, it doesn’t matter, because she couldn’t be more wrong.

Cody tells Gladys that he and Spinelli have evidence that Gladys planted the bracelet on him; evidence that will show her testimony is bogus. Spinelli says, do the decent thing and recant, and Gladys says, or what? Cody says, or it will leave her heading upriver, not him.

Kristina says, sure, she’ll go, and Sam thanks her. Kristina says, as soon as Sam tells her what’s up, but Sam says, it’s not a good time. Kristina asks if it’s because Sam’s so busy. She’s literally sitting here alone. Sam says she’s on a job, and Kristina says, sounds fun. P.I. stuff? She looks around, and Sam says, it’s not fun; it’s important. Kristina says, adultery? Fraud? A criminal investigation? Sam says, come on, getting up, and Kristina asks where they’re going. Sam says, anywhere but here. Sam gives Spinelli a nod, and they leave.

On the phone, Finn says, they want to rule out any neurological issues before they proceed with treatment, when Gregory walks in. Finn says, let him know when they’ve got it set up, and hangs up. Gregory says, his son the doctor, and Finn asks how he is, hugging him. Gregory says, busy day? and Finn says, relentless. Good thing he’s getting the hell out of Port Charles.

Alexis walks into the hospital and sees Tracy. She asks, how’s Ned? and Tracy asks if she doesn’t mean Eddie Maine.

In an empty courtroom, Drew looks at a phone alert for Scout’s swimming lesson, when Carly walks in. She hugs him, and says she can’t believe today is the day. He says he feels a little bit like a kid waiting to hear his punishment, and she says, punishment he doesn’t deserve. He says, punishment she doesn’t deserve either, and she asks if he’s ready. He says he doesn’t know. Is anyone ever ready to sign away their freedom? She hugs him again.

As they enter the MetroCourt Gardens, Kristina asks if Sam doesn’t want her to know, or is Sam going to fill her in? Sam says she’s doing some surveillance, and Kristina says she saw Spinelli out there and Dante’s friend Cody. What are they doing with Gladys Corbin? Sam asks if Kristina knows what the P in P.I. stands for, and Kristina says, private. Sam tells her, good job, and she asks if she gets a gold star. She’ll drop it, but if Sam has a minute, she’d like some big sister time. Sam asks if everything is okay, and Kristina says, with her? Yeah. She’s worried about Molly.

Gladys says she thinks she’ll pass, but Cody says, that would be a mistake. They have her dead to rights. Gladys says, it’s going to take more than made up words to trip her up, and Cody says, she doesn’t care that they have evidence that could send her away. Gladys tells him, if said evidence actually existed, they would have turned it in by now. So why are they here with her instead of at the PCPD?

Sasha says she and Cody are just friends, and Lucy tells her, if you say so. Sasha says she does. It’s not like that between them. Lucy says, of course (🍷). No one was suggesting there was anything romantic going on. Maxie says she thinks they should get back to work, and Sasha asks, then what were they suggesting? Lucy says, just that on Sasha’s end, it might be strictly platonic, but maybe things are developing for Mr. Bell.

Gregory says, Finn’s leaving town? and Finn says, not permanently. He’s going on vacation, which he thought Gregory would get, being it was his idea. Gregory, him, Violet, Chase, Disneyworld. Ring any bells? Gregory says, as he recalls, Finn told him that it wasn’t a good time, and Finn says, it wasn’t, but now Violet is out of school, and he’s got a couple weeks coming up where he can take some time off. Gregory says, and Chase? and Finn says, it may be more difficult for him, since he’s just getting his badge back, but he’s working on it. Finn even got Violet a set of purple Mickey Mouse ears. So what does Gregory say? Gregory tells him, it sounds wonderful, but he’s afraid things have changed on his end.

Drew tells Carly that he’s been going over it in his head again and again. He knows the right thing is to accept this plea deal, but now that he’s here… She says, it’s hard, and he says, it is. She says, he doesn’t have to do this. Please? He says, it’s the only way, when Michael walks in. Carly says she told him that he didn’t have to come, but he says he wanted to. Drew says, they appreciate him being here. He knows Michael has enough on his plate with Willow and the kids. Michael says he checked all the boxes. He had breakfast with Wiley and Amelia… Or rather, Amelia watched from a rocking chair while he and Wiley ate. The nanny took Wiley to the park, he stopped by Aurora, then spent time with Willow. Drew asks how she is, and Michael says, she must be doing better, since she’s back to bossing him around. She basically insisted he come. She sends her love to both of them. Drew says he sends it right back, and Carly says, her too. Michael says, she also wanted him to tell them, it’s painfully obvious if it wasn’t for Drew, she wouldn’t even be here. Drew suggests they not think about that, but Michael says, still, it’s true, and they’re eternally grateful. Carly says, so is she, and asks, how’s Ned? Michael says he was going to check in with Ned this morning, but then Brook told him the latest. Is that right? Drew says, Ned doesn’t even remember who he is. He thinks he’s Eddie Maine. Carly says she can’t imagine how hard it is for Olivia, and Michael says he feels terrible for the family. It’s just that he can’t get past the fact that the reason they’re here, the reason Drew’s life is being blown up, is because of Ned.

Alexis says, Tracy answered her question. She stopped by to see Ned, and was told Eddie isn’t accepting visitors. Tracy says, that’s a blessing. What if he took one look at Alexis and launched into that Eddie’s Angels business? Alexis says, because she caused enough problems in his marriage, and Tracy tells her, she said it. Alexis says she’s going to be nice, and despite their history, she’s telling Tracy that she’s sorry. This must be very difficult for Tracy and her family. Tracy says, a mid-life crisis is annoying, and definitely bad for business, but this is different. This is so much worse. Her son doesn’t know her. And worse, he doesn’t know Leo. When Luke died, she thought she could withstand anything, but she honestly thinks this is more than she can handle.

Drew says he gets that Michael’s angry, and Michael says, Drew’s not? Drew says he’s very angry – they both are – but this is happening for a lot of reasons besides Ned. Zeke comes in, and Drew introduces him to Carly and Michael, saying, Michael is Josslyn’s brother. Zeke says, their daughter and sister is a wonderful woman, and Carly says, he knows Josslyn? Drew says, Zeke is Trina’s uncle, and Zeke says, Portia’s his sister. Carly says, they absolutely adore Trina, and Zeke says he hit the jackpot in the niece department. Zeke tells Drew that he spoke with the prosecutor, and he said the Feds accepted the deal. All that’s left is for the judge to sign off, Drew enters his plea, and he takes care of the rest. Michael says, what is the deal, if they don’t mind him asking? and Drew says, six months in minimum security prison, and in return, Carly doesn’t have to do any prison time. Michael says, that’s not it, is it? and Carly says, no. Zeke says, her attorney will reach out to her for the financial penalty, and Michael says, there’s no way this could blow back on his mom, is there? Zeke says, essentially, Drew is taking responsibility for the insider trading. The SEC is satisfied, and won’t throw the book at the both of them. Zeke’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Michael thanks Drew so much for doing this for his mom, and Carly says she told him to change his mind; that it wasn’t a good idea. Drew says, this is the best outcome for everybody involved, and Carly says, really? The best outcome is for him to go to prison? Drew says, when you consider the alternatives, yes. Michael says he knows what Drew is giving up, and doesn’t want him to worry about anything. When he’s gone, they’ll check on Scout. He’ll keep Aurora running, and Drew’s life will be waiting for him, right where he left it, when he gets back. Drew says, coming from Michael, he believes that, and they bro hug.

Sam asks if Kristina heard from Molly, and Molly says, no, that’s the problem. Ever since Molly told them about her endometriosis, she’s been so distant. Kristina keeps reaching out of course (🍷), but either Molly doesn’t respond at all, or if she does, it’s with some lame emojis. Sam says, emojis, yeah. Molly’s doing the same thing to her. Kristina asks what they do, and Sam says, nothing?

Sasha tells Maxie and Lucy, back up. They think Cody is interested in her? Maxie tells her, that’s not what Lucy said, but Lucy says, that’s kind of exactly what she said. Sasha says, and they think she should be receptive to that? but they both say, no. Sasha says, good, and Maxie says, because Sasha’s still grieving and not ready to date, but that’s fine. Unless she is ready to date, then that’s totally fine too. Sasha says, she’s not, and Lucy says, okay. All she was saying was, Cody is a man… and Sasha is a smart, beautiful woman, and he did ride on in to rescue her at Home & Heart. Sasha says, as a friend, and Maxie says, a really caring and sweet and thoughtful friend. She really loves how Sasha brings out the chivalrous side of Cody. Because let’s be honest, he can be a little rough around the edges. Sasha says, ya think? and Maxie says, but with Sasha, he’s different. She had her reservations about Cody at first, but it turns out he’s a really great guy. Sasha says, and a very good friend, and Lucy says, for now. Sasha and Maxie both say, Lucy! and Lucy says she’s sorry; it just slipped out.

Cody says he wanted to give Gladys the chance to do the right thing for Sasha’s sake, but Gladys says, he doesn’t care about Sasha. He says, that’s where she’s wrong. Let’s face it. They both know there are details at play here that have been kept on the DL. Spinelli says, that’s intriguing. Does Gladys care to expand on those details? Gladys says, here’s the way she sees it. There are only two possible reasons Cody came to her instead of going to the police. Either he’s got butkus, and he’s trying to save his butt, or he came to this so-called evidence illegally. She’s not a betting woman, but if she was, this is a bet she can’t lose.

Gregory tells Finn that he recently accepted a job at The Invader, on their editorial board. Finn congratulates him, and says he’s glad Gregory finally made it official. He seemed to be really enjoying his time there. Gregory says he’s sorry he didn’t tell Finn sooner. Their schedules hadn’t lined up since he started. He’s still getting used to the grind of a daily newspaper. Finn says, there’s no need to apologize, but consider himself lucky that he’ll explain about the trip to Violet. She’d never let him hear the end of it. Don’t worry about it. They’ll do it next year. Gregory says, no, and Finn asks, what does that mean? Gregory says, next year’s too far away. Who knows how long Violet’s princess phase will last? Finn says, if God has mercy, not much longer, and Gregory says, they’ll have to make it sooner… but not too soon. He knows better than to ask for time off less than a month into the job. Finn says he takes it Gregory and Alexis worked things out, and Gregory says, she’s a good friend. Finn says, agreed, and Gregory says he wishes he could say the same thing about some of Finn’s other friends.

Tracy tells Alexis, they understand what’s going on, but this is hugely traumatizing for Leo. The father he loves suddenly doesn’t recognize him and wants nothing to do with him. Alexis asks how Leo is handling it, and Tracy says, not well. Who can blame him? Honestly, she thought Ned was made of sterner stuff, and Alexis asks how she means. Tracy says, Eddie Maine was an alter-ego Ned created years ago, and Alexis says she knows he wanted to be a performer, but Tracy says, he wanted to escape his real life. Alexis asks if Tracy thinks he’s doing the same thing again, and Tracy says, it’s no secret Ned is facing accusations from half his family for turning in Carly and Drew to the SEC. Add to that, he’s working overtime to try and fix the business disaster of Valentin faking his own death. Alexis asks if she’s suggesting Ned fell on purpose.

The bailiff says, all rise, court is now in session. The honorable Judge Albert Kim presiding. Judge Kim takes the bench, and tells them, be seated. This is the United States versus Cain, in which the defendant, Andrew Cain, has been charged with insider trading. How does he plead? Drew looks at Carly, gets up, and says, I plead guilty, your honor.

Finn says, Gregory is talking about Tracy, and Gregory says, ding, ding. That woman is a piece of work. Finn says, Tracy is an acquired taste, and Gregory says, you don’t acquire a taste for arsenic, you avoid it. Finn laughs, and says, that’s a little harsh. He understands Gregory’s skepticism, but believe it or not, Tracy’s been a really good friend to him. Gregory tells him, so he keeps saying, and Finn says he knows Gregory didn’t like how she treated Chase. Gregory says, when she tore into him and attacked his character? and Finn says he didn’t like it either, but to Tracy, family is everything, and in her mind, she was just looking out for her granddaughter. Gregory says, his friend needs to find another way to express herself, and Finn says, trust him. There’s more to Tracy than the prickly exterior. You just have to dig a little deeper.

Tracy tells Alexis, she’s just suggesting that deep in Ned’s psyche, he’s relishing the idea of getting away from it all, and this accident affords him that opportunity. Alexis says, that’s quite a stretch, but Tracy says, is it really? It wouldn’t be so bad if it were just him alone, but he has a family, and Olivia is beside herself and Brook is a wreck. Alexis asks what the doctors said, and Tracy tells her, they’re useless. They say, be patient, time heals, blah-blah-blah. Alexis says, sounds reasonable to her, and Tracy wonders if there’s anyone in this hospital who’s willing to go to extreme measures to turn Eddie Maine back into Ned.

Sam says she hates this for Molly, but all they can do is love her and be a safe haven for her, and Kristina says she just can’t believe this. She also can’t believe, of the three of them, she’s the only one with functional plumbing. (Are you thinking what I’m thinking?) Not a single issue. Sam says, rub it in, why doesn’t she? and Kristina says she did do some research online. She didn’t want to bother Molly with questions, but endometriosis is a really painful condition. Can Sam believe Molly’s been suffering all this time? Alone? She hates that for Molly. Sam says she hates it too.

Sasha asks if they think it’s weird she’s not ready to move on yet, but Maxie says, no. It’s not even been a year since Brando died. Not that there’s a timetable. Lucy says, not at all. She thinks it’s natural not to know how and when and if you’re able to just let go. Sasha asks if Maxie felt that way with Nathan, and Maxie says, after Nathan died, the thought of moving on without him, starting a whole new life, was the most overwhelming feeling in the entire world. Sasha says, of course (🍷) she wants that for herself, and Lucy says, but if she can’t see it yet, really, it’s okay. Maxie says, everyone grieves differently and at different paces. She’s doing great. Lucy takes Sasha’s hand, and says, she really, really is.

Gladys says, they couldn’t have lifted anything off her fitness app. She didn’t bring her phone with her to the ball. Cody asks, who leaves their phone at home? and Gladys says, someone who couldn’t fit it in her purse. Ha! The waiter clears Sam’s table, and the whatchamacallit falls on the ground. Gladys asks, what’s that? as Selina walks in with Li, and steps on it.

 Selina picks it up, and walks over to Gladys. She says, this looks like a directional microphone, and Gladys says she has no idea what that is. Selina says, it’s meant to record conversations from a distance, and Gladys asks if Cody and Spinelli recorded her. Selina asks if one of them dropped this, and Cody says, sure didn’t. Spinelli says, how fortuitous that she picked it up so no one would trip, and Selina says, they wouldn’t want that on such a lovely day, would they? Forgive her if she seems intrusive, but she’s sensing some tension between the three of them. Is everything all right? Gladys says, it was all right until these two showed up and started harassing her out of nowhere. Cody and Spinelli protest, and Cody says, nothing Selina needs to concern herself with. They know how busy she is, don’t they Gladys? Selina says, not too busy to resolve a conflict. Shall they put their heads together and come up with a solution? Cody says, that’s not necessary, but Selina says, nonsense. Have a seat over there. She’ll help them iron this out. Cody goes to sit, and Gladys thanks her, following him. Selina blocks Spinelli, and says she’ll take it from here. She tosses the microphone into the pool.

Maxie says, just think of where Sasha was at this time last year, and Lucy says, they’re so proud of her. Sasha says she almost feels like a different person, and Maxie says, she’s still herself, just stronger and wiser. Lucy says, and infinitely more resilient. Sasha says she’s so lucky to have them in her corner, and Maxie says, always. Lucy says, always, and excuses herself to use the powder room. Sasha asks if Maxie thinks anyone has as much energy as Lucy, and Maxie says, no. Her phone rings, and she tells Sasha, it’s Georgie. Sasha says she’ll hold down the fort, and Maxie steps away. Sasha looks at a photo of Brando on her phone, and says, Brando, I have come a long way, haven’t I? But it’s true; I’m still not over you. And I have to wonder if I’ll ever be. She looks up, and Dr. Montague is there.

Kristina says, it must be pretty awful to want to be a mother, then find out you can’t be, and Sam says, it’s awful, and isolating and devastating, and a million other not so fun feelings. But the good thing is, once the dust settles, Molly and TJ are going to be okay. They’re going to be able to have a family. It’s just going to be a longer, windier road to get there. Kristina says she hopes they do try to have kids another way. Molly and TJ would be the best parents. Sam asks if she’s chopped liver, and Kristina says, no. She’s a supermom. And she’s a super aunt obviously. Sam says she doesn’t know about that. Scout told her that the last time Kristina took her and Danny out to dinner, she didn’t let them have dessert afterward. Kristina says, that’s because she let them have dessert before, and Sam says, she thought that was a good idea why? Kristina says, Scout left that part out. She’s taught her niece well.

Gregory says, Finn really thinks that highly of Tracy Quartermaine? and Finn says, in a realistic and tentatively appropriate way, yes. Gregory says he trusts Finn’s judgement. He’ll reserve his and give her another chance, but he won’t put up with her demeaning his son. Finn says, as well he shouldn’t, and Gregory says, perhaps… maybe he pushed back a bit too hard. He should probably clear the air. Shouldn’t he? Finn says, no, and Gregory says, apologize for the last time they spoke, but Finn says, that will get him absolutely nowhere.

Judge Kim says he understands the prosecution has reached a deal with the defendant. The SEC lawyer says, they have, and the judge says, and both sides are in agreement with these terms? The lawyer says, that’s correct, and Zeke says, they see eye to eye on all points. Judge Kim says, that’s where they lose him. He’s reviewed the deal and the facts on the case, and he finds it a miscarriage of justice. It’s his opinion that the defendant knowingly colluded with Miss Spencer in order to drive up the stock price of Aurora Media, with the desired result being significant and personal financial gain. As such, he sees no reason why Mr. Cain shouldn’t receive the maximum penalty for his crimes.

Zeke gets up and says, the maximum penalty for these charges is twenty years, and the judge says he’s aware. Zeke says, so we – and by we, he means the defense and the prosecution – believe that a sentence of that magnitude is too harsh in a case like this. Carly looks like she might have a heart attack, and Judge Kim says he believes what they’re proposing is too lenient. Zeke says, Mr. Cain has run Aurora Media with integrity since he founded it, not a single misstep or example of shady business practices. The judge says, until now, and Zeke says, but he is a family man, just as he’s a CEO, maybe even more so. When he proposed a merger of Aurora and ELQ, it wasn’t for his personal gain as the judge suggested. It was to benefit his family’s company. In fact, the merger never even came to pass. Meaning his client never saw any of the benefits, professional or personal. Just the opposite in fact. The company lost money. So the true miscarriage of justice here would be to make an example of a man who has no history of securities fraud. He simply made an error in judgement trying to help the people he loves.

A wet Spinelli finds Sam and Kristina, and Sam asks, what happened? Kristina asks if he got pushed in the pool again, and Sam says, again? Spinelli says he thought he and Kristina had an agreement that it stayed between them, and she says, sorry. Spinelli holds up the crunched microphone, and Sam says, no. He says, courtesy of Miss Selina Wu, and Sam suggests Kristina go get a drink. Kristina leaves, and Spinelli takes her seat. Sam says, start from the beginning, and he asks if she wasn’t listening, but she says she got waylaid by Kristina. He says, they were working Gladys, just like they discussed. They were inches from success when Miss Wu just sauntered in and ruined everything.

Li hands the pool waiter some cash, and says, see to it they’re not disturbed. The waiter says he’s got it, and tells the two whole people there that he’s sorry, but they’re closing the pool for a private function. They leave, and Selina says she has a meeting shortly, so let’s not waste time. She’d hoped they could resolve this issue without requiring her intervention, but it seems her hopes were naïve. Gladys says, he started it, and Cody says, did not. Selina says, enough. She can’t have both of her favorite players at odds. Her game is a place of harmony. Make peace now. Gladys says she can’t make peace when Cody is still spreading lies about her, and Cody says, she’s trying to get him sent to prison. Selina says, this is how it’s going to work. Gladys is going to see to it that the charges against Mr. Bell are dropped. Gladys says, with all due respect, that’s not her call, and Selina says, it’s Gelhorn Jewelers’, but she’s their star witness. Without her, they don’t have a case. Amend her statement. Say she’s since remembered that the night of the Nurses Ball, the clasp on her bracelet was loose. Cody says, and what? Fell off of her wrist and into his jacket pocket? Selina says she’s confident a cater waiter from that evening will come forward and testify they found it on the floor near Cody’s things. The waiter thought it belonged to Cody, and put it in his jacket pocket for safekeeping. Matter settled. Cody says, sounds good to him, and Selina says, what about Gladys?

Sasha tells Dr. Montague, hi, and he says he was on his way out when he saw her sitting there, so he thought he’d say hello. She says she doesn’t suppose he missed the part where she was talking to the picture of her dead husband, and he says he might have noticed that. She promises she’s not losing it again, and he asks if he can sit. She says, sure, and he says he doesn’t think she’s losing it. What he observed was a grieving woman expressing her emotions in a healthy way. It’s good to let her feelings out. Just look what happened when she bottled them up after her son died. The fact that she’s allowing herself to go places she’s scared of is progress. She thanks him, and says, it means a lot. He gets up, and says he’s looking forward to their next session. She says, her too, and he leaves.

Finn says, Tracy isn’t a touchy, feely kind of person, and Gregory tells him, you don’t say. Finn tells him, he does say. She’s got zero patience for this type of thing. Gregory says, then what does he do? Chase is in love with her granddaughter. Hopefully, Chase and Brook will be together for a long time. Wouldn’t it behoove them all to get along? Finn doesn’t know what to tell him. Gregory can try to make some roads there, but Finn doesn’t think he’ll succeed. Gregory says, that sounds like a challenge, and Finn says, it most certainly was not. Gregory says, you never know. Tracy might come around. They’re both grown-ups. If he comes to her openly and honestly, why wouldn’t she respond in kind?

Alexis asks Tracy to define extreme measures, because the last time Tracy went to them, it didn’t work out so well… for her. Tracy asks if Alexis wants to rehash the past. No? What she means by extreme measures is medical equivalent of shaking him until he snaps out of it. Alexis says, that sounds possibly unethical, definitely illegal, and Tracy asks what she’d suggest. Alexis says she’d suggest a gentler route. Instead of challenging Ned’s worldview, which will just make him dig his heels in deeper, just go along with it. Let him believe he’s Eddie Maine.

Spinelli tells Sam that he’s curiously suspicious about how deferential Cody and Gladys became when Miss Wu entered the scene. Sam says, and Selina really couldn’t have wanted to be peacemaker? and he says, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. And of all people, why would she insist on wanting them to come to an understanding? Sam says, and what is the nature of Selina Wu’s relationship to Gladys, and to Cody?

Gladys says she can’t just amend her statement. She’ll look like a complete flake. And what about Sasha? What’s her daughter-in-law going to think? Cody says, that she’s the lying liar that she is? but Selina says, on the contrary. Everyone will be grateful that no one was unjustly punished. She’ll be a hero. Gladys says, fine. They’ll do it Selina’s way. Selina says, and Cody. Whatever problem he has with Gladys, he’s going to drop it. Cody says, she doesn’t understand. Sasha’s his friend… Selina says, there will be no unnecessary conflict in her games, and Cody asks why she’s protecting Gladys. Selina says, simply put, none of your business, and Cody says, have a nice day. He starts to leave, but Selina says, not so fast. She asks Li to take Gladys to the bar for a drink, and Gladys says, don’t mind if I do, walking ahead of him. Selina says, no one can know Cody works for her, and Cody says he gets it. She says, except she doesn’t think he does. If he did, he wouldn’t try to make trouble and draw unwanted attention to her business. There’s a lot of money at stake. Keep his mouth shut… or she’ll shut it for him permanently.

Maxie and Lucy come back to the table, and Lucy says she ran into a big fan of their Deception products, and boy, could that woman talk. Sasha says, unlike Lucy, and Lucy says she wants to apologize for bringing up all that Cody nonsense, but Sasha says she’s glad Lucy did. Lucy says, a few minutes ago Sasha wasn’t so glad, but Sasha says she doesn’t want to live in denial anymore. She did that before, and it sent her down a dark path. She doesn’t want to go backwards. Maxie says, that’s good to hear, and Sasha says she’s got enough to handle ending her guardianship. So as for whether or not Cody has feelings for her, it doesn’t matter. It’s clear his presence in her life makes things more complicated. Maxie says, with Gladys she means? and Sasha says, Gladys means a lot to her. Gladys has helped her in ways no one else could understand. So she’s resolved to ending her guardianship, and maintaining a relationship with Gladys.

Selina walks up behind Gladys, saying her name, and causing Gladys to nearly choke on her drink. She says, Gladys never responded to her text. Selina was worried something might have happened to her. Gladys gives her an envelope, saying, first installment. Selina says she’d hoped Gladys would pay back the entire amount, and Gladys says she will. Like she told Selina, she has to break it up into chunks. She can’t transfer a huge amount at once; Sasha will notice. Selina says, very well, but don’t forget about the interest. Which makes it in Gladys’s best interest to pay the loan back as soon as possible. Dr. Montague says, Miss Wu, and Selina says, Monty. One moment? He tells her to take her time, and she leaves with Li. Monty goes over to Gladys, and says, nice seeing her again. He couldn’t help but overhear. It sounds like she’s in a tough spot with their friend Selina. Gladys says she owes Selina money, and he says he’d be glad to help her settle her debt. She says, he’d do that for her? and he says, of course (🍷). But not without a favor in return.

Alexis says, if he thinks he’s Eddie Maine, why not treat him like he’s Eddie Maine? and Tracy says, that is the worst idea she’s ever heard. Alexis says, okay. Never mind then. Tracy says, so what Alexis is telling her is, in order to rid Ned of his delusions, they should lean into them? Alexis tells her, she’s saying, if they allow Ned to work this out on his own, without constant opposition from Tracy, maybe it would help him get over it. Tracy asks when Alexis got her therapist certification. Was that handed out with her last sobriety chip? Alexis says, she’s impossible, and Tracy says, she’s an idiot. Gregory sees them, and ducks around the corner.

Judge Kim says, committing a crime, even if it is for love of one’s family, is still a crime. However, considering the defendant’s record since founding Aurora Media, along with the fact that the merger was never finalized, he’ll allow that the maximum penalty is not warranted. Given the charges, the proposed deal of six months is still too lenient. He hereby sentences the defendant to serve three years. Surprise all around. From me too. He can go over the SEC’s head? I dunno about that.

Tomorrow, Gregory tells Tracy, back the hell off; Ned/Eddie says, they’re kidding him; Josslyn tells Sonny, it’s the best she can do right now; and Carly says, there’s been some kind of mistake.

🏥 Spreading It Thin…

The downside of working on a soap.

Laura Wright Shares A GH Secret About Carly and Drew!

🛹 Thanks To the Boogaloo…

Everyone’s got to start somewhere.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kimberly-mccullough-thanks-the-man-who-changed-her-life

🥀 Heartache Strikes Again…

Geez, this poor woman needs to catch a break.

Kristina Wagner Mourns the Death of Her Beloved Mother, Carolyn

🍊 If You’re Craving Oranges…

In case yesterday’s smack talk wasn’t enough.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 17, Episode 3 Recap: We Cut It Close(ed)

🤼‍♀️ Of Course They Do…

A better show might be to lock them in a room until there’s a clear winner.

REPORT: Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga Want Their Own Spinoff Shows Amid RHONJ Feud, Plus Teresa Throws New Dig at Melissa as Fans React

🌪 And In a Surprise Twist…

Reality worlds collide.

Lala Kent Confirms Teresa Giudice Unfollowed Her After WWHL Diss, See What the Vanderpump Rules Star Said About Her Marriage to Luis Ruelas

🍸 VanderPast and Future…

Highly doubtful this was staged, although I’d buy that producers knew about it. Especially if it was going on while they were filming. And Sandoval did already have a storyline going with the Schwartz & Sandy’s mess.

All the Indications That Scandoval Was Staged

What’s to come. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe.

Alex Baskin Addresses Rumors of Former Cast Returning to Vanderpump Rules

🐩 Permanent Guests…

I’ve actually seen the kitty at the Algonquin. Although I’m not sure which number it was.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/hotel-pets-america

🥾 On the Beaten Path…

Finish off your week tomorrow with some soap, a pot of tea, and a side of quotes, topped off by music. Until then, stay safe, stay sharing knowledge, and stay remembering that grief has no timetable. Everyone grieves differently and at different paces.