What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the pool, Drew says, business is so much better conducted outdoors, and Michael says, that’s why deals are closed on the golf course. He’s sorry the talk with Ned didn’t go well, and Drew says, the have many more holes to play, and that’s officially the end of the golf metaphor. He hands Michael his tablet, and says he thinks once they show this to Ned, Ned is going to have a change of heart. Michael asks if this is right. There’s been a 52% increase. That would mean the company is… Drew says, skyrocketing is the term he believes Michael is looking for, and Michael says, that’s incredible. Carly walks in, and Michael says he wonders who’s buying all these shares. Carly says, you’re welcome.

At the MetroCourt bar on the phone with Dex, Sonny says, something’s come up; it’s personal… Yeah. He’ll get back to Dex with the instructions.

Jordan walks over to Martin and Valentin’s table, and apologizes for the interruption. Valentin asks how he can be of service to her and the good people of Port Charles today, but she says, actually she’s here to see Martin. His office told her where to find him. Martin says, they told him that she was on her way, and Valentin thanks him for the heads up. Martin says, they’re not doing anything criminal until 4 o’clock; he thought it would be a nice surprise. He asks Jordan how he can help, and she says she got a call from the Bureau. It’s about his brother.

Spencer says, surprisingly, Ava isn’t asking for much, and Laura says, define not much. He says, in exchange for a weekly allowance from his trust fund, he just has to remain at Windymere. Laura says, Ava wants him to stay? and he thanks her, saying, his confidence can always use a boost. She says she’s just trying to keep up. The last she heard, he and Esme staying at Windymere was causing friction. So what changed?

Ava tells Nikolas, all she wants is for them to be open and honest with each other going forward, and he says he totally agrees. That’s why he found the perfect way to thank her for giving their marriage a second chance. He wants a divorce. She asks, what happened to working things out? and he says, doesn’t she see? This marriage of theirs, there’s no saving it. It’s dead.

Esme tells Ryan, she’s playing the long game, waiting for the right time for Ava to learn about Nikolas’s infidelity. He says, he sees, and she says she knew he’d understand, taking his hands. He says he does, and grips her hands tightly. She says, that hurts, and he says, it’s meant to. Because words can’t possibly express his disappointment.

Felicia goes up to the guard outside Ryan’s room, and says she hopes he can help her. Her name is Felicia. He says he knows who she is. Before he retired from the force, he worked under her husband. He’s a good man. She says she couldn’t agree more, and he asks what he can do for her.

Esme tries to pull away, but Ryan won’t let her. She tells him to listen to her. His plan is good, but hers is better. Felicia walks in, and asks just who Ryan thinks he’s fooling.

Carly says, she told them she would, even though Michael wasn’t sold on her investing in Aurora, and Michael says he specifically asked her not to. She says, she thinks the big picture here is really important. The stock… He says, is soaring. Is that because of her? She says, Aurora is trading on the open market. Anyone can buy in, and she just made sure the right person did. Drew says, it’s not like they could have stopped her, and she says, Aurora’s shares are a hot commodity. Michael asks how many unique investors they acquired today, and Drew looks at his tablet. He says, not as many as would they would have liked. It looks like Carly did buy the most significant percentage of shares. Michael asks her, how many shares did she buy?

Martin asks what Cyrus has done now, and Jordan says, there’s strong evidence that Cyrus couldn’t have been responsible for the attack on Martin and the mayor when they were in protective custody. Martin says, Laura confronted him about it. She said, he insisted it wasn’t him. She said he appeared genuine. Jordan says, it appears that, for once in his life, Cyrus was telling the truth, and Valentin asks, who was responsible for the attack? but Jordan says, it appears the Bureau’s investigation hasn’t determined yet who targeted them. Martin says, so it appears there could still be a threat. Does his sister know? She says she spoke with the mayor before she reached out to his office, and he thanks her for the update. She tells him to give her a call if he has any information or concerns, and leaves. Martin tells Valentin, full half the glass. Maybe his brother found religion after all. Valentin says, Martin doesn’t have to laugh this off on his account. He can admit he’s worried.

Jordan goes over to Sonny, and tells him that she just wanted to say a quick hello. He says, now she has, and she tells him, okay, take care then. She starts to leave, but he says, wait. She has something of his, and he wants it back.

Spencer says he doesn’t blame Laura for having whiplash. Suddenly Ava’s determined to fix her toxic marriage, and work things out as a family – God knows what that means – when not too long ago she was willing to bribe him with his trust fund to move out and take Esme with him. Laura says, Ava was going to bribe him to move out? and he says, it was the exact same deal, but in a different direction; five figures a week, take Esme, and go. His father was furious. She says, not to mention hurt. He makes a skeptical noise, and she asks him to put down his animosity for a minute, and pick up a little thing called empathy. He says he was going to work out things with his father anyway. So if Ava was going to give him money for an inevitability, why shouldn’t he take it? She says, his relationship with money has always been problematic. He says he realizes that, and she says, does he now? He says, she’ll be happy and proud to know his priorities have changed, and she says, really? So what’s most important in his life now?

Ava says, he just told her that their marriage is dead? and Nikolas takes it she has questions. She says, yeah, she does; starting with, what the hell is going on? How can he say he wants to fix their marriage, then seconds later say that it’s dead? He says, because their marriage, the one they’ve been struggling with, has been in the death throes for a while. Now that they’re ready to move forward, they have to let it go. She says, if he’s leaving her, just say so, but he tells her, of course (🍷) he’s not leaving her; he’s doing exactly the opposite – by ending this marriage. She says, he wants a divorce, and he says, they can clean the slate; remarry. For real this time… for keeps.

Felicia says, Ryan may think he looks all harmless, sitting there in his chair, but his eyes give him away. Esme says, Dr. Chamberlain is here to receive medical attention, not visitors. Felicia says, and she is? and Esme says, Esme Prince. And she is? Felicia says, Esme isn’t a nurse, but Esme says she works at Spring Ridge. She’s here to attend to a patient. Felicia says, inmate, and Esme asks if Dr. Chamberlain wants this visitor her. He blinks once, and she asks if he’s sure. He blinks again, and Felicia says, one blink for yes, two for no; is that right? Esme says, it is, and Felicia says, and for more complex communication, they use a board with letters. Esme says, yes, and Felicia says, got it. It looks like they’re been chatting away, one letter at a time. She tells Ryan, he may be locked in, but as long as he has the ability to express himself and share his poisonous thoughts with another human being, he’s just as dangerous as he ever was.

Martin tells Valentin, what? Me worry? (A nod to Mad Magazine?) Why should he be worried? It’s not his first go-around as a marked man. Valentin tells him, just say the word, and he’ll get Martin round the clock security, and Martin says, Valentin would do that for him? Valentin says, for him? No, but Martin handles his affairs, and he can’t risk that information falling into the wrong hands. Martin laughs, and says, Valentin is a sensitive son of a bitch, isn’t he? As much as he appreciates the offer, he has to say no. He’s not really worried about himself; he just doesn’t want anything to happen to Laura. Valentin says, Martin and Laura have gotten pretty close, haven’t they? and Martin says, more than close; they’re family. He’d do anything to protect her.

Laura asks Spencer to tell her about his new priorities, and he says, he doesn’t like Ava still, and he’s not sure he ever will, but he can recognize she’s important to the people who matter to him. And if his father loves her, that is something he can learn to live with. She says, good. Really, really good, and it’s about time. He says he thought she’d think so, and she says she does. She’s glad he’s finally realized he doesn’t have veto power in his father’s marriage, but she’s still bothered by something. She doesn’t understand this arrangement he has with Ava. He says she just wants him to live there; making up with his father is his choice. She says, so reconciliation is free of charge, and he says, if it’s costing anybody, it’s him. She says, of course (🍷) it is. But does he really think he can reconcile with his father with Esme around?

Esme says she doesn’t know who Felicia thinks she is, but if she doesn’t leave, Esme is going to have to tell the guards she’s harassing Ryan. Felicia asks who Esme thinks let her in. Besides, Ryan told Esme that he wants her here. We go way back; don’t we? He blinks, and Felicia says, one for yes. So how much time has Esme spent with Ryan? Esme says, enough, and Felicia says, Esme may think she’s helping him, doing a service, but he’s a homicidal psychopath. Esme says she’s familiar with what Dr. Chamberlain has been accused of, and Felicia asks why Esme keeps calling him doctor. He lost his license to practice before Esme was born, and for good reason. Esme tells her, if you say so, and Felicia says she knows so. He maimed, and manipulated, and tortured, and tormented. Esme should be careful. He’s very good at getting what he wants from people. Esme says she’ll take that under advisement, Miss… She’s sorry, she didn’t catch Felicia’s name. Felicia says, Mrs. Felicia Scorpio, and Esme asks how she knows Ryan. Felicia asks if Ryan wants to tell her, or should she?

Michael says he didn’t want Carly taking this big of a risk, but she says, it’s her risk to take. Michael says he respects that, but how much is liquid? and she says she met with her financial advisor, and took a calculated risk. Drew says, which is not really an answer, but she says, it’s all the answer they’re going to get. Aurora needed a jump start, and she needed to speculate, and look; it’s already paid off, for all of them. Michael says, so far, and Carly says she thinks it’s time to give credit where credit is due.

Sonny says, he has a ship sitting in the harbor, and every minute it sits there, he loses profit and goodwill, and Jordan asks, what’s the cargo? He says, coffee, and it has a shelf life, and she tells him, take it up with the harbormaster. He says, he thought because she was so gracious to come over and say hi, he’d take it up with her. The harbor patrol still works with the PCPD, right? She says, they do, but dock bureaucracy is hardly in their purview. She’s sure they’re just dotting their i’s. He says he’s just asking, what’s the hold up? but she says she honestly doesn’t know. She’s afraid she can’t help him. He says, of course (🍷) she can’t. He doesn’t know what’s worse; people who watch you burn or people who light the match. She says, this isn’t about the harbor patrol or the PCPD. What’s really eating him? He says, forget about it. He’ll let his lawyers handle it. She says she heard about the hearing, and he says, it’s front page news. She says, when he testified, he knew he’d be letting someone down. It can’t be easy for him. He says, tell his son that, and she says, he wants to talk about sons? Let’s talk about hers. He says, her doctor son? and she says, when he first arrived in Port Charles, did it occur to Sonny, or anyone, that medicine would be his path? He says, TJ was an angry kid, and she says, angry, troubled, rebellious, especially toward his mother. He says, now look at him. She’s got to be proud. She says she is, but it’s a long road. There were moments she wasn’t sure they’d ever get through, but they did, and she’s sure Sonny will too. He says, he appreciates the thought, but it’s different. TJ wasn’t hell bent on destroying her.

Drew says, this calls for a toast, bringing over three glasses of champagne, and Carly tells Michael, come on. Michael says he’s not happy about this, but he appreciates it, if that makes sense. Carly says, Michael and Drew are doing something huge, and she’s just honored to be a part of it. Michael says he guesses there’s only one thing left to say; to Carly. Carly says, yes! and Drew says, to Carly, ELQ, and Aurora, may they long reign together. Carly says, and here’s to getting rid of Valentin Cassadine, and they clink glasses.

Valentin tells Martin, he can appreciate the desire to protect one’s family, and the willingness to go to any lengths to do it. Martin asks if everything is all right, and Valentin says, it will be, once the voting goes his way. Martin says, about that. What’s the probability Ned is going to come down on his side? Shouldn’t they be formulating some kind of a Plan B? Valentin says, there is no Plan B. Ned goes against his family, and comes over to Valentin’s side, or it’s game over. And Valentin’s not worried, because Ned will.

Laura says, given how Ava feels about Esme… Spencer says, hates; she hates Esme. Laura says, that makes her think his and Esme’s presence won’t make anything easier, and Spencer says, for whom? She says, anybody, and he says, much to their mutual shock he and Ava are willing to compromise. As for Esme, he’s going to make sure she doesn’t stand in the way of progress. She says, he sounds very determined, and he says he is, for several of the right reasons. She says, just don’t let money blind him from the lessons he learned without it, and he says he won’t. She says, if that’s the case, maybe he won’t give up his job, and he says, his job here? She asks how many jobs he has, and he says, Cameron can tell her that he doesn’t have the patience for serving. Cameron covers his shifts all the time, cleans up his messes, and he would be certainly no great loss to this institution. She says, she’ll take his word for it, and he says, speaking of Cam, how’s his mother doing? She says she thinks that’s something he should ask Cameron himself, and he says he’d love to. He’s just not sure what to say. She says, he could start with, how are you? Then move on to, how are his brothers? Then ask how his mother is doing. And he could keep, I’m your friend and you can say anything to me in his back pocket in case he needs it. He says, she makes it sound easy, and she says, he’ll never know until he tries. She’d like to see him work things out with all of his friends; Trina too. He says he and Trina don’t have a friendship, and never will. Not as long as he’s with Esme.

Ava says, Nikolas wants a divorce so they can stay together? and he says, exactly. She says, that seems like a lot of extra steps just to end up in the same place, but he says, he wants them to be on equal footing; not just emotionally, but financially. She says, they already tore up the post-nup. As far as romantic gestures go, it was quite unforgettable actually. He says, divorcing without preconditions entitles her to half of his assets, excluding what’s entitled to Spencer of course (🍷). Does any part of this appeal to her? She says, there was a time it would have, and he says, not anymore? She says, they’ve just come through one of the biggest challenges of their marriage, and they’re still working their way back to each other. They haven’t even slept together yet. He asks if that’s what this is about. That’s not a problem. They consummated their marriage; they can consummate the end. She says, it’s not about sex really. It’s about something much deeper. What happens if they sever this union, and they’re not strong enough to withstand the next challenge? If they untie this knot, there’s no guarantee they’ll tie a new one.

Laura says, Spencer and Trina aren’t friends right now. Can he blame Trina? He chose Esme. He says he didn’t want to choose, but Esme kept forced the issue. She can be territorial. Laura says, she’s insecure; she’s all alone in the world. He asks if that’s what Esme told her, and Laura says, Esme told her that she never knew her biological parents, and that her adoptive parents were distant and cold. Maybe that’s part of what drew them together; they both grew up without a mother. Spencer says, maybe Esme would have made different choices if her mother had been in her life… that’s rich. She says, he can have empathy for Esme and not allow her to control his life, and he says, that’s exactly right. The key to Esme is her past.

Felicia tells Esme that Ryan harassed and stalked her for years. Before his infatuation with Ava, she was his obsession. And that’s the short version. Esme asks Ryan if that’s true, and Ryan flutters his eyes. Esme sits in front of Ryan, and Felicia asks, what’s he saying? Esme says, let’s find out, and gets the board. Ryan blinks, and Esme points out U-B-O-M. She says, he says, Felicia is… the bomb? and Felicia laughs, saying, it’s Ryan’s version of a joke. Once upon a time Ryan crashed her wedding with an explosive device. She asks if Esme is his new obsession, and tells Esme, remember, he was obsessed with Ava Jerome, so he put a knife in her daughter. That’s what he does to women. He also left his brother to rot in an asylum for months. If he’s willing to do that to his own blood, what will he do to her? Esme says, she’ll bear that in mind, and Felicia says she’s not sure why she came here in the first place. She takes Esme’s place in the chair, and says, maybe it was to see if he’s still a threat, but mostly it was to show him that many of his intended victims are still standing. She gets up, and tells Esme, whatever you do, don’t let him get in your head. Because once you’ve served his intended purposes, he will turn on you, discard you, and probably kill you. It’s not like hasn’t done it many times before. Felicia leaves, and Esme looks at Ryan, who stares straight ahead.

Laura says, Spencer has a good heart, just like his father, and Spencer says he appreciates her faith. He knows they’ve both let her down, yet here she still is. She asks where else she’d be, and he says, city hall maybe, for one. The mayor of Port Charles shouldn’t have to expend so much energy keeping her grandson out of trouble. She says, the people she loves are the best part of her life. She’s where she should be. He says, if he got his heart from his father, his father got it from her. He hugs her, and says he loves her very much. She says she loves him too, and he says he promises to protect the people who have stood by him. And he will become the man she’s always told him that he could be. She says she knows he will, but now, he has to get back to work, and she leaves.

Drew asks how Michael really feels, and Michael says, about what his mother did? Angry she did it, but pleased it’s working. Drew says, there’s something else going on, and Michael says, she invested so much; the pressure’s really on them to succeed, more now than ever. Drew says, but they’re in a better position to make that happen, and Michael says, better, not certain. Drew says, okay. Does Michael want him to present the new information to Ned? Michael says, his mom brought up some good points. Right now, they need all hands on deck, not just Ned. Lucy walks by, and Drew says, well then, let’s go shore up some prospects. They go over to Lucy, and Drew says, this setting suits her. Michael asks if she’d like a drink, and she says she’d love one. She’ll have what Drew’s having. Michael says, as you wish, and Drew sits on the chaise next to her. He asks, how’s life post IPO? and she tells him, she’d like to say it’s all yachting and buying vineyards, but this precious moment is the first break she’s had in weeks. Drew says, no rest for the wicked, huh? and she says she’s certainly that. He says, and savvy, and resourceful. Michael says, with an impeccable sense of business, handing her a drink, and she thanks him. She says, look at you two. Clearly there’s a pitch here, so let her hear it.

Jordan says, aside from loving their kids, parents have two jobs. the first one is to raise decent, functional adults. The second is to never give up. He says, what if they give up on you? and she says, if he’s as tenacious about reconciling with Michael as he is about reclaiming that coffee shipment, they’ll reconcile soon. Carly joins them, and says hello to Jordan. She says she’s sorry to keep Sonny waiting; she appreciates him coming by. Jordan starts to leave, and Carly says, before she goes, are there any developments in Trina’s case? Jordan says she wishes she had better news, and Sonny asks if she means Trina could go to prison. Carly says, they all know Esme set her up, but Jordan says she can only testify to the evidence, not her personal convictions. She tells Sonny, don’t give up. Those roadblocks don’t last forever. She leaves, and Carly asks what that was about, but Sonny says, nothing. Just something going on at the docks. She called; he’s here. Are they going to have it out? She says, they’re not having it out in here.

Michael says, the winds are changing at ELQ, and they want to know if they can rely on Lucy’s support. Lucy says, that’s right. There’s a shareholders meeting real soon. Drew says, the last time she voted with Valentin, and they’d love to shift her allegiance to them. Lucy asks if Valentin has done a bad job, and Michael says, Valentin is an effective businessman, but he’s not a Quartermaine. Drew says, it’s a family business, and they believe it’s better for the bottom line if a family member runs it. She says, suppose she decides to back them in this return to nepotism – she’s not judging, by the way. What’s in it for her? Drew asks if she can keep a secret, and she says she’s the soul of discretion. Drew says, ELQ and Aurora are merging, and Michael says, that could mean even more growth potential for Deception. Drew says, with Aurora sharing a significant part of the market share, it will only expand, and Michael says, her loyalty could mean nearly non-existent advertising rates, and a significantly higher budget for marketing. Drew says, not to mention a wider global reach, and she says, they drive a very hard bargain. Michael says, so can they count on her vote?

Martin says, if the Quartermaines beat Valentin at this game, he had a good run. It’s not like he lost to an unworthy adversary. Valentin says, he’s not giving up ELQ, and Martin says he’s not suggesting that. He’s just saying, there’s more to life. It’s not like Valentin needs the company. If the vote goes sideways, Valentin can spend more time with Charlotte. Take up surfing. Focus on that beautiful but dangerous super spy lady friend of his. Valentin asks when Martin became so defeatist, but Martin says, make no mistake, he has as little intention of losing as Valentin does. Valentin asks if Martin is sure about that, and Martin says, he’s just pointing out it’s not the end of the world if this thing goes south. In fact, if it does, they can too. He hears Playa del Carmen is lovely at this time of year. Valentin tells Martin, listen close. When Nikolas and Ava took Windymere from him, he was at his lowest. And no matter how trivial ELQ seems to Martin, it was Valentin’s salvation. Martin says, message received and noted; failure is not an option. Valentin says, no, it is not. Not now. Not ever.

Ava tells Nikolas, marriage isn’t like an Etch-a-Sketch that you can shake and start over. Their history will still be their history. Their mistakes will be their mistakes. Their triumphs and failures will have led them to the same place. He asks if she can’t trust him when he says, starting a new chapter is the best way to move forward, and Laura knocks at the door. She says she hopes she’s not interrupting. Spencer told her she could find them here. Nikolas says, perfect timing. He and Ava have good news… he hopes. Laura says she hopes it’s that they’ve decided to work things out – it’s good to see Ava at home – and that they’ve made a commitment to making their decisions together from now on. Nikolas says he knows he has. Ava?

Esme says, Ryan mentioned Felicia, but it seems he left out a lot of details. He says, that’s because licentious, duplicitous women like Felicia, aren’t worth mentioning. Felicia is one of his great disappointments. Don’t end up on that list herself. She says she did what he asked, but he says, not all of it. She hasn’t told Ava that she slept with Nikolas, and why not? And don’t tell him it has something to do with the younger Cassadine. Esme says, if she’d exposed Nikolas’s infidelity right away, she would have exposed her agenda. Once they find out what she’s up to, it’s game over. They’ll form a united front, she’ll be kicked out, and Ava and Nikolas will be stronger than ever, and they don’t want that, do they? He says, no, they don’t, and she says, she knows this is the last thing he wants to hear, but Ava and Nikolas are genuinely devoted to one another. One betrayal may not be enough to split them up, which is why they need to compound this; make their split truly and utterly irrevocable. He says, she may have a point, but he’s getting anxious to move on to the next phase of his plan. He needs to spread his wings. She says, and he will; it’s just a matter of time. He says, he hopes she knows what she’s doing, and she says, trust me, daddy. What I have planned will blow that family apart once and for all.

Lucy says, Drew and Michael have given her tiny, measly one percent a lot to mull over, and Drew says, they’d appreciate a commitment as soon as she could give one. Michael says, Valentin can’t beat their offer, and she says she’ll be in touch. Ta, boys! She leaves, and Michael asks if Drew thinks she’ll bite. Drew says, he thinks she’s tempted. Thanks to Carly, their stock’s on the rise. They win over Lucy, show Ned the numbers… Michael says, and they’re sitting pretty.

Martin thanks Valentin for lunch, but Valentin says, he’ll be earning it. He wants Martin working around the clock to make sure he stays CEO. Martin says, if that’s the reason for this repast, he should have ordered himself the thousand dollar caviar burger with gold leaf. Valentin asks if Martin knows what gold leaf tastes like. It doesn’t. He’s better off with the frittata. Martin tells him, so says the last of the big spenders? In that case, he thinks he’ll get himself a doggy bag, eat the burger alone, and bill Valentin anyway. Valentin doesn’t have to finesse him into doing his job. Valentin says, there is one more things they need to discuss, and Martin says, his lovely Lucy and her pivotal one percent. He told Valentin that she’d already promised it to him. Valentin says, yes, she has, but it’s the prerogative of a woman to change her mind like the weather, and he’s afraid a mind like Lucy’s will be a perfect storm. Martin says he promises Valentin, he’ll do everything he can to persuade her, and Valentin says, you do that. And once he gets Lucy’s and Ned’s help to keep him in as CEO, those who think they can control him are in for one hell of a reckoning.

Felicia tells the reception nurse that she’d been waiting for Maxie and Bailey, but stepped away, and the nurse says, they’re still upstairs. They should be done soon. Felicia turns around to see Ryan being wheeled out. He stares daggers at her before he’s wheeled into the elevator.  

Esme walks into Kelly’s, and asks Spencer, how’d quitting go? He kisses, her and says, it’s his last shift. Cam wasn’t happy, but family comes first. She says, meaning his deal with Ava? but he says, her; she’s his family. She says, it’s nice to hear him say that again, and he says, he’s sorry it’s taken him so long. She says she hopes he knows that he’s her family too, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. What’s more important than family? So no more aprons. He wants to spend every single free minute he has by his baby girl’s side. They hug.

Ava says, her and Laura’s conversation helped clarify her thoughts. Laura was absolutely right, as usual. She and Nikolas have both made mistakes, but they’re ready to put that behind them, and move forward together. She takes Nikolas’s hand, and says, they’re beginning a new chapter. Laura says, that’s music to her ears, and Nikolas says, together, they’ll forge a future, where no problem is insurmountable, and where love will truly conquer all. But first, they have to get divorced. Laura’s smile turns into a whaat? look.  

In her office, Carly thanks Sonny for meeting with her, and he says, she told him it was about the kids. She says, it’s a very difficult time for them. In many ways, it’s easier for Avery and Donna, because they’re younger and don’t fully understand what’s going on. They just want to know their family still loves them. They’re all trying to reassure them of that. Josslyn has been terrific. She’s spending tons of time with them, even though she’s got a lot going on. Sonny says, he loves Josslyn. She’s like a daughter to him, despite what Michael said. Carly asks what Michael said, and Sonny tells her, after the divorce, and what went on with Nina, that he basically threw away his relationship with his kids. Can she believe that? She says, yeah, she can, and she agrees.

Tomorrow, Josslyn says she and Trina have a plan; Maxie tells Austin if he sticks with her, he’ll be fine; Nina tells Britt, they’re going to make them suffer; and Carly says she doesn’t know Sonny anymore.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Fornells, Menorca. The crew sits at a table on deck, drinking, and Gary says, it’s the last charter. Can they can believe it’s the end? It was the  funniest preference sheet meeting he’s ever been at. There’s a chick who doesn’t eat anything. They clink glasses, and Scarlett says, they should make the most of their time together. Gary asks if she wants to hang out tonight, and she says she does – with everybody. Colin asks Marcos about the gluten free guest, and Marcos says, it’s a heavy one; no pasta or rice. In Colin’s interview, he says he doesn’t think he’s seen Marcos like this before. He needs to be here for Marcos. He wants to see Marcos finish strong. He tells Marcos that he’ll help, but Marcos has got to learn to delegate. He wants Marcos to leave on a high note.

Scarlett and Gary sit on deck, but when Gary gets kissy, she suggests they go socialize. In Marcos’s interview, he says, it’s hard to have fun with the crew when he has a different problem. One of the guests has celiac disease, so he has to be careful. He doesn’t want to mess up the last charter. He starts making some bread, and Gary asks him to come have a drink. Marcos says he’ll be there in a second, and Gary tells Marcos that Scarlett pulled away when he tried to kiss her. In Gary’s interview, he says he doesn’t want Daisy to be angry. Maybe he should let Scarlett be. Marcos joins the crew, and they have shots. Gary has to run to the toilet, only to discover there’s no toilet paper. Lucky for him, Glenn is in the cabin, and Glenn suggests Gary use his tip from the last charter, but hands him a box of tissues. The guys take hurricane shots with the girls slapping them. I have to say, this is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen catch on with a group of people, and I’ve seen some stupid stuff. Daisy slaps Gary, and he spits his shot at her, then hugs her. In his interview, he says, that’s for being all up in his business. Kelsie goes to bed, but the others get in their bathing suits and in the hot tub. Daisy asks Gary for a dare, and next thing we know, Ashley is doing the worm. Scarlett has a shot out of Marcos’s navel, and more crew members do the worm. In Daisy’s interview, she says she knows it’s a school night, and they shouldn’t go crazy. They’re being naughty, but that’s tomorrow’s problem. Marcos and Ashley go swimming, and the crew goes to bed. Marcos says he’s never had this kind of fun, and he, Colin, and Gary roughhouse and laugh. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s going to regret this in the morning.

In the morning, Daisy says, all she can smell is tequila, and wonders if it’s in her hair. Marcos and Colin are still asleep, and Ashley says she feels fuzzy, but they were having fun. That’s all that matters. Barnaby asks how Ashley is doing, and she says, living. The deckhands do chores, and Gary says, it was a silly idea getting so drunk, like they don’t all know this. Marcos still not up, and Glenn finally knocks at the cabin when it’s three hours to charter. In Glenn’s interview, he says, he’s not their dad. If they’re hungover, it’s self-inflicted, and he doesn’t give a sh*t. He asks if Marcos had fun, and Marcos says, more than he should have. Glenn says, it’s just 52 hours until the season is done. Scarlett can’t find her radio, and provisions come in. Daisy says, f*** no. She doesn’t know if she can do this. Marcos is finally up and out, and says he’s dying. He wonders why everything is so heavy. Gary is glad to finally leave the bay they’ve been sitting in, and Glenn says he thinks they’ll be able to do some sailing. Thinking about the wedding is giving him a rash, and Colin asks if he’s ever done one before. Glenn says, almost; on the first charter. They had a massive bust-up. We flash back to (I guess) the first season, when two of the guests were supposed to get married, but had a fight instead. Glenn says, they probably broke up after the charter. Daisy and Gary tell their respective departments, looking good, and Scarlett doesn’t know how they did it. Glenn tells the crew to get dressed, since the guests are being picked up shortly. Scarlett bumps into Daisy, who drops a glass, and says, f*** my life. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s confident in himself, but dealing with a strict diet is intense. He’s drawing a blank. No garlic, onions, or parsley. It’s going to be bland food.

The guests arrive, and Glenn welcomes them, saying, they have a great trip planned. He’s heard there are going to be some interesting events. Co-primary bride-to-be Allegra says, he’s officiating, and Glenn acts surprised. He tells them that they’re going to sail to a nice bay where they can drop anchor. Daisy does the tour, and Colin checks in on Marcos, who says he’s making the cake tonight. Glenn tells Colin to fire it up, so they can get going. They pull anchor, and Allegra tells Scarlett that she doesn’t want her wedding dress to be an origami swan, and Ashley intercepts, saying, she’ll bring it to hang downstairs. In Ashley’s interview, she says, all she’s wanted is to prove to Daisy that she’s good at her job, and good with the guests. She wants to finish the season strong. Glenn thinks they can get in a good sail. The sails unfurl, and things fall and slide. Daisy says she has the worst hangover she’s ever had, and Marco says, he was hoping to work on the cake in between meals. In Marcos’s interview, he says, because one of the guests has celiac disease, he can’t have cross contamination, so everyone is eating gluten-free. Daisy serves lunch, and Marcos comes up to explain the dishes. The sails come down, and they dock in the bay. The guests ask Ashley about the rope swing, and guest Virgil is the first to jump off of it. Ashley cracks her head going up the stairs, and I laugh evilly.  Co-primary groom-to-be Gabe won’t let go of the rope, and nearly collides with the boat. He swings back on deck, and says he’s not good with heights. Glenn says, it’s the first time he’s seen that, and in his interview, he just laughs.

Glenn suggests the guests do some exploring, and Scarlett packs a bag for them. They get in the tender, and Gary takes them to see the caves. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and Gary takes pictures. Guest Matt proclaims the caves awesome, and they head back, Gary telling them to keep their feet and hands inside the ride. Glenn thinks a beach near a lighthouse will be good for the wedding, and the stews plan the decorations for tonight’s astrology dinner. Daisy suggests they wear glitter makeup and put up fairy lights. In his interview, Marcos says, he just has a dinner, two breakfasts, the wedding reception dinner, and a cake, and he’s out. In the crew mess, Daisy asks if Gary thinks he’ll get married, and he says, he wants kids, but unless she’s a yachtie, it would be difficult. He doesn’t want to be single his whole life. Colin says, sometimes, they’re right under your nose, and Gary says, Daisy! Scarlett tells Ashley that she’s over it with Gary, and dinner is served. The guests talk astrology, and guest Laura says, the food is because of her restrictions, so sorry, but the others thinks the food is fantastic. Virgil says, the crispy zucchini is dope. Daisy asks Colin to play music for the wedding, and he says he’d better practice. The guests ask Daisy to take photos of them after dinner, then turn in early, Allegra saying, she and Gabe have to write their vows. Marcos works on the cake, and in his interview, he says, somehow have to make a gluten free cake moist. He’s going to treat it like a woman; with a lot of love and passion, a little massage here and there.

Daisy says, it’s their last full day, and Gary grabs her, kissing her and saying, good morning. Colin asks how Marcos is doing, and Marcos says, good, but the cake took so long. In Marcos’s interview, he says, the cake is his biggest pressure. He’s going to decorate it between meals. It’s pretty much like a race, and it’s stressful. Allegra says she still needs to do her vows, but Gabe says he took a crack at it. She asks if she can see, but he tells her, no, as we all would. Daisy asks Scarlett to help serve breakfast, the featured dish being lobster benedict and regular benedict (my favorite!). Some of the guests go swimming, and guest Malee asks if Allegra is going to toss her bouquet. Allegra asks if there’s anyone particular she should toss it too, and Malee says, Daisy. Allegra says, she’ll have to be casual. In his interview, Marcos says, his mom is a baker, and it’s important that a wedding cake be separate from a regular cake. It can’t be sloppy, and has to be elegant. He needs to make his mom proud, so she doesn’t give him sh*t later. Gabe tells Glenn that they’re going to keep it short and sweet, and Daisy tells the stews to make the beach as nice as possible. In Daisy’s interview, she says she hopes Ashley shows growth, and that she delegates, organizes, and acts professional. Weddings are stressful, and if Ashely can do this, she can do anything. Gabe asks if Glenn is nervous, and Glenn says, a little. The tender is loaded up with decorations, and Gary tells the crew to set up as large an area as possible to keep people from coming too close.

The beach is crowded with people, and Colin says, kids are swimming. In Ashley’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to mess up these people’s wedding. Gary says, this is his worst day. He hates this. he reckons people will clear out by 6:30, which doesn’t give them much time. He radios Daisy, who tells him to be ready at 10 to 7. Marcos decorates the cake, and thinks they should get married on the boat. In Ashley’s interview, she says, the boys have no clue what they’re doing with the decorations. They have to step it up. This is her make it or break it moment. She tells them, it’s going to be awkward with people in the background. Malee helps Allegra get dressed, and she and the female guests have a shot. In his interview, Marcos says, he also has to do the reception dinner. Normally, he’d have a group of chefs helping him build the menu, but it’s just him. Glenn goes to the beach, followed by the guests minus Allegra, Glenn asks if this makes Colin want to get married, but Colin says, hold your horses. Gary goes back for bride, and tells her, everyone is waiting. She asks if Gabe is there, and Gary says, he doesn’t have running shoes on. At the beach, he helps her with her train, and Colin lifts her onto shore.  

Colin plays guitar, and the bride walks down the aisle, or beach as it were. Glenn says, they’ve come here to celebrate the coming together of two lives, and the occasion of them making a total commitment to one another. Gabe says he didn’t believe in love at first sight, but was struck when he met Allegra. He vows to always be by her side, no matter what. Allegra says, Gabe is the smartest person she knows. He’s the most thoughtful, and the kindest, and makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. It’s always been him, and will always be him. She loves him. Glenn says, may they be poor in misfortune, and rich in blessings. May they live out the meaning of this moment all the days of their lives. He pronounces them husband and wife, and they kiss. There’s cheering and crying, and a Just Married sign on the tender. Allegra tosses the bouquet, and Daisy catches it. Gary runs into the water, saying he’s not going to marry her, and she says, he’s such a d*ck.  

Next time, Daisy wants everything to be perfect; Ashley is in full panic mode; and Colin asks if Gary caused trouble last night.

💸 Cash Me Outside…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a side of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not taking things or people for granted, and stay never giving up. Roadblocks don’t last forever.