Tag Archives: Below Deck Mediterranean

July 25, 2022 – Josslyn Catches Sonny Threatening Felty, Captain Sandy Needs a Bosun She Can Trust & Something

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex shoves Felty down some steps in a stairwell, and Sonny comes out. He says, Felty. He’s heard a lot about Felty. Felty says, it’s all a big misunderstanding, and Sonny says, we are way beyond that. He comes down the stairs, as Dex shoves Felty up against the emergency door. Sonny says, Felty’s been exploiting Sasha Gilmore, pushing drugs on her, but Felty says, she asked for them, because apparently, he’s an idiot. Sonny punches him in the stomach, and Felty doubles over. Sonny tells Dex that he didn’t want to do that, and tells Felty, listen to me. He doesn’t want Felty to talk; Sonny just wants him to listen. Felty offends him, and people who offend him, they tend to disappear. Understand?

Valentin pours champagne at a table near the pool, when Anna walks in. He says, if memory serves, she likes roses, and hands her one. She thanks him, taking it, and says she also like champagne. He says, then he’s two for two, and asks her to sit, pulling out a chair. She does, and he picks up his glass, saying, to her, the most beautiful sight he’s ever seen, and they clink glasses. She says she can’t do this. She’s sorry. She doesn’t want to put up with this anymore. She picks up her bag, and he says, put up with what? She says, the dishonesty.

In the MetroCourt lobby, Ava says she’s going to need Nikolas’s help. He says, anything, and she says, martini first, yes? He agrees, and she says she has every intention of ordering a second, but under no circumstances should she be ordering a third, so don’t let her, no matter how much she insists she needs it. He asks why she’d need a third martini, and she says, to numb the pain of how badly Trina’s trial went today. He asks, what happened? when Spencer comes in. He greets them, and asks if they’d mind if he joins them. It’s important.

Oz seems like he’s having a hard time breathing, and pulls off his jacket. Esme says he’s not looking too well, and he asks what she did to him. He passes out on her shoulder, just as Curtis knocks at the door. Esme jumps up, and Curtis bangs harder, saying, Oz, open up. He tries the door, then kicks it open, seeing Oz passed out on the couch, but no Esme.

At the hospital, Molly brings TJ a smoothie, loaded with greens and antioxidants for immune support. He thanks her, and asks what she’s doing here. He thought she’d be tied up at the DA’s office until way late. She says she needed a mental health break. Trina’s trial has just become a glaring example of how broken their legal system is.

Carly lets Drew in, and thanks him for coming. He says, she told him she had a major announcement, and he wasn’t going to miss that. What’s she got? A plan to get her hotel back? She says, it’s way more important than the MetroCourt, and he says he guesses it is pretty major. She points him to the living room where Michael and Willow are waiting, and he asks if they’re here for the big announcement too. Michael says, actually, they are the announcement, and Willow says she’s pregnant. Drew says, get out of here, and Michael says, true story. Drew says, well, it’s about damn time this family had some good news, and congratulates Willow, hugging her.

Dex is about to toss Felty down another flight, when Felty says he’ll do anything. Sonny says he’s already done too much, and nods to Dex, who throws Felty to the floor instead. Dex kicks Felty, and Sonny says, they’re going to bury his body so deep, no one’s ever going to be able to find him. He nods to Dex again, and Dex beats Felty with a Billy club. Felty passes out, and Sonny puts his hand on Dex’s shoulder. He says, you bastard, a bullet would be letting you off too easy. Josslyn appears at the top of the stairs, and says, Sonny is so busted. She just recorded the whole thing, and he’s going down. Obviously, there’s some irony here, but really? She had to pick the good thing he was doing?

Curtis tells Oz to find the energy to wake up. He has some questions to ask Oz about a phone he sold a young lady. Someone’s future depends on it. He comes closer and says, Oz? He pulls Oz to a seated position, and says, you’re not hammered. What did you take? We see Esme hiding in another room, and Oz comes to a little. Curtis asks what he’s on. He’s just here to help Oz. What did Oz take? Oz says he doesn’t know; she gave him something. Curtis says, she who? What’s her name? Esme looks panicked, and Curtis says, stay with me, but Oz passes out again. Curtis takes his phone out, and calls for an ambulance.

Ava asks Spencer if Esme will be joining them as well, and Nikolas flashes back to That-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named. Spencer says, she doesn’t even know he’s here, and Ava says, in that case, have a seat. Although be warned, it’s been a very long and terrible day, so if a sparring match is what he’s after… Spencer says, it’s not, and asks, what about Nikolas? Is Nikolas okay that he’s here? Nikolas says, of course (🍷), and asks, what’s going on? Spencer says he was actually looking for Ava. What happened at Trina’s trial?

Valentin asks Anna to sit down, but she says, what’s the point? He says, please don’t end this before it starts – please. She sits again, and he thanks her. He says he hasn’t lied to her, and she starts to get up again, but he says, wait. By omission? Sure, he’s held things back; things he wishes he could tell her, but he can’t. She says, things like where he was when he was supposed to be at the clinic? He says, supposed to be? and she says she contacted them, which she can do, and knows he left the clinic weeks before he came back here. Where was he?

Molly says, when she was first assigned Trina’s case, she was conflicted, and TJ says he remembers. She says, could she do her job without being biased, or should she recuse herself? She made a choice to trust the system; the way the system is supposed to work. The prosecutor makes the strongest case they can, based on the evidence, and the defense makes the strongest case they can for innocence or extenuating circumstances, and the jury, given proper instructions from the judge, makes the call. He says, clearly, she put a lot of thought into this, and she says, the joke’s on her, because it turns out her role as prosecutor was never up to her. He asks what she means, and she says, ADA Arden pulled some strings, and now she’s loaded down with all these other assignments. Arden has effectively moved her off the case. He says, so instead of her asking Molly to recuse herself, Arden did it for her? and she says she loathes all these behind-the-scenes politics. That’s why she busted her butt for a law degree? No. She did it to pursue justice. He says, that must be insanely frustrating. He’s so sorry. She thanks him, and he asks if he can say something selfish. She says, sure, and he says he’s glad she’s not the one arguing to put Trina away. She says, they had many conversations, sometimes arguments when she joined the DA’s office, whether it was really possible to change the system from the inside. She’s starting think he was right. She’s fighting a losing battle.

Sonny asks what Josslyn is doing here, and she says, she had a very hellacious day in court today, so she decided to go for a run to let off some steam. She saw Sonny get out of his car, and thought, A, it was weird for him to be alone, and B, he was going down some sketchy alleyway. So she decided to follow him, and as a precaution, she pulled out her phone, and good thing, because she saw him and Mr. No Neck here beating the pulp out of some guy, and threatening to kill him and bury him where nobody will ever find him. She’s pretty sure that’s assault and premeditation, which will send him to prison for the rest of his life. So her hellacious day just got a whole lot better.

Drew congratulates Willow and Michael, saying, he’s so happy for them both. Carly passes out champagne, and Drew gives Willow some sparkling cider. He says, there’s a lucky kid in there. You just can’t be born into a family more loving. Carly says, if he’s referring to Michael, Willow, and Wiley, absolutely, but some of the other distant relations can be a bit prickly. Drew says, if she’s referring to the Quartermaines, he thinks prickly is too kind. More like backstabbing, blackmailing, and a lot worse than that. Carly says, Ned and Tracy maybe, but that doesn’t apply to them, and they’ve already established Drew is following Lila’s tradition. They’re the good Q’s. Drew says he knows what his mistake cost Carly, but Michael says, their mistake, which wasn’t attempting to merge the companies; that was a sound business strategy. Their mistake was trusting Ned. Carly says, amen, and Michael says, setbacks aren’t final. Carly says, amen again, and he says he means it. They won’t stop until they reclaim what she lost.  

Valentin says, Anna checked up on him, and she says she’s not proud of it. She really wrestled with how to proceed, but in the end, she trusted, but verified. He says, that’s how she knows about his time in the clinic, but she doesn’t know the whole story. Everything he’s done, he did for Charlotte. She asks what Charlotte has to do with him leaving the clinic, and he says he left for the same reason he put Charlotte in boarding school. He developed a severe staph infection that spread to his spine. As she can imagine, it’s particularly sensitive after all the corrective surgery he’s had. The first clinic wasn’t equipped to handle such a severe infection, so he was moved to a second clinic, where he underwent 30 days of intravenous antibiotics, and extensive physical therapy. It was one long winding road, but he made it.

Ava says, things went very badly for Trina in court today. Spencer might be happy to know that. Spencer asks why it would make him happy, and she says, because he’s seemingly loyal to Esme, and Esme framed Trina. Nikolas says he thinks it’s clear by now Spencer doesn’t wish Trina ill, and Spencer says, exactly the opposite. Nikolas says, at the same time, Spencer simply can’t write off Esme. His son is caught in a difficult situation.

Curtis asks where they’re taking Oz, and an EMT says, General Hospital. Curtis says he’ll meet them there, and an officer tells Curtis that they’ll take it from here. Curtis says he wants to check the apartment, as Esme looks for a way to escape, but the officer says, it’s officially a crime scene

Carly says, enough shoptalk. They’re here to celebrate their growing family. She just wants to say that when Nelle told them she was pregnant, it was difficult to find the joy, but she gave them Wiley, so they’ll forever be thankful. She takes Willow’s hand, and says she wants Willow to know, she’s kind, loving, generous, and Carly is so grateful Willow and Michael found each other. And she’s so excited for this family they’re creating… Enough. She doesn’t want to cry. Cheers. They clink glasses, and Drew says, to family.

Sonny bounds up the stairs, and says he doesn’t think Josslyn understands what she walked in on. She says, that’s fair. She’ll leave it up to the cops. He says she doesn’t want to do that, but she says she can’t wait. He says he knows she’s angry, and he doesn’t like how it ended with her mom; he regrets that. She says, now he regrets it, and he says, the pain the family is going through… but she says, no. The pain he put them through. He says, if she has him arrested, it’s not going to hurt just him; it’s going to hurt everybody else. Donna and Avery need their father. She says, they needed their father all the months he was gone, but he didn’t remember them, or couldn’t care to. He says he didn’t know who he was, and she says, Michael told her when Sonny was on the stand at Nina’s ridiculous visitation hearing, he stopped asking where he came from. He says, right, and she says, because he didn’t want to know? He was having too much fun with Nina to care about those little girls. They got by fine without him then, and they’ll get by fine now.

TJ gives Oz oxygen, and says a bunch of medical stuff to the orderly. Curtis comes into the hospital, and Molly asks if everything is okay. He says he’s checking on a guy the paramedics brought in, Oz Haggarty. She asks if he’s a friend, and Curtis says, no, but he could be a criminal witness to prove Trina was framed.

Spencer says, whatever else Ava thinks of him, he really does care what happens to Trina. Please just fill him in on the trial. Esme is about to walk in, sees them, and steps back. Ava says, maybe talking about it will help. For starters, Scott Baldwin had some kind of family emergency, so Trina is being represented by Diane Miller. Spencer says, that almost sounds like good news; Diane is badass. Ava says, she definitely can be, and Nikolas’s phone dings. Ava says, the ADA went on the offensive by calling Cameron and Josslyn as witnesses for the prosecution. Nikolas sees a text from Esme that says: Here outside the MetroCourt. Can you meet? Or do you want me to come to you? Spencer says, but Joss and Cam have been saying Trina’s innocent from the start.

Valentin tells Anna, he was in no condition to take care of Charlotte, so he trusted Victor to take her to boarding school. Anna asks, why not Laura or Nina? but he says, at the time, Nina was preoccupied with the Sonny Corinthos situation, and Laura had extensive mayoral and personal responsibilities. She says, they sound like valid reasons, if they were talking about anyone other than his daughter. She knows he’d do anything for her. He says he would. Not too many people know that. It makes her a target. So as much as he despises Victor – and he does – he felt Victor was best equipped to protect her. She says, from who? and he says, enemies from his past, on both sides of the law, of which there are many. He was flat on his back in a hospital bed, fearing for his daughter’s safety. She asks why he didn’t tell her what was going on.

Carly says goodbye to Michael and Willow, and Drew says he guesses he should go too. She says, if he has to, but he says he doesn’t have to do anything.

Sonny tells Josslyn, she can say what she wants and think what she wants, but if she sends him to prison, does she think Kristina is going to thank her? Dante? Donna and Avery? She says she notices he left Michael off that list, and he says, what about when Donna and Avery are old enough to understand what happened? They’re going to see their father in prison, and Josslyn did that? She says she loves how he’s making this her fault. Like she forced him to beat up some guy in an alleyway. That was all him. Just like sleeping with Nina and trashing their family was all him. He says he’s not going to sit here and try to tell her that there’s two sides to every story, but punishing him and punishing her siblings are two different things, and he thinks she can tell the difference. He goes up the stairs, and Josslyn starts to leave, but Dex says, wait. None of this was his idea; he had no choice. She says, explain then, but keep his distance, and just so he knows, she has pepper spray.

Anna tells Valentin, she understands what it’s like to be scared for your child’s safety; to know that at any point they may be made to pay the price for stupid decisions you made in the past. She went through that with Robin, and could have helped him if he’d told her what was going on. He says he knows, and she asks, why didn’t he? He says he was helpless. He was flat on his back in a hospital bed, and then he was hobbling around on a walker. He didn’t like her seeing him like that because it takes him back to when they first met, and all she felt for him was pity.

Nikolas says, there’s a situation at Cassadine Industries; he needs to make a call. He leaves, and Spencer says he doesn’t get what could have gone wrong at the trial. Josslyn would never say anything against Trina. Ava says, she didn’t mean to. It’s just, the more Joss tried to defend Trina, the more damage she did.

Nikolas asks Esme, what’s this about? and she says she was hoping he’d be able to restore her internship at Spring Ridge, but while she was waiting for him… He says, what? and she says, she realized this secret their keeping is weighing on her. She can’t keep going like this; she wants to come clean. He says, she doesn’t mean that, but she says she does. She’s sick of the cover ups, the lies of omission. She wants to tell Ava and Spence that they slept together.

TJ says, the paramedics said a bystander called 9-1-1; was it Curtis? Curtis says he wasn’t exactly a bystander; he went looking for the guy. Oz Haggarty is a bartender at The Highsider, and he also sells black market phones like the one that was planted in Trina’s bag. Molly says, Trina has maintained from day one that the phone was planted, and Josslyn has been just as adamant that Spencer’s girlfriend Esme Prince is responsible for the revenge porn and framing Trina. Could this Oz ID Esme as being the one who bought the phone? Curtis says, that’s the hope, but when he found Oz, he was too out of it to answer questions. The orderly pops out of Oz’s room, and tells TJ that Oz is coding. TJ runs in.

Dex says, if Josslyn gives that footage to the cops, it won’t just be Sonny who gets arrested; he will be too. She says, maybe he should have thought of that before going to work for a gangster, and Dex flashes back to Michael telling him, coming to the Quartermaine estate was out of line. His family is off limits. Dex says, it’s ironic, considering Michael hired him to take down his father. Dex tells Josslyn, his work situation is complicated, and she says, he helped attack a man. Dex clubbed him unconscious and planned to kill him, but Dex says, no. They weren’t going to kill him. At least he didn’t think they were. As far as he knew, they were just supposed to scare him.

Carly asks if Drew would like more champagne, and he says, who is he to say no to that? She pours them both a glass, and I can hear the bubbles hiss. Um… I don’t think champagne is that loud. He says, to the new baby, and she says, can he believe it? He says he can, and she guesses she can too. They clink glasses and he asks how she’s doing. She says, great, but he says he means it. How is she doing really? She says, okay. She bounces from fury to frustration all day, and he says, sounds like fun. Fury and frustration over Nina? and she says, yeah, and the fact Nina now owns her hotel. He says, half her hotel, and she says, but you know what? She’s so grateful for everything she still has. He says, it sounds like she’s all over the place, and she says she is, but Michael’s right; it’s just a setback. And as someone who’s been down this road, she would know. She asks why he’s not throwing her out a window, and he says, what? She says she’s had some bad things happen to her, but nothing compared to him, and he says she’s right. That was outrageously insensitive of her. He gets up, and says, come on. She asks what he’s doing, and he says, getting ready to throw her out a window. He tells her to look at him, and says, no comparisons. The past is behind him, and sometimes he lets himself think about it, but only to realize how good he has it now. She says, she agrees, and he says, of course (🍷) it could always get better. He smooths her hair, and she says, any idea how? He says, one or two, and they’re about to kiss, when Sonny barges in. He says, Carly’s got to get her daughter under control.

Nikolas tells Esme to think about it,  but she says, she has. It’s all she can think about. He says, telling Ava and Spencer about their encounter, it’s only going to cause unnecessary pain. It’s not like they have any feelings for each other. It was a one-time lonely vulnerability. It’s better to put this behind them. She says she just wishes she knew there her life was going. She had an internship at Spring Ridge, and was going to be studying psyche at PCU; now it’s all up in the air, and she feels like the only way she can get a fresh start is if she gets the truth out. He says he gets that. If the internship at Spring Ridge makes her feel grounded, he’ll get her reinstated. She says, what if it’s already too late? She might have missed her window to use it to get into the psyche program. He asks her to give him until tomorrow. He promises she’ll get everything she wanted. She says she knew he’d come through, and hugs him.

Ava tells Spencer that Josslyn said in her testimony, Trina would never buy a black market phone. Then the ADA called Officer Cabrera to the stand, and he said Trina tried to do just that. Spencer says, he said that about Trina? Why? She says, apparently, Joss and Trina went to find the man they believe sold Esme the phone, and tried to buy one themselves in the process. (Wait, what? No one ever said that.) Spencer face palms, and she says, ironic, isn’t it? Trina tried to prove her innocence, and only made herself look more guilty.

Anna says, she and Valentin aren’t the same people they were when they met. She’s not an angry young woman anymore, and he’s not… He says, a scarred hunchback, and she tells him, don’t do that. That was part of his transformation… She doesn’t have any illusions about him. She knows he’s done regrettable things; so has she. But she’s seen him work to be better; to grow and be more honest, to try to make amends. He wonders if she knows how bad he wishes he could make amends, and she says, it’s always going to be like this. They’re never going to walk a straight line, are they? This whole process is just going to be a series of stops and start. He says, it feels like two steps forward, two steps back sometimes, and she says, are they ever going to trust each other? Did she just break that trust by checking up on him? He asks why she did, and she says, ever since he got back, he’s been different, and she wanted to figure out why.

At the stables, Michael says he hopes Willow is okay with his mom’s little announcement get-together thing. She asks if he thinks she wouldn’t be, and he says, she just kind of threw it on them, but Willow says, no, she loved it. Could Drew’s reaction have been any sweeter? She’s so happy they’re working together, and he says, it’s nice having someone in the trenches that he trusts. They’ll get Aurora back in the black. She says she knows they will, and his mom seems good. She’s moving on from the divorce, and the loss of the hotel. She seems freer. He says, she’s the strongest they’ve seen her in a long time, and Willow asks if that changes anything. Does seeing his mom happy and moving forward give a little more room for grace for Sonny?

Dex asks if Josslyn knows Brando, and she says, he’s extended family. Dex says, this guy she thinks is innocent has been pushing drugs on Brando’s wife. Sonny was pissed, and just wanted to make sure they scared him bad enough to leave Sasha alone. She says, even if he’s telling the truth – he says he is – there’s a chance that Sonny wasn’t telling him the truth. Sonny could have killed this man if she hadn’t shown up. Would Dex have stopped him? Dex says he doesn’t know, but he’s glad he wasn’t faced with that choice.

Sonny tells Carly, this guy was pushing drugs on Sasha, so he put the fear of God in this lowlife, and there’s Josslyn. She’s filming the whole thing, and threatened to take the footage to the cops. Carly says, okay. What does Sonny want her to do about it?

TJ tells the orderly that Oz will have to be monitored closely, and goes back out. Curtis asks how Oz is doing, and TJ says he had to put him in a medically induced coma. His brain is swollen, and needs a chance to heal. Curtis asks when TJ thinks he’ll wake up, and TJ says he’s requested a neuro consult. Once Oz has been evaluated, they’ll know more. He also ordered a blood panel, so they can see what drugs are in his system. Curtis says, before he passed out, Oz told him that a woman gave him something. His guess is, Oz was drugged on purpose to shut him up, by none other than Esme Prince. Molly asks if Curtis has ever seen them together, and Curtis says, no, but he followed Oz to Spoon Island. What the hell would Oz be doing at Spoon Island, if he weren’t meeting Esme? Molly says, it all fits, but Curtis says, there’s no way to prove it until Oz regains consciousness, and Trina’s almost out of time.

Esme calls the hospital, and Deanna answers. Esme says she was notified that her father, Oz Haggarty, was brought into the ER. Is he going to be all right? Deanna says she’ll take down Esme’s information, and have the attending call her, but Esme says, she’s in Oregon, and can’t be there for hours. Can she just talk to him? Deanna says she’s sorry, but her father’s been unconscious since he arrived. He is stable though, and he’s been admitted to the ICU. Esme asks when he’ll wake up, but Deanna says she really needs to speak to the neurologist. Esme says, neurologist? Is he in a coma? Deanna says she’ll take down Esme’s information whenever she’s ready, but Esme hangs up and smiles.

Nikolas says, sorry, and Ava says she hopes his emergency wasn’t too dire. He says, it’s a problem that requires immediate action, but it’s solvable. Spencer gets up, and says, he hopes things go better for Trina tomorrow. Ava says, she does too, but unless some miraculous witness drops from the sky to exonerate her, Trina may well lose everything.

Anna says, there’s a darkness in Valentin’s eyes ever since he came back; like something is really bothering him. He hides it well, but it’s there. He says he loves that she can read him like this, and she asks, what’s going on? He says, she’s right; something’s troubling him. It’s no big mystery, but he doesn’t think they should be thread pulling. He likes her, and the closer they get, the more he knows it’s going to hurt when he loses her. She asks why he’d lose her, and he says, a thousand reasons, but when she looks at him like she is now, he doesn’t want to think about them. She says, let’s not think about anything, and kisses his hand. He gets up, and kisses her forehead, then they make out like bandits.  

Willow says she’s not advocating for Michael to reconcile with Sonny, but drop this vendetta against him. All this anger and hate isn’t good for him, and can lead him to do something he’ll regret. He asks if she wants him to let it go, and she says, for his own sake, especially since it’s clear Carly is doing fine. He says, this isn’t about revenge, and she says, isn’t it? He says, it’s about doing what right, and for him and his family, it’s not having Sonny in his life anymore. She says, that will make him happy? and he says, she makes him happy. Thinking about their future makes him happy. Thinking about them, Wiley and the baby, that makes four. Maybe someday five or six. She tells him, slow down, and he says, the point is, they have a lifetime of love ahead of them. She flashes back to TJ telling her that she has an elevated white blood cell count, and he doesn’t think it’s related to her pregnancy. Michael asks how she could think of anything else, and she says she can’t.

Dex says, if Josslyn turns that video over to the cops, Sonny’s lawyer can maybe get him out of it, but not him. He’ll 100% be convicted. And not for nothing, it doesn’t feel like she took that video to uphold the law or prevent a crime. It feels like she did it to get back at her stepfather. Maybe Sonny deserves it, but she doesn’t know Dex, and he’s never done anything to her. This could ruin his whole life… please. She takes out her phone, and looks at the video. She says, Sonny’s ruined enough lives. She doesn’t see the point in adding his name to the list. She deletes the video, and tells him, it’s gone. He thanks her, and she says she still thinks he’s an idiot to work for Sonny. He says, noted, and she leaves. He looks at Felty at the bottom of the stairs, and says, he guesses they both got lucky tonight.

Sonny says, just call Josslyn, and tell her to delete the footage, but Carly says, Josslyn is an adult. If Josslyn witnesses a crime in progress and chooses to report it, that’s none of her business. He says, so if he gets convicted and sent to prison, does she think Josslyn is going to feel good about that? She’s got to stop Josslyn now. She says, isn’t it perfect how what works for Josslyn also allows him to get off scot-free? and he says, this is on her. She asks how it’s on her, and he says, Carly keeps egging Josslyn on about him, and now she’s out of control. Drew says, Sonny should leave before this deteriorates any more, and Sonny asks if Drew is telling him to leave his own house. Drew says, it’s not his house anymore, and Sonny says, last he checked, it wasn’t Drew’s house either. Unless they’re moving in… Carly says, enough. Sonny doesn’t get to barge in her house and start barking orders. She’ll consider the situation, and guide Josslyn to do what’s best for her. If it lands Sonny’s ass in Pentenville, so be it. He doesn’t have to worry. They allow conjugal visits. He and Nina should be just fine. He says he would pull back if he were her. She already lost her hotel. There’s a lot more to lose. He leaves, and Drew asks if Carly is okay. She says she’s fantastic. She’s got Sonny right where she wants him.

Tomorrow, Jordan asks what Curtis knows that she should know; Spencer tells Esme to figure out how to set Trina free before it’s too late; Rory says he wants to make it up to Trina, if she’ll let him; and Sonny tells Nina that if she can’t deal with it, it’s not going to work.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Julian’s Bay, Malta. In Dave’s interview, he says, when they were on their last boat, he and Tasha got on. There was a flame. In Natasha’s interview, she says, when she joined her last boat, her relationship wasn’t in a good place. Dave paid her compliments and they had fun. Dave says, Tasha would sneak into his room, and that made it more passionate and fun; it was epic. Tasha says, the first time she hooked up with Dave, they were drunk. Her ex had cheated on her, but was it right to cheat back? She’s not proud of it. Dave says, he thought when they joined this boat, it would be secret for a while, but then they’d be a couple. Tasha says, Dave is a ticking time bomb. He wants to release their secret, but she doesn’t want people judging them. At the restaurant, the crew wants to party it up. They do shots, and Kyle takes a picture to send to his boyfriend. They move on to a techno club, and most of them get on the dance floor. Storm says he and Natalya have a vibe. Tasha almost sits with Dave, but Raygan asks her to dance. We see it’s 11.5 hours to charter, and in his interview, Dave says he feels like Tash is going out of her way to push him away. They get in a couple of taxis, and Jason says, Dave and Tasha need to quit the bullsh*t; it’s exhausting. They get back to boat, and Kyle remarks that Raygan is knackered. A few of the crew have something to eat in the super nice crew mess. Dave bugs Jason about flirting with Tasha, and says Jason is going after all the girls. Jason tries to extract himself, but Dave follows him. Natalya tells Dave not to antagonize Jason, but Dave insists he’s not fighting. Storm wisely suggests going to bed, and Jason says he’s going, but Dave tries to stop him. Jason suggests Dave not touch him, and Dave backs off, but tells him to go wash his hair. In Jason’s interview, he says, he’s too old for this. The first time he was knocked out, it was a Taco Bell, and he was a drunk college frat kid. It’s exhausting, and will only make it worse. Dave waits in their cabin for Tasha, and waits… and waits… Finally she comes in, and he says he swore at her boyfriend. She’s like, huh? Kyle asks Jason what happened, and Jason says, it was a power move because Dave is insecure, but that’s just his opinion. Tasha moves to the master cabin, and in her interview, she says, Dave is drunk and angry, and the last thing she wants to do is share a cabin. She needs space. She cries herself to sleep, which is no way to end the first outing with a new crew.

Grand Harbour Marina. Everyone is hung over, and Raygan sums it up best, but opening her eyes, and saying, oi. Tasha tells Dave that she went to the master cabin because he was in a rage. She needs to focus on herself, and she can’t deal with the drama or stress. Dave says he respects that, and he’s sorry. It’s so stupid that they can’t talk about the real reason. In Dave’s interview, he says he obviously f***ed up. He was out of order, and now Tash can’t look at him, and he can’t blame her. He tells her that she didn’t deserve that, and he’s sorry. Kyle tells Captain Sandy about last night, and says, when they start doing somersaults on the dance floor, it’s time round them up. She asks if he was doing somersaults, but he says, no, Raygan was. Natalya does laundry, and the captain looks at charts. Storm tries to radio Raygan, who says, everything is spinning. The deckhands wander around, and Raygan throws up. Tasha gives the stews their tasks, and in Jason’s interview, he says, if you’re hung over or sick, fine, but what’s important is to be there. He used to go to father events for his sisters, because their father was a POS. (I wasn’t totally paying attention, but it sounds like they don’t have the same father.) He says, laziness makes him frustrated. Natalya sings as she does laundry, and Dave apologizes to Jason. They shake hands. Raygan is still sleeping.

Tasha makes Dave some coffee, and Captain Sandy calls Tasha, Dave, and Raygan for a preference sheet meeting. Raygan answers the radio from her bunk, but she is fully dressed. When the captain gets to the mess, she asks where Raygan has been, and Raygan says she was sick. Captain Sandy says, that’s called a hangover, and Raygan tries a Hail Mary Pass, saying, it could be food poisoning, but the captain says, nope. It’s alcohol. Don’t kid herself. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, the last thing you want to show her on the second charter is that you’re incapable of your job because of a hangover. It’s okay to have fun, but you need to bring it. The primary is Emily, who’s in her family business of real estate. They expect a fully stocked bar at all times, and want to be in the water from sunup to sundown. They’ve requested a Moroccan inspired sunset dinner, and Dave notes that there’s one who hates seafood. The captain says, Raygan can jump in any time, and Raygan says, all waters toys will be in the water. The captain says, water sports, water sports, water sports. It’s the second charter, and now that Raygan is familiar with the boat, pull out everything first thing, or it will make her mad. On deck, Raygan tells the deckhands to do whatever they feel like doing. Jason tells Mzi that there needs to be a procedure, and Mzi says, 100%. Tasha texts Dave, asking if he wants to chat in their cabin, and he says he’ll be right down. He teleports there, and she says she has to take a shower. He goes in with her, and she says she has five minutes. We have no clue what they’re doing, and only hear running water, but 28 minutes later, Tasha comes out fully dressed.

Provisions come in, and Raygan says, teamwork makes the dream work, but I’m not sure if she’s being sarcastic. Kyle says, Tasha and Dave are a power team; they’re so in love. Tasha says, that’s not funny, but Dave says, no argument from him. Kyle says, if it doesn’t work out, Dave always has him. Raygan drops off the deckhands’ schedule to Captain Sandy, and the captain radios the crew to get in their whites, and be on the dock in five minutes. In Raygan’s interview, she says, the first charter, it was just her and Jason. She didn’t have time to make up a schedule. She had a hangover, and she understands that’s not professional, but now they have a whole team. She thinks they’re going to kick it.

The guests are welcomed with mini margaritas and pineapple upside down cake shots. My stomach turns over, thinking of how sweet those must be. Tasha shows them around the boat, and guest Noah says, the amount of beers he’ll be drinking will be absurd. The luggage is brought onboard, and Captain Sandy checks out what’s going on in the galley, telling Dave that his food is art. In her interview, she says she’s had some chefs who were incredible. We flash back to them, and she says, but Dave is like no other chef on the planet. He’s a true artist, and it’s incredible to witness him at work. They begin to pull out of the marina, and Noah says, this is a legit boat. I’m not sure what he thought he’d be on for the price of a small country. Tasha and Natalya make drinks, the fenders are pulled up, and they’re on their way. Dave blowtorches some apples, and Raygan tells the deckhands to start inflating the inflatables. Jason tells Mzi that Captain Sandy wants it to look like a toy show out there. Mzi realizes the Seabobs aren’t charged, and Jason says, no one made him aware they should be. Raygan manages to make her way to them, and Jason says, he thought they ran on gas. Raygan says, Seabobs are always charged, like he should know, and in Jason’s interview, he says he’s been on the boat for five days, and it’s a clusterf***. He’s getting irritated because no one is leading. It should have been explained.

One of the guests asks if Kyle isn’t married, and Kyle says he’s gay. She says she thought he’d been flirting with her, and I can’t imagine making that mistake. In Natalya’s interview, she says she likes to rearrange and coordinate things. She’s a compulsive organizer, and that’s why she loves being on laundry. She has everything organized her way. Mzi gives Jason some instruction, and in Mzi’s interview, he says, last season, he gained knowledge and confidence, so he’s comfortable taking more authority. With Raygan, there are miles to go. Tasha hugs Dave, telling him that she’s proud of him, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he thinks they’re a cute couple. He loves seeing Tasha dainty and smiling around Dave, and Dave melts like Jell-O around her. Something’s going on here. Raygan radios Mzi to bring out the jet skis, and realizes the banana should have been inflated. Captain Sandy watches her talking to the deckhands, and Jason tells the guests that he needs to get a ladder for them to get in the water. Raygan tells him to do the passerelle (it’s like a gangplank), and Jason says, he needs someone to tell him what to do. The captain comes out, and asks where the inflatables are. She tells Raygan that she’s got to manage this deck, and tells Jason, get everything in the water. She takes Raygan over to the side, and says, Raygan’s got to organize her team; it’s chaos. She told them to get everything out, and Raygan was sitting and watching when she should be working. She needs to manage this; give directives, and do it out of the way of the guests. She doesn’t want to hear complaints. She wants Raygan to do her job. She doesn’t want to be the bosun.

Raygan gets the banana out, and tells Jason to pick up the pace. Captain Sandy talks to herself, saying, Raygan is in over her head. Raygan tells them to get everything out and ready, and Jason asks what she thinks he was doing, twiddling his thumbs? Then she starts bitching about the passerelle. Don’t start nitpicking; he’s doing his best. I wonder if the guests can hear them, and Raygan says, just try to pick up the tempo. Kyle says Dave looks super stressed out, and in the laundry, Natalya sings, laundry it’s your friend; it never ends. Tasha goes over the dinner menu with Dave, and in his interview, Dave says he loves to experiment. There are a few people who don’t like seafood, but he doesn’t follow preference sheets. It’s a bit of a gamble, but he does do extreme stuff and gambles. In Storm’s interview, he says he gets his passion from his mother. She had a full 8 to 6 job, and when his sister was born, they needed to drive her around for her to go to sleep. His mother was too tired, so he’d drive, which was totally illegal, but he was on work mode. Tasha asks Kyle for help setting the table, and goes over the service plan with him and Natalya.

The guests are seated, and Kyle asks if they’re ready to get the party started. Guest Tommy wonders what their eating, and Noah says, there’s a menu in front of him, but Tommy says, it’s too much to read. Primary Emily asks if Captain Sandy would like to join them, and the captain says she’d love it. I think, wouldn’t the chef like to know? but it looks like she’s just going to stand there a while and talk to them. Emily tells the captain that her family owns a brokerage, and everyone in her family sells real estate. The first course is served, and Emily says she doesn’t like octopus, but tastes it anyway (good for her!). She says, she wouldn’t order it again, but it’s good. The way it’s prepared is fabulous. Another guest says, it can be chewy, and this isn’t, which makes me want to taste it, but I don’t eat that anymore. Mzi tells Captain Sandy that the Seabobs weren’t charged, and Jason had never used one, so he woudn’t know. It’s the small things that creep up. She tells him that he had someone he worked under who was very experienced, and now he’s under someone who doesn’t have experience. In the captain’s interview, she says she understands the expectations of the crew. It’s the bosun’s job to teach the crew. We flash back to Malia, and Captain Sandy says, a bosun has to lead the team and give direction. Raygan isn’t demonstrating leadership. She just hopes they make it through the charter. Mzi says, if they had direction, it could make a difference.

Dave’s dessert is white chocolate/ginger cheesecake inside a hollow chocolate bomb, and I want to cry, I want one so badly. Kyle congratulates the guests on staying up so long after what they’ve consumed. Natalya fights with a doorknob that keeps coming off in the master cabin. Tommy falls off his chair after what he’s consumed, and Natalya radios Kyle for help. Tasha tells Dave that his food is unreal, and he says, her drinks are unreal. Tommy says, everyone who can be cool is fly. Is he right or wrong? Emily says, they have no clue what he’s saying, when Dave brings the chocolate balls up, and pours hot chocolate sauce over them. Sigh… Dinner breaks up, and most of the guests go to bed, but Tommy and Noah run drunkenly around. Noah bugs Dave in the galley, while he guzzles beer, and Tommy howls for him on deck. They finally call it a night.  

Captain Sandy calls Raygan to the bridge, and says, she wants to see Raygan succeed. She needs to be organized, and that’s when she’ll gain the trust of her deck crew. She should practice; put the toys where she can get to them. Raygan says she’s realizing where she needs to be, the captain says, it’s not where she needs to be; it’s how she needs to lead. The deckhands need clear, concise instructions. She wants to build Raygan up, but she’s also here to do business, and no one is being told what to do. Raygan says she’s figuring the deckhands’ weaknesses; today will be better. Captain Sandy says, Raygan needs to figure out her own weaknesses, and where she’s struggling. It’s complete chaos, and she has no system. She understands Raygan had positions on other boats… and Raygan says, but they weren’t as horrendous and busy. The captain says, superyachts aren’t like what Raygan worked on. They have a system in place, for safety. Raygan needs to show the captain that she can do this job. She needs a bosun she can trust, and who has guest priority.

Next time, the guests do cannonballs; Dave thinks Tasha is different; Dave is starting to freak Tasha out; and Captain Sandy hits a dolphin for the first time ever. A marker, not the mammal.

✈️ Oh Babe, I Hate To Go…

Peek in tomorrow for some soap and a spot of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay bucking the system, and stay remembering setbacks aren’t final.

July 18, 2022 – Another Win For Carly, Anniversary Party On Deck, Kyle’s Almost Kiss & Hey

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the steam room, Brando tells TJ that he’s going out of his mind. TJ says, he gets that, but it’s no good for Brando to be so stressed. Sit, breathe, sweat. Brando says, one out of three ain’t bad, right? His wife has been lying to him for months. What is he supposed to do with that?

Carly walks into the courtroom, empty except for Diane, and says she can’t believe this is happening. Trina is going to trial for a crime she didn’t commit. Diane says, fear not. She’s willing to poke so many holes in the ADA’s case, it will look like a doily when she’s done with it. Josslyn comes in, and Carly asks how she is. Josslyn says she’s terrified, and angry, and frustrated. She still doesn’t understand why this is even happening. Diane says, her mother just said the same thing, and her response? Carly tells Josslyn, Diane said not to worry, and Diane says, Scotty did an amazing job with the prep work. Now she’s going to bring it home. Carly says, she knows Josslyn is worried about Trina – so is she – but when she asked Josslyn how she was, she was asking about Josslyn. Josslyn says she answered, and Carly says, she answered and told her about Trina. She knows it’s going to be really awful to relive that experience. Josslyn says, obviously, she doesn’t like it, but they could play that video in open court for all she cares. Anything to exonerate Trina. Carly hugs Josslyn, saying, she’s such a good friend, and Diane says, the best kind. Josslyn says, this is such a waste of time, prosecuting Trina when the real criminal is out there, thinking she got away with it.

Esme says, Spencer does know her every desire, and she’s been aching for him to give it to her, but he says, that’s not what he’s talking about. She says, but it’s been ages. Doesn’t he want to be together again? He says, of course (🍷) he does, and she asks, then what is it? Is he still worried about Trina’s trial? He says, yes, but that’s not what he’s focused on right now, and she says, then talk to her. They used to be a team, remember? She kisses his neck, and he says he remembers everything about their time together, which is why he’s been focused so hard on this surprise for her. It took some doing, but it’s finally ready. She says, don’t keep her in suspense. What is it? He says, he found her birth mother.

Trina arrives at court, flanked by Portia and Taggert. Portia asks if she’s okay, and Trina says, what if she goes in there, and when she comes out, the only place she’s headed is prison?

Sonny spars with Dante at the gym, and Dante says, time out. What’s going on? Sonny asks, what’s the matter? Is Dante tired? Dante says, no, he’s not tired. He’s wondering why Sonny is so intense. Is Sonny trying to kill him?

Nina puts coins on Nathan’s headstone, brushes it off, and sighs. Her phone rings, and she says, Olivia?… What?… Hold on. In an hour? Why didn’t she say something earlier?… No, it’s not a problem. Olivia’s new partner wouldn’t dream of missing her first MetroCourt staff meeting. She’ll be there. She thanks Olivia for giving her ample notice, and says she’ll see Olivia soon. Obrecht walks into the cemetery, and asks if her ears are deceiving her, or has her niece made a career change?

Portia says she knows this is terrifying, but Trina is a strong, kickass young woman. Taggert says, a strong, kickass, innocent young woman, and Portia says, her father is right. She can do this. Trina says, they know she’s innocent, but what if the jury finds her guilty? Portia tells her, don’t say that. She doesn’t want Trina to even think that, but Trina says, it’s a possibility. Portia says, any sane person would take one look at Trina and know she didn’t do what she’s being accused of. Taggert says, not that it even matters. They’re going to find the evidence to clear her name. Curtis is still out there, tracking down a lead that will tie Esme to the phone she planted on Trina. Curtis joins them, and Portia asks, did it work? Did he find evidence to prove Trina didn’t do this? He says, the lead didn’t exactly pan out, and Taggert thanks him for trying, but Curtis says, they’re still working on it. Trina says, her trial is about to start; they’re out of time. Taggert asks if she’s ready to go in, and then adds, sorry, dumb question. She’s got this. He and Trina go into the courtroom, and Curtis tells Portia that he’s sorry. He really thought they were onto something. She says, he did everything he possibly could, and she’s grateful. She thanks him.

Spencer says, surprise, and Esme says, surprise is a massive understatement. She didn’t even know he was looking for her birth mother. How did he find her? He says he wishes he could take all the credit, but it was actually his Uncle Victor. He asked if Victor could use his connections from his WSB days. She says, and he was able to track down the woman who left her in the church as a baby? He says, that’s right, and she says, but she contacted that church, and was told there was no information. So how did Victor…? He says he guesses everyone has a price, and Uncle Victor spared no expense. He said he was eventually led to a nun who remembered her mother’s name. Her mother lives in Portugal now. She laughs, and says she doesn’t know why it seems fitting, but it does. Her smile drops, and he asks, what’s wrong? She asks if Victor was able to find her father too.

Diane asks how Trina is holding up; give her an honest answer. Trina says she’s freaking out, and Diane says, that’s natural. Of course (🍷) she is, but don’t lose hope. No matter what ADA Arden said yesterday, it’s far from an open and shut case. Ava comes in, and says, Diane is right. Trina is going to beat these charges, and put this entire nightmare behind her. They hug, and Ava says she brought this, showing Trina her necklace. Diane asks if it’s Trina’s lucky charm, and Trina says, yeah. Her dad gave it to her on her 18th birthday. Ava puts the necklace on Trina, and Trina thanks her for going back to Windymere to get it. Ava says she’d go to the ends of the earth for Trina, and don’t forget it.

Josslyn asks, how was Carly’s last day at the MetroCourt? Was it brutal? Carly says she doesn’t want to talk about that. She wants to focus on Josslyn right now. Josslyn says she’s ready. They can ask her anything, and her only answer is, Trina didn’t do it because she didn’t. Carly says, and that’s what the jury is going to hear, and Josslyn says she can’t even think about what will happen if they don’t, but Carly says, Trina is going to get through this. How could she not with amazing friends like Josslyn and Cameron by her side. Josslyn says, where is Cam anyway?

Dante says, Sonny must have had quite the morning, and Sonny says he got into it with Nina about Carly. Dante says, that explains it, and Sonny asks if Dante’s mom told him that Carly lost her half of the hotel. Dante says, yeah. He kind of assumed she and Ned were going to buy it back for Carly, and Sonny says, Olivia offered, so did he. Not to buy it personally but to give Carly the asset so she could do it herself. She turned them both down. Dante says he’s sorry to hear that; it sounds like they made a reasonable offer to help. Sonny says, Carly’s not interested in being reasonable. He hates that it’s come to this. Dante says, the divorce? and Sonny says, not just that; it’s the lack of understanding. Obviously, he has feelings for Nina. He just wants to move forward, but Carly thinks he’s siding against her, and her attitude is starting to spread, especially toward Michael. Dante says, Sonny didn’t choose what happened to him. He didn’t chose to lose his memory. He didn’t choose to separate himself from his family. He does get to choose what the aftermath is; what he gets to do next. He chose to hold Nina accountable, but stopped short of hating her. Dante admires that because it’s the only way to heal. Sonny asks how Dante got so wise, and Dante says, he had his own homecoming, remember?

Nina says, Obrecht heard correctly. She’s the new co-owner of the MetroCourt. Obrecht asks, who’s out, Olivia or Carly? and Nina says, Carly. Obrecht says she never thought she’d see the day Carly parted with her precious hotel, but Nina says, she didn’t give it up willingly. They sit on a bench, and Obrecht says, she needs details this instant. Nina says, Carly made a bad business deal and lost her half of the MetroCourt in the fallout, and Obrecht asks where Nina fits in. Nina says, she bought Carly’s half of the stake, with the full intention of gifting it back to her, and Obrecht says, a very generous gesture. She’s sure one that stood to benefit Nina as well. Nina says, it sort of backfired, and might have ended her and Sonny before they even started.

Cameron says he’s so sorry he’s late. He got held up at home. Aiden is a little bit sick right now and his mom is taking care of him. She’s so sorry she can’t be here; she sends her love. Trina says, if he needs to be with his brother… but Cameron says, there’s no other place he’s supposed to be than right here. Josslyn says, they’re with her all the way to the end, and Cameron says, and whatever comes after. They have a three-way hug, and Carly tells Portia, those three have stuck together through some really tough times. Taggert says, a bond that can’t be broken, and Portia says, it has to turn out okay; it has to. Carly says, it will, and Esme Prince will regret the day she ever messed with our kids.

Spencer says he doesn’t know anything about Esme’s father; the only name Uncle Victor discovered was her mother’s. Esme says, it’s just… She can’t believe it, after all of this time. He says, it’s a lot to process, isn’t it? and she says, it’s like she doesn’t know what emotion to feel first. She thinks for a moment, and asks, why did he do this for her?

Brando says, TJ is a good friend, and TJ says, Brando would do this for him. Brando says he’s a recovering addict. How did he not see Sasha was using again? TJ tells him not to blame himself, and Brando asks, was he blind to it, or is she just that good at hiding it? And which of those options is better? TJ says he doesn’t know, and Brando says he really thought he and Sasha were getting their relationship back on track after they lost Liam. He really believed they were on the same page. TJ says he’s sure in a lot of ways they were, but Brando says, she was lying to his face. What does that say about their marriage? Is he supposed to trust her again? TJ says he’s sorry, and Brando says he loves Sasha more than anything. He just wants her to be okay. She’s in denial, and of course (🍷) his instinct is to run in and fix everything for her. TJ says, Brando can’t help Sasha unless she helps herself, and Brando says he doesn’t know where to go from here, but TJ tells him, it’s like he said; he loves Sasha and she loves him. He’s not saying it’s going to be easy, but he believes everything will work out. Brando says he hopes TJ is right.

Nina says, once Carly shot her down, she decided to keep her half of the MetroCourt, and Obrecht asks how Sonny feels about that. Nina says, not great. He says it will make her look like she’s spiteful. He insists they’re together and wants to move forward with their relationship, but the minute Carly is in trouble, he rushes to her rescue. Obrecht takes Nina’s hand, and asks, then why keep the hotel? Surely she’s busy enough with Crimson. Nina says, don’t call her Shirley she is busy, but it’s an amazing business opportunity. The MetroCourt is hugely profitable, and it’s a huge success. Obrecht says, not to mention, owning half lessens the chances of Crimson being evicted from its office space, and Nina says, exactly. She never intended for this to happen, but now that it’s fallen into her lap, is she supposed to just back away from it because Carly’s feelings got hurt? She offered to give it back to Carly, but Carly said no. So if you look at it from that perspective, 50% is Carly’s doing, and 50% is hers. Obrecht says, but the satisfaction is 100% Nina’s.

Dante says he really struggled when he came home; Sonny of all people knows that. Different circumstances obviously, but they both know what it’s like not being able to fit back into their old life. Dante’s was self-inflicted. He volunteered for that op that set everything in motion. Sonny says, Dante wanted to do the right thing, and paid a hell of a price, and Dante says, Sonny understands because he’s going through it. Trying to piece together a new life; trying to figure out what matters to you now, because everything changes based on your experiences. It did for him, and now Sonny has feelings for Nina which he can’t deny because that would be a lie. A lie is a crappy foundation to build a life on. Sonny says, the truth comes with its own problems, and Dante asks if Nina is pissed because Sonny offered to help Carly. Sonny says, that’s part of it, and Dante asks, what’s the other part? Sonny asks if Dante’s mom told him that Nina is her new partner at the MetroCourt, and Dante asks how that happened. Sonny says, Nina bought Carly’s half of the hotel intending to give it back to make amends, and Dante says, and Carly shot her down? Sonny says, yeah. Now Nina owns half of the MetroCourt. She could have sold it to someone else, which would have been really bad, but she’s keeping it. Dante says he understands how that could make Carly feel, and Sonny says he told Nina that people are going to think she’s sticking it to Carly. Nina got all upset, and said, it feels like there are three people in the relationship. Dante says, there are, and Sonny says he doesn’t want any trouble with Carly. Dante says he’s not talking about Sonny and Carly, but Nina and Carly.

Diane tells Josslyn and Cameron that ADA Arden is going to call them as witnesses to try to get ahead of her defense. Answer truthfully, and she’ll make it work during the cross-examination. The bailiff says, all rise. The honorable Judge Young presiding. Arden tells the jury, they’re here today to obtain justice for two victims of the insidious crimes of revenge porn and illegal surveillance. Opposing counsel will have them believe the defendant is above reproach, a straight A student from a good family. That may be true, but does that give her a pass to act out of jealousy when things don’t go her way? No, it doesn’t. And as they’ll see, the defendant had the means, the motive, and ample opportunity, which she intends to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Spencer says, he got the idea when he saw Esme’s letters to Maggie, and she says, her private letters, that were never meant for his eyes. He says he told her it was an accident. He wasn’t snooping around, but he’s glad he read them. He thought she’d made peace with not knowing who her birth parents were, but those letters made him realize that he was wrong. Ever since, he’s been looking for a way to find them. She says, even though he accused her of filming Joss and Cam? but he says, it’s because of that. He never should have attacked her the way he did, but he can’t think of a better way to make it up to her. Can she?

Obrecht asks if Nina wants her opinion, and Nina says, uh… Obrecht says, if Nina wants to be at peace with her reasons, don’t concern herself with optics. Zur holle nit (to hell with) to anyone who criticizes her decisions. This is her life. Nina says, but Sonny’s part of her life; at least she wants him to be. This whole hotel stuff doesn’t sit well with him. Obrecht is right; it’s her life, her choices. But what if this choice brings her nothing but misery?

Dante says, Michael is coming in a bit, and asks if Sonny is going to stick around. Sonny says, he’s not going to let his own son run him out of his own gym, and Dante says, good, and Sonny asks what Dante means about Carly and Nina. Dante says, Nina kept the fact that Sonny was alive away from all of them. Carly’s not going to forget that – ever. Neither is Michael. Toss in the fact Nina and Carly had their own stuff going on before this whole mess… Sonny says, and? and Dante says, whatever happens with Sonny and Nina, Carly and Michael are always going to be part of it. That kind of history you can’t untangle; it’s impossible. Michael comes in, and Dante says, good to see him. Michael says, him too, and thanks Dante for making the time. Dante says, always, and Sonny says he’s going to go, but Michael says he’d like Sonny to stay. There’s something he needs to hear. Sonny is going to hear about it eventually. Willow is pregnant, and he’s only telling Sonny this because he wants to make it perfectly clear, Sonny will have no role in this child’s life. He’s not their grandfather. For all intents and purposes, Sonny is a stranger to them. Dante says, don’t do this, and Sonny asks if Michael is just going to erase him from his life. Michael says, pretty much, and Sonny asks if Michael just had a set back in his business. Michael says, Sonny’s girlfriend took advantage of it to screw over his mother, but Sonny says, he offered to help Carly. Michael says, she doesn’t need his help. She’s not Sonny’s concern anymore; neither is he. So they need him to stay the hell out of their lives. Dex comes in, and asks if there’s a problem, and Michael says, is this where they’re at? He pushes back, and Sonny sics his attack dog on him?

Willow visits Jonah’s grave, and says she has big news. She’s having another baby, which is very exciting, but it also makes her think of him. She wishes she could have been a mother to him too; to love and protect him, and watch him grow up. Every single day she wishes he were here. He and Wiley would be thick as thieves, driving them all crazy… in the best possible way of course (🍷). She misses him, but the good news is, he’s always with her and will always be a part of her family. What does he think? Does he think he would have made a great big brother to the new baby? She does. Nina and Obrecht appear, and Nina says, new baby? Is Willow pregnant?

Michael tells Dex to take his best shot, but Sonny says, stand back. Michael says he doesn’t need Sonny’s protection. Come on, let’s do this. Dex says, Michael should respect his father, but Michael says he has a horse more worthy of respect. Dex lunges for Michael, but Sonny and Dante hold him back. Brando flies in, and gets in Dex’s face, saying, Sonny gave him an order. He suggests Dex follow it or deal with him.

Cameron is on the stand, and Arden says she understands he and the defendant are friends. He says, that’s correct, and she asks if their relationship ever turned into more than friendship. He says, briefly. They both went through something traumatic, and things got confusing, but in the end, they decided they were better off as friends. She says, and he’s currently in a relationship with the other victim, Josslyn Jax. Is that correct? He says, yes, and she asks if Josslyn is a friend of the defendant as well. He says, they’re best friends, and she says, so he and the defendant developed feelings for each other, then he ended up dating her best friend. Is that a problem for Miss Robinson? Diane objects, saying, Mr. Webber can’t speak for the defendant, and the judge sustains. Arden asks if anyone else was present the night Cameron and Josslyn were recorded, and he says, yes; Trina was there, along with Spencer Cassadine and Esme Prince. She asks if all of them were in the cabin when he and Josslyn were intimate, and he says, no. She asks who else was there, and he says, just Trina.

Spencer asks if Esme is okay, but she says she’s not sure. He says he thought this was what she wanted, and she says she just assumed she would never find her mother. Everyone told her to just let it go, but somehow he made the impossible possible. He says, nothing is impossible for a Cassadine, and she says, even when he fell out of love with her? Or at least she thought he did. It was like, no matter how hard she tried to reach him, it didn’t matter. He says he’s sorry. He’s been carrying around this secret for so long, he guesses it blended in with everything else. He didn’t mean to shut her out. She says she guesses he didn’t want to get her hopes up. Oh my God. Knowing who she is and where she came from… He’s right. It’s everything she ever wanted, but how does she know it’s real? That this name his Uncle Victor found is really her mother; anyone could say that. He says she’s right. He was worried about the same thing, so he had a DNA test done. He takes out the envelope, and shows her. He says, here is the only proof she needs… if she wants it.

Sonny tells Brando, everything is fine. He and Michael are finished here. Dante calls Michael over to the side, and Michael says, this is definitely not the way he planned on telling Dante he was a father again. Dante says, it’s Sonny’s gym. Michael knew there was a chance he’d be here, but Michael says he didn’t want to wait to share the good news with his brother. Dante says, okay, but maybe a part of Michael couldn’t wait to share the good news with his father. Brando says he takes it things haven’t gotten better between Sonny and Michael, and Sonny shakes his head. Brando asks if Sonny wants to talk about it, but Sonny says he’s done talking. It’s time for action.

Willow says, not that it’s any of Nina’s business, but yes, she and Michael are having a baby. Obrecht asks if that’s why Willow fainted at the MetroCourt, and Willow says, yes. She heard Obrecht helped, and thanks her. Nina says, congratulations. She and Michael must be thrilled. Willow says, they are, and Nina asks how Wiley reacted. Willow says she’s not talking to Nina about her son, and Nina says, her grandson. Willow asks if they’re really going to do this every time, when her phone rings. She steps away, and says, hey… Now?… Okay, she’s leaving now. She’ll be right there. She tells Nina and Obrecht, she has to go, and jets. Nina says, Willow is pregnant, and Obrecht says, that appears to be the case. Nina says, fantastic; another win for Carly. She may be down, but that woman will never be out.

Diane asks how long her client and Cameron dated, but he says, they never dated. She asks if they ever acted on any feelings the may have had for each other, and he says, they kissed twice, months apart, two years ago. They both decided they were better off as friends. She asks when he started dating Josslyn, and he says, last July. She says, so a long time after he and her client… She would have said, ended things, but they never really began, and he says, correct. She asks what his relationship is with Trina now, and he says, she’s one of his closest friends. He believes her, and believes in her. Diane has no further questions, and Cameron steps down. Josslyn is called to the stand, and Curtis tells Portia, this is going well. Diane’s got this. Arden asks Josslyn to describe events leading up to her and Cameron being recorded without their consent, and Josslyn flashes back to telling Cameron that she wants her first time to be with him, and him saying he feels the same way. She says, then tonight’s the night. On the stand, she says, they went skiing during the day, came back to the cabin at night, and played games, and Arden asks, what kind of games? Josslyn flashes back to playing Never Have I Ever, and says, a drinking game. Arden asks if the defendant drank, and Josslyn says, something very strange was going on, but Arden says, yes or no. Josslyn says, yes, and Arden says, while under the influence, did the defendant comment on Josslyn’s relationship with Cameron? Josslyn says, if this is going to make any sense, she needs to explain the rules, but Arden says, a yes or no will suffice. Josslyn says, one player says, never have I ever done something, and if you’ve done that thing, you have to drink, and all of the questions were designed to make Trina drink. Arden tells Josslyn to confine her answers to the questions, but Josslyn says, she’s not asking the right questions. Trina was set up by the person who actually did record them, and she’ll tell them exactly who that person is. Arden says she’d like permission to treat Josslyn as a hostile witness, and Judge Young says, granted, because nobody really cares about justice.

Esme snatches the envelope from Spencer, and looks at the paperwork. She tells him, it says it’s a match. He found her birth mother; this is really happening. She throws her arms around him, and asks if he met her. What’s she like? He says, not yet, and she looks again. She says, there’s no name here, and he says, she won’t find any names in the file; it was kept confidential. She says, because he wanted to tell her himself? She can’t believe he did this for her, but he says, no. She’s the last person he did this for.

Arden asks if, on the night in question, Trina was upset because Josslyn and Cameron were dating, and Josslyn hesitates. Judge Young says, the witness will answer or be held in contempt, and Josslyn says, they were playing a drinking game. They were supposed to be having a good time. She doesn’t remember every word Trina spoke. The judge says he’s directing her to answer the questions to the best of her ability, and reminds Arden that the witness isn’t on trial, and is in fact the victim. Get where she’s going, get there cleanly, or excuse the witness. Arden says, at some point in the course of the drinking game, did the defendant become upset? and Josslyn says, yes. Arden asks if Trina’s upset was the result of Josslyn and Cameron dating; that they were together, and she felt left out? Josslyn says, yes, but Trina wasn’t herself, and Arden asks, what happened next? Josslyn says, Trina went to her room, and Arden says, and the other guests, Mr. Cassadine and Miss Prince? Josslyn says she called Miss Prince out for the lying snake she is, Esme got upset, ordered a car, and took Mr. Cassadine with her. Arden says, so Josslyn, Cameron, and the defendant… Josslyn says, she has a name, and Judge Young says, careful. Arden says, so Josslyn, Mr. Webber, and Miss Robinson were the only people remaining inside the cabin, and Josslyn says, yes. Arden asks if Josslyn saw Trina after she went to her room, and Josslyn says she checked on Trina, and spoke to her through the closed door. Arden says, but to be clear, Josslyn didn’t see her? and Josslyn says, no. Arden asks, what about before Josslyn and Cameron got intimate? and Josslyn says, Trina felt sick, and went to sleep. Arden asks how she knows, and Josslyn says, because Trina told her and she believes Trina. Arden says, so she only has Trina’s word, and Josslyn says she trusts Trina with her life. Arden asks if that’s a yes, and Josslyn says, yes, but she would have seen Trina if she’d left her room. Arden says, so they were inside the cabin the entire time? but Josslyn says, no. They stepped out for a breath of fresh air, but… Arden asks if she can attest to the defendant’s whereabouts; not where Josslyn thinks she was, or assumes she was, but her actual whereabouts from the time Trina entered her room until the time she and Cameron entered theirs.

Esme tells Spencer that she doesn’t… Who else would want to know who her mother is? He says, just her, and she says, but he just said he didn’t do this for her, and he says, the reason he kept it confidential is so she’d have to go through him to get answers. He’s the only one who has this information. She says, aside from his uncle, but he says, Uncle Victor will follow his lead. Trust him. She says, what is this? and he says he gave her what she wanted. Now the only way she’s going to learn the identity of her birth mother is to give him what he wants. She says, which is? and he says, Trina’s freedom.

Brando says, it goes without saying, whatever Sonny needs, he’s here, and Sonny says, what Brando can do for him is stop worrying, and take care of himself and his family. Brando says, Sonny is his family, and Sonny says he gets it. Sonny loves Brando like a brother, but Brando has a lot on his plate. Let him deal with what he has to deal with. He pats Brando’s shoulder, and starts to walk out. At the door, Dex says he’s got some ice for Sonny’s hands; it should cut down the inflammation. Sonny says, good thinking, and Dex says he learned a thing or two when he was substitute manager here. Sonny gives him a thumbs up and leaves.

Dante tells Michael, it’s got to hurt underneath, or it wouldn’t have gotten as bad as it has. Is he sure he wants to cut that tie with the baby coming? Michael says, Dante is his brother and he loves Dante. And he respects that Dante wants to have a relationship with Sonny, but he needs Dante to respect that he doesn’t. Dante says he just doesn’t like seeing that it’s come to this, and Michael says, Sonny threw away his marriage to Michael’s mom with both hands, and he testified for Nina at the visitation hearing. He put Nina’s feelings above Wiley’s welfare. That’s not a grandfather he wants for his kid. It’s not a person he wants in their lives. Dante says, Sonny doesn’t see it that way, and Michael says, that’s why there’s no point in talking about it. And on the subject of a new baby, is there anything Dante would like to say to his little brother? Dante says, dad, be ready to get no sleep. Congratulations. Michael says, and there it is, and Dante says he’s really happy for him and Willow. Michael thanks him, and Dante says he gets to be an uncle again. Michael asks if he’s ready, and Dante says he can’t wait. They hug and exchange I love yous.

Willow sees TJ at the hospital, and asks, what’s going on? He suggests they go to an exam room to talk, and she says, she just assumed it was about work; this is medical? She didn’t even know he was on an OB rotation. He says, this isn’t an OB visit, and she says, then what? He says, after she fainted, he ran a series of tests. She says she remembers. That’s how they figured out she was pregnant. He says, yes, but they need to discuss the rest of her results.

Tomorrow (maybe), Josslyn says, one person did this and she knows who that person is; Esme tells Spencer, there’s no way to get around something; Cody says, there isn’t any danger, there isn’t any fun; and TJ tells Willow that he doesn’t think it’s related to her pregnancy.

Below Deck Mediterranean

I’m going to tell you right now, there’s a good chance I will be mixing up Natasha and Natalya this entire season. They look like twins. It’s unbelievable.

When we last left, the stabilizers were down, causing the boat to rock dangerously. Everything is flying, and Captain Sandy confers with Chief Officer Ray, who comes to the expert conclusion that something’s going on. He tells everyone, hang on, and they try, but it’s impossible to keep a grip on everything. The guests are freaking out, and in the captain’s interview, she says, the stabilizers are fins that stop the boat from moving side to side. Losing them is dangerous. A crew member could get hurt or a guest could fall. Anything can happen. Tasha says, oh my f***ing word, and Ray explains to Captain Sandy that the stabilizers run off the air conditioning. If one thing goes down, everything goes down. The captain says, they’re in a real pickle. They need a cold front. Interior tries to clean up, while Raygan takes a smoke break. Guest Leslie says, it’s crazy bonkers, and Captain Sandy explains they had a glitch. The boat is a hybrid, and when one cooling system starts to heat up, everything shuts down. She’s thankful no one was hurt, and apologizes. One of the guests says, this is a joke; they’re all pretty cranky. The captain tells Raygan to get the toys in the water. In Tasha’s interview, she says, she was on one boat that actually tipped. We see the newspaper article, and yeah, that’s tipped. It’s on its side. She says she thought she was going to die. She was calling the crew, and no one was answering. There were electric smells, and fuel everywhere. They finally started letting them off, three people at a time. It’s times like that, you put on a brave face and carry on; you have no other choice. Kyle cuts himself on broken glass, and Storm comes back from being out on the tender. He says he heard they had a bit of a tumble, and Captain Sandy asks if everyone is okay. In Dave’s interview, he says, he’s never experienced that before. A pot of water went into the fryer, and he tried to catch it. There’s food everywhere; it’s a nightmare. He’s going to have to work as quick as he can. Primary Chris says he’s living sex fantasies with a Walmart reality, which I don’t quite get. Jason introduces Tasha to the Americanism of using the word noodle for one’s head. In her interview, she says, she’s single, and can flirt, but it’s not too much different from when she’s not single. She’s just being herself. She’s a warm, bubbly person. We flash back to her asking if Dave wants to screw, and Dave sighs.

Kyle makes infused cucumber vodka, and in Natalya’s interview, she says she’s never been passionate about a career path. She doesn’t understand though, how people aren’t passionate about cleaning; it’s relaxing. Raygan oversees Storm hooking up a Nautiboy, and it’s starts floating away with him on it. He tries throwing her a line to pull him back, but keeps missing, and in his interview, he says, it’s so embarrassing. Jason comes to the rescue, and we see the guests have been waiting an hour and 25 minutes to get in the water. The guests cheer for Storm, and are finally able to dive in. Tasha tells Dave that he’s the quietest roomie, and Dave asks if she wants to share with Jason. She says she loves her roomie, and we flash back to them hooking up. Natalya does laundry, and Captain Sandy tells Raygan that she’s got to organize. When they get the slide and the pool, they’ll need a place to put them. She tells Jason to get the toys blown up fast. Tasha tells Natalya that they need to decorate for the Japanese party, and in Tasha’s interview, she says, her management style is trusting. She checks things, but she has a great team, and trusts them 110%. Raygan asks Mzi how it’s going, and he says he thinks they need to organize, and it would be better. Raygan agrees, saying, Mzi and Jason should be resting now. In Mzi’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what Raygan’s management style is. He’s put Malia on a pedestal. We flash back to his season with Malia, and he says, there’s no style or structure, but he doesn’t want to step on any toes. She’s the bosun. Kyle asks Dave, in what style are they serving dinner, and Dave says he’s doing sushi. Raygan sits down to do a schedule, and in her interview, she says, before she makes a schedule, she needs to know who’s capable of doing what. Figure out who has what weaknesses, so she can plan it out. I’m not sure how she’s observing this when she’s on smoke breaks most of the time, but okay. Kyle finds out the guests are going to Greece next, and says, he’s still searching for love. He asks how long Billy and Chris have been together, and they say they met seven years ago. Kyle says he had a 12 year relationship, but they left him for a woman. Guest Twanna says they need to unpack this, and Kyle says he just came out last year. They applaud, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, it’s the first time he’s worked for guests in the LGBTQIA+ community; people like himself. And it’s a chance to celebrate their anniversary, finding true love as it was meant to be. He tells them that he’s jealous, but happy.

Ray discusses engine stuff with Captain Sandy in the crew mess, while the guests enjoy the sunset. Raygan shows the captain her schedule, and the captain pronounces it, awesome, probably just glad to get anything. Interior starts decorating, and Raygan goes over the schedule with Jason. In Jason’s interview, he says, it looks like a math problem with no solution. He’s done a lot of equations, formulas, and spreadsheets, but he can’t solve this puzzle Raygan’s constructed. He’ll just see what happens. Hmm… maybe see what happens is her style.

Some of the guests jump off the boat, and Tasha asks to borrow a deckhand to help with the decorations. Mzi puts together and hangs lanterns, and Tasha tells him, it’s a super romantic Japanese night. Raygan gives Jason some instructions, and in his interview, Jason says, he’s missing some aspects of skipping his own boat. He’s a strong type A personality, and wants someone to manage, but his position is low man on the totem pole, so he can’t. In Dave’s interview, he says his plan is for today to make up for yesterday, and we flash back to Billy expecting him to be a mind reader. Dave says, he’s suppressing his anxiety, and constantly battling himself. He grew up in a rough neighborhood, and he was the guy who was bullied. It gave him the drive and courage to keep fighting. Tasha flirts with Dave, and Kyle rolls his eyes. Mzi sets up the lighting for dinner, as Natalya sets the table. Captain Sandy takes a look, and says, the decorations are absolutely beautiful. The guests get dressed up, and Happy Anniversary is sung as they walk out on deck. Billy says, it looks amazing, and I die over the sushi platters. In his interview, Dave says, it’s a lot of pressure. He’s hard on himself, and has his fingers crossed that they like it. The guests say it’s delicious, incredible, and gorgeous. Dave gives Mzi some steak tartare, and says, if they ask for it to be cooked more, just say no.

In Raygan’s interview, she says she’s disappointed. It’s not the way it should be. It hasn’t been everything that everyone, including the captain, knows she’s capable of. Obviously, she knows what she’s doing, but she’s only one person; she can’t be everywhere. Translation: she can’t smoke while she’s working, so she just avoids working. Billy and Chris go through a list of gay movies that Kyle needs to watch. They find out he’s never seen Mommie Dearest, and Billy says he’d take Kyle’s gay card if he had one. They need to usher him into the community. The cake is amazing – red with the prettiest little decorations cascading down one side. The guests stand and applaud, and Dave nearly drops the cake.

Dave recovers nicely, and the cake is saved. More applause. Natalya (I think) says, the guests are so much fun, they need to step it up. She’s got feathers, eye masks, and edible underwear. She loves being around good vibes. After dinner, the guests are having a PJ party, and Billy and Chris are met with an eye masked Kyle, being stroked by Natalya with a feather. Kyle says, their every seduction will be tantalized, and luckily, they find this humorous, since it could have gone horribly wrong. Meanwhile, Captain Sandy tells Storm that the marina is tricky. She asks how he is with calling distance. In her interview, the captain says, it’s a narrow space with the dolphins close together. It’s basically a wind tunnel, plus there’s a current. She likes how Storm took charge, and wants to see how he does calling distance from the stern. There’s no room for error. Everyone goes to bed, and in Natalya’s interview, she says, her house is a party house. She loves keeping people up all night, and even though she’s not drinking, she’s having fun. She wants a boyfriend who has his own room and gives her space. She brings a lot to the table, so if someone can’t meet her halfway, she’s happy being alone. In Storm’s interview, he says, someone like Natalya is his kryptonite. Tasha tells Dave that he’s a champ.   

Final day of charter. Captain Sandy tells the deckhands this docking is going to be difficult, and in her interview, she says she’s concerned about the wind and the current direction. Last year, they had tenders that could pull the dolphins apart so she could get in, but they don’t have that this year. She doesn’t hit things. Dave torches the eggs benedict, and I say, I’ll take three, please! In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, it’s the first docking with this crew in a new marina. It’s critical everyone do their job. She needs to get this in without hitting anything.

There’s a crane shot, and wow, it is narrow. Billy says they need a valet, and it comes close, but the boat is docked. Captain Sandy says, well done, and Storm says, thank God. The guests pack, and the captain radios the crew to get in their whites and meet on the dock. There are thank yous and hugs, and Billy says he’s never had better food. He thanks them, and says, the interior was incredible. They travel around the world, and it’s the best service they’ve had. The deck, however, didn’t seem connected, and it took a lot of time to get the toys out. Regardless, he thanks them again, and says, bon voyage. Captain Sandy tells the crew to get into their reds, and meet in the main salon for the tip meeting. Champagne is poured, and the captain congratulates the crew. She says, they were down two deckhands, and the boat malfunctioned, but they pulled it off. The interior was incredible, and carried them; and Dave is an awesome chef. She’s grateful to have him. The crew applauds, and the captain says, the deck has training to do; the client made it known. She knows they were down two, and that’s not fair, but she feels they should have pulled it up another notch. Next charter, they need to be organized. The tip is a whopping $27K, or $2454 each. The captain says, that’s all they’re drinking; work.

Mzi tells Storm that he smells like updog, and Storm says, what’s updog? Mzi just laughs. Think about it. Tasha tells Dave, well done, and Natalya asks if Kyle is going glam. He says he is, and she says she wanted to make sure they were on the same page. In Raygan’s interview, she says she gets her crazy side from her mom. They sometimes club together. She’s interested to see what mischief will be going on. Most of the guys get in one taxi, but Kyle goes with the women in the other. Dave lets fly that he dated Tasha for a short time, but says they never hooked up. Like anyone would believe that. They go to a restaurant, and order tequila shots. Why does it always have to be tequila? Doesn’t everyone think it tastes foul? Storm tells Natalya that he has a thing for Australians, and in Natalya’s interview, she says, Storm has a rugged, pirate, homeless, hot look to him. They toast to the crew, and Natalya says, everyone has a different vibe. The food comes, and Raygan goes to the restroom with Tasha. Dave tells the others that he wants to be a couple with Tasha, but they’re not a couple. In Dave’s interview, a producer says, Dave claimed he and Natasha were just friends, and now he’s telling people that he wants to be with her. Is more going on that he’s not telling? Dave says, it’s good, bro, and the producer asks what that means. Is something going on between them? Dave is very visibly uncomfortable, and says, on the last boat, they had a connection. When they got together, she asked him to keep it a secret because she was still with her boyfriend. They were basically broken up, and not getting on. Now he’s struggling to keep it a secret. It’s difficult. Tasha and Raygan come back to the table, and Natalya says, she’s going to do this, although it might take days or weeks. She tells Tasha that Dave has genuine feelings for her. They’d assumed it happened, but he said he wanted it to happen. In Tasha’s interview, she says, what is he doing? She made it clear she doesn’t want anyone to know. It’s only a matter of time before he tells everybody that they hooked up.

To be continued…

🤨 I’m starting to think to be continued is somebody’s lazy way of not editing a preview.

🛥 About That Kyle…

And the movie that I think he should see is Trick. Despite the title, it’s very sweet, and Christian Campbell and Tory Spelling are wonderful in it. Anyway, moving on…

I forgot all about it, and TBH, I didn’t think anything of it at the time. So here’s the trailer if you forgot too.

🖐 Making Jazz Hands…

Stop by tomorrow for what a hope is soap and a cup of tea or two. Until then, stay safe, stay being a visionary, and stay remembering, a lie is a crappy foundation to build a life on, but the truth comes with its own problems.

July 11, 2020 – Cody Meets His Match, Drama Queen on the Med Deck & Tree

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dante wakes up in a chaise next to Sam at the pool, and says, they’re losing sun. How long was he out? She says, about an hour. It’s been a glorious day in the sun. He asks, thanks to Drew, and asks if they had any SOS calls, checking his phone, but she says she thinks with Drew’s Navy SEAL training, he can survive a day with Rocco, Scout, and Danny. He says, don’t forget, they have a sleepover at the Q’s tonight too, and she says, ouch. All for this? They may have pushed it a little. He says he thinks they’re in good hands. Plus it gives them a chance to focus on nothing but them.

At the MetroCourt Gardens, Esme suggests she and Spencer snag a spot on the roof terrace to watch the fireworks, but he says, they’re already pushing it by being here. Carly banned them from the pool, remember? They could go to the park. She says, but it’s so much better on the terrace, and he says, which is reason number two to skip it. Joss, Cam, and Trina are probably already out there.

At a table by the pool, Trina tells Josslyn, sorry. Maybe coming to the pool was a bad idea. She can’t seem to get out of her own head. Josslyn says, her either. She can’t help thinking about the trial starting tomorrow. Trina says, it feels like it’s been looming over her for so long. Part of her is glad it’s finally happening, but she hate the thought of listening to that ADA trash her to the jury. Josslyn tells her, don’t worry about that. The jury is going to hear from her and Cam too. They’re the victims and they’re testifying on her behalf. That’s got to outweigh anything that over-eager ADA has prepared.

Valentin goes to Nina’s office, and says, this is how they’re celebrating the birth of the nation? When she called, he hoped she was meeting him with hot dogs and a marching band. She kisses him on the cheek, and says, the marching band was booked. She’s super busy, and he’s busy too. Congratulations on getting over on Michael and Drew, and maintaining control of ELQ. He says he thought she’d be pleased, and she says, pleased? Someone finally told Michael that he can’t get everything he wants? Absolutely. He says he was thinking more along the lines of Carly.

Money manager Reggie tells Carly that he doesn’t like what she’s proposing. Is she comfortable assuming more debt? She says, no, of course (🍷) not, but from what he’s telling her, she has no other option. She has to secure a loan to buy back her half of the MetroCourt. He says he’ll make some calls, but prepare herself. The interest rate on such a large loan is going to be quite high. Olivia comes in, and says, a loan? Is Carly out of her mind?

In the park, Maxie tells Austin, this is the perfect place to watch the fireworks. Port Charles always puts on the best show. No offense to Pautuck’s lightning bugs. He says, none taken, and she’s probably right. She says, he’s not even going to defend his home town? and he says, what’s the point? He’s a lucky guy. He’s here enjoying the holiday, and he’s so happy to be with her. He takes Maxie’s hand, and we see Britt is sitting with them. She says, kill me now.

Cody sits on the chaise next to Dante, and says, what a day. He can’t wait for the fireworks. Dante asks if he means the ones the city puts on, and Cody says, unless Dante has some cherry bombs hidden somewhere.

Temp Michael and Willow walk into the MetroCourt Gardens, and Michael says, his mom must be in her office. Willow suggests they go; she’s kind of tired. He says, they don’t have to stick around for the fireworks. They can grab Wiley, and watch them from the house. She says she’s a little tired, but just because she’s pregnant; nothing to worry about. He says, worried? He’s on top of the world, and she says she’s right there with him. Sonny walks in, and he and Michael lock eyes. Michael tells Willow that his mom might be in the restroom. Why doesn’t Willow look for her there? She says, fine, but first… She leads him over to Sonny, and Sonny says he’s glad to see her up and about. How’s she feeling? She thanks him, and says, much better. He asks if they found out why she fainted, and she says, yes. There’s something he should know.

Olivia says, please tell her that she misheard that. Carly can’t possibly be considering taking out a loan when she’s so deep in the hole, she can’t even see daylight. Carly says she knows it’s a big risk, but it’s the only way she can buy back her half of the hotel before Stillwater Venture Group gets better offer. Olivia says, and this is the only way. Carly can swallow her stubborn pride, and let her friends help her. Carly says, unless pride is the only thing she has left.

Valentin says he didn’t realize how heavily invested Carly was, and Nina says, it was a surprise all right. He says, they’ll just file it under unintended collateral benefits. When he stayed in power, Aurora stock tanked, and Carly lost big. Nina says, don’t expect a standing ovation, and he says, don’t tell him she’s softened toward Carly. She says, not her, but Sonny has.

Sonny says, Willow told him she’s fine; he hopes she’s better. She says she is, and she’s been meaning to thank him for his help at the pool. She understands he caught her when she fainted, and even went to GH to make sure she was all right. He says, of course (🍷). She’s family. Michael says they should get going, and catch up with mom. Willow thanks Sonny again, and they leave.

Britt says she’s out of here, and Maxie asks why; she said she’d stay. Britt tells her, she said she’d come for the picnic. Now that’s over, and sitting here watching them make goo-goo eyes at each other all night isn’t what she signed up for. Austin says he wonders what happened to all the other people, and Maxie says, they had no way of knowing no one else would show up. Britt says, maybe they had better things to do, and Maxie says, they still had fun, didn’t they? Britt says, so much fun, but now it’s time to leave. Spinelli struggles in, pulling a cooler, and says, celebratory greetings, friends. Apologies for the late arrival. Maxie tells Britt, look! Spinelli! and Spinelli smiles.

Dante says he doesn’t know what Cody is talking about. He’s an officer of the law. Cody says, how things change. Dante was the one who snuck fireworks into camp; impressive fire power. Dante says, it was. Cody was actually the one who told the counselors it was the Gallagher twins. Cody says, please don’t tell him that with maturity comes remorse, and Cody says, hell no. Those two little punks? They’re probably Wall Street hot shots by now. Sam comes back, and says, look who’s here. She asks what they’re talking about, and Cody says, illicit firework stories; got any? She says she pleads the fifth, and Cody says, good woman.

Trina says she should go, but Josslyn says, forget it. She won’t let Trina go back to her room and obsess about the trial. Trina says, she should obsess in public? and Josslyn says, she gets it. It’s like this black hole that’s a gravity well, and you try to think about other things, but somehow it all connects back to the trial and keeps pulling you down. Trina says, that’s it exactly. She’d give anything to forget about the trial, even for an hour. Rory joins them, and says, easy. He can make that happen.

Esme says she doesn’t see how Joss, Cam, and Trina have anything to do with their plans for the evening, and Spencer says, the last time she and Joss were face-to-face, they both ended up in the pool. Trina’s trial is tomorrow, and he’s sure emotions are running high. He’d rather avoid another confrontation… for her benefit. Carly’s probably up there anyway; she’d throw them out. Esme doesn’t need the aggravation. She says, so considerate, always thinking of her, and he says, night and day. She kisses him, and Sonny clears his throat, getting their attention. Esme gasps, and he says he’s glad he ran into them.

Spinelli wonders, where’d everybody go? Don’t tell him they departed before the fireworks? Maxie says, her mom and Mac took the kids home. They played so hard, they could barely keep their eyes open. Austin says, everyone else was pretty much a no-show, and Spinelli says, no Terry? No Amy? and Austin says, no. Spinelli says, Epiphany? and Britt says, no one; just the three of us. Spinelli says he’s sure a good time was still had by all, and Britt says, it was a blast. Now that Spinelli is here, the party can continue. Thanks for inviting her. She jets.

Sam asks how the job is at the Quartermaines’, and Cody says he loves it. She says, Danny keeps going on about how Leo just loves Comet, and she tells Dante, Comet’s one of the horses. Cody says, the Quartermaines couldn’t have picked a better horse for Leo. He’s calm, steady, he’s almost impossible to startle. The other day, Cody accidentally knocked over this metal bucket. It was so loud, it sounded like a firecracker going off. A couple of the horses shied, one started going crazy in its stall. Comet barely even noticed. Half the time, he pretends that he’s asleep, except when Leo is there. When Leo’s there, he’s totally engaged; he’s focused. Leo will groom him, and he’ll suddenly connect. Sam says, don’t let Leo get it in his head to take Comet out solo, but Cody says, another thing about Comet. If Leo were to hop up on him alone, no one grabbing the lead rein, he’s not going anywhere. That horse is smarter than most of the dudes he knows. Dante tells Sam, this guy is basically half-horse… Smells like one too. Cody says he took a shower after work, and smells his shirt. He says, oh my God, I’m sorry, and they laugh.

Trina asks what Rory is doing here, and he says, looking for her. Does she have plans for watching the fireworks? She says she was planning on taking off. He says he knows it’s short notice. Being one of the newbies, he had to work crowd control for the parade, and wasn’t sure he’d be done, but he’s free now and has plenty of time to take her mind off tomorrow. Trina asks what he has in mind, and he says, dessert in the park while they watch the fireworks? Josslyn tells Trina, go, but Trina says she doesn’t want to leave Josslyn all alone. Josslyn says, go, and she’ll hang out with her mom; she hasn’t talked to her in a while. This is Trina’s chance to escape gravity well. Rory says, sorry? and Josslyn says, Trina will explain. Take her, please. Rory says, Trina heard her girl. How about it? He promises to be as distracting as possible.

Esme says, please, Mr. Corinthos. You promised Laura you wouldn’t kidnap me again. Sonny says, first of all, he didn’t kidnap her, and Spencer says, he woudn’t have to. He had one of his people do it for him, but Esme’s right. His grandmother assured them that she had his word Esme had nothing to fear. Sonny says he did and she doesn’t. He just wanted to give Esme the opportunity to tell the truth, and since she doesn’t want to tell the truth, she’s smart to stay away from him. Ain’t that right, Esme? Will she do him a favor? Can she give him some time with his nephew? Spencer suggests Esme go to the park, and find them a good space to watch the fireworks. She tells him, be careful, and he says he’ll join her soon. She leaves, and Spencer asks what he can do for Sonny. Sonny asks Spencer, what the hell has happened to him?

Nina gives Valentin something to drink, and says, Sonny’s first instinct, once again, is to rush to Carly’s rescue. She’s the one who asked for the divorce. He shouldn’t feel guilty, but he does, and that guilt is making him feel responsible for Carly’s financial misfortune. Valentin says, well, he shouldn’t. She took the risk, she rolled the dice, and she lost. That’s not Nina’s problem. Nina says she’s sure Michael and Willow will blame her for everything, like they do all the time. He says he’s sorry to hear that, and sorry hear she lost her petition for visitation with Wiley. She says she doesn’t absolve herself of the mistakes she’s made, lying about Sonny when he was in Nixon Falls, but losing her grandson is an unbearable price pay. He says, soon enough, Wiley will be making his own decisions, won’t he? and she says, she’s holding out hope, but what are the chances he’s going to choose to get to know her, hearing how she’s the schemer who blew up his family? She’s tired of being the villain all the time. He says, maybe it’s time to change that.

Carly says she doesn’t appreciate Olivia barging into her office and making her second guess herself. Olivia says, she didn’t barge; she entered with urgency, because she cares. She doesn’t want to see Carly make another mistake that she’s going to regret. Reggie says, maybe he’ll wait outside while they confer, and Carly asks him to look into the loan, and let her know their best terms, and she’ll make a decision. He leaves, and Olivia says she’s only trying to help. Carly says she knows, and she’s sorry she snapped at Olivia. She’s angry at everyone; she’s angry at herself. Helping Drew and Michael is a great thing, but as usual she took it too far. Olivia says she talked to Ned. He’s completely behind the idea of buying Carly’s half of the hotel and holding onto it until she can buy it back. Carly thanks her, but says, she has no idea when that will be. Olivia says, however long it takes. She doesn’t care. Michael and Willow come in, and Olivia says, look who’s here. She asks Michael  to talk some sense into his mother. Carly tries to stop her, but Olivia continues, saying, talk some sense in to your mother. Tell her the only idea that makes any sense is Olivia buying Carly’s half of the MetroCourt. Michael says, she’s selling her half of the hotel? and Olivia says, he didn’t know? She has a big mouth; she’s sorry. Carly says she didn’t have a chance to tell her family her plan, and Olivia says, or maybe she knew that her family wasn’t going to agree with her. Please, think long and hard about her offer. Please. She leaves, and Carly asks if Willow is okay; any more dizziness, fainting? Willow says, like she told Carly on the phone, she’s doing great, and Carly says she knows, but she felt like Willow was holding something back. Michael says, Carly is deflecting. What were she and Olivia talking about? He knows she took a financial hit when the Aurora/ELQ merger fell apart, but she can’t possibly be thinking about selling her half of the MetroCourt. Carly says, she can’t… because it’s already gone.

Spencer says, he’s the same as he’s always been, and Sonny says, really? He heard Spencer made a deal with Ava to loosen the purse strings on his trust, and he heard Spencer quit Kelly’s, and Spencer lost all his friends because of his shifty girlfriend. Loyalty and friendship are very important. He doesn’t take that lightly, and Spencer shouldn’t take that lightly. Spencer asks if that loyalty shouldn’t extend to his girlfriend, and Sonny says, his girlfriend is a liar. She made a sex tape on Josslyn and Cam, and framed Trina. They can’t forget that, can they? Spencer says, as long as the evidence proves otherwise, he’s staying by Esme’s side.

At the park, Rory opens a container, and Trina says, brownies; pretty basic. He says, not his brownies, and she says, so his amazing, stupendous, spectacular dessert is brownies. He says, try one. He made them himself. She says, they’re not special brownies, are they? (ha-ha; I was thinking that too) and he says, remember? I’m a cop. Just taste. She takes a bite, and looks at him, saying, oh my God. This is amazing. He says, and stupendous and spectacular. Best brownies she’s ever had, right? She says she’s in heaven. She’s sorry she doubted him. He says, it’s okay. Maybe she’s used to being let down. She can count on him. He won’t disappoint her.

Austin’s phone rings, and he says he’ll be right back. He leaves, and Spinelli says, Britt left in a hurry. Did he miss something? Maxie says, no; she was angling to leave the entire time. She’s actually a bit worried about Britt. He asks, why? Hasn’t she had any more matches? Maxie says, Britt hasn’t mentioned any, but she’s trying to stay positive with Britt about the whole Society Set-Ups thing. She’s afraid Britt’s soured on the idea, especially after the whole pool incident. She thinks Britt’s given up on dating altogether. He says, maybe that’s for the best for now, and she asks why he’d say that.

Cody brings Dante and Sam something to drink, as Britt walks in. She takes a look at them, and keeps walking. Cody says he forgot the napkins. He’ll grab a menu too, for appetizers. He goes over to the bar, and Britt says she doesn’t really need this right now. He says, good evening to her as well. He’s just here to get a menu and some napkins. Happy 4th, by the way. She asks if he wasn’t bragging that he had access to the Quartermaines’ pool? Why isn’t he there? He says, because he’s here, hanging with his friends, and she says, great. She’s sure Dante told him to stay away from her. He should listen. He asks what makes her think she knows what he and Dante talk about, and she says, because Dante hates her guts, for good reason. She hands him a menu and napkins, and says, bye, but he asks why he should leave now that he’s met his match?

Olivia asks if Sam and Dante are enjoying the holiday, and Sam says, yes, very much. She thanks Olivia for letting the kids crash at the Q’s, and Olivia says, no problem. Drew wore them out at the fair, and the nanny is an expert at getting them down. No work for her. Although she will be doing all the work around here pretty soon. Dante asks what she’s talking about, and she says she guesses she can tell him; he’s family. Carly lost her half of the hotel. Sam asks if it’s because of the drop in the Aurora stock, and Olivia says, she leveraged her half of the hotel, and now she can’t cover what she lost. And the woman is too damn stubborn to let her help. Dante says, Olivia is pretty stubborn too. Don’t let Carly tell her what to do; do what’s right.

Nina tells Valentin, she’s kept a low-ish profile, and she’s tried to make almonds amends to Sonny’s family. But when that didn’t work, she wanted to focus her attention on restoring her public image. That Invader article didn’t help at all, but she’s just going to keep trying, and maybe it will pay off in ten years or so. He says he’s no stranger to the court of public opinion. He tries not to pay too much attention to it. As long as Charlotte’s all right, the rest of the world can go hang. She asks if that includes Anna, and he says he admits there are certain people whose opinion matters to him; Nina is actually one of them. Nina says she’s glad they get to be friends. She forgot to tell him, Charlotte emailed her, and included pictures of her equestrian event. She’s ribboned? He says, she’s pretty competitive, and Nina says she never would have predicted it, but this boarding school seems like a really good fit for her. He says, seems that way, and she says she’s still surprised Charlotte wanted to live away from home, and that he could bear to see her go. He says he’ll do what he has to, to make sure Charlotte is okay, whatever the cost to him.

Carly says, Stillwater intends to put her half of the hotel on the market, and Willow says, that’s terrible, but Carly says she’s going to buy it back. Michael says he knew it was a mistake for her to buy in, just like it was a mistake to include Ned. Carly says, this is why she didn’t want to tell him. It was her decision to bet on the merger between ELQ and Aurora, and it didn’t happen, so she has to suffer the consequences. Michael says, so now she’s going to take out a loan. What’s she going to use as collateral? The house? No. Just let him give her the money, or he’ll buy her half and sign it over to her. She says, no. She knew he’d do that, and she loves him for it, but she just wants her family to be happy and safe. That’s it… What’s going on? She saw the look. Did something happen with Willow when she was in the hospital? Willow says, they hadn’t planned on saying anything this early… Michael says, he and Willow are having a baby. Carly gets all excited, and hugs them both.

On the phone, Austin says he was only in town for a couple of days; he’s not in Pautuk… Now they need to live up to their end of the bargain. Don’t contact him again.

Trina tells Rory that she was around six or seven, and was convinced her dad was a magician, and of course (🍷) he encouraged her. That 4th of July, he had a real wand, and he’d point it at the sky, and say, presto. The sky would light up with fireworks. He probably heard the whoosh when they sent it up, but she didn’t, and thought, wow, her dad is magic. She could use some of that magic now… She’s so sorry. She’s really trying not to think about the trial. He takes her hand and says, she can’t ignore reality; he doesn’t expect her to. He just wanted her to have a few moments where is wasn’t the only thing she thought about. She says she appreciates his efforts, but he says he wishes he could do more. She moves closer to him, and says, he’s doing just fine.

Carly asks why they didn’t tell her, and Michael says he thinks that’s what they’re doing right now. Willow says, keeping quiet is so much harder than she expected, and she certainly didn’t want Carly worrying she was ill. Carly says she’s so happy they told her. She really needed good news today. Josslyn walks in, and says, her too. What’s the good news? Willow says she’s pregnant, and Josslyn congratulates them and hugs them, saying, she’s going to be an auntie again. Reggie comes to the door, and says he has those numbers for Carly, and she tells the others to go to the Garden and she’ll meet them. Michael says, they’re still not done talking, and they leave. Carly invites Reggie in, and says, well?

Maxie says, she thought Spinelli was the champion for love and romance these days. He thinks it’s better for Britt to be alone? Spinelli says, alone is better than being with the wrong person. Austin returns, and Maxie asks if everything is okay. He says, it was just the hospital, and Spinelli says he thinks he’ll take his leave, but Maxie says, he just got here. Spinelli says, they should have an evening alone together. Farewell. He drags his cooler back out, and Maxie wonders, what’s up with him?

Sam wonders if Carly is coming back, but Dante doesn’t know. He asks if it matters, and she says, as much as she loves hearing stories about his outlaw past, she wants to go somewhere private to watch the fireworks, just the two of them. He asks if she has a place in mind, and she says she does. She was thinking, the view from her bedroom is spectacular, and he says he happens to know that for a fact. She says, the harbor lights up, and it’s so beautiful. She was thinking it would be incredible. He says, it probably would be incredible. Does she want to get out of here? He kisses her, and they jet.

Nina says, Valentin didn’t tell her what he wanted to see her about, and he asks if Victor has approached her. She says, no, why? and he says, Victor is determined to stay a part of his life. So much so, he’s reaching out to the people closest to him. She says, not a fan, and Valentin says, stay away from him. He’s a dangerous man, and Valentin doesn’t care how devoted he seems to be. She says, duly noted, and thanks him for his concern. It’s actually refreshing not to be the perpetually guilty one. He says, she doesn’t care that much what people think, and she says she doesn’t, but Wiley is a different story. She’s never going to be considered a saint, but she does want to be than the woman who destroyed Wiley’s family. Valentin says he knows a way she can balance the scales.

Sonny says, Spencer wants to be a better man, and have a better life? He respects that. Spencer says, but Sonny doesn’t respect him now, and Sonny says, Spencer is living at Windymere, standing with his girlfriend, he quit his job… is this about money? Spencer’s got to tell him. Spencer shakes his head, and Sonny says, tell him; what is it? Spencer says he’s still trying to be better. Sonny, of all people, should know you have to do what’s in your heart, not what other people are telling you to do. He knows how it looks, but he swears on his mother’s memory, he’s doing the right thing. He loves Sonny, and would never ever do anything to hurt or disappoint him. Sonny says, okay. He guesses time will tell. Just be careful. Understand him? Sonny leaves, and Spencer says, time’s running out.

Cody says, Britt feels it too, right? There’s something between them. She says, he’s delusional. He’s clearly fallen off a horse one too many times. He says, the first thing they teach you in riding is how to fall off a horse, and she asks why he’s pushing this. He can’t be that hard up for a date, and he asks if she just called him handsome. Charming? A catch? She says, he’d do in a pinch, and obviously, he keeps up with his physique. He thanks her for noticing, and says he feels she’s easy on the eyes as well. He bets if she didn’t treat every conversation like a prizefight, she’d have her pick of men. She wonders how she can put this… He’s not her type. He says, obviously, dating her type hasn’t worked out for her, and she says, he’s relentless. He says, she doesn’t know the half of it; he has a lot of stamina. If she really wants to be alone, he’ll respect that, but he thought they could have a few laughs and try to enjoy each other’s company for a change. She says, one date, and he says, sweet, let’s go, but she says, not tonight. She’ll find him on Society Set-Ups. He says he’s looking forward to it, and leaves.

Carly asks if that’s really the best offer she can get, and Reggie says, unfortunately, news of her sizeable investment in Aurora has made the rounds. The lenders know she’s over a barrel. She says, and sharks smell blood in the water, but it’s just business, right?  He asks what she wants him to do, and she says, she just got the best reminder in the world that there are more important things than money. She can’t risk her house; she can’t buy back her half. She guesses she’s no longer co-owner of the MetroCourt.

As they lie in Sam’s bed, Sam asks Dante to tell her more about the cherry bomb capers. He says, it was his second summer at camp, and he was trying to make up for his first summer at camp. She asks, what happened? and he says, he was doing pretty good for a city boy out in the country, when the 4th of July rolled around. In his neighborhood, come 4th of July, everybody’s out in the street; the Falconaris, the Cerullos, the entire neighborhood. And there he was in this place he didn’t want to be in, surrounded by people he didn’t want to be surrounded by. So he found a spot by himself, and started to break down about everything. Then Cody comes looking for him, and he told Cody the whole thing, about his aunts and uncles and cousins and his grandmother, and the food, and the stickball games, and the fireworks. Even Cody started to get sad, thinking about their situation, because he said it sounded like the coolest 4th of July ever. She asks if the two families still get together, and he says, they’re probably out there, 100 tables strong, still in the street as we speak. She asks him to promise they’ll take the kids next year, and he says, it’s a date. She kisses him as the fireworks begin, and they watch through the window.

Carly starts to leave her office, but just puts her forehead against the door. There’s a song part, as everyone watches the fireworks. At the pool, Britt looks at Cody, who raises his glass to her. In the park, Austin and Maxie watch, lying on a blanket. Esme texts Spencer: You’re missing the fireworks! Where r u??? Rory and Trina kiss. Finally.

Cody sees Spinelli walk into the pool area, and says, my man. Come. Join him. He’ll let Spinelli buy him a drink. Spinelli asks, why, pray tell, would he do that? and Cody says, to celebrate his date with the lovely Dr. Britt Westbourne. Thanks for setting that up. He claps Spinelli on the shoulder, making him jump, and Spinelli says, Cody didn’t give him much choice. Cody says, Spinelli doesn’t want everyone to know matchmaker Zelda’s just a front, and the real man behind Society Set-Ups is Damien Spinelli. Spinelli tells him to keep his voice down, and Cody says, once that came to light, it wouldn’t take long for everyone to figure out how he matches one lovelorn sucker with another. He’s doing Cody a solid. Spinelli says, Cody got what he wanted. Spinelli engineered his match with Britt. Their business is concluded. Buy his own drink. Spinelli walks away.

Josslyn, Willow, and Michael go back to Carly’s office, and Josslyn asks why she didn’t come down. Carly says she got caught up in a few things here, and she kind of wasn’t feeling it. Michael says, they’re going to figure out something that doesn’t involve Carly taking out another loan, and Carly says, okay. He says, they’ll talk tomorrow; they’ll drop off Josslyn. Carly tells Willow, congratulations again, and everyone exchanges I love yous. They leave, Carly’s smile disappears, and she says, oh my God.  

Maxie tells Austin, what a perfect night. Clear sky, not too muggy… Austin is lost in thought, and she says, should they have some more wine? He says, sounds nice, and she asks, where was he? Is everything okay? He says, everything’s fine. It’s just… some old memories, that’s all. She says, such as? but he says, nothing. He’s much happier being here in the moment with her.

Rory says, Trina is just so beautiful… If he overstepped… She says, he didn’t. They kiss again, just as Spencer is walking into the area. He sees them, and leaves quickly and quietly.

Britt takes out her phone, bringing up the email from Society Set-Ups. She hesitates, then accepts her match.

Olivia sees Sonny having a cup of coffee, and he says, why the face? She says, he knows about Carly and the hotel? She offered to buy Carly’s half and sell it back to her, but Carly’s too stubborn to let her help. He asks if she’s surprised. She wouldn’t let him help her either. She says she was going to do it anyway, but someone beat her to it.

There’s a knock at Carly’s office door, and Carly says, come in. Nina walks in, and Carly says, get out. They have nothing to talk about. Nina says, that’s not true.

Tomorrow, Trina tells Rory, this can’t happen again; Nina asks Carly to let her do this; Sonny wants some information checked out; and Sasha asks Brando how bad the fallout is.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Ugh. I hate when it’s all new people and I have to learn their names. Even better, this season there’s a Natasha and a Natalya – and they look alike. I don’t even mean similar. They could be twins. Moving on.

Captain Sandy says, they’re going to Malta this season. It’s a new place with a new boat, and new department heads. Challenge accepted. We see a preview of the coming season.

Grand Harbour Marina, Malta. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, Malta is a small country off the coast if Sicily; a little piece of paradise, undiscovered by the superyacht industry. Chief stew Natasha (who later introduces herself as Tasha, so we’ll go with that) arrives first, and the captain says she loves that Tasha has had a lot of experience. In Tasha’s interview, she says she’s been in yachting almost 10 years. She likes to lead by example, which she knows sounds super cringe. Bosun Raygan and Chef Dave are next, and we find out Dave and Tasha have worked together before. Captain Sandy tells Raygan, it’s nice to have a female bosun again, and in her interview, the captain says, she tried to get Malia again, but she’s Chief Operating Officer on another vessel. But someone once gave her an opportunity, so she wants to extend it forward. In Dave’s interview, he says he and Tasha are good friends. They get on like a house on fire, and her smile is unreal, so yeah… He says he’s trying to dig himself out of this hole. Hmm… a boatmance?

Raygan examines the boat, and Dave meets the captain. In his interview, Dave says, he’s been in yachting for 8 years, and owns his own restaurant in the south of France. He’s won the British Ski Championship, done skydiving, and climbed Mt. Everest. He’s cheated death so many times, it’s a joke. Deckhand Jason, and stews Natalya and Kyle show up. Natalya remarks that she and Tasha could be twins, and seriously, they could. In Raygan’s interview, she says, she was born in Essex, but moved to Turkey when she was 12, because her parents had a business there. It’s a Muslim country, so she calmed down, but she’s loud when she goes to Essex. They divvy up the cabins, and Captain Sandy calls Mzi, who’s the only repeat this season. In the captain’s interview, she says she saw potential and growth in Mzi. Bringing him back and watching him flourish will be incredible. He referred his friend Storm, who will also be a deckhand, but unfortunately, they’re both stuck in quarantine for another day. Mzi says, they’re being released at 8 pm, and Captain Sandy says, that’s a bummer. Tasha and Dave decide to share the one co-ed cabin, and in Dave’s interview, he says, it’s cool. He doesn’t know what to say. The captain radios the crew to meet in the main salon for the welcome meeting.

The captain tells the crew that the boat is a hybrid, a Motor Yacht Home; futuristic, white and stainless, and ultra-modern. She explains, they have two deckhands that are still in quarantine. It’s going to be challenging, since they have to pick up a charter tomorrow. With the turnaround time, it’s a disaster. In Raygan’s interview, she says, just her and Jason; that’s bad. Captain Sandy says, she likes the crew to help each other, and she’s there for them. They’re adults, and she expects them to act like it. She doesn’t tolerate hate comments or sexual harassment. If you fall in love, that’s not harassment. She introduces, Chief Officer Ray and Chief Engineer Carlos, and says they’ll be helping until the deckhands come. In her interview, she says, it’s been a while since she’s had a whole new crew, and we flash back to previous seasons. She says, how they handle pressure and can lead is critical. There’s no room for error. They ready the boat, except for Raygan, who goes for a smoke. In Tasha’s interview, she says she’s not a scream-in-your-face chief stew. She’s worked a 107 meter boat, with 10 stews under her. She’s worked with people who scream and swear, and she doesn’t like negativity. When her parents divorced, she was the peacemaker. She tells Kyle and Natalya, she doesn’t think they need ranks, and Kyle jokes that he deserves his rank. In Kyle’s interview, he says he was a service queen from the get-go; an extreme personality and extreme service. He grew up around 18 cousins, and had to stand out. Provisions come in, and Kyle says, this is the most meat he’s ever handled. He’s no Josiah, but he might turn out to be fun. Jason says he’s not used to a mega-yacht, and in his interview, he says, his perception was incorrect. He did commodities training, and when his company was bought out, he was like a divorcee with a new lease life, and went into yachting. He’s one of the wild cards for sure. The captain calls Tasha, Dave, and Raygan for a preference sheet meeting.

The primaries are Billy, who has an ad agency, and his fiancé Chris. They met in Japan, and will be celebrating their anniversary with a Japanese themed evening. They’d also like a local drag performer to come out, and have an all-out drag night. They also expect all the water toys. Captain Sandy says, it’s a bummer (her WOTD) that their slide is still in customs. They need to pull out all the stops. Chef Dave reads that they like a lot of seafood, and beets taste like dirt. He says, you can’t beat a root, which the captain finds funnier than I do. She says, Ray will be helping when they pull out of the dock, and in her interview, she says, being down two deckhands, it’s a safety issue. She needs the Chief Officer to call out distances; they need the support. Natalya says, on her last job, she was the sole stew, and it was lonely. She was every department, and she’s super excited to have 8 crew members. Raygan sits on the dock, having a smoke, while everyone else readies the boat.   The crew goes to bed early.

In the morning, Tasha tells Natalya that Dave brought her coffee. Natalya wonders if there’s romance, but Tasha says, they’re just like Musketeers. In her interview, she says, she just went through a break-up, and she’s focusing on herself. Captain Sandy thanks Jason for working so hard, when the floating dock arrives. Jason tries dealing with it himself, and the captain wonders where the bosun is. She ends up helping Jason herself, and I’m thinking Raygan seems lazy. In Kyle’s interview, he says he grew up in South Africa, where it’s not popular to be a homosexual. Plus, he went to an all-boy’s school, and hid being gay. He had a relationship for 12 years that was kept secret, and it damaged him, but he likes to make humor out of an uncomfortable situation. Don’t look at the gay guy, look at the funny guy. He tells Natalya that he wants to get married and have kids one day. They need to get all the provision boxes out of the guests’ site, and Kyle says, wherever you find a hole, fill it. The captain radios for the crew to get in their whites.

The guests arrive while everyone is still getting ready, but somehow they manage to be lined up in time. Captain Sandy tells them, welcome to Motor Yacht Home. Their goal is to make it their home, and give them the best holiday. They’ll head out as soon as the luggage is on board. Tasha says, they have blue Jolly Rancher shots (gag), as well as champagne. She gives them the tour, and it’s definitely a different boat design than we’ve seen before. Raygan tells Jason, the suitcases are too heavy for her, and in his interview, Jason says, she could help. The luggage is on board, and Tasha confers with primary Billy to have their fabulous Italian luncheon at 3. Sandy says, they’re ready to depart, and in her interview, she says, the current in this marina pushes the vessel starboard, and the dolphins (markers, not to be confused with the sea creatures) are really close. They get out of the marina, and Ray says, slow and easy wins the race. In Dave’s interview, he says he follows the preference sheet, but not recipes. He’s always bouncing ideas against himself. He shuts his eyes and envisions the plate.

Jason says he’s lifting more than everyone, but Raygan (who’s not lifting anything) says, he’s just not used to it. In Jason’s interview, he says, he’s trying to bite his tongue. He stands by his work ethic, but it’s easier to take it on the chin. Raygan tells him to get the toys out, and Jason says, she couldn’t lift a bag, but she has energy now. They eat, and Jason says, there’s only one of him. Raygan says, that’s because the other deckhands didn’t come. Dave tells Tasha that lunch is a family style Italian buffet, and she seats the guests, as Jason struggles with the water toys. Tasha tells Dave the food looks beautiful, and he says, she looks beautiful. Lunch is served, and the guests pronounce it delicious, although Billy says, it’s very peppery. Captain Sandy radios Raygan, telling her to get the toys out, and in her interview, the captain says, it’s difficult having the toys in the hull of the boat, but it’s so the guests don’t see behind-the-scenes work. It’s magic. You step outside, and the toys are there. The food keeps coming, including beef cheeks (Chef Leon would approve) made with cinnamon. Billy whines about the cinnamon, telling Kyle, it’s like his kryptonite. Kyle tells Dave that he hates to be the barer of bad news, but he needs some beef without cinnamon. Billy demands to look at his preference sheet, but when it’s produced, he can’t believe he didn’t put no cinnamon on it. In Natalya’s interview, she tells us that she can’t pronounce cinnamon or ambulance, and demonstrates. In Dave’s interview, he says, the first lunch is important, and sets the tone for the charter. And the beef wasn’t seasoned with cinnamon, it was just sticks to give it aromatic flavor. But if the guest doesn’t like his food, he’ll keep going until they do. Billy says he can still taste the cinnamon, and guest Twanna thinks they should be in the water.

Billy wants a Seabob, but one isn’t available, and Raygan suggests a kayak, but he says, that’s too much exercise. He tells Kyle that he’s not sure Raygan is his favorite. She gave him a stank face, and he thinks she hates him. In Kyle’s interview, he says he thinks Billy has had one too many, and he’s going to be overdramatic about everything, but at the end of the day, he’s the guest. Chris complains that Raygan is being a stupid bitch to him, and treating him like he’s stupid. Captain Sandy wonders what’s going on, and Billy says he’s irritated. He’s sure they think he’s a drama queen… but the captain lies assures him that no one thinks that. He says, Raygan wouldn’t put the slide out, and Captain Sandy explains, it’s in customs. Billy says, well, make up for it then, instead of realizing he is stupid. The captain says, they’re without two crew members, and Billy says he’s in customer service. Raygan isn’t rude, but she’s not warm and fuzzy. The captain says she’ll take care of it, but tells him, using the WaveRunner and drinking can’t happen. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, she’ll shoulder the complaint, but she’s concerned about Raygan not getting the toys out. They need to work with what they have. She should have communicated, and not blindsided the client. Billy says, the captain is hands-on, and she says, that’s how she started; she didn’t start out driving a boat. In Tasha’s interview, she tells us, people say if you don’t laugh, you cry. She also doesn’t have time for it. The guests get in the water, and Raygan takes primary Chris for a ride. Using a paddleboard, Billy says he’s like a dolphin.

In Dave’s interview, he says, it’s not like he has all day to prep, but he puts pressure on himself. He grew up poor, and started working at 13. He’s afraid to fail. The dinner table is decorated, and Natalya steams the guests’ clothing. The guests come out, and Billy asks if he’s the only one wearing suit, and says the other guests are trash. Mzi and Storm are on their way, and Captain Sandy freaks over how disorganized everything is. The guests are seated, and Wagyu beef with wild mushrooms and mashed potatoes is served. I want some very badly, but Billy is already making faces. He tells Kyle that it’s more rare. More rare than what, he doesn’t say, but he wants it cooked more. Kyle takes his plate, and Billy says he can’t believe he had to send it back. Kyle tells Dave that he’s sorry. It’s perfect, but Billy wants it cooked more. In his interview, Dave says, you can eat Wagyu raw. It’s ridiculous.

Billy whines some more about how his steak wasn’t medium, and guest Crystal says, it was like it was a mooing cow, not exaggerating too much. Mzi and Storm arrive, and Captain Sandy says it couldn’t be better timing. She takes it back. It could have been yesterday. Billy gets his new steak, and the captain says she’s so happy. She meets Storm, who says, it’s been a long 14 days. She says she’s happy to have Mzi back, and in Mzi’s interview, he says, it’s like breaking out of prison. It seems like they’re chilling, but quarantine isn’t easy. He wants to hit the ground running. The captain says she’ll give Mzi the lowdown, and he can relay it to Storm, who she wants to start sorting out the mess; it’s a safety issue. Raygan goes for a smoke, which seems to be the only thing she does. Billy puts his placemat on his head, and in Storm’s interview, he says he’s a dirtbag pirate. Some people don’t enjoy him, but if everybody likes you, you’re doing something wrong. Dessert is served, and everyone loves it. In Natalya’s interview, she says, Storm is pretty fit.

Tasha and Kyle get dressed in drag, and discuss the drag themed evening. In Mzi’s interview, he says, Storm is a childhood friend. When Storm was 13, he looked 18, and they were petrified of him. The same mustache he has today, he’s had since he was 13. Drag queen Trihanna Wilde arrives, and in Tasha’s interview, she says, theme parties are her strong point. When she was growing up, they had no money, and her grandma would treat them to the theater. She wants to make other people feel how she felt as a child; it’s magic. Trihanna does a show, and in her interview, Tasha says, thank the Lord they pulled tonight together. She’s happy that they guests are happy. She says she’s had two long term relationships on boats. It’s nice to share a cabin, and blow off steam, and you can trust the other person won’t say anything. She asks Dave if he wants to hook up, and he nods.

Captain Sandy consults a chart, and says, they’re going to have a swell. In her interview, she says, every bosun should have their watch schedule on day one. She wants to see it and approve it, so she’s comfortable with who’s on anchor watch. She asks Raygan for her schedule, and tells her, the tender should be in the water. The toys are a priority, and she wants the tender and WaveRunner out. In Raygan’s interview, she says, the last boat she worked on was a private yacht, and it was more relaxed. This is the most demanding job she’s had in a long time. Well, that’s obvious. The captain tells her to get the tender in the water, and get the schedule done. The guests get ready to go in the water.

Around noon, the guests are back on board, and things start rocking. Captain Sandy realizes they’ve lost their stabilizers; they’re malfunctioning. Everything starts falling, and Crystal wonders what’s happening. The boat rocks like crazy, and the captain radios for all crew to hold onto everything. Everything is just crashing everywhere, and it’s worse than Sailing Yacht. A guest asks where the lifejackets are.

To be continued…  

🦋 Catch You Later…

Join me tomorrow for soap, and who knows what else. Below Deck Down Under is on in the evening, and although I’ll no doubt be watching, too many Decks spoils… something. So until then, stay safe, stay fighting the good fight, whatever that is for you, and stay knowing that, being alone is better than being with the wrong person.

June 21, 2022 – GH Deferred Again, 15000, Soap Dads, Reunited, Heated, Not Skimping, Diana’s Room, Worst Ever, New Med, Chris’s Pups & Nights

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Foiled again.

🎉 Still Standing…

A definite reason to celebrate. The episode we would have seen today, and will hopefully see tomorrow.

👔 More Celebration…

The fathers of GH.

❄️ Hell Officially Frozen Over…

Did Bravo meet Bethenny’s unaffordable figure? https://realityblurb.com/2022/06/21/photo-bethenny-frankel-and-jill-zarin-reunite-on-a-plane-as-andy-cohen-jokes-a-crew-is-en-route-with-their-paychecks/

🤼 Sparring Again…

I dunno. Joe #2 might be a hothead, but Luis is starting to not look so good.

💋 Gotta Have Glam…

It looks like she’s not skipping any meals either. Sorry. I know that was mean, and not something I’d normally say, but I can’t stand her.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10929081/Erika-Jayne-arrives-Elite-Aesthetics-medical-spa-claiming-afford-2-2M-tax-bill.html

🚪 Pricey Room…

She didn’t want to talk about it on the show, but I’ll bet she cashes the royalty checks.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a40310562/diana-jenkins-book-room-23-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/

🎤 Fillers Can’t Buy You Class…

Wow. Worse than Tardy for the Party? That’s pretty hard.

🛥 Steering Closer…

The latest on Below Deck Med’s new season, beginning July 11th.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/below-deck-med-season-7-cast-premiere-date-trailer

🐕 Squee When Ready…

Chris Evans + puppies. What’s not to like?

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ehisosifo1/chris-evans-puppy-interview

🧜🏽 Boogie Oogie Oogieing Out…

Hopefully, all will be right with the world tomorrow, and you can join me for some soap and Beverly Hills drama. Until then, stay safe, stay discerning in all things, and stay taking comfort in the fact, no matter how bad it gets, there are always puppies.

June 6, 2022 – Willow Makes a Decision, Extra Dead, Postponement & I Know

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly finds Drew at the pool and says she heard he was there. He says she seems to be in a better mood, and she says, things are finally starting to come together. He says, nothing like being released from a dungeon after a couple of years, and she says, it’s not quite that, but he says, it’s her version. It’s been a rough couple of years. She says, it has, and now there are blue skies ahead for Nina and Willow, Nina is finally in the rearview, and she knows Nina finally can’t do harm to this family anymore. Michael and Willow come in, and Drew says, it is such a relief to find out Willow isn’t Nina’s daughter.

At the neatest stables I’ve ever seen – I mean, like you could live in them – Leo looks at a white horse and says he loves him. Olivia tells Ned that Leo loves his new present. She knows getting horses, cars, and stock options for your birthday might be normal for Ned, but this girl knows how lucky they are. He says he’s the lucky one; he has her and Leo. She says, it turns out equestrian therapy is all its cracked up to be, and Leo pets the horse. Ned says he knows it’s supposed to help kids on the autism spectrum develop emotional bonds, and sensory skills like balance, but this looks more like a kid loving getting a horse. She asks if he’s getting all misty on her, and he asks if she’d believe him if he said no. She says, not for a minute, and suggests she and Leo go up to the house and get the horse some food. I wonder if she’s going to make it a sandwich, and Leo says, apples or carrots? She says, dealer’s choice, and they leave. Ned tells the horse, all right, mister. I’m trusting you to look out for my son, and since he clearly already loves you, welcome to the family. He guesses they’ll have to give the horse a name, and Valentin walks in, saying, he’s always been partial to comet. Comes around once a decade. Much like the offer he’s presenting Ned.

Terry gets a text from Chet, saying: Just landed. She sees TJ, and says, she thought he requested the whole week off work. He says he did. He had a family situation, but it’s been handled. She asks if everything is okay, and he says he couldn’t begin to tell her.

Curtis comes in with Marshall and Stella, and Portia says, he’s home. He says, yeah. They’re home.

At Shadybrook, Laura says, Elizabeth looks wonderful, and Elizabeth says, compared to what? Laura says, compared to yesterday. She looks more rested than she has in months. Elizabeth says she thinks it’s the first good night’s sleep she’s had since… It’s been more than months. She thanks Laura for helping her settle in, and Laura says, that’s what family does. Doc is going over some details with Elizabeth’s doctor. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a few days for the sleeping pills to get out of her system. Elizabeth says she figured, and Laura says, so don’t be alarmed if she can’t sleep and goes through… Elizabeth says, withdrawals? Laura says, it will only last for a few days, and Elizabeth says, it’s funny… Not funny, but irritating. She’s been a nurse for how long, and she didn’t see this coming. If she’d been her own patient, she would have caught this a lot sooner, but when it’s you.. Laura says, you’re too close to it. Elizabeth says she sees it now, and if it’s a choice between sleepless nights and hurting the people she loves… Finn walks in with flowers.

Portia hugs Curtis, saying, she was on her way to work, and she was afraid she was going to miss him. She tells Marshall that she’s so glad he’s okay. She heard he went through quite an ordeal. How is he feeling? He says he feels like he’s had a lifetime full of doctors in the last few days, and Stella says, maybe Portia wasn’t asking him as a doctor, but as the woman who loves his son. Marshall says, his bad. He guesses he’s still a bit on edge. He appreciates her concern though. She says, good. Because he’s going to have to get used to it. She made up the spare bedroom for him; make himself at home. Stella suggests Marshall get freshened up. He’s been in those clothes for days. Marshall says, he knows he promised Curtis answers, but Curtis says, they have time for that, and tells him to get settled first. Marshall leaves with Stella, and Portia says she’s so glad Curtis found his father. When he told her about the robbery, even though it had already happened, it’s scary. But all of them are okay, and that’s all that matters. Curtis saved the day. He says he doesn’t feel like much of a hero, and she asks, why not? He says, because if he hadn’t broken his father’s trust, he never would have put Marshall in danger in the first place.

Finn asks how Elizabeth is feeling, and she says, a little better. He says he thought he’d find a florist on the way over, but he only found a little convenient store. She takes the flowers – which are pretty damn nice for being from a deli and even wrapped in a brown paper cone – and he wonders if she hates them, but she says she doesn’t. She is a little confused. She asked him not to visit her. He says he heard her, but didn’t want her thinking he’d abandoned her, and didn’t want to hurt her. She says, but he is hurting her, more than he realizes.

Valentin tells Ned that he heard Leo got a new horse. Mind if he takes a gander? Ned says, sure, and Valentin says, he’s a good looking animal. When he and Charlotte were living here, they very much enjoyed riding in the area. Ned says, Charlotte is always welcome, and Valentin says, unfortunately, Charlotte is still away at boarding school. Ned is surprised she has school in the summer, and Valentin says, apparently. She’s as independent as her father. He holds out a box, and says he wanted to offer Ned this. He opens the box, and Ned says, equestrian gear, taking it from him. Valentin says, some of Charlotte’s helmets, riding crops and the like. Too small for her, but maybe Leo will enjoy them. Ned says, it’s very thoughtful of Valentin, but they both know that’s not why he stopped by. So what does he want? Valentin says, Ned knows what he wants. He wants to work together at ELQ before Drew and Michael push Ned out.

Carly says she didn’t know Michael and Willow were stopping by, and Willow says, Wiley has a swimming lesson at the club, and Michael says, he convinced Willow that they could step away for a little relaxation. She’s graduating next week. Carly says she’s so proud of Willow; she’s been working so hard. Willow says, that must be why she’s so exhausted, and Drew asks if he can steal Michael for a second about some ELQ stuff. Carly asks if this means they’re reconsidering her offer to help, but Michael says, no, it doesn’t, and steps away with Drew. Carly and Willow sit, and Carly says, she knows Willow has been working and studying, but she thinks Wiley’s custody hearing is what has her so exhausted. Willow says, that was so insane, and so unnecessary. They said, no, and Nina should have respected that. Honestly, she’s never been as angry with someone as she is with Nina right now. Carly flashes back to reading the DNA results, and saying, it’s true; Nina is Willow’s mother. Carly tells Willow, what’s important is, she gets to choose who’s in Wiley’s life; Nina doesn’t. Don’t let her live in your mind rent free. Willow tells her, easier said than done, but there is one good thing to come out of this. Dealing with Nina helped her come to a big decision. Carly asks, about what? and Willow says, finding the identity of her biological mother.

Curtis tells Portia, his father was in that hospital, lying unconscious because that street trash slashed him with a knife. He thought he was going to lose his father all over again. She says, but he didn’t, and he says he’s had a lot of time to think. He keeps going over the last few months in his head. Here’s a man who was just trying to make things right with him, his son, and he was so angry, he just pushed Marshall away. He led Marshall to believe that he was letting him in, only to go digging through his closet for whatever skeletons he might find. Marshall left Port Charles because he felt like there was no place for him; like he and Marshall would never have a relationship, because Curtis didn’t trust him. She asks if Marshall gave Curtis reasons to trust him. Trust is earned. You’ve got to be there; be present. For whatever reason, Marshall wasn’t there for him, and Curtis asked for an explanation, and Marshall didn’t give him one. So he has every right to be frustrated. He says this coming from the woman who made the guest bedroom for Marshall, and she says, Marshall is still Curtis’s father, and Curtis is still Marshall’s son, and she cares about the both of them. As far ask Curtis blaming himself, he didn’t send Marshall packing or put him in harm’s way. Nothing. Curtis says he still couldn’t leave well enough alone, even when Marshall asked him to. She says she knows he thinks Marshall is selfish, just as she knows Marshall has his reasons, his regrets. She truly believes once they air it all out, the truth, like most truths, lies somewhere in-between. Curtis looks at the prescription bottle, and says, she’s probably right.

TJ tells Terry, there’s a lot going on with his family; a lot. He could use the distraction, and he’d be happy to go on the rotation if the hospital needs an extra set of hands. Terry says, always, but they need steady one. If he’s going through something heavy, he could be liability to the patients, and they have to come first. He says he can’t argue with that, and she tells him, that being said, there might be a surgery or two he could observe, if he doesn’t mind being hands-off and just learning. He says, it sounds awesome, and thanks her. She tells him, scrub in, and he leaves. She looks at a picture of Chet on her phone and sighs.

Finn asks Elizabeth to forgive him. He just wanted to see her. She says she’s scared. She’s scared she’s going to hurt someone the way she hurt Chase. What if next time it’s one of her boys or Violet? Laura says, everyone knows Elizabeth would never intentionally hurt anyone. It was a side effect of those pills, and she’s not taking them anymore. Elizabeth says, the doctors called it a dissociative fugue, and Finn says he’s heard of it. She says, in her case, it was caused by the pills. That’s how it happened biologically. Psychologically – why she did what she did – they still haven’t figured that out yet. He says, that’s okay. She just got here; there’s time. She says, something is broken in her, and she needs to fix it, and he says, of course (🍷). If there’s anything he can do to help, he’ll do it. She says she thinks she convinced herself that she was ready to move on when she really wasn’t, and he says, if he rushed her in any way… She says, no. That’s not the problem. He asks, what is their problem? and she says, when he’s with her, he convinces her everything’s okay. Like it’s all going to be all right. But if he keeps coming around, she’s going to start believing it, and she’ll never face what’s really wrong.  

Carly asks what it was about the custody hearing with Nina that influenced Willow’s decision, and Willow says, in that courtroom, she saw firsthand that biology doesn’t make a family. Nina, the blood relative, prioritized her own needs over Willow’s son’s. Harmony told Alexis that her birth mother disappeared from a commune and left her behind. Carly asks if she believes that, and Willow says she thinks it’s likely. Her parents spent a lot of time in various communes before Dawn of Day. They met some very damaged people. The chances are good that her birth mother wasn’t concerned about what was right for her child, any more than Nina was concerned about what’s right for Wiley.

Drew tells Michael, things were still pretty tense between him and Ned this morning. He doesn’t think they’re any closer to getting Ned on board with the Aurora/ELQ merger. Michael says he’s not surprised. It’s a matter of pride, because Valentin made a hostile takeover on Ned’s watch. As much as he doesn’t want to ignore Ned’s concerns, now’s not the time to back off. Drew says he doesn’t disagree, but Ned insists he doesn’t want the COO role, but he’s not suggesting another job he’d be okay with. Michael says, because he only wants one job – CEO. And from where Michael stands, it would be a mistake to give it to him.

Valentin says he made Ned an offer a few days ago, and he’s heard nothing; why is that? Ned says he’s been focusing on his family, and Valentin asks, isn’t ELQ one and the same with his family? Ned says, once upon a  time maybe, and Valentin says, but not anymore? Ned says he’s still living with the consequences of putting the company over family, and Valentin says, Ned means his tenure as CEO, but Ned says, no. He means Brook is still dealing with the consequences of her contract with Linc Brown, which Valentin exploited to take over the company. Valentin says he thinks Ned needs to stop looking at him as the problem, and remember he’s the one who got Brook out of that contract. Ned says, for a price, and Valentin says, everything has a price. The question is, what is Ned’s? Ned says, to betray his family? Valentin couldn’t afford it. Valentin says, from where he’s standing, Ned is the one being betrayed.

Elizabeth says, she knows Finn drove all this way, but he says, it’s okay. He should go. Laura says she’ll walk him out, and he tells Elizabeth, he’d do anything for her. So if she wants him to stay away, he’ll do that, but he’s not giving up on them. Someday when she’s ready, he’ll be there. He leaves with Laura, and in the hallway, he says, he’s been there every step of the way with Elizabeth, and now it seems like it’s been all his fault. She says, absolutely not, but he says, his presence made it worse. Laura says, she didn’t say that; she didn’t mean that. He says he knows, but he hates this, and she says, of course (🍷) he does. He asks why Laura thinks Elizabeth allowed her to visit, and Laura says, maybe because she’s been where Elizabeth is. She had issues of her own with mental illness about 20 years ago, and she lashed out at people; Luke, Scotty, even her own mother. She was dealing with a repressed memory, and even though she loved these people very much, just seeing them subconsciously triggered her drama. He says he’s sorry she went through that, but she wasn’t necessarily dealing with grief. She says, it was a lot of things, but not that, and he asks if she thinks the root of Elizabeth’s problem is something other than losing her husband.

Valentin says, Michael and Drew are going to put Ned on the sidelines, giving him a meaningless title and menial responsibilities. What about Leo? Ned asks if Valentin is concerned that they’re going to give Leo an inferior position at ELQ too, but Valentin says, the only shares Leo is in line for are Ned’s. Ned has to be in a position financially to protect Leo and Olivia. Ned says, in case Valentin hasn’t noticed, they’re not exactly paupers. He thinks they’ll be just fine, whoever leads ELQ in the future. Valentin says, of course (🍷), but it’s not just the money. It’s the power, and the respect, and if Ned votes to keep Valentin in place, he’ll guarantee Ned a suitable role at ELQ. Ned says, what role is that? and Valentin says, name it. Ned says, CEO, and Valentin says, no. They both know, however Ned votes, that role is filled. Ned says, then why vote for Valentin? and Valentin says, he maintains they can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, one where they both win. Ned says, he doesn’t want the COO, and Valentin says, then get creative. Come up with a role where they’re practically equal. Ned says, that would mean Valentin giving up a significant chunk of his power. Why? What’s in for him? Valentin says, in case Ned hasn’t noticed, he’s being squeezed out. And 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. Doesn’t Ned agree? Olivia comes back with Leo, and asks, what’s going on here?

Michael tells Drew, Ned is throwing a tantrum because he’s not getting what he wants. Is that who they want in charge? Drew says, Ned needs to be respected, the same way he’s respecting Michael in regard to Sonny. He wasn’t thrilled that Michael was going to use ELQ to bring Sonny down, but Michael promised to leave ELQ out of it, so he’ll step aside. Michael says he can afford to take things slower now that Wiley’s custody is secured. Drew asks why he doesn’t let it go entirely, and Michael says, why should he, if Sonny’s priority is Nina, protecting her and supporting her? He doesn’t care about the harm she’s done, or what it’s cost his own family. There’s no coming back from that. Drew says, you know who you sound like? and Michael tells him, don’t say Sonny. Drew says, he’s not going to say it, but Michael does. He can practically hear, you’re dead to me. Michael says, Sonny’s not dead to him yet. He has to crush him first. And he wants Sonny to know it was him. After that, he can get around to dying.

Portia asks, what’s that? and Curtis says, the medication that Marshall had with him. Portia asks if he wants her to look at it. She can tell him what it’s for, but he says he thinks he’s violated Marshall’s privacy enough. It’s his father’s job to tell his own story. Stella comes in, and says, Curtis’s father is washing up now. He wouldn’t even let her wait outside the door, so she guesses his pride is still intact. Portia says she better get going, but Stella says, before Portia leaves, she owes Portia an apology. When Marshall first came back in their lives, she wasn’t honest with Portia. In trying to keep her promises to Marshall and her sister, she gave Portia the runaround. She supposes that’s another way of saying she outright lied, and she’s not a person who likes to do that. Portia says, Stella doesn’t owe her an apology. Stella said she had promises to keep, and it wasn’t her story to tell; it was Marshall’s. And she’s not going to blame Stella for making a choice to protect her family. Now why doesn’t she give them some space? Portia tells Curtis to let her know if he needs anything. She loves him. He says he loves her too, and Portia leaves. Stella says, the patience of a saint, that one, and Curtis says, he got lucky, and she really stepped up for the family. Stella says, so when is he going to make Portia an official part of it?

Willow tells Carly, the way Nina weaponized Michael’s past. The extremes she was willing to go to, to win. It was like a warning. Willow shouldn’t go looking for someone who might be indifferent, even harmful, to her needs, as Nina was to Wiley’s. Carly asks if she’s sure, and Willow says she is. Between Wiley and Michael and the Quartermaines, and of course (🍷) Carly, she has all the family she needs. She sees Carly tearing up, and says she didn’t mean to make Carly cry. Carly takes Willow’s hand, and says she just appreciates being appreciated. And for what it’s worth (🍷), she thinks Willow is making the right decision.

Drew says, he just doesn’t want Michael doing something he’s going to end up regretting, but Michael says he won’t regret it. It’s already in the works. Drew says, what is? and Michael tells him, don’t worry; it doesn’t involve ELQ. Drew is in the clear. Drew says, even so… and Michael says, instead of focusing on his differences with his father, why don’t they focus on increasing Aurora’s stocks, so when they merge the companies, they’re on more equal footing? Drew says, Michael is right, and so far, it’s been more difficult than they thought.

Ned tells Olivia that Valentin was dropping off some of Charlotte’s old riding gear for Leo. Olivia says, what a lovely gesture, whatever Valentin’s motives are. Leo asks if he can see, and Ned says, go ahead. Leo runs to the box, and Valentin says, if you ask him, Leo is going to be one heck of a horseman. Olivia asks Leo what he says, and Leo thanks Valentin. Valentin says, you’re welcome; happy trails. He should get going. If there’s anything else Ned needs, let him know. He tells Olivia, arrivederci, and she says, ciao. He leaves, and Olivia tells Leo to have Cook give him some sugar cubes for the horse. Leo runs off, and Ned says, Olivia seems to be getting along with Valentin. She says, he was always great with Bailey, and he’s been exceptionally kind to Leo. Sue her, but it’s kind of hard to stay mad at someone like that. Why? He tells her, just saying. She’s right. It’s some nice stuff Valentin dropped off. She says, good will gestures aside, she’d sleep with one eye open with that guy around. Even on his best day, he’s up to something.

Laura says, Finn knows better than anyone what grief can do to a person, and he says, he does. She says she knows he wants to be there for Elizabeth, and he will be, eventually. He says, just not in the same room, and she says, for now, no. He really has to respect Elizabeth’s request for space from him. He says, okay, and leaves.

Curtis wonders if Stella is really asking if he’s going to propose to Portia now, after everything that’s happened. She says, it’s during troubling times that people prove themselves. And Portia has shown time and time again that she’s a true member of this family. He says he appreciates that she’s grown to care for Portia, and she says, he knows how rare it is for her to think anyone is good enough for him. He says he’s aware. It’s just that he and Portia have only been together a little over a year. She says, long enough to buy this house. Sounds like a commitment to her. He says, this is an investment… to a commitment, and she tells him, all she’s saying is that if you find someone who makes you happier than anything else in this, don’t waste time, because it won’t wait for you. She learned that the hard way; so did his father. Curtis says, it’s just that the divorce between him and Jordan is still fresh, and Stella gets troubled look on her face. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, she’s fine. She guesses the last few days is catching up with her; that’s all. Marshall comes in, and Curtis asks how he’s feeling. Marshall says, better, and thanks Curtis. He says, also a bit terrified, and Curtis says, about what? Marshall says, whatever happens next. It’s time to give Curtis the answers he’s been looking for.

Valentin joins Drew and Michael, and says, lovely day, isn’t it? Drew says, he’s awfully chipper for a man who’s about to be voted out, but Valentin says, nothing’s set in stone. And he’s pretty sure if he doesn’t win the round, he can still win the match.

Marshall says, before they get into all this, he needs to clear Curtis’s mother Irene of any blame. The lie, telling Curtis and his brother that Marshall had passed away, wasn’t something she came up with after he was gone. He made that decision, and pressured her to go along with it. After what happened… he felt it was for the best. Curtis says, after Marshall was arrested, and Marshall says, yeah. Curtis might recall he served in Vietnam before Curtis was born. When he came back to the world, he was disillusioned about a lot of things. He could hardly pick up his clarinet. He needed a purpose, and he found it in protests. First, it was just the war, then civil rights, and then no nukes. Any injustice anywhere, he was there. Not just to make the world a better place, because that was part of it, but he needed to give himself purpose, and in doing that, he found music again, but Curtis’s mother thought he was pushing himself too much, and not getting enough sleep. That’s why he was having these paranoid thoughts. Curtis asks, paranoid how? and Marshall says he was convinced they were being watched.

Finn comes out of the hospital elevator, and Terry asks if he saw Biz. How is she doing? He says he saw Elizabeth. As to how she’s doing, she wouldn’t tell him.

Laura suggests Elizabeth put the flowers in her room to add a little color; it can be so dull in there. Elizabeth says, it’s better than a cell. Part of her is still afraid she’s going to be arrested, or sued, or both, but Laura tells her, Chase made it clear he isn’t pressing charges. Elizabeth says, what about the art studio? She torched a building in her sleep. Laura says, they don’t know that yet. Elizabeth doesn’t remember, and there’s no evidence linking her to it. Elizabeth says, but what if she’s charged? and Laura says, the sleeping pills had been in Elizabeth’s body for almost a year before the incidents starting happening, right? What if there’s something more going on here? Elizabeth says, Laura doesn’t think the sleeping pills were the cause? but Laura says, no. The sleeping pills were definitely the why; they made her sleepwalk and disassociate. It’s the when. Elizabeth had been taking them for almost a year before the sleepwalking incidents started happening. So she was wondering if maybe anything more recently happened to trigger the behavior in Elizabeth. Has she brought up at all in any of her sessions? Elizabeth says she thinks she needs to lie down, and Laura tells her to get the rest she needs. She’ll come back soon. Elizabeth thanks her for coming, and walks out, leaving the flowers.

Terry says, Elizabeth asked Finn to leave? and he says, she implied he was making it worse. That he makes her feel like things are really okay when they’re not, so she can’t do the work she needs to. He wants to respect her wishes, but he cares about her and it’s hard. Terry says she knows he loves Elizabeth, but she also knows what it’s like not to be able to help someone you care about. But trust her, they’ll find their way back to each other, when Elizabeth works through her grief. He says he thinks it might be more than grief. He thinks Elizabeth might be repressing something else. She says, such as? and he says, you tell me. Terry has known her the longest. She says, other than losing Franco? They already discussed Elizabeth’s falling out with her parents. Has anyone reached out to Carolyn and Jeff to let them know what’s going on with Elizabeth? He says he doesn’t know, but does she think it’s time someone did?

Olivia says she knows Ned is upset about this argument with Michael and Drew, but the Quartermaines are always squabbling about ELQ, and they always work it out. He says, that was back when grandfather ruled with an iron fist, or when his mother and AJ served as a common enemy. This time, he’s the one on the outside. She says, if he’s truly worried about being put out to pasture, go to Michael and Drew; make  deal. It’s what he’s best at. This doesn’t have to be a blood feud. He says he guesses she’s right, and she puts her head on his shoulder, saying, she always is.

Drew says, they’ve got no intention of losing the round or the match, and Valentin says, of course (🍷) they don’t. No one intends to lose, but somebody has to. Maybe it will be them. Michael says, back at him, and Valentin says, that’s the spirit. Drew says, let’s go, and Michael and Drew jet.  

Carly asks what that was about, and Drew says, posturing, but Michael says he thinks it’s more than that. His gut says Valentin is planning something before the shareholders vote. Carly says, like what? and Michael says he doesn’t know, but it’s all he can think about, which is probably Valentin’s plan. So much for relaxation. Willow says, same here. All this talk about Nina makes her wish they’d stayed to watch Wiley’s swim class. Michael says, they can probably catch the end of it, and Willow says, sounds perfect. They leave, and Drew sits down. He asks if Willow is okay; she seems off. Carly says, Nina got into her head; that’s all. Drew says, she can kick her right back out, because Nina’s out of Wiley’s life, and she’s not Willow’s mother; she’s nobody to any of you. Carly did the right thing not looping Willow in. Willow is lucky to have Carly as a friend. Carly says she’s not that great of a friend, but Drew says she helped him settle back in. She offered to buy Aurora stock to drive up the price. She says, then let her be his friend. Let her help him save ELQ from Valentin.

At the hospital, Portia says she saw TJ was observing today. She thought he’d be home with Curtis and his grandfather. He says he wanted to more than anything, but the way he sees it, Marshall promised Uncle Curtis answers, and Uncle Curtis has been waiting a lifetime for those answers. She says she hopes he’s right, and he says, and whatever explanation Marshall gives helps heal the emptiness and uncertainty Uncle Curtis has lived with all these years. Still, he has to wonder if there’s anything Marshall can say to help Curtis understand why he disappeared.

Curtis says, Marshall doesn’t sound entirely paranoid to him. They know the government keeps tabs on protestors and people they deem instigators. Stella says, it’s more complicated than that, and Marshall says, when Curtis was three years old, he went to another protest. There, the police were involved. Some people got arrested, and he had an episode. Curtis says, when he was resisting arrest? but Marshall says, that’s just it. He wasn’t resisting arrest; at least not intentionally. Anyway they dropped Marshall off at a psychiatric ward. There, they put him under observation for 72 hours. That’s when he was diagnosed. Curtis says, with what? and Marshall says, schizophrenia.

Tomorrow, Stella says, now is not the time to turn away; Brad tells Britt, welcome to her intervention; Carly says she can help Drew whether he likes it or not; and Sonny thinks he knows who’s behind both.

⚰️ More Dead Stuff…

Mostly about Madison’s return.

https://ew.com/tv/kim-dickens-colman-domingo-fear-the-walking-dead-return/

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-madison-kim-dickens-return-season-finale/

🚶🏽‍♀️ Sneaking Out Early…

A thousand apologies, but due to circumstances beyond my control, my whole day has been running late, so I’m postponing Below Deck Sailing Yacht until tomorrow. Otherwise, I’ll be seeing the sun come up, and like Captain Glenn, I need my beauty rest. So see you with soap and Deck tomorrow. Until then, stay safe, stay not quitting when things get tough, and stay not letting anyone you’ve got beef with live in your mind rent free.

April 1, 2022 – Trina Makes Her Plea, Byrne Return, Another Year, Annulled, Sponsoring, Deck Wedding, Maid Chosen, NYC Reaction, Dragon Due Date, In the Grammy Know, Music In the Quotes & My Name

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brick and Sonny bro hug, and Sonny says it’s good to see him. He asks how Brick got there so fast from L.A. Brick says he knows a guy, who knows a guy, who has a jet fueled and ready at LAX. When Sonny calls, he’s here. How can he help? Sonny says, there’s been a void in his life for too long that he’s been trying to fill, and Brick says, someone used to fill that void. Sonny says, yeah, Jason.

The guy from Charlie’s comes to Alexis’s office and says, it’s been a long time, Miss Davis. She says, it’s you, and he says she remembers. She says she never forgets a face, especially when it belongs to the man who blamed her for his brother’s death.

Harmony walks into Charlie’s, and sees Nina, who apparently lives there now. Nina asks how it went with Michael and Willow. She saw them, right? Harmony says she did, and Nina asks if Harmony told them that it’s in Wiley’s best interest to visit her. Harmony tells her, she said all that and more, and Nina says, don’t leave her in suspense; what did they say? Harmony says, not what Nina wanted to hear.

Nikolas walks into Windymere’s living room, and says, there’s nothing to fear. You’re safe. Esme and Spencer follow him in, and Esme says, this place is extraordinary. Even the name sounds grand – Windymere. Spencer says, it’s not like she hasn’t been here before, and Esme says, not for months. It’s good to be back. Nikolas says, more important, she’s safe from Sonny and his goons here, and Spencer says, what about the lady of the house? When is he going to loop Ava in?

Ava slips into the courtroom and sits down, as Judge Young is saying, Trina Robinson, you have two counts against you. How do you plead? Trina hesitates, and Scotty starts to talk, but she says she’s got this. She tells the judge that she pleads not guilty, and I say, yes!

Brick says, it’s the perfect time to raise a glass to their gone, but never forgotten, friend… What happened to the bar? No single malt aged twelve years? Sonny says he’s taking a break from that stuff, but the bar’s loaded if Brick wants to go help himself. Brick says, whither thou goest, I will go, and Sonny laughs. They sit down, and Sonny says he was hoping Brick would say that. Brick asks, how he can help fill that void? Is Sonny up for adventure? San Juan? Hong Kong? Marrakesh? Sonny says, not adventure. Monica has declared Jason legally dead, so they’re all going to be going to the memorial service. Brick says, may he rest in peace, and Sonny says, maybe Jason can, but he can’t. Does Brick remember Selena Wu? Brick says he does. Formidable lady. Is she causing Sonny trouble? Sonny says, she gave him advice, something he’s heard already, and Brick asks, what advice? Sonny says, that he can’t run the business alone anymore. He needs somebody else to step up and fill that hole Jason left behind. Brick says, I accept, and Sonny smiles and nods.

Alexis says, Brendan, isn’t it? and he says, it is. She says, the last time they saw each other, it was at Neil’s funeral. Not a very pleasant occasion for many reasons. Alexis flashes back to the funeral, and Brendan telling her, this is a celebration of Neil’s life. Alexis stripped Neil of everything he considered worth living for. He doesn’t want this service tainted with her presence. She’s not welcome. We see her leaving, and in the present, she says, he made his feelings crystal clear. And if it’s any consolation, that moment was devastating to her, and sent her into her own personal hell. He says he heard she lost her law license, hit the booze pretty hard, and didn’t stop until she attacked a cop and went to prison. She says she’s very flattered that he kept up with her life. What does he want?

Nina says, Willow just told Harmony what she thought Michael wanted to hear. Get her alone. She’ll change her mind and let Nina see Wiley. Harmony says she’s sorry. Willow doesn’t think it’s in Wiley’s best interest to have contact with Nina. Nina says, so Michael and Willow want a fight. They’ll get a fight, especially after her run-in with Carly earlier. Harmony asks, what happened? and Nina says she was reaching out to Carly to compromise about Wiley, but she wasn’t having it. Harmony says, she’s going through a rough patch, right? She just got divorced from Sonny? Nina says, Carly filed for that divorce. She pushed it through practically overnight. She threw away Sonny with both hands. Harmony tells Nina, give it some time; let Carly lick her wounds. Give her time to heal. Nina says, if that ever happens. And then what? Wiley will be in college, asking, who’s Nina? and he’ll never know who his birth mother is. If only she knew Nelle was her daughter before Nelle died. She could have saved Nelle from herself, and she wouldn’t have to be begging for a chance to get to know her grandson, or for him to know her.

Nikolas says, they can let Ava know when she gets home. Right now, she’s at Trina’s hearing. Spencer says, right, that was today, and Esme asks if he wishes he was there. He says he’s the last person Trina wants to see, and she says she didn’t ask what Trina would want. Nikolas asks if Esme wants to drop her bags off in the bedroom. It’s the same one as the last time. Spencer says, Nikolas can’t stop Esme from bringing up Trina; she’s obsessed. Esme asks if she doesn’t have reason to be. It doesn’t matter that there’s evidence Trina posted that video of Joss and Cam. Sonny Corinthos still believes it was her. Nikolas says, which is why she’s at Windymere and Spencer is home. And she’s safe. She asks if any place is really safe from Sonny, and Spencer says, Uncle Sonny will do anything and everything to protect his family. She says he means protect them from her, and he tells her, he didn’t say that. She says he didn’t have to. She’ll take her bags up. She leaves, and Nikolas asks why Spencer is treating Esme this way when he invited her to stay here. Spencer says he’s sorry, but Esme pushes his buttons; the way he’s been known to push other people’s. By the way, is there a bomb shelter on the island? Nikolas asks, why? and Spencer says, because he’d like to be inside it when Nikolas tells Ava that he and Esme moved in.

Scotty tells Trina, stick with me, kid. They’ll be sorry they tried to railroad you. ADA Arden says, this was a premeditated act that required a significant amount of planning. The defendant specifically targeted her friends with the intent to cause harm. The state requests bail be set at $250,000. Scotty jumps up, and says, your honor, my client is a freshman in college. She’s not Lizzie Borden. She has ties to the community. She’s innocent until proven guilty. She should be released without bond. Arden says, if the defendant is released without posting significant bail, and access to a computer, she has the capacity to do significant harm. (Huh?) Who knows who else she’s taped? Scotty tells her to save that for her closing statement, if she even gets that far. Judge Young tells Scotty, that will be enough, and tells Arden, there’s no indication the defendant poses a threat to the community. Therefore, the defendant is released without bond. He bangs his gavel, and Scotty dusts off his hands. The judge tells Trina that she’s free to go, pending a trial date to be determined. The bailiff says, court is adjourned, and Portia runs over to Trina, saying, she’s never been more prouder of her. She hugs Trina, and Curtis says, Trina was great. Ava says, may I? and hugs Trina, who thanks her for coming. Ava says she’s so proud of Trina, proclaiming her innocence. Josslyn says, they’ll prove it, no matter what it takes, and she and Trina hug. Trina says, you too, Webber, and Cameron adds to the hug.

Brendan  says he was in pain, and he wasn’t ready to face his brother’s failings, so he lashed out at Alexis; blamed her for Neil’s death. Alexis asks if that’s an apology, and he says, it is. She says she wishes she’d known about Neil’s addiction. She could have helped. But he hid it from her, and she had no clue. He says, she suffered enough. Look at her now. Brand new career, off the booze, respected, productive member of her community. She thanks him for the compliment, and says, he was really hostile to her at Neil’s funeral, so what is it with the sudden attitude adjustment? He says he’s had some bad luck himself; failed marriage, failed business. It brings humility. She says, and the need to make almonds amends? He says, as two people who loved Neil, he hoped they could come to an understanding.

Harmony tells Nina that she’s sorry. Nothing can bring back Wiley’s birth mother, but she has to know that Willow loves that little boy like he’s her own flesh and blood. If Nina gives it some time, maybe Willow can convince Michael that she should see her grandson. Nina asks, how much time? Because this is the same woman Harmony told her thinks she isn’t good for Wiley. She remembers when Willow was Miss Tate, and taught her former stepdaughter Charlotte. She didn’t like Willow then, and she should have trusted her instincts. Harmony says, Willow is highly principled, and Nina says, oh please. Willow says she’s going to help Nina, and the next moment, she pulls a 180 and sides with Michael. She doesn’t have a backbone. She only pretends that she’s compassionate. That weeping Willow is no oak. Harmony says, just because she’s gentle doesn’t mean she’s weak, and Nina says she’s sorry. She knows Willow is Harmony’s daughter. She’s just frustrated. Look how Willow has treated Harmony. She’s barely spoken to Harmony since she got out of prison. Harmony says things are much better between them now, and Nina says, until Michael shuts her down. Then what’s going to happen? She’s incapable of standing up to the man, or Carly. Nina would be better off to ask a stranger for help. Harmony hisses, Willow is no stranger, and she’s just as strong as her mother, but Nina says she’s never going to be as strong as Harmony. Harmony has overcome a lot, and turned her life around. Willow would be lucky to have even one drop of her courage. Harmony says she forgot; she has an appointment. She has to go. She walks out, and I’m starting to wonder if Nina is delusional.

Sonny asks Brick if that’s a serious offer. He could use Brick’s areas of expertise. Brick says, he can definitely help with the logistics, business support, definitely cyber security, but Sonny will need to bring in somebody else as a facilitator. Sonny says he’d trust Brick with his life, and Brick says, trust goes both ways; Sonny knows that. Sonny nods, and says, Jason used to do the day-to-day, but since he passed, Sonny has to deal with the other families, and try to figure out who targeted his stepdaughter. Brick asks if he’s talking about the tape of Josslyn and her boyfriend, and Sonny says, he saw the tape? Bricks says, hell no, but he saw people seeing it. It took every bit of self-control he could muster, not to take every one of them out. (What? Where are people watching this? And where is Brick hanging out?) Brick asks Sonny to please tell him that he found out who did this, and Sonny says he knows who’s responsible. He doesn’t have proof yet, but he put them on notice.

Ava says, congratulations. Scotty has one courageous client, and he says, tell him about it, but she’s got a big fight ahead… He sees Arden, and says, counselor, get used to the judge seeing things my way. Arden says, cyber crimes are insidious. The law is still catching up. The fact is, whatever goes on the internet, stays their forever. His client taped her friends without their knowledge and put it up for the whole world to see. Scotty says, hey Molly, tell your boss here… and Molly says, he can address her as ADA Lansing-Davis. He rolls his eyes, and says, okay, but she can’t really believe Trina did this. She says she believes DA Scorpio offered a generous plea bargain, and it was his obligation as Trina’s attorney to advise her to take it. Arden says, her associate’s right. She should have taken the deal, but she didn’t, so they’re going to trial. She’s going to take a stand for everyone who’s ever had an intimate picture or video weaponized against them. His client might have thought it was no big deal, but she was mistaken, and she’ll go to prison for the full term. She and Molly leave.

Trina thanks Josslyn and Cameron for being here and standing by her. Josslyn says, that’s what friends do, and Trina says, they took back the narrative when they told their story to The Invader. Their courage made her realize she doesn’t need to give in to cyber bullies, to Esme. The world needs to know she’s not the one who hurt them. Scotty says, they’ve got to talk strategy, and Portia says, now? Is that really necessary? Trina’s already been through so much today. He says, that ADA’s out for blood, and Curtis says, the judge hasn’t even set a trial date yet. Trina says, honestly, she just wants to take a long hot bath, and Scotty says, okay, she can do that. Tomorrow, they have a lot of work to do. Trina thanks him, and Curtis says he noticed there were reporters outside in the corridor. They’re going to want a statement, which he doesn’t think any of them should be making. Ava says she knows her way around this courthouse. They can exit this way. Portia tells Trina, let’s go home, and they follow Ava out. Josslyn tells Cameron, if she were her mom, she’d walk out of this courtroom with her head held high. He says, but she’s not her mom; she has nothing to prove. Josslyn says, only to herself, and Smoltz stumbles in. Cameron says, he’s too late; Trina went out the back. Smoltz says, it’s not Trina he wants. It’s Cameron and his girlfriend.

Josslyn says, they already told their stories to The Invader. Read it himself if he can afford the paywall. Smoltz says, he did read it, and Cameron says, then he would know they have nothing else to say. Smoltz says he knows Alexis Davis stole his scoop, and cut him out of the story, and Cameron says, oh boo-hoo. Life’s unfair. Smoltz says, what about their friend Trina? Their story did some good, but what about their friend? Josslyn says, what about Trina? and Smoltz says, did she do it? Did she film them and post it? Cameron says, hell no, and Smoltz asks, how can he be so sure? Do they know who’s responsible? Cameron and Josslyn look at each other, and he says, they do know. They just can’t prove it? Josslyn asks what he wants, and he says, an exclusive. Tell him stuff they didn’t say in the interview, and he’ll help them get the goods on whoever set up their friend. Sound good? Ava comes back, and says, you. Get the hell away from them.

Portia says, welcome home, and asks what Trina thinks. Trina says she liked it when it belonged to Joss’s dad, but she likes it even better now that it’s Portia’s. A safe harbor. Curtis says, good memories? and Trina says, yeah. Six months ago, their biggest problem was opening a jar of Sonny’s marinara sauce. Now everything’s changed. Curtis says, she heard what the lawyer said. They’re going to fight this. Portia says, they’re going to fight this, and they’re going to win. Trina says she told Joss and Cam that their courage gave her courage, but Portia and Curtis’s support helped her out a lot too. Curtis says, they can do a lot more than offer moral support. He could find evidence to exonerate her. He hasn’t forgotten how to find clues in dumpsters and garbage cans. Portia says, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, and Trina says, Spencer’s right. On one hand, there are tons of people who believe in her. Curtis says, and on the other hand? and she says, there’s evidence that proves she did it. Esme made sure of that.

Nikolas tells Spencer, Ava is well-aware of Sonny’s methods when he feels someone has crossed him or his family. She’ll understand the need to protect Esme. Spencer says, but will she understand why he’s sitting across from her at breakfast? and Nikolas says, it’s not a permanent arrangement. If Trina is found guilty, Sonny will have to accept the verdict and back off. Spencer says, even if Uncle Sonny does, he doesn’t think Ava will. Ava loves Trina like a daughter. She’d happily throw Esme to the wolves if it means Trina goes free. Nikolas says, and if Esme is carrying Spencer’s child? Ava may not like it, but she’ll make peace with it. Spencer says, and if Esme’s not pregnant? and Nikolas says, that’s all the more reason for Spencer to find out.

Brick says, so little Spencer has a girlfriend, and Sonny says, he’s not so little anymore. Brick says, Sonny has always liked this kid, and Sonny says, he still does, but not his company. Brick says, Sonny is convinced this Esme Prince is behind the video. Is he sure Spencer didn’t help? Sonny says, Spencer has done some terrible things, but he’s known Josslyn since they were in kindergarten, and Cameron is part of his extended family. He thinks Spencer’s hands are clean. Brick says, so the girlfriend is operating behind his back, and Sonny says, yep. If they can prove Trina is innocent and Esme is guilty, it won’t be just justice for Josslyn and Cameron. It will be a way for Spencer to dump his girlfriend. Brick says he knows Sonny’s got his own people on it, but as always, if Sonny needs him… Sonny says, yeah, he needs Brick, and Brick says, then he’s on it, but in the meantime… Sonny says, what is on his mind? and Brick says, Sonny is always running around looking out for everybody else. Who’s looking out for him?

Scotty goes into Charlie’s, and asks Nina what she wants. He’s very busy. He has a young woman who needs his help, unlike her. She says she’s sorry. She thought she could avoid going to court, and he says she thought she could get somebody to intercede with Wiley’s parents? Somebody like Sonny? But he threw her to the wolves, didn’t he? She says, no, this has nothing to do with Sonny. Her go-between couldn’t really do anything because Willow is so besotted with Michael, she won’t stand up to him or Carly. He says, why would she? Her mother couldn’t even stand up to that snake oil salesman Shiloh. Nina says, he’s not making this easy on her. Can they sit down? He asks, why should he? He kept her out of prison, and she turned her nose up at his legal expertise. So if she wants his help now, he’ll have to hear her say it.

Alexis says she assumes this understanding comes at a price, but Brendan  says, he wouldn’t put it that way. She asks how he’d put it, and he says, she couldn’t have risen from the ashes without help. Is it wrong of him to want the same thing? She says, that depends on what he means by help. Forgiveness? Friendship? He says his brother lost his life by getting involved with a self-destructive alcoholic, and she says, there it is. She was wondering how long he was going to keep up the Mr. Nice Guy act. There’s the door, move toward it, and don’t look back. He says, his brother was never a rich man, and funerals are expensive. She can deny it all she wants, but she contributed to Neil’s death. She needs to make things right. She says she’ll never stop wondering what happened to Neil, and starts to get her stuff together to leave. How he became an addict, and how that addiction took his life. She’s not at all satisfied that’s the truth, but she won’t be browbeaten into paying for his brother’s mistakes. There’s nothing he can say that will make her change her mind. He asks if she’s sure about that.

Alexis says, he needs to leave, but Brendan  says he’s not leaving until he gets what he wants. Harmony walks in, and asks Alexis if she’s early. Alexis says, actually, she’s right on time. Brendan was just leaving. Harmony introduces herself, and he says, Brendan Byrne, Neil’s brother. Harmony Miller. Where does he know that name? Have they met before? Harmony says she doesn’t think so. He might have seen her on TV, in connection with an organization called Dawn of Day. She was pretty notorious back then. Alexis says she and Harmony were just leaving, so if he doesn’t mind… He says, of course (🍷). He’ll send her his contact information. If she sees an opportunity she thinks he might be right for, let him know. He leaves, and Harmony says, what was all that about? Alexis says she doesn’t know, but it was scary.

Sonny says, Brick doesn’t have to worry. He survived all those months in Nixon Falls; he can survive anything. Brick says, but he wasn’t alone, and Sonny asks if he’s talking about Nina. Brick says, yeah. She must be one helluva lady to come between Sonny and Carly. Sonny asks if Brick still has something for his wife, and Brick asks if he doesn’t mean ex-wife. He just admires Sonny’s taste, but he gave up Carly. Brick just hopes this new lady’s worth it.

Nina and Scotty get a drink, and Nina says, okay. He needs to hear her say it. She clears her throat, and says she made a mistake. He says, what? and she repeats it louder. She says, she shouldn’t have pinned all her hopes on Willow’s compassion. Does he feel better? He suggests she hire Martin Grey, that folksy downhome charm works with a few judges. She says she doesn’t need folksy downhome charm. She needs a fighter, a killer, that will leave his opponents bloody in the field. He says, that’s him. However, he’s busy right now with Trina Robinson. Nina says she needs his help, and she’s willing to put him on retainer immediately. He says, before he takes her money, he needs to know she’s going to fight for Wiley, no matter what. And if that means kicking Sonny to the curb, then she’s going to do that.

Trina comes back downstairs, and Portia asks what she thinks. Trina says, great room, and thanks her. Portia says she made it up like Trina’s old room, but she probably wants to get rid of the stuffed animals now that she’s grown up. Trina says, no, never, as all of us who have them past our teenage years would say, but she’s still looking forward to returning to her dorms when this nightmare ends and she proves her innocence.  Then this place is theirs. Portia says, it’s Trina’s home too. And she doesn’t have to be brave. They’re in this together. Curtis says, all of them, and they have a family group hug.

Josslyn says, what part of no way doesn’t Smoltz understand? and Smoltz says, give it up, man. Ava faces him, and says, a journalist like Mr. Smoltz won’t stop until you slam the door in his face, or better yet, on his writing hand. He asks if she hasn’t heard of the first amendment, and she says, it comes right before the second, and I literally lol. Smoltz says, that sounds like a threat, and Ava says she was hoping it would. Cameron says he and Josslyn can handle this, and Josslyn tells Smoltz, they’re not interested in boosting his career. Cameron says, in other words, get lost. Smoltz says, fine; their loss. He stomps to the door, and says, and their friend Trina’s. He slams out, and Josslyn says, this wasn’t Ava’s fight. Ava says, on the contrary. Avery would never forgive her if she didn’t stand up for her sister. Cameron says, that guy had one thing right. Trina’s in deep trouble until they prove she’s innocent. Josslyn says, and Esme’s guilty.

Spencer looks out the window, and Esme tells him, she just got an alert on her phone; Trina pled not guilty. He says he hopes she can prove it, and she says, even if Trina tries to accuse her instead, when she might be carrying his child? He says, let’s find out. Why hasn’t she taken that home pregnancy test yet? She says she’s scared, and he asks if she’s scared that she’s pregnant, or that she’s not?

Harmony says she assumes Brendan was there talking about his brother, and that’s what caused all the tension when she walked in? Alexis says, it was really weird. He shows up all sympathetic, not at all like the guy who heaped abuse on her at Neil’s funeral. Harmony asks if something changed, and Alexis says, he thought the Mr. Nice Guy act would convince her to help bail him out of his troubles. When she refused, he went from Jekyll to Hyde. He thinks she owes him because she caused the relapse that caused Neil’s death. Harmony flashes back to injecting Neil, and says, it was good thing she walked in when she did. Just stay away from Neil’s brother. The farther the better.

Ava tells Josslyn and Cameron, don’t lose any sleep over Esme. The truth will come out. Trina will be vindicated. Cameron says she sounds confident, and Josslyn says, Esme has skated so far… Ava… Ava says she’s spoken to someone who has an interest in seeing Esme punished for targeting the two of  them. Cameron looks at Josslyn, and says, who’s that? Ava says she knows it’s difficult for them to trust her, but this time they’re going to have to. Esme is going to get what’s coming to her. Ava strides out the back way.

Esme says she wants Spencer with her when she takes the test, but she doesn’t need a test to tell her what she really wants. He says, which is? and she says him; she wants to be with him. Does he want to be with her? Don’t answer that now, but ask himself this. If it were without the baby, does her being here work to his advantage? He asks, how? and she says, by driving a wedge between his father and Ava. Isn’t that what he wanted all along?

Sonny tells Brick, he’s taking it day to day. As far as him and Nina, he can’t read into the future, but he will say this. The connection they had in Nixon Falls was real. Brick says, he knows Sonny, and when he wants something, he goes for it, and he usually gets it. Sonny flashes back to him and Nina dancing at Charlie’s, and Brick says, Sonny is thinking about her right now, and Sonny asks if they can get back to the matter at hand. Brick says, the future… without Jason. That’s something they can work on. The future without love, with all due respect, is not for Sonny.

Nina says, Sonny knows she won’t force him to pick sides, but Scotty says, Carly, Michael, and Willow will. So if Sonny has to choose… She says, Sonny is going to do what’s best for his family, and she’s going to do what’s best for hers. He asks if she’s willing to lose lover boy, but she says she won’t lose him. Not if he’s the man she knew in Nixon Falls, and the man she sees in Port Charles. He asks what makes her think she can have it all? and she says, she’s going to have her grandson in her life, and she’s going to have the man who changed her life for the better. He says, sorry, nobody gets it all, nobody, but she says, there’s always a first time.

Sonny says, he and Brick will regroup after Jason’s memorial service. In the meantime, is Brick willing to take on more managerial responsibilities? Brick says he can search for a facilitator to take on some of Jason’s other skill sets; don’t worry about that. Sonny says, okay. He has one more job for Brick. He wants Brick to find out how Esme Prince engineered that video. Brick says, he’s on that; no problem. Sonny asks if Brick wants a drink to seal the deal. Raising his glass, he says, sparkling water. Brick says, to think he’s always admired Sonny, and Sonny says, not anymore? but Brick says, now more than ever, and they clink glasses.

Scotty tells Nina, Michael is out to win, and Diane Miller is a tough cookie. She will dig up whatever she can. Nina says, she understands, and he gets up, asking if there’s anything he needs to know before he files the petition. She tells him, don’t faint, but she thinks her life is pretty much an open book at this point. He says, no little secrets in her diary? No skeletons in her closet? She says, no. Wiley is the only thing left of her daughter in this world. She owes it to Nelle be in his life, whether Michael or Saint Willow like it or not. He says, then hang her hat with him. She won’t regret it. They shake hands, and she says she hopes not.

Alexis says, Harmony never said what brought her by, and Harmony says, it can wait. She’s going to cook Alexis dinner; she’ll make something soothing. Alexis says she could use something soothing. Neil’s brother being here reminds her how horrible Neil’s death was. She can’t help wonder if that eviction is the thing that caused his death. Alexis turns out the lights, and they go to the hallway, but Alexis says  she forgot her phone, and goes back to her desk in the dark. Harmony stands in the doorway, and looks around.

Brendan  looks through a bunch of folders, and finds one that says Harmony Miller. He says he knew that name was familiar.

Trina says, it’s one thing to plead not guilty, but she has to live with that decision. That ADA is obviously out to get her. She couldn’t believe when she said $250,000 bail. Curtis says he believes she was just grandstanding, and the judge ignored her recommendation. Trina says, this time. The ADA thinks Trina’s guilty, and Scotty said she’s out for blood. What if the ADA convinces the jury she’s guilty? Portia says, that’s not going to happen. And instead of dwelling on it, why doesn’t Trina take that nice hot bath she was talking about earlier? It will make her feel better. Trina says Portia talked her into it, and goes upstairs. Portia tells Curtis, she doesn’t know how long she can keep this up. What if Trina’s right? They have no idea what’s going to happen. Curtis says, Trina has a lot of people by her side, and more courage than anyone he knows. Portia says she doesn’t disagree; she has faith in her daughter, just not in the world. Curtis says, as long as they have faith in each other, they can’t lose.

Cameron asks if Josslyn is  ready to go home, and she says, actually, she’d like to go back to the dorms. He says, Trina’s not the only one being brave, and she says, she’s not being brave. She just wants things to go back to normal, if that’s even possible. He says he’ll try to help make that happen, and she thanks him. They kiss, and he says, let’s go. He starts to head to the back, but she says, actually, she’d like to go out the front. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, if she can face a bunch of people on campus, she can face a couple of reporters outside. It’s hard to believe Trina is going to come back here and fight for her innocence. He says, it doesn’t matter what Ava says; this is going to be tough. She says, this is why they need to help Trina. They need to find a piece of evidence that Esme framed her. He asks how they pull that off, and she says, by proving Esme can be in two places at once. She leads him out of the courtroom.

Ava walks into Windymere, calling for Nikolas, and Esme says, he’s upstairs. Ava walks into the living room, where Esme is sitting. She sees Esme is reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting

On Monday, Violet asks Brook how her baby is; Gregory comes for a visit; Ava asks Nikolas what it’s going to be; and Spencer tells Esme, it’s time to take that pregnancy test.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Forgotten Brother…

I forgot about him anyway.

🍾 Happy Anniversary…

A look at GH over the years.

👰🏼 Never Happened…

I think the rules regarding annulments must have relaxed. I thought it either had to be fraud or that you didn’t consummate the marriage. And being realistic, the latter probably hasn’t been an issue since the 1600s.

👭🏼 Sisters Helping One Another…

It’s hard to think of Leah being anyone’s sponsor, but stranger things have happened.

🛥 Her New Deck…

She certainly looks a lot happier than she did on the Mediterranean.

https://people.com/tv/below-deck-med-hannah-ferrier-marries-fiance-josh-roberts/

👰🏻 But She Seemed Like the Normal One…

Proof that the world has gone mad. Maybe Dina is still grieving over Grandma Wrinkles and not in her right mind. In other news, I had no idea Kim D had a last name.

🗽 Reboot Raspberry…

I don’t think Jill Zarin ever stopped expressing a desire to return from the time she was let go.

🐉 Flying In Soon…

An update on House of the Dragon.

🎶 Can’t Stop the Music…

All you need to know.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2022-grammys-nominations-64th-grammy-awards-looking-ahead-how-to-watch

Who’s performing.

https://pitchfork.com/news/grammys-2022-performers-list-see-the-full-lineup/

How no one wants to be there. That’s how I feel seeing a performer in Atlantic City. They don’t want to be there. I don’t want to be there. Why are we here?

🎷 Quotes of the Week

Smile, breathe, and go slowly…Thich Nhat Hanh

Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife. – Kahlil Gibran

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. – Buddha

Music is the soundtrack of your life. – Dick Clark

Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me. – Zora Neale Hurston

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. – Bob Marley

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down. – Mary Pickford, 1892-1979, American actress

The only truth is music. – Jack Kerouac

I’d rather see my face aging than a face I don’t recognize at all. – Cameron Diaz

There are two means of refuge from the misery of life — music and cats.Albert Schweitzer (Hey, what’s wrong with dogs?)

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. – Steve Jobs

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. – Victor Hugo

✍🏽 Don’t Forget To Write…

I’ll return to the keyboard at approximately Dead o’clock. Be there or be an octagon. Until then, stay safe, stay seeking truth, and stay letting the courage of others give you courage.

February 21, 2022 – Maxie Runs To the Wolves, Sailing In Spain On Deck, New Crew, Subbing Chef, Summer Smack Talk & Message

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie looks at a map, and Peter comes back. He asks if she’s planning a hike, and she says she thought they could take a walk together. Talk some more things out. He says, what a lovely idea. He’s afraid they’ll have to wait until tomorrow though. It’s getting dark soon. That’s when the wolves come out. She asks if he means to sound so ominous. What is she saying; of course (🍷) he does. The way she sees it, she has two options. She could ignore the implied threat, wolves after dark, and keep pretending they’re in this romantic refuge together; or she can tell him to his face, she plans to escape the first chance she gets.

Leo and Ned come into the MetroCourt, and Olivia says, what a pleasant surprise. Ned says, Leo suggested they pick her up so they could go for a little swim at the lake this evening. Olivia asks if they think it’s warm enough for that, and Ned says, clearly, she hasn’t been outside. They should take advantage of the unusually warm weather. She says she has a couple things to take care of, then they can go. She leaves, and Leo tells Ned he heard heat waves can drive people insane. Ned says, let’s hope this one doesn’t last.

On the other side of the room, Laura says she admires Ava, and Ava asks why she said that. Laura tells her, even after all of the horrible things Spencer did to her, she still encouraged Nikolas to mend that relationship. Ava says, she wants what’s best for both of them, and Laura says, so does she. She’s also trying to take the high road right now, for Spencer’s sake, but if this girl doesn’t show up soon… Esme comes in and says, she’s here, and she’s famished. She thinks she’ll have the surf and turf tonight.

At Kelly’s, Trina tells Josslyn, it’s so hot out, she almost has to wear shorts. It’s wild, and a little terrifying. Josslyn says, she knows one thing, this weather’s going to give her wardrobe whiplash. Trina tells her, they say it’s a temporary warm front, but if this keeps up, she might have to go home and get her summer clothes. Josslyn says, they might have to share. There’s no way she’s going back to the house, and risk running into Sonny. Not after what he did to her mom. Trina asks, how’s that going? and Josslyn says, horrible. Nina’s a liar, and Sonny’s… just as bad. It would be easy to blame the whole thing on her, but nobody tells Sonny what to do. He could have stopped it at any time. Instead, he chose to protect Nina, and they’ve blown the family apart. Trina says she’s not making excuses, but she’s sure it’s confusing for everyone involved. Sometimes, you can’t help caring for someone you probably shouldn’t. Josslyn says, like Trina with Spencer?

Spencer says, Nikolas’s visit wasn’t in his daily horoscope, and Nikolas says, it’s good to see Spencer hasn’t lost his sense of humor. How is he? Spencer says, great. The food here leaves much to be desired. The magazine selection is a tad pedestrian, but there are fans in the public rooms. What’s going on in the outside world? Did he sleep a few months and skip to June? Nikolas says, the outside world is just as puzzled as Spencer is, but he’s right; the fans do feel good. He can stay there a while, if Spencer doesn’t mind. Spencer says, there’s a table right next to a fan. Would Nikolas like to join him?

WSB Field Office – Switzerland/Austrian Border. Malone says she’s searching for properties around the salt mine. So far, she doesn’t see anything obvious. It would help to have some names to narrow this down. Anna suggests she try the names of Faison’s companies; maybe one of them owns the property. Malone says, ready when Anna is, but Dante says, this is taking too long. Every minute counts. Anna says, try EuroTech, and Drew steps away with Dante. He tells Dante, this is their best option. He needs to try and chill out a little bit. Dante says he gets it, but this guy – he taps the folder in his hand – knows they’re looking for him. They can’t let him slip through their fingers again. Drew says they can use his arrogance against him this time; he’s overconfident. He thinks he’s so well-hidden right now, no one can find him. He’s going to stay too long, and that’s when they finally get the smug son of a bitch.

Trina says, Josslyn knows all relationships are complicated, friendships included. Josslyn asks if they’re good, and Trina says, 100%. Why does she ask? Josslyn says, it seems like they haven’t been connecting. Like they haven’t shared as much after what happened at the cabin. Trina says there’s something she’s been keeping from Josslyn, and Josslyn says, there’s something she hasn’t told Trina either.

Esme says, how nice to see Ava. Is she joining them? Ava says, she can’t this time; she has an art sale to coordinate. Laura says, sounds fun. Good luck with that. Ava thanks her, and tells them to have a wonderful time. She leaves, and Esme sits down, saying, she intends to have a wonderful time. She’s positively famished. Laura says, she’s positively late, and Esme says, is she? Apologies. In France, we say, le quart d’heure de politesse; it’s the quarter hour of politeness. It’s so the host has time to compose himself or herself. Laura says she’s familiar with the phrase. The thing is, they’re not in France, and she’s not giving a party. She was left to wait here in a public place. Esme says when she’s waiting, she checks her favorite fashion pages, and Laura says, that’s not the point. They need to have a serious sit-down, because some things need to change.

Nikolas asks if Spencer needs anything, and Spencer says he wouldn’t mind knowing what’s going on in Port Charles, aside from the weather. Last he heard, Peter August escaped and kidnapped Charlotte, and Uncle Victor rescued her. Have they captured that bastard yet?

Malone says, no hits on EuroTech having properties in the region, and Anna says, try Vogel Industries. Both of them were shell companies for the DVX, and she’s assuming Peter would have access to the holdings, given he’s Faison’s son. Malone says she’s coming up empty; negative on Vogel Industries. Anna says, Modesto Media, and Dante says, they’re wasting time. Anna asks if they can at least try this, and Drew says, Modesto Media was on Peter’s references when he came to Aurora, so definitely try that. Also try properties owned by Victor Cassadine. Lethe Limited; try that. Malone says, no holdings whatsoever with Modesto Media. She’s searching for Lethe Limited. Dante says, no way in hell. Peter’s not going to associate himself with Victor at this point. He puts himself in one of Victor’s properties, he opens himself up to being taken advantage of and sold out by Victor. Drew says he hears Dante and understands. He knows they don’t trust each other, but Peter has some leverage over Victor, and that’s why Victor kept Drew on his compound for over two years. Anna says, that is true, and Victor was instrumental in Peter’s escape, but she’s with Dante. She doesn’t think Peter would include Victor in his hideaway. Malone says she’s got something.

Peter tells Maxie that he’s disappointed. He thought she would have kept up this charade for at least 48 hours; maybe even a week or two. This effort was pathetic. She says he’s right. She’s ashamed of herself. She planned to play that fantasy version of herself that he seems to be so fixated on, the one who sees the best in him, but she just couldn’t do it anymore. Nope. She doesn’t want to, because she got what she wanted. Her children are safe on the other side of the Atlantic, away from him. So no more games. From now on, all he’s going to get from her is the truth. Can he reciprocate? Does he even know what the truth is anymore? He says she just admitted to lying to his face. Now she wants him to be honest with her? She says, it’s the least he can do after the scorched earth he’s made of her life. Why don’t they go back to the beginning? To the death of the man she really loved; Nathan West.

Olivia tells Ned, ready to go, when Ava walks up. She asks if Leo is having a fun night with his folks, and Olivia says, Leo remembers his Aunt Ava, Avery’s mom. They were at her gallery the night they saw the photographs of all the animals. Ava says it’s nice to see him again, and Leo asks if she has any new animal pictures. Ava says, not since the Photo Ark exhibit, but promises to let him know as soon as she does. She quietly tells Olivia, she’s glad he has fond memories of that night, and Olivia says, her too, especially since he practically gave her a coronary running off like that. Leo says, sorry, mom. He wanted to see the octopuses. Ned suggests he and Leo give his mommy and Aunt Ava a chance to talk, and they go to a table. Ava says, little pitchers have big ears, and Olivia says she didn’t know he was listening. Ava says, he must get that from his father. They could never get anything over on Julian. Leo is so special. He reminds her of Julian in many ways. Olivia says, he’s a little bit of both of them, but also very much his own person, and it turns out, even more special than she knew. Ava asks what she means, and Olivia says, she’s his aunt and it’s no secret; Leo was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Ava says she didn’t know, and Olivia asks how she could. She didn’t know, and she’s Leo’s mother.

Esme asks if there’s a problem, and Laura says, the problems is Esme’s complete lack of respect for her and her home. Esme says, if this is about the nail polish and the sofa, she shouldn’t have disregarded Laura’s wishes… but Laura says, it’s not just that. It’s Esme’s sense of entitlement, and the way she pushes back the boundaries. It’s completely unacceptable, especially when it’s in her house. Esme says, if she had someplace else to go, she would, but she understands. When in Rome… Laura says she doesn’t understand. This is not about respecting customs; it’s about respecting people. What Esme did to Ava wouldn’t be acceptable in any country, would it? She gets that, right? Esme says, she regrets helping Spence terrorize Ava, and she promises not to get caught up in anything like that ever again. Laura says, what about getting caught up with Ryan Chamberlain?

Trina asks, who shares first? and Josslyn says, all you. Trina says, Spencer got her a Valentine’s Day gift, and Josslyn says, what? Trina says, she got it on Valentine’s Day, but it was really a just because gift, and Josslyn says, she’d ask just because why, but let’s put a pin in that for now. What did he get her? Trina says, remember that modern artist Richard Molyneux, whose work she was obsessed with? Josslyn says, the guy with the squiggles, and Trina says, Spencer got her a book of those squiggles. No big deal. Josslyn says, super big deal. He remembered Trina’s favorite artist, and somehow got a book delivered to her from inside prison. How’d he manage that, by the way? Trina says, his grandmother, and Josslyn says, he had his grandmother, the mayor, deliver his gift. Wow. All that’s missing is an inscription. Trina looks guilty, and Josslyn says, stop. What was the inscription? Trina says, that’s why she didn’t want to tell Josslyn anything. She’s getting it twisted. Josslyn says, is she? Let’s see. First he defends his snake of a girlfriend for basically setting Trina up, and then he slips her some just because gift on the side. What are they again? Trina says, they’re basically friends, but Josslyn says, just take a minute and think about it. Then open her eyes, because she’s nobody’s sidepiece.

Spencer asks Nikolas why truly disgusting people, like Peter August, keep getting away, while here he sits. After everything he’s done, Spencer was hoping Nikolas would tell him that Peter was dead, not that he escaped again. Nikolas says, all indications are that Peter’s time is running out, and Spencer says, maybe Uncle Victor can help find him. He found Charlotte after she was abducted. Nikolas says, there are limits to what even Victor can do, but Spencer says, not from what he’s seen. Nikolas says, he’s glad Spencer is being protected, but he doesn’t know Victor like Nikolas does. Spencer says, of course (🍷), pile on with the haters. Uncle Victor is one of the few people who has come through for him, so if Nikolas is going to badmouth him, he can leave, and Spencer will go back to his cell.

Maxie says, their flight gave her plenty of time to think about her and Peter’s tortured history. Back to the beginning, when he showed up in Port Charles, took that job at Aurora Media, and didn’t tell anyone he was Faison’s son. He asks if she’s really surprised. It’s not like it was something he was proud of, and if anyone knew the truth, no one would have trusted him. She says, right, and he needed people to trust him; people like Lulu. Peter manipulated her, so she would convince Nathan to go public about the fact he was Faison’s son. In turn, it lured Faison to Port Charles, which is exactly what Peter wanted. He says he kept Jason alive in that clinic all those years because he knew Jason was the one person who could rid him of his father; the one person who wouldn’t fall for the legendary Cesar Faison mind tricks. Someone who would simply point the gun and pull the trigger, which is exactly what he did. She says, not before Faison killed Nathan. Tell her. Did he plan for Nathan to die? Did he set that whole thing up to get rid of the brother that he knew in his heart was a better man than he would ever be?

Malone says she went back to the original title search for properties in the region of the salt mines. Then she cross-referenced properties that have been acquired in the last 15 years. There were 39. Diving deeper, one stands out. It changed hands ten years ago; a cash purchase by an Octavian Stone. Anna says, that’s him, and Dante asks how she knows. She says, Cesar Agustus, the Roman emperor, his original name. He was originally known as Octavian, and the Latin word for stone is petra. Petra, Peter; Augustus, August. Pull up the coordinates. That’s their destination. Kreger says, he’ll notify the Swiss police of potential WSB action near the salt mines, and leaves. Drew says, he has to hand it to the bastard, that place is perfect. It’s isolated in the woods; it’s got plenty of cover. He points to the screen and says, the road runs right past the property, and straight out to the Autobahn. Anna says, that means if Peter gets any advance warning, he’s going to be on that road, on to the Autobahn, and over the border. Malone says, assuming he’s changed vehicles, and has papers to support an alias, the screening at the border won’t stop him. Dante says, and they’re back to square one. They can’t let that happen.

Esme takes it Doc told Laura what happened, and Laura says, of course (🍷). They have no secrets between them. Esme gave him pushback because he tried to restrict her contact with Ryan. Why is that? Esme says, the class at PCU and her internship give her a sense of purpose. She hasn’t felt that way in a long time. Laura says, okay; that is a good thing. It’s okay to be focused, but not to have tunnel-vision at other people’s expense. Esme promises to do better, and Laura says, good. She’s glad to hear that. Now she just has one more concern. Esme says, the bathroom? and Laura says, no. Well, yes, but no. She’s concerned about how Esme’s doing with Spencer being away. Esme says, it’s tough. He’s miserable on the inside, and she’s miserable on the outside. Spence is really the only person who gives a damn about her.

Trina asks if Josslyn thinks she’d ever let herself be a sidepiece. As far as she’s concerned, she and Spencer are just friends. Now let’s change the subject. There was something significant Josslyn wanted to tell her. Josslyn says she’s pretty sure Trina already knows, but she never actually said it. That night at the cabin, she and Cam had sex. Trina says, she figured. When she woke up after Spencer and Esme left, they seemed… different. So how was it, now that they’ve taken things to the next level? It’s major. Josslyn says, it is, but it also feels regular. She and Cam were so close before, getting closer felt natural, and he was so sweet and so romantic. There was no pressure. He made her feel safe and loved, like she was the only person on the planet. Trina says she’s proud of Cam for making Josslyn feel special, and Josslyn says she wants that for Trina too. She deserves to be someone’s one and only, and no matter how things shake out, she doesn’t think Spencer is going to be the one who could ever give that to Trina.

Nikolas tells Spencer, Victor shows up for his family when it suits him, yes. He can personally attest to that, but he can also attest to the fact Victor’s methods are questionable at best. Spencer says, they work, but Nikolas says, that doesn’t make them right. Spencer says he’s impressed with these newfound scruples of his. He pulled strings to get Alexis a pardon, but won’t lift a finger to keep his own son safe from imprisonment. Nikolas tells him, he’s only saying, Victor’s protection comes at a price, and Spencer says, whatever. Uncle Victor takes care of his own. Can Nikolas say the same? Nikolas says, he’s here. They can’t go back in time; they can only go forward, and he wants to do what he can for Spencer. Spencer says, really? Get Ava to drop the restitution. Nikolas says, it’s court ordered; it’s not up to Ava. Spencer says, like Cassadines are so law abiding. There are ways around that, but Nikolas won’t even bother. When he saw Nikolas, he thought something had changed, but now he sees it’s business as usual. Ava is Nikolas’s priority, not him. Nikolas is still putting her ahead of his own child. Show of hands. Who wants to slap Spencer silly?

Ava tells Olivia that she feels terrible. If she’d been more involved, if she’d visited more… Olivia says, life happens; everybody gets busy. Ava says, busy, right, but the fact is, she’s been so involved in Cassadine family drama, she’s neglected her own. She barely knows her nephew. Olivia says, maybe that’s for the best. For a while, when anyone even suggested something might be off with Leo, she practically bit their head off. She just couldn’t see that he needed a little bit more support. Ava says, sometimes the closer they are to something… She appreciates Olivia letting her off the hook about spending or not spending time with Leo, especially considering their past. Olivia says she hasn’t forgotten, but this isn’t about them; it’s about Leo and what’s best for him, and he has her focus. Ava asks how they’re managing, and Olivia says, they’re very lucky. They have a great team at GH, and Leo has an after school program that’s teaching coping skills and calming techniques, and time management. She’s personally found negotiation techniques and patience she never imagined she had. They say, it’s important to keep it consistent each day, and make sure Leo has avenues to express himself. Ava looks over at Leo, and says, however Olivia got here, she got here, and she’s glad Leo has such a supportive family. Olivia says Ava is part of that family, and Ava thanks her. She says she thinks Julian would want her to spend more time with him, especially since Leo doesn’t have his father. Olivia says, obviously, Leo is lucky to have all the love in his life he can have, but as far as a father is concerned, they’ve got that covered. Ned is in the process of adopting Leo.

Peter tells Maxie, Nathan was never his target. He’s quite the planner, but he never could have orchestrated the events that led to his father killing Nathan. She says, so even his plans have limits; that’s why his brother wasn’t a target? He says, she’ll hear no proclamation of brotherly love from him. She’s asking for the truth, right? Here it is. It couldn’t have worked out better for him if he had planned it. She never would have looked in his direction if Nathan had lived. She never would have given him a chance. She says he’s right. In her grief, and desperate need to fill the void Nathan left in her life, she believed Peter’s lies because she wanted to. She convinced herself, after losing the man she loved, that his brother was the next best thing. She never asked the questions that need to be asked. She never looked past his façade to the horror underneath. He played her, but let’s be real. She let him, so that’s on her. He applauds and says, brava. Now that she’s had her reckoning, her moment of self-reflection, what does she intend to do about it? She says, well, she dug this hole. She guesses she’ll have to climb out of it, or die trying.

Laura says, she and Doc care about Esme, and Esme says, that’s kind of her to say, but she knows they only tolerate her because of Spence, and his friends won’t even do that. Laura says, there must be someone in her life she’s really close to, and Esme says, there is one, but she’s not in the picture anymore. Her nanny helped raise her after her adoptive parents died. Laura says, Spencer told her about that. She’s sorry Esme had such an unhappy childhood. Where’s her nanny now? Esme says, kids grow up, and nanny’s move on; it’s not like they had a falling out. Laura says, like she had a falling out with Spencer’s friends, and Esme asks if it’s that obvious. Laura says she’s learned she can either burn bridges or mend fences, and trust her, the second one is so much more rewarding. Maybe right now, instead of working so hard to analyze inmates, perhaps Esme should focus on getting herself a support system that doesn’t consist solely of Spencer. Esme says, in other words, get a life? and Laura says, something like that. Esme says she can see why Laura is Spence’s favorite person, and Laura says she adores him, and anyone who matters to him, matters to her. Is Esme ready to eat? Does she want to hear the specials or does she just want to order? Esme asks if Laura minds if she takes a raincheck on dinner. She has fences to mend. Laura says, good for her. Wonderful. She thinks she knows what Esme likes, so she’ll bring something home. Esme says, home. She likes the sound of that.

Trina says, she doesn’t have any expectations where Spencer is concerned, and Josslyn says, just protect herself, please. Trina is always protecting everybody else. Who’s looking out for her? Trina’s phone dings, and she says, Josslyn won’t believe this. Esme. She wants to talk. Josslyn says, because talking at the cabin went so well? Block her.

Nikolas asks why Spencer insists on making this a competition his affection, and Spencer says, he didn’t; Nikolas did. He lost that competition long ago. Nikolas says, Spencer is his son. There’s going to be a place in Nikolas’s heart for him always. Spencer says, a place, and Ava takes up every other space. Nikolas says, there’s room for both of them. It’s frustrating, because Spencer refuses to accept that, and spends his energy on a vendetta against Nikolas’s wife. Where has it gotten him? Here. Spencer says, he was friendly with Ava once upon a time. It was her betrayal that made him begin to despise her. He was trying to find justice for Nikolas’s supposed murder. He prioritized his loyalty to Nikolas, and their relationship above all others. Nikolas says, repairing their relationship is his priority, and Spencer says, prove it.

Trina says, she’s on her way, and Josslyn says, great. After this, they’ll book Trina a skydiving lesson with faulty parachutes. Trina says she’s curious about what Esme has to say; isn’t Josslyn? Josslyn says, Trina’s not protecting herself, but Trina says, her dad always tells her, the best defense is a good offense. Josslyn says, that’s great advice; take the initiative, seize the momentum. Just make sure Esme gets what she deserves.

Peter asks what Maxie intends to do. Her resources are thin; make that non-existent. She says she’ll figure it out, and he says, the nearest village is 30 kilometers away, and she doesn’t know the area. She steps ten feet into those woods, and she’ll be hopelessly lost. And let’s not forget about… the wolves. Maxie says she’d rather hang with the entire pack than spend one more minute with Peter, and he says, don’t be ridiculous. Let’s relax and have a glass of wine. The Swiss are known for their pinot noir. Come on. They’ve had a long trip, and she said she hasn’t even slept yet. She knees him in the groin, and jets. He yells, dammit, Maxie. You can’t get away. He’s never letting her go.

Maxie wonders why she’s always in the woods. She looks up, and says, there it is, and thanks Spinelli for all his lectures about the night’s sky. The map said, the road is to the north, and according to that star, north is that way. She runs again.

Olivia tells Ava, Leo will always know Julian as his biological father, but Julian is gone, God rest him – she blesses herself – and Ned got to be the day-to-day dad, that stable presence. They’re bond is so great, and she’s so grateful for that. Leo is just becoming so much more socialized. Ned takes Leo to GH for a class every week, and just knows how to encourage his interests. They’re writing a book together right now. It’s a picture book about aquatic animals. They’re bond is really amazing. Ava says, Olivia doesn’t have to sell her. She and Ned are obviously on it. Olivia is a terrific mother, and she can’t imagine a better father for Leo. She’s sure that Julian would agree with her. Olivia thanks her, and says, that means a lot. And as far as getting to know Leo, it’s never too late.

Nikolas asks what more he can do to show Spencer how much he matters, and Spencer says, give him his trust fund. No more scraping for pennies. Don’t renew his vows with Ava; tell her to hop in a handbasket and go straight to Hades. Spring him out of there early. Tap that contact he used for Alexis. Be his father. Nikolas says, he is Spencer’s father, and Spencer says, what about the rest of it? Nikolas says, his job as Spencer’s father is to teach him accountability. He’s willing to do anything but helping Spencer avoid taking responsibility and retaliate against his wife. Spencer says, so that’s it then. He’s to remain an impoverished ex-con, destined for indentured servitude at the mercy of a bitch… Nikolas says, that’s enough. He puts his finger in Spencer’s face, and says, Spencer has no right to refer to any woman that way, and Spencer says, but it’s okay to arrange to have a woman shot? Nikolas says Spencer’s out of his mind, and Spencer laughs and says, what’s the matter? Is Nikolas worried everyone else is going to realize he belongs in here too? Samuel asks if this guy is bothering Spencer.  

Esme walks into Kelly’s, and asks if it’s always this hot in Port Charles at this time of year. She tells Josslyn, hi, and says she didn’t know Josslyn would be here. Can she sit? Trina says, be her guest, and Esme thanks her, and sits down. She says she owes them both an apology, especially Trina, and Josslyn asks, what’s the catch? It’s too hot for hell to have frozen over. Esme says she deserved that. Josslyn is right. She was trying to create drama during that drinking game. Trina asks, why? She hasn’t done anything to Esme. Esme says they both intimidate her. They’re the ones with great families and friends; everything she doesn’t have. They have lots of people to love them, including Spence, but he’s all she’s got. She guesses it made her feel territorial. Trina says, no one is trying to take Spencer from Esme, and Esme says she’s not sure they could if they tried, but point taken. They’re not the enemy, but do they still think she is?

Laura asks if Ned has spoken to Tracy. Does she know about Leo’s diagnosis? He says he has, and she’s planning to visit when she gets a chance. Laura says, can she? and he says, the WSB has cleared her of all charges. They were able to prove that the Ice Princess diamond was swapped without her knowledge, weeks before she made the sale. Laura says she’s sure Tracy is happy to have that behind her, and he says he’s not sure about that. She’s actually contemplating a lawsuit. Laura laughs, saying, that’s just like Tracy, and he says, it’s actually good Luke wasn’t alive to discover the diamond was stolen; there’d be hell to pay. She says, maybe that was the point, and he says, meaning? but before she can answer, Olivia and Ava join them. Olivia tells Leo that his Aunt Ava is thrilled to hear about some of the new stuff he’s learning, and Ava says, she heard he’s working on a book. Would he be willing to show her and Avery sometime? Leo says she can help if she wants. Can she draw? She says she’ll let him in on a little secret. She appreciates art a lot more than she attempts it, but she’d certainly be wiling to try for him. He says, cool.

Spencer says, his father was just leaving. He wouldn’t want to keep that precious wife of his waiting. Nikolas says, as he wishes. He’ll be visiting soon. Spencer says, don’t bother, and turns his back on Nikolas.

Trina says, apology accepted, and Josslyn says, she’s curious. Why the sudden change of heart? Esme says, Spence’s grandmother Laura got her thinking. Spence can’t be her entire world. She needs to be her own person, more open, mend fences, and not burn bridges. Trina says, Mayor Collins is a wise woman, and Esme says, she and Trina are certainly close. Josslyn says, they all are. Don’t forget, she’s Cam’s grandmother too. Esme says, of course (🍷). Next time Trina is visiting Laura, she’ll join her. Trina says, it’s not like she’s there all the time, and Josslyn says, Trina just went over there to get her gift. Esme says, what gift? and Josslyn just looks at her. Esme says, she means the gift her boyfriend got for Trina.

In the woods outside Peter’s house, Drew asks how Anna wants to do this, and Anna says, carefully. She doesn’t want Maxie caught in the crossfire. She says, Drew’s had experience with these types of situations. He understands the rules? He says, all too well, and she tells him to call it, and he says, they’ll move now, while the clouds are broken and they have a little moonlight. The goal is to approach, and access how many are inside. Once they get eyes on Maxie, that’s when they take the house. Obviously no radios, so keep eye contact for communication. He’s one, Anna is two, and Dante is three. He tells Anna, take the perimeter, and Dante, over there. He’s going down the middle, but will need some cover. Got it? Dante says, copy that, and Anna says, ready when he is. Drew says, let’s do this, and they move closer. Drew nods, and they move faster.

Maxie finds the road, and says she did it. Now she just needs to find her way to the village. She sees headlights, and waves, yelling, over here, because apparently, she’s learned nothing.  

Tomorrow, Maxie tells Peter to come and get her; Trina says Josslyn just made it worse for her; and Carly says, the plan was set in motion when Sonny decided to sleep with Nina.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Captain Glenn tells us, the thing with sailing is, you never know the conditions you’ll run into. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. Daisy, Gary, and Colin are back, and in Colin’s interview, he admits to enjoying a little drama here and there. It keeps him entertained. We meet the new crew members. Chef Marcos is from Venezuela, and stew Gabriella says she’s like a chihuahua, all bark and all bite. Deckhand Kelsie says she has two brothers, and growing up, it was either fight back or get farted on. Deckhand Tom tells us not to let his baby face fool us, and stew Ashley says she looks innocent, but she’s not. We see a short preview of the season. A lot of people will fall down, and champagne glasses will be broken.

Menorca, Spain, Port Mahon. In Gary’s interview, he says he’s back and ready to rumble. He has a lot to teach, and hopes he has a team that’s willing to learn. In Glenn’s interview, he says the beaches in Menorca are spectacular. He first came there in 1984, and has an apartment there. He offered Gary a full-time job, since he knows the boat and Glenn can depend on him. Daisy arrives, and says she’d rather be on the beach, but a girl’s got to eat. It’s her first charter since last year, and she hopes she remembers how to be a chief stew. In Daisy’s interview, she says, her role as chief stew is to be puppet master. If the team looks good, she looks good, and she hopes they learn quickly that she’s always right. In Marcos’s interview, he says he grew up eating pasta and plantains, and now runs a food truck in L.A. with a business partner.

In Gabriella’s interview, she says she’d be described as funny, loyal, and passionate, but she’s a sh*t talker and likes to bust balls. In Tom’s interview, he says he grew up in Windermere, north of England, where there are more sheep than people. He’s worked in yachting for three years, but this is his first time sailing. Colin is the last to arrive, and in his interview, he says he’s glad to be back on the Parsifal with his boy Gary. He thinks Glenn has an amazing leadership style, and when you sail with him, you know it will be a good time. He gives Daisy a big hug.

Glenn wants to do a quick brief with the crew. Chef Marcos seems mild mannered… for now. The chefs always seem to end up pitching fits at some point. Glenn is excited about the season, and to see both old and new faces. He tells them, no drinking on charter, and communication is of top importance. Last season, they had a communication problem. In Daisy’s interview, she says, everyone else had a communication problem, but she didn’t. We flash back, and I’m like, oh yeah, Chef Natasha and the eggs… Glenn tells them that they can take some time to get to know each other tonight, but it’s a school night.

In Kelsie’s interview, she says, she went on a charter in Croatia with her cousins in 2015, and thought it was the coolest job. She’s gone from being a guest to a skipper, and has her own boat, but she’s never worked  on a superyacht. It’s like a Great Dane versus a chihuahua. Daisy tells Marcus that she’s not strict, but don’t take anything she says personally. In his interview, he says, even though he’s the new guy, he’s not scared. He’s cooked for the likes of Shakira, Beyoncé, and Alicia Keys, among others. Gabriella says she’s been in yachting for a year, and Ashley says, it’s her one-year anniversary. In Ashley’s interview, she says, she always wanted to be the best, and got straight A’s in school. She wants to be a chief stew someday. Tom says he thinks Ashley is hot. Glenn calls Gary, Marcos, and Daisy to the saloon for a preference sheet meeting.

Primary Mccordia is a real estate investor, being joined by some other hard working business owner friends to celebrate Black entrepreneurship. They’re looking for beautiful scenery, elevated cocktails, and five-star dining. Gary says, they want a beach picnic, and Daisy says guest Aleah wants a hip-hop PJ party for her birthday. They’ve requested the crew dress up with them. Because I’m sure the crew members always carry their hip-hop wardrobe with them just in case. Provisions come in, and Daisy calls for some hip-hop themed stuff. She asks Gabriella and Ashley to meet her in the crew mess, and makes Gabriella second stew because she has more experience in bartending. Ashley doesn’t seem happy, but says she’s good. She’s put on mornings, and Gabriella on the late shift. The deckhands finish up, and grab a beer. Daisy tells the stews that they can finish up tomorrow, and suggests they get a drink.

Gary, Colin, and Daisy hang out together up top, and the newbies gather on deck. Gary says, Tom likes Ashley, and Daisy says, Ashley likes him, and we’re transported back to middle school. Tom approaches the OGs, and Colin jokes that it’s an official meeting. Gary tells Tom that Ashley thinks he’s hot, and in Tom’s interview, he says, yachting is like Never Never Land. He’s never growing up. (Actually, that’s Neverland, but we’ll let it pass.) Going to their lockers bunks, Gary asks Ashley if she has a type, and she says she thinks they’re both cute, and she’s not picking. She asks their ages, and Tom is a year younger than she is. Gary is in his 30s, and she says, she usually goes for older. In Tom’s interview, he says, just because he’s younger doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he’s doing. But he needs to get on with Gary, so if Gary likes Ashley, he’s taking a backseat. Tom tells the rest of the crew about Ashley choosing Gary over him because of his age, and in Gary’s interview, he says, he’s in a predicament. He was the cause of a predicament last season, and we flash back to him sleeping with Sydney the first night on deck, and then almost sleeping with Dani until she found out. He admits he’s an idiot, and says he’s not going to make the same mistake twice. He’s turning a new leaf.

At 10 pm, the crew is still clicking bottles and doing shots. Tom is getting pretty sh*tfaced, and in Colin’s interview, he says Tom reminds him of himself at Tom’s age. He wanted to have a good time, and didn’t think about the consequences of going too far. They haven’t even started the season. Gary flirts with Ashley, who wants a kiss. He obliges and then says, no. He’s still an idiot. No new leaves happening here.

Tom is bunking with Glenn, and finally turns in. Gary’s mom sends him a message not to do something stupid. Around midnight, the others are still outside talking and drinking, and Tom says he doesn’t feel well. He gets up, and pukes his guts up in the bathroom. He tells Glenn that he needs to sleep low (he’s in the top bunk), and Glenn tells him to sleep in the mess. Tom leaves, and Glenn gets up and gets dressed. Kelsie has wisely chosen to go to bed, but the others are still partying. Glenn trudges upstairs, and tells Gary, let’s get everybody to bed. They have a charter tomorrow, and they’re already a man down. In Glenn’s interview, he says he doesn’t want to be a buzzkill, but he has to make a point. This is why you don’t do what you did. He says, they’re going to be picking up guests; get their asses to bed. Gabriella tries to clean up, and drops a bunch of bottles. In Gary’s interview, he says, it’s not a good look. It’s an example of what not to do on a school night.

In the morning, it’s not pretty. Tom wakes up confused, and in his interview, he says he just wanted to prove he could fit in and drink like everyone else, and gave the worst impression. Gary tells Colin about Ashley wanting a kiss, but insists he wasn’t even flirting. Ashley tells Gabriella about it, who says, just wear a condom. Tom says he’s never been more embarrassed in his life, and Glenn tells Tom to clean the bathroom he puked all over. In Tom’s interview, he says, he already made himself look like an idiot. He’s got to move forward, and let his work do the talking, In Glenn’s interview, he says he thinks Tom understands the gravity of the situation. It’s strike one, but it’s never going to happen again.

The crew gets last minute stuff done, and Daisy does a walk through. She’s happy with everything, and Glenn tells them to get in their uniforms. The guests arrive, and Glenn welcomes them. The crew stands in line to greet them, Ashley with damp towels, and Gabriella with champagne. Glenn passes them to Daisy for the tour, and their luggage is brought on board. Marcos makes appetizers, and they look fabulous. Even Daisy is impressed, and says, this what a canapé should be; pretty and elegant. I’m betting he can make eggs too. The lines are clear, and they set sail.

Marcus says he’s working fast because he knows sh*t goes sideways. The sails go up, and in Kelsie’s interview, she says, the sails are freaking huge. She’s excited to learn from Gary. The guests are loving the boat’s tilt. One of them falls over, and laughs, saying, it’s only the first day.

In Ashley’s interview, she says, something about Gary makes her think he’d be great in bed. She knows what she’s doing. The sails come down, and Daisy tells Gabriella that the guests want a sparkly dinner with lots of candles. They stop at Cala Blanc, and Glenn eats a gigantic matzo cracker in the mess, while Kelsie uses her hair as dental floss. Possibly one of the grossest things I’ve ever seen someone do. In Marcos’s interview, he says, it’s a little bit of pressure, but he’s not going to show it. Daisy says, with her junior stews, it’s like raising children. The guests are still hungry, so Marcos makes more appetizers, along with some shrimp in whiskey butter sauce. In his interview, he says, they definitely want their money’s worth.

Dessert is served, and I suddenly realize, primary Mccordia is the only dude. A guest falls, but it’s not from the boat tilting this time. Daisy goes to bed, feeling she’s finally working in a team environment again, and Gabriella is left to handle Mccordia, the only guest left standing. He keeps telling Gabriella that she’s sexy, and says, he doesn’t like girls, but she’s cute. For whatever drunk reason, he tells her that he has a little d*ck, and in Gabriella’s interview, she says, there’s no sense in trying to talk a drunk person out of their f***ing f***ery. It’s an exercise is getting someone to respect her. He asks who she’s f***ing tonight, and she tells him that he’s getting inappropriate. He asks who she’s interested in, but she says, no one on the boat. He tells her that she’s full of sh*t, and in her interview, she says, bring it on, mother f***er. Since she’d said she likes both men and women, he asks what two women do together, and she tells him to go to bed.

This season, a wedding, Gary does a striptease, a guest faceplants against the mast, Gary and Ashley get busy; and Glenn says, it’s about as serious as it gets. They might be stuck.

⛵️ The Newbies…

Meet the new Sailing cast.

https://www.bravotv.com/below-deck-sailing-yacht/about

🍳 On the Chef Subject…

I couldn’t remember Natasha’s name, and when I was googling, I came across this. I guess it would have worked as long as a guest didn’t ask for eggs.

‘Below Deck Mediterranean: Chef Natasha From ‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht’ Could Have Stepped in as Chef?

🏖 I skipped Summer House because my hatred for the show finally won out. Not really. I’m a glutton for punishment, but I was busy at the times it was on. I caught the tail end, and Danielle – looking fabulous in some kind of silver and black Mardi Gras-ish outfit – told Ciara and Paige that Kyle had been talking smack about his fiancé Amanda. He’d said the only thing they had in common was their business, Loverboy. The girls took note of how Kyle was chatting up some random babes, and Amanda was dancing around with some dude, and Danielle said, it just wasn’t them. I’ll say it again, these people are their thirties for God’s sake. Get it together. Get something together. Not drinking so much would be a start.

Dream Of You Tonight, See You Tomorrow…

Come set a spell tomorrow for some soap and a look at New Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay being positive, but not toxically, and stay not leaving people waiting. Le quart d’heure de politesse or not, it’s rude.

December 14, 2021 – Michael Gives His Impact Statement, the Toms Take a Break, Madcap Moment, Sad On Deck, Nominees Of Gold & Her List

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Stella tells Curtis, no more secrets, when Marshall walks in. She says, Marshall Ashford. What are you doing here? and he says, Hello, Stella. Good to see her again after all these years.

Austin comes out of the hospital elevator and sees Britt. He says, just the person he was looking for, and she says, lucky her. Does he remember when he said things could only get better? He says, did something prove him wrong? He’s sorry. Let him make it up to her; he has news on her brother. She asks if it’s his obituary, and Austin says, close. He’s in the ER, and he’s more dead than alive. Austin leaves Britt to ponder this.

Maxie asks Finn, arsenic or strychnine? She hopes whoever poisoned Peter took that into consideration. He says, it’s possible it wasn’t intentional. Inmates get botulism from homemade prison alcohol. She says, in solitary? and he says, just speculating. She asks if he speculated the best case scenario, like, what are the top three deadly toxins in a prison? Which one could be killing Peter August right now? He says, if Peter were poisoned intentionally, getting it to him in solitary would take real effort. Who would go to that kind of trouble? She says, who wouldn’t?

Elizabeth peeks out from the ER, and goes to Peter’s bedside. She looks at the scalpel in her hand, and flashes back to Peter saying he’s being persecuted the same way Franco was, and Finn stopping her from attacking him. She remembers finding Peter at the bottom of the stairs when Finn thought he’d killed him, and saying, Peter doesn’t get to take another life; they won’t let him.

Carly comes home, and tells Sonny, she has so much work at the MetroCourt, she can’t believe she let him convince her to blow it off. He says, they need to take a break. Sasha and Michael are going through hell, Michael’s making a statement at Brad’s parole hearing, and everybody’s climbing the walls because Peter August is back. She says, here’s hoping he dies quickly. Although it seems to be taking forever. Sonny asks if they can just focus on the fact that he’s home with his family, and celebrate, and she asks what he means. He brings her into the living room, where everything is decorated, and says, Christmas.

Sasha tells Brando, if she has to stare at these walls much longer, she’s going to scream. Does he think that’s how their little boy feels in the NICU? Does Liam feel trapped in that incubator? He says, no. Liam feels safe, and cared for, and loved. She asks if he thinks Liam can feel that, how much they love him, and he says, of course (🍷) he can. She says, some people go through their whole lives and never have that. Every challenge they have to face, if their son can feel that they love him, isn’t that enough?

Willow asks if Michael feels nervous about the hearing, when Brad is brought in. Michael says he’s never felt more sure about anything in his life.

Brando says, he and Sasha love their son so much, if he’s aware of nothing else, he’ll at least know that. She says, even if his life isn’t perfect, even if it’s hard, he will at least know love. She knows it’s not going to be easy, and at times it will feel impossible, but with Brando as Liam’s dad, they’ll get through it. She’s not giving up. He says, they’ll do whatever it takes to give their boy a fighting chance.

Elizabeth looks at the scalpel, and moves closer to Peter. Finn comes in, and says her name, startling her.

Britt asks Austin, what happened? Did someone attack Peter in prison? He says he’s not clear on the details. Should he not have told her? She says, is he kidding? it’s the best news she’s heard all day. She had to tell terrible news to anxious parents, and she has a very dear friend who has his parole hearing today, and she can’t be there to support him. And she was just recently told, she was a bad influence. He says he’s sure her friend knows she’d be there if she could. As for her being a bad influence…

Celina comes into the hearing, and goes over to Michael. He says it’s a pleasure to see her again, and introduces Willow as Wiley’s mother. Celina says, it’s an honor, and Willow says, for her as well. Celina says she wants Michael to know that she in no way condones what her nephew did. She also wants to assure him, should fortune fall in Brad’s favor, she will be responsible for him. He will never again disturb Michael’s family. Michael says he appreciates it, but after the board hears his statement, there’s no chance in hell her nephew sees the light of day. I guess Michael thinks he’s in Cool Hand Luke.

Sonny tells Carly that Pilar is bringing the kids down from the nursery, and she asks how he managed this right under her nose. He laughs, and says, it’s a gift; does she like it? She says she loves it; it’s beautiful. Has he checked the calendar? They never decorate this early. He says he missed Christmas with his family last year, and wants to make up for lost time. Family is everything. It’s all that matters.

Curtis leads Stella to a seat, and asks if she’s all right. She says she is, but it’s a shock. It really is him. Marshall says he didn’t mean to startle her, and Curtis says, it comes with showing up in places he’s been asked not to. Marshall says he came there to see Curtis. How would he know Stella would be there? Curtis says, that’s beside the point. His presence is unsettling and unwelcome. His auntie is recovering from a stroke. Marshall says, what? He’s sorry to hear that. How’s her recovery coming? Curtis says he’s sure a lot better before she saw him. She thought he was dead, so seeing him alive after all this time, they’re lucky she didn’t have a relapse. She says, actually, that’s not exactly true.

Sonny tells Donna and Avery, look at all those presents, waiting to be opened on Christmas morning. Avery asks if he’s going to be there Christmas morning, and he says, there’s nowhere he’d rather be. Carly says, and he’s going to be there Christmas Eve to help set out the treats for Santa. He says, then he’s going to read them The Night Before Christmas and tuck them in. Last year, he wasn’t able to be there, but it wasn’t his choice. Avery asks, whose choice was it? and he says, it’s so amazing that he’s able to be with his little girls today. He’s going to make up for lost time and never let them down again. Can he get a hug? The girls hug him.

Michael thanks the parole board for being able to address them today. Three years ago, he laid to rest a child he thought was his newborn son, Jonah. His family mourned with him as they buried his baby boy, and grieved for the life he’d never have. Later, they discovered he was actually alive; now being called Wiley and being raised by Mr. Cooper. It was only when Mr. Cooper was forced to tell the truth, that he intentionally misled Michael, his family, and even Brad’s then husband, Lucas Jones. Worse yet, the day he got his son back was the day Willow Tate realized hers was gone forever.

Brando asks if they’re ready, and Sasha asks if they’re ever. Since the day they met, they’ve always been scrambling. Now with Liam coming earlier than expected, here they are scrambling again. Not on the menu, was it? They don’t prepare you. He asks if she’s up for this, and she says, they’re done scrambling. They need to be ready. She wants to start planning to give Liam his best life. How about him? How does he feel? He says, like it’s time to get some answers.

Austin says, he hasn’t been at GH a long time, but he’s been watching Britt, and sees how she is with her patients and her staff. She has a better bedside manner than she thinks, and she’s always fair with the staff. She was more than fair with him when his career was on the line, and he holds Maxie in high regard, and Maxie holds Britt in high regard. She respects Britt and comes to her for advice; she listens to Britt. He doesn’t know who this individual is who says Britt’s a bad influence, but maybe they just don’t know her. At all. Britt pauses a moment, then says, sorry. He says, why? and she says, the reasons she’s terrible usually don’t sound nice. He says he doesn’t think she’s terrible, and she says it’s her job to bolster the staff, not the other way around. He says he won’t tell if she won’t. Brando interrupts, asking if Britt has a minute to talk, and Austin says he’ll leave her to do what she does really well. She says, if Brando and Sasha are ready, she’ll tell them everything they need to know.

Curtis asks, what isn’t true? and Stella says she’s certainly surprised that Marshall… Marshall says, Curtis is right. This was no way for Stella to find out he was still alive. (I’m guessing she knew he was alive by the way she’s looking at him.) If he’d respected Curtis’s wishes, he wouldn’t have disturbed her health. She says she’s fine. She just needs a moment to process his return… and some water. Curtis goes to get her water, and she says, it really is Marshall. He says, here they are. Look at her, like not a day has passed. She asks how he’s here, now, and Curtis says he asked the same question. Marshall wasn’t very forthcoming, so maybe she’ll have better luck getting to the truth.

Finn says Elizabeth doesn’t need that. He reaches for the scalpel, and says, it’s okay. He’s going to take that from her right now. She says he doesn’t understand, but he says he does; he knows. He takes it. Austen comes in, and Finn hustles Elizabeth out. He tells her that he understands she’ll regret it.

Stella says she’s sure Marshall will share his truth when he’s ready, and Curtis asks if he’s really hearing her say that, because she never had such a liberal view of truth telling when she raised them. If his memory serves him correctly, her stand on honesty was pretty cut and dried. She says, lessons are made simple for children; everyone here is grown. Marshall says he knows he can’t take credit for the man Curtis is today, but he can thank Curtis’s aunt for her part in it. In his absence, she made sacrifices. She took responsibility for his family, and he owes her. She says, they all did their best at the time, and Curtis asks how she can say that. They don’t know what this man did after he abandoned his family. Stella says, Curtis… and Curtis says he’s sorry. Out of respect for her, he allowed Marshall to say his piece, but he’s saying nothing. So, sir, please leave; this time for good.

Austin comes out of the ER, and Maxie asks, what’s the latest? He says, nice to see her too, and she says, is Peter going to die? Austin says, Maxie… and she says, please. Just tell her Peter is going to die.

Michael tells the board that Willow chose Brad and Lucas as her son’s adoptive parents. Unfortunately, the baby succumbed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome within hours after being brought home. Then Brad conspired with Michael’s son’s biological mother, the late Nelle Benson, to switch the babies. She convinced Michael that his son had died, while giving his son to Brad to raise. Complicated, yes, but the consequences are still felt to this day. Should they grant Brad parole, a man who has shown a staggering lack of character and judgement, they’d be opening a wound that has just begun to heal. He and Willow implore them on behalf of their sons – the one who is gone, and the one they’re raising together – to protect this community and deny Brad Cooper parole. He thanks them, and a board member says, before they question Brad, would he like to make a statement? Brad thanks them, and says, first, he wants to apologize again to Michael and Willow. He says again because he’s done so before, but he knows no amount of contrition will ever be enough. Today, he’s asking for a chance to try and redeem himself. They have statements from several CO’s and the warden that he’s been a model prisoner. They also have a letter of support from his dear friend Dr. Britt Westbourne. One line from Dr. Westbourne’s letter has stayed with him. Despite his mistake, Brad Cooper is infinitely more capable of virtue than vice. Brad says he’s more than his mistakes. Please grant him parole, and he promises to live a life of virtue.

Carly looks at a keychain that says Caroline on it. Sonny clears his throat, and she looks up. He says, the girls are decorating cookies with Graciela and Pilar; they’re going to be bouncing off the walls. She says, that’s okay. The sugar crash will make them sleep like babies. Look at him. He’s been sampling the icing himself. She wipes his mouth, and he says he sees she found the ornaments. He was thinking of inviting a bunch of people over to trim the tree, and she says she’d love that. He says they can get a head start with the girls. She says, yeah, and he asks, what’s wrong? She says, last year, they trimmed the tree without him; it wasn’t right. He says he knows his coming home hasn’t been seamless, and she says, but it’s a dream come true. He asks if she can promise him something, and she says, anything. He says he wants her to know it’s all right to share her feelings about Jason.

In Finn’s office, Elizabeth says she can’t believe what she almost did, and he says, that look on her face. He recognized it. When Peter dangled the antidote that would save Chase in his face, and then threw it off the roof, it was that same look of rage that made him want to push Peter down the stairs. She says, if he hadn’t stopped her… and he says he wanted to spare her the regret he had, thinking he’d almost killed someone. She says, spare her? Peter murdered her husband. He’s the reason Jason is dead, and the reason her boys are in a constant state of grief. If he hadn’t spared her, she could have given her sons some semblance of justice. But no, Peter is still alive because she couldn’t rid the world of the monster Finn tried to kill.

Austin says, Maxie knows he can’t discuss Peter’s medical condition with her, and she says, please. She has the right to know if this nightmare she’s living is going to end. He says, all right. Here’s what he can say. Wow. That guy behind the curtain is in really bad shape. She says, and? and he says, and whoever did this to Peter, it was intentional, not an accident. Someone wanted him dead. That doesn’t surprise her?

Carly tells Sonny, Jason gave her the keychain years ago, when she showed up on his doorstep pregnant with Michael. She told him Carly Roberts was really Caroline Benson, Bobbie’s long lost daughter. They spent that Christmas together, and every year she puts it on the tree, and remembers. Sonny puts the keychain on the tree, and she puts her arms around him from behind. She says she he knows things have been hard for him, with how complicated things had gotten with Jason. As much as she misses Jason, there is only one man in her life, and it’s him. She kisses him, and says, they’re going to get through this, as long as they keep being open with each other.

A board member tells Brad that the panel will deliberate, and inform him of their decision at the earliest opportunity. He thanks Michael for his statement, and says, this hearing is adjourned. Michael looks at Celina.

Curtis tells Marshall that he won’t say it again. Get out of his club and stay out of his life. Marshall nods, and tells Stella to take care of herself. He starts to leave, but Stella says, stop. She knows Curtis’s father’s reappearance in his life has thrown him, but Curtis says, Marshall hasn’t been his father for a very long time. Stella says, he’s always been Curtis’s father. Whether he’s been around or not, or whether Curtis likes it or not, Marshall Ashford is the only father Curtis has. And by some miracle, he’s standing here, whole and well. Curtis asks what she’s suggesting; that they pick up where they left off? He’s a little too old for toy lawnmowers. She tells him that she’s not saying that at all, but what has it cost Marshall to show up here? At least hear him out. Curtis tells her that Marshall has nothing to say. He’s a ghost with no public record, who makes sketchy references to a possible danger. Marshall says, just hear him. As much as it killed him to go, every minute he remained in their lives, he put Curtis and Tommy at risk. If he’d stayed, what kind of father would it have made him?

Britt says she’s happy to answer as many questions as Brando and Sasha can think of, but she needs to provide a more thorough explanation of their son’s prognosis. Liam’s brain is severely impaired. Sasha says, they know that, and Brando says, it’s already been explained to them, but Britt says she needs to clarify what that means. Liam will never breathe on his own. He will never open his eyes, never recognize their voices or have any awareness of his surroundings. Life for Liam will entail permanent ventilation, a feeding tube, and around the clock care. Sasha says, they know it’s a lot. If it’s too much for them to care for him at home, they’ll bring him here. Britt says, General Hospital’s not set up to care for what their son needs, and Brando says, then where? Britt says, they’d have to transfer Liam to a long-term care facility, and Sasha says, away from his parents? No. He needs love. There must be a way for Liam to come home. Britt says, she’s sorry to be so blunt, but Liam’s quality of life… Sasha says, he won’t have any quality of life without them. If Britt refuses to help them, they’ll find someone who will.

Curtis says, so it wasn’t safe for Marshall to come back when Tommy died, and it wasn’t safe when his mom died. In all those years, it wasn’t safe when Aunt Stella took on his responsibility, but now it’s safe for him to waltz back in here, and they’re required to do what? Be his captive audience? Stella says Curtis has every right to answers, and someday his father provide them, but can Curtis consider for a moment that Marshall was trying to protect him? Curtis says, from what? and Marshall says, a complex situation that would had repercussions on the entire family, and still could. Curtis says, what situation and what repercussions? Tell him; he can take it. Marshall says, just know he didn’t leave because he wanted to; he left because he had to. Curtis says, this is bull, but Marshall says, it’s all he has to offer Curtis, at least for now. Curtis says, it’s not enough, and Marshall says, it’s enough for TJ. Curtis says he thought he told Marshall to stay away from TJ, and Marshall says, he came here to reconnect with his family. Blood or no blood, TJ is his family. If TJ, Tommy’s son, wants to have a relationship with him, it’s his call. If Curtis wants to have one, Curtis can find him at the Harbor View Inn. He leaves, and Stella says she’s so sorry. Curtis asks what she has to apologize for.

Sonny opens the door to Michael, Willow, and Wiley, and asks how the parole hearing went. Willow says, Michael was very eloquent, and Sonny says he doesn’t doubt that. Michael says he didn’t expect to give his impact statement in front of Celina, and Sonny says, she is Brad’s aunt. Willow asks if Wiley would like to say hello to Grandma Carly, and they leave. Michael says he hopes he didn’t make it awkward for Sonny’s business relationship, and Sonny says he told Celina that Michael had every right to oppose Brad’s release, and she understands. Michael says he’s glad the hearing is over. He just wants to put all this business with Brad behind them.

Carly asks if Wiley wants to go to the kitchen, and have cookies with Donna and Avery, and he says he does. She tells him, go, and he leaves. Willow says, it’s like a wonderland in here; Carly really went all out. Carly says she can’t any credit; Sonny did it all. Willow says, good for him, getting back in the swing of things, and Carly says, he missed last year, and thought the family needed a big dose of Christmas. Any word about Brad? Willow says, not yet, but Michael spoke so passionately, she’s sure he got through to the parole board. Carly says, whatever happens, Wiley has the full protection of the family. Willow says she knows, and she appreciates that, and Carly says, but? Willow says, no buts. She knows Carly always has Wiley’s best interest at heart, even when they don’t see eye to eye. Carly says she may tend to chime in when it comes to her grandson, and appreciates Willow’s grace, and Willow says, Carly’s instincts tend to be spot on.

Elizabeth tells Finn, her boys loved Franco. Not because she loved him, but because he earned it. He reached Jake through art, and helped Aiden be comfortable with who he is. Cameron was a battle and a half, but Franco was willing to give his life for that boy, and Peter ripped Franco away from all of them. She wanted to hurt him like he hurt her. Finn says she knows that’s not how it would have gone. If she’d succeeded, she’d go to prison, and allow Peter to take from Cameron, Jake, and Aiden, allow him to take their mother on top of everything he’s already taken. He doesn’t think Franco or Jason would want that. When he thought he’d killed Peter, he wanted to go to the police and confess, remember that? She stopped him from making a choice that would have taken his daughter from him. He’s returning the favor, like it or not. She can be as angry as she wants, but it’s not going to drive him away from her.

Brando says he and Sasha are frustrated with the situation, not Britt. They appreciate her time. Sasha says she’s so sorry, but Britt tells her, don’t apologize. She can’t possibly imagine what they’re going through. She would help them look into everything they need for home care, if it were feasible. If they want a second opinion, or third, or fourth, or if they want to talk to every specialist on the planet, she’ll reach out for them and make it happen, but they should consider Liam’s likely lifespan and quality of life. Brando says, a lifespan of how long? and Britt says, he could live for years. Sasha says, years, with hope in her eyes, but Britt says, in a permanent vegetative state. Brando says, as to quality of life? and Britt says, he would have none. Liam is being kept alive by machines, and his little body is vulnerable to seizures, pneumonia, sepsis, sepsis shock, fractures, and the high likelihood of bed sores. She’s so sorry to be so direct, but she can’t leave them make this decision without seeing the full picture. Sasha asks how they can make a decision when they don’t know all the options, and Brando says, it sounds like Dr. Westbourne is saying there’s only one option. Sasha says, what’s that? and Britt says, to take their son off life support. Brando says, they let Liam go, and Sasha says, no, and cries in his arms. 

Brando asks what Sasha is thinking, and she says, she’s thinking, even though he’s only been here such a short time, she can’t imagine a world without Liam in it. Brando says, him neither, and she says, then they don’t have to, right? There must be something they can still do. This can’t be the end of the road.

Finn tells Elizabeth, next time she needs to unload, unload on him. If she wants to punch it out, his shoulder’s all hers. Anything she needs to move forward, he’s right here. She kisses him, and jets.

Curtis says he hopes it didn’t rattle Stella, seeing Marshall after thinking he’s long dead. He promises not to allow that man to haunt or guilt her, or TJ. She says, Curtis Ashford gonna do what he’s gonna do, and TJ’s got a good head on his shoulders. And it’s not like Marshall can surprise her again. Curtis says, well, he’s gone, and she says, what he needs to do is give her a tour of his beautiful club. Live his life, and free himself from all the burdens of the past. It’s what his mom would want. Curtis agrees, and Stella says, how about if she makes him a promise? As long as there’s a breath left in her body, she’s not going to allow anything or anyone to upend this family. They hug.

Michael picks up Wiley, who puts an ornament on the tree, and everyone is all, yay! Carly says they have to pick out the next ornament, and goes over to Sonny by the tree. She asks, what’s this? indicating a gift, and he says she’s got to wait until Christmas. His phone rings, and it’s Celina. She said, the parole board has made its decision. Her nephew is being released in a few days. He has her gratitude. He says, a deal’s a deal, and Carly asks if everything is okay. Sonny says, everything is good, and Carly goes back to the kids, saying, they have to put more ornaments on; start looking. Sonny looks grim.

Tomorrow, Kristina says, it’s a disaster waiting to happen; Chase tells Finn, stop looking if something’s not there; Michael says Brad gets no second chances with his family; and Britt tells Celina, she has no idea who she’s messing with.

Vanderpump Rules

In James’s interview, he said he’d been going less to social events, and we flashed back to him drinking through the week. He told Raquel it wasn’t about him questioning his sobriety; he was done with it. He’d been to three events that week, and was tired. Raquel suggested they get together with friends and family, and celebrate their engagement. She thought it would be fun to go somewhere outside L.A. Everyone else was hanging out at TomTom. Sandoval told Lala that Ariana thought he was taking her to a late birthday lunch, but they were really going to Madcap Motel (see below). He took Katie aside, and they sat in a booth. Katie said the situation at her house got out of hand, but he said his goal was to create situations where they were not only hanging out having and having fun, but making money. They were getting to the next level, and he’d worked his ass off to turn his and Schwartz’s friendship into a brand, and bring money into her household. He also had to deal with Schwartz’s insecurities, so he seemed like he was extra and pushing it. Katie said she had a different perspective. She saw it as Sandoval thinking his ideas were better. He said he was protecting Schwartz’s interest, and had his back. She told him that all she was saying was to listen to her husband’s ideas. He took credit for what Schwartz had done, and wanted to dress him up like a Barbie, and put him in a sidecar. We flashed back to Sandoval doing just that, and he told Katie that he built people up and praised them; she just wasn’t there to see it. She told that she wasn’t saying he didn’t support Schwartz, but he had an effing ego problem. He said, so did she, having been reduced to elementary school responses. Katie told Schwartz that Sandoval was an effing a-hole, and in his interview, Schwartz said the mediating was killing him inside. He wanted to throw his hands up and walk away. Go to Florida and open a tiki bar. In Lala’s interview, she said Sandoval was like the other woman in Schwartz’s life; he was like Schwartz’s mistress. They had cocktails and manifested sh*t. In Schwartz’s interview, he said he couldn’t have days where everything was falling apart because Katie and Sandoval were butting heads. He knew he had an issue with riding the fence, but they both had valid points. They needed three-way couples therapy.

Brock and Scheana talked about the photo shoot for Brock’s company, HomeBody. In Brock’s interview, he said he didn’t think he’d been asking for too much. He wasn’t asking for a kidney. Scheana whined about Charli saying she hadn’t been a good friend lately. Sorry; she just had a baby. Brock asked why she was always apologizing, and she said if Charli felt hurt, her feelings were valid. He said, what about Scheana’s  effing feelings? Scheana said she felt she’d been rightfully selfish. It had been a year since her miscarriage. When she was pregnant with Summer, she’d been afraid of getting sick, or being around anyone. All she cared about was the baby.

Katie paid a visit to Villa Rosa – Puffy! – and in her interview, she said she didn’t like asking for Lisa’s time, but she understood the restaurant business, and had officiated at their wedding. Who else would she ask when the business put a strain on her marriage? Katie told Lisa about her conversation with Tom, and how it went bad. He’d taken credit for the TomTom brand. In Lisa’s interview, she said it had been her idea, and she’d surprised them at Schwartz’s wedding. We flashed back to that, and Lisa said Katie had put having a baby on hold, and in one way, this had been her baby. Katie said, now it was just Schwartz and Sandoval’s, and asked if Lisa thought they were ready to open their own place. Lisa said, no, but they were working with someone who had experience. She did think Greg might get frustrated with the Toms chasing their own tails. Katie said Schwartz’s defense of Tom made her upset, and Lisa said she would not let her husband have more loyalty to another man than her.

As Sandoval and Ariana got ready for the fake dinner, Sandoval said he thought Katie was being unfair. Ariana said Lala thought there was more going on between Schwartz and Katie, and they should take a break. Sandoval thought that was terrible advice, and Ariana thought it was extreme, but in her interview, she said there must be something Lala knew that she didn’t. In Sandoval’s interview, he sai,d the Madcap Motel was an awesome art installation with different rooms and actors. He was stoked. He and Ariana went into a pseudo laboratory, then walked through a decontamination chamber, to find all their friends waiting. Sandoval said they were to enter at their own enjoyment, and thanked everyone for coming. He told them to have drinks and explore. They went to the rave room, which Scheana said was a combination of Stranger Things and the Twilight Zone. It would be a fun place to take mushrooms. The Toms went to standard motel room that was slanted, and sat on the bed. Schwartz said he didn’t want to kill the vibe, but Katie told him some crazy sh*t. She’d told him that Sandoval said he was the one making the money, and made it sound like Schwartz was a charity case. Sandoval acted like he never heard of such things, when everything Katie told Schwartz was what he’d said. Sandoval said their friendship was a brand now, but Schwartz said they weren’t creating a brand, just awesome sh*t. Sandoval was like, no, it’s a brand, and Schwartz said he knew Sandoval spearheaded things, and embraced it. But Katie thought Sandoval was taking him away from his wife, and she was going to unravel. Sandoval got all animated, and Schwartz told him, easy. Katie and Lala’s conversation on the subject was much more concise. Katie told Lala what Sandoval had said, and Lala called him a little punk ass bitch.

After Madcap Motel, the group went to a bar called Tramp Stamp Granny’s. Sandoval toasted to Ariana, the love of his life, and said they were all lucky to know her. In Katie’s interview, she said Tramp Stamp Granny’s was a great name for a bar. In James’s interview, he said he didn’t know anything about Brock’s HomeBody app, and told Lala that he wasn’t doing it for free. His Instagram was a whole other thing, and he didn’t want to advertise for Brock. Lala said James was the best roller coaster she knew. James talked about staying sober, and Lala said, even though that was the goal, it wasn’t about not drinking. It was about being a better human. In Lala’s interview, she said James had done a lot of self-work. He still had outbursts, but giving up alcohol was a big deal. I agree, especially in the business he’s in. A ton of pizza arrives, and James gets everyone to chant, pizza! Ariana sat with Charli and Raquel, and ate a miniscule amount of toppings off Raquel’s slice. They talked about Scheana, and Raquel said Scheana had asked her to end friendships. Ariana said she and Scheana went through some f***ed up sh*t as friends. When she started dating Sandoval, Scheana thought he was the devil. We flashed back to Scheana discouraging the pairing, and in Ariana’s interview, she said their friendship almost ended, but they were like family now. Ariana went to the bar, announced she hadn’t eaten anything all day, and promptly fell on her ass. In her interview, she said, when Sandoval told her they were  going to dinner, she didn’t eat. Things were escalating. She yelled, it’s my effing birthday! and tried to have a conversation with Katie. She suggested she and Sandoval, and Katie and Schwartz all go to the dinner the next night, but Katie said she’d rather do anything else. Ariana offered to lick both their buttholes, and cupcakes with candles in them came out. Perfect timing. I thought she was so drunk, she wasn’t even going to remember this. Ariana smashed a cupcake on Sandoval’s face, then proceeded to lick it off. She told him that she hated chocolate (who hates chocolate?), and yet she was still licking it off his face. She effing loved him.

Lala talked to Randall about getting an assistant, and in her interview, she said she’d started off with a lipstick, and now she was a successful brand. Since becoming a mom, she’d been overwhelmingly busy, and she was planning a Give Them Lala beauty party. Randall had suggested she get an assistant so she’d stop harassing his. Randall told one candidate that the company was all Lala. He’d wanted to be a part of it, but she kicked him to the curb. In Lala’s interview, she said she did it all herself. She didn’t want to be dependent on a man. Candidate Jessica worked for American Idol, and was good with social media. She told Lala that she knew what it was like to be a filter. She was the chosen one, and Randall said Lala did great.

In Schwartz’s interview, he said the whole thing had reached a breaking point. Something had to give, and it wasn’t going to be his wife. He wasn’t choosing Sandoval over Katie, ever. Maybe he and Sandoval needed to sort some things out. Ariana told Sandoval that it mattered to her to have Katie in their lives, and Tom whined that women were entitled to yell, but as a straight man, if he raised his voice, he was wrong. Katie told Schwartz to look Sandoval in the eye and say, you can’t talk to my wife that way. Let him know who’s effing number one. He went to Sandoval and Ariana’s house, and I was impressed with how quickly they got a drink in his hand. I didn’t even see anyone pour it. It was like magic. Poof! A drink.

Ariana made herself scarce, and Schwartz said something had been weighing on him since the blow-up at TomTom. Sandoval agreed it had been dark and depressing, and Schwartz said, the bottom line was, he needed Sandoval to respect Katie. Sandoval said he wanted to keep his distance from Katie. He felt like no matter what he said or did, it got twisted. Schwartz said it was partly his fault, and he took responsibility for that, but Sandoval needed to give Katie a higher level of respect, and she’d extend the same courtesy to him. Sandoval thought it was best they stick to being business partners, and keep non work related socialization to a bare minimum. Bar hopping wouldn’t be happening for a while. Schwartz agreed they should take a break, and in his interview, he said it sucked to keep it strictly business, but thought it’s what had to be done. Schwartz told Sandoval that they could still have some fun; 90% business and 10% pleasure.  

Next time, Brock wants to propose to Scheana, James asks Raquel if he’s controlling, and Schwartz becomes self-conscious about the boundaries in his and Sandoval’s friendship.

😵 It’s a Madcap World…

It looks like a really cool place.

🛥 Deck’s Loss…

I’d just watched the first season again not long ago. He seemed like a nice guy, but it sounds like he didn’t exactly live a healthy lifestyle.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1313178/below-deck-mediterranean-star-captain-mark-howards-cause-of-death-revealed

🏆 They’re Golden…

Hard to believe it’s almost 2022.

Winners & Nominees

⚽️ Kicking Back…

Tomorrow, the usual soap, and I’ll see what Fancy Pants is up to in the OC. Until then, stay safe, stay not letting the holidays be a big stress ball, and stay being infinitely more capable of virtue than vice.

October 29, 2021 – Gladys Comes Bearing Intel, New Gig, Reboot, Invaded, Not True, More Erika, Denial, Nobody, Ultimate News, Deck Farewell, Sequel, Haunting Quotes & Thrill This

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna sees Finn at the hospital and tells her, welcome back. She thanks him, and he says, still no sign of Peter? She says, no. She was just talking to the agents on the ground in Crete, and nothing. Not yet anyway. He says, as much as he wishes she had Peter in custody, or another freezer, he’s glad she’s okay. She says she wishes they all were.

Elizabeth tells Valentin, he’s doing remarkably well for a man with a gunshot wound who’s been shipped halfway around the world. How is he feeling? He says, like he could wrestle a bear, and Austin comes in, saying, he thinks Valentin would need a note from a doctor. Elizabeth asks if there’s something she can do for Austin, and he says, sure, but right now her tact and discretion are gift enough. She doesn’t need to worry. He’s not there in a medical capacity. He has business with the patient.

Brook tells Charlotte to eat her cereal so they can get going, but Charlotte says she can’t. Papa doesn’t let her eat sugary cereals. Brook says, just this once won’t kill her. Now, hurry up, so they can go to the hospital and see her dad. Brook’s phone rings, and she tells Lucy, this isn’t such a great time… She had Gladys working on that. She told Gladys she’d finish it, but she forgot… No, Brook has no idea where she keeps that calendar… Has Lucy tried calling her phone?… Oh, of course (🍷) she’s not answering. Fortunately, Brook knows exactly where to find her.

At the MetroCourt, Sasha tells Brando that his coffee smells good. It has real caffeine in it, doesn’t it? He says, mm-hm. She misses it, doesn’t she? She says, so much. She doesn’t dream of fitting back in her clothes or riding a roller coaster. She dreams of morning coffee, a double-shot latte with extra foam. Maxie comes in, saying, she’s sorry she’s late. Sasha says, no worries, and Brando says he enjoyed the extra time with Sasha. Maxie says, enjoy it while he can. He won’t have a free minute once the baby is born.

Gladys goes to the bar, wearing a bathrobe and slippers, and asks the bartender, what kind of a spa doesn’t have alcohol? She needs a bottle of Dom, and are strawberries in season? Never mind. If they’re covered in chocolate, it doesn’t matter. (Yes, it does.) She’ll take half a dozen. Brando asks what she’s doing there, and she says, the works. Eyebrow threading, mani-pedi, and some kind of treatment with gold leaf that’s going to take ten years off of her. He asks if she isn’t supposed to be at work, and Maxie says, that’s what she’d like to know.

Ava asks if Spencer would top off her coffee one more time, and Spencer says she’s already had four cups; the fifth one might kill her. Coming right up. Ava asks if that’s any way to talk to a customer, and Spencer says, perhaps Nikolas can spare his wife by taking her somewhere more suitable. Ava says, such as? and Spencer says, somewhere else. Nikolas says Spencer seems to have forgotten, he has no moral high ground here. He stalked Ava for months. He terrorized Ava, him, and Avery. He won’t allow Spencer to be rude to Ava on top of it. Spencer says, that’s rich. The man who let him think he was dead for three years is lecturing him on his tone. Nikolas says he’s Spencer’s father, and Spencer says, that can’t be helped. Next time Nikolas climbs on his high horse, just remember he’s no innocent himself. Shawn comes in, and looks at Nikolas.

Brook sends a text to Maxie that says, 911! AGAIN! Charlotte comes in, and says she gave Bailey a kiss goodbye from both of them, and said she’d tell daddy that Bailey loves him, and she gave the nanny Bailey’s top three favorite toys in case she won’t stop fussing. So they can go now? Brook thanks her, and says she’s so good to Bailey. Charlotte says, of course () she is; Bailey’s her sister. Brook says, off they go, and Charlotte asks if she’s sure they shouldn’t bring Bailey to see Papa. The nanny can get her ready in ten minutes; five if she helps. Brook says she wishes they could, but she thinks it would be too much commotion for Valentin. Charlotte supposes Brook is right. Besides, she might be scared by all the machines. Brook asks if Charlotte is nervous, and says, her Papa is going to be fine. He’s looking forward to seeing her. She’s very brave, and Brook wants her to know that she doesn’t just have Valentin; she has Brook too. Charlotte says she knows, and hugs Brook. Brook says, so Bailey is with the nanny, check; spoonful of sugar, check. Are they forgetting anything? Charlotte says, Yuri, and Brook says, that is one giant oversight. Let’s get Yuri, and let’s go see your dad.

Gladys says she has the day off, and Maxie asks if Brook is aware she’s not at her desk. Gladys puts a credit card in the folder to pay her bar tab, and says, it was Brook who gave her the day off. Maxie snatches the card, and says she supposes Brook also told Gladys that she could use her corporate card? Gladys holds out her hand, and says, it’s hers to use, but Maxie says, this is a corporate credit card. She’s part owner of the corporation, and it’s not for frivolous spa treatments or strawberries and champagne. Gladys says, Brook told her it was okay, and Sasha says she’s sure this is a misunderstanding. What did Brook say exactly? Gladys says, Brook was clear. Brook told her to enjoy her well-deserved reward day for all the hard work she’s done. Maxie laughs, and asks if she’s talking about the bare minimum they practically have to beg her to. Brando says he thinks it’s best if they postpone Gladys’s spa day, and she can reward herself this weekend. Gladys says she’s going to do what she was promised, she’s going to do it today, and she’s going to pay for it with that card, like she was promised.   

Ava says Nikolas has been preoccupied all morning. Is there anything he wants to discuss? He says, what’s to discuss? Despite his job, his kid is nowhere close to doing what’s right. She says, and Alexis? and he says, what about Alexis? She says he told her before that Alexis’s pardon might not work out. That’s got to be weighing on him. He says he does have a lot of family business on his mind, and she if he wants to elaborate. He says, there’s been some trouble with some real estate the Cassadines used to own in Greece. He needs to make some inquiries. She asks how it affects him, if the Cassadines no longer own the property, and he says, maybe it doesn’t, but he’d like to head to GH to make sure.  Valentin was shot on the property.

Finn says he heard Peter shot Valentin, and Anna says, he did. He says when he heard, all he could think about were those two little girls, Valentin’s kids. Because of Peter, they could have lost their father. It never should have come to this. He wishes he’d killed Peter. Anna says, no he doesn’t, and pulls him aside. He says, he does. If Peter would have died, none of them would have to worry about him going on this rampage. She says, at what cost to him though? and he asks if she’s talking about his conscience. He thinks he would have slept just fine knowing Peter was in the ground. She says he would have spent the rest of his life looking over his shoulder, wondering when it was going to catch up with him. And if it had, what would have happened to Violet? He says, at least he would have known that Violet and everyone else was safe from Peter. She says, that day will come because Peter’s starting to get desperate, and along with desperation comes mistakes, so he will get caught. Finn says, if he does, he’s interested to see if Peter will tell the authorities about the whole stairwell/freezer incident. She says, if he does, they’ll probably throw Finn a parade. She knows how much he love crowds and attention. He says he does love a good parade, but seriously, when she’s out there looking out for the world, who’s looking out for her?

Valentin says he hasn’t forgotten his agreement with Austin. If Austin wins his suit against the Quartermaines, he’ll support Valentin’s bid to stay CEO of ELQ, and Valentin will pay him off in any way Austin sees fit. Austin says he’s only there to tell Valentin that he’s going to have to hold on to his job on his own. He’s agreed to stop pursuing his claim against ELQ. Valentin asks, why he would do that? and Austin says, the mother of Valentin’s daughter. Valentin asks what Brook’s done now, and Austin says she manipulated him into making a HIPPA violation. Then she made him an offer. He gives up his rights as Jimmy Lee’s son, or he could give up his medical license. Valentin says he’s sorry to hear that. Brook can be a tenacious little minx when it comes to her family. Austin says, she sure is. He recognizes, as Bailey’s father, Valentin doesn’t have a choice, but he does. He doesn’t want anything to do with the Quartermaines. He’s out. Brook says, works for her, and stands in the doorway with Charlotte and Yuri.

Valentin says, mon petite, and Charlotte runs to him, saying, mon papa. Austin says, it’s suddenly really crowded in here. He thinks he’ll split. Brook tells him not to let the door hit him when he’s leaving. Charlotte asks if Valentin is okay, and he says he’s tougher than he looks. She says, he looks terrible, and Brook says, she should see the other guy. What is this, life number six or seven? He says, at least eight, and Brook says she has some Deception business to tend to, and they have some father/daughter time to make up for, so get on that. Outside the door, she tells Yuri that she has some calls to make, and to stay there with Charlotte. She’s his number one job. As she walks down the hall, Austin says he still hasn’t gotten the official word from the Board about going back to work. Could she prod that along? She says, not now, and he tells her to take her time. It’s just his future, his career, the lives of his patients. No worries.

Maxie says Gladys is an assistant. Nobody owes her a spa day or anything else aside from her weekly salary, provided she actually earns it. And she’s confiscating the card until further notice. Gladys says she doesn’t think Maxie wants to do that, and Brando tells her, stop. She can’t talk to her boss that way. Maxie’s phone dings, and she says, that’s Brook. Gladys says Maxie can ask her herself, but Maxie says she has to meet Brook at GH; Valentin is in the ICU. Gladys says, that poor wonderful man, and Sasha tells Maxie to go; they’ll reschedule. Maxie says, as for Gladys, she expected her back at her desk ten minutes ago. She leaves, and Gladys tells Sasha, before she says anything, she was telling the truth. Sasha says they’ll get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, Gladys has to remember that she reports to Brook. Gladys says, how can she forget? and Sasha says, and Brook reports to Maxie. Gladys says, Maxie was just lording that over her; Sasha doesn’t need to repeat it. Brando says, if they’re constantly reminding her of who her boss is, maybe she needs to hear it. Gladys says she’s sick of it. Nobody talks down to her, least of all some fraud who’s barking out orders at her when she should be getting a paternity test. Brando says, hey! Apologize to Sasha right now, and Sasha says, Brando is this baby’s father, without question, and she doesn’t need a test to prove it. Gladys says, of course (🍷). She didn’t mean that. She’s sorry; she’s overwhelmed. Which is why she needs a spa day. She runs out.

Anna tells Finn, this manhunt for Peter has been exhausting; mentally and physically. And the sheer carnage he’s left in his wake. Now there’s two little girls whose father is in ICU. He says, he took the liberty of looking at Valentin’s chart. Exploratory surgery isn’t without risk, but given Valentin’s age and condition, he hates to say it, but he thinks Valentin is going to make it. She laughs, and thanks him for that. She’s happy they still want what’s best for each other. As far as Peter is concerned, Finn’s peace of mind is more important than having him in custody. His death on Finn’s conscience, she would never want that for him, ever. Or Elizabeth. Finn looks at Elizabeth, standing at the reception desk.

Ava says, Valentin was shot? and tells Nikolas, great. She hopes he was sent out a window and belly-flopped into the Aegean. He says, but she’s not one to hold a grudge, and she tells him to let her enjoy it. She asks, who shot him, and why the hell would Nikolas care? and Nikolas says he’ll explain on the way to the launch, but she says he’ll explain on the way to GH. She’s going with him.    

Shawn walks into Kelly’s, and Spencer wonders why they call it serving when you spend most of the time cleaning up. Shawn says he’ll get the hang of it, and maybe even come to enjoy the work. Spencer says he’ll take Shawn’s word for that, and asks what brings him back so soon? Did he forget something? Shawn says he came back to see Spencer.   

Elizabeth asks if Finn is sure Anna isn’t going to say anything about what they did to Peter, and he says he thinks Anna has their back. She says, okay. She should thank Anna. She guesses she should cut Anna a little slack. She’s doing everything she can to catch Peter, but Elizabeth can’t help thinking how many lives Peter will destroy before he gets stopped. He says, Peter will never harm Elizabeth or her family again; he’ll make sure of it. She asks, how? and he says he just will. She says, sounds like a plan, and thanks him. He says, speaking of families, he feels kind of terrible for prying into hers.

Valentin asks Charlotte how things are at the Quartermaines without him. Is she helping Brook with her baby sister? She says she changed Bailey’s diaper, twice, and he says, he’s proud of her. He knows it’s been an adjustment, and wants her to know how much he appreciates her effort. She says she enjoys taking care of her sister. It happens a lot when Brook’s friend comes to visit. He says, Maxie? but she says, Detective Chase. They’re constantly playing games and watching movies. Valentin says, they’re friends, and she tells him, if he says so. He says he cares very much about Brook because she’s Bailey’s mother, but he’s glad she has friends. She asks if he has friends, and he flashes back to kissing Anna in the tavern. He says he has her and Bailey, and that makes him the luckiest man in the world.

Gladys is carrying a humongous teddy bear, and tells Austin that she’s looking for a room. Valentin Cassadine. He says he’s terribly sorry, but only family is allowed to visit, but she says she is family. Gladys Corbin, and she comes bearing gifts… She whispers, and intel. He says, oh, intel. Intel wouldn’t have anything to do with the Quartermaines, would it? She says, would it ever, and he says, you don’t say. It’s a crying shame hospital policy prevents him from telling her that Valentin is in ICU-1. She says, thanks for nothin’, winking at him. He says, pawsitively my pleasure, slapping the bear’s paw. She leaves, and he says, damn, that was gold. Maxie asks, what’s gold?

Shawn says, when he was there earlier, Spencer made a crack about how he used to be able to get his father to do anything for him. Spencer says, first of all, Nikolas is his father, not his dad. Second of all, those days are long gone; his father has washed his hands of him. Shawn says, Spencer might feel that way, but he’s sure that’s not true. Spencer says, care to put money on that? He could use it. Shawn says he would, and he’d win. Spencer says Shawn thinks this is one of those tough love kind of things, but it’s not. Shawn says he thinks the connection between Spencer and his father runs deeper than both of them realize. He also thinks they’re both incredibly stubborn. Spencer says he can’t disagree on the second part, and Shawn says, behind the stubbornness, they’re both longing to reconnect. He thinks if there’s anyone in the world Nikolas would come clean to, it’s his son, and Spencer says, come clean about what?

Anna sees Nikolas and Ava, and says she wanted to talk to Nikolas. He asks what he can do for her, and she says he saved her a trip to Spoon Island. She wanted to ask him about a Cassadine property in Crete. He says, any properties there were sold off years ago. He might be able to provide her with some more information later, but right now he’s here to see Valentin. Anna says, that’s odd. It wasn’t that long ago that they nearly came to blows at the MetroCourt. Not to mention Valentin shot Nikolas out a window and into the sea, and Nikolas was in hiding for three years. He says, recent events have taught him to  rely on his better angels. Can she tell him where he can find Valentin? She says, ICU, but visitation is limited. Ava suggests they come back another time, and Nikolas asks Anna to let Valentin know they were there. She says she’ll be happy to, but while she’s playing messenger, is there anything he’d like to say to his Uncle Victor? Nikolas says, what about him? and Anna says she thought Nikolas would have heard. Victor’s alive.

Valentin asks if Charlotte has seen Scout, and Charlotte says, Scout and Danny were over. He asks if Scout is still interested in ballet, and Charlotte says she is. He says he’s glad. Yuri stops Gladys from coming in, but she says she’s a friend. Valentin says, Miss Corbin? and she says, Gladys. She told Yuri she was a friend; now let her inside. Yuri says, Charlotte is visiting with her father, and Charlotte asks Valentin, who is this person? Gladys says, isn’t she a delight? And pretty. She bets Charlotte knows it. Valentin introduces them, and Gladys says, now will Yuri let her in? Valentin suggests Charlotte take Yuri to the cafeteria for cocoa or something, and they leave. Gladys comes in, and says, my God, it’s worse than she thought. Don’t worry. His Gladys is here now.  

Brando tells Sasha, he can’t believe his mother. He thought she dropped the whole paternity thing months ago. He’s so sorry. She says, first of all, it’s not his fault. She’s not excusing Gladys, but she’s dealing with a lot. In the past few months, her living situation and employment status changed. He says, both for the better, and Sasha says, and she got shot. He says, which is bad, but she’s wearing it like a badge of honor, and she says, on top of everything, the first man she showed interest in, who showed interest in her, literally got blown up on their first date. He says he gets it, and she says, his mother may be… all of the things she is, but she has been through it. He says, even so, she still has to respect Sasha, not only as the mother of her grandchild, but as her boss. He wouldn’t blame her if she fired Gladys.

Austin tells Maxie, you had to be there. He cracked an unappreciated pun. She says she’s glad sense of humor’s back. Does that mean he’s okay with everything? He says he’ll never be okay with giving up his birthright, but in a weird way, he’s kind of grateful that Brook tried to ruin his career. It reminded him how much he enjoys being a doctor. She says she knows what Brook did was wrong, but she doubts Brook would have gone through with it. He says he’s pretty sure she would have. There’s this thing he’s trying to figure out that he doesn’t understand. Maxie was engaged to an extremely bad dude, and she’s besties with a morally bankrupt woman. Is he the only one who thinks she deserves better?

Brook sees Charlotte with Yuri, and says she thought Charlotte would still be visiting with her father, but Charlotte says he sent her to get hot cocoa. Brook says she’d love to join them, but she has to find Maxie. They move on, and Brook gets in the elevator, and says, and ruin her day.

Finn says, Violet found the picture of Elizabeth and her father… and Elizabeth says, she’s bound to have questions. He says, Violet is a very curious little girl, especially where her family is concerned, and she says, that’s understandable, given all things concerned, and he says, even so, he shouldn’t have pushed her, comparing her relationship with her father to his with Gregory. He shouldn’t have done that. Every family is different. She says, she simply doesn’t have a close relationship with her dad, and Hayden never knew him. She’s sorry he’s not an active grandparent to her boys or Violet, but that’s just who he is.

Nikolas says, his uncle is alive? and Anna says, alive, well, and in custody. He was colluding with Peter. They were holed up in a compound in Crete that Nikolas claims is no longer part of his family’s ownership. Nikolas says, to the best of his knowledge, it isn’t, but he can contact his lawyers. She says she would appreciate that, and he asks if Victor has said anything he should know about, and she says, he hasn’t told them much so far. He’s intimated there are secrets to be shared, but he’s angling for a deal obviously. He says, sounds like his unscrupulous uncle. So what’s going to happen to him? She tells him, it’s difficult to say. Victor didn’t survive, and lay low for six years without someone’s help. Maybe it was Peter; maybe it was someone else. Anyway, she’ll be in touch. She leaves, and Ava asks Nikolas, tell her, what is it he’s hiding?

Shawn says Spencer must know he went to prison for shooting Spencer’s former stepmother Hayden Barnes, but he was falsely accused. Spencer says, he’s out now, so they must have found who shot Hayden. Shawn says, the authorities didn’t, but he did. He needs Spencer’s help to bring them to justice. Spencer asks, what can he…? He puts down the tub of dishes he’s holding, and asks what any of this has to do with his father. Shawn says, everything. Nikolas is responsible for Hayden’s shooting.  

Nikolas asks what Ava means, and she says, it’s clear he knows more about Victor than he’s letting on. If she could see that, so could Anna. So she must ask, is whatever it is going to come back to bite them? He says, if Victor had given him up, he’d be in custody and being formally questioned right now, and she says, given him up for what? He says, Valentin shot him and almost killed him, and she says she remembers very well; she was there. He says Victor found him and nursed him back to health, and she asks what Victor wanted in return. He says, they struck a deal. He kept Victor’s anonymity, and Victor kept his. He promised when he reclaimed the Cassadine estate, he would give Victor a home base, and keep his secret. She asks what this has to do with Peter. How deep is Nikolas in with him? He says he had no clue Victor was up to anything with Peter, and she asks if he can trust his uncle to keep him out of it. He says he thinks so. His uncle is an opportunist, and needs Nikolas where he is. She says, unless he’s found a way to leverage Nikolas for his own freedom. He knows as well as she does, betrayal comes most often from those closest to us.

Spencer asks what Shawn means when he says, Nikolas was involved with Hayden’s shooting? Is Shawn saying he shot her? Shawn says, no. We believe Nikolas hired someone to do the job for him. Spencer goes outside, and Shawn follows. Spencer says, who’s we? and Shawn says, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Nikolas is the one who hurt Hayden, not him. Spencer says, if what Shawn is saying is true, then his father let Shawn serve six years for something he… What proof does Shawn have? Shawn says, none right now. That’s where Spencer comes in. Spencer says he wants no part of this, and Shawn says, just ask Nikolas about Hayden. That’s all. Spencer asks why he should, and Shawn says, for Violet, Hayden’s daughter. That little girl is without her mother just like Spencer. Doesn’t he want to know if Hayden is staying away because of something his father did to her? Spencer seriously doubts his father is going to confess to him, and Shawn says, then he doesn’t. Spencer says, what if he does? What does he do then, turn Nikolas over to the police? Shawn says, Spencer tells him, and he’ll tell the police. Spencer says he doesn’t want his father to go to prison, and Shawn asks if Spencer isn’t facing prison right now. Nikolas is holding Spencer’s feet to the fire for stalking Ava, while Nikolas arranged for someone to kill Hayden. Who committed the greater crime? Spencer says he’s sorry, but he needs to get back to work, and Shawn says, follow his instincts. Do the right thing. Shawn leaves, and Spencer takes his apron off and jets. Shawn watches from around the corner.

Sasha tells Brando, Gladys is never going to be a perfect fit for Deception, and he says, he appreciates her hiring Gladys. It gave her a sense of purpose. She says, she also wanted Gladys to earn an income so she could move out. He says, that too, and look how Glady’s repaid her; insulting everybody, and helping herself to the corporate card. She says, Gladys honestly thought she had Brook’s blessing somehow, and he says, how? He doesn’t know Brook that well, but she doesn’t seem like the type who would treat his mother to a spa day. Sasha says, she isn’t, which is why she needs to get to the bottom of this. He says, or she could just fire Gladys. It’s obviously not working out. She says, let her talk to Maxie and Brook, and figure out what’s going on. As for Gladys, she still has a job… for now.

Gladys says, that Charmain of his is a real beauty, and Valentin says, Charlotte. She says, like the web? and he says, like the web. Both of his daughters are rare beauties. She asks, where is that precious bundle of Brook’s? and he says, at home. Why is Gladys here? She says he was so good to her and she wants to return the favor. She took a bullet recently too. He says he heard. She seems to have made a remarkable recovery. She says, it’s not all bad; she’s a weathervane now, meaning, she can tell when a storm is coming. He says, that must be useful, and she says, it is. He thanks her for the visit and the gift, and she tells him to remember the bear is for him, not the rug rats, no matter how beautiful they are. He says he will. He doesn’t want to be rude, but he really should rest now. She says, of course (🍷). You poor, poor thing. He must be exhausted. She sits next to the bed, and asks if he knows she works for Brook.

Maxie says she knows Brook isn’t Austin’s favorite person right now, and she can sympathize. There was a time she and Brook hated each other. He asks, what changed? Brook is still superficial, caustic, entitled, and opportunistic. She says, they’ve been though a lot, and she can’t forget the good things, and he says he can’t forget the promise he made to his father. She asks if he’s at least been reinstated, and he says, he got an informal notice that Brook retracted her statement, but he’s still waiting for them to make it official so he can see his patients. She says, that’s good. It means this whole thing is effectively over. He says, it’s not over, when Brook walks up, and he adds, not by a long shot.

Finn says he knows it’s a difficult subject, but he’s only asking for Violet, and Elizabeth says, she wants to see the picture again. He says, she’s asked a couple of times where the picture of her grandpa Jeff is. He looked, but he couldn’t find it. Does she know what happened to it? She flashes back to tearing it up, but says she has no idea.

Sasha tells Brando, she has an idea or two about how to reach Gladys, and he asks if she’s sure. She knows how his mother is. The more someone tries to manage her, the more she doubles down to cause trouble. Sasha says she’s got this. He can leave Gladys to her.

Brook says she’s been calling and texting Maxie since last night. Why hasn’t Maxie gotten back to her? Maxie says, something was wrong with her phone. She wasn’t receiving any texts or calls, and they suddenly came in a few minutes ago. What is going on? Brook grabs her, and says, they need to talk, pulling Maxie away from Austin. Austin says, before they have this little tete-a-tete, he’s done everything Brook asked him to do, yet somehow, miraculously, he hasn’t been officially cleared to see his patients. Brook says, that sounds like a you problem, and he says, the problem is for his patients because he doesn’t get to see them. She says she did her part. She’s sorry if the administrative wheels of this hospital grind slowly. She’s sorry, but she has bigger fish to fry, and Maxie says, like Valentin? Brook says, like her assistant. Something has to be done about Gladys. Maxie says she caught Gladys using Brook’s corporate card, and had to order her to go back to work. Austin asks if they’re talking about Gladys Corbin, and Brook asks how he knows Gladys. He says he doesn’t know her well, they just met, but she was looking for Valentin.

Gladys tells Valentin, she’s Brook’s assistant, but she’s treated more like an indentured servant. She doesn’t understand how a classy guy like Valentin got mixed up with a bossy bridge and tunnel princess like that. He closes his eyes, and asks why Gladys is there, and she says, he was so understanding the few times they kept each other company. He listened, and accepted her for who she is. Does he know what that is? He says, a force of nature? and she tells him, that’s not what she was going to say, but she likes that better. She asks if she can call him Val, and says, if knowledge is power, than anyone who crosses her had better take cover.

Ava calls to Anna, who says she thought Ava left. Ava says she’s on her way out, but she just wanted to reiterate that if Anna needs anything from her or Nikolas, just let them know. Peter’s reign of terror has to end. Anna says she couldn’t agree more. It was nice to see Ava together with Nikolas. She’s so glad that whole stalker nightmare is over. Ava says, Spencer is facing the music, and she and Nikolas are ready for their happily ever after. Anna says she certainly hopes that’s the case, and Ava says it sounds like Anna has doubts. Anna says she’s not sure that’s even possible, happily ever after with a Cassadine.   

On the phone outside Kelly’s, Shawn says, they picked up his tail?… Great. He’s on his way.

Nikolas is at the docks when Spencer joins him. He asks if Spencer isn’t supposed to be finishing his shift at Kelly’s, and Spencer says, something more important came up. It couldn’t wait. Nikolas asks what Spencer’s done now, and Spencer says, it’s not about him. It’s about Nikolas. Tell him about Hayden.

On Monday, Sonny says there’s something Carly should know, Valentin asks if Gladys’s knowledge concerns him, Spencer asks if Nikolas arranged for his stepmother’s murder, and Britt tells Jason, they’re so close, they have to find her.

🕳 What Comes Next…

Glad to see she’s recovered from that fall.

🌲 Pine Valley Legend…

And just think. She can start a new streak of not winning awards.

😧 Yikes…

Not that it’s in any way her fault – she’s totally the victim here – she just got done talking about how pricey her wardrobe was on the RHOBH Reunion.

🚬 Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em…

Josh Flagg? Really?

💎 If You Didn’t Get Enough…

More on the ongoing saga.

📸 Not Me…

She was framed framing Tom.

🥗 Everybody Is Somebody…

I dunno about this. Didn’t she write for fitness and nutrition magazines?

👠 To Be Expected…

What did they think was going to happen?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1307070/why-cynthia-baileys-friendship-with-kenya-moore-changed-after-housewives-girls-trip-fight

https://screenrant.com/real-housewives-ultimate-girls-trip-ramona-room-selection/

You, too, can get in on the fun.

https://www.etonline.com/how-to-watch-the-real-housewives-ultimate-girls-trip-174336

🛥 Final Salute…

He wasn’t on for long, but he seemed like a stand-up guy.

https://people.com/tv/below-deck-mediterranean-captain-mark-howard-dead-at-65/

🐯 Tiger, Tiger…

Because we just can’t stop watching.

https://www.insider.com/tiger-king-2-first-trailer-released-netflix-2021-10

🎃 Quotes of the Week

Darkness falls across the land, The Midnight Hour is close at hand. – Rodney Lynn Temperton

Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.Edgar Allan Poe

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for out wits to grow sharper. – Eden Phillpots

Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue. – Ichabod Crane, Sleepy Hollow

I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly. – Elizabeth, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones. – Stephen King

A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality. – Lucy Van Pelt, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves. – Elvis Duran

If human beings had genuine courage, they’d wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. – Douglas Coupland

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night. – Steve Almond

I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color. – Wednesday Addams, The Addams Family

Where there is no imagination there is no horror.Arthur Conan Doyle

The moon has awoken with the sleep of the sun, the light has been broken; the spell has begun. – Midgard Morningstar

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween. – Unknown

When the witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ’tis near Halloween. – Unknown

Werewolves howl. Phantoms prowl. Halloween’s upon us now. – Richelle E. Goodrich

Every day is Halloween, isn’t it? For some of us. – Tim Burton

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.L. M. Montgomery

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. – Mason Cooley

There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch. – Robert Brault

On Halloween you get to become anything that you want to be. – Ava Dellaria

🧹 Flying Off On My Broom…

See you post Halloween when the Dead are Feared. No matter what you do, have fun, but trust your instincts. And until the wolf howls, stay extra safe, stay doing what makes you feel comfortable, and stay not doing things that make you desperate. You’ll inevitably make mistakes and get caught.

October 18, 2021 – Victor Is Betrayed By Peter, Last Charter On Deck, What Happened in Split, New House & Haunted

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

It’s nighttime, and Scotty shows up at Britt’s office. She asks how he got there so fast, and he says, as luck has it, he was in the hospital. She asks what ambulance he chased to get there, and it says, it was actually an archery accident. It could have been prevented, but there’s some money in it. He asks, what’s going on? Does she have an idea where Obrecht is? She says, she doesn’t, but he does, looking at Jason standing behind Scotty. Scotty asks what this means, and she says, Jason’s agreed to help them.

Crete, Greece. Drew tells Obrecht, he has to assume Peter knows the shortcut Faison installed inside his head. She says, with his conditioning restored, there’s no telling what Peter’s been forcing him to do, and he says she has to tell him how to stop Peter from taking control again.

Anna tells Robert, there are Crete agents there to rendezvous with them. Now that they found out Peter is working with Victor Cassadine, the objective is to apprehend Victor. Robert says, or kill him. He’s supposed to be dead anyway; no harm done there. She says she’s going to be leading the team to find Peter… and Valentin, and he says, assuming Peter hasn’t killed him already.

Nope. Valentin is playing chess with himself in his room at the compound. Russel stands guarding him, and he asks if Russel can clear something up for him. Why is he still locked up there with Russel standing guard over him, when he’s on Victor’s side? Russel tells him, all he can say is, taking Victor’s side isn’t the smartest move.

Anna tells the agents, she’s going to set up a command post. She wants the compound completely surrounded before they breach. Listening from the side, Sam asks what Dante thinks. He says he thinks they’d better get to Drew before all hell breaks loose. She says, same.

Obrecht tells Drew that she’s sorry, but in their current circumstances, there’s little she can do to help him. But perhaps she can help him to help himself.

Peter tells Victor, let’s focus on what’s important here. He’s discovered how to activate Drew; that’s a good thing. Victor says, it is, but keeping things from him, not so good. Betraying his trust, that’s downright bad, and after everything Victor has done for him. He’s alive because of Victor. Peter says, for that, he’s eternally grateful, and Victor says, eternal is right. I’m done with you, Henrik – forever. He tells the guards to secure Peter.

Curtis leads Portia into The Savoy, and she tells him, go ahead and say it. He knows he wants to. He says they made the right choice. The place isn’t so stuffy at all. It’s perfect for the post museum gala wind-down. Portia thanks him for taking her. The gala is legendary, and she knows the tickets weren’t easy to get. He says, it was beautiful, and so is she. She thanks him, and says she noticed him enjoying the collection. He says, it was nice to look at it with no crowds. He loved that he could look at a Magritte for as long as he wanted to with no one else around. She says, he’s into Magritte? and he says he says he loves the mystery, the shadows, and the sense of foreboding. She says he never fails to surprise her.   

Sam shows Dante her phone, and says, they can go down this road, and sneak in from there. He says, the dirt road? and she says, yeah, the element of surprise. He says, he’ll go, but she says, no, she will. He says, for any particular reason? and she says, he’s probably a better shot than she is. He says she’s a helluva good shot, but he’ll take it. They start to leave, but Robert says, hold it, you two.  

Anna tells the agents, one of their own is being held in this compound. A former WSB agent, Valentin Cassadine. She wants a special detail devoted to finding him.

Valentin says, Russel works for Victor, right? and Russel says, going on three years. Valentin asks why he’s still under watch. Doesn’t Victor trust him? Tell him what he knows. Russel says, Victor isn’t the issue, and Valentin asks, who is? Russel tells him that he’ll know soon enough, and leaves. Valentin listens, and tries the door, but it’s locked.    

Peter says Victor doesn’t want do this, and Victor says, he doesn’t? That’s funny. He’d convinced himself that he did, but he’ll play along. Why not? Peter says Victor will never have the key. He’s the only one who knows it. Victor needs him. Victor says, unless he has other means of controlling Drew. Then he wouldn’t need Peter. Peter says, ordering his men to kill him is the last thing Victor wants to do, and Victor says, let’s find out, shall we? He tells his men to execute Peter, but they don’t move. He asks what they’re waiting for, and they move to either side of Peter. Peter says, surprise.

Obrecht tells Drew that the trigger to activate him is psychological. His mind is his battleground; does he understand what she’s saying? He says, so what does he do? and she says, the next time Peter is there, concentrate on the most important thing to him. He says, that’s his daughter, Scout, and she says, there’s great power in their love for their children; use that.

Scotty says, it’s good to see Jason on the side of the angels this time, and Britt says she’d hardly call her mother an angel. Scotty says, nobody’s perfect, but her mother doesn’t deserve to die at the hands of Peter. Britt suggests they not discuss the fate her mother deserves. The point is, Jason is going to help them. Scotty asks, what’s the plan? Are they going in with Sonny’s henchmen or trained assassins? They’re going in guns blazing, right? They’ve got to get Obrecht out of that dungeon. It’s Peter; they know he must have a dungeon. Jason says he’s not the one who’s going to find Obrecht; Scotty is.  

Curtis asks what surprised Portia the most; that he likes surrealism or he’s into art? She says she was impressed by both, and glad to see another side of him. He says, Curtis Ashford, dilettante, and she says, Curtis Ashford, the man who went above and beyond, not to just make the evening special, but extraordinary. He says he figured he owed her, and she says, for what? He says, one fine day she asked him to be her guest at the Chuck, and he damn near got her killed. After she was nearly asphyxiated at the record keeper’s house, being her escort is the least he can do. She says, there’s something he does need to know, and he says, sounds serious, but she says, not serious as much as important. She heard from his Aunt Stella today.   

Scotty says he doesn’t know diddley about where Obrecht is. If he did, for cryin’ out loud, he wouldn’t have had Britt go to the extreme measure of bringing Jason in. News flash; he’s no big help. Jason asks if Scotty knows Britt has the gene for Huntington’s disease, and Britt says, Jason knows everything. Jason asks if Scotty told anyone else, but Scotty says, no. He was doing what any loving boyfriend would do; searching the internet. He looked for every study, and knows everything about it. So when the day comes that his schnitzel asks him for help, he’s ready. Britt says, that’s very sweet, but Jason says, maybe not the best strategy. Scotty asks if Jason is saying it’s his fault, but Jason says he’s not blaming Scotty. He tried to do the right thing – Scotty says, for once in his life – but unfortunately – Scotty says, here we go – he left the door wide open. He calls Spinelli, and asks how fast Spinelli can get to GH.  

Victor says, Henrik made his employees a better offer, and Peter says he did, and it’s Peter. Victor says, as he wishes. He’s not used to being outmaneuvered like this. He completely underestimated Peter. Peter says Victor is one of so many who’s made that mistake, and Victor says, what next? Russel arrives, and Victor asks if Russel has come to rescue him, or has Peter gotten to him too? Russel says, his apologies for betraying Victor like this, and Peter says, they know what to do. The men take Victor away.

Obrecht tells Drew to think about his daughter, about being reunited with her. Do not allow Peter to distract him. Keep her at the center of his mind. He says he can do that, and she says, feel her in his arms, and see her smile; hear her laughter. He says he can hear it now, and she says, good. That is how to survive Peter. He looks at Scout’s name on the wall.

Anna asks, what’s going on? and Robert says, Sam and Dante think they’re part of this operation. Anna says, okay. They weren’t just privy to the briefing on how to approach the compound, and don’t know the security they’ll be facing. Dante says, they don’t, but they can improvise pretty damn well. Sam says, Anna, of all people, should understand why she wants to do this, but Anna says she thinks Sam’s personal involvement with Drew is going to be more of a liability rather than an asset. Dante says he’s worked with the WSB, but Anna says, he’s not an agent, and Sam is a civilian. Sam says she can take care of herself, and Anna says she’s sure Sam can. She asks to talk to Dante privately, and she tells him that he was held captive, and returned with PTSD. Dante says he was cleared, and he’s allowed to go back to work, but Anna says, in Port Charles, where he’s not going to find the same circumstances he’ll encounter there. This is too similar. It’s a WSB operation where they’re entering an enemy compound. He doesn’t think it will trigger his trauma? She thinks it’s too much of a risk, and tells one of the agents not to allow Dante or Sam to leave the premises. Sam says she can’t do that, but Robert says, actually, she can. The agent tells Sam and Dante to come with him, and Anna tells Robert that she feels bad, but he says, don’t worry. When do they go? She says, they go now, and they leave.   

Valentin continues playing chess, when the door opens. It’s Victor, and Valentin says, he’s been waiting to talk about the agreement they had. Why is he still locked up? Victor says, about that. Funny story. Peter comes in with Russel and says, Victor is no longer Valentin’s captor; he is. Victor says, his men have turned against him, even Russel. Russel says, remember those inside jobs? That’s what this is about. Victor says, don’t tell him Russel is too subtle even for Valentin, and Valentin says, he thinks he knows where this is going, and asks what Peter has in store for him. Peter says, he’s glad Valentin asked, but he doesn’t think Valentin is going to like the answer.   

Curtis says, Aunt Stella reached out to Portia? and Portia says he can’t be more surprised than she is. He says Stella is supposed to be in Baltimore, recovering at a friend’s house from her stroke. He really doesn’t like the idea of her stressing herself out. Portia says she hates to tell him, but Stella definitely put a lot of effort into it; she wrote Portia a letter. She hands it to him, and says, in ink. on paper, in an envelope. She sent it snail mail. He hopes Stella wasn’t going in on Portia again about interfering in his marriage, but she says, not at all. Stella apologized for all of it. What Stella doesn’t know is that Portia already forgave her. But it was such a beautiful gesture, maybe now they can start off on the right foot when Stella comes back. Curtis says, funny. The whole time they were in the museum, he kept thinking about his auntie. She says, what every man’s museum date wants to hear; you look so beautiful, you made me think of my auntie. He says, it’s just that Aunt Stella took him and Thomas to museums – all kinds, science, transit, local history, but more than anything else, art. She’s the reason he knows about art at all. She says, how wonderful, and he says, it was, but as usual, Aunt Stella had a higher purpose. His family was going through a lot of chaos, and she knew it was affecting them. She would put them in the car or drag them on the bus, and the next thing they knew, they were in the marble halls of a museum staring at paintings and statues, traveling through space and time. It really opened his eyes to the beautiful things in the world. She says, he never talks to her about his family. He doesn’t have to answer of course (🍷)… He tells her, go ahead and ask him anything, and she asks, what happened to his parents? What was the chaos?

Curtis says, his childhood… She says, he doesn’t have to tell her, but he asks, how else they can come together if they’re not open and honest about their lives? His childhood isn’t a deep, dark secret. His earliest memories were happy. His beautiful parents loved each other, and he looked up to his big brother. Everything was normal. She asks what his happiest memory is, and he says, it has to be his birthday. He thinks he was 3 or 4, when his dad bought him a lawnmower. When his dad mowed, he would pretend alongside him; he loved that toy. It’s the first birthday he remembers, and the last birthday he had with his dad. She asks, what happened? and he says, one night his dad never came home; a massive heart attack, they said. He just died suddenly. She says she’s so sorry, and he says, it devastated his mom. She did everything she could for them, but she never get over the loss. So when Aunt Stella swooped in to put the family back together, eventually he and Thomas were able to heal, but his mom never fully recovered. Portia takes his hand.

Britt says they need Scotty’s computer, but Scotty says, no. He has confidential business on there. Spinelli tells him, have no fear. He’s going to do a thorough search, and suss (the new word) out whatever information has been ascertained by the unwelcome intruder. Scotty says, all right, but don’t look at anything he’s not supposed to look at.  

Drew says, Scout was only two and a half when he disappeared. She was such an incredible bright light in his life; curious and full of energy. She had the best laugh. Obrecht says, she has the best laugh. Speak about her in the present. Drew says, she’s four now, and will be five in February. He wonders if she remembers him, and Obrecht says she’s certain Scout will remembers him. He says, is she? and she says she doesn’t know Samantha well, but it’s clear she’s not the kind of woman who would let her child forget her father. It helps having a father worth remembering. Britt, on the other hand, if she could burn the memory of Cesar from Britt’s mind, she’d do it in a heartbeat. Maybe that will be her next science project. He says, if you’re going to dream, dream big. A guard wants Obrecht to come with him, but she says, the prisoner has an infection and perhaps a concussion. Tell his superiors that she can’t leave. He says, let’s go, and she tells Drew, Scout his best protection. She leaves with the guard, and Drew looks out the door window.

Peter says, Victor and Valentin are much more trouble than they’re worth. Victor says, Peter should know, and Valentin says, father, don’t antagonize him. Peter says, father? So when Victor said my son a moment ago, that wasn’t a joke? Valentin says, kind of a cosmic joke, and Victor says, he’s right here. Valentin says, they’ve gotten to know each other in the last few hours, days, and Victor says, time flies with family. An alarm sounds, and Victor says, it seems the compound has been breached. Today is full of surprises. Russel runs in and says, the WSB has stormed the gates; they’re heavily armed. Valentin says, looks like Anna found them. If Peter wants a prayer of surviving, Peter had better let him live. Peter tells Russel to keep an eye on them, and if either of them moves, father or son, kill them both. He runs out.

Spinelli says, not to worry. He won’t access confidential files; they aren’t relevant. However, he will need full access to Scotty’s browser history, and Scotty says, hang on, but Spinelli says, far be it for him to shame anyone. They all have their predilections and fetishes. In any event, the word didn’t always denote unusual impulses or unique urges. Au contraire. The original definition of the term is meant to bring good luck. Britt says, they’re going to need a lot of it to find her mother, so everybody, fetish up. Spinelli says, they don’t need luck when they have godlike technical skills. He says, there. They have it. Their answer.

Dante says, he and Sam need to take down the agent, and get out, but she says, he’s big and armed, and they have to do something without  being noticed. Any ideas? He says, maybe. He asks the agent if there’s any way he could let them out of there. His friend has a personal interest in Drew Cain. The agent says, Dante doesn’t remember him, does he? He was with the WSB when Dante was in Angora. He’s always regretted how it turned out. Dante says,  him too, and the agent says he’s glad to see Dante made a full recovery. Since they’re stuck there, how about a drink? He goes behind the bar, and Sam tells Dante, he said something about knocking the agent out? Dante says, and stashing him behind the bar? Yeah.

Drew hears the alarm, and Peter comes into his cell. He says he has a job for Drew, but Drew says, never again, and lunges for Peter’s throat.

Curtis tells Portia that the grief took its toll on his mom’s body, and illness allowed the grief to hit that much harder. It went round and round until eventually, his mom checked out as a parent; not because she meant to, but there just was no choice. Portia says, it was a battle she couldn’t win, and Curtis says, exactly. That’s when Aunt Stella took over, as she does, and cared for him, Thomas, and their mother. To this day, he doesn’t know how Stella managed it, but she did. In the middle of that hurt, chaos, and grief, she would take the time to take them on outings, as she called them. Portia says, to the museums, and he says, and ball games and amusement parks. And not one time did she mention the ultimate price she paid. A man watches them from across the room.

Dante asks if Sam is ready to do this, and she says, she feels terrible, but Dante says he doesn’t, for one reason; he’s in the way. The agent comes over with shots for them, and Sam says, he’s not joining them? but he says, no can do; he’s on duty. She asks if he minds if she goes to the restroom, and he says, no problem. He’ll call for call backup to escort her. She says she knows her way around, but he says, Anna warned him not to leave them alone. Sam laughs, and says, why? and he says, because they’re desperate to get in that compound. Dante already explained to him that she has a personal interest in one of the prisoners. She says, Drew Cain. He’s her daughter’s father. Her daughter is four going on five, and hasn’t seen her father for half her life. She only recognizes him from pictures. Dante says, now they have a chance to reunite her with her father. He knows it’s against procedure, but what’s more important; family or following procedure? Sam says, please, agent. What does he say?

Anna and Robert go down a hall in the compound with a couple of other agents, guns drawn. They get to Drew’s cell, and the door is open. They go in, but it’s empty, and Anna sees Scout written on the wall. She shows Robert, and says, this is Drew’s cell. Robert says, they’re too late.

Valentin says, whatever Peter offered Russel to betray Victor, he’ll double it. Victor says, take the deal; Valentin has the money. Valentin asks if Victor’s been spying on him, but Victor tells him to try and think of it as fatherly interest. Valentin says he doesn’t know how long Russel’s been working for lunatics, but now is his time to cash out. Russel says, if Valentin had the actual cash, he’d be tempted, but he doesn’t, and Peter has already wired it to his account. Drew comes through the door, and as Russel turns, Drew shoots him in the leg. Russel falls, and Valentin says he should have taken the money, grabbing Russel’s gun. He says, nice one, Drew. He likes that; shoots first, then asks questions Valentin says, where’s Victor? and Drew says, who cares? Let’s go. They run out.

Spinelli says he found the malware used to hack into Scotty’s computer, and Jason asks when it happened. Spinelli says, months ago. Every site Scotty visited, even every keystroke he made has been tracked. Scotty says, every keystroke? and Spinelli says he’s afraid so. Whoever installed the spyware on his computer, presumably an operative for Peter, analyzed his search for information on Huntington’s, and planted advertisements and events they knew would entice Scotty. For example, a pop-up window for an underpriced trip to St. Lucia on a private jet. Britt says, he responded to pop-up ads? and Scotty says, who doesn’t like a good deal? They don’t think when he was given the bum’s rush out of the airplane that he didn’t think he was scammed? Jason asks if Spinelli can tell who was spying on Scotty, and Spinelli says it’s going to be tricky, but give him a minute to work his magic, and he’ll see what he can find.  

Curtis tells Portia, his name was Marcus, and he was the love of Aunt Stella’s life. She gave him up to take care of them. Portia asks, why? and he says, she didn’t think she could do both. She says, his Aunt Stella? She didn’t think Stella knew she had limits. He says, she was sure Marcus didn’t want the responsibility of a sick woman and two children, and she says, that’s certainly a sacrifice. She has a whole new level of respect for his aunt. He says, she does sort of command that, and she says, what was it like growing up with her in charge? He says, oh. wow. Aside from the outings, there were rules; many, many rules. As Portia might have noticed, Aunt Stella has a clear sense of right and wrong, at least from her point of view. Portia says, learned that the hard way. Is Stella’s sense of right and wrong what influenced him to be a cop? Is that why he went into law enforcement? He says, sort of, and she says, Stella must have been so proud of him. He says, proud, yes, approving, not so much. She prayed he’d find a new career, something safe; at least safer than police work. She made him call every night to let her know he’d lived through the day. She hated that he was putting his life in danger. The man across the room continues to watch them.

Dante and Sam go through the compound, guns drawn. Dante says, let’s check this one first, and Sam opens a door. Victor is right there, and says, don’t point those things at him. Peter is somewhere around here, and he’s totally deranged. They need get out of here. Dante blocks him, and says, no. They want to talk to Peter, and he’s going to help them find him.

Outside, Anna and Robert walk across a footbridge, holding flashlights. Anna looks over the edge, and says, that is a long drop. It’s a long way from the compound site. Robert says, he’ll be intercepted if he makes a run for it, and she says, he could try the main gate. Robert says, in which case, there will be a nice group of agents waiting to welcome him. It’s not Peter’s M.O. He’s going to wait for darkness, and slither away. Anna says she’s not going to shoot to kill, but Robert says, he is.

Spinelli says, there’s good and bad news. What do they want first? Britt says, bad, and Scotty says, you always give the bad news first. Spinelli says, as they wish. Unfortunately, but not unsurprisingly, he was unable to ascertain the identity of whoever was receiving Scotty’s information. The good news is that despite their ridiculous efforts to send whoever dared trace them on a wild goose chase across the globe… Britt says, he knows where they are? and Spinelli says he traced the IP address to Greece, specifically the island of Crete. Scotty says, so he’s telling them, all roads lead to Greece? and Spinelli says, and there the Cassadines lie.

Curtis tells Portia, Aunt Stella didn’t know he was using at the time. He damn near destroyed himself. Eventually, she did find out. He’d hidden it from her for a long time, but he thinks she suspected. Portia says, if she did see it, she didn’t want to believe it. A river in Egypt and all that. He says, but Aunt Stella likes to stare the truth square in the face. So soon, she was staring him square in the face, reading him the riot act back to sobriety. She says she can so picture that, and he says she did help him get through it. Something else he owes her for. She says, look at him now, all dressed up, an armchair expert in classical art, with everything he’s been though. He says, his life has been anything but boring, and she says she gets why he likes Magritte, the shadow and the mystery. This might shock him, but she’s looking forward to getting to know his aunt better. He says he is shocked. Is she sure she’s up for it? She says, Stella is a huge part of his life, and he wants to honor that relationship. He says, it’s important to him that they get along. She says, for the record, as exciting as it must have been, she’s glad his detective days are over, private and otherwise. It’s one thing she and Stella have in common; they both like knowing he’s safe and sound. He says he intends to stay that way. He certainly has a lot to live for. They kiss, and the man continues to watch them.   

Spinelli says, the only connection he knows between Obrecht, Peter, and the Cassadines are Helena and Faison, but they’re both dead. Scotty says, there is one more, and Britt says, Victor Cassadine. Her mother was involved with him. Spinelli says, involved as in… She says, involved, and Spinelli says, there’s only one word to describe such… Scotty says, cringeworthy. That’s the way Liesl described it – cringeworthy. Spinelli says, forgive him, but isn’t Victor Cassadine also in the underworld? Jason says, at least now they know where to start looking for Britt’s mother, and for Peter.

Dante says they know Victor is working with Peter, and Victor says, he was, up until – and this may be a shock to them – Peter betrayed him. Dante says, oh no. His heart breaks for Victor. It must be really frustrating, being played like that. Victor says, at least he’s still breathing. Thanks to the WSB’s timely arrival. Peter took off; he’s probably desperate to escape. As he said before, Peter is completely out of his mind. They really need to get going. Sam says, he doesn’t know where Peter is, fine, but what about Drew?

Anna says, he’s coming, and Robert says, here we go. They draw their guns, but Anna says, it’s Drew and Valentin. Drew and Valentin are crouched down, sneaking across the footbridge, and Anna says, Valentin. Valentin stands up, and says, Anna, and Peter shoots him. Drew fires at Peter, who fires back. Drew is hit, and falls over the side of the bridge into the water.

Tomorrow, they showed nothing but Drew floating in the water, and bleeding out.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Ostrica, Croatia. Mathew says, the eggs are going to put him over the edge. He’s going to cry. In Katie’s interview, she says, Mathew’s stress is getting the better of him. We flash back to the guest calling him out on the beets. She doesn’t know what to tell him to do. Just stop spiraling. In Mathew’s interview, he says he’s embarrassed to send the dishes to the table. They’re the worst egg dishes in his career. Katie says she needs to finish service, and a guest asks for toasted bagels. Captain Sandy tells Mathew about the bagels, although how she ended up with that task escaped me. The guest who got egg whites isn’t loving them, and in her interview, Katie says, they have two stews and demanding guests. She just has to move forward. She has to drop the sh*t, let it go, and carry on. The jet skis are brought out, and the guests mess around on the water toys. Katie pats Mathew on the back, and says, it’s the last day. He says, everything went backward, and she tells him, lunch is at 2:30. Malia says the tender is loaded for the picnic, and the captain tells her to take someone from interior over with her. Courtney leaves on the tender, and two guests sit in the hot tub wondering where service is, but Katie is finishing up in the laundry.   

Guest Deborah goes to the bar, but there’s no one there, and she calls for somebody . Mathew hears her, and says he’ll grab Katie. Deborah is all, my God, and Mathew radios Katie that drinks are needed in the hot tub. In Katie’s interview, she says, she was complaining that they needed more stews, and she just kept two. What is wrong with her? Courtney helps set up the picnic, and it seems like they always have to climb a bunch of stairs. Katie gets the guests their drinks, and Mathew asks Katie what he should do. She tells him to do what he wants, and in her interview, she says she loves Mathew, but doesn’t have time for him right now. She asks what’s wrong with him, and he says he’s a mess today. Today? Malia tells Mathew to have the food ready in ten minutes, and Mathew says he’s going to lose it. The guests get in the tender, and in Malia’s interview, she says she’d love to reward David, since he’s been busting his ass, and sends him to the picnic. It’s at the lookout tower of a 600 year old fortress, and she tells us, it has dungeons. It’s the perfect place for a picnic – or an execution. The guests are impressed.

Captain Sandy curses the wind, and says, they’re dragging anchor. The sooner they get all the water toys in, the sooner they can move. They’re drifting into shallow water. She tells the deckhands, no neatly packing things away; just get them in. Malia and Lloyd deal with the dreaded slide, and in Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, drifting into shallow water can be disastrous. At the picnic, one of the guests wants a crab cake. The food arrives, Katie and David set things up, and Katie tells the guests to help themselves. Guest Terrence wonders why she’s not bringing it over, but guest Deborah says, she did, on the boat. Back at the yacht, the crew manages to help get the boat out of shallow water, and in Malia’s interview, she says, chaos is the ultimate test, and they passed it. The captain says, they’re headed for the fortress, so when the guests finish, they’ll be there. The guests proclaim the food fabulous. Mathew gets an eggshell in some batter he’s mixing, and Courtney lies on the laundry room floor. In Mathew’s interview, he says, throughout the charter season, he’s been trying to get out of his head and to his happy place. When he messes up, he questions whether or not he’s a good chef. It’s not healthy, but he does it. In Katie’s interview, she says, it’s common to work 19 hour days in yachting. During her very first charter to Ibiza, they went three weeks straight where the guests were going to bed at 6 or 7 am. She tells David that she’s going to be up all night again.

Sandy drops anchor, and in Courtney’s interview, she says, it’s hard with only two, but she doesn’t want to let Katie down. The picnic stuff is packed up, and brought back to the boat. David lets Mzi drive the tender, and in his interview, Mzi says that he’s grateful David and Malia allowed him to do things. He’s stoked to be where is, paving a new path. Mathew asks Katie what to make again, and she says she doesn’t care. In her interview, she says she needs a shower and some water. She tells Mathew to do what he’s going to do. The guests get back, and get in the hot tub. Courtney serves drinks, and Mathew says she wants to do everything. Captain Sandy says she thinks they’re going to make it, and Katie says the guests will be fine. The captain says she’ll help Katie in any way, but in Katie’s interview, she says, it was her decision, and she has to live with it. Mathew says Katie told him not to make too many courses, but won’t tell him what to cut out. Katie explains that with all the courses the night before, she was cleaning up late. In her interview, she says, she can’t deal, and needs him to do his job. She’s trying to be awake for the guests. Just do what you’ve been doing… without asking her.

Mathew says he’s sick of this, and Lloyd sneaks to a computer to make a card from the deckhands to Malia. The guests are seated, and Katie asks Malia for help. Malia asks David where Lloyd is, and if the hold has been rinsed. David says it hasn’t, and Lloyd is on the computer. Malia tracks Lloyd down, but luckily he’s able to change the screen before she sees it. She says, as much as she loves him working on personal stuff… He says, the hold? and she says, yeah. Courtney says it’s less than 24 hours to go, and Matt says he’s stressed. Malia helps serve dinner, and her phone goes off as she’s serving, but she can’t answer since her hands are full of plates. She asks first officer Marten to consider Lloyd for the crossing position, and Mathew tells himself, keep it together. Katie tells Mathew that she’s sorry about cutting him off earlier, but the guests are happy. In his interview, he says, he needed that. He couldn’t focus or think of what to cook, and he freaked out. He thinks coming out of a spiral in itself was a success. I’m thinking he should really consider a new career, or at least not be in yachting. Malia calls Lloyd to the bridge, where Marten tells him that they’re looking for an engineer to go from Sibenik to Barcelona. In Lloyd’s interview, he says he was crapping his pants on the way up. He can’t believe how his outlook on life has changed from the beginning of the season to now. His situation is different, and he’s got a new job going forward. Malia has been the best boss.

In her interview, Katie says, the charter has been hard for all of them, and now they’re going to a house to be together. She hopes it doesn’t backfire. Courtney goes to bed, and the guests play cards. They want constant drinks, and one asks for gummi bears. Then it’s back to the hot tub again, and in Katie’s interview, she says, it was her f*** up. She has to take the punishment. She’s been working 19 hours with no break, and has officially been awake for 24. She wishes she could drug the guests with sleeping pills, and David says, can she? The guests finally go to bed at 4:20, and David says he’ll finish the dishes. In her interview, Katie says she doesn’t know who she is. She wants to sleep for three weeks straight.

Final day. In Mathew’s interview, he says, after yesterday’s breakfast disaster, he wants to  finish as simple as possible. Cook your own effing eggs. Courtney tells the guests that she makes a great bloody Mary, but in reality, doesn’t know how to make one, and doesn’t want to wake Katie. Mathew makes French toast, and anchor is home in Sibenik. The deckhands dance around. In his interview, Mathew says, French toast and strawberry syrup; what can go wrong ? He wants to end the charter on a high note. Captain Sandy says, it’s the smoothest docking she’s ever had, and Katie manages to get five hours sleep. The captain tells everyone, nice work, and in David’s interview, he says, it’s bittersweet, and they’re all exhausted. In Katie’s interview, she says, Courtney started off in laundry, and ended by serving breakfast service by herself. That’s why she deserves her stripes. The captain tells the crew to meet on the dock.

Jenelle says the trip was a magical experience to cap their first year of marriage. It was phenomenal. The guests leave, and Captain Sandy tells everyone to change from their whites to their reds, and meet in the salon to count their final, very large tip. The captain says she knows it was hard for Katie, but she stepped up and worked hard. It was incredible. Mathew continued to be opposite of the person who boarded the vessel, and she thanks him. When she gets to Malia, she says she’s going to cry; she’s so proud. It’s like she said the first time they worked together, Malia is a natural born leader. She brings out the best in her team, and it was a pleasure. They did it, and the tip is $20K or $1818 each in US dollars. They made $132,380 for the entire season. She says she’ll be joining them at dinner, and also invited quarantined chef Luka for a drink to say thanks.

Everyone gets ready to go out, and Captain Sandy texts Luka. He arrives, and meets the crew, except for Mathew, who slinks away. He explains that he was the back-up chef in case something went wrong. In Mathew’s interview, he says, it’s effing uncomfortable. Malia asks if Luka wants a beer, and gets him one. Katie says, Mathew only quit twice, and Luka says that’s why he was there. Mathew mumbles to himself in his cabin, and tells David that he doesn’t want to end the season by attacking. He shuffles into the crew mess, and barely makes small talk with Luka. Luka leaves, and I think Captain Sandy slipped him cash. The crew all has a shot, and goes out.

Courtney says, it’s so emotional, and they go to a restaurant near where Mzi and Courtney had their drunken fall. Captain Sandy tells them that they’re the best crew she’s worked with, and in her interview, she says, they’re the epitome of team work makes the dream work. They had each other’s backs. Katie says she couldn’t have done it without them. Their vibe was what she needed. Malia toasts to Katie, and in Malia’s interview, she says she doesn’t know if she would have made the same decision, but she liked working with Katie. Katie works her ass off, and Malia respects that. Captain Sandy says her low was having to cook, and Mathew says, sorry. The captain says, even worse was having the client tell her how bad it was. Mathew says he knows he’s got a personality, and Katie says he’s weird AF. Captain Sandy says her high was the dinner, watching people who’ve never met each other, pull it off. Mathew says, it was a team building exercise, and everyone laughs. David thanks Mathew for everything he’s done, and there’s a round of applause. Malia says, David was the most overlooked. He doesn’t act for praise. He’s officially a lead deckhand. She toasts to him, saying, cheers to their leader, and in his interview, he wonders if she’ll marry him now. Malia says she never felt as supported, and they all stand up and raise their glasses to the captain. Captain Sandy leaves after the toasts are all given, and Lloyd gives Malia the card that has a group photo on it, and says they appreciate her. She thanks them, and in her interview, she says she loves them. They’re like all her brothers, and she never had this on a boat before. They do a shot to the end of the season.  

Back at the boat, the girls have snacks, and the guys roll around on the couches, while Mathew sleeps. Everyone dances around, some of them on the table. Courtney twerks, and they take turns spinning around on the big lazy Susan. In Lloyd’s interview, he says, the lazy Susan is being ridden hard. David takes a turn and falls off, crashing into the seats. Maybe he shouldn’t get on anything that moves, or get out of anything that doesn’t.   

In the morning, Malia tells everyone that they have to get up and off the boat. Lloyd says, you are a boat. Malia tells Katie, a fairy came and cleaned the crew mess, and we see a clip of Malia doing it. Courtney says goodbye to the captain, and Mathew thanks her for the second chance. In his interview, he says, this finishes his old life. His mom was a chef, and he’s worked with the best. He has some growing up to do. He’s glad he didn’t freak out last night; he feels that’s something. Lloyd says goodbye to Captain Sandy, and thanks her, saying, he couldn’t have picked a better captain. Mzi thanks her, and says, it’s been amazing. He’s grateful for the experience. Katie thanks her as well, and says her support meant the world. The captain says she pushed Katie to make her a better leader, and in Katie’s interview, she says, you can’t always please everyone. That’s something she can learn and take to everyday life. Captain Sandy is a boss lady, and she’s glad for the opportunity to work with her. The captain says Katie is a great leader. She tells Malia, they did it. What an incredible 180 Malia is. Malia says the captain inspired her. In her interview, Malia says she wants to be to the deckhands like the captain was to her. If they’re unsure of where they fit, they’ll figure it out together, and get them where they want to be. She thanks Captain Sandy for the season. In her interview, Katie says, it’s a strange group of people. She doesn’t know how it works, but it works effing well.  

They leave, excited for going to Split. Captain Sandy wonders, what’s next? A producer asks them, what happened in Split? Katie and Malia just laugh, and Courtney says, she can’t say anything that happened. It can’t be spoke. Mathew says, it was like one of those sex parties, and David says, he and Lloyd had a banging kabob. Lloyd says, it was all very PG, and Mzi says, um… Mathew mimes zipping his mouth and throwing away the key, and Courtney says, what happened in Split, stays in Split.

This was the finale, and immediately afterward, they had the…

Below Deck Mediterranean Reunion

The Reunion was virtual on Watch What Happens Live. Andy told us that Lexi very firmly declined the invite. We flashed back to the boatmances, or lack thereof, and went through Mathew’s spirals. A viewer asked if he’d returned to other jobs he’d walked out of, and he said two of them were one-off dinner parties where it was more than he could handle, and he backed out. Andy asked if the crew thought he’d come back after he left, and Mathew said he didn’t think he was coming back. Captain Sandy she wasn’t sure if he would, and another viewer asked why she let him come back again. She said she wasn’t making excuses, but being a chef was hard, and sometimes it’s better to go with who you know. Katie says, his food blew her away. Not one person complained about their food being cold, which is a common complaint. Everyone said they’d work with him again, except Captain Sandy, who said she liked reliability and dependability. Mathew was a great guy, but after watching the show, she saw how he poked the bear. She didn’t see everything throughout the season, and she was mortified, Mathew got mad, saying it was editing, and she said, there’s your answer. Andy asked if Mathew thought they’d made him look worse than he was, and Mathew said he regretted his bad moments, but he was a good employee, and Captain Sandy was one of the worst captains he’d ever worked with. Because he’s seven years old. Courtney told him that was going too far, and the captain said, you could be great at your job, but personality also came into play. You had to be able to diffuse situations. It wasn’t easy, and when you added alcohol, people said and did things they regretted. Some people couldn’t take constructive criticism. Mathew didn’t know when not to talk, and his Achille’s heel was himself.   

We saw clips of the nightmare that was Lexi, and the captain said, the reality was, she didn’t get to see everything. If she’d seen it, she would have fired Lexi immediately. Malia said, if anything, Lexi had been edited nicely, and Courtney said she understood grief, but that didn’t mean you could be aggressive to another person. It wasn’t an excuse. Her dad was now in a home, and doesn’t remember who she is. This made me feel pretty sad, and Courtney seemed to really be slugging back the wine, so I wondered if that was why. Viewer Kelly from North Carolina wondered if, watching the show, Mathew realized he was as much at fault as Lexi. Mathew said alcohol was a factor, and Andy said, on social media, Lexi blamed production and unfair editing. Malia said that was classic when people didn’t like seeing the way they behaved when they were drunk. It’s not the edit; it’s you. Ha-ha! That should be on a bumper sticker. Mzi said, one of the things Lexi said about him through social media was that he wanted to be white, and it couldn’t be further from the truth. A lightbulb came on over my head, since I’d been thinking maybe Lexi was racist when they’d flashed back to her blatantly not fake apologizing to Mzi, when she’d fake apologized to everyone else. It was even pointed out later that she’d skipped over him. We already know she’s classist, but I have the funny feeling she’s the one who wants to be white. Just saying, and often people accuse you of things they’re doing.

Delaney came on for a hot minute, and Mathew said his only problem with her was that he’d just wanted his bed back. Lloyd also left the party, because he was losing his connection on the boat. We flashed back to Captain Sandy getting pissed at Malia about the jet ski plug, and then later, David’s bruise. Malia pointed out that, although some viewers thought so, it wasn’t the end of the world when she and the captain argued. They worked things out.

A viewer wanted details on the trip to Split, and Katie said they just partied a lot, and enjoyed each other’s company. Andy asked if Mzi and Courtney hooked up, but it was a no, and Andy and the viewers were collectively disappointed. Mathew said he saw everyone naked, but wasn’t specific, so I’m not sure if he was just being a pervert and had peeped all of them. Courtney was pretty drunk, and said they always saw each other naked. Andy asked Malia about hooking up with engineer Jake, and if he went on the trip. She said, obviously they needed an engineer there. We also found out they did a group chat every day, called Let’s Get Effed Up in Split. In her final thoughts, Captain Sandy said she was proud of her crew. They followed protocol, no one got sick, and they made it through. Andy wrapped it up, and Malia said she had to go anyway. The boat she was on was dropping anchor.

🏡 There was a preview of Winter House afterward. Right now I’m saying, I don’t know if I can, but I probably will.

🦋 Dreaming On…

This was one long Deck, so see you tomorrow when Vanderpump Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay taking the road less traveled, and stay not being your own Achille’s heel.