Tag Archives: Below Deck

January 18, 2021 – Robert Teaches Olivia the Fundamentals, Teacup Yorkie On Deck & Redemption

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Phyllis tells the gunman to please put the gun down. They don’t want any trouble. He says, empty the cashbox, and there won’t be any trouble. Sonny stands up, and yells, leave them alone!

Michael tells Willow, he was surprised to see Sasha there, and she says they were trying to figure out if their friendship can be repaired. He says, good. At least one of their relationships is being sorted out. She says, what about their relationship? Maybe it’s time to finally figure out what they mean to one another.

Tracy comes in, and Ned says he was worried about her. Didn’t she get his messages? She says, about Olivia wanting to have dinner? and he says, yes, to celebrate him adopting Leo. She says, obviously she’s there, and he says, obviously she didn’t return any of his calls. She said she was visiting Finn, but when he called Finn, Finn said she’d left a while ago. Where was she?

At the MetroCourt, Olivia thanks Robert for meeting her on such short notice. He says he missed her interfering in his private life, and telling him what he should be doing with Jackie. She says, then she can’t wait to tell him to quit stalling, and ask Jackie out for real, but that’s not why she asked him there. She needs a favor. He says, like what? and she says, teach her how to become a spy.

Josslyn, Cameron, and Trina walk into the Kingdom of the Moss Bowl (i.e. Sonny’s kitchen), and Trina says she’s glad Cameron caught up on his sleep. He slept through the entire senior assembly. Cameron says he didn’t, and Trina says, name one thing they said about being accepted to college. Josslyn says, never hold an assembly at night in the middle of winter when your stepfather has officially been declared missing and is presumed dead. She would have fallen asleep too, except for everyone offering their condolences. Trina says it’s the first time Josslyn has been back since her lockdown in November. Everyone just wants to make sure she’s okay. Josslyn says, honestly, it’s a lot. So many people are gone from her life.

Nina laughs over finding a varsity letter, and looks at the half-heart necklace. Ava comes in, and asks what she’s got there.

Jax sees Carly at the MetroCourt bar, and asks what she’s doing there. He thought she’d be home for a few days. She says she’d like nothing more than to lie in her bed, and scream and cry, and he asks why she isn’t. She says because Cameron and Trina wanted Josslyn to go to the senior assembly, but Josslyn wanted to stay home and take care of her. The only way to get her to go was to come there. He says she could have stayed home with Josslyn, and they could have grieved together, but Carly says she doesn’t know how to grieve for Sonny.

Dude tells Lenny, give him the money. Sonny says, these people don’t want any trouble, and puts his hand on dude’s shoulder. Dude turns around and says, now would be a good time for Sonny to shut up. Give him the cash. Sonny punches him a few times in the face, and knocks dude to the ground. Sonny picks up the gun, and stands over him. He believes dude owes these good people an apology.

Josslyn tells Cameron, she’d put her journal away. Maybe it’s time to take it out. Cameron says he thought… She didn’t throw it out? She says, of course (🍷) not. She put it in the basement with a bunch of stuff her mom was keeping, like her baby blankets and favorite toys. Why would he think she’d throw it away? He says he doesn’t know. She used to take it everywhere, then one day she stopped. He jumped to the wrong conclusion. She says, no. She was saving it to read and look back on, but she doesn’t want to stop writing. She thinks it might be helpful to write about Sonny.

Nina tells Ava, it’s stuff she meant to put away. She was sorry to hear about Sonny and Julian. How is Ava doing? Ava says she’s doing okay. Avery didn’t know her brother well, but she loved her daddy. She’s not crying, but she’s looking for her necklace. She wants to wear it for her daddy. Nina asks, what happened to it? and Ava says, she doesn’t know. Carly said she was having it repaired, but Ava called the jeweler, and it was picked up weeks ago. Nina says, with everything going on, Carly probably forgot or misplaced it. Ava says, all she knows is, she doesn’t want to butt heads with Carly; they’re already doing that over the custody agreement. Nina says, of course (🍷). Sonny is gone. Ava says she has full custody now, and Nina says, and Carly resents it. Ava says, that’s an understatement. As much as Carly would like to get into it with her, she has no grounds, and Ava doesn’t want Avery to get caught in the middle of something. She wonders if Nina could broach the subject, and suggest Carly back the hell off.

Jax asks if Carly is just going to drown herself in work, and she says she should be calling people about Sonny’s memorial service, but he hasn’t even been officially declared dead. Jax asks if they didn’t reclassify the search to search and recovery. Doesn’t that indicate Sonny is considered… Carly says, no. She spoke to an attorney, and people aren’t declared officially dead until they’ve been missing three years. The only exception is in a disaster or catastrophe. He asks if the bridge collapse wouldn’t be considered one, but she says, it’s up to the person’s next of kin to make that decision. She can’t do that right now. She starts to cry. 

Robert asks Olivia to tell him what trouble she’s gotten herself into now, and she says, now? Does he think she’s always in trouble? Actually, she’s fine; she’s asking for a friend. He says, anyone he knows? and she says, Alexis. She knows his office is pursuing the drunk driving charge, and he says he can’t talk about it. She says he also knows Alexis already turned down the plea deal. He asks if Olivia can tell him why she did, and she says, that’s why she needs his help. Alexis swears something about the incident smells like a rat. He asks what the rat’s name is, and she says, Tracy.

Tracy tells Ned, she didn’t realize she had a curfew, and he says she’s avoiding his question, which only makes him more worried and suspicious. She says she was checking on Alexis, and tells him, don’t look so surprised. Contrary to what he believes, she has a heart. He says he knows she does, but she was very cavalier earlier when talking about Alexis facing criminal charges. What changed?   

Willow says she knows she and Michael agreed to sort out their feelings for Chase and Sasha before their own future. Michael asks if she hasn’t done that already, since she and Chase kissed last night?

Sonny stands over dude with the gun, and says he needs to know dude is sorry and won’t come back. Otherwise, he’ll have to find another way to discourage him. Dude says he’s sorry. Let him walk away, and he’s gone. Sonny yells, get out! and dude scrambles to his feet and can’t get out the door fast enough. Sonny puts the gun on the bar, and tells Lenny that he might want to hold on to it in case dude comes back. Phyllis says, thank God Sonny was there. That guy would have shot Lenny. Lenny says, most people would be intimidated by a man with a gun, but it didn’t seems to be a problem for Sonny.   

Carly tells Jax that she doesn’t know how  to have Sonny officially declared dead; it’s like giving up on him. He says she doesn’t have to rush. It’s about her and her family. Don’t do anyone’s timetable except her own. She says it  doesn’t matter unless they find a body, and he says, it might actually be best if they do. That way she’d have closure. She says she can’t shake the feeling that the bridge collapse and Sonny drowning is the same thing that happened to Nelle.

Nina tells Ava that she and Carly are cordial, even friendly, but she has no special influence. Ava says she does have influence over someone who has influence over Carly, but Nina says she’s not putting Jax in the middle. That could make it worse, and Carly will be less inclined to cooperate with Ava. Ava says Nina is probably right, and asks if she’s putting her personal stuff away. Nina says, it’s time to close this chapter, and start a new one, and Ava asks if the chapter ending is the search for her daughter. Nina says, that chapter led to a dead end, but the information she found was more than worth the journey. Ava says, tell her, and Nina says, Phyllis Caulfield, who took care of her for years, told her that her child was adopted by a couple in Florida. Ava asks if she knows their names, but Nina says, unfortunately not. So she’s choosing to believe her child grew up in a good home, and is living a happy, purposeful life. Jax encouraged her to believe that too. Ava asks if Nina was the one who wanted to give up, and Nina says, Jax was only putting into words what she’d been thinking. She needs to stop chasing shadows, and believe her daughter is living the life she was meant to live, and everything worked out for the best. Ava says, sounds healthy and well-adjusted, but is Nina sure giving up the search is what she wants, and not what Jax wants for her?

Alone with Trina in the kitchen, Cameron says he blew his Bluetooth speaker. They could use some music. He thinks he made a mistake, talking to Josslyn and assuming things would be normal. Trina asks, what’s been normal about the past year? and he says he was hoping for a fresh start. Josslyn comes back, and says her journal is gone.   

Robert asks if Olivia thinks Tracy was wrong for turning Alexis in for drunk driving, and she says, of course (🍷) not… if that’s what happened. He asks if she doubts it, and she says, parts of Tracy’s story don’t add up. He asks, what parts? and she says, if she tells him, he’ll feel obligated to investigate. She doesn’t want him to, until she has actual evidence. He says, she’s not going to try and hack into Tracy’s email. Anything she tells him will be inadmissible, not to mention illegal. She asks if there’s anything she can do to prove Tracy set Alexis up, and he says, the only way she can confirm it is to have Tracy admit it. She asks, how? and he says he can teach her the fundamentals.   

Tracy tells Ned, it’s true that if Alexis legal problems take her out of circulation, she’s less likely to blab about him, but she’s concerned about Alexis’s drinking. And she’s not the only one. Olivia and Sam were there tonight. Ned says, Olivia was at Alexis’s house? and Tracy says, yes. Olivia has a kind heart, and she was worried. The good news is, Alexis had gone up to bed. She doubts Alexis could have mentioned their one-night stand to Olivia.

Willow tells Michael, she’s so sorry… He says she has nothing to be sorry about. Their marriage was always an arrangement to make sure Nelle didn’t get custody of Wiley, and they succeeded. They already acknowledged they still have feelings for Chase and Sasha, so he’s not surprised part of her would want to be with Chase. She says, part of him wants to be with Sasha too. Sasha was the one by his side when the search for his father ended. He says, she was, and he does still have feelings; they knew that. Willow asks, what about their feelings for each other?

Michael says he always cared about Willow as a friend, and she says, same. He says, with everything that’s happened – the custody battle for Wiley, and Nelle kidnapping Wiley – he came to see her as someone who loves Wiley as much as he does, and cared about her as more than a friend. Willow says she feels the same way, and he says, and their feeling deepened, but they were created in a vacuum. They were playing the roles of husband and wife, and thought they’d been betrayed by Chase and Sasha, when Chase and Sasha were actually protecting them and Wiley. He wonders if the circumstances had been different, would they ever have been more than friends?

Olivia arrives home, and says she’s glad they’re both there. Are they still up for a celebration about Leo? Ned says, all of Leo’s favorites are on the menu, and she says she’ll check, and make sure Leo is still good with Ned adopting him so soon after Julian’s death. Ned says he’d like to talk to Leo first, as his about-to-be father. Olivia tells him to let her know when she can join them, and he goes upstairs. Olivia asks Tracy if Leo’s granny has any last minute advice before he officially becomes a Quartermaine, and Tracy says, first, refrain from calling her granny. And second, if Leo needs any help. she’ll stop anyone who gets in the way of family. Olivia says she has no doubt Tracy would.

Cameron asks if Josslyn thinks Carly might have thrown out her journal, but she says, no. Carly knew what it looked like, and knew what it meant to her. She’d never do that. Cameron tells her, chill out; it’s probably somewhere. He wants to get coffee before curfew; he’s buying. Trina asks if Josslyn is coming, but Josslyn tells them to go. She wouldn’t be such great company. She’d just be thinking and wondering about Sonny.

Nina tells Ava, stopping the search was her own decision. She and Jax discussed it, and he helped her realize that her daughter’s life was her own, and she has every reason to believe her daughter has a good life. She’s having a good life. She runs the magazine, has Charlotte, who she loves, and her nephew James, who she loves. And Jax, the most incredible amazing man. Ava says it sounds like they’re getting serious, and Nina says she thinks so. Jax has been making her a part of his family, which she loves. Ava asks if she gets along with Josslyn, and Nina asks why Ava seems skeptical. Ava says, Josslyn is a lot like her mom. She’s probably used to coming first with Jax, and might be threatened. Nina says, not at all. Josslyn has accepted that she’s part of Jax’s life. Ava says, a drama-free relationship, and she and Nina high-five. Nina tells Ava, say what she will about Carly – and she has – she and Jax have done an excellent job in raising Josslyn. With all the drama, Josslyn is more of a peacemaker than Carly or her. She asks what Ava is thinking, and Ava says Nina has given her a terrific idea.

Carly tells Jax, she keeps going over the circumstances of Sonny’s death; Sonny standing on the bridge, the bridge collapsing, Sonny falling into the water, and fighting hard… Jax says, don’t, but she says, it brings back the situation with Nelle. She’s not sure she believes in karma, but it must be karmic payback for keeping the truth from Nina. He says, Sonny’s death was a tragedy, but it wasn’t punishment for not telling Nina that Nelle was her daughter. Is she having second thoughts? Carly asks, is he?  

Sonny says he can’t explain how he knew how to handle the guy; he just did it. Lenny says he seems proficient in firearms, but Phyllis says, it doesn’t matter. He put his own life at risk for her, Lenny, and their business. She thanks him, and he says he’s glad he could help. Lenny asks what the plan is. Where is he going now?

Jax tells Carly, he thinks it’s too late to tell Nina the truth, but Carly says, it must complicate things with Nina. He says he keeps asking himself if he’s like Valentin, keeping the truth from Nina to keep her in his life. Carly says he’s nothing like Valentin. And as far as withholding goes, people say they love honesty, but does she think they should be 100% honest with their partner? No. Sometimes when you’re in love, there need to be secrets. He says he never told Carly that he was in love, but she says he didn’t need to. He smiles.

Nina looks at the half-heart necklace, and puts it on. She smiles.

Tracy says she’s going to get ready for dinner, but Olivia says, before she goes, she something to talk to Tracy about. Olivia remembers Robert telling her, in setting up the mark, get them on your side. Don’t let them know you’re buttering them up. Everyone responds well to a compliment. Olivia tells Tracy that her scarf is so chic, and makes her look five years younger. Tracy preens, and thanks her, saying Olivia might want to borrow it. Maybe it will make her look five years younger too. Olivia thinks about Robert saying, if that doesn’t work, have them do you a favor. It sounds counterintuitive, but people are more likely to have warm feelings for someone they’ve done a favor for. Olivia tells Tracy, damn. She forgot. She’s supposed to have a witness when they sign the papers for Leo’s adoption. Does she think Monica will be back soon? Tracy says she’ll be a witness, and Olivia says, she doesn’t mind? Tracy tells her not to give it a second thought. Besides her and Ned, there’s no one who cares more about Leo becoming a Quartermaine than she does. Olivia remembers Robert telling her, now that their defenses are lowered, slowly turn the conversation around to the subject you’re investigating. Olivia thanks Tracy, and says, it’s a weight off. Tracy says, no big deal, and Olivia says she’s glad Tracy feels that way. The whole thing with Alexis has got her distracted as hell. Tracy asks if that’s because Olivia went to see Alexis; she didn’t realize they were so close. Olivia says, they’re not close enough for her to insist Alexis get help, but it makes her sad. It’s bad enough Alexis got behind the wheel of a car. Imagine what would have happened if Tracy hadn’t been there. She thinks back to Robert saying, then take them out. She  tells Tracy, part of her wishes Alexis hadn’t been sober enough to disable the alarm. The police would have shown up, and prevented her from getting behind the wheel. She remembers Robert saying, and catch them in a lie. Tracy says she wishes she hadn’t let Alexis disable the alarm, and Olivia flashes back to her and Robert clinking glasses.

Sonny tells Lenny, he doesn’t know where he’s going from there, but Phyllis says she does. They have a room above the bar they rent out from time to time. It’s empty at the moment, and Sonny can stay until he figures out something. Sonny says he can’t take any more charity, but she tells him, who said charity? He needs a job for the time being; he can work there. Lenny is always complaining that he needs help with the bar, and by the looks of it, Sonny knows how to handle himself if trouble comes again. Sonny says, it’s awfully nice, and she says, it’s the least they can do. There’s a change of clothes in the dresser. He can borrow them for the time being. It’s upstairs, the last room on the left. He thanks them again, and goes upstairs.

Jax goes to Nina’s office, and asks if she’s ready for dinner. She says, just about. She was looking at old stuff; memorabilia her mother left, and she found this. She holds up a varsity letter S, and says she played volleyball. She knows Josslyn is on that track, and thought maybe she’d want it for good luck. Jax is sure she’d love it, but is Nina sure she doesn’t want to give it to Charlotte? She says, Charlotte made it clear that the only sport she’s interested in is riding horses. She doesn’t think they give out varsity letters for that. Jax says, probably not. He’ll make sure Josslyn gets it. Unless Nina wants to give it to her. Nina says, she’d love to, since she’s going to be part of his family in the long haul, right?

Ava knocks on Sonny’s kitchen door, and Josslyn says her mom isn’t there. She’s at the MetroCourt if Ava wants to drop in. Ava says she actually came to speak to Josslyn. She wanted Josslyn to know that she’ll always make time for her to maintain a relationship with Avery. Josslyn says, anything else? and Ava says she knows it’s an unfortunate time to bring it up, but Avery is so upset about what happened to Sonny. She keeps talking about a necklace she wants to wear. Carly sent it to be repaired, but she knows Carly already picked it up. It’s a half-heart on a gold chain. Does it sound familiar? Josslyn says, no, and Ava says she doesn’t want to bother Josslyn’s mother, but she’s desperate to help Avery through the next few days. Finding it would be a godsend.   

At the bistro, Trina says when Josslyn started talking about her journal being missing, Cameron got quiet fast. Any particular reason why? He says maybe he knows what happened to it. Maybe it was stolen. She says, and he knows this how? He says the person who stole it showed it to him, and she asks, who? He says, Dev, and she asks why Dev would do that. He says he doesn’t know. Dev said he found it after Josslyn threw it out. It was obviously a lie, and he stole it. Dev betrayed Josslyn’s trust, but if he tells her the truth, it will ruin Josslyn’s memory of Dev. She asks what he’s going to do, and he tells her, the way he sees it, there are two choices. Let Josslyn keep the good memories of Dev, or tell her the truth.

Olivia says, so Alexis did turn off the alarm. She was confused about that. Tracy says, how so? and Olivia says Tracy seemed surprised to hear about the security system. Plus the coffee was out on the counter, with a big sign that said coffee on it. Tracy laughs, and tells Olivia, what can she say? Ned comes back, and says he had a chat with Leo. Leo misses his dad, but he’s absolutely delighted to officially join the family and have Ned as his new dad. Ned and Olivia hug, and Olivia looks at Tracy, who forces a smile.   

Willow says she sees Michael’s point. What happened between them was a false reality. He says it still would be, if Chase and Sasha hadn’t made a sacrifice to save Wiley. Willow says, exactly. Their anger and heartbreak opened the door. They owe Chase and Sasha, and each other, to try and get back the love they all had. Michael says, okay, and she says, unless that’s not what he wants. Zzzzz… All right already.

Trina tells Cameron, here’s the deal. There’s a chance Josslyn will forget by tomorrow. Then they’ll forget too. He says, but if she asks again? and Trina says, they tell her everything they know. Deal? He says, deal.

Ava is meditating on the moss, when Josslyn comes back. She says she went through her mother’s jewelry box, and found a necklace she’s never seen. Ava asks if it’s a half-heart on a gold chain, and Josslyn says, yes. Ava thanks her, and holds out her hand. Josslyn says she’s doing this for Avery, not Ava, because every time she sees Ava, she thinks about Morgan losing his mind because Ava switched his meds. Then she thinks of Morgan stealing Julian’s car and driving away because he literally couldn’t think straight. Her brother is dead because of Ava, and nothing she does will ever change that. She gives Ava the necklace, and Ava thanks her and leaves.

Nina says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to put Jax on the spot. Just forget what she said. He tells her, he’s not forgetting. His family is her family. She says, it’s okay, and he says he loves her.   

Carly sits at the MetroCourt with a drink, remembering Sonny telling her that he loves and appreciates her. There’s no one he’d rather walk down this crazy road with.   

Lenny asks if Phyllis is sure about this guy. He knew how to subdue an attacker, which makes him some kind of expert on one side of the law or the other. She says she doesn’t care about who he was in the past, but who he is now. He saved them when he could have walked away. They owe him a chance. He asks, what happens when that thug comes back with a few friends? Sonny comes downstairs, and thanks them for the clothes and the job offer, but he doesn’t want to be any more trouble. Phyllis tells him, don’t be silly. They need the help. Can he start tonight? He smiles.  

Michael tells Willow, what he wants is what’s best for everyone; to be back to normal, making it right with Chase and Sasha, and easing the heartbreak. She’ll always be Wiley’s mom, but he doesn’t regret a single moment of what happened. She says, her neither, and he guesses they shouldn’t put it off any longer. They need to sign the annulment papers.   

Tracy says, clearly, Olivia has something she wants to say to her. Just come out and say it. Olivia says, okay. What actually happened the night Alexis drove her car off the road?

Tomorrow, Jason asks if it’s a bad time, Cameron asks if it’s because of the cancer, Britt wonders what she’s being accused of, and Olivia questions Tracy.

Below Deck

We backtracked a little, and revisited Rachel getting on stage, and telling the band that she wanted dirty, nasty-ass music. Know who you are, and get it done. She repeats, if they’re making music, she wants dirty nasty-ass music. Eddie wants to walk away from the situation; it makes his skin crawl. Rachel tells the band to do Walking After Midnight, and tells the band, google it. In Francesca’s interview, she says Rachel is embarrassing them all. She’s the head of a department, and older than her. She’s exhausted from babysitting people. She tells Rachel that she can’t be up there swearing and stuff. Eddie says, it’s not effing funny. When she’s sober again, someone needs to tell her that she’s a monster when she drinks. Rachel finally passes out, and Rob signals Eddie, asking if he wants to go paddle-boarding. Elizabeth enjoys drinks with James, and says she wants to party. She thinks Francesca looks left out, but doesn’t think Francesca would be receptive to her right now. James thinks Francesca would start an argument for no reason. He asks what Elizabeth is doing after the season, and she says she has to go to a cousin’s wedding. He says he wants to go with her, and she says he’d have to propose first. In James’s interview, he says he’s interested in Elizabeth, but she believes in fate, true love, and destiny, which makes him laugh. But it’s nice to let his guard down. She makes him smile. Rachel wakes up, and eats a pastry.

Rob, Eddie, and Ashling watch the sunset. Rob says he lost his best bud to lots of drugs, and thinks of him when he sees a it. In his interview, he tells us not to take life for granted. It’s a beautiful adventure, and everything that happens creates a lesson to learn and grow from. (Thank you, Helen Keller.) Sometimes you need to just have a beer and put your toes in the water; keep it fresh. The crew gets ready for dinner.

At the restaurant bar, Elizabeth says James is going to marry her, and Ashling asks how long it takes to get a green card. Rachel says, James is a douche, and they sit for dinner. Rachel starts cursing immediately. In Eddie’s interview, he says, f*** my life. Rachel says she’s mad at Elizabeth. Why is she going with that dude? Elizabeth asks if Rachel doesn’t like James; she likes him a lot. James tells them to do him a favor, and don’t talk about him. In his interview, he says, Rachel has a drink, and wants to tear people’s heads off. She’s an a-hole. Eddie suggests they stop talking about James. James says he’d been helping Rachel, so one less job for him. Rachel says, bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleep. She’d rather flick her own bean than deal with him in a goddam conversation. Where do these people find these phrases I’ve never heard? She tells Elizabeth that she can smell James from a mile away, and Elizabeth says she’s being harsh. What did James do to her?  Rachel says, he’s a douche, and Francesca suggests this is a conversation they should have back on the boat.

Elizabeth gets up, and steps outside for a cigarette. Rachel follows. Elizabeth says Rachel doesn’t know James the way she does. Rachel says she doesn’t like him, and Elizabeth says she thinks it was the first impression. At the table, James says it puts him off Elizabeth. Izzy thinks Rachel is crying out for something, and Eddie says, probably another drink. In James’s interview, he says Elizabeth should have stayed quiet or talked behind his back, but she did the complete opposite. When they go back to the taxis, James deliberately avoids going with Elizabeth, who is the only one who gets in a taxi with Rachel. Elizabeth says, f*** that, and Rachel says, he can s*ck my d*ck. In the other taxi, James says he doesn’t think Elizabeth is going to be his girl after that. And he’s not helping Rachel again. Rachel tells Elizabeth, there’s not enough Botox for her to facially give a f***. In Francesca’s interview, she says it’s like having a drunk college roommate with Rachel. She needs Rachel, and has no choice but to work with her. At least she’s not drunk on charter. That would be an effing nightmare.

The next morning everyone stumbles out of bed. In Rachel’s interview, she says she can’t remember anything. It was a recipe for disaster, and she feels awkward, but let’s just move on. Eddie says he’s too old for this sh*t. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Izzy doesn’t seem to be getting better. It sounds like a cold, but with the virus going around, he’s worried. It’s serous sh*t. He tells her that she should see a doctor. Rachel goes looking for provisions, and Elizabeth wonders why she’s alone. She didn’t want Rachel to go off by herself, and no one likes her now. Eddie says maybe she should apologize to James. Rachel was bashing him, and she didn’t back him up. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she feels bad that James would think for a second she wouldn’t stand by her man. She runs upstairs, and tells him that she didn’t mean not to back him up. She’s sorry, and wants to make up for it. She’ll tell Rachel to STFU. In James’s interview, he says, after everything that was said, now he doesn’t trust her, but what’s the point of causing drama? He says he’ll catch her later. Eddie tells Izzy to get up and get dressed; he made an appointment with the doctor for her. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s at the point where she thinks maybe she should go. She doesn’t want to be paralyzed again.

The crew eats take-out in the crew mess, and Eddie says, it’s a civilized lunch. Rachel radios for a hand on the dock with the provisions, but no one responds. Captain Lee radios that it requires a response from somebody, and in his interview, wonders if he’s the only one with a radio that works. Everyone knows how he feels about that. There’s definitely something going on. He doesn’t know what it is, but you bet your ass he’s going to find out. He radios Francesca and Eddie to meet him.

Francesca tells Captain Lee, it was a great day off, for the most part, and he says, let’s hear it. Eddie says, the chef has a difficult time playing with others. Work is one thing, but when the alcohol is flowing, she’s negative and toxic. Francesca says, she directs it toward the crew members, and it makes everyone uncomfortable. The captain says, with the virus, the odds of them getting someone aren’t good. Good chefs are hard to find. The devil he has performs well when she’s sober. He thinks they should put it on the shelf. He doesn’t want to run the risk of having no chef on board. Eddie and Francesca agree. Elizabeth tells Ashling that she likes James more and more. James comes into the crew mess, and wonders why they get quiet when he comes out. He winks at Ashling, and moves along, and Elizabeth wonders why the wink. She asks if James has been flirting with Ashling, but Ashling says she doesn’t know. She feels like he does it to everyone. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she’s been in scenarios with others who she felt couldn’t be trusted around her boyfriend. Captain Lee calls Francesca, Eddie, and Rachel for a preference sheet meeting.

Izzy tells Eddie, the bad news is, he’s stuck with her as a deckhand. The good news is she has a double kidney infection, a UTI, and strep throat. She got a whole bunch of drugs, and needs to be on bed rest for 24 hours. After that, she should be okay. Eddie tells her to get in bed, and drink some effing water.

Rachel has no hangover, adding to my theory that alcoholics don’t suffer them. The captain says the primaries are Chris and Erica. Chris owns a pipeline maintenance company, and is bringing son Sam and his wife Lindsay, and some friends, along with the queen bee of the house, a 4-pound teacup Yorkie, GG. He says Eddie knows what that means, and Eddie says, go poo-poo, GG. Erica also wants a cowboy themed party the first night. In Francesca’s interview, she says she doesn’t know much about cowboys. They like cool hats, ranch dressing and root beer (!), and have sheriffs. The captain says he’s been invited to dinner both nights. Eddie says, they have one more to get through after this without killing each other.

We see Captain Lee pacing around the bridge. In his interview, he says, with Rachel, he sees someone with all the talent in the world who squanders it. She reminds him of his son. Francesca comes in, and he asks if she’d like a glass of wine. They toast to a successful rest of the season. He asks how things are other than the chef, and says, when she’s in the galley, Rachel has blinders on; she’s laser focused. And she’s very bright. He asks if this is the first time it’s happened, but Francesca says it’s happened before. He says, you can’t reason with idiots; you might as well talk to yourself in the mirror. Rachel isn’t going to hear it until she’s in a place of sobriety. He used to know a guy like that. His youngest son passed away last year. He found him dead of a drug overdose; opioids. In his interview, the captain says it was the worst day of his life. If he’d gotten home earlier… He doesn’t know. Everything is so fresh and raw. It’s hard to imagine surviving something like this. He tells Francesca, it’s the last thing he sees before he goes to bed, and the first thing he sees in the morning. Every day is a struggle. Parents aren’t designed to bury their children. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever get over it. It’s really hard, but it’s life. She says she’s sorry, and he says, him too.    

Francesca asks Elizabeth to sort crew uniforms, and provisions come in. Ashling says she feels like sh*t. She thinks she ate something bad. It’s a half hour until the guests’ arrival, and the crew gives the boat a final check. They gather on deck, and even have dog champagne for GG. Here come the guests, and all I see is that teeny weeny dog – she’s so little! Captain Lee welcomes them to Antigua. He says they’ll get the luggage on board, and get the hell out of Dodge. Francesca gives them the tour, and finds out that GG is short for Georgia. This dog will be all I care about for the rest of the show. Ashling thinks guest Justin looks like he’s ready to get messy. Izzy says the drugs finally kicked in, and she’s feeling fine. Just in time for the next charter. She’s thinking of that sweet, sweet money. The boat pulls out, and Ashling tells Francesca she’s not feeling well. Rachel isn’t either. Eddie fawns over GG, as I would, and Izzy announces that she hasn’t pooped. James tells her that he didn’t need to hear that, and in his interview, says Rob is his boy. He’s not too serious, and they have the same personality. It works. James realizes it sounds like he’s in love with Rob.   

Rachel says she and Ashling aren’t viral, and in her interview, says she’s got bubble guts, and can’t be held accountable for the smell. The guests longue on deck. Ashling thinks she has a UTI, and Elizabeth tells her to chug cranberry juice. (Please, ladies, don’t assume that will cure you.) Eddie and the deckhands (sounds like a rock group) put the toys in the water. In Eddie’s interview, he says Izzy being sick was terrible. She’s a total badass now. Her confidence is up, and he can tell it’s what she wants to be doing. GG goes potty on a weewee mat that looks like a patch of grass. In Francesca’s interview, she says it’s taking a lot of her energy to push Elizabeth. She needs to figure out what’s going on with Ashling. It’s going to break her – again. The guests mess around on the jet skis.   

Rachel tells Francesca that her stomach is still dodgy, but if it gets worse she’ll take Imodium. In her interview, she says her stomach is so messed up. No pun intended, but she’s feeling like sh*t. In Ashling’s interview, she says guest Justin is flirting with her. Guests get smitten, and she has to keep it professional, but if it wasn’t a charter, she might go there. Really? I see she’s not picky. He kind of looks like someone who lives in his mom’s basement and plays video games all day. In Rachel’s interview, she says she worked for a boss out of Dallas. They like good, simple food, but good quality. She asks Eddie if someone can help rip lobsters apart, and he tells her that they’re busy now, but he’ll send someone later. Rob goes to help, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to check the laundry after every break. Guest Drew puts his cowboy hat on, and the guests get duded up for dinner. Izzy points out that it’s a full moon, and says no wonder the energy is crazy. James says she sounds like Elizabeth, and he doesn’t need this. Francesca reminds the captain that dinner is in fifteen minutes. He asks if it’s the cowboy thing, and I laugh at his lack of enthusiasm. Eddie says Captain Lee has to bust out his pythons.  

Francesca gives canapes to the guests, and Rachel does some grilling. Eddie says he’d love to have a lead deckhand who could pick up the slack, but no one is getting that title yet. The guests sit for dinner, and Captain Lee joins them. One of the guests says, bone apple tea. They begin to eat, and the captain says, it must be good. All he hears is the silverware. Francesca thinks the guests will be going to bed early. Ashling asks Elizabeth how things are going with James, and she says he’s not talking to her. Izzy thinks he’s immature, and Elizabeth says, it’s frustrating and weird. Everyone goes to bed, except for Elizabeth, who finishes cleaning up. James joins her, and she says she likes him, and he says he likes her too. In his interview, he says, he does want it to carry on, but she didn’t have his back. Him and his emotional baggage. Instead of working harder to fix things, he pulls back. It’s a defense mechanism, and he’s in no rush to change. Elizabeth texts someone that she’s struggling with a UTI.  

Francesca says, Rachel is sick, but pushing through; Ashling is sick, but pushing through; and Elizabeth is taking advantage of the situation. I don’t see this, and I’m really starting to believe Francesca just wants to pick on her. Elizabeth asks if Francesca thinks she can get some antibiotics, and Ashling says, they’re all falling apart. Francesca tells Captain Lee that they should get a doctor, and he wonders what’s going on. In the captain’s interview, he says he’s at his wit’s end. He might as well have a doctor on speed dial. Francesca tells Eddie that she’s getting a doctor on board, and Rachel tells him that she and Ashling have tummy bugs, and Elizabeth has a UTI. Francesca calls Dr. Williams, who says she’s available. Francesca sends Eddie to pick her up, and Rachel begins today’s breakfast special of Belgian waffles.

In the crew mess, James asks for Rob’s phone, and says he’s double-tapping all the fit birds. His phone is full of nothing but girls. Elizabeth says she can’t deal with this sh*t, and leaves. Izzy tells James that he needs to be considerate, and James says he forgot Elizabeth was there. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, what in the actual f***? Right in front of her like they’re nothing. It was super insulting. She wonders if Rachel is right. Ashling tells James, he ignored Elizabeth the whole time she was there, and James says they’re acting like he did something wrong. Izzy says he did, and he says that’s why he doesn’t want a girlfriend. Izzy says he needs to have consideration for other people’s feelings.   

Next time, dog poopy on deck, Eddie thinks maybe Izzy can be a lead deckhand, Francesca tells Elizabeth to take accountability, and says she’s had enough.

🏃🏽‍♀️  Jetting Like the Flash…

I have to edit my article for https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/, so until we meet again in Port Charles, stay safe, stay diligent, and stay discerning right from wrong, and taking the words of Dr. King to heart:

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

The time is always right to do what is right.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 11, 2021 – Mike Tells Sonny Not To Be a Quitter, Delores Takes Another Dive, Sad To See Him Go, a Birthday & Number One 1-11-2007

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the pre-credit scenes, but here’s what happened. Tracy found Ned comforting a crying Olivia, and Ned told her about the search for Sonny being changed to search and recover. Chase couldn’t sleep, thinking about his dinner with Willow, and Finn saw Alexis at the hospital. He assumed she was there for a meeting, but she said she’d gotten her bandage changed, and didn’t want a lecture. Brando met Jason on the pier, and told Jason that he was late because Cyrus was keeping him on a short leash. Dante, Michael, and Sasha got ready for everyone coming to Sonny’s house. Sam arrived, and Michael told her that he’d suggested Carly take some time alone. In the kitchen, Carly looked at Sonny’s St. Christopher medal, wondering how this happened, and how he was gone. And here we are.

Tracy says she assumes Ned told Olivia about Sonny in a tactless way. Olivia says, he was wonderful. He knows how much Sonny means to her; they grew up together. Willow says she hates to interrupt, and Tracy asks if she’d like to join them on a trip down Olivia’s Memory Lane. Willow tells them, Michael said the family is gathering at Sonny’s, and Olivia tells Ned to get the car. She’ll get the manicotti. She and Ned exchange I love yous, and he closes the door. He tells Tracy, next time, be more careful before she blurts out the first thing that comes to mind. She asks if he’s talking about his drunken tryst with Alexis. Don’t worry. He has no idea the lengths she’ll go to in order to protect his marriage.

Alexis holds out her hand, and tells Finn, steady as a rock. She asks if that satisfies him, and he says, she’s good at faking it; he should know. She says she can’t fake it, but Finn says, the thing about going to meetings and group counseling is, everyone knows the tricks. Alexis says she drinks because it makes her feel good at times. She can manage it. Does he have to make it a crime? He says, it’s a crime to get behind the wheel when you’re drunk. She says she wouldn’t do that, and he asks how she drove off the road then. She says, excellent question. When she gets to the bottom of it, he’ll be the first person who knows. In the meantime, she has a Ride Share. She gets in the elevator.

Molly tells TJ that she was on her way to the law library for a study group, and TJ says he has to get to his shift at the hospital. She says she knows they’re both trying not to hurt each other, so they’re avoiding saying wrong things, but all they’re doing is creating distance. They have to talk, so she’ll go first. She was wrong to sleep with Brando, and not tell him for so long. She thought she was protecting him, but honestly, she was just protecting herself. If she could go back… He says, enough.

Jason says, Brando asked for a meeting. Why? Brando says he wants to explain why he was at the pier. Jason says he had a chance to eliminate Cyrus, and Brando saved Cyrus’s life. Brando says he couldn’t let Jason kill Cyrus, so he texted Carly to bring some muscle and force a stalemate. Jason says Carly is the only reason he let Cyrus live. If he’d killed Cyrus in front of her, she could have been charged as an accessory. Brando says he didn’t have a choice. Cyrus knew the truth about Dev. His mother snitched, and Cyrus probably gave her a nice stockpile in return. Jason asks if Cyrus told him that, and Brando tells him, Cyrus said he left a document with his lawyer. If he dies, the Feds will implicate all of them; Jason, him, Sonny, Carly, even Josslyn. That’s why he couldn’t let Jason kill Cyrus. Jason says he appreciates the warning, but no matter how well-intentioned, Brando took an unacceptable risk. Regardless of the situation, never involve Carly again. Brando says he’s got it; anything else? Jason says, just stay close to Cyrus, and keep making himself indispensable. Brando says, until…? and Jason says, until he tells Brando different.

Dante tells Sam, if he’d known what little time he was going to have with his father, he’d have come back sooner. Sam wonders why we never appreciate our loved ones until they’re gone. Not that she ever wanted Julian to be a part of her life and the kids’ lives, but maybe with time, things could have changed. It’s just such a waste. Dante says, if she wants to talk… and she says she’ll let him know. Sasha wonders if Carly wishes she could just hole up in her room, but Michael says that’s not his mom’s style. His dad left behind a lot people who loved him. She needs to be strong for the rest of them. Sasha asks, who’s strong for her? Carly comes in, and says she’s glad they’re here. She knows Sonny would be happy that everyone is there for him. They’re going to hug and tell stories, and going to drink his scotch. They’re not going to ask why he was taken so soon. She toasts to Sonny, for living life on his terms and for giving so much to every single one of them. They all raise their glasses to Sonny.

Sonny lies unconscious. He feels the shadow of someone standing over him. He looks up, and sees Mike in his sharp cap.

TJ says Molly made one mistake, and it never would have happened if his mom hadn’t lied. Molly says, it’s easy to blame his mom, but that’s not entirely fair. His mom’s lies might have been the reason she slept with Brando, but his mom has nothing to do with her keeping it a secret for so long. He says, there’s a lot of blame to go around, starting with Cyrus. Cyrus kidnapping him is what started the whole thing. Molly says she refuses to let Cyrus be the reason she loses him. She wonders if they can’t find their way past the lies, and back to each other; the way it used to be. TJ says, if the way it used to be was all right, all the mistakes and lies wouldn’t have come between them.

On the phone with Anna, Finn says he’s fine with Maxie handling all the wedding decisions, if at the end, he and Anna are married. Chase comes by, and Finn tells her, Chase is playing charades. He’s making gestures. He wants to talk. He tells her goodbye, and asks Chase to tell him again how he got talked into a double wedding. Chase says, don’t look to him for sympathy. Finn has nothing to complain about. He’s marrying the woman he loves, and she’s not married to someone else. Finn asks how his dinner with Willow went, and Chase says, they kissed.  

Carly asks if Olivia brought lasagna, and Olivia says, manicotti. Sonny was always after her recipe, but she never gave it to him. Willow takes the dish to put with the rest of the food, and Dante hugs Olivia. She thanks him for coming home when he did, and he says he was just telling Sam, he wishes it had been sooner. She says, he’s there now, and thanks him.  

Michael tells Sasha that she’s gone above and beyond. She was there late last night, and showed up first thing this morning. She says she can stay, but he tells her that she needs time to take care of herself. She tells him, if he needs anything, let her know. He thanks her, they hug, and she leaves. Sam tells Carly to let her know if she needs to go somewhere quiet, or scream, or break something. Whatever she needs, Sam can take care of it. Carly thanks her, and says she just needs to be there with the people Sonny loved, and who loved him. Jason walks in.

Sonny asks where he is, and Mike says, halfway between where left and where he’s going. Mike puts his coat over Sonny, and says, better? He says Sonny isn’t ready to keep traveling after all. Maybe he’s still able to go back where he came from. Only time will tell. Mike looks at Sonny’s wrist, and says, nice watch. Looks like it stopped.

Molly says, she and TJ have been together since high school. It said they were the most likely to be made for each other in the yearbook. TJ says, everyone took it for granted that they’d be together forever, but forever is a long time. Maybe Molly got bored. Maybe there isn’t the same excitement in the relationship. She says, that’s not why she turned to Brando. She’d mistakenly believe TJ abandoned her. She was angry, not bored. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she still thinks he’s as sexy and as exciting as when she first set eyes on him. She wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Words aren’t enough; let her show him. Let’s go ahead with the commitment ceremony. What does he say? He says, no.  

At the hospital, Sasha sees Brando, and asks if she didn’t warn him about violating the penal code against stalking. He says he’s not stalking her, and she asks why he’s creeping up on her. He says he’s not; he’s going to meet his boss. Cyrus has an office in the hospital. She says, the same boss who gave her the drugs that almost killed her? and he says, that’s the one. She wants him to explain why the nice guy who treated her to hot chocolate is working for a world class bastard.

Ned gets a drink, and Tracy asks if he’s bracing himself before talking to Lois. He says, she’s going to be shattered to learn about Sonny. He and Lois were close, and Brook adored him. Tracy says she doesn’t think anyone is going to shed tears for Julian, except Leo, who’s too young to realize he’s better off. That reminds her. Is Ned planning on adopting Leo soon? He says, it’s already in the works, and she asks if he’s happy. He says he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. Alexis is in freefall, and Olivia keeps trying to help. It’s only a matter of time. She tells him, stop worrying about Alexis; she won’t be doing any drunken talking. He asks how she can be so sure.

Sam approaches Jason, and asks how he’s doing. He says he’s been doing business, and she says, so he doesn’t have to think about his loss? How’s that working for him? He says, not too good, and she says she keeps expecting Sonny to walk in, and he says he knows how much she loved love him. She says, loves. Just because he’s gone, that didn’t stop the feelings. Willow comes back, and Michael says he didn’t know she was there. How’s Wiley? She says, Wiley misses his daddy. How is he? and please don’t say fine. He says he’s going back and forth between being numb and wanting to punch a wall. He sees how his mom is holding it together, and he’s trying to follow her lead. Willow asks how Carly does it with the incredible strain she’s under. Michael says he tries to comfort her, but she pushes aside her own grief to make sure everyone else is okay. Willow says she can stay long as he likes; his mom should be his priority. If she’d known last night, she would have canceled dinner with Chase. He says he’s glad she didn’t, and asks, how was it? She says, it was nice…

Jason tells Carly, he spoke to Brando, and she asks if he can fill her in. He says, not right now, and she asks him to come to the kitchen.

Mike helps Sonny to a seated position, and asks if he’s ever heard the expression time stands still. It seems to be happening for Sonny. That means he still has a choice. Sonny asks, what choice? and Mike says, well, he can lay back down, close his eyes, and never open them again, or he can do it the hard way; keep that ticker going on a tick at a time. He can get up on his feet, and walk one step at a time. Sonny coughs, and says he can’t, and Mike says, so he’s quitting? He’s down for the count? They’ve got a word for guys like that – dead.

Molly asks if TJ has changed his mind, and doesn’t want to commit to a future with her. He says he can’t stand in front of a bunch of their family and friends, and say vows when they still haven’t figured out where they are or where they’re going. That doesn’t mean his feelings have changed. Molly says, they haven’t? and he says he still wants to spend the rest of his life with her. If she wants to. She throws herself into his arms, and says, of course (🍷) she still wants to.

Brando says if he hadn’t been working for Cyrus, he couldn’t have rushed Sasha to the ER when she collapsed. She says he’s not answering her question, and he asks how the drug counseling is going. She says she gets it; stop snooping and he’ll quit nagging. He says he does have one question. Does she still have her job at Deception? She says, barely, but her security increases with each counseling session. She’s learned a lot. He asks if she’d care to share, and she says, one thing is that there’s a difference between an addict and a substance abuser. He asks which category she’s in, and she says, substance abuser. She can say no to using it again. He asks if she could stop once she started.

Finn says, dinner and a kiss; why isn’t Chase celebrating?  Chase says, one dinner, and one kiss. What if Willow goes back to Michael, her husband? Can Finn possibly relate? Finn says, possibly.   

Carly asks Jason, what’s going on? and he says, Brando told him that Cyrus has insurance. She asks, what kind? and he says, Cyrus has a document stating information about Dev’s illegal status, and that all of them, even Josslyn, conspired to create a false identity. She asks how Cyrus knew about Dev, and he says, Gladys. Brando thinks Cyrus paid her for the information. Carly says, of course (🍷) he did; that selfish, greedy woman. He says, if Cyrus dies, the document goes to the Feds. She says, Ric set up the fake ID; Cyrus can’t have any proof. Jason says, it doesn’t matter. The Feds will open an investigation as soon as they see the name. And don’t think they won’t threaten Josslyn. She asks if he’s saying they can’t touch Cyrus, but he tells her that he’s saying they can’t kill Cyrus. There are other ways to stop him.

Mike tells Sonny, go. Leave in peace. It’s the easy way out. Anyone could tell him that who’s had to fight for every breath or every precious tick of the clock, every sunrise and sunset. As long as there’s an ounce of breath in Sonny’s body, he has to live. Sonny tells him, who says? and Mike says, Sonny does.

TJ tells Molly, he’s going to jump in the shower before he goes to the hospital. He goes into the bathroom, and she smiles. She gets in with him, and they get busy.

Sasha asks if Brand would care to join her in counseling to kick his addiction to Cyrus. He says, it’s not an addiction; he can quit anytime. She says, but he’s not ready? and he says he has to get going. He doesn’t want to be late. She says, in other words, she’s snooping again. It meant a lot when he opened up about his own battle with drugs. She might not have gotten straight without him talking to her. He tells her not to underestimate herself. He has the feeling she’s a fighter, like him. She says, this time he fought for her, and thanks him. He says he’s available to talk, but she says he’s still working for a drug trafficker. He says, life is full of contradictions, but she says, she can’t risk being seen with him.

Ned asks why Tracy is so sure Alexis isn’t going to slip up around Olivia, and Tracy says, hopefully, Alexis is on her way to rehab… or jail. Either way, she’s not roaming the bars in Port Charles, and will have no opportunity to shoot her mouth off to Olivia or anyone else.

Alexis shows up at Sonny’s, and tells Sam that she came to pay her respects. Sam says she thought Alexis assumed there was liquor there. Olivia comes out, and says Carly will be glad Alexis stopped by. Alexis says, unlike her daughter. She’s mad because Alexis didn’t accept the DA’s deal. Olivia says, they made a deal? and Alexis says, it was a generous deal; if she completes rehab, she gets a suspended 5 year sentence. Olivia asks why she turned it down, and Alexis says, something is strange. Something about that night seems wrong.     

Carly and Jason go to the kitchen where the bowl of moss lives. She says, Diane called, and asks if he’d go over the paperwork Sonny left with her. He says, sure. The way the finances are set up, the coffee business and real estate stay in the US. The other businesses are offshore, and they never move between. The US businesses have to be clean holdings. She says, makes sense, and he says, they split the profits 50/50, except Puerto Rico and South America; that’s all Sonny’s, so she’ll retain that. It’s what Sonny intended. She asks, what about the waterfront? With Sonny gone, won’t Cyrus and the other families see an opening to move their merchandise through Port Charles? He tells her that she doesn’t need to worry about that, but she says she’s really worried.

Mike tells Sonny, never give up; never give in. They’re waiting for him. He helps Sonny up, and Sonny asks, who? Mike says, home… home… home… home… home… Sonny stands, and says, we did it, but Mike is gone. Sonny looks up, and says, thank you.  

Brando sees TJ, and asks if TJ wants to grab a beer and catch up. TJ says he has a better idea, and punches Brando in the face.

Chase tells Finn, whatever does or doesn’t happen, he’s glad he was honest with his feelings. Finn says, good, and Chase says they must get the honesty gene from dad. Finn guesses so, and says Chase is a good human. He doesn’t want to rush Chase, but he has to see a patient. Chase says before he forgets, their dad wants a chance to win his money back. Finn says, poker night part two? and Chase says, maybe this time, Anna and his mom could play. Their dad taught his mom everything he knows about Texas Hold ‘Em.

Ned says he’d think Tracy was almost happy that Alexis had too much to drink and drove off the road. She says she wouldn’t wish that on anyone, and he says, but she’d be glad to take advantage. She says, if Alexis’s misfortune happens to be in the best interest of her son and his family, who is she to question it? and leaves.  

Olivia says she understands why Alexis’s memory is hazy; she was well-lubricated when she got behind the wheel, and drove off the road. Alexis says she didn’t drive to the MetroCourt; Tracy did. Olivia says, imagine if Tracy hadn’t been there. Alexis could have hit another car or a bystander. She should thank her lucky stars. Alexis says Tracy has never so much as uttered a kind word to her. There must be something in it for her… She guesses there’s a first time for everything, and gets up

Dante says Sonny was crazy about Sam, and she was crazy about him too. She says she’s proud of Dante, battling his demons, and he says, sometimes you beat the demons, and sometimes the demons beat you.

Carly tells Jason, Cyrus can’t do anything while they have Florence, and they can’t do anything to him because of the document. He tells her, stop saying we. He can’t risk her being charged as an accessory. The only way she can help is to stay out of it. She says she’ll do that on one condition. She has to know everything. He says again that he’s not making her an accessory, but she says she doesn’t need to know everything about the business itself. Not knowing is torture, and she doesn’t want it to be like it was with Sonny. Sonny just disappeared and didn’t come back.

Sonny says, come back. He looks at his watch, which is now running. He sits on a convenient rock, when a hiker comes along. He asks what Sonny is doing there. It’s freezing. Sonny says he doesn’t know.  

Tomorrow, Molly tells Brando that they both know why he did it, Trina owes someone an apology, Jax tells Josslyn that she doesn’t know the lengths he’d go to protect her, and Ava thinks she and Carly should address the issue head-on.

Below Deck

When we last left, guest Delores was drunk off her ass, and decided to jump off the boat into the water in the dark.

Francesca is shocked, and Captain Lee is not too happy. He says Delores was drunk, stepped over the line, and he’s not putting up with this. They’re heading back to the dock. A soaking wet Delores finally comes back, and tries to say she was told she could go swimming, but no one is having it. The captain says, they’re done, and walks away, saying he’s effing hot. He’ll drag her back to the dock, and leave her ass on the curb. He’s not taking that risk; not on his boat. Primary Tina says they’ll take her to bed, and he says, get her ass put away now.

Rachel asks Francesca, what just happened? and Francesca tells her, the captain told a guest not to go in the water, and she effing jumped in. In Rachel’s interview, she says, there are DILLIGAFs all over the boat. Captain Lee tells himself to pull it together, and Tina says, they’re all in trouble. The captain radios Eddie, who asks if he wants someone to stay outside of Delores’s door. He tells Eddie to have someone stay on the stairs. Mark tells Delores, she f***ed up their whole charter. Francesca radios Eddie, and they figure out a watch schedule. Izzy radios Eddie, saying she heard a bunch of commotion. Eddie says they had a bit of an incident, and she asks if he needs help. James helps Elizabeth take down the decorations, since Great Gatsby night is officially over. She puts a bowler hat on him. Eddie tells Izzy, a guest drank too much, and Francesca adds, now they have to take turns making sure she doesn’t leave. Eddie suggests they bullrush Delores if she comes out. He wakes up Rob, and explains what happened. He tells Rob that his shift is at 3:30. Francesca makes a schedule with the stews.   

Delores’s room is quiet. James asks if Elizabeth wants to go to his bunk for a cuddle. They cover themselves with the blankets, but I don’t think cuddling is what they have in mind, and I don’t want to know. Izzy sits on Delores watch in the lounge, messing with her phone and eating chips on automatic pilot. Rob texts Izzy, saying he’s going to relieve her at 3:30. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s effing sick, and all she wants to do is go to bed, but there’s no way she could sleep. It smells like a sweaty, manky hostel. It’s feral. Elizabeth apologizes to Izzy, and jets. Izzy tells James, no f***ing in the bunk underneath her. He says he thought Elizabeth would be gone in five minutes; she was just there for a cuddle. Izzy asks why it smells revolting if they were just cuddling. Eww!

Ashling tells Francesca that she’s on morning Delores watch, and Francesca radios the captain, saying, the problem child has not risen. He says he’s decided they’re going to go, and sighs, adding he hasn’t decided how to do it. He needs to chat with them, and see if they’re willing to rearrange their priorities. Francesca tells the primaries to see Captain Lee, who asks how they’re doing. Tina says, not so happy, and the captain says, Delores has got to go. Mark agrees it’s the best call, and says, she knows better. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, there’s only one f***-up. The others shouldn’t be punished. As long as they’re good with it, Delores is toast.

Rachel laughs about the whole thing, and Mark goes to see Delores. He asks how she is, and she says, fabulous. I’m not sure if that’s meant sarcastically or she’s just clueless. He says he talked to the captain… and she says it’s because she went swimming. He says, it’s because she went when the captain told her not to. Delores says she thought there was no such thing as no on a super yacht, but Francesca says, it’s a safety issue. They say yes as much as possible on a super yacht, but safety is paramount. In Francesca’s interview, she says, drunk or not, you don’t go swimming at night. She talks about working on a yacht in the south of France where a deckhand jumped into the water at night, and never returned. They looked all night in their tenders, and never found him. Mark says the captain has decided to get her off the yacht now, and Delores says, okay. The captain radios the crew that they’re waiting on one departure. When it happens, he’ll pull out. (That’s what she said.) Delores says she’ll be ten minutes.

Packing in record time, probably because she never unpacked, Delores tells Mark, have fun. She gets into the tender, with engineer Zack driving, and the crew is like, bye, Felicia Delores, as Captain Lee looks at her grimly. Mark says they were having a great night, then it got cut off. They came to have fun, and Delores was a fun wrecker. The captain tells them that they’ll be moving to a new anchorage, and getting a new perspective. In the tender, Delores asks if it wouldn’t be ironic if she jumped in the water. And she does. Because she’s apparently batsh*t crazy. Zack calls Captain Lee, who says, she hopped off the tender? Goddammit. Mark says, no way, and the captain says, son of a bitch.

No one can believe it. Zack says he’s picking her up now, and everyone is dying laughing, except the captain and Eddie. Rachel says she’s going to burn her bacon, and dashes back to the galley. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says he’s never been big on I told you so, but he called this one right. She’s cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. Rachel tells Francesca, the breakfast special for today is French toast, and tomorrow she’s doing eggs Benedict. Eddie asks Izzy how she slept, and she says she’s in a grumpy-ass mood. Ashling tells Francesca about the cuddling in Izzy’s cabin, and Izzy tells Eddie about it, while James snoozes away. The captain heads for Dickerson Bay, and Francesca tells Izzy that she needs to be rested. She knows Izzy isn’t feeling well.

Eddie wakes James, and the guests gather for breakfast. Elizabeth updates Izzy that Delores is gone, and asks how she’s feeling. Izzy says she’s feeling grumpy, and ready to kill someone. Alrighty then. Rob wonders why everyone is in a good mood, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to start on the master. Francesca wants to talk to Eddie, so they go somewhere private. She tells him that James and Elizabeth taking over Izzy’s cabin wasn’t acceptable. She can’t deal with Elizabeth, and has given her too many chances. She can’t keep following up, and wants to talk to Captain Lee. In Eddie’s interview, he says, there’s blood in the water. Francesca is on the warpath. Eddie tells her, before she goes to the captain, let him have a word with him.

The guests all talk about what happened, and Mark thinks they’re better off without Delores. In Francesca’s interview, she says, the guests are nice now that Delores has left; they’re pleasant and polite. Maybe the captain should threaten to cancel every charter. They’d definitely get more sleep. Rachel makes up a song about salsa verde, and Francesca asks Ashling to help with cabins. Rob tests the slide, and Eddie says they’re good to go. Francesca calls the provisioner, and says, the guests have requested horseback riding. Izzy looks away from James, and Rob asks if tension is in the air. In his interview, he says he and James are like an old married couple. He figured he could look forward to having that kind of relationship.

In her interview, Izzy says she’s tired, and trying to ignore everything. She says, when she was little, she begged her parents for a pony. Eddie asks Izzy how it’s going with James, and she says she’s a little pissed. Eddie tells her that he’s going to have a conversation with James and Elizabeth about keeping work and pleasure separate. He tells James to be nice to Izzy. The guests use the water toys, then get ready to go to the beach. James asks if he can blame Rob, and in Rob’s interview, he says he has two older brothers. They put him in a suitcase, and left him in the park. It’s nice to have a brotherly relationship with James. The guests take the tender to the beach, where they’re met by a guide with ponies.  

Eddie notices a wing mirror is missing from one of the jet skis. James says, a guest came in too hard. In Eddie’s interview, he says the guests are how he thought they would be. He can fix it, but it sucks. Izzy feeds a pony an apple, and gets on. They all ride down the beach, and one of the guests says this was on their bucket list. Francesca tells Rachel that the guests want a seafood extravaganza, and in her interview, Rachel says she loves that word. Elizabeth starts to iron, and the ironing board falls from underneath her, reminding me of how kids used to set the lunch tables in junior high, so they would fall as soon as there was enough weight on them. Then everyone would applaud.

The guests return, and Ashling sets the table for lunch. Francesca goes over the dinner menu with the guests, and Tina says, if the captain would like to join them, he’s more than welcome. I’m sure that’s very high on his list of things he never wants to do again, but Francesca says she’ll tell him. She lets Captain Lee know the guests would like him to have dinner with them, and in his interview, he says he doesn’t want them to feel like he’s holding them responsible because of someone’s bad behavior. He’ll put a smile on his face and suck it up. That’s why he gets paid the big bucks. For his ability to suck it up.

Francesca asks to meet with James and Elizabeth. Eddie is there too, and Elizabeth says she feels like she’s in trouble. Francesca says, that’s why they’re having this chat, and Eddie says they have to make sure they compartmentalize their time for work, and their personal time. Francesca says they were disrupted last night with crazy stuff, and ended up having to do shift work. Elizabeth and James took advantage of that, and disrupted another crew member. She’s happy they’re spending time together, but don’t let it affect the working environment. In his interview, Eddie say, look how far he’s come. Now he’s giving advice on hooking up on the boat, when a few years ago, he was hooking up on the boat. We flash back to Rocky in her mermaid tail. He says, you shouldn’t mess with people’s sleep and personal space. They got called into the principal’s office. If that doesn’t work, they start chopping. Talk, then chop.

Tina puts her makeup on, and says, it’s so fun. Ashling (I assume) outdid herself with the nautical dinner décor, which looks amazing, although it’s a personal favorite of mine. Elizabeth asks if she should ignore James, and he says, probably. She says she’ll keep it serious, and he asks if she wants to go for a drink on their night off. In his interview, he says, their secret is out. He and Elizabeth are dating. They’ll go out for a few drinks, and if it ends at breakfast, good. He doesn’t care what they say. Francesca radios Rachel, and says, the guests are in place. In Rachel’s interview, she says, the dishes are amazing because… extravaganza. Eddie tells the captain that the guests are waiting on him, and Captain Lee says, bastards. Rachel tells Francesca that she’s ready to roll. The captain thanks the guests for having him again, and Francesca pops some champagne. I’m surprised they’re not apologizing all over the place. In her interview, Rachel says she doesn’t like James. Not a fan. He doesn’t do much, but stand there holding a towel. He’s the last person Elizabeth should fraternize with – a douche. Eddie tells Izzy that she’s relieved of her command, and she goes to bed. The food looks fabulous, with endless platters of various seafood being served. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says he can think of a million things he’d rather be doing, but Jesus Christ, he’s never seen so many dead lobsters in one spot. This extravaganza definitely has the vaganza. The guests seem thrilled, and keep saying how much they love it.

Francesca asks Elizabeth if she’s okay, and Elizabeth says her feet are killing her, but she wants to just get stuff done. Francesca says, if she needs to sit for fifteen minutes, do it. Elizabeth joins James and Rob at a table on deck, and James tells Rob, it’s a Romeo and Juliet story; the interior and the exterior. He tells Elizabeth that Francesca is a demon. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she can’t win with Francesca. She’d like to get along and be happy, but at this point, she’s like, just don’t fire me. James and Rob put the covers on the deck furniture, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to let her know next time she decides to take a break. Elizabeth tries to say something, and Francesca says, stop talking when she’s talking. Elizabeth says, sorry, which I’m sure is only a formality.

A guest spills her martini glass, and the captain says, that’s alcohol abuse. She says she’s not abusing it, but it’s a waste. Izzy lies in her bunk, and Francesca asks if Rob is sticking around after the charter. He says he thinks he’s doing some traveling, and she asks if he’s going to Canada. Aren’t his parents there? He barely answers her, and in her interview, she says she had high hopes when they met, but talking to him is like having a conversation about nothing. She’s not into it. The captain thinks the guests are going to bed soon, which is a good thing. Izzy feels like she’s turning into big pile of rotting sh*t. Elizabeth kisses James, and he jokes that it doesn’t feel as good as when Rob did it yesterday. I think he’s joking…

In the morning, Francesca tells the guests that the special is eggs Benedict, and asks if they’d like mimosas. Izzy says she’s feeling worse. She has a sore throat, she’s congested, and she’s run down. Eddie says, that settles it. Stay down. He wakes James up, and tells Izzy, get in bed and stay there. In her interview, Izzy says she doesn’t want to, but her body is broken, and she needs rest. Thank you, Eddie. Eggs Benedict is a favorite of mine, and Rachel’s spin on it looks incredible. Eddie tells Captain Lee that Izzy is sick, and he told her to go to bed. The captain tells him to put her in the guest room. He can’t have people dropping like flies, and doesn’t need the whole crew coming down with it, and it possibly affecting the guests. In his interview, he says they know it’s not coronavirus, since there isn’t one case on the island, but they are taking proper precautions. He tells Eddie, the hits just keep coming. He wants to get underway, and Eddie gives James and Rob instructions about the fenders.

The crew gets in their whites, and the guests’ luggage is put on the dock. The captain calls everyone to the aft deck to say goodbye and good luck to the guests. James says he needs an alcoholic beverage, and Elizabeth says, definitely. Tina says, it was one helluva trip. They loved the food, and the crew went the extra mile to make up for their first night. We flash back to the insanity that was Delores, and she says she’s so sorry everyone was affected by it. She hands Captain Lee the tip envelope, and says she hopes they enjoy it. They worked hard for it. Francesca tells Ashling and Elizabeth that Izzy isn’t well, so she’s moving to the guest cabin, and they’ll also sterilize Izzy’s cabin. Eddie tells the deckhands to get in their blues, and bust it out. James asks if Eddie if he can take Elizabeth out for the day, and Eddie tells him, sure, after work. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Say no more.   

Elizabeth says she thinks Izzy will feel better in the guest cabin, and Eddie tells Izzy that she’s going to quarantine there. She gets into the real bed, and it must feel great after that bunk. Captain Lee radios for the crew to be in the crew mess in five. He tells them, it was quite a charter. Francesca says, Delores was crazy, and the captain says, she was a handful, to say the least, but they handled it well. The tip is a disappointing $16,790 (they couldn’t even round that up?), or approximately $1400 each. In Rachel’s interview, she thinks Delores was supposed to kick in money, but f*** it. If I had been one of the other guests, I would have shaken it out of her before she left. The captain tells James to give Izzy her cut, and says the deckhands nailed the docking. He tells Rachel that her food was over the top again, and suggests they take tomorrow off. Everyone is ecstatic, and he says he’s arranged for them to go to a beach club called Catherine’s, where they can eat, drink, and be merry. In James’s interview, he says, drinking, sunbathing, and listening to music. That’s it for him.

Rachel says they have two options; they can bring some food in or cook it themselves on the barbecue. Rob says, whatever is less work in the end. Elizabeth and James are teased about going on a date, and in Francesca’s interview, she says she’s glad. She’s been babysitting, and she’s too old for that. She needs a break. Elizabeth asks Francesca if it’s okay, and Francesca sarcastically says, no; she must work all the time. Ashling helps Elizabeth with her hair, and in James’s interview, he says, with most girls, there’s an emotional wall up on the first date, but he’s not getting those vibes. They like each other, so they’ll see where it goes. Eddie tells James that he wants Elizabeth home at a decent hour. He asks what Captain Lee is doing, and the captain says, not much. Elizabeth and James go to a restaurant, and start off with Long Island ice tea. They discuss cooking, while the crew drinks on the boat. Rachel dares Eddie to do an impression of a goat, and he does, but it looks more like a donkey to me.  

James asks Elizabeth what she did before she was working on boats, and she says her life wasn’t consistent after high school. He says, that’s not good, but she says it led her there. She’s glad they met. She doesn’t know what she would do if he wasn’t there. He says, it’s been fun, and asks if she wants to go back. When they get back to the boat, he asks if she wants to socialize or stay away, and she says, stay away. Rachel does an impression of James, and James suggests he and Elizabeth use the guest cabin, as long as the crew doesn’t find out. Rachel continues to drink. I guess it’s a different guest cabin, since they didn’t walk in on Izzy. Lots of noises come from behind the closed door, and again, I don’t want to know.

The next morning. Rachel is wearing sunglasses. She says she’s never hung over; she keeps the party going. In her interview, she says, don’t be jealous. She might look like sh*t, but she doesn’t feel like sh*t. She’s still drunk from the night before. Izzy comes down, and Eddie asks how she’s feeling. She says she’s still tired, and should probably rest more, but she doesn’t want to stay horizontal anymore. Eddie tells her, no drinking, and they all head out, including Izzy. The captain looks for snacks in the crew mess. In the taxi, Elizabeth says she needs an emotional support animal, and Rob says she has James. They get out at the beach club, Rachel zigzags to the alcohol, saying she’s going to double fist that sh*t. Back at the boat, Captain Lee says the pizza is talking to him, but he can’t. Rob and Francesca get in the water, and Francesca finds a sea urchin. The crew soaks up some sun on lounge chairs, and peruses the cocktail menu. Rachel talks nonsense, and then snoozes.

Rob says he’s grateful for the day off. If they’re going to day drink, and take a nap, this is the spot. Rachel wakes up, and staggers to the stage where a band is getting ready. Eddie doesn’t want to look, and Rachel says, bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleep. She says she wants dirty, nasty-ass music, and Izzy says, get off the effing stage. Francesca says she’s going to have to get Rachel off, and goes up to the microphone. Rachel tells the band to do Walking After Midnight; google it. Francesca says Rachel’s name in the microphone to get her attention. In Eddie’s interview, he says, there are two rules; don’t embarrass yourself, and don’t embarrass the boat. He’s not dealing with it. Francesca asks if Rachel wants to go home, and Rachel tells the band, sorry. She didn’t mean to be a douche.

Next time, Eddie tells Captain Lee that the chef has a difficult time playing with others, Rachel tells James to s*ck her d*ck, the new guests bring a teacup Yorkie named Gigi, and Francesca thinks the captain should get a doctor.

😥 This Parting Is Just Sorrow…

It’s like the end of an era. I loved all the spy stuff with Sean, Tiffany, and the Scorpios back in the 90s.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/01/10/john-reilly-played-sean-donely-general-hospital-dies-84/6617692002/

 

🎂 Happy 14th Birthday to My Dogs 🎂

🌬 Like Dust In the Wind…

It’s already been a long week, and it’s only Monday. Whether you’re in the Monday zone, or your week has been going on since last March, stay safe, stay accepting, and stay not wrecking your friends’ super yacht vacation.

January 4, 2021 – Cyrus Accuses Jason Of Kidnapping, a Drunken Guest Takes a Midnight Swim, Not a Crush, a Hit, Unwelcome Return, She’s Still Here & Good

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason tells Carly, he had a shot at Cyrus, and she asks why he didn’t take it. He says, because she was there. If there was a witness or things had gone sideways, she could be an accessory and he couldn’t take that chance. He had to let Cyrus live. Cyrus knows why, and now they’ll be vulnerable. Carly’s phone dings, and she looks at it. She tells Jason, they won’t be vulnerable. She solved it. The house phone rings, and Jason answers. He says, send him up, and tells Carly, go upstairs; Cyrus is there. She says, it worked, and he says, what worked? What did she do?

Ava and Nikolas walk into an empty Charlie’s, and Ava says, Julian was so proud of this place. She was proud of him having it. It’s not easy getting out of the business he was in. This place gave him a foundation and a purpose. He poured his heart and soul into it, trying to make a legitimate living, but it wasn’t enough to save his life. Being a Jerome is a hard habit to break. Nikolas asks if she’s expecting trouble, and she says, nothing she can’t handle.

Portia looks for Mac, but finds Jordan in the office. She says she didn’t realize Jordan was back. She needs to speak to Taggert before he’s released. Jordan says she owes Portia an apology. She hopes to fix the damage that’s been done. Portia says it will just be an excuse, and she doesn’t have time for empty promises. They both know Jordan will do the exact same thing again.

Laura meets Martin at the MetroCourt. He says she seems to have something on her mind. In the spirit of their newfound status as siblings, can he do anything to help? She says, actually, yes. He’s guessing it’s about Cyrus, and she says she needs leverage against their brother.

On the phone with Josslyn, Jax says he understands. Let him know if she changes her mind… He’ll talk to her later… He loves her too. Nina asks if everything is okay with Josslyn, and he says, not really. His daughter refuses to come to Australia with him. Nina says she thought it was all set, and she’d agreed, but he says, she comes from a long line of stubborn women on both sides. Nina asks how much danger Josslyn is really in, and he says, that’s just it. As long as Sonny is missing, no one knows what the next move will be on his so-called territory. Seeing a mob war in Port Charles isn’t pretty, and his daughter is refusing to stay out of the line of fire. 

Carly opens the door, and asks how she can help Cyrus. He says she can’t. He walks up to Jason, and says, this bastard took his mother.

Nikolas tells Ava, the Jeromes attract their fair share of trouble, but the Cassadines have been known to cause chaos from time to time. She says they really are a perfect fit. Someone tries the door, and Nikolas opens it to Alexis. She says she saw the light on, and thought… She doesn’t know what she thought. Nikolas says he understands. Ava says she knows what Alexis is looking for. She blamed all of her problems on Julian, and now she’s realized too late that she wanted him back after all.

Portia says, Jordon doesn’t get to validate her feelings to assuage her guilt, and Jordan says, it was the only way. She wishes that wasn’t the case. Portia says, even if Jordan couldn’t tell her at first, why didn’t she say something after Portia started helping her? She falsified medical records for Jordan, and put her career on the line to buy her time. Jordan says, she appreciates the risk, and Portia asks if she didn’t do enough for Jordan to tell her that her ex was alive, and comfort her daughter with the truth. Jordan says she was trying to protect Trina, and Portia says they see how that worked out. Trina is devastated. Jordan took Trina’s father from her twice; once, pretending he was dead, and then destroying her faith in him.

Martin says Laura cuts right to the point, and she says she thinks they have the rest of their lives to get to know one another. Cyrus is dangerous right now, so she figured she’d start there. Please help her. He asks why she assumes he can, and she says she hasn’t known Cyrus that long. She never dreamed she’d have a half-brother who turned out to be an infamous drug lord. He reminds her that it’s alleged infamous drug lord. Cyrus was cleared of his crimes. She asks Martin not to tell her that Cyrus is a poor, misunderstood philanthropist. He sent a team of gunmen to Port Charles last winter, and she was one of the victims. He had a bomb planted in The Floating Rob that put her daughter into a coma. Martin says, something Laura has to understand about him, is that he’s a representative of the court; a servant of the law. He makes decisions based on evidence, not conjecture or hearsay. There’s no credible evidence to overturn Cyrus’s release. In the eyes of the law, he was cleared. That’s all they know, or can be sure of. She says she can’t tell if he’s turning a blind eye, or she read him wrong and he’s working for Cyrus.

Cyrus says his mother is a fragile, elderly woman, in need of constant medical care, and Jason asks what that has to do with him. Cyrus says, don’t BS him. Jason took her. Bring her back or there will be hell to pay. Jason says he doesn’t know where she is, but he can make inquiries. Cyrus tells Jason that he needs to do more than that. If his mother is harmed… Jason says, threats are not helpful. Like he told Cyrus on the pier, don’t try to escalate. If they keep the peace, no one will get hurt. Cyrus says, including his mother?

Jax says that he was counting on Carly to talk sense into Josslyn, and Nina says, maybe it slipped her mind. He says, her child’s safety? and she says, Carly’s husband is missing. He says, all the more reason for Josslyn, and the entire family to get out of town. What kind of a life is it for her? If he pisses someone off in his business, no one has to go into hiding. She asks if Josslyn told him why, and he says, she wanted to stay with her mother. She also mentioned Avery and Donna. She remembered Michael and Morgan being there during difficult periods of her life, and she wanted to do the same for her sisters. Nina says, she’s got a great heart, and he says he knows that, and he’s proud of her, but the agreement has always been, at the first sign of danger, she leaves with him. Nina says, he made the agreement when Josslyn was a kid. She hates to break it to him, but Josslyn isn’t a kid anymore. He asks what she’s saying. He should let Josslyn stay? She says, no. She’s saying maybe he needs a new agreement, but not with Carly – with Josslyn.

Laura asks if that’s how it is. Is Martin in Cyrus’s pocket? He says, no. He doesn’t work for Cyrus, or represent any of Cyrus’s legal affairs. She should be pleased to know they have no business aspirations in common. Laura says, that’s a relief, and he says, no matter how much he disapproves of Cyrus’s alleged misconduct, he owes Cyrus for his significant financial support of their mother. She says she understands family loyalty, and regardless of what Cyrus has become, he and Martin shared a childhood. She doesn’t have that loyalty. She and Cyrus are related, but they’re not family. Martin says, family are the people you come to love, no matter how. The city is an extension of her family, and she does what she can to protect it. Laura says she’d rather go against one brother than two, and he laughs. He says, he’s no crime lord, but he won’t be her enemy or adversary. She asks if he’ll be her ally.

Alexis says she saw the light, and was hoping… Ava says, for what, or who? Nikolas suggests Ava not kick Alexis while she’s down, and Ava asks if she should wait until Alexis sobers up. She was there when her brother did everything he could to win Alexis back, but it was never enough for her. Alexis thought Julian was unworthy. Alexis says, it’s an oversimplification, and Ava says, Julian made a million mistakes. He was a coward in many ways, but he was also heroic. Alexis says, he had his moments, and Ava says, generous of Alexis. She’s not blind. Julian had his faults. He made bad choices, scrambled to cover them, making worse choices, which eventually led to his death. If she wants to be angry at the people who hurt Julian while he was alive, she has the right to be. Alexis broke Julian’s heart. Nikolas says he gets it. It’s complicated. Feelings are complicated, but taking it out on Alexis isn’t helping. The momentary sensation of power Ava gets won’t ease the pain of Julian’s death. Ava says, power is better than grief, but he’s right. She has to consider that Julian never stopped loving Alexis. She doesn’t think he’d want her lashing out. Nikolas says, probably not, and Alexis says, are they kidding her? Is she seeing what she’s seeing, or is she that drunk? Have Nikolas and Ava fallen in love with each other?

Jason says Cyrus told him that he talked in facts not emotions. The fact is, Cyrus’s mother is missing, and making demands gets him no closer to finding her. Cyrus asks, what does? What does Jason want? Jason says he wants Cyrus to leave, and Cyrus says Carly is awfully quiet. She doesn’t seem that upset for a woman whose husband has vanished. Perhaps they arranged this between them. Carly says she can’t speak to his mother’s whereabouts, but she thinks his mother will find her way back to him. He’s lucky Jason is going to make inquiries; he usually finds what he’s looking for. Jason says Cyrus needs to leave before he calls the guards. Cyrus says, he and Sonny had their differences, but Sonny understood honor. He would never kidnap an elderly woman and use her as a hostage to guarantee Cyrus’s good behavior. Jason says, he’s not Sonny, and Cyrus leaves. Jason turns to Carly, and says, she took his mother? Carly says, they needed leverage. Now they have it.

Jason says Carly needs to tell him exactly what happened. How did she figure out where Cyrus mother was in the first place? She says, Laura, and sits down. She tells Jason, Laura’s biological father was Gordon Grey. He was married to Florence, and had two sons, Martin and Cyrus. Jason says, Cyrus is Laura’s half-brother? and Carly says, Laura just found out. She tracked Florence to a long-term care center in Vermont. He asks how she knows this, and she says, Laura stopped by, asking for Sonny. When she said Sonny was gone, Laura said they’d need protection, and Cyrus has a weak spot. Laura was referring to herself, but when she was explaining, she told Carly that Cyrus’s mother was in a facility in Vermont. After she left, Carly called Spinelli. He hacked into the facility’s computer, and arranged a transfer. Carly sent two guards and a nurse to take her to a safe house. Cyrus will never find her.

Alexis says, as absurd as a lecture is from the person who blackmailed her nephew into marriage… Ava says, what she’d like Alexis to understand is that she and Nikolas started out as adversaries, but found a connection deeper and more profound than they expected. Alexis says, that entire field has been fertilized how many times? The scenario is the same, and will play out for Ava and Nikolas, then end up the same way two people who are passionately in love with each other end up – at each other’s throats, fighting to the death.

Jordan tells Portia that she’s truly sorry Trina is hurting, but she was being watched. Because her grief was genuine,  Taggert was able to stay hidden. Portia says they let Trina go on in pain, and Jordan says it provided a cover for her to make sound choices. Portia says Jordan makes it sound easy, but Jordan says she knows how much Taggert loves Trina. They hated this, but genuinely believed it kept Trina safer to be kept in the dark. Portia says while she’s grateful for Trina’s safety, she doesn’t allow decisions for her child to be made in a vacuum. She has a right to know. How would Jordan feel in her place?

Laura tells Martin, even if he won’t side with her, he’s not going to interfere with Cyrus being brought to justice, is he? Martin says he hears what she’s saying… and Laura says, but he won’t help her. He tells her, he didn’t say that. Cyrus runs in, and makes a beeline for their table, saying, she’s gone. Martin says, who? and Cyrus says, their mother is missing. They kidnapped her. Martin asks, who’s they? and Cyrus says, their sister. It can’t be a coincidence that mere days after Laura discovered where their mother was, their mother disappears. He looks at Laura, and says, it’s all her, isn’t it?

Martin says, someone has taken their mother, and Laura knew? Laura says, of course (🍷) not. She swears it’s the first she’s hearing of it. She’d never put their mother in harm’s way. Cyrus asks if he’s supposed to believe that Laura didn’t tell Carly about her new brothers and their ailing mother. Martin says, the Corinthos crime family has their mother? Laura says, before she’s convinced, does Cyrus have proof? Cyrus says, whatever she told Carly, was passed onto Jason. He has a reputation for being lethal. He went there, and tried to guarantee their mother’s safety, but Jason refused. Laura asks if Jason said they have her, but Cyrus says, of course (🍷) not. That self-righteous bastard never incriminates himself, but he knows Jason has her. Laura says, if Jason has her – and that’s a big if – she can’t believe he’d let anything happen to her. Cyrus asks if that’s supposed to be a word comfort. Martin says, their mother needs constant care. If they don’t know where she is, how do they know she’s all right? Laura promises to do everything in her power to bring their mother back safe and sound. Cyrus says she’d better keep her promise. If anything happens to their mother, the fact that she’s his sister won’t help her.

Jason asks who’s taking care of Florence? and Carly says, the best nurse she knows; her mother. He says she brought Bobbie into this? She says, her mother was happy to help. Cyrus had Julian plant a bomb in The Floating Rib that put Lulu in a permanent care facility. She was willing to do anything. Florence is perfectly safe and receiving excellent care, and as long as they have her, Cyrus won’t hurt the people Carly loves. Jason says he has two options. The first, is taking Florence back to Vermont tonight, or play this out – on one condition. He plays it out. If Cyrus finds out Carly set this in motion, he’ll retaliate against her. Let Cyrus think he did it. From now on, Florence is his hostage. She says, everyone who knows him, knows he wouldn’t kidnap an old lady, but he says, that’s the deal; stay completely out, or he takes Florence back tonight. She says, fine, but she’s not sorry. He says he’s not asking for an apology, but it was a line he thought he’d never cross, and she just crossed it for him. He walks out.

Jax says, Josslyn feels that she’s old enough to stay. She knows the truth about Sonny, who Sonny is, and understands the courses that need to be taken, especially after a long, extended lockdown. Nina says, Josslyn sounds like she’s making an informed decision. Given what she’s had to live through, she’s wise beyond her years, and very strong. Jax says, that’s his point. She should just be a kid, and enjoy life, not mourn her friend who’s been killed by a bomb. Nina says she agrees, but that’s not her reality. She thinks taking Josslyn away, if she wants to go or not, will be a terrible mistake.

Nikolas suggest they sober Alexis up, but Ava says, a cautionary tale like this deserves two fingers. He tells her that she’s not helping, and Alexis says, it’s foreplay, isn’t it? Them sniping at each other? Nikolas says he’s not discussing what goes on in his marriage bed with Alexis, especially given her condition. Ava gives Alexis a drink, and Alexis says, he’s right. It’s inappropriate for her to discuss things like that with him. He thanks her, and she turns to Ava, asking, when Nikolas sees Ava – really sees her – does he see all of her? Not just the shiny smother parts, but the shards, the broken pieces that were swept away in the dark corners of her soul. Ava says she believes he does, and Alexis says, to expose yourself in that way to someone you know you’re not supposed to trust, but do it anyway is so intoxicating and forbidden, it makes you devour each other. Ava says now that Alexis’s law career is over, she can start a new one, writing romance novels. Alexis says Ava is wrong about her and Julian. It had nothing to do with him being unworthy. Ava says, Alexis could have fooled her, and Alexis says, he was bad for her, and she loved him because of it. Ava says she knows, and Alexis says, it was crazy love, but it was great. She never felt more angry or passionate. She loved every minute, even the parts she hated, because it was poison, like Ava and Nikolas will be. Nikolas says, that’s enough.

Jordan tells Portia, the situation had no good options. She made the choice that would save the most lives, and she stands by it. Portia says they have no reason to discuss it further. She’ll speak to the desk sergeant. Jordan says, she won’t be able to bail Taggert out; he hasn’t been arraigned yet. Portia asks when the arraignment will be, and Jordan says, tomorrow. Taggert will be charged with fraud for faking his death. Portia says, which Jordan helped with, and Jordan says, keeping Taggert in custody while Cyrus is free is the safest place for him. Portia asks, what about the Feds? and Jordan says, eventually, Taggert will have to answer for perjury and false testimony, but for now, they’ll figure things out one at a time. She can arrange a meeting with Taggert and Trina, and Portia says, Trina will want to tear into him. Jordan says, if Trina wants to tear into her too, her door is always open. Portia says she’s always been honest with Jordan about her conversations with Curtis. She saw Curtis Christmas Eve. She said she understood that Jordan lying to protect Trina made him angry, but she told him to go home and talk to her.

Jax says he thought Nina was with him on this. If it was her daughter, wouldn’t she want to swoop in and take her away from danger? Nina says, of course (🍷) she’d want to, but it would still be wrong. It doesn’t matter what she’d think she’d do. She’s never met her daughter; her child is a blank slate, abstract. He and Josslyn have a great relationship. Josslyn is strong and brave, and knows her own mind. He and Carly raised a great kid, who’s eighteen now. She suggests he respect Josslyn’s wishes, and preserve the bond they have. Josslyn will be safer, thinking she has a wonderful father she can go to when she needs to, rather than him breaking his word, and proving he doesn’t trust her judgement by taking it away.

Nikolas tells Alexis, he’s sorry she’s hurting. He can’t imagine how Julian’s death has affected her. She says he won’t have to if they keep going down this road. He says she can’t take out her grief, rage, and loss on Ava. Alexis tells Ava that she’s sorry, and Ava says, no harm done. Nikolas says Alexis was right about one thing; her relationship with Julian was toxic. Look what it’s done to her. He and Ava are far from perfect, but whatever issues they have, they’re nothing like her and Julian. Alexis hopes he’s right. She doesn’t think he is, but she’s been wrong before. Nikolas says, it’s been a long night. He’ll drive her home. She says, it’s not necessary, but he says he’s not letting her drive. She says, neither would the state of New York. Her law license isn’t the only license she lost. Try saying that three times. (It is kind of hard.) She doesn’t want them to make the same mistake. Nikolas says he’ll get her a car, but Ava says, no. If they can benefit from honest advice, she’d like to hear what Alexis has to say. Alexis says, at some point, the seduction will end, the bond will end. And it will just be lies, deception, and manipulation; looking over their shoulders to see what scheme their partner is scheming, who they’re lying to, and what lies they’re telling for them. Then it constantly replays over and over until it becomes exhausting, and one day they wake up and realize it’s not love, but addiction. She’s an addict, but so are they, just like her. She walks out the door, and Nikolas follows.   

Portia says she’s never seen Curtis happier than with Jordan. She hopes they can fix what’s broken. Jordan says, whatever choices she makes moving forward are her business, and Portia says, if she’s being informed by someone else’s experience, maybe Jordan can learn from their mistakes. Maybe there’s something Portia will say that can help, if Jordan decides to listen. Jordan says, all right, and Portia says she loved Taggert very much when they met and when they marred, even when she realized their marriage would always come in second. It was lonely. Knowing that his communication with his partner was more important than with his wife didn’t help, but they broke up because they couldn’t share a life together; she was shut out of so much of it. Jordan says, and Portia thinks that’s going to happen to her and Curtis? Portia says she knows it can, and it might be already. As angry as she is, she doesn’t wish it on Jordan or Curtis. She leaves, and Jordan sits at her desk, looking really sad.  

Ava asks if Alexis got off all right, and Nikolas says he put her in the car. Whether she goes home or to another bar, she’ll probably end up drinking more either way. Ava says, far be it from her to judge. At least on that account. Nikolas says, Alexis was wrong about their relationship. Her relationship with Julian was twisted, and they made it work, but what she and Julian did to each other isn’t them, and will never be them. Ava says, of course (🍷) it won’t. Their feelings for each other, the way they need each other… He says, it’s totally different, and Ava says Alexis is seeing it through vodka colored glasses.

Martin says he’s never seen Cyrus so… He was going say concerned, but that doesn’t cover it. He’s afraid. Cyrus says, of course (🍷) he is. Their mother is old, sick, and frail. Just moving her… Martin says he knows, but what’s frightening Cyrus most? Her dying or never forgiving him?   

Carly goes to Jax’s house, and he says he takes it there’s no word from Sonny. Carly says, not yet, and Nina says she hopes there is soon. Jax says, in the meantime, he’d like to know, if all hell breaks loose, will their daughter be caught in the crossfire?  

Laura goes to Sonny’s house, and Jason answers the door. She says she needs to speak to Carly right away, but he says, sorry; Carly is out. She walks past him into the house, and says, he’ll do.  

Tomorrow, Nina tells Valentin that she needs to quit kidding herself, Dante wants confirmation from the WSB, Laura tells Jason that he’s turned it into a war, and Franco tells someone to stop it.

Below Deck

Falmouth Harbour, Antigua. Ashling asks what time Elizabeth went to bed, and she says it was late. Ashling asks if she and James were in the hot tub, and Elizabeth admits they kissed. She wonders what James going to say. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, it was amazing last night. She feels excited and giddy. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone use the word giddy in real life. Eddie texts his mom about the virus. Francesca asks him if it’s hitting the U.S., and he says they’ve had the first death. It’s everywhere now. James does pull-ups using one of the railings, and Ashling says she feels fresh. Elizabeth is washing dishes, and Francesca notes that she got straight into it. She says Elizabeth seems flustered, and Elizabeth says she isn’t; she started working at 8:30. Francesca meets with the stews, and says, despite what happened with Elizabeth, she doesn’t want animosity. She wants them to work as a team, and no one is better than the other. She asks Ashling to clean the captain’s room, and puts Elizabeth on laundry. In Francesca’s interview, she says she’s still pissed at Elizabeth. It was super immature, and she could have been fired even before that. Elizabeth keeps disrespecting her, and it’s time for a wake-up call.

The captain tells Eddie that the new charter wants to be picked up in Jolly Harbour, two hours away. That’s what  they’re about, making the guests happy. Eddie tells Izzy that Rachel bothered him last night. When she’s working, Rachel is a great master of her art, but when she’s drinking, it’s like an evil switch flipped. Izzy says, she’s like a gremlin on crack. The deckhands get the boat ready, and Rob says they’re living the dream.

The crew congregates in the crew mess, and Elizabeth is all giggly to be around James in close quarters. In James’s interview, he says he’s been in relationships on boats before. The less people who know, the better. He asks Elizabeth if Ashling knows, and Elizabeth says it was written all over her face. In his interview, James says he’s a little peeved, but he can’t let her know. Rachel calls Vincenzo, and tells him that she loves him. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s worried. Vincenzo is traveling between France and Italy, in areas that are quarantined, and it’s scary. Milan has been quarantined, and the grocery stores are empty. Everything becomes overwhelming, and she needs to keep a clear head. Vincenzo is her best friend.

Eddie says he needs more sleep, and we flash back to Francesca telling Eddie and Rob goodnight, and Eddie telling Rob that she’s into him. In Rob’s interview, he says Francesca is giving off steamy vibes, but she’s above his paygrade. She’s like a steamy nut. Hot, but you can’t touch it. Rachel cleans up the galley, and the captain gets ready to dock. He tells the deckhands, they nailed it this time. Elizabeth and Izzy sit in the crew mess, and Izzy asks what Elizabeth did. Elizabeth says, nothing, but Izzy insists she did something. She asks if Elizabeth had kissy kissy with James, and Elizabeth admits she did. Izzy says she knew this would happen. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s pretty sure James just wants a root to boot (new one on me), but Elizabeth wants to love on him and have an emotional connection. There’s no way it’s going to work out. Francesca wants to talk to Elizabeth, and they sit in the Sky Lounge. She tells Elizabeth that the reason she came in when Elizabeth was talking loud with Izzy, wasn’t because she was annoyed that they were talking about her and how Elizabeth felt. It’s how it’s affecting the crew by her screaming it. Trying to provoke Francesca and get attention is immature. Elizabeth says she tried not to talk about it, but Francesca says she doesn’t give a f***. Shut the door. Don’t get anyone else involved. Elizabeth agrees with Francesca, and Francesca says she’s letting Elizabeth know it’s unprofessional. Everyone gossips, but it’s the way she was doing it. Elizabeth says she respects Francesca, and wants to keep rocking the charter. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says Francesca took her stripe; now she’s taking her co-worker’s sympathy. Thank God for James

Izzy says she heard James had fun in the hot tub, and he pretends not to know what she’s talking about. She says she’s proud of herself. She called this happening three weeks ago. Did he use protection? Rachel tells Captain Lee that she’s making the space work for her. He says, if she hasn’t been efficient so far, he’d like to see what happens when she is. He’s impressed. It’s time for the preference sheet meeting.

Primaries Tina and Mark are avid boaters, and socialize with their yacht club friends, some of whom will be coming. In Francesca’s interview, she says, these people are bad news. Boat people know everything they do. They want a Great Gatsby party, with a six-course tasting menu, and the water toys and jet skis. They don’t sound too awful, but in this bizarro yachting world where the most-likely-to-be demanding guests turn out to be a delight (and having seen the preview), I have the feeling they will be. Eddie asks James about Elizabeth, and James again feigns ignorance. Eddie asks if James thinks he was born last night. In Ashling’s interview, she says she thinks Izzy has a crush on James, but she doesn’t like to express her feelings. She’s better off, since James is a f***boy. Sorry, Elizabeth. Boy, she couldn’t have been more wrong (see below). Francesca calls for party decorations, feathers, and headpieces.   

James texts Elizabeth, and they meet on deck. Elizabeth asks what James’s mom does, and he says she’s happily retired. Elizabeth says her mom is too. They talk dogs, and we find out James has French bulldogs, and the viewers collectively squee at their photo. In James’s interview, he says he wants to take it slow, and be careful. They discuss their common interests. and first loves. In his interview, James says she cheated on him, but never admitted it. It was five years ago, and why he doesn’t have relationships anymore. They go to bed, separately.

Everyone is up early for charter, and in Izzy’s interview, she says her body aches, and everything she eats tastes like sick. Provisions come in, and the captain calls Francesca for his pants. Elizabeth can’t find the starch, and radios Francesca, who asks Ashling where it is. Ashling says she told Elizabeth, and comes to the laundry room. Francesca says they’re stressing her out for no reason. They need to communicate. In Ashling’s interview, she says she’s always helping Elizabeth, and picking up the slack. She’s 100% team Francesca, and making her look bad in front of her boss is not okay. Francesca tells Elizabeth to listen more. Elizabeth brings Captain Lee his Cheerios. Funny, my dad had Cheerios every morning too, and also gave a bowl to the dog.

Francesca forgets to put on her third stripe, and Eddie asks if she demoted herself too. Elizabeth laaaaughs. The guests arrive, and Captain Lee says, they’ll get the luggage on board, Francesca will give them the tour, and they’ll get out of there. Eddie thinks it’s a good sign that they seem classy. Rachel makes a charcuterie platter. My Seanna moves out. All the lines are in, and Elizabeth pops more champagne. The crew gets in their blues, and the boat heads to Five Islands Harbour. Rachel finds her phone in the freezer where she put it by accident. In her interview, she says, her phone is frozen, and covid is happening. Now she can’t talk to her boyfriend. It’s f***ed up, and she’s going to have a breakdown. Will it be worse than the last one she had? Will she really punch someone in the scrotum this time?

Impatient for a drink, Mark wonders if the stews will be mad if they self-serve. Izzy tells Eddie that she’s run down, and has a head cold. He asks if she wants some vitamin C. Mark says, everyone is sober, but Tina tells him, it’s still early. He’d better pick up the slack for all of them. A couple of the guests wander to the galley, and tell Rachel that they’re looking for champagne. She radios Francesca, who radios Elizabeth, who’s already on her way. The guests tell her that she doesn’t have to ask if they want another. Alrighty then. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s powering through. She doesn’t like to feel like she can’t do her job. One of the female guests tells Eddie that they need the shirt off his back, and he says he has a lot of shirts. Nice save. Rachel marinates some Wagyu beef, and prepares mahi-mahi for lunch. In her interview, she says, locally sourced products are really yummy. Did she go to the Rachel Ray School of Culinary Arts?

Eddie tells the guests that they have big trouble. There’s way too much fun planned. He tells them they have horseback riding on the beach slated for tomorrow, but Tina says she wants to go shopping in town. Another guest says, what about a party on the beach? and guest Karen says, put the slide up. I laugh, since it had to be a Karen. (Sorry, Karens of the world.) Primary Tina asks if Captain Lee can join them for dinner. In Eddie’s interview, he mimics the guests by talking with his hands, and says he hates boat people, making air quotes.   

The guests drink some more. Francesca tells Captain Lee, they’re coming at the crew from all directions. They want to do it all at once. He says they don’t have enough people for that, and she says, they invited him to dinner. It’s a roaring 20s theme. Ashling helps Rachel thaw out her phone, and tells her about James and Elizabeth. Rachel says, shut the front door. James tells Izzy that her body is freaking out. She needs to rest. The guests go on jet skis, and Delores rides sidesaddle. The captain tells Rachel that he’s not wearing a silly ass costume, but Rachel says, a tuxedo is Great Gatsby. The guests move to the hot tub. In Francesca’s interview, she says, the guests are drinking a ton. They just arrived, and they’ve almost cleaned her out of champagne. She doesn’t know if they’re making it to dinner, and she’s scared. Eddie tells Captain Lee to do whatever he’s got to do to get out of this dinner. This group is going to be difficult. Tell them he came down with a cold and needs to sleep.

Rachel’s phone comes back, and she tells Elizabeth, she can’t believe she froze it, but it’s working. Francesca pours a drink, and Delores says, one, two, three, four, now’s the time to stop the pour. Five, six, seven, eight, now your drink is really great. The toys come in, and Francesca and Ashling decorate for dinner. Ashling tells Francesca, romance has begun with James and Elizabeth. In Francesca’s interview, she says she’s not surprised. There’s no work ethic going on. It’s a match made in heaven. Eddie tells Izzy to call it a night. Rob says, the guests have been drinking since 1 o’clock.

Izzy calls her sister Tori, who asks what she’s sick with. Izzy say she doubts it’s the virus. She was on a plane three weeks ago. Now I’m scared. In Izzy’s interview, she says she hasn’t been this sick long time. She’s hoping her immune disorder isn’t acting up again. She doesn’t want to end up paralyzed in a hospital. She wants to end the season, and feel like she accomplished something.

Izzy sleeps, and the guests gaze at the fish in the water. Delores says she wants to get in. Rachel makes waffles out of sweet potato tater tots. In her interview, she says she wonders what Great Gatsby is anyway. Leo DiCaprio waddling around? To her, a roaring 20s dinner is shenanigans. Something different, bigger, more over the top. She loves it, and would sign up for that. Delores wonders if she has champagne eyes. Tina and Mark check out the tablescape – feathers, bowler hats, pearls – and Tina says, it’s beautiful. Rob thanks he and James met in a previous life. In his interview, he says, the chemistry of two lost wandering souls found each other at sea. He loves fun guys. The guests sit, and Captain Lee joins them, wearing his dress uniform. He tells them, this is as Gatsby as he gets. He answers questions from the guests, like how many years he’s been a captain – thirty-five – and does he have any tattoos – no. Delores suggests they bring him downstairs. I have no idea what that means, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to find out. James and Elizbeth wash dishes, and in Rachel’s interview, she says she and Elizabeth are friends, but she was super effing disappointed to find out Elizabeth and James hooked up. James has been hitting on all the girls, and he pushed harder on the weakest link. Rachel plates. At the table, Delores burps. Loudly.

The next course is served. Elizabeth scarfs down a shrimp in the galley. Delores looks like she might get sick, and definitely doesn’t know what Rachel is saying when she presents the shrimp scampi. James pours Prohibition shots. Delores suggests they talk about the elephant n the room, and says they haven’t seen the captain naked in the water. She babbles nonsensically, and Mark says he’s going to put her in time out. Delores asks, how? and says he can put her in the water. In his interview, the captain says, Delores is drunker than a four-peckered goat. I have no idea what that means, and neither does anyone on Reddit. The guests think the waffles are amazing, and Captain Lee says Rachel has quite an imagination. Vincenzo texts Rachel, telling her that he’s home and not to worry. She says, thank God.

An incredible looking chocolate mousse dish is served, and Delores randomly tells Captain Lee that she could fix him up on jet skis he couldn’t imagine. He pretends to answer his radio, saying he thinks he heard an alarm. Mark says they can dress her up, but can’t take her out. The captain takes his leave, and heads for the galley, saying, that was full-on. He tells Rachel that the dinner was great. Francesca realizes she has to watch Delores, who wants to jump in the water. Francesca tells her, it’s not safe, and Tina tells her, there are sharks, and she doesn’t like sharks. The captain leans over the railing above, and says, no; she’s not getting in the water. That’s not happening. If he has to come in after her, she’s not going be happy. In his interview, he says, she’s very drunk, and it’s nighttime. She’s crossing the line, and he’s pissed. He’s not putting up with that; not for a second. Delores asks Francesca for peas, and says, fish like peas. She suddenly dives into the water, and Captain Lee says, son of a bitch, and runs downstairs. James offers to go in, but Francesca says he’s not going into the water either.  

In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, it’s the ultimate f*** you. She’s drunk, it’s dark, and he doesn’t need someone who’s going to jeopardize their own life on his watch. It’s not going to happen. The other guests have heard the splash, and wonder what’s going on. In Francesca’s interview, she says, WTF? It’s total disrespect to the captain, her, all of the crew. It’s about safety. This has reached another level. It’s just mental. Francesca asks the captain if it’s okay for James to jump in. Tina says Delores is a good swimmer, but Captain Lee says he doesn’t care; she’s drunk. He doesn’t need any dead bodies. Delores yells to them, asking if she can have a drink. Or maybe it’s peas she wants. I’m not sure. The captain says she’s not having anything, and tells her, get your goddam ass back to this boat now. He adds for her to go around the other side, since there’s no way up on that one. She wonders if he’s pissed at her, and he says, very pissed. In James’s interview, he says, this woman gives zero f***s. At the table, one of the guests says, now Captain Lee won’t like them anymore, and points the finger at another guest, adding, because Delores is their friend.

The captain says Delores has stepped over the line, and he’s not tolerating this behavior. Delores rambles about how much she paid, and he says he doesn’t give a sh*t. Tina tells Delores not to ruin their time, and the captain says her charter just ended. He’s done. Get her ass out of the water. He’s going back to the dock. Elizabeth tells Rachel about Delores jumping in the water in her white dress, and says, now the captain is screaming at her. The captain stomps over to the table, and tells Mark, their charter is over. There’s a guest in the water, drunk, and she won’t come out. He’s headed back to the dock. He’s not putting up with this. In the captain’s interview, he says he’s so mad he can’t see straight. He doesn’t want to be responsible for someone that reckless with their own life. He doesn’t need the liability. Get your effing sh*t and get off my goddam boat. This is total bullsh*t.

There was no preview. I guess they’re just leaving it up to our imaginations. Will Delores walk the plank? Will she be drawn and quartered? Will another boat pick her up, and give her an eye patch and a parrot? Is the charter really cancelled? No more champagne for you.

🔮 No Discernment Award For Ashling…

I don’t think Izzy had a crush on James.

https://people.com/tv/below-deck-star-izzy-wouters-comes-out-as-lesbian/

⚾️ Hitting It Out Of the Park…

I’m actually half-watching this now, but I know I’ll love it. The only thing better than watching TV is watching other people watch TV. Combine it with the Deck, and you’re bound to have a hit.

‘Below Deck Galley Talk’ Is a Huge ‘Below Deck’ Hit With Fans

🏖 They’re Ba-a-ack…

The awful people from Summer House are back on February 4th, to lead their double-lives as sub-human teens in the Hamptons on the weekends, while working high-level, high-paying jobs in Manhattan during the week. I’ve actually come to like Hannah Berner on Chat Room, but the only redeeming quality of this show is how easy it is to make fun of. Watch the trailer. If you dare.

https://people.com/tv/summer-house-season-5-trailer-premiere-date/

🤷🏻 Is She Or Isn’t She…?

The details are sketchy about her collapse, but apparently, Tanya Roberts is still hanging in there. I’d read this morning in the New York Post that she had died, but I wasn’t sure what I was more upset about, her death, or that they hadn’t mentioned The Beastmaster. I met her once at a convention (remember those?), and she was a very gracious person. As of this post, she still is.

https://abc7.com/tanya-roberts-still-alive-bond-girls-a-view-to-kill/9354423/

🕺🏽 A-Leaping Out Like the Eleventh Lord…

It’s time to reprogram myself away from full-time eating, TV watching, and napping. You’d think I meant after the holidays, but unless the holidays started in April… While I’m readjusting, stay safe, stay maintaining balance, and stay not disobeying the captain by drunkenly jumping in the water after dark to feed peas to the fish.

December 28, 2020 – Franco Makes It Home For Christmas, French Night In Antigua, Brave New Deck & My Year

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the park, Curtis asks if Jordan doesn’t have Christmas Eve guests, but she says, it’s not Christmas without him; without the two of them. He asks how she found him, and she says she remembered last year, and took a chance on him being there. He says, the sad part is, it feels like so long ago. She says she knows, but it’s Christmas again, and he needs to come home. 

Molly says, what she has to tell TJ is going to hurt him. There’s no way around it, but it doesn’t change the fact that she loves him more than anything in the world. He says, whatever it is, it’s still from her. It can’t be that bad. She says she made a horrible mistake. She slept with someone else.

Michael tells Willow that Wiley is so excited about Santa and getting presents in the morning. Is she sure she doesn’t mind staying? He was hoping his dad would be back in time to celebrate. She says she likes being around his family, and it’s good that Wiley has Avery and Donna to play with. It was truly wonderful for Michael to invite Lucas to spend time with Wiley. He says Lucas couldn’t spend the next 20 years hiding from Wiley at family functions, and she says he knows what she’s talking about. It’s fantastic that he’s keeping Lucas as part of Wiley’s life. He says Lucas will always be part of the family, like her, no matter what happens with them.   

Terry visits Elizabeth, apologizing for getting there late; mass ran long. Elizabeth says she’ll pour Terry some mulled wine, but Terry says, a small pour. Her flight to Denver leaves early. Her parents always ask about Elizabeth’s parents. She knows Elizabeth hasn’t been close with her parents, but maybe it will be different this year. Elizabeth says, probably not. She’s sorry Terry missed Jake and Aiden; they’re in bed already. Terry says Cameron is still there, and Elizabeth says, that’s debatable. He’s had his head buried in a handheld game, like a zombie.

Franco sneaks around the hospital. He motions to Scotty, and Obrecht in a blond wig and lab coat. All three of them sneak into an office. Outside the office, Maxie and Peter come around the corner. Peter tells Maxie reading stories to the elderly and the kids at the hospital is a great tradition. He asks her if everything is okay, and she says she really is excited, but feels guilty about the wedding and the baby. Looking forward to huge life events when so many people are suffering isn’t fair.

Obrecht says she wants to find Franco’s scan before she examines him, and Scotty says, she just got out of prison. Does she think accessing medical records is a good idea? Franco says he’s pretty sure it’s a felony, but explain why she’s on the downlow?

Britt asks if Jason is okay, and says he looks like hell. They’re friends now, so tell her the truth. He looks like he hasn’t slept in 48 hours. He says he has a lot on his mind, and she says, that makes two of them. She heard Sam and Lucas had to identify their father’s body. He needs to be straight with her. Should Julian’s death be on her conscience?

Carly opens the door to Chase and a uniformed officer. She says she knows he wouldn’t be interrupting on Christmas Eve if it wasn’t important. How can she help him? Chase says he’s sorry to bother her on a holiday, but he needs to speak to her husband.  

Cameron say, it’s nice to see Terry before she leaves for her holiday travels, and she says it’s nice to see him too. He makes a beeline for the kitchen table, and puts earplugs in, sitting down to play his game. Elizabeth tells Terry, it’s the most social he’s been in the past few days. Terry says, she gets it. His friend died. That’s hard anytime, let alone close to the holidays. Elizabeth says, Cameron saw Trina for a few minutes, but that was it. He hasn’t picked up his guitar in over a month, and Franco being sick isn’t helping. Terry says it’s the first time they’ve been alone and could talk. She hopes Elizabeth knows how much she hated lying, but Elizabeth says, walk back. She didn’t lie. She’s ethically bound not to tell, and Elizabeth doesn’t blame her. Terry is glad Franco finally let her in, and let her weigh in on the diagnosis, but she’s concerned that he left the country before he started radiation. She can’t imagine what would be more important.

Obrecht says, it’s imperative that she keep a low profile, but Franco says, the charges were dropped. She says, it won’t matter to Anna and her petty vendetta. She sure Anna will make an attempt to slap another charge on her. She needs to stay focused on treating him. He says it’s a huge relief that she wasn’t behind the attack on his life at GH. He doesn’t have a lot of friends, so it’s nice to know he didn’t lose one, but that does make him question who did want him dead.

Peter says he knows how much Maxie misses Lulu, and she says, it doesn’t seem right to have a wedding and a baby and not have her be part of it. He says she doesn’t need to feel guilty. Accepting their gifts isn’t insulting to those who have less; it’s honoring them. She says he’s absolutely right. And he gave her the best idea.

Willow tells Michael, she was hoping to put off talking until after Christmas, but they said the same thing at Thanksgiving, and they’re no closer to figuring out their situation. Michael says, there are unresolved feelings with Chase, Sasha, and the two of them. Willow says, part of her is afraid if they don’t sort that out first, before they figure out what’s going on between them, they’ll end up hurting each other.

TJ tells Molly, it’s not funny, and she says, she’s not joking. He says they’ve been together every night; it’s not even possible. She says, it happened months ago, and he asks, when? She says, it was after they had the enormous fight, when he proposed then disappeared. Of course (🍷) she learned later that he’d been kidnapped, but at the time, all she had were vague texts that he needed time to think. She tried to get his mom to talk to him, but Jordan said she wouldn’t, and even read her the riot act. Jordan said her actions had hurt TJ, and she had to accept the fact it was over. She thought he wanted nothing to do with her. She thought they were done. He says, what exactly did his mother say?

Curtis says he’d like nothing more than to go home, and Jordan says she hopes TJ and Molly are still there. He says they still have things they need to sort out, and she asks if they can’t sort them out under the same roof. He says it might be a new song to her, but to him, it’s the same replay. If they go home, and he forgives her like always, nothing will ever change. She says they love each other and they’re faithful. Nothing else matters. He says, really? How about honesty?

Carly suggests Chase contact Diane if he wants to speak to Sonny. The point is moot anyway, since he’s not home. He asks if she’s expecting him home, and she says, it’s Christmas. Of course (🍷) she’s expecting him. She asks if there’s a reason for his visit, and he says, there was a bridge collapse in Secaucus. A body was recovered that had two bullet holes in it, and was ID’d as Julian Jerome.  

Britt tells Jason, Julian was found shot, and it’s interesting timing, since she just told him about Julian’s involvement with Brad and the baby switch, and that it might be the reason Cyrus tried to kill Brad. If what she told him caused Julian to get killed… He says she didn’t cause Julian’s death. He and Sonny wanted to bring Julian to the cops; he was more valuable to them alive, but Cyrus wanted the opposite. She says she feels like she’s being pulled into the middle of Sonny and Cyrus, and she’d rather watch from a safe distance. If she throws in with them, she needs to know if she’s choosing the right side.  

Franco says, he loves breaking and entering as much as the next guy, but he’d like to wrap it up so he can get home to Elizabeth. Scotty says, it’s not a three man job. Go home, and he’ll swing by later. Franco should be with Elizabeth and the boys. Franco says, thanks, and wishes them, merry Christmas. He slips out, sneaking some more, even though he doesn’t really have to. Obrecht asks why she gets the feeling Scotty wanted Franco to leave, and Scotty says he wanted to see how she’s doing. Franco doesn’t know their secret. She says it’s not her first rodeo. She’s kept low to the ground many times. He says he’s not talking about that. Dr. Kirk tried to kill her. She says, and now Kirk is dead. There’s only thing that matters to either of them.

Maxie tells Peter, she’s never going to give up hope that Lulu will recover and come back. She wants their daughter to carry a piece of her best friend always. What does he think of Louise? Peter says, they can call her Lu, and Maxie says, that’s what she was thinking. He says, it’s a splendid Idea.

Jason says, if Britt wants to watch from a safe distance, resign as Chief of Staff, and go back to Boston. She asks if she told him that she had been living there, and he says he had someone check. She says, Spinelli. What else did he dig up on her? He says, nothing useful, and she says, what a relief. If he wants her to keep helping him, he has to stop running checks on her. He asks if she just admitted she’s helping him, and she says, the alternative is helping Cyrus. He says, and that doesn’t appeal to her? Since when? She asks why she should trust him, and he says he thinks they both want the same thing. They want the hospital and the city free of Cyrus. She nods, and says, okay. She doesn’t want to help Cyrus. He’s developing a new pharmacology drug in the lab there. It will legitimately help people, but he’s going to exploit it for his own profit and benefit. Jason thanks her, and says she made the right choice. He leaves, and she says she sure hopes so.

Jordan says she and Curtis are honest with each other about the things that matter, but he says, sorry. Their relationship has always been one-sided. He tells her the truth, but she can’t lower the walls enough. Trina tore into him again, since she assumed he was in on the lie about Taggert. A teen has a better idea of what marriage means than she does. She says, it was a judgement call; it wasn’t meant to hurt him. He says she’s always been independent, and comfortable making decisions by herself for herself, and she says, he’s the same way. He says, that was before they got together. After they were married, he changed. He grew, and learned to be a team player, but she didn’t. It got worse after Cyrus came to town. Even when she claimed it was the truth, she always left something out. She make calls on how much he’s allowed to know. It’s not the kind of marriage he wants.

Molly tells TJ, his mother was giving her vague texts from someone pretending to be him. She thought he was gone; that she’d broken his heart. His mother said so, but she’s the one who lost faith. What happened is on her. He says, it happened months ago. Why didn’t she tell him? She says she should have. She wanted to. At first, she thought she should be honest, but he was so badly hurt at the hospital, and she knew he had a long recovery ahead, physically and emotionally. It felt selfish to pile on more bad news. She told herself that she would tell him eventually when he got stronger. Eventually got pushed further and further away. He asks, why come clean now? and she says, he saw their mothers tonight, and the pain keeping secrets causes. She didn’t want go through with the commitment ceremony keeping a secret, even if it means losing him. He asks, who was it? and she says, that’s not important. It was a one-time thing. As soon as he was back, and she realized they hadn’t broken up – it was a misunderstanding – she told him it never should have happened, and that she was completely devoted to TJ. TJ says, so she saw him afterward. It wasn’t someone random, but someone she knows. She says, it doesn’t matter. He’s not responsible. He didn’t know TJ when it happened. TJ says, but he does now. Tell him who it is. She says, Brando.

Brando tells Michael, there are squad cars in the driveway. Does he know why the cops are there?

Carly says Sam told her about Julian’s death, but what does it have to do with Sonny? Chase asks when they last spoke, and Carly says, yesterday afternoon. He asks if Sonny said where he was going, and she says, he went on a business trip; he doesn’t discuss them with her. What’s going on? Chase says, there was an anonymous tip that Julian wasn’t alone on the bridge. The security footage showed Sonny pursuing him, so they assume he was the other person on the bridge. Carly says, so they think the bridge collapsed with Sonny on it? What are they doing to find him?

Chase tells Carly, the local PD are doing a search and rescue in the surrounding area. They sent him to confirm if Sonny is missing, and it appears he is. Michael and Brando walk in, and Michael asks, what’s going on? Chase says he’s so sorry, but Michael’s father may have been in a serous accident. They’re not sure if he survived.

TJ tells Molly, it makes sense. He was so stupid. No wonder she was so standoffish with Brando. She says he’s not stupid, but it wasn’t Brando’s fault. He didn’t know. It was her mistake. She was hurt and angry, and lost faith in what they had. She’s so sorry about what happened, and especially sorry for not telling him months ago. None of it changes the fact that she loves him, and wants to spend her life with him. He says he needs time by himself (which I find somewhat ironic, since that’s what started this), and Molly says she understands. She tells him that she loves him, and leaves. He looks steamed, and sits down.

Jordan tells Curtis, don’t say that. They have a good marriage. She admits that she didn’t handle the Taggert situation well, but she promises there will be no more secrets. He has to believe her. Curtis says, the thing is, he wants to believe her, but he doesn’t think he can anymore. She should see TJ. It’s a holiday; she should be with family. She says, he’s her family. If he changes his mind, she’ll save a seat at the table for him.

Elizabeth tells Terry, Franco thought it would be a good idea to see a specialist; a neuropsychologist. Terry says, it makes sense, and Elizabeth thanks her for not saying everything will be fine. She’s been getting a lot of that lately. Terry says she can’t promise certainty, but she can promise faith and not giving up on Franco. Franco walks in, laden with gifts, and Elizabeth she throws herself at him and hugs him.

Cameron comes out, and says his mom told him Franco wasn’t going to be back until after the new year. Franco says he changed his plans. He wanted to spend Christmas with his family. Cameron says, merry Christmas, and Franco says, that’s his welcome? He got Cameron a righteous gift in the duty-free shop. Cameron says he’s super excited and happy to see Franco. He was worried that Franco was spending his last… Jake and Aiden are super psyched for tomorrow morning, and he’s sure Franco and his mom have a lot to catch up on. He jets back to the kitchen, and Terry goes with him. Franco asks how Cameron is doing, and Elizabeth says, better, but it’s been a rough couple of weeks. Dev’s death hit Cameron hard, and he won’t talk about it. She knows he’s happy to have Franco back, like she is. Tell her everything. Did he get the answers to what was up with the voice in his head? He says the specialist he was supposed to see was indisposed, but he’s confident someone is there who can help him out.

Britt’s hand begins to shake, and she hides it. Peter and Maxie come to the desk, and Peter asks if she’s okay.

Jordan gets home, and asks TJ, where’s Molly? He says, she slept with another man, and Jordan says, Molly did what? When? He says, when he was abducted, and he thought she’d turned down his proposal. Jordan says she’s so sorry. She can’t imagine how he’s feeling. He says he thinks she can. The night it happened, Jordan told Molly that he wanted nothing to do with her anymore. He’s been thinking about the last few months. His adduction and recovery, struggling to make sense of the trauma. She showed Molly alleged texts. How could she believe they were from him? How could she not check? He wondered what else she lied about, then it hit him. She knew the whole time that he was abducted, didn’t she?

Brando says, Sonny might be dead? and Michael says, Chase said there was an accident. What kind? Chase says, a bridge collapsed, and they think Sonny was on the bridge at the time. Michael asks what makes him think that, and Chase says, Julian’s body was recovered there. The security footage shows him heading there with Sonny pursuing him. Jason walks in, and asks if everything is okay, which is a really stupid question since two cops are there, obviously in official capacity. Chase says he’s glad Jason is there. He needs to asks him a few questions. Jason says, about? and Chase says, Julian Jerome.   

Terry asks if Cameron minds if she gives it a shot. She used to be a kick ass gamer. He asks if she’s an ancient side-scroller, and she tells him, don’t say he wasn’t warned. She starts to play, and he says she’s pretty decent. She says she told him. How many people have asked if he’s okay? He says, too many, and she says she figured. It sucks losing a friend. He watches her work the game, and says, awesome play, and she thanks him. She says, between them and the game, he doesn’t have to tell everyone what they want to hear. He’s allowed not be okay. He tells her, if she says so, and she says she knows so. She’s been there. When she was first ready to transition, she moved. She made new friends from different backgrounds. Some of them had the means and support systems to back them up. They were fortunate. She was too, but others, not so much. She had one friend, Abby. Abby was targeted by horrible, horrible people… and died. Terry was angry and sad, and stayed in her apartment for weeks because she was scared. He asks, what changed? and she says, not a whole lot. She’s still angry a lot, sad even more, but she realized Abby wouldn’t want her give up living because she lost her. Abby wouldn’t want her staying home, and living vicariously through a video game that was safer than the real world. She doubts Dev would want that for him either. She shows him the game that she’s been playing while talking, and says, she told him.  

Britt tells Peter, it’s Christmas Eve and she’s still working. She asks how Maxie is feeling. Is everything okay with her niece or nephew? Maxie says they’ve gotten clarity on that issue, and asks if Peter would like to do the honors. Peter says, they’re having a baby girl. She’s healthy and they’ve found the perfect name. Maxie says they’re not ready for that announcement, and Britt says, congratulations, especially on the healthy. He asks if she has plans, and if there’s any chance she could join them at Mac and Felicia’s. She says, there’s no rest for the Chief of Staff, but Maxie says she should come. Britt says, she’s not Mac and Felicia’s favorite person, but Maxie says, it’s the perfect opportunity. A chance for everyone to put the past behind them. They’re about to be a family again.   

Scotty arrives at Elizabeth’s and says he was afraid he’d miss Santa. Elizabeth says she’s glad he’s there. Franco said he was going to get answers from someone local. Has he found a neuropsychologist in Port Charles? Scotty says he has some leads, and Franco tells her, what he said. Scotty asks, where’s the mulled wine? There it is! He goes to the kitchen, and Elizabeth asks Franco if his dad seems jumpier than usual. Franco says, nothing is usual for that guy. She says she knows it’s hard. He didn’t get a definitive answer to the voices in his head, but she hopes that hasn’t changed his commitment to fighting the tumor, and fighting for their family.

Chase knows Jason was involved in another incident in the area, and asks if he has any insight. Jason tells Chase, Diane already handled it and he was released on his own recognizance. If he has any questions, Chase can speak to his attorney. Carly says Chase has over stayed his welcome, and can contact Diane if he wants to speak with Sonny. He says he intends to, and for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s truly sorry. He leaves, and Michael asks, what the hell happened to his dad?   

TJ says, Cyrus was behind his kidnapping, wasn’t he? and Jordan says, she suspected he had something to do with it. That’s why she needed Molly to stop asking questions. The more noise she made, the more danger TJ cold be in. There was shootout, and Taggert was murdered. TJ says, Taggert’s death wasn’t real, but she says she was keeping Molly safe. She didn’t know Molly would sleep with someone else, and he can’t blame her for Molly keeping it a secret. He says, supposing that’s true, can she look him in the eye, and promise she’s telling him everything he needs to know about his abduction? Jordan says she wishes she could, but she can’t. She takes his hand, but he shakes her off. He says, merry Christmas, mom, and walks out. She cries alone.

Scotty officially wishes Elizabeth and Franco a merry Christmas, and Franco asks, who wants more mulled wine? Terry says, unfortunately, not her. She has to take off before she turns into a pumpkin. Elizabeth asks if she remembers how they would stay up late and sing carols, and Terry says she loves Elizabeth, but no one wants to hear her belt out Mariah Carey. Elizabeth says she won’t subject them to a sing-along, but Cameron says, it sounds kind of nice, and picks up his guitar.

Britt says if they’re sure it’s not an imposition, but Maxie says, she’s family. She’ll call and have Mac and Felicia set an extra place. She leaves, and Britt says Peter is really getting into the family thing. He says she is his sister, and she says, it’s nice to know, now that Nathan is gone, her mom is in the Hague, and her best friend is going back to prison, she has someone to celebrate with. Obrecht peeks out, and says, even Britt is close to Peter. it’s unacceptable. Enjoy a merry Christmas, Peter, because the new year will bring your downfall.

TJ sees Molly in the park, and she asks how he found her. He reminds her that they downloaded a tracker app after… She says she doesn’t know what else to say except to tell him again, she’s so, so sorry. He says he knows. Just like he knows she’d never cheat under normal circumstances. She thanks him for knowing that, and knowing her. She just wishes she’d trusted him to tell him a lot sooner. He says she wishes that too, but the important thing is, she did. She respected him enough to be honest. It means more than she knows. She asks what it means for them. Where do they go from here? TJ says he honestly doesn’t know. They have so much to sort out. It feels like everything is different. She asks if that means they’re done, but he says he doesn’t want to be done. Does she? She says, absolutely not. She loves him and always will. He says he loves her too, and suggests they take it day by day, and see where they go next.

Jordan looks at the tree, and shakes her head.

Jason says, Sonny was on the bridge when it collapsed. He jumped in after Sonny, and searched, but couldn’t find him. They have a crew searching, and so are the cops. Michael says he’ll call the New Jersey authorities, and coordinate. He’ll throw the family name around, and make sure it’s done right. Willow goes upstairs to check on the kids, and Jason looks stressed. Carly says, when the guard told her the police were there, she thought they were going to tell her that they found Sonny’s… She cries and Jason holds her. He says he’s sorry he doesn’t have more answers, but she says the only answer she wants is that Sonny is alive and coming home.

Tomorrow, a midnight swim in the cold, Laura says Jackie gave her an idea, Cyrus wonders why someone’s family didn’t tell them something, and Carly says she knew Sonny would come back.

Below Deck

Nonsuch Bay, Antigua. Francesca wants to get rid of Elizabeth, but Captain Lee says, sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don’t. She tells the captain that she can’t have Elizabeth as second stew, and he tells her to do what she has to. In Francesca’s interview, she says Elizabeth isn’t doing a good job, but she doesn’t know anyone available that would be up to the standard she needs. There’s pressure on her to make the right decision.

Rachel curses out the food processor. On the beach, Izzy tells Elizabeth about Francesca and Ashling going swimming. She suggests they have a tiki torch swim when they’re alone. As soon as the guests leave, they get into their underwear, and into the water. Elizabeth says, this makes it worth it. In Izzy’s interview, she compares Elizabeth to a prisoner, and says Francesca is the evil sheriff. She tells Elizabeth that she understands.

The guests return for French night, and Eddie asks Rob to help pick up the stuff from the beach. The captain says, viva la France, as he walks by. The guests do a jigsaw puzzle, and Izzy and Eddie curse the slide while they bring it back in, as everyone does. In Rob’s interview, he says, when he was around 17, he went through a period where he was very involved with Dungeons and Dragons, and didn’t have a huge friend circle, but it gave way to other creative things. He shows us his Pegasus tattoo, saying, he’s a big nerd. In Rachel’s interview, she says she has to nail this charter. She’s done well in the past with overcoming sh*tty situations. Pulling off Mardi Gras was a feat in itself, and homemade marshmallows. A ten-course tasting menu – bring it. The stews put on berets.

The guests dress in various supposed French outfits; berets paired with striped shirts, and one dressed like Napoleon. One of the guests says another one looks like the Hamburglar, and I agree. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s let it go for the most part, but he hasn’t forgotten Rachel left them high and dry before a charter. If he was Captain Lee, he would fire Rachel as soon as he could. Ashling helps Rachel plate, and in the captain’s interview, he says he wants to fire Rachel. He doesn’t know if she’ll get a wild hair up her ass, and take off on them again, but the guests requested a 10-course tasting menu, which means 60 effing plates. He’ll see how she does. She has no room for error.

James asks if the Rob if the guests are still eating dinner, and Rob says, they’re on course 483. In Izzy’s interview, she says, if she was cooking, the courses would be very basic. She can’t even fry an egg. If someone wants a housewife, don’t pick her. Primary Bryan says, the egg course is the perfect consistency. Francesca tells Ashling to do cabins. In Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s an arduous process, the timing and execution of the food. The Chilean sea bass is deemed buttery and delightful, and the guests wonder what planet Rachel is from. James and Rob discuss Keanu Reeves movies, and in James’s interview, he says Rob is everything he wants in a dinner partner. Rachel gets applause, and in her interview, she says, at the risk of sounding like a narcissistic f***, she thinks she nailed it.

Bryan gets in the hot tub with another guest. Something I will never be able to unsee. Everyone heads to bed, and Francesca discusses new deckhand Rob with Rachel. She says she’s finding him more attractive as time goes on. In the crew mess, Elizabeth tells James that she keeps getting thrown in the doghouse, so she’s just rolling with it. James says she’s worked on boats for a while, and asks if she’s ever had a boatmance. She says she has, and it can be cool when people who wouldn’t meet otherwise, find out they really have a connection. In her interview, she says, James is an escape. When you’re working in this type of environment, it’s nice to have someone to connect with. He asks what she wants to do with her day off, and she says, drink

It’s morning, and Francesca serves coffee and croissants outside. Captain Lee heads out to Falmouth Harbour. He tells Eddie, the docking is going to be a procedure; two anchors out, and the stern in. In his interview, the captain says the dock is extremely challenging. During the high season, every spot is spoken for, and there are very expensive boats docked there. Make a mistake, and you can spend a hundred thousand dollars without batting an eye. The guests get omelets, and Bryan says, as demanding as he is, his standards have now grown more. Eddie draws a picture on the whiteboard to show the deckhands how the docking is going to happen. He says, it’s the Super Bowl of docking maneuvers. They’ll be backing in with no lines to help guide them, and he’s nervous.

The crew waves to Laura on another boat, and in Francesca’s interview, she says, the crews end up being like family, but this crew doesn’t see her as a person. They see her as a bitchy, mean chief stew. She cries a little, and while I feel badly, I can’t help thinking, if you’re the common denominator, maybe you should look in the mirror. The captain says he hates this. There’s are so many ways to get in trouble. He tells the crew that he wants radio silence. If you’re not part of the docking team, be quiet. The guests watch, and Bryan says, amazing. Seeing the crowd on shore, James wonders why people want to watch, and Rob says, they hope someone f***s up. Alarms go off, but it ends well, and Bryan goes to the galley to tell Rachel that her food was amazing. She says reading a preference sheet is different from meeting the person, and his enthusiasm and appreciation helped her want to step it up.

It’s time to say goodbye, and Bryan says, it was an absolute pleasure. He tells the captain that he has an amazing crew, and he was overjoyed with Rachel’s talent. She’s one of the best chefs he’s encountered. He’s emotional beyond words. He gives Captain Lee the tip envelope, and Eddie tells the deckhands to cover up. Francesca tells Rachel, well done. No other chef has nailed it like that. The captain tells the crew to come to the crew mess immediately. Eddie says, it’s the only time when the crew actually shows up immediately.

Captain Lee tells the crew, they did a really god job, and he’s proud of all of them. The tip is $25K or $2,250 each. In Rob’s interview, he says, that’s a big number for three days of not working too hard. The captain says, the charter was successful, but they didn’t know if they’d have a chef. In his interview, he says, once you’ve touched something hot and get burned, you approach it cautiously the second time. He tells them that he doesn’t have the luxury of holding their hands, and Rachel says, sorry; she had a moment. He says, everybody has a moment, and she says, she’ll never let it happen again. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says Rachel is possibly the talented chef he’s come across in his 35 years of yachting. He tells the crew that they can visit a donkey sanctuary after this, and he might tag along. It’s not mandatory, but a reward for an outstanding job. They can stay if they want, and scrub their asses off. I just have to mention, for all the wailing about how demanding these guests were going to be, they were more appreciative than anything else. They weren’t obnoxious in the least, and polite to the crew.

Rachel wants to relax, but most of the crew opts to see the donkeys. Eddie says he’d rather take a nap. In the captain’s interview, he says, there are a lot of donkeys in Antigua, and someone has to take care of the donkeys who can’t take care of themselves. He thinks it will be a good experience for the crew. He’s taking his jackasses to see their jackasses, and they’ll see who has top jackass. They take a limo bus to the sanctuary, where the director explains that they have over 150 donkeys that they protect. All of their names have to do with their stories. She introduces them to Stevie, who was hit and became blind, so he was named after Stevie Wonder. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s in heaven. She loves the smell of horse manure. It reminds her of her youth, before she was old and jaded like she is now. They brush the donkeys, and hold baby goats.   

Back at the boat, party pooper Eddie scrubs, while Francesca meditates. In her interview, she says she doesn’t know what to do about Elizabeth. She doesn’t want to be mean and fire her, but she needs to do something to light a fire under Elizabeth’s ass so there’s an improvement, or she’ll explode. The rest of the crew returns, and the captain says, donkey time’s over; back to work. Francesca radios Elizabeth to meet her in the Sky Lounge. Izzy asks Rob how his first charter was, and he says, the easiest $2,000 he ever made. Francesca says she feels Elizabeth’s priorities are in the wrong spot. James walks past the window, distracting Elizabeth, and proving Francesca’s point. Francesca says Elizabeth takes one step forward, then two steps back. She still has to check on her. Elizabeth asks if she wasn’t happy with this charter, and Francesca says, a little bit, but not enough. Elizabeth says, sometimes she feels Francesca is hard to please. Francesca says she doesn’t have to explain it any further. The bottom line is that she’ll keep Elizabeth on board, but not as third stew. She’s dropping Elizabeth down. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she can’t believe this is happening. She tries her hardest every day, and believes the demotion is personal, not business. Clearly there’s no pleasing her. She’s in shock.

The deckhands clink beer bottles, and Eddie says he loves pre-drink drinks. Elizabeth tells Izzy and Ashling about her demotion. In Ashling’s interview, she says, Elizabeth will have to suck it up, and pull her weight. She leaves, and Izzy tells Elizabeth that the captain probably wanted to keep her, since he can manage a team better. Francesca hears them, and asks if they don’t want to involve her if they’re going to be talking about her. I’d say that’s probably a hard no.

Francesca asks, what’s going on; why is Izzy there? Izzy says, it’s not her department, but she was talking to a friend. Francesca moves on, and Elizabeth tells Izzy she hasn’t said anything offensive. The crew gets ready to go out, and Francesca tells Rachel about hearing Izzy and Elizabeth talking about her. Izzy tells James, in her opinion, the demotion was an ego trip. James asks Elizabeth if she gets paid any less, but Elizabeth says, no. She doesn’t care; maybe it will take some pressure off. He tells her, forget work. Drink and enjoy herself. Izzy tells Eddie and Rob that she had a breakdown last year, after she was sexually assaulted. She was drinking with work friends, and felt she was too drunk to go home, and passed out on the sofa. She wasn’t raped, but woke up with a guy’s hand down her pants. When she realized what was happening, she froze. She didn’t want to make a scene, but thinks she should have fought. Rob says, nobody deserves that sh*t, and in Izzy’s interview, she says she thought something like that would be a fight or flight situation, but she froze. She’s the type that can fend for herself, but felt she had the choice and control taken away from her. Eddie says she bounced back well, and she says she has a coping mechanism and can pull herself out of anything. He says, you got fight in you, kid. Eddie sounds like an old man sometimes.  

The crew goes to a restaurant, and do shots before the mean. Eddie says, let’s finish strong. In Rachel’s interview, she says, in retrospect, they did a good job, and she’s super stoked. Tonight, she wants to celebrate and get wasted. She sticks her tongue out at James, who asks, what’s wrong with her? She starts talking with the people at another table, and this pisses Eddie off. She comes back, and tells him, relax, but he says she’s bothering him a little. In his interview, he says, she’s wasted drunk, being rude, and embarrassing the crew. He has no respect for people like that. Funny. Since I recall a few huge blunders of Eddie’s in earlier seasons. He whines to Francesca that Rachel is acting like nothing happened, and it effing bothers him. Francesca doesn’t seem to care a whole lot, and in his interview, Eddie wonders if he’s the only one still pissed that Rachel abandoned them. Funny too, since it probably has the least to do with him, but a lot more with the interior.  

They head over to a club, and Francesca tells Ashling that she likes Rob. She likes Canadian. In her interview, she says she kind of likes him, but she doesn’t know, and laughs. The crew hits the dancefloor, and in Rob’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what to do with himself in social situations. He’s always been quite… aloof. He thinks Francesca is neat, but he feels awkward. Sometimes it takes a minute for him to expose himself. He realizes his word choice, and says, what am I saying? They go back to the boat, and Elizabeth wants to go in the hot tub. Rob talks to Eddie regarding his social skills, and Eddie tell him, it’s important to be open. Rob says he’s used to being in the woods, and looking at rocks.

Elizabeth and James get in the hot tub, and she asks if they’re the only ones up again. He says, at least they get alone time, and Elizabeth says she keeps getting into trouble. Then they make out. Rachel finds a half bagel in the toaster and eats it, saying it’s the best bagel she’s ever had. Elizabeth tells James she’s been waiting so long, and he says she’s so tasty. I really don’t want to know.

Later this season, turtles; Eddie talks to James about separating work and pleasure; a guest talks about her daughter passing away, causing Captain Lee to need a moment; Elizabeth doesn’t think it’s fair; Rachel gets on stage with a random band; the captain tells some charter guests that their charter is over; Elizabeth says, this is war; Francesca doesn’t want to work with Elizabeth; and Captain Lee tells the crew that they have a situation.

⛴ More Deck…

In keeping with my favorite reality theme, cast members watching episodes of their own shows and making comments, comes Below Deck Galley Talk. The deets:

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/below-deck-galley-talk-cast-premiere-date-trailer

The same thing, said differently:

https://decider.com/2020/12/28/below-deck-galley-talk-bravo/

A little extra from the captain:

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/12/10243794/below-deck-galley-talk-bravo-series-trailer

🥕 Crunch Time…

Running to finish an article for https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/. All the shows are on at their regular times until Thursday, but I’ll have some tea to pour too. Until we meet again for Temptation Tuesday, stay safe, stay keeping it simple, and stay living la vida loca. While socially distanced of course.

December 23, 2020 – Cyrus Pleads His Case With Florence, Rachel Comes Crawling Back, Andy’s Doorbells & On His Way

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Carly leaves a message for Sonny, saying, Jordan called. She said Taggert has been put into police custody for his own protection. She wants him to call her. And come home soon.

Martin asks Florence how she’s feeling, and she asks if she wasn’t sleeping. He says, out like a light, and she wonders what day it is. He tells her it’s still her birthday. He brought her hummingbird cake, her favorite. He says everything’s all right, and kisses her forehead, adding, he’s there. Cyrus says he’s there too. Happy birthday, momma. He tells her to say something. Anything. Don’t pretend she doesn’t know him.

Finn answers the door, holding a stuffed pig. Chase comes in with Gregory, and asks if it’s past Finn’s bedtime. When did he start sleeping with a stuffed animal? Finn says he never stopped. The pig lost its tail, and he promised Violet that he’d stitch it back on. Gregory says, she’s lucky to have a doctor for a daddy, and asks if it’s too late to say goodnight. Finn says, she’s down for the count, and he’s headed that way too. Gregory says they should leave, but Chase says they’re not going to miss a family tradition. He walks into the living room, and Finn asks, what family tradition? Chase says, poker night, opening a case of chips and cards. Name your stakes.

Maxie looks at a sealed envelope when Peter comes in. He asks how her check-up went, and she says the baby is healthy and waiting to join the family. Hopefully not when she’s walking down the aisle. She asks if he’d want to know the gender of the baby before it was born, and he reminds her they decided to keep it a secret, but… She says he’s having second thoughts, and he says he is. She says, her too. He wonders if they should call for an appointment, and she says, funny he should mention that. She shows him the envelope.

Valentin joins Anna at the MetroCourt, and thanks her for meeting him. He says he was wondering if she’d met with Dante, and if he’s safe to leave with Charlotte. He asks if she has any further insight into Dante’s state of mind, and she says she does, but she doesn’t think he’s going to like what she has to say.

Carly decorates the Christmas tree, when the doorbell rings. She says, Sonny? but it’s Dante dropping off gifts. He asks if something is the matter.

Jason calls to Sonny, but there’s no answer. He jumps down from the bridge.

Chase shuffles the cards, and says he’s glad Finn is putting the table to good use. Finn says, it’s bad enough Gregory taught him to play; he had to teach Chase too. Gregory says he taught Chase how to fleece his buddies at poker, but Finn had a gift. Chase says Finn held his own against the old guys, and never a dropped hand, until… He hesitates, and Gregory says, until he went on to bigger and better things. Once Finn became an infectious disease specialist, he didn’t have a lot of time for fun and games. Chase says, or family celebrations, and Gregory says, Finn would have been at the wedding if he could have. Finn says he knows that’s the story Gregory told Violet when she asked, but that’s not the real reason he didn’t come.

Peter asks Maxie if the envelope contains what he thinks it does, and she says, with all the planning for the double wedding, they can eliminate one question mark. He says he could narrow down his name list, and she says she had Dr. Navarro put the information in a sealed envelope. She’s been carrying it with her all this time, tempted to steam it open. If he doesn’t want to know, he should  take it from her now. He tells her, who says he wouldn’t rip it open?   

Alarmed, Florence asks where she is; what is this place? Martin says, she likes it there, remember? The staff is taking care of her. Cyrus says he’s paid for the best. Nothing is too good for her. Florence asks who Laura is, and if she works there, and Cyrus says she’s their daddy’s daughter, and their half-sister. Florence says, no, they’re mistaken, and cries out, where is my Gordon? Martin says, daddy is gone; he has been for years, and Florence says their father is dead because Cyrus killed him; her Gordon.

Anna tells Valentin, she had coffee with Dante, and they talked about Lulu’s condition. Obviously, he’s grieving, but he kept deflecting her sympathy. He’s filled with remorse for leaving. The Dante she knew had irrepressible charm; there was nothing the world could throw at him that was too much to handle. Valentin says, and now? and she says, when she reached out, the walls came up immediately. He didn’t want to share anything personal, and said he wanted to focus on protecting his family. Valentin says, one would assume that’s why Dante checked in; to keep his family from harm. She says, it seemed to work, and he says, until Dante tried to kill Peter.

Carly tells Dante, with everything going on, he didn’t have to bring gifts, but she thanks him for it. The girls will be thrilled. Dante hopes so. He asks Carly, what’s wrong? and she says, Sonny is out of town on business, and she hasn’t been able to reach him. Dante says, obviously, she’s tried Jason, and she says, he’s with Sonny. She knows he’ll call when he has a second, but she wants him to come home; be done with business so they can focus on the holiday. Dante has the feeling Sonny will be back soon, and asks her to let Sonny know he stopped by. She says he can stay, and fill her in on him and Rocco, and how they’re doing with everything. He says, they’re managing. Rocco is moving back to the house. She asks if Olivia knows, and he says she does. She’s been great helping plan it. Rocco will still stay at the Quartermaine’s a few nights a week, but the goal is for him to be comfortable to come back home and get back to knowing his father again. Carly says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she thinks he’s doing the right thing. He thanks her, and says the reason he was there to see Sonny was because of the house. They wouldn’t have gotten it in the first place if not for Sonny. She knows about that, right?   

Jason walks down the shoreline, huffing and puffing, and calling for Sonny. A helicopter flies above, shining a light down, and he ducks behind some shore grass.

Carly asks what makes Dante think Sonny had anything to do with buying their house? He says he has proof in the numbers; they don’t add up. They paid too little. She says, maybe the owners had to sell quickly, and their offer was first, but Dante says that’s not it. He and Lulu fell for the house faster than they fell for each other. There was another offer, and the owners took it. He and Lulu were crushed, but then the offer disappeared, and the owner came back to them and agreed to theirs. Someone paid the difference between their offer and the final sale. And by somebody, he means Sonny.

Anna tells Valentin, Dante never mentioned Peter. He was having a PTSD episode, and Peter walked into the line of fire. It was over a year ago, and Dante has improved a lot since then. He asks if she’s trying to convince him or herself, and she says, it was so extremely uncomfortable when she touched his hand, and said she was willing to listen if he felt like talking. The treatment he received had be successful. Why else would they have let him return? Valentin says he doesn’t know. Dante had a clean bill of health, or he asked nicely. Neither one of them is naïve about the WSB’s motives. She says she wants to believe they acted in Dante’s best interest, and he says, wanting something and it actually happening are two very different things. His primary concern is his daughter’s well-being, and he doesn’t have a lot of confidence in Dante’s emotional state. Anna says, Dante wouldn’t communicate at all for over a year, and even when Robert brought Olivia there, he wouldn’t open the door to his own mother. Now, he suddenly comes back and claims he’s better. None of it makes sense to her. Valentin says, tell him the truth. Is his daughter safe around Dante?

😠 I’ll have you know, there was an interruption so we could see Joe Biden get a vaccine shot. Then listen to several people talk about him getting the shot. Really? <sigh> By using the magic of the internet though, I was able to fill in what was so rudely interrupted.

Gregory says he knows he didn’t give it enough time after the death of Finn’s mother before he got married again, and admits he did a lousy job preparing Finn for it. Finn says, it was a big change in his life, but he was wrong to act out the way he did. Gregory says, it was a complicated time. It still is. It’s hard for him to believe, even though he and Jackie love each other, sometimes even a loving marriage isn’t built to last. If he did anything right, it was having sons like them. Chase says he was a great dad. He and Finn owe him so much. Gregory says he owes the both of them. He’s proud of them. He’s proud of Chase for being such a fine young man, and Finn for giving him a second chance, and letting him into his family. Finn asks if they’re going to play cards or talk about it.

Cyrus tells Florence, what happened to his father was an accident, and Florence says, he was so angry that day. Wild and headstrong. He stormed out of the house and jumped into the car. His poor father was just trying to stop him. Martin tells Cyrus, get out. You’re upsetting her. Cyrus says she turned her back on him, but he never turned his back on her. When Marty called him and said she needed help, he was right there for her. He’s given her everything she needs. He starts to get choked up, and she asks if he expects her to thank him. He says he doesn’t expect anything,. His hope is that she’ll talk to him like she’s his mother and not like a stranger. She says, he is a stranger. She doesn’t know him anymore. Maybe she never did. Laura goes to Cyrus, and says, come with her. She takes him into the hallway, and tells him not to ask his mother for something she can’t give.

Cops comb the shoreline. The cop from The Village People tells someone on the radio that he’s on the south side of the river. There’s a body. He’ll wait until they get there.

Chase says, read ‘em and weep. Finn asks if that’s what Gregory taught Chase, to cheat, and Gregory says he did not. They both play an honest game. Although in retrospect, he was harder on Finn than on his brother. He asks if Chase remembers the Little League game he lost, and Chase says Gregory took him out for ice cream. He told Chase that he’d done his best and that’s all that mattered. Finn says he doesn’t remember any ice cream, win or lose, and Gregory says he pushed Finn too hard. He didn’t want to make the same mistakes with Chase. Finn says Gregory has nothing to feel guilty about. Whatever he did or didn’t do, it was never Gregory’s fault.

Cyrus tells Laura, whatever his mother believes, his father’s death was an accident. Laura says she can believe it. He was a teenage boy, volatile and emotional. The last thing he should have done was get behind the heel of a car. That doesn’t excuse it, but it does explain it. The trouble she has, is the man that boy grew into. He has trouble with being honest about anything. He has a hidden agenda all the time. He says, not this time, and she laughs, saying, he’s got to be kidding. He had Jordan pull a file, and revisited a case she was involved in when she was a teenager. Then he left a trail of clues from Oregon to Mexico to Vermont, all so he could lure her in and introduce her to his mother. He could have just told her they were related. He laughs, and asks if she would have believed him. She doesn’t say anything, and he says he’ll take that as a no. She had to come there on her own, for her own reasons. She says, what about his reasons? Why does he keep caring for his mother when she continues to reject him? He says, all families have secrets, and he they need to know one another better before he shares one of his. She says she’d prefer he keep his secrets, and leave Port Charles, and he says she can deny it all she wants, but she must be noticing how alike they are.

Maxie tells Peter, this is silly. Why wait to find out if it’s a boy or a girl? Peter says, as always, she’s absolutely right. The envelope, please. She hands it to him, and he opens it.

Anna tells Valentin, she wants to trust Dante, but she doesn’t trust the process that sent him home. He wonders why the Bureau would send Dante home if he wasn’t ready, and she says, either Dante made a remarkable recovery, or… He says, or the Bureau needed something from him.

Dante tells Carly, he used to be a cop. He knows how to get answers from people. She says, okay. Sonny made up the price of the house. He thanks her, and says he knew it. They knew back then that Sonny was their financial angel. In the spirit of Christmas, he finally wanted to thank Sonny, but she says, Sonny would never admit to being an angel. Dante says, it would ruin his street cred; what would his rivals think? He has a heart of gold. She says, it’s no secret that Sonny is generous. He founded a whole AIDS wing at the hospital in Stone’s honor. Dante says, there are a lot of smaller things Sonny doesn’t get credit for, and she says, that’s true. He reads to Avery and Donna every night, and for the past three weeks, he’s been reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas. His Grinch voice is terrible. She just wants him home for Christmas. Dante says, he will be.

The cops bring out a body bag. Jason watches from behind the trees. The Village People cop says he’s checking now; he’ll be right back. He opens a body bag, and it’s Julian. He says he doesn’t think this guy drowned.

Laura says she’s nothing like Cyrus, and he asks if she really thinks it was a coincidence that they ran into each other at the firing range, taking aim at enemies imagined or real. She says she only takes aim at imaginary enemies (which is just plain not true), and he says, David Hamilton being the exception. She says, it was an accident, and he says, like it was their father’s death. She says, they both made terrible mistakes when they were young. The difference is how they’ve lived their lives since then. She’s tried to make the world a better place in any tiny way she can. He made killing a way of life. He says she has no proof. He was framed for the crimes he was imprisoned for. She says, deniability is not innocence. At some point he made a deliberate decision to abandon his conscience. He only pretends to feel compassion and empathy, but for a brief moment in Florence’s room, she saw who he used to be; a boy who craved his mother’s love. If he wasn’t such a dangerous man, she’d almost feel sorry for him. Almost.  

Gregory says, if Finn wasn’t upset because he married Jackie so soon after Finn’s mom died, what’s been eating at him all this time? Chase says, all the times Finn told him to be honest in his relationships, maybe it’s time he took his own advice. And while he ponders those wise words, Chase is going to get more root beer. He goes to the kitchen, and Gregory says, well? Finn hesitates, and Gregory says Finn never did like to show his cards. Finn says he’s not holding a winning hand, but Gregory says he doesn’t have to bluff. He knows why Finn was so opposed to the marriage. Jackie told him all about it.

Anna asks if Valentin thinks the Bureau sent Dante home deliberately before he was ready, but Valentin says, no. He thinks the Bureau believed Dante was ready. She says, ready for what exactly? Maxie and Peter come in, and Maxie says they’re going to be the first to know aside from her and Peter. Anna says, Maxie has decided against a double wedding? but Maxie says, no way. It’s going to be fantastic. They have a bonus reason to celebrate. She asks Peter if he wants to tell Anna, or should she, and he says, let her read for herself. Maxie hands Anna the envelope, and Valentin asks, what is it? Anna looks at the paper, and laughs. She says, Peter and Maxie are having a baby girl.

Carly says, since Dante has been back, she’s noticed how much he’s like Sonny in many ways. He loves his family very much, and would do anything to protect them. Speaking of family, he hasn’t met his little sister yet. Dante apologizes for not being there when Donna was born, or coming to meet her since he’s been home, but Carly says he’s had a lot of things on his mind. Does he want meet her now? He says he does, and they go upstairs.

Jason watches, and the Village People cop looks at Julian’s license. He says, it’s Julian Jerome, from Port Charles New York. He talks into his radio, saying, he’s got an ID on the victim, and gives them the information. He says Julian is probably one of the individuals who fled when the bullets started flying. They’re gong to find the second individual, and need a team to be sent to the bridge. The cops move on down the shoreline, continuing to look.    

Finn says, Jackie told Gregory what exactly? and Gregory says, they didn’t always have different schedules. They used to be close and confided in each other early in their marriage. After the wedding, he was angry that Finn didn’t come, and Jackie confessed it was as much her fault as Finn’s. Finn asks why she would say that, and Gregory says, she admitted she was career driven and self-absorbed, and never stopped to think how the marriage might impact Finn. He might have been hurt that they didn’t wait the appropriate amount of time to get married. Finn tells Gregory that he can’t believe Jackie said that, and Gregory says, despite what Finn thinks, his step-mother was always fond of him. Even if they go their separate ways, she’ll still be family, and he hopes Finn accepts that. If not for his sake, for his brother’s.

Anna says, Violet is going to be over the moon, and Valentin says he thinks James and Georgie will be thrilled to have a baby sister. Peter says he didn’t want to jinx things, but he was hoping for a girl. Anna can’t wait to tell Violet, and Valentin thanks her again for meeting him. She says she’ll keep what he said in mind. Maxie says they haven’t even talked about the wedding flowers yet. How does Anna feel about peonies? She drags Anna away, and Peter sits with Valentin. Valentin says, speaking as a girl dad himself, Peter is a lucky man. Excuse him for noticing, but Peter’s excitement at having a daughter seems a lot like relief.

Dante and Carly come back downstairs, and Dante says he’s officially a goner. She says he’d still be up there if she hadn’t dragged him out, and he says he’s kicking himself for not visiting sooner. She says when they found out Donna had spina bifida, it was terrifying, but she’s healthy, and she’s been a gift to the family from the moment she was born. You never stop worrying about them. Dante says, never. She thanks him for stopping by. Him coming back was the only Christmas present Sonny needed. He says he had a lot reasons to come back. He leaves, and Carly ponders.   

Cyrus says he doesn’t need anyone’s pity; least of all Laura’s. She says, because he’s the great and powerful Cyrus Renault? She knows who he is, and she knows what he’s done. Her daughter, his niece, is lying in a long-term care facility because of things he set in motion. He tells her, don’t push him. His patience only goes so far, and she doesn’t want him as an enemy. Martin comes out, and tells him, back off. Don’t talk to their sister that way. Cyrus says he was only pointing out she has no right to judge him. Martin says, the way he and momma have? They’ve got their reasons, and Laura has hers. Laura asks if Cyrus thinks caring for his mother’s every need, bringing her there, and paying her bills could buy her love, and he says he bought the city she loves so much. She says, not all of it and not yet, and he says, one piece at a time, sister dear.

Finn tells Chase, he doesn’t have to go home, but he can’t stay there. Anna comes back, and asks if they’re leaving already. Chase says he’s on the night shift and has to get back to work, and Gregory says his sons cleaned his clock at poker, so he’s packing his tent and going. He tells Finn, goodnight, and when they’re gone, Anna asks Finn if everything is okay. He says, this thing he has hanging over him that she said would eventually come out. He has to give an honest answer sooner or later; he can’t keep it inside. He wants her to know the real reason he’s been estranged from his family all these years.  

Peter tells Valentin, his daughter is going to be beautiful like Maxie, and with Maxie’s warm, loving heart, maybe she’ll take after her mother. Valentin flashes back to Anna finding out that she’s not Peter’s mother; Alex is. Peter says Valentin is going to tell him that it’s magical thinking, but Valentin says he’s not saying that. Peter says his silence speaks volumes. Valentin says, if it was a boy, Peter would wonder when and if he was taking after Faison, but he won’t look at his daughter that way? Peter says he sees a beautiful girl filled with light.

Maxie comes out of the bathroom, and sees Dante at the Toys For Tots bin, and they make a plug for that. He says he’s glad he didn’t miss the tradition, and she asks him to hang out and celebrate. She and Peter are having a girl. He tells her, congratulations. He knows Lulu would be happy. She says, come on, and she goes back to the table, but he hangs behind.

Cyrus approaches his mother’s bed, and says, Martin isn’t the only one who remembered her birthday. He can buy her so much more than flowers. He can fly her anywhere in the world. He can load her down with jewelry, and buy her the Cartier watch like Mrs. Phillips wore that she always admired. He could buy her anything to make her smile at him, but she’s not going to do that. He laughs, and says she can’t see him as anything but a bad seed, a delinquent who ran down her husband, but she’s mistaken. When she threw him out, he made something of himself. He opens his wallet, and says there are the hundred dollar bills he carries like singles. This is the black card he carries; it has no limit and is accepted everywhere. He takes out his ID, and says they gave him this after he became Chairman of the Board at General Hospital. He puts it on the bed, and says he’s a man of importance; respected, admired, even feared. He comes as close to crying as we’ll probably ever see, and says, one day, she’ll see him as the world sees him, and everything he’s done will have been worth it. Everything.  

In the hallway, Martin says he’s going to do Laura a favor, and get her out before the staff finds her loitering. And they will get suspicious. She says, he’s right. She came there to find something to use against Cyrus, and she’s leaving with more questions than answers.  

Julian is zipped up, and the cops pick up the bag. The Village People cop continues to look, and the helicopter shines spotlights all around.

Carly hears the door open, and says, Sonny? Jason comes in, and she asks, what happened? Where’s Sonny?

Tomorrow, Robert wants to fill someone in, Tracy says no way in hell, Franco asks if it’s a coincidence, and Jason tells Carly, the only way this will work is if they take it one step at a time.

Below Deck

Jolly Harbour, Antigua. Izzy wonders if they have a chef, and James wonders if they have a deckhand as well. Eddie asks if anyone knows who the chef is, or if they’ve gotten a new deckhand yet. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, it’s high season, and any chef worth a damn is already working. They have demanding guests coming, and need someone who’s capable of everything on the preference sheets. They’re screwed. He can’t get through on the phone for a second time, and throws the phone down. Ashling is ironing, and the ironing board falls flat. I literally LOL. In her interview, Francesca says it’s the pickiest charter in the world, and they have no chef. She can’t believe this is happening. Izzy asks Eddie if they have a deckhand, but he’s more concerned about having a chef.   

3 hours before charter. The captain says he’d be surprised if everybody didn’t walk off. New deckhand Rob shows up, and in his interview, he says he’s mostly worked on sailing boats. Francesca tells him, they have a charter at 12, and also need a chef. Izzy introduces herself, and Eddie asks her to show Rob his new quarters. She tells Rob that he’ll be sharing with his boss. Rob meets Ashling on the way to his cabin, where he deposits his stuff before Eddie introduces him to Captain Lee. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s happy Rob is on the team. He has experience, which will be a change of pace. Anything is better than Shane. We flash back to confirmation that he’s right. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says they’ve got two and a half hours to pick-up, and he’s sitting there choking his chicken. Rachel mysteriously appears, and introduces herself to Rob. In her interview, she says, last night, her head was all over the place; not knowing the severity of the virus and missing her boyfriend. Now she has to crawl back to the captain who doesn’t give two sh*ts about ego. She tells Captain Lee that she was totally unprofessional, and she’s very sorry. She respects him, and likes working under him. If possible, she’d like to do the charter, and do it successfully. In the captain’s interview, he says, normally, he’d tell someone who leaves, that they don’t get to come back. He’s pissed, but, like it or not, chefs are prone to do sh*t like that. We flash back to Leon (ugh) who ended up fired, and Ben punching things and slamming doors. The captain tells Rachel, he’s on board with that, and in his interview, he says, part of him wanted to say, f*** it, cancel the charter, and leave them swinging in the wind, but guests expect to be fed, and it’s the only plan he’s got. In Francesca’s interview, she says, part of her is stoked. Rachel is a great chef, which makes her job easier, but Rachel disrespected her, and isn’t someone she can trust. Her trust went out the window. We flash back to Rachel telling Elizabeth to talk to the captain about her issue with Francesca. Francesca says, moving forward, she’s going to be strictly professional with Rachel and Elizabeth.

In Rob’s interview, he says he’s an exploration geologist, which is being like a nerdy Indiana Jones. He looks for gold, but if there’s a market crash, he loses his job. He likes the fallback of yachting. His father and grandfather were in the Navy, and he comes from a long line of pirates and hookers. It’s what he’s meant to be. It’s unclear whether he means a pirate or a hooker. Eddie quickly explains that their chef had a mental breakdown, and asks for help getting her luggage back on board. In his interview, Eddie says he doesn’t think Rachel deserves her job back, but they need her – for now. He’s going to act like nothing happened, but something did, and he’s not going to forget. Rachel take notes from the preference sheets, and Captain Lee tells her, for sh*ts and giggles, he looked up how to make marshmallows. (It’s actually pretty easy.) In his interview, he says they’re not prepared for the charter at this point, but it’s completely Rachels’ fault. Izzy tells James that it’s a story they can tell their grandkids, about the charter where they all got f***ed. Francesca reads the preference sheets to the stews, and in Ashling’s interview, she says, holy sh*t. They’re going to die. Ashling gets to work, and Francesca tells Elizabeth, the pantry wasn’t clean, and the beach clean-up is still a mess. She needs to step it up. Elizabeth apologizes for lacking in some areas, and says she plans on 100% improving. In her interview, Elizabeth says she’s going to be tested on every little thing, and she’s going to be watched. We flash back to Captain Lee telling her that how she performs on the next charter will mean her future. She says she’s up for the challenge. She’s not going anywhere.

Provisions come on board, the captain says, arrival in twenty, and I say, oh God, out loud. Rob says, it’s like the first day of school; he’s excited. James says he’s good at his job, meaning himself, and the crew gets into their whites. Champagne is poured, and here they come. In Izzy’s interview, she says, the guests are so high maintenance and crazy, they’re going to get whipped. Let the games begin.

Primary Bryan yaps about his pedicure as he takes his shoes off, and the crew agrees he looks like Elton John. In Izzy’s interview, she says, they’re so effing cute. Like gay teddy bears. Okay. I’m glad she said it, because this group is over-the-top. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there’s no politically/socially correct way to say it. Eddie tells the deckhands to get into their blues, and the captain moves the boat out. The guests toast to everybody there. Looking out at the other boats, Bryan says he loves how bigger they are than everyone else [sic]. Elizabeth tells Ashling that she loves her job, and doesn’t want to lose it, and James pulls in the fenders. Elizabeth tells Rachel that she’s nerve-wracked, but Rachel says she really has to concentrate on what she’s doing. In Rachel’s interview, she says, she loves Elizabeth, but has to set that aside. She’s in the middle, and doesn’t want it to affect her department. She wants to just focus on her job, and do some serious captain’s ass kissing right now. They’ll get there.   

Bryan says he loves the service, and he’s blown away. I’m not so sure demanding is necessarily a negative in their case. They might want a lot, but so far, they seem fun. In Francesca’s interview, she says, Elizabeth thinks she’s a diner waitress. She’s holding the wine bottle by the neck. We see Elizabeth pouring it that way. I’ve never poured it that way, and don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else pour it that way. Francesca says she’ll take what she can get right now. Rob tells Eddie about people being masked in some places now because of the virus. Eddie does an impression of Trump saying, there’s nothing to worry about. Everything is great. They put unicorn floaties in the water. The captain tells Rachel that her successful lunch was a start. In his interview, he says, the only way Rachel knows how to mea culpa is with her culinary skills. Once you lose trust, it’s hard to get back. She’d better do her utmost to nock it out of the park (I see we’re back to that metaphor again). He says he’s going to keep close tabs on her.

Jet skis are put in the water, and the guests name one of the unicorn floaties Deborah. Rachel dictates the menu to Francesca, who puts it on her laptop. A Mardi Gras tablescape is created in black, purple, and gold, and it looks really good. Elizabeth tells James that she just came out of a relationship recently, and in her interview, she says relationships have jaded her, and she gets possessive. There’s a special place in hell for girls who try to interfere with your man. She says she’s a hopeless romantic, and she won’t lie; she’s attracted to James. Bryan drapes himself in beads and fake gold chains, and says they’re doing it Mardi Gras style. They all wear cool, festive hats, including a few of those tiny hats on a headband that I love. I’ve loved a tiny hat every since those guys wore them on In Living Color. Bryan says, the tablescape is amazing, and in Rachel’s interview, she says she’s been to Mardi Gras, and she’s not a fan, but tonight she has to prove to Captain Lee that he didn’t make a bad decision. I’m highly amused by the guests, and might even go so far as to say they’re effing funny. In Rob’s interview, he says, the key difference between sailing and a superyacht is that one is gritty with a sense of adventure, and the other is cushy with beautiful people. It’s a motivation to shower every day. Bryan calls the tiny hat a fascinator, but I’m not so sure that’s the same thing. He says, Rachel is an absolute genius, and in Izzy’s interview, she says, Rachel can effing cook. It sounds like Rachel is racking up points. The captain asks Eddie how Rob is doing, and Eddie says, good. Rob has never worked on big yachts, but has intuition. Francesca brings up the cake, Bryan says, Rachel did an amazing job, and Francesca passes along to Rachel that the guests love it. Ashling asks Elizabeth if today was better, and Elizabeth says that she was taken aback by how Francesca’s been speaking to her. Francesca walks in, and says, awkward. Elizabeth says Ashling was just asking how she was doing. Elizabeth tells Izzy that Francesca thinks she’s talking smack about her, and Izzy says there’s not much she can do about it if Francesca assumes every conversation is about her. I see what Elizabeth’s problem is. She’s talking too much about this to too many people. In Francesca’s interview, she says she doesn’t feel like she’s making friends, but she can’t trust anyone. She knows they’re talking about her. Well, you’re not paranoid if everyone really does hate you.

Elizabeth tells Francesca that it was like cleaning up a war zone the night before, and in her interview, Elizabeth says, things with Francesca aren’t good, but all she can do is work and hope it’s noticed. James kicks one of the unicorn floaties, and says, f*** you, Deborah. Rachel asks if the captain wants French toast, and he says, absolutely. Finding out Elizabeth went to bed late, Francesca suggests she work quicker. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says now she’s in trouble because she went to bed too late. Francesca tells her the primary wants the sheets changed in the master. In her interview, Elizabeth says, there’s nothing she can say against Francesca, and she just has to take it, but it’s hard. The guests get excited about the slide coming down the side of the boat. In Rachel’s interview, she says, the guests are digging the food, but there’s another person she needs to win over, and delivers the toast. In Eddie’s interview, he says he never wants to put the slide up. It’s a pain in his ass, and he hates it. The captain says, this might be the best French toast he’s ever had. The way to a captain’s heart is apparently through his stomach. He looks out, and says, the slide isn’t right. Eddie tells Izzy, part of it is backwards, and yells to James, just inflate the goddam thing. James says he senses tension. The captain radios Eddie, and asks how the slide is going. Eddie says he’s had better days, and Captain Lee says, everything is wrong. It’s the epitome of a sh*t sandwich. He goes out, and tells Eddie what he should do. Bryan and the guests watch from above. Eddie tries climbing down to fix the slide, which is twisted in the middle, and nearly falls into the water. The captain says, this is how to f*** things up, and climbs over the railing. He says he needs to get the line, and Eddie tells him to let someone else do that. 

The captain says he’s got this, and in his interview, he says, ribs are something that doesn’t heal quickly. He tells Eddie to get him a boat hook. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. In Izzy’s interview, she says, the captain was hard-handing it over the railing. It’s a little crazy, but also badass. Captain Lee single-handedly pulls the slide up part way, and tells James to inflate the bottom. When this is finally done, the guests use the water toys. Eddie says, bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleep, and Rob says he has Britney Spears in his head. In James’s interview, he says he likes Rob. He doesn’t take his job too seriously. He thinks it will be fun. Francesca and Elizabeth discuss the beach picnic, and in Rob’s interview, he says, Francesca is giving off hot vibes. She puts newspaper on the table, and asks if he’s ever done a low country boil. He says, never, and she says her neither. In his interview, Rob says, when it comes to flirting, he’s hopeless. Fracnesca says she thinks it’s like a messy seafood feast, and in her interview, she says, a low country boil; she loves this stuff. Rachel makes Maine lobster, clams, and sausage, and Elizabeth says she’s never seen lobster look so picturesque. Eddie tells the deckhands they have to get ready to go to the beach at 4:30.

Elizabeth calls her dad, and tells him that the chief stew wanted her to step it up, so she’s stepping up. In her interview, Elizabeth says her father is a lawyer, and busts his ass at his job. He scares people because he looks like Tony Soprano, but he makes her laugh. We see his picture, and I think he looks more like Jesse Ventura. Rachel makes marshmallows, and offers one to the captain. He says it tastes like pure sugar, but I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. Eddie takes the crew over to the beach, where they set up. Elizabeth and Izzy gather firewood. The guests arrive and toast marshmallows. Elizabeth realizes there’s only one bottle of champagne, and in Izzy’s interview, she admits Francesca isn’t the best boss, but Elizabeth isn’t the sharpest took in the shed either. She radios for three bottles, and on the boat, Francesca is like, WTF? In the meantime, Elizabeth tries to push water, but you can guess how much they want that. Eddie beings the champagne, and she says he’s the best. Bryan says, it’s always a party when champagne is a-poppin’.

Ashling tells Francesca that all the sheets have been changed, and Francesca says it was only the master that was requested. In Ashling’s interview, she says, Elizabeth doesn’t listen. It goes in one ear, and out the other; it’s frustrating. Francesca and Ashling look at the sunset, and Francesca wishes they could get in the water. She radios the captain, and asks if it would be okay, and he says, absolutely. Everyone is off the boat; enjoy themselves. Francesca goes down the slide, and James hopes he can see through her uniform. Ashling follows her, and on the beach, Izzy talks to James on the radio, and tells Elizabeth about the others going swimming. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she feels like Francesca thinks Ashling is the perfect angel, and she’s the demon. Rachel brings the captain a dinner of lobster, clams, and corn on the cob, his favorite. He asks Francesca how it’s going, and she says, apart from forgetting the champagne… Eddie tells Elizabeth that the captain said he hopes she makes it to the end of the season; he likes her. Francesca tells Captain Lee that for every step Elizabeth takes forward, she takes two steps back. She didn’t finish taking down the decorations from the night before, and forgot to bring the champagne to the beach. Elizabeth asks Eddie, what if Francesca keeps giving her a hard time? The captain tells Francesca that he could replace Elizabeth, but it’s late in the season. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. Yep.

Next time, a Parisian party, Rachel has to make sixty plates of food to make with no room for error, a bus trip to see a donkey, James and Elizabeth get some alone time, and Francesca says Elizabeth’s priorities are in the wrong place.  

🔔 Tonight, Watch What Happens Live transformed into The 12 Doorbells of Christmas. This year, the virtual doorbell was rung by Leah (RHONY), a very pregnant Lala (Vanderpump Rules), Shannon (RHOC), Reza and MJ (Shahs of Sunset), Karen (RHOP), Tabitha Coffey (Tabitha Takes Over), Pirate Tomas (RHONY back in the day), Marge and Marge Sr. (RHONJ), Heather (RHOSLC), and Alex (Below Deck). Lala is loving being pregnant, and told us James is still sober. Reza and MJ are still working on their friendship, and have high hopes for the future, for which I’m irrationally happy, considering I don’t really know them. Marge looks totally different, and quite the bombshell. She claimed her first facelift didn’t take well, so she had it tweaked. Frankly, I think she got a whole new face. Marge Sr. was the real shocker. Maybe the halo light helped, but she looked luminous, and absolutely ravishing. You go, Marge Sr.! Andy is taking one of his many breaks, and WWHL will be back January 3rd. He’ll also be doing New Year’s Eve with Anderson Cooper from Times Square on CNN.

Check out some Doorbells from years past…

https://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live-with-andy-cohen/photos/andys-12-doorbells-of-christmas#10909085

🎄 Ready Or Not…

At this point, Christmas will be what it’ll be. I concede. Whether you’ve thrown in the holiday towel or not, stay safe, stay not pressuring yourself, and stay keeping it professional and not pissing off the captain.

December 14, 2020 – Obrecht Comes To Save Franco, Rachel Has Enough & Dolly’s Candy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brando gets in the elevator with Sasha, and she says he’s starting to make it a habit. He says, what? and she says getting in her way. He tells her that he’ll make her a deal; he stays out of her way, if she stays out of his.

On the phone, Franco says he misses Elizabeth and loves her. For the first time in a while, he’s hopeful. He can heal, and they can put all this behind them. All thanks to Dr. Kirk.

In the office, Kirk lies there with the knife protruding from his chest. Scotty says, he can’t be dead, and Obrecht says, yet here he is, with a knife sticking out of his chest. Scotty says, it’s a small, little knife. Kirk was the only shot at saving Franco.

Sasha gets out of the elevator, and walks into the MetroCourt restaurant. Maxie thanks Sasha for meeting her, and Sasha says she’s glad to get back to work. Are they on track for the trunk show? Maxie says she has some bad news. The trunk show is off, and Sasha is out. Sasha says, in the hospital, Maxie said they were still partners, and Maxie says that was before she and Lucy met with the lawyers. Sasha is a liability.

Tracy calls 9-1-1, and says she needs help. Her friend is driving drunk. She gives them Alexis’s address, and asks them to hurry. She looks at Alexis, passed out in the car, and says she brought this on herself.

Britt goes to the MetroCourt, and sees Cyrus. She asks if he has a moment. He says, for his Chief of Staff, always, and she sits down. He asks what’s on her mind, and she says, the overages of the lab expenses are draining the hospital budget. He tells her, say no more. She has every right to know what he’s got cooking, so to speak.

Julian drops down into the alleyway, but on his way out, he’s confronted by Sonny, holding a gun. Sonny tells him not to go anywhere. They have a lot to talk about. Julian says, before Sonny kills him, let him explain some things. Sonny says he can try, and cocks the gun.

Maxie tells Sasha, in order to continue her partnership with Deception, the lawyers and insurance companies are going to need a few guarantees that she’s clean. Sasha promises she is, but Maxie says, unfortunately, she can’t just take Sasha’s word for it. She can’t risk Sasha showing up to a photo shoot or to work with drugs. People are already talking about why she was in the hospital, and she means industry gossip. People pay attention to a Lucy Coe endeavor, and if word gets out, they could lose their contracts. She knows it’s a lot of pressure, but it’s more than Sasha losing her job as a spokesmodel. It’s about losing the company the three of them worked so hard to build; the company that’s been Lucy’s dream since the 90s. Sasha says she knows Maxie can’t take her word, but she’s giving it anyway. She swears she’s finished with drugs. Deception means too much to her to risk losing it. Maxie says she and Lucy were hoping Sasha would say that. After some negotiating, they were able to get the lawyers to convince the insurance company to back down, as long as Sasha agrees to a few tweaks to her contract. Sasha says, anything, but Maxie says maybe she wants to hear them first.

Chase shows up, by Alexis’s car, and asks if anyone is hurt. Tracy says, they sent a detective? and he says he was in the neighborhood. Chase asks if Alexis can hear him, and Tracy is surprised they know each other. Alexis wakes up and asks what he’s doing there. He says, apparently, she drove her car off the road. She says she didn’t, but Tracy says she thought Alexis was going to kill herself.

Scotty tells Obrecht, don’t just stand there, fix him, and she asks how he expects her to do that. He says she’s a doctor. Get some paddles and zap him. She says, silence. The only thing this schwein needs now is a mortician or a taxidermist. He says, if she won’t do something, he’ll find someone who will, and she says, in a WSB facility? Where he just killed one of their top researchers and physicians? He says, it was an accident. The guy was accosting her, and he hit him with a left hook. She says, yes, but repeat that story in the Hague, and he’ll be sent to a WSB black site never to return. He says she was there and can vouch for him, but then says, what is he talking about? Who’s going to take her as a reliable witness? He’s going to be put in a hamster cage for the rest of his life. She says, a big expense to hold an ineffectual criminal, and he says, the guy is dead, isn’t he? She says, for that, she owes him her thanks, and suggests he remains silent while she figures out how to deal with the carcass, or they’ll both rot behind bars.

Cyrus says, while Britt was busy reorganizing the staff – a commendable job – he was working on another venture that might be profitable to the hospital. He became aware than Finn had developed a treatment for a rare, but lethal disease… Britt says, Blackwood, and he says, the point being, not only did the drug save lives, it also saved the hospital from financial ruin. He was determined to follow Finn’s example, and his researchers’ efforts weren’t in vain. She asks, what researchers, and what efforts? and he says, there’s a promising new pain medication, and thanks to some well-placed calls, it’s being expedited for a government review. She says, really, and he says he’d hoped for a more enthusiastic response. She says, a new medication is always a good thing, and he says, but…? She says, if the doctors at GH were found to be incentivizing a patient’s prescription, wouldn’t it put the hospital at risk?

Julian tells Sonny, everything he did, he did for Lucas, and Sonny asks if Lucas wanted Julian to plant a bomb. Julian says he’s not talking about the bomb. Sonny says they know he planted it, and Julian says Cyrus forced him. Sonny asks what Cyrus has on him, and Julian says Cyrus knew, like he did, how Sonny would react when Sonny found out he was keeping Wiley from Michael. That’s what he did for Lucas. He didn’t want to take Lucas’s son away from him. Sonny says, no, but he took Michael’s son away from him. Julian says, Brad did that, and Sonny says, so it’s not Julian’s fault at all. Julian says, why don’t they finish this? They both know how it’s going to end; two in the back, two in the head, or does Sonny want to just shoot him in the gut and watch him bleed out in the alley? Sonny says, that’s one option. Or he could take Julian to the police station, and have him explain how Cyrus ordered him to plant the bomb. Julian says, then Cyrus will kill him. Come on, let’s go. Sonny says the information Julian has is the only thing keeping him alive. Suddenly, a masked gunman pops out of nowhere, and Sonny ducks for cover.

Chase helps Alexis out of the car, and Alexis says she wasn’t driving; Tracy was. Tracy says, Alexis is right. She drove Alexis home and got her in the house. She was a little worse for wear. She couldn’t leave Alexis in that condition, so she went into the kitchen to make coffee. We see what she really did, moving Alexis to the driver’s seat. She says she couldn’t find the coffee, and when she came out to ask where it was, Alexis was gone. The car keys were gone, and the door was open. When she went outside, she saw Alexis pulling out of the driveway. That’s when she called 9-1-1. She ran out to see which direction Alexis went in, and saw she’d run off the road. She found Alexis passed out behind the wheel. Chase thanks her for the information, and asks Alexis if she’d like an ambulance. Alexis says, no, and tells him that she doesn’t remember anything Tracy said. Why would she get back in the car? Tracy says, maybe to buy more vodka. She was complaining all the bottles in the house were empty. Chase asks, what’s the last thing Alexis remembers? and Alexis says, Tracy drove her home; that’s it. He asks if she ever experienced a lapse of memory after drinking before, and Tracy asks if she blacked out again.

Scotty says, dammit! and Obrecht asks what’s wrong with him? He says, A, they have a dead guy over there, and B, she’s trying to concoct some evil masterplan. By the way, she’s taking her sweet time with it, and C, this guy was going to cure his son. Franco has these voices in his head that could be babbling there forever. He can’t believe this is happening. Franco knocks at Kirk’s office door, then tries it, but it’s locked. He asks if they’re okay. Inside, Obrecht tells Scotty that he has to do as she says. He tells her, that depends, and she tells him, take Franco and go back to the hotel; she’ll handle the body. Now go. Scotty comes out, and says he was looking for Franco. Franco says, in Dr. Kirk’s office? and Scotty says the architecture there is tricky. They need to get back; he has a big day tomorrow. Franco wonders why Scotty is shouting, and Scotty says Franco knows how he gets hopped up and carried away. He tells Franco that he’s going to be okay, and Franco says he can’t wait. Scotty says, let’s go.

Obrecht tells dead Kirk that no one lays a hand on her and gets to keep it. Now, what should she do with him?

Maxie says Sasha will have to agree to drug tests – regular and random – and only eat the food provided at photo shoots and meetings. Of course (🍷) they’ll totally get her whatever she wants. They just want to make sure nothing is slipped into her crudités or caviar. Sasha says Maxie doesn’t trust her, does she? but Maxie says she doesn’t trust the drugs. She knows about addiction. Sasha insists she’s not a drug addict, and Maxie says, Lucky was. He’s forever recovering in Africa now, but a long time ago, he was addicted. Sasha says, and Maxie helped him too? but Maxie says, not in the way Sasha means. She got him drugs, and he destroyed his career and family. She’s not letting drugs destroy another person she cares about like she let them destroy Lucky. Sasha says she appreciates that, and Maxie says, she will. Sasha says, the bottom line is, Maxie doesn’t trust her at all, but Maxie says she cares about Sasha. She’s Sasha’s friend, but as a partner, doesn’t trust her. Sitting at the bar, Brando watches both Sasha and Cyrus at another table. He flashes back to Cyrus telling him, addicts are easier to train and tame, but someone like Sasha is unpredictable. Brando tells him that he can handle her, and Cyrus says he hopes Brando does, and proves him wrong. Brando wanted responsibility, now he’s got it.   

Sonny and Jason have a shootout with the guy in the mask, who gets shot. Jason calls to Sonny, and Sonny asks if it’s all clear. Jason kicks the guy, and says, all clear. Sonny comes out, and says, where the hell is Julian? Jason checks the dead guy out, and Sonny asks if Jason recognizes him. Jason says, no, and he has no ID. Sonny says they don’t have to guess at who sent him. We hear sirens, and Sonny says, they’ve got to go. They jet.  

Cyrus tells Britt, certainly he can see her point. However, he believes becoming a pharmacological base for a new pain medication will add to the hospital’s prestige. He hands her some papers, and says, as she can see, his team has researched it. She says, it’s very thorough and detailed. It seems highly effective, but she doesn’t see much information on the side effects, and he says, that’s forthcoming. She tells him, to be clear, she’s all for less pain for the patients, and more money for the hospital. He says, so they’re in agreement, and she says, her priority is medical care, not the sale of drugs.

Maxie tells Sasha, if she needs more time… Sasha flashes back to Cyrus slipping her drugs at the MetroCourt, and her subsequently having a heart attack. She tells Maxie, yes, and Maxie says, yes, she needs more time? Sasha says, yes, she agrees to the protocol. Maxie asks if Sasha is sure, and Sasha says she told Maxie that she’s not a drug addict. It shouldn’t be a problem. Maxie says, theoretically, no, and Sasha says, if it’s what Deception needs to move forward, she’ll do it. She signs the agreement, and asks if they can talk about the trunk show now. Maxie says, one more thing. Sasha knows how this business is. People are always ready to gossip, and the tabloids are always unearthing a story. Sasha says, what story? What happened to her is nobody’s business. Maxie says, maybe not, but people will make it their business to dig to find a story, unless Sasha gets ahead of it. She should consider going public before anyone else does. She and Lucy will stand by her, and make her as comfortable as possible. Sasha says, a public shaming? and Maxie says, it’s going to come out anyway. Sasha says, it was one incident; she’s fine now. Maxie says, Sasha took drugs and they gave her a heart attack. It’s not fine. Sasha asks if it’s a deal breaker, and Maxie says, no. It’s up to Sasha. Sasha says, good, and Maxie says if she’d like to consider it and commit to getting healthy, she can do that by signing her new contract. Sasha signs, and asks, now can they please talk about the trunk show? Maxie says she’ll get on it. She’s sorry about this, but she’s Sasha’s friend, and cares about her. Sasha asks if Maxie minds if she takes a few moments. Maxie says, not at all, and Sasha gets up. Brando keeps an eye on her.  

Alexis tells Tracy, no, she did not black out, and Tracy asks how she can be sure. Alexis says she’s blacked out before, and it takes a hell of a lot more than three drinks. Tracy says she doesn’t know how many drinks Alexis had, and doesn’t think she knows either. Alexis says she does know. She had two before Tracy got there, and one after. Chase asks her to follow his pen with her eyes, but she says, nope. He asks if she’s refusing to follow the pen, and she says, if he’s asking her to take part in a sobriety test, she declines. He says he’s sure she’s aware it’s within her rights to decline, but there will be consequences.

Cyrus tells Britt, it may come as a shock… and she says, little shocks her; have at it. He says he agrees the priority is the well-being of patients, but the drugs will support that. Britt says, while making money? and he says, she, of all people, should appreciate the value in an opportunity dropped in one’s lap. She says, rest assured, she appreciates the chance he gave her. He says he needed the right person for a difficult job, and there she was. She says, and here she still is. He says he knew they’d see eye to eye, and thanks her for being generous with her time. He’s sure she has somewhere else to be. She laughs, and says apparently, she does. She’s not sure what business he thinks he’s in, but she’s in the business of saving lives. She gets up, and walks off.

Tracy tells Alexis, she can consent to rehab. She could dry out, out west, away from the pressures of Port Charles. Alexis says, from the look of things, she doesn’t think she’ll be able to leave the jurisdiction. Chase asks for Alexis’s license, and asks if she still refuses the sobriety test. She says she does, and he says he has no choice but to confiscate her license. Tracy asks how that’s going to help, and Chase says Alexis is under arrest for suspicion of a DWI.

Scotty paces in the hotel room, when there’s a knock on the door. Franco says, he’ll get it, but Scotty tells him, wait. Before he answers the door, he wants Franco to know that he’s really important to him. He cares about Franco. Franco asks who Scotty thinks is on the other side, and Scotty says, it could be anyone. Franco says he knows Scotty is nervous, but Dr. Kirk seems to have it together. Relax, and let the doctor do his job. Franco opens the door, and it’s Obrecht. Scotty asks what brings her by, and she says, what else? She has come to save Franco; to cure his unfortunately distressed and traumatized brain. Franco says, cool. Not that he doesn’t appreciate it, but he has a meeting with Dr. Kirk tomorrow. She says, Dr. Kirk is no longer available. It seems Franco’s fate rests entirely in her hands.

Sasha sees Cyrus, and sits with him. She says she believes she owes him an apology. He says he can’t imagine for what, but he’s intrigued. She says she’s sorry for running off on him last night, and he says he got held up himself with sudden business with the mayor. She says she’d love to make it up to him if he’ll give her another chance, and he says she has a habit of storming in and out of his life, which makes the prospect of knowing her better even more intriguing. Brando grabs Sasha’s arm and tells her to come with him. Cyrus says, that’s not how you treat a lady, and Brando says he caught her searching Cyrus’s apartment for drugs. She said she blames him for her heart attack. Cyrus says, how disappointing, and Brando says, don’t worry. He’ll make sure knows not to bother him again.

Cyrus tells Brando, he’s sure Sasha got the message. He doesn’t know what she thought she could do to him, but she’s way out of her depth. He suggests she go back to playing dress-up. There’s less chance of getting hurt. She pushes past Brando, and Cyrus thanks Brando for his loyalty, and timing. Now is the perfect time to be in his good graces. The tension of the past month is coming to an end, and ahead lies prosperity. Cyrus’s phone rings, and he asks, what’s the problem?  

Britt asks Maxie if she minds if she joins her, and Maxie says, not at all. Britt sits down, and Maxie says, Peter is loving having her in Port Charles. Britt says, that explains her invitation to the wedding. Does Maxie want her to send her regrets? Maxie says, Peter wants her there, so she does too. Family is about acceptance, and like it or not, they’re about to be family. Britt says, which brings her to her nephew. Is there any universe where Maxie would feel comfortable about her seeing James? Maxie says she’ll have to think about that, and Britt says, with her mother in prison, James is her only connection to Nathan. Maxie says she and Peter are committed to keeping Nathan’s memory alive for James, and Britt says she’d like to help. Even though James is a toddler, he must miss his oma. Maxie is sure Obrecht misses James too. He brought out the softer side of her, and they formed an Obrechtian bond. Unfortunately, that bond was broken. It’s probably a good thing Obrecht is in Steinmaur. She doesn’t want to tell Obrecht that she’s marrying Peter and having his child. Britt says, her head would explode.  

Franco tells Obrecht, he doesn’t understand; Kirk just agreed to treat him. Scotty asks, what happened? and Obrecht says, unfortunately, Kirk was sent on urgent WSB business far, far away. Scotty says he could have called, but she says, his reassignment was as sudden as it was unexpected. She’s certain if he could have called, he would have. Franco says he’ll see Kirk when he gets back. He’s coming back, right? Obrecht tells him, who can say? and Franco says, Kirk was kind of his last hope. Obrecht says, look at her and smile. He’s happily mistaken. He says, about…? and she says she took the liberty of perusing his file. She’s certain she can help him. Franco says, that’s generous, but he couldn’t possibly accept it, the way he treated her. She says, fortunately, she’s inclined toward forgiveness, and he says, no offense, but since when is neuropsychology her specialty? She says she has many specialties, and Scotty says, they’re talking about his son’s brain. He’s not letting her mess around with that. She reminds him that before moving to Port Charles, she was director of something-in-German. Scotty looks at Franco, who says he’s got nothing. She says, a clinic to heal the mind. She knows her way around the brain. His file says he’s having potential complications from the memory transfer being reversed. Tell her what happened. Franco says he hears things in his head; other people. She says, disembodied voices? and he says, kind of. It’s not random. It’s more like eavesdropping. Like he’s listening to part of a conversation other people would understand.   

Chase reads Alexis her rights, and asks if she understands them. She says it hasn’t been that long since she was disbarred, and he asks again if she understands them. She says she does, and asks if he’s sure he wants to do this. He says she was in the driver’s seat of a car driven off the road, and she says, maybe she got tired and pulled over. He says they both heard what Tracy said, and without taking a field sobriety test, she’ll be given one at the station. Tracy says, and they’ll send her to rehab, right? but Chase says, if it’s under .8 she’ll be charged with a DWAI, driving while ability impaired, but if it’s .8 or higher, she’ll be charged with a straight-up DWI. 

Maxie tells Britt, despite Obrecht’s unique personality, she decide to keep Obrecht in James’s life; she’s his grandma. She knew Nathan’s death was hurting Obrecht as much as it was her. She’d thought Obrecht was unfeeling, and that she’d been proved wrong. Unfortunately, Obrecht can’t stop blaming Britt’s other brother for what happened. Peter bent over backward to be accommodating, when Obrecht had literally broken his arm, and left him in a burning stable to die. Instead of retaliating, Peter gave her a column in The Invader, and gave her respectability, but she couldn’t let go of blaming him for her crimes. Maxie had to choose between Obrecht and the man she loved. Obrecht lost.

Obrecht tells Franco, they all get stymied, even her. When she’s stuck about a column, what does she do? Anything else, and then poof! the solution comes to her. He’s been distracted long enough. What’s the first thing that comes to his mind. Schnell! He says, Drew, and she says, his dearest friend besides her. What about him? He says he was talking to Kirk as Kirk went through his file, and the doctor thought he wasn’t hearing voices, but one of Drew’s memories. His brain wasn’t super scrubbed after all. She asks if the voice he’s hearing is Drew’s, but he says, no; Peter August’s.  

Tracy tells Alexis that she’ll wait for the tow, but Alexis says, leave it. They should have taken her license away long ago. Let the forest reclaim it. Tracy asks if there’s anyone she can call, but Alexis says, don’t bother. No one cares.

Sasha sits at the bistro, and remembers Brando hustling her out of Cyrus’s apartment, and telling her, stay away for her own good. Her phone rings, and it’s Brando, who asks if she’s okay. She says, after he told a drug kingpin that she was ransacking his apartment for evidence to put him away? Thanks. He asks if she’s alone, but she says, it’s none of his business; stay out of it. Brando asks Cyrus is anything is wrong, and Cyrus says, it’s just a loose end. Nothing he can’t handle. Brando asks if something happened.

At a bar in Brooklyn, Sonny tells Jason, the last time he was there, he was with his dad, who almost died. Jason says Cyrus is shooting at them again, but Sonny says he’s pretty sure Cyrus wasn’t after him. Jason asks if he means Julian, and Sonny says, Cyrus knows Julian is alive. He’s going to be desperate to shut Julian up. Jason wonders if Julian will admit he planted the bomb on Cyrus’s orders, and Sonny says, if Julian was smart, he would have never gotten involved in the first place. If Julian doesn’t give up Cyrus, Sonny is going to kill him, not Jason. He’s going to line up the shot and pull the trigger.

Tomorrow, Martin tells Valentin it’s not going to stay private, Violet is worried about not being the flower girl, Finn needs to say something, and Laura asks Curtis if it’s time to go to Plan B.

Below Deck

The captain calls Shane to the bridge and tells him, have a seat. They need to have a conversation. Captain Lee says, the learning curve is steep, and Shane says, it’s crazy. The captain says he thinks Shane underestimated the amount of work, and then had no time to catch up. Eddie says Shane is a good guy, but sleeping in – we flash back to that – naps in the middle of clean-ups – we flash back to that too – and this morning, missing the alarm. It was the final straw. Captain Lee says, unfortunately, the time has come to part company. Shane isn’t getting it done for him. He wants Eddie to help Shane to get his stuff together, and he’ll have someone take Shane to the airport. In Shane’s interview, he says he feels empty, like a vacuum sucked everything out of him. He was giving everything he had to give, but it’s not enough. He tells the captain that he learned a lot, and in Captain Lee’s interview, he says he takes no pleasure in firing anyone, but there’s no trophy for participation in yachting. It’s not all fun and games.

36 hours later. Rachel says, it’s disgusting and despicable, so no. She’d like a flight home. The captain asks why don’t they don’t talk to them, and Rachel says, go f*** yourself.

Back to earlier, Eddie tells Francesca about Shane leaving, and in her interview, she says he’s not surprised. He wasn’t up to par experience-wise, and if you don’t cut it, you don’t cut it. The captain calls James to get Shane’s surfboard out. Elizabeth asks Francesca what she thinks, and Francesca says, it’s a shame Shane is leaving, but the captain said everyone has to pull their weight, and he’s not pulling his weight. Ashling says goodbye to Shane, and in her interview, says, Shane should have stepped it up, but he’s a sweetheart. We flash back to Shane being just that, and she says, it’s really hard. Shane says goodbye to Izzy and James, then Ashling (again) and Francesca. Francesca goes to the galley, and asks if Rachel wants to say goodbye, but Rachel says she’s good. He’s a nice guy, but you make your bed, you lie in it. In her interview, she says she doesn’t want to lie, and say he’s so amazing, and a wonderful human being. Best of luck. Effing don’t let the past hit you in the ass. Eddie says he’ll miss Shane in a lot of ways, and in Shane’s interview, he says, it’s not fun getting fired. If he had it to do over again, he’d do it differently. He’d study more and learn his knots. He’s heading to the closest beach, and overall chalks this up to a success… except for sleeping… and the logs… and the fenders… and the docking. He leaves, and I yell, Shane! Come back, Shane!  

Eddie tells Elizabeth that Shane couldn’t change his work ethic, and she says she’s been there. Eddie says Shane was sleeping when he was off the boat, and taking naps when he shouldn’t. Francesca comes to get Elizabeth, and Elizabeth tells Eddie, it’s not as if she was just sitting around. Izzy tells James that she used his Comet, and he says they share everything now. It’s like they’re married, but not happily. Eddie joins them, and says, when the captain talks about them not working to their full potential, he’s talking about the deck crew. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s in a funk. He never wants to lose a crew member, and it reflects on him as a bosun. Someone he looks up to is watching his team fail miserably. He tells James and Izzy that he doesn’t want to get in the middle of their weird relationship. He’s tired of getting yelled at, and hopes they are too. He’s just going to grab a brush and help them clean. Rachel texts with Vincenzo, and tells Francesca that 90% of her stress is missing her boyfriend. Francesca says she can be Rachel’s boyfriend. In a non-sexual way. In Rachel’s interview, she says she and Vincenzo have been together a year. He can handle her; he’s like the Rachel whisperer. It’s the first time she’s had a relationship with someone on land since she started her career. It’s hard to be away from him. She tells Francesca that he helps her keep her sh*t together. Eddie wonders why James is taking so long. The captain calls Executive Crew Replacement, and Francesca radios Ashling and Elizabeth to meet her in the Sky Lounge.  

Francesca tells them that she wanted to do a de-briefing of the last charter. She thinks it went well, and they performed better as a team. Ashling is killing it in laundry, with a smile. She asks to talk to Elizabeth privately, and Ashling leaves. She tells Elizabeth, the guests are the most important thing. When service is down, it reflects on her. Last night was an example. She told Elizabeth to check on the guests every 10 minutes. We flash back to when they hadn’t seen a stew in nearly an hour, and a guest telling Francesca, they’re dying upstairs. Francesca says it’s the reason she’s staying up, and she shouldn’t have to. Elizabeth promises to be on top of things, and Francesca tells her, there are ashtrays, ice buckets, and some other loose ends from the last charter going on. In her interview, Francesca says, she’s trying to get second stew out of Elizabeth, but it’s not happening, and her patience is growing down. She tells Elizabeth, part of being a stew is being proactive. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says there are things she needs to work on and get better at. Francesca is a Gemini, and has two sides. She needs to figure out how to please both sides. She tells Ashling, there are only so many of them to do every little thing.

The deck crew finishes up, and the crew is ready to party. They get dressed, and James finds Izzy crying in her bunk. She tells him that she’s just tired, and it’s her way of letting out stress. In her interview, she says she tried hard to do well, and put any issues aside, but she feels terrible. She’s still being told she could be fired. She wonders if they’re chewing through the crew, and James tells her, no one is sacking her. In Izzy’s interview, she says, she was the youngest growing up, and she’s still her parents’ baby. When they split up, she was 17, and felt broken. She got depressed and anxious. She was out of control, and when things get to crumbling, she’s an anxious mess. Eddie asks if she’s coming, and she says she’s good. Everyone finishes getting ready, and Rachel says her goal for the evening is to get wasted. She’s stoked. James says, when Sunshine went, the vibe went hostile. Elizabeth says she’s bitten her tongue for so long, she doesn’t have one. It’s bleeding out of her soul. <insert eye roll here>

They go to a restaurant, and get espresso martinis. Rachel says, they keep you up and drunk AF. Francesca says it feels weird that Shane isn’t there, but Eddie says he feels good about the team; it can only get better. Elizabeth babbles at James, and he tells her that she’s getting spiritual, and losing him. She says her goal is not to lose him, and says he can be physical and spiritual. In his interview, he says, this is getting deep, but I think it’s more like Elizabeth is getting drunk. She asks if she’s too much for him, and he says she just blew his mind. Francesca asks if Rachel is okay, and Rachel says she just wants to have a life. She loves Vincenzo. Eddie says she’s all right, but in Rachel’s interview, she says she just wants to be with her boyfriend, and it sucks. Eddie tells her, it’s just a few weeks, and in her interview, she says, it would be amazing to have children. She cries, and says Vincenzo makes her feel calm and collected. He’s her best friend, and she just wants to see him. The crew has to be up at 8 am, so they head back to the boat.   

In the taxi, Eddie asks if Elizabeth wants to work on deck, and she says she’s trying not to get in her head. She’s been working hard, but Francesca called her in for a little chat. Rachel says, if she wants to be a yachtie, she has to suck it up. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Rachel is a different person when she’s drinking. It’s like a switch is flipped, and she’s dark and combative. Rachel keeps repeating, suck it up, along with a few other choice phrases, some of which I’ve never heard before.

James jumps rope on deck, and Rachel goes to see Eddie. She says, a lot of bullsh*t is happening in interior. He asks what that has to do with her, and she says she doesn’t know. Something else is happening, but she doesn’t know what. We flash back to her haranguing Elizabeth, and Eddie says if Rachel needs him, he’ll be there. She says he doesn’t have to, but he says he likes being there. Elizabeth virtually introduces James to her friends on her phone, and says he’s the only one up except her. Elizabeth apologizes for interrupting James’s workout, and Eddie tells Rachel, it’s his room now; go to her room. She tells him to s*ck her d*ck. Elizabeth tells James that she has a bad  taste in her mouth about the conversation with Francesca. In James’s interview, he says he’d like to know Elizabeth more. She’s his type of girl. They can have a laugh, and she doesn’t take things seriously. Sometimes it’s risky, but it’s a lot of fun. They hug, and go to their separate cabins.

8 am. Ashling asks if James’s hair is ready, and if he and Elizabeth had a smoochie, but he ignores her. Rachel comes into the crew mess, and Eddie asks how she’s doing. She says, hung over. James tells Eddie, it’s great to be alive, for the most part. Elizabeth tells Ashling that she’s stressing, and Ashling tells her to relax. Francesca joins them, and says, the next charter is coming tomorrow. They need to strip the beds. Lunch is usually, at 1, so they’ll work until then. Elizabeth says she’s getting coffee, then she’ll start the laundry. She needs advice on how to bleach a shirt, and Francesca tells her to use cold water, and go outside, but she should check the instructions. Ashling does the ironing, and Izzy asks why James is grunting. He says he’s hung over, and Eddie jokingly says, no more talking for the rest of day. Ashling says she’s feeling dizzy, and Rachel says she is too. We see the shirt sitting in a bucket of bleach in the laundry room.

The captain says James is washing sh*t that was just washed five minutes ago. Eddie tells James that he just saw Izzy washing the same thing he is, and asks why he’s washing it again. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Shane was just fired yesterday. He knows the captain’s standards, and wants to exceed them. He doesn’t like looking like an a-hole. Chief Engineer Mario asks if they smell something, and says, it smells like solvent. He’s not liking it, and tells everybody to get out while he looks around. Rachel cleans the galley, and Captain Lee radios Eddie to see him. The captain points out that James is washing the same side again. It’s making him effing nuts, and he’s losing his sh*t. Eddie goes out, and asks why James is rinsing what was already rinsed. Go to the top, and work his way down. Mario checks the laundry room, and thinks it could be the bucket. Rachel tells Ashling, if she smells something funky, tell the engineer. Mario radios that there’s no more danger. Rachel calls Vincenzo, and says she wants to see him, but he says he can’t promise. The coronavirus is everywhere. She says, in Europe? and he tells her, they’re starting to isolate cities. She cries, saying she misses him, and he tells her not to cry. She says wants him there, and Elizabeth hears her crying.

Feb 23, 2020. Rachel says she doesn’t want deal with this, and cries. Elizabeth asks, what’s wrong? and Rachel says she wants to see her boyfriend. Elizabeth hugs her, and says she’s sorry. Elizabeth says it’s the fourth charter, and they’re halfway though. Rachel says she’s fine with the charters, and Elizabeth says, they all have those moments. Mario tells Captain Lee that he thinks he pinpointed the safety issue; something was soaking in a bleach mixture. The captain says, not good. James calls his mom, and in his interview, he says he and his mom have the same personality. That’s why she’s his best friend. He tells his mom, they’re not allowed to make jokes. In his interview, he says, Eddie is like his dad. He just absorbs, and doesn’t interact. His mom tells him, it’s a job. Mario tells Francesca one of her staff was using bleach mixed with soap, which causes a gas. It’s the same mixture they used for mustard gas during WWII. The after-affect is caused when it’s inside confined spaces. We flash back to Elizabeth making the concoction. Francesca thanks him for bringing it to her attention, and he says he’ll report it to the captain. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, it’s a massive f*** up. It not only makes him look incompetent, but puts the crew in danger. It’s negligence. Francesca calls Elizabeth to the pantry, and tells her the Chief Engineer came to her, and told her that chemicals in a confined space caused the problem. She’ll have to talk to Captain Lee. Elizabeth says she’s used it on every boat she’s been on, but Francesca says, it was in a confined area. Elizabeth says she’s sorry; it was a mistake. Francesca says, it’s a mistake she shouldn’t be making, and in Elizabeth’s interview, she says she’d never think to approach someone the way Francesca does. She feels like she’s constantly walking on eggshells. It sucks. Francesca says she’s rethinking the stripes she gave Elizabeth. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to lose her job; they can work this out. Francesca says she needs to think. She tells Rachel about what Elizabeth did, and says that’s why they were feeling dizzy. Rachel says she’s not getting involved, and Francesca says she doesn’t know whether they can keep Elizabeth. Rachel says, if Francesca feels she can replace Elizabeth with someone who’s capable, she’ll support her, and Francesca says she appreciates it. Rachel says, they’re dealt the cards. They need to effing fold, and deal again. In Francesca’s interview, she says, safety is paramount on a yacht, and Elizabeth was putting them all at risk. She asks if she can talk to the captain.

Francesca tells Captain Lee that she wanted to chat about Elizabeth. They’ve gone through a couple of meetings, and she’s not improving. The bleach was the last straw. Elizabeth asks Rachel if she’s getting fired, and Rachel says, Francesca told her to take the bleach outside, and she didn’t. It pissed her off. Francesca tells the captain, Elizabeth isn’t pulling her weight or following through. He asks what she proposes, and she asks if he can get someone else and let Elizabeth go. He says, possibly, but not before the next charter; it’s coming too quickly. In his interview, he says he’s not doubting her rendition of what happened, but he can’t just let Elizabeth go right now. He tells Francesca that she’ll have to make it work, and they’ll discuss it after the next charter. In Francesca’s interview, she says, she gets it, but it’s annoying that she has to pull more weight. It’s not fair.

Elizabeth tells Rachel that Francesca has a perception of her that’s hard to change, and Rachel suggests Elizabeth talk to the captain. Francesca sees them talking, and turns around. Elizabeth asks to talk to her, but Francesca says, not now. In Francesca’s interview, she says, WTF? Elizabeth is getting everyone involved. She’s disappointed that Rachel told Elizabeth to overstep. Elizabeth asks if she can talk to Captain Lee. He says, no problem, but looks like he has a headache. She wants to know what’s happening, and he says, nothing right now. She asks if she’s fired, and he says, no. She says, okay, but he tells her that her future on the boat depends on how she performs during the next charter. If she wants it bad enough, she’ll be there. She says she does, and plans on delivering. He says, that’s all anybody can ask. She thanks him, and leaves.

Francesca is working in the crew mess, and James asks where she wants the laundry. She asks where he thinks it goes. The refrigerator? He tells her not to get upset, and she says he’s asking a stupid question. In his interview, he says, she takes her job too seriously. From now on, she doesn’t exist to him. F*** you. Rachel apologizes to Francesca, but in Francesca’s interview, she says she doesn’t trust either of them. Rachel doesn’t have her back. She tells Rachel that she needs a moment, and Rachel says, effing whatever.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and Eddie says, it’s been a stressful day, but let’s do it. Captain Lee says he won’t be saying that once they read the sheets. The primary is Brian Guarani, a top realtor, and he’s coming with another realtor, and a stay at home dad. They want the slide, the jet skis, and rainbow unicorn floats. He reads off two pages of different cuisines they want, including a Viva la France party with an elaborate 10-course dinner. In Francesca’s interview, she says, it’s crazy, but it’s yachting. No request is too massive. She’s seen it on many a charter. They want truffles from Italy, an Austen Martin to drive them to a club, and she’s chaperoned until 6 am sober. Rachel says, it’s disgusting, and it’s despicable. She could be a private chef in Monaco and make more. She’d like a flight home. It’s ostentatious bullsh*t, and they can s*ck her d*ck. Captain Lee says they can talk to the guests to see if they’re as ostentatious as they are on paper, and Rachel says, go f*** yourself. The crew, the captain, and I are all like, what did she just say? and Captain Lee says he’d rather not do that. Rachel says she loves him, and respects the crew, but she’s out. She’s packing. Francesca asks if she’s sure, and she says she’s dead serious. The captain tells her that she’s gotta do what she’s gotta do, and so will he. In his interview, he says this is a first for him. He’s never had a walk-off the day before pick-up, and he’s pissed. The day just got bleepity-bleep-bleep-bleep. Rachel goes to her cabin, saying, she doesn’t play games. They can shove it up their ass. She can make more money at home. In Rachel’s interview, she says, the preference sheet is absolutely ridiculous. She’s overwhelmed, and has to walk away or she’ll explosion. She tells Francesca that she’s sorry. Rachel loves her, but they can eat her cooter, (new one on me) and shove it up their ass. She’s out. Eddie tells Francesca, it’s a tough charter. He just got the provisions, and they’re asking the world and then some. He asks how Rachel is feeling, and Francesca says, she’s quitting. It sounds like she’s lost it. The captain asks Rachel if she’s got a second, and she says she feels like a prisoner. I wonder if he can’t get her a sous chef.

Captain Lee tells Rachel that he’s not looking forward to these guys, but just because they ask for something, doesn’t mean they’ll get it. They’re in the middle of the Caribbean, and some of it is outrageous. That being said, would she consider doing lunch and dinner on day one? Rachel says, no, and he asks if there’s nothing he can do. She says she knows she’s leaving him between a rock and a hard place. An alarm goes off, and she says she respects him, and loves working under him. The alarm continues, and he gets up, saying, like they don’t have enough. Rachel asks if he minds if she packs. In his interview, Captain Lee says he has less than 24-hours to find a charter chef. They’re screwed six ways to Sunday. Rachel packs, and Eddie asks if Izzy saw the provision list. It’s so bad, Rachel is quitting. Rachel says she’s tired, and they can eat her ass. She looks at the cameraman, and says, in his best interest, she thinks he should call their hounds (not sure what that means). It’s not cool. She gives the finger to the camera.

In her interview, Izzy says they’re down a chef and a deckhand. She thinks they’re f***ed. The captain calls Eddie, and asks him for a hand with Rachel’s luggage. Rachel tells Francesca, she’s sorry, but she drew a line, and Francesca tells her to take care of herself. In Francesca’s interview, she says, if Rachel is bouncing when they need her, she never cared in the first place, and that sucks. Rachel leaves, and Eddie tells Ashling what’s going on. Captain Lee tries to figure out what he did in a previous life to deserve this. In his interview, he says he never had to tell a guest they needed to cancel a charter. His chief and second stew aren’t getting along, they’re down a deckhand, and the chef split. He doesn’t know what he’s going to do.

To be continued…  

🎁 Spoiler: I’m guessing things work out, since on Watch What Happens Live last week, Captain Lee said Rachel was the whole package as far as yacht chefs go.

🤸 Time For Me To Split Too…

How can it be such a long week when it’s only the first day of it? Not to mention, ho-ho-how is it that Christmas is almost here? Although I can’t say I’ll be sorry to see 2020 in the rearview. Show of hands. How many said, 2020 is going to be my year? Yeah, me too, but until the forecast changes, stay safe, stay well-adjusted, and stay not making disgusting, despicable demands.

December 7, 2020 – Franco Makes a Decision, Shane Sleeps In One Time Too Many & This One

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Oops, I did it again, missed the beginning. Here’s the skinny. Franco paced his hospital room, hearing Peter say, you have no choice, in his head. Chase went to the Quartermaine mansion and found Willow. She told him that he’d spoken his mind, and now it was her turn. Violet showed Finn a picture she’d made of the entire family, including Roxie, and went upstairs to get ready for bed. Peter and Maxie went to the bistro, and talked about the bombing. Peter said he had a meeting with Dante, and Maxie said she couldn’t hear Dante’s name without thinking about Lulu. She told Peter that she’d never made a big decision without Lulu’s input. Meanwhile, Dante sat at the MetroCourt bar, looking at a picture of Lulu, when Valentin sat down. And that’s where I came in.

Elizabeth asks why Franco thinks he’s ready to get out of bed. He’s recovering from neurosurgery. He says he thinks he needs to talk to a shrink. He’s hearing a voice. She asks, what kind of voice? and he says it just started after the last surgery. She asks what the voice is saying, and he tells her, you have no choice. She says, in what? but he has no idea. She asks if he recognizes the voice, and he says, that’s the even weirder part. The voice inside his head is Peter.

Maxie tells Peter, remember when she said how precious life is? Anna had almost lost Finn, and she might not speak to her best friend again. He stops her, saying they have to stay positive that Lulu will make a full recovery and come back to them. She says she is, but she doesn’t want to wait to get married. She wants to marry as soon as possible. They’re on the same page, right? Is that what he wants too?

Finn tells Anna that she thinks Violet included everyone in her Port Charles family, and she asks where Violet’s grandfather is. He says she can’t blame Violet for not including him; she hasn’t met him. Anna says, exactly. She was wondering when Violet was going to meet him, since he’s there in Port Charles. He says, she’s not letting this go, and she asks if he’s met her. He says he’s beginning to regret it, and she says whatever issues he and his father have, shouldn’t prevent Violet from the right to meet her grandfather. He supposes he’ll have to give Gregory a call, but she says, not necessary – the doorbell rings – at all. It’s Gregory, who asks if he’s early, but she says, he’s perfect.  

Chase tells Willow, he knows it was a lot at the hospital, and she says, it was. After the initial shock wore off, she had time to wrap her brain around the fact that he’d never slept with Sasha. Part of her was relieved. It was good to know he didn’t betray her, but the longer she thought about it, the more confused and betrayed she felt. He says that’s why he didn’t tell her the truth, but she says, now it’s complicated. He says the last thing he wants is to hurt her or make things more difficult. The plan was for him to come clean after Wiley was safe and secure. She asks why he didn’t, and he says when he saw her and Michael in the park, they looked like a couple who needed and depended on each other, and he chickened out. But when she came to visit him in at the hospital when Finn was shot, he felt so close to her again, he had to tell her the truth. Then when he walked in on her and Michael, he realized he’d waited too long. Their marriage was no longer in name only.

Sasha says Michael doesn’t owe her anything, and Michael says they’ll have to agree to disagree on that one.  He asks how she is, and she says she was told that she’s lucky someone was there to rush her to the ER in time. Michael says he heard it wasn’t regular cocaine that triggered the heart attack, but it was laced with something a lot stronger that could have killed her. Sasha says he must hate her, and he says she couldn’t be more wrong. She says, that look, so kind and caring. She never thought she’d see that look again.

Franco thanks Doc for coming, and Doc says, of course (🍷) he came. Elizabeth told him that Franco is having a reaction to the surgery. Franco says he’s hearing a voice in his head, and it’s Peter. He wonders what it means, and Doc says, Peter is Faison’s son. Franco says, so? and Doc asks, what scares him most about the tumor? Franco says they’ve talked about that, and it’s not that it’s inoperable, but that he’ll somehow turn into the person he used to be. Doc says, someone like Faison. Franco asks if Doc thinks it has something to do with Peter’s father, and Doc says, it’s called projecting. Franco thinks he might become the person he used to be, and he’s projecting that fear onto someone else. Franco says, like Peter? and Doc says, possibly. They can explore that… Scotty comes in, and says, that’s enough. No more exploring, no more shrinking. His son has been through enough. He’s not letting Doc mess with Franco’s brain again.

Maxie asks what Peter thinks, and he says he’s surprised she wants to push it up. She has such a specific vision. She says she does, but between her vision and the baby, it will be a year before they can even think about it. She invited someone to help figure it out. Peter says, a wedding planner? and she says, not exactly. He says, her mom? and she says he’s getting warmer. His mom.

Gregory says, if it’s a bad time, he can go, but Finn says he should stay. There’s someone he should meet. Anna tells Finn, there’s a pot of tea and snacks in the kitchen. He asks where she’s going, and she says Maxie wanted to talk about the wedding, and Finn has a lot of catching up to do. She asks if he wants her to call Chase, but he says he doesn’t need his brother to referee. She says she didn’t think so, and tells Gregory, it was lovely to see him. She tells Finn, good luck, and leaves. Gregory says he wouldn’t mind the tea, if it’s not too much trouble. Finn says, okay, but Violet appears on the stairs, and asks, who is he?

Valentin tells Dante, he wants to do what’s best for Charlotte, and Dante says, if Valentin thinks he can use Lulu’s absence to keep Charlotte away from the family, it’s not happening. Valentin says he was hoping they could work out a schedule so Charlotte and Rocco could see each other as much as possible. What days work for Rocco? Dante spaces out, not answering, and Valentin asks if everything is all right.  

Sasha can’t believe Michael is doing this again, and asks, how many times has he been there to pick her up when she fell? He says he’s not counting. Everyone needs support at some time or another. Don’t pretend to be shatterproof glass with him. She says she knows that, and he says she seems to know a lot. She tells him, don’t believe everything he hears, and he says, in this case, he’s trusting the source – his mom. She says, Carly told him? and he says, it seems the journey that left them there, started months ago when she and Chase lied.   

Willow says she and Michael fell completely in love with Wiley, and gave him the happiest, most nurturing home. She took on the role of Wiley’s mother, and they depended on each other, like parents do, but it became more than that. She tried to explain when she and Chase met at Charlie’s; she and Michael aren’t just platonic friends.  They’re attracted to one another. She’s not saying that to hurt him, but if she deserves honesty from him, he deserves the same from her. He says he understands if she’s moved on. Maybe it’s best to just rip off the bandage. She says, it’s not that simple. When Chase confessed that it was all one big lie, that’s not all he said. He told her that he was still in love with her.

Franco tells Scotty that he asked Doc to come and help. Terry told him that the tumor could lead to a shift in his personality, and that’s bad news. Hearing Peter’s voice might be a start. Doc says, there may be a way to find out, but it’s a long shot if he’s willing to take it.

Maxie meets Anna at the bistro, and tells her that Peter had a meeting, but she wanted talk about the wedding. Anna says, right. Because of Lulu. She can imagine Maxie doesn’t want to plan right now. Take as much time as she needs. Maxie asks, what if she wants to take less time? They’ve wasted too much time already. She doesn’t want to step on Anna’s wedding plans, but she wants to move before the baby arrives. Anna says she can see that. Maxie should grasp any chance of happiness. She feels the same way after nearly losing Finn, but Maxie can’t snap her fingers and plan a wedding overnight. Maxie says, it’s asking the impossible… unless they have a double wedding.

Finn tells Violet, this is someone she might need to add to her drawings; it’s his dad. Gregory says, which means she’s his granddaughter. Violet asks if that means she gets to call him grandpa, and Gregory says he’d be honored. Finn whispers something to Violet, then says, okay. He tells Gregory, it’s the time of night when he reads Violet a story. He was thinking, since Gregory is there, he might like to read to her. Gregory says he’ll do one better; he’ll tell her a story. Would she like that? Violet gets excited, and hops up and down, saying, yes! Tell her a story. She takes Gregory’s hand, and they go into the living room. They sit down, and he says, once upon a time, there was a captain of a big pirate ship named Captain Cutlass.   

Valentin asks if Dante is feeling all right, and Dante says, yeah. He was just distracted. Valentin says, with everything going on, it’s got to be tough with Rocco, and Dante says, it must be hard for Charlotte, knowing that Lulu isn’t coming back. Valentin says, it’s hard to find the words, and Dante says he’s sure Valentin got what he wanted. Valentin asks if Dante thinks he enjoys his daughter crying for her mother every night. He and Lulu came to a truce for Charlotte’s sake. He thinks he and Dante should set aside their animosity, and let Rocco and Charlotte see each other as much as possible for their sakes. Dante suggests they stay on Lulu’s schedule. Valentin looks skeptical.

Willow says, for months it killed her to even be in the same room as Chase. All she could think of was how close they used to be, and how much they’d shared. She wanted a time machine to go back to before she’d walked in on him and Sasha, but that’s not reality. She had to face the fact of life without him. He says he wanted that too, but she’s right; they can’t do that. Sasha said it was a bad idea to tell her the truth; that it was selfish. Maybe Sasha was right, but he couldn’t let her go through life with Willow believing he’d ever stopped loving her, or would ever cheat on her, even if she hated him for it. She says, hated him? He doesn’t understand. It wouldn’t hurt so much if didn’t still love him too.

Sasha tells Michael that Chase wanted to tell the truth, but she argued against it. She hates that they lied, but it worked out the way it should. Wiley is safe with him and Willow, and the two of them have moved on. If she had it to do over again, she wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe not the drugs part, but everything else. Saving Wiley was worth it. Michael says, no question, but they might have found another way to get there. She says they couldn’t take that risk, and neither could he. If it had cost Michael his son, it wouldn’t have worked out between them. He says when he looks at it through her eyes, he sees it definitely wasn’t deception, but an act of love.

Doc asks what Franco is up for, and Franco says, just about anything. Doc explains that he knows of a surgeon in Geneva who’s done research on the brain and reality phenomena. Scotty asks, what’s the Swedish word for malarkey? and Doc tells him, malarkey. He tells Franco, the doctor might say the tumor is creating the voice in his head, but it’s his best chance for an accurate diagnosis. Franco says he needs to figure out where he is, and Scotty says, even if it kills him. Franco says, yes. Even if it kills the monster inside him.     

Peter says he didn’t expect to see Dante and Valentin together. He can push the meeting up if… Valentin says, it’s fine, and tells Dante, he’ll be in touch. He leaves, and Peter thanks Dante for meeting him outside of the office. Dante asks if it’s about the cybersecurity issue, but Peter says, no. Dante asks what he can do for Peter, and Peter says, stop working for him.

Maxie tells Anna, imagine being at the altar, with not only Finn, but her son. Think how amazing it would be, having Peter in a collective I do. Anna says, maybe Maxie should think about it. She gets a text from Valentin asking where she is, and saying he needs to talk to her. She tells Maxie, there’s something she needs to handle, and Maxie says, no biggie. She’s got to run too. She tells Anna to get Finn on board, and, don’t tell Peter; it’s a surprise. Maxie leaves, and Anna says, it’s turning into a night of surprises.

Gregory tells Violet, and at the captain’s command, the pod of whales jumped, and created a huge wave that caused a divergence. Captain Cutlass was able to sail away out of the trap, and on to his next pirate adventure. The end. She says, tell another one, and Finn says, maybe another night. It’s past her bedtime. He asks her to go upstairs, and says he’ll be up to tuck her in. She says goodnight to her grandpa, and leaves. Finn says he hasn’t thought about Captain Cutlass in a long time, but he still holds magic. Violet was enthralled. Gregory says, it’s not magic, but imagination  and a lot of love. It’s easy for a child to understand, but as they get older, they drift away from old loves, like him and Jackie. Finn asks, what about them? and Gregory says, Chase didn’t tell him? They decided to separate.

Chase says, Willow still loves him in spite of everything? She says she loves the man she was with for over a year. The man she thought she’d have a future with, until she thought he didn’t exist, when he cheated on her with Sasha and broke her heart. But now he’s back to being him, the good guy she loves, but that doesn’t change how she feels about Michael. They haven’t signed the annulment, and maybe never will. He says he doesn’t need an immediate answer. She gave him more than he had the right to hope for. He tells her, he was going to say goodbye. Do they shake hands? Hug? They move closer to each other.

Sasha says, she never thought in a million years she’d hear him say he understood what she did; that she lied because she loved him. She betrayed him and stomped on his heart because she loved him. The worst thing she ever did turned out to be the finest thing she ever did. Michael says she’s not done yet. She’s got to get better, get stronger, and be the kick-ass executive and beauty queen who doesn’t need white powder to give her confidence. She says she completely forgot, and he says, forgot what? She says how good it feels to see herself the way he sees her.

Doc tells Franco that he’ll make arrangements. He’ll need to Lucas to sign off, but doesn’t think it will be an issue. Scotty asks if this is his goal or Franco’s, and Franco says it’s his best chance for an accurate diagnosis. Scotty leaves, and Franco  tells Elizabeth, he knows she wants him to start radiation, and he will, but he’s going to put it off for a few weeks. He needs to make sure the tumor isn’t starting something that’s worse. Does she understand? She says she knows he won’t rest until he finds answers, but she’s not letting him go alone.   

Dante asks if Peter is firing him, but Peter says, no. Of course (🍷) not. He’s seen the value in Dante’s work since he brought Dante on. He knows the situation with Lulu hit Dante hard. How could it not be? Dante should be a full-time parent, and enjoy quality time. When he’s ready to come back, let him know. Dante says he can’t. He doesn’t want to sound harsh, but having a routine is good for Rocco and him. If he wasn’t focused on a job, he’d think about Lulu 24 hours a day. Peter asks if he’s sure, and Dante says when he works, he feels like he should finish the job.

Valentin thanks Anna for meeting him, and she asks if it’s about Peter, but he says, it’s about Dante. He met with Dante, hoping they could set a schedule for Charlotte, but he doesn’t think Dante is in the proper headspace for parenting. Anna says she’s not surprised he’s struggling, but Valentin says, that’s not it. The WSB was treating him for PTSD, and he’s concerned they let him out too early.

Finn says, his father and Jackie are separating? What happened? Gregory asks if he means was there one terrible unforgivable event like an affair. There was nothing traumatic; it was like a death from a thousand cuts. Jackie was covering everything from Tiananmen Square to Timbuktu, and he was lecturing from Stanford to St. Andrews. They were always on different schedules, not to mention time zones. It sounds cliché, but they grew apart. They have different interests, and there’s been painfully more silence than conversation. Finn says he’s sorry to hear that, but they’re choosing to separate, not divorce. Maybe there’s a chance, in time. Gregory says, time isn’t guaranteed to anyone. Being shot must have taught Finn that.   

Willow tells Chase, she thinks the best way to say goodbye is a simple goodnight. He says, goodnight, and starts to leave, but turns around. He says, whatever happens going forward, he’s glad she reached out tonight. She says she is too, and he leaves.

Maxie walks into Sasha’s room, saying, what do you mean we’re not family? We’re business partners… She stops short when she sees Michael, and says she didn’t expect see him there. He says he was just heading out, and Sasha thanks him. She tells him not to worry about her. She always lands on her feet. He says the words will be more believable when she’s not in a hospital bed; be careful. He leaves, and Maxie says she came with a whole speech, ready to kick Sasha’s butt, and tell her to get her act together. She’s already lost one friend and doesn’t want to lose another, but seeing the smile on Sasha’s face makes her think maybe Sasha doesn’t need a speech, and she’s getting encouragement from another source.

Franco says he knows Elizabeth would love to be by his side, but she can’t go. She says she knows, but Scotty can. Is he okay with that? He says he is, and she gets in the bed next to him. He says he can’t wait to be a stepdad again. He’s going to fight to the bitter end. She says, it’s not ending yet.

Peter tells Dante, if work is the best therapy, he’ll see Dante first thing in the morning. Dante says he’ll be there, and Peter tells him, it’s a work meeting, so his tab is on the office. Dante leaves, and makes a call outside. He says, it’s him. He almost lost access to the target, but he’s still on the job. They have the evidence to exonerate the innocent party, and he’s ready to complete the mission.

Finn asks when Gregory has to go back to California, but Gregory says he’s in no rush. He’d like to stick around for the wedding, and to tell his granddaughter more stories. Finn asks about his teaching, but Gregory says his teaching is online now; he can teach from anywhere. Why not Port Charles? He tells Finn, face it. He’s going to be seeing more of him.

Valentin tells Anna, whatever Dante is dealing with, he thinks it’s not so much Lulu as the PTSD. Anna says she could reach out to Robert and get his take on it, but Valentin says they don’t need to involve the Bureau. She and Dante are close, right? She says, she could rekindle their friendship, but she’s not a doctor. She can’t diagnose PTSD. He says he’s aware of that, but she can read people, and he’d appreciate it. If Dante is going to spend time around Charlotte, he needs to know Dante is trustworthy.

Finn let’s Chase in, and says Chase is smiling. He hasn’t smiled in months. What gives? Chase tells him, say it; he was right. Finn says, he was right, and Chase says he should have told Willow the truth a long time ago, but better late then never. Finn says, he’s not bleeding… Did she give him a pie in the face? Chase says, none of the above. Finn says Chase looks happy, and he has something else that will make him happy. Their dad is going to stay in town until the wedding. Chase says, the day is getting better and better. Maybe Finn will realize family isn’t so scary after all.

Michael comes home, and Willow asks how Sasha is. He says, physically, she’s much better. They talked through what happened, and hopefully she won’t be looking for any more answers in white powder. Willow is glad to hear they talked, and he asks how her talk was with Chase. She says she ended up with more questions than answers. She knows she wants what’s best for him, and he says, all he wants is the same for her. They hear Wiley crying, and he says, one thing’s for certain, somebody needs them. They go to tend to Wiley.

Tomorrow, Cameron tells Josslyn that they need to follow Trina to the end, Trina asks for Epiphany’s help, Brando thought he had a connection with someone, and Jason asks if Sam is ready for a long chain of events.

Below Deck

When we last left Rachel wanted to punch somebody in the scrotum because there was no caviar. She tells Francesca, what was wrapped up like caviar, was actually salmon roe, and asks her to stall the guests. Keep them drinking. Shane pops his head into the galley, but Rachel tells him to keep moving. She’s not nice right now; she’s not kidding. The guests discuss what options they have for dinner outfits. Rachel tells Ashling to stall, and in her interview, Ashling says Rachel is bonkers, but she’s used to it. Her sister is a chef, and the family often says, the chef has arrived. Don’t say anything; don’t make any sudden movements. Back the hell away.

Francesca tells Elizabeth to clean everything. Guest Justin asks if they can have a full boat tour. Rachel calls the provisor, who says everything was in the same pouch, but promises to get a substitute of that caliber for the caviar. Francesca calls Captain Lee and tells him that the guests would like a tour, and he supposes that can be worked out, but he doesn’t sound too thrilled. In Shane’s interview, he says he hates struggling. He’s been in this position before, and gotten out of it. He went to Berkeley underprepared, but ended up with a 3.5 GPA. He’s determined to make it work and be a proper yachtie.

Francesca starts decorating the table, and in her interview, says, thank God she and Ashling get along. She doesn’t need to tell Ashling what to do. They’re similar, keeping their heads down and just doing what needs to be done. The slide is brought in, and Chase keeps asking if Eddie needs him to do anything. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s trying to give Shane the least amount of opportunity to screw up. He doesn’t need charming and funny. He needs someone to work hard and get the job done. Rachel continues to freak, and Eddie goes to pick up the steel drum band.

Izzy finds Chase annoying, and James says it’s her own fault. She told him to step up, or he was going to lose her job. In her interview, Izzy says, Shane’s not cut out for yachting, along with a nit picking boss. He needs to shut up and do his job. The provisor calls back, and tells Rachel he’s sending them caviar, and it will be at the Jolly Harbour dock at 6:45. Eddie comes back with the band, which is one guy. Rachel asks Eddie about sending the tender for the caviar, and he goes back out. The captain sighs. Francesca uses a lot of silver branches for the white party décor, and they look gorgeous. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s going to lose her sh*t. Everything is done except the caviar, and time is ticking. Where is it? Francesca tells Captain Lee to feel free to take his time with the tour; the caviar is still coming. He says he’ll handle it, and Francesca sends the guests to meet him on the bow. The captain starts off by explaining a bell, and says, if you’re hearing it, you shouldn’t be where you are. In his interview, he says, if the caviar doesn’t show up, he’s going to be sitting there with his d*ck in his hands. He makes funnies, and stretches out the tour. Rachel paces, and the captain turns the guests over to Francesca.

The drum plays as the guests enter the dining area. Francesca tells Tim, happy birthday, and points out the mother-of-pearl spoon for the caviar. In the galley, Rachel says God hates her guts. In her interview, she asks, where is this effing caviar? Eddie finally gets back with it, and Francesca explains the menu. Rachel puts the caviar in a bowl, saving a bit for garnish, but then drops it. She says, it slipped out of her hand, but luckily, the appetizer was already done. She makes teeny weeny bellinis to go with it, and everyone loves it. I hope it reflects in the tip. In the crew mess, Eddie tells James and Izzy, they make a great team. Izzy says James has the muscles, and she has the brains. Eddie says he appreciates it, and also her babysitting Shane on the beach. The guests tell the captain, it’s an honor to have him join them, and they toast to Tim’s 50th. Rachel explains the first course.

Rachel tells Eddie that she needs a pot washed, and Eddie says he’ll wash the sh*t out of it. Rachel asks for something to hold the parmesan, and Tim says, the food should be illegal, it’s so good. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says he’s impressed with what Rachel is doing in the galley. In his 35 years as a charter captain, he’s never been this impressed. She’s the complete package; everything he wants in a charter chef. The guests applaud.

The steel drum guy goes back, and Tim asks for a carafe with a spout. He says, the two most coveted things are longevity and prosperity, and the longer you drink from the spout, the longer your life. The further away you can drink, the more prosperity you have. The captain calls Eddie, and asks how much K2R they have; it’s getting messy. Eddie comes up to see what’s going on, and says he’s got cases. Captain Lee can’t believe he’s going to do this, and asks Francesca for a bath towel. A couple of the guests say the have something for him to wear instead. They run back to their cabin, and bring back a special shirt with Tim’s picture on it. The captain puts a rug down, so Eddie doesn’t have to suffer for his misgivings. He’s pretty good though, and in his interview, he laughs, and says this is why he gets the big bucks. Shane calls girlfriend Aubrey, who tells him everybody’s relationships are falling apart. She feels grateful, and he says he’s happy too. In his interview, he says he feels lucky to have a girlfriend. It’s good having Aubrey virtually, and it’s the first time he’s been in a mature relationship. He misses her. Shane falls asleep talking to her.

Rachel gets the cake ready, and she and Francesca present it, while singing, Happy Birthday. A guest wonders how Rachel knew it was Tim’s favorite, and Rachel says she’s good like that. James tells Eddie, everyone seems to be getting on together, and Eddie says, the tide is turning. Ashling calls her mom, who hasn’t heard from her in a couple of days. She tells Ashling about the coronavirus, and how they’ve detained people in China. She insists that Ashling get herself a mask, and Ashling promises she will. In Ashling’s interview, she says, in Australia, they knew about it, but hadn’t heard much. She doesn’t think it’s as serious people are making it out to be. Yep. That’s what we all said. Francesca tells Elizabeth to check on the guests every 10 minutes or so, and Eddie sprays the wine stains on the deck. Izzy talks with Elizabeth, and says she looks miserable. In Izzy’s interview, she says, interior is not fun. You’re inside the boat, working under a dictator, at a stressful job. She’s glad she got out. Elizabeth says she’s just tired.

It’s been 42 minutes since anyone checked on the guests, and while Francesca is telling Elizabeth to make sure the cutlery is cleaned, a guest comes into the galley and tells her they’re dying upstairs. They need tequila, red wine, and Bailey’s on ice. In Francesca’s interview, she says she’s mortified. 98% of the time she has a poker face, but she’s pissed right now. She tells Elizabeth that the guests have to be the first priority, and they’ve had a good time – up until now. Elizabeth says she didn’t hear Francesca tell her to check on them, and she’s trying her best. In her interview, Elizabeth says, when Francesca acts like this, it pisses her off. Like what? A boss? Francesca says she’s tired and she’ll address it in the morning. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, Francesca can still be human and run a tight ship. Francesca sits on the floor of her and Rachel’s cabin, and tells Rachel that she needs to have a proper talk with Elizabeth. Elizabeth tells Eddie that Francesca couldn’t go to bed without giving her sh*t about the guests. Whatever. Francesca tells Rachel that it’s the third charter, and Elizabeth isn’t pulling her weight. She’s not following direction. In Rachel’s interview, she says she likes Elizabeth, but doesn’t want to get involved. She doesn’t want to be in the middle between a department head and a junior stew. The guests go to bed, and James sits at the bar. He says he wants a drink, and Elizabeth says he’ll have to be more sneaky than sitting at the bar. He says they’re the only ones up.   

Eddie asks why Shane isn’t on deck; it’s 7:37. Shane says his phone died. He’s almost 2 hours late, and stumbles around. He apologizes to James, and thanks him for uncovering the furniture. Eddie asks if the captain had fun at dinner, and Captain Lee says he had a good time; the guests are a lot of fun. Eddie says when he got up, Shane was sleeping like a log, and yesterday, he found the lazarette door open. Thank God nothing was stolen. The captain says, there’s $100K worth of sh*t in there. Eddie says, yesterday, when he came back from running errands, Shane was asleep with a cover over his eyes that said, do not disturb. Captain Lee doesn’t get it. Eddie tells the guests that he’s going to put the jet skis in the water. Shane yaps about his phone dying, and in his interview, says it was so stupid. I think we can all agree on that one. Eddie asks Izzy how everything is going, and she says she had a busy morning. Eddie asks, if Shane was going to say something about it, what would he say? and Shane says, he f***ed up. In Eddie’s interview, he says he’s over Shane. He doesn’t know what to say. If there was ever a time not to make a mistake, it would be now.

Some of the guests jet ski, and Francesca asks Ashling if everything was tidy when she got up. Ashling says, it was pretty tidy, and Izzy tells James about Shane being late. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says last night didn’t go well for her. Getting yelled at by her boss in front of coworkers isn’t cool. One, what Francesca did wasn’t even close to yelling, and two, Francesca clearly told her to check on the guests every ten minutes, she didn’t listen, and Francesca is her boss. The guests say they love Rachel, and Eddie asks Izzy what he should tell Shane. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Izzy is a badass, who doesn’t take sh*t from anyone. That’s the beginning of being a good leader. He does his best to set his crew members up for success, then lets them do it on their own. Izzy pulls up the anchor, and the boat heads out to Jolly Harbour. Rachel thanks Francesca for helping her last night, and Francesca tells Ashling that she’s glad to have her. She doesn’t have time to train people. Breakfast is served, and the captain starts to dock the boat. Shane is slow with bringing down one of the fenders. Captain Lee says, with the wind coming in the opposite direction, he can potentially hit the dock. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. He yells that he has no stern thruster, and keeps saying he’s not getting anything. One of the guests says, this is where the captain earns his money.

Izzy says docking is nerve wracking every time, and Captain Lee asks if anybody was doing anything on the effing stern. Shane asks basic questions that even I know the answers to just from watching the show. The captain radios Eddie, and asks, who TF put these lines out? Whoever it is, his ass is the captain’s. If anyone thinks he’s pissed, they’re right. In the captain’s interview, he says, the docking was an effing disaster. This is the third time, and they’ve docked the same way. So far, Shane has been given every opportunity to prove himself, but his puppy ass is still on the porch. It’s not rocket science. He tells the crew to get in their whites, and meet on the aft deck.   

The guests say goodbye, and Tim calls Captain Lee the porren champ. I guess that’s the name of that red wine game. Tim tells them, he knows it’s cliché to say it was the best vacation of his life, but it was incredible. He gives the captain the tip envelope, which looks fat. When the guests are off the boat, Captain Lee tells everyone, back to work, except for the deck crew. He tells the deck crew, the docking sucked. The first line is the spring line; it keeps them from hitting the dock. Next is the windward crisscross. If they don’t have them, nothing can happen, In Eddie’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what to do. Like the captain has said, you can’t fix stupid. Captain Lee says he doesn’t want it to happen again. Shane goes over stuff to himself, and the stews strip the beds. In Shane’s interview, he says he’s got to practice more times, and writes a bunch of notes down. In his interview, he says his number one feeling is frustration. He knows he’s in the hot seat, and has to step up. He needs A performing, and he’s at B. If he doesn’t get to A, he can say goodbye to B. Elizabeth says she feels unmotivated.

It’s time for the tip, and Captain Lee says the charter went extremely well. Rachel’s meals were outstanding, and her knowledge of food shows. They did have a few close calls. Some people aren’t performing at where he thinks they should be at this point, and it’s a cause for concern. The tip is $20K, or $1650 each. Shane apologizes to Izzy, and says, when Eddie is around, he feels nervous because Eddie is watching him. Izzy says she felt like that the first time she was on deck. James says, there’s nothing worse than sleeping in, and the captain radios for Eddie. He tells Eddie that he’s been contemplating what to do about Sunshine (their nickname for Shane). Eddie says, on one hand, he sees Shane trying to step up, but he was an hour and a half late today. Captain Lee says, if Shane was gone, it probably wouldn’t be much different than having him here, and radios for Shane to come to the bridge.

When Shane gets there, the captain tells him, have a seat. Unless you’ve just done something incredibly heroic, like saving a life, these are not words you want to hear from the captain. Captain Lee tells Shane, they need to have a conversation.   

Next time, someone mixes bleach with soap and makes mustard gas, the crew goes out, James says it’s getting deep, and Rachel says something is despicable.   

🤸🏽 Gathering No Moss…

Time to get rolling, since I still have editing to do on my next article for https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/. I spent last weekend watching several obscure horror flicks for review, since nothing says holiday season like a scary movie. So until it’s time for Temptation Tuesday, stay safe, stay adventuresome, and stay drinking your red wine like a normal person.

November 30, 2020 – Sonny Shakes Down the Bartender, Shane’s Chakras Are Out Of Whack, Oops, Engaged Off Deck, AMC Reunion, Goodbye Charlie, Star Celebrations, Who’s Real On the Wives & December

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Julian packs, and Ava tells him that she told the staff she was away until further notice. She’s trained them over the years not to ask questions. Julian says, thank God for small favors, and Ava says Julian has reason to be thankful. More than Dev, and the man Lulu was dating; they’re dead. He says, only Jason was supposed to be there. it was supposed to be empty. She says, the place was packed with people. Why did he leave the bomb there? Why didn’t he throw it in the harbor? He says Cyrus didn’t give him a choice, but she says they always have choices, even when they’re backed into a corner. He says, like she did when she shot Connie Falconari?

At the hospital, Laura asks Nikolas if there’s any improvement. Nikolas says, Patrick and Griff were called, and concurred with Lucas’s diagnosis. There’s nothing they can do but wait and hope. Laura says, it’s not that she doesn’t trust Lucas, but she was hoping Patrick or Griff knew of a new way to deal with what’s happening with Lulu. Nikolas says, they send their regards, and tells her that he can reach out to Elizabeth. Maybe she knows where to find Lucky. Laura says, this can’t wait. They have to make a decision about his sister. She looks into Lulu’s room, and sees Dante with Lulu.

Alexis rings the bell at the Quartermaines, and Ned is surprised to see her. She says, Olivia invited her. She would have brought wine, but thought that would be inappropriate. Olivia welcomes Alexis, and thanks her for coming. She tells Ned that she asked Alexis to join them, and to take her coat. Olivia leaves, and Ned asks what in the world made Alexis think this was a good idea? She says his wife wouldn’t take no for an answer, and it would have been more suspicious if she’d turned Olivia down. He says, no offense, but can she stay sober? The doorbell rings, and Alexis says she won’t drink anything she doesn’t have to. Robert comes in, saying, happy Thanksgiving, and Ned says, another surprise guest. Olivia asks for his help in the kitchen, and he asks if she invited the entire city. She asks what he thinks about Alexis and Robert. They’re both members of the Lonely Hearts Club this year, and she thought they could celebrate Thanksgiving by doing some matchmaking.

Epiphany tells Sasha, the drugs increased her heart rate to the point of her having a heart attack. She hopes Sasha realizes the severity of what happened, and relies on her support system next time. Sasha asks, what support system? She has no family. Epiphany says Michael sat by her bed the whole night.

Willow tells Michael, when she realized Chase was telling her the truth, she had to walk out. She’s not ready to talk about it. What about him? Has he talked to Sasha? He says the medication Sasha was given kept her asleep. Olivia  tells them to come on. Thanksgiving punch is being served. They join the others.   

Sonny asks Sam how the family is, and she says, aside from her mother, who she doesn’t want to talk about, Scout is too young to understand anything that’s going on, and Danny is taking it in stride. Carly says, Josslyn is the same way. She’s devastated about Dev, but lockdowns are normal for her. Sonny says, what a way to celebrate Thanksgiving, and Carly says, she doesn’t understand how Cyrus knew Jason was in The Floating Rib. Jason guesses he wasn’t careful enough, and Sam says Jason was in the MetroCourt when he said he was going to The Rib to play pool with Danny. He says, Cyrus wasn’t around, but someone maybe someone on staff at the MetroCourt overheard him. Carly says, Trish just hired a new bartender, Eli. They were going to do a background check on Monday. Sonny asks if Eli is working today, and Carly checks the schedule. She says he’s working from 1 to 9 today, and Sonny says he’s sorry, but he and Jason have to leave. Carly says he’s got to do what he needs to do, and Jason asks Sam if they’re good. She says, sure, but I dunno.    

Epiphany tells Sasha that she has a visitor, and Sasha asks if Michael came back. Brando walks in, and Epiphany says she’ll check on Sasha later. She leaves, and Brando asks if Sasha is feeling better. She says, last night is blurry, but she does remember him being there. He says he brought her there after… She says, she OD’d. That’s what Epiphany said, but it still doesn’t make sense. The amount of cocaine she’d have to ingest would be astronomical. (Just for the record, that’s not necessarily true; it can hit anyone wrong at any time.) He says, so she’s been using? and she says she had a rough year. It’s rare, but she’s used it as a pick-me-up. He says, that’s what people with addictions say, and she starts to tell him that she doesn’t… but he says, people like them. 

Ava tells Julian not to throw Connie in her face. Her nerves were shot because of him. He had her convinced she had to protect him at all costs. Julian says, it’s late in the game to have a conscience, and she says, that’s the difference between them. She’s grown, and she’s not a weak-minded coward who can’t take responsibility, like him. He says he’s glad they’re parting on good terms. She says she’s got to go see her husband, and find out if he has news on the sister Julian put in the hospital. Keep packing. She wants him out by dawn.   

Dante tells Lulu that she needs to wake up. He hasn’t had a chance to tell her how sorry he is. Laura comes in, and asks if he’d mind some company, and he tells her that she should be in there, but Laura says she actually wanted to have a conversation with him about Lulu’s treatment. She’s legally the next of kin, but Dante is Lulu’s husband and Rocco’s father. She feels he has the right to have a say. He thanks her, and asks, what are their options? She says, Lulu isn’t supposed to wake up any time soon, and Dante starts to cry. She says as much as she appreciates GH, maybe it’s not the right place for Lulu’s medical care. He asks what she’s saying. She wants to send Lulu away? Is she giving up on her daughter?

Olivia says Alexis and Robert have a lot in common, and Robert says, they do? She says, they’re both lawyers, and Alexis says, not anymore. Robert says he’s heard Molly is a superstar at PCU, and she’s going to be a lawyer, and Alexis says maybe Molly will throw it all away and be a secret agent for 40 years, then make it a retirement hobby. Olivia laughs, and says Alexis is so funny. She has to check on the turkey. Robert gets up, and says he’s got to check on… something. By the punch bowl in the foyer, Robert asks Olivia what she’s doing, and she says he’s her friend, and Alexis is Ned’s friend; she thought they’d hit it off. He says, in all the time he’s lived there, he and Alexis have never exchanged two words. Olivia says, excuse her for trying to expand his social prospects. She was trying to be a good friend.

Ned tells Alexis, it’s nice to see her not drinking, but the more they’re around each other, the greater the chance Olivia will find out the truth. She asks if he thinks she’s going to bust into a cabinet, and start drinking the booze, but he says, there’s noticeable awkwardness. He’s glad his mother didn’t show up. Alexis says, they need to act normal. They have a long-standing friendship. If they don’t act like it, it will be suspicious, and someone will think something did happen between them. Robert stands in the doorway.

Sasha tells Brando, she barely knows him, and he’s telling her that he has a substance abuse problem. She’ll take his word for it, but not everyone who uses is an addict. She was just blowing off steam. (Amusing choice of words.) He says he’s not trying to judge, but from his past experience, he doesn’t think he’s wrong. He recognizes the warning signs. She says she gets it. Being in the hospital isn’t a good look. She just had too much last night. He says that’s not what he’s talking about. He’s seen her when she’s with Cyrus. She’s constantly going to the bathroom, and comes out sniffling. It’s becoming a nasty habit. She didn’t even ask what was in the bag; if it was cocaine or something stronger. He’s not trying to shame her, but he’s saying this because he’s been there. When he returned home from his tour, he wasn’t in a good place either, and also felt he needed something to take the edge off. A little something here, a little something there, and eventually… She says, it catches up to you.

Ava finds Nikolas at the hospital, and says, he’s been there all night? Lulu’s injuries didn’t seem that serious. Why hasn’t she been discharged? He apologizes for not calling, and says, they didn’t think it was serious. They thought it was just a headache, but her brain was swelling the whole time. Lulu was talking to Dante in the chapel, and collapsed. Ava asks, how bad is it? and he says, the doctors don’t know if she’ll wake up again. She says she’s so sorry, and he says they reached out to Patrick and Griff, but they confirmed Lucas’s diagnosis. Lulu just wasn’t as lucky as Franco. She says, Franco was at The Floating Rib? and he says, and Elizabeth and Cameron. Ava sits, and asks if they’re okay. He says, Elizabeth is fine, thankfully. Cameron has a leg injury, and will be fine, unlike Dev who died. Whoever did this has so much blood on their hands… He totally forgot to make arrangements for her brother, and tells her, sit tight. He’ll figure something out. Ava says let her worry about her brother.

Alexis tells Ned that she has no interest in blowing up his life. They see Robert, and Alexis says, time to refill her club soda. Ned says Robert might not know it, but their family Thanksgiving gatherings can be eventful. Robert says he doesn’t know what he stumbled into, but Olivia is his friend. If Ned hurts her, Robert swears Ned will still be in a wheelchair at Christmas. They hear Olivia yelling, and rush out into the foyer. Ned says, that doesn’t sound good, and Olivia says she was so distracted, she put the turkey in the oven at the wrong temperature. It’s like a charcoal briquet. Ned says, no one is hurt; it’s all fine, but she says, nothing is fine. Lulu is in the hospital, and might never wake up. Rocco may never have another conversation with his mother. Dante and Rocco are practically strangers, and now this. The one thing her son asked her for, a traditional Thanksgiving, and she screwed it up. It’s ruined. Monica says they haven’t cooked a successful turkey since the 90s. Olivia is sticking with tradition. If that’s what she wanted, she did a bang-up job. She says, they all know what they have to do next, and where they need to be,

Laura tells Dante, she’ll never give up. She’ll never stop hoping and praying that Lulu will come back, but the truth is, they’re done everything they can do there. They need to look into a long-term care facility, where doctors and nurses know how to deal with this. He says he just wants time with lulu. He wasted so much time. Please, can he have that? Laura leaves, and he kisses Lulu’s forehead.

Eli finds Sonny and Jason on the terrace, and tells them, sorry. The terrace is closed for the holidays. Jason says, they’re not there for a meal. Sonny says, they need answers, and Eli is going to give them to him and Jason.

Carly gives Sam something to drink, saying, she knows Sam is shaken up. Sam says she thought Jason and Danny were dead, and Carly says she’s so sorry. Sam says it was probably the most horrific hour of her life. She’s grateful Jason and Danny weren’t there, but she can’t stop thinking about Dev. He was so young, and had his whole life ahead of him, and now he’s gone. Carly says, it’s awful, and Sam says, it is. Carly told her Josslyn is used to growing up like this, and it breaks her heart. She doesn’t want that to happen to Scout, and Danny is old enough to understand now. This is a nightmare that will affect him in ways she can’t help. Carly says she gets it. They take chances with their lives they can’t imagine taking with their children. But Sam knew this was the life Jason lived when she chose to have Danny, like she knew about Sonny every time she married him. Fear is part of the deal, and they have to live with it. Sam says, what if she can’t live with it anymore?

Sasha tells Brando, she didn’t go looking for this. She was upset about the break-up, and got drunk. She overslept the day of the big Deception photo shoot, and Maxie freaked out when she saw how bad Sasha looked. Someone pulled her aside, and gave her something to get through it, and it worked. She had energy, and the photos turned out great. He says, in the short term, but then it becomes a way of life, and you depend on it more and more. That’s how the drugs work. Sasha says she’s not an addict, and he says she gave herself a heart attack and ended up in the hospital. Is she scared straight, or is she calling her dealer when she gets home? She asks why he’s spending Thanksgiving with her, and he says she’s the only one he can help right now.

Laura tells Nikolas that Dante actually said she was giving up on her daughter, and he hopes she set Dante straight. He shouldn’t even have a say. She says, he’s Rocco’s father, and it’s better if it doesn’t become a fight. They see Dante, and Nikolas tells Laura that he’ll talk to him, but she says, no. Epiphany comes out, and says, the mayor has visitors.  Everyone from the Quartermaines joins her, and Laura cries. 

Dante asks what Olivia is doing there, and she says, it’s where they should have been. Monica says, it’s not just about food, and Alexis says, it’s about family. Michael says, not just the family they’re born not, but those they choose to make a part of their lives. Ned asks, where else would they be? So…? He hugs Laura.   

Sasha asks how many people were at The Floating Rib, and Brando says, quite a few, including Dev, the son he never knew existed until a few months ago. The son he never imagined would be a part of his life, and now he’s gone. She says she’s so sorry. He should be with family, not there. They should be grieving together. He says he can’t deal with that, but he can help someone who needs it. She says, if someone said they wanted to help her, they could help her do some laps. How about it? He says, how many laps?

Michael asks how Dante is holding up, and Dante says, Laura wants to send Lulu to a long-term care facility, but it feels wrong to him. Michael says he knows it seems that way at first, but moving her to a facility like that is what she needs. His parents were in a similar situation with him, and it broke their hearts, but they made the right choice. He got the special care he needed, and when he woke up from his coma, he was able to leave and lead a normal life. Dante says he gets it, but it feels like they’re giving up on Lulu. Michael says he knows, but they both know Laura well enough to know she’d never give up on Lulu, and he knows Dante won’t either. 

Sam tells Carly, forget what she said, but Carly says, don’t do that. Sam is scared and needs to talk, and Carly is there listening. Sam says she hasn’t been able to catch her breath for the last 24 hours. She’s accepted the violence that goes with Jason’s life, but this is different. Danny almost died. She can’t get used to it. What if next time somebody tries to kill Jason, she, Danny, and Scout are with him? When she first became a mother, she wasn’t involved with Sonny’s world at all. Then she got engaged to Patrick. None of that made her miss Jason less, but for the first time in her life, she wasn’t running a con. She wasn’t married to the mob, or looking over her shoulder. Part of that made her feel normal. She liked Dev.

Eli tells Jason, easy. He doesn’t know what they want. Jason punches him in the stomach, and twists Eli’s arm around behind his back. He says Eli was working last night, and was close enough to hear him say he was going to The Floating Rib. Did he pass it along to Cyrus? Eli says he doesn’t know Cyrus, and Jason says, a guy in a suit with a ponytail. Did Eli tell him that Jason was going to be at The Floating Rib? Eli says, yeah, and Sonny pounds on Eli’s head with his finger, asking if he was paid to do anything else. Eli says, make a call to some guy, and pass on the message to drop off a package at The Floating Rib.

Sasha sees Willow with Michael, and tells Brando, last year at this time, that was her. She says she’s had enough exercise, and wants to go back to her room. Dante apologizes to Laura, saying, he was completely out of line. It’s a lot to process. She says she understands how he feels, and he says she’s right. Of course (🍷) they’ve got to do what’s best for Lulu’s care. He takes Laura’s hands, and says he wants her to know he’ll never stop loving Lulu. Laura says she knows that, and he goes back to Lulu’s room.

Monica asks for a moment. It’s Thanksgiving, but they’re here because a friend, family member, and member of their community is hurting, so she thinks a group prayer is in order. Everyone bows their heads, and Monica says, these last few days have been senseless and tragic. They’ve lost people too quickly, but have to remember to give thanks for what they do have. They have faith that things will get better; they have hope that their wounds will heal. They have the trust and support of those around them, and each other to lean on, and of course (🍷) have faith in God. Amen. Laura hugs Monica, and says she’s so lucky. Ned comes in with a load of pizzas, and Olivia says, it’s not the Thanksgiving dinner she’d promised… and Ned says, but it is keeping with tradition. Laura says, it’s perfect, and thanks them. Tracy walks in, and says, not so fast. First we sing, then we eat. Laura and I cry, and Laura hugs Tracy, thanking her.   

Sam tells Carly, she feels like her loyalty to Jason is in competition with her instincts to be Scout and Danny’s mother. Carly says she’s been there so many times. This life has so many ups and downs. There are good times, but there are dangers; it comes with the territory. Sam says she knows. That’s why she can’t sleep at night.

Eli tells Sonny and Jason, he just thought he was making a few extra bucks. He had no idea the package was a bomb. Jason asks who he called, and he says he doesn’t know; just some guy. Jason tells him to give them the phone, and Sonny takes it. He scrolls through and calls a number back. He hears the outgoing message say he’s reached Julian Jerome. He says, son of a bitch. (Sonny’s go-to curse phrase.)

Julian zips up his bag, when Ava walks in. He says she’s back sooner than he expected. She says, we need to have a talk, big brother. She holds a gun behind her back.

I just have to mention, after months of a mess on his head, Julian’s hair finally looks good. Now he’s leaving.

Tomorrow, Valentin fires Martin, Julian says Ava is choosing Nikolas over her own brother, Sonny says Julian has pushed him too far, and Laura slaps someone.

Below Deck

Shane sleeps while everyone else gets ready for charter. In Eddie’s interview, he says, WTF? It’s like a slap in the face to him and the team. He’s lost all respect for Shane, and he’s not even wasting energy to wake him up or scold him. Francesca warns Rachel that Captain Lee is coming, but I missed the warning system she has. He goes to the galley, and shows them a picture his wife sent of the two of them when they were younger, captioned, your favorite stew, so you don’t forget. He tells them that Maryann was his chief stew, and he got her into yachting. We see another photo of them, and in Rachel’s interview, she says she travels a lot, and understands. The captain says his wife is quite a lady, and Rachel tells Francesca that she misses her dude.

James says he doesn’t even check out Izzy’s ass anymore. Rachel calls boyfriend Vincenzo to say she misses and loves him. He says he misses her too. It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and the captain says primary Tim is a trial attorney. He’ll be joined by his wife Beth, and three other couples. He’s celebrating his 50th with a multi-course dinner, including beluga caviar and a live steel drum band. (It’s not clear whether they want to listen to the band or eat them.) They want a beach barbecue picnic, and a lot rests on Rachel. In Rachel’s interview, she says, these guests seem refreshing. They’re her spirit animal. We flash back to the last charter, where she served the guests lobster, and they wanted more Jell-O shots. Captain Lee says, the service has to match the menu. They also want the dreaded slide.

In the morning, James puts Nutella and chocolate syrup on his toast. Bleh. For dessert, yeah, but I can’t do that kind of thing in the morning. Eddie tells Shane to clean the waterline, and if he scratches his leg, clean it out good. Francesca wants Elizabeth to organize the pantry, and can’t understand why Elizabeth is so messy. Eddie tells Izzy about Shane claiming he wants to improve, yet he found Shane napping. James admits to being body conscious, and in his interview, says he was quiet as a kid, and felt like a loser. He went to the gym, and cracked jokes because he wanted to be heard. Elizabeth tells him, it’s nice to have someone to talk to about sh*t. Rachel suggests printing wine menus along with the food menus, and goes over the food with Francesca. In Francesca’s interview, she says Rachel’s sense of humor is R rated, and hers is more refined. Whatever it was went over my head, since I don’t know what she’s talking about. James does exercises on deck. Izzy tells Shane, initiative plus drive, and Shane asks Eddie what needs help with. Eddie tells Rachel about Shane wearing a sleep mask (he calls it an eye patch) with do not disturb on it. He says he can’t. He’s at the end of his line.

Rachel says she didn’t know Shane was sleeping and sh*t. Izzy tries to show Shane knots, and in Shane’s interview, he says he’s ready to show the crew that he can do his job, but his head is in a tornado. He tries to remember the rabbit hole story Izzy told him to help remember how to make the knot, and says he’s going to do it a million times tonight. Everyone goes to bed

In Shane’s interview, he says he’s a perfectionist, and Eddie not being happy with him is a bummer. Confidence comes from failure, so he’s pretty confident. The next morning, Shane tells James that he slept with his shammy in his bed. Francesca tells the stews that she wants to work on streamlining service more. Everything looks messy at the moment. She tells Elizabeth that she’d like the pantry done now. She doesn’t want to see a mess; they’ll be able to work better. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she thinks she can’t please Francesca, and it’s personal. A producer asks if she’s not really messy, and Elizabeth says she’s like a messy artist. Rachel asks Elizabeth, what’s wrong? but she says, nothing. Shane asks Eddie how he can help, and Eddie tells him, the list is on the wall. He says, Shane has told him a few times that he wants to go the distance, and Shane says he does. Eddie is going to see him in action. Eddie says he hopes so.

Elizabeth and Ashling clean the pantry, and in her interview, Ashling says she feels like she’s in between two pieces of bread. It’s so awkward. She can’t pick a side, or sh*t will hit the fan. Eddie tells them, provisions are here, and everything is brought in. Guest face towels are prepared, and Elizabeth shows Ashling the red tiger eye she carries for confidence. In her interview, Ashling supposes everybody’s different. It’s a half hour until the guests’ arrival, and the crew gets into their whites. Izzy frets over her camel toe, and the captain asks if she’s all right. When she explains, he says, alrighty then, having not expected TMI.

The guests arrive. When Izzy introduces herself, Tim says he’s easy too. Captain Lee says they’re going to get the party started quick. Francesca will give them a tour, they’ll get the luggage on board, and get out of Dodge. Francesca gives the tour, and I’m loving the cushion/pillow colors; very 60s with turquoise, green, and gold. Francesca tells the guests, a cheese board is coming, and puts Ashling on laundry. The boat heads out to Five Island Harbour. Francesca tells the guests that they’re going to anchor and have lunch relatively soon. Izzy says she’s so ready to drop anchor, since it’s her first time as deckhand, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to set the table, but not put out the wine glasses yet. Captain Lee tells the guests that this is the most protected area, and they ask if he’ll join them for dinner tomorrow. In Rachel’s interview, she says the guests are awesome in her eyes. They’re into food and wine, and that’s up her alley. She’s making an amazing, marinated snow crab that can’t fail. She plates it weird, in a crescent shape on the plate, and the guests wonder if something is missing. They also think it’s fake crab. In Francesca’s interview, she wonders on what super yacht they would serve fake crab. What an idiot. She tells Rachel, who says, it’s one of the most expensive seafoods you can have. I’d throw the shells at them as proof. 

The water toys are put in, and some of the guests jump off the boat. Primary Tim takes a nap, and Francesca tells Elizabeth, when she’s finished, prep for dinner. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she’s getting a negative vibe from Francesca. Eddie asks Ashling how day one is, and Ashling says she feels fab. A guest asks if they have a call button, but that’s a no. I can just imagine if they did. Elizabeth calls friend Ana, and says she’s trying to reset. She doesn’t appreciate the way things are said, and Ana tells her, don’t let anyone psych her out. In her interview, Rachel says she’s not happy. The guests didn’t like lunch, so she’s going big for dinner with herb crusted lamb, brioche, and foie gras. It’s dark out, and the guests look at some fish below that might be sharks. One of them wants to jump in and catch one, but as much fun as it would be to see a shark eat him, lucky for him, another guest stops him. In Shane’s interview, he says when he was in high school, he sat in the front, and had all the answers. He’s smart, and doesn’t know why doing this job makes him feel insecure. He’s a perfectionist, so he’s motivated to accomplish the job, but he doesn’t know how to get there. He writes in his journal.

At dinner, a guest is wearing some God-awful pants that look like the American flag. Beth says, it’s amazing, and they’re not going to want to go home. In Rachel’s interview, she says she thought the guests would be refined, but Tim is pretty wasted; it’s embarrassing. Yes it is, because he has to go to bed before dinner even happens. Beth tells him to make sure he comes to his birthday party. Rachel says, the primary hasn’t even touched his food. It’s annoying since she tried to make his food preferences come alive, and he’s done. The tiniest flan in the world is served for dessert, and the guests go to bed. James does crunches in his cabin, and Shane finishes up on deck.        

Eddie finds that Shane left the garage door open, and in his interview, says, it’s basic sh*t. You lock your house when you leave. He keeps repeating, today is a good effing day, while on his way to deal with Shane, but Shane is still in bed. In Francesca’s interview, she says Ashling is thinking like her. She has a go-getter attitude, which is what Francesca needs in a stew – to be more like her. Francesca tells Ashling that she’ll be going to the beach. Eddie says, it’s slide time, and explains the set-up to James. Francesca calls the provisioner, and says they’re having a white party, and need a steel drum band. The slide is the usual pain in the ass to set up, and Francesca tells Elizabeth to do the cabins. Eddie tells Shane that he didn’t close the garage door. In his interview, Eddie says he can’t be too aggressive. He knows the kind of guy Shane is, and his chakras will be out of whack, so Eddie is tiptoeing around him. James tests the slide, and the other toys are put in the water. Francesca tells Tim, happy birthday, and Rachel pushes waffles for breakfast.

Shane outs himself to the captain, telling him about leaving the door open. Captain Lee asks if Shane doesn’t shut the door when he leaves the house. Shane wanders off, and the captain says, dumbass, which about sums it up. Tim skips breakfast, since he doesn’t usually eat in the morning. The crew gets ready for the picnic, and Eddie drives Shane and Ashling over to the beach. In her interview, Rachel says, she’s pressed for time, and has a beach picnic. She loves it. It’s also the primary’s 50th, and he’s requested a multi-course tasting menu. The tender is unloaded at the beach, and they start to set up. Izzy asks if Ashling is single, and she says she is. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she feels badly about not being part of the beach picnic. She feels like Francesca isn’t happy with her, and Ashling is perfect, and it’s not fair.

Rachel gets the food platters ready for the beach. Francesca radios, asking for two pina coladas, but Rachel says, f*** that. She needs a hand getting stuff in the tender. In her interview, she says the lack of communication with her blows her mind. She doesn’t care what they need do. They need to make sure this sh*t gets schlepped TF out.

Francesca goes with the food, to expedite things. She says she wants to go swimming, but meanwhile, in the galley, Rachel wants to punch someone in the face. Eddie goes back for the guests, and Francesca takes pictures of the table. When the guests arrive, she welcomes Tim to his 50th birthday beach extravaganza. The guests are amazed, and declare food amazing, since this is apparently the only descriptive word they know. Some guests do snorkeling, while others jet ski, and the rest lounge around. Izzy asks if Shane happy, and he says he’s more prepared. In his interview, he says he knows he messed up incredibly, and has to step up his game and work hard. Eddie thinks he’s dumber than he actually is, so it’s frustrating. Ashling radios Eddie, telling him, the guests are ready to be picked up.

Francesca goes over the menu with Rachel, who says she’s going to bed after dinner, and crying. The beach is cleaned up, Shane being sure to scold them for not using paper straws. I have to say, I’m with him on this, since I live near a beach, and it’s horrible how many wash up. Eddie asks Izzy how she’s doing, and she says she’s dirty and messy, but good. Rachel looks for the caviar, and can only find salmon roe. She tells Francesca about it, and in her interview, Rachel says, the primary specifically said something about wanting it, and she’s going to lose her sh*t. Shane asks if she’s okay, and she tells him to keep moving; she’s not joking. She’s going to punch someone in the scrotum.

Alrighty then.

Next time, the captain joins the guests for dinner, Shane’s phone dies, and Captain Lee calls Shane to the bridge for a conversation. Shane looks scared.

🛥 So sorry. A little Deck confusion on my part last night. I thought there wasn’t going to be a new one, so good thing I double-checked. For whatever reason, it was listed, but there was no blurb, and my mind must have registered it as no show. Maybe it was too much Thanksgiving food. That’s my story anyway, and I’m sticking to it.

💍 And the Ring Makes Three…

So it turned out she wouldn’t have had time for that pesky reality show anyway.

https://pagesix.com/2020/11/24/below-deck-alum-hannah-ferrier-announces-engagement-weeks-after-giving-birth/

🌲 Pine Valley Rendezvous…

On December 2nd, at 1 pm, cast members reunite for your virtual pleasure.

💈 Just When He Got His Hair Right…

Port Charles bids Julian goodbye.

🦃 Like an After-Dinner Mint…

See how everyone in the soap world liked their turkey.

👠 Not One In NYC…

The current status of The Real Housewives as real housewives.

https://pagesix.com/article/which-real-housewives-are-currently-wives/

Or not.

https://pagesix.com/article/why-so-many-real-housewives-divorce-their-husbands/

🧗‍♀️ Off To Climb Every Mountain…

Or maybe just finish watching The Haunting of Bly Manor. Although I really should get back to getting rid of the Black-Friday-Small-Business-Saturday-Who-Knows-What-Sunday-Cyber-Monday assault of emails. Seriously, is five a day from every single retailer really necessary? Whether you took advantage of some sales, or looked at it all like a deer in headlights while hitting the delete button, stay safe, stay grounded mentally, and stay not spending your super yacht vacation napping.

November 23, 2020 – The Aftermath Of the Explosion, Eddie Makes Seven Trips To the Beach & Early

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

You guessed it. I missed the beginning again, but not much. Here are the important things. They flashed back to Friday, when The Floating Rib exploded. Dante, who’d been outside, called 9-1-1. Mac showed up, and wondered if the explosion had come from a gas leak. Laura found Sonny at the gym, and told him that Cyrus was after her. He’d requested a heavily redacted file from the PCPD for a crime she’d been involved with as a teenager – a murder. At GH, Portia told Carly that Sasha had a bad night. She wondered where Sasha had gotten the drugs, and said it had to have been a super strength coke or something they’d never seen before. Alexis was persuaded to stick around for the intervention, and Diane went first. She took Alexis on a trip down Memory Lane, saying she missed her most cherished comrade, and here we are.

Diane says she could always reach out to Alexis when she needed someone, but not anymore. Alexis thinks she wants to criticize, but she just wants her friend back. She loves Alexis, and asks Alexis to please come back to her.

Laura tells Sonny, it was long before he came to Port Charles. She was a minor; that’s why it’s so heavily redacted. He asks if she wants to tell him what happened, and she says she got involved with an older man, David Hamilton. He was a predator, and she totally fell for it – and him. It turned out he was using her to get back at her mother, who had rejected him. Sonny says, bastard, and she says David ripped up the letters she wrote him, and she got angry. She pushed him as hard as she could, and he lost his balance and fell. Sonny says, it was an accident, and Laura says, what she did killed him. She was convicted of murder, but because of her age and the circumstance… Sonny says, David Hamilton got what he deserved, and she says she put it so far behind her. She doesn’t understand why it’s coming up now. He tells her that she’d said Cyrus was interested, and she says he got his hands on the file. Sonny asks, why? but she says she doesn’t know. She was hoping Sonny could tell her.

Portia tells Carly, Sasha isn’t the first OD they’ve seen. They’ve seen an alarming rise of OD’s in the last few months. Carly says, they know who’s responsible, but until Cyrus is exposed, they have to focus on keeping their families safe. She knows it weighs on Josslyn, but Sonny’s protection keeps Trina safe too. She hopes Trina isn’t complaining. Portia says she’s not. Trina is doing well, and she’s starting to bounce back from her father’s death. Carly says Portia raised a special young woman, and Portia says Carly’s not a bad mother herself. The phone rings, and Portia says she’ll alert the staff. She tells Carly, there’s been an explosion at The Floating Rib.  

Dante paces outside The Rib, and asks, where the hell are you? Julian shows up, and asks where the first responders are. Dante says, they’re en route. He doesn’t know how many people are trapped inside, and the building could come down at any moment. He asks if Julian was inside, but Julian said he was driving when he heard the explosion.

Inside, Dante calls to Lulu. He finds Dustin, and checks him over. He says Dustin’s breathing sounds okay, and tells him to hold on. He moves the debris Dustin is trapped under, and says he’s got him. Elizabeth tells Cameron to be careful, and Cameron says he’s fine. Go to Franco. Cameron steps over the wreckage, and Elizabeth finds Franco, but he’s unconscious. She says his name. Cameron looks for Dev, and pulls debris off of him. He shakes Dev, and tells him to wake up. Elizabeth tells Franco it will be okay; he’s going to make it.    

Now Julian paces outside, and asks, where is everybody? He sees a baseball cap, and picks it up. Morgan is written on the inside, and he says, oh my God.

Sonny tells Laura, he’s had his eyes on Cyrus for a while, but he doesn’t understand why Cyrus would be interested in a crime she committed as a minor. Laura says she thought he was looking for leverage to embarrass her, but she hasn’t heard a word from him. Does Sonny think Cyrus knew David? Sonny says, maybe, and she says, it was so many years ago; why drag it up now? He says, because she’s mayor. Cyrus likes to use people of power for his own needs. Laura says she thought that too, in the beginning, but it feels like it’s more than that. She thinks his interest in her goes beyond leverage and blackmail. Laura’s phone rings, and she says, it’s the PCPD, and steps away. Sonny’s phone rings. It’s Carly.

Diane tells Alexis, let her help, for all the times Alexis helped her. Alexis gets up, and says, she’s just drinking a bit, and they’re acting like it’s the end of the world. Who’s next? Step right up, and share their heartwarming story of their love for her. Molly asks why she’s acting this way, but Alexis says they’re the ones turning their backs on her. Molly looks at her phone, and Diane looks at hers. Molly asks if Diane is reading what she is, and Diane says, there’s been an explosion at The Floating Rib. Sam says she’s going with Diane, and tells Molly to stay with the kids. She doesn’t want Alexis near them. Diane says she’ll drive. They leave, and Alexis says Sam is worried about Jason and Danny, but doesn’t trust her. Valentin asks if they doesn’t tell her how her drinking is affecting her family.   

Julian cries over the cap, and cradles it in his arms.

Lulu asks Dante, what happened? and Dante tells her, there was an explosion; the ambulance is on the way. Sit tight. She says, Dustin, and Dante helps her up. She says, this can’t be happening. Elizabeth calls to Cameron, telling him not to move Dev; wait for the paramedics. Sparks keep happening, from the neon signs and various equipment, and Cameron says, Dev doesn’t look good. Elizabeth says, he’s in shock; keep him warm. Cameron asks how Franco is, and she says she’s trying to stop the bleeding. The first responders begin to come in, and both Elizabeth and Dante say, over here. Outside, Julian tells a fireman that his grandson is in there. He wasn’t there when it happened, but they have to find him. The fireman assures Julian that they’ll look for him. Portia tells Deanna, get the victims stabilized. Carly asks Julian, what happened? Is Dev here? Is he okay? Julian says he doesn’t know what to do. Carly grabs the cap from him, and asks why he has Danny’s cap. He says he found it, and Carly asks if Julian saw Jason with Danny inside. Did he see Danny with Jason?

Carly tells Julian to answer her question; were Jason and Danny inside? Sonny comes along, and asks what the hell Julian is doing there. He tells Carly not to worry, and she says they have to find them. Laura tells Mac that Lulu isn’t answering her phone, and she was in there. Sonny says, so is Dev. Dante asks Mac, what happened? and Mac says, it went up like a rocket. They’re getting the people out, but only first responders are allowed inside. If they want to help, please stay away; it’s too dangerous. Laura asks if anyone has come out, but Mac says, not that he knows of. She screams for Lulu, and Mac holds her to keep her from going in.

Lulu asks if Dustin is all right, and Dante holds her. We see the engagement ring in Dustin’s hand. Outside. Laura says, Lulu isn’t answering, but Mac says they’ll find her. She asks, what happened? and he says, it was an explosion of some kind. A major portion of the roof caved in, and he wonders if it’s his fault. The first responders start bringing people out. Elizabeth checks Franco’s pulse, and says his breathing is shallow, but his pulse is steady. He’s going to be okay. Franco asks where Cameron is, and she says, Cameron is okay; she’s worried about him. Cameron comes out with Dev, who’s on a stretcher. He asks if Dev will be okay, and the paramedic says they have to get him to the hospital. Sonny says, he’ll go with Dev, and tells Cameron to trust him. He leaves, and Dante brings Lulu over to Laura. Laura asks how she is, and Dante says she was unconscious when he found her, but Lulu says she’s okay. Laura says she thought she’d lost her. She has to be checked out. Lulu says, Dustin is inside, and it’s really, really bad. Laura says she’s bringing Lulu to the ER, and don’t argue. Mac says the press are there, and clamoring for answers. At the very least reassurance from the mayor. Dante says he’ll take Lulu to get checked out, and Laura says she’ll get to GH as soon as she can.  

In the ambulance, Sonny says, come on, kid. He tells Dev that he’s going to make it. He fought his way to Sonny, so he’s going to fight again. Dev thanks Sonny for giving him a family. Sonny says Dev saved his life, and saved his son’s life. He’s going to make it through this. Don’t die on him. Dev says, tell Josslyn that he’s sorry, and expires. Sonny says, damn it.

Sam says, Jason and Danny aren’t answering their phones, and asks if Mac has seen them. Mac says, sorry, and Laura tells her, Lulu is in there. She knows how Sam feels, but they’ve got to be patient. Sam starts to get hysterical, and wants to go inside, but Diane tells her not to give them another person to rescue. Let the first responders do their job. Sam sees Julian, and says, he was in there. Did he see Jason and Danny? Julian says, sorry about this, and gives her the baseball cap. She cries, and says, no! and Julian holds her.

Carly tries to call Jason, and says, he has to be okay. Sonny comes back, and tells her, Dev didn’t make it. They hug, and she says, oh my God; what happened? Sonny says Dev woke up in the ambulance long enough to thank him for giving him a family. Carly says she’s glad Sonny was with him, but Sonny says he didn’t save Dev. She says Sonny protected him for two years, and he says, she did also. She says, they all did; Josslyn, Trina, Cameron. He had friends, and Sonny gave him hope. Sonny says, he was great kid. He has to let Brando know before the media does.

Portia tells Lulu that Dustin has serious internal injuries, and needs to be stabilized. Lulu asks if she can see him, and Portia says, he’s in trauma one. Dante says Lulu needs to be checked out first, and she says she will, after she sees Dustin. He asks, what’s the point in seeing Dustin if she collapses on him? and Lulu asks if Dante would check on him. Dante says, of course (🍷). Elizabeth tells Andy that she’s sure he noticed Franco has a brain tumor, and Andy says Franco is bleeding profusely. She asks if he thinks the injury impacted the tumor in any way, and he says he has good news and bad news.

Lulu calls Mac over, and says she got word of the first casualty. He asks, who? and she says, Dev Corbin. He says, Sonny’s cousin? She nods, and he says, sorry. Laura says, what about Jason and Danny? but he says, no one’s found them yet. She asks if he has any more information on what caused it. What does he think happened? He says, it’s too soon to say. An investigator is on the way.

Sonny tells Carly that he left word for Brando to call him. He didn’t want to leave the news on voicemail. Sam and Diane join them, and Sam says she’s got to find her son. Diane says Jason took Danny to dinner there, and neither one of them are answering their phones.

Alexis tells Valentin, Sam is a clever daughter. She took away all the liquor. He asks if she’s tried the kitchen, and Molly says, it’s an intervention, and he’s enabling Alexis? Alexis suggests Molly check on Scout, and Molly says she’ll leave Alexis to self-destruct, and won’t worry about them. Valentin asks Alexis if he can read his letter first, and she lies on the couch. He sits, and puts her feet in his lap. He says, Dear Alexis… Last spring he found out his life was a lie, and she literally talked him down from the ledge. If she’d been drinking, she wouldn’t have been there, and he wouldn’t be here now. Give him a chance to return the favor. She’s a smart, beautiful woman, and even if they’re not related by blood, that doesn’t mean she’s not his sister. Please don’t drown yourself in alcohol. Love, Valentin. Little hearts pop out of my eyes because I love him so much at this moment.

Lulu tells Laura, she’s still waiting to see a doctor, and she couldn’t be with Dustin. Laura holds her, and Dante goes in to see Dustin. He asks how Dustin is doing, and Dustin tries to sit up. Dante says Dustin needs to get some strength before he has surgery. Lulu wanted to come in, but a doctor has to look at her first. Dustin asks if she’s okay, and Dante says she is. Lulu only looks fragile. She’s one of the toughest people he knows. Dustin asks Dante to promise him that he’ll be there for her, and Dante says he thinks she wants Dustin. Dustin says she needs Dante, and Dante says, okay; he’ll be there. The alarm on the monitor goes off, and Dustin starts to have a seizure. Dante yells for the doctor, and Portia runs in. She pushes Dante aside, and says, code blue. She needs a crash cart, stat. She begins to pump on Dustin’s chest. Something maybe they should have tried with Dev.

Franco asks Elizabeth about Cameron, and she says, Cameron is going to be fine. The bad news is, Franco needs surgery. The good news is they can drain the blood to keep his brain from swelling. There’s a chance they’ll have to remove a small portion of the tumor. He says, no, it’s too risky, but she says it’s the only chance he has to live. He says, it’s not about that. If there’s a chance when he comes out, that he’ll be the person he used to be, he would rather die than be that guy again.

Julian leaves a message for Cyrus, saying, Jason wasn’t the only one in the building. Jason’s son was in there as well Julian’s grandson. Sonny tells Sam to calm down, and asks how they know Danny and Jason were inside. Diane says all they know is Jason intended to take Danny to The Floating Rib, and they must have been there at some point; they found Danny’s baseball cap outside. Carly says, they could have been there and left, but Sam says, they’re not answering their phones. Where are they? Carly says, if Danny is there, Jason has him. Sam knows Jason has survived worse.

Sam waits, and Julian approaches. She asks what he wants, and he says he wants to tell her what he did. She says, now? and he says he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t.

Franco is handed some medication, and when the nurse is gone, he gets up. He starts taking the monitor cuffs off, and Elizabeth comes in. She says, uh-uh. He’s being prepped for surgery. She signed the paperwork. She can’t let him die. He says he knows she loves him, but she needs to let him go.

Dante comes out, and Lulu asks what that sound was. Was it Dustin? What was the alarm? Dante tells her to sit down, but she says, no; just tell her. He says he’s sorry; Dustin didn’t make it. She cries, no! and says she should have been in there with him. She freaks out, and Laura holds her. I almost want to cry, and I don’t even care about these characters. Dante says Dustin’s last words were about her, and Dustin gave him this. He hands her the ring, and she cries harder.

Alexis comes out of the kitchen, and says, score! She tells Valentin, her daughter wasn’t as careful as she should have been. She found a lovely little bottle. He asks if this is her response to the sentimentality of his letter. She says she applauds his integrity. Does he want to join her? He can always leave. He says he’ll stay until they get word on Jason and Danny, and Alexis says, no matter how angry Sam makes her, she’ll never say I told you so. She knew this night was coming, and hoped she was wrong. She was hoping her grandson would grow up normal, go to college, and be what he wanted to be, but no. Sam sent him off to be with his father. Jason has admirable qualities, but he’s a magnet for danger and dangerous people. They don’t care if he lives or dies, and tonight it caught up with him. Unfortunately, he was with Danny. Valentin watches Alexis drink, and looks bored.  

Sonny tells Diane, Dev was in The Rib when it exploded. He died in the ambulance. Diane says she’s so sorry, and he asks her to go to the hospital to get the paperwork. Tell them she’s representing the family, and he’ll notify Dev’s father. He doesn’t want Brando to get a call from them. Diane says she brought Sam, and Sonny says he’ll make sure she gets home. Diane says, then she’s gone. When he hears anything about Jason and Danny, call her. He says he will, and she leaves. Sonny sees Sam talking to Julian.

Sam tells Julian, she has more important things to deal with now. She’s waiting to find out of Jason and Danny are alive. What could possibly be more important? Julian says, nothing, except she needs to hear this from him. Seeing a cop, she walks away. Carly asks the cop if everyone is out, but he says they’re still searching. Suddenly, Jason is there, and Carly hugs him. She says she knew he wasn’t dead. Why did he scare her like that? Sam comes over, and asks where Danny is, and Jason says, at the Quartermaines. He just dropped Danny off. Sam hugs him, and says he’s okay. Thank God.

Tomorrow, Alexis asks if this was part of Valentin’s plan, Maxie asks Lulu if she would have married Dustin had he survived, Sonny says it’s not supposed to go like this, and Ava asks who died tonight?

Below Deck

The 20somethings eat sushi off of a nakey girl, while Ashling cries in the laundry room that she has no underwear. Elizabeth offers hers, and Ashling says, today was a lot. In Francesca’s interview, she says it breaks her heart. Ashling’s been working hard, and she’s gone straight off the deep end. Now she’s crying in front of her boss. Francesca regrets crying in front of Captain Lee. In Eddie’s interview, he says he has to impress upon James that it’s not a vacation, and Shane needs instruction. He shouldn’t be this tired this early in the season. His back is tired from carrying everyone.

Francesca tells Elizabeth to go to bed. Primary Dax FaceTimes with (I think) his mother, and says he’s wasted bad. James wanders around, and Dax asks why a good looking guy like him is working on a yacht. He tells Francesca that James is the hottest guy on the boat, and his girlfriend wonders if she should worry. James takes down the decorations from dinner, and Dax asks who Francesca’s favorite deckhand is. She says, they all are, and James tries to flirt with her in the galley. She’s not into it, and tells Rachel that James is prodding all the time. Rachel says, people do that to avoid working.

Ashling tells Francesca that she’s feeling better after five hours sleep, but in her interview, says, still no underwear, no makeup, and no face cream. Wish her luck. Eddie finds random food on the deck, and says, it’s a mess. It’s like a Jackson Pollock painting. It’s disrespecting everyone on the crew. Eddie tells Izzy that they have to wash the cushions. A double rainbow happens, and Eddie asks Francesca if she knows what that means. She says, they’re going to have a good day? He says, it means absolutely effing nothing, and they laugh. Eddie and Izzy clean the deck, and Ashling sets the table for breakfast. Shane drinks something directly out of the blender. Rachel has Francesca push lobster benedict. Eddie tells James that the deck was an effing disaster, and asks if James looked under the table; that’s his job. Nothing was cleaned up, and it’s inexcusable. When Eddie leaves, James says he just walked in. Give him a break.

Eddie tells the guests that he’s stoked. It’s beautiful out, and jet skis are happening. A guest complains about the boat swaying, which I think boats generally do. Rachel suggests a Mexican themed picnic, and says she wants to do a barbecue for dinner, weather permitting. In Rachel’s interview, she thinks they’d enjoy dinner in the hot tub. For college kids it would be epic. They’re on a yacht in a jacuzzi, eating dinner. It sounds kind of disgusting to me, but okay. The captain talks to Eddie and Francesca about the schedule, and the guests get into their bathing suits. In Izzy’s interview, she says she was never been given the opportunity to learn, and let it fester. She needs to learn not to do that. The captain asks Francesca how Ashling is doing, and Francesca says, she’s settling in. He asks if she knows how to iron. He sees one of the guests standing on a jet ski, and says, goddam children. He laughs when the guy falls off.

Rachel says she hasn’t done a beach set up from this yacht. It’s a temporary yacht environment off the yacht, and it has to be on point. Eddie tells Izzy and Shane they’ll be going to the beach. Elizabeth tells Rachel that the guests want macaroni and cheese, and Rachel says she doesn’t mind making anything, but has no macaroni. Francesca tells Elizabeth to come to her, and not go directly to Rachel with requests. In her interview, Elizabeth says she’s having doubts about the two stripes she was given. She feels like she’s walking on eggshells. The guests are in the hot tub, and one of the guys shows them the tattoo on his butt cheek, which I could have lived without seeing. The guests whine that they’re hungry, while Shane and Izzy try to set up a canopy in the wind on the beach. Eddie asks if he can bring the guests with the food, but Izzy says they’re still setting up. The guests grumble some more about being hungry, and Captain Lee tells Eddie, double time it. In Eddie’s interview, he says, the guests are hungry and they’re behind. It makes them look like amateurs. The guests go from hungry to freaking starving, and the captain gets involved, making Eddie hustle them over to the beach.

Now on the beach, Francesca realizes the pitcher of margaritas was left behind, and calls Ashling, telling her, it’s in the galley fridge. Eddie picks it up, and the captain says, it better be full when he gets there. The guests ask for sunscreen, which has also been left behind. Shane radios Ashling. In Francesca’s interview, she says, a second stew need to show initiative. She can’t train it. The guests practice their golf swings. Elizabeth radios the boat, and asks for shot glasses and a bottle of tequila. Eddie says, seriously? After playing tequila pong, the guests want to go back, and Eddie makes his seventh trip in the tender. Izzy tells Shane about how she was paralyzed when she was in Croatia, and had to stay in the hospital for weeks. In her interview, she explains that she has Guillain-Barre syndrome, and still gets fatigue from it. Eddie praises Izzy for her hard work.

Sitting down in the crew mess, Eddie says he hasn’t even taken a piss today, and the captain radios for him. I laugh. Captain Lee asks Eddie for an assessment of the interior, and Eddie says, they lack communication. In the captain’s interview, he says, the crew can’t blame it on learning how to work with each other. They know better, and they’re not doing it, but trust him, they will. They can’t keep going like this. In the hot tub, one of the guests produces a bathtub duckie named cross-eyed Kathy. I don’t want to know. Izzy says James will do anything that moves. Ashling tells Francesca that the guests want to eat at the table, and Rachel barbecues on the upstairs deck.

No one tells Rachel about dinner being moved, and in her interview, she says, now she has to take the food to the galley, reheat, and replate it. There’s no communication, and it’s effing disappointing. Eddie says Izzy is doing great; she’s better than the other deckhands. He tells her, be confident, and let it drive her energy. The guests are met before dinner with Jell-O shots. Eddie tells James, the deck had better be spotless tonight.

In the morning Eddie says, amazing. James did his job. Rachel’s breakfast special is duck confit and Belgian waffles, her upscale version of chicken and waffles. The captain announces their final approach, and after docking, tells the deckhands, great job. He wants everyone in their whites on the aft deck in five. Dax tells them, the only thing that was less than ideal was how long it took to get to the beach. All of the meals were great, and they had a blast. He gives Captain Lee the tip envelope.

At the tip meeting, the captain says, charter two didn’t do as well, and everybody needs to step up their game. Francesca and Eddie are carrying most of the heavy workload. They need to start stepping up, or he’ll make changes. They need to work on being proactive, not reactive. They’re not on vacation, and need to start getting the job done. The tip is $12k, or $1000 each; they dodged a bullet. He tells them, get the job done or be replaced, then asks if there are any comments or complaints. Now’s the time. He gets silence. In Rachel’s interview, she says, they lack communication, but she’s giving Francesca the benefit of the doubt. She doesn’t want to burn that bridge just yet. Ashling’s suitcase shows up, and in her interview, she says, clean underwear and clean clothes. Part of her has arrived. Izzy thinks Eddie is going sew Shane’s mouth shut one morning. In Francesca’s interview, she says, to be fair, during the first charter, Elizabeth stepped up to the plate, but during the second one, she had to micromanage. Elizabeth isn’t bringing it. Where is it?   

Rachel says, it’s cocktail time, and she hasn’t even bathed, but it’s all right. She Febrezed herself. Shane does an imitation of Spicolli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and it’s spot-on. They  go to a restaurant for dinner, and at least everyone seems to be getting along – for now. In Ashling’s interview, she says, growing up, she had a higher level of maturity. She thinks Shane is on a different level. After dinner, the crew bounces to the bar next door. Shane goes over some technical stuff with Eddie, and James gets pissed because Shane is talking about work when they’re outside of work. He tries to make small talk with Ashling and Rachel, but between him getting drunk and his accent, neither one of them can understand him. They go back to the boat. Rachel gets in bed with her clothes on.

James tells Elizabeth, everyone works super hard, but they don’t enjoy themselves. She asks what he thinks the solution is, and he says he could stick the job out, but does he want to? In his interview, he says his dad forced him to go to uni, where you have to be fake and quiet. Two weeks in, he quit and did his own thing. He feels the same way right now, and doesn’t know if he can stick it out.

James talks to his mother on the phone, and in his interview, he says she loves that he’s in yachting. He doesn’t want to let her down, so he’s not going anywhere. He tells Shane that he’d gotten fed up, and Shane says James is in it. Rachel sees Elizabeth struggling with pants creases, and steps in to help, explaining she learned in the ROTC, since they got rated on their uniforms. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she feels like Rachel is her soul sister. James asks if Shane can think of anything else they need to do before the next charter, and Shane says, take a nap. In his interview, it takes him a while to do the math, but he says he’s been working 18 hour days, and getting only 6 hours of sleep.  

Eddie looks in the cabin, and sees Shane napping in a sleep mask. Eddie says, wtf? He just found Shane napping when everyone else is working. He’s going to pay the price now.

Next time, a trial attorney charters the boat for his 50th anniversary, Izzy has to explain that she has camel toe to the captain, and Rachel loses her sh*t over there being no caviar.

⛸ Skating…

The Haves and The Have Nots is back tomorrow, and I have to jet to finish an article for https://mupoentertainment.com/theresa-krakauskas/. There will be time for tea another day, but in the meantime, stay safe, stay out of the hot tub while eating, and stay decorating early for the holidays if you want to. Normally, I’m against anything before Thanksgiving, but this year, if you need a little Christmas, go for it.

November 16, 2020 – Michael Confronts Cyrus, 20somethings On Deck, a Surprise Lucas & Goodnight

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Michael and Willow are about to get busy, when Chase walks in. He says, sorry. He didn’t.. and jets.

Brando runs into Cyrus’s apartment, and asks if Sasha can hear him. He asks, what happened? and Cyrus says, she just collapsed; no warning. Brando says, her pulse is racing. He thinks she’s having a heart attack.

Sonny tells Jason he feels for Sasha. It brings up his own sins in a big way. Jason says the best thing they can do for Sasha is stop Cyrus.

Julian goes into the hospital, and sees Olivia, Sam, and nuLucas (more on that below). He asks if it’s Leo.

Brook tells Ned not to do this to her. She can’t stay. He asks, why not? and she says she just told him why not. He says she’s not taking his apology into consideration. He’s sorry. He was wrong.

At the MetroCourt, Martin tells Valentin, in a lot of ways, children are like property. In other ways, not so much. IF Charlotte were an apartment building, Valentin could just assign her to Nina, but she’s a human being; a child. Valentin thanks him for his remarkable insight, and Martin says, this won’t be easy. Valentin says Martin had better figure it out. If something happens to him, he won’t have his daughter’s biological mother filling her head with nonsense about him. Martin says after the dumpster fire he made with Nina, what makes him think she’ll have anything better to say about him?

At another table, Jax asks Nina what she wants to do, but she says, there’s nothing to do. She feels like she just ran face first into a brick wall. He says they know more about her daughter than they did yesterday, and she agrees they do. Enough to stop looking for her.

Carly looks at the half-heart necklace on Avery, and asks her what it is. Avery says her good luck charm. Carly flashes back to Nina telling her that her daughter would have the other half. Carly says, oh my God; it’s Nelle. She asks if Avery can tell her where she got it.

Valentin says he doesn’t have the power to Charlotte from Lulu, but he does have the power to offer her a fairy godmother. A warm and loving presence in her life who already thinks she’s wonderful, and has full legal right to her. That’s where Martin comes in.

Ned says he and Brook are a lot alike, and Brook says, he thinks so? He says he gave himself permission to punish her for his own shortcomings and failures instead of punishing himself. He hates that he did that. His grandfather did it to his mother, and he swore he wouldn’t do it to her.

Nina says, it’s a bitter disappointment, of course (🍷), but at a certain point, fate is telling her to stop searching for her daughter. There’s no documentation, no names, no nothing. Jax says that doesn’t mean she should give up, but she says, that’s exactly what it means. The universe is telling her this door is closed, and she has to be adult enough to accept it.

Avery tells Carly that she found the necklace in the cabin. Carly asks if she found it inside or outside, and Avery says she got out of bed, and went exploring. Carly says, so outside, and tells her they have to be careful in the woods, especially at night. When she went out, did Avery take the path that went through a gate to a clearing where logs were stacked up? Avery gets excited, and says, yes! That’s where she found it.   

Michael follows Chase down the stairs, and asks what he’s doing there. What was that? Chase says he’s so sorry. He was looking for Willow to tell her that his brother is going to be okay, and thank her for checking in. Monica told him that she was painting the playroom, and he had no idea… Michael says, it’s okay. It’s a big house, and people don’t always know what everyone is up to. Willow stands on the stairs, and Chase says he’s happy for them, and can’t get out the door fast enough.

Olivia says, Leo had an accident, but he’s okay, and Julian asks why they didn’t call. Lucas asks, why would they? and Julian says, can someone at least tell him what happened? Sam says she was watching Danny and Leo in the park, and Leo took a flying leap off the swings. Lucas says he’s like his big brother, and Olivia says, he’s scraped up, and needs a tetanus shot, but he’ll be fine. Lucas asks what Julian is doing there, and Julian says he came there to get an update on Ryan.   

Brando asks Cyrus, how much did she do? and Cyrus says he doesn’t know what Brando is talking about. Brando says, drugs, cocaine; how much did she take? Cyrus says, she was in the bathroom; he didn’t see her take anything. Brando starts to call 911, but Cyrus tells him, put the phone away. Brando says he doesn’t think Cyrus gets it; this girl could die, and Cyrus says he won’t have this tied to him. Get rid of her.

Jason says Cyrus has marginalized anyone who might cooperate with him or Sonny. Basically, he has a building full of hostages. Sonny says, and a place to run drugs where they can’t get in. Jason says if it was a warehouse, they’d just blow it up, but they can’t have a shootout at the hospital. He wants to take this guy out, but Sonny says he knows what happens if he does. Jason says, someone else will replace him. You can’t have that huge of a reach from prison without a network behind you. Sonny suggests they talk it through, and asks what they’re going to do. Jason says, Cyrus is the symptom, but the problem is what he represents, what’s happened for all these years. It’s never worked for anyone to bring product through Port Charles. With Sonny blocking the way, they end up either dead or broke, so it stopped. If Cyrus proves he can do it, the floodgates will open. Sonny says, that can’t happen. They have to shut it down. Sonny’s phone rings. It’s Brando, calling from an alleyway. Sonny asks, what’s up? and Brando says they’ve got a situation. Sasha gasps for air.  

Olivia thanks Sam and Lucas, and Sam asks her to give Leo a kiss for them. Olivia leaves, and Sam and Lucas start to walk away. Julian says he knows they’re trying to freeze him out, but that’s not going to stop him from trying to fix things. He’s going to do that until his last breath. Lucas asks if he thought they didn’t notice or care that he married Nelle, and tried to take Wiley away from Michael. Julian says he loves Wiley, and Lucas says he loves himself. If he wants to help Leo, leave him alone. Don’t put him through the same BS that he put them through. There are people in this world that can’t cut it as parents, and he’s one of them. He’s putting on a show because he likes the way that it looks to himself. The rest of them are over it. He and Sam walk away.

Michael asks if Willow is okay, and she says she is. While she regrets that Chase walked in on them, she doesn’t regret what he walked in on. He asks if she’s just saying that to make him feel better, but she says they don’t do that. Honesty zone. It’s one of the things she likes best about them. He says, good, because them sticking together meant a lot to him. She says it meant a lot to her too. Michael’s phone rings. It’s Jason, who says Michael needs to meet him and Sonny at the hospital. Sasha is in the ER. Michael says he’s on his way.

Sasha is wheeled in, and the paramedic tells Lucas, it’s a possible OD. Her respiration is shallow, and she’s unresponsive. Lucas says some medical stuff, and Brando says he thinks that’s correct. Lucas tells them to put her in cubicle two, and asks Brando, what happened? Brando says he wasn’t there, and Lucas asks how he knows that’s correct. It’s important. It could save her life.

Carly tells Avery, she thinks the clasp on the necklace is loose. She’s going to take it to get it fixed, so Avery doesn’t lose her good luck charm. Avery agrees.

Nina asks Jax what she’s supposed to do. Go around Florida, knocking on doors, saying she’s an extremely wealthy heiress, looking for her daughter? And by the way, do you have the other half of this necklace? Jax says she’s come this far, and she says, it’s far enough. She’s done. Jax thinks it’s too soon, and suggests they go back to his place and open a nice bottle of wine. He sees a foot rub in her future. They can talk about it some more. She says, okay, and thanks him. His phone rings. It’s Carly, who says, it’s urgent. She needs him to come to her house. She knows it’s awkward, but he can’t bring Nina. He tells Nina that it was Carly, and she said it was important. Nina tells him to go. It might be about Josslyn. She’d do the same thing.

Using a Star Trek transporter, Jax arrives at Carly’s house in two seconds, and asks, what happened? She says she thinks Nelle is Nina’s daughter.

Valentin asks if he can talk to Nina, but she says, it’s been a long day. He says, it’s about Charlotte, and she asks if Charlotte is okay. He sits, and says she’s fine, but he wants to make sure she stays that way. Last night made him realize he hasn’t made adequate arrangements should something happen to him. He needs to know Nina would still be in her life. Nina says she would never abandon Charlotte, and he asks if she’d like to make it official. He wants her to have legal rights to Charlotte.

Brook tells Ned, she’s sorry; she was wrong. He tells her that she doesn’t have to say that, but she says she was wrong to sign that stupid contract to begin with. She showed up there, expecting him to buy her out of it, then resented him when he wouldn’t do what she wanted, instead of admitting she messed up. He says it seems to be a thing with them, and Brook says it was easier to call him out for it than own up. By the time Valentin appeared with the answer to all her problems, that’s all she could see. He says, it was the easy way out, and she says he called her on it. And guess what? He was right.

Willow takes the cover off the couch in the playroom, and sends a text. At Charlie’s bar, Chase gets a text from Willow saying they should talk.

Michael gets to the hospital, and asks Sonny how Sasha is. Sonny says they don’t know yet. Michael sees Lucas, and asks if he’s treating her. Lucas says, she OD’d. He says, that guy brought her in, indicating Brando. He thinks she took cocaine, but he wasn’t with her, so he doesn’t know. They’re running some tests. Whatever she took, seems to be a variant of coke, but kicked up a notch; a lot of notches. Michael asks if it’s more dangerous, and Lucas says, it’s insanely pure, or cut with some other stuff. They don’t know. They don’t think it’s the quantity she ingested, but the properties of it. Sonny and Jason look at each other.

Cyrus goes into Sasha’s cubicle, and the nurse tells him, sorry, no visitors. He asks how the patient is. Considering she’s on a ventilator, I’d say, not too good.

Brook tells Ned, she really needs some clarity right now, and if she stays, that clarity will be gone. It’s no one’s fault. He says she needs distance, and she says that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love him. She does. He says he loves her too, and she says she just needs to go away for a while. She needs him to understand that. He says he does, and she thanks him, but he says it won’t make him miss her any less. They hug, and she picks up her stuff. She says, one more thing. He loves Olivia. He says more than he would have thought possible, and she tells him to do everything in his power to hold on to her. She leaves, and he sighs heavily.

Julian follows Sam and asks what she means. His only way to have a relationship with his grandchildren and her, is to stop trying to have a relationship with them? She says every time they see him, he’s in their faces about it. Give it a rest. He says he doesn’t understand. For all the danger he brings, Jason gets to have chances while he doesn’t She tells him not to bring Jason into it. Olivia appears and says, allow her to explain the difference.

Nina tells Valentin, she loves the idea; she’s all in. Of course (🍷) she doesn’t want him to die, but if anything should happen to him, she still wants that connection to Charlotte. She thinks it would be good for Charlotte, and knows it would be good for her. He says he’ll set the wheels in motion, and she asks if he wants to know how to guarantee that it doesn’t happen. Don’t try to ram it down Lulu’s throat. He hasn’t always been smart when it comes to that. She wonders if she can ask him a question, and for him to not have an agenda, or manipulate the answer. He hopes so, and Nina says she found that nurse. She confirmed Nina had a little girl, and she lived. It turns out she was the one who delivered Nina’s little girl to her new family. He asks, where? and she says, Florida. The only thing she knows is that her daughter has the other half of the necklace. She has no other information. It was decades ago, and her daughter could be anywhere in the world. She thinks it’s a sign from God to let this go, but Jax thinks she should keep going. She wants to know what Valentin thinks. Be objective, okay? Does he think it’s worth it?

Jax asks Carly where she heard this. It has to be wrong. She says she wants to be, but she doesn’t think she is. She hands him the necklace, and says, this was Nelle’s. She was wearing it when they fought in the clearing. He tells her, start from the beginning, and she asks if he remembers she was having nightmares. She thought Nelle wasn’t done with her yet. He says there was something she thought she should remember, and she says they were gearing up for Wiley’s custody battle, and she was talking to Nina, mostly about Nelle. They were talking about seeing things you want to see, and Nina told her that her daughter would have the other half of the necklace, but Sasha didn’t. Fast forward to her fight with Nelle. Nelle was wearing the necklace, and it must have fallen off during their struggle. He says Carly just remembered, and went back to get it? but she says, no. Avery went to the cabin with Ava, and found it in the woods. She calls that damn thing her good luck charm. He says she just found out today, and she says when she saw it, it all came back. He’s going to think she’s crazy, but that necklace proves Nelle is Nina’s daughter. He says she’s not crazy.

At the hospital, Sonny texts Brando, asking if he was there. Brando says, no. he came in after. For her to OD that fast, it would have to be a mountain of cocaine. Sonny texts back, or… and Brando texts, or it wasn’t cocaine. Sonny shows Jason.

Willow meets Chase at Charlie’s, and he asks if he can get her anything. She says, no, and he says he’s sorry for barging in like that. She says, it’s okay. Michael told her what happened. It was sweet and wonderful for him to come by and tell her about Finn. He says, in hindsight, he probably should have texted. She says she didn’t come there for an apology; she came because she still cares. Regardless of the circumstances, walking in on someone you love with someone else is hard. She knows what it’s like, and she’s sorry he had to go through that. She says she’s just making things worse, and starts to leave, but he says she’s not. He appreciates it. He says she’s right, but the circumstances are totally different. She and Michael are married. Legally anyway. Although he kind of thought… She says, what? and he says, when she told him that they were getting an annulment, it made today more surprising. She thinks it surprised her and Michael too.

Lucas says, the good news is, there’s no indication that Sasha is a habitual long time drug user. It seems ot be a recent development. Michael says she must have started using after they broke up. He asks if he can see her, but Lucas says, she’s pretty fragile right now. Their main goal is to keep her monitored and stable. Michael says he promises not to make things worse.

On the phone, Cyrus says he took a new product out for a test drive this evening. They have to tweak the formula just a wee bit. He looks at Sasha, and says he had such high hopes for her, but she’s more trouble than she’s worth. He’s about to shut off the ventilator, when someone yanks him out of the room. Michael tells him, stay away from Sasha. He’s the one who gave her the drugs. Cyrus says he doesn’t know what Michael is talking about, and Brando comes in between them, while Jason holds Michael back. Michael says, there’s no way Sasha would have taken them on her own. They’re going to expose him for the dirtbag he is. Go anywhere near Sasha again, and see what happens. Cyrus points at Michael, and Sonny tells Michael, go to Sasha; they’ve got him. Michael goes in, and Cyrus says he understands Sonny’s son is upset, but he expects a public apology for these outrageous and completely unfounded allegations. Sonny says he didn’t hear Michael say anything; did Jason? Cyrus says he may have to reconsider that, or they’re going to have trouble. Sonny says he doesn’t worry about trouble. He hasn’t had trouble in 25 years. When trouble happens, it just disappears. Brando tells Cyrus, the car is waiting, and Cyrus thanks him. They walk away, and Brando says he didn’t think Cyrus wanted to declare open hostility in the middle of the hospital. Cyrus says, very astute on Brando’s part, but next time he tells Brando to get rid of someone, it doesn’t mean bring them to the emergency room.

Willow tells Chase, deciding to get the annulment kind of lifted the fog. Before that, their lives were dictated by outside forces; Nelle, Diane, the courts, the list goes on. Now, they finally get to decide. For the first time, they get to figure out what they want in their own way, and their own time. Chase says he meant what he said; he’s happy for them. He’s sad about what he destroyed, but that’s about him. She says she’s sad about it too, and her phone rings. It’s Michael, and she asks if everything is okay. He says, not really, and asks her to get to the hospital. She says she’s leaving right now. Chase asks, what’s wrong? and she says, it’s Sasha, and jets. He follows her.

Olivia says she’s not passing judgement on how Jason lives his life, but he keeps his word, and would give his life for the people he cares about. Julian says, he cares about people too. He tells Sam, he cares about Alexis, and right now, her life is in freefall. She’s drinking herself into oblivion. Sam says he’s the last person she needs; she needs to get herself clear. He asks if Sam has a plan to get her into rehab, and Sam says she’ll figure it out. Just stay the hell away from her. She and Olivia walk away. Julian gets a text from Cyrus, saying, meet him at Charlie’s. Julian says, this day keeps getting better and better.

Valentin tells Nina, it’s impossible to divorce himself from the fact that he wanted to find and get to know her child. It’s unlikely, but not impossible, and as incredible as it sounds, he finds himself siding with Jax. Jax may be arrogant and selfish… that’s it. She laughs, and he says, but Jax isn’t wrong. She has options, and he encourages her to explore them. She thanks him for his advice. She asks him not to make anything more of the conversation than it is, but he says with her, it will always be more. He goes to the bar, and Brook says, this is convenient. It saves her a call. He asks if she wanted to talk to him, and she says she wanted to say goodbye.

Jax tells Carly, they literally just got done talking to the nurse who delivered Nina’s baby to her new parents. They know she was a girl, and had the other half of the necklace. Carly asks where she was taken, and Jax says, northern Florida. She met the couple at a rest stop. No names or information were exchanged. It was completely off the books. Carly says, it sounds like something Frank Benson would have done, and he never would have told Nelle she was adopted. Jax says, short of a DNA test, he’s positive it was Nelle. Carly says, it had to be. He wonders how he’s going to tell Nina, and she says, he’s not.

Willow and Chase get to the hospital, and Chase asks, what happened? Michael asks if he’s noticed Sasha acting erratically, and Chase says, she’s been all over the place; why? Michael says, she OD’d on some form of cocaine. Now she’s fighting for her life. He doesn’t know how they got there. How things go so out control.

Sonny asks if Jason thinks Cyrus got the message, and Jason says, loud and clear. Sonny says, good. Cyrus needs to think about how Sonny’s other problems got solved, and back the hell off.

Julian tells Cyrus, it’s been a crappy day. He has nothing for him. Cyrus says, not to worry. He’s got something for Julian.

Carly tells Jax, can he imagine if Nina found out Nelle is her daughter? Baby snatching, throat slashing, unhinged Nelle? Can he imagine that kind of pain? Jax says, since Nelle died, Nina has been on this kick; it’s the reason she had Nelle buried. She was convinced Nelle wasn’t born bad, and if somebody had reached out, intervened, or leant a helping hand, it would have turned out differently. Carly says, Nina will crucify herself, thinking she could have done something for Nelle, but she couldn’t. Nelle was a lost cause. Did Frank turn Nelle psycho? Probably. Could Nelle have been a normal decent person if she’d been raised differently? Maybe. There’s no comfort, closure or consolation in Nina knowing Nelle was her daughter. Some things are better left alone, like this. Jax says he just convinced Nina to keep looking, and Carly says, let her continue. She won’t find anything, and he can run interference. Jax says, she wants him to lie? Do what Valentin did to her? She says she wants him to see, in this instance, the truth is the enemy. The pain already happened. Nelle is buried. Let the truth be buried with her.

In the elevator, Nina looks at the necklace. She puts it back on, and smiles.

Olivia tells Ned, she ran into Julian, and it sounds like Alexis is in a bad way. He should reach out to her. He says he will, and Olivia asks what she missed. He says, Brook decided to move back to Bensonhurst, and live with her mother. She says she needs to reprioritize, figure out what comes next. Olivia says, sounds mature, and Ned says he wishes Brook would do that there. Olivia says, maybe having space is good. Brook can get some distance, get her head on straight. When she does, she’ll come back. He asks if she really thinks so, and Olivia says, how can she stay away? She leans against him, and puts her head on his shoulder.

Valentin says, Bensonhurst? and Brook says she’s going back to her roots. He says, Port Charles will be less interesting without her. She says, obviously, but she needs to get out of this town. If she doesn’t, the fires she’s lit are just going to grow. He says, there’s nothing wrong with a little heat, but she says it’s too much heat for her to handle. She doesn’t know if he noticed, but she can be pretty impulsive. He says he noticed, and she says she told herself it was only about her, but that’s not true. Her actions effect other people. She needs to figure out how to do the things that feel right for her, while taking others and the future into account. He asks if she’s talking about the Nurse’s Ball, but she says she doesn’t regret stopping Nelle. She wishes she’d done things differently. Call the police, get help, anything but confront that psychopath. He says he understands, and wishes her good luck. Coming from a man who plans every move, don’t lose her impulsiveness; it’s wildly attractive, and he admires her for it. He says, see her around. He hopes sooner than later. He leaves, and Brook says she wouldn’t worry about that, and takes a pregnancy test out of her bag.

Tomorrow, Franco tells Cameron that he has bad news, Epiphany asks what they hell someone is doing, Michael asks Chase how they didn’t know this, and Cyrus tells Julian, now is the time to settle accounts.

Below Deck

While the guests continue their argument about Carlos or whatever, Izzy says, hashtag drama. She says she’s had rowdy guests before, but they weren’t as demanding. In Francesca’s interview, she says the guests and this charter pushed her buttons. She’s like, bye-bye. She tells Izzy that she can call it a night. James asks Francesca if she’s into anyone on deck. Is there anyone she wants to hook up with? She says she’s not thinking about it at the moment. In James’s interview, he says, Francesca is looking fit (his go-to word). She’s attractive; shaggable. (FYI, spellcheck does not recognize that as a word. Yet.)

Eddie says, the guests were fighting about James, and it got a little weird. Rachel tells the stews to push the French toast. In her interview, she says, after yesterday’s mishap – we flash back to her saying this is the worst experience she’s had in 14 years of yachting – she’s decided to control the situation with making breakfast specials. She can’t take that sh*t. Captain Lee sees fog and rain outside, and says, sh*t. He tells Eddie that he’ll have to pull anchor in the rain. They’re en route to Jolly Harbor. Eddie wakes up James, and tells him, they’re heading back to the dock, and he’s needed. The captain says he needs radio silence until they dock. Eddie gives the captain directions, and in his interview, Captain Lee says, it’s a tight quarter with lots of wind. What could possibly go wrong? He’s got a knot in his stomach that won’t be gone until they’ve docked. He says, the wind is picking up, and he can’t see sh*t. If he f**ks up the least bit, they’ll have to spend a lot of money. It is a really tight space. There is not much wiggle room at all. Elizabeth uses the radio, and the captain tells her to stay off. In the captain’s interview, he says you couldn’t drive a straight pin up his ass with a 10 pound sledgehammer. A classic Captain Leeism.

Everyone loves the French toast. It’s time to say goodbye to the guests, and Eddie thinks they’re not getting a huge tip. Shane says, it’s just money, and Eddie says, that pays for everything you need in life. Primary Charley says, here comes the sad part, and tells Captain Lee that he killed it. It was obvious what didn’t work; they felt it – growing pains. Charley tells them, that being said, they all had an incredible attitude, and that means everything. And James was stand-up. He gives Captain Lee the tip envelope, the guests depart, and the crew changes. The captain calls Francesca to the wheelhouse. He tells her that Izzy expressed an interest in moving to the exterior, so he’s going to make her a deckhand, and get Francesca a replacement stew. In her interview, she says, thank God. She tells the captain, it’s sort of a relief. In the galley, Izzy says she’s bloody glad to be rid of the guests, that’s for sure.

The crew gathers for the tip meeting, and Captain Lee says the charter guests were as tough as they come. Shocking the crew, the viewers, and even God Himself, the captain says the tip was $25,000. I’m so stunned, I miss the actual amount, but it’s in the neighborhood of $2500 each. He says he knows they’re short-staffed, and he’s moving Izzy outside. Francesca says she’s sorry Izzy is leaving the interior, but happy that she’s moving on to something she likes. In Izzy’s interview, she says she doesn’t believe it, and that Francesca is just saying that because there are people around. Francesca tells Izzy to clean up the pantry before she changes camps. Eddie wants her asap, and Francesca says as soon as pantry is done. Izzy says she doesn’t want to leave Francesca high and dry, but she’s itching to get outside. Francesca says she needs her to finish, and tells her to take everything out of the cupboards first.

Jolly Harbor, Antigua. Francesca tells Elizabeth that Izzy is trying to override her, because she wants to be on deck. Although she doesn’t blame Izzy for trying to get out. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she hates the negative energy. She hopes they get someone competent. She’s been there when a chief stew turns sour, and it sucks. Rachel wonders what her boyfriend is doing now. In Rachel’s interview, she says she was working in Monaco, and went to an Indian restaurant. A guy sat across from her, and they started chatting. Then they started hanging out, and they’ve been hanging out ever since. In Izzy’s interview, she says her vibrator is her boyfriend, and she’ll probably keep it that way. TMI, I know. Rachel says, it’s a high to have an actual functional relationship. The captain hunts for a bottle of vodka, saying he knows they have one around there somewhere. It’s just a question of where.

Eddie gives a pop quiz to the deckhands, and teaches them about the lines, and how to wrap them. In his interview, he says he’s teaching them the right way – his way – how to do the lines. He welcomes Izzy to the crew. James suggests getting sh*tfaced when everyone is done. Captain Lee radios Eddie, Francesca, and Rachel for a preference sheet meeting. He tells them, the next charter are 20somthings; very rich 20somethings. In Eddie’s interview, he says he was a wild child when he was in his 20s, and partied. Now that he’s 35, he’d never be able to get up in the morning. The Primaries are Max and Dax, and they’re bringing their girlfriends and some friends. Max is a surfer, and has his own business, and Dax is the star quarterback at a university. Rachel reads that they want sushi… on a nude female model. In Rachel’s interview, she says she can’t help but think fish on fish. Sorry. (And don’t shoot the messenger either.) The captain tells Francesca that he won’t leave her hanging much longer. After the meeting, Eddie tries to nail a fly with his hat, getting frustrated when he misses, and I know how he feels. There’s been one buzzing around here that I’d like to stomp into oblivion. And I don’t normally enjoy killing bugs; I’d rather just move them. In James’s interview, he says, at home, he’s the manager for traffic cones at night. He had no social life because of that, so he couldn’t be more excited about their first night out. It’s the reason he’s there – fun. They all have a drink, and head out.

Shane wonders if they’re supposed to haze the new stew. They go to a restaurant, and sit boy/girl. They order a sushi boat and espresso martinis. Francesca thanks everyone, and they toast to a great season. James asks if Elizabeth believes in star signs. She says she does, and he says he’s Gemini. It’s bad because they’re two-faced. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, Geminis have two different personalities. It feels like a red flag, but still, he’s attractive. After dinner, they decide to go back to the boat, since they have work to do in the morning. James tells Eddie, he’s there on holiday. Don’t take that away from him. In Eddie’s interview, he says they’re there to work. Work or be gone. Eddie tells him, they have a lot of work to do.

Eddie goes to sleep, and in his interview, James says, this crew is too serious. He wishes there was one person on his wavelength, who he could break the rules with, but he doesn’t have that with anyone. It’s still raining in the morning. James decides he’s glad he didn’t go crazy last night. We see James staring at a map while brushing his teeth. In Eddie’s interview, he says he specifically told Sunshine to be on deck at 8. He still doesn’t understand on deck means ready to work. He has no patience to deal with Shane, so it’s best to walk away. Izzy is excited to be on deck, and Francesca researches models. New stew Ashling arrives. She tells them she has no luggage because her bag was lost. James suggests they share a room, and asks if she’s single, but it’s a hard no on the first one. In Ashling’s interview, she says she doesn’t work like that. Sorry, mate. Francesca gives her a hug, and shows her around. She tells Ashling that they’re in the penthouse. In her interview, Ashling says she went into yachting to get the hell out of Australia, and experience more of life. She’d been working on a 48 meter yacht, and killed it, but the chief stew was an a-hole, and that didn’t work well. She thinks she and Francesca will get on like a house on fire. Izzy moves into James’s cabin, since Ashling prefers a female roommate.

Francesca tells Ashling that the guests at arriving at 12. Provisions come in, and Francesca brings Ashling to meet the captain, who welcomes her aboard. Ashling changes into her uniform, and Eddie tells everyone to get into their whites. James asks if Izzy wants to get naked together, but that’s another hard no for James. Ashling tells Francesca that she has jet lag. Captain Lee asks if he has ironed shirts, and Ashling brings up a damp shirt. Francesca gives Elizabeth two stripes for her uniform, and in her interview, Francesca says, being second stew is a big job, and Elizabeth has a long way to go. She’s hoping the two stripes give Elizabeth a kick in the ass to step up to the plate. The crew puts the finishing touches on the boat, and the captain says, line it up.

In Shane’s interview, he says, Max and Dax, a bunch of White Claws, and they have a fraternity party. Captain Lee tells the guests that Francesca will show them the boat, the crew will get their luggage on, and they’ll get the hell out of there. Eddie wonders if he has to check IDs. Francesca asks if they like drinking games, and says they’ll set some up this afternoon. Dax and girlfriend Sabrina claim the master bedroom, and Sabrina says Dax got the room by winning a beer pong challenge. The Captain tells Eddie to get the rest of the lines off. In his interview, Eddie says once they get going full time, he’ll be more at ease, but he realizes they need to have growing pains before they get to a well-oiled machine. Izzy is better than Shane, and he’s glad to have her.

Rachel makes a cheese and fruit platter. Max and Dax wander around the boat. Sabrina says the weather has been black, but as long as they have alcohol, they’ll be fine. In Francesca’s interview, she wonders where their money is coming from. She’s a little envious; they should be serving her. One of the guests says they like their alcohol.

Francesca says she’ll give Ashling a list, but she’s responsible for breakfast, the crew mess, cabins, and just about everything. In Ashling’s interview, she says, whoa. That’s a lot. Max or Dax falls on the stairs, and Francesca tells them not to give her a heart attack already. Dax or Max, whoever didn’t fall on the stairs, says, it’s the second drink, and already his motor skills are gone. Francesca tells Ashling, the laundry is a disaster. Francesca says tries to sort it, and says, it’s like a hurricane hit; nothing is labeled, and there are dirty clothes everywhere. She tells Ashling, when she leaves the bar, make sure it’s clean, and citrus stains marble. Good to know.

A rainbow! Eddie tells James to put out the water toys. Francesca discovers that the captain’s shirts haven’t been cleaned. In Francesca’s interview, she says, Elizabeth has two strikes. Where is she, and what is she doing? The guests jump off the boat, and Francesca says she likes looking after children. A couple of the guests go out on the jet skis, but Eddie says a storm is coming., and they have to get out of the water. It begins to drizzle, and Shane radios that rain is coming. Eddie replies that he’s very observant, and in Shane’s interview, he says he knows he’s a newbie, but when someone doesn’t respect him, he stands up for himself. He tells Eddie that he doesn’t appreciate sarcasm, and Eddie says, if Shane can’t take a joke, he’s in the wrong crew. In Eddie’s interview, he says he uses sarcasm because he doesn’t want to hurt Shane’s feelings. He tells Shane, if he doesn’t like sarcasm, pay more attention. He asks if Shane would rather he use sarcasm or give it to him straight up, and Shane says, straight up. In his interview, Eddie says, Shane needs to learn to shut up. Francesca tells Eddie, the entertainment will be ready to be picked up at the harbor at 6 pm. Everyone changes into their blacks. Shane and Eddie leave to pick up the model.

Sushi model Ally is picked up in the tender. When they get back to the yacht, Shane can’t grab a line. Eddie tells him to use the anchor to hook it, but it’s stuck under the boat. In Eddie’s interview, he says, a lot of bad things could happen when a line is stuck underneath. Eddie tells Shane to get out of the way, and Captain Lee, who’s been watching, heaves a sigh. In his interview, Eddie says he can’t get angry. It won’t do any good, and Shane will sit in the corner and sob. He can’t have that. He needs Shane to be working. Francesca greets Ally, and Shane pouts in his cabin. Rachel makes sushi, and in her interview, she says when she was in Japan, she studied in Fiji. When your boss goes out and drinks, you have to drink. You can’t leave; it’s rude. She learned sushi well; there’s a dance to it. She shows Shane the Kobe beef of tuna, Otoro. Francesca places the model, and puts palm leaves on her, while James watches. In his interview, he says, this is why he joined the boat. Ashling is overwhelmed with laundry, and says, it’s bad. Oh my God. She moves to the ironing board. Francesca says, the model is ready.

Seriously, I think this is the dumbest thing ever. The guests tell the model that she’s hot as sh*t, and has a good body, but she doesn’t react or move at all, except to blink. Rachel explains the various sushi pieces, saying they have Otoro tuna. The guests ask for more Jell-O shots. In Rachel’s interview, she says she thinks the dinner was wasted on these kids. Otoro tuna melts in your mouth. It’s like buttah. And don’t get her started on the king crab.

The captain tells Eddie, what a sh*t show, referring to the line getting stuck under the tender. Shane is going to get someone killed. He’s not putting up with this sh*t. Francesca tells Ashling that she needs to be up at 6:30, and Ashling starts to cry. She cries as Rachel hugs her. A guest peeks in, then backs up.

Next time, James flirts with Francesca, Elizabeth forgets the alcohol for a beach excursion, and Captain Lee says if they don’t step up to the plate, he’s making changes.

👋🏽 Nice To Meet You… Again…

If Olivia hadn’t said his name right away, I would have wondered who the blip he was.

🤓 Hello, I Must Be Going…

It was an early day, so I’m hoping for not a late night. I’ll pour you some tea tomorrow, and I think I’ll be checking out Big Sky. It looks very Twin Peaks-ish, but without needing a code to decipher it. Welcome to Plathville is also back, and a couple of the kids have flown the coop, branching out on their own, away from their parents’ restrictions. So until we meet again, stay safe, stay seeing the glass half-full, and stay not thinking work is a vacation. Although that might be a bit confusing right now.