Tag Archives: Below Deck

May21

May 20, 2024 – Anna Pays Jack a Visit At GH, A Cabin Inspection On Deck, Shine On, Looking Back & Sun

Posted on May 21, 2024 by theresakp

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn, Gregory, and Violet return home, and Violet says, Brook was so beautiful, and Chase was so handsome. She hopes they have a baby soon, so she can be the cool, older aunt and babysit. Gregory tells her, slow down. She may be cool, but she’s not old. He’s old. Let’s give the newlyweds a chance to be newlyweds. She says she supposes, but she still wants to babysit. What was his favorite part about the wedding? Gregory says, her singing of course (🍷), and Finn says, absolutely. She was amazing. He’s proud of her. Gregory asks, what was her favorite part? and she says, catching the bouquet of course (🍷). They’re going to live happily ever after. Gregory says he believes they will, and she says, and the dancing. Uncle Chase asked her to dance. She spins around and says she loves to dance. Almost as much as she loves to sing. Gregory says, she’s brilliant at both, and Finn says, now that they’ve established that, it’s pretty late. It’s time for her to get to bed. She says, okay, and hands Gregory the bouquet. She asks him to keep it safe for her. She wants to save every single petal. He says he lives to serve, and she leaves. Gregory says, Violet’s right. It was a magical day, and he couldn’t have gotten through it without Finn. Not just today, these past few months. He really appreciates Finn.

Brook says she loves her dress, but it feels so good to be out of it, and Chase says he can’t argue with that. He likes her out of her dress too. She picks up a gift basket and says she doesn’t know what to eat first. Olivia’s been spoiling them ever since they checked in. Now she sent this comp food basket. He asks if she’s surprised. She lives to pamper. Brook says, true… That chocolate wafer looks good. He asks if she’s hungry and she says she just realized she’s starving. Between the dancing and the greeting of the guests and toasts, she didn’t get more than two bites of dinner at the reception, besides that bite of cake he gave her. (Same. You never get to eat at your own reception.) He picks up the wafters and says, okay. Whatever his beautiful wife wants. She says she likes the sound of that, and he says he does too. He loves her. They kiss.

Sonny throws Dex to the floor and asks if Dex knows what he does to traitors. He kicks Dex, and Jason flies in, grabbing Sonny from behind. Sonny says, let go of him, but Jason says, no, and tells Dex, get out of here. Sonny says he’s going to kill them both. They’re both dead to him. He’s going to put a gun to their heads. Some plates of cake crash to the floor, and Kristina stands there looking shocked. She and Sonny lock eyes, and Sonny says, it’s not what she thinks. She runs out, and Sonny says, no, no, no. He tells Jason to get off of him, and Jason tells Dex, get out of here. Dex jets, and Jason says, Sonny’s not going after him. Sonny says, what about Kristina? Let go of him. Jason releases him, and Sonny asks what she saw. When did she come in? Jason says he doesn’t know, but Sonny says, he does know. Jason called her here, didn’t he? Jason says he didn’t. Listen to himself. Just calm down. Sonny says, stay away from him. Stay away from his family. He walks out, and Jason calls Carly. He says he’s at the hotel. Sonny’s in trouble.

Anna goes into Jack’s hospital room and sits next to the bed. She says his name and he opens his eyes. He says, God, she looks gorgeous. No wonder poor Valentin was so obsessed with her. She says, he’s on the mend then, and he says, she knows him. Nothing gets him down for long. She says, not even a shiv attack, and he says, it wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s against the rules. She says, and he always follows the rules, doesn’t he? and he says, about as well as she does.

Dex stumbles back into the Garden, bruised and bloody, and Josslyn runs over to him. She asks, what happened? and he says, it was Sonny. She asks, where’s Jason? and Dex says, Jason saved his ass. She asks if he can see, and he says, mostly. She says she needs to take him to the hospital, but he says, no. He’ll go tomorrow. She says she needs to take him right now, and helps him out of the room.

Gregory tells Finn that it’s been quite the day, but it’s catching up to him. He thinks he’ll turn in now. Finn says, before he does, he appreciates what Gregory said. Gregory doesn’t know how it makes Finn feel to be here for him after they missed out on so much time. Gregory says, that’s ancient history. He’s very much a live-in-the-moment kind of guy these days, and Finn’s been such a rock for him. Letting him move in here and managing all his doctor’s appointments and medications – even when he threw a fit about it – cheering him on to do Chase’s wedding when he was doubting himself, and putting up with his orneriness as he was trying to make peace with this disease. He could go on and on, but he thinks Finn gets his drift. Finn says he’s in awe of Gregory. In awe of the strength and determination he’s shown since he was diagnosed and how brave he’s been. Not just because he jumped out of an airplane, but the way he’s still embracing life. Gregory says he doesn’t have a choice. Now is all he has. Violet comes back and thanks Gregory, picking up the bouquet. She’s going to put these in water now. Gregory says, she could dry those out and preserve them that way. She’s just got to hang them up upside down for a few weeks. She says, really? She’s going to put them next to her bed because they smell so good. Will he help her tomorrow? Gregory says, you bet, and she thanks him. She says, goodnight, and Finn asks if she’s saying it’s not necessary to tuck her in. She says she can get into bed by herself, and Finn says, oh, okay. She says she’ll see them tomorrow morning, and blows Gregory a kiss. She tells him that she loves him, and he says he loves her too, blowing a kiss back. She goes to bed, and Gregory asks if Finn is okay. Finn says, yeah. He just had a vision of saying goodbye to Violet on her wedding day. She’s growing up so fast. Gregory says, not so fast, and don’t worry. Violet will always need her dad. Finn says, yeah. That never goes away.

Kristina goes into the bathroom, breathing heavily. She leans on the vanity, looks in the mirror, and starts to cry. She calls Blaze and says she needs her… She’s in the bathroom across from the ballroom. And please hurry. She tries to calm herself, when Sonny runs in. He says, just let him explain, and she looks totally freaked.

Brook says she wants to ask Chase something, but doesn’t want to bring him down. He says he doubts she could, and she asks how he feels about his mom not being here (thank you). She knows his mom is on assignment halfway around the world, but… He says, at first, he was disappointed, but he’s had a lifetime of experience with his mom’s job. And he also thinks with everything that happened between her and Finn, and how that revelation nearly tore his family apart, she didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, so she just bowed out. Brook says, that was a really loving thing to do. They took a ton of pictures. They can send them to her. He says, that’s a good thing, and she says she thinks all in all, today was a perfect day. He says, it was the best, and she says she was having a lot of guilt, asking his father to officiate, but she’s so glad she did, that he was the one to marry them.

Gregory says he wants to clear the air about something. He’s so sorry about the words he and Finn had yesterday. Finn says, no apology needed, but Gregory says he needs to get this out. He was angry, and yes, bitter, but not at Finn. It was at his disease, at his inability to be whole, and feeling helpless in the face of that. And he lashed out in a petty and, he’s ashamed to say, a vicious way and he’s so sorry. He’s not holding on to some old, past injury. It was a cheap shot, and he regrets it. He loves both his sons so fiercely and he’s so proud of them. Not just because they’re his sons, but because of who they are and who they’ve become, based on their own values and standards and hopes and dreams. Finn is a good man. He’s a loving father to Violet, who’s a joy and a ray of sunshine in this world. He’s doing a wonderful job with her. Finn says, that’s because when it comes to making a parental decision, he says to himself, what would his dad do? Because Gregory is the best father he knows. Gregory thanks Finn and says he wishes he could take some credit, but Finn’s done all the work. He’s a good son, his son. Finn says he hopes he’s half the man Gregory thinks he is, and Gregory says, just keep doing what he’s doing, and he’ll be fine. He kisses Finn on the forehead, and Finn says he loves Gregory too. Gregory touches Finn’s face and leaves.

Carly sees Jason and asks, where’s Sonny? Jason says he doesn’t know. He went to look for Kristina. She says, this is where he attacked Dex? Out here in the open? Jason says, he was out of control, and she says, Kristina must have been shocked. Thank God Jason was here to stop him. He says he saw how Sonny was watching Dex at the reception. Everybody’s having a good time and Lois’s mom made a big fuss over Dex and Sonny didn’t like that. After a while, Dex left, and Sonny followed him. She says, Sonny meant to do this? He planned on ambushing Dex? Right here, when all of his friends and family are out in the Garden? He says, looks that way, and she says, they’ve got to find Sonny. He says he’ll check the parking lot, and she says she’ll check the terrace.

Sonny asks Kristina to listen to him, but she says, no. He says, sweetheart, it’s okay, and comes closer, but she holds up her hand and says, no. He says, Dex and Jason turned on him… and she says, stop. She doesn’t want to hear this anymore. She starts to cry, and he says, listen… He reaches for her, but she says, don’t. He says, she doesn’t have to be afraid of him. Don’t ever be afraid of him. Understand? She says, just go, please, and he reluctantly leaves. She sobs and lowers herself to the floor, clutching her bump. She says, it’s okay, and continues to cry.

Jack says, special occasion? and Anna says, mm-hmm. As a matter of fact, she was having a lovely evening. Then she gets a call that he’s en route to the hospital. He says, prison violence can be so inconvenient, and she says, isn’t it though? But she understands he’s predicted to make a full recovery. The stabbing missed any major organs. He says he doesn’t recall giving permission to release any medical information, and she says, Police Commissioner – she indicates herself then points to him – prisoner. Being a prisoner breaches certain privacy rights. Is he familiar with that? He says, it must have slipped his mind with everything that’s going on, and she says, he had a very eventful evening. Does he want to tell her exactly what happened? He says he guesses those vicious thugs in Pentenville were too much for him.

Finn follows Gregory into his bedroom, and Gregory says he can make it into his room on his own. Finn says he knows. Still, it’s been a long day. Gregory says he’ll grant Finn that, and Finn says, Violet already turned him down. Gregory is kind of stuck with him. He helps Gregory off with his coat, and Gregory thanks him. Finn unties Gregory’s shoes and takes them off, and Gregory smiles at him. Gregory struggles with his cuffs, and Finn undoes them. Gregory is now ready for bed, and Finn picks up the suit, saying, he’ll drop these off at the dry cleaners in the morning. Gregory says, don’t even think about tucking him in, but Finn says, even he has his limits. Finn goes to the door and asks, what’s the last thing Gregory always told him before he went to bed? Gregory says he won’t forget to brush his teeth, and Finn says, goodnight, dad. Have good dreams. Gregory says, goodnight, son, and Finn closes the door. Finn sits on the sofa and makes a call.

Alexis’s phone rings, and she says, hey, Finn. He asks if he’s calling too late. She wasn’t sleeping, was she? She says, no. She’s working. She’s got papers all over the place. How was the wedding? Wonderful? He says, it was wonderful. He drank.

Blaze goes into the bathroom and runs over to Kristina. She asks if Kristina needs to go to the hospital, but Kristina says, no. It’s not the baby; it’s her dad. Blaze asks, what happened to her father? and Kristina says, when she walked in, he was beating Dex. He was punching Dex. He attacked Dex and was kicking him. He was going to kill him. She begins to sob again.

Carly and Jason meet back at the entrance, and Carly says she called security. They’re going to locate Sonny using the security cameras. Jason says, his car is still in the parking lot. He must have driven himself. He doesn’t see any of Sonny’s guys around. Her phone rings, and she says, yes… Okay, great… No. She can handle it. Thank you. She tells Jason, security located Sonny in the Garden, and he says, if he goes with her, it’s going to set Sonny off. She says she knows. She can handle it. He says he’ll be out of sight, but he’ll be close, and she says, okay. They head for the Garden.

At the hospital, Josslyn says, at least the bleeding seems to have stopped, and Dex suggests they just go, but she says, no. He needs stitches and they’re going to be seen soon. He says, it was really nice of her to give him a ride, but she doesn’t have to sit with him. He’ll be fine. She says she’s going to ignore that. How bad does it hurt? He says, it’s not that bad. It’s more the inside of his head, like when your ears are ringing. She says, he might need a CT scan. Sonny meant business. He says he didn’t want to fight back. He just tried to dodge, but Sonny just kept coming. He was out of control. He thinks Sonny was trying to kill him.

Sonny swipes a glass onto the floor, shattering it, then takes his coat off, puts it on a chair, and presses on his forehead. Carly looks at Jason and goes in, Jason staying outside the doorway. She says, Sonny, and Sonny asks if Jason called her. She says, he told her what happened, and Sonny asks why she stopped him from going after Dex and just ended it. He had Dex right there. She asks if that’s what Kristina heard him say, but he tells her that he doesn’t know what he said. The bastard grabbed his arm, he punched him. Kristina walked in… Carly asks, where is she? and he says he saw her in the restroom… His little girl is afraid of him. Jason listens in.

Brook tells Chase that she can’t wait to see all the pictures from the reception. The candids are always the best. Someone got one of Violet catching the bouquet. That was so adorable. He says, can she believe that song Violet sang, and wrote? and Brook says, she was a total showstopper. Everyone had the best time. It’s like their wedding was a gift to them, and she’s so glad. They deserve a thank you for loving them and getting them to the point where they could find each other, which is saying a lot when it comes to her. He says, she turned out great, so he thinks they did just fine. And for that, he can’t thank her enough. She says, her neither, and they kiss.

Kristina is now sitting on a bench, and Blaze brings her tissues. She says, Kristina sounds short of breath, but Kristina says, it’s not the baby; it’s her dad, like she told Blaze. She feels like such a fool. Josslyn tried to tell her. TJ, Dex, everyone tried to tell her all this time, and she didn’t believe them. She thought she knew him better than anyone, and he had this code of ethics. All this time, she’s just been defending him. Over and over and over again, she’s just been defending him, and she doesn’t even know who that man was. She didn’t even recognize him. He was so angry, and he was so violent. He said he was going to kill them. He said he would empty a gun in their heads. That is who her dad is. Blaze holds her as she cries.

Finn tells Alexis that he didn’t even realize what he was doing. Brook’s grandfather handed him the glass and he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. He was going to set it down, but then Violet started singing the song she had written, and everyone was going crazy. They were applauding, and then Carmine made a toast to her, and he drank without even realizing what he was doing. Alexis says she sees, and he says, what? There’s no such thing as an accident, right? She says, no, that’s not what she said… It’s just that now that he brought it up, does he think maybe subconsciously he wanted a drink? To her, it sounded like he was just having a good time and got caught up in the moment. He says he was. Is he overreacting here? She tells him that she didn’t say that either. They both know staying sober is a struggle. They also know a slip is a slip, which is why the important thing is – and he needs to listen to her – he did not fail here. So he has to forgive himself, which is really hard for people like them to do. He says, the hard thing is coming to terms with this. Seven years sober. It’s gone in twenty seconds.

Sonny tells Carly, there are things parents need to keep from their children for their own good. A father needs to protect his daughter, even from himself. He sits down, and Carly says, there’s a part of him that Kristina has never seen, a part that even scares him. Jason continues to listen, and she says, but that’s just one part of Sonny Corinthos, and it isn’t outmatched by the part Kristina has always known, the loving father, the good part. He says, she didn’t look at him that way. She looked scared. Then when he reached out, she flinched. Carly puts her hand on his arm and says, Kristina is confused and she’s going to need some time to calm down and to process, but she’ll remember the father he’s always been. And he can help remind her by leaning into the good. He can show her the father she’s always loved. He says he’s not sure anyone loves him anymore.

Anna says, the thing she remembers is, Jack was always first in class in hand-to-hand combat training at the WSB. Didn’t he almost snap the instructor’s neck once? Jack asks, how long ago was that? Years of desk work has left him lax and somewhat feeble he supposes. She laughs and says, feeble and lax. They’re not two words that spring to mind in assessing him. He asks if that’s what she’s doing, and she says, always, yeah. Placement of the wound is just so suspiciously fortunate. No vital organs were hit. Is prison life so dreary that he had to stab himself to get a change of scenery? Because he was never afraid to take a risk to get what he wants. He says, it doesn’t seem fair interrogating a helpless victim, and she says she very much doubts he’s helpless. He says he’s chained to a bed and he’s too weak to stand. She says, then she’ll be gentle. He’s never more dangerous than when he appears harmless.

Dex tells Josslyn that Sonny’s convinced he betrayed him and he’s coming after Sonny by joining the PCPD. He keeps hoping to see some look of recognition in Sonny’s eyes that he was someone Sonny used to care about and that he cared about Sonny too. Josslyn says she’s so sorry, but Sonny either loves you or he hates you, and right now, he hates Dex. She’s just really grateful that Jason kept his promise. He says, Jason pulled him off, but it was Kristina who stopped him.

Alexis says, Finn did not intentionally drink, so he didn’t mess up his sobriety date, but he says, it feels like he did. She says she understands why he feels that way, but he’s been to enough meetings to know that people who have been in recovery a long time do slip up. And they come back. Those chips are a great motivator, right? They know it all comes down to them because they’re constantly having to climb uphill and there’s no summit. So she feels really punchy and she’s really tired, but please tell her that this is not the end of his sobriety, and he knows that.

Carly says, Sonny’s children love him. Kristina wouldn’t be so upset if she didn’t love him. He says, she didn’t see Kristina’s face. She looked at him like she didn’t know him, like she was afraid of him. She says, he can’t change what happened. He can’t explain it away. And he can’t make Kristina unsee what she saw. But it was one night. Hell, it was less than that; it was five minutes. Weighed against a lifetime of love and support and understanding. He’s going to get Kristina back, but he’s going to have to give her time.

Dex asks why Josslyn wanted Jason to protect him, and she says she loves Dex. That was never a problem.

Blaze suggests she and Kristina go to her room. Take a bath and get into some comfy clothes. Kristina says she doesn’t want to be alone, but Blaze says, she won’t feel alone. Kristina stands up and they leave.

Sonny says, maybe Carly is right. Five minutes is nothing compared to a lifetime. And the memory could fade, but she’s not going to forget. There’s always going to be a part of Kristina that’s going to be waiting and afraid that he could do it again. He gets up and picks up his coat, and Carly says, then don’t do it again. He says, she knows he can’t promise that, and leaves. Jason comes out, and she says she doesn’t think she’s ever seen Sonny like this. She doesn’t know if she got through to him. Jason says he thinks she did, and she says she’s so scared of Sonny. She goes to Jason, and he holds her.

Anna says she heard Jack had a visitor at Pentenville – Carly Spencer. She finds that odd. Because the last time they were together, he was going to zip tie her and drag her off to God knows where. He says, the zip ties are an occupational hazard in his work, as in hers. They carry zip ties the same way the civilians carry pocket tissues. She says, it’s not a thing, no, and he says, okay. She found him out. He’s so hot for the gorgeous Miss Spencer, that he stabbed himself in the improbable hope she’ll come visit him in hospital. So does she think he has a chance? She laughs and says, there’s that twinkle. He’s very good. He says, she thinks so? and she nods and says, but she’s better.

Finn thanks Alexis for taking the time to talk him down off the ledge, and she says, he’s going to be okay. He’s just a bit freaked out, that’s all, and that’s understandable. He just needed her to tell him that. He says he appreciates her. Good luck tomorrow with the Court of Appeals. She says, thanks. She’s going to need it. He says, if she needs to talk to someone after… and she says, he’ll be the first person she calls. Be good to himself and give Brook and Chase her best. He says, okay.

Turning out the light, Brook says she’s so tired. She’s so glad… She sees Chase is already asleep and snuggles next to him. She looks at her rings and closes her eyes.

Gregory turns out his light and remembers his family when they were all younger. There’s a song part about how those were the days. He flashes back to telling Finn that he loves both of his sons so fiercely and he’s so proud of them, and Finn saying he hopes he’s half the man Gregory thinks he is. He thinks back to Chase telling him that when he was a kid, he remembers Gregory saying, I’ve got you, and he knew everything was going to be okay. Now, he’s got Gregory. Gregory flashes back to Violet blowing him a kiss and telling him that she loves him; Violet singing Shine; and telling Finn that Violet is a ray of sunshine and just keep doing what he’s doing. He remembers Finn saying that he just asks himself, what would his dad do? and saying, needing your dad never goes away, and that he’s in awe of Gregory. He thinks back to telling Finn that now is all he has, and thinks about good times with Alexis, hatchet throwing and skydiving. He flashes back to telling Brook that his Christmas wish is seeing his son marry the love of his life, and then, the wedding. Gregory closes his eyes and hears Violet say, goodnight, grandpa.

I want to cry.

Tomorrow, Brook tells Chase that they have to find it or they’ll be sent back; Kristina tells Blaze, as much as she wants to hide from this, she can’t; Dex tells Josslyn that they can try, and she says, try what; and Dante asks why Sonny would put him in that position.

Below Deck

4 hours before charter. Ben goes over things with the deckhands and tells them about finding a Reiki instructor. Kyle says he’s actually had a few sessions, and in his interview, he says, it opens up the emotions in your head. He’s looking for new experiences. Eyes open; keep forward. The provisions come in, and Dylan admires Barbie’s biceps. He tells her that training is his therapy, and she says, he always seems happy. He says if he wasn’t, he’d never show it on the outside, and I wonder if we’ll see a headline with his name in it someday. In Dylan’s interview, he says his dad was hard on him. He wasn’t good with academics, and it killed him, but he learned that he could channel it into something positive. That’s why he’s a happy person. Fraser asks Paris how it’s going with Nick, and she says she’s staying out of the drama. In Paris’s interview, she says, the last charter, she and Nick weren’t getting along. We flash back to that, and she tells us that she says what’s on her mind. She has foot in mouth disease, and most of the time, it gets her in trouble. She’s staying in her own lane. If Nick wants to crash and burn, it is what it is.

Barbie calls her friend Monica and says she’s the only one working. She can’t wait to go back to Miami and live her bougie-ass life again. We see that everyone else is working, while she’s on the phone. Captain Kerry tells Fraser, this is it, and meets Ben on the sundeck, giving him a list of stuff that needs to be done. Ben bitches to Sunny, and in his interview, he says, come on. Chill. He has to bite his tongue. It’s a bit annoying and he’s sick of it. Nick gripes to Dylan about not reaching his potential. Captain Kerry gathers the crew and says he’s proud of them, and tells them, let’s have a group hug before the guests arrive. Nick gets caught in his shirt while he’s changing. The captain welcomes the guests, and there’s a big Happy Birthday sign for primary Michele. Fraser gives the tour, and per usual, the guests love the hot tub. I don’t know if I’d love the hot tub, especially if it was hot outside, but I also don’t think they could ever get it clean enough for me to unsee what I’ve seen happen in it. In Paris’s interview, she says she’d never holiday with a bunch of women. It could be a nightmare. There could be arguments and drama, or an absolutely good time. She’s praying for the girls. Barbie asks Xandi if she can have five minutes to do her makeup, and in Xandi’s interview, she says she’s dumbfounded. Barbie wants a break for makeup, but it’s not about her. She doesn’t have the words. She thinks her face says it all.

They head out, and one of the guests tells Barbie that she did a semester at sea and went around the world in 100 days. I didn’t catch her name, but I’d love to hear more about that. Barbie lounges in the crew mess with her phone, while the others bring in the luggage. The boat anchors in Woburn Bar, and in Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, the deckhands don’t know the bigger picture of why he asks them to do something. Ben and Sunny argue about 2 meters of distance on something, Ben insisting it doesn’t matter. Kyle tells Barbie that they’re on the same flight to Miami, and in his interview, he says, the first girl he was in love with was his high school sweetheart. They traveled together for several years, but recognized that they needed to experience things for themselves. He’ll do anything Barbie wants. Fraser tells Xandi that he’s going to block Barbie. She’s going to see the show and say she’s not like that. Ben tells Sunny that he wants to see her after the season is over, and she seconds that. In Sunny’s interview, she says, it’s been a rollercoaster with Ben. Now they’re both on the same page. At least that’s what it feels like. Who knows? In Ben’s interview, he says, it could have gone south, but they rekindled things. That tells him there’s the possibility of a relationship with Sunny. The captain tells Ben that the jacuzzi isn’t warm. The wind is also at 20 knots, and they should have the umbrellas down now. The guests have lunch, and the entrée is scallops with edamame foam. They pronounce it the perfect bite, although I’m always skeptical of that foam business.

The guests play on the water toys, and Fraser is annoyed to find out Barbie is sleeping. Ben and Sunny put out mats for the Reiki session, and Fraser knocks at Barbie’s cabin. He wonders if she’s dead, and in his interview, he says, they’re all so exhausted, but that doesn’t mean they can slack. So get up, babe. Get up now. He tells her that she’s half an hour late for work. The Reiki instructor tells the guests that an 86-year-old Reiki master trained her, and they’ll still be in the vibe for 24 hours. One guest says she needs it for a week. In Nick’s interview, he says, yachting takes a toll on your body. At 30, it’s amazing. At 40, you wonder, what have I done with my life? The Reiki chick does her thing, and they face the sunset. Paris brings out wellness shots, no details on what exactly those are, but I suspect there’s no vodka. Fraser tells Nick that the guests request dinner be 8:30 at the earliest, and Nick confirms that it’s a French menu. In Nick’s interview, he says he was trained by French chefs, so it’s going to be easy. Barbie asks Dylan what he’s doing after the season, and he says he’s going to France where the owner of several boats requested him ~~to be court jester~~. He asks if she’s going to travel with Ben, and she says she wants to get know Ben outside of being her boss, but even though she’d like it to be down, she has her guard up. In her interview, Sunny says, they know boatmances don’t transfer well in the real world and she’s nervous about that. She wants a man not a little boy. She wants a man who knows what he wants, respects his woman, and treats her right, like he’d want his dad to treat his mother. In that case, why she wants anything to do with Ben is a mystery. Captain Kerry sees that the Reiki mats are still out and tells Dylan and Sunny that the flybridge is messy. Sunny tells Ben, nice way to end the season. Dylan fixes his hair and says, if he’s getting into trouble, he’s going to look sexy. In the captain’s interview, he says he’s speechless. It’s not the first day. Where is this coming from? Why are you not doing your job? This is ridiculous. What the f*** is going on? He’s pissed.

Fraser says, the guests look fabulous. They’ve got the Paris vibe. They toast, cheers to next year, and everyone tells Michele, happy birthday. In Ben’s interview, he says, Captain Kerry is military. There’s no heads up. It just drops and you’re in the sh*t. We flash back to the captain making them actually work, and Ben says, they’re not military. It’s a bloody superyacht. He’s sick of it. I tell him, get your own boat. In Nick’s interview, he says, this is how you learn in fine dining restaurants. If you work less than 15-hour days, it’s not a decent restaurant. Chefs are always chasing the buzz. That’s probably why so many chefs are drug users and alcoholics. The starter is a salad with arugula, and Michele says she hates arugula. She asks Fraser for sorbet to clear her palate, and Fraser relays the message to Nick, telling him that it’s not on the sheet. The guests think the salad is meh. The entrée is lobster in a lobster bisque, and Michele thinks it’s salty. This is like the third time she’s said something is salty, so I think it’s her. She admitted she doesn’t use salt in cooking, so might be hyper-aware of it. Nick says he feels like she just wants to complain, but they have to make the guests happy. It’s all about the tip, so he needs to impress them with dessert. Fraser tells Nick that the primary is difficult and everyone else is enjoying the food. Dessert is lemon tart with Chantilly cream and cherry compote in a red wine reduction. The dessert passes muster, but guest Mia sends a message that she’s not feeling well and lying down. The guests go to bed around 10:30, which is unheard of, and all of the crew members seem to heave sighs, except for Nick, who yawns. Kyle stares at Barbie while she irons, and Dylan listens to his affirmations: I breathe deeply and calmly and feel my energy smoothing out. He could just go over to laundry, since Barbie has the iron out.

Second day of charter. Captain Kerry says, let’s get this show on the road, and tells the crew that there will be cabin inspections at 6 pm. Fraser is the only one who loves it, and in the captain’s interview, he says, the standard of cleanliness and tidiness is part of health and safety. You’re only as good as your worst day. No excuses. Ben is pissed since he’s a slob. For breakfast, the guests order omelets, except for Michele, who wants salmon benedict with no salt. Nick tells Fraser, no wonder she got divorced. In Kyle’s interview, he says he’s falling in love with Barbie. He’d like to get to the point where he’s thinking about having kids. Not right now, but he can see making a marriage with her. Not unless he’s able to support her in the way she’s accustomed and does all the housework. Nick churns out omelets, and in the crew mess, Ben bitches about the cabin inspection. He asks what the captain is going to do? Fire them? Fraser tells Nick that the guests are having lunch on the beach.

The beach is set up, and Fraser tells the guests, it will be ready in the next sort of hour. That’s a very sort of British way to form a sentence. In Xandi’s interview, she says she’s mortified about the state of her cabin, but she’s not even brushing her hair. Does she have time to flush the toilet? No. In Fraser’s interview, he says, cabin inspections can be weekly, twice a month, or monthly, but they do happen and they’re important. It shows how much you respect your vessel. Stay tidy. Have some decorum, you swines [sic]. Barbie goes on break, while the guests head to the beach. Paris and Sunny greet them, and one of the guests says, well done on the centerpieces. Fraser says, it looks adorable, and tells Paris, it’s amazing. My turn to say, meh. On the boat, Barbie says she doesn’t know how people go without lashes, and in Xandi’s interview, she wonders if this is a joke. This is her career, and she takes it seriously. Barbie is annoying her. Nick forgot the aluminum foil, and says he needs to make a list. In Paris’s interview, she says, Nick is almost 40 and someone still needs to pack his lunchbox. He’s disorganized and useless. She’s a perfectionist and the chef is a bit lazy. He doesn’t care how it looks or what time it comes out. He’s just a dipsh*t. There are two crème brûlées left – one was an extra and guest Brandi didn’t want one – and Paris, Sunny, and Ben eat them. Michele asks for the one that was sent back, and Fraser tells the three crew members, this is why they don’t do this. Paris says, Brandi told her specifically that she could have it, and he tells her to go deal, but keep it lighthearted.

In her interview, Paris says she did the beach set up. She wants a f***ing crème brûlée. She goes over to the table and tells Michele that Brandi said she could eat it and now she’s getting scolded. Jumping in, Fraser says, that’s why they don’t eat the food, but Brandi concurs that she told Paris that she could have it and Michele says it’s cool with her. They go back to the boat, where snacks await them on the bar. Sunny asks Paris if she’s an empty soul, but Paris says, no. She’s very loving. Just not to people who annoy her. In Ben’s interview, he whines some more about cabin check, and (ironically) says, the captain can’t see the bigger picture. We’re busting our asses. Give us a f***ing break. Captain Kerry does the inspection, accompanied by Fraser, and tells Fraser that his cabin is perfect. He lives the way he talks, and his is a 10. Dylan’s cabin is good and gets a 7. Surprisingly, Paris and Xandi’s cabin gets a nine, and Sunny and Barbie’s cabin gets a 7. When the captain sees Ben and Kyle’s cabin, it’s a total mess, and he asks, what the hell is going on? He wonders if they didn’t take it seriously, since there was no attempt to make it clean. In his interview, the captain says, it’s f***ing disrespectful. He’s beside himself. He’s old school and wants them to respect hierarchy. You don’t ask why; just do what the captain says. He calls Ben and Kyle to the bridge. He asks if they didn’t take the cabin inspection seriously, and Ben says, they were just working. The captain says, it’s not just like it’s messy; it’s rude. Every single person took the time and dealt with their cabin, including Nick. Ben is the f***ing bosun and it’s blatant disrespect. He’s shown them respect, busting his ass to help them. Is this the way they say thank you? In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, they made no attempt at all. It makes his blood boil. It’s a huge slap in the face. He tells Ben and Kyle that he’s beyond words.

Next time – the finale, a Beyoncé birthday party; Barbie can’t deal with nakey Kyle; and Barbie and Xandi have a blow up.

🌞 Spread the Light…

And she’s a philanthropist!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/download-jophielle-loves-song-and-support-a-worthy-cause

🧼 Sudsy Fun…

A trip down Memory Lane on The Locher Room, Wednesday, May 22^nd, at 7 pm ET.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/soap-opera-weekly-a-look-back

🪩 Don’t Shoot the DJ…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderMess. Until then, stay safe, stay interesting and be informed about current events, trends, and entertainment; and stay remembering that five minutes is nothing compared to a lifetime.

May14

May 13, 2024 – Anna Discovers That Carly Compromised a Major Investigation, Paris Butts Heads With Chef Nick On Deck & 5 Days

Posted on May 14, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Trish tells Carly that somebody is here to see her, and Carly sees Anna waiting. Carly asks if she can get Anna a table, but Anna says, no. She doesn’t need a reservation. She needs some answers. Can Carly tell her why she went to visit Jack Brennan in Pentenville?

In the nook, Sasha asks Michael if he wants her to heat up something for him, since she’s just scoping out recipes, but he says, no. Take her break. She’s earned it. Her cooking is getting rave reviews from adults and kids alike, and she knows how hard kids are to please. She says, in this case, it’s the adults that have her digging for recipes, and he says he hasn’t heard any complaints from them, so she’s doing great. She says, if they’re happy, she’s happy, and he says, they’re thrilled. Not only is Olivia less stressed, but they’re getting regular meals and still have access to their own kitchens, so she’s the perfect cook. She says she’s very glad that someone thinks so, and he says he’s a little surprised that she took the job though. She says, why? Because she used to be a glamorous spokesmodel? but he says, because of her and him.

At the stables, Cody tells Tracy, nice ride. She’s got a nice seat. Has anybody ever told her that? She says, not in a long while. That is a great saddle. She thanks him for letting her try it, and he says, no problem. He asks if she’s expecting someone, and she says she thought she was, but now she thinks she’s getting stood up. He asks, who would do that to her? and Gregory walks in and says, sorry he’s late.

At the gallery, Stella helps Trina stuff envelopes, and Trina says, Stella just worked a full shift at GH. Is she sure she doesn’t want to soak in a hot bath, order in, and watch one of her favorite shows? Stella asks if Trina is trying to back out of their movie date and attempt to find something else for her to do. She can’t stay cooped up in this gallery all day, surrounded by – she looks at a painting of steps going nowhere – a different style of art. She knows art is subjective and expensive, and doesn’t know how Ava stays in business. Trina’s great-grandmother used to say, a fool and his money are soon parted, because their father was always coming home with these get rich quick schemes. She’ll tell Trina about him someday. Trina says she can’t wait, and she just wants to say she knows what Stella is doing and wants to let her know it’s working.

Nina says, is Drew sure about this? Maybe this is a mistake. The last few times she and Willow were together, they actually parted ways without things deteriorating. She doesn’t want to push it, and she doesn’t want Willow to think they’re handling her in a certain way… Drew asks her to calm down and stick to the program. He’s her boss. He called her in to talk about Crimson. Don’t worry about it. He’s got everything else handled. Willow walks in and says, the copy looks great. She hopes she can do it justice. She sees Nina, who says, hello, and Willow asks what she’s doing here.

Drew says, he and Nina were just wrapping up some Crimson business, and asks if he answered all of Nina’s questions about the new accounting system. She says, he did, and Drew says, good. He’ll make sure to speak to the software engineers and express her other concerns. She thanks Drew, and says, there’s been lots of change since she’s been back. He says, sure is, and his door is always open. Willow says, they can wrap up. She can step outside and go over this copy. Drew says, no, stay, and tells Nina that Willow is prepping for her very first PSA for the New Tomorrow Institute. Nina says, that’s really great. She’s proud of Aurora for supporting such a worthy cause and Willow for being the spokesperson. She’ll leave them to it. She heads for the door, but Drew says, wait a second. He just had a brilliant idea. Would Nina mind sitting in?

Stella asks if Trina thinks she has some ulterior motive for wanting to spend time with her, and Trina says, doesn’t she? The last time they went on a coffee date, Stella was worried about how she was handling losing Spencer. And she took Stella’s advice and tried to do something meaningful that would try to help her get closure. Stella asks if it helped, and Trina says, a bit, but she’s no closer to knowing what she wants to do with herself. Stella says she knows, and she does see Trina trying. She’s seen Trina struggling and wishes she could wave a magic wand and take all the hurt away. Trina says, her too, and Stella says, Josslyn is Trina’s great friend and she’s keeping herself busy at the gallery, but sometimes you just need a hug and a shoulder to lean on. So here she is. She hugs Trina, and Trina thanks her. Stella says, they’ve got to keep going, right? and looks behind the painting. She says, 15 grand, huh? Well, there’s no accounting for taste. Trina says, Aunt Stella… when Jordan walks in. She says she’s glad to see them both so happy, but she’s sorry to say, she’s about to be a buzzkill.

Carly asks if this is an interrogation, but Anna says she’s just curious why Carly would visit her attempted abductor in prison. Carly asks if she has to check her comings and goings with the PCPD, and Anna says, maybe, when she’s talking to the former head of the WSB and Pikeman Security Group. Carly asks if that’s been confirmed. Brennan was head of Pikeman? Anna says, working theory. She’s answered Carly’s question, now she wants Carly to answer hers. Carly says, the last time Anna came knocking at her door to give her the third degree, Anna and Agent Cates accused her of harboring a criminal. Doesn’t Anna have better things to do with her time? She does. She has to run a hotel. Anna says, the fact Jason slipped out of Carly’s house doesn’t mean he wasn’t there. Carly is deliberately not answering her question. Why is that? Carly asks how Anna knows she went to Pentenville, and Anna says, Brennan may be sequestered, awaiting trial, but he’s still considered a dangerous man. He has a lot of eyes on him. Carly says, especially the FBI’s?

Tracy says she was beginning to think she’d been stood up, and Gregory says, since she asked Yuri to drive him, he could hardly not show up. It was such a lovely evening, he asked Yuri to take the route around the lake, and the sunset was breathtaking. So he asked Yuri to stop, and Yuri found a nice spot and pulled over and piped Tchaikovsky into the back seat. And he just soaked in the music and the splendor and got lost in it. He thinks they both did. She says she’s sorry she missed it, and he says he is too. She would have enjoyed it, and he would have enjoyed it more with her. She says she did get to see some of the sunset on her ride, and he’s so right; it was lovely. Cody says he bets they could convince Tracy to hop back on her horse so the two of them could finish that sunset together. What does he say? Does he want to trade out his cane for a saddle? Gregory says, maybe next time.

Anna says, that’s an interesting assumption, the FBI, and Carly says, if this is Anna’s way of trying to figure out what she knows, let her save Anna some time. John Cates was asking Jason about a connection between Brennan, Sonny, and Pikeman, but Brennan didn’t seem to know anything about it. Anna says, so she told Brennan that Agent Cates was on his case specifically? and Carly says, it’s not like it’s some deep, dark secret. Anna says, yes, it was. Didn’t she learn firsthand how law enforcement works when she was married to the mob?

Willow says she’s sure Nina has better things to do than listen to her practice her PSA, and Nina says, like she told them, she’ll let them get back to work, but Drew says, hold on a second. Is Willow sure? Nina listens to pitches and ad campaigns just about every day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of her expertise. As someone with so much media and promotion experience, he figured she might see something he would miss. Unless Willow is uncomfortable. Willow says she’s not sure she’ll ever be comfortable being a public figure, but it’s important and she agreed to do it. But Nina has a magazine to run… Drew says he’s just suggesting it because it’s Willow’s first PSA and they really want to knock it out of the park. Of course (🍷) it’s completely up to Willow. Willow looks at Nina.

Cody says, do they know what happened the first time he rode a merry-go-round? He fell off. Gregory says, stop trying to make him feel better, but Cody says, it’s a true story. He was a little younger than Leo. He was probably 8 or 9 and trying to impress a really cute girl. Tracy says, hard to believe, and Cody says, she kept looking at this brass ring at the top of the pole, so he climbed up on this carousel pony and stretched out his little body as far as it would go and kept reaching for that brass ring. Then he fell. Flat on his face. He doesn’t know how he didn’t break his nose, but he got 8 stitches in his head. Tracy says, too bad it didn’t knock some sense into him, and Gregory asks, what about the girl? Cody says, the next day, she sat next to him on the school bus, and Tracy laughs. Gregory says, and the moral is? and Cody says, reach for that brass ring. You may fall flat on your face, but you never know. He goes in the back, and Tracy says, he’s well-meaning. Gregory says he wishes everyone treated him so kindly or gave him such good advice.

Sasha says, given Michael’s family’s history with relationships, she’s pretty sure that she and Michael used to be a couple barely registers on their radar. Maybe he’s just disappointed that she never used to cook like this for him. He says he’s a little disappointed, and she laughs. He’s just sorry she had to take this position. He never thought she’d walk away from Deception. He could have negotiated a golden parachute or something. She left all that stock on the table and now she’s cooking for his crazy, mixed-up family. She says, please take that off his mind. She wanted to walk away. And yes, selling all her shares was a big gulp, but it was a loss she was willing to take for her peace of mind. And Gladys already took all of her money, so it’s not like she didn’t have any practice. He says, she doesn’t have to do that with him, pretend that she’s okay, but she says she’s not pretending. It was time for her to go. She’s made peace with her decision and honestly, she hasn’t looked back. When Olivia offered her this job, she jumped at it. She had other options, but none that she liked. He says, maybe she could have given her job search a little more time. He would have lent her the money to tide her over. He’s sure Sonny would have too. She says she really appreciates the gesture, but first, she wouldn’t have taken it, and second, there’s no need. She likes it here. She doesn’t know if he remembers, but she always used to say she longed to be part of a family after growing up without one. So now, she gets to cook for Michael’s crazy, mixed up family. She gets to practice her cooking and stay in a home with people she knows and trusts. Michael says, trust. He wouldn’t go that far. She says, but maybe she should have asked him before she said yes. She never even talked to Willow about it. She really hopes she hasn’t made things awkward between him and Willow. Has she?

Sasha tells Michael that she didn’t even think to ask Willow about how she’d feel about her moving in here. They used to be so close, then with everything that’s happened to both of them, they lost touch. Then after Willow had Amelia, she showed up at the gatehouse hopped up on pills. Willow is probably worried about having her around the kids. Michael says, that’s not the case at all. They know what the situation was. She was sabotaged. They trust her. She thanks him, and he says, as far as their history, they’ve shared a lot of memories, but they’re good though, right? Unless she’s saying it’s awkward for her. She says, no. She really likes being here. He says, good, because the Quartermaines, who rarely agree on anything, agree on her, especially the kids because they love her menus. She says she’s so glad, and honestly, this is not a step down for her. She really loves cooking for his family. She’s found it really nurturing, grounding. She likes seeing how happy people are when they eat her food, knowing she’s contributing to their well-being. And she really loves seeing how happy he is with Willow. They’re really inspirational, the love and commitment they share. Cody comes in and she says she used to have that once and thinks she will again. Cody says, have what?

Jordan says she doesn’t know if there will be an actual motion to reopen Heather’s case, but she wanted to let them know what was brewing, and Stella says, this is preposterous. She knew that woman’s victim’s and she almost made Trina one of them. What is there to revisit? How can this even be considered? Jordan says, it’s been discovered that Heather was slowly being poisoned by an artificial hip implant decades ago, with neurotoxic results, and Trina says, what? They think her artificial hip made her crazy? Stella says she read about this, and she did some digging. Some people who have been poisoned by heavy metals are affected mentally with anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction, bipolarity, even schizophrenia. But even if that were the case, Heather is a brutal killer. Surely this can’t erase her actual crimes? Jordan says, no, but some people think it can explain them, and Trina says, some people? Who would even advocate for Heather Webber? Jordan says, she’s going to find out anyway. Her boss has raised the question. Trina says, Spencer’s grandmother?

Willow talks while Drew films, and she says, blood cancer, considered fatal, can now be cured, if only people knew where to look for help. I should know since a marrow donor saved my life. That’s why the New Tomorrow Institute was created, to help people like you and me. Drew says, that was so good, especially on her first try, and Willow thanks him. She says, Nina? Anything to add? Nina says, she comes across as very sincere and authentic, and Willow says, but? Nina says she doesn’t want to make Willow feel self-conscious. What she’s doing is spot on. Willow says, that’s okay. She’d like to hear what Nina has to say. Nina says, okay. Willow is living proof that cancer doesn’t need to be a death sentence. She’s a success story. She’s the example people can aspire to. She came through a harrowing ordeal and now she has a healthy, happy, fulfilling life. Show that. Show the people who are dealing with cancer, and their families, that they not only stand to survive, but like Willow, to thrive. Willow says, so in other words, it’s totally okay to smile a little, and Nina laughs. Willow says, noted. Anything else? Nina says, Willow’s got this. She’s going to go back to her office. Willow thanks her, Nina says, anytime, and leaves.

Anna asks, why on earth would Carly think it’s a good idea to tell Brennan that he and Pikeman were the subjects of an investigation, and Carly says, because she wanted to know how he’d react ~~and she took stupid pills this week~~. Anna asks, why? Is she running an investigation of her own? Carly says, from the minute she laid eyes on Brennan… and Anna asks if he hasn’t asked her to call him Jack yet. Carly says, he told her that he was in the security business, and she took that to mean he was ex-intelligence or ex-military. She thought he was going after Sonny, then she realized he was working with that guy Hume. When she heard the name Brennan in connection with Pikeman, it wasn’t a far stretch to think the FBI had their sites on him. Anna says she might regret telling Carly this, but the FBI didn’t realize the former director of the WSB was involved with Pikeman, running it, because he managed to conceal his involvement. And that’s why Brennan came after her. Carly asks if Brennan did come after Anna. She thought that was Hume. Did Jack Brennan come anywhere near Anna? Anna asks how Carly found out about John Cates. Because Brennan was already in prison when he came to town. Did he tell her that or did Carly tell him? Carly says she may have mentioned it, and Anna says, so she blindly confirmed to Brennan that he’s under FBI surveillance. Now she’s put Pikeman on high alert and compromised a major investigation.

Carly says, what happens with Anna’s investigation is not her problem, and Anna says, Carly needs to listen to her. So she understands what’s at stake. Carly says, like what? Never mind. She doesn’t want to know, because why should she trust Anna? Why should she trust any of them? John shows up, being all nice and genuine. Then he goes to Jason and hassles him about Pikeman. Anna says, and she knows this how? She doesn’t think John would have shared that information with her. Was she listening? She was listening, wasn’t she? Of course (🍷) she was listening. Carly just asked why she should trust Anna. Because she’s trying to help Carly. Or has she forgotten that Brennan could have killed her the day they arrested him? Carly says she remembers Anna and Dante bursting in with their guns drawn, and the only thing Brennan was packing was a couple of zip ties. Anna says, like everyone walks around with zip ties in their pocket. She’s never ever considered Carly to be stupid or naïve, but Brennan could have kidnapped her that day or worse. Carly says she’s not so sure about that. If Jack Brennan is as dangerous as Anna says, he could have taken her down. He could have pulled out a gun. He didn’t do either. Maybe what Anna saw as a life-or-death situation was just a miscommunication. (Is that why Carly – according to Jack – nearly took his head off with a tray?) Anna says, why doesn’t Carly try being as smart as she thinks she is and stay the hell away from Jack Brennan. She walks off, and Carly says, oh, really? She makes a call and tells Fritz that she doesn’t feel like driving tomorrow, so she’s going to need a ride… Yes, that’s right. Nina walks in, and Carly says she’d like to go to Pentenville… She wants to leave from here… Great. She’ll see him tomorrow. Nina says, that’s nice of Carly to still visit her friends behind bars.

Tracy says, Finn and Violet have probably already left for the rehearsal in Coney Island, so why doesn’t Gregory have dinner with her? As it turns out, Sasha is a fabulous cook. All she has to do is heat it up for them. He says he’s not having dinner with her tonight because she’s going to Coney Island, and she laughs. She says, in the words of the Bensonhurst Brigade, fuhgeddaboudit. This is Lois’s event, not hers, and while they’re all dining on hot dogs and cotton candy, she’ll be enjoying Sasha’s delicious meal with cloth napkins and a tablecloth. Besides, she’s not in the ceremony, so there’s nothing for her to rehearse. He says he couldn’t disagree with her more. He needs her to stand in for him at the rehearsal. That way, she can tell him when the music starts and stops, when he makes his entrance, where to stand. All the little details that he needs to know. She asks if this is why he wanted to see her tonight, and he says, partially. There’s something else. He guesses she could call it his fail-safe plan, in case he can’t make it to his son’s wedding.

Willow tells Drew that she’s really excited about, hopefully, helping so many people, but she has so much to learn when it comes to the media side of things. He says he has no doubt she’s going to get the hang of it. Plus, she has so many people around to help. She says she thinks it was a good idea to have Nina stay around for the rehearsal. Her idea for Willow to simply smile will make it so much easier the next few rehearsals. He says, Willow is a natural, but he has to admit, Nina’s media savvy can really help them reach their target audience. So if Willow is open to it, he could ask her to be more involved. She says she’s not surprised, since he and Nina planned this whole thing, didn’t they?

Cody says he’s just here to scrounge. He was hoping to find some yummy leftovers in the fridge. Sasha says she takes it he’s hungry, and he says, isn’t he always? showing her an apple core. He sees the recipe box and says, this is what he likes to see. Is she trying out new recipes? She says, yeah. She was thinking of trying some new appetizers. Stick around long enough and he might get to sample some. She tells Michael that she’s really glad they talked, and leaves. Cody says, she’s amazing, and Michael says he knows. So what are Cody’s plans for all of her amazingness?

Stella asks how Trina is feeling about all of this, and Trina says she can’t feel anything but betrayed, for her and Spencer. Stella says she understands and doesn’t blame her one bit. Right now, she’s straining her objectivity, trying to see it from Laura’s point of view. She’s trying to think how she might feel if this was a member of their family. Jordan says she was Police Commissioner throughout Heather’s killing spree and her jailbreaks. She’s struggling to find objectivity too. Still, she recognizes Laura’s courage to even consider taking this on. Stella says, she has to realize the political firestorm she’ll cause if she gets that case reopened, and Trina asks if Jordan is saying that Laura is asking for Heather to be set free.

Cody says, Michael just put that out there, didn’t he? and Michael says he finds it saves a lot of time to be direct. He saw them just now; there’s sparks. There’s something there. Cody says, they have a good time. They’re friends. Michael says, friends. Okay. Friendship’s good. Cody says, you can’t have too many, and Michael says, but some friendships are more special than others, and he hopes Cody realizes how special Sasha is. Cody says, doesn’t he ever. Her molten chocolate lava cake is to die for. Michael asks if he’s ever serious, and Cody says he’s very serious about his job, so no worries there. Michael says, what about Sasha? She’s been through a hell of a lot these past few years and she’s come through it. She’s one of the best people he knows, so he hopes Cody is serious about being good to her. Cody says he’ll be as good to her as she’ll let him be.

Drew asks if Willow is accusing him of setting her up, but she says she’s accusing him of being a well-meaning friend who is trying to patch things up between her and Nina. He says he’ll admit he would love if she and Nina worked things out, but he’s a businessman, and Nina coaching her might make for a better PSA which may widen their reach for the appeal, which is what Aurora promised the New Tomorrow Institute. She says, so it’s good business, and he says he would never do anything to hurt her. He hopes she knows that. And he does get how sensitive the situation is between her and her mother. She says, her mother. It still lands with a jolt. She hasn’t thought of Nina in those terms in a while. He says he knows, but if he can get past it and find a way to work with Nina, maybe she can too. She says she meant what she said before. his attitude toward Nina, his ability to put the past in the past and deal with Nina here in the present, made her rethink her own attitude. But it’s hard. She’s opened herself up to Nina on more than one occasion and it did not go well for her. There was always a lie or a manipulation, and she’s left feeling angry and foolish. Like how many times does she have to go through the same thing before she learns her lesson? He says, Nina was the one who needed to learn her lesson, and maybe she has, and Willow says, maybe. He says, they can’t be sure, but he’s willing to give her a chance. He realizes it’s easier for him. She says, Nina sent him to prison, and he says he has a professional relationship with her, not a personal relationship. She can disappoint him, she can frustrate him, but she can’t wound him. So he gets how letting her in is a much bigger risk for her than it is for him. In saying that, he realizes he owes Willow an apology. She asks, why? and he says he may have finagled the meeting and pushed things a bit so that they would have a chance to interact, and he’s sorry. But he stands by his business perspective that Nina will make things better. But if Willow isn’t comfortable… She says, no. She’ll think about it. He says, then why does she look so upset? and she says, because she has no right to come down on him, especially when she’s been keeping something from him herself. He says, she’s keeping something from him? and she says, about his brother.

Carly says she can’t do this. She doesn’t have time for this. Nina says, that was unnecessary. She’s having the best day ever, and she doesn’t want to ruin it. They’re never going to hear bluebirds or see rainbows when their paths cross, but they don’t need to take shots at each other unnecessarily. Carly says, like Nina just did? and Nina says, that was a reflex that she regrets and she’s sorry. She approached Carly because there was actually another reason she needed to talk to her. Carly says, it can’t be another apology. She’s already heard them all. Nina says, no. She wanted to tell Carly that she was right about Sonny.

Gregory hands Tracy a paper and says he hobbled together some traditional texts with some thought and musings of his own. She says she’s sure it’s very beautiful, and he says, thanks, but he’s not looking for assurance. He’s holding her to her promise to take his place if… She says, yada, yada, yada. He’s presiding over Chase and Brook’s ceremony. It’s meant to be. He says, the only things that are meant to be are death and taxes, and she says she takes exception to the latter. He says, don’t tell him that she has stage fright, and she says, whether she does or not is beside the point. He’s the officiant. He says he’s just covering his bases in case he can’t read his notes or he loses his breath, things that have been happening more and more these days. He’ll need his understudy to go on if that happens. She says she seriously doubts she’s going to need to go on, as he puts it, because he’s perfectly capable of marrying those two, all while being the most attractive man in the room. He says, flattery will get her everywhere, except Coney Island. Can they get the airport in time? She has to make that rehearsal. She says she’ll get there. What’s the dress code for Coney Island? He says, think mermaid, and she says, ugh. He laughs and they leave.

Sasha says she heated Cody up some beef bourguignon, otherwise known as beef stew. Where’s Michael? Cody says, he left, right after warning him to be good to her, and she says she knows Michael. He had the best of intentions, but it’s not his job to make sure she’s well-treated. That’s hers. She gets to decide all on her own if a situation works for her, if it fits her needs. He wonders if they’re talking about her job as a cook, and she says, situation is pretty vague. It covers her job, but also the people she associates with. He says, like him, and she says, he doesn’t need a lecture from Michael on being good to her. He already is.

Jordan says she can’t speak for Laura’s intentions, but she does know Laura as her boss and as a person. She is smart and sensitive, so let’s not jump to any conclusions. The question is, where does Heather belong while they sort out her medical and legal issues? Stella says, her vote is, someplace safe and secure. This is a very complicated issue. She’s worked with psyche patients and their families, and she knows people’s pain, mental and physical, can drive them to do and say things that would otherwise be unthinkable. Trina says, maybe Heather was acting out of physical or mental pain, as Stella says, but what about her victims? What about the victims’ families? What about the pain she inflicted on them?

Willow says, what she’s about to tell Drew is confidential, okay? When Jason got back to Port Charles, after he jumped off the bridge, she and Michael found him in the boathouse badly wounded. They bandaged him up and got him antibiotics from the hospital. He says, Jason should have never put them in that position, but Willow says, they had to do something. He says, Jason was shot. So did she stitch him up?… Of course (🍷) she did. Because that’s what she does; she helps people. She helped Jason, she helps people at GH, and now she’s helping people through the New Tomorrow Institute. He appreciates her so much. Her secret is safe with him.

Nina says, Carly told her that it wasn’t going to last, that Sonny would leave her, and he did. If she’d listened to Carly, maybe she could have saved herself some heartache, but she wouldn’t listen to Carly or anyone else. She had to live it and she has. Carly asks if that’s all, and Nina says she’s trying to make amends with Drew. Carly says she understands needing to be on good terms with your employer, and Nina says, it’s in hers and Drew’s best interests to have a good working relationship. Carly says, then she guesses this all worked out, huh? Nina and Drew have a good working relationship, Nina is back at Crimson, and she has her hotel back. No reason to look back at all of the damage done, huh? All they can do is move forward. Nina says, she makes it sound easy, but Carly says, not easy. Necessary. She’s not looking back. She’s not going that way. She leaves.

Anna looks for Jason at the coffee warehouse, but finds he’s not in his office. She says, well, you were right.

Tomorrow, Gregory tells Alexis that he’s not sure an apology will do; John asks someone if they’re planning on walking away with Sonny’s organization; Nina tells Ava, if that’s not worthy of payback, she doesn’t know what is; and Anna tells Jason that they can use Carly’s mistake to their advantage.

Below Deck

Port Louis Marina. Kerry learns Turkish while everyone stumbles out from the night before. Fraser and Ben both have department meetings, and the provisions come in. Barbie and Kyle kiss on the stirs. Dylan wonders if they hook up with a charter guest, will they get fired? and Ben says, Fraser kissed one, so they should be okay. In Barbie’s interview, she says she and Kyle have a real connection, and wonders what it would be like in the real. She doesn’t know how it would work off the yacht. She talks to her mom on the phone, when Kyle comes along. Her mom asks how he is, and he says, hungover, but good, then wisely jets. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, the guests have their own yacht. They haven’t been challenged yet, and they’ve had easy guests, not even close to high end clients. No more mistakes. The guests arrive, and neanderthal Ben says, pretty girls. They’re in for a whole lot of sh*t.

Fraser does the tour, and co-primary Rob says, they have a boat in Newport Beach. The St. David is three times the size of his boat and he’s getting boat envy. Frazer tells the guests that he’s excited. They haven’t had a family yet. In Fraser’s interview, he says, this is the kind of yachting he’s used to working. Working for a family, they’ve been in yachting for a while. They have lots of money. They’re bringing their kids on board to congratulate them for being their own kids. They are not like other guests we’ve had this season. We flash back to previous charters this season, and he says he’s finally happy to have a group on board that really know how to enjoy themselves politely. In Sunny’s interview, she says she’s starting to see who Ben really is. However, the chemistry is there. If she chooses to ignore the red flags, that will be on her. Kerry tells the crew to get ready to depart. Paris says she heard Rob owns his own boat, and Rob says, it’s a navigator with three cabins. Dylan asks the guests how they like their STD, and when they look all confused, he explains it’s his shorthand for the St. David. Ugh. Fraser goes over the plates to be used for lunch with Nick, but Nick says he doesn’t want to do plates, and claims, it’s about timing. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s offering to help, but it feels like Nick doesn’t want his help. There’s no walking side by side, and he wants it, but he’s feeling a lot of f*** yous. Anchor is dropped, and Xandi goes to the beach with Fraser to set up. Captain Kerry shows Rob the engine room and says, whatever he doesn’t know he’ll make up. Rob says, beautiful engines, and tells the other guests the boat carries 30,000 gallons of fuel. Nick joins the others at the beach, and in Paris’s interview, she says she hasn’t worked with Nick long, but it hasn’t been collaborative. We flash back to Nick vs. Paris, and she says, you might have a weird personality, but if you can’t perform, she has no patience for it. The guests takes the tender to the beach, and the tablescape is gorgeous, flowers and greenery and rattan placemats. Captain Kerry walks around the boat with Sunny, and in her interview, Sunny says, the captain won’t cut corners. He’ll tell you straightaway if you do something wrong. He’s a great captain, but she wouldn’t want to be on his bad side. The guests play pickleball and discuss people getting killed by falling coconuts. I look this up and it’s 150 a year worldwide. Paris suggests some things to Nick, and in his interview, he says, when micromanaging happens and someone is being bossy, he lets them think they’re in charge, but he’s been doing this a long time. Three stripes, one stripe.

Sushi and Asian salad is served as a starter for lunch. Nick doesn’t want to plate, but Paris says she doesn’t want to walk around with a tray for 10 minutes asking people what they want. In Fraser’s interview, he says, the plan for the beach was that lunch was to be plated, but Nick needs love and support at this point. Nick says he has to get back to the boat, and in his interview, he says, Paris wants to take over, and he’s not going to stop her. He’d rather that than argue in front of the guests. He needs to get ready for dinner and has no time for this f***ing sh*t. He leaves, and Paris says, family style? Maybe at Sizzler. They make fish and beef skewers – on plates – and the guests say, it’s amazing. On the boat, Xandi talks to her brother on the phone. In her interview, she says, her baby brother is the most important person in her life. She sheltered him growing up and protected him. Their parents never got along, and it was not ideal growing up. When the fighting started, they’d watch TV, something happy. He loved Friends. There was a lot of fighting and a lot of Friends. Paris uses a torch to finish the crème brûlée, and the guests pronounce it perfect. They go back to the boat and are met with mini Palomas and cold towels. Nick tells Captain Kerry that he had things the way he wanted, but Paris changed it. In the captain’s interview, he says, a team member with a single stripe stew on the beach needs to adapt to the chef, not the other way around. Nick says, they’ll see what the feedback is. He wants to get a crack on tonight. I’m starting to wonder if he’s smoking crack. In Nick’s interview, he says, they want showstoppers. He’s doing grilled octopus and there’s going to be nice colors on that. Sunny kisses Ben, and in Ben’s interview, he says, a week ago it was different than today. He’s genuinely liking Sunny and wonders if the break they took could be the magic formula. They go into the bathroom, and we hear giggles. Paris tells Fraser that it was embarrassing. Nick left because she wanted the food plated. She did everything. Is this some kind of sick joke?

The crew puts on their blacks for dinner. Kerry and Fraser eat in the crew mess, and Kerry asks if there was confusion regarding how lunch was presented, but Fraser says, no. No dramas, no tragedies, everything was fine. That’s all that matters. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, Fraser is being coy with him and not telling him everything. He’ll deal with it later. Dinner has casino décor and games are set up. Co-primary Noreen says, the chef is amazing, as Dylan decides to assess the situation with the blonde one. Paris tells Nick that the next dish needs a drizzle, and in Nick’s interview, he says he has no time or patience for Paris. It’s not her job. He loves a garnish, but it’s going to look weird. He doesn’t tell her how to scrub toilets. Do what you’re good at. Rob tells Captain Kerry about following a rock band from Ireland, and in his cabin, Dylan does a terrible rap about taking a guest to his room and showing her his big d*ck. Sunny calls her friend Bish and tells her about Ben. She says, they’re just having fun. In her interview, she says, before, there was a lot of back and forth – does he or doesn’t he like me? – like picking flower petals. She’s taking a step back and having fun. It’s positive. Is it though? In Nick’s interview, he thinks Paris is f***ing with him, trying to f*** him up. Captain Kerry says, it’s going to be windy docking. It’s going to be challenging. He thanks the guests and tells them to enjoy the rest of their night. He checks in with Nick and says, he loved it and the guests loved it. Dylan acts like a creeper around the hot tub and gets in on the Truth or Dare game by saying he’ll take a dare. Guest Sarah tells him to take off his shirt and do his best dance. In his interview, Dylan wonders if this is a good idea. He dances, if you want to call it that, pours a bottle of water on himself, and attempts to twerk. The guests chant, Dylan… Dylan, and in his interview, he says, if he was going to hook up with a guest, it would be a fireable offense. He knows the risk factor and decided to play it on the safe side. He’s depressed. The guests go to bed at midnight.

Nick tells Dylan that he’s liking the trip. He has issues with Paris, but they’re her issues, not his. Dylan says, she’s full of sh*t, and Nick says, she demands power and gets it. Be happy. Live life. I’m really glad that I don’t know either of these guys. Captain Kerry looks at the wind level and sighs. Dylan DMs with Sarah, and they make plans to meet in LA, which will probably never happen. The breakfast specials are crêpes and the St. David breakfast wrap, and most of the guests ask for both, as we all would. Nick says he knew he should have made crêpes in advance. Paris tries to school Nick in the art of making crêpes, and in his interview, Nick says, she needs to back the f*** off. F***ing hell. The crew makes plans to go bowling on their night off, and Captain Kerry talks to Ben about the docking. The guests watch as they dock, because it’s not hard enough. The captain says, there are strong winds through the marina in multiple directions, and Kyle says, it’s going be tight. Captain Kerry says, it’s going to take a lot of effort and control. A lot can go wrong. The guests all gasp, and say, oh my God, it’s so close, but they dock without incident. It’s time for the guests to say goodbye, and Fraser says, they’re a wonderful family. Rob thanks the crew, and Noreen says, the food was divine and the service was impeccable. Rob invites the crew to come on their boat anytime they’re in Southern California, and they’ll be the crew’s crew. They leave, and Captain Kerry says, let’s get the boat turned around.

The captain calls everyone for the tip meeting. He says, they have areas to work on, but there’s only one charter left and it’s a quick turnaround. There’s no need for sore heads. The tip is $25K or $1923 each (wow! for one night?), and Captain Kerry adds that they also have a free place to stay in California. In Barbie’s interview, she says her tip is going toward something to wear. Her closet is like Saks Fifth Avenue, and if her father ever cuts her off, she can sell all her stuff. Captain Kerry call Paris to the bridge, and in his interview, he says, three stripes and one stripe are butting heads, and the one with three stripes is stepping back instead of the one. Fraser tells Paris, don’t get fired. He needs her. She tells him not to stress her out. The captain tells Paris that he wants to talk about beach day. He’s seeing a lack of communication. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, if the chef says that’s the way he wants to do it, it’s not her place to argue. Paris says, when they were organizing, Fraser said they’d be plating, and she assumed it had been discussed with the chef. They’ve all been butting heads with Nick and it’s frustrating. The captain says, that’s between the chief stew and the chef, and she doesn’t need to be dragged into it. Paris says, perfect, but I’m guessing that’s not what she’s thinking. Fraser and Nick are called to the wheelhouse, and Paris tells Barbie that she was kind of out of line. The captain’s tells Fraser and Nick that they have to work together. He doesn’t care if they like each other or not, he’s not allowing this bullsh*t. They have one more charter and have to work it out how they can work well together. In his interview, Captain Kerry says he hopes by knocking their heads together he knocked some sense into them and for the next charter they can get their sh*t together. Fraser suggests he and Nick go over the menus for the next charter straightaway, so all the meals are set, and they fist bump.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting. The primary is Michele, a pediatric dentist, who’s bringing friends who travel together frequently. She’s also recently separated and wants this to be her freedom tour. Ben reads that they want a Reiki practitioner, and Fraser reads that a request for a fashion show. They’re celebrating the primary’s 50^th birthday as well, and she wants to celebrate Beyoncé style. Sunny says, it’s going to be a good vibe tonight. She feels it. Kyle comes out in a bow tie and a kilt, and Barbie says, that’s not hot. In Barbie’s interview, she says she gets that it’s his heritage, but he doesn’t wear anything underneath and likes to show his situation. She wants to put pants on him. She tells him, don’t start showing people that. They go to Lavo Lanes bowling alley, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he loves how Barbie hates the kilt. Barbie says, he loves to show it and she’s trying to get him not to. They do shots, and Kyle makes the winning spare. Ben tells Kyle to flash his willy, and Kyle obliges. Barbie tells him, stop doing that, but he tells her, deal with it.

In Barbie’s interview, she says, her family is going to have a heart attack. She’s from Argentina and was raised conservative. She’s never dated somebody who doesn’t wear pants. She can imagine introducing Kyle to her father and him pulling his pants down. It’s embarrassing and cringe worthy for her. Kyle promises not to do it again, and she asks how he’d like it if she flashed her boobs. He says he would like it, but he gets what she’s saying. Barbie says she doesn’t like that, and he says, noted. In his interview, Kyle says he needs to flash someone, but doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable. He knows he’s in the doghouse, so he’s going to work at making her happy. They leave, and back at the boat, Kyle says he needs to piss and take his kilt off. I guess the kilt does make that easier. Xandi says she can’t believe she’s sober. Barbie and Kyle bunk together, and so do Ben and Sunny. Kyle tells Barbie that she has him wrapped around her little finger, and in Barbie’s interview, she says, the season is ending and they’re in a good spot. She’s thinking this is not the end of her and Kyle. She has love for him and is possibly falling in love with him. She wants to see what the future holds, if they have real feelings. He’s a great guy, but at the same time, the fact is, he’s different from her family and not Jewish. A producer asks if she thinks her family would want her to be with him, and she says, no. She has so many things to think about. She’s scared that they’re so different, and she wants to see if it works in the real world, if they make it that far.

Next time, a Beyoncé birthday; Captain Kerry says, schoolboy errors are happening and it’s unacceptable: and the captain finds blatant disrespect on deck.

🥤 I’d Like To Buy the World a Pepsi…

Come on down tomorrow for soap and a Reunion of Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay prioritizing quality choices and people, and stay reaching for the brass ring. You may fall flat on your face, but you never know.

May7

May 6, 2024 – Dante Gives Anna His Resignation, New Year’s Eve 2023.5 Celebration On Deck, Teresa Is Back To Terrorize New Jersey, At the Gala & Queen

Posted on May 7, 2024 by theresakp

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina tells Alexis, so she accidentally said my baby, one time, on accident. It’s shorthand for the thing that’s growing inside of her that’s not really hers. It’s completely taken over her body. It’s making her have to pee 24/7. It’s making her hungry and hormonal, and it’s really her sister’s and her partner’s. Alexis says she sees why Kristina would want some kind of shorthand, and Kristina says she can’t win. TJ thinks she doesn’t care about this baby and Alexis thinks she cares about this baby too much. So maybe the two of them should get together and settle on how much they should think she should care about this baby and let her know. Alexis says, got it. Promise. Point taken. She understands why Kristina is frustrated. There’s been a lot of backseat pregnancy-ing here. Kristina says she is falling a little bit in love with this baby, but how could she not? It’s a part of her. And it’s not like she did it on purpose; it just happened. And it’s not a bad thing that this baby gets to feel love before it’s born. Alexis says, that’s another good point, and Kristina says, so she doesn’t know what everyone is freaking out about. Alexis says, the fact that Kristina doesn’t understand why everyone is concerned is cause for concern all by itself.

Carrying shopping bags through the park with Natalia, Blaze says she’s so excited that Miranda agreed to be her stylist, and Natalia says, it took some convincing. She didn’t just volunteer. Blaze says she knows and appreciates everything Natalia did to make it happen. They sit on a bench, and Natalia says, she feels like Blaze was resisting a lot of her suggestions. She didn’t side with anything that wasn’t amazing. Blaze says she wants Miranda to design the looks for her tour and her public appearances, but when it comes to her downtime, she reserves the right to dress how she wants. Natalia says, she doesn’t have downtime. Building a brand and maintaining it is a full-time job.

Anna hands Bennet some paperwork and says he has to talk to the union rep first and the lawyers. He says, and all this is on her to-do list for tomorrow, as in just tomorrow and not the rest of the month? She says, it’s going to be a long day, and he says, even though she’s going to be out of the office, he has the feeling she’s still going to have a long day. She says, almost certainly, but at the end of that long day, she will have checked out of the MetroCourt and into her own absolutely perfect apartment.

Sam says, Dante has managed to remain clear-eyed and clear-headed about potential conflicts, and he always does the right thing. He says, does he? How many times has he erred on the side of being a son versus being a cop? She asks if he thinks resigning from the force is the only way to reconcile his doubts, and he says he thinks when he found out Dex was applying to the police academy, his first thought should have been, maybe this kid will be a decent cop, not what Dex has on his dad. She says, he just did it. He turned one single fleeting thought into a rebuke of his whole career. He says, here’s another thing. She had to see how the guys were treating Dex at Chase’s bachelor party. It was bad. Dex was just on Sonny’s payroll; he’s Sonny’s blood. She says, there’s no comparison between the two of them. He was a cop way before he found out Sonny was his father. Dex knew exactly who Sonny was before he chose to work for him. Dante says, cops care about proximity to people like Sonny. He’s Sonny’s son. You don’t get any closer than that. He can’t even imagine what they all must think about him. She says she can imagine, because she was there when every single one of them showed up to donate blood when he was in the hospital. You don’t do that for someone you don’t respect. He says, cops do that for other cops, and she says, he always does that.

Ava looks at the prescription bottle, and Sonny says, Carly shows up here like it’s her home. Then she tells him that he can’t see his own daughter in his own home. She asks if something happened with Donna, and he says, of course (🍷) not, but she wasn’t talking to him like he was Donna’s father. She was talking down to him like he’s not taking his medication. Then to top it off, she charges to the bathroom and goes into the drawer to check herself, like she’s still living here. Anybody else did that, does she know what he would do? Ava says, it doesn’t sound like she’s showing much respect for his privacy, and he says, she’s not showing much respect. The hell with that. The hell with you, Carly Corinthos. He takes the bottle and slams it onto the table, and Ava asks if he doesn’t mean Carly Spencer.

Sonny says, really? That’s what Ava got out of everything he just said? It was a slip of the tongue, okay? That’s it. She says, it just shows though, how hard Carly tries to push his buttons. She fails of course (🍷), but she does try. He says he’s had a lot of experience with Carly. She plays a lot of games, but he plays those games better. Ava says, it’s staggering how entitled she is. She hasn’t been his wife in years. You’d never know that by the way she acted today. And not just a wife, but a doctor too, apparently. Sonny says, to be fair, nobody knows his condition or whether he’s on or off medication more than Carly. She says, except him, obviously, and he says, obviously, but what really gets him upset is when she came in and started saying he forgot to take his medication, did he remember to take his medication. What is he, a child? What is she thinking? Ava says, she’s not thinking. He’s changed, but the way Carly sees him hasn’t. Carly doesn’t know him anymore. He says, she doesn’t have to tell him, and she says, he’s put up with more than enough today. Why doesn’t he sit down and relax? He says, what he wants to do is go over to the hospital and get his blood drawn so they can test the medication levels, and he can throw his results in Carly’s face.

Sam says, every time Dante walks out that door she worries, but she also knows how much he loves his work. He says, not anymore. That was before he knew he was subconsciously looking away from his father. Now that he knows he’s doing that, he has to stop. She asks if he’s messing with her or just venting, but he says he’s not. He really means this. She says she can’t tell him how long she’s waited for him to say he wanted to give up his badge.

Bennet says, she’s had enough of hotel living, huh? and Anna says, more than enough. Living in hotels was a necessary evil for the better part of her career. There were assignments where it didn’t make sense to rent any long-term residences. They had to be up and out in a moment’s notice, but then living in hotels became less of a convenience and more of a habit. A habit she’s decided to break and lease a space of her own. He says, with respect, it sounds a little like she’s trying to talk herself into it, and she tells him, let’s just say she’s reenforcing her decision. The perfect apartment came up. It’s fully furnished and in an ideal location and she signed the paperwork yesterday. He congratulates her, and she says, thank you, Calvin, so apparently Bennet does have a first name. She tells him, here’s everything she needs, all planned and accounted for and her itinerary at 0800 hours tomorrow. He says, it looks about right, and she says, bungee cords and a hand truck and she’ll take the files she kept in storage after the fire at her house. She’s just grateful God invented elevators. He says, she’s not using professional movers… unless she can’t because there’s sensitive stuff in those files. Gotcha. She says she’s learned the hard way how valuable old records are. She can’t trust them to anyone, except herself.

Kristina asks if Alexis remembers how upset Molly was when their first surrogate miscarried. She was devastated. And she’ll never forget seeing Molly’s face at the park that day. All she wanted to do was help her. Molly’s her sister. It was Molly’s dream to have a baby, and she wanted to help make that dream a reality, no matter what it took. Alexis says, and she loves Kristina for that and so does Molly. Kristina says, she does, when Molly and her partner aren’t questioning her every move, and Alexis says she’s sure they regret making Kristina feel scrutinized, but they’re family and they’re really imperfect. But they love each other which is why they have to give each other a lot of slack. Kristina says, Alexis means she has to give them slack, and Alexis says, no, but Kristina says, that’s what it is. Let her ask Alexis something. If Molly and TJ were using any surrogate other than her, does Alexis think they’d be policing her the same way if she occasionally, accidentally let a my baby slip once in a while?

Natalia asks if Blaze’s music manager has said anything about the studio band’s demo. This is for Blaze’s new single, so she must have some kind of feedback… Okay, so she’s totally incommunicado until after the wedding? Blaze asks why she has such an attitude when it comes to Brook, and Natalia says she doesn’t have an attitude, but she does have questions about Brook’s priorities thus far. Blaze says, there’s nothing wrong with someone being more excited about marriage than Natalia was, and Natalia says, the guitar solo on the new single is terrible. She doesn’t know what Blaze was doing with all that studio time, but it clearly wasn’t her job. Blaze says, excuse me? and Natalia says, she should have shut the guitar down. Shut down the whole session as soon as she heard it. The single cannot be released until it’s fixed. Blaze looks away, and Natalia asks if she was the only one who heard it, or was she the only one listening? Blaze says, they’ll go back in and redo it, and Natalia asks, what other choice do they have? They’re not going to pretend like this current guitarist isn’t anything better than mediocre. This single is far too important. It’s too important to use anybody other than Blaze’s brother. Blaze says, for the last time, she has to let Eloy live his own life and let her live hers.

Natalia says, Eloy is a talented musician and a born performer like her, and Blaze says, and he left the music business. He said he wants nothing more to do with it. Does she have any idea why? Natalia says, because he’s contrary. He just doesn’t admit to himself that that’s where his heart lies, but once he does… Blaze says, he’ll what? Come running back, ready to jump in the studio to make up for lost time? Natalia says she knows her son. She knows music is the air he breathes, and once she reminds him of that… Blaze says, how many times? No wonder Eloy wants out. Natalia says, what about Blaze? Does she want out too? Blaze says, no. She wants to understand why she’s not enough. She chose to have a career in music. But it doesn’t matter because Eloy’s not involved headlining, because that’s what Natalia really wants. Natalia says, Blaze is being ridiculous. Blaze knows she loves them both equally. She just hates seeing talent like that go to waste. Blaze asks if his talent isn’t his choice. As usual, when the subject of Eloy comes up, she’s wasting her breath. She picks up her bags and walks off.

Kristina tells Alexis that she’s got to go. Ally is meeting her. Alexis says, give Ally her best, and Kristina says she will. Alexis hugs her and says, she’s so generous and everyone knows it. She wants Kristina to know that Molly and TJ are just anxious. After everything they’ve been through, they’re just worried this is going to get snatched away from them just like everything else before. But you know who’s not worried? Babies. Most of the time, they come in happy and healthy, and this baby will too. And Kristina will know that she brought this life into the world without any agenda at all but love, and that’s really cool. Kristina thanks Alexis and says she loves her. Alexis says, she’s welcome and she loves Kristina too, and Kristina leaves.

Sam says she can’t tell Dante how many nights she would lay awake and pray he’d come home and tell her that he was done. He says, they should have talked about this a long time ago, and she says she knows. He should have seen the looks on the faces of all the officers and their husbands and wives, because they were all there. They were devastated of course (🍷), but she could tell they felt guilty and relieved, because fate had made its choice that night and it wasn’t them. He says, cops are pretty superstitious, and she says she knows. She lives with one. And she loves this one. So if he was to tell her that he’s ready to give up his badge, she wouldn’t pretend to be anything but grateful. They hug.

Ava says, if Sonny thinks it’s worth having a blood test to show Carly, then she thinks he should do it, but he wonders why he should waste his time. When the results come back, they’re going to be normal. She’s just going to judge him on something else. She says, very likely, and it’s probably a bad precedent to set, letting Carly think he needs her approval on how he maintains his medication. He doesn’t need her approval for anything for that matter. He says he doesn’t need Carly’s approval. She doesn’t care about him. She’s probably with Jason right now. If it wasn’t for Donna, he wouldn’t speak to her again. He’s got to cool off. He’s got to go. She suggests she come with him, but he says, no. He needs some time alone. He leaves.

Holding a huge book, Alexis answers the door to Diane, who says she hopes Alexis has had better luck that she has. Alexis says, the only thing she found in this book is a recipe for graham cracker crust that somebody shoved in here, and Diane says she’s never been partial to a graham cracker crust. (Well, we differ on that point. I’m all about a graham cracker crust.) Alexis says, in all these books, there isn’t one case where the board has vacated a disbarment. Not since her disbarment anyway. Diane says she managed to dig up some transcripts, some declarative judgements that can at least point them in the direction of what not to argue. Alexis says she guesses that’s better than finding out the hard way, and Diane says, so far, it’s just been the only way. Alexis says, they knew this case was probably doomed from the onset, but Diane says, they knew no such thing and they still don’t. If Alexis just wants to give up, then by all means just go find her kitchen, wherever it is, and make that hideous graham cracker crust recipe. Alexis says she knows where her kitchen is. It’s where she keeps the aspirin. And she’s been working on this night and day, this Don Quixote of a case, and she may have a legal crisis under her own roof, and if this one explodes, it’s going to shred her entire family.

Kristina comes home to find Blaze, who holds up a dress and asks how she likes it. Kristina says she likes it. It seems a bit much for movie night and take-out, but whatever she’s comfortable in. What she really likes is, Blaze finally used the key she gave her. Blaze says, it seemed safer coming here than the alternative, and Kristina asks, which was? Blaze says, strangling her mom in the park in broad daylight. Although anyone who’s ever met her mother might buy her insanity defense. Kristina says she knows the feeling. No one ever makes you as nuts as your own mother, right?

Natalia hears someone coming and holds her purse tighter. She sees it’s Sonny and laughs. He says he didn’t mean to scare her. She and her bags are safe. He doesn’t think there’s anything in her bags that would fit him anyway. She says, he doesn’t need help with his clothes either. She’s only seen him a few times, but… He says, she approves? and she says she does. He thanks her, and she says, and he did her a favor. She was just sitting here, stuck in her thoughts, letting time slip away from her. He says, it’s nice of her to give him a pass, but it’s not polite to sneak up on people. She says, it’s such a beautiful day. She’s feeling a little selfish hogging up this bench. Care to join her? He says, yeah. He’d like that very much. He sits down and smiles.

There’s a knock at Anna’s office door, and Dante comes in. She asks what he’s doing here. She thought he was off duty. He says he is. He just wanted to drop something off. She tells him to come in and sit down. It’s nice to see him. He takes out a piece of paper and she asks if he’s submitting a report. He says, no. This is his resignation.

Anna says, Dante was just in the hospital. He was shot. It’s understandable. He says, it’s not just the fact he was shot and almost died. Although that played a part in it for him and for Sam, but not the biggest part. She says, then what is it? and he says, Sonny stopped by his place today. They got talking about father/son stuff, then Sonny mentioned Dex Heller. She says, in what context? and he says, in the context that other cops, maybe even her, will believe what Dex has to say about Sonny’s business, but not him because he would know better. She asks what he took that to mean, and he says he took it to mean Sonny thinks they shouldn’t believe anything that Dex has to say about his business. She asks if Sonny asked him to do anything else, other than not believe what Dex might say, and he says, not immediately, but that’s not going to be the end of it for Sonny. He’s going to come back and then he’s going to ask what Dex said. She says, assuming Dante would have access to anything Dex disclosed. If Sonny asked, would Dante tell him? Dante says, not a chance, but Sonny laying this groundwork… This line has gotten really blurry between what he does as a cop and what he does as a son. He’s always tried to build this wall between certain parts of their lives. Sonny was on one side, and he was on the other side, and they could co-exist. She says, that seemed to be working in the past, and he tells her that what she said at Chase’s bachelor party really hit home for him, and he has thought about what Dex working for the PCPD could mean for his father, information that he could pass on. And he hates that the thought crossed his mind. She says, he’s being really hard on himself. Aside from his remarkable recovery just now, he’s only human. He says, but he’s a cop, and she says, a damn fine one too. And worrying about something isn’t the same as interfering or intervening or sharing intel. He says, no – he takes out his badge – but to him, it sure seems like he’s betraying everything this badge stands for, so it’s got to end. He puts his badge on her desk.

Sonny wonders if he can ask Natalia what has her stuck in her own thoughts, and she says, it’s her daughter. He says he has more than one, so he’s stuck in his thoughts a lot. She laughs and says she just has one, and that one is a full-time job. And a thankless one a lot of times. He says he knows what that’s about, and she says, he didn’t have an argument with Kristina, did he? He says, no. He gets along great with Kristina. He can’t say the same about his ex. She says, nothing worse than a fight with your ex, because you loved each other once, so they know how to hurt you and exactly where to aim it. He says he and his ex share the same daughter that he was talking about earlier. His daughter’s young so she still likes him. Natalia laughs and says, enjoy that while he can. He says, the other thing is, he’s bipolar. His ex was instrumental in getting him diagnosed and recovery. Natalia says, so she’s not all bad, and he says, that was then. Now she’s using it against him.

Alexis tells Diane that Molly and TJ have been nudging Kristina about what she eats, when she sleeps, and how worked up she gets. Diane says, surrogacy can be challenging for everyone involved, even when everyone’s being respectful and well-behaved, and Alexis says, but all Molly and TJ have to do is watch it and wait, and they are both very bad at it. On the other hand, for the most part, Kristina is doing everything a pregnant woman should do. Diane asks what the lesser part has been up to, and Alexis says, thinking the baby is hers. Diane says she’s had some experience with surrogacy, just from the legal side, and she knows whoever is carrying the child experiences a wide assortment of emotions, not the least of which is possessiveness. Alexis says, otherwise, you might as well be an incubator or a test tube, and Diane says, but what Kristina is feeling is different? Alexis tells her, Kristina said she was falling a little in love with the baby, and when it kicks, she goes, that’s my little kicker. It’s not what she says; it’s the energy behind it. And it’s problematic for the role she has. Diane says, has anyone – for instance Alexis – broached the subject with her? and Alexis says, yes, and she got mad. Diane says, that’s also understandable. Alexis says, it’s understandable for now, but as this evolves, they’ll see what happens, because this could be disastrous for her family. Diane says, could be. It doesn’t necessarily need to be. But Kristina did supply the egg. It’s not a third party donor. Therefore, in the eyes of the State of New York… Alexis says, the baby is legally Kristina’s.

There’s a knock at Kristina’s door, and Blaze says she’ll get it. Molly is there and says she didn’t know Blaze was going to be here. She could come back… Kristina says, no. Come on in. They were actually just about to have dinner. Molly should join them. They’re having a meal of organic kale washed ten times by nuns, with a side of polyunsaturated yogurt. (Ha-ha-ha!) Sound good? Molly says, that’s why she did something she almost never does. Just walked out of the office in the middle of the afternoon. She had to see Kristina. She hates the way they left things this morning.

Molly says she wanted to tell Kristina that she talked to TJ. She told him that micromanaging every aspect of Kristina’s life is out of line and has to stop. Kristina says, she told him that? and Molly says she did. Telling her what to eat and when to sleep is not okay. She’s a total control freak and even she would hate that. Kristina thanks her, and Molly says, she’s welcome. Kristina is her sister, not an anonymous egg donor. She loves Kristina and trusts her. Blaze asks if there’s any chance they could have some version of this conversation with her mom, and Molly says, sure. Can it wait until tomorrow though? She took the rest of the afternoon off and she thinks she may do something crazy and see if TJ can get the afternoon off. Maybe go for a drink or see a movie. Kristina says, wow. She appreciates Molly talking to TJ. Does this mean she doesn’t have to do so with her dad?

Natalia says, it’s really brave of Sonny to be so open about his bipolar disorder. She doesn’t really know him, but she really wouldn’t have expected anything less. He says he appreciates that and he knows how important it is for him to stay on his medication. But now his ex has reached a point where she doesn’t give him the benefit of the doubt about anything. Natalia asks if she gave him a reason, but he says, no. Just excuses. She says, those are two very different things, and he says, this is a really great bench, but it doesn’t really offer any refreshments. Does she want to go have a drink with him? She says she’d be delighted. She thinks she’s getting the better part of that deal.

Anna tells Dante that she wasn’t there for Robin at a very crucial point in her life and Sonny was. Robin depended on him, and he was there for her. She thinks her gratitude for that morphed into a kind of bias, always in his favor, no matter what the circumstances. She doesn’t think she realized how much, but whatever debt she thought she owed his father, she thinks now is paid in full. She guesses she was waiting for him to come to the same conclusion. He says he doesn’t know if he’s there yet. So she sees why he has to resign. She says, then what? and he asks what she means. She says, one day, Sonny comes to his door and needs a favor. Without that badge, how does he justify refusing his father? How does he make sure that he and his family don’t just get dragged into Sonny’s orbit? He says he’s a grown man. He’s set boundaries… She says, come on. After a while, they become blurry, boundaries, especially in families. He could move. He says he’s not moving. His family is rooted here. Their lives are here. She says, so is his. His life is here. He didn’t use this badge to protect Sonny. This badge protected him from Sonny and the toxic cloud that follows him around. In short, she doesn’t think he can afford to resign.

Sonny comes into the penthouse with Natalia, and Ava asks how he is. He seems better. He says he is, and introduces them. He says, Ava is his daughter Avery’s mother, and Natalia says, not the ex he was talking about in the park, but he says, no. She’s here to help out. Natalia says, he doesn’t have any nannies? and he says he has a couple of them. Ava says she’s not one of them, and Sonny says, Ava knows Blaze, the singer? Ava says, Kristina’s girlfriend? and he says, yeah. She’s a rising star and guess what? Natalia’s her mother. Ava says, how nice. Congratulations. Sonny says, they saw each other in the park, and they were just talking. He thinks it’s time to crack open that 25-year-old scotch that he imported. Ava says he’ll get it, and he asks her to pour a glass for Natalia. He happens to know she likes scotch every so often. Natalia and Sonny laugh.

Molly says she and Kristina will probably never see eye to eye on Sonny. It’s not personal. She’s an ADA and it’s her job not to ignore who he is. Kristina says, and it’s literally her job as his daughter not to ignore him as her father, and Molly says she’s not asking Kristina to, but it’s public record where Sonny goes, danger follows. Kristina asks if Molly honestly thinks her father poses a threat to Molly’s baby, and Molly says she doesn’t. And she promises that TJ will stop making it an issue. Kristina says, good luck with that, and Blaze puts her hand on Kristina’s shoulder. Molly thanks Blaze for being there for her sister throughout all this. It means a lot that she has someone who cares for her as much as Blaze does. She deserves it. Blaze says she thinks so too, and Molly says she’ll see them later. Kristina thanks her for coming here and saying what she did. It can’t have been easy after what happened this morning. She appreciates it. It’s just another one of the reasons why she loves Molly. They hug.

Diane asks if Kristina at least has a contract with Molly and TJ, and Alexis says, yes. And she told both the girls that this will never hold up in court. Diane says, she’s right. It won’t. Alexis says she’s probably overreacting. This is probably just hormonal and natural during pregnancy, and when this is all said and done, the haze will lift, and she will be thinking clearly. Diane says, it’s possible, and Alexis says, very unlikely that this will come down to a point of law and she’s worrying for no reason other than she’s very good at it. Diane says, when it comes to worrying, Alexis is peerless. However, she’d be a sorry excuse for a best friend if she didn’t give Alexis some advice. On one hand, she’s never been through anything like this, but on the other hand, not being personally invested does give her some objectivity. And that’s what Alexis needs right now, objectivity. Alexis says, go ahead. She’s braced. Diane says, stay out of it. If her daughters want legal opinions, send them to other lawyers. Because the worst-case scenario is, she could cause one of her daughters to lose a child and in the process, she could lose that daughter.

Dante says he doesn’t know what the hell he’s supposed to do, and Anna says, just do what he’s been doing. If he sees a file with Sonny’s name on it, ignore it. If they mention him, walk away. If something crosses his desk pertaining to his father, notify her, and she’ll reassign it. He says, yeah, and she says, maybe they need to look beyond that to other situations that might involve Sonny. So if a case or an incident, even a rumor sounds like it might lead back to his father, then Dante has to tell her. And if events are moving too fast, hand it off to Chase or Bennet or the desk sergeant. Whatever he does, he can’t put himself in a situation where he’ll be compromised, or he’ll compromise himself. Is that clear? He says, all right, and she says she thinks he’s exactly where he should be. In fact, she thinks it’s the only safe spot for him. So he’s staying. Understood?

Sonny asks if Natalia’s whole family is in the music industry or just Blaze, and she says, her whole family is musical, but her son is an extraordinary musician. He’s amazing. But for right now, it’s just Ally – Blaze – who’s actively pursuing a career in music. He says he knows how difficult it is to break into the music business, when Ava comes up behind him. He asks Natalia to excuse him, and she steps away. He asks if Ava doesn’t need to make some calls about the gallery. Does she know what he means? She says she believes she does, and leaves. Sonny joins Natalia on the balcony, and she raises her glass and says, to him, for turning a challenging day into a very pleasant one. They clink glasses, and he says he could say the same to her. She says, it’s funny. She’s walked past this building so many times and admired it, but this view is more spectacular than she imagined. Has he been here a long time? he says, since the 90s, and she says she doesn’t believe it. They walk back inside, and she says, it feels brand new. He says he’s redecorated a few times since then, and she says, amazing taste. He says he was thinking of making a change. He’d welcome her input. He thinks it needs a woman’s touch. She says, what about Ava? but he says, it’s not like that with him and Ava. They clink glasses again.

Tomorrow, Heather asks if Laura thinks she might have been a good mother; Drew asks if Willow has made a decision; Valentin says he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants; and Carly tells Jason that Sonny is in trouble.

Below Deck

Breakfast is served and the phones come out to take pictures. In Xandi’s interview, she says she loves Instagram, but not to that extent. That’s why she’s working on a boat. Kyle debates smashing a watermelon with his head. Why? Who knows? He ultimately decides against it. Chef Nick says he and Paris are going to be friends or she’ll hate him at the end of the season. Fraser tries to get Nick to put a cherry tomato garnish on the plates, but Nick refuses. Fraser says, it’s a disaster, overreacting just a tad. In Sunny’s interview, she says, it definitely feels more awkward working with Ben. She’s pretending everything is fine, but it’s a little difficult. In Barbie’s interview, she says, her family if from Argentina and they’re very modest. She’s close to her family, and her father’s opinion matters, but she’s an adult and she and Kyle like each other. There’s nothing bad about what they’re doing. Guest Zach says he did 50 dates in 50 nights, and it’s how he found his girlfriend. He had spreadsheets. Nick talks to himself in the galley, while the slide and water toys are brought out. No surprise, the guests take more pictures than they actually do anything.

Nick makes the crew lunch and Paris slathers hers with mayonnaise. Nick tells her that when she gets chubby and some guy breaks her heart, don’t come crying to him.😐She tells him that she’s been chubby, and she was still hot. You go, sister! In Paris’s interview, she says, Nick is weird as f***. Trust her. She’s burning the calories. Fraser is anxious to see guest Steven’s soaking wet body, and in his interview, he says, today is water sports, a light lunch, and the guests have requested a New Year’s Eve celebration. They hope to finish the meal at the stroke of midnight. It’s absurd, but it’s happening. Guest Stephanie asks Steven if he’s proposing to Fraser at midnight. Ben tells Kyle that he spoke to Barbie, and said Kyle’s been nothing less than a gentleman, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he likes Barbie a lot, but doesn’t know where they stand. They built it up and now it’s almost in the gutter. Why not make a go at it? It might be worth more than what her dad thinks of her.

Sunny is operating the crane, and Dylan brags about being a crane operator on a cargo ship and how he has a crane operator’s license. In his interview, Dylan says he would listen to podcasts, and learned he should surround himself with people he wants to be like. He’s doing his best and he’s super competitive. If you believe it, you can see it. At the bar, the guests and Barbie bug Steven about proposing to Fraser, and Barbie says she loves this love story. Where’s the mistletoe? Fraser joins them, and she asks what his ring size is and wonders what Steven looks like on his knees. In the crew mess, Barbie calls her sister, and says she can’t wait to be off the yacht. She asks her sister to try not be a massive bitch about what she’s going to say. She’s been going through sh*t the whole season, and this guy, Kyle, has been her rock. He’s into her, and vice versa, but because of dad, she wasn’t doing anything. Now they’ve become a thing. Her sister asks, what kind of thing? but Barbie says she doesn’t know how to define it. Her sister says, dad has his standards, and Barbie says, the heaviest thing is her letting dad down. Her sister says she should have thought about that before. Now it is what it is. And now I see why Barbie is such a mess. Barbie says she’s going to disappoint their dad, but she’s being herself and she likes this guy. In Barbie’s interview, she says, she respects her father, but more important than her family is her being her and it’s time for her to own it. Her sister says, in the end, the person who has to live with your decisions is you. What a philosopher. Did she get that off a fortune cookie? Fraser says, dinner is at 10, and they’re going to count down to New Year’s Eve 2023.5. Barbie asks if Fraser is giving Steven a New Year’s Eve kiss, and Paris tells Steven that this is the first step of the rest of his life. In Paris’s interview, she says she’s never wanted to hook up with a charter guest. All her guests have been in their 70s and 80s, and she’s not into crusty d*cks or d*cks that don’t work. Barbie teases Fraser and he says he’s going to try and fire her again. The deckhands lounge around wearing New Year’s Eve crowns, and Fraser tells the captain that there’s a malicious rumor on of the guests wants a New Year’s Eve kiss from one of the crew. Captain Kerry says, that’s sexual harassment, but Fraser asks, what if they’re actually keen? In the captain’s interview, he asks, when a tree falls, if no one’s around, does it make a noise? Fraser tells him that he thinks it will be just a peck. Everyone gets ready for the celebration, and in Nick’s interview, he says, the guests want surf and turf, which isn’t something he’d order in a restaurant. He doesn’t like mixing his fish and meat, but he’s got to give the guests what they want. Steven talks to Fraser, and in Fraser’s interview, he says he’s been single for five years. He’s been out of the game and thinks he’s lost it. If he can’t be seen without feeling exposed, that means he’s lost it. The décor is beautiful, silver and blue with a little bit of gold. Dylan listens to his affirmations: Your positivity is contagious… Dinner is served, and endless pictures are taken. In his interview, Fraser says he’s shocked. The presentation is horrific. An experience on a superyacht is overwhelming and magical, so it can be overseen. Paris tells Nick that the plates are lacking garnish, and in Nick’s interview, he says, she’s 22. She was sh*tting her bed when he was already a chef. Get back to cleaning sinks or scrub a toilet.

Paris suggests making cucumber stars, and Nick says, go back to the 80s. He serves the surf separately from the turf, and more pictures are taken. Steven is too hot in his gold lamé suit and needs someone to do the honors of taking his pants off. Needless to say, Fraser volunteers. In the galley, Nick says he feels like Paris hates him sometimes. I might be on board with her, but I don’t hate the chocolate fondant dessert he made with chocolate from the excursion. The guests get ready to count down and wave sparklers. Fraser says he’s going to give his husband a kiss, and it’s a peck, but a long peck. Everyone cheers and toasts to love. Barbie asks if Fraser liked it and he says, yeah, but he was hoping for a bit more . Barbie tells Kyle that she’s sorry. She didn’t want to own it because she was nervous about her dad, but she’s totally ready to own it now. They kiss, and Steven sends an Instagram message to Fraser, asking if they can sleep in the same bed, but Fraser sends a message back that it’s a fireable offense. Fraser checks out Steven’s Instagram and says, he used to be an absolute snack, but I would categorize him as still snackable. Fraser suggests Nick garnish with parsley at breakfast, but Nick thinks it’s tacky. In Nick’s interview, he says, it’s not about the ~~pasta~~ garnish. He knows they’re influencers and wonders if you can Yelp a private chef or a boat. As Nick makes smoked salmon eggs benedict – sobbing quietly into my tomato soup – he argues with Fraser. In Fraser’s interview, he says, Nick doesn’t want to take advice and doesn’t listen. He wants to run with how he feels, and it’s not up to Fraser’s level or the level of the ship. The boat docks, and in Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, it’s the best docking all season. He thinks he made a good decision, making Ben bosun and Ben making Sunny lead deckhand. I’m sure Dylan would disagree, thinking he could handle both roles.

Port Louis Marina. Dylan admires his own abs, and Barbie tells Sunny that she likes Kyle, but wasn’t owning it. She is now. She and Sunny high-five. The guests get ready to leave, and there are hugs and goodbyes. Primary Alex tells Captain Kerry that the tip is well-deserved, from the family dishes and the Feast of the Seven Fishes. They’ve built relationships and friendships. He hugs the captain, and says, goodbye, friends. He’ll always remember his first STD. The guests leave, a little work is done, and it’s time for the tip meeting. Captain Kerry welcomes Nick and says, there was great energy, and the guests felt the synergy of the team. The tip is $23K or $1769 each. Frankly, I expected more. The captain tells the crew, well done, and in Nick’s interview, he says his dad was a chief engineer and retired at 50. When he’s 50, he imagines making snacks at a café on a beach in Nicaragua. Captain Kerry calls Fraser to the bridge, and says, it’s a new environment with Nick. Fraser says he doesn’t want to speak too soon, but he’s underwhelmed. Nick has zero presentation and he’s not friendly. It’s his way or no way. The captain says he feels that Fraser doesn’t want to be as helpful as he was with Anthony, and in his interview, Fraser says, the chef isn’t communicating and not allowing them to work well. He’s at loose ends and doesn’t know what to do. The chef is the problem, not him. The captain says he feels a different energy from Fraser since Nick got here.

Captain Kerry says they need to support Nick and respect how he does his food. He’s noticing how Fraser is reacting and that means the staff is noticing. In his interview, the captain says, it’s not the same Fraser and he doesn’t understand. Fraser no longer has the same areas of concern, and he needs to shift or it’s going create a disaster. He tells Fraser that the guests were happy, and they’ll see if it’s better on the next charter. In Fraser’s interview, he says he needs to give Nick what he needs when he needs it, even if it’s a load of sh*t. He doesn’t think it will make Nick better, but he needs to do what the captain asked. Fraser tells the stews that he’s been naughty and giving his opinions. They only have one more charter, and even if the plate looks like a canteen lady slopped it on, they need to adapt. Paris says, Nick makes unnecessary comments, and we flash back to his judgement of her mayonnaise love. Fraser says, be as positive and helpful as they can, and they have a group hug.

Captain Kerry calls Fraser, Nick, and Ben for a preference sheet meeting, and tells them that there’s no turnaround day because it’s a short charter. The primaries are Marine and Rob, who are accustomed to butler service on vacation. They’re bringing son Bobby and his girlfriend Edith, daughter Sarah and her friend Chloe, and youngest daughter Kate and her friend Daley. Nick reads that they want a beach picnic with sushi, and Ben reads that they want a Dressed To Kill/Casino Royale party. Captain Kerry tells Nick to work on presentation. The crew gets ready to go out, and Ben tosses his head like a circus pony, admiring his own hair. Bleh. They teleport to a restaurant, since suddenly they’re there. I guess the taxi ride was too boring to show. In Fraser’s interview, he says he got a message from Steven. Steven is leaving tomorrow, and he deserves this. Paris tells him to message back, since they’re going to a club. Nick explains how he bought a Chanel bag for his girlfriend, and when they broke up, he refused to let her have it. In Nick’s interview, he says, crazy works for him with a woman as long as they don’t try to strangle him in his sleep. I dunno. If I was him, I’d be worried about the not-so-crazy women wanting to strangle him as well. Ben hangs on Sunny, and in her interview, she says, it’s confusing. What is he doing? Why? What does it mean? Is he just stirring the pot? They go to a club, do shots, and dance. In Ben’s interview, he says, once Xandi is off the pinot, she’s over the edge. Xandi falls off a table, and Ben says, she’s just Xandi, their baby giraffe. Steven joins them, and Fraser says he’s literally obsessed. Steven says, same, and they kiss.

Fraser says he didn’t realize Steven was gay until halfway through the cruise. Really? He needs to have his gaydar antenna adjusted or something. In his interview, Fraser says, it’s the first time in a long time that he’s had a crush on someone who felt similar. It’s quite exciting. Kyle says he likes how he and Barbie are so different, and in Barbie’s interview, she says she’s not holding back, but public affection is new to her. She’s trying to be more open, and it feels good as long as they’re not overdosing, and no one is making it a thing. Dylan cheers and tries to give Barbie and unwelcome kiss. The crew goes back to the boat, and Ben kisses Sunny on deck. He asks if they’re sharing a bed, and she says, sure, because there must be something wrong with her. In Sunny’s interview, she says, they’ve been flirting all night. They’re not married or in a relationship, but they have chemistry and fire, so why not? Nick digs around in the refrigerator for drunk food and gives some to Dylan. In bed with Kyle, Barbie says, they’re opposites, and in her interview, she says, she’s falling for Kyle. In Kyle’s interview, he says, he’s falling in love with Barbie and thinks they could have a future. He’s vulnerable and wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Next time, Ben wonders if hooking up with a guest will get them fired; Nick says, Paris is overtaking his job; Captain Kerry meets with Fraser and Nick. He says he doesn’t give a sh*t if they like one another. There’s one charter left and there’s no way he’s letting it fall to sh*t.

👠 Holding My Nose…

For the brave souls who need to know.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14 Premiere Recap: The Surprise Party From Hell

And what is Rachel wearing? Is that a dress that’s supposed to look like two dresses? WTF?

Teresa Giudice Calls John Fuda a ‘Drug Dealer’ During ‘RHONJ’ Premiere

Where the ‘RHONJ’ Stars Stand With Teresa Giudice in Season 14 Premiere

👗 It’s the Most Fashionable Night Of the Year…

This pretty much has it all about the gala and the fashion. I love the theme, and it actually seems like there are fewer hideous creations.

https://people.com/met-gala-2024-full-recap-8643790

She’s beautiful and needs to stop reading nasty comments from people who are living in their grandmother’s basement at age 32, hiding behind the anonymity of the internet.

https://people.com/lizzo-met-gala-2024-red-carpet-photos-8640432

🛀 Don’t Small the Sweat Stuff…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a VanderFinale. Until then, stay safe, stay dressing for the occasion, and stay not letting gratitude morph into bias.

Apr30

April 29, 2024 – Valentin Tells Jack That Anna Won’t Be a Problem, Instagrammable Food On Deck & Pocket

Posted on April 30, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the park, Kristina says she needs a breather, and sits down on a bench. She says, if anyone asks why they stopped working out, she’s blaming it squarely on the baby. As he’s running by, Dex stops and asks if she’s okay. She says, actually, that depends on him.

Drew thanks Willow for taking the time to meet with him, and she says, that was some serious corporate speak. He says he’s sorry. She’s right. He guesses he was kind of stuck in the zone. She says, try again, and he thanks her for stopping by. She says she was happy to. It gives her a chance to tell him in person that Amelia loved her first swim lesson. He was right. He says he knew it. It makes him so happy. Amelia did well; how did mom do? She says she was nervous at first, but once she saw how comfortable Amelia was, she was fine. He says, that’s awesome, and Michael walks in. He says, Willow beat him here, and she says, amazing what running a few red lights can do. She’s kidding. She even drove the speed limit. Michael says, no one drives the speed limit. What’s with this mystery meeting? Willow says she’s never been asked to sit in on Aurora business before. Should she be scared? Drew says, no, but he hopes she’ll be excited.

John asks the MetroCourt hostess if Jason Morgan is here, but she says she’s sorry. She can’t disclose the reservations. Carly comes along and asks if she can help him with something. How’s his head? He says, it’s still attached, and she asks if he needs something. He says, since he’s staying here, he thought he’d meet the new owner of the hotel. She says, he already knows Jason, and if he’s looking for the new owner, he found her.

Anna goes to see Jason at the coffee warehouse and thanks him for meeting her. He says, of course (🍷), and she says she wants to debrief him. She thinks if they’re going to figure out who’s running Pikeman and shut them down, there’s a fair amount of things he needs to know. He says, such as? and she says, personally, she thinks Valentin is involved. He says, with Pikeman? and she says, big time.

A guard leads Nikolas to the visiting area at Pentenville, and Nikolas says, there must be some kind of mistake. The only visitor he’s had is his mother, and she was just here. The guard points to a table, and Ava says, hello, Nikolas.

In some other area of Pentenville, Valentin slams a visitor book shut, and Jack says, right this way.

Drew says he just had a meeting with a non-profit who wants them to run their PR, and Michael asks, what kind of PR are they thinking? Drew says, they want Aurora to help raise awareness for their cause by featuring them in Aurora’s publications and media, but the reason Willow is here is that they’re looking for a spokesperson. He thinks the spokesperson should be her. She says, me? and he says, she seems surprised. She says, it’s because she is. She has zero experience with non-profits, and she’s never been a spokesperson for anything. Drew says, this cause in particular, she does have experience with, and Michael says, this probably should have been his first question, but what does this non-profit do? Drew says, the New Tomorrow Institute helps people find bone marrow donors. They also coordinate umbilical cord blood donation. He thinks it’s safe to say the transplant process isn’t very well understood by the general public and this organization is really trying to change that. When they said they were looking for somebody to personalize their message, he immediately thought of her, a leukemia survivor in large part due to a bone marrow donation. She’s got the power to make a huge impact here.

Carly tells John that she shouldn’t say owner. She’s a co-owner with Olivia Quartermaine. He says, just like old times, and she says, yup. He says he’s happy for her, and she says, really? That’s not exactly the vibe she’s getting from him. He sits at the bar and says he remembers how she talked about the MetroCourt. He thought she loved running the place. She says she did… she does. He says, but he thought he also remembered her saying she thought she’d never get it back, and she says, that’s also true. He asks, what happened? Jason bought it then sold her his half? She says, he gave it to her, and John says, just handed it over? Expected nothing in return? She says, Jason doesn’t operate like that. When he does or says something, he means it. John says, that explains his side, and she says, but not hers. He says, she doesn’t strike him as someone who would accept a gift like that. She seems to value her independence too much. Is he off base? She says, no. He’s spot on.

Anna says, she, Valentin, and Jack Brennan all came up in the WSB together, and Jason asks if she’s saying Valentin was an agent. She says, a desk agent. He didn’t know that? They all went through the WSB training courses at the same time. Jack Brennan finished at the top of the class, which is what she’d intended to do, but she wound up second. She thinks it was sexism at work, but who knows? Valentin was close at the top. It’s kind of like going through university together. You know people, but you don’t know them very well. Brennan was always a bit of a pragmatist. She’s almost positive that he stole the money that was used to seed Pikeman. Jason asks where Valentin fits in, and she says, if you asked him, nowhere. However, when Pikeman initially approached Sonny to handle the shipment, Valentin was the go-between. He says it’s because he did contract work for them back in the 90s and there are no other ties… He says, but she doesn’t buy it, and she says, no. He asks if she pushed him on it, and she says, push him? No. She doesn’t think he believes she’s suspicious of him anyway. The subject she probed on was Brennan. Jason says, and? and she says, it was really interesting. Valentin thinks he convinced her that she was remembering wrong, that he and Brennan weren’t tight like she believed. It was the 80s – it was a while back – but she did some thinking. She knows she’s right. She knows Brennan and Valentin were thick as thieves back then. He says, so Valentin’s hiding something, and she says she’s almost certain at times. At other times, she thinks she’s being a bit paranoid. She goes back and forth. He says, that’s not like her, and she says she has to be honest with him. When it comes to Valentin, her judgement is a bit compromised.

Jack takes Valentin to an office, and Valentin says, look at him. Trusted status. He’s really moving around the place. Jack says, let’s not go crazy, and Valentin says, he’s moving about with no guards present. He’s impressed. Jack says, it is a perk. How about him? Valentin found a reason to visit Pentenville that has nothing to do with him and doesn’t require a midnight van trip. Cheers. Valentin guesses they all have their moments, and Jack says, what they don’t have is a whole lot of time. What’s happening with Corinthos? Adjusting to life on reduced medication? Valentin says, looks that way. Sonny’s isolated from his closest friends and family. The only one he trusts is Ava Jerome.

Ava says she heard Nikolas is being transferred and she wanted to see him before that happened. How is he? He says, incarcerated, and she says, besides that. He says he’s all right. Resigned to his fate he supposes. It helps that nothing is waiting for him on the outside. And her? She says she’s doing well, and he says, that’s it? She asks if he expects more, and he says his mother told him that she was living with Sonny. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t the least bit curious. What’s going on there? She says, it started as a safety precaution after the break-in at Windymere, and he says he’s never known her to be afraid of the dark. She says she does have a daughter to protect, and he says, a daughter she shares with Sonny. She said it started as a safety precaution. What is it now? She wonders why she’s discussing this with him, and he says, because he’s safe. Trapped in here with nothing to gain. She says, or trapped in here with nothing to lose, and he says, there’s always something to lose, and they both learned that the hard way. She says her relationship with Sonny has evolved, and he says, for the worse? For the better? She says, it’s the best it’s ever been.

Dex asks what Kristina needs. He can give her a ride to GH or call someone for her. She says she’s fine. The baby was just kicking up a storm. He says, good, and she says she’s actually glad she ran into him. Well, he’s running, she’s not, but he gets the point. He says he does. What’s up? She says she’s a straight shooter, so she’s just going to come out and ask him. Josslyn told her that her dad ordered him to kill Cyrus. That’s not true, is it?

Ava says, this thing between her and Sonny… Nikolas says, is toxic? And she tells him that she was going to say, hard to define. But it’s working. Recent betrayals have left Sonny feeling hurt and alone, and he needs somebody he can trust. They support each other. They rely on each other. He asks if she’s in love with Sonny Corinthos, and she says, no. Why? Is he jealous? He says, always, and she says, does she find him attractive? Yes, and she’s not saying her feelings won’t change in the future, but for now, she’s just happy to be on the same side. He says, must be nice for Avery, and she says, it is. Honestly, she’s never seen Avery so happy. She’s got both her parents. They’re all living together under the same roof and she’s loving it. She remembers always skating on such thin ice with Sonny, always being this close to a custody battle. It’s such a relief not to be constantly bracing for that. He says, makes sense, and she asks why he says it like that. Like he’s not completely sold. He says he’s sold. He gets that she likes not fighting with Sonny and that it’s healthy for Avery and blah-blah-blah, but that’s not the part she gets off on the most. She says, do tell, and he says, she likes being in the inner sanctum, in Sonny’s coveted circle of trust, the one he leans on, the one he confides in, the one he believes. She says, damn right she does.

Carly says she’s had other offers throughout the year, and John says, other people wanting to buy her back her half of the hotel. She says, yeah. Sonny, her son Michael, even Nina Reeves offered to sell it back to her in the name of peace. That’s what she said. He says he guesses she wasn’t feeling that peaceful toward Nina Reeves, and she says, no. He says, and the ex-husband he gathers, but why not accept the offer from her son? She says, because she doesn’t want to expose Michael to scrutiny from the SEC. Not that they would find anything, but she didn’t want to put him through that kind of an investigation. It was bad enough when it happened to her. She’s guessing he already knows all about this, and he says, just because he’s FBI doesn’t mean he’s familiar with every federal charge ever filed. She says, but he is familiar with that one, and he says, yeah. She says, so he knows the ending, right? She messed up and lost her hotel. She was going to do everything in her power to get it back on her terms. He says, that just brings him back to his original question. She wasn’t able to accept charity, for lack of a better term, from Sonny or Nina or Michael. How was she able to accept it from Jason? She says, because taking her hotel back wasn’t for her. It was for him.

Jack says, Sonny’s on one quarter of his bipolar medication and no one has any idea. He’s got to hand it to Valentin. His strategy is simple, effective, hard to detect. If this were a project back when they were trainees, they’d steal his idea and put it in a textbook. However, they have a bigger, more pressing problem than Sonny. Valentin says, Jason Morgan, also known as Alan Jacobs, spent years at Pikeman, therefore knows too much. Jack says he’s sure by now Valentin has gone back through his file and double-checked the screening process. How did Morgan get a job at Pikeman in the first place, who messed up, and where. Valentin says, the short answer is, no one messed up because Alan Jacobs history checks out. The supporting documents, his outstanding record of military service, everything seems legitimate. Someone went to a lot of trouble to put Jason Morgan in Pikeman, someone capable of manipulating government records. Jack says, could be a business rival. There are a couple of other security firms with that kind of check. Valentin says, so sabotage Pikeman from within and steal their clients? and Jack says, it’s plausible. Except for Morgan himself. Why would he take the job? What was his incentive? Valentin says, Jason has always had blind faith in Sonny Corinthos. It’s kind of a defining character trait. Jack asks, what would make him disappear on Sonny? and Valentin says, not money. He was born a Quartermaine. Jack says, so if Morgan wasn’t paid to infiltrate Pikeman, what if he was coerced? Valentin says, who could coerce a man like that? Who could deliver flawless credentials? Jack says, the answer has three letters, and the question is, which ones?

Drew says, Willow’s is such an important story and thank goodness it has a happy ending. He hopes she’ll consider coming on board. She says, wow. She… Michael says, Willow is a private person. She may not want to share her story with the world, even if it is for a worthy cause. Drew says he completely understands. Not that he wants to pressure her. He definitely doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable in any way. Willow says, no. She knows that, and she’s so honored he thought of her. He says, she’s the only person he thought of, and she asks if she can get back to him. She promises she won’t take too long. He tells her, absolutely. Take as much time as she needs. She says she does value her privacy, but the fact is, her life was saved by her Great Aunt Leisl and her bone marrow donation, and she’ll be eternally grateful for that gift. It allowed her to be a mother to her children and a wife to her husband. She wants to increase the odds of that happening for everyone. Nina breezes in, saying, they have a problem… She sees Michael and Willow, and stops.

Dex says he doesn’t think they should talk about that, and Kristina says, my God, it is true. He says, yeah, and she says she’s so sorry. He says, she’s not responsible for her father, and she says, no, but she feels so stupid and naïve. She knows her dad worked outside the law, but she never thought he’d put Dex in that position. He says, if it makes her feel any better, it surprised him too, and she wonders if she can ask him another question. He says, sure, and she says, in the time that he worked for her dad, has he seemed different in the end than he was at the beginning? She knows that’s vague… He says he gets what she means. Yeah. Towards the end, Sonny was more volatile or could fly off the handle. She says, paranoid? and he says, yeah. After the attack in Puerto Rico, he was convinced there was traitor inside his organization. It didn’t take Sonny long to decide it was him, and after that, there was no changing his mind. She says, so it was after the shooting in Puerto Rico, and Dex says, he’d always been volatile, but that’s when it flipped to paranoia. She says, when Ava moved in, and Josslyn walks up. She asks Kristina if there’s something wrong.

Carly says, Jason thinks she wouldn’t have lost the hotel to begin with if he’d been here, and John asks if she agrees. She says, probably. It’s not Jason’s fault. Something was obviously keeping him away. He’s been through something. He says, Jason told her that? but she says, no. She could see it in his eyes. Now that he’s home, there’s so much he can’t get back or make up for, but this hotel is the one thing he could fix. He says, so she swallowed her pride and let him, and she says, don’t get her wrong. She’s thrilled to have the hotel back, but she wouldn’t have accepted it from anyone else. He says, she took it from Jason for him, and she says, yeah. And she’d do it again. He tells her to enjoy her hotel, and she tells him to enjoy his stay, and leaves.

Anna says her defenses were up because she thought someone was targeting her, and Jason says, somebody was targeting her. She says, not that night though. When she got back to the apartment, she could see someone had opened the door. She entered and there was a figure standing there in the dark, rifling through her things. And they turned toward her with something in their hand and she fired. He says, she did what her instincts were telling her to do, and she says, he wouldn’t have done that. He says, she doesn’t know that, but she says she does. He wouldn’t have entered an apartment that was dark and fired at a target he couldn’t see clearly. He says he wasn’t there. It’s impossible to say what would or wouldn’t have happened. You just can’t. She says, it’s really hard for her to accept that happened, and every time it flashes in her mind, she just tried to block it out. She shot a child. He says he’s sorry. She says, he should feel sorry for Charlotte, and he says he feels sorry for her too. It had to be tough to live through that. He’s really glad Charlotte’s okay. She says her too. She doesn’t know what she would have done if Charlotte hadn’t made it. Anyway, what she’s saying is, it’s impossible for her to look at Valentin and not think about his daughter. To her, he’s a father first and a person of interest second. In which case, she thinks she’s putting this entire investigation at risk.

Jack tells Valentin that he fears they’ve caught the interest of a government agency. The FBI, the CIA, NSA. The only one they can be sure it’s not, is the WSB. They don’t want to investigate Pikeman. They want to keep it running just as it has for decades. Valentin asks if he thinks the CIA put Jason in Pikeman, and Jack says he thinks they’d have to be idiots not to consider that possibility. And Morgan’s perfect. He’s got the right skillset, but he’s not an agent. If they hadn’t had the blind good luck to assign Morgan to an op in his own hometown, they’d never have caught on to him. Valentin says, he thinks that’s good luck? and Jack says, it’s only good if you know how to play it. Now another intelligence firm is coming after them. Valentin says, this is going to have to be their last face to face. There can’t be anything linking him to Jack. Jack says, right, and they still have to tie off Morgan, and Valentin says he thinks they might have gotten a break there. Jason and Sonny are currently at odds. Jack asks, how bad? The scale goes from creative difference to at war. Valentin says, from Sonny’s perspective, the latter. And with him erratic and angry… Jack says, they eliminate Jason and pin it on Sonny.

Nina says she’s sorry. She didn’t know Michael and Willow were here. Willow says, it’s fine, and Michael says, they were just leaving. Willow tells Drew that she’ll get back to him with an answer as soon as possible. Drew thanks her and she thanks him for thinking of her. She and Michael leave, and Nina closes the door. She says, Willow barely said a word to her, and Drew says, because they were in the middle of a meeting. Nina asks if Drew saw her smile just a little. Maybe she could call… No. She thinks texting is more appropriate. Drew thinks she should give Willow some space, and asks, what was so important that she had to barge into his office without knocking again (pot, meet kettle)? She says, Carly is giving her a hard time about doing standard maintenance on her office. He laughs and says, really? He wonders where she got that idea from. She says, remember, they’re on the same team, and he asks, in what world is he on the same team as her? She says, the one where Carly and Jason screwed them both over. So what’s the plan? He says, for? and she says, payback.

Kristina says, everything’s fine, and Josslyn asks if she’s sure. Because things looked a little tense. Kristina says she’s fine. The baby was just kicking and… She asked Dex if what Josslyn told her about her dad was true. Josslyn was right. Josslyn says, for the record, she wishes she wasn’t, and looking back, she certainly didn’t have to tell Kristina the way she did. Kristina leaves, and Dex says he should probably get going. It was good to see her. Josslyn says, wait.

Jack tells Valentin that he needs to tread carefully and make it look convincing. Otherwise, Anna will totally be on to him. Valentin says he heard Anna came to see Jack, and Jack says, she wanted to know all about Pikeman. She seemed to think that somehow, he knew who was running the show. Valentin asks what he told her, and Jack says, that he knew nothing. Anna’s closing in. They can take precautions against whoever has Pikeman under scrutiny, but their defenses against Anna are limited. She knows them both. She knows their history. She was there when they stole the money to fund Pikeman. All she has to do is put those pieces together and she’s plenty smart enough to do that. Valentin says, she’s already come to see him to talk about Pikeman. She asked him about Jack’s involvement, and he stonewalled. Jack says, and she believed him, and Valentin says, of course (🍷). Trust him. Anna’s not going to be a problem.

Anna tells Jason that every instinct in her body is screaming that Valentin is more involved in Pikeman than he’s saying, but for the reasons she just outlined, when she questions him, she comes up empty. She thinks she’s incapable of being objective. He says, this is where he comes in? and she says, yeah. He’s good at rational thinking, yeah? That’s what she hears. She’s wondering if he can get a read on Valentin, because he’s not going to be as suspicious of Jason as he is of her. Jason says he’ll do anything he can to help her. She may not trust her own judgment, but he does, and he always will. She thanks him and says she has a lead for him. He says, great. What? She says, Dex confirmed for her that Sonny did in fact take that shipment from Pikeman. He says he’s got his own reasons to talk to Dex. He’ll follow up and see if he knows anything about Valentin. She says she’ll always be here for back-up, and he says he knows. John calls to Jason, and he and Anna come out of the office. John says, oh look, the gang’s all here. Wait. They’re missing a member. Anna says, they were just… and John says he doesn’t care what they were doing here. The investigation into Pikeman is stalled. Care to explain why?

John says, Jason’s head isn’t in the game. He’s throwing money around, buying the MetroCourt for Carly Spencer. Just because he’s back in Port Charles with access to his bank accounts doesn’t make him a free man. Jason says, understood, and John says he wants an update on Pikeman, now. Jason says, there’s nothing to report right now, and John says, listen up. Either Jason gives him a way to get him what he wants, or Carly will lose the hotel – again – because she will be up on RICO charges.

Michael and Willow go to the MetroCourt, and Carly hugs them, saying, her two favorite people. Willow says, it’s already looking so much better in here, and Carly says, she thinks? Michael says, the MetroCourt has missed her special touch, and Carly thanks him. She asks what they’re doing here. Late lunch, early dinner, drinks? They know the MetroCourt does it all. Michael says, they’re not sure just yet, and Carly says, let her know when they decide. Duty calls. She leaves, and Michael and Willow sit at the bar. Willow says, his mom looks so happy, and he agrees. He asks what she thinks about Drew’s offer, and she says she was flattered and really surprised. He says he doesn’t want her to feel pressured. They’re 100% fine if she says no. She asks if that’s what he thinks she should do.

Drew tells Nina to speak for herself. He’s not interested in payback. Carly says, since when? He really enjoyed getting even with her. Why is he letting Carly and Jason off the hook? He says, Carly and Jason didn’t send him to prison, and she says, if he hadn’t been sent away, he and Carly would have been married by the time Jason came home, and how humiliating would that have been? He says, so she actually saved him from divorce? and she says, that’s right. He asks if she wants him to thank her, but she says, what she wants right now doesn’t really require any words. She kisses him, and he steps away. She asks if it’s too much for him, and he locks the door. They get busy.

Josslyn says she owes Dex an explanation, but he says, she doesn’t owe him anything. She says, it wasn’t her place to say anything to Kristina, but at the time she was very ~~drunk~~ scared about what Sonny might do him, and she thought that if she told Kristina, it would help. He asks if she’s not scared anymore, and she says, no. She thinks he’s going to be just fine. Has he heard from the academy? He says, not yet, and she says she’s sure he’ll get in. He says, we’ll see, and she says, the PCPD would be lucky to have him. He asks if she really thinks so, and she says she knows so.

Ava tells Nikolas, all those years she spent with her nose pressed up against the window, on the outside looking in, despised, ridiculed by everybody in Sonny’s orbit. He says, not Nina, and she says, no, not Nina. But the collapse of Sonny and Nina was inevitable. Nina never really had a chance of understanding him. Not like she does. Because Sonny wasn’t the man Nina thought he was. Does he know what she’s really loving? She’s really tickled pink about that Carly is finally getting a taste of her own medicine. He says, now they’re getting somewhere, and she says, always looking down her nose at reprehensible, despicable Ava Jerome. Repeatedly slamming the door in her face. Guess who’s in charge of entry now? He says, her? and she says, me, and she can be the ousted traitor. She’s the trusted confident. He says, Sonny makes her feel powerful, and she says, yeah. But she’s helping him too. He says, how so? and she lowers her voice and says, Sonny’s on a quarter dose of his medication. He asks if she arranged it, but she says, no. Absolutely not. She has to find out who’s responsible. In the meantime, she knows that Sonny is vulnerable and she’s watching out for him. He asks if she’s saying she hasn’t told Sonny.

Dex says, they both know he has a lot to make up for, and Josslyn says, if she’s come off as some perfect angel, she knows that she’s not. She’s done things she’s not proud of and she doesn’t even know why she did them. She just knows they didn’t make her feel like her. Does that make sense? He says, it makes a lot of sense. There is a scale. The bad things she’s done versus the bad things he’s done. She says she’s not trying to compare. She’s just saying she knows she’s messed up too. So she shouldn’t stand in judgement of anybody else. And that includes him. She leaves.

Drew and Nina get busy all over the office.

Ava says, no, she hasn’t told Sonny, and Nikolas asks, why not? Never mind. He thinks he knows. She likes under medicated Sonny, doesn’t she? He’s receptive in a way he’s never been to her before. She says, they’re getting along very well, and he says, getting along? They’re playing house. She says, as long as she’s watching out for Sonny, what’s the downside? He says, if Sonny finds out what’s wrong and she knew, if he even suspects she had a hand in this… She says she didn’t, and he says, but she didn’t try to fix it. He’s not rational. She’s playing with big fire here. She says, he almost sounds like he cares, and he says, she knows he does. She says, yet he always underestimates her. She puts her hand on his and says she knows what she’s doing. She leaves, and he says, God, I hope so.

Willow asks if Michael doesn’t think she’d be good at it, but he says he knows she’d be amazing to whatever she put her mind to. He just doesn’t want her to feel obligated, that’s all. If she does decide to take the job, just make sure it’s what she really wants. She says, Drew told her that she could think on it, so that’s what she’s going to do, and he says, okay.

John says, Carly stays free as long as Jason does what the FBI asks of him. Are they clear? Jason sighs and says, clear. John says, good. They both know he spent years running contraband through here. He suggests Jason renew his contacts and find out how Pikeman is moving their shipments through Port Charles and when they plan to do it again. Jason goes back to his office, and John says he does what he has to in order to get the results he needs. Anna says she can tell he doesn’t like himself very much when he treats Jason like that, and he says, it doesn’t matter how any of them feel about it. What matters is, they get it done.

Valentin tells Jack not to worry. He knows how to play Anna. Jack says, he’d better be right, for her sake. He likes Anna. He always has, but the WSB has too much invested in Pikeman. If she threatens that, take a wild guess what’s going to happen to her. Valentin says, nothing is going to happen, and Jack says, Valentin wants to keep Anna safe, keep his distance. The more time he spends with Anna, the greater the risk he’ll give himself away. Valentin says, it’s all the time he has for Jack. He’s got to go. He leaves.

Tomorrow, Michael says he’ll take this one for the team; Anna says she’ll have to think about that before giving Valentin an answer; Jason talks to Dex; and Drew and Nina get interrupted.

Below Deck

Port Louis Marina. Barbie kicks Kyle out of her bunk. No chef, no breakfast, so they eat watermelon. In Kyle’s interview, he says he’s been chasing Barbie like a lost puppy this whole time, and we flash back to that. He’s not saying he always gets what he wants, but he’s pretty persistent. Everyone trickles into the crew mess, and Dylan wonders why he tried to kiss Sunny last night. We flash back to his kiss fail, and Sunny saying, they’re not doing that. Ben teases Barbie about Kyle, after Barbie asked Kyle not to mention they’re tryst to anyone. Captain Kerry says, chef incoming, and in his interview, Chef Nick says he’s been a chef for 22 years, and lost his mind a long time ago, but he’s harmless crazy. He’s not about to murder anyone. We’ll see how he feels after being on this boat a while. He says he’s from England, 40 years old, and yachting keeps him youthful. And he has no ex-wives or kids, which is probably why he looks good. He meets the captain, who tells him that Chef Anthony’s food was incredible, but his timing was not. Captain Kerry says, he’s not here to teach anyone to cook and has no room for chefzillas. The guests are arriving tomorrow, and he suggests Nick see the galley and find out what works and what doesn’t work. In Ben’s interview, he says, being on the St. David is like a stroll down Memory Lane. He and Camille were kids in love, that’s how he’d say it. We flash back to that, and he says he’s been thinking about her. Maybe part of him believes they could be great together. He posts pictures of them together on his Instagram. Barbie tells Kyle not to say anything, but he says, people aren’t stupid. I beg to differ on that, but I get what he’s saying. In Barbie’s interview, she says, it’s the one thing her dad said not to do. Even when she was married, she didn’t kiss her husband in front of her father. Okay, that’s odd. Are they Amish or something?

Sunny sees Camille on Ben’s Instagram and cries to Barbie. She says she knows they’re just sleeping together, but it’s weird. It’s hard right now. Paris says she still deserves respect. Fraser meets Nick, and in his interview, he says, Anthony struggled with time, organization, and upkeep. We flash back to that, and he says he’s hopeful they can be rid of those things. Clearly, Nick has experience. Green flags all over. Fraser wonders why Barbie wants to keep her and Kyle a secret, and the captain calls for the preference sheet meeting. Paris tells Ben that he could have told Sunny about the Instagram photos, and Barbie wants to take back her night with Kyle. The captain reads that primary Alex wants a memorable vacation for his friends. They love Instagrammable food and want to have a seafood spread with octopus nachos on the first night. They also want to go to the local chocolate factory to make their own chocolate. They want a Caribbean Christmas – speedos and Santa hats – and want a meal that ends at the stroke of midnight. Captain Kerry says, they have high expectations. I say, more like peculiar expectations. Barbie tells Fraser that she’s having an off day and feels like she’s disappointed her dad. She cries and he hugs her. Wow my dad probably would have thought there was something wrong with me if I hadn’t slept with anyone by the time I was her age.

Barbie says she feels that her dad is going to be disappointed and embarrassed of her. Everybody made it a thing, and Ben thinks it’s a joke. Fraser says, no one thinks anything. They’re all family and love her. On deck, Kyle says he wasn’t going to talk, but she made the decision. In Nick’s interview, he says, this galley is in his top three worst. He doesn’t know how no one got food poisoning. He cleans the refrigerator and tells Fraser that it was black from mold. Ben tells Kyle that he and Camille had a connection he doesn’t think he and Sunny will ever have. He’ll never understand the mind of a lady. Kyle says, you think you’ve got it, and wham. Sunny comes on deck, and Ben asks how she is. He’s sorry she was annoyed at his Instagram posts. She says, they took her off guard. She wasn’t expecting it. Ben says, it’s always something and he needs to finish the season strong. If they sleep together, they sleep together. If they don’t, they don’t. He doesn’t think they have an attachment. He tries to take her hand, but she slips it out of his and leaves. Sunny tells Paris and Barbie that Ben told her there’s always something wrong. It’s like she’s toxic. Paris and Barbie hold her as she cries, and she says she’s working through sh*t. Paris says, he’s being a d*ckhead. Sometimes men need to take responsibility for their actions and how they make people feel, and he’s not doing that. In Paris’s interview, she says she’s learned not to sh*t where she eats. Man don’t change. Dylan listens to affirmations in his bunk. You are strong… You are intelligent… You are humble… Apparently, only the first one has stuck so far. Barbie texts Kyle and says she doesn’t know what part of this he finds funny.

Nick tells Captain Kerry that he turns up, assesses the damage, and cracks on, and the captain says he’s glad to have Nick aboard. Kyle texts Barbie that he’s not taking it as a joke, but she’s making him look like a joke. In Kyle’s interview, he says he hasn’t done anything wrong. In fact, he’s done the opposite. He’s done what he can to make her comfortable and she’s acting childish. Sunny blows off Ben and not in a good way. In Nick’s interview, he says he washed dishes and worked his way up to Michelin starred restaurants. He’s been working on yachts for 10 or 11 years. It’s a lot of pressure and you have to keep a steady head. Provisions come in, and Fraser tells Nick, don’t be shy with the cheese. Barbie says she asked Kyle to be a gentleman and she thinks his feelings are hurt. In her interview, she says she’s pissed. He knows she’s conservative. She wants to convert to orthodox. It’s not guy talk or yacht talk. He was a person she could trust, and she feels she can’t trust him now.

Ben texts Camille, and the guests arrive. They look like a possible handful. Captain Kerry welcomes them, and Fraser gives the tour. When he tells the guests that the hot tub is a prime spot for a 360 of the boat, guest Jennifer says she thought he was going to say threesome, and he says, they’ll get to that. He tells them that they have a chocolate excursion coming up after lunch, and tapas is out now. The lunch table is decorated with shells, ropes, and a miniature lighthouse. I love it. The guests tell Fraser that they all met on Instagram, and in Fraser’s interview, he says he wants to confiscate their phones. He gets that it’s their jobs, but it’s a lot. Ugh. Hell yeah. These people are obsessed already. Fraser says, it’s going to be Christmas when they get back, and Alex says his friends call him Father Holiday. In Nick’s interview, he says, octopus nachos. Having influencers on board, he guesses they take a lot of photos. Kids these days. Geez, he’s not that old. The internet has certainly been around most of his life. Fraser wonders if the chips (i.e. French fries) will be enough for eight, and the captain asks Nick if there will be any more seafood. The preference sheet said a seafood spread. Nick says, all he saw were the nachos, and in Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, here we go again. He was clear that Nick should read the preference sheets and there’s only one seafood item.

Nick says he can have scallops in five minutes. The guests applaud the nachos and take pictures before it’s served. The camera action is seriously obnoxious. The guests cheers with lamb chops, and it’s time for the excursion. Xandi is accompanying the guests, and Fraser tells her to bring him chocolates. One of the guests tells Fraser, it’s going to get weird later, and he says he can’t wait. In the taxi, one guest says she’s ready to be a MILF, but I don’t see that as happening. On the yacht, the stews get out the Christmas decorations, and in the taxi, guest Steven says he’s into Fraser. In Fraser’s interview, he says he thinks Steven is hot. The guests go to Tri Island Chocolate, where the owner tells them, this is where the magic happens. He shows them how the ~~sausage~~ chocolate is made, starting with the original plant pod. The guests take a million photos. Anchor is dropped and the stews decorate for Christmas. Fraser confirms that Captain Kerry is having dinner with the guests. Ben tells Kyle that he’s been thinking about his ex, and Kyle asks if he’s thinking with his d*ck or actually thinking. In Ben’s interview, he says he likes Sunny. She’s cute and fun to be around, but they don’t have a spark and you can’t force anything. He had magic with Camille and that’s what he’s after. He calls her.

Ben tells Camille that he called to see how she’s doing. Being on the St. David is like a trip down Memory Lane and he misses her. He asks what she’s up to, and she says her band got a guitar player and she’s performing in Fort Lauderdale. He says he’d love to see her, but she says she doesn’t know. She just got to town two months ago. He says he’ll catch her soon, and when they hang up, he asks, why is he such a f***ing loser? In Ben’s interview, he says, it’s a hard pill to swallow, and this is the second time. He’s got to learn from the first time. Now he knows. F***ing chicks. Yeah, it must be the chicks. It can’t possibly be him. Kyle meets the guests wearing reindeer antlers and tells them, welcome to the North Pole. In Paris’s interview, she says, it’s hot in Australia at Christmastime. Their Santa is naked. When she’s in doubt, she thinks, what would Santa do? The guests are greeted with egg nogg, and the yacht looks beautiful all Christmased up. In Fraser’s interview, he says he loved Christmas as a kid, and we see a video of him as a youngster. He says, it was such a special, wonderful time. At the bar, Steven says he’s got a thing for Fraser, and Barbie says, he’s super single and super ready. In Nick’s interview, he says, tonight’s dinner is the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Being a chef, his memory of Christmas is stress, since it’s his busiest time. He likes Halloween. He likes to get dressed up and be weird. Fraser dresses as Santa and Paris puts on an elf costume. She tells Fraser that she could cut the sexual tension between him and Steven with a knife. Kyle whines to Ben about Barbie, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he has a heart too. Captain Kerry sits with the guests for dinner, and Alex gives him a sparkly bow tie to wear. This is nothing compared to Alex’s jacket, which is green and adorned with tinsel garlands and ornaments. Fraser says, it’s a Christmas miracle. Captain Kerry says, the chef just started yesterday, and the guests tells the captain that he’s doing phenomenal. One guest asks if the captain ever had a scary moment on the yacht, and he says, when he was in Somalia, they saw a boat that shouldn’t be there. They altered course and so did the other boat, but they found out they were Somali fisherman who were worried about their traps. They’d thought it was a warship. Food porn keeps coming, and Nick says, it’s simple, but tasty. For dessert, he’s made cannoli with some chocolate from the excursion. I’m not a cannoli fan, but I’d eat this. Nick comes to the table and says he hopes they’re happy, and Alex says he loves it. The guests applaud Nick, and in the captain’s interview, he says he’s impressed with the timing and presentation. Happy captain, happy life.

Dylan listens to more affirmations, and the guests get in the hot tub. Ben corners Barbie and says, Kyle is upset and annoyed and wants to talk to her. She says she doesn’t know how Ben can get mad about her personal relationship. She’ll chat with him, and hopefully he doesn’t approach her the way Ben is. She didn’t attack him about Sunny. In Barbie’s interview, she says she doesn’t know how many times she’s seen Sunny cry. She tells Ben that she’ll talk to Kyle. Please sit the f*** down. She tells Paris that she was just bitched out by Ben. He fully attacked her, and she wonders why her personal stuff is his issue. It’s pissing her off. Kyle asks if Barbie wants to chat, and she wonders if he’s going to continue talking to everyone on the yacht. It’s disappointing. In Nick’s interview, he says, if you’re going to do it, do it with the right person. It can be awkward. The guests agree it’s the best Christmas ever, and Kyle asks Barbie if they’re okay or not okay. In his interview, he says he screwed up a little. He hopes she can see past his mistake. He apologizes for talking when she asked him not to and says he understands that she’s pissed off, but he needed to voice his opinion. She says she thought he had her back, but he played into it. In Kyle’s interview, he says he likes Barbie a lot, and it built into something he didn’t expect. He f***ed up and it sucks. He says he genuinely apologizes, and Barbie says she accepts, but she doesn’t trust him.

Next time, Nick says Paris is his third favorite stew (seems like they knew each other); sparklers on deck; guest Steven and Fraser kiss; Barbie calls her sister, who says, she knows their dad has standards and she should have thought of that before.

🏃🏽‍♀️ Running With Forrest…

Join me tomorrow for some soap and some Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay not putting your feet on other people’s furniture, and stay not doing things on a reality show that you don’t want your father to know about.

Apr26

April 25, 2024 – Jason Confronts Sonny, Not Returning, Together Again, Those Houses, Exit Feelings, Upcoming Jersey, Secrets On Deck, Superstar & 29

Posted on April 26, 2024 by theresakp

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone while watching Ace, Laura says she’ll submit the budget to the city council when it’s done… How many times has the city council president called?… Oh. There’s a knock at the door, and Laura says, when she submits the budget, they can call him 15 times a day. She opens the door and lets Trina in and says she can’t submit until they discuss the allocations to the school system. You know what? Block his number and she’ll call him back when she stops being annoyed… Thanks. Trina says she’s sorry she interrupted. That sounded important. Laura says, everything is important right now, and Trina says, sorry her timing wasn’t better. Laura says, her timing was perfect. Just ask Ace. Maybe he can fix the budget.

Molly wakes up on the sofa, and TJ says he thought she left before he got up and that’s why her side of the bed was empty. She says, not this time, and he asks, what happened? She says, Kristina came by last night after Brook’s bridal shower bachelorette bash. She and Josslyn got in a fight, and she was so mad, she was practically levitating when she got here. She didn’t want to disturb him after Kristina left, so she just crashed here. He says he doesn’t love the fact that Kristina was out late and emotionally distressed, and she says, it isn’t an every night thing for her and Brook’s shower was a special occasion. He says he gets that, but it’s reasonable right, to expect a pregnant woman to change her habits somewhat. Molly says, and she has. Did he expect Kristina to sit at home every night for nine months? He says, of course (🍷) not. Kristina has to live her life. Brook’s shower was a big deal, and she shouldn’t have missed it. She says, it sounds like the party was actually a lot of fun… until she and Josslyn got into it, and he says he hates to be the pregnancy police, but it bothers him that Kristina got so worked up.

At a staff meeting in the bar, Carly says she’s so happy to be back with the best team in the business. They’re the reason the MetroCourt got a five-star rating and was considered the finest hotel in western New York. And they’re going to be the reason they get that fifth star back, right? They applaud and Trish hugs Carly. The meeting disbands, and Kristina comes over to Carly. She says she could always tell how much Carly loved the MetroCourt. It always put a smile on her face when she talked about it. Congratulations on getting it back. Carly thanks her and says she really missed this place. Kristina says, it was so sudden though. What happened to Nina?

There’s a knock at Nina’s office door and she says, as much as she wishes Drew wasn’t here, does he have any contacts at High Mark Stadium? He says he doesn’t see the Bills drafting her anytime soon, so stick with what she knows, and she says she wants to do a Crimson cover at the Bills’ stadium. If he’d like her to make the deadline for this month’s issue, please take a number and wait. Anywhere that’s not here. He says he expects her to make the deadline. He just thought she’d want to know, he ran into her daughter last night. He put in a good word for her. She says, he saw Willow? What exactly did he tell her? He says he didn’t want her to get suspicious, so he kept it short and sweet. But he figured she might need a boost after selling her half of the hotel and getting it back into Carly’s hands.

On the phone in his office, Sonny says, here’s what’s going to happen if I’ve got to fix it. That means you’re out of a job. He hangs up and Ava knocks at the door. She asks if it’s a bad time, but he says, it’s never a bad time when he sees her. She says, he may not feel that way when he sees who she found waiting outside. Jason walks in

Trina says she can’t imagine trying to run a city and raise a baby at the same time, and Laura says she never imagined it this way either. Sometimes she feels like she’s not doing either one of these things very well. Trina says, for a baby who’s been through so many huge changes, Ace looks pretty happy, so she must be doing something right. Laura thanks her for saying that and says she thinks she’s lucky that she can work from home whenever she needs to. She’s also really lucky that Jordan agreed to stay on as Deputy Mayor because she could not do this without her. She’s Laura’s stealth weapon at City Hall. Trina says she thinks Jordan is probably like that wherever she works. Nobody sees her coming and when they do, it’s like, boom! Too late. Laura laughs and says, it’s true. But it’s still stressful. She’s trying to get the budget done, the nanny has the day off, and of course (🍷) today’s the day Ace woke up on the wrong side of the crib and decided he didn’t like cereal. Trina says, maybe it doesn’t have to be that way, and Laura says, no, it won’t be. As soon as she gets the budget done, it’s going to be a lot easier for her. Trina says, no. She means, maybe she could help.

TJ says he’d like it better if the surrogate carrying their baby was at home in bed instead of at a party getting into a screaming fight with Josslyn. (Why is no one blaming Josslyn?) Molly says, does she wish Kristina had been at home in bed by 8 pm with a bottle of spring water in one hand and a bottle of pre-natal vitamins in the other with a Ruth Bader Ginsberg lecture streaming from her phone? Yes. That would be great. But it’s not going to happen. He says he loves the picture she painted though, and Molly says, but it’s not a realistic picture. Not for saints who aren’t her sister. That would make Kristina miserable, which wouldn’t be good for the baby either. He says, it wouldn’t be good for the both of them, and she says, it wasn’t Kristina’s fault either. The alcohol was flowing… He says, Kristina was drinking? but she says, no. Of course (🍷) not. Josslyn had been drinking, and after she’d had a couple, she just started going in on Kristina about all the terrible things Sonny has done. (Thank you.) He asks if any of the things Josslyn said are true, and she asks if he talks about his patients. He says, fair enough, but Kristina is an adult now. She should have some idea of who and what Sonny is by now. She says, you would think so, but Kristina is better than most at compartmentalizing. She knows he steps across the line now and then, but the dad she worships isn’t capable of flat-out cruelty. Sonny is not his dad and he’s not her dad. This one is not their problem. This is all Kristina. He says, but it isn’t. Not really. He knows it’s a little late to bring this up now, but from the moment Kristina offered to carry their baby, he dreaded the day they had to deal with Sonny being in their lives.

Drew asks if Sonny opened his arms and let Nina run right in there, but she says she has no idea what he’s talking about. He says, it was so generous of her to sell her half of the hotel to Jason, so he could in turn give it to Carly. Sonny saw that selfless act and rewarded her accordingly… Wait. Did Sonny not know he was supposed to do that? She says she doesn’t know what Sonny knows or what he thinks. He looks at her hand and says, there seems to be something missing. Two things actually, her wedding and engagement rings. (Seriously, does this guy ever work at his own job? Or even any job?) She says she sold the hotel, she signed the divorce papers, she closed the chapter on her life that had anything to do with Sonny. Happy? He says, good for her, and she says, that’s it? He asks if she was expecting something else, and she says she was expecting him to actually leave, but since he’s still here, she assumes he wants to gloat. So let’s hear it. And she’s very busy, so could he please give her his best shot and make it fast, so she can get back to work. He says he’s sorry, but he’s drawing a blank, and she says, if it’s true that misery loves company, then they really are made for each other.

Carly says, Nina’s back where she belongs, behind the desk at Crimson, and Kristina says, that’s so great for Crimson. Nina really did love running the MetroCourt, so she can’t imagine Nina gave it up without a fight. Carly says, no one forced her to sell. Her choice. Kristina says, it’s a lot of money though. How did Carly come up with the… Carly says she’s going to stop Kristina right there. She’s not going to discuss her finances with Kristina. Kristina says she’s sorry. It’s none of her business. Carly says, it’s not, and Kristina says, but her dad bought it back for Carly, right? Carly says, no, and he wasn’t happy that she didn’t want him to help her. In fact, it got pretty heated. Kristina says, that doesn’t sound like him, and Carly says, but it does now. Sonny’s always had a temper, but lately it’s gotten worse. He’s more reactive, more volatile, and honestly, Ava’s a bad influence.

Sonny asks why Jason is here, and Jason says he needs to speak with him. Sonny says, they can talk if it’s about the Corinthos Coffee business, but Jason says, it’s not business. It’s a family matter. Sonny says, the thing is, Jason is now on FBI acid and FBI acid has no connection to his family. Jason asks how connected Sonny is to his family these days.

Trina tells Laura, it’s crazy. She thought she remembered everything, every moment, but since she lost Spencer, it seems like more memories come back every day. Laura says she sees what Trina means. She hopes the good ones outweigh the bad. Trina says, when it comes to Ace, they’re both. She sees so much of Spencer in Ace’s face, and Spencer loved his little brother. But she also knows that she wasn’t as supportive as she should have been. Laura says she thinks that had everything to do with Esme and nothing to do with Ace.

Ava tells Sonny that she was on her way to the gallery, and she thought she’d pop by to see if there was anything she could do for him today. He says he appreciates that, but he’ll be fine. She says, then she’ll see him later tonight, and leaves. Sonny says, if Jason is here to tell him that he bought back Carly’s half of the MetroCourt to sell it to her, he already knows, and he doesn’t give a damn. What he does know is that he can’t trust Jason and Carly anymore. Jason says he knows what Sonny thinks about him, but Sonny has a bigger problem, and Sonny asks, what’s that problem? Jason says, somebody Sonny still cares about.

Kristina tells Carly that she thinks her dad has been a little bit more on edge lately, but that makes perfect sense after everything he just went through with Nina. And it’s her dad. This is what people do, they exaggerate. They take one little thing that he did and completely blow it up out of proportion. She was just at Brook’s shower and Josslyn was trying to tell her that her dad ordered Dex to kill Cyrus Renault when he was in the hospital and helpless. Carly says she and Kristina’s father have been divorced for a while and she doesn’t know what he’s doing, and she doesn’t want to know. But she can tell Kristina, there are certain questions she doesn’t want to ask because she’s not going to like the answers. What Sonny does is his choice and it’s his responsibility, and if she were Kristina, she’d stay out of it. Blaze comes out of the elevator and Kristina goes over to her. Blaze says her day just got a lot better, and Kristina says hers too. They hug, and Blaze says she’s meeting Brook in a few. Why doesn’t Kristina join them? She’d love it. Kristina says she can’t, and Blaze says, maybe they’ll talk later. She hasn’t seen Kristina since she left Brook’s shower to attend Chase’s bachelor party. Kristina says, they have so much to catch up on. She’ll call Blaze this afternoon and they’ll find a time. She just wants to be able to focus and be with Blaze and talk to her about everything in person. Blaze says she can reschedule, but Kristina says, don’t be silly. She gives Blaze a quick kiss and goes to the elevator.

Molly tells TJ, Sonny has lived in Port Charles a long time. He’s got a lot of exes and a lot of kids. It’s probably six degrees of separation between Sonny and everybody in this town, but he isn’t a big presence in all of their lives. Her mom had a baby with him, and he isn’t a big presence in hers. TJ says, but he is in Kristina’s, and she says, and after this baby is born, she can go on being daddy’s girl and they will be here in their home with their child. A child they wouldn’t have if it weren’t for her sister. He says he knows. He’s not trying to sound ungrateful. She says she hopes he doesn’t feel ungrateful or regretful. After Andrea lost their child, she was heartbroken. She thought they would never find another surrogate. And when Kristina stepped up and offered, it was the answer to their prayers. At least it was to hers. He says his too, but they can’t forget her history. She says, and they won’t, but her sister isn’t just their incubator. She’s also a human being, with a job, and friends, and a life. And no matter what she’s done in the past, Kristina would never do anything to endanger their child. That she knows. He says he knows Kristina would never mean to do anything even the slightest bit problematic, but running around defending her dad, that isn’t just emotionally stressful, that could be physically dangerous. Molly says, Kristina and Sonny have always had a special bond. And she thinks when Kristina came here, it was a last-ditch effort for somebody to tell her that Josslyn was wrong and the things she said weren’t true. He says, but Molly couldn’t tell her that, could she? and Molly says she did her best, but she might end up prosecuting the man. He says he hopes it doesn’t come to that, and she says, her too, but it definitely won’t if she’s late to court, because she won’t have a job. She goes to get dressed.

Trina says she knows there was a time that she made Spencer feel like he had to choose between her and Ace, but it was really about Esme. She was so angry at Esme and wanted Esme out of their lives, but that meant distance from Ace. And by pushing Spencer away from Ace, she was really pushing him away from her. Laura says, Spencer was a very astute young man. He knew how difficult that dynamic was, and she’s sure he understood. Trina says she hopes Laura is right, but that got her thinking. It’s a nice day outside and maybe she could take Ace to the park if Laura is okay with that. Laura says she’s very okay with that. (Ace is all over the place and LOUD during their conversation.) Ace loves to go to the park. One thing though, be forewarned. He’s at a phase where everything he finds, he puts in his mouth. Trina says she guesses that builds up the immune system, and Laura says she won’t be sorry to see that phase pass. But is Trina sure she has time to do this? Trina says, definitely. She’s not at the gallery every day and Laura is busy. Laura says, yes, but Trina loves working at the gallery, and she wouldn’t want Trina to give up anything she loves. Trina says she does love it and she loves Ava, but Ava is really good at what she does and doesn’t really need her. Maybe she could talk to Ava about changing her schedule, and if it’s okay with Laura and Ace, maybe they could make this a regular thing. Just something to think about. She takes Ace from Laura, Laura gives her the diaper bag, and Trina leaves with Ace.

Drew says he doesn’t know if he and Nina are made for each other, but he thinks there’s some part of her that speaks to him, and some part of him that speaks to her. She tells him, all the parts of her are saying… please leave. Drew says, really? He can remember about 45 minutes when they were together that wasn’t exactly miserable. She says, that was moment of weakness that will never be repeated in this lifetime. Besides, they already reached the heights of not exactly miserable, what more is there to achieve? Total misery? He says he thinks they’ve both already achieved that, and leaves.

Brook says, with the schedule looking the way it does, she thinks a summer drop for the single is likely, and Blaze says, what about Brook’s wedding? Brook says, it won’t be a conflict. Once the single drops online, they’ll decide on a venue, and they’ll showcase it. She has lots of ideas, but let her know what she’s thinking, okay? Blaze says, will do, and Brook says, they’ll invite VIP and make a real splash. They’ll do it here. Blaze says, not in the city? and Brook says, no. Her single is going to be great, and everyone who’s anyone is going to go wherever they have to. Everyone goes to the city. Doing it in Port Charles is going to make it more exclusive. More insider-y. Blaze says she loves it. She’s in. Brook doesn’t have to prove herself as a manager to her. Blaze already has total faith in Brook. Brook thanks her and says, but that’s how she justifies the faith, by working hard. Blaze says, okay, but she saw Brook at her shower. She was loving every part of the bride-to-be experience. Doesn’t she want to embrace it? Brook says she is, and Blaze says, Brook is also taking care of her. She doesn’t want Brook to miss out on anything because Brook is having to deal with her stuff. Brook says, stuff? She means career? Blaze says, if they push for a few weeks, her career will survive. It’s not like she doesn’t have enough on her plate with all the Deception photo shoots. Brook says, it’s very sweet of Blaze to consider her personal schedule. But she can’t help but wonder if it’s less about her wedding and more about what’s going on between Blaze and her mom.

Kristina says she hopes it’s okay that she dropped in, and Nina says, absolutely. She’s welcome anytime. Kristina says she ran into Carly at the restaurant upstairs, her staff was welcoming her back, and Nina says, yes, the once and future co-owner. Kristina says she’s surprised Nina sold. She thought Nina enjoyed owning part of the MetroCourt. Nina says she did, but people change. Their priorities change. Kristina says, and Nina’s is getting her dad back, and Nina tells her, when she said she’d do anything to get back with Kristina’s dad, she meant it. Jason offered to buy her half of the hotel and she was led to believe that Sonny would approve if she sold it. It turns out the opposite was true. Kristina asks, what happened? and Nina says she miscalculated in the most damaging way possible. Kristina says, that doesn’t sound like Nina, and Nina says, they all have their blind spots, don’t they? And Ava Jerome was hers.

Laura walks into the gallery, and Ava says she wants Laura’s opinion. She just uncrated this one. What does she think? Laura says she’s no expert, but she likes it. (It’s seagulls against the sky and I wonder what they do with the art when they’re done, since I also like it.) Ava says she’s taking a bit of a risk on this artist, but she really thinks they’re going to hit and make it big. Laura asks if Trina agrees, and Ava says she’ll ask her. Trina has an excellent eye, even when she’s not herself. Laura says, she’s still grieving Spencer. Laura does too, every time she looks at Ace.

Jason says, Josslyn is convinced Sonny intends to eliminate her ex-boyfriend Dex, and Sonny says, she’s convinced of a lot of things and most of the time, she’s wrong. Jason asks if she’s wrong about this, and Sonny says, Carly and Michael have done everything to make him look bad in her eyes. He guesses they got what they wanted. Jason says, what about Kristina? and Sonny says, what about Kristina? She’s pregnant. She’s carrying Molly and TJ’s baby. He doesn’t want her upset. Jason says, it might be too late for that. Josslyn told Kristina that after Sonny beat Cyrus nearly to death, that he ordered Dex to finish the job.

Sonny says, Josslyn is just like her mother. She and Carly should stay out of things they don’t understand. Jason says, if anything happens to Dex, Josslyn’s going to blame Sonny and so is Kristina. Sonny asks what Jason wants him to do, and Jason says, just be the man Kristina thinks he is. Just leave the kid alone. Sonny says, the kid is a vet. He knows a lot of things. He’s a liability. Jason says, if he becomes a cop. Josslyn told him… Sonny says, Jason has been inside. He knows what the stakes are. Jason says, if Dex didn’t give up anything yet, the odds are he’s not going to, but Sonny says he can’t take that chance. Jason says, Sonny has to think about this. If anything happens to Dex, Joss, Carly, and Michael know he’s going to be behind it and so will Kristina. What is that going to do to Kristina? Is that what he wants?

Kristina says she doesn’t get it. She thought Ava was Nina’s best friend. Nina says she did too. It turns out, Ava is just really good at impersonating a best friend. She let herself forget something she learned about Ava a long time ago. That when Ava Jerome wants something, she doesn’t let a simple thing like friendship stand in her way. Ava wants what she has… had. Kristina says, her dad, and Nina says, now that the ink is dry on the divorce papers, Ava is exactly where she wants to be, down the hall in Sonny’s guest room. That’s when she’s not busy running interference and keeping everyone else away. Kristina says, her dad’s not going to fall for that, but Nina asks if she’s sure about that, because she’s got the divorce papers and Nina’s got the room at the penthouse. And Ava was the one who floated the idea that Nina should turn Carly and Drew in to the SEC. She takes responsibility. She did make the call, but she had help getting there. Ava’s been playing the long game beautifully, and she fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Ava wonders how Laura couldn’t see Spencer and Nikolas every time she looks at Ace. He’s such a cute baby though. Hopefully, that eases a little bit of the pain. Laura says, it definitely does. Having Ace makes it a lot easier. She thinks that’s why Trina landed on her doorstep today. Trina wanted to take Ace to the park, and of course (🍷) she said yes. And if that went well, she wanted to take care of him on an ongoing basis. Ava says, Spencer is gone, and Trina wanted to spend time with his baby brother, like a last link to the boy she loved? Laura says, yeah. It crossed her mind too. Ava’s seen a lot more of Trina than she has. How does she seem to Ava? Ava says, she’s up and down. Although she hasn’t seen Trina too much lately; they’ve been on different schedules. She’s sure Laura has heard the gossip. Laura says she can’t say that she has. Gossip about what? Ava says, some very small-minded people are trying to make something tawdry about her living with Sonny. And really all Sonny is doing is opening his home to keep her and Avery safe. She knows she’s getting off-track here. They’re talking about Trina. She knows there are several stages to grief, but eventually, you have to start living your life again. She’s just not sure that’s what Trina is doing. Is it possible that spending time with Ace is her way of clinging to the past?

Trina blows some bubbles for Ace in the park, when TJ comes along. She asks how he is, and he says, good. He’s on his way to work, so he’s not going to complain about it yet. She says she doesn’t think he’s had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Ace Cassadine yet. Ace, this is Dr. Ashford. Ace couldn’t care less, and TJ says, Spencer’s little brother. She says, yeah, and he tells Ace, a pleasure to meet you. Trina says she and Ace were getting some air and the mayor is getting a well-needed break. He says, whatever she’s doing, she’s smiling a lot, and it’s nice to see. He believes Ace is the reason for that.

Carly tells the bartender that they need to put up the new bottles that just came in before the dinner rush, when Drew approaches the bar. He says, so the rumors are true. Carly Spencer’s back in the hotel business. Carly says, she is indeed, and he says, it looks like she hit the ground running. She says she may or may not have made a list of things she wanted to change if she ever got the MetroCourt back, and he says, it’s really good to see her back at the helm. He only wishes he could have been the one to make it happen for her. She says, he was always so generous, it didn’t feel right accepting, and he says he’s assuming she got a better offer from Jason.

Carly says she found out Jason bought the MetroCourt when he handed her the signed paperwork, and Drew says, good for him. And good for her for accepting it. He knows how much this place means to her. The only thing that really matters is that she has it back, right? He’s happy for her. She thanks him and says she’s happy for her too.

Brook says, Blaze’s mother is an excellent business manager, but Brook just doesn’t understand what she’s thinking when it comes to Blaze’s personal life. Blaze tells Brook that her mother says she doesn’t want anything to distract her fans from her music, and Brook says, but the relationship between fans and artists has changed. Social media has created an entry into artist’s lives. And it’s made fans feel more connected and invested and even more loyal. It’s a good thing. Blaze tells Brook that her mom hasn’t come right out and said it, but she thinks her mom is really afraid that her fans will see her being gay as a negative. Brook says, no offense, but what year does she think it is? and Blaze says, it’s hard to know sometimes. Brook says, Blaze’s fans love her and this is the music industry. She’s hardly the only gay artist out there. Blaze says her mom just doesn’t want to risk losing any fan support, and Brook says, being honest about who you are is just as likely to expand your audience. She’s sorry. She got all wound up. She’s just going to say one more thing, then Blaze can tell her to shut up. Blaze says, is she kidding? She loves wound up Brook Lynn. Brook says, fanbase and potential ticket sales aside, doesn’t Blaze think that being truthful about who she is will only make her life, and Kristina’s, better?

Kristina says, every time she’s been at her dad’s place, Ava is there, and Nina says, let her guess. She’s talking about Avery. She’s playing that mom card hard. Kristina says, actually, Avery hasn’t even been there. Does Nina know that her dad is drinking again? Nina says she knows, and she hates it. Kristina says she doesn’t think he has problem, but Nina made it clear that mixing alcohol with his meds is a bad idea, and Nina says, it is. Kristina says, but he’s still taking his meds, and Nina says, that’s good. Kristina says, he’s just taking it with a shot of whiskey now, and Nina says, maybe Sonny forgets the risks when Ava is pouring.

Laura tells Ava that she knows people grieve on their own timetable and in their way, and she thinks, this is just Trina. Ava says, maybe she should be ashamed to admit it, but when she and Nikolas parted ways, she didn’t even turn around to wave. Laura says she still feels the loss, but then again, she’s his mother, not the woman he cheated on, among other things. Ava says, among many, many other things, yeah, and Laura says she’s curious. Has Ava spoken to him at all? Ava says she declines if he calls from Pentenville. Has Laura been in touch with him? Laura says, a little bit. They transferred him out of state. Ava says she’s sorry. She knows that will make visitation difficult. Laura says, yeah. And she knows he did horrible things, but he’ll always be her son. Ava says, of course (🍷). She completely understands. Laura says, and as far as Trina goes, she thinks they just have to let her find her way through this thing and be there to support her. Ava says she’s fortunate that Trina seems to find solace in work. Her extra hours here have been a huge help, since Sonny and Avery need her at home. Laura says she thought Ava wasn’t staying… Wait a minute. Does Ava call Sonny’s place home now?

Sonny tells Jason, stay away from my family. Stay away from my business. Jason says, if Sonny has Dex killed, he’s not just going to be facing federal charges. He’ll lose everything. He could lose Kristina. Or he’s going to have to lie to her. And Sonny doesn’t like being lied to. Is he prepared to do that if Dex dies and Kristina looks him in the face and goes, dad, did you kill Dex? What is he going to say? Sonny says, who is Jason to judge him? Like Jason hasn’t done what he’s done. He loves Kristina and he loves his kids. He’ll protect them. What about Jason? He disappeared on his sons. He abandoned them for more than two years. Jason has no right to tell him what to do.

Ava tells Laura that Avery thinks of Sonny’s place as home and she’s glad about that. She would hate for Avery to feel like a guest at her dad’s, right? And of course (🍷) Sonny wants her to feel at home there too. Laura says she gets it. She understands. Ava says, and for obvious reasons, they feel very safe and secure there. She didn’t realize how much she missed that feeling, since Esme broke into Windymere. Laura says she doesn’t think Esme is going to be a danger to anyone anymore, and Ava says, no, but there were other incidents, some having to do with Sonny’s business, and he insisted she and Avery stay with him. Laura says she’s glad he’s being careful and it’s nice for Avery to be near her dad, but what about Ava? What does she want?

Trina says, this little guy makes everyone smile, and TJ asks if it’s him, or is he growing really fast? Trina says, he’s definitely a big guy. No question. He says, it makes him wonder about his own baby, and she asks when Kristina is due. He says, August. It can’t get here soon enough. She asks if he’s a nervous father-to-be, and he says he would be under any circumstance, but Kristina has a way of making problems of her own. He’s grateful to her, but her family… Trina says, don’t stress. Follow this guy – she indicates Ace – stay in the moment and focus on the here and now. TJ tells Ace that Trina thinks he’s achieved Zen, so can he please tell TJ how? Ace plays with some toys, and Trina says, Ace is showing him.

Blaze tells Brook that she doesn’t know if being out would make things easier for her and Kristina. Their relationship is still very new, and she wants to protect it, at least for a little while. Brook says she doesn’t blame her, and Blaze says, so maybe in a year… Brook says, a year, five years, never. It’s Blaze’s call, not hers and no one else’s. She just wanted to give Blaze a perspective that wasn’t coming from her mom. Blaze says she appreciates that, but she thinks that for now, she and Kristina are happy with the way things are.

Carly thanks Drew for understanding. When they were together, they couldn’t get things quite right, but they sure did try. He says, they sure did. It cost them though, didn’t it? Assets, money, careers… She says, his freedom, and he says, but now they get a reset, so back to normal. Kind of a new old normal, he guesses. She says, things are back the way they’re supposed to be, and he says, almost, and leaves.

Nina tells Kristina that she’s sorry, but Sonny’s not her problem anymore. The divorce is a done deal. If Ava wants him, she can have him. Kristina says, not if she has anything to do with it, and heads for the door. Nina says, wait. Be careful. Kristina asks what she means, and Nina says, Ava hasn’t survived this long by playing by the rules, and she’s really good at making sure no one sees it when she breaks them. Kristina says, her dad is in a very vulnerable place right now because of his break-up with Nina and because he’s estranged from Carly and Michael. He used to really rely on them and now, for whatever reason, he can’t. Ava is living there. She’s Avery’s mom. Her dad is letting his guard down at a time when he really shouldn’t be. He knows what Ava’s capable of, her whole family does. Maybe Ava looks at them and she thinks they’ve forgotten about Morgan and about Connie Falconari, but they haven’t.

Sonny says, before Jason lectures him on what to do about Kristina, try being a father to Jake and Danny. Jason says, too many people know Dex worked for Sonny. Any move he makes against Dex is going to incriminate him, so please for his own sake and for everybody else’s sake, just leave Dex alone. Sonny rubs his forehead and says, or what? Jason says, or he’ll have to stop Sonny, and Sonny says, he’ll die trying. He opens the door and Jason leaves. Sonny slams the door shut, then leans against it, letting out a long breath.

Tomorrow, Carly asks if Sasha would be interested in working at the MetroCourt; Tracy asks what’s more important to Gregory, his pride or his granddaughter’s well-being; and Laura asks Sonny, what makes him think the city would be interested in that?

👃🏽 Smelled This Coming…

I’m not surprised. Usually when the young’uns leave, whether for school or other endeavors, they move on. Hopefully, someone will teach him to dial it back a little.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicholas-chavez-reportedly-not-returning-to-general-hospital

👯‍♀️ Zoom On In…

This sounds like fun – and you can bring your pet! Sadly, I’m sure the tickets are gone by now, but you never know.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-brenda-and-lois-together-again

🤽‍♀️ Run Away…

At this point, watching Carl and Lindsay’s relationship unravel is like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. This week, Carl’s pastor stepfather advised him not to get married using hypotheticals. For sure the beginning of the end. Or maybe middle, since it hasn’t gone well from the jump. The absolute worst thing though, was Gabby bawling her eyes out over Danielle out-flirting her with some guy who made balloon animals or something. Then Danielle basically told her that she had no game. It was something you wail about when you’re a teenager, not in your 30s. And girl, there will be other balloon animal guys.

Summer House Season 8, Episode 10 Recap: ‘A World of Pain’

And these people. Why? Why do you want to embarrass yourselves? The one redeeming factor is long haired dachshund Milo. I think they should give him his own show.

Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard Season 2, Episode 5 Recap: We Have a Special Guest Arriving

🍑 Bye Felicias…

Freedom for her.

Kandi Burruss on RHOA Exit: ‘I Feel Totally Free’

👠 Hide Your Solo Cups…

I’m not sure if I can stomach these Jersey girls again. I also think Melissa and I have different ideas of what a plot twist is.

Melissa Gorga Teases ‘Plot Twist’ in Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14

More screaming than ever this season! As Jenn Fessler wisely dips out.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhonj-season-14-spoilers-cast-photos

Side dishes.

Luis Ruelas Claims Ex Vanessa “Leaked” Confidential Info About Him & Teresa to RHONJ Cast, Demands $5 Million in Damages, Plus He Celebrates 50th Birthday, See Pic

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/jennifer-aydin-defends-teresa-giudice-louie-ruelas

🛟 Secrets Of the Sea…

Now I need to go back and see how demanding the guests were who got a free ride.

Captain Lee Rosbach Reveals Charter Guest Secret From Below Deck’s Early Days

🐶 This Dog…

She reminds me of Jim on Mike & Molly. I’m trying to teach my rescue chihuahua to jump through a hula hoop. If he ever gets over being afraid of it, Hollywood, here we come!

https://people.com/tiny-dog-found-wandering-around-l-a-becomes-a-sitcom-superstar-8639055

😾 Turn That Frown Sideways…

Join me tomorrow for soap, frivolous news, and perhaps something enlightening as well. Until then, stay safe, stay shrugging off rudeness on the road, and stay in the moment and focus on the here and now.

Warning: Explicit Lyrics

Apr23

April 22, 2024 – Sonny Tells Carly This Is It, Lowest Tip Of the Season On Deck & Mercy

Posted on April 23, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny comes into the MetroCourt, and Carly says, if they’re going to do this, they’re not doing it in the middle of her restaurant. He asks if that’s it, and she says she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. He’s going to have to tell her more. He says she had months refusing any help, and she promised – no, she insisted – that she was going to get the hotel back on her own. He wanted to help her; she said no. Jason comes in, gets it back, gives it to her, and she’s like, thank you, Jason. She says, yeah. That’s pretty much it.

Taking off Jason’s jacket, Danny says he’s sorry. Jason says he doesn’t have to be sorry, and Danny asks if Jason is mad that he’s here. Jason says, never.

Kristina asks if Sam has seen much of her dad since Dante’s been home, and Sam says, a couple of times. Kristina says, alone or… and Sam says, once with Ava and Avery. Kristina asks how he seemed, and Sam asks what she means. Kristina says, how is he? and Sam says, considering everything he’s been going through, she’d say he’s pretty angry. Kristina says, and paranoid? but Sam says she wouldn’t go that far. Maybe a little on edge. What is Kristina thinking? Kristina says, he’s not acting like himself lately. He’s pushing everyone away. Sam says, she means Carly and Michael, and Kristina says, and Nina. Sam looks at her, and Kristina says she’s not okay with what Nina did. She does really love Kristina’s dad and he was happy with her. And now, apart from her, Donna, and Avery, and Sam and Dante occasionally, the only person he lets close to him is Ava.

At The Savoy, Lois asks if Maxie can believe they have this whole place to themselves. Brook is going to freak out when she sees it. All the decorations, her name in lights, and she’s got her own signature cocktail, the Brook Lynn Chaser. It doesn’t get any cuter than that. Maxie says, mm-hmm, and Lois says, anybody there? Maxie says, sorry, and Lois says, she lives for this stuff. Maxie says she did… she does. She’s sorry. It’s just, all the stress at work lately has been a lot. Lois asks if she wants to talk about it, but Maxie says, no. Lois shrugs, and Maxie says, Lucy has been insufferable. Lois says, gotcha, and Maxie says, she’s trying to make herself Deception’s spokesmodel, and they saw how well that went on Home & Heart. Lois says, did she ever, and Maxie says, all she can do is talk about herself. And because her followers are blowing up her social media, she’s convinced she was a success. Maxie doesn’t know the final numbers, but she’s pretty sure Lucy was not. There’s just no reasoning with her. And now that Sasha’s gone and Brook is understandably… Lois says, Maxie has to deal with Lucy all on her own, and Maxie says, yeah. And they have this new skin care line coming out, the Disruptor Nourishing Moisturizer that was debuted on Home & Heart. Lucy’s been holding up the release date and she would like to rename the product Lucy’s Luminous Skin Serum. Lois makes a face and says, hard pass, and Maxie says, right? Marketing is about to lose their minds – Lois puts centerpieces on the tables – and she’s right there with them. Lois says, why don’t they just call it Deceptive, the skin care that hides what you want, and no one’s got a clue.

Nina strides into Crimson and asks Madison to call her lawyer immediately. See if there’s way she can get out of a contract that she signed under false pretenses. Madison says, right away, but Nina says, actually, no. Madison says, of course (🍷). Is there something she should do? Nina asks if she wants some advice, and Madison says, please. Nina says, when people tell you who they are, believe them. Say someone is treacherous with an agenda and they suddenly become your friend. Guess what? They still have an agenda. Maybe it gels with yours for the moment, but as soon as it doesn’t, said friend will betray you in a heartbeat. She sits down and Madison asks if she’s okay. Nina says, she can go, when Ava comes in and asks if Nina has a minute. Nina says, for a friend like her, always.

Jason says, Danny is always welcome here, and Danny thanks him. Jason says he didn’t see Danny downstairs. How’d he get in? Danny says, the fire escape. It looked like Jason and Carly were busy, so… He doesn’t want anyone to know he’s here. His mom said he couldn’t see Jason anymore and this has to be a secret, just like the boathouse. Jason says he’s grateful Danny helped him, but Danny says, it was no big deal. Jason says, it was a big deal. And what he did, getting Danny involved and especially asking him to keep it from his mom, wasn’t fair. At the time, he didn’t see an alternative, but it shouldn’t have gone down like that. Danny asks if Jason is saying he’s sorry Danny found him.

Sam says she’s sensing Kristina doesn’t like that Ava’s living with Sonny, and Kristina says she just doesn’t understand why. Sam asks what Sonny had to say about it, and Kristina says, not much. Just that Ava and Avery were moving in because of a safety concern. But if her dad were really at risk, wouldn’t he want Avery as far away from him as possible? She remembers plenty of times as a young kid, she would go long periods without seeing her dad and it was always for her own safety. Sam says, maybe it is for security reasons. Sonny’s is the best. Kristina says she guesses. She was fine with Ava and Avery moving in there initially. She even asked Ava to keep an eye on her dad because she was so worried about him after Spencer died. Sam says, she’s clearly not okay with it now, and Kristina says, Ava Jerome living there permanently is a different story. Sam says she knows it’s an interesting development, and Kristina says she feels like he’s really starting to rely on Ava, like he really needs her in his life. And Ava played such a major role in Morgan’s death. She tampered with his medication, and that basically forced him into a manic spiral, so how is she not responsible that he did something reckless and died? She understands the concept of keeping Ava close for Avery’s sake, tolerating Ava, going along to get along. But every once in a while, she’s around Ava and she’s hit with this full sensory memory of being at Morgan’s funeral. The dress she was wearing, the way the flowers smelled, a mental snapshot she can’t get rid of. And her dad is the one who uncovered that. So how does he go from loathing someone to totally trusting her?

Sonny says he offered to buy back the hotel for Carly, and Carly says she remembers. He says, and she refused, and she says she remembers that too. He says, then what the hell? Why would she take it from Jason and not him? She says, because he made the offer out of guilt, but Sonny says, that’s not true. She says, it is true. He wanted to make himself feel better for bailing on their marriage. Like it was some kind of consolation prize or something. He says he didn’t bail on the marriage. She’s the one who ended things. She says she hit pause for about five minutes, and he took that opportunity to jump in bed with Nina. He says, she’s rewriting history, and she asks, which part is the lie? He says, all parts, and she says, he wanted Nina, and he got her. Look at him now.

Nina asks Madison to make sure they’re not disturbed, and Madison leaves, closing the door behind her. Nina tells Ava, have a seat, and Ava says she’s so sorry. Nina says, for what? and Ava says she had no idea Sonny would react that way to Nina selling Jason the hotel. She knew he was under a lot of stress, but that was over the top, even for him. Rest assured, she’s going to do whatever she can to smooth things over, but she hopes Nina understands. Nina says she understands… how transparent and manipulative Ava is. She’s so embarrassed that she ever believed one word that came out of Ava’s mouth. She of all people should know better with their history. All the ways Nina has admittedly wronged Ava and all the ways Ava wronged her, how could she have ever trusted Ava? That’s not just being naïve, that’s borderline deluded. How long? Ava asks, how long what? and Nina says, how long has Ava been working her agenda? Does it go all the way back to when Ava told her to turn in Carly and Drew to the SEC? Ava says she never told Nina to do any such thing, and Nina says, how long has Ava been playing her for a fool?

Maxie says, Lois might not have saved the future of Deception, but Lois definitely saved her a headache. Lois says, her pleasure, and Maxie says, there are four products in this new line: the Deceiver Serum, Defiance Toner, Defender De-cleanser, and the Disruptor Nourishing Moisturizer. Lois says she’s excited to try every one of them. Consider her a focus group of one. Maxie asks if she’s used their products, and Lois says she was a big fan of Deception back in the day. Her best friend was the Face in the 90s, but that version of the company folded. Maxie asks if she’s used any of the products recently, and Lois says she thinks the Deceptor is a homerun. Maxie says, yay, and Lois says she uses it while doing her Sudoku. Maxie says, as good a time as any she supposes, and Lois says, why not, right? Willow and Josslyn come in carrying boxes, and Willow says, sorry she’s late. Maxie says she sees Willow brought back-up, and Willow says, Joss was nice enough to not only help her put together the favor bags, but also lug the boxes over. Lois thanks Josslyn and says, she’s a lifesaver. Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Whatever they need help with, she’s happy to help, and Maxie tells her, be careful. They might take her up on that. Lois says, all right, ladies. It’s showtime. She tosses a boa around her neck and over her shoulder.

Jason says he’s sorry he put Danny in that position, but would never be sorry for that time with him. Danny says he really liked talking, and Jason says, him too. Danny says, it turns out, he’s pretty good at getting in places and staying under the radar. He was even at Jason’s arraignment. Jason asks if his mom knows, but Danny says, she was busy at the hospital with Dante. The only person who saw him was Elizabeth and she was cool about it. Jason says, he can’t keep doing stuff behind his mom’s back, but Danny says, she doesn’t want him to see Jason, and he won’t let her keep him away from his own father. It’s not fair.

Carly tells Sonny that after what happened with Nina, she’d rather wait tables for the rest of her life than take anything from him. He says, but she’s got no problem taking it from Jason, and she says, none. Because Jason’s offer was genuine. Sonny was just trying to buy her off. He says, that’s not true. Why would she say that? She says, Jason gave her back her hotel because he believes in her, he supports her, and he’ll always have her back. Sonny says, they all know she has his, and she says, of course (🍷) she does. That’s not news. She’ll always be there for Jason, and he’ll always be there for her. She refuses to apologize for that. He says he can see that, and she says, does he? Does he see? Because he accused her of rewriting history, but he’s the one who seems to have lost his grasp on things. This is Jason they’re talking about. Obviously agitated, Sonny says he knows who they’re talking about. Jason is the one who tried to kill him.

Ava says, Nina is the one who made the decision to turn Carly and Drew in all on her own, and Nina says, that’s true. Ava never came out and said, turn them in. She would never be that obvious. They were more like suggestions and insinuations. Metaphorical layups so she could slam dunk. And boy, did she ever. Ava says she told Nina all along that it was a mistake. Nina made the call, not her. Nina says, now she can sit back, play innocent, and watch her hard work pay off. Ava asks why she’d do that, and Nina says, that’s the question of the day, isn’t it? And she can only come up with one answer. Ava says she’s all ears, and Nina says, by Ava encouraging her to turn Carly and Drew in to the SEC, then saying she’d work on Sonny for Nina, help get them back together, but actually not do any of that. Then Ava was all in about her selling Jason the MetroCourt, but oops. Jason is no longer Sonny’s best friend, but his sworn enemy. All under the guise of having her back, being her best friend, so Ava could have Sonny for herself.

Lois says, it really is so sweet of Josslyn to help out, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). And after the day she had, doing something fun is great instead of… Lois says, the opposite of fun, and Josslyn says, exactly. Lois says she’s really sorry Josslyn had a crapola day, and Josslyn thanks her. Lois says, you know what could turn that around? and Josslyn says, a bachelorette party? Lois says, bingo. You get to eat, drink, be all sorts of merry, and dance the blues away. Josslyn thanks her and says she appreciates the invite, but she has plans tonight. Lois says, they can’t be any better than this, and Josslyn says she knows, but she’s having dinner with her friend Trina and Trina’s Aunt Stella. Lois says, perfect. Have dinner, then afterwards, bring them back here. The more, the merrier. Lois jets off, and Willow says, Lois is living her best life, isn’t she? Maxie says she’s definitely met her match in the party planning department, and Willow says she’s guessing they all bring their own individual styles to said planning. Maxie asks how she could tell, when Drew comes in carrying a box. He asks if anyone was looking for this. It was by the entrance. Maxie says, those must be the party hats Lois ordered. She’ll take them. She takes the box, and calls, Lois, delivery! Lois runs out and says she’d hoped they’d deliver them on time. Drew asks if Willow has seen Curtis. He wanted to run something by him. Willow says, no. He’s giving the club a wide berth since they’re taking over for Brook’s bridal shower-slash-bachelorette party. Drew says, so he’s afraid of girls. Maybe he should be too. He’ll get out of her hair. He starts to leave, but she says, actually, since he’s here, could she get his advice on something? He says, always. As long as it’s not related to the bachelorette festivities. She says, it’s about Amelia. She and Michael want her to learn how to swim. He says, that’s great, and she says, really? Because she’s terrified.

Sam tells Kristina, who Sonny chooses to be part of his life is his decision. If that’s Ava, that’s Ava. Kristina says, she’s not a good influence on him, and Sam says she doesn’t disagree. Kristina says, and she thinks her dad is really hurting over Nina so much more than he wants to admit. And then Jason’s mysterious return. She feels like he’s in a vulnerable position right now. Sam says, maybe he is, but like she told Kristina, it’s her father’s choice who he wants to have in his life. Repeat after her. It’s not your choice. Kristina says, it’s not your choice, and Sam looks at her. She says, it’s not my choice, when there’s a knock at the door. Sam opens it to find Jason with Danny.

Carly says, Jason did not try to kill Sonny, and Sonny says, he was with the sniper on the roof. Carly says, the sniper who missed because of Jason. Again, Jason stepped up to save his life. he wouldn’t be standing here right now if it weren’t for Jason. He says, listen to him. This is serious right now. Jason is working with the Feds, right? It’s a scary thing. He said it himself. That’s proof. Carly says, proof of what? and he says, that Jason is working against him. Maybe he made a deal with the Feds to save his own skin. She says, so he thinks he’s part of Jason’s deal? and he says, she doesn’t? She says she thinks if Jason’s job is to get evidence against him, then he’s really bad at it, because here he is a free man. Sonny looks like he has a headache and says he’s had a target on his back for over a year. Jason’s been MIA through it all. Why couldn’t he pick up a phone? Why couldn’t he pick up a phone and say, hey, I’m alive. I can’t tell you anything, but I’m alive. Carly says, if he could have, he would have, but Sonny says, Jason betrayed him, and she betrayed him.

Nina says, it sounds obvious now that she looks back on it, and Ava says, obvious to her maybe. Nina says, Ava kept Sonny away from her so she could move on in, but Ava says, Sonny moved her in, for her safety and the safety of her daughter. And that was before the two of them even separated. Nina says she stands corrected. Ava did get a foot in the door before she was even evicted. What about now? Why is she still there now? Ava says, for Avery, and Nina says, and herself? Ava says, yeah, for herself too, because selfishly, she’d like to be on good terms with her child’s father. Nina says, maybe at first, but Ava’s grown to like being in Sonny’s orbit, drawn into his circle of trust. It feels good, doesn’t it? It makes her feel seen, loved, like they’re the only two people in the whole world. Is she getting close? Ava says, this is absurd, and Nina says, the only thing she’s curious about now is, how does Ava think Sonny is going to react if he finds out not only is she the mastermind behind Nina narking – Ava says, stop it – but she knew the truth the whole time and she kept quiet. How does she think Sonny’s going to react to that? She’s guessing not well.

Drew says, Willow is going to be doing Amelia and herself a huge favor by getting her in the water as early as possible, and Willow says, he did that with Scout. He says, and look at her now. She’s like a little fish. Willow says, that makes her feel better, and he says, she’s not going to regret it. She tells him that when he says it, she believes it.

Ava says, if it will make Nina feel better to blame her, go ahead. Tell Sonny her little story about how Ava convinced her to turn in Carly and Drew. Nina says, maybe she will, and Ava says, and she can tell him how she thought it was a fabulous idea to sell the MetroCourt to Jason. It does not matter. He won’t believe her. Nina asks, why is that? and Ava says, because Sonny considers her a traitor, and he knows Nina will say absolutely anything to get him back. That’s how desperate Nina is. Nina says, not desperate, hopeful. Because Ava told her to be. Ava asks if she hears herself. Ava told her. Ava convinced her. How about thinking for herself once in a while and then maybe Sonny would have just a little respect for her. Nina says, and he has respect for Ava? and Ava says, not only does Sonny respect her, he counts on her. Nina says, poor Sonny, and Ava says, face it. She knows and understands Sonny in a way Nina never could.

Carly says, since when is Sonny so quick to think the worst of her? He’s family, and he says, not all his family. Just the ones who… She says, who betrayed him. She knows. He’s like a broken record. He’s cherry-picking history to make it line up with his version of events. He asks what pieces he’s ignoring, and she says, the one where Michael didn’t turn him in. Where he gave her the evidence instead and she destroyed it to protect him. What about those pieces? If it weren’t for her and Michael, he would be in jail right now. He says, if it wasn’t for Michael and her, Dex would never have been planted in his organization to spy on him and that evidence wouldn’t have existed. (He’s not wrong.) She says, okay. Michael made a bad choice, but he turned it around, and Dex was put in his organization then to protect him and watch his back, and that’s exactly what Dex did. He saved Sonny’s life multiple times. Doesn’t that count for anything? Sonny says, not to him.

Sam says, so Danny went to his father when she explicitly told him not to, and Jason says, they should talk. Sam says, they’ll talk later. Danny is her first priority. Jason says, Danny is his too, and she tells him that she said they’ll talk later. Danny tells her to listen to what Jason has to say. Please. Kristina says she has an idea. Why doesn’t Danny come with her to get a cup of coffee? Danny says he wants to stay, but Kristina says, come on, dude. They haven’t spent time together in a really long time, and she’s all up in her feels as a pregnant woman. He doesn’t want to make his aunt cry. She starts to whimper, and he says, fine. She goes to get her bag, and Sam thanks her. Kristina says, of course (🍷). Just text her with the all-clear and she’ll bring him back. She tells Danny, let’s go, and they leave. Sam asks how Jason could do this to their son.

Ava says, Nina doesn’t understand Sonny. She never has. Nina says, really? and Ava says, really. He is a powerful, turbulent, and yes, violent man. Meanwhile, Nina wants to sit by the fire and grow old with him, dandling grandkids on their knees. Nina asks, what’s wrong with that? and Ava says, nothing, she guesses. But if that’s the kind of life Nina wants, perhaps don’t choose a notorious mob boss to live it with. Nina says, Sonny chose her. He loves her and she does understand him. Does Ava want to know why? Because Sonny showed her a side to him that he never shows anyone. Ava says, yeah. Mike from Nixon Falls. She laughs and says, come on. Mike was never real. Nina has to face it. She saw what she wanted to see. In Nina’s defense, he encouraged her. he kept the darkest parts of himself hidden as best he could so her fantasy could live on. And that’s exactly what it was – a fantasy. She couldn’t really know Sonny because she didn’t want to. Not the real man anyway. Nina says, and Ava knows him, and Ava says she and Sonny are similar creatures. Nina asks, what’s her endgame? and Ava asks what that means. Nina says, Ava is living there, raising Avery under the same roof. She knows Ava. What does Ava get out of this?

Sonny says, Carly knew the risk of keeping Dex in his organization, just like she knew what was going to happen when he found out the truth. There are no surprises here. Carly says, everything he does surprises her lately. Writing his son off, almost killing Dex, his attitude toward Jason. He says, add it to the list, and she says she hardly recognizes him anymore. He says, right back at her, and she asks if this is really how it ends for them, after all these years, after everything they’ve been through. This is it? He says, this is it.

Danny spoons sugar into his coffee, and Kristina asks if he doesn’t want a ninth spoonful. That might do the trick. He says he hates the taste of coffee, and she asks why he’s drinking it. He says, everyone at school does, and she says, that’s great. She’s just going to be here with her sad, decaffeinated, herbal tea, living vicariously through him, while he sips what she considers to be the nectar of the gods, and he doesn’t even enjoy it. He says, sorry, but she says, don’t be. She’s only teasing. Does he want to talk about anything? They don’t have to. He says, all he wants to do is see his dad and hang out for just a minute. Why can’t his mom understand that? She asks how it’s been, having him back, and he says, good. She asks if it’s been weird or anything, since he’s been gone for so long, but Danny says, it’s been easy. His dad treats him like a person. He doesn’t get all parental. She says, like his mom does, and he nods. Kristina says, she is his mom and by definition, she wants to protect him. He says, from his own father? and she says, maybe, yeah. He says, she doesn’t let him do anything. It’s like he’s a prisoner. When is his mom going to realize, he’s not a little kid anymore? She asks if he’s thought of it from her side. Jason is his father and of course (🍷) Danny wants a relationship with him, that makes sense. But it also makes sense that his mom just wants to protect him and keep him safe. And it’s hard, it’s confusing, and it’s not that cut and dried. He tells her that his mom said she was afraid he was going to get hurt. She doesn’t want him hanging out with his dad because she’s afraid he’s just like him. Kristina asks, how? and he says, going fast, taking chances… It’s hard to explain, but his dad understands.

Jason says, he’s Danny’s father and nothing is going to change that, so they just have to try and figure out a way to handle this. Sam says she thought she had handled it when she told him to stay away from their son, but he says, it’s not working. Danny is going to come look for him. He already did. She says, then tell him to leave, and he asks if she thinks that’s going to stop Danny. She says, where he goes, danger follows. Danny is too young to understand the risks or control his impulses, so they’ll have to control that for him. Jason says, you mean control him, and she says, if they have to, yes. Danny is just like him, except he doesn’t have the maturity or the experience to guide him. What if he finds himself in a dangerous situation and he’s not able to get out of it?

Danny says he doesn’t want to worry his mom or lie to her, and Kristina says, of course (🍷) not. He says he bets his mother wishes he was just like Rocco. Steady, safe, he never gives mom or Dante a reason to freak out. He’s not like that and he won’t pretend that he is. She says, his mom loves him for who he is. She can guarantee his mom doesn’t want him to pretend, but with Jason back, it is confusing. And his mom, like the rest of them, is just trying to figure it out. He says he gets that, and she says, of course (🍷) he does. He’s smart and empathetic. He has very questionable taste – he doesn’t like coffee – but she’s willing to overlook that. He asks what he’s supposed to do, and she says, about Jason? He says he’s sorry his mom is confused and whatever else, but he won’t give up on his dad.

Sam says, it’s not only about the physical danger, and Jason says, okay, then what else? She says, what about the next time he disappears? And don’t say it’s not going to happen again, because it already did. He was here with Danny, then he’s gone. He says he wishes he could make promises, but she knows he can’t. She says, so how does she let Danny invest in him? How does she let him see a future with Jason when he might not even be around for it? Jason says he’ll set boundaries with Danny. He’ll make sure Danny never comes to the warehouse. She says, ever, and he says he promises he’ll be honest with her. If she calls and asks if he’s there, he’s going to tell the truth, and he’s going to encourage Danny to do the same thing. Sam says, because lying to her is definitely not okay, and Jason agrees. But he doesn’t believe cutting Danny off from him helps or protects their son. She says she guesses this part of the conversation is over, and he says he’s sorry this is hard. She says she’s sorry about a lot of things, and he goes to the door, hesitates a moment, then leaves.

Drew asks if Willow going to make that call, and she says she will. He tells her that he’s been spending more time with Nina lately because of Crimson, and Nina’s been talking about her a lot, her and the kids. He thought maybe she’d like to know. He leaves and she ponders this.

Ava tells Nina that what she gets is a strong relationship with the father of her only living child. What she gets is a partnership with Sonny. So instead of being grudgingly tolerated for Avery’s sake, she and Sonny have formed an alliance. Nina says, how nice, and Ava says, it is nice. They help each other. They lean on each other. And it comes naturally because they had a short end. Nina says, because of their mob ties, and Ava says, they both understand how the world works. He doesn’t have to explain things to her. Nina says, like he does with poor, naïve her, and Ava says, he doesn’t have to hide things either. In simpler terms, she and Sonny are compatible in ways he and Nina never were, and never could be. Nina says, well, have at it, tosses the divorce papers on her desk, and signs them. She holds them out to Ava and says, Sonny’s all hers. Ava takes them and leaves.

Carly says, she tried to protect Sonny, then Sonny calls her a traitor. Fine. They’ll go their own ways. She’ll focus on her life, and he can focus on his. He says, sounds good, and starts to walk away, but then says, you know, out of all the people he thought would abandon him, he never thought she would. He leaves, and she looks like she might cry.

Nina sits at her desk and looks at the wedding set still on her hand. She flashes back to her life with Sonny, falling in love in Nixon Falls, getting married in Puerto Rico, dancing, getting busy, and Sonny’s proposal. She takes off her rings and calls Madison into the office. She asks Madison to find an appropriate box for these and have them shipped to Mr. Corinthos’s address at the Harbor View Towers. Madison looks sadly at Nina and leaves.

Tomorrow, Brook says, they’re going to have to catch Willow up tonight; Curtis tells Jordan that he has a new opportunity for a reset; Sasha asks if Maxie is going to take the next step with Spinelli; and Tracy asks Spinelli if she’s clear, and he says, crystal.

Below Deck

Anthony looks for an ice cream scoop and the guests call for Paris. Chocolate lava cake is served and is a surprising success. Surprising because nothing else has been a success. Guest Clifton says he needs grilled wings, and in Anthony’s interview, he says he f***ed up lunch and dinner and feels heartbreak inside. We flash back to that, and he says he needs to be happy to make amazing food. He’s sad and his food says it. Fraser says, it’s one hot mess of an evening, and some of the guests get in the hot tub. Primary Ray says, they need lobster grilled cheese, but Barbie says, the chef is asleep. She can’t cook even the basics, but she can bring them some snacks. This doesn’t go over too well, so she suggests hot sandwiches. Primary Carmen says there had better be some sh*t she likes, and Barbie says she’ll do her best. In Barbie’s interview, she says, they’re rude and it’s not cool. The crew is here to serve, but this is so extra. These guests are batsh*t crazy. She hopes they choke on the sandwiches. She and Kyle go to the galley, and she says she grew up with nannies who cooked. He checks out her sandwiches and pronounces them not great, but not bad. Barbie tells the guests that the panini is disappointing, but the BLT is better, and Roy says he wants napkins. Barbie tells Kyle, it’s tragic, tragic thing, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, Barbie is different from the girls he’s liked in the past. She’s so high stung, she’s vertical, while he’s so laid back, he’s horizontal. He tells Barbie that he’s not going through that sh*t again, and in Barbie’s interview, she says she likes Kyle, but she’s too afraid to act on it, so it’s kind of a game.

Ben overhears Dylan telling Paris that Sunny got lead deckhand because she’s f***ing him, and he tells Sunny. In Sunny’s interview, she says, they had a relationship before Ben became bosun. It’s ultimately the captain’s decision, and Dylan needs to stay in his lane. Dylan wants to know who squealed on him, and Xandi tells Dylan to just tell Ben that he didn’t mean it. In her interview, she says, she’s happy to be there for Dylan. He has a good heart, but needs to maneuver it to get his message across. Fraser asks Anthony about lunch on the beach, and Anthony says he’s making mac and cheese and lobster tail. Fraser says, they can’t afford to challenge themselves in any way, and asks if Anthony can precook it ahead for the grill. At breakfast, Carmen asks if they have duck or turkey bacon for the eggs benedict, but Anthony tells Paris that he doesn’t have it. Paris relays the message, and Carmen bitches that she’s the primary and doesn’t eat pork. It’s disappointing.

Paris tells Anthony that the primary is upset, but he says, it’s not his fault. He ordered it, but the provisioner can’t find it. He mumbles that even if he doesn’t give a sh*t, he has to smile, and serves Carmen personally. He apologizes about the bacon and explains that he tried to order it, but it wasn’t available in the Caribbean. Carmen says he’s forgiven, and we get a big dose of eggs benedict… food porn! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more scrumptious looking egg. Fraser tells the captain that he’s going to heat up the barbecue at the beach, while Ben talks to Dylan. He says he heard what Dylan’s been saying, that he has more experience, and Sunny got the job for opening her legs. Dylan tells Ben that he said what he thought. He should have been named lead deckhand because of his experience. Ben says he assumes Ben has more experience, but it’s not necessarily about going off experience. And it’s not about him and Sunny sleeping together. It’s all about attitude and Sunny knows more about the boat. It sucks that it had to come through others. Dylan says he’s sorry if he offended Ben and Ben suggests they leave it there.

Fraser says, Barbie is coming with the guests, and Anthony says he’s running out of time, but he’s not an octopus. He opens a refrigerator, and a bunch of stuff falls out. As the guests have a drink, Xandi and Paris get grossed out doing the cabins. Anthony comes to the beach with the food, and in his interview, Fraser wonders if anything he said registered. Anthony didn’t cook the lobster. He tells Anthony that it should have gone in a while ago, but Anthony says he had no time. The guests try to play pickleball, but there’s too much wind. Paris radios, wondering when the guests will be back, and Fraser says, the food is still on the grill. They’re behind schedule by at least a half hour. Barbie tells Fraser that she doesn’t like these people. They drove her nuts last night. The food totally looks worth waiting for, but the guests grumble that the mac and cheese isn’t like the dish in the south. We see a clip of Anthony breaking linguine, and I imagine that’s not like the mac and cheese anywhere. Fraser tells Ben that the guests aren’t happy with the food, but Ben thinks it looks tasty. Ben would be right, but Carmen says she’s not wasting calories eating that. Fraser tells Ben that they need to get the guests back to enjoying themselves, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s not just affecting his team; it’s affecting the boat. He knows this tip is going to be sh*t. He’s spending most of his time with chef, making sure he’s doing his job correctly and keeping him in line. He has no space for looking after him. He doesn’t have time for that. He radios for the stews to have the welcome drinks ready, and they decide to put a gummi bear in each drink. At first, I’m kind of against this, but when I see it, I change my mind. Captain Kerry asks Fraser, how was the beach? and Fraser says, they didn’t enjoy the meal. The mac and cheese was questionable, but they made do. The captain says, he might have to make a change. It’s a schoolboy error. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says he tried to give Anthony guidance, but if one person isn’t running at the same speed as the rest of them, they’ll get behind. He tells Fraser, the pressure’s on.

Barbie wonders if Paris has someone waiting for her at the end of the season, but Paris says she’s just got a post break-up glow. In Paris’s interview, she says, her last relationship was a nightmare. He cheated on her with his ex, who stole from Paris, then posted photos of herself online wearing Paris’s clothes. The boys on the boat are nice, but she’s good. Um… that thing about the clothes is really weird. Creepy weird. Anthony says, the guests want simple stuff, and makes chicken and fish, with chicken for the guest who doesn’t eat fish. Fraser says, chicken for the starter, chicken for the main, and chicken for dessert, and Anthony promises a beautiful potato au gratin. It’s movie premiere night, and the decorations look amazing. The guests dress like characters from movies: Sandy from Grease, Jules from Pulp Fiction, Jasmine from Aladdin, guest Brandon as late 90s Michael Jackson, clearly having forgotten his costume, and the final entrance is King Ray and Queen Carmen. The crew plays paparazzi, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s such a tacky request. Clearly the guests don’t feel important in their lives and need to pay them to feel loved. Does that not speak volumes? Agreed, it does. While doing cabins, Paris tells Xandi that someone shaved something, and I don’t want to know. Ray suggests Anthony start preparing some lobster grilled cheese now for later. They’d wanted that last night. This sounds like an awful sandwich to me. Cheese and lobster are both great, but not together. Fraser tells the guests that the hot tub is ready and tells Anthony that they’ll have to sit down after every charter meeting and come up with a menu. Barbie serves the grilled cheese sandwiches, but there’s no lobster, and Ray tells her that he had a conversation with the chef. This is melted bullsh*t cheddar.

Barbie says she wants the guests to be happy and tells Kyle that the chef promised them lobster grilled cheese. She thinks they’ll be in trouble if they don’t wake him up. In Kyle’s interview, he says, here we go, and wakes up Anthony. He says, the primary is saying he’d asked to have lobster grilled cheese. Can Anthony make one? Anthony says, yeah, and Kyle says, sorry to wake him up. Brandon calls the other guests bougie bitches, and Anthony tells Kyle that the guests said they wanted grilled cheese, but never told him they wanted lobster. We flash back to a minute ago where they clearly asked for lobster, and Anthony says he knows what they asked for. He makes the sandwiches, and Barbie thanks him, apologizing for waking him up. He says, anytime, which is probably the wrong thing to say in response to anything on this boat.

In the morning, Captain Kerry prays to the wind gods that it’s not so windy today. The anchor is put in the pocket, and the yacht heads to Port Louis Marina. At breakfast, one of the guests wants a crepe with no chocolate, and I wonder, what’s the point? Sunny tells Dylan that she knows he wanted to be lead deckhand, but Dylan insists he doesn’t care. In Dylan’s interview, he says he doesn’t think Sunny’s a bad person. There’s no point in firing it up more. In Sunny’s interview, she says, it’s supposed to be a team, not an ego war. In his interview, Dylan says, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and when bad egos are in play, I’ll stay away. He gets very pleased with himself when he discovers he made a rhyme. The boat docks and as breakfast finishes, Ray says, that sh*t was delicious. While these definitely sound like words that would come out of my mouth, I’d try to class it up just a little on a superyacht. Captain Kerry says, everyone did a fantastic job on the docking, and the crew changes to their whites. Ben says he looks good, but smells, and spritzes on cologne. There are the usual hugs and goodbyes, and Carmen says, Fraser has been her best friend this whole time. She was the primary and as a non-pork eater, you’d think the chef would have had more options. She’s head bitch, but didn’t get that. The tip envelope is given, and the guests leave. Anthony says, f*** me, and some cleaning is done. Ugh. Xandi wonders what that is on the pillow, and Fraser says, after a while, all fluids look the same. That cinches it. This would not be the job for me.

The captain calls the tip meeting, and they toast to new stew Paris and to Sunny as the new lead deckhand. Dylan couldn’t look more begrudging if he tried. Captain Kerry says, the guests were demanding in their own way, and they expressed their joys and their not so much joys. And it was reflected in the tip. The tip is $17,259, or $1326 each, the lowest one this season. In Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s embarrassing. Is it because of the food? He says, yes. The captain asks if Fraser wants to rumble in the cage, and Anthony thinks it’s his turn next. Fraser tells Captain Kerry that the guests didn’t enjoy the food. The preferences weren’t considered, and he thinks Anthony has lost his sense of standard with the meals. The captain sighs, and radios for Anthony to see him. Anthony says, of course. F*** my life. Captain Kerry tells Anthony, have a seat.

Captain Kerry says, Anthony is an incredible chef. His food is amazing, but he’s starting to nosedive. Anthony says he doesn’t know what the captain is talking about. He doesn’t see where he’s going wrong. The captain says, he didn’t realize that the crew food is priority, the guests’ food was late, and he’s making mistakes because he’s not prepared. We flash back to all that, and Captain Kerry says he’s seeing the guests not satisfied with the elements of what he’s doing. Anthony says he made a mistake. He’s human. The captain says, he’s not flourishing in this environment, and Anthony embarrasses himself further by basically blaming it on the guests. Captain Kerry says, he’s an amazing chef, but superyachts need more than that. He’s doing Anthony a favor. Anthony says, it’s the first time he’s been fired, and in his interview, he says he’s in shock. It’s not real. It’s not possible. Captain Kerry says he has a lot of respect for Anthony, and they shake hands and bro hug. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, it’s heartbreaking and he doesn’t like doing this at all. The crew is noticing, and if it keeps going on like this, the morale will be terrible, and he can’t have that. Anthony cries in the galley, and Fraser asks what the captain said. Anthony says, he’s not good enough. He feels destroyed. He worked hard and never complained. Fraser says, it’s got nothing to do with him. It’s difficult to work in yachting. In Fraser’s interview, he says he sees Anthony’s in pain that he feels like he aided. It’s difficult. He’ll love that boy forever, but right now, the job is more important and he’s not right for the job. Anthony sniffles that he wasn’t enough, and they hug, while Anthony cries. Captain Kerry looks at resumés. Barbie spreads the news and says, the next chef will probably be batsh*t crazy, since they usually are. Fraser says, they need to pray the next chef fits in. Ben says, it will be hard for him to get used to someone new. Captain Kerry texts yacht services to get the new chef on a plane. They’re hired. Anthony says he’s a terrible chef, and the captain tells Fraser that a new chef is coming in. They’re going to smash out the next three charters. The crew gets ready to go out, and Captain Kerry radios that the chef is leaving. In Anthony’s interview, he says he loves everyone and he’s going to miss them so much. The crew gives him a group hug, and in his interview, he says, the only thing he needs is cooking for people. It’s the only thing that makes him happy. He’s going to come back a crazy motherf***er. He’ll be back in the game for sure. I don’t think it’s his cooking at all, but he’s too depressed to recognize it. He’s just not meant for the yachting world. He needs to go the restaurant route.

The crew toasts to the chef and heads out. In the taxi, Barbie tells Sunny and Ben that they can’t use her bed tonight. They go to Island Fever restaurant, and order dinner. Dylan asks Sunny what three things would make her happiest, and she says, living on an island, having her own boat, and growing her own food. He points out that his mom and dad have a farm. If she comes to South Africa, she should visit them. She says, for sure, and he kisses her cheek. Ben watches the whole exchange. The food arrives and I want it all. There are random dogs and cats hanging around and a pool, and I can’t see one thing not to like about this place. Barbie sits at a picnic bench with Kyle, and Dylan says he’s going to the pool. Kyle says he respects where Barbie is at, and she says, what if she hooked up with someone else? In Barbie’s interview, she says she and Kyle definitely have chemistry, but the guys she’s dated are Jewish, hardworking, and stable. Kyle’s not modest and free-spirited. She has a guard up where she cares about image or doesn’t think her dad would support the relationship. It’s a weird situation to be in. Ben goes in the pool, and Barbie goes back to the table. Fraser says, Truth or Dare? and Paris dares Fraser to do a shoey, which is apparently drinking from someone’s shoe, although I’ve never heard that term before. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s already regretting suggesting the game 100%. He does his dare, and Barbie says she’s game for one. Dylan tells her to choose a guy to kiss, and Fraser adds that it’s got to be a full make out session.

Barbie asks, what if she’s not down with that. They tell her to drink, and she says she’s not hooking up with anyone. Cheers. Kyle tells Ben to swap dresses with Xandi, and they change behind a blanket. In Xandi’s interview, she says she’s going to want that back, by the way. In the taxi on the way back, Dylan laments that normally, Anthony would be next to him. On the boat, Kyle hugs Barbie and she leads him away to the bar. In her interview, she says, her mom’s a sex therapist and she has a conservative father. It’s her life problem. She wants to be modest, but she’s not. It’s something she’s figuring out in the world. Dylan asks Sunny, what’s with her and Ben, and Sunny says, they’re having fun once in a while. He says, so she’s not taken? and she says, definitely not. He says, if she’s free, then… He goes to kiss her, but it’s a hard no. He says, what about her cheek? but that’s also a no. In Sunny’s interview, she says, Dylan has no game. He doesn’t know how to flirt. If being mean and trash talking her behind her back is flirting, it’s a bit of an ick. In Barbie’s interview, she says, Kyle got a new side of her from the other guys she’s been with. She often needs a prerequisite, like looks, a job, or her father’s approval. They get in bed and get busy. Man, does this guy have a pineapple tattoo. A humongous pineapple under his hip. In her interview, Barbie says she’s falling for Kyle in a real and different way she’s never felt. He’s been her rock, her escape. They go in the bathroom, and we hear the shower running… and moaning. Alrighty then.

Next time, a Christmas party; a guest has a thing for Fraser; and Barbie disappoints herself for disappointing her father.

🍔 Have It Their Way…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderWTF. Until then, stay safe, stay being thankful for at least three things every day, and stay believing them when people tell you who they are.

Apr16

April 15, 2024 – Sasha Saves the Day For Deception, Not Royalty On Deck, A Thought & Fever

Posted on April 16, 2024 by theresakp

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly tells Jason that even if Nina doesn’t let Sonny know directly, she’s going to make Sonny aware that she slept with John Cates. But just to be clear, she did not. Jason says, copy that, and she says, that’s new. She doesn’t remember him ever saying, copy that, before. Anyway, she doesn’t know what she’s worried about. Sonny already considers her a traitor. Why would he care who she slept with? Jason says, because he loves her, but she says she doesn’t think he does anymore, and leaves.

Ava goes to Nina’s office and tells Madison that Nina is expecting her. Madison says, unfortunately, Nina’s been called away to guest services, but Ava says she doesn’t mind waiting and goes into Nina’s office and sits down. She takes out her phone and pulls out a plastic bag with some pills in it. She flashes back to taking Sonny’s pills to help her sleep and makes a call. She asks if this is Applied Analytical… Good. She’s hoping they can help her. She thinks there’s been a mistake with her husband’s medication. If they took a look at his pills, would they be able to identify the prescription and the strength?… She can’t ask his pharmacy. They’re online… That’s wonderful. She thanks them and says she’ll messenger them today.

On air at Home & Heart, Lucy says he has every intention of returning as mistress of ceremonies at the Nurses Ball… Backstage, Brook asks Maxie how they’re doing, and Maxie says, see for herself. Lucy says, it’s not the same without her, and Haven says she watches the Nurses Ball every year. Lucy thanks her and says, that’s very kind of her. Sometimes they do have very special guests… Haven says, and the guests always look so fabulous, so tell them what role Deception plays in all that gorgeous hair and makeup. Lucy says, of course (🍷) Deception is so very important, but she has to say, it’s not more important than wardrobe. Especially her wardrobe, because sometimes she’s had more than a dozen gown changes. Of course (🍷), like she mentioned, she was unable to host last year. It was the first time ever, but she was lucky because she was able to run things remotely… Maxie tells Brook not to worry. She called the cavalry, and Brook says she hopes Maxie means a literal legion of soldiers who will distract the viewers from this disaster. Maxie says, only one soldier, the best one for the job, and Brook says, they’d better get here soon, because they’re going down fast. Lucy says she started Deception. It was her little brainchild back in the 90s…

Lois invites Gregory in and asks if there’s something she can get for her favorite in-law to be. He says, no, but thank you. He doesn’t want to take up too much of her time. He was just hoping to get a quick word with Brook. She says, Brook is off doing something with Deception. Is this about the wedding? He says, as a matter of fact, it is, and she says, then he’s come to the right person. As the mother of the bride, it’s her honor and pleasure to make sure this wedding comes off without a hitch.

Anna sits at her desk, making notes about the people connected to Pikeman. There’s a knock at the door, and John asks if he’s interrupting. She says, my God. What happened to you?

Lucy says she’s sure some of the viewers remember, the 90s were a very different time, and Haven says, you know what she remembers most about the 90s? Lucy says, do tell, and Haven says, the hole in the ozone layer. It was an environmental crisis that affected everyone on earth, not just Port Charles. And does Lucy know what layers were affected the most? The epidermis and the dermis. They could have used a face cream like the one Lucy brought them today. Lucy says, they sure could have, and Haven asks her to tell them about it. Lucy says, they didn’t have that, so she’s thinking, maybe subconsciously, that is exactly the idea that made her want to create Deception. Haven says, and she did. And now, Deception and Home & Heart would like to invite the home audience to enjoy Deception’s new face cream at home. Brook tells Maxie that she never thought she’d hear herself say this, but thank God for Haven. She doesn’t know how much more of the Lucy chronicles they can take. Maxie says, don’t worry. The cavalry is here. and Scotty says he got here as quick as he could. Brook says, this is the cavalry? Scotty joins them, and Maxie tells him, this is what they need him to do. Get up on that stage and get Lucy to talk about the product. Brook says, just get her off the damn stage, and Scotty says he’ll take care of it.

Haven says, come on, just a little dab, and tries to put some of the cream on Lucy’s face, and Lucy says, no, but thank you so much. As she mentioned, this cream looks best, starts, and works best on completely washed skin. You do not put it over makeup. Haven says she’s sure they can get someone up here to get that makeup right off Lucy’s face, and Lucy says, on camera. Haven says, oh yes, on camera, and her washed, unmade up face will be in a nice, tight close-up. Lucy says, that will only happen over one of their dead bodies, when Scotty comes onstage and says, good thing he just showed up. Haven says, this is a closed set, but Lucy says, actually, it’s not a closed set to a dear, dear friend. Also, he happens to be the lawyer for Deception. So viewers out there, please welcome noted personal injury and defense attorney, Scott Baldwin. Scotty thanks her for the warm welcome, and says, about this face cream… Lucy says, know what she’s thinking? Memory Lane. The 2013 Nurses Ball, they were on the stage together at one point, and this takes her back to that Nurses Ball. Actually, that was a time twelve years went by when they didn’t have a Nurses Ball, and she knew she couldn’t let that hiatus to go on one more year. Maxie says, oh well. It was worth a shot. Deception was nice while it lasted. Brook tells her, don’t give up yet. She’s got one more Hail Mary. She jets.

Tracy walks into the stable in riding clothes and calls to Cody. She says she’s ready for her ride, and Cody comes out. He says, she’s running a little late, and she says she hopes that means her horse is saddled up and ready to go. He says, actually… and she says she wanted to tell him that she hasn’t ridden in a while, so she wanted to just take the horse for a walk around the arena. Just until she gets her feet back. He says, okay, so about the saddle… She says she loves that saddle. She rode that saddle for years. It’s a multi-generational saddle. He tells her, like she said, she hasn’t used it in a while and there was a problem with the way it was stored. She says, that’s a dressage saddle. It was custom made. If there’s a problem with it, he’s out on his hind end with no pillion to cushion him.

Gregory tells Lois that he’s sure Chase and Brook’s day will be hitchless, especially with her at the helm. She says, he’s right of course (🍷), but she thanks him for noticing, and he says he calls it like he sees it. She asks him to sit down and says, come on, tell her. What’s worrying him? He says, it’s a small thing really, and she asks if he needs to change his entrée from chicken to fish. Because there’s plenty of time. Speaking of time, does he happen to have a copy of what he’s going to be saying at the altar? It’s not because she needs to approve anything at all. It’s just that she needs to know how long it’s going to take. He looks startled and a bit overwhelmed.

Jason asks when Sonny stopped loving Carly, and she says, people fall out of love all the time. He knows that. He says, but not her and Sonny. They can’t live together – that’s happened before – but they still love each other. She says she tried. Sonny was different after he came back from Nixon Falls. He was infatuated with Nina. Jason agrees he was different, and Carly says, and to Sonny, nothing could ever be Nina’s fault. It was her fault, it was Jason’s fault… He thinks they went behind his back. He thought she was unfaithful to him. When they got word Jason had died, she felt like her heart was ripped out of her chest, but to Sonny, he barely noticed Jason was gone.

Tracy says she wants to see her saddle, and Cody says he thought she’d never ask. He calls to Sasha, who walks in with the saddle. He says, it turns out Sasha has a way with Havana leather, no matter how old or water damaged. Tracy says she can’t believe that’s the same saddle, and Sasha says, it’s a wonder what some balm and a sheepskin glove can do. Tracy says she had no idea that when Sasha chose to leave Deception, it would work out so well for her, and Sasha says she’s welcome. Tracy asks Cody what he’s waiting for. Put the saddle on the horse. He says, yes, ma’am, and Tracy says she’ll be outside. Cody thanks Sasha and says, she just saved his hind end. She says, it’s the least she could do. It’s a nice hind end.

John says, by all appearances, he was the target of a mugging, and Anna asks what he means, by all appearances. He says he was attacked by two guys on the waterfront. They came out of nowhere, laid him out, but they didn’t get around to robbing him. It could have been because the beating was interrupted or… Anna says, or it could have been orchestrated, and he says he’d bet his badge on it. She says, for argument’s sake, the waterfront isn’t the safest part of town, and he says, especially this part of the waterfront, a block from the Corinthos Coffee warehouse. Coincidence? She says, that depends. What was he doing snooping around Corinthos Coffee?

Carly says, Sonny told her that he was in love with Nina. Then he tried to walk it back, telling her that they were leftover feelings from Nixon Falls or something like that, but she told him she wanted a separation. But Sonny decided they were going to reconcile. More than that, he wanted to renew their wedding vows, and he gave her an ~~old tomato~~ ultimatum. If she didn’t show up, he’d know they were over. Jason asks if she showed up, and she says, yeah, she showed up. She was an hour late, and by then, Sonny was in bed with Nina. She literally walked in on them. He says he’s sorry, and she says, it was awful. It was horrible. There was a big fight. Sonny blamed her and that’s when she stopped caring what Sonny thought and she stopped caring how Sonny felt and she asked him for a divorce.

Cody says he’d better get the lady of the manor mounted (excuse me?), and Sasha asks if Tracy knows she can’t fire him. He says, sure, but it doesn’t stop her from trying. Speaking of employment, this would be a great time for Sasha to fill out those applications for all those jobs she doesn’t want. Do it. He leaves, and she says, or she could straighten up the tack room. She walks out, leaving her phone on the table, when Brook calls.

Gregory tells Lois that he hasn’t settled on a final draft of what he’s going to say. He’s been writing for weeks. She says she totally sympathizes. She knows he wants it all to be perfect. She’s just saying, when he knows what it is he’s going to be saying, would he mind sending her a copy? She needs to time out the ceremony so she can let the kitchen at the MetroCourt know when to start firing up the food. He says he hadn’t realized… and she says, it’s crucial. It’s totally crucial. You have to have the food come out to the table when it’s hot, not when it’s overdone. And definitely not when it’s been heated under those heating lamps. Those contraptions need to be outlawed. Her phone rings, and she says, excuse her for one second. She picks up her phone and says, oh, it’s Brook. She answers and says she’s sitting here with Brook’s future father-in-law. Brook says she needs Lois to do something for her. It’s an emergency. Lois asks Gregory to excuse her for one moment, and leaves the room. Gregory now looks startled and confused.

Lois runs into the stable and tells Sasha that Brook has been trying to reach her. Sasha says she’s sorry and picks up her phone. Lois says, there is a Deception disaster. Lucy is crashing and burning on Home & Heart. Sasha says, Lucy? and Lois says, she decided to do the spot herself, which is a complete disaster. She doesn’t watch H&H herself, but her ma does, and you know who else watches it? All of her ma’s friends, and they all know that Deception is Brook’s company. So Lucy’s failure is Deception’s failure is Brook’s failure, and they can’t let that happen. So come on. Lois needs her to go. Sasha says she’ll have to change, but Lois says, there’s no time. She snagged the fastest ride in the garage. Can Sasha drive a stick? It doesn’t matter. She can drive one. Let’s go. She grabs Sasha’s hand and drags her out the door.

Lucy says, what she remembers in particular about that year is all the obstacles she had to overcome. She had to get all these good people together for such a good cause and raise so much money for those very good people. Haven says, just like their viewers at home, and Scotty says, hello, viewers, and suggests they tell the viewers how this face cream can take a mug like this and turn it into a matinee idol. Lucy says she’s so delighted to see him and have him here with them, but it’s kind of rude to interrupt. Where was she? Oh, right. There was a ball for nurses and the year was 2014… Haven says, yes, and her dear, dear friend Scott showed up right at the end and kissed her… in her underwear… again. Lucy thanks her and says, it’s so kind of Haven to remember that. Haven says she never forgets a Nurses Ball. Isn’t Lucy unforgettable? Doesn’t she look great? And you know what? You can look great too. She holds up the cream.

Nina says she’s so sorry to keep Ava waiting, but Ava says, it’s no problem. She had some business to take care of anyway. Nina kisses her on the cheek, and Ava says, what about her? Did she have a hotel emergency? Nina says, Ava knows how it is. One guest’s crisis is a hotelier’s whole day. Ava says she’s not familiar with that expression, and Nina says she hopes it never becomes one. Madison comes in and gives Nina a list of things she needs to deal with, and Nina thanks her. Madison leaves, and Ava says, Nina’s assistant is very diligent. In the fifteen minutes she was waiting, Madison must have come in and out of here three times. Nina says she thinks she was checking up on Ava, and Ava agrees. Nina says, she might be overcompensating, and Ava says, for what? Nina says she’s had a few unexpected visitors lately. Drew has gotten in the habit of just barging in unannounced whenever he wants to. He feels like he’s entitled to everything and has to wait for nothing, and when it comes to her… Ava says, the woman who sent him to prison where he almost died, and Nina thanks her for sharing that. Ava says she thinks somebody had to, and Nina says, which brings her to why she wanted to see Ava. Ava says, and here she thought Nina just missed her, and Nina says, of course (🍷) she does. She needs a progress report on her reconciliation with Sonny.

Carly tells Jason that Sonny did offer her a huge settlement, but all she wanted was the house. She thought she could take care of herself with her half of the hotel. He says, Diane told him how she lost it, and she says, her big investment with Aurora. She didn’t know it at the time, but it was 100% insider trading, but the only reason the SEC even paid attention was because Nina turned her and Drew in. He says, Diane told him that too, and she asks if Diane also told him that she could have saved herself and Drew by flipping on Sonny. He says, no, and she says, there wasn’t a formal offer, but Diane thinks the Feds would have made a deal because she had evidence against Sonny. He asks, what kind of evidence? and she says, proof that Sonny violated the National Security Act. He says, how did she get that? and she says, Michael.

John asks if he’s the bad guy here, but Anna tells him that she never said he was. He says, she just insinuated that he had it coming because he was in the vicinity of Sonny’s coffee warehouse, but she says she’s just suggesting the possibility that Sonny’s guards handled him because he violated their security perimeter. He says he didn’t violate anything; he was a block away. He was jumped by professionals. She says, he most likely was, and he says, if she agrees with him, why did she just… She says, a crime has been committed and she’s just trying to rule out possibilities. It’s part of a process called police work. He says, oh really? Could she spell that out for him? She says she’ll text him. Does he want some water? He says, yes, and she pours some for him. She asks what he was doing skulking around Sonny’s warehouse, and he says he was tailing Jason Morgan’s lawyer, Diane Miller. Does Anna think she’s clean? Anna says she doesn’t know. How many lawyers are clean? He says, touché, and she tells him, that being said, while most of her clients are disreputable, the woman herself is quite a professional. She’s a paragon of ethics, or at least skilled enough to make it appear so. He says, then what was she doing heading to Corinthos Coffee at that dangerous time of the night? and Anna says, Jason is part owner of the coffee company. He says, which makes it all the more likely an alliance is brewing between Jason and Sonny Corinthos.

Carly tells Jason, Michael and Josslyn were devastated over everything that happened with Sonny and Nina. Michael decided they were all better off if Sonny was in prison, and Jason knows Michael. He’s like Jason. When he sets his mind on something, he just doesn’t stop. Jason asks how Michael got evidence against Sonny, and she says, he hired a professional, and ex-soldier named Dex Heller. And Dex was able to record Sonny getting illegal weapons from a company called Pikeman. Dex gave Michael the footage and Michael gave it to her. He asks what she did with it, and she says she destroyed it. By then, Michael’s feelings toward his father had changed and Michael realized Sonny going to prison would tear the whole family apart. So they came up with a new plan. She and Michael were paying Dex to keep an eye on Sonny and report back to them if Sonny found himself in any kind of trouble. He says, so she was paying this guy to spy on Sonny, and she says, it was for his own good. He says he doesn’t think Sonny would see it that way, and she says, he did not when he found out.

Tracy comes into the solarium and says she didn’t know Gregory was here. He says he was talking to Lois. She excused herself and said she’d be back in a moment, but that was a while ago. Tracy says, she operates in a different time zone. Why was he talking to Lois anyway? He says, happenstance. He actually stopped by to talk to Brook. She says, in the afternoon? She’s working. He says he supposes when you have your afternoons free, you forget other people don’t. Anyway, it’s not urgent. He can call her later. She says, or he can give her the message and she’ll pass it along, and he says, very well. He just wanted to let Brook know that he won’t be bringing a plus one after all. She asks, what happened to Alexis? and he says, something came up. She had to cancel. She says she doesn’t think it’s much of a tragedy. Alexis and weddings don’t mix. Of course (🍷) she’s prejudiced ever since Alexis went runaway bride and left Ned at the altar. He says, if she doesn’t like Alexis, isn’t that a good thing that Alexis didn’t marry her son? She says, it’s not that she didn’t marry Ned. It’s how she didn’t marry Ned. But she had her reasons then and Tracy supposes she has her reasons now. He says, as a matter of fact, she does. He shouldn’t say anything. Tracy says, then he must, and he says, she has to promise not to… She says she won’t say a word, and he says, Alexis has to appear in Manhattan the morning after the wedding. She’s hoping to get her disbarment overturned. Tracy says, good for her, and he asks if she means that. She laughs and says she’s sure some part of her must, and he says, anyway, that’s why she can’t make the wedding, which means that he’ll be going stag.

Ava says, a progress report, huh? Should that be single or double spaced? Nina says, sorry, and Ava says, maybe she could email it to Nina. Her assistant can flag it in her inbox. Nina says, all right. She apologizes. Ava isn’t her assistant and doesn’t need to report to her, but she did say she would act as her advocate. Ava says, and she is, and Nina asks how things stand. Does Sonny miss her? Ava says, of course (🍷) Sonny misses her, and Nina asks if he said that. Ava says, he doesn’t have to. Whenever Nina’s name comes up, his mood gets dark, and he might fix himself a drink. Nina says, Sonny’s drinking again? and Ava says, not to excess. It’s just gone back to him fixing a scotch or two in the evenings. Nina says she feels so bad for him. He’s been so volatile. Ava says she doesn’t recommend lecturing him on the subject, and Nina says she didn’t mean to interrupt. Ava said Sonny doesn’t like hearing her name. Ava says, he asked her not to mention Nina at all unless it’s absolutely necessary. That proves he misses her, right? She’s still under his skin. That’s obvious. It’s progress. She’s sure of it. Nina says, Ava is a lot more sure than she is.

Lois brings Sasha to Home & Heart, and asks Brook and Maxie, how hard did the iceberg hit and is the ship still afloat? Brook says, see for herself, and they walk closer to the set. Lucy says she really thinks all her years as president and CEO of Coco Cosmetics… Haven asks if they can get a camera on the product, and Lucy says, it made her really be the driving, creative force that made Deception. Lois tells Sasha that she needs to get in there, and Brook says, it’s trending like crazy. Lois says, in a good way? and Brook says, Haven, yes. Scott, yes. Deception, meh. Lucy, you don’t want to know. Maxie says, sales are still really low, and Sasha undoes her ponytail and says she’s on it. Haven asks how Lucy would describe the cream, and Lucy says, on their Deception website. That’s how. She bets the viewers don’t remember, she wrote not just one tell-all book, but two. They probably all purchased A Travel Guide to Port Charles, but who remembers Left for Dead? Sasha says she remembers Left for Dead, and Haven says, look who it is, viewers. Sasha Corbin, the former Face of Deception. Sasha waves at the camera, and Lucy says, now she’s really not the face of anything. By the way, what is she wearing? Sasha says, these are her work clothes now. She’s a stable hand and she loves it, but it’s a lot of hard work and it doesn’t really afford an opportunity to feel pretty. Haven says, this is her not pretty? Look at her. Isn’t she gorgeous? Sasha thanks her and says, that’s so sweet. She thanks Lucy and says she’s got it, but Lucy says, no, she doesn’t. She’s not quite done. Scotty says he thinks she’s got it, but Lucy says she’s not. She has so many more things to say. Scotty says he thinks Sasha could handle it, and Haven says, it’s always such an experience with Lucy. Scotty steers Lucy offstage, and Haven says, if she may ask, Sasha’s makeup… Sasha says she’s not really wearing any, and Haven says she hates her. Sasha says, it does make it a lot easier for her to show Haven, and the audience at home, what Deception’s Deceptor Nourishing Moisturizer can do. Haven says, take it away, honey.

Anna says, the last thing Sonny wants is anything to do with Jason, and John asks where she’s getting that information. She says, Sonny. He came here to her office, trying to persuade her to file charges against Jason. John says, for what? and Anna says, for whatever part he played in the attack on the docks. Sonny conveniently forgot, Jason’s the reason his son is alive. So John said these attackers of his were surprised. What happened? He says, the two guys who jumped him ran off when Carly Spencer pulled up in her car.

Ava says she doesn’t understand where this skepticism is coming from. Nina trusts her, doesn’t she? Nina says, of course (🍷) she trusts Ava. Ava is her best friend. It’s just that if Ava can’t even mention her name to Sonny, how does Ava know he’s even open to the idea of saving their relationship? Ava says, Nina is still his wife for one thing, but Nina says, only because she hasn’t signed a sheet of paper. Ava says, right. And is Sonny pressuring her? Nina knows how insistent he can be; how he hates loose ends. Is Sonny standing over her with a pen, demanding she sign the divorce papers? Nina says, no, and Ava says, exactly. This is going to take time and she knows it’s agonizing for Nina. Nina says, an understatement, and Ava says, Nina’s got to be patient. She can’t rush this. She has to wait for just the right moment, when Sonny realizes how much he wants Nina back, and then she strikes. Nina says, so what, if any, difference does Ava think it would make if she sells her half of the hotel to Jason Morgan? and Ava asks where this is coming from. Nina says she had a little visit from Diane Miller, and she proposed the sale, and Ava says she thought Nina liked owning the hotel. Nina says she does. It’s just that the novelty has worn off. Ava says, more fun running it as a prize she took from Carly than a day job, and Nina says, so does Ava think if she sold her half of the hotel to Sonny’s best friend, she’d win some points.

Carly tells Jason, it was crazy. Sonny was going to kill Dex, so she had to tell him everything. He was furious. And betrayed. He disowned Michael the same way he disowned the two of them. She’s a traitor. Jason’s a traitor. None of it matters. Nothing they’ve done, none of the sacrifices they made. They don’t count for anything? Jason says, they count with him. Everything Carly has been through, everything she’s done, Sonny might not be grateful, but he is. She hugs him.

Tracy tells Gregory not to worry about a thing. She’ll pass along to Brook that he’s no longer bringing a plus one. He says he hopes it doesn’t mess up the seating too badly. He knows how much care and planning… She says, stop. He’s the father of the groom. He’s officiating the wedding. He’ll take his rightful place at the family table next to her. He thanks her and says he’d like that very much.

Lucy asks Maxie, what is Sasha doing here? She’s not with the company anymore. She’s not even spokes-modeling anymore. Why, pray tell, is she dressed like an escapee from Mayberry? Maxie thanks her for stepping in until reinforcements got here, and Lucy says, don’t do that to her. Don’t handle her. Maxie says she’s not handling Lucy. She was put in an impossible situation and handled it the way only Lucy Coe would. Lucy says, thanks a lot. Since she put it that way. Her phone starts to ding, and she says she’s blowing up. This phone is blowing up. She’s blowing up!

Brook says, Lois is a superhero, and Lois says she knows. Brook says she doesn’t know what they would have done if she hadn’t gotten Sasha here, and Lois says she did, so they’ll never have to find out. It’s a really nice set-up they’ve got here. She’s used to concert lighting, which is fabulous of course (🍷), but this is elegant in its own way, like Brook.

Haven says, that’s all they have time for today. She thanks Sasha and says, it’s great having her back. Sasha thanks her and says, it was great being here. The producer says, and we’re out, and Haven tells Sasha that she saved the show. She just wants to say thank you. Sasha says, her friends needed her, and Haven says, they’re very lucky to have her. And if she may say so, for whatever it’s worth (🍷), she wishes she’d been kinder. Sasha asks if that’s an apology, and Haven says, her attorneys advised her not to apologize in case Sasha sues them, but yes. She apologizes and hopes Sasha will come back.

Brook says, socials look great. People have never loved Sasha more. Maxie says, Deception has had a roller coaster of a day. All time low to almost all time high. They didn’t sell out, but she thinks they will by the time they leave the building. Brook says, not a bad day, and Lois says, not bad at all, and hugs her.

Lucy tells Scotty that she’s actually trending. Her public has never loved her more.

Nina says she’ll admit to Ava, but not anyone else, that running the hotel is a lot more work than she wanted, and it’s not really work she enjoys. So she’s pretty sure Jason is going to buy the hotel and turn around and give it to Carly. At the very least, that will annoy Drew, and at the very best, humiliate him. Ava says, payback for firing her, and Nina says, among other things. If she can sell the hotel to Sonny’s best friend, it might earn her half a point with him. Ava says, Sonny and Jason were closer than brothers. From what she’s seen, Sonny would be deeply moved if Nina made a deal with him. Nina says, she thinks so, but Ava says she knows so.

John says he has no idea what Carly was doing there. He was too distracted by the beating to ask. Anna says, she was probably going to visit Jason, and John says, it seems like he hasn’t had any trouble settling back into his old life. She says she distinctly remembers him telling Jason to do exactly that, to stay in Port Charles and wait for Pikeman to take him out. There’s a term for that – bait. He says, she sounds disapproving, but she says, it’s just a reminder of why Jason originally came back to town. It was as half of a sniper team, and his partner had a handgun that fired armor piercing rounds. So Jason knows firsthand what Pikeman is capable of. Every day he’s walking the streets, knowing they’re coming for him, and when they do, it’s going to be a hell of a lot worse than being jumped by a couple of thugs. So she’s just saying, why doesn’t he back off and give the man a little credit?

Jason says he doesn’t know what’s wrong with Sonny, but Carly says, maybe nothing’s wrong with Sonny. Maybe this is who he really is. Sonny doesn’t give a damn about anybody else. Why should they give a damn about him? Don’t tell her it’s because of the kids. She’s not going to set a bad example for Donna by letting Sonny walk all over her. He says, good, and she says, he’s not going to ask her to forgive Sonny? but he says, it’s up to her. She asks if Jason is going to forgive him, and Jason says, for now, but it’s possible Sonny could push him too far. Considering how he’s treating Carly, he’s getting pretty close. She says she misses who Sonny used to be, and she misses how they all were together. She misses the Sonny she used to love and just wishes there was a way they could reach him. He says, they can’t force Sonny to trust them or accept their help. All they can do is live their lives right now and be there if he needs him. She says, or they could turn their backs on him and let him drown… Jason would never do that, and she wouldn’t do that either. He thanks her, and she says, sometimes she thinks about how it would have been so much better if she never would have loved Sonny and stayed in love with Jason. He says he likes them the way they are, and she says she does too.

Tomorrow, Maxie tells Felicia, if she lets him in again, how does she know nothing bad will happen; Brick asks if Jordan can come out and play; Gregory asks if there’s a problem; and Laura says, it’s not her call to make, but she does know whose call it is.

Below Deck

Barbie wails to her mom that she ruined the day for everyone, and her mom says she understands, but Barbie needs to change her attitude. She’s not a quitter. She’s a good employee who does her job. Fraser tells Max that he’s done, and Max says, Barbie is in the bathroom crying on the phone. Xandi says, God bless, which I assume is a variation of bless your heart. In her interview, Xandi says, there’s been a lot of drama and Barbie had her hand in most of it since she got on the boat. We flash back to some of that, and Xandi says, if she doesn’t want to be here, no one is forcing her. Barbie whines to Kyle that she’s not herself anymore, and he tells her to stop being someone she’s not. Barbie says she’s a bad bitch and never quit in her life.

The crew gets ready for dinner and Ben gets handsy with Paris. In Sunny’s interview, she says she feels like she’s been dating Ben since their first crew night out. He’s playing into temptation and it’s disrespectful to her. It’s not cool and he just looks like an a-hole. She tells Dylan, it’s disgusting behavior, and there isn’t even tequila (yet). They sit down for dinner, and Anthony raises his glass to the family, to the crew. Barbie says she apologizes for the sh*t that was going on today. There’s been a lot of drama with her and Fraser, and they have to figure it out. She’s sorry it affected everyone. Xandi says, that’s the worst toast ever, and in Ben’s interview, he says, it should have been a private conversation. In Kyle’s interview, he thinks it’s passive/aggressive, and in Paris’s interview, she says, this is a sh*t show. Ben asks for Paris’s IG and Sunny switches seats to get away from Ben. In Ben’s interview, he says he has no idea what’s going on. Why is he in a situation like this again? Maybe he’s really stupid and some kind of yacht savant. Fraser tells Xandi, tomorrow they’re going to be three stews again. Sunny talks to Ben on the side, and he says he wants to spend more time with her, but she says she feels disrespected in many ways. When someone else touches someone’s waist and ass in front of her and everyone, it’s not okay. Ben asks what she wants. What are they? She says, it doesn’t have to be titled for him to respect the fact they’re sleeping together. He says he likes her, and she asks if they’re an item. He says, they’re not dating, but becoming an item. I have no idea what that means, and Sunny asks if he’s saying their like for each other is going down the drain and they’re just sleeping together, and Ben says, maybe by the end of the season they’ll be dating. For reasons I can’t fathom, Sunny says she can live with that, but in her interview, she says, the conversation was so full of sh*t. Ben was all over Paris, and she’s not the only one seeing it. They get back to the boat and head straight to bed. Fraser says, 10 o’clock. Are we this fun? Good for us, actually. In Sunny’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to get hurt, and in Paris’s interview, she says, flirting usually goes over her head and she doesn’t want to be that girl. She keeps forgetting boys just want to f*** 24/7. Barbie says she’s totally getting fired.

The next morning, Fraser meets the captain on the bridge. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s been honest with the captain and wants to continue that. He tells Captain Kerry that his gut feeling is that Barbie needs to be gone. She’s causing that much aggravation for the team. She lacks respect and has done everything to undermine his authority. Her behavior is past its sell-by date. Insubordination is a fire-able offense.

Fraser tells Captain Kerry that Barbie made a speech at the table yesterday, airing their dirty laundry, and the captain says, they’ll need to find someone first. They’re mixing business with personal issues, and for Barbie to bring it up on their day off, he took it as being insulting. Fraser took it personally, but he has to separate that from business. Three days ago, Fraser said she was doing a good job, now she’s impossible to work with. Being chief stew isn’t just about hiring and firing. Fraser says, what the captain sees isn’t what they’re getting, but Captain Kerry says, strength is not always acting on the power we have. Fraser says, good point (it is!), and the captain tells him to have a talk with Barbie. Try his best to remove the emotions. In the captain’s interview, he says he gets the feeling that Fraser is pushing his own agenda. That’s the problem with a leadership role when you let emotions take over. He can help Fraser to be a good stew, but he’s got to let go of the emotions. Paris tells Xandi that she loves being in laundry. She feels like she’s ironing out the issues in her life. In Xandi’s interview, she says, Paris is living proof prayers work. She’s an actual stew and she’s funny. Sunny tells Ben that she’s confused by their conversation. She’s not asking for a ring, but she’s not open to f***ing around with other people. Ben says, they’re on the same page (highly doubtful), and she says, if they are, it sets the tone better. Captain Kerry calls Barbie to meet near the aft deck and tells the crew that he’s heading off the boat. Paris says, if pillows could talk, and Fraser says he doesn’t want to know. I’m in total agreement.

The captain sits with Barbie at a picnic table, and he says, she and Fraser have a personality conflict, like nobody knew. Barbie says, it’s an honor to work under Fraser, but they clash. She’s never had a chief stew and was always a solo stew, so that’s another struggle. Captain Kerry says, it’s the emotions. Fraser respects her work. She can’t fix what he does, but she can fix the way she sees things. Explain that she’s struggling and doing her best. If that doesn’t work, talk to him. She says she thinks she and Fraser have to sit down and talk. Fraser tells Xandi that the captain doesn’t want to get rid of Barbie, and Captain Kerry asks Fraser for a talk. Lots of talking and talking about talk going on. They sit at the picnic table, and the captain says, Barbie wants to stay and do a great job. She respects Fraser, but understands her delivery is not great. Listen to what she says, and process before he responds. Fraser sits with Barbie, and she says she’s sad that yesterday ended the way it did. She actually admires him and knows she’s been a nightmare. Fraser says, they had harmony after Cat left. Barbie is the person he needed and needs. He wants her to be there. If she puts the effort in, he thinks there’s good stuff ahead. Barbie suggests they start over. Don’t fire her. He says he’ll try not to. Ben tells Kyle that he needs someone he can trust to be his eyes ears when he’s not here. Dylan is knowledgeable, but doesn’t know the boat well. Sunny doesn’t have as much experience, but she wants to improve and has initiative. However, if he makes Sunny lead deckhand, the crew is going to think it’s because they’re sleeping together. In his interview, Ben says he’s going to make either Dylan or Sunny will be pissed. He’s between a rock and a hard place again. This guy is so full of sh*t.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting. The primary is Carmen who owns a PR management company in Washington DC that caters to athletes. She and her husband Ray wish to be called Queen and King while on the yacht. Carmen dislikes pork and guest Tiphanie is not a fan of seafood. Anthony reads that they want a beach picnic and a movie premiere night where they walk the red carpet. Ugh. This screams nouveau riche. The only red carpet I’d want to walk would be an actual red carpet that I was entitled to walk, not some made up nonsense. They read that guest Brandon is not allergic to anything. Just gay and picky. Fraser calls him a loser. Captain Kerry predicts they’ll be high maintenance, so make sure their departments are impeccable. In Anthony’s interview, he says he feels like he’s constantly failing. We flash back to Anthony floundering and being disorganized, and he says, it’s hard to come back when he feels not good enough.

The boat is readied, and provisions come in. Ben tells Captain Kerry that he’s ready to appoint a lead deckhand. He based his choice on character and knowledge of the boat. He’s appointing Sunny. The captain says, excellent. He’s very happy and agrees she’s the right person. She’s already doing it. In Ben’s interview, he says he and Sunny are good at separating work and pleasure, and he thinks the job comes first. Captain Kerry tells him to be kind with Dylan and give him a moment to process. Paris makes towel swans, and in her interview, she says she used to make turkeys. People are weird. Maybe they like bestiality in the bedroom. Yacht service calls Captain Kerry and says, guest Brandon missed his flight and will arrive at 3. He says, give him a yell when Brandon gets there, and they’ll meet him at the closest dock. Ben tells the deckhands that he’s decided to give one of them more responsibility. We flash back to Ben being dubbed lead deckhand with the golden deck brush, and he says he’s going to continue the tradition. The next lead deckhand is Sunny. In Sunny’s interview, she says, wow. It’s gratifying to know she’s doing a good job. She pats her own shoulder and says, kudos. Ben dubs her with the golden brush and in Dylan’s interview, he says he thought it was a joke, but it’s not April 1^st. He realized Ben is serious and doesn’t want to be an a-hole. He doesn’t want to say it right on deck, because everyone is going to think he’s a d*ck. He has a d*ck, but he’s not being a d*ck. In Sunny’s interview, she says she doesn’t want people to think she slept with her boss. I think it’s kind of too late for that.

The guests arrive and the primaries receive crowns. In Fraser’s interview, he says, calling them king and queen is kind of an insult to the monarchy. But the monarchy isn’t paying him, so he’ll do it. He gives them the tour, and in his interview, Dylan says he’s going to do his best regardless of the situation with Sunny. Sunny asks him advice. How is she supposed to lead when she’s asking the lower deckhands for advice? Does he need to have sex with the bosun? If he had a vagina, he wouldn’t be in this situation, and it bothers him. This guy is a d*ck. He also just got here, so why would he be given the promotion?

Dylan congratulates Sunny, no doubt while gritting his teeth, and the yacht pulls out of the slip. Primary Ray says, land, hoe, which is actually kind of funny. Another guest says, when the drinks start flowing, we start hoeing. The yacht anchors, and Anthony tells Fraser that lunch is going to be Mexican. Ben rubs Sunny’s neck as Dylan watches, his blood boiling. Captain Kerry gets a message for guest Brandon to be picked up, and Kyle tells Ben that Dylan isn’t happy. Ben says he’s giving Dylan space, and Kyle says he thinks Ben made the right decision. Lunch is served, but it’s mahi-mahi, and guest Tiphanie doesn’t eat fish. In his interview, Anthony says, f***, and makes her a Ceasar salad. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he wonders how many times he told Anthony to look at the preference sheets and make sure he doesn’t do what he did last time. If Anthony keeps f***ing up, he’ll have to make a change.

Halifax Harbour. Barbie and Ben pick up Brandon, while the other guests ride around on the jet skis. Brandon arrives and one of the guests says, the party has arrived. Fraser mumbles, he seems insufferable, and in his interview, he says, Barbie says she wants to turn over a new leaf and be better. He’s going to put her on housekeeping. He wants her to be well-rounded and wants to see Paris on service. He should be able to count on his stews to do anything. The primaries are getting busy and leave the cabin blinds open. I’m not sure how they’re watching without being seen, but the deckhands watch them going at it. In Sunny’s interview, she wonders if they’re into voyeurism. Why keep the blinds open? The guests get ready for dinner, and Dylan whines to Barbie that he’s had two years commercial experience, and she tells him, be a man about it. In Barbie’s interview, she says, Sunny is her girl, but personally, she’s Team Dylan. She’s in a weirder position being second stew when Xandi is second stew. So she’s more on Dylan’s side because she feels Dylan’s pain. Tuna ceviche is served, with Tiphanie getting mac and cheese, the others coveting her dish. Fraser tells Paris, these guests like Burger King and McDonald’s. They’re not going to like ceviche. In his interview, Fraser says, Anthony’s food is brilliant. Anthony’s got it, but he doesn’t know if Anthony can pull it out at this stage. He tells Anthony that the guests have no adventure. The next course is basically fancy chicken salad, which you’d think they’d like, but guest Clifton says, this is bullsh*t. Dylan tells Paris that he’s pissed and feels like he got a slap in the face. She tells him to hug the banana downstairs. I assume she means the floatie, but it’s unclear. Dylan pretty much tells anyone who will listen how Ben did him dirty. Brandon and Ray start to argue, and from what I can grasp it’s about Brandon inviting Ray to a drag show without preparing him in advance that it was a gay thing. Apparently, Ray needs a heads up about what he’s walking into. Was it a mine field drag show? In Fraser’s interview, he says, Brandon is upset because… He doesn’t know and doesn’t care. In Barbie’s interview, she says she lives for guest drama, but this is dark, and in Paris’s interview, she says, this is comedy gold. Carmen says, bon appetitty, and I’m thinking maybe this group should have gone to that place in Florida where the circus people live or something.

Brandon leaves the table, and loudly explains why Ray is wrong to a couple of guests who follow him. Anthony says, this is the probably the worst tasting of his life, and at the table, Ray says he’s got to feel safe. Xandi tells Fraser that Barbie has a different mindset, and Fraser says that’s what he wants from her. He thanks Xandi for her coaching and they high-five. Paris tells Ben that Dylan thinks he gave Sunny lead deckhand because they’re banging. He’s got his panties 100% wrapped around his ball sack. In Ben’s interview, he says, if Dylan is upset, Dylan should talk to him. It’s not okay for him to talk to the crew. We flash back to Ben doing the exact same thing on several occasions, and he says he feels dumber when he’s around Dylan and it’s pissing him the f*** off. Fraser and Kyle hug, and Barbie tells Kyle to stop hugging her man.

Meanwhile, Tiphanie tells Brandon it’s good to get a different perspective, and Brandon says, it’s not a different perspective. Ben tells Dylan that it wasn’t cool of him to gripe to the crew, and they’ll chat tomorrow. In Dylan’s interview, he says, for f***’s sake. Ben is offended that he’s offended by Ben’s sh*t decision. He guesses he can’t tell anyone anything. Hmm… Maybe he’s just really stupid, since what Ben is not offended by, but annoyed by, is him talking to the crew instead of putting on his big boy pants and talking to Ben. Brandon continues his tirade in the hallway, and Tiphanie says, the only way to change is to inform and educate. Paris tells Fraser, lava cake is a great Band-Aid and will help everyone. Agreed. In his interview, Fraser says he’s beyond ready for this sh*tshow to be over. The chef doesn’t know where he is or where anything is. He thinks Anthony realizes it’s too much. It seems as though he’s giving up. Anthony digs around for a scooper and says, it’s really not good. Brandon goes back to the table and Ray says he understands where Brandon is coming from. Fraser says, something needs to change or they won’t make it until the end of the trip. Paris says, they need dessert, and Fraser says, he needs Anthony to focus, and Anthony says, it’s a hot mess.

Next time, Ben talks to Dylan; primary Carmen wants to know why there’s only regular bacon; and Captain Kerry has a talk with Anthony.

💭 I just remembered, Anthony is dyslexic and never told anyone. At least as far as we’ve seen. I would never blame anyone for any condition they have, but if he keeps it a secret when it’s causing a problem, that’s on him. The captain and crew would totally work with him. It’s actually very sad, since he’s such a nice guy and not moody, which isn’t always the case with the chefs.

🪢 At the End Of My Silly String…

Come back if you dare tomorrow for soap and VanderFolly. Until then, stay safe, stay not taking up the entire sidewalk if you’re with a group, and stay remembering, in a crisis, lava cake is a great Band-Aid and will help everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz72R_IMKOc

Apr12

April 11, 2024 – Chase Changes the Honeymoon Plans, Blame Game, VanderMoments, Shading Shannon, Dead Talk, Pet (!) Diversity & Normally

Posted on April 12, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly wakes up in the chair and looks over at John sleeping on the sofa.

Brook says, what if they made a mistake? but Lois says, they didn’t. Brook says, what if the style’s all wrong? but Lois says, it won’t be. Brook says, what if the lace is like a gross shade of ivory? but Lois says, that’s never going to happen. Brook says, what if they ruined Lila’s dress for nothing? and Lois says, Lila’s dress was already ruined. Unsalvageable, said the seamstress, except for the best part, which they’re putting to perfect use. So what is she really afraid of? Brook says, what if she doesn’t like it? and Lois says, if she doesn’t like her wedding dress, they’ll scrap it and find her something she loves. Because there’s nothing more important than her happiness on her wedding day. Capisce? Brook says, capisce, and Sandrine walks in with an assistant carrying a garment bag. She says, ladies, are you ready? The wedding gown of your dreams.

Curtis walks slowing into Drew’s office, and Drew says, look at him. He can’t believe this progress. It’s incredible. Curtis says he firmly believes if you do the work, you can achieve anything, and Drew says he was in Greenland with Curtis, so he’s not going to underestimate him, but walking this soon after surgery is next level. Curtis thanks him, and Drew says, and he can take a compliment. Curtis says, Trina’s been on him about absorbing good energy. It sounds a little woo-woo to him, but he’s trying. Drew says he’s happy for Curtis, and Curtis says, don’t keep him in suspense. Why is he here? Michael walks in and says, what’s going on? Drew says, let the meeting of the minds commence.

Alexis says, Nina did not just say that, and Nina asks if she denies it. Alexis says, that she’s being mean to Nina’s precious gossip slinger? Are they in second grade? Nina says, DeWitt is not just The Invader’s society columnist, and Alexis says, ugh, that title. Nina says, he got a promotion. He is now associate publisher. Alexis says she knows that. Nina reminds her of that all the time. How could she possibly forget that Nina has hired someone so incompetent? Nina asks, says who? and Alexis tells her, says me. And it’s not DeWitt’s fault that he’s going to make an ass of himself. That honor belongs to Nina.

TJ meets Marshall at a park bench, hands him a coffee, and says, good morning. Marshall says, and what a beautiful morning it is, and TJ says he has egg sandwiches too, handing Mashall a bag. Marshall says, that’s very thoughtful of him. Not that he wasn’t thrilled to get TJ’s call, but since he has the morning off, why isn’t he spending it with Molly? TJ says he considered it, but he knew how the conversation would go. Marshall asks, how’s that? TJ says, she’d thank him for wanting them to do something together, then she’d say she has an arraignment in five minutes, but she’ll make it up to him tonight. Then that would turn into her trying too hard and both of them faking it through whatever she thought of, or even worse, she stays late at the office to avoid the situation altogether. Marshall asks who they’re talking about here, because that doesn’t sound anything like TJ and Molly.

At the MetroCourt, Anna thanks Valentin for meeting her and apologizes for it being so last minute. He says, lucky for her, he had no breakfast plans, and they sit down. He says he ordered her tea and pours her some. She thanks him for being thoughtful, and he says, she called, and he came. What’s this about? She wonders if he can help her with a case, and he says he’ll always help her. What’s the case? She says, Pikeman.

Brook says she doesn’t know what she was so afraid of. The dress is perfection. Lois says, the only thing more beautiful than that dress was her in it, and Brook asks if she’s crying again. Lois says, get used to it. Her baby girl is getting married in the most magical wedding gown. Brook says she doesn’t know how Sandrine did it, but she really captured the spirit of Lila’s dress to a T. Lois says, it feels like she channeled Lila, all of her kindness and her warmth and her acceptance and her generosity, because that’s who Lila was. Brook says, Lois is so lucky she got to wear Lila’s gown, and Lois says, Brook gets to be a part of that too. Brook says, in the tiniest way, but Lois says, no. In her own way. That’s what makes it so special. Brook gets to have a piece of Lila while still being who she is. Beautiful, amazing, incredible her. Brook thanks Lois for doing this with her, and Lois says, is she kidding? Is she insane? She would have busted that door down if she hadn’t gotten an invite. Brook says, then she’s glad Lois did, and Lois says she’s so happy for Brook. And she’s happy for Chase. She’s happy for all of them really. Brook says she’s happy for them too, and they hug.

Alexis says, why doesn’t Nina just admit it. Nina hired DeWitt to piss her off. Nina says she actually does think he’s an asset, and Alexis says, and the fact he’s a colossal thorn in her side? Nina says, that’s just a perk, no doubt about it. Alexis asks, why? and Nina says, why does she enjoy steam shooting out of Alexis’s ears? Alexis says, why is she doing this? She doesn’t even work here anymore. Nina says, that’s exactly why she needed a replacement, but Alexis says, Nina didn’t need a replacement. Alexis was doing just fine and would do even better if Nina would stop breathing down her neck. Nina asks if Alexis wants people to read her publication, and Alexis asks, what kind of question is that? Everything was fine before Nina got here. Nina says, but is it better since she brought DeWitt on? Be honest about that. It is, because there’s a measurable rise in website traffic. Alexis says, and she thinks that’s because there’s a gossip column? and Nina says, yes, partially. Alexis has to court their readers. She has to give them something delicious and irresistible, so they stick around for the hard news. What she can’t do is decide what’s good for them and ram it down their throats. You have to woo them. Alexis says, what if she just quits? and Nina says, there’s the door.

Michael says, it’s good to see Curtis back on his feet, and Curtis says, it’s good to be back. He hears Jason was exonerated. Michael says, yeah. They’re all relieved about that. Curtis says, when Jason was suspected of taking shots at Sonny, he thought maybe there was a chance he tried before last summer at the MetroCourt. It’s nice to know Jason didn’t put him in that wheelchair. Drew says, he didn’t stay in that wheelchair very long though, did he? and Curtis says, no. He was lucky. He had experimental surgery and it worked. Drew says, come on. The surgery just gave him a chance to walk again. Curtis is the one who made that a reality. All the rehabs, learning how to walk again… Is Curtis kidding him? He can’t imagine what that was like for Curtis. Curtis has all his respect for making it through that and getting to the other side. Curtis thanks him and says he doubts Drew brought them here to compliment him on walking again. Why are they here?

Carly asks how John is feeling, and he says, sore. She says she bets, and he says, and very tired. She says, really? He didn’t sleep well? He says, it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep with her waking him up every couple of hours. She says she’s sorry. Should she have let him monitor his own signs of concussion? He says, is he, by the way, concussed? and she says, no. He’s bruised and bloody, but somehow, his head came out unscathed. He asks if that’s her professional opinion as his almost nurse, and she asks if he’s going to start arguing with her this early in the morning. He says he already knows it won’t do any good.

Sandrine says, Lois might surprise Brook, but Brook says, nothing her mother does surprises her. She’s well-aware of her mother’s flair, shall they say, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Lois comes in, and Sandrine tells Brook, like she said. Wearing a midi dress with a black lace overlay and a short white jacket along with pearls, Lois says, ta-da. Brook says, wow… ma… that’s… Lois says, she hates it?

Alexis tells Nina that she always says that – there’s the door – but they both know Nina needs her. Nina says, agreed. And she’s been agreeing with Alexis the whole time. Her point is, she thinks the paper would benefit if they just had DeWitt’s expertise and experience. Alexis says, no, and Nina says, that’s it. Just no. Alexis says she will not sit by and let The Invader be turned back into a tabloid, and Nina says, then don’t let it. Alexis says she’s trying, but Nina is making it very difficult. A messenger comes to the door and says he just needs a signature from Alexis. Alexis signs the form, and Nina says, you know what it’s going to say on Alexis’s tombstone? Alexis says, death by frustration? and thanks the messenger. He leaves, and Nina says, no. It’s going to say, Alexis Davis, didn’t play well with others. Alexis says, and now they’re back to the schoolyard, and Nina says, because Alexis refuses to grow up. DeWitt stays. End of discussion. She leaves, and Molly walks in. Alexis says she hates that woman, and Molly tells her, take a breath. Alexis says, how? She sucked all the air out of the room. Molly says, professional differences? and Alexis tells her, you could say that. She invites Molly in and says, tell her something wonderful that has nothing to do with this publication. Molly says she would, but she can’t. The Invader is actually why she’s here. Alexis puts her head on the desk.

TJ asks if Marshall has ever looked back at a decision and known he should have gone with his gut, and Marshall says, too many times. TJ says, when Molly pitched the idea of Kristina being both their surrogate and egg donor, his instincts were screaming, this is the wrong move. For a million reasons, but the most glaring being that Kristina’s too close. There’s no finish line. There’s no cutting ties at the end. Why? Because there couldn’t be. She’s Molly’s sister. Marshall says, and since Molly couldn’t go forward without his buy-in, that was TJ’s moment to shut it down. TJ says he should have explained why he was against it, calmly and unequivocally, before anything got too far. Instead, he went with the short-term gain of giving Molly what she wanted. Marshall says, some would call that being supportive, but TJ says he calls that being a coward. She was so wrecked. She was utterly devastated that she couldn’t get pregnant. So when she pitched the idea, he knew that for Molly, the closest thing she could have to carrying her own baby was for her sister to have it for her.

Anna tells Valentin that she and Dante were ambushed on the docks by Roman Hume. He worked for Pikeman. It’s just so strange. All roads seem to lead back to this one, ultra secretive organization that’s run by a ghost. He says, a ghost? and she says, Pikeman’s ties to the WSB are clear, but no one seems to know who’s at the top of the pyramid. So she needs information. She was hoping maybe he could provide it for her. He says, Pikeman? and she says, he was working for them as recently as last summer. He says, as an intermediary, a glorified messenger, and she asks how that job came about. He says he did some contract work for them back in the 90s, and they felt comfortable asking him to introduce them to Sonny, but whether Sonny and Pikeman did any work together after that was none of his concern. She says, okay. Maybe she can pick his brain about something else. Or someone. He asks, who? and she says, Jack Brennan.

Lois asks, what’s wrong with it? and Brook says, absolutely nothing. Lois says, well, something, but Brook says, the dress is lovely. It’s classy and elegant and tasteful… Lois says she feels a but coming, and Brook says, no buts. It’s just not really Lois’s style. Lois says, it’s just and but are exactly the same thing, and Brook asks if Lois thinks that’s her style. Lois says, to go out on a Saturday night? No, but she was under the impression that what you wear to your daughter’s wedding isn’t what you wear to go clubbing. They’re two completely different things. Brook says, it doesn’t have to be this different. What kind of nails would she even do with that? Lois says she was thinking maybe just clear, and Brook says, what? Lois says she’s the mother of the bride. She’s supposed to be understated. Brook says, there’s no supposed to be here. This isn’t a royal wedding. There areno standards she has to live up to. Brook just wants her to wear what she wants to wear. Something that makes her feel like her. Lois says, this definitely doesn’t feel like her, and Brook says she didn’t think so. Back to the drawing board. Lois tells Sandrine, let’s pull some colors, some swatches… Maybe show some skin this time. You know what? Maybe a plunging neckline. Brook says, let’s not get carried away, when Chase walks in. He asks if he missed it, and Brook says, missed what? What is he doing here? Sandrine says, there’s been a special order for the bride-to-be, and Brook asks what they’re up to. Sandrine says she was commissioned to design a dress for Brook’s honeymoon, and Brook asks if Chase really thinks that’s necessary. He says, very, and Sandrine takes out a beautiful black cocktail dress. Brook says, it’s gorgeous, and Chase asks if she likes it. Brook says she’s obsessed with it, but it’s long sleeves. Doesn’t he think she’ll be a little warm in Palm Beach? He says, they’re not going to Palm Beach.

Molly says, The Invader ran a piece on the DA’s office being opposed to the overturning of Heather Webber’s conviction, her multiple convictions of assault and homicide going back nearly twenty years. Alexis says, that would be with the metallosis diagnosis. Yes. She signed off on that. Molly says, then she knows the article cited an unnamed source, and Alexis says, yes. Molly says, mom, and Alexis says, what? Molly says, everybody at the DA’s office assumes that source is her. Alexis says, it isn’t, and Molly says, Alexis knows that, and she knows that, but her colleagues, specifically DA Scorpio, do not know that. Alexis asks what Molly wants her to do about it. The story checked out. Molly says she wants Alexis to help her prove that she’s not the one who broke confidentiality and discussed the case with a reporter, and Alexis asks how exactly Molly wants her to do that. Molly says, tell her who did.

Marshall asks if Molly knows TJ has misgivings about Kristina being the surrogate, and TJ tells him that he wouldn’t say it exactly like that, but yeah. Molly has her worries too. He thinks that’s the problem, because whenever he tells her his concerns… Marshall says, about what, besides the being too close part? and TJ says he just doesn’t think Kristina is taking the best care of herself. (Huh?) She’s out late, she’s not avoiding stress, plus the small fact that she’s out with her dad, who’s getting shot at on the regular. Marshall says, points taken. So when he brings all these things up to Molly… TJ says, she takes the position of defending Kristina, even though he knows they share the same concerns. That’s why they avoid the topic altogether. He just feels like, during this time, he and Molly should be closer together, but he just feels more and more distant from her. Marshall says, and what about Kristina? Has their relationship been affected? TJ says, how can it not be? Any time he shares a worry he has with her, she accuses him of overreacting. It’s as if Kristina is having the baby and she’s going to let them know when it’s here. He sounds ungrateful, doesn’t he? Marshall says, no. He sounds human. TJ tells him, that’s what mom said. Marshall says, smart woman, your mother.

Drew says he’s been doing some research and Floodgate Consultancy Group says, the wellness and fitness space is booming out there. They’re all across the country, but especially in the high-end areas, with both residential and urban people spending so much money not only to look good, but to feel good. Really laying the foundation for health, wellness, and longevity. Michael says he read that report too. 40 is the new 25, and with the right fitness regimen and the right products, you, too, can achieve it. Drew says, so thoughts? and Michael says he thinks it’s a good time for Aurora to diversify. Crimson and print media is still a front burner for them, but it is drying up. They need to find alternative revenue streams. He thinks dipping in to an expanding market makes sense. Curtis says, an expanding market like health and wellness, and Drew says, which is where Curtis comes in.

On the phone, Carly says she just ordered toast and eggs. She doesn’t understand what’s taking so long. John comes in, wearing only a towel, and Carly says she’ll hold. She tells John that she bets the shower felt amazing. He says, it did, and she says, it’s amazing what hot water can do, but he says, not so hot really. Carly tells the kitchen that she’s still holding, and looks at John. He says, the water never got too warm, and she says, he’s got to be kidding her. Back on the phone, she says, she’s here. She’s still here… No. She’s pretty sure there’s no food in her hotel room… What? They left the food outside the door, without knocking…?… Okay. She hangs up and says, they’ve got to be kidding her. No hot water, shoddy room service… This hotel is definitely going downhill. She opens the door just as Nina is walking by, and Nina says, oh. Good morning to you. She looks at John standing behind Carly in the towel.

Valentin tells Anna, what he remembers about Jack Brennan is, his rapid rise to director of the WSB was followed by a spectacular fall. He singlehandedly orchestrated Frisco Jones’ ouster and a year later, he was out himself. She says, he knows Jack is in Pentenville, right? and he says, yeah, thanks to her. She says, in part. She went to visit him the other day. Valentin asks, why? and she says, curiosity? Valentin hasn’t been to see him yet? Valentin says, has he been to see Jack Brennan in Pentenville? No, he has not. Why would he do that? She says, because they were close back in the day, when they were all coming up together at the WSB, but he says, no, not really. Jack Brennan did really well academically and even better with the ladies, but he was in the back of the room, not making eye contact. She says she distinctly remembers them at that pub they used to go to… The Archangel. The two of them were playing dice or something. Whatever it was, they were laughing because they’d aced an assignment that the rest of them just botched. He says, that sounds like Jack, but it doesn’t sound like him. If he was at The Archangel, he was lurking. He wasn’t hanging with the cool kids. Not like her. She was at the center of the circle. Jack was too. He thinks she probably has him mixed up with someone else. She says, he and Jack were just feeding off of each other. They were pushing each other to be better, to be smarter… He says, if anybody was pushing anybody, Anna was pushing Jack. They were the best of the best. Everybody knew that. Valentin was on the fast track to a desk job. He and Jack Brennan have never shared more than ten words together.

Alexis says she cannot and will not reveal the identity of her sources, and Molly tells her that now she’s going to say journalistic integrity. Alexis says, very good, counselor, and Molly says, that’s crazy. Leaked, privileged information is not protected speech. Whoever that source is, not only violated their professional conduct guidelines, they also jeopardized future cases. Alexis says, that sounds like a DA problem, not her problem, and Molly says, it’s a very big problem if the article affected the fairness of a trial. Alexis says, what trial? Heather’s already been convicted on multiple counts, and the DA has already refused to revisit any of those cases. And without a case on the docket, Molly can’t argue that a leak compromised anything. Molly says, she’s impossible, and Alexis says, that’s part of her charm. She holds out her wrists and asks if Molly would like to lock her up until she cracks.

Marshall says, TJ is in a tough and undesirable situation. Life hands those to us sometimes. When one was handed to him, he went for the big fix; he left his family to protect them. But had he stayed, had he gutted it out, it turns out he probably would have had a pretty decent life. TJ says, so Marshall is telling him that he made a huge mistake? but Marshall says, no. He’s saying it’s human nature, or more specifically male nature, to go for the big fix. Sometimes that’s not always the answer. Sometimes you can just let it breathe and settle, and that can be the way to go. TJ says, unfortunately, that ship has sailed, and Marhsall laughs. He says, not for the here and now. Kristina is who she is. And yes, she’s carrying TJ’s baby, and he can’t change that, he can’t erase that. But what he can do is step back and take a look at the whole picture and focus on what really matters. His relationship with Molly.

Carly closes the door and steps out in the hall, telling Nina, stalk much? Nina says, just doing her regular rounds. Carly remembers. Carly says, vividly. Although this hotel is definitely not what it used to be. Nina says, better? but Carly says, not quite. Nina says she didn’t think Carly could surprise her anymore, but she’s done it. An FBI agent? What’s Sonny going to think? Or Jason, for that matter? And poor Drew, forever the runner-up in the twin department. Carly asks if she’s finished, but Nina says she could keep at it all day. Carly looks at the food under the cloche and says she’s happy that Nina’s here. Nina says, no one could be happier than her, and Carly says she’d like to file a complaint about room service. Nina asks if Carly even has time to eat, because she seems quite busy, and Carly asks why Nina doesn’t spend less time worrying about her private life and more time managing her hotel. Nina tells Carly to enjoy the rest of her stay, and leaves. Carly pushes the cart into the room, mumbling about Nina, and John comes out fully dressed. He says, friend of hers? and Carly gives a short laugh.

Curtis says he’s listening, and Drew says, as he mentioned, the wellness/fitness space is booming. Aurora wants to move into that business, but they need someone to spearhead the initiative. Curtis says, meaning? and Michael says, someone with practical experience and knowledge of the fitness industry, a strong leader with customer service experience, and multi-level management skills. Drew says, which are skills Curtis has. The Savoy is a huge success. Curtis asks how they see Aurora moving into the business, and Michael asks what Curtis would do. Curtis says, the most practical thing might be for Aurora to buy up some of the small gyms around the country, rebrand them, and combine them into a national high-end fitness club. People are spending a lot of money in wellness. Meditation rooms, plunge baths, yoga, Pilates, physical training… A mind body connection and combined with a training-slash-fitness facility, this is a one-stop shop. It might require significant capital. Drew says, which they have… Nina walks in, saying, Drew won’t believe this. She just saw Carly… She stops when she sees the other two.

John says he gets the sense Carly and Nina don’t get along, and she says, he must be an FBI agent. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she doesn’t let Nina get to her… She tries not to let Nina get to her. He says he knows a little bit about their history, and she says, lucky him. He says he takes it there isn’t enough water under the bridge yet, and she says, there’s not enough water in the world. Sorry about the eggs. He says, it’s not her fault. Besides, coffee is the only necessary component. (Agreed.) She says, when she owned the MetroCourt, this would have never flown. If a customer complained about their food, they would redo it at no charge. She refills his coffee, and he says, she’s big on customer service. She says, it’s literally what the hospitality industry is all about, and he says, she must have had her fair share of jerks blow through here though. She says, yeah, sure, but for the most part, people were great. And she loved it. She loved making people feel happy and comfortable and special. He asks if she doesn’t get to scratch that itch running Bobbie’s, and she says, to an extent. She loves Bobbie’s – she really does – but it’s a restaurant. Full stop. In this place she got a taste of all of it, really curating a space. From the carpets to the linen to the lighting. Even the music. Putting all of those things together to create the ultimate experience. She loved it. He says, sounds like a symphony, and she says, it kind of was. He says, and she was good at it, and she says, she was great at it. He asks if she thinks she’ll ever do it again, but she says she doesn’t know. She tells people that she will, that she’s going to get her half of the MetroCourt back, but she thinks that’s just a pipe dream, The MetroCourt belongs to someone else, two someone elses. She’s just going to have to accept that.

Chase says he’s been working on a surprise for Brook, and she says, but he’s terrible at keeping secrets. Chase says, it’s true. Her mom has been helping him keep this under wraps. Lois says, guilty as charged, and Brook says, so no more Palm Beach? Chase shakes his head, and she says, please tell her that he’s not working. It’s their honeymoon. He says, they’re still going away, but there has been a change in destination. He leads her over to the loveseat, and she says, okay. As long as it’s not a downgrade, she’s in. Everyone else quietly leaves the room, and she says, so what are they talking? Miami? Charleston? Palm Springs? She’s never been to the desert. He says, think a little further away than that, and she says, like out of the US away? He nods, and she asks what he did. He says he’s marrying the woman of his dreams. No, scratch that. He never dreamed of her because he didn’t know someone this wonderful could exist, and he wants their honeymoon to be a reflection of that. He wants her to remember this trip for the rest of her life. Because she deserves it. She deserves everything. She says, he’s the sweetest man on the planet. So where on this planet is he taking her? He says, Florence, and she says, he’s kidding. He says he’s not kidding, and she says, Florence, Italy? He says, her mom told him that she wanted to go, and she says, only for her entire life. Oh my God, Florence? She jumps up and says, not only does she get to go, she gets to go with him? He asks if she’s happy, and she says, happy doesn’t even begin to cover it, and kisses him.

Molly says, so she guesses Alexis wins – again, and Alexis says, freedom of the press wins – always. Except she has no idea why she’s fighting so hard for it when it comes to this paper. Molly says, because she cares about her job and the integrity of her paper, and Alexis says, integrity the new associate publisher will undoubtedly destroy. Molly starts to leave and picks up the envelope the messenger delivered. She asks, what’s this? and Alexis says, a messenger dropped it off when she was fighting with Nina. Molly asks if she’s looked at it, but Alexis says she was too consumed with rage to care. What is it? Molly says, it’s from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and Alexis says, they’re handling her appeal. Molly says, it’s probably her decision, whether they’ll review her case, or she’ll stay disbarred. Open it. She holds it out to Alexis, who backs up, saying, no. She can’t. She tells Molly to do it, and Molly asks if she’s sure. Alexis nods, and Molly opens the envelope.

As Molly reads what’s inside, she looks sad, and Alexis says, it’s okay. It was a longshot anyway. So the appeal was denied… Molly says, they’re giving her a hearing. They set a date and everything. Alexis grabs it from her and looks at it. She says, they’re giving her a hearing, and Molly says, not just that. They’re giving her hope. This is hope. They hug and jump up and down.

Marshall says, TJ needs to find reasons for him and Molly to come together that aren’t about the baby. It’s those moments of now, those moments where it’s just the two of them. Those moments are precious too. Now, as much as he enjoyed that egg sandwich and this beautiful park… TJ says, and the incredible company of his grandson, and Marshall says, that too. Get his behind over to the store and buy all the ingredients for Molly’s favorite dinner. Just make sure it’s reheatable in case she does have to work late. Wouldn’t it be nice for Molly to come home and see her favorite meal on the table waiting on her? TJ says, Molly would love that, and Marshall says, don’t spend the next three months wringing his hands over what Kristina is or isn’t doing. Spend the next three months with his partner, being just that – partners – before they become parents. Molly is a very special woman. TJ agrees she is and thanks Marshall. They bro hug.

Chase says, mimosa for the bride-to-be, handing Brook a drink, and she thanks him. They say, cheers, and clink glasses. Brook says she can’t believe it’s true, and he says, believe it. She says, Florence… the Uffizi, the Duomo, David… He says, whoa. Who’s this David guy? She says, and they have to take a day trip to Pisa and an overnight to Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. He says, she’s thought a lot about this, and she says, this is like a bucket list thing for her. And she can’t wait to look up all the best restaurants and they’re going to have gelato every, single day, no exceptions. Okay? He says, yes, ma’am, and she says, they’re going to drink wine at sunset in every piazza they can find. It’s going to be so incredible. He says, she’s so incredible, and they kiss. She says, they have so much planning to do. Wait. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, a honeymoon to Florence is a lot more expensive than one stateside. The airfare alone. He says, that’s okay. He has the money for it. She asks, how? and he says he sold his truck.

Anna says, Valentin and Jack weren’t friends, but they certainly knew each other, right? He says, of course (🍷) they did, and she says, when he was working with Pikeman, in his dealings with them, did he ever get the sense Jack was involved? He says, she believes Jack Brennan was working with Pikeman? and she says she does. She can’t get him to admit it, but when Valentin was an intermediary, did anything jump out at him? He says he wishes he had something useful to offer her, but sadly, he doesn’t. She says, okay. It was worth a try. Maybe when she goes back to see him again. He says, don’t. Pikeman and Brennan are dangerous. If they’re working together, then they’re not to be messed with. She thanks him for his concern, but says she can take care of herself. He says, please do, and she thanks him for breakfast and leaves.

John opens the door for Carly and says, thanks again. She says she doesn’t think he thanked her the first time, and he says, then thank you. Not just for saving his hide on the docks, but for getting him back here and keeping an eye on him all night. She says he’s welcome, and he says, and he guesses they get to be friends, even if it’s just for a minute. She says, just for a minute? Are FBI agents not allowed to have friends? Oh. Worried he’s going to divulge classified information? He says, something like that, and she says, makes sense. But how does he know he doesn’t talk in his sleep? She leaves and he watches her walk down the hall.

Drew tells Nina, they’re at a meeting, so try back later, but Michael asks what she was going to say about his mom. And what did Nina do now? Nina says she didn’t do anything. She just thought Drew would want to know Carly moved on quickly from him and is now sleeping with everyone’s favorite FBI agent, John Cates.

Tomorrow, Tracy tells Brook, disrespecting your husband is no way to start a marriage; Maxie asks why Lucy is insisting on taking this all on herself; Alexis tells Gregory that it’s a risk she can afford; and Carly says she did something that someone isn’t going to like.

🛟 Here It Comes…

Now it’s somebody else’s fault she was a pita. Maybe she confused Fraser by answering every time the primary was asked a question.

Jill Zarin Blames Chief Stew Fraser Olender for “Disaster” on Below Deck Trip, Calls Out Crew’s “Attitude,” and Reveals What Fraser Promised at Start of Charter

🍸 Between Rules and Reunion…

I can’t believe anybody actually monitors who follows who. Aren’t they busy not opening restaurants and stuff?

Vanderpump Rules’ Lala Kent Unfollows Katie Maloney & Ariana Madix on Instagram as Their Feud Continues, See How Fans Are Reacting

It’s not about the ~~pasta~~ mirror.

Ariana Madix Claps Back at Sandoval’s Claim That She Doesn’t “Pay for Anything,” and Discusses His Counter-Offer, as He Accuses Her of Lying & Insists He Made “Top Market” Offer

🍊 Shady John…

Andy leaps with glee as he twirls his moustache.

John Janssen Seemingly Shades Ex Shannon Beador as a “Narcissist” Who ‘Lies’ as Girlfriend Alexis Bellino Calls Out “Smear Campaign”

⚰️ About Those Dead…

Like the franchise is ever going away.

The Walking Dead Franchise Has A Very Unsure Future

Ha-ha! I thought it said giant zombie heads. Now that would be a variant.

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-new-villain-zombies-season-1-return

Carol’s turn coming up.

https://www.cbr.com/daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-release-date-cast-news

🐕 From Around the Globe and Back…

Bollywood babies.

Say hello to your favourite Bollywood celebrities’ furry friends

Backup pups.

https://people.com/meghan-trainor-stars-in-music-video-with-dogs-8629755

☔️ April Showers Bring More April Showers…

Stop by tomorrow for pre-weekend soap, the Summer smack talk promised, and shenanigans. Until then, stay safe, stay thinking twice before engaging in online debates, and stay doing the work. If you do, you can achieve anything.

Apr9

April 8, 2024 – GH Eclipsed, Drop Dead Gorgeous Blond Australian Stew On Deck, Poor Ant, At the Villa, Arguing Already, Farewell Too Soon, He Will Finish, Behold the Echidna & Total

Posted on April 9, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Not today, eclipse.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Is Preempted on Monday

Below Deck

Fraser thinks Anthony bit off more than he can chew, and he’s worried the chef is not quite there yet. Jill badgers Fraser about the dinner start time, and I already want to smack her. Anthony tells Fraser that he’ll try to make the magic happen. In Barbie’s interview, she says she’s taking the brunt and giving a fake-ass bullsh*t smile that she doesn’t feel. She’s not a complainer. The captain joins the guests for dinner, and Fraser asks for the primary’s dinner preferences first. As Melinda tries to tell him, Jill butts in since she thinks she’s a primary. Anthony tells Fraser that instead one main course, he has to make three different main dishes at the same moment. He can’t build all the plates at the same time. Guest Jen ends up without a plate, but she tells the others not to wait. Jill says her food is cold, and Fraser says, it’s the worst day of his life. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, this is the worst dinner service all season, but if he looks pissed, the others will get pissed. To top it off, we have Jill. In Dylan’s interview, he says, when he was growing up, no one told him that he was good looking. Now he gets hit on by guys and girls. He tells Ben about dating a guest, and in his interview, he says he likes the hunt. When he sees a hot girl at the bar, he does pushups and asks, what’s going on baby? Seriously? I don’t care how hot he is. No, just no. The guests finish eating, but dessert isn’t ready, and Fraser says, they have to kill 20 minutes. The stews make up a concoction of rum and almond milk, with a touch of strawberry. The captain tells the guests about meeting his girlfriend on a ship, when the French chocolate souffle comes out. IMO, it’s well worth waiting for. Fraser says, Barbie seems quiet, and she says her fake smile only lasts so long. In the captain’s interview, he says he needs to talk to Anthony after the charter. There’s no use doing it now.

Fraser tells Xandi that tomorrow is going to be the sh*ttiest night. Everyone is so sensitive, the energy is horrific, and they have no stew. Barbie sees Xandi and Fraser talking and tells Kyle that Xandi is talking sh*t about her. In Anthony’s interview, he says, dinner was disappointing. He doesn’t want to be on charter. He wants to run in his room and cry all night. Ben talks about choosing lead deckhand to Fraser, and says, Dylan is like a puppy, interested in everything, but Sunny knows the boat. On the minus side, obviously they’re sleeping together. In Ben’s interview, he says, on paper, Dylan is fantastic, but Sunny works well with the crew and he can rely on her. He has to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Fraser tells him that the person who puts the most effort in needs it. Barbie sighs as she works, looks in the laundry, and says, f*** you. I’m not helping. Stupid-ass bitch. Nice.

In Sunny’s interview, she says she wants to love and connect. She wants to feel feelings. She’s got butterflies over Ben (ick). Captain Kerry gets a text that a new stew is arriving. Anchor is in the pocket and the yacht is en route to Port Louis Marina. Xandi says, this trip might kill her, and in Barbie’s interview, she says she’s ignoring Fraser. She doesn’t know how to communicate with him. He dismisses what she feels, and she can’t win. She can’t be herself and feels defeated. Ben and Sunny are called to the bridge, and the captain says, today is windier. In his interview, he says, the wind is at over 30 knots. The last time he was in this kind of wind, he lost the bow. If anything goes wrong, he’s going to smash into the dock and hit a concrete bank. Fraser wonders why Barbie is ignoring him, and in the captain’s interview, he says, the wind is coming in and there are two steel workboats to the side. If the wind doesn’t back down, he’s going to hit them. It’s a very difficult docking. The wind is holding him off. Jill says, he’s in trouble, because she knows all about being a captain and docking a massive yacht.

Jill says, blah-blah-blah, and Melinda says, this is giving her anxiety. I’m not sure if she means the docking or Jill babbling about it. Captain Kerry manages to dock the boat without incident, and the crew change into their whites. To their happiness, the guests pack. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s never wanted anything more than to drop these guests in the sh*tter. He’s done. Fraser tells Barbie, well done, and Jill says she’s so sad. She hates this part. They had fun and she hopes she wasn’t too much work. 😐 Melinda thanks the crew, and says, it’s the best vacation ever. The deck crew was flawless, and she knows they were the hardest to cook for with all their different preference. She gives the captain the tip envelope, and they finally leave the crew in peace. Captain Kerry says, that was a fun charter. He’s cracking a beer now. Fraser asks Barbie, what’s happening? and she says, nothing. Kerry calls Anthony to the headmaster’s office. He says he’s going to tell Anthony straight. Dinner service was bullsh*t. His food was cold and two guests were without food. What the f*** was going on? Anthony says he was looking for the best solution for the guests to find dinner amazing. He’s upset with himself. Captain Kerry says he shouldn’t have kicked off with sushi and been laser focused on one guest, and in Anthony’s interview, he says he failed this one. It reminds him of bad moments when he was younger. He was called a loser at school and sees the teacher in his head. Born a loser and dies like a loser. I feel badly for him, but not too dramatic. The captain tells him to do the stuff he can do with his eyes closed. Fraser tells Barbie that she seems off, and she says, it’s an off day. He says, when it’s aimed at him, he thinks she’s in a bad mood and it’s not conducive to the team. She says she went to bed pissed and woke up pissed. He could have told her that he and Xandi were going to the beach to meditate. He says, it’s not like they were chilling, and she wasn’t talking yesterday. She says she’s scared to communicate with him, and he says he can’t deal with it. She says she’s flipped the switch back, so it’s good now.

It’s time for the tip meeting, and Captain Kerry says, it feels like they’ve gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. His hat’s off to them. The tip is $20K or $1667 each. We hear crickets, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, it’s the worst tip they’ve gotten, but it’s still a lot of money. His mom recently found out they have a Native American heritage and a huge extended family in Montana. He’s going to spend a couple years there, and it will be nice if he can support himself. The captain says, they have tomorrow off, and they’re heading to a resort. The new stew is arriving tonight and will meet them at dinner. In his interview, Fraser says he’s excited. It’s like Christmas has come early. The captain says, the new stew’s first day is a day off. He’ll drink to that. Ben says he’s going on a two-day bender. Barbie tells Kyle that she wants to quit, but he says, mama didn’t raise no quitter, which is pretty funny to hear with his accent. Anthony says he’s ready to party, but he’s sad inside. He feels people know he made a mistake. He’s trying to stop thinking about it, but it not going to be a great night. Kyle drinks some liquor straight from the bottle and says he’s good to go.

New stew Paris arrives at the restaurant. In their interviews, Ben, Kyle, Anthony, and Sunny all say, wow. In Fraser’s interview, he says he knows who Paris is. She’s the ex of a dear friend. We flash back to two seasons ago, and see Fraser with his friend Jake, who’s talking to Paris on the phone. Fraser says, to him that means she’s gold. He tells the others that he worked with her ex, but this is their first time meeting in person. In Paris’s interview, she says she’s a sailing stew. She’s outgoing, funny, and loves mayonnaise. She says what’s on her mind because she has no serotonin left and regains it though people’s suffering. She laughs and says, that’s not true. She’s not evil. She is Australian though, and in Sunny’s interview, she says she’s definitely jealous. Paris is drop dead gorgeous, blond, and from Australia. She feels a little worried about what Ben thinks. Barbie tells Paris that she looks like she can take it emotionally, which is actually kind of rude. Ben and Kyle talk on the side, mostly about Paris. Paris says she’s had four years’ experience, and Fraser says she must be competent with housekeeping. Anthony tells Barbie that he needs them. He’s alone in his department every day. In her interview, Paris says she started in the Mediterranean, then the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and America. She doesn’t know the dynamics on the boat and it’s like a new school. The crew gets back to the boat, and Paris finds out she’ll be bunking with Xandi. She meets Captain Kerry, who says, everyone is nice, but the captain is an a-hole. Sunny and Ben have sex in the bathroom (ick again), when Barbie asks if Sunny can throw out a tampon. It’s an emergency. Sunny says, they were c*ck blocked so hard. What happened to the tie on the door thing?

In the morning, on the way to the resort, Paris says she lives in the country, and they have two kangaroos. She tells them that the echidna (which kind of looks like a hedgehog – see below) has a four-headed penis. Fun fact! They get to the resort and head for the pool. I’m jealous even though I live near the Atlantic Ocean, one of the biggest pools in the word. I need to get a friend who has a pool or talk one of my existing friends into getting one. Barbie tells Ben that Fraser wants to fire her, while Fraser tells Xandi, in the beginning, Barbie was amazing with her work, but her attitude is feral. Barbie whines to Ben that she doesn’t eat or take breaks, and Fraser tells Xandi that Barbie is talking about him now, because he has bat ears. Barbie tells Fraser that she doesn’t feel like she can talk to him because she works for him, not with him. He says she’s horrible to work with when she’s in a mood, and she asks if Fraser wants her to go, but he says, no. He just wants her to accept that this is the job. She then whines to Paris, and in Paris’s interview, she says, this is awkward. Fraser feels comfortable venting to her, but he’s her boss. She just got here, and she feels like Dr. Phil. Everything can be fixed with conversation, a hug, and tequila. Fraser tells Barbie that if she can’t move on, he can’t, and she says she doesn’t feel safe telling him her feelings. He says, if she doesn’t like it, she can f*** off, and she says, that shows how much she can’t trust him. In her interview, she says, Fraser doesn’t like her even though he likes the way she works. He doesn’t care about her or her feelings. In Fraser’s interview, he says, speak up, bitch. Don’t be passive/aggressive. She tells Fraser that she loves him, but he says she doesn’t act like it. She’s a horrible person when she doesn’t want to speak. She says, he wants her to go, but he says he wants her to understand how this works. If she can do it, fantastic. If she can’t… She says, okay, cool, and they part company. In Anthony’s interview, he says he’s still learning. It’s tricky. The restaurant business is different. There’s a guy for everything, and here, he’s by himself. He promised his younger self that one day he’d be successful, and he has to keep that promise. Sunny wonders if Xandi and Ben could have been a thing, but Xandi says, if he was ten years older. Sunny asks if she likes them old, which would be like 40, and Xandi says she’s done raising people’s husbands, whatever that means. Paris asks Barbie if she’s okay, and Barbie tells Paris that she and Fraser are too different, and they clash. They don’t get each other, and personally trigger each other. Paris thinks there’s a resolution if they communicate, if they if don’t trigger each other’s defensiveness. Barbie says she can’t, and in Paris’s interview, she says she feels Barbie and Fraser are similar and the issues cause both of them to be defensive. They’re also out in the sun drinking, which makes them all drama queens. What started from a small issue has grown into a mole hill. She tells Barbie, if it doesn’t work out, it’s his neck on the line. Fraser tells Ben that he’s done with Barbie. Ben says, what about one more charter? but Fraser isn’t having it. He says, she’s impossible to work with. In his interview, Fraser says, he’s given more chances in the past than he should have, and now he’s not about giving more chances. You show your true colors after two chances. We flash back to Barbie’s first, second, third, and fourth chances, and Fraser says, if it’s not great after the fourth, you’re off. He needs to pull the cord earlier. He tells Ben that he’s done.

Ben hugs Fraser and suggests he sleep on it, and in Ben’s interview, he says he thinks Fraser is taking it too far. The problem is Fraser’s lack of management skills in making people gel. Dylan asks if Paris likes Steve Irwin, and she wonders what kind of question that is. He’s a national treasure. Dylan says he watched Steve while growing up, so it must count for something. Paris says, if he was here, he’d say, crikey, that’s cringe. In her interview, she says, Dylan is gorgeous, but so awkward personality-wise. If he was mute, he’d get more action. Dylan leaves and Ben comes along. Paris asks if he put out the fire, and he puts his hand on her knee. He gets even more handsy, and no surprise, Sunny sees. Xandi says, good God, and Sunny says, sayonara. In Sunny’s interview, she says, Ben touching another woman makes her uncomfortable, jealous, and angry. It’s mad disrespect. Paris tells Fraser that she thinks he and Barbie are upset because they’re similar, but he’s like, no way. Barbie calls her mom as she puts on her makeup and cries. She says she doesn’t want to be here and she’s mad at herself for giving up, but she has to quit. She wants to go home. Fraser tells Paris that he’s supported Barbie and tried it all. He won’t look after someone who speaks to him like she does. She’s a subordinate and he’s the chief. Barbie tells her mom that she can’t get through to him and can’t fix it. She has an amazing life at home and doesn’t need to be with people who don’t understand her and she clashes with so much. She doesn’t like giving up. Fraser tells Paris, welcome to the circus.

Next time, in Sunny’s interview, she says, Ben looks like an a-hole; Sunny tells Ben, it’s not okay; Anthony makes fish for a guest who doesn’t eat fish; Barbie says she’s sorry her and Fraser’s contention affected everybody; and Fraser goes to the captain about Barbie.

⚓️ Atlas Of the Deck…

It’s doubtful he’s carrying the show, but despite his faults, he’s one of the best chefs they’ve had.

How Anthony Iracane Is Carrying Below Deck Season 11

🏰 Viva La Villa…

I started watching this and the venue is magnificent. Not so much the employees who are already drinking too much and arguing in front of the guests. But Lisa is there along with Puffy (!), so all will be well.

Vanderpump Villa Premiere Recap, Episodes 1-3: Welcome to the Lux Life

Vanderpump Villa Episode 4 Recap: Who Is Managing Eric?

🍊 That Didn’t Take Long…

Apparently, Tamra is already causing problems and the horse hasn’t even left the gate yet.

Audio Leaks of Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador Fighting in London

🥀 Sad OC News…

Today’s PSA: Drug responsibly and for the love of all that’s holy, stay away from fentanyl.

https://people.com/real-housewives-lauri-peterson-son-josh-waring-dead-at-35-8627969

https://www.eonline.com/news/1398971/rhoc-alum-lauri-petersons-son-josh-waring-died-amid-addiction-battle-his-sister-says

🐎 Not Done Yet…

They lost me somewhere in season 4. I think it was a big mistake to open things up to the real world so early. Westworld stopped being Westworld and turned into something else.

https://ew.com/jonathan-nolan-still-intends-to-finish-westworld-8624582

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/westworld-season-5-storyline

🦔 Cute But Mighty In Its Own Way…

Behold, the echidna.

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/echidna

But wait, there’s more.

https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/echidna

🌚 Stars Aligning Now…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderExploits. Until then, stay safe, stay not leaving puddles around the sink in a public restroom, and stay remembering that everything can be fixed with conversation, a hug, and tequila. And also, that the echidna has a four-headed penis. You’ll be a real hit at parties.

Apr5

April 4, 2024 – Doc Sees a Striking Change In Heather, Bette’s FOMO, She’s the Worst, This Week’s Top, Two Awful Houses, For the Win & Pieces

Posted on April 5, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Tracy comes into an exam room, and Terry says, it’s her birthday. Tracy says, it is. A fact that only the two of them noticed. Terry says, well, happy birthday, and Tracy thanks her. Terry asks if she has any big plans, and Tracy says, just her, her couch, and the remote. Terry says, sounds blissful, to be honest. In other good news, she sees no cause for concern in Tracy’s bloodwork. Tracy asks if she’s surprised, and Terry says, no, but Tracy looks a little pale, enough so that she wondered if anemia was in play, but her hemoglobin looks good. Tracy says, if she’s pale, it’s because they’ve just slogged through winter, and like everybody else, she hasn’t been outside much. Terry says, fair enough, and Tracy says, if she has any complaints at all, it’s cold hands and feet, but she assumes it’s because of her age. (Is that why there are so many migrations to Florida after retirement?) And she has been a little lethargic lately. Is that an indication something is going on? Is she sick? Terry tells Tracy that she’s not qualified to say, but Tracy says, she’s Co-Chief of Staff. Who’s more qualified than her? Terry says, a psychiatrist? and Tracy laughs. Terry says she can refer Tracy to Dr. Collins if she likes, and Tracy asks, what possible diagnosis could be going on in here? Terry says, depression?

Cody’s phone rings at the stable, and Sasha tells Olivia that he stepped outside for a second. Should she go get him? Olivia says, no. She just wanted to give him the good news. Dante is being discharged. Sasha says, that’s fantastic, and Olivia says she’s pretty sure Cody would want to be filled in. Sasha says, absolutely. He’ll be thrilled to know Dante is coming home. Olivia says, while she has Sasha on the phone, is she at the house? Sasha says she’s at the stables. Why? Olivia says she was making mashed potatoes and chicken parm for Tracy’s birthday, but now with Dante and the kids coming home, Sam’s not going to have time to cook. She was thinking maybe she’d bring dinner for them instead and grab a cake to celebrate with Tracy. Sasha says, good idea, and Olivia says she could use Sasha’s help. She chopped up the veggies and peeled the potatoes, but the chicken still hasn’t been made. Does Sasha think she could get it started if Olivia talks her through it? Sasha says she could try.

Portia takes Heather’s vitals and asks, what happened to her restraints? Heather says she thinks maybe she lost some weight after the surgery or something. Her hands just slipped out.

Josslyn introduces Felicia to Bobbie’s new manager, Hunter Cruise, and Felicia says, this place is a favorite of hers, so expect to be seeing her a lot. Hunter says, looking forward to it, and Josslyn says, Felicia is one of their regulars. Felicia says she used to work here when she was Josslyn’s age, and Josslyn says, they get a lot of customers from the hospital because it’s a short walk. Curtis comes in with Trina, who tells him to remember he has back-up, and he says, slow and steady. Josslyn starts applauding and everyone else follows suit.

Kristina comes out of the hospital elevator and Blaze is there. Blaze asks, how’s her brother? and Kristina says, he’s good. Actually, he gets to come home today. Blaze says, that’s fantastic. She must be so relieved. Kristina says she is. Every day he’s awake and moving around, she feels a little bit better. Blaze says she bets. She was wondering if Kristina might have a minute. Kristina says, okay, and Blaze says she didn’t mean for Kristina to find out about the whole Deception/Crimson thing like that. She hopes Kristina didn’t think she was keeping it from her. Kristina says she really didn’t know what to think. She still doesn’t.

Cody puts Comet in his stall, when Sasha comes in. He says, Comet must have spring fever. He gave them both a workout. Where did she disappear to? She says she was up at the house. He left his phone on the table, and she answered a call from Olivia. He asks what she said, and Sasha tells him, Dante’s being released from the hospital today. He whoops and hugs her, lifting her in the air.

Tracy says she’s not depressed and doesn’t need a shrink, and Terry tells her, if you say so. Tracy says she leads a full life. She’s the head of a company. If she’s being honest, she’s the majority shareholder in a company that she wants to give to her granddaughter someday, but it keeps her very busy. Terry says she’s sure it does, and Tracy says, if she’s a little down or at loose ends sometimes, it’s because she lost her husband a little over two years ago and it’s grief, and it takes as long as it takes. Terry says, absolutely. There’s no buzzer that will ring and say, that’s it, you’re done. Tracy says, if there was, she’d ignore it. She’s doing this her way, and she doesn’t care what anybody else thinks. Terry says she knows Tracy’s family well enough to know her husband hasn’t been her only loss. Both her parents, her brother Alan – a legend here at GH – a nephew and a niece. Tracy says, that’s not unusual at her stage of life, but Terry says, that doesn’t make it easy. Her general health is good. All the numbers are in range. Maybe she needs to get out more, be a little more active. Tennis club, a women’s golf league… Tracy says, oh no. There will be no popping of my collar, thank you very much. Terry says, then something else, anything, to keep her body moving and get her interacting with people of similar interests. Tracy says she’ll keep it in mind. How’s that? Terry says she’ll take it, and leaves.

Portia tells the guard outside Heather’s room that she needs him inside, and he asks if there’s a problem. She says, the patient’s restraints are loose, and she needs to be supervised at all times. She calls Nurse Erin to come in and help tighten the patient’s restraints, and Erin does. Heather says, there you go – she shows Portia the restraints are on – and she’s not going to say thank you. Though these are more comfortable than handcuffs. (They also seem to be Velcro, so…)

Felicia says, it’s so good to see Curtis. Not only up and about, but on his feet. That must be a record. Trina says, he’s been working at it non-stop, and Felicia says, it shows. Curtis thanks her so much. He didn’t think going out for a bite to eat would call for a hero’s welcome. Trina says, a lot of people were worried about him. They’re allowed to be happy about his recovery. He says, on the road to recovery, and Felicia says, in the fast lane it looks like. Curtis says he’ll accept he applause and the encouragement, and Trina says, thank you. Felicia says she’s got to get back to the hospital, and tells Curtis, keep up the good, and what she’s sure is very hard, work. He thanks her, and Felicia leaves. He says, not exactly lowkey, and Trina says, there’s nothing lowkey about this. He didn’t just beat the odds; he defied them. She’s so proud of him.

Cody says, sorry about the sweat, and Sasha says, no problem. He says, Dante is coming home. That guy. They all thought he wasn’t going to make it, and he probably set a record for getting released from the hospital the fastest. She says, he’s pretty amazing, and Cody asks if Olivia said anything else. Sasha says, she did actually. She wanted to bring some food over to Dante’s because Sam won’t have time to cook. Olivia asked her to get her chicken parm started, but unfortunately, the chicken is spoiled. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, trust her. It won’t be much of a welcome home if Dante, Sam, and the kids all get food poisoning. (Been there, done that, did not like the T-shirt.) She’s going to go back to the house and look in the fridge. She’s sure she can figure something out. He says, she’s a good friend, and she says, it’s the least she can do since Dante helped him rescue her from Ferncliff. He says, she has every right to appreciate it, but he was actually talking about himself. Dante’s his best friend. She’s doing this for Dante, and he appreciates it. He appreciates her. She says she appreciates him too.

Terry goes into her office and says, sorry to keep them waiting. Alexis says, don’t apologize, and Laura says, they know how busy she is. Terry says, unlike Laura, who gets to relax all day, every day, and Laura says, relax? What’s that? Terry says, Portia is doing rounds, so she’s all Laura is going to get. Laura says, which is fine, since she only needs one Chief of Staff to sign off. She hands Terry a manila envelope and Terry takes out some paperwork. She asks what she’s looking at here, and Laura says, it’s a contract that would put city employees on GH’s health plan. Terry says, that’s great, and Laura says she thinks so. Alexis says, what their illustrious mayor is leaving out is that this was a culmination of her efforts. Terry asks how she pulled this off, and Laura says, there was a little bit of arm twisting involved, but she happens to believe city employees deserve access to the best possible health care. After all, they’re the ones who keep the city running, so they deserve it. Terry says, not every politician would make that a priority.

Doc goes in to see Heather, and she says, you again. He says he can come back if she’s not up to talking, but she says, it’s all right. She’s just not really sure where all these conversations are leading, except back to a prison cell. He says, all right. Does she know where she is? She says, he needs new material. She’s in the hospital. He says he means specifically, and she says, General Hospital, in good old Port Charles, New York. He asks if she knows what day it is, and she says she wishes. This place is like a casino. No clocks, the lights are on all the time… It’s like she’s a slot machine and he’s a five-card stud. See what she did there? He says, very clever, and she says she knows everybody thinks she’s dumb, but it’s not true. All the horrible things she did weren’t because of stupidity. It was more like… She doesn’t really know how to describe it. He says, try, and she says, it was like her blood was on fire, and the only way to put out that fire was to do something crazy. He says, or highly illegal, and she says, that too. She’s glad her hip’s better. He says, she must be in much less pain, and she says, it’s not just that. Now when they throw her back in the slammer, at least she’ll be able to pace the yard. It’s the small things, doc.

Josslyn says, PCU keeps bugging her about finding a new roommate, but she’s holding out hope, and Trina says she still doesn’t know what she’s going to do about the fall. The Sorbonne is holding a spot for her, but she can’t even think about going back to Paris. She’s not sure if she wants to go back to PCU either. Curtis says, luckily, she still has time to decide, and Josslyn says she can hold out on housing for as long as necessary. Trina thanks her, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Anything for her. Curtis says, that’s a real friend, when Dex walks in and sits at a table.

Curtis takes off his shirt (the new Nathan) and tells Comet, let’s get dry. He begins wiping Comet down, when Tracy comes in. She clears her throat, and he says, Matriarch Quartermaine. She says, hard note of that taken, and he says, okey-dokey. What should he call her now? She says she told him, Tracy. Can she have a word? He says, sure, and she says, clothed? He says, sorry about that, and puts on another shirt. He asks how he can help her, and she says she was speaking with someone earlier today and was reminded that she really enjoyed riding. So now that spring has sprung… He says, she really wants to get back up on that horse, and she says she hasn’t actually ridden any of the horses they have now, so she wants one with a sweet temper and an easy gait. He says, don’t we all? and she says, why doesn’t he make himself useful and help her make a selection. He says, follow him, and they go in the back to the stalls.

Trina asks if Josslyn is going to go talk to Dex, but Josslyn says, no, and she doesn’t intend to wait on him either. Curtis says he’s been out of the PI game for a minute and he’s guessing she and Dex aren’t together anymore. Trina says, very astute, and he asks what Josslyn thinks her grandmother would say. Josslyn says, about her relationship status? and Curtis says, Kelly’s, now Bobbie’s, has always been a place where everyone felt welcome. Does she think Bobbie would want a customer ignored? Josslyn says, that’s not fair, but Trina says, he’s not wrong. Curtis says, it is the hospitality business, right? and Josslyn says she’ll ask Hunter to wait on him. She’s the new manager.

Blaze and Kristina sit on a bench and Blaze says she’s sorry the first Kristina heard of her deal with Deception was in an office with Maxie and Nina. Kristina says, it caught her off-guard. She assumed if Blaze had something that big coming up, she would have told her. Blaze says she would have. She should have. But the first time she was approached by the Deception team, nothing came of it. So she didn’t say anything because she thought nothing was going to happen this time either. Then all of a sudden, it was done before she even had time to wrap her head around it. She swears she wasn’t keeping it a secret from Kristina. Kristina says she gets it. The whole thing just blindsided her, but this is very cool for Blaze. She thinks it’s great. It’s really going to broaden Blaze’s demographic. Blaze says she just hopes raising her profile will help her music career, and Kristina says, why wouldn’t it? Blaze says she doesn’t know. It’s a bumpy ride getting there, but the music world, she understands. The fashion and beauty world is a big unknown. Kristina says, fortunately, Blaze has Maxie. There is no one better than her. She’s savvy and she’s chic. She’s also so human. Blaze says, Maxie’s great. What she’s not so sure of is herself. She’s not sure she’ll fit in with what people consider hot or pretty or trendy. Kristina says, she’s beautiful, she’s hot, and she’s trendy. But who cares? That could change in the morning. Blaze says she guesses she’ll find out. But for now, her mom thinks it’s smart to keep her private life private. Is that going to be a problem for them?

Terry signs the document and says, it’s official. She tells Laura, congratulations, and thanks her. Laura says, it’s her pleasure, and Alexis says, since she’s covering this for The Invader, does Terry have any comments? Terry says, public relations isn’t really her strong suit. Can Alexis make something up? Alexis says, funny Terry should ask, because she’s already drafted something up. She takes a paper out of her bag, and says, concise and to the point, handing it to Terry. Terry looks it over, and says, on second thought, maybe she should have their public relations office come up with something.

Doc tells Heather, let’s pretend the restraints don’t exist, and she says, you mean these guys? holding up her hands. He says, and the doctors and the warden have told her that she’s free to go wherever she wants, do whatever she wants. What would that look like? She says she thinks about that all the time, but it’s not what he’d expect. He says, try him, and she says, okay. The first thing she’d do is put flowers on her daughter’s grave. Then she’d remember her daughter’s not in it. So she’d go and take those same flowers to the woman whose husband she killed, the one who’s really beautiful. He says, Sasha Corbin, and she says, yeah. And she’d give them to her instead. And then, if his brother had a will and left her something in it, which – spoiler alert – he didn’t… Doc says, let’s say he did, and she says, then she’d buy a tiny, little house with a yard where her grandson could play. She’d even get one of those playgrounds, the simple kind with the swing and slide and monkey bars. She cries and says, but what good is it to torture herself with things that are impossible? She sinks back down into the bed and says she’s sorry, but he says, no. That’s enough for today. He’ll be back.

Josslyn says, what do you want? and Dex asks if that’s how she talks to all the customers, or is he just lucky? She says, what would you like today, sir? and he says, a lot of things he knows he can’t have, so he’ll settle for a coffee and a grilled cheese, please. She says, coming right up.

Doc tells Portia that he was just in with Heather Webber, and she says, her apologies for that. He says he sees a change in her since her surgery. The difference is, to be honest, quite striking. She says, a difference in Heather? Maybe he should try telling someone who didn’t just almost lose their daughter to that madwoman.

Tracy says, so she plans on riding a few times a week, and Cody says, she won’t regret it. She says, her thighs might, but he says, she’ll be in riding shape in no time. She says, that’s it? He’s not going to try and discourage her? Tell her that she’s too old or fragile; she might break a hip? He says he’s been around long enough to know Tracy Quartermaine’s a lot of things, but fragile ain’t one of them. She says she’s glad he’s paying attention, when Sasha comes back. She says she’s not used to seeing Tracy at the stables, and Cody says, she’d better get used to it. Tracy says, Sasha has to listen to the man. She plans on getting back in the saddle. Pun intended. Sasha says, good for her, and Tracy asks if this is where she’s been spending her time. Sasha says she likes horses, so she asked Cody to put her to work, and Tracy says she’d rather be here too. She’s sorry things didn’t work out between Sasha and Deception. Sasha thanks her and says she really appreciates Tracy going to bat for her. She hopes she didn’t seem ungrateful. She just realized that she didn’t want to spend her days getting her picture taken. Tracy says, that’s definitely Sasha’s prerogative and she gives Sasha credit for making that decision and not going along with what everybody else wants. She tells Cody, see him soon, and he says, adios. Tracy leaves, and he says, that Tracy, all bark, no bite. Sasha gives him a look, and he says, plenty of bite, but she does have her moments. Sasha says, that, she does.

Curtis tells Trina, when he was sitting in that wheelchair, he felt so hopeless. He knew he wasn’t the man he was before, and society didn’t help either. Trina asks what he means, and he says he got to know what it’s like to be disabled in this world. Even if it was unintentional, you get the elbows to the face. You get drinks spilled in your lap, even at his own club. The disrespect was real. She says she’s so sorry he had to go through all that, but he says he’s not. It was a wake-up call. It made him realize that he’s always going to be him. Always, no matter whether he’s seated or he’s standing or somewhere in between. And no one should be made to feel small. No one.

Doc sees Laura with Alexis and says, wife. She says, husband, taking his hands, and he asks what this dynamic duo is up to. Alexis says, he’ll read about it tomorrow in The Invader. Or possibly the next day, depending on how fast the hospital’s PR department can draft an appropriate comment. Laura laughs, and he says, so the contracts are signed. Laura says, they’re signed, sealed, and delivered. From now on, the city employees will have access to GH’s health plan. He tells her, congratulations. He knows the work she put in to make this happen. She says she has to admit, it feels really good, and he asks if she’s headed home or back to city hall. She says, actually, she thought since she’s at the hospital, she should visit Heather. Sort of fulfill her Webber family duties. He says, she’s too good, and she says, she is, isn’t she? He suggests she meet him after, and she says she will. She heads for Heather’s room, and Alexis says, have a good one, but Doc asks if she has a moment. He was wondering if he could run something by her just to get a legal opinion. She says, he knows that she can’t advise him legally. However, she can speak to him as a friend who’s read a few books. He says, fair enough. So hypothetically, let’s say someone has been convicted of horrible, heinous crimes, but we’ve since learned there were mitigating circumstances. Something that wasn’t known during the trial. Not because someone hid it, but because no one knew it existed. She says, he’s talking about Heather Webber, and Portia watches from the reception desk.

Josslyn refills Dex’s coffee and he thanks her. She asks if he’s looking at an employment packet and he says he is. She says she didn’t realize they had employment agencies for bodyguards, and he says he’s trying out a new line of work. She picks up the top page and looks at it. She says, he’s working for the Port Charles Police Department?

Cody finds Sasha with Comet and says he was just reminded of their first photo shoot. Remember? She says, how could she forget? She had the most handsome co-model… the alpaca of course (🍷). Cody says, yeah, he was adorable, when Olivia comes in with a tray of food. Cody says, Mama Q, what’s good? and she asks, what is this? Sasha says, it’s shepherd’s pie; the chicken was bad. Olivia says she knows what it is, but who made it? Where did it come from?

Josslyn says, sorry, it’s just… Dex says, Josslyn Jax, at a loss for words, and she says, this is crazy. He’s going to go from working for Sonny to working for the police? He says, quite a leap, and she says, it’s reckless and stupid. He says, she’s assuming they’ll turn him down, but Anna actually invited him to apply. They’ll accept his military service in place of a college degree. All he has to do is take the test, but who knows? Maybe he’ll fail it. She says, he’s not going to fail the test. He can’t possibly think this is a good idea. He says, why not? and she says, because it makes him even more of a target for Sonny. He says, we can’t all be doctors… What’s that look? Something wrong at school?

Trina picks at her food, and Curtis says, not hungry? She says her appetite’s been pretty weak these days. Besides, it’s this place as well. He says he thought she liked the food here, and she says she does. The food’s amazing. She just doesn’t come here as much, since… He says, right. She and Spencer used to come here a lot. She says, it does sound ridiculous. She can’t even have lunch with her own dad like a normal person. He says, she doesn’t sound ridiculous. She sounds like someone whose heart’s been broken.

Kristina says, as long as she and Blaze can be their authentic selves, be who they are with their friends and family, that’s enough for her. Blaze asks if she’s sure. All she’s done so far with Deception is sign a contract. She can pull out of the deal. Kristina says, Blaze would blow up this deal for her? and Blaze says, that’s the least of what she’d do for Kristina, but Kristina says, no. This could be huge for her career. Blaze says, don’t get her wrong. She wants to be successful, but she also wants to be happy. And Kristina makes her happy.

Laura says she’s sorry she hasn’t come to visit more often, and Heather asks, why would she? Laura’s the mayor; she’s a convict. Laura’s got a city to run and she… doesn’t. Laura says, technically, they’re family. They’re connected through their grandson. Heather says, speaking of. Is he going to be calling Laura mom or grandma, now that she and Doc have adopted him? Laura says she hasn’t really thought about that one yet, but she thinks she has a little bit of time before she crosses that bridge. Heather wonders what his first words will be. She used to wonder that about Esme too. Laura says, Heather is looking really well. How is she feeling? Heather says she’s not in nearly as much pain, and Laura says, good. Heather says, from her hip anyway, and Laura asks if something else is bothering her. Heather says, not physically. But she can’t stop thinking about the disaster that is her life. What has she done? Laura takes her hand.

Alexis says, cobalt poisoning from and artificial hip, and Doc says he knows it sounds like fiction, but it’s real. The official name is metallosis. She says, there is legal recourse. It’s called post-conviction relief. Some say it can be abused, and she knows the governor has tightened up some loopholes over the year. So, in the event of, say, a forced confession, or a coerced guilty plea, suppressed evidence, or evidence that hasn’t been discovered until after the fact, yes, the case can be reopened. He says, so it’s a possibility, and she says, a real one. Eavesdropping from afar, Portia flies down from the desk, and says, please, please tell her they’re not considering letting Heather Webber skate.

Trina says she misses Spencer all the time, but it’s worse in places they used to be together, especially here. And it seems normal. Like in an instant – a literal split second – she’ll forget, and the door will open. She’ll look up, thinking he’s going to be there. Then he’s not. Curtis says he knows their situations are different, but she knows how he had to learn to walk again? She’s going to have to do something similar. She says, how? and he says, it’s going to take patience, grace… It’s definitely going to take time, but broken hearts, like broken bones, do mend themselves together again. Maybe not as strong as they once were in some ways, but miraculously stronger in others. She says she so wants to believe him, and he says, that’s all right. He has enough faith for both of them. She will love again, and she will be loved again, and he can say that with utmost certainty. She tells him that he has to say that, he’s her dad, but he says, no. Because there’s no one on this planet more deserving of love than her.

Josslyn tells Dex, it’s fine. She’s just not sure pre-med is for her anymore. He says, since when? and she says she’s been rethinking a lot of her decisions lately. He says, she told him she wanted to be a healer, that’s all, and she says, you can heal the world in plenty of other ways. Look at what pre-med did to Adam. He says, she’s not Adam, and she says she also sees how hard Trina’s mom works. And the patients aren’t always grateful or even good people. He says, patients like Cyrus Renault? and she picks up the coffee pot and leaves.

Sasha says she used the vegetables and potatoes Olivia had already prepped and found some ground beef in the fridge. She hopes that was okay. Olivia says, okay? and Cody says he can’t tell. Did that mean okay or not okay? Olivia says, it’s amazing, and Cody says, it meant okay. Sasha says, really? and Olivia says, absolutely. It’s delicious. Sam, Dante, and the kids are going to be so psyched. A, to have a homecooked meal, and B, it’s not one of her standard recipes, which she’s sure they’re sick of. Cody says, it does smell good, and Sasha says, Brando always liked it. (So do I. Stop talking about it.) Olivia says, how could he not? and thanks Sasha. Sasha says she’s glad to help, and Olivia says she’ll deliver this and make sure Sasha gets the credit. She’ll see them later. She leaves, and Cody says, wow. Sasha is just racking up the hidden talents. She has selling beauty products, ax throwing, shoveling horse manure. Now she has chef extraordinaire. What’s next? Sasha says she’s no slouch at curling or ice fishing either. He says, this he’s got to see, and she says, stick around and he just might.

Tracy walks into the nook and sees a paper bag on the counter. She slides out a birthday cake that says Birthday girl on it, and says, oh good Lord. She leaves the cake on the counter and walks out.

Trina asks if Curtis is ready, and he says, let’s do this. She helps him walk to the door, and says, he’s cool. He says he’s got this.

Josslyn plops Dex’s grilled cheese and fries on the table. The sandwich is burned and looks like there’s not much cheese in it. She probably spit in the fries. She says, anything else? and he says, nope. Looks great. He picks up the sandwich and takes a bite. (I laugh at how he’s just ignoring it.)

Portia says, this is insane. Doc has to know this. Laura approaches, and Doc says, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Just listen… Portia says she’s listening to everything they’re saying. It makes no sense. Laura wonders what she’s interrupting and asks if everything is okay. Doc says, everything is fine. Really. How was her visit with Heather? Laura says, actually it was surprisingly calm and uneventful. Has Portia noticed a change in Heather? She would love to get her thoughts about Heather’s progress. Portia says, Laura wants her thoughts on Heather Webber? Let her see. Don’t try to sell her on this. Poor, misunderstood Heather Webber? That woman is a murderer. She pulled one over on everyone and they’re going to let her do it again? Alexis says, of course (🍷) this is very personal to Portia… and Portia says, of course (🍷) it’s personal for her. Alexis says, Doc was just asking her if there was any legitimate legal reason… Portia says, no, no, no. She doesn’t want to hear it. She doesn’t want to hear any of that, especially from Alexis, considering she doesn’t practice law anymore. And after this, she thinks she’s seeing why. Alexis says, don’t hold back, and Portia says she won’t. She doesn’t care how nice or how changed or how victimized Heather seems to be to them. How much time has Laura actually spent with her? How much time has she actually spent with that woman? A moment here, a moment there? Why doesn’t Laura try being her or a member of her staff who actually had to deal with her unhinged madness 24/7? And just so they know, this doesn’t even touch on the pain she’s caused Portia’s family and countless other families. So if they want to bring her case in front of a judge and jury, she wants them to do it. Because she’ll fight it. She’ll fight them with every breath that is in her body.

Tomorrow, Carly tells Josslyn that only she knows the answer to that; Anna says she’ll consider it if Brennan gives her something in return; John says, Drew can be sent back to Pentenville; Dante asks if Sam thinks she might have made a mistake; and Sonny wonders if he can ask Natalia something she may not like.

💎 Not So Divine…

Maybe she better watch the show first.

Bette Midler Wants To Join The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

What if she does it for scale?

Andy Cohen Reacts to Bette Midler’s RHOBH Dreams

🛟 Primary In Her Own Mind…

About that freeloader Jill.

‘RHONY’ Alum Jill Zarin Gets Called a ‘Freeloading Guest’ on ‘Below Deck’

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13265725/rhony-jill-zarin-deck-worst-guest.html

Cry me a river.

RHONY’s Jill Zarin Seemingly Responds to ‘Below Deck’ Criticism

🔪 No Croquettes For You…

The latest in Chefs.

https://people.com/top-chef-recap-episode-3-buddha-lo-calls-out-chefs-for-all-making-croquettes-8624513

🚣‍♂️ Don’t Go In the House…

I thought Kyle got rid of the mullet. It looks like it’s creeping back in. I actually didn’t watch much of this because A, I just can’t, and B, there was a great documentary on VICE about the early Real World shows. When it was an actual show and not just drunken hot tub sex.

https://people.com/summer-house-recap-lindsay-hubbard-didnt-want-kyle-cooke-as-a-groomsman-wedding-to-carl-radke-8624898

Summer House Season 8, Episode 7 Recap: ‘He Will Throw Petals as I Walk Down the Aisle’

What I really don’t get are the spin-off people. Didn’t they see the show before signing up? Do they really want to be playing beer pong into middle age?

Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard Season 2, Episode 2 Recap: He’s Just on My Body

🦝 Will Work For Scraps…

It would have been nice to hear how these people came to have a raccoon as a pet. My chihuahua El Wray would be a shoo-in if he didn’t growl at everything bigger than him. Which is most of the world.

https://people.com/florida-rescue-raccoon-louie-wins-cadburys-annual-easter-photo-contest-8621406

🐈 Nervous As a Cat In a Room Full Of Big Dog Breeds…

Slide into my blog tomorrow for soap and mix of amusing diversions. Until then, stay safe; stay minding your CC’s and BCC’s, and don’t always reply to all; and stay remembering that no one should be made to feel small. No one.