Tag Archives: Beyond the Gates

November 5, 2024 – Willow Confronts Sasha About Cody, Drink Up, Soap Suds, A New York Minute, Film Watch, Prediction, First Derry, Releasing Soon, Never Enough & Boogie

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Willow finds Sasha in the nook and says she thought Sasha was her friend. Sasha flashes back to getting busy with Michael, and says she is. Willow asks, then how could she do this?

In TJ’s office, Alexis asks if they know what caused it, but he says, not yet. They’re doing everything possible to find out. Molly says, it makes no sense. She and Dante just got engaged. (Like that negates the possibility of death.) TJ says, that reminds him, and gives Alexis Sam’s ring in a plastic bag. Kristina says, it should be on Sam’s finger, but TJ says, not during an autopsy. Alexis says, Portia told her, but Kristina says, they’re not cutting open her sister.

On the phone, Jason asks if Carly minds staying at the Quartermaines. He’d feel better if she was there for Danny and Scout. Carly promises to stick around, and Jason says he’s got to go. She says she loves him, and he says he loves her too. Drew comes in and Carly asks, how’s Scout? He says, she fell asleep in his arms. It’s hard seeing his girl in that much pain… It’s hard knowing she’ll wake up and find out her mother’s not there and there’s nothing he can do. Carly says, he can be there, but he says, it’s not enough. She needs Sam. He needs Sam. What does he know about raising a little girl? She says she knows how much he loves Scout, but he says he doesn’t know how to raise her on his own. She tells him to lean on the family. Let them help him. Michael comes in and asks Drew, what’s wrong? Are his poll numbers down?

Nina meets Ava for drinks, and says, Ava wanted to ask her something? Ava says she does. She wants to start by saying she knows she’s a fool for throwing their friendship away. Nina says, no argument there, and Ava says she’s grateful Nina forgave her, but wanted to ask if Nina thinks they’ll ever be able to get back to the friendship they had.

Diane knocks at Robert’s door, then comes in. She says she’s sorry. She thought he’d be alone, but that’s obviously not the case.

Carly says, there’s something she needs to tell Michael, and Drew says he’ll be upstairs with Scout. He leaves, and Michael asks, what’s going on? Carly says she has terrible news, and he asks if it’s Lulu, but she says, it’s not Lulu. It’s Sam. Michael says, Dante texted him that everything went great, and Sam was fine. Carly says, she was fine. Then she wasn’t. They lost her. He asks if she’s saying Sam is dead.

Kristina says, no, but TJ says, an unexplained death… Kristina says she doesn’t care, and Molly says, stop. Doesn’t she want to find out what happened? Kristina says, of course (🍷), and Molly says, that’s how the find out. Kristina says she doesn’t want them to cut Sam open, but Molly says, it’s the only way. Kristina tells Alexis that she’s sorry, and Alexis says she wasn’t thinking. Molly says she never does (and I slap her in my mind), but Alexis says, not today. They have to make arrangements for Sam. TJ says he can have a patient advocate walk her through the process, and he leaves. Kristina says she’s sorry, and Molly says, her too. Alexis says she needs them both to stick together, and they agree they will.

Sasha says she’s sorry, but Willow says she doesn’t want to hear Sasha’s excuses. She told Sasha in confidence. Why did she tell Cody? Sasha says she trusted Cody, and Willow asks if she knows he got drunk and punched Drew. Sasha says she heard, and Willow says she trusted Sasha. Now Michael found out in the worst possible way. He didn’t come home last night. Sasha asks if they’ve talked today, and Willow says, he’s willing to give her another chance. He values their marriage. Sasha flashes back to getting busy with Michael and says she’s sorry. She never meant to hurt Willow. Willow says, then she should have kept it between them. Who else did she tell? Sasha says, no one. She only told Cody because they were in a relationship. Willow says she hopes Sasha dumped him for violating her confidence the way Sasha violated hers, and Sasha says, Willow will be happy to know they’re not together anymore, but that’s not why

Holly says she was just leaving. It’s good to see Diane. Diane says, it’s good to see her too. She’s here so often. Holly tells Robert, until next time, and leaves. Diane says, and there always is a next time with that one. She didn’t mean to interrupt. Robert asks if she’s here on business or pleasure, and Diane says, business, alas. She’s dropping off a motion to dismiss the Colban case. He asks if she’s kidding, but she says she’s not. Read ‘em and weep. Until next time. She leaves.

Alexis says she doesn’t know how to get through, and Felicia says, just keep moving from one minute to the next. Alexis asks what she does this minute, and Felicia says she can walk Alexis through the necessary forms, and as a friend, make it painless as possible. Alexis says, just do it (I’m pleased that she pulls out a raggy tissue, as we all would, or at least I would), and Felicia says she has to decide on a funeral home. Alexis says, Dante said he’d prefer she make the arrangements, but she has nothing yet. Kristina says she’ll be back, and leaves. Molly suggests the funeral home that they used for Irene, and Alexis thanks her. Molly and TJ leave, and Alexis cries.

TJ asks how Molly is doing, and she says she’s fine. She has to be. He takes her hands and asks how she’s doing really. She says, heartbroken, angry, scared… She just lost Irene, then there was that craziness with Kristina, now losing Sam. She’s not sure how much more she can take. He hugs her.

Michael asks how Sam is gone, and Carly says, it doesn’t make sense. He says, Sam’s been here for him like the big sister he never had. He asks if she wants any help, and she says, the kids are asleep and she’s staying in case they need her. He asks if Willow knows, but she says she doesn’t think so. He doesn’t have to make it better for everyone else. He says he can’t sit around feeling sad, when his phone rings. Kristina asks if he’s heard, and he says, just now. Where is she? She says, at GH in the chapel. Can he come? She needs him.

Nina tells Ava that she gave up everything for a man and values her female friendships more highly now. (Hear her, ladies. In my dating days, I never once ditched my girlfriends. Men might come and go, but your girlfriends are forever.) It will take time and effort, but she’s willing to work at it. Ava says, so is she, and they toast to friends. Nina’s phone rings, and she looks at it, but ignores it. She says she’s worried about Willow. She’s not all right because Drew convinced her that he was a decent guy. Ava says, Drew the candidate or Drew the Quartermaine? and Nina says, Drew barely escaped a scandal. Cody got drunk and punched Drew in the face at the Brown Dog Bar. (I so badly want to go to a dive called the Brown Dog Bar.) Drew was fine and Cody went to jail, but not before he announced Drew was kissing his nephew’s wife. Ava says, Nina’s not telling her that Drew and Willow…  

Willow asks why Sasha and Cody broke up. What did he do? (Ha-ha-ha! As pissed as she is at Sasha, she figures it was him.) Sasha says, Cody is a great guy. He probably wouldn’t have said what he did if they were still together, but it’s not that. Willow asks, why? and Sasha says, they can’t be together. It turns out they’re cousins – first cousins. She found out Robert Scorpio is her father. Willow asks, how? and Sasha says, after lying to her for her whole life, her mother told her the truth. Willow says, Sasha told her that her mother was dead. She lied? Sasha says, yes, and Willow says she’s starting to think she doesn’t know Sasha at all.

There’s a knock at Diane’s office door, and she says, her favorite client. Jason walks in, and she says, what’s up? He says, something happened, and he wants her to hear it from him. Sam had a heart attack this evening. Diane asks if she’s okay, but he says, they couldn’t save her. Sam died.

In the chapel, Kristina looks up and says, here I am. Why did You do it? She gets up and almost leaves, but comes back. She says, look. I said I’d go to therapy. I said I’d go to group. I said I’d learn how to be a better sister. I did all those things and now this. After I already lost my daughter and can barely breathe, now You go and take my sister too? Why? Why, God, why? Answer me. I don’t get it and I want answers. I want to know how and why did You do this. You just took her from me and left me here with nothing. I have nothing left and I don’t know what to do. She cries and says, haven’t I suffered enough? Michael comes in, and Kristina says, Sam is dead. She’s gone. He holds her as she cries.

Sasha says she told everyone her mother was dead, but she only wanted it to be true. She may as well have been, since she was never there. Her mother never told her who her father was. Willow says, but when she realized Sasha was seeing Cody… Sasha says, she decided to do the right thing for once. She’s a two-faced, lying… Willow says she’s sorry Sasha and Cody can’t be together, but she’s fighting for her marriage because Sasha couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Sasha says she’s sorry, and Willow says she grew up in a cult and it was hard for her to trust anyone. Michael is willing to give her another chance. This hurt him. Sasha says she never should have told Cody something Willow shared in confidence (oh come on, stop acting like no one does this), but Willow needs to accept that everything that happened, happened because she kissed Drew. And not just once. If she’s so concerned about trust and honesty, look in the mirror. She has no one else to blame for this mess but herself. (Brava and grazie.)

Holly goes into her hotel room and can see it’s been tossed.

Diane says she can’t imagine what’s happening with Alexis. She should call her. Jason says, she’s making arrangements, and Diane says she doesn’t understand. Sam was fearless. She was invincible. Nobody was tougher and to lose her like this is unthinkable… She’s sorry. She can’t imagine what he’s going through. She knows how much Sam loved him. Jason says, he loved her, and she says, they all did. She was somebody who faced their problems head on. She always admired that about Sam. He says he thought she should know, and she thanks him. He asks, what’s wrong? (because that’s not enough) and she says, her problem is inconsequential… All right. He seems to want an extra helping of grief. They sit down, and she says she took something to Robert’s office and when she walked in, there was Holly. He asks if something happened, and she says, not overtly, but she just has to face the truth. Robert is still in love with Holly.

Nina says, Drew told Michael, and Ava asks, why? Nina says, somebody videoed Cody’s rant and sent it to Ned, and Ned threatened to blackmail Drew. Willow wanted to tell Michael, but she had no chance. And because Drew wanted to save his campaign, he convinced Willow not to tell Michael in the first place. It goes to show how Willow is a better person than she and Drew will ever be. Now Willow knows the kind of man Drew is. He’s a slick, smooth backstabbing bastard. Ava says, Nina is taking it rather personally, and Nina says, Willow is her daughter. Ava says, there’s more than that. Spill. Nina says she and Drew have had sex more than once, and Ava nearly chokes on her martini.

Sasha says, Willow keeps talking about the kiss, but they know it wasn’t just one time. Stop blaming everyone else and tell the truth. Willow says, it was a mistake, and Sasha says, both times? Willow says, yes, and they agreed there was no reason to hurt Michael. Sasha says, so she decided to lie. Be mad at Drew or herself, but leave her out of it. Willow says, if Sasha hadn’t told Cody, Cody wouldn’t have announced it, and Sasha says, she’s sick of everybody justifying their bad behavior. She was warned about the Quartermaines, but she had no idea. Willow will fit right in. Willow says, that’s not fair, but Sasha says, what’s not fair is Willow judging everyone else for her own mistakes. She’s quitting. She can’t work in this snake pit any longer. She can’t be with the man she loves, and she’s lost her best friend. Why stay? Carly walks in, and Sasha says, what is it?

Alexis asks Molly where her sister is, and Molly says, she’s in the chapel with Michael. Kristina asked if Alexis needed anything, but she didn’t say Alexis needed her here. Alexis says, Molly is still grieving her own child. If she’s holding it together for herself, that’s the way she needs to grieve. If she’s holding it together for her, don’t. It’s too much. It’s just all too much. They hug.

Kristina tells Michael that she was thinking about the time Sam went with her to get birth control for the first time. Sam took her there. Sam was there for all her firsts. Sam taught her self-worth and not to pick a partner that treated her like crap, but she didn’t listen. Michael says, they all make mistakes, and Kristina says, when she was with Dawn of Day, Sam risked her life to save her. He says, Sam would do anything for the people she loved and who loved her, and Kristina says, there was never judgement. If she wanted advice and guidance and couldn’t go to her mom, she’d go to Sam, and Sam wouldn’t think any less of her. He tells her to take the advice and guidance and use it. Be there for her mom and Molly like Sam was for her. Kristina says, to be honest, she’s the middle sister and still figuring it out. She can’t be the big sister. He says, he’s not saying she should fill Sam’s shoes, and she says she can’t be the big sister. She’s not supposed to be. He says, it’s not supposed to be this way, but it is, and they have to face that.

Diane says, when she found them together, she could tell by looking at their faces that she’d interrupted something. Sasha is Robert and Holly’s daughter. Jason says he’s surprised, and Diane says, it was a surprise to Robert too. He’s thrilled to have another daughter. Jason asks if things have changed, and she says, Robert told her that she’s the only woman in his heart. He says, she thinks he’s lying? and she says, only to himself. She believes he cares, but the way he feels about her is not the way he loves Holly.

Michael puts his arm around Kristina, and she cries. Willow calls, but he ignores it.

Willow leaves Michael a message that she heard about Sam. She’s so sorry. His mom said he was with Kristina. Call back when he has the chance.  

Ava says, oh boy, and Nina says, it started out as hate sex, but when she found out about the thing Drew was having with Willow, she started sleeping with him to distract him from her. It’s not a great plan. Ava asks if Willow knows, but Nina says, no, and she can never find out. Ava says, Nina can’t guarantee Cody doesn’t know about it, and Nina says, he does. He threw it in their faces at the bar. Ava says, so Ned knows… and everybody in the bar. Nina says, Drew convinced them that Cody is a drunk who lies, and she’s sure he paid them off. It won’t go viral. In spite of Ned’s threat, the Quartermaines don’t want a scandal. Ava says, Nina needs to tell Willow before she hears it from someone else, and Nina says, Willow will hate her. Ava says, at least Nina can say they’re through. Don’t let a man ruin her relationship with her daughter. She learned the hard way. Put her relationship with Willow above everyone else. Nina says, her child will always come first. She just hopes Willow’s marriage survives Drew’s selfishness.

Willow knocks on Drew’s door and says she just heard. She’s so sorry. Drew says he keeps losing the people he loves, and she hugs him. She says she’s so sorry, and he says he keeps thinking about Scout having no mom. He doesn’t know how to help her through. She says, he’ll find a way, and he says he wishes he was the man she sees when she looks at him. That man is the father Scout needs. Willow says, he is that man. Whatever is ahead, he’ll handle it. He says he doesn’t know how to be a parent, and she promises he’s not alone. He pushes her hair back, and as many times as I yell, no, no, no! at the TV, she kisses him.

Alexis says, Sam’s not coming back, and Molly says, no, she’s not. She doesn’t know what she’s supposed to do. Nothing is going to be the same. It’s never going to be. Alexis says she’s glad Molly has TJ, and Molly says, Alexis has her. Alexis says, and her sister, and Molly says she and Kristina promised to be there for each other. Alexis says she needs Molly to mean that because it’s just them now. They’re going to have to hang in there for each other. Not just for them, but for Sam and all the people she left behind. That’s what they’re going to do. She leans on Molly’s shoulder and says, it’s just the three of them. Molly says, the three of them.

Drew kisses Willow’s hand and they get busy. There’s a song part. (I’ve always suspected Willow was a little stupid.)

Holly goes to Robert’s office, and he asks, what’s wrong? She says she swore she’d never do this to him again, but he says, spit it out. She says she’s in trouble.

Sasha says she can’t believe Sam is gone, and Carly says, Jason told her. Sasha says, Dante must be devastated, and the kids, and Carly says, it’s heartbreaking. Sam was a great mom. The kids meant everything to her. Sasha says, they were lucky to have her. What do they do now? Carly says, be there for them, and Sasha says, of course (🍷) no one can replace their mom, especially one as loving and caring as Sam.

Suddenly, several masked men come in, along with Sidwell. One of the men grabs Sasha’s arm, and Sidwell says, if she’ll be kind enough to come with them… Carly says she has no idea who he is, but he has no idea what he’s messing with, and Sidwell says, don’t I, Miss Spencer? Call the authorities, and Sasha dies. Carly says she has better people to call, and he says, while she’s calling her friends in the underworld, tell Sasha’s mother that he wants his diamonds back. They leave, dragging Sasha with them.

Tomorrow, Michael asks if Brook has seen Willow; Willow says, this can never happen again; Anna says, Holly can’t be counted on to do the right thing; and Carly asks Jack what Sidwell is doing in Port Charles when the WSB is looking for him.

🍷 New drinking game. Whenever someone says, this can never happen again, take a shot. Take another when it does happen again.

🧴 A Little Bit Of Soap…

While everyone is doing a stellar job, I’m with Kristina. Why?

Very cool that she found a whole new niche for herself.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kimberly-mccullough-reveals-her-exciting-new-project

I’m definitely looking forward to this. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a new soap and it’s about time we got a predominantly Black cast. I’ve been disappointed with GH on this front.

🗽 Biting the Big Apple…

Racquel explained why she wanted to keep her engagement quiet and why she’d kept her previous breakup quiet. Apparently, the art world is very shallow, and she was concerned that the business she and her ex-husband shared would be hit in the wallet. Even more sadly, when the breakup became public knowledge, Racquel’s fiancé Mel was painted as a homewrecker, even though it was like a year later. Evidently, gossip is also part of the art world. Are they bored or just boring? Raquel had difficulty with revealing the relationship to her mom, who wouldn’t have the perfect image to present of her daughter. She hadn’t visited Racquel since her divorce, and Racquel and Mel discussed the possibility of her not coming to the wedding. I dunno. I’d be pretty proud of Racquel. She has an amazing career, isn’t doing bad at all financially, has a beautiful wardrobe and home, and is happy in her personal life. What more can you ask for?

Sai gifted Ubah with a book called Pigeon Watching, which was pretty funny. In Ubah’s interview, she said, the women were all in the book and she probably was too.

Jessel and husband Pavit went out to eat, and while Pavit was busy snapping pix of his food, Jessel tried to discuss their embryos on ice and how they needed couples therapy. At Erin’s Cinco de Mayo event in celebration of her new mezcal (🤮), Brynn flirted with Erin’s dad. In Sai’s interview, she pointed out how Brynn got mad about the sugar daddy stories, yet perpetuated that view of herself. Once again, loving Racquel, but Brynn, not so much.

Speaking of Brynn. Yeah. It’s always the editing.

👀 Do Watch Don’t…

I checked out Don’t Move last weekend and finally, a movie without a disappointing ending. No spoilers because this is in the film description. A woman about to commit suicide meets a stranger who causes her to rethink that plan. Later, said stranger kidnaps her, injecting her with a paralyzing drug. Angst and tension ensue. Kelsey Asbille (Iris) and Finn Wittrock (Richard) are the main players who carry the movie, and they’re superb. And with a lot of physically demanding scenes, no doubt came home from filming with bruises.

🎱 Magic 8 Ball Says…

I hate to say it, but it was probably just dumb luck that they were right before and ditto if they’re right tonight. It’s not like there’s anyone voting in the poll outside of the viewers.

https://pagesix.com/2024/10/31/entertainment/wwhl-poll-predicts-who-will-win-2024-election-after-viewers-correctly-predicted-previous-years/

☠️ Hail To the King…

Yay. Something else we have to wait until 2025 to see.

https://ew.com/it-welcome-to-derry-first-look-black-spot-hanlon-family-jovan-adepo-taylour-paige-exclusive-8736735

https://people.com/welcome-to-derry-it-prequel-show-everything-to-know-8737860

🦸‍♂️ Now Streaming, Marvel Jesus…

Disney+, November 12th. Be there or be a peanut.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/deadpool-and-wolverine-disney-plus-release-date

👻 Leftover Candy…

Random parade.

https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/10/27/hyde-park-halloween-pet-parade

This is nothing less than genius.

https://www.aol.com/famous-corgi-dad-over-top-150000807.html

Omg, the mouse in a trap. Some very clever ideas here.

https://www.startribune.com/the-winners-of-the-2024-star-tribune-halloween-pet-costume-contest/601172476

In case you were wondering.

https://www.al.com/news/2024/10/donald-trump-is-no-2-pet-halloween-costume-this-year-whats-no-1.html

BeetlePeke

🍂 October In Every November…

Join me tomorrow for soap, a little Salt, and more to watch (or not). Until then, stay safe, stay leaving election anxiety to the amateurs, and stay just continuing to move from one minute to the next when life is too much.

September 26, 2024 – First Loser In Sidwell’s Game, New Soap Who Dis, No Party Goes Unpunished, WWDD, Teasing Us, Digipool, No Joke, Fall Films, Saved By Her Hair & Rain

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Stella meets Tracy at the park, and Tracy says, in her book, on time is five minutes early. Punctuality is a principle she holds dear, and if Stella doesn’t agree, maybe they need to rethink their arrangement. Stella asks who Tracy thinks she’s talking to.

James goes to the stables and Sasha tells him to have fun with his Uncle Cody. Cody says, fun is his middle name.

Drew tells Ned that Valentin is wanted by the FBI. His assets have been seized and it’s not going to look good for ELQ. Ned agrees, and Drew says he wishes Ned had been in agreement when he teamed up with Valentin. They need a less controversial CEO. He can’t do it, so that leaves one person. Ned says, me, and Drew says, Michael.

Sidwell says, it would be easy to kill them all, but he wants to make it more interesting. He’ll give them a chance to keep breathing. Jason asks, what’s the game? and Sidwell says, three players. If Jason wins, he and Anna live. If Lucky’s name is accurate, he and Holly will live. If he wins, they all die. No matter what happens, he can’t lose. Holly says, this is insane. Kill them if he wants to, but not her.

Tracy asks Stella if she was harsh. Timeliness is important to her. Stella says, her too, but there was an accident on Bellmont… She’s not explaining herself. She doesn’t buy that Tracy is this angry because she was late. Tracy asks what she’s angry about then, and Stella says, you tell me. Tracy says her mood has nothing to do with Stella being late. Two staff members were insubordinate and ill-mannered, and she’s annoyed about it. The cook took it upon herself to throw an elaborate brunch for another family at their boathouse and the stable hand was involved. Stella says, that is rude. Some people have no work ethic anymore, throwing a party on the job. Tracy says, the cook wasn’t on the clock. It was her day off. Stella says, it’s a shame about the stable hand, but Tracy says, it was his day off too. Stella says she’s confused. What’s the problem? Tracy says, their blatant disregard for her. Sasha got huffy and defiant, and Cody chimed in on her behalf. Stella says, problems are like onions. You’ve got to pull back the layers to get to the root. She knows what this is really about, and bets Tracy does too.

James asks if Cody is happy to be part of their family, and Cody says, the happiest. James says he can’t believe Grandpa Mac is Cody’s dad, and Cody says he can’t believe it either. He learned to be okay with being alone and leaned into the cool parts, but having a family who he cares about and who cares about him is a lot cooler.

Maxie thanks Sasha for the brunch, and Sasha says, it was fun until Tracy. Maxie says, that was a lot of hot air over a quiche. She was checking for updates on Lulu. She’s getting worse and needs a transplant now. Sasha says she’s sorry. She knows they were close. Maxie says, Lulu is her best friend. Always has been and always will be.

Drew says, Michael is the obvious choice, and Ned tells him, says who? Who authorized him to choose? Drew says he’s a member of the family, and Ned says, he made that clear when he changed his name before his run for office. Drew says he makes no apologies, and Ned never apologized for making Valentin CEO. Ned asks if the initials SEC mean anything to Drew, and Drew says, they need to replace Valentin with Michael. Ned asks why he should support that, and Drew says, because he’s a team player. He’s supporting the family over his personal interests. Michael and Willow walk in, and Michael asks if they’re interrupting.  

Holly says she doesn’t know what these people are doing and doesn’t care. She’s not involved. He’s the one who persuaded her to leave Monte Carlo, and now she’s going to be killed if someone doesn’t win a game. Sidwell says he enjoyed his time with her, but doesn’t trust her. She knew these people and didn’t tell him. She says she explained why, but he says he doesn’t like people who keep secrets. He tells the guards to get the women out and secure Lucky and Jason. He asks if they’re ready to play for their lives.

Tracy asks if it isn’t premature for Stella to presume she knows what Tracy means, and Stella says, they’re more alike than Tracy wants to admit. It all boils down to one thing. How Tracy feels about Cody.

James asks if Sasha is part of their family because she’s Cody’s girlfriend, and Cody says, some people have a hard time believing in themselves. Sasha believed in him when he couldn’t and talked him into it. James says he believes in Cody. How can he not believe in himself? Cody says, James wrote the book on cool, but James says he hates writing. Cody tells him, it’s just a saying. For the record, Sasha is part of his family. James says, then she’s part of his too, and they get ready to go for a ride.

Holly and Anna are put in a cell, and Anna looks around. Holly says, she won’t find anything, and Anna asks if she’s supposed to sit around waiting to die. The whole reason they came was to bring Lucky home to save Lulu, but that only happens if he lives. If he wins, that means Jason can’t win. She finds a paper clip and starts to work the lock. She says, that means she’s a dead woman. Why didn’t Holly help Lucky escape when she found him? Holly asks how she would know Lulu needed a transplant. She was two months into the most odious con, and two weeks was all she needed. She would have had millions of dollars, but instead, they show up, and now their lives are at risk. Anna says, Holly always survives. She needs to ask Holly a favor. When she gets out, go to Robert and asks him to tell their daughter how much she loves her. Holly says, Anna is such a bitch. Anna knows she can’t go to Robert and tell him that she left her to die. Anna says she doesn’t see what choice Holly has. Unless Holly has a magic Get Out of Jail Free card, she’s screwed.

Sidwell says he’ll do the honors, and shuffles the cards. A guard whispers something to him, and he says, something requires his attention. In case they think of doing anything stupid, there are guards outside. He leaves, and Lucky asks what Jason and Anna are doing here. Jason says, they’re here to take him home.

Drew says he was filling Ned in on his idea for Michael to take over as CEO, and Ned says, it was more like a mandate. Drew says, does Michael have time to join them? and Willow says, it’s fine. She’ll see him at the boathouse. Michael says, if they miss their reservation, he’ll make it up to her, and she says she knows. She leaves, and Michael says he takes it Ned’s not on board, and Drew says, Ned’s creating conflict where there is none. They need to get ELQ on solid ground and it’s easier if they’re on the same page. Ned says, it’s always two against one, and Drew says, Ned’s right. Ned says, that’s a first, and Drew says, no more two against one. He’s confident they’ll figure it out on their own. He leaves, and Michael says he doesn’t have an agenda. He just wants to do what’s best for the family. Ned says he believes Michael. It’s not Michael he doesn’t trust. It’s Drew.

Tracy asks if Stella is suggesting she’s harboring romantic feelings for Cody. If so, she’s ready too many trashy novels. Stella says she’s not saying that… Not that she would blame Tracy. They’ve been meeting for several months and it’s clear by how much she talks about Cody, that they’ve become close. He even took her out on the lake in that old rowboat. They confide in each other. She was one of the first people Cody told when he found out Mac was his real father. Tracy says she’s mentioned him more than she realized, and Stella says, he’s a good friend and now he’s reunited with his family and he’s with Sasha. Tracy is afraid of losing him. And why not? Look at where they are. She points to Gregory’s plaque on the bench, and Tracy says, it’s been a difficult year. She hasn’t spoken to Finn in months. Stella says, another good friend. Loss is hard. Tracy says, losing Gregory was harder. He was one of her closest confidents. And there’s Luke. She misses him most of all. Luke, Finn, and Gregory were all so compelling, especially Luke. They’re very different, but Cody reminds her of him. Maybe she just wants to see that, but she thinks they share a lot of the same qualities. Stella says, it’s safe to say he’s important to her, and Tracy says she couldn’t stand another relationship slipping away.

Lucky says he appreciates the effort, but Jason says he doesn’t understand. Lucky says, just get himself and Anna out. Sidwell talks a big game, but he’s not going to kill him or Holly. Jason says, there’s no time. Lulu had a medical crisis and needs a liver transplant. Lucky is her best shot at a donor and has to get home as soon as possible. Sidwell comes back and says, apologies. Now, where were we?

Stella says she’s sorry about Luke, Gregory, and Finn, and Tracy says, at least Finn is still alive. Stella says, but he’s not present in the way Tracy wishes he was. Grief isn’t linear. There are ups and downs, twists and turns. Tracy says, her own personal roller coaster. She wants to get off the ride now. Stella says, you think you’re making progress and you’re at peace, then out of nowhere, it hits like a ton of bricks. Tracy says, it sounds like she’s speaking from experience, and Stella says, a few weeks ago, she heard My Girl. She and Irene used to play it over and over, and dance and sing for hours. She was in her car and just lost it. She’s convinced, the deeper the love, the longer the journey. Tracy says, there’s no bond like siblings. She had a brother. He drove her crazy like nobody else. Why get involved with people when you’re just going to lose them? Stella says, everything Tracy feels is normal. Although maybe she should temper her reaction. Tracy says she guesses she owes Sasha an apology, and Stella says, that’s a good place to start. Tracy says she’s sorry for scolding Stella. It’s not going to happen again… if there is an again. Stella asks if Tracy doesn’t recognize a good friend sitting next to her. She’s not a compelling man, but she is a compelling woman if she does say so herself. Tracy says she has to agree.

Ned says he gets that Michael is in it for the family and sees he’s willing to put aside what he wants for the greater good. Michael says, but Ned doesn’t think Drew is, and Ned says he knows Drew isn’t. Michael says, no one has come through for the family more than Drew, and Ned says, they’re grateful, but Drew is a Quartermaine through and through. He wasn’t always like he is now, but maybe his struggles changed him. He knows Drew is out for himself and will take what he wants. Michael says he’s never seen anything to indicate that, but Ned says, keep his eyes open. Just because Michael’s intentions are pure doesn’t mean Drew’s are. He’ll never fully trust Drew, and if Michael is smart, he won’t either. He leaves.

Creeper Drew goes to the boathouse, and Willow asks what he’s doing here. He says he could tell she was upset and wanted to say he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to ruin her night with Michael. She says, it doesn’t matter. She’s continually asked him to stay away, but he doesn’t care. He says, of course (🍷) he does, and she says she has feelings for him that are jeopardizing her marriage, and it makes her feel like absolute crap. He says she doesn’t want her to feel that way, and she says, then stop running into her and checking on her. She needs him to leave her alone.

Sidwell says he’ll put down first, and lays his cards out. Lucky puts his down, but Jason folds. Sidwell tells the guards to take Jason and bring Holly back. Jason’s loss is English’s gain. She always lands on her feet. Give his condolences to Anna. It was pleasure playing cards with him. Lucky says he’s sorry, and Jason says, get home safe. The guards lead him out, and Sidwell says, for a savvy card player, Jason is naïve. Lucky’s not going anywhere.

Maxie sees Ned and says she has papers for Tracy and Brook. He asks if it’s Deception business, and she says, it is. She asks if he can keep an eye on James. One time, the lake; two times, a disappearing act. Ned says he’s got it, and Maxie says she won’t take long. Good luck. Ned asks, what’s new? and James asks if Ned kisses people on the lips. Ned laughs and says he does, but only one person, his wife Olivia. James says, kissing his mom makes Spinelli happy. Why would one kiss make Willow sad?

Cody tells Sasha that he and James talked about her and how grateful he is to have her in his life. James asked if she was part of his family. He hopes he wasn’t out of turn saying yes. She says, nothing would make her happier, and they kiss.

Holly says she’ll never forget the day Anna showed up, the woman from Robert’s past. Anna was awful. Her marriage to Robert was the sweetest time of her life. She thinks she knew in her heart something that special can’t last. Anna says she remembers how at peace and content Robert was with Holly. She guesses she felt bad about getting in the middle of that. She thinks Holly made Robert happy in a way she never did. Holly says, Robert will never be happy again if she lets Anna die here, but she can’t figure out how to prevent it. Anna says she doesn’t think Holly can, but Holly says she told Anna, no way is she going back to Robert and telling him that she left Anna here to die. The guards bring Jason in, and one of the guards punches him in the stomach just because. They take Holly, and Anna says, tell Robert to tell her, but Holly says, don’t give up. Jason says he’s sorry. He lost the game. Anna shrugs and says she knew he would.

Sidwell wonders what Jason’s hand was and Lucky looks at the cards. He says, a losing one, and Sidwell says, Lucky’s trend continues. Lucky says, they did what he wanted. They played his sick game and now two people are going to die. Sidwell says, that doesn’t mean the deal changed. If Lucky loses… Lucky asks if he’s not bored, but Sidwell says, not even a little bit. Lucky says he thinks it’s time they shake things up, put in something for him. They play a hand and if he wins, he goes free. Holly is brought back, and Sidwell tells the guard to take the other two to the courtyard. He welcomes Holly back, and she says she’s glad that unpleasantness is behind them. She’ll forgive him this once. Since they’re still playing, she’ll go to her room. Sidwell tells her to stay and tells Lucky that he’s right. It’s high time they reset the terms.

Cody knocks everything off the table, and he and Sasha start to get busy. Tracy clears her throat, and they see her standing in the doorway. (Why do they continually leave this door open?)

On the phone, Michael says he’s off the grid for the rest of the night. He has plans with his wife. Maxie walks in and says, he makes his family priority. She wonders how he’s not pulled in different directions. She’s having a hard time, and she only works for one company. He says, there’s nothing more important than Willow and the kids, and she says, Spinelli usually gets the short end of the stick, but he’s patient and kind about it. She hereby declares she’s making her relationship a priority. Michael suggests a standing date night. Twice a month minimum, one a week if they can swing it. She says, they’re both lucky they found their person.

Willow says, please just go, and Drew says he will, but he wants her to know that he understands. He’s going through the same thing. She says, he’s not married. He’s amazing and her heart races when she sees him. It puts what matters at risk and she wishes she could make it go away, but she’s having trouble. He can help. He helped her in Greenland. Help her now. Stay away from her. Please. He leaves.  

James asks if sad and guilty are the same, and Ned says, sometimes. James asks what guilty means, and Ned says, it means you feel bad about something and wish you hadn’t done it. He’s confused. What does that have to do with Willow and a kiss? James says he heard Willow tell Aunt Nina that she felt guilty for kissing Drew. (Rut-roh. Congratulations, Ned. You’re the new CEO of ELQ!)

Jason says, Sidwell is going to kill them, and Anna says, he made that clear. He says, their only chance is to jump them, but she says, they’re armed. She has to get the cuffs off of him. She can’t go after them alone. He picks up the paper clip and she works at the cuffs, but she says, it’s not working. It’s not strong enough. It’s just bending. She can find a nail. She searches the bed, and says, if she can get it out… Frustrated, she lifts the bed and it bangs on the floor, and Jason says, just try again. She starts to cry and says she can’t do it. He tells her, stop, and she says, sorry. This is it, isn’t it? They’re going to die in here tonight. She hugs him, and it looks like they’re about to kiss, but they’re distracted by a door clanging. Jason listens for a moment, then kisses Anna. (I wrack my brain trying to remember if they’ve ever been involved.)

Sidwell says, Lucky isn’t just playing to keep himself alive. Holly lives as long as Lucky continues to win. Holly says she refuses, and Sidwell asks if she thinks she has a say. She smacks his face and says, he brought her to this hellhole just to be part of his sad game. He grabs her and says, does she think he didn’t know she was after his diamonds? Does she think he’d let her cheat him? She grabs his gun and tells him not to lay his hands on her. And don’t think of calling the guards. She asks if Lucky can get free, and he says he’s way ahead of her, already out of the cuffs and leg irons. He asks where Anna and Jason are, and she says, they’re in the same cell he was. Sidwell knocks the gun out of her hand.  

Tomorrow, Cody says, Tracy should know if she does, he’s going too; Robert tells Diane, don’t be too sure on that; Brennan tells Carly that he’ll do as much as he can, the rest is up to them; and Sonny says he would have hoped Martin would make that happen.

🧼 At the Starting Gates…

This sounds pretty good. Doubtful I’ll watch it during its daytime slot, but I’m sure it will stream as well. Could this mean daytime is taking a turn for the soap? Premiering on CBS in early 2025.

https://deadline.com/2024/09/beyond-the-gates-cbs-daytime-drama-casts-tamara-tunie-daphnee-duplaix-karla-mosley-1236093722/

🍊 Ti Many Martoonies For Tamra…

Fancy Pants couldn’t figure out why it was two steps forward with Gina and Emily, and said there was a piece of the puzzle missing. Yeah, the piece that’s Heather’s ego. She and Terry got in a little spat, which was interesting. He was annoyed with her talking over him (ugh, same, I hate that), and told her not to admonish him on camera. They tried to hide from the camera when they had that conversation, but Andy sees all.

Johnny J. wouldn’t settle the suit with Shannon (try saying that three times real fast) because he wouldn’t sign an agreement not to say bad things about her. I’m still confused as to who asked for this in the first place, since I thought this whole thing started because she was talking smack about him. Alexis said he’d lost everything, and it was all coming out tomorrow. While we assumed she meant the videos, which he admitted keeping for blackmail purposes (!), it was just an article in the press about the lawsuit, which is par for the course. Shannon butt-dialed Tamra, who heard her wailing about it and saying she thought Alexis’s PR team was behind it.

Katie was having a couples’ dinner party so husband Matt could make friends. It was funny when Katie listed the names of the guests for Matt. I got the feeling they went right back out of his head the second she said them. Ryan had gone on a podcast and trashed Eddie, and Shane wondered if there was going to be a boxing match. I like Shane. He seems normal. In her interview, Katie said, just be kind around the wineglasses. Emily said, Fancy Pants wasn’t invited because she didn’t acknowledge Katie’s existence, but Terry had just undergone surgery to fix his snoring nose, so that could have actually been why. Gina was away, and Katie said she didn’t want Shannon feeling like a ninth wheel, although I’m pretty sure Shannon would still be offended at not getting an invite. Especially since she was whining about being all alone… except she had Archie… sniff… Hey, you can do worse than a dog. When Eddie asked if there were name tags at the table, Emily said he was by Ryan. I literally lol’d and even Eddie had to laugh. Yeah, if I was going to hang out with anybody IRL, it would be Emily and Shane.

Tamra kept downing martinis, and in her interview, Jenn said the last time Tamra got drunk like this, she (Jenn) had a napkin thrown in her face, and we flashed back to that. They discussed Alexis being looney toons and this led to Emily weeping over the whole dress thing again. It’s a shame Emily still feels like she’s overweight. She doesn’t seem to understand that the size number doesn’t matter. Even at my thinnest, my waist only gets so small. Tamra wanted to talk about the elephant in the room, or as Emily put it, the two big elephants. Because you should always discuss these things at a dinner party. At least in Housewifeland. This led to Tamra and Ryan arguing about his love of married women. Eddie kept trying to get her to shut up, while the other husbands looked at the sky, the grass, or their drinks. It didn’t take long for Tamra’s vocal register to hit screech level, and she ended up stumbling out of the party by herself, saying, I’m done.

⚰️  Spinning At You This Sunday…

The latest on Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol. No spoilers.

https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-our-best-look-yet-at-the-book-of-carol/

https://www.ign.com/articles/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-2-review-book-of-carol

🌁 Something New From Last…

The latest trailer for The Last of Us. However, it’s not making the new season air any faster… sigh…

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/last-of-us-season-2-trailer/

🦸 Straight From the Merc’s Mouth…

The Amazon version sounds awesome. When it comes out on DVD, I want the Blu-ray with the pop-up Deadpool army. Yes, I bought the Game of Thrones makeup set with the pop-up throne. I’m that kinda girl.

https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/marvel-studios-deadpool-and-wolverine-digital-4k-uhd-blu-ray-dvd

I’m not surprised. There was really nothing like seeing this on the big screen. I would have walked on glass to get there. Not broken glass, but maybe that safety glass like they use for car windows.

https://collider.com/deadpool-wolverine-global-box-office-1-317-billion/

🃏 All Joking Aside…

Lady Gaga proves once again that she’s more talented than the rest of the world put together.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/lady-gaga-fiance-michael-polansky-joker-folie-a-deux-london-photos/story?id=114124780

https://ew.com/joker-folie-a-deux-clip-joaquin-phoenix-lady-gaga-kiss-prison-8713670

🎬 And the Rest…

A list of the movies that may or may not be in your future.

https://ew.com/your-guide-fall-movies-2024-joker-folie-a-deux-wicked-8717208

🐕 Nemesis Of Roadrunners Everywhere…

I saw this on the news and got an adrenaline rush just from watching it. Thank God she was right there and moved fast. We don’t have coyotes here, but we didn’t used to have deer in the backyard either.

https://people.com/tommy-lee-wife-brittany-furlan-saves-their-dog-coyote-attack-video-8717966

🍵 Autumn Is Calling…

Join me tomorrow for soap and whatever nuggets of entertainment I can dig up. Until then, stay safe, stay organizing your environment for inner peace, and stay peeling back the layers until you get to the root of your problem.