Tag Archives: Beyond the Gates

November 14, 2024 – Jason Punches Drew, New Lulu, First Soap, Gates Open Soon, A Friend Joins the OC Reunion, Salty Talk, Prank Slam, Charming Exit, Latest House, Surprise & Cosmic

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis says, if Kristina wants her help to get justice, she’ll do everything she can to help. Kristina says she wants to prepare for Ava’s trial and do everything she can to see that Ava is found guilty of killing Adela.

Ava meets Ric at the Grille, and he tells her that he’s going to be upfront. Her case isn’t a slam dunk. An innocent baby is dead, two mothers are grieving, and there’s a photo where Ava has her hands on Kristina. Ava says, it’s not what it looks like, and Ric says he believes her, but he doesn’t know if a jury will. Ava asks if he doesn’t plan to paint Kristina as an explosive, unpredictable woman, and he says, like her?

Trina sees TJ at the boxing gym, and he tells her that it’s good to keep busy. She says she’s sorry about Sam. How’s Molly? He says he’s barely seen her.

Molly sits at Bobbie’s reading a book. She puts it on the table and looks at her phone. As he’s walking by, Isaiah knocks the book off the table. He picks it up and says, Little Women. She must be in the mood for a good cry.

Willow says, it seems something is bothering Michael, and he says, there is something on his mind. There’s no good way to ask, so he’s just going to ask. How does she feel about Drew moving to DC?

Jason is waiting in the foyer when Nina comes in with Drew. She tells Jason that his brother is a congressman, and Drew walks toward Jason, holding out his hand. Jason punches Drew in the face. (Jason is all of us right now.)

Nina says, what the hell? and Jason and Drew struggle. Jason hits Drew again and draws blood. Nina yells, stop! when Lois and Brook come out. Brook says, that’s enough, and Nina says, Drew is hurt. Drew asks Jason, why? but Jason says, you know why. He leaves, and Ned comes in. Ned asks if Drew wants to tell him what the hell that was about.

Willow says she understands it might be difficult to believe, but she’s glad Drew is leaving for DC. He won’t be a constant reminder to Michael, and the longer he’s gone, the easier it will be to get past this and the less it will matter. Michael asks if that’s what she wants, and she says, it’s all she wants. He says he’s glad to hear it, and she says, he doesn’t seem as happy as she thought he’d be. He says he’s not sure it solves their real problem and wonders if it’s enough to save their marriage. Or is it too little too late? Willow says, of course (🍷) it’s not. It will give them a chance to work on their relationship. He says he knows where he wants to start, with the truth.  

TJ tells Trina that losing Irene was devastating. They don’t have closure. Trina says, maybe they need more time, but TJ says, they’re burying themselves in work and avoiding each other. They used to love spending time together. She says, grief changes you. She always thought she was outgoing, but after Spencer died, she felt alone. He says, when they lost the baby, he thought they’d tackle it together, but they feel separate. She suggests they’re just going through a rough patch and will figure it out, but he says, with Sam being gone, Molly is more distant than ever. She’s not confiding in him, but he doesn’t blame her. The loss is too much.

Molly tells Isaiah that Little Women is her favorite book. It comforts her. He says, it doesn’t look like her first copy, and she says, it’s the newest edition. It was her birthday gift to herself. Her birthday is today. He tells her, happy birthday, and she says, he’s the first person this year to wish her happy birthday. He may be the only one. He asks if everyone forgot, and she says, seems like it. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Her family has a lot going on. He says, that’s no excuse, but she says, it kind of is. She doesn’t mean to unload on him, but her sister just passed away. They’re all in shock and dealing with planning a funeral. He says he’s sorry, and she says, it doesn’t feel real and doesn’t make sense. He says he hopes she doesn’t mind him asking, but what happened? Was she sick? Molly says, she died unexpectedly after a routine surgery. She was a liver donor. He asks if her sister was Sam McCall.

Kristina tells Alexis that she’s not worried about the outcome. She has faith that justice will prevail, and they’ll find Ava guilty of killing her daughter. She wants to be as prepared as possible. She’s been working with the DA’s office, but she trusts Alexis more. Besides, they could use the distraction. Alexis says, it’s a good idea to be as prepped as possible and know what she’s going to say on the stand. Kristina says she does. She’s going to tell the truth. Alexis says, of course (🍷), and Kristina says, it’s an open and shut case. Alexis says, it’s possible the case may not work the way Kristina wants.

Ava asks how Ric can say that when he knows she’s hanging on by a thread, and he says, the prosecution is going to portray her in the worst possible light. She says she’s not the monster people make her out to be, and he says, she needs to be prepared for what the ADA is going to throw at her. They way she reacted to what he just said might not bode well on the stand, and the cross-examination by the prosecution will be harder. She says, it’s not her first time, and he says, they’re going to leave no stone or bad deed unturned. Every time she jaywalked, they’re going to dredge it up. It’s his job to see how well she holds up under pressure.

Kristina tells Alexis, of course (🍷) it’s going to go her way. The truth is on her side. Alexis says, unfortunately, that’s not going to matter. Not when Ric is involved. He doesn’t care about her feelings or her grief or her pain. Kristina says she can handle Ric, but Alexis says, he’s smart and shrewd and will set a trap. Kristina will walk into it and he won’t bat an eye. She’ll do what she can to help Kristina be prepared, but it may not go the way she wants. Kristina says she’s not going to fall into Ric’s trap, but Alexis says, she already has, at the Grille. Don’t think he won’t use that to make her look unstable. Krisina says, Ric won’t blindside her again. With Alexis’s help she’ll be ready for whatever Ric throws at her.

Ava asks Ric why her past needs to be brought up. Isn’t it inadmissible? He says, that motion is always shot down. Character is definitely relevant to establish a pattern. Ava says, there’s no pattern, but he says, her brushes with the law are admissible. Her taking the stand is the only real weapon in their arsenal. She has to confront her past and accept what she’s done. She says, probably nobody will understand why she’s done the things she’s done.

Willow asks what Michael means by the truth, and he says he’s done a lot of thinking. It’s all he’s been thinking about. He loves her and he wants them to move past this. She says she does too, and he says, she has no idea how happy he is to hear her say that. They haven’t exactly been truthful. She says she’s sorry she kept her and Drew’s kiss from him, but he says he’s not just talking about the kiss. They’ve both kept secrets from each other. He didn’t tell her about his and Dex’s plan to take down his father, and didn’t tell her that Nina was the one who called the SEC. It’s easy to keep secrets because it’s become their pattern (WOTD). She says she wanted to tell him. She hated lying to him. It was tearing her apart. He says, they’ve both lied. He wants to feel like they can be honest. To make it work, there have to be no more secrets, and he can’t be the only one who wants that to happen. She needs to want it too. Is she ready to be completely honest?

Drew is helped to the living room, and Ned tells them not to let Drew bleed on the upholstery (ha-ha-ha!). Lois asks, what’s wrong with him? and he says he’s thinking about Monica. If they keep the damage to a minimum, she never needs to know. Nina says, Drew was just attacked by his brother, and Brook says, that will be upsetting to Monica. She leaves to get ice, and Lois says, Drew needs to go to the emergency room, but Ned says, no. The family can’t endure another scandal. Lois says, Drew needs medical attention, but Drew says, Ned’s right. It will draw too much attention that they don’t need.

Molly says, Sam is her sister, and Isaiah says, this is a strange coincidence. He’s the surgeon who operated on Lulu. They introduce themselves, and Molly says she didn’t know who was operating on Lulu. They were so focused on Sam and Lucas, it didn’t occur to them to ask. He says, there’s no reason they should have. He’s sorry for her loss. From what he heard, Sam was an amazing person. Molly says, she was, and thanks him. She says, if he’s not meeting someone, would he like to join her? He says he’d love to, and sits down. He says he can understand why her family forgot. He’s sorry he was harsh. She says, even if they’d remembered, she’s not in the mood to celebrate, but he says, even on the hardest of days, it’s important to enjoy yourself. Birthdays are only once a year. It would be a shame to waste it. He has something to take care of, but he’ll be right back. He leaves the table.

Trina works the heavy bag, and TJ says, she packs a hell of a punch. She says, it comes in handy when somebody cuts in line at the coffee shop, and he says he has to get back to work. It was nice to have a sympathetic ear. She says she’s here for him, and he packs up. He tells her to enjoy her workout, but she sees Kai is there and says she doesn’t see that happening. Because of that guy. He says, Kai Taylor? and she asks if he knows him. He says, everybody knows him, but she says she didn’t before the other day. He tells her all of Kai’s football accomplishments, and she says, he’s messing up her GPA. He’s her partner for a project and hasn’t showed up for any classes. TJ suggests she talk to him.  

Kristina says she’ll do what it takes to beat Ric, and Alexis says she believes Kristina can do whatever she puts her mind to, but she’s not sure it’s going to work. Kristina says she can’t accept that. Ava has tortured their family long enough. Ava killed Morgan and Connie, and it’s not fair there were never any consequences. Ava belongs in prison for everything she’s done. Ava is responsible for the fact she can never hold her daughter or experience being a mother. She wants Ava to experience the unbearable pain of having Avery ripped out of her arms and know it’s because of her.

Ric says he knows what it’s like not to be proud of your past, and Ava says she had good reasons for doing the things she did. He says, that’s what they try to convince themselves and the people they love, doing mental gymnastics. One small bad deed leads to another until they’ve painted themselves so far in a corner, they don’t know how they got there. And the worst part is, when it’s over, they’ve lost the people they love. The people they love hate them, and they’re left alone wondering where they went wrong. They live with the guilt and the person they’ve become, becomes familiar. Maybe they’re not so different. He’s not going to judge her when he’s not ready to judge himself. She tells him, do his worst, and he says, Miss Jerone, how did you feel when you pushed Kristina Corinthos-Davis out of the window? Similar to when you shot Connie Falconari in cold blood?

Lois asks if they know a doctor who will make house calls, and Nina says she’ll get Willow. She thinks they should call the cops, but Ned says, the attention the police will attract is worse than an ambulance. Nina says, they can be discreet, and if the press finds out, she’ll mitigate the fallout. Jason needs to be held responsible. She leaves, and Ned says, so they all agree, no cops. All he saw was a disagreement between brothers. Lois says, it was more than that, but Drew says, no cops, no ambulance.

Willow says she wants a life with Michael. It’s what she’s always wanted, for them to have a family together. He asks if that’s what she really wants or is she saying that because she feels obligated? but she says she’d never think of him as an obligation. He says he wants to make sure they’re on the same page and both want to fight for their marriage. She says that’s exactly what she wants. Where do they start? He says he thinks it’s time they were completely honest, when there’s an urgent knock at the door. It’s Nina, and she says, Willow needs to come to the house. There was a fight and someone was injured. Michael says, who? and she says, Drew and Jason had a fight and Drew was hurt. They leave.

Isaiah brings Molly a cupcake with a candle in it, and she says, that’s very sweet. He says he’s embarrassed to admit it, but he’s a big birthday guy. But it’s not a go until she makes a wish. She asks if he thinks it’s okay if she wishes for something that’s not possible, and he says, that’s the best kind of wish. She blows out the candle.

Ava says she did not kill Connie, but Ric says, she was arrested for Connie’s murder. She says, the charges were dropped, and he says, because the evidence disappeared. Just like the bags Kristina tripped over. Ava says she explained that to the police. She panicked and moved them. He says, the same bags Kristina fell over when Ava pushed her out the window and killed her baby? Ava says she’s done terrible things that she wishes desperately she could undo, and he says, like killing Morgan? She says she didn’t kill Morgan. She loved Morgan. He asks if she didn’t replace Morgan’s bipolar medication with placebos causing him to have mental breakdown and be in the wrong place at the wrong time, causing his death. Remember, she’s under oath. She says, his breakdown was her fault, but she’s not responsible for the explosion. She put Morgan in a vulnerable position, but she never intended for him to die. Morgan was the most beautiful person she’s known. She’s not denying she switched his medication and prays for forgiveness for the part she played in his death. It haunts her. But as tragic as it was, it was nothing like what happened with Kristina’s baby.

Alexis says she’s never heard Kristina talk like that, and Kristina says she’s never experienced what she’s been through. Alexis says, it’s not about revenge. The law is about justice. Kristina says, not if the guilty don’t pay for their crimes. Ava deserves to be punished. Alexis asks if she knows who she sounds like, and Kristina says, her father? Alexis says, she sounds angry and cold and she’s talking about Ava like she’s not human. Act like this, and Ric will exploit it. Kristina says she’s not going to let him get to her. She’s more focused and has clarity. Ava needs to be punished. Alexis says, revenge isn’t the same as justice, but Kristina says, in this case, justice and revenge go hand in hand.

In the nook, Lois says she can’t believe what happened. She hopes Drew is okay. Brook says, his eye looks terrible. She wonders what caused Jason to lose his temper, and Lois says, he’s still grieving Sam. Brook says, that’s probably it, and Lois asks, what’s that look, like she knows something? Spill it. What’s this big secret thing they’re not letting her in on? She’s Brook’s mother. Brook can trust her. Brook says, she can’t keep a secret. It’s big and it’s better Lois doesn’t know. Lois says, it’s affecting her life in this house, and she has the right to know what’s going on. Brook says, she does have a point. Promise not to tell a single living soul. Lois gestures locking her lips and putting the key down her bra, and Brook says, Drew and Willow kissed. Lois says, holy cannoli, and Brook says, obviously, Jason knows. This is really bad.

Willow asks, what happened? and Nina says, Jason happened. He attacked Drew out of nowhere. Willow asks why he would do that, and Ned says, let Willow take a look at Drew while he talks to Michael in the foyer.

Ned says, Michael told Jason? and Michael says, it just kind of happened. Ned says, Michael knows that Jason likes to take matters into his own hands.

TJ leaves, and Trina walks over to Kai. He asks if she’s going to dump her water on him too, and she asks what he’s doing here. Doesn’t he work out in that fancy gym on campus? He says, it’s under maintenance, and she says she’s sorry he has to slum it with the rest of them. He says he doesn’t think of it like that, but she says she doesn’t care where he works out, as long as it’s not in her space. He says he thinks they got off on the wrong foot and he wants to make things right. He got his schedule and he’s going to come to class for the rest of the year and work hard. She says, don’t bother. She already asked for a new partner, and when it gets approved, she’ll never have to think about him again. She walks out.

Isaiah says, it’s a book he’s read many times. Maybe Molly should just read part one, the happy part… happyish. She says she means this as a compliment, but she never met a man as familiar with Little Women as he is. He says, when he provided medical services to refugees in Africa, it was the only book he could get his hands on. He must have read it ten times, maybe more. She says, it’s a great book. It’s definitely gotten her through some hard times. He says, immersing yourself in a book is better than something less constructive, like binge drinking, and she says, self-destructive coping mechanisms aren’t her thing. Those are more Kristina’s speed. He says, so she’s one of several girls. That’s why she loves the book. She says, they all have different fathers and her mom is the one who bonds her together, like Marmie. He asks, which sister is her? and she says, Meg, the responsible one. Kristina is Amy, spoiled and impulsive. Sam is definitely Jo, independent and outspoken. She was Jo. She doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to referring to Sam in the past tense.

Lois says, Chase missed everything, and Brook says, he was called out on an emergency. Lois says, it’s best he wasn’t here. He would have had to arrest Jason. They head to the living room with the ice, and Lois says, that’s what happens when you kiss someone else’s wife. Brook shushes her.

Ned asks what Michael was thinking. Now the whole town will know Drew and Willow were playing footsy. Michael says he needed someone to talk to, and Ned says he hopes it was worth it.

Willow tends to Drew’s eye, and Brook brings her the ice. Lois says, it looks awful, and Nina agrees. Nina, Brook, and Lois leave, and Willow asks Drew why Jason attacked him. Does he know what happened? Drew says, that’s impossible. They’re the only two who know.

Outside Bobbie’s, Isaiah’s phone rings. He asks what he can do for Terry… Can he ask what it’s about?… Sure. He’s headed over there now.

Molly gets up to leave Bobbie’s, when Kristina comes in. She hands Molly a present and says, happy birthday. Molly opens it, and it’s a gold necklace with a tiny M initial charm. Kristina says she knows Molly loved hers, so now she’s got one of her own. She hopes Molly doesn’t mind that they’re matching. Molly says, of course (🍷) not. She loves it. Kristina says, happy birthday.

Ava says, Kristina’s fall was a terrible accident. If she hadn’t tripped… If she had it to do all over again, she would never have let Cates leave his luggage. That bag is the reason she’s in this mess to begin with. She shouldn’t have moved it. That’s what makes her look guilty when she’s not. How could people think she’d hurt a pregnant woman? That’s a line she would not cross. She’s barely slept since it happened. She lays in bed remembering the look on Kristina’s face before she fell. How shocked she was. She remembers the sound of glass breaking and Kristina’s scream, so panicked and scared. She’ll never forget it. Kristina lost the baby daughter that she loved and couldn’t wait to meet. Just like Ava lost her precious Kiki. She knows how horrible the pain is. It rips you apart. She would never inflict suffering like that on another mother. Shame on people who think that. If she could, she’d give up everything to give Kristina back her baby. Ric says, that’s it. Perfect. That speech is exactly what he wants her to say on the stand. Her heartfelt sympathy is real and if she takes accountability the way she just did, they’ve got the win locked up.

Kristina fastens the necklace on Molly, and Molly says, it means more than Kristina knows, this year especially. Kristina says, Sam wishes her a happy birthday too. They hug, and Jason walks in. Kristina notices his bloody knuckles, and he quickly goes to the back.

Willow tells Drew that the cut will need to be cleaned. She’ll come back in the morning. Michael looks into the living room, and because these two don’t learn, he sees Drew and Willow alone, Willow’s hand against Drew’s cheek. Willow says she wanted to make sure Drew was okay. She’s sorry this happened. Drew says he’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.

It’s not often I feel sorry for Michael, but yeah, this is one of those times.

Tomorrow, Felicia tells Anna that Sasha doesn’t know something; Lucky asks Sonny why he should stay if what he’s looking for isn’t here; Jason says, all Carly needs to know is that Drew got everything he deserved; and Ric asks Drew to please tell him they’re pressing charges.

🩺 And Suddenly…

I’m thinking Terry called Isaiah because there’s been a good change in Lulu’s prognosis.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/alexa-havins-teases-her-debut-as-ghs-lulu

🧴 Gotta Start Somewhere…

She could do worse than Rice Plaza at Christmastime.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/days-star-bryan-dattilos-daughter-delia-cast-on-gh

🧼 Opening the Gates…

Beyond the Gates begins February 24, 2025 CBS – the next day on Paramount+.

https://parade.com/tv/beyond-the-gates-season-1

🍊 These Oranges Are Moldy…

It’s the second part of a three part too long RHOC Reunion, and the Jenn/Ryan topic is still raging. Tamra annoys me immediately, saying she misspoke in her tirade about the FBI, having heard gossip on the street. First of all, let’s look at the word misspoke that’s being used incorrectly here. The actual definition is mispronunciation, but what’s worse is how this word is constantly used by people who are actually talking about gossiping or lying. You didn’t misspeak. You passed along something without knowing if it was true or not, and presented it as fact. Tamra said she was plastered and didn’t remember it the next day. She ended up getting a cease and desist letter. Alrighty then.

There was a lot about how Jenn is a dimbulb who doesn’t even understand where her rent payment is coming from or even if it’s being paid. She did finally spill that she’s supposed to get $6K a month from her ex and it’s an ongoing battle. Still, this woman needs to learn how to take care of herself. Then there was the subject of the $2000 dress. Jenn and Katie thought it was mean girl of Fancy Pants Heather to check the price tag and tell Tamra, but Fancy Pants said it was just gossipy. Because mean girls don’t gossip? Fancy Pants ultimately said she brought up the dress because Jenn didn’t take her financial suggestions. A debate over mean girl versus gossipy ensued, and in reference to being gossipy, Emily said, we all do that. My next bone of contention after misspoke. This statement is equal to the person who says, we were all drunk, when they alone did something incredibly stupid while drunk. No. It wasn’t all of us. It was you.

Jenn said, Tamra went lower than the rest of them, and she wondered when it stopped. She said, everybody would rather be by Tamra’s side than go against her, so they weren’t her targets. Tamra confessed that she was starting therapy, and Andy asked, what took so long? Tamra said, when everybody tells you you’re dead, it’s time to lie down. This gives me hope, but not really. Emily told Jenn that her ex was probably going to string things out forever, and she wanted Jenn to create something for herself. Or as Gina put it, be her own hero.

We found out that Gina and Travis are still living apart, but Gina was more forthcoming about the problem being Travis’s ex. Apparently there had been incidents that affected Gina’s children, making them fearful. Gina said she and Travis saw each other every day, but she didn’t think things would ever improve with his ex, even after the divorce was finalized.

There was a blah-blah-blah about Katie’s kids saying Fancy Pants was mean. Funny, for someone who insists they don’t exhibit mean girl behavior, the word mean comes up a lot in conjunction with her. Evidently, Katie’s daughter is also telling the world via TikTok that her mother works with fake-ass bitches. She’s not wrong. The women were all like, my kids would never, and said, no matter how old they were, they’d force their kids to remove it. Maybe. But bottom line is, Katie’s daughter is an adult and her own person. Maybe she’s bucking for her own show. Who cares? Andy had to finally shut the conversation down citing the beating-a-dead-horse clause.

Alexis was brought on in the last 15 minutes and was the same idiot she’s been on the show. When Andy asked how she was feeling about coming back to RHOC, Alexis acted like it was a return to her fabulous career as a television star after a hiatus. Shannon asked how many times she’d practiced, there’s the door, Shannon Beador, when there was no door. Technically, there was, but they were outside, and Shannon going inside would defeat the purpose of showing her the door. Alexis pretended that she’d never intended to bring up the videos and it somehow just slipped out. Once again, a receipt of unseen footage told us otherwise. The general consensus was that she should stop being Johnny J.’s mouthpiece.

Another peeve, Fancy Pants going, no, no, no, no, no, like Brynn did on RHONY. Is this a thing now? No. Just one no.

It seemed like they saved a lot of the fun times footage for flashbacks of things we never saw the first time. They used to do that with the lost/found/secret footage specials. I think we need to see more fun on the actual show. Maybe I’d dislike these women less.

Next time, Emily says, Alexis is the dumbest girl she’s ever f***ing met. That’s enough to get me to show up.

If that wasn’t enough.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-shannon-beador-slams-alexis-bellino-being-john-janssen-mouthpiece-reunion-fight-8745852

🧂 Adding Some Salt…

Yesterday’s recap, lengthier than mine.

Another teaspoon. I found this pretty amusing, especially when Angie called it a random blog.

🗽 Not a Fan…

Is he kidding? That’s the best episode I’ve seen of RHONY 2.0 since it began.

🍹 Time To Bounce…

No great loss, but so did things not go well with Venita or…?

https://people.com/jarrett-jt-thomas-announces-exit-from-southern-charm-amid-filming-for-season-10-8742246

💣 Moustaches Are Twirling…

I don’t watch this show faithfully, but every time I catch it, it’s a lot of fun. There’s a big difference between Teresa haranguing her brother and screeching about false love bubbles on RHONJ, and Teresa deliberately acting the villain and strategizing as such in a game. And I love Joel McHale.

🐨 Australian Meet Cute…

It’s a shame it tried to bite, but what an experience.

https://people.com/australia-couple-comes-home-find-koala-in-bed-8745155

🍂 Jumping In a Pile Of Leaves…

Join me tomorrow for soap, what to watch (or not), and watchful words. Until then, stay safe; stay making a contribution to your local food bank/soup kitchen for Thanksgiving; and stay enjoying yourself, even on the hardest of days.

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

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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.