What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina wakes up and sees Blaze is already awake. Kristina asks Blaze to please say she’s not watching her sleep, and Blaze asks if that’s creepy (a little). It’s Kristina’s fault. She looks so beautiful when she sleeps. She was thinking how lucky she is to have Kristina in her bed, and her life. They kiss.

Spinelli comes out of the bedroom and says, Maxie? Children? Maxie runs in the front door and says, he’s up. He asks where everybody is, and she says, the kids are in the car, but he says, school doesn’t start for an hour. She says she knows. Her mom has Bailey. They’re meeting them at James’s school to help his teacher to set up for the Arts and Crafts Fair. She thought she mentioned it. He says, she didn’t, but he’s glad to know the early start isn’t because she’s avoiding him.

John walks into Kelly’s and Carly tells him to sit anywhere he likes. He sits at the counter and says, she owns this place. She shouldn’t be waiting on tables. She says, one of her waitresses is running late, so here she is. She doesn’t mind serving him. Can she get him some coffee? He says, yeah, and as she pours, she says, the last time they met, he didn’t tell her why he was in town. He says, work, and she asks what he does. He says he’s with the FBI. Agent John Cates.

Drew attacks the heavy bag with vigor, when Curtis rolls into the gym. Curtis says, wow, and Drew says he didn’t hear Curtis come in. How long has he been here? Curtis says, long enough to know he doesn’t want to be on Drew’s bad side.

Nina comes into the gallery and asks if Ava is in the middle of something important. Ava says, that was phrased like a question, but sounded more like a demand. What’s going on? Nina says she’s about to lose Sonny for good, and Ava says she does have an appointment in just a little bit, but she does have some time later this afternoon. Nina says, just let her know when Ava can fit her in, and Ava says, hold on. Last she heard, Nina and Sonny were in a holding pattern. Has something changed? Nina says, Sonny had her served. He wants a divorce. Ava tells Nina that she can’t say she’s surprised.

Maxie asks Spinelli why she would be avoiding him, and he flashes back to kissing her. He says, because of what happened last night? when there’s a knock at the door. Sonny says, hello? and Spinelli opens the door. Sonny says, Damien Spinelli, you are a hard man to find.

Blaze asks if Kristina is hungry, and Kristina says, for food? Blaze says, she has someone else to consider here, and Kristina says, Blaze heard her stomach growling. This baby is not subtle. She thanks Blaze for helping her process everything last night and sort through her feelings. She feels really seen. Blaze says she thought it was time she returns the favor, and Kristina says, still, thanks for being there for her and this little one. Blaze says, always, and what would the little one like for breakfast? and Kristina says, they would like eggs benedict and home fries. Blaze says, coming right up, and I swear I will marry this woman tomorrow.

Curtis says, either Drew has beef with that bag, or something else is bothering him, and Drew says, sometimes you’ve just got to show that you mean business, right? He’s honored that Curtis wanted him in the gym his first workout after his surgery. That means a lot. Let’s get to it. Where does he want to start? Curtis says he’d love to start with what’s bothering Drew, and Drew says, it’s just Carly. She’s worried about him. She’s worried he’s changed since he came back from his time in Pentenville, that’s all. Curtis says, prison can change a man, but the Drew he knows is fundamentally the same guy, so what’s got Carly concerned? Drew says, she thinks he’s holding on to everything that’s happened, and Curtis says, he means the whole Nina situation. Drew says he knows she’s a friend of Curtis’s, and Curtis says, but that doesn’t mean he’s okay with Nina turning Drew into the SEC. He’s not cool with that. Drew is his friend too, and it’s okay if he’s mad because Curtis would be mad too. Carly doesn’t understand that? Drew says, she’s not trying to tell him how to feel. It’s just that she’s more concerned with his behavior. She thinks he’s more focused on payback instead of getting through this and moving on. Curtis says, and he is, isn’t he?

Carly says, Cates. Any relation to Michael Stone Cates? John says, his little brother, and Carly says she never knew him, but her ex was close to him, but obviously he knows that because he and Sonny share a history, and they’re not great memories. Now he’s an FBI agent, and now she knows what he’s doing back in her restaurant. He asks if he can’t just like the coffee, but she says, no. He’s here because he wants information on Sonny. He says, that’s a cynical outlook, and she says, because it’s not her first rodeo. Feds making small talk with her is never a coincidence, so let her know when he wants to put in an order. She starts to leave, and he says, believe it or not, he didn’t know she was Sonny’s ex the first time he stopped by. She says she knows he’s here to make a case against Sonny, and she’s telling him now that he’s wasting his time. He says he’s not currently building a case against her ex-husband. However, if he had his way, her ex-husband would be behind bars.

Sonny hopes Maxie doesn’t mind he stopped by. He was surprised to see Spinelli moved in here, and she says, temporarily. He’s got a plumbing emergency at his place. Sonny says, is that so? and Spinelli says, it came on suddenly. Maxie finds a lunchbox and says, got it. She’s got to get the kids to school. Spinelli asks what she was looking for and she holds up the lunchbox as she dashes out the door. He says, Georgie’s. That’s the second time this week. He apologizes to Sonny for his attire, and Sonny says, it’s early. She’s something else, isn’t she? Spinelli says, a force of nature. Sonny didn’t say what brought him here. Sonny says he has a job for Spinelli.

Nina says, Ava expected Sonny to end their marriage without so much as a word? but Ava says, no. Of course (🍷) not. Nor does she approve of him doing so. It tracks though. She thinks Sonny’s been reexamining his whole life. Nina says, he’s taking some hits lately. She’s not giving up on him. She loves him and hates that he’s had to face these challenges alone. Ava says she’s not the one Nina needs to convince. She needs to convince Sonny. Nina says she wishes she could. He’s not taking any of her calls or texts. She thinks he’s blocked her. He barred her from the penthouse. Ava says she gets it. That must hurt. Nina says, it’s a nightmare. If she could only just have a conversation with him. If she could only just look him in the eyes and remind him of what they are together, what they’ve come to mean to each other. Ava says, maybe she’s right, and Nina says she is. That’s where Ava comes in.

Blaze says she’s going to grab a quick shower. Breakfast should be here shortly. Kristina says she should get up, but Blaze says, no she doesn’t. They’re having breakfast in bed.

Spinelli says, it’s been some time since Sonny availed himself of his skills. May he ask, why now? Sonny has qualified personnel in-house as it were. Sonny tells him, let’s just say, out of an abundance of caution, he’s outsourcing this one. Spinelli says he sees, and Sonny asks if he should find another guy. Spinelli says he has the utmost respect for Sonny, but since the passing of their dear friend Jason, he hasn’t worked for anyone in Sonny’s field. Arguments over his previous hazardous exploits led to the demise of his relationship with Ellie. Sonny says he’s not twisting Spinelli’s arm. The task is relatively low risk. Spinelli was his first choice. Spinelli says he’s gratified, but also somewhat baffled. Sonny found him pretty annoying. Sonny says he did. He used to complain to Jason all the time, but Jason always said Spinelli was the smartest person in the room and he could trust Spinelli with his life, so that’s good enough for him.

Nina says, if Ava could somehow get her and Sonny in the same place alone together… Ava asks if she means like, lock the two of them in the backroom or something, but Nina says, no. Maybe Ava could get him here and he’d have to hear her out. Ava says, no. She can’t do it. Nina asks, why? Ava is her closest friend. She has access to Sonny. Ava really isn’t going to help her? Ava says she wants to help Nina. She just doesn’t think Sonny would take very kindly to her interfering in his personal… He knows they’re good friends and she’s walking a delicate tightrope as it is. Nina says she understands that she’s putting Ava in a very awkward position, but she’s running out of options because Sonny’s family has closed ranks against her. She can barely get a civil word out of any of them. Ava goes to her desk, and Ava says she’s sorry she’s interrupting Ava’s very busy day, but Ava says she’s not trying to brush Nina off. It’s just no good can come of her involving herself in this. At least not while she’s still under Sonny’s roof. Meddling in their marriage like that could really harm her relationship with Sonny. Nina says, Ava and Sonny have a relationship now?

Kristina looks at her sonogram on her phone and sinks down under the covers, smiling. She hears someone coming into the hotel room, and a woman says, Allison, mami’s here. She looks at Kristina in the bed.

Ava tells Nina that by relationship, she means co-parenting. She has Avery to think about, and Sonny still has primary custody. That factors into every single thing she does. Avery is her first priority and she’s not going to apologize for that. Ava says she understands that. She just got thrown when Ava said she and Sonny had a relationship. Really, what else would she call it? Ava says, going along to get along. They’re co-existing very well at the moment and she doesn’t want to jeopardize that. Nina says she gets it, when a man comes in and says, Ava Jerome? Ava says, yes, and he says he has a registered delivery. He’ll need her to sign for it and he’ll need to scan her driver’s license. Ava says, sure.

Kristina quickly gets out of bed and puts on a robe and introduces herself to Mrs. Ramirez (Natalia). She says she’s so happy to meet her. She’s heard so much about her. She holds out her hand, and Natalia says, it’s not Mrs., it’s Ms. Ramirez, and she hasn’t heard anything about Kristina. Blaze comes out drying her hair with a towel and asks if the food is here already. The sooner they eat, the sooner they can… Kristina says, look who came early, and Blaze says, mami. What is she doing here? Natalia says she has the same question about the young lady she just found in Blaze’s bed.

Drew says he’s focused on sending the message that he’s nobody’s victim, and Curtis says, not a victim, definitely a survivor. He went through hell and back. Drew starts to life weights and says, held captive for years, got out only to be put in prison and attacked, sent to the hospital. He’d say that kind of qualifies, right? Curtis says he hears Drew. It’s a lot to process. Drew says, the goal is to get through this and move on to the good stuff, and Curtis says, but that anger won’t let go, huh? He knows what that feels like. When he was shot and lying there in that bed, knowing he might be paralyzed, he felt everything from rage to despair to self-pity, but mostly rage. Because he doesn’t like being vulnerable. He doesn’t like being a victim. So he was mad at the world. He was mad at God. Does any of that sound familiar? Drew says, very. It’s taken him a while to access these feelings. Feelings aren’t one of his strengths. He just wishes Carly would understand that what he’s going through is what he’s going through, his process at his speed, even though it may not be the way she wants him to. Curtis says, okay. So this thing with Carly, is it a minor disagreement or something more? Drew says, they’ll see, but Curtis didn’t come here for a therapy session. It’s really good to see him. He’s amazing. He looks incredible. Curtis thanks him and says, that procedure was a godsend, and because of it, he and Portia reconnected. Drew says he’s happy for both of them, and Curtis thanks him. He says, all the challenges they’ve been through, he never thought they’d be that close again. Drew says, he did it. He got through. Congratulations. Curtis thanks him and says he’s just glad they never gave up.

Ava tells Nina, escrow papers. As of today, Windymere and Spoon Island are now somebody else’s problem. Nina says, the sale went through, and Ava says, just this morning. The money was deposited into her account. Not nearly enough to make up for her pain and suffering, but a nice little nest egg. Nina says she can’t believe Ava found a buyer for that place (if not Nikolas, Jason?), and Ava says, credit to Lucy. It took a while, but she was finally able to find a developer who bought the house and land instead of separating them into separate lots. Nina wonders what they’re planning to build, but Ava doesn’t know. Maybe they’re going to turn the house into condominiums. Maybe they’ll tear it down. That would be her vote, but it doesn’t matter really. That awful place with all the awful things that happened are part of a past that will not be revisited. The only person who had an emotional connection to that place was Spencer. Now that he’s gone and little Ace is living with Laura and Doc, nobody needs that place, least of all, her. Her focus is on the future.

Spinelli says he’s honored by Jason’s faith and that he spoke so highly of him to Sonny. He was a kind and gracious friend. Sonny says, he had zero patience for fools, and the fact that Jason put up with Spinelli, and also found him as a collaborator and associate… If he recommended Spinelli, that works for him. He knows Jason trusted Spinelli and he trusts Jason’s judgement. He has to make a decision now. Spinelli says, this job can’t put anyone in this house in danger, and Sonny says he’d never ask Spinelli to put his children or Maxie in danger. He knows how much Maxie means to Spinelli. Spinelli says he’s sure Sonny does. Sonny knows from his own experience, while a romance may end, one who becomes family is family forever.

Carly says, if John wants to continue this conversation, he can call her lawyer. Her name is Diane Miller, and he can look up her number online. She goes out to the tables and John follows. He says he’s not here to question her and he’s not in Port Charles to investigate her ex-husband. She says, he just said that, but he also said Sonny belonged in prison, and he says, he does. She says, really? After everything he did for John’s brother? He says he doesn’t deny Sonny was good to Stone, and Carly says, good to Stone? He bought a penthouse so Stone would have a place to live. He paid for the best care that was available at the time and he nursed Stone until the day he died. There’s an entire wing at the hospital dedicated in his brother’s memory, endowed by a gift from Sonny worth millions. Does he know that? He asks if she thinks that buys Sonny redemption, and she says, like she told him, she didn’t know his brother, but she heard a lot about him. Her son, Morgan, his middle name was Stone. John says, his son’s name is also Stone, and she says, isn’t it ironic that he and Sonny, who hate each other, both loved Stone so much, they named their sons after him? He sits back down and she goes behind the counter. He asks if she’s saying he should back off Sonny for Stone’s sake, and she tells him, what she’s saying is, if she were in his position, she’d be grateful a person took care of someone she loved. He says, what about a person who hurt someone she loved? Exploited their vulnerabilities to turn a profit. He’s going to take a wild guess and say she’d come out swinging and not stop until they paid. She asks, what makes him say that? and he says, professional assessment. There are people who freeze when they or someone close to them are threatened. Others will negotiate or placate. And then there are those who fight. She’s a fighter. He’d stake his badge on it. She asks what he and his badge are doing in town, if it’s not to take Sonny down, and he says he’s here to help Sonny. The attempts on his life are part of a bigger conspiracy. So far, Sonny has been lucky, but he can’t end this without the help of law enforcement… Sonny never told her about this, did he?

Drew says, when Curtis found out Trina might be his, and even when he found out she was his, he gets it. He knows what it’s like to lose years and years of time with your daughter. Curtis says he knows, and he did his fair share of blaming Portia, but recently he’s had to admit he withheld the truth about something that could affect his family. He told himself that he was doing it for the right reasons, but that was just an excuse. And he has to be honest; it hurt both of them and justice is hard to swallow. Drew says he hears that, and Curtis made it through. Curtis says, thankfully, but he sure didn’t make it easy. When he first got shot, he acted up, he acted out, he pushed away everyone who loved him, especially Portia – again. Finally, he had to accept that if he didn’t want to live his life miserable, he needed to take a long look at himself in the mirror and be real. Get out of his own way. Because the ability to change his outlook and his life, starts and ends with him and him alone. So now he and Portia are back on track, happy, and they’re excited about moving forward together. Drew says, Curtis is a lot of things, but he’s not slick, and Curtis says, they’re just having a conversation. Drew says, Curtis is dropping these pearls of wisdom, trying to give him advice not very stealthily. But he hears Curtis, and it’s exactly what he needed to hear, and lesson learned. Because he hasn’t really been playing fair himself. Carly didn’t want him to go to prison to protect her, but he did it anyway. And in one heat of the moment slip of the tongue – he punches the teardrop bag – he made it seem like he resented her for that. Curtis asks if he does, but Drew says, no. He’s the one who made the deal with the DA, even though he knew she wouldn’t want him to. Now she feels responsible for what happened to him in Pentenville, and since he’s been released, all she’s been doing is being supportive and being there for him, even when it’s meant compromising what matters to her. He flashes back to Carly telling him that she really appreciates his sacrifice, but she can’t move forward until Nina is behind her. She doesn’t want to think about Nina anymore, she doesn’t want to argue with Nina anymore, and she doesn’t want to hurt Nina anymore, because it always comes back to bite her, and she doesn’t want to do that to herself anymore. Drew tells Curtis, you know what? Maybe it’s time for him to do the same thing for her.

John says he’s sorry. He thought Carly knew about the larger conspiracy. He just assumed Sonny would keep her in the loop. She says, now that he brought her in the loop, how much danger is her family in? and he says, her family hasn’t been the focus so far. She asks, then what’s the focus? and he says, three former and current heads of major crime families. Now there’s four. She says, Olivia Jerome being the fourth.

Natalia says she’s waiting for an explanation, and Kristina looks at Blaze, who seems frozen. Kristina says, they were having a girls’ night last night and it was super late, so Allison let her crash here. Natalia says, okay. Allison is so generous like that. Blaze asks how she even got in here, and Natalia says she booked the room on Your Escort and her name is on the paperwork, so she just asked for a key. She hugs Blaze and says, but she never would have come so early if she’d known Blaze had plans with a friend.

Nina says, now that Ava has sold Windymere, is she going to have Lucy help find her and Avery a place? and Ava says, eventually. Assuming Sonny is going to let them leave. Nina says, but it’s just temporary, right? He’s not thinking of having Ava and Avery stay there permanently, is he? Ava says she doesn’t know what he’s thinking. She doesn’t know what his next move is and she’s not going to pressure him. Like she told Nina, she and Sonny are in a good place right now. She knows from personal experience that he lashes out most when he’s hurt. Nina says, Ava doesn’t need to tell her that; she lived it. She can’t believe Sonny slammed to door in her face like she wasn’t even there. Ava says, but the fact that he’s hurt means that he still has a lot of feelings for Nina. So she thinks Nina just has to give him time. Nina says she has been giving him time. She’s given him space. Ava says, and she’s right to do so. He’s going through a tough time lately. Nina says, it was a blow when he lost Spencer, and Ava says, and now Dex is gone. Nina asks, what happened to Dex? and Ava says, it doesn’t matter, but Nina says, it matters to her. She’s not budging until Ava tells her everything that happened.

Sonny puts on his coat and says he needs a decision. What’s it going to be? Spinelli says he’ll do the job, and Sonny says he appreciates that. He wants to do something for Spinelli in return. What’s that problem he’s having in his apartment with the plumbing? Spinelli says, it’s been since Christmas Eve… and Sonny says, that’s unacceptable. He’ll have his contractor go over there and he’ll fix it by the end of the week. Spinelli says, that’s not necessary, but thanks just the same, and Sonny says, the way he feels, if there’s a leak, you have to deal with it. Spinelli says, that’s a wise course of action, but in this case, there is no leak. He staged the whole thing to give himself an excuse to move in here to help Maxie with her financial situation. Sonny says, that’s one way to show someone you care. The other way would be, why doesn’t he just tell her? Spinelli says he’ll take that under advisement, and Sonny goes to the door. Spinelli says, he misses Stone Cold too… He’s sorry. Has he spoken out of turn? Sonny says he’ll keep in touch, and leaves.

Kristina comes out fully dressed, and Blaze says, the food they ordered arrived. Kristina says, her mom is probably hungry after traveling, so she’ll let them enjoy, but Blaze says, there’s more than enough to share. Kristina should stay. Kristina says she has a full day. She should just get going. Blaze tells Natalia, Kristina is starting a youth center, and she also manages a restaurant, and Natalia tells Blaze, look what I brought back from Puerto Rico, showing her a pair of sandals. Aren’t these adorable? Blaze says, but are they vegan? and Natalia says, does that matter? Blaze says, it has for a while, and Kristina tells Natalia to enjoy her stay in Port Charles. Natalia thanks her and says, all of Allison’s friends call her Natalia. Natalia takes a covered dish out of her suitcase, and says, look what she managed to smuggle in, Blaze’s abuela’s tembleque. Blaze thanks her, but says she’s told Natalia before, she doesn’t really like coconut pudding. Natalia asks when Blaze told her that, and Blaze says she told Natalia multiple times. Natalia never listens to her. Natalia asks what she doesn’t like about it, and Kristina says, the texture. She’s the same way about avocado and flan. Natalia says she thinks she knows her daughter, and Kristina says, of course (🍷), but Blaze asks if Natalia really knows her. She didn’t know Blaze lied to her earlier and it isn’t the first time Blaze has kept something from her.

Drew finishes with some pull-ups, and Curtis says, that’s impressive. Good work. Drew says, so good to see him. He’s so happy everything is working out for Curtis. Curtis says he doesn’t know what’s going on, but it must be important since Drew looks like he’s in a hurry. Drew says he is, and jets.

John says he can neither confirm nor deny the death of Olivia Jerome is connected to the case he’s working, and Carly says, so now he’s clamming up? He was super talkative a minute ago. He tells her, this much he’ll say. He’s making headway on this case, and he promises her, he will nail whoever’s behind this. She says, before or after Sonny’s death? Play this right and it saves him the hassle of building a case against Sonny and putting him away, right? He says, Sonny is a potential victim and he’ll do everything in his power to make sure Sonny is safe. If, after this case is closed, it becomes his business to investigate Sonny on charges of racketeering, he’ll do everything in his power to secure a legal conviction against him. He doesn’t cut corners. It does no good to catch criminals by becoming one himself. She says, he sure does pride himself on his integrity, doesn’t he? You know what’s funny? The most honorable man she knew, he’d consider a criminal. He says, and she doesn’t? and she says, no. He was her friend. She adds, and by the way, he’s drinking Corinthos coffee, and walks away.

Ava says, Sonny doesn’t really share much with her, and Nina says, it doesn’t seem that way to her. She thinks Ava knows more about her husband than she does. Ava says, the assumption of proximity, nothing more, and Nina says she’s not asking for a lot. She’s just asking for the opportunity to have a conversation with her husband. He evicted her from their home, he’s kept her at bay, and he hid behind his lawyer when he served her with divorce papers. Sonny walks in, and Nina says, if he wants to end their marriage, the least he could do is have the decency to say it to her face. Sonny says, here he is.

Nina asks if she can have a word with Sonny, and he asks if Ava is ready to go. Ava says, just about, and Nina says, her appointment was with Sonny? Ava nods and goes in the back. Nina says, while Ava grabs her things, can they just talk? She’s been waiting, she’s been biding her time, hoping he’d realize what they mean to each other. He says, not now, and she says, then when? After she’s given him a divorce? They made vows. He swore he’d love her until death, and now he can’t even spare her an hour?

Natalia says, Blaze lied? About what? Blaze looks at Kristina, who starts to leave, but Blaze says, don’t go. Please. She needs Kristina here for this. Kristina puts down her bag, takes off her coat, and stands next to Blaze. Blaze says, Natalia doesn’t know her as well as she thinks, and it’s partially her fault. Natalia says, partially, and Blaze tells her, when Kristina said that she let her crash here, it wasn’t the truth. Kristina was covering for her. Natalia asks why she’d need to cover for Blaze. What has she done? Is she sick? Blaze looks at Kristina and says, she’s great actually. She lied to Natalia. She and Kristina are more than just friends.

Maxie comes back and tells Spinelli that she feels like she’s had a full day already, and she hasn’t even gone to the office yet. But the Craft Fair looks great. He says he’s sure it does with her help and creativity, and she says, Sonny’s gone? He says, Sonny left a while ago, and she says, the kids are having so much fun at the Craft Fair, she didn’t want to leave. Bailey’s really enjoying playing with the clay and James is making something special for Spinelli, but she’s not allowed to say what it is, so… He kissed her last night. He says he did, and she kissed him back. She says she did, and he says, so what happens next?

Carly comes out to find John gone, and a note with his check that says, sorry for upsetting you. She flashes back to asking him how much danger her family is in. She remembers telling Drew that he agreed to her condition of ending his war with Nina if she became Editor-in-Chief of Crimson. Then telling him that this was her first and last issue. She looks at the note and says, you’re not the only reason I’m upset. I’m just so sick of not being considered. She crumples the note, and Drew walks in.

Ava comes back, and Sonny tells her to go ahead and leave. Send the car back, and he’ll try to make it to the school. If he can’t make it, he’ll talk to her tonight at home. She says, okay. Sounds good. She quietly tells Nina, good luck, and leaves. Sonny says, the floor is Nina’s. What’s she got to say?

Tomorrow, Kristina asks if Blaze is sorry that she called Kristina her girlfriend; Spinelli tells Maxie that he thinks he’s falling back in love with her; and Carly tells Drew that she doesn’t see how this relationship works if he can’t let go.  

Below Deck

Second day of charter. Fraser tells Captain Kerry that Barbie thinks everyone is against her and they’re not, but she’s been vile to him. The captain asks how she gets along with the rest of the team. He can’t just say someone is gone, but if they’re not fitting in, they’re not fitting in. Fraser says, she’s not a team player, and Captain Kerry asks if he’s happy with her work. Fraser says, she could be an asset if her attitude changed, and the captain tells him to think about it open minded and professional. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, with Fraser, emotions are involved. He doesn’t have to like her. Fraser says he’ll talk to her and keep it short, sweet, and professional. Barbie tells Sunny that she feels underappreciated, and in her interview, she says she grew up with a dad who applauds her 24/7. All she knows how to do in this situation is shut down. She’s in a hard place and it sucks. Oh, does she mean actually being required to listen to her boss? Captain Kerry tells Jared that they need to be on the dock at 11, and in his interview, he says, there are going to be two vow renewals and one couple getting married. He became ordained, but he knows more about divorce than weddings. In Sunny’s interview, she says she’s mad at Ben for calling her out over the radio. It makes her look bad. She’s had past issues with men on yachts. She worked with two deckhands and a bosun, one of the deckhands being a greenie. He kept telling her what to do and she cried. Then she became emotional and sensitive in their eyes, so she’s learned to stand up for herself.

 St. George’s, Grenada. Some of the crew goes to set up by the waterfall, and Captain Kerry calls his girlfriend. She asks if he can marry them, and he says, they could get mirror and go for it. We find out Barbie is most interested in Jared, and in her interview, she says she’s attracted to people’s souls. Seeing her past boyfriends, you can tell she doesn’t go for looks. Not that Jared is ugly. In the taxi with Fraser, Jared says, everyone wants a piece of Barbie, and Fraser says, he might have to hurry. In Kyle’s interview, he says he has no competition. He’s already won. She just needs to see it. Fraser says, he’s not getting a positive attitude from her and getting backlash on everything. It just takes one bad apple to spread to other crew members. Jared says, it’s like bacteria. Barbie calls her mom and says, her boss told her that she lacks respect. He’s making her look like an a-hole. He pushes her every second and attacks her constantly. In Barbie’s interview, she says, at this point, she can’t win. She tells her mom that she’s not sure this is the best thing for her.

Barbie’s mom tells her that she’s capable of handling this, and in her interview, Barbie says, she’s going to push through. She thinks quitters are losers and she’s a winner. Sunny confronts Ben about him calling her out on the radio, but he says, it wasn’t on her; it was on Jared. He didn’t know it came across like that. In Sunny’s interview, she says, recognizing that he hurt her feelings would be something. He’s a d*ck and an a-hole. Good thing they’re close together. At the waterfall, the crew sets up a gazebo, and the guests leave for the shore. When they see the set-up, groom-to-be Robert says he thinks pretty damn romantic, and Fraser says he’s getting goosebumps. The couples get ready – primaries Steven and Tara and guests Ran and Rachel are doing a vow renewal, while guests Michelle and Robert are getting married. Captain Kerry gives an amusing take on performing the ceremony, adding things like, I will trust you sometimes; and I will give you my hands, my heart, and my love, but not my last beer. He has them exchange rings to remind them of their eternal love and the promises they made today, and then tells them to kiss the bride of their choosing. In Fraser’s interview, he says he loves seeing people in love after 7 years (Steven and Tara). If he gets married, he wants a small, intimate beach wedding, wearing linen. Afterwards, the guests have sushi and cocktails. I cry because I will never be able to afford a vacation like this. In Anthony’s interview, he says, the captain is serious about crew food. They’re going to have so much food, a f***ing buffet every day. In the crew mess, Xandi tells Ben that yachting means different things to different people, and Ben asks if she wants it forever. He calls it Neverland. She says, it’s not normal, but it becomes your normal. Jared texts Ben to bring the tender for the guests, and Barbie tells Jared that he’s her favorite. In her interview, she says, she’s being her regular, honest, tragic self, and in Jared’s interview, he says he was taken aback. Maybe there’s something there. He doesn’t know.

Anthony needs help, and Kyle offers. In Anthony’s interview, he says he’d love to find love. He was married at 26 to a chief stew, and one of his uncle’s, who was a captain, found her a job. He never heard from her and guesses she left him for his uncle. For the moment, he’s literally in love with his cat. We see a photo of him with a beautiful black kitty. Aww! The guests get ready for dinner, and Fraser tells Barbie that he’s putting Cat on service, at least at the beginning. In Barbie’s interview, she says, Fraser’s moving her off service. What? Why? If he wants to mix people around to get back at her for the attitude that she knows she has, fine. At the end of the day though, it’s affecting service. Fraser goes over instructions with Cat and calls the captain to dinner. In his interview, Anthony says, love is in the air. It’s going to be important to keep following the vibe. Last night’s steak was not that great. We flash back to Robert saying it was tough, and Anthony says, it’s more pressure because it’s the last dinner. He’s got to be in shape, be strong, and do his best. It’s a parade of food porn – salmon tartare, some kind of beet thing, a local crab cake, asparagus risotto with red snapper, and a lamb chop that Anthony personally accompanies. One of the guests asks if the captain has ever had crawfish, and he says, when he was growing up, they caught something similar called a yabby. You can catch them with a cake of soap and a string. I’d like to hear more about that. Do they try to eat the soap? Do they ride on it? What? Fraser goes over cutlery for the next course with Cat, who’s been committing minor, yet noticeable, infractions. In Fraser’s interview, he says, quite honestly, it’s a cat-tastrophe. The crew is called to the galley for the wedding cake, which is white and topped with raspberries. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, the mistakes Cat is making are showing him that she’s not trained well enough to do service. Barbie peels some aloe for Kyle’s sunburn, and in his interview, he says he knows she likes Jared, but he has nothing to lose. Don’t write him off just yet.

The captain and Fraser discuss Cat’s mistakes, and Captain Kerry says, her response is great to them being pointing out, but she didn’t have the eye to notice. There’s lobster eggs benedict for breakfast, and Xandi suggests they see if the guests consummated the marriage. Eww! In Jared’s interview, he says, the first docking didn’t have the best communication. Inside, he’s screaming, fack – with an a. In the captain’s interview, he says, the last docking was the worst experience. He’s feeling confident, but nervous. Jared tells the captain, 12 meters, no, 20, and says, he needs to work on his meters. Ya think? In his interview, he says, nailed it, then catches a fly with his fingers, surprising himself. That reminds me of the time my father did that – in church. Why is it always the places where you shouldn’t be laughing? It’s guest departure time, and Tara says, they couldn’t have asked for anything better. Steven wishes them the best of luck for the rest of the season and gives the captain the tip envelope. They leave, and Captain Kerry says, amazing charter, and the deck team has a wash party. Jared tells the deckhands that he hasn’t met his daughter yet, because his ex isn’t allowing it, and in his interview, he says, he wasn’t ready for it when his ex got pregnant and didn’t handle it properly. Now he’s trying like hell to correct it, but it’s hard to sew back together a wound without leaving a scar behind. The captain calls the tip meeting, and he says, the guests were happy. The docking was better, and the wedding was wild with the logistics involved. It was a magical experience, and the guests were impressed. The tip is $22,500 or $1730 each. In Xandi’s interview, a producer asks what she’s doing with the money, and she says, therapy and a chiropractor. Captain Kerry says, the first round is on him, and Jared unsuccessfully tries to call his daughter. In his interview, he says, he’s on a set schedule to talk to her, but the lack of cellular service puts him in a difficult way. His fear is, if he doesn’t maintain the schedule, his ex will cut him off.

Port Louis Marina. The crew heads to the restaurant, and the captain joins them. They all agree the guests were easy, and Captain Kerry says, high maintenance they can deal with. It’s a-holes they can’t. Jared knocks over a glass, then goes to the bar for a shot of tequila. Fraser thinks he seems pissed off, and the captain makes his exit, telling them, be good or be damn good at it. Jared picks the salt off his shot glass and clinks glasses with Barbie. He asks Cat if she likes ass (negatory), and in Barbie’s interview, she says, his sloppy behavior is turning her all the way off. It’s like when you’re on a first date and think, I’ve met my husband. But on the second, you think, no, I did not. She decides to hae a smoke with Kyle and sits with him on a beach couch. Ben asks Sunny to go for a beach walk, but not in a romantic way. I don’t think. Barbie complains to Kyle about Fraser and says, the guests love her and she works her ass off. Sunny tells Ben that he likes to stir the pot (agreed) and he’s being a d*ck (also agreed). He says, there’s a difference between being a d*ck and being cheeky, and he’s being cheeky. She says, it comes off as being a d*ck, and in her interview, she says, she’s been lied to, humiliated, and hurt by former boyfriends, and she doesn’t trust anybody. Ben tells her that he’s an Aussie and charismatic, and she says, he can gaslight her all he wants.

Cat asks if they can’t have a chill night at the boat and play card games, but that’s a no. Ben asks if Sunny was worried about the captain hearing the radio, and she says, yes. He tells her that it doesn’t matter. She needs to be thick skinned. He’s sorry he offended her, but she’s probably the captain’s favorite crew member. Music happens and they dance. There’s a bonfire and Cat tries talking on the phone with a friend, but the call keeps dropping. In Cat’s interview, she says she doesn’t feel a genuine connection with anyone. It’s a huge trigger. Growing up with her foster family, she suppressed who she was. Now she’s been thrown on a boat with people she doesn’t know, and it makes her feel insecure. She’s not fully able to feel like herself. Fraser puts his arm around her, and she cries. She says she’s sad and tired and hopes she’s not bland. He says, there’s nothing bland about her, and she says she’s used to having close friends. It doesn’t feel like her previous teams. In Fraser’s interview, he says, Cat at the moment is a Leaning Tower of Pisa. She’s been through so much, it’s no wonder it’s a shock to her system. He tells her that she’s beautiful, she’s fun, and she’s everything they need. She’s his most precious stew. He tells her that he’ll be her family for the next six weeks. He’ll be there for her. In his interview, he says he sympathizes. He’s been there before. All they need is to take a breath. He tells Barbie to be fragile with Cat. He can’t deal with her attitude. She says, he’s sassy too, but he says he doesn’t have sass. If something isn’t done correctly, he’s going to be annoyed. She says she’s not doing the yes, sir, no, sir thing, and in his interview, he wonders where she gets off thinking this attitude and approach to a superior is going to work. He doesn’t care how good she is. If she goes against him, it’s going to be an issue. He tells her, f***ing bring it or bring it home.

Next time, the captain has a talk with Jared; problematic and demeaning guests; and a guest’s comments affects Jared’s self-worth, making him cry.

⚰️ About Last Night…

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Hard to tell from just the first episode, but this one looks like a keeper. Rick is now a cosignee, working outside a secret CRM city in Philadelphia, PA. Their code is security and secrecy above all, and cosignees work outside the city, killing zombies, until they get promoted to be citizens. There are also not-so-secret cities in Omaha and Portland, which the CRM has their eye on. Remember how Jadis referred to Rick as an A at the end of Walking Dead? It turns out that’s not such a great thing to be as a general rule, since A’s are intelligent and strong and the CRM doesn’t want them around. It’s the B’s who get taken in, while the A’s are eliminated. Fortunately for Rick, someone has his back. If you want to know more, read on.

https://www.cbr.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-episode1-recap-spoilers

🥁 Banging the Drum At a Moderate Tempo…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderBS. Until then, stay safe, stay always following your words with actions, and stay accepting that if you don’t want to live your life miserable, you need to take a long look at yourself in the mirror, be real, and get out of your own way. The ability to change your outlook and your life begins with you and you alone.