Tag Archives: Bravo

December 5, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Sidwell Pays Some Calls, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Ho-Ho Or No, Almost Knight, Stunning Scenes, Rockin’ Around, Best In Whoa, X Quotes In Rome & Hollis

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…                                                                           

Monday: 

As Chase prepared dinner, Brook brought out a fire extinguisher as a precaution. He said he didn’t believe in curses, and she said she couldn’t stop him from cooking, but hoped the holiday didn’t turn into Final Destination Quartermaine Kitchen. The doorbell rang, and she said, he’s here.

Curtis said Marshall might be living his dream, but there was no place like home for Thanksgiving. Stella and Trina greeted Marshall, and he asked where Portia was. Trina said she had to work.

At the hospital, Isaiah told Portia, happy Thanksgiving, and she asked what he was doing there.

Olivia wondered who was honking outside and opened the door to Ned and Michael. Ned said he called in a few favors because he couldn’t miss Thanksgiving with his family.

Drew told Willow that she was more beautiful than he’d ever seen her and their wedding day was going to be perfect.

Leo hugged Ned, and Ned said he and Brook wanted to surprise everyone, when the smoke alarm went off. Olivia ran to find out what was burning, and Brook took Ned to the living room. She told him that Chase was determined to break the family curse, but he said resistance was futile. The curse came for them all. She said at least they were all in it together.

Isaiah said he saw Portia had scheduled herself to be there, and she said she was showing leadership, but that didn’t explain why he was there. He said it would be her first Thanksgiving without family, and he didn’t want her to spend the holiday alone.

Trina said Marshall should have seen how Aunt Stella handled Drew, and Curtis said she’d definitely given it to him. Marshall said he wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of a Stella Henry smackdown, and Stella said she had no regrets.

Willow saw Scout’s hair ornament and said she’d been looking for it, and Drew said Scout was lucky to get Willow for a stepmother. Willow said she was the lucky one, when Alexis arrived. Willow said she was happy Alexis could join them, and Alexis said she was looking forward to seeing Scout in her flower girl dress – again. Willow left, and Drew told Alexis, no more snide remarks. Convincing Scout that the marriage had her full support was her job. Alexis said she was there to support her granddaughter, and he suggested she smile, since she looked like she was at a funeral.

Willow did Scout’s hair and told her that she looked prettier than she did at their last wedding. When she married Scout’s dad, they’d become a family. Scout said she just wanted them to be happy, and Willow promised they would. She said Scout reminded her of Sam. Sam was beautiful, kind, funny, and smart, just like her. She hoped today was a happy day for Scout. Scout said it was and they hugged.

Ned told Brook that there were moments he wasn’t sure he’d see this place again and he was grateful to be back in his mother’s house. It sounded strange, but felt just right to say his mother’s house. He’d noticed there was a significant thaw when Brook visited him with Gio, and Brook said Gio could now stand to be in the same room with her. It felt like he was letting her in. The doorbell rang, and Brook opened the door to Gio and Emma.

Trina said she was glad her dad kept his cool when Stella told Drew off, and Curtis said it was all he could do not to punch the smug expression off Drew’s face at the Port Charles Grill. Stella said she didn’t endorse violence, but Drew did have a punchable face, and Curtis said they’d been through a tough year, but they had a lot to be thankful about. He didn’t want to jeopardize any of it. Stella said, seeing Congressman Cutthroat live out the miserable life he’d made for himself was all the revenge they needed.

Kai told Drew that the catering was set, Martin was coming shortly to officiate, and his guests would arrive in 15 minutes. Drew told him, grab a drink and enjoy the celebration, but Kai said he’d mad a prior commitment for the holiday. He congratulated Drew and said he hoped Drew got everything he deserved, when Nina arrived.

Emma said she hoped Brook didn’t mind that she’d tagged along, and Brook said, of course (🍷) not. Gio hugged Ned, and Brook said Chase was making dinner. She thought he was tempting fate, but he was nothing if not determined. Leo, Michael, and Olivia joined them, and Olivia said, welcome to the madness. It was false alarm. The steam from the glaze had set it off.  Brook said the last thing they needed was the house burning down while Tracy was away, and Ned said Tracy needed the time. Olivia said that’s why they’d delayed telling her about Drew stealing the Quartermaine family heirlooms, and Ned flashed back to having his heart attack outside Bobbie’s and Drew claiming he was faking. He said the last thing they wanted was another battle with Drew.

Nina told Drew that she’d brought Willow a dress straight from the Crimson closet. She wanted to let him know that she was here without an agenda. If Willow wanted to marry him, all she could do was get out of Willow’s way. Her daughter’s happiness and freedom were the most important things in the world and all she wanted. Drew said if she was playing him or planning… but she said she wasn’t. Willow chose to give him a second chance whether she liked it or not. He should be deserving of it for once.

Marshall said the hard part of touring was remembering what city he was in. He could have sworn he was in Raleigh, then he was brought chicory coffee. Trina said that was from New Orleans and she wanted to go there, when there was a knock at the door. Trina opened the door to Jordan.

Portia told Isaiah, since they were both spending the holiday there, she sprang for the good granola bars. She didn’t recommend the cafeteria thank turkey loaf. Isaiah said a granola bar with her was perfect, and they clinked bars.

Chase hugged Ned and said he’d made a turkey with all the fixings, but Ned said it was doomed to fail. Chase said he roasted a turkey with his dad every year, and Leo said he wouldn’t be having any. He was a vegetarian since he’d read a book on turkeys. Emma said she appreciated his new stance, and Gio agreed. Olivia said what about her meatballs and chicken parm, but Leo said, sorry. Olivia asked about the Feast of the Seven Fishes, and Leo said he wasn’t a pescatarian. She asked what he was going to eat for Thanksgiving, and Chase said he’d also made a tofurkey. Brook said he was deluded, but brilliant, and Chased said it was all laid out and ready to eat. Leo said they had to figure out what Outback was going to eat, but Chase said he thought Cody would take care of that. Leo said Outback looked hungry when he’d let her inside, and Ned wondered where Outback was now.

Outback was looking at the turkey with all the fixings.

Because she is not one of my dogs, Outback didn’t touch a thing, and the family marveled at the dinner table. Olivia said she couldn’t believe Chase actually did it, and Brook said, nobody move. They’d tempted fate as far as they could. Chase said there was no such thing as a curse, but Brook said it had been all laid out before when disaster struck. Olivia said there was the year they were robbed and Annabelle’s first year, and Brook said she couldn’t bear the thought of the dinner being ruined by a burst pipe or the table collapsing. Olivia asked if they were supposed to throw it away, but Brook said, of course (🍷) not. They’d give it to people who deserved it. Olivia said she knew exactly who should have it.

Stella said she could use Jordan’s help in the kitchen, but Jordan said she couldn’t stay. She was having dinner with Jenz, but she brought them some greens. Marshall said he knew TJ was out of town (😐) and Jordan should be with family, and Jordan thanked him, but said she was sure. She left and Curtis followed. Outside, he told her, wait. Don’t go.

Elizabeth said sorry she was late, and Alexis said, leave it to Drew to hijack Thanksgiving for the wedding. Elizabeth said she was sure Alexis would rather be home, and Alexis said they’d agreed that the most important thing was Scout. Drew had isolated her, and she wanted Scout to feel all the love. Elizabeth said Scout knew Alexis loved her, and she hoped Alexis knew that Willow loved Scout too. Alexis aid that made her feel slightly better about this circus.

Willow thanked Nina for the dress, and Nina asked if she wanted help getting dressed, but Willow said Elizabeth was coming to help her finish. Nina thanked Willow for including her. She’d promised Drew she wouldn’t interfere – and she wouldn’t – but she needed to know one thing. Did Willow really want to do this? Because if she didn’t, they could walk out right now.

Alexis told Scout that she looked pretty and asked if she was excited. Scout said she wished Kristina and Molly were there, but Alexis said she’d see them later for a sleepover. Scout asked if Alexis thought she’d be able see them more often, Danny and Rocco too, and Alexis said she thought the wedding meant Scout’s family was growing, which was a good thing. The more people, the more love she’d get from family. They hugged and exchanged I love yous.

Brook, Chase, Olivia, Gio, and Emma showed up at the hospital, and Brook told Portia, on behalf of the entire Quartermaine family, they were donating a homemade Thanksgiving dinner to the doctors, nurses, and staff of GH. Portia thanked them, and Olivia said they saved lives, and they couldn’t be more grateful. Portia said, Dr. Quartermaine made sure her staff were well taken care of and they’d taken on the tradition. They’d set it up in the conference room. She told Isaiah that it was one more thing to be thankful for.

Curtis said he understood why Jordan didn’t want to stay, and Jordan said the second she saw Trina’s face, she realized it was too soon. He said perhaps she was right. They’d give it some time. He was glad he got to see her on Thanksgiving. She said her too. There was a lot to be thankful for.

Marshall told Stella that he was told she knew the happy news. He was going to be a grandfather again. Portia was pregnant. In the doorway, Trina dropped the tray she was carrying and asked what he just said.

Ned said he wasn’t a fan of having a babysitter, but Olivia felt better if he wasn’t alone, and Gio said he was happy to stay. Ned said Brook was pleased to see him, and Gio said they’d had a breakthrough. He’d realized everything Brook did that made him so angry was because she loved him and wanted the best for him and he’d had a good life because of her. Ned said his biggest wish was for Gio to get to a place where he had a good relationship with both his parents. Family was everything. Gio said he thought he and Brook were on their way, but doubted it would happen with him and Dante. Ned said they were dealing with big emotions, and life was long if you were lucky. Gio didn’t want to end his days and have regrets. He hoped Gio stayed open to the possibility of having a relationship with his father. The doorbell rang, and Gio went to answer it.

Nina said whatever Willow needed – a house, money, a lawyer – was hers, no strings or conditions. Drew made her think he was all she had, but that wasn’t true. Willow told her, stop. She wasn’t blind to Drew. She knew who he was and what he’d done. Nina said, then how could she go through with it? and Willow said nothing was more important than her getting her kids back and nothing would send a stronger message to the jury. Nina said, so it was a strategy, and Willow said it was what she and Drew knew had to happen for her to be exonerated. She’d be in a stronger position to fight Michael for custody. She’d be married to a congressman while Michael was dating a hooker. Nina asked if she loved Drew, but Willow said she didn’t have to love Drew. She loved her kids and would do what she needed to, to have them back with her.

Michael said they did a good thing, and Brook asked if Chase was sure he didn’t mind. Chase said, it was the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving, and Michael said he’d see them back at the house. He flashed back to hearing Willow ask Elizabeth to be her maid of honor.

Nathan arrived at Drew’s house, and Nina said she was glad he was here. He asked if Willow was okay, and Nina said Willow thought marrying Drew was the only way she could get exonerated and get her kids back. Willow didn’t love Drew, and she should be relieved, but it made things worse. His phone dinged and he said he was sorry, but it was work. She said, nothing could make this day worse than it was, and he told her to try and have faith that Willow believed she was making the best choice for her kids. He left.

Willow looked at a photo of her, Wiley, and Amelia, when Elizabeth said it was time for her to get in her dress. Was she ready to get married?

Back at the mansion, Olivia said she’d defrost the casserole, but Gio said it wasn’t necessary. There was a big box on the living room table, and Olivia said, that’s a lot of pizza. Ned said he wished he could take credit, but it just showed up, and Gio said, there was a card. They’d waited for the rest of them before opening it. Brook read, Happy Thanksgiving, dear family. I took the liberty of placing this order ahead. We may be cursed, but we’re also extremely blessed. Remember me as you have dinner – Tracy. Chase said they’d have to call and thank her, and Brook said, she’d love that they carried on Monica’s tradition. Olivia said, even across the ocean, Tracy had them covered. Gio said he’d be right back, and met Emma in the foyer. He told her, happy Thanksgiving, and they kissed.

Leo said, now they could eat, but Olivia said, wait a minute. The rules are the rules. Ned said, first we sing, then we eat. They joined hands and sang, We Gather Together, and I teared up.

Scout walked down the aisle and Willow followed. Willow handed her bouquet to Elizabeth and faced Drew. Michael looked in the window.

Isaiah fed Portia a piece of pie, and she put the plate on the counter. She closed the blinds and they kissed.  

Trina saw Jordan and Curtis kissing and said, oh my God. Nathan walked up with another officer and said they wanted Curtis to come down to the station. Curtis said, for what? and Nathan said, for the attempted murder of Drew Cain.

Tuesday:

Martin asked if he should skip the part that asks if anyone objects, and Drew said, yeah. Nothing was going to stop him from marrying the woman he loved. Martin continued with the ceremony as Michael looked in the window.

Brook thanked Gio for helping with the clean-up and thanked him for coming. She wasn’t sure if he would, but was glad he did. He said he had fun, and she said, he and Emma were the perfect addition. He talked about next year and said he’d liked spending the holiday there.

Curtis asked if it could wait, but Nathan said it couldn’t. Curtis wondered if he was under arrest.

Laura talked to Lucky on the phone. She was glad he and Aiden were getting this time together. There was a knock at the door, and it was Doc with flowers. She said she wasn’t expecting him until next week, but he said he wanted to be with the person he was most thankful for.

Brook asked about Emma, and Gio said she’d been an amazing friend, then somewhere along the way, it became more than that. Brook was happy for him, then said she was bad at making conversation with her own son. She was terrified of messing it up. He said they were family. They might get mad at each other, but eventually it all worked out. He’d pushed her away at the beginning, but didn’t want to do that anymore

Nathan said he wasn’t arresting Curtis, and Curtis said, then he wasn’t going anywhere. Trina tried to intervene, but Curtis suggested she go inside and keep Stella there. Jordan wondered why Curtis needed to be questioned when there was a suspect already, and Nathan said new information had come to light. He hoped Curtis could clear things up. He could come back with warrant, but then would have to search the premises. Curtis said he’d meet them at the station.

The ceremony continued and Martin asked if Willow took Drew. She flashed back to telling Nina that she didn’t love Drew, but loved her kids.

Doc and Laura explained a double-decker bus to Ace (who, surprisingly is not in college yet.) Doc said, obviously, Laura was exhausted after a grueling campaign, but the voters made the right choice. He knew something was wrong and asked her to talk to him. She flashed back to finding Dalton’s body in the trunk, when Lulu knocked at the door.

Willow said, I do, and Scout gave Drew the rings. Martin said, when they looked at the rings, be reminded of this moment of commitment and love, and they exchanged them. Martin pronounced them husband and wife, and they kissed. Scout was the only one who could bear to watch.

Michael found Jacinda at the Brown Dog Bar and told her about Thanksgiving. She wondered why he wasn’t at home, and he said he had to see if Willow went through with the ceremony.

Brook said she didn’t want to push, but wanted Gio to know she cared. He said he knew and told her to just be real, and she told him, as long as he was real with her too. She wanted his take on the night of the break-in.

Trina wondered why the police needed to talk to Curtis, but Kai said Curtis could handle himself. Stella was glad Jordan went with him, but Trina said it was an opportunity for Jordan to get her hooks in Curtis. Jordan was the reason her parents were splitting up. She’d seen Jordan kissing her father outside.

Curtis couldn’t find a lawyer, but Jordan said she’d stay with him during questioning as a witness. Nathan said that wasn’t possible, but Curtis said it was either that, or they’d wait until he got a lawyer.

Nathan started with Curtis’s movements on September 3rd. What was he doing the night Drew Cain was shot?

Scout said she had a surprise for Drew, and Alexis congratulated Willow. Willow told Nina, mission accomplished, and Nina said she’d support Willow with anything she needed. She knew the kids took precedence. Willow said she’d do anything for her children.

Gio told Brook that he’d forgotten about the lab thing after Ned went to the hospital, and he and Emma freaked when they realized the kids were doing it on their own. Involving them to any extent had been a mistake. Brook said he couldn’t have foreseen the repercussions, but he said they were on him. She said he’d owned it and apologized, but he said that didn’t hold much weight with Dante. She said Dante was a cop and when he was scared, it came out as anger. It wasn’t fair, but it could help Gio understand. He said Dante had the right to his anger, but he wasn’t obligated to take it.

Michael told Jacinda that Willow did it, but if he hadn’t seen it, he wouldn’t have believed it. It wasn’t about him, but Willow had chosen Drew even after he lied to her, slept with her mother, and intentionally manipulated their son. He felt his decisions had been the right ones, but couldn’t face the kids tonight. Jacinda said she was glad he came, and he said he was too.

Lulu said she was happy Doc was home, and Laura said it had been a surprise. Doc asked how Rocco was, and Lulu said, grateful to be out of the detention center. He asked if there was any word on Dalton, and Lulu said, no, and she hoped it stayed that way. She asked if she could put Ace down, and Laura said, by all means. Lulu took Ace to his room, and Doc thought it was strange about Dalton disappearing. Did Laura think he was gone for good?

Stella wondered if Curtis had cheated with Jordan, and Trina said her dad wouldn’t cheat, but Jordan had swooped in at the first sign of trouble. Stella was angry because Marshall knew, and Trina said it sucked to find out your family was keeping secrets from you, like them knowing Portia was pregnant. Marshall said Portia wanted to wait until after the first trimester to tell people, but Trina said she wasn’t people. She was family. Stella said it explained so much.

Willow noted that not many guests were in attendance, but Elizabeth said it wasn’t the quantity, but the quality that was important. Willow said she knew Elizabeth didn’t agree with her choices, but never turned her back, and Elizabeth said she hoped this would give Willow everything she wanted. Willow said she knew it would.

Gio told Brook that Dante couldn’t demand he do things his way. It was too late for Dante to discipline him. Brook said it was strained between them now, but Dante wanted to have a relationship with Gio. He’d been happy to find out Gio was his, but it was obviously confusing, and he was hurt about having lost time with Gio. Gio said they both had their own way of doing things, when Emma came in. She thanked Brook for including her, and Brook left. Emma said she’d been calling Gio, but he said his phone was on silent. She showed him a note and said she’d found this at home under the door.

Michael told Jacinda that a friend suggested if he let Willow see the kids, she wouldn’t marry Drew, but his only goal was to protect them. Willow marrying Drew proved he couldn’t trust her judgement. Jacinda said Drew was a spiteful, vindictive bully, and shouldn’t be allowed near Wiley and Amelia. He said that sounded personal, and she said her mom remarried when she was 13. She just wanted her mom to be happy, but her stepfather wasn’t dad material. He wasn’t abusive, but he was uninterested. Kids wanted to feel like they mattered, and Willow and Drew had proven they weren’t capable of that. He was doing the right thing. Michael said Jacinda had officially ruined his plans to feel sorry for himself. She’d made him feel better. Jacinda said he’d ruined her night too. She liked to unwind in public places and feel like a part of something while she was thinking. She usually enjoyed being alone, but tonight she was enjoying being with him more. He said he wished they’d met under different circumstances. Mostly because he wanted to be with her because he liked her for the beautiful, strong, fascinating woman she was. They kissed.

Alexis said she’d come to support her granddaughter, and Martin said he’d told Drew it wasn’t what was best for the kids. She said he’d been wasting his time. It was Drew’s big chance to get what he wanted, but every decision Willow made, or Drew made on Willow’s behalf, made her job harder. She had to win the case, or she’d never see Scout. Drew didn’t have Scout’s emotional well-being as a priority. He asked, what was the plan? and she said she had to convince the jury that anyone was more likely to shoot Drew than Willow.

Curtis told Nathan that he dropped Stella off, then met Alexis to discuss Stella’s case. After that he went to The Savoy to do paperwork. His last stop was the Brown Dog, where he met Jordan for drinks. Jordan confirmed that, and Nathan asked if anyone could corroborate that Curtis was in the office, but Curtis said, no. The club was closed and he was alone. If he’d known he needed an alibi, he would have brought someone. He asked what the new information was, and Nathan said they’d gotten security records from the club’s alarm system. The alarm had been deactivated at 9:25 and reactivated at 9:51. Tracy had called 911 at 10:28, and Curtis met Jordan at 11 pm. What had he been doing during the time period when Drew was shot?

Jacinda said she’d been thinking about what to tell someone five years from now about them meeting, since their meet-cute had been unconventional. Not that they’d be together by then. It was hypothetical. She suggested they go to her apartment, and they left.

Willow threw the bouquet and Scout caught it. Alexis told the bachelorette-in-waiting that it was time to go, and Scout hugged Drew and Willow. She told them, happy honeymoon.

Lulu told Doc, welcome home, and told Laura that they’d talk soon. She left, and Laura said Doc was right. Something was very wrong.

Trina said she needed air, and Kai went outside with her. Stella asked Marshall if Curtis and Jordan were an item and if that was the reason for the divorce. Marshall said Curtis was grown man and what he did was his business. It wasn’t for them to interfere. Stella told him to talk some damn sense into his son. When you saw someone that you loved making a huge life-altering mistake, you spoke up. Irene would be disappointed in Curtis for walking away from his child. Marshall said that wasn’t what Curtis was doing, and Irene would tell her to leave it alone. She said he didn’t know her sister at all if that’s what he really thought.

Nathan said it didn’t take an hour to get to the Brown Dog, and Curtis said he got there before Jordan. Jordan said Curtis was there when she arrived and asked if Nathan had any evidence indicating that Curtis was the shooter. Nathan said Curtis was an ex-cop and knew how to cover his tracks. His original statement hadn’t said he got to the bar before Jordan, and he was giving Curtis an opportunity to amend it. Was there anything else he failed to mention? Curtis flashed back to meeting Selina, who said she’d been intrigued be his phone call. What could she do for him?

Willow asked what Scout’s surprise was, and Drew showed her a picture Scout drew of herself with them. He asked if Willow was okay, and she said she was wonderful. She’d married the man of her dreams. He asked if she missed Wiley and Amelia, and she said, every day. He said she’d be back with them soon and the picture would have five, not three. She said their family would be complete, and he promised it would all work out.

Michael and Jacinda went to her apartment where they got busy and there was a song part. (I really like these two together.)

Emma told Gio that it was the address of the off-campus lab Dalton told Josslyn about, where he experimented on animals. Was he ready? They were rescuing those dogs tonight.

Doc said Laura could tell him anything, and she said she’d been waiting for them to be alone. It was about Henry Dalton. He asked if she was worried Dalton might show up and insist Rocco be prosecuted, and Laura said Dalton was dead. He asked how she knew, and she said she knew because she found his body in the trunk of his car.

Trina told Kai that her mom was pregnant, and no one told her. Now her dad had been dragged to the police station and Jordan, of all people, went with him. Kai said it might be a good thing, and she said, if Jordan kept him out of jail. She’d been scared that her mom might be the one who shot Drew, but her dad had the same reasons to want Drew dead and would have seen it as a way to protect her. What if her dad was guilty?

Curtis said he stood by his statement, and Nathan said Curtis had a strong motive. Drew had been behind Stella’s investigation. Jordan said half the city wanted Drew dead, and Nathan said, true. It was just a theory and the evidence was sparse. Curtis said, try non-existent, and Nathan said it told him that Drew’s shooting wasn’t a crime of passion, but executed by a professional. Curtis flashed back to telling Selina that one million dollars would be wired to the account of her choice. She said, what did he need her to arrange? And he said he wanted Drew Cain dead tonight.

Wednesday:

Ric visited Sonny bearing whiskey, and Sonny said they had to start somewhere. Why not tonight?

Dante told Rocco that he didn’t want him hanging out with Gio anymore.

At the Brown Dog, Emma told Gio that the last break in was a disaster. If they got caught this time, it could be worse. Was he sure it was a risk he wanted to take?

Ava met Nina at the Brown Dog, and Nina said her daughter was now Mrs. Drew Cain. This day couldn’t get any worse. Ava said she wouldn’t be too sure about that.

Portia went to the station to see Curtis and saw Jordan in the interrogation room with him.

Jordan said none of the evidence pointed back to Curtis, but Nathan said Curtis would now how to stage a crime scene to avert suspicion. Curtis flashed back to telling Selina that he wanted Drew Cain dead tonight, and to make sure it wasn’t traced back to him. Selina said it posed significant risk, but he said it still needed to be done. Jordan told Nathan that Curtis had no access to the murder weapon.

Laura told Doc that Henry Dalton was dead, and she found his body in the trunk of her car just hours before winning the election. He asked where the body was, and she said she didn’t know, but didn’t think anyone would ever find Professor Dalton.

An officer said it could be a while, and Portia said maybe she should head out. It seemed like her husband was in good hands. She looked at a text from Ava asking to meet.

Nathan said the Quartermaines had no idea when Edward’s gun went missing or when it was last seen. Curtis could have gone to the estate to discuss business with Michael. Jordan said any number of people had access to the gun, but Nathan said if an ex-cop planned to commit murder, they’d use a weapon where they wouldn’t be suspected. It was a great way to misdirect the investigation. Curtis flashed back to telling Selina that he was prepared to wire one million dollars tonight to get rid of Drew, and she said he was clearly motivated. May she ask why? He said Drew had been targeting his family, most recently his Aunt Stella. She needed to get it done in a way that didn’t trace back to either of them and make it look like she never came back to town.

Emma said if they got caught, it could ruin Gio’s relationship with Dante, but Gio said forget about that. What if Dalton knew they were up to something? He knew Emma was onto him and suddenly she got the lab address under her door. What if it was a set up?  

Nina asked what Ava wasn’t telling her, and Ava said she told Portia that Nina named her as a suspect in Drew’s shooting. Nina said she didn’t. All she did was tell someone that Portia had no alibi, and that person told Alexis. She was just trying to save her daughter. Ava said Nina could tell Portia that herself, since she was on her way there.  She had to woman up and straighten this out.

Laura said Doc must have seen her fight with Dalton. It was all over the media, social and otherwise. Doc said he couldn’t have been more proud, and she said she thought it cost her the election, but the voters surprised her. He said, they made the right choice. How did Dalton’s body end up in her trunk? She started to cry and said she didn’t know. She’d worked late on election night, and was driving home, when she got a flat. She pulled off the road and went to the trunk to get flares. There he was, dead. She could see he’d been shot. She thought she was in shock, but knew to check his pulse, so she did that. She got some of his blood on her and maybe her DNA on him. All after her threatening him went viral. He said, and she didn’t call the police, and she said she didn’t. She called Sonny.

Ric said he and Molly had dinner. He knew Kristina had been there with Sonny and Alexis was at Drew and Willow’s wedding to support Scout. It was interesting, seeing the shift with Molly and Kristina. They’d been estranged, but were seemingly closer than ever now. He appreciated Sonny trusting him to defend Rocco. On that note, their legal strategy was on hold until Dalton was found.

Rocco said Gio was his brother and he wouldn’t stop seeing him, but Dante said he was a minor and didn’t get to make choices about his freedom, especially if he got arrested. Gio was a bad influence. The first time he trusted Gio, Rocco needed his stomach pumped. Now Gio got him involved in the lab break-in. He was beaten up in juvie and facing criminal charges, and it wall went back to Gio. Rocco said Dante couldn’t cut his brother out of his life and asked if Lulu was okay with this.

Jordan said Willow had been charged, so why was Curtis being questioned? and Nathan said, to fortify the ADA’s case, they were looking at statements and timelines of persons of interest. Curtis had gaps in his timeline. He was alone at The Savoy with no way to verify it. Curtis flashed back to Selina saying, ordinarily, she didn’t involve herself in high-level assassinations, but she had a soft spot for Curtis and enjoyed being in business with him. Curtis asked if they had a deal, and she said arrangements would be made for it to be done in the next two hours. She knew the perfect person for the job. Nathan said, the second gap was during the alarm reset. They had no idea what Curtis was doing in the hour before he arrived at the Brown Dog. Curtis said he had business to attend to, and Nathan said, what kind? Curtis told him, give it up. He realized a fishing expedition when he saw one and Nathan had nothing.

Laura told Doc that she knew she’d been set up and didn’t know what to do, but knew Sonny would, and he said, Sonny handled it? She said, he did, and Doc said it was now too late for her to come forward. She told him, that’s what Sonny said too, but he also assured her that he took care of the body. He asked, what about the car? and she said, it was cleaned and detailed and in the garage in the morning like nothing happened. Doc said he owed her an apology. She had to go to Sonny because he couldn’t be there to help. She said it wasn’t his fault. She called Sonny because she didn’t know what to do and knew Sonny did.

Lulu said she and Dante had been seeing a pattern of behavior and wanted it to stop for Rocco’s own safety. Gio was the common denominator. Rocco said Gio didn’t make choices for him. Dante was trying to do the same thing that Drew was doing to Scout. Lulu said it was a totally different situation, but Rocco said it wasn’t. Family was supposed to stick together. Not that his dad knew anything about that. What gave him the right when he’d walked out on them twice? Rocco walked out, and Dante was about to follow him, but Lulu said, let him go.  

Emma told Gio, when Dalton was trying to leave with Josslyn, he was super drunk. Maybe he accidentally told Josslyn the address, and she’d written the note. Gio said, maybe, and she said she knew the risk, but couldn’t let the animals suffer one more night. He said, neither could he, and she said they had to buy leashes and collars. Then they’d shut Dalton down for good. They left the bar.

Ava said, Portia was going to find out one way or the other, so Nina may as well own up to it so they could all move on. They were friends, and both knew you didn’t come by friends easily, so Nina didn’t have the luxury of throwing a friendship away. Nina could be mad at her, but needed to fix this tonight. Portia walked in.

Lulu said Dante and Rocco both needed to calm down, and Dante asked if she felt like he’d abandoned her. She said she hadn’t thought about that in so long. He’d been on a mission for the WSB, then left to get treatment for PTSD. He said he did it to protect her, and she said she knew. He said, just tell him, and she said, yes. In a way, it felt like he’d abandoned them when he went to work for the WSB. When he came back, he was struggling so much, but wouldn’t let her help. It was like he was disappearing in front of her, but she wanted him to know she never said any of that to Rocco, not when he was a little boy or since. He said it wasn’t on her. He led them to where they were now – Rocco fighting with the dad who’d left him and was keeping him from his brother.

Sonny told Ric that he’d been laying off the drinking, but just for today. It was something to commemorate. Ric said, them talking about their families. It was like they were related. Here’s to it lasting more than one day. Sonny tasted his drink and said, ahh. It had been so long. He was impressed with the strategy Ric and Alexis came up with, and Ric said he and Alexis made a good team professionally. Sonny said he took a chance on Ric, but it wasn’t easy given their history. He knew Ric would do what was best for his grandson. Ric said, unfortunately, his best didn’t include the community service promised by the ADA, but Sonny said Dalton produced false evidence. No one saw that coming. There was a knock at the door, and Sonny opened it to Rocco. Sonny asked how he got there, and Rocco said, a Ride Share. Ric asked if something was wrong. Was Dalton harassing him? Rocco said it was nothing like that. He walked out on his mom and dad and wasn’t going back. Could he stay with Sonny?

Doc said he was glad Sonny was there to help, but regretted not being there for Laura, when his phone dinged. He said it could wait. She was his priority. She’d been dealing with this on her own since election day. Laura said she hadn’t really slept and asked him to hold her. He held her and she said she was glad he was home. He said him too, but they had to be honest with themselves. He had the feeling this was far from over.

Portia said if she’d known Nina was there, she wouldn’t have come. It felt like an ambush. Ava said it wasn’t her intention, when Nina said she was going to the restroom. She left, and Portia said she didn’t appreciate being tricked. She didn’t have time for this and had to go. Ava said, please don’t. She realized Portia was angry and had every right to be… Portia said Nina threw her under the bus for attempted murder, and Ava said it was wrong, but Nina didn’t exactly accuse her. Portia asked if she was defending Nina, and Ava said, no, but she didn’t think Portia and Nina should be enemies. Portia said, if that was the case, why was Ava telling her that instead of Nina?

Curtis told Nathan that he admitted there was friction between him and Drew, but a lot of people had issues with Drew, and some had stronger motives to shoot him. Nathan said, true, and Curtis said he had no ill will against Willow, but she was arrested for a reason. Maybe Nathan was trying to score points with the department or Nina in getting her daughter off the hook, but he was looking at the wrong man. Nathan said he wasn’t trying to earn points. He was giving Curtis an opportunity to amend his statement. Jordan said Curtis wasn’t amending anything. Certainly not without counsel. Nathan said he’d hate if Curtis’s statement was contradicted with new information, and Curtis said he went to see Alexis, then to The Savoy, and the Brown Dog for drinks with Jordan. Nathan said, there was no one at The Savoy? and Curtis said, no. Nathan said, and no one saw him? and Curtis said, no. Nathan said, not even his wife?  

Portia found Nina in the restroom, and Nina said she was so sorry. Ava didn’t tell her that Portia was coming. If she’d known… Portia said she would have run away like the coward she was, and Nina said she realized that out of context, what she did was terrible, but she didn’t go to the police or speak to Alexis directly. Portia said, straight to justification and excuses, and Nina said she was truly sorry. She needed to give Alexis an alternative suspect. She didn’t accuse Portia, but wanted to show there were a lot of people besides Willow that wanted to see Drew dead. Portia said she wasn’t a suspect. She wasn’t even on the PCPD’s radar and Nina betrayed her. Nina said she was trying to save her daughter. They didn’t know where Portia went that night and didn’t know what she did. Portia asked if Nina thought she’d shot Drew.

Sonny said he let Rocco’s parents know he was there. What happened? Rocco said he wasn’t allowed to see Gio. They were blaming everything on him. Ric offered to leave, but Sonny said there was football in the den. Just give him a minute with Rocco. Ric left, and Rocco said his parents were flat out wrong. Gio was great. Sonny said Rocco could disagree or fight with his parents, but he couldn’t walk out.

Dante said he wasn’t surprised Rocco went to where Gio lived, but Lulu said Rocco was upset and would have gone to Sonny’s or her mom’s no matter what. He was lashing out. Dante said it felt like it kept getting worse, and Lulu said Rocco found out a lot of new life changing information in a short amount of time. He needed patience and understanding. Dante said he’d missed how much resentment there was over him leaving, but she said there were extenuating circumstances. He couldn’t expect Rocco to understand, and from Rocco’s perspective, Gio had extenuating circumstances too.  

Nathan asked where Curtis’s wife had been, and Jordan said, now he was questioning Curtis about someone else’s whereabouts? Nathan said, considering Curtis and Portia were married, why wasn’t he with his wife? Curtis said, she was on duty at GH, and Nathan said, his wife was busy, so Curtis called his ex-wife. Jordan asked how this was relevant, and Nathan said she was sitting in as Curtis’s de facto counsel. Curtis said his personal relationships were none of Nathan’s business and if Nathan felt the need to waste his time in the future, go through his attorney. They were done here. He and Jordan left.

Nina said they both knew the reason Portia hated Drew. She drugged him. Portia said, so did Nina, and Nina said it wasn’t a leap to think Portia shot him. Portia asked if that was Nina’s justification for betraying her, and Nina said she wanted to get the spotlight off her daughter. Like Portia, she’d do anything to protect her child. Portia said, what about protecting hers? She wasn’t only talking about Trina, but the one she was carrying.

Doc said Laura reached out to the person who could best help in the moment, but they couldn’t kid themselves. Someone went to the trouble of putting a dead body in her trunk. They weren’t just setting her up. It was a message, and there was no reason to think they were done. She said she thought she knew who was behind it, when his phone dinged again. He said it was a young person who was struggling. They’d just checked into the psyche ward at GH. She said he should go. She could wait, his patient couldn’t. She didn’t mind waiting to finish their conversation. She probably wouldn’t sleep anyway. They hugged and exchanged I love yous.

Sonny said Rocco was out on bail and facing criminal charges. It was serious and he couldn’t be on the street at night. He and Dante didn’t agree on a lot of things, but Rocco had to respect his father who just wanted to protect him. Rocco said he didn’t need protection from Gio, and Sonny said, maybe, maybe not, but his father was right in questioning his judgment, especially the way he’d been acting and the bad choices he’d made. Rocco asked what he was supposed to do, and Sonny said Rocco had to prove to his parents that they could trust him, but it wasn’t going to happen overnight. Rocco said he guessed he hadn’t helped things, and Sonny said, no, but he was glad Rocco came there. He could stay there tonight. They hugged, and Sonny said Rocco would be okay.

Dante asked if Gio’s extenuating circumstances were finding out he and Brook were his parents, and Lulu said that was pretty extenuating. Dante said he agreed, but regardless, Gio was still the older brother and twice failed to look out for Rocco. That was on him because he wanted to be close to Gio and encouraged the relationship. She said Rocco’s interest in Gio wasn’t just because of Dante. She thought they had a lot in common, including the people who loved them. For better or worse, Rocco wasn’t giving up on Gio because they told him to.

Nina said, Portia was pregnant? She never would have… Portia said Nina wouldn’t have sacrificed her to saved her trainwreck of a daughter? Nina would have her give birth in prison. Nina told Portia that she thought they’d said enough, but Portia said she wasn’t done with Nina yet. She knew why Nina did this. She thought Willow was guilty. Nina said Willow had made mistakes, but only because Drew manipulated her, and Portia said Willow wasn’t an innocent victim. Willow married Drew today, and she wasn’t allowing either of them to run over her. Nina tried to leave, but Portia grabbed her and said she told Nina that she wasn’t done with her.

Nina came out, and Ava asked, what happened? but Nina kept walking quickly past the table. Ava asked where Nina was going, but Nina left. Portia returned, and Ava asked if she was all right. Portia said she would be, but in case Nina didn’t get the message, she wasn’t going to be collateral damage. Nina wanted to protect Willow and she wanted to protect her own.

On the phone with Turner, Nathan said they needed to take a closer look at Curtis. He wanted to call in the bartender, the waitress, and any patrons that were at the Brown Dog the night of the shooting. If there’s enough there, they’d get a warrant for the security footage of the club.

Jordan said the fact Curtis was brought in for questioning again, said their case against Willow wasn’t as solid as they’d hoped. Obviously, Curtis didn’t shoot Drew, and they had no way to pin it on him, but please do not talk to the cops again without his lawyer. Curtis said he wouldn’t, but he was grateful she went to bat for him. That’s why he had to tell her what really happened. He had to lie to the police tonight and didn’t want to lie to her.

Lulu said Dante needed to fix things with Rocco. He had a moment, now he needed to go explain what he was feeling and why – and listen, compromise. Gio wasn’t going anywhere. Dante said he wasn’t going to let Gio lead Rocco into a dangerous situation again, but she said he didn’t need to cut Gio out of Rocco’s life. Get him to understand why his actions were of concern and maybe meet him halfway.

Ric asked how Rocco was doing, and Sonny said he was mad at his father, and his father was mad at him. They said things they shouldn’t have. Ric said he wondered where they got that from, when Rocco came out. He said he wanted to ask them both something. How would they feel if someone stopped them from seeing each other? Sonny said Rocco’s situation was different, and Ric said they had a long history. Suddenly, Gio and Emma came in with a lot of dogs. Sonny asked what the hell was going on, and Gio said they could explain. Sonny asked where all the dogs came from.

Laura looked at the flowers from Lucky, when there was a knock at the door. She opened it and said she thought they’d be stopping by soon.

Thursday:

Dogs, dogs, and more dogs covered Sonny’s living room. Rocco asked if they’d rescued them from Dalton’s lab, and Gio said yeah, his second lab. Emma said the shelters were closed for the night and they had nowhere else to bring them. Gio asked if they could keep the dogs there tonight, and Ric said there was a more important issue. They’d committed a felony and made Rocco and accomplice to every law they’d just broken.

Alexis said she hated not spending Thanksgiving with Kristina and Molly and being forced to witness Drew and Willow’s wedding. But it was worth it to have Scout spend the night. Kristina said Scout telling her about her flower girl duties made her day, and Molly said her too. Alexis said, it was the best part, and Kristina asked, what was the worst part? Alexis said, everything else. She had to do her damnedest to get Willow acquitted or lose access to Scout. One thing she and Drew agreed on was Willow’s innocence, but that meant the real shooter was out there somewhere.

Trina told Kai that it wasn’t her favorite Thanksgiving. Her mom was pregnant, and no one told her. She found her dad and Jordan kissing before the cops showed up to take her dad in for questioning about Drew’s shooting. It was the worst holiday ever. Kai asked what he could do, and she said he was doing it by just being there.

Curtis told Jordan that he lied about the hour he’d spent at The Savoy. He’d said he was alone, but he was with Selina Wu. He wanted her to kill Drew.

Britt walked into the Brown Dog and ordered a margarita, extra spicy. Jason came in and sat with Spinelli, glancing over at Britt. He asked Spinelli what was going on, and Spinelli said he was back from seeing Maxie. At the bar, Cody said he was wondering when he’d run into Britt, and they hugged. He said she was looking good for a dead woman. Jason watched them.

Laura read the card from Lucky, when there was a knock at the door. She looked through the peephole, steeled herself, then opened the door. She said she had the feeling they’d be stopping by. Sidwell asked if she was going to invite him in, but she said he’d wasted a trip. He asked her to please reconsider. He didn’t want his next stop to be the police.

Laura let Sidwell in and he congratulated her on her victory. She asked what he wanted and he said, so much for the small talk. She’d defended her grandson by publicly confronting Professor Dalton and by killing him. She said she did nothing of the sort, and he asked how she explained this, producing a photo of her looking at Dalton’s dead body in her trunk.

Ric said he was trying to defend Rocco, and they’d further implicate him by bringing in stolen property. Emma said they weren’t property, they were dogs, but Ric said the law wouldn’t see it that way. Gio said they didn’t steal them, and Emma said they liberated them. Ric said the police would see it as breaking and entering, but Sonny said they took action to save the dogs from abuse. Ric asked if the dogs were being beaten or starved, and Gio said they were locked in cages, waiting to be experimented on. Emma said it was immoral, but Ric said sometimes the law and morals didn’t work in tandem. In most cases, animal testing wasn’t illegal. Rocco said if Dalton left, he didn’t know the dogs were missing, and if no one saw Gio and Emma, they’d be in the clear. Dante walked in.  

Britt asked if Cody wanted to catch up, unless he was going to con her again, but he said he left that life behind. She said being a stand-up guy was so boring, and he tried to leave, but she grabbed his arm and said, sorry. Good for him with the self-improvement. Any tips? He said, none that topped coming back from the dead. She had a clean slate. She flashed back to Sidwell shooting Dalton, and said he’d be surprised. He said one of his many improvements was listening, but she suggested they just have a good laugh instead. He said he wasn’t in the best mood, and she asked, what’s the problem? He said he was waiting for someone, but it looked like she wasn’t going to come, and Britt said then they’d have to cheer each other up.

Spinelli told Jason that he thought the kids and Mac and Felicia were happy to be in the same room as Maxie. It was good for them. Jason said, what about him? and Spinelli said it should make him happy, but it didn’t. It killed him every time.

Kai said the police released Trina’s dad, which was a good sign, but Trina said they had a good enough reason to bring him in. Kai said maybe they were just clearing him, and she said she felt helpless. She couldn’t just stand by while her family unraveled. There had to be something she could do. He said they could figure out who really shot Drew.

Curtis said Selina came back at his request, and Jordan said because he wanted her to kill Drew. He said, for a million dollars, and she asked why he was telling her this. He said she’d defended him at the PCPD, and he didn’t want to repay her by lying. She said, instead, he made her an accomplice after the fact.

Dante said these were Henry Dalton’s dogs. Gio had done it again. He’d brought his little brother in on a potential crime. Rocco said Gio and Emma just got there. He’d known nothing about it. Gio said Rocco had nothing to do with this, and Dante said, now Rocco was surrounded by stolen property. In fact, everybody there was party to a crime. He’d brought his younger brother into a dangerous situation and everyone else. How selfish was he? Sonny said, enough.

Kai said he and Trina were the only people there except for Drew and the shooter, and the closest thing to witnesses. They needed to go over it again. Maybe they’d think of something that didn’t register at the time. Trina said, what if she didn’t want to know who did it? It looked more and more like it was one of her parents.

Molly said Willow was probably convinced that if she married Drew, a jury would never think she shot him, and Alexis said, Willow definitely thought that. Kristina said, but couldn’t it look like Drew was infatuated with Willow and she was playing him? and Alexis said it was a risk, but they refused to hear it. She thought that Drew convinced Willow, it was the only path to get her kids back. She genuinely believed Scout and Willow were fond of each other, and at the end of brutal day, if that was a win, she’d take it.

Spinelli told Jason that it was clear Georgie and James were clinging to the hope Maxie would wake up. He was glad, but couldn’t help dwelling on the alternatives. Either Maxie would never open her eyes, or her condition would deteriorate and they’d lose her. Jason said Maxie was getting the best possible care and they had to hope it was enough, and Spinelli said he prayed Jason was right. But her waking up felt like a fantasy. Jason said he had to focus on that outcome, but Spinelli said it was harder in practice. Today he felt trapped in the question, would there ever be more times to come?

Britt said Cody almost dating his cousin was a little funny, and Cody said, it was heartbreaking. She said he managed to cheer her up, and he told her that this winter, he was trapped on the GH rooftop and took his pants off. He threw them over the side to signal they were trapped. Britt stumbled and he caught her. Jason continued to watch.

Laura said faking a photo was easily done and they’d seen what AI could do, and Sidwell said they both knew the photo was real. When the police authenticated it, they’d find that too. Laura asked, where’s the murder weapon? He knew she didn’t shoot Dalton, so she assumed he did. Unless he had an associate to it for him. She’d faced others like him, faced worse than him, and none of them were around anymore, but she was. (This is why I don’t understand her freaking out about anything.)

Sidwell asked if the people Laura had faced down had proof she was a murderer. He did, and not just her picture. He showed her another photo and said, there he is, her good friend Sonny Corinthos. He had a reputation for violence and the same motive for murder as her – their grandson. It would have been enough for her to incriminate herself, but the real gift was that she incriminated Sonny Corinthos as well.

Sonny told Dante to forget his badge and think about being a father, but Dante said he couldn’t. He was acting Police Commissioner and couldn’t ignore evidence of a break-in and theft. Ric said, regarding the alleged crime committed, was Dante familiar with the Good Samaritan law? If anyone saw a person – or in this case, animal – in imminent danger, they could act in order to save them. Emma said Ric was right. They were walking home and heard barking. Gio said it sounded like the dogs were in pain, so they followed the noise to a random building. They saw the dogs were trapped and knew they had to get them out. Dante said, what street? but Emma said she didn’t remember. Dante asked why they didn’t call 911, and Gio said they acted on instinct. What was most important was that they save all the dogs.

Trina told Kai that both of her parents had been acting weird. She was starting to wonder if her dad was the one who shot Drew. Kai asked why, and she said her Aunt Stella thought it was her dad the night of the shooting because she couldn’t get ahold of him. Kai said he could believe her dad could shoot someone in anger, but he wasn’t sure about her mom, and she said if one of her parents did it, she was the reason.

Curtis told Jordan, sorry. Drew couldn’t retaliate against him, so he blackmailed Portia, then came for Stella. That was his family, and he had a duty to protect them. Jordan said she didn’t deny he had motive, but knew he couldn’t murder someone in cold blood or pay someone else to do it. He asked what made her so sure. 

Molly looked for her phone, and Kristina found it. She said Molly got a text from Cody, who wanted her to meet him at the Brown Dog. Molly told her to mind her own business. Didn’t she remember what happened the last time? Kristina said, of course (🍷). That’s why she was being nosy. She should have never paid Cody to seduce Ava. Let her make it up. Molly asked, how? and Kristina told her to go upstairs and change out of… whatever this was, and they’d send Cody a surprise. Alexis said Molly had worked hard and it was a holiday. Go have some fun.

Dante said, not only did Gio drag Rocco into this mess, he hadn’t learned from his past mistakes. Sonny said it was a victimless crime, and Ric said, there was no crime. It was a Good Samaritan situation. Dalton skipped town and the dogs were being abused and needed help. Dante said, for all they knew, Dalton could be back tomorrow.

Sidwell said he knew he was risking Laura calling the police when she discovered the body. Fortunately, she called Corinthos instead. He knew this complicated things for her and he was there to make things simple again. As long as she cooperated, no one would know the part she played in Dalton’s demise. Laura said she didn’t play any part, and he said, who knew what other evidence would come to light? She told him, cut to the chase. What did he want? He said he wanted her to continue working for the good people of Port Charles, but she’d also work for him. And as long as she did what he politely asked her to, she’d stay in office and out of prison. She said, if she refused? and he said her husband, children, and grandchildren still needed her. If something tragic were to happen to her, it would just kill them… so to speak. There was a knock at the door, and she said, ignore it and they’ll go away, but he said, that would be so rude. Allow him. He opened the door, and Boyle said, sorry he was late. What did he miss?

Spinelli said he should be with the kids, Mac, and Felicia. He thanked Jason for being a good friend and lending a wise ear. Jason said, anytime, and Spinelli said, for what it was worth (🍷), he noticed Jason’s gaze drifting to Britt. He knew Jason and Cody had scuffles, but Cody was wonderful James. He thought Cody was a man of great character. Jason thanked Spinelli for the beer, and Spinelli left.

At the jukebox, Britt asked what they should play, and Cody flashed back to dancing with Molly. He put the same song on, and Britt said, dance with me. He still owed her for parachuting into her and almost drowning her in the MetroCourt pool. He asked if she’d let it go if he said yes, and she said, maybe. They danced, when Molly walked in looking amazing, and saw them.

Britt kissed Cody and Molly ran out. Cody said, whoa. What was she doing? Britt asked why he was being so weird. She knew he was attracted to her. He said he was glad she was alive and he’d be there if she needed him, but it wasn’t like that. There was someone else in the picture now, who was clearly not coming. Britt said, my bad. She guessed things did change. She went to the bar and ordered another spicy margarita with a double shot of tequila, but Jason said, make that water, please.

Alexis said Kristina did a good job convincing Molly, and Kristina said Molly looked so pretty. She thought Molly was excited. Alexis said she was happy Kristina and Molly had repaired their relationship. It was what she was most thankful for today. When they’d lost the baby, then lost Sam, she honestly didn’t think their family would be able to heal. Kristina said she thought of Sam every day, today especially. Sam loved Thanksgiving. Alexis said it wasn’t the same without her, but she’d be proud of the love and support Kristina had shown her sister – they hugged – and her mom.

Jordan said Curtis didn’t tell her that he went through with it, and Curtis said, Selina agreed to do the job, but in the end, he couldn’t go through with it. He never transferred the money. He didn’t want a murder on his conscience and didn’t want Selina to have that kind of power over him. Jordan said he had morals and was a better man than Drew, and he said Drew could drop dead and he wouldn’t shed a tear. He realized if he got caught it would destroy his family. He had a beautiful daughter and a child on the way. He couldn’t let Drew Cain or Selina Wu or anyone take that away.

Dante said the thing with Gio was tearing their family apart. Rocco was a shy kid and never stepped out of line. Now he got alcohol poisoning and almost died and got arrested, all within a few months. Sonny said Rocco was growing up, and Dante said they had a big argument because he told Rocco that he wanted him stay away from Gio. Rocco exploded and said things that cut deep. Sonny said he was sorry, and Dante said it hurt because it was true. He did leave Rocco and his mom twice. He thought Rocco had to stay away from Gio. Sonny said Rocco and Gio had a special bond. Dante couldn’t keep them apart and he didn’t think that was the answer. Dante told him, Lulu said the same thing, and Sonny said, forget his badge and think of this as a father with two sons who both needed their dad.

Laura asked what brought Boyle there uninvited, and Sidwell said Boyle would act as his intermediary. Laura asked what his orders were. Should she resign? Should they hold a special election to install Boyle as mayor? Sidwell said, don’t be ridiculous. Boyle lost. Port Charles didn’t want him. He needed her. She got things done. She asked what things he expected, and he said she’d get the details soon enough. Boyle would communicate his instructions, and she’d execute. She asked if people wouldn’t be suspicious of them working together, but Sidwell said these things were easily explained – politics, strange bedfellows, that kind of thing. So did they have a deal?

Sidwell said it had been a long day, and Laura had a lot to think about. He was confident she’d recognize this as the best situation for all of them. The baby monitor picked up Ace’s crying, and Sidwell picked it up. He said Laura had once told him that she could never be bought. He told her that everyone had their price. He thought he’d just discovered hers. He’d be in touch. He handed the monitor to her and he left with Boyle. Laura locked the door and cried.

Jordan said the one thing Curtis hadn’t accounted for was the time between when he left The Savoy and they met at the Brown Dog. What was he doing? Curtis said he went back to Aurora to cancel the transfer. It had to be done on the same network. No one else knew anything. She was the only one he’d talked to. She kissed him and said she believed him. She knew what a good man he was, and he could count on her.

Kai said if one of Trina’s parents shot Drew, how was that on her? and she said, this started when her mom changed Heather Webber’s test results to keep Heather in prison and protect her. Drew’s blackmail and hatred of her parents spiraled. He said her mom saved Drew’s life. Why shoot him only to save him later? She said, maybe guilt, and he asked if her parents would let Willow or some innocent person take the fall. She said, never… She thanked him and said her mind was going wild. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. He said their belief alone carried no weight with the PCPD, and she said, okay. Let’s find out who really shot Drew and clear both of my parents.

Sonny said Dante was a good father. He knew it was difficult, but Dante had to remember that. Dante said he didn’t want to lose either of his sons, and Sonny said he had a lot to figure out, but he’d do it. Look at them. The others came back, and Ric said there had been no report about the dogs. Dante said that didn’t mean he couldn’t take them in, and Rocco said if Dante let them off the hook and let the dogs stay, he’d go home with him. Gio said, don’t do what he didn’t want to for him, but Rocco said it was okay. Dante went to the door, and Rocco said he was glad the dogs were safe. He left, and Sonny said Rocco did that for Gio. That’s what good brothers did.

Kristina and Alexis saw headlights, and Kristina asked if Alexis was expecting someone. Alexis said not that she knew of, and Kristina said it was way too early for Molly, but Molly came in, slamming the door behind her. Alexis asked what was going on, and Kristina asked if Cody wasn’t there. Molly said, oh, he was there, and stomped upstairs.

Alone at a table, Cody drank a beer and looked at his text to Molly. At the bar, Britt said she didn’t remember asking Jason’s opinion about her drink order, and he said she wanted to put on a show and get a reaction. Here he was. She said, what show? With Cody? Jason suggested he take her home, and she said if he had a problem with her kissing Cody, then do something about it. Maybe he should kiss her himself. Come on. I dare you. Kiss me.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Britt struggles to open her room door, when Jason arrives to help. She says, what is this? Chivalry? He asks her to let him get it for her, and she says, he won’t kiss her, but he’ll open the door for her.

Josslyn goes to the apartment and tries to get something in the dark, when Trina comes out. She asks why Josslyn didn’t turn on the light, and Josslyn says she saw Kai’s car in the driveway and didn’t want to bother them. She was just going to grab some stuff and sneak out. Trina says, to her mom’s? but Josslyn says, not if she can help it. Trina asks, what happened? and Josslyn says she just had a very weird Thanksgiving dinner with Brennan and her mom. It’s nothing to worry about. She’ll just grab her stuff… Trina says, no. They’re best friends and that’s not how it works. Does Josslyn want tea while she tells her what’s going on? Josslyn says, no. She thinks she made a big mistake.

Carly says, one thing to be said about a small Thanksgiving dinner, easy clean up, but Jack says he thought his drying technique had something to do with it. She says, that too, and he asks if she’s all right. She says, yeah. Why? He says, it’s just that this doesn’t seem like much of a holiday for her. He can’t help wondering if it has something to do with him.

At the hospital, Felicia tells Lucas, happy Thanksgiving, and he says he didn’t know she was working today. She says she’s not, but knew he would be. She just came back from visiting Maxie in Boston and every time she sees the incredible facility and the kind of care Maxie is getting, she’s grateful for him all over again. He says he’d do anything for Maxie, and her. He’s glad they got to spend the day together. She says her too. It was a pretty nice holiday. He says that made his holiday. He talks to Maxie’s team of doctors all the time, and every time he does, they tell him that she’s doing great. Felicia says, even though there’s no apparent change in her condition? and he says, that’s good news. Maxie is holding steady, which means she’s fighting, just like Felicia knew she would.

Sidwell gets patted down on Sonny’s porch and the guard says, he’s clean. Sonny lets him in, and Sidwell thanks Sonny for agreeing to see him so late. He hopes Sonny knows he wouldn’t have asked unless it was a matter of some urgency. Sonny says, how’s that? and Sidwell says he wants to clarify a few things before Sonny makes the mistake of trying to kill him.

Asleep on the couch, a knock at the door wakes Laura up. She opens it to Cyrus, who says, hello, sister. Am I too late to say grace? (I get confused for a moment because he’s supposed to be dead, but you know how it goes. Jack could have recruited him and sent him to Romania for all I know.)

Jason says, it’s all right. He’s got her. Britt says she’s good. He can go now. He got his way. She was having a good time and was ready to toss back another round, when someone made her come back to this dump. It wasn’t even last call yet. Now that the night is ruined, we [sic] can go. She stumbles, looking around for something. She wonders where she put it, when she falls, but Jason catches her. She says, oh my God.  

Josslyn says, the other night, she ran into Vaughn at the Brown Dog and they slept together, and Trina says, oh, okay. That’s not good… but not bad either. Maybe this is like a sign for them to try again and start over. Look what happened with her and Kai. Josslyn says she doesn’t see it happening because Vaughn has ghosted her ever since, and Trina says she’s so sorry. Josslyn says, don’t be. It’s her fault. She did it to herself. She knew exactly who he was and still went back for more and she’s hurting all over again.

Jack says he can’t help but think of Christmas Eve last year when Carly had a full house, and Carly says, her and Josslyn not good enough for him? He says he’s not saying that at all. He can’t help wondering if he’s the reason her family stayed away. She says, this has nothing to do with her family not liking him. Holiday dinners have lots of moving parts and sometimes the other parts have other commitments. Like tonight, Donna is at Sonny’s, and Michael, Wiley, and Amelia are at the Quartermaines’. Please don’t read anything into it… Unless this is a smokescreen and his way of telling her that it didn’t meet his expectations. He says, they were exceeded and he was grateful not to have to fight her family for the best dark meat, and she says she’s not sure it’s a fight even a man with his skills would win. He says he’s really happy that she invited him. He just doesn’t want her to ever have to decide between him and her family. She says, that’s not what’s happening. It’s not a choice she’s had to make. He says, really? He wouldn’t think Sonny was big on socializing with the WSB station chief. She says, he’d probably not be very excited about it, but she doesn’t have to spend every holiday with Sonny and he’s no one to judge. He says, what about her good friend Jason Morgan? and she says, Jason does actively avoid him, but maybe that won’t always be the case. And if it is, they’ll figure it out. He says, so if she’s not missing Jason, who was it? He got the distinct feeling that there was somebody she wished was here. She says, there was. Her brother. She wishes he’d shown up, but Jack isn’t the reason Lucas isn’t here. She is.

Sonny asks why he’d try to kill Sidwell, and Sidwell says, that is the question, isn’t it? Measure C failed to pass, and Laura Collins managed to win re-election. On the surface, Sonny doesn’t appear to have any motive to take action against him, which makes it the perfect moment to do so. Sonny says, that’s not a bad argument, and Sidwell says, it’s what he would do if he were Sonny. Sonny says, good to know, and Sidwell says, but there may be one factor Sonny wishes to consider. He shows Sonny the photo of him and Laura and Dalton’s body in the trunk.

Laura says, no. This can’t be. He’s dead. Cyrus says, that may be so, but he’s still here with her. He’ll always be with her. She says, no, and he says she didn’t invite him to her Thanksgiving feast, but he decided to come anyway. He knew she needed him, and he brought her an early Christmas gift. He shows her a box and says, she can open it now if she likes. Laura says, get away, please, and he says he’ll open it for her. He opens the box, and we see a gun. He says, it’s the gun that killed Professor Dalton. She could take it to the PCPD and turn herself in. Do the honest thing. She says, it’s too late, but he says, she always told him that it’s never too late to face the consequences of your actions. She says she didn’t shoot Dalton, and he says, then she has nothing to fear from the police. She says she can’t explain why his body was in her trunk, when Esme comes down the stairs. Esme says, she needs to take responsibility. That’s what Laura always told her.

Britt says she told Jason to get out, but Jason says he’s not leaving her alone. She’s too drunk. She says she’s been way drunker and always taken care of herself. Her phone rings and he asks if she shouldn’t take care of that. It’s gone off three times. She says she’ll do what she needs to do as soon as he leaves. She needs privacy. So if he’s going to be like this, go out in the hall. He says, she wants him to stay in the hallway? and she says, yeah. Isn’t that where the bodyguards hang out? It’s not like they’re friends. He goes out and she closes the door. She tries to answer, but can’t hit the right button.  

Jack says he thought Carly was looking to patch things up with Lucas, and she says she is. She was going to do it the other day at the hospital after their disagreement. But she ran into Josslyn, who didn’t think it was a good idea to ambush him at work, so she decided to wait for the perfect time to apologize. He says he understands the importance of timing, but hopes she doesn’t wait too long. It could hurt them both worse. He can see how much she misses him and he’s quite sure Lucas misses her quite a bit too. She says she hopes he’s right. Lucas seems to really be digging in. He says, no amount of obstinance can keep her away, but she says she thinks spite could. He says, not when it comes to Lucas. Or her. She says, so she’s Lucas’s kryptonite? and he says, not just his. He wishes he could stay and have a quiet night with her tonight. She says, the kids aren’t at home, so that’s what she was planning, but he says, alas, work beckons. She says she guesses international espionage doesn’t take a holiday, and he says, it does not. He kisses her and leaves, and she smiles. She flashes back to Valentin saying, Jack thinks he’s invincible, but he has two weaknesses – his ego and her. There’s no stopping his ego and that leaves just her. Together, they’ll bring Jack to his knees.

Trina says, the way she sees it, Vaughn broke Josslyn’s trust by keeping his work a secret. She’s allowed to be upset. Josslyn says, then again, he was just doing his job. She let herself get her hopes up. Her phone chimes, and it’s a message from Jack, telling her to get to the office now. Trina asks if everything is okay, and Josslyn says, it’s her mom. Brennan’s not staying over, so she’s going to sleep there. Trina has listened to her ramble for too long anyway. Trina says, not even close and Kai would love to see her. They hug, and Josslyn says, she’s such a great friend. She’s so grateful for her. Trina doesn’t have to worry about her. She’ll be fine. Trina says, see you soon, and Josslyn leaves.

Esme says, Laura cost her everything. She lost her child, her mind, her life, all because of Laura. If she’s looking for Ace, she won’t find him in his room. Laura asks what Esme did to him. Don’t hurt him. Esme says she’d never hurt him. She’s saving him. Laura says, from what? and Esme says, from you. She can’t raise a child. How could she teach him anything? She’s unfit and a liar. Cyrus says he told her that they were a lot alike. She was always so offended when he said it, but deep down, she knew he was right, didn’t she? Laura sees the gun in her hand and says she didn’t do it. She wakes up.

Jack says, the only way Emma Scorpio Drake and Gio Palmieri could have possibly learned about Dalton’s secondary lab was if Josslyn gave them the address. Josslyn says, Dalton was already blown and there was nothing in the lab, and he says he assumes she found out because she got her hands on the file detailing the search conducted there. That’s how she found the address, right? The file is classified. She says, it was also a dead end. There was no evidence linking Dalton to Sidwell or Faison’s mission. All they found were suffering animals. She doesn’t understand. If the WSB wasn’t going to do anything to protect them, why couldn’t her friends go in and save them? Jack says, because it’s against protocol. He should have her transferred. She says, for slipping the address under a door? but he says, no. For continuing to have a relationship with Vaughn.

Felicia tells Lucas that she was thankful to spend time with Mac, Spinelli, and the kids. Nothing is more important than connections with family over the holidays. Carly joins them and says she was thinking about Maxie today. She thought about Maxie every day, but especially today. Felicia thanks her and says, she’s very kind, but she did see Maxie today in Boston. Their time together was pretty special. She came in to take care of some paperwork and so far has done none of it. She’d better get on it. Happy Thanksgiving. She leaves, and Lucas asks what Carly is doing here. She says she had a leftover piece of pecan pie and thought he’d like it. She didn’t make it. Josslyn did, but Josslyn didn’t inherit her cooking skills. He says he’s pretty full at the moment, and she says, what about breakfast tomorrow? Come on. She misses him and thinks it’s not the same without him. She wanted to invite him and should have invited him. He asks if her invitation would have included Marco… That’s why he wouldn’t come.

Doc comes back and tells Laura, it’s been a long day. She didn’t have to wait up. She hugs him and says she did. There’s been so much trouble. He asks, what happened? and she says she knows who did it. She knows who put Dalton’s body in her trunk. Jenz Sidwell was here tonight to blackmail her.

Sonny tells Sidwell, interesting photo. It’s a shame it’s blurry. Sidwell says, it will be clear enough for the PCPD. Plus, he’s got plenty more. Sonny says he’s sure Sidwell does, and Sidwell says, let’s not have any discussion about deep fakes. They both know Sonny was at the scene of a crime. He was spotted by local law enforcement. Sonny says he was with a friend who had car trouble, and Sidwell says, good one. That’s one way of looking at it, but this is Sonny and Mayor Collins standing over the corpse of Professor Dalton, plotting their next step. To him, it looks more like conspiracy to commit murder and obstruction of justice than car trouble. Sonny says, got a body? He doesn’t see any evidence that man is dead. Sidwell says, don’t push it. He’s got more than enough to put Sonny and the mayor away. If he didn’t, Sonny would have already called in his beefy guard to take care of him. He’ll save Sonny the effort of asking what he wants by telling him. He really wants the piers and Sonny’s full cooperation.

Britt falls on the floor, and Jason is immediately at her side. She says she needs to give herself an injection. She cries, and Jason says, come on. He helps her up and says, watch your step… Okay, step there… Step over. What’s the dose? He picks up a bottle of her medication and she says, two milliliters. He prepares the shot.

Kai asks Trina if everything is okay. He thought he heard Josslyn. Trina says, she just left. They needed to catch up. They haven’t in a while. He says he’s glad they had a chance. How’d it go? She says, fine. Josslyn had to leave to go to her mom’s. She’s going through it right now. Kai says, so is she, and she says, true, but she’s got him.

Jack says he warned the two of them to stay away from each other, and Josslyn asks wat he did to Vaughn. Where is he? Jack says, somewhere far away from her. Vaughn is under strict instructions not to contact her and she’s about to get the same. But this time she’s going follow it or find herself transferred to a basement station in Finland. The only reason he hasn’t done that yet… She says, because he’s sleeping with her mom.

Carly says she knows she caused Lucas pain and she’s so sorry. If she could unsay it, she would, but she can’t. Lucas says he was glad she said it. Now he knows how she truly feels. She says she was looking out for him. She didn’t want him to get hurt. He says he did and it still hurts. She thinks Marco is deceiving him. Does she have any idea what it feels like that his own sister believes his boyfriend is using him and he’s a fool for moving in with him? He’s glad it’s out in the open. He’d much rather have an honest break with her than watch her lie through her teeth and pretend to accept his relationship with Marco, when clearly, she doesn’t. She says she doesn’t think he’s a fool. Anyone can be taken in.

Laura tells Doc that Sidwell had proof of Dalton’s body in her trunk. Now she had to do what he said or he’d expose her. Doc says he’s so sorry she’s going through this. For anyone, it would be a nightmare, but for someone with her moral sensibility, it must feel like torture. She says, it’s getting to her. She had one of the worst nightmares she’s ever had. He asks, what happened? and she says, Cyrus was here, and Esme. They were telling her that she had to take responsibility for her actions. What does he think it means? She’s supposed to turn herself in to the police? He says, no. It was her subconscious talking. It has the same information she does. It’s telling her what she wants to do, not what she should do. She says she guesses there’s no easy answer for what she should do, and he says, far from it. Let’s say you do what you want to do, come forward and tell the truth as best you can. Ace has to be one of the biggest considerations. She says, oh my God. What would happen to Ace if she couldn’t prove her innocence? Even if they did believe she wasn’t one who killed Dalton, they’d probably still charge her with obstruction of justice. He says, they could, but they could also take into account extenuating circumstances, and she says she was set up by Sidwell. He says, Anna and the PCPD must have some idea who Jenz Sidwell is, and she says, they do, especially Anna, but she’s not here. She’s away on special assignment for WSB. If it was just her, she’d just do it, take a chance and turn herself in. But she can’t turn herself in without implicating Sonny.

Sonny asks if Sidwell doesn’t think it would look suspicious, him selling Sidwell the piers after the fight over Measure C, but Sidwell says, the vote didn’t go his way, so he upped his offer substantially. The public will look at it like a real estate transaction between two businessmen, where Sonny appears to profit handsomely. Sonny asks if Sidwell thinks anyone would buy it. He doesn’t need the money. Sidwell says, they’ll believe he had a price. Everyone else does. People might be suspicious without context, but who’s to know what happened? Sonny says, he wants the piers and what else? but Sidwell says, that’s all for now… One more thing. Now he remembers. If anything happens to him or his son, the gun that killed Dalton will be delivered to law enforcement along with the photos, and the gun is covered in Laura’s DNA.

Jason asks if Britt is all right, and she says she can’t do it. You do it. She lifts her sweater, and he says, here we go.

Kai says he doesn’t feel like he’s doing that much, but he’s glad Trina feels that he helps by being here. She says, him being here makes everything feel better. The situation with her parents is messy and complicated, but talking to him about it keeps it from being scary. He says, together, they’ll figure out a way to exonerate her parents. She’s not alone in this. She says she knows. That’s why she’s not completely miserable. She almost feels bad saying this, but in spite of everything that’s going on, she’s happy because she’s got him. He says, and he’s got her. She’s given him a second chance and he’s not about to throw it away.

Carly says she loves how Lucas always manages to see the best in people. She admires that about him, but she also worries because people lie. She’s trying to spare him the pain of the person he loves the most lying to his face. He says, don’t project her issues with Sonny on him. He knows people can be manipulated and he’s the first to admit his relationship with Brad ended in disaster, but just because Brad lied, doesn’t mean Marco will too. He doesn’t want to fight with her, but he knows he’ll never convince her to trust Marco or even like him for that matter. But she’s his sister and he loves her. He always will, but she needs to accept that Marco is in his life, and until then, he just needs some space. She says, okay. She understands and knows she can’t make him believe things he doesn’t want to. She loves him. He’s her brother and if he needs something – whatever reason or no reason at all – please call her. He thanks her and she leaves.

Jack tells Josslyn to choose her next words carefully. There’s a line she’s dangerously close to crossing. She says, oh, she’s crossing a line. Meanwhile, he’s using her to get information from her own uncle and forcing her to lie to her own mother. He says he was clear on what his expectations were the first time they talked about her joining the Bureau, and she says she understands how it works with his dating life, but still has no idea what this has to do with national security. He says, if she wants to torpedo his relationship with her mother for her own selfish reasons, go ahead, but do it after the job is done. Until then, shut her mouth. She says she’s acting as a pawn when she joined to do some good in the world, not to put innocent people like her uncle in danger. He says, Sidwell needs to be stopped by any means necessary. He’s about to get his hands on lethal technology. She says, and they need to destroy it, but he says, no. They need to acquire it. The WSB wants the technology for themselves. Josslyn says, for what?  

Sonny tells Sidwell that Laura doesn’t deserve this. She’s a good person and has done good for the city. Sidwell set her up to get leverage over him. Sidwell says he was kind of sure Laura would try to get rid of the body before going to the police, but he couldn’t be sure she’d enlist Sonny’s help. He’s so lucky she did, because now he not only has the mayor in his pocket, but also the local crime lord. Sonny asks what’s to stop him from leaving the country. Laura can handle the cops. Sidwell says, she most certainly can, but she’s just gone through a very contentious election without once turning on him, and she had more than one opportunity to do so. Like Sonny, he recognizes loyalty. In this case, it works both ways. He knows Sonny would do anything to protect Laura.

Laura tells Doc that if she goes to the police and tells them everything that happened, she’d have to give up Sonny because Detective West saw them. There’s no way Sonny wouldn’t be a suspect. Doc says, Sonny would be implicated. He has a strong motive himself. She asks if Doc thinks there’s any way the police would believe Sonny had nothing to do with Dalton’s death, and he says, on the other hand, if she doesn’t come forward, she’ll have to give in to Sidwell’s demands. She says, all Sidwell will get is concessions from city government. If she stays one step ahead of him, maybe she can mitigate the damage. He says, no doubt she could, but it’s an awfully huge burden to put on her own shoulders, and she says she wouldn’t be the only one. She’s sure she’s not the only one Sidwell is blackmailing. What Sidwell wants from her will pale in comparison to what he wants from Sonny.

Britt crawls into bed fully dressed and says she can’t believe she let Jason see her stomach. She must be way drunker than she thought. He puts a blanket over her and turns out the light.

Felicia asks if Carly left, and Lucas says, a little while ago. She says her paperwork is done. She should get going. They say goodnight, and Felicia starts to walk to the door, but turns back. She says, Lucas’s mother was her best friend, and everyone knew she had a fiery temper. And her ability to hold a grudge was the stuff of legend, but she had a little-known capacity for forgiveness. Every time she’s with him or Carly, she can see they both have those qualities. She doesn’t know what’s going on between them, and doesn’t need to know, but their mother loved them both very much. She wouldn’t want distance between the two of them. Don’t give up on his sister. She leaves.

Sidwell says, to protect Laura, Sonny will protect him and his son. If anyone tries to hurt Marco, if he receives the slightest scratch on him, Mayor Collins will answer for Professor Dalton’s murder. He thanks Sonny so much for seeing him. He thinks it’s a great idea, meeting outside of business hours. Doesn’t Sonny? He leaves, and Sonny’s phone rings. Laura says, there’s something she needs to tell him about Sidwell, but he says he knows. Sidwell was here. She asks what they’re going to do, and he says, we’ll figure it out.  

Jack says, the reason the WSB wants the technology is classified, and Josslyn asks how she’s supposed to do her job when everything is being kept from her. He says, it’s a very complicated situation. He’s made compromises left and right for the decisions he’s made. He’s doing everything he can to keep her safe. Lord knows, Carly would be devastated… His phone dings and he says, oh my God.

Carly is about to go upstairs when she hears something. She goes to the fireplace and gets a poker. She feels a hand on her shoulder and turns, raising the poker. A bedraggled Valentin stops her arm and says, you don’t want to do that. I told you we’d be in touch.

Next week, Lucas tells Marco that it’s not okay and he’s not going to pretend otherwise; Dante tells Nathan, nothing is going to stop Valentin from getting to Charlotte; Josslyn tells Jack, that means her mom is in danger too; and Carly tells Valentin, get the hell out immediately.

 🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

In case you weren’t around or need a refresher course.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/what-happened-between-britt-and-cody-on-general-hospital-their-relationship-history-explained/

It was fun to see her – and Cyrus – again.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-avery-kristen-pohl-on-return-as-esme-i-missed-that-girl-exclusive/

Sad remembrance.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-kristina-wagner-remembers-late-son-harrison-on-his-birthday-always-with-me/

Can’t wait to check this out.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-alum-jeff-kober-ex-cyrus-lands-plum-role-on-acclaimed-medical-drama-the-pitt/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

There was another tough docking, and Nathan finally got his sh*t together. Or so Captain Sandy thought. It was time for him to appoint a lead deckhand, but I’m not sure how he’ll do that with two having a serious lack of work ethic, and a third who was gung-ho, but also green AF. Eyebrows Joe was all into V and wanted her to meet his mom after the season was done. In his interview, Joe said he was a rollercoaster of emotions and he’d only known her three weeks. I give it another two weeks. Maybe.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

Muzzy was visiting to give Bronwyn backhanded compliments and mixed signals. Bronwyn threw a Spill the Boston Tea Party, where the woman chose something inappropriate, uncalled for, and/or downright mean they’d said about one of the others. They shared it with the group and then symbolically threw it in the harbor for it never to return. Good luck with that. They attire was Hamilton core, and Bronwyn had wigs for all. However, Mary brought her own. No surprise.

Vanderpump Rules

My jury is still out. I’m just not feeling this bunch, but there is LVP, so I’m hanging in. The best part was SUR employee Marcus insisting in his interview that he’d never be fired. But when LVP found out he’d been sneak drinking and led one of the other new lambs astray, she sent him home until further notice. The runner-up was server/bartender/ whatever-she-was Natalie drunkenly ranting at her bartender ex on her day off – when she was with her family. As a side rant, she wagged her finger in server Demy’s face and told her, I’m Natalie. Alrighty then. When questioned by LVP, Natalie claimed not only had she had no closure with her ex, Mercury was in retrograde.

Southern Charm

I missed most of this and wasn’t sorry when I read Patricia had a dog funeral. Haven’t we suffered enough with the loss of Michael? Anyway, I came in toward the end when there was a theme party where the guests dressed as literary figures. Except for Craig who misread the memo and came as a character from Hook.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Garcelle’s exit remained a mystery, as well as why Sutton let Avi go. Kyle threw a garden party, and in her interview, she explained that you couldn’t just have people over anymore. You needed activities. I can vouch for this since the last few parties I’ve been to had all kinds of things going on. Rachel Zoe brought the morally corrupt Faye Resnick with her, and everybody made flower crowns. We also found out that someone had tried to set Rachel up with Mauricio. Eww! The group made a decision to have a hot girl summer, whatever that means to you. From the preview, it looked like it meant a lot of traveling.

Random Reality Items

Once again, there’s a nibble, but not much real news.

Wait. What?

Definitely worth a watch.

I know someone who was in the hospital with an unrelated illness, but would not stop vaping, even though it was contributing to their condition. They even vaped while in the hospital and it ultimately caused their untimely death. It never made sense to me. Just say no on this one.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Being Eddie. Netflix. This was an enjoyable documentary concentrating on Eddie Murphy’s rise to fame. It was great to see old clips and clips I’d never seen before, as well as Eddie talking about the comics that were his inspiration. There were no bombshells or discussions about any scandals (I’m thinking about you, Mel B), but I was startled to find out he had ten kids.

https://people.com/eddie-murphy-rare-interview-career-and-10-kids-exclusive-11847482

The Shark Whisperer. Netflix. I love sharks, so I loved this documentary about the aptly named conservationist Ocean Ramsey. Besides the amazing footage of getting up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, there was a lot of debate about her not making any significant contributions to the scientific community and that her methods were off the wall. I just kept wondering if the same viewpoints would be held if she were a man.

This is the End. Netflix. This movie cracked me up. A movie filled with celebrities playing themselves, they gather at James Franco’s house for a party when the Rapture happens, along with the end of the world as we know it. Part horror and a lot of comedy, it’s one of those movies rife with juvenile humor, but still outrageously funny. It’s not new, but I’d put it on the back burner until Netflix suggested it after I’d watched Animal House for the millionth time at my husband’s insistence. Admittedly, that’s also a favorite of mine. One of the best things about this film was the atmosphere of good sportsmanship on the part of the famous. It felt kind of like they’d dumped everybody onto the set and just said, go for it.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/this-is-the-end-2013

Stranger Things. Netflix. I’m not giving any spoilers, but I did watch the entire offering, despite my telling myself I’d only watch one a week. Lots of action, a few answers, the comfort of the characters returning to finish the job, and a great soundtrack.

https://people.com/stranger-things-season-5-release-date-cast-plot-11845836

https://deadline.com/2025/12/stranger-things-5-premiere-viewership-netflix-1236633162/

https://people.com/stranger-things-season-5-finale-in-theaters-everything-to-know-11860370

☃️ One Christmas Movie & One Question…

Since we have two TVs, I usually put the marathon on one of them for the entire 24 hours starting Christmas Eve.

https://ew.com/a-christmas-story-cast-then-and-now-11857883

The definitive answer.

https://ew.com/bruce-willis-wife-emma-die-hard-debate-christmas-movie-11858798

⚔️ A Knight In Waiting…

It looks like it has a bit of a sense of humor. Premieres January 16th.

https://ew.com/a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-final-trailer-trial-of-seven-mad-targaryen-11861358

🖼 Masterpiece Within a Masterpiece…

This was my favorite scene in the film. It will never cease to amaze me how real they make animals look now. Talking animals.

https://ew.com/wicked-for-good-visual-effects-no-place-like-home-11849469

Again, my favorite scene in this film. It’s visually stunning, the music is incredible, and it’s absolutely mesmerizing.

https://ew.com/sinners-scene-breakdown-juke-joint-ancestors-performance-11718104

🎄Christmastime Is Here…

I actually didn’t end up in the bathroom, the kitchen, or somewhere in my head when the tree was lit. And Gwen Stefani. She’s always had magnificent style and her outfits were everything.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting-2025-live-updates-rcna247035

🦥 Party Animals…

🐻 Not just one, but two cases of ding-dong ditchers from the animal kingdom.

https://people.com/california-homeowner-discovers-ding-dong-ditcher-is-a-massive-bear-11861522

https://people.com/rare-piebald-deer-triggers-homeowners-doorbell-camera-video-11861400

🦝 Maybe his home life isn’t everything he wants it to be. Very amusing that he passed out near the toilet.

https://people.com/raccoon-goes-on-liquor-fueled-rampage-after-breaking-into-liquor-store-11860960

🐕 Even better than Westminster.

https://people.com/soliel-the-belgian-sheepdog-wins-best-in-show-2025-national-dog-show-on-thanksgiving-day-11858161

🦚 Quotes of the Week

Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.Babe Ruth

Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. – James Langston Hughes

True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.Saint Francis of Assisi

If you don’t make the time to work on creating the life you want, you’re eventually going to be forced to spend a lot of time dealing with a life you don’t want. – Kevin Ngo

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable.Louis Brandeis

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. – Steve Jobs

Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist. – Pablo Picasso

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. – Beverly Sills

Curiosity is the most powerful thing you own. Imagination is a force that can actually manifest a reality. – James Cameron

🪾 The Bone Structure Of the Landscape…

Until next week, stay safe; stay running the water when the temperature dips below freezing; and stay always remembering international espionage doesn’t take a holiday.

July 28, 2023 – Sonny Turns the Tables, Reject Dress, The Loud Woman, VanderStatus, Roadblock, Not Barbie, About Those Dead, Kitty Cooper, Funny Pets (!), Quotes of Eight & Rain

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chechnya, Russia. Valentin and Laura walk into a mansion that’s obviously unoccupied. He says, there’s no car in the driveway and no lights on, and she says, it’s deserted. He says, none of the Cassadines have been here in years, when a man runs down the stairs, holding a gun and yelling in Russian.

Dante brings Charlotte to see Lulu in a hospital that looks suspiciously like GH. Charlotte says she wants to see her mom, but she’s worried about her grandmother too. Is it safe for her to be in Russia? Papa knows his way around, but she’s nervous about grandma. Dante says, she’s going to be okay. Charlotte’s dad is with her and Doc is with her; she’s in good hands. Is she ready? Charlotte nods, and they go inside Lulu’s room.

Spencer thinks about calling Trina, and Esme asks if he’s heard from his grandmother. He says, nothing, and Esme says she hasn’t heard anything either. Not that she’s family, but she’s worried. Does he think it’s a bad sign he hasn’t heard from her? He says he doesn’t know, and she asks if he thinks she’s in trouble. He says he doesn’t know, but even if she was, there isn’t a damn thing he can do about it. Just leave it alone.

Kristina lets herself in to Molly’s apartment and says, it’s her favorite sister. Molly says she’s not surprised to see Kristina since she texted, but she’s surprised because that wasn’t very Kristina-like. Kristina says she’s working on being much more sisterlike. How is she doing? Molly says, A for effort. How does Kristina think she’s doing? Kristina says, there’s a definite learning curve, but whenever she’s in doubt, she asks herself, what would her younger, wiser, more beautiful sister do?

In his office, Michael discusses the budget with someone on the phone, when there’s a knock at the door. Carly comes in, and Michael says he’s got to go. Send him the accurate numbers by the end of the day. She says she’s sorry she just barged in. His assistant said she could come. She’s so happy to see him back in the office. He says, it’s not exactly by choice, and she says, he hasn’t left Willow’s side for months, but this must mean she’s continuing to get better. He says he’s very grateful her strength is coming back. When she tells him to stop hovering, he guesses it’s a good thing, but it means he has to give her some space. So he decided to come back to the office. Now that Drew is… She says, in prison. He can say it. She didn’t come here to talk about Drew, but she does have something she needs to talk to him about. He says, what about? and she says, his father.

Sonny does some work in his office, when his phone rings. It’s Nina, and he asks where she is. She says she’s at the MetroCourt. She’s trying to get some work done, but can’t keep her mind off the situation with Willow. He says he thought she told him things were better, but she says, Willow’s not the problem. It’s Michael. Ava walks into Sonny’s office, and says, they need to talk. Sonny tells Nina that he has to go. He has to take care of something. He asks Ava, what’s the problem? and she says, the problem is him. He told her that he was going to take care of that woman. This is how he takes care of it? He sends Avery off with that psychopath? She shows him a picture of Betty and Avery on her phone.

Avery swims in the pool, and Betty tells her, it’s time to go, but she says, just one more. Please. She swims off and Josslyn walks in. Avery calls to her, and Josslyn asks what she’s doing. Avery says she had swim class today and learned this. She floats on her back, and Josslyn says, amazing. Avery is better than she is. She could go to the Olympics with that. Dex stands near the entrance, and Trina sees him. She tells him, if he’s looking for Joss, she’s right over there. He says he’s not. He’s actually working. Avery tells Josslyn that she has a new nanny. Her name is Betty. Betty and Josslyn smile at each other.

Ava says she stopped by Sonny’s apartment to see Avery, and the guard said she’s out with that Mary Poppins from hell. Sonny says, relax. Betty took Avery to the MetroCourt pool for her swimming lessons. Ava says, don’t tell her to relax. The woman is violent. Betty smacked her face. What if she hurts Avery? What if she kidnaps Avery? What was he thinking? He says, Betty is their best bet to lead them to whoever blackmailed Ava, but she says she already told him. It’s that creep Mason. He says, Mason is taking orders from somebody else. They have to find out who it is and Betty’s going to steer them right to his boss.

Josslyn says she didn’t realize Avery had a new nanny. What happened to Pilar? Betty says she has no idea. She interviewed with Ava Jerome, Avery’s mother. Josslyn says she knows Ava, and Betty says, Mr. Corinthos joined them and asked her to start today. Josslyn says, she must have really impressed him, and Betty says, who is Josslyn again? Josslyn tells her that she’s Josslyn Jax, Avery’s older sister, but Betty says she’s confused. Miss Jerome told her that Avery has a half-sister, but she’s younger than Avery. Either Josslyn is big for her age, or she’s not really Avery’s sister.

Michael asks if something is up with Sonny, and Carly says she was hoping he could tell her. Has he heard anything from Dex? Michael says, so far, he’s sticking to the agreement. He’s keeping tabs on Sonny and letting Michael know if there are any big deals in the works. Carly says, so what’s the latest? and Michael says, last night, Dex found a dead body. Carly asks if he knows who it was, and Michael says, apparently, it’s a guy with a connection to Dr. Gatlin-Holt. Carly asks if Austin isn’t seeing Ava. She saw them together at the Nurses Ball. He says he doesn’t know, but Dex called Sonny and told him that he found a dead body near a dumpster, and surprisingly, Sonny told him to call the police. She says, that doesn’t make any sense. Why would Sonny have Dex call the police? I’m not sure why everyone is so shocked. Sonny didn’t know Gordon and has nothing to do with him, so why wouldn’t he be a good citizen?

Kristina says she’s not here for Molly’s sage advice; she’s here to serve her sister. What can she get Kristina? She sees Kristina has water and snacks. She knows – a smoothie. Molly says, Sam beat her to it, and Kristina says, Sam the good sister. She knows one thing she doesn’t think Sam got for Kristina, and takes a stuffed horse out of her bag. Kristina says, Valiant, and takes the horse. This is exactly what she needed.

Esme asks if her concern for Spencer’s grandmother is bothering him. For all they know, she could be locked up in some Russian prison, but clearly he’s not worried, so she’ll keep it to herself from now on. He says he’s sorry he snapped at her. He’s very worried and concerned about his grandmother, but right now, he’s far more worried about Trina. Her father was shot and he could also be paralyzed, and he has no idea how to help her. Esme says, getting upset with her isn’t going to fix anything, but why doesn’t he call Trina and tell her that he’s thinking about her?

The man asks in Russian what Valentin and Laura are doing here, and Valentin answers in Russian, they mean no harm. They’re looking for someone. He tells them, get out, and in Russian, Laura says, we come in peace. The man says he speaks English. They’re trespassing. Now get out. Laura says, they don’t want to hurt anyone. All they want is information. They’re looking for someone. He asks who they’re looking for, and Valentin says, Nikolas Cassadine. The man says, Cassadines are evil, and spits. They’re all gone. What is that American expression? Good riddance. They’re very dangerous people. Stay away from that family. Laura says, he doesn’t understand. Nikolas Cassadine is her son, and they’ve got to find him. The man asks why they’re looking in Chechnya. Has he been kidnapped? Or is he running from authorities? Valentin says, they don’t know. That’s what they’re trying to find out. Laura says, he disappeared from his home in the United States five months ago and they have no idea what happened to him. The man says, if he’s a Cassadine, nothing good.

Charlotte tells Lulu (who we never really see) about winning a ribbon in her equestrian show. Dante says, she was amazing. Rocco’s doing amazing as well. He doesn’t know how, but Rocco’s got straight As. He’s always talking about every girl in his class; he’s got a crush every week. Charlotte says, Lulu is missing so much. She’s starting high school in the fall. She spent so many years at boarding school, but she’s happier staying in Port Charles and being close to her family. But Lulu isn’t there. She has to wake up and come back to them. Dante says he’ll give Charlotte time with her mom, and gets up. He says, they’ll see Lulu soon. They miss her. He leaves, and Charlotte says, Dante’s right. They really, really miss her, but she misses Lulu more.

Ava says, Sonny can follow any lead he wants, just please don’t involve their daughter. He says, does she really think he’d put his daughter at risk? Ava says, that’s what he’s doing right now, but he says, she’s not at risk. He’s going to take care of this like he said he was. She’s going to have to trust him.

Avery gets out of the pool, and Josslyn puts a towel around her. She asks Avery to do her a favor and tell her new nanny who she is, and Avery says, Josslyn’s her big sister. Josslyn says, the branches of their family are very complicated. She’d be happy to draw Betty a diagram. Betty says, that won’t be necessary, but thanks for the offer. They’re both smiling, but I don’t think they’re smiling in their heads. Josslyn says, Betty’s probably right. She’ll be gone before she can memorize any names. Betty tells Avery, time to go, and Josslyn says, nice meeting you. Betty says nothing, and leaves with Avery. Dex watches, then follows. Trina asks Josslyn what that was all about, and Josslyn says she has no idea, but she needs to find out. She has to call Sonny. What the hell is he thinking letting that girl look after Avery? Trina says, don’t call Sonny, and Josslyn asks, why? Trina says she has the feeling something else is going on. When she got here, Josslyn’s boyfriend was over there, but it didn’t look like he was soaking up rays. He was keeping a low profile watching Avery and the nanny. He never took his eyes off them. That’s got to mean something, right? Josslyn says, but what?

Michael tells Carly that he’s not sure how all this fits together, but Dex will get more information soon. He really needs to thank her. Carly says, for what? and he says, she’s the one who encouraged this arrangement with Dex. It’s nice to know they have somebody they can trust in Sonny’s organization. It works out for both of them, since Sonny thinks he has a trustworthy lieutenant, and they don’t get blindsided by his illegal dealings. She says she thinks this is about more than getting information from Dex. She thinks a part of him wants Dex to protect his father. He says he’s not saying he can forgive or even wants to forgive Sonny, but a part of him still cares about Sonny. Carly says she’ll take that as a plan and hugs him.

Kristina kisses the stuffed horse, and says she’s missed him. Where has he been hiding all these years? She thought she lost him. Kristina says, he was in some mislabeled box. She was in mom’s attic looking for pieces to sell at the community fundraiser, and she saw this box labeled law books. She opened it up, and there was Valiant, right there on top of the New York Penal Code. Molly says she’s so grateful Kristina found him. She knows it must sound silly, but this little guy meant so much to her. Kristina says, Molly was the only four-year-old on this planet who would name their stuffed animal Valiant and actually knew what it was. Kristina had stuffed animals named like the rest of them; Fluffy, Stuffy, Coco. Molly says, one time when she was six or seven, she had friends over and showed them Valiant, and they all made fun of his name. Kristina came storming in the room, saying they were all stupid, and if they didn’t stop making fun of Molly, she was going to pour maple syrup in their hair. Kristina says she remembers that. Then they ran out the door so fast. She thinks it’s the last time they came over to their house. She thinks she made life a lot harder for Kristina than it needed to be. Sorry. Kristina says she’s not. She was proud of her big sister then, and she still is.

Laura says, this is about her son, and asks the man if he has any children. He says, da. Two daughters. She says, then he must understand what she’s going through now. Is there anything he can tell her? He says he’s sorry he was harsh with her. He would help her if he could, but he has no idea where this Nikolas Cassadine is. Valentin asks if this is his house, and the man says he bought it for his family. But it was all done through lawyers. He never saw the previous owner. Valentin says, lucky him.

Spencer says he wants to be there for Trina, but it’s complicated, and Esme asks, why? He says, Trina’s mother isn’t a fan of any Cassadine, particularly him, and he does understand why she doesn’t like him. His father has done a lot of damage, but even he pales in comparison to his Uncle Victor. To make matters worse, she’s holding the other side of his family accountable for her husband’s shooting. Esme says, what? and he says he told her it was complicated. Curtis Ashford was shot, and Dr. Robinson thinks the bullet was meant for his Uncle Sonny. She says, so Trina’s mom pretty much hates everyone related to him? and he says, yeah, with the exception of his grandmother and Ace, and one of them is a baby and the other isn’t even in this country.

Josslyn tells Trina that she’s happy Dex is looking out for Avery, but she gets bad vibes from that girl. Trina is absorbed with her phone, and Josslyn asks if she’s there. Trina says she’s sorry. She was hoping there would be a message from Spencer. Josslyn asks why she doesn’t text him, and Trina says she would, but it wouldn’t be right. Josslyn asks what that means, and Trina says her mom is dealing with so much since Curtis was shot, and she never liked Spencer, so she’s trying to keep her distance from him. She doesn’t want to add more stress. Josslyn says, but she misses him, and Trina says, yeah. Josslyn says she understands Trina’s mom needs support, but Trina needs support too. She bets the only reason Spencer isn’t reaching out is because he doesn’t want to put pressure on Trina. But if Trina needs him, let him know. She won’t regret it.

Molly says she appreciates Kristina looking out for her, and Kristina says, it’s usually the other way around. She was always jumping from one thing to the next, getting herself in these difficult situations, and leaving an absolute mess in her wake. But there she was, her Molly, cleaning up her messes. Molly says she just never wanted Kristina to get in trouble, and Kristina asks if Molly remembers doing her homework for her. Molly was like three grades below her and would do her homework. She covered for Kristina when she was in trouble with mom, and comforted her when she cried or was upset. Molly always took care of her. Molly says, not always. She didn’t take care of Kristina when her abusive boyfriend Kiefer Bauer was beating her up.

Betty comes into Pozzulo’s with Avery, who runs to Ava, hugging her. Avery tells Ava that she can float on her back, and Ava says she’s so proud of Avery. Betty says, Avery had a terrific lesson. She could barely get Avery out of the water when it was time to go. Sonny says he wants to hear all about it, but right now he wants Avery to stay with Frank. He and Betty need to have a conversation. Maybe Frank can give Avery some biscotti. Frank says, sounds good, and Sonny, Ava, and Betty go into Sonny’s office. Sonny says he knows it’s Betty’s first day and Avery seems to like her a lot. That’s important to him. Betty says, he has a wonderful daughter, and he says, anybody who can make his daughter that happy, is okay by him. Betty asks if he’d like her to take Avery to his place, but he says, no. She can pick Avery up there tomorrow morning. They’re not going to need her for the rest of the day. He gives her some cash, she thanks him, and she leaves. Avery and Frank are playing cards while they have biscotti, and Betty tells Avery, see you tomorrow. Ava comes out, and Sonny says he has a phone call to make, closing his office door.

The man says, Laura seems like a nice woman, but it’s obvious her son has left her. It must be painful. She says she doesn’t believe her son would just leave her. He has kids and she doesn’t believe he’d abandon them. Maybe he was forced to leave. The man says he’s sorry. He wishes he could help her, but there’s nothing he can do. Please show themselves out. He leaves, and Valentin says, where do they go from here?

Charlotte tells Lulu that the other girls talk about doing things with their mothers; shopping, getting manicures, going away for the weekend. She just smiles and pretends it’s okay. Sam and Grandmother take her out, but it’s just not the same. She never actually told her friends what really happened to Lulu. If she doesn’t tell them where Lulu is, she can believe it isn’t real; that she’s just away for a little while, and she’ll be back soon. So she has to wake up. Charlotte puts her head down on the bed and cries.

Esme says, it’s such a beautiful day. As soon as Ace wakes up, why don’t she and Spencer take him to the park? He says he has a better idea. Why don’t they take him to the MetroCourt pool, and they can dip his feet in the water. He’ll love it. She says, yes, absolutely. She just got him a bathing suit and he has a matching hat. He’ll look adorable. She goes into the other room, and Spencer opens the front door. Trina is there, and he says he’s surprised to see her… in the best way. She says she’s sorry for just showing up without calling, but he says, don’t apologize. Come in. She’s always welcome here. She says she’s glad to hear him say that. These last few days have just been really hard, and she’s missed him. He hugs her, and Esme watches.

Carly goes into Sonny’s office, and Ava asks, what brings her here? Carly says she came to pick up Avery. Avery is coming with her for a sleepover with Donna and Josslyn. Sonny says he appreciates her doing this on short notice, and Ava says, how short? When did Sonny set this up? Carly says, he called her just a few minutes ago. What’s going on here?

Kristina asks why Molly would bring up Kiefer. She hasn’t thought about him in years. Molly says, really? and Kristina says, no. That’s not true. She just doesn’t like to admit how often she does think about that time in her life, but she does. Especially now, working with troubled teens. So many of them are in abusive relationships, and it just brings her back to Kiefer. She tries to help them, but she can’t even help herself. Molly says she should have helped Kristina. She knew something was wrong and she should have said something. She could hear Kristina crying in her room every night, and she knew something was wrong. Every time she asked Kristina, Kristina got upset and said to leave her alone. So she did. She’s so sorry. She should have pushed harder to get Kristina to open up. Kristina takes Molly’s hand, and says, she has nothing to be sorry for. It’s on her. She couldn’t find a way to get herself out of that hole. Sometimes she wonders if that’s when everything started. Molly says, when what started? and Kristina says, her life just derailed when she was with Kiefer. Ever since then, she tries, but she’s never been able to get it back on track.

Michael opens his office door to Nina, who thanks him for seeing her. She knows she’s not his favorite person right now. He asks what he can do for her, and she asks if they can make peace for Willow’s sake.

Sonny says he just thought Avery would like to spend some time with her sisters, and Carly says, whatever. The girls will be thrilled to have Avery. They walk out, and Carly tells Avery, let’s get this sleepover started. Avery heads for the door, and Carly looks at Sonny and Ava. She says, whatever, and follows.

Nina says she and Willow had a wonderful visit the other day, but Michael says he doesn’t quite remember it that way. She says, if he remembers correctly, she was at the hospital checking on Sasha, he stepped outside, and she and Willow made significant progress. He asks, what exactly does that mean? and she says, it means she and Willow communicate better when he’s not in the room. He says he’s pretty busy, so can she get to the point? and she says her point is, at best, he just tolerates her and wishes she wasn’t in Willow’s life, but she’s Willow’s mother. Michael says she’s mentioned that once or twice, and she says she now knows Willow is open to the idea of them having a relationship. And she’s wondering, is he open to that too?

Molly says, Kristina has gotten her life back on track. Look what she’s doing with the youth center. She’s going to make a difference in these kids’ lives. She thought that made Kristina happy. Kristina says, it does, but she doesn’t know if she’s enough for them. These kids are so desperate for help, and she doesn’t know if she has the skills or the tools to adequately help them. Soon her center is going to be up and running, and her name is going to be on that building, but it’s not going to be hers. She thinks she’s been fooling herself this whole time, thinking she can make a difference and help these kids, but she doesn’t know if she can. Molly tells her, don’t say that. She knows Kristina can. Kristina says, stop. Molly is here with an injured leg and she’s doing it again; she’s comforting Kristina. Molly says, because that’s what she does when she loves someone. And before Kristina talks herself out of being useful to these kids, take the time to educate herself. No one knows how to take on a project like that without experience. So take some classes. Study management. Talk to people who’ve done this before. She can do this. Kristina asks why she’s so sure, and Molly says, because she believes in Kristina. She’s just got to believe in herself.

Esme says, Spencer told her about Trina’s dad. She’s so sorry. It must be so scary thinking he could be paralyzed. Trina says, it’s been awful, and Esme says she’s going to check on Ace. He’s about to get up from his nap and she’s going to take him to the park. She leaves, and Spencer says he’s so sorry for what Trina’s going through. How is she holding up? She says she’s so worried for Curtis. She’s trying to stay strong for her mom, but she doesn’t know what to do to make her feel better. He says he does. Stay away from him.

Laura asks if Valentin think the owner would mind if they had a look around the house, and he says, she could ask him, but he doesn’t think they’re going to find any clues around here. She says she guesses he’s probably right, but she did get the feeling he was telling them the truth. He says, they need to regroup; think of somewhere else Nikolas could be hiding. She says, what if he’s not hiding? What if he’s being held against his will? Victor could have turned on him just like he turned on Valentin and Spencer. Valentin says, Victor’s dead. Nikolas could be anywhere. Doc is probably back at the hotel by now. Let’s get the hell out of here.

Dante says it’s tough for Charlotte to see her mom like that, but the doctors say maybe she can hear them, so it’s important they’re here as much as they can be. Charlotte says she knows. She just wants her mom to come home – their home. She went by there the other day and looked in the window. It made her sad. Everything was covered in sheets and so quiet. Not like it used to be. He says, they had some really good memories there, didn’t they? and she says she just doesn’t like seeing it so empty. She bets mom would want someone to live there.

Trina says, the last thing she wants is to stay away from Spencer. She needs him more than ever. He’s the thing that gives her strength to hang on right now. He says he thinks she’s the first person who’s ever said that to him, and she says she doesn’t care what people say. They don’t know him like she does. She needs him. He says he’s always here for her, but he thinks it’s going to add a lot of stress to her mom’s life right now if she knows he’s spending time with her. She says she hates to admit it, but she thinks he might be right. She doesn’t want to stay away from him, but it would probably be best to keep their relationship low key for now. He says, yeah, he gets it. He’s the last person her mom wants to see, so he’ll steer clear of her, and if Trina needs him, he’ll be here whenever. She says, now would be a good time, and they kiss.

In the bedroom, Esme tells Ace, sorry, buddy. She wanted to take him to the pool today, but his big brother has other plans. She guesses that means Trina is more important than they are. It’s just her and him; they’ve only got each other. Unless she takes steps to change that situation.

Michael says he’ll support any decision his wife makes. If she wants to have a relationship with Nina, he has no problem with that. She tells him that his attitude says otherwise, and he asks what she’s trying to say. She says, while he’s polite to her somewhat in front of Willow, it’s clear he wants nothing to do with her and just wants her to go away. Willow knows that, and it’s just a matter of time before Wiley and Amelia feel it as well. She knows she’s made mistakes. She just wants to rectify them and make peace. Kristina barges in and asks if she’s interrupting something, but Michael says, no. Nina was just leaving. Nina says she guesses she was just leaving, and asks Michael to please give her a second chance. That’s all she’s asking. Whether he likes it or not, they’re family and she’s not giving up. She gives Kristina a quick kiss as she goes by, and when she’s gone, Kristina asks why Michael is being such a bastard to Nina.

Dex goes over to Josslyn, who’s lying on a chaise lounge, and she says she wanted to ask him something. Trina said she saw him earlier, and it looked like he was doing surveillance on Avery and her nanny. Does he want to tell her what that’s about? He says, Sonny asked him to keep an eye on Avery and the new nanny, so he was tailing her. Josslyn says, Avery’s her sister, so she kind of has a right to know, and he says he’d tell her if he knew, but Sonny hasn’t shared the details. But he thinks it has something to do with Ava Jerome.

Ava says, please tell her that he’s not bringing Carly into this. Sonny has to promise her that he’s not going to tell Carly what she did to Nikolas. He says, that she killed him? and she says, it was an accident. She didn’t mean to do it. He says he won’t tell Carly about Nikolas unless he has to, and she asks what that means. He says, the good thing is, Betty bought his act. She thinks she’s spying on him, but it’s the other way around. She’s going to lead them to whoever’s behind this. And when he finds them, they’re not going to know what hit them.

On Monday, Sonny asks if Anna is still planning to use herself as bait; Kristina says she thought someone would never ask; Tracy says, Gregory is surprisingly charming; Martin says, it must be his lucky night; and Drew tells someone, get the hell away from him.

👧🏼 New Kid On the Block…

The latest in Georgies.

👗 The Right Choice…

Jen dishes on the wedding of the century and her rejected Reunion dress.

🍊 Don’t Say It…

It really doesn’t sound like all that big a deal, but oh yeah, it’s Shannon.

Was she kicked out or just looking for her Uber? I want to know what the argument was about.

🍸 Good Luck With This…

Who will and won’t film with the undesirable Tom.

🥪 Something About Them…

I thought it was open already, they’ve had so many soft launches.

👶 Comes With Accessory Baby…

This is actually a pretty funny idea.

⚰️ Let’s Talk About Dead…

FWD, coming to your TV in October.

Obviously not a real New Yorker.

I’m hoping it goes on forever.

The name isn’t what you thought it was.

https://ew.com/events/comic-con/rick-and-michonne-walking-dead-title-teaser-explained-ones-who-live/

We are from France.

🐱 He Is Not a Cat…

Although he does kind of look like one.

https://ew.com/tv/anderson-cooper-compared-dog-cat-live-with-kelly-mark/

🐕 Comedic Companions…

These are great! How come I never catch my pets doing this stuff? By the time I get the camera, they get bored and walk away or they’ve moved on to something else. I have a lot of pictures of tails.

https://people.com/finalists-announced-of-the-2023-comedy-pet-photography-awards-see-photos-7561437

🪶 Quotes of the Week

Moderation is the feebleness and sloth of the soul, whereas ambition is the warmth and activity of it. – François de La Rochefoucauld

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little; do something.Sydney Smith

You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past. – Richard Bach (I’m not too sure about that past thing… maybe a different viewpoint of the past.)

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore Vail

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. – Carl Jung

Everyone must choose one of two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. – Jim Rohn

I don’t do anything in order to cause trouble. It just so happens that what I do naturally causes trouble. I’m proud to be a troublemaker. – Sinead O’Connor

So let me get this hetero-straight. So you’s a vampire, that can come out in the daytime? … Oh there goes the damn neighborhood. – Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis), True Blood

🔮 I Ain’t Got No Crystal Ball…

Come back for more soap and tea on Monday really Tuesday. FYI, Below Deck Down Under is airing a new season on Mondays, but I’m Decked out. Until then, stay safe, stay always being polite to waitstaff, and stay talking to people who’ve done it before when you take on a big project without experience.

February 28, 2023 – The Police Descend On Spoon Island, Teresa’s Love Bubble Housewarming & Wake

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis apologizes to Trina for showing up unannounced, but he hasn’t seen her since the reception. She asks why he would; there’s nothing to say. He says he doesn’t think so. It’s not every day he finds out he might be a father, and it’s not every day she finds out she might have a father she never knew.

Jordan gives Dante a signed warrant that gives the PCPD the right to search every inch of Spoon Island. Dante says, if Nikolas is there, they’re going to find him, and Jordan says, and with Elizabeth’s testimony, he’ll be going away to prison for a very long time.

Scotty asks why Elizabeth isn’t smiling. They got a really good deal. She asks, what’s going to happen to Nikolas? and Scotty says, he’ll be charged with a boatload of crimes. She says, because she incriminated him, and Scotty asks if she’d rather Nikolas incriminate her. All she did was tell the truth. Nikolas sucked her in to this whole Esme thing; he thought she was the killer. When he found out she wasn’t, they were in over their heads, and he got the DA to make the deal for immunity. She didn’t know Esme was the killer for a long time. She says, tell that to the woman he loves – Britt’s mom.

At the hospital, Obrecht tells Finn that she can’t imagine what’s keeping Scotty. He looks away, and she asks what he knows that she doesn’t.

On the phone, Nina says, her daughter needs a bone marrow transplant, and all people have to do to help is register to be a donor. With Crimson’s demographics, they can reach under 35 year olds, people with more stem cells to offer. They need to launch an appeal. Every second counts.

Willow films herself, and says, by the time Michael sees this, their wedding will be just a memory. She hopes he doesn’t just remember the tears, but the flowers, the music, and the dancing. She hopes the photographer takes lots of pictures, and a video that he can show to Amelia when she’s old enough to understand how very much Willow loved her daddy. Michael comes downstairs, and asks what she’s doing.

Austin and Ava go into Windymere, and Austin says, it’s a little weird. She says, which part? and he says, the part where Heather sticks him with a hook and he falls to the floor, and there was this moment where he thought about all the things he didn’t get to do in his life. She says she’s glad she was able to stop the bleeding, and he says, him too. And he was glad she got to go after Ryan Chamberlain. She says, Mac fired the fatal shot. It’s ironic. If she’d killed Ryan, it would have been self-defense. Meanwhile, she has no defense at all for killing Nikolas. He says, it’s possible at this point, Elizabeth has given the cops a full statement, and she says, the cops are going to be here soon, looking for evidence to corroborate her story. He says, they’re going to be looking for corroborative evidence in the north tower, but she says, they’re going to be looking for Nikolas, which puts the whole island at play. He knows what they have to do.

Trina invites Curtis in, and he says, they have a lot to talk about, but she says, not really. Her mom lied to all of them. He says he’s not here to talk about her mom. He’s here to talk about them, and where they go from here.

Willow says she was just thinking about their wedding, and asks if Michael is getting cold feet, but he says, never. He wants it to be everything she ever dreamed of, and she says, as long as he’s beside her when they say I do, it will be. Wiley comes down, and says he was going to kiss his baby sister, but she spit up on him. Willow says, babies will do that, but she’s counting on him to look out for his baby sister; big brothers are important. Michael says, it’s time for Wiley to go to his playroom, and Wiley says he almost forgot. He found something. The half-heart necklace dangles from his hand.

Nina asks, what’s going on? and Obrecht says, that’s what she’s trying to find out. It seems Dr. Finn is keeping secrets. Nina says, about what? and Finn says, it’s hardly a secret. Scotty’s not here because he’s with a client. Obrecht says, of course (🍷). Scotty said something about helping Elizabeth with a legal matter. Nina wonders if Elizabeth is in trouble, but Obrecht says, it’s probably something mundane, like a parking ticket, while that maniac Heather Webber gets away with murder. Finn says, not exactly; she’s been returned to D’Archam. Obrecht says, to live out her days in a padded cell, when the police wasted precious time looking for Esme, and Heather was the killer all along. Finn says, a lot of people thought Esme was the killer. No one could have known otherwise. Obrecht says, someone must have known the killer wasn’t Esme and looked the other way, and because of them, her Britta is no more.

Elizabeth doesn’t know how she’ll ever face Obrecht again, and Scotty says, she’ll be very upset, but if he can convince the DA’s office, he can reason with Liesl. She wonders how you reason with someone who’s lost a child, and he says, when Peter August killed Franco, that’s a different story. What she and Nikolas did with Esme… that’s different. Elizabeth wonders why she didn’t come forward sooner, and he says, because she truly believed Esme was The Hook killer. It wasn’t until that rookie cop was killed that she knew it was someone else. She asks if he really thinks that will make a difference to Obrecht.

Dante tells Jordan, the search team is assembled, and the Coast Guard is going to take them to Spoon Island. Jordan says she’s going to GH to talk to Austin. She’s curious what he was doing at Windymere when all hell broke loose. He asks if she thinks Austin knows something about Nikolas, and she says, it’s worth a shot. He tells her, good luck with that, she says, back atcha, and leaves. Dante takes his gun out of his desk.

Trina says she has an exam to prep for, and her slide show for the post-Impressionist report on Friday, and Curtis says he gets it. When the whole world blows up, it’s nice to have work to focus on. (Agreed.) The other night, when he and her mother were going through it, he went straight to The Savoy, the one place he knew he was on solid ground and there was an endless supply of liquor. She asks if it helped, but he says, not exactly. All he wanted was a glass and a bottle to drown his woes, but fortunately N’neka knew it was a bad sign, and called his father. Marshall beelined it down to The Savoy, and gave him hell. Marshall reminded him booze is never the answer. Trina asks, what happened then? and he says, they talked about what he wanted to forget. He let Marshall know that Portia lied to them for twenty years, but he’s here to talk about him and Trina, and where they go from here.

At the hospital, Jordan walks out of the elevator and down the hall, and comes face-to-face with Portia.

Wiley asks if he did something wrong, but Willow says, not at all. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Sasha, who says she came to offer her help, and Michael takes Wiley upstairs to check on his sister. Sasha asks what she can do, and Willow says, she can start by getting rid of this necklace.

Nina suggests they go somewhere private, but Obrecht says, all she wants is the key to Heather’s padded cell. That, and five minutes alone with whoever hid Esme all that time. Finn asks what makes her think someone was hiding her, and she says, Esme was pregnant. She doesn’t think Esme is resourceful enough to manage on her own. Someone must have helped her. Nina suggests they go sit down, and leads Obrecht away. Finn calls Scotty, and asks if it’s over. How’s Elizabeth? Scotty and Elizabeth walk in, and Scotty tells him to turn around and see for himself. He did well. Finn is looking at an innocent woman. Elizabeth says, not guilty, but that doesn’t make her innocent.

Austin says, Ava does have options. She’s a wealthy woman. She could go anywhere in the world, and no one would ever find her. She says, if she were to run now, she’d have to run without her child. Ryan Chamberlain has already taken one daughter from her. She’ll die before she loses another. He says, it would probably make him really sad if she was dead, so whatever she’s got going on, count him in. She says, Nikolas is dead because of her. She won’t fault Austin if he goes back to GH, and forgets he was ever here. There’s a knock at the door (because this humongous house doesn’t have a doorbell), and Dante says, it’s the PCPD. Ava looks at Austin.

Curtis says he was a witness to the horrible year Trina had last year. Being accused of a crime she didn’t commit and it’s subsequent trial. Rory’s death, and the fear of knowing The Hook killer was targeting people she’s close to. But through it all, she had her family – her mom and her dad. Right now, it probably feels like her family is up for grabs. She’d only be human to resent his presence in her life. She says she doesn’t resent him. He’s always been wonderful to her. He might have been a little pushy at times, but that’s before they established boundaries. He says, those boundaries have a really big hole in them right now, and it’s only going to get wider until they answer one big question once and for all. She asks if he’s saying they need to see what their DNA says about them.

Portia says, if Jordan is there to see Austin, she just missed him. He checked himself out. Jordan asks if she approved that, but Portia says, absolutely not, but he’s a doctor, and they say we make the worst patients. Jordan says, since she’s here, she’ll pay a visit to Esme and see if giving birth jogged her memory. Portia asks if Esme can wait, and Jordan says, sure. Why? Portia says, Austin’s room is empty and they can talk in there without being disturbed. She thinks they need to have a conversation.

Sasha tells Willow, just to make it clear, she didn’t come here to lobby for Nina. She’s on Willow’s and Michael’s side because she understands two things can be true at the same time. (They love that one, so… 🍷) Nina’s been very good to her, but she’s aware that hasn’t been the case for everyone. Willow thanks her for understanding. So many people think they need to choose sides, and it’s just not necessary. She doesn’t want to waste the time she has thinking about Nina. She and Michael want to make this wedding as joyful and perfect for everyone, and she’s going to need all the help she can get. Sasha says, she’s got it, but she needs Willow to stop talking about the time she has left. Miracles can still happen. Willow says she’s not being a pessimist, just realistic. She’s run out of options. Sasha says, it’s so unfair. Willow has so much to live for, and so many people who need her. Willow tells her, nobody said life was fair; Sasha knows that better than anyone. Sasha says she went to visit Heather Webber at the PCPD, and Willow says, no, but Sasha says, it’s a good thing. She’s glad she did it. She got to put a face to Brando’s murderer, and it gave her a chance to release all the pent-up anger she’s been keeping it check. It also made her realize, when Liam died, she thought there could be nothing worse than death, but she was wrong. She loved Liam and loved Brando, and she loves Willow. She realized if someone goes through life without experiencing love and never having anything to lose, that would be the worst thing that could happen.

Nina says she understands Obrecht’s pain; she misses Britt too. But even if Obrecht could prove someone knew Esme wasn’t the killer, it’s not going to bring Britt back. Obrecht says, no, but it would give her great pleasure to give that person pain. She asks if her honesty upsets Nina, and Nina says, no; she’s used to it. Crimson is going to do a campaign for stem cell donors. She’s not fooling herself. She understands it might be too late, but if they can save other lives… Obrecht says, it might not be too late. She knows a possible donor. Nina says, who?

Finn says, Liesl was asking about Scotty. She’s here. Scotty thanks him for the heads up, and tells Elizabeth, if she needs anything, call him. He leaves to look for Obrecht, and Finn asks if Elizabeth is okay. She asks if he means, can she live with herself after throwing a lifelong friend under the bus, but Finn says he doesn’t know what kind of friend Nikolas is. He ran off and left her holding the ball. She says she may not be guilty of holding Esme hostage, but she fully enabled Nikolas. Finn says, but she took responsibility. What would Nik have done to Esme and the baby if she’d just walked away?

Ava hands the warrant back to Dante, and says, everything seems to be in order. He sends some officers to comb the main house, and others to comb the outlying buildings. Ava asks if this is really necessary. Heather’s in custody, and Ryan’s in the morgue. He says, it has nothing to do with what happened here last night. They got testimony that Esme Prince was being held here against her will after Ava moved out. So they can’t go anywhere until the find some proof, or at least a clue where Nikolas is hiding.

Trina says, she and Curtis will have to agree to disagree. She doesn’t need a DNA test. She already knows all she needs to know about her family; the good and the bad. He says he knows how she feels. When Marshall came back into his life, he shut the door in Marshall’s face. After 40 years, the last thing he needed was some dude coming into his life claiming to be his father. All those years without him, Curtis learned to be strong, almost unbreakable. Then he realized, who was he kidding? A piece of him was missing. He didn’t even realize it until he looked Marshall in the face and saw a part of him looking back. Trina says she’s glad for him and Marshall, but it’s not the same thing for her. He grew up without a dad; she grew up with a dad. A dad who was always there for her. He says he understands all of that. He bets she thinks even asking the question of asking who her biological father is, is betraying Taggert.

Portia tells Jordan, this isn’t easy for her to say, but there’s something Jordan needs to know. Jordan says, before Portia tells her anything, full disclosure. Curtis came to her earlier, and told her what happened at their wedding reception. Portia says, Jordan tried to warn her, and she wants Jordan to know she was right. She kept telling herself that she was trying to protect her daughter – protect her whole family – but in reality, the only one she was protecting was herself. She didn’t want to face the fact that Dr. Portia Robinson, at the top of her profession and respected by her peers, loved by the people who matter the most, is so very far from perfect. In fact, she’s a coward. Jordan says, that’s simply not true.

Michael says, Wiley decided to take a nap, and Willow suggests they take advantage of the quiet. Sasha says, they’re trying to decide between orchids and roses, and he says, why not both? Sasha says, that’s why he’s a CEO, and he says, he’s also a dad. Not that Amelia seems to care. Willow asks if their daughter is giving him a hard time, and he says, it’s that damn mobile above her bed. She’s fascinated with it and can’t stop staring at it. Sasha suggests removing it, but he says, she’ll just start crying, and Willow says, it sounds like she needs a dose of her mommy. She goes upstairs, and Michael tells Sasha not to let Willow limit herself. He wants the wedding to be everything she wants. Sasha says, it’s his wedding too; what does he want? He says he wants what he can’t have – more time.

Obrecht says, if Nina is looking for a donor, look no further, and Nina asks if she’s a match. Obrecht says she doesn’t want them to get ahead of themselves, but she’s been swabbed and had the bloodwork done, and she’s still waiting to hear if she’s a match. That’s why she’s here today. Nina thanks her, and they hug. Nina says, when she found out she wasn’t a match, she was so disappointed. She thought that’s why the universe threw her and Willow together; so she could help save Willow’s life. She felt so helpless. Obrecht says, that’s one of the reasons she volunteered, and Scotty joins them, asking Obrecht to tell Nina the other reason. Obrecht says, if it turns out that she’s a match and can save Willow’s life when Carly’s silence almost killed her, that will be sweet revenge. Scotty says, that’s my girl.

Ava says, that explains why Nikolas vanished into thin air. If he sensed Elizabeth was going to confess, she couldn’t do it without implicating him. He must have felt the walls were closing in and just run. Austin says he’s so sorry. It must be agonizing realizing the man she thought she knew inside and out was keeping that poor pregnant girl prisoner. She tells him, let’s not go overboard; Esme is no saint. But no one deserves to be locked in a tower. Dante asks, who said anything about a tower? and Ava says she just remembered that for the last few months, Nikolas said the north tower was off-limits, even to the staff, so it makes sense. Where else could he have been hiding Esme? Dante says, they checked the tower once already. It had been painted and cleaned, and it looked like Nikolas was trying to cover his tracks. His phone rings, and he tells them, don’t touch anything; he’ll be right there. Ava asks if something was found, but he says he doesn’t know yet, and leaves.

Trina tells Curtis that she’s not trying to be selfish. She’s sure it’s complicated for everyone and her dad has some questions of his own. Is it fair to him, wondering if or when the truth will eventually come out? Or say there’s some random medical emergency? Curtis says, is it fair to Taggert? and Trina says, the only thing that matters to her is, she loves her dad, and knows her dad loves her. He says he doesn’t want that to change. If there’s one thing this family has learned… Trina says she knows the end of the sentence; it’s the not knowing that will cause the real damage. He says he’s not going to lie. He wants to know the real truth, but he’s not going to push. It’s her call. So what does she want to do?

Portia says, Jordan has been warning her to come clean to Curtis for months, and now Jordan is defending her? Jordan tells her, she’s just saying Portia isn’t a coward. She had valid reasons for keeping her secret. She was protecting herself, but also protecting Trina and Taggert, even Curtis in a way. Portia’s a good person who puts her family first. Portia says, even though she chose to ignore Jordan’s warnings, but Jordan says, Portia had reasons to doubt her motives. She might have done the same in Portia’s place, but believe it or not, she was trying to spare Portia the kind of pain she’s dealing with now. Portia says she knows that, but what she doesn’t know is if there’s anything she can do to make the situation better.

Sasha says, if she could give Michael more time with Willow, she would do it in a heartbeat. She knows how he feels. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t wish she could hold Liam in her arms again, or get a glimpse of Brando and that epic smile when he’s changing a tire in his garage. Michael says he’s sorry for not checking in with her more often, but she says, don’t be. They all suffer their burdens, and most days she manages to put one foot in front of the other. It’s almost like she’s dancing with Brando. He says, Willow wants him to dance with her at the wedding, and she says, then that’s what he has to do. He says, even if it’s their last dance? when Willow comes back, saying, mission accomplished. Amelia’s asleep… What did she miss?

Nina wants to check with Terry and see if they can’t put a rush on the results, but Obrecht says, Terry knows she’s here. While they’re waiting, she suggests Scotty distract them with Elizabeth’s legal troubles, but he says, it’s no big deal really. The cops are questioning anybody and everybody about the whereabouts of Nikolas. Obrecht asks what angelic Elizabeth can tell the police about Nikolas’s nefarious dealings, and he says, they’re old friends… at least before. Obrecht says, before what? and Nina says, they have more important things to worry about, like the test results. Obrecht says she’s as anxious as Nina, and asks why Scotty won’t look at her. What legal trouble did he handle for Elizabeth?

Elizabeth tells Finn, of course (🍷) she’s grateful that Scotty cut a deal for her. She’s not going to prison and she’s not going to derail her boys’ lives. He asks what she’s worried about, and she says, the police can’t sit on the story forever, and when it comes out… He says, she’ll deal with it. The one positive that’s come out of this is how she’s handled the whole ordeal. There might have been a time she needed to lean on someone, but he didn’t do her justice.

Ava tells Austin, maybe she should take Avery and run. They practically gave her a medal for her part in taking Ryan down. When they find out what happened to Nikolas, they’ll reinstate the death penalty because Victor will make sure she’s dead. Her phone rings, and it’s Dante. He asks if she and the doctor could join him down here. She says, certainly, and asks where he is. He says, the tack room, and she looks at Austin. A lot of that going around today.

Trina says she loves her dad, and she’s come to love Curtis too; it’s just different. He says, okay. If she decides to take the test down the road, let him know. He opens the door, and she says she just wants to make one thing clear. No matter what the test says… He says, Taggert will always be her father, she nods, and he leaves.

Portia says she’s dreaded having this talk, but now that she and Jordan have had it… you know. Jordan says she feels the same. Don’t lose hope. The lies that cost Jordan her marriage, was her choosing to put her job before her family. Portia chose family over everything, and one day, Curtis and Trina will see that. She leaves.

Sasha says, Michael was just telling her that he didn’t want to step on Willow’s toes at the reception, so she told him to stop making excuses and take some dancing lessons. Willow says, so Sasha went for some tough love, and Sasha says, the best kind. She needs to get started on the arrangements they discussed. Michael thanks her, and she tells him, you take care of Willow, and I’ll take care of everything else. Michael fusses over Willow, and Sasha watches them for a moment. She looks at the necklace in her hand, and leaves.

Scotty says, Nina’s right. They should concern themselves with the test results. Obrecht says, agreed, but why does she sense he’s keeping something from her? What has Elizabeth done? He says, to be clear, it’s not Elizabeth, it’s Nikolas, and Nina says, what about those results? Obrecht asks, what did Nikolas do? and Scotty says, it’s going to come out sooner or later. Nikolas held Esme hostage in the tower at Windymere. He thought she was The Hook killer. She says, Nikolas isn’t his client. How does he know this? He says, Elizabeth helped him, even though they knew Esme was not The Hook killer.

Elizabeth says she’s grateful to Finn for everything he’s done for her, and respecting her choice to come forward. Even though she’s very nervous about the fallout to come, she knows she can face it. It’s a million times better than living in fear, waiting to be exposed. He says he respects the choice she made, and whatever comes, he’s with her all the way. She thanks him, and says she’s excited to get back to work. She starts to walk down the hall, but Obrecht storms up to her, followed by Scotty and Nina, and asks where Elizabeth thinks she’s going.

Ava and Austin arrive at the tack room, and Dante thanks them for coming like he’s hosting a party. He asks Ava if she knows what’s behind the padlocked door, but she says, no; she doesn’t spend a lot of time here. She thinks it’s just for storage. He says, Nikolas’s personal, effects, documents, stuff like that? but she says she thinks if Nikolas kept anything important in there, he would have removed it before she took possession of the house. Austin asks why they’re here. It seems like a waste of time. Dante says, the door has a padlock on it. Does she have a key? She says she’s sure there’s a key, but she doesn’t have it, and Dante asks an officer for the crowbar. Dante takes it, and walks to the door.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says, if Finn stands by her, he’s going to be caught in the crossfire; TJ has important news; and Obrecht says, you reap what you sow.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The guys get home from guys night pretty drunk. Louie told Teresa that he’d brought up what Joe #2 had said about them on social media, and it got heated. She said, Louie’s family was so wonderful to her, and hers was causing this circus. Teresa is a circus unto herself.

Melissa stopped by the new house Joe #2 is constructing, and asked about guys night. Joe said, Louie brought up the podcast, and Melissa said, they’d helped out when Teresa was in prison. Juicy Joe needed someone to film with, and they were there. We flash back to that, and in Melissa’s interview, she said, when the family was down, they stepped up. Now twist it, string it out, and throw it the wrong way. Joe #2 said, Teresa kicked out everything on their side.

Teresa told Louie that she was embarrassed that Joe #2 told him to go f*** himself. How dare he? Louie said, Joe was pissed about Melissa’s family not being invited, and Teresa said, if she hadn’t put Melissa in the wedding party, why would she invite them? To his credit, Louie said, Melissa’s parents had a relationship with her parents, but Teresa countered this with the nonsensical question of, then why didn’t Joe invite Louie’s family to Antonia’s 16th birthday party? In Joe #2’s interview, he said, since Teresa met Louie, he didn’t feel welcome in her new life, and it bothered him. Louie said he felt bad that Joe was in pain. He thought Joe missed his sister. Teresa whined that Joe was hurting her, and Louie suggested making peace. She said she’d call and ask if he was coming to their housewarming party. She wants to be in her love bubble. We saw a clip of her telling everyone that she’s having a love bubble housewarming, and she called Joe. Louie wrote something down and showed her, and she said she wanted to make peace. Joe said it was a done deal, and she asked if he wanted to talk about anything. He said he just wanted to move forward, and Teresa said, her therapist told her, it was no good to talk about the past. You don’t get anywhere. I guess it isn’t the kind of therapy where you blame everything on your parents. Louie pointed to the pad again, and she asked if Joe was coming to her party. He said he didn’t know, and afterward, Louie said, baby steps.

Dolores’s mom Valerie came over, and Dolores asked if Valerie was being careful with her diet, since she didn’t want heart surgery again. She asked what Valerie had for breakfast, and Valerie said, cake. In Dolores’s interview, she said, her mom was God fearing and set in her ways. So she’s not arguing anymore. She told Valerie that Paulie had met the guys, but Frank hadn’t been there since he was in the hospital. She said, everyone loved Paulie, and Frankie said, Paulie was protective. Valerie asked what was going on with Paulie and Frank, but Dolores said that Frank took it personally when Paulie said he was taking over as the man in her life. He didn’t want a relationship with her and Frank. They didn’t have to be friends, just get along. In her interview, Dolores said, family was always a priority, and it included Frank. She’d wanted them to be close, but now her family and relationship was with Paulie. Frank would get over it.

Bill and Jennifer went out to dinner. It was raining, and Bill said, summer in Jersey; you get whatever comes. Yep, he’s right, but it’s more like all year round. Whoever first said, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, lived here. Jennifer said she was getting Justin a party bus for prom, and Bill said, she created a monster. In Jennifer’s interview, she said, Bill thought she spoiled the kids, but they’d had a rough year because of what he’d done. If they want a bus, they get a bus. Jennifer said it was easy for Bill to use her as a scapegoat, and Bill said he tried to diffuse situations she was in. She asked why he could never see it from her side. She felt like he took her love for granted. She always forgives him, and instead of backing her up, he only says things in rebuttal to what she’s said, not her opponent. Bill asked if she only wanted things on her terms, and in her interview, she said she needed someone to support her and be there, and she didn’t always feel it. It wasn’t okay anymore.

Rachel met with Marge’s (and Housewives) friend Jen, and in Rachel’s interview, she said she felt like she knew Jen from another life; they’d immediately clicked. In Jen’s interview, she said she and Rachel were kindred spirits. Rachel was an old soul, and she was sucked in by Rachel’s sweetness. Rachel told Jen, it was constant drama with the women. RIP the mozzarella that wasn’t consumed. Jen said, she consumed it, and we flashed back to her stuffing her face with cheese. As I would. She said she saw Marge and Jennifer yelling at each other, and heard Jennifer talking about Rachel’s nose. Rachel said she wasn’t offended; she’s an open book. Jen said that Rachel was a better woman than her. She would have told Jennifer, f*** you. Rachel said, Jennifer had called her, and hoped she hadn’t offended her; she’d been unhappy with her own results. Then she segued into talking about Dolores. She didn’t think Jennifer realized they were friendly. She’d known Frank and Britt for ten years. She told Jennifer that she didn’t want any part of this, but Jennifer said she was just giving the history. Jen told Rachel that Jennifer had called her too. She claimed she wanted a marriage therapy referral, and then badmouthed Marge. She said, Marge was jealous. Rachel said, of what? but Jen didn’t know. In Jen’s interview, she said, Jennifer thought she had big balls. Like she was going to switch teams, and dump her bestie. She’d been friends with Marge for three years. In Rachel’s interview, she said she didn’t want to hear about it or participate. It brought her back to high school. Her mom always said, if someone is waving a red flag, a parade is coming, and Jennifer was waving a red flag.

Dolores met Marge to shop for a housewarming gift, and Dolores said, Frank told her what had happened on guys night. Joe #2 was upset because Teresa hadn’t invited Melissa’s parent to the wedding. They called Melissa, who said, her husband lost his sh*t. Teresa has known her mother and sisters forever. He didn’t want to come to the housewarming, but she wanted him to go, listen to what Teresa has to say, accept it for what it is, and move on. Dolores said, you never know, but she wasn’t specific about what we never know.

No surprise, the housewarming party was over-the-top, including a dancer inside a bubble in the pool, and lots of love bubble kitsch. Joe called Melissa, who was getting her makeup done, and said he couldn’t go. He’d already texted Teresa; he wasn’t ready to come. In his interview, he says, Teresa didn’t want him there, and it feels like a game. It was the worst feeling coming from his own family. He’d be uncomfortable and couldn’t fake it. Louie told Teresa that he felt sad, and she said she did too. Joe was missing milestones in their life, like the housewarming and her 50th birthday. In Teresa’s interview, she said, it was no after no, and told the girls about him canceling, adding that he’d brought up Melissa’s family not being invited to the wedding on guys night. Joe said he needed to get over it. He would never have what he thought he would. His sister does what makes her happy, and that means keeping the family away. He told Melissa to go and have a good time, but in her interview, Melissa’s said, it’s just the next thing for Teresa to hold over her head and make Joe the bad guy, but she wanted to keep the peace.

Danielle said she loved the vibe at the party. Evan and Jackie were there, and Marge said, Jennifer had been up Jen’s ass talking sh*t about her. We saw a clip of that, and Marge said, talking about therapy turned into talking about her. In Marge’s interview, she said, Jennifer was a professional victim. She wanted the attention she didn’t get at home. Did she think Jen wasn’t going to tell her? In Jennifer’s interview, she said, Melissa coming to the party without Joe was making a clear statement. He’s a drama queen. Teresa said, the girls hadn’t seen Joe in six months, and in Danielle’s interview, she said, you’d have to be blind, deaf and mute not to see the connection between her situation with her brother. Once too much time passes, that’s it. She hoped they didn’t make the same mistake. Rachel told Dolores that Frank missed her and the old dynamic, but Dolores said she was 52 years old and had taken care of everyone. It was time to worry about herself. Paulie didn’t want Frank to be the man in her life, and if that meant they had to be separate in some things, everyone needed to get over it. Gia said she missed Melissa’s kids, and in her interview, she said, every time Teresa and Joe had drama, the kids were separated. In Melissa’s interview, she said, it was sad. She loved them, and knew they had hate for her and Joe. She wouldn’t wish the situation on anybody. Dude, I would have moved on ages ago. Then again, I wasn’t born into a big Italian family. Although I do have an Italian family by marriage to my aunt.

Louie thanked everybody for coming. Not just friends and family, but those who gave them loving support. Teresa said, their chosen family. Everyone there was special and they loved them, and they wouldn’t want to be celebrating with anyone but them. In Melissa’s interview, she said she didn’t appreciate Teresa’s chosen family remark, especially with Joe not being there. But if she brought it up, Teresa would just say she didn’t mean it that way. Think before you speak. She knows it’s hard. Melissa said Joe wasn’t here, and Teresa was his only family member. She slipped out to have a cry, and in her interview, she said she tried to be strong for Joe, but she had her own breaking point. She didn’t get why the subtle digs, things like chosen family. What about the ones who had been there for years? It meant nothing to Teresa, and she knew Joe would be upset. The sprinklers went on, and the guys said, Louie had one job… Melissa said she wanted to be honest with Jackie – and you know when a Housewife says honest, it’s an excuse to gossip. She’d been talking to Danielle about the mozzarella party, and told Danielle that Jackie had insulted her shorts and said they looked like they’d come out of the hamper. Jackie said she didn’t care. Danielle was a horrible dresser, and she wore those shorts two weeks in a row. I guess Jackie doesn’t have a favorite anything? Geez. She should see what I wear on repeat. Danielle’s antennae went up, and she jetted over. Jackie insisted she never looked Danielle up and down, but we flashed back, and yeah, she did. In Danielle’s interview, she said, maybe Jackie didn’t realize how judgy she was. Her hands were going all over the place as she talked, and Jackie told Danielle to get her hands out of her face. Danielle said, Jackie was from Staten Island, and she would know if Danielle was coming for her. Jackie told Danielle to leave her hands out of her space. If I’m sorry can’t leave your mouth, then f*** off. Marge said she was offended be Jennifer calling Jen and bitching about her. Jennifer insisted she’d just called for a marriage counselor referral, and in Jennifer’s interview, she said, when they were on the call, Jen did not defend Marge. It’s called not engaging, Jennifer. You should try it sometime. Marge said, Jennifer had called her jealous, but Jennifer said she never said that. She’d told Jen that Marge was threatened by her. She’d wanted Jen to know the context of their history. No surprise, Marge called Jen over, and Jen told Jennifer that she hadn’t said Jennifer called specifically for that, but the conversation morphed. Marge wondered how she and Jennifer were supposed to move forward if Jennifer kept holding a grudge. Sounding like a character from Hamilton, Jennifer said she was allowed to state the facts of the matter. Rachel said, Jennifer did the same thing with her, and talked sh*t about Dolores. Jennifer stamped her foot and said she was giving Rachel context, but Rachel said, it wasn’t a history lesson. Jennifer called her a f***ing idiot, and Rachel told her to watch her mouth. Jennifer called Dolores an idiot too, and in Dolores’s interview, she wondered where this was coming from, and if Jennifer was out of her f***ing mind. Jennifer started winding up, and Jackie said, if she wanted to get her point across, she’d better calm down. Jennifer said she was sorry she spoke about Rachel’s nose job, but Dolores had offended her. Dolores said, Jennifer just left the house without talking about what happened, and Teresa said, Dolores was never going to take sides. Rachel said this was not what she wanted to be a part of, and Jennifer said, give her a medal. So much for apologies. In Rachel’s interview, she said she could give two sh*ts about what comes out of Jennifer’s mouth. It’s giving someone power, and Jennifer would never have that over her. Rachel said she was leaving, and Jennifer (even though it wasn’t her party) said, don’t let the door hit her on the way out. Rachel pointed out that there was no door, since they were outside. Jennifer had no f***ing class. Jennifer called Rachel a f***ing idiot again since she’d run out of words.

Next time, Valentina’s party; Teresa tries on her wedding dress; and Marge and Jennifer argue.

🙃 Yes, No, Maybe, I Don’t Know…

Tomorrow is VanderDay, so join me for some soap and Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay not being the first to arrive or the last to leave a party, and stay facing the fallout. It’s a million times better than living in fear, waiting to be exposed.

February 24, 2023 – Heather Has One Condition, New Wife, All By Herself, Sharing, Trial Desire, Two Pairs, Shady Scheana, First World Problems, Edit Err, Pets (!), Teetering On 10 Quotes & Mountain

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Esme holds her baby, who looks suspiciously like Baby Amelia. She says she doesn’t remember much, but she knows she’s his mommy. They have each other and that’s all that matters. Heather comes in, wearing an orange jumpsuit, and says, there’s her baby girl and her new baby. Esme says, Heather shouldn’t be here, but Heather says she’s Esme’s mother; where else would she be? Esme picks up the nurse call button, but Heather stops her, and says, Esme doesn’t want to interrupt family time. She can’t wait to start spoiling her little grandson. In fact, she’s starting right now. She reaches for the baby, and Esme sits up with a start. The guard lets Laura in, and she asks if Esme is okay. Esme asks, where’s Heather? and Laura says, she’s in custody at the police station. Esme says, please don’t let her take my baby away.

Spencer points to a baby through the nursery window, and tells Sonny, that’s his baby brother. He’s handsome, isn’t he? Sonny asks if the little guy has a name, but Spencer says, not yet. Sonny asks if Spencer is still suing for custody, and Spencer says he may not have to now that his father has disappeared.

Dex tells Josslyn that he was hired to find evidence that would put Sonny away once and for all, but he’ll tell his employer that he’s out if that’s what she wants. She says, it’s not her decision to make, but he says, let’s not make this about Sonny; let’s make this about you and me. (Huh? It’s all about Sonny.) She hates that he’s working for Sonny. How does she feel about him working against Sonny? (What I said.)

Elizabeth looks at a photo of the boys, and remembers Scotty chastising her for letting Nikolas talk her into his cockamamie plan. Cameron comes in, and she says she wasn’t expecting him this morning. He asks if she’s as freaked out as he is about Esme.

Ava asks the reception nurse if Austin is allowed to have visitors, and Mac asks why she wants to see Austin. She says, why would she want to see the man who nearly bled to death on her living room floor? Does that really seem so strange? He says, that depends. Felicia said Ava encouraged her to leave Austin behind when Heather said they could go. She says, so they could get him help, and he says, but instead, she went after Ryan with a gun. (Really, Mac? Does any of that sound strange?) She says, Austin didn’t need both of them to get him help, and she needed to confront the man who made her life a living hell. Mac’s the one who ultimately killed Ryan. He says, the world’s a better place now that Ryan Chamberlain’s dead, and she says, they agree on something. Is Mac done? He says he has a few more questions. Why don’t they start with why Austin was on Spoon Island in the first place.

Robert congratulates Jordan on catching Heather. He can assure the public that their safe, that The Hook killer’s been caught, and that she’s going away for good. She says, her people have already made progress, when Dante walks out, and says, Heather is ready to make a statement. Scotty walks in, and says, hey, Mr. D.A., but Robert asks if it can wait. Scotty says he’s about to make Robert’s life a whole lot easier.

Jordan and Robert go into the interrogation room, and Jordan says, Dante told her that Heather wants to make a statement. Heather says she does. She’s done some very bad things that she’s ready to confess. Jordan says, Heather wants to confess to The Hook attacks without a lawyer present, and Heather says she only wants to unburden her soul. Dante sets up the recorder, and tells Heather, it’s her right to have an attorney present, but she says she doesn’t want an attorney. She just wants to tell the truth. Jordan tells her, start talking, but Heather says she does have one condition.

Scotty tells Robert that he has a client with information about The Hook attacks, and they want to make a deal.

Cameron asks how long Elizabeth thinks Esme has known Ryan and Heather are her parents, but she says she has no idea. He says, she realizes, if Heather is Esme’s mom, that makes her Franco’s half-sister. When Esme moved to Port Charles, he really tried to give her a chance because Spencer was so into her. Does Elizabeth think she was working with Ryan when she was interning at Spring Ridge? Elizabeth says, before she lost her memory? and he says, what if she’s been faking this whole time? He wonders if Joss knows about everything that’s happened.

Josslyn tells Dex, Sonny was in her life for a very long time. Not as a father – she had one obviously – but as a stepfather. They were a family. Dex says, he was good to her, and she says, he was, when she was little and didn’t know about his business. He says, Sonny still considers her family. It’s one of the reasons Sonny thinks he’s not good enough for her. She says, like he has the right to judge anyone after what he’s done? He had Dex beaten and tortured, and Sonny’s hurt so many people, she can’t even count. Where does he get off thinking he’s better than anyone else? The hypocrisy of it all. He asks if that means she wants him to see it through, and see that Sonny goes to prison.

Sonny asks what Spencer means, and Spencer says he doesn’t know what to think anymore. How can someone just walk out on their child? He doesn’t even mean himself at this point. How can someone walk out on an innocent baby? Sonny says, Spencer’s not responsible for his father’s actions. Spencer can’t fix his messes. Spencer says, someone has to. His baby brother has an absent father, and a mother who’s in police custody. That little guy must feel all alone in the world. Sonny says, they can fix that.

Laura tells the guard that he can leave them alone, and tells Esme that she had a nightmare. Esme wishes that’s all it was; that she hadn’t been forced to break out of Spring Ridge, and her parents weren’t serial killers. Laura says, unfortunately, that is true, but she told Esme, Heather is in custody, and can’t hurt her. Esme asks, where’s her baby? and Laura says, in the nursery. He got a perfect bill of health despite his impromptu entrance into the world. Esme says, thank God, and thank Laura and Dr. Collins for helping bring her baby into the world. Laura says she feels lucky that she could be there for her grandson’s birth, and Esme says she just realized, she has a son. Laura asks if Esme wants her to arrange for the baby to visit, but Esme says, no; he should stay away. Laura asks, why? and Esme says, it’s not safe. Her parents are killers. For all she knows, she could be a killer too.

Heather says, what she wants is pretty simple, and Dante says, if she cooperates fully, they’ll see about her request. She says, he knows that’s not how it works, but he says, she doesn’t know how anything works, and grabs the recorder. Jordan gets up, and says, waste of time, but Heather says, fine. What do they want to know? Dante puts the recorder back, and asks if she attacked Ava in August, and she says, yes. He asks if she attacked… She says, it’s going to take all day. She’s The Hook, okay? Anyone stabbed with a hook, it was her. Jordan says, they need details, and Heather says, Ava Jerome, with a hook, at the Quartermaines. Brando Corbin, behind Charlie’s with a hook, except that was a mistake; she was really after Josslyn Jax for making her daughter’s life so miserable. Diane Miller, in the garage. The bartender, Oz Haggerty, at the docks. Nikolas Cassadine, with a hook… Dante says, wait a second, and Jordan says, she attacked Nikolas Cassadine?

Ava tells Mac, that’s one of the reasons she’s here. She wants to ask Austin how he’s doing, and why he came to Windymere last night. Mac says he didn’t know they were friends, and she says, friendly perhaps. Austin treated her after Heather attacked her at the Quartermaine picnic, but she wouldn’t say they bonded over it. He thanks her for her time, and she says she just can’t wrap her head around the fact that Spencer’s girlfriend from boarding school is Ryan and Heather’s daughter. He says, quite a coincidence, but she says, it isn’t at all. Ryan told her that he sent Esme to that boarding school specifically to ensnare Spencer. Ryan was intent on splitting her and Nikolas up, and he succeeded. Mac says, maybe now that the truth has come out, she and Nikolas can find their way back to each other.

Dante asks when Heather attacked Nikolas, but she says she doesn’t know. In the fall? It was breezy. Jordan asks where it happened, and Heather says, at Windymere. It wasn’t her finest hour; he escaped without a scratch. He’s still breathing, unlike that doctor on New Year’s Eve. Dante asks if Britt was a target, but Heather says, no. She appeared out of nowhere, and decided to play hero, and again, Josslyn Jax escaped. Everyone stood between her and protecting her little girl. Jordan says, about Officer Cabrera. A keepsake from one of Ryan’s victims was found on Rory’s person. How did it get there?

Mac asks if Ava has heard from Ryan, but she says, no, and she doesn’t expect to. Things between them had gone too far, and she’s accepted that she’s lost Nikolas for good. Ryan’s destroyed her life, again. Mac says, at least it’s for the last time, and she says she has him to thank for that. She’s just sorry she didn’t kill the bastard herself. He says, after everything Ryan has put her through, killing him would be self-defense under any circumstances, and she says, he has no idea what Ryan has taken from her.

Obviously not having read The Invader, Scotty tells Robert that his client has information on the PCPD’s number one suspect, the one and only Esme Prince. Robert says, keep going, and Scotty says, his client knows Esme’s whereabouts before she showed up at the Haunted Star, soaking wet, with child and no memories. Robert says, so this client will only divulge said information if Scotty makes deal? and Scotty says, that’s why he’s here. Robert says, if this client knows what they know because they’re an accomplice to the crime, he should be telling them to turn themselves in, and he walks away.

Elizabeth asks if Cameron has spoken to Josslyn recently, but he says, no, and he doesn’t plan to. She says she knows the break-up really hurt him, but they’ve been friends their entire lives. He says he feels like that makes it worse, and she asks if he’s hoping they can be friends again someday, but he says, with what Josslyn did… She’s not the person he thought. Maybe she never was.

Josslyn says, it would be easier to figure out how she feels about this, if Dex would tell her who he’s working for, but he says he can’t. She asks, why not? and he tells her, all he can say is, he trusts his employer. She says, and this mystery person wants to take Sonny down, and he says, it’s the whole reason he’s here. She asks how close he is, and he says he doesn’t have any solid evidence yet, but Sonny’s about to get involved with some people in arms trafficking. The plan is for him to get some evidence and turn it over to his real boss, who will turn it over to the Feds. She says her first instinct is to tell him, do it. No one’s forcing Sonny to break the law, and he’d just be reporting what he saw. But if this goes wrong, and he gets caught, that’s on him, not his mystery boss. What happens if he calls the whole thing off? Does he have to work for Sonny for real? Sonny’s not going to let him just walk away.

Esme tells Laura that Heather and Ryan want her baby for themselves. They were talking about all of these plans… Laura says, Heather is locked up, but Esme says, Heather has a revolving door in and out of Spring Ridge, and Ryan… Laura says, Ryan is dead. She’s sorry. He died last night on Spoon Island. Esme says, good. He was a monster, and she’s glad he’s dead. She was terrified of that man. Laura says, what about Heather? and Esme says, Heather kept saying she wanted to protect her, but she’s so crazy. She’s the offspring of two monsters, so she must be a terrible person. Oh my God. She did all of those things she’s accused of; the revenge porn and trying to kill that man. Laura asks if she remembers doing those things.

In the nursery with the baby, Sonny tells Spencer that his family has every right to meet this baby. Spencer says, all he wants to do now is protect him from the world, and Sonny says, it’s the most amazing thing. Spencer asks if Sonny thinks his father felt like this when he was a baby, and Sonny says he guarantees it. Spencer says, that’s good. That means he has to come back now that his new son is here. How could he stay away knowing what he’s missing? Sonny asks if Spencer is changing his mind, and Ava peeks in the window.

Laura asks if Esme remembers her past, but Esme says, no, sorry. Her memory of before she showed up on the boat is still a blank. Laura asks why she said she was guilty, and Esme says, with parents like Heather and Ryan, how could she not be? Laura says, you’re not destined to be bad no matter who your parents are. Does she think her baby is bad? Esme says, no, he’s completely innocent. She doesn’t know what’s going to happen to him. If she’s found guilty, she’s going straight back to prison. Laura says she hasn’t stood trial yet; let’s not jump to conclusions. Esme asks, where’s Nikolas? Why isn’t her baby’s father here?

Heather says, when she discovered she was pregnant with Esme, she left Ryan. She took this chain of trophies he had as insurance, in case he ever decided to come after her. Dante says, that was twenty years ago. How does Cabrera end up with it? She says she wore the chain during The Hook attacks because she was getting justice for their daughter. She just thought it was fitting. Dante tells Jordan, that’s the sound Josslyn heard when Brando was attacked in the alley, and Jordan says, Brando heard it too. Heather says, Cabrera surprised her. They tussled a bit, and in the struggle, he managed to grab one of the trophies off the chain, but she didn’t realize it until she got back to Spring Ridge. Jordan says, so she’s confessing to murdering six people, and attacking four others? but Heather says, it was five, not six. Brando, Oz Haggerty, the venom guy, Rory Cabrera, and that doctor, whatever they said her name was. Dante says, what about Corrections Officer Williams, who was stabbed to death when she and Ryan escaped? but Heather says, she didn’t kill him; that was Ryan. He stabbed Williams. He planned the escape. He forced her and Esme to go with him. They can’t pin this on her.

Dex says he can’t just tell Sonny that he’s not cut out for this, not without him getting suspicious, and Josslyn says, if Sonny had any idea Dex was working against him… He says, Sonny would kill him, and she says, he’s right; Sonny can never know. He says, so either he keeps working for Sonny, or he has to leave Port Charles. She asks if Dex’s mystery boss would be okay with him quitting, and he says, not okay. He’s gone to a lot of trouble to set this up (what trouble; the occasional phone call to Dex?), and he’s close to getting what he wants. But if Dex tells him that he wants out, he’ll let Dex go. She says, but that doesn’t solve anything. He wouldn’t have to spy on Sonny anymore, but he’d still have to work for Sonny; smuggle arms and commit crimes, hustle coffee or whatever it is. And if he gets caught… Dex says, he goes to prison, and she says, as long as he stays in Port Charles, he’s trapped. I guess Dex can’t possibly get another job? Like a normal one?

Cameron tells Elizabeth that he couldn’t have predicted in a million years that Josslyn would hurt him the way she did. It makes him feel like he never knew her at all. She says, it always hurts when someone you love lets you down, but it doesn’t negate what the two of you had. People make mistakes all the time – big ones – but all you can do is come clean, and deal with the consequences. He asks if they’re still talking about him and Joss.

Scotty tells Robert, his client got involved in a crime that was already in progress, and they would like to make things right, and testify against the real perpetrator. Robert tells him, say more, but Scotty says he needs to hear the deal. Robert says he needs more information, and Scotty says, his client is a good person, not a criminal. They got mixed up in some bad business. So Robert can go after a person who made a mistake, or go after the real felon.

Spencer comes out, and says, Ava’s not here to see… He doesn’t mind if she is; he’s just surprised. She laughs, and says, actually, she’s here to see him. She saw him with the baby though. Cute. He’s a natural. He thanks her, and asks what she wanted to see him about. She takes it he knows Ryan was Esme’s father, and he says, yes, and Heather Webber was her mother. Odd how something can come as a perfect shock, yet make perfect sense. She says she thinks they all felt that way, and he says, is that it? but she says, not quite. Esme and Ryan knew who they were to each other. He says, since Esme came to Port Charles? and she says, since before he met her. Ryan sent Esme to that school in France to get close to him. He asks if she’s saying Ryan sent Esme to France to seduce him in some long game to break up her and Nikolas. That’s good. She says, think about it. Whose idea was it to come to Port Charles and stalk her? Was it his, or was it Esme’s?

On the phone, Mac tells Jordan that he spoke with Ava, and he’s about to question Esme Prince. Jordan says, check Esme’s answers against what Heather told them, and he says he thinks once he talks to Esme, they’ll have a clearer picture about what happened on Spoon Island.

Laura says she doesn’t know where her son is, and Esme says, he came to see her at Spring Ridge to try and get her to sign her rights to the baby over. Why isn’t he here now? Laura says she wishes she knew, when Mac walks in, and Esme says she remembers him from the roadside outside the prison. He stopped to help them, then Ryan hit him over the head. Is he okay? He says he’s fine, thanks. He’s Chief of Detectives Mac Scorpio, and he has some questions. Esme says, Heather and Ryan kidnapped her. They forced her to escape. Ryan even killed a guard right in front of her. He asks if Heather helped him, but she says, no. The guard was questioning her and Heather, and Ryan snuck up behind him and stabbed him in the back; it was horrible. Then Heather told her that she had to do what Ryan said, or he’d hurt her. He asks if Heather seemed scared of Ryan, and she says, not really. He asks, what happened next? and she says, Heather let them out of the prison. Laura asks, whose idea was it to escape? and Esme says she’s not sure. She thinks Heather and Ryan were planning it together, but Heather was the one who knew her way out of Spring Ridge.

Dante says, they know Heather and Ryan were working together. They were planning this escape for months. Heather says, no, no, no, no. She didn’t even know Ryan could walk and talk until Esme showed up at Spring Ridge. He never even told her that he could. They’ve got to believe her. He showed her that he’d been faking his condition when Esme showed up just because he wanted her help with getting Esme out. Dante says, which she was more than happy to provide, but she says, Ryan terrified her. She had to do what he said. Jordan tells her, he isn’t saying anything; he’s dead.

Spencer says, Esme was always going on and on about how Ava pushed him out of his father’s life, and said he should push back. She encouraged him to get revenge. Ava wonders if he ever asked himself why Esme cared so much. She was no one to Esme, and they had the kind of life teenagers dream of. They had Europe at their fingertips. Wouldn’t living his best life have been the best revenge? He says, apparently not. Esme was determined to get him back here. Ava says, because Ryan ordered her to do all of that, and look what happened. She and Nikolas are divorced, and he and his father are more estranged than ever. It was Ryan. Ryan played them all. (Way to get Esme and Spencer off the hook. No pun intended.)

Heather says, thank God, and Dante tells her, give it a rest. She wanted Ryan gone so he can’t contradict her narrative. They know she gave Ava a gun, and sent Ava after Ryan. Heather says, Ava killed Ryan? and Jordan says, no, but she shot him in self-defense. Heather says, of course (🍷) it was self-defense. After everything he’d done to her; running her life, killing her daughter. Ryan was a cold-blooded murderer. Dante says, unlike her, and she says she was just a mother protecting her child. Jordan says, a child she abandoned, and Heather says, because she wanted to give her a better life. But she never stopped missing her. When Esme arrived in Port Charles, she was overjoyed. Then she saw what Esme’s life had become. She saw Trina Robinson’s attempts to humiliate and destroy her. What else could she do? She had to defend her family. Dante says he feels for her, and she says she’s told them everything she knows; she’s confessed to The Hook murders. Can’t they just grant the one little thing she asked them? Otherwise, she can always recant. Who’s going to trust the word of a crazy person anyway?

Laura asks what Sonny is doing at the hospital, and he says, looking after her grandsons, both of them. Congratulations, by the way. She thanks him, and he asks if she was with Esme. She says she was, but now Mac’s questioning her, and he asks if there’s anything he should know. She says she doesn’t think so; not yet. Is Spencer at the nursery? He says, yeah. Spencer’s been here all morning doing the big brother thing; he’s good at it. She says she doesn’t know if he heard, but Ryan died last night, and he says he heard the good news. He also heard Heather Webber killed his cousin Brando. She says, it would appear that way, and he says, that’s a mistake going after his family, but she says, let the justice system do what it does. He says, she knows him. He just protects the people he loves.

Dex tells Josslyn, option one. Say he disappears from Port Charles. Sonny might come looking for him, but he can cover his tracks. She says, if Sonny can’t find him, neither can she, and he says, not for a while anyway. She says she’s not liking option one, and he says, him neither. He says, option two. He tells his real boss that he’s out. He keeps working for Sonny, legitimately following his orders, but Sonny told him that he can’t go near Josslyn. They would have to hide that they’re together indefinitely. She says, marginally better than option one, but not by much. He says, option three. He sticks with the original plan, and gets evidence on Sonny. He turns it over to his real boss, who turns it over to the Feds, Sonny goes to prison, and he’s in the clear. She doubts it will be that easy, and he says, probably not, but it’s the only option that gives him what he really wants; a chance to stay here, a chance to be with her, free of Sonny. She says, option three it is, and he says, option three, kissing her. He says, no matter what happens, he can’t walk away from her, and she says she doesn’t want him to. Um… For all Josslyn’s talk on how she cares so much about her sisters, how come Donna and Avery, and the effect this might have on them, hasn’t been mentioned once?

Elizabeth’s phone rings, and she asks what he said… Yeah, she’s sure. She’ll be right there. She tells Cameron that she has to go, and he asks if everything is okay. She says she loves him, and jets.

Spencer admits he didn’t think Ava knew him so well, but she’s right. He didn’t want any of this to happen until he met Esme, and she used his resentment toward Ava to talk him into stalking her. He owns up to what he did, his part of it, but the escalation – putting the bear on Avery’s bed, setting Ava’s car on fire, putting Kiki’s hospital ID badge next to the wreckage – that was all Esme. He didn’t even know it was done until it happened. Ava says she believes him. All that misery because Ryan couldn’t stand her being with someone else. He says he can’t believe he was so blind, and she says, they all were. They were all blind, and used, and manipulated… He says, manipulated or not, he did Ryan’s dirty work for him. Spencer suddenly looks terrified, and says, he drove his father away, but Ava says, no, it wasn’t him. Nikolas would still be here if not for Ryan Chamberlain.

Mac asks, when was the last time Esme saw Ryan? and she says, he was in the woods with Ava Jerome; she had a gun on him. He was focused on Ava, so she made a break for it. Is she okay? He says, Ava’s fine, and she asks Mac to tell Ava thank you for helping her get away from Ryan. he says he’ll pass along that message. He thanks her for the information, and says, if he has anything more to ask… She lifts up her arm, showing she’s cuffed to the bed, and says, he knows where to find her. He congratulates her on the birth of her son, and she says, before he goes, maybe he could tell her what’s going to happen to her and Ace. He says, Ace? and she says, her baby. He says, she named her baby Ace? and she says, it just came out. Sounds right to her for some reason. Ace? Where did that come from?

Jordan asks if Dante believes Heather, and he says he does. Robert joins them, and says he may have additional answers on this hook business. Baldwin has a client who says she knows what Esme was doing at the time she went missing. Jordan asks, who? when Scotty walks in with Elizabeth, and says he thinks they all know his client.

Laura tells Sonny, she’s glad Spencer is spending time with his baby brother, because he really needs something positive to focus on right now. Sonny says he feels Spencer needs the baby as much as the baby needs him, and Laura’s phone dings. He asks if everything is okay, but she says, no. She’s got to go. She jets, and he follows her.

Josslyn tells Dex that she’s got to go back to her family, and needs to talk to Trina. It’s been a crazy couple of days. (Boy, does she have some news to catch up on.) He says, people need her, and she says, she needs him. So do whatever he has to do, but watch his back. Option three only works if he’s alive at the end of it. He promises to be careful, they kiss, and she leaves.

Laura and Sonny go to the nursery, and Laura asks Spencer, what’s wrong? He says he messed up, and she says, take a deep breath, and tell her what’s going on. He says, because of him, he and his baby brother no longer have a father. It seems even in death, Ryan Chamberlain wins. Laura says, they’ll find his father, and when they do, they’ll explain to him what took place here, and she’ll talk some sense into him. Until then, take a look around him. He’s not alone. Sonny’s here, she’s here… Sonny says, always, and she says, he and his brother are going to have more support than they know what to do with. Ava slips away.

Mac goes into Esme’s room, and asks if she’s sure about this. She nods, and the guard brings Heather in. Heather sort of smiles, but Esme just looks at her blankly.

On Monday, Dante tells Molly that they need to start that search immediately; Laura tells Spencer to think before he acts; and Curtis asks how long Jordan has known Trina might be his daughter.

👠 For Now…

She’s the only one I like at this point on RHONJ, but give it time.

https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/rachel-fuda-from-rhonj-husband-family-instagram-bio

👰🏻 All About the Love, But Alone…

Are you kidding me? She had the option of her brother walking her down the aisle, and decided to be the turd that she is. My father passed away before I got married too, and my sister walked me down the aisle. Teresa just wanted to give Joe #2 another slap in the face and get more attention for herself.

🧉 The Unending Grope…

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Anyone who could slap LVP in the face could do anything. I wouldn’t be surprised if she drank the blood of virgins to help her face fillers last. Although I would be surprised if she could find one in L.A.

💎 What Victims…?

You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, but I’ll bet she has bags that cost more than my house. And being an entertainer with a 12th grade education doesn’t mean you don’t know how many zeros are on the check.

🏖  Summer Lovin’…

Paige might be close to one of the normal ones if she wasn’t attached to ticking time bomb Craig.

Great. The only genuinely normal one. Let’s hope Austen isn’t her rebound. Or anyone else who enters the house for that matter.

🍸 Passing the Shade…

She is clueless when it comes to Girl Code. And did she watch this week’s episode? She pushed.

🎰 Showing Her Cards…

Gambling has never been my jam. I went to Atlantic City once to see a show, and played the slots for a few hours first – back when they were actual slot machines and somewhat exciting. I’d gotten a certain amount of rolled coins from the bank, and decided that would be the only amount I’d play with. I came home a quarter shy. Yeah, it was cool on the spins when a bunch of money came out, but I didn’t feel the need to play any more when I had to get going. Or ever.

Geez. I take better pictures for eBay.

🛣  In Last Week’s Last…

I have to admit, I didn’t even notice.

https://people.com/tv/the-last-of-us-fans-point-out-hbo-editing-error/

My favorite reply.

🐈 Prosperous Pets…

I’ll bet they all still poop on the floor.

🎯 Quotes of the Week

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. – Chief Seattle (Once again, don’t step on any butterflies.)

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. – Oscar Wilde

What I did or said should never be more important than why I did it or said it.Andrea Kelly

There is only one way to avoid criticism: say nothing, do nothing, be nothing. – Elbert Hubbard

Just knowing you don’t have the answers is a recipe for humility, openness, acceptance, forgiveness, and an eagerness to learn – and those are all good things. – Dick Van Dyke

Each day we are given the opportunity to choose between that which is easy and fast and that which is more difficult and slow. The fast and easy track is attractive, but doesn’t bear fruit. The slow and hard track is intimidating, but has the most potential. – Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy. – Dean Koontz

Renew, release, let go. Yesterday’s gone. There’s nothing you can do to bring it back. You can’t “should’ve” done something. You can only DO something. Renew yourself. Release that attachment. Today is a new day!Steve Maraboli

There is no room for mediocrity in karaoke. – some obviously Drunk Kid I met there

🚶🏽‍♀️ Walking It Off…

Come back fresh on Monday really Tuesday for soap and the return of Captain Lee, which might offset the middle aged adolescents in that House. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your head in the clouds, but your feet on the ground, and stay letting living your best life be your best revenge.

February 23, 2023 – Dex Leaves Sonny’s Fate Up To Josslyn, Evil Twin, Vanna, Red Carpet Reunion, New Location, Have a Nice Trip, Life’s Not a Cabaret, Villains & Border

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sam and Dante arrive back home. She complains about the airplane air wreaking havoc on her skin, but he says she’s as beautiful as ever, and they kiss.

Cody counts out one hundred dollars to the desk sergeant, and says he thought if the parking meter was broken, it was free to park there. He looks at Heather as she’s steered through the room, and she says, got a problem? The desk sergeant tells him that Heather is a raving lunatic. He can’t wait until she’s transferred to Pentenville to await trial. Sasha walks in, and says she’s here to see Heather Webber.

Josslyn wakes up, and finds Dex looking at her. She asks what he’s thinking, and he says, how much he likes waking up next to her.

Brook says, Sonny has a new granddaughter. The whole family is raving about Baby Amelia. He says he’s only seen her through the window in the NICU and in pictures. That’s why he’s here. He’s wondering if she can help him.

Nina comes out of the hospital elevator, and hears Drew telling the reception nurse that he’s extended family. He was asked to fill out the paperwork now that Willow is gone. Nina asks what he means by Willow is gone.

Wiley welcomes Willow home, and Michael says, Wiley’s been a champ, helping get everything ready for his baby sister. Wiley says he can help Willow too, and opens the door for her. Carly is inside with the baby, and says, welcome home. Willow says, home, exactly where she wants to be.

Sonny says he and Michael are still fighting, and Brook says she’s sorry. He says, it doesn’t get any easier. There was a moment, before and after Amelia was born, when he thought he was getting through to Michael, but nothing’s changed. She says, it must be so awful for him, and he says he appreciates that, but he might have a lot of years to get through to Michael. Nina and Willow might only have a few weeks. So he needs to find a way to convince Willow to see her mother.

Wiley says, Amelia is really small, but Michael says, before he knows it, she’ll be sitting up, then crawling. Willow says, Amelia will need Wiley’s help, and he asks if he should show her how to crawl. Willow says, he could show her how it’s done, so she’ll have someone to copy. She didn’t have an older brother growing up. Amelia is lucky to have him. Michael thanks Carly for taking care of the kids, and she says, of course (🍷). Anything they need, she’s here for them. He says, what he needs is a miracle, but it doesn’t seem to be coming. Carly hugs him.

Drew says, Willow is gone, as in home to the Quartermaines, and Nina says she feared the worst. He says, she checked out this morning, and Michael took her home. He’s just there to finish up the paperwork. Nina asks if she won’t get better care and more aggressive treatment at GH, but he says, there’s nothing more the doctors can do without a bone marrow donor. She wanted to be home with Michael and the kids; enjoy them for as long as she can. She asks if Willow is giving up.

Josslyn thanks Dex for saying it first. Her feelings for him aren’t casual either; she’s never felt like this before. She says she doesn’t want it to stop, and they kiss.

Dante asks if Sam thinks it’s too early for champagne. Doesn’t she think they deserve it? They took the longest of longshots, and found out Ryan Chamberlain is Esme’s dad. She says, was. Thank God that freak is finally dead. He says, the Invader article made it sound like all hell broke loose on Spoon Island last night, and she says she thinks the best thing that came out of there is that Heather Webber is in police custody, and on her way back to where she belongs – D’Archam. Dante says he’s kicking himself a little for not picking up on things. They knew The Hook was a woman. Heather’s escaped from tons of facilities, and every time he’s talked to her, she was gloating like she knew something he didn’t. Sam says, don’t do that. That’s Heather’s M.O. She likes to torment people she thinks have wronged her. He says, no wonder they both ended up on Heather’s hit list, but Sam says she’s too tired for irony. She wants to shower off the past 48 hours. He asks if she wants company, and she says, now that he mentions it, there’s a spot on her back she can’t reach. He says he can, and they run upstairs.

The desk sergeant asks if Sasha is Heather’s lawyer, and she says, yes. She needs to confer with her client. He says he’ll have Heather brought up from the cells, and leaves. Cody asks if Sasha knows what she’s doing, and she says, absolutely. That murderer killed her husband, and Sasha is going to see Heather is brought to justice.

Carly says, Baby Amelia’s been fed, changed, and she’s fast asleep, and Wiley says, she sleeps a lot. Michael says, sleep is good for babies. It’s good for all kids, Wiley included; it helps you grow. Wiley asks if Willow is growing too, because she sleeps a lot, and Willow says she was very tired when Baby Amelia was in her tummy. Wiley says, Baby Amelia is born now, and asks if Willow will be able to play with him again.

Sonny says, Carly didn’t tell Nina that she and Willow were mother and daughter; they wasted months when they could have worked toward a reconciliation. Brook says, it must be tearing him up, watching Nina go through this, and he says, all Nina wants is to be a mother. Nina’s not perfect. Nobody’s perfect, but Nina wants the best for Willow. She even decided to donate her bone marrow for transplant. Brook says, that’s so generous and loving, but Sonny says, Willow doesn’t want to see her mother. Nina’s never even held her granddaughter, and he wants to fix that.

Drew says, Willow is terminal, and made a decision about how she wants to spend the time she’s got left, and Nina says she understands. But Willow has two small children who need her, and Willow grew up without her mother. So if there’s a chance to prolong her life at the hospital until they find another donor, Willow should take that chance. He says, she was aware that she had the option to stay at the hospital, and chose to go home, but by leaving, she’s not going against any medical advice. Nina asks if Willow and Michael got a second opinion, or a third opinion. What exactly did the specialist recommend? Drew says, there’s nothing else they can do, and Michael and Willow have accepted that together. She says, with Carly’s input no doubt.

There’s a knock at the door, and Sam runs down to answer. It’s Cody, who asks if Dante is there. He called, but Dante isn’t picking up. Dante comes down, and asks, what’s going on? Cody says, Sasha Corbin’s in trouble. He can’t help her, and he’s hoping Dante can.

Sasha waits in the interrogation room, fingering her wedding ring, when Bennett brings Heather in. Sasha says she’d like to confer with her client in private, and he asks if she’s sure. She says, the prisoner is in shackles, but she’ll yell if she needs his help. He pushes Heather into a chair, and says, good luck, but be sure to keep a taser handy. He leaves, and Heather says, Sasha’s her lawyer? She’s sorry, but she doesn’t remember hiring her. Was she court appointed? She could have easily forgotten. That happens sometimes. She finds herself in a prison cell with absolutely no idea how she got there. It’s really unsettling. She can forget days at a time.

Willow tells Wiley that she still has to take it easy for a while, and Michael says, they have to be extra careful of mom. Wiley says he’ll play quietly, so he can help her get well, but Michael says, he doesn’t have to be quiet all the time. He’ll take Wiley over to the house, because Olivia and Leo are making pizza, and Olivia loves when he helps roll out the dough. Wiley asks if Willow wants him to save some pizza for her, and she says, of course (🍷). She tells him that she loves him, and he says he loves her too, hugs her, and leaves with Michael. Willow starts to cry, saying, she didn’t know it would be this hard, and Carly puts her arm around Willow.

Nina tells Drew that Carly must love having Willow home on the Quartermaine estate, where Nina can’t have access to her own child. She can’t have a conversation with her, or even look at her. He says, Carly isn’t loving one aspect of this; nobody in the family is. She says, nobody else in his family went out of their way to keep her and Willow apart. Carly chose to lie and manipulate, and hide the fact she was Willow’s biological mother. Carly not only lied to her and Willow, she lied to Drew for months. She can’t believe he’d be okay with that.

Dex’s phone rings, and he says he has an update on the Pikeman shipment. The boss is doing family stuff, so he asked Dex to handle the prep. When the merchandise arrives at Pier 55, they need trucks ready to deliver it to the warehouse, store it for 48 hours, then deliver it to Pikeman’s buyers. This is heavy ordinance, so they’re going to need six trucks. Make sure they’re checked in advance. If anything breaks down, they’re all doing federal time. Josslyn comes into the room, and asks, what’s Pikeman, and how can it land him in federal prison?

Cody tells Dante that Sasha gained access by claiming to be her lawyer. He didn’t want to  bust her, and get her in any more trouble than she’s already been in. She’s a nice lady. She’s been through hell, and she’s just putting her life back together. From what he read about Heather, she’s going to run through Sasha like a buzzsaw running through tissue paper. Sam says, Heather Webber lives to play mind games. When she finds out Sasha is Brando’s widow, it could be brutal. Cody asks if there’s any way Dante could go to the station and run interference without exposing Sasha’s lie, and Dante says, yeah. He won’t be long. Sam tells him to take as long as he needs, and Dante leaves. Sam asks why Cody cares so much about Sasha, and he says he just doesn’t want her to be Heather Webber’s next casualty.

Sonny says he understands if Brook doesn’t want to be put in the middle, but she says she’s lost count of how much she owes him. She’d be happy to help any way she can. He says, she doesn’t owe him anything. He just knows Michael will listen to her, and if she could just tell Michael that he needs to talk to him… Michael walks in, and says, there’s no need. He’s already here. What did Sonny want to talk to him about?

Dex says, the less Josslyn knows about Pikeman, the better, but she says, it’s a little late for that. She already knows there’s a shipment at Pier 55 with heavy ordinance and six trucks. He says he should have been more careful, but she says she doesn’t want him to be careful around her. That’s how it was with her mom and Sonny. He went about his business, and she pretended not to know anything, when in reality, she knew quite a lot. He says, it must have been hard for her, and Josslyn says, it was; she did a lot of pretending. Josslyn doesn’t want to pretend with him. He said he’d be done working for Sonny in six months, but what’s the point if he’s arrested on federal charges? He says he won’t be. Sonny’s the one who’s going to be arrested on federal charges.

Willow tells Carly, when she was at the hospital, all she could  think about was getting home, and it’s so good to be here, but is it good for her kids, when she’s so weak and only getting weaker? Carly thinks the answer is written all over Wiley’s face; he’s thrilled to have her home. Willow says, but he thinks she’s going to get better. She and Michael are letting him think that, and it’s a lie. How much longer can they keep lying to their child?

Drew tells Nina that he’s not okay with what Carly did. He made that very clear to her, but they’re members of the same extended family; they’re both related to Michael and Willow. She says, they seem very close these days, and he says, the whole family is rallying around Willow right now. Nina says she’d like to rally around Willow too, but thanks to Carly, she can’t even be near Willow, or have any chance of a relationship with her child. Drew says he’s sorry Willow doesn’t want to see her right now. He can’t imagine how painful that is, but Nina has no one to blame but herself.

Sam tells Cody that the coffee is probably strong; she’s fighting off jet-lag. He thanks her for the warning and the coffee, and says he’s surprised she didn’t show him the door after Dante left. She says, a couple of months ago, she may have done that. After making an entrance by parachuting into the pool at the MetroCourt hotel, he was sort of running one con after another, never saying why he was in Port Charles in the first place. Then he blackmailed Spinelli to set him up with Britt through Society Set-Ups, and he does have sealed juvenile arrest record. But ever since Britt died, he’s shown that he obviously cared about Britt a lot, and she appreciates him showing concern for Sasha. What she’s trying to say is, maybe she misjudged him.

Heather tells Sasha that she has the vaguest memory of Ryan Chamberlain dragging her and her daughter away from Spring Ridge. Ryan is terrifying. Every time she was with him, she would lose time for hours afterwards. Sometimes she thinks he was trying to hypnotize her.

Dante asks Bennett if Heather is with her lawyer, and Bennett tells Dante that they’re in the interrogation room. The lawyer wanted privacy. If it’s any consolation, the prisoner is still in shackles. Dante says, that’s not going to stop her from getting in the lawyer’s head, and goes into the room. He asks how it’s going, and Sasha says, the prisoner just gave her a demonstration of how she plans to fake insanity for The Hook killings.

Willow tells Carly that she and Michael had the perfect opening just now. When Wiley brought up how much she sleeps, they could have told him that she was sick, and that she won’t get well; that she’s going to die soon. Carly says, it’s a really difficult conversation to have with anyone, especially a child; her child. She thinks Wiley is too young to understand the concept of death. It’s okay if Willow didn’t want to tell him on her first morning home. Willow says she’s been reading all the literature about it, and knows they have to explain this to him, but when she thinks of actually saying the words, her mind goes blank. How does she tell her little boy that she’s going to leave him forever, and it didn’t have to be that way?

Dex says he’s working on the Pikeman shipment in order to get evidence on Sonny, and Josslyn asks if he’s a cop, or an undercover Fed. He says, nothing like that. He’s not law enforcement, and doesn’t work for any official authority. She asks if anything he’s told her about himself is true, and he says, everything. He’s ex-military. He did a tour of Afghanistan; he joined right after high school. What he didn’t tell her is, after the military, he went to work for a private security contractor. That’s who set him up with his current employer.

Sasha gets up, and says, Heather is a kidnapper, a murderer, a vicious maniac. She should have never been given life without parole. Truthfully, she should have been given the death penalty 30 years ago, but she repeatedly exploits her mental illness. She gets herself committed rather than going to prison, then somehow gains her release, either by escape or by manipulating the legal system. Dante says, there are plenty of loopholes in the system, and Heather’s a master at working her way through them. Sasha says, this time will be different. This time, she’ll be a witness for the prosecution, and she’s going to take Heather down for good.

Willow says she had the option to get treatment as soon as she was diagnosed, and Carly asks if it was a real option. Willow says, not for her. She would have had to terminate the pregnancy because of the damage the chemo would do to the fetus. It was unthinkable. She convinced herself that she could wait; that she could have a healthy baby and still recover from leukemia. She was half right; Amelia is healthy. Now she’s going to die and leave Wiley, which means she put Amelia ahead of her little boy. Carly says, Willow made a choice that was right for her as a mother. She gave her daughter the best chance at life, and put her own life at risk to do that. She may be leaving Wiley, but she’s also leaving behind the gift of a baby sister. She did the best she could for both her children. She’s got to stop blaming herself. Willow says she’s afraid. She loves Michael and her children so much. She doesn’t want to leave them. She cries in Carly’s arms.

Drew says, Nina and Willow are estranged, not because of anything Carly did, but because of what Nina did. Nina alienated her for years. She sued Willow and Michael for visitation rights to Wiley. Nina asks if it’s a crime for her to want to see her grandson, and he says, it’s the way she went about it that hurt Willow. And if Willow doesn’t want to spend time with her, that’s her right. She says, that all changed when she found out Willow was her daughter, but Drew says, Nina changed; Willow didn’t change. Nina says, yes, but if they had known when they were supposed to know the truth, Willow would have come to her for a bone marrow donation a lot sooner, and they would have had all this time to work out their differences and reconcile. He says, yes. Carly should have told Willow that Nina was her mother, and left the decision up to Willow whether or not to tell her. Nina says, but instead, Carly chose to lie to both of them, and Drew says, it’s not the same thing. Carly owed Willow the truth; she didn’t owe Nina anything. She says, wow. Drew is as self-righteous and unfeeling as Carly. She sees it now. And when payback comes, he’ll be just as deserving. She walks away.

Sonny says, Nina went to the hospital to try and visit Willow, and Michael says he brought Willow home this morning. Sonny says, there’s no hope for treatment? and Michael says, they’re still waiting for a donor, but they’re running out of time. Sonny says, then it’s important for Nina and Willow to connect. Is there any way Michael can persuade Willow to see her mother? Michael says, he can’t do that, and Sonny says, or he won’t because Michael’s still holding a grudge against him and Nina? Michael says, this isn’t about Sonny or Nina; this is about Willow. She’s dying. She gets to spend her last days the way she wants, not trying to make Nina feel better. Sonny says he’s done everything to reach Michael; he’s done. If Michael can’t have any compassion for Nina, even when her child is dying, then what happens next is on his head. Sonny walks out.

Josslyn asks who Dex is working for, and she doesn’t mean the private contractor. Dex flashes back to Michael saying he wanted to take Sonny down, but not at the expense of his mom or sister. He’d rather blow this whole operation up than put his sister at risk, and Dex needs to find a way to keep Josslyn at a distance. Dex tells Josslyn that he’s sorry, but that’s the one thing he can’t tell her; not until it’s over. She asks when that will be. He was beaten and tortured. Isn’t that incriminating enough to finish the job? He says, the Pikeman shipment is on a whole other level; he’s talking federal charges, potential violations of the National Security Act. When he gets the proof, and turns it over to his employer, and his employer turns it over to the Feds, Sonny’s going away forever… Isn’t that what she wants? Hating Sonny and punishing him for the rest of his life are two different things. If she wants, he’ll tell his employer that he’s out, before the Pikeman shipment ever lands. She says, and Sonny will be in the clear? and he says, it’s up to her. Whatever she wants.

Sam asks if Cody has heard of the Ice Princess, and he says, only in reference to the necklace, but no specifics. Why? She says, at one time, it was the world’s largest uncut diamond, and it belonged to her grandfather Mikkos Cassadine. He says he heard she was related to the Cassadines somehow, and she says she’s never been a particularly suspicious person, but when she found out that the diamonds in Britt’s necklace were part of the Ice Princess, she saw all these flashing lights and there were chills up her spine. Nothing but misery has ever come out of that diamond. He says he wishes he could blame all his failures on some cursed diamond, but he only has himself to blame for his mistakes with Britt. He let his greed get the better of him. She says, that’s very big of him, and he says, shocker, but greed gets the best of him over and over. She says, greed caused her to make a lot of bad decisions, but she just stopped, and he asks, how? She says she guesses she just realized there were more valuable things to chase. If she could figure that out, he could too. He says, here’s hoping, and thanks her for the coffee. She says, of course (🍷), and he leaves. In the hallway, Cody looks at Mac’s number in his phone.

Heather wails that she hasn’t done anything. All she wants is to see her daughter. Her daughter was having a baby, and they ripped her away. Ryan Chamberlain was threatening her… Sasha says she’ll give it to Heather; that’s a compelling act. But she can be compelling too. She was with Brando at Charlie’s in his last moments, before he followed Josslyn into that alley, and Heather callously, brutally murdered him. Heather says she doesn’t even know anyone named Brando, but Sasha says, the jury will know him. She’ll tell them. She was eating pie when he left. Their last kiss tasted like cherries. She’ll testify to Brando’s frame of mind, his courage, his kindness. She’ll make the jury feel the terrible injustice of her husband’s murder. Heather’s poor pitiful lunatic act won’t stand a chance against her grieving widow. And she won’t stop in the courtroom. She’ll try Heather in the court of public opinion. She’ll go on podcasts, talk shows, anyone who will give her a platform, and she will crusade about the loopholes in the legal system that allowed a psychopath like Heather to rampage through Port Charles, when she should have been stopped decades ago. She’ll do whatever it takes to see Heather is guilty on all counts of multiple murders, with consecutive life sentences. Heather will spend the rest of her days in solitary in Pentenville where she belongs. Dante says, while he looks forward to Sasha’s testimony, this interview is over. Sasha leaves through the side door, and Heather says, just the two of us, huh? He says, yeah, and she says, good. She wants to confess.

Tomorrow, Scotty says he’s about to make Robert’s life a whole lot easier; Sonny tells Spencer that he can’t fix Esme; and Heather visits Esme in the hospital.

⚰️ Dead Again…

In case you didn’t know Ryan. He has a tendency to bounce back. I fully expect him to reappear down the road, and say the dead guy was his and Doc’s triplet.

💞 Conscious Coupling…

Everyone seems to be on board with these two. I’ve been hoping for this pairing since Anna was with Finn and they had zero chemistry.

👩‍👧 Mother and Daughter Reunion…

Life outside of Port Charles.

🦚 DOOL Move…

You’ll have to pay Peacock to see Days of Our Lives, but the plans are pretty cheap.

🤸‍♀️ Tumbling Marks…

I’m not quite sure what happened here, but it’s definitely amusing.

🗽 No Jovani For You…

Nobody likes a mean drunk. The poor Countess though. Not her week.

⚔️ Conflicted…

As much as Jax is the most awful human being on earth and I despise him, I might have to watch this.

🌷 Calling Doctor Spring…

Come dig into tomorrow’s cornucopia of soap, tea, citations, and February appropriate music. Until then, stay safe, stay cultivating common sense, and stay not being self-righteous and unfeeling, or when payback comes, you’ll be deserving.

February 22, 2023 – Everything Comes To Light, Scheana Is an Evil Little Troll, Walk It Like It’s Hot & Peng

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Mac assures Laura that the island is sealed off and Ryan won’t get away, and Doc says, if Esme is Ryan’s daughter, he sees her as a possession; someone who belongs to him, like an extension of himself. They know he’s obsessed with Ava and will do anything to hold her. Laura says she can’t wait and do nothing while Ryan does his worst. They’ve got to make some kind of move. Esme stumbles through the front door, and collapses in Laura’s arms, sobbing. Jordan tells Esme to put her hands where she can see them, and Laura asks if she’s hurt. Esme says she’s in labor.

On the phone, Portia tells Zeke that she’d appreciate him not saying anything to mommy and daddy just yet. She’d like things to calm down a little bit first… No, she doesn’t want him to come back. She promises she’s fine, and thanks him for not judging her… She loves him too, and she’ll give Trina his love when she sees her. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, that might be Curtis. She hangs up, and answers the door, but it’s Taggert.

Elizabeth thanks Finn for the coffee and the ride home, and he says, it’s quiet without the boys. Does she want company? She says he doesn’t have to stick so close. She knows he’s afraid if she’s alone, she’ll think too much, and maybe turn herself in… tonight.

At the hospital, Austin asks Felicia if there’s any word, but she says, nothing so far. The team is searching the island for Ryan, and Ava’s still out there. He says, she has a gun. He’s a little afraid the cops are going to mistake her for a threat and shoot her. Felicia tells him not to assume the worst. Mac will make sure Ava’s safe.

Trina says she thought Esme’s parents were dead, and Spencer says, her adoptive parents are. Her nanny implied her biological parents were alive, which explains why she was so eager to volunteer at Spring Ridge, and why she was so fascinated with Ryan Chamberlain. Alexis says, she’s known Ryan was her father the whole time, but Spencer says, she couldn’t have known Heather was her mother. One thing he’s sure of is, Esme didn’t fake her desperation to find her mother.

Heather says, the baby is coming, and Jordan says she’s calling for paramedics. Bennett comes back, and says, there have been reports of shots fired on the northwest corner of Spoon Island, and Laura says, Ava and Ryan. Mac says, maybe, and heads out the door. Jordan tells Bennett to take custody of the prisoner. Heather Webber is The Hook, and she needs to know Heather isn’t going anywhere. And call the paramedics. She leaves, and Bennett radios that he needs medical transport dispatched immediately to Spoon Island, the main house; a woman is in labor. Laura asks Doc, what’s happening? as Esme yowls. Doc says he thinks it’s best to focus on the contractions.

Ava says, Ryan’s got one thing right. His life is in her hands. He says, til death do us part, and she repeats, til death do us part. She pulls the trigger, but the gun just clicks. She tries again, and a third time, but nothing. He says, she’s not done with him yet.

Finn says he is worried about Elizabeth. She seemed to be enjoying the wedding, but her toast… She says, he didn’t like it? and he says, it was beautiful, but it sounded wistful. Her celebration of Curtis’s and Portia’s beginning sounded like an ending for her. The doorbell rings, and it’s Scotty. Elizabeth asks what he’s doing here, and he says, they have unfinished business, wouldn’t she say?

Portia is wearing a sweatshirt that says Just Married on the back, and Taggert says, nice sweatshirt. She says, it was a gift from Trina. She gave one to Curtis too, and said they could wear them on the plane to their honeymoon. He says, Trina’s thoughtful that way, and she tells him that he can go ahead and say it. He asks, what? and she says, that Trina is generous, giving, and loving, and she doesn’t deserve Trina. Don’t worry. She feels exactly the same way.

Spencer tells Alexis that when Trina was on trial, he dangled the possibility of finding Esme’s mother in front of her, and she genuinely considered it. She wouldn’t have done that had she known her mother was a few miles away at D’Archam. Trina says, that must have been some bluff, and he says he was doing whatever he could to help her. Alexis wonders what Esme thinks of Heather seeking retribution in her name… Oh, they don’t know. Heather isn’t just Esme’s mother; she’s The Hook killer.

Heather begs Doc to help Esme, and Doc asks if she feels pain here, touching her bump, but she says, it’s more like pressure. Here it comes again. Doc tells Laura, they can’t wait for the paramedics, and Laura asks if Esme can make it to the launch. They have to get her to General Hospital right away. Heather tells Esme, it’s a trap. They’ll take her baby and lock her up. Bennett says, the only one headed for lock-up is Heather, and Laura says, Esme’s health and welfare is her only priority. Doc gets behind Esme, and says, they don’t have time. This baby is coming now.

Felicia says she’s sure they’ll get word any minute that Ava is safe, and Austin asks if she’s always this optimistic. She says she hopes for good outcomes. He had one himself tonight. They’re saying he’s stable and in good condition. He says, someone’s been sneaking around asking the nursing staff questions, and she says she’s glad he’s okay. He was really lucky. He tells her to remind him to get a lottery ticket, and she says, his sense of humor is still intact. He says, thank God, and he’s still got his teeth, so there’s that. She says she thinks he’s got more than that, and he says he’s lucky to have friends like her and Ava. She says, Ava was frantic when she saw he was hurt. She didn’t realize they were so well-acquainted. He says he treated her when she was attacked. Now he knows how she feels. Felicia says, she survived The Hook attack; she’ll survive tonight. He says, she’d better.

Ryan approaches Ava, and says, a little shoulder wound can’t come between them. He forgave her for that knife in the back. She’s passionate, and he understands those carnal impulses. He’s never given up on her. He’s never lost hope, even when she married that imbecile. They’re alike. They belong together. She’ll see. He reaches for her, and she says, get away from me, pushing him back. He growls at her, and is about to rush her, when a shot is fired. He drops to the ground. Ava turns to see Mac behind her.

Scotty says he thought he and Elizabeth would finish their conversation, unless she doesn’t want his help anymore. Finn says, she’s not going to wait until morning? when his phone rings. He says, it’s the hospital, and steps away to take the call. Scotty says he guesses Finn knows about the crimes Elizabeth committed, but she says she doesn’t want him involved. He’s just being a friend. Scotty says, accessory after the fact, and Finn comes back, saying, he has to get to the hospital. There’s been another Hook attack. He asks Elizabeth not to make any rash decisions tonight, and she thanks him for the ride home. He tells her, tomorrow’s a new day; things may look differently. He leaves, and Elizabeth tells Scotty that she’s made her decision.

Keeping the gun on Ryan, Mac goes over to him. Ryan looks up, and says, it had to be you. His head drops back down, and Ava says, she tried to… Mac says he knows, and Jordan arrives. She radios that the suspect is down, and to call for a second unit. She asks if anyone else is hurt, but Mac says he’s fine, and Ava is okay, more or less. Ava says, he woudn’t give up. He was never going to give up. Jordan checks Ryan’s pulse, and says, he’s dead. Mac tells Ava, he’s gone; it’s over. Ava asks if he’s sure, and he says he’s positive. Jordan asks, what happened here? and Ava says she shot him. Mac says, Ava got off a shot; it hit him in the shoulder. Chamberlain kept approaching, and Mac stopped him. Jordan says, sounds justified. She’ll need Ava’s statement later, but first, she wants Ava to get checked out at GH. She doesn’t suppose Mac will go with her, and Mac says, no chance. Other officers join them, and Jordan goes to talk with them. Ava says she needs to tell Jordan… but Mac says, a lot has happened tonight. In the days to come, there’s going to be questions and determinations, but what’s most important is, he’ll take no more victims. Ryan Chamberlain’s reign of terror has come to an end.

Alexis says, it all fits perfectly. Heather orchestrating her transfer to Spring Ridge, and the letter saying she only struck those who wronged me and mine. Trina says, so it wasn’t Esme coming after her. It was her crazy mother avenging her enemies. Alexis says, Spencer and Trina were probably at the top of the list, and Spencer says, Esme finally found her mother. Trina says, they’re having some warped version of a family reunion, and they have Ava with them. Spencer says, and his baby brother or sister.

Laura brings pillows and blankets, and Doc tells Esme that he has to wash up so he can attend to her properly. He leaves, and Esme says, she’s delivering here, now? Laura tells her, it’s going to be okay. Doc will take good care of her. Esme asks if she’s sure, and Laura says, he’s a doctor. Is there something she can do? Esme says she doesn’t want Heather here, but Heather says, she doesn’t mean that. Laura tells Bennett to take the prisoner back to the mainland, and Heather says, the prisoner has a name. Bennett says he’s sorry, but the launch is engaged. They’re waiting for it to return. Laura says, then wait in the other room, and Bennett tells Heather, let’s go. Heather says, a small town politician doesn’t have jurisdiction over the laws of nature. She deserves to be here as much as Laura does. Esme says, she’s the baby’s grandmother, and Heather says, so is she. She’s the baby’s grandmother too. She’s Esme’s mother. Esme cries out, both in pain and frustration.

Taggert says, Portia has never given him much credit. Like when she was trying to hide her affair with Curtis. She says, that’s because when he came back from his undercover assignment, they were trying to work on their marriage. She didn’t want to jeopardize that. He asks if she knows why he was trying so hard. Because he found out. He knew she was unhappy, but didn’t blame it all on her; he knew he was part of it. She says she had no idea he’d be this understanding, and he says, in his heart, he’d already forgiven her for the affair. Does she really think he’d have loved Trina any less if she wasn’t his? She says she was just afraid to test it, and as the years went on, the fear got worse. She was worried it would change the way he and Trina saw each other, and she loved the father he was to Trina. And she was always such a daddy’s girl. How could she take that away from the two of them? He says, she’d never have had to worry about that if she’d told him from the start… but she didn’t.

Ava gets to Pier 55, and Trina hugs her. She says she’s okay, and Trina says she was so worried. She heard Ryan Chamberlain and Heather Webber were at Windymere. Ava says, there’s no danger; Ryan is dead. Spencer asks, what about Esme? and an officer says, sorry, folks. Orders are to get Miss Jerome to GH immediately. Ava leaves with the officer, and Spencer says, if Trina wants to go with them, and make sure Ava’s okay… Trina says, what about him? She knows he’s worried about Esme and the baby. He says he’ll call if he hears anything, but she says she can’t just leave him. Alexis says, he’ll be fine; she’ll look out for him. Spencer says, go, and Trina asks him to promise if he needs anything… He says he’ll call, and Trina leaves. Alexis says, it’s nice to see that he and Trina have a friendship again.

Austin says, of all the nights to be on Spoon Island, and Felicia says, ironically, she was there about Ryan. Why was he? He says he told her; he treated Ava. She says, last year. A little late to do a follow-up house call. He flashes back to Ava telling him, they have to move Nikolas before Elizabeth’s guilty conscience sends the cops to Spoon Island, and he tells Felicia, the island must be crawling with cops. She says, that’s a good thing, right? The more, the better. Finn comes in, and says he understands Austin had a run-in with The Hook killer. Austin says he sure did, but he’s here to tell the tale, so he’s guessing no poison was involved. Finn says, his bloodwork confirmed it. He’s just here to take Austin’s vitals. Felicia says she’ll step out, and Austin thanks her for looking out for him. She says she’s glad he’s okay.

Ryan’s body bag is zipped up, and Jordan says, this town has had a long history with Ryan; he posed a clear and constant threat. Mac says he knows he should be breathing easy, but all he feels is a knot in his chest, and she says, to take a man’s life, even someone like Chamberlain, is a hard thing for a police officer, especially a good one like him. He says he did what he had to do, and she says she has to admit, what bothers her most is the mountain of paperwork waiting. Mac says he’ll do the paperwork. Chamberlain made Felicia’s life hell. He would have killed her tonight; Felicia and Ava both. Jordan says, it’s a big win for the community. She’s sure Heather will never see the light of day again, but there’s still Esme Prince, and what role, if any, she played in what went down tonight. He says, and whether she’ll spend the night in a cell, or a maternity ward.

Heather says, she and Esme have been reunited. They’ll never be parted again. Laura says, this isn’t the time for this, but Esme asks if it’s true. Is this woman really her mother? Laura says, evidence suggests that Heather Webber gave birth to her, and Heather says she’d do anything for Esme. Esme says, like commit mass murder? and Heather says she did all of it for Esme. Can’t she see? It was to protect her. Don’t let these rich, small-minded people get into her head. Esme says, Heather isn’t going to see this baby today or any day. Get out! Heather says, Esme doesn’t mean that. She’s Esme’s mother. Bennett pulls her away, and she says she’ll always be Esme’s mother. She’d give up her life for her. Esme will always be hers. Esme cries in Laura’s arms.

On the floor now, Doc tells Esme that she’s doing great, and Laura tells her to breathe. A paramedic comes in, and asks, how far along? and Doc says, second stage; the cervix is dilated and the contractions are regular. Esme says she can’t, but Laura says, it’s okay. So many mothers feel that way. She gets behind Esme, and tells Esme to lean against her. Doc says, here we go. Deep breath and push. Bear down.

Taggert says, if Portia had told him in the beginning that Trina might not be his daughter, he would have been mad, he would have been angry, he would have been screaming and yelling. But he would have stopped long enough to hear what she had to say. She asks why he’s not screaming and yelling. He has every right to. He says, because he’d like to think he’s grown in that time, that he can put himself in her shoes; that he could understand what she did and why she did it. But understanding doesn’t make it hurt any less. Damn it! He wishes she would have given him the chance to show her that his bond with Trina is more than DNA. That Trina was his daughter in every way that counts because Portia was dishonest? Trina is now questioning that. Portia says, that’s what she was trying to avoid, but she just made it worse. Tell her, how is Trina doing? He says, she’s in pain; she’s confused. Portia asks if she wants to know who her real father is; whether it’s him or Curtis. He says, it didn’t come up and he didn’t want to push it, but let’s get one thing perfectly clear. He is Trina’s dad. Point blank. Period.

Finn asks, what happened tonight? but Austin says, he’s not really sure. The cops will sort it out. He was unconscious for most of the time. It’s not over, and he’s really worried about a friend. Finn says he knows the feeling.

Felicia asks the reception nurse if there’s a phone she could use, when Trina and Ava walk in. She tells the nurse, never mind, and goes over to them. Ava asks, how’s Austin? and Felicia says, he’s doing okay. They ruled out the poison, and the wound isn’t what they feared. How is Ava? Ava says she’s fine physically, but Jordan and Mac wanted her to get checked out. Felicia asks if Ryan got away, and Ava says, he was coming at her, and it was Mac who stopped him. Ryan is dead. Felicia says, thank God, and they hug.

Elizabeth asks Scotty if she should be nervous. He’s never speechless. He says, let him understand. She and Nikolas held Esme captive without medical attention. She says, that’s where she came in. She gave the medical attention. He says, and obstruction of justice; a police investigation was going on about Esme. She says she knows it was bad, but when he says it like that, it sounds worse. Can he broker some sort of deal for her? He says he needs to know if she’s lost her mind.

On the phone, Alexis says, Ryan Chamberlain is dead, and Esme Prince’s whereabouts are still unknown. She’ll give them details later. She wonders if Laura will tell her anything more about Esme, and Spencer says, grandmother is on the island? Alexis says, she and Doc headed over there. Don’t worry. Mac and Jordan aren’t going to let anything happen to them. He says he thinks Alexis would be doing everyone better if she wasn’t here with him. He’ll tell her if he hears anything. She leaves, and he starts to write a text, when he hears Heather saying, no. Her daughter needs her; she’s in labor. Spencer says, Esme’s in labor? and Heather tells Jordan, she needs her mother. They’ll be hearing from her lawyer. Bennett drags her away, and when they pass Spencer, Heather says, you were next. Jordan says, get her to the station, and Heather is hauled away. Spencer says, Esme is having the baby right now? and Jordan says, last she heard. He says he realizes Windymere is a crime scene, but he needs to be on that island immediately.

Esme says she’s sorry, and Laura says, of course (🍷) she is. She’s been through so much, but she’s safe and supported. Doc says, and she’s almost there. One more push should do it. Esme says she needs a few minutes, but Doc says, the baby needs to come now. Laura says, it’s time. She can do this. Summon all the strength she can, and give the baby one big push. When she’s ready, take a deep breath. Esme pushes, and Laura says, she can do it. We hear a baby cry. That was fast. I think it came out crying. Although after the day it’s had…

Portia says, of course (🍷) Taggert is Trina’s dad. He raised that girl. He’s always been there for her. He says, not always. He let her think he was dead. He let her know later that he was protecting her, but the deception hurt her. Everyone makes mistakes. They both screwed up, thinking they were doing the right thing at the right time. She says, Trina’s the most important thing to both of them, and he says, she’s got that right. She didn’t want to have anything to do with him, but Portia just kept stripping away at her defenses, encouraging her to hear him out. Portia was a big reason Trina gave him another chance and forgave him. He’s never going to forget that. She tells him, like she said, he’s good father, and he says, she’s a good mother, who made a terrible mistake. He can’t guarantee things will be different, but he, Portia, and Trina are a family, and nothing or no one is going to change that.

Trina brings a clipboard to Ava, saying, the nurse told her that it shouldn’t be too much longer. Ava just has to fill this out, and put down an emergency contact. She asks if Ava is okay, and Ava says she’s just thinking about the events of the day. Trina says, don’t feel guilty if she’s glad Ryan’s dead. He and his daughter made Ava’s life a living hell. Ava flashes back to telling Ryan that he’ll keep taking unless someone stops him. She says, Ryan left an awful lot of carnage in his wake, and Trina says she knows Ava’s divorce has been rough, but if Ava wants, she’ll try to find Nikolas. Ava says, thanks, but there’s nothing Nikolas can do for her anymore.

Laura tells the paramedic that Esme will be in police custody while in the hospital, but she will not be separated from her child. Spencer walks in, and asks if Laura is okay. She says she is, and tells him that he has a new little brother. He sees Esme, holding the baby and smiling.

Mac finds Doc outside, and asks if everything is okay here. Doc says, mother and baby are doing just fine. How’s his team? Mac says, safe and accounted for, and Doc says, and Ryan? Mac says, come with him, but Doc says, just tell him. Mac says he had no choice, and Doc says, Ryan’s dead. Mac says, it could have been Felicia. It could have been Ava, or anyone. Ryan wouldn’t have stopped. Doc puts his hand on Mac’s shoulder, and says, show him.

Portia says, Taggert is right about one thing; she does underestimate him. She thanks him for coming here and being so generous with her. He says he doesn’t like what she did, but they share a child. She says, they always will, and he says, if she’s worried about Trina, he can always find her. She says, good. They’re daughter needs him, especially now. He says, their daughter is unbelievably forgiving, and she says she wishes she shared his hope. Their daughter is also strong-willed, and she’s been putting up boundaries and setting limits. He says, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? but she says, what if this is all too much to forgive? She starts to cry, and says, he didn’t see the way Trina was when confronting her, and the things Trina said to her. She’s worried she might have lost Trina forever.

Trina asks if Ava wants anything from the cafeteria, but Ava says she’s fine. It’s late; Trina should get home… What’s the matter? Trina says, the long day just caught up, and it occurred to her, The Hook has been caught. For the first time in a long time, she doesn’t have to worry about who’s hiding in the shadows. Seems like today, everything just came to light. Ava hugs her.

Alexis sees Finn, and asks how Austin is. He says he has to write an order for his patient… who will recover. He keeps walking, and Alexis says, and he walks away from her, which usually means he’s troubled about something. She’s assuming it’s about that friend who could be an accessory to a felony. He says he’s still concerned, and he thinks his friend made a decision. She says, and he’s worried that decision is going to ruin his friend’s life? but he says, at this point, it’s out of his hands.

Scotty says he can’t believe Elizabeth let Nikolas talk her into that cockamamie plan. Where’s he now? He’s off somewhere, and left her holding the bag? She says, if he can’t help her, she understands, but she can’t live with this guilt, thinking of the damage to the boys. He says, she’s got to be there for the boys, and she says she knows. The only stability they have in their lives is Cameron, and he’s too young to shoulder this responsibility. He asks how going to prison is going to help them, and she says, that’s what she was hoping he could prevent. He says, no problem. Walk in the park for him. She says she knows it’s a lot, but he’s practically the boys’ grandfather, and the closest thing she has to a dad. He says he’ll do everything in his power to get her out of this mess, and she says, that’s good enough for her.

Mac takes Doc to Ryan’s body, and Doc kneels down beside it. He says, I knew it. I could feel it. It’s real this time. He unzips the top of the bag, revealing Ryan’s face. Felicia runs to Mac, and hugs him. Mac says he’s fine, and she’s safe now. She asks if Ryan is really gone, and Mac steps aside. She goes over to the body, and kneels down beside Doc, putting her arm around him. He says, at least it’s the end of a long nightmare for her, and she cries, saying, but he was still Doc’s brother. Doc says, I hope you can find the peace you could never find in this life… brother.

Spencer walks over to Esme and she says, he’s beautiful, isn’t he? He says, he looks like a Cassadine, and she says, Nikolas told her the truth. Spencer’s not the father of the baby; Nikolas is. Spencer says he just thought since they used to be… She says, the person she used to be sounds pretty messy; no wonder she didn’t know who the father was. She’s not that person anymore; she promises him. She loves his little brother, and would do anything for him. Laura says she’ll come and check in on Esme when she’s settled in at the hospital, and Esme thanks her. As she’s being wheeled out, Esme asks if Spencer can tell his father about the baby. She doesn’t know how to reach him. He says, that makes two of us, and Laura gives him a long look.

Ava tells the nurse that she needs to talk to Austin, but the nurse says, he needs his rest, closes the door, and draws the blind.

Tomorrow, Drew says someone has no one else to blame but themselves; Nina can’t believe someone would be okay with that; and Sonny wonders if Brook can help him.

Vanderpump Rules

I’m fully aware that this show is somewhat boring, but I live for glimpses of her VanderHighness, the menagerie, Puffy (!), and the glory that is Villa Rosa. Again I say, bring back Overserved.

Raquel took Graham to the emergency vet, and it turned out to be an infected puncture wound on his neck. I don’t know about Graham, but if one of my dogs doesn’t eat, there’s definitely something wrong. Lisa approached Raquel about dating Peter, and Raquel asked if Lisa was telling her that she couldn’t make out with Peter in front of customers anymore. She actually had Lisa going for a moment, and I was surprised Raquel has a sense of humor. Lisa said Raquel had lost a bit of direction since breaking off the engagement, and we flashed back to Raquel giving James the ring back at the Reunion. Raquel said she was hurt that James had found someone to replace her so easily, and admitted she still loved him. Ariana and Katie looked at a potential space for their sandwich shop, and in Ariana’s interview, she said, the main thing she learned from the Toms’ experience was, don’t jump in. Have everything laid out and prepared ahead of time. That, and don’t use your own money. She thanked the guys for being guinea pigs.

Scheana went to Schwartz’s new apartment for her podcast, and started with the getting old game of Marry-F***-Kill, using Lisa, Lala, and Raquel. Schwartz said he’d marry Raquel, bang Lisa (but of course), and would have killed Lala before last night. Since she sent him a sweet text about the Daily Mail party, now he was struggling. Scheana asked if he thought Schwartz & Sandy’s ultimately led to divorce, and although he thought it was too soon to address, he couldn’t blame the bar. She said, there were rumors that he’d made out with Raquel at Coachella, but it turned out he hadn’t even been there. She asked if he could make the rumor true, and he said, maybe after a couple of tequila shots. Ugh. This show is almost painful to watch.

James and Ally went for lunch at SUR, and Lisa asked about Graham. James said he hadn’t known Graham wasn’t well, and Lisa said she was keeping out of it. Then she warned Raquel, saying, she thought James knew. In James’s interview, he said he missed Graham more than Raquel, and I totally understand. The worst part of a break-up is breaking up with the ex’s family, friends, and pet. And sometimes, their apartment. James confronted Raquel, who said she hadn’t wanted to worry him. He asked how Graham got the neck wound, and she said when she’d boarded him, he escaped, digging a hole under a fence. No doubt the fence had poked him. James started crying because when does he not? Not that I blame him in this instance, but just pointing out it’s a pattern. Raquel said, Graham was fine, but James wanted to see for himself. Raquel said she’d think about it, and in his interview, James said, she didn’t have the decency to call or throw him a text, and it was f***ed up.

The Toms met with Schwartz & Sandy’s general manager Brett. Schwartz was worried about the opening, and Sandoval said, they’d have to move mountains. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, because of the optics, people thought the bar was open. Now there was pressure to live up to the hype. They still had to finalize the food and the cocktails, and back of the house staffing was hard to find. Proving his point, some people wandered in, wondering if they were open.

Katie, Raquel, and Lala went out for girls night, and in Lala’s interview, she said she and Katie were both on new paths. There was something sweet and inspiring about leaving everything you were used to behind, and not knowing what the future held, but knowing you’d be okay. They toasted to the single life and dodging bullets. In her interview, Lala said that Raquel had seemed vacant when she’d been with James, but she seemed to have come into her own. Pointing to her head, she said she was seeing things happening up here. Katie said Schwarz had done Scheana’s podcast, and Scheana was pushing him to date Raquel. Raquel confirmed that Scheana kept saying she and Schwartz should make out, but even though she liked Schwartz a lot, she’d never date him seriously. What was that Lala said about vapid? In Katie’s interview, she said, Scheana was one of her bridesmaids, and she had supported Scheana through her divorce. Scheana would have been living if Katie had hooked Shay up with one of her girlfriends. Lala said, this is where she was stepping in to defend her friend. She got all kinds of messy, but wouldn’t do that sh*t. She said, Katie’s feelings would be hurt, and told Katie not to pretend they woudn’t be. Katie said she wasn’t ready to see that or be there yet. Raquel tried to deflect, saying, she’d been loyal to James, but now she was hearing about him having been with other girls when they were together. Lala said, while they were on the subject, she’d hooked up with James when he and Raquel had been together. It was when their relationship was new, as well as hers with Randall. In Raquel’s interview, she said, Lala was judging her for hypothetically making out with Schwartz, yet she’d slept with James when he and Raquel were together. She was an effing hypocrite. Lala said, she and James had both been drinking then, and Raquel said she cared more about James falling in love with Ally a month after they broke up.

Sandoval’s band, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, had a show coming up, and we saw a bit of rehearsal. I thought it was more like Tom Sandoval and the Most Adequate. In James’s interview, he said he thought it was Sandoval’s way of spending money and having fun, but he should work on opening the bar. James talked about meeting Ally being the most magical night of his life, and a bunch of bullsh*t I didn’t listen to. Scheana suggested Raquel do a Hot Girl Walk (see below), which is a silly name for what are basically positive affirmations while walking. She told Raquel that she and Brock were pre-gaming at Schwartz’s before Sandoval’s show, and invited Raquel to join them. Raquel said Katie didn’t like that Scheana was pushing Schwartz on her, but Scheana said she’d been in Vegas with Katie when the rumors had been going around, and Katie said she’d embrace it. Raquel was like, no, Katie said it wouldn’t be okay, and in Scheana’s interview, she said her friendship with Katie was a roller coaster where they struggled to find the good in each other. She was over apologizing for things she wasn’t sorry for. When you’re divorced, you move on and deal with it. Raquel told Scheana about Lala hooking up with James, and Scheana looked all kinds of shocked.

Lala wanted to get together with Tai, who she’d met at the TomTom party. She thought he was good for dipping her toe back into the pond, but she hadn’t wanted to go alone. She asked Logan to find a dude for Katie, and they met with Tai and Mel, who said people called him Melrose. After they had lunch, Lala invited Katie to the bathroom with her, and said she felt the need to abort the mission. In Lala’s interview, she said she wasn’t connecting with Tai. He needed to date a 23 year old, not a 31 year old mother. To prove her point, even though she’d told them she was sober twice, they asked if the girls were going out drinking tonight. James met Raquel at a park to have a visit with Graham, and in his interview, James said, Graham remembered him (of course he did; he’s a dog), and we saw a puppy picture of Graham that made me squee. Raquel questioned James about hooking up with Lala, and he said they were both drunk – alcohol was to blame – and Lala wouldn’t let him leave the room, taking absolutely on accountability. He then questioned Raquel about Peter, but she said he was deflecting. He’d made her feel like she had nothing to worry about with Lala. James said it was a good thing they didn’t get married. Why Raquel still cares is beyond me.

Katie listened to Scheana’s podcast, where Scheana said she’d be Schwartz’s cheerleader, wingwoman, and best friend. Lala called Katie, and Katie said Scheana was an evil little troll, bringing Schwartz on her podcase when he was in a vulnerable state, and coercing him to say sh*t. Karma was going to come, and she’d watch while Scheana’s world burned and smile. Wow. Ariana told Sandoval, the pre-gaming sounded like a double-date, and in Schwartz’s interview, he said, Raquel was drop dead gorgeous, funny, and cool, but he and Katie weren’t hooking up with each other’s friends. Scheana told Schwartz that Katie had been getting laid, and in Schwarz’s interview, he said, it stung a little. Raquel thought Katie was overreacting, and Brock wondered when Schwartz was going to grow balls. Scheana asked why Schwartz couldn’t flirt, but Katie could f***.

Schwarz said, make outs are like pizza; even sh*tty ones are good. Um… no. Everyone got ready to see Sandoval’s band, and in Katie’s interview, she said she was ready to drag a ho. At the bar, she acknowledged everyone but Scheana, who insisted she’d just invited Raquel so she didn’t have to come alone. Katie said she heard about Scheana’s plan, and Scheana said, Katie seemed to think it was okay when they were in Vegas. Katie said she didn’t mean it, and Scheana asked how she was supposed to know that. While she has a point there, apparently, she has zero insight and empathy. Katie said it was disrespectful, none of Scheana’s business, and there was no room for Scheana in this. She called Scheana a little troll, and in Scheana’s interview, she said, Katie was mad at herself and Schwartz, and the problem had nothing to do with her. Get back under your bridge, bitch. Ugh. More awful people. Bravo is rife with them. Katie said she was done with Scheana.

In James’s interview, he said Scheana had Raquel on her podcast two weeks after they broke up to get her while it was fresh. She’d tried to get him on the podcast and talk about it, but that was a no. Ariana said Scheana got left holding the bag, while Schwartz was the nice guy, and in her interview, Ariana said it pissed her off how people were always mad at the other person, and not Schwartz. Katie told Schwartz that Scheana was a snake, and she was done with her. I swear, Schwartz was literally ducking as Katie talked, and I’m with Brock. I don’t think he should go out with Raquel, but he needs to grow a pair. Schwartz said Katie was quick to undermine his friendships, but she said he wasn’t losing anything with Scheana. James called Scheana pumpkin pie – sweet on the outside, but it goes bad quickly, and the whipped cream on it just hides the truth. Did he make that up? Ally didn’t seem to happy with any of it.

To be continued…

👠 Hot Walking…

Again, stupidest thing ever. Not that it’s a bad thing to pump yourself up, but it’s not that deep.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/hot-girl-walk-can-this-tiktok-trend-really-boost-your-mood-and-fitness

🍦 Bringing My Milkshake Back In the House…

Join me tomorrow for soap and some mismatched cups of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not hiding your light under a bushel basket, and stay making sure Ryan is dead. I still don’t trust it.

February 21, 2023 – Ava Confronts Ryan, Teresa Doesn’t Invite More People To the Wedding & Gifted

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer and Trina kiss. She tells him, don’t stop.

Curtis strides through an empty Savoy, and goes behind the bar. N’neka says, it’s his wedding night. Why isn’t he…? He says he’ll explain another time, and tells her to head home; he’ll close up. He sits down at a table with a fifth of whiskey, and starts drinking shots. N’neka slips out, and makes a call in the back hallway. She says she doesn’t know what’s happening, but they need to get down here, like, now.

Laura tells Alexis that Jordan’s on her way to Windymere, and Alexis asks, what’s at Windymere? (Johnny in Airplane: Well, there’s an island with a big house, and…) Laura says, off the record, a hostage situation, and Alexis asks if it has anything to do with the escapees from Spring Ridge. Doc wonders why she’s asking, and Alexis says, all the victims are linked to Trina Robinson and Esme Prince. That list was compiled to avenge Esme Prince. Laura says, they suspected something like that, but didn’t have any concrete proof, and Doc asks if Alexis knows why The Hook would avenge Esme. Alexis says she doesn’t know why, but she knows who. She knows who The Hook is. It’s Heather Webber.

Ava tells Felicia, it’s best if they leave the island, and send help back for Austin, and Heather says, now that she thinks about it, Ava might want to hang back. Ava asks why she’d want to do that, and Heather says, to finally end this unholy obsession between her and Ryan once and for all. Ava says, that obsession is one-sided, thank you very much. She’ll let the authorities deal with Ryan – again. Heather asks if Ava isn’t the least bit curious to hear what Ryan did to try and get her back, but Ava says, not particularly. Heather says, how he’s responsible for destroying Ava’s life in the process? When she does, she’s going to want to take care of Ryan herself. Felicia says, let’s go, but Ava says she’s listening. How exactly did a man in prison destroy her life? Heather says, isn’t it obvious? Ryan had help.

Ryan runs through the forest looking for Esme, and finds her on the ground, leaning up against a large rock. He tells her, daddy’s here. She can’t be on the ground. It can’t be good for her or the baby. She says, and he is? and he says, right now he’s the best chance for both of them, so let him help. She says her water broke; the baby’s coming. He says, they have to get her back to the house, but he can’t carry her; she’ll have to lean on him. She cries, and tells him to get away from her. The baby’s coming.

Curtis continues to drink, and flashes back to Trina saying, they’re making progress. Marshall says, put that glass down, son.

Spencer asks if Trina knows how long he’s wanted this, and she says she wanted it too, even though everyone told her to stay away. He says, when everything exploded, and she said they couldn’t be friends anymore, he tried to stay away. He stops kissing her, and says he won’t. She means too much to him. She asks, why not?

Laura asks how Heather can be The Hook killer when she was locked up, and Alexis says, she just broke out. What makes Laura think she hasn’t broken out on a regular basis? Laura admits Heather has broken out of other facilities before, and Alexis reminds them about the letter the killer wrote. Doc says he remembers it saying she was avenging someone she cares about, and Alexis says, it was written on an old school typewriter with a very specific keystroke. She called D’Archam, and guess who had access to the exact same machine? Laura says, that explains why they all broke out together, and Doc says, it was a family affair. Alexis says, they clearly know something she doesn’t, so what is she missing?

Ryan puts his coat over Esme, and says, they broke out of prison. It’s the stress that sent her into labor. The good news is, the contractions are just beginning. There’s plenty of time before the baby comes. She asks why she should believe him, and he says, because he’s a doctor, and he’s also her dad. Which is why he couldn’t let her stay in jail. They’re a team, and a damn good one. Just ask Nikolas. She groans in pain, and he tells her, no need to panic. Everything is proceeding normally. She shakes his hand off, and says, this isn’t normal. She tries to get up, but he tells her, right now, he’s the only person who can help her and that precious cargo she’s carrying. Trust him. Daddy knows best.

Felicia thinks they don’t want to stand around while Heather plays mind games with Ava, and Austin struggles to get up. Ava helps him, and Heather says she’s glad he’s awake. Sorry about the hook, but he shouldn’t have used his phone. Ava asks her what she means that Ryan had help, and Heather says, she and Ryan were in Spring Ridge together, and he confided in her. Felicia says, Heather knew he was faking, and didn’t say anything, and Heather says, if only Ava knew how badly he played her. How he insinuated himself into her family, her marriage. She has to admit it was brilliant, but it was sick. Ava gets up, and says, what did Ryan do, and who did he do it with?

Curtis says, Marshall just happened to be in the neighborhood, and Marshall says, don’t blame N’neka. She’s just looking out for her boss, especially when that boss is supposed to be on his honeymoon. Curtis says, Marshall may as well sit down and have a drink with him, and Marshall says he’s not having a drink, but he’d like Curtis to put the cap back on that bottle, so they can deal with whatever happened at the reception. Curtis says he’s sorry Marshall came all the way down here, but the very last thing he wants to do is talk about it. Marshall says, he told Drew that he was done being a no-show when his family needs him. So tough luck – he pulls up a chair – he’s not leaving until they talk this out.

Alexis says, so Ryan is Esme’s father, and Doc says, according to Dante and Sam, who spoke to Esme’s old nanny. Alexis says, so if Ryan is Esme’s father… Doc says, her mother could see herself as an avenging angel, believing she’s protecting her daughter, even if she has to kill for her. Alexis says, Heather Webber is Esme’s mother and Ryan is her father? What a coincidence they all escaped Spring Ridge together. Laura says, now they’re all on the island together. They all look out over the water.

Ryan says, they have to get Esme back to the house, where it’s warm and dry, and she can give birth to his grandchild safely. Esme says she’s not going anywhere with him, but he says, that’s just the pain talking. He wishes she could remember how close they were before she lost her memory. She practically worshipped the ground he walked on. She went to great lengths to get an internship at Spring Ridge. They used to spend hours, planning and dreaming for when he’d be free, and all of them would be together; her, him, and Ava. She says, he’s crazy and delusional. She saw for herself that Ava despises him. He asks when she’s going to learn hate is just the other side of love.

Heather says, it’s not her story to tell; Ryan started it, but Ava has a chance to end it. She hands Ava the gun, and Felicia says, shoot her, but Heather says, shooting her won’t solve Ava’s problem. But Ryan? That’s a totally different story. Felicia says, no one understands being tormented by Ryan better than she does, but don’t make a bad situation worse. Forget Ryan; forget Heather. Let’s just get the hell out of here, and call 9-1-1 for Austin. Ava says, Heather may be psychotic, but she’s right about one thing. Ryan Chamberlain started this, and she’s going to finish it. She stalks out.

Curtis asks how much Marshall knows, and he says, not much, but he’s guessing whatever kept Stella from the wedding wasn’t contagious. Curtis says, that is correct. Portia has been lying to Trina, she’s been lying to Taggert, and she’s been lying to him. She’s been lying since Trina was born, and when he asked her, she lied to his face. She’s been lying since they said I do. Marshall says, the lie being? and Curtis says, Trina may be his daughter.

Spencer asks if Trina is sure this is what she wants, and she says, it is; doesn’t he? He says, of course (🍷) he does, but not like this, and she says, if it’s because it would be her first time… but he says, she just means too much to him to make this anything other than perfect. Just not in an empty art gallery. And she’s hurting right now, and might think if they sleep together the pain will subside, and maybe it would, but it would come back. Then he’d just be the guy who took advantage of her, and for once, he needs her to see him; he needs her to see the good in him, not the bad. She laughs, and says, she’s just not sure she likes him when he’s trying to be noble. He says he’s not sure he does either, but that’s the path he’s choosing. So let him take her home. She says she can’t go back there, and he says, that’s fine, but where should he take her?

Alexis asks if Doc thinks Esme was faking her memory loss this whole time, but he says he doesn’t think so. She may have no idea Heather and Ryan are her parents. Laura says, they got to know Esme when she and Spencer moved in with them. She didn’t like Esme’s sense of entitlement, and she had the elitism of a young woman who studied at a boarding school in France, but she thinks underneath that, was a very wounded little girl. Doc says, it would be just like his brother to use her for his own purposes. Now that Esme’s lost her memory, there’s no telling what he might have told her. She could be an innocent accessory in all this. She is nine months pregnant, after all. Alexis says, unwilling she can buy, but Esme Prince innocent? That’s hard to swallow.

Mac walks into Windymere, and Heather says, it’s good to see him again. She’s glad he’s okay. He hugs Felicia, saying, he’s glad she’s okay, and she says, the same to him. Jordan and Detective Bennett come in, and Felicia says, Ryan is somewhere on the island. Esme ran out, and he went after Esme, and Ava went after him. Mac says, Ava’s asking to be taken hostage, but Felicia says, Ava is armed; Heather gave her a gun. Mac says, what the hell? and an officer calls him over, showing him the hook. Mac tells him, take photos and bag it. Bennett tells Heather that she’s being arrested, and reads her rights. She says she’s heard all this before, but he delivers the Miranda with great panache. He asks if she understands her rights. They wouldn’t want anything she said to be thrown out on a technicality.

Jordan asks Austin what happened to him, and he says she got stabbed… with a hook, so hooked would be more accurate. She asks, who did this? and he says, the nice lady in the handcuffs over there. Heather smiles.

Mac calls for paramedics, and says, there’s been another Hook attack. The victim appears stable, but will need immediate transport. Heather says, if it’s any help, there’s no rush. The hook she used on the good doctor didn’t have any venom in it. Jordan tells Bennett to have the men search the island. Ryan is to be considered very dangerous, and Esme Prince, while technically a fugitive, is nine months pregnant. He says, there’s also a civilian in the mix. Miss Jerome is armed, and she’s been severely traumatized. They don’t want her firing on one of their own. He hands Heather to an officer, and leaves. Mac asks, what happened? and Felicia says, after Heather stabbed Austin, Esme freaked out and ran off, and Ryan ran after her. She wonders what Ryan would want with Esme, and Heather says, didn’t she mention? He’s her daddy.

Ryan tells Esme, be practical. It’s night; it’s February. She can’t give birth out here. She screams for someone to help her, but he says he’s the only help she needs. He’s right here. Ava shows up, and says, get away from her. Now. Or she’ll blow his head off.

Curtis tells Marshall that Stella found out, and that’s why she stayed away from the wedding. She knew. Jordan knew. In fact, the only people who didn’t know this little secret were the people most affected by it. Trina, Taggert… Marshall says, and you, and Curtis says, and me. And if Trina wouldn’t have went and found Stella, he never would have known. That young lady knew something was off. Aunt Stella was just being Aunt Stella. Marshall says he doesn’t believe for a minute that Aunt Stella would deliberately break Curtis’s heart or betray a confidence. Curtis says, nope, but she did hint that there was a problem and it wasn’t her story to tell. And Trina should hear that story from her mama. Marshall asks if that’s why Trina and Portia disappeared from the reception, and Curtis says, damn! How do you keep a secret that’s that important for twenty years? Marshall says he did it too. He did it for forty years. You put the secret in a box, you shove it to the back of the closet, and you forget about it; or at least you try to. Curtis asks if that’s what Marshall did with them. Out of sight out of mind? Marshall says, no, of course (🍷) not. It’s always there. Always. Then sooner or later, that closet door opens, and it all spills out.

Trina says, what about where Spencer’s staying? but he says, no; don’t tempt him. What about her dorm room? but she says, that’s the first place her mom will come looking for her. Besides, Joss is going through her own stuff. He says, what if he gets her a room at the MetroCourt? but she says, her mom and Curtis could still be in their room. He says, they’re kind of running out of options, and she says she just needs a place where she can slam doors, and scream at the top of her lungs without neighbors calling the cops, and then be alone with her thoughts. He says, of course (🍷). He can’t believe he didn’t think of it before. He takes her hand, says he knows just the place where she’ll be safe, and pulls her out the door.

Laura tells Alexis, Jordan and Mac have secured the house, and they have Heather in custody. Alexis says, anyone hurt? and Laura says, there was one final Hook stabbing; Austin Gatlin-Holt. Doc asks, how bad? and Laura says, according to Mac, there was no poison on the hook, so the injuries are not life-threatening. He says, what about Ryan? and she says, still a fugitive. Alexis asks, what about Esme? and Laura promises to get back to her with an update, but right now, she has to get to Spoon Island. Doc says, you mean, we are, and they go to the launch. Alexis makes a call, and says, they have breaking news, and there’s a lot of it. Put on the recorder. The Hook killer has been apprehended. The killer, who after months and months of terrorizing Port Charles, is in police custody. And that’s just the beginning of the story.

Heather says, Ryan Chamberlain is Esme Prince’s biological father, and Felicia asks how she knows. Heather says she must have one of those faces. People trust her with their deepest secrets. Mac asks the paramedics if they can take Felicia to the mainland, but Felicia says she’s going to stay with him. He says he needs to know she’s safe. Ryan is still on the loose. She’s been his obsession for so many years. She says, what if he comes after you? and Mac says, it will save him hunting Ryan down. Tonight, he either goes to Pentenville or maybe hell for that matter. Austin asks if Felicia could come with him. He could use the company. Felicia nods, and hugs Mac, saying, she doesn’t want to make him worry more than he has to. On their way out the door, Austin tells Jordan, please find Ava, and she says, they’ll find her before Ryan does. Heather says, it’s Ryan who should be worried.

Ryan asks how Ava got the gun away from Heather, and she says she has her ways. He says, the first thing she did was look for him. She missed him that much. She says, he’s irresistible, and Esme says, please help her. Her water broke. Ava says, she’s in labor, and Ryan says, they have to get her back to the house where she can have his grandchild safely. Ava says, Esme is his daughter? and he says, yes. This has all worked out even better than he planned. She says, it was him all along, and he says, of course (🍷) it was. How does she think Esme met Spencer? He got her into that snooty French school, where Spencer was walking around with a nice big target on his back. How does she think Esme learned to manipulate Spencer… and his father? He taught her everything she knows. He created her. And this is his crowning moment. Doesn’t she see? Esme has brought them all together. He walks over to Ava, and she says, one more step, and she’ll kill him.

Curtis says, forty years ago, Marshall made a decision, however misguided, to protect the people he loves. That same love inspired him to reunite with his family. What Portia did was only to protect herself. Marshall says he’s not going to let Curtis make him out to be a hero, and Portia to be a villain. He was scared of what he might become without the medication, and truly believes Portia was scared too. What if the truth cost her Trina’s love and respect? What if Curtis refuses to understand? Isn’t the way Curtis walked out on his wedding night proof that Portia had a right to be afraid? Curtis says he can’t excuse this. Some things are really unforgiveable. Curtis drinks another shot.

On the pier, Felicia says she knows Alexis is just trying to get the whole story, but Austin has to get to General Hospital. If she wants to meet them there, do it, but not until after the doctors treat him. Alexis says she understands, and asks if anything is happening at Windymere. Felicia tells her, all she can say is Mac and Jordan have everything under control, and Alexis says, in other words, Ryan Chamberlain is still on the loose. The paramedics start moving the stretcher, and Felicia says she’s sorry, she’s riding with Austin, and they leave.

Alexis sees Spencer and Trina, and tells the officer that they’re with her. Spencer tells her that he was taking Trina over to Windymere, so she could spend the night with Ava. What the hell is happening? Trina asks, what’s with all the police? and Alexis says she assumes they heard about the breakout at Spring Ridge. Spencer says, three prisoners escaped, including Esme. Is Alexis saying Esme is on Spoon Island right now? Alexis says, sadly, she is, and she’s not alone.

On the radio, Mac says, keep him updated. And remember, Ryan Chamberlain is considered very dangerous. He is searching for Esme Prince, who is nine months pregnant. A civilian, Ava Jerome, is unaccounted for. She’s armed. So identify yourself as police, and proceed with extreme caution. Laura says, if Jordan needs any resources, she’ll get them, and Doc says if they need any intel into his brother’s mind or whatever, just ask. Jordan thanks them, and says, this is a very messy situation. She hopes they can end it quickly with as little bloodshed as possible. Doc says he’d think Heather would be keen to help, and Laura asks how he figures that. He says he doesn’t think Heather would want to see any harm come to her daughter or grandchild, and Laura says, Esme is Heather’s daughter, isn’t she? Hers and Ryan’s. Heather says, how could you miss it? She’s got my smile.

Ryan says, once Ava calms down and gets a little perspective, she’ll see that every step he took was worth it. She says, worth it for who? How? He says, so they could be together. Be the family they were always meant to be. Behind him, Esme struggles to get up, and Ava says, he sent his own daughter to seduce Spencer; to convince him to stalk and torture her, and drive her away from Nikolas. Esme limps away into the woods, and Ava says, all the while, making him feel like it was his idea. He says, she convinced herself that she was in love with Nikolas. It required strong measures. She says, so after he got Spencer to destroy her marriage, he sent Esme to seduce her husband, and he says, husbands come and go. The two of them are forever. She says, of course (🍷) he took Kiki. He took her daughter, and then he took Nikolas, and he’ll keep taking until somebody stops him. He says he knows things are complicated, but they have plenty of time to work that out. Right now, Esme’s water broke, and they need to get… He sees Esme is gone, and calls out to her. He runs to the rock, and picks up his coat. Ava asks if he lost something. He says, yes, his daughter, and she asks him to tell her how it feels. How does it feel to lose the one thing you truly love?

Ryan says he’s going to find Esme, and starts walking, but Ava shoots him in his handless arm, and he drops to the ground. He gets to his knees, and says, she shot him. She asks if it hurts. Is he in pain? She can tell him something about real pain, the kind of pain that comes from losing a child, her daughter, her first born. Now his daughter’s gone; she ran from him. Ave starts to cry, and says, she needed Kiki. She needed Nikolas. And they’re both gone because of him. He gets to his feet, clutching his arm, and says, maybe killing Kiki was a mistake, but he didn’t hurt a hair on Nikolas’s stupid thick head. She says she did that. Because of him and Esme. They destroyed her marriage; they poisoned it. There was nothing else she could do. He says, then it was all worth it. She killed him. Now they can be together. There’s nothing that stands between them.

Curtis pushes the bottle away, and Marshall says he knows Curtis is hurting. He has every right, but Marshall hurt him too, and Curtis found it in his heart to forgive him. And because Curtis did, he found the family he’d thought he’d lost forever. In the eyes of God and the State of New York, Curtis has a wife, and he also might have a daughter. Don’t shut himself off from the woman he loves because she committed the unpardonable sin of being human. He puts his hand on Curtis’s shoulder, and tells him, go on and let it hurt, but then he has to let it heal. He’s going to figure this out, and Marshall will be right here for him. He loves Curtis, and he’ll always support him. Tears in his eyes, Curtis thanks Marshall, and they hug.

Trina asks if Spencer is okay. She knows he’s thinking about Esme’s baby. He says he’ll feel a lot better once he knows his little brother or sister isn’t in danger. When Alexis said Esme wasn’t alone, she meant Esme is on the island with crazy Heather Webber and psychopath Ryan Chamberlain, right? Is she a hostage? Alexis says, actually, she’s there with her biological parents.

Laura says, still nothing? but Jordan assures her that they’re doing everything they can, and Mac says, they have the island surrounded. Ryan won’t get away. Doc says, if Esme is Ryan’s daughter, he sees her as a possession; something that belongs to him. It’s like an extension of himself, and they know he’s obsessed with Ava. He’ll do anything to hold her. Laura says she can’t just sit here while Ryan does his worst. They’ve got to do something. Esme stumbles through the door, and collapses in Laura’s arms, sobbing.

Ryan says, with Nikolas out of the way, he and Ava are bound together forever. His life is in her hands, and hers in his. She tells him that he’s crazy, and he says he knows the wounds have to heal – the physical and emotional – but he promises they’ll find Esme, and they’ll take her and  the baby, and vanish to someplace no one will ever find them. And he promises her, she’ll thank him. She says, he’s right about one thing. His life is in her hands. He says, til death do us part, and she repeats, til death do us part, taking steady aim. He reaches out, and she slowly… pulls… the trigger.

Tomorrow, Scotty tells Elizabeth that they have unfinished business; Taggert tells Portia that he is Trina’s dad; Esme has her baby; and Ryan says, Ava isn’t done with him yet.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Carrying over the somewhat civilized argument Teresa and Melissa were having at the mozzarella party last week, Teresa asked Melissa if she wanted to be a bridesmaid, but Melissa said, not at this point. It would be like going back to an ex-boyfriend.

There was more rehash about the Dolores dynamic having changed for Frank, since Paulie’s got her now. Melissa met with Marge and Jackie for lunch, and said Danielle had complained about Jackie looking her up and down at the mozzarella party. Jackie admitted she had, and said, Danielle looked like a trainwreck, and she couldn’t look away. Her shorts looked like she’d just taken them out of the hamper. She added that Danielle could have been an adult about it, and come to her if she had a gripe, rather than telling Melissa. Pot apparently doesn’t recognize kettle, as it’s not too adult to 1) look someone up and down, and 2) comment to someone else about said trainwreck’s appearance – at their own party, no less. Melissa asked if she wanted to talk to Danielle, but she said, Danielle’s wardrobe was punishment enough. Marge said Jennifer was in a downward spiral, and she was like a festering wound that doesn’t heal. Geez. This bunch is slowly encroaching on Most Awful People territory. However, no one will ever top Jax Taylor for top spot.

It was Rachel’s daughter’s 2nd birthday, and there was a photo session. In Rachel’s interview, she said, everyone thinks they have the cutest kid, but she actually does have the cutest kid. She asked husband John if he wanted another baby, but he wanted to wait a year. In her interview, she said, after they got married, she’d gotten pregnant right away, and had a miscarriage, and never got pregnant again. I guess she did eventually, since they have several kids. She said, it was emotionally and physically draining, and wouldn’t wish it on anybody. It was the most challenging thing in her life. They have five embryos in the freezer, and the time is now. She’s the one who will have to do all the work.

For Teresa, it was all wedding, wedding, wedding, but it wasn’t long before she talked smack about Melissa, bringing Gia and Gabriella (who claims to want nothing to do with the drama, but that’s doubtful) into the conversation. On her podcast, Melissa had claimed she’d been there for the girls when Teresa was in prison, but Gia said, the only time they saw Melissa and Joe #2 was when the cameras were rolling. Louie said Melissa didn’t put one left foot in front of the other, and I wondered if Teresa’s mangling of the English language was catching. Or was Louie born with it and the stars aligned? Louie got all involved in the discussion because he wants more camera time.

In Danielle’s interview, she talked about her kids clothing line, Bougie Kidz, and said, Melissa was living the dream. She met Melissa for I’m not sure what, but it seemed like Melissa was teaching her how to be a stylist. Then, since no one can keep anything to themselves for more than five seconds, Melissa told Danielle about what Jackie had said. In her interview, Danielle said Jackie was a judgy bitch. Danielle said she was concerned about the Teresa/Joe #2 situation because she and her brother had been close, and hadn’t spoken in two years When covid hit, Danielle began filming herself for Instagram, and reviewing products. Her brother constantly made fun of her, so she blocked him, saying, he didn’t have to look. He then cut her out of his wedding, and in her interview, she said she’d thought it was a joke. Obviously not. Melissa felt like she was missing part of the story, and Danielle said some things had happened prior to the wedding. She’d tried not to put in her two cents about the wedding preparations, but she didn’t have a sister, and it was so exciting. She wanted to do things for her future SIL, and was told it wasn’t all about her. She sent a text to her brother, saying, see who she’s dealing with? and he kicked all of them out of the wedding. She thinks it’s the wife behind it, but Melissa said, Danielle’s brother was the one making fun of her. Playing devil’s advocate, she’s tried getting Joe #2 and Teresa together, but unless Joe wants to, she can’t force him. In Melissa’s interview, she said, it’s not always the sister-in-law’s fault. Joe is a grown man, and she can only try so many times.

At Jennifer’s house, there was discussion about teaching the kids more chores, and paying them to do them. In Jennifer’s interview, she said, she and Bill had different approaches to parenting. She told Bill that Marge had said she was sometimes disingenuous, and not self-reflective. She insisted she was the most self-reflective person ever, and Bill rolled his eyes. She asked if he didn’t think so, and he started giving a flowery speech about how people have different personalities. In her interview, Jennifer said she didn’t want to hear it. STFU. Bill said she had to acknowledge her part in things, and in her interview, she said she didn’t need him to validate the other person’s point-of-view. We flashed back to the times Bill was less than supportive.

Danielle said daughter Valentina had been robbed of her school art show because of covid, so she invited her parents over, and there was a private showing. In Danielle’s interview, she said her parents had separated when she was eight, and couldn’t tolerate being in the same room, but they came together when her son Dominic was born. Dominic introduced Valentina, who came out in a rainbow tutu. I’m not sure how old she is, maybe five? As her pieces were brought out, she told her audience what artist inspired them. I took college art courses in high school, and this kid knows more than I do. In her interview, Danielle said, it would kill her if her kids were separated like she and her brother. If her son marries a megabitch, she’ll poison her. Her mother also didn’t talk to her brother, and Danielle mentioned that it was the first time her brother wasn’t there for something with the kids. Her dad started crying, and in her interview, she said, all her dad wants it for the family to be together. This destroyed her whole family. We saw a clip from a home movie when they were kids, and Danielle’s father said, this too shall pass.

Melissa and Joe #2 went to what they call their shore house, but I beg to differ since it’s in Tom’s River. Melissa’s mother and sister came over, and Joe asked if they’d been invited to Teresa’s wedding. They said, no, and in Joe’s interview, he said Juicy Joe’s family had been at his wedding. Melissa’s family had been in their lives for 20 years. Teresa was making a statement that they mean nothing to her. Melissa’s family sat with their parents for 18 years – we see clips of that – and his dad’s last words were, love each other. After New York, he’d called Louie, and said he wanted things to be better. Teresa just had to admit she was wrong. Louie said, she was never going to do that. Louie has done nothing to help the situation, and only made it worse. Joe said, they were going to be having guys night soon, and Melissa’s sister said she could see his Gorga-ness coming out.

The guys met at a bar, and Frank started busting Joe #2’s balls immediately, saying the tables were too high for him. New (Danielle’s) husband Nate was joining the fold, and Frank said, Paulie had to work, then whined about the Dolores dynamic changing. He missed his relationship with Dolores. Joe said, they’d taken Louie in with open arms, and Melissa had treated him like royalty, yet Melissa’s family wasn’t invited to the wedding. Louie walked in just as Joe was saying, he’s garbage.

There was a toast to Louie – for what reason, I don’t know – and Joe #2 asked Louie, how many wedding guests? Louie said, 200, and Joe said he’d met Melissa’s family. Were they were good people? Louie said, they were great people, and Joe asked why they weren’t invited to the wedding. Everyone on his side was f***ed up. Frank asked if there was a reason, and Louie said, past bullsh*t. Joe said, Melissa’s family should be respected because they were close to his and Teresa’s parents. It was like a f*** you. There was some discussion about the hierarchy in Italian families, and Louie said, Joe’s wife was on social media saying Teresa’s kids wouldn’t have eaten if it wasn’t for them. Joe claimed that’s not what she said, and Louie said he was there. Joe said, Louie didn’t know sh*t, and should be embarrassed. Louie said, Joe was on the podcast talking about his sister, and Joe told him, f*** you, saying he wasn’t a man; he was a p*ssy. Louie said, Joe’s talk didn’t affect him, and to stop the theatrics. Joe said he was tired of the bullsh*t, and Louie always backpedals. Louie said, Teresa was his fiancé, and she was 50 years old. What did Joe think he could do? Joe suggested he tell Teresa that she’s out of line, and Louie said he did, but she stood her ground. Joe said he was hurt, and didn’t want to be hurt anymore, and Louie said, Teresa didn’t deserve to be hurt either. She and Joe should talk, and Joe should be vulnerable. What he’s feeling is justified, but they should hear what each other feels. In Joe’s interview, he says, Teresa will just bring up that he didn’t defend Louie. She doesn’t move forward. Louie said that Teresa loved Joe so much, but in his interview, Joe said in his heart, he knows how she feels, and he doesn’t want to waste his time. He told Louie that he’d think about it.

Next time, Bill’s feelings are hurt; Frank Jr. asks Dolores, what’s up with Paulie and his dad; Teresa calls Joe wanting to make peace, but he says he doesn’t know; and Jennifer says she can do what she f***ing wants.

🌊 Slouching Towards the Jersey Shore…

Have your late-night snack here tomorrow, along with some soap and VanderDoings. Until then, stay safe, stay going the extra mile in all you do, and stay not cutting yourself off from loved ones because they committed the unpardonable sin of being human.

February 20, 2023 – Heather Makes a Surprise Decision, Bratty Beauty Queen On Deck, The Worst People Ever (Besides Jax) Celebrate the 4th & Something

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia tells Curtis, the longer she stayed quiet, the worse the consequences if she spoke up. She lived with constant anxiety and guilt because she didn’t want to risk the life they were building together over something that might not even be true. Curtis wonders what kind of life they could have had with that lie between them, and she says, they love each other. Isn’t their love unconditional? He says, honesty isn’t a condition; it’s a fundamental.She saw how important honesty and transparency was to him, and he thought she felt the same way. She swears she does, but he says, what’s been happening for the past twenty years suggests otherwise. Clearly, he doesn’t know the woman he just pledged his life. to.

Spencer and Trina go to the gallery, and Spencer asks why they’re here. She says, it’s a place she likes; a place she’s been mostly happy. She says he can go if he wants, but he says he’s not going anywhere, especially now that he knows Esme’s escaped from Spring Ridge.

Ryan says, there’s not enough room on the boat for all of them, so either Ava or Felicia is coming with him, and the other is never leaving this room. Now who’s ready to say goodbye? Felicia says, Ryan should be saying goodbye. By now, Mac has figured out where they are. Ryan doubts Mac has the wherewithal to figure it out, and Ava says, and Ryan’s never underestimated anybody before? Does he still feel it where she stuck the knife in his back? He says, a sign of her passion for him, and Felicia says, he’s trapped himself. He’s on this island, and Mac is going to stop him. Ava says, unless of course (🍷) someone else stops him first, and he asks if someone else is on the island. She says, someone, someones That’s for her to know, and him to worry about.

At the hospital on the phone, Laura asks someone to meet her at Pier 55 as soon as possible, and Jordan asks how Mac’s head is, since he’s now up, dressed, and walking around like nothing happened. He says he’ll be fine. He’s more worried about Felicia. Ryan must have turned off her phone. He can’t access the app they use for tracking it. Laura says she can’t reach Ava either, and Jordan says she sent Detective Bennett to the pier, and he reported the launch is on the island, so it stands to reason, Ava is home. Laura says she bets Ava has company, and Jordan says, they also found Mac’s car at Pier 55. Mac says, Laura was right. Heather, Ryan, and Esme must have headed to the pier after they ambushed him. Laura says, it makes sense considering Ava is Ryan’s current obsession, but at least they know where Felicia is. They’ll go to the island and bring her back. Mac just hopes they’re not too late.

Austin starts to make a call, presumably to the police, when the hook comes down, stabbing him in the abdomen. Heather says, sorry, doc, and Esme screams.

Gregory goes to Alexis’s office, and she asks for the good news. He sees what looks like champagne in an ice bucket, and asks what it is. She tells him, sparkling cider. They’re going to celebrate him joining The Invader’s editorial board. He tells her, before she opens that, she should hear what he has to say.

At the pier, Mac says, Ryan has Felicia and Ava. They can only assume Heather is with them, which makes the situation even more dangerous. They need to get those hostages. Jordan says, they will, and Laura says, but he heard what Ryan said. If they go in there guns blazing, they’re putting Felicia’s life at risk. He says, it’s already at risk, and Jordan says, as is Ava’s, and presumably Esme’s if she’s a hostage. Acting in haste without a concrete plan will only put the hostages in more danger. Laura says, she’s right, and if it were anyone other than Mac’s wife over there, he’d be saying the same thing. Let’s come up with a plan of action. Jordan says, they have eyes on the island in the air and the water. Windymere is surrounded… Detective Bennett joins them, and tells Jordan that the last hit on the cell phone was on Spoon Island. He tells Laura that her husband is waiting outside the cord, and Laura asks him to let Doc in. Mac says he knows Laura is worried too; Esme is carrying her grandchild. Laura says, they’re not the only ones with family on the island, when Doc joins them, and asks, what’s happening?

Curtis tells Portia, she said she trusted him, and she says, more than anyone. He says, she just didn’t trust him with the possibility they might have a daughter, but she says, it wasn’t about trust; it was about Trina. In her eyes and heart, Taggert was her father. He says, what about the past two years, when it became increasingly clear that he was going to be a part of Trina’s life. Didn’t she think they both should know? She says, obviously, she was afraid she was going to lose him if she told him the truth, but choosing between telling him that Trina might be his and hurting her baby girl, wasn’t a choice to make. But now she knows, and she’s out there, and her heart is breaking. Portia starts to cry.

Spencer says he doesn’t know if Esme’s memory came back or she never lost it in the first place, and Trina says, if she was faking all this time, she’s not only free, she’s dangerous. He says, that’s why he had to make sure Trina was safe, and she says, Esme just escaped from prison. If Esme was trying to come for her, it would be a good way to get caught. He says, fair point, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t take every precaution, and she says she knows he’s worried about Esme’s baby, his little brother or sister.

Austin tumbles into the living room, followed by Esme, still screaming her head off, and Heather carrying the hook. Ryan says he told Heather to be on watch, and Esme faints. Ryan tells Ava and Felicia to stay where they are, and gives Heather the gun, saying, cover them. He checks Esme out, and says, she just fainted; she’ll be fine. Heather wonders, is it the baby? Blood pressure? Ryan says he imagines it was witnessing Heather’s dexterity with a hook, and Felicia says, Heather’s the lunatic who’s been killing people with a hook? Heather says, guilty as charged, your highness, and Felicia asks, why? Heather asks why Felicia’s husband is a cop, and Felicia says, to protect and serve. Heather says, same here, and Ryan says, it’s time to go. Ava says she has to help Austin, but Ryan says, don’t make him shoot her. She says, it’s up to him, and tends to Austin, who mumbles, what happened? Ryan says, he’s alive. Get away from him. Ava says she has to stop the bleeding, and Heather says she’s a regular Florence Nightingale. Ryan says, they’ve had enough fun here. As soon as he bids goodbye to Mrs. Scorpio, they’ll board the launch. Heather says, just in time for the Harbor Patrol to board them. By now, the cops know they broke out of Spring Ridge, and know they have Esme with them. They know Ava is his girlfriend, so it’s just a matter of time before they realize that they’re here.

Doc tells Laura that he wishes he could say he’s surprised Ryan was faking, and she asks if he thinks Ryan ever had Locked-in Syndrome. He says he thinks it was real in the beginning, but clearly, Ryan’s made a full recovery. Since he has an obsession with Ava, it makes sense he’d go straight to Windymere, but how did he get Felicia? She says, they think Felicia went to visit Ava, and was just there when he arrived, and he says, wrong place, wrong time. He wonders how Esme and Heather figure in. Heather is an escape artist, and it would make sense that Ryan would try to recruit her, but why would she agree? Laura says, Heather’s connection is still a mystery. Dante and Sam did some digging, and uncovered some new information, and it explains why Ryan wants to keep Esme near him. Esme is Ryan’s daughter.

Jordan says, Harbor Patrol just arrived for back-up, and Mac suggests they attack by water and air, but Jordan says, Ryan will see them coming. He says, if they negotiate, it gives Ryan time to plan an escape, but she says, it keeps the hostages safe… at least safer. He says, a full assault could be the only way to get the others back. Who knows what Ryan and Heather will do if they manage to buy themselves more time. She says, then they need another option, and he says, but what if there is none? Where does that leave them?

Gregory says, the university won’t allow him to accept the position, and Alexis asks, why not? He says, PCU views it as a potential conflict of interest, and she says, for a journalism professor to actually work in the field of journalism? Only something that stupid would happen in academia. Her desk phone rings, and she says, they’re not done with this. It’s Smoltz (remember him?), and she says she already knows two people escaped from Spring Ridge. When he gets the names, they’ll discuss it. She hangs up, and Gregory says, a scoop? She says, according to Smoltz, and he says, Smoltz has been reliable before. She says, a reliable scandal monger, and that’s when he gets the facts straight. Her cellphone dings, and she says, yes, he did actually. She underestimated her little friend. Apparently, he’s going to get his first byline on the front page.

Spencer says, when he saw Esme, she seemed to care about the child, but maybe that was a con too. Trina says she hopes it wasn’t, and he says, there’s nothing he can do about that situation right now, but he can be here for Trina, like she’s been there for him. So please tell him, what went down tonight? She says she doesn’t know where to start. She just found out her mother lied to her for her entire life. He says, about what? and they sit down. She says, her dad might not be her biological father.

Curtis says, if Portia wants to go after Trina, he understands, but she says, right now, she’s the last person Trina wants to see. He says he cares what happens to Trina too, and she says, he always has. It’s one of the reasons she fell in love with him again. He says, that’s what he’s talking about. Portia watched all the challenges he and Trina faced, and all the obstacles they had to overcome. And the many times Trina and Taggert reminded him that he wasn’t her real father, when all the while, Portia knew he might be. She says she wasn’t sure, and he says, because she didn’t want to be. Tell him, what was she thinking during all those long conversations they had, talking about having children, knowing he wanted the very thing she’d been denying him? Look him dead in the eyes, and tell him how she could do that to him.

Trina says she had to get out of that room, and Spencer says, her mother must be going through hell. She says, who cares what her mother’s going through? She deserves it.

Portia tells Curtis that she was thinking about Taggert and Trina, and how they’ve been each other’s world Trina’s whole life. She thought of the damage it could possibly cause to their relationship. Whether he wants to believe it or not, she thought of him too. Over and over, she pictured telling him, and how the news would hit him. She knew he’d be counting up the years he’d missed. Every birthday, every holiday, every milestone. And how miserable they’d all be if she even raised the possibility. He says, that’s not even the same argument she used when his father came back into his life. She urged him to move on from the past, and look to a future he and his father could share. Because he listened to her, he has a relationship with a man he thought was dead and gone. He has the privilege of getting to know his father. She says, he’s right. She thinks the situations are a little different, but if Trina turns out to be Curtis’s, she wishes the same for the two of them. He says, but that was never her intention. Be real with him. Was she ever going to find out, or was her plan to die with her lie?

Alexis tells Gregory, there were three people who escaped from Spring Ridge; Esme Prince, Heather Webber… and Ryan Chamberlain. He says he thought Ryan had Locked-in Syndrome, and she says, so did everyone else, including the guard he killed. He says, Esme Prince hasn’t even been convicted of anything; she’s in custody, awaiting trial. Did she stumble upon the escape, and decide to make a break for it herself, opportunistically? Alexis says, she probably orchestrated the whole thing. She volunteered at Spring Ridge, so she knows her way around the facility. He says he thought her memory was impaired, and Alexis says, or she was faking it. All she knows is, Esme and Ryan were cozying up together at Spring Ridge. So between Esme’s knowledge of the facility, and Heather’s gift for escaping custody… He says, the van crash, but she says, that’s nothing. That woman has broken in as much as she’s broken out. He says, after the crash, Heather was apprehended almost immediately, and Alexis says, she stopped for a BLT first at Kelly’s, then asked to be taken into custody. He says, but they didn’t take her back to D’Archam; they put her in Spring Ridge. Alexis says, a minimum security prison, and Gregory says, if she gets captured again, she’s going back to max, so why take the risk to escape with two strangers?

Laura wonders if Esme was in this with Ryan, and Doc says he thinks she knew of her connection to Ryan before she lost her memory. Laura says, which explains why she couldn’t stay away from him when she was working at Spring Ridge, which would also mean she knew Ryan was faking. He says, absolutely, but he thinks her memory loss was genuine, and Laura says, which would make her every bit as much a victim as Felicia and Ava. Jordan comes over with Mac, and says, they’ve been strategizing how best to apprehend the escapees without causing harm to the hostages. Mac says, they’re not liking their options, but since Laura is more familiar with the property than anyone… Laura says she doesn’t think Ryan would know about the tunnel from Windymere to the mainland. Valentin used it a couple years ago when he was fleeing with Charlotte. She’s sure it’s still passable.

Heather says, good job, loverboy. He’s managed to trap them in the one place the police are guaranteed to look for them. Esme jumps up and heads for the door, but Ryan blocks her. Ava says, Austin is losing  too much blood, and Ryan says, there’s one thing Esme has to understand. She belongs to him. She’s his baby. Felicia bangs into his side, knocking him down, and Esme takes off out the patio doors.

Alexis says, Esme, Heather, and Ryan have a propensity to kill, but Gregory says, the PCPD no longer considers Esme a prime suspect in The Hook killings. For one thing, none of the recent victims remember the attacker being pregnant. She says, it seems they were both involved; they just didn’t do it alone. She hands him a folder, and says, remember this? and he says, the letter the killer wrote her. She says, the killer said she had a designated hit list of people who had wronged Esme, and he reads, only those who have wronged me and mine will meet with my venom. It doesn’t sound like a hired killer taking direction; it sounds personal. She says, they didn’t pay someone. They recruited someone who had a vested interest in Esme’s well-being. He asks if she has anyone in mind, and she says, Sam and Dante are in England looking for Esme’s nanny; she was close to Esme. He asks if Alexis thinks she might be the culprit, and she says she has no idea, but she’s calling Sam and Dante. Maybe they found out something.

Spencer says he’s not making excuses for Trina’s mom, but he knows what it’s like to hurt the people you love. Trina says she admits she tried to sympathize with what Spencer was going through with his father, but never related to it. But now she can. He says he’s so sorry. Both of them have had their lives ruined by the parents they rely on the most. On the bright side, Trina’s mother is no Nikolas Cassadine. Trina says, it’s a low bar, but he says, she cleared it, and Trina laughs. He says, no matter how bad things get, her mom is never going to abandon her. She says, he’s right. As bad as her mom screwed up, she knows her mom will always be here for her. He says, so will he.

Curtis says, if Aunt Stella hadn’t found out Trina could be his daughter, was Portia ever going to tell him? and she says, probably not. He asks how Aunt Stella found out, since he knows Portia didn’t tell her, and she says she doesn’t know for sure, but he says, she must have some kind of idea. Just tell him the truth; he’s owed that. She says she thinks Jordan must have told her.

Laura says she hasn’t set foot in the tunnels in years, but thinks she can lead them through. Mac shows her the most recent map of the property, and asks her to show them the best route. He tells everyone, they’re going in. Laura steps away, and Doc asks, what’s wrong? She says she can’t shake the feeling that there’s a danger they haven’t anticipated, and he says, with Ryan and Heather on that island, it’s a safe bet.

Felicia struggles with Heather, while Ava tries to grab the hook, but Ryan aims his gun at her. He says, don’t make him shoot her in the kneecap. He might miss and hit an artery. Or better yet, her friend who’s bleeding out on the floor. Maybe she should look after him. She puts the hook down, once again tending to Austin. Heather wants to look for Esme, but Ryan says he’ll go. He says he won’t let anything happen to Esme any more than Heather will let anything happen to Ava while he’s gone. He hands her the gun, and she says, what about the Aztec princess? He says, do what she wants with her. She will anyway. He leaves, and Heather says, this sucker’s heavy. She prefers the hook. She aims the gun at Ava and Felicia, and says, any last words, ladies?

Curtis asks if Jordan knows, and Portia says, Jordan has suspected for a while now. He says, all this time, Jordan knew and said nothing? and she says, only to Stella. He says, Jordan told Aunt Stella and not him? That’s why Aunt Stella avoided officiating at their ceremony. She couldn’t preside over a wedding she didn’t believe in. She probably didn’t even have to fake her own illness. Hell, he’s feeling a little ill himself. Portia says she knows this is bad, but believes they can work through it. She made a mistake, but she promises it won’t happen again. He says, that’s exactly what she told him all those years ago when he found out she was married. He knows it’s been a while, but it’s starting to seem like a pattern.

Spencer says, it’s weird that he and Trina are in the same place they met, but it’s closed now. She hopes Ava will be back in business soon, and he lifts his water bottle, saying, to the gallery and the many fond memories. She says, cheers to that, and they clink water bottles. She says, for the record, getting nostalgic about dousing her in fake blood is really weird, but he says, in all fairness, it wasn’t meant for her. She says, he knows that doesn’t make it okay, and he says he does, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Alexis leaves a message for Sam to call her, and Gregory tells her, say Maggie Fitzgerald is The Hook killer. What does she have to do with the escape? Alexis says she doesn’t know, but she does know Esme and Ryan are connected to each other. Gregory says he’ll leave her to her musings. He hopes to get a sneak peek before the morning edition. He leaves, and she studies the letter from The Hook.

Jordan asks for the status, and Mac says, the team is briefed; Laura is looking for anything she can remember. There’s no more time to wait. They need to move in now.

Doc says, it looks like Laura remembered more than she thought she would, but she says she hopes it’s reliable. He says, whatever she gave them, it’s better than going in blind, and she says, something’s been nagging at her. Doc said Ryan insisted Esme wasn’t The Hook killer. Was that because Ryan was protecting his daughter, or because Ryan knows who The Hook killer is?

Alexis makes a call to the warden. I assume of Spring Ridge, but she didn’t say.

Heather says, bang! and starts laughing. She wishes Ava and Felicia could have seen their faces when she asked if there were any last words. They both say, we were there, and Heather says, they’re a hoot. They’re priceless. You know what? Go on. She waves the gun toward the door, and says, get out of here. Ava says, she’s not going to kill them? and Heather says, nah. Why should she? Fly away, girls. Be free. Live your lives… Why are they still here? Felicia says, her offer of freedom would be more believable if she wasn’t holding a gun on them, and Heather says, people call her unhinged, but she’s never been accused of being a complete idiot. There’s two of them and a hook right there. She has to hold the gun on them until they leave. If she wanted to kill them, she’d have done it already. She actually doesn’t want any part of Ryan’s stupid little games. Ava says, what about Esme? Why abduct her? Heather seems to really care about her. Heather says, now she’s getting bored with them. She’d just as soon set them free if it meant she’d never have to lay eyes on them again. Ava knows there’s an underground passageway leading off the island. She’s free to use it.

Trina says, before Spencer found her, she was talking to her dad, and he was telling her nothing would change between them, even if they found out she’s not his biological daughter. She believes that he believes it, but how can things not change? They already have. He says, such as? and she says, herself. She doesn’t know who she is anymore. Spencer says he knows who she is. She’s a girl who likes classic sitcoms and books about guerrilla feminist artists. She’s the same Trina who mocks his love of gingersnaps, and who won’t rat him out when she’s on the stand even though her freedom is on the line. She’s blunt, but she’s big-hearted. She’s fair and she’s forgiving. She improves the life of everyone who knows her. She’s the one who always told him that who he is, is more than just his last name, his DNA. So whoever’s child she is, she’s the sweetest, smartest, and bravest person he knows. She gets up on her tiptoes and kisses him. They kiss again.

Curtis says he needs some air, and Portia asks if he’s coming back. He says he can’t answer that, and leaves. She cries some more.

Mac puts on a bulletproof vest, and Laura tells him, good luck. Jordan thanks Laura for her guidance, but Laura just hopes it’s accurate. Jordan says, they’ll figure it out, and Doc says, be careful. What Ryan feels for Esme is as close as he’ll ever get to a real bond, and he’ll stop at nothing to protect that. Mac says he’ll stop at nothing to protect his wife, and Jordan promises they’ll bring Felicia back. They head out, and Laura says she prays to God this works. Alexis calls to Jordan, and an officer tells her to step back, but Laura says, it’s all right. Alexis says, it’s urgent that she speak with Jordan, but Laura says, she’s on her way to Windymere right now. Alexis asks, what’s at Windymere? and Laura says, off the record, a hostage situation. Alexis asks if it has anything to do with the escapees from Spring Ridge, and Doc wonders why she’s asking. Alexis says, that’s why she wants to speak to the Commissioner. All the victims were linked to Trina Robinson and Esme Prince. That hitlist was compiled to avenge Esme. Laura says, they suspected something like that, but had no concrete proof, and Doc asks if Alexis knows why The Hook would avenge Esme. Alexis says she doesn’t know why, but she knows who. She knows who The Hook is.

Ava says, all right, they’ll go, but Felicia says she won’t leave an injured man. Heather says, good luck dragging his body all the way through the tunnels to the mainland, and Ava says she thinks the best thing is for them to go, and send help back for Austin. Heather says, now that she thinks about it, Ava might want to hang back, and Ava asks why she’d want to do that. Heather says, to end this unholy obsession between her and Ryan once and for all, but Ava says, the obsession was one-sided, thank you very much. She’ll let the authorities handle Ryan – again. She tells Felicia, let’s go, and they move toward the door. Heather asks if Ava isn’t curious to hear what Ryan did to try to win her back, but Ava says, not particularly. Heather says, he was the one who really the one responsible for destroying Ava’s life in the process. She’s sure when Ava hears, she’ll want to handle Ryan herself. Felicia tells Ava, let’s go.

Ryan tears through the woods, looking for Esme, and finds her on the ground, leaning against a large rock or maybe a tombstone. He asks if she’s hurt. She tells him to get away from her, but he says, it’s okay. Daddy’s here. It’s cold, which means she shouldn’t be on the ground like this. It’s not good for her or the baby. She says, he is? and he says, right now, he’s the best chance for the both of them, so please, let him help. She says, her water broke. The baby’s coming.

Tomorrow, Curtis tells Marshall, some things are really unforgivable; Trina tells Spencer, don’t stop; and Ava tells Heather, Ryan started this and she’s going to finish it.

Below Deck

Captain Sandy asks Ross to escort Alissa off the boat, and in her interview, the captain says, it never feels good to fire a crew member. You’re ending their income, but as captain, she has to make the hard decisions, and  has to live with them. Alissa tells Fraser that she got fired for basically nothing, and in Ross’s interview, he says, it’s awkward because he and Alissa have a bit of history, but he trusts the captain. Unfortunately, Alissa has to go. Alissa whines that it’s a dictatorship, and Captain Sandy radios Fraser, Hayley, and Tyler to meet with her. She tells them that everyone has a personal opinion, but you have to respect the hierarchy. She doesn’t like malicious gossip; it infects the vessel. She guarantees they’ll have lighter steps, and knows that together they can kill this charter. Rachel wonders what’s happening, but Katie has no clue. In Fraser’s interview, he agrees that Alissa was an a-hole, a blight on the boat a problem, but she did a great job. He’s worried, but he feels since the captain gave him a second chance, he should use this opportunity to turn things around. He’s better than this. Captain Sandy sends a text saying she’s looking for a new stew. Alisson packs, and in her interview, she gripes about being a scapegoat, and says she was the only person with the balls to speak up. Fraser is impossible to replace, so Captain Sandy got rid of the next best thing – her. Again, this girl does not seem to grasp the boss/employee concept. All jobs with a boss are a dictatorship, some more benevolent than others. She leaves, and the captain calls Fraser to the bridge. Fraser runs out and gives Alissa a hug. In Alissa’s interview, she says she’s leaving with a full heart and tired feet. The captain tells Rachel that the lack of respect was intolerable. She thinks it will be lighter on the boat, and this will be the best charter. Rachel agrees, and says, it had been building. Katie tells the interior, if they need help, the deckhands will pitch in. In Fraser’s interview, he says he respects the captain’s decision, and he’s going to work his ass off. Captain Sandy tells him that he has an amazing team. It’s a lot, but he’s reset. She finds his ability to compose himself exceptional, and admires that. In the captain’s interview, she says she knows Fraser wants to be the best of the best, and deserved the chance to reset. She believes in him, and knows he can do this. Fraser tells Hayley to just make sure everything looks pretty, and Ben calls Camille, who says she’s been vindicated. In her interview, she says, Alissa has shown her real face, and she’s satisfied they see what she saw. #justiceforcamille. She says she can’t wait see Ben and chill, and in Ben’s interview, he says he’s head over heels for Camille. He’s fallen for her hook, line, and sinker. Captain Sandy has a quick pre-charter meeting, and tells the crew, we’re almost there. What happened it just part of yachting, and she supports them. Let’s tackle this.

The beauty queens come on board, wearing their winning sashes. In Tony’s interview, he wonders if this is really necessary. Is the circus in St. Lucia? They have one dude with them, John, and I guess what they meant on their preference sheets was that they’d be bringing a drag queen, not requesting one. Rachel tells Hayley that she’s going to need to concentrate, since there are multiple dietary restrictions. John asks if Fraser can go in the hot tub with them, but Fraser says, alas, no. He tells the guests that his only concern is to make it divine and spectacular for them. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s been single for three years or so. While you never say never to guests chartering a superyacht, in this scenario it has to be a no. Drinks and snacks happen, and the guests pageant wave as the boat leaves the dock. In Hayley’s interview, she says she’s quietly freaking out. Alisson was more on service, and worked the bar. She knows how to consume alcohol, but putting it together has her concerned. Anchor is dropped in Rodney Bay. Guest Laquish requests a turkey club, and it throws Rachel off her timing for lunch. The guests start demanding food, and it makes Fraser stressed. Rachel says, the club sandwich f***ed her.  

The guests talk butt lifts and pageants at lunch. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s doing everything tin his power to impress the captain. It’s a lot of work this charter, but he’s adamant they can get it done. John flirts with Fraser, and several of the guests go out on the jet skis. Captain Sandy offers to help with turndowns, which is another thing I like about her; she’s not above doing grunt work. John tells Fraser that he’s going to do a drag show, and they go over the logistics. Camille texts Ben about meeting in the DR, and Ben asks Katie about future plans with Ross. In Katie’s interview, she says she can’t have a relationship with someone across the world. Not that she could handle any relationship with Ross. Fraser brings out homemade gluten-free bread, which is met with enthusiasm. In Rachel’s interview, she says she has to mentally apply herself, since the dietary restrictions are all different. John talks about having been married, and says, they had a daughter in 2016, but he found out the baby was a product of his wife’s affair with her boss. He says, everything happens for a reason, and now instead of being dad, he’s Papa John, because he delivers the goods and flavor. The guests declare the chef amazing, and John says, she’s seven star. Fraser tells Rachel that the guests want dessert with the drag show, and the crew dons wigs. In Ross’s interview, he says he’s all for dressing up and role play (of course he is), but typically not in the work place. Fraser introduces Trossie Twatts, and in Tyler’s interview, he says, you have to be happy being you. It doesn’t matter what other people think. He wonders if he’s trying to convince himself.

Laquish tells Fraser that she’ll be wanting another turkey sandwich for a late night snack, and 24 karat gold on a steak. In Fraser’s interview, he says, she’s a problem. She doesn’t want a sandwich, or even want to eat. She’s just going out of her way to ask for more. There’s always one. He gets the sandwich from Rachel, who tells him, it’s made with goddam love. Laquish can’t sleep in her cabin, and sets up camp on one of the couches, asking people to tote and fetch for her. In Tyler’s interview, he says, she’s acting like a brat. He thought beauty queens would be poised, and have more class. Clearly, that’s not true. Captain Sandy asks Ross to check out beaches for the guests’ Beach Queen Olympics. She thinks it’s going to be a no-go because of the wind, but they can tell the client they checked it out. In her interview, she says, the wind is 35 knots. As captain, you want to meet the guests’ requests, but sometimes you have to manage their expectations. They’ll ask for the moon, and they can’t get the moon. We flash back to the last beach disaster, and it starts raining. Laquish bugs Fraser about the gold steak, and he says, they’ve gotten her everything she’s requested; they’ll get her that. In Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s a new fad; steaks encrusted in gold. As if it’s a good idea to eat that much gold. You could take a turd and wrap it in gold foil, presenting it like a Fabergé egg. It’s literally decadent sh*t. Fraser tells Captain Sandy that the guests won’t want to go to that horrific beach, but they want their Beach Queen Olympics. In his interview, he says, they don’t like to say no, so he’s thinking they should provide more entertainment and luxury on the boat than off. The captain tells the guests that they’re looking at heavy wind and rain, and patchy sun. They only have one option here, where they’ve been numerous times, and everyone thinks there are nicer beaches. However, everything is doable on the boat. Katie suggests the do different events on different bridges, and Fraser tells the guests that there are better options than that horrible beach, but it’s their trip. Laquish says, they just want be happy, which is a little vague. Does this involve another turkey sandwich?

Primary Laura asks if the crew can be part of their teams, and Laquish pops in the galley to make sure Rachel knows about the steak. In Rachel’s interview, she says, you want glitter sh*t, I’ll give you glitter sh*t for days. Fraser grumbles that the cabins are the worst, and he’s absolutely right; the guests have their junk everywhere. The Olympic events are, a three-legged race, draw me like a French girl, and dive style. John gives Ben one of his million neon Speedos to wear. In Hayley’s interview, she says, the cabins are making her anxious. It reminds her of the creature on Sesame Street that lives in a bin. The Olympic teams are formed; Two in the Pink, Miami Queens, Nauti by Nature, Boat Mamas, and Queen Beaches. For the French girl drawing, one partner poses and the other draws them on a whiteboard. The Queen Beaches win, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, there is less tension. Maybe Captain Sandy is the Oracle. He thinks she helped lift the weight he didn’t know he was carrying, and Alissa might have been one. The captain gets a text that a stew has been found and can be there in two days. The Miami Queens win the three-legged race, and they move on to the dive, being judged on style and elegance. Most of them dive like I do, not at all, and just jump in. In Ross’s interview, he says he’s enjoying Katie’s bikini, and I just don’t see what anyone sees in this guy. The Miami Queens win the dive, and the overall championship, for which they receive a ribbon. Huzzah. Laquish – not being called Laqueef by Fraser and Hayley behind the scenes – wants fun stuff in her water, like strawberries and mint. Fraser tells Hayley who it’s for, and she says, of course it is.

The guests demand more fresh towels, which Hayley delivers. Laquish asks, how can she wash her Hello Kitty without a towel? and Hayley can’t get out of there fast enough. I can’t blame her. Captain Lee texts Captain Sandy, asking if she can talk. Hayley and Tyler do the main cabin, and Hayley says, what a mess; an absolute bitch. She flops on the bed as Laura walks in, and Laura says, sorry about the glitter. Hayley says, they love her, and in Hayley’s interview, she says she’s hoping Laura hasn’t got the best hearing, or they’re going to get fired. Laura leaves, and Hayley asks if Tyler ever feels like he wants to get in a hole and die. Captain Sandy asks how Captain Lee is doing, and Captain Lee says he spoke to his doctor, and has important news. He’s been cleared to return, and he’ll be back in a couple of days. In the captain’s interview, she says, it’s always been Captain Lee’s boat and crew. He’ll come back to a sweet, lean operating machine. She’s happy for him – and herself.

Next time, the new stew was a chief stew, which Fraser is not happy about; Ben knows the new stew, which he doesn’t seem happy about; and Captain Lee is goddam glad to be back.

🏖  On the God awful Summer House, the housemates had a July 4th picnic on the beach, inflicting themselves on other people. Mya whined to Kyle about Lindsay putting the kibosh on her and Carl’s friendship, and Kyle whined about Carl changing. I think it’s called maturing, of which Kyle knows nothing. He hunted Carl down, and said it felt like there was an elephant in the room; something was off. Carl said he’d been busy moving in with Lindsay, and was burned out. He’d been about the long term; what he wanted to do and where he was going with Loverboy. He was working his ass off, and it still wasn’t good enough. He didn’t feel valued. Kyle wondered what was different, and decided Lindsay must be in Carl’s ear.

Carl said, Lindsay wanted him to be happy, and had opened his eyes to his value. In Kyle’s interview, he said he thought that was bullsh*t. Loverboy had given Carl a purpose when he had none, and he thought it was more like Lindsay was bored not having Carl around. Gabby was introduced to new guy Jaerez, and when she found out he was a Cancer, went off her rocker. She said, Cancer men were triggering for her, historically dishonest, and sociopaths. This was too bad, since he’s a model and possibly shallow enough for her. As she read him this riot act, the others stood at a distance, deciphering it as flirting. Gabby told Jaerez that her ex had ghosted her, and shown up at Coachella with another girl. In Gabby’s interview, she said, they got together right out of college. They were together four years, and he was cheating on her for three. Mya said Lindsay had spoken to her in a way she’d never been spoken to, because at least one person has to be offended by something imaginary every week. Lindsay tried to explain that because Mya had texted Carl about smoking weed, she felt Mya was sabotaging Carl’s sobriety, and she was just supporting her boyfriend. Mya said Lindsay had accused her of a lot of things, but Lindsay begged to differ, and said she’d only been calmly and adultly sharing feelings. Mya tried to run, but Lindsay followed, and told Mya that it had been disrespectful. Mya got all sarcastic, and said, feel however you want, bitch. Nice.

Lindsay said she’d thought they had a civil conversation, but Mya was changing the narrative. Mya said she just wanted to be okay living together, and Lindsay agreed. They hugged, but I’m pretty sure that’s not the end of it, since it never is. Junior Housewives in training. Back at the house, Kyle came out in a blazer with an American flag design, said he was Captain America, and Amanda said she hated her life. Oliver came by, and by midnight, Carl and Lindsay were asleep, while Kyle ran around outside with a sparkler in each hand. Sam thought he might be her dad and it was upsetting.  Carl and Lindsay met Danielle for lunch, and Carl said, Loverboy was Kyle and Amanda’s dream, not his. He wasn’t loving being in bars, and wanted to be compensated for his time and energy. Danielle was concerned he was being taken advantage of.

We saw everyone in their native weekday habitats. In Paige’s interview, she said she and Craig were feeling no pressure to hit milestones. Gabby’s parents grilled her about her dating life and in her interview, she said she was so codependent on her parents, it bordered on mental illness. They just wanted her to be happy, but she had a wall up after her last relationship. Kyle told Amanda that their Palm Springs/Coachella area distributor had dumped them, and he blamed Carl for not forming a relationship with them. In his interview, he said, distributors had to feel the love, and Carl wasn’t doing his job. No one knew what Carl was doing, but he’d been doing less since getting together with Lindsay. Amanda reminded Kyle that he was Carl’s friend, and Kyle said Lindsay’s influence was the problem. He was determined to find something that worked, but not at the expense of the company.

Ciara showed up, and in her interview, she said this summer was a redo without a certain someone. We flashed back to Austen, and Ciara said she and Danielle were amicable now. Then we flashed back to Ciara acting like a lunatic, throwing a glass at Danielle for pretty much no reason. I noted that everyone had the same long, straight hair this season, and wondered how I’d tell them apart. Luckily there are only two blondes, and Lindsay is one of them. Her, I know. Lindsay and Carl flew off to a wedding in California, and Amada said no one in the company had any idea he was going to be gone. Even she had to ask for time off. The housemates went to a restaurant for dinner, and I thought if Kyle said in his ear one more time, I might smash the TV. He whined to Mya that he was happy when Carl and Lindsay found each other; he cried. Carl was VP of sales, but he’d checked out, because… Lindsay was in his ear. 🔨 He’d hired Carl when he was unhirable, and came to work drunk or coked out. The world needed to know that he was an understanding boss. He got up and said he couldn’t eat anymore.

Danielle said Kyle was ruining her night talking about Carl. He’d said Carl was coked out. Was that two weeks ago or two years? Kyle said it had been over a year ago, and Danielle asked why he was bringing it up now. Kyle told her MYOB, but she asked how he could talk sh*t about Carl, and her not have an opinion? Kyle ranted about how he gave Carl all kinds of chances when he wasn’t hirable, but Danielle said he was so wrong, it was laughable. Kyle said, Danielle was seeing him today, now that he’s put together, and didn’t have a clue as to what goes on. Kyle walked out, saying, he was so sick of it.

Sick of what? Of his own dramatics? Of Danielle being one of the few housemates who doesn’t behave like a teenager having their first drunk night, or like she’s in middle school? I know what I’m sick of. A 40 year old man child who creates drama where there is none, women girls who come just short of passing notes in the hallways and are disrespectful of other women, and maybe most of all, vapid people in general. In other words, a house full of awful people.

Next time… Either I wasn’t paying attention (entirely possible) or they didn’t have a preview (also entirely possible).

📺 Afterwards, there was a rerun of Watch What Happens Live, where Kyle and Mya were the guests. Kyle summed it up neatly when he said, life is too short to be mature. The theme of Summer House. They want to be Animal House, but that bar is way too high.

📻 Flipping It Over To the B Side…

Stop by tomorrow to pick up some soap and whatever namaste is left in New Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay never taking those close to you for granted, and stay remembering, honesty isn’t a condition; it’s a fundamental.

February 15, 2023 – Trina Confronts Stella, Celebrating Not Being Open, Anniversary Preview, Possible Not Probable, Après Bowl Plus Puppy (!) & Girl

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Heather asks why Ryan wants to make a stop; he’s jonesing for a Slurpie? He says, hardly, and she says, this is about his precious Ava. He says, the heart wants what it wants, but she doesn’t think it’s his heart calling the shots. Get his head back in the game. The longer he dilly-dallies, the closer Detective Falconari and his girlfriend come to blowing them up.

Sam and Dante go back to their room, and Sam says, the barmaid knows more about Maggie than she’s letting on. They could be closer to finding Esme’s parents than they thought. He agrees, but thinks they shouldn’t get ahead of themselves. They have a hunch, but no proof. Sam thinks he should go to the pub and push the barmaid for more answers. He asks if she’s still feeling jet-lagged, and kisses her.

Maggie flips through Esme’s letters, and shoves them all in her bag. A man named Cyril comes in and asks for his usual lager, but she says, they’re closed. He says he’ll see her in the morning then, and she asks, when’s the next train to London? He says, the express leaves on the quarter hour, and asks if she’s going on holiday. She says, something like that.

Drew says, to the best of the best. Congratulations! The guests all raise their glasses, and say, to the best of the best. Curtis and Portia thank and hug Drew, and he says he meant every word. He announces, it’s the maid of honor’s turn next, and tells Trina to show herself, but Trina’s nowhere to be seen. Portia says she knows Trina was excited to give her toast, and wonders where she could be. Curtis suggests she didn’t know the toasts would be so soon, and says, she can give hers later. Portia says, every wedding has their hiccups, right? She guesses this is theirs. He asks if their hiccup wasn’t Aunt Stella taking a sick day, but she says, that was a hitch. He suggests they go with the flow, and she says, it is their day after all. Molly clinks her glass, and yells, kiss! and they oblige.

Stella asks if everything is all right, and Trina says, it’s fine. The wedding was beautiful, and everyone’s at the reception. She was really worried about Stella, and thought she must really be sick to miss the wedding. They come in, and Spencer asks if she’s feeling better. Trina says, nothing from room service, no boxes of tissues, no cough drops? and Stella says she may have exaggerated the state of her health somewhat. She just needed a quiet evening. Trina says, instead of a major family celebration? She doesn’t understand what would keep Stella from her mom and Curtis’s wedding.

Curtis says, they’ll pick up the speeches later. In the meantime, he encourages them to eat, drink, and be merry. Elizabeth asks to give a toast, and he gives her the mic, conceding to the lovely lady.

Sam asks if Dante is trying to distract her, but he says he’s just trying to collect his thoughts. Sam just told him to go back and hold the barmaid’s feet to the fire. She says she didn’t mean Dante should interrogate her. She only said, the barmaid knows more about Esme’s nanny than she’s letting on, and Dante says, it’s something they can do in the morning. Sam says, and give her time to warn the nanny? By that time, Maggie Fitzgerald could be off in the wind.

Maggie walks Cyril to the door, and tells him, get home safe. She turns the sign to closed, and looks out the window. She looks at her phone, and says, an hour before the train. She makes a call to pub owner Archie, and says she’s coming down with something terrible. Can he open up for her in the morning?… She can’t reschedule because she’s not going to be here. She slams the phone onto the bar.

Heather says she’s trying to save their little family from ruin, and Ryan is planning a rendezvous with that harlot? She grabs her Valentine, and says she’s taking this back. He says, her jealousy of Ava is getting old, and asks if she’s thought of deep breathing. She says, he wants her to meditate while those two nosybodies are on the hunt for Esme’s nanny? He says, they wouldn’t be on the hunt if she wasn’t so willing to talk to Dante, but she says, Dante gave her no choice. She was protecting Esme. While he sits lounging all day long, she’s doing all the work. He says he’s looking for his violin, and she asks, who broke out of prison? Who’s the one seeking retribution for everyone who wronged Esme? Who broke back into prison? He’s never once thanked her for all her hard work. She even let that perky, wannabe princess, Felicia, cozy up to her. He says, you what?

Elizabeth tells everyone to raise a glass to the happy couple, and they all say, to Portia and Curtis! Portia tells Marshall, what a wonderful speech that was (oops, I think I missed something), and he says, all these people express love and admiration for them both. Curtis says, they are blessed.

Josslyn tells Ava that she’s recording wedding messages for Portia and Curtis. Is there anything she wants to add? Ava says, get everything in writing, as she eats the olive from her martini. Josslyn says, what was that? and Ava says, may the road rise up to meet you. Josslyn moves on, and Sonny and Nina walk over. Nina says, at the risk of complementing her own hotel, everything is spectacular, and Ava says, to Nina and her classy hotel. Nina says, half the hotel, and says she’ll go get Sonny some more food. She leaves, and Ava says, she’s overcompensating, but Sonny says, she’s just worried for Willow, and doesn’t want to spoil the wedding. Ava says, it must be tough putting on a brave face. She’s proud of Nina. Sonny says, him too. He asks Ava to keep Nina distracted, and Ava says, will do. He says he appreciates her being such a good friend to Nina, and Nina brings back a plate for him. She asks if Elizabeth’s toast wasn’t sweet, and Ava says, sweet… saccharine, but nice. Sonny goes to see Laura, and Nina asks what Ava thought of Drew’s speech.

Sonny asks if he can sit with Laura, and she says, of course (🍷). It was a nice ceremony, right? He says, the officiant was top-rate, and she says, not too last minute? He says he doesn’t think anyone would know she didn’t have time to prepare, and she thanks him. She feels sorry for Stella; to come down ill in the eleventh hour? He asks if Laura thinks she’s all right, and Laura says she hopes so.

Molly says, will Portia look at that cake just dying to be eaten? and TJ says she’s been eyeing the cake since they got here. Marshall says, she’s not the only one, and Curtis guesses this is their cue.

Stella tells Trina, there was a good reason she wasn’t at the wedding; a reason her mother would understand. Trina says, but Stella didn’t tell her the reason. She said she was sick. Stella says she hated lying, but she didn’t want to make Portia’s day about her, and Trina says, her mom is worried about Stella. Why would she understand Stella’s absence? Did they talk about something when they picked up their dresses? Otherwise, she doesn’t understand. Stella says, it’s not for her to understand, then apologizes, saying, that didn’t come out right. She just didn’t want to complicate things. She knows how difficult it is planning a wedding. That’s why she asked Laura to take her place. One less thing for Curtis and Portia to worry about. Trina says, that still doesn’t explain why Stella wouldn’t perform the ceremony. What is Stella not telling her? Spencer says, in his experience, the longer secrets are kept, the more damage they do, and Stella says, with all due respect to his experience, this is a family matter, and the last time she checked, he’s not family. He says, she’s right, and apologizes. Trina says, but she’s family now, right? and Stella says she is. She wanted to be there, but simply couldn’t in good conscience.

Curtis and Portia cut the cake, and everyone applauds. She tells him if he smears cake in her face, he’ll live to regret it, but he says he wouldn’t dream of it. He feeds her a tiny piece, and asks if she still wants to be his wife. She says, that’s all she wants. Marshall steps away, and TJ asks if everything is okay with him. Marshall says he wishes he could do more to show how much he loves them. TJ says, Uncle Curtis knows, and being here is the best possible gift. Josslyn asks to borrow TJ, and TJ tells Marshall, try not to worry so much. Promise. Marshall says, hell to the no, and TJ says he loves Marshall. They hug, and Marshall says he loves TJ more. TJ leaves, and Marshall takes a clarinet reed out of his pocket.

Josslyn films, and TJ says, welcome to the family, Portia. Molly tells him not to forget about Trina, and he says, Trina, you have always felt like family; now it’s just official. Step-cousin doesn’t do it justice; he sees her as a sister. Molly tears up, and he tells her, this is a happy occasion. She says she is happy.

Ava says she thought the speech was very nice, but Nina says, Ava doesn’t want to hear what she thinks of Drew. Ava says, now she does, and Nina says, he and Carly are involved, and they’re trying to hide it for some reason. Since Carly doesn’t do anything without an agenda, she’s sure the reasons are less than legitimate.

Sonny asks if Laura saw the smile on Spencer’s face when he saw Trina; like the weight of the world was off his shoulders. Laura says, she brings out the best in him. He needs that now more than ever. Sonny says, little chance he’s going to get that from Nikolas, and Laura looks over at Ava.

Ava tells Nina, who knows why Carly and Drew are keeping things quiet? Their reasons might not make sense to anybody but the two of them, but she’s clearly no expert in relationships.

Ryan says, you idiot. Heather knows better than to play games with Felicia Scorpio. She asks if he just called her an idiot, and he says, if the shoe fits. She says, he was with her when Felicia came here with her hubby, threatening to send them both back to D’Archam. It’s not like they were having tea and crumpets. He says, and Heather hasn’t seen her since? and she says, no. The brothers Scorpio ganged up on her when she had her physical at GH, again threatening to send her back to D’Archam. But since of course (🍷) she’d prefer Spring Ridge as her base of operations, she told them that she’d get some useful tidbits about Ryan’s relationship with Esme, which would prove of course (🍷) she’s the one who killed their boy in blue, Officer Cabrera. He asks what she told them, and she says, nothing useful. She was just stringing them along, and protecting him in the meantime. He’s welcome. He says he doesn’t need protection. She knows what he’s capable of. She says, maybe back in the day, but he’s not exactly in practice. He’s not much more than a piece of furniture. He laughs, then grabs her by the hair and slams her against the wall. He puts the knife to her throat, and says, think again. She says, he’s back, ladies and gentlemen. The Ryan Chamberlain we all know and love. The Ryan Chamberlain we need. Just get himself ready to act. She feels it in her bones; the hour is nigh. She opens the door, and says, just in case he feels like exercising his legs tonight… She puts her piece of gum in the door frame to prevent it locking, says, feel free, and closes the door.

Esme reads about bedtime routines for the baby, and says, spend time in the rocking chair. She puts the book down and gets up. Heather tells her not to sweat it. Baby books are for suckers. You know more than you think you do; Dr. Spock. He was the foremost pediatrician of the twentieth century, and a very wise man. Esme says, that may be, but she’s in prison. There aren’t exactly any rocking chairs in here. She doesn’t know what’s going to happen to them. Heather tells her that she doesn’t have to worry about a thing. Everything’s going to be taken care of. Esme asks what that means.

Dante says, Sam might have a point. Who is that barmaid anyway? She says, exactly. They just happened upon the pub and thought she was someone local, but what if she knows more about Maggie than she’s letting on? Dante says, Sam’s not going to let this go, and she says, not a chance.

Maggie pours herself a drink, looks at her phone, and says, come on. She drains the glass, and takes some cash from the register, saying, sorry, Archie. She stuffs it into her bag.

Finn tells Elizabeth that her toast was beautiful, and she says she meant every word. When she was speaking, it suddenly hit her; what if this was her last chance to tell everybody how she feels?

Josslyn asks if Marshall wants to say anything for the wedding video, and he says he’ll try. It’s been his pleasure… no. It’s been his honor to… He’s sorry. He’s not good at speeches. Drew comes along, and says, Marshall will say something later with the band backing him up. Marshall says, right.

Laura says, it means the world to her that Spencer still has Sonny in his life, and he says, Spencer’s all he’s got left of his sister. He loves that kid. Laura wishes Spencer could have that kind of closeness with his father.

Nina says she’s sorry. Here they are at a wedding, and Ava just finalized her divorce. Ava says, Nikolas should have never come back to Port Charles. They’d all be better off.

Portia tells Curtis that Trina isn’t responding to her calls or texts. She’s officially getting worried. Where is she? He says he’ll go look, but she says she’s probably just overreacting. Besides, he’s the man of the hour. He can’t just disappear too. Josslyn comes by, and Portia asks if she’s seen Trina. Josslyn says, Trina texted earlier that she and Spencer needed some air. She’s sorry. She should have told Portia that before. She moves along, and Curtis says, see? She’s fine.

Trina says, good conscience? What does her mom marrying Curtis have to do with Stella’s conscience? Stella says, Trina may be too young to understand this, but as you get older, there are some things you just don’t say. You equivocate, because you want everybody to get along. Most important, you don’t want to hurt anyone. And all that stuff you didn’t say, catches up with you. Trina wonders what Stella hasn’t said, and asks if she’s upset that Portia had an affair with Curtis. That was twenty years ago. Or does she think because Portia cheated on her dad, she’ll cheat on Curtis? Come on, Trina, do the math.

Drew asks if Marshall is ready, and Marshall says, Drew should tell everyone that he’s a little rusty and they shouldn’t expect anything. Drew says he’s going to introduce Marshall, Marshall is going to walk out on stage, and he’s going to play because he’s a pro. He’s got this. Marshall says, right, and Drew says, all right, everybody. He asks if the band doesn’t sound fantastic, and everyone applauds. He asks if they’ve ever wondered where Curtis gets him impeccable style, rhythm, and charm. It’s his great pleasure to introduce the father of the groom. Put their hands together for Marshall Ashford. Marshall comes out to applause, hoots, and whistles, and Curtis wonders if Portia knew about this, but she says she’s just as surprised as he is. Marshall thanks everyone, and says he wants to dedicate this song to his son and his lovely wife. He plays as the band backs him up. If that’s not him really playing, he’s doing a good imitation. I used to play sax; same thing.

Dante asks if Sam doesn’t want to go back to the pub with him, but she thinks the barmaid would be more willing to talk without her there. She’s going to be busy cyber-sleuthing the local school areas. Maybe Maggie was a third grade teacher or something. He says he respects her and her doing this, and kisses her. She tells him, cheerio, and he says, cheerio, my lady, and leaves.

Esme asks what Heather means by it will all be taken care of, and Heather says, she needs to relax. The baby hormones are driving her a little crazy, aren’t they? She just meant, it will all work out, and Esme asks how she knows that. Heather says, her baby daddy is very rich. He’s not going to let her languish in here, or his baby. The guard tells them, five minutes to lights out. Time to get back to their cellblocks. Heather says she’ll take Esme back to her room. She’ll even show her a shortcut.

Marshall finishes playing, and everyone applauds. Curtis says, wow, with tears in his eyes.

Stella says, it’s not about Portia’s affair with Curtis, and Trina says, but that’s part of it. Stella says she’s sure Trina knows she kept a secret from Curtis, and it almost ruined their relationship. Curtis spent 40 years without a father, and her silence was part of the reason. That experience changed her, and she won’t keep a secret like that ever again. Spencer thinks he should leave, but Trina asks him to stay. She’s kind of freaking out. Is there something her mom doesn’t know about Curtis?

Portia thanks Sterling and Zeke for coming, and Sterling says, thank her groom. Zeke says, Curtis made all the arrangements, and Curtis says, they still had to show up. Sterling says, they wouldn’t have missed it for the world. It’s wonderful to see Portia so happy. Zeke is sorry he didn’t get to see more of his niece; it’s so weird. Portia says, she’s off with a friend, and Zeke says, instead of with her mother on her wedding day? but Sterling tells him to go easy on his granddaughter. You’re only young once. They hug Portia and Curtis, and leave.

Stella says, there’s something Portia needs to tell Curtis, and needs to tell Trina too. Trina deserves to know the truth. Trina asks why Stella can’t tell her, and Stella says, even though she’s family now, it’s not her place. The truth is going to be hard for Trina to hear, but she believes Trina will be better off for it, and she trusts Spencer will look after his friend. He says, yes, ma’am, and she hugs Trina, saying, she’s a strong, young woman. She believes Trina is going to make it through. Trina and Spencer leave, and in the hallway, he asks, what was that about? She says she has no idea, but she’s going to find out.

Sam looks at her tablet, and says, come on, Maggie Fitzgerald. What happened? Did you marry? Did you change your name? What am I looking… There’s a knock at the door, and it’s the B&B manager, Miss Buxley. She asks if she can come in, and Sam says, of course (🍷). Miss Buxley says she forgot to ask at check-in if they preferred coffee or tea at breakfast, and Sam says, coffee… Is there something else? Miss Buxley says she noticed Dante went out again. It’s none of her business, but the village closes early, and he’ll be disappointed if he went sightseeing. Sam says, Dante likes to take long walks at night; it helps him sleep. Miss Buxley starts to leave, and Sam asks if she’s been in this village long. Miss Buxley says, her entire life, and Sam says she’s sure Miss Buxley knows practically everyone. Miss Buxley says, indeed she does, and Sam says, and she doesn’t miss much. Miss Buxley says she supposes she’s more observant than most, and Sam wonders if she’d mind if she asks a few questions.

Esme asks where Heather is taking her, and Heather says, she’ll see. A guard comes out, and asks what they’re doing here. Esme asks what Heather has gotten her into.

Stella asks the Lord if she did the right thing. Please tell her that she didn’t destroy her family.

Miss Buxley says she’ll help if she can, and Sam thanks her. Sam says, she and her partner are looking for a Maggie Fitzgerald, but Miss Buxley says she’s sorry. She is observant, but not terribly good with names. Sam asks if she knows of a woman in the village who may have worked as a nanny or possibly a schoolteacher, and Miss Buxley thinks a moment, then says she believes the barmaid at the pub once worked with children. Sam asks if she’s talking about the tall woman with curly red hair, and Miss Buxley says, that’s her. She worked as a nanny in America. Her name’s Margaret. Is that the one Sam’s looking for?

Dressed to go out, Maggie wheels her suitcase through the pub. She turns out the lights, and opens the door. Dante is there.

Josslyn offers to look for Trina, but Portia suggests she throw the bouquet. She doesn’t want Trina to catch it anyway. Josslyn announces that the bride is ready to throw her bouquet, and tells the women to get on the floor and take their chances. Sonny sees Ava putting on her coat, and he says, she’s not going for the bouquet? She says she’d rather crawl over broken glass, and he says, she’s not the only one leaving early. They see Laura go out the door, and Sonny says, Nikolas isn’t taking her calls, and she’s worried. The way he feels, he wouldn’t care for one second if he never saw Nikolas again.

Heather apologizes to the guard, and says, they just got turned around. Esme says, Heather told her this was a shortcut to her cell, and the guard says he’s escorting Heather back. He grabs her arm, and a set of keys falls to the ground. He asks where she got them, and she says she found them in the dayroom. Are they important? He says, don’t move, when Ryan puts a knife in his back. He says, hi, Esme. Road trip?

Terry tells Portia to toss the bouquet already. She’s not getting any younger. Portia turns around, and there’s a drumroll. She throws the bouquet, and it goes over everyone, landing on the floor in front of Trina, who’s just walked in with Spencer. Portia says, they’ve been trying to find Trina, and Trina says, and she’s been trying to find answers. Curtis looks at Portia.

Tomorrow, Sonny asks, who’s buying what Pikeman is selling; Ava says, no more putting this off; and Trina asks what Portia is keeping from her.

Vanderpump Rules

It was two days before Schwartz & Sandy’s Daily Mail party to promote the restaurant, and the Toms’ partner Greg was concerned since they had no chef or staff. As usual, the boys were on top of the important stuff. They interviewed servers, and while Sandoval wanted those who could handle stress and had experience, Schwartz said he’d take personality over experience. Sandoval said they had yet to impress Greg, who was a hard-ass. Translation: Greg actually wants them to work and get sh*t done. Raquel went out with Peter for lunch, and in her interview, she said, some part of her was still holding on to the relationship with James. She didn’t know if she was into Peter, but said, your tastebuds change every five years. Maybe your taste in men does too. Um… I don’t think it works that way. She told Peter she’d been on an all-carb diet since after the Miss California pageant. We saw clips from that, and she said she placed in the top 15. It was heartbreaking, since it was her last pageant, as the top age to compete was 27, and it had sent her into a deep depression. She started crying at the table, and it reminded me of when I went on a class trip to Russia in high school. One of the girls was bawling because she hadn’t been prom queen. Like anyone cares about this stuff 15 minutes afterward. I felt bad for her, but only because I couldn’t fathom something like that being important enough to cry over while on an amazing trip. In Raquel’s interview, she said she hadn’t broken free of the relationship, and was figuring out who she was. She told Peter that she’d used James as a crutch, and was now on her own. She loved it, but it was expensive. Katie and Lala went for a spray tan, and Lala said she wasn’t in a place to practice compassion and forgiveness. She wanted to feel safe again, and it had to be enough not to drink. In Lala’s interview, she said, when she found out about Randall, she went into fight mode. Just existing and not picking up a drink had to be good enough. She needed any extra energy for her kid.

In Ariana’s interview, she said her love language was quality time. These days, the quality time she and Sandoval had was collapsing in bed and passing out. Lala visited Lisa at Villa Rosa, and said she felt happy, but also felt the weight of the custody battle. It was more disturbing with every person who talked to her about Randall. Lisa wondered why Lala hadn’t seen red flags early on, and in Lisa’s interview, she said she thought Lala had been blind, and she’d persuaded herself that the relationship was what she wanted it to be. Someone waving a red flag was doing you a favor. In Lala’s interview, she said she should have listened to what people were telling her, but if she had, she woudn’t have Ocean, who was the only reason she wasn’t banging her head against a wall. Lisa said, Randall had wanted to see her, but she nixed that idea, and Lala said, the girlfriend Randall took up with when she was pregnant had moved in two days after she left. Ugh. That guy is such a troll, inside and out. I can’t imagine anyone’s wallet being that attractive. And that’s not a euphemism. I can’t think of any other reason anyone would want to be with him.

Raquel’s dog Graham did not want cheese, and I wasn’t surprised when she said he didn’t feel good, since cheese is the universal love language in the animal world. In Raquel’s interview, she said she’d recently learned, to make a clean break, boundaries were needed. That meant James could no longer see Graham. I’m no James fan, but that seems like cruel and unusual punishment. Scheana and Ariana came over to see Raquel’s new and fabulous apartment, and Ariana mentioned that Raquel had been making out with Peter when she was drunk. Raquel said she didn’t remember, and Ariana said she thought Peter had feelings for Raquel. In Ariana’s interview, she said, Raquel was free now, and should run like Forrest Gump. In Sandoval’s interview, he said he understood the strain of opening a venue, and was grateful that Ariana had stayed by his side. We flashed back to Greg saying that opening a business could destroy a marriage, and Sandoval said he hoped if they made things look good enough at Schwartz & Sandy’s, no one would notice they were held together by duct tape and hope. James and Ally went out to lunch, and James said he’d felt weird about Raquel seeing Peter. He’d been pissed, but he was over it, and had no anger. He was in a good place. In Ally’s interview, she said she thought the relationship got serious a little quick. He ate food from her mouth which totally grossed me out.

Katie said she was trying to be excited for Schwartz, but had a complicated history with the bar. James arrived early to the party, saying, he brought the funk, and the Toms gave him cases of toilet paper to sit on for nostalgia purposes. We flashed back to his first DJ gig in 2018. In Lala’s interview, she said, Schwartz was on her sh*tlist, but she liked Sandoval, and appreciated hard work. She wasn’t shocked that it looked amazing, but was aware that it was a party to celebrate that they’re not open yet. Lisa came with Ken and Puffy (!), and in her interview, she said, a lot of good music had been created on mushrooms. Apparently restaurants could be too. She asked how James felt about Raquel dating Peter, but Ally said, Raquel just made out with Peter when she was drunk. Peter went to get Raquel a drink, and Raquel told Scheana that it was awkward, and she knew it wasn’t going anywhere. Scheana said she was going to make herself scarce, and Raquel needed to tell Peter how she felt. I actually think Peter is the only promising guy in this bunch, but he’s a bit mature for someone who’s weeping over losing a pageant.

Lisa told Peter that it wasn’t 2012, and he couldn’t be shagging employees. In Lisa’s interview, she said, in the enlightened time of metoo, an employee underneath a manager could no longer literally be underneath a manager. It would be like her shagging Andy, which was a really poor example. Even a producer said, that wouldn’t be happening for other reasons. Raquel asked to have some real talk with Peter, and told him that she didn’t see a future between them. She wanted to break things off now before it became complicated. Peter flashed back to what Lisa told him, and agreed. In Raquel’s interview, she said she was under the impression Peter was more into her, and her feelings were hurt. Apparently, there’s no pleasing some people. She told Peter that he’d consolidated [sic] her when times were tough, and he said, she meant consoled. Yeah, maybe Lala was right the first time, and she is stupid. Scheana asked Schwartz to be on her podcast, and in her interview, she said, all of her friends had been on, but she’d never interviewed Schwartz solo. She told him that he had to get himself out there again, but he said, the thought of going on a date still felt like cheating. Sandoval passed out shots in chocolate shot glasses, and I yawned, since I used those a million years ago at parties. Lisa talked to Greg, who said, trying to get everyone on the same page was exhausting. It wasn’t about bullsh*t. Lisa told him, that’s where the Toms’ strength lies, and he said he didn’t realize how big of a learning curve they needed. They knew nothing about business. Again, why am I not on TV and making millions?

Greg told Lisa, every day they didn’t open, they lost $1000, and we flashed back to Sandoval and his many, many, many ideas for the bar. Lisa said she was happy Greg had adopted her children, and he asked if he could give them back. Katie told Schwartz that the place had good vibes; he’d worked hard. Schwartz said, no amount of success could replace not being there for his family and Katie. He’d been sucked into a parallel universe. Katie said, it broke them, and he said he didn’t want her to think he’d chosen the place over her, but she said he never chose her. Even when she had his back, he never took her side of any argument or conflict. In Katie’s interview, she said, the other woman in their marriage had been the bar, and now she was standing inside her. She told Schwartz that she’d chosen to ignore or try to live with what wasn’t okay. Schwartz said he was trying not to beat himself up about it, but he was self-aware. Ha-ha! Doubtful. He’s not even not-self aware. In Schwartz’s interview, tears streaked his face as he talked about watching The Notebook, and Ryan Gosling saying, it’s still not over. He thought, maybe he should have had more of that, and sometimes asked himself if it was worth it.

Next time, Lala goes on a double-date with Katie; Raquel asks James how many times he had sex with Lala when they were together; Scheana grills Schwartz about making out with Raquel at Coachella; and Ariana tells Katie that she’s left holding the bag while Schwartz looks like the nice guy.

🚑 Sneaky Peek…

Hard to believe it’s been on 60 years. When they talk about the longest running TV show, it’s always about prime time. GH should be given a medal for outlasting, outwitting, and outplaying when most of the other soaps were getting the ax.

💎 VanderReturn…

I wish, but I think it’s doubtful. And why should she waste her time? They should bring back Overserved. That was the best.

https://extratv.com/2023/02/09/lisa-vanderpump-on-rhobh-return-rumors-and-lisa-rinna-s-exit-exclusive/

🏈 After the Bowl Is Over…

The commercials. The good, the bad, and the WTF?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/super-bowl-2023-commercials-best-and-worst/

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/best-and-worst-super-bowl-commercials-2023-1234678821/

Rihanna’s bump.

The movie trailers.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/super-bowl-2023-new-trailers-movie-tv-marvel-dc

The National Anthem.

https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/babyface-america-the-beautiful-2023-super-bowl-1235252492/

And while this article technically came out before the Bowl, I could not resist including this little nugget of a pup.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2023/02/12/puppy-bowl-2023-joey-two-legged-dog/11236954002/

🎈 Love Has Left the Air…

Come set a spell tomorrow for soap and tea with a dash of a tune. Until then, stay safe, (which has so many more meanings now), stay straight up, so you’ll never have to keep your story straight, and in the same vein, stay not keeping big secrets. The longer secrets are kept, the more damage they do.