What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the deck of The Haunted Star, Trina tells Portia, it doesn’t feel right, being there. Portia says she knew tonight would be tough. No one will think less of her if she goes home. Did she talk to her friends? Trina says, sort of. Dev went to find Josslyn and Cameron.  

Josslyn tells Cameron, they should probably go. He kisses her, and Dev sees them. Little hearts pop out of their eyes, and Dev says, sorry. Did he interrupt something?

Stella thanks Curtis and Jordan for taking her out to dinner, and Curtis says, anytime she’s in town, dinner is on them. Jordan asks if Stella can extend her stay, but she says she’s leaving after Mike’s funeral. It doesn’t give much time to plan Molly and TJ’s wedding. Jordan says, commitment ceremony, and Stella says she knows times have changed, but when did the concept of marriage become the enemy? Curtis tells her, consider herself lucky they’re allowing her to have the reins. Stella says, they’re at the bar now, planning an event for next week. They’re organizing a protest against GH’s new Chairman of the Board.

Molly asks TJ how it went, and he says, not great. The student government was hesitant to get involved. She tells him, she can’t say she blames them. They’re probably worried about getting hired after they graduate. He says, some things are more important than gainful employment. Can’t they see Cyrus is a threat to the entire community? Molly gets a reminder about their florist appointment, and wonders if they should reschedule. It seems weird organizing a protest and a commitment ceremony at the same time. He says if it was up to him, everyone would come to both. He sees Brando, and tells him that there’s a tentative date for their protest against Cyrus. Nothing would make him happier than Brando being there and standing between him and Molly. Interesting choice of words.

Sonny finds Jason at the pier. He asks what Jason found, and Jason says Cyrus is getting more aggressive. Sonny says, the bastard needs to be dealt with, and Jason says, if Sonny is ready to go to war, he knows how they can win.

Ava tells Julian, barging in with his hair on fire isn’t very subtle. She assumes this is about Nelle. He says Nelle didn’t leave the letter with Martin. Someone else knows he stole Michael’s kid. She asks, who? and he says, it could be Nelle’s manicurist for all he knows. Nikolas comes in and Ava says, it’s a private conversation. Nikolas says, it’s his living room, but she says it’s their living room. There are fifty other rooms in the house; why does he need to be there? He says, clearly they don’t want him to know what they’re talking about. Ava’s phone rings, and the operator says she has a collect call from Pentenville from Ryan Chamberlain. She says she’ll accept the charges, and Ryan says, Ava? She says she’s there, and he tells her it’s wonderful to hear her voice. He’s missed her.

Brando asks if Molly and TJ have thought of the potential fallout. Cyrus is dangerous when someone gets in his way. TJ says, all the more reason for the community to take action. The more people who get… Molly says, Brando doesn’t work at the hospital; it shouldn’t be his concern. Brando says, it shouldn’t be theirs either. Brando’s phone dings, and he glances at it. He tells them, leave it to the police, and don’t get involved. Focus on their commitment ceremony instead.

Sonny tells Jason, before they move, they need proof that Cyrus is violating the truce. Jason says, Cyrus has always had plausible deniability. He’s being careful, but looking back at his moves, Jason sees Cyrus has a weakness – arrogance. He thinks he can put anybody under his thumb. That’s how they’ll bring him down.

Portia says Trina’s father wouldn’t want his death to interfere with her happiness. Trina says she knows. She was trying. When Oscar died, she’d told Josslyn that she needed to face her grief to get through it. She hadn’t realized how much living through it hurts. Sadness comes in random waves over her. Portia says, grief is sneaky and complicated. Just when you think you can handle it, it hits you like a freight train. Maybe it would be better for Trina to be with her friends. Trina says she thought being in a group would be okay, and it was, until she started feeling guilty because she wasn’t thinking about her dad. Instead, she was stressing about…. Portia says, what? and Trina says, nothing. Portia wonders if it had something to do with Cameron.

Dev says he can come back, but Josslyn says he’s not interrupting anything. He thinks they should talk to Trina; she’s having a tough time. Josslyn says she’ll go now; of course (🍷). She’ll see them in a bit. She leaves and Dev asks if Cameron had found Trina first, would he have kissed her instead?

Ava tells Ryan, spit it out; what does he want? Julian says, dammit, and Nikolas tries to take the phone, but Ava moves away. Ryan asks if that’s any way to greet the love of her life. She says she never loved him, and he asks if that’s what she tells people, or is it the lie she tells herself? Nikolas tells her, hang up the phone, and Ryan says he knows the truth. He saw it in her eyes, in every kiss, and in the heat she felt in his touch. She says, there are people who get paid to listen to this pathetic drivel. Call one of them. He says before she thinks about hanging up, remember how angry he gets when he feels ignored. She says she remembers. What does he want? He says, there’s his curious girl. She’ll have to wait until their visit to get specifics. She says she’s not going to Pentenville, but he says, of course (🍷) she is. It’s been so long since they’ve had a chance to catch up, and there’s something they need to discuss. She says they have nothing to talk about. He says, oh, but they do. Something one could call life changing. She doesn’t believe him, and he says, fine, if she’s willing to risk he consequences. She knows how he hates to wait. He hangs up.

Julian says, Ava isn’t thinking of going to Pentenville, but she says, Ryan knows something. Julian says, let him sit on it. Ryan is playing a game. Julian has had enough going on in his own life, don’t make him have to worry about her too. He has to go, and after he leaves, Nikolas says, Julian is right. She says Ryan stopped calling her months ago. He’s deranged, but he’s not random. He doesn’t do anything without a reason. Nikolas says his reason is that he’s torturing Ava. It’s how he gets high. He can hear the fear in her voice, and if he can hear it, Ryan can too. Don’t give him what he wants. It’s the only way to beat him. The only way she can hold onto her power is to not engage. She says that would make it more comfortable for him.

Trina asks why Portia would think of Cameron, and Portia says because she’s Trina’s mother. She can see it a mile away. Does Trina want to talk about it? Trina says, it’s complicated, and Portia says, things don’t get less complicated by bottling them up inside. Trina says she doesn’t know how Cameron feels about her, and she doesn’t know how she feels about him, and she’s not the only one. Josslyn comes out, and asks if Trina was looking for her. Trina says she’s not feeling well, and Josslyn says if Trina wants to leave, she’ll go with her, if that’s okay. Portia says, whatever they want to do, but Trina says they should stay; it’s their last homecoming. She thanks Portia, and Portia leaves them. Josslyn says she knows a place where she and Trina can talk.

Cameron says, so Dev saw, and Dev says he did. Cameron says he doesn’t know how it happened. He doesn’t even know what it means. Dev wonders what it means to Trina. She’s hurting right now, and not just because of her dad. She thought Cameron would be there for her tonight, and instead, he was kissing Josslyn. Cameron says he knows Josslyn and Trina are best friends; he doesn’t want to do anything to come between that. It’s not that simple; he cares about them both. He doesn’t want to hurt either one of them. Dev says, then don’t. Tell them both that he just wants to be friends, because that’s what he wants, right?

Jordan tells Stella, Curtis told her that TJ wanted to fight back against Cyrus’s role at the hospital. Curtis says, TJ made some noises about organizing, but he didn’t think TJ would move so soon. Jordan says, it’s noble, but she’s worried it paints a target on TJ’s back. Stella says, see it from TJ’s point-of-view. He was minding his own business, when some random criminal jumped him, and held him captive for days. Curtis says, the idea of staying safe and holding your head low, doesn’t hold water for TJ. At least not anymore. Stella says she doesn’t think TJ would be so insistent on righting injustice if the PCPD had a better handle on who abducted him in the first place.

TJ asks Molly if Brando was acting weird, and she says she barely knows him, but he has the right to second thoughts, especially since he was shot when Cyrus shot up Sonny’s warehouse. TJ says, Brando has every right to back out of the protest; it was the way he did it. He acted like TJ was a random organizer with a clipboard on the street. He thought they were becoming friends, and wonders what changed. Molly flashes back to telling Brando to be busy when TJ calls. She says, who knows what Brando has going on?

Jason tells Sonny, Cyrus sidelines anyone he sees as an obstacle. That’s why Monica and Bobbie got fired. He removes the people who might oppose him, and replaces them with people who will say yes, who he has leverage over. Sonny says, like the Commissioner, and Jason says, or people he can give opportunities to. Sonny says, Britt Westbourne? and Jason says, Sam told him that Cyrus tried to buy Julian’s interest in Charlie’s. Sonny says, Julian is playing with fire, and Jason says, Cyrus is gathering allies to prepare for open hostilities. He really believes he can maneuver people he owns into positions of power. He’s pretending to honor the truth, but they know it’s just a matter of time before he uses the hospital for his drug operation. But there’s one person, the one person left he hasn’t acquired. Sonny asks, who’s that? and Brando walks out onto the pier.

Elizabeth asks Portia how it’s going, and Portia says, chaperoning is easy; parenting, not so much. Elizabeth is sorry Trina is having a rough time. It was nice seeing her so excited for the dance. Elizabeth was hoping it would give the kids a break from the year they’ve had. Portia says, there is a silver lining. Taggert isn’t the only thing keeping Trina bogged down tonight. It seems they have some teenage angst on their hands. She never thought she’d say it, but thank God for that. They clink plastic cups.

Josslyn and Trina go into a stateroom, and Trina asks if Josslyn is sure they should be in there. Josslyn says her cousin owns this place, so if they want to talk in there, it’s totally cool. Trina says Dev and Cameron will probably be looking for them, but Josslyn says they were on the deck, and know Trina isn’t feeling well. She’s sure they’ll understand if Trina wants to leave. Trina doesn’t want to bring everyone down about something so stupid, but Josslyn says thinking about her father isn’t stupid. Trina says she wishes they could go back in time, before everything was so complicated, but she’s not sure going home would help how she’s feeling anyway. Josslyn suggests they sit for a while, and meet up with the guys later.

Jordan says, if Stella is implying that she’s not doing enough to find her son’s kidnapper… Stella says she’s sorry; she didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that she’s seeing in TJ’s eyes that he’s dealing with a lot of trauma. Curtis says they know. They all are, but they’re getting through it as a family. Stella says, people all deal with it differently. She’s afraid TJ is using school, the commitment ceremony, and now this protest to avoid dealing with what he went through. Jordan says she’s thought the same thing, and suggested he talk to Doc, but TJ just wanted to get on with his life. Stella says, that might be what TJ wants, but he has to talk to someone. Jordan says she thinks Stella is right, and excuses herself. Stella says she didn’t mean to cause trouble, and Curtis says, he knows that, but Jordan is troubled too. Stella says, it’s clear as day, Jordan is carrying her own burdens. She looks like she might crumble or crack under the weight. Curtis says he’s there for Jordan as back-up, and Stella says, what about what he needs?

Jordan approaches TJ and Molly at the bar, and asks if they have a moment. Molly says she can give them privacy, but Jordan says it involves Molly as well. TJ says, sounds serious. What’s going on? Jordan says, the protest they’re planning against Cyrus Renault.

Brando asks if Jason ran the plan by Sonny yet, and Sonny says, no; he did not. Jason says, Cyrus reached out to Brando, looking to break him into the organization. Sonny says, the best thing Cyrus has to gain, next to Jason, is Brando because he’s his cousin. Jason says, it’s a public move on Sonny without violating the truce. Sonny asks, what’s the pitch? and Jason says, they let Cyrus think it worked. They send Brando to work for him. Brando says, but he’s really working for Sonny.  

Ava tells Nikolas that she can make her own decisions. She doesn’t need him projecting his issues on her. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says Nikolas only messed with her a little, while Ryan messed with her a lot. Ryan is a psychopath; a manipulative, evil man who murdered her daughter, thinking it would make her happy. That’s what he is; that’s what he did. She bets it makes him sick to his stomach, because he used Kiki to get to her too. Maybe he doesn’t like Ryan reminding her of that time, because it shines a blinding spotlight on him, and how much alike they are. He says she’s right. It makes him sick to his stomach, thinking of how alike he and Ryan are. Using Kiki is one of his greatest regrets. But they both know, there’s a difference between the game they’re playing, and what Ryan did to her. She says, is there?  He says, the blackmail, the sparring, the accusations, the extravagance, the back and forth, the ups and downs. Is it childish and petty? Hell yes. A waste of time that could be better spent. It’s greedy, vain, and shallow, and appeals to the worst of them, but the worst of them doesn’t even begin to touch what Ryan is. He’s sick. Ryan got off on driving her to the brink of madness, and he couldn’t stand to see it happen to her again. She turns to face him.

Brando tells Sonny, they let Cyrus think he’s playing him. He’d told Brando those thugs who did a number on him, did it on their own. He offered a new car lift for the shop to make up for it. Jason says, the next step is the right circumstances to make Cyrus believe Brando is ready to take the job. Sonny says, the plan is solid, but he doesn’t think Brando understands how dangerous this is. Brando says he’s been caught up in this from the moment he set foot in Port Charles. The shootout, the beating. He knows there’s a lot of risk, but he’s a soldier; he knows how to fight. What better cause to fight for than family? Their family.

TJ says, protest is a strong word, and Jordan says, then tell her what they’re planning. Molly says they’re organizing the hospital staff, and getting the law students involved too. TJ says, for putting pressure on the board, to make them get rid of Cyrus. Jordan says he’s the Chairman; he votes on what goes. TJ says he may have to respond to public pressure if they embarrass him enough. She might not have been able to keep him behind bars, but they can neutralize his power. Jordan says he can’t neutralize Cyrus’s power by making himself a target. She didn’t go through all this so that he could put himself in danger again.

Stella says she knows Taggert’s death weighs heavy on Curtis as much as it does Jordan, but he’s not responsible, even though Taggert compromised his badge and ethics. He says, it’s not quite that simple, but Stella says, Jordan announced Cyrus was framed by her former colleagues. He says, two truths can exist at once. Cyrus might have been framed, but he’s not innocent. He’s still a very dangerous man. She asks if he’s thinking Cyrus has something to do with Taggert’s death, and he says, he’s convinced of it. He’ll do whatever it takes to put Cyrus back behind bars where he belongs. Not just for his family, but for the daughter Taggert left behind. Stella says, Trina. How’s she holding up? He says she blames him for her father’s death. Portia thinks it’s because Trina has no one else to be angry at. Stella says, Portia? and Curtis says, Trina’s mom. She asks if they talk often, and he says, they go way… back. She asks, how far?   

Elizabeth wonders if, hypothetically speaking, she’d be breaking mom code if she shared her suspicions with Portia that their kids might be angsting over the same thing; possibly each other. Portia says, if Elizabeth did, she’d say she suspected the same thing. Hypothetically speaking, of course (🍷). Elizabeth says, of course (🍷). Portia says, they’ve been through so much together. They have feelings to work out, and they’ll have to see how they feel at the end.

Cameron tells Dev, he doesn’t want to string anyone along, and Dev says, then make it clear he’s not interested. Cameron says he doesn’t know how he feels about either of them, and Dev says, until he does, tell them that they’re just friends. Cameron says, let’s be friends is the ultimate blow-off. It’s what you tell someone who can’t take a hint. Dev flashes back to Josslyn telling him that she’s glad they’re friends, and says, yeah. He wouldn’t know about that. Cameron says, it wouldn’t work. That weird in-between stage with both of them, where they’re more than friends, but unsure if they’ll ever be anything else. They’ll see right through him. What is he going to do?

Sonny tells Brando, there’s nothing Cyrus wants more than to have his cousin working for him, so he can rub Sonny’s nose in it. Another way to use his power is to have Brando join his operation, then threaten Brando whenever he wants for whatever reason he wants. See how he can screw Sonny over. Instead of using Brando as a spy, Cyrus will use him as a hostage. Brando says it’s a risk he’s willing to take, but Sonny isn’t so sure he is. Brando says he’s part of this, whether he likes it or not. He’d rather go out a soldier than collateral damage. Jason says Brando has made his case. It’s Sonny’s call, and no one else’s.

TJ tells Jordan, the last thing he wants is to add to her worries, but he feels like he needs to do something. Jordan says TJ felt helpless before, and doesn’t want to feel that way again. TJ says she’s right, and she says she commends him for taking a stand, but doesn’t want him throwing himself into this fight. It’s not a way for him to deal with trauma. She knows he said he doesn’t want to talk to someone, but the option is there when he’s ready. If he wants to throw himself into something, do it with happier things; Molly for example. She hears him. She has to get back, but asks him to think about what she said. He says he will, and he loves her. She says she loves him too.

Stella tells Curtis, she’s been around the block enough to know what go way back means. Were he and Portia involved? He says, it’s ancient history, and she says, her favorite subject. Is Jordan aware of it?   

Portia tells Elizabeth, no matter where they end up, Cameron has been a good friend to Trina when she needed it most. Elizabeth says Trina has been there for Cameron as well. It’s nice they have each other to rely on. Portia says, now they have to stand back, and see where their children’s hearts take them.

In one of the staterooms, Josslyn asks Trina if it’s her, or is the playlist lame? Trina says they wouldn’t allow any songs with parental advisories, and Josslyn says, not even the clean versions? What’s left? The polka? Trina says, it’s better than the chicken dance. Josslyn says she’s glad Trina is feeling better, and Trina says she is too. They need to go grab Cameron and Dev, and force them back onto the dance floor. She thanks Josslyn for keeping her company, and Josslyn says, that’s what friends do. They’ve got to be there for each other. Trina hugs her.

Dev says Cameron can’t do nothing, and Cameron says he’s been friends with Josslyn his whole life. Dev tells him to be honest, and Cameron says, it will be a disaster. Maybe he should take a step back and get a handle on what he’s feeling before he talks to them. He thanks Dev for talking to him. He knows they can be at each other’s throats, but Dev can be a good friend. Dev says he’s got Cameron.

Ava tells Nikolas, sorry. As much as she’s hated him, and doesn’t forgive him for how he used Kiki, on his worst day, he’s never been anything like Ryan. Ryan says horrible, evil things, and took her girl from her, but one thing Nikolas is wrong about is, she’s not in his thrall; she never will be. Having been blindsided and tortured once by him, she’ll never play into his games again. She can’t. Once you’re treated like that, it’s a fact you can see it coming. Nikolas says, so he doesn’t have to worry about her? and Ava says, nope. He says, not that he was. His phone dings, and he says his accountant wants to meet, but he doesn’t have to go. She says one thing they agree on is the importance of his family’s fortune. Really, she’s fine. He says he’ll see her later, and she says, yes, he will.

Trina and Josslyn join the guys, and Trina asks what they’re talking about. Cameron says, guy stuff, and Josslyn says, really. Dev asks if guys can’t have conversations, and Trina asks what they were talking about. World peace? Global warming? Their feelings? Cameron says they all know he doesn’t have any feelings. 

Elizabeth says she’s impressed at how casual Portia sounds, considering her little girl might be putting her heart out there. Portia says it’s her practiced bedside manner. She’s freaked. She tells Trina that life is short, and there’s room to love a lot of people. Some go, and some stay, but it doesn’t mean you love any of them any less.

Curtis tells Stella, he doesn’t keep secrets from his wife. She’s glad to hear it, but says, all the same, tread carefully. The past has a way of intruding on the present, and if anyone knows that, it’s Jordan. Jordan comes back, and says her ears were burning. Stella says she was apologizing for bringing TJ’s case up with her, but Jordan says Stella doesn’t need to apologize. Stella says, they’re all on the same side. Things are stressful. Hard times are a way to test everyone, and they’re stronger together. She asks them to promise to take care of each other. Find and take the time to cherish each other; it’s where they find strength. Jordan says, it’s an easy promise to keep, and Curtis says, absolutely. Stella says, so she knows she’s going to find them safe and happy when she comes back for the wedding. Jordan clears her throat, and Stella says, commitment ceremony. They laugh,

TJ tells Molly, he didn’t expect incurring his mother’s wrath about the protest. Molly says, it’s not wrath; it’s concern. It wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to talk to someone. He says he’s not there yet, and doesn’t know if he ever will be. It’s not like talking about it can take back what happened. He’s angry, but that can be a great motivator. It’s helped him get through PT, and get his life back on track, including his studies. He’s not letting that bastard win. He can make himself small and scared in a shrink’s office, and tell them how he feels. but despite what happened, he’s going to live. Molly says she’s got it; no counselling needed. His mom has a point though, about focusing on the good stuff. Uncle Sonny and Jason are watching Cyrus for any false moves. TJ doesn’t have to save the day. There’s nothing wrong with focusing on their own needs this one time. TJ agrees, saying, the last thing they need is someone getting in the way of their big day. She flashes back to kissing Brando.

Sonny wonders if Brando heard what he said, and Jason says he’ll make sure. Sonny tells Jason to keep an eye on Brando. He could cause a lot of problems.  

Ava goes to the prisoner visiting window at Pentenville. She starts to check her makeup, but puts her compact back in her bag. Ryan is led in, and they pick up the phones. He says she’s a sight for sore eyes.

Tomorrow, Ned asks Alexis to keep it between them, Carly asks Willow if Michael wants to make it permanent, and Ryan tells Ava that his silence comes at a price.

Below Deck Mediterranean

This is still on???

The important points from last week. Aesha is homesick, Tom pitched another three or four fits, and the last charter is an all girls trip. Oh, and Aesha dared to put her hand on Rob’s butt during a group photo. Would that make it a grope photo now?

Rob and Aesha go to shore with the guests. Jess says, it wasn’t cool, and goes upstairs. She says she’s not playing this sh*t. In her interview, she says, maybe she’s not crazy. She’d suspected Rob and Aesha were into each other. In the galley, Bugs sits on Alex’s lap. Jess says she’s going beat the sh*t out of Aesha. In his interview, Rob says he had no idea Aesha grabbed his ass, and feels like he would have known. Malia drops them off, and tells the guests, when they’re ready to come back, let Aesha and Rob know.

Malia asks if Tom is going for a swim. Bugs asks if Jess is good, and Jess says she wants to take Aesha TF out. She didn’t like seeing Aesha grab Rob’s ass, and wants to beat the sh*t out of her. Bugs wonders when this happened, and Jess says she’s not playing. She’s trying to remain calm so she won’t f*** Aesha up. She’s not kidding. It’s better for her to remain calm. In her interview, Bugs says she’s speechless. So am I. Why are these people acting like adolescents on a regular basis?  

The guests stroll in and out of the shops. In Aesha’s interview, she says, on the boat, she knows Jess is watching Rob’s every move, and it’s nice to spend time getting on a friend level with him. Malia asks Bugs, what’s going on? and Bugs says, apparently Aesha grabbed Rob’s bum, and Jess saw it. She felt afraid. In Bugs’s interview, she says, without Jess in a happy place, it will affect the rest of the crew. The quicker they resolve this, the better. Malia tells Alex to roll up the slide; it’s the last time. She tells him about Jess seeing Aesha smack Rob’s ass. The game of telephone has begun. Next, she’ll have put her hand down his pants. Bugs radios Alex that he left his coffee cup on the table, and she’s bringing it up. Malia jokes (I think) that Bugs needs to stop distracting the deck crew, and Bugs says Alex needs to stop leaving his coffee cup where it doesn’t belong. Alex says he did it on purpose, which is possibly true. Alex tells Malia, Jess is having a jealous breakdown. In her interview, Malia says, it’s a small boat and news travels fast. Bugs tells Jess that she knows it got heated, and Jess needs to talk about it, maybe even to Aesha, without f***ing anyone up. Jess says, there’s nothing to talk about. She’s going to murder someone. In her interview, Jess says, it’s going to be bad, and Bugs sends her on break. Rob and Aesha lose the guests while getting ice cream.

In Jess’s interview, she says she doesn’t think she has an anger issue, but she’s not sure. I choke on my coffee. She says she got into martial arts to relieve her aggression without jail. Bugs calls for some wireless headphones and transmitter. Rob thinks they should find the guests, but instead, he and Aesha chat while the guests wander around. In Aesha’s interview, she says she thinks Rob has a nice heart, but he’s a tortured soul. He reminds her of Edward Scissorhands. The guests reunite with Rob and Aesha, and decide they want to go back. On deck, Alex says, thank God; the last effing day. Captain Sandy says there’s nothing coming out of Bug’s headphones, and asks if Bugs is dancing to her own tune. We flash back to the cucumber debacle, and in Tom’s interview, he says he’s not proud of the way he acted. We revisit more tantrums, and he says they all have bad days. (Not usually over a cucumber or frozen fish though.) He doesn’t want Malia to see a negative spinoff from him having a bad day.

The guests need snacks stat, and Aesha radios Bugs, telling her, heads up; the guests are hungry. In Bugs’s interview, she says, the last time someone woke Tom up when he was on break, it didn’t go well. She goes to his cabin, and tells him the guests are hungry. He manages not to turn into Chef Jekyll, and says he may as well get up, but in the galley, he curses his life. The guests arrive back at the boat, and Malia tells them, get ready for fun water stuff. I guess that’s a technical yachting term. Bugs tells Tom that one guest wants a chicken Caesar salad, and the others want nachos with salsa and guac. Rob goes on break, and the water toys are put out. Guest Zaida, who wanted the Caesar salad, whines that she doesn’t eat bacon. In her interview, Bugs says, she should have told Tom exactly what the guests can eat. How she deals with his temperament is her little secret. Tom gripes, but not too badly. Afterward, he goes on break, and Bugs tells Jess that she’s not dealing with the drama.  

In the galley, Aesha asks how Jess’s break was, but Jess doesn’t say anything. It’s an awkward few seconds that feels like hours, and Jess finally says she needs to get something off of her chest. Earlier, when Aesha and Rob were getting ready to leave they were taking a group photo. Aesha’s hand was on Rob’s back, and traveled down to grabbing his ass. Aesha says, what? Is she serious? She didn’t touch Rob’s ass. Jess says Aesha went from holding his backpack to touching his butt. Aesha tells Jess, sorry; she was just being stupid. Jess agrees, and says, it’s mad disrespectful. It upset her. Aesha apologizes again, but in her interview, she says his backpack was there, and his ass was the only place her hand could rest. It wasn’t a particularly majestic ass, so she wasn’t getting off on it. Jess says, when people are in a relationship, it’s disrespectful. Aesha says, if it was her boyfriend, she wouldn’t give a sh*t, but obviously for Jess it’s a thing. Jess says she and Rob are in a relationship, and Aesha says, in her group of friends, they wouldn’t think about it. We flash back to Aesha and Jack being crazy, and Aesha tells Jess, now that she knows, she won’t. Jess says, she does, and Aesha says, if it was her, she could literally give two sh*ts. Jess says, it’s not a free-for-all where for everybody to grab everything, and Aesha promises not do it again, but in her interview, she says, ridiculous.

In his interview, Alex says, being lead deckhand gives him more responsibility. It makes him feel like he can grow in his career, and see what he can do. In Malia’s interview, she says, there’s one more dinner to go, and she wants the best for everyone. She’s got her heart on her shoulder, so please, let’s just make it through this last night. Aesha says, they get to wear pajamas, and she’s so excited. Jess takes a drink out of the martini shaker lid. A few of the guests play in the water, while the others drink on deck. Two spicy margaritas and a greyhound are ordered. The drink, not the dog.  Bugs talks to her sister Stephanie on the phone. In Bugs’s interview, she says she started in yachting young, in her early 20s. Her siblings joined her, and she feels like she was the trailblazer for yachting careers in the Drake family. She’s the oldest, and feels that it’s a lot of responsibility. She doesn’t know what more she can do, and wishes she could give Jess advice, but she’s exhausted.

Rob finds Jess sitting on deck. She asks how it was on shore, and he says he was in his head too much. (I stare blankly at the camera.) He tells her, there’s been a shift in energy, and he feels like he’s doing something wrong. Jess says he’s not acknowledging her, and her pain, and doesn’t want to let it go. He says what if they’re out, and someone wants to talk to him? and she asks if he’s implying that she’s jealous and overreacting. In Jess’s interview, she says, the bitch grabbed his ass; is she supposed to let it go? He’s acting like it’s not a big deal. She suggests maybe Rob is good for someone like Aesha, since Aesha said if he was her boyfriend, she wouldn’t care. He asks if he can’t be friendly, and she says he can be friendly all he wants. He has been. That’s why Aesha felt free to grab his ass. He says he feels like he’s had to question sh*t, and he doesn’t want to. It’s too much. In her interview, Bugs says Jess is supposed to be at the table. When she needs Jess to be working, she’s fighting. That’s nothing new, but Bugs just thought there might be a glimmer of hope after the last charter. She keeps trying to get Jess on the radio, but there’s no response.

Rob tells Jess he wants it to be fun and free, and Jess says, then they’re in agreement Rob and Aesha are a great match. Bugs tries the radio again, but Jess goes to her cabin and cries. A guest asks Alex when the crew gets to drink, and he says, they don’t, but can tomorrow. Some of the guests decide to jump off the boat. Bugs asks if she can chat with Jess for two seconds, and Rob asks if he can talk to Captain Sandy. Bugs says, it’s the end of the season, and Jess is kind of checking out. She wants it to be a good final charter. As soon as the guests are out of their rooms, jump straight in the cabins. In Jess’s interview, she says she doesn’t give a flying about focusing on Rob. Bugs suggests they end on a strong note. Rob goes to the captain’s office. He tells Captain Sandy that Jess has a continuous jealous thing. I can’t imagine discussing things like this with my boss. The captain says, they have one more night. Everything is magnified; they’re in an enclosed environment. Rob says it makes him wonder if he’s doing something wrong, and she says, only he can answer that. She asks if he wants to get into yachting, and he says he’d like to get into engineering. She tells him, the only way to get there, is doing time here. She thinks First Mate David would have good advice for him; he’s doing a crossing soon. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says she’s had couples on boats before, and when emotions get in the way, it affects the whole boat. If she can give them advice on how to diffuse it, she’ll support her team.    

A guest goes to the galley to thank Tom, and gives him a drink order while she’s there. He takes it good-naturedly, much to the surprise of the world. Aesha phones a friend, and says Jess is creating drama where isn’t any. Jess said Aesha’s hand was on her boyfriend’s ass. Her friend says, she’s a weirdo, dude. In Aesha’s interview, she says she won’t miss Jess’s drama. This was the moment she was done with yachting. Now she’s one day closer to going home to see her family. Rob tells Malia that he and Jess had an argument, and Malia says she doesn’t understand. How many fights have there been? He says he’ll see how it is in Bali, and she asks if he still wants to go. He tells her that he’s wanted to go for a long time. He asks if Malia and Tom ever fight; they seem solid. Malia says, once or twice, drunken things. To be honest, if Jess is acting like this when people are watching, how’s she going to act when no one is watching? Rob says he knows, but Jess has shown him that she’s a good woman.   

Malia and Alex take the guests on a sunset cruise. Malia tells the women that Alex has been courting Bugs for the last two weeks, and they think it’s sweet. In Alex’s interview, he says, if it doesn’t work out with Bugs, he’ll marry a MILF. Tom is relieved it’s the final dinner. He started badly, and wants to end on a high note. He’s going to come out guns blazing. The sunset is phenomenal, and the guests take photos. Bugs uses the elephant décor again for the table, and I like it. David talks to Rob, who tells him about his plans for Bali. David says Rob will get bridge time and experience on watch, but he’d have to check about the pay. Rob says he’d do it for no pay, but David says there are industry standards that have to be followed. In Rob’s interview, he says he wants to get his sea time in, like Malia did. David says he’ll need to know for certain before he pulls any strings. In Alex’s interview, he says he thinks Rob should take a vacation by himself, and do meditation in Indonesia. A producer tells him, Bali is in Indonesia, and Alex laughs, saying, way to sound like an a-hole, Alex.  

Jess is grabbing a smoke on deck, when Bugs radios for her to do laundry. In the crew mess, Captain Sandy asks what happened to Bugs’s last boyfriend, and Alex says he fixed her broken heart. Bugs says that’s her cue to leave, and the captain says she thinks that’s cute and sweet. Jess is startled by Rob being in the laundry room when she gets there. The guests take their time getting ready for dinner, even though they’re the ones who set the time. Alex helps Bugs with hanging a disco ball. Rob tells Aesha that he’s sorry for what happened. She says she didn’t know it was a thing, but she’s sorry. He says, him too. The disco ball is hung, Rob cracks Alex’s back, and the guests are seated. In Malia’s interview, she says it’s been a strain on her and Tom’s relationship. She wants it to end on a high note; have her team let everything out, and come together. It would be nice. Tom plates, and Rob helps Jessica in the cabins, folding the corners on the last square of the toilet paper rolls, while she makes beds.

One guest says they’re lucky to be there. The women agree it’s awesome, and the lobster starter is amazing. In the galley, Captain Sandy says Malia makes a good little sous chef. Malia says she enjoys it, and the captain says, it’s important to know how all the jobs are done. You get to know how hard people work. Malia says, you know what people need. In the captain’s interview, she says, despite what happened with Tom, Malia is still doing her job on deck, and killing it. We flash back to Malia throughout the season, leaving out what a snake she is. Captain Sandy says, if Malia wants to be a captain, she still has a lot to learn, and she’s going to help her. Malia says she’s going to be head chef next. Guest Zaida doesn’t eat beef, which is the entrée, and in Bugs’s interview, she says, food being sent back is Tom’s worst nightmare. Aesha is the brave one, returning the plate to the galley. Tom says, oh sh*t, but manages not to flip out, and tells Aesha, it will be a minute or two. At the table, another guest asks what Zaida is going to eat. Zaida says she doesn’t know. All she knows is, it won’t be beef. In Tom’s interview, he says he can only strive to do his best. He had no excuse for his behavior, and hopes it’s not held against Malia. Zaida says, it smells amazing, and she almost wishes she ate beef. Tom apologizes, telling Aesha it’s his bad. Aesha brings Zaida a chicken dish, and says, the chef apologizes profusely. Zaida jokes (I think) that he should get his act together. She tastes the chicken, and calls Aesha over. She doesn’t say anything for a moment, so we’re all thinking, the chicken is probably raw, but she says, Tom is doing an amazing job, and to keep it up. Aesha says she was scared. Rob can’t get a cord to retract into some device, and he tells Jess, the story of his life – recoiling hoses. I have no idea what he means by this. Jess says he gets frustrated, but he says he has a lot of patience. She says, when he wants to, and he asks what that means. She says, it means he has patience when he wants to.   

The guests are ready to party in their PJs. The captain says Alex is a trooper, and he says he does what he can for the team. Malia tells Tom, it’s okay, and he says, he thinks he let things get him down. If they’re avoidable, it annoys him. Malia says, it’s not like it took an hour. Jess is done for the night, and goes to bed. The guests go to their pseudo disco room, and Bugs and Aesha get into PJs. Rob gets into his bunk, but eventually, Jess gets in with him.   

Bugs yells, PJ party! and says, everyone looks cute. Bugs tells the guests to make playlists, put their headsets on, and she’ll plug it in. Aesha joins them, and everybody dances. It’s officially silent disco. Malia wants to hear, and gets a set of earphones. Bugs dances in the galley. This is very weird looking. Malia joins the guests for a dance, and says, it’s really cool. In Aesha’s interview, she says, it’s the last charter. She won’t have to clean toilets or make a stupid bed unless it’s her own.    

Jess asks why Rob is getting up. He says he’s tired of being tested every five minutes. She says she’s not doing that, so why is he continuing? He says she keeps asking this or that. He can’t do sh*t. She says he’s not f***ing with her heart; not when she opened up. He’s blowing it out of proportion for something stupid. He agrees it was blown out of proportion, but says they were both at fault. She says, one day, he couldn’t let sh*t go. Rob says, any triggers, he shuts down. He cuts off completely. He told himself that he’d give it a shot, but he’s happier alone. It’s been better that way, but he’s tired of running away. She says she’s scared to love him anymore, and he says, that’s on her. In Rob’s interview, he says he’s guarded. He can open up, but he sets traps until you get to one; then you’re out of his life. He’s used to things being taken away. That’s why he’s been alone. It’s sad, but that’s what it is. I have never heard such senseless drivel in my life. Rob tells David that he’ll go on the crossing.   

Next time – the season finale, finally – food takes a long time to come out, fire eaters, the crew and charter guests end up in the same club, Alex says Jess and Rob are drama after drama, and Jess begs Rob to give them a chance.

💻 Zoom Among Yourselves…

I’m really loving Chat Room.

https://www.bravotv.com/bravos-chat-room

⌛️ Another Day In…

One day this will all be over, and we’re gonna laaaugh. Okay, maybe not, but we’ll be able to lead normal lives again. Until then, stay safe, stay expectant, and stay playing your disco loud.