What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

At Pozzulo’s, Alexis talked to Sonny about Kristina’s shadowing program and Molly’s book launch party she was working on with Ric. She said both her girls were happy, but she needed his help with Danny.

Charlotte and Danny ran into the boathouse, and Charlotte said that man was going to abduct her in the middle of the day. It was insane, but Danny came back after she’d told him to leave. Danny said he’d always come back for her.

Molly and Cody went to the pool, and Molly said they’d come a long way. From the pool, James shot them with a super soaker.

Turner told Fitzpatrick that Willow declined to answer questions, and he asked if it was really worth the time and resources. She said she wanted Willow to be accountable and the trip log put her on Route 91. Her phone chimed, and she told Fitzpatrick that Britt was taken into police custody in the British Virgin Islands.

Cullum summoned Nathan to Windymere and asked how he was going to solve their Sidwell problem.

A nurse said Anna’s blood pressure was high, but Felicia said they were just excited to see each other. The nurse left, And Anna told Felicia that the man claiming to be Nathan was his twin brother.

Cody made James hand the squirt gun over and apologize to Molly. Then he discovered his phone was soaked.

Boyle was about to leave the parking lot when he got a text.

Fitzpatrick told Turner that he was surprised about Britt, since Dante had avoided the use of the word kidnapping and didn’t want any government agencies involved. She said she wasn’t surprised Dante had changed his mind, but he’d asked her not to report it. Fitzpatrick wondered why.

Cullum asked if Nathan told anyone about the house Sidwell got for Marco, and Nathan said Laura and Jordan knew, and he’d had to tell the PCPD or his cover would be blown. They wanted him to check out the house with another guy. Cullum said he had to make sure Sidwell didn’t walk out of that house alive.

Aix-Les-Bans, France. Emma asked if Dr. Laurent told Mac when Anna could go home, but he said she hadn’t given them a definite date. He didn’t think Anna would be coming back with them because the doctor still had concerns. Emma asked, what kind of concerns?

Anna told Felicia that she’d been headed for Faison’s chateau at the Swiss border, hoping to find proof that he was alive. If she came up empty, she was going to drop it. She didn’t find any sign of Faison, but she found a letter to Faison from Obrecht’s sister Madeline. Obrecht had another son with Faison named Cassius and she had proof he was Nathan’s twin. She handed Felicia the letter.

Sonny asked why Danny would break into the WSB, and Alexis said he’d wanted to make contact with his father. He could have gotten into serious trouble, which was why she needed Sonny to do her a favor. Scare Danny and tell him that he couldn’t take that kind of risk again. Jason would thank him for it. Sonny asked what the WSB said about the break-in, and she told him, Cullum said he’d let it go. Alexis wondered why Cullum was dealing with a kid, and Sonny brought her into his office and closed the door. He said they had to make sure Danny steered clear of Cullum. The guy was deadly. Cullum was the one who killed Marco.

Charlotte asked why Danny came back to the office after he’d left, and he said the guy who attacked her got out of the elevator when he was getting on. He’d noticed the guy had an earpiece and was wearing a holster. His dad and Sonny had one like it sometimes, and he thought she might be in danger. Why was Cullum suddenly after her? She said he must want to use her to get to her dad, and Danny said, good.

Turner suggested sending in a SWAT team instead, but Fitzpatrick thought they shouldn’t use resources they didn’t have to. Sidwell might not even be there. She said, if he was, Fitzpatrick would be vulnerable. She’d have them on stand-by just in case. Fitzpatrick said if Sidwell was there, he’d call so she could have them bring Sidwell in, and he left.

Boyle nervously looked in the trunk of his car, got back in the car, and left.

Cullum told Nathan that Sidwell risked the exposure of their project to avenge the death of his son. In doing so, he walked into a trap. His grief made him an untenable liability and he had to go. Nathan wondered how long before Cullum felt that way about him, and Cullum said he’d already had doubts, but if Nathan eliminated Sidwell, he’d prove himself someone Cullum could trust and earn 50% of the profits from the project. Nathan asked what happened if he refused to kill Sidwell, and Cullum said things would end badly for Agent Jax and Obrecht.

Felicia asked if she was reading this right that Madeline gave Faison one of Obrecht’s sons, and Anna said Obrecht had been told Nathan’s twin was stillborn. According to the date, Cassius had to have been born at the same time as Nathan. It sounded like Madeline might have been trying to protect Obrecht by giving one of the sons a chance to live a life without Faison and letting Faison raise Cassius if he left Obrecht alone. Felicia said, she also wanted money to stay silent. If this was true… Anna said Nathan hadn’t returned to them. They’d buried him eight years ago and Cassius took Nathan’s place.

Molly suggested getting rice to dry out the phone, but Cody said he’d read that a phone should dry out on it’s own or rice particles could get stuck in the ports. (PSA!) He didn’t mind a break from tech. It would give him time to pay more attention to her and James. They kissed.

Alexis asked why Cullum would kill Marco, but Sonny said it was too complicated to get into right now. Lucas figured it out. She asked if he’d gone to the authorities, but Sonny said he didn’t have that kind of proof. She’d have to trust him on this. Cullum was guilty. Alexis said she thought about how she and Danny found Marco every day. It was brutal. He said they had to keep Danny away from Cullum, and she said, aside from being Jason’s son, why would Cullum target Danny? He said he didn’t know. Cullum was a double agent and would do anything to cover his tracks. She asked if Jason knew about Cullum, and he said, Jason knew Cullum was dirty. They had to make sure Danny never found out. She said, Danny would do anything to tell the world that Cullum was a murderer and his father was innocent.

Fitzpatrick scoped out the house, when Nathan got in the car. Nathan said he’d wanted in because it bugged the hell out of him that Sidwell escaped on his watch, and Fitzpatrick said Nathan had been ambushed by professionals and walked out alive. Don’t die. Rule number one. He was pretty sure no one was home. Nathan said it was a long shot and he could take it from there, but Fitzpatrick said he was in it for the long haul. Stakeouts were kind of his thing. He had his playlist ready and snacks. He had a crippling weakness for dark chocolate and 90s grunge bands. (Same.) He asked if Nathan had read the latest on his sister, and Nathan asked, what happened? Fitzpatrick said Commissioner Falconari tracked her and his son to Tortola and Britt was being brought back to the US. Nathan asked about her health, but Fitzpatrick said they didn’t have any information on that.

Felicia said Anna had confirmed Nathan’s identity in at least two different ways, and Anna said it was a DNA test and would have been a match for Nathan, but Felicia said even identical twins didn’t share fingerprints. Anna suspected Cassius broke into the PCPD database and replaced Nathan’s fingerprints with his own. He’d probably exhumed Nathan’s body and disposed of it before he got to Port Charles. Felicia wondered why he’d do all those things, and Anna said Jack told her months ago that there was a connection between Faison and Sidwell. She thought Cassius was the connection. Who better to convince her that Faison was alive than his own son? Felicia asked if she now believed Faison was dead, and Anna said she was still working through that part of the puzzle. Felicia said there was no mention of Cassius being Nathan’s identical twin. Maybe her theory was based on her history with Faison. Anna said Felicia still thought she was crazy, didn’t she?

Emma told Mac that Anna was much better and it couldn’t be much longer before they’d release her.

Cody said he couldn’t wait for Molly’s book launch party, but Molly wasn’t so sure she wanted to be the center of attention. He said the party would be good practice for her book tour, and she said she was grateful. It was hard for her parents to put their animosity aside and work together. He said he wasn’t so sure it was that hard, and she asked if he thought there was something going on between them. He said, for some people, bickering could be a form of foreplay, but she said, no. Just no. He said, sniping at each other could be a way of them covering up their true feelings, like he and Molly did at the beginning, but she told him not to compare them to her parents. She enjoyed their bickering because she’d been attracted to him. Unlike her parents, who loathed each other. He said, based on what he’d seen recently, it seemed like things might have changed between the two of them, but she said, they hadn’t. He wondered why she was against her parents getting back together, and she said, because it would be a disaster of epic proportions.

Alexis said she was going home to install a panic room and lock Danny in it for the rest of his life, but Sonny said, just keep an eye on him. She said she was trying, when there was a knock at the door. Alexis opened the door to Turner and said she was just leaving… unless Sonny needed legal counsel present. Turner said Sonny wasn’t in any legal trouble. She was there to give him a warning about Jenz Sidwell.

Charlotte wondered how it could be good that Cullum was after her, and Danny said it could mean Cullum still thought her dad was in Port Charles and didn’t know about him going to Geneva. She said she’d need to find a place to hide. She couldn’t have Cullum using her as bait. She thanked Danny, but he said they were best friends. Even when they were fighting, they still showed up for each other. She asked if he forgave her for the crappy things she’d said, and he asked if she forgave him for almost giving up Rocco. She said, totally, and he wondered how they were going to keep her safe.

Felicia told Anna that it was a lot to absorb. She was saying the man that was once the love of her daughter’s life wasn’t who he said he was. Anna said she knew she wasn’t a reliable source right now, but think about it. Nathan came to town without any memory of what happened to him after his supposed death. Wasn’t that convenient? Where had he been? Who had he been with? What had he been doing? Felicia said she didn’t know, but Cassius had fooled everyone for months, including the people that loved Nathan. Anna said, he had to have slipped up. Could Felicia think of anything? Something odd or something that seemed out of character for Nathan. Felicia said he dated Lulu and she thought it was really odd, and Anna agreed. Maybe she was wrong, but if she was right, what did that mean for James? Wasn’t it worth looking into her theory for James’s sake? Felicia asked to look at the letter again.

Fitzpatrick told Nathan about having the syringe from Britt’s place tested. They found nothing but saline. The doctor had said saline didn’t really have a medical function other than rehydration or administering other meds, but there weren’t any traces of anything else. He picked up the binoculars again and saw Boyle. He said it looked like someone just got home. Boyle helped Sidwell out of the trunk of his car, and Fitzpatrick said he was calling Turner who had the SWAT team on stand-by. It wasn’t worth trying to take Sidwell down by themselves.

Mac hoped everything was okay, but Emma said she was sure Felicia and Anna just had a lot of catching up to do. Felicia came out and handed Mac the letter. She said he needed to read this.

Nathan said it was a bad idea, but Fitzpatrick said he’d promised to call Turner if Sidwell showed. Nathan said, the last time, he’d gotten ambushed and they lost Sidwell, and Fitzpatrick asked if he thought there was a leak in the department. Nathan said he would put money on it and he didn’t want to risk losing Sidwell again.

Molly said her parents had already separated when she was growing up, so she didn’t deal with them much as a couple, and Cody said maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she imagined. She said she thought it might be worse. Her sisters told her about her parents’ epic battles and attempts to destroy each other’s lives. It would be a tsunami of chaos and ranker that she really didn’t want to deal with. There were times as a kid that she wanted her parents back together, but as an adult, she could see they were better off apart. Her dad was happy with Elizabeth and she hoped her mom found that with somebody too, just not her dad.

Sonny said he’d set up a meeting with Danny, and Alexis left. Turner told Sonny, thanks to Laura and Jordan, they’d located a potential safe house in Port Charles that Sidwell might be using. Detectives were staking it out right now. With any luck, he should be apprehended soon. Sonny needed to watch his back. If Sidwell was still in Port Charles, it was likely because he wanted to pay Sonny back for his part in Sidwell’s arrest. Sonny said Sidwell hated to lose and he knew Sidwell was coming after him. And he’d be ready.

Inside, Sidwell told Boyle that the house was supposed to be a gift to Marco and he’d imagined Marco starting a family there. Marco was supposed to have a future with Lucas, but it got ripped from him. Boyle wondered if Sidwell shouldn’t get out of town for a while, but Sidwell said he wasn’t going anywhere until he found and destroyed his son’s murderer. And Boyle was going to help him. Boyle said he thought Cullum and Sidwell were partners, and Sidwell said so did he. Cullum had become conspicuously unavailable since he’s been forced underground. He was sure Cullum was hoping the PCPD or Sonny would take him out, so he could reap the rewards of their hard work for himself. Boyle said Cullum was a bit of a creeper, walking around with that corpse-like vibe to him, and Sidwell laughed. He said Boyle was in a perfect position to expose Cullum as a double agent while he removed Corinthos. The WSB would take care of Cullum after Boyle exposed him. Then Boyle could sit back like the hero that he was. Fitzpatrick and Nathan busted in and Fitzpatrick said, hands in the air. Boyle said, innocent man here, and Sidwell said, shut up, you bum. Fitzpatrick said Sidwell was under arrest, and Sidwell said, Cassius, what are you waiting for? Shoot him.

Charlotte said she guessed she had to find a place to hide, but didn’t think Danny was in any danger. He’d knocked out Cullum’s guy from behind, so he probably didn’t see Danny. Danny’s phone rang and he said it was his grandma. Alexis asked where he was, and he said, with a friend. She said she was coming to pick him up. They had something to discuss. He said his friend needed help and he wasn’t going to abandon them.

James asked if Cody and Molly were going in the pool, and Molly said, let’s do it.

Felicia left Cody a message to call her back as soon as he could. She’d like him to keep James away from Nathan for now. She and Mac had reason to believe Nathan wasn’t who he said he was.

Emma said, earlier, Anna seemed like her old self. Was that just an act? Anna said, no. She had to keep certain things to herself so she could talk to Felicia privately. Emma asked if she really thought Cassius was Nathan’s twin, and Anna said she knew it seemed out there, but in her gut she knew she was right. Emma said, what if she wasn’t? and Anna said, what if she was really crazy? Emma hugged her.

Turner told Sonny to be careful, and he said he was taking precautions. Sidwell was the one who should be worried. She said if he hunted Sidwell down and killed him, she couldn’t look the other way, but he said he’d never expect her to.

Fitzpatrick said he thought Sidwell was confused. That was Nathan, not Cassius. Sidwell laughed and asked if Cassius wanted to tell Fitzpatrick, or should he? He supposed he’d do the honors. This is not in fact Detective Nathan West. This is his identical twin brother Cassius Faison. Unlike his beloved saint of a brother, Cassius was no hero, but he was Sidwell’s partner in crime. Fitzpatrick asked what he was talking about, and Sidwell said, no turning back now. Cassius turned his gun on Fitzpatrick and said he was sorry. Fitzpatrick needed to drop the gun. Fitzpatrick looked panicked.

Tuesday:

Tracy went to see Sonny because she was concerned Sidwell would be coming for him and he shared his home with Gio. That made it their problem.

Nina met Ava at the pool and asked if it was just the two of them. Ava said, about that… and Nina looked over to see Ethan.

James and Cody went to the batting cages. He wanted Cody to film him, but Cody said his phone still had to reboot. James said Cody could use his phone. He wanted it sent to his mom. Cody asked if he felt like he was missing out on the family trip, but James said, no. The Grand Canyon was really just a big hole in the ground. (Truth!) Plus, he’d take the batting cages with Cody and his dad any day.

Carly met Danny and Charlotte at the boathouse, and Danny told her that Cullum sent someone to try and kidnap Charlotte.

Obrecht joined Josslyn again, and Josslyn asked if she was okay. Obrecht said she was as well as could be expected. She couldn’t stall a second longer. Her work was done and she’d completed the prototype. Cesar’s final project was now operative.

Sidwell told Fitzpatrick that Nathan was Cassius and his partner in crime. He told Cassius, no going back now, and Cassius said he needed Fitzpatrick to drop the gun, but Fitzpatrick said Turner knew they were there. A SWAT team was ready to go and they’d figure it out pretty quickly. Nathan said he was right and aimed the gun at Boyle. He asked if Fitzpatrick was willing to gamble with Boyle’s life.

Charlotte said, if it wasn’t for Danny, she’d be in the guy’s trunk or dead, and Danny said he wasn’t going to let the WSB take her too. Carly said it meant Cullum didn’t know Valentin had turned himself in to the WSB, but it wasn’t over. Trying to kidnap her in the middle of the afternoon meant Cullum was either very confident or desperate.

Cullum went to see Jack, who was bound to the bed, and said he suspected the staff would be busy with other patients for a while. Nothing serious. He just wanted them to be undisturbed. The WSB had to update their records and were now aware that Jack had a DNR. It was only out of concern for Jack that he’d added it. But don’t worry. His end would be quick and sooner than he thought.

Obrecht said the project still needed to be initiated and brought online, but her part was finished, and Josslyn said she was supposed to sabotage it. Obrecht said Cassius told them that their only choice was to continue. He was her son and their best chance of getting out of this alive. Josslyn said Cassius was only looking out for himself. He was their captor. It didn’t matter anyway because Cassius wasn’t in charge. Cullum and Sidwell were. Obrecht said Cassius would find a way to help them, but Josslyn said he may be Obrecht’s son, but he wasn’t Nathan. Nathan would have rescued them. Cassius would not.

Nina was glad Ava had taken her seriously and brought protection, but Ava said Sonny had insisted. But Ethan was useless in regard to security. Ethan said, let’s hope we never have to find out, and Ava told him that the first rule of personal security was to be seen and not heard, and often, not even seen. Ethan moved to a chaise lounge, and Nina said Ava was taking this threat to her life in stride, but Ava said it was Sonny that Sidwell wanted.

Tracy told Sonny that his relationship with Sidwell was putting his family in jeopardy, but Sonny said he had eyes on his family. She said Gio was different. He was better off with her. Sonny texted Gio to come meet them so she could tell him.

Cassius told Fitzpatrick to drop the gun or he’d shoot Boyle, and Fitzpatrick put the gun on the floor and slid it under the couch. Cassius told him to get on his knees and put his hands behind his head, and Fitzpatrick did while Sidwell laughed.

James suggested he, Cody, and Molly go camping after Molly’s book tour, and Cody said he was in if James’s dad was good with it. James said they should ask him when he got there, and Cody said he should be there soon. James said he was probably solving a case or saving a life. Stuff came up, but he always showed.

Ava said the sooner the PCPD found Sidwell, the sooner her watchdog could go back to Sonny’s pen, and Nina said, then they could stop terrorizing Willow. For some reason, Turner believed Willow was involved in Curtis and Jordan’s accident. Ava asked if she was, and Nina said, of course (🍷) not, but Turner had never been interested in the truth. Ava said she wasn’t interested in justice either. Just making a name for herself. Nina said, or serving old grudges, and Ava said Turner had the wrong person when she’d put her on trial for Kristina’s unhinged behavior and she had the wrong person now. It was no wonder Sidwell and his cronies were running free.

Cullum told Jack that he was ready to leave Port Charles, but had something to do first. He put a gas mask over Brennan’s nose and mouth, and Brennan started to struggle and yell. Cullum said he had the feeling Jack was faking his condition, hence the restraints. But it was time to be rid of him. He attached a cannister to the mask.

Fitzpatrick told Cassius, don’t do this. It wasn’t too late. Cassius said he was sorry. Fitzpatrick was just doing what he had to and so was he. He knocked Fitzpatrick out with the butt of his gun, and Boyle freaked a little. Sidwell said he’d never doubted Cassius and reached for Fitzpatrick’s gun, but Cassius asked if Sidwell thought he was going to walk out clean after blowing his cover.

Gio wondered what was going on, and Sonny said his great-grandmother just needed to tell him something. Tracy said Sidwell was a dangerous fugitive and wanted Gio’s grandfather dead. She wasn’t worried about Sonny, but she was worried about him. Gio asked if she thought Sidwell was going to come after him, and she said it was a perfect way to get at Sonny. Gio said he wasn’t cutting Sonny out of his life, but she said she wasn’t asking him to do that. She was asking him to come home with her – now.

Ava and Ethan went to the gallery, and she said she was tempted to find Sidwell herself to get her personal space back. Ethan said she didn’t think too highly of him, but she said she hardly thought of him at all. When she did, she thought of the man who abandoned his baby for a payday. He said he wasn’t there to squeeze the Quartermaines for money, and she asked why he was still in Port Charles then. He’d done his part and she couldn’t imagine he wanted to make being Sonny’s errand boy his career. He said one of his errands was protecting her, but she said Sonny wanted him to spy on her. She knew Sonny thought she and Sidwell were partners in crime. Turner came in and said Sonny wasn’t the only one. She was wondering about that herself.

Obrecht told Josslyn that she knew Cassius wasn’t Nathan. When he’d told her the truth about himself, her heart broke as it did eight years ago. Josslyn had no idea what it was like to lose a child, but even though she’d lost one son, she’d gained another. At heart, Cassius was still a good man. Josslyn said she couldn’t know that, and Obrecht said perhaps some of it was performance, but she’d seen the truth in his relationship with James. Love couldn’t be faked. Josslyn said love was the easiest thing you could fake. He was Faison’s son and could fake anything. Obrecht said he was more than that. She broke free of Faison’s control and knew Cassius had it in him too. Which was why she knew he’d come back to free them. Josslyn said, when Sidwell and Cullum got what they wanted, Cassius would show her his true self, and she wouldn’t like what she saw.

Sidwell said the only reason he exposed Cassius was because they were backed into a corner. Let’s be gone. Start anew. Cassius said he was done being a pawn for Sidwell and Cullum, and Sidwell said he didn’t need a pawn. He needed a partner. Get him out of Port Charles and he’d make it worth his while. Cassius said what he should do is shoot Sidwell. Go before he changed his mind. Sidwell asked for the gun, but Cassius said, no. Sidwell was a resourceful guy and he was sure he’d figure it out. Door. Go. Sidwell left and Boyle said, good riddance, am I right? He had to get going… Cassius said he wasn’t done with Boyle yet.

Carly said she had to get Josslyn out of Windymere now, but she wanted Danny and Charlotte to stay there. Danny said his dad wouldn’t want her to do this, especially when he wasn’t there to protect her, and Charlotte said neither would hers. Same reason. They could get her into Windymere.

Cullum told Jack, don’t worry. He’d tie up any loose ends at the office, including Jack’s black box. He hadn’t been able to open it yet, but he would. Whatever was inside may prove to be a valuable insurance policy should things not go his way. He turned on the gas and left. Jack struggled to breathe.

Sonny told Gio that he did everything he could to make sure his family didn’t get caught up in his business, and sometimes that meant keeping them away from him. Gio said Sonny already had security and he could take care of himself, but Tracy said she thought Gio underestimated Sidwell as a threat. Sonny said the guy was desperate and wanted to pay Sonny back for everything wrong in his life, and Tracy said given the rarity of her and Sonny being in agreement, she thought Gio should listen to them. Gio wondered if he got no say in where he lived.

Carly said Danny and Charlotte’s fathers took comfort in knowing they were safe, but Charlotte said they also wouldn’t want Carly putting herself in danger by going to Windymere alone. Carly said if Jason and Valentin were there, they’d be telling them the same thing, but Charlotte said Carly had helped her and her dad. Let her help Carly get back to her daughter.

Jack struggled against the restraints and struggled to breathe, then passed out.

Boyle said Fitzpatrick was dead, but he was good at keeping secrets. Cassius checked Fitzpatrick’s pulse and said Fitzpatrick wasn’t dead, but he might as well be. His life was over. Boyle said, not necessarily. It would be his word against Fitzpatrick’s and he’d have Cassius’s back. Cassius said, here was what Boyle was going to do. When Fitzpatrick came to, help him. He was walking out of there and no one in this town was ever going to see him again. He left, and outside, he looked at a photo of James on his phone. He took the SIM card out and broke it in half.

Ethan said he was Ava’s bodyguard, and Ava said, courtesy of Sonny. Turner said most bodyguards didn’t introduce themselves to her, and he said he wasn’t most bodyguards. Ava suggested he be seen and not heard, and Turner asked for a moment alone with Ava. Ethan moved away, and Turner said she had questions about Sidwell. Ava said she’d already given the WSB all the information she had, and Turner said she was going to give it again to the acting District Attorney.

Sonny said Tracy was right, but he wasn’t asking Gio to leave. Her worries were legitimate, but he was an adult and they couldn’t tell him where or how to live. It was up to him to decide what to do with the information. Gio said he loved Tracy and decided to move out when he was upset and angry, but he was in a different place now and loved all the Q’s. But Sonny had been there for him his whole life, before Sonny even knew he was his grandson. He wasn’t abandoning him now. Sonny said Gio wouldn’t be abandoning him, and Gio said he knew. He promised to be careful, but he wasn’t leaving his grandpa’s side.

Boyle paced and told an unconscious Fitzpatrick that Cassius said he was fine, so he could go. Fitzpatrick didn’t look fine, but at least he wasn’t dead. That was the important thing, right? It was more than he could handle, so he didn’t think it made him a bad guy if he left. He’d go far away and call an ambulance. It would save both of them, because if Sidwell and Cassius came through that door, they were both goners. They could both be alive or both be dead. So he was going somewhere safe and calling an ambulance. He promised they’d take care of Fitzpatrick. He opened the door, and Fitzpatrick said, wait.

Cassius showed up at the batting cages and apologized for being late, but James said it was okay. Cody had gotten them extra time. Cassius thanked Cody, and James asked if he was catching the bad guys. Cassius said he thought he was done with that, and James said he was glad his dad was there. Cassius said him too. He had big plans for them.

Tracy said there was no shortage of security the night Sonny watched his son, her nephew, almost die in a firebombing attack in Sonny’s penthouse that was meant for him. How was he going to feel if history repeated itself? She left, and Gio said, that wasn’t fair. Sonny said, maybe not, but it was true.

On the phone, Boyle said he had the ice. What should he be doing?… He wrapped a bag of ice in a towel and said, okay. Was there anything else he should do for him?… All right. He’d wait until the ambulance arrived, but please hurry. Fitzpatrick wasn’t in good shape. He was about to put the ice on Fitzpatrick’s head, when Fitzpatrick sat up. He asked, what the hell happened? and Boyle said it was a funny way to say thank you. He’d just saved Fitzpatrick’s life.

Charlotte told Carly that she’d spent a lot of time at Windymere. She knew all its secrets and had explored all of its hidden passageways. She handed Carly a phone and said if Carly followed her instructions, she’d get in and the WSB would never know it. And they’d never see her coming. Carly thanked her and said she’d put this to good use. They were going to stay at the boathouse, right? Danny said they’d heard her, and Carly said if Danny didn’t hear from her by 8 o’clock, she needed him to call Sonny. She’d see them later. Charlotte told her to be careful, and Carly left. Charlotte said they should have never let her go alone. Their dads wouldn’t let her go in there without back-up. Danny said neither would they. They were going to be her back-up.

Josslyn said maybe Obrecht was right about Cassius, maybe not, but she was done waiting for him. The ax was going to drop at some point and she didn’t want to be there when it did. She was going to get out of there, and if Obrecht was smart, she’d come with her. Obrecht asked how Josslyn expected to do that. They’d upped the security since her last brilliant escape attempt. Josslyn said that’s where Obrecht’s brilliance came in. They were going to put that big brain of hers to use. If she could figure out nuclear fusion, she could figure out how to open that door.

Nina came into Jack’s room with a double cheeseburger from the MetroCourt, and saw he wasn’t conscious. She wondered what all this was and said, Jack?

Ava showed Turner all the receipts for Sidwell’s art transactions, and Turner asked Ava to email it to her. Ava said Turner should know, she never trusted Sidwell and would never help him. Turner asked if Ava ever wondered where Sidwell got his money from, but Ava said, no. He was her client and where his money came from was none of her business. She should know, their business took place before Sidwell tried to kill her nephew. Now she wouldn’t spit on that man if he were on fire. Sidwell walked in and said that broke his heart. Given the chance, he’d happily spit on her. Ethan reached for his gun, but Sidwell said he wouldn’t do that. Not unless Ethan wanted these lovely paintings spattered in blood.

Cody’s phone made a sound and he said it looked like his phone was back from the dead, and James said he told Cody it would be okay. Cody said he should probably check his messages and stepped away. Cassius asked James what he thought about getting out of there and giving Cody a break, and James asked where they were going. Cassius said he didn’t know yet.

Cody wondered how many messages he was going to have to delete, when he heard the one from Felicia. Hey Cody. Please call me back as soon as you can. I’d like you to keep James away from Nathan for now. Mac and I have reason to believe that Nathan isn’t who he says he is. Cody looked at Cassius with James, thinking, rut-roh.

Wednesday:

Sidwell told them, hands up, turn around. He was in the market for a traveling companion and was going to take Ava.

Sonny told Gio that the situation with Sidwell was dangerous and Tracy didn’t want him anywhere near it. Tracy was wrong about a lot of thigs, but not this. Gio said he had no intention of moving out of Sonny’s house.

Nina tried to rouse Jack.

Obrecht said during Josslyn’s last escape attempt, they’d lost a valuable access point to the wiring, but Josslyn said it couldn’t be the only wiring that connected to the door.

Carly looked for Lucas at the hospital, but Amy said he’d been called in with a patient, some detective.

Lucas asked, what happened? but Fitzpatrick said he was good. He had to put out an APB for a cop and Sidwell. Lucas said he thought Fitzpatrick might have a concussion.

Nathan suggested he and James get ice cream, but Cody told James that he couldn’t leave. James said he was with his dad, but Cody said his dad may have to take care of something and suggested James stay with him.

Nina took the mask off Jack and said he wasn’t breathing. She called for help, but the place looked deserted. She did mouth to mouth.

Fitzpatrick ran to the desk and asked Amy to call 911. He took the phone from her, and told the operator who he was. He asked for an APB on Detective Nathan West. Carly approached, and Fitzpatrick said Nathan was working with Sidwell who was still in Port Charles. Pick up Boyle while they were at it. He may have information. Fitzpatrick keeled over, and Lucas grabbed him. Carly ran out.

Cody said Nathan should probably take off, and Nathan said he didn’t think he could stay, but maybe James and Cody could get ice cream. Cody said James’s dad had important business, but James said his dad couldn’t go. Nathan said he didn’t have a choice, and James asked if it was police officer stuff. Nathan said he’d made a big mistake and it wasn’t one he thought he could fix.

Sonny told Gio that Sidwell wanted revenge. Gio living with him drew Sidwell’s attention and put a target on his back. Sidwell had lost his son and his mind and had nothing left to lose. He wouldn’t hesitate hurting someone Sonny cared about.

Ava said she didn’t make an amenable hostage under the best circumstances and Sidwell had shot her nephew. Sidwell said he wasn’t sorry. Lucas betrayed him and he didn’t take that lightly. Ava said Sidwell had no problem betraying Marco. Marco was a good kind man, and would never forgive Sidwell for trying to kill the man he loved. Lucas was probably his last thought. She suspected all his son would want from him now was to burn in hell.

Gio said he appreciated how Sonny trusted him to make his own decisions. He got that Sonny was just trying to protect him, but he wasn’t a kid anymore. He wasn’t scared or threatened by Sidwell. Sonny said, being an adult sometimes meant that you recognized you were, but Gio said he was determined to stand by Sonny’s side until Sidwell was done and gone. Sonny said he appreciated that, and Gio said he wasn’t going anywhere unless Sonny told him to. Sonny said he was asking him to, and Gio asked, why? Sonny said his son Morgan was Gio’s age when he died and he couldn’t go through that kind of loss again.

Carly snuck around outside Windymere and wondered about why the big truck was there.

Obrecht produced a blade and pliers and told Josslyn that she’d stolen them from the lab when she’d completed the project. Josslyn said she was an interesting co-hostage, and Obrecht said Josslyn had no idea. Josslyn held out her hand, and Obrecht said, as long as she remembered that brain power could succeed where physical strength failed. With the proper tool and a touch of finesse… Josslyn used the instruments to punch a hole in the wall near the door and thanked Obrecht, saying, those worked great.

James said Nathan would never do anything wrong on purpose, and Nathan said he wished that were true, but he had. He made a big mistake and had to leave, but didn’t want to go without saying goodbye. James said he’d just gotten there, and Nathan said he was sorry. James said he’d come visit, but Nathan said he couldn’t. He knew it was confusing and it hurt. It hurt him too. He wished things were different. After he left, James would hear things about him. Some of them wouldn’t be very nice and a lot of them were true. But if anybody said he didn’t love James, it was a lie. He did love James, more than he ever thought he could, and he always would. James hugged him.

Sidwell said he’d thought Ava would be more cooperative. Sonny probably wouldn’t want to negotiate for her life anyway, despite the fact they shared a child. He was more likely to be sympathetic to… our honorable and lovely ADA. Which meant he had no use for Ava.As he shot the gun, Ethan blocked Ava, and Turner ran forward, pushing Sidwell’s arm down.

Gio said he knew about Morgan and it wasn’t Sonny’s fault. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sonny said Morgan died because Morgan was his son. The pain was so great, it nearly brought him to his knees. The only reason he woke up in the morning was because he had other children and grandkids. He needed Gio to stay as safe as he could make him. Don’t throw everything away because of him. He wasn’t going to tell Gio to leave, but was going to ask him to go. Gio said it didn’t have to be forever, and Sonny said, no. Gio said, okay, and Sonny hugged him and said he loved him. Gio said him too, and left.

Ethan and Ava dashed into the storage room, and Sidwell told Turner, that was very foolish. Turner said Sidwell wasn’t going to shoot her because he needed her, but he said, needs could change. They were going to find out how valuable she really was.

Ethan and Ava barricaded the door with a file cabinet. Ava said they couldn’t leave Turner out there, but Ethan said she was tougher than Ava thought. Ava said Sidwell was crazier than Ethan thought, and noticed he was bleeding. Was he all right? He said, could be better, could be worse, and she said, Sidwell shot him in the ass?

Nina did chest compression and told Jack, don’t die. He took a breath and coughed.

Carly snuck past the living room, but heard Harker ask Cullum, what’s the status on the project? She ran into the living room, and Cullum said Dr. Obrecht completed it, but it would take time to dismantle the device. They walked into the living room, and Cullum said he wanted Harker to make sure they were careful dismantling the device. They’d activate it at the test site. Carly listened from the patio.

Danny and Charlotte followed the path they thought Carly had taken and saw the truck. Danny wondered what it was for, and Charlotte suggested they might be getting ready to move the device if it was finished. They had to stop them. Danny said they would.

Lying on an exam table, Fitzpatrick asked if they couldn’t hurry. He had to find Sidwell and Detective West, or whoever he was. Lucas said Fitzpatrick needed to rest and he’d call security if Fitzpatrick tried to leave. He needed stitches. He was 90% sure Fitzpatrick had a concussion and he needed to slow down. Fitzpatrick said he needed to get out there. Sidwell and Nathan had escaped on his watch, and if anyone got hurt, it was on him.

With tears in his eyes, Nathan said he was so glad he and James got to spend all this time together. He was going to take those times and memories and keep them in his heart for the rest of his life. James was the best kid ever and he was happy James had so many people in his life like his mom and Spinelli and Mac and Felicia and Cody. Cody was his uncle, but also a really good friend. You didn’t get many of those in life, so keep him close and let Cody take care of him just like he’d been doing. Cody loved him. James said Cody was great, but Nathan was his dad. He couldn’t leave again. Nathan said he was sorry. Always remember that he loved him. He left, and Cody said it was okay. He had James. He pulled James into a hug.

Ava said Ethan was losing a lot of blood. This was bad. He needed a doctor. She didn’t have her phone. Did he have his? Ethan said he’d left it in the gallery and asked if she had a landline, but she said, not back there, and they couldn’t leave this room until that maniac decided to go.

Sidwell told Turner to make the call and put it on speaker. She called Sonny, and Sonny said, you all right, Justine? Sidwell said, how wonderful. The local crime lord and the acting District Attorney on a first name basis. It made this easier and a lot more interesting. Sonny asked what he’d done with Turner, and Sidwell said, not a thing… yet. If Sonny wanted it to stay that way, he’d do exactly what Sidwell said.

Nina said Jack was back, and Jack told her to turn off the gas. It was carbon monoxide. She turned it off and asked, what happened? He asked her to take the restraints off him, but she said she wasn’t doing anything until he told her what the hell happened.

Josslyn asked if Obrecht was sure it was the right wire, but Obrecht said it wasn’t a bomb. Typically, with electrical wiring, blue wires controlled a single fixture, like a door lock or a light switch. Whereas red wires… Josslyn said, are live wires, and Obrecht said, exactly. Josslyn said when she’d messed with the light, she just pulled out a bunch of wires and shorted everything out, but the door opened. Obrecht said the shortage probably drew attention they didn’t want. Her relationship with her children might be challenging, but she still preferred not to cut the live wire and leave them motherless. (Another PSA!) So let’s see what happens when we cut the single blue one, shall we? Obrecht cut the wire, and all of the lights went out. Josslyn said maybe she should have just cut a bunch.

Charlotte told Danny that there were men with guns all over the island and they had to stay focused on why they were there. Danny said, to help Carly, and Charlotte said Carly was way outnumbered. If she was going to rescue Josslyn, she was going to need time, so they had to create a diversion to buy her some. Danny said, good thing they came prepared.

Cullum told Harker, as soon as the team dismantled the device and loaded it up, they’d eliminate Dr. Obrecht and Agent Jax. They couldn’t afford to leaved any witnesses. They left, and Carly went back in the living room, but as she went to the door, Harker and Cullum came back in. Gun in hand, Cullum thanked her for saving him a trip.

Ava used pieces of drop cloths as a pressure bandage on Ethan and told him that the drop cloths weren’t cheap. If he died on her, she wouldn’t be happy. He said maybe next time someone pointed a gun at her and tried to take her hostage, don’t insult them and try to fight them, but she said she didn’t like bullies and didn’t cower to men like Sidwell. Ethan said he thought she liked Sidwell, and she said she thought there was something to like. Obviously, she was wrong.

Cullum told an agent that they were leaving as soon as the machine was loaded. Tell the team to get moving. The agent left, and Cullum told Carly, sit. She sat down and told Cullum that he should give it up. He’d already lost. He said, how so? and she said, Valentin went to Geneva and told them everything. They knew everything about Cullum and that he was a double agent. They knew about him working with Sidwell and knew about Faison’s project. His best option was to run. Cullum said, if Valentin went to the WSB for help, Valentin was even more naïve than he thought.

Fitzpatrick told Lucas, Sidwell said Detective West wasn’t really Detective West. He was someone named Cassius Faison. Lucas said, Cesar Faison was Britt and Nathan’s dad. He didn’t know anything about Britt’s disappearance or if Nathan played a part in it, but their father was a really bad guy. Fitzpatrick said it was obvious Nathan, or Cassius, was too.

Nathan uncovered a car in a parking lot that had a license plate from Ontario.

Danny told Charlotte, apparently, they only had one shot at this.

Cullum told Carly, if the WSB believed a word that came out of Valentin’s mouth, they’d have been there by now. He was either dead or thrown in a hole to rot. Or mostly likely, he’d lied to her and never went to the WSB at all. Carly said, run or don’t run. She didn’t care. She just wanted her daughter. He said he’d make sure to bury them together then, when Harker said there was gunfire at the loading dock. Cullum told him to eliminate Carly and meet him there. They’d take care of their uninvited guest and after that, take care of Dr. Obrecht and Agent Jax. Carly said, no! and jumped up, lunging at Cullum, but Harker stopped her.

Jack said Nina had to get to the WSB and tell them everything that happened, and she removed his restraints. She said she wasn’t telling the WSB anything. As far as Cullum knew, he was dead. He said, sooner or later, Cullum would figure out he wasn’t, and he was a sitting duck in there, and she said, money talked and it turned out she had a lot to say. She’d get him another room under an alias and Cullum would never know. She could afford it and needed him alive so he could help Willow get out from under Sidwell and Drew. So if he’d excuse her, she needed to go bribe someone. (Do I smell potential romance?)

On the phone, James told Felicia that he was okay, but his dad had to leave and he didn’t think he was coming back. Felicia said she knew it was upsetting and confusing and felt really horrible, but promised they’d get it sorted out. She’d be home soon. She loved him so much. James said he loved her too, and she asked to talk to Cody. James gave him the phone and he told Felicia not to worry. James was safe now and he wouldn’t take his eyes off him. He did have a couple questions though. She said, so did she, but it sounded like the man they thought was Nathan all but confirmed he wasn’t. Cody said, seems like it, and she said, my God. Anna was right.

Cassius got in the car with his go-bag, and checked the bag for his Canadian passport and cash. He looked at some pictures of him with James, started the car, and left.

Fitzpatrick told Lucas, for all they knew, Nathan could have been running interference for Dr. Westbourne the whole time. He felt so stupid. He’d confided in Nathan and trusted him. He even asked Nathan about the syringe. Lucas said, what syringe? and Fitzpatrick asked if Lucas remembered when he’d asked about the saline, and Lucas said, of course (🍷). Fitzpatrick said he’d found a used syringe when he’d searched Dr. Westbourne’s room and analysis showed it was just saline residue, but Lucas said, that had to be wrong. There was no way Britt was just injecting herself with saline.

Ethan cried out in pain as Ava tied the drop cloth pieces around him like a big tourniquet, and he said he thought she’d helped enough, but she said he couldn’t bleed out in her gallery. Could he imagine the paperwork and the publicity? And the police tape up for days. She couldn’t have that. He said the police tape was going to be up because Sidwell was there, not because his death sullied her storage room, and she said he wouldn’t have gotten shot if he hadn’t leapt in front of her. He said, or if she hadn’t opened her mouth. If she’d gotten shot, Sonny would have fired him. She said, or given him a raise. Why did he take that bullet for her? He said he didn’t have time to think. It was just instinct. (Another budding romance?)

Sonny walked into the gallery and said he was there. No cops, no guns. Sidwell got what he wanted. Let her go. Sidwell said he didn’t think so. He knew Sonny didn’t like to see innocents suffer. Sonny said, only a sick bastard would, and Sidwell said, but this particular innocent would happily watch Sonny rot behind bars. Even so, she could still feel pain and serve as a very viable hostage. So think carefully, please, about his next move.

Charlotte told Danny that they had to go, and Danny set off some firecrackers. They took off, when Cullum and another agent came by and saw what had happened. Cullum told two agents to go after them – now – and told the one he was with to get the device loaded quickly. This would draw too much attention to this place. They needed to get out of there now.

Josslyn said Obrecht had this. She’d gotten the lights back on and she could do this. Obrecht said, silence. Her disposition was such that she did not require constant encouragement or praise. (Same.) This was it. She saw the wire she needed now. Get ready. Obrecht messed with the wires and the door clicked open. She said, now the praise, and Josslyn said she was a genius. Let’s get out of here. She opened the door and an agent blocked their path.

Carly said Harker didn’t have to do this. She was just there to help her daughter. Harker backed her toward the fireplace and she reached behind, grabbing a poker, then whacked him with it.

Thursday:

Felicia apologized to Anna and said she was right about everything.

Ethan told Ava that they had to find a way to stop Sidwell.

Sonny asked Sidwell what he wanted, and Sidwell said he wanted to get away. And Sonny was just the man to help him do that.

Josslyn kicked Cullum’s guy away from the door, shut it, and Obrecht messed with the wires.

Harker backed Carly toward the fireplace and she hit him with a poker, but he bounced back and said now he was going to take his time killing her.

Sidwell said, if Sonny didn’t want anyone to get hurt, he’d fuel up his jet and have it ready for Sidwell and the pilot of his choice to fly out of the country. Sonny told him to let Turner go and he’d call, but Sidwell said she was his trip insurance. Sonny said if he wanted a hostage, take him.

Ave looked for possible weapons, like a staple gun, and Ethan keeled over.

Cody and James went to the stables where Tracy was waiting. She wanted to know who left the paddock door open. Thor had eaten all the flowers. Behind James, Cody shook his head, and she said they could talk about it later. She asked James what was wrong, and James said his dad was gone.

Felicia said Cody called her back and he’d stopped Nathan from walking away with James. He’d said Nathan wasn’t Nathan, but because he was willing to walk away, Cody let him go. He didn’t want to risk putting James in a dangerous situation. She said she was sorry and owed Anna. James was safe because she figured out what was going on with Nathan. Anna said Felicia didn’t owe her anything, but wanted her to tell Dr. Laurent what happened and that it wasn’t something Anna had conjured up in her mind.

Josslyn said they were locked in again and she wished Obrecht hadn’t finished with the device. Cullum was going to wreak havoc. Did she want that on her head? Obrecht said she didn’t and thought she could repair the damage to the door, and Josslyn told her, do it fast.

The device was loaded onto the truck, and an agent told Cullum that they still didn’t know who set off the firecrackers. Cullum told him to keep looking and make sure the device was secure. It was dangerous and volatile and any damage in transit could have outcomes for all of them. As soon as the device was safe for transport, they needed to be gone.

Carly struggled with Harker and as he was about to strike her with the poker, he was shot from behind.

Molly showed up at the stables, and Cody pulled her aside. He said James needed a distraction, and Molly told James that she’d had a lousy day and thought s’mores would cheer her up. Did he want some? James said he wasn’t hungry, startling everyone, and Molly said he didn’t have to eat anything, but she needed help with roasting marshmallows since she wasn’t very good at it. Cody agreed and said he’d consider it a personal favor if James would help her. James said, okay, and they all left. Outside, Tracy asked what was going on, and Cody said, according to Felicia, the man who said he was James’s father, wasn’t.

Cassius asked if Carly was okay, and she wondered whose side he was on. He said Cullum was the one she had to worry about, and she said Cullum just sent someone to kill her daughter and his mother. They had to help them. Cassius asked if she knew where they were, and she said she did. He said the code to the door was 7104, and she asked if he was coming, but he said, no. He had to stop Cullum. She said Valentin had gone to Geneva to tell them that Cullum was a double agent. They could be there already. He said he had to make sure Cullum didn’t leave with the device or it would be bad for everybody, and gave her his gun. He told her to go save her daughter and his mom, and she left. He took Harker’s gun and followed.

Felicia explained to Dr. Laurent that not only was Anna right, Anna saved her grandson from being abducted. The doctor was pleased that Anna was able to separate her fantasies from reality. She’d admitted to hallucinating in the past and was checking to make sure her current experience was real. It was tremendous progress. In French, Anna said she felt like her old self again, and Dr. Laurent said she thought Anna might be ready to go home.

Sonny told Sidwell, put a gun to his head, and his men would do whatever Sidwell wanted, but kidnapping a DA made law enforcement crazy. Turner said it was a federal crime, and Sonny said Sidwell could even say they were in this together. Sidwell said, tempting, but no. Even though it was to his advantage to take Sonny with him, he didn’t think he had the stomach to be anywhere near the man responsible for his son’s death. Sonny said he didn’t kill Marco, but he knew who did. He knew Cullum killed Sidwell’s son.

Ava tried to wake Ethan and slapped his face. He came to, and she told him that he’d passed out. She thought he should get back on the table and she helped him up. She said it wasn’t looking good and they had to do something now.

Carly saw Josslyn and Obrecht through the one-way window and put the combination in, but the door didn’t open. Obrecht told Josslyn that when she put the wires together, the door would unlock. Ready? The door unlocked and Josslyn opened the it to find Carly there. Carly hugged her.

Tracy asked if Nathan actually admitted he was a fraud, and Cody said, in his own way, but he didn’t think James fully understood. He did make it clear he loved James and wished things were different, and Tracy said, poor James. He’d grown up without a father and was losing him again. Cody said it was obvious it was killing Nathan to say goodbye, but he guessed it was better for everyone if fake Nathan just disappeared. Tracy said, probably, but James would never think so.

Cassius snuck around outside, and took a shot at one of Cullum’s men, but the bullet ricocheted, and some men shot back. There was gunfire back and forth.

Felicia said Anna was coming home with them tomorrow, and Anna said it didn’t seem real… but she knew it was. Felicia said she’d pushed for James to get closer to his dad and wondered why she didn’t see that something wasn’t right, and Anna told her not to be hard on herself. He had everyone convinced. Felicia said, except for Maxie. She wondered if Maxie hadn’t gotten back together with him because, on some level, she knew something was off. Anna said she felt for Maxie having to grieve Nathan all over again, and Felicia said Anna was a wonder. She’d just been through hell and was concerned about Maxie, and in the midst of a mental health crisis, she’d uncovered the truth, which allowed Cody to save James. Anna asked if Cassius had left town, but Felicia said it was hard to say. He’d said he was leaving, but Mac put an APB out on him. Anna said, if he was anything like the rest of the family, he’d already disappeared without a trace.

Josslyn told Carly that she was fine and asked how she was there. Carly said Nathan helped her, and Obrecht said she knew Cassius wouldn’t leave them. Carly wondered who Cassius was, and Josslyn said it was a long story. Where was Nathan? Carly said he’d gone to the loading dock to stop Cullum, and Obrecht said he’d get himself killed. Josslyn said she’d go, but Carly said they had to call the police and get out of there. Josslyn exchanged a look with Obrecht and promised Carly that she’d come back safe. She went out, closing the door behind her, and Obrecht made sure it locked.

Ethan passed out again, and Ava shook him, saying he had to stay awake. She didn’t know how to help him, but knew she wasn’t going to let him bleed to death back there. She was going to tell Sidwell that calling an ambulance was in his best interest, and if that didn’t work, she’d beg. Ethan grabbed her arm as she went past and said, wait.

Sidwell said Cullum had been his business partner for years. What reason would Cullum have to kill his son? Sonny said Lucas convinced Marco to turn on Sidwell and his partner killed Marco for it, but Sidwell said Sonny was lying. Sonny said he wasn’t and Sidwell knew it. Cullum gutted his son like a fish. He was in a pool of blood on the floor. He was terrified. He was scared. He was alone. Sidwell shook his head, and Sonny said it was all because of Sidwell. Sidwell lifted his gun, when Turner elbowed him, Sonny grabbed his arm, and Turner got out of the way.

Cassius shot another of Cullum’s guys, when Cullum joined the fray. He said he’d thought Cassius was smarter than this. He should have run when he had the chance. One of Cullum’s men came up behind Cassius, but Josslyn shot him and joined Cassius behind some metal barrels. He asked if her mom got her out, and she said, yeah. He said, what about his? and she said, in rare form, as always. He said they had to get out of there. They were outnumbered.

Cody wondered if he’d done the right thing, and Tracy said all of his options were terrible. He’d picked the least bad one. Cody wondered how James was going to trust anyone ever again, and Tracy said James had Cody. She had no doubt he’d continue to be there for James every single day.

James instructed Molly on the correct way to make s’mores, and she asked him to make another one. He asked why people would be mad at his dad. He didn’t really understand the way his dad explained it. She said sometimes adults could do or say things that kids didn’t understand until they were older. Her dad went away when she was little and she didn’t understand why. She’d thought it was because of her, but it was for other reasons. James said, but he came back, and she said, he did. James asked if she thought his dad would come back, and she said she wished she knew. He said he did get one thing his dad said. He’d told James that he loved him. She said, then he already knew the most important thing there was to know.

Ethan wondered how just a flunky could make a beautiful woman like Ava fall apart, and she told him, rein it in. She had to go get help. He said Sidwell would kill her, but she said, maybe he was just a big talker with lousy aim. Ethan struggled to stay conscious, and she said if he wanted her to stay, he had to keep talking. He said he liked her art, and she said he probably regretted coming back to Port Charles. Although he did get to meet his daughter. He said Phoebe wasn’t his daughter.

Sonny struggled with Sidwell, finally punching him in the face and getting the gun. He said, I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time, you son of a bitch, but Turner said, don’t.

Felicia said having Anna back was all she’d wanted, and Anna thanked Felicia for listening to her Cassius theory. Most people would have dismissed it as delusional, but not her. Felicia said most people didn’t have their history. They’d survived a lot. She knew if the situation were reversed, Anna would believe her. They hugged.

Carly said, today’s Nathan was actually his twin, and Obrecht said the baby she’d thought was stillborn, was not. Carly said, Cassius was raised by Faison and locked Josslyn up in this room, and now Josslyn was going to back him up in a gunfight against psycho Cullum? Obrecht said, it would seem so, yes, and Carly said Obrecht had to get her out of there. Obrecht said she’d worked her magic on the wires one too many times and they no longer worked. Perhaps she could find a workaround, but it would take too much time. Carly said she didn’t care. Figure it out. Obrecht said now she could see where Carly’s daughter got it from.

Cullum got in the truck and started it up, and Josslyn told Cassius that Cullum was leaving with the device. Cover her. She ran out, but one of Cullum’s men shot her and she dropped. Cassius shot the guy and ran to her, but Cullum suddenly appeared. He said he was going to enjoy killing them both and told Cassius, get up. For all the talk of how brilliant Faison’s children were, he was shockingly easy to manipulate. Cassius asked if protecting his mother and sister was some kind of weakness, but Cullum said he only thought he was protecting his sister. Britt never had Huntington’s. Her diagnosis was a lie from the beginning, fabricated leverage to force her to finish her father’s work. Josslyn looked at a gun close by, and Cullum said he’d ensured Britt’s cooperation by manufacturing a fake treatment for a devastating disease she’d never had. And it worked like a charm.

Turner told Sonny, don’t do this. She could guarantee a conviction and Sidwell was the one she wanted to convict, not him. Sonny said he’d be doing the world a favor by taking Sidwell out, but Turner said she wouldn’t cover this up. Did he want his kids and grandkids visiting him in prison for the rest of his life? Don’t do it. Sonny lowered the gun and told Sidwell that she’d saved his life. Sidwell said, and Sonny’s… this time. The police arrived and an officer said, drop your weapons.

Ava said if Ethan died in her art gallery, she swore to God… The police knocked at the door and said, open up. Ava said they needed help. There were two of them and they needed an ambulance. Her friend had been shot. Hurry, please.

Molly offered Cody and Tracy a s’more, and James said he was the marshmallow guy and Molly put them together. Both Tracy and Cody took one, and Tracy told James that she needed to replace the flowers Thor ate. What did he like? James said he didn’t know. They were just flowers. Tracy said he had a great deal to learn.

Obrecht told Carly that crowding her didn’t make her go faster, and Carly said she was just worried about Josslyn. Obrecht said her daughter was impressive and proved herself to be quite resourceful, but Carly said, even resourceful people weren’t bulletproof. Obrecht said she was worried about her son too, but what they were doing was absolutely vital to everyone. Cullum must be stopped.

Cassius said his mother helped build the device and he’d helped Sidwell get away. Cullum won. He was in the clear. He could have left with the device, but no. He had to come back. Was killing him that important? Behind Cullum, Josslyn tried to slide herself over to the gun, and Cullum said when he was about to drive to the cargo ship, he got word that a WSB helicopter was on route to the island. Cassius said Cullum had realized there was no way out, and Cullum said, not for Cassius anyway. Josslyn painfully pulled herself further along, and Cullum said he’d be telling the WSB that Cassius and Sidwell created the device and he’d managed to stop Cassius. Then he was forced to kill him… in the line of duty, of course (🍷). He shot Cassius in the chest and Cassius fell to the ground.

Anna and Felicia said goodnight, and Felicia left. Anna closed the door and Peter August said, nicely done. Did Anna think she bought it?

Cullum said, if necessary, Cassius was always going to be his fall guy, and Cassius said, at least Britt got away. Cullum said it was tragic what happened to his sister. Cassius went through all this trouble to save her from a disease she didn’t have, only to kill her himself. He’d anticipated that Cassius would try to steal the medicine, so he switched the saline for a type of poison. Take comfort in the fact she was probably dead by now. Josslyn finally got the gun, Cullum turned around, and she shot him. She laid back down.

The police handcuffed Sidwell and he whistled as they led him out. Ava came out and told Sonny that the paramedics were putting Ethan in an ambulance. She was going with him to the hospital. He’d lost a lot of blood. Sonny told her to keep him posted, and she said, of course (🍷). Ethan took that bullet for her and saved her life. Sonny said that was the kind of guy Ethan was, and she said, who knew? She left, and Sonny asked if Turner was okay. She thanked him, and he said, for what? Saving her life? She said, for not making her prosecute him for murder, and she pushed him up against the wall and kissed him.

Josslyn watched as a helicopter landed on the helipad. John Oliver got out and led a couple of soldiers through the mess, shooting one of Cullum’s men that was still alive as he passed. He saw Cassius, Cullum, and Josslyn, and checked Cassius’s pulse. He continued on to Josslyn and told her, everything’s going to be okay. He was there to help her.

🌞 Summer Friday…

Lulu and Dante brought Rocco home, and Dante said, with Cullum no longer a threat, Rocco should be safe. Rocco looked at his phone and told them, all the news said was that several WSB agents were killed in an incident on Spoon Island. Director Cullum was among those deceased. It didn’t even say anything about all the crimes he’d committed. Dante said they shouldn’t be surprised the WSB wanted to keep a lid on this, and Rocco said they had to find Britt. Dante said it shouldn’t be too difficult since she was in Port Charles. He’d had her arrested.

Vaughn went to the jail to see Britt, and she said, if it isn’t Mr. Nash from the Five Poppies. She remembered him sulking around Port Charles for a while, then he just disappeared. He said he’d been reassigned, and she asked why he was back. He said the last time he’d seen her, he’d urged her to cooperate with the WSB. He thought this time she might want to take him up on it, if she was as smart as she said she was.

At the station, Danny thanked Molly for setting this up, and Charlotte said, without her help, there was no way the WSB would have agreed to speak to a couple of kids, even if they did kidnap their fathers. Molly reminded them that she was there as their personal attorney, not an assistant DA. It was wise of them to go through a lawyer this time instead of breaking into an international law enforcement agency. Danny wondered if they’d hold that against him, but Molly thought it would be okay. However, she didn’t want them to get their hopes up. Just because the WSB agreed to speak with them didn’t mean they were obligated to disclose any information about their fathers. Charlotte said, the WSB shouldn’t have locked their dads up in the first place and they had to get them out.

At the hospital, Carly wanted to see Josslyn, but a guard said he’d been given strict orders not to let anyone in. She said she wasn’t anyone. She was Josslyn’s mother. He said she still had to wait and she could do it in a waiting room or a cell, when Lucas came along and pulled her away, apologizing for his sister. Carly said he had to get her in, but Lucas said he didn’t have the authority. Carly said Josslyn was shot and almost died. Why wouldn’t they let her in?

Josslyn opened her eyes to see John Oliver, who told her, good morning, Agent Jax. She said, he was… and he said he was indeed. She said he was the head of the WSB, and he told her to feel free to call him Z. She asked what it stood for, and he said it was his nom de guerre (i.e. – war name). She’d been in surgery most of the night. When they found her, she was in pretty bad shape. He’d been told her mother and Dr. Obrecht had been found and were both safe. She said, what about Cassius? Director Cullum shot him. Is he alive?

Rocco said he’d trusted his parents and they’d betrayed him. He got that they hated Britt, but why did they have to keep punishing her for something she did literally a whole lifetime ago? Dante said he didn’t have Britt arrested to punish her. He did it because he was trying to protect her. Rocco said, from what?

Britt said she had bigger problems to deal with than the WSB, and Vaughn said she’d been arrested for kidnapping and the WSB knew she was involved in the development of a cold fusion device. She said she was forced. Guns and ankle bombs were part of the office culture. It was a matter of life and death. He said it was all the more reason to cooperate with the Bureau, and she said she wanted a lawyer. He said that was her right and he’d be in touch, but she told him, wait. If the Bureau knew about the prototype, they knew that Cullum and Sidwell were involved. He said he couldn’t comment on an ongoing investigation, and she asked where they were. The last thing she needed was them coming at her when she had nowhere to run. He said, then she’d be pleased to know that Jenz Sidwell had been arrested for attempted murder. She said, what about Cullum? and he said, Director Cullum is dead, and he left.

Molly told Danny and Charlotte that the meeting didn’t come without risk. For instance, Charlotte wouldn’t know that her father was headed to the WSB if she hadn’t been contact with him when he was a wanted fugitive. Charlotte said, but he was working to expose a corrupt agent, and Molly asked if she knew he was on the run. Charlotte said, of course (🍷), and Molly said she’d aided and abetted a fugitive. They could still press charges. Danny said the WSB owed them. They had to stop Cullum. If they hadn’t distracted them with those fireworks… Molly said, which they did while they were trespassing. Which was why they weren’t to mention any of this. They’d rehearsed this and if they went off script, they could end up getting in more trouble and blowing any shot of helping their fathers.

Lucas took Carly to the breakroom, and she said she had to see her daughter. He said he couldn’t help with that, but he’d spoken to the surgeon and Josslyn was expected to make a full recovery. She said it would also help her daughter’s recovery to see her mother and it would help her own recovery, but he said he could only offer her an herbal tea, and she said okay. He said, about yesterday. He thought they were going to Windymere together. She said she’d come by, but he was busy with a patient and she had to get Josslyn out of there, and he said, she could have been killed. She said she almost was and at the last possible second, Nathan saved her. And it turned out, he wasn’t really Nathan.

Z said he was afraid Mr. Faison didn’t survive (💔😭) and she said, what about Cullum? He said, Director Cullum died from a shotgun wound, but he thought she already knew that. She said, and Sidwell? and he said Sidwell had been captured and was being held by local law enforcement. He needed her full debrief. She was the sole survivor of a firefight that had several of their people killed. He needed to know exactly what happened, without embellishment or self-censor. Then, depending on her account, he’d decide what happened next and to whom. She said she was still a little out of it and wanted to see her mom, and he said that was understandable, but he had to insist. It was best to get it while it was still fresh in her mind, right now. She’d provide a formal account later, but for now it was best for them to go over her statement, one to one.

Dante told Rocco that Britt wasn’t safe. Cullum would have kept searching for her until he found her. Rocco said, she’d wanted to die on her own terms and now she was stuck in jail, and Dante said it was the safest place for her. He had the Tortola police arrest her and transferred her into PCPD custody, so she could have round the clock protection. Lulu said, Cullum would have found her eventually. She was way too vulnerable on her own. Rocco said they could let her go now. They didn’t have to protect her anymore. Dante said he couldn’t. The WSB still had questions for her. She was still in pretty serious legal trouble. Rocco said, if she was, it was all Dante’s fault. She could be free and out of the reach of the WSB if it wasn’t for him.

Josslyn said, Cullum used his position in the WSB to cover his and Sidwell’s tracks. He went so far as to imprison Anna Devane and gaslight her into believing that Cesar Faison was still alive. We saw Josslyn find Anna’s message at Windymere, and she said, once Britt was out of reach, Cullum abducted Liesl Obrecht, Britt’s mother, and he forced her to complete the prototype by using her children as leverage. We saw Obrecht telling Josslyn that it was her only option, and she said, and Cullum stabbed Jenz Sidwell’s son, Marco Rios, to death.

Obrecht went to the jail and said she was glad to see Britt safe and alive. She was worried about her. Britt said she hoped Obrecht didn’t think she kidnapped Rocco. He begged to go with her. Obrecht said, of course (🍷) he did. She just wished Britt had told her that she was going – again. Britt said she wanted to, but was caught up in a huge mess. Obrecht must have a lot of questions. Obrecht said, only one that mattered. Why did Britt never tell her the truth about her brothers? Why didn’t Britt tell her that Nathan was really dead and Cassius had taken his place?

Josslyn told Z that once she was free, she went to help Cassius stop Cullum from transporting the device. Unfortunately, they were blocked in by Cullum’s men. We saw the scene as she talked, and she said, Cassius came to help her, but at that moment, Cullum came back, and he said he was going to pin the whole thing on Cassius.

In the interrogation room, Vaughn and Molly introduced themselves, and Danny said he remembered Vaughn. He was hanging out with Josslyn at King’s Beach last summer. Vaughn said he’d been undercover, and Molly said Charlotte and Danny were there to request a formal inquiry as to the status and location of their respective fathers, Valentin Cassadine and Jason Morgan. Vaughn said he could confirm Mr. Morgan was still in WSB custody. As for Mr. Cassadine… Charlotte said she knew her father spoke to the head of the WSB. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even… Molly interrupted, but Charlotte continued, saying, if it wasn’t for her dad, they wouldn’t even know Cullum was working with Sidwell or what they were working on. Vaughn said, how exactly did she know all that?

Carly said she couldn’t believe she’d let Josslyn go, and Lucas said she didn’t have much of a choice. Carly agreed and said, the second Josslyn heard that Cassius was going to try and stop Cullum, she took off. She was going to go with her, but then Obrecht locked the damn door. She was terrified. It seemed like forever, but then the WSB showed up and put them on a boat and brought them to the hospital to get checked out. They wouldn’t tell her anything about Josslyn, except that she’d been shot. Lucas asked if there was any word on Cassius, and she said they’d told her that his condition was classified and under investigation.

Z thanked Josslyn, and she said there was still one thing she didn’t understand. How did they know back-up was needed? Or was that classified? He said it was, but he’d tell her anyway. He received a visit from Valentin Cassadine. While topping the most wanted list, he made it all the way to Geneva. It was quite a shock to learn Ross Cullum had managed to deceive them for so many years. She said, when it all came out, the Bureau was going to look pretty bad, and he said, that would be an understatement. She said that was precisely why he needed her help.

Britt said she was sorry she hadn’t told Obrecht about Cassius. She’d wanted to so many times. Obrecht said, but she didn’t. Britt let her think her beloved Nathan was still alive. Britt asked Obrecht to understand that her life was in danger. She was being forced to work on this project. Obrecht said, her father’s cold fusion prototype, and Britt said, she knew? Obrecht said, after Britt fled, Director Cullum abducted her and forced her to complete it, and Britt said she was sorry. She didn’t think… Obrecht said Britt didn’t think of many things, especially when it came to her. Why didn’t Britt tell her from the start? Britt said, because Obrecht was so happy to have her Nathan back. She couldn’t bear to take him away from her again. Obrecht said she believed Britt. However, they both knew it wasn’t the only reason she’d kept quiet. There was also something in it for her.

Rocco said Dante had no right to have Britt arrested. He knew Rocco was never kidnapped. Lulu said, that’s enough. His father did nothing wrong. Rocco said he and Britt trusted him and he’d lied. That sounded pretty wrong to him. He stomped upstairs, and Dante said, let him go. He wanted to talk to Lulu about something he didn’t want Rocco to hear. When he’d called Mac to let him know they were coming home, Mac gave him some pretty disturbing news. The guy who’d been walking around town calling himself Nathan wasn’t Nathan. He was an imposter.

Molly said they knew that Valentin Cassadine left Port Charles with the intention of turning himself in to the WSB. Would it be okay if they left it at that? Vaughn said, sure. He could confirm that Mr. Cassadine was taken into WSB custody upon his arrival in Geneva. Charlotte asked if he was going back to Steinmauer, but Vaughn said he couldn’t tell her that. Charlotte said he’d helped them bring down Cullum, and Danny asked if he shouldn’t get some credit for that. Vaughn said the matter was under review, and Danny said, what about his dad? Vaughn said, he was accused of shooting Director Cullum, but Danny said, he didn’t do it. He knew his dad was innocent. Vaughn asked, what made him say that?

Lucas told Carly that the WSB had issued a statement this morning. They said Cullum was dead, but that was about it. She said, he must be relieved, and he said, part of him wanted Cullum to stand trial for killing Marco, but he guessed it was just as well he was gone. Now Marco might finally be able to rest in peace and he could start to put this whole nightmare behind him. She said she wanted that for Josslyn. Her mission was over and the WSB could let her go. He asked if that was even an option, and she said, she almost died. This wasn’t the life she was supposed to have. He said, but it was the life she chose, but Carly said, she didn’t choose this. Jack manipulated her. Josslyn wasn’t like him, and Anna and Valentin were damaged and broken. He said he thought she liked Valentin, and she said she did, but Valentin would tell him the same thing. The WSB used people and were completely mercenary. And her daughter wouldn’t end up like them.

Josslyn told Z that she was the only person who knew what really went down at Windymere last night. So that meant, in her statement, she could say it was Cassius who was behind all of those crimes. All of the murders, the kidnappings, the experiment with the cold fusion, all of it. She could say Cullum died heroically trying to stop them. Z said that would certainly play better for them, and quite frankly, for him, and she said, Cullum was a monster who would be celebrated as a hero. Cassius was going to have his name dragged through the mud. Z said, Mr. Faison wasn’t exactly innocent, and she said she knew that. But in the end he did the right thing. He tried to stop Cullum and he died saving her life. Z said, so her issue was gratitude, but she said her issue was that she hated lying about somebody who was the reason she was still here. But she’d do it if it meant she got something in return. He said he didn’t have her down as the mercenary type, and she said her either, but she was starting to enjoy it. He said, what was it exactly that she wanted? She said she wanted a full release and all charges dropped for Valentin Cassadine and Jason Morgan.

Lulu said it was insane, and Dante said, but it was true. She said Nathan was his best friend and married to her best friend. If he’d had a twin, he would have told one of them. Dante said, unless he didn’t know, and she asked how that was even possible. He said, apparently, Faison took him right at birth and raised him. Obrecht didn’t even know. His real name is Cassius. She said he didn’t just look like Nathan, he acted like him, and Dante said, he must have studied up on Nathan’s life. There were signs. There was a case where he broke the chain of evidence. The real Nathan never would have done that. Then there was the way he was with them before they went to go get Rocco. She said, he was acting cool and a little shady. He’d told her once that his father made him memorize the periodic table. It didn’t make any sense because she remembered Maxie saying the man who raised Nathan didn’t even have anything to do with him. Dante said, he must have been talking about Faison, and she said she guessed the real proof was her. The real Nathan never would have gotten involved with her. He wouldn’t have done that to Maxie. Their whole relationship was a lie.

Britt said she guessed Cassius told Obrecht about her situation with her medication, and Obrecht said he made it clear he was only working with Cullum to ensure she had access to an experimental drug that kept her Huntington’s in check. He’d also told her that Britt was going to run off with Jason and have the medication reverse engineered. She could have done that for her there. Britt said Obrecht was the most brilliant woman she knew, but they didn’t know she would have succeeded. Obrecht said Britt should have given her the chance. Even if she failed, there were so many other ways she could have been there for Britt. But instead, Britt told her lie after lie. Britt said she already apologized, and Obrecht said she accepted Britt’s apology, but if this was how things were between them, what kind of relationship did they really have?

Danny told Vaughn that he didn’t know how, but his father knew Cullum was corrupt and tried to stop him. Now that they knew for sure, they had to let his dad go. Vaughn said he could neither confirm nor deny anything about Director Cullum, but Charlotte said the whole town was talking about it and they saw for themselves what was going on at the loading docks. Vaughn said he got that they were concerned about their fathers, but it was an ongoing WSB investigation, and unfortunately, he couldn’t provide any information at this time. Danny said, when could he? and Vaughn said he didn’t expect it to change anytime soon. Molly asked if he was saying that Mr. Morgan and Mr. Cassadine would remain in custody, and Vaughn said that was correct.

Z and Josslyn shook hands and he asked if there was anyone who could contradict her story. She said, Sidwell could, but… and he said Sidwell wasn’t what he’d call the most reliable witness and he didn’t think Sidwell would want to incriminate himself. She said there would be pushback from Cassius’s mom and sister, but they didn’t witness what happened on the dock, so she had final say in that. He said hers was the only say that counted. Did she feel like giving her official statement? She said, if it was brief, and he said, the recording would be reviewed by a government agency, so brief was preferred. She said she knew what to say, and he said, good. He’d send in the team and she could share her truth. She said, such as it is, and he said she was quite impressive. He suspected she had a long, bright future at the WSB.

Lucas said, maybe Carly was right and Josslyn would want to walk away. Carly had said the reason Josslyn joined the WSB was because she’d felt powerless over Dex’s murder. Carly said, there were other reasons. Josslyn had unresolved feelings around Morgan’s death and Sonny’s part in it. Sonny’s part in a lot of things. He asked if she was saying that Josslyn joined the WSB to get at Sonny, and she said, not really. Sort of. He said he used to feel the same way about Sonny, but he couldn’t see this ending well, and she said neither could she. It killed her because her choices pushed Josslyn into this life. She was the one who had to get Josslyn out.

Molly asked Danny and Charlotte to wait outside while she had a private word with Vaughn, and they left. Vaughn asked if he could help her with something else, and she thanked him for his compassion. He said he wasn’t unsympathetic to their situation, and she asked if he’d be willing to arrange some form of communication with their fathers. A quick phone call or even a letter. Just so they knew their fathers were okay. He said he couldn’t make any promises, but would look into it, and she thanked him.

Danny said they couldn’t just give up, but Charlotte said they were just changing tactics. Dante walked in and said now that Cullum was gone, they came straight back. Charlotte asked if her mom was back too, and he said she and Rocco were home.

Rocco came downstairs and Lulu asked where he was going. He said, to see Britt. Please don’t try and stop him. She said she wouldn’t, but she didn’t think Britt could have visitors right now. His dad went to check on her. He said he knew Britt had done bad things. Even she admitted that. He just thought you could still care about someone who’d made mistakes. She said he had a right to his feelings about Britt and it was obvious he cared a great deal about her, and he said Britt cared about him too. They’d offered for her to come with them, but she chose to stay behind to keep him safe. Lulu said Britt did the right thing. So did his dad. He asked if she’d let him know if his dad called, and she said, of course (🍷). He went back upstairs.

Charlotte asked how Rocco was doing, and Dante said, he was good. He was safe. Why were they there? Were they in some kind of trouble? Danny said, not this time, when Vaughn came out and introduced himself to Dante. He asked if Dante had a minute. Dante said, for the WSB, he supposed so, and they went into the interrogation room.

Britt admitted she’d kept things from Obrecht, and Obrecht said allowing her to think Britt was dead for two years was enough. Britt said she’d had no choice, and Obrecht said, but they can’t break the pattern. Britt kept things from her, they reconciled, then Britt did it all over again. Britt said she didn’t do it to hurt Obrecht, and Obrecht said, but it did hurt. She could only conclude that Britt didn’t want them to be close and didn’t want her mother in her life. Message received. She wouldn’t fight Britt any longer. From now on, she’d devote her attention to the child who did want her in his life. (💔😭) She walked out.

Z’s assistant came into his office, and he asked if she knew where Jack’s black box was, but she said she hadn’t seen it since Director Cullum took over. He asked if there was anything else, and she said someone was demanding to see him. He said, demanding? How exciting. She said she told them he was busy, but they refused to leave.

Lucas went in to see Josslyn and said the nurse told him that she wanted to see him. She asked if he’d seen her mom, and he said he saw her this morning. She was worried about Josslyn. Josslyn said she’d see her mom as soon as she could. In the meantime, she owed him an apology.

Dante went to see Britt, and she asked, how’s Rocco? He said he was better now that Cullum was dead, and she said she’d heard. Did they know how? He said they weren’t releasing any details, and she said, at least Rocco was finally safe. That was a relief. He said, for her too, no? She must feel safer now. She said, finally. Not that he cared. He said he cared so much, he had her arrested and put in police custody so it would be harder for Cullum to get to her, and she said, now that Cullum was gone, there was no reason for her to be locked up. So unlock her. He said, unfortunately, that wasn’t his call. Her fate lay in the hands of the WSB.

Outside Lulu’s house, Charlotte said maybe it was better if she did this alone, and Danny said he’d wait there. She went inside, and Lulu hugged her. Charlotte said she saw Dante at the police station and he’d told her Lulu was back, and Lulu asked what she was doing at the police station. Charlotte said, nothing bad, she promised, and Lulu asked how she was. Charlotte said, good. Things got a little crazy while Lulu was gone. She could actually use Lulu’s help. Lulu said, with what? and Charlotte said her dad.

Danny was on the porch, when Rocco came back. Danny said, welcome home, and Rocco thanked him. He said his parents wouldn’t let him see Britt, but he couldn’t abandon her. Danny said, of course (🍷) not. Not after everything she’d done for him. Including lying about his dad shooting Cullum, when Rocco was the one who pulled the trigger.

Carly walked into Z’s office, and he asked what he could do for her. She said, just one thing and it won’t even take a minute, and he said, by all means. He was intrigued. She said she wanted her daughter Josslyn out of the WSB.

On Monday, Sonny asks Ethan what the hell he let Ava do to him; Lulu tells Charlotte that they’re not finished – let’s go; Danny says Rocco is such a hero, be one again; Britt yells to someone to get out and leave her alone; and Carly asks if Z is hitting on her. He says, is it working?

🚑 IMO, both Thursday and Friday’s episodes were stellar. They gave me all the feels. Nathan/Cassius saying goodbye to James was heartbreaking, as well as his valiant effort to stop Cullum and save Josslyn. The wrap up of the prototype storyline was exciting and casting John Oliver as Z was brilliant.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Well, we now know he’s Z the Great and Powerful. Kudos to him on a job well done!

https://ew.com/john-oliver-general-hospital-guest-role-12007625

Goodbyes, hellos, and a maybe someday. Agent Vaughn makes a return appearance.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-bryce-durfee-returns-as-vaughn

Peter is back… sort of.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-and-goings-wes-ramsey-is-back-as-peter-august

After breaking my heart saying goodbye to James, I hate saying goodbye to good/bad guy Cassius.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-ryan-paeveys-cassius-appears-dead-after-violent-shootout-is-this-the-end

The bad guy we loved hating is on the canvas no more. It’s no surprise he sounds like a lovely guy. The most evil ones always are. Check out his IG – it’s a hoot, especially him singing You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling with Chris McKenna (Jack).

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-andrew-hawkes-on-his-exit-as-cullum-cast-bonds-epic-goodbye-exclusive

And adios to Britt’s Huntington’s. Apparently, those breadcrumbs were the real deal.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-reveals-britt-never-had-huntingtons-disease

One can only hope. I loved him together with Obrecht and was disappointed when they just left that die.

https://closerweekly.com/kin-shriners-blast-from-the-past-post-hints-at-a-general-hospital-return

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Nathan diffused the situation with guest jerk Josef by only engaging minimally. Luckily Cooper finally relieved him so he didn’t have to listen to Josef’s sh*t anymore. Nathan taught Cooper to drive tender and Aesha served a dinner in the dark. In her interview, she said it would either incredible or a complete disaster, and she managed the former. Afterwards, they did the escape room, but it was more like a mystery party, as the guests had to find the crew. Eyebrows Joe was the only one not found and he blew up. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. However, tolerance for Josef paid off in a $50,018 (!) tip, $3,847 each. In Aesha’s interview, she said she’d grown up in a house where cheese luxury, but the way things were going, she’d have her wedding paid for. Gen went wah-wah-wah about being ignored and cheated on, and in her interview, she said the Luke and Joy situation was making her feel insecure. Gen literally went crying to Luke, and in Luke’s interview, he said he wanted to comfort her. Apparently, his idea of comfort is having sex with the comfortee, but he told Gen, do not tell a soul about this. He needn’t have bothered, since in Joe’s interview, he said you could hear it throughout the boat.

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 Episode 4 Recap: Infrared-Colored Glasses

The Valley

Zack had a Big Slutty Gay Birthday party at a club, but on the way there, he rode on the top of an open double decker bus and got whacked in the head by a sign while he was freaking out about possible bird poop on his back. It was the best thing that’s ever happened on this show. I’ve begun despising everyone in the cast, except for Brittany, who I’m pretty sure they kidnapped. Speaking of, Brittany wheedled apology out of Jesse after he’d said they believed Jax over her, but not until Lacy got involved. So was it really sincere? Probably not.

The Valley Season 3 Episode 14 Recap: Zack’s Chaotic Birthday Bash

In the City

Yvonne and Nick got married and had a small reception in a private room at a restaurant. The chef said the food had its own story and Kyle sat there open mouthed in amazement. Years ago in Connecticut, I went to what I’d thought was the worst wedding/reception ever. It took place in a room adjacent to a bar, where a football game was being watched, and the patrons were so loud we could hear them. The officiant (also the bride’s father) forgot what state we were in, and they had a cash bar, where wine was served in miniscule glasses when wine was never needed more. There was no music, and as an added bonus, the groom smushed cake in the bride’s face and she ran to the bathroom crying. (I’d warned my husband before our reception that if he did that, he’d be divorced before the honeymoon.) I said all that to say, this was worse. First up during the reception dinner was the topic of Danielle and Eoin and Eoin’s pending divorce. In Danielle’s interview, she said Lindsay had been googling Eoin’s marriage timeline, and Lindsay ended up screeching at Danielle about past transgressions. Then there was a lively and way too long discussion (let’s call it that) about Amanda and Kyle where they were talked about like they weren’t there. There was a lot of yelling, mostly from Lindsay, who told them to stop ruining the lives around them. Figure it out or don’t. The bride ended up crying in the bathroom and the groom told everyone to put a smile on their face, but really, nothing could save this mess of a wedding reception.

In The City Episode 7 Recap: Unhappily Ever After

Next Gen NYC

Liam reminds me of James Franco. Just saying. Gia apologized for calling Ava a liar regarding Teresa unfollowing her on Instagram, but in Gia’s interview, she wondered why Ava had the receipts on her phone. Hudson believed that he and Ariana would get back together since she hadn’t had a tattoo of his name or something removed, like that isn’t a painful and probably expensive procedure. In Ariana’s interview, she said she’d been trying to change somebody who didn’t want to be changed. Not to mention he’d been hanging out with Charlie, who, as she told Gia, was the worst person for Hudson to hang out with. Georgia had a new boyfriend, and they went to high tea. In Georgia’s interview, she said Prez (yes, that’s his name) being a New Yorker was important to her. FYI, Charlie was also buddies with her ex, Omar, and we flashed back to Omar stuff from last season. Emira met her dad for dinner, and in her interview, she said she’d gone to New York with a little afro and a dream. Charlie thought Shai was crushing on Ariana, and Emira thought Charlie was misunderstood. Brooke Shields’ daughter Rowan Henchy joined the cast, and in Ariana’s interview, she said Rowan was a walking sitcom. IMO, she’s also a breath of fresh air. Love her already.

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-riley-shades-charlie-avas-teresa-receipts-ariana-hudsons-conflict

https://betchesmedia.substack.com/p/best-moments-next-gen-nyc-season-2-premiere

Oh… No, just no.

Ava Dash Gives Update on Kyle Cooke Romance Rumors After Hamptons Kiss

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island – Reunion Part 2

I didn’t see this at all, but apparently, the husbands joined in on the Reunion fun, so it’s probably just as well.

Real Housewives of Rhode Island Episode 14 Recap: Reunion Part 2

Random Reality Items

This reboot sounds like it might be promising.

Jennifer Graziano Gives Biggest Mob Wives Revival Update Yet

Overreact? Shannon? Never!

Tamra Judge Risks Shannon Beador Feud After Exposing New Quiet Woman ‘Meltdown’

I get her grief over her dad’s death and feel badly for her with all the flack over her weight loss. Hopefully, this will give her something positive to focus on.

Kelly Osbourne Set for Huge Reality TV Return — Report

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Undertone. HBO/MAX. Evy hosts a paranormal podcast along with her friend Justin who she connects with over the phone, as she’s moved back home to take care of her dying mother. Evy is a skeptic with a logical answer for everything, while Justin believes in the supernatural. After being sent anonymous recordings of a couple experiencing paranormal happenings, Evy starts to rethink her perspective, and we once again learn the lesson of not repeating weird phrases heard from the beyond. I’d expected more out of this A24 film. While there were tense moments, I had the feeling it was written by someone working out their Catholic guilt and thought the ending looked like they’d gone over budget and had to go on the cheap. It wasn’t the worst horror film I’ve seen, but far from the best.

https://www.slashfilm.com/2204285/a24-horror-movie-undertone-streaming-hbo-max

Film Review: Undertone

The Last Ship. Netflix. Netflix recommended this to me. No doubt because the word apocalypse was in the description. An apocalypse has wiped out 80% of the world’s population, but because they were at sea, an Arctic bound ship remains in the clear. It’s also the world’s only hope for a cure. As if that wasn’t enough pressure, they’re also trying to maintain peace in an unstable society. Not sure how Looper can equate it with The Walking Dead or Collider can compare it to The Last of Us, since it’s a far cry from either of those shows. What it did remind me of was Falling Skies, minus the aliens. TBH, I’ve only seen a handful of episodes, but it seems formulaic – macho good guy, beautiful scientist, crotchety old guy, the sarcastic rebel – so while I’ll probably stick it out in the hope it gets more interesting, it’s not on my high-priority list. A series shown on TNT from 2014 to 2018, had I been watching it on regular television, I’d have probably dipped out by episode 4.

https://www.looper.com/2203204/eric-dane-post-apocalyptic-series-the-last-ship-streaming-netflix

https://collider.com/netflix-the-last-ship-eric-dane-streaming-success-june-2026

Battle Royale (2000). TubiTV. Ever since I read that Quentin Tarantino called this a cinematic masterpiece and one of his favorite films, I’ve been dying (no pun intended) to see it. While I would have preferred to see this Japanese cult classic in its original language with subtitles (almost always preferable as much is lost in translation), at present, I could only find it available as a dubbed version. Still, it was well worth watching. A combination of Lord of the Flies and Squid Game with a little Kill Bill thrown in for good measure, a class full of ninth graders are drugged and transported to an uncharted island by the government where they’re forced to fight to the death until only one of them is left. Gory AF, it wasn’t looked upon kindly by Japanese government officials, since it throws the not-so-subtle shade at them often seen in Japanese films like Godzilla Minus One. Regardless of the carnage, it’s visually stunning, the young actors are flawless, and the character’s backstories are thought-provoking.

Battle Royale

https://www.slashfilm.com/814324/why-the-battle-royale-remake-was-canceled-for-good

Strung. Peacock. Classical violinist Laila is out of work and money, so she takes a job with a rich family as nanny and piano teacher to matriarch Audra’s granddaughter Zuri. Zuri’s father was a famous rapper who died from an overdose, which is how the family acquired their wealth. Zuri’s mother also lives on the premises, and is pregnant with her new husband’s baby, although she is somewhat distant with Zuri. At first, Zuri is obstinate and contrary, but eventually Laila wins her over and the two bond. Laila also blames herself for her little sister’s death, and hopes for redemption by helping Zuri. But as usual, things are not what they seem, and the grandmother has an underlying motive for hiring Laila. While not my favorite thriller, the premise was still intriguing, the acting was fantastic, and there were enough twists and turns to hold my interest.  

Strung — Malcolm D. Lee [Review]

Peacock’s ‘Strung’ Is a Thrilling Reminder That Black Storytelling Can Do It All

All the spoilers.

‘Strung’ Movie Ending Explained & Summary: What Does The Mid-Credit Scene Suggest?

🐾 Declaring Their Independence…

🐕 Twice the rescue.

https://people.com/3-pups-find-new-homes-with-police-officers-who-rescued-them-12010702

🐶 A true survivor.

https://people.com/dog-rescued-from-rubble-after-venezuelan-earthquake-12009719

🐈 Where’s that kitty?

https://people.com/missing-cat-found-trapped-under-newly-installed-bathtub-12011002

 Fourth of July fun is for pets too.

https://newschannel9.com/news/instagram/patriotic-paws-viewers-share-how-they-dressed-up-their-pets-for-americas-250th-4th-of-july-independence-day-dogs-cats-puppies-kittens-furry-friends-viewer-photos-videos

https://www.bustle.com/articles/91860-12-animals-dressed-up-for-the-fourth-of-july-because-they-love-america-just-as-much

🚨 But make safety their top priority.

https://people.com/missing-pet-expert-shares-tips-to-keep-dogs-safe-on-july-4-12011026

🎆 Quotes of the Week

To be nobody but yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. – e.e. cummings

You are not called to be a canary in a cage. You are called to be an eagle, and to fly sun to sun, over continents. – Henry Ward Beecher

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music. – Jimi Hendrix

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. – Joseph Campbell

Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Collaboration begins with mutual understanding and respect. – Mori Taheripour

Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That’s part of what it means to be alive. – Haruki Murakami

The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term, is the indispensable prerequisite for success. – Brian Tracy

Impossible is for the unwilling. – John Keats

A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

Shut up and meditate. – Anabelle Chua, 90 Day Fiancé

 📯 Party Like It’s 1776…

Until next time, stay safe; stay enjoying Independence Day, but don’t drink and drive; and stay following rule number one and don’t die. At least not for doing something stupid.

Video > Neil Diamond – America (From “The Jazz Singer” Soundtrack / Audio)