Tag Archives: celebrity pets

October 14, 2022 – Sam Confronts Cody, Welcome Back, Moonlighting, In a Spin, a Farewell, He Remembers, Salty Talk, Scary, They’re Back, Pets (!), Decemvir Of Quotes & Midnight Shari

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dante walks into Kelly’s where Cody is eating, and asks if Cody is having breakfast for lunch – because no one eats an omelet outside of breakfast. Cody says he had a late night, and slept in because he didn’t have to work today. Dante says, it must be nice. He’s been up since the crack of dawn, chasing down leads. Cody says he can tell by Dante’s face, and asks if anything panned out. Dante says, no. Cody should take his job since Cody’s on a roll; he’s hitting nothing but dead ends. Cody says, no way, man. Dante is too stubborn to quit. He’s going to get this guy. Dante says, woman, and Cody says, damn. Dante says, Diane Miller identified her assailant as a woman, and Cody says, Dante will find her, no doubt. Dante thanks him, and asks, what’s up with the late night? Was he with Britt? Big date? Cody says, hardly.

Maxie sees Britt at the hospital, and asks if she has a minute. Maxie needs to talk to her. Britt says, sure, then says, wait. Maxie has that look, like it’s a private thing. Follow her. They go where there are no people, and Britt asks, what’s up? Maxie says she needs Britt’s honest opinion about Cody Bell, and Britt says, she means the invisible man? She hasn’t seen Cody in days, and she’s happy to never see him again.

Also at the hospital, Sam says, Diane was really touched by the flowers Spinelli brought. Especially when he explained the language of the flowers; how the bouquet said, best wishes, get better, and a deeper friendship. He says, all heartfelt sentiments. He’s beyond relieved that Diane is doing so well. Actually, now that he has Sam here, he owes her an apology. She says, he doesn’t, but he says, when he was telling her about Cody blackmailing him, he fears he said too much. He doesn’t want to drag her into his legal woes, especially since she’s cohabitating with a cop. He made her an accessory after the fact. She tells him, stop. She doesn’t want to hear it.

Lucy answers her office phone, and it’s Anna, who says she’s just checking in to make sure they understood each other after last night. Do they? Lucy says, she understood Anna. It didn’t seem like Anna understood her though. She looks at the bracelet Victor gave her, and says, she’s a grown woman who’s perfectly capable of making decisions about how to handle Victor. Anna says, but some of those decisions can have unexpected consequences, and Lucy says, like diamonds. Anna says, like death, and Lucy says, wow, and they call her dramatic. Anna’s phone beeps, and Lucy says she’s going to let Anna get that because she’s got to go, but Anna says, listen to her. Lucy says, thanks for calling. Ciao.

Johann hands Victor a velvet box, and Victor says, any problems? Johann says, all set. Has he decided what to do about Miss Coe? Victor says, not yet, and Johann says, something should be done. Lucy was listening in on Victor’s conversation with the Deputy Mayor. He’ll take care of it, if Victor wants… Victor says, need he remind Johann of who works for who around here? He’ll take care of it as he wishes, and in his own time. Johann says, yes, sir, and Victor says, Lucy Coe will be taught a lesson, the severity of which will be decided depending on if she was just overly curious, or working for someone else.

Robert goes to Anna’s place, and asks, what was so important she couldn’t tell him over the phone? She says, they have a lead on one of Victor’s accomplices, and he says, don’t leave him hanging; who? She says, Deputy Mayor Eileen Ashby. He says, I’ll be damned. He never did really trust her. With Laura working remotely, she has no overseer, and way too much power. Anna says, this just shows them how far Victor’s reach goes, and he says, tell him everything she knows, and let’s start with the source.

At the hotel in Jacksonville, Carly asks what Bobbie is doing here, and Bobbie says, checking up on her. Carly asks how her kids are doing, and Bobbie says, everybody in Port Charles is safe and sound, but they miss her. Carly says, not half as much as she misses them, and Bobbie asks, where’s Drew? Carly says, he’s up in his room; he’s on a conference call with Aurora business. She can’t believe Bobbie is here. Bobbie says, she just figured with everything Carly has been up against, she could use a little backup, and Carly asks how she knew. Bobbie says, Michael fixed her phone so when Carly’s name pops up, she’ll know. Carly has been ruffling a few feathers. Carly says, ya think? and Bobbie says she happens to know the folks in this town, and taking on the Beautification Guild is no easy feat. She really wishes she could have made it in time for the meeting yesterday. How did it go? Carly says she did everything she could to convince them to scrap their plans for the parkway, but she doesn’t know if it was enough. She’s up against a determined woman with a powerful grudge.

Sam says, if Spinelli had come to her the second Cody threatened him, he woudn’t be apologizing to her at all, and Spinelli says, this mess is entirely of his own making. He threw himself into the creation of this dating app, and it became kind of a calling, or a healing, after Ellie. But he was so focused on perfecting the app, he didn’t see that he was creating a tool that could be used for nefarious purposes. His algorithm is basically a master key to the internet. She says she knows, and she always knew he was too brilliant for his own good. He says, Dr. Frankenstein. He got so caught up in the creation, he failed to see what his monster could beget. She says, first of all, he has to stop and listen to her. No matter how reckless he thinks his algorithm is, it’s amazing. He’s a genius. And second, he wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. That’s not him. He asks if there’s a third, and she says, yes. He can never, and she repeats never, tell anyone about this. The NSA can never find out. He says he understands, and thankfully, the only thing Cody demanded of him for his silence was a fake match with Society Set-Ups. She says, so far.

Maxie asks if Britt and Cody aren’t dating, and Britt says, they had the one disaster date, which ended with her upending her wine on his head. Then they had a non-date the night of the Quartermaine picnic, when she actually agreed to second real date. She showed up, and Cody was really distracted. Maxie says, that’s weird, and Britt says, since then, he’s texted her a handful of times, but only, what’s up? No mention of future plans. Maxie says, he ghosted her? and Britt says, kind of, yeah. After being so annoyingly persistent, now he can’t be bothered? Maxie says, he has had a lot on his mind lately, and Britt says, like combing out horse manes, or ointment for saddle sores. Maxie says, Britt doesn’t know?

Dante says, if it’s over for Cody and Britt, he thinks Cody dodged a bullet, but Cody says, Dante has to admit, she’s never boring. She’s smart as hell, she’s got killer legs, and a fiery sense of humor. Dante says, while he pleads the fifth on the legs, he agrees with Cody on the rest. The thing about her is, she’s always looking out for number one. Cody says, so is everyone, but Dante says, not Cody. Say what he will, Cody is here for his friends; he was for Dante anyway. Cody tells Dante not to get sappy on him, or he’s going to regret asking Dante to sit down. How did such a gifted prankster become so conventional? Dante says, there are benefits to having a job on the right side of the law, and Cody says, name one. Dante says he never has to look over his shoulder. What’s happening with Mac Scorpio? Is he still gunning for Cody?

Bobbie and Carly sit at the restaurant, and Carly says, she wasn’t sure by the looks on their faces if she’d gotten through to them or not, but Bobbie says, of course (🍷) she did. Their hearts would have to be made of stone to not be moved by her words. Carly touched hers. Carly says she hopes Bobbie understands why she’s fighting so hard to protect Virginia’s grave; it’s no reflection on her. Bobbie says, Carly doesn’t have to reassure her. Virginia was Carly’s mother when she couldn’t be. Virginia raised Carly, and she loved her, and Carly loved Virginia. Bobbie will always be grateful for that. She’d like to think Virginia handed her the baton when she couldn’t hold it anymore. She’s so glad Carly found her in time, so she could take it… even if the hand-off was a little bumpy. They laugh, and Carly says, that was an understatement. She hopes Bobbie knows that she’s really grateful for the relationship they have now. Bobbie says, her too, and takes Carly’s hand across the table.

Victor knocks at Lucy’s office door, and says, looking lovely as ever. She thanks him, taking his hands, and says, she’s a bit surprised. She didn’t think she’d see him so soon. He hopes he’s not imposing, and she says, not at all. It was she who imposed on him last night, but she’s much better now. He says, of course (🍷) she is. She’s the brilliant, resilient, unsinkable Lucy Coe. But in case she had any lingering blues, he thought he would drop by and bring her a bit of cheer. He opens the velvet box, revealing a beautiful, delicate diamond necklace. Lucy says, oh my.

Anna tells Robert that her source is Lucy Coe, and he says, she brought in a civilian? A Lucy Coe civilian? She says she didn’t have a lot of options, and Victor was already enamored of her. So she saw her opportunity, and took it, but Lucy’s part in this operation is done now. He says, she’s not too good at taking orders, and Anna says, she’s reluctant to distance herself from him. He says, any sane woman would run screaming, and Anna says, she knows, but apparently Victor has been a bit generous with diamonds and such. He says, oh yeah, Lucy’s Achille’s heel, and she says, don’t worry about her. She’s handling Lucy. They need to focus on Victor. She thinks Ashby is their in. He says, that would explain the sudden interest in transparency, and she says, maybe Victor realizes they’re getting close, and wants to limit their resources. Robert says he has no qualms about using his position as DA to take this bastard out. As far as he’s concerned, Victor is a total menace to the public. Anna says she believes Ashby’s connection to Victor is going to give them leverage, and he says, do tell. They’re going to use this how?

Carly tells Bobbie that a local station did a piece on her, and at the meeting, Peyton made her out to be some out-of-town troublemaker who flies in to mess with decent people’s lives. Bobbie asks if Peyton really said decent people? and Carly says, and more. She is a bitter spiteful woman determined to make it Carly’s fault that her family imploded. Bobbie says, some people just don’t want to face the truths, and that woman doesn’t want to admit she was married to a depraved creep. Peyton’s life is Peyton’s responsibility. Bobbie doesn’t want Carly letting Peyton inflict her garbage on her. Carly says she won’t, but it’s just so sad. Peyton can’t see, by holding onto the past, it keeps her from moving on. Bobbie says, the news feature touched on Reese’s accident. That must have been hard for Carly. Carly says, dredging up the accident made her sick to her stomach, but it helped her realize the accident wasn’t her fault, and she can forgive herself and let go of the guilt. Bobbie says, that’s huge; she’s so proud of Carly. Maybe this detour was destined to be. It has more meaning than a leadership seminar. Carly says, coming to Jacksonville gave her closure, and Drew being with her is what made all the difference.

Maxie tells Britt, it’s not absolutely 100% for sure until the DNA test is done, but the dates match up, and her mom and Mac seem pretty convinced. It’s looking like Cody is Mac’s son. So Britt can see why he’s been a little distracted. Britt says, that is so unfair. Her long lost relative was Peter August, and Cody gets Mac Scorpio, who according to Maxie is the best dad ever. Maxie says, yes. If there was a competition for best long lost relative, Cody would definitely win. That’s what’s so puzzling. Cody hit the dad jackpot. So why won’t he take that DNA test to lock that down? Britt says, a new family member can throw you for a loop, and they are talking about Cody’s potential father. Maxie says she sees Britt’s point, and Britt says, look what Peter did to their lives; what he’s still doing. Maxie asks what she means, and Britt says, that box of his effects. Maxie says, she still has that? and Britt says, it didn’t feel right to just get rid of it. Maxie says, that’s why they should have gone with their original instinct, which was to let her get rid of it. She was two seconds away from throwing it out, when Britt wanted it back. Britt says, Peter didn’t do anything without an agenda. There had to be a reason he left her that box, and one day she wants to take the opportunity to go back to it, and figure out what the hell he was up to. Maxie says, the only good thing Peter ever did was give her Bailey Lou. Other than that, his existence was meaningless. Britt says she thinks they’re getting a little off course. All she was saying is that she can see how this would be a lot for Cody to take in. It’s not just Mac. A new guy comes with a whole new family. Maxie says, right; her and her kids. She and Cody are going to be quasi siblings. That’s why she wanted Britt’s opinion of him. Britt says, maybe he didn’t blow her off. Maybe he really has a lot on his mind. Maxie says, Britt actually likes him, doesn’t she?

Sam tells Spinelli, good thing she has a little time before she has to play peacemaker between her mom and Kristina. He says, more mother/ daughter friction? and she says, they’re on the outs again, but it’s going to give her a little time to go talk to Cody. He says he wishes she woudn’t, and she says, Cody happens to be a really good friend of Dante’s, and she thinks he’s an okay guy. He may play fast and loose with the law, but so do all of them. This blackmail thing is troubling though, so she wants to look him in the eye, and find out what he really wants.

Cody says, he’s not worried about Mac Scorpio trying to put him away anymore, and Dante says, good. He told Cody that Mac was a nice guy. Cody says, about that… and Dante’s phone dings. Dante says he’s got to go, and Cody says, kitten up a tree? Sorry. His bad. Have fun… helping old ladies cross the street. Dante says he will. That’s hilarious. Don’t quit his day job though. He starts to go, and Cody tells him, be safe out there. Catch this knife wielding maniac. Dante says, you bet, and leaves.

Robert says, it could work, and Anna says, it will work. It’s her plan, and it will work. He says, too bad she doesn’t have a bit of backup, and she says, another dig at Valentin? He says he sees this guy for who he is. He’s double-crossed everybody he’s ever had as a partner. He’s out for himself, and doesn’t care who picks up the tab for whatever he does. He’s even about to double-cross his worthless father. She says, because he doesn’t have any illusions about who his father is, and he says, treacherous, a liar, untrustworthy… She says, Robert doesn’t have all the facts, and Robert says, because she’s never given them to him. And here they are, about to use this guy in a plan where he’s front and center, and Robert doesn’t trust him this much. He holds his thumb and forefinger a millimeter apart, and Anna says she knows she’s given Robert reason to doubt her judgement in the past, but she and Valentin have been working together recently. If Robert doesn’t trust Valentin, that’s fine. Can he at least trust her? He says, he always trusts her. She wants justice for Luke as much as he does. Victor killed him, and Victor’s going to pay big time. She says, exactly. That’s why they have to do whatever they can to stop Victor before he hurts someone else.

Lucy says, he shouldn’t have, and Victor says, let’s try it on, shall we? He puts the necklace on her, and something about it strikes me weird. She turns around, and asks how it looks, and he says, absolutely stunning. She says she has no idea how to thank him, and Martin walks in, and says he’s sure Victor has a couple of ideas.

Britt asks what Maxie thinks of Cody, and Maxie says, she’s not sure. At first, she liked him, and then she didn’t, and now, she kind of likes him again, but there’s definitely something sketchy about him. Britt says, there is. She wishes his actions matched up with his words. Maxie asks, what kind of actions? and Britt says, just a kiss. Maxie says, a good kiss? Go for it. Talk to him. Put all her cards out on the table. He likes poker, right? Britt says, Maxie is right. She’s a grown woman; accomplished, professional. What’s the big deal? At least Cody’s sexy. Better than the other duds who’ve been interested in her lately. She turns her head, and Spinelli is standing there.  

Sam joins Cody at Kelly’s, and thanks him for agreeing to meet with her. He says, of course (🍷). It was an intense sounding text: We need to talk. He asks if she wants a bite of his food, but she says she’s more in the mood for a conversation. He asks if he’s in trouble, and she says, yeah. He says, for what? and she says, blackmailing her friend Spinelli was a huge mistake.

Bobbie asks if Drew is still hung up on Aurora business, and Carly says, he’s wrapping up now, then he’s going to the gym. Bobbie asks how Aurora is doing, and Carly says, it’s coming back, slowly though. She doesn’t know how Drew does it; managing his business and helping her out at the same time. Bobbie says she’s glad Drew is here for Carly, and Carly says, her too. She and Drew really get each other, and everything seems clearer after she talks to him. Bobbie says, that sounds really special, and Carly says, it is. Drew’s an amazing friend. Bobbie says, is that all he is?

Martin says, when the cat’s away, but Lucy says, there’s no cat; no kitten even. He’s home; he’s here. She fusses over him, and asks when he got here. He says, apparently, not soon enough, breaking away from her, and walking toward Victor. He says he gets the distinct impression that he interrupted something, and Victor says, Lucy came to see him yesterday. Lucy says, she did. She was upset. She was distraught after Brando’s funeral. Did Martin hear about that? Martin says, uh-huh, and she says, good… not about the funeral, but the fact that he knows. She hasn’t known what he’s known because he hasn’t called or really stayed in touch that much. She sought out Victor, and he’s become a friend. Martin looks at her bracelet, and says, a very generous friend. Very. He tells Victor, now that he’s up to speed on recent events, what exactly is Victor doing here? Victor asks if Lucy is going to tell him, or shall he?

Maxie says, Spinelli! Look, Britt. Spinelli. Spinelli tells them, good afternoon, and Maxie asks how he is. He says his life is excellent; he wants for nothing. Britt says, good for him, and excuses herself. He says, thank God, and Maxie asks if he’s sure he’s over Britt, because that level of awkward was exceptionally high, He says, believe him. He has no designs on Britt. That discomfort was a function of not having seen Britt since the unfortunate revelation of his interest. He and Britt haven’t spoken of it, and never will. Maxie asks if he’d like her to make sure Britt knows he’s over her, and he says, yes, but how did his name come up? Britt doesn’t talk about him, does she? Maxie says, no, don’t worry. If she’s anything, it’s discreet. Ha-ha! His face.

Dante sees Britt, and she asks if he got the Haggerty autopsy report. He says he just picked it up. He’s going to see Diane if that’s cool. She says she won’t stop him, and he starts to walk, but she says, wait. Has he heard from Cody? He says he was just with Cody at Kelly’s; why? She says, no reason. She just hasn’t heard from him, and thought she’d give him a call. He says, great, and she asks, what’s his problem? Does he think she’s not good enough for his friend?

Cody says, look… but Sam says, save it. She knows he threatened to sic the NSA on Spinelli if he didn’t create a fake match between him and Britt. The kind guy she thought she knew would never do something like that. Unless… Is she completely wrong about him? He says, blackmail is too strong of a word; he just asked for an exchange of favors. If you think about it, Spinelli got the better deal. All Cody got was a date. He’s keeping Spinelli’s intrusive, highly illegal, algorithm a secret, which kind of makes Spinelli the criminal mastermind, not him. Sam asks if Cody is going to keep his word, and Cody says, as far as he’s concerned, he and Spinelli are square. He hasn’t asked Spinelli for anything, and he won’t; nothing more. She says, okay, but why was it so important for him to get set up with Britt? Cody flashes back to Dante telling him about Britt being on the run with her father, Cesar Faison, and Sam asks, what’s the con?

Lucy says, Victor came to her with a proposition, and Martin raises his eyebrows. She says, a business proposition. Victor wanted a partnership with Deception. Martin asks why Victor would be interested in partnering with a cosmetics company, and Victor says, not the company, the woman behind it. Lucy says, her brains. He’s interested in her brains. Victor also admires her business sense. Martin asks if Victor will excuse them, and kindly get the door on his way out. Victor says, of course (🍷), and tells Lucy, they’ll talk later. He leaves, and Lucy says she promises it’s not what it looked like, but Martin says, from where he’s standing, it looks like Lucy’s been making a fool out of him. What else is there to say except, congratulations on trading up. She asks how he can say that. Has he lost in her; in them? He says, that’s a relevant question, because he doesn’t want to leapfrog over another man giving her diamonds. What the hell happened? Was he gone too long? Did she just lose interest? She says, not any of that. She’s been working with Anna. When Anna lost Martin spying on Valentin, Anna pressured her to spy on Victor. He says, and getting diamonds is a door prize? It’s all part of the spy game? She says, Victor is just kind of into her, and Martin is like, what? She says she did it for him, so he could come home. Anna forced her to do this. He says, Anna never said a thing to him about it, and she says, he talked to Anna? When? He says, she called him last night, and told him to come home, and he caught the first flight. Lucy says, that little witch. She did all of this on purpose.

Robert tells Anna, once upon a time, being a public servant meant serving the public. Nowadays, everyone’s got an agenda. How long does Anna suppose Eileen’s been in Victor’s pocket? Is she recently corrupt, or did he bring her into the dark side? Anna gives him some tea, and says she doesn’t know; it’s difficult to say. Victor plays the long game. He’s very patient and strategic. This could have been in the works for years. He says, there’s nothing worse than a sneaky Cassadine. Helena was like that. Stavros, and Mikkos? No. They’d get a crazy idea and jump right in. None of this dillydallying. Anna says, he sounds a bit nostalgic. Does he miss being in the field? He says, there are times he thinks of the good old days. Some of the crazy, mad missions they went on. She says, good times. They were a hell of a team. He says, damn right. She had a partner she could rely on. She laughs, and says, there he goes, ruining it, and he says, is she sure her relationship with Valentin isn’t compromising her judgement here? She says, he could do with a little compromising himself. This whole salty curmudgeonly persona he has going. It might work at the DA’s office, but it’s not doing him any favors. He asks, what that’s supposed to mean? and she says, it’s obvious. He hasn’t been anyone’s partner for a long time. Doesn’t he miss it?  

Carly says, she and Bobbie have already had this conversation. She and Drew are just friends; the timing is off for anything more. Bobbie tells her, so she keeps saying, and Carly says she doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life. Bobbie says, she’s only been here a short while and can already sense a difference. Carly is lighter. There’s a sparkle in her eye. This experience has changed her. She has her self-confidence back. Carly says she doesn’t know if she saved the cemetery, or if she accomplished anything here, and Bobbie asks if she really needs the Guild to tell her that.

Maxie tells Spinelli not to disturb Georgie’s crystals. She’s been growing them for her latest science project, and they have to stay in the laundry room. Spinelli says, of course (🍷), the warmth from the drier. Georgie’s blazing through these science kits. He’s already had to dip into her Christmas stash. Maxie says, he already started Christmas shopping? How does he beat her every year? He says, because she waits until after Halloween, and that’s when the official season starts, and she misses all the deals. She says, so he’ll be there on Saturday by 6, and she’ll leave something out for dinner. He says he can bring something. Georgie and James love Noodle Buddha, and they can mash up some noodles and peas for Bailey. Where is she going anyway? She says, she and Austin have tickets for the symphony, and he gives her a look. She says, it was Austin’s idea. She can like the symphony. She has a great symphony outfit. He says, he’ll enjoy his Saturday with Georgie and her siblings, and she says she’s glad he can help out, but she wishes he had plans of his own. He says, make up her mind, and she says she thinks he’s making a mistake. He says, she’s the one going to the symphony, and she says she’s talking about his Society Set-Ups algorithm.

Dante tells Britt, Cody is a grownup. It doesn’t matter what he thinks; Cody is going to make up his own mind about things. She says, Dante just looks on disapprovingly, and he says, he and Britt have a sketchy history. Maybe she’s changed, maybe she hasn’t; he doesn’t know. But Cody will figure it out for himself. He’s a good guy, and a friend of Dante’s. Just don’t jerk him around.

Cody tells Sam, obviously he and Britt got off on the wrong foot, like literally. He landed on top of her, and dragged her… Sam says she was there; she saw the whole thing. But to resort to blackmail… He says, they’re not using that word, remember? Some information fell into his lap, and he leveraged it, that’s all. She says, that’s a long way to go for a date, and he says, normally, he doesn’t need to resort to those tactics, but he’s not stalking Britt. If she tells him to get lost, he’ll walk away. But there’s something about her… He doesn’t know; maybe it’s the challenge. She says, okay, and he says appreciates her not telling Dante about this. She asks, what makes him think she hasn’t said something to Dante? and he says, he saw Dante earlier. He didn’t have his I’m-disappointed-in-you-Cody face, which he would have had if he knew. And he knows she wouldn’t put Dante on the spot like that. She says, like what? and he says, she can’t tell Dante about him without revealing Spinelli’s dive into illegal hackerdom. Then Detective Falconari would have to inform the NSA about Spinelli’s universal key that apparently unlocks all of the internet. She says, the thought has crossed her mind, and he says, so it’s better not to tell Dante. She says, for now. She’s going to take Cody at his word, but if he hurts Spinelli, he’ll wish he’d never been born. She leaves, and he says, good chat.

Lucy says, Anna didn’t get what she wanted, so she brought Martin home to catch her. Martin says, doing what exactly? and she says, not cheating. He has to believe her. Everything she did, she did for them, for their future. He says, letting a man like Victor Cassadine refurbish and fawn over her? and she says, Martin has nothing to worry about. He’s 16 times the man Victor will ever be. She missed him so much. Does he believe her? He says he supposes, and they kiss. She grabs her bag, and he says, she’s leaving? She says, she’s got to go. She’ll explain when she gets back. They’re going to get everything they want, as soon as she gets Anna the hell out of her way. She blows him a kiss, and dashes out.  

Robert says, he takes it Anna isn’t referring to a work partner, and she asks if she was being subtle. She was referring of course (🍷) to his love life. He says what about it? and she says, he doesn’t have one. He says he’s fine, and she says, what kind of an answer is fine? He says, just because she’s chosen to stick her neck out again… She says, any relationship is risky, and he says, especially with a Cassadine, but she says, stop. Don’t do that. He’s not changing the subject. Because the truth is, along the way he’s walled himself up in work. Doesn’t he want more? Doesn’t he miss having a relationship? He says, there are times he… misses… not waking up next to one of those nice soft bodies. Having somebody to talk to besides the dog. Someone to come home to at night. She says she wants that for him. Could he break down a bit of this wall, and live a little? He says, okay. He’ll think about dating again. Just as soon as they take out Victor.

Johann and Victor go back to the hotel room, and Victor takes out a laptop. He plugs something in, along with some earbuds, and listens. I knew it.  

Bobbie tells Carly that she can check into her room now, and wants to make sure she gets a room with a view. They get up, and Carly says she knows a few tricks of the trade on getting an upgrade. She’ll meet Bobbie at the front desk. Bobbie leaves, and Cary tells the manager that she’d like to settle her tab, and charge it to her room. She signs the receipt, and turns to leave, coming face-to-face with Peyton.

Maxie asks if Spinelli is all right, and he says, she just caught him off-guard. She said there was a mistake in his algorithm. She says she just thinks he should consider using his algorithm to find a match of his own, and he says, doctors don’t operate on themselves. She asks if he’ll at least think about it. She wants him to be happy. He says he wants the same for her, calling her Maxinista.

Britt walks into Kelly’s, and Cody says, fancy meeting her here. She says she was looking for him

Carly asks how the Guild voted, and Peyton says, it’s over. The parkway will not be rerouted. Virginia Benson’s remains must be moved. Carly failed.  

Lucy repeatedly rings Anna’s doorbell. In the hotel, Johann asks if it’s transmitting, and Victor holds up his hand for Johann to hush. Anna says, what in the world… and Lucy says, we have to talk. Victor says, turnabout is fair play, Miss Devane. That bauble was worth every penny. Anna asks, what’s going on? and Lucy says, she’s really sick of butting into her life. Anna says she thought Lucy would be happy to see Martin, and Lucy says, of course (🍷) she’s happy to see Martin, but after everything she’s done for Anna, this is the way Anna is treating her? We see a close-up of the necklace. Just in case we hadn’t caught on.

On Monday, Britt asks why Cody won’t take the DNA test; Felicia asks if anything jogs Scotty’s memory; and Victor tells Valentin, he’s not the only one who’s been holding back.

🚪 When We Left Her…

Sounds like a tough road, but it’s good to hear they’re being accommodating. I’m looking forward to her return.

📺 Dante At Night…

They give no clue as to his character, so will it be a stretch? Who knows?

🌪 It’s Brando, Auntie Em…

Most people run away from tornados.

🥀 Leaving a Legacy…

I’m not familiar with her work, but she had quite the soap career.

⌨️ Memories…

Marc Singer guest starred on that show too. Just saying.

🧂 Needs Some Salt…

Some updates from the Utah franchise.

😱 Yikes…

Add good mom instincts to the list of her many talents.

https://www.avclub.com/angela-lansbury-saved-daughter-charles-manson-cult-1849653141

❄️ Ugh…

If you must know about Winter House. See what I mean? They’re just awful.

And immature.

🐕 Petting the Rich…

The best part? They couldn’t care less.

https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3168358/8-richest-pets-world-meet-taylor-swift-and-oprahs

🐋 Quotes of the Week

It is only when we take chances, when our lives improve. The initial and the most difficult risk that we need to take is to become honest.Walter Anderson

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. – Kurt Vonnegut

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once. – Albert Einstein

The really magical things are the ones that happen right in front of you. A lot of the time you keep looking for beauty, but it is already there. And if you look with a bit more intention, you see it. – Vik Muniz

To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone. – Reba McEntire

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. – Lao Tzu

He graduated from Corny University. – David Toborowsky, Pillow Talk: The Single Life

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime. – Mark Twain

All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them. – Viola Davis

There are two schools when it comes to brownies. People who like them fudgy, and people who are wrong. – Zac Young, Halloween Baking Championship

💃🏽 Tapping My Troubles Away…

Take the next two days off, then come back for what’s going on with the Dead. Until then, stay safe, stay honoring old traditions while creating new ones, and stay being aware that some detours are destined to be.

October 7, 2022 – No GH, New In Town, Thanks To Tony, Reporting In, Why, Soapy Rose, Meltdown Chat, Salty Talk, About the Rules, Surreal Again, Trail This, Pets (!), Four Quotes Twice & High Noon

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

There wasn’t any because, baseball.

🌴 No Wonder…

I’m guessing she’ll be one of Peyton or Virginia’s friends.

🏥 Thank You From Me Too…

Who knew Luke led to Obrecht’s tenure?

👩🏻‍💻 Not a Stretch…

An extra paycheck never hurt anyone.

🔧 Beating a Dead Mechanic…

Face it, he was a sacrificial lamb for the storyline.

🌹 No Rose For You…

This actually looks pretty good, and it’s on TubiTV, so it’s free. Todd Franco Austin Roger Howarth is in it.

💎 Still Shooking LisaR…

Even Andy didn’t know what a drama queen she was.

She Who Can Do No Wrong weighs in.

How it went down at the Reunion.

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-12-reunion-trailer/

🧂 Worth Their Salt…

The latest on the ladies in the city of Salt Lake.

🍸 VanderSad…

Lala gives us the Season 10 scorecard.

👻 Ghosts From the Past…

It’s an odd mix, I don’t know half of them, and why are the bringing this back?

https://www.realitytitbit.com/usa-reality-tv/meet-the-surreal-life-2022-cast-on-instagram-including-stormy-daniels

🗽 Horror In the City…

A peek at the new AHS season.

🐶 Ending With a Squee…

Omg, Oscar.

https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_celebrity_pets_that_will_make_you_say_aw/s1__34563662#slide_1

🐣 Quotes of the Week

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy. – Albert Clarke

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. – Shari R. Barr

Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor. – Hesiod

The really magical things are the ones that happen right in front of you. A lot of the time you keep looking for beauty, but it is already there. And if you look with a bit more intention, you see it. – Vik Muniz

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis. – Dante Alighieri

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. – Marilyn Monroe (I was going to say, that’s genius, but…)

We never know when our last day on earth will be. So, love with full sincerity, believe with true faith, and hope with all of your might. Better to have lived in truth and discovered life, than to have lived half-heartedly and died long before you ever ceased breathing. – Cristina Marrero

We rise by lifting others. – Robert G. Ingersoll

🥁 Turning the Beat Around…

It’s time again for the weekend, or the next two days if you’ve loud quit. I’ll be back when the Dead Walk, if you’d care to join me. Until then, stay safe, stay going the extra mile, and stay not having public meltdowns, especially if your last name is Hilton.

Halloween is on the horizon…

September 27, 2022 – Drew Finds Carly In Jacksonville, Soapy Memoir, Visiting, Tuc Update, a Tribute, Buh-Bye, Andy’s Excuse, Piecing It Together, Pets (!) & Need To

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny gives Gladys lavender tea to help her relax. She asks what he knows about tea; he’s a coffee importer. He says, maybe he’ll branch out, and she apologizes, adding, it does smell good. Sasha comes out, and Nina asks if she got any sleep, but Sasha says, every time she closes her eyes, all she can see is Brando in that hospital bed. Nina hugs her.

Curtis goes to the hospital, and Portia hugs him, saying, she’s so glad to see him. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, Diane Miller was brought in with a stab wound tonight. He says, wow. First Ava, then Brando, now Diane. She says, looks that way, and he asks if Diane is okay. She says, they’re operating right now, and that’s all she knows, but it’s got her really on edge. He says, of course (🍷) it does. She says she wanted to tell Trina, but she was with Rory, and Portia didn’t want to tell her then. He says, it’s going to be okay, but she says, how? When? He says he doesn’t know, but thanks to that Invader article, at least they’re all watching their backs. She says, speaking of that, Jordan feels some type of way about whoever leaked it to the press, and he asks if Jordan said something to her. Jordan comes out of the elevator, and Portia says, Jordan wasn’t very happy that she defended the source. Jordan says, because she’s trying to capture a violent criminal. And to that end, she needs Portia’s help.

Dante comes into the interrogation room, and sits across from Dex. He says he’s been briefed on the Diane Miller attack. Dex was the first person at the scene? Dex says he got there just before Miss Davis and Mr. Chase. He’s sorry; he won’t be able to tell Dante much. Dante says he doesn’t know about that. He bets Dex has plenty to tell him.

On the phone, Carly tells Olivia, she feels so bad… Because her family was going through hell and couldn’t get in touch with her… She already talked to everybody, and wanted to jump on the first plane home when she heard about Brando… Yeah, she and Sonny agreed it’s probably safer if she stays here… She knows. There’s a knock at her hotel room door, and she tells Olivia that she’ll call her back; someone’s at the door. She opens it, and Drew asks if someone ordered room service, holding up a six-pack. Yes, we could make a lot of jokes here.

Josslyn, Cameron, Trina, and Rory go to the hatchet throwing place, and Trina says, wow. She didn’t even know places like this even existed. Josslyn says, her mom told her about it. She said it’s super fun. Cameron tells Rory that they should start collecting their weapons, or can he even say that to a cop? Rory says he’s off-duty, and they go to make their selection. Josslyn says, finally they get a little double date action with the guys, and Trina says, it’s so cute. Josslyn says she likes Rory. She’s so happy Trina ended up with him. Trina says, as opposed to Spencer? and Josslyn says, Rory’s definitely preferable… isn’t he?

Dex says he wants to speak to a lawyer, and Dante says, that’s his right, and he should. Dante points to his neck, and asks what Dex has here, and Dex takes out his dog tags, asking if they quality as a lethal weapon. Dante says he certainly hopes not, but you tell me. Dex says he doesn’t know what happed to Miss Miller. He doesn’t know how many times, or how he can say that until they actually believe him, and Dante asks, what makes Dex think he doesn’t believe him? Dex says, the way Dante came at him just now, and how he questioned Dex at the hospital. It’s clear Dante’s made up his mind. Dante says, so far, Dex is the only person who could have seen what happened, and Dex says, but he didn’t. When he came in, she was on the ground bleeding. Dante asks what Dex was doing in the garage in the first place. This is his chance to go on the record and clear up any misconceptions. Dex says he was working, and Dante says, doing what? Dex says, Dante’s father asked him to lock up behind Diane while he took Sasha home, and Dante says, so Dex was there when she was attacked? Dex says he must have been, and Dante says, the garage is a big open space; how could Dex not have seen it? Dex says he was outside, and Dante says, Dex is good at his job, right? Dex says, ask his dad, and Dante says he will, but right now he’s asking Dex. When Sonny ordered Dex to stick around, how could he not see someone enter the garage? It feels to Dante like Dex is lying about something. What is it?

Trina says, now that Spencer’s not in her life, she’s happier than she’s been in a while, and Josslyn says, with Rory. Trina says she’s ready for a fun, uncomplicated relationship, and Josslyn says, Trina deserves it. Trina says, Josslyn’s turn. She and Cam went through a rough patch, and Josslyn says, yeah, but they’re out of it. Trina asks if Josslyn told Cam about the dumpster thing with Dex, and Josslyn says, just because they’re together doesn’t mean they have to tell each other everything. Didn’t Cam prove that by keeping Spencer’s secret? Cameron and Rory come back, and Cameron asks what they’re talking about. Josslyn and Trina both say, nothing, and Cameron tells Rory, nothing means them, right? Rory says, 100%, and Josslyn says, the egos on these two.

Sasha says she really appreciates Nina and Sonny being here, but please go; get back to their lives. Sonny says he can stay, but Gladys says, he’s done enough. The truth is, nothing’s going to make this better. They just have to live through it as best they can. Sonny says he’ll go, but if she needs anything, call him at any time. That goes for Sasha too. He hugs Sasha, and Nina says she’ll walk Sonny out, but she’ll be back. They can’t get rid of her that easily. In the hallway, Nina says she didn’t want to broach this in front of Sasha, but what are they going to do about the guardianship? He says, Diane’s filing a continuance with the judge right now, but the thing is, Sasha is still under guardianship. She asks what that even means without Brando. Is the court going to appoint some interim person, a stranger? Sonny says, no. They’ll give Sasha some time to grieve before they get into the details. Nina says she just can’t believe on top of everything else, Sasha has to contend with that. Sonny’s phone rings, and it’s Alexis. He says, whoa. Hold on… What?

Jordan says she knows Dr. Finn was on hand when Diane was brought in, but he was called on a patient emergency. She was hoping, since he and Portia worked together on Brando’s case, Portia might be able to provide some helpful information. Portia says, Finn did brief her, so she thinks she can help Portia, and Jordan says, and this conversation will stay at GH this time? Curtis asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Jordan says, he saw the article in The Invader. The leak came from the hospital. She’s just reiterating the need for discretion to keep important details under wraps. He says, that was always her area of expertise, wasn’t it? He’ll leave them to it. Portia tells Jordan, sorry. The divorce paper situation has him a bit… Jordan says, Portia doesn’t have to explain Curtis to her, and suggests they go somewhere private to discuss Diane.

Carly asks what Drew is doing here, and he says, what is he doing here as in, it’s so good to see you? She says, of course (🍷) it’s good to see him, and he says, phew. She says, but she told him that she was fine, and he says, he was already on the plane at that point. She says, to Jacksonville? How did he know she was here? He says, it wasn’t easy, but lucky for her, he’s got skills. She says, he’s got Spinelli on the case, and he says he was going to call Spinelli next, but he called Mia. She says, at the seminar, and he says, Mia told him that Carly’s flight had an emergency landing in Jacksonville, and here he is. She says, he came all the way down here for her? and he says he came all the way down here for her. Is she going to invite him in or what? She tells him, come in

Sonny tells Alexis, thanks for letting him know, and Nina asks if it’s another attack. He says, Diane. He’s got to get to GH. She says, of course (🍷), and he tells her to stay safe. She says, him too, and he leaves.

Drew gives Carly a beer, and says, he’s assuming she spoke to her family, and she says she knows about Brando. He says he’s so sorry, and she says, so is she. She feels so awful for Sasha. First her son, now this? He says, it’s unfathomable, and she says, it is. She’s so sorry she was out of touch. He says, she lost her phone; it happens. She says, during a family emergency? She was going to be on the first flight home when she found out about Brando, but she talked to Sonny, and he thought it was safer for her here. He says, he’s sure she hates that, but Sonny’s right. With a violent psychopath on the loose, it’s better she stays here. She says, but just hearing that, she feels like she’s abandoning her kids, and he says he gets that, but Sonny’s never going to let anything happen to them. She says she knows. He’s got security on Michael, he’s doubled security on Josslyn, and Donna and Avery live with him. Drew says, the penthouse is like a fortress; it’s fine. She says she knows. She still can’t believe he tracked her down just to tell her about Brando. He says, it’s not just that, and she says, okay. What else?

Gladys shows Sasha some photos on her phone, and Sasha says, Brando as a baby. Gladys says, a baby who was so proud to serve his country. That war made a mess of him. She barely recognized him when he got back. They lost so much time. If only she’d known how little time they had. Sasha says, but when they did reconnect, she’d say they made the most of it; woudn’t Gladys? Brando loved her. Gladys says she drove Brando crazy, and Sasha says, he didn’t love her any less. Gladys says she just wishes she had one more chance to tell him how much he meant to her, and Sasha says she wishes that too. Gladys gets to pictures of Brando and Sasha in Niagara Falls, and says, their wedding… which no one was invited to. Sasha says, if she could do it again, she’d celebrate with the whole world, all their friends and family… It’s just hitting her that she’s completely alone now. Without Brando, she has no family left. Gladys takes her hand, and says, listen to her. She and Sasha became family the second Sasha married her son, and that doesn’t change now. She’s got news for Sasha; Sasha’s stuck with her. Sasha says she’s so glad.

Sonny goes to the hospital reception desk, and asks where Diane’s room is, and what condition she’s in. The nurse says she can’t share information with anyone but family, when Curtis comes along, and says, Diane is in surgery. Sonny asks how he knows, and Curtis says he has his sources. Sonny says he’s surprised Curtis is sharing that with him. The last time they saw each other, it was a one-sided friendship.  Curtis says he owes Sonny for what Sonny did for his father. His father told him that Sonny knew he was on antipsychotic meds and kept quiet. Sonny says he knows something about that diagnosis, and Curtis says he appreciates it. Sonny says, the truth be told, he wasn’t just looking out for Marshall. He respects the hell out of Curtis.  

Trina gets a bullseye, and says, it’s so satisfying. Josslyn suggests they make it a friendly competition, and Trina says, here we go. Josslyn says, what? and Trina tells Rory, if he hasn’t picked up on it yet, Josslyn is totally extra in the competitive department. Josslyn says, what is the point of throwing these things unless someone is keeping score? and Rory says he’s game. Josslyn says, see? She told Trina that she liked him. Why don’t they do a tournament? They’ll pair up, and the winners get to compete for the ultimate glory. Trina says, sounds good, and Josslyn says, let the games begin.

Jordan and Portia go to Portia’s office, and Portia looks through some folders. She says, Diane’s wound was consistent with how Ava and Brando’s presented, and Jordan says, so it was likely a hook was used too. Portia says, the only difference was, the doctors noticed when they were operating that the wound was more precisely inflicted. Jordan says, the attacker is improving their technique. Was a tox screen run? Portia says, it confirms the presence of the same venom that was found in Brando’s system. Thankfully, Finn found an anti-venom, and was able to race it over to the surgical team quickly. The last she heard, Diane was stable and the procedure was going well. Jordan says, thank God for that, and Portia says, it seems like something is still weighing heavily on Jordan’s mind. Jordan says, the last time their victim survived, the assailant made sure the next attack would kill. She doubts this will be any different.

Dex says he’s telling Dante the truth. Sonny told him to lock up, not to keep watch, so he didn’t have eyes on the door. Dante asks, then what was he doing? and Dex says, working; answering texts and emails. Dante can check his phone; there are time stamps on everything. Dante says, good. At the Quartermaine picnic, no one can verify Dex’s whereabouts before he found Ava and Josslyn. Dex says he was bringing paperwork for Dante’s father to sign. The front drive was crowded, so he parked on the access road. Dante says, what about Charlie’s? and Dex says, what about it? Dante tells him, Josslyn said she followed him out to the back alley, but when she got there, Dex wasn’t there. Dex says, because he wasn’t there, and Dante says, Dex has been on the scene of all three attacks; that’s a pattern. Dex says, you know what else is a pattern? He gave Diane and Ava first aid, and hopefully, it helped save both their lives. Dante says he doesn’t know if that’s enough for him, and Dex says, time stamps? Dante starts to leave, and Dex asks if he’s being arrested. Does he need to make a call? Dante says he thinks Dex should call his lawyer, and leaves. Dex makes a call, and says he’s in trouble. He needs their help. Sonny asks where he is, and Dex says, the PCPD. Sonny tells Dex, he’s on his way.

Rory gets a bullseye, but Trina’s hatchet bounces off the target. Rory and Cameron chest bump. Cameron’s hatchet bounces off the target, and Josslyn says, sorry. Cameron says he doesn’t even want to talk to her, and she gets just inside the middle circle. Cameron says, you’re joking, and Trina and Josslyn do a happy dance. Rory and Josslyn are the winners.

Dante asks what Sonny is doing at the station, and Sonny says, Dex said he was in some kind of trouble. Does Dante know anything about that? Dante says, he’s being questioned. He thought Dex was calling a lawyer. Sonny asks if he needs one, and Dante says, he was on the scene of Diane’s attack. Sonny says, he asked Dex to lock up, and Dante wonders if Sonny asked Dex to stand over Diane’s body with her blood on his hands.

Jordan says she’s going to arrange for somebody to stand guard over Diane, and Portia says, good idea. Portia leaves, and Jordan calls Rory. She says she’s sorry to bother him on his night off, but she was hoping for a favor. He says, of course (🍷), and she says, there’s been another stabbing. The victim’s Diane Miller. Dex Heller was at the scene. He’s been brought in for questioning. Rory says, wow, okay, and Jordan says she’d like him to come to the hospital and stand guard over Diane. He says, absolutely. She can count on him.

Drew says he knows Carly doesn’t have the best memories of Jacksonville, and he figured something big must be going on to get her to stay here. Before she can protest, he says he knows she can take care of herself. He just wanted to make sure she was okay, and offer his support if needed. She says, that support of his… He says, completely unnecessary? but she says, completely appreciated. The fact that he flew down here, she can’t tell him how much that means to her. He says he thinks she just did. Her phone dings, and she looks at it, saying, oh no. Come on. He says, more bad news? and she says, that something big he was referring to? He was spot-on. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, they’re clearing out the cemetery Virginia is buried in to put in a parkway to the beach. He asks if she’s talking about moving the bodies, and she says, yeah. He says, for beach access? That’s unbelievable. She says, it is. That spot was so perfect for Virginia, and it was so important to Carly that she be buried there… for many reasons. He says he remembers, and she says, oh, right. She decided to fight it. He says, of course (🍷) she did, and she says she hired a lawyer, and filed an injunction. Apparently, she has no legal standing because she’s not a resident. He says, so now what? and she says she doesn’t know what to do. He says she has to keep fighting, but she says, that injunction was her Plan A, B, and C. He says, there’s got to be other options, and she says, like what? He asks if she trusts him, and they sit down with some beers. He says, she may not have legal standing, but there are other ways to enact change. She says she’s listening, and he says, hi, I’m Drew Cane, holding out his hand. He says, and you are? She says her name is Carly, and he says, that’s such a beautiful name. She says, thank you, and he tells her to ask him what he does for a living. She asks, and he says, he owns a media company. The lightbulb comes on, and Carly says, a media company they can use to raise some hell. He says, exactly. He’ll stay one or two days; he’ll help her make some noise; they lay into the Guild and the developers. She says she can’t ask him to do that, and he says, she didn’t. She says he has a family back home who needs him, but he says he’s talking about a couple of days; they’re not even going to miss him. He’d never offer if it wasn’t something he wanted to do. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, 100% positive. She says, okay, and he says, let’s make this town sorry it ever crossed you. They clink beer bottles, and she says, Jacksonville, you have no idea what’s coming.

Nina tells Sasha and Gladys, bit by bit, it will get easier. Every week that passes, the pain will lift a little more. Sasha says, but does she really want that? Then it will be like Brando will truly be gone. Nina says, no. Brando will never be gone. She feels the people she’s lost every single day. Jay (Nathan), her daughter… Sasha feels Liam, doesn’t she? Sasha says she does, and Nina says, it’s no different. Gladys says, there’s a step they can take if Sasha is ready. They can make arrangements for the funeral, and put their boy to rest.

Curtis asks how things went with Jordan, and Portia says, it was tense, but it was fine. Curtis says he sensed a little tension with her as well, and Porta says she saw that. Um… I did too, and it was because Curtis made a snide remark. Are they in the same show I’m watching? Curtis wonders if it will always be this way even if they get their divorce issue dealt with, and she says, he was going to tell her about their talk. He says, Jordan swears she didn’t deliberately sit on those divorce papers, and Portia says, but what else? He tells her, Jordan also started saying some pretty strange things, and Portia says, strange how? He says, she asked if he and Portia were on solid ground, and then she fed him a line that you can never really know someone even if you’re married to them. It felt off, like she thought they were keeping secrets from each other. But he’s sure she’s just projecting, right? Portia says, mm-hmm, and he says, because they’re about as solid as it gets.

Sonny asks if Dante is sure, and Dante says, Alexis and Gregory found Dex in the garage. He says he was helping Diane. He says he didn’t see anyone or know what happened. Sonny says, Dante doesn’t believe him? and Dante says, Dex has been on the scene of all three attacks, and hasn’t seen or heard anything. Sonny asks what Dante’s implying, and an officer says, they have the forensics report Dante wanted. Dante thanks her and says, one second. Dante tells Sonny, he knows Sonny likes this kid, but he has to ask himself, how well does he know Dex Heller?

Rory says, sorry about the forfeit, and Josslyn says, a win is a win. Rory says, there was another attack; Diane Miller was the victim. Trina says, oh my God, and Josslyn asks if she’s okay. Rory says, all he knows is that she’s in surgery. He’s supposed to go to GH and stand guard, and make sure no one gets in to see her who shouldn’t. Trina says, this is so awful, and Rory says, there is some good news; a suspect was brought in. Josslyn asks, who is it? and he says, that still doesn’t mean things are safe. Trina says, they’ve got hatchets. This is the safest place in Port Charles. Rory asks them to promise to go home together, kisses Trina on the cheek, and leaves. Josslyn follows him, and outside, she says she knows there are certain things he can’t tell her, but this feels really personal. She’s been at two of the crime scenes, and Diane’s a close family friend. Who’s the suspect? He says, all he can tell her is, it’s someone who’s been questioned before, and has been spotted at all three crime scenes. Josslyn flashes back to telling Dex the police are looking for him, and Dex saying he already spoke to Dante.

Dex thanks Sonny for coming, and Sonny asks how they’re treating him. Dex says, so far no arrest, but they think he did it. Sonny asks, what happened? Why did they bring Dex in? Dex says, they think he’s behind it because he happened to be in the vicinity of all three attacks, but he’s innocent. Sonny believes him, right?

Gladys gets on the phone, but Nina says she doesn’t think they have to do this right now. Sasha says, Gladys is right. How long can they wait? Brando deserves a proper goodbye. Gladys says, now he’s just sitting in the morgue, and Sasha says she can’t think about it. They can’t leave him there. And this will be good for them too. They’ll have somewhere to go and visit and talk to him, right? Nina does that with her brother. Nina says, and Nelle. On the phone, Gladys says she’s sorry. Are they sure?… She understands. She’ll be in touch. Nina asks, what’s wrong? and Gladys says, nothing that can’t be fixed, she’s sure. Sasha asks, what is it? and Gladys says, the funeral home won’t take Sasha’s card because there’s a hold on it at the bank. Sasha says she has more than enough… Brando was her guardian. She needs him to sign off on purchases. Nina says, there’s no problem. Why don’t they call back and use her card? Sasha says, no. He is her husband… was her husband. She’s the one who should… She cries, and Nina holds her. Sasha says, oh my God. What do I do now?  

Curtis tells Portia that when he was with Jordan, he could just feel it. There was a part of her that she was holding back from him. He doesn’t feel that with Portia. Portia says she’s glad, and he says, the poor thing must think just because she’s keeping secrets, everyone does. Portia looks uncomfortable, and I question Curtis’s P.I. skills. Portia flashes back to Jordan saying she’s glad to hear they’re both on the side of truth. She remembers she and Jordan being trapped in the basement, and saying she needs to tell Trina the truth about her father. Curtis says, what is it? and she says she’s so sorry. She just remembered something she needs to take care of that’s very important. Does he mind if she… He says, of course (🍷) not, and she kisses him. She says she loves him, he says he loves her too, and she leaves.

Trina says she can’t believe it’s Diane, and Josslyn says, this is all just hitting too close to home. Trina asks if they can just get out of here, and Josslyn says she wants to check on Diane, and report back to her family. Cameron says, they’ll go with her, but she says, no, it’s fine, okay? Cameron says he won’t have her go out alone, but she says, thanks to Sonny, she won’t be. She has a guard 24 hours. She’ll have Reed take her, but please, get home safe. She leaves, and Trina and Cameron sit down. Trina asks if they should get out of here too. There’s no point in hanging around here. Cameron says, or they could talk about what’s going on between them. She says she doesn’t know what he means, and he says, she’s been avoiding him since she found out he was covering for Spencer. He gets it. She has every right to be mad. She says, good. Because she is.

Drew says he forgot. He has something he wants to send Carly. Does she have her tablet? She says, yeah, and it’s one of those looking at the camera like Jim from The Office moments. If Carly had her tablet, couldn’t she have sent everyone messages? Hell, she could have called them using it. He says he stopped on the way to the airport to send her a little message. She looks at her tablet (😐) and sees a video of Drew with Donna and Avery. The girls say they miss her, and good luck. Drew tells them, what else? and they say they love her, and can’t want to see her when she gets home. Drew tells them to blow Carly a kiss, and counts to three. He, Donna, and Avery blow a kiss to the camera, and Drew tells Carly, he was hoping she’d like that. She says she loved it, and he says, it’s getting a little bit late. She asks where he’s going, and he tells her, there are some conventions in town, and a lot of the hotels are booked. He’ll probably get a hotel out of town, but he’ll be back in the morning. She says, that’s crazy, but he says, it’s no big deal. She says she’s sure this couch pulls out. Really? I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in a hotel room with a pullout couch. She tells him to stay here, and he says, with her? She says, yeah. She’s going to be here too. He says he doesn’t know. He’s not sure it’s the best idea considering… She says, it’s fine. They’re adults. They can have an adult friendly sleepover. It’s the least she can do. Please stay. He says, okay.

Dex asks if Sonny isn’t going to say something, when Jordan comes in. She says she didn’t know Sonny was a lawyer now, and Sonny says, far from it. He came to check on Dex, and found out he has no lawyer present. Dante joins them, and says, Dex chose not to call one. Sonny asks if Dex is arrested, and when they don’t say anything, Sonny says, that’s a no. Let’s go. They leave, and as Dex passes Jordan, she says, don’t leave town. He says, got it, and she closes the door. She asks if Dex gave Dante anything, and Dante tells her, Dex swears he didn’t see or hear anything. She asks how that’s possible, and Dante says he doesn’t know, but they don’t have anything to hold him on. All the evidence they have is circumstantial. She asks if she’s wrong. There’s something about him; something off. Dante says, she’s not wrong, and she tells him, keep digging. He says, will do, and she leaves.

Outside, Dex thanks Sonny, and Sonny says he’ll give Dex a ride. Dex says, he doesn’t have to, but Sonny says, let’s go. They leave, and Dex looks worried. I’d be worried too.

Drew puts blankets and pillows on the couch, and Carly tells him that she’s sorry. She thought it pulled out. He says, it’s fine, and she says she can call downstairs for a cot. He says he thinks she’s forgetting he spent two years in a cell. This is like heaven compared to that. She says, noted, and they say goodnight. Carly goes to bed a few feet away, which seems really awkward, and Drew lies on the couch. Carly turns out the light, and tells Drew, she knows she said it before, but thanks for coming. It really means everything. He says she’s welcome. They’re going to fix the situation with her mother. She knows that, right? She says she does now.

Sasha thanks Nina for being here, and Gladys says she hasn’t always been the kindest or the most welcoming to Nina. Nina says, for legitimate reason, and Gladys says, but what Nina’s done for them, it hits her right here. Gladys touches her heart, and Nina says, well, get used to it, because she’s not going anywhere. The three of them join hands.

Portia storms into Jordan’s office, and slams the door. Jordan asks what she’s doing, and Portia says, Curtis told her about their little divorce papers chat. How dare she?

Cameron says he hated every second of lying to Trina. It’s just that he and Spencer had this history… She says, so do they. It may not be as long, but it’s pretty important. He says, so important, and if this messes it up at all… She says, it won’t. She’s not planning on holding a grudge, but it might take time to get past it. He says, that’s totally fair. He doesn’t want to give an excuse, but he wants to explain himself. He was torn between two people he care so much about, and that’s… She says, hard, and he says, extremely. Has she ever experienced something like that? She flashes back to Josslyn telling her that Cameron assumed she was alone in the dumpster, and she didn’t correct him. She tells Cameron, yeah. She guesses she has.

Josslyn strides into the PCPD, and Dante asks, what’s going on? She asks if Dex is here, and he wonders why she’s asking. She says she heard he was a suspect in all the attacks, and Dante says he can’t comment, but where did she hear that? She says, it doesn’t matter. He really can’t tell her anything at all? Dante says, Dex was brought in. He left with Sonny a while ago.

Dex gets in the car, but Sonny doesn’t look at him. Sonny just continues to look out the window, and Dex says, thanks for the ride home. Sonny finally looks at him, and says, they’re going to make a stop first. Then he stares straight ahead with an odd smile.

Tomorrow, Sam asks what Spinelli isn’t telling her; Maxie tells Austin, she’s glad it’s finally out in the open; Josslyn tells Dante that she’s got some evidence of her own; and Dex asks, how can he make Sonny believe him, as he hangs from the ceiling. It’s not looking good for Dex.

📖 Coming Soon…

She doesn’t just edit The Invader.

👨🏻‍⚕️ From the Ashes…

I forget. Did they ever find Griff’s body? Maybe he ran off with Esme. Or maybe he’s the Hook.

🏐 Playing Catch-Up…

I always liked him in OLTL, and he was fun in Desperate Housewives.

Star Studded…

This sounds pretty cool. October 8th on YouTube, 2 pm EST.

💃🏻 Tango Back To Your Love Bubble…

Of course it was because a judge didn’t like her. It couldn’t possibly be that the other couples were more talented.

💩 Calling Doctor BS…

What does he mean, the cameras were down for the night? How do they film all those other wee hour confabs and meltdowns?

🤿 Diving For Drama…

There seem to be some contradicting viewpoints here, but it all boils down to Kathy being a spoiled brat. Billie Jean must be a hot button issue though. I have a friend who once argued with a music store clerk over the lyrics. My friend thought they couldn’t possibly be that stupid.

🦥 You May Now Squee…

Kind of old news, obviously before Queen Elizabeth’s passing, but who cares? They’re still cute. And now I want a kinkajou.

https://collider.com/celebrity-pets-too-cute/

🪑 Now Leaving the Desk Chair…

Come back tomorrow for Dex’s dilemma and those too-old-for-this Wives. Until then, stay safe, stay learning all the information before weighing in, and stay never being spotted at more than one crime scene. It could leave you hanging.

September 23, 2022 – Three Victims One Hook, Saying Goodbye, Inclusion, Smoltz (!), Meltdown Theories, Interview Review, Ruined Punchline, Pets (!), 2X4 = Quotes & Van’s Moon

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

We see Brando’s empty garage. Sasha sits in the dark, and says, Brando? Can you hear me? Please tell me you didn’t leave. She hears the door open, and someone comes in.

Nina visits Ava, and says she looks a lot better. Ava thanks her, and Nina gives her some flowers, saying, she’s so glad Ava is out of the ICU. Ava says, if only she could get out of this hospital altogether. She can’t wait to get out of here. Nina says, all in due time, right? and sits down. She says, since Ava told her about Nikolas sleeping with Esme, it sounds like her marriage is over. So has she thought about where she’s going to go when they discharge her?

Gregory knocks at Finn’s office door, and Finn asks what brings him by. Gregory says, just checking to see how Finn is doing. He sees the photo on Finn’s phone, and asks if that’s Reiko, and Finn says, it was taken in the Mariana Islands a long time ago. (Okay, my bad on the wrong island, and also in thinking it was Hayden. I did think it must be Reiko at first, but I couldn’t figure out a connection to Elizabeth. Apparently, there is one.) Gregory asks what’s got Finn thinking about his late wife, when Nurse Andrea comes in, and tells Finn, Mr. Sanchez is prepped and ready for him. He tells Gregory that he’s sorry; this might take a while. Gregory says he’ll walk Finn out, and they leave.

Elizabeth studies the portrait she sketched, which we now know is of Reiko. She says, who are you?

At the MetroCourt bar, Diane and Alexis clink glasses, and Diane says, to Alexis. Alexis says, first of all, Diane doesn’t have to toast her, and Diane doesn’t have to drink an iced tea because she can’t drink. Diane says she wanted an iced tea, just like she wanted to celebrate her best friend, especially after, Two Victims, One Hook. Definite clickbait. Brava, Madame Editor-in-Chief. Alexis says she had her reservations at first, but there was a lot of traffic on the website, and Diane says, well deserved. She asks how Kristina is doing. What did she think of the article? Alexis says she doesn’t think Kristina even read it, and Diane asks what she means. Alexis said Kristina walked in on the attack. Is she having a hard time? Alexis says, just the opposite. She doesn’t think witnessing the attack put her in any danger at all. She did manage to keep Kristina’s name out of the article, but what if the attacker saw her, and didn’t realize Kristina didn’t see the attacker? Diane says she doesn’t like that Kristina is taking this so lightly, but she’s not surprised. She’s always been a very gutsy girl. Even witnessing an attack won’t bring her down. Alexis says, she has her mother to do that for her.

Victor says, alone at last, and Lucy says, he sent the waiter away. Does that mean the meal is over? He says, not at all, my dear. It just means now it’s time to serve themselves.

Anna and Valentin hide, and Johann comes out on deck, drinking a beer. Valentin has to sneeze, and Anna puts her hand over his nose and mouth, pushing him back against the wall. Johann hears them, and takes out his gun. He moves toward where they’re hiding.

Sasha says, Brando? but Sonny says, it’s him. Did she think he was Brando? She says she knows that’s impossible. She just can’t believe he’s gone. Sonny says, it is hard to believe. He was one of a kind. Sasha cries, and he holds her.

Ava says, she’s been thinking a lot about what happens when she’s well enough to leave GH, and Nina says, proud as she is of the MetroCourt – and she’s super proud of it – she hates the idea of Ava camping out in hotel rooms, so Ava will just have to stay with her. Ava thanks her, but says she doesn’t want charity, and definitely doesn’t want pity. Nina says, come on. They’re way past that. She thinks by now they’re fully ensconced in the girlfriend zone. And friends help each other. There’s no charity; there’s no pity. Ava says she knows, but… Nina says, Ava really doesn’t want to stay with her because she’d prefer to go back home to Windymere. But Nikolas is there.

Alexis tells Diane, she’s not sure how it happened, but somehow in warning Kristina about the potential danger, she sort of blurted out that Kristina wasn’t living up to her full potential. Diane says, music to her ears, no doubt, and Alexis says, then to add to that, she sort of blurted out that Kristina was risking her life for a dead end job. Diane says she’s sure that worked. Alexis didn’t bring up law school, did she? Alexis says, no. Kristina’s sharp; she knew what was happening. That’s her point. Kristina is too smart to be spending her life making schedules for the waitstaff. Diane says, she completely agrees, but it’s Kristina’s life. Alexis says, she’s painfully aware of that. She’ll try to do better in keeping her opinions to herself. Diane laughs like it’s the funniest thing ever, and Alexis says, yeah, good luck with that. Nikolas approaches, and says he’s glad he ran into Alexis. He needs her help.

Elizabeth looks at the sketch, and flashes back to her memory, but this time she moves the woman’s hair, and sees her face. Nurse Andrea walks up with Finn, and says, Elizabeth is off today. What’s she doing here?  

Dex walks into the garage, and Sonny says, call Gladys; they’re okay. Sasha asks how Sonny found her, and Sonny says, there are two places that Brando always wanted to be. One was with her, and the other was his garage. So he figured if she was looking for Brando, she would come here. She says, Brando really did love this place. She thinks Sonny giving it to him was the best thing that every happened to him. Sonny says, not at all – she was. Sasha starts to cry again.

Lucy says, so there’s more? and Victor says, whatever she desires. She deserves to be waited on hand and foot. He’s utterly at her service; her wish is his command. She says she can’t. This has all been so lovely, to ask for anything else would just be horrible. He says, please ask. She must promise to always be honest with him, no matter what.

Johann continues to move toward where Valentin and Anna are hiding. They go back toward the door to the deck, and Anna tells Valentin to give her his shoe. He says, no way; these things are Italian. He gives it to her anyway, and she throws it out the door so it hits something, and Johann turns around. He goes back to where he was, and as he reaches the opening in the railing, Valentin runs out the door, and kicks him into the water. They watch as he floats downstream.

Nikolas asks if they can talk, and Alexis says, about what? He says he’d rather speak in private, and Alexis looks at Diane, and they both say, Ava. Diane says, fear not. She has to be going anyway. She tells Alexis, it was lovely having half a drink with her. Go easy on Krissy, and herself. She nods to Nikolas, says, Prince, and leaves. Alexis says, there are therapy apps where he could find a marriage counselor, in person or virtually, but he says, that’s not what he wants to talk about. Alexis told him that Ava was too proud to forgive a stupid mistake. She understands the way Ava thinks – Alexis says, God help her – and clearly he and Ava have a volatile relationship. But when Ava was attacked, everything crystallized for him, and he wants Ava in his life. He doesn’t want to lose her. Alexis says she takes it Ava didn’t have the same epiphany, and he says, that’s why he needs some straight talk. Is it time to give up on his marriage?

Ava tells Nina, Windymere is huge, and she and Nikolas have lived there in the past when they’ve been estranged. Nina asks, is this like the strategy, keep your enemies close? and Ava says, something like that. Nina says, Ava told her before that she wanted to wait to pay for cheating on her. Now’s the time? She’s sure Scotty is just chomping at the bit to get Ava a generous divorce settlement. Ava says, she hasn’t spoken to Scotty about this yet, and Nina says, she’s stalling. Ava’s still in love with her husband.

Dex comes back, and Sonny says, he spoke to Gladys? Dex says, she told him to thank Sonny for finding Sasha, and Sasha says, she guesses she should go home. She just wants to stay here. Sonny tells her, stay, and tells Dex to go. Dex leaves, and Sasha says, it felt like Brando was here, working. Like any minute he would walk through that door with some part he forgot to order. He’d smile and kiss her, and say, thanks for waiting, like any other day. But Brando’s gone, no matter how many times she pretends, or wishes, or tries to convince herself this is just some horrible nightmare. She cries, and says, Brando isn’t here. He’s not anywhere. Sonny says, you know what? It’s like his son Morgan. With his dad it’s different; he got to say goodbye to his dad. But Morgan was like Brando; it was unexpected. It was sudden. One minute he’s here, and the next minute he’s gone. They didn’t even have a body to bury. He tears up, and says he has to confess something to her. A lot of times he goes into crowds, and wants to see Morgan. Sometimes the phone rings, and he thinks it’s Morgan. Sasha asks how long he felt that way, and he says, to tell her the truth, he still scans crowds for Morgan. He just wants to be able to see him one last time. His boy.

Victor asks, what does Lucy want from? Name it. She says, no, she can’t. He asked her not to ask him, so she can’t. She won’t ask him, but he also told her to wait, and she’s so bad at waiting. She was never good at it, and she’s just brimming with curiosity. She’s just always loved a man with a big plan. She’s so excited. Come on. Couldn’t he just give her a teensy weensy little hint? Please? The boat moves, and she says, what is that? Are they stopping? He says, they certainly shouldn’t be, and a man runs in. He tells Victor, there’s someone overboard, and Anna and Valentin hide near the inside exit to the room.

Diane comes into the garage, and Sonny asks what she wants. She tells him, Gladys said Sasha was here. She’d like to speak with her. Sonny says, she’s in Brando’s office, and doesn’t want to deal with anybody. Diane says she can wait. She needs to go over some legal issues that have arisen since Brando’s death. He says, it’s a hell of a time to be doing business, doesn’t she think? and she says she’s been asked to serve as interim counsel. Martin Grey is still out of town. He says, they’re dealing with Brando’s widow. Why should he trust her to represent Sasha when she grilled him on the stand? She says, believe her, she could have gone harder, and Sonny sees Dex lingering around, and yells at him to go. Dex goes outside, and Diane says, understand something; she liked Brando, a lot. She loved the fact that he came into town and rescued Carly. She loved the fact that he became a father figure to Dev Cerci, that boy Sonny was trying to keep in the country. He infiltrated Cyrus Renault’s organization, and saved Sasha. All he wanted was to make an honest living. Brando Corbin was a hero who deserved a much better hand than the one life dealt him. Sonny says, she’ll get no argument from him on that, and she says she’s not here to capitalize on tragedy. She’s just trying to do right by Brando by helping his widow at the request of her lawyer and Brando’s grieving mother. Sonny says, she expects him to ignore her grilling him on that stand at Nina’s hearing? How could she do that to him? She says she was fighting for Michael and Willow. She was doing her utmost to win the case for them, as she would for any client, no matter how ungrateful. She’s been through thick and thin with him; she’s been through good and bad. She’s protected him and his, and has done pretty much everything except dig a grave in the Pine Barrens. He says, she sided with Michael, and she says, Michael retained her to defend him in the petition by Nina for visitation. If Sonny recalls, he and Nina weren’t a couple formally at the time, so there was no conflict of interest. And it was Sonny who spontaneously volunteered to testify on Nina’s behalf. He asked Scotty to put him on the stand. She was only cross-examining him the way any halfway competent lawyer would. He says, she laid out his life for everyone to see. That’s personal to him. How can he forget that?

Ava tells Nina, in love with Nikolas? Hardly. She’s not the sort of woman who would let a man cheat on her and humiliate her and get away with it. Nina says, besides her, who knows Nikolas slept with Esme? and Ava says, just Spencer and Victor. Nina says she doubts they would throw it in Ava’s face if she decided to forgive Nikolas; she won’t. Ava asks why Nina is pushing her to get back with Nikolas, but Nina says she’s not. She just doesn’t want Ava’s pride to get in the way of her happiness. It’s Ava’s prerogative if she wants to expose Nikolas’s bad behavior or forgives him. She just wants Ava to be happy. Ava says she doesn’t know if she could live with herself if she gave Nikolas another chance. She’d be worried, wondering if it could happen again. She’s lived with that kind of betrayal in the past, and she lost her daughter because of it. Nina says, they’ve both made their share of mistakes, and they’ve both suffered, and paid terrible prices, but they’re still here. Ava says, just barely, and Nina says, she’s on the mend, and it’s pretty amazing how they both found love after everything they’ve been through. It’s kind of like a miracle. Whether or not Ava wants to forgive Nikolas is up to her. If she still loves him… Ava says, she blackmailed Nikolas into getting married in the first place, and that is hardly a foundation for everlasting commitment. She laugh/cries, and Nina says, Ava’s marriage may not have started as a love match, but it’s a love match now.

Alexis asks if Nikolas wants to give up on his marriage, and he says, no, but he’s at the end of his rope. Nothing he’s said has budged Ava, even a bit. She says, that’s because talk is cheap, and he asks if that’s the best she can do. She reminds him that he came to her. He’s more than welcome to vacate that barstool for a more nuanced commentary. He says he’s sorry. He’s just trying to figure out what to do. Does Alexis think he needs to take action? She says she doesn’t know what he should do. She doesn’t know what he did, and doesn’t want to. She’s just asking, whatever it is, will it cost Ava her pride to forgive him? He says, definitely, and she says, then he needs to give something back. He says, like what? but she says she doesn’t know. Something that shows Ava that he values his relationship with her; to put something on the line, to risk something for her. Just like he’s asking Ava to swallow her pride in order to take him back.

Elizabeth goes to Finn’s office, and tells him that she convinced Doc to hypnotize her again, since she was on the verge of remembering something. And then she did. She remembered the face of the woman at the bottom of the stairs. He says, that’s encouraging, and asks who she is, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. He says, she saw her face, but didn’t recognize her, and she says, she can’t place her. She has no memory of this person except for the moment on the stairs. Except she feels like the woman wasn’t a stranger. Finn’s phone dings, and Elizabeth picks it up to give it to him, and sees the photo. She stares at it, and he says, that’s Reiko, his late wife.

Anna and Valentin listen, and Victor asks if the man is sure somebody went overboard. The man says, he saw the body hit the water, and told the captain to stop. They’re circling back now. Victor says, what is he standing around here for? Help with the rescue operation. He hustles the man out, and Anna peeks in, gesturing to Lucy. Lucy runs to Victor, saying, oh my God. The man could drown. Victor has to help save him; he’s so strong. Victor says he should supervise. He won’t be long. She says she’ll be here when he gets back. Go… like the wind. He leaves, and she runs back, telling Anna and Valentin, he’s gone. They come out, and she says, wait a minute. Did they throw a man overboard? What happened to Valentin’s shoe? Valentin says, don’t worry about it, and Anna says, it’s just Johann; he never saw them. Valentin says, no one knows they’re here, but that could change at any moment. Lucy asks what they’re doing here, and Anna says, they’re rescuing her. Lucy says she doesn’t want to be rescued, and Anna says, they don’t have time for games. Victor could be back at any moment. They have to go now. Lucy says she’s not going right now, because then Victor will know she’s playing him, and probably know that Anna set her up to do this whole thing. He’s just starting to open up to her. Valentin says, obviously a scene of seduction; champagne petit fours… How does Lucy expect the scene is going to end? Lucy says, she can handle Victor. He is putty in her hand. She flashes the bracelet, and says she hasn’t felt this alive in years. She’s still got it.

Diane tells Sonny, there’s no need to keep discussing this. She would like to speak to Sasha, but if that’s not going to happen, please have Sasha give her a call. She starts to leave, but Sonny says, wait. Sasha needs a good lawyer. Diane says, good? when Sasha comes out. Diane says she’s so sorry about Brando. She was just telling Sonny how much she admired him. Sasha thanks her, and Diane says she doesn’t want to intrude on Sasha’s grief, but Martin Grey is still out of town, and he and her mother-in-law feel there might be some pressing legal issues that require Sasha’s immediate attention. So she’s been asked to serve as interim counsel, if that’s okay with Sasha. Sasha says she guesses, but what’s so important it can’t wait? Diane says, it’s a confidential matter, but Sasha says she can talk in front of Sonny. Diane says, it concerns her guardianship, and Sasha says, that’s settled. Brando… Diane says, Sasha’s agreement to avoid prison stipulates that she must have a legal guardian, and Sonny asks if Diane is saying it’s null and void. Sasha asks if she’s going to prison.

Gregory sees Alexis at the MetroCourt, and says, if it isn’t the women behind the headlines. How’s the response? She says, good and bad. She thinks the general public was glad they were alerted to the fact there’s a hook wielding maniac on the loose. The Police Commissioner is another matter. He says he’d like to hear more, and asks if she has time to join him for coffee. She says, sure. Why not?

Elizabeth says, this is Reiko? and Finn says, a long time ago. They were both with Doctors Without Borders; it was their first post. Elizabeth says, she looks so young. He doesn’t talk about her. Finn takes the phone, and says he knows. He was never able to make piece with how she died, infected with the same disease he was trying to cure. She says, Blackwoods Disease. What brings her up for Finn now? He says, a case he’s working on reminded him of something that he and Reiko went through when they were posted on the Mariana Islands. She says, near Guam, right? and he says, she amazes him. Most people don’t even know those islands exist. When they were there, they had a good friend, a good doctor; he died of a poisonous snake bite. She rubs her head, and he asks if she’s okay. Got a headache? She says, a little bit, and he says, from hypnotherapy? She says, probably. She’s so frustrated because she has these little pieces she can’t seem to put together to see the larger picture. He says, it’s okay. It’s coming. Every day she’s learning more. She says, none of it makes sense. She needs to go home and lie down for a little bit. He says he thinks she’s incredible, and kisses her. He says, she’s going to find the truth, and she leaves. In the hallway, she unfolds the sketch and looks at it.

Anna tells Lucy that she’s in way over her head. She can’t underestimate Victor. Lucy says, she knows, but listen to her. He actually told her that he has a plan. A big plan, and he wants to include her. Anna says, what plan? but Lucy says she doesn’t know because they interrupted. She’s getting thisclose to it. Valentin looks out the doorway to the deck and runs back, saying, someone’s coming. He keeps going out the other door, and Anna says, this is Lucy’s last chance. If she doesn’t come with them now, she’s on her own. Lucy says she’s fine. She’s got this, she promises. Anna leaves, and Lucy scrambles around, deciding to go behind the bar like she was making a drink. Victor brings in Johann, with a blanket around him, and Lucy asks, what happened? Victor says he’s not entirely sure. Johann went overboard, but he isn’t able to tell Victor how or why. He must have gotten a concussion when he hit the water. Lucy says, that’s awful. Drink this. She hands him a snifter of brandy, and Victor says, focus. Tell him what happened. Johann says he was on the deck. Maybe he lost his balance? Victor asks if he could have been pushed. Did he see anyone else? Johann says he doesn’t remember seeing anyone. He was… Victor says, what? and Johann says, having a drink. Lucy says, drinking on the job; that is really dangerous. She takes the brandy away from him, and Johann says, he wasn’t drunk. Victor tells him to go back to his stateroom and dry off. He’ll call the captain and see if they have a medic on board. Johann says he’s sorry for the trouble, and Victor says, they’ll deal with it later. Johann leaves, and Lucy says, poor Johann. Alcoholism is such a serious burden. She takes a sip of the brandy, and Victor says, something’s off.

Diane tells Sasha, the presiding judge needs to reevaluate the plea, and Sasha says she only agreed the first time because she trusted Brando. Now that he’s gone, it’s over for her. Diane says, legally it’s not, and Sonny says, Sasha shouldn’t have to go through this right now. Diane says she completely agrees. That’s why she’s prepared to file a continuance, pending Sasha’s approval. Sasha says, Diane has her approval, and Diane thanks her. She asks if Sasha knows where Brando kept his copy of the guardianship decree, and Sasha says, in his office. Or maybe their place; he didn’t say. Sonny asks if Sasha wants Diane to go in Brando’s office and check for the papers, and Diane says, the sooner they get this sorted, the better. Providing it’s okay with Sasha. Sasha says, it’s fine. She should go home. She’s tired. Sonny says, he’ll take her, and tells Diane, Brando’s office is in the back. Diane says, copy that; she’s on it. Sasha leaves, Sonny thanks Diane, and follows.  

Alexis says she has it on good authority that the Police Commissioner is unhappy with their article, and Gregory asks if she’s surprised. She says she’s not insensitive to Jordan’s concerns, she just considers warning the public to be for the greater good. Gregory says, it doesn’t hurt that the readership is up, does it? and she says, 30%. Most people were glad for the warning, but a small amount said The Invader was fearmongering. He says, the article he read didn’t sensationalize the crime; it just gave the facts. He was very impressed. She says, now she can sleep at night, and he laughs. He says he knows his opinion doesn’t matter, but she says, actually it does. It matters to her.

Sonny calls Nina, and says, he found Sasha. He could use her help. Nina says she’s confused. Sasha was missing? Why didn’t someone call her? Sonny says, they’re at Brando’s garage. He’s going to take Sasha home. Can she meet them there? She says, of course (🍷). She needs to be there. She’ll see him soon. Ava asks if Sasha’s okay, and Nina says, no. Sasha is definitely not okay. She should be with her. Nikolas comes in, and asks if he and Ava can talk. Ava tells Nina, go help Sasha. She’ll be okay. Nina leaves, and Ava tells Nikolas, say whatever it is he came here to say. But know that it’s going to take more than words to make things right between them. He says he knows. That’s why he brought this. He holds out an envelope.

Sasha hugs Brando’s coffee cup, and Sonny tells Dex to make sure he locks up when Diane is finished. He’s taking Sasha home. Dex asks if she’s going to be okay, and Sonny says, she has her family to take care of her. He asks if she’s ready to go, and she says, yeah; she’s done. She sets the cup down, which surprises me, and leaves with Sonny. Dex says, don’t worry. He’ll take care of things here.  

Finn looks at the photo of Reiko.

Elizabeth takes down a box from the shelf in her closet. She looks through it, and takes out a photo album. She turns the pages, and finds a loose photo of herself at a young age with another girl. On the back, it says, Sarah and Elizabeth, Mariana Islands, 1997.

Ava asks, what’s that? and Nikolas says he’s done talking. This is proof of how much he loves her.

Anna and Valentin walk out on Pier 54, and Anna says, the zodiac is docked. Are they coming after us? He says he doesn’t see any sign of a disturbance. He thinks they got away clean… except for his shoe. She says, he’ll live, and he says, she’s glowing. She calls him a smooth talker, and he says, she’s really in her element, isn’t she? She says, it’s fun working together. He says he’s sorry their rescue attempt fell flat, and she says she wanted Victor to be enamored with Lucy, but she’s still very concerned that putting her in his sight is such a risk. He says, it was her call. She didn’t want to leave. What can they do to keep an eye on the situation? If she needs them, they can help her. She says, her worry is that it’s not if, but when.

Lucy suggests she and Victor get back on track, and resume this date they’re having. He says he’s surprised she called it a date; she seemed determined to make it about business. She says she doesn’t know many business meetings she’s had where she’s been presented with diamonds. So she can safely assume this is a date. He says she doesn’t seem angry, and she says, she does feel compelled to tell him that she’s spoken for. She’s really very much in love with Marty. However, Victor is making it very difficult – she plays with his lapels, then his tie – to stay true. And she finds herself wondering what a future with Mr. Victor Cassadine looks like. He puts his hands on her shoulders, and says, well, let’s find out.

Alexis tells Gregory, this coffee is probably the last thing she needs right now. She’ll be up all night. Not that she needs an excuse. She’s still really worried about Kristina. She witnessed that attack, and that could make her a target. He asks if she’s given more thought to the idea of posting an open letter in The Invader to try and draw the killer out. Get them to give something away, some clue that could help the PCPD to catch them? Then Kristina will be safe. She says, she thinks if they engage the killer, keep them occupied, it could give the police more time to investigate. He says, start a dialogue; provide a distraction. She says, maintain balance though. She doesn’t want to give the attacker a platform, just enough rope to hang. She’s been a lawyer a long time, and she’s seen cases like this. And she doesn’t believe for one minute this killer is done.  

Diane comes out of Brando’s office, and looks through a folder, her back to the door. We see someone with a hook outside. A hooded figure comes in, and raises the hook.

On Monday, Gregory asks Alexis when they start; Ava says she’s going to need much more; Valentin tells Anna that he’s going to have to murder his own father; and Diane lies in a pool of blood.

🧰 Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye…

Still nothing that really says why he left. It didn’t sound like he wanted to though. Maybe he was just a sacrificial lamb for the hook storyline. I’m really hoping Diane isn’t.

✈️ Broadening Horizons…

The answer to my dialect question. I love these two. And whoever dresses Selina is spot-on. I love her wardrobe.

📸 Nice Of Her…

Well, I guess if Alexis likes him, he’ll grow on me.

💎 Surprise DEFCON 1…

A coupla things. Kathy was pretty pissed about the tequila. Maybe she was drunk. Then again, there are those estrangement periods with Kyle. Which I can totally understand, since I find her annoying, but Kathy is her sister. Also, weren’t there others who talked about her creating a commotion at the last bar they went to?

https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/kathy-hilton-rhobh-aspen-controversy-explained

🧛🏻‍♂️ Bloody Good…

I haven’t seen the first episode, but I watched a preview special on it, and it looked good.

https://collider.com/interview-with-the-vampire-review-anne-rice-amc/

⚰️ About That Spin-Off…

He’s got a point about revealing who lives.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-jeffrey-dean-morgan-dead-city-interview/

🐕 Wag That Tail…

I’d follow them. The pets, I mean.

🧙🏽 Quotes of the Week

Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. – Voltaire

For it’s not light that is needed, but fire; it’s not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind and the earthquake in our hearts. – Frederick Douglass

If I was the toe that broke the camel’s back, I apologize. – Kathy Hilton, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable – and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God. – Henry Emerson Fosdick

The Ukrainians don’t even want to be in the Ukraine right now. – Caesar Mack’s friend April, 90 Day: The Single Life, after finding out he was traveling there

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. – Robert H. Schuller

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. – George Bernard Shaw

🍂 Someone Turned Off the Heat…

Switching gears for the next two days, but put it in park on Monday for soap and a Deck birthday. Until then, stay safe, stay not getting distracted by the minutia, and stay remembering, talk is cheap.

August 16, 2022 – The Case Takes a Major Turn, a Goodbye, a Cause, Back At Work, Slamming It, Shake Up, Pets (!) & Rumor

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jordan comes back from Oz’s room, and Portia asks, what happened? Curtis asks if Oz is willing to talk, and Jordan says, Oz is willing to testify he sold the phone to Esme… provided they give him a deal. Portia says, and they gave him a good one, right?

Ava slips into the courtroom as Judge Young addresses the jury foreman. He says, in the matter of the State of New York versus Trina Robinson, has the jury reached a verdict? The foreman says, we have, your honor.

Nikolas says, Victor won’t ever find Esme, and Victor says, why not? Nikolas tells him, because she’s dead, and Victor asks how he knows. Nikolas says, it’s better not to get into… but Victor says he’s not asking again. Nikolas says he knows she’s dead because he killed her.

The judge tells the foreman to hand the verdict to the bailiff, when Robert bursts into the courtroom. He says, your honor, these proceedings have got to stop immediately.

At the MetroCourt bar, Nina gets a text from Sonny saying he’s thinking of her, and he’s sorry he had to work tonight. She texts back: Waiting will make it all the more sweeter. She hears a phone ding, and sees him standing behind her. He says he thinks waiting is overrated, doesn’t she?

A sign by the pool says, closed for a private party. Michael is hanging decorations, and comes down off the ladder, asking if Carly thinks Willow is going to like her surprise party. Carly says, she’s going to love it. It was sweet of him to plan all this for her. He says, she’s to be celebrated. Nursing school is no cakewalk, but raising a kid on top of it? Carly says, and growing one, and he says he’s really proud of her. Carly says she’s proud of Willow too, and Wiley says he’s helping. Crêpe paper is draped around him, and Carly asks if that’s what they’re calling it. How did he do this? Drew comes in, and Carly tells him, he can’t just stand there; he has to help. Michael tosses him a role of crêpe paper, and Drew says he thinks Wiley has the right idea. He looks good. Carly says she doesn’t think Drew can pull this look off, and he asks if that’s a challenge.

Willow hesitates, then knocks on Terry’s office door. Terry thanks her for getting here so quickly, and invites her in. Britt is also there, and Terry tells Willow, have a seat. They have a lot to discuss.

Jordan says, DA Scorpio agreed to the protections Oz asked for, and Portia says, thank God. Jordan says, he’s being prepped for transport to the courthouse right now, and Portia says, they have to hurry; they’re about to read the verdict. Curtis says, let’s just hope it’s in time, and Portia says, it has to be.

Judge Young asks, what’s the meaning of this? and Robert says, pressing evidence has come up which should be presented to the court. The judge says, such as? and Robert says, a new witness has come forward. Judge Young asks if the witness is present, and Robert says, no, but they’re on their way. Arden says, with all due respect, the jury has already returned a verdict. The time for new evidence has passed. Isn’t he her boss? Diane says, the foreman has not yet handed the verdict to the bailiff. Therefore, officially speaking, the verdict has not been entered, and new evidence may be presented. The judge asks them to approach the bench, and Spencer asks if Josslyn thinks this will work. She says, it better, and Ava asks Taggert if this is good news. He says he thinks this case is about to take a major turn.

Victor says, tell him exactly what happened, and Nikolas says he appreciates Victor’s interest, but he’s handling it. Victor says, he’s seen how well Nikolas cleans up his messes. How many times has Nikolas come to him for help? Nikolas says, not this time, and Victor says, Nikolas knows there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for this family. Nikolas says, including allowing Spencer to be shipped off to Pentenville, and Victor says, Spencer put his family first, which is what he’s trying to do. Now tell him exactly what happened to Esme, so all of them can come out of this unscathed. Nikolas says, the staff called him. They could hear Ava and Esme fighting. Victor asks if Esme told Ava about his transgression, but Nikolas says, no. Esme was trying to leave town, and Ava wasn’t having it. She wanted Esme to confess to framing Trina. Things got… heated. Fortunately, he arrived before Esme told Ava that they slept together. Victor says, that is fortunate, isn’t it? and Nikolas says he sent Ava off, and tried to talk some sense into Esme. Victor says he can imagine how that went, and Nikolas says, she was enraged, completely deranged. They struggled, and he pushed her off the parapet. Victor asks, what he did with the body, but Nikolas says he hasn’t found it. Victor says, then how does he know Esme is dead?

Robert tells the judge, Oz Haggerty has been named in testimony, and his name was mentioned, and his name has been mentioned relating to information on this case. Arden says, Diane informed them of this witness. She also said she didn’t know what his testimony would be or if he’d even be able to testify. Judge Young says, if the witness were present, he’d allow it, and Robert says, Mr. Haggerty has just come out of a coma. He’s agreed to testify for the defense, and is being brought here as we speak. His office strongly agrees they need to hear this information. It could change the course of the entire case. Diane says, and innocent young woman’s future is at stake. Will this court really jeopardize that over a technicality?

Nina says she thought Sonny had plans for tonight, and he says he had to change things around. She says, for her? and he says, he figured since doing this, why wait? She says, good, because she’s not the patient type, and he says, him neither. Does she want to have dinner? She says, tonight? and he says, right now. She says she knows someone pretty high up in this place, so she thinks she can get them a table. Olivia appears, and says, oh, hell no.

Drew tells Wiley to hit him with a streamer, and Wiley puts a strip of crêpe paper around Drew’s neck. Drew says, nice choice, and Carly says, he wears it well. Drew says, thanks to this guy, and he and Wiley high-five. Michael says, nice tie, and Drew says, Wiley’s helping him spruce up his wardrobe a little bit. Michael says, Drew needs it, and Carly says, crêpe paper chic is the new rage these days. Michael thanks Drew for pitching in, and says, Willow’s still at the hospital, so they have some time. Drew asks what he can do, and Michael says, how about centerpieces? Drew says, his specialty, and Carly says she’ll show him where they are. They leave, and Michael asks if Wiley wants to practice what to do when his mommy gets here. Wiley says, yeah, and Michael says, pretend he’s mommy walking into the party. Wiley says, mommy doesn’t walk like that, and Michael asks Wiley to cut him some slack. He’s mommy walking into the party, and what does Wiley yell? Wiley says, surprise! and Michael says, he’s a natural.

Britt asks if anyone else will be joining Willow, but Willow says, just her. Terry says, they want to start by congratulating Willow on her graduation. She’s worked incredibly hard, and it’s obvious Willow is going to be an excellent nurse. Britt says, they’re really lucky to have her here at GH, and Willow thanks them, but says she knows they didn’t ask her here just to congratulate her. Britt says, they didn’t, and Terry says, the results of her biopsy came back. The biopsy confirmed their initial suspicious; Willow has leukemia.

Judge Young tells Diane that he’ll decide how to uphold the integrity of this court, not her, and Diane apologizes. He tells them to return to their seats, and says, because DA Scorpio vouched for the witness’s imminent arrival, and because the jury hasn’t officially handed in the verdict, he’ll allow the testimony. His decision is conditional on the witness’s timely arrival. Any delays, and he’ll instruct the jury to hand in the verdict. Robert says, understood, your honor, and Trina asks Diane if they’re positive Oz is on his way. Diane says, if the DA says he’s on his way, then he’s on his way, and Trina asks if her mom or Curtis have tried reaching out to Diane. What if something happened?

Nina says, Olivia can’t refuse her service here anymore. She’s Olivia’s partner, remember? Olivia says, if only she could forget, and Sonny asks if they can’t act like adults here. Olivia says, just because Nina is co-owner doesn’t mean she can waltz in here and demand a table whenever the mood strikes. They’re fully booked. We see some of the tables are empty, and Sonny suggests they go somewhere else, but Nina says, no. She’s sure they can work something out. Olivia says, of course (🍷). They can just cancel the reservation of a paying customer at the last minute, so Nina can do her big flex. That would be a great business decision. Sonny says, they’ll just eat at the bar, and Nina asks if the bar is fully booked too, but Olivia says, they don’t take reservations for the bar, which any decent co-owner would know that. Um… I figured Nina was being facetious. Olivia leaves, and Nina says, that was fun. Sonny tells her, they’ll have to get used to it, and Nina says, she guesses so. He asks if it scared her off, but she says, not even a little bit.

Drew tells Carly, Michael is really going all out for Willow. It’s so sweet that he loves her so much. Carly says, he does, and she can’t tell Drew how much it makes her happy to see Michael happy. He’s settled; he’s confident. Michael finally has the family he deserves. He says, there must have been a day when she thought that might never happen; he means, when Nelle was around. She says, thank God that’s behind them, and Olivia strides in. She asks if she can talk to Carly for a second. Drew says, he’ll get to work, and leaves. Carly asks, what’s going on? and Olivia says, there is a situation in the restaurant, and Carly’s not going to like it.

Terry says, the test results confirm she’s in the early stages of leukemia. The words echo as Willow hears them, and Britt says, she knows it’s a lot to take in. Does Willow have any questions?

Nikolas tells Victor, if Esme was still alive, she’d have turned up by now. He’s been out searching; he’s still searching. All he found is a shoe, so he decided it best to let everyone believe that she took off, as she intended. Hopefully, her body is lost to the water, and no one will ever know the truth. Victor says, in the first place, that’s an awfully big hope, and Nikolas says, one that will pay off. Victor says, secondly, does Nikolas really take him for such a fool? and Nikolas asks what he means. Victor says, this whole cockamamie story of his doesn’t add up. So come on, out with it. Who is he trying to protect?

Curtis and Portia come into the courtroom, and Ava changes seats so they can sit behind Trina. Rory opens the courtroom door, and Jordan comes in with an orderly wheeling Oz. Diane says, the defense calls Oz Haggerty to the stand, and I cheer in my head.

Willow says, they’ve studied leukemia in her classes. She’s worked with cancer patients. Obviously she knows what it is, and how it’s treated, but… Britt says, hearing the actual words… and Willow says, it’s like a foreign language. Terry says, a whole team of doctors, including Britt and herself, will be with Willow every step of the way, and Willow says, it’s a difficult illness to treat. Terry says, she’s right, but they caught this at a very early stage, and Willow asks, will it affect… What does it mean for her baby? Britt says, they’ll discuss specifics once they have a treatment plan in place, but yes, her case is complicated by the pregnancy. For some types of cancer, treatment is delayed until the second trimester when the fetus is completely formed, but in general, chemotherapy drugs are detrimental to the development of the fetus.

Drew says, he met with Valentin, and Michael asks, how’d it go? Drew says, he may have a way to get Valentin to give up control of ELQ, and Michael says, that’s huge. Drew says, it’s definitely the long game, but anything is worth trying to get the family business back. Michael asks if he’s told Drew lately how happy he is Drew is back home, and Drew says, not lately, and it was starting to hurt his feelings. Michael says he feels like he has a real partner in Aurora, and Drew says, good, because he does.

Olivia says, Nina and Sonny are inside on a date, and Carly says, Olivia is probably going to see more of that now that Nina owns half the hotel. Olivia says, Carly’s half of the hotel, and now she’s parading Carly’s ex-husband around, trying to flaunt whatever she’s got going on. Carly says, it’s okay; it doesn’t bother her. Olivia asks how that’s even possible, and Carly says she hates that Nina owns her half of the hotel, and she’ll probably never be thrilled seeing Nina and Sonny together, but not because she has feelings for him. Sonny can do what he wants. She has everything she needs right here. Olivia looks over at the party being set up, and says, she really does. Her son, her grandson, and a very handsome, very good new friend.

Diane thanks Oz for making it here today, and asks if he’s ever met the defendant, Trina Robinson. He says, yes. She came by The Highsider with the girl from the video. Diane says, Josslyn Jax, and Oz says, that’s her in the back. Josslyn acknowledges that, and Diane asks, and when was this? He says, a couple of months ago, and she says, let’s see if we can narrow it down a bit, shall we? Was it June 15th? He says, sounds about right, and she says, so well after the video of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber was recorded? He says, yes, and she says, previous testimony has indicated that it was actually a woman by the name of Esme Prince who recorded the video. Does he know her? He says, yes. He confronted her about this trial, and he thinks she slipped something in his drink. Diane says, not the hallmark of an innocent woman, is it? and Arden objects. Diane says, withdrawn. Forensic evidence has shown us that the revenge porn video was recorded on a black market phone that was activated on January 28th. Did he sell that phone to Miss Prince? He says he did, and Diane shows him a picture of Esme. She asks if that’s the woman, and he nods, but she says, they’ll need an actual verbal confirmation from him. He says, yeah, that’s her, and Diane asks, when was that? He says, sometime in January; he doesn’t have an exact date. She says, one last question. Has he ever at any time sold any phone, black market or otherwise, to the defendant, Trina Robinson? He says, no, and she says, no further questions. Portia says, yes! and everyone applauds. Judge Young says, order, and tells Arden, her witness. Robert whispers something to Arden.

Nikolas asks Victor, who would he be protecting? He’s protecting himself. He didn’t mean to kill Esme. Victor says, if that’s true, Nikolas has nothing to hide. Neither Ava nor Spencer will ever find out he slept with Esme, so as far as everyone is concerned, he has no motive. He can just go to the police, and tell them there’s been a terrible accident. Nikolas says, no, and Victor says, then tell him what really happened, or he’ll go to the police. Nikolas says, most of what he told Victor is true, except Ava does know about him and Esme. Victor says, that’s the real reason Ava isn’t living here, and Nikolas says, yes. Victor says, and Esme? and Nikolas tells him, she and Ava fought like he said. He came home and heard them on the parapet. All he saw was Esme going over the ledge. Victor says, so Ava killed Esme, and Nikolas says, Ava swore she didn’t push Esme, and he believes her, but he knows how it looks. No one will buy it’s an accident. Victor says, there was a physical fight? and Nikolas says, Ava’s DNA could be on Esme. So now does Victor understand why it’s best everyone believes Esme skipped town? Victor says, Nikolas covered for Ava, and Nikolas says, of course (🍷) he did. Victor says, yet Ava still left him, and Nikolas says, Ava’s rightfully upset, but she sees the wisdom in them staying married. Victor says, if it gets out that Nikolas slept with Esme, right there is the motive, and Nikolas says, exactly. Victor asks how Nikolas is going to carry on this charade without Ava living here, and Nikolas says, she just needs to cool down. And when she does, he’ll prove to her that they belong together. She’ll come back. Victor says he has to admit he likes Ava. She fits right into this family. That said, now she’s a threat, and all threats have to be eliminated.

Willow sits down, and says, what about her own prognosis? Terry says, while there are no guarantees, Willow’s prognosis is hopeful. It’s at a very early stage, but they need more information as soon as possible. She’d like to make an appointment for further testing so they can finalize her treatment plan by the end of the week. Willow says she’s sorry; she can’t do that. Terry says she understands Willow must be reeling, but she and Dr. Westbourne are there to answer any questions she has. Britt tells her, feel free to get a second opinion, and Terry says she stresses time is of the essence. Early treatment would be favorable. Willow says she knows, but she needs a minute to think. It’s a lot of factors to weigh… so much. Britt says she’ll clear her morning tomorrow, and they can talk as long as Willow wants, and Terry tells Willow to take tonight to discuss things with her family. Willow thanks them, and says she has plans with Michael tonight, but she’ll think about everything they said, and she’ll follow up. Terry says, soon? and Willow promises. She gets up and gets her bag, and Terry says she doesn’t like the idea of Willow being alone right now. Is there anyone they can call for her?

Wiley helps Drew with the balloons, and Drew says, nicely done. They high-five, and Drew says, let’s get to work. Carly tells Olivia, Drew is a really good friend, and looks have nothing to do with it. Olivia says she doesn’t think she realized what good friends Carly and Drew had become until Carly put up her half of the hotel to help him out, and Carly says she doesn’t know what Olivia is talking about. She invested in a company which is owned by Michael. Remember Michael, her son? Olivia says, Drew also had something to do with it, and Carly says she’s stopping Olivia there. Olivia asks where Carly thinks she’s going, and Carly says, Olivia is insinuating there’s something going on with her and Drew. She can’t even fathom how complicated that would be. Olivia says, so Carly has thought of it, and Carly says, keep your voice down. Olivia tells her, she’s just saying.

As they eat at the bar, Nina says she’s sorry she couldn’t get them a table, but Sonny says, he’s not. They’ve got the best seat in the house. Nina says, even though they’re a little exposed? and he says, they’re going be exposed no matter what. I have to mention, not one other person is sitting at the bar, so it’s not like they’re cramped or it’s not private enough. She says she guesses it’s better than a verbal lashing from his ex-wife’s best friend. He says, it’s a hell of a first date, ain’t it? and she says, it’s funny to hear him say first date. He says, it is for them. What’s funny? She says she’s wondering if there’s any other couple out there who’s had two different versions of their relationship like they have. First it was Nina and Mike; now it’s Nina and Sonny. He says, you can’t say they don’t make it interesting, and she agrees. They lean in for a kiss, but Sonny’s phone rings, and he says he has to get this. Brick?…  What did he find out? Anything?… Can he get back to him?… Yeah. Thank you. Nina asks if he has to go, and he says, yeah. He had Brick follow up on something, and now he has to deal with it. He’s sorry. She says, don’t be, it’s okay, and he says, they’re doing this, right? Her and him? She says, that’s the plan, and he says, all right. So there are still some things she needs to know… about his business.

Nikolas says, he’ll kill Victor before he lays a hand on Ava, but Victor says, calm down. It doesn’t have to be that drastic. Nikolas put himself at great risk for this woman. What if Esme shows up alive? What then? Nikolas says, he’ll cross that bridge when he gets there, but Victor says, there will be no time to cross bridges if she goes straight to the authorities. Nikolas tells him, quit worrying about something that hasn’t happened, and most likely won’t. Esme hasn’t turned up at the hospital, she has no resources, zero friends, and besides, it’s not her style to go to the cops. She would rather hold this over their heads. Victor tells him, say Esme is dead – Nikolas says, God willingthe harbor won’t keep its secrets forever. Sooner or later, Esme’s body is going to wash up, and when it does, all evidence is going to point to Ava. Doesn’t Nikolas see that the deeper he gets into covering this up, the harder it will be to avoid charges as an accomplice? Nikolas has to turn Ava in, or he will.

Arden says, in light of this new evidence, the DA’s office is dropping the charges. The courtroom goes wild with joy, and Judge Young calls for order, banging his gavel. He says, on behalf of the state of New York, he thanks the jury for its service. He tells Trina, the state of New York has dropped all charges against her. She’s free to go. Court is dismissed. The foreman tosses the verdict into a wastebasket, and Dex watches. Portia says, they did it, and she and Taggert hug Trina. Trina asks if this is really happening, and Portia says, you’re free, baby girl. You are free. Everyone is ecstatic, and Dex saunters over to the wastebasket, takes out the slip of paper with the verdict, puts it in his pocket, and casually leaves.

Willow says, there’s no need to call anyone. She’s fine. Britt says, she doesn’t even have to tell them about the diagnosis, and Terry says, it would be extra support for her. (Here’s where the news breaks in with something that can’t wait ten minutes. Why, God, why?) Britt says, Willow just got dealt some very big and difficult news, and Willow says, yes. It is big and difficult and she can’t really wrap her head around it right now. She just needs to take some time. Is that okay? Terry says, of course (🍷), and Britt says, they understand. Willow thanks them, and says, she’ll be in touch tomorrow. She leaves, and out in the hallway, she leans against the wall, breathing heavily.

Carly looks at her phone, and says, Trina was exonerated. Thank God. Olivia says, really? That’s incredible. Carly says she’d love to believe this nightmare is over, but won’t be until they nail Esme for what she did. Olivia says, there’s not a big enough book in this world for them to throw at that girl. Now is Carly done deflecting? Carly says, Olivia’s theory that she has feelings for Drew… Olivia says, is spot-on? and Carly says, is so ridiculous, it doesn’t even deserve a response. Olivia says, okay, she’ll back off, but just so Carly knows, she thinks it goes both ways. Carly says, she does? and Olivia says, Drew was really worried about Carly when she lost her half of the hotel. She really felt like there were feelings there. Carly says, there are feelings. Friendly feelings. That’s all. Olivia says, okay, when Drew comes by, and asks, what’s next? Olivia says she has to get the cake, which is inside the restaurant, but her phone dings. She says, Leo. It’s okay, but she should probably call. Carly says, she can get the cake; she knows where it is. Go call her son. Olivia leaves, and Drew says he can help Carly, but she says, it’s okay, and walks out.

In the hallway, Diane says, Robert Scorpio. You did a good thing today. It was a great thing actually. He says, just fulfilling the needs of the job, and she says, really? A little more than that she thinks. Trina Robinson is a remarkable young woman, so he’s a credit to his community, to his office… He pretends to be overcome, and says, two compliments in one day? She tells him, don’t get used to it, and leaves.

Taggert says he’s so proud of Trina. How does she feel? She says, relieved, exhausted, thrilled. For so long, this has been hanging over her like she’s been waiting for D-Day. He says, decision day, and she says she wasn’t able to think about anything else. And now, her life is back again. Portia says, Trina’s future is wide open, and she can’t wait to see what Trina is going to do with it. They hug again.

Josslyn says she’s sorry Spencer’s plan didn’t work out the way he’d hoped, and he says, all that matters is that Trina’s free. He doesn’t care how they got here. She asks what he was going to tell Trina, and he asks what she means. She says, Trina still has no idea when he switched over to her side. After everything Trina has been through, doesn’t he think she deserves some answers?

Nikolas tells Victor, he messed up hugely when he cheated on Ava. At the very least, he owes it to her to protect her, and he will. If Victor cares about this family, like he claims to, he’ll say nothing. Victor says, and watch Nikolas go down in flames with Ava? Not a chance. Nikolas says, what about Spencer? If Victor throws Ava under the bus, it will come out that Nikolas slept with Esme, and Spencer will never forgive him. Is that what Victor wants? This is him putting his family first, and Ava is his family. So is Victor with him, or against him? Victor says, all right. He’ll do whatever Nikolas needs, but his story has to be airtight. They have to destroy all the evidence that leads to Nikolas and Ava. He’s assuming Nikolas has taken care of that, but what about the shoe? Nikolas says, it’s hidden, along with the suitcase, and Victor says, it’s hidden? That’s not enough. Everything has to be destroyed – and now. Yeah, I’m with Victor here. I thought it was really stupid for Nikolas to hang onto that stuff.

Curtis says, Trina is probably already all hugged out, but she says she thinks she can do one more. He hugs her and says, congratulations. She thanks him for keeping an eye out for the bartender. If it hadn’t been for that… Portia says, yes, thank you. Thank you for everything. He says he’d do anything for the two of them, if that’s not obvious by now. Portia says, it is.

Taggert tells Jordan, he appreciates her talking to Robert; getting him to play ball with Oz, and letting him testify. She says, it was a team effort, and he says, it was a game changer. It set his daughter free. She says, now that they have Oz’s testimony on record… He says, come out, come out, Esme, wherever you are, and Jordan says, she’s going down.

Ava hugs Trina, and says she’s so happy for her. She just knew it would all work out. Trina says, she means she hoped. There’s no way they could have known; none of them did. Ava says, don’t be so sure. She happens to be very resourceful.

Nina says, Sonny doesn’t have to explain, and he says, but he does, and he’ll tell her why. Because this isn’t going to be like being with Mike in Nixon Falls. There’s going to be dates he cuts short, dates he cancels. There’s going to be places he goes, who knows where, and she’s going to ask a lot of questions, but he’s not going to be able to give her answers. She says she gets it. She’s already accepted all of that. She doesn’t want to know the answers to those questions. She wouldn’t touch those answers with a ten-foot pole. He says, smart woman, and she says, it goes both ways. Don’t dare ask her who’s on September’s cover of Crimson. He laughs, and says he wouldn’t dream of it. He kisses her, and says he’ll call her later. She says, he’d better, and he gives her a lingering look before he leaves, and she sighs.

In the hallway, Sonny calls Brick, and asks what he found out about Dex.

Willow walks into the pool area, and only Michael is there. He runs over to her, saying, no, no, no. He thought they were meeting in the restaurant. It was going to be a surprise. He was going to bring her out here… this whole thing. She asks, what is all this? and he says, it’s her graduation party. She says, oh wow… She’s… He asks, what’s wrong?

Carly is bringing the cake through the MetroCourt, and something falls off the top of the box. Carly puts the box on the bar, and turns to pick it up, but Nina hands it to her. She asks if she can help Carly.

Sonny meets Dex in an alleyway, and Dex says he has some news. Sonny says he has some news too… about Dex. Dex says, oh, and Sonny moves closer. He says, it’s not good.

Josslyn tells Trina, she’s been waiting forever to say this – study abroad, here we come. Trina says, hold on. She still needs to be reinstated at PCU. Josslyn says, she will, and Rory joins them. Josslyn says she’s going to call Cam, and tell him the good news. She leaves, and Rory says, free woman. Trina says, that’s me, and he says, looks good on her. Ava looks at Spencer sadly, and leaves.

In the hallway, Portia asks Curtis, where’d Jordan go? He says, Taggert said she left on a mission, and he’s guessing it ends up at Windymere. Ava comes out, and listens. Curtis says, Jordan is hellbent on finding Esme Prince.

Rory says he’s going home to change, and asks if he can see Trina later. She says, text her, and he says, if she’s too tired, he totally gets it. She says, text her, and he says he will. He leaves, and Spencer comes over to Trina. He says, big day, and she says, one of the biggest. He says he’s so relieved she’s exonerated, and she says, if he were to tell her that a couple of days ago, she wouldn’t have believed him. Is he finally going to tell her what changed? He says, everything.

Nikolas brings down the suitcase, and the doorbell rings. Victor grabs the suitcase, and goes out the patio door, hiding it behind a bush. Nikolas answers the door to find Jordan and a couple of officers. He says, good evening, and she says she’s following up on their discussion about Esme. Victor jets over to them, and says, now is not a good time, Nikolas says he’ll call and set up a meeting, but Jordan holds up a warrant, and says, that wasn’t a request.

Tomorrow, Jordan says she has a warrant to search the premises; Trina says, Spencer is going to tell her what changed; and Sonny tells Dex, this is how he deals with liars.

🥀 Dimming the Lights…

She was also on OLTL, but I only have a vague memory of her. Hey, I’ve watched a lot of soap.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1342001/another-world-star-robyn-griggs-dead-at-49

😢 Sad Ending…

I hadn’t known about this. What a shame. Suicide is always a permanent solution to what is undoubtedly a temporary problem.

🎄 But Not As Hayden…

While I’m not into heartwarming, this sounds like it might be good.

💬 Nice Try…

Dorit’s right; she’s thirsty. I have never once gotten this vibe.

https://www.etonline.com/dorit-kemsley-slams-rumor-that-she-and-kyle-richards-husband-are-having-an-affair-189146

💎 Heard On the Grapevine…

There’s definitely a few cast members I’d like to shake.

🐕 Cuteness Makes Everything Okay…

Some celebrity pets. The great leveler. They don’t care who you are. They will poop on your floor, and eat your shoes.

https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_celebrity_pets_that_will_make_you_say_aw/s1__34563662

🍭 Sweet Dreams Are Made…

Giving you an open invite to return tomorrow, where there will be soap and me throwing things at the TV during RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay living your best life, even if it’s on a budget, and stay never hanging on to the suitcase of the psychopath who’s gone over your parapet.

June 16, 2022 – GH Preemptus, Dorinda’s World, He’s an Idiot, Bad Fit, Keeping It Real, Cryptically Salty, Pets (!) & Forgive

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Thanks to the not-so-patriotic heathens who attacked the Capitol, there was no GH today across the board.

🗽 Oh Yeah, John…

Dorinda gives an update on how she’s making it nice these days.

And ignoring the not-so-nice. One might even say stalkerish.

Unfortunately, there are no pie charts or graphs.

https://screenrant.com/rhugt-dorinda-medley-vicki-gunvalsons-feud-explained/

🖥 Men…

Apparently, he’s the picture of good parenting. I’m totally in agreement with how Denise is handling this. She’s right. Her daughter is 18, and she’ll do what she wants, with or without her parents’ approval. If Denise had come down on her, she’d only distance herself.

👠 You Can’t Fire Me…

When was she a good fit? When she accused the Richards sisters of smoking meth? When she slapped LVP? When she weaseled her way onto the show by attacking Denise? When?

💎 Taking Sides…

I hate that cryptic post stuff. This is what happens when they hire a twelve year old to be on the show. At best, Crystal belongs in middle school.

On the other hand, I think these two should have their own spin-off. Poor Sutton. Awkward for sure, and perhaps at times inappropriate, but not malicious.

https://okmagazine.com/p/garcelle-beauvais-rhobh-sutton-stracke-reality/

🧂 Speaking of Cryptic…

We haven’t heard too much from the Salt Lakers lately. It took them a while to hate each other. The Dubai group came in swinging.

🦥 Ending On a High Note…

I’m partial to the kinkajou.

https://collider.com/celebrity-pets-too-cute/

🦘 Bouncing On Out…

Hopefully, all will be well in the world of soap tomorrow, so stop by for some, along with tea, weekly quotes, and a piece of music from the vast catalog in my brain. Until then, stay safe, stay not making snap judgements, and stay not posting cryptic things on social media. It’s just annoying, and screams, desperate need for attention.

June 2, 2022 – An Old Friend Of Dante’s Drops In, More Than an Actor, Judgements, Shifting Sands, Wedding Leak, Shane Update, Pets (!) & Break Free

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Britt fumbles around under the parachute, and pops up, saying, what the hell was that? The parachutist pops up from the other side, and says, now that was interesting. Hello, Port Charles! Britt asks for someone to help her out of the pool.

Michael asks Carly, what is it? As long as it isn’t bad news. She looks at the envelope, and flashes back to opening it, and reading, Patient A has a 99.9999999999999 chance of being related to Patient B. Carly says, if this is true, Nina is Willow’s mother. Michael asks if she’s okay, and she lets out an audible breath.

Sonny comes into Charlie’s, and Phyllis says, that look on his face better not be disappointment. He says he’s always happy to see her, and she asks if he’d be happier if Nina was here. He asks if she came by, and Phyllis says, not today. He says, he called and texted, but she didn’t get back to him, and Phyllis asks if he’s worried about the hearing. He says, she didn’t let him know if the judge ruled, and Phyllis says, maybe it’s still going on. He could head over there and offer his support. He says he already did that, and he just made it worse.

Carly tells Michael, she’s fine. She’s just trying to decompress from the day. Willow says, tell her about it, when Drew joins them, and asks how it went. Michael says, they won, and Willow says, Nina has no one to blame but herself. Drew tells them, congratulations, and Willow takes Michael’s hand, saying, it really does feel like a victory, doesn’t it? After everything Nina put them through, and all that crap she said on the stand, it’s over. Nina can never lay claim to their family again.

At the park, Josslyn says she can’t believe Wiley beat her again. Maybe they should just play a different game. Wiley says, like what? and she says, like volleyball, but he says, no way; she’s too good. She says, finally, a little respect. Her phone dings, and she wonders who it could be. Wiley says, Cameron? and she says, he guessed it. Wiley says, Cameron texts her a lot. She reads: Don’t worry about Spencer. Will set him straight about Esme.

As they head for the room where Esme and Nikolas are, Spencer picks something up from the floor, and tells Ava, this is Esme’s jacket. He calls to Esme, and inside, she and Nikolas break apart. Nikolas says, Spencer. Spencer looks at Ava, who shrugs, and he tries the door, but it’s locked. He says, that’s funny. This door’s been locked. Who would have done that?

Brad continues to film, as Britt hoists herself out of the pool, and says, don’t worry about me. She struggles to stand up, using a table as leverage, and Maxie asks if she’s okay. Britt says, does she look like she’s okay? She tells Dante, feel free to arrest that guy at any time, but Spinelli thinks invoking the law is a little extreme. Britt says, he could have killed her, and Maxie says, don’t be dramatic. Britt says, excuse me? and Maxie says, he was obviously part of the entertainment, and did a really cool stunt. Brad says, he, for one, is thoroughly entertained, and Britt tells Dante, arrest him. Dante says, first things first, and asks the guy to get out of the pool. The guy says he’s a little tied up, and fiddles with his harness, and Dante tells him, get untied up. Come on, get out of the pool. He’ll give the guy five seconds. Britt says she’ll count. 1… 2… 3… 4… 5! Dante says, come on, and the guy frees himself, saying, all right. It’s official. He’s completely free. Britt says, not for long, and Dante says, Cody? The guy says, Dante? and Dante says he doesn’t believe this. Britt makes a face.

Carly says, if there’s one thing they’ve learned, it’s that Nina isn’t going to disappear quietly into the sunset, and Michael says, she took her best shot and lost. Can they please stop talking about Nina, and go home and celebrate with Wiley? Carly says, if only it were that simple, and Willow asks why it isn’t. Drew wonders if he can steal Michael for a minute, and they step into the hallway. Michael asks if it’s about the hearing, and Drew says, yes… and no. It’s mostly about ELQ.

Phyllis says, that hearing sounds like a nightmare, and Sonny says, it was. She says, maybe it’s naïve of her, but things were simpler back in Nixon Falls, weren’t they? If you had a problem with a neighbor, you worked it out over the fence. He says, or over a nice cold beer in town, and she says, and families duked it out at Thanksgiving not in court. He says, and lawyers get their fees, and everyone walks away like they lost, even if they won. She says, it must have been excruciating, standing up for Nina, knowing what it would do to his relationship with his son. Be honest though. If he could go back, and do it all over again, would he make a different choice?

Spencer jiggles the doorknob, and calls, Esme. Are you in there? He says he guesses not, throws the jacket on a chair, and leaves. Ava is about to knock, when Nikolas opens the door. Ava asks, what exactly was he doing in there?

Esme runs out onto the parapet in her underwear.

Brad hands a shirtless Cody a towel, and Britt says, really? Brad says, what? He looks cold. Cody says he’s sorry about getting Britt all wet, but in his defense, he was told the pool was going to be cleared. She says, well, it wasn’t, and he says he sees that now. Dante asks what Cody is doing here; working as a skydiver? Cody says, yeah, and Brad says, Jack of all trades. Cody says, exactly. Where did Dante Falconari end up, besides Port Charles? Britt says their little catch-up is cute, but can Dante arrest him now? Cody says, get out of town. Dante is a cop? and Dante says, guilty as charged. Cody says, him, an officer of the law? and Britt says she swears, if Dante doesn’t do something… Cody says, that is hilarious, and Dante puts handcuffs on him, and says, how about now? Is it funny now, or not so much?

Carly asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow says, mainly relieved. She can’t wait to move forward, and get on with their lives. Carly says, it got pretty intense with Nina. She’s never seen Willow that angry. Willow doesn’t think she’s ever been that angry. For them to go through what they did, and have Nina come begging, after the fact. After having her lawyer say in open court that Michael is violent toward women; that Nelle, a psychotic murderer was cowering in the shadows with her baby because she was scared of him? Why would she let Nina near her child after she did that to Wiley’s father?

Drew says, he’s not going to tell Michael what to do when it comes to his dad, or anything for that matter. If Michael wants to take Sonny down, that’s his call, but he can’t have Michael distracted. This is a high risk business venture, and they need to be present and focused. If whatever’s going on with Michael’s dad gets in the way, he’s going to have a problem with that. Michael says he hears Drew, but wants Drew to know where he’s coming from, and Drew says, fair enough. Michael says, Nina lied to his family for six months. She carried on a romance with Sonny in Nixon Falls for six months, while they grieved a man they thought was dead. She also came to visit Wiley under false pretenses, and took advantage of their generosity in giving her a second chance. That’s why they fought this petition; Nina is a bad influence. She’s not a person they want in Wiley’s life, and as Wiley’s parents, it’s their choice to make. Drew says he couldn’t agree more, and Michael says, Sonny disagrees. Today, he got on the stand and testified on Nina’s behalf. Drew says, it doesn’t surprise him that Michael is furious, but he had this campaign against his dad way before this hearing. Michael admits Drew is right.

Sonny tells Phyllis, would he change anything? He kept asking himself that as he walked out of the courtroom. She says, and? and he says, no, he wouldn’t. He knows that probably makes him a traitor, especially in Michaels eyes, but he sees it as being true to what he believes. She asks if he said that in his testimony, and he tells her, he said he thought Wiley deserves more love, not less, and people should put him first. And even if you make mistakes, you should learn by them, and lead by example; no one’s perfect. She says, amen to that, and he says, that includes him, but he’s not going to apologize for who he is. He’s not going to sit back and let a loving grandmother be cut out of her grandson’s life. It’s wrong. She says, wow. Nina means that much to him? and he says, Wiley means that much to him. He just hopes Wiley grows up, and he doesn’t want Wiley to just be Michael’s son or his grandson. He wants Wiley to be his own man.

Josslyn says, Wiley is so lucky he doesn’t have a girlfriend who drives him crazy, and he says he has a girlfriend. She says, who? and he says, her. She asks if she drives him crazy, and he says, not today. She says, good to know. You know what else she knows? He’s going to be real heartbreaker when he grows up. He asks, what’s a heartbreaker? and she says she has an idea. Does he want to take a little trip? He asks, where? and she says, you’ll see.

Spencer looks at Esme’s suitcase, when the doorbell rings. It’s Cameron, who says, what the hell? Spencer says he didn’t have to come all the way out here, but Cameron says, from the sound of Spencer’s text, he did. What happened with Esme? Spencer says, things were going great, he swears. He cut a deal with Ava to get him and Esme out of the house, and in exchange, he was going to have access to his trust fund. Plus, it would have the added benefit of giving him and Esme time together. It was a win-win-win. Cameron says, it’s perfect. Where did it go wrong? Spencer says, Esme started tearing into Trina. He couldn’t help it; he lost his cool, and he took off. Cameron asks, where? and Spencer says, he went for a ride to clear his mind. He realized he’d messed up, and came back to try and talk things out, but Esme was gone. Cameron says, Esme’s left the island? but Spencer says he doesn’t know. Her suitcase is here, but he can’t find her. It’s like she vanished.

On the parapet, Esme gets her clothes on, while inside, Nikolas asks if Spencer is with Ava. He thought he heard Spencer’s voice. She says, he did. Spencer’s looking for Esme; has he seen her? Nikolas says he hasn’t, and she says, he seems nervous. He says he’s just getting his bearings. He was reading, and fell asleep. She says, with the door locked? and he says, was it locked? The wind must have blown it shut, locking it by accident. She says, it must have been some nap. His hair’s all mussed up, and he missed a button. He suggests they go downstairs, but she thinks they should stay here; it’s quiet and private. Perfect for what she has to say. He says he thinks she made her feelings perfectly clear when she threatened to walk out, and she says, about that. They hear something outside on the parapet, and Ava says, what was that? Outside, Esme curses herself for dropping her shoe.

Dante says, Cody could have hurt someone, and Britt says, yeah, here. Cody says, it was a paid gig. If there’s an issue, take it up with the people who hired him. An officer asks if Dante needs a hand, but Dante says, no, and thanks him for the cuffs. Brook says she knows Chase wants to get in there. it’s just a few more weeks. He asks if they can sit and talk, and they go to a table. Britt says she’s curious about Cody’s job description. Did it say party crasher? Cody says he was supposed to land in the pool; make a big splash… literally. But then… What is her name? Brad says, her name’s Britt, and Britt kicks at him. Cody says, then Britt was smack in the middle of his landing zone. Spinelli says, it is a brilliant marketing strategy; a singles event with eligible men literally raining from the sky. Not that he took any pleasure in how it transpired. The main thing is Britt’s okay, yes? She says, she’s fine, and Cody says, see? She says, but she could have downed, so off to jail he goes. Cody says, Dante’s not doing this, is he? and Britt looks at Dante.

Willow tells Carly, Nina is certifiable. In one breath, it’s, take pity on me; you’re wonderful parents. And in the other, it’s, just kidding; Michael is a woman and child abuser. Carly says, she’s a piece of work, and Willow says she’s just done. Nina better not show up, or try to contact them. The judge made her decision; it’s over. Carly says she couldn’t agree more, and puts the envelope in her bag. She says, all that matters now is giving Wiley the best childhood possible, and Willow says, that is 100% the plan. I can’t wait for this to backfire.

Michael tells Drew, he knew Sonny was different after he returned from Nixon Falls, but when he realized he didn’t know who Sonny was, was at Nina’s trial, when Sonny defended her. A few weeks later, Sonny slept with Nina, and a few weeks after that, Sonny and Carly were divorced. Drew says, Michael is furious on his mom’s behalf, but Michael says, he’s furious with himself. All the years wasted on believing in Sonny, his honor, loyalty, and love. But he sees Sonny for exactly what he is now; he’s a criminal with a long line of luck. This is where his luck ends, and Michael is going to see to it. Drew says, this is where he steps in. He knows what’s going on; Dante told him. Michael plans to use ELQ to go after Sonny. Michael says, and Drew wants no part of that, and Drew says, no, he doesn’t. He’s not just some guy Michael works with; he’s Michael’s uncle. Obviously, he wants to protect ELQ, but more than that, he wants to protect Michael. Michael says he’s good, but Drew says, hear him out. He’s never been that close with Sonny, even when he thought he was Jason, and he agrees Sonny has acted badly. He’s going to stop short of saying Sonny failed his family, because it’s a complicated and tricky situation. Michael says, that is exactly what he did, but Drew says, a lot of people close to Michael don’t feel the same way. So the harder he pushes Sonny, the harder it’s going to be for Dante, for Kristina, and especially for Avery and Donna. They’re too young to be able to grapple with all this. Michael says, loving his siblings, and propping Sonny up are two different things, but Drew says he’s not asking Michael to prop Sonny up. Michael says, it’s what they do every time they pretend Sonny is a legit coffee importer. Michael’s not a gangster. He’s not going to go in guns blazing. He’s a businessman. He’s going to outmaneuver Sonny, and he’s going to do it without ELQ. Drew asks if Michael is sure about that, and Michael says he’s not going to let his issues with his father get in the way of his business with Drew. Drew says, he’s going to keep them separate, right? Because their company, and the people who depend on them, can’t be used to punish Sonny. Michael says, understood.

Phyllis says she doesn’t need a transcript to know Sonny’s heart’s in the right place. She saw it in Nixon Falls. The way he stood up to Elijah when he saw Elijah was trying to take advantage of them. How he treated them like family… when Lenny got sick. He says, they are family, and she says, hell, he almost died when he pulled her and Nina out of that fire. He says, make sure she tells Wiley that one day, but she says she has the feeling he’ll get the chance to tell Wiley himself. The Pub phone rings, and Phyllis answers. It’s Scotty, and Phyllis says, no, she hasn’t come in… I see… Of course (🍷) I will. She says goodbye, and tells Sonny, Nina lost.

Cameron says he can’t believe Spencer let Esme get inside his head – again. Spencer says he doesn’t need a lecture. Not today. It was bad enough seeing Trina with Officer What’s-His-Face at the gallery. Cameron says, she was with Rory? and Spencer says, there was nothing going on, but he didn’t love it. Then to have Esme rip into her… Cameron says, Trina doesn’t need Spencer defending her honor; she can take care of herself. Spencer says he understands, but Cameron says, clearly he doesn’t. His brothers are upset enough that their mother is away, and Joss goes into combat mode every time he suggests Spencer’s not evil incarnate. Spencer says, he knows it’s rough, but Cameron says he doesn’t need Spencer’s sympathy. What he needs Spencer to do is expose his girlfriend already.

Nikolas rebuttons his shirt, and Ava heads to the door to look outside. Nikolas says, it must have been the bats. This is the time of the afternoon they come out. Because everyone knows bats come out in the daytime. Really? He says, they should be grateful the bats eat all of the insects, and Ava says she’ll be sure to send a thank you note. She steps away from the door, saying, bats, vermin with wings. Esme listens from outside, and Nikolas asks if Ava will join him downstairs. She says, in a minute. She needs to apologize. She’s sorry she threatened to walk out on him. She didn’t mean it. She’s so sorry. She shouldn’t have done that.

Spinelli asks Sam if she can’t persuade her beau there’s no need for such drastic measures, and Britt says, what? Brad says, he agrees; let muscles off with a warning. Cody says, or a good spanking, and Dante says, the law’s the law. He’ll do Cody a favor and not arrest him in front of an audience. Let’s go. Sam runs up, and says she’s coming with Dante. Cody asks if she’s Dante’s girlfriend, and Dante introduces them. Cody says, the pleasure’s all his, and Dante says, let’s get out of here. Dante leads Cody away, and Britt calls, enjoy lock up!

Brook says, so much for finding true love, huh? and Chase says, happily ever after is hard to come by. Brook wonders if it’s not better to quit while you’re ahead; save yourself the agony. Chase says, it’s definitely a smart play. Fortunately, Finn was the smart one in the family.

Going back in the courtroom with Michael, Drew asks if everything is okay, and Willow says, everything’s great. Carly says, everything turned out the way it was meant to for everyone involved, and Michael asks if Willow is ready to go home. She says, so ready, when Wiley runs in. Michael picks him up, and Willow asks what he’s doing here. Josslyn says she figured they’d want to see him. She hopes it’s okay. Willow says, it’s more than okay, and thanks her. Michael says, Wiley is a sight for sore eyes, and Wiley asks why his eyes are sore.

Sonny leaves Nina a voicemail, saying, he heard the news; he’s sorry. Call him back when she can, or text him, and he’ll be right there. He tells Phyllis to do him a favor. If Nina comes in, let him know. She asks where he’s going, and he says he’s going to find Nina. She says, they’re both worried, but possibly, Nina may not want to be found. Maybe the point is for her to be alone right now, to process, to grieve, to scream. He says, the last time she was like this, she went to Nixon Falls, and Phyllis asks if that doesn’t prove her point. He says he needs to be with her, and she says, he doesn’t even know where to start. He says, that’s where she’s wrong, and he leaves.

Nikolas flashes back to him and… please don’t make me look at this again. Ava asks if he isn’t going say something, and he says he thought it was over; that she was giving up on them. She says, no. She guesses she was thinking about it, but she went to the firing range to blow off some steam and ran into his mother. Laura told her that he’d asked her to write a letter of recommendation to the Adams Day School for Avery. He says, he knew his mother would be happy to help. Turns out she knows the headmistress. Ava tells him, that’s what she said. The letter is already sent, and she has a call in to the Director of Admissions, and that’s great. She’d really like Avery to go to Adams, but hearing what he did, without making a big fuss or wanting any credit, was a wake-up call for her. She was reminded how thoughtful and generous he can be. After her anger cooled down, she was able to hear his mother’s sage advice. He asks if she’s sure it wasn’t a lecture, and she says, maybe a little of both, but it got her thinking. Not that they don’t have real issues to work through – they do – but she’s never been a quitter, and doesn’t intend to start being one now. Does he?

Brook says, so Chase isn’t a world famous physician like his brother, but he’s smart in other ways. He asks, how so? and she says, like knowing when to step in and save her from blowing it with Valentin. He sacrificed so much to protect Bailey from Peter. He says, that’s not necessarily smart, and she says, heroic then. Maybe she was wrong. He says, about? and she says, the whole quitting while you’re ahead thing. Maybe it’s the exact opposite. You need to jump in more, think less. He says he can do that. In fact, he’s going to make the leap right now. He’ll do everything he can to help her get her music back.

Spinelli gives Britt some coffee, assuring her, it’s the best way through. He has a prediction. One day they’ll look back on the events of today, and see only fond memories. Brad says, he will, but Britt tells him, don’t get any ideas. He’s all mine.

At Charlie’s, Cody says, he thought for a second, Dante was actually going to haul him in, and Dante says, for a second, he was. They bring beers over to the table where Sam is sitting, and Dante says, a tip if he may? The next time Cody decides to jump out of an airplane for money, make sure he doesn’t jump in a pool, public or private. Cody says, noted, and Sam says, Cody is lucky Dante had an extra change of clothes in his car. (Like they’re the same size. Hint: they’re not.) Cody says, gracias, compadre, and Dante says, Cody’s welcome, but he wants them back. Cody says, that Britt woman, she’s something else, and Sam says, that’s one way to put it. Dante says, Cody should thank them. They saved him from Britt’s wrath. Cody says he’ll pay them back by letting them buy him dinner. After all this commotion, he’s starving. Phyllis comes over, and Dante introduces Cody. He asks Phyllis if everything is okay.  

Sonny runs into the cemetery, calling for Nina. He goes over to Nelle’s grave, and bends down.

Michael asks if Wiley had fun with Aunt Josslyn, and Wiley says, they played a game, and he won. Josslyn demands a rematch, and Willow thanks Josslyn for taking care of Wiley while they were… Josslyn says, indisposed. Of course (🍷). Anytime. Is everything good? Wiley asks what Michael and Willow are doing here, and Carly says, Wiley wasn’t the only one playing a game. His mommy and daddy won too. Josslyn says, they did? and hugs Michael. She says, thank God, and hugs Willow. She’s so happy that the game worked out the way they’d hoped. Michael says, so are they.

Spencer says, Cameron is right. He can’t keep ping-ponging from Esme to Trina if he’s going to make this work. He needs to show Esme that he’s all in. It just drove him crazy seeing Trina at the gallery with that cop. Cameron tells Spencer, he’s going to say something and he needs Spencer to hear him. He’s going back to take care of Jake and Aiden. He will not lose Joss because Spencer can’t keep his head in the game. Do whatever it takes at this point; Cameron doesn’t care. Confess to Trina, suck it up to Esme, just make it happen tonight. Or he will.

Nikolas asks, what brought on Ava’s change of heart? and she says she just told him. He says, right; his mother and a letter of recommendation. She says, and herself, and he asks why she didn’t tell him before. She says, before what? He recovers nicely, and says, before they came so close to losing what they have. She says she’s telling him now. That’s got to count for something. He says, it counts for everything. Yes, they still have issues, and of course (🍷) they need to discuss them, but not here. Come with him. She won’t regret it. He holds out his hand, and she takes it. They leave, and Esme walks in from the parapet. She says, how wrong you are, Nikolas. Ava will regret it, and so will you.

Brad says, Britt has the hots for parachute guy? Not that he blames her, but those weren’t the vibes he was getting. She says she’s interested, but only to the extent that he helped her prove her point. What’s better evidence that true love is a lie than a cynical attempt to sell it with stunts? Spinelli says, there was nothing cynical about it, and Brad says, what’s wrong with a little romance? Bonus if it’s wrapped in a package as drool worthy as Candy’s. Spinelli says, Cody, and Brad says, whatever. His name could be Elmer for all Brad cares. Britt says she’s going to sue him for assaulting her, and Spinelli says he thinks assault is a bit of a stretch. She says, she’s going to sue him, even if she has to sue him for every stitch of clothing he’s not wearing.

Sam and Dante come back to the table, and Cody asks if everything is copacetic. Dante says, yeah; it’s just family stuff. Cody says, let him know if he can help, and Sam says, who is he? He says, Cody Bell. We met at the pool? She says, she knows, but until an hour ago, she didn’t even know he existed, now he and Dante seem to be picking up where they left off. Dante says, you know how it is when you’re friends from childhood. They literally grew up together. Cody says, and got into trouble together, and Dante says, that too.

Chase says, maybe he does think too much, and Brook says, he does. He says, maybe he should start seizing the moment, and she says, there’s no time like the present. They almost kiss, when Chase’s phone dings. He says, it’s his brother. He’s having a tough time with everything that’s going on with Elizabeth. She says, Chase should go be with him, and he says, really? She says, really, and he says, okay, thanks. And tomorrow, it will all about her and him, and getting the goods on Linc. And once they do, they can use it to get her music back. She says, she’ll see him tomorrow; she can’t wait. He says, him either, and heads for the door. Brook goes over to Britt’s table, and says, that was quite a splashdown. Brad says, Cody can splash into his bath anytime, but Spinelli says, technically, a tub is indoors, and you can’t splash down into it. Brook and Chase steal a glance at each other.

Carly asks Wiley for a hug, and says she loves him so much. Always remember that. He says he will, and Josslyn leaves with Willow, Michael, and Wiley, amid congratulations from Carly and Drew. When they’re gone, Drew says, what was that head nod? Was it because of the DNA results, or because Willow doesn’t know yet? Carly says, it was the results; she heard from the lab. He says, and? and she says, Nina’s not Willow’s mother. He says he guesses it was for the best, and Carly says, especially after the hearing; it was brutal. He says, Michael told him a little bit about it. Sonny testified for Nina. She says, that was the least of it. And the whole ordeal happened because of Nina; because of her selfishness and entitlement issues. Poor Willow is just exhausted, and she’s angry, and she wants Nina as far away from her family as possible. Drew says, it would have been awful if Nina was her mom, and Carly says, but she’s not. He wonders why Harmony said she was, and Carly says, Harmony was a troubled woman, but it doesn’t matter where Willow came from. It matters who she is today, and how much she loves Michael and Wiley, and the life they have to look forward to. I dunno. I’m not so sure Drew is buying this.

Sonny finds something on the ground, but we don’t see what it is. He looks around. I wonder if it’s Nina’s necklace.

Spencer walks into the now unlocked room, and Esme is there. He says, finally. Where has she been? She says, she’s been around, and he says he’s been looking everywhere for her. There’s something he needs to tell her. She says she has something she needs to tell him too.

Ava says, Nikolas is acting strange. What’s going on? He’s scaring her. Spit it out. He says, there’s something she needs to know.

Tomorrow, Rory can’t wait to see what else Trina introduces him to; Cameron says he has something to tell Josslyn; Sonny says, Nina may do something she’s going to regret.

📋 Exit Interview…

I’d forgotten he also writes for GH. He was co-writer of today’s episode.

💳 All That Glitters…

I’m not too keen on that pot stirring model. Anyone who has to tell you they’re amazing, probably isn’t.

🌇 Changing City…

I know there are worse places, but it is kind of amazing how such a cosmopolitan city still needs to catch up in so many ways.

💏 Love Bubble Coopted…

On a scale of one to hair pulling, I wonder how mad Teresa is.

⚖️ He’s Legal…

I like these two, and I’m glad things are working out all around.

🐩 On a Furry Note…

Enjoy some celebrities with their pets. Or just enjoy the pets.

⚓️ Pulling Up Anchor…

Pop in tomorrow for some soap, tea of all kinds, a thoughtful collection of quotes, and a musical moment. Until then, stay safe, stay taking only your own inventory, and stay being true to what you believe.

May 12, 2022 – Esme Visits Ryan, Celebration, Reunion, Harmonizing, Time Off, Trip Clip, It Hurts, Insensitive, Social Pets & West

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer goes to Britt’s office, and says, my hero. She tells him, hold on a moment. What’s this going to cost her? He says, only a minute of her time and expertise. He promises he’ll make it worth her while. She says she doesn’t need his money, and he says, then his sparkling wit and companionship. She says she’d love that, but won’t his little Esme be jealous?

An orderly puts Ryan on his cot, but he falls over sideways. Esme comes running in like she’s a helpful person.

On the phone at Maxie’s apartment, Felicia says, Mac was giving her clear and present baby vibes… Yes, she took biology in high school. She didn’t really know what to tell him. She was completely taken aback and surprised. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, she doesn’t really know if it’s an issue; it hasn’t come up since. If she and Mac wanted to make their family bigger back in the day, they lost their shot… For some – she opens the door – it’s just not in the cards. She sees Nina standing there.

Carly sneaks back downstairs with Willow’s toothbrush in a plastic bag. Far be it for me to tell Carly how to be sneaky, but won’t Willow miss her toothbrush? Is there something about her hygiene I don’t know? As they’re about to leave, Michael and Willow walk in. Michael asks what they’re doing here, and Carly slips the bag into her purse. Willow wonders if they forgot to lock the door, but Michael says, it was locked. Drew says, sorry to break barge in. He’d like to say it was his fault, but it’s all on Carly.

On the phone at the hospital, Finn says, just because Elizabeth never spoke to Nikolas, doesn’t mean she’s not staying there. It’s a big place. Isn’t there a west wing where no one would even see her… Okay. No… They’re right. He’ll let them know when he finds her. Laura comes in and asks if he’s seen Elizabeth, but he says, he was about to ask her the same thing.

Chelsea tells Elizabeth, this presence is very clear. They don’t want this new family to be formed in this house. Elizabeth refuses to believe that. The Franco she knew and loved would want to see her happy. Is he here now? Can he hear her? Tell him that she believes he’s here. Tell him she’s ready to listen. She sees there’s a call from Finn, but ignores it, and Chelsea gets up, saying, there’s so much turbulence. Elizabeth says, she’s here, and Chelsea tells her to be careful. Elizabeth says she didn’t believe it before, but she’s listening now. Send her a sign. The door blows open, and the wind blows out the candles.

Carly says she’s pretty sure they came in together, and Drew says, if she’s not going to come clean, he will. He was walking up the driveway, and saw Carly messing with the door. If he didn’t know any better, he’d have thought she was a burglar, but it turns out she wanted what can’t be stolen. She just wanted face time with them. She knows there going through it and wanted to help. Carly says, she couldn’t get through, and just wanted to be here. Drew says, he had the key, so he thought she’d be more comfortable waiting there than in the main house. Willow says, that’s sweet of her, and thanks her. Carly says, of course (🍷), and Willow says, they were just at the cemetery, visiting Jonah’s grave. Carly says she hopes it brought Willow some solace, and Michael says, it would have if they hadn’t run into dad and Nina.

Felicia says she’ll call them later, and Nina says she was on her way home from work, and thought she’d pop by to see Maxie and the kids. Felicia says, Maxie is burning the midnight oil at Deception and the kids are asleep, and Nina says, as they should be at this hour. She didn’t realize how late it was; she’ll come back at a more appropriate time. She’s sorry; kiss the kids for her. She starts to leave, but Felicia asks if she likes popcorn. Nina says, who doesn’t like popcorn? and Felicia says, with real butter, not the fake kind. Nina says, like the only kind? and Felicia invites her in.

Spencer says, Esme has no issue with their friendship, but even still… Britt says, just don’t tell her about this conversation. Secrets and lies, the hallmark of a healthy relationship. Spencer says, come on, and she says, you come on. It’s just so Cassadine. She supposes he comes by it naturally. He asks if she’s finished, but she says she doesn’t think so. This is the most fun she’s had all day. He says, he needs her help, and she says, she’ll help him, but only if… He groans and says, oh my God, and she says he has to ask her nicely. Three words, and the voice. She takes out her phone and holds it out, and he says, pwiddy pwease, Bwitt? She laughs hysterically, and says, he was so darn cute, and almost as bratty. He says, she’s wicked, and she asks if he wants to hear it. He says, no, but she plays it anyway. He says, awesome, great, and she says, perfect. Her new ringtone. So what does he need? He takes out the pill he swiped from Esme, and asks if she can tell him what this is.

The orderly says, Esme wasn’t on the schedule tonight, but she says she had an hour. He says he has it from here, and she asks what the mess is in the hall. Is one of the inmates sick? She hopes the supervisor isn’t making rounds. He says he’ll be right back, and leaves. She closes the door, and says, not with that mess he won’t. Ryan sits up and laughs, saying, well played, my sweet child.

Finn tells Laura, Elizabeth gave him the impression she’d spoken to Nikolas about staying at Windymere, but when he talked to Nikolas, Nikolas said he hadn’t spoken to her. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t be concerned… Laura says, under these circumstances, he’s right to wonder. She just spoke to her brother Martin, and he said, Elizabeth has been looking for answers from an unlikely source. Apparently, Lucy gave Elizabeth the name of her medium. He says, and that’s where Elizabeth is. She says, shall we? and he says, we shall, and they leave.

Chelsea seems to have the chills, and Elizabeth tells her, say something. Chelsea says, so cold, and Elizabeth closes the door. She asks if Chelsea is all right, and Chelsea says, she’s not Chelsea. Elizabeth says, Franco?

Britt asks what Spencer is doing, walking around with loose meds, and he says he found it. She says, just lying on the ground? He asks if it really matters, and she says, it could, depending on what it is. He says, that’s where she comes in, and she says, give it to her. He asks if she can tell him what it is, and she says, yes, you just research the code. He says, no way. It’s really that simple. She asks what they taught him in that fancy French boarding school, and he says, Latin, Greek, table manners, conversation. She says, he has so much to learn, and scrolls on her tablet. She stops, and he says, what is it? She says, no more messing around. Whose is this?

Esme says, she thought she could finagle seeing Ryan more often, but his brother is like a human roadblock. Ryan says, Kevin is a wart. The good news is, warts can be treated. Besides, they have other priorities. How are things proceeding? She says, they’re definitely coming along. Ava and Nikolas are on the rocks, and she brought Spencer back into the fold, as promised. He says, then why is she here? and she says, she just wanted to keep him abreast. He says, rule number one, and she says, she knows the rules. He says, prove it, and she says, no unplanned, no uncontrolled communication.  He says, no unplanned communication because it increases the risk of him being found out. No one can know he’s in fighting form. So he’s asking her again, why is she here? How badly did she screw things up for him?

Felicia brings out the popcorn, and sprinkles something on it. Nina asks what it is, and Felicia says, parmesan garlic. Nina approves, and says she didn’t learn much about cooking growing up, but at take-out, she’s a master. Not so much in the kitchen. Felicia says, first of all, she should know this is snacking, not cooking, but she’s happy to share her tips. She doesn’t get it when people have secret recipes and they don’t want to share. If it’s so delicious, why not share it with the world? People are funny. Nina thanks her, and Felicia says, it’s just popcorn, but Nina says, thank you for inviting me in. The Invader is set to run a huge story on her soon. Felicia says, she heard, and Felicia says, Bobbie Spencer is one of her best friends. Nina says, Carly’s mother, and Felicia nods. Nina says, and Michael’s grandmother, and Wiley’s… Felicia says, two more times. That’s who she was talking to when Nina got here. Nina wonders why Felicia didn’t slam the door in her face.

Carly says, Jonah’s grave? Is anyplace sacred to Nina? Willow says, Nina was at the cemetery to visit her daughter, and Michael says, Nina’s still clinging to this fantasy that she would have had a beautiful relationship with Nelle if she’d just been there in time to save her. Carly says, as if Nelle could have been saved, and Michael says, that ends the whole nature versus nurture debate, because Nelle clearly inherited her crazy from Nina. This conversation is creepily gossipy in tone, and it’s making me uncomfortable. Drew seems like he’s not comfortable either, and says, that’s one way to look at it. He’s just saying, if Michael is right, and it doesn’t matter by whom you’re raised, then Wiley would have inherited the crazy gene too, and he knows Michael doesn’t believe that. Michael says, no, he doesn’t.

Elizabeth says, Franco, and Chelsea touches her face, saying, as beautiful as the day I laid eyes on you. Elizabeth asks if it’s really him, and Chelsea/Franco says, no matter how many times he puts the brush to the canvas, he could never capture all of her. He could never show the world what she meant to him. Elizabeth says, she’s missed him so much, and Chelsea touches her face again, saying, don’t cry. She needs to be strong. Elizabeth says, for what? Why is he doing these things? Chelsea/Franco says, Elizabeth can’t move on until she’s at peace, and Elizabeth asks how she can be at peace without him. He says he’s always with her. Believe in herself. No matter how hard she tries, don’t look away. Elizabeth says, don’t look away from what? What does that even mean? Talk to her. Finn and Laura walk in, and Chelsea sits down on the couch, asking, what happened? Elizabeth says, Franco, come back, and Finn asks, what’s going on? Laura says, Chelsea? and Chelsea says, Mayor Collins; it’s been a long time. Elizabeth asks why they’re here, and Finn says, she never showed up at Windymere, and he got concerned. Laura mentioned she’d hooked up with this… person, so they came here looking for her. Elizabeth says, they came at the worst possible time. She was just communicating with.. Finn says, Franco’s spirit? and Elizabeth says, he was here.

Drew says he’s not defending Nina, and Michael says he knows. Drew says, but Nina is Wiley’s grandmother, and of course (🍷) they can keep him from her right now – that’s their right – but when Wiley gets older, he might want to know Nina. Michael says, when that happens, if that happens, Wiley will be armed with the knowledge of Nina’s history; what she’s done, and what she’s capable of doing. And here’s another fact, Nina is a horrible person and no amount of PR can change that. Carly says, that’s right, and suggests Michael and Willow can use some time to decompress. Michael says, that’s a good idea, and Carly says, sorry for just showing up. She promises to be in touch next time. Willow says she has an idea. Why don’t they make this easier? She gives Carly a key, and says, Carly can let herself in next time. Michael says, but still call, and Carly says, she will. She hugs them, and she and Drew leave.

Britt asks, whose is it? and Spencer says, what is it? She says, she asked him a question, and he says, he asked a question first. Answer his and he’ll answer hers. She says, it’s an opioid analgesic, and he says, so it’s like heroin? She says, not quite, El Chapo. It’s a controlled substance and it definitely can become habit forming. It shouldn’t be rolling around on the ground for a teenager to find or swipe from someone’s medicine cabinet. He asks if it’s for pain, and she says, severe pain management. Now it’s his turn. He says, it’s Esme’s, and Britt asks if she gets headaches. Does she complain about indigestion or a dry mouth, because those are some of the side effects. She hands it back to him, and he says, are there others? She says, yes. It can make you tired, nervous… He asks, what happens when you mix it with alcohol?

Keeping her wrist being her back, Esme says, everything’s fine. She hasn’t failed Ryan, she swears. He says, she could never fail him. She’s his one and only. But something’s clearly amiss. Come on. Tell daddy what it is. She says, Spencer has been behaving strangely, and he asks, in what way? She says, he’s been reluctant to be with her, and Ryan asks how long it’s been. She says, they haven’t been intimate since Spencer got out of Spring Ridge. Spencer says, it’s because they’re learning to trust each other again, and he wants it to be special. Ryan says, and it’s unusual for Spencer to be distant? and she says, yes. He says, it’s unusual for any man of his age and appetites, especially with such a willing partner. He supposes it’s possible Spencer has a romantic streak. What else? She says, it’s probably nothing, but he says, spit it out. She says she went to find Spencer at Kelly’s today, but he wasn’t there. Cameron said he was running an errand for work, but she found him at Windymere, and he was going through her things. Ryan asks if Spencer found anything, and she says, the meds she used to drug Trina were in there, and her nanny Maggie’s letters. He gets up, and says, you fool. Spencer is on to her.

Chelsea says, Franco was here? Was she his vessel? That would explain why she lost time. Elizabeth says, it’s true. She reached out to him and he came. Finn says, that’s wonderful, and Elizabeth says, she spoke with him through Chelsea. He told her to be strong and believe in herself, and not look away. Finn says, and that means something to her, and she says, it just happened. Doesn’t he see? All the strange things that were happening; it was Franco sending them a message. He was here. He’s been here all along.

Britt wonders why Spencer is asking about mixing the pill with alcohol, and he asks if that would be a problem. She says, a very big problem. Just one of those on top of booze would make a person very sloppy. He says, sloppy how? and she says, they’d stagger. They’d fall behind in conversation. They’d just not be themselves. Think of it like this. Take normal drunken behavior and amplify it two or three times. It could even give you a seizure. He asks if it could make you forget things, and she says, it can cause short term memory loss, like blacking out after drinking. She asks if he’s seen this in Esme, and he says, no, not in Esme. Britt says, enough of this – she closes the door – pharma consult he has her doing. This is serious. What’s going on?

Esme doesn’t see how Spencer could know anything, and Ryan says, he’s sleeping alone. He’s drawn to another girl; he’s looking through her things. She says, there was nothing to find. She got rid of the prescription label, and Maggie’s letters don’t refer to him. He says, it doesn’t matter what Spencer did or didn’t find; he looked. He’s as false as she is – worse. He shared his suspicions with Elizabeth Baldwin’s whelp. She says, they don’t know that, but he says, of course (🍷) they do. Otherwise, Cameron wouldn’t have lied about where Spencer was. It was right in front of her, but she was too arrogant to see it. He warned her about that boy. He told her to remain on task, but she just couldn’t give up her little toy. Now here they are, and everything they’ve built is in danger of crashing down. She says, wrong. Everything he’s built. There’s still time for her.

Nina says, as Bobbie’s best friend, she’s surprised Felicia didn’t sic the police on her, or at the very least, her husband. Felicia says, Mac has bigger fish to fry, and as James’s grandmother, she has a responsibility to uphold. Maxie loved Nathan, and Nathan loved Nina. Nathan was Nina’s brother, and James is Nina’s nephew. That makes them family. Nina says, that acknowledgement could cost her, and Felicia says, with Bobbie? She thinks they’ve gotten past that. They have their differences, and they’ve gotten down in the mud now and then, but there’s a bond there. The sacrifice Bobbie and Tony made is always just under the surface. Some ties just can’t be cut. Nina says, including the tie with her? and Felicia says, she knows the pain of motherhood when it’s staring her in the face, and she’d be a liar if she didn’t say that in looking Nina in the eye, she doesn’t see a bit of herself.  

Michael asks Willow, what’s wrong, besides the obvious of course (🍷)? She says she was glad to see he and Drew could have a civil conversation about Nina. He says, he and Drew have a solid relationship. They respect and trust each other, and Willow says she can tell. He says, even though Drew has more grace where Nina is concerned, he knows Drew is just looking out for Wiley. She says she got nervous when the subject came up, and he asks, why? She says, after what happened with his father, she didn’t want the same thing to go down with him and Drew.

At the hospital, Drew asks if Carly wants to tell him why she didn’t talk to him the whole way home. She says, because that was some stunt he pulled back there, and he says, here he thought he came to her rescue – twice. She says, if she has some explaining to do, let her explain, and he says, she was like a deer in the headlights; he had to come up with something. She asks if he had to sing Grandma Nina’s praises, but he says he didn’t. She says, he knows what she means. What was the point of that? He says he believes it’s in her purse right now; DNA from a stolen brush and a glass, that together might prove Nina is Willow’s mother. If that’s the case – she says, it’s a big ifisn’t it better that Michael and Nina aren’t in a battle right now?  

Elizabeth says, she’s telling Finn, Franco was here. He doesn’t believe her. He says, that’s not it. He gets that she wants to believe it. She says, he thinks she’s losing it, and Laura tells her, no one said that. Finn says he thinks she’s frustrated and angry after months of searching for answers and coming up empty. Laura says, she thinks Elizabeth is considering some solutions that are… Elizabeth says, crazy, but Finn says, unorthodox; that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Laura tells Elizabeth to come home with her, but Elizabeth says, there’s nothing to be afraid here of anymore. It was Franco all along.

Britt says, if Esme is in any way misusing these drugs, Spencer needs to help her put a stop to it. He says he doesn’t know anything for sure, and she says, even if he suspects it… He says, he’ll take care of it, okay? She asks, how? and he says, he’ll take care of it. He starts to leave, but she grabs his arm, saying, they’re not done. She can’t stand by in good conscience and not do anything. He says, it’s a little late in life for her to grow a conscience, and she says, ouch. He says he’s sorry, but he came to her for information, not a lecture. Now that he knows what’s what, he’s good. She says, enabling Esme does no good. If he wants his girlfriend to be healthy and be in a healthy relationship, he can’t let this go on. He wonders what the hell she would know about a healthy relationship.

Ryan asks if Esme is threatening him, but she says she’s just exploring her options. She’s sure the authorities would rather learn about his status update than come after her. He says, she’d sacrifice him just like that? and she says, if that meant saving herself, in a heartbeat. He says she reminds him of her mother, and she says, how so? He says, he learned early never to turn his back on her. He’s glad see she inherited her mother’s instinct for self-preservation. Now let’s start over, shall we? They’re all each other has; they have to stick together. He pats the spot on the bed next to him, and she sits. She says, she can’t believe Spencer would do this to her. It hurts so much. He says he knows the feeling. You give yourself so much to someone. You lay yourself at the mercy of another person and they just exploit it. She says, manipulate it, and he says, crush it between their forefinger and thumb. He flashes back to a physical fight with a woman (presumably Esme’s mother), who’s about to stab him with a kitchen knife. He says, pure agony. There’s only one thing to do in return; make them all pay.

Nina asks what Felicia sees of herself in her, and Felicia says, a gorgeous, badass woman with feet made for kicking butt. She sees a woman who’s made a lot of mistakes; the kind not easily lived down. Nina says, Felicia did, and Felicia says she didn’t have a choice. Nina says, there’s always a choice, and Felicia says, not a good one. It was either spending the rest of her days in the shadow of her mistakes, and watch her daughter walk away, or facing her and fixing things. The only real shame is in giving up. Nina wonders what she’s going to say to James if he comes to her with a fist full of Invader newspapers, demands answers. Felicia jokes, they’ll be dead then, and Nina asks what she tells him. Felicia says she imagines Nina will tell him the same thing she’ll tell Wiley when he asks the same questions. That day is coming too.

Michael says he thought Willow was on the same page about his dad. She said she was behind him 100%. She says she meant it. She completely supports his decision, even if she’s not sure it’s the right one. He loves his father. Can he honestly say it doesn’t hurt? He says, of course (🍷) it hurts, and she says, when he hurts, she hurts too, and so does Wiley. Their son is sensitive; he knows when something is wrong. They can’t shield him from every bad feeling, every loss – they wouldn’t want to – but they can shield him from some of them. It takes sacrifice and compromise on their part, but isn’t Wiley worth it? He asks who she wants him to compromise with – his dad, Nina, or both?

Drew asks Carly to think about it one second. If Michael goes too far with Nina, and she turns out to be Willow’s mother, it will change things for Willow, whether she wants it to or not. He’s just trying to turn down the temperature. She says she appreciates that, and appreciates his help, but his services are no longer needed. He says, so he’s dismissed now? and she says, it doesn’t involve him, but he says he begs to differ. He can’t unknow what he knows. They’re in this together. She asks what that means. Is he going to blow this whole thing wide open? He says, no; is she? She tells him, she’s certainly not going to say anything right now. If Nina turns out to be Willow’s mother, it’s going to be a huge problem for Michael and Willow. What if the whole thing turns out not to be true? She’ll have set a hideous chain of events in motion for no reason. He asks, what if it is true? What if what Harmony said turns out to be legit? What is she going to do?

Laura tells Elizabeth that she and Doc have been trying to keep Jake and Aiden well entertained, but she thinks it would help if they saw their mother tonight. Elizabeth says it would help her to see them too, and Laura says she’ll get Elizabeth’s purse. Elizabeth says she’ll call Chelsea; they’ll do this again. Chelsea says she’s sure Elizabeth has a lot of questions. The answers are there for the taking. Elizabeth asks if she’ll see Finn later, and he says, absolutely. He’ll make sure everything is locked up. She thanks him, and leaves with Laura, and I wonder why they’re leaving two people who don’t live there to lock the door. And why is Laura treating Elizabeth like a psychiatric patient? Chelsea gets her purse, and Finn says, leaving so soon? She says she’s parched, and he says, I’ll bet. Channeling spirits must drain you. She says, it does actually, and he says, what about lying to a vulnerable woman. What does that do to you? She says she wouldn’t know, but he would.

Esme asks, is that even possible, if Spencer is on to her? and Ryan says, he is, but he hasn’t found anything useful yet, or he would have used it. She got rid of the evidence that would implicate her in the video scheme, yeah? She says she did, and he says, then the best Spencer can hope for is to exonerate Trina. That doesn’t mean Esme can rest on her laurels. Time’s running out; she needs to recommit herself to the task. She says, destroying Ava and Nikolas, and he says he knows she’s disinclined, but sacrifices have to be made. The only way to truly break their bond is to seduce the prince. She can do that, can’t she? For him? She says, if only to see the look on Spencer’s face when he finds out, and Ryan says, good. She says, and when that’s done? He says, then they turn their attention to the rest of their enemies. Each and every one.

Spencer says, he and Esme have been together a long time, and Britt says, so? He says, so what about her? What’s the longest relationship she’s had? She asks what he’s doing, and he says, just pointing out facts. She had that weird obsession with Emma’s dad, and the blink-and-you-miss-it engagement to his father. She says, wow. So much for Spencer wishing Nikolas realized what he had in her. Spencer says, he was trying to be nice, and she says, noted. He says, has she ever been in love, and had that love returned? She doesn’t say anything, and he says he didn’t think so. She says, he’s right. She knows nothing about love, and at this rate, she never will. He asks what that’s supposed to mean, and she says, good luck with his girlfriend. And when it explodes in his face, don’t come crying to her.

Finn says, Madame Nutjob, or whatever her name is, he’s not the one lying to Elizabeth. Chelsea says, really? Elizabeth asked if he thought she was crazy, and he did everything in his power to dodge the question. He says, she can’t flip this around; she’s not smart enough to do that. She’s preying on a very fragile human being. She says, she gave comfort and support to someone who asked for it. Can he say the same? He tells her, don’t ever contact Elizabeth again, and opens the door. Chelsea says, Elizabeth said she’d call, and when she does, she’ll save him a seat. Who knows? Maybe this time he can come with an open mind and actually help the woman he claims to care about find the answers she so desperately craves. She walks out.

Willow says she’s nowhere near entertaining a truce with Nina, but she won’t give up on him and Sonny, and hopes he doesn’t either. He says, his father put someone who actively hurt his wife and children ahead of his family. He can’t act like that didn’t happen or ignore that. He’s Sonny’s son, but first and foremost, he’s Wiley’s father. She and Wiley will always be his priority. And he’ll never let anything come between them.

Nina says, if Wiley asks about the things she’s done, she’ll own them, and Felicia says she sees no reason to treat James any differently. Just make sure she sticks around to answer those questions. Nina takes Felicia’s hand, and says, don’t worry. She’s not going anywhere.

Drew asks if Carly is going to tell Willow and Nina what she knows, but she says she doesn’t know anything. He says, when she does know, and she says, if the unthinkable happens, if Nina turns out to be Willow’s mother, she’ll do the right thing. She sees Britt, and runs over to her. She asks who she sees about a DNA test, and Britt looks at Drew.

Tomorrow, Ned tells Brook, they’re planning for a future with no place for him; Martin tells Valentin, if the family remains a united front, he doesn’t stand a chance; Jordan asks if TJ has something to report; and Sonny says he’s got to put a stop to that.

👩‍👧‍👧 Soap Moms Day…

Mother’s Day in Soapworld.

🧼 On the Edge Again…

I have vague memories of my mother watching this. It was never one of my staples, but gets my respect for being a classic.  

🙋🏻 Her Truth…

Inga Cadranel talks about Harmony’s end, both on and off the screen.

https://daytimeconfidential.com/2022/05/09/inga-cadranel-discusses-general-hospital-departure-and-harmonys-death

🎄 Break Time…

After the Greek prison, off-season Christmas should be a breeze.

✈️ Not Making It Nice…

Dorinda tells us who she would have liked to clip from the Girls Trip.

👗 I Get Her…

Sutton defends her fashion choices. I love her outfits. It’s like the wacky things we wore in the 80s.

🧱 Apology Tour…

While I am Team Sutton, her insensitivity was pretty shocking.

🔦 Missing Housewife…

It still doesn’t exactly explain things, but it sounds like she’s in a lose-lose situation. Will she go the way of Carlton, and be a one season Housewife?

https://screenrant.com/rhonj-why-fans-dont-resonate-traci-johnson/

https://meaww.com/where-traci-lynn-johnson-rhonj-real-housewives-new-jersey-reunion-s-12-trailer-axed-fans-say

🐕 More Famous Than You…

I’d be willing to bet these pets have more followers than all of us put together. Times one hundred.

🚚 Movin’ Out…

Whether winding up a work week or enjoying your part in the Great Resignation, stop by tomorrow for some soap, tea, words to take note of, and a musical selection. Until then, stay safe, stay taking in your local culture, and stay remembering the only real shame is in giving up.

April 8, 2022 – The Ice Princess Is Found, Soap History, Co-Star Chat, Jill Whines, Teresazilla, Joining In, Unsure, Caroline In Dubai, Shah Bummer, Pets (!), a Heptad Of Quotes & Anything

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jennifer says she guesses she’ll have to dry herself off, as Valentin fiddles with the safe one more time. She says she’s going to slip into something he can easily slip her out of. He finally gets it open and she asks if they should order champagne. He says, voila! Absolutement. Champagne is a necessity; he’s parched. She says she can quench his thirst, and comes out  She asks what he thinks he’s doing, and he says he dropped this, showing her his phone. She says, he seems flustered, but he says he doesn’t want her thinking he cannot handle delicate objects. She says, what if she has her doubts, and he says, then he would prove her wrong, and kisses her.

Anna is at the tiki bar, when Felicia comes along, and asks if she’s seen anything of note. Anna says, Felicia looks like she just stepped out of The Real Housewives of Port Charles, and Felicia says, can Anna believe they wanted her for that show? Anna says, it’s not too late to call the producer. She can step in for Felicia at the auction. Felicia says, they’ve been over this. There are bound to be a few ex-spies here, bidding for the Ice Princess and providing security. Anna is too recognizable. Anna says, and Felicia’s not, and Felicia says, Luke was her friend, and don’t forget, she’s descended from royalty. Anna says, a shame she couldn’t wear some of that Aztec jewelry, but Felicia says, don’t worry. She can still convince people that she has the funds to bid on the Ice Princess. Anna says, they’ll play it Felicia’s way; she’ll just sit on the sidelines. She hopes this whole black market thing pans out, and they find Luke’s killer. She really wants to prove Victor’s behind all this.

Harmony looks at the text on her phone: It’s Brendon. We meet or next I call your daughter. Willow asks if something is wrong, but Harmony says, no, nothing. Willow says, she’s looking at the text like she’s seen a ghost, and Harmony says, she thought she’d blocked it already. There; deleted. Harmony’s phone dings again, and Willow asks if it’s the same person. It’s another text from Brandon: I think Willow may be very interested in what I have to say. Then I call her real mother.

On the phone, Nina tells Scotty, about dinner. She wanted to run some things by him regarding the petition for visitation with Wiley. She wants to do it before Britt and Aunt Liesl get back. He says, no can do. He has to run a few errands for her case. She says, what errands? and he walks into Pozzulo’s. He says he has to get his ducks in a row. Goodbye.

Marshall says, he takes it Trina and her friend are still on good terms, and she says, absolutely. Joss has her back. Portia comes in yelling that she said, no comment. And get off her property or she’ll have them arrested for trespassing. We hear the click of cameras, but I wonder, do cameras still make that sound in 2022? She sees Marshall and Trina, and says, that looks good. Did Trina make Marshall one of those mango smoothies she loves? Trina asks if the reporters are still out there, but Portia says, they’re leaving; don’t even give it a second thought. Is Curtis upstairs with Aunt Stella? Marshall says, Stella is sleeping. Curtis took off for The Savoy. Portia says, really? After everything that just happened to Aunt Stella, it must be something big for him to leave now.

N’neka says, they’re all set; how about Curtis? Curtis is staring off into space, and she asks if he’s okay. He says, it’s just been a long day, when Selena walks in and says, the day’s almost over, and the night is rife with opportunity.

Valentin says, my love, the champagne, and Jennifer says, they don’t need champagne. He says, she’s speaking to a Frenchman. There will always be a need for champagne. It will make their moment together so much sweeter. She says she doesn’t like to wait, and he says, all good things come to those who wait, and makes a call.

Felicia says, while Anna was scoping out the hotel, she was observing the clientele. Anna asks if she found anything, and Felicia says, that bartender, Kai, said there were some potential buyers on site. He overheard this dark-haired woman talking about the auction. Apparently, she was so engrossed in her phone call, she didn’t even know he was listening. Anna asks if he got a name, but Felicia says, negative, but he did see her getting friendly with a mustachioed Frenchman. Anna laughs, and says, okay. She sees a man walking nearby, says, oh bloody hell, and ducks. Felicia says, what? and Anna says she knows that man.

Harmony puts her phone in her bag, and tells Willow, it’s Spring Ridge, and they want to change her schedule, so she needs to call them, but she and Willow will talk later. They hug, and Harmony says she loves Willow so much, and jets. Michael passes her coming in, and asks Willow, what’s that about? Willow tells him, Harmony said it was work, but she hopes everything is okay. She gets the feeling there’s something her mother isn’t telling her.

In the elevator, Harmony’s phone rings, and she answers, saying, stop calling. Stop texting. She’ll meet him. Just tell her where and when.

Marshall thanks Trina for the smoothie and the conversation. It’s been great getting to know her. She says, him too, and tells him to have a good night. She goes over to the fireplace, and Marshall tells Portia, on second thought, he’d like to hang out here a little longer. In case Curtis comes back. If it’s all right with her. She says, of course (🍷). He’s more than welcome. She’s going to check on Stella. She goes upstairs, and Marshall says he’s sure glad Stella’s okay. Trina says, her too. She’s glad it wasn’t another stroke or something. He says, thankfully it wasn’t anything more serious, and she asks if he’s ever had a panic attack. He says, yeah. It’s scary in the moment, but it’s no big deal. Trina says, Stella must be feeling so much stress, and having reporters around can’t be good for her. He says, she doesn’t think she had anything to do with Stella’s panic attack, does she?

Scotty says he comes in peace, and Sonny says, Frank, holding up his hand. Frank heads for the door, and Scotty suggests he go do some squats. Sonny says, well, this is an unwelcome surprise. What can he do for Scotty? Scotty says he thought he’d do Sonny a favor, since he pulled the rug out from under Sonny in Pennsylvania at Nina’s hearing. Sonny says he hasn’t forgot that, and Scotty says, she’s filed a petition with the court for visitation with Wiley. Sonny says, Nina already told him; is that it? Scotty says, no. He’s going to call Sonny as a character reference for Nina.

N’neka tells Selena, sorry, they’re not open just yet, but Curtis says, it’s okay. He’s got this covered. In fact, he’s expecting a delivery any minute. Can N’neka meet them out back? N’neka says, yeah, and leaves. Selena says she was glad to hear Curtis wanted to revisit her proposition. Just so they’re clear on the terms, he provides her with the use of his back room for a high stakes poker game twice a month; she provides her players with a credible venue; and he avails himself of their lucrative connections – all above board. Curtis says, so she claims, and she says, she’s not naïve, and since he expressed his disinterest, if he’s reconsidering now, his circumstances must have changed. That’s his business, and is of no concern to her. She’s only interested in finalizing their transaction. So what does he want from her?

Anna asks if Felicia sees the man in the reddish tropical shirt; a WSB agent. Felicia looks behind herself with a mirror, and says she didn’t know Anna called for WSB back-up. Anna says she didn’t, and Felicia wonders what he’s doing here. Anna says she’ll find out. Hang tight. She goes over to the guy and says, Leeman. What’s he doing in this neck of the woods? He says he could ask the same of her, and she says she’s running a sting. Trying to flush out the parties to the auction of the Ice Princess. Leeman says he’s there because they got a tip about the Ice Princess, and the auction isn’t happening because they know who stole it, and where it is. She asks to tag along, saying, he’d really be helping her out. He hesitates, and she says, okay, it will only take her two phone calls to get clearance. Does he want to be the cause of unnecessary delay and bureaucratic red tape? He says, all right. Is she armed? She says, yeah.

Harmony meets Brendon at Pier 54, since Pier 55 fell into the river because of the traffic being too heavy, and he says, Harmony Miller. He thought he recognized her name. After he met her at Alexis Davis’s office last night, he went back to his room, and sure enough, he was right. She was one of his late brother’s patients. One of the inmates Neil counseled. He’s seen her file. She says, he had no right reading it, but he says he couldn’t help himself. It was full of all kinds of interesting information about her and her daughter Willow Tate.

Willow says she’s glad her mother showed up, so Michael and Smoltz could talk alone. She would have been so nervous. How’d it go? Michael says, he took the deal. He’ll drop the charges in exchange for a five-part feature article series on Nina. Willow wishes it didn’t have to come to this, and he says, him too, but it did. They’ve been more than fair with Nina, and every single time, she’s taken advantage. Willow agrees, and says, she tried to convince herself that Nina was acting out of love, but she’s crossed the line so many times. In the end, it’s their job to protect their son. Who knows? Maybe Nina will back off when the feature is published. He says, that’s the goal. The series might prove useful in more ways than one. It will damage Nina’s image, but it might neutralize some of the tricks Nina and her lawyer might try to pull at the hearing.

Marshall says, Stella’s panic attack wasn’t Trina’s fault. He knows for a fact her mom and Curtis are happy to have her out of that jail and back home. Nobody wants her punished for something she didn’t do. She says she knows that, but she doesn’t want to punish them either. The more this goes on, the more it affects the people she cares about. She wonders if it’s not too late to plead guilty.

Curtis tells Selena, his motives are his own. This is a one-time transaction. She says he misunderstands. Let her be clear. She’s offering a business opportunity that’s mutually beneficial. Rest assured, he’ll profit from this arrangement. As a gesture of good faith, here’s the down payment – she puts two rolls of bills on the table – to make use of his premises. He tells her, as he said, it’s not money he’s after, and she says, what then? He says he needs to acquire information he has no access to, and perhaps she does. She asks, what is this information? and he says, a Witness Protection file, along with sealed arrest records attached to it. She says, the subject being? and he says, Marshall Ashford. She says she’ll do her best. Then we have a deal? She holds out her hand.

Valentin gives Jennifer a glass of champagne, and says, pour vous. He babbles something in French, and she says, damn. Why didn’t she work harder to learn French? He says he can teach her a few key phrases, and she says, that would be nice, moving closer to him. There’s a knock at the door, and he says, what is this? She says, probably just some drunk guests; ignore them. The knock continues, and Anna says, WSB. Open up.

Harmony tells Brendon, leave Willow out of this. Stay the hell away from her daughter. He says, she means, Nina Reeves’s daughter.

Jennifer says, she’ll get rid of them. She hasn’t done anything. She opens the door, and sees Anna, Leeman, and a couple of other guys. She asks, what is the meaning of this? and Anna says, Jennifer Smith? She asks Leeman if this is her, and he says, right where intel told them she’d be. They start to walk in, and Jennifer says, they’ve got the wrong person. They can double-check their intel. They walk past her, and she asks what they’re doing. She’s entertaining a friend. She looks around, but Valentin is gone, and she says, he was just here. Where did he go? Anna says, it would appear her friend had to leave. We see Valentin outside on the patio, and Anna says, perhaps he’s allergic to the Bureau. It’s been known to happen. Valentin walks off, and Jennifer says, now that they’ve ruined her afternoon, what do they want? Leeman says, they have evidence tying her to stolen property, and the murder of Luke Spencer. Jennifer says, that’s outrageous. Luke was her ex-husband; she loved him. Leeman tells the hotel manager to open the safe, and Jennifer says, they can’t do that. They can’t barge in here and search. He opens it, and Anna takes out Valentin’s velvet pouch. Jennifer says she’s never seen that before. She has no idea how it got in there. Anna takes out the Ice Princess, and says she supposes Jennifer’s never seen this before either. Does she recognize it? The legendary Ice Princess.

Sonny asks, what makes Scotty think he’d agree to be his character witness? and Scotty says, he’s not really asking Sonny; he’s going to subpoena him. He needs all the character witnesses he can get for Nina. Since Sonny already testified for Nina in Pennsylvania, and did such a good job, thanks to him, Scotty was able to get Nina off the hook. So he thought they might go two for two. Sonny says, Scotty asked him questions, he was under oath, and he answered truthfully. Scotty says, because Sonny is such a law abiding citizen. He can’t complain because it all did work out in Nina’s favor. He understands things are getting complicated with Sonny and Nina’s second go-around, and Sonny says, his life is his business. Scotty can go now. Scotty says, hold on a second, because no matter how this turns out, Sonny loses.

Michael says, they have to anticipate and be ready to defend anything Nina and her counsel throw against them, and Willow says, at least they don’t have Michael’s assault charge to worry about anymore. Michael says, yeah, but Nina could drag in their parents, and taint them by association. Diane assured him that’s not an argument Nina could make, but he has enough experience with the legal system to know, you have to expect the unexpected. They have to be ready. She says, and it can get ugly, and he says, absolutely. By Nina attacking their parents, she could assert that she has as much legal right to be in his life as they do. She could paint herself as a better influence. His dad would be an obvious target, but since he’s probably siding with Nina, they won’t be after him. She says she’s sorry, and he says, him too, but his dad made his choice. He can’t waste energy thinking about it. Unfortunately, her mom is probably going to be a likely target; Nina could bring up her criminal past. Willow says, they could counter with how she’s worked hard to rehabilitate her life, and he says, they could also cite that Harmony got to know Wiley gradually over time. She didn’t overwhelm him, or take control the way Nina did. Willow’s mother is the model of how to build a respectful relationship with Wiley, which Nina hasn’t shown the ability to do. She says, wow. Their relationship with her mother might actually work in their favor.

Harmony says, her medical files are confidential, and protected by HIPPA law. She could have Brendon brought up on criminal charges. He says, it’s interesting that she brought that up. His brother took notes about the crimes she confessed to during their sessions. He kept Harmony’s file in a lockbox, probably wondering whether he should turn her into the cops. When Neil died, he inherited that lockbox. He had no idea he’d find incriminating information. Such as, her daughter Willow isn’t actually her daughter. Harmony stole her.

Trina tells Marshall, they offered her a deal; plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge, and probably avoid jail time, but that’s not guaranteed. He says, but she didn’t take it, and she says, because she didn’t do anything wrong. It was a set-up, but how does she convince the jury that she didn’t do that, when Spencer didn’t believe her, and he knows her? At least she thought he did. Marshall says, forget him. That boy’s not worth her time. She has to focus on what’s best for her now. She asks if it isn’t selfish. She’s seen what it’s costing everyone. Her mom and Curtis should be enjoying their new home and their new life, not dealing with all of this. And then there’s Joss and Cam. She knows they’ll defend her, but that brings the spotlight back on them; it brings the spotlight back on the sex tape. How can she do that to them? If she pleads guilty, this is all over. Isn’t that worth it for the people she loves?

Curtis tells Selena that their deal isn’t done. He has a few more terms. She says, so the negotiation continues? and he says, two games a month is too much. She says, how about one monthly game to start? but he says he’s afraid any set schedule will bring too much attention. She says, she can have the games on an as needed basis. She’ll call him with a week’s notice, and he’ll make his club available to her. He says, providing there’s no booking conflicts, and he’ll need her to provide the costs for additional security, as well as some assurances that her players will be discreet. There will be no guns and no drugs in his club. She says, these are all reasonable requests. He has her word. He asks if her word is enough, and she says, have a little faith. He says, none of this will work if he ends up in a battle with Sonny Corinthos, but she says she’s done her due diligence with the necessary parties. She’ll begin arrangements for the first game. He says, no, and she says, more? She’s been more than fair. He says his last term is non-negotiable. There will be no games unless he gets the information he’s asking for. She says, then they have a deal. They shake hands as Nina walks in.

Selena says, it’s good to see Nina again, and Nina says, likewise. It seems like she’s always interrupting them. Selena says, they were just discussing a private party, and Nina says, that’s fun. What’s the occasion? Selena says, a family reunion, and tells Curtis that he has his down payment. She’ll be in touch. She leaves, and Nina says, Selena doesn’t strike her as a family reunion kinda gal. Curtis says, if the woman wants to host a party, it’s her business, especially if she’s paying top dollar. He picks up the wads of cash, and she says, my God. Didn’t he tell her that Miss Wu was trouble? He mumbles, did he say that? and she asks, why change his mind about people in that line of business at The Savoy? This is fishy. He says, don’t, but she says she knows him, and she knows when he’s in trouble. He’s always been there when she needed help. Let her be there for him.

Marshall tells Trina that he thinks he can relate. He found himself in a situation that would bring trouble on his wife and sons. It’s not comparable to what she’s facing; she’s innocent. But he found himself grappling with a similar situation. Ultimately, he chose to take himself out of the equation, for his family’s sake. She tells him, he’d said it had caused them pain anyway, and he says, it did. But it would have caused more pain if he’d stayed too. He had to make a choice, so he asked himself a question. He said, self, which would bring the least amount of harm their way? She asks if he thinks he caused his family less harm, and he laughs and says, who knows? We can never be certain. For a long time, he didn’t even know what harm it caused him. But now that he’s back, he sees what it cost them now back see what cost them, and it cost them too much.

Jennifer says she was here to bid on the diamond, and Anna asks if she’s aware it was stolen from Luke Spencer. Jenifer says, no, and you never know with Luke; he might have sold it. Anna says, it’s unlikely though. Did Jennifer steal it? So she could get his attention. So he’d track her down and she could orchestrate a reunion. And when that didn’t work, did she kill him? Jennifer says she could never kill Luke. She swears, this wasn’t her. She’s never seen that… That man, he was in the French navy. His name was Françoise Olivier. He was standing in front of armoire when she came out of the shower. He must have put the Ice Princess in the safe. Anna says, that’s very convenient though, isn’t it? Jennifer tells Anna that she’s not saying another word until she speaks with a lawyer. She makes a locking-my-lips gesture, and Leeman says, cuff her. Random WSB guy puts the cuffs on her, and she says, she’s innocent, she swears. They’ve got the wrong person. She swears she didn’t do anything. Anna says, this is he Bureau’s jurisdiction; nevertheless she advises Jennifer to remain silent. Leeman says, get her out of here, and Jennifer says she swears she didn’t do anything. Anna tells Leeman, one more thing…

Valentin asks Kai, when is the boat to the main island? but before Kai can answer, he takes off. Felicia comes by.

Leeman tells Anna, they received information that connects Jennifer Smith to Kurt Markovich, the cable car inspector who orchestrated the accident that killed Luke Spencer. Once they found the Ice Princess in Jennifer’s possession, the motive is self-explanatory. She took the diamond, and killed him to stop him from taking it back. Case closed. They have their killer and their thief.  

Felicia says, you know the man you just met? and Kai says, that’s the French naval officer he was telling her about. Felicia sees the agents taking Jennifer away, and she tells Kai, that’s Jennifer Smith. Is that the woman he saw with the French naval officer? He says, yes. She’s the woman who was talking about the auction. She says, the officer left? and Kai says, he was talking about the next boat to the main island. Then he just took off.

Willow says, they haven’t talked about Michael’s mom. Does he think Nina will try to smear Carly? He says, Nina still thinks his mom is somehow involved in Nelle’s death, but the investigation cleared his mom of any wrong-doing. Besides, should Nina bring up that issue, it will leave her wide open for them to bring up that Nina retaliated against his mother by keeping his father away from his family. So, even though a judge didn’t think it was a crime, they’ll see what a family court judge has to say about it. Willow says, and whether Nina’s behavior makes it appropriate for her to be around a child. He says, and this might not come up in court, but Smoltz’s article will have run by then. And after that, he doesn’t think anyone will think Nina should be allowed in Wiley’s life. All this experience he has, and he really doesn’t know how court works.

Harmony tells Brendon, she didn’t steal her daughter. If he read her file, he knows she was given to Harmony. He says, by Madeline Reeves. He read the whole sordid story. His brother Neil recorded every detail. How she struggled to make ends meet as a health aid for the city, where she was fortunate enough to meet Madeline, Willow’s grandmother. Harmony says, she was so young, but he says, not so young she couldn’t tell the difference between right and wrong. Nina Reeves was pregnant and in a coma. She couldn’t consent to an adoption. Madeline was a greedy woman, who needed to get rid of any potential heirs to Nina’s fortune. But there wasn’t just one baby, there were two; twins. One little girl went to a black market adoption, and the other little girl went to her. It’s time to pay up, or the truth will come out.

Curtis says he loves Nina and appreciates her, and if he needs her help, he’ll let her know. He pulls out a chair, and asks why she came to see him. They sit down, and Nina says she doesn’t like it, but she needs a character reference, because she’s filing a petition with the courts for visitation rights with Wiley. He says, that’s a big step, and she says she did everything in her power to try to avoid this, but she kept hitting walls with Willow and Michael at every turn. Wiley is getting older, and she can’t keep waiting for things to get better, when clearly that’s not happening. He says he gets it, but she’s going to be going up against Sonny’s son. She says, Sonny knows where she’s coming from, better than most people, and he says, it sounds like they’ve gotten close. She says, it’s not about that; she’s torn up to put Sonny in this position. He says, sometimes they have to make the tough decision about who to put first. She says, so he’ll be her character reference? and he says, she can count on it. He’s glad to help a friend. She thanks him, and says, likewise. She knows he and Portia are going through it right now. How’s Trina? He says, hanging in. It’s hard, but Portia is really a wreck. The whole situation brought home how much they’ve become a part of his life. So he totally understands why she’s fighting so hard for Wiley. Because people like them will go to any lengths for the people they care about.

Harmony asks why Brendon is just coming to her now, and he says, because he didn’t know what he had. He went through Neil’s lockbox looking for bank statements, stock and bonds, cash. It wasn’t until he met her that he put it together, and realized how valuable that file was. Harmony laughs, and says, if he’s looking for a shakedown, he’s got the wrong woman. She’s one step away from living in her car, and looking for a second job on top of her first. He says, lucky for her, her dear friend Alexis has money, and her stolen daughter Willow is the mother of a Quartermaine heir. He’s not asking her for money, but he wonders how much Nina would pay for this information. She says, he’s not taking this to anyone. He’ll open himself up to blackmail charges and accessing private medical records. He asks if she really wants to take that chance, and she says she’s survived worse men than him. She’s not afraid of him or his threats. He says, she should be, because unlike her, he has nothing to lose. Get his money or he blows up her world. He starts to leave, and says, oh, and he doesn’t bluff.

Sonny says if Scotty’s got something to say, say it or get out, and Scotty says, the way he sees it, Sonny has two choices. Save Nina or Michael. Either he betrays his son, or throws Nina under the bus, Now, a lot of people are saying he’s a changed man. Scotty’s money is still on the old Sonny, who’s only looking out for number one, and Nina will just be collateral damage. Sonny asks if that’s what Scotty thinks of him, and Scotty says he thinks Nina will too. She’ll wise up and realize she’s better off without him, and Nina’s aunt, his girlfriend Liesl, will see Scotty as a hero. And poor Nina will just be another girl in Sonny’s path of destruction. Sonny says he underestimated Scotty.

Anna meets Felicia at the bar, and Felicia asks, what just happened? The Bureau just took Jennifer Smith away in custody. Anna says, she knows. She had the Ice Princess in a safe in her room, and Leeman can connect her to Kurt Markovich, the cable car inspector who, in part, orchestrated Luke’s death. They think she’s to blame for all of this. Felicia says, but Anna’s not convinced, and Anna says, is Felicia? Felicia says, no, and she’ll tell Anna why. They go to a table, and Felicia says, after Luke’s memorial service, Jennifer told them she was harboring feelings for Luke. Anna says, she reiterated that over and over again in the room. It could be a cover, but it seemed kind of real to her. Felicia tells her, Kai said he overheard Jennifer talking about the auction. Why stick around if she had the diamond? Anna says, Jennifer claimed she was with a French navy captain, and claimed he’s the one who put the diamond in the safe. It seems to Anna that maybe they were romantically involved, or maybe they were working together, and he double-crossed her or stood her up. Felicia says, Kai saw guy the before they brought Jennifer through. He was asking about a boat. Maybe they’re not working together at all. She asks what Anna is thinking, and Anna says, the whole thing is just too tidy. There’s definitely more going on than meets the eye.

Felicia asks why the Bureau would accept it at face value, and Anna says, because they got what they wanted. They’ve got the Ice Princess; it’s not worth it to keep the case open. She and Felicia are the only ones concerned with Luke’s murder. This has Victor’s handwriting all over it. He must have realized they were closing in, and set someone up to take the fall. Valentin listens from behind a partition, and Anna says, so if Jennifer was framed, their next move is to find this man she brought to her room. Once they find Françoise Olivier, then they should get the truth. Valentin takes off the moustache, and tosses it aside.   

Trina says, gin, and Marshall says, she did not. Girl, you a card shark. Curtis comes in, and Marshall asks if everything is all right at the club. Curtis says he worked it out. He’s going to look in on Aunt Stella. Portia comes out, and says, that’s perfect timing. She’s resting comfortably. Is he good? He says, yeah, and asks if Marshall stayed here. Portia says, he did, and she’s glad. It seems as if he was a real help to Trina. Marshall says, your deal, card shark.

Sonny says, for a long time, he didn’t give Scotty a thought; Scotty was like nothing in his world. Then in Pennsylvania, Scotty surprised him, and he said to himself, wow, but he thought it was a fluke. But now Scotty’s coming in here, showing Sonny what a contender he is. Congratulations. He’s going to get exactly what he deserves.

Harmony looks at a picture of Willow on her phone, and cries. 

Willow yawns, and tells Michael, sorry; it’s been a long day. He agrees, but knows what would make it better – cuddling with Wiley and a bedtime story. She says, that makes everything better. Just be prepared to carry her to bed too. He tells her, then be prepared for him to wake her up. Nina comes in, and they glare at one another. Then Brendon walks in, and stands behind Nina.

On Monday, Ava says, she and Trina need to discuss ground rules; Alexis says, Nikolas is full of surprises; and Carly wonders who Nina is going to go after next.

🧼 On This Day In Soap…

What happened in soaps on this day.

🍵 Dishing the Soap…

The GH stars talk about their co-workers. I can’t believe Roger Howarth isn’t considered Most Likely to Ad-Lib.

🗽 A Given…

Doesn’t everyone wish they’d made more at every job?

👹 Beyond Flipping  Tables…

This looked like literal insanity.

👠 Gia In the House…

Does this make her a friend of the Housewives now?

https://screenrant.com/gia-giudice-reportedly-filming-rhonj-season-12-reunion/

👰🏻 Uncertainty In New Jersey…

I’m guessing she’ll make a decision as soon as the paycheck is big enough. (See article on Jill Zarin.)

💳 Exchanging London For Dubai…

I can’t wait to see this one. I loved Ladies of London, Caroline in particular. And I always enjoy seeing Dubai, since I will never, ever be able to afford to go there. Unless that guy with the balloons visits me, and I don’t mean Pennywise.

I hate to say it, but the house isn’t that interesting. It’s very sterile-looking. Even the closet was a disappointment.

https://www.bravotv.com/ladies-of-london/photos/take-a-look-inside-caroline-stanburys-finished-dubai-home#10858792

💰 Well, That Stinks…

I’ll miss them. I hope Reza gets some kind of spin-off show.

https://people.com/tv/bravo-cancels-shahs-of-sunset-after-9-seasons/

🐶 Ending On an Aww…

Please feel free to squee.

https://www.yardbarker.com/lifestyle/articles/20_celebrity_pets_that_will_make_you_say_aw/s1__34563662

🥂 Quotes of the Week

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.Mark Twain

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.B. B. King (Or integrity.)

All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them. – Viola Davis

Equality may perhaps be a right, but no power on earth can ever turn it into a fact. – Honore de Balzac

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. – Groucho Marx

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. – Peter Marshall

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition. – Martha Washington

🛌🏽 Going To My Happy Place…

Meet me here when the Dead Walk again. Until then, stay safe, stay exercising your body and mind, and stay not being so engrossed in a phone call that you don’t know who’s listening.

February 20, 2022 – Maggie Makes a Decision, Dedication, Hwacha, Lauren On Maggie, When To Fear, Rival Potential, Star Furbabies & End

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What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

The rockets strike the zombies, and they explode. Maggie pushes her way through, and gets to what passes as safety. A Reaper slams her against the wall repeatedly, but she puts up a good fight and knocks him out. A human explodes nearby, and Maggie runs inside and up the stairs. She goes through a door from the stair well, closes it, and listens. She peeks around the corner, and sees Negan and Elijah. Elijah is hurt, and Maggie leads them to a supply closet with a secret door, picking up bandages and whatnot on the way. Negan asks, what now? and Elijah suggests they get some food and go. Negan says, as long as they get out, but Maggie says she’s not leaving Gabriel and the others. They hear Leah saying, just find them. Not one is getting out alive.

I love the tree with the stained glass panels hanging from it in the opening.

Meanwhile in Alexandria, Rosita and company are fighting off zombies. Dianne tells them to come, and they run upstairs. In the basement, where Judith and Gracie are, water is pouring in through the windows. Zombies are banging at the door, and Judith says, it isn’t going to hold. They walk up the stairs, the door opens a crack, and hands come through. Judith puts a pipe across it, to reenforce it, but a zombie sticks its head in, and they start to push through.

Jerry and Aaron run inside, and Aaron says, the rain isn’t helping. He tells Jerry that they should try something else, but Jerry doesn’t think there’s much else they can try. They see Carol, Connie, Kelly, and Magna, and motion them in. Connie and Kelly go with Magna to take care of the breach. Aaron says, if the windmill falls, they’re screwed, and they suddenly hear whistle. Aaron says, Gracie, it’s an emergency, and tells Carly and Jerry to take care of the fire.   

Daryl jumps sniper Austin in a classroom, and knocks the gun out of his hand. Austin produces a sword, and Daryl takes out his knife, but ends up headbutting Austin. They fight, and Daryl stabs Austin, but Austin takes off. Daryl follows, and gets him in a headlock in the hallway, while zombies scrabble at another classroom door. Daryl is between a rock and a hard place, when he hears Leah call for Austin. She tells her men to break down the door, and Daryl jets. Leah and a couple of her henchmen come in, and she runs to Austin. She says, no more, and they hunt for Daryl, but surprise! He was in the room the whole time, behind something. He slips out the other way.

Water continues to pour into the basement, and Judith suggests they try getting out the window. A zombie comes out of the water, and she stabs it in the head. Zombies are beginning to toddle down the stairs, and one grabs at them from under the water. Judith kicks it in the head, but another takes its place. She kicks that one too, and Aaron is at the window. He breaks it, and a zombie swims up. He tells the girls, stay there, lures the zombie closer, jumps in, and stabs it. As he wrestles with another one, he tells the girls to go. The zombie drags him under, and the girls press themselves against a wall near the window. Aaron is running out of air, and squishes the zombie’s head like a grape. The zombies continue to come down the stairs, and Aaron lifts Gracie up. She goes through the window, and Judith goes next. He tells them to go, and Judith says, they’ll get help. The stairs collapse, and the zombies disappear under the water. Aaron is like, where TF are they? and they begin to pop up out of the water.

Brandishing a knife, Gabriel runs up to a room decorated like a chapel, and finds the Reaper priest from the cemetery, who also has a knife. The priest tells Gabriel, far enough. He can’t let Gabriel harm anybody. Gabriel says he should worry about himself first, and the priest says, God will repel Gabriel’s hand like He did at the graves. Gabriel says the priest knew he was there? but the priest says, the Lord knew he was there. Gabriel asks if the Lord told the priest to defend these people. They’re monsters who slaughter entire towns and massacre children. How could he pray for them? The priest says, his role is not to question, and Gabriel says, he’s just following orders, and wonders where he’s heard that before. The priest says, they’re not privy to God’s will. All they can do is trust. Gabriel says he can’t allow the murder of his friends, and the priest says, neither can he. He puts his knife in his belt, and moves closer to Gabriel. He says, his flock is worth saving, and asks if Gabriel hears from God anymore. God is asking him to listen. Will he? Can he take the first steps for both of their flocks? He tells Gabriel, take his hand and allow himself to be saved. They hear an explosion outside, and Gabriel stabs the priest, saying, he doesn’t believe that. The priest falls.

Carver follows Maggie, who only comes upon locked doors, and becomes trapped in a dead end hallway. Carver says, oops, wrong turn, and Maggie hears a door open behind her. It’s Elijah, who says Carver killed his sister. Behind Carver, Negan comes out of another room with a pipe. Carver tells Maggie, thanks for this, and Negan tries to whack him with the pipe, but Carver uses some martial arts moves, and gets Negan down. Elijah, Maggie, and Negan fight the good fight, repeatedly getting knocked down, but getting up again. Carver kicks Elijah’s wounded leg, and knocks Maggie down. He’s about stomp on her, but Negan says, over here sh*thead. He has a big bell in his hand, which amuses Carver until he’s distracted by Elijah, and Negan whacks him in the face with it, saying, well, ding-ding. Negan tells Elijah, thanks, kid, and sits on the floor. Maggie is about to finish Carver off, when Daryl pops out, and says, no. He says he should have taken Carver out, but don’t kill him yet. We’ve got him, now let’s use him. They can get what they want and go home. Maggie says Daryl is doing this for Leah, but he says he’s doing it for them. Negan says he’s down with getting out alive, and Elijah is bummed that they’re just letting the Reapers walk away. Maggie says, they’ll get what’s coming to them. Maybe not today, but they will. Daryl radios Leah, and says they need to talk.

Rosita is still battling zombies on the stairs. Lydia opens the window on the landing, and climbs out.

Aaron climbs along on the pipes near the ceiling. Pipes that don’t sound very stable. Nope, they’re not, because they separate, and Aaron slides down one of them, dangling closer to the zombies reaching up for him. He somehow climbs back up and keeps going. Lydia comes to the window, and says she’ll be right back. We don’t see how it happens, but Lydia gets him out using a rope. He thanks her, and she says he’d do the same for her. He says he would, and asks about Gracie and Judith. She says, they’re safe. He asks about the others, and she says, Dianne is on it.

With Carver gagged and bound, Negan, Maggie, Daryl, and Elijah walk down the road. Elijah tells Maggie to leave him; just make sure Carver is dead. Maggie says, they’re not going anywhere without him, no matter what happens. Daryl asks if Maggie is all right, and she says, yeah. He gives her a gun, saying, just in case, and radios Leah. Leah puts a gun in her waistband, and says, we’re here. Daryl tells them, come out; weapons on the ground. Leah says she needs to see Carver first, and Daryl brings Carver out, holding a knife to his throat. Daryl says, weapons on the ground, and she asks what he’s offering. He tells her, lose the weapons, and let them leave. They’ll head north, but if he sees anyone, he’ll kill them. When they’re far out enough, they’ll let Carver go. She starts to argue, and he tells her, shut up. She asks if she’s supposed to trust him now, and he says, they’re doing this all wrong. They survived for what? Killing each other? She says, if that’s what it takes, and tells him to take the knife away from Carver’s throat. He says she has the chance to save what’s left of her family, and he can save what’s left of his, but Leah says, no more lies. She radios Jensen, and tells him to shoot. Some shots come close to them, and she says, it was a warning, but it’s the last one. Everybody out. Negan and Maggie come out, helping Elijah between them, and Leah tells Daryl again to take the knife away from Carver’s throat, but he doesn’t move. She says, Jensen, the woman, and Daryl says, fine, and lets Carver go. Carver blows a kiss to Elijah, who grabs a sickle. Leah says, no one move, but Elijah doesn’t listen. She says, one more step, and he dies, but he doesn’t have to worry about that, since he keels over. Carver kicks the sickle away, and is suddenly shot in the leg. Leah says, what the hell? and gets on the radio, calling Jensen. A voice says, no Jensen here. Call me Gabriel. Back off or you’re next. Maggie says, they had their chance, and would have picked them off one by one. Now she’s going to do the same thing to them. Leah says, maybe she’s right. Her friend has the rifle, but they’d take a couple of them down before all of them were taken out. They walk away, and Daryl saves his family, and she saves hers. Maggie says, Negan? and Negan says, she knows what he thinks. It’s her decision. Maggie tells Leah and her guys to drop their weapons, but leave Carver; they’ll help him. Leah tells her guys, do it, and tells Carver, she’ll see him soon. She and her men leave, and Maggie goes over to Elijah, who doesn’t look good. He tells her, for Josephine… for all of them. Daryl drags Carter up, and Maggie watches the Reapers leave. Suddenly, Maggie takes out her gun, and walks after them. Daryl drops Carter, and runs after her, saying, hey, no, but Maggie starts shooting. She gets Leah’s guys, but somehow misses Leah, so she continues to walk after her. She turns around, and finishes off one of the guys who was only wounded. She goes over to Carter, and pulls the trigger, but she’s out of bullets. Carter grabs a knife, but she grabs the sickle, and kicks the knife out of his hand. She swings the sickle down into his chest. Alrighty then.

Daryl follows Leah’s trail sees a pile of garbage that’s a makeshift shelter. He stops and says, she could have had a second chance. Both of them could have. Go before he changes his mind. Inside the shelter, holding a knife, Leah puts her head in her hands.

Negan et al load up the wagon with food. Daryl isn’t talking to Maggie, although it’s hard to tell with him, since he barely talks anyway. Maggie tells Gabriel that she’ll catch up with him and Lydia, and Gabriel tells her to be careful. Maggie tells Elijah, she’ll be back soon, she promises, and hugs him. She takes a bow and arrows, and leaves.

Maggie walks to the church in the woods where Alden was holed up.  She calls to him, and slowly opens the door. She looks inside, and a zombie hurtles toward her. She stabs it in the head, and calls to Alden again. She sees him, zombified and crawling across the floor. She kneels down, cradling his head as much as you can with a hungry zombie, and snaps his neck. She lays her body on his, and sobs.

Maggie buries Alden, when Negan comes along. He says, she’s always going to do what she did. He doesn’t blame her, but promise or not, it’s just a matter of time before she makes the same call. He’s not going to give her a chance to do that. She starts to reach behind her for the knife in her waistband, and he says, he’ll be going his own way, and walks off.

Daryl roasts a rabbit, as he, Elijah, and Gabriel sit around a fire. Gabriel says he heard what Daryl said, that they’re doing it wrong, and Daryl wonders if it even matters anymore. He asks if Gabriel has faith, and Gabriel says he supposes so. He’s trying. A random zombie ambles up, and is shot by an arrow. Maggie is back, and Gabriel says, Alden? She shakes her head and pets Dog, as we all would. Gabriel asks if she saw Negan, and she says, he left. Everyone settles down for the night.

Carol looks out from the wall at Alexandria. Jerry joins her, and says, all  is quiet.

Maggie drives the wagon into Alexandria, and Jerry asks, where is everyone else? We see the town looking pretty ragged, and a pile of bodies being burned. Judith runs to Daryl, and he picks her up. Herschel runs to Maggie, and they hug. Daryl hugs Carol and Lydia, who asks where Negan is. Daryl says, he left, and brings out a bushel basket of apples, telling the kids, just one. Gabriel looks at Rosita and Coco, and Daryl sees Connie, and drops the basket. He hugs her and Kelly, while Dog tries to eat an apple. Daryl says he has so many questions, and Gabriel hugs Aaron. Aaron says, Alden? but Gabriel says, he’s gone. So many didn’t make it. Aaron says they literally had nothing left, and thanks Gabriel.

Jerry looks out, and yells, we’ve got something coming. They grab their weapons, and Maggie and Daryl join Jerry. A group of Commonwealth stormtroopers and their caravan come toward Alexandria, stopping outside. Daryl yells, everyone get ready, and the stormtroopers draw their guns. Eugene runs out from caravan, and says, wait! They’re all friends. They’re here to help.

Eugene says, when they set out on their journey, they found hope and the proverbial jackpot, but he thinks they should hear it from the horse’s mouth. He introduces Lance Hornsby, the diplomatic representative from the Commonwealth. Lance introduces himself, and thanks the Alexandrians for allowing them in. He’s impressed with what they’ve built, and he’s heard of other places they’ve created. It’s clear they’ve fallen on hard times. The Commonwealth is more than willing to help them remain, providing labor and materials for them to build back what they’ve lost. However, if they’re interested, he has another potentially more interesting choice to offer them.

Six months later. Maggie stands on the wall at Alexandria, and says, it doesn’t have to be this way. In front of a group of stormtroopers below, Daryl takes off his trooper helmet, and says, it does.

In loving memory of Stephen Campbell.

Next time, the Commonwealth governor says, they’re putting the world back together the way it was; Maggie doesn’t trust them, and Daryl says he’s asking her to trust him; Lance tells Carol that they’re going to remake the world; and a carnival at the Commonwealth.

💝 Dedicated To Stephen…

The man in whose loving memory tonight’s TWD referred to.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11b-premiere-dedication-stephen-campbell-tribute-1109/

🧨 Ancient Launcher…

The device they used to launch the rockets has been around for a while.

https://www.history101.com/hwacha-ancient-korean-rocket-launcher/

💭 What Maggie Thinks…

Lauren Cohan’s take on Maggie’s decision making.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-maggie-lauren-cohan-no-other-way-interview/

⚰️ Fear In April…

Walking Dead’s body isn’t even cold yet, and we’re moving on.

⚔️ Strand Versus Daniel…

It wouldn’t be the first time Daniel was involved in a revolution.

https://screenrant.com/fear-walking-dead-season-7-strand-daniel-rival/

🐕 Pampered Pets…

Something happy to start your week.

🐣 Goodbye To Say Hello…

Tomorrow begins a new season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht. By all means join me for that and some Hospital soap. Until then, stay safe, stay having a dream, and stay wary of those who have potentially more interesting choices to offer.