Tag Archives: Chad Duell

Sep27

September 26, 2023 – Dead But Not Forgotten In Port Charles, Not Michael, Girl Power, Strike Deal, Salty Talk, New York Hour, Daryl This Week, Bowl Announcement & Crazy

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth calls for an update on Drew and tells Carly, the doctor is here. He’s the best, and they’re going to start operating right away. Finn asks Jake if he’s okay and suggests Jake come with him.

Charlotte says she loves their new place, and Valentin says he’s glad. She says she could tell Nina knew about it already, and he says he told Nina this morning, so she could keep Charlotte distracted while he made it perfect. Charlotte says, she didn’t know until this morning? She thought Nina helped him decorate, but he says, no, it was somebody else. She says she knows it wasn’t Anna and laughs.

Dante looks on a tablet at the message left for Anna on the mirror, and Chase asks if he thinks it’s the same person who burned down Anna’s house. Dante says he doesn’t know. They broke into the suite, left a message on the mirror, and put ink on Anna’s clothes. It doesn’t seem like the same thing. Chase says, but the missing footage at the MetroCourt implies a sophisticated perp, when Cody walks into the station, saying, here he is. He surrenders.

Sam finds Sasha outside the cabin and asks if she’s getting some fresh air. Sasha says, the leaves are starting to turn; it’s beautiful. Sam agrees, and Sasha says she’s always loved being outdoors. Cody does too. Sam says, it’s pretty hard to ride horses inside, and Sasha asks, what if this doesn’t work? Cody might never be free again.

Sonny walks into the chapel and sees Anna. She says, they run into each other in the strangest places, and he says, that’s true. She says, maybe they both need to be here right now, and he asks if she remembers asking him if he thought it was worth it, the life he chose. She says, yeah, and he says he’s beginning to wonder. She says, he’s having doubts, huh? When she asked him before, he said he didn’t have any regrets. He says, before he came in here, he was leaving the hospital and he saw Curtis. Curtis is in a wheelchair because of him. Anna tears up and says she’s struggling with that too, but she doesn’t think Sonny can blame himself. He says, she even told him that she thought the bullet was meant for him, and now an innocent man is in a wheelchair and Drew is upstairs fighting for his life because of him.

Carly tells Elizabeth that the doctor explained to her what the surgery was about, but she still didn’t get it. Can Elizabeth go over it with her more? Elizabeth says, the piece of Drew’s rib that broke is lodged near a main artery and needs to come out as soon as possible. Carly says, or it will kill him, right? She wonders where the hell Austin is, when Ava comes out of the elevator. Ava asks Nina if she knows why Carly wanted her here, and Nina says, Drew was beaten up in Pentenville and he’s having emergency surgery to save his life. Did Ava tell Carly that she’s the one who put him there?

Sam tells Sasha to keep the faith. Dante’s not going to let anything happen to Cody. Sasha says, but it’s not entirely up to Dante, is it? and Sam says, not entirely, but… Sasha says, Cody is an escaped mental patient. He’s wanted for kidnapping her and assaulting Dr. Montague; even though Montague was drugging her and trying to kill her. Sam says, they’re going to prove that, and Sasha asks, how? Sam says, they have the evidence of the drugs from Montague’s own pocket, and they’ll prove he was conspiring with someone else. Sasha says, her own mother-in-law, and Sam says she’s so sorry, but Gladys will pay. The first step is establishing a legal record. Sasha says, and that’s why Cody had to turn himself in, and Sam says, exactly.

Chase asks, where the hell is Sasha? and Cody says he’s here to turn himself in. Chase says he asked where she is, dammit. He swears, if Cody hurt her… Cody asks if Chase really thinks he would, and Chase says, then tell him where she is. Cody says, all he’s telling Chase right now is that he’s here to give himself up, and Dante says, Chase heard what Mr. Bell said. Chase asks if somebody wants to tell him what’s going on, and Dante says he thinks Chase should book the suspect. Chase says he will. They’re going to do this completely legal, then Cody is going to go back to answering questions. Cody says, and he’ll get the same answer. He’s here to turn himself in. Chase cuffs Cody, and says, he has the right to remain silent. Cody says he loves that part, and Chase finishes giving him his rights. He asks if Cody understands them, and Cody says, sure do. He exchanges a look with Dante.

Valentin wonders why Charlotte would say she knows Anna didn’t help decorate, and Charlotte says, it’s not her style. It’s beautiful. Did he do it himself? He says, no. His decorator Jen helped him. Charlotte says, she did an amazing job. It’s more comfortable than Windymere ever was. He says he’s glad she likes it so much, and she says, when her friends came to Windymere, she could tell they thought it was creepy. He says, they can come here now. She can bring her friend Jake. She says, Jake? and he says, she told him that she was with Jake last night before she came to the MetroCourt. She says she was. She showed him all the pictures of them together. He says, it looked like she was having a good time. Is he a nice kid? She wonders if she can see her new room, and he asks if she wants him to go with her, but she says, no. She wants to see it for the first time by herself if that’s okay. He says, it’s down the hall, second door to the left, and she runs off. He flashes back to telling Nina that he doesn’t want Charlotte near Anna. He doesn’t want her out of his sight.

Anna says, Drew was beaten that badly? and Sonny says, Carly told him that Drew hasn’t regained consciousness since the fight. She says, that’s not good (like he doesn’t know that). It’s Pentenville. Prisoners are going to start fights for a myriad of reasons. He says he asked Drew to get him information, and she says, he agreed? Sonny says, he never should have asked him. He thought Drew was going to be discreet and he’d be safe. She says, he can’t be sure of that, but he says, yes, he can, because he ordered it. He let it be known Drew was under his protection in Pentenville. She says, someone defied his order.

Finn brings Jake to his office and asks if he’s okay. Jakes says he needs to know what’s happening with Drew, and Finn says, okay. Does he want to take a seat? Jake shakes his head, and Finn says, these things take time, so he’ll make some calls and find out what’s going on with Jake’s uncle. Jake leans against the credenza, and Finn picks up the phone.

Carly walks over to Ava, and Ava says she’s so sorry to hear about Drew. Carly says, is she? and Ava says, of course (🍷). She doesn’t know exactly what happened… Carly says she can tell Ava exactly what happened. Drew was set up, beaten, almost to death, and now he’s in surgery and he might not make it. Ava says, oh no, and Carly says, Ava’s not really surprised, is she? Ava says, what? and Carly says, cut the act. She knows exactly what Ava did.

Chase brings Cody into the squad room and tells Dante that he has Cody booked. What does Dante want him to do? Dante says, Chase could question him. Does Cody want a lawyer? Cody says, no. It wouldn’t do any good. Dante says, that’s not a positive outlook to have, and gets up. He suggests they all go into the interrogation room. Chase asks if Dante wants him to sit in, but Dante says he’s got this. Chase says he has no doubt, and closes the door as Dante uncuffs Cody.

Gladys runs into the station and tells the desk sergeant that she’s Gladys Corbin. She’s Sasha Gilmore’s guardian. She got a call saying they have her kidnapper in custody. Where’s her daughter-in-law? Chase watches her from across the room.

Sasha says she doesn’t understand why Cody is risking so much just to protect her, and Sam says, maybe he thinks she’s worth it. Sasha says, based on what? They’ve had a few nice conversations. She thinks he’s a nice guy. They were becoming friends, then she started so strange. Then she stabbed him at the MetroCourt pool. Sam says she saw Cody that night at the hospital, and they both agreed Sasha had no idea what was going on. Sasha says, those pills Dr. Montague gave her… Sam says, they made her delusional, and Sasha says she was so sure she saw Cyrus Renault when she stabbed Cody. Sam says, our minds can play terrible tricks on us when someone screws around with them. Cody knows that’s what happened with her. Sasha says, still, he’s putting everything on the line for her. What kind of person does that?

Finn says he appreciates the update, and tells Jake that Drew is still in surgery. But he knows the surgeon doing the operation and he’s excellent. Jake’s uncle couldn’t be in better hands. Jake says, what happened out there when Finn first came in… Finn says, what? He’s worried about his uncle, right? Jake says, yeah, but he shouldn’t have cried, and Finn says he doesn’t know about that. Not so long ago, he got some news about someone he really cares about, someone he loves, and does Jake know what happened? Jake says, what? and Finn says he cried. Man, he cried. He doesn’t think there’s any shame in that. Jake really loves his uncle, right? Jake says, yeah. He just needs him to be okay.

Sonny says, this would not have happened five years ago, and Anna asks what he means. He says, no one would have defied his orders back then. She says, something like that is happening to her too. She thinks things are impacting her more than they used to. He says, things like someone burning down her house? and she says she still can’t believe that happened. He says he feels like things are just out of control, and he used to feel like he could keep things under control. If she knows what he means. She says she does, and asks what he’s going to do. What do they do? Throw in the towel? He says, never, and she says she didn’t think so.

Ava says she doesn’t know what Carly’s talking about, and Carly says she’s a liar. Nina says, this isn’t the time or the place, and Carly tells her, you back off. This does not concern her. She can’t believe she was stupid enough to trust Ava. Ava says, trust her with what? What did she do? Carly says she told Ava that Drew was going to ask around Pentenville to find out who Ava’s boyfriend Austin was visiting when he was there. Did she call him right away? Ava says, no, and Carly says, did she meet up with him? Did they plan the hit on Drew together? Ava says, no. She had nothing to do with this. Carly says she doesn’t believe her, because she’s the only other person who knew about this. And how convenient that Austin isn’t working today. Drew could have been killed. Dammit. He shouldn’t even be in Pentenville. Ava says she’s not the one who put him there, and Carly asks what the hell that’s supposed to mean.

Finding Valentin on the patio, Charlotte says she loves her room, and Valentin says he knew she’d like it. She asks how the decorator knew everything she’d like, and he says, they looked at a lot of photographs and she asked a lot of questions. She says, it’s like she picked everything out herself. There are even new riding clothes in her closet. He says he wanted her first ride on Butterscotch to be perfect. If she looks down there, the bridle path comes along up here. She can ride right up to the door. She says, he’s thought of everything, and he says, she told him before that she doesn’t think this is Anna’s style, and she says, it’s not like her house. He says, she doesn’t think Anna is going to like it? and she asks, why? Is Anna going to move in here too? He says he doesn’t know. Maybe. She needs a place to live since her house burned down.

Sonny says he’ll find out who did this to Drew, and Anna says she’s sure he will. He says, it’s funny how life works. He didn’t know she was in here. She says, nor I, you, and he says, if she hadn’t been… She says she had the feeling he’d have come to the same conclusion. He’s not ready to turn the page. He helped her realize she’s not either. He says he guesses they keep fighting, and she says, they keep fighting. He needs to go see Carly. She’s so scared for the man she loves. She needs his support. He says he’ll go check on Drew and hopefully, she’s there. If she’s not… Anna says she’ll light a candle for Drew, he thanks her, and leaves.

Finn asks how Jake found out what happened to his uncle, and Jake says he was already here at the hospital talking to his mom. He saw Carly and wanted to ask her about visiting his Uncle Drew. Finn says, in Pentenville, and Jakes says, his mom told him that he could go, but then Drew got put in solitary before he could. Elizabeth is about to walk in, but waits, and Jake says, and now… Finn says, for what it’s worth (🍷), Jake can always talk to him, and Jake says, it feels like everyone he likes leaves. His dad died, Franco died, Cam went away to college, Finn left, and now… He sighs, and Finn says he knows it hurts. He’s still here and he’s not going anywhere.

Sam tells Sasha that she’s been trying to figure out who Cody is ever since he came to Port Charles last year. Sasha says, Cody and Dante are good friends, and Sam says, yes, but they haven’t really seen or spoken to each other since they were teenagers. And it turns out Cody has a questionable past, so she wasn’t really sure if she could trust him or not. Sasha says, but now she does? and Sam says she does. But who is she to judge anyway? She has a pretty colorful past herself. Sasha says, so does she.

Chase says, Gladys’s daughter-in-law isn’t here, and Gladys says she knows that. Where did they take her? GH or back to Ferncliff? He says, they apprehended Cody Bell, and she says, and he kidnapped her. If he doesn’t have her, where is she? Dante cracks open the door and gestures to Cody. Chase says, they’re trying to figure that out, and Gladys says, let her see him. She wants to see Cody right now.

Nina says she doesn’t know why Carly is blaming Ava for this, and Carly says, because she’s the only one who could have made this happen. Drew’s too smart to be sloppy and someone targeted him. And now Ava is trying to tell her that this is all her fault? Ava says, what? No. Carly says, Ava just said she’s not the one who put Drew in Pentenville. And Ava’s right; she is. Fine. She gets it, but how could Ava do this? Sonny comes out of the elevator and calls to Carly. Carly asks what Austin has on Ava, and Sonny asks what Carly is doing.

Sasha says she knows Cody isn’t the only one taking a risk for her, and Sam says, Dante’s not someone to sit on the sidelines when he knows someone’s in trouble. Sasha says, Sam’s taking a risk too, but Sam says she doesn’t see it that way. She thinks they’re all just trying to do the right thing. Sasha asks if that’s why Sam fell in love with Dante; he does the right thing. Sam says, it’s one of the reasons, and Sasha says she thinks they’re a good match. Sam agrees and thanks her. Sam’s phone dings, and she looks at Sasha.

Chase says, Cody’s being interrogated at the moment, and Gladys says, by his friend Detective Falconari? He says, that’s none of her concern, but she says, don’t think she doesn’t know what’s going on here. They’re protecting a dangerous man like Cody Bell, when who knows what trouble her poor daughter-in-law is in. He says, they’re doing everything they can to find her, and she says, apparently, it’s not enough. Sasha is in a very fragile state. He says, they know that, and she says she wants to talk to the Commissioner right now, but Chase says, the Commissioner isn’t in. She says, then she’ll wait. Cody kidnapped Sasha. he put her life in grave danger. He has to pay.

Dante closes the door, and Cody asks if he heard that lunatic. He put Sasha’s life in danger? Dante says, stay calm, but Cody says, it’s a little hard to stay calm with that performance Gladys is putting on out there. Dante says, that was a pretty good performance. He almost believes that she’s worried about Sasha. Cody says, the only thing Gladys is worried about right now is the truth coming out.

Chase asks if he can get Gladys coffee, but she says, no. Her phone rings, and it says, unknown. She answers, and a woman asks if this is Gladys Corbin. Gladys says, yes, and we see it’s Sam putting on a fake voice. She says, this is Mrs. Margis from Port Charles Savings & Loan. She’s calling about the accounts of Sasha Gilmore.

Elizabeth goes into Finn’s office and asks if Jake is all right. Jake says he is, and asks if Drew is out of surgery, but she says, not yet. She’ll be notified the minute it’s finished. Jake says, so they just sit around and do nothing? but Elizabeth says, not necessarily.

Carly tells Sonny, Ava did it. She was stupid enough to tell Ava what Drew was doing. She told Austin or his cousin Mason, and that’s why Drew was attacked. And that’s why he might not make it. Sonny tells Carly that she’s wrong, and Ava says she swears she didn’t say anything to anybody. Sonny says, she didn’t, and he knows for a fact she didn’t. Carly says she doesn’t know what to think anymore and heads for the waiting area. Following her, Sonny says, she has to focus on Drew. That’s all that matters. He’s strong; he’s going to get through this. She says she doesn’t know.

Anna lights a candle in the chapel, and she flashes back to telling Dante about the papers Valentin had from Pikeman, and Dante asking if she thinks Valentin could be working for Pikeman again. She wonders what else she doesn’t know about Valentin.

Valentin asks if Charlotte knows why he asked her to stay with Sam, Dante, and her brother Rocco, and she says, because he’s afraid she won’t be safe at Anna’s. He says, she’s right. He would have never forgiven himself if she’d been there the night of the fire. She says she was at camp, and he says he knows. Just so she knows, he’s made special precautions to make sure they’re safe here. His phone rings, and he says, it’s her Uncle Marty. He goes to the other room to take the call, and she flashes back to reading the letter that came with the tarot cards. She reads: Anna Devane is not who she says. Do not trust her. Valentin comes back in and says, Charlotte?

Cody says he can’t wait to get on the witness stand and testify against Gladys. She is going to prison for what she did to Sasha. Dante tells him, hold the phone. Right now, Cody is the one in custody and being charged with kidnapping and assault. Gladys isn’t in custody, and she isn’t facing charges right now. Cody says, but she will be as soon as Dante explains to the judge… Dante says he’s not explaining anything unless and until they have proof that Gladys and Montague were working together to hurt Sasha. If they don’t get that… Cody says he could be the one in prison.

Gladys says she’s sorry. She doesn’t understand why they’re calling her. Sam (as Mrs. Margis) says, she is Miss Gilmore’s guardian, is she not? and Gladys says, yes, but Sasha’s been kidnapped and she’s a nervous wreck about it. Sam says she’s sorry to hear that, but this is official business, and Gladys is listed as the responsible party for all of the accounts of Miss Gilmore. Gladys says, as her guardian, she only paid Sasha’s bills and provided money when Sasha needed or asked for it. And the medical bills. Sam says, none of that is of their concern. She’s just calling to advise Gladys, they’ve received a subpoena from the DA’s office. Gladys asks, for what? and Sam says, the banking records for all Miss Gilmore’s accounts. Gladys asks if those accounts aren’t private and confidential, and Sam says, under normal circumstances, yes, but if the DA has cause and a subpoena is issued, they have no choice but to turn over those records, and those records will be turned over today. Thank you. And goodbye, Miss Corbin. Sam crosses her fingers on both hands.

Charlotte says she hopes Uncle Martin comes to visit them, and Valentin says, it’s certainly possible. He’s been here before. Martin helped him find the place. She says, maybe someday mom will wake up and visit them too, and he says, she misses her mom a lot doesn’t she? Charlotte says, everyone acts like she’s gone, but she’s not. Charlotte likes talking to her. She feels like her mom can hear her. He says, maybe she can. What kind of things do they talk about? She says, everything. She’d love their house. He asks how she’d feel if Anna moved in with them, and she says, whatever would make him happy. But she needs to know. He says, she needs to know? and she says, if Anna moving in would make him happy. She needs to know for the reading. He says, what reading? and she takes the tarot cards out of her backpack. She says, the cards, and shows him the box. He flashes back to being with Charlotte in the Bistro, and her saying, the only thing that stays the same is things changing. He remembers showing Anna that MURDERER is painted on her door, and the fire. He flashes back to him and Anna discovering the trashed suite; then watching the security footage with Nina and finding out Charlotte was the one who broke in.

Anna leaves the chapel as Finn, Elizabeth, and Jake come by. Finn asks Jake and Elizabeth to go ahead; he’ll catch up with them. Jake and Elizabeth go into the chapel, and Finn asks if Anna is okay. She says, yeah. She heard about Drew. How is he? He says he hasn’t heard anything yet. Elizabeth thought Jake might find some comfort in being here. She says, poor kid. He’s been through so much and he’s so young. Finn asks, what about her? What brings her by? She says she had a phlebotomy treatment and there’s a lot of stuff going on in her head. He asks if it’s a good place for her to clear her head, and she says, always is. He says, she’s been through a lot. He called her a few times and left a message after the fire. She thanks him and says, that was very thoughtful. He says he thought maybe she’d give him a call and let him know she was okay, and she says she should have. There’s been a lot going on. She’s sorry. He says, it’s okay. He knows. She has a lot of people who are there for her, but don’t ever forget he’s her friend too.

In the chapel, Jake says he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do, but Elizabeth says, he doesn’t have to do anything. If he wants, he can light a candle for Drew. He lights one, and she sits down. He joins her and asks if they pray now. She says, they can, and they should think their most positive thoughts to bring Drew through this to recovery.

Sonny asks if he can get Carly anything, and she says, Ava’s right. Drew’s in that prison because of her. He tells her, stop it, but she says, it’s true. He never committed insider trading; she did. He pled guilty so she wouldn’t be tried. He tells her, listen to him, but she asks if she can’t just be alone, please, and he goes over to Nina and Ava. Nina says she’s glad he showed up when he did, and Ava says, her too. Carly was on quite a rampage. He says, that’s the way Carly gets when she lashes out. Something happens. Nina says, Carly needs to know that sometimes there are no answers.

 A doctor comes out and tells Carly that the surgeon wanted him to speak to her. Ava, Nina, and Sonny watch as he talks to her. He leaves, and Carly sits down again, her head in her hands. Sonny walks over, and Nina says, oh my God.

Nina and Ava join Sonny and Carly, and Sonny says, Drew made it through surgery. He’s going to be okay. Nina says, thank God, and Carly says, the surgery was a success. They expect him to make a full recovery. Ava says, that’s such a relief. She’s so happy for Carly and she’s sorry Carly had to go through this. Carly says she’s sorry she attacked Ava. She shouldn’t have done that. Ava says, it’s okay. If she were in Carly’s shoes, she would have felt the same thing. But the truth is, she thinks Drew’s a good man. He helped save Trina’s life in Greenland, and what he did for Willow… They all owe him. Carly says, they do, and asks to talk to Sonny alone.

Elizabeth’s phone dings, and she tells Jake, Drew’s okay. He’s going to make a full recovery. They hug.

Looking at his phone, Finn says, Drew’s surgery was a success, and Anna says, thank goodness. He should get in there. He tells her, remember what he said, and she thanks him. She leaves, and he goes into the chapel. Jake says, this is the best news, and Elizabeth smiles at Finn.

Carly says she wanted to thank Sonny for being here, and he says, she’s welcome.

Nina says, Carly really went after Ava, and Ava says, that was nothing compared to what she’ll do to Nina if she ever finds out who put Drew in prison.

Valentin asks where Charlotte got the tarot cards, and she says, a girl at camp gave them to her and showed her how to use them. She flashes back to reading the letter, and we hear Victor’s voice say, to guide you, I’m giving you these very special tarot cards. They are very powerful tools. You’ll find them helpful. She takes them out and looks through them. Back in the present, she lays out the cards on the coffee table as Valentin watches, looking worried.

Chase asks if Dante’s had any progress, and Dante says, it shouldn’t be too much longer. Chase says, right, and leaves. Dante looks at Cody.

Gladys frantically throws clothes into suitcase. She can’t get it zipped, so she grabs a few things, tossing them on the floor, and tries again. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, almost ready. She thought they were going to text. The knocking continues so she goes to the door and opens it. It’s Sasha, who looks mighty pissed off.

Tomorrow, Curtis says he’s glad to be back in the mix; Esme says, Spencer can’t go; and Cody says, what happens next is up to Sasha.

🏥 Bait and Switch Up…

Since Kristina ended up being his sister and a lesbian, it really wouldn’t have worked out.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-reveals-he-didnt-originally-audition-for-michael-on-gh

🎉 Celebrating Their Girls…

Score one for the daughters.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/soap-stars-celebrate-national-daughters-day-2023

🪜 Getting There…

They kinda sorta reached a temporary agreement.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/wga-and-amptp-reach-a-deal-to-end-the-writers-strike

🧂 Salting the Lake…

Usually, I just have this on in the background, but some of them were acting so stupid, I actually stopped doing what I was doing and watched. Who could waste time being awful while staying at the Trixie Motel? Once again, the wrong people have the money and amazing vacations. However, Trixie gave us one of the best quotes ever: There is no crying in makeup. PS – Monica needs to run.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4, Episode 4 Recap: These Women Are a Real Drag On Vacation

🗽 Shining the Apple…

Not sure what to think about an adult who keeps a log of slights, so she can bring them up at a later date. Bring back the Countess telling us not to be all uncool. And then drunkenly falling into the shrubbery. Good times…

Real Housewives of New York Season 14, Episode 11 Recap: Erin Can Never Say She’s Sorry

⚰️ The Best Of Daryl…

This show just gets better and better.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-episode-3-recap-paris-sera-toujours-paris/

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/09/25/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-episode-3-recap/

🏉 Half the Story…

And I thought we were rushing the 2023 holiday season.

https://people.com/usher-announces-2024-super-bowl-halftime-show-gig-kim-kardashian-7973971

🛴 Not Bringing It On Home…

Join me tomorrow for soap and an RHOC episode aptly titled, Welcome to the Freak Show. Until then, stay safe, stay not giving advice unless someone asks or pays for it, and stay not throwing in the towel if you’re not ready to turn the page. Keep fighting.

Jan18

January 17, 2023 – Nina Finds Out If She’s a Match, Talking Turkey, Returning, New Direction, Final Bow, Anniversary For One, About Those Critics & Warm

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. As they walk into a hotel suite, Anna tells Valentin, it’s so frustrating. Four days, and nothing. He says, it’s not nothing. They now know the building in question is Victor’s stronghold. She says, but they have no way in, and they don’t know if that’s exactly where Lucy is being held. The whole thing is just a damn waste of time. He tells her to look on the bright side. They’re in Paris, and they’re together. He kisses her.

Michael kisses Willow’s forehead, and says, that’s from Wiley. And also – he kisses her bump – that’s for his little sister. She asks how their little smoocher is doing, and he says, fine. He’s just worried about his mama. She says she hates that she collapsed in front of him. He must be so scared. Michael says, Wiley will feel better once he meets his little sister, and she asks if he told Wiley that the baby is coming early. He says, not yet, but he does think they should fill Wiley in. Make him part of bringing the baby home so he doesn’t feel left out. She says she agrees. They’ll do all of that once the baby comes. He says, which has to happen before she can receive the bone marrow transplant. So if Nina does turn out to be a match, she can be induced as soon as tomorrow. She says she could, except she’s not willing to do that, and he asks what she’s saying. She tells him that she doesn’t want to deliver early. She wants the baby to come when she’s ready. He says, even if it costs her life?

Heather slips into Ryan’s room, saying, good morning, Ritchie. She waves her hand in front of his face, and says, don’t worry. It’s just her. She promises they won’t be disturbed. She locks the door, and he comes up behind her, startling her. He says, alone at last.

Esme comes out of the bathroom, fully dressed, and sees the guard with handcuffs. She asks if she has to. She’s been handcuffed so long, her wrists are sore. He says, sorry, his instructions, and she asks if he can’t wait until her lawyer gets here. He can put them on her when the two of them escort her to her hearing. There’s a knock at the door, and the guard opens it to Victor. Victor tells Esme that she looks lovely, and it’s so nice to see her up and about. She asks if she knows him, and he says, right. She can call him Uncle Victor.

Chase says he can’t believe Willow’s been battling leukemia all this time, and didn’t tell anyone, but Sasha says she gets it. Illness is a deeply private thing. He says he gets it, but now they know, so they can be here for Willow and Michael, and she says, right.

Sonny comes into the penthouse, and sees Nina pacing on the phone. She says she needs to confirm she’s a bone marrow donor match with Willow Tate… She has no idea why it’s taking so long. It was a cheek swab for a preliminary screening… Can they put her on a priority list? She’s trying to save… If they could just call her when they get the results, she’d appreciate it. She thanks them, and Sonny hugs her. He asks what time she got to bed, and she says, 4:30-ish; she’s not sure. Her mind is just racing. She has a daughter… Willow is her daughter; Nelle had a twin. She has another chance at being a mother. He says, it’s great. He’s happy for her. She says, and her bone marrow is going to save Willow.

Valentin hands Anna a glass of wine, and says, he thinks this will help. She thanks him, and he asks what she’s hoping to learn by looking at the map again. She says she’s just looking for something they might have missed, and he suggests they go over it one more time. She says, the building is under constant surveillance, and he says, naturally. She says, and the shifts are staggered, which means no two posts change guards at the same time. He says, there’s always someone at watch, and she says, which means they can’t attach themselves to an arriving group and just slip inside. He pats his leg, and she puts her feet in his lap. He says, they haven’t exhausted all their options. There’s always a variable; a fatal flaw. So they’ll find the weaknesses in Victor’s defenses, and exploit them. She says, then they’ll look for Lucy, and he says, she’ll most likely be unharmed. Anna sits up, and says, that’s supposed to make her feel better, but it doesn’t, because she got Lucy involved in this. And if anything happens to her…

The guard tells Victor that he can’t be here, but Victor assures him that he has no ill intent. The guard says he’s going to have to ask Victor to leave, and Esme says she knows it’s against procedure or whatever, but as he knows, she has no memory of who she is or what she’s done, and this man may have some answers that could help her. So if he could just give them a few minutes, please. The guard says, two minutes, and the door stays open. She thanks him, and he goes out to the hallway. Victor says, well played, but Esme says she wasn’t playing him. She just told him what she wanted. He’s her uncle? No one told her that she had family. He says he guesses his introduction was a bit misleading. His name is Victor Cassadine, and she’s carrying the next Cassadine heir. She says, so he’s here for the baby, not her, and he says, right now, the two of them are more than a bit inseparable. She guesses she shouldn’t be surprised. Apparently, she’s not a very good person. He says, apparently. So her memory is still a blank.

Nina looks at her phone, and Sonny says, that’s not going to make it ring any faster. She says she can’t help it. She feels like this amazing gift has been dropped in her lap, and it can all go away just as quickly. She has a daughter. One she didn’t know about. She’s in the hospital, fighting for her life, a life she doesn’t want Nina to be a part of, but Nina’s bone marrow is going to save her. He says, Willow’s as stunned by the news as Nina is. Everyone is just trying to wrap their head around her being Willow’s mother. She says, except for Carly. She knew for months; almost a year. She didn’t tell them. She just sat and watched Nina and Willow tear into each other about Wiley, and didn’t say a word. She’ll never forget that.

Michael says, Dr. Randolph has been very clear that Willow has to deliver the baby before she receives the transplant, and she has to receive the transplant to live. Willow agrees that Terry has been clear, and he says, she’s eight months along. Having the baby now will pose minimal risk. She says, premature babies can have health problems that affect their entire lives. She’s stable right now. If they wait another week or two, it could make all the difference in the quality of their daughter’s life. He says, the longer she waits, the more the leukemia will progress, and the less likely the transplant will work. He doesn’t want to risk her life more than they already have. She says, more than she already has, but he says, it’s always we. He doesn’t want their children to grow up without a mother. He doesn’t even want to imagine life without her.

Heather says, someone’s feeling frisky this morning, and Ryan says, their daughter is still in police custody. She says she told him that she’d take care of that. What is he so nervous about? As soon as someone else gets hooked, while Esme’s still in custody, the cops will have to let her go. He says, yet no one has died since she’s been arrested. What’s the hold up? She says she may have had a little snag; just a teeny weeny bump in the road. Her favorite security guard Dietrich got fired for stealing. He says, she has to be kidding, and she says she knows. Good help is hard to find these days. The point is, she no longer has easy access in and out of Spring Ridge right now. Bummer. He says, yeah.

Esme tells Victor, the only reason she knows her own name is because someone told it to her, and now she can go to prison for something she doesn’t know if she did or not. He asks what her attorney has to say about her potential incarceration, and she tells him, Mr. Grey says if she can find out where she’s been the past few months, he might be able to prove she’s not the killer. But given everything everyone says she did, she’s starting to think it might be better if she never remembers who she used to be. Revenge porn? He says he’s not one to judge, but she says, that seems pretty judge-worthy. He says, as soon as she stops caring what other people think, the freer she and her conscience will be, and she says, right. She thinks their two minutes are up, so if there’s anything specific he wants to ask her… He says he’s only here because he’s worried about her, and she says, he means the baby. He says, her, the baby, the future. What are her plans after she leaves the hospital? She says, her immediate plans are going to court, and then, who knows? She’s just hoping she won’t end up in prison. Martin walks in, and says, Victor is here. He’ll have a talk with his sister, the mayor, about that. He asks if Victor is bothering Esme, but she says, not at all. Are they headed to the courthouse now? Martin says, not yet. They need to strategize before her arraignment. Victor wonders how much strategy is required to get a pregnant woman with amnesia off on bail, and Esme says, the police think she killed three people. Victor says, indeed they do, but they have no physical evidence tying her to those crimes. Martin asks to have a word in the hall alone with Victor, and tells Esme that he’ll be right back. Victor says he’ll be in touch, and they leave.

In the hallway, Martin asks what Victor wants, but Victor says he’s merely looking out for his family. Esme is the mother of his great niece or nephew, and he wants to do anything he can to help her. Martin says, if that’s the case, why doesn’t he stay away? The last thing his client needs right now is to be seen in the company of an unrepentant sociopath. Victor says, Martin is forgetting himself, and Martin says, Victor will have to forgive him. He might remember his manners better if he wasn’t worried sick about his poor Lucy. He’s concerned he might not be doing the best for his clients because he hasn’t been able to think straight since Lucy disappeared. Victor says, he means, since Anna Devane shot Lucy, but Martin says, that’s the thing. They never did find Lucy’s body. Just like Victor’s nephew – twice. Imagine that. And while hope remains alive, the uncertainty that he might never see Lucy again doesn’t do anyone any good, least of all his client. Victor suggests Martin speak plainly. How dos he think the fate of that unfortunate girl has anything to do with Esme Prince? Martin says he’s afraid if he can’t focus on the case, she’s going to end up having her baby behind bars… in Pentenville.  

Nina tells Sonny that she knew Carly hated her, but even at her worst, she didn’t think Carly was capable of doing this to her again. That Carly could keep her from – not once, but twice – her children. First Nelle, then Willow. He says he’s mad as hell at Carly right now. He doesn’t care how Carly felt about Nina. She had no right to hide the fact that Nina is Willow’s mother. Nina says she’s beyond mad. She didn’t think anything would hurt as much as finding out Nelle was her daughter until after she was dead, but this… Knowingly keeping her from her living daughter. Nina cries, and says, Carly sat by and watched her and Willow turn their relationship into this toxic thing, and didn’t say anything. Then Nina heard Willow say, this doesn’t change anything between them. It just rips her heart out of her body. He tells her, sit down, and Nina tells him that Willow said she thinks so little of Nina, she wanted to know what Nina wanted in return for her bone marrow. She’d give Willow her life. Sonny says, Willow now has to figure out what going on, and Nina says, but things would been different if they’d known they were mother and daughter. If Carly had told her, she would have never acted that way. She wouldn’t have pushed so hard to get Wiley. What if by her trying so desperately to hold on to her grandson… What if that’s what makes her lose Wiley… and Willow… and the baby. He says, she’s going get through this, and holds her as she sobs.

The reception nurse asks how she can help Michael, and he asks if he can talk to Terry. The nurse says, she’s in a consultation right now, but she’ll tell Terry when she’s available. Chase and Sasha come in, and Chase asks how Michael is doing. Is he hanging in there? Michael says he’s trying, and Sasha asks if something happened to Willow. She’s worse? Michael says, no, she’s stable. The biggest danger Willow is facing right now is herself. He knows he shouldn’t be arguing with Willow right now. She needs to save her strength to fight this thing, but she’s not listening to reason. Chase suggests they take a walk and get some fresh air, and Sasha says she’ll sit with Willow, but Michael says he doesn’t want to leave. Chase says, then maybe just a lap around the floor, and Michael says he can do that. He asks Sasha to call him if anything happens, and she promises she will.

Willow tells the baby that her dad is worried about both of them, but she promises she’s going to protect the baby as long as she possibly can. And she’ll always put the baby first.

Martin tells Victor, sooner or later, everybody’s luck runs out. When he finds Lucy, he’ll know what happened. Victor says he’s sure Martin will… if he finds her. Martin says, here’s hoping, and asks Victor to excuse him. He must be getting to court. One thing he and Victor can agree on, it behooves them all to do what they can to see justice served.

Anna says she’s sorry Valentin wasn’t with Charlotte for Christmas, and he says, that hurt. They were able to get a message to Laura on Christmas Day, so Charlotte knows he’s all right. He’s grateful for that. Anna says she thinks Laura is changing her opinion about him, but he says he wouldn’t say that. He thinks she’s tolerating him for Charlotte’s sake. He considers that a victory, but Anna says she thinks it’s more than that. Laura’s giving him credit for good intentions. He says, let’s not go crazy, when there’s a knock at the door. She asks if he’s expecting someone, but he says he doesn’t know, and asks, who’s there? in French. A child’s voice, also in French, says, it’s me, Antoine, and Valentin opens the door, inviting a little boy in. He asks if Antoine was followed, but he says, no, sir. He was careful like Valentin told him to be. Valentin asks what intel Antoine has for him, and Antoine says, when his father came home today, he was complaining again about an American woman who never stops talking. When he’s finally able to get away from her, she always says, ciao and ta. Today he says, she tried brain him with a serving tray. Valentin and Anna look at each other, and say, Lucy.

Sasha asks if she can come in, and Willow says, yes. Sasha hugs her, and she asks if Sasha has seen Michael. Sasha says, he’s with Chase, and Willow says she’s glad he has someone to talk to. She assumes Sasha knows, and Sasha says she knows about the leukemia, and that Willow delayed treatment because of her pregnancy. She thinks it was a brave choice. She would have done anything to save Liam. Willow says she knew Sasha would understand, and Sasha says, but Michael doesn’t?

Michael says, Chase knows how Willow is always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. Now they have a potential donor. Chase says, that’s great, and Michael says, if it doesn’t fall through like the last one, and if Willow doesn’t delay treatment for too long.

Willow tells Sasha, you know how relatives are supposed to make the best donors? She’s been searching for her birth mother… Sasha says, oh my God. Willow found her? Willow says, they did. Here in Port Charles. Sasha asks how that’s not good news, and Willow says, according to a DNA test, her birth mother is Nina.

Sonny says he just wants Nina to know, it’s not as bad as it seems, and she says, optimism looks good on him. He says, the lab is going to call her and tell her that she’s a viable donor for Willow. The transplant’s going to save her life, and when she’s healthy, she’ll realize she deserves Nina for a mother. She says, he can’t promise that, but he says he can. She says, how? and he says he talked to Michael last night, and he opened up a little bit. Not like it used to be, but more than they’ve talked in a year. She says, that’s wonderful, and he says he saw the son he thought he’d lost forever. There’s something he realized. As long as there’s life, there’s always hope.

Willow tells Sasha, the most selfish, vindictive person she knows, the one she fought to keep from Wiley, that’s her mom. Sasha says she knows Willow and Nina don’t get along… and Willow says, that woman hated her from the moment they met. In fact, Nina hated her before she walked into Willow’s classroom. She was Charlotte’s teacher, and Nina was convinced she had it in for Charlotte because she woudn’t accept that Charlotte was acting out. Sasha says, Nina is very protective of the people she loves, but Willow says, Nina is toxic. It’s literally horrifying to think they’re related. She was better off with Harmony. Sasha asks if Willow is thinking of refusing the transplant if Nina is the donor.

Ryan says, Esme going to prison wasn’t part of his plan, and Heather says, good. That would be a terrible plan. He says he needs her free. His daughter – Heather says, their daughter – their daughter can’t move without surveillance? Then how is she supposed to help him reunite with Ava? Heather says, Ava? She doesn’t give a damn about Ava. She’s not doing this for Ava. She’s doing this for herself and her baby girl. Steven Lars was ripped out of her arms when he was a child. Franco had to grow up without her. Esme is her last chance. He says, then don’t blow it. Stab someone. Anyone. As long as Esme’s alibi is unshakable. And don’t forget to include details only the police would know. They don’t want the police to think it’s a copycat. She says, don’t tell her how to do her job. She’s waited her whole life to have a relationship with her daughter; with her Esme. He says, no she hasn’t, and she says, now she’s within touching distance of her, does he think she’s going to let the cops lock her away somewhere she won’t get a chance to see her. And what about her baby? Prison is no place for a child. That’s their grandchild. He says, it’s better to leave the baby on the doorstep of some convent, and she says she did the best she could. It’s not fair. He’s already gotten a chance to see her, and spend time with her. She’s never even had a chance to speak with her. Esme probably doesn’t even know her name. He says, she doesn’t, but Heather says, she will, and she will be a part of Esme’s life. He says, dream big or go home, and she says she’s lived this long without her daughter, wondering where she is, just waiting for a glimpse of her baby girl. He says, now they’re back in fantasyland, and she says, mark her words. She’s going to set her daughter free if it’s the last thing she does. He says, great. How? She says, the only way she can. By busting out of here.

Nina looks at a photo of Madeline, and tells Sonny that she hated her mother. She was convinced her mother was cruel and self-absorbed. He says, two for two, and she says she was just an extension of Madeline, and she has to ask herself, what if Willow describes her that way; cruel and self-absorbed. He says, she’d be wrong, and Nina says, maybe not. He says he didn’t know Nina’s mother, but obviously, she didn’t understand love and family. Nina says, she had a firm grasp of inheritance law, and he says, when her mother took her children away from her, it broke her, just like Deke broke him. They have a hole inside of them. Their souls were ripped out by people they thought they could trust. Nina’s hurt people, and he’s hurt people. That’s because they feel too much. They love too much, and fight too hard because they react quickly. They drive away the people they love. They’re too much. She says, he’s not too much for her, and he says, she’s not too much for him either.

Valentin thanks Antoine, and says he’s been a great help. He gives Antoine some cash, and Antoine says, his pleasure, especially for this much money. Valentin asks him to promise not to tell anyone he was asking questions, and Antoine says he’s never seen Valentin before in his life. Valentin thanks Antoine, and Antoine leaves. Valentin tells Anna that was the son of one of Victor’s bodyguards, and she says, could espionage be more adorable? Now they know Lucy is in the building. He says, she’s still fighting, and Anna says, as long as there’s breath in Lucy’s body, there’s two things she’ll never do; shut up or give up. He says, they’re certainly not giving up on Lucy. What do they do? She says, they can’t go in the front way because there’s too much foot traffic, and he says, and they can’t go in the back way because there are too many cameras and motions sensors. She says, so they… and he says, they parkour across the rooftops and rappel from above? She says, no, and he says, maybe they perform a reverse Shawshank, and pop up from the sewers. She says, not the sewers; the catacombs.

Willow says, Nina claims there are no strings attached, and Sasha says, Willow doesn’t believe her? Willow asks how she can. Let’s say it all works out, and Nina’s bone marrow saves her life. Sasha doesn’t think she’d try to leverage that into time with Wiley or her daughter? Sasha says, so even after all this, the kids will still be off limits to Nina? and Willow says, Nina’s still the same person she was when she dragged her and Michael into court for visitation with Wiley. The same person who badgered and manipulated, and tried to convince Michael that she was having an affair with TJ. Sasha says, she could also be Willow’s best chance at survival, and Willow says she won’t refuse the transplant because it’s Nina. She just wants to wait as long as possible to give her daughter the best chance at a healthy life. Sasha says she would expect nothing less.

Ryan says, Heather’s guard-slash-doorman got himself canned for stealing. How does she expect to get out without his help? She says, getting out is easy. It’s getting back in that’s the tricky part. He asks if she means she can leave here any time she wants, and she says, absolutely. He asks, how? and she says, this, showing him a file-like tool. He says, nice craftmanship, and she tells him, sometimes he says the sweetest things. She’s going to take a hostage and break out, and she’s going to hook that smug little Josslyn Jax once and for all, and Esme’s exonerated. And she, Esme and the baby can go on the run together. He says, what about him? and she says, he can come if he wants, but she’s leaving now. He says, today? and she says, why not? He says, they need a real plan, not just stab and run, and she says, unclench, will he? Loosen up. Improvise. Live in the moment. He says he doesn’t think she’s thought this through, and she says, fine. She’ll do the hard work; she’s used to it. Don’t worry. They’ll send him a postcard. She runs out.

Chase says, Nina is Willow’s mom? and Michael says, yeah. Chase says he sees how that could be a lot to deal with, and Michael says, Nina’s been a wrecking ball for Willow from the get-go. Chase says, but now that Nina’s lost her case about Wiley, things have calmed down, right? Michael says, Nina accused Willow of cheating on him with TJ, because in her eyes, comforting a friend who has cancer and cheating are too impossible to tell apart. Chase tells Michael that he doesn’t know what to say to that, and Michael says, Willow is the most generous, open-hearted person in the world, and she despises Nina. How bad do you have to be for Willow to hate you? Nina wants things, but she doesn’t want to earn them, so she has no idea what’s best for Wiley. Chase asks if Michael thinks Willow is willing to risk her own life for her daughter’s sake to prove she’s not like Nina, but Michael says he doesn’t think that’s it. Willow always puts everyone’s needs before her own. She was wiling to go to jail to protect Wiley from Shiloh. Her loyalty is one of the reasons he loves her, and that’s why her family needs her.

Anna tells Valentin, there’s another brilliant idea shot to hell. Because Victor’s stronghold isn’t accessible by the catacombs. He says, hold on. That might be the official data, but there are plenty of catacombs that are unmapped. There might be one or two that lead directly to where they want to go. She asks what they’re supposed to do. Find an underground passage that may or may not be structurally sound, and explore it blindly, hoping it ends up under Victor’s fancy Parisian fortress? He says, no. They don’t have to do it themselves. There are plenty of people that have already done so. She says, illegally, and he says, unofficially. As it happens, he just might know somebody. She asks why she’s not surprised, and he says, but she is impressed. Otherwise, why is he doing this? She says she is impressed; he’s amazing. She kisses him, and says, now let’s go get Lucy out of there.

At the hospital on the phone, Victor asks Gavin, how’s their guest? Any sign of trouble?… Good. Stay alert, and double security. He hasn’t been able to locate Anna or Valentin, and they just might be headed Gavin’s way.

Heather sneaks around Spring Ridge, and hears footsteps. She ducks around the corner, and a guard brings Esme past her.  

Sasha says, when she came to town, she was pretending to be Nina’s daughter, which makes her Willow’s fake sister. They laugh, and Willow says, finally, good news. Michael comes in, and asks what they’re up to, and Sasha says she’ll let Willow fill him in. She tells Willow, any time Willow wants to talk, and Willow says, back at her. Sasha says, that goes for Michael too, and leaves. Willow asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s sorry for arguing with her, and she says she’s sorry too, for letting him think she’d abandon her family. She promises, she doesn’t want to die. He says he knows, but it’s ultimately up to her to decide to delay the birth. She thanks him for saying that, and says she thought about it, and if Dr. Randolph thinks it’s too risky to delay the transplant, they can bring their daughter into the world a little early. He says, thank God. He  loves her. She says she loves him too. Of course (🍷) none of this matters if Nina’s not a match.

Nina says she’s a potential donor match, and Sonny says he told her that there was still hope. She throws her arms around him, and says, he couldn’t resist saying, I told you so. He says he likes to be right, and she tells him that she has to go to GH and get a blood test. She’s one step closer to saving her daughter’s life. Sonny asks if she wants him to go with her, and she says she wouldn’t have it any other way. She kisses him, and asks what she’d do without him. He says, she’s not going to have to find out, and kisses her.

Tomorrow, Spencer tells Ava that he can’t go up against his father alone; Michael says, call it what it is, it was revenge; and Nina says she has no intention of forgetting.

🦃 About Mr. Wattle…

It’s all fun and games until you have to clean up turkey poop.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-chad-duell-dishes-a-real-turkey-of-an-episode

👦🏻 Bonjour, Antoine…

He was actually quite good.

Gabriel Sky Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL

✈️ Expanding…

Sounds like a plan.

Kelly Thiebaud Reveals a New Direction for Her Career

🥀 Another Finale…

This sounds awful to say, but at least he was 90. He did a lot of impressive stage work.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/ryans-hope-star-michael-levin-dead-at-90

🏵 Celebrating Life…

I loved this show. I got to visit the set once, and both cast and crew were incredibly gracious. Bo winked at me.

On the Anniversary of ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Final Episode, Relive Some Classic Moments

🏆 Critically Choosing…

The Critics Choice winners.

The Winners of the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards

The best moments, probably debatable.

https://www.etonline.com/2023-critics-choice-awards-best-moments-and-most-memorable-speeches-197439

The buzziest moments.

https://www.avclub.com/critics-choice-awards-best-moments-2022-1848648562

And of course, the fashion.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/red-carpet-dresses/g42513537/every-look-red-carpet-critics-choice-awards-2023/

https://people.com/style/critics-choice-awards-2022-best-dressed-stars/

You can’t have the best without the worst.

2023 Critics Choice Awards Best and Worst Dressed Stars: Red Carpet Photos

🤸 Dancing On the Ceiling…

Take a return trip tomorrow for the usual soap and tea until there’s something better on. Until then, stay safe, stay engaged in a conversation and not staring at your phone, and stay dreaming big or going home.

Sep21

September 20, 2022 – Portia Suspects a Sinister Explanation, Unexpected Exit, a Scare, New Gig, Yummy Preview, Protective Bro, Revenge, The Queen’s Corgis & Breathe

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly puts flowers on Virginia Benson’s grave, and says, it’s been so long since she’s been here; too long. She meant to come by many times, but something always came up. Excuses, excuses, right? It seems so fitting that after everything she’s been through, she would end up here in Jacksonville with her mother.

Jordan says she doesn’t even know how to respond to this, and Curtis says, the truth would be a great start. She asks if he thinks she’d sabotage his happiness and his upcoming wedding like that? and he says, if she still had feelings for him, maybe. She says, of course (🍷) she still has feelings. They just don’t up and disappear. He’s moved on with his life, and he and his fiancé are sharing a new home now, so… He says he’s still not hearing an answer; yes or no?

Elizabeth says she’s scared, and Doc says he understands. It’s all right. He’s here with her. She was talking about the staircase. Is the woman still at the bottom? She says, yes. Elizabeth was so angry with her, telling her to stay away from her father. Now she’s not moving. Elizabeth gasps, and Doc asks what she sees.

Gregory says he knows Finn’s thoughts are with Elizabeth, and Alexis says, she’s in really good hands with Doc. Finn says he knows, but Alexis has her own stuff going on. How is Kristina? She says, Kristina’s unsettled, but she’s not hurt, and Brando seems to be out of danger, so she’s grateful. Gregory says, but it won’t stop there, will it? and Alexis says, not if the same person who attacked Brando attacked Ava. Finn says, the real question is, does the public have the right to know a lunatic is out there with a hook, and could very well strike again?

Nina says, Sonny can finally breathe, and he says, Brando is out of surgery; he’s going to be okay. She says, he’s a strong guy; it’s probably in the genes. He says, his dad loved Brando. Who wouldn’t? Brando is amazing, loyal, generous… Gladys joins them, and says, and he’s alive. She’s never been more relieved. She thought she lost him. She thought she lost her boy. Sonny says, Brando is with them right now. He’s where he belongs. He hugs Gladys.

Sasha runs out of Brando’s room, yelling, please help! She tells Brando, it’s okay, and Portia, Deanna, and another nurse run in with a crash cart. Sasha says she thought everything was okay. What’s happening? Portia tells Deanna, get her out of here, and Deanna gently pushes Sasha out the door. She tells Sasha, they need room to work, and Sasha asks, what’s happening? Please save him. Deanna closes the door, and Portia says, check his stats. The other nurse says, his pulse is 30 and dropping, and Portia says some medical stuff, and asks for lorazepam.

Carly says she couldn’t wait to get away. From Virginia, the condo, all the mistakes she made. Get to Port Charles and claim the life she knew was hers. She had it for a while. A husband, family, money, a career. Even that social status she was so fixated on. She had the right car, the right clothes, and the right address. No condo for her. She had an estate on the lake, until it all came crashing down like a house of cards. She’s fine; she’s not destitute or anything. But she’s here, back in this place; like a round trip ticket to where she started.

Jordan says, she signed the papers, put them in an envelope, and left them on her desk, and Curtis says, but they never got them. Jordan flashes back to Stella, saying, she took the papers, but doesn’t know what happened to them, and Jordan and Curtis are still married. Jordan tells Curtis that she never saw them again. They can sign new ones and move forward. It’s what she wants. He says, okay. If she says she doesn’t know what happened to the papers, he believes her. She says, hallelujah, and he says, but he does have another question. If there were no papers, and he hadn’t asked for a divorce, would they still be married? Again, Superman fighting the dinosaurs.

Stella sees TJ in his lab coat, and asks if he’s wearing his dinner attire or is dinner off. He says he meant to text her back; it’s been crazy around here. She asks if everything is all right, and he says, it is now. She knows his friend Brando… She says, of course (🍷), Mike’s cousin, and he says, they almost lost him tonight, but he pulled through. She says, thank goodness, for Brando and his family, but also for TJ. Good friends are hard to come by. He says, so are wonderful aunts.

Alexis says, on one hand, there’s the people’s right to know, and Gregory says, on the other hand, there’s getting involved in a police investigation, and everything that comes with that. Finn says, and here he thought medicine was complicated. He looks at his watch, and Gregory tells him to go meet Elizabeth. We’ve got this. Finn says he’ll check in later and leaves. Alexis asks, who is this we that Gregory is speaking of?

Doc asks if the woman is someone Elizabeth knows, and she says she thinks so. He says, but Elizabeth still can’t see her face, and Elizabeth says, no. He tells her, it’s all right; she’s safe. She’s doing great. Look up at the top of the stairs. Is someone there too? She says, yes; someone’s there. In her mind, she runs up the stairs, and sees Peter lying on the landing. She says, no! and Doc asks who else she sees.

Sonny leaves a voicemail for Carly, saying, the kids are fine. There’s a lot going down right now. Can she call him as soon as she can? A man sitting nearby says, bad news? but Sonny says, no; just the opposite, really good news. The man says, at his age, you have to wonder if there’s a difference, and Sonny laughs.

Portia says, Brando needs another round, and Deanna says, his heart rate’s plummeting. Portia says some more medical stuff, and that he has to be prepped for a dopamine drip. Outside, Sasha is looking through the window, and says, fight for us. Remember what we mean to each other. Everything they’ve been through, good and bad. There’s a song part – Sia’s Breathe Me – and Sasha goes down Brando Memory Lane. She remembers them meeting, Brando saving her after her overdose, a kiss under the mistletoe, their first time having sex in the garage. She flashes back to telling him she’s pregnant, and Brando saying he wants be part their child’s life. She remembers Liam being born, and the end of Liam’s life, telling him, Liam Mike Corbin. You were here for such a short time, but you made quite the impact. She flashes back to Brando saying he loves her, getting married in Niagara Falls, and telling him that he’s her family. He’s all the family she needs. (breathe me)

Portia says, this makes no sense. Brando was trending up after surgery. It’s like his body’s been hit by something else, and it’s wrecking his whole system. Deanna says, they’re losing him, and she says, the hell we are, and tells them to start chest compressions. Brando flatlines, and Portia says, come on, as Sasha watches.

Carly says she’s never going to escape it, is she? It doesn’t matter that she clawed her way to the top in Port Charles. In Jacksonville, she’s always going to be Caroline Benson from the wrong side of town. The tacky little wannabe, trying to pretend she belongs with the kids who go to the country club. She can hear Virginia now; be content with what you have, Caroline. It’s more than what you think. As a kid, she resented that. She took it as though Virginia wanted to hold her back; that Virginia didn’t think she was good enough to want more or better. But she understands now what Virginia meant was, she was wonderful just the way she was. She’s sorry she couldn’t hear it, for Virginia’s sake and hers.

Doc brings Elizabeth out of her hypnotic state, and she says she’s sorry. She can’t do this. She gets up, and he says, it’s all right. Is she sure she doesn’t want to try again? It seemed they were getting somewhere. She says she’s positive, and he says, they’ll pick it up again on Tuesday. She can’t get out fast enough, and closes the door behind her.

Curtis says he’s not accusing Jordan of anything. This is a legit curiosity. If things had been different… She says, yes. As far as she’s concerned, they’d still be together, but she’s not the one who ended their marriage. And it’s not an accusation or condemnation; it’s just a fact. Despite all the things that pulled them apart, she still loved him. He says he loved her too. It’s just… She says, there were things he couldn’t live with, and he says, the lies, the secrets. He knows that goes into marrying a cop, but it was bleeding into their personal life. He just never felt like he was on solid ground with her. She asks if that’s how he feels with Portia; like he’s on solid ground? He asks if she’s saying he’s not.

Gregory hands Alexis some coffee, and says, his treat. She says, big spender, and he says, that’s him. She says, he can spend a lot of money on her when they attend the panel at PCU, and he says he’s so glad she agreed to attend with him. She says, actually, she’s speaking on the panel, and he says, she just forgot to mention it? She says she’s mentioning it now, and he says, of course (🍷) she is. Always in a position of control. She says, look who’s talking. Finn, go take care pf Elizabeth. We got this. We? Who is this we? As in, we work on the paper – her paper – together? He says, she doesn’t value his opinion? and she says, when she asks  for it. All right. She’s asking for it. Don’t gloat. He tells her, stick to the facts. She doesn’t want to frighten her readers, just inform them. Appeal to their reason, not their emotions. She says, that right there is the problem; this is emotional. His son was thisclose to the boathouse where Ava was attacked. Her daughter was in the alley where Brando was hurt, so this is scary. And it’s making people angry. They need to channel those feelings into action. He says, such as? and she says, they write an open letter to whoever is terrorizing the town. They appeal to that person’s sense of vanity. He says, and then what? and she says, they wait for them to write back.

Elizabeth sees Finn, and hugs him. He asks how it went. Learn anything new? She says, she did. That she’s an excellent liar.

Sonny asks if he knows the man. He reminds Sonny of someone. The man says he gets that a lot. He’s George. And he is… Sonny says, his friends call him Sonny. He notices a racing form in George’s hands, and says, George may know his old man. He used to bet on the horses. George says, he just found it in the trash. He’s never been to a racetrack. What was his old man’s name? Sonny says, Mike, and George tells him, what he said before about good news? Don’t mind him. He’s overstayed his welcome, and should have checked out a long time ago. Sonny tells him that he shouldn’t say that. Everybody’s life matters. George asks if Sonny is a priest, and Sonny laughs. George asks, what’s so funny? and Sonny says, he’s not a priest.

Gladys asks if Nina wants to find Sasha, and join the party. Nina says, let’s do it, and they leave.  

Sasha looks at pictures of her and Brando on her phone. She says they wasted so much time together… No, actually she’s wasted it. She closes her eyes, and says, please give her another chance. Stay with her and she promises they’ll have a beautiful life together, making only happy memories. Please. She opens her eyes, and the lights dim for a moment. She says, Brando? and Portia comes out of his room.

Carly says, Virginia will never believe who she ran into; Reese’s mom, Mrs. Roberts. Of course (🍷) she goes by Mrs. Wade Honeycutt now. Carly didn’t recognize her (me neither). She has a different name, and she’s older, but there was something familiar about her. Carly remembers how she used to talk about her. Her car, how a great a tennis player she was, the amazing parties she used to have. She prays she never said the words she’s better than you, but that was the message. She was so wrong. Oh my God. She was so wrong about so many things. She’s so sorry. Sorry she didn’t see how amazing Virginia was. A light shines in Carly’s face, and a man asks what she’s doing here. She says, visiting her mom. Can he get the light out of her face? Who is he, and what is he doing here? He says he’s the night watchman, hired by the developers, and she asks, what developers? He says, she’s not from around here, is she? The land has been repurposed. The city declared eminent domain. Ugh. Don’t get me started on that. She says, they can’t just shut down a cemetery, but he says, it’s already happened. The graves in the north section have already been moved. They’ll move this section soon. She asks, why? and he says, to put in a parkway for better access to the beach. She says, can’t they just go around the cemetery to get to the beach? and he says he guesses not. She says, that’s crazy, and asks if the Jacksonville Beautification Guild is involved in any way. He says, they got the ball rolling, yeah, and she asks what’s going to happen to her mom. He says, Carly will need to move her.  

Jordan says she’s not trying to cause trouble for Curtis and Portia, but can you ever truly know a person to their absolute core? He says, maybe not, but you can sure get damn close. She says, believe it or not, she’s rooting for him. She hopes he gets everything he wants. He says he hopes the same for her.

Finn asks if Elizabeth wants to elaborate on this lying thing, and she says, Doc helped her reconnect with her memory. He says, on the staircase, and she says, not only the one from when she was a teenager, but a more recent one. He says, Peter, and she says, when her mind went there, she shut it down. Obviously, it’s not like she can tell Doc about that. Finn says, it’s his fault, but she says, no. He says he pushed Peter down the stairs, not her. If that’s preventing her from getting the help she needs… She says, he’s missing the point. She thinks the incident with Peter triggered her memory from when she was younger. He says, so she thinks she witnessed who pushed this woman down the stairs, and what happened with Peter brought it all to the surface, and she says, doesn’t he?

Sonny looks at the racing form, and tells George, his dad and Brando understood each other, despite the age difference. Or because of the age difference. That’s life. The longer you live, the more lives you touch. George’s eyes are closed, the lights dim, and he opens them. Sonny says, welcome back, and George asks Sonny, what’s his cousin’s name? Sonny says, Brando, and George says, don’t ask him how he knows, but Sonny is needed, and Sonny jets.

Sasha says, no… no, and Portia says she’s so sorry. Sasha says, no. They don’t get to take both Liam and Brando. They just don’t. Portia says, they did everything… but Sasha says, no. He was fine. He was laughing and talking. Brando wouldn’t leave her. Nina and Gladys arrive, and Gladys asks, what’s going on? Portia tells Gladys that she’s so sorry. There were complications. Her son didn’t make it. Sasha starts to cry, and Nina says, what? Portia says, she was telling Sasha, they did everything they could. Sasha falls to the floor, crying and calling out, Brando! and Nina runs to her. Everyone is crying, and I want to cry. Not that I’m particularly attached to Brando, but poor Sasha.

Sonny gets to Brando’s room, and sees everyone distraught. He says, Brando… and Nina says, she’s so sorry. Gladys tells Portia that she doesn’t understand. His eyes were open. He regained consciousness. Sonny asks, how did this happen? and Portia says, there were unforeseen complications. They might never know what really happened. Sasha says she can’t believe it. She doesn’t want to believe it. Nina says she knows how much Brando meant to Sonny, and wishes there was something she could say or do to help him. Portia goes back to Brando’s room, and Sonny says he wants to see Brando.

Gregory says, Alexis is actually going to invite a killer to write a letter to the editor? She says, it worked for Jack the Ripper, but Gregory says, except they never caught Jack the Ripper. It’s the longest cold case in history. She says, think about it. His ego wouldn’t allow him to remain silent. He was proud of his craft. He boasted about the killings. He taunted the police to the point where he dared them to catch him. He says, and she thinks she’ll have success where Scotland Yard couldn’t, and she says, it’s a different time now. Law enforcement has a lot more tools at their disposal. They’ve got DNA; they’ve got digital footprints. That sort of thing. He says, she’ll either get a Pulitzer or get indicted. He honestly doesn’t know which. She says, but he’s intrigued, and he says he is.

TJ and Stella see Curtis and Jordan, and TJ asks if everything is okay. Curtis says, they were catching up, but at the same time, Jordan says, they were consulting. TJ asks, which was it? and Jordan says, a bit of both. She was picking Curtis’s brain; drawing off those rusty P.I. skills of his. Curtis says, rusty? TJ’s mom is determined to find who tried to kill Brand. Jordan says she will. She looks at Stella, and says, even the darkest secret can’t stay secret forever. Portia runs up to TJ, and says she’s been looking for him. There’s something he needs to know.

Sonny goes into Brando’s room, and Deanna says she’s so sorry about his cousin. He thanks her, and she says, she knows it’s cold comfort, but that doesn’t make it any less true; Brando’s at peace now. He says he’s just worried about the rest of them, and she says she’ll give Sonny some time with him. The nurses leave, and Sonny tells Brando that he left them way too soon. Him, Liam, and Mike, take care of each other, up there, and he’ll take care of Sasha and Brando’s mother, and everybody else. He promises Brando that.

TJ says he should call Molly, and fumbles to find his phone. Curtis says they can take that off his plate, but he says, Molly should hear it from him. It just doesn’t make any sense. Stella says, what doesn’t? and he says, the surgery was successful. The damage to his lung was repaired, and all the bone fragments removed. And the symptoms Portia described weren’t even consistent with sepsis. Jordan asks what he thinks went wrong, but he says he doesn’t know, and leaves.

Elizabeth tells Finn, she could see the woman at the bottom of the stairs. She just couldn’t see who pushed her. He says, there’s no pressure, okay? It’s like a hike or climbing a mountain. You don’t race to the top; you take it one step at a time. She asks what he just said, and he says, mountain climbing. You put one foot in front of the other, and that’s… She says, how you reach the summit. He says, what just happened up there? and Portia runs up. She says she’s so sorry to interrupt, but she needs a consult. It’s very important. Elizabeth says, it’s okay. They can finish this later. There’s something she has to take care of anyway. She leaves.

Carly tells the watchman, she’s sorry, but this is insane. Her mom gets dug up like she’s some kind of potted plant? He says, most of the families have already made arrangements, and she asks why she wasn’t notified. He says, Virginia Benson, and takes out his phone. He says, the records on file have Jason Morgan. They reached out, but never heard back. She says, Jason is no longer with them, but she’s here, and these people aren’t going to get away with this. She strides off…

And walks right into the hotel restaurant, where Peyton is on the phone. She whips the phone out of Peyton’s hand, and Peyton says, what on earth…? Carly says, if Peyton thinks for one second her mother is leaving her resting place, she’s lost her mind.

Elizabeth knocks at Doc’s office door, and walks in. She says she thinks she remembered something.

Finn asks, what’s going on? and Portia says, it’s about Brando Corbin. He asks how Brando is doing, and she says, they lost him. Finn says, what? and she says, she’s hoping he can tell her why, handing him her tablet.  

Sonny comes out, and Deanna tells the others that they can go in now, but Gladys says she doesn’t know if she can. Sonny says, no one’s making either of them. If they want to take their time before they go in, or if they decide they don’t want to go in, that’s fine. Deanna leaves, and Sasha says she’s ready. Will Sonny come with her? He holds out his hand, and I love Sonny at this moment. He takes her in, and Gladys and Nina follow them.  

Peyton says, Carly is invading her personal space, and backing Peyton up while she talks, Carly says, and Peyton is invading the cemetery where her mother is buried, but of course (🍷) she is, because all the good people are buried at Briarcliff. She doesn’t see Peyton trying to dig that place up. Peyton says, Briarcliff is not blocking beach access, and Carly says, Peyton is unbelievable. She’s so bizarrely entitled, she actually thinks it’s her right to trample all over people, anything to get what she wants. Peyton says, I don’t know what to tell you, Caroline, and Carly says, it’s Carly. Peyton says, everything was done according to the bylaws. She’s sorry Carly is upset by this sudden shocking news. Maybe Carly should have come back and seen her mother in the last ten years or so. Do herself a favor, and hop on that flight to Aruba, and never come back. Carly says, screw Aruba. She’s staying right here and fighting for her mother. She dares Peyton to try and stop her.  

Doc says, have a seat and take a breath, but Elizabeth says she’s fine. Doc says, if he’s being candid, she doesn’t seem fine, and she tells him, Finn just said something to her, and it’s like she was struck by lightning. Doc asks what Finn said, and she tells him, Finn mentioned mountain climbing, something she used to hear a lot in Boulder. Doc says, there are a lot of mountains in Colorado, and she says, those exact words were spoken by someone else – her father. What if it was him? What if he pushed the woman down the stairs?

Alexis tells Gregory, maybe this open letter strategy is wrong. Maybe she should just write an article. Let people know the weapon used in both attacks was a hook. He says, letting people in on there being a potential serial killer is a big deal; one with reverberating consequences. She says, but there’s consequences if they sit on information. If Gregory lived in this town where this were happening to people he loved – he says, which he does – wouldn’t he want to be informed so he could be prepared? He says, and if being informed comes at the cost of a police investigation? and she says, maybe it will help the investigation. Isn’t that what they want? Assuming any of this would help. Deanna is walking by with the other nurse, and says, watching Sasha Gilmore walk into that room… she was about to say goodbye to her husband. Alexis and Gregory listen, and the other nurse says, it was just so wrong. Brando Corbin seemed fine, like he was going to be okay. Deanna says, then suddenly he wasn’t. They go into the elevator, and Alexis says she’s running with the article. Does he still object? He says, hell no. They need to nail this bastard before another family has a funeral.

Finn tells Portia that he’s happy to help, but his expertise is in infectious diseases, not forensics. She says, that’s exactly why she came to talk to him. Even the most experienced medical examiner might assume that Brando died as a result of his wound… Or they were led to think so. The symptoms he had at the time of his death… Finn says, the seizures, the coughing up blood, and she says, which came out of nowhere. They don’t track with his injuries. She can’t help but think there might be another, more sinister explanation.

Jordan hugs TJ, and asks if he talked to Molly. He nods, and she says she hates that he’s hurting. Is there anything she can do? He says, what he’s feeling is nothing compared to what Brando’s family is going through. He doesn’t understand how it happened or why it happened, and Stella says, sometimes there’s no reason. The Lord give, and the Lord taketh away. She hugs him, and suggests they pray for his friend, and for all those who loved him. They join hands, Jordan and Curtis exchanging glances before they do, and Stella says, dear Lord… Grant Brando eternal tranquility, and relief from all pain and suffering. We see Sasha bending down to Brando on the bed, and Gladys sitting on the other side; Sonny and Nina standing. Stella says, and relief from pain and suffering. Let light perpetual shine upon him, and may his soul, and all the souls of the departed, rest in peace. Amen. Sasha strokes Brando’s face.

Tomorrow, Brook asks if she’s being fired; Valentin tells Victor, it would be a mistake to provoke Sonny Corinthos; Selina says, it seems things are getting dangerous in Port Charles; and the hook strikes again.

🚑 Like You Didn’t Know Already…

About Brando’s exit.

Th-Th-That’s All, Folks: General Hospital Sends Johnny Wactor’s Brando to the Morgue

And why… maybe.

https://soapdirt.com/why-is-brando-leaving-general-hospital/

🏥 The Long Fight…

Now we know why OG Michael keeps coming and going.

Chad Duell Opens Up About the Medical Scare That Led to His GH Recast

💉 Life After GH…

V.C. Andrews, the cash cow that keeps giving milk even after death. This does sound pretty good though.

GH Alum Donna Mills Stars in a New V.C. Andrews Lifetime Movie Series

🥪 Something About Sandwiches…

They look mighty tasty, but what’s with the twine wrapped around them? Do I have to unpack the sandwich?

https://www.bravotv.com/vanderpump-rules/style-living/katie-maloney-ariana-madix-show-something-about-her-sandwiches-preview

🍸 Family No More…

One question. How expensive was that whiskey?

Vanderpump Rules Star Katie Maloney’s Brother Tells Tom Schwartz to “F-ck Off,” Shades His “Disrespect” Amid Raquel Leviss Rumors

🥊 Duking It Out Socially…

Is it me? I’m Team Joe here. Teresa has acted like a lunatic as long as Joe and Melissa have been on the show. She topped herself this season though. I think her love bubble destroyed what little brain cells she still had.

https://www.monstersandcritics.com/tv/reality-tv/joe-gorga-posts-about-revenge-and-it-backfires-as-rhonj-fans-call-him-out/

🐶 About the Dogs…

In case, like me, your first question was, what happens to the dogs?

https://stylecaster.com/queen-elizabeth-corgis/

https://www.today.com/pets/pets/queen-corgi-funeral-windsor-castle-rcna48347

👑 The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load. – Queen Elizabeth II

🍡 Blowing This Pop Stand…

Luring you back tomorrow with promises of soap, my disgust with Beverly Hills, and of course some music. Until then, stay safe, stay not making snap decisions unless you have to, and stay not keeping secrets. Because even the darkest secret can’t stay secret forever.

Jun4

June 3, 2022 – Sonny Won’t Let Nina Go, Why, Opening Up, Joining Salem, a Farewell, So She Claims, Reaction, VanderNews, Premieres, New Motel, Quotes of Eight & Somebody

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny picks up Nina’s necklace from in front of Nelle’s gravestone. I knew it!

In a cab, Nina tells the driver that she’s going to the airport; the international terminal. Her phone dings, but she brushes it aside.

On the phone, Sonny tells Phyllis not to worry. He’s going to find her.

Sam says, when Cody said, partners in crime, is he talking about Detective Falconari? Cody says he can’t wrap his head around the cop part. This guy’s mom sent him to summer camp to keep him out of trouble, and he got in a lot more while he was there. Dante says, that was because of Cody, and Cody says, right. He’s the one who led Dante astray; Dante’s the innocent one. Sam says, they’ve known each other that long? and Cody says, we were twelve? Thirteen? Dante says, twelve. He came home from school one day, and his mom had a bag packed. He was going to camp for the summer. Stay out of trouble and get into nature. Sam says, and Cody was the bad influence that corrupted Dante? Cody says he was a bad influence, but so was Dante back in the day.

Josslyn sees Cameron at the pool, putting out towels, and says, two shifts? Kelly’s, now here? He says, with everything going on with his mom, he figured he could use the extra work, and she asks if they can talk about what’s going on with them.

In front of her house, Trina says she can’t believe she and Rory stayed out so long, and he says he guesses that means they were having a good time. She says she guesses so, and thanks him for everything back at the pool, and for dinner, and for ice cream. She’ll pay him back for everything. He tells her not to worry about it, and thanks her for introducing him to that amazing food truck. She says, right? She only knew about it because it goes by PCU on certain days. He says, another testament to her incredible taste. Good art, good food. He can’t wait to see what else she introduces him to.

Spencer says he promises whatever Esme has to say, he’ll listen, but can he please go first? He’s had a lot of time to think about what she said to him; how he takes her for granted, and how Trina gets under his skin. But he evades every time she calls him out on it, and he realized she’s right. She deserves some answers.

Ava says, don’t tell her that he hired a divorce lawyer already, and Nikolas says, no, but he was ready to give up on their marriage. She says she was too. She drew a line in the sand, and she was ready to walk away. Thankfully, she realized it was the last thing she wanted. They can find their way back from this, can’t they?

Dante says, Cody didn’t corrupt him, but he definitely coerced Dante into going along with his more harebrained schemes. Cody says, like Dante didn’t have any suggestions, and Dante says, Cody knows it wasn’t his idea or choice to take a canoe out in the middle of the lake, and tip it over on purpose. Cody starts laughing and banging the table, and says, they pretended they were drowning, and yelled, help! help! until the prettiest CIT came over. Dante tells Sam, that’s Counselor-in-Training, and Cody says, she swam over. She – air quotes – rescued us – end air quotes – and boy she was mad. Dante says, they got banned from the beach for the rest of the summer, and Cody says, then Dante stole all the camp director’s cigarettes out of his cabin. Dante says, and why did he do that? and Cody says, because he dared Dante to. Dante says, they got busted because this guy smoked every cigarette in the pack, and started puking all over the place, and Cody says, nothing like a little adrenaline rush to let you know you’re alive. Sam says, it’s like jumping out of a plane and crash-landing on an unsuspecting woman, and Cody says, talk about mad… and pretty. She actually reminds him of that CIT. Still, if she hadn’t been there, it would have been a perfect landing. Dante says, instead of a potential negligence lawsuit, and Cody says, look at Dante, former renegade, embracing the straight and narrow path to a humdrum life. Dante says he doesn’t know if staring down the barrel of a loaded gun is as dangerous as jumping out of a plane, and Cody says he’s just messing with Dante. He’s going to get another round for that dinner Dante is going to buy him. He gets up, and puts his hand on his back. Sam asks if he’s okay, and Cody says, that tumble just fired up some old injuries. He’s good. A little pain just lets you know you’re alive. He goes to the bar, and Sam wonders why Dante never mentioned him before. Dante says he doesn’t know. They saw each other at summer camp, had a helluva time, but they lost touch after Dante stopped going. Sam says, that’s too bad. He seems like a good guy. Dante says, he is a good guy. Good at getting in trouble.

Josslyn says she feels like she and Cameron should be able to tell each other everything by now. Unless this is something bigger. Does he feel like they need time or something? He says, no. He doesn’t want that. Does she? She says she doesn’t know what else to do. Clearly, something is going on. Cameron flashes back to telling Spencer that he’s not going to lose Josslyn because Spencer can’t keep his head in the game. Make it happen, or he will. Cameron says, Josslyn is right. There’s something he has to tell her. She says, okay, when Adam walks in. Cameron says, isn’t that…? and she says, the creep who tried to hit on her when she thought they were just study buddies? Adam says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he really needs to talk to her.

Taggert tells Portia that he was hoping Trina would get home before he left, and she says, Trina is actually supposed to be back by now, but she has been working a lot. Dealing with everything hanging over her head, Portia doesn’t blame her. She wishes there was something she could do to make things better, and Taggert says, she will. He asks her to give Trina a big hug from her dad, and she says she sure will. Trina’s still a daddy’s girl; don’t worry. Taggert opens the door to find Rory and Trina standing there, and asks, sweetheart, who’s your friend?

Nikolas downs a drink, and Ava says, they had a fight; so do most couples. She just had to remember everything they’ve shared. How they’ve survived, despite everyone’s predictions to the contrary. Because they love each other. Because they understand each other. It’s going to take a helluva lot more than an argument to sever that bond. He flashes back to… I don’t want to talk about it, and says, to be fair, it was more than one argument. There are things between them that aren’t easy to resolve. She says, nothing between them has been easy, and it hasn’t stopped them yet, but he says, she walked away from him; from them. He thought it was over. She says she thought so too, but it’s because they’re both stubborn, passionate people. When they’re at odds, things can get really ugly, but when they’re together, they’re unbeatable. That’s the problem. They stopped working as a team. They started to let their own agendas drive them, and forgot to protect this life they’ve created together. That life is beautiful. It’s remarkable, and utterly their own. And she’s not going to let Spencer and Esme tear it down.

Spencer says he’s so sorry for how bad things have gotten between him and Esme. He’s so sorry for the way he treated her. He takes her hand, and asks if she’ll please forgive him.

On the phone, Sonny asks if Brick can track down Nina for him. She’s not returning his calls, his texting, or nothing… He’s just afraid she’s not in a great state of mind, and she might do something she’s going to regret.

Nina thanks the driver for making the stop; she left her passport in the office. She realizes her necklace is gone, and asks him to wait. They have to make another stop before he drives her to the airport.

Cody comes back with beers, and says, to Port Charles finest. That means Dante. Dante says, to unexpected reunions, and they clink bottles. Sam says, no wedding ring; he’s not married? He says, free as a bird, and she says, no kids? He says, no, and she asks if there’s anyone special in his life. He says, she asks a lot of questions, and Dante says, Sam is a private investigator; occupational hazard. Sam says, it’s like jumping out of a plane and landing on a roof. It’s sort of like skydiving. Is that what Cody does for a living, or is it his side hustle? Cody says, actually, for a long time, he was a stunt horseback rider, and Dante says, cool. Cody was always good with horses. Cody says he grew up around them, and when he moved out west, he worked on ranches. That’s where he learned stunt riding, but after too many tumbles, he had to hang up his saddle. Now he makes a living doing short term gigs. Sam asks if dropping out of the sky isn’t hard on his back, and he says, yeah. He’ll probably have to quit that too. So how long have Sam and Dante been together? Dante asks if Sam wants to take that one, and she says, they’re coming up on a year. Cody asks how they met, and Dante says, Sam has been a family friend for years. Sam says, her ex-husband was best friends with Dante’s father. Cody says, Dante found his father. He remembers Dante wanted to know who he was. Dante says he got to know his father a little over 10 years ago, and Cody says, that’s significant; tell him about him. Dante says, he’s a businessman in Port Charles, and Cody asks, what’s his business? Dante says, Corinthos Coffee, and Cody says, his dad is Sonny Corinthos?

Sonny tells Brick, talk to him… a plane ticket, where?… Dammit. Milan?… How soon?… All right. He’s on it. He starts to leave, but meets Nina, who’s coming into the cemetery.

Cameron says, if he was Adam, he’d get the hell out of here, but Josslyn says, it’s fine. Let’s hear what he has to say. Adam asks if they can talk in private, and Cameron says, he’s joking, but Josslyn says, it’s fine. He’s got a minute. Cameron steps away, and Josslyn says, one wrong word, and he’s in the pool, and she’s pretty good at it. He says he’s been afraid to talk to her at school, but he saw her come in there, and figured it’s now or never. She says, for what? and he says, an apology.

Nikolas tells Ava, as convenient as it would be to blame Spencer and Esme, they’ve struggled with trust and honesty from the beginning, and he takes his responsibility in that. Ava says she knows they have legitimate issues to work through, but despite that, there’s love here. There’s a kinship even, and there’s certainly no denying their attraction. Surely those things can see them through. What does he say? Is still in this with her? He says, don’t call him Shirley.

Esme says she appreciates Spencer’s acknowledgement that he’s treated her badly, but it’s not that simple. She removes her hand from his, and gets up. He follows and says, he knows he messed everything up. He’s trying to work it out. He wants to be the man she deserves, but in order to do that, he may need a second, third, or fourth chance, and he doesn’t even know which one he’s on now. Just believe he’s trying to do better by her. She says she needs more than trying, and from where she’s standing, it doesn’t look like he’s trying very hard, except to justify his behavior. She’s been willing to stand by him, no matter what, but she hasn’t gotten anything close to that from him. She deserves better. His father reminded her of that.

Nikolas says he’s with Ava, always and forever. She moves to kiss him, but he backs up a little. She says, forever lasted all of four seconds, and he says she just surprised him. She says, and his instinct was to recoil; that’s not very reassuring. He says he’s as in love with her as ever. He wanted to grab her in his arms so many times, and he had to restrain himself. They came so close to the edge of giving up. It might take time for him to feel normal. She says, there is still one giant thing between them. If they really want to move forward, they have to settle it once and for all.

Spencer says, Esme talked to his father about him? and Esme flashes back to – oh! My eyes! She says, among other things. Nikolas saw her suitcase, and she accidentally broke the news about Ava’s offer for them to move out of Windymere in exchange for an allowance from his trust fund. One thing led to another, and she told him they fought, and she was on the verge of walking out on him. Spencer asks what Nikolas said to make her stay, and she says, Nikolas cares about Spencer and doesn’t want to see him hurt, so he talked her down. He gave her a new perspective on relationships. It was a lot to take in, but it made her realize she has to be honest in what she needs from Spencer. He says he knows their relationship has been rocky. He’s been in a bad head space ever since he came back from Spring Ridge, but he’s ready to do whatever it takes to make this work between them. She asks if he really means that.

Portia asks if she can get Rory anything to drink, but he says he’s fine. Trina asks if Taggert wasn’t supposed to be leaving, and Portia thinks she remembers Rory. Wasn’t he at the courthouse at Trina’s arraignment? He says, yes. It was the first day he officially met Trina. Trina says, Rory got her a soda when she was in the interrogation room. Portia says, well, that’s an interesting story, and the three of them force a laugh. Taggert says, mm-hm, and Rory says he heard how Taggert and Commissioner Ashford took down Cyrus Renault. Great work. Taggert says, ya think? He broke the law. He had to convince his ex-wife and daughter that he was dead for nearly six months. Trina says, which she had a problem with at first, but then she realized he was just doing what he had to do. Rory says, it sounds like Taggert did what he needed to do to protect his family and community. He admires that. Taggert asks if Rory likes breaking the rules. Is that the real reason he’s hanging out with Taggert’s daughter?

Josslyn says, Adam wants to apologize? and he says he does. He’s sorry for being a total jerk. He had no right to say the things he said. She says, no, he didn’t; so why did he? He tells her, he’s ashamed to say it now, but all he saw was a hot girl in a video. He didn’t think about how it felt to have her privacy violated. Then he read her article in The Invader. Reading about what she went through, it was seriously messed up, and made him check himself. If someone did that to his sister, he would be furious. He’s really sorry, and sorry he made it worse for her. She thanks him, and says she accepts his apology. He asks if they should hug it out or something, and she says, remember the pool? Don’t push it.

Dante says he’s guessing Cody knows the name Sonny Corinthos, and Cody says, he knows Sonny roasts a mean bean. Can Dante hook him up with some free coffee? Dante says, some things never change; always looking for an angle. Cody says, it’s not what you know, and Dante says, it’s who you know. Cody asks what Dante is up to tonight. Does he want to raise a ruckus to honor the old times? Dante says he has an early morning, and Cody says, Dante has to keep those bad guys off the street. Dante says, and get his kid to school. Cody says, look at Dante. He’s a dad with a great job, and a cool girlfriend. He didn’t think Dante had it in him. Cody is happy for him. It looks like he grew up to have a full life. Dante thanks him, and says, it looks like Cody got the life he wanted too. Cody says, more or less. He’s glad they had this chance to catch up, even if it’s just one night. Sam says, they’re having dinner at her place tomorrow night. Why doesn’t Cody come by?

Sonny says he was worried about Nina. He called and texted, but she didn’t return his calls. She says she put her phone on silent; she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. He says he heard her petition to see Wiley was rejected. He’s sorry. She asks if he’s upset about how she let Scotty go after Michael, and he says he doesn’t like to see Michael in pain, but can’t he feel for her too? She says she won’t be hurting Michael or anyone anymore. She’s headed to the airport as soon as she finds… He says, this? holding up her necklace. He won’t give it to her, and she says, she’s running late; there’s a car waiting for her. He says, too bad. He’s not letting her go.

Ava says, her offer to Spencer wasn’t only to get him and Esme to move out; it was for her and Nikolas. Nikolas says, she wanted to give them space to work on their marriage, but it hurts that his son chose money over their relationship. Ava says she means no disrespect, but in Spencer’s eyes, Nikolas did the same thing. As a gesture of good faith and to show him she’s committed to their marriage, she won’t make Spencer choose. He says, if she reneges on their deal, Spencer will be furious, but she says, no. She’ll still give him the money, on the condition he remain here. Of course (🍷) she’ll still have to put up with Esme. He says, not necessarily. Esme and Spencer might be breaking up. Esme seems to think so. Ava says, maybe that’s why Spencer was looking for her. Maybe she’s gone already. This calls for a toast. Things are looking up already.

Spencer tells Esme, he means it with all his heart. He wants them to make it. Can she please accept his apology? She takes his hands and says she loves him. She wants to make this relationship work, so yes, she forgives him. She hopes this can be a new beginning for them. He says he wants that too. He’s ready for all this drama to be a thing of the past. She says, the best part is, she knows he means that.

Portia tells Taggert, this isn’t an interrogation, but Rory says, it’s a fair question. Actually, he’s a by-the-book guy. That’s why he looked it up, and there’s no rule he’s not allowed to be friends with Trina while she’s awaiting trial. Taggert says, he’s a rookie, right? There’s something Rory needs to understand about law enforcement; there’s written rules, and unwritten rules. Rory says, yes, sir. He takes that seriously. Just like he takes seriously their oath and motto, to protect and serve; that’s why he was drawn to the job. He’s not violating the oath or motto by hanging out with Trina. If someone has a problem with that, it’s on them, not him. Portia asks what Rory likes to do in his spare time, and he says, Trina is teaching him about art; she has a great eye. Trina says she keeps telling him, art is subjective, but she guesses she’s been around it more. Rory says, no false modesty; own it, lady. Trina says she guesses she’s pretty good at it, and Rory says he likes to keep active; play sports, swim, work out when he can. The job keeps him pretty busy, and the whole work/life balance is tough. Portia says, let her know when he’s got that figured out, and he says, right now, he’s trying to remind himself to make more time for the things he enjoys. He and Trina smile at each other.

Cody tells Sam, he appreciates the offer, but he’s got to hit the road tomorrow. She says, no way. He’s only there for the day? He says, life in the gig economy. His next job’s in the Finger Lakes area, but Port Charles seems like a nice town. Sam says, it is. Too bad he can’t stick around and get to know the place. Cody says he never gets too comfy in one place; got to pay the bills. Sam asks if he’s looking for something long term, and he says, since he quit riding, he just goes where the wind blows. He’s open to opportunities. Why does she ask? She says she might know of a job that’s a good fit, if of course (🍷) he’s interested.

Nina tells Sonny, she can’t stay here. She hates losing him, leaving him, but she can’t keep doing this. Her mistakes have cost him everything, and they’ve finally caught up with her. He says he meant what he said on the stand; he forgives her for what she did to him. She thanks him, and says, it means everything, but it doesn’t change the fact she lost Wiley, her grandson, her flesh and blood, the last link she’ll ever have to her daughter. He says, she doesn’t know that for sure, and she says, Michael and Willow won’t let her see Wiley after everything that happened in court today. He says, Michael and Willow can’t keep her from her grandson forever, but she says, they can. They won’t let that little boy see anything redeemable in her. Willow accused her of being exactly like Nelle. And Nina said terrible things. She has a habit of lashing out when she feels cornered. She missed her chance at getting what her mother stole from her. She won’t know Nelle, and now she won’t know Nelle’s son. The only thing she has left of them is that necklace. Please give to her so she can go. It hurts too much to stay here. He puts the necklace in her hand, and asks her to do him a favor. Before she leaves; let him ask her one thing. How does she think Wiley will feel when he finds out she gave up on him?

Sam tells Cody, her kids spend a lot of time at their grandmother’s. They have stables and horses. They just got a new horse, and they’re actually looking for another handler. Cody says, so old money? New? She says, does it matter? He said he worked on ranches. Does that mean he has experience in managing and grooming horses? He says, yeah. When he was a kid, his family tended to some horses that were on an estate near the camp. He helped out, and even took over for a couple years before he went out west. She says she can’t promise anything, but she and Dante can get him a foot in the door, but Dante says, he thinks it’s a good idea, but he doesn’t think it’s the right one for Cody. Never too comfy in one place, right?

Cameron gets a text from Spencer: All good. Plan on track. Josslyn comes back with Adam, and Cameron says, everything okay? She says, yeah, and Adam says, he was telling Josslyn that he read their article in The Invader, and how sorry he is everything went down the way it did. They’re really brave, and he appreciates them both. Cameron says, cool, thanks, and Adam leaves. Cameron asks if he’s legit, and Josslyn says, actually, yes. He apologized, and told her that when he read the article, he changed. They changed his perspective. It’s just more validation that they made the right decision in agreeing to do the article. He says he guesses they did. He’s glad she’s finally getting some closure. She tells him, she wouldn’t say that. She won’t get any closure on any of this until Esme gets what she deserves.

Spencer and Esme walk in, and Ava says she’s glad Spencer is here. She has some news. She’s decided to amend their agreement. Spencer says, she’s giving him full control of his trust fund? but she laughs, and says, no. She’s still giving him an allowance like they agreed, except Spencer won’t be moving out. He’ll stay, and work things out with his father. Spencer says, she wants him to stay here? and she says, yes, and it seems the timing has worked out perfectly. Nikolas told her what happened. Esme looks at Nikolas, who gives a small shake of his head, and Esme asks Ava, what was that exactly? Ava says she understands Esme and Spencer have been having some difficulties, and are looking to take a break. She’s not going to insult Esme’s intelligence by saying she’s sorry to hear that. She’s sure Esme will land on her feet; find some other family to terrorize, as long as it’s not hers. Esme says, that’s where Ava is wrong. She and Spencer worked everything out. He stays; she stays. Does that alter Ava’s terms? Ava looks at Nikolas.

Nina tells Sonny, she’s not giving up on Wiley; she’s fighting to stay in his life. Sonny says, until now. She had one setback, and she’s going to throw in the towel? She says she can’t sit on the sidelines and watch that little boy play out the rest of his life without her, knowing his family poisoned his mind against her. It just hurts too much. He says, if she runs away, Wiley is going to believe the lies. He’s going to grow up, and want to know his mother and her family. He’s going to seek Nina out, and maybe want a relationship with her when he finds out how great she is. She says she doesn’t see that happening, but he says, they don’t know the future, but he can tell her right now, she’s not going to have a relationship with Wiley if she’s not here. She says she just feels hopeless, and he says, so she’s going to run. That’s what she does; it’s her pattern. She has to break that pattern. Otherwise, Wiley is going to grow up believing all the lies people are telling him. She says, what if it’s too late? but he says, that’s her fear talking. Remember what she said to him? The only way she could make it up to Wiley is to prove how much she loves him. She believed that then, believe it now. She says she doesn’t know what she believes, and he says, stay here. She has a life here. She could have one with Wiley, but she’s never going to know if she runs away.

Cody thanks Sam for the offer, but says, it’s not the right gig for him. Dante says, ever since they were kids, Cody’s had adventure in his veins, and Cody tells Sam, he’s right. Dante’s always had his number.

Cameron says his break’s just about over, and Josslyn says, he was going to tell her something before Adam interrupted them. He says, it’s not really important; it can wait. She says, really? Because she can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something from her. He says, no. He’s sorry. He’s probably giving off weird vibes; he’s worried about his mom. She says, right. She’s sorry, but he knows he can tell her anything, right? He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too, and they hug.

Ava says, the most important thing is that Nikolas and Spencer work out their problems. If Esme and Nikolas are back track, it seems that Esme will be sticking around. Nikolas says, that is if Spencer decides to stay; the decision is his. And Nikolas supports whatever he decides. Esme says, seems like win-win to her, and Spencer says, how can he refuse such a generous offer? but the look on his face is skeptical. Ava says, then it’s settled. As a welcome home gift, she’ll wire his first payment. She jets, and Spencer says he’ll come too. He follows Ava out, and Esme tells Nikolas, she thought they’d never leave. In the hallway, Spencer asks if Ava is really okay with Esme staying here. She says she’s committed to her marriage, just like she’s committed to Spencer and his father moving forward. If that means putting up with Esme, Ava will do her best to tolerate her. She walks away, and inside the room, Esme says, so Nikolas didn’t tell Ava? She doesn’t suspect? Nikolas says, no, and what happened between them can never happen again. They’re back together with their partners, and have another shot at making it work. He thinks it’s best if Spencer and Ava never find out, and Esme says she totally agrees. Ava and Spence never have to find out. Nikolas leaves.  

Rory says, it’s nice meeting Portia and Taggert, but unfortunately, he has an early morning. Portia says, it was nice meeting him too, and Taggert says he was just leaving; he’ll walk Rory out. Rory says, see Trina soon, and leaves with Taggert. Trina laughs, and picks up her phone. Portia says, he was nice, and he was cute too. She picked up a little connection. Trina tells Portia, like she said, he’s a nice person, but she barely knows him, and Portia says, okay. Whatever Trina says. They both squeal.

Nina touches Nelle’s gravestone, and tells Sonny, okay. She’ll stay in Port Charles, for Wiley. He says, she’s making the right choice, and she says, she’ll watch that sweet little boy become a stranger to her, or worse, afraid of her because of what his family has said about her. She’s not sure how she’s going to handle that. He says, she’s not going to handle it alone. She has him, Phyllis, her family and friends. He takes her hand and says they’re here for her, and she says, that’s a good thing. He says, every step of the way, and she says, because she doesn’t know how she’s going to watch Wiley grow up without her, or how she’s going to live without him. Sonny holds her, and she cries

On Monday, Portia asks if Marshall gave Curtis a reason to trust him; Valentin tells Ned, everything has a price – what’s yours; Willow tells Carly that dealing with Nina helped her come to a big decision; and Elizabeth tells Finn that he’s hurting her more than he realizes.

⌨️ Why the Temp…

It was a little startling. The weird thing was, I kind of thought he made a better Michael than the regular Michael.

Chad Duell Reveals Why Michael Had To Be Recast on GENERAL HOSPITAL

🏍 It’s All Good…

I’ll bet it was nothing in comparison to his wife having a baby with another dude.

Steve Burton Opens up About Leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL

🧼 Joining Beyond…

The latest actors to jump onto the Salem bandwagon.

Big Casting Announced For DAYS: BEYOND SALEM

🥀 Goodbye Too Soon…

I vaguely remember him from Melrose Place. It was sad to read he’s leaving behind a wife and 8 children.

https://people.com/movies/brad-johnson-always-and-melrose-place-actor-dead-at-62/

🍷 Have Some More…

So how many f***s do you think she gives now?

https://pagesix.com/2022/05/27/erika-jayne-claims-attorneys-in-fraud-lawsuit-are-extorting-her/

🚗 Smarter Than the Average Car…

I don’t get the attraction either.

Austen Kroll Reacts to Alex Calling Him “Honda Civic of Male Attractiveness” as Lindsay Confirms He “Brought It” to Summer House Reunion

🍸 At the Pump…

Is this the royal we, or is she having a change-of-life baby?

We’re not sure how Lisa can show a text that [neither PK nor Dorit] can show on their phone, so we don’t know, [Kyle] Richards, 53, told us last week.

https://pagesix.com/2022/05/29/lisa-vanderpump-responds-to-kyle-richards-crafty-comment/

Unhinged? More like the worst human on earth.

Stassi Schroeder Calls Jax Taylor “Unhinged” and Says He’s “Hard to Work With” on Vanderpump Rules, Talks Post-Firing Money Concerns, and What Would Make Her Return to Show

Aww! They’re all growed up.

Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval Tease Opening Date for New Bar as Fans Accuse Sandoval of Looking Unrecognizable in New Pic

📺 Coming Right Up…

TV premiere dates for 2022.

https://ew.com/tv/2022-tv-premiere-dates/

👠 In the Pink…

I can’t wait to see this show. I love Trixie.

https://www.queerty.com/trixie-motel-book-queer-5-reasons-tune-discovery-pride-season-20220602

🏓 Quotes of the Week

Trust is lost in buckets and gained in drops. – Judge Faith Jenkins

The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax. – Albert Einstein

If I were to search for logic, it wouldn’t be among the English upper class. – Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), Downton Abbey

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles. – Audrey Hepburn

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers. – Kahlil Gibran

Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them. – Orison Swett Marden (Or smack them out of the way.)

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. – Nelson Mandela

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

🧍🏽‍♀️ Just Taking a Step To the Right…

Come hither again when the Dead are Feared. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping your priorities straight, and stay not letting your pattern be running away. And if it is, break it.

Dec18

December 17, 2021 – Saddest Farewell Ever, Over, Lawsuit, Big Series, Two From One, Cover Girl, Salem Holiday, Salt Lake Tea, In NYC, Stockings, Pre-Nup, Haunted, Asking Dead, The Tree, a Supreme Court Worth Of Quotes & Spice Wrap

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sam finds Drew fixing a little tree in the Quartermaine kitchen, and asks what he’s doing. He says he knows it doesn’t compare to the big one in the foyer, but he hasn’t had a tree, or lights, or anything Christmas for the past couple of years. She says she thinks it’s perfect. She brought someone along who she thinks might agree. Scout comes in, and clings to Sam.

In Portia’s office, Curtis punches the wall, and she tells him, take a deep breath. He says he did, but she says, not deep enough. He says he just can’t believe how willing his family is to accept this guy in their lives. TJ is already calling him grandpa, and, after the initial shock, he thought Stella might invite Marshall over for Sunday dinner. She asks if that would really be so terrible, and he says, yeah. The man deserted his family and let them believe he was dead for decades. Then when he shows up, he shows up without even a shred of explanation. She wonders if she can ask him a question without him getting angry… or angrier. Is trust really the issue here? Or is he just afraid of getting hurt?

Marshall tells Stella, cards on the table, huh? Since when did a nice church-going lady like herself take up poker? She says, these stakes are much higher than a poker game, and he says her secret is safe with him. She says he just doesn’t get it, and he says, tell him what he’s missing. She says, he’s making this about her, when it’s about him, and his choices; to walk away from his family, have her sister raising those boys without him, and then he asked her sister to lie, and tell her children that he’s dead. And she did, and kept her word until her dying day. He says, and what about her?

Britt and Elizabeth look at Liam in the NICU, and Elizabeth says, how is it possible an innocent baby gets to die, while Peter gets to live on? Britt says, for now. Hopefully, not for long. Elizabeth says, still, she doesn’t understand, and Britt says, sometimes it’s a blessing; sometimes it’s a curse. But it’s not their job to pick and choose. Elizabeth says, in this case, she wishes it was.

Sasha tells Brando, no more wallowing, or feeling sorry for herself. She needs to be at her best today for Liam. Their son needs them. Brando says, they’ll be there for him, and she says, what if she’s not strong enough? What if she doesn’t have the courage to do the right thing? He says, that’s why they’re doing this together.

Olivia thanks Carly for setting her straight about this neurology appointment, but Carly says she didn’t set Olivia straight. She just gave Olivia a pep talk. Olivia says, whatever she wants to call it, she just wants to be solid. If Ned sees she’s nervous, he’s going to be nervous. Carly says Olivia is going to be great, and she’s going to pull herself together to be there for Sasha and Brando. Let’s go.

Nina tells Sonny, when they came back to Port Charles, he said the man he was in Nixon Falls wasn’t real, but he was; he is. He’s one and the same, and both Mike and Sonny are men that his father would be very, very proud of. Carly and Olivia come down the hall, and Olivia tells Carly to remember what she said.

Drew tells Scout, he knows it probably feels strange, them getting to know one another again, but he was hoping it comes back to them; kind of like riding a bike. Scout says she doesn’t know how to ride a bike, and he says he’ll have to teach her. Leo comes into the kitchen with Ned, and goes straight to a plate of cookies. Ned says, just one, and asks if they mind. Leo’s going to the doctor. Sam says, and Ned’s bribing him with cookies? Ned says, guilty as charged, and Drew tells him, don’t worry about it. He was just telling Scout that he needs help eating them, and thanks Leo. Leo says, anytime, and leaves with Ned.

Curtis tells Portia, Marshall doesn’t have the power to hurt him anymore. That damage was done when he took off, and let them believe he was dead. She says, some wounds never heal. You can stitch them up, put on a bandage, sometimes there’s a scar, but deep down… He says, that wound never would have reopened if he hadn’t decided to return, and she says, okay, but he has. So now what? He says, now he’s wormed his way into TJ’s life, and he’s cozying up to Aunt Stella. She says, and he doesn’t like that, and he says, that’s an understatement. She says, but what happens now in regards to him? and he says he doesn’t know. She asks if he thinks eventually he could maybe find a place in his life for his father, and Curtis says he can’t see Marshall as that until he knows where Marshall has been, what he’s been doing, and why he’s here. She says, he’s making it sound like Marshall is dangerous, and he says, they don’t know that he isn’t. Joey Novak swears he didn’t see who jumped him outside the club. She says, whoa. He thinks that was his father?

Stella says, Marshall is right. When her sister turned to her for help, she went along with the lie, and heaven help her, it’s haunted her ever since. Marshall says he never meant for her to be part of this, but she says he knew how close she and Irene were. Did he really expect Irene to keep something that big bottled up? One night, it just became too much, and she told Stella that he was alive, but he had his reasons for leaving, and didn’t want the boys to know why. He says he did it for Curtis and Thomas, and for her and Irene, believe it or not. She says, it doesn’t matter what she believes. He and her sister had an agreement. Her sister hated it, but she went along with it, and so did Stella. But only because he said he’d never come back. He tells her, he kept his end of the bargain pretty well, wouldn’t she say? He didn’t even come back when Irene passed. She asks why he’s here now.

Olivia tells Carly that she’s got this, and asks if Nina got her message yet; she’s been trying to reach her. Nina says, no. She’s been busy, and hasn’t even checked. Olivia steers Nina away, saying, this will only take a second. Carly looks at Sonny.

Brando says they don’t have to do anything until Sasha is ready. Dr. Fleming said they could take as much time as she needs. She says, time won’t change anything; Sonny helped her see that. Brando asks what Sonny said, and she says, he mostly talked about Mike, and how difficult the decision was to let him go. He talked about how he didn’t want to, but in the end, he realized that was about him; how it would make him feel better. When in reality, he needed to focus on what was best for his father. He says, that’s true, but Mike had a long and fulfilling life, while Liam’s never going to have that. She says, Sonny said that too, that there’s no comparison, but lost is lost, right? And there will never be another time. They named their son after Mike, so they need to be as brave for him as Sonny was for his father. Can they do that? He says he can if she can, and she says, okay.

Nina tells Olivia that she can stand down. She’s not going to cause any problems for Carly and Sonny. Olivia says, yet she’s here where they are, and where they have no desire for her to be. Nina says she’s here because she’s supporting Sasha and Brando. Not that she owes Olivia any explanation because it’s none of her business. Olivia says she disagrees with that. Carly is her friend and business partner, and what affects her… Nina says, affects the MetroCourt. Don’t even pretend this is about business. Olivia says she’s doing Nina a favor right now. Does Nina have any idea how close she just came to getting wiped off the map? Maybe she hasn’t been in town long enough to know, but Olivia knows from personal experience, Carly Corinthos takes no prisoners. Nina says, is that a threat? and Olivia says, that’s a fact. The only reason Nina is still breathing air right now is because Carly loves having her husband back and alive more than she wants Nina dead.

Sonny says, he and Nina were just talking… but Carly says she doesn’t want to talk about Nina. Sasha, Liam, and Brando are all that matter.

Drew asks what Scout thinks of his tree, and she says, it’s pretty. He says he thinks it would be prettier with some ornaments, but he just can’t find any. She says, they’re all up on the big tree, and Sam says, Scout’s right, but she doesn’t think they’d mind if they borrowed some. He says, he’s looking for one in particular, but it’s not on the big tree in the foyer, and Scout asks, what is it? Sam asks if it’s the star, and Drew says she remembers. He doesn’t know what it is about it; he just loves it. Sam wonders where it went, and Drew says, maybe it got lost or broken or something, or Annabelle II ate it. Sam says, dogs don’t eat ornaments (apparently, Sam has never owned a dog), and he asks if she’s met Annabelle II. She eats everything. He suggests they go online, and Scout can help him shop for some new decorations. Scout says she’s going to find grandma, and leaves. He tells Sam, he’s doing this all wrong, isn’t he?

Marshall tells Stella, a man can change his mind, can’t he? Like a musician can improvise in the middle of a tune. A good musician anyway. She says, this is not a gig; it’s real life. He says she doesn’t have to tell him. Tommy’s gone, and Curtis is a grown man, and he has a grandson who’s a doctor and has a big, beautiful life ahead of him. Can she blame him for wanting to be a part of it? She says, no, but she can blame him for walking away in the first place. He says she knows why, and she says, yes, she does. He says he’s not trying to change the past, or even be forgiven. He’s just hoping to be understood moving forward. She asks if he really thinks there’s a way forward, and he says he thinks this homecoming is meant to be. She says, carful now. He talks like he knows what the good Lord has planned. He says he’ll leave the good Lord to her, but think about it. Curtis owns a nightclub now. She says, so? and he says, as much as music was a huge part of his life, it can’t be a coincidence.

Sasha tells Brando, this isn’t how it was supposed to be. They were supposed to raise him, and love him, and watch him grow into a man. Liam would have had an incredible life. Brando says, yes, he would have, and she says he would have been so lucky to have a dad like Brando to show him the way. He asks if she’s thinking family owned body shop, and she says, maybe, but she’s not talking about teaching him about cars. She’s talking about teaching him to be a good, decent, caring person; the kind who comes into a new town and takes a bullet for a total stranger. He says, Liam would have been lucky, but not because of him; because he had her. She could dazzle him with her beauty of course (🍷), but mostly, she could teach him what real love is. Real, unfiltered true love, so he would never settle for less. She starts to cry again, and asks how this is happening. He just got here, and now it’s over? He says, it’s not over yet, and she says she’s not ready. And she can’t even begin to explain how much she doesn’t want this, but they can still show Liam what real love is. And when they do, they’ll know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he never settled for less.

Nina says, message delivered, thank you, and Olivia says, for Nina’s sake, she hopes it was received. Nina says, if Carly even knew what she was trying to do for… Oliva says, what? but Nina says, nothing. But if Olivia suddenly has an impulse to weigh in on her friend’s marriage, from what she hears, Olivia might be better served to worry about her own. Merry Christmas.

Sonny says Carly doesn’t have to stick around. He’ll stay there as long as Brando and Sasha need him. She says she’s not going anywhere. Unless he’s trying to get rid of her. He says, never, and kisses her cheek. Nina watches.

Sam says she saw the cell they kept Drew in, and he says, nice accommodations, right? She doesn’t know how he did it, being in there for so long, staring at nothing, all alone. He says, it was tough, but the thing that kept him going, the thing that made him believe he was going to get out of there one day, was Scout. She says she saw he scratched Scout’s name in the wall, and he says, it was like the most important part of him was missing. She says, good; now he has her back. He says he does. Not quite the perfect fit. She says, not yet, but it will be. He says, it will be.

Curtis tells Portia, first, Joey Novak shows up, causing trouble at The Savoy, the kind of trouble that gives a club a bad name. Fast forward to Joey being beaten and jumped between the pier and The Savoy. She says, that doesn’t prove it was his father, and he says, right. The nightclub’s reputation takes a hit, the act that was booked suddenly cancels. She says, then a new one magically appears, and he says, he knows Marshall had a hand in Joey’s beating, but she says he doesn’t know that. He says, they do know he’s a proven liar, and she says, that doesn’t make him a criminal. He says, maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, but he’s damn well going to find out.

Stella says, Curtis may have inherited some positive traits from Marshall, like his love of music. Does he still play? He says, sure do, and she says, don’t tell her he still has that old clarinet. He says he likes to think of Henrietta as vintage, but no, he lost her too. He lost her a long time ago. She says, Henrietta. She’d almost forgotten his first love. He says, you never forget your first, and laughs. In any case, he learned his lesson. He pats his clarinet case, and says, this baby never gets left in a car. She says she’s sure they’ve made some improvements over the years, and he says, the newer models are nice. Maybe it’s him, but his fingers don’t fly like they used to. But he has to believe if the mood was right, and he was holding Henrietta, he could still make her sing.

Olivia meets Leo and Ned, and asks how they’re doing. Ned says, good. Just doing what everyone does in a doctor’s office – wait. Olivia asks if Leo knows why they’re here, and he shows her his cookie. Ned says, it’s family tradition, bribery, and she says, if Leo is going to take the Quartermaine name, she’s going to have to accept the family traditions. A doctor walks up, and says he’s going to take a wild guess and assume this is Leo. Olivia says, that’s the guy, and he introduces himself as Dr. Newman, and his nurse, Nurse Meyers. He asks how Leo is doing, and Olivia repeats the question. Leo says he’s good, and Dr. Newman asks if he’d like to play some games and talk for a bit. Leo says he loves games, and the doctor says, great; come with him. He tells Olivia and Ned that they can wait there; they won’t be long. Ned tells Leo to have fun, and Olivia says if he needs anything, she’ll be right here. The doctor and nurse leave with Leo, and Olivia says, no big deal. Ned hugs her.

Britt asks if Nina is okay, and Nina glances at Sonny and Carly. She says she’s just worried about Sasha and Brando, and Britt says, it must be difficult for her; a reminder of Nelle being taken away from her; getting to know her, but it was too late. She knows it’s not the same, but Nina still lost a child. Nina says, and all the mistakes she made because of that.

Carly says she can’t imagine how Sasha and Brando feel, and Sonny says he understands why she stood up for Sasha. Behind that face, she’s got a lot of grit. She’s going to need it. Carly says she understands why he feels so close to Brando. She knows he’s family, but he was practically raised by Sonny’s father. (Wow, has that story changed.) Sasha and Brando come out, and Britt tells them to follow her.

Sam says Drew and Scout will find their way back to each other. It’s just going to take some time. They have to get through the holidays, and then in a couple of months, it’s her birthday. He says, so he’s buying his way back? but she says, that’s not what she’s saying. He says he’s just kidding, and she says, there are going to be so many moments; little ones, big ones, and all the ones in-between. He says he likes the sound of that, when his phone rings. It’s Curtis, and Drew asks, what’s up? Curtis says, what Drew told him, that he’d help look into his father’s reappearance? Does that offer still stand?

Marshall says he’s determined to put down roots, and get back with the family he left behind. She says he can be as determined as he wants, that doesn’t mean Curtis will let him in. He tells her, Curtis may say no, but he’s sensing a definite maybe from TJ, and he’d like to build on that, and have a relationship with his grandson. He could use some help if she’s willing to give it.

Ned says he was wondering if Olivia balked and canceled the appointment, and she says, it crossed her mind. He says he’s proud of her, and she says, he might not be when they get their diagnosis… if they’re getting a diagnosis. She looks at him, and says, they’re getting a diagnosis, and he says, most likely. She says, that’s okay, because their son’s alive and strong and thriving, and it’s more than a lot of people get. He’s unique, and it just makes him more special. Ned says, absolutely, and she says she wants him to know she’s all in on this. Whatever the doctor tells them, she’s here to give Leo all the help that he needs. He says he knows she will, and she asks if he can forgive her. He says, for what? and she says, for making him the bad guy because she was too afraid to look at the facts. He says he was afraid too. The unknown is scary. That’s why they’re here, to figure out what’s going on, and come up with a game plan. If they have that, and each other… She says, they have everything, and he says they do, and they hug.

Carly asks if Sonny is hungry or thirsty, but he says, no; maybe some water. She leaves, and he takes a rosary out of his pocket. He sits down and begins to pray the Hail Mary, as Nina watches.

Dr. Fleming tells Brando and Sasha, once they disconnect the respirator, they’ll give Liam an injection of morphine. Sasha says, so he won’t be in any pain, and Brando says, that’s why we’re doing this. So there’s no pain, no suffering, and he can be with his namesake. Sasha asks if she can hold him. Once he’s off of those machines, can she hold him in her arms? She doesn’t want him to be alone. The doctor says, of course (🍷), and Sasha says, he was with her when he came into this world. She wants him to be with her when he leaves it. Elizabeth and Dr. Fleming help Brando and Sasha get ready, and Britt goes out to the hallway, and leans on the wall. They go into the NICU.

Drew tells Curtis, they’ll talk soon, and Sam says, she’d ask what that was about, but she’s assuming it’s confidential. He says, just a background check. It seems pretty cut and dried actually. She says, how many times she’s said that and it’s been anything but, and he says, don’t worry. She says, too late, and he says he wouldn’t have gone through all that hell just to come back and put a bunch of trouble on her doorstep, or his. She says, no more risks, and he says, no more risks… within reason. He’s got too much to lose. Scout comes in, and Sam says, there she is. He says he was just about to fire up the laptop and shop for some new decorations. Does Scout want to help? Scout asks Sam if they can go home.

Curtis tells Portia, if there’s any dirt on Marshall, he trusts Drew to dig it up. She says, what if he comes up empty? but Curtis says, he won’t. He may not be a P.I. anymore, but those instincts don’t just evaporate. Marshall is hiding something. He looks at her, and says, what? She says, nothing, but he says, it’s definitely something, so say it. She says she knows he’s prepared to hear the worst about Marshall, but what if the big discovery is just that Marshall wants to be his father? Is he prepared for that?

The doctor brings Leo back, and Leo says, it was fun. Dr. Newman says, they had a really great talk. They’ll schedule a follow-up to discuss everything; just call his office. Ned says they will, and the doctor tells Leo, it was nice to meet him. He hopes to see Leo soon. Leo waves, and the doctor leaves. Olivia asks if Leo knows how much she loves him, and she hugs him. Leo says he knows, and she tells him, don’t you ever forget it.

Carly brings Sonny some water, and asks if anything happened while she was gone. Britt comes out, and they go over to her. Carly asks, is it over? Britt just looks sad, and at a distance, Nina closes her eyes.

Sasha holds Liam, and says, Liam Mike Corbin, you were here for such a short time, but you made quite the impact, and you were so, so loved. She has to believe he felt that, and hopes with everything in her that he still does. She kisses him, and says she’ll love him forever. She starts to cry, and Brando kisses Liam. He says, their first born, their son. He looks up, and says, look after him, okay, Mike? Mike appears, and I lose it. Mike tells them, like he said, with everything he’s got.

Marshall sits in his hotel room, and plays his clarinet. We hear his music over the final scenes.

We see Sasha place her baby down, and start to walk away with Brando. She turns back, and Brando puts his arms around her. She cries on his shoulder, and they leave. Mike holds Liam.

Stella comes into the hospital, and sees Curtis with Portia and smiles.

Sam says goodbye to Drew, and Scout hands Drew the star. He gives it to her to put on the tree, but she says she can’t reach. He lifts her up, and she puts it on the tree.

Olivia holds out her hand to Leo, and he takes it, holding out his other hand to Ned. The three of them walk out, hand-in-hand.

Brando and Sasha come out. Everyone looks sad, and Sasha starts to cry. Brando holds her. In the NICU, Mike holds Liam, and asks if he’s ready to go. He says, me too, and walks until he disappears.

On Monday, Chase says Willow can feel however she wants to feel, Laura tells Cyrus not to play games with her, Michael says he’s going to protect his family no matter the cost, and Phyllis asks Nina if she’s still in love with Sonny.

😭 Thanks, General Hospital. Because the holidays aren’t depressing enough. Although I was glad Mike showed up.

💔 That Was Quick…

And their wedding looked so cool. I wonder if he’s taken on too much of the Michael persona at home.

Chad Duell and Courtney Hope Split Up

🎾 Ball Changes Court…

I can’t help but wonder if he practices his religion in other areas. Or is he like the people who screech if you eat meat, but wear leather shoes?

Ingo Rademacher Sues ABC Over Vaccine Mandate

💼 Branching Out…

What Diane does on her off-time.

Carolyn Hennesy Stars in the New Series BIG NATE

👯‍♀️ BFFs IRL…

I recently wrote an interview for Jessica Morris on Mupo & Friends (YouTube). She is a Lifetime queen, and real life BFF of Melissa Archer.

Watch OLTL’s Jessica Morris and Melissa Archer in ‘Twisted Little Lies’

👠 Going Glam…

First Co-Chief of Staff, now this.

Cassandra James Shares “a Very Special” Cover Story

🎄 Christmastime Is Here…

At least in Salem.

Watch It Now On Peacock! DAYS: A VERY SALEM CHRISTMAS

🧂 Pass the Salt…

What’s going on in Salt Lake City.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/12/rhoslc-recap-jen-shah-slams-lisa-barlow-for-deserting-her/

Usually, it’s Jen doing the denying.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/11/jen-shahs-motion-to-dismiss-fraud-case-denied-by-judge/

🗽 Sticking Around…

They’re not going anywhere.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/14/luann-de-lesseps-rhony-not-going-anywhere-despite-pause/

Unless it’s running out of a restaurant.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/luann-de-lesseps-dines-real-housewives-of-new-york-dashes-out-of-dc-restaurant-le-diplomate

🎅🏽 And You Get a Piece Of Coal…

Apparently Leah is not happy with her co-stars.

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/11/leah-mcsweeney-giving-rhony-co-stars-coal-in-their-stockings-for-christmas/

⚖️ Little Did She Know…

Suckerfish Hoppy does kind of look like Christian Bale in American Psycho.

Bethenny Frankel: Why I Didn’t Want a Prenup With Ex Jason Hoppy

🍸 Haunting Split…

What is wrong with that guy?

https://pagesix.com/2021/12/15/lala-kent-says-randall-emmett-split-haunts-me-daily/

⚰️ Burning Questions…

The skinny on the mid-season finale of Fear the Walking Dead.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-midseason-finale-708-interview-padre-alicia-strand-war/

🌟 Behold…

This years Rockefeller Center contribution to the Christmas spirit.

https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/photos-it-aint-christmas-season-until-2021-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-has-been-lit

☄️ Quotes of the Week

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. – J.R.R. Tolkien

The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction. – Rachel Carson

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. – Robert A. Heinlein

The most common form of despair is not being who you are. – Soren Kierkegaard

Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.  – Orson Welles

I had an epiphany a few years ago when I was out at a celebrity party and it suddenly dawned on me that I had yet to meet a celebrity who is as smart and interesting as any of my friends. – Moby

A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to be well-known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized. – Fred Allen

There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed. – Ernest Hemingway

True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice. – Martin Luther King Jr.

🦌 On Dasher…

Why is it the weeks seem to go faster just before the new year? Here we are at another weekend, or for those of you who are on permanent robe duty, those two days you used to get off work. If nothing else, at least change your slippers for 48 hours. Maybe even live it up and put on real shoes. Until we meet for some soap and whatever’s on Deck, stay safe, stay taking some time for yourself, and stay not settling for less, be it love, or whatever it is you need.

Oct26

October 25, 2021 – Nina’s Extradition Hearing Happens, Delivery Captain On Deck, a Wedding, a Puppy, a Game & the Season

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the Tavern in Crete, Britt asks for a bottle of Lafite and two glasses, but the bartender says their friends cleaned him out. Britt says, they’re not friends, just people they know. Jason gives the bartender some cash, and asks if he’ll go buy some more, and the bartender leaves. Britt can’t believe they came all this way. The compound is empty, and the guards are gone, along with Peter and her mother. And the bridge where Drew was shot, does Jason really think Drew could have survived that fall? Jason says he doesn’t know; that’s hard to say. Drew was a Navy SEAL, so he has a better chance than most. Britt says, all this mess because her brother is a psycho. He leaves a trail of destruction everywhere he goes. It has to stop before someone else dies.

Valentin is agitated his sleep, and says, no, I won’t let you. He calls out, and Anna wakes him, saying, he’s just dreaming. He says he’s at the hospital, and she confirms he is. He says he’s at the US Consulate in Greece, and she says, yes. What was he dreaming about? He says, Peter August. He was trying to get Valentin’s girls, Charlotte and Bailey.

At the MetroCourt, Brook shows Sasha a picture of Bailey, and Sasha asks if she could be any cuter. Brook says, that’s her BLQ2, and Sasha asks if Brook is really calling her that. Brook says, it’s her nickname for Bailey, and Sasha says she can’t wait until her little angel arrives, and Bailey can have a playmate. Brook says she’ll have to give Sasha all of their hand-me-downs. She knows it sounds kind of snobby, but it would be a shame for all that baby couture to go to waste. Sasha asks if Brook was this anxious when her due date was getting close, but Brook says, nah, piece of cake. Maxie comes in and says, that’s their Brook, grace under pressure, and Brook says, nice of her to join them. Maxie says she’s on time, and Brook tells her, she didn’t say she wasn’t. She thought this was supposed to be a sit-down to discuss Deception’s spring marketing campaign. Maxie says, it is, and Brook asks why Maxie chose this place instead of the office, but Maxie says, she didn’t pick this place; Sasha did. Sasha says, it wasn’t her idea. She was told Maxie chose it. Maxie asks, who gave her that idea? when Gladys comes in and says, surprise! Tuna tartare and shoptalk; is there anything better?

Walking into the MetroCourt on the phone, Michael thanks DA Sheridan for expediting Nina Reeves’s arrest. The Quartermaines are happy to donate to his campaign for state Attorney General. Carly comes out, and asks if Michael is there to check up on his mom, and he says, among other things, hugging her. Jax walks in, and says he came to talk to Michael, but he’ll wait at the bar. Carly says she’s sure they have business to discuss; what else would they have to talk about? She’ll wait at the bar. She leaves, and Jax says, Michael’s mom still hasn’t forgiven him for defending Nina. Michael says he’s sure, and Jax says he’s sure Michael feels the same way, especially since he advocated for Nina being in Wiley’s life. Michael says, Jax blackmailed him, and Jax says he prefers to call it something else, but Michael says he wouldn’t. Jax says, fine, let’s go with blackmail, and Michael says he’s glad Jax is finally admitting it. Now that he has, if Jax wants to make things right with them, Michael has a couple of ideas.

Nina is led into an interrogation room, and she tells the officer, if he could just arrange for her to see acting Commissioner Scorpio, she’s sure she can explain everything. Scotty walks in, and says, do not say nothin’.

Sonny goes to the MetroCourt bar, and Carly says she loves that she gets to see his face every day. How was his visit to Spencer? He tells her, he said everything he needed to say, but doesn’t think Spencer enjoyed it. She asks if Sonny is worried about Spencer, and Sonny says, he’s going to have a bumpy ride, but he’ll make it. She says, okay.. what’s wrong? and he says, Nina got arrested. Was that her?

Scotty tells the officer that he’s Scott Baldwin. He represents Miss Reeves, and he’d like to confer with his client. Could the officer get a cup of coffee or something? The officer says he’ll be right outside, and Nina asks what Scotty is doing; she didn’t hire him. Ava comes in, and says she did. Nina used her one phone call to reach out to Ava, so Ava reached out to Scotty. Nina says she appreciates that, since she doesn’t know how experienced the Crimson attorneys are in criminal law. Scotty says, not good. They’re snobs, and kind of concerned about their manicures. Nina says, while he’s there, they have to fight this extradition thing before she ends up in a jail cell in Pennsylvania, and Ava says that Scotty better tell Nina. Scotty says, the quicker they cart her off to the keystone state, the better.

Britt says she guesses Jason is right. Drew was a SEAL, and he did survive two years in that compound. After that, what’s a couple of gunshots and falling off a bridge? One thing he and Jason have in common is, they’re very hard to kill. Jason says, they came to Greece to find her mother, and hopefully get Peter in the process, so they just need to be focused… His phone dings, and she says, anyone we know? Or is it someone offering him an extended warranty on his car. Ha-ha! I get those calls all the time, and I don’t even have a car. He says, it’s Dante. He wants Jason to call him, but he doesn’t have any bars. She tells him, feel free to step outside; she’s not moving. He says, no? and she holds up her foot and says, hello? Hiking that compound was at least an equivalent to a 10K, maybe a marathon with stairs. He says, she kept up okay, and she says, now she’s exhausted. Besides, someone has to wait for the bartender. He says he’ll be outside, and she rubs her foot, saying, mutter, you know I love you, but my feet are killing me.

Anna tells Valentin, no one is coming for his daughters, certainly not Peter. He says he’ll kill Peter first; where is he? She says, running for his life somewhere, and Valentin says, he’s a spiteful son of a bitch. What if Peter does come after his girls? She says, he won’t. Valentin needs to stop worrying about the what ifs. He says they both know what Peter is capable of, and she asks him to do something for her to humor her. Close his eyes. He does, and she says, instead of picturing Peter coming for his daughters, why doesn’t Valentin picture what he would do to him if he tried? The hell Valentin would rain down on him; the torment, the punishment, his cries for mercy, Valentin’s refusal. She sees Valentin’s blood pressure going down, and tells him to think about that for a minute. How does he feel now? He says, wonderful, fresh as a daisy, and she says, a little revenge fantasy never hurt anyone. He says, she’s twisted, isn’t she? and she says she has her moments. They have to get him ready to go home, so he can get the surgery he needs, and he asks if she’s sure about that. This might be her big chance to get rid of him, and she’s blowing it. She says, the thought crossed her mind, but she realized, even at her angriest when his worst brings out the worst in her, she sees that life would be pretty boring without him.

Brook says, it’s bad enough to schedule a business meeting in a restaurant. Why would Gladys make them think it was someone else’s idea? Gladys says, they know all about the beauty biz. She, on the other hand, knows how to shake things up and keep it interesting. She puts her phone on record, and says, that’s why they hired her. Sasha says, Gladys was hired to assist Brook, and Gladys says she’s assisting all of them by upgrading their work environment from stale and boring office to posh and swanky, since it’s a posh and swanky business. Maxie says she likes what Gladys has to say on paper, but hates the execution, and Gladys says, enjoy a little variety in their workday. Do they really want the same old same old, when they can have the croque monsieur? They have to try it; it’s so French. Brook says, when she joined Deception, it was to influence lovers of glam and beauty, not to help Gladys experience things she can’t afford on her salary, and charge them to the company expense account. Gladys says, if that’s how she feels. If they don’t want a stimulating office culture… Brook says, they’re not even in the office, and Gladys says, if Brook didn’t want to get out in the world, maybe she should have stayed home with her baby. Brook does have a daughter, remember? When they first met, it seemed like Brook wasn’t even sure she had a kid.

Jax says he’s keen to make amends, so what does Michael have in mind? Michael says, it helps that Jax got his father out of Nixon Falls as soon as possible. The Corinthos family is grateful, and we won’t forget it. Jax says he’s not going to pretend Sonny’s his favorite person. He just hopes everyone can move forward without revenge. Michael says, what some people call revenge, other people might call justice. Unless it’s Jax’s position that Nina shouldn’t have to pay for what she did.

Nina asks if Scotty is seriously suggesting she not even fight this extradition. Is Ava on board with this? Ava says, the way Scotty explained it to her, is that Nina would be playing a sort of long game. Nina asks, how long? Fifteen to life? Scotty says, the DA of Lantano County is looking for a high profile case, so he can position himself to run for state Attorney General, and Nina asks, how is woman keeps man’s identity from him high profile? Is it because it’s Sonny? I just had a thought. She should say she wanted to keep the godfather out of Port Charles. Scotty says, rich fashion editor holds mystery man hostage away from his past, to break up his family. Comeuppance. Ava says, and that’s going to get the guy elected? Is there no other crime in Pennsylvania? Scotty says, that’s his point. That’s why he’s trying to get Nina away from Sonny’s influence. Nina says, money can cross state lines. Why isn’t it better for her to just stay there? She can’t give up. Ava says, nobody is saying that, and Scotty says, he’s just filing motions and endless depositions, just stalling for time until they mount the proper defense. Nina says, while he’s stalling, she’s sitting in a six by nine cell with a stainless steel toilet, and he says, that’s why he’s telling her to waive this extradition. Go to the keystone state, they’ll charge her, and he’ll get her out on bail until the trial. She says, and if she fights extradition? He says, she’ll end up there at the PCPD, and because she’s high risk, she won’t get bail, and the lawyers and judges will take however long they want. Ava says, this way, Nina just gets it over with and she’s free, and Nina says, until the trial. Scotty says, there’s no guarantees. She wants to fight it there, they fight it there. It’s Nina’s call.

Carly says, Nina got arrested? and Sonny says, she didn’t know? She says, no. She’s certainly not upset about it… He says, if she didn’t call the cops, who did? and Carly says she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know what kind of laws Nina broke when she kept Sonny’s identity from him and didn’t tell his entire family he was alive, but someone in law enforcement must have thought they had a case. He says, why bother? He knows Nina caused a lot of pain, but it’s not like she’s going to be a repeat offender. Question. Do they even have a case without Sonny’s cooperation? Carly says, you never know when it comes to Nina, and he says, we helped a lot of people when we were in Nixon Falls. He doesn’t think the cops are going to… She says, wait a second. We? and he says, there were a bunch of lowlifes putting the squeeze on Lenny and Phyllis. She says, he told her about that, but not that Nina was involved, and he says, Nina was in Nixon Falls most of the time he was. Carly says, it’s crazy. He had this whole other life there, not just tending bar, and he says he wasn’t the only one leading another life. She and Jason took over his business and dealt with Renault. She didn’t know what was going on with him; he didn’t know what was going on with her… She says, because of Nina. Nina helped his friends in Nixon Falls; great, whatever, but she’s still responsible for what she did to Sonny, and to her and their family. And if that’s not a crime, she doesn’t know what is.

Scotty says he doesn’t want rush Nina, but they have less than an hour. She says she knows, but it’s a lot to process. He says he’s going to make some phone calls, and asks Ava to talk Nina into the sense God gave a goose, to do the right thing. He leaves, and Nina says she appreciates Ava coming back after Spencer’s hearing to help her. Ava says, believe her; this is a lot more pleasant than that was. Plus, she wanted to clarify something. She knows Nina thought she had an agenda when she encouraged her not to give up on Sonny. Nina says, didn’t she? and Ava says, yeah, but she does really care about Nina, and wants what’s best for her. Please listen to Scotty. She knows he comes across as a clown sometimes, but that’s on purpose, so people don’t see what a shark he is, and he is a shark. And a shark is what Nina needs right now. Nina says she can’t argue with that, and Ava says she knew Sonny would be angry with Nina, but she never thought he’d stoop to this. Nina says she can’t believe it, and Ava says, she was counting on him to be more like Mike in Nixon Falls, huh? Nina says she was. If she and Sonny would just talk. They put their heads together to figure out how to help Phyllis, and it was a good talk. It was great or mind-blowing, but still, she thought she and Sonny could find a way to co-exist. Ava says, so why did he turn on Nina?

Jax asks, what makes Michael think Nina’s not paying for her misdeeds now? and Michael says, because she feels bad about it? Jax says, everyone knows what she did, keeping Sonny’s existence a secret. People are asking for her blood, and he’s sure more will pile on. And now of course (🍷) there’s Wiley. Michael says, what about him? and Jax says, he’s just a kid now, but eventually he’s going to know what his grandmother did to his grandfather. Michael says, Wiley has a right to know, and Jax says, no one understands that more than Nina. Michael says, if Nina is so committed to Wiley, why didn’t she bring his grandfather home to him? Why didn’t she come to them when she had the chance? Or any time in between the day when she found out his father was alive, and the day he came home to them?

Brook asks who Gladys is to criticize her or anyone as a parent? and Maxie tells Brook not to make a scene. Gladys says she stands by what she said, and Sasha says Gladys needs to back off, but Brook says she wants to hear this. Gladys says, then get ready for an earful, because Brook, just like the rest of her generation, wants it all. Brook asks what that has to do with her baby, and Gladys says, exactly. What Brook wants is all for her. Little Bailey can fend for herself. Now take Gladys and her son Brando… Sasha says, a word? Now? and gets up. They step over to the bar, and Gladys says, the truth hurts. Sasha says she needs to remember that Brook is her boss, and Gladys says, how can she forget? Okay, she didn’t go to secretarial school, and doesn’t know shorthand… Sasha says, who takes shorthand? Does it even exist anymore? Gladys says, she’s text savvy, so her phone makes up for that. She records everything, and later, writes it down on the computer, so she doesn’t lose anything. Sasha says, that’s actually not a bad idea, and Gladys says, of course (🍷) she adds emojis like rainbows and stars, so she remembers who said what to who. Maxie’s a unicorn, Brook is a bat, and Sasha… Well, Sasha gets the idea. Sasha tells her, try a little harder not to get on Brook’s bad side, and Gladys says, she has a good side? Sasha says she means it, and Gladys can start by not questioning Brook’s love for her baby. Gladys tells Sasha, if she says so, but if you ask her, little Bailey is going to need to see a therapist.

Anna says she owes Valentin an apology, and he says, what for? She says, she just left him at that tavern to sleep off the ouzo. He says, it wasn’t just ouzo, and she says she realizes that now. It was her first mistake, and he ended up in a prison with Drew and Obrecht. He says, on the bright side, he got to spend some quality time with his uncle, who, as it turns out, might be his father. She says she’d like to have seen Peter turn on Victor, and Valentin says, he’s in custody, but he’s unscathed. What’s the word on Drew? She says, nothing yet, and he says, if Drew hadn’t turned back on that bridge to cover him, he’d be dead now. He hates this. He hates this bed, and he hates this hospital. He hates not being able to protect his daughters, and hates not being able to go after Peter. She tells him, stop all this complaining about not being able to do stuff, and just be thankful he’s alive. When they were waiting for the medivac, she was checking his pulse, his breathing, and holding pressure on his wound, and to be honest, she thought he wasn’t going to make it. And when she thought he wasn’t going to make it, she realized she wouldn’t have the chance to say… He says, say what?

Britt looks behind the bar, and says, they really are out of everything. Is this a WSB operation or a frat party? Russell walks in, and tells her, don’t scream. She’s coming with him, She says, before either of them go anywhere, he’s going to want her to have a look at his wound. We see he’s bleeding profusely from his leg, and he says, he’s fine. Let’s go. She says, he doesn’t understand. She’s a doctor, and he’s bleeding out, so he can aim his gun someplace else… He tells her, shut up. There’s a ferry leaving soon, and they have to get out of here. She says, just curious. Did he take that bullet working for Peter August, and if so, was it worth it? and he asks why she cares. She says, because she’s doctor, he’s wounded. She gets a little louder, and says he can hold her hostage later. Right now, let her help him. He says she’s wasting her breath. They’re waiting for the ferry now. Move. Jason comes out, and grabs Russell from behind, taking the gun and knocking Russell down. Russell writhes in pain, and Britt tells Jason to get the first aid kit from behind the bar. Jason brings it to her, and she tears Russell’s pants so she can get at his wound. Jason asks where Obrecht and Peter are, and Britt says, he may have nicked an artery. If he bleeds out, they may never find her mother or Peter. The interrogation can wait. Right now, she needs Jason to help her keep him alive.  

Anna tells Valentin that she wouldn’t have the chance… She wouldn’t know what to say to Charlotte, or Bailey, one day when she’s old enough. He thanks her for thinking of his girls, and she sits on the bed.  She says, he has to rest now, and get ready for the plane to take him home. He asks her to give him the phone, so he can call Charlotte and Bailey, but she says, a phone call like that will be emotionally taxing, and his vitals aren’t all that strong. The doctor will have her head. He needs to keep his strength up. He says he loves his girls, and Anna is all the strength he’ll ever need. She takes his hand.

Maxie says, Gladys is such a pain, and Brook says Gladys drives her crazy. Maxie asks what Gladys was talking about, and Brook says, when she first met Gladys, she asked if Brook had kids, and it was when Bailey was first born. Her brain just sort of froze for a second, and now here they are all these months later. Maxie asks if Brook is worried about Gladys bringing it up again, and Brook says, what are the odds? Does that woman let anything go? Maxie says, when the subject of Bailey comes up, there’s one thing Brook needs to do; just be a mom. Brook says, it’s not like she doesn’t have practice, when Sasha and Gladys come back. Sasha asks if Gladys wants to say anything to Brook, and Gladys says, like what? Brook says, it’s fine, and thanks Gladys for her take. She’s given Brook a lot to think about. Gladys says, to be honest, Brook really shouldn’t have to think… Sasha suggests they get on with the meeting, when Brook’s phone rings. It’s Anna, and Brook asks where she is. Anna says she’s in Greece; she’s with Valentin. Brook says, Maxie is there, so she’ll put it on speaker. Valentin gets on the phone, and tells her to put Bailey on; tell her it’s daddy.

Ava tells Nina that she has years of experience with Sonny. If he’s decided to forego their detente and declare war – Nina says, it looks like he has – she needs to remember her secret weapon. She knows the truth about what happened between them in Nixon Falls. Nina says, nothing happened with her and Sonny in Nixon Falls, and Ava asks how she can say that. Nina says, she and Mike had feelings for each other, and that’s all that happened. Just a few dances and a few kisses. Ava says, Nina and Mike fell in love, and Sonny remembers that. Have it ready in case she needs it. Nina says she hears Ava, but what if they’re wrong? What if Sonny isn’t the one who called the cops? What if Carly already knows the truth, and had her arrested? Ava says, then she’s playing right into Nina’s hands. Because then Nina will turn on the waterworks, and appeal to that part of Sonny that’s connected to Mike, and fell in love with Nina, and she’s home free.

Jax says he’s not denying what Nina did, but it’s over. Sonny is home. Michael asks if he’s supposed to let it go. She stole nine months of his father’s life, and let his mother, his siblings, all of them, grieve for a man who wasn’t dead. How is he supposed to forgive that, and how can Jax ask him to? Jax says, he’s not asking, and Michael says, let’s keep it that way. Carly and Sonny come in. Carly asks Jax if he’s heard from Nina, and he asks, no: why? She says Nina has been arrested, and Jax phone rings. Carly says, it’s probably her now, but Jax says, it’s not Nina. He answers saying he’s kind of busy; what’s this about? Scotty says, Nina has been arrested and her extradition hearing is about to begin. Jax asks, where? and Scotty says, Pennsylvania. Where does he think? He knows Jax has a working and a personal relationship with Nina, and Jax confirms he does. Scotty suggests he come there as soon as he can. Nina needs all the friends she can get. Jax tells the others, it was Scotty. Apparently, Nina’s been arrested. She’s facing extradition charges in Pennsylvania. Carly says she wants to see that, and Michael says he does too. Sonny asks, why? and Michael says, because Nina has it coming. They all leave, but Sonny lingers a moment, then follows. 

Jason tells Britt, the ambulance is on the way, but once Russell is gone, they have no leads on her mother. She asks what Jason suggests, and Jason says, maybe she can get him to talk. She says, how? By appealing to his better angels? Jason says Britt is the one who patched him up, and Britt leans closer to Russell, saying, she’s looking for her mother, Liesl Obrecht. Britt thinks her mother was in the compound; she might be Peter’s prisoner. Does he know where she was taken? Russell says, keep him alive, and he’ll take her there. Britt says, take her where? and he says, Cassadine… Cassadine… Island.

Brook tells Valentin, Bailey’s not there; she’s in daycare. He says, she’s only one floor down from the office. Walk him down there. Brook says, she would, but they’re not in the office. She looks at Gladys, who says, how was she supposed to know? Brook says, she’ll definitely tell Bailey that daddy is thinking about her. He sounds strange; is he okay? He says he’ll be home soon. Tell Charlotte, je’teme. Anna takes the phone, and says, Sam and Dante are coming back to Port Charles, and they’ll explain everything then. Brook says, explain what? What’s wrong? Anna says, Valentin was injured, and he’s going to be airlifted back to GH. Brook says, what? and Anna asks if Brook could talk to Charlotte, and get her prepared. Brook says, of course (🍷). Just tell him, the girls love him and they’ll be waiting for him at home. Anna says, she’ll tell him, and Sasha says, about this meeting… Maxie suggests they pick it up tomorrow. She doesn’t think any of them can concentrate, knowing Valentin’s in the hospital. What does Brook say? Brook looks stunned, and Maxie asks if Sasha and Gladys can give them a minute. Sasha says, of course (🍷), but Gladys doesn’t budge, and Sasha says, Gladys? Gladys says she’s Brooks assistant; she should stay. Sasha just looks at her, and she says, fine, and follows Sasha out. Maxie asks if Brook is okay, but Brook says she doesn’t know. It’s not like she and Valentin are… She can’t help thinking how much Valentin loves his children. She dreads the day he finds out Bailey isn’t his daughter. We see Gladys’s phone on the table, and it’s still recording.

Ava says, whatever Nina decides, she’s in Nina’s corner, Nina says, she knows, and hugs Ava. She sees Jax come in, and Scotty asks if she’s made a decision. Michael, Sonny, and Carly walk in, apparently using the same Star Trek transporter as Jax. Carly smiles, and Sonny looks confused.

An officer asks if Jason and Britt knew the man, but Jason says, they just came in for a drink when the guy showed up. His friend is a doctor. Britt says, the man was bleeding heavily. Like she told the paramedics, he might have nicked an artery, but they have him stabilized, so he should be okay. The officer thanks them, and says, one more thing. They haven’t done anything wrong, but something tells him that they’re trouble. He suggests they take the next flight back to the US, and stay there. He leaves, and Britt says, so they call Anna, right?

Anna says, the phone call exhausted Valentin, and he says, if the worst should happen… She says, it won’t, and he says, if it does, he needs her to make sure Brook tells Bailey that daddy was thinking of her until the end. Anna says, he can tell her himself, when he’s home and holding Bailey in his arms. He says, so that’s it then? She’s going to let him live after all? She says, it seems rude not to. He’s survived far worse than to die from something as prosaic as an infection from a bullet wound. He asks if she isn’t too clever to appeal to something as prosaic as his vanity, and she says she does what she can. He’s going to be all right. He has to be, for Charlotte and Bailey. He says he thinks she left someone off the list.

Brook tells Maxie, the fact is, Valentin’s a wonderful father. He was all in the  moment he saw… their baby. Sasha and Gladys come back, and Sasha says, Gladys understands the meeting is tomorrow. Gladys says she found a bowling alley with the cutest little snack bar… She’s kidding. They’ll do it in the office, and she’ll prove to them just how invaluable she is. She picks up her stuff, puts her phone in her bag, and leaves.

Scotty tells Nina, just like that bloodthirsty bunch to show up for the kill. Ava says, how could Sonny do this to Nina? Did she do something wrong? Yeah, obviously she did, but to go this far? Carly says, Sonny didn’t have Nina arrested, although he had every right. Ava says, so Carly just wants the credit. Really? Michael says, it’s not Carly’s doing, or his father’s. If Nina needs someone to blame, she should blame herself. Nina says, it was him? and Michael says, facts are facts. The law was broken and justice needs to be served. Jax says, this isn’t justice; this is revenge. Michael says, that’s for the court to decide, and Scotty tells Nina, pay no attention to those hyenas. Let’s get you settled. Ava says, remember, Nina still has that ace up her sleeve. It’s there when Nina needs it, and so is she. The bailiff says, all rise. The honorable Judge Lowe is presiding, and he tells everyone, be seated. A motion has been filed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the extradition of Nina Reeves. Scotty gets up, and says his client waives her right at this hearing, and welcomes extradition to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Outside the restaurant, Sasha thanks Brook and Maxie for being so patient with Gladys. Brook says she wants hazard pay, and Sasha says she deserves it. She’s really hoping Gladys takes advantage of all the chances they’re giving her, learns from her mistakes, and ends up being a real asset to Deception. Brook rolls her eyes, and she and Maxie keep walking.

Gladys types from the recording on her phone. Brook says, she can’t help thinking about how much Valentin loves his children. She dreads the day Valentin finds out Bailey isn’t his daughter. Gladys stops what she’s doing, and looks at the phone.

Anna tells Valentin, the ambulance is going to take him to the airport. From there, he’ll get a plane that will take him to Port Charles, and a helicopter will take him to GH. It’s easy as 1-2-3. He says, let’s hope the surgery goes as simply, and she says, yeah. The orderly asks if he’s ready, and he says he is. He tells Anna, good luck looking for Peter. He’ll see her on the other side. She says, nice try. He’s not going anywhere without her. She takes his hand.

Jason tells Britt, he trusts Anna, but not looking for Peter. He doesn’t trust the WSB; they don’t care what happens to her mother. She says he’s right. To them, people like her mother are either assets or liabilities. She guesses the same could be said about Drew, and he says, the WSB’s priority is terminating Peter. Their priority is finding her mom. She says, then let’s go. Next stop, Cassadine Island.

They leave the tavern, and the bartender makes a call. He says, he thought Nikolas would want to know…   

Judge Lowe says that Nina is remanded to the custody of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective immediately. Court is adjourned. Scotty tells Nina, he’ll have her out on bail like that, and snaps his fingers. An officer asks Nina to stand, and puts handcuffs on her. She looks at everyone as she’s led out, and Ava looks at Sonny. 

Tomorrow, Esme asks if Spencer thinks he has a choice, Ned tells Austin that he came for an important reason, Elizabeth wishes she had better answers, and Michael asks if Sonny has a problem.    

Below Deck

Eddie tells us, Saint Kitts is wild, exotic, volcanic, and explosive. Being able to see the world and experience different cultures, that’s effing yachting.

Christophe Harbor Marina. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Eddie 3.0 is back. He’s still short and out of shape, but now he’s a first officer. God help him. He boards My Seanna, and he’s met by Captain Sean, who tells him that Captain Lee is going to be late, and he’ll be starting the charter. We see a clip of Eddie video chatting with Captain Lee, who says he had a medical issue, and he’s waiting for the doctors to release him. Captain Sean tells Eddie that there have been a lot of changes on the boat; they have new jet skis and a new rescue tender. Eddie says, the jet skis are sweet. We see a clip of Captain Sean on a jet ski, and in his interview, he says, he got his first license when he was 18, and was always a captain. He wasn’t always a good captain, but he’s had a lot of experience. He shows Eddie around the boat to see what’s new, and in his interview, Eddie says, he’s not sure what being a first officer entails, and it makes him a little nervous. Being with a captain he’s never worked for, adds extra anxiety and stress to an already stressful job.

Chief stew Heather is super stoked, and in her interview, she likens her personality to popping a bottle of champagne. She’s a beacon of light, but she doesn’t screw around. No job is too big or too small. She’s only 25, and climbed the ladder fast, but earned her position. She meets Eddie, who explains that Captain Lee will be coming later. Deckhand Rayna is new to the business, but was deckhand for a fishing charter in Alaska. When deckhand Jake arrives, in Rayna’s interview, she says she likes what she sees. Deckhand Wes rounds out the group, and in his interview, he says he was a sailboat captain, but needs more experience with charters. There are more options in yachting, as well as more money. Eddie introduces himself to the deckhands, and Heather and stew Jessica start doing laundry, which I thought was weird, since they just got there. How much dirty stuff could they have? Captain Sean tells the crew to come for a meeting in the sky lounge.

The captain tells them that he knows they expected Captain Lee. Captain Sean was the delivery captain, and had expected him too. In the meantime, they’re stuck with him. He’s not good at cracking the whip, but he’s excellent at swinging the ax. Don’t do stupid. He won’t yell, he’ll just fire you. In Eddie’s interview, he says, this is not a good sign. The captain says, don’t piss him off, because if he has to run shorthanded, he will. Don’t put him in that position where he has to do something they may regret. He’s not a sit around kind of guy. He looks for how to make things more efficient. Chef Rachel will be there soon, the first charter is at 3 tomorrow, and provisions are coming in shortly. Heather meets with stews Jessica and Fraser, who genuinely likes to make things perfect. Jessica says she loves doing laundry, and in her interview, she says, she’d been helping to care for her elderly grandparents, decided on going to cosmetology school, and came back to yachting because it was easy money. She put herself through school, and needs some. Heather names Fraser second stew because he’s had more experience on bigger yachts. She assigns Jessica to the laundry, and in Heather’s interview, she says, the stars have aligned. They check out the rooms see what they’re working with. Eddie shows the deckhands around, and they get to work. Provisions come in.

Rachel arrives, and Eddie tells the deckhands, she’s damn talented, but batsh*t crazy. We flash back to Rachel saying, eat my cooter, and in Eddie’s interview, he says, it makes him nervous. In Rachel’s interview, she says, once again, she’s late. Captain Sean says she looks too glamorous to be a chef, since apparently he’s never seen Padma Lakshmi. In her interview, she says, having a new captain has blown her mind. She tells Heather, last year, the pantry was a nightmare, and asks her to set it up asap. The captain calls Eddie, Heather, and Rachel for a preference sheet meeting. The primary is Nikki Foster, who’s in broadcasting, and bringing along a crew of her girlfriends from college. They want high end batik outfits and local delicacies the first night, and a high end Pajama party, with a Jenga game that has questions and dares on the blocks. The second day, they’d like a beach day, and for the captain to join them for a dinner. In Heather’s interview, she says she’s nervous. A group of girls can get crazy. She remembers frantically looking for her dignity after a night in San Francisco. She says she’s looking to Fraser to handle housekeeping, and for Jessica to be queen of the laundry.

The crew gets ready for the guests, doing last minute touches. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Captain Sean has good intentions, and he respects that, but at the same time, the captain is crazy. Alarms are ringing. The captain gets all Martha Stewart about the pillows. The guests arrive, and are met with champagne and warm towels, and they talk excitedly about the trip. In Rayna’s interview, she says, sounds lit; lit like Bic. Captain Sean tells them, if they need anything, let any of them know, and they’ll do their best to take care of it. He asks if they’re ready to have fun, and gets an enthusiastic response. Heather shows them around, and says they’ll get hors d’oeuvres set up. Drinks are poured, and in Eddie’s interview, he says, come back to me, Captain Lee. The guests take photos. In Captain Sean’s interview, he says, the marina is unforgiving. On either side are volcanic rocks, the water is shallow, and the wind whips through at 25 knots. He’s done it before, so he knows he can do it again; he’s confident. He tells Eddie, nice job on deck, and they all still have their limbs. Guest Kelle asks for a chocolate martini, and in Fraser’s interview, he says he has no idea how to make a chocolate martini. The last boat he was on, he was head of housekeeping. After tasting the drink, Kelle says, Fraser is her guy. Eddie instructs deckhands, and they go into Whitehouse Bay. In Heather’s interview, she says she’s not a fan of telling someone something more than once. You have to be willing to do what you’re asked. That’s how she climbed the ladder as fast as she did.

In Rachel’s interview, she says she never knew how Eddie actually felt about her last season until she saw the show. We flash back to Eddie saying Rachel is a monster when she drinks, which isn’t entirely untrue, and she says, does she trust him not to do it again behind her back? No, she doesn’t. Fraser pops some champagne, further endearing himself to the guests. Heather talks with Rachel about the seafood extravaganza that’s happening for dinner. Heather says she gets the vibe the guests want it served as opposed to buffet style, and they settle on putting the food on platters, and the platters on the table. In Heather’s interview, she says, there’s so much going on, she doesn’t feel fully prepared. She’s dealing with a Caribbean themed dinner, a pajama party, and a new crew. She’s waiting for the nail to drop.  Heather says, they’ll have to do service, while still managing turndowns. The stews put on Caribbean garb, and the seafood extravaganza is served. Nikki says she’s in seafood heaven. Heather tells Rachel that the guests are thrilled. Jessica feels like she’s ironing the same thing over and over, and Fraser says he’s running on nothing. In his interview, he says he was told the first rule of yachting is, there needs to be a plan, but there’s no plan. Right now they look like headless chickens. Heather needs rules or it’s going to end in tears.

The deckhands blow up balloons. Fraser asks Rachel if it’s still day one, and she laughs. Eddie and Heather make up the Jenga game, and Heather invites the guests to the sky lounge for the pajama party. Rayna helps Fraser with the dishes, and Heather asks Jessica to be on the floor at  6:30. The Jenga finally falls, and the guests go to bed at 11:30, which is great for the crew. Luxuriously early, as a matter-of-fact. Fraser cleans up the mess.

Second Day of Charter. Captain Sean asks how Rachel looks so glamorous so early in the morning. Rachel is making crab and regular eggs benedict, which we all know is my favorite breakfast food in the world. One guest wants the crab, but no eggs or benedict. Eddie talks to Jake about the beach stuff, and Nikki requests Heather come to her cabin. Heather asks how it’s going, and Nikki says, not so well. There’s still a trash bag on the chaise from yesterday. We flash back to Fraser leaving it there. In Heather’s interview, she says, it’s such a rookie mistake. It’s completely unacceptable. There’s no room for it in yachting. She asks him to tidy the master (a term I thought we weren’t using anymore) to his best standard. For the rest of the trip she’d like excess attention paid to it. He’ll have to pull head of housekeeping out of his butt. As he walks away, he mumbles that he’s confused, being told housekeeping, and then being put on service. Captain Sean finds something out of place, and says he’s going to kill someone. Fraser asks Heather to meet him in the master, and asks if there was anything in particular the guest pointed out, but she says, just that the trash thing was still there. He says he doesn’t want to let her down, but needs time to focus. Doing both is hard, because he can’t pick up the slack if there is any. In her interview, Heather says, he doesn’t realize there’s a bigger picture. He needs to trust her leadership. There’s no room in yachting for mistakes.

The captain says he wants to ferry the beach stuff back and forth. He’s taking Jake, and Wes can stay on board. He gets fussy over the outdoor furniture arrangement at the beach, and in Eddie’s interview, he says, Captain Sean’s methods are irregular. He’s trying to do his job, but he’s not getting chance. The captain keeps radioing Eddie for different stuff. Rachel tells Heather that working with her is like night and day from the last season. She’s excited. Captain Sean wants another canopy tent, and a guest asks if they shouldn’t be on the beach already. The captain calls Eddie, who says, the guests are getting restless. Another guest wonders, where is the fun? Eddie tells the captain they’re kind of behind, and Captain Sean says it will just be a half hour. Eddie hauls cushions to the tender, and in his interview, he says, Captain Lee better be here soon. He can’t do an entire season where he’s doing everything. It’s a sh*t show. We hear Captain Sean on the radio, saying, Eddie, Eddie…

This season, Captain Lee says he might be late, but he’s definitely back; a tropical jungle paradise, Hamilton, 80s neon, a fender gets loose, Jake says Rayna is the hottest bird on the boat, Eddie says crew romances can burn a boat to the waterline, Heather wants the high school drama to stop, Fraser says it feels like a volcano is about to erupt, and Captain Lee tells someone to pack their bags.

👰🏻 They Do…

Very cool wedding clothes. It sounds like a fun party.

Say ‘I Do’ to a Wedding Album Full of Photos of Courtney Hope and Chad Duell’s Steampunk-Inspired Wedding

🐶 The Best Surprise…

It’s a Pug!

Watch Emme Rylan Surprise Her Son With a Puppy for His Birthday!

🍂 Let’s play a drinking game. Have a shot whenever you hear, see or smell pumpkin spice. Oh, you’re drunk already?

💤 Time To Crash…

Same bat time, same bat channel tomorrow for soap and some Rules. Until then, stay safe, stay venturing outside your comfort zone, and stay not confusing revenge with justice. Don’t be a hyena.