Tag Archives: Chleb Ravenell

November 19, 2021 – Sasha Is Rushed To the OR, Farewell Alice, Brad’s Back, Is It On, Christmas Soap, All Good, Begging, Bad Form, Support, Tripping, a Split, Side Hustle, New Tattoo, OctQuotes & Almost

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha yowls in pain, and Brando says, she’s got this. Easy for him to say. He tells her, they’re going to be a family, and she says she likes the sound of that.

Elizabeth sees Dr. Navarro, and says she’s been trying to track the doctor down. It’s Sasha Gilmore. She’s worried something is seriously wrong. She and the doctor take off for Sasha’s room.

Willow is punching the heavy bag, when Michael comes into the gym. She says she was just working out, and he says he could see that, but he’s never seen her hit the heavy bag before. She says, it’s her first time. She didn’t know what she was missing. Punching things can be fun. She hits it again.

Chase has a drink at Charlie’s, and flashes back on his conversation with Brook at Kelly’s; Brook explaining why she gave birth in a hotel. He says, the story doesn’t add up, and wonders what Brook is hiding.

Valentin tells Brook, if it was just him, fine. They could keep things the way they are. But there are two other people they have to think about; Charlotte and Bailey. For them, he needs to know. Bailey isn’t his, is she? Brook says, it’s so much more complicated than he thinks it is, and he says, she just has to look in his eyes and tell him Bailey is his daughter. She cries, and says she’s so sorry. She can’t.

Maxie leaves Brook a voicemail to call her back. She needs to know Gladys hasn’t ruined everything. Nina comes out of the elevator, and Maxie asks what she’s doing there. Nina says, Elizabeth tipped her off that Sasha was in labor. What is it? Is it the baby? Maxie says she doesn’t know anything about Sasha or the baby, and Nina says, then what is it? Maxie says, her, and her plan to protect Louise from Peter. It’s falling apart.

At Rice Plaza, Sonny tells Carly, don’t worry about it. It was an accidental meeting; no one got hurt. She says, not tonight, but he got hurt. So did she. They’re whole family was hurt. Doesn’t he get that? Why is he defending Nina? He says he’s not defending Nina. He knows everyone got hurt. He’s just preventing any more hurt now that it’s over. She says, it’s not over, and it’s never going to be over as long as there are no consequences for what Nina did. He gets that, right? Please help her understand here.

Obrecht asks Peter, at what point is he going to admit they’re hopelessly lost? He asks when she’s going to shut her mouth, and she says, so that’s a never? He says he knows what he’s doing, and Britt asks, what’s going on? Obrecht looks at the ceiling, and says, it’s dangerously unstable.

Jason tells Drew, they have a problem, and Drew says, just one? Jason says he’s seen the island from a satellite view, and knows the tunnels exist… Drew says, but as far as which ones he used… Jason says he has no idea where Peter went. Drew crouches down and looks at something. He points and says, they used this one. Jason asks how he knows, and Drew says, Jason might be an expert hitman, but he’s had a little experience tracking people during his time in the Navy. His contribution to this little adventure. Jason tells him, lead the way.

Obrecht says, one false move, or a particularly loud noise, and they’ll all be buried alive. Peter asks if her dire warnings are intended to discourage him, but she says, they’re intended to save his life. Britt tells him to listen to her mother. Peter might hate Obrecht, but he knows she’s smart. Obrecht thanks her, and Peter says, she’s determined to stop him. She’ll tell any lie to slow them down. Britt says, she’s not lying about the loose dirt. Think about it. This island belongs to the Cassadines. He says, so? and she says, so, they’re not well-known for planning. They want a tunnel, they dig a tunnel. They don’t think about shoring it up, or maintaining it for that matter. Obrecht says, the Cassadines came there during the Russian Revolution; this tunnel could be more than a hundred years old. Britt says she knows Peter is arrogant, but even he can’t argue with geology, and gravity. They have to leave.

On the phone, Chase says he knows he’s still on desk duty, but was hoping they could do him a solid, and look something up for him… Awesome. He needs the E-Z Pass record for Brook Lyn Quartermaine’s vehicle on May 27th of this year… Yeah, he’ll hold.

Brook says she’s so sorry she lied to Valentin, but he says he needs to hear her say the words. She says, Bailey isn’t his daughter. She never meant for this to go on for so long. He says for months and months and months she watched him pour his heart into that little girl. She says she’s sorry. She thought it would be over before Valentin fell in love with Bailey, and he says he was in love with her the moment he knew she existed. His child is everything to him. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone look sadder than he looks right now.

Maxie tells Nina, and now, Gladys is going to open her big mouth and tell Valentin that Bailey isn’t his. Nina says, she could have told Maxie this wouldn’t end well, and Maxie says, too late. Nina says she’s sorry, and Maxie says, maybe there’s no reason to panic yet. Gladys doesn’t know everything. She doesn’t know Bailey is really Louise. Nina says, the crucial information is contained, and Maxie says, this could be a good thing, right? Nina was the one who tried to convince her to let Valentin in on the secret. He could actually be an ally. Nina says, she did, but… and Maxie says, she knows. It’s going to be a huge blow finding out Bailey isn’t his. Nina says, monumental, and Maxie says, after he processes it, and realizes she and Brook only did this to protect Louise from Peter, he’ll want to help her. He’ll understand. Wouldn’t it be great? Nina says it would, but she’s afraid it’s highly unlikely.

Sonny says, Carly has to understand. There’s been so much pain in their family in the last year… She says she knows, but the pain isn’t going to go away because Nina has a relationship with Wiley, and clearly, she’s going to stake her claim as his grandmother. So accidental or not, this just proves Michael was right to have charges pressed against Nina in Pennsylvania. Sonny says, if Michael had asked him, he would have said Michael was just making things more complicated. She says she doesn’t get it; this isn’t him. One thing they’ve always agreed on is, if someone comes at them, they’ll come back twice as hard to make sure nobody comes at them again. She’s not talking about sending a message. She’s talking about justice. Why would he deny himself or his family that kind of justice after what Nina did to him? He says, because if they destroy Nina, he would be denying who he had become.

Sasha squeezes Brando’s hand, and he tells her, just breathe. The doctor comes in with Elizabeth, and says she heard things are progressing in here. Brando says, looks like it, and Sasha says, feels like it too. Dr. Navarro says she’d like to run some tests, and do an ultrasound to see how things are going, and Sasha asks if everything is okay. The doctor says, that’s what she wants to confirm, and Brando says, whatever she thinks is best. Dr. Navarro asks Elizabeth to prep Sasha, and they leave. Brando tells Sasha, it’s going to be okay.

Drew says, it looks like they stood around for a while, and then met someone; there’s extra boot prints. Jason says, they probably picked up a guard, and Drew says they have a problem. This tunnel is in really bad shape. Jason says he noticed, and Drew says, loud noises, like, let’s say, gunfire, up the chances of a total collapse. Every gunshot is going to make this place more unstable.

Michael asks Willow, what brought on the sudden urge to go at the bag like that? He thought she was taking Wiley to the Fall Fair in Rice Plaza. She says she did take him. That’s what brought on the sudden desire for a workout. Nina was there. He asks if Nina approached her, but she says, Wiley made the first move. He saw her, wanted to go to her, and she let him. Go ahead. Tell her how much he hates that. He says he hates the idea of Nina being anywhere near their son, but he wasn’t there, so… She says, thank you. She tried keep it lowkey. She and Wiley had a hot chocolate with Nina, then she sent Wiley off with Cindy, who he knows from daycare at the hospital. When she and Nina were alone, she told Nina that she hates what she did, and didn’t think she should see Wiley for the time being, but she wasn’t going to confuse Wiley by dragging him away, and punishing him for Nina’s bad choices. He asks how Nina took it, and she says, Nina was appropriately remorseful. At the same time, she doesn’t think Nina even begins to grasp how selfish and horrible she was, or how much damage she’s done. When Cindy brought Wiley back, all she wanted to do was take him home, and just as they were saying their goodbyes, Carly showed up and jumped to the wrong conclusion. He asks, how wrong? and she says, Carly was going to call the cops on Nina for stalking Wiley. He says, go, mom, since he’s a big jerk, and Willow says, no. He says he knows it made a bad situation worse, but he can enjoy the fantasy, can’t he? She says, sure; he can enjoy it. He wasn’t the one in the middle of Rice Plaza, trying to stop his mom from having Nina dragged away in handcuffs in front of Wiley. She needs more time on the heavy bag. He says, actually, he has a better idea.

Dr. Navarro does the ultrasound, and says, looks like it’s time to get moving. She tells Elizabeth to have the OR prepped right away, and Brando asks if something is wrong. Sasha asks if there’s something wrong with the baby, and the doctor says they need to prep her for an emergency C-section. Sasha says, no, she’s fine, but then cries out in pain. Dr. Navarro says she knows it wasn’t their plan, and under normal circumstances, they’d do everything they could to avoid surgery, but she’s having pain from a placental disruption, and the baby needs to come out now.

Chase sees Bobbie come into Charlie’s, and says, it’s good to see her. She asks him to excuse her for making a beeline to the coffee, but she’s headed to Rice Plaza. She just came off a double-shift at GH. Where everyone is raving about his wife, by the way. He says he thinks she means ex-wife, and she says, that’s why she needs caffeine; she’s so sorry. He tells her, that’s okay, and she says, clearly, her mind isn’t as sharp after a long day. For the record, she loves that Willow makes Michael happy, but she hates that he got hurt in the process. He’s a good man, and he’s been a particularly good friend to Maxie and Lulu. He says he hopes the coffee works its magic, and she goes to the bar to order a large coffee to go. His phone dings, and he looks at it, and says, Beecher’s Corners? What’s she doing there? Bobbie says, she doesn’t know who he’s referring to, but Beecher’s Corners happens to be a lovely place. He says, she’s been? and she says, right before Memorial Day.

Brook says she knows Valentin is upset; he has every right to be. He tells her, don’t tell him how to feel, and identify. I hate when people do that. She says he has to understand; this was never her intention. He says he doesn’t care about her intentions. This is where they are now. When he thinks about the sleepless nights, and the stories they shared… She says, that was real, and he asks, how was it real? She says, because it happened, and he says she’s not who he thought she was. He doesn’t even know what she is. She watched as he bonded with this child. His twelve-year-old daughter thinks she has a sister, and for what? Some stock? The Brook he thought he knew would have never done that. She says, she didn’t.

Maxie says, Nina was the one who advocated for Maxie to tell the truth. Nina says, she did. If Maxie had told him months ago when she said that, she’s sure Valentin would have been supportive. Not only would he have kept the secret, he would have made sure it was airtight, but they made him fall in love with that baby… Just like she made Sonny fall in love with her. Maxie says, not ideal or advised, but when it comes to the truth, isn’t it better late than never? Nina tells her, that’s what people say, tell the truth, but she learned the hard way, they’re only talking about the immediate truth. Hidden truths become secrets, and those only leave pain and chaos in their wake.

Carly says she wants to understand what Sonny is going through, but he has to walk her through it. How can Nina facing justice for what she did to their family, be denying who he’s become? He closes his eyes for a moment, and says, he was gone for nine months, and at that time, he was living another life; they both were. He can’t just believe it’s going to go back to normal, and nothing’s changed. It’s hard for him. She says, things have gone back to normal. They’re the same people they were; they’re the same couple. He says, for the better part of a year, he was another person, and that time doesn’t just vanish from his mind. In Nixon Falls, he didn’t know about Sonny Corinthos, but here he knows he was Mike, and Mike’s still part of him. For nine months, what kept him alive, centered, and safe was the friendships he had with Lenny, Phyllis, and Nina. He just can’t change the fact that up until a couple weeks ago, Nina was… the one friend he had in the whole world.

Chase asks if Bobbie was in Beecher’s Corners on vacation, and she says she supposes there’s no reason to be keeping it a secret at this point. She was supposed to meet Maxie there. He says, like a final hoorah before he baby was born? but she says, not exactly. Maxie had figured out the truth about Peter, but she knew if she tried to end the relationship, there would be… issues. He says, that’s putting it mildly, and she says, Maxie asked her there in a professional capacity. He says, as a nurse? and she says, yeah. The plan was for her to deliver Maxie’s baby in secret.

Brook said this took her by surprise too, but Valentin tells her not to compare their experiences; they’re nothing alike. She says she’s just trying to explain herself. It started off with, oops, I’m pregnant, and Valentin thinks he’s the father. He says, she led him to believe he was the father, and she says, she did something she’s not proud of. She used the situation to her advantage so she could get ELQ back. She was clueless. She had no idea how he’d be as a father or as a partner. She thought he’d just give her child support and leave. He says, which, if she’d accepted, would have been fraud, but go ahead. She asks if he remembers how opposed she was to him moving in. Why does he think that was? What started off as a stupid means to an end, ended up with him and his daughter moving in with her family; their family. The four of them. She thought, what was she doing? but it was too late. Then Gladys found out the truth and started blackmailing her. She had no choice. She never intended to hurt him.

Obrecht tells Peter, congratulations; this is new. She doesn’t suppose Peter knows where they are. He says, for the millionth time, stop talking, or he will kill one of them. Britt asks Obrecht to stop antagonizing Peter, but Obrecht says she’s not; she’s telling him the truth. This whole place could come crumbling down at any time, and this dummkopf is leading us nowhere. Brittwas right; they must turn back. Peter says, no. They’re getting the hell out of here, going to the harbor, and getting on a boat. Then they’re going to the rendezvous point where Drew will be bringing Maxie to him. Drew says, that’s not going to happen, and Peter sees Drew in front of him. holding a gun aimed at him.   

Dr. Navarro explains that the placenta is separating from the uterus. Sasha says, when? and the doctor guesses it happened when her water broke. Sasha says, the placenta is how the baby eats and gets oxygen, and Dr. Navarro says that’s why they have to do the C-section. Brando asks if their son is okay, and the doctor says they’re doing everything int their power to make sure of that. She tells Sasha that they’ll give her an epidural, but she’ll be conscious, and Sasha says, just take care of the baby. The doctor says, the plan is to take care of both of them, and Sasha is wheeled out. Brando says, the doctor made a point of saying both of them. Is Sasha in trouble too? Level with him. Is Sasha’s life at risk too? She says, it’s too early to say, but a hemorrhage could be a complication, which is why they can’t waste time, She jets, and Brando follows.

Nina says, maybe it would help if she went with Maxie, and Maxie says, as in, he might go easier on her? Nina says, well, he won’t kill her because there’s a witness. It’s possible. They see Sasha being wheeled to the OR, and go over to Brando. Nina asks if Sasha is okay, but he says, no. She could lose the baby and he could lose them both. Nina and Maxie hug him.

Peter asks what the hell Drew is doing here, and Drew says he’s taking Britt and her mother off this island, but if he kills Peter in the process, that’s just a bonus. Peter moves for his own gun, and Drew shoots him in the arm. Jason joins them, and there’s gunfire between them and the guards, Britt and Obrecht ducking down. There’s one guard remaining, and he puts up his hands. Drew asks how Jason wants to handle him, and asks the guard if what Peter is paying him is worth dying for. The guard throws his gun down, and Drew tells him, get out. He wisely does, and Jason asks if they’re okay. Britt says, they are now, and runs to Jason, hugging him. She steps away and says, that’s a perfectly normal response; she’s happy he’s not dead. Drew asks, where’s Peter? but he’s gone.

Michael wears punching mitts, while Willow punches, and she says she hates being stuck in the middle. It would be so much easier if Nina moved far away, like New Zealand, or at least California. He says, prison works, but she says, even if Nina goes to prison, she’ll still have legal rights as Wiley’s grandmother. He says, it will be hard exercise those rights in prison, but she says, Nina has money and lawyers, and if she lands in prison, she’ll have nothing but time. Think about it. Does he really want to take Wiley to visit Nina in some prison visiting room? He says, of course (🍷) not, and she says, the fact is, Nina will always be Wiley’s grandmother, unless she chooses to sever those ties. An all-out visitation war over Wiley can only hurt him. For Wiley’s sake, she just wants to find a way for them to co-exist. Is that so impossible to understand? he says he does understand; he just doesn’t agree. Willow throws some more punches.

Chase says, Maxie didn’t want to have her baby in the hospital? and Bobbie says, it wasn’t so much about the venue . He says, because of Peter, and she says, Peter was watching her like a hawk at the time. Her guess is, Maxie wanted to keep her options open. He says, her guess? and she says, all Maxie told her was that she was determined not to let Peter raise her baby. So if that meant going on the run or putting Louise up for adoption… The best laid plans, right? All that strategizing to try and keep Peter away from her baby, and now Maxie has no idea where she is. She tells Chase, it’s good to see him, but she’s got to go. Bobbie leaves, and the wheels turn in Chase’s head.

Valentin cries, and says he’s devastated. He just doesn’t know how else to put it. He loves Bailey so completely, and if he’s not her father, what does he do with that? He wanted to watch her grow up so bad. Brook says he can still do that, and he says, as what? He’s not her father. He wonders how he’s going to tell Charlotte, and she says, they’ll do it together, but he says, no! He doesn’t want her anywhere near his daughter. She says, please, and he says, let him and Charlotte mourn what she’s stolen from them, and then he’ll mourn her too. This is heartbreaking.

Carly says she knew that Nina was a presence in Nixon Falls, for months, and of course (🍷) Sonny saw her. But this is the first she’s hearing that he considers Nina his friend. He says she’s not his friend; he didn’t say that. When he didn’t know who Nina was, or what she’d done to his family… When he was Mike… He takes her hand, and Bobbie runs into the plaza. She says she’s sorry she’s late. She ran into… She asks if she’s interrupting, but Sonny says, they have plans, right? He tells Carly he’ll see her later, and leaves. Bobbie asks if everything is okay, but Carly says she doesn’t know.    

Still in the ring with Willow, Michael says Nina is counting on her to co-exist, and put her mistakes in the past. That way, when anyone approaches her, and holds her accountable, like him or his mom, they’re unreasonable, vindictive. She flips the script and goes from being a borderline psycho, liar, someone who kept his dad a virtual prisoner for nine months… He doesn’t want to go down this rabbit hole. He doesn’t want to waste this moment with her. She’s beautiful, and sweaty, and throwing punches. He doesn’t want to waste that on anyone, least of all, Nina. Willow says, who? and he says, exactly. He doesn’t want to think about the things he hates, and miss the thing he loves, standing right in front of him.

Brando tells Maxie and Nina that he’s terrified. What if they can’t get to the baby in time? Maxie says, he can’t think like that, and Nina says, Maxie’s right. Sasha is incredibly resilient. Maxie says, and so is he. You know what that means? His baby is a badass too. Nina asks if they’ve found baby names yet, and he shakes his head. She says, Badass Corbin has a nice ring to it. I actually like that one. Brando guesses he should head to the OR, and Maxie asks if she can walk with him. She’s had an emergency C-section, so maybe she can tell him what to expect. He says he’d appreciate that, and Nina says, please keep her updated. And tell Sasha that she loves her. They leave, and Nina leans against the wall, looking sad.

Everyone bustles around, prepping for Sasha’s surgery. Dr. Navarro comes in, and gets gloved up. Sasha looks worried. Yikes! We see them cut into her.

Valentin says he admired Brook. He felt lucky, like they were kindred spirits; like they understood one another. And she was gracious to Charlotte. He thought she would be a good influence to her, but he was wrong. It was all a lie. Smoke and mirrors. That’s all she is. She saw the damage she was doing, and stood by and did nothing. She just let it roll, and go on and on… She says, that’s not what happened. There’s a huge piece of this that he doesn’t understand.

Obrecht says, that schwein Peter must have run away in all the commotion. Jason says, they know he’s not headed to the house, and Obrecht says, he doesn’t know where he’s headed. He was hopelessly lost. Britt asks how Jason and Drew found them, and Jason says, Drew was able to track them. Obrecht says, of course (🍷), and tells Drew, congratulations on overcoming the conditioning. Drew says, the credit goes to Jason, but Jason says, actually, the credit goes to Britt. She found a way to give him the card from Peter. Britt hugs Jason again, and Obrecht says she was just trying to be inclusive. Jason asks if Drew can pick up Peter’s trail; they have to find him. Drew asks if Obrecht and Britt can find their way back, and Obrecht says, one of her minor PhDs was in geology. These tunnels are the brink of collapse. Drew says, that gunfire didn’t help the situation, and Obrecht said, it made it exponentially worse. If they want to get out alive, the need to go now. They start to walk, and Jason looks behind them. He says, get down, and Peter starts shooting at them.

Bobbie says she’s not trying to pry, but Carly says, she needs Bobbie to pry. Bobbie says she’s concerned. Everything’s so tense between Carly and Sonny. Is it awkward because of what happened with Carly and Jason? Carly says, no. They talked about that, and they’re all on the same page. It’s got nothing to do with Jason. Bobbie says, that is a relief. Take it from her, there’s nothing worse than feeling like there’s a third person in your marriage.

Michael says he and Willow are so lucky to have each other, and Wiley. They should just focus on that, be here and now, and not worry about anything else. She says, at least not until the next time Nina comes calling. What if she shows up on Thanksgiving; just drops by to give something to Wiley? He says, what if Wiley’s not home? What if he’s in New York City with them? She says, they’re going to New York City? and he says, they could. Has she ever been to the Thanksgiving Day Parade? She says, not in person, and he says, this could be the year. The three of them could go to the parade, Rockefeller Center, Central Park. She asks if they could go see a show, and he says, any show she wants. Her pick. She says, are they really doing this? and he says, let’s get away from this miserable situation, and have an amazing Thanksgiving weekend. All she has to do is say yes. She says, yes, and hugs him. Believe me, the parade’s not all it’s cracked up to be in person. You have to get there before the crack of dawn, the balloons don’t look so perfect, and are a little scary hanging over you, it’s crowded, and the lip-syncing is even more obvious. And if it’s cold, you’ll feel like you’re never going to be warm again after standing on that cement. However, if you can find a place inside along the route to observe, maybe with mimosas and bagels, take that opportunity.

Nina goes into Charlie’s, and tells bartender Johnny that she’s mixing it up today, and orders a vodka soda with lemon. She flashes back to telling Sasha that she’s going to make a fantastic mother, and Sasha saying it would be due to Nina, who’d shown her what it looked like to be a kind, loving mother. Even after Nina knew what Sasha had done, she still showed Sasha compassion. Nina asks Johnny if Phyllis is out, and he says, she stepped out, but she’ll be back soon. Nina starts to take her drink to a table, when Sonny walks in.

Wearing surgical gear, Brando runs into the OR. He tells Sasha that he’s right here, and asks how she is. She says, numb, and he says, she’s the bravest person he’s ever met. Dr. Navarro says, this is it; it’s time for their baby to be born. She tells Sasha that she might feel pressure, and Brando says, she’s got this. The doctor says, he’s here, and holds the baby up. Sasha says, oh my God, and Brando says, their first son. The baby is hustled to the corner of the room, and everyone gets busy there. Brando asks, what happened? What’s wrong with their baby?

Brook says, is she a screw up? Yes. Is she shortsighted and selfish? 100%, but there’s a legitimate reason she couldn’t tell him the truth. Chase knocks and walks in, and Valentin says, just in time. Chase asks, what for? and Valentin says, the latest bombshell. It turns out Brook’s been lying to him. He’s not Bailey’s father after all. Chase says, he’s aware, and Valentin says, Brook told him? She says, never. She didn’t tell anyone. Chase says he knows Valentin isn’t Bailey’s father, because he is.

Jason shoots back at Peter, and Obrecht tells him to stop shooting. He tells Drew. get them out of here, and Drew tries, but Britt is resistant. Peter and Jason shoot at one another, and the ceiling starts to crumble, falling on Jason. Britt screams for him, and Drew holds her back.

On Monday, Chase says he’ll never forgive Brook for this, Robert wants any excuse to shoot, everyone lies in the rubble on Cassadine Island, and Sasha is hemorrhaging.

🧺 Alice Has Left the Building…

What an untimely shame. She was so funny on GH! Be sure to check out the tribute where there’s a video of Alice kissing Dobson, who was really Alexis. She will be missed.

https://people.com/tv/general-hospital-actor-bergen-williams-dead-at-62-after/

🔬 Oh Brad…

Apparently, he had some haters, but I’m thrilled he’s coming back.

🦃 Talking Turkey…

Soaps airing or not on Thanksgiving. Why GH is choosing to air a rerun from February is beyond me, when they have their choice of classic pizza-for-Thanksgiving episodes.

🎄 Christmas Days…

DOOL is everywhere these days.

https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-christmas-movie-for-peacock/

👠 It’s Mediocre To Be Her…

The latest on Erika. I don’t believe for a second, if another rich dude came along, she wouldn’t jump at the chance to get married again. Although she’d probably be a lot smarter.

https://people.com/tv/erika-girardi-says-she-will-never-marry-again-divorce-tom-girardi/

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-erika-girardi-says-everything-is-good-amid-ongoing-legal-trouble/

📩 Ain’t Too Proud…

Even if true, it’s kind of old news. I guess she’s too busy with the new fiancé to pick a new fight.

🎭 Naturally Entitled…

I have never once seen any audience member put a drink on a Broadway stage. It’s a play, not a singles bar. Even worse is walking back from intermission mid-act. Too bad they didn’t make her stand at the back of the theater, which would be their call.

🍑 To NeNe Or Not To NeNe…

Kenya twirls in to give her opinion.

🛥 It Just Doesn’t Matter…

It looks like RHUGT is a thing now.

🍹 Needs New Accessory…

I’m actually sorry this didn’t work out.

https://screenrant.com/southern-charm-kathryn-dennis-chleb-ravenell-breakup-split/

👨🏻 Not With That Mustache…

I’m surprised he hasn’t spoken about this on Vanderpump Rules. He plugs everything else about himself.

💪🏼 No One Will Even Notice…

This is kind of funny. Like when someone is drunk, and they’re trying real hard to keep you from knowing. In other words. It’s a fail.

https://people.com/style/lala-kent-changes-her-rand-tattoo-to-brand-new-after-randall-emmett-breakup/

🎯 Quotes of the Week

Compassion is the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment. – Arthur Jersild

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. – Lou Holtz

If you are going through hell, keep going. – Winston S. Churchill

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

We can always begin again. – Sharon Salzberg

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying. – Oscar Wilde

Humor is reason gone mad. – Groucho Marx

Our heads are round so thought can change direction. – Francis Picabia

🎬 Once More Unto the Breach…

Until it’s time for the Dead, your homework is to do something different and do something for yourself. Maybe those things are even one and the same, in which case, double that. Whatever you do, stay safe, stay acting out of love, not fear, and stay not thinking about the things you hate. You might miss the things you love.

February 11, 2021 – Nina Crashes Sonny’s Funeral (Yes, I Got It), a Little Charm, Some Summer, Ramona’s Rules, Arrested Alexa, Marks Remarks, Covid Impact, Last Bow, New Kathryn, Bowl Stuff, Today’s Fact & Family

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

🤫 Oops, I snagged it again.

General Hospital

Michael looks at the funeral program, and walks into the church. He looks at all the flowers, and Sonny’s picture. Willow takes his hand. Josslyn and Trina come in next, and Josslyn hugs Michael. He asks how she’s doing, and she says, Sonny was his father; how’s he doing? He says he’s glad everyone’s come together to honor Sonny, and she says, that’s an evasion. How is he really?  He says, it feels like a bad dream, and yet, very real. She asks, where’s mom?

Carly tells Jax, she’s not going to think about Nelle, or that night on the cliff. Nelle is dead, and that night can die with her. Nina listens from outside the door, and Jax says, he never wants to think about Nelle again, but it’s not that simple. He hates keeping things from Nina. Carly says, it’s too late to rethink things, and he says he understands that. No one can ever know Carly was there the night Nelle went off the cliff. Carly says she still has nightmares about that night; Nelle calling out for help, seeing her hanging on for dear life. She really wanted to help, but she thought it was a trick. When she realized it wasn’t, and reached out to help her, Nelle just couldn’t hold on. Nina looks horrified.

Alexis chugs her vodka nip, gets herself together, and turns around to see Molly in the doorway. Molly asks if something is wrong, but Alexis says she had trouble finding her phone. They can go now. Molly says she forgot her scarf, and Alexis finds it on the couch. Molly says, before they go, she knows how rough today is going to be for Alexis, and that Sonny’s death will make it that much harder for her not to drink. She’s grateful Alexis is hanging in there. Alexis takes the empty nip out of the cupboard, and hands it to Molly, saying, here you go. Sam and Kristina come in, wondering what’s taking so long. Molly says Alexis was just showing her a bottle she’d missed before, and Kristina asks if Molly caught her, but Molly says, she confessed. Kristina says, and she drank it? and Alexis says, yes. She made it through one day, right? Go ahead let her have it.

At the hospital, Laura tells Brando, she can’t believe his boss didn’t have the decency to let him attend his cousin’s funeral. Cyrus walks in, and says, is that right? What kind of a heartless bastard would do that?

Lenny tells Sonny that he has some errands to run, but won’t be long. Some of Phyllis’s chili is in the fridge, and Sonny can help himself, but just so he knows, she’s real proud of it, so don’t tell her how to improve it. Sonny thanks Lenny, and Lenny asks if Sonny is okay. He hopes Sonny isn’t still thinking about the run-in with Officer Finchley. It’s over; move on. Sonny says, it’s not that. He doesn’t let cops bother him. Lenny says, just today, or in general? He can see Sonny has something on his mind. Any chance he remembers something about who he is?

Dante tells Olivia, he doesn’t see Alexis there, and she says, not yet, but she’s sure Alexis will be there. He wonders if they’re gong to be avoiding her all day, and Olivia wonders why Dante is still defending her. Dante says she wasn’t aiming for him, and Olivia says, but Dante almost died to save Franco. She knows we’re all God’s creatures, but… He tells her not to make a big deal out of it. He saw someone who needed help, and jumped in. It just happened to be Franco. She says, her son, the saint. Sasha walks in, and goes over to Michael. He thanks her for being there. She tells him she’s so sorry about his father, and Willow says she’s going to see if there are any last minute details she can help with. She’s glad Sasha is there. She leaves, and Sasha asks Michael if her being there is really okay. He says, of course (🍷) it’s okay. They’re still friends, aren’t they?

Jax tells Carly, considering the horrible things Nelle has done, anyone would have been suspicious. It’s not her fault for hesitating. Anyone would have hesitated in her place. She says, he’s right. Just like he was right for her not to admit to the police that she was there on the cliff when Nelle fell. And that’s all she’s saying about it, because today is about Sonny, and finding a way to say goodbye. Jax says he’s there for her, whatever she needs, and they hug. They hear someone outside the door say, can I help you? Father Reyes comes in, and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but someone is looking for them.

Sam says, so Alexis drank it, and fessed up to Molly without her even asking, and Molly says, pretty much. Kristina says she’s not going to judge Alexis. She’s just going to say she hopes Alexis gets better. Molly says, her getting better is all any of them want, and Sam says, recovery isn’t a straight line. There are going to be bumps along the way. Alexis says she knows. Day one? Molly tells her, keep it simple. Aim for day two. Sam says they just want Alexis to know that they love her, they’re here for her, and they’re going to do this together. They want her happy and healthy, and around for a really long time. Alexis tries to smile, goes to the cupboard, and takes out two more unopened nips. She hands them over, saying, they can get rid of those too. They have a Davis group hug.

Dante says he keeps expecting Sonny to walk through the doors, and Michael says he knows. Every time someone walks through the doors, he expects it to be Sonny. It’s just that it’s so different not knowing for sure. Morgan’s service was the same way. Dante says he knows, and Michael says, they felt Grandpa Mike there, but obviously it wasn’t the same. Dante says he still regrets not being there for the service, and Michael says, Sonny told him how much Dante coming back meant to him. He was never happier than when all his kids were around.

Jason asks Carly if everything is okay, and she says she just wanted to go through the service with Father Reyes. He asks if she minds if he stays, and she says, no. She asks Father Reyes if it will take long, and he tells her, just a few minutes. He leaves to get his notes, and Jax says he should go; he’ll leave them to it. Jason closes the door behind Jax, and asks how Carly is holding up. She says, she doesn’t know if she can do this, but she will. He tells her that she’s not alone. Everybody who’s there is there for Sonny, but they’re there for her too. She says, just not the person she needs the most.

Sonny tells Lenny that he hasn’t remembered anything specific, except how to make sauce and handle a gun. Lenny says, and not to sweat the cops, and Sonny laughs. Lenny says, Officer Finchley might have given Sonny a hard time, but he’s a good guy. Sonny tells him, if he says so, and Lenny says he does, but the robberies have Finchley on edge, and they’ve caused him to be suspicious of Sonny. He’s sorry about that. Sonny says, Lenny was suspicious of him in the beginning, but now they’re sharing Phyllis’s best chili. That’s a step forward. Lenny says, huge, and tells Sonny that he has to go. He suggests Sonny put on some music. It will perk him up.

Nina goes to Nelle’s grave, and says, it’s me, your mother. She kneels down, and says she hates that they didn’t get time together as mother and daughter. It was such a cruel twist of fate, discovering Nelle was her child only after Nelle was dead. But as it turns out, it wasn’t fate that took Nelle from her; it was Carly.

Cyrus says, and here he’d thought that Laura acknowledged he has a heart. She asks if he’s talking about his little walk down Memory Lane the other day. All that proved was that he had a childhood, and she knew that already. The real measure of a man isn’t his distant past, but his present actions. Why would he keep Brando from attending his cousin’s funeral? He says, that was never his intent. All Brando had to do was ask. She says, like he wouldn’t see it as an act of disloyalty, and he asks if that’s the kind of game she thinks he plays with his employees. She says, not just him; men like him. He asks what kind of man that is, and she says, narcissist. He thought she was going to say gangster, didn’t he? He says, perish the thought – I smile, because these two are great verbal sparring partners – but thanks for reminding him about his colleague’s funeral, and his relationship to Brando. He says Brando is going to accompany him to All Saints Chapel, so they can pay their respects to the late, great Sonny Corinthos. She says, oh no. Hell no.

Michael asks how Carly is doing, and she says she knows having the funeral is the right thing. It sends a powerful message, and keeps them safe. That’s what’s getting her through this. That, and knowing how many people loved his dad.

Spinelli throws himself at Jason, hugging him, and says his most heartfelt condolences on this solemn day. Sonny did not suffer fools, and yet, he allowed Spinelli to bend his ear on many an occasion. Diane has come in too, and she laugh/cries at Spinelli’s words. Spinelli says, despite Sonny’s alleged occupation, he truly believes Sonny did more good in his life than harm. His passing leaves a void in the universe. Diane says, a lot can be said about the man. Despite choosing a profession that often required attorney/client privilege, and not always having the purest of motives, Sonny managed to touch people’s lives in a very positive way.

Nina says, Carly was there when Nelle fell; she knows that now. Carly could have saved her, but she didn’t. And Jax lied about it. Not just to the police; he lied to her. All his fancy talk about protecting her from the pain of losing a child, it was just to protect Carly. He would have let Nina spend her entire life not knowing Nelle was hers, just to make sure Carly was never punished for letting Nelle die.

Sonny polishes glasses as he listens to some oldies. There’s a knock at the door, and he turns around to see a woman in the doorway, her face obscured, but what we can see looks like Carly. He approaches, and he’s suddenly in a wooded garden. He asks where she went, and sees her back turned to him. He asks if she’s looking for him. She keeps walking, and he tells her, wait.

Laura says Cyrus is not going to Sonny’s funeral, but he says he wants to pay his respects. She says, no he doesn’t. He wants to rub it in Carly and Jason’s faces that Sonny is dead. He says, not at all, but if he did, could she blame him? Jason abducted his mother just to see him suffer. She tells him, stay away from that funeral, understand? For Sonny’s family. He says she means his wife. Carly and Jason are – excuse the expression – thick as thieves. He’s sure Carly knew about his mother’s abduction. She says, then for the rest of Sonny’s friends and family, and for his children. Of course (🍷) he must suspect all of them too. He says he took time out of his very busy schedule to attend the service. He supposes if there was something to occupy the gaping hole in his schedule, he could forego the funeral. She asks what he wants, and he says, have coffee with him. Let’s get to know each other. She says, so that’s the price for Sonny’s family to grieve in peace; that she misses the funeral, and has coffee with him instead. Brando looks amused, and Cyrus says, if it’s amenable to her. She says, it’s fine with her, and he says, excellent. He tells Brando, Laura is right. He shouldn’t miss the family gathering. Call Ruiz to fill in, and he can go. Brando thanks him.

Molly tells Alexis that she made some tea, and Alexis says, just what an alcoholic wants to hear on day one of recovery. Molly asks if she wants a different tea, but Alexis says, it’s fine. Molly is there with her, not babysitting her. They sit, and Molly asks, what’s her defense strategy? Molly knows Martin wants Alexis to plead diminished capacity. Alexis says, or temporary insanity, and Molly says, she doesn’t agree? Alexis says, it’s definitely the best defense, and what she’d recommend, and Molly asks, then what’s the problem? Alexis says, that she prided herself on being unbreakable, and here she is, broken. It’s a matter of public record, and truthfully, the only thing it makes her want to do, is drink more.

Sam tells Jason she’s so sorry, and hugs him. He says he’s really going to miss Sonny, and she says, they had a long history together. He tells her that he still can’t believe it. He asks if Molly and Alexis are there, but she says her mom was feeling sick, so Molly stayed with her. He says he’s glad she’s there, and she says she wanted to be there… for him.

Standing at the entrance, Brando tells Carly, he’s so sorry for her loss. He and Sonny didn’t know each other long, but Sonny taught him the lengths people will go to for family. Kristina says, he clearly didn’t learn much if he’s still working for Cyrus, and Carly tells her, Brando is her family too. She thanks Brando for his condolences, and says they’re all Sonny’s family, and they’re going to get through this together.

Jax asks how Josslyn is holding up, and she says she’s okay… she thinks. He thanks Trina for coming, and she says, that’s what best friends are for. He says, the ceremony is about to start, and they sit. Brando approaches Sasha, and she wonders if Cyrus is there. He says, he was threatening to come, but the mayor took care of it. Sasha says, thank God. She wondered if Brando would be there, and he says, he’s Sonny’s family, but she says she’s surprised Cyrus let him come. Unless he sent Brando as a spy. Brando is sure he’ll expect a recap, just out of curiosity. She says, of course (🍷). Why else? He asks if he can sit with her, and she nods.

Michael finds Carly outside, and says, it’s time. Is she ready? They go inside, and organ music plays. Father Reyes says, they’re here to celebrate the life of Michael Corinthos Jr., better known to all of them as Sonny.

Dante reads the 23rd Psalm (the Lord is my shepherd…), and we see everyone’s sad faces.

Still at the hospital, but with a to-go cup of coffee, Laura tells Cyrus, he has until she finishes her coffee, but she’ll sip it slowly. He wonders where to begin, and she says, at the beginning. She’ll let him know if he has to fast forward. He says he knows she killed a man, David Hamilton, when she was just a teenager, and she says, it was a horrible accident. David said some hurtful things to her, she lost her temper, she shoved him, he hit his head, and he died. She’s regretted it since that day. He says he understands. He and his father had just had a terrible fight. He got in the car, when his father stepped in front of him, and in his agitation, he stepped on the gas instead of the brake. Laura asks why he keeps telling her this. Why even bring it up? He tells her that he wants her to see things from his perspective. Would her life have been different if her family had thrown her out at 17, and turn their backs on her, the way his did to him?

At the pulpit, Kristina says her father was always there for her. She was terrified when she came out to him; he could be so Catholic. He gave her so much love and support, she wishes she could have trusted him to tell him sooner. She loves him. She’s not going to say goodbye.

Next up, Michael says, his dad taught him to face a tough situation head-on. Whenever he needed anything, his dad was always there. He cheered the loudest when Michael had an accomplishment, and when times were tough, was a shoulder to lean on. He’s going to miss that shoulder.

Nina says Nelle is so alone there, just like she was in life. It breaks Nina’s heart to know her daughter was struggling all by herself to find a way. Unlike Carly, who always has people tripping over themselves to make sure she gets what she wants. Carly wanted Nelle gone. Nelle came to her and asked for help, but instead of helping, she turned her back on Nelle, and believed Carly. But no more. She promises that she’ll get justice for Nelle. Whatever it takes.

Carly looks at Jason. He shakes his head, and she gets up. She thanks everyone for being there. Those of them who Sonny loved were truly blessed. Sonny loved big, intense, and loud. How do they say goodbye to a man like that? She knows she can’t. He’s always going to be with her in his children’s eyes, and smiles, and laughter. And he’s going to be in her heart forever, and in the memories of his friends and family. They won’t ever forget him. She looks at his picture near the flowers.

Sonny says, don’t go. He knows her, doesn’t he? She turns, but we still don’t see her face, and they’re suddenly hugging. He says he missed this. He missed her. He never wants this to end.

Lenny comes back to the Tan-O, and asks if Sonny is okay. Sonny yawns, and smiles.

Alexis tells Molly, she wants to get sober more than anything, but she doesn’t know how. She just wants to drink all the time, and it’s pathetic. Molly says Alexis is still the strongest person she knows, but strong doesn’t mean perfect. She stumbles, but so does everyone. Alexis says, she almost killed a man. Shouldn’t she pay for that? Molly asks, how? and Alexis says, maybe she should change her plea to guilty.

Laura asks what Cyrus wants her to say; that she would have made the same choices, or gone down the same path? He says, his mother threw him out; she refused to speak to him. What did Laura’s mother do when she found out Laura had killed the late, unlamented Mr. Hamilton? She says he knows what her mother did. She took the blame to protect Laura. He says, but she didn’t go to prison. Neither of them did. Laura says, because she was traumatized, she’d blocked it out completely, but when she remembered, she confessed. Because of her age, she was put on probation, and later it was ruled an accident. He says, what if, instead of protecting Laura, and buying her the time she needed to recover, her mother had told the police she’d killed David Hamilton in cold blood? Does she think her life would have been as good as it’s been? She admits, no, it wouldn’t.

Sonny tells Lenny, he must have dozed off. Phyllis said the meds might make him drowsy until they found the right dosage. Lenny laughs, and says, it’s just like him. Sleeping on the job, and everything is still ready to go. Sonny says he was listening to the radio. He heard a song, and had a dream. Lenny says, it must have been some dream.

At the cemetery, where there are surprisingly few people, Father Reyes says, as they lay Sonny’s soul to rest, beside his much loved father Mike and his son Morgan, he’ll lead them in prayer. In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through His Son Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God, Michael Corinthos Jr., Sonny to his loved ones. Earth to earth; ashes to ashes; dust to dust. The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord shine His face upon him, and be gracious to him. The Lord lift up His countenance upon him, and give him peace. Amen.

Everyone places white roses on the grave. Olivia kneels, and starts to cry. Sam hugs Diane. Carly is last, and she says she loves him. Nina watches, and Jax turns to see her really pissed off face. I say, ooh, out loud.

Molly tells Alexis, the question is, how does sending her to prison instead of rehab benefit anyone? It doesn’t. Alexis says, so if Molly were standing in front of a judge… Molly says she’d argue that locking Alexis away would only hurt the community. Alexis asks, how? She wouldn’t be supporting the liquor stores and the bars? It’s not like she’s been an asset to citizenry. Molly says, even without a law license, Alexis can still consult, and volunteer, and lots of other things she knows are out there, but none of that will be available in prison, where she knows substance abuse runs rampant. Therefore, Alexis needs to fight this and win. The defense rests. Alexis says Molly is going to make a helluva lawyer, but does she want to know something? Molly says, of course (🍷), and Alexis says, the one thing she wants more than anything, is a drink. Molly puts her arm around Alexis, and leans her head on Alexis’s shoulder.

Laura says, it must have been horrible for Cyrus to be out on the streets alone at 17. She does know what it’s like to be desperate, and she’s done her share of shameful things. He says, exactly. They’re not so very different. She says they’ve both made regrettable choices, but the difference is, she considers hers mistakes; he considers his achievements. He rolls his eyes, and she says, he chooses to live off of people’s weaknesses. She chooses family and community. She chooses love.

While the mourners hug Carly, Jax reaches for Nina, but she backs away from him. He says he didn’t expect to see her there, and she says she was at Nelle’s grave. She walked over there because she was hoping to find him. They need to talk. He says he has to go to the reception, but he can talk after. She says, it has to be now, and he tells her, Josslyn needs him. She says she’s sure Carly needs him too. He says, yes, but can’t they talk afterward? She says, no. They’re going to talk right now. She’s starting to get loud, and everyone is starting to look in their direction. Jax says he can’t right now, and she says, she knows what he did. Carly looks at Jason.

Lenny asks what Sonny’s dream was about, and Sonny says, he’s not sure, but he was happy. He didn’t want it to end. Lenny says, what is it? and Sonny says, I remembered someone.

There was no preview, but we’re two days ahead. I always take preemption as a challenge.

🍹 As I’d thought, Southern Charm Secrets Revealed showed nothing secret, and wasn’t very revealing. It was still enjoyable though. The Secrets Revealed shows are always more lighthearted, as they show everyone actually getting along and having a good time. Stuff that was left on the cutting room floor, since they want conflict for the show. Some of the highlights were: Danni selling her engagement ring, since things didn’t work out with her fiancé  (I hadn’t known this – see below), Kathryn getting hair extensions, the guys playing virtual beer pong, and a 7th anniversary party for Republic. Apparently, the cast has lived a quarter of their lives at the restaurant, and it brought back a lot of memories. Leva said she’d expected to do well, but hadn’t expected it to be The Peach Pit. Even Madison seemed surprisingly human.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/southern-charm-danni-baird-ends-engagement

🏖 The horrible, horrible cast of Summer House had a roller skating party, and Luke finally showed up, along with someone he’d had a little something with in the past. Hannah, the only person I like on this show, had thought she was having a thing with him, but he stuck her in the friendzone, after gushing about how much he loved her and wanted her in his life. Both girls confronted him, and Hannah got the short end of the stick, with Luke saying they’d never dated in the first place, and acting like they’d just been good buddies. Even worse, I’m pretty sure new old squeeze Ciara won’t care, and she’ll be sleeping with Luke, while Hannah is stuck in the house with them. I felt embarrassed for her, and it only confirmed once again, how awful the people on this show are. Ptooey!

👠 Virus Be Damned…

So were her 50 60 75 girlfriends there too?

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/02/ramona-singer-parties-at-mar-a-lago-amid-rhony-covid-shut-down/

🍊 Alexa, You Have the Right To Remain Silent…

TBH, I don’t remember her. I barely remember Lynne.

https://people.com/tv/alexa-curtin-sentenced-after-pleading-guilty-to-multiple-criminal-charges/

📿 Enlightenment By Meredith…

On her elevated masking during the finale.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/03/meredith-marks-discusses-her-rhoslc-finale-face-mask/

An odd inspiration for a career move.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/03/how-a-mugging-inspired-rhoslc-star-meredith-marks-jewelry-career/

🏘 Quarantine House…

The rain falls on horrible people too.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/04/lindsay-hubbard-on-how-covid-19-impacted-summer-house/

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/04/new-summer-house-star-ciara-miller-is-a-covid-19-nurse/

🎭 A Final Curtain…

I was blessed to see Christopher Plummer, along with Brian Dennehy in Inherit the Wind on Broadway several years ago. It was phenomenal. Who better to pay his respects than Captain America?

https://people.com/movies/christopher-plummer-mourned-by-chris-evans-and-more-after-his-death-at-91-what-an-unbelievable-loss/

💕 Charming Chleb…

Kathryn has a new boyfriend, and a new look.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1235429/southern-charms-kathryn-dennis-reveals-if-she-boyfriend-chleb-ravenel-have-talked-marriage

https://people.com/style/kathryn-dennis-says-boyfriend-chleb-ravenell-loves-her-blonde-hair/

🏈 Bowling For No One…

First, the important stuff. The ads.

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/super-bowl-commercials-2021-ranked

And everything else.

https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/super-bowl-2021-highlights-best-moments-clips-performances

📌 That’s a Fact…

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of Negro History Week, the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

Read more at: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

🌉 Day Is Done…

I’m off to squeeze in some copywriting for https://mupoentertainment.com/. Give us a click, and while you’re there, check out my work on the interview with Jane Badler on MUPO & Friends. You might remember Jane from the 80s sci/fi classic V, as chief lizard Diana, out to make earthlings he slaves… or her dinner. No matter what planet you’re from, stay safe, stay humane, and stay keeping it simple.

February 4, 2021 – Nina Proposes a Pact, the Reunion Concludes With a Beer, Covid Or Hangover, Kathryn’s New Beau, Kristin Picks a Side, Award Time, Today’s Fact & Fight

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sam comes into Dante’s room, and finds him getting dressed. She asks if he said anything about checking himself out, and he says he has a job to do. Sam says, he means to tell her that Peter can’t live without him for a couple of days, Franco or not? Suddenly, Dante keels over. Sam catches him, and calls for help. Franco and Elizabeth run in.

Walking into the MetroCourt, Jason tells Carly, they have to figure out a way to tell Martin about Florence, without them losing their leverage on Cyrus. She says, then she can concentrate on the other million and one things that need her attention. He asks if she’s sure Nina isn’t going to be a problem, and she says, Nina isn’t going to be a problem. She just wants to get this Martin thing taken care of, so she has one less fire to put out today. Scotty comes in, and says, trust him. Today’s not the day. Jason heaves a sigh.

On the phone at the bistro, Jax leaves a message for Nina, saying he knows she’s upset. They should have let her know they minute they realized Nelle was her daughter. Can they talk about this in person? If not, send him a text to let him know she’s okay. He’s worried about her.

Nina walks into the cemetery, and sees Maxie. She says she knew she wouldn’t have this place all to herself, and Maxie says, where else would she be? Nina puts her arm around Maxie.

In the ring at the gym, Chase tosses Gregory a headguard, but Gregory says, it won’t be necessary. They’re doing a little light sparring; emphasis on the light. Chase says Gregory has to protect that face. He doesn’t want to give his mom any reason not to get back together with him.

Finn tells Anna, he doesn’t know if he can do this. She says he can. As operations go, it’s pretty simple. All he has to do is get a DNA sample, and they’ll have the means to determine whether Chase is his brother or his son. She thinks he can pull it off. He says, if he even wants to, and she says he doesn’t have to run the test; nothing has to change. He can go on living like before. He says, never knowing whether Chase is his son? and she says, he has to ask himself, can he live without knowing?

Maxie says she wasn’t sure she was going to see Nina for a little while, and Nina asks, why not? Maxie isn’t the one who lied, and she’s the fool who shunned the only child she’ll probably have. Maxie tells her, don’t say that. Nina had no idea Nelle was her daughter. Nina says she didn’t come there to talk about her issues. What kind of sister would she be if she let her problems get in the way of honoring her brother? Britt arrives, and says, what kind indeed? Room for one more?

Finn says, if someone had told him a couple of years ago that he and Chase would be on speaking terms, let alone Chase would be his best man… Anna says, he would have laughed out loud. He says, he and Chase have nothing in common. Chase likes ice fishing. She says, don’t knock it until he’s tried it. Watching him and Chase interact is moving; the respect and trust. He wonders why he’s risking that. What does he have to gain by knowing? She asks what he has to lose, but he says, what does his dad what have to lose? Gregory loves being Chase’s father, and Chase is excited to reunite the family. What does Chase have to lose? Anna says he’s asking all the right questions, and Finn says, the problem is, there are no answers that lead to a good decision. She says, it’s his choice. It’s not so much about getting to the truth, as what he does with the information when he has it. No one is saying he should upend his life. Just because he knows the truth, no one else has to. He says, if Chase is his brother, he doesn’t need to know. If it turns out he’s Chase’s father, is it worse to know and say nothing?

Chase instructs Gregory on boxing, and Gregory asks if Chase thinks it’s his first time in the ring. He got tips from the greatest. Chase says, from Mohammad Ali? Please. Gregory asks if he’s read his mother’s interviews, and Chase asks if Gregory tagged along. Gregory says, being Mr. Jackie Templeton has it’s privileges. Chase says, last he heard, they haven’t signed the divorce papers. This means there’s hope for them, right? There’s marriage counseling; maybe Gregory can fix it. Gregory says he’s not sure there’s anything left to fix.

Sam tells Elizabeth that Dante is planning on checking himself out, but Elizabeth says a doctor has to sign off on it. Dante asks if it’s a hard and fast rule, and Elizabeth says, he can leave, but she can’t just let him walk out. Did he call Olivia? Dante says, she has a lot on her plate. Can’t Elizabeth bend the rules? Elizabeth asks if he wants her to get fired, and Dante says he wouldn’t be there if not for Franco, and suggests Franco do it, but Elizabeth says, Franco is busy. He can’t take responsibility. Sam says she’ll do it.  

Carly tells Scotty that she has no patience for him today. Scotty says, he does want to give her his condolences, and tells her that he’s sorry for her loss. Sonny lived by the sword, and died in a river in New Jersey. Carly says she’ll talk to Jason later, and walks away, and Jason asks why Scotty talks so much. Scotty will probably forget what said, but Jason won’t. Scotty tells him, funny he should say that to the guy who holds his miserable, stinking, wasted, thug life in his hands.

Scotty tells Jason that he had a conversation with his son about a cockamamie plan to have himself killed if the tumor makes him nuts. Does that ring a bell? Jason asks why he’d care about what Scotty and Franco talk about, and Scotty says if something happens to Franco, he’ll make sure Jason spends his life in a hamster cage. Jason says then he better watch his step. Jackie comes in, and says, Scotty Baldwin, as she lives and breathes.

Dante says he doesn’t want Elizabeth to get fired. He won’t take off without an escort. Franco doesn’t have to babysit. Franco says, Dante saved his life. What thanks would it be to let him die today; maybe fall down and crack his head open? He asks why Dante did it? Old body reflex from being a cop? He’s just compulsively heroic? He really wants to know. Dante doesn’t say anything, and Franco asks if his gratitude is boring Dante. Dante says, he doesn’t know. It’s just something he had to do. Sam comes back, and he says, ready? She says, Elizabeth filed his release form, and they leave. Franco watches them, frowning.

Valentin thanks Anna for meeting with him. It was good of her to agree, even though her fiancé finds him despicable. She tells him not to needle her; she has no patience for it. He asks if she’s found any answers about Dante, and she says she has, but the answers have given rise to more questions. 

Carly meets Jax at the bistro, and he says he took the liberty of ordering her a vanilla latte. She asks how he’s holding up after last night, and he says he’s a bit of a mess. She says he hides it well, but she can see how it’s affecting him. He says he and Nina were just starting to build something. They were turning a corner, and Nina had finally let go of her dream of finding her child. Now she knows the truth, and he can justify it a million different ways, but the bottom line is, he betrayed Nina’s trust, and broke her heart. Carly says, it seemed like the right thing to do, and he says, not anymore. She asks where Nina is and if they’ve talked, and he says, no, but he knows exactly where she is.

Britt says she hopes Maxie and Nina can stand one more, and Maxie says, Nathan loved Britt. Of course (🍷) she can stay. Britt looks at Nina, and says she can come back later, but Nina says, no. Of course (🍷) stay. Britt was gone from Port Charles so long, she forgets Britt and Nathan were close. Britt says, so close, they almost slept together before they realized they were siblings. Another branch on their twisted family tree. Nina says, it’s only getting nuttier, and Britt asks if she missed something. Nina says she just learned about another addition to their sweet family, and Britt says, congratulations. Are Nina and Jax adopting? Nina says, no, but does Britt remember the daughter she was looking for? She just learned it was Nelle Benson. Britt says, baby switching Nelle Benson? Just when she thought their family couldn’t get messier.

Chase and Gregory leave the ring, and Chase says he regretted letting Willow go for months. Gregory can avoid it before the divorce. Pull out all the stops; weddings bring out the best in people. Gregory says he doesn’t think Finn’s wedding is the proper place for him to resuscitate his marriage. Chase says, ask mom to dance. See what comes of it. If he wants to save his marriage, he has to put in the effort. That’s what he wants, right? Gregory says what he wants doesn’t matter if Jackie doesn’t want it too. Chase asks him to explain how he and Jackie got there in the first place. Finn stands by the ring, listening.

Gregory tells Chase, he doesn’t have an easy answer. Over time, couples settle into a routine and take each other for granted. You lose curiosity about the other person. It’s no one’s fault; you drift apart. Chase asks if paddling back is out of the question. Is he even going to try? Gregory sees Finn, and says, right on time, a referee. Finn asks if boxing is over, and Gregory says Chase was coaching him in the art of romance. Chase says he was telling their dad to get off his ass, and pull out all the stops to win his wife back while he still has a marriage. Finn says, it’s none of his business, and Chase says, excuse him for wanting to help. Finn says, did their dad ask Chase for help, or did Chase just push it on him? Chase says, that’s funny, because he doesn’t remember asking for Finn’s help in regard to Willow, but he offered it. Finn says, as he recalls, Chase shut him down pretty good, and Chase asks if he means like father like son.

Scotty says, Jackie Templeton, and Jackie says, in the flesh. Why don’t they get a drink, and catch up? Scotty says give him two minutes, and Jackie tells him that her sister was asking about him. She’d wondered if anyone had snapped him up. Scotty says, many have tried. Her sister was asking…? Jason starts to wander off, and Scotty says, they’re not through. Jackie steers him toward the bar, and says he’ll thank her for saving his ass. Jason sees Dante come in with Sam.

Jax tells Carly, he’s sure Nina is visiting her brother’s grave; it’s the anniversary of his death. Carly says she didn’t realize, and asks if Jax shouldn’t be with her. He says he tried to reach out, but he’s not going to impose on Nina mourning her brother’s death. She says, it’s not an imposition. Nina could use the support, coming off of finding out Nelle was her daughter. He says he knew, and didn’t tell Nina, but Carly says he was sparing her the grief. He says that’s one of his thousand justifications, but the bottom line is, he had no right to play God with what Nina could handle. Carly says, it’s not certain. There was no DNA test. He says, a DNA test would have confirmed it, but it’s a foregone conclusion. Nina went through Nelle’s things, and found a photo of a little girl wearing the necklace. There was no mistaking it. She says, then there’s nothing left for them to do, except make sure Nina doesn’t push it further.

Nina wonders what Jay would think of their family right now, and Britt says, about the same as he did when he left them; pain and disfunction wherever you look. Nina says she can’t argue with that. Madeline died in prison, and Obrecht is there too. Britt is connected to a reputed drug trafficker. Britt says, a philanthropist, slash, reputed drug trafficker. Nina says, and her boyfriend lied to keep her from finding out the truth about her daughter, but she did anyway. Britt says, sounds bleak, but Nina says they have Maxie’s wedding to look forward to. Maxie is going to start a new life with Peter. They love and adore each other and the kids, and have another little one coming. Nothing but blue skies, right? Britt says, or is paradise not what it’s cracked up to be?

Valentin says, all he wants to know, is if Dante can be trusted around Charlotte, but Anna says she has no answer for that. Dante was housed in a WSB psychiatric facility in Geneva, and under the care of a Dr. Kirk, who was allegedly treating him for PTSD. He asks, why allegedly? and she says, Kirk worked for a specialized unit. It would be rare for him to treat someone for that. Valentin suggests they reach out to Kirk, but Anna says, they can’t; he’s dead, murdered. He asks if it was before or after Dante was released, and she says, after. The WSB chalked it up to a mugging, but no perpetrator has been apprehended. He says, too much of a coincidence, and she says, especially given Obrecht was also his patient. He says, she’s in Steinmaur, but Anna says, Kirk had her transferred. He says, now Kirk is dead, and Anna says, now Obrecht’s file is classified to where it’s above her clearance level. Valentin says he hadn’t realized clearance went that high. She says, Franco had a preliminary consultation with Kirk, then Dante saved his life. Why would he do that? He has no use for Franco. Why go out of his way to save his life? Valentin says, Kirk was treating Obrecht, Franco, and Dante. Other than that, what’s the connection? Anna says, it’s got to be Peter.

Gregory asks if Chase is worried he’s going to turn out like his old man. Chase says he doesn’t mean that, and Gregory knows it. Gregory says he realized early on that he fathered polar opposites. His first born was aloof, particular, and preferred books to people. Which didn’t prepare him for the second, who’s a motor-mouth morning, noon, and night, like the world’s friendliest puppy. He never met anyone he didn’t like, and always wanted to play. Chase asks if that’s how Gregory sees him; he’s a cop. Gregory says, everyone loves puppies. It’s a compliment; and he got it from his mom. He recognizes his standoffish qualities in Finn. Chase guesses he’s his mother’s son, and Gregory says he’s lucky to have both of them. He hopes they won’t repeat his mistakes, and trusts they won’t end up like their old man.

Elizabeth asks Franco if he talked to Dante. Franco says he got no answers, and no explanation as to why Dante would risk his life. She says, he’s looking for a complicated answer, when simple makes more sense. Dante is a good guy, and did a good thing for another good guy.

Jason asks how Dante is feeling, and Dante says, ready for his next life-threatening injury. Sam says Dante was told to take his time before going back to protecting Peter. Dante says, that job falls to whoever is next. Peter fired him.

Jackie asks why Scotty was provoking Jason, and Scotty says Jason doesn’t intimidate him. Jackie says from what she learned in her research, he should, and Scotty asks what she thinks she knows about Jason. She says he was Alan and Monica’s golden boy until AJ caused an accident. Afterwards, Jason worked for Sonny, and was considered the best enforcer in the business; he flourished at it. Sound correct? He says, yeah, but she left out before the accident. Jason had a closet full of sweaters and tennis rackets. She says, Scotty left out the part about how, currently, Jason has serious beef with Scotty’s son. What’s that about?

Carly tells Jax that Nina would just rewrite history. She already thought Nelle could be redeemed before she found out. Nina could push the investigation, and they know how eager that cop was to build a case against her. He says, there is no case to build; she didn’t kill Nelle. She says, she knows, but could she have done more to save her? Nina would think so, and she doesn’t need extra scrutiny. She has to focus on her family, and keeping Cyrus at bay. Jax says, not to mention she has a hostage situation.

Maxie says she’s madly in love with Peter. They have a beautiful family, and a baby on the way. She’s sure Nathan would be happy that she fell in love again. Britt says, no offense, but she’s not exactly radiating joy. Be honest. Is it Peter? Maxie says, Peter isn’t the issue, and Nina says, but there is one; what is it? Maxie says, Dante, and Spinelli, and Robert, and Jason, who’s rarely wrong, but he’s wrong about this. She’s told them over and over that Peter is a good person, and she loves him. Here she is, on the verge of her wedding, and all she’s doing is looking for warnings or worried looks about her fiancé. What does she have to do to get acceptance? Britt says, marry someone else?

Gregory steps away to refill his water bottle, and Finn tells Chase to let their dad fix things on his own. Chase wonders if Gregory is capable of it, and Finn says, the point is, it should be his choice. If he decides confide in Chase, it’s up to him. Chase says, he’ll regret giving up without trying. Look at what Finn and Anna went through to come together, and he’s doing his damnedest to fight for Willow. Gregory needs to face it, and fight. Finn says, maybe it’s not in him, and Chase asks who they got it from then. Finn says, maybe each other.

Scotty says Jackie is trying to get him to say something about his son to use in a story, but she assures him that she’s not pumping him for information. She’s sorry it took this long to get in touch. They should do it again; get the 80s gang back together. Who else is around? He says he prefers one on one, and she says they’ll make a plan. She’ll give Robert a call, and Scotty can invite his ex. She’d love to know what Bobbie is up to.   

Carly says she doesn’t know what Jax is talking about, and he says, Jason had Cyrus’s mother abducted from a healthcare facility in Vermont. It doesn’t ring a bell? Even if she didn’t help, she knew about it. She wonders why he’s asking, and he says, Valentin brought it up at Sasha’s TV shoot. Valentin was trying to make trouble between him and Nina. She tells him not to let Valentin bait him, and he tells her, that’s what Nina said. She said he should let Carly do things her way. She’s not only the woman he loves and lied to, she’s also Carly’s ally. Carly says, is, or was?

Maxie says, now Britt has a problem with her marrying Peter? Britt tells her, she didn’t say that, but Maxie says, she kind of did. Nina says Peter is Britt’s brother, and Britt says she knows exactly who Peter is. So does Nina, and so does Maxie. He’s the son of a Eurotrash murdering monster, and people will always see his father when they look at him. Maxie says Faison is Britt’s father too, and Britt says, exactly. She sees the way the world looks at her. If Maxie thinks after marrying Peter, people are going to forget where he came from, and line up to like him, she’s bound to be disappointed. Nina asks if Maxie really needs the world to bless her marriage, and Maxie says, of course (🍷) not, but it would be nice to have a smidge less grief about it. Nina says they can do something about that.

Anna tells Valentin, Dante works for Peter as head of security. Peter saved Franco’s life from an assassin who tried to kill him in the OR. The connection between Obrecht and Peter is obvious; she hates him. She blamed Peter for Nathan’s death, and framed him for her crimes. Valentin asks why Franco met with Dr. Kirk, and Anna says, Doc referred him because he was hearing Peter’s voice in his head. Kirk thought Peter’s voice had something to do with Franco being imprinted with Drew’s memories.

Franco tells Elizabeth, it still doesn’t add up. Why would Dante have the instinct to save his life? There was a time Dante would be gunning for him, not helping him out. She says, those days are over, and they’re not coming back. They need to make sure of that today. Franco says he can’t it put off any longer. Terry texted that she’s waiting in oncology. He asks if Elizabeth will still want to make out with him if he loses his hair from radiation, and she says he’s saying that like it’s his best quality. They get in the elevator, and he says he knows it’s his body. The only reason she loves him is his bod.

Chase’s phone rings, and he says, it’s the station; he has to take it. He steps away, and Gregory says he’s glad he and Finn have a moment alone. He hasn’t been completely honest when he says he wasn’t worried about them turning out like him. Finn always sees the world the way it is, good and bad. Chase is trusting, which is a strange thing to say about a cop, but he was relieved when he heard Chase was moving to Port Charles. He’s happy Finn decided to step up and kept an eye on him. Finn says, despite the time and distance he put between them, and Gregory says, what’s a little time and distance between brothers? Chase says he has to get to work, and Gregory leaves with him. Finn looks in the garbage can, and takes Chase’s water bottle out. 

Scotty tells Jackie that Bobbie’s in – kind of. She says, good. As fallings out go, it’s kind of impressive. He says he inspires that in people, but as soon as he mentioned her name, Bobbie stopped yelling, and said she’d love to see Jackie as soon as she’s back in town. Jackie asks if she’s traveling, but Scotty says it sounds like a job. Jackie says she thought Bobbie worked at GH, and he says she did, until Cyrus became Chairman and took over. He fired her. She’s out now taking private nursing jobs God knows where. There should be a law about that.

Valentin says, so it has to do with memory mapping? and Anna says, Kirk’s theory was that they were left over memories from Drew. Jackie calls Valentin, and says she has a potential lead on Florence. He says, good luck finding her, but she’s going to do it without him. He has a pressing matter that needs his full attention. He hangs up, and tells Anna that Drew would have known Peter’s voice from working at Aurora, but she says, no. They were memories of Drew’s life before he came to Port Charles. He says, if Kirk was right, and Franco is hearing Peter’s voice from the memory transfer, that means Drew and Peter met years ago when Drew was still in the military. Anna says, if that’s true, why has Peter never said anything?

Sam says, Peter fired Dante? He kept saying he needed to get back to work. Dante says he must have meant to look for a job. Jason asks if there was a security breach, and Dante says Peter told him that it complicated things. Jason asks, how? and Dante says he got the idea Peter thought he didn’t want him to marry Maxie. It’s just a hunch. Sam says she’ll buy him lunch, and they go to eat.

Nina says, no one has the right to judge Maxie, and she shouldn’t have to face it alone. She proposes a pact; the three of them, in honor of Jay and each other. They stand together, united, no matter who, no matter what. Attack one – she takes Maxie’s hand – attack all. Maxie holds out her hand to Britt, who takes it. Maxie says, ladies, officially have chills. Britt says she never had female friends before, and Nina says, not just friends. They’re family.

Carly says it started when she lied to the cops about being at the cliff. She had no idea Nina was involved, and Nina could blow up everything with the truth. Jax suggests Carly call Diane and get ahead, just in case there are any changes. She asks if he’s going to work things out with Nina, and he says he’s going to try.   

Maxie says she never thought she’d come to Nathan’s grave, and leave feeling better. Britt asks Nina where the rally-the-troops speech came from, and Nina says, them; her family. When she woke up today, she felt more lonely than when she woke up in the hospital after losing years and her child. Then they reminded her, they’re all connected; they’re family through Jay. She’s connected to someone else too – her grandson. Maxie says, Wiley, and Nina says, with all the drama, that fact went over her head. They gave her clarity. Nelle is gone, but Wiley isn’t. She missed her chance to know her daughter. She’s not going to make the same mistake with her grandson.   

Tomorrow, Jackie says she’s scared of where this is going, Valentin says someone is obviously lying, Britt asks why Peter was at Nathan’s grave, Sonny has conditions, and Carly asks Jax if he thinks it’s going to work.

Southern Charm – The Reunion – Part Two

Andy said, hide your girlfriends and lock your liquor cabinets, the newest cast member is single and ready to mingle. He introduced John Pringle, and asked Madison what her impression had been of him. She said, overall, he was a gentleman, and wasn’t too inappropriate with her. Pringle talked about how he landed in Charleston, and said he’d tried San Diego, but came back to where he had the support of family and friends. Craig brought up how Pringle was always saying how much he missed his kids, and asked, why he left, since he trades off the computer. Pringle said something about taking an opportunity across the country, and making his kids’ lives better, which didn’t exactly answer the question regarding him doing business online. He said it was the hardest decision he’d ever made, and had a lot of guilt, but come at him about his kids and he’ll wake TF up. I wasn’t sure if that was directed at Craig, who’d made it clear it was an honest question, or just a general comment. Pringle said his ex was supportive, which everyone found impressive, and we flashed back to her visit. Leva wondered if they’d ever get back together, and he said she was amazing, but it wasn’t in the cards. Andy asked Austen about Patricia trying to get Madison to trade up, even when they were still together, which obviously didn’t sit well with him. Austen said when they weren’t filming, Patricia liked them together, but once they started filming, Patricia pawned Madison off on the first drunk that came along. Ouch for Pringle. Madison said Patricia had never done her wrong, but Austen on the other hand… Austen said Patricia paid her, but Madison said Austen was just mad because her income from Patricia was more than he made in a year. Pringle said Patricia knew it would be incendiary. (Hey, she’s bored in that house with Michael and the dogs.)

Madison announced she’d had a complete mommy makeover six weeks before, and said Austen hadn’t seen it, but Austen begged to differ, and Craig confirmed that. Craig said Austen and Madison had slept together since then, Madison dated multiple people, and she was a horrible person. I can’t attest to the first two, but we’re definitely in agreement on the third. Madison told him to keep it up; she had some things on him. I rest my case. Craig said she weaponized everything, and she told him to fix his hair. The Kirstin Cavallari/Jay Cutler thing came up, and Madison scrolled through her phone like an MF’er. Danni just kept saying, oh my God. Andy read a DM from Jay Cutler, asking if Madison recommended any good restaurants in Charleston, and Leva wanted to know if Madison had recommended hers. Points to her being business minded among the dreck. Craig said Madison was a terrible person and trashy, which triggered Kathryn, who told him not to use those words. She was called trash for years; why he was being a douche? We found out that Madison had split from her ex because she was trying to build an empire, while he wanted to live life day by day. No surprise there. I suddenly missed Chelsea, who was a real human being. Austen said he’d opened up a new world for Madison, since she’d complained that all she did was go to work and go home, but Madison said their relationship had been nothing but fun. When it stopped being fun, she wanted out. Okay… Craig said, then let Austen go, and Madison said she’d taken Craig’s advice. Shep said she was manipulative, and Madison said she’d been nothing but nice to Shep, and would hate for that to change. Shep asked if that was a threat, and there was a bunch of loud back and forth.

When things calmed down, Andy asked about Austen’s beer, and Austen said once his beer moved to cans, everything changed. He’d met with Leva’s husband not long ago. Leva said she was the one who’d arranged it, but she was pissed now because Austen had taken issue with something she’d said on Watch What Happens Live. We saw a clip from a game called Charming or Alarming, and Leva said she found Shep’s penchant for dating younger women alarming. Afterwards, Austen had said she was the biggest sh*t talker he knows. She said she wished he could control his emotions, and not pop off like a crazy person. Austen asked if she was saying that she didn’t want to do business with him now. She said she didn’t know, he ended up apologizing, and all was well. Andy asked Madison if she thought Austen had grown as a businessman, and Craig – who just can’t help himself – said Austen’s beer was now in stores, while Madison rented a chair in someone else’s salon. Andy told Craig to stay out of it, and read a question from Robert from Boston, asking if Madison picked guys she had the upper hand with, and she said 1000%. Austen said, in watching the show, he realized Madison didn’t care about him, and never had. His friends had been telling him that for years. He was effing done. She was like a monster, and if she didn’t have a son, her heart would be non-existent.  

Andy said when the show started, Kathryn was living with Thomas, and asked Kathryn what it was about Thomas that kept pulling her back. She said it was hard to shake the thought of them being a family unit. Pringle said when you’re with your ex, the reasons you got together in the first place come back. Kathryn said, the door was closed. Pringle asked Kathryn if she and Thomas had hit their stride co-parenting, but she said, no. Thomas was suing her for custody again. It was unclear why, but she thought it was because he was moving. She hadn’t seen his new baby, and had never talked to his baby mama. She said Kensey had a crush on Chleb, and Andy asked what was different about Kathryn’s relationship with him. Kathryn said he was supportive, and more like a teammate. She better understood how a good relationship was supposed to work. Andy said viewers questioned the timing. They said she was trying to course correct. She said Chleb hadn’t thought the monkey emoji was racist, but explained to her why it might be to other people, then they went through that whole thing again. Leva said she’d tried to help Kathryn, but Kathryn thought Leva tried to isolate her, and make her storyline bigger by riding on her mistake. Leva said she’d gotten death threats, and Kathryn said it was hard for her, and she was doing her best. Leva said she never said Kathryn was racist, but her actions were tone-deaf. Madison looked bored, since it didn’t have anything to do with her. Leva said it started with their voices, not hers.

Kathryn said it had been very difficult, and started to cry, but Leva calmed down, and gently explained why Kathryn had been tone-deaf. Andy asked about Danni and Kathryn’s friendship, and Danni wanted Kathryn to answer. Kathryn said they’d visited, and it was like old times. Danni said she didn’t hold grudges, but if she didn’t agree with something, she’d say so. They discussed the racist actions of their ancestors, and Craig said the extra L was added to Chleb’s last name to separate that branch of the family from the Ravenels who’d owned them. Shep said it was important to raise awareness by protesting, but to change the system, you had to change the people in power who wanted to keep it that way. Pringle said you also had to raise your children right, and Leva said those who were ahead of people who had been oppressed, had the responsibility to help those who lagged behind. Kathryn said she was becoming more cognizant. Watching Leva’s reaction to the Calhoun statue being taken down was cool. It made her more aware, and she genuinely wanted to make it right. Austen admitted he needed to grow and learn, and Leva said she wanted them to understand that they lived in a bubble of freedom; for example, they didn’t have to worry about one of their sons going out while wearing a hoodie. They all had to be sensitive, kind, and empathetic.

During a break, Kathryn approached Leva, and said she wasn’t the best with words, but wanted to articulate that she cared. She wanted Leva to understand that, and Leva told her, just speak from your heart. You can tell Leva is a mom, the way she talks to Kathryn.

Andy said there was still a lot of unfinished business, but one thing they’d learned is that you never stop doing the work. He wanted to know how the year had changed everyone as people, and Danni said she’d become enlightened about white privilege. It was an awakening, in a good way. Pringle said he discovered he was more offensive than he thought, then asked Andy to come back to him. Austen said he regained control of his own happiness and narrative, and Andy asked if he and Madison were going to cut the infinity loop of terror; their co-dependent and toxic cycle. Madison said she got to know her worth, and what she deserved in a relationship moving forward. Andy couldn’t decide if he thought it was totally over. Andy said Kathryn had a big year, and she said she’d learned, when conflicts happened, instead of going on the defense, she needed to accept humility and what she had to learn. Shep said he could sum it up in one word – Taylor. Craig said he was hungry (metaphorically… I think). He wanted more, and was going to keep trying to make as much money as possible. Madison got up and sat next to him, putting her hand on his leg. Just kidding. He said he was still going to stick up for his friends, but he learned you could only give so much of himself before you had to stop caring. Leva said she was grateful. So many lives had been lost, and every day wasn’t guaranteed. Since this had somehow turned into future resolutions, Pringle said he was going to drink less and quit hitting on guys’ girls. At first, Andy thought Pringle was saying that he was going to quit hitting on guys, and frankly, I thought the same thing.  

Glasses of beer were brought out, and Andy asked Leva to give the toast. She toasted to health and happiness, and everything they had. She said they were a lucky bunch, and what made them lucky was their friendships. She said, cheers to sharpening friendships, and being charming while doing it. Shep suggested the next Reunion be at Andy’s apartment.

Until next time, ya’ll.

🏖 This season on Summer House, everyone is still just as awful, but they’re quarantined together for six weeks, working from the Hamptons house as well. This sounds like a true nightmare. Right out of the gate, Carl said when he’d tested positive for covid, he thought he was just hungover. To his credit, he decided to sober up after he met friends for dinner, and was already so wasted, he couldn’t stay conscious. Hannah, one of the few likeable people, thought she had a thing with Luke, until he said he was bringing a female friend with him. Unless she’s his cousin or something, we all know what that means.

🍺 All About That L…

A little bit on tonight’s episode.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/04/kathryn-dennis-hasnt-met-thomas-ravenels-new-son-amid-their-new-custody-battle/

Some fun facts about Chleb, but in the Ravenel(l) department, all it says is, he’s not related to Thomas.

💟 Team J-Lo…

I tend to agree with Austen about Madison not having a heart. You could see she was having a hard time not blowing her stack at the Reunion.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1234952/kristin-cavallari-proves-shes-team-jennifer-lopez-after-alex-rodriguez-and-madison-lecroy-revelation

🏆 And You Get an Award…

It’s virtually that time of year.

https://extratv.com/2021/02/04/sag-nominations-2021-the-complete-list/

📌 That’s a Fact

Most people think of Rosa Parks as the first person to refuse to give up their seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. There were actually several women who came before her; one of whom was Claudette Colvin.

It was March 2, 1955, when the fifteen-year-old schoolgirl refused to move to the back of the bus, nine months before Rosa Parks’s stand that launched the Montgomery bus boycott. Claudette had been studying Black leaders like Harriet Tubman in her segregated school, those conversations had led to discussions around the current day Jim Crow laws they were all experiencing. When the bus driver ordered Claudette to get up, she refused, It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on the other side of me pushing me down. I couldn’t get up.

Claudette Colvin’s stand didn’t stop there. Arrested and thrown in jail, she was one of four women who challenged the segregation law in court. If Browder v. Gayle became the court case that successfully overturned bus segregation laws in both Montgomery and Alabama, why has Claudette’s story been largely forgotten? At the time, the NAACP and other Black organizations felt Rosa Parks made a better icon for the movement than a teenager. As an adult with the right look, Rosa Parks was also the secretary of the NAACP, and was both well-known and respected – people would associate her with the middle class and that would attract support for the cause. But the struggle to end segregation was often fought by young people, more than half of which were women.

– from www.PBS.org/black-culture

🕰 Closing Time…

As another week comes to a close – or 7 sunrises and sunsets, depending on your perspective of time these days – we pin our hope on sunnier days, both in temperature and temperament. It hasn’t been an easy road, and we’re still on it, but at least we have plenty of company. So stay safe, stay occupied, and stay accepting humility and what you have to learn.