What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
As the gap continues to close, today’s GH Flashback is from May 13th, 2020. Enjoy a mind refresh here, or if you’re detail oriented, go to:
Chase dreamed about Willow, but woke up alone. Willow woke up alone too, at the Quartermaine mansion. She saw her rings on the nightstand, and remembered getting married to Michael. Michael came downstairs for breakfast, and Brook asked if he’d gotten any sleep. He said he felt ready, and she said he’d done what he could for Wiley, and even gotten married. They’re not all so lucky. Michael said it would happen for her too, when she was old and grey. She threw a bagel at him, insisting she would never go grey. She said Willow was sweet, kind, and gorgeous; the perfect wife for him, and the perfect stepmom for Wiley. Ava brought Avery to visit Mike at Turning Woods. Sonny watched from the doorway as Avery showed Mike her drawings. Carly went to the MetroCourt, and told Olivia she was worried about the hearing, and figured she might as well come in. Olivia asked if there was anything she could do, and Carly suggested dropping a house on Nelle, but Olivia said she was fresh out of tornados. Carly said she could use some advice, and asked if Olivia had any words of wisdom regarding mother-in-law-hood. Olivia saw Lulu come in with Dustin, and said, bite your tongue, exercise patience, and slap on a smile. Robert woke up on Laura’s couch, wondering where he was. Laura asked if she should be offended that he didn’t remember.
Michael told Brook that he’d hit the jackpot with Willow, but she had to give up everything, and was in love with Chase. Brook said that was Chase’s fault, but Michael said Willow had to sacrifice a lot. He didn’t want her regretting it. Brook said Chase was a giant tool, but even if he walked on water, Willow was trading up. Michael being loaded was a plus, but he was an amazing guy, and Willow had enough sense to appreciate how fabulous he was. Seeing Willow in the doorway, Brook said, right? Still in bed, Chase scrolled through pictures on his phone of himself and Willow. Mac called and told Chase that he was late, and Chase jumped out of bed, saying he’d be there in ten minutes. Laura gave Robert some coffee, and asked if he wanted to pick up where they’d left off. He asked where that was, and she said, where you’d expect old friends with history and chemistry to be. He put his head in his hands, and she laughed. She said he came to her house drunk. She managed to get him on the couch, settled him in, and went to bed. He said she was a vision of true evilness, and she asked why he came to her doorstep. Carly asked if Olivia wasn’t a fan of Mr. Phillips; that’s how she knew him, since he was Josslyn’s teacher. Lulu and Dustin walked over to the bar, and Lulu said Dustin was there to meet Brook. Dustin said he and Brook were checking out the venue, since they were performing at the Nurses Ball, but he also wanted Olivia’s culinary expertise. Lulu said Rocco needed cupcakes for school, and Dustin volunteered to oversee the baking. Olivia asked what the occasion was, and Lulu said it was Take Your Dad to School Day. Avery continued to show Mike her artwork, and Ava told Sonny that she hoped bringing Avery there was okay. Sonny said Avery never needed permission to see her grandfather, and asked how Mike had been. Ava said it took him a while to warm up, but he’d been smiling ever since. He wasn’t talking much though. Sonny asked if Avery was scared, but Ava said she was fine. Avery had experience from when Ava was in Shadybrook. She didn’t understand, so it didn’t make her sad. She was just spending time with her grandfather, and loving him.
Carly asked to talk to Dustin about Josslyn’s curriculum. Lulu asked Olivia if something was wrong. Olivia said Lulu had barely known Dustin a year, and she was trying to erase Dante from Rocco’s life. Ava asked Sonny if Mike’s good days were becoming fewer and farther between, but Sonny said he’d stopped measuring. He was trying to stay in the moment. He wondered if Mike had coherent thoughts and couldn’t voice them, or if he had no coherent thoughts at all. He said, once in a while, Mike made a precise observation, and Ava said that showed Mike was still in there. She told Sonny that she owed him an apology. Robert said he couldn’t believe Holly was dead, and Laura said she was so sorry. Robert said he was sorry for dragging her out of bed. He knew she and Holly didn’t have the greatest relationship. She said, it was a long time ago, and people important to her cared about Holly, him topping the list. She asked, what happened? Was she ill? He said it would have been easier that way, but she was on a ship that went down in a storm, and it was no ordinary ship. Laura said, of course (🍷) not, and Robert said Holly did contract work for the WSB; another one of her secrets. On the phone with Anna, Mac looked at the report on Holly’s death, and said, there’s nothing here. Chase came in, apologizing for being late, and Mac asked if Chase needed a day off. Even though he was there, he wasn’t, and if he needed to take care of something, do it. Brook told Willow and Michael that she had a meeting, but good luck in court. She didn’t think they’d need it though. The judge would take one look at them, and know Wiley belonged with them. She left, and Michael said Brook had a flair for the dramatic. Willow said she hadn’t noticed, and Michael said everyone was talking them up to each other. Willow said you’d think they defied gravity, and Michael said he already knew she was incredible.
Carly didn’t think Dustin understood how fraught the situation was. It was hard on Olivia, seeing Lulu move forward, and not reserving room for Dante in Rocco’s life. She wasn’t judging; she thought it was the right decision in Lulu’s mind. It was great for Lulu, but she didn’t think Lulu understood how it was affecting Olivia. Maybe Dustin could see it from Olivia’s perspective. If Carly was in her position, her daughter-in-law would have been out on the street with half her hair ripped out. Rocco was bringing a new man to Take Your Dad to School Day, but it’s not like Dante was a deadbeat. He had severe PTSD, and it was hard for Olivia. Lulu told Olivia, no one was erasing Dante. She was sending Dustin in his place to make Rocco happy. He didn’t want to feel left out, and had asked for Dustin. They’d all decided together to make Dustin and honorary uncle, and he’d be wearing a Yankees hat to represent Dante. It’s what Rocco wanted, and what Dante would want too. Robert told Laura, when he and Holly saw each other, it wasn’t always under the friendliest of circumstances. Laura said Holly had broken Robert’s heart, and ran away with a piece of it. Part of him had thought he’d get it back, but now that would never happen. Michael told Willow that it was important they tell the truth to each other. He admitted that if he was going to court without her, he’d be nervous, but going with her, he knew he was going to win. Maybe not today, and it wouldn’t be easy, but he was going to get custody of Wiley. She said she’d heard what he’d said to Brook, and she regretted nothing. Ava apologized to Sonny for having Mike arrested for kidnapping Avery. Sonny said he appreciated it, and appreciated her bringing Avery. They went back in Mike’s room, and Avery showed them a drawing she and her grandpa made; he’d told her what to do, and she did it. Ava asked who the boy riding the bike was, and Mike said, his son. Ava asked if he’d taught his son to ride a bike, and Mike nodded. Avery said her daddy had taught her, and Ava said, all the best dads do that. She had to take Avery to school, and Sonny suggested they put the picture up on Mike’s wall. In the hallway, Avery asked if Ava would ever forget her like her grandpa forgot her daddy, and Ava said, no. Even if it did happen, by then Avery would be grown up with her own family. Avery asked if she’d ever forget Ava, and Ava said, just try.
Dustin thanked Carly for the advice. Brook came in, and Dustin headed back to the bar. Carly asked Brook how the newlyweds were, and Brook said, calm and focused. She couldn’t figure out Chase though; she’d never have pegged him as a cheater. He’d broken Willow’s heart, but was walking around with puppy dog eyes like he was the wronged one. Brook told Carly about Chase arresting her because she’d had the audacity to call him out, and accidentally bopped Sasha in the nose. She’d ripped up the ticket – like any sensible person would – and Chase hauled her to the station. Carly said she needed to go, and Brook wondered if it was something she’d said. Lulu told Olivia, the Dante she knew before everything happened, would want his son to feel safe with a man as good and kind as Dustin. Sonny gave Mike an iPad already loaded with his favorites, and put the earbuds on him. Mike said it was loud, and Sonny said they’d do it some other time. He asked what Mike thought of Avery, and Mike laughed, looking at her artwork. Sonny said he needed to know what Mike wanted; the next time he might not be able to say. Did he want help? Did he want to stay or go? The doctor asked if he could speak to Sonny, and it was back out to the hallway. Chase told Mac that he didn’t need time off, and Mac read from Brook’s police report. Chase said she was combative and belligerent, and Mac said all the Quartermaines were. Chase had arrested Brook three times in three months, and the Civilian Review Board might see it as an abuse of power. Robert told Laura he must have given the wrong address to the Ride Share guy, and she said if he didn’t want it straight, he wouldn’t have come there. He had to grieve Holly, and say goodbye.
Dustin told Olivia that he’d never try to take Dante’s place. He had respect for Dante putting himself on the line for justice. He said he was in a strange position, and Olivia said that’s the way it was. Lulu went to see Laura for advice and calming down. She thought she’d blown her relationship with Rocco’s other grandmother. The doctor told Sonny that Mike had stopped eating. They could give Mike a feeding tube, and keep him as comfortable as possible, but the greater challenge was that it might further disorient Mike. Sonny asked what he recommended, and the doctor said some patients made provision that they don’t want life extending measures, but Mike had left it to Sonny. Sonny said he needed time, and the doctor left Sonny with his thoughts. Michael showed up, and said he wanted to tell Mike that he got married. Sonny told him that they wanted to put a feeding tube in Mike, but he didn’t know what Mike wanted. Michael said he should ask Mike if he could, but Sonny said, what if he couldn’t? Michael said Sonny knew what his dad would want more than anyone, and to trust that. Sonny said he wasn’t ready for Mike to go, and didn’t think Mike was ready. What if he wanted to stick around and see his grandchildren? What if he didn’t want to die? Mac told Chase to make peace with Brook, and Chase told him, if you say so. Robert came into the station, and Mac said, interrogation room – now. He’d thought he put Robert in a Ride Share; what happened? Robert said he washed up on Laura couch. He’d thought work would get his mind off of things, but it didn’t. He was going to take the day off. Mac told him, take a look at this, handing him a folder, saying it was a heavily redacted report from the WSB on Holly’s death. Willow walked in, and went over to Chase’s desk.
Robert said it was black; there was nothing there. He told Mac that he had a headache, and asked what he was missing. Mac told Robert to look at it some more, and Robert would see what he and Anna had. There was more to Holly’s death, and they weren’t convinced the ship went down in an accident. Lulu asked Laura if she was supposed to run her parenting decisions by Olivia, and Laura said, absolutely not; but Olivia was Dante’s mother, and mothers didn’t move on the same way. Sadly, Olivia might be waiting the rest of her life for Dante to recover, and Lulu should have compassion. Olivia told Dustin that she wasn’t going to pretend it was easy. It was hard on Lulu too, but she was happy Lulu had found someone like him; a decent person. It meant a lot, but just so they were clear, she was never going to give up on Dante, and would be hoping, praying, and doing everything in her power to get him back home. He said Rocco and Lulu would never stop hoping either. Brook joined them, and Dustin left with her to look at the ballroom.
Michael asked Sonny how long Mike hadn’t been eating, and Sonny said, a few days. It wasn’t like he was starving on purpose; it was like he’d forgotten how to eat. Mike had been happy with Avery. Sometimes Sonny thought it would be easier to let it be over, but it wasn’t what he wanted. It was what his dad wanted. Mike had a moment with Avery, more like a connection. If keeping him alive for five more months gave him five more moments like that, who was he to say Mike couldn’t have that? Chase asked why Willow was there, and she said there was something she had to tell him that couldn’t wait. She and Michael had gotten married. She didn’t want him to hear elsewhere. She thought it would hurt less coming from her. He asked if it hurting him mattered to her, and she said she thought it always would. Goodbye. He told her, good luck in court. Carly watched their exchange.
🧼 Here Comes Another One…
The soap world has definitely kept fans busy with virtual reunions. This one’s for you, ATWT lovers.
https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/new-as-the-world-turns-reunion-scheduled
🏝 Kelly 2.0 Is Here…
She’s come a long way from Scary Island.
https://www.cottagesgardens.com/get-to-know-broker-and-former-rhony-star-kelly-killoren-bensimon/
⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…
Things are coming alive in the world of The Walking Dead. The premiere date of October 4th was announced:
A clip from the finale. It looks very promising.
https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/walking-dead-season-10-finale-clip-comic-con-2020/
There will also be extra episodes to make up for all the hell we’ve been through.
https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-new-episodes-comic-con/
And Fear the Walking Dead will be returning October 11th.
https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/fear-the-walking-dead-season-6-comic-con-trailer/
🎟 Comic Conned…
It’s already started, but you can still get in on the virtual fun.
🛸 Beam Me To My Favorite Chair…
Alien-Con virtually begins July 28th. Since you can enjoy this free event from the comfort of your home, there’s a lot less chance of your getting probed.
🌋 If You Haven’t Had Enough IRL…
Freak yourself out more with apocalyptic entertainment.
https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-best-apocalypse-tv-shows-and-movies-to-watch/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i
✈️ Cookie Spins Off…
It sounds good, but I’m still mad about Star being canceled.
https://pagesix.com/2020/07/23/taraji-p-henson-to-star-in-empire-spinoff-focused-on-cookie-lyon/
🗽 Only In New York…
Cindy Adams gives a bird’s eye view from the world’s greatest city in this year of upheaval.
https://pagesix.com/2020/07/20/cindy-adams-i-still-%E2%99%A5%E2%80%8Athis-helluva-town/
🤷🏼♀️ Who Knew…?
I actually did know about some of these, but you might be using words or phrases you don’t even realize are offensive.
https://redtri.com/racism-words-and-phrases/slide/1
👸🏽 A Pioneer For Princesses…
A woman ahead of her time, whose last pandemic was in 1918.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-animation-pioneer-ruthie-tompson-turns-110-1303663
🎙 Quotes of the Week
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat. – Teddy Roosevelt, speaking at the Sorbonne in 1910
You have a right to experiment with your life. You will make mistakes. And they are right too. No, I think there was too rigid a pattern. You came out of an education and are supposed to know your vocation. Your vocation is fixed, and maybe ten years later you find you are not a teacher anymore or you’re not a painter anymore. It may happen. It has happened. I mean Gauguin decided at a certain point he wasn’t a banker anymore; he was a painter. And so he walked away from banking. I think we have a right to change course. But society is the one that keeps demanding that we fit in and not disturb things. They would like you to fit in right away so that things work now. – Anaïs Nin
⚾️ Rounding It Out…
It’s Friday again, or another in a long line of when-is-this-pandemiconium-going-to-end? days, depending. But you know the world is still spinning when the Dead series are given premier dates, and the Shahs reunion finally rears its ugly head (part 2 on Sunday – July 26th). So stay safe, stay strong, and stay knowing one day you’ll be griping about your job again.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 