What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Describing fashion isn’t one of my talents, so let’s just say there were a lot of sequins. So. Many. Sequins. All the men are wearing tuxes.
Maxie gets everyone’s attention backstage, and Bobbie says, the doors are open, and the show’s about to begin. We see the infamous llama, and Brook says she doesn’t want to freak anyone out, but she doesn’t think the accompanist has the updated sheet music. Bobby gives it to Brook, who hugs her, saying, they might pull this off after all. Maxie’s phone rings, and it says, crazy person – do not answer. Maxie says, wherever she is, she’s sure Lucy is smiling down on them.
All dressed up with no place to go, Lucy says, Bobbie and Maxie will never pull it off. They’re in over their heads. They have no idea of everything that could go wrong – and surely will – tonight at the Nurses Ball without me to guide them. She makes a call.
Maxie says, excuse her; she needs to take this. She steps away, and tells Lucy that she doesn’t have time to talk right now, but Lucy says, do not hang up or ignore her, or else… Maxie says she’ll talk to Lucy after they wrap, and she and the llama lock eyes. Frustrated, Lucy calls again, and says she will not be ignored.
Michael says, their little girl can sleep through almost anything… until two am, and Willow says, then they should be able to watch the Nurses Ball. They sit on the sofa, and Michael says, it’s okay too, if Willow falls asleep on his shoulder. Tomorrow’s a big day, and she needs all her strength. She says she doesn’t want to think about tomorrow and the procedures. She just wants to watch their friends and family dressed to the nines and performing for a great cause. He turns on the TV.
Sydney Val Jean introduces herself as co-editor of Crimson, and says, they’re live on the red-carpet at the 2023 General Hospital Nurses Ball. She’s back and flying solo tonight to talk to the arrivals, critique their fashion, and get the downlow on their personal lives. But first, she wants to pay tribute to General Hospital itself, which opened it’s doors on April 1st, 1963. That’s right, our beloved General Hospital is 60 years old. This place has meant so much to so many over the years, herself included, and she’s honored to be here to celebrate it’s 60th anniversary. On a more somber note, tonight is dedicated to the life of head nurse Epiphany Johnson, and the late Lucy Coe, whose time here at the Nurses Ball was more than an event; it was her life’s work. In the safehouse, Lucy says, they love me; they really love me. She raises her glass of champagne, and Sydney says, don’t touch that dial, since she lives in 1973, and promises we’re in for a night of thrills, excitement, and mystery. Victor watches on his laptop from a limo as Sydney says, at the Nurses Ball, anything can happen, and probably will. He chuckles, and says, you have no idea.
Sydney says, now to get this party started is the dynamic duo, the driving forces behind the Nurses Ball; her former colleague at Crimson, Maxie Jones, and the one, the only, the awesome nurse, Barbara Jean Spencer. Lucy asks if Bobbie thinks this is really her best look. Did she even think of consulting a stylist? Sydney greets Bobbie and Maxie, and Maxie thanks Sydney for being here. Sydney tells the audience that she was supposed to be in Milan, but when Maxie reached out and told her that the date had been moved up to sync with the hospital’s anniversary, Milan had to wait. There was no way she was going to miss this. Bobbie says, they’re glad Sydney could adjust her schedule. Tonight is a very special evening, and she makes it even more special. They talk about who they’re wearing, and Sydney says, they should be congratulated, both for their spectacular fashion, and for coordinating this in record time. That’s quite an achievement. Maxie says, they followed the example of Lucy Coe after many successful years of the Nurses Ball. It’s safe to say, Lucy’s spirit is guiding us tonight. She only hopes they can make Lucy proud. Lucy thanks her, and says, that’s so sweet. Sydney says, credit where credit is due. It’s their extraordinary talent and commitment that are making tonight happen – Lucy makes a face – and Bobbie says she’s just happy and grateful to be here tonight. Sydney says, since they’re staying humble, she’s going to brag. She’s been told by multiple sources that this is going to be the best Nurses Ball ever. Lucy laughs, and says, really? The best Nurses Ball ever – without me? I don’t think so.
Michael says, next year, he and Willow are going to walk down this red-carpet, and she’s going to be the envy of every fashionista from here to Manhattan. She says she doesn’t want to think that far ahead. Tonight, she’s just where she wants to be. They kiss, and there’s a knock at the door. Michael says, come in, and Drew walks in. Willow says, she heard they were looking for a new James Bond, and Michael says, that’s high praise coming from his fiancé, but he has to agree. Drew thanks them, and says he didn’t want to go to the Nurses Ball without telling them that they’ll be missed. Michael says, he and Willow were just talking, and they’re right where they want to be. Willow takes Drew’s hand, and tells him to have a wonderful night tonight.
Maxie thanks Sydney again for hosting, and says she’s got to get backstage. Maxie leaves, and Sydney says, it’s a red-carpet reunion, as Josslyn and Carly walk in. Three generations of Spencer women are here with her tonight. It’s Bobbie’s daughter, Carly Spencer, the ex-Mrs. Sonny Corinthos, and her gorgeous daughter Josslyn Jax. Drew tells Michael that his mom looks gorgeous tonight.
Sydney says, there have been some changes for Carly in the last year, and Carly says, a few. Sydney says, she seems to be weathering them in style, and Carly says, with her mother and daughter by her side, and the love and support of her family and friends, she’s up for any challenge. Sydney says, everyone knows Carly is a fighter. Any interest in reclaiming what was once hers? Carly says, to quote a great man, success is not final, and failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. (Since Carly couldn’t be bothered to say who the great man was, I looked it up; it’s Winston Churchill.) Sydney says, poetic, but short on details, and Carly says she’s truly always gotten what she’s wanted, and doesn’t expect that to change. Sydney says she’s heard Josslyn is a lot like her mom and grandmother, and Josslyn says she hopes so. Sydney asks if Josslyn always gets what she wants, and Josslyn says, so far, so good. Sydney tells them to enjoy the show, and the three of them go over to the photo op. Sydney says, the night keeps getting better. Sonny Corinthos has just joined them. Sonny comes in with Dex, and Josslyn and Dex sort of smile at each other.
Michael says he hopes he didn’t need to be there to run interference for his mom and sister. Like Sonny has really been bothering them. Drew says, they don’t need anyone to stand up for them. He tells them he has to get going, and Willow tells him, have so much fun. Michael says, give everyone their best, and Drew leaves. Willow says she knows Drew and Michael’s mom have to keep their relationship a secret because of the insider trading thing, but she hopes his mom is better at hiding her feelings than Drew is. Michael says he likes that Carly and Drew don’t have to hide their feelings around them, and Willow says, because they’re family. He tells her, you said it, and they settle in to watch the show.
Bobbie says, let’s all play nice tonight, and Carly says she will on her end. They get their photos taken, and Sydney greets Sonny. She says, this is the highlight of her evening. He gets handsomer every year. He tells her that she just gets more gorgeous, and she says she appreciates a man who knows how to give a compliment- with dimples, even better. She asks who Dex is, and Sonny says, Dex is his bodyguard. She tells Dex to do a good job guarding Sonny; he’s very valuable to a lot of people. Dex says, understood, and Sydney says she’s surprised Sonny is here with just his bodyguard. Where is her former red-carpet co-host, the gorgeous Nina Reeves? She sees Nina come in with Curtis, and says, there she is, with a very fine, unexpected guest.
At the hospital, Austin confers with Portia at the reception desk, when Ava approaches, carrying a garment bag. She says she’s sorry to interrupt, but Austin seems to have forgotten he has plans tonight; her, him, and the Nurses Ball? He says he doesn’t know how he’s going to manage this. Dr. Robinson just asked him to do a consult. Ava says, no, handing him the bag. Go make himself handsome. They have to walk the red-carpet and make a splashy entrance. They don’t want to be late. Portia says, it’s okay; she can hold down the fort. He leaves to change, and Ava asks why Portia isn’t ditching her lab coat and slipping into her sexiest gown, but Portia says she won’t be going. Curtis will be there, and that’s why she picked up another shift tonight. Ava says, Curtis filed for divorce? but Portia says, not that she knows of. Ava says, then he’s still Portia’s husband, and Trina is still her daughter. So she made a mistake… a big mistake, but it’s not like she burned the city to the ground. Her unsolicited advice; use that ticket. Ava always looks great, and right now, she’s wearing a pair of the most fabulous silver/gold earrings I’ve ever seen.
Sonny tells Sydney, always a pleasure, and moves on to the photo op. Sydney greets Nina, and says she was sorry to miss Nina at both New York and Paris Fashion Week. Nina says she hated missing out, but Sydney represented Crimson brilliantly, and Sydney thanks her. She says, Nina is dressed beautifully, as is her escort, Curtis Ashford, the hottest nightclub owner in Port Charles. The last time she and Nina were on the red-carpet together co-hosting, this was Carly’s hotel and she was married to Sonny. Now the hotel is Nina’s, and she heard the man is too. Comment? Nina looks over at Sonny.
Backstage, Brook is jotting something down, and Chase says, it’s a little late to change anything, doesn’t she think? She asks if it’s really too late, and he says, it’s her music. It matters more to her than anything. She made that clear. So if she wants to change anything, she has every right. She says, he’s right. She’s just second-guessing herself like she always does. It wouldn’t be fair to him or Blaze to change anything now. It’s too late. Go out there and have fun. Break a leg. She starts to leave, but he says, wait. He thinks she’s incredible. They way she’s thrown herself into the rehearsals, helping Bobbie and Maxie out. She has a special touch. For most of the performers, this isn’t exactly their day job, and she’s convinced every single one of them to perform to the best of their ability, and have fun doing it. She says, anything for the Nurses Ball, when Linc comes in and says, tonight’s the big night. Brook’s music, Chase and Blaze in the spotlight. It’s going to be an incredible win-win for everybody. Chase says he’s going to change, and leaves. Linc asks if it was something he said, and Brook tells him, yes. It’s always something he said.
Curtis and Nina’s photos are taken, and Sydney says, ladies, this next arrival is just for you, as Spencer walks in. In his limo, Victor says, that’s my boy, and Sydney says, hitting the red-carpet is Port Charles’s most eligible young bachelor, the one and only Spencer Cassadine. Spencer tries to walk past, but doubles back, and says he doesn’t know about most eligible young bachelor, but he’s certainly happy to be here to represent his family. Victor says, that’s more like it. tell everyone what character and good breeding looks like. Spencer’s father may have failed them, but not Spencer. Show those good people of Port Charles a glimpse into what the future is going to look like.
Sydney says she understands the Cassadines are one of the Ball’s biggest underwriters. Is that his doing? He says, his grandmother always taught him that being an important member of this city and this community is being of service to others, and that means giving back. Lucy says, well said, Spencer, and might I add, you look good.
Curtis and Nina run into Sonny and Dex, and Curtis says he’ll leave them alone. Sonny says, damn. She looks good, but she always does. She thanks him, and says he looks pretty good himself. He says, it’s a long way from the firehouse dance in Nixon Falls, and she says, yeah. She misses that old firehouse and the simplicity of that dance.
Bobbie and Josslyn tell each other how amazing they look, and Bobbie says she has no regrets about agreeing to be co-chair, but after this week is over, she’s going to sleep for another whole week. It was a huge amount of work. Josslyn catches Dex’s eye for a moment, and she says she can only imagine. Carly says, Bobbie outdid herself, and Bobbie thanks her. Bobbie notices something, and says, one minor adjustment. She’ll be right back. She leaves, and Carly asks if Josslyn is thinking about a certain someone who has to work, so they can’t be together tonight. Josslyn says she doesn’t know. Is Carly thinking about someone who isn’t here tonight?
Sydney says, Spencer comes from a fascinating legacy. Rumors about the Cassadines range from serious and ruthless to… He says, megalomaniacal, and she tells him, so they say. Meanwhile, his uncle is Sonny Corinthos, and his grandmother is one of her personal heroes, the legendary Laura Baldwin Spencer Collins. Any chance she’ll be joining Spencer tonight? He says, unfortunately, Laura got held up on official business, but she wants everyone to know she’s with them in spirit, and hopes tonight is a huge success. Sydney asks if someone will be joining Spencer tonight, and he nods to Trina, who smiles at him. Trina comes over, and Sydney says she looks nothing short of spectacular. Spencer says she took the words out of his mouth, and Sydney says, just between the three of them, are they an item? There’s certainly been online buzz. Trina says, they’re just friends, and Spencer says, good friends. Sydney says, now that Spencer has graced the red-carpet, will they also be seeing his father, the elegant and mysterious Nikolas Cassadine? Ava walks in with Austin, and tells him to play his part, and she’ll play hers.
Ava goes over to Sydney, who says, hopefully, she can answer the question, and introduces her as Ava Cassadine. Ava says, Sydney is behind the times. She and Nikolas divorced months ago, so she’s back to Ava Jerome. But please give her ex-husband her regards… if she can find him. It’s not her job anymore to keep track of his comings and goings. Sydney asks who this inspiring gentleman is, and Ava says, this is Dr. GH himself, General Hospital’s Dr. Gatlin-Holt. After the tumultuous year she’s had, she’s just grateful to be here. She feels so lucky to have a friend like Austin to lean on. Sydney asks if Austin has anything to add, and he says he’s the lucky one, and as they leave, Sydney says, yes, about six thousand times. Spencer and Trina, and Ava and Austin get their photos taken.
Lucy says, this is the Nurses Ball red-carpet, not an episode of The Bachelorette. Sydney is fabulous, but they don’t want the gossip to overshadow the cause. Maxie would have known this had she just asked Lucy, but no, she had to do it her way.
Sydney says, look who it is, PCPD Commissioner Jordan Ashford, looking dazzling and glamorous, and Jordan thanks her for the kind words, but says, tonight she’s off the clock. She’s just here as one more fan of the Nurses Ball and its efforts to make money for a terrific cause. Sydney admires Jordan’s professional dedication, as well as her killer gown, and Jordan says, on the rare occasion she gets to dress up, she jumps at the chance. Her phone rings, and Jordan says she has to take this. She leaves, and Sydney says, so much for off the clock.
Jordan asks if they’ve heard from the Medical Examiner… So it’s almost certain Eileen Ashby died from a fall?
Sydney says, speaking of gorgeous, it’s General Hospital’s own Dr. Portia Robinson. She says, Portia has something in common with her last guest, Jordan Ashford, and Portia says, they do? Sydney says, they’re both committed to public service, and Portia says she thinks that’s a good thing to have in common. She walks over to Jordan, and Jordan says, she knows that woman did that on purpose. Jordan says, that woman is fierce, but she makes for some good television. They get their photos taken.
Josslyn says, Trina looks amazing, and Trina says, so does she. It looks like a certain bodyguard is looking at her from across the room. Josslyn says she’s surprised Trina noticed, with all the looks going on between her and Spencer, and Trina says she was just behind him on the red-carpet, but Josslyn says, it looked like Spencer was waiting for her. Trina says, he wasn’t. It was just… Josslyn says, coincidence? Manipulation? She’s sorry. She gets that Spencer is different when he’s with Trina, and she’s in no position to judge. Just be careful. Trina says, if she gets hurt, it’s not going to be because… She sees Portia, and switches positions with Josslyn. She asks what they were talking about, and Josslyn sees Portia. She says, their performance, and how there’s nothing to worry about because the number is perfect, and they have it down cold. Trina says, right, and they hug.
Portia goes over to the bar, and she and Curtis both reach for the same glass of champagne. He says, sorry about that. After her. She says, no, she’s sorry. She didn’t look where she was grabbing. They both look over to see Jordan.
Sydney is thrilled to introduce the next guest. One of Port Charles’s most dynamic couples, PCPD Detective Dante Falconari, side by side with his lady love, Private Investigator Sam McCall. Sam almost trips coming in, and tells Sydney that she’s a little nervous. Sydney says, it’s proof she can scale buildings and dodge bullets, but there’s nothing more dangerous than the red-carpet. Sam says, lucky for her, she has someone to catch her fall, and Dante says, for the record, Sam’s the one catching his heart. They go to the photo op, and Sydney says, they’re a living, breathing relationship. Drew walks up, and Sydney says, welcome the President of Aurora Media, publisher, Mr. Drew Cain. Drew says, it’s nice to see her, and she says, it’s always nice to see him, and she’s not just saying that because he’s her boss. Did he really come here alone? Is he waiting for a special someone? He says, you never know, and keeps walking. Sydney says, the ladies are in for a treat. Please help her welcome one of their signature performers tonight, former PCPD detective turned pop star, Harrison Chase, and his equally dreamy brother, world renowned Dr. Hamilton Finn.
Brook messes with a microphone backstage, and Linc slithers up, saying, a nice night for a Nurses Ball, wouldn’t she say? She tells him to leave her alone; can’t he see she’s busy? He says, there’s no need to be hostile. They can play nice together, can’t they? She signed that non-disclosure agreement. She got her songs back, and gave them to her boyfriend to sing. She says, Chase isn’t her boyfriend. Those songs came at quite the high price; never telling the world what kind of serial predator he really is. He grabs the mic, and says, be careful, but she says, don’t worry; it’s not on. He says, that’s a good thing… for her. Because if she breaks their agreement and breaks her silence, she loses everything. I still don’t get why Brook never considered what Maxie told her; that the NDA didn’t apply to that.
Sydney says she’s all for family togetherness, but these two handsome unattached bachelors could be making better use of their time. Isn’t there someone besides their brother that they’d want to be with tonight? She shoves the microphone at Finn, who says, uh… and looks over to see Elizabeth come in. Chase says he’ll wait for Finn over here, and leaves. Sydney says, everyone wondered if Nurse Baldwin would be making an appearance tonight, and here she is. She tells Elizabeth that she looks lovely, and Elizabeth thanks her. Finn says, beautiful, and they leave together.
Finn says he wasn’t sure Elizabeth would come tonight, and she says, he’s not the only one. He asks if he can escort her, and she asks if he’s sure he wants to be seen with her. He says, it would be his honor, and she takes his arm. They watch Chase have his photo taken, then get theirs done.
Sonny asks Sam and Dante how they’re doing, and Dante says, it’s a special night; they wouldn’t have missed it. Bobbie tells Carly, at least Sonny had the good grace not to walk the red-carpet with Nina. Or is there another reason he showed up with a bodyguard and no date? Carly says, Sonny’s got a situation, and Bobbie says, Sonny’s always got a situation. He’d better not bring it to the Nurses Ball. Carly says, Sonny wouldn’t do anything to mess up the Nurses Ball; Bobbie knows it’s important to him. Bobbie says she’ll give him credit for that, but that’s all she’ll give him credit for. Carly says, Bobbie doesn’t have to be mad at Sonny on her account, but Bobbie says she’s not mad on Carly’s account. She’s mad on her own account… and maybe a little on Carly’s. It’s actually hypocritical. She’s actually glad Carly’s away from Sonny. She wishes Carly would find somebody who treats her with all the love she deserves. Carly says, she just might get her wish.
Lucy stuffs candy in her mouth, and Sydney introduces the Face of Deception, Sasha Gilmore, arriving solo… Oh, too soon. She’s being escorted by… Lucy says, Cody Bell. She’s being escorted by Cody Bell. Sydney says, Cody Bell, and Lucy says, her producer should have prepped her; she would have prepped her for that. She props her fuzzy slippered feet on the coffee table, and swigs champagne from the bottle.
Willow dozes against Michael, and he reaches for the remote. She tells him not to turn it off, but he says he’s just muting it during the commercials. Although he’s wondering why they don’t just record it and go to bed. She says she wants to stay up and see it. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
Sydney says, they’re just a few minutes from the start of the 2023 Nurses Ball. It’s been her pleasure to serve as host and catch them up on the movers and shakers of Port Charles. While the glitz, the glamour, and the gossip was smokin’ hot, this night is really about raising money to fight HIV and AIDs. Whatever you can give, a lot or a little, it all helps.
Everyone is schmoozing, and drinking champagne, when Maxie’s voice announces that the 2023 Nurses Ball is about to begin. 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of General Hospital. Think about it. Our beloved GH has been a home and haven for 60 incredible years. And since 1994, the Nurses Ball has been a way to support the life-giving work GH does. The Nurses Ball is a night of music, dancing, and laughter. Okay, and maybe a tear or two. So let’s open those doors, and have a celebration to remember. The doors open, and everyone files in.
Watkins knocks on the limo window, and Victor lowers it. He says, well? and Watkins says, they traced the car that the late Lucy Coe recently hired.
Lucy says she refuses to let tonight turn into a total disaster. She gets up, and says, what do they say? The show must go on. And I’ll be damned if I let it go on without me.
Victor says, now they know where to find Lucy Coe. And where they find Lucy, there they find Anna and Valentin. Time to teach them a lesson, doesn’t Watkins think? Watkins says, Victor’s the boss, and hands Victor a gun. Victor says, that’s right, he is, and puts the gun in his suit jacket pocket. It’s showtime, folks.
To Be Continued…
Tomorrow, Maxie says, this year they’ve turned things up a notch; Curtis suggests he and Nina make a deal; Cody tells Gladys that he’ll stay out of it if she tells Sasha the truth; and the Ball is dedicated to Epiphany.
🏖 On the God awful Summer House, Danielle nagged Lindsay about not drinking, and insisted she was pushing Lindsay to be a better person. A better person by drinking more. See why these people are awful? In Lindsay’s interview, she said, compromise went along with being in a relationship. She was doing the best she could for Carl, and still trying to have fun. Danielle operated like she was single because her boyfriend was nowhere to be found. While the girls were out, Carl told Chris that he had to take something from each girl’s room that they would need to pack for the week, and he had three minutes to do it. After lingering over a particular thong (ew), he brought a bunch of stuff to the living room, and Kyle pointed out that Chris included his hairdryer. At the restaurant, Paige said, before they moved on, did anyone feel like they needed to say anything? I’ve seen this move at Bravo dinners before, and I don’t get why they always think now – on a night out when they should be having fun and bonding – is the right time. Gabby said she and Ciara had never had a one-on-one, and she didn’t know where she stood. Ciara tended to stick to established friendships. Ciara agreed, but thought Gabby was only trying to get to know her on a surface level, and it came off as arrogant. She wanted to know Gabby on a deeper level. In Gabby’s interview, she said she wasn’t sorry. She wasn’t sacrificing how she felt about herself to make someone else comfortable. Danielle said she hadn’t been afforded this years ago, when she and Ciara weren’t clicking. We flashed back to Ciara throwing a glass of wine at Danielle during dinner, and Danielle says she’s mad that they wasted time. She’d never even had beef with Ciara. They headed to a bar to meet the guys, and meanwhile, Carl said Chris had to kiss Ciara as soon as they got there. If he accomplished his tasks, they could be brothers in the South Hampton Awful Brotherhood.
As soon as they got to the bar, Chris took Ciara’s shoe off and kissed her foot. She asked, what the f*** is going on? He didn’t even say hello. She felt like the others had something do with it. Lindsay told Carl that the night went different than she thought it would. The housemates were back by 12:30, and in lieu of a bar, Sam danced on the kitchen island. Danielle thought Lindsay took her for granted, and Amanda said Danielle was like a supporting character. Danielle said, in her life, she was a main, but she was down for being supporting in friendships. That actually seems like it would be normal procedure. Why would you be the main character in someone else’s life?
The next day, everyone stumbled around, and tried to get it together to set up Kyle’s birthday party. Chris said he’d enjoyed the hazing. It was the reason he’d joined the marines at 18; it was in his blood. This was just a different version. Okay… Ciara called Mya, who said she gave a wedding speech, but didn’t know what she said since she was blacked out. Gaby told Lindsay that Danielle was upset about the state of their friendship, and Lindsay said she accepted responsibility for half of that. Danielle had to make a trip to the city now and then. Gabby said, Danielle claimed Lindsay was the common denominator in the house fights, and Lindsay said she’d never questioned Danielle about her job or her boyfriend. She’d supported Danielle no matter what. Yet Danielle didn’t seem to think she was a capable, smart adult. Sam said, it felt more accusatory than tough love, and in Sam’s interview, she said, if Lindsay was trying to support her partner who was battling a demon, who the f*** is she to have an opinion? Danielle and Lindsay needed to find another way to navigate their friendship. If they needed to party for it to survive, that said something else about their friendship. Packing for the week commenced, and when Sam couldn’t find her slippers, Chris thought it was reveal time. He asked if anyone was missing anything, and Paige said she was missing her toothbrush. Chris gave out the missing items, and in his interview, he said, somehow, Ciara’s thong was missing, and he didn’t know where it was. A producer asked if he’d stolen it, but he insisted he had no idea where it was at. In Danielle’s interview, she said she’d never left the house feeling not sure of what was happening between her and Lindsay. She wasn’t sorry about how things went down. It was the opposite. She was upset about how Lindsay was treating their friendship; what she thought was a sisterhood for many years.
Back in the states NYC, Amanda visited Paige, who presented her with some colorful cupcakes. Amanda said she needed help with some crafty stuff for Kyle’s party. She was making haybales and a couch. In Amanda’s interview, she said, Kyle was turning 13 40, and the party was going to be a western theme inspired solely and only by Kyle’s mullet. Paige asked how Amanda felt about Kyle turning 40, and Amanda said she didn’t feel any way, but Kyle did. Paige said she thought new decades were scary, but Amanda said, Kyle was no less energetic, and Paige said he didn’t look like he was 40; he was aging backward. Amanda asked if things were good with Craig, and Paige said, he’d asked for more closet space. Things were crumbling.
Ciara walked with Mya, who was walking her dogs, and Mya said she couldn’t relate to the western party theme. Ciara said she loved it, and lived for the day everyone wore cowboy boots and listened to country music. She told Mya that Craig and Kory were coming for the weekend. Mya hadn’t met Kory, and Ciara said, Kory was a good time. She thought she could hook up with him, but that was for another day. Mya suggested a day this weekend, and in Ciara’s interview, she said she allowed herself to throw the possibility around… in her head strictly.
Danielle and Robert threw out all the expired stuff in their fridge, and Robert said, it was sad; there were starving kids. I could relate, since I hate throwing food out. He wished they could spend more time at home, and Danielle pointed out that his job was the core reason they weren’t there. She loved their place, but when they were continuously in Montauk or Aspen, it didn’t make sense. In Danielle’s interview, she said, when she and Robert met, he was living out of a gargantuan duffel bag. She unpacked even if it was one night in a hotel room. She’d started creating homes for them, and Robert seemed to gravitate to that. He loved it, but still had a chef mentality and wanted to be everywhere. Danielle said she wasn’t pushing for getting married, but thought they should buy property. Mortgage over marriage. Robert said he wasn’t much of a long term decision maker, so it was hard to say. In other words, he’s a fence sitter. I see why she wanted out.
Everyone returned to the house for Kyle’s birthday weekend. I love how they greet each other every weekend the same way your dog greets you after you’ve been gone for five minutes; they act like it’s been a year. Danielle said it was the first time she and Lindsay hadn’t spoken in a week, and in her interview, she didn’t know what to think about it, since it had never happened. Kyle told Ciara and Gabby that he hadn’t thought about being 13 40 right at midnight. Amanda had some wine and fell asleep. Then the clock ticked down, and he got nervous about turning 15 40 by himself. He was in tears, and didn’t want to make Amanda feel weird when she woke up. He hasn’t gone out during the week in a long time. I swear, these people are on a different planet from me. Even in my 20s, I rarely went out on a weeknight unless it was to a class. It’s called work, and I had to get up early for it. Ciara told Kyle that he had to find a work/life balance; he could die tomorrow. He wondered if he might die at his party, and Ciara said, enjoy the life he was living. The three joined hands and vowed to be more social.
Kory arrived, totally harried, and said he thought it was going to be a 20 minute drive and it was three hours. Wow. This guy must never drive to the Hamptons, or anywhere else in or near NYC. An hour’s drive can take you four on a bad day. He told Kyle that his mullet looked amazing, and asked how long Kyle was going to let it go. Kyle said, until Amanda cut it off when he was sleeping. Sam told Lindsay that she thought Kory was cute, and she liked that his first instinct was to be funny. Lindsay said she only knew him for a couple of days in Vermont, but he seemed like a good guy. She was trying not to ruffle Danielle’s feathers, and they hadn’t spoken all week. Danielle had been amazing, being Lindsay’s backbone during her last bad news relationship. Now she was with a guy who legitimately made her happy, and she makes him happy, and Danielle’s not supportive. Nothing else should matter.
The housemates went out to dinner, and Sam chattered to Kory, while Ciara didn’t look happy. They toasted to Kyle, and Amanda suggested they all say something about him. Danielle said he was the best house dad and late night warrior, and Chris said he was making 4-0 look like 3-0. Craig talked about his and Paige’s long distance relationship, and said it made their time together more important, but it had been a year, and he was getting lonelier quicker. In Paige’s interview, she said, he just wanted her around more, but she didn’t want to go to South Carolina. You couldn’t even get Uber Eats after 10 pm. I can relate to this too. It’s better now, but when I first moved here, the local diner closed at 7 on the weekend. Kory said he was seeing Jess – we flashed back to them flirting in Vermont – but he was staying 100% single.
After dinner, Kyle asked Carl how things were going with Lindsay, since he hadn’t been around them. He’d known them for so long, when Carl told him they were together as a couple, he broke down. Carl said it was nerve-wracking in the beginning, figuring out what they were doing, and Kyle said he’d thought they were just having fun. Carl said they were a couple of years ago, but it wasn’t what Lindsay wanted. Kyle said it was beautiful, and Carl said he appreciated Kyle saying that, since he was going to propose be the end of the summer.
On the awful meter, this episode was relatively low key, but that doesn’t mean it’s not brewing beneath the surface. We have a party to get through. There was also that mullet. That alone is pretty awful.
This season, parties; a food fight; dancing in strobe lights; Sam and Kory hook up; Paige doesn’t want to go to South Carolina; Carl doesn’t know how to recover from this; Lindsay says she’ll marry Carl 1000 times; Danielle says, they’re beyond crazy; and Danielle tells Kyle, there’s nothing left to salvage.
👠 This Couldn’t Wait…
GH is certainly pulling out all the stops for its 60th.
✨ Playing Among the Stars…
Join me tomorrow for soap and the appalling side of New Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay using as little plastic as possible (I live near a beach; it really does wash up there); and stay remembering that success is not final, and failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. And that Winston Churchill said it.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 