What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

In the hospital boardroom, Laura said she had something to discuss with Tracy before the board meeting. Outside at the desk, Elizabeth told Sonny that she thought Laura’s idea to have him fill the 16^th seat on the hospital board was brilliant.

Charlotte met Gio and Emma at the pool. Gio saw Rocco and went over to talk to him. He asked if Rocco hadn’t felt like answering his texts, and Rocco asked if Gio expected him to after ratting him out to their dad. Charlotte told Emma that it was hard to tell how Rocco felt about anyone right now, when Danny walked in.

At Bobbie’s, Britt thanked Lucas for picking her up from the hospital.

Brook asked why Chase did everything to protect Willow over her, but he said that wasn’t what he was doing. She said his actions said otherwise. He just dropped everything and went when Willow called. He’d left her and Phoebe at the pool. Chase said she’d told him that was okay, and she said she lied. He asked if it wasn’t a test and she said it was both. She asked if he’d go to Willow if she called right now for his help, and he said, yes.

Jack saw Carly at the hospital and he told her that she should let Josslyn rest, but she told him not to tell her what was best for her daughter.

Valentin told Anna that he was a free man and she said it had to be quite a story. She asked how Charlotte was and he said, fine, 16 going on 30. He gestured to her new hairdo, and she said she wasn’t allowed to keep a comb, so she had it chopped off. He said he liked it (my jury is still out) and that he’d been worried about her. She said her too, but now she was home and had a firm grip on reality.

On a plane, a man read Welcome to Port Charles, and asked the attendant how the arrival was looking. She said they’d be landing in about an hour and 16 minutes. She asked if the man next to him needed anything, but Jason said he was good. Soon he’d have everything he needed.

Chase said it was no reflection on how he felt about Brook, but she said, every time he stepped in to rescue Willow, it felt like he was slipping further away. He said she’d never been in Willow’s position. She had a family. Brook said Willow had her mother and had the whole Quartermaine clan before she’d slept with Drew, but he said Willow had spent most of her life with no one to count on and needed him in a way Brook didn’t.

Britt thanked Lucas for breakfast, and he asked if Fitzpatrick told her out of nowhere that the WSB was letting her go. She said, pretty much, and he said not only was she free, she didn’t have Huntington’s, but she said it hadn’t sunk in yet. He asked what she was going to do with her wide open future.

Gio said he’d stood by twice when Rocco got into serious trouble, and Rocco said he knew now that he couldn’t trust Gio. Gio said he was Rocco’s older brother and would always help him, but telling Rocco what he wanted to hear wasn’t the same thing as helping him. Gio said, even if Rocco stayed mad forever, he’d be there for him.

Danny started to leave when he saw Rocco, but Charlotte said, don’t do this.

Carly asked if Jack was briefing Josslyn on her next mission when she hadn’t recovered from the last one, and he said Carly’s life would be hell if she didn’t accept Josslyn was a WSB agent. She said Josslyn had made her choice, but what she couldn’t accept was Jack’s role in all this. He’d taken advantage of her trust and lured Josslyn in. He said he hadn’t and his feelings for her were 100% real. He’d regretted recruiting Josslyn, but she was an excellent agent. When he was sidelined, Josslyn had ended up stopping the most dangerous threats the WSB had ever faced. They were doing an internal investigation to make sure another Cullum never happened again. He was sorry her fear and desperation to get Josslyn out of the WSB drove her to get involved with Valentin Cassadine. That was always a mistake.

Valentin told Anna about trying to reach her in France. How bad was it? It had sounded like she was convinced Faison was alive. She said the last time she’d seen him, he was being hauled away. What was he thinking with the polonium poisoning? He said Carly had forgiven him, but Anna said Carly had never met a grudge she couldn’t hold onto. He said, if she hadn’t forgiven him, she wouldn’t have hidden him in her attic for the last 7 months and 16 days.

Tracy asked if Laura lost her mind. There was no place for Sonny Corinthos on this hospital board. Sonny walked in.

Brook said Chase was her husband and they were building a life together. She couldn’t do it without him and wouldn’t want to. He said he felt the same way, and she wondered if he’d started to look at her differently when she’d asked to put the adoption process on hold because of Gio, but he said he’d understood that. She asked if he’d felt she was choosing Gio over him and if she’d pushed him toward Willow.

Britt told Lucas that she had to replace everything that was in her wallet. Technically, she didn’t exist as far as society was concerned. He asked if she was still coming back to GH, but she said she didn’t know. She needed a shower before making any big decisions. Don’t tell Carly, but she’d hid a key under the hallway planter. She went upstairs.

Emma asked how it went with Rocco, but Gio said, not great. Rocco thought he’d let him down, but it was the right thing to do. She said Rocco would come around. He was lucky to have his big brother.

Charlotte said Danny couldn’t avoid Rocco forever. He should have been honest about shooting Cullum, but his parents had sworn him to secrecy. He said Rocco should have stepped up and stopped his dad from going to prison, but she said he’d made a mistake like Danny did when he told Brennan that Rocco shot Cullum. He said he’d never apologize for trying to save his dad.

Jason flashed back to being taken, then being thrown in a dark cell in handcuffs. His seatmate said the 11 hour time difference meant they were in for brutal jet lag, but he was sure Jason would just be glad to be home.

Jack told Carly not to align herself with Valentin just to spite him, but she said her relationship with Valentin had nothing to do with him. Except for the fact she went to Valentin when she’d needed an ally to get her daughter out of the WSB, thanks to him. She’d seen the kind of man Valentin truly was.

Anna asked how Valentin ended up on Carly’s doorstep, and he said he’d intended on finding Anna to warn her that Brennan was asking questions about Faison and see if she’d help him. He was told she was on assignment with the WSB, but she was being held prisoner under Windymere. She asked how the hell he knew that.

Tracy said she had no intention of changing her mind. She’d been on the board a long time and when she spoke, people listened. Sonny said she didn’t give them a choice, and before Tracy could speak, Laura said, that’s enough. Sonny had given generously to the hospital for years, and wasn’t Tracy glad Sidwell was behind bars? Sonny helped with that, and she’d thought Tracy would recognize a man who actually thought about the city and the hospital. Tracy said Sonny should never have a say about what went on in the hospital. He’d killed Alan and Monica’s son.

Chase told Brook that he’d been disappointed at first, but it had all worked out. The only reason he’d gotten more involved with Willow was that she’d been in trouble. He’d felt bad and wanted to be there for her as a friend, but he’d never considered how it would affect their marriage or Brook. She was his everything and he was so sorry he’d taken their bond for granted.

Charlotte said she’d never ask Danny to apologize for helping his dad. She didn’t tell Rocco what he’d done because she didn’t want Rocco to worry. Rocco approached and said, worry about what? and Danny asked if Rocco’s overprotective parents were there babysitting him. Rocco said they’d been babysitting him the night he’d saved Jason’s life, and Danny said Rocco’s dad did nothing when his dad was hauled away by the WSB. Charlotte said, enough. If they didn’t get past this, they’d lose each other and lose her too.

Jason woke up breathing heavily and asked his seatmate how long he was out. The man said, a few minutes, enough to have a pretty good nightmare though.

Tracy said, both Alan and Monica had served as Chief of Staff while all Sonny did was kill their son and get away with that. In their honor, she’d never let Sonny serve on the board. Sonny said he appreciated what Laura was trying to do, but GH needed a unified board and that wasn’t happening right now. He left, and Tracy said it was easier than she’d expected.

Lucas heard a shriek and jumped up. Britt came downstairs and said his bitch of a sister had changed the lock.

Carly said her idea of who Valentin was had been based on Jack’s version of him. The old friend who’d ruthlessly betrayed his partner in crime to save his own skin. But Jack was the one who’d betrayed his partner in crime. He’d set up Valentin and condemned him to a life in prison, while he got a slap on the wrist. Jack said Valentin was no innocent, and Carly agreed, but said, when it mattered the most, Valentin was willing to sacrifice his life in ways Jack never would have.

Valentin said he knew Anna had been held at Windymere because Josslyn was held in the same room and had seen her message on the wall. Anna showed him the drawing Obrecht made and said she would have given anything to know that what she’d remembered was real. The doctors kept trying to sell her this WSB cover story and she’d hallucinated some things, so she wasn’t sure. Finally, she just gave in and told them what they wanted to hear. Now she knew being in that room wasn’t a delusion she’d conjured up. Peter said, see Anna? You were right all along.

Danny said he couldn’t let this go. His mom was gone and his dad was in prison because he’d covered for Rocco. Rocco said he didn’t make Jason do that, but Danny said Rocco didn’t have to go along with Jason when he did, and walked out.

Jason remembered being told he was being released and being dragged to his feet. The plane was about to descend, and Jason’s seatmate said there would be a car waiting to take him wherever he wanted to go. Jason said, what about him? and the man said he told Jason that he’d get him there and he had. Enjoy the rest of his life. They shook hands.

Britt asked if Lucas knew about this and brought her there to laugh at her having literally nowhere to go, and he said he’d brought her there because she needed a favor. How was Carly supposed to know to hold the room for her? She’d fled the country with a minor. She said Judgy Lucas had finally arrived, and he said she constantly assumed he was out to get her. He and Marco risked everything to help her because they thought she was doing the right thing, but she was just looking out for herself, as always.

Anna was staring at Peter, and Valentin asked if she was all right. Carly had said she’d tried to escape once. She said she’d tried to escape several times. Once she made it as far as Faison’s chateau near the Swiss border. She’d gone there to find evidence that he was alive, but found a letter saying that he’d raised a son. It was then she knew that the man who’d come to Port Charles wasn’t Nathan, and the only way she could warn Felicia was if she could get her doctor to agree to a visit, so she had to turn herself into a model patient. Valentin said it was impressive, and she said, almost as impressive as him turning up on her doorstep a free man. How was that possible?

Chase told Brook that Tracy tried to warn him that he was taking their marriage for granted, but he didn’t see it. It was killing him that Brook said she felt like he was putting someone else first. She and Phoebe came first and after a big space came everybody else. She said she knew it was wrong to frame Willow and was ashamed that she did it, but it came from a place of fear. She was afraid of losing him, so she’d reverted back to who she was before him. He’d helped her to become a better person. They hugged and she asked if he was going to tell Willow what she’d done. Or should she?

Sonny told Elizabeth that the board thing wasn’t going to work out, and she said she was sorry. He said he loved the hospital and it had helped a lot of people he loved. He was always going to love it, but all of Tracy’s reasons weren’t wrong. Elizabeth said they’d see.

Chase said neither of them was going to tell Willow. The information from Willow’s trip log cast suspicion, but didn’t prove anything. That’s why they’d had to let Willow go. But tampering with evidence was a criminal offense, which was why they had to stay quiet. They were in this together. Till death do us part, remember?

Elizabeth told Tracy that she needed to put Sonny on the board, but Tracy said it wasn’t Elizabeth’s place. Laura said, if it wasn’t hers, whose was it? Unlike them, Elizabeth worked there and was a respected member of the staff. Elizabeth said she’d treated patients in the Stone Cates AIDS wing and the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries – two wings that Sonny had donated. He’d also supported the Nurses Ball every single year and sent sandwiches anonymously to the night shift every Saturday… except they knew it was him. Tracy said her family had also been very generous. That wasn’t the point. Elizabeth said the point was that what made the hospital so special was that they would treat anyone and everyone who came through the doors. At least that’s what her grandmother Audrey used to always say. Was she wrong? Laura said, never once that she remembered, and Elizabeth said, and her grandfather, the hospital’s first Chief of Internal Medicine, dedicated his life to the citizens of Port Charles. Sonny was one of the main reasons the hospital was still there after 63 years, and she knew her grandparents would want him on the board. So maybe Tracy could put her personal feelings aside and think of General Hospital.

Lucas said, so all that talk about Britt being a better person was out the window because she didn’t have Huntington’s, and she asked if she was supposed to fall on her knees in gratitude every time she saw him. He said he would love that, but didn’t want her to lie, and she said, fine. He said he liked her better when she thought she was dying, and left.

Carly said Jack had the nerve to look her in the eye and tell her that he’d taken advantage of her daughter just because she was a great asset for the WSB, and he said her daughter was serving her country. She said, so was Valentin. He’d turned himself into the WSB to stop Cullum. What had Jack done lately? He said Valentin was a free man now, but she said he didn’t know that was going to happen. He was planning on going back to Steinmauer to save Josslyn and Charlotte, the people they loved. Jack didn’t understand love. He’d told her that himself. He said, don’t forget the other person Valentin would do anything to save. Anna was back in Port Charles.

Valentin told Anna that he was very lucky Z was willing to meet with him and luckier still that Z would hear him out and take him at his word. He got to Spoon Island just in time to airlift Josslyn to General Hospital. He saved her life. Anna said Leisl insisted that Cullum was in charge, not Cassius like the WSB claimed, and he said he’d never met Cassius, but knew Cullum was no hero. Anna said, Britt and Cassius said they were working with him, and he said, all he knew was, with Cullum dead… She said, and his name cleared, and he said he had his life back. She said she was so happy for him. Charlotte must be over the moon. He said she was. Lulu, however… She said he could afford to be generous to the mother of his child, and he said she was right. They all deserved second chances. He should go. He was very happy she was home and safe. She thanked him for coming to see her and he said wild horses couldn’t keep him away. They hugged.

Tracy told Sonny that Elizabeth was right about some things, and while he’d never get her vote, she wouldn’t stand in the way of his nomination. Laura said that sounded like a fair compromise, but after all this, did he still want to be on the board? He said if Tracy could put up with him, he could put up with her, and Laura said she thought the two of them could put up with just about anything, including each other, for the good of this hospital. Tracy agreed, and Laura said they’d work together to ensure a bright future for this hospital, and Tracy shook Sonny’s hand.

Brook thanked Chase for protecting her when he had every right to be disappointed in her, but he said he was disappointed in them. They both let something come between them. She said, never again, and he said, now they moved forward with no more lies, no more secrets, and they hugged.

Rocco told Charlotte that Danny was an ass. What was more important, that he’d saved Jason’s life or that he didn’t tell anyone about it? Charlotte said it was more complicated than that. Danny was worried about his dad. Was that so hard to get? She wished Rocco had told Danny what was going on with him. Rocco said he was so sick of his sister taking Danny’s side, and walked off.

Valentin said he’d see Anna around, and she said, perhaps even out in public. He left, and Peter said he hoped Anna wasn’t going to let Valentin distract her. She had important work to do. She said she knew.

Jason’s seatmate went to the hospital and told Elizabeth that he was Tristan Roberts, the new surgeon on staff. She said, welcome to General Hospital Dr. Roberts.

Carly told a nurse that she was there to see Josslyn, but she wasn’t in her room, and the nurse said Josslyn was in for some tests. They’d let her know when Josslyn was done. Carly sat down to wait.

A server asked if Britt wanted more coffee. Refills were free. Britt said, yeah, but she drew the line at 16. Hit her again.

Danny walked home and found Jason waiting at the boathouse. He flew to his father, hugging him, and Jason said he was home.

Tuesday:

Charlotte and Valentin showed up at Windymere where Dante was gathering evidence.

Jack wondered why he’d been summoned to Drew’s place when he was looking for his black box, but Willow said she had a more pressing problem.

Elizabeth and Tristan introduced themselves. She asked if he’d like a tour of the hospital, but Tracy interrupted wanting to talk to Elizabeth.

Jordan showed up at Portia’s house and asked her to say Isaiah had provoked Curtis. Curtis being found not guilty was better for everyone, especially the baby.

At Bobbie’s on the phone, Britt asked Carly to stop dodging her calls, when Isaiah walked in. He said he was glad she was back, and she said he was probably the only one.

Danny asked if Jason escaped, but Jason said he was home for good and a free man.

Willow told Jack about the cops questioning her regarding the accident, and Nina asked if he could make the trip log disappear, but he said it wasn’t necessary. They didn’t have any evidence, so it was a non-starter. Nina asked about the black box, and he said he’d been on his way to Spoon Island to look for it. Willow said they were running out of the paralytic drug and wouldn’t be able to control Drew much longer.

Valentin said he was going to buy Windymere back, but Dante said he didn’t think it was for sale. The WSB had seized it. Valentin was non-plussed and wanted to do a walk-through, so Dante asked Matthews to go with them. Charlotte left with Matthews, and Dante said he wasn’t happy Valentin was back. He asked Valentin to stop telling Charlotte that the impossible was possible, but Valentin said Dante didn’t know what was possible. Dante insinuated that Valentin wanted Charlotte to love him and reject Lulu, but had no idea the damage he was doing to his daughter.

Portia told Jordan that it wouldn’t be better for Isaiah, who was also suing Curtis in civil court. She wanted Curtis to take responsibility for what he’d done. Jordan said Curtis was generous in giving Portia the house, but Portia said there had been no strings attached and she wasn’t indebted to Curtis.

Isaiah said Portia would be relieved that Britt was back since her due date was coming up, and Britt was surprised there was no lecture. Isaiah said Britt hadn’t taken off on a whim and it wasn’t anyone’s business. He asked if Portia knew she was back, but she said she hadn’t even talked to GH about it.

Tristan said the tour could wait and he’d deal with his paperwork first. He left for HR, and Elizabeth asked Tracy not to scare him off. She wondered why Tracy wasn’t at the board meeting, and Tracy said she’d promised not to oppose Laura about Sonny and couldn’t be in the room when it happened. If he was on the board, people would think he decided how the hospital allocated its funds and that he was using the hospital to sanitize his reputation. Elizabeth said, like ELQ had done many times in the past.

Danny asked what had happened to Jason’s face, but Jason said it was fine. It didn’t matter. It was over. Danny asked why he’d been let go, but Jason said he didn’t know. 48 hours ago, he’d been released and put on a plane back to Port Charles. Danny said he hadn’t even told him yet, and Jason said, told who what?

Valentin said Lulu was pushing Charlotte away, but Dante said Charlotte needed her mother. Valentin said he thought Dante blamed Charlotte for some of Rocco’s more questionable decisions. It was better for everyone if Charlotte lived with him for a while. Lulu could still see her and the distance would ease the tension. He thought Dante was smart enough to know that Lulu had picked a fight she ultimately was going to lose.

Willow said she’d been forced to stretch out the drug and Drew was regaining his mobility, and Nina said they needed the proof now. She’d help Jack look at Windymere. She used to live there and could keep him from lying about what he did or didn’t find. She and Jack left.

Tracy said she hoped Elizabeth was right. She and her family had paid dearly for giving Sonny the benefit of the doubt.

Danny told Jason that let the WSB know about Rocco. Everyone lied about it, including Jason. Why did Jason let them take him away?

Dante said it was about what was best for Charlotte now, but soon it would be about what was best for Valentin. Valentin said he always put Charlotte first, but Dante said, if he did, he’d want her to be with Lulu for the stability she provided. Charlotte walked in and said, sorry, but stability wasn’t lying to your kids. Her dad treated her like she was 16 not 6, and that’s why she was choosing to live with him.

Portia asked Jordan to leave. She was sick of Jordan’s stand-by-your-man attitude. She’d used it when Portia and Curtis were still married. Jordan said Curtis had always been hers.

Elizabeth said she was sorry about Tracy, but Tristan said, board members were the same all over the world. She asked if he wanted the tour now, but he said jet lag was catching up and he had to look for his B&B. He asked if she’d heard of Bobbie’s, and she said it was a Port Charles staple, but not really a B&B. He said he’d booked it online, and she said it was definitely convenient and they had great BLTs.

Willow checked on Drew and said she knew he’d lied to Fitzpatrick, saying she hadn’t been there the night of Jordan’s accident. He thought he’d get her in trouble, but he’d suffer the consequences. She’d sent Scout to live with Alexis.

Jason said he’d made a split second decision after Rocco shot Cullum, and Danny said Rocco claimed he’d shot Cullum because he was about to kill Jason. Wouldn’t it have been self-defense or something? Jason said, Cullum was a well-decorated WSB director and neither of them would have been believed. All he could think was, what if it was Danny? He did what he had to do. Danny asked if he’d thought they may never see each other again.

Charlotte complained about what had been done to her room, but Valentin said it might take a while for them to move back in. In the meantime, he’d be at the MetroCourt. She wondered why he wasn’t staying with Carly, when Jack and Nina walked in.

Willow told Drew that Scout loved being able to see her aunts and brother whenever she wanted. She loved having Scout with her, but she couldn’t trust him. If he wasn’t so vindictive, she’d let him go, but she’d seen firsthand what he was like and wouldn’t let him destroy her life. The doorbell rang and Willow opened the door to Kai, who was there to pick up a hard copy of her proposal for the hospital. She invited him in, and he asked how Drew was. She said his physical condition was the same, but he was a fighter. It made him tired and she wished he’d learn to pick his battles.

Elizabeth asked Dante how Rocco was, and Dante said he was relieved Rocco was back home. He was there for a physical. He wanted to have everything ready for Anna to come back, but back to normal wasn’t working out so far. Did Elizabeth know Valentin was back in town?

Jason said he’d thought he’d have time to come up with a plan, and Danny said Jason threw his life away for something he hadn’t done. Jason said he was back and okay. The place he was held in was really bad and Danny wouldn’t have wanted Rocco to go through that. Danny said he was glad Rocco didn’t have to, but why did it always have to be his dad?

Tristan went to Bobbie’s and asked the manager about his room. She gave him his receipt and room key, when Britt came to the counter. She said that was her room, but Tristan said his name was on the receipt.

Danny said it had been rough. He couldn’t even get a message to Jason. Jason said he was sorry Danny got caught up in the consequences of his actions, but he couldn’t change the past. From now on being Danny’s father was his only priority. Nothing was more important, but he needed to know who Danny had talked to at the WSB. Danny said, Chief Brennan, but Brennan told him to drop it. Tracy came by and said she was glad Jason was back.

Portia said Isaiah’s career might be over, but Curtis hadn’t apologized or taken responsibility for his actions. Jordan said Isaiah provoked him, but Portia said Curtis wasn’t a child. Jordan said Portia assumed the trial would go her way, but it wasn’t a done deal. Curtis was going to make the argument that Isaiah was the other driver who’d left them to die. Why did Portia refuse to consider the possibility? Portia wanted to punish Curtis for being with her.

Dante told Elizabeth about Valentin and Charlotte showing up at Windymere and Valentin saying they were going to live there. Elizabeth asked if Lulu had agreed to let Charlotte live with Valentin, but he said, no. Valentin was going to make Lulu look like the bad guy. She said she was with Lulu on this one, but he said Charlotte was adamant that she wanted to live with her dad. She asked if something else was going on, and he said he was starting to think Charlotte was a bad influence on Rocco. (I’m starting to think Dante has a pattern of blaming everyone else for his kids’ problems.)

Jack introduced himself to Matthews and said Valentin was a free man thanks to his good advice. He was the one who’d told Valentin to go to the WSB, and Z obviously rewarded him with his freedom. Valentin said it was more complicated than that, and Jack said it always was. Charlotte asked why Nina was there.

Dante told Elizabeth that Charlotte was secretive and getting into trouble. He thought the pushback against Lulu was affecting Rocco, but Elizabeth said maybe he was just be being a normal teenager who wanted privacy. Dante said he didn’t want to know everything, but felt like Rocco helped hide Valentin, and Charlotte had blind faith in her father. It was making her reckless, and he was afraid it would rub off on Rocco. She asked if he was thinking about not letting Charlotte see Rocco anymore.

Jason told Tracy that he was a free man, and she said she was glad to see his face. She hadn’t known if she would again. He said he’d like to take Danny away for a few days if Danny wanted to go.

Britt said there had been a mistake, but Tristan told her to take it up with the landlord. She said Carly, the landlord, was dodging her calls. She’d had to leaved town unexpectedly and Carly had changed the locks. She’d just gotten out of jail and the key opened her room and the bathroom. It was a magic key. He asked why she’d been in jail, but she said that wasn’t important, and Isaiah said he was sure they could work something out. Britt said Tristan could give her the key and find another room. The Cosmopolitan was lovely. Tristan wondered why she didn’t move there, but she said she was low on funds. He said that was her problem, but she said she was making it his problem.

Willow went to get the proposal, and Drew knocked something over to get Kai’s attention.

Dante told Elizabeth that Charlotte and Lulu had a battle of wills going on and he was afraid it was going to make Rocco withdraw. It might not be a bad idea for Charlotte to live with Valentin, but he was staying out of it. Elizabeth said it was ultimately up to Lulu and Valentin, but Dante could vent to her. He said he owed her one, and she said, by now, he owed her three.

Isaiah said Britt was angry at the situation, not this guy personally, and Tristan said, this guy hasn’t slept in 36 hours. He was going upstairs to the room he had a key for. Good luck with the landlord. She told him, watch out for the bedbugs, but he said they’d be a welcome relief after her and went upstairs.

Tracy said she thought Jason and Danny going away was a good idea. Danny probably had questions and if Jason was going to confide in anyone, it would be him. Danny said he wanted to go, and Jason asked Tracy to tell Alexis. She said she’d be delighted to be his messenger and told them to have a good trip.

Nina said her brother died at Windymere. Even if he wasn’t Nathan, she wanted to understand what happened there. Valentin said if she wanted the truth, don’t waste her time around Jack, but Jack said he could say the same about Valentin. Jack asked Matthews to take Valentin and Charlotte to the launch, but Charlotte didn’t want to leave. Valentin said it was okay. They needed to talk to someone anyway. Charlotte said Jack and Nina used her to get to her father. She wouldn’t forget what they’d done. In the foyer, Charlotte said she hated that guy, and Valentin said she wasn’t alone. Don’t worry. It might take a while, but they’d get their house back. They left.

Nina asked where they started, but Jack said they had a bigger problem now. Valentin knew there was something there that they wanted. If he found the black box before they did, they were screwed.

Kai said Drew could move, and Drew moved his hand. Kai said it was great news. Willow would be so happy. Drew blinked twice for no, and Kai said, he didn’t want Willow to know? Drew blinked once for yes, when Willow came back and said she’d thought she heard a noise. Kai said he’d just knocked something over and took the proposal from her. He said she’d have it tomorrow and left. Willow said she didn’t believe Kai knocked anything over. He wasn’t clumsy and had good reflexes. Drew tried to signal him, didn’t he? It would be so much easier if she could trust him. How did he think this was going to end? She flashed back to Jack saying, you could always kill him, and told Drew that she was warning him. Don’t force her hand. She was never letting her kids get taken away from her again.

Jordan said Portia wanted to punish Curtis for choosing her, and Portia said, only after she chose Isaiah. She was the one who left Curtis. Jordan said Portia didn’t leave, she’d cheated, and only came clean when she was on the stand. Portia told her to go and enjoy the time she had with Curtis. It was only a matter of time before they imploded. They’d failed once and would again. Jordan left, when Portia doubled over in pain. She sank to the floor and said, oh no.

Wednesday:

Portia groaned and clutched her baby bump.

Curtis sat with Stella at a table by the pool and asked, what’s the occasion? He had the feeling she had more in mind than a delicious meal and sparkling conversation. She said she had something to tell him. She knew Trina had been keeping her distance from him and Portia and her showcase was tonight.

Trina and Gio met Brook at a studio, and Brook said, when the execs got there, they’d both blow them away. They could offer Trina a record deal, and if they didn’t, they weren’t the right fit. She thought this would be a good space for them to do the showcase because it was more intimate, and Gio said they also had better control over the acoustics. Brook said she’d be right back, and Trina told Gio that it was a mistake. She couldn’t do this.

Carly flashed back to Jack telling her that Anna was back, when Valentin approached. He said she was far too beautiful to look so troubled.

Anna went to see Josslyn at the hospital and asked how she was. Josslyn said she was getting there. How was Anna? Anna said, same. She was hoping Josslyn could get her across the finish line.

Michael dropped the kids off with Willow, and Wiley asked if Michael could stay for dinner.

Nina wondered how much time they had before Valentin came back and tried to find out what they were after, and Jack said, not long. Nina said they needed something to make Drew back off before he fully recovered.

Drew moved his finger.

Josslyn asked if Valentin hadn’t talked to Anna, and Anna thanked her for sending him. But Obrecht maintained it was Cullum who’d been the mastermind behind all of this, and suggested she talk to Josslyn. Anna wanted a second opinion. Josslyn told her about breaking into Windymere during the blizzard and running into Cullum. He’d bought her cover story and told her that he was the groundskeeper, but she knew something was off. When he left the room, she found cigarillos and a copy of The Crystalline Conspiracy. The woman on the cover looked exactly like Anna.

Carly said she’d just been thinking about Josslyn, and asked how Charlotte was. Valentin said she was fine. He’d taken her to Windymere. He wanted it to be her home again, but his assets were frozen, so it might take a while. She said he could stay at the MetroCourt, but he said he didn’t want to freeload. She said she’d fed and housed him for months in her attic, when Britt approached the table and asked why Carly always had to be such a spiteful bitch.

Portia asked the baby to wait, then yelled out in pain, when Jordan came back.

Josslyn said Cassius claimed to have no knowledge of Anna’s kidnapping until after the fact, and Anna asked if she believed him. Josslyn said she wanted to, but had no concrete proof, and Anna asked if Cassius hadn’t kidnapped her. Josslyn said, yes, but she thought it was a last resort. He’d had opportunities to take her out, but didn’t, and protected her from Cullum. Anna asked if she would say Cassius was working for Cullum rather than with him, and Josslyn said that was the dynamic she’d witnessed. She thought there were parts of Cassius that were good. He wanted to be worthy of Nathan and at times tried to be, but it still made him responsible for what happened to Anna. That’s what made it worth destroying his reputation in exchange for Jason and Valentin’s freedom.

Valentin said Britt may want to rethink her opening, and Carly asked him to give them a minute. He said, of course (🍷), and stepped away. Britt said Carly had changed the locks and rented out her room to some guy. That was low, even for her. Carly said Britt had disappeared, and Britt said she was running for her life. Carly asked if Britt had to kidnap her cousin, and Britt said she didn’t kidnap him, but Carly said she had no reason to think Britt would be back and if she was, she’d be going to jail. Britt asked where her things were, and Carly said they were gone.

Nina told Jack that the west turret was vast and secluded. His black box could easily disappear there. He said he’d follow her lead, but then suddenly sat down.

Willow said she and Michael had to sync up their calendars and told the kids to check their bedrooms for presents from Grandma Nina. When they were gone, Willow said Michael’s last attempt to frame her failed.

Trina said, what if they hated her? but Gio said that wasn’t possible. She said they saw a lot of talented people and didn’t know anything about her, but he said all they needed to know was that she was great. Don’t sing to them. Sing to him. Or imagine singing to Kai or Emma or Josslyn or Stella, or even her parents. She had so many people in her corner, just sing to them like they were all there. In a way, they were. Brook came back and said Trina was on in 5.

At the pool, Kai said Trina’s showcase would be starting soon, and Emma said they had to relax, chill, send out good vibes, and stop doing whatever this was. Trina and Gio promised to text them when it was over and they’d agreed to give them space. Kai said the not knowing was driving him crazy. He hoped Trina could put what was going on with her parents aside and focus on singing.

Curtis thanked Stella for telling him about the showcase, even though he would have preferred to hear it from Trina. Stella said Trina needed some distance right now and they needed to respect that. He said they had. He and Portia were going through some rough times and Trina always seemed to get caught in the middle, so he had to support that even if he hated it. Stella said it wouldn’t be forever and when the baby came, they’d all start to heal. The families would come together and Trina would follow. He said it would be easier said than done with the trial looming, and she said Portia would be called to the stand. He said they’d just have to live with it. Whatever peace their child brought them would be short-lived.

Portia said she thought she’d told Jordan to leave, but Jordan said she was halfway down the walk when she heard Portia scream. Was it the baby? Portia said she was in labor, and Jordan asked if she could make it to the car, but Portia said her water broke and her contractions were close together. An ambulance was the only way she’d make it in time. Jordan called 911.

Brook introduced Gio and Trina to Jillian, Senior Manager of A&R, and Simon, Vice President of A&R. Simon said Brook had sung their praises to the rafters, and when that happened, they listened, and Trina thanked them. Brook told them to get ready, and Trina and Gio left. Simon asked if Gio was Brook’s son, and she said, yes. He was a talented musician in his own right. Trina deserved the best. He said Brook had always had a keen eye for talent, and Brook said Trina was a serious talent.

Jordan said an ambulance would be there as soon as possible, and Portia said they had to hurry. Otherwise, Jordan would have to deliver this baby.

Curtis saw Valentin, who asked about Jordan, and Curtis said she was healing. More important, she was alive and that was thanks to him. He owed Valentin one. Valentin said if Curtis had told the police, he would have been picked up months ago, but Curtis said there was no way he was giving Valentin up after he’d saved their lives. He hated that he had to ask Valentin for help again.

Carly said the police confiscated most of Britt’s things and she’d donated the rest, and Britt said Carly should have wanted to help her since she’d saved Josslyn when a maniac wanted to skewer her with a hook. Carly said she’d always be grateful for that, and Britt said she had a funny way of showing it. Plus, Jason would have wanted her to help. Carly said she did care what Jason wanted, but he wasn’t there, in no small part thanks to Britt. Britt was a wrecking ball, especially when it came to her own life, and the only person she had to blame was herself. Stop acting like the world owed her something and fix her life her own damn self. Carly walked off.

Willow told Michael about the trip log, but he said if someone was trying to frame her, it wasn’t him. She said he and his deranged family were the only ones who had something to gain from this, and he said she was a politician now, but she said none of her political rivals had anything to gain from her losing custody of her kids. He said it wasn’t him, and she said, not that it mattered. The PCPD had moved on, so she was in the clear. He congratulated her for not almost killing Curtis and Jordan the way she’d almost killed Drew, but she said she’d been exonerated. He said, acquitted. It wasn’t the same thing. Quit complaining when she’d gotten exactly what she wanted.

Drew moved his feet and hands, when the door opened. He made a fist.

Anna said the WSB statement exonerated Cullum and laid the blame for everything at Cassius’s feet, and Josslyn said, Cullum and Cassius both died on Spoon Island. She was the only witness, so she’d offered the Bureau a narrative that would help them save face, and she got Jason and Valentin home. Anna said, well played. But pointing the finger at Cassius may come back to bite her. Josslyn said she could handle Obrecht and Britt yelling at her, but Anna said it wasn’t just his loved ones she had to worry about. Was she asked to make that statement or had she offered? Josslyn said it was her idea, and Anna said, so the Bureau did her a favor. At some point, they’d ask her to reciprocate. She might not like what they asked her to do.

Curtis told Valentin that the other driver didn’t stop and didn’t come forward either. The police had determined a black BMW collided with the guardrail, so he wondered if Valentin remembered seeing a car. He needed to identify the other driver. Valentin flashed back to telling Carly to get Charlotte and Danny, and told Curtis that the other car would have been gone long before he got there.

Portia threw one of her shoes and screamed, where are they? Jordan said maybe some construction had slowed them down, and Portia said she thought they were going to have to do this themselves. Jordan suggested calling someone else. Maybe Isaiah or Britt. Literally anyone else. Portia said the baby was coming, and Jordan said she wasn’t a doctor. Could Portia stall? Portia said Jordan used to be a cop. She never delivered a baby? (My thought exactly.) Jordan said, once, a long time ago, and Portia said it was something you never forgot. She’d have to walk Jordan through it. Jordan said, we’re doing this. Let’s bring your baby into the world.

Valentin asked how it went with Britt, and Carly said, the usual. Me, me, me, me, me, Jason, me, me, me, me, me. He said he had to go, and she asked if Charlotte was okay. He said it wasn’t Charlotte. There was something else he had to do. He kissed her and asked if it was okay in this place, and she said it was more than okay.

Nina brought Jack some water, and he said he was just getting his sea legs, but she said if he kept pushing himself this hard, he’d have a real stroke. He said he was just doing it for her. She was the one who needed what was in the box because she and her daughter couldn’t take down Drew by shooting or drugging him.

Drew saw Wiley and Amelia and waved. Wiley said, Drew waved. That’s really good. Drew put a finger to his lips.

Simon said, ready when you are, and Trina sang.

Willow asked why she’d want to be framed, and Michael said, why else? It sent Chase running to her rescue and she loved that. She said it might be hard for him to understand, but Chase was her friend. He still saw the good in her. Michael said, what little there was left. She used to have so much. She said, then she married him. The real reason he was so angry with her was because she’d learned she didn’t have to depend on him. She was thriving without him and he couldn’t stand it. The kids came back and Amelia said, mommy, look. Wiley held a game box and Amelia carried a locked box wrapped in cellophane.

Nina said she’d check out the west turret, and Jack said he’d check out other rooms on that floor, but Nina said he’d collapse in one of them. Then she’d have to search for his unconscious body. No. Just stay there. She had this. She left, and we saw a hooded figure sneaking around.

Stella found Britt at the bar and asked if everything was okay, but Britt said nothing was okay. She thanked Stella for asking, and Stella asked if she could help. Britt said, no, but thank you again. She appreciated Stella and her kindness. Stella was one of the few people at GH who managed to make her days better. Stella said she was glad she could make a difference, and Britt said she always did. She wanted to make a difference again too. She hoped to be back at GH soon. Stella said, don’t get her wrong. Britt was a fabulous doctor and her patients loved her, but this little vacation wasn’t the first time she’d disappeared. Britt said it wasn’t her fault. She was a magnet for sociopaths. Stella said, regardless of whose fault it was, there were just so many times you could let people down before they stopped leaving the door open.

Kai told Emma, it killed him that Gio had to be convinced to play. He had music in his soul. Emma agreed, but said, ever since he found out Brook and Dante were his parents… Kai said, he smashed his violin at the Nurses Ball, and she said the violin had been a gift from Gio’s late mother… Okay, the woman who raised him and taught him about music. Ever since then, he only picked up a violin once. Ned and Sonny bought him a violin for Christmas. Leo found it and Gio had played it because he didn’t want to hurt Leo’s feelings. Tonight was a big deal for him too. Kai asked if she was hoping it would bring music back to Gio, and she said, yeah. Gio hadn’t made peace yet with his mom’s memory and how much he loved her. She felt like him playing again would be this ultimate sign of acceptance and forgiveness. Gio’s love and passion for music were taken from him and now he had to be the one to take it back.

Simon said Brook’s son was a downright virtuoso. He had an artist he’d love to pair Gio with. Brook said she appreciated that, but tonight was about Trina.

Gio said Trina totally killed it. It was perfect. Simon came in and said he’d like to hear it again. Trina was holding back. Show him who she was when she let loose.

Jordan told Portia, keep pushing. She was doing good. She had this. Portia said she didn’t know about that, but this baby was coming, and Jordan said she was as ready as she was ever going to be. Just tell her what to do. Portia said, support the head when it crowns and don’t pull. Just let the baby come to her. Was she ready? Jordan said, nope, but this baby is. So let’s do this. Now push… She said she saw the head. Push. Portia could do this.

Carly approached Emma and said she wanted to ask about Emma’s grandmother. She heard Anna was back in town. She must have been happy to see Emma. Emma said she thought Anna was happy to be home period. Everyone had been really helpful, especially Valentin.

Anna said she wanted to talk to Josslyn about something before she left, and Josslyn said, of course (🍷). Anna said, even though Josslyn arranged for Cassius to take the fall for all of this, the truth was, Josslyn didn’t really know how involved he was in the original plan. Or his years before his arrival there. Or if her abduction was his idea. Josslyn said she didn’t know any of that. She was sorry. Anna said the weaponizing of Faison’s obsession with her to torture her… Did Josslyn think it was Cullum’s idea or Cassius’s? Josslyn said if she had to guess, she’d say it was Cullum’s doing, and Anna said, but she couldn’t swear to it. Josslyn said, no. She was really sorry for everything Anna went through. Anna said she was really sorry for everything Josslyn went through and thanked her for sharing, and Josslyn said she’d let Anna know if she thought of anything else, but Anna said, just rest. With the life she’d signed up for, she’d need her rest. It was good to see her. Get well.

Anna left Josslyn’s room and saw Britt. She said they were just talking about Britt’s father – she saw Peter standing behind Britt – and her brother.

Wiley said Grandma Nina had gotten them a new board game and asked if Michael could stay and play with them, but Willow said he had to get going. Michael said she was right, but be good, okay? He hugged the kids and left, and Willow said, let’s see what this game’s about. Wiley told her that it said on the box it was for four players, but Willow said, don’t worry. They could make anything work, just the three of them.

Drew licked his lips and said, Willow…

Nina came back and told Jack, there was nothing. She thought they should come back tomorrow. It was late and he was exhausted. He said she didn’t have to sell him on that, but he thought they should go about this in a different way. The box had an infrared tag on it. They could use a scanner to find it. She said, wait. What? Why hadn’t they been using it this whole time? He said because borrowing a scanner from the WSB would draw attention. Ever since the Cullum debacle they were watching like hawks, so this being off the books… She said, it would be too risky, and he said, yes. She said they had to get their hands on it soon because they needed what was in that black box before Drew literally started talking. They walked to the door, and Nina said she was sensing a little bit of attitude. Don’t forget, she saved his life. He said, as if she’d ever let him, and they left. The hooded figure skulked around and took a black case from a secret space in the cellar.

Stella asked if she’d just seen Curtis have a friendly conversation with Valentin, and he said he wanted to thank Valentin for saving him and Jordan the night of the accident. She said he’d never told her about that, and he said he never told anyone. He guessed he should have told the police. She said, not much of a thank you, and he said that’s the way he saw it, but Valentin was a free man, so he could ask Valentin to come forward, see if he saw Isaiah behind the wheel the night of the crash, but no such luck. She said maybe that was for the best. He had a lot going on right now and this baby was coming whether he had it sorted out or not. Let the cops focus on who was driving the car, while he focused on this baby.

Trina sang again, and Simon smiled at Brook.

As Trina sang, Portia asked where her baby was. She didn’t hear her baby. Jordan held the baby, who started to cry. She handed him to Portia and said, congratulations. It’s a boy. Portia told the baby that she loved him and thanked Jordan.

Thursday:

Kai and Emma waited at the pool to hear from Gio and Trina. Kai started to think something went wrong, when Gio and Trina walked in. Emma asked how it went, and Trina said it wasn’t what they’d expected… The execs wanted to sign both of them as a duo. Kai hugged Trina.

Anna brought Britt into a hospital stairwell to speak privately, and asked if Britt knew her brother was holding her captive at Windymere.

Molly went to the stables, and Cody said it was agreed James needed to know Cassius wasn’t his real father. He had to figure out what to tell James. Maxie and Spinelli wouldn’t be there and breaking the news was all on him.

Obrecht went to see Josslyn, and Josslyn asked how she was. Obrecht said she was devastated, and Josslyn said she was sorry about Cassius. Obrecht said, the same son who’d saved Josslyn’s life and whose name she was defaming?

At the hospital, Jordan told Curtis that Portia and the baby were doing great, and he thanked her for calling. She asked what he was waiting for, and Stella said she’d call Trina. Curtis left, and Stella asked why Jordan had been with Portia when she’d had the baby.

Curtis went into Portia’s room where she was holding the baby.

Britt said Cassius hadn’t told her anything he was up to, but Anna found it hard to believe. Britt knew from the beginning he wasn’t Nathan, yet she’d said nothing. Why didn’t she tell anyone?

Obrecht said, the WSB blamed Cassius for Cullum’s crimes and said Cullum died a hero trying to stop him, and Josslyn said, unfortunately, that’s what happened. She was the one who told them.

Molly said James would hate who told him, but Cody said that’s why he had to do it. He loved James, but James didn’t need him the same way he needed his family. He was prepared to lose James. How did he tell him? He’d idolized his father and he had to break James’s heart. She said Cody was doing for him what Cassius couldn’t – telling him the truth.

Gio said it was Trina’s idea, and Trina said she’d had a bout of stage fright and he’d talked her off the ledge. Emma and Kai still wanted to know how the showcase went, and Gio said they performed their song from the recording booth. Trina said they thought it went well, but they’d had to do it a second time, then silence. Gio said, then his mom came back and said they loved it. He and Trina sang a duet and they were signed right then and there. Trina said now they wanted them to put a set together and open for one of their more established bands

Jordan said she’d been hoping to make peace with Portia when she went into labor, but the there wasn’t time to get her to the hospital. Stella asked if Jordan was saying she’d delivered the baby, and Jordan said she was heavily coached by Portia, but yeah. That baby was ready to meet the world. Stella hugged her, and Jordan said, Portia was really something. It was a beautiful moment she’d never forget.

Portia apologized for not calling Curtis and said the baby was perfect. Would he like to hold his son?

Stella told Isaiah that Portia had the baby, and he asked if she was okay. Stella said they were at the hospital, but she hadn’t seen them yet. Portia went into labor at home and Jordan happened to be with her and delivered the baby. They did real well. Isaiah wanted to see Portia, but Stella said Curtis was with her and suggested he give them some space.

Curtis took the baby and said he was perfect. Welcome to the world. Portia told him to introduce himself, and he said, I’m your father.

Stella called Trina about the baby, and she said she’d be right there. She told the others that her mom had the baby.

Anna said, they told Britt she was dying so she’d build the prototype, and Britt said, yes. Anna said, it was perverse, but also kind of genius. It kept Britt under their thumb in a way the threat of killing her wouldn’t have. Britt said it made her think she needed them, and Anna said it was a great part of Faison’s playbook. Britt said he was dead, and Anna said she was aware, but he did teach Britt’s brother everything he knew.

Obrecht said Cassius made the perfect scapegoat. How convenient he wasn’t there to defend himself. She could see why the WSB would make up this story. They couldn’t withstand another scandal. But why would Josslyn go along with it? Perhaps she should go to the press. Josslyn said, that would be a mistake. It would draw attention to the Bureau and Obrecht didn’t want that. Trust her. Obrecht said she used to. So did Cassius. Josslyn was dragging her son’s name thought the mud after he’d risked his life to save them and stop Cullum. Josslyn said that’s what Cassius wanted them to think.

Molly said by telling James the truth and letting James hate him, Cody was demonstrating how much he loved James. James might forget he was a great guy for a little while, but one day he’d appreciate Cody’s honesty. Felicia brought James in and he hugged Cody. He said he missed Cody, and Cody said he missed James too. He asked James to help him in the tack room. They needed to talk about something.

Portia said the baby didn’t cry right away and it was like a nightmare. But then he let out this huge wail and this man got some pipes on him. Curtis said his dad would love to hear that. He had to call him. Portia said she was sorry. She knew Curtis had wanted to be there for the birth. Curtis said he knew how badly she wanted to give birth in the hospital, but sometimes life just changed plans on them. He was there now and that’s all that mattered. He wondered if it was natural to feel overwhelmed, and she said she hoped so, since she felt the same way. He asked if she’d given any thought to a name, when Isaiah came in.

Gio brought out some champagne and said he wished Emma could have heard Trina sing. She was amazing. She came alive when she performed. Emma said, so did he, and he asked what she wasn’t saying. She said she knew this had always been Trina’s fantasy dream, but she was wondering if it was his.

Anna said Faison raised Cassius, so it made sense that Britt’s brother would know what kind of mind games would get inside her head. Britt said she was sorry for what happened to Anna, but Anna was home. She had people who loved her, who were happy to have her back. Anna was lucky because the alternative sucked. Local pariah reporting for duty. She wasn’t even good enough to rent a room above a diner. Anna wondered if Britt was asking for her sympathy, but Britt said she was asking for Anna’s understanding, because they had a lot more in common than Anna thought.

Josslyn said Cassius had Obrecht convinced that he wanted to change his life and be more like Nathan, and Obrecht said, he was well on his way. Josslyn said she bought that too. That’s why she’d run out to help him, but Cassius repaid her with a bullet. Obrecht said she was confused, but Josslyn said she watched Cassius take aim and shoot. She knew it was hard for Obrecht to accept, but Cassius was just trading on her love. That was the one way he could get her to finish Britt’s work, which was all he cared about. Obrecht said she didn’t believe Josslyn. Cassius loved her. Josslyn said Nathan loved her. The son she should be grieving died years ago. Obrecht said she didn’t know what was in Cassius’s heart, but Josslyn said she did. He wasn’t worth it and holding onto him would only make it more painful for Obrecht and James.

James told Cody that his dad died and nobody would talk about him. He’d helped people and saved people’s lives. Cody asked if he remembered what his dad said to him the other day at the batting cages, that James would probably hear bad things about him and some of those things would be true. James said, yeah, and Cody said this would sound crazy, but the bad thing he did was pretend to be James’s father.

Isaiah said he wanted to offer Portia his congratulations, and she thanked him. He asked how she was feeling. He heard she had quite the delivery. She said she was doing great, and he asked about the baby. She said the baby was even better. It was a boy. Curtis said if Isaiah wouldn’t mind, it was kind of a private moment, and Isaiah said, understood. He’d come back later. He gave Portia a quick kiss and said her son was beautiful. He told Curtis, congratulations, and left.

Trina arrived at the hospital and asked Stella if everyone was okay. Stella said they were fine, and Jordan said, congratulations, big sister. Trina asked if Jordan had come with her dad, but Stella said Jordan was with Trina’s mom when she went into labor and she delivered the baby on the floor in her mom’s living room.

Emma said she’d gotten the feeling Gio would have played for Trina’s sake, regardless of whether it was something he wanted or not, and Gio said he probably would. Trina had insane talent, but she was most comfortable with him backing her. Emma said it was one thing to help Trina and another to sign an entire contract, and he said he felt confident about signing it. His mom had taught him about contracts because she’d made a mistake early in her career. They retained creative control, artistic freedom, and the executives were going to help develop them. Emma said all that was great, but he hadn’t answered her question, and he wondered if she didn’t want him to sign the contract.

Isaiah told Trina to go say hi to her little brother, and Kai said he’d wait for her out there. Trina left and Kai excused himself. Jordan said she was going to head home and asked Stella to let Curtis know she got a Ride Share back to Portia’s house to get her car, but Stella said the least she could do was drive Jordan. Jordan said, only if she met the baby first, and Stella said, okay, deal. But what about her? Jordan said she’d already met him, but Stella said Curtis had made Jordan part of this family again. Don’t run away from it.

Trina went into Portia’s room and said she heard the baby came early to the party. Portia said, he was in a hurry to meet his big sister, and Trina went to the bassinet and tickled the baby’s tummy.

James said that was his father, and Cody said they’d all believed that too. They were wrong. James said, no, and Cody said James’s father, Nathan West, died before he was born. The man he believed was Nathan, his name was Cassius. He was Nathan’s identical twin brother and lied to everyone about who he was. He hated to have to tell James, but he’d promised he’d never lie to him. He tried to put his arm around James, but James scooted away. Cody said he was so sorry, but James’s dad never came back.

Josslyn said she could understand why it was hard for Obrecht to accept. Cassius was very convincing. She wanted to see the best in him too, but he wasn’t a good man. He was very smart and knew what Obrecht wanted to hear. She was sorry things turned out this way. Obrecht wished her a speedy recovery and left.

Britt said she knew how painful it was for Anna because she was manipulated too. She’d spent years thinking she was going to die a horrible death, but it was all lies. She’d been tricked into thinking she was going to die, just like they’d tricked Anna into thinking Faison was alive. But it was over now and they had to put it behind them and move forward. Anna said that would be very convenient for Britt. She’d allied herself with Cassius because they both preyed on human weaknesses. Just like their father.

Trina said the baby was falling back to sleep, and Curtis said the baby had a doozy of a night. Trina asked what they were going to call him, but Portia said they didn’t know. They were waiting until they met him. Curtis said, as soon as they decided… and Trina said, first to know. Portia said, absolutely, and Trina said she was so happy for them. He was perfect. Curtis said he took after his big sister and was lucky to have her in his life, and Trina said she loved Portia and hugged her.

Emma said she loved Gio no matter what. If he wanted to be a lifeguard or work at Bobbie’s or wanted to go back to school, that’s what she wanted for him. He didn’t have to be a musician to make her happy, or Trina for that matter. If he wanted to take a step back, he should. She was sure Trina would understand. He asked if he could talk now. He couldn’t say if he wanted music to be his profession, but this was a good test. He’d be able to try it out and if it wasn’t for him anymore, he’d know. But if he didn’t do this now, he’d always wonder what might have been.

Britt told Anna that her dad was a literal nightmare. Maybe Cassius didn’t fall far from the family tree, but she was nothing like them. Anna reminded her about how she’d manipulated Patrick when she first came to town. She’d had zero compassion for a child who’d just lost her mother. Britt said, not her finest moment, but even Anna had to admit it didn’t compare to anything her father had done. Anna told her to stop lying to herself. She’d built that prototype out of selfishness. Britt said she didn’t want to die a slow, horrible death, but that didn’t mean she was out to hurt people, and Anna said Britt never was, but she did, over and over again. There was only one good Faison and he’d been dead eight years.

James said Cody was wrong. That was his dad. Cody said James had every reason to believe that, and James said his dad told him that no matter what, he’d always be his dad and he would always love him. Cody said he was there. Cassius did say he loved James, and he did, but he didn’t say he was James’s dad. James said Cody was a liar. Take that back right now. In the other room, Felicia and Molly heard James say, take it back, when Obrecht walked in. James said, it’s not true, and Obrecht said, James has been told. James ran out and into Obrecht’s arms. He said Cody was lying about his father, and she said she was so sorry, but he wasn’t. James said tell him that Cody was lying, and Obrecht said she wished she could. James said he was his dad, wasn’t he?

Gio and Emma slow danced by the pool, and then kissed.

Trina said she had a little brother, and Kai said it was crazy, wasn’t it? The same day she got her big break, her little brother was born. It was one for the record books. She said she couldn’t wait for all of it.

Isaiah asked if the rumors were true that Jordan helped deliver Portia’s baby, and she said, guilty as charged. He said he was grateful she was there, and she said she was grateful she could help Portia. Maybe it was a sign of good things to come.

Stella said the baby had Curtis’s eyes and Portia’s mouth. There was not a better looking baby in this hospital. Portia agreed with her, and Stella told the baby that they were going to have a lot of fun together. They’d talk when he got older. As for Curtis and Portia, she hoped this was a wake-up call. Their lives were no longer about them and their troubles. It was about their son. So for his sake, straighten up and get their acts together.

Anna said she was deceived once by Cassius and wouldn’t be deceived again. Certainly not by Britt. Britt said, got it. Good talk. Anna asked if they had an understanding, and Britt said she understood it was best if they stayed out of each other’s way, and she left.

Josslyn flashed back to Cassius telling her that his life would have been easier had he killed her, but he’d promised he wouldn’t and kept his promise. She said she was alive, but still captive, even though he’d had opportunities to let her go, and he said, believe what she wanted, but when this was all over and she was still breathing, she’d know he kept his word. In the present, she said she was sorry. I’m so sorry, Cassius.

Obrecht told James that his wonderful, adoring father was Nathan West and he loved James very much, but sadly, he died years ago. James said, no, but she said, yes. The man who came to them last year was James’s uncle. He was his father’s twin brother. They all believed him too, but he was lying. He didn’t tell any of them the truth of who he really was. James said he missed him, and Obrecht said so did she. She thought she had her son back. He asked if she was sad, and she said, extremely. But did he want to hear the good news? They had so many people in their lives who loved them, especially him. People who would never even dream of lying to him. He had his mother, and Spinelli, his sisters, Felicia, and Mac and her. Cody said James had him too, and Obrecht said, of course (🍷). How could she forget? James said, no. He didn’t love Cody anymore. Obrecht said he didn’t mean that, but he said he did. He never wanted to see Cody again. He ran out

🌞 Summer Friday…

Carly brought Donna’s bag to Sonny. She was so excited to play Tron, she forgot it. Sonny said Donna told him that she had to practice to beat Wiley, but Carly said she thought Donna was more excited to play with him. He said that was because he was the tuneup before the main event, and she told him to have fun, but try to do something else that didn’t involve screens. She started to leave, and he said she seemed like she was in a hurry. She said she had plans with a friend, and he asked, who’s the friend? Anybody in particular he would know?

Jack led Nina into the Brown Dog and she said, come on. He was exhausted and nearly collapsed earlier. He ordered two whiskeys, neat, and she said, make hers top shelf. She dusted herself off and said she hadn’t exactly been dressed to shlep around Spoon Island. He told her to send the dry cleaning bill to Drew. They had to move fast to get the evidence against him. Their window of opportunity was closing. He threw back his shot and gestured for another, and she said, tough day. He said, tough month.

At a nearby booth, Lulu told Ethan that Charlotte had decided she was public enemy number one now that Valentin was back. Not back, here still. Ethan asked how long he’d been back, and she said, months. Charlotte had been sneaking out for months to see him. He said she couldn’t do that to herself on top of everything else she’d been doing, and she asked if he meant Rocco. He said, yeah, and also the not so pleasant thing she had to talk about. She asked if he meant Britt getting off scot-free for taking her son to a foreign country, and he said, no… Yes. But he was referring to the fact that the guy she’d been dating was lying about his identity.

Ava brought Brook a present for Baby Phoebe in celebration of her adoption proceedings. She was glad everything was working out for Brook and Chase.

Molly found Cody at the stables and said Dr. Obrecht was taking James home. Felicia had pulled her aside and asked her to thank him. He said he knew telling James about Cassius was going to be hard and knew this was coming, but didn’t know it would hurt this much.

Josslyn pushed her food tray away, when Trina came in. She asked why she just heard that her best friend was in the hospital with a gunshot wound. What happened to her?

Lulu said she’d risked her friendship with Maxie over someone who was a total fraud, but Ethan said it wasn’t her fault. Cassius was lying about his name and some other things, but that didn’t mean he was lying about everything. He brought a lot of attention to himself getting involved with her. If his feelings weren’t real, why take the risk? He wouldn’t be the first con man whose heart got him way in over his head.

Nina asked how motivated Jack was to find the black box. Sometimes she thought he didn’t care if she and Willow went down for what happened to Drew. Jack said that wasn’t true. He was the WSB Station Chief in Port Charles and the Cullum disaster happened on his watch. He could only imagine that his superiors were now deciding whether or not to transfer him to a subbasement in Antarctica. She said they couldn’t let that happen, and he said having Willow advocate for him could keep him on the continent. Nina scratching her Cartullos didn’t even scratch the surface of what she was doing for her daughter. Where did she draw the line? She said there was no line. She would go anywhere and do anything for her daughter.

Brook said she and Chase were so grateful to Ava for using her connections to help Alexis find Phoebe’s biological father. Ava said there was no need to thank her. She’d been compensated well in the form of exceptional travel and accommodations. She assumed everything was moving smoothly. Brook said, as far as they could tell. Once Alexis communicated with Phoebe’s father, they submitted their adoption petition before she could become a ward of the state. Ava said she was sure Phoebe’s father was happy that she was living in such a beautiful home with parents who adored her, and Brook said she hoped so, but she’d like to offer him some assurance directly if that were possible.

Molly said, as painful as it was, Cody did the right thing, and Cody asked if he was a dumbass for being the one to tell him. Molly said, no. It was the most selfless, loving thing she’d ever seen a person do. He wasn’t a dumbass. He was the hero.

Carly said she had her life and Sonny had his, and Sonny said, as long as it didn’t impact their daughter. Had she introduced Donna to Valentin? Carly said, no. Valentin had nothing to do with Donna. He said, except they were living under the same roof for months and she hadn’t told him, but she said it was a non-issue. Valentin was free. He asked if she thought that made it better that his enemies didn’t have to hunt for him. He was out in the open with a target on his back and in her bed. She said that’s what was bothering him, but he said what was bothering him was if Valentin got any closer to his daughter. He didn’t want Carly in danger either, but she was an adult and got to make her own decisions. She said, and he got to respect them. If he didn’t, he had to live with them. She started to walk out and ran into Brick. Brick said if he was only catching her on his way out, his timing must be slipping, and she said it was good to see him. He said he wasn’t in town long, and she said, let her guess. He and Sonny had business to discuss. Sonny said, that’s right, and she told Sonny, and her life was the problem? She’d see Brick later. She left, and Brick asked if everything was okay. Things between Sonny and Carly seemed scratchy. Sonny said, everything was fine. It was just a good thing Brick got there when he did.

Trina said Aunt Stella told her that Josslyn had been admitted. Good thing she was already at the hospital. Josslyn asked if Trina was okay, and Trina said she was fine. Her mom had the baby. It was a boy. Josslyn said, congratulations, and Trina said Josslyn’s mom told her that Josslyn was out of town and she hadn’t heard from her in months. And now this? How did they get from her going out of town for some mysterious reason and taking a bullet and ending up in the hospital? Josslyn said the answer was simple, but the reasons were complicated, and Trina told her to start simple and truthful. How did she get shot? Josslyn said she got shot in the line of duty. She was a WSB agent.

Carly came home to find Valentin and the moss bowl🎍cooking in Sonny’s old kitchen. She said, you again, and he said just because he wasn’t hiding in her attic didn’t mean he couldn’t break in and make her coq au vin. She kissed him and said she really needed this tonight. She went by Sonny’s to drop off Donna and he had a few choice words for her. Valentin said, about him? and she said, mm-hmm, but Sonny didn’t get to tell her what to do or decide who was waiting for her in Sonny’s old her kitchen when she got home. They kissed again.

Josslyn said she knew Trina must have a lot of questions and she’d answer what she could, and Trina said her first question was, why would Josslyn join the WSB? Josslyn said, Dex. After he was murdered, she felt like nobody was doing anything. She had to find out who killed him and her mom was seeing Jack Brennan. She asked him questions, hoping he could lead her to who killed Dex. Trina asked if he did, and Josslyn said he helped her find evidence that led to Cyrus Renault. Then he recruited her. Trina said Josslyn was grieving the death of someone she loved and Jack took the opportunity to recruit her? but Josslyn said it was her choice. Brennan presented her with the opportunity to stop people like Cyrus and she took it. Trina said, and all it cost her was lying to everyone in her life.

Brook told Ava that she and Chase were thrilled that Phoebe’s father agreed to a private adoption, but it was more private than they’d expected. The father only agreed if the records remained sealed. Ava asked if that was a problem, and Brook said, it was if he changed his mind.

Cody told Molly that he didn’t know if he would have even told Mac that he was his son if it weren’t for James. James showed him what it was like to be part of a family. If not for James, he probably would have bailed from Port Charles long ago. Molly said she owed James a lot, and he said, so did he. James made him want to be someone worthy of her. She said he was someone she was incredibly proud to be with.

Nina told Jack that Madeline was cold on a good day. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t be the same way with her own children. She wanted to be the kind of mother that was loving, present, and one her children could depend on, but she didn’t get the chance. Her children were taken from her in the cruelest way possible. They had extremely difficult upbringings and Willow face unspeakable traumas. She didn’t think Willow had come close to processing them yet, let alone reconciling with them. And it all happened because she wasn’t in their lives. A mother was supposed to protect her children and she didn’t. She was in Willow’s life now and intended to stay there no matter what it cost her.

Ava asked if Brook was worried Phoebe’s father would want her back, but Brook said he never had her to begin with. He’d never even met her, but they didn’t know what his true intentions were. Ava said, given her family’s wealth, this could be a tempting situation, and Brook said if Phoebe’s father wanted money, she’d be happy to give it to him, but now. Not when the adoption was about to go through and they could be his emotional hostages. She had to ask. Did Ava know who Phoebe’s father was?

Lulu said Ethan had spent this entire time consoling her, and he was the one who was shot. A good sister would have brought him chicken soup at the hospital. He said, she’d had her hands full. Ava was too busy playing Florence Nightengale, so he didn’t lack for company. She said she was shocked and glad to hear Ava was showing some gratitude, and he said, him too, but he felt it was starting to wear thin. How much did she know about Ava? What was her story?

Sonny told Brick that he didn’t know how he was going to survive Donna being a teenager. She’d talked him into letting her and Fizz 🐶stay up to talk. Brick said Sonny would need 24-hour surveillance, but he thought he could help with that, and Sonny said that was the reason he’d called. Donna was fine, but the problem was Carly. He and Carly were fine, but the guy she’d hooked up with was trouble.

Carly said Emma told her that Anna was back in town and Valentin went to see her, and Valentin said he wanted to make sure for himself that she was okay. She was putting on a strong front while she acclimated to her life, which was what he’d expect of her. Was she concerned about Anna’s well-being or concerned about how he felt now that Anna was back in town?

Jack said when Nina showed up at his office asking for the traffic footage, he used it as an opportunity to blackmail her to get information from Charlotte. He shouldn’t have done that. He should have asked her to dinner. (Smelled that coming.) She asked what he thought he would have gained, and he said he would have gotten to know her before he became a victim and she had to save his life.

Brook asked if Ava was acting as an intermediary for Phoebe’s father, but Ava said the only role she’d played in this was connecting Alexis to the gallery where Delilah had worked. She was glad to help. She hoped Brook liked the gift. Brook said Ava didn’t answer her question. When she was in the city with Alexis, did she find Phoebe’s biological father? Ava flashed back to Ethan saying Phoebe wasn’t his daughter, and said, no, she did not.

Lulu asked why Ethan wanted to know about Ava, and he said he wanted to know the perspective of someone he could trust. She asked if he was interested in Ava Jerome.

Trina said, in a way, it was a relief, because she’d been feeling distance from Josslyn and didn’t know why. Now she did. Josslyn said she was truly sorry, and Trina said she believed Josslyn was sorry for hurting her. but knew she’d make the same choice again. Josslyn said she didn’t regret pursuing a meaningful career that she was passionate about, but her choices had cost her a lot and she prayed they didn’t cost her Trina.

Carly said it was no secret that Valentin had strong feelings for Anna. He was willing to jump on a plane and break her out of that facility. Now that she was back and safe, that didn’t mean he stopped caring about her. She didn’t know what to do with that. He said, the way he saw it, it was very much like her and Sonny. He and Anna had known each other for so long, they were incapable of indifference toward one another. When he said he wanted to go to France to help her, he remembered things getting pretty heated between them. At the time, he thought it was because of the risks, and he hoped they weren’t fighting because of who Anna was to him. She asked, who was Anna to him?

Sonny told Brick, little did he know, Carly had been harboring Valentin in her home with his daughter for months and Valentin was the sick son of a bitch that switched his bipolar medication. Carly said she didn’t know him then, it was a long time ago, and he was different now. Brick asked if Sonny was good with bygones, and Sonny said, for now. But Valentin was connected to a lot of enemies who would want to have a conversation with him. That made him dangerous and a threat to be around. He didn’t want Valentin anywhere near his daughter. Brick asked if he’d told Carly this, and Sonny said, yeah. He’d told her that being with Valentin was a bad idea. Brick said, and she doubled down, and Sonny said he wasn’t trying to control her, but Valentin needed to be removed. Brick knew that world better than he did. They just had to figure out a way to get Valentin out of Carly’s life.

Molly said she was glad James got Cody to stop running and that he’d stuck around long enough for her to get to know the real him, and he said, turns out that doing the right thing sucks. She said she had an idea and held out her hand, but he asked if they couldn’t just keep hiding in there. She said, trust her, and he took her hand.

Lulu told Ethan that more than one person in Ava’s orbit had ended up dead. She was dangerous. He said that word got thrown around a lot in Port Charles. Maybe she was just complicated. Lulu said her Spencer instincts were firing on all cylinders right now. Was he playing some kind of angle on Ava? He flashed back to Ava reminding him that he’d said Phoebe wasn’t his daughter, and told Lulu that maybe he found their current arrangement had the potential to be mutually beneficial, but to be clear, Ava was very attractive. Lulu said, if Ava found out he was using her, she would be both very attractive and lethal, and he said, then let’s hope she never finds out.

Ava said she didn’t know who Phoebe’s father was, but understood wanting some measure of control over any situation in your child’s life. She knew that little girl already meant the world to Brook. To realize there was somebody out there who she didn’t know who might decide whether or not she got to keep her must be terrifying. Brook said it kept her up at night, and Ava said the adoption was in motion. Very soon it would be sealed and over. If she were Brook, she would resist the urge to fix a situation that so far wasn’t broken.

Trina said she might not know much about Josslyn’s life as a WSB agent, but Josslyn didn’t know much about her life right now, and Josslyn said she knew and hated it. Trina said, since the last time she’d seen Josslyn, she’d gone low contact with her parents, she and Gio may sign with a record label, and her baby brother was born. And Josslyn was held prisoner and shot. Josslyn said, very different paths, and Trina said, very. Josslyn asked where that left them, but Trina said she had no idea.

Brick told Sonny that there may be a way to persuade Valentin to leave Carly, but he had to be upfront with her. He wasn’t going behind her back. He respected both her and Sonny. So he’d get incriminating info on Valentin. Put pressure on him. But who knows? Maybe it would be enough to make Carly walk away from him. He just wouldn’t go behind her back to do it.

Valentin said Anna was the first woman he truly loved, and Carly turned away from him, but he went to face her. He said he had no intention of allowing anything in his past with Anna affect what they had now, and she said, when he showed up there after he broke out of Steinmauer, she was just a stop on his way to Anna. He said, that’s right. He was going to Anna for help, but he found her and she changed everything. He kissed her and she bumped into something on the floor. She asked, what is that and how did it get here?

Molly said, this situation definitely called for s’mores, and handed Cody a plate with one on it. He said, James’s favorite, and she said when they were making them with James at the boathouse, he’d told James that he wasn’t going to be able to make it to all of his baseball games because of her book tour. He helped James understand by saying that when someone you love is happy, it makes you happy too. He said, it does. And when they’re unhappy and hating you, it makes you want to die. She said, it won’t feel like this forever. James’s life changed today, and it will change again and again. Just like hers did the day she heard him say those words, someone you love. It was like time stopped and she felt this rush of pure joy. In that one moment, everything changed, and since then, she’d been waiting for him to tell her. This incredibly selfless thing he did for his nephew today, as much as it hurt him, made her realize she wanted to be the one to say it to him. I love you, Cody. He said he loved her too, and they kissed.

Ava told Brook, believe the man who signed the adoption papers wants what’s best for Phoebe, a happy home. And she clearly had that with Brook and Chase. Brook said she wasn’t great at trusting, and Ava said, neither was she, but from one mother to another, when it came to your child, you’d find yourself capable of things you never even dreamed of. She told Brook, take good care, and left.

Lulu suggested they look at this another way. When was the last time Ethan had a girlfriend? Just give her a ballpark… Really? He said, it was definitely sometime in the aughts, and she said he was a minor league baseball player who was suddenly pitching in game seven of the World Series. He laughed, and she said she was serious. Stop. When Ava was done with him, she wouldn’t be left with a single shirt button. Maybe a shoelace. That’s it. He said she wounded him and massively underestimated him. He knew exactly what he was doing. She said, famous last words.

Crying, Josslyn said she couldn’t lose Trina. Was there any way that they could find a way to start over? Trina asked how they did that, and Josslyn said she didn’t know, but it could be on Trina’s terms. Whatever she needed. Trina said, well, here’s one term. Don’t lie to her anymore. She got there were things Josslyn couldn’t talk about, but tell her that. Tell her when there was information she just had to keep to herself. Maybe they could come up with a code word. Like popcorn. When Josslyn said, popcorn, she’d know they had to change the subject and no questions asked. That way, she wasn’t always wondering if Josslyn was telling her the truth and Josslyn didn’t have to lie to her face. Could she do that? Josslyn said it was basically a violation of everything the WSB told its agents to do, but for Trina, they’d have popcorn, and Trina said, okay.

Sonny said he got that Brick had his friendship with Carly, but Brick said it was deeper than that. They were family. Sonny said his first priority was Donna. Don’t get him wrong. He wanted Carly okay. Brick said, good. He’d get what they needed to neutralize Valentin, but he was going to put it in Carly’s hands. It had to be her choice. Sonny said, do whatever he needed to do, but he wanted the guy gone, and Brick said, done. They shook hands and Brick left.

There was a large, black briefcase on the kitchen island next to the moss bowl🎍, and Valentin said he needed to incentivize the WSB to speed up the release of his funds. Carly asked what he did, and he said he went to Windymere. He was hoping Cullum left behind something the WSB overlooked, something that somebody would want to get their hands on. She said, somebody like him? and he said, him or somebody else. He had a poke around, and Windymere had plenty of hiding places. Lo and behold, he found this box. She asked what was in it, and he said he didn’t know, but it was a WSB issue. Secure, safe, with anti-drill plates, internal relocking mechanism, and a chemical agent primed to release and destroy the contents in the event of unauthorized entry. So if this was Cullum’s, it was valuable. All he had to do was get it open.

Nina said Jack acknowledged that she’d saved his life, but the way he said it, it was like he was holding it against her. If it wasn’t so essential they find this damn black box of his, she’d march out of there right now and let him drown in his whiskey escape. He said he was sorry. He didn’t do gratitude well. She said, learn, and he said she was right, but she was the one who injected him and that was the whole reason he ended up needing her in the first place. She said she’d already apologized. It was an accident, but he was never going to let her forget it, was he? He said, no, probably not, but he was very grateful. She said he had a strange way of showing it, and he kissed her.

On Monday, Willow asks how Chase would feel taking a trip with her to DC; Molly says she’s going to need Laura’s help; Nina calls Jack a disgusting pig; and Lulu tells Sonny that Jason didn’t shoot Director Cullum on the pier that night.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

A temp James while, ironically, the usual James is in the hospital after a min-bike accident. It sounded serious, but he seems to be healing nicely. I rarely say anything that’s not praiseworthy about child actors, and I hate to say this, but they should keep temp James. I’ve often wondered who he and Wiley are related to. There, I said it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-james-temporarily-recast-with-easton-winn

So does this mean Simon will be back on the canvas, or is he a one-shot GH wonder?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-grady-eldridge-cast-as-music-executive-simon

I think he pairs best with Britt. I can totally see them sparring their way through a romance.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-who-will-tristan-roberts-be-paired-with

IMO, there should have been more nominations from GH. Plus, pitting Emma and Gio against one another? Ugh. As always, rooting for Jeff Kober, who thankfully made the list.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/2026-daytime-emmy-awards-nominations-the-full-list-of-soap-nominees

https://ew.com/daytime-emmy-nominations-2026-12018364

She’s lovin’ it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-amanda-setton-reacts-to-first-daytime-emmy-nomination-im-floating-excl

It should mean a ton. He’s one of the few this year.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-steve-burton-reacts-to-2026-daytime-emmy-nomination-it-means-a-ton

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Luke told Eyebrows Joe that he wasn’t feeling it with Gen, while Gen told Kay that she and Luke were on the same page. In Gen’s interview, she said it was the validation she needed and it was great to finally be someone’s first choice. The mind boggles at how she got there from what he said. In Aesha’s interview, she said now she was nearly betrothed and mentoring the young. You never knew where life was going to lead you. It was the crew’s night out, and Aesha helped Luke sit across from Joy at the restaurant. Gen was all bummed and obviously stewing (no pun intended) over the non-love triangle. Gen intercepted Aesha on the way to the restroom and told her about hooking up with Luke. Then she gave Luke the business on his way to the restroom. Cooper had eyes for Kat, and the next day told Joe about Luke and Gen doing the nasty on Nathan’s sheets and failing to wash them. Ew, ew, and ew. The preference sheet meeting revealed that new primary Suzanne was looking for a man. Matchmaker Amy would be joining her and bringing six single men for Suzanne to choose from. Nathan found out about sleeping on the disgusting sheets, and in his interview, he said he didn’t even know how to process this. Joe took it upon himself to inform Captain Sandy about the sheets too, and needless to say, she wasn’t thrilled.

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 Episode 6 Recap: Nathan Discovers The Truth

In the City

The group was having a Friendsgiving dinner, and Kyle suggested they not buy beef, since there was plenty of that in the house. BA-DUM-CHH! In Kenny’s interview, he said he’d never gone home for Thanksgiving, only Christmas. Same. It’s just not worth all that travel just for a big meal. And God help you if you’re driving. The last time it took us 4 hours to make a 2½ hour trip, we gave up going to my in-laws’ and decided to start going out to eat. After the grocery shopping, the group went apple picking, where Kyle and Amanda bickered. Back at the house, Danielle said she was surprised about Whitney pulling the single mom card remark, but Whitney said she was tired of it. Lindsay and Georgina both had nannies. In Danielle’s interview, she said she was glad Lindsay was laser focused on someone else. Georgina confronted Whitney, who said she was sick of Lindsay and her mom card and Gavin said Kenny and Whitney didn’t like women as a couple. In Amanda’s interview, she said, nothing brings people together like other people’s drama. Kenny and Gavin had it out, ending with Gavin apologizing for not having more of a filter. In Gavin’s interview, he said he and Kenny were like brothers and Kenny needed to stop being defensive. In a surprising move, Lindsay apologized to Danielle and said it was refreshing and sweet to see her feel safe, and Eoin made her feel safe. It ended with the Amanda/Kyle break-up headlines and a clip from Watch What Happens Live when Kyle said he didn’t think there was any truth to the West/Amanda rumors. Then we came full circle with Amanda and Kyle privately talking at his apartment after their split, which was how Summer House had ended. With the exception of Amanda suggesting she and West go on a double-date with Kyle and Salley (Southern Charm). Huh?

In The City Episode 9 Recap: Whitney Clashes With Lindsay & Georgina

The Valley

Lala had to help her dog Lilly to The Bridge, and said Lilly had given her purpose, but she knew Lilly was ready. This is the hardest decision a pet parent ever has to make, and my heart always breaks with theirs even when it’s someone I don’t know.💔Kristen told her to do it for Lilly, not herself. The guys had a barbecue and Danny told them that he was having a vasectomy and whined about it. I worked for a medical clinic for a couple of years and could count the number of vasectomies done on one hand. It’s kind of irritating considering the radical difference between that and a hysterectomy, which is major surgery, while a vas is an in-office procedure. Okay, off the soapbox now. Danny also whined about his birthday, made excuses for his drinking, and said Janet was projecting her own hurt on him and using him as a punching bag. Schwartz said when Danny reacted, he just confirmed their biases. There was a funeral for Danny’s testicle and the procedure took a whole 7½ minutes.😕Lala had a party to celebrate seven years of sobriety and to celebrate Lilly’s life, since Lilly had given Lala hers. Zack said he’d been buzzed enough when he was whacked in the head that he was fine with it, and Brittany planned an engagement party for Jasmine and Melissa at a rooftop bar. It was quite impressive.

The Valley Season 3 Episode 16 Recap: A Celebration of Love

Eww. Just eww.

Jax Taylor and Publicist Lori Krebs Appear in Steamy Photos Amid Brittany Cartwright Divorce

The Valley’s Brittany Cartwright Cuts Ties With Publicist After Jax Taylor Pics

The Valley Picks Cameras Back Up After Jax Taylor’s Latest Drama

Next Gen NYC

Georgia told Emira that Charlie had reenforced the flirting with Kevin thing after she’d heard it from the gay grapevine. In Rowan’s interview, production asked if she was following this, and she said, no. The guys showed up at girls’ night, minus Charlie, much to Georgia’s happiness. Brooks said his intuition was telling him there would be better vibes there, but that wasn’t quite to be. Georgia offered Riley her drink, and Riley said it might have ketamine in it, but got totally pissed off when Georgia asked why she’d said that. A short time later, Riley said Georgia wasn’t a part of this because she couldn’t afford a Birkin, although several of the girls said they couldn’t either. Same. Ariana suggested she and Riley go to the bathroom, and she tried to get Riley to drink some water. Riley clearly wasn’t having sobriety and escalated things when they went for pizza, threatening to throw hers at Georgia. Rowan and Ava met Shai for lunch, and he told them Brooks had literally sprinted away from guys’ night. Ariana baked Liam some banana bread, and in her interview, she said Liam offered to build her closet in exchange for taking her on a motorcycle ride. It was a dream. Meeting with Charlie and Shai, Hudson said if Liam thought he was getting with his ex-girlfriend, he had another thing coming, which was pretty creepy and stalkerish. Apparently, Liam was more serious than Hudson thought, since he invited Ariana to a family dinner on the Upper West Side. We revisited Georgia getting stranded in Singapore when she broke up with Omar, and she complained about him leaving her in the lurch financially. My advice, don’t rely on a boyfriend for your finances. Shai and Rowan planned a Halloween thing and sent out a Pinterest board of their vision to the group. A trip to the Rocky Horror Picture Show was set in motion, and even though Riley had taken accountability for being an a-hole, it wasn’t without justification. She told Ariana that if she was a good friend, when she noticed Georgia antagonizing her, she should stop it in the middle. She was none too pleased when Ariana said Georgia didn’t come at Riley the way Riley reacted and that Georgia hadn’t been antagonizing her. On a video chat, Kandi told Riley to let her know what was going on before she read about her child in the tabloids. D’oh!

https://www.primetimer.com/features/next-gen-nyc-season-2-episode-4-shai-fruchter-tells-hudson-that-liam-may-be-crossing-a-line-with-ariana-biermann

Real Housewives Of Orange County

We found out that new Housewife Carmella is Shannon’s neighbor, her ex-husband was an NFL player (the Browns – go Cleveland!), she’d been a Playmate of the Year, followed it up with a stint on WWE’s Monday Night Raw, and lived with her boyfriend. Emily and Shane took photos for ‘Til Death Do Us Part, presented by their Legally Brunette podcast. Tamra felt Emily was ungrateful since she’d given Emily a start on her network, but had to admit it was a good product. Gina put together an Olden Girls dinner at Hamburger Mary’s as a surprise for Emily’s 50^th birthday. The group dressed up as old ladies – each one quite unique – with the exception of Emily, who Gina wanted to be younger than everyone else. and they played Drag Bingo. Tamra met Fancy Pants Heather for lunch and said that Heather talked about her like she was a serial killer. In Heather’s interview, she said Tamra was scary sometimes, and she’s not wrong. In Tamra’s interviews, she said she was tired of Fancy Pants talking behind her back and how she changed personalities depending on who she was talking to. In Vicki’s interview, she said Fancy Pants had sent her a welcome back text, saying she was the leader of the pack, but Vicki was like, no, I am. And with that, the OG of the OC officially staked her claim and planted her whoop-it-up flag.

RHOC Recap: Emily Accuses Tamra of Being Mean and Vindictive Over Podcast Drama, Heather Confronts Jenn for Exposing Her Convo About Tamra and Carmella Opens Up About Her Relationships

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20 Episode 2 Recap: Vicki Shades Carmella’s Parenting

Random Reality Items

My main takeaway point was that their LA property has 10 bathrooms.

RHOBH’s PK Kemsley Says Dorit’s Luxury Vacation Comes as Foreclosure Fight Intensifies

Show of hands. How many believe it was Luis? Thought so.

Milania Giudice Appears in Court Video, Is Accused of Striking ‘L.R.’ in the Head ‘With Her Fist’

Premiering September 7^th. Color me hopeful.

Real Housewives of London Season 2 Storylines Revealed

Juicy, but messy.

Crystal Kung Minkoff’s RHOBH Reunion Claim Raises New Questions

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Worst Neighbor Ever. Netflix. – I had one of these when I lived in Queens. She lived directly below me – no surprise, alone – and did her best to make my life a living hell. She’d hated me on sight just because and couldn’t stand that I had cats, even though they were ironically quiet as mice. After I got married, my husband moved in with me, and she claimed we played disco all hours of the day and night. While we may have played music occasionally, I can assure you it wasn’t that loud and it certainly wasn’t disco. When she saw us outside, she would screech that we were Satan’s spawns, and on the day we moved, she stood outside watching the moving van and wearing a winter coat – in 80 degree weather. But enough about me. Even with all that, as far as I know, my neighbor never killed anyone, unlike those in this four-part true crime series. While it’s nothing we haven’t seen before on shows like Dateline, it’s still a fascinating watch, and will have you questioning your own neighborhood before it’s over. However, I wasn’t crazy about the use of animation for some of the scenes.

https://readysteadycut.com/2026/07/01/worst-neighbor-ever-review

The Human Vapor. Netflix. This Japanese series begins with an environmental energy expert exploding on live TV during an interview. Why do I find people spontaneously combusting funny? I don’t know, but I do. In a filmed message, the man behind it calls himself the Human Vapor and says he has a list of those he’s going to kill. A journalist and a detective with a romantic history team up to find out just who the man is and why he’s committing such heinous acts. A mystery with a supernatural bent, it’s a little superhero-ish at times, but that’s not a bad thing. The fight scenes are terrific and the special effects impressive. The acting is great, although I wish I could have seen it with subtitles rather than dubbed, which often takes something away from the dialogue. Still, this unique story is definitely worth watching

https://www.polygon.com/human-vapor-netflix-review

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-human-vapor-toho-godzilla-vfx-japanese-thriller-1236638687

Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City. Hulu. A 2021 film I’d meant to see at the time and forgot about. The 7^th film in the franchise, I hadn’t seen all of the previous ones, but for some reason, the trailer for this one intrigued me. What’s not to like? Weird dystopian city, oddball characters, kicking ass, special effects, and zombies, including zombie dogs (!). Oddly enough though, not one raccoon. The reviews weren’t great, but I thought it was a good time.

https://loudandclearreviews.com/resident-evil-welcome-to-raccoon-city-review

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City Review: An Undercooked Reboot with a Few Flashes of Inspiration

All the RE films.

https://www.odeoncinemas.ie/odeon-scene/resident-evil-movies

Things Will Be Different. Hulu. A brother and sister on the run from the police find a way to time travel and evade capture. When they try to return, they can’t, and are told through a tape recorder that they must complete certain tasks before they can leave. While entertaining in spots, this wasn’t my favorite. I thought the plot was somewhat complicated, the time loops a bit endless, and I found the end depressing. I’m not a huge fan of time shifts, but if you are, this is the film for you.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/things-will-be-different-film-review

Things Will Be Different

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

I lost track of the Friday the 13^th franchise long ago, but this looks like it might be worth dipping back in.

https://ew.com/crystal-lake-first-look-linda-cardellini-pam-voorhees-friday-the-13th-prequel-exclusive-12016005

🥁 Early Roll Call Of the Dead…

Those we’ve lost so far this year.

https://ew.com/celebrity-deaths-2026-stars-who-died-this-year-11884984

🎃 The Thing That Is Ween…

Some might ask, do we need an extra Halloween? but I ask, why not?

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/30/is-summerween-really-a-thing

🐕 It’s a Dog’s Life…

🐶 My dogs only move fast if food is involved.

https://people.com/america-s-got-talent-star-twinkie-the-pomeranian-earns-guinness-world-record-12019793

🐩 Their first new addition.

https://www.tmz.com/2026/07/13/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelces-dog

🐾 An Independence Day hangover.

https://www.popsugar.com/pets/photos-cute-dogs-puppies-july-4th-costumes-46330005

🎬 Quotes of the Week

In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on. – Robert Frost

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. – Les Brown

Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live. – Anne Sweeney

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t. – Bill Nye

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. – Og Mandino

If you bring yesterday’s energy to tomorrow, your tomorrow is going to look just like yesterday. – Judge Dana Cutler, Cutler’s Court

You know what they say, to raise a child, it takes the Village People. – Larry (D.B. Sweeney), Two and a Half Men

🏊‍♀️ Life’s a Beach…

Until next time, stay safe; stay educating yourself on heat related illnesses; and stay helping rather than just saying what someone wants to hear.

Video > Jimmy Buffett – Margaritaville (1978)