Tag Archives: Danielle Staub

May 6, 2022 – Nina Declares War, Memories, Congrats, Nominations, Choosing Sides, Weigh-In, Blacklisted, Off-Road Rage, Disrespect, Men Of the North, Five Solid Quotes & Told Me

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny tells Brick that he got the latest report on the west coast competition, while I try to figure out what on earth is that sculpture or taxidermy or both in his office. What is that??? There’s knock at the door, and Frank brings in Dex. Sonny tells Brick, something just came up, but he’ll get the report to him. He says, Dex doesn’t waste any time; he just saw Dex this morning. Dex says, Sonny told him there might be more work for him, so why wait? Sonny tells Frank that he can go, and Dex says he brought his resumé. Sonny takes it, and tears it up.

In an exam room, Brando wonders, where’s TJ? and tells Sasha, they should have the results of the CT scan by now. She says, maybe he got caught up with another patient. She’s sure the CT will be fine. All she has is a headache and some jangled nerves. They shouldn’t even have bothered him. Brando says, she had a major shock last night. He’s tracking TJ down. He leaves, and Sasha’s hand shakes as she holds a cup of water. TJ comes in, and says he’s sorry it took so long; there’s a back-up in radiology. Her CT looked fine, but does she want something for the headaches?

At the MetroCourt Garden, Gladys looks at the memory card, and flashes back to Sasha trying to escape the photographer. Valentin asks if he can be of some assistance.

Curtis sees Jordan at the hospital and asks if she’s okay. She says she’s fine; she passed her latest check-up with flying colors. He asks, what’s with the concerned expression? and she says she’s following up on the Harmony Miller case. What about him? He says he was hoping to speak with TJ, but he’s been working these 24 hour shifts, and it’s been hard to get ahold of him. Jordan tells him, one thing you can say about her son, he’s no slacker, and Curtis agrees. She asks what he wants to talk to TJ about… Sorry, none of her business. Old habits die hard.

Nina peeks in the window of the nail salon, then goes inside. The receptionist asks if she can help, but Nina says she sees who she’s looking for. She whips the towel off of Scotty’s face, and asks the technician to give them a second. He says, if Nina is looking for a manicure, Veronica is her girl, but if she’s looking for her attorney, he’s busy. She says, too bad. She needs his full and complete attention, and she needs it now.

Willow says, that’s not true, and Dante says, he’s sorry, but the evidence they have that says she’s not Harmony’s biological daughter is from Dr. Byrne’s notes; what’s left of them anyway. Michael says, what’s left? and Carly says, Harmony burned most of them. She found the remaining sheets in a folder Harmony missed. Dante says, what they have are partial notes from Dr. Byrne’s therapy sessions with Harmony, and Michael says, if it’s only a partial record, maybe he misunderstood Dr. Byrne’s notes. Carly says, Harmony said Willow wasn’t her biological daughter, and Michael says, that would explain why she attacked Carly and Alexis. So no one else would know the truth. Dante says he’s sorry. He knows Willow has questions, and the PCPD will do their best to give her answers. Willow says, it’s a lie.

Sonny says he can’t rely on resumés. Chet already said all kinds of nice things about Dex, and he already knows Dex can handle himself by the way he handled those fighters that were supposed to be sparring, but ended up fighting. Dex asks if that means he has a job, but Sonny says he has to get to know Dex better before he decides if Dex is the right fit for one of his businesses. Dex says, coffee, import/export, and Sonny says, the most important thing is trust, especially in his business. He has to know if he can trust Dex. If that’s a problem, they stop right now. I’m starting to think Sonny really does deal in coffee, since we don’t see him deal in anything else really.

TJ tells Sasha, they’ll start with an over the counter, non-habit forming medication, and that should take care of the headaches. If it doesn’t work, he’ll prescribe something stronger. Brando walks in, and looks at the prescription in Sasha’s hand.

Gladys says, it’s been a while, and Valentin says, it has, sitting down. He says, he was about to leave, when he saw her sitting there staring at that memory card. He takes it out of her hand, and slides her laptop over. He asks if she wants him to open the files, but she says she can handle it. He says, what have we here? He looks at a picture of Sasha, and says, it’s the Face of Deception.

Jordan says, if she sees TJ, she’ll tell him that Curtis is looking for him. He says, wait. It’s about Marshall. She says, what about him? and he says, TJ likes the guy, and wants to know his grandfather. She says, TJ has a big heart, and he’s very forgiving. Marshall’s absence for all these years hasn’t hurt him the way it has Curtis. He says, still, there are some things TJ’s entitled to know, and she says, such as? He says, such as who and what Marshall really is.

Scotty tells Nina, for cryin’ out loud, get lost, but she says she’s not getting lost. He’s supposed to be preparing to help her fight to be in her grandson’s life, not getting a manicure. He says, judges like well-manicured lawyers. Not to mention, her Aunt Liesl likes it when his nails are clipped and polished, and ready for action. She says, the state of his cuticles isn’t a high priority right now, since she got an advance copy of the five-part series The Invader is going to run. He says he got it too, and she asks why he’s so calm. They’re trying to sabotage her, even before she sets foot in a courtroom. He says, who’s they? and she says, Michael and Willow, who else?

Michael tells Willow, it’s a lot to process. Dante can come back later. She says, Neil Byrne? He lost his medical license. He was a drug addict. Who’s to say he didn’t make up lies about her mother to feed his own fantasy; blaming her for an imaginary adoption? The man was obviously delusional. Dante tells her, as he said, the PCPD is not going to accept anything without further proof, but she has to ask herself, why would  Harmony kill her psychiatrist and his brother if not to keep her secret protected? Willow says she doesn’t know, but she does know her mother loved her. Maybe she wasn’t the best mom, but she loved Willow as only a mother can love her child, especially now, before she… Michael says, his mother told them Harmony admitted the truth to her; she wouldn’t lie. Carly sits with them, and tells Willow that Harmony said it to her again; to her and Alexis at Ring-Around-the-Rosie Point. That’s why she attacked them. She was so desperate to keep her secret, and when it started coming out, she just lost it. Michael says, maybe that’s what drove Harmony to the middle of the road without looking. She had hopes of finding Willow, telling Willow what she did, and seeking forgiveness. Nice move on Michael’s part, since that will probably make Willow feel guilty. Willow says, that’s what Carly was talking about in the chapel, and Carly says, she wanted to give Willow a little time. That’s why she didn’t tell Willow last night; she didn’t tell Michael either. Willow says she didn’t lose her mother last night. Harmony was never her mother in the first place. Wow. She got past denial quickly.

Dex says, Chet warned him that Sonny might tear the resumé up. He said Sonny plays by his own rules. Sonny says, Dex brought the resumé anyway, and Dex says, he’d rather be overprepared than show up lacking. Sonny says he likes Dex’s philosophy. If – and that’s a big if – he has room for Dex in one of his businesses, he needs to know Dex can take orders and follow them. No going rogue, and never think he knows better than Sonny. Are they clear? Dex says, crystal. He just needs a chance to prove himself. Sonny asks what Dex thinks they’re doing. He knows Dex is tough; Dex already proved that this morning. But tough can only get you so far. Smart is the better way.

Brando asks if Sasha is okay, and TJ says, the CT didn’t show any serious injury, but here’s no need for Sasha to live with residual pain. He recommended a painkiller. Sasha says, over the counter, not habit forming, and Brando thanks TJ. TJ says, anytime, and Sasha says she’d love to freshen up before she goes to work as the Face of Deception. She thanks TJ, and he leaves. Brando says, pick her up later? and she says, of course (🍷). He leaves, and she dumps her bag out on the counter. The photographer walks in, and she asks what the hell he’s doing here. He says he saw her doctor and husband leave, and thought he should check up on her. Missing something? He knows just how she feels.

Valentin says he didn’t think Sasha was capable of taking a bad picture, and Gladys says, it’s not Sasha. It’s the paparazzo who wouldn’t leave her alone. He asks how she got her hands on his photos, and she says, how does he think? He says, these were taken last night; he assumes before Harmony got hit with Sasha’s car. Gladys says, it was an accident, and he says he knows that, and she knows that, but in the wrong hands, these photos tell a decidedly different story. He shows her the photo where Sasha is picking up her pills.

Jordan says she thought Curtis made peace with Marshall’s past, but he says, easier said than done. After she refused to dig up his father’s sealed arrest records… She says she gave him a good reason for that, and he says, he understood. He wasn’t happy about it, but he realized he was putting her in an impossible situation. She says, so he found someone else to help, and he says, certain information came his way. She asks, what kind? and he says, the kind she wouldn’t release to him. She asks how he managed that when she said no.

Scotty says, Nina’s case will be decided in court, not on the pages of The Invader. So he suggests she chill out and get herself a manicure. She says, the byline belongs to Grant Smoltz, and he’s painting her to be this vengeful homewrecking vixen out to get Wiley’s other grandmother, Saint Carly. He says, there’s nothing he can do about Schmaltz and his slander, because everything he said was public record. She asks if he doesn’t think the judge is going to read that, and deny her petition for visitation. Out of the two grandmothers, who does Scotty think the judge is going to have more sympathy for? He says, there are two grandmothers involved, and one just died. Compared to Harmony, Nina is Mother Teresa. She asks what he’s thinking, and he says, Harmony Miller is the suspect in two murders. She just assaulted Carly and Alexis, and she’s dead. He’s sure Willow is all over the map right now, and so is Michael. Nina says, and…? and Scotty says, they go to Michael and Willow’s barracuda lawyer, and say it will behoove them to drop this whole Invader thing; they go to court, and let the judge decide whose behavior is better, Nina’s or a double murderer’s. Diane has walked in, and says, nice try, but on behalf of her clients, they’ll see them in court.

Willow says, it makes a scary kind of sense; it explains so much. Harmony isn’t her biological mother. Is that why Harmony couldn’t find her birth certificate; there’s no official record? Dante says, according to Alexis, that birth certificate never did exist. The one Willow got from Harmony was forged. Carly says, when Willow was a baby, Harmony took her from someone else, and claimed Willow as her own. Willow says, she was kidnapped? Oh my God. What else doesn’t she know? Michael asks if she wants a break, but she says, they can’t stop now. Everything she ever thought about her childhood is a lie, and she has to know the truth.

Dex tells Sonny, he never went to college, but he served two tours. He’s seen combat, and can handle himself under pressure when everything’s on the line. Sonny says, he appreciates the ability to handle trouble, but doesn’t want his employees looking for trouble. Dex says he kept his nose clean at the gym, and only mixed it up when he had to, and Sonny says, Chet told him. Dex says, if you keep your cool, you don’t have to mix it up. If there’s no choice, he acts quickly, and makes sure he’s the last man standing. Sonny says he likes Dex’s attitude, but attitude will only get you so far. Sooner or later, you have to back it up.

Sasha says, get out, and the photographer asks if she’s going to scream for help, or scream for one of those pills she was going to pop before he took her picture? She says, those pills are for migraines, like the one he gave her when he wouldn’t leave her alone. He says, those capsules are distinctive, and they’re not for migraines. They’re not pillow mints either. She says, if he hadn’t chased after her, she… He says, she wouldn’t have turned Harmony Miller into roadkill? She says, he’s disgusting. She hadn’t taken anything. He says, only because he surprised her. Far be it for him to spoil the Face of Deception. He just wants his memory card. Those pictures are his bread and butter. She says, hers too, and he says, then he’ll delete the ones he has of her and the pills. He’ll even forget what he saw. She asks how she’s supposed to believe him, and he says, believe this. He has connections. He can get what she needs. He sends her his number, and tells her to give him a call; sooner rather than later. It’ll be their little secret.

Gladys closes the laptop, and tells Valentin, her daughter-in-law is grieving the loss of her baby. The doctor prescribed some medication to help her cope. He says she has his sympathies. The loss of her child is tragic, but Sasha has a public history of drug abuse, covered on Good Morning America no less. A photo with her and medication would cause red flags. She’s his business partner, the face of the company, and the brand ambassador, so she represents a huge part of his investment. Gladys says she couldn’t trust Sasha more if she were her own flesh and blood daughter. Now if he’ll excuse her… She goes to another table.

Jordan asks how Curtis got his hands on his father’s sealed arrest record, but then says, never mind. She won’t force him to tell her the truth, or compel him to lie; both are bad. He says she seems to care more about how he found out than what he found out, and she says, dammit. She cares about him.

Nina asks Diane to just listen, but Scotty tells her, quiet. He tells Diane, he knows her BFF’s roommate just died under mysterious circumstances… Diane says she thinks he means Alexis’s houseguest, not roommate, Harmony Miller. He says, aka Willow Tate’s mommy. If they want to play hardball, he’ll make sure the judge knows that one of the grandmas is a murderer. Diane tells him, knock himself out. Harmony Miller wasn’t biologically related to Wiley, therefore has no standing; therefore it’s a non-starter. She’s a little surprised at how fuzzy he is as counselor for the petitioner on this particular legal question. The only reason his client has any standing to bring a petition is because the biological grandmother, and the biological mother, convicted kidnapper and murderer Nelle Benson, is dead. But her clients are well within their rights to argue against the petition. And if Nina cares about this little boy like she says she does, she’ll drop the claim before The Invader article goes national.

Willow says, Carly was with her mother just before she died. Did Harmony tell her why she lied about Willow being her child? Carly flashes back to Harmony asking her to protect Willow because Nina’s love will smother her, and her promising Harmony that Willow will be okay. Willow says, please. Her whole life just became one big question mark. Did her mom… Did Harmony tell her anything?

Dex says he wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t ready to prove Sonny can trust him. Sonny says, Dex’s service is impressive, and he saw what Dex could do at the gym, but there are other factors he needs to consider. Dex says, if Sonny hires him, Sonny will what he brings. There’s a knock at the door, and Frank lets Brando in. Brando says, Sonny is having a meeting; he’ll wait outside. Sonny says, the meeting is over, and introduces Brando to Dex. He tells Frank that Dex is going to have an espresso at the bar; he’s going to wait. Dex thanks Sonny, saying he appreciates Sonny’s time. He leaves, and Sonny tells Brando, close the door. He says he heard about the accident; how’s Sasha? Brando says, emotionally, she’s fine, but emotionally, she just… She just began to deal with losing Liam and then this happened. Sonny says, it’s tough, but Brando’s helping her cope, right? Brando says he’s trying. Sasha thinks she has to be strong for him, and he can’t get through her defenses. That’s why he’s here. He hopes Sonny knows what to do.

Sasha joins Gladys, and says she thought they were going to meet at the office. It’s a little early for happy hour; they’re still on the clock. She sees the memory card in Gladys’s hand, and says, she still has it. Gladys says she was thinking of flushing it down the toilet. Sasha flashes back to flushing her pills down the toilet, and says, don’t. Gladys says, why not? and Sasha says, because the jerk wants it back. Gladys says she bets he does. Give her one good reason to say yes.

Jordan says, she cares about Curtis, but it’s not like she has feelings for him that way, like she did when they were married. She loves him, but… feel free to help her out of the hole she’s digging here. He says he gets it. She doesn’t want him to get so caught up in Marshall’s past that he crosses the line. She says, if it happened, she wouldn’t be able to look the other way, and he says he wouldn’t ask her to. She says, as long as they’re clear, and he says, they are. She asks if it was worth whatever price he paid to find out what he wanted to know about Marshall, when TJ comes along, and says, Marshall? What about him?  

Nina tells Diane that she’s only doing this because she cares about Wiley. She’s not going to allow Wiley’s parents to deprive him of someone who loves him, and who he loves, especially now that Harmony is gone. Scotty says he’ll put it simply. If they go ahead with Smoltz’s hatchet job, it’s open season on Harmony. Diane says, and make Willow yet another innocent victim of Harmony? By all means, be her guest. Nina says, Willow is hardly an innocent victim. She refuses to stand up to Michael over and over again, and would cut Nina out of Wiley’s life without batting an eyelash. Diane says, perhaps Nina’s attorney neglected to tell her this – no surprise – but Michael and Willow are Wiley’s parents, and it’s their legal obligation, not to mention their moral and sacred duty to do what’s in the best interest for that child; while Nina has a documented and provable history of emotional and mental instability. If she’d like to avoid further embarrassment and public humiliation, withdraw that claim. Nina says, let her make this perfectly clear. If Michael and Willow insist on dragging her through the mud, she’ll return the favor, and drag them right along with her.  

Willow asks if there’s something her mom told Carly before she died; something she should know. Carly says, she thinks Dante’s right. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Dante says he’d like Willow to take a DNA  test; that way, they can rule out any blood relation to Harmony. Michael says, that makes sense, but Willow’s been through the wringer. Can’t it wait for a while? Dante says, it can, but if they want answers, the sooner Willow takes it, the better. Willow says, Michael is right. She needs time to digest everything she’s learned. Dante says he’ll check in tomorrow. He’s sorry to be the bearer of bad news. He leaves, and Carly says she’s going to take off too. Michael asks if she’s going to be okay, and she hugs him, saying, yeah. It’s been a crazy day. Stay strong for Willow. She hugs Willow, and says, the answers will come when she’s ready. She told Harmony that she would protect Willow, and she will. She leaves, and Willow wonders, protect her from what?

Dex tells Frank that he recognizes Brando from the gym. He’s Mr. Corinthos’s nephew? Frank says, cousin, and Dex says, Mr. Corinthos is famous for his coffee and his loyalty. He admires both.

Brando apologizes for imposing, but Sonny says, Brando can always come to him. Lesson number one. He’s family, and his troubles are Sonny’s troubles. Brando says, and vice versa. What’s lesson number two? Sonny says, when you love someone, don’t wait for them to come to you. Sasha’s in pain. Let her know he’s not scared; he’s not looking for a way out. Brando says, you take the good and the bad, just like he said in his marriage vows, and Sonny says, absolutely. Putting her first, Brando can’t go wrong. She’s going to say she’s okay, and Brando has to trust that and respect her, but if there are any warning signs, do not ignore that. Brando says, he’ll make sure Sasha knows that if she falls, he’ll catch her. Sonny says, if he does that, he can’t go wrong.

Sasha tells Gladys, the memory card has all the photographer’s photos on it, not just hers. Maybe if they give it back, he’ll leave them alone. Gladys says, as long as she has this card in her hand, they’re in the driver’s seat… pardon the expression. Gladys glances at Valentin, and says, Sasha makes her son happy, and what makes him happy, makes her happy. So if there’s something else interfering with Brando’s happiness, Gladys will protect her. Which means Sasha can trust her with anything. I’m wondering why they don’t just erase the incriminating photos and give the card back. Duh.

Jordan hugs TJ, and says, as much as she’d love to stay and chat, his uncle has something he wants to talk to him about. When was the last time he slept? He looks tired. He says he was all set to go home, Britt okayed it, and they got slammed, so he stayed. She says she admires his dedication, but don’t forget to take care of himself. He tells her that Britt just said the same thing, and Molly is board, and she says she needs to get back to her own job. She hugs him again, and leaves, and TJ asks what Curtis was saying about Marshall. Curtis says he ran into Jordan by accident, but he wanted to talk to TJ about his grandfather. TJ says, Curtis saved him a trip. There’s something he wants to show him.  

Jordan waits for the elevator, when Dante comes out. He says he just came from seeing Willow. He tried to break the news to her gently. Jordan asks if she agreed to give him a DNA sample to prove she’s not Harmony’s biological daughter, and he says, no; he got pushback from Michael. She says she doesn’t blame him. Willow needs time to grieve and process. Maybe they’ll be more open to it tomorrow. In the meantime, she has a more pressing job for him. He asks, what’s more pressing than proving Harmony wasn’t Willow’s biological mother? and she says, finding out who was.

Scotty says, he’s sure it’s not going to come down to mutually shared destruction, will it? but Diane says, if Nina wants to fight to the bitter end, so be it. She’ll find a new salon. Nina says, wait. Wiley needs all of his family, now more than ever. She understands Willow’s whole world was shattered, but don’t punish that little boy because of Willow’s pain. Diane says, Nina seems to think depriving Wiley of her presence would be a punishment; the court may not agree. She leaves, and Scotty tells Nina not to let Diane get to her. Nina says, he’s right. She’s the barracuda, but whatever Michael is paying her to drive Nina out of Wiley’s life, he’s wasting his money. Scotty says, it sounds to him like it’s all-out war, and she says, it is. He says, good. Then she’s changed her mind. She says, about what? and he says, Sonny. She’s got to let him put Sonny on the stand.  

Michael says, it sounds like Harmony wanted his mom to protect Willow from the truth about all the lines she crossed. Willow says, Harmony was probably delirious; most end-of-life patients are. She couldn’t prevent the truth from coming out. But now that she knows Harmony wasn’t her birth mother… Nanny Melanie comes in with Wiley, who runs to Willow. Melanie says, someone misses his mommy, and Willow says, not half as much as his mommy misses him.

On the phone with Martin, Valentin says he was hoping Drew would wait before showing an interest in ELQ. Martin’s girlfriend promised him her vote to support him as CEO, but her vote only counts as a tiebreak, so he’s afraid his days are numbered. Carly approaches, and says, bad news? and Valentin says, just business; nothing life threatening. He heard about Harmony Miller’s incident. He’s glad Carly wasn’t harmed. She thanks him, and he says he imagines Willow is badly shaken. She sits down, and asks why he would care about that.  He says, she was his daughter’s third grade teacher, and after a rocky start, Willow was actually good for Charlotte. Carly says, that doesn’t surprise her; Willow’s a wonderful person. He says, who is now grieving her mother, and facing a prolonged court battle with Nina, but it doesn’t have to be that way. She says, Nina got to him, and he says, imagine if they got their priorities straight. Carly could lead the way by making peace with Nina.

Brando asks if Sonny’s learned any more about the attempted robbery at Charlie’s, but Sonny says, that’s not Brando’s concern. Take care of Sasha, and he’ll take care of everything else. He glances at Dex.

Sasha thanks Gladys for looking out for her, but doesn’t she think returning the memory card would be a gesture of good faith? Maybe one day he’ll return the favor. She’s got to get back to work, and so should Gladys. Gladys says, after she finishes her drink, and Sasha leaves.

TJ comes back with the clarinet case, and Curtis says, isn’t that…? TJ says, Marshall’s? He knows. He opens it, and hands Curtis the note, saying, this is from him too. Curtis reads: I wanted to leave you a gift, but all I have to offer is this gift of music. Like you said about surgery, it’s part of one great unfinished symphony. Your loving grandfather. TJ asks if Curtis knows what it means, and Curtis says, it means TJ’s grandfather left town because of him.

Dante says, before he can find Willow’s birth mother, he needs to know more about Harmony, and Jordan tells him to start digging into Harmony’s background before she moved to Port Charles. Somewhere out there a mother’s missing her daughter.

Nina tells Scotty, nothing has change. Leave Sonny out of it, but Michael is fair game. He says, only Michael? and she says, and Willow. Willow has the keys to unlocking the door that’s blocking her access to her grandson. What is the saying? When someone looks too good to be true… He says, they’re usually not, and she says, there must be something about Willow that they can uncover. She wants him to keep digging until he finds it.

Carly asks Valentin, what is it about Nina that makes otherwise rational men come to her defense? He asks when the hurting stops. When do they stop attacking one another, and get on with their lives? She says, he should ask Nina that question. She kept Sonny from his family for nine months, and then she slept with him. Now she’s petitioning the court for visitation with Carly’s grandson. He says, Wiley is Nina’s grandson as well, and from her perspective, Carly cost her a daughter, so why don’t they just end this?

Wiley asks why Willow is crying. Does she have a boo-boo? Willow says, they’re happy tears, because she’s sitting here with him and his daddy, the two most important men in her life. Michael says he thinks Annabelle II misses Wiley, and suggests he go back to the house with Melanie, and he and mommy will meet him there soon. Wiley leaves with Melanie, and Willow says, Wiley is lucky. He’s young, and barely knew his Grandma Harmony. Whatever pain he feels at not seeing her will heal. Michael takes her hand, and says, and hers? She says she doesn’t know. She just keeps asking the same question. If Harmony isn’t her birth mother, who is?

On Monday, TJ asks Curtis if it was worth losing his father; Cameron tells Spencer that he needs to know the hell he’s been catching is worth it; Nina tells Ava, this time it’s on her orders; and Esme intends to be happy.

🧼 Soap From the Past…

Just for fun.

🌹 Brava…

This girl deserves an Emmy. It took guts to walk away from acting to pursue her education, and her Trina is very much missed.

🏆 For Outstanding Work…

The Daytime Emmy nominations.

👏🏻 Kudos To Herself…

Crystal gives herself another pat on the back.

💎 Weighty Opinions…

Maybe Crystal is supportive, but I have the feeling she’d go to the opening of an envelope.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1329680/rhobhs-sutton-crystal-weigh-in-on-erika-jaynes-disrespectful-behavior-amid-garcelle-feud

🍑 Sigh…

Far be it for me to say how she feels, not having walked in her shoes, but it’s the timing. And this: She also curiously noted — despite saying minutes earlier that she had been blacklisted — that she had many opportunities to have her own show but that she never wanted one.

🚗 She Liked One Of My Tweets Once…

I’m sure Danielle is no prize, but this dude sounds like he’s short a few marbles. And for New Jersey, the both of them are parked perfectly.

🙋🏻‍♂️ Slam It…

I sometimes wonder how the rest of the family feels, since I think there’s like a million of them. Frankly, I think Melissa dodged a bullet, and Joe #2 should walk away from his mess of a sister. She’s nasty, she did it on purpose to be hurtful, disown the witch.

👑 The North Is Coming…

Wow. That’s quite a big guy throwdown.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-northman-pits-alexander-skarsgard-against-game-of-thrones-mountain/

🧶 Quotes of the Week

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. – attributed to Edmund Burke

It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things. – Theodore Roosevelt

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up. – Jesse Jackson

Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear. – Albert Camus

Don’t rush the brush. – Shaeeda’s mom, 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days

🚶🏽‍♀️ Walking On a Dream…

Since I won’t be here until it’s time to rehash the Dead, a very Happy Mother’s Day to mothers of all kinds – birth mothers, adoptive mothers, might-as-well-be-my mothers, mother figures, and of course, pet moms. May your special day be everything you want it to be. Until we Fear, stay safe, stay distinctive, and stay not waiting for someone you love to come to you if they’re in pain. Trust and respect them, but don’t ignore any warning signs.

April 28, 2021 – Maxie’s Best Option, Love Is In the NJ Air, VanderMix, Baby On Board, Joe’s Big Mouth, an Accusation, Reality Prisoner & April 1992

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly wants to talk to Jason about her plan to get him out of there, but he says, if he wanted out, he’d get out. She asks why he doesn’t want to run, and he says he doesn’t want to make a bad situation worse.   

Britt goes to the computer, but the files say, access denied. Cyrus asks if she’s having computer trouble again.

Elizabeth sees Jason’s name on the patient log, and flashes back to Jason telling Jake, the best thing he can do for Jason is to live his life, take care of his brothers, and do his art. Hold on to the fact that Jason didn’t kill Franco. He’d never do anything to hurt anyone if it meant hurting Jake. Laura asks Elizabeth if everything is all right.

Nina tells Jax, don’t toy with her emotions, but he’s says he’s not. He’s been laying the groundwork with Michael. He’s confident that if Nina comes home, there will be a path for her to not only see Wiley, but have a real relationship with him.  

Valentin says Peter seems lighter, and more hopeful, and Peter says he got Anna to give Maxie the push she needed to be more hospitable to him. His plan is working. Valentin took his best shot and failed, but face it, Peter is smarter than him. And now, he’s getting everything he wants.

Willow is frustrated because she can’t get chips out of the vending machine, but Michael comes along, and says he has something much better. He shows her a take-out bag, and says he thought they’d like something other than hospital food. She says, he’s so thoughtful, and he asks how Chase is. She says, Chase woke up for a second, but he’s still weak, and immediately lost consciousness. She’s scared, but most of all, she feels guilty. Chase is so  invested in the idea of them getting back together, but she can’t tell him they’re not, and it feels wrong to lie to him.

Finn goes into Chase’s room, and says Willow stepped away, but he’s sure she’ll be right back. He knows it all seems pretty scary – hell, he’s scared too – but he’s not going to lose Chase. Peter already ruined so much of his life, he’s not letting Peter take one more thing, especially not him. Chase opens his eyes, and says, Finn? Finn says he’s there, and Chase asks, what did he just say?

Maxie says, clearly, Brook wants something from her. Spill. Brook says, Maxie’s got it all wrong. It’s not about what Maxie can do for her. It’s about what they can do for each other. Maxie says she loves riddles, and Brook lifts her shirt, saying, this is as real as it gets.

Scotty meets Obrecht coming out of the elevator, and says, it’s been a while. She says, has it? and he says he’s been calling her, and all he’s been getting are crickets. She says she’s been busy, and he says, too busy to hook up while he was babysitting? She says she decided against it. Despite their shared love for Franco, she didn’t think Elizabeth would appreciate it. He says, it was probably for the best, but he’s started thinking she’s avoiding him.

Maxie says Brook just hopped from Crypticville to Crazytown. What is this? You show me yours, and I’ll show you mine? She gets that Brook has never been pregnant before, but this is weird by any standard. What’s going on? What is that? Brook says, that, is the answer to both their problems.   

Finn tells Chase that he was just talking to himself. Chase gave them all a scare. Chase asks, what happened? and Finn says Chase’s body was close to shutting down, but he administered treatment, and got Chase out of the woods. Chase thanks him, and Finn says, no sweat. Chase asks what that means. Is he cured?

Michael tells Willow, it’s an emergency, so they have to prioritize. Ask herself, is it more important to be honest, or to support Chase by giving him hope? Hope is a powerful incentive. She says, he’s right. When he puts it like that, there’s no question; Chase needs her. She has to be there for him. Just so she’s clear, she’s in love with Michael. Nothing has happened there to change that. Michael says he knows, and he’s not going anywhere. He would say what Willow is doing for Chase makes him love her more, but he doesn’t think that’s possible.

Nina asks if this is real, and Jax says, as real as the bullet he took for her. She tells him not to joke, but he says he’s not. She can be a part of Wiley’s like, if that’s still what she wants. She says, of course (🍷) it is. Everyone was so furious at her over what happened at the Quartermaines; what changed Michael’s heart? He says he convinced Michael how important it would be, not just for her, but Wiley. She says, that’s sweet of him, but she can’t imagine it went over well with Carly.

Britt tells Cyrus, it appears she’s locked out of the records regarding the pharmaceutical he was developing. He asks why she wants to access the files, and she says she found similarities between Tobadryl, and the drug in a patient’s bloodstream. Obviously, they’re different compounds, but she was hoping it would help develop treatment for ODs in the future. He says, the thing is, now that the Board put the kibosh on the program, it’s best to keep the intellectual property under wraps. Wouldn’t she agree? She says, of course (🍷), and he says, a little birdie told him that she’s been spending time in Jason’s room. Don’t forget she’s Chief of Staff. She doesn’t want anyone thinking she cares more about Jason than her other patients.

Carly says Jason isn’t going back to Pentenville. Her plan… He asks if she thinks it’s a lock, and she says, nothing is a lock, but her plan has been carefully set up, and has minimal risk. He says, the more people involved, the bigger the chance something can go wrong.

Elizabeth tells Laura that she hasn’t seen Jason. She doesn’t know what to say. She’s no longer absolutely convinced that he’s guilty. Laura asks if Elizabeth wants her opinion, and Elizabeth says, always. Laura says, from the first moment she heard about it, it didn’t make sense. Does Elizabeth remember when Ryan kidnapped Carly? Elizabeth says, how could she forget? and Laura says she was working with Jason, the thing she remembers most about him was how level-headed he remained during their insane ordeal. He’s not a person who panics. He doesn’t react in the heat moment, so it didn’t sit well with her; it still doesn’t. She can’t imagine Jason being so worked up that he shot Franco in Franco’s own studio. Did he hate Franco? Yes. Is he capable of killing? Absolutely. It’s the way it happened. Elizabeth says, she knows. She keeps going back to the idea that maybe she saw what she expected to see, and not actually what was in front of her. Maybe Jason was helping Franco, and not hurting him, but there’s a witness. Laura says, they could be wrong. What people think they see, sometimes ends up being different in reality. The truth will come out; it always does. Elizabeth says, okay, and thanks Laura. She says she has to get back to her patient, and Laura tells her to take care.

Laura rounds the corner, and runs into Cyrus. He says, hi, sis.

Valentin says, if Maxie can accept Peter, knowing who he is, he’ll have nothing further to do with it. Peter says Maxie will come to realize that their accusations are a misunderstanding.

Maxie tells Brook, this makes no sense. Brook was in the hospital the same night she was. Britt would have noticed. Brook thanks Maxie, and says she may have pocketed Maxie’s sonogram. Maxie gasps, and Brook tells her, she said thank you. Maxie says, please, start at the beginning, and Brook says, it’s a long story, elevator pitch. Since she got back, she’s been trying to find a way to make things up with her family. Maxie says, since she completely screwed them over by giving her shares to Valentin? and Brook says, because, that. Maxie says she thought Brook’s father forgave her, and Brook says, he did, but who knows? With the Quartermaines, everything is about family, and she wanted to get the shares back. She’d slept with Valentin, so why not pretend he knocked her up, and use it to her advantage? Valentin is a lot of things, but he’s not a crappy father. Maxie says, so she thought she’d use their child in exchange for the shares? Brook says, he called her bluff, and won’t give her the shares until after the baby is born. That’s where Maxie comes in.

Cyrus says he’s glad he bumped into Laura, and she says, that makes one of us. He laughs, and says he just wanted to let her know that his mother is settling in nicely in her new facility. She says, wonderful. Congratulations. She starts to walk away, and stops. She says, this begs the question, why not use this as a turning point? He says he’s not sure he’s following her, and she says he’s gotten everything he wanted; his mother, his freedom, the hospital, and Jason is in prison. Now would be the time to go legit. He tells her, she says he has everything, but that’s not true. She asks, what else is there? and he says, her.  

Carly says she knows Jason hates it, but she’s looked at the situation, and can’t do it alone. He says, she’s not alone, but she says, he’s in Pentenville. He tells her, the trial is the end of it, and she says he wants her to be patient. He says, there’s nothing to convict him, but she says, it’s different this time. The business is a runaway bus, and no one is driving. Sonny is gone, which leaves him. They can’t wait for Diane, and he can’t go back to Pentenville. Cyrus’s men will kill him. He says he can handle it, but she says she’s asking him to do something hard; to trust her. Please, do it her way. Since he’s been in prison, she knows more about the situation than he does. Even if she’s wrong, do it for her. Please. He says he’d do anything for her, and Britt comes in. She says, they have a problem.

Jax says, Carly wasn’t thrilled that he saw Michael, and Nina says she translates that to mean Carly was furious. Jax says, she was, but it doesn’t matter; she has no say. Nina tells him, Carly always gets a say, but he says, legally, Wiley isn’t her son. He’s Michael and Willow’s son, and it’s their call. She says, and? What was their call? What exactly did Michael say?  

Michael tells Willow, he knows this isn’t the best time to bring this up, but he wants to be completely transparent. She says, okay, and he says, Jax approached him, and asked him to consider giving Nina another chance at a relationship with Wiley. She asks what he told Jax, and he says he told Jax that he had to talk to her. She says, is she open to it? Is he?  

Finn tells Chase, damage has still been sustained, and Chase asks, what about the treatment Finn gave him? but Finn says, it’s a temporary solution; not a cure. Chase asks if Finn is saying he’s not getting out of there, when Elizabeth comes in. She asks how her favorite patient is, and Chase tells her, she says that to all her patients. Finn says, she does. He’s going to let Elizabeth check Chase’s vitals, and he’ll be back to touch base. Elizabeth tells Chase, she’ll be back in a second, and he says, don’t worry. Apparently, he’s not going anywhere. Elizabeth goes out in the hallway, and calls to Finn. She says they need to talk. She doesn’t want to overstep, but what was in the vial he gave Chase?

Michael tells Willow, nothing would make him happier than Wiley having both grandmas, and she says, even if they’re at each other’s throats. He says he knows if he asks his mom to get along with Nina, she will for Wiley’s sake. He’s not worried about that, but what happened last time, can’t happen again. Nina needs to have her head on straight. Jax went to see her, and he trusts Jax’s judgement. If he says Nina is in a good place, that will go a long way.

Jax tells Nina, Michael said he’d be open to allowing a visit, and she says, open? He says, it’s better than closed, but she says, Michael didn’t actually promise. He says, formally, no, but he’s known Michael since he was a boy, and Michael is very fair. If he works on Michael a little, he guarantees Michael will come around. He knows where Michael’s heart is. She says she appreciates Jax speaking on her behalf, but he’s describing a vague open-ended conversation; definitely not a promise. She can’t set herself up for another crushing blow. She wont be able take it.

Britt tells Jason and Carly that she’s been locked out of the records pertaining to the drug. Carly asks why that’s a problem, because she’s stupid. Britt says, for the same reason Cyrus noticed the amount of attention she’s giving Jason. He assumes they’re working together. Jason says that makes Brook a target, and Brook says, lucky her. He tells her to make sure Cyrus can’t use anyone she cares about against, and she says, assuming there is anyone she cares about. Jason asks what about her mom, and Britt wonders if it sounds perverse that she wants to see a show down between Cyrus and Obrecht. Carly says, yeah, and Britt says she’ll handle it. Carly says, but she’ll still help Jason get out, and Jason says, no; she won’t.

Peter tells Valentin, Maxie will come full circle, and realize being with him is best for her and the baby. Valentin asks if he’s supposed to be happy for Peter, but Peter says, no. But he wants Valentin to stop focusing on his family, and pay attention to his own.

Obrecht tells Scotty to get his head out of his arsch, and he says he doesn’t think that requires a translation. She says if he believes she’s avoiding him because of their one night, he’s sorely mistaken. He says, well, then prove it to him, and have a cocktail with him. Peter comes by, and says he likes this. The two of them have lost so much, it’s wonderful to see they’re such good friends. Scotty slams Peter up against the wall, and says, Peter killed his son, and he’s going to pay for it.

Maxie says she doesn’t understand how this has anything to do with her, and Brook says Maxie is planning on letting Peter believe their baby is dead, and stashing the baby away. Maxie says, oh my God. How could Brook possibly know that? Brook says, apparently, when Maxie was spilling her guts at Nathan’s grave, Olivia was there and overheard. In order for Maxie’s plan succeed, she knows Maxie’s baby has to disappear. For Brook’s plan to work, she needs a baby. Maxie asks why she would care about Brook’s plan. Her baby isn’t a prop; it’s a human being. Why doesn’t Brook go to a talent agency to find a baby? Brook says, she can’t believe how bitchy Maxie is being, when clearly, Brook is her best option. Maxie asks when Brook ever did anything good for her, and Brook suggests Maxie tell her about her problems. 

Elizabeth tells Finn, she was in the room. They were losing Chase, when Anna showed up, and Finn injected whatever she gave him into Chase’s IV, and he stabilized. He says, she must be mixed up; there was a lot going on. Why would Anna give him medicine? She should just be grateful the protocol worked, and they saved Chase’s life. She says if she doesn’t have all the information, she can’t do her job, but he tells her, leave it alone

Finn apologizes to Elizabeth. He says he’s exhausted, but knows that’s not an excuse. It’s been a trying couple of days for everyone. Just give him a moment to exhale, and he’ll bring her up to speed. She says she’ll check Chase’s vitals, and leaves. Finn sees Dr. Zaslow, and asks if he can have a minute.  

Scotty says he should beat the hell out of Peter, but he’ll let the courts deal with it. Get out. He shoves Peter toward the elevator, and Peter says, he doesn’t know who put that idea in Scotty’s head, but it’s just not true. He’ll chalk up to a misunderstanding. The elevator comes, and he says, here’s his ride. Be good now. Scotty punches the elevator doors, and curses Peter with the fire of a thousand blazing suns. He sees Obrecht smiling at him, and says, what? She says, nothing, and he asks if she liked that. She says she’s seen worse.

Laura says if Cyrus wants a relationship with her, he’ll have to be someone she can have a relationship with. He asks if she’s ever considered that she’s putting the cart before the horse. How about instead of lecturing him on how awful he is, they get to know each other? Who knows? Maybe her good influence can change him.

Britt says she loves when people talk for her, and Jason says he’s not letting her risk her career or her life. Carly says, it’s her asking. Cyrus will destroy Port Charles, and she needs Jason’s help. If Jason goes back to Pentenville, Cyrus will kill him. Jason tries to interrupt, but Britt says, this is between her and Carly. It’s not his call. She’s in.

Maxie tells Brook, imagine how lost and betrayed she felt. She loved Peter, and he betrayed her. He was lying the entire time. Now she keeps asking herself how she fell for it. How could she not see it? She could blame Anna, and she did, but it’s not Anna’s fault. When it came to Peter, Maxie dove in head first, and didn’t stop to check the water. Everyone she trusted told her to be careful; to slow down, and remember why Peter came to Port Charles in the first place. She refused to listen. She couldn’t bear to face what that meant. She was really alone, and back to grieving Nathan. She couldn’t face that, and instead clung to Peter like a life raft, but the thing she thought was keeping her afloat was dragging her down. If it was just her, it would be okay; she could handle it. But now, she’s pregnant with a baby she loves with all her heart, and the father is a monster. So no matter how much it hurts or how hard it is for her, there’s no way Peter will get his hands on this baby. Ever.

Valentin comes out of the elevator at the hospital, and sees Willow and Michael talking. Willow says, there are no easy answers when it comes to Nina, but they’re Wiley’s parents, and they’ll decide together. He says, together. That sounds good, and she says she has to get back to Chase. He gives her the food, and she thanks him. After she leaves, Valentin approaches Michael, and says he couldn’t help but overhear. Is Michael reconsidering letting Nina be a part of Wiley’s life?  

Jax says, so Nina won’t come home? and she says, for an empty promise? He says, it’s not empty, and she says, but it’s not full. He says he’s just trying to make things right, and she says she knows, but he can’t. Doesn’t he see that? When Michael seriously decides she can be part of Wiley’s life, tell Michael to call her. Until then, she can’t go back there. He asks if she’s ever coming home.

Finn asks how Chase feels, and Chase says, his whole body is numb, but it’s better than a seizure. Finn says Chase is still cracking jokes, and Chase says, progress; write it down in his tablet. Finn looks pensive, and Chase says, don’t write him off yet, but Finn says he’s not. He’s thinking about all the time he wasted; all the things he let come between them. Chase says, they’re here now, and Finn says, yeah, they are.

Obrecht and Scotty clink martini glasses, and she says, to Peter getting what he deserves. Scotty says, and much, much more. Obrecht’s phone rings, and she says, Britt, what’s wrong? Britt asks how Obrecht knows there’s something wrong, and Obrecht says, Britt doesn’t call otherwise. Britt says she doesn’t have time for this, and Obrecht says, she knew it. Is Britt in trouble? Britt says, it’s hard to say, but Obrecht might be. She wants Obrecht to lay low, and avoid her hotel room. Is there anyone she can stay with? Obrecht looks at Scotty, and says she thinks that could be arranged.  

Nina tells Jax, she thought visiting Phyllis was just a pitstop, but she’s finding out, the longer she stays away from Port Charles, the easier it is to forget all the pain she endured there. He says, out of sight, out of mind, and she says, some things are harder to forget than others. He asks if the wonderful times they had together don’t count, but she says, they count a lot. She doesn’t know any other way to describe this, but she’s happy there. He says, forgive him for not understanding, but what’s so compelling or life-altering about Nixon Falls that makes her want to stay?

Michael tells Valentin, if he’s reconsidering Nina being in Wiley’s life, it’s none of Valentin’s business. Valentin says Michael has every reason to resent him, but he does have a stake in this. Not only is Nina his friend, but he’s part of Wiley’s family. Michael is going to have to face it. They’re all connected thanks to Brook’s baby.

Maxie sits, and tells Brook that she’s doing her best to string Peter along, but her plan is getting staler by the day. Peter is pushing harder all the time. Brook sits with her, and says she got it in the abstract, but now she gets it for real. How Maxie is freaked out and prepared to do anything for her baby. She doesn’t need to look any further. Valentin thinks she’s having a baby, and if she sells it – and she knows she will – he’ll think Maxie’s baby is his. Valentin is the one person equipped to keep Maxie’s baby form Peter. It’s the safest place for her little girl to be. Maxie says, no, and Brook says, that’s it? Maxie says, sorry, but Brook doesn’t really care about her baby. She just wants to save her stupid stock. This is why Lulu didn’t like Brook; she’s all about herself. Brook says, so is Maxie, and Maxie says, she used to be, 100%, but something changes when you’re a parent, and Brook isn’t a parent. If Maxie never trusted Brook before, why would she do it now, when it’s more important than anything? Brook says, because she’s Maxie’s best option, and Maxie is smart enough to know it.    

Laura says she thinks they’re at a stalemate, and Cyrus says, not for long. The tide is turning in Port Charles, and battle lines are being drawn. Pretty soon, there will be no room left on the sidelines. Laura had best a choose side, lest one be chosen for her. He gets in the elevator, and the doors close. Laura looks panicked.

Carly says, Britt is right. Jason needs help, and he hates it, so he’s giving her pushback. But it doesn’t matter; they’re moving ahead. He says he doesn’t know if it’s a good idea, but guesses they’ll find out while they’re doing it. She says, it’s going to work, and he says, it better.   

Obrecht tells Scotty that she hopes she won’t be too much of a burden, but he says she was a nice roommate over the holidays. He admits it’s been rather lonely for him, and she says it’s been lonely for her too. They get in the elevator, and she fluffs her hair. As the doors close, Scotty grabs her, and they passionately kiss.

Britt says she needs Elizabeth on 10, but Elizabeth says she’s taking care of Chase. Britt says, not anymore. Finn requested she be transferred.

Willow says, Chase is awake, and Chase says, he is. Finn says he was just leaving. As he goes out the door, he looks at them and smiles. Willow says she sees how it is. Chase chose the one moment she wasn’t in the room to open his eyes. He tells her, if he has anything to say about it, he’ll have a whole lifetime of waking up next to her.

Jax says it doesn’t matter what Nina is keeping from him, as long as she’s happy. Nina says, she is, and he says, good. It’s all he wanted, even though she might not believe it. She says she does, and he says, if anyone deserves happiness, it’s her. She says he’s making her sound like some kind of saint, but she’s not. Far from it.   

Brook says she’s the answer to Maxie’s prayers. She’s sorry it’s not the package Maxie wants, and Maxie says, Brook isn’t her savior. Brook says she knows Lulu despises her. She was a bitch to Lulu, and Lulu was a bitch to her. But if they presented this plan to Lulu, what does Maxie think Lulu would tell her? Maxie says, Lulu would tell her to get over herself, and make the best choice for her child. Her phone rings, and it’s Peter. He says he’s done some research on live-in nurses, and he’d be happy to send some over today. Maxie says she appreciates that, but she’s already on it. He asks if she’s sure, and she says she thinks she found someone who can help her. She’ll tell him about it later. She hangs up, and tells Brook, okay. If they do this, they play by her rules. She’s trusting Brook with her child, and nothing can go wrong. Understood? Brook says, completely.

Tomorrow, Josslyn tells Trina that they need a break from Port Charles, Alexis says she knows what Nikolas did, Cyrus says it’s never simple with him, and Sam asks if the hospital stay is part of Jason’s sentence.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The women were still at Jennifer’s mom-included party. Josephine said she was embarrassed about her marriage not working out, but no one cared. Jennifer wanted her to see how happy the women were without their husbands. Evan, Frank, and Joes #2 and #3 played golf, and had lunch afterward. Joe #3 said Marge wouldn’t slow down on the house project, and Joe #2 said all the women were on a mission, like they had something to prove. Evan asked if Joe #2 and Melissa were good, and Joe told them about date night. Frank asked about Teresa’s new guy, but Joe said he didn’t know anything. They knew he was holding out, and it wasn’t long before he spilled the tea on T. He said he loved Teresa’s new boyfriend, and in his interview, he said he was supposed to keep it a secret, but Teresa was telling everyone.

Michelle showed Teresa a house, and Teresa was feeling better about her mom, but said her feelings were like a roller coaster. When she started feeling bad, she knew her parents were watching over her. She wanted her next home to be clean and easy. The house was mammoth with an open floor plan, and an entire apartment (or suite as Teresa called it) in the basement. Teresa showed Gia on the phone, and Gia immediately claimed it. We flashed back to 2009, when they’d bought the previous house. Teresa felt it was a lot to maintain, and she wanted a change. Selling the house was like a final ending. This part of their lives was over. She still wanted to see more houses, and Michelle agreed she shouldn’t jump at the first one. She told Teresa to remember what psychic Gina said, that everything would happen all at once. Michelle said Gina also mentioned a new man, and she was having a cocktail party. New guy David was going to be there, and Michelle thought he was a possibility, but Teresa said she’d met someone. She’d just met him, so the jury was out, but in Teresa’s interview, she said, did she want to meet anyone? Not at all, but she didn’t want to alert Michelle. Michelle told her, the cocktail party was just going to be a casual thing.

Joe and Melissa had lunch with The Marge and Joe #3. Joe #3 talked about Joe #2 losing a bet, and having to kiss Frank’s ass. It was either that, or run across a field naked. In Melissa’s interview, she said Joe #2 was like an everlasting frat boy. Marge said she knew Teresa was in love, and in Melissa’s interview, she said she’d been sworn to secrecy, but Joe #2 liked wearing his heart on his sleeve. Joe #2 concurred that Teresa was in love, even though Melissa tried to stop him from talking. Marge said Teresa was drinking pineapple juice by the gallon, so it was obvious.

Delores was scared while waiting for her biopsy. She was also mad at herself and regretful. In her interview, she said she’d thought no sickness would get the best of her, but cancer didn’t discriminate. Her life was where she wanted it to be; her kids were happy, she was financially independent, and had Frank by her side. Everything was in place, and where she wanted it to be. This put things in perspective, because the result could take all that away.

Everyone got ready for Michelle’s cocktail party, and I guess casual means something different to me. I have to mention that Frank kept Delores company as she did her makeup in her closet, which, to you and me, would be a very large dressing room with a full vanity. He wondered why she had roller-skates, and she said Melissa was going to have a roller-skating party, but it was canceled because of the pandemic. She told him that she realized it would be a good workout, and she’d been rollerblading. On roller skates. Someone please explain to her that those are two different things. In the happiest news ever, she found out her tumor was benign, and she was ready to enjoy the night. I’m always hyper aware of the food at every party on every reality show, and this was no exception. It was a magnificent spread, and I would have gone up a size had I been there. In Teresa’s interview, she said she was angry because Marge told her that Joe #2 said she was in love. During the cocktail chit-chat, Melissa said, after the first time she and Joe #2 had sex, he sent her ten dozen roses. Marge said, Joe #3 took a shower, and said he didn’t want to smell like her because his wife might suspect. They discussed David having bought Delores a Porsche as an early birthday gift, and Marge said Delores was locked and loaded. Melissa she said she thought David was buying time, and everyone agreed. In Melissa’s interview, she said Teresa claimed not to be in love, but she was texting a million miles an hour in the corner. It was very obvious. It was even more obvious when Teresa suddenly left.

In Delores’s interview, she said she didn’t blame Teresa for keeping her boyfriend to herself. It was a judgmental crowd. Joe #2 said Delores was in denial, and Delores said she wasn’t interested in someone getting mad because she walked ahead of them to the car. Joe said, a real man expressed his feelings, and in Jennifer’s interview, she said that Joe wasn’t saying it well, but she got his point. In Jackie’s interview, she said she thought Joe was sending a message to Melissa that she’d be nothing without a man. I didn’t get that at all, and besides, not only do I think Delores has a fabulous set-up, if she decides it’s not working out, she can get any man she wants – if she wants one. I mean, look at her. Joe #2 went on to say Delores was a broken woman, which pretty much stunned everyone. In Marge’s interview, she wondered if it was the 1950s. News flash: women don’t derive all their happiness from men. Melissa admitted many of them thought David was stalling about the ring, and Jennifer asked if Delores was crushed. Good Lord. Leave this woman alone. Delores said that David was part of the family, even if their relationship was moving slower than everyone else expected, and she was good with it. That was all that mattered. She finally told them, f*** you, and left, yelling to Frank that she wanted to GO. Marge thought it was insulting that Delores had gotten a beautiful gift, and they were acting like it wasn’t good enough. Outside, Frank asked why Delores was yelling at him, and she said because she was aggravated. Marge said it wasn’t a party unless someone stormed out.

Next time, we meet Teresa’s new dude, Jennifer has a major fight with her mom, and Joe #2 says he and Melissa are done. I’m betting that’s not what it seems due to Bravo’s editing.

🍸 Bravo had a bit of a mishmash of Overserved and what’s to come on Vanderpump Rules. They aired the Overserved episode, Ladies Who Brunch, already commented on here, then James Kennedy and Australian stand-up comic Jim Jeffries were LVP’s guests. I’m not sure what the theme was supposed to be, and the really weird part is, the episode isn’t listed anywhere. Maybe it was special for Bravo. LVP said the dinner was comprised of all things very Vanderpump, so we’ll go with that. James said he wasn’t as nervous being at Villa Rosa as he usually was; LVP had fired him five times. He stuck to non-alcoholic cocktails (well done, James!), and said he’d be two years sober on July 6th. They played Kiss-the-Pony Poker, where they stuck cards to their foreheads and played a hand, having to guess the mystery card. James was the loser, and had to kiss one of the ponies, but I failed to see how that was a loss. Jim said he’d been planning on it anyway. He’s a very funny guy. James mentioned that Jim had mooned Jax (who wouldn’t?), and Jim said some of the Vanderpump Rules cast had been at The Improv, and he did it to mess with production. He said Jax got all silver-backed gorilla on him, and we saw a clip of an altercation where Jax was clearly the loser. Jason, Pandora, Ken, and Giggy (!) joined them for dinner. Jim suggested LVP had so many dogs in order to fart undetected, and since the entrée was lobster pasta, James said, tonight, it’s about the pasta. This had to be explained to Jim, but the story lost something in the translation. James did some rapping, and called Scheana, so LVP could get in on the video chat.  James confirmed he was going to ask Raquel to marry him, and practiced his proposal. They played Get Pumped, but I’m not even repeating any of the Q&A here. They ended with playing a game where they had to get a piece of chocolate from their foreheads into their mouths without using their hands. Jim thought he was a shoo-in since he was the only one without Botox, but LVP won. But of course.

Tomorrow on E!, LVP hosts Sheryl Underwood and Mario Lopez for a Traditional English Roast.

🥂 There were a couple of quickie scenes from the latest Vanderpump Rules, and here’s what we found out. Because of Scheana’s pregnancy, she could move her face for the first time in ten years because, no Botox. We also learned Katie wasn’t ready for a baby, and Randall is a freeballer. In other words, not much, but here’s a little more.

https://pagesix.com/2021/04/27/vanderpump-rules-finally-returning-season-9-cast-revealed/

👶 It’s a Girl…

Love the name. It sounds like what Sailor Moon would name her kid. Providing she wasn’t a cartoon, and could have a kid.

https://people.com/parents/scheana-shay-welcomes-first-baby-daughter-summer-moon/

😮 Oh No He Didn’t…

Possibly one of the most uncalled for comments ever.

https://pagesix.com/2021/04/28/joe-gorga-says-dolores-catania-is-a-broken-woman-in-rhonj-clip/

Dump that tea.

https://people.com/tv/rhonj-joe-gorga-tells-his-friends-sister-teresa-giudice-is-in-love-with-new-boyfriend/

💸 Ponzi This…

Just a little vague.

https://screenrant.com/real-housewives-new-jersey-danielle-accused-joe-ponzi/

🚪 Get Me Out…

I can’t say I’ve ever heard of someone being trapped on a reality show before. Someone who didn’t want to be trapped anyway.

https://nypost.com/2021/04/27/russian-man-free-after-being-trapped-on-chinese-reality-show/

🌞 When the Morning Comes…

Tomorrow brings the Reunion of Oh My God There’s More Summer House. Part One. How they could possibly have more to screech about than can be contained in a 43 minute hour? Whether you’re there or square, stay safe, stay true to your convictions, and stay knowing when it is or isn’t about the pasta.

April 15, 2021 – Nina Cuts the Tour Short, Immature People In the Hamptons, On the Way, New Guy, See Ya, Househusbands, Another Try, Here They Are, Special Week, Remembering Kurt & Money Cover

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brando is working under a car, and reaches for a torque wrench. Someone hands it to him, and he quickly scoots out from underneath the car. It’s Sasha.

Dante knocks on the gatehouse door, and Michael says, sorry to make him come all this way. Dante says, good thing it’s not far from the main house. Michael asks if Dante wants a beer, and Dante says, why not? Michael apologizes for being all over Dante, but Dante says he wasn’t. Michael was being a brother, and he appreciates it.   

Willow asks how Chase is feeling, and he says, better. He just can’t tell if he’s improving, or if it’s because she’s here.

A nurse gives Finn some paperwork, and says the lab put a rush on it. Finn thanks her, and Gregory walks in. He asks how their boy is.

On the phone, Carly says, be careful. She loves him. She turns around and Sonny is there. He asks, how’s Jason?

At the Tan-O, Jax asks if Nina is still on the phone. She says she is, and he says it’s good to hear her voice. He’s missed her. At the bar, Eli asks if Mike no-last-name is calling him a fraud, and Sonny tells him, he said it. Nina tells Jax, she can’t do this, but he says there’s something he wants to tell her. Tell him where she is, and he’ll come to her.  

Chase tells Willow, he had a dream that she came to his apartment, and said she was moving back in. He knows it wasn’t real, but it felt so good to hear that. She says, there’s something they have to talk about, and Finn opens the door. Gregory walks in, and asks how Chase is feeling. He was worried sick. Chase says he’s okay. It helps to have the people who care about him there. Finn says Chase is stable. According to the lab, there’s not anything obviously wrong, and his lungs are clear. Gregory says, no sign of food positioning? and Finn says, no. Besides, they’re all fine. Chase asks if he can go home, but Finn wants to keep him a little longer for observation. Gregory says, it’s good Willow can be there. He’s glad they got back together.    

Dante tells Michael, he’s sorry he’s been distant. He wasn’t trying to avoid Michael; he was trying to figure things out. Michael asks how that’s going, and Dante says, it’s going good. He feels like the fog is finally lifting. He guesses the sessions with Doc are helping. He’s feeling like himself again. He was called to testify at Alexis’s hearing, and when he was up on the stand, going through everything that happened, it was the first time in a long time that he felt grounded; like he actually knew what he was doing. He knows it’s ridiculous. He’s testified dozens of times before, and could do it in his sleep. Michael says, one of the benefits of being a great cop; Dante knows how to give a testimony. It must have felt good using his skills. He asks if Dante is going back to the PCPD, and Dante says, Jordan keeps pushing it, but he doesn’t know if he’s ready. Michael says Dante is so good at it, and Dante thanks him, saying he should have visited a long time ago for the ego boost. Michael says the department would be lucky to have him, and it would be nice for Chase to have a partner too.  

Brando says he appreciates Sasha coming out to see him, and she tells him, let’s be real. Her options of people to talk to are pretty limited; him and her drug counselors. He says, what about Michael? and she says, they ended things. He says he’s sorry, but she says she’s not. They gave it the old college try, but they both knew it wasn’t working out. Brando asks her for a screwdriver, and she says, flat or Phillips? He says, Phillips, and she hands it to him. She asks what brought him to the garage at this time of night, and he says after working all day for Cyrus, he likes to do something where he gets actual grease on his hands. She says, it’s like taking a shower. He’s cleaning Cyrus’s world off by getting himself dirty.

Carly says, Sonny is there, and he says, where else would he be? How’s Jason? She says, fine; not that Jason would tell her if it was anything else. Jason won’t last, and she needs to get him out. Sonny says, it’s already taken care of, and she asks, how? He says, don’t worry; he’s got it. She thanks him, and says, so much is going on. It’s been so… He says, overwhelming? Josslyn comes downstairs and asks if Carly is okay. Carly says she was just lost in thought, and asks how Josslyn’s ankle is. Josslyn says, it hurts a little, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. Carly says, please tell her that she didn’t play, and Josslyn says, she wishes. She’s out of practice. Carly asks, what is it? and Josslyn says, what? Carly says, whatever Josslyn isn’t telling her.

Nina tells Jax, whatever he needs to tell her, he can say on the phone, but he says it’s news he wants to tell her in person. He promises he won’t ask anything of her. He just wants to talk. She says, that’s what they’re doing now. Being in the same room won’t solve any of their problems. He tells her that he’s not saying it will, but it could be a start. Phyllis taps Nina on the shoulder and holds out her hand. Nina gives her the phone, and Phyllis says, Mr. Jax, it’s Phyllis Caulfield. Does he remember they met in Port Charles? He says, of course (🍷), and Phyllis says, where she comes from, pressuring a woman is bad manners. Leave Nina alone. She’s finally starting to heal. Phyllis hangs up, and gives the phone back to Nina. She says she hopes she didn’t overstep, but Nina says, no, and thanks her. She says she’s not ready to see Jax, but when she heard his voice… Phyllis says when Nina got there, she was broken and bruised, but she’s been putting herself back together. Nina says, with the help of friends, and Phyllis says she doesn’t want anything to disrupt that. Nina says, neither does she, and Jax coming there would ruin everything.  

Sonny tells Eli, he has an excuse; he doesn’t remember. What’s Eli’s excuse? His story doesn’t add up. Eli says maybe Sonny forgot basic math, and Sonny says he remembers how to keep an eye on someone. He has two on Eli. Nina asks if Eli is ready, and Eli says, let’s got out of here. They leave, and Sonny asks if Phyllis is okay. Phyllis says, no. She just did something incredibly selfish.

Sasha tells Brando, at first it didn’t sit right with her, now it seems blatantly wrong. He asks, what does? and she asks why he’s working for Cyrus. He clearly can’t stand Cyrus, so there must be a good reason Brando is working for that total slime. What is Cyrus doing? Blackmailing him? Brando doesn’t say anything, and Sasha says, oh my God, he is. It’s Cyrus’s M.O., like when he left the cocaine on her plate. He asks if they can please drop it, but Sasha says Cyrus wants power over everyone, and has power over Brando, but it’s not drugs. She would know if Brando was using. She thinks a moment, and says, it’s Dev. He was in the country illegally. That has to be it. Brando asks for a socket wrench, and she hands one to him. She says, here’s the deal. He saved her life, literally. He says he thinks the doctors and nurses did that, but she tells him, drop the pretense and admit she’s right. He says, fine, and she says, fine what? He says, yes. Cyrus is blackmailing him, and yes, it’s about Dev, but it’s so much more complicated than that. She says, it’s good they’re alone then, and they have all the time in the world.  

Willow says she’ll let Chase have some family time, while she gets coffee, but Gregory says Chase would rather see her than them. Chase says, true story, and Gregory says he’ll get coffee. It’s the least he can do. Chase says he appreciates it, and he appreciates Gregory salvaging the dinner when he gave up. Gregory says he meant every word. They’re still a family, even if their positions have shifted. He says he’ll be right back, and Finn says he’s glad Chase is going to be okay. He scared them. Chase thanks Finn for taking good care of him. He’s sorry for going off at dinner, and kicking Finn out of the apartment afterward. Finn says he should have insisted on staying; it would have saved them some trauma. Willow says she was glad to help, and Chase tells Finn that he’s sorry. Just so Finn knows, they’re okay. Finn asks if Chase is sure it’s not the drugs talking, and Chase says he’s sure. Finn leaves, and Willow asks, what happened at dinner? Chase says, it was  tense, mainly because of him, but he doesn’t want to talk about it right now. Willow asks what he does want to talk about, and he says, her and why she came by. What did she want to tell him?

Dante asks Michael why Chase would need him to lean on, and Michael says Dante knows. Dante says he doesn’t, but what he does know is they’re standing in Willow’s house, and it looks like Michael has been there a while. What’s going on? Michael says he and Willow are together, and not for show or for Wiley, but for them. He loves Willow so much he can’t see straight.

Phyllis tells Sonny, Nina’s ex called, and she could tell he was pushing Nina to see him. Nina was so torn, Phyllis took the phone, and told him to stop. Sonny asks what he said, and Phyllis says she doesn’t know; she hung up. Sonny says, that’s not selfish. She was protecting a friend. Phyllis says she was protecting herself too. She had a flash of what it would be like if Nina went back home. Sonny asks if Phyllis would miss her, and Phyllis says she loves having Nina there, but it’s not fair to put that on her. Jax seemed nice when they met. He asks what Nina said, and Phyllis says Nina was grateful. Sonny says, all right then. It’s good Phyllis shut it down, no matter what the reason. Nina seems like the kind of girl who gets herself in trouble whether she means to or not. Phyllis asks if he’s talking about trouble, or Eli.

At the lookout, Nina thanks Eli, saying, it’s spectacular. Mike showed her the old mill and the river, but this view of the falls is something else. He says he promised her the insider tour, and he keeps his promises. It won’t be a well-kept secret for long after she publishes the article, and tourists start flooding in. She says, that’s the hope, and he says, who knows? Maybe someone will recognize Mike. She tells him to remember what she said; the next few editions are planned. It will be a while before Nixon Falls is a destination. He says, somebody will figure out the mystery eventually, and do the town and Mike a favor.

Josslyn tells Carly that she wanted to wait until things calmed down, so they could celebrate. Carly says, tell her the good news, and Josslyn says she got into PCU. Carly says, the volleyball team; division one, and hugs Josslyn. She says she’s so proud. Josslyn is going to college. Tomorrow, they’ll do whatever Josslyn wants. She suggests Josslyn get some ice for her ankle since she’s limping, and Josslyn says, good idea. Carly says she loves Josslyn, and Josslyn says she loves Carly too. Josslyn heads for the kitchen, when the doorbell rings. It’s Jax, who asks if it’s a bad time, and Carly says, no. What’s up? He says he has something to tell her, and she’s probably not going to like it.

Gregory brings some coffee to Finn, saying he thought they could all use some. Finn thanks him, and says Chase is ready to go. Gregory took the high road, and Finn wishes he could be more like him. Gregory says Finn can be whatever he wants. Isn’t that what he tells Violet? Finn says, it is.   

Willow tells Chase, she’s not sure how to say what she needs to say, and he says, whatever it is, he’s there. They’ll figure it out together. She sits, and takes his hand. She says, sorry her hands are cold. They must have lowered the temperature; her hands are like ice cubes. He says he can’t feel his hand… or his other hand… or his feet.    

Dante says he won’t tell Michael, I told you so. He could tell there was something real between Willow and Michael. Michael says he’s afraid he’s going to wake up, and it will be a dream, but Dante says, it’s not a dream. It’s real, and no one is more deserving than Michael.

Brando says, Sonny needed a father for Dev, and reached out to his mom, so she claimed Dev as her grandson. She didn’t even tell Sonny that he was alive. Sasha asks how he actually figured it out, and he says, it was Christmastime. He was feeling sentimental, and looked at his mom’s Facebook page. There it was, front and center, a picture of her with her grandson. He doesn’t have kids, and he’s an only child. She says, obviously his mother was up to something, and he says, nothing good.

Nina tells Eli, if she does the article, it won’t be for Mike. It will be for Phyllis and Lenny. He says they make it easy, but if a guy like Mike comes around, he’s on guard. She says she gets it, but didn’t Eli try to buy the Tan-O? He says he did, until Mike stepped in with the cash for them to keep it. She tells him, he says that like it’s a bad thing, and he wonders if he can ask her something. She says, sure, and he asks, how it is Mike forgot everything about himself, and wormed his way into Phyllis and Lenny’s lives? She says, like he did?  

Phyllis says Sonny barely met Eli before he was after him, and Sonny says, sometimes instinct kicks in. She says, Eli is a good guy; they’ve known him a long time. Sonny says he knows they helped Eli out after he graduated business school, and she says, he was buried in debt, so they took him in. Sonny says, Eli moved to San Francisco, and asks if Eli ever said anything about the jobs he had there. She says, there was one that inspired Eli to change his life, and Sonny says, really? Can she remember the name?   

Jax tells Carly that he had a good talk with Michael, and she asks, about what? He says, whether Michael would reconsider allowing Nina to be part of Wiley’s life, and he said, yes. She asks why he did that. Nina told her grandson that Willow wasn’t his mother. It upset Willow and Wiley, and it was out of line. He says he understands, but Nina isn’t an evil person. She says she didn’t say that, but who’s more important? A two-year-old or a grown woman? Don’t answer that. She can’t handle it. There’s too much going on in her life. He says, like what? and she says, like how the hell to fix things for Jason.

Jax tells Carly not to get so worked up. She just makes things worse. She says, they can’t get worse, and Jax says, oh my God. If there was ever a human who could take care of themselves, it’s Jason. He has the best lawyer, and eventually, he’ll go free. He just has to last until the trial. He’ll be fine. She says, he’s not fine. Cyrus isn’t stupid. He’s a master manipulator, who finds weak spots and goes after them. He can’t do that with Jason, so the only way to get rid of Jason is to kill him, and that’s what Cyrus is going to do. Jason is in Pentenville, and she knows he’s strong, but he can’t stay awake 24 hours a day. He’s the one person who can hold Sonny’s territory together, but more than that, she can’t lose Jason. It’s that simple. Josslyn comes in, and asks if they’re fighting. Jax says he’s sorry, and Carly says Josslyn knows how she gets worked up when she’s passionate. She’ll tone it down. She tells Josslyn to let her dad know the good news, and Josslyn says she got into PCU. He says, get out, and hugs her. Carly says, Josslyn earned a spot on the volleyball team, and Jax says, amazing. It must take the sting out of being waitlisted. Carly says, waitlisted where? What does he mean, and why didn’t she know?  

Eli tells Nina, he didn’t worm his way in; Phyllis and Lenny offered to help. She says, like they’re doing with Mike, and he says, at least he knew who he was. This guy hasn’t given any indication of his past, or who he might have been. Nina says, it’s true. She doesn’t know anything about him. She just knows he’s a decent dancer. Eli asks if she thinks Mike is okay, and she says she does think Mike likes this town. He enjoys the simplicity. Eli says, he wears an expensive watch for someone who enjoys the simple life, and Nina asks if this is an insider tour or a fishing expedition about Mike. He says, sorry; they can change the topic. She says, to what? and he says, to her. How did she meet Phyllis and Lenny? She asks, does he mind if she takes a raincheck? It’s cold, and she had a call this morning that put her out of sorts. And no, she’s not telling him what it was about. He says she mistakes his interest for nosiness, but he’s coming from a good place. He promises.

On the phone, Sonny says he’s sorry to bother them. His name is Mike Smith, and he works for a company in Pittsburgh. He’s thinking of hiring someone to work for him; Elijah Crowe? Did he work for them?… What’s that?… He embezzled from them?… Arrested, but not convicted… Oh, okay. He’s sorry to hear that. Thanks for the heads up. Phyllis walks in.

Sasha tells Brando, Facebook of all places. You’d think Gladys would know better than to post a picture. He says he saw the picture had been taken at Sonny’s house, so he made his way to Port Charles, and when he got there, it was a mess. She says, not a mess of his making, but he says he still felt responsible. His mother agreed to play along, and what about Dev? What could he do with Dev’s future hanging in the balance? Cut him loose? She says, so he agreed, and he says, then, true to form, his mom told Cyrus the truth. She can guess what came next. Sasha says, he used Dev, and Brando says, Cyrus not only held Dev over his head, but Sonny, Carly, Josslyn, and everyone who knew. He had no idea how big a problem it was going to be, and didn’t want to find out. 

Finn pokes Chase’s hands, and says, nothing? Chase says his feet and hands are numb and tingling at the same time, like they’re asleep. Finn pokes on the bottom of Chase’s foot, and says, now? Chase says, no, and he pokes higher on Chase’s leg. He says, now? and Chase says, no. Gregory asks, what’s wrong?    

Finn says, it’s neuropathy, which is related to the nerves. It’s a symptom of an underlying condition or conditions. People who have diabetes often get it. Willow says, Chase doesn’t have diabetes, and Gregory says, what else? Finn says, a toxin, a tumor on or near the spine, kidney disease… Chase says, not scary at all, and Finn says he’s not trying to scare Chase. Chase asks if Finn can figure it out, and give him something to make it go away, but Finn says he needs to find the origin. Gregory asks, how? and Finn says, tests, a lot of tests. He asks if Chase is okay, and Chase says, it burns everywhere. Finn says he’ll give Chase something for the pain, and Chase says, he guesses this means he’s not going home tonight. Willow sends a text.    

Sasha says Brando is working for a man he loathes to protect people he barely knows, who haven’t always been that nice to him. That doesn’t include Dev, but Dev is gone. He tells her, don’t do that, and she says, what? He says, make him out to be noble. He did it because partly, the family has been pretty decent to him, and his mother is the other part. Cyrus is an SOB. She says he’ll get no argument from her, and he says he’s hated guys like Cyrus his entire life. His mom has done horrible things, but Cyrus is exploiting her, like he tried with Sasha. He’s glad she survived, for a million different reasons, but most of all so she could step back. The first chance he gets, he’s going after Cyrus. She says she had no idea he had a personal interest in her, and he says she’s not looking close enough. He moves closer to her, and they kiss.

Dante says it’s great that Michael and Sasha ended on good terms; it’s rare. Michael says he hopes the same is true for Willow and Chase. That’s where Willow is. Dante says, poor guy. It sucks to be on the losing end. Maybe he’ll be cool about it. Michael says, that’s what they’re hoping for, and Dante says if Chase needs someone to talk to, he’ll do it. Michael asks if that’s Dante’s way of saying he’s getting back on the force, and Dante says, no, but it’s under consideration. Michael says, he’ll take it.

Sonny asks what Phyllis has, and she says she thought she’d show him some pictures of their time with Eli. Nina and Eli walk in, and Phyllis says they’re back early. Was Eli a terrible tour guide? Nina says, Eli is an excellent tour guide and Nixon Falls is beautiful. Eli says he asks too many questions, and Phyllis says, he’s always been that way. He hates talking about himself, but he’s the best listener she’s ever met.  

Jax tells Josslyn that he’s sorry. He didn’t realize she’d never said anything. Josslyn says, it’s fine, and Jax says he should probably let them talk. He congratulates her again and hugs her. He leaves, and Carly says, Josslyn was waitlisted for Southern Coastal? How does she feel? Josslyn says she didn’t want to tell Carly, since Carly already has so much going on. She didn’t want to add to Carly’s plate. Carly says Josslyn is her plate. Anything going on with Josslyn is her top priority. She wants to know how Josslyn is feeling. Josslyn says, it’s not ideal. She wants to play with the best of the best. The Southern Coastal program is hands down the best. She honestly thinks it would be good for her to get accepted so she could have some distance. Carly says, from them? but Josslyn says, not from them. She’ll miss them like crazy. From Port Charles in general, her friends. Carly says, not Trina, and Josslyn says, Cameron.

Gregory says he knows Finn needs to run tests, but what does his gut say? Finn says he’s seen a lot, but this one, he doesn’t know. He wants to do a full neurological work-up. Gregory asks if it’s serious, and Finn says, it could be very serious.

Chase tells Willow to go home, but she says he’s in pain. He says she heard Finn. Finn is going to give him some medicine for the pain, and put him in a room. He’ll probably fall asleep. She says she can’t leave when he’s so sick.

Dante asks if Michael and Wiley are moving in, and Michael says he thinks that’s the plan. Dante says, look at him. His little brother, all grown up. He raises his beer bottle, and says, to Michael, Willow, and a lifetime of happiness. Michael says, cheers to that, and they clink bottles.

We see tools and clothes on the garage floor. We see the car Brando was working on has steamy windows, because Sasha and Brando are getting busy inside.

Carly says she knew things were strained, but did Josslyn and Cameron get in a fight? Josslyn says she can’t be around Cameron anymore. At first, she thought he was the one going to California, but it looks like he’s staying. Carly says, so she has to go? She doesn’t understand. Josslyn and Cameron have been friends since they were little. Can’t they work it out? Josslyn doesn’t see how. Cameron is so devastated over the loss of Franco. Of course (🍷) she understands, but he’s making the worst decisions. He refuses to listen to reason, and blames Jason for everything. She knows Carly hates anyone who hates Jason. Carly says she does, but Josslyn says, don’t hate Cameron. He’s grieving. Carly asks if Josslyn hears herself. On one hand, she wants to go far away, and on the other, she’s telling Carly to go easy on Cameron. Josslyn says she’s telling Carly not to hate him, and Carly says, how about Josslyn? Josslyn says she doesn’t hate Cameron. She hates where everything is right now, and how she feels about it. She hates how everything is up in the air. It’s so stupid, because she has so much to be thankful for; Carly, her dad, her family, college… Carly says, two colleges, and Josslyn asks why it has to be so hard. Carly says, because sometimes it just is. Sometimes even when a lot of good stuff is going on, life can be hard. She says she knows life is hard, and hugs Josslyn.

Nina thanks Eli for taking the time to show her around, and he says he hopes she meant it about the raincheck. Phyllis asks Nina to tell her the highlights of the tour, and Eli leaves. Nina says, the moon over the falls is amazing. Phyllis says, it’s special. What about Eli? How did it go? Nina says, fine, and Phyllis says, Mike seems suspicious of Eli. Nina says she thinks Eli feels the same way about Mike.

Outside, Eli takes out his phone, and Sonny joins him. Sonny says, Nina had a good time, and Eli says he has more to show her. Unless it’s a problem. Sonny says, no problem; see him soon. He adds that he’s on to Eli, and smiles. Eli smiles back, and leaves.  

Tomorrow, Laura asks what her son promised Martin, Ava doesn’t think that’s the way to do it, Nina asks Sonny what if he could get himself back, and Carly says, no more waiting around.

🏖 On tonight’s episode of the excruciatingly long season of Summer House, everyone partied, while Hannah and Des got busy. The highlight of the party was a drunk Kyle trying to get Frosted Mini Wheats out of a plastic container, where he seemed to think they were stuck. Lindsay said the tough love she gave Stephen made him step up, and she could call him her boyfriend again. Luke said he was Hannah’s biggest fan, and wanted her to be happy, but he was concerned Des was using her, since she was successful and Des was a washed up comedian. I have no clue where Des is on his career road, but Hannah isn’t that famous. It’s not like she’s Margot Robbie. She isn’t even Robbie Benson.

Danielle said she was taking it slow with Robert, since her last relationship was ten years ago. She didn’t think Stephen was the guy for Lindsay, and thought he was going to run out of steam. The housemates had a Kentucky Derby party, where the girls wore huge hats, and everyone watched the race on a big screen TV. Ciara was the big winner, and was glad she didn’t have to split it. #singlelife

They spent a day at the beach, where Hannah clung to Des, giving the other women opportunity to discuss their relationship. Paige said Hannah was doing everything but sending Luke a picture of her and Des having sex. She thought Hannah’s ulterior motive was to make Luke jealous, but didn’t think it was happening. I’m not sure about Hannah’s motives, but I got the distinct impression Luke wanted to put a damper on Hannah’s parade. We revisited Kyle’s proposal to Amanda two years before, and they settled on a new date of July 18th, 2021, having been waylaid by the pandemic. Amanda said she was in f*** it territory over the details, and wanted to go for simplicity.  

Des jetted early, not wanting to wear out his welcome, and Hannah asked if Luke liked Des. After a bunch of dancing around the question, Luke said he didn’t not like Des, but Des wasn’t a guy he’d have a drink with. In Hannah’s interview, she said before Luke met Des, he tried to convince her that she was going to fast, but now he was saying Des wasn’t cool enough to hang with. She didn’t think Des was going to be best friends with a guy she had history with. I find Des to be corny and romantic – not my jam – but he’s likeable, and seems to be good for Hannah. Hannah told the other girls that Luke complained about Des not hanging out with the guys more. As though to point out a possible why, Kyle announced that he wanted to think about how many places he could pee on the property. While peeing on some shrubbery. Danielle said Robert integrated with the house more, and the whole thing ended with Hannah saying something to the effect that they didn’t understand. The same way a lot of the episodes end.

Next time, finally an end to this misery, the bloom is off the rose for Lindsay (that was quick), Paige tells Amanda that she’s the problem in her relationship, a pre-wedding wedding, and Amanda thinks if Hannah can’t have a relationship with Kyle, she can’t have one with Hannah either. In other words, more middle school stuff brought to you by people pushing 40.  

💎 Polish That Diamond…

The new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills will begin May 19th.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a35768289/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-11-spoilers/

👰🏻 But Will She Wear White…?

It looks like it might be serious.

https://extratv.com/2021/03/25/is-teresa-giudice-ready-to-marry-bf-luis-ruelas/

And they should get along just fine.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2021/04/06/teresa-giudice-boyfriend-road-rage-luis-ruelas-trump-lynne-patton/7110932002/

🐟 And the Best Part Is…

She finally broke free from Suckerfish Hoppy.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/bethenny-frankel-divorced-from-jason-hoppy-engaged-to-paul-bernon

🎲 What I Said…

I think the husbands should get their own show.

https://pagesix.com/2021/04/14/margaret-josephs-the-rhonj-husbands-are-closer-than-the-women/

💍 Shooting for #22…

Danielle tries something a little different.

https://pagesix.com/2021/04/14/danielle-staub-trying-out-dating-app-smore/

👠 Where’s the Housewives…

Like we don’t know where LVP is.

https://screenrant.com/rhobh-former-cast-members-updates/

🎁 Andy’s Gift…

Sure. He’ll probably be on a beach in the Bahamas holding an umbrella drink while these are airing.

https://people.com/tv/andy-cohen-watch-what-happens-live-to-air-week-long-series-of-special-episodes-in-may/

Andy provides the deets and more.

https://extratv.com/2021/03/24/andy-cohen-talks-kardashians-interview-on-for-real-the-story-of-reality-tv-plus-does-he-want-another-baby/

🎸 27 At 27…

They really were oddly a golden couple.

https://pagesix.com/2021/04/05/kurt-cobain-died-27-years-ago-today-at-27-his-best-photos/

🛥 Cruising…

Tea you tomorrow, when we see if Chase can feel his… whatever. Until then, stay safe, stay sure of yourself, and stay knowing life can be hard, even when there’s good stuff going on.

January 10, 2020 – Sonny’s Truck Is Found, Nearly Ruined, Baby Mama Drama, Wife Feuds, VanderCrash, Vicki Frets, Danielle Quits, I Vent, Quotes Helen Ends & Begins, Pup Birthday & No Waiting

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

We get another rare glimpse of the outside of the hospital. Elizabeth is straightening up an examining room, and stops to look at her phone. She frowns, and makes a call. She leaves a message for Laura, saying, she noticed Laura has called, but she’s not leaving messages. She hopes everything is okay, and asks Laura to give her a call. She hears someone say her name, and she says she’ll be right with them. She turns around to see Nikolas.

Jason goes to Jordan’s office. She asks if a truck from Corinthos Coffee is missing. They found one abandoned and torched. Does he happen to know if they made themselves an enemy?

Lucy shows Maxie a portfolio, and says, it’s just a sample to get the conversation started. She thinks Deception is going to be absolutely fabulous once it’s up and running. Advertisers are going to be lining up beside them. Maxie says, it’s impressive, but that’s just her opinion. Lucy has to run it by Nina. Nina says, run what by her? and Maxie says, Deception’s pitch to be a Crimson’s partner. Lucy tells Nina, picture it; Crimson and Deception, the perfect marriage. Not that anyone needs marriage to be perfect. They’re strong, independent women, and perfect unto themselves. Nina says she’d like to see a proposal. They go to Nina’s desk, and Lucy hands her a mock-up of a Crimson cover featuring Sasha.

Sasha finds Michael in the empty ELQ boardroom, and asks if she’s interrupting. He says she is, and thanks her. She said he mentioned he’d be there, and he says the meeting finished early. He was looking over resumés for a part-time nanny for Wiley. In between work, and going to Turning Woods to see Lucas, Brad is drowning. Wiley was fussy at daycare, and when Brad didn’t answer, they had to call him. A nanny is the obvious solution, but none of the candidates seem right. She says, nobody is good enough for Wiley? She wonders why.

Brad asks who took his lab results; he needs them back now. Willow comes by, and asks if this is what he’s looking for, handing him some paperwork. He asks where she found them, and she says, where he left them. In the breakroom near the coffee maker. She tells him, Lucas being at Turning Woods, and returning to work is a lot for anyone, and he has Wiley on top of it. Brad says he can handle it. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks.

At Charlie’s, Sonny says Carly saw Julian and Brad at the pier. He knows what they talked about after Carly walked away. Julian asks what they were allegedly talking about, and Sonny says, him, his wife, his son, and Wiley.

Elizabeth says Nikolas hasn’t changed, and he says she’s as beautiful as ever. She says he’s supposed to be dead, and he says, it was a very close call. She says, it’s been three years; where has he been? Does his mom know? Laura has been calling, probably trying to warn and prepare her. However she wants to look at it, he’s back. It’s not a dream. She touches him, and says, it’s him. She promises not to faint, but Nikolas says he might. They hug.

Jordan tells Jason, the truck was found by the side of the road. There was no cargo or driver; just the burnt frame. Were they aware the truck was missing? Jason says they knew the shipment never arrived, and she asks if they were concerned. He says they were, and thanks her for locating it. She asks if he has any idea where the driver could be, and he says the employees were canvased, and everyone is safe and accounted for. She asks him to have a seat, and says what if she requested the manifest and interviewed the driver? He says he doesn’t know how much the driver could tell her. She says, so the driver pulled over to stretch or get some fresh air, an unknown party stole the truck and drove off, and they never saw anything?

Nina looks at the mock-up cover, and says she thought Sasha turned down Lucy’s offer to model. Lucy says she has an extreme knack for persuasion. She’s prepared to offer Nina 5% of the equity, priority placement, and integration. Like Maxie said, it’s a win-win. Maxie says it’s a high end brand, but Nina says, no. Lucy says they’re already a high placement brand, and it’s a golden opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Nina thanks her, and says she’ll definitely consider it, as long as Lucy finds another model to represent the brand. Lucy says, that’s not an option. Sasha isn’t just a brand ambassador; she’s an equity partner.

Sasha wonders if Michael is looking for a degree in psychology and nutrition, as well as training in CPR, mountain climbing, and gourmet cooking skills. He says he forgot to add that. He asks if he’s being too protective and involved, and she says, maybe, but in the sweetest, sexiest way. He says he knows what he’d like to do. Pull back from ELQ, let Ned pick up the slack, and block extra time to spend with Wiley. Sasha asks, what’s stopping him?

Sonny ask if Julian hasn’t learned by now to stay away from his family. Does he have to keep reminding Julian? Julian says Wiley is his family as well. He comes up in conversation. Sonny says Julian warned Brad to be careful around Carly so he wouldn’t get wind of something about Michael, because Sonny protects his son. He tells Julian, if he’s got something brewing, think twice. He knows Sonny always protects what’s his. Julian says he hears Sonny, and when it comes to his family, he feels the same way.

Jason says Jordan will have to call Diane for the manifest. Jordan says Diane will ask for a warrant and probable cause. It’s sketchy, but without witnesses, all they have is a missing truck that was found. It’s already annoying enough. She asks if it’s possible the driver went rogue, and someone else got the delivery. Jason says all the employees are vetted, and have years of experience. Jordan wonders if it’s a calling card from Sonny’s rival. If there’s a turf war brewing, she needs to know.

Lucy tells Nina, it’s business, not personal. Deception would be good for Crimson, and vicey versey. Nina wishes her luck. She’s sure Lucy will find another publication to promote Deception, but she passes. She’s sorry, and wishes Lucy the best of luck. Lucy thanks her for her time, and leaves. Maxie sits down, and says she wishes Nina would reconsider. Nina asks why she should invite Sasha back into her life, and Maxie says, Lucy’s partnership proposal has merit. They can find a work-around. She’ll do everything, and Nina can just sit back and rake in the revenue. How does that sound? Listening outside the door, Lucy smiles.

Sasha tells Michael, it’s possible to do both, especially when you have enough money. He’s been a daily presence in Wiley’s life, and he can add a few extra hours. Michael says he can set it up coordinating with Brad’s schedule. When Brad goes to work, he can spend the mornings with Wiley, and drop him off at the hospital daycare or at his grandmother’s with the nanny. Later, he can pick Wiley up, and get him to Brad for dinner. Sasha says he’s already got a strategy, and he says, thanks to her. It will cut into his free time with her, but she says, it’s a worthy cause, and she happens to like Wiley. They kiss. Sasha’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Lucy. He tells her, the first rule of business is, always answer your partner’s call. Lucy says, she’ll make it quick. Nina said no. Sasha says she tried to warn her, but Lucy thinks maybe there’s a little crack. She needs to kick the door open. She tells Sasha, get there pronto, and Sasha says she’ll be right there. Michael asks where she’s going, and Sasha says, to kick open some doors.

Willow brings Brad some coffee, saying she thought he could use it. He says, yeah. His nerves are just jangled. Everyone is doubting him all of a sudden, and Lucas’s whole family is against him. Willow says, that can’t be true, and he says Bobbie has called fifty times, Carly thinks he’s overwhelmed, and Julian agrees. Michael wants to hire a nanny. She says that’s not a bad idea.

Julian says he has no beef with Michael, Carly or Sonny. He thought they turned a corner the night Sonny offered to let him visit Wiley. He’d like to keep that going. Sonny ask why he warned Brad about Carly, and Julian ask if Sonny has seen Brad lately. He’s in completely over his head, raising Wiley alone, and Julian doesn’t want people to see him fall apart. He might be nervous, but Julian thinks Brad will be fine. He was just helping. Sonny says maybe Julian was helping himself. Lucas wants nothing to do with him, and with Lucas out of the picture, Julian has a chance to swoop in and get close to his son. This actually sounds stupid, since Julian just brought up Sonny offering to let him see Wiley.

Julian says he and Lucas have had their differences, but it doesn’t matter now. All he cares about is his son waking up. Until he does, Julian has to do right by Wiley. Sonny has his family, Carly is busy, and Michael has his girlfriend and work, but Julian has free time to devote to his grandson. Sonny asks how he thinks Lucas will feel if he wakes up and finds out that Julian took advantage of his accident. Julian says Sonny doesn’t speak for his son, but Sonny says he’s speaking for himself. Julian asks how Sonny knows about the conversation anyway. Carly left, and he and Brad stayed there. He’s curious who Sonny’s associate was following; him or Sonny’s wife? Sonny suggests Julian take the same advice he gave Brad; steer clear of his wife, and anything Corinthos related. He leaves.

Michael tells Brad, Wiley has a strong support system. The Quartermaines and Corinthoses; two houses with nurseries and full-time nannies, with room in both. When Brad is working, Michael can put him down at night. Willow asks if Michael will really be able to pull back at ELQ, and Michael says he has someone to step up. He wants to do this, and gives Brad his word that he can carve out the time. Brad says, absolutely not.

Maxie tells Nina to take the personal part out of it. It’s possible to have a business relationship with someone you dislike. Lucy pops back in, and says, Maxie is right. Nina says she thought Lucy left. Lucy says, think classic. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger; Simon and Garfunkel; Abbot and Costello. Maxie says, who? and Nina and Lucy both say, ‘s on first. Nina says it’s better if she doesn’t force a relationship. It’s her prerogative. She made a mistake, and she’s not doing it again. She’s going to focus on moving forward. Sasha walks in, and says what Nina calls moving forward, she calls just plain stupid.

Elizabeth asks where Nikolas has been, and he says, Europe mostly. He was rescued by a yacht crew sailing past the island. He pursued some leads, and started to reclaim what’s his. Last night, he was able to do it. Nina walked out on Valentin; the wedding didn’t happen. Elizabeth says Nina gave her the impression that she was going to stick by Valentin no matter what. He says, apparently, she reached a breaking point, but there was still a wedding – his.

Jordan says she thought she and Jason had come to a place where they understood each other. Maybe he’s reconsidered in the light of Sam’s conviction, but it was a Federal prosecution, and removed from her jurisdiction. Jason says when  they’re done with the truck, Sonny will have a towing company haul it away. She’s sure the taxpayers will be happy, and says, there’s one more thing. The truck was abandoned in a no parking zone. She hands him a ticket, as Curtis walks in. Curtis asks if everything is okay, and Jordan says, Jason was just leaving. When Jason is gone, Curtis asks what that was about. She says, it was about her wasting her breath. Jason could give a master class in stonewalling. He’s every defense attorney’s dream come true. He’s never nervous, and never discloses anything. And he’s had plenty of practice since he’s been arrested so many times. She says, now that she’s vented, why is he there? He asks if it’s not a good time, but she says, it’s fine. He says he did a follow-up on her friend Bob’s death. He knows how busy she is, and he has a connection in DC. He wanted to learn a little more, and get her closure. Jordan knows he meant well, but hopes he didn’t intrude on the family’s grief. He says he was careful not to, and she asks what he found. Cancer? A heart attack? He says, no. A drug overdose.

Elizabeth says, Ava? and Nikolas says he sees her Ava, and raises her a Franco. She says, Franco has completely changed. She can’t say the same for Ava. He says he can’t either, but each of them brings something the other can’t live without. Elizabeth is pretty sure it’s not love. How did he get with Ava? He says, that’s the hard part. He’s been in Port Charles since September. She says, four months, and he never thought to contact anyone who loves him?

Sasha says she admires Nina’s business savvy; her creativity, and ability to think outside the box and take risks. She saw how stubborn Nina can be; determined and pragmatic to a fault. Nina says she’s wasting her time, but Sasha says she’s not finished. The partnership has nothing to do with their history; it’s what’s best for their businesses. Deception’s target audience is the youth and wellness market, a major opportunity that Crimson can be a part of. If Nina is the savvy businesswomen Sasha thinks she is, she’ll jump at it. If she doesn’t, she can watch from the sidelines while they become a major success without her.

Brad says he can’t let Michael compromise being CEO of ELQ to babysit. Michael says he’s choosing to give up his time to help Lucas. Brad says Lucas wouldn’t want him to do it. He’s proud of Michael, and admires his position on the ELQ and hospital boards. Michael says, Lucas would want Wiley to have all the support he needs. No one can do it all, and Brad shouldn’t try to be a superhero. Take the help. Brad says he didn’t think about it until now, but he knows the perfect person take care of Wiley. Wiley already knows them, and there should be no problem with them stepping in. Willow always said she’d do anything to help. Now he’s asking for help with his son. Julian stands behind Brad, listening.

Jordan says, an OD? Did she hear wrong? Curtis knows it’s a shock, but Bob died from an OD. She asks if something went wrong. He got the wrong prescription, or a bad interaction with medications? Curtis says, it was opioids; a straight-up OD. She says, Bob wasn’t even much of a drinker. She never saw him have more than a beer, and never saw him using. Curtis knows it’s hard to hear, but as someone who has more experience than most, he can tell her, once you become an addict, you become an expert in hiding it.

Sonny asks Jason, what’s the damage? Jason says they lost a truck and a shipment of beans. Diane is handling the driver’s severance pay, and his relocation to Tennessee. Sonny asks if the driver was injured, and Jason says, just shook up. He followed company policy, and took off. Sonny says to tell Diane to be generous with the severance pay. He asks if the truck was impounded, and Jason says, what’s left of it. They also got a parking ticket, since it was left in a no parking zone. Sonny laughs, and says, make sure it gets paid. He wants the Commissioner to see they’re good citizens. Jason wonders who would target a coffee truck, and Sonny says, someone who  has no idea how he does business.

Sonny says, maybe someone thinks they’re using the coffee warehouse as a front. They didn’t do their research. Jason suggests maybe they tried to send a message. Port Charles is a valuable asset. It’s close to the border, and near international waters. Sonny limits what moves, and some people want him to share. Sonny says, sharing is overrated.

Curtis tells Jordan, the cause of death was an OD; it was on the police report. She says forensics would look at the chain of evidence, tracing where it came from, and who sold it. He says he called his friend on the force in DC and got a copy of the report. There’s not a lot there. On the outside, it looks squeaky clean, all legit. Everyone who knew him had the same reaction that she did; he wasn’t that type of guy, and basic disbelief. Jordan asks if she can talk to his friend, but he says the friend has already stuck his neck out. He doesn’t want to put them on the spot, or lose them as a contact. She appreciates that, and says, it’s such a shock. Curtis asks if there’s anything else he can do, and she says, maybe later. He says, sure, and leaves, but Jordan is obviously distressed.

Lucy thanks Nina again for her time. Maxie looks at package Lucy brought, and says, it’s generic. Lucy needs to underline the brand, to prepare for when she’s ready to reveal what they are. Her proposal is too conservative. Crimson needs at least 15%; Maxie will adjust it accordingly. Lucy is going to have to step up her opening foray if she wants involvement increased. Nina tells Lucy, leave her proposal, and she’ll consider it.

Brad says, it’s a perfect solution. He and Willow both work at the hospital, and she’s great with Wiley. Michael says she has a full schedule at the hospital, and doesn’t have the luxury of delegating. Butting into the conversation, Julian agrees it’s unfair, and Brad shouldn’t put Willow in an awkward position. He knows Brad is under stress. Brad says, don’t remind him. Willow agreed that she wanted to help Wiley. Willow says maybe she could adjust her schedule, but Julian thinks it’s asking too much. End of discussion. Oh, okay. Everyone will listen to the guy who just arrived to the party, who no one wanted there in the first place. Brad says Lucas wanted Willow to be a part of Wiley’s life, and he thought Willow wanted to spend more time with Wiley. Michael says they have plenty of options, and not to put Willow in an uncomfortable position. Brad says, who better to give Wiley the care he needs until they get Lucas back, which he prays is soon. Willow says, of course (🍷). How could she say no? Ugh. Julian needs to ditch that turtleneck look he’s been sporting lately.

Elizabeth asks if Nikolas wasn’t tempted to tell anyone he was alive. Nikolas says he can’t begin to tell her how hard it was. His mom came by Jax’s place while he was there. Everything inside him wanted to embrace her, but he couldn’t. He had to bide his time, and put his plan in place, or it would have undone everything. Elizabeth gets it intellectually, but emotionally, he has so many people who love him who were devastated. Hayden has a little girl, Violet; she’s the cutest. Hayden left Violet in Port Charles while she’s away, but wait until she finds out he’s back. Valentin is no longer a threat, so Hayden can come back be and be with her. He promises to do all he can to bring Hayden home. Elizabeth says, if anyone can do it, he can. She doesn’t know whether to slap or hug him, and he says he’ll take the hug. He’s already had smacks. They hug.

Maxie tells Lucy and Sasha they’ll be in touch. She’ll go over the proposal in depth. Lucy says, fingers crossed, even though she doesn’t need it. She has a kick-ass partner who was spectacular. And she can’t believe Maxie was so convincing without making her boss look bad. She hopes Nina knows what she has in Maxie. Come to think of it, if Maxie ever wants to talk about some work, here’s her number. Lucy gives Maxie her card, and Maxie says she already has it. Lucy says that’s Lucy as a realtor; this is Lucy as a potential partner. Think about it. They leave, and Maxie looks at the card. I think Deception should launch their own magazine.

Nina looks at the mock-up cover. She opens a jewelry box containing the half-heart pendant, and takes it out.

Brad thanks Willow, and says he’s so grateful. Julian grabs Brad’s arm, says, excuse them, and steers Brad away. He asks if Brad has lost his damn mind. Sonny already knows something’s up.

Michael asks if Willow is sure she’s okay with this. Brad isn’t sensitive on a good day. She knows it’s challenging, and will have to protect her heart, but Brad is in a jam and she can help out. Michael says, so can he, but she says, for whatever reason, Brad isn’t comfortable with him. He’s intimidated by Michael. Michael is the kind of person everyone loves, and Brad probably feels Michael will overshadow him. He says, Wiley is more important than Brad’s ego, and she says she’ll do her best not to intimidate anyone. He’s not sure about that. He thinks Wiley likes her more than him, and he’s jealous. She says she can’t help it if Wiley has great taste. Dreams come true. She’s going to spend time with Wiley, and savor every moment. And when it’s over, she won’t look back.

Brad tells Julian, if he had walked in five minutes later, Michael would have been taking care of Wiley, and when he was busy running ELQ, the Quartermaines and Sonny would come around. Julian is second guessing him, and he knows what he’s doing. Julian says, he’s right, and Julian is going to see that he gets all the help he needs.

Jordan looks at her computer, and makes a call. She says she needs them to do her a favor. Drop whatever they’re doing, and get to Port Charles as soon as possible.

Jason says, if they get an overture, how does Sonny want to respond? Sonny says, same deal. They can move through Port Charles; no drugs, no guns, and they have to pay double for torching his coffee truck. It was rude. (I literally LOL.) Jason says, what if there’s no offer? Doesn’t Sonny want to figure out who it is? Sonny says if so, they made a mistake, and he’ll make them regret it.

On Monday, Brook has a big announcement, Tracy asks Michael what’s more important than ELQ, Spinelli asks if Maxie is leaving Crimson, and Franco says he owes Jason his life.

🍑 Meanwhile, In Hotlanta…

There’s always someone who almost spoils the surprise.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/12/cynthia-bailey-slams-kenya-moore-after-she-nearly-ruin-proposal/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🌎 Only If You’re Worse At Geography Than I Am…

I’m wondering how anyone would confuse being on RHOA with a big Hollywood dream.

https://radaronline.com/photos/nene-leakes-son-baby-mama-slams-buying-house-wants-rhoa-bryson-bryant/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🔫 The New Hatfields & McCoys…

More on them feudin’ Wives.

https://starmagazine.com/photos/real-housewives-top-feuds-2019-new-york-beverly-hills/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🚗 It’s Not a Drive Thru…

Someone really wanted their food to go.

https://radaronline.com/photos/ferrari-crashes-lisa-vanderpump-restaurant-west-hollywood-cops-no-arrests-injuries/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🚤 Someone Is Thirsty…

A bit of a rehash with vacation photos added.

https://radaronline.com/photos/vicki-gunvalson-and-fiance-end-cruise-amid-rhoc-axe-rumors/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🚫 She Said Of New Jersey

I saw the Watch What Happens Live when Danielle quit, but she chose her words carefully. She was very specific saying she’d never be on The Real Housewives of New Jersey again. My guess is, she’s moving.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2020/01/danielle-staub-quits-real-housewives-of-new-jersey/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🙎 I Don’t Usually Get Personal, But…

While I throw in an opinion here and there, it’s rare for me to write something based solely on my view of a show, but I feel strongly about this one.

I’m not sure what it is. Whether it’s because the Housewives are thirsty for screen time, or they’re just getting meaner, but I was disturbed by Wednesday night’s Real Housewives of Dallas Reunion: Part Two. My being troubled by the Real Housewives in general is nothing new. Beverly Hills certainly left a bad taste in my mouth last season, and the screeching in the OC is working my last nerve. Regardless of the branch of the franchise, what bothers me most is when several, or all, of the Wives gang up against one. Wednesday night’s Reunion, bothered me so much, I had a nightmare that I’m sure it was the source of.

I rarely have nightmares, and when I do, they’re not the conventional kind. This isn’t to say I don’t dream about zombies taking over, or other dangerous situations, but those are more like full-color action films, with Marc Singer often fighting alongside me. My real nightmares are more Dean Koontz than Stephen King, and involve genuine fears, and I usually wake up crying. This time, I roamed a large place that was a mix of a hospital and library. I was in emotional anguish, and no one would even look in my direction. I walked through crowds of people, and tried talking to some, but they were dismissive. On a humorous note, Perry Shen (Brad, General Hospital) and Jane Lynch were there. I often cast random actors in my dreams. Anyway, I woke up crying, and I knew Dallas was at the root of it.

In what could have ended with a teachable moment,  the whole show was nothing but an attack on LeeAnne from start to finish. Including her wedding vows. WTF? In talking about being human, Kameron was the only one who acted like a human. I don’t think any of them, including Kary, cared nearly as much about the racism issue, as they did about pummeling LeeAnne and feeling self-righteous. Racism is a huge hot button issue, and there is no one, except a racist, who would feel it was okay. They had no concern that most of the world wouldn’t have their back in rising up against LeeAnne. It was a safe bet, and kept reminding me of what Bernadette (Terrence Stamp) said in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: You know, my girlfriend used to be a boyfriend. It’s always good for a supper invite. It was less about the issue than it was about them using it for something, with the exception of Kameron. It was like teaching a kid not to hit by hitting them. Although I don’t think they were interested in teaching anybody anything. It was an opportunity to be mean, and they used the issue. It didn’t even begin there.

From the beginning, they were gunning for LeeAnne, as well as putting a halo on Kary. They harped on LeeAnne’s wedding – everything from the food, which looked adequate to me, to the vows she had written herself at the last minute. Even her waiting so long to write them was suspect. Rich must be a saint, not because he puts up with LeeAnne, but he also puts up with this sh*t. Yes, the woman has some deep-seated problems, which will probably take a lifetime to overcome, but this was an important day – her first marriage, at age 50, no less – why drag it all over the place? It just went on and on and on. And to her credit, LeeAnne took it. Ever the diplomat, Kameron pointed out that it was LeeAnne’s day, so wtf? LeeAnne was right in saying, that no matter what she said, it was never going to be good enough for Kary. This is a bunch of mean girls, except for Kameron, who gets called out for being more concerned with what’s right, rather than who’s right. As much as we’d like them to be, things aren’t always black and white, and there’s the human factor.

I have a desire to take care of tiny things, protect the underdog, and things that are alone or small in the world. LeeAnne looked that way Wednesday night. She’s done stupid things from the jump, and lashed out because she hurts, but they finally found something they could grab onto that was acceptable and other people would care about. Except there is a difference between evil and stupid. Between sincerely hating a race, and saying dumb sh*t. Instead of helping LeeAnne be a better person, Brandi threw down a folding chair, where she thought LeeAnne should sit facing her jury. After that, the women became the bullies. A questionable video of Brandi’s surfaced recently, which is also insensitive, but not racist, yet she thinks LeeAnne is alone in being stupid.

There’s proof positive it doesn’t have to be like this. Three of my favorites in the Bravoverse are Below Deck, Southern Charm, and Shahs of Sunset. Oh, they fight, and they can land low blows, and do the occasional hair pulling, but there’s a difference. Somehow, they’re more like family. When Golnessa lashes out, we know it’s because she’s in pain, and so does her crew. While they might even freeze her out for a moment, at the end of the day, they’re there to support and love her. There might often be an undercurrent of snark on Deck, and Kate does get away with more than the others, but she’s put in her time. Captain Lee is like a really good parent, who knows how to use discipline, but fiercely protects and loves his children. He’s also indulgent with his favorite daughter. Shep is an elitist a-hole much of the time, yet if there was an emergency, he’d be the first one there. To watch Kathryn grow from a rebellious child to a responsible mother has been nothing less than amazing, and to have Patricia admit she was wrong about Kathryn – albeit because she listened to Thomas – was a true miracle. Maybe a Wife would throw a bag of old Vuittons in your direction, but they’ll tell everyone about how self-centered you were, yapping on about your house burning down, or your horrifying childhood.

With the first episode of the OC, I said it was the future of television. There had been reality TV before, starting with An American Family, a series filmed for PBS. It was rerun one year in the 90s, and I caught it. It was fascinating. Just cameras following a family. And The Real World started off strong. Giving us people with real jobs and interests, and Pedro Zamora who eventually passed away from AIDS. Somewhere along the line, it degenerated into mostly a lot of drunken hot tub sex, and I drifted away. I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn’t what I signed up for. My guess is that alcohol played a big part. As is my guess about a lot the Wives problems. Just the other day, my husband was just walking past when one of them (ha-ha – I can’t remember which one) was on, and he said, they drink too much. And he doesn’t even pay attention. He could probably pick NeNe or Teresa out of a line-up – LVP for sure – but he doesn’t watch them. Alcohol isn’t the only problem, but it exacerbates whatever else is going on. But the Wives were different, and paved the way for all the others. Until Andy Cohen became King of the World. Or at least reality TV.

There are kinder, gentler shows on other networks, TLC being a mainstay. Born This Way was one of the sweetest shows I’ve ever seen, watching young people with Downs Syndrome begin to navigate the world on their own. More recently, Welcome to Plathville introduced us to the Plath family, who live off the grid, but some of the kids were looking to branch out. In a variety of series about the Amish, Mary Schmucker became my favorite reality star of all time. A woman we would all love to be our grandma, baking cookies and dispensing wisdom, but also down for kicking back and doing shots at an NYC bar. That’s my kind of Amish.

It was enjoyable to watch the Wives at first. There was some table-flipping and leg-tossing, but it seemed like all harmless fun. Sometimes it still is, but more and more, it’s screeching and finger-pointing, and not owning up to their own sh*t before casting stones. Mob mentality has taken over. This isn’t to say there aren’t exceptions, like Kameron and Camille, but they’re accused of being wishy-washy because, even if they didn’t like a behavior, they still cared about the person. NYC as a whole seems to be fair, except for Ramona, who’s only out for herself, but I could be biased. Back to LeeAnne.

What she said was wrong, but it really wasn’t any worse than things she’d said in previous seasons. The others just finally found something they could publicly call her out on, and knew they’d be backed by the world. I doubt they cared much about racism before LeeAnne called Kary a chirpy Mexican (I’d actually thought chirpy was a really odd choice of word, and figured she wasn’t thinking). And Kary laughed about it with the others at the time. Again, Kameron came out ahead here. Not on that particular issue, but she made it her business to research what LeeAnne had said about sex workers in Thailand. In other words, she cared about those things called facts.

Fact: LeeAnne definitely made excuses for not reaching out to Kary, some of which were lies, or at best finagling of the truth. Like when she said they weren’t supposed to talk to each other before the Reunion. That was true, but there were several months prior to that when they could have talked. I do think she was telling the truth when she said things like that were hard for her, especially since she believed she’d be met with hatred. Also possibly true. Kary was receptive to zero of what LeeAnne had to say, no matter what the topic was.

Fact: LeeAnne said she latched on to a word Kary herself had been using a lot, and had she used a different word repeatedly, LeeAnne would have used that. I believe this is true. Even I was getting tired of Kary saying it. I was like, all right already, I get it. You’re from Mexico and it’s cool. We all have things we’re proud of, and probably talk too much about. LeeAnne made a piss poor choice, but I don’t think it was with a racist attitude. It was with an I’m-sick-of-Kary attitude. Whether LeeAnne thought it would air or not, who knows? But it’s hard to believe anyone would think that, considering what has been aired in other seasons, and how easily information gets out today. I also find it difficult to believe the others would have been intimidated by this thought.

Fact: LeeAnne was truly sorry. We’ve yet to see if she backs up her words with actions – i.e. stops saying stupid sh*t when she’s angry – but she was sorry. That these women continued to berate her while she sat there crying and taking it, was depressing. If the goal is to change the world, and bring light to the darkness, how does drumming someone into the ground accomplish that goal? Someone who is suicidal, no less. It’s hard for someone to change their ways when you keep kicking them.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the way of the world now. It’s less about teaching what’s right than being right.

🌋 Quotes of the Week

I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.Helen Keller

Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend. – Sarah Dessen

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. – Oprah Winfrey

I have the attention span of a meerkat. – guy on Blind Date

How do you fold an egg? It’s impossible. It’s witchcraft. – Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini), King of Queens

Mantras are a powerful tool that can help us be aware of our own power, goals, strengths, and resilience. – Dr. Jennifer Newman (I am rich. I am rich…)

When things break, it’s not the actual breaking that prevents them from getting back together again. It’s because a little piece gets lost.John Green (I’m sure he was referring to people as well.)

Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes. – Carl Sandburg

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.Anne Frank

I take craps bigger than him. – Jerry (Scott Bakula), Two and a Half Men

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Keller

🎉 A Happy 13th Birthday…

To dogs I still call the babies.

Juliet'sBabies4 (2)

👐 Wait No More…

Your weekend is here. See you at the hospital or on deck.

January 31, 2019 – Jordan Questions Franco, RIP James, Chefs At the Opry, Another Loss, Gage Goes, Danielle’s Near-Snub, Another Summer & Ready

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Drew goes home with Kim, who says don’t mind the place; she hasn’t had time to clean. Her apartment is spotless, and Drew asks if she has a poltergeist. There’s no way Oscar did this. She says the cleaners must have come today. They were a gift from Julian.

Brad tells Julian that he’s trying. Julian says, try harder. He used to be good liar, and Lucas will realize something is wrong if he keeps stammering. Brad says Willow thinks Wiley is hers, and he’s supposed to remain calm? Julian says, it changes nothing, but Brad says it does if she wants a relationship with Wiley. Julian tells him, stay away from her. The less she sees Wiley, the less she’ll think about coming forward.

Alexis arrives at Dawn of Day. Kristina is surprised, and Shiloh tells her to give her mother credit. He’s glad Alexis made it. He says, you can’t tie yourself up, if you’re tying up others. I’m not sure if he’s talking about loose ends, being on time, or something kinky, but I already spent too much time thinking about it. He’s excited to get started. With an open mind and some effort, they can learn about each other and themselves.

On the phone, Obrecht tells Valentin the Swiss are known for their patience, but she’s only half Swiss. Her economic situation is simple. She needs income, and he needs Nina. If he sees to it that Obrecht is flush, and Nina will never know Sasha isn’t her daughter. What would really be cool is if Sasha turned out to be her daughter anyway. She finds the other half of the necklace, and…

At the hospital, Franco tells Elizabeth that the library has a parenting section for parents with potentially LGBTQ kids. I’m thinking if any more initials crop up, we’ll really have to think of something new.

Nina, Maxie, and Obrecht meet for dinner at the MetroCourt. Nina says a year ago today, they lost a great man. A son, a brother, a husband. The greatest man she’s ever known. Maxie says it still hurts so much. She’s not there yet, but the pain and sorrow are nothing compared to the joy of having known him. Obrecht says, the time was precious, and they’re better for having had him in their lives. They toast to Nathan.

Ava sees Lucas, and asks about Lulu. He says he can’t discuss it. She says Lulu was attacked be the same person who killed her daughter. She needs to know if Lulu remembers who did it. Lucas says forcing Lulu into remembering would be counterproductive, and the worst thing they could do. Ava says, at least she’s alive. The other victims weren’t so fortunate.

Chase brings in a box, and tells Jordan it’s the last of the material from the LA office. He wants to give it a once-over. He asks if there’s been no breakthrough, and Jordan says, hardly. Nothing makes sense. She’s ready call in a psychic, and asks if he knows any.

Elizabeth thinks it’s great that Franco is diving in head first. Franco says he’s trying to help both Aiden and them. She’s swamped at work, and feels when and if the day comes, they’ll have a conversation with Aiden, but on his terms. Not because they forced the issue. Franco says, ideally, but his classmates already forced the issue.

Kim asks if Drew wants a drink, and he says, if she is. She pours them something. He asks if she wants to talk about Julian, and she says, what’s left to say? She was too busy tending to Oscar, and not their relationship, so Julian decided to sleep with someone else – not Alexis, according to her. At the very least, it means he went ahead and slept with a random person, and dumped her. The end. Drew says he didn’t cancel the cleaning service, and she says, or the meal service, or the tune-up. The garage confirmed it. She doesn’t know what to do. Why doesn’t he stop them? Drew says maybe Julian wishes he hadn’t let her go.

Brad asks why Julian didn’t tell him. Julian says, now that he knows who Willow is, keep a wide berth. Brad says, what if she doesn’t do the same? Julian asks if he and Lucas didn’t agree to an open adoption. Worst case, Wiley has a mother figure. Brad says, except she’s not his mother. Julian asks how she’d know, and Brad says, a DNA test? Julian says, run by who for what reason? Brad says Wiley could get sick, and Julian tells him, the odds are incredibly, insanely small. Lucas appears, and says, is that so?

Alexis tells Shiloh that he has quite a set-up. He says it does the job. Alexis asks what the job is, and Kristina says Shiloh has provided a place for friends and strangers to hang their hats. Alexis asks if he doesn’t charge, and Shiloh says they pay what they can, and make the rest up in service. Everyone works in the community, whether it’s in or out of their doors. He covers the day to day with course fees. He says it’s time to start. Alexis says Kristina didn’t mention there was a fee, but Kristina says it’s free for her. Alexis asks what the course is about, and Kristina says, don’t worry; it’s a good one. Shiloh thanks the group for joining him. He’s excited to be their guide for being one when you’re two: finding yourself in a relationship.

Shiloh guides Kristina and Alexis. He says they’re endlessly, boundlessly connected. It must be double adverb day. Alexis says she agreed to a self-improvement class, but she’s not talking about Julian. Kristina says, there are all kinds of relationships. Kristina was hoping to explore her relationship with Alexis. Alexis says it doesn’t have to be there, but Kristina says it hasn’t worked anywhere else. She thought Alexis would want to explore it too.

Lucas asks Julian what odds they’re discussing, and Julian says the odds of Lucas seeing him holding Wiley. He says Wiley was fussy, Brad took him out for a drive, and stopped for coffee. Julian was supposed to be at the book signing, and his plans changed. Lucas says, and here he is again, but Brad says, it just worked that way. Julian says Ava is lurking around with her boyfriend who used to be her shrink. Julian sees her, and tells Lucas that he knows Lucas can’t cut him some slack, but give his husband a break. Brad did nothing wrong. Julian goes over to Ava.

Valentin tells Peter that he needs a favor. A talented acquaintance has fallen on hard times, and they’d be a good fit at The Invader. Peter asks if his acquaintance has a r. Valentin says she’s known far and wide. It’s Obrecht.

Nina, Maxie, and Obrecht laugh over Nathan stories. Obrecht thinks they should put them in writing; a record of Nathan’s goodness. Nina says she is doing that, as a history for James to remember his father by. She’s not doing it alone. She asked around for stories, and the other day, got an email from someone who told her about a prank in college. Maxie says, stories they don’t know, and Obrecht says, stories they never will know. Nina says they’re not saying that man’s name today. It’s a celebration of Nathan. They’re not dwelling on the past. Obrecht looks at Maxie’s hand, and says she’s lost her wedding ring.

Jordan tells Chase, on one hand, all of the driver’s licenses are missing, and there’s the timing. Chase says that suggests a connection. She says, on the other hand, only two victims fit the pattern. There’s something missing. What kind of person knows three residents of Port Charles, and an LA producer? Chase says, an already established killer.

Elizabeth thanks Franco, gives him a kiss, and goes back to work. His phone rings. He says whatever it is, he didn’t do it. Jordan asks if he’ll meet her at the station anyway. She believes he might have information that could help solve Kiki’s murder. And the others.

Kristina says she’ll go first, and Shiloh tells Alexis to ask her what she wants from the relationship. Alexis asks, and Kristina says, to get along better. Shiloh says, ask again. Alexis does, and Kristina says, to communicate more. He says they’re hardly communicating. Now, ask again. Alexis asks, and Kristina says, not to fight so much. Shiloh asks why they’re fighting. What does she want? Dig deeper. He tells Alexis, ask again, but Alexis says he’s not giving Kristina a chance to answer. He says, ask again, so she does. Kristina says she wants Alexis’s respect. Shiloh says, now they’re getting somewhere.

Julian tells Ava that she can’t jog Lulu’s memory by hanging around. She says she wants to be there when Lulu remembers; he’d do same thing. Julian says avenging Kiki will eventually bite her in the ass, plus cost her the one daughter she has left. He says, for Avery’s sake, find something else to occupy her time. He asks if Doc didn’t want to whisk her away, but she says the timing wasn’t right. Julian is the one who sounds like he needs a vacation. Why doesn’t he take Kim and go? He says they’re not going anywhere. Not with each other anyway.

Kim tells Drew, it would be easier if Julian was a jerk, but he’s been great. Except for the cheating and abandoning. Drew sits down, yowls, and brings a knitting needle out from underneath him. She wondered where that went. She tells him she’s been torturing yarn. He wants to see what she made, and she shows him an infinity scarf, saying it’s hideous. It’s probably better than I’d do.

Peter says Valentin wants him to hire Obrecht? The woman who tortured him for a month, and left him to die in a burning stable? Valentin says he’d be in Peter’s debt, but Peter wonders why incur one from Obrecht? She must have leverage. Something that could take away what’s most important to him. Peter corrects himself, and adds, not what. Who.

Obrecht says Maxie lost her ring. Maxie says Obrecht doesn’t understand. She didn’t lose it. Obrecht says, she took it off?

Elizabeth reads from This Book is Gay, that the suicide rate is triple among gay teens. Lucas and Brad come by. Lucas asks if Elizabeth is okay, and she says she’s taking a break. She drops the book, and Lucas says he knows it. Someone gave it to his mom after he came out. She asks if it was helpful, and he says his mom thought so. Brad asks if one of Elizabeth’s patients is gay. She says, um… and he realizes it’s for her.

Franco arrives at station. Jordan tells him there have been new developments in a connection among the victims. Franco wondered what the TV guy had to do with the others. Jordan wonders if he can tell her. Franco says the way the bodies were arranged – and Chase says, it was artistic. Franco says that would be in the eye of the beholder, but they were dramatic. Franco can’t see what they have in common. Chase says they couldn’t either, but they came across this script. He hands it to Franco, and says the only thing they have in common is him. There’s a notation on the top page that says, talk to Franco.

Maxie says she felt it was time to put her ring away, and Nina says everyone grieves at their own pace in their own time. It’s time to move on. Obrecht doesn’t understand. Is she seeing someone? Maxie says, no; it’s too early. Obrecht says, in other words, yes. She asks if Nina knew, and Nina says she had an inkling. Obrecht wonders why Nina said nothing. Is this payback for trying to open her eyes about Sasha? Maxie wonders what she’s talking about, and Nina says she didn’t give Obrecht a job, and she made vague innuendos about her daughter. Maxie asks why Obrecht would want a job at Crimson, and Obrecht says she’d sooner drop dead than work for her capricious niece. Nina says if she wants to drop dead, go for it, and leaves the table.

Peter asks Valentin, how bad? So bad he lose Nina, Charlotte, or both? Valentin tells Peter not to concern himself with his family. Peter says someone is using leverage to force Valentin to do what he doesn’t want to. Valentin says apparently, he asked too much. Forget about it. Peter says, not likely.

Kim tells Drew that she made the scarf in the wee hours when she couldn’t sleep. They laugh about it, and Drew says it’s a nice change of pace. Kim asks if he ever feels guilty having good time; forgetting about things for the moment. He says, sometimes, but laughing about something is the closest feeling to hope.

Alexis asks how it was for Kristina. She says they’ve talked about potential, and the things that tie you down. She feels like a tie was cut. Alexis asks if she didn’t feel browbeaten, and Kristina says it’s rough being on the spot, but it helped. It bothers Alexis that Kristina thinks she doesn’t respect her. Kristina asks if Alexis thinks she has a perception problem, or she’s imagining it. Alexis says sometimes she gets upset that Kristina isn’t living the life she envisioned for her, and forgets Kristina’s life is hers. What Alexis wants is irrelevant, and it’s what Kristina wants that matters. Shiloh asks how it’s going, and Kristina thinks they achieved a measure of understanding. He asks if Alexis would care to do an examination. Alexis says, no, but thanks for asking. Kristina tells her, at least try. Does she have a relationship that needs work? Alexis says Kristina doesn’t know when to quit, does she?

Ava says Julian told Kim he slept with someone else, and broke up with her? How’s she taking it? He doubts it’s crossed mind. After they parted, Oscar’s prognosis came back. Ava says, and? Julian doesn’t say anything, and she says, that’s awful. He says at least she won’t have him distracting her, and Ava says, how thoughtful; denying Kim support in her hour of need. How selfless to abandon her. How did a man with such good intentions wind up being such an ass?

Kristina tells Alexis that they can work on any relationship she wants, as long as she wants to change it. Alexis says she’s not doing Julian. Kristina says he doesn’t have to know. Shiloh tells them, look your partner in the eye. See her. Let her see you. He tells Kristina to ask the question, and Kristina says, what do you want? Alexis says she doesn’t want a relationship with Julian, and Kristina asks why she still has one then. Why hasn’t she moved on? She hasn’t because she doesn’t want to yet. Kristina continues to ask what Alexis wants, and Alexis finally says she doesn’t want to talk or think about it. Kristina says, if it’s still in her head, it’s not finished. Alexis says what she wants is to be happy, to feel passion, and be in love. She wants to feel like she did with Julian before.

Julian asks Ava if she thinks he made a mistake. She says, yes. Kim is good for him, and he’s shown improvement. He has a real and lasting chance. If he wants to be worthy of his children, grandchildren – and Kim – do what he has to in order to make things right. She leaves.

Kim tells Drew, when she brought Oscar to Port Charles, she wanted him to connect with family. She never realized she’d land one in the process. She says Oscar should be home any minute. Drew doesn’t want Oscar to think they’re ganging up on him. Kim says she’ll talk to him in the morning.

Elizabeth tells Brad and Lucas about the kids bullying Aiden. Lucas says, that’s why they’re picking on him. Brad asks if Aiden has more female friends than male. Lucas asks if he doesn’t like sports, and likes things traditionally girly. Elizabeth says that describes Aiden. Lucas says the main prerequisite is, does he like boys? It took Lucas a long time. He sensed he felt different, but didn’t know for sure until puberty. Even though he was attracted to boys, he didn’t want to be. He played it straight until he couldn’t hide it anymore. Elizabeth asks if things got better after that. Brad says, the getting better part takes a while.

Franco tells Jordan that he has no idea where he was when the murders were committed, and doesn’t know what Peyton knows. Jordan asks why Peyton was keen on speaking to him, but he doesn’t know. Chase says, clearly, Peyton reached out. Franco says he doesn’t answer numbers he doesn’t recognize. They can check his phone records. Then, when they’re done, they can go catch this maniac before he kills someone else.

Nina is back home, and Valentin asks how her evening was. She says, okay; they were talking about Nathan. It helped, until they stopped taking about Nathan. That crashed and burned the evening. He asks, would she like a cocktail… ice cream… Paris? Cocktails and ice cream in Paris? She says there is something he can do. She could use some mother/daughter time. She wants Sasha to come visit.

Maxie takes the check, telling Obrecht, they’ll work things out. They always do. Obrecht says, now that they’re alone, tell her about the new man. Maxie says, it’s nothing. Just a flirtation. It will probably end before it goes anywhere. Obrecht asks who he is, but Maxie suggests they talk about careers. A job at Crimson? Obrecht thought a medical column. Her readers have questions, and she can give honest and innovative solutions, without a medical board to answer to. Maxie thinks Obrecht needs a niche audience. She needs an outlet with expanded access. Obrecht says she wants to share her views and experiences. Maxie thinks she knows just the place. Peter walks in.

Kim straightens up. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Julian. He says, I love you. On New Year’s Eve, when he told her that he slept with someone else, and let her think it was Alexis, there wasn’t anybody else. He made it up because he’s an idiot. He needed to tell her the truth. There’s nobody else. Only her. He walks into the apartment, and says he was jealous. He saw her and Drew kissing, but he also convinced himself that she and Oscar would be better off without him. So he told her something to make her glad to get rid of him. He’s so sorry. He wishes he could take it back. The truth is, he loves her. She made him a better person, and he owed it to the both of them to tell the truth. Now that she knows, she can do or not do what she wants with it. Kim looks confused, and maybe a little panicked.

Alexis says she has to go, but Kristina say they just had a breakthrough. She should stay, and face her darkest fears. She’s sure the process works for a lot of people. Kristina says it works for her daughter, and Alexis says she appreciates that. She loves Kristina, and is proud of her. She does respect Kristina, and asks her to remember that when she gives her cause to forget. Kristina wants to talk about their relationship. Alexis says they will, but not here, and not now. It’s not for her. She leaves the house.

Elizabeth asks, what does she do? Aiden is going through a tough time. Franco thinks maybe they should bring it up themselves. Lucas says it sounds like they’re on top of it. His parents weren’t. He tells her, create a safe environment, so he’ll speak when he’s ready. Brad suggests she invite them over for dinner. Lucas thinks that’s a good idea. Let Aiden see her gay friends, and see they accept people for who they are, not just him. Her friends and family have her back. Lucas hugs her, saying, so does Franco. She’s got this.

Chase tells Jordan that Peyton called Franco, but he didn’t pick up. Jordan thanks Franco for his time. Franco asks if they’re done, and she says, for now. He says, next time she wants to question him, she can talk to his lawyer. He leaves, and Chase says, fun guy. With his history, no wonder she wants to nail down his whereabouts during the other murders. Jordan says during his last brush with the law, Jim Harvey was shot. She says he’s one of Doc’s patients, and wonders if Franco is still seeing him. Chase says Doc can’t discuss what Franco tells him, but Jordan says he can if it’s possible he committed a crime. Chase wonders, if that was the case, why Doc wouldn’t have come forward. Jordan tells him to set up a meeting. If anyone knows whether Franco is capable of murder, it would be his psychiatrist. Please. Don’t tell me Ryan is going to try and pin the murders on Franco and leave town. I can’t stand it.

Tomorrow, Ava asks Olivia to work her magic, Carly asks Kim if Drew was there, and Lulu screams no, no, no!

🎤 Goodbye to James Ingram…

Another GH alum.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-baby-come-to-me-james-ingram-dead-169441

👜 🔪 Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry was the setting for Top Chef this week. For the Quickfire Challenge, the chefs had to make a dish for a Grammy winning country star, using riders – basically preference sheets – that indicate what the star and their staff would like foodwise. The star’s name wasn’t revealed until after the dishes were complete, It was singer Hunter Hayes, whose music I have no clue about, but he used terms like flavor profile, so it seems he’s no stranger to the culinary arts. Adrienne wasn’t well, but won the challenge anyway, enticing Hunter with red meat. For her efforts, she received an extra hour to complete the next challenge. The Elimination Challenge had the chefs creating a dish based on a music memory. The judges were the people responsible for the Music City Food and Wine Festival, and included the lead singer from Kings of Leon. His wife, model Lily Aldridge, was also at the dinner. I knew who she was right away, since she was on an episode of 2 Broke Girls. My reference point for too many things. Justin dropped a plate, so wasn’t eligible to win. Tom said we learn a lot about ourselves with cooking. I’ve learned that when I want to eat, it’s quicker and less labor intensive to use the microwave. Michelle won the challenge, but I wasn’t sure if she was getting a bit of a sympathy vote, since she talked about her father’s suicide and everyone cried. David had to pack his knives and go, because his dish was overly salty, and they didn’t even know what was going on with it. It involved puffed rice, which rubbed the judges the wrong way. David was proud of his performance, and hoped to set a good example for his son. The show was dedicated to Fatima Ali, a Top Chef contestant who recently passed away. Next time, chefs in a gymnasium, and a conflict over boxed waffles.

😔 You can read about Fatima here:

https://www.eonline.com/news/1010563/how-top-chef-honored-fatima-ali-after-her-death

😵 Jeff Flips Again…

Nothing but sad news from this guy lately. Hate to say it, Jeff, but you’re the common denominator.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/01/flipping-out-jeff-lewis-gage-edward-split-move-out/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

👶 Something You Didn’t Realize You Needed to Know…

Because you don’t. Behold Andy’s baby shower drama.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/01/danielle-staub-invited-to-andy-cohen-baby-shower-after-snub/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🚤 In Case Anyone Cares…

Summer House will be returning on Monday, March 4th, at 10 pm.

💃 Are You?

January 9, 2019 – Margaux Visits Lulu, Hell in Allentown, a Turkish Engagement, an Interesting Combo, a Wives Listing, Some Sweet & Some Thoughts

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Alexis says an explanation of Cameron’s motives may or may not play with the judge. She’s hoping for one who has a soft heart. Judge Carson can be a bit of a hardnose. The bailiff tells everyone to rise. Presiding today, is the honorable Naomi Carson. The court comes to order.

At The Floating Rib, Laura thanks Carly and Sam for coming. She knows their family must have divided loyalties. Sam says Ned has done a great job, but the city isn’t a business. Carly says, Port Charles isn’t a building project; it’s a community, and Laura should run it. If nothing else, Laura hopes she’s made the public aware of some important issues. At the end of the day, it’s all they can hope.

Still looking through files, Curtis tells Jordan, this is some messed up stuff. It just keeps getting darker. He thinks Ryan did the world a favor by incinerating himself. Margaux walks in, and asks if there’s been any progress. She asks to talk to Jordan in her office, and Jordan wonders if she has a problem with Curtis being there. Margaux says she’s not comfortable with the PCPD bringing in a PI. Curtis offers to leave, but Jordan wants him to stay, saying they’ve realized the killer might be taking cues from Ryan Chamberlain. Margaux asks what kind, and Jordan says, the kind not available to the general public. They might have access to police files.

Olivia tells Ned, it’s easier to come in and criticize after the fact than roll up your sleeves and rebuild after an earthquake. She thinks people should be more appreciative of what he put in. He says, no matter what, he’s proud of what they’ve accomplished. Even when things went south after the earthquake, he had the best first lady. She says, the mayor wasn’t shabby either. He tells her that their interview with Lulu is about to start.

They put on the TV, and Lulu thanks them for inviting her into their home. By the time this airs, the campaign will be over, and people will be casting ballots. She asks how they feel. Olivia says she’s exhausted from the campaign trail, but excited for the future. Lulu asks, what about hopeful for a win?

Sonny drops by Lulu’s place. He was in the neighborhood, and wanted to check on her and the kids. She tells him that Charlotte is at Valentin’s this week, and Rocco is at the Quartermaine’s. Sonny says their family must be conflicted over the campaign. Lulu says she supports her mother, but her son is having a sleepover at her opponent’s house. Sonny is there to talk about a certain someone who’s off undercover. Does she know when Dante is coming home?

Laura thanks Mac for playing host. He says he’s happy to support her in any way possible, but wishes Doc was there to do the same. He supported her at the town meeting; he was warm and sincere. Maybe it’s a sign he’s coming around. She says she appreciates Doc’s support, but he doesn’t want to reconcile.

Carly can’t stop thinking about Oscar, and Sam can’t stop thinking about Drew. Scout will never know her brother; only through pictures and stories. She says Carly must be proud of Josslyn. It must be hard on her, but she wouldn’t be surprised if Josslyn found a cure or a miracle. Carly says, Josslyn is in denial. She can’t let herself believe she’s going to lose Oscar. She’s a fighter, and her first instinct is to take action and find a solution. Sam says, like her mother, and Carly adds, and her father. But soon she’ll have to face reality. Oscar will die, and she’ll be left to grieve. Sam is sorry, and Carly says she’s sorry too, and furious there’s no one to blame.

Margaux asks on what basis do they think the killer is mimicking the Chamberlain murders? Curtis tells her the driver’s license is missing from the victims; the same as in the other murders. Margaux says that information was never relayed, and Jordan says there aren’t any notations. It’s possible it wasn’t noticed until they made the connection. They were looking at the catalog of the victims’ personal effects. Curtis adds that they cross-checked it will all the victims’ files. They were all without driver’s licenses. Margaux says they never realized there was a pattern, and Jordan says there’s no way to know for sure unless they talk to Sean Donnelly. He was commissioner at the time. She gets out her phone, and asks for his number. She says she knows he lives overseas.

Sonny tells Lulu, dealing with his dad puts things in perspective. He doesn’t want to miss another holiday with Dante. Lulu says she heard from Dante on New Year’s Eve. He sends his love, but there were no details. He said he’d be out of touch for a while, so she got the impression that he’s going further undercover. Sonny asks if she told him what was going on, but she says she skipped that there’s a serial killer on the loose. Sonny tells her he has people watching her house, and she says she noticed. He says he can send a driver too, but she doesn’t want to be tripping over bodyguards. She told Dante everyone is okay, and work is keeping her busy. Telling him about the killer would worry him for no reason.

Olivia tells Ned the exit polls are neck and neck. She asks if he’s concerned about a repeat of the eleventh hour derailment of Alexis’s campaign. He says he and Laura kept their pledge; it was fair and square. They have a difference of opinion on some issues, but they both have mutual respect for the process, and a deep commitment to Port Charles. If he wins, he’ll do his best, and if Laura wins, he’ll support her. Olivia says, it’s possible to disagree and still respect someone as a person. She’s proud of how they both restored integrity to the politics of Port Charles. Ned tells Olivia that she’s been fantastic, and she says, so was he.

Alexis tells Judge Carson that her client is only sixteen-year-old. It’s his first offense, and has no record. It could be categorized as an error in judgement. Should it be used against him for the rest of his life? Judge Carson says the dealer is also a minor, and got twelve months in juvenile detention. Why should Cameron get a pass? Alexis says Cameron wrote a letter to the court, and asks if he can be allowed to read it. The judge agrees.

Cameron apologizes to the court and his fellow citizens for the mistake he made. He knew he was breaking the law, but did it anyway. He regrets it, and it won’t happen again. He’s not saying he won’t mess up – everyone does – but in the future, it won’t be illegal. He promises to learn from this experience, and be a better person. Alexis says, in light of Cameron’s sincere apology, she asks for an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. Elizabeth asks to speak, and the judge allows it. She says she’s proud of her son for taking responsibility, but his apology is incomplete, and the court should know why he did what he did.

Sonny’s heart goes out to Lulu, waiting for Dante, and raising the kids on her own. He tells her that he’s always there to support her. She says she knows, but it’s nice to hear it. He has to meet Carly at her mom’s party, and Lulu says she’ll be following right behind. She just has a little work on an article to finish up. Sonny says he has a simple request. Don’t be afraid to kick Dante in the butt. The next time she talks to him, tell him time to come home.

On the phone, Jordan says to send her regards to the commissioner from his PCPD family. She tells Curtis and Margaux, sad news. She spoke to Tiffany, and Sean is having trouble recalling what month it is, so he’s out of the picture. Margaux says, it’s a dead end. Jordan says, maybe not. There’s someone who still lives in Port Charles who’s closely involved with a woman Ryan was obsessed with.

Carly tells Sam that she doesn’t know what she’d have done in Kim’s place. She hopes she never finds out, but keeping Oscar’s diagnosis a secret affected a lot of people. Sam says, including Josslyn. Carly says when she looked in Josslyn’s eyes, she saw a girl who’s strong, resolute, and haunted. She’s way too young to look like that.

Mac says, the exit polls are too close to call. It could go either way. Laura takes comfort in knowing she’s running against Ned. If he wins, she won’t be horribly upset. They disagree on certain things, but she respects him. Mac says that’s exactly why she should be mayor; she’s a fundamentally fair person. Carly asks Mac for more beers, and asks Laura how she’s holding up. Laura says she’s more nervous than she cares to admit. Carly says she ran a great campaign, and she loved Laura’s platform, especially holding Ferncliff accountable. Laura tells her that Doc reminded her Ferncliff is for the criminally dangerous, and to proceed with caution. He said he’d keep an eye on Ferncliff. Carly asks if she believes him, and Laura says, yes; doesn’t she? Carly says, no.

Carly asks Laura if she remembers how she kept asking about a patient when they toured Ferncliff. She had a friend look into it, and they said the patient’s name was Wilson. Laura says, first or last? Carly says she didn’t know, but Doc said he’d check it out. He told her the patient’s name is Wilson Ritter, and he has a history of violence. She researched him, and came up with nothing. As far as she can see, he doesn’t exist. Laura wonders, if he’s as notorious as Doc said, is it possible he was admitted under an alias? Carly never thought of that. Sam joins them, and Carly tells her the patient at Ferncliff may or may not be Wilson Ritter. Curtis and Jordan come in. Sam thought Jordan can’t take sides, and Jordan wishes Laura luck, but says she’s not here for the election. She came to speak to Mac.

Mac tells Jordan that he’s current on his liquor license. Curtis asks if he can spare a few minutes, and they sit at a table. Sam wonders what that’s about. Carly asks if Curtis isn’t her business partner, but all Sam knows is that he’s working with the PCPD. It’s all hands on deck to find the killer. Carly says after Laura wins, she highly recommends the DA be fired.

Margaux shows up at Lulu’s house, wanting to ask a few questions. She promises not to ask about family secrets. She tells Lulu that her house is nice and homey. You’d never know Lulu was sitting on privileged information about a serial killer.

Ned channel surfs. He says it’s an hour before the last precinct reports. Olivia can’t believe he’s not monitoring the returns. He says he can’t sit there cheering every uptake, and agonizing over every loss. It’s out of his hands, and he doesn’t have to torture himself. Olivia asks if he thinks he can distract himself by binge watching. He asks if she’s willing to try with him, and she says she’s in it all the way.

Elizabeth tells the judge that Cameron didn’t do it for himself, but for a sick friend. She knows it’s an obvious excuse, but it’s the truth. Cameron’s friend has a serious form of cancer. Elizabeth is a nurse, and sees the ravages of cancer every day. His friend was constantly nauseous, and had no appetite. Cameron wanted to help by making brownies. He knows it was a bad judgement call, but his motives were good. He was trying to help a friend. Judge Carson asks if Cameron is a nurse or doctor. Alexis tries to interject, but the judge says she’s asking Cameron a question. Cameron says he’s neither one of those things. Judge Carson says, yet he thought it was appropriate to intervene. How did he know if he would make it better or worse? Drew has walked in, and asks if he can field that question. The judge asks who he is, and he says his son is the young man Cameron was trying to help. His son is Oscar Nero, and Oscar’s mom is Kim Nero, a doctor at General Hospital. She couldn’t be there, but if she could, she’d attest to Cameron’s character. He’s a good friend. Judge Carson says, no one is questioning him being a friend, but questioning his judgement and actions. Drew says Oscar was a friend in need, and you don’t abandon a friend who’s suffering, walking into a bright future and leaving them behind. Cameron didn’t stop to think if he’d get in trouble or if it would affect his ability to get into college. He didn’t just say the appropriate words about thoughts and prayers; he did something. He took action. In Drew’s eyes, he’s a hero. The judge says it’s a very emotional case, but it’s her job to separate emotion from the law. The court is in recess. Elizabeth thanks Drew, and hugs him.

Olivia turns off the TV. She wants to take this time to talk with Ned. She says he campaigned hard, and she still believes he’d be the best mayor. He thanks her, but she says, here’s the thing. In her heart of hearts, she’s not sure she wants him to win.

Lulu tells Margaux that she’s a Journalist. If she comes across information the public should know, she writes about it. It’s literally her job. Margaux says what gives her pause is how Lulu acquired specific police files on Ryan Chamberlain. Lulu says Peter requested she have access for a background on the series she’s writing, and the PCPD cleared it. Margaux asks if she shared it with anyone, and Lulu says, with her readers, and the cases were all closed. She wonders what the problem is, and wants to record the conversation. Margaux tells her, don’t. What she’s about to tell her is strictly off the record. Lulu doesn’t think that’s fair, but Margaux doesn’t care. What she says stays there. People’s lives are at risk.

Curtis tells Max that they’ve combed the lists of the victims’ possessions. Jordan says, none of them had a driver’s license, and Curtis says, it’s the same with Mary Pat, Kiki, and Peyton. He knows Mac was close to the case. He asks if Mac ever discussed it with the police, and Mac says he would have, if they’d all worked together. Sean would have told him anything. Curtis asks if there’s anything else he can tell them, and Mac says he can tell them about Felicia’s fear, and now someone is copying Ryan. Jordan says they have no reason to suspect Felicia is in danger. A more accurate picture of Ryan’s behavior might help. Mac thinks he knows someone who’s able to help. He hopes it’s not too late. I’m not sure what he means by this. Is he talking about the hour, or as in, oh no, it’s too late?

Sonny tells Laura to have her acceptance speech ready, and asks for a minute. He says it looks like it’s going her way. She’s going to be pressured to distance herself from him, and he’s okay with that. Laura says she’s not. He tells her that he knows she’ll do good, but not if she gets hung up on corruption charges. Laura says she’s known him a long time. It’s a little late to pretend they don’t know each other. He doesn’t want their association to cause her trouble. She says she has nothing to hide – including her friendship with him

Sam asks Carly to say her goodbyes. Carly says tell Jason she said hi.

Mac tells Curtis and Jordan that he has a contact at Pentonville who’s worked there forever. He was hoping to get information on Ryan, but no such luck. He was in isolation, and his contact with other inmates was minimal. He was a snob, and felt they weren’t wroth his trust or attention. Mac wishes he had more. If the killer is copying Ryan, he’s going to be hard to catch, and they’ll need all the help they can get.

Margaux tells Lulu that they have reason to believe the killer might been emulating Ryan, and used info contained in the police files. Lulu asks what kind? but Margaux says she’s asking the questions. When Lulu was doing research, did anything jump out linking the murders, other than Ryan? Lulu says if she’s asking if Ryan put a signature stamp on his crimes, she didn’t notice anything. She says there must have been something if they think this is a copycat. Let her write about it. Margaux says, nice try. Lulu says she could make the killer panic. They’ll slip up, and get caught. Margaux suggests Lulu forget they had this conversation; it’s safer that way. Margaux leaves, and Lulu gets on her laptop. She looks up the files on Ryan.

Ned asks if Olivia thinks Laura will make a better mayor, but she says she thinks he’s spectacular. He wonders why the eleventh-hour change of heart. She says there’s a serial killer who loves public spectacle. Election day is perfect for a public murder, and she doesn’t want him targeted next. He tells her he’s safer than most people. He lives in a huge house with security gates and surveillance cameras; he’s safe. Olivia says, maybe she’s over-exaggerating (isn’t that redundant?) the danger, but maybe it’s a convenient excuse to quit while they’re ahead.

The hearing is back in session. The judge has reached a decision, and says she’s agreed to an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal for twelve months. There will also be appropriate community service and drug counseling. Cameron has a year to prove himself, providing she doesn’t see him in her courtroom again. After that time, the charges will be dropped. The hearing is over, and Cameron asks Elizabeth if he’s on probation for a year.

Elizabeth thanks Alexis. Alexis says she and Drew did the important work. Cameron says, not all of it. He appreciates what Alexis did for him. Alexis says he did it himself. He was very persuasive while under pressure. Franco asks how it feels. Cameron says he won’t lie. Community service and drug counseling are kind of a bummer, but if it keeps him out of juvie and clears his record, he’s all for it. Elizabeth tells him that he’s getting a job to help with legal fees. Franco laughs, and Elizabeth says, Alexis isn’t cheap. Drew tells Cameron to stop by his office. He’ll try to find him a job. Cameron doesn’t know how to thank him, and Drew says he doesn’t have to. Just keep being a good friend to his son. Cameron says maybe the three of them can go hiking, now that Oscar is getting better. Drew says, that would be great, and congratulates him.

Sonny tells Carly it was nice to see Sam. Is there anything he should know? She says Sam is spending time with Jason. Laura tells them, thanks for coming out. They can stay, but if she was them, she’d get out while the getting’s good. Carly knows Laura is going through a difficult time, but she stepped up.  Like everyone else who voted for her, Carly is grateful.

Jordan says the police never made a connection, and Mac says, Lulu never picked up on it. Jordan is no longer sure the killer had access to the police files; it could be a coincidence. Mac says, two killers with the same taste in trophies?

Lulu looks at the victim files, and compares them to Ryan’s.

Olivia tells Ned that she enjoyed being First Lady, but it’s a lot of work, being out, smiling, watching every tweet and word. Living in fishbowl is only suitable for fish, not humans. Ned misses his privacy too, but believes in what they set out to do. So does she. She’s sorry she’s whining, but she’s over it. Public service is hard, but important and worth it. She’s with him all the way. They kiss.

Alexis runs in to The Floating Rib, telling Laura that she just made it to vote. Laura says, every vote counts, especially now. Alexis has a good feeling. She thinks Laura will win. Laura says they’ll find out soon. Everyone looks at the TV.

Tomorrow, nothing would make Finn happier, the voters have spoken, and Mac tells not-Doc that something has to stay between them.

🍕 Tonight’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back featured Shanty on 19th in Allentown, PA. Gordon said it was living up to its name. He disguised himself as a member of the local hockey team, and dined on not-fresh but frozen scallops, sour shrimp, and burnt scallops masquerading as blackened. Hell on Wheels showed everyone such hilarities as the owner’s father spitting in the food – possibly the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen on one of Gordon’s shows; and that’s saying a lot – a filthy kitchen, moldy food, sending out raw fries – a big no-no; raw potatoes can make you sick – the owner drinking on the job, and the employees screaming at one another within earshot of the patrons. Chef Kennedy said she wasn’t allowed to make changes, and owner Joe bought cheap stuff, but expected her to make miracles with it. She reminded me of Kim Zolciak’s Chef Tracey, and another one of the kitchen staff looked just like Jesse (Jesse Borrego) from Fame. Joe Sr. said Joe Jr. had a problem delegating authority, which prompted Gordon to say he didn’t have a problem delegating alcohol. BA-DUM-CHH! Joe Sr got the boot almost immediately, after smirking his way through watching his gross behavior on film. Gordon said it was the most dramatic 24 hours yet (yeah, yeah), with an owner who was drinking himself into oblivion and a disempowered chef. He hoped they stayed on point. He said the chef was a delight, and it was the toughest, but most rewarding of his makeovers. We saw a clip of Joe and the restaurant three months in, and he said they were doing fantastic. They learned to communicate, and he’s had to hire more staff because they have so much business. His wife commented on how Gordon fixed their marriage as well, because he is literally all things to all people, and the hardest working man in show business, next to Tyler Perry. Next time, a restaurant in Waterbury, CT, where the owner is exploiting his mother, and a chef is driven to the brink.

🍰 Not a lot happened on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Probably because there were two events that held no drama. Jennifer was disappointed that her husband don’t care about article Jackie wrote, referring to their kids. We got advice from Frank – don’t buy boats. Jackie told Teresa that she’s a grown woman, and Teresa’s behavior at Marge’s wasn’t acceptable. Teresa insisted Jackie came at her first, which is her M.O., and no one else has thrown the situation in her face. We found out that Jackie’s dad did six months away, and both of her parents were on house arrest for IRS fraud. She thought it was amusing. She promised never to bring Juicy Joe up again. Teresa made peace, but in her interview, said, strike two. Frank is helping Teresa with her last three weeks before the fitness competition. He told her to lose twelve more pounds. I guess she’ll have to live on air. Normally, I would be pissed that anyone would tell a woman something like that, especially when it looks like she doesn’t have an ounce of body fat already, but bodybuilders are nuts, and she’s competing, so…  Marge had everyone over – sans Jennifer and Danielle – to her unfinished house, which still looked fabulous. She and Danielle are on the outs after Danielle’s wedding antics. Marge is done, and doesn’t want to have the same fight again. Dolores set up a day of pampering for the ladies from the shelter, and Marge contributed gift baskets. It got me thinking if this was a good or bad thing. Do they suddenly know what they’re missing and life is more of a bummer, or does it give them a goal? Either way, it was definitely a lovely gesture. The other occasion was the promise of engagement party for Jennifer’s brother. Everyone in the family is thrilled, since he’s forty-five, and they were giving up hope. The party was in Turkey, and I always love the traditional family stuff, like on Shahs of Sunset. I also love traveling without leaving my house. Both Jennifer’s and Delores’s spreads were incredible. Jennifer got pissed all over again about the article, and said Jackie has it coming. Next time, we’ll see what comes Jackie’s way, and Marge says she can’t associate with Danielle. Speaking of which…

👯 As Andy Cohen put it, the combo you didn’t know you needed, Danielle Staub and Lindsay Lohan on Watch What Happens Live. Lindsay looked glamorous, like a bombshell babe from the 40s, but Danielle’s face looked… not real. I’m not sure if it was too much Botox and fillers, or the makeup, or a combination of both, but I wasn’t loving the look. A scene from The Parent Trap with Andy and Lindsay on Clubhouse Playhouse was just embarrassing. And not for Lindsay. She also did not plead The Fifth, and according to her, has not even met Jax, much less hooked up with him.

💸 Dorit and PK (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) will be clients on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles. Should be interesting. Those two are a trip. I wonder if Boy George will make an appearance.

🐮 Sweet Home is now on Wednesdays at 10 pm. I hope it does well in this slot, but I assume anything does better when not in the Friday night death knell spot. I’m loving this show just as much as I did their original Sweet Home Oklahoma. Tubbers, Pumps, and man-bunned Josh are still just as much a part of it, and that’s all that matters. A nice addition has been the street interviews with Oklahomans, asking about everything from drag queens to current events. This show is prime.

💭 Midweek Thoughts…

Talk amongst yourselves.

loaf

midweekkitty2

midweekadult (2)

midweekbaby

 

 

 

December 26, 2018 – Laura Gets Some Intel, Tradition, NJ Rerun, What’s On, GH Party, Marty Blames Bravo, Knew It, Horrible Horrible News, a Song & a Grinch

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

🎄 Hope everyone had themselves a merry little Christmas! Moving on…

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt, Laura looks at her wedding ring set and remembers getting married to real Doc, saying she’d love him every day for the rest of her life. Carly sits with her, and says she’s been there, and it’s nothing Laura did or didn’t do. Doc can’t be in right mind if he gave her up for Ava. Laura says that’s what she’s afraid of.

At Ferncliff, Not-Doc/Ryan wakes straitjacketed, real Doc up. He says sorry it’s been so long since his last visit, but he brings great tidings of joy.

Julian chats with Leo at Charlie’s. Olivia comes in, and Leo tells her about the family of snow people they made. Julian thanks her for letting Leo visit; he needed it. She says she figured that, and Julian thanks Leo for today.

Oscar looks at something on his laptop with Kim and Drew. Josslyn comes in, and Oscar’s parents jet for coffee. Oscar shows Josslyn the laptop, and says it’s not his car, but looks like it. Outside in the hallway, Kim tells Drew that she’s glad Oscar fell in love when he was well. Josslyn gives Oscar a Christmas gift.

At the prison, Nelle tells a guard that she doesn’t have a doctor, as she’s led to the visitor room. Obrecht is there, and says she does. Consider it a long overdue post-natal checkup.

Michael sees Willow at the hospital. She asks if he made it back to his parents’ house after the meeting. He says he did, and it was a fun holiday; what about her? She says it was better than expected. The meeting helped. He says speaking about her son was a big step. She tells him it felt good, saying her dreams for him out loud. She just wishes she could have made them come true.

Ava takes little pink mittens out of a box at Kiki’s apartment. Griff and Anna walk in. She asks what they want, and Anna wonders if they can help. Ava tells them that she read about a woman whose husband died in their apartment. She left a book he’d been reading open to what he’d last read, and called it an act of wishful thinking. Leaving it as it was when he died would keep him alive for her. She’d thought it was ridiculous, and that the woman was weak, but now she prays the same prayers. She tells Griff that prayers only work for the faithful, so it leaves them out of luck.

Michael tells Willow that he’s glad he went to the meeting. It was helpful to be around other people who lost a child. She tells him, be honest. He saw her, and felt bad. He says she was a deciding factor. Because of one terrible thing, they understand each other. She tells him that her pregnancy was a surprise, and she’d wondered what kind of life she and her baby would have. Michael doesn’t know if he’ll ever stop imagining what it would have been like to see his son grow up.

Nelle asks if Obrecht isn’t a fugitive. Obrecht says she had an unfortunate misunderstanding with law enforcement, but it’s been cleared up. Funny how life works. One minute, she was on her way to prison, and the next minute, delivering Nelle’s baby in the middle of nowhere. Now, Nelle is in prison, and she’s asking herself, where is that beautiful baby boy?

Doc asks where Laura is, and Ryan says he’ll get to it, but wants to share his news. He’s totally pulling this off. He tells Doc that he must be one heck of a shrink. His patients know how he’ll respond. Doc says Ryan is in no position to treat patients, and Ryan says, neither is he. Doc asks what he’s done with Laura, and Ryan says he’s been nothing but a gentleman. She’s lovely, but too staid for his taste. He had to put distance between them, but once the divorce is final, he won’t have to worry about that. Doc says, he’s divorcing Laura?

Laura tells Carly that she can’t help but be concerned about Doc’s mental health. Carly says, put in perspective, he seems distracted and detached. He blew her off when she wanted an appointment to talk about the anniversary of Morgan’s death. Laura says, that’s not like him. So many things aren’t like him. A few years after Ryan ‘s death, he had a psychotic breakdown, confusing his identity with his brother’s. The way he’s been acting, she’s afraid he’s headed for another breakdown. Carly says that would explain his odd behavior, but not his romantic interest in Ava. Is it possible Laura is looking for a reason to believe he doesn’t really want a divorce?

Ryan tells Doc that Laura had trouble accepting the end of their marriage. He hopes she makes peace with it, so he doesn’t have to employ other means of problem solving. Doc tells him, leave her alone, and Ryan says that’s what he’s trying to do. He tells Doc, she’s safe, but there’s only so much he can take. He’s already had to dispense two problems, and he’s hoping there’s not a third. Doc says, he didn’t kill anyone, did he? and asks if Felicia is okay. Ryan says, she’s fine. He’s not into her at all, but to answer his question, yes; twice. He’s murdered two people. Doc tried to fix him, but he’s not broken. This is just who he is. Doc tries to lunge at Ryan. Ryan tells him to be careful; he might hurt himself. As much as he enjoys the irony, Ryan needs him healthy and lucid. There are gaps in his knowledge of Doc’s life that he needs to fill. Doc says he won’t help, but Ryan says he will. Laura’s life depends on it.

Oscar opens Josslyn’s gift. It’s a five-year planner. She tells him to open it. He reads. January 1 – ring in the new year with Joss; January 11 – bake cookies with Joss; February 9 – take Joss on a hike; February 14 – watch Valentine’s Day movies and bake truffles with Joss. He asks if she did this for the whole year, and she says, just the first year. The rest, they’re going to plan together.

Lulu gives Laura a belated birthday gift from her, and handmade cards from the kids. The gift is a gorgeous opal necklace, and Laura loves it. Lulu says they love her. She knows it’s been hard dealing with Doc, and wants Laura to know how special she is her and the kids, Spencer included. Laura tells her, it means so much. A year ago, she and Doc were in love and happy. Now, they’re unrecognizable. She can’t fathom what happened to get them there. Lulu thinks, it begins and ends with an A. Laura knows that’s a factor, but they both insist they didn’t start seeing each other until after she and Doc separated. It’s something else that she hasn’t figured out yet.

Anna tells Ava that Kiki wouldn’t want to tear them apart. Ava says, probably not, but she’s dead, so she doesn’t call the shots. Anna suggests Ava use a service to pack up, but Ava says, no one is touching her daughter’s things. Anna says they’ll leave her then. Griff says he’d like to have something of hers, because he can’t read social cues, and doesn’t get that this is probably a bad time to ask. Ava tells him that he’s already had plenty. He didn’t kill Kiki, but took her just the same. Anna wants go, and Ava dares Griff to stay and watch her put evert bit of Kiki in boxes. She asks how it feels, being left emptyhanded. The same way she was when Griff stole Kiki away.

Anna tells Ava that they understand she’s in pain, but it doesn’t give her license to attack Griff. Griff says they’re both grieving, but Ava says his grief doesn’t compare. She asks if he knows what grief looks like. Kiki saved every bit of her childhood; every scrap. She pulls out a homemade card with a child’s handprint on it, and reads, for Mommy, who holds my hand when I’m afraid. She says, report cards, birthday cards, Kiki saved every card Ava gave her. She was going to make a collage one day. One day. She says all of the Kikis she knew and loved are there. The three-year-old ballet dancer; the six-year-old who loved roller coasters she was too small to ride; a short story she wrote when she was ten; a hat she tried to knit. Ava didn’t just bury one child, but all the little girls Kiki was while growing up. Anna asks if there’s someone they can call, but suddenly there, not-Doc says, that’s all right; he’s there. Ava cries, and he holds her. Griff wipes a tear from his eye.

Laura asks Lulu how she got her hands on such privileged information. Lulu says she was dropping off a care package to Dante ‘s partner. Laura says, and she just happened to see Mary Pat’s file? Lulu says, no. She was looking at Kiki’s file, where they’d noted similarities in the two killings, and suspected a pattern. Laura asks if they think it might be one killer. Lulu says in both cases, the body was moved, and found at a party or event, and they were both killed with a knife. Carly has been eavesdropping, and says she’s sorry to interrupt, but is Lulu saying the police are investigating a serial killer?

Oscar tells Josslyn, it’s hard to believe how different everything was last Christmas. They found his mother’s CD, and the letter. He didn’t even know Drew was his dad. Josslyn says it seems like Drew’s been his dad longer than a year. She asks if he wishes his parents were back together, and he says, it seems dumb, but yeah. She says, it’s not dumb, but he says he sounds like a little kid. It would make him feel better about everything if his dad was looking after his mom, but she still has Julian. Josslyn tells him, like he said, a lot can change in year.

Kim tells Drew that she’s praying the treatment works, but wondering what happens if it’s not reducing the tumor. Drew says they’ll just have to find a way to squeeze the world into the time they have left with him.

Willow tells Michael that she got to hold her son for a while. His weight and warmth helped; he was so perfect and fragile. She knew she had to give him up, but couldn’t let go. She eventually asked the nurse to take him, and her arms felt so empty afterward. At night, she has dreams of holding him again. Michael does that too. Dreams that Jonah is alive, and he’s holding him. When he wakes up and remembers, like she said, his arms feel empty.

Nelle tells Obrecht she had her baby alone, and it didn’t survive. Obrecht says he was born strong and vital. If he was an actor, she’d have given him a ten. Trauma didn’t kill him. Maybe Nelle did. Nelle says everything she did was to protect him and give him life, and Obrecht wonders why it doesn’t sound like he’s dead now. Nelle says she still feels him with her. She’s still in morning. Why is Obrecht mocking her grief? Obrecht says, while they’re on the subject, Maxie told her that Michael is devastated. She can only imagine his gratitude if he were to learn the truth.

Ava tells not-Doc that she needs to go through everything, and he says, she shall, but not everything needs to be done today. Anna says they came to help, but not-Doc doesn’t know how much help Griff can be. Me neither, and I actually think them showing up is rather insensitive. He says Ava can look through everything at home, and picks up the box, telling Anna and Griff to lock up when they leave. When they’re gone, Anna tells Griff not to let Ava’s anger and bitterness affect him. it’s the last thing Kiki would want.

Kim and Drew go back to Oscar’s room. Drew asks where Josslyn is, and Oscar says she took off on an errand. He tells them to check out his planner.

Josslyn goes to Charlie’s. Julian asks if Oscar is okay, and she says he’s doing good today. He says he was planning on stopping by later with a sandwich, and he wants to be there for Kim as well. Josslyn says, the best way to help Kim is to help Oscar. He asks if she has any idea how he can do that, and she says, give up Kim.

Laura asks Lulu how closely the police have linked the murders, but she only knows it’s being investigated, and has no specifics. Carly says she was framed for Mary Pat’s murder, and Griff was framed for Kiki’s. What if part of the pattern is the killer framing obvious suspects? Lulu didn’t think of that. Carly says there’s a strong possibility the killer isn’t finished, and will target someone else. Why haven’t the police said anything? Ned walks in, and Laura says, maybe the mayor can enlighten them.

Nelle tells Obrecht that Michael won’t listen to her. Obrecht says Nelle framed his mother for pushing her down the stairs. It’s not a stretch. And she doesn’t need to convince him; only suggest a DNA test on the deceased child. Nelle says Michael isn’t worthy of her son. He wanted to steal her baby, and let his bitch of a mother raise him. Carly doesn’t get to win. Obrecht is concerned about the baby. If Nelle doesn’t tell her the truth, she’ll be compelled to tell the police everything. Nelle’s move.

Nelle refuses to answer. Obrecht asks if she dispatched a baby, and switched them. Nelle says she didn’t kill any baby, and Obrecht says, prove it. Nelle says after Obrecht left, she made her way back to the road, thinking she’d hitch a ride to Sawyerville, and figure out a way across the border. She knew her plan would never work, and Michael’s family would never let her keep the baby. Fate stepped in. Obrecht asks how fate came to her assistance, and Nelle says, Brad was on the side of the road. The newborn that he and Lucas planned to adopt had died. Brad was a wreck, and Lucas didn’t know; he was still at the hospital. Obrecht says, fate showed up after all. It says it gave her a healthy baby, and she passed the other off as her own. Nelle says, with people who truly love him, and are more deserving than Michael and his mother.

Michael says Willow should meet his godson. Holding him helps. The family is crazy about him. Willow says, he’s a lucky boy to be so loved, and Michael says he brought joy back in their hearts. He thinks they’re the lucky ones to be able to love him the way they do.

Josslyn tells Julian that Oscar’s parents have a real connection. They rely on each other, and are getting closer all the time. It’s Oscar’s one upside to being sick. Julian says, that’s a fantasy. They’re not together. Josslyn says, they could be, if he stepped aside. He’s the one person who can make Oscar’s wish come true.

Laura asks Ned if the police have advised him that a serial killer is on the loose. He asks her to keep her voice down. They suspect there might be one. Laura says, the people have a right to know, but Ned says he doesn’t want a panic. The investigation is ongoing. Lulu asks if she can tell her readers that, and he asks if she wants to create paranoia and panic to sell papers. Olivia pulls Lulu away, asking if she wants an exclusive on what’s happening with the new pediatric wing, and let people read about good things for a change.

Not-Doc and Ava go to the MetroCourt bar. He orders two martinis, very dry with extra olives, just how I like Ava likes them. He says there’s a situation that requires his attention, but shouldn’t take long.

Back at Ferncliff, Laura approaches Doc, who’s lying on the bed. He tells her she’s not safe. Give him what he wants; walk away. Laura says she took a vow to stand by him, whatever life holds in store, and she’s going to keep her promise. She’ll love him every day for the rest of her life. Doc says it will get her killed. She touches him, and then disappears. He says he has to do something to save Laura.

Not-Doc comes up behind Carly, startling her. He ask why she’s jumpy, and she says it must just be the day. She asks what she can do for him. He says she wanted information about her neighbor at Ferncliff. She asks if he’s gotten more than name, and he says he did. He couldn’t wait to share the truth with her personally.

Nelle says, now that Obrecht knows everything, whatever she does, please leave her son with Brad and Lucas. They deserve him; Michael doesn’t. Obrecht tells her not to worry. She finds the truth is left best unsaid – until one really needs it. She leaves, and Nelle looks freaked.

Willow asks Michael, what godson? and he says Wiley Cooper Jones.  He shows her a baby’s first Christmas ornament that has his footprint on it. He says, it’s a mouthful, but the name suits him. Willow says, it’s beautiful.

Griff tells Anna that he remembers the afternoon he and Kiki became neighbors. His radiator wasn’t working, and he came over to see what was going on. Hers was broken too, and she tried teaching him the subtle art of banging on it with a wrench. Even then, she was gorgeous; it was impossible to look away. He didn’t know it then, but he was already in love. Anna says, someday the memory won’t hurt so much, and he’ll be glad of them. Griff says he’ll have to take her word for it. He looks in the DVD player, and takes a disk out. He says he knew it would still be there. From Here to Eternity. Kiki loved that movie, and insisted he watch it. She said she was a hopeless romantic, and proud of it. Anna asks if he wants to go, and he says there’s nothing for him there. He takes a last look back before closing the door.

Olivia tells Lulu that they had to struggle to rebuild after the earthquake. They’re just now making a comeback. She’s hoping Lulu will make the right choice, and write about how people are coming together. Lulu says she writes the truth, but Olivia says there’s more going on in Port Charles than a murder investigation. She can choose to write about some of that.

Looking in the planner, Kim tells Oscar that she sees a lot of baking. How about, get teeth cleaned?

Julian tells Josslyn that he’s not walking away from Kim. She needs him. Josslyn says he’s wrong, and just being selfish. He doesn’t care that he’s taking away Oscar’s dream. Julian says Drew and Kim aren’t getting back together because Oscar wants them to. Josslyn asks if it’s ever occurred to Julian that they need each other. Oscar’s parents want to spend time together with their dying son. They’re a family. Why doesn’t he step aside, and let them be a family in the time they have left? I guess she’s never heard of co-parenting?

Doc thinks about what Ryan said. There are gaps only he can fill. He says, there may be a way to save Laura.

Not-Doc tells Carly that her Ferncliff neighbor’s name is Wilson Ritter. He’s an extremely dangerous sociopath, and committed unspeakable crimes. He’s been restrained for himself and other’s safety. His cries for help were manipulations. He’s glad she didn’t act on them. She could have gotten hurt if she’d gotten too close. She thanks him, and he asks if she can now leave Ferncliff behind and go on with her life. She says, that’s the plan. She’s glad she got nowhere near that guy.

Ned tells Laura that this is exactly the reaction he’s trying to avoid. How long before a homeless person is mistaken for the killer and shot? Laura thinks the public has a right to know. Ava approaches them, and asks if Ned hears himself. A killer is out there, and needs to be found before they kill someone else’s daughter. Either find them, or she will. Not-Doc listens from the sidelines.

Tomorrow, Anna asks someone to move in with her (I assume Finn, but we don’t see who she’s talking to), Laura thinks Doc is headed for another breakdown, a man sees Jason, and says, it’s really him.

📺 Tradition Lives On in Reruns…

Since they did end up showing the December 23, 2005 episode of GH on Christmas Eve, I got my traditional reading of the Christmas story. Even better, it was Alan who read it. IMO, one of their biggest mistakes was killing him off. An even worse mistake? Bringing him back as a ghost after they realized their first mistake. Did they think they were Port Charles?

👓 Recap on a Rerun…

Bravo aired last week’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but I was able to pay a little more attention. So in case you didn’t see it…

Dolores wondered how Danielle had a ring on her finger, and she couldn’t even get new main squeeze David to commit to dinner. Marge had a brunch where everyone did facial masks, except Danielle, who claimed to be allergic to everything. Dolores defended Teresa, saying Melissa could have approached Joe #2 about spending more time with their father. Jackie horned in on the conversation, taking Melissa’s side, causing Teresa’s blood to boil. Jackie said she was too old to be screamed at, and Teresa told her to butt out of the family’s business. The verboten subject of Joe #1 came up, and it was on. Marge said instead of mud masks, it was mud-slinging, and Teresa was done with Melissa and Jackie. Melissa said it was either namaste or kill with Teresa; there was no in-between. Marge thought they’d be taking a lot of baggage to Bimini. Danielle was Bridezilla all the way, starting with not being able to carry her own bag off the plane. I love a Bridezilla. Only on TV though. I’d never want to deal with one personally, and I was as far from one as it gets.

Dolores talked with a group of women who were seriously down on their luck. Like on their way to the shelter down. In her interview, she said it was a reminder for her not to sweat the small stuff, and assured them that hard times were only temporary in her experience. I looked blankly at the TV, since Delores has probably had a better life experience than most people, and hard times can go on forever. In a moment of clarity, Teresa decided not to involve Gia in her argument with Joe #2, since being without her mother taught her that you can’t buy back time, and she wanted Gia to spend time with her uncle. Marty talked about choosing Danielle over his children, which Joe #2 thought was bullsh*t in his interview. Teresa and Melissa argued at dinner, and Joe #2 pulled them aside, saying it had to stop. He didn’t want to deal with their nonsense anymore. They had to love each other. They ended up hugging it out, but we’ll see how long that lasts. Next time, Los Cabos, naked dudes, Gia raps, and Melissa wants to go home.

🎉 The next new episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey will be aired on Sunday, December 30th, at 9 pm. There won’t be much new anything on New Year’s Eve, but there will be a Vanderpump Rules behind-the-scenes special from 2016. The finale of Unanchored – or as I call it, Summer House at Sea – will also be aired, because no one cares. Andy Cohen will be hosting New Year’s Eve festivities with Anderson Cooper on CNN, where they will giggle the night away. He said he’d never do it again, but I wish Andy would have another New Year’s Eve special on Bravo. The night Giggy married Grandma Wrinkles was the best New Year’s Eve ever. And yes. I know how sad that sounds.

🎅 A GH Christmas…

Some great photos here.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-holiday-christmas-party-photos-169051

💔 Bridezilla No More…

Excuses, excuses. You knew what you were getting into, Marty.

https://pagesix.com/2018/12/19/danielle-staubs-estranged-husband-blames-split-on-return-to-rhonj/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nypdaily&utm_content=20181220&tpcc=morning_report&mpweb=755-7508659-711673032

💸 No Surprise…

JD (bleh) is like the poor man’s T-Rav.

https://www.tmz.com/2018/12/22/southern-charm-j-d-madison-arrested-check-violation/

😭 Worst. News. Ever.

I just want to cry. Santa was good to me, but I also got two credit card bills, the news that a high school boyfriend had passed away, and the cancelation of Z Nation for Christmas.

https://news.avclub.com/z-nation-is-dead-at-syfy-1831279611?utm_source=AV_Club_Daily_RSS&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=&utm_term=

😔 And a Song To Go With It…

Epiphany sings. <SOB!>

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-live-on-song-kiki-funer

👎 The Network That Stole Christmas…

Syfy. Grinchier than the Grinch.

Grinch

 

November 29, 2017 – Andre is Found, a Fashion Show Standoff, a Little Star & Random Info

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Obrecht shows up at The Floating Rib, where Mac, Felicia, and Sam are setting up a celebration. Maxie has insisted on a gathering of her and Nathan’s nearest and dearest, but they don’t know why. Lulu has her suspicions, but says it’s not her place to say. Maxie and Nathan arrive, and say they have good news to share, but they’re waiting for everyone to get there. Obrecht suggests entertaining them with a medley of German ballads in the meantime, so Maxie reveals that she and Nathan are having a baby.

Jason goes to the station to see Dante. He’s hoping for some help.

In Havana, Curtis enjoys a cigar. Almost. Jordan takes it out of his hand, telling him that’s a no if he wants to kiss her. He says she drives a hard bargain. She asks if he’s sure about the name Andre is using, since no one has checked in with it. He says his contact is solid, but Andre probably changes it. Using different ones for travel and lodging makes it harder to trace. Curtis tells her that his contact sent a photo of Andre at the place they’re staying, so just sit back, chill, and wait for him to return.

Valentin sees Nina at the MetroCourt, and asks if she’s having breakfast meeting, since there’s an extra place setting. She says yes, but it hasn’t started yet. Cassandra walks up to the table.

Finn tells Anna that he didn’t want to press the issue on Thanksgiving, but they have to move forward. Anna says she could arrest Cassandra on what she has, but the organization would still go on, and it would be for nothing. He’s out, and she intends to keep it that way. Finn says Cassandra will want to flood the market with the new opiate he’s going to develop.

Maxie says she couldn’t hide it after she annihilated the Thanksgiving buffet, and Lulu says she was right. Felicia had been worried they were moving, and asks why she didn’t tell them. Obrecht says the Americans have it wrong. Maxie might be pregnant, but her son is going to be a father, and she will be a großmutter. She tells Mac and Felicia that they’ll be bonded together for eternity, and Mac suddenly needs a drink. Maxie says she wanted to tell Georgie first. She was confused, thinking Spinelli was the father, and still has questions about how a baby can have the same mother, but a different father. She sees Sam, and says, sorry, but Sam says it’s okay; they’re coping.

Dante tells Jason that was some entrance, and Jason says it wasn’t on purpose. Dante says it never is. He has good intentions, reacts, and mayhem ensues. He didn’t want to say anything, but has to admit that Jason’s brother has been a good friend. His twin saved Dante’s life, and he’s a good dude. He didn’t want to think Jason was bailing on him, but now that he’s staring him in the face… He says, welcome home, Jason.

Jordan doesn’t want to just sit there, but Curtis says they’re leaving nothing to chance. She wants to pay the waiter, but Curtis explains that you can’t use an American credit card in Cuba (good to know). It’s cash or nothing. Andre never had a chance to empty his bank accounts, and now that they’re frozen, he can’t access them. They’ll just wait and draw him out.

Cassandra wonders why Valentin is surprised that she and Nina are meeting, since she thought they tell each other everything. Nina says she sent him a text, and he pretends to suddenly see it. Nina says since Valentin told her about his involvement with Cassandra, she thought it best that everything be out in the open, so they met. Cassandra says sorry to blindside him, and Nina says she’s been working late, and by the time she gets home, the last thing she wants to talk about is his exes, but she thought why not still be friends? Cassandra tells Valentin she’s like to get closer to the people he loves.

Anna tells Finn it’s a bad idea. She’s not risk getting him further involved; it’s too dangerous. Finn says it wasn’t when she blackmailed him into treating Cassandra, or telling people they’re dating. Anna says the cover is keeping him alive, but working with her will have the opposite effect. He says Cassandra is interested in him, and if he can convince her that he has the expertise to develop a new drug, she might let him in and show him where the bodies are buried. Anna says, or he’ll be one. She tells him he doesn’t have the resources, and he says, Valentin does? She says he’s a trained spy, and Finn suggests maybe he should be in jail. Anna says Cassandra knows Valentin because he’s a criminal, but knows Finn to be an upstanding citizen. How is he going to convince her otherwise? He says he’ll find a way, but he can’t sit on his hands and do nothing. She tells him no, and Robin appears, asking if everything is okay.

Obrecht tells Nathan that her dismissal was blessing in disguise. She’s been doing some traveling, and Nathan asks if she saw Britt. She says Britt’s whereabouts are a mystery. He says, to everyone or just him? Obrecht changes the subject, wanting to know about the Man Landers story. He says it’s long and complicated. Maxie joins them, saying she’s glad it’s over, but she won’t rest until she  finds out who leaked the story. Someone went out of their way to ruin her career. Sam says she’ll be glad to help.

Valentin suggests he stay, but Nina says it’s a girl brunch, and she’ll walk him out. In the hallway, he asks what she thinks she’s doing. Nina says Cassandra believes she knows nothing about their business relationship. She thinks Valentin told her told her everything, but is convinced she knows nothing. She reminds him about keeping your friends close, and your enemies closer. She says after a few drinks, she’ll find Cassandra’s weak spot. Valentin says she knows his is Nina, but Nina says she’s not going to get away with it. Trust her.

Robin says she didn’t mean to pry. Finn says he’s just worked up about an excess of fentanyl ODs at the hospital. Robin says it’s been the same in Berkeley. I saw a woman hooked on fentanyl on Intervention once, and it was seriously scary stuff. Robin tells him as long as newer end cheaper drugs are produced, more generations will get hooked. He says it’s too bad they can’t stop it before it hits the streets. After Robin leaves, Anna tells Finn not to use her to make point, but Finn says even Robin can see how urgent it is; why can’t she? She says one of the reasons she’s involved is because of Robin.

Jordan asks how Curtis plans on drawing Andre out, and he says Andre likes to collect antiquities. His passion is now his cash flow. He made nice with the concierge, telling him that he’s into artifacts, and asked if he knows someone who might want to unload some. He did, and Curtis asked for a meeting in the café where they’re sitting. Jordan says they’ll have to hang back and hope Andre takes the bait.

Jason tells Dante that Diane is working on proving his identity, but Dante wonders if she shouldn’t be working on keeping him out of prison. He says that Jason’s attack on Franco was unprovoked, but he’ll testify against Franco if necessary. Jason says that’s not why he’s there. He needs to see his file from the night Faison shot him.

Nina confesses that she’s never been to Monte Carlo, and Cassandra jokes the friendship over. Nina says she’ll have to schedule a photo shoots there; the winters are killing her. Cassandra says she’s sure Port Charles has its charms, and she’ll be taking them in while she’s on business there. Nina asks what her business is. She mentioned she was in pharmaceuticals. Nina  tells her about an ad from a pharmaceutical company being pulled at the last minute, and says it must be hard dealing with the FDA. Cassandra says she prefers the European way of keeping business and friendship separate. Nina’s phone rings, and she says her new assistant is still getting the hang of things. She’s just now getting a message about an announcement her brother made an hour ago. Cassandra understands if she has to leave, and they make plans to get together soon.

Finn asks what Robin has to do with it, and Anna says she’s HIV positive. She was diagnosed about twenty years ago. Finn says he’s sorry, and Anna tears up. She says it was at a time when it was practically a death sentence, but she benefited from the advancement in the way the disease is treated. Her boyfriend wasn’t so lucky. Finn asks if she contracted it from him, and Anna nods. She says his name was Stone Cates, and Finn recognizes it from a wing at the hospital. Anna says Sonny endowed the wing in his memory. He was just a kid, and his girlfriend had been an IV drug user. She was just a kid too, but she got hooked, and her addiction changed the course of her life, Stone’s life, and Robin’s life forever. Drug addiction affected her in a different way than Finn, but it’s had an impact on her life nonetheless.

Robin tells Maxie that Noah and the baby will have to grow up being besties. Lulu asks Sam if she’s okay, and Sam says she’s just distracted. Lulu doesn’t know if it’s a bad time, but tells her about how she’s been doing some writing for a local publication, and wants to make a go of it. She asks if they’re hiring writers; she’s willing to start at the bottom. Sam says Lulu doesn’t have to do a hard sell; she’ll help. She gives Lulu the contact information for Peter August, telling her that he’s the new CEO. Lulu thought they were planning on running Aurora themselves, but Sam says it’s a big ship to steer. She’s just glad they found someone to be at the helm with them, since they’re in a lot of flux.

Dante tells Jason that the file doesn’t leave the building, room, or his sight. Jason’s identify hasn’t been legally proven, so it’s at his discretion, and he’s responsible. Sooner or later, it will be a file about himself. Sooner, if Sonny has anything to do with it. He calls Jason, Sonny’s right hand man.

Andre, looking spiffy in a straw fedora, comes up behind Curtis’s chair, and says he heard he’s looking to take something back from Cuba. Curtis gets up, and says, good to see you, doc. He never thought this day would come. Andre pushes him back, and they struggle

Maxie tells Felicia that she made so many mistakes with Georgie, she wants to get it right this time. Felicia says she knows she wasn’t the best mother, but Maxie says she’s managed to make up for lost time. Felicia says it’s love that matters the most, along with patience, forgiveness, sacrifice, and acceptance. She’s never met anyone with more love to give.

Nina tells Nathan it’s amazing. He’s going to be the most incredible, stupendous father on the planet. She’s happy for him.

Valentin visits Anna, and asks if he’s interrupting. She tells him that she’s explained to Finn that she’s using him as a mole instead. Finn says Valentin’s credentials are better than his. Anna says the risk outweighs the reward, but Finn says he’s only person who can create the chemical compound Cassandra needs to develop a new drug. Anna says it’s a terrible idea, but Valentin thinks it’s brilliant.

Robin tells Sam she knows how confusing it is, and apologizes for any part she played in the confusion. She saw his face, the same face she’d known her entire life. She had no idea he had a twin. If it’s any consolation, she has some idea of what she’s going through after what happened with her, Patrick, and Sabrina. Sam tells her to stop.

Jason tells Dante that he heard Sonny thought about getting out of the business. Dante says now he doesn’t have to; he has Jason back. Anyone who crosses Sonny will live to regret it. He loves Sonny, but hates what he does, and Jason enables him. No matter how much he likes Jason, they’ll always be on opposing sides.

Jordan tells Andre and Curtis to stop. Andre says he knew wouldn’t be long before they figured things out. Curtis tells him skipping out was a red flag. Jordan says they know he has information about Jason Morgan, and asks him to come with them to answer questions. He tells them they wasted their time. He’s not going back, and he’s not talking to anyone.

Robin and Sam apologize to each other. Robin tells Sam that she’s heading back, but she’s still reachable if Sam needs her. Nina approaches Sam, asking if she’s okay. Sam says people keep saying she’s confused, but she isn’t. She knows who her husband is, but can’t convince them.

Andre says it’s not going to get better, but Jordan says if he goes back, it would for a lot of people, namely Jason. Curtis says he’s a good friend. They’ve been to hell and back together, and he deserves to know what’s going on with his own life. Andre says he’s sympathetic, but already said too much. The people involved don’t want truth to come out. He says that Jordan has no jurisdiction in Cuba, and by the time she’s able to extradite him, he’ll be long gone.

Anna asks if Valentin is joking. He tells her that Cassandra is threatening his family. His wife has taken it upon herself to do recon for him, and she’s about as subtle as a freight train. Cassandra only trusts him if he’s in check, but has no reason to distrust her doctor friend. She’s actually fond of him; she likes his healing hands and bedside manner. Anna says she’s not sanctioning this. She’ll have Finn arrested for interfering and making narcotics with the intent to sell. Finn says he’s out of there. Valentin tells Anna that he seems like a keeper.

Mac asks what’s on Lulu’s mind. She tells him that she’s thinking of switching her career to journalism. She says it’s one thing to think about it, but it’s totally different to take the plunge. Mac remembers how he felt leaving the PCPD. He thought his life was over, but it was the best thing that ever happened to him. He’s able to do something he enjoys, and put his family first. They agree that if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. He tells her to do it; it worked for him.

Dante asks what Jason is looking for, and he says something to tell him where he’s been. Dante doesn’t think he’s going to find it there. Other than the phoenix figurine Sam gave him, there was nothing to be found after he fell in the water. Faison is a fugitive, so they can’t ask him any questions. All they even know about him is that he’s obsessed with Anna.

Valentin asks Anna why she’s flustered. She says she’s angry and frustrated. She asks him why he’s encouraging Finn. Is he trying to get him killed? He says that Finn would have to work hard to screw up. Anna tells him now she’s angry, frustrated, and annoyed; it’s a trifecta. Valentin says Cassandra is getting close to his wife and daughter, and if she doesn’t back off, he’ll have to take it into his own hands. Anna tells him to get out. He asks if she means out of her house or the operation, and she says it’s still on. He tells her she’s never had a problem putting people in harm’s way. What makes Finn different as an asset?

Finn orders black coffee. No shots, no syrup, no foam. Cassandra asks if he’s had a bad day, and is there anything she can do to help?

Dante congratulates Nathan, and tells him that he’s never going to get another night’s sleep as long as he lives. Maxie asks for everyone’s attention, and proposes a toast, reassuring them she has club soda. She says seeing them all reminds her and Nathan about how much love they have in their lives; Nathan adding, and how lucky their kid will be. They clink glasses.

Finn confesses he’s had a rotten morning, but Cassandra could make it better by joining him for coffee. She says she’d be delighted. Valentin sees them.

Jason goes to Anna’s house. She says she heard the rumors, and there he is. He tells her that he needs her help in finding Faison. He needs to know why he was shot, and what they’re after. Anna says she doesn’t know where he is, but Obrecht would. I get super excited, because Faison is my favorite GH character of all time. I met Andres Hove at a horror convention, where he did a panel with a soap actress whose name I don’t remember. They’d done a horror film together. When I asked them to sign a soap magazine, the both of them snatched it out of my hands, flipping through it to find themselves and their friends. I did eventually get it back, signed. He was really a nice guy, and oozed European charm.

Nina asks how Nathan feels, and he says he has a lot to think about. Mac and Felicia will be awesome grandparents, and he knows his mother is going to spoil their child. He says he never knew his biological father. Obrecht overhears.

Curtis says he’ll make a call to Anna. Jordan might not have jurisdiction, but the WSB does. Andre says he’ll be gone before they get there. Jordan says she doesn’t know how he got mixed up in this, but she knows he’s a healer. She has to believe he had higher purpose, and was doing it to heal in some way. He’s a good man. She never would have trusted her heart to him if she didn’t believe that. As someone he once loved, she’s asking him to come back and make it right.

Tomorrow, Oscar can’t stand not knowing who his father is, Franco wants to know why Elizabeth is taking his side, and Spinelli sees Jason.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Back at the retreat, the women pick a partner and role play. Siggy goes first, picking Margaret. Margaret starts whining about how beautiful the cake was, and how disrespectfully it was treated. Melissa wonders how they’re solving things this way. She doesn’t think this kind of role-playing will result in a happy ending. Siggy pretends to have pigtails, complaining about everything. Vikki tells them it was hard to watch. I don’t know if she means because of the situation or their bad acting. Siggy says she feels like Margaret got to know her better here. Calling her “Soggy” cut her to the core, bringing her back to a time she wasn’t accepted, and was bullied over her name. Vikki tells her to use it as a strength. Margaret says she thought she was being funny, and didn’t mean to hurt Siggy’s inner child. She apologizes, saying now that she knows, she’ll never do anything like that again. Siggy says she was coming from place of hurt – “a place of” being the new catchphrase. They’re good, and hug it out.

Melissa is next, and she says she had a problem with Siggy. She gets that Siggy was sensitive about the cake thing, but feels it was overreactive. She does a spot-on impression of Siggy welcoming Melissa into her home, proceeding to call her an a-hole, then asking for a show of hands as to who else thinks so. She ends with Siggy being a normal hostess again, and it’s all very funny. Siggy says her intention wasn’t to embarrass Melissa; she just wanted her to understand how much effort she’d put into the weekend. Melissa says she could have been more sensitive, but Siggy could have been too. Siggy wants to break down the wall between them, and they also hug it out.

Danielle wants to speak to Teresa about an old wound, surprising everyone, and causing Dolores to breathe a sigh of relief, although I wonder if she’s a little disappointed. Danielle says she and Teresa are in a good place, and she wants to stay there, but there’s an old wound that affected her daughters. Calling her a “prostitution whore” in front of her kids upset them. She’s continually been made fun of for it, and her kids were bullied. She needs to hear Teresa says she didn’t mean it. Teresa says if she could, she’d take it back, and she was coming from a place (sigh) of anger. Danielle asks if Teresa is willing to tell her daughters that. Teresa says whatever she can do to make it better, she will. In her interview, Dolores says that Danielle blames every hardship on Teresa. I’m really starting to dislike Dolores. She doesn’t know Danielle, it was a legitimate complaint, and it’s none of her business anyway. Teresa says there’s an Italian saying that the tongue breaks bones. Siggy thinks the group has taken huge steps in being more compassionate. I think so too, except for Dolores.

Joe #2 takes Milania to play race cars. Not like Matchbox cars, but ones you sit in and drive on an inside track. He says she’s been through a lot. Her mother and father going away (I love that euphemism), and her grandmother passing. They go for a snack afterward. Joe tells Milania that her mom is worried, and told him she was seeing her grandmother in the kitchen. He says she was his mother; he loved her and misses her. He tells Milania not to be a tough girl. When you talk about it, you feel better. She says it doesn’t feel real. Her grandma used to say one day she’ll die, and now it’s happened. He says he knows her dad isn’t around, but anything she needs, let him know, and not just if she wants something; he’s there to talk.

The ladies get ready for a last conversation. Siggy says the idea of the exercises was to get to a point of trust, and the last one is meant to take them to a deeper place. She asks them to tell something no one knows. Margaret says before Joe #3, she had the perfect family. Now, two of them don’t speak to her, and it’s been six years. Siggy says she should have ended the marriage first, like Margaret needs to hear that or could change it, and Margaret says ideally that should have happened. Vikki says her ex is the key, and to ask him to help mend with the children. Her best advice is to never give up. Siggy feels badly, because she’s having a hard time with Josh going to school, and can only imagine how hard and upsetting this is.

Teresa says they don’t all have perfect lives. When she came home, Joe #1 was drinking a lot. She wishes he’d been stronger, but realizes women are stronger than men. She does have resentment, but has to move on. Siggy says she’s taken on a lot, and inside, feelings have a way of festering and need to be released. In her interview, Melissa says Teresa needs to come out and tell Joe she wants an apology, but she’s not there yet.

Dolores invites everyone to her animal charity event. In her interview, Margaret says, are you kidding? She bares her soul, and Dolores asks everyone to come to her dog charity. But of course, she’ll go. Vikki thanks everyone, and thinks the test was successful. It’s awesome that they’re in a great place.

It’s back to routine. Teresa visits Siggy, bearing coffee. Siggy tells Teresa about getting the pellets in her behind, and how it’s been life-changing. She’s actually in the mood now. She asks when Teresa last saw Joe #1, and Teresa says it was before her mom got sick. In her interview, Siggy says that’s three months. She thinks Teresa is frustrated, sad, and holding resentment. Teresa tells Siggy that she’s guarded. Her upbringing was geared to not showing emotion, the old school way. Siggy says she has the right to feel how she does, and no one thinks she isn’t the strongest woman around. She tells Teresa to go against what she learned. Dig deep, and spill it.

Dolores explains that she got involved in the Onyx and Breezy Foundation after the love of her life, Boo, passed away last year. I remember that; it was really sad. It looks almost like a carnival, in a big field, with booths, and food, agility runs for the dogs, and things like a bouncy house for the kids. There are a lot of people there with dogs. Danielle brings her pups in a stroller. Teresa is afraid of dogs, but only big ones. Everyone agrees the retreat was great. Melissa asks Siggy if she’s talked to Danielle, who thinks she went kumbaya too quickly with Margaret. We see a clip of Danielle telling the women that of course she’d want to fix her own problem first to look good.

Danielle talks to Margaret, telling her that she doesn’t understand how they made up so fast, and it was convenient for Siggy to look good. Margaret says she has a point, and Danielle thinks she should be on guard. In her interview, Margaret says understands Danielle has been known to create drama, but thinks she has genuine concern.

Siggy tells Melissa that she doesn’t care. She thinks Danielle has things festering (another popular word), and it is what it is. In her interview, Siggy says she has history with the others, but nothing with Danielle. Two dogs do some weird thing that’s incredibly cute, and everyone goes, aww! Danielle and Margaret join the others. Dolores talks about Kim D.’s fashion show, and asks who’s going. Teresa isn’t, and Siggy doesn’t think it’s the right time to bring it up. Dolores says she and Siggy will be walking in it,  reminding them it’s a charity event for the two boys found in the burned car. Teresa reminds her about Kim D. spreading rumors that Joe #1 was cheating on her. Dolores says she was just throwing it out there, but obviously no one is interested. In her interview, Teresa says of course she’s not going, and she doesn’t think her friends should either. Kim D. is creepy. She reminds me of Sylvia Miles in Midnight Cowboy.

Melisa visits Margaret’s showroom, and she has the cutest stuff! Melissa tells us that no one wanted to help her without cost, but Margaret said she’d show her the ropes. Melissa tells Margaret that boutiques are everywhere in New Jersey. She’s still new to the game, and trying to figure out a way to separate herself from the others. Margaret says she has to find what no one else has. Maybe go to Europe, and find brands no one else is carrying. Margaret invites her to come to Milan, where she’s having her shoe line designed. Melissa says it would be beneficial, and she’d love to. Oddly enough, she’s never been to Italy.

Siggy and Dolores go to Kim D.’s store, Posche. They try on outfits for the show, and she has them do their walk. Siggy says that Melissa and Teresa won’t be coming because they don’t like her, and remember the last time. Kim says everyone was thinking it, but she said it. Siggy says it was only rumors. Anybody can say anything, but unless you have a picture of the “weewee entering the cookie,” people should mind their own business. She says Teresa has been through hell and back, and is working her butt off. Kim says she heard Teresa is rekindling an old flame. Siggy and Dolores don’t want to hear it. Siggy says Teresa has no old flames; the only man she’s ever been with is Joe #1, although no one would blame her. Kim says forget it then, and Dolores says it’s forgotten until they have to tell her what Kim said, and she’ll shoot the messenger. Kim thinks Joe treated her horribly, and Siggy has to leave. It amazes me that they’d even want to be friends with this woman. I don’t care how long they’ve known her. She’s horrifying.

The ladies are meeting for dinner at Fresco. Melissa and Teresa are there first. Teresa says she just dropped Gabriella off at a bat mitzvah, and Melissa says it’s that season. Teresa has to explain that a bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah is related to a 13th birthday. Margaret, Danielle, and the weird ass Bobbsey twins arrive. Melissa talks about how fabulous Margaret’s collections are, and how she’s going to Milan. She thinks everyone should come, because she’s out of her mind. Siggy chooses this time to make it clear that she and Dolores are walking in the fashion show.

Teresa asks why, and Dolores tells her about what Kim D. said regarding Teresa rekindling an old flame. Melissa says not only has Kim done things to hurt her and her family, on top of it, she’s saying Teresa is a cheater, and they’re still supporting her. Siggy says it’s for charity, and Dolores says she’s neutral; she’s known Kim for twenty years. Oh, I see. For her, it’s okay to be neutral, but anyone else who is, isn’t loyal. Melissa says everything Kim D. says and stands for is bullsh*t. In her interview, Dolores pities Teresa for not seeing she’s her truest friend. This woman is delusional. We flash back to Kim D. stirring up rumors that Melissa was a stripper. Melissa tells Dolores she has to pick a side, and Dolores doesn’t get it. Siggy says when she and Margaret weren’t getting along, she didn’t tell them not to go to Margaret’s party. I just stare at Siggy blankly. Melissa lists all of the things Kim has done, and says she’s a vial human being. Siggy says she can only judge on the way Kim treats her. Margaret says Hitler wouldn’t have killed her; should they have been friends? Snap! Teresa is fuming, and Dolores says no one would blame Teresa if it was true. Teresa smashes a glass against the wall, and says they should have stuck up for her. Dolores says they did, and they both get loud, with Dolores leaning nearly all the way across the table. Margaret pulls her back. She insists she stuck up for Teresa, and tells Melissa not to tell her what to do. Siggy says it’s not about Kim, but about the dead kids, and doesn’t she have a heart, since I guess Siggy never heard of just sending a check. Margaret says they’re both hurt, and Dolores tells her to shut up. Margaret says, no thanks, she won’t shut up. Dolores and Siggy leave, with Danielle saying a line has been drawn in the sand, and telling them to have a nice time.

Outside, Siggy tells Dolores they did the right thing by telling Teresa, and Dolores says they did stand up for her. In the restaurant, Melissa is like, great, and I just invited them to Milan. Teresa can’t believe they’re supporting Kim after what she did. It’s screwed up. She wants to confront Kim, and Melissa says it would be like walking into the lion’s den. Danielle says they’ll all go. They’ll walk in like Charlie’s effing Angels, plus one, do what they have to do, and leave. Melissa says okay, and Margaret says she’s never been to a shakedown before. Danielle tells her they’re going to win, and Melissa says, kill me now.

Next time, a medium visits Joe #2 and Teresa, Kim D. and Teresa go at it, and Teresa tells Siggy eff-you.

👌 Who knows? Maybe she is just stirring the pot, but I like Danielle. She set the bar early on. I’d take a guess that she was told to put the book on the table that Teresa flipped, but she took that ball and ran with it. She’s the best thing that could have happened to this season. Her, and Teresa getting sprung.

🌟 Star began with a round of interviews about the shooting, and how it’s a normal occurrence. It was really good until they threw in Al Sharpton playing himself on the TV. Noah and Alex played it up for the cameras, which Star wasn’t happy about, but wouldn’t admit. Ayanna got custody of Simone, and her father put the pressure on about getting the numbers up, causing her to move up the showcase date. The girls were in though. Noah was also hitting the bottle pretty hard, but Joyce was the one who keeled over due to an OD. Ayanna hoped Joyce would go to rehab, and gave Simone a Xanax to calm her down, which made perfect sense. Brody’s loan shark was breathing down his neck, threatening his daughter. Under the guise of needing to use the bathroom, he snuck around upstairs at the beauty shop. Later, he got an eyeful of the pictures of a battered Star, and heard Hunter’s frantic calls to her afterward. Jahil and Carlotta tried to save Cotton from herself (again), and Jahil shot her boyfriend in the leg. Cotton claimed she needed him, but Carlotta told her to stay away from his sorry ass. Noah ended up kissing Alex for real, and she told him to back off. She went back to Derek, but thought about Noah when she was in bed with him. Next time is the finale, because seasons are only like, six episodes now.

🌴🍹 The new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills starts on Tuesday, December 9th, at 9pm. I can’t wait! Giggy!

❄ If you get a chance, check out Bravo’s Winter Warm-Up. Stassi Schroeder (Vanderpump Rules) and Kyle Cooke (Summer House) host a line-up of clips from the new seasons of the old shows and the premieres of the new ones.

😎 Julie Goldman and Brandy Howard from The People’s Couch have a new podcast, Dumb Gay Politics. I haven’t listened in yet, but they were hysterically funny on the couch. You can tune in here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dumb-gay-politics/id1181557793?mt=2

DumbPolitics