What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Monday:

Z told Carly that he didn’t get the impression Josslyn wanted to leave the WSB. He’d never seen an agent’s mommy demand he boot their child from the Bureau. Carly said she wasn’t kidding around.

Josslyn apologized to Lucas for lying to him, but he said she didn’t have to apologize for being a WSB agent. He wasn’t mad. She said her job was to follow orders and manipulate him.

Sonny went to see Ethan in the hospital and asked what he’d let Ava do to him.

Rocco admitted he’d shot Cullum, but it was to save Danny’s dad, and Danny said, if he was such a hero, come forward.

Lulu asked if Charlotte had been in touch with her father, and Charlotte said he’d been in Port Charles since he’d escaped.

Britt said Dante must be loving this, but he said it would affect Rocco who’d been through enough. Britt said Rocco didn’t have to go through anything else if he let her go.

Ethan said Sidwell had shot him, and Sonny said Ava told him that Ethan saved her life. He went above and beyond. Ethan said he was sorry he didn’t get Sidwell, but Sonny said Sidwell had been taken care of. Ethan wondered how Sonny and Turner got out unscathed, when Ava walked in and asked Sonny to share how they’d managed to pull that off. Could he explain why he let Sidwell live?

Lulu asked where Valentin had been hiding, but Charlotte said it didn’t matter. He’d turned himself into the WSB a few days ago. She and Danny hadn’t heard anything since. Lulu said she could just feel there was more to the story.

Rocco said he couldn’t confess, but Danny said Cullum was dead now and Danny was a minor who’d acted in self-defense. Rocco said he’d promised his parents and Britt, but Danny said that was when Cullum was still around. Rocco said Danny didn’t get how hard it was leaving Britt, but Danny said Britt wasn’t the reason Rocco wasn’t telling the truth. He was just a straight-up coward. Rocco said he wasn’t going back on his word.

Dante said he’d already compromised himself enough, and Britt said she was just asking him to look the other way. It benefitted him too. The WSB only grabbed her because he’d had her arrested. If he let them take her, Rocco would hate him forever. Dante said Rocco was already furious with him, and she said, then let her out. He’d never see or hear from her again. She’d be free and he could tell his son that he made that happen.

Jack struggled out of bed when Nina came in, but she said it was too soon. He said Cullum was dead and he had to get back to work, but she said he had to lie back down. He asked why he should listen to her, and she said maybe because she’d saved his life.

Josslyn said when she’d supported Lucas’s decision to live at Windymere, she already knew Marco was involved in his father’s business and that it was dangerous. But she’d needed access to Spoon Island and Sidwell and eventually Cullum. She had the perfect excuse in him to visit. He said when he’d moved back to Port Charles, he was looking forward to getting to know her. They’d spent time catching up and he thought they had a real connection. She said, it was real. When she’d joined the WSB, she’d known she’d have to lie to the people she loved, but didn’t know she’d have to manipulate them. He said she was quite skilled at it and totally fooled him, and she said she was sorry she’d used him. He asked if she’d do it again, she said, yeah, and he left.

Z said Josslyn was an agent by choice, but Carly said Jack had used her to gain access to Josslyn, then manipulated Josslyn, taking advantage of her emotional vulnerability after her boyfriend’s murder. She couldn’t even get in to see her. Z said he’d add her name to the approved list, but she said she didn’t want that. She wanted her daughter back. He said he’d put it in language she understood. That ain’t gonna happen. She cracked him across the face.

Sonny said, then the cops showed up, and Ethan said good thing Sonny didn’t take Sidwell out, but Turner probably would have looked the other way. Sonny didn’t think so because Turner wanted pay back her way, and Ava said, legally. She would have felt more comfortable had Sidwell been handled permanently. Sonny said he couldn’t believe he and Ava agreed on something, but Sidwell would be locked up for a long time. Ava could thank him any time. She said Sonny was saving himself, but he said she could thank him for Ethan. He got shot in the ass saving hers.

Dante said Britt got herself into this mess and would have to get herself out, and she said he couldn’t blame a girl for trying. Dante said it was going to kill Rocco when she died and she’d tried to use Rocco’s love as her way out, which only proved he was right about her. She asked what it was like to think you had all the answers. To give zero room for people to change. She loved his son and only wanted the best for him. He said he believed she believed that, but felt it was a convenience. The only person she truly loved was herself.

Danny said Rocco had been lying to him and Charlotte for months (didn’t they lie to him about Valentin? just saying), but Rocco said he didn’t want to drag Danny into this nightmare. Danny said his mom was dead and his dad might as well be. He was already in a nightmare. Rocco didn’t want them going to Spoon Island because they would have figured it out. Rocco said he didn’t want them going because it was dangerous, and Danny said Rocco was just trying to take care of himself like he always did. Rocco said, like when he took the fall for Danny and Charlotte and went to juvie? but Danny said Rocco thought his dad would get him out. Rocco said he knew Dante would try. His dad always showed up for him. Danny said his wouldn’t? and Rocco said Danny was the one who said it, not him.

Helping Jack back to bed, Nina said, when you save someone’s life, you’re responsible for that life. She accepted the responsibility. She needed him for Willow and couldn’t have him stumbling around, breaking his neck because he wasn’t fully recovered. He had evidence against Drew. He said he thought he did, and she asked what that meant, when there was a knock at the door. Vaughn asked if he was interrupting.

Z said Carly packed quite the punch, and she told him not to expect her to apologize. He said he could have her indicted, and she said, go for it. He asked where the fun would be in that. He was going to extend her a rare privilege and explain himself. Her daughter was too great an asset to cut loose. She said Josslyn was a human being, but he said she was a weapon. Highly specialized, thinks on her feet, strong, nerves of steel. Now he saw where she got it. She said just tell her that she’d have been a fabulous killer and all was forgiven? and he said it was a shame no one got ahold of her when she was younger. She would have made a brilliant agent. Maybe there was still potential. They could discuss the possibilities over dinner. She asked if he was hitting on her, and he said he didn’t know if he’d put it like that, but if he were, was it working?

Lucas said, if it made Josslyn feel any better, he would have moved in with Marco no matter what anyone said. He’d been warned plenty. She told him that he was being too generous, and he said they could talk about that later. The priority was her recovery right now, so she should rest. She said she needed to ask him for something. It wasn’t a manipulation. He said, it might not be, but going forward, he’d always wonder who he was talking to, his niece or Agent Jax. She said it had nothing to do with the WSB. She needed him to do something for her.

Z said they could take the WSB jet and be in Paris for a late dinner, and Carly said, this is unbelievable. He asked if that was a no, and she said, yes. He said, so it was a yes? and she said, yes, it’s a no. It’s a hard no. He said his apologies. He thought he felt a spark. She said, no, no spark. He and the WSB were a blight on her daughter’s life and she would remove it if it was the last thing she did. She walked out.

Lulu asked if Charlotte expected her to believe it was just her and Danny working with Valentin, and Charlotte said they weren’t working with him. Lulu said, in touch with then, and Charlotte said, yes. Why would her dad want more people knowing? Lulu asked, who else was involved? when they heard Danny arguing with Rocco outside, saying his dad was locked up because of Rocco. Lulu and Charlotte went out, and Lulu asked what was going on. Rocco said he didn’t make Jason cover for him. He did that all on his own and Danny knew that. Danny said, then prove he wasn’t gutless and tell the WSB that he shot Cullum, and Lulu said that was enough. No one was telling the WSB anything.

Vaughn said he’d been surprised to find Jack was readmitted under another name, and Jack said he was moved out of an abundance of caution and used one of his aliases. Miss Reeves facilitated the transfer. Vaughn said the WSB would need to be extensively debriefed, and Jack said, of course (🍷). Vaughn said, both about his dealings with Cullum and what happened to him medically, specifically the circumstances around his initial stroke. He was glad Nina was there, since she’d saved him a phone call. The Bureau regretted to inform her that the individual she knew as Nathan West had passed away.

Danny said his dad had been locked up for something he didn’t do, and Lulu knew the whole time, but Lulu said, it was complicated. Danny said there was a right and wrong thing to do and they’d chosen the second one, and he left. Lulu asked if Rocco was okay, and he said Danny hated him, but yeah. Lulu asked, who told him that Rocco shot Cullum? and Charlotte said she did.

Lucas went to see Britt and she said if he was there to scold her for taking off with Rocco, save it. She’d already heard from everyone with the ability to speak. He said that wasn’t why he was there, and she wondered if he was just making sure she was being punished. The WSB was going to ship her off to God knows where to live out her days, which wouldn’t be long since she didn’t have access to her meds. He said it was going to be longer than she thought. She wasn’t dying. She didn’t have Huntington’s. She never did.

He said they had to run testing from two different labs to confirm, but she said she’d run tests. He said, Cullum manipulated the results. Josslyn overheard him say he was gaslighting her and Cassius. The medication had only been saline. The police searched her room when she was missing, found a used syringe, and had it analyzed. She said when she didn’t take her medication, her symptoms came back. You couldn’t fake that. He said her brain could. All Cullum had to do was make her think she was sick and her mind did the rest. She said for years she had been waiting to die, and he said he knew it was a lot to process. She told him to get out and leave her alone, and he left.

Vaughn went to Josslyn’s room and asked how his wife was doing.

Ava asked if Sonny shouldn’t be thanking her. She’d saved his flunky from bleeding out all over the floor of her storage room. Did he have any idea what it was going to cost to clean that up? Ethan said, speaking of cost, was there hazard pay? and Sonny said he thought a bonus was in order. He’d let Ethan and Ava sort this out. He thanked Ethan, and Ethan thanked Sonny for saving the day. Ava said she was sure Turner was grateful, and Sonny said he would have shown up even if Sidwell hadn’t taken Turner. Avery would be very upset if Ava if she wasn’t around. He left.

Lulu asked how Charlotte could do that to Rocco, and Charlotte said Lulu always told her that family was important. Lulu said Rocco was her family, and Charlotte said, Jason was Danny’s. He had a right to know about his dad. Rocco said it sounded like Charlotte completely sold him out, but she said she was helping a friend and Danny was his friend too. He was Rocco’s brother and trying to save the one parent he had left. Lulu said she had to go to the hospital. Ethan was there. Rocco asked if he was okay, but Lulu said she didn’t know. Rocco was staying home where Dante would keep an eye on him and Charlotte was coming with her. They weren’t finished. She and Charlotte left.

Obrecht went to see Britt, and Obrecht said Lucas told her that Britt needed her and it was urgent. What happened? Britt said, good news. She did everything Cullum asked for years because he was keeping her alive, but it turned out the joke was on her. She was never sick.

Ava took out her checkbook and said, how much? What did he say to 50,000? He said, put that relic away. They were even. She was keeping his secret, wasn’t she? She said she’d like to do something for him, and he said, in that case, how about some ice chips? She said his wish was her command, and she left to get them for him.

Ava saw Lucas sitting on a bench and asked if he was okay. He said, no. Marco died for nothing.

Britt cried and said she’d done terrible things. She let Obrecht think she was dead and ruined their relationship. She and Cassius spent years working in Croatia for horrible men who did horrible things, so they could just shoot her up with saline. If she’d just once stuck the medicine under a microscope, she would have known the truth. She’d just wanted to keep breathing. Jason was sent to some WSB gulag because he was trying to save her. Now who knew what the WSB would pin on her? She’d ruined every relationship and ruined her life for nothing. Crying, Obrecht asked if Britt heard herself. She was going to live.

Dante saw Rocco on the porch and Rocco said he didn’t need a babysitter. Dante said he knew. Rocco’s mom was just being a mom, but he was glad to have some time with him. There was some stuff they needed to talk about. Rocco agreed, and Dante said, you first.

Josslyn asked what Vaughn was doing in town, and he said it was a successful mission, but not a very discreet one. Z sent him because he had knowledge of all the players, but he was back to Borneo in three hours. He wanted to see her before he left. She said she couldn’t see it at the time, but now she understood why Brennan sent him away, and he said Jack did them a favor. She said they were too close. As much as they insisted it wouldn’t, it would have interfered with the job.

Carly went to the hospital and met Sonny outside. She told him that Josslyn was in the ICU. She was going to be okay and she was safe for now. He said, safe from what? and she said, the WSB.

Z and his men went to a clandestine hospital room, where Cassius sat in a bed. Z said, Cassius Faison. They never met. Cassius could call him Z.

Lucas told Ava about Britt’s medication just being saline. That’s what Marco gave his life for and he was the one who’d pressured him to do it.

Obrecht said Britt had a long, beautiful life ahead of her, but Britt said she’d ruined everything. Obrecht said it could be fixed. Her brother was a hero who helped stop Cullum. Together, they’d find a way to free her. What mattered was, they’d all be together. Nina came in and Obrecht asked if she could help them find Cassius, but Nina said she had terrible news. The WSB just informed her that Cassius was dead.

Rocco said Dante broke a lot of rules for him. That’s why his mom didn’t want to tell Dante what happened, because of the position it would put him in. Dante said one day, if Rocco became a father, he’d get it. Nothing mattered but keeping your kids safe. Rocco said everything Dante did was because he loved him, and Dante said he was finally catching on. Rocco said he was angry and scared and said things he shouldn’t have when he should have been saying, thank you, and they hugged.

Danny went to see Brennan and asked if he could talk to him. Did the WSB want to know who shot Director Cullum even though he was dead? His dad didn’t do it, but he knew who did.

Sonny said, Josslyn was working for the WSB? How? When did this happen? Carly said, about a year ago. And how? Why? Because of them and a lifetime of bad decisions.

Lulu pulled into the hospital parking lot and said she couldn’t believe Charlotte had eavesdropped, but Charlotte said she’d just heard Lulu and Laura talking. Lulu said, but then she stayed even though she knew she shouldn’t be hearing it, and she repeated it to Danny of all people. And this was after Charlotte heard her say no one could know. Charlotte said she wasn’t sorry. If she hadn’t listened in, who knew if Lulu would have told her the truth. Rocco had been acting weird and distant, the vibe between Lulu and Dante was bad, and Danny’s father was gone because he supposedly shot the man Rocco had shot, and she was there for all of it. Lulu said once they saw Ethan was okay, they’d talk. Then Charlotte could tell her everything she knew about her father’s stay in Port Charles.

Sonny said he was sorry and asked if there was any way to get Josslyn out, but Carly said the WSB didn’t care about its agents as people, just weapons they could use. He said it wasn’t right, and she agreed. A car pulled up, and Valentin got out. Carly ran to him and they kissed.

Josslyn said she’d just apologized to her uncle for manipulating him and he’d asked if she’d do it again. Vaughn asked if she told him the truth, and she said, yeah. She lied and she used people, but being an agent wasn’t about what was right or wrong. It was about doing what was necessary. He said, look at the rookie who’s not a rookie anymore. Welcome to the club, Agent Jax.

Cassius asked if his mother and Josslyn were okay, but Z said he wasn’t cleared for that information. He was a prisoner being held for jeopardizing national security, nuclear conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder. Cassius said Cullum was lying, and Z said Cullum was dead. He died a hero trying to stop Cassius. They had Josslyn’s sworn testimony. Cassius asked if Josslyn said he’d done this, and Z said, indeed she did. He was going to be charged with multiple crimes and would likely face the death penalty. Or Cassius could work for him.

Tuesday:

Brook and Chase took Phoebe to the pool, and Brook said Sidwell left Deception with one hell of a PR nightmare, but this was just what the doctor ordered.

Also at the pool, Jacinda said she felt guilty playing hooky, but Michael said she was with the boss. They kissed, and he was surprised to see Chase. He wondered why Chase wasn’t busy trying to exonerate Willow.

Tracy was on the phone in the hospital boardroom, when Willow walked in. Tracy told her to get out.

Emma came home to find Gio playing guitar using a broom, and they kissed.

Jack asked if Danny was going to tell him who shot Cullum.

Rocco hoped Dante could forgive him, but Dante said there was nothing to forgive. Charlotte and Lulu came in arguing because Lulu hadn’t let Charlotte go to Valentin outside the hospital. Lulu said Valentin was a fugitive who’d put Charlotte’s life in danger.

Josslyn woke to find Carly by her bedside.

Dante went to make a call to find out what was going on with Valentin, and Charlotte said Lulu couldn’t stop her from seeing her own father. Lulu said he’d be sent back to Steinmauer, and Charlotte said he was her dad. She loved him and it hurt her to be away from him. Lulu said she was just trying to keep Charlotte safe, when Dante came back and said Valentin had been released with a full pardon. No criminal charges. Charlotte said her father wasn’t a fugitive anymore and thought it must have been because he’d exposed Cullum. Dante wondered how she knew, and Lulu said Valentin had been in Port Charles this entire time. Dante asked if Charlotte had been in touch with him, and she said, yep. Rocco said it hadn’t been easy for her to lie, and Dante said, Rocco knew about this too?

Emma thanked Gio for cleaning things up, and he said he got groceries too. All of Anna’s favorites. Emma said her grandma would appreciate it, and he said it was important everything be perfect for Anna’s homecoming. She said part of her wondered if Anna was ever coming home, but he said Anna was strong and could conquer anything. They kissed, and he said it must be where Emma got it from.

Michael told Jacinda about the trip log in Willow’s car placing her on Route 91 at the time of Jordan’s accident, and she said it sounded convenient. Almost like someone had arranged it.

Chase told Brooke that Alexis had reached out and everything was moving along nicely with the adoption. The birth father’s paperwork had been certified.

Willow told Tracy that she wasn’t leaving. She held an advisory position as district representative and the board was set to discuss enrolling the hospital in her affordable childcare program. She was there to assist and answer their questions. Tracy said Willow could drop the saintly act. She knew exactly who Willow was and exactly what she was capable of.

Josslyn said she was fine, but Carly said that was an overstatement. Josslyn said she was sorry she’d locked Carly in that room, but she hadn’t wanted her to get hurt. Carly said she was glad this was over, that Cullum was dead, and Josslyn’s mission was finished, but Josslyn said she wasn’t leaving the WSB.

Danny said his dad hadn’t shot Cullum, but Jack said he couldn’t just take Danny’s word for it. Danny said Cullum was about to murder someone. If he hadn’t been shot, innocent people would be dead. Jack said he needed a name or evidence, and Danny said, it was Rocco Falconari.

Charlotte said she’d sworn Rocco to secrecy, when the doorbell rang. Charlotte opened the door to Valentin, and they hugged.

Tracy ran down the list of where Willow had shown her true colors, but Willow said Tracy was distorting things as usual. Tracy said Chase was a good man, and if Willow thought she could help herself to him anytime she wanted, she was sadly mistaken.

Michael agreed that it seemed too convenient, and Jacinda asked if a car’s trip log could be hacked. He said, it could, but if someone set Willow up, it wasn’t him.

Brook asked if Chase had heard from Willow, but he said Willow had a lot on her plate. ADA Turner was like a dog with a bone when it came to Willow. He’d thought she just had an ax to grind, but evidence had come to light suggesting Willow was at the scene of Jordan’s accident and drove away, leaving Jordan and Curtis to die.

Jack said, that would explain some things that didn’t add up, and Danny said his dad probably told Britt to protect Rocco. Jack asked if he had any evidence, but Danny said, no. Rocco had admitted it to him. He didn’t want Rocco punished, but it was unfair that his dad was paying for something he didn’t do. Jack said Cullum was dead and he didn’t think the WSB was going to care about the pier shooting anymore. He didn’t know what they were going to do with Danny’s father, but he did know Danny pursuing this wasn’t going to free him and would cause problems for Rocco. He needed to drop this. Danny said, no, but Jack said he needed to let it go. Danny asked if he could at least get a letter to his dad, and Jack said he’d get back to him. He knew it was hard for Danny to have had this conversation, but if it was any consolation, when things were that hard, it was usually because it was the right thing to do. His father would be proud of him. Danny left.

Charlotte asked if it was really over, and Valentin said it was. He was sorry to drop by announced, but wanted to tell her personally. Charlotte said he could have told them earlier at GH. She was there, but her mom wouldn’t let her go to him. Lulu said Ethan was in the hospital, but no one had told her anything about Valentin’s situation, so she’d decided to play it safe. Valentin wanted to go somewhere to catch up, but Lulu said she didn’t think so.

As Emma wrapped a gift, Gio told her that Tracy had asked him to leave Sonny’s and live at the Quartermaine’s, but he wasn’t ready, so he came there. Tracy had been worried about that Sidwell guy being on the loose. According to the news, he’d been caught, so Gio wasn’t sure where that left things, and Emma said pressure from Tracy was never fun. He said, but this time, it wasn’t just Tracy.

Willow said she and Chase were friends, and Tracy said one of her closest friends was Chase’s father. Which was why she was going to talk some sense into his son before he got more tangled in her web. Willow said Tracy was the only person straining Brook and Chase’s marriage.

Chase told Brook that Willow was being framed.

Jacinda said she supposed two things could be true. Willow’s trip log was convenient, but she didn’t put it past Willow to flee the scene. Michael said not stopping to help was more of a moral failing than an actual crime, and she said it was still a bad look, especially for a politician. If she could do that, Willow might be the type of person who could shoot her husband in the back twice. Maybe the court of public opinion should stop looking at him and look closer at Willow.

Charlotte said Valentin wasn’t a fugitive anymore and it was safe now, but Lulu said she was still Charlotte’s mother. Charlotte said Valentin was her father, and Dante suggested he, Rocco, and Charlotte go to the pool so Lulu and Valentin could talk. Her dad wasn’t going anywhere. Valentin suggested he and Charlotte catch up later. He and her mother had a lot to get straight.

Carly said Josslyn almost died because of the WSB. Did she want to die? Josslyn said, no, and Carly asked why she couldn’t leave this job behind. Josslyn said, because she’d succeeded. She’d done her job and taken Cullum down. She wanted to do good in the world and help people. Carly wanted her to hate the WSB, but she didn’t. Carly said she couldn’t watch Josslyn do this. She wouldn’t survive losing another child.

Tracy said she was protecting her granddaughter and her family, which Willow wouldn’t understand. Maybe the cult would take her back. She was definitely leadership material by now. Willow asked if the best Tracy could do was shame her for being exploited as a teenager. How old was Tracy when she ran down her daughter-in-law, or kidnapped her son, or left her father on the floor grasping at his heart? Was she an impressionable child or a full-blown adult? Tracy said she got it. Willow was good by comparison. Okay. Prove it.

Brook wondered, who would frame Willow? and Chase said he thought they knew the answer to that. He looked over at Michael.

Jacinda said they did make a sweet family and asked if it gave Michael any second thoughts about breaking them up. Dante, Rocco, and Danny came in, and Charlotte went to say hi to Danny. She told Danny about her dad being free and the charges being dropped, and hugged him.

At a table, Dante said he was glad he and Rocco talked a little bit. He felt like they were in a better place. Rocco said him too, and Dante said he wasn’t happy about Rocco keeping Charlotte’s dad a secret. She could have gotten hurt. When Valentin was in the equation, anything could happen. Rocco said he was sorry. It was stupid, but he felt for Charlotte. She’d been going through the same thing with their mom and Valentin that he was going through with Dante, their mom, and Britt.

Gio said Sonny agreed he should live somewhere else, at least for the time being, and Emma said Sonny agreeing with Tracy was significant. She thought she felt the same way when her grandma asked that she leave her in France. He said, Anna wouldn’t lie to her, and she said, Sonny wouldn’t lie to him. When somebody cared about you that much, you’d do anything they asked.

Josslyn told Carly that she joined the WSB because of what happened to Morgan and Dex, and because men like Cullum and Sidwell and yes, Sonny, made their living through violence. She was presented with an opportunity to do something about that and she grabbed it. She knew that becoming an agent had allowed her to protect people and she was kind of good at it. She wasn’t giving it up. Carly said, even if it got her killed? but Josslyn said walking down the street or getting in her car could get her killed. Carly said the risk was infinitely higher, but Josslyn said it was a risk she was willing to take. Her eyes were wide open. Nobody was forcing her into this. She chose it. Carly said that was a debatable opinion, and Josslyn said the WSB wasn’t perfect. Cullum was proof of that. But wasn’t that all the more reason they needed people like her? All she was asking was that Carly try and understand it, because Carly was her mother and she didn’t want to lose her over this.

Lulu said Charlotte told her that Valentin was in Port Charles for months, and he said he’d contacted her, but just to let her know he was safe. She’d come to him and he did everything he could to make sure she was safe. The lightbulb came on, and Lulu said, the blizzard. Charlotte wasn’t trying to get to her horse. She was trying to get to him. She could have died because he’d encouraged her. He said he did no such thing. It was over and he wanted his daughter back.

Michael said the last thing he wanted was for Brook to be hurt, but this was about more than just Brook, and Jacinda said there was a new baby in the family. How could he not be thinking of his own? He said it killed him being away from Daisy, and that pain was worse lately. She celebrated her first birthday in June. He’d send Jacinda the video later. She said it sounded like Daisy was happy, and he said, and safe. They couldn’t prove it, but he still suspected Willow had targeted Daisy. He was doing this for his kids. She said Willow wouldn’t have many people left in her corner if it was true about her bailing on the accident, when Chase approached and said that must have been what Michael was hoping for when he framed her.

Tracy told Willow to stay out of her granddaughter’s life and stop calling on Chase for support, but Willow said she didn’t ask Chase to come to the police station. He did that on his own because he cared. Tracy asked why she was at the police station, and Willow said, apparently, she was a suspect in Curtis and Jordan’s car accident. Tracy laughed and said, of course (🍷) she was. Was there any end to her reign of terror? Willow said she didn’t do it, and Tracy said she didn’t jump in the lake either. Willow said someone altered the travel log on her car. They wanted to make it seem like she was there that night so they could… Oh my God. It was you.

Danny said he was happy for Charlotte. It was amazing that her father was back. She said she only wished his was too, but he said, it may never happen. She asked what he meant, and he said he told Chief Brennan that it was Rocco who shot Cullum and Brennan didn’t care.

Dante said Rocco and Charlotte wanted to spend time with the people they cared about and Rocco knew it would probably piss off his mom. He got it, to a point. When he was Rocco’s age, he thought he knew everything about everything, but he didn’t. Neither did Rocco. That’s why it was important that they were honest with each other moving forward. Rocco said there was something Dante should know, but didn’t want him to jump into cop mode, and Dante said he promised not to take any action unless he told Rocco first. Rocco said, Charlotte told Danny that he’d shot Cullum.

Josslyn said the hardest part of this hadn’t been the training or missions, but keeping it from Carly. She’d hated it. Carly asked what kind of life it was not being able to be truthful to the people she loved, always holding something back, but Josslyn said the secret was out now. Everybody knew. Carly said the danger didn’t go away, but Josslyn said it was the life she’d chosen. If Carly couldn’t support that, she understood, but she couldn’t fight with Carly about this anymore. Carly said she’d prayed all night long that Josslyn was going to make it and she’d get to tell her that she loved her. She knew if she fought Josslyn on this that she’d lose her and that would kill her. She wasn’t okay with this and didn’t know if she ever would be, but she did get why Josslyn was doing it and maybe that was enough. Josslyn cried and said Carly had no idea how much that meant to her, but Carly said she thought she did. Josslyn said she loved Carly, and Carly said she loved Josslyn, so, so much. She kissed the top of Josslyn’s head, when Jack walked in and said it looked like Carly got a happy ending after all.

Valentin said he’d prefer avoiding family court, so he was offering Lulu a compromise. Joint custody, 50/50. Lulu asked if he was out of his mind. Charlotte’s home was here in this house with her. He said Lulu still had this fantasy that she could cut him out of his daughter’s life, but it wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever. He wasn’t her problem. Neither was Charlotte, nor the fact that he was finally free. The problem was Lulu.

Rocco told Dante that Charlotte said Danny deserved to know the truth, but Dante said the more people who knew, the harder it would be to keep it quiet. Rocco said Danny was pissed, but he didn’t think Danny would say anything.

Charlotte said she couldn’t believe Danny was so mad that he turned Rocco in. He’d completely betrayed her trust. Danny said he was sorry, but he’d had to give Brennan a name. Even after he did, Brennan said there was nothing he could do about it and to drop it. She said that didn’t mean Brennan would. He was a professional liar. Danny said he had to try. She had her father back and Rocco had his parents. His dad was all he had. He understood if he lost her too. She said she could never hate him. The truth was, if it were her dad, she would have done the same thing.

Lulu said, how dare Valentin accuse her of being the problem? It was him who kept Charlotte a secret from her during the majority of Charlotte’s childhood. He said, in a few short years, Charlotte would be 18, legally an adult and independent. Lulu had better find a way to coexist with him. If she didn’t, he had no doubt who Charlotte was going to choose. News flash. It wasn’t going to be her. He walked out.

Willow said, of course (🍷) it was Tracy. Who else had the motive or resources or the cold, shriveled up heart needed to make her look guilty of leaving people to die in a car wreck? Tracy flashed back to Brook saying she was raised to fight for what mattered and that was exactly what she was doing. Her husband and the family they were creating were all that mattered.

Chase said Michael was setting Willow up again, but it wasn’t going to work this time, and Michael said Chase could believe what he wanted to, but it wasn’t him. Jacinda asked if they could please not do this again, and Chase said she was right. It wasn’t worth it. Michael said Brook was his cousin and he cared about her, and Chase said so did he. Michael said, then be smart. They had Phoebe and the family they’d always dreamed of. Don’t throw it away for Willow.

Jack said he had to ask Carly to step out. He and Josslyn needed to have a classified conversation. Josslyn said it was fine, and Carly told Jack, you son of a bitch. You will pay for this. She left, and Jack closed the door and the blinds.

Wednesday:

Dante met Laura at the MetroCourt Gardens and she said she had good news. Anna was home.

Outside Anna’s apartment, Felicia said they were finally home, and Anna said it was surreal. Felicia said Anna was never going back, not if she had anything to say about it, and they went into the apartment. Mac, Emma, and Gio yelled, surprise! and Emma hugged Anna.

At the pool, Trina worked on her showcase list, and Kai asked her to chill for a while. Trina agreed, when Portia walked in with Isaiah.

Curtis told Jordan that his lawyer advised him to take a plea deal of two years in prison.

Lucas was sleeping on Elizabeth’s couch, and Ric suggested they help him get started on his hangover since he’d interrupted their romantic evening. He lobbed a pillow at Lucas, who asked what he was doing there. Ric said, excellent question.

At the MetroCourt Gardens, Turner told Molly that it all turned out fine, except that Sidwell threatened to kill her. Now she couldn’t prosecute him, so she wanted Molly to take over.

In Sonny’s old kitchen, Carly and the moss bowl🎍were happy that Valentin was back. He said, not only back, free and clear, and they kissed. Carly fretted about Josslyn staying in the WSB, but Valentin said at least they could be open and honest with each other. He didn’t have to hide in the attic anymore. They kissed again, when Sonny walked in and said, out of all the mistakes Carly had made, this had to be the absolute worst.

Anna said she was amazed things were still in one piece, but Gio said they had to replace one of her end tables after Fizz🐶chewed the legs. Anna wondered who Fizz🐶was, and Gio said it was Sonny’s dog. Emma said she’d also broke the mug she’d made for Anna when she was ten, but she made her a new one. Anna said she’d love it. It wasn’t the items you missed, but the people. That’s what really mattered.

Dante said he’d be happy to hand Anna the keys to her office when she was ready, and Laura said he’d done a terrific job during a really rough time. He said he was ready to focus on his family, and she asked how things were going with Rocco. Dante said it was a struggle, but at least the threat of Cullum was no longer there, and Laura said she’d yet to get a straight answer from the WSB. He said he was sorry for not being there when everything went down, but she said he didn’t have to apologize for putting his family first. He was a great dad to her grandson and she was grateful.

Portia and Trina exchanged pleasantries, and Portia and Isaiah got a table. Trina told Kai that it was a little awkward, but she was glad her mom respected her boundaries.

Curtis said there was the possibility of parole in eight months, but Jordan said he shouldn’t have to serve any time at all. He said they intended to argue that he was justified in punching Isaiah because Isaiah knowingly left them injured after a crash, and she added that Isaiah had provoked him by questioning his fitness as a father. He said it fell under the provocation umbrella, but now there was evidence Willow might be the driver, and she said that meant his defense was shaky, but it hadn’t been proven it was Willow. He said, given the severity of Isaiah’s injuries and the consequences for his patients, his attorney was convinced he may end up serving even more time, and she said, if he took the plea, he could miss out on the birth of his child and the first eight months of their life. He said he’d already missed out on that with Trina, and it would kill him.

Carly said Sonny should have knocked, but he said he had. He guessed she was distracted. She asked what he wanted, and he said he wanted to see the moss bowl🎍and get the story on the new fugitive in their daughter’s life. Valentin said he’d been granted a clean slate. He and Carly could see each other whenever and wherever they wanted.

Lucas apologized and said he should go, but Elizabeth said he wasn’t going anywhere. Ric said, fine. He had a meeting to get to anyway. Elizabeth kissed him and he left, and Lucas asked how bad he’d embarrassed himself. She said he may have one or two regrets.

Molly said she was honored Turner would trust her with such a high profile case, and Turner said Molly’s work was excellent and she was most likely to secure a conviction. Molly asked if it shouldn’t be a slam-dunk, and Turner said, normally, but Sidwell could afford a whole school of sharks to defend him. They’d probably claim entrapment. Molly said she did love a challenge, and Turner said, before Molly agreed, she should know they were fast-tracking the case and she’d need to start right away. She had a choice to make. Promote her book or prosecute the biggest case of her legal career. (Well, she could write a book about the case afterward and it would probably be a best seller.)

Anna thanked Gio, and he said he loved Emma. Anna said it was rare that Emma allowed herself to lean on someone. She was sorry she’d worried Emma so much. Gio said she was home now and was better. Emma couldn’t be happier. Anna said she’d missed Emma, and Gio said Emma missed her too. For the record, so did he. They hugged.

Carly asked what the big deal was. It wasn’t the first time she and Sonny had disagreed on the other’s romantic partner. Valentin said, starting with their mutual ex-wife Nina, and Sonny said he thought Brennan was bad, but this guy was on a whole other level. Along with Ava, he’d been responsible for messing with Sonny’s medication. Valentin said he was sorry. If he had it to do over, he wouldn’t, but they were where they were now. Sonny said he didn’t live in the past, but didn’t forget it either, and Valentin asked Carly, how about her? She said they were going to have a long conversation about it later, and Sonny said he still saw a Cassadine. Valentin asked if he didn’t sleep with Alexis, and Sonny asked why Carly would get involved with someone like this. Valentin said because he made excellent Coq au Vin, and Carly said, and if it weren’t for Valentin, Josslyn would be dead.

Curtis said he didn’t believe it was Willow, but Jordan said the police had evidence. He said he didn’t want to speak bad about Michael, but Michael was more than capable of setting Willow up. So were Tracy and Sonny. She said they’d have to prove it was a set-up before his trial, and he said he’d reach out to Nina. She said there was also Chase. He’d gone to the wall for Willow before. Chances were, he’d do it again. He said if he could remove Willow from the equation, he could still make a compelling case against Isaiah. He didn’t have a plan yet, but knew the two of them could come up with something.

Ric apologized to Isaiah for being late and said he understood Isaiah needed a personal injury attorney. Isaiah said he had a criminal case coming up against Curtis Ashford, but also wanted to explore the possibility of a civil suit.

Lucas told Elizabeth that he’d never been more embarrassed. Except for the time he got drunk and threw up on Marco. It was the night they met. Elizabeth said she knew how much Lucas missed him. Was that what last night was about? He said he’d already been having a hard time, but yesterday, he found out something that made it even worse.

Gio said he had to start his shift at the pool, and Anna suggested Emma go with him and relax. She needed a nap and they could catch up later. Gio and Emma left, and Anna said that went for Mac and Felicia too. She needed time to herself.

Sonny said Valentin had been living under the same roof as their daughter, but Carly said Donna had been in no danger because of him. Valentin said Sonny’s place was firebombed, and Carly pulled Sonny aside and said she’d minimized any risk. She needed Valentin’s help to get Josslyn out of the WSB and get back at Jack for recruiting her. It was the whole reason they broke up. Sonny asked why she hadn’t come to him, and she said he knew how Josslyn felt about him, and Valentin knew all about the WSB. He was the only person she could count on and he really came through for her.

Martin met Laura for lunch at the Gardens and said he’d pick up the tab. The case in Reno had been very lucrative. Landing that job was a real stroke of luck. Laura said, it wasn’t luck. It was Jenz Sidwell.

Molly said she knew Turner thought she should stay and prosecute Sidwell, and Turner said she would, but she didn’t have Molly’s passion for writing. Molly said she had a passion for the law too. Right now, they felt equally important. Could she take 24-hours? Turner said, perfect. There was another factor she might consider. Sidwell was a powerful and dangerous man. Molly said she’d been around men like that her whole life, but Turner said she’d never prosecuted one. This put her in Sidwell’s crosshairs. If it weren’t for Sonny… Molly said her uncle had a heroic streak, but it surprised her that he’d put his life on the line for the ADA. He must have thought the reward outweighed the risk. Sidwell created one conflict of interest by taking Turner hostage. But by saving her life, Sonny created another. Now she couldn’t prosecute him either. He managed to disarm two enemies at once. Sidwell and Turner.

Anna said she appreciated Mac and Felicia so much, but she hadn’t had any privacy in a very long time. James must be missing them. Felicia said he was going to have a million questions, especially about the man he thought was his father. Anna said it was settled then, and Felicia said she’d call Anna later. Mac and Felicia left.

Ric said he was surprised Portia had reached out. She was pretty irate when he’d gotten Heather Webber released. Portia said she was still irate about that, but Ric had given her good legal advice and she was hoping for the same for Isaiah. Ric said he’d do his best.

Emma and Gio found Trina and Kai at the pool, and Emma said she had amazing news. Her grandma was back from France and hadn’t escaped this time. Kai asked how Anna was doing, and Emma said, good. She seemed a lot like her old self. Trina hugged Emma, and Gio asked what Ric was doing with Trina’s mom and Dr. Gannon. Trina said, what? and looked over at them.

Elizabeth said, Britt spent the last five years thinking she was dying? and Lucas said he was the one who pressured Marco into helping her. Marco was murdered over a few vials of saline. She said he couldn’t know that. He, Marco, and Britt were the victims. Don’t blame himself. He cried and said it was hard not to. Marco’s death was so senseless. He’d have to live with that for the rest of his life.

Martin said, while Sidwell was blackmailing Laura, Sidwell sent him down the rabbit hole chasing after this payday to get her alone, but Laura said she wasn’t alone. She had Sonny. They worked together and now Sidwell was awaiting trial for attempted murder. He asked if this meant Doc and Ace could come home, and she said she wished. Doc already started the summer semester in Dublin, but she couldn’t wait for him to get home.

Turner told Molly, if Sonny was ever prosecuted, it had occurred to her people would think she was going easy on him because he’d saved her life. She’d have to hand that one off too, but she’d advise from the sidelines. When she’d come to Port Charles, she’d thought about what it would be like to take down Sonny Corinthos all by herself. Molly said it was every prosecutor’s dream, and Turner said, but then things don’t always work out the way you plan.

Sonny said, so Josslyn was still with the WSB, and Carly said, if the choice was between the WSB and a coffin, she’d live with the WSB. Valentin risked everything. He risked his freedom and his life to expose Cullum. And as much as she hated them, the WSB showed up in the nick of time because of Valentin. Sonny asked if Josslyn knew about them, and Carly said, yeah. Sonny asked if Josslyn was okay with that, and Valentin said he was growing on her a little bit. He’d heard Sidwell was behind bars because of Sonny. Sonny said, if it were up to him, Sidwell would be 6-feet under. Cullum got what he deserved after he’d done to firebombed the apartment. He was the reason their son almost died.

Dante banged on Anna’s door and said, police! Open up! She told him to come in, and they hugged. He asked how it felt to be back, and she said it was better now that he was there. Tell her what he had on Cassius.

Laura said it was important to keep this quiet because the public didn’t know she was compromised, and Martin said nobody listened to him, but fine, done. Was there anything else he could do for her? Was Tracy still bothering her? Laura laughed and said, no, but she had a very dear friend who found himself in a very difficult legal situation.

Jordan told Curtis that if she was in his position, she’d want to fight, but was it worth the gamble? Curtis said part of him understood the deal wasn’t unreasonable. He’d hit Isaiah, who didn’t even fight back, and his hand may be permanently damaged. While he still maintained he was provoked, maybe he could live with the plea deal. Maybe he even deserved it. Jordan said he was ex-law enforcement and eight months wasn’t a walk in the park. Passing up the chance to fight to be with his child could make it feel like an eternity. Was that something he’d be okay with? He said, no. If it was just about him, he might take the plea deal, but this was for his child’s sake. He’d take his chance in court.

Trina wondered if her dad knew Isaiah and Portia were talking to a lawyer, but Emma said, it could be about anything. Trina said, or it could mean Isaiah was trying to escalate things. Maybe she should just… Kai looked at her, and she said she was being sucked back into her parents’ lives again.

Ric said it sounded like there was a pretty strong criminal case against Curtis, and Isaiah said he’d also like to seek personal damages. He wasn’t being vindictive, but felt he deserved compensation. Portia said there was a strong possibility Isaiah may never be able to perform surgery again, and Isaiah said he’d spent years learning to master a specific skill, one that not many doctors could provide. If he could no longer provide that skill, it would be tough for him to get over, and that was all on Curtis.

Carly said, Cullum was responsible for bombing Sonny’s apartment and the attempted hit in L.A.? and Sonny said Brick didn’t have definitive proof, but they both knew it was him. Cullum may not be a problem, but Valentin had a lot of enemies. She wouldn’t be safe. Carly said she trusted Sonny, but she wasn’t changing her mind, and Sonny said he hoped it worked out for her. He left, and Valentin said Sonny was right that he had enemies. She said, who didn’t? If he was trying to scare her away, he was too late. She put her arms around him.

Anna said, Cassius was dead? How? Was Dante sure? Dante said the WSB was being skimpy with the details, but it sounded like he was involved in the shootout that took out a bunch of their agents, including Cullum. She said Cullum was directly under Z, and Dante said he guessed the Bureau was reeling from the fallout. She asked if Cassius had been working with Sidwell this whole time, and he said, yeah. She said she owed Dante an apology. She thought she’d vetted Cassius and was completely fooled by him. At the time, she was convinced he was Nathan. He said they all were, but she said she should have dug deeper. Him not remembering anything after he’d been shot was all too convenient. Dante said they’d wanted so badly for their friend to be alive, they believed things they shouldn’t have. He didn’t expect this guy to get into the system and swap out his fingerprints for Nathan’s. She said it made sense. Cassius was raised by Faison. He knew his father well enough to convince her that Faison was alive. He was the reason she was put in a mental institution and she lost months of her life.

Walking into the secret apartment, Turner said, if it wasn’t the man who saved her life, and Sonny said he couldn’t take credit since he was the reason she’d been in danger in the first place. She said he was right. She was furious. Maybe she should go. He said, wait. She couldn’t be that mad since she’d given him a kiss that day. She said she shouldn’t have. That was risky with the cops around. He said there weren’t any cops around right now, she said, good point, and they kissed.

Lucas said he was glad he ended up at Elizabeth’s. He’d apologize to Ric again. Elizabeth said Ric would get over it, and he said, if she ever needed it, there was always a spot on his couch for her. She said she hoped she never had to take him up on that, but it was nice to know she had an insurance policy. Eat. He said, yes, Nurse Ratched.

Martin went to see Curtis and said his sister told him about Curtis’s case. It sounded like he could use a second opinion.

Ric said if Isaiah wanted to pursue a civil suit, he was confident he could get a substantial amount of money, and Isaiah said he might not get back his surgical career, but at least it was something. Ric said it would be pretty fraught with Curtis being the father of Portia’s children, but Portia said she was totally on board.

Valentin asked if Carly was sure she was okay with what happened between him and Sonny in the past, and she said she wasn’t okay with it, but she wasn’t involved with that man. She was involved with him. She wouldn’t have gotten through any of this without him. He said, sure she would have. They’d come a long way since he’d shown up there. She’d tried to club him with a fire poker. She said she’d wanted him out of there as fast as possible, and he said, what about now? She said she never wanted him to leave and kissed him.

Dante left, and when Anna closed the door, Peter August said, it’s good to be home, isn’t it? Now she could finally get her revenge.

Thursday:

At the pool on the phone, Lucy turned down a blind date and tried to make a real estate deal. She saw Chase, who said he was hoping to run into her. He wanted to ask about the statement she gave the PCPD about Willow.

Lucas found Elizabeth in the kitchen and she told him that she’d checked in with work on her phone and it said Jack Brennan had been released from Turning Woods. It said he walked out on his own. How was that true?

Nina told Willow that she’d already lost Jay once. Now she felt like she’d lost him all over again. She’d believed she had a living, breathing miracle, but it turned out to be just a con. What a great performance. Willow said the last thing Nina needed was dealing with Drew, so she’d take care of him on her own, but Nina said Willow was her daughter and she loved her. This is where she needed to be.

Sonny said he knew emotions were running high, but Turner kissing him so close to the cops was a risky move. What was she thinking? She kissed him again.

Martin said he was sorry for everything Jordan had been through, but she said she was more concerned about Curtis and what happened at the MetroCourt. Martin said he’d be more than happy to give them his legal opinion, but wanted to hear all the details first, and Curtis said he wouldn’t be taking the plea deal. He wanted his day in court.

Tracy told Brook that she’d just been stuck in a conference room with Willow, and Brook asked if she’d meddled again. Tracy said she didn’t have to. Brook had done enough meddling for both of them.

Willow said she wasn’t involved in Jordan’s car accident, and Nina said the PCPD’s actions were bordering on harassment. Chase would help them. Willow said when she was arrested for what she’d done to Drew, Chase would never help her again, but Nina said they’d make sure that didn’t happen. Willow said she kept catching Drew flexing his fingers. His mobility was coming back. Nina asked, when was his last shot? and Willow said, this morning, but she didn’t have much left. Nina said they had to get more.

Lucy said she didn’t have anything against Willow, but thought it was her civic duty to come forward, and Chase said, the accident was months ago. Lucy said she hadn’t realized Willow was at the Quartermaines the same night she was. When she did, she went right to the police. She saw Willow tear down the driveway and figured she and Michael had another big fight. He asked if Michael told her that, but she said she hadn’t discussed it with Michael at all.

Tracy told Brook that Willow said she was being framed for leaving the scene of Jordan’s accident. In Willow’s mind, she and Michael had the means and motive to make that happen. She knew she didn’t do it and she was pretty sure Michael didn’t do it. Brook said, then who cares? but Tracy said she had to wonder if someone else had the means and motive, and a third suspect came to mind. Brook. Brook said she’d asked Tracy to stay out of this, and Tracy asked how Brook could be so reckless, framing Willow for something she did.

Turner told Sonny that it wasn’t every day someone saved her life. She guessed she lost her head for a moment. He said he wasn’t complaining about the kiss, but she was the ADA, looking to keep her job, and she knew what he was. She said, coffee importer? and he said nobody could know about them. She asked if it occurred to him that somebody already did.

Martin said he still had to do his due diligence, and asked if they could just review the circumstances. Curtis had been charged with assault. Jordan’s phone rang and she stepped away, and Martin told Curtis, start at the beginning. Jordan answered and Sidwell asked if she had a minute for her old boss.

Elizabeth told Lucas that Willow hadn’t yet scheduled communication assistance for Drew, yet Brennan had already packed his bags and left Turning Woods. Lucas said it seemed highly unlikely that Brennan made a full recovery that fast, and she said, highly unlikely? He said, fine. Unheard of. People don’t recover from a massive stroke and locked in syndrome in months. She said, most don’t recover at all. Look at Drew. Willow insisted on caring for him at home… Maybe that was the difference.

Willow said just being arrested would be enough for Michael to come after the kids again, but Nina said they’d be ready for him. Willow said Michael had the upper hand, but Nina said they had their own resources. They could grab the kids and run. Willow said she wasn’t making her kids fugitives, and even if she did, Michael would find them. She needed to take control of the situation, and as much as she hated it, the best way was with the help of Chief Brennan.

Jordan said she had to step out and told Martin that she’d do whatever it took to help Curtis. She left, and Martin said he didn’t know how Jordan could help if she hadn’t witnessed the assault. Curtis said she hadn’t, but she was the reason it happened.

Brook said she’d wanted Chase to see Willow for who she was and realized she could frame Willow, who didn’t have an alibi. Tracy said they didn’t want scrutiny. They wanted the accident to go away. Brook said, it seemed like a good idea when Lucy suggested it, and Tracy said, Brook thought she could make a bad situation better by setting it on fire? That’s what she did when she took Lucy’s advice.

Chase asked why Lucy had been at the Quartermaines, and she said, Deception business. He said, so she was there to see Tracy, but she said she had a meeting with Brook. He said, but Brook wasn’t home. She was at Charlie’s for Gio’s performance. Lucy said they met before Brook left.

Jack said, forgive him if he was on edge. The last time he was there, he had a massive stroke and Nina stabbed him with a needle. Nina reminded him that it was an accident, and Willow said, please tell her that he brought the proof Drew misappropriated federal funds. They were running out of time. Jack said he had some bad news.

Elizabeth asked if Lucas remembered her saying how strange it was that two healthy men had massive strokes, ended up with locked-in syndrome, and were both in the same house. What were the odds? Lucas said it was very unlikely. Did she think there was an environmental cause? She said she didn’t know. They couldn’t rule it out, especially since Drew wasn’t making any progress, but Brennan made a miraculous recovery in a different location. If they’d had a reaction to a toxin or substance in the house, Drew was still being exposed to it.

Tracy asked if Brook confessed to Lucy that she was the other driver, but Brook said, no. Tracy was overreacting. Willow wasn’t going to be framed for a crime. She was just going to look bad. Tracy said she wasn’t worried about Willow. She was worried about Brook. Brook said she did it for her husband. She wanted Willow to fall off the pedestal he had her on. Tracy asked if she hadn’t made it clear that she’d help Brook any way she could, and Brook said she had, but she’d also made it clear she had no faith in Brook’s marriage. So why would she help save it?

Sonny asked if Turner thought Sidwell was on to them, but she said, no. He’d had no reason to expect her to be at the gallery. But she got the feeling he was sensing something when Sonny called her Justine on the phone. Sonny said, even if that was the case, Sidwell had no proof or credibility. The worst he could do was push her buttons when she prosecuted. She said she wouldn’t be the one prosecuting. Sidwell was going to be tried in two separate cases. One for shooting Lucas Jones and one for holding her and Ava hostage. Since she was technically one of his victims, it was a conflict of interest in both cases. Sonny asked, so who was going to do it? and she said she chose Molly Lansing-Davis. Molly hadn’t formally accepted and it meant canceling her leave, but the high-profile cases would be good for her career. Sonny said he wasn’t so sure. Sidwell had a way of getting rid of his problems, and now she’d made his niece one of them.

Jordan met Sidwell in the interrogation room, and he said, after reflecting, he’d put some pieces together. There was only one person who knew he owned the house he was hiding out in. That one person was her. She must have given his location to the police. She admitted she did, and he said he’d been nothing but good to her. How could she sell him out like that? She said she’d been working undercover the whole time.

Tracy said of course (🍷) she would have helped Brook, but Brook said Tracy would have told her to cut Chase loose, but she loved him. Tracy said maybe she’d rushed to judgment when she saw Willow and Chase at the boathouse, but Willow had her claws in him and she didn’t like how Chase put her needs ahead of his family. Brook said it upset her too, but Willow was a master manipulator. She just wanted to set up a situation where Chase saw Willow for who she really was, so he’d stop running to save her every time she called. Go ahead and say she’d made a mistake, but don’t tell her it was wrong to fight for her family.

Chase said he hadn’t realized Brook and Lucy saw each other that night, and Lucy said, since Maxie’s collapse, Deception’s stock had gone into freefall and they’d been struggling. Jenz Sidwell was a significant investor and his arrest hadn’t helped things. The good thing was, she and Brook were on the same page about everything.

Martin said he got how Curtis wanted Isaiah to pay for the role he thought Isaiah played in the accident, but it wasn’t what the law was set up to do. There was a good chance the jury would never even hear about the accident if the judge decided it was prejudicial, which it was. If he was Curtis’s lawyer, he wouldn’t be doing his job unless he strongly urged Curtis to reconsider that plea deal.

Sidwell said, no one could maintain a cover that long, and Jordan said she hadn’t done anything he hadn’t done himself. Get inside an organization – in his case, a community – and work your way up through a series of good deeds. Gain trust and gather information you could use. In her case, gather evidence she could use against him. He must have figured that out. He was always so careful not to let her near anything that might have been illegal. He said he was suspicious at first, but she won him over and made him rely on her. She was the perfect public face for his criminal enterprise. And what a beautiful face it once was and could be again.

Lucas wondered, if there was a toxin in Drew’s house, wouldn’t anybody who was there for any period of time have a reaction? but Elizabeth said, maybe it interacts with everyone’s physiology differently. He said he didn’t think there was a direct contact or airborne substance that only affected white men over 40. It was definitely a strange coincidence though, and if there was even the possibility of a toxin, they had to notify the county. She said, and Willow needed to know there was definitely something wrong with her house.

Jack said he’d gone back to his WSB office and confirmed his black box was missing. He was hoping Cullum left it behind. Nina asked why he hadn’t made a copy, but Jack said it was too risky. She said, so there was no black box, no evidence, and no paralytic drug, and Willow said Drew was going to recover and come straight for her. Jack said she could always kill him.

Sonny said Sidwell could come after Molly to get to him and if he destroyed Sonny’s brother, he got a bonus, and Turner said she’d just wanted the most qualified person to take over. He said he just wanted to protect his brother and niece, and she said she did too, but prosecuting criminals meant being willing to take on a certain amount of risk. Molly knew that well. He said there was a difference between knowing it and facing it head-on, and she said she thought that should be up to Molly. He asked if she’d just reconsider, but she said, no. He said, why? and she said public perception played into this. The whole world knew she owed Sonny a debt. She couldn’t appear to be giving him or his family any special treatment. She couldn’t even be seen talking to him anymore. He asked if she was saying she wanted this to be the last time they saw each other.

Sidwell told Jordan that she could have her beautiful face back – he snapped his fingers – like that. He was going to pull some strings and send her to the same clinic that pulled Michael Corinthos back from the brink. Their waiting list was beyond consideration and the fees they charged, oof. He was wiling to get her to the front of the line and pay for her surgery. Jordan asked what would have been in it for him, and he said he needed someone to go to Zurich, empty a few accounts, bring the money back to Port Charles. He still needed that someone. She asked if he still trusted her to do that, and he said, today was her lucky traitor day. He still really needed the cash and she could totally use that surgery. So did they have a deal?

Willow told Jack, absolutely not. They weren’t murderers. He told her, said the woman who put two in her husband’s back, and she said, whoever did that must have been driven to it and couldn’t have been thinking rationally. Nina said he was talking about murdering a man in cold blood, and he said he was just offering it as an option. He and the WSB would hate to see a good friend get expelled from congress. Nina said they all would, and he said, so it was unanimous. Everyone would like Willow to stay in place. In light of that, there was one possibility.

Martin said even if he could make it look like Isaiah provoked Curtis, that was no guarantee he’d get the result he wanted. If he was convicted, he was looking at ten years, parole maybe in two. Curtis said the plea deal included prison time. Two years with the possibility of parole in eight months. He had a child on the way. Martin said it was an awfully big risk, and Curtis said they needed to get a not guilty verdict. Was Martin the lawyer who could make that happen?

Tracy told Brook that she was sorry. She hadn’t wanted to make this harder for her. But she was sorrier that Brook put the fate of her marriage in the hands of Lucy Coe. Brook said Lucy was kind of the expert, but Tracy said, at best, Lucy was a birdbrain with a room temperature IQ. At worst, she was larcenous, calculating, and a parasite. Her brother Alan was a fool, but he was no dummy. Yet somehow, Lucy convinced him to marry her. She’d learned that underestimating Lucy was at one’s own peril. How much did it cost Brook? Brook said Lucy wanted her Deception shares, and she said, half.

Lucy said she was sorry. She thought Brook would have told Chase about the stock transfer. Chase said he was guessing she didn’t tell Tracy either, or the whole house would have heard the screams. Why did his wife give her the shares? Lucy said, it really just made good business sense. With all the instability and difficulties with Deception and the friction between her and Tracy, she and Brook decided it was best to consolidate control of the company, which needed to be in her sturdy and capable hands.

Tracy said, how could she? The point of giving Brook the shares was so they could run Deception together. Brook said she knew it was. She knew it would hurt Tracy and that was why she’d put off telling her. Tracy said, because procrastination always helps everything, and Brook said she was sorry she’d hurt Tracy, but not for giving Lucy the shares. She loved her family more than she loved any company. Tracy said she just hoped the house of cards Brook built didn’t come crashing down on top of her, and she walked out.

Chase said Lucy was now majority shareholder and must be thrilled since the company was originally her idea, and Lucy said she was thrilled that Brook had faith in her to lead the company through these very turbulent times. He said it sounded like she was in debt to Brook, but she said, no. They both agreed on the long-term value of this mutually satisfactory business arrangement.  

Martin said Curtis’s actions were inappropriate, but his story was compelling. He didn’t think the jury would root for someone who’d chose to drive away when someone else was in trouble. If they could put Jordan on the stand so the jury could see the injuries that were exacerbated when a medical doctor refused to stop, he thought he could prove Curtis was provoked past a reasonable standard of behavior. But there was a whole lot of if. Curtis had to decide if it was a risk he wanted to take. Curtis said he had. He couldn’t spend the first eight months of his child’s life in prison. He had to defend his name, for his sake and his child’s.

Jordan said, as tempting as Sidwell’s offer was, she’d pass, and Sidwell said she’d come to regret that decision. She said she only had one regret. That Sonny took him down before she had the chance to do it herself. He said but she was the one who gained his trust by pretending to be someone she wasn’t. Then she betrayed him. That was personal, almost intimate. He would find a way to pay her back in kind, to make her suffer as deeply as he did. But she could console herself and say she still had her principles, and every time she looked in the mirror at her damaged, ravaged face, she’d say, I could have been beautiful again. Jordan said she’d heal on her own, but she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she’d done one more thing to help him. She walked out, then touched her scar. (Okay. She has a scar, but damaged and ravaged? A bit of an exaggeration.)

Turner said she didn’t want to stop seeing Sonny, but something had changed for her. At first, their relationship was something of a dare. She couldn’t trust him, so she kept her guard up. She was waiting for the day when one of them betrayed the other, but that wasn’t how she felt anymore. He asked, what changed? and she said he risked his life for her. He said he’d do it again, and she said, what happened at the gallery showed her that what they had was real. He said when they first started seeing each other, they knew it couldn’t last forever, but when he saw Sidwell holding her hostage, he knew he couldn’t lose her. She said she couldn’t lose him, and they hugged.

Jack said Cullum would have wanted the black box close, so in all likelihood, it was still on Spoon Island. So if Nina and Willow weren’t willing to go the whole nine yards to solve their true problem, they had two options. They could either convince Drew not to turn them in or find the black box. He thought they knew which was the only real option. The doorbell rang and Willow opened the door to Elizabeth. Elizabeth said she was shocked to see Jack standing, especially there.

🌞 Summer Friday…

Valentin went to see Josslyn at the hospital and brought her flowers. She said they were beautiful. Did he steal them from another patient? He asked if she’d accept them if he said he did, and she said, if it meant he left faster. He said it was like she wasn’t surprised to see him, and she said, not in shackles, escorted by armed escorts, and he said it was like she already knew he’d been released.

Lulu showed up at Sonny’s old kitchen, where the moss bowl🎍resided, and Carly said she seemed to be on a mission. Whatever she had to do or say, have at it. She asked if Carly put Valentin in contact with her daughter.

Ethan was lounging by the pool (on his stomach), when Ava came by bringing him a drink. He took a sip, and she asked if it was too fruity for him, but he said it was light on the rum. Could she walk it back to the bar and tell them to put some in?

Brook fussed over Phoebe, when Chase walked in.

Jack said he was grateful to Elizabeth and the entire staff at General Hospital and Turning Woods for the exemplary care he’d received. Thanks to them, he’d made a full recovery. Elizabeth said the progress he’d made was unexpected, and she wondered if being at Turning Woods made the difference between his recovery and Drew’s. She thought there might be a connection between them.

Fitzpatrick met Britt in the interrogation room and said he wanted to ask her a few questions, but she said that wasn’t going to happen.

Anna flashed back to when she was kidnapped, when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to Obrecht, who said she was there to ask for Anna’s help.

Ava said her gratitude was decreasing and there was plenty of rum in the drink, and Ethan said forgive him for thinking he deserved a cocktail after what he’d been through. He did get shot for her. She said, in that moment, he was quite heroic. Now he was just being an ass. He said, funny she should use that word. He thought what she enjoyed most about being stuck with him was that she got plenty of looks at his derrière. Was she trying to stop him from bleeding out or trying to cop a feel? She dumped the drink on his head and asked if that was enough rum for him.

Chase took Phoebe and said he loved her so much. Nothing was more important than her. (I have to say it again, this baby is beyond cute) He put Phoebe in her bassinet and told Brook that he’d stopped by the pool where he’d talked to Lucy Coe.

Elizabeth said she and Lucas were on duty when Jack was brought in, and Nina said she’d been glad to see both of them. The whole thing was terrifying. Elizabeth said she could imagine. And Willow was with Drew when he had his stroke. As a nurse, there was something about all of this that struck her as odd. Two healthy men both having strokes resulting in Locked-In Syndrome was kind of rare. Willow said, if she didn’t know anything about medicine, she’d be completely paranoid, and Elizabeth said, since both strokes happened there, she was wondering if the source of this medical condition wasn’t in this house.

Carly said, before this went further, Lulu should know Josslyn joined the WSB a year ago. Jack recruited Josslyn without her knowledge and kept it from her. When she found out, she was furious and devastated. It wasn’t the life she’d wanted for her daughter. She had to get Josslyn out, but didn’t know how to do that without putting her in more danger. So she went to someone who knew all about the WSB. Lulu said, Valentin, and Carly said she pretended to be his lawyer and went to Steinmauer. She was desperate for information that would help save her daughter. Lulu said Valentin didn’t give anything away for free. What did Carly offer him in return?… You helped him escape.

Valentin told Josslyn that he met with Z and told him about Cullum and Faison’s work. He was moved back to his cell and informed he’d be shipped back to Steinmauer. He’d known it would be a distinct possibility, but the device was just too dangerous. Plus, she and Charlotte were in danger, so he really didn’t have any other option. Josslyn said he had another option, but he just didn’t take it, and he said, imagine his surprise when, within 24-hours, all charges against him were dropped and he found himself with a first-class ticket (!) on a flight back home. She said he was lucky they didn’t put him in steerage, and he said he was lucky they didn’t strap him to the wing. The Bureau had no reason to free him. It was like he had a guardian angel at the WSB. He couldn’t make sense of it, then he saw their statement saying Cullum died a hero,. Josslyn said she’d seen that too, and he said they were among the very few who knew that wasn’t true.

Obrecht said, it seems our fortunes have turned, Scarecrow. Anna regained her sanity and she lost her son. The WSB was responsible for taking them both. Anna asked why she was there, and Obrecht said, Anna’s former colleague at the WSB, Director Ross Cullum, was a double agent and the individual spearheading the completion of Cesar’s final project. He was an evil psychopath who’d blackmailed her Britta into constructing the prototype for him. When Britt finally found the courage and strength to defy him and flee Port Charles, he abducted her and forced her to finish the device in Britt’s place. Anna said she didn’t know any of that. She was sorry Obrecht was taken, but also grateful the device was confiscated before any real damage was done. Obrecht said, that’s where she was wrong. An incredible amount of damage was done. Her son was killed and now his memory was being tarnished by a WSB cover-up.

Chase told Brook, the warrant to check the trip log in Willow’s car was based on statements from two credible sources. One was Drew, when he was questioned by Detective Fitzpatrick, but the source that put the whole investigation of Willow into motion was Lucy. Brook said it was probably the only time Lucy or Drew had been called credible, and he said Lucy came to the station of her own volition to give a statement. They hadn’t even been looking into Willow as a potential suspect, so he wanted to ask what Lucy knew and why she’d come forward now. Brook said she wished he hadn’t done that.

Ethan asked what he’d done to Ava other than protect her and make her get him a drink… and snacks… twice. She said, for one thing, he was still lying to her. What did he remember about their time in the storage room? He said, aside from her surprisingly tender bedside manner, not much, and she said he’d been lightheaded, in and out of consciousness, and said something she didn’t think he would have had he been thinking clearly. She’d told him to hold on for his daughter, and then he said that Phoebe wasn’t his.

Willow asked if Elizabeth thought there was a poison or something in her house, and Elizabeth said, maybe. Willow acted shocked, and Elizabeth said she’d never seen anybody recover from Locked-In Syndrome the way Chief Brennan had. It was so fast. The fact that he was standing there talking to her while Drew hadn’t recovered at all, raised the possibility that the cause could be environmental in nature. Jack asked if she was saying because Drew was being treated at home, he was still exposed to whatever caused his stroke, and she said, yes. There could be something toxic in the house they’d both been exposed to, but Jack being away from it gave him the opportunity to recover from it, while Drew continually being exposed to it was keeping him sick.

Fitzpatrick said he wasn’t accusing Britt of any crime, but thought it would benefit her to talk to him, and she said, pass. He said they recovered a used syringe in her room at Bobbie’s. They sent it to the forensics lab and it came back positive for saline residue. He wondered why she’d be injecting herself with saline, and she said because she was a world class idiot.

Valentin said Josslyn was the sole survivor of the events on Spoon Island. It would be a real black eye for the Bureau if it were to be made public. The treaties, the laws broken by Cullum through the creation of his cold fusion device. She’d agreed to play ball, didn’t she? To say what they wanted her to say. Josslyn asked what he thought that was, and he said, that the heretofore unknown and currently deceased Cassius Faison, son of Cesar, was the real villain in all of this. He took her book out of her hand and said she was a smart woman. He didn’t think she’d do that if she didn’t get something in return. He didn’t know what it was, but he knew it part it involved his unconditional release. So first, he wanted to offer her his gratitude for giving him his life back. And second, he would like to know why.

Carly said all she did was convince Jack to transfer Valentin to a WSB prison in the states. Valentin orchestrated the escape and hijacking all on his own. She had nothing to do with that. Lulu asked if Carly thought that meant her hands were clean. She basically unlocked his cell for him. Carly said she did what was required to save her daughter, and Lulu said Charlotte told her that she’d been in contact with Valentin for months. Carly knew where he was this entire time, didn’t she? Carly said he was hiding out in her attic, and Lulu said, she let him stay there? A wanted fugitive in the same house as her child? Carly said it was the safest place she could think of. She was dating Jack and Valentin poisoned her last year. Who would think to look here? Lulu said Carly just admitted Valentin almost killed her, yet she let him stay in her house, and Carly said she didn’t invite him. He came there looking for help. Lulu said it made her wonder what else Carly did to help… On Christmas, Carly said she needed Charlotte’s help with the creche and brought her there to get it. Did she do that so Valentin could see her? Carly said, yes, I did.

Anna told Obrecht that she’d spent the last six months in a mental institution fighting for her life. She couldn’t even entertain the possibility of a vast WSB conspiracy right now, much less expose one. Obrecht said Anna’s ordeal happened because of the WSB. She and her son may have been the victims, but so was Anna. Anna asked what she was talking about, and Obrecht said Anna’s grip on her sanity may be tenuous, but she didn’t get to this place alone. When Cullum kidnapped her, he’d held her in the exact same room where he’d previously held Anna. Anna asked what room she was referring to, and Obrecht said, the room in the subbasement of Windymere. Anna said, describe the room to her. How did Obrecht know she was there? She’d been listening to doctors tell her that she wasn’t held captive and had a psychotic break. If Obrecht had proof that it was real, she had to show her.

Carly said, any interaction between Charlotte and Valentin happened at her house where Charlotte was safe and protected, but Lulu said Carly put her daughter’s life at risk. Carly said, Charlotte was fine. Her daughter was in the hospital recovering from a gunshot that almost killed her. It was the reason she was fighting so damn hard to get her out of the WSB. Josslyn’s death wasn’t something she could survive, so she wasn’t apologizing for doing whatever it took or working with whoever she had to in order to keep her daughter safe. Lulu said she was very happy Josslyn would be okay, but teaming up with Valentin wasn’t just WSB work, was it? She saw Carly outside the hospital. She was kissing Valentin. Carly put her daughter in danger because she needed to keep Valentin in her bed.

Josslyn said her mom got involved in all of this with Valentin because she wanted to get her out of the WSB. That made it her responsibility to make sure her mom didn’t go down for any of it. Valentin said, so she couldn’t let Carly be indicted for aiding and harboring a fugitive, and she said she needed to make sure her mom wasn’t faced with any charges in order to keep her safe, so she said what Z needed her to say. And Cassius and Cullum were both dead, so it didn’t really matter who got painted the hero or the villain.

Obrecht drew on a pad and said, this was exactly how the room she was held captive in looked. Here on this wall, Josslyn Jax showed her what Anna wrote. Anna Devane was held captive here. I was taken on 10-31-25. Anna took the pad and thanked her. She said she knew she was held somewhere. It was very gratifying to have her version of the events confirmed. Josslyn was there too? Obrecht nodded and said, near the end of her confinement, so was Josslyn’s mother. Anna said she didn’t get what this had to do with her holding Cullum to blame and exonerating Obrecht’s son, and Obrecht said Anna was Cullum’s victim, just like her and Cassius. Anna said she never saw Cullum. She couldn’t confirm that he ever did anything to her. But she could confirm that Cassius lied to her and pretended to be Nathan. In order to do that, he had to dig up his own brother’s corpse and fake his own DNA and fingerprints, and that sounded to her very much like his father. It made her believe that Cassius would be capable of seeing Faison’s work to completion.

Ethan said he was pretty sure his words were garbled from all the gunfire, and Ava said that was probably it. She’d see what Alexis thought. He said, do what she had to do, and she said he wasn’t Phoebe’s father and was running some kind of con, right? Trying to extort Brook and the Quartermaines. He said that wasn’t it at all. He had money and didn’t need to extort. She said, it’d be fun to have a little of it, right? but he said he was telling her the truth. He’d made a promise to Phoebe’s mother. He wasn’t trying to use Phoebe. He was trying to protect her. Ava said, from what? and he said, trust him. She didn’t want to know.

Brook said the last time Chase interfered in an investigation involving Willow, it cost him his detective shield, but Chase said he wasn’t interfering. He was asking questions. Willow admitted she was at the house, but denied being on the road then. Brook asked if she said where she was, and he said Willow told him that she was at her house with Drew at the time of the accident. Brook told him that Drew said something different. Isn’t it possible Willow isn’t telling the truth? Chase said Brook told him herself that Drew wasn’t a reliable witness. He was guessing Willow’s trip log was altered or hacked. She asked if it didn’t make more sense that Willow lied, and he said he’d consider that a distinct possibility if Willow hadn’t been set up before. His first guess was that Michael hacked her car. She said he couldn’t keep blaming Michael, and he said, then Lucy told him something that changed everything – that she owned half of Brook’s Deception shares. Brook said, it was just a business thing, and he said, then why not tell him? Was she the one who framed Willow?

Jack said he didn’t know what happened to Drew, but he knew what caused his stroke, and Nina said, fill them in. He said the information he was about to give them couldn’t leave this room. On the day he fell ill, he was working with a WSB team on a classified matter. In the course of that work, he was exposed to a substance. Elizabeth asked, what kind of substance? and he said that was classified, but it explained why he was moved to Turning Woods so quickly, so he could be privately taken care of. Elizabeth wondered if Drew could have been exposed, but Jack said he didn’t see how since it was highly restricted. There was no connection, except that he happened to be there after he was exposed. He wanted to thank Nina for acting so quickly. She might have saved his life. Nina said she was glad she was able to help, and he said, selfishly, so was he. He left, and Willow said, mystery solved.

Chase said, if Brook told him that she didn’t do it, he’d believe her, but he knew with her and her family, the reflex was to always deny the truth when they got caught. She said she promised him that she’d never lie to him. Yes, she did it. She framed Willow.

Fitzpatrick asked if Britt was saying that Cullum, the man who was being heralded as a hero, falsely convinced her that she was suffering from Huntington’s Disease, and she said he also supplied her with – air quotes – an experimental medication – end air quotes – only he had access to, to treat it. Fitzpatrick said, and it turned out to be saline, and she said, yep, just a placebo. And she was stupid enough to do whatever he wanted, legal or illegal, to get it. He said it sounded like Cullum messed with her head big time. He was sorry.

Obrecht said, Cassius was manipulated into doing every single thing he did by Cullum, and Anna said Obrecht would say anything to protect her children. Scapegoating a dead WSB agent didn’t require much imagination. Obrecht said she was telling the truth, but Anna said she knew Cullum. He was a well-respected agent. She conceded maybe he lost his way, but the person who instigated all of this, the one who knew exactly how to torture her and mess with her head, would have to be Cesar Faison’s son. Obrecht said she understood why Anna couldn’t take her at her word, but if Anna didn’t believe her, they should ask Josslyn Jax.

Giving her back her book, Valentin said, whatever Josslyn’s reasons, he was grateful. He owed her one. She said she’d keep that in mind, and he said he thought she’d collect right away and tell him to stay away from her mother. She said she didn’t always agree with her mother’s choices, but it was her life. She was free to make them. He said, intentional or not, Josslyn gave a real gift to his daughter, and she said she could see how much they loved each other. He said he’d keep Charlotte safe, and thanked her. He was about to leave, when she said there was one thing he could do for her. Could he give a message to Anna Devane?

Carly said Lulu didn’t know what she and Valentin had shared or what they’d been through, but Lulu said she knew what he’d put Charlotte through. She almost saw her daughter get shot in Prague because she was near him. Just being in his proximity put a target on Charlotte, and Carly clearly didn’t give a damn. Carly said she loved Charlotte, and Lulu said, did she? Because if she didn’t want bullets flying at her kid, why was Carly okay with them flying at hers?

Chase said he was hoping to be wrong and asked Brook why she did it. Brook said, knowing Willow did something terrible and lied about it seemed like the only way to get him to distance from her, and he said, but she didn’t. Brook set her up. Brook said she was sorry. She knew it was wrong, but Willow was around him all the time. She depended on him more every day. She offered him that job… He said, which he turned down, but she said it didn’t matter. For some reason, he just couldn’t see it, but it was clear to everyone else, especially her. Willow used to be married to him and wanted him back. Willow knew what a huge mistake she’d made in letting him go. He said, because Brook convinced herself of that, she thought it was okay to frame Willow for a crime she didn’t commit, but Brook said she didn’t have to convince herself. She just had to see what was right in front of her. And it wasn’t a crime, just a bad thing. Willow wouldn’t go to jail. He said, it could still destroy her life, and she said, all she wanted was for him to look at Willow differently. He said she did all this to separate him and Willow, and instead, she separated them.

Ava asked Ethan to just tell her what he was hiding, but he said, no. She had to trust that everything he was doing was what was best for Phoebe. She had a safe, loving home with two parents who loved her dearly, and that was everything he and Delilah could ever have wanted for her and it needed to stay that way.

Britt said they’d established she would have done anything to have her medication. Was there anything else Fitzpatrick wanted to know? He said, no, and thanked her for clearing up the saline question. It was the one thing he couldn’t figure out. He slid her release paperwork across the table and said she was free to go.

Carly said Lulu had every right to be concerned about her daughter and to be mad at her. She lied to Lulu and went behind Lulu’s back, but she didn’t get to come into Lulu’s house and accuse her of not caring about her kids or Lulu’s. She might not like it, but Charlotte loved her father. She’d seen them together. Valentin adored her and they needed each other. Lulu said it wasn’t up for Carly to decide, and Carly said, then she’d better be prepared for a world where Charlotte snuck around and lied to her because she’d made it impossible for her to be honest. Was that what she wanted? Lulu said, what she wanted was to keep her daughter safe, and Carly giving her parenting tips was rich considering Josslyn clearly hadn’t confided in her.

Jack said he heard Josslyn’s recovery was going well, and she said she’d live. He said he was very glad to hear that. He supposed she’d heard the Bureau had given an official statement. Cullum was hailed a hero. She said Valentin told her. He was just here. He asked how that was possible. Valentin was free? She said he was. He came there to thank her for that. He said, she secured Valentin’s freedom? How? More importantly, why? She knew how dangerous Valentin was, not to mention how bad he was for her mother. She said, those two are a disaster, but they’re not going to last, and he asked how she could be so sure. She said because she just sent him straight to Anna.

Anna told Obrecht that she was sure she’d run into Josslyn at some point, but she’d just spent the last six months in hell. She’d been away from her friends, her family, her entire life. Right now, her focus was going to be on recuperating and that was it. All her dealings with Cassius were lies and she wouldn’t vouch for him with anyone. If Obrecht wanted to clear his name, she’d have to find someone else to do that. Obrecht said Anna may not be willing or brave enough to help her son, but he died a hero and she wouldn’t let him be painted as a monster. She would clear Cassius’s name with or without Anna’s help. She walked out.

Elizabeth asked Willow about communication assistance for Drew, and Willow said she hadn’t been able to sync up her schedule, but she was working on it. Elizabeth asked if she could do anything else, but Willow said she’d done too much already. She was an amazing friend and she was glad Elizabeth was in her life. Elizabeth said her too. Call if she needed anything. Willow said she would, and Elizabeth left. Nina said that was close, and Willow said, too close. She had to track down Brennan’s evidence. If she didn’t find a way to control Drew before his paralysis wore off, he was going to destroy her life. And she would not allow that to happen.

Crying, Brook told Chase that she knew what she did was wrong. She panicked. They had a daughter now and the adoption was in progress. They were on the brink of getting everything they’d ever hoped for. She was afraid of losing it all and it made her do something irrational and stupid. Please tell her that he understood. Chase said he hated that she tampered with any kind of evidence, but to do that to Willow? She already stood trial for something she didn’t do and then she helped them adopt Phoebe. It’s wrong. She said, that was the worst part of this for him? What bothered him most was that she did it to Willow? Willow was what mattered most to him.

Ava asked what was stopping her from going to the Quartermaines right now, and Ethan said his word. And this wasn’t a game. This was as serious as saving her life. If that meant anything to her, drop it. He limped away.

Britt said, free to go? and Fitzpatrick told her to sign out with the desk sergeant. They’d give her the personal items she came in with. She said she thought they were holding her for the WSB, but he said the WSB declined to pursue charges against her. They told them a couple hours ago. She said he just interrogated her. Was that a trick? He said he asked her questions and she answered them and he thanked her for her cooperation. She said, so that was it? and he said, unless there were other crimes she wanted to confess to. Then he could arrange for her to stay longer. She asked where she was supposed to go. She didn’t have any money. She didn’t have a car. She got rid of all her credit cards. She didn’t even have a phone. He gave her five dollars, said she could pay him back later, and he left.

Josslyn told Jack that Anna was held captive in the same room at Windymere she was in, just for a lot longer. Cullum and Sidwell deliberately messed with her mind. They caused her breakdown. Anna needed to know what really happened to her so she could finally heal. Jack said, agreed. But Josslyn could have told Anna all this herself. Instead, she sent Valentin. She knew how much Valentin always loved Anna. Even Josslyn’s mother couldn’t break his fixation over her. Josslyn said that was exactly what she was counting on. If there was one person who could pull Valentin away from her mother, it was Anna Devane.

Lulu said Carly didn’t know Valentin like she did. She’d seen how treacherous he was. How he could justify any lie or manipulation if he got what he wanted. He would do the same thing to Carly that he did to Nina and Anna. She stormed out, not even saying goodbye to the moss bowl🎍.

Anna left a voicemail for Emma, thanking her for stocking the fridge. She’d done such a great job. She was thinking tonight maybe she’d make that pomegranate and goat cheese salad Emma liked so much. Maybe she could pop by the market and pick up some things. If Emma couldn’t, she’d just get them delivered. Okay. Love you. Thank you. She put the drawing of the room in a drawer, when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to Valentin and they smiled at each other.

On Monday, Jack tells Carly, that is always a mistake; Elizabeth tells someone that having them fill the 16^th seat on the hospital board is brilliant; Lucas asks Britt, now that you have this, what are you going to do with it; and Brook asks if Chase has lost his mind and if she pushed him toward Willow.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

The slap of John Oliver’s dreams.

https://ew.com/john-oliver-slapped-on-general-hospital-by-star-laura-wright-12013093

Coming back and coming in new.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/jason-returns-to-general-hospital-everything-you-need-to-know-before-steve-burtons-comeback

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/serena-baldwin-on-general-hospital-everything-you-need-to-know-about-scott-and-lucys-daughter

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-head-writers-preview-tristan-serena-scout-and-more-new-characters

What a smile! Can’t wait to see what’s next for this actor.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-how-andrew-hawkes-found-out-cullum-was-being-killed-off

Daytime Emmy noms coming up.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/daytime-emmy-nominations-2026-announcement-date-and-ceremony-details

Here’s hoping Jeff Kober gets the win.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/6-former-soap-stars-score-2026-primetime-emmy-nominations

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

I missed the beginning, but the new guests are big Game of Thrones fans, and I’m good with it. On shore, Gen set up a beach picnic adorned with roses for the guests, and then they set off for Old Town in Dubrovnik (aka King’s Landing). Kat led the excursion dressed in a Game of Thrones-ish cloak, and told the guests that her mother was Croatian and still had family there. In her interview, she said her mother tried to teach her Croatian as a child, but she’d lacked interest and now wished she’d paid more attention. Same, except my father tried to teach me Lithuanian. Kat passed her cloak to Luke, who helped recreate Cersei’s Walk of Shame. The guests were given bells to participate and they were thrilled. Back on the boat, Joy said told Aesha that she wasn’t playing Luke’s game, and in the crew mess, Nathan told Luke that he’d slept like dogsh*t. I have no idea how that’s even a comparison, but okay. For dinner, there was a Game of Thrones feast, where both the food and décor were fabulous. Cooper donned a dragon costume and Eyebrows Joe slayed him, Cooper falling overboard, once again delighting the guests. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she said the crew had created an epic experience for the clients and it was seven-star service. Gen stayed past her shift to talk to Luke and told him that she was being an insecure bitch because he’d helped Joy. In Luke’s interview, he said, hold your horses. This was too intense for him. Gen couldn’t control how he acted or who interacted with, and this was psycho stuff. He told Gen that there was no triangle anymore, but she wasn’t picking up what he was putting down, and said they were on the same page. In his interview, he said he was realizing he made big mistake. He needed it to be over, but didn’t know how to say it without blowing up the boat. Good luck with that.

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 Episode 5 Recap: The Deckhand Cometh

In the City

The group took a trip to Connecticut for Lindsay’s Friendsgiving getaway. After a kerfuffle about rooms, Georgina told Lindsay that she’d heard influencer Whitney said the two of them had been playing the single mom card, and Yvonne and Lindsay had a sit-down about the wedding. Yvonne said, instead of diffusing the situation, Lindsay added fuel to fire. It would have been nice if someone reminded the table that it was her and Nick’s wedding celebration. Lindsay whined that everyone had been piling on her. Hmm… All the more reason to STFU. In Yvonne’s interview, she said Lindsay thought her stuff was more important, and they were trying to adjust to a new phase of their friendship. The table toasted to Gemma for walking, but then Gavin toasted to Kyle getting 14 gigs, which surprised Amanda. What was no surprise to anyone was that Kyle hadn’t told her. In Amanda’s interview, she said, in her gut, she felt this was the end. She left the table, and Andrea tried to give Kyle some advice, but instead of… I dunno, maybe listening? Kyle did what he does best, yelled a bunch of nonsense and left.

In The City Episode 8 Recap: An Unfriendly Friendsgiving

The Valley

The cast awoke to party remnants and hangovers. It was Danny’s birthday next, and a yacht trip was planned. Janet said she’d give Danny the best birthday gift by not going on the boat, and Lala stayed behind with her. While on the boat, Kristen confronted Luke, telling him that Jesse passed along his hesitation about marrying Kristen. No surprise, this turned into a big deal, with Luke defending himself and then removing himself from the no-win-for-him situation. Zack had some kind of bandage wrapped around his face, and Schwartz said he was giving Little Bo Peep vibes. There was more talk about Danny’s drinking and Danny complaining about the talk. That evening, Lala tried discussing it with Danny, but Nia ran interference, literally standing between them, then walked off. Before long, Danny sat alone at the bar wondering why he had no one to drink with.

The Valley Season 3 Episode 15 Recap: Danny’s Birthday Blowout

Next Gen NYC

Gia got her own place in Jersey City, relatively close to Manhattan. Emira felt pressure to stay on top and was having difficulties with her work/life balance. She’d gotten her parents a house and their mortgage was one of her many expenses. Wow. Just wow. In Rowan’s interview, she said she was pursuing a career in entertainment journalism and writing her first feature film. Her mom, Brooke Shields, was on the show for a hot minute and made a few jokes. I’ve always liked her. One of my husband’s cousins hung out with her when they were younger, and she said Brook was very authentic and fun. You can see that in Rowan as well. Georgia and her best friend Cooper wanted to start a cleaning brand and make cleaning fun because they hated doing it. No surprise there, since Georgia doesn’t even like washing her hands. Gia’s boyfriend Christian was helping them get things off the ground, and in Georgia’s interview, she said, a lot of her savings were on the line and whined, if it doesn’t work, what do I do? Um… pivot? Brooks was told by a modeling agency when he was 16 that he had a receding hairline, so he wore a red light helmet every day. I can’t imagine this, since I have a mask I’m lazy about. In Brooks’s interview, he said when he was overwhelmed and stressed, he gravitated toward the curation of sourdough. Again, not same. Avoid the kitchen at all costs is my motto. On the way to girls’ night, Riley and Ariana wondered how to be cool without being fake, as they had issues with Ava and Georgia. IMO, the first step to being cool is not caring if you’re cool or not. Guys’ night was a bust, starting with Gia telling Brooks that Charlie wanted Brooks to keep his name out of his mouth. Sigh. Really? Charlie is too old to be hanging out with these kids in the first place and I don’t think he’s misunderstood at all. He’s an a-hole. Brooks thought it felt weird and threatening, and didn’t want anything of Charlie’s near his mouth. Christian texted Gia that guys’ night sucked, and the end result was a girls’/guys’ night merge.

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-rileys-shady-digs-at-georgia-arianas-new-fling-charlies-offensive-comments-vrt-unpacks-episode-3

Gia Giudice Suffers Hot Mic Moment on Next Gen NYC

Real Housewives Of Orange County

I forgot this premiered this week, so I just half-watched, but one the main takeaway points was that Vicki was back and ready to whoop it up. Like a bad penny (what does that even mean?), Tamra returned as well. In Fancy Pants Heather’s interview, she said Tamra seemed lighter and a bit different. I could swear that’s what was said last season and we all saw how that worked out. In Tamra’s interview, she said she was trying to be a big girl now, but we’ll see. Emily is now barely recognizable because of her intake of Ozempic hours at the gym. Fancy Pants had a Hearts & Heels party, where I missed what started it, but she and Vicki had a non-argument about how Terry made his money. After Fancy Pants loudly explained it was because of boobs, in Vicki’s interview, she said she didn’t believe doctors made enough to live in a $20 million house. Clearly she hasn’t heard about that lucrative practice called plastic surgery. Not to mention, Terry has a TV show called Botched. The best quote came from Heather’s mom Carole when she said, God created Los Angeles, but he lives in New York. I’m pretty sure someone else coined that, but it was still good.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20 Episode 1 Recap: The Return of the ‘OG of the OC’

Random Reality Items

Oh… Canada. Why?

Summer House Canada: What NBCUniversal’s New Reality Gamble Means

Not that I begrudge a sister anything, but never was a cheated on woman fêted so much.

Ariana Madix Lands First Emmy Nomination for Hosting Love Island USA

Maybe she got backlash because no one could tell the difference between her and Delores.

Dolores Catania Talks Liz McGraw’s Backlash & RHORI Exit

Whoa.

https://people.com/rhoc-star-jennifer-pedranti-reveals-son-was-involved-in-causing-brush-fire-in-southern-california-we-are-deeply-sorry-12015810

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

The Home. Hulu. So far, Pete Davidson has not disappointed me, so I took a chance on this one. It also didn’t hurt that it was only and hour and a half, which was the time I had to spare. He held his streak with this one too. Max, a troubled child since his brother committed suicide, is now a troubled adult, doing community service in a retirement home. He begins to get warnings that something is wrong there and residents begin to die. The cast is great and includes John Glover, who is one of my favorites. While some might find the things-are-not-what-they-seem premise tired, it never gets old for me (no pun intended), and I always enjoy trying to figure out what’s behind it all. Admittedly, the end was kind of weird and not what I would have chosen, but I wasn’t totally disappointed. You could spend a worse 97 minutes. Just don’t go to the fourth floor.

Home is Where the Hurt Is: ‘THE HOME’ (2025) – Movie Review

Spoilers here.

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/08/01/home-review-horror-film-creator-purge-starring-pete-davidson-is-exactly-what-youd-expect

Maybe I’ve been desensitized by movies like Evil Dead, but this didn’t bother me all that much

Pete Davidson says his eye was put in jeopardy for The Home scene

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Disney+, Hulu. This picks up right where the first one left off. Since I saw the first one not long ago, it was fresh in my mind, so I didn’t do that mental floundering around I often do watching a sequel. This time, protagonist Grace is thrown back into the mix of the survive until dawn game, along with her estranged younger sister Faith. Although Grace annihilated the Le Domas family – surprise – there are five other families she must contend with. Apparently, the seat of ultimate power is available and they’re all vying for the spot. It’s fun and funny, and the casting was spot-on, Sarah Michelle Gellar particularly good as one of the contenders. The fight scenes were excellent, there were plenty of exploding devil worshipers to go around, and the ending was satisfying.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ready-or-not-2-here-i-come-review-samara-weaving-1236530850

Film Review: ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ is a Fun Continuation of the Horror Comedy Story

🔭 Other Watches…

Baylen Out Loud, whatever part of the 90 Day Fiancé franchise is on at the time, Jay & Pamela, and Little Singles have also been part of my weekly watch diet. To me, these TLC shows are really what reality TV should be about. Seeing unique people, different lifestyles, and different countries, and seeing how those who are challenged deal with their personal difficulties. In deference to the July 4^th holiday, I watched selected scenes from Hamilton last weekend as well. While I do occasionally watch a movie on Disney+, my subscription is really a perpetual rental of that play.

🏆 Award Watch…

A list of this year’s Emmy nominations. I didn’t include that whole snub thing. That seems to be a matter of opinion and come on, everybody can’t get a nod.

https://ew.com/emmy-nominations-2026-full-list-12013543

In case you don’t read the soap section. Rooting for Jeff Kober here.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/6-former-soap-stars-score-2026-primetime-emmy-nominations

🐾 Busier Than Bees…

🐕 He’s worked hard and now he’s ready for his gold biscuit.

https://people.com/disneyland-security-dog-retires-after-6-years-of-service-12014319

🐈 He’s under a year old and already setting records.

https://people.com/michigan-cat-ties-guinness-world-record-with-28-toes-12011402

🐺 They left their homeland for a better life.

https://people.com/ancient-wolves-found-on-remote-swedish-island-may-have-lived-alongside-humans-12013697

🐱 And because, well, you know.

https://people.com/all-about-taylor-swift-cats-12011015

🐲 Quotes of the Week

But instead of spending our lives running towards our dreams, we are often running away from a fear of failure or a fear of criticism. – Erin Wright

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. – Steve Jobs 

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. – C.S. Lewis

I’d rather fail at something important than succeed at something trivial. – Paul Hawken

There’s a difference between knowing something and facing it head-on. – Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), General Hospital

It feels like a hoax, like, why would that happen? She’s done shows there. It’d be like if I got married here. – Crocs 34th Street employee re Taylor Swift’s wedding (Vulture)

I want to die. I hate whiskey. – text from Brooks Marks, Next Gen NYC

☀️ Fresh and Simmered In Sunshine…

Until next time, stay safe: stay practicing courteous behavior and respect for locals while traveling; and stay not living in the past, but not forgetting about it either.

Video > 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)