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April 11, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Josslyn Gets Her First Mission, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Future Watching, Awarding, Fluffy Tales, Novenary Quotes & Believe

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Jack went to Anna’s office and she asked if something happened. He said she was trapped. Lucy asked if Trina wanted to perform at the Nurses Ball with Kai or do another duet with Josslyn. Carly hugged Josslyn, saying she didn’t know Josslyn was coming home, and Jason told her, welcome home. Carly wanted to hear about Easter Island, but first, Josslyn wanted to talk how Carly almost died. Elizabeth thanked Lucas for checking on her and he said the guy he met in Miami was in town and they’d gone for a drink. Ava came by wanting to talk to Elizabeth about the accident. Molly said it was a miracle the ambulance got there as quick as it did, and Ric had a hazy recollection of seeing Kristina there. He told Molly that he just remembered something about the accident. Kristina said she didn’t mean to hurt Elizabeth, but Lucky said, she almost died. Kristina said Ava kept pushing her (bad choice of words), but he said she needed to take responsibility. She hadn’t even apologized for almost killing two people. She said she was glad they were both okay and she was sorry. He said she’d gone too far and needed to pay for it. Elizabeth and Ric had to know what she did.

Kai said he’d have to pass, and Trina said she didn’t know if she could perform, but Lucy said she was always a huge hit. Trina said a lot had changed since the last Nurses Ball. Carly told Josslyn about the poisoned champagne, and Josslyn asked if Carly and Jack were sleeping together. Jack told Anna that ADA Turner had asked for every file the WSB had on her. He sent them, but between what was confidential and redacted, what he’d sent was her birth date and shoe size. He’d come to warn her. It was disturbing that the ADA was asking about her at all. Molly asked what Ric remembered, but he said it didn’t make sense. He lost control of the car and swerved all over. Molly suggested it might have been black ice, when her phone rang. Ric said, the law never sleeps, and to take it. Molly left, and Alexis said they’d finally made a truce and Ric got in an accident. He’d rather die than be on good terms with her. Elizabeth said it was still fuzzy, and Ava said Ric had been at her apartment – they’d gotten close – and Elizabeth dropped by to bring him some paperwork. Elizabeth said her kid had her car and Ric offered to drive her home, but all she remembered was the car swerving and that no one else was involved. Why was Ava asking? Kristina begged Lucky not to tell anyone. She wasn’t thinking straight and tried to stop it when she came to her senses. Lucky said she wasn’t fast enough, and Kristina said he was the one who told her not to leave the scene and not to tell anyone. He said that was before he knew she’d almost killed the mother of his child and the love of his life. He couldn’t look the other way. Kristina needed to turn herself in or he would.

Anna said she thought she could handle an ADA, but Jack said if she wanted to oust Anna as Commissioner, it wouldn’t be hard considering the company she kept. She asked why he cared, and he said he didn’t want to deal with another Commissioner. She was a pain in the ass, but a pain he was familiar with. Carly said it was none of Josslyn’s business, and Josslyn took that as a yes. Carly had been down that road with Sonny, and she wanted to know when Carly was involved with a dangerous man. Carly said she and Jack had gotten closer, and Jason wanted to leave, but Josslyn said Carly wouldn’t lie if he was there. Carly wanted to talk about Easter Island, and Josslyn said she’d drop the Jack thing for now. The trip was amazing. She showed Carly the pictures on her phone, and Carly wondered why she wasn’t in any of them. Josslyn said the trip was for school, not the Gram. Jason asked if she’d hiked the crater and looked at her pictures. Ava told Elizabeth that she hadn’t been able to talk to Ric and she was confounded since he was a good driver. Elizabeth said the only unusual thing was that they’d taken Route 42 to miss the traffic. Maybe it was icier since it was less traveled. Ava said she was glad they were both okay, thanked Elizabeth, and left. Lucas wondered what that was about, and Elizabeth asked if it wasn’t obvious. Kristina asked Lucky to just hear her out. Ava found out personal information about her dad that no one could know. Ava threatened to blackmail her dad and use it to get full custody by going public. Lucky said it would jeopardize Sonny’s whole family, and she said Ava was going to let her dad die and threw Morgan and Adela in her face. She lost it and snapped. She saw Ava’s car in her parking spot and found some wire cutters. Before she knew it, she was cutting the wires to what she thought was Ava’s car. She guessed Ric was in Ava’s spot. He said it was attempted murder, and she said she wasn’t in her right mind, but when she realized, she raced to Ava’s apartment. Just because someone survived an accident didn’t mean it couldn’t destroy their lives and she wouldn’t wish that on anyone, not even Ava. Did he believe her?

Kai said Lucy’s excitement got him excited, so he’d do it, and Lucy said the sports fan niche was a tough nut to crack, but now they had their very own Josh Allen. If Trina changed her mind, she always had a spot. She’d be in touch. She left and Trina said she didn’t take Kai as the type of guy who Lucy terrified. Why did he agree? He said because of her. Josslyn asked when Jason went to Easter Island, and he said during his time away from Port Charles. Jack arrived, and Josslyn said, this guy. He almost got Carly killed and she was still seeing him. Turner went to Anna’s office and said she assumed it was about Emma, but Anna said, no, it was about herself. Why did Turner ask the WSB for her files? If Turner had a problem with her, she preferred to be dealt with directly. Turner said she was gathering evidence against Anna. She was tired of Anna letting her friends like Jason get away with murder. Lucky said, had it been him, he would probably have gone crazy, but it didn’t excuse Kristina. She couldn’t walk away from this… Maybe there was a way for her to be held accountable without any legal consequences. If she talked to her mom, maybe Alexis could cut her a plea deal. Kristina said she couldn’t take that chance. Alexis would tell Molly and Molly could never know about this. Elizabeth told Lucas that it was Ava’s not so subtle way of staking a claim on Ric. Lucas asked if she cared, and she said, if Ric fully embraced his good side, maybe there might be a world where she’d change her mind about him. Lucas said Ric and Ava were both comfortable in that grey area, and Elizabeth said she was no different. She used Ric to find out more about what was going on with Portia and Brad. They were putting it together when they crashed. Ava told Ric that Elizabeth was no help. She went to see his car at the impound lot, and the mechanic told her that someone had cut the brake line. It was no accident. Somebody tried to kill him.

Anna asked what Jason had to do with it, and Turner said nothing came of his arrest for Cyrus’s murder. Anna said there was no body and no other evidence of a crime being committed. They had to let him go. Turner said, there was also Sonny Corinthos, Duke Lavery, and Valentin Cassadine. Anna had a habit of keeping questionable company. Anna said it had no bearing on her professional life, but Turner said she believed it did. Anna was misusing her power to protect them. Now that DA Scorpio was on leave, she was investigating it. She knew how close Anna and Robert were and would never put him in an awkward position. Anna said she’d dedicated her entire career to law enforcement, but Turner said that didn’t make less true. She was sure Anna would do the same for her granddaughter. Anna said she’d brought Emma in herself. She also brought in Valentin, Sonny, and Jason several times. She did everything by the book. Turner said she hoped so. Unlike Anna, she never looked the other way. She left. Josslyn said Jack had a lot of nerve showing up after almost killing her mother, and Jack said she had a reason to be upset. He wanted to discuss it further, but he needed to talk to Jason about something alone first. They went to another room and Jack told Jason to contact Anna, but be discreet. Jason left, and Jack told Josslyn to let him have it. Alexis told Molly that Ric would be back to his old self in no time – God help them – and Molly said she couldn’t have gotten through this without Alexis. The last few times she needed Alexis, Kristina did too. It was nice to have Alexis to herself and nice to have Kristina to lean on too. Kristina told Lucky that she and Molly were finally in a good place. Molly couldn’t know she was the reason Molly’s father was in an accident. Molly would never forgive her. Her mom already lost Sam and if she lost another daughter to prison, she couldn’t survive that. Lucky said his family would always be grateful to Sam for saving Lulu, and Kristina said losing Sam almost broke them. If they lost her on top of it, it would break them. He said, thank God Ric and Elizabeth were okay, and he didn’t see how Kristina going prison would help anything. Her family had been through enough tragedy and Kristina had to live with the guilt of almost killing two innocent people. If she was anything like him, that was punishment enough. She thanked him, they hugged, and he left. She texted Alexis: In the chapel. Can you and Molly meet me? Ava wondered who wanted Ric dead and he asked how much time she had. It couldn’t be Alexis. Sonny would be at the top of the list if it had been her car. She said, the day of the accident, he parked in her spot. The spot has her name on it and their cars look almost identical… Oh my God. His car wasn’t the target; hers was.

Kai said if he hadn’t volunteered, that lady would still be there talking. They way she talked, Trina’s past performances must have left an impression. Trina said she loved performing and guessed she was like Marshall. On stage, you connect with the music and the audience goes with you. There was nothing like it. He said that was how he felt on the field and hoped he got a chance to see her in her element. Don’t give up her chance to be in the spotlight. Maybe he couldn’t do the thing he loved because of his injury, but she could and should. Trina agreed and said she’d perform with him. Lucy went to Elizabeth’s room to discuss the Nurses Ball and Lucas tried to jet, but Lucy said she needed his help. When he did Magic Milo, he was a huge hit. He said it was his final bow. He’d bared it all and literally had nothing more give or show, but he’d cheer in the audience. Lucy said she’d circle back to him, but Elizabeth was the heart and soul of the nursing staff. She had to perform. Elizabeth said she’d be in a cast for six to eight weeks, but Lucy said that fit in her schedule. She would put both of them down for a duet.

Josslyn asked how she was supposed trust Jack. What if someone hurt her or Donna? Carly said it had been a terrible mistake and not Jack’s fault, but Jack said Josslyn had a reason to be angry. It was important to him to protect them both. Josslyn said she couldn’t control who her mother chose to date, but Jack needed to promise to take Carly’s safety very seriously. He said she had his word, and Carly suggested Josslyn stay the night, but she said she was dying to see Trina and wanted to sleep in her own bed. Carly said Donna had gotten Josslyn a gift and left to get it. Jack said Josslyn gave an impressive performance. He almost believed she wanted him to have nothing to do with her mother. She said, who told him that she was performing? Carly came back with a giftbag, and Josslyn left. Jack said it was unanimous. Carly’s entire family hated him. Jason met Anna in the park, and she said she was in ADA Turner’s crosshairs. Turner had questioned her about releasing him after his hair had been found at Cyrus’s cabin. She thought Emma’s arrest had brought her front and center. Jason said Robert was also gone, and Anna said she wasn’t worried, but Turner would use any excuse and might find something hidden in her career. Jason said their friendship meant a lot and he didn’t want her to get into trouble for protecting him. If she had a reason to bring him in and build a case against him, do it. Alexis asked if Kristina had been in the chapel the whole time, and Kristina said she’d been going over it and wanted to apologize to Molly. They hugged and she told Molly that she was so sorry for everything. Ric said he didn’t believe Sonny would try to kill the mother of his child, and Ava agreed. Sonny would never risk Avery being in the car and she doubted Sonny would go that route. Too many variables and he wasn’t sloppy. She did know someone who was that sloppy though. Ric said, Kristina, and Ava said before he left with Elizabeth, Kristina had been in her apartment. He heard what she’d said. She was furious. We flashed back to Kristina saying Ava had taken her brother and daughter and wasn’t going to take her father. Ava said Kristina blamed her for what happened to Sonny and Morgan and got feral when she suggested Michael’s injuries were Sonny’s fault. It was like the fight at the MetroCourt all over again, but this time it didn’t end with Kristina falling out a window. We flashed back to Kristina saying she would stop Ava, and Ava said, Kristina threatened her. Kristina must have cut the brakes thinking it was her car and tried to kill her. Ric said, and Kristina almost killed him.

Elizabeth told Lucy that even when she got the cast off, she’d have to take it easy. She was sorry, but she couldn’t perform. Lucas said she couldn’t have the whole staff in the audience. He’d help out. Lucy said he wouldn’t regret it. She was good at finding hidden talents for a good cause. He said he had none. He’d help, but not perform. She said he didn’t have to perform, she promised, and crossed her fingers behind her back. Carly said, not everyone in her family hated Jack, and he said, name one. She said Donna loved him, but the only approval that mattered was hers. They’d agreed to keep their relationship separate from the WSB and the further the WSB was away from her life, the better. Kai and Trina were kissing when Josslyn came in. She said Trina was probably sorry to see her, but Trina said, never, and they hugged. Anna said everything would be fine. She and Jason could continue to work together, but he needed to keep his head down. He said he’d do his best not to put her in a position where she needed to look the other way. She said they had to be strategic and couldn’t be seen in public for the foreseeable future, and he said they could meet in his room above Bobbie’s. Anna said she wanted to make it clear that their friendship would stay the same, and he said, they just had to keep it private.

Lucky went to the impound lot and asked if there was any way he could check the crashed car for his girlfriend’s wallet. The mechanic said they were lucky to be alive; the car had been totaled. He made a call and told Lucky that the car had no location at the impound, so it had gone to the crusher. Lucky said, so it was already destroyed, and the mechanic said he was sorry. Molly asked why Kristina was apologizing again, and Kristina said she’d been thinking about how much Molly had lost. Losing Sam… losing their daughter… She couldn’t stop thinking about how selfish she’d been. Consumed with her own grief, she didn’t think how Molly had lost her daughter too and lost her sister too. She didn’t even see that; she was so selfish. She said she was so sorry, and Molly thanked her. Kristina said she’d caused everyone pain and she was really sorry. Alexis said she’d been hoping to get to this place, and now that they had, look at them, all taking care of each other. Sam would be happy. They had a three-way hug. Ava said the garage camera showed Kristina looking at her car and reaching for some wire cutters, and Ric said he remembered Kristina being at the crash site. It didn’t make sense, but now it did. Ava said, she was checking to see if the deed was done, and Ric said it would destroy the relationship Molly had with Kristina. Truce or no truce, Alexis needed to see Kristina for who she really was as the cops dragged her away for attempted murder. He was calling the police now and was going to nail Kristina’s ass to the wall. Ava said, no, Uncle Ric. Don’t be so hasty.

Tuesday:

Chase and Brook thought things were quieting down, and Chase asked if Lois leaving was a good call. Brook said they’d needed space, when Olivia came in and said she had a surprise – Lois was back. Lulu went to the stables to apologize to Cody. She lied to him when she said she’d known about Dante and Brook. Dante came in and asked for an explanation. Alexis went to the office, and Diane said she was perky and early. Alexis said she’d gone to the gym and worked out, and Diane wondered who she was. Did Ric die? Alexis said, as far as she knew, he was still alive, but she’d gotten her girls back. Kristina brought flowers to Elizabeth, and said she was sorry this happened, but Elizabeth said she and Ric were both okay. Kristina said Elizabeth had been there for her and she wanted to do the same, when Lucky came by. Ava told Ric that it was a rare opportunity. Kristina was certifiable. Ric thought they should go to the police, but Ava wanted to aim higher and use the information to their advantage. Ric said blackmailing Sonny would get them nowhere, but Ava said she had something far better in mind.

Lois said, Olivia wanted it to be a surprise, and Brook said, mission accomplished. Brook said she needed to leave for a Deception call and Chase said he’d help her with the technology. Olivia wondered why Lois and Brook couldn’t be in the same room together. What the hell was going on? Lulu told Dante that she’d tricked Cody into telling her. She had a hunch Dante hadn’t been open about his and Brook’s history. Cody said he’d thought she already knew, and apology not accepted. He left to feed the horses, and Dante asked, why dig up old dirt? Lulu asked, why lie for years? Alexis told Diane that Kristina was able to put aside her animosity toward Molly and they’d connected. Lucky was sneaking in contraband to Elizabeth, baked goods from Aiden. He told Kristina that he had to speak with her about a Charlie’s thing, and they left. Ava said Alexis would be the one to pay, but Ric said Kristina would go free. He almost died and Elizabeth could have been paralyzed. Ava said Elizabeth could handle herself, but Ric thought she should have her day in court. Ava asked how Molly would feel if her remaining sister was sent to prison. Chase found Brook outside and she said she’d gone into fight or flight mode. Seeing her mom got her fired up again. Chase wondered if she was a reminder of the secret Brook had kept from Dante. Dante said he and Brook were teenagers and it was nothing, and Lulu wondered, why lie? She rehashed Brook trying to break them up, and Dante wondered why she was laser focused on Brook. Lulu said she’d always thought there was something more and had been made to feel like she was crazy. She didn’t know if she could trust him. Alexis told Diane that Kristina and Molly had different grieving processes, but now Kristina realized she couldn’t heal without her sister. Diane said Alexis had weathered the storm and there were fairer days ahead. Ava said if Kristina had been made to pay for her mistakes, she might not be such a trainwreck, but Ric said by covering for Kristina and blackmailing Alexis, Ava allowed Kristina to escape culpability. It wouldn’t take much for her to try and kill Ava again. Lucky asked why Kristina was visiting Elizabeth, and Kristina said she wanted to make sure Elizabeth was okay. Lucky asked if she’d thought about confessing, and Kristina said, maybe. Elizabeth almost died and she almost killed her sister’s father. She didn’t know if she could live with that.

Lois told Lois that she’d made decisions where Brook was concerned, thinking they were in her best interest, but Brook had every right not to agree. She couldn’t handle the distance. Brook told Chase that she didn’t need Lois to remind her that she had a son out there. It hit her how many people would have loved her child. It was easier when she was younger. Adulting stunk. Chase said if it was a secret she wanted to keep, he’d go to his grave with it, but she had to do a better job of hiding the truth. Dante said he omitted a detail he didn’t think mattered, but he should have told her even though it amounted to nothing. For one summer, he and Brook were training to be camp counselors and hooked up. It was over before it started, and they made lives with other people. Nothing that summer mattered. She said, what if it did? Lucky said guilt meant Kristina wasn’t a sociopath, but she couldn’t put the guilt on Elizabeth. It would end up getting her caught. Was that what she wanted? Kristina said she didn’t want to put Elizabeth in any more harm, and Lucky said she could go to her mom and work on a confession to get a plea deal that didn’t send her to prison for the rest of her life. Elizabeth called Deanna and asked for help getting into a wheelchair. Ric said Kristina could make another attempt to kill Ava, but Ava said she was on her guard and did her best to steer clear. She wanted them both to have a peaceful path forward, but it was the last grace she was extending. Ric said, how generous, especially when she was extorting Alexis. Ava said, that was business. She was willing to work with Alexis on a beneficial transaction… or multiple transactions, steady, like an IV drip. Marco arrived at the office and Diane introduced him to Alexis. Diane had been called to the judge’s chambers, and it would give them a chance to get to know each other better. She told Marco that Alexis was the good cop, and left. Alexis said, on most days.

Olivia said she could be objective and help sort things out, but Lois said, it might make things worse. She thought it was something they needed figure out for themselves. Olivia said if Lois needed help with anything, she would always be there for her. Chase said someone else would have noticed the tension, and Brook wondered if she should avoid Lois, but he said they needed to fix it. She loved her mom. Brook said her mom was her ride or die. That was why it hurt so much. Chase said he’d give anything for one more day, hour, or even minute with his dad, and the last thing he’d want to do is spend it fighting. If Brook wanted to keep the secret, she had to get over the hurt and forgive Lois. Dante thought Lulu was grabbing onto Brook because of the changes in her own life, and Lulu said she had Doc if she wanted psychoanalysis. Dante said it wasn’t rooted in anything real, and she was making Brook out to be more than she was. They were two kids with a crush. Lulu asked if there were lingering feelings when Brook came back to Port Charles, but Dante said the only woman who truly had his heart was Lulu. Alexis told Marco that their goal was to strike a healthy balance between being rainmakers and justice seekers. She leaned toward pro bono work, while Diane leaned into billable hours. Most of their income came from criminal law retainers, which was his specialty. Marco said, at one point, but now he was focused on entrepreneurial clients. She asked how he’d feel about a client involved in an alleged illegal enterprise, and he said it depended. Lucky told Kristina that he was putting himself on the line lying to the woman he loved, which he hated, but would do because he believed she was a good person who made a mistake. He’d made a few and he’d help her cover it, but it would only work if she got help. Elizabeth went to see Ric, and he said he was relieved to find out she was all right. He’d been driving and if anything happened and he’d lost her… He would have never forgiven himself.

Olivia said Lois would work it out with Brook, and Lois said she didn’t know what she’d do without Olivia. What they had was special. Olivia said what they had was ancient, since before they were in pre-K. they weren’t just friends; they were family. When Lois was ready to open up, she was a vault. Olivia left to check on Monica. Brook told Chase that her grandma had lied to her for decades and it hurt. Her mom let her think they told each other everything, which made it the ultimate betrayal. It also made her the biggest hypocrite on the planet, since she did same thing to Dante and about a million other people. Chase said it wasn’t the same thing, and she said she was glad she could be honest with him. He said if the secret ever got too big, too heavy, or too anything, he’d be by her side when she came clean. Dante said he should have told Lulu so it wouldn’t have blown up like this, and Lulu said her gut had been right again. He said it had also given her a reason to distrust Brook. He wanted them to be able to trust each other. It was important for Rocco. No more secrets between them. Lulu said they were good, and he left. Cody asked what Lulu was trying to pull. Elizabeth told Ric that her surgery went well, and she’d be walking the halls in no time. She’d been worried about him and asked if he remembered what happened. Alexis told Marco that said client masked their alleged illegal activity behind a thin veil of hypotheticals, and he said, so they’d have legal deniability. As long as it didn’t put them in legal jeopardy, the client was entitled to a defense. But if the client crossed the line of a deeply held belief, he had no problem recusing himself. All money was not good money, and sometimes it’s best just to say no. Alexis thanked him and said she’d confer with her partner, but it was safe to say a job offer was forthcoming. He said he’d look forward to it and thanked her for the meeting. He left, and Ava knocked at the door. She told Alexis that they had business to attend to.

Lulu told Cody that she said she was sorry, and he told her that he said he refused to accept it. She implied that Brook had told her already. She spun a lot of stores to a lot of people and he knew a con when he saw one. What was really going on? Dante went to the nook and saw that Lois was back. Brook came in and said she needed to talk to Lois. Ric asked what Elizabeth remembered, and she said, not much. She remembered getting in the car and buckling her seatbelt. They were talking about helping Portia when the car swerved. Ric said he remembered wanting to avoid traffic, so he took Route 42. They were going along fine when he lost control of the car. They must have hit black ice or something. Kristina told Lucky that she couldn’t confess. Her parents were going through too much. Her father had health issues and her mom had gone through enough. She couldn’t add Kristina goes to prison to the list. But what would she do if someone found out? Lucky said there was no police investigation and they were treating it like an accident. He went to the impound lot and the car went to the compactor already. As long as they both kept their mouths shut, it was over. Alexis asked if it wasn’t exhausting showing up in places where she wasn’t wanted, but Ava said she didn’t give it much thought. She thought Alexis would change her tune once Alexis heard what she had to say. She was sure Alexis could make time to discuss Kristina, couldn’t she?

Wednesday:

Brook said there was something she needed to tell Dante, but Lois interrupted with news about the old neighborhood. Dante felt that wasn’t what Brook wanted to tell him. Cody asked Lulu what was really going on. Clearly, it was eating her alive. Spill. Isaiah cooked a three-course meal for lunch at Jordan’s apartment, and she said she’d make herself available anytime he wanted to cook. He asked how much longer they needed to keep hiding. Marco was waiting for someone at the MetroCourt, when he saw Sidwell. Curtis met with Laura and said he had bad news, but Sidwell interrupted saying that Laura was just the person he wanted to see. She wondered if he was part of the bad news. Sonny and Kristina lunched on the MetroCourt terrace, and Kristina said she had a confession Sonny wasn’t going to like. Alexis told Ava to go away, but Ava thought she could make time to discuss Kristina’s future. Alexis told her to get out and that Kristina’s future was none of her business. Ava said she could make it the business of the police.

Sidwell said he’d been trying to set up a meeting, but Laura’s office wasn’t calling back. She said then it was safe to assume she didn’t want to meet with him, and Curtis said they’d been having a private conversation. Sidwell said if she changed her mind, call him, and left. Laura asked Curtis to distract her with the bad news, and he said Ezra Boyle had it out for her and he didn’t know how much longer he could protect her. Kristina said she’d invited Dante to lunch because he needed to know about Sonny’s heart issue. Sidwell saw Natalia and told her that Marco was waiting. If possible, show some tact when she talked to him. Jordan said Isaiah knew Sidwell couldn’t know they were together. That hadn’t changed. He said all he was asking for was a timeline. Was it weeks? Months? She told him that she couldn’t say, but was he asking because they couldn’t go public, or he was concerned for her safety? He asked if it couldn’t be bother. Her phone dinged and she said, guess who was asking if they could see her? Lucas looked at the text he’d sent Marco: Had a great time. Maybe I can show you around town sometime soon. LMK. He saw the usual three dots, then they disappeared. Marco put down his phone, and Natalia said she was sorry she was late. They made small talk, and Marco told her that he’d had a great interview at Miller and Davis. He was expecting an offer and if the terms were satisfactory, he’d be staying in Port Charles. She said, practicing law was a tragic waste of his talent. Alexis asked what Ava was alleging, but Ava said she wasn’t alleging anything. Kristina had tried to kill her, and she could prove it.

Cody said he was invoking the code of the lollipop, and Lulu said, whoa. He told her it was just them and if he told her in confidence, he’d honor that. What couldn’t Dante know? She said that she was still in love with him. Dante left to meet Kristina and Sonny, and Lois said she couldn’t imagine Brook was going to tell him about the baby. Natalia said Marco could be on tour, selling out venues, but he said he wasn’t having that conversation again. He’d been a lawyer for ten years and any other mother would be proud. She said, proud that he threw away everything he’d worked so hard for because he was angry? He trashed his career to spite her. He said he told her that he was gay, and she tried to shove him back in the closet, and she said she wished she’d handled it differently. He said it wasn’t about who he loved or what he wanted to do with his life. She didn’t accept who he was. She said she just didn’t want him to waste his potential, and he said she couldn’t accept Allie either. He guessed she wasn’t answering Natalia’s calls. She said Allie was busy on tour and she respected that, and he said she didn’t respect him, but she said it was his choices. He was a talented musician and could have been a star. Instead, his father manipulated him into going to law school so he could mold Marco into one of his flunkies. She blamed him, but she also blamed herself because she didn’t fight hard enough for him. At Jordan’s place, Sidwell thanked her for meeting him. He wondered if a civil servant’s salary met her needs. He needed someone he could count on and would like her to work for him.

Lulu told Cody that the last thing she wanted was to divorce Dante, but he went completely off the rails and dropped out of his own life. She couldn’t stay married to him and moved on. She met a great guy who asked her to marry him, but then she realized she hadn’t moved on. She couldn’t because she still loved Dante. She realized the night after the explosion, then she woke up and four years had passed for Dante, but for her, nothing had changed. She was glad Dante met Sam, and they built a life together. He and Rocco were happy, but now Sam was gone, and Dante was still grieving. Cody asked if she thought Dante still had feelings for her, and she said she thought Dante loved her, but wasn’t in love with her. Did Cody think she should tell him how she felt?  Brook said she was going tell Dante that they’d patched things up and she was glad Loise was home. She and Chase discussed how people would talk, and those same people were good at finding answers. Lois said, Tracy and Ned, and Brook said Tracy was already asking questions. Tracy would nudge her dad until he helped find out what was going on. Lois said Olivia had been grilling her, and Brook said trouble had already stated and eventually they’d find out about the baby. Lois said they’d want to know who the father was, and Brook said she didn’t think she could lie, especially to Dante. She loved these people, and didn’t want them to be hurt because she’d been keeping a secret. Lois said it sounded like Brook was leaning toward coming clean, but Brook said she also didn’t want to hurt Lois.

Marco said Natalia wanted him to be a musician, but he wanted something different. She wanted him to be straight, but he wanted to stay true to himself. She said she wanted him to be happy, but he said, on her terms, not his. He’d been away a long time, and this was a reminder why. She trashed her relationship with her daughter because of her bigoted opinions that she shared with the world. She hadn’t learned. She said she’d learned so much and if he gave her a chance, he’d see how much she’d changed. He asked how she could say that when they were still having the same conversation. Charge whatever she wanted to the room. He was done. He left and she ordered a vodka gimlet – a double. Curtis said Boyle published an editorial about Laura’s friendship with Sonny. He was trying to draw a line between her refusing to move the esplanade to Sonny’s piers and the firebombing in the penthouse. Laura wondered how they were connected, and Curtis said, Boyle made a point in saying, if someone could attack the penthouse, what was stopping them from blowing up the docks next? Laura asked if he made an argument that the threat would be eliminated by moving the piers, and Curtis said, exactly. She said it was absolutely maddening, since Sidwell was the first to propose moving the esplanade for his own selfish reasons. Curtis said, unfortunately, the appearance of impropriety was just as damaging as actual impropriety. Even though she backed the original plan, Boyle would say she was pulling strings to protect Sonny.

Dante joined Sonny and Kristina, and asked Kristina how Molly was doing. Kristina said she was doing better now that her dad was going to be okay. Sonny said he was happy for Kristina’s sister. She loved her father. Dante said the family had suffered enough loss, and Sonny said, Ric should be more careful on the road. Alexis asked what Ava was talking about, and Ava said Kristina came to her apartment and Ric was there. She barged in, hysterical over a minor custody dispute Ava had with her father. Kristina was out control and accused Ava of taking her daughter and brother away. She said she wasn’t going to let Ava take her father too. She and Ric drove cars that were almost identical, and on the night in question, Ric parked in her spot. Elizabeth came by with papers for Ric and he offered her a ride home. They know what happened next. Ric’s brakes failed, and Kristina had the perfect opportunity to tamper with them. Alexis asked what proof she had that the brakes failed or that Kristina had something to do with it, and Ava took out her phone. She showed Alexis the footage from the garage and asked if she should do her civic duty and give it to the police or could they come to an understanding.

Curtis said he’d do what he could to make sure Laura’s voice was heard, but prepare herself. It might be hard to justify. Sidwell told Jordan that he was solidifying his position in Port Charles and the United States and needed an ambassador. Someone to do PR or public service, a righthand man… or woman. Someone to smooth the way. Jordan said he wanted her to be his lobbyist, and he said she was well-liked, well-connected, and respected by all the players – Mayor Collins, Curtis Ashford, and Congressman Cain, to name a few. She said she and the congressman weren’t seeing eye to eye these days, and he said he could add honesty. He was sure she’d repair her relationship with the congressman. It was no secret she’d proved herself indispensable to the mayor, but she must have her own aspirations. Let him help her achieve them. Jordan said it was a generous offer… He said she didn’t know how generous, but she said she wasn’t interested. Isaiah asked if Lucas could take his shift in the ER tomorrow, and Lucas said he thought he’d be showing a guy he met around town, but the guy hadn’t gotten back to him… Could he give Isaiah an answer in a couple of hours? Isaiah said, no rush, and Marco walked in. Cody said he advised against it, for now, but Lulu had to shift her attitude. Not telling Dante was selfless and she was showing restraint by giving him space to heal. It showed how much she cared, but as with everything else, it was temporary. Just give Dante time. Sonny said he had something he needed to tell Dante, and Dante asked how worried he should be. Sonny said he had health issues, heart stuff. He’d been shot years ago, and it damaged his heart and it got worse. He was taking medication, but it wasn’t a permanent fix. Kristina said Sonny needed surgery, and Dante asked why Sonny hadn’t told him. Sonny said he didn’t want his enemies thinking he was vulnerable, so he left them out of it. Dante could thank his sister for Sonny telling him. Dante said he did. He was happy to be looped in, but why now? Sonny said, Ava knows. Alexis said, how much? It was obviously an attempt at blackmail, so she was trying to get an idea of how much. Ava said, a great deal, possibly millions, and Alexis said she didn’t have close to that. Ava said, good thing she was administrator of the Cassadine estate, and Alexis asked if Ava thought she could embezzle funds from it. Ava said, yes, but Alexis said she couldn’t. She asked for proof, but all Ava has is circumstantial evidence. She had nothing to show Kristina tampered with the car. Ava asked what she thought the wire cutters were for. A manicure? Alexis asked what proof she had that the brakes were cut, and Ava said she had the car. It was moved from impound and was in a safe alternate location. Alexis said, congratulations on breaking the chain of evidence. Maybe Ava cut the wires and was framing Kristina. Why not go to the police? Didn’t she think they’d buy her theory? Ava said, Ric knows the brakes were cut and he was a witness to Kristina threatening her, but Alexis said, neither one was proof. Ava said all she had to do was point the police in the right direction, and they’d prove the brakes were tampered with. While they built a case, she’d let the DA’s office know about the investigation. How did Alexis think Molly would react when she learned Kristina nearly killed her father?

Marco said he got Lucas’s text, but he’d been in the middle of something. He wasn’t avoiding Lucas. Lucas said he’d been busy and hadn’t realized Marco didn’t reply, and Marco asked if the offer still stood. Lucas asked how much time he had, and Marco said, quite a bit. A job offer is imminent and he’s moving to Port Charles. Sidwell said they hadn’t discussed compensation or what Jordan’s role could be, but Jordan said she didn’t want to waste either of their time. She was happy being Deputy Mayor. He said he understood, but if she changed her mind, the offer was still on the table. He left. Lois said she was relieved, but was the real reason Brook wanted to patch things up because people would talk? Brook said she didn’t like that Lois told her grandma, and Lois said she was so sorry. Brook said, but she understood that Lois needed someone to confide in, like she’d needed to confide in Chase. Lois said Brook had every right to tell him. It was her truth. Brook said she doesn’t know what she would have done without him, but it dawned on her that when she told Lois that she was pregnant, she’d expected Lois to have all the answers. It turned out that Lois needed her ma like she needed Lois. Lois said she did try to steer Brook in the right direction, but she wasn’t a teenager anymore. Did she want to tell the family about the baby? Brook said, what was done was done, and she didn’t want to hurt her relationship with Lois, but Lois said it was about Brook. If she thought it was important to tell the family about the baby, Brook had her full support. Brook said she’d given it a lot of thought to telling Dante what happened, but then what? They can’t change anything and all that’s left is disappointment and a huge gaping hole. Letting the past stay in the past and focusing on the future was what was best. Lulu told Cody that she was conflicted. She was alive because of Sam. Cody said she wasn’t taking anything away by her feelings, and she said she would love Dante even though she couldn’t be with him. Cody said, right now, and she said she recognized that he was still grieving, and it was all he could deal with. Cody said, right now, and gave her a lollipop. She asked if that meant she was in the clear and not running a con, and he said he thought she was just a woman in love. She said she didn’t think there would ever be a day she wasn’t in love with Dante Falconari, and left. Sonny said he was with Ava when he had an extreme panic attack. Dante asked if they were arguing, and Sonny said he was doing what he could to avoid stress, but they started going at it about their custody agreement. We flashed back as he spoke, and he said he couldn’t breathe. He tried to take his pills, but couldn’t reach them. Luckily, Kristina was in with Donna and came out at the exact right time. Kristina said, their dad was struggling. She gave him a pill and he was okay. Sonny said now Ava knew information she shouldn’t. She could go public, and he had to be one step ahead of that. He was having surgery a month from now in California. Laura came out to let them know she’d be able to be there for Rocco’s debate tournament, then went back to her table. Dante said all that mattered was that Sonny took care of himself and that he was around a long time for Avery, Donna, and Rocco. Kristina said, and Wiley and Amelia, and Dante said, all of them. Curtis said he guessed Laura wasn’t distancing herself from Sonny, and Laura said they shared a grandchild and had decades of history together. She’s never tried to hide that they’re friends. Boyle was just using that fact as a way to amass power. Curtis said he was doing a good job, but she said she didn’t care. She cared about the people of Port Charles. If they decided they didn’t want her to serve, they were free to vote her out. She wasn’t going to suddenly hide her and Sonny’s friendship and start lying. She wasn’t doing that for one bad opinion poll. Curtis said, then remove herself from the equation. Put the esplanade location up for a vote. Let the people decide.

Brook said she was grateful for Lois. She didn’t scream at her or shame her, but helped her. Lois said she loved Brook, always and forever, no matter. Brook said she was sorry they fought, and Lois said her too. Brook said she was glad Lois was home, and Lois said she was Brook’s ma. She’d always come home. On the phone, Isaiah asked what Sidwell wanted, and Jordan said he offered her a job as a lobbyist for his company. Isaiah said, and she turned him down, but she said she started tomorrow… She was just kidding. He said he hoped she was done and got the dirt on Sidwell, but she said she had Sidwell just where she wanted him. Marco said it was a great city and he and Lucas would have a chance to get to know each other better. Lucas said if Marco didn’t think they would jinx it, they should celebrate, and Marco said he could use a celebration. Alexis said the way she saw it, what Ava had were baseless allegations. She had a video out of context and a witness with a head injury. If she went to the police, that was on her, but be careful. She might end up in the hot seat for tampering with evidence and wasting law enforcement’s time. Ava said maybe Alexis was right. Maybe she should head straight to Molly. She knew it was a lot to process, so she was giving Alexis until 9 am tomorrow to decide what she was willing to do to protect her daughter’s future. If she didn’t hear from Alexis by 9 am, then she’d go right to Molly. She walked out, leaving the door open. Laura said, Curtis wanted her to hold a public referendum on the location, and he said, let them decide if they wanted to use eminent domain to seize the pier. Laura said they wouldn’t just vote on the location, but it would end up being a vote on Sonny. While waiting for the elevator, Sonny noticed Natalia at the bar and told Kristina and Dante to go ahead. Sonny went to the bar, and Dante told Kristina that they’d get through this. She said they had to. Ava had done enough damage. Natalia asked Sonny, how was the lunch with his kids? and he asked what she was doing with Jenz Sidwell.

Thursday:

Josslyn met Gio and Emma at the Surf Lodge and told them she had to say thank you to Emma. At the MetroCourt, Carly told Jack that she’d missed Josslyn so much, and he said Josslyn was a remarkable young woman. He was sorry he ruined her homecoming. Carly said she’d come around about them being together. She and Jason also had a heart to heart and although he didn’t approve, they weren’t going to let it affect their friendship. In the nook, Tracy said she needed a word with Sasha’s baby daddy, but Sasha said she had no idea where he was. Tracy said Sasha needed to keep better tabs on him, when Jason walked in. Sasha said Tracy needed a word with him and she needed to put a tracker in his jacket. Tracy said Jason was conspicuously absent when the family crypt was threatened by his odious brother. Jason said he knew she could handle it, but she said his presence would have been appreciated. Now that he lived there, he needed to step up and help protect the family. A man knocked at the door and said he was from PC Moving & Storage. They were picking up boxes from the gatehouse and delivering them to 419 Crestview Lane. Tracy said that was Drew’s new place. At Drew’s, Willow said Drew had made Wiley so happy and she’d never been happier, and they kissed. Laura went to Jordan’s apartment, and Jordan said she needed Laura to do her a favor, but it needed to stay between them. She needed Laura to fire her. Sidwell met with Maxie and Lucy at the MetroCourt and asked if Tracy would be joining them. Maxie said she would. They needed to make sure they were on the same page. Sidwell asked, what page is that? Sonny and Natalia went to Pozzulo’s where Sonny said Sidwell couldn’t monitor them. He said he’d seen Natalia talking to Sidwell at the MetroCourt. It was obvious they knew each other outside of Deception. What was her connection to Sidwell? She said Jenz Sidwell was her ex-husband.

Laura asked why she should fire Jordan, and Jordan said she had a unique opportunity to find out what Sidwell was up to, but she couldn’t in her current position. Sidwell had shown up and offered her a job as his lobbyist. She didn’t want to seem eager, so she turned it down, but he left the offer on the table. Now she needed a reason to accept it. Laura said it would be hard to justify her termination, and Jordan said there was one thing she and Laura didn’t see eye to eye on – Sonny Corinthos. Sonny said Brick did a background check on Natalia and wondered how her and Sidwell’s marriage was missed. She said, probably because they’d eloped decades ago before there were digital records. The marriage was a disaster and didn’t last long. The only good thing to come out of it was their son. Sonny asked if that’s who she’d been talking to at the MetroCourt, and she said Marco had come to town last week. Their relationship was worse than hers and Allison’s. Sonny said he could see why she didn’t tell him about her son, but why didn’t she tell him about her ex? Lucy told Maxie that they’d agreed on the terms, and they’d been incorporated into the contract. There was nothing to discuss. Maxie said she was grateful that Sidwell was willing to sell the zincite to them, but Deception was a legitimate business, and they needed to make sure their imports were screened. Sidwell said he had nothing to hide and welcomed their protocols and safeguards. Lucy said she agreed, but Maxie asked if they shouldn’t wait for Tracy. Lucy said they could still get the ball rolling. Tracy told the moving guy that if he moved a single item, she’d have him arrested for trespassing and theft, and he said he was going to go now. He left, and Tracy said she couldn’t believe Willow was moving Michael’s kids to Drew’s house. Jason said he’d handle it, and she told him, good luck with that. She left, and Jason said he was going to tell Willow that she couldn’t move in with Drew, but Sasha said that was a bad idea. Drew opened the door to Nina, who handed him a package for Congressman Cain. Willow said she hated that he was forced to give up his name, and Nina said, cutting ties with Monica was a huge mistake. Josslyn thanked Emma for stopping the crypt from being bulldozed and getting arrested, especially since Michael didn’t need any more heartache from his disgusting uncle. Emma said she couldn’t have done it without Gio, and he said he was happy to be there. The Quartermaines had been good to him. He asked Josslyn how Easter Island was and if she saw the big heads. She said it was amazing and showed him the pictures, when Vaughn walked in. He and Josslyn exchanged a glance. Jack said his schedule was clear and Carly could have him to herself if she was interested. She said she was definitely interested, and he asked if she’d like to do dinner and a movie. She said she had something else in mind, and he said he was very interested in that, as he felt her leg under the table. From the terrace, Sidwell showed Maxie and Lucy that his ship had docked. They just needed Tracy’s signature to conclude their business. He took out a vial and showed them a sample of the core component of their miracle cream in crystal form. Lucy said it was so stunning; it was a shame they had to crush it up into a powder. Sidwell said anyone who appreciated how beautiful it was deserved a piece of it for their own, and Lucy said, if he insisted, taking the vial. She wished she could see the look on Erica Kane’s face when she found out they’d snagged her supply. Sidwell said they hadn’t quite closed the deal. Drew said, Monica had cut ties with him when she took away his leverage over Tracy and saved the crypt, and Nina said threatening her wasn’t the way to go. Even so, Wiley and Amelia adored their great-grandmother, and they were the ones being punished by cutting Monica out. Willow said she had a point and they’d been asking about Monica. She knew they missed her. Nina said it would behoove them to play nice with at least one family member, and that person may become an ally. Willow said, true, and the Quartermaines listened to Monica. Wiley came out and hugged Nina. He told her about his new room and asked Willow for help with the sheets. Willow left with Wiley, and Drew said he didn’t need Nina coming there with helpful advice. Nina asked if he was throwing her out, and he said, not yet, but watch herself. This was his house, and she didn’t want to wear out her welcome. Tracy found Carly and said she thought Carly should know that while she was doing… this, Willow was moving her grandchildren into Drew’s house.

A server brough Vaughn a take-out bag and he left. Josslyn looked at her phone and said she’d forgotten she needed to meet her lab partner so they could show her what she’d missed. She left, and Emma said she gave credit to Josslyn for thanking her for something other than her leaving town. Gio asked what was up with the frenemy vibe, and Emma said it started when they were kids. She had a crush on a guy named Cameron when she was around 10 and they hung out for a while, but he and Josslyn got together in high school. Gio said, a playground love triangle, and she said when Cameron found out Josslyn had cheated, it broke his heart. He was past it, so she supposed she should be too, but Josslyn was an entitled girl who created chaos, then threw money at it to make it go away. She never faced the consequences of her actions. he said Emma could create chaos, but paid the price, like getting expelled. She said she knew he’d understand, and he said he’d understand more if he knew why. Jordan said she and Laura differed in their opinion about Sonny, but she’d chosen to steer clear of Laura’s relationship with him. Laura asked if she was saying that now was the time to voice her concerns, and Jordan said they could find a way to publicly disagree about Laura’s ties to a notorious mob boss. Laura said she thought she knew how they could do that. Natalia said she was sorry she didn’t tell Sonny. She’d hoped Sidwell would go away for good. Sonny asked how likely that was, especially since he was involved with Deception, and she said she thought it was too late and didn’t want to ruin the trust he had in her. It meant everything. He told her that she should have said something. How did he know she wasn’t feeding Sidwell information about him? She said, no, and swore they barely talked. They parted after Marco was born and had barely spoken since Marco was grown. They hated each other. She hadn’t told anyone about his heart condition and would die before she told Sidwell. He said he still needed discretion. He’d told Kristina and Dante what was going on and was going to tell the rest of the family. She said she was glad he let his family, and he would be able to lean on them, and he said he appreciated her support and wouldn’t forget it, but it was time their association came to an end. Sasha said if Jason gave Willow an order, it would make things worse. No matter how civil and sweet he was, she’d see what he said as an attack. She saw herself as a victim in this star-crossed lover story and it worked perfectly for Drew because he could play the hero. Jason would only be moving them closer together. He asked what he should do then, and she said, nothing. He didn’t have the legal authority. She got that it was hard for him as a man of action, but he had to stand down and let this go. Nina said she thought the house was Drew’s and Willow’s, and Drew said it was. She said she was just trying to keep the peace and do what was best for the children. He said she’d helped them sneak off in the middle of the night, but she said it was to establish physical custody. Now that Willow had that, she’d have to play her cards carefully. The move didn’t help, and she couldn’t antagonize the Quartermaines further or they’d fight back with a vengeance and Michael would do the same. Drew said he wasn’t afraid of them. He had the power and connections to make sure Willow got custody. He would protect her himself. She said what he wanted was a showdown with the Quartermaines so he could ride in and rescue Willow and be her savior, so she’d be forever in his debt. He said all he wanted was for Willow to be happy and Nina couldn’t stand that Willow was happier with him than with her. Carly told Tracy that she thought the situation had been handled and Willow was moving out on her own, and Tracy said, it had to be stopped. Jason said he’d take care of it, but she had her doubts about trusting him to take the right steps to rectify it. Jack asked if Carly thought Michael should know, but Carly said she didn’t want to upset him. Tracy said, for Michael and Monica’s sake, this cannot happen. Tracy joined the Deception team and apologized for being late. Maxie said they’d signed the contract and just needed her signature, but Tracy said the deal was not going to happen.

Emma said she couldn’t talk about why she was expelled. She couldn’t even tell her grandmother. Gio asked why the school wanted to silence her, but she just looked at him, and he said, got it. Before they ordered, he thought she had the wrong idea about Josslyn. She’d been though stuff since them. She’d dealt with boyfriends dying and Trina told him that she’d been the target of revenge porn. She’d been knocked hard, but got back up, and she’d been nothing but kind and helpful since he got there. Emma said he was a fan, but he said he was a friend. Didn’t Josslyn donate to Emma’s charity? Emma said, so she didn’t have to volunteer and actually do something. She didn’t see Josslyn believing in anything enough to risk putting herself or her future on the line. Josslyn found Vaughn in the park and said she’d followed the scent of onion rings. She asked what he was doing in Port Charles, and he said Brennan had put him on as her handler. Was that a problem? She said, not at all, and he suggested they go over the assignment.

 Laura told Jordan that Boyle published an editorial about her and how she allegedly favored and protected Sonny. Curtis killed the story, although she was sure Boyle would go to another outlet. Curtis also gave her great advice, suggesting she have a public referendum and let the public vote on the location of the esplanade and if they wanted it move. Jordan said, Sonny and the public wouldn’t have a reason to be mad at her. Smart move. Laura said when she made the announcement about the referendum, Jordan could take that moment to publicly criticize her and say she was too buddy-buddy with Sonny. She could say she didn’t support Laura’s decision to hold a referendum. Jordan said, then Laura would have grounds to fire her for insubordination. She loved it. Let’s do it. Sonny told Natalia that he had a lot going on. He had to be able to trust his inner circle completely. Natalia said she understood, and he said, for what it was worth (🍷), he misspoke. He said they had an association, but they had a friendship. He’d miss it. Through her tears, Natalia said she would too. She told him to take care of himself and left. Maxie said they already took a vote. Remember? Tracy said, and she abstained. Remember? She spoke to Lulu and Lulu told her that Sidwell kept Lucky locked up on his compound. Maxie said Lulu told them and Tracy said, and they still wanted to do business with him? Sidwell said he didn’t like friction. He could take his business elsewhere. Lucy said everything was fine. Lucky was a Spencer and used to being kidnapped. Maybe it was his fault. And this wasn’t about Lucky. It was about Tracy wanting to destroy and sabotage her company. Tracy said, that she owned 51% of, and Lucy said, to Tracy, Deception was a whim. If everything tanked, Tracy had a lot to fall back on. She didn’t. Deception was her baby, her livelihood, and she wasn’t letting Tracy destroy it. Tracy said she wasn’t. She was trying to protect them from doing business with an international criminal. Carly said, obviously, Willow didn’t reveal her plans, and Jack said he gathered she wasn’t going to tell Michael. She said she wanted Michael to focus on getting better and coming home. The doctors didn’t want to give a timetable. She should have kept an eye on her grandkids. They’re going to be confused, and Michael was counting on her to look out for his kids. Willow needed to be told there was no way in hell she was moving them in with Drew. Jack suggested she do it.

Sidwell told Tracy, the tales were told about his work in East Africa. His business in Port Charles is completely legitimate. Maxie said they’d vetted Sidwell as best they could and made it clear they were going to monitor his business activity closely. There was a morals clause, which they all signed. They just need Tracy’s signature. Tracy asked if they were going to ignore his criminal past, and Lucy said, they ignored Tracy’s. Tracy said, Lucy was one to talk, and Maxie said they’d all broken the law at one time or another. This was Sidwell’s chance to prove he was legit, and the future of Deception depended on it. Laura said before she and Jordan put their plan in action, she needed to know something. Did Jordan really want to do this? She’d talked to Lucky about his encounters with Sidwell. Sidwell was ruthless and really dangerous. Jordan said she was sure, but was Laura? Their falling out would be a fabrication, but the political consequences would be real for Laura. She was worried it would backfire and Laura’s close relationship with Sonny would her constituents’ focus. It could cause problems in the future. Laura thanked her and said Boyle was going to cause her problems, whether they did this or not, but Jordan said, this could make it worse. It could cost Laura her career. Laura said, if this would keep Port Charles safe from Jenz Sidwell, they had to do it. Sasha told Jason that he had to be strategic. Let Willow move in and settle in, and let Drew think he won. From a custody standpoint, Michael held all the cards. Jason said, Michael cheated too, and Sasha said, that’s why he was pretending to be the father of the baby. If Willow found out Michael was really the father, it would be all the ammunition she needed. Jason said he wished he could talk sense to Willow, but Sasha said it was like Willow had fallen for another cult. Not Dawn of Day, but Dawn of Drew. Willow said Nina was right. Wiley missed Monica and the dogs and the staff. Now that they were settled, they’d make sure to visit Monica. Drew asked if she was sure it was a good idea, and she said the kids deserved a relationship with their great-grandmother. Drew said, of course (🍷), but it would be better if Monica came there. The kids might be confused if they go back to their old home. Carly wondered if she should confront Willow and Jack said, as an experienced agent, appeasement never worked. You had to go in and show force. Let the opposition know you were willing to fight to the death. She said, what if she made it worse? and he asked if it was worth the risk. Willow needed to know that just because Michael was laid up, it didn’t give her carte blanche. Carly had Sonny and the Quartermaines on her side, and she could let Willow know that she had the WSB office at her disposal. Carly said he sounded sexy when he talked like that, and he said, Willow needed to know that she was in for the fight of her life. This was the moment she needed to find out you don’t mess with Carly Spencer.

Emma told Gio that there was a class she didn’t want to miss. Environmental Physics with Professor Dalton. Josslyn told Vaughn that she had to go back to PCU and pick up her classes, and he said she had another class she was taking, but she said, the semester already started. He said her enrollment was taken care of. All she had to do was show up. She said, what class? and he said, Environmental Physics with Professor Dalton. (Like we didn’t see where that was going.) Tracy signed the contract and said she hoped they were satisfied. Sidwell thanked them and said it was the beginning of a very profitable association. Lucy said she’d be in touch about the Nurses Ball, and he left. Lucy thanked Maxie for getting Tracy to see reason, and Tracy said this had the potential to go very, very wrong. Lucy said, or very, very right. By the elevators, Jack told Sidwell, a word to the wise. The sole suspect in the penthouse bombing was found with his neck broken in Toronto. Sidwell said he’d heard. It had nothing to do with him. Jack said, people who cross Sonny have a way of coming to a bad end, and Sidwell said he didn’t know the WSB cared. Jack said they didn’t. The WSB was continuing their investigation of him. Sidwell asked if Jack was going to call a drone strike. They weren’t in Africa, and in the US, Jack didn’t have as much authority. Jack said, try him, and find out. (More sexy talk!) Laura called Sonny and said she needed to give him a heads up. He was about to be at the center of a political hurricane. Jason told Sasha that he appreciated the advice, and she said, enough to take it? He said he’d stand down for now, but in the meantime, they’d have to ride this out together. Sasha said, the together part was tough. She’d been putting it off, but she was still planning on moving out. Willow said she didn’t want to confuse the kids about home, but Monica had been so ill and the kids did miss being there. She thought it was better to go to the Quartermaines. Nina said that was smart. With Monica being ill, it was more pragmatic. Willow thanked Nina for suggesting an olive branch. She’d let Monica and Michael know she wanted peace, not harm. The doorbell rang and Wiley ran to answer it. It was Carly, and he asked if she came to see their new house. She said she sure did. When she heard about it, she couldn’t wait to visit him and his mommy.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Portia finds Curtis in her office and asks if he’s okay. He says, yeah, and she says, liar. Let her guess. It has something to do with Drew. He asks how she knows, and she says, because most things do these days. What did the congressman do now?

Willow says, Nina is distracting Wiley and Amelia, but who knows how long it will last? and Drew tells Carly to say what she has to say, then leave. Carly wonders if Willow is sure moving in with the kids is what’s best for them, but Willow insists it is. Carly says, Willow can move in with her or with her mom. She could stay at the MetroCourt or find her own place. Willow says, Carly has no right to dictate their lives, but Carly says, Michael does. She’s here because he can’t be here. They’re Michael’s kids too, and if he can’t be here to fight for them, she’s going to do it for him.

Kai meets Trina at the Surf Lodge and says, sorry he’s late. She says, there must be a good reason, and he says, it’s all thanks to her. He’s going to play football again.

Sasha tells Jason that she’s been thinking a lot and decided moving out of the Quartermaines is what’s best for her and her baby. He asks why, and she says she has to walk the walk. She’s been saying she wants to be independent and make a life for them on her own, but it can’t happen while she’s living there. Is he mad? He says, no. She gets to raise her baby however and wherever she wants. He guesses he was hoping the wherever would be here.

Emma comes in and says, hi, grandma, and Anna says, they need to have a little chat about her prior arrest in California. She won’t be violating the NDA and has the WSB to thank for that. The particulars don’t matter. What matters is, she got ahold of Emma’s sealed arrest records and knows everything.

Josslyn says, the WSB wants her to get enrolled in Environmental Physics? That’s her mission? Vaughn says, that’s right. They want her to get close to her instructor, Professor Dalton. She wonders why they want her to cozy up to him, and he says, she’s on a need-to-know basis. She says, then tell her what she needs to know.

Alexis walks into the office and Diane says, the Longeron deposition was a complete scene. There she is, grilling the louse of a husband about his alleged infidelity, when Mrs. Longeron goes rogue, leaps across the table, and tries strangling him with her bare hands. She loves her job… Guess you had to be there… What’s wrong? Alexis says, it’s bad, really bad, and Diane asks, what is it? She tells Diane to close the door before she tells her. First, she needs to hire Diane as her lawyer.

Anna says, everything Emma told her since she arrived has been a lie, but Emma says, not everything. Anna says, so she wasn’t thrown out of her previous school because a party got out of hand? and Emma says, no. The party happened. Anna says, as a distraction for the actual crime she got kicked out for. She has it here – breaking and entering, trespass, assault… Has she missed anything?

Vaught tells Josslyn that he can say the WSB arranged for her enrollment. Her mission… She says, should she choose to accept it… Sorry. He says, her mission is to secure a spot as Professor Dalton’s research assistant. She says, how? She’s starting the semester late. He’s got to have other students lined up for the position. He says he suggests she make her way to the front of the line, and she asks if he has any suggestions. He says, they recruited her for a reason. She’s received instruction and the tools. It’s her school and she’s resourceful. It’s up to her to do the rest. She can handle that, can’t she?

Curtis tells Portia that he and Laura agree the original location for the esplanade is what’s best for Port Charles, but Ezra Boyle – who’s obviously in bed with Drew and Sidwell – wants to move it to Sonny’s piers. Portia says, Boyle wants to make it look like Laura is doing Sonny’s bidding and hiding behind her position to do it, and he says, if Laura wants to be seen as not abusing her power by protecting Sonny, she’s going to have to do what Boyle wants. She says, that’s what Drew wants, and Curtis says, exactly. She says she knows Sonny and Laura have history, but she’d never put her friendship with Sonny over her duty as mayor, and Curtis says, they know that, but perception is reality. Boyle will get the story out and it could likely end Laura’s career. She says, but it’s Drew doing this. Boyle is just his puppet. Curtis says, pretty much, and she wonders if there’s anyone’s life Drew’s not trying to ruin. He says, that’s why he’s trying to keep Drew away from Kai, and she says, what does any of this have to do with Kai?

Kai says, the hope and goal is for him to play football after his surgery, and Trina says she thought he was waiting to decide until her mom did some research. Then he’d figure out if he wanted to go through with it. Did he consult with the surgeon? He says, not yet, but he realized his hesitation, his asking for advice, was fear talking. What if it doesn’t work out or what if he’s not as good as he was before the surgery? He can’t let what ifs hold him back. Trina says, fear can be healthy and is evolution’s way of keeping us safe in some situations, like this one. If there’s the smallest chance of getting his dream back, he should take it, but football is the reason he got there in the first place. He agrees there are risks, but says, it’s what makes his life worth living. It’s been that way since he was a kid. She says she doesn’t know. She thinks it’s a big decision and feels like he’s making it really fast. He wonders if he can ask her something, and she says, of course (🍷). He says, is she worried about the actual surgery or that it’s a gift from Drew?

Willow tells Carly, her children, her decision. She doesn’t need permission to do anything. Carly says, child. Wiley isn’t technically hers. Drew says, wow, and Willow says, that might be the worst thing Carly has ever said to her. Carly says, it’s true. Michael made her Wiley’s mother. He didn’t have to, but he gave her that gift because he thought she was a good person, one who would put the kids’ needs before her own. Willow says, that’s exactly what she’s doing, but Carly says, she’s not. She’s repaying Michael’s extraordinary kindness by shacking up with his uncle and uprooting and confusing the kids in the process. Willow says she is a good person. (I trust no one who says that about themselves.) At the bare minimum she’s safe. Carly chose Sonny to be Michael’s father and look how that turned out. Carly tells Willow, say her romantic story works out. What will she tell Wiley and Amelia when they get older? What is she going to say? Sorry she blew up their lives and abandoned their father, but she couldn’t keep her hands off their great-uncle? Willow says she didn’t abandon… The children love Drew. Carly says, of course (🍷) they do. He’s family. Drew says, Carly wouldn’t know about getting involved with multiple family members. He could start listing them, but he doesn’t think they have the time. Carly says, the Willow that Michael married wouldn’t do this to him, and Willow says she’s sorry for hurting Michael. She truly means that, but it didn’t happen in a vacuum. Carly says, as she recalls, it happened in the Quartermaine nursery, and Willow says she and Michael were having problems before she got together with Drew. She’s not apologizing for wanting to be with Drew and certainly won’t apologize for falling in love with him.

Sasha asks why Jason wants her to stay so badly, and he says he thinks it’s good for her to be here and he knows it would be good for the baby. He knows the Quartermaines drive each other crazy, but underneath, they love and take care of each other. She asks if he really believes that, and he says he does. She says, then why has he spent most of his life avoiding them.

Curtis tells Portia that no one knows better than he does how cutting-edge surgery can change your life, but he hates that the offer came from Drew. He doesn’t like it. Portia asks what he thinks Drew wants from Kai, and he says he doesn’t know yet, but he doesn’t want to stand in the young man’s way. She says, Drew has proved nothing but untrue and questionable motives, and he says he knows that and knows they’re biased. Why did Kai want to talk to her? She says, he asked about the surgery, and she looked into it like she said she would. She has to say, it’s a great option. He says he knew she’d give her honest assessment as an objective third party, and she doesn’t owe Drew anything.

Trina says, if the surgery is a success she’s afraid Kai might get hurt if he plays again. And if it isn’t successful, she knows his hopes and dreams will be gone and he’ll be devastated. Kai says he has a lot of the same concerns. What about the Drew part? She says, he wasn’t concerned, but she is. She’s worried about the Drew of it all. He says, Drew has only been decent to him. His dream was over, and Drew gave him hope that it might not be. He knows the risk. She says he had to make the decision quickly, and he says, it increases the success of the surgery. If he gets over his fears – the surgery and recovery – then it was all worth it, as long as he has her cheering him on. He takes her hand, and she says she knows football is his dream. If there’s a chance it can happen again, he has to pursue every option. He thanks her and says he couldn’t do it without her. She says, he could, but he doesn’t have to. She needs to take care of something for Ava. She’ll text him later. She leaves, Kai looks at his phone, and she peers at him from around the corner.  

Diane says, engagement signed, and asks why Alexis needs a lawyer. Alexis says she doesn’t, and Diane says, Kristina. With everything she’s been through, what’s happened to her now? Alexis says, nothing happened to her. Something happened because of her. Diane tells her that she has to come out and say it, and Alexis says, Kristina caused Ric’s car crash. She’s the reason Ric and Elizabeth were almost killed. Diane says, that can’t be true, but Alexis says, Kristina cut the brake lines on Ric’s car. Diane asks, why? She knows there’s no love lost between Ric and Kristina… Alexis says, Kristina wasn’t trying to kill Ric. She was trying to kill Ava.

Nina says, the kids are okay. She got them settled down with a movie. She turned the volume up, but it would be great if things would settle down in here. Carly says, Nina missed the big announcement. Willow is in love with Drew. Does she realize she doesn’t know him? Drew asks what she means, and Carly says, he has many different personas. No one knows what they’re getting at any given time. Willow says she knows who Drew is and how he makes her feel, and Carly says, and she’s not apologizing for any of it. She’d think at least using Michael’s burnt body as a bargaining chip might merit an, I’m sorry, my bad, but no. Willow says, everything she’s done is in the best interest of her children. She’s a mother like Carly. Carly says she would never keep her kids away from their father, but Drew says he thinks AJ would have something to say about that. Carly says, if he thinks Michael is anything like AJ, he’s too stupid to be standing in this room (HA-HA-HA!), and Drew says, what he’s seeing is mind blowing. Carly says, what Willow can’t see that everyone else sees is that he’s a liar. It’s repulsive. Willow says, for the millionth time, Carly doesn’t get a say, and Carly says, but Michael does. And she’s going to make sure there’s no doubt of his position. Drew says, if Michael has something to say, he needs to stop using his mommy as a mouthpiece. He has to heal, get back here, and say it for himself.

Anna suggests Emma start with the party, and Emma says she thought Anna knew everything, but Anna says she wants to hear it from her. Amma says, fine. They invited everyone they knew because they needed the crowd to be big. Anna says, because they wanted to distract campus security so they could break into the lab? and Emma says, because they suspected the lab was doing animal testing. Once they were inside office, they could see everything was totally true. The animals were banging around in their cages. It was heartbreaking. Their plan was to get the animals out, but building security caught them before they could start. Anna asks, what happened then? and Emma says, when security got there, it was total chaos. The animals were trapped in their cages and people were tearing off in all directions and she was one of them. Anna asks, what happened next? and Emma says, she tried to get out, but a guard grabbed her and swung her around. The crowbar she used to break in hit him, but she didn’t mean for it to. It was an accident. Obviously, she was arrested. Anna says, and charged with multiple counts, and Emma says, the school didn’t want the testing exposed, so they offered her the NDA to drop it in exchange for her expulsion. It’s ironic. She thought the party was the perfect cover for her, but it turned out to be the perfect cover for the school. She’s telling the truth. Anna says, her account is consistent with her arrest record, but she doesn’t think Emma is grasping the severity of the situation. She believes Emma when she says hitting the security guard was an accident, but he could have been severely hurt. What if he’d died? Emma says she knows. Things spiraled so out of control. Anna says, because of her choices and the way she handled them, and Emma says, what Anna is doing is why she didn’t want Anna to find out.

Josslyn asks if she was hired because of her resourcefulness, and Vaughn says, that’s one of the reasons. She says she’ll find a way to get in with Professor Dalton. She’ll have him begging her to be his assistant. He says, that’s the spirit. See how smooth things go when you nod and say, yes, sir? She says she didn’t do any of that and doesn’t think she will in the future, and he says he hopes the professor likes spunk. They have no other agent for this mission. She asks if the reason they recruited her is because she attends PCU, and he says, Brennan is the best of the best. He saw something special in her. That’s why she’s here. She says, okay. She guesses she should be relieved that her first mission is doing something she knows how to do – be a college student. He says, she’s not a student anymore. She’s an agent posing as a student.  She says, on to a new life and new beginnings.

Jason tells Sasha, it’s true he’s been estranged from the Quartermaines for most of his life. But since he’s been back, he thinks he finally understands what it means to suck things up for the family’s sake. She says, he does his share, and he says, there is value in living here, especially for Danny. He’s around his relatives and he loves that it’s a big, crazy family, emphasis on crazy. Even when they’re annoyed at each other, Jason can still tell they love each other. He thinks they’d love the baby too. Sasha says she always wanted a big family, but never had one. She’d hoped to give her kids one. He couldn’t give Danny that on his own, but she can. He says he doesn’t mean to guilt trip her… She says, he’s about to bring up Monica, and he says, yeah. She may not know who the real father of the baby is, but the baby is still her family. He thinks it would be nice for the baby be close to Monica, especially since Michael’s other kids can’t be. Danny comes in and says he wanted to make cake pops for Scout. They’re her favorite and she misses having them. He promised to make them using Sasha’s recipe, but it’s not go too well. (They look like UPS drop kicked them there.) He’s not a baking person and it’s harder than he thought. Jason’s phone dings, and Sasha says she’d be happy make a new batch, but Danny says he told Scout that he’d make them, so they have to be from him. Sasha says, how about if she oversees things? Jason looks at a text from Nina: Come to Drew’s. It’s Carly. 911. Danny says, that would work great, and Sasha says, excellent. Jason says, good. He’s got to go. Good luck with those. Danny thanks him, and Jason leaves. Sasha says, let’s get started. It will be fun.

Carly asks if Drew is faulting Michael for not being here when he’s recovering from nearly dying, and Drew says, as much as his heart breaks for Michael, despite what she thinks, Michael can’t be a father from Germany. Carly says, he’s fighting to get back. They both know that. Willow says she wanted Michael to stay close. She advocated for Maryland. Remember? Carly says, she’d have Michael get subpar care because his cheating wife thinks that’s what’s best? and Willow says, it didn’t matter what she thought. Michael chose to go to Germany. Carly pushed it and Michael did what she wanted. Now she’s whining about the fallout. Carly says she can’t believe Willow is the woman she walked down the aisle. If she had it to do again, she’d drag Willow as far away as possible. She can’t believe she didn’t see it. Willow has been like her all along. Willow says, like who? and Carly says, Nelle.

Alexis tells Diane that Kristina tried to kill Ava. Apparently, things got heated between them and Kristina went into a rage. She cut the brake lines of Ava’s car – or at least what she thought was Ava’s car, because it was Ric’s car, who happened to be in her space at the time. Apparently, their cars are similar. Diane asks if Molly knows, but Alexis says, just herself, now Diane. She guesses it’s a blessing. Diane says she’s so sorry. She knows how thrilled Alexis was to have her girls close again. Alexis says, maybe Kristina was doing it because she felt guilty. This cannot get out. Diane says, if it does, her girls may not recover, and Alexis says she can’t think straight. She needs Diane to come up with some legal options. Diane says, Kristina is facing three counts of attempted murder, the failed attempt on Ava and the two nearly successful attempts on Ric and Elizabeth. Alexis says, there’s no way out. She can’t think of a way to begin, a way to defend Kristina. Diane says, she can. Alexis needs to have Kristina committed.

Brad goes to Portia’s office, and she tells him, close the door. He says, saying please wouldn’t kill her, but she says, it actually might. Sit down. He says, it was a lot more fun when he was blackmailing her, but she says, those days are over now. He’s going to do what she says or get fired. He asks what she wants, and she says, every file, test, and screening related to Drew. Brad needs to go back all the way to when Drew arrived in Port Charles. Don’t forget the John Doe files. Brad says, that’s going back ten years. It’s not even his job. She says, it is now. The only alternative is finding employment elsewhere, somewhere far, far, far away from his precious Lucas. He says, Lucas wants nothing to do with him, and she says, that could change, but it probably won’t if he’s not here. He says, fine. He’ll do it. What is she looking for? Drugs? She says she’ll know it when she sees it. Don’t forget… He says he knows. Shut the door behind him. He leaves, shutting the door behind him.

Kai sees Curtis at the Surf Lodge and says, he just missed Trina. Is he here for lunch? Curtis says, no. His auntie dropped hints about how wonderful the fish tacos are, so he thought he’d surprise with some takeout. Kai says, the food is great, and Curtis says, Portia told him that Kai had asked for her advice. Kai says he did, but he made his decision. He’s going to do it. He thinks it’s the right choice. Curtis says, if Drew has taken an interest in Kai, he’s got to believe there’s an ulterior motive. Kai says he knows Curtis and Drew have a history and he respects that, but all Drew is doing is connecting him to the doctor, and Curtis says, be careful. Kai saw what Drew did to his nephew and he threatened to bulldoze the Quartermaine family crypt. If he can betray his family like that, what does Kai think Drew could do to him?

Alexis says, Diane wants her to commit her own daughter? but Diane says, of course (🍷) not, but this is the best way, the only way out. Alexis knows this. Alexis says she doesn’t know anything. She can’t do it. Diane says, even if she gets the charges reduced to attempted murder, second degree, that’s three stacked charges. In the state of New York, she’d be looking at 15 years in prison. That’s the best-case scenario. Alexis says, maybe it won’t come to that. Nobody knows. There’s no investigation, no charges, and the police don’t know anything. Diane says, they both know whatever is done in darkness always comes to light. The question is when. Does Alexis want to live like that, jumping out of her skin every time there’s a knock at the door or the phone rings? Is it the cops, or isn’t it? This is Kristina’s best chance. Take it.

Nina says, Carly went too far and needs to leave right now, but Carly says, no. Willow’s good, right? Using her own voice, making her own choices. She’s fine, right? Willow says she and Nelle are nothing alike, and Carly says, she’s right. As sick as Nelle was, she actually loved Michael. She can’t say same about Willow. Willow says she did love Michael and part of her always will, and Carly says, she has an interesting way of showing it. At least with Nelle, she knew who she was dealing with, but with Willow, she had no idea who Willow was. Willow asks if she hears herself. Nelle told Michael that his baby was dead and gave it to another couple. Carly says, she’s right. Nelle stole Michael’s child, but Willow stole two. She guesses that means Willow is the winner. Willow says, how dare she? and Carly says, how dare she? Drew tells Carly, get out or he’ll have the cops take her out, and Willow says, Carly has a lot of nerve coming into their home and speaking to her like that. The days of Carly telling her what to do are over. She can say she’s here for Michael, but she’s here for herself. She’ll do what she wants with her kids, so shut up already. Everybody here knows Carly’s altruistic mother act is about as fake as she is. Carly pulls her hand back to smack Willow, but Jason grabs it.

Alexis tells Diane that she can’t do it. Kristina would never go along with it. Diane says, after everything Kristina’s been through lately – the fall, losing the baby, Sam, Michael’s accident – she wouldn’t need to get permission. Alexis says, what? and Diane says, Kristina is in therapy. Alexis can have her committed involuntarily. Alexis says she can’t. No. Kristina would never forgive her. Diane says she thinks Kristina would, and Alexis says, on what planet? Diane says, on the planet where she understands it’s a far cry between a few months in Ferncliff and 15 to 25 years in Pentenville. Alexis says, Sonny would never go along with it, but Diane says, Sonny has shared his mental health struggles and was the one who suggested Kristina seek a therapist to begin with. Alexis says, a therapist is a far cry from a mental institution, and Diane says, Sonny also understands the law better than most, and sometimes you have to think outside the box to protect yourself and those you love. Alexis says she can’t do this to her family, but Diane says, she’s not doing it to them, she’s doing it for them. Besides, it sets up Kristina in the perfect position for a great defense when the truth comes out, and it sets up Molly to forgive her sister when everything is exposed. Even without those reasons, Kristina needs help. Alexis went on trial for a murder she didn’t commit because she disposed of Kristina’s gun. There’s a pattern here. Kristina gets herself in trouble and Alexis comes in and cleans it all up. It’s not helping. It’s having the opposite effect and it’s time to take drastic action.

Emma asks if Anna wants to know what she was thinking about when she was in that jail cell. You. Anna says, me? and Emma says she wasn’t thinking about her mom and dad or her record or her regret. She was thinking about Anna and how disappointed she’d be in her. She was thinking about how Anna is looking at her now. Anna asks how she’s looking, and Emma says, like sad. Like she can’t believe Emma turned into this thing or something. Anna knows she loves her mom and dad so much, but she was raised to believe if she did everything right and followed the rules, life would fall into place. It’s not true. Playing by the rules doesn’t stop injustice. She wants to spend every day of her life fighting for what’s right. Anna says, she’s not giving her parents enough credit. That’s exactly what they do, help people. Emma says she knows. Trust her when she says what they do and who they are is absolutely amazing. Anna says, they agree on one thing at least, and Emma says she’s more like Anna. She does what’s right and fights for people who can’t fight for themselves. Sometimes that means stepping over the line and breaking the rules. That’s why she thought of Anna when she was in her cell. They do what they think is right, don’t they?  

Carly says, Drew must be happy. Everyone thought he was the master manipulator in this situation, but it’s been Willow all along. She made her choices. Willow says, she doesn’t need anyone to make choices for her, and Carly says, she wants everyone to believe she’s the victim and heroine in this fairytale, but she’s nothing but a selfish little bitch. They deserve each other, but they don’t deserve those kids. Willow says, Carly crossed the line and almost slapped her grandchildren’s mother, and Carly says, for now. Willow asks what she means, and Carly says she’s going to help Michael get his kids back and Willow is never going to see them again ever. She and Jason leave.

Anna says, whatever she thinks Emma is, she has a lot of admiration for her. She helps people and animals in need, but she wonders if Emma is remorseful for her actions. She got lucky. Nobody was hurt – this time. Emma says she knows. She’s not saying it’s a bad thing to hurt animals and an okay thing to hurt people. If something had actually happened to the security guard… Believe her when she says she doesn’t always sleep well at night. Anna says she’s been there and has to live with the consequences of that. She thinks they are alike in many ways, except there’s one profound difference. She always has a fine-tuned plan and significant resources and training to back her up. For her, it’s been the PCPD and the WSB. Emma says she sees what Anna is saying. She knows they had a rocky start, but she’s determined to do better. She still wants to change the world, but going to do it Anna’s way. It’s safer. Anna says, and smarter, and Emma says she’s already enjoying her class with Professor Dalton. She thinks he’s touched on some pretty cool ideas. Anna says, thank goodness. She found a class she can stand. That’s a good start. Emma says she’s sorry being here has stressed Anna out, but Anna says, her being here is a gift. She loves Emma profoundly, without any hesitation, and no conditions. So never forget that. She just wants Emma to be safe and smarter. Emma says, safer and smarter, and they hug.

Josslyn asks, what happens after she secures her position? and Vaughn says, keep gaining Professor Dalton’s trust and wait for further instructions. Josslyn says, okay, got it, and he says, just remember what he said. It might feel the same going to class, going out with her friends, and getting assignments in, but this isn’t school anymore. There are no makeup exams or extra credit. If she fails her mission, there will be serious consequences for all of them.

Trina is waiting in Portia’s office, and Portia says, a visit from Trina’s father and now Trina. What did she do to get so lucky? Trina says she wishes the reason was good, and Portia asks, what’s wrong? Trina says, Kai isn’t waiting for Portia’s opinion about the surgery. He’s made up his mind. He’s going through with it.

Kai says he appreciates the warning and appreciates Curtis’s family looking out for him, and Curtis asks him to promise to be careful. Drew is shrewd and manipulative and there’s always something in it for him. Kai says he doesn’t see what Drew could possibly get from him. He’s in college and the guy is a congressman. Curtis says he wishes he could tell Kai what Drew is after, but he hasn’t figured it out. Just know that the favor Drew is doing will come at a cost, maybe higher than Kai could ever imagine.

Willow says she can’t believe that just happened, and Drew says, she did great. Nina says, holding your own against Carly is no small feat, and Willow asks if she can really take Wiley and Amelia. Drew says, Carly has her resources, but so does he. He promises with everything in him that he won’t let her lose her kids.

Carly says, Jason doesn’t need to drive her home, but he says, she’s too upset right now. Carly says, did he text you and tell you to come and get me? and he asks what she was thinking. She says, is that a real question? and he says, attacking Willow is going to push her and the kids further away and make Drew look like a savior. She says she doesn’t care. She gave Willow space to make the right decision, and it didn’t work out. Now it’s time to fight and she can fight a hell of a lot harder than they can.

Diane says she knows it’s a lot to take in. Alexis doesn’t have to decide this second, but don’t take too long. Diane is about to leave, when Alexis says, do it. Draw up the papers and have Kristina committed.

On Monday, Willow tells Nina that she’s scared there’s some truth to it; Ric tells Ava it may not be the done deal she thinks it is; Sonny asks if someone is pressuring Laura to come after him; and Carly tells Jack that she may have just handed Michael’s children over to Willow.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It’s about time.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-van-hansis-dishes-lucas-new-romance-with-marco

Amusing, but not life changing.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-line-you-didnt-get-to-hear-on-yesterdays-gh

I love this storyline too.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/why-ghs-eden-mccoy-loves-josslyns-new-spy-storyline

Ric gets roughed up.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/behind-the-scenes-of-rics-accident-on-general-hospital

The professor is in.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daniel-goddard-cast-on-general-hospital-as-professor-dalton

So cool how they found certain items. That happened to me after the flood, and it was really weird how certain things that ended up under water emerged unscathed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-shares-an-inspirational-post-fire-update

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

This boat just sounds so messy.

Captain Jason attempts to clean up.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Memes and jokes were revisited, no doubt to be forever remembered like Erika’s panties and Crystal’s ugly leather pants. Lots of blah-blah-blah about Kyle and Morgan, and no surprise, Jennifer was the highlight of the entire Reunion. Snacking while watching the ping-pong match that is part of every rehash, she didn’t disappoint. She talked about a necklace considered the most important piece of American jewelry that she’d worn for a photo shoot and explained that it had once belonged to Cole Porter. She’d fallen in love with it before she could afford it, and when she could, chased it around until she scored it. The best part of the story? I could tell Erika and Dorit were just boiling with jealousy. Another highlight was Kathy managing to find her seat without getting lost. She did bring her pocketbook with her as we all would.

Aww. This is what I like to hear.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/how-denise-richards-jennifer-tilly-sutton-stracke-supported-garcelle-beauvais-career-move

Because inquiring minds want to know.

Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

In this week’s finale, Sami thought her car had been stolen when it had really been repossessed. Even though she makes a ton of money on OnlyFans, she literally forgot to make the payments. And this is the second car this has happened with. Good to see she learns from her mistakes. On the upside, Denise brought her feuding daughters together with a photo shoot. I hope this show gets another season. It’s funny enough, relatively harmless, and rather charming.

https://people.com/denise-richards-daughter-sami-sheen-car-repossessed-season-finale-11711617

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/where-denise-richards-family-daughters-are-today-april-2025

Summer House

Jesse invited the group to Shabbat, and he was very impressive with his singing. This is the kind of reality thing I enjoy, observing a culture other than my own. Since Lindsay will never, ever really let go of Carl, she continued to harangue him about speaking to some girl before they’d broken up. Carl had receipts, but Shabbat prohibited him from using his phone. However, Jesse spoke to God, who said it was okay. Problem solved and Carl exonerated.

This was possibly one of the most surprising things I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot

Random Reality Items

This has possibilities as long as their mother’s footsteps aren’t followed in and no Solo cups, tableware, or actual tables are thrown.

https://ew.com/bravo-next-gen-nyc-real-housewives-gia-giudice-brooks-marks-nyc-chaos-exclusive-11707585

I still feel badly about Kenya. She twirled her way into my heart.

https://www.essence.com/op-ed/kenya-moore-brit-eady/

So what’s up with those Top Chefs now? And wasn’t Brooke Aaron Phyper’s hall pass?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1415807/bobby-flay-brooke-williamsons-basketball-date-night

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Deadpool & Wolverine. Disney+. Yes, I watched this again even though I saw it in the movies. Not only is it one of those films you can watch a hundred times and still see something new, it was all I had the bandwidth for that day. I love this movie and already posted ad nauseum about it, so here’s something new.

https://collider.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-hugh-jackman-breathing-video/

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me. Netflix. Probably nothing you haven’t heard before, but she was an icon, and her story is just so sad.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/anna-nicole-smith-you-dont-know-me-release-date-trailer-news

Upgrade. Netflix. This wasn’t at all what I thought from the preview, but it was interesting nonetheless. In the future, a quadriplegic plays amateur detective investigating his wife’s murder. Somewhat humorous with a relatively satisfying ending, and kudos for actually being something different.

https://movieweb.com/upgrade-netflix-sci-fi-thriller-top-10/

Talk To Me. Hulu – also on Netflix and Paramount+. An interesting take on possession with a good cast of newcomers. An embalmed medium’s hand becomes a tool to open an entrance to the dark side. My jury is still out about the ending.

https://movieweb.com/terrifying-debut-talk-to-me-streaming-success/

https://www.slashfilm.com/1434605/talk-to-me-haunted-hand-true-story-inspiration/

🔮 The Future Is (Almost) Now…

It’s finally here. Season 2 of The Last of Us begins April 13th. Oddly enough, it hasn’t even started yet, and it’s been renewed for a 3rd season.

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-gabriel-luna-rutina-wesley-tease-season-2-infected-attack-11709833

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-season-3-official-renewed-11711769

Season 7 of Black Mirror began on April 10th. I’m hoping to catch a few episodes this weekend. I can’t wait to see what’s happening on the USS Callister.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/black-mirror-season-7-review-netflix-sci-fi

🏆 All the Awards All the Time…

All the awards dates you need to know.

https://deadline.com/feature/awards-season-calendar-oscars-emmys-golden-globes-list-1234814076/

This year’s Emmy nominations and predictions.

https://ew.com/2025-emmy-nominations-predictions-main-acting-categories-11706398

🐾 Game Of Bones, Thrones, and…

🐈‍⬛ It’s Choupette!

https://people.com/karl-lagerfeld-s-former-housekeeper-reveals-how-his-cat-choupette-lives-as-a-multi-million-dollar-heiress-11712255

🐕 Be still my heart.

https://people.com/glen-powell-dog-brisket-meets-demi-moore-tiny-pup-pilar-exclusive-11707737

🐺 Yes, you heard right.

https://people.com/joe-manganiello-seen-the-future-after-dire-wolves-brought-back-de-extinction-exclusive-11711202

📲 Quotes of the Week

Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time.George Bernard Shaw

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. – Thomas Jefferson

To know how much there is to know is the beginning of learning to live. Dorothy West

Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.Theodore Roosevelt

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.Vernon Sanders Law

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.Dwight D. Eisenhower

Happiness is not a goal… it’s a by-product of a life well lived.Eleanor Roosevelt

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.Margaret Mead

I understand. I just don’t care. – Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), General Hospital

👒 Donning My Easter Bonnet…

Until next week, stay safe; stay respecting others’ beliefs, even those who have none; and stay remembering, whatever is done in darkness, always comes to light.

November 5, 2024 – Willow Confronts Sasha About Cody, Drink Up, Soap Suds, A New York Minute, Film Watch, Prediction, First Derry, Releasing Soon, Never Enough & Boogie

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Willow finds Sasha in the nook and says she thought Sasha was her friend. Sasha flashes back to getting busy with Michael, and says she is. Willow asks, then how could she do this?

In TJ’s office, Alexis asks if they know what caused it, but he says, not yet. They’re doing everything possible to find out. Molly says, it makes no sense. She and Dante just got engaged. (Like that negates the possibility of death.) TJ says, that reminds him, and gives Alexis Sam’s ring in a plastic bag. Kristina says, it should be on Sam’s finger, but TJ says, not during an autopsy. Alexis says, Portia told her, but Kristina says, they’re not cutting open her sister.

On the phone, Jason asks if Carly minds staying at the Quartermaines. He’d feel better if she was there for Danny and Scout. Carly promises to stick around, and Jason says he’s got to go. She says she loves him, and he says he loves her too. Drew comes in and Carly asks, how’s Scout? He says, she fell asleep in his arms. It’s hard seeing his girl in that much pain… It’s hard knowing she’ll wake up and find out her mother’s not there and there’s nothing he can do. Carly says, he can be there, but he says, it’s not enough. She needs Sam. He needs Sam. What does he know about raising a little girl? She says she knows how much he loves Scout, but he says he doesn’t know how to raise her on his own. She tells him to lean on the family. Let them help him. Michael comes in and asks Drew, what’s wrong? Are his poll numbers down?

Nina meets Ava for drinks, and says, Ava wanted to ask her something? Ava says she does. She wants to start by saying she knows she’s a fool for throwing their friendship away. Nina says, no argument there, and Ava says she’s grateful Nina forgave her, but wanted to ask if Nina thinks they’ll ever be able to get back to the friendship they had.

Diane knocks at Robert’s door, then comes in. She says she’s sorry. She thought he’d be alone, but that’s obviously not the case.

Carly says, there’s something she needs to tell Michael, and Drew says he’ll be upstairs with Scout. He leaves, and Michael asks, what’s going on? Carly says she has terrible news, and he asks if it’s Lulu, but she says, it’s not Lulu. It’s Sam. Michael says, Dante texted him that everything went great, and Sam was fine. Carly says, she was fine. Then she wasn’t. They lost her. He asks if she’s saying Sam is dead.

Kristina says, no, but TJ says, an unexplained death… Kristina says she doesn’t care, and Molly says, stop. Doesn’t she want to find out what happened? Kristina says, of course (🍷), and Molly says, that’s how the find out. Kristina says she doesn’t want them to cut Sam open, but Molly says, it’s the only way. Kristina tells Alexis that she’s sorry, and Alexis says she wasn’t thinking. Molly says she never does (and I slap her in my mind), but Alexis says, not today. They have to make arrangements for Sam. TJ says he can have a patient advocate walk her through the process, and he leaves. Kristina says she’s sorry, and Molly says, her too. Alexis says she needs them both to stick together, and they agree they will.

Sasha says she’s sorry, but Willow says she doesn’t want to hear Sasha’s excuses. She told Sasha in confidence. Why did she tell Cody? Sasha says she trusted Cody, and Willow asks if she knows he got drunk and punched Drew. Sasha says she heard, and Willow says she trusted Sasha. Now Michael found out in the worst possible way. He didn’t come home last night. Sasha asks if they’ve talked today, and Willow says, he’s willing to give her another chance. He values their marriage. Sasha flashes back to getting busy with Michael and says she’s sorry. She never meant to hurt Willow. Willow says, then she should have kept it between them. Who else did she tell? Sasha says, no one. She only told Cody because they were in a relationship. Willow says she hopes Sasha dumped him for violating her confidence the way Sasha violated hers, and Sasha says, Willow will be happy to know they’re not together anymore, but that’s not why

Holly says she was just leaving. It’s good to see Diane. Diane says, it’s good to see her too. She’s here so often. Holly tells Robert, until next time, and leaves. Diane says, and there always is a next time with that one. She didn’t mean to interrupt. Robert asks if she’s here on business or pleasure, and Diane says, business, alas. She’s dropping off a motion to dismiss the Colban case. He asks if she’s kidding, but she says she’s not. Read ‘em and weep. Until next time. She leaves.

Alexis says she doesn’t know how to get through, and Felicia says, just keep moving from one minute to the next. Alexis asks what she does this minute, and Felicia says she can walk Alexis through the necessary forms, and as a friend, make it painless as possible. Alexis says, just do it (I’m pleased that she pulls out a raggy tissue, as we all would, or at least I would), and Felicia says she has to decide on a funeral home. Alexis says, Dante said he’d prefer she make the arrangements, but she has nothing yet. Kristina says she’ll be back, and leaves. Molly suggests the funeral home that they used for Irene, and Alexis thanks her. Molly and TJ leave, and Alexis cries.

TJ asks how Molly is doing, and she says she’s fine. She has to be. He takes her hands and asks how she’s doing really. She says, heartbroken, angry, scared… She just lost Irene, then there was that craziness with Kristina, now losing Sam. She’s not sure how much more she can take. He hugs her.

Michael asks how Sam is gone, and Carly says, it doesn’t make sense. He says, Sam’s been here for him like the big sister he never had. He asks if she wants any help, and she says, the kids are asleep and she’s staying in case they need her. He asks if Willow knows, but she says she doesn’t think so. He doesn’t have to make it better for everyone else. He says he can’t sit around feeling sad, when his phone rings. Kristina asks if he’s heard, and he says, just now. Where is she? She says, at GH in the chapel. Can he come? She needs him.

Nina tells Ava that she gave up everything for a man and values her female friendships more highly now. (Hear her, ladies. In my dating days, I never once ditched my girlfriends. Men might come and go, but your girlfriends are forever.) It will take time and effort, but she’s willing to work at it. Ava says, so is she, and they toast to friends. Nina’s phone rings, and she looks at it, but ignores it. She says she’s worried about Willow. She’s not all right because Drew convinced her that he was a decent guy. Ava says, Drew the candidate or Drew the Quartermaine? and Nina says, Drew barely escaped a scandal. Cody got drunk and punched Drew in the face at the Brown Dog Bar. (I so badly want to go to a dive called the Brown Dog Bar.) Drew was fine and Cody went to jail, but not before he announced Drew was kissing his nephew’s wife. Ava says, Nina’s not telling her that Drew and Willow…  

Willow asks why Sasha and Cody broke up. What did he do? (Ha-ha-ha! As pissed as she is at Sasha, she figures it was him.) Sasha says, Cody is a great guy. He probably wouldn’t have said what he did if they were still together, but it’s not that. Willow asks, why? and Sasha says, they can’t be together. It turns out they’re cousins – first cousins. She found out Robert Scorpio is her father. Willow asks, how? and Sasha says, after lying to her for her whole life, her mother told her the truth. Willow says, Sasha told her that her mother was dead. She lied? Sasha says, yes, and Willow says she’s starting to think she doesn’t know Sasha at all.

There’s a knock at Diane’s office door, and she says, her favorite client. Jason walks in, and she says, what’s up? He says, something happened, and he wants her to hear it from him. Sam had a heart attack this evening. Diane asks if she’s okay, but he says, they couldn’t save her. Sam died.

In the chapel, Kristina looks up and says, here I am. Why did You do it? She gets up and almost leaves, but comes back. She says, look. I said I’d go to therapy. I said I’d go to group. I said I’d learn how to be a better sister. I did all those things and now this. After I already lost my daughter and can barely breathe, now You go and take my sister too? Why? Why, God, why? Answer me. I don’t get it and I want answers. I want to know how and why did You do this. You just took her from me and left me here with nothing. I have nothing left and I don’t know what to do. She cries and says, haven’t I suffered enough? Michael comes in, and Kristina says, Sam is dead. She’s gone. He holds her as she cries.

Sasha says she told everyone her mother was dead, but she only wanted it to be true. She may as well have been, since she was never there. Her mother never told her who her father was. Willow says, but when she realized Sasha was seeing Cody… Sasha says, she decided to do the right thing for once. She’s a two-faced, lying… Willow says she’s sorry Sasha and Cody can’t be together, but she’s fighting for her marriage because Sasha couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Sasha says she’s sorry, and Willow says she grew up in a cult and it was hard for her to trust anyone. Michael is willing to give her another chance. This hurt him. Sasha says she never should have told Cody something Willow shared in confidence (oh come on, stop acting like no one does this), but Willow needs to accept that everything that happened, happened because she kissed Drew. And not just once. If she’s so concerned about trust and honesty, look in the mirror. She has no one else to blame for this mess but herself. (Brava and grazie.)

Holly goes into her hotel room and can see it’s been tossed.

Diane says she can’t imagine what’s happening with Alexis. She should call her. Jason says, she’s making arrangements, and Diane says she doesn’t understand. Sam was fearless. She was invincible. Nobody was tougher and to lose her like this is unthinkable… She’s sorry. She can’t imagine what he’s going through. She knows how much Sam loved him. Jason says, he loved her, and she says, they all did. She was somebody who faced their problems head on. She always admired that about Sam. He says he thought she should know, and she thanks him. He asks, what’s wrong? (because that’s not enough) and she says, her problem is inconsequential… All right. He seems to want an extra helping of grief. They sit down, and she says she took something to Robert’s office and when she walked in, there was Holly. He asks if something happened, and she says, not overtly, but she just has to face the truth. Robert is still in love with Holly.

Nina says, Drew told Michael, and Ava asks, why? Nina says, somebody videoed Cody’s rant and sent it to Ned, and Ned threatened to blackmail Drew. Willow wanted to tell Michael, but she had no chance. And because Drew wanted to save his campaign, he convinced Willow not to tell Michael in the first place. It goes to show how Willow is a better person than she and Drew will ever be. Now Willow knows the kind of man Drew is. He’s a slick, smooth backstabbing bastard. Ava says, Nina is taking it rather personally, and Nina says, Willow is her daughter. Ava says, there’s more than that. Spill. Nina says she and Drew have had sex more than once, and Ava nearly chokes on her martini.

Sasha says, Willow keeps talking about the kiss, but they know it wasn’t just one time. Stop blaming everyone else and tell the truth. Willow says, it was a mistake, and Sasha says, both times? Willow says, yes, and they agreed there was no reason to hurt Michael. Sasha says, so she decided to lie. Be mad at Drew or herself, but leave her out of it. Willow says, if Sasha hadn’t told Cody, Cody wouldn’t have announced it, and Sasha says, she’s sick of everybody justifying their bad behavior. She was warned about the Quartermaines, but she had no idea. Willow will fit right in. Willow says, that’s not fair, but Sasha says, what’s not fair is Willow judging everyone else for her own mistakes. She’s quitting. She can’t work in this snake pit any longer. She can’t be with the man she loves, and she’s lost her best friend. Why stay? Carly walks in, and Sasha says, what is it?

Alexis asks Molly where her sister is, and Molly says, she’s in the chapel with Michael. Kristina asked if Alexis needed anything, but she didn’t say Alexis needed her here. Alexis says, Molly is still grieving her own child. If she’s holding it together for herself, that’s the way she needs to grieve. If she’s holding it together for her, don’t. It’s too much. It’s just all too much. They hug.

Kristina tells Michael that she was thinking about the time Sam went with her to get birth control for the first time. Sam took her there. Sam was there for all her firsts. Sam taught her self-worth and not to pick a partner that treated her like crap, but she didn’t listen. Michael says, they all make mistakes, and Kristina says, when she was with Dawn of Day, Sam risked her life to save her. He says, Sam would do anything for the people she loved and who loved her, and Kristina says, there was never judgement. If she wanted advice and guidance and couldn’t go to her mom, she’d go to Sam, and Sam wouldn’t think any less of her. He tells her to take the advice and guidance and use it. Be there for her mom and Molly like Sam was for her. Kristina says, to be honest, she’s the middle sister and still figuring it out. She can’t be the big sister. He says, he’s not saying she should fill Sam’s shoes, and she says she can’t be the big sister. She’s not supposed to be. He says, it’s not supposed to be this way, but it is, and they have to face that.

Diane says, when she found them together, she could tell by looking at their faces that she’d interrupted something. Sasha is Robert and Holly’s daughter. Jason says he’s surprised, and Diane says, it was a surprise to Robert too. He’s thrilled to have another daughter. Jason asks if things have changed, and she says, Robert told her that she’s the only woman in his heart. He says, she thinks he’s lying? and she says, only to himself. She believes he cares, but the way he feels about her is not the way he loves Holly.

Michael puts his arm around Kristina, and she cries. Willow calls, but he ignores it.

Willow leaves Michael a message that she heard about Sam. She’s so sorry. His mom said he was with Kristina. Call back when he has the chance.  

Ava says, oh boy, and Nina says, it started out as hate sex, but when she found out about the thing Drew was having with Willow, she started sleeping with him to distract him from her. It’s not a great plan. Ava asks if Willow knows, but Nina says, no, and she can never find out. Ava says, Nina can’t guarantee Cody doesn’t know about it, and Nina says, he does. He threw it in their faces at the bar. Ava says, so Ned knows… and everybody in the bar. Nina says, Drew convinced them that Cody is a drunk who lies, and she’s sure he paid them off. It won’t go viral. In spite of Ned’s threat, the Quartermaines don’t want a scandal. Ava says, Nina needs to tell Willow before she hears it from someone else, and Nina says, Willow will hate her. Ava says, at least Nina can say they’re through. Don’t let a man ruin her relationship with her daughter. She learned the hard way. Put her relationship with Willow above everyone else. Nina says, her child will always come first. She just hopes Willow’s marriage survives Drew’s selfishness.

Willow knocks on Drew’s door and says she just heard. She’s so sorry. Drew says he keeps losing the people he loves, and she hugs him. She says she’s so sorry, and he says he keeps thinking about Scout having no mom. He doesn’t know how to help her through. She says, he’ll find a way, and he says he wishes he was the man she sees when she looks at him. That man is the father Scout needs. Willow says, he is that man. Whatever is ahead, he’ll handle it. He says he doesn’t know how to be a parent, and she promises he’s not alone. He pushes her hair back, and as many times as I yell, no, no, no! at the TV, she kisses him.

Alexis says, Sam’s not coming back, and Molly says, no, she’s not. She doesn’t know what she’s supposed to do. Nothing is going to be the same. It’s never going to be. Alexis says she’s glad Molly has TJ, and Molly says, Alexis has her. Alexis says, and her sister, and Molly says she and Kristina promised to be there for each other. Alexis says she needs Molly to mean that because it’s just them now. They’re going to have to hang in there for each other. Not just for them, but for Sam and all the people she left behind. That’s what they’re going to do. She leans on Molly’s shoulder and says, it’s just the three of them. Molly says, the three of them.

Drew kisses Willow’s hand and they get busy. There’s a song part. (I’ve always suspected Willow was a little stupid.)

Holly goes to Robert’s office, and he asks, what’s wrong? She says she swore she’d never do this to him again, but he says, spit it out. She says she’s in trouble.

Sasha says she can’t believe Sam is gone, and Carly says, Jason told her. Sasha says, Dante must be devastated, and the kids, and Carly says, it’s heartbreaking. Sam was a great mom. The kids meant everything to her. Sasha says, they were lucky to have her. What do they do now? Carly says, be there for them, and Sasha says, of course (🍷) no one can replace their mom, especially one as loving and caring as Sam.

Suddenly, several masked men come in, along with Sidwell. One of the men grabs Sasha’s arm, and Sidwell says, if she’ll be kind enough to come with them… Carly says she has no idea who he is, but he has no idea what he’s messing with, and Sidwell says, don’t I, Miss Spencer? Call the authorities, and Sasha dies. Carly says she has better people to call, and he says, while she’s calling her friends in the underworld, tell Sasha’s mother that he wants his diamonds back. They leave, dragging Sasha with them.

Tomorrow, Michael asks if Brook has seen Willow; Willow says, this can never happen again; Anna says, Holly can’t be counted on to do the right thing; and Carly asks Jack what Sidwell is doing in Port Charles when the WSB is looking for him.

🍷 New drinking game. Whenever someone says, this can never happen again, take a shot. Take another when it does happen again.

🧴 A Little Bit Of Soap…

While everyone is doing a stellar job, I’m with Kristina. Why?

Very cool that she found a whole new niche for herself.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kimberly-mccullough-reveals-her-exciting-new-project

I’m definitely looking forward to this. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a new soap and it’s about time we got a predominantly Black cast. I’ve been disappointed with GH on this front.

🗽 Biting the Big Apple…

Racquel explained why she wanted to keep her engagement quiet and why she’d kept her previous breakup quiet. Apparently, the art world is very shallow, and she was concerned that the business she and her ex-husband shared would be hit in the wallet. Even more sadly, when the breakup became public knowledge, Racquel’s fiancé Mel was painted as a homewrecker, even though it was like a year later. Evidently, gossip is also part of the art world. Are they bored or just boring? Raquel had difficulty with revealing the relationship to her mom, who wouldn’t have the perfect image to present of her daughter. She hadn’t visited Racquel since her divorce, and Racquel and Mel discussed the possibility of her not coming to the wedding. I dunno. I’d be pretty proud of Racquel. She has an amazing career, isn’t doing bad at all financially, has a beautiful wardrobe and home, and is happy in her personal life. What more can you ask for?

Sai gifted Ubah with a book called Pigeon Watching, which was pretty funny. In Ubah’s interview, she said, the women were all in the book and she probably was too.

Jessel and husband Pavit went out to eat, and while Pavit was busy snapping pix of his food, Jessel tried to discuss their embryos on ice and how they needed couples therapy. At Erin’s Cinco de Mayo event in celebration of her new mezcal (🤮), Brynn flirted with Erin’s dad. In Sai’s interview, she pointed out how Brynn got mad about the sugar daddy stories, yet perpetuated that view of herself. Once again, loving Racquel, but Brynn, not so much.

Speaking of Brynn. Yeah. It’s always the editing.

👀 Do Watch Don’t…

I checked out Don’t Move last weekend and finally, a movie without a disappointing ending. No spoilers because this is in the film description. A woman about to commit suicide meets a stranger who causes her to rethink that plan. Later, said stranger kidnaps her, injecting her with a paralyzing drug. Angst and tension ensue. Kelsey Asbille (Iris) and Finn Wittrock (Richard) are the main players who carry the movie, and they’re superb. And with a lot of physically demanding scenes, no doubt came home from filming with bruises.

🎱 Magic 8 Ball Says…

I hate to say it, but it was probably just dumb luck that they were right before and ditto if they’re right tonight. It’s not like there’s anyone voting in the poll outside of the viewers.

https://pagesix.com/2024/10/31/entertainment/wwhl-poll-predicts-who-will-win-2024-election-after-viewers-correctly-predicted-previous-years/

☠️ Hail To the King…

Yay. Something else we have to wait until 2025 to see.

https://ew.com/it-welcome-to-derry-first-look-black-spot-hanlon-family-jovan-adepo-taylour-paige-exclusive-8736735

https://people.com/welcome-to-derry-it-prequel-show-everything-to-know-8737860

🦸‍♂️ Now Streaming, Marvel Jesus…

Disney+, November 12th. Be there or be a peanut.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/deadpool-and-wolverine-disney-plus-release-date

👻 Leftover Candy…

Random parade.

https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/10/27/hyde-park-halloween-pet-parade

This is nothing less than genius.

https://www.aol.com/famous-corgi-dad-over-top-150000807.html

Omg, the mouse in a trap. Some very clever ideas here.

https://www.startribune.com/the-winners-of-the-2024-star-tribune-halloween-pet-costume-contest/601172476

In case you were wondering.

https://www.al.com/news/2024/10/donald-trump-is-no-2-pet-halloween-costume-this-year-whats-no-1.html

BeetlePeke

🍂 October In Every November…

Join me tomorrow for soap, a little Salt, and more to watch (or not). Until then, stay safe, stay leaving election anxiety to the amateurs, and stay just continuing to move from one minute to the next when life is too much.

August 22, 2024 – Irene Marie’s Funeral Ends Badly, For Real, Cast List, Gloves Are Off In the OC, Disturbing Dance, Dark Reality, New Dead, Coming Soon, Tribute, Cutest & Lobster

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Cody tells James, no more riding without a helmet, but James says, Cody’s hat is cooler. Cody says, James can’t even see with it on, and gives him a smaller version of the hat. Excited, James runs off and Cody takes the helmet and follows him.

Maxie tells Natalia that Lois has been making the rounds as Deception spokesperson, but this will be her first time as an on-air presence on Home & Heart. Natalia says, Lois does have the gift of gab, and Lucy says, they’ll see if she can pull off selling on camera to the home audience.

Lois asks Brook if she looks too demure, but Brook says, she looks beautiful. Is she nervous? Lois says she’ll be talking to people already interested in the product. It’s in the bag. She goes to get her earrings from the makeup artist and overhears her saying that Lois’s Brooklyn accent gives her a headache.  

Molly puts a spray of flowers on the casket, and people begin to come into the church. Kristina comes in with Sam (played by Lindsay Hartley) and Alexis on either side. TJ asks if Molly is okay, and she says, yeah. Him? He says, yeah. Stella lights a candle, and hugs TJ. Molly runs out of the church. Outside, Ric arrives and hugs Molly.  

Sonny says, Ava deserves to pay for what she’s done, and his face should be the last thing she sees, but he’s not here to take her life. He’s here to save her life. Let’s go. Ava says, he assumes she’s going to walk out with him no questions asked? Does he think she’s that gullible? He says, she’s not seeing the whole picture, and she tells him to give her the layout. He says, Jagger Cates wants to end her life, not him.

Molly says she didn’t know Ric was coming, and he says he and Alexis agreed he needed to be here. He’s so sorry. It’s a horrible loss. She says she’s glad he’s here. She feels so alone. He hugs her.

Kristina says, they shouldn’t have to make coffins so small, and Alexis gives the minister the baby’s name. She warns Sam that Ric is coming for Molly. Kristina says she called the baby Adela. She knew it was going to be a girl, but she didn’t tell anyone. When she was lying awake at night, thinking of the baby’s future, that’s what she called her. Dante says, Sonny’s mother’s name.

Tracy says, Maxie can’t be happy about Sonny being a part of Deception, but Maxie says, he’s just investing. Tracy says, he’s forcing them to take on Natalia as CFO, and Maxie asks how many meetings she sat in on where Natalia negotiated Blaze’s contract. She went over everything and was never satisfied. Isn’t that what they’re looking for in a CFO?  

Brook reminds Lois to hold up the product and asks, what’s wrong? She has weird energy. Lois says, last minute stage fright, and Brook asks, since when? Lois says, since she heard her accent gave someone a headache.

Sonny tells Ava that Jagger is going to try and frame him for her murder. The only thing Jagger wants is her dead.

Josslyn sees Trina at the church and keeps walking. Stella asks Trina if everything is okay.

Jordan says, TJ is bearing up well, and Curtis asks how she’s doing. She says, it’s hitting her harder than she thought it would. Portia says she’s sorry for their loss. If there’s anything she can do, she’s here.  

Sam asks, where’s Sonny? and Alexis says, Molly had a meltdown and blamed him for everything. Out of respect and to avoid a scene, he stayed away. Sam says she wishes he was here for Kristina’s sake, and the minister says they’re going to begin the service. Sam says, they have to wait for Molly, and the minister asks if Kristina isn’t the mother. Alexis says, she’s the surrogate. The parents are Molly and TJ. Ric brings Molly back in, and Alexis says, that’s Molly.  

Brook asks, who’s talking smack? She’ll make sure they’re transferred to late night. Lois says she doesn’t want trouble, but be honest. Is it that bad? Brook says, it’s part of her charm. Their different dialects are what makes them cool. Just focus on her and remember everyone in Bensonhurst is watching. She called them.

TJ thanks Ric, and Sam tells Alexis, it’s nice of him to come for Molly. She hopes they don’t regret it. She can’t remember a time when he didn’t make things worse. Alexis says, good thing Sonny’s not here.

TJ and Molly sit down, and Ric tells Alexis that he came as soon as he could. Good thing he was late, since he met their daughter outside.  

The minister says, they gather to celebrate a life and honor the memory. This life was too brief, but Irene Marie loved, gave love, and had an impact. They grieve not just for what was lost, but for what could have been. They mourn Irene Marie and the life she could have had.

The director (Debbie Matenopoulus) asks if Lois is ready, and Lois asks if she’s ever worked in the music business. Was she in music videos? The director says she’s been on TV for years, but prefers the view from behind the camera. Is Lois ready for her debut? Lois says, as ready as she’ll ever be, and Brook tells her, break a leg.

Sonny says he’ll take Ava where Jagger can’t find her. Doesn’t she want to be around for Avery? She says, that’s why she’s not going with him, but he says, if he wanted to take her out, would he be here today trying to convince her to go with him? She says, it’s the baby’s funeral, and he says he needs her alive to do the right thing when the time comes. She says, Scotty would never go for it, and he asks if she’s talked to Scotty lately. She says she and John are closer than he knows. John would never hurt her. He says, Jagger just put handcuffs on Kristina when she was in a wheelchair. Ava gave her statement and now she’s a liability. She says, John is protecting her, but Sonny says, he’s using her. She asks why she should believe him when she knows for a fact that he’d kill her if given half a chance.

The minister asks God to hold Irene Marie in His everlasting love and light. Amen. Now Irene’s grandmother will give a reading. Kristina says she has something to say and goes to the front.

Coming back into the stable with James, Cody says, he looks great. He’s a real natural. His grandparents are horse people and will be super proud. Is he okay? James says, yeah, and Cody says, James knows he can tell him anything, especially now that he’s James’s uncle. James wonders why Grandpa Mac was so mad at Cody, and Cody says he thinks Mac was more mad about the time they didn’t get to spend together when Cody was a kid. James says, that’s not Cody’s fault, but Cody says, Mac has a good reason to be mad at him. James asks what he did.

Haven meets Lois, and Tracy asks if Maxie is sure Lois can do this. Maxie says, if Tracy had seen any of Lois’s trunk shows, she wouldn’t ask. Lois is popular wherever she goes. Tracy says, success in one venue isn’t necessarily success in another. Maybe Lois is too much for TV, from her shoes to her fingernails. Television magnifies things, and she’s not sure if a magnified Lois wouldn’t overwhelm the audience. Maxie says she doesn’t agree, and if Tracy was concerned, she should have said something weeks ago, not just before Lois gets on camera.

Brook tells Lois to imagine she’s talking to the same people that she does at department stores, and Lois says she’ll try. Brook tells her that she’s got this, and looks at Lois’s hand. She says she told Lois to break a leg, not a nail, and Lois says she can’t go on. Her nails are her brand. Brook says, no one will notice, but Lois says she will. Brook says, take a breath. It will be okay.

Haven says, their favorite brand Deception Cosmetics is introducing an exciting new product. She welcomes Lois, and Lois says she’s so… happy to be here, but then just stares at the camera.

Sonny says, let’s go, but Ava says, no deal. She doesn’t need Sonny to save her. She’s a wealthy woman and can disappear on her own. He says, not really, because she’s damn sure not going to take Avery. Jagger’s got her cornered. He doesn’t care where she runs. She can’t hide unless she’s with him. He’s her way out.

Kristina tells everyone that the minister said something that resonated with her, and she wanted to share that. Even though Irene’s life ended just as it was starting, she had impact. He’s so right. She did, and even though none of them had a chance to meet Irene, they knew her. Anyone who felt her kick knew she was destined to be a US Women’s Olympic champion. She laughs, then starts to cry and says, for eight months they shared every second together. She felt her move and watched her grow. They breathed together and she learned about her, what she liked and didn’t like. She used to love walks in the park and was so peaceful after. She liked pastilles and peanut butter, not together, but liked when Kristina ate them. She liked being sung to. Now everyone is crying, and Kristina touches the casket. She says, even though Irene isn’t physically with them, her memory is. The feeling, the weight of her, her impact will stay with Kristina and she hopes with them forever.

Stella says, her wish is for TJ and Molly to find strength and comfort in each other, and she prays they have the family they so deserve. She tells Kristina that she knows Kristina doesn’t have the same connection, but she carried Irene in love and felt her loving spirit, and that makes them eternally grateful. They can’t know what Irene would have become, but with the support of her loving parents, it’s not hard to imagine she would have been a happy girl and gone far in life. She takes comfort in knowing Irene is in the hands of her namesake, Stella’s sister.

Cody says he didn’t tell Mac the truth about something important, and James says, he lied? What about? Cody says, something that wasn’t fair to Grandpa Mac and he regrets it. James says, you’re not supposed to lie, and Cody says he wishes he hadn’t. James says he’s lied before. He said he brushed his teeth when he hadn’t, and he got caught. His toothbrush was dry. Cody says, rookie mistake, and James tells Cody that he said he was sorry, but he’s lied about other dumb stuff. Sometimes it’s easier to lie, but he feels bad and regrets it. Cody says he knows exactly how James feels.

The minister says, they’re going to move to the gravesite, Irene’s final resting place. Kristina begins to sob, and TJ tells Molly, we can do this. Willow says she doesn’t think she can go, and Michael suggests they see Jonah instead. Josslyn sees Trina sitting alone, and Portia asks how Trina is doing. Does she want to ride with them? Trina says she’s okay, but she wants to sit for a while. Portia says, let her know if she needs anything, and leaves. Josslyn asks if she can sit with Trina.

Dante finishes with a phone call, and Sam asks if it’s the station, but Dante says, it’s Laura. He’s got to go. She says, Lulu? and he says he’ll let her know when he gets there, and leaves.

Haven says, the new serum used with the Deceptor is a game changer. She can’t believe all the money she’s wasted on serums that don’t do half of what this does. She asks Lois to tell them how to get firmer, younger looking skin, and Tracy says she guesses Lois isn’t going to overwhelm the viewers after all. Brook nods to Lois, and Lois says, everyone watching should take out their cellphones and credit cards before this product runs out – Deception’s newest serum, The Deceiver. Brook encourages her to smile, and she asks if the viewers have spent a small fortune on their neck, eyes, and lovely faces. Is their bathroom counter covered with half-used products they tried, but didn’t cut it? Haven asks if Lois has sneaked into her house and checked out her bathroom (same), and Lois says, clear that clutter because this product does it all. It plumps and rejuvenates the skin from below the surface. Deceive your skin one drop at a time with Deceiver serum. Haven says, they’re offering it at a special price which will be gone at the end of the day, but she has the feeling they’ll be sold out before then. Lucy tells Maxie, kind of a rocky start, but Lois is watchable. Lois explains how to use the product, and Lucy looks at her phone says, Scotty is out of town on a lucrative, promising new case. She has to call him. If he leaves them high and dry, they’ll need a new lawyer. She leaves, and Maxie says she heard an earful from Tracy about Natalia joining Deception. Now she’d like to hear from Natalia. Natalia says, ask her anything, and Maxie says, Sonny was willing to invest to secure her a position and she’s more than qualified, but what’s in it for her? What did he promise her?

Sonny says he’s glad Ava came to her senses, but she says she’s not going with him. Unless he’s planning to shoot her in the back, why doesn’t he go so she can lock up. She can find a place to hide herself. He says, she’s playing into Jagger’s hands, and she says, he needs to work on his sales pitch. She’s not buying. He tells her to do it for Kristina and the baby. She needs to recant her statement. They don’t have time. Ava tells her to leave him alone and pseudo hero John comes in and tells Sonny, get away from her.

Josslyn says she hates the way they left things, and Trina says, her too. She apologizes for being so defensive. Ava is her friend, but Josslyn is her best friend. She doesn’t know what she’d do without her. Josslyn says, her neither. She’s sorry too. She has no right to tell Trina who she can be friends with, even if she doesn’t like them. Trina says she understands why Josslyn feels the way she does, and why Spencer felt the same way. Ava is complicated, but they’ve always been honest with each other. Maybe she still has hope for Ava. Josslyn says, Ava is lucky to have a friend like Trina, and Trina says she wouldn’t ask Josslyn to change her mind, but don’t ask her to change hers. She puts her head on Josslyn’s shoulder.

Sonny says, Ava isn’t going anywhere with John, and John asks if he thinks she’s better off with a dangerous criminal. Sonny says, she’s safer with him than Jagger, and John says, let him guess. Sonny offered Ava his protection. Funny how the how the ones he claims to protect are the ones who end up suffering the most. Like Karen, like his brother, even Sonny’s own children. Sonny is toxic and radioactive to anyone he gets close to, and no one knows that better than Ava, right?

Natalia says, Sonny just gave her a chance, that’s it. After her incredibly regrettable words that ended up being run in The Invader, she wanted to run, but Sonny wanted to help her just because they’re friends. To be honest, she thinks it’s a convenient excuse for him to be able to back Brook because he really cares about her. Maxie says she appreciates Natalia’s candor, and Natalia says she’s spent some time going over the books and one thing is abundantly clear. Maxie is the beating heart of the company, the one constant that keeps this business going. She has no interest in challenging that. She’s here to help support Maxie and thank Sonny by giving him a good return on his investment. She looks forward to working with Maxie. Maxie smiles.

Michael says he’s glad they came to Jonah’s grave, and Willow says she feels terrible for Molly and TJ, but Kristina’s speech was touching. The little details rushed back and how she felt, even though she was giving Jonah up for adoption. It’s hard loving someone you know you can’t have. Michael says he understands because of the time he believed Wiley was Jonah, but now they have two healthy happy kids. Maybe Jonah brought them together. Willow leans on him, and he says, she can share anything with him. Her memories, fears, ideas, whatever it is, good or bad. They’re in this together. Willow looks troubled and says she wants Michael to know something… Jonah liked Mozart.  

Each person places a pink rose on the grave, and TJ puts a teddy bear that says for a special boy with them. He says, daddy loves you, and Molly says, mommy loves you too. She hugs Ric, and Kristina puts her rose last. She says, I love you my sweet Adela, and Molly says, what did you just call my daughter?

Haven answers a call from Myrna in Indiana, and Myrna says, she’s been using Deception for years and she’s been watching Home & Heart for even longer. She has some advice for Lois. Lose the accent. She had to mute her television. If Deception wants to sell their product, they need a spokeswoman who can speak properly. (I wonder if it’s Lucy on the phone.)

Kristina says she had to call the baby something, and TJ and Molly just named her this morning. Molly says, Kristina didn’t. It was her baby, and Kristina says, the baby was a part of her and she was part of the baby. She knows Molly can’t know what it feels like… Molly says she knows she’ll never feel what it’s like to carry a child, but she refuses to watch Kristina’s grieving Madonna act for the rest of her life. Kristina says she’s not playing anything. She’s devested. Molly says she hopes so. Kristina is the reason the baby is dead.

Ava tells John and Sonny, let’s keep a cool head. There’s expensive artwork to consider. John calls another agent to come in, and she introduces herself as Linda Boyle. John says he’s sure she recognizes Sonny and tells her to take Ava to the car. He’s bringing her into protective custody. Sonny tells Ava, don’t do it. She knows he’s right. Ava asks if John is sure this is necessary, and John says, trust him, it is. She goes with Agent Boyle, and John tells Sonny that he’ll take it from here, and follows them.

Kristina asks how Molly can say that, and Molly says, it’s true. Kristina never should have gone to that hotel room. Kristina says she had to talk to Ava. Ava was making her testify against her own father. Molly says, she had a choice. To protect her unborn child or her criminal father, but Kristina says, it’s not like that. Molly says, it’s exactly like that. In order to protect her father, Kristina sacrificed her baby’s life.  

Tomorrow, Lois says she needs Brook to be honest; Jordan tells Curtis that Kristina and Alexis were planning on stealing her son’s child; and when Maxie asks Dante what he’s doing here, he says, it’s Lulu.

🪞 Life Imitating Soap…

First a MetroCourt beach towel. Next, the Deceptor

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-deception-beauty-products-are-real-and-on-sale

🕵🏻‍♀️ Follow the Port Charles Road…

I’ve always wondered if the writers have one of those big bulletin boards like detectives do, with strings going all over the place.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-cast-list

🍊 Orange Is the New Blackmail…

Every week, I watch this again, and every week, I wonder why, since it just aggravates me. While there are some close seconds, the most aggravating thing is the return of Alexis. I barely remember her from the seasons she was on previously, although I remember Tamra picking on her ad nauseum and feeling badly for her, as well as her husband being no prize. This time around, she’s making up for it, coming fast and hard for Shannon from the jump. It’s no secret that I’m not a Shannon fan, but this is bordering on harassment. She keeps talking about how Shannon is doing Johnny J. wrong, but other than fighting the lawsuit, there’s no clarification as to what it is she’s doing. Yet Alexis is doing plenty and threatening more, kicking someone who is clearly down. Not exactly the Christian she claims to be.

Tamra follows closely behind, saying she’s coming from a place of love, yet her words about Shannon’s drinking are nothing but loving. Tough love doesn’t mean badgering and cruel words. I, too, think Shannon has a drinking problem. I’m not saying she’s an alcoholic – only Shannon can make that judgement – but her drinking has definitely been problematic. So has Tamra’s, but one thing Tamra is right about is that she hasn’t drove her car into a house. Shannon’s problem with alcohol mirrors her problems in general. She can’t seem to take responsibility for anything. Her issues are always because of someone else. That being said, apparently, Tamra is unaware that hassling a supposed alcoholic does nothing to lead them to help. She needs to put her time where her mouth is and attend a few Al-Anon meetings if she’s that concerned.

As for the videos Alexis is hanging over Shannon’s head, while Alexis has remained not at liberty to disclose their content, Katie claimed that Shannon had nearly run over Johnny J.’s daughter while drunk. Yeah, that’s bad, but why is he hanging onto this as a blackmail item? Hasn’t it been a while now? Shannon may have done something more than stupid in a blackout, but extortion is never a good look, and Johnny J. is looking more rotten by the minute, while he hides behind the jugs of Alexis.

If someone even has to ask why it’s wrong, there’s something wrong with them. Again, I’m no fan of Shannon’s, but I’m not liking what Alexis and Johnny J. are doing one bit. And maybe he should pay for her facelift since he took quite a few years away from her.

🩰 New Level Of Cringe…

Is she trying to top Abby Lee’s talent for being insensitive? Or is she that out of touch with human emotion? Even worse is the how the viewers didn’t even get the connection.

https://ew.com/dance-moms-a-new-era-disturbed-viewers-with-a-jonbenet-ramsey-routine-8699661

🌌 While We’re On the Subject…

The Dark Side series is excellent, and I can’t wait to see this one.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dark-side-reality-tv-trailer-174927225.html

While I was looking for that, I came across this related article.

https://www.cracked.com/image-pictofact-7747-29-reality-tv-shows-with-very-dark-downsides

⚰️ A Different Walk…

This sounds intriguing. One of the reasons I love zombie films/shows is because they’re never really about zombies. The zombies are nearly always an allegory for something else, and ultimately, they’re about us being our own worst enemy.

https://www.cbr.com/walking-dead-fans-will-love-handling-of-the-undead/

🎬 Posh, Becks, and Gordon Ride Again…

I’m very much looking forward to checking both of these out. I loved Victoria’s other reality shows and there’s no one more real than Gordon.

I’ve yet to see this one, but it’s on my short list.

https://ew.com/david-beckham-says-making-docuseries-helped-him-forgive-himself-8699550

🦸 Deadpool’s Softer Side…

Sad, but sweet.

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-explains-deadpool-and-wolverine-tribute-to-rob-delaney-s-late-son-8697791

🐶 Best In Rescue…

You can vote daily from August 21 to September 20.

https://people.com/worlds-cutest-rescue-dog-contest-2024-8661021

Mine isn’t entered because it wouldn’t be fair to the other contestants.

El Wray the Rescue Chi

🎣 Keeping It Reel…

Join me tomorrow for the usual soap and Friday mixed bag. Until then, stay safe, stay using what you’ve learned to help others going through similar struggles, and stay never making fun of someone’s accent. Our different dialects are what make us cool.

July 26, 2024 – John Gives Jason a Proposition, Warden, Wives For the Date, Star Winner, Just Us Girls, Game Of Game, They’re Here, Video Video, Critic Blast, It’s Snowing, First Look, A Half Dozen Quotes & Hot

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Madison says, Nina’s lunch date is confirmed, the ad copy is on her desk, and her 9 am appointment with Enchantment has been canceled. Nina says, why? You don’t just cancel an appointment with Erica Kane. That woman is notoriously difficult. Erica made her last assistant wear burlap for an entire year just because she booked her a layover on her flight to Beirut. Madison says she didn’t know you could fly direct to Beirut, and Nina says, you can’t. That’s the point. Madison has left her in a difficult position. Why would she cancel a meeting with Erica Kane and risk her wrath? They walk into Nina’s office, and Michael is sitting in her chair. Startled, Madison drops everything in her hands, and he says, because your boss needed to talk to you.

There’s a knock at Kristina’s door and she opens it to Molly. Kristina asks if they had plans and she forgot, but Molly says, no. She just wanted to stop by. Kristina says, perfect timing, because she’s been dying to talk to Molly about the Perez Hilton interview. It’s been great to see how everyone’s been responding with such support. There’s this lesbian influencer who’s super powerful on Instagram, and she said this: Kristina and Blaze clearly love and support each other and are a great example of how to remain true to yourself while negotiating a difficult family situation. Isn’t that so empowering? Molly says, yeah, and Kristina says, so she saw the interview obviously. Wasn’t it great?

Anna opens the PCPD folder on Jack Brennan, and it’s empty. Dante comes in and asks if it’s a bad time, but Anna says, it’s fine. What’s up? He says, Sonny’s downstairs. Did she want to see him? She says she doesn’t have anything to charge him with, so no, and he says, fair enough. He starts to leave, but she calls him back. She tells him to shut the door. She has an update on Jack Brennan. He says, the guy they arrested at Bobbie’s last year, and she says, oh good. She wasn’t imagining him then. He asks what that’s supposed to mean, and she says, he’s disappeared from Pentenville. It’s as if he was never there.

Jason thanks Diane for coming, and she says, of course (🍷). She assumes this is about Carly. She’s doing as well as can be expected. He says he knows her arraignment is in a few hours. She’s pleading not-guilty, right? Diane says, she is, and he says he can help with her defense. She says, fantastic. How does she exonerate Carly? He says, by giving him up in her place.

Carly is brought to the interrogation room where Sonny is waiting. He tells the officer to take the cuffs off. She’s not violent and she’s not going anywhere. The officer says, those were the FBI’s orders. The prisoner is just with the PCPD until she’s transferred to federal holding, so they’ll be put on as soon as they’re done talking. He leaves, and Sonny says, Jagger has gone too far. He’s going to do everything he can to get her off. She says, no. Don’t do anything. Let Diane handle it. Please. How’s Donna? He says, Donna doesn’t know anything yet, and Pilar is there to make sure she doesn’t get upset. Carly says, good, and he asks, what’s going on? He saw her get arrested by Jagger. He wanted to jump in, but Diane said, don’t even think about it. She says, what’s going on? He died and she took his place.

Jason tells Diane that he’ll take responsibility for everything that happened at that meeting. He’ll say he fed Carly every word, that she was just a figurehead, and he was the one making all the decisions. Diane says, it’s a novel idea… and a complete waste of time.

Nina helps Madison pick everything up, and Michael says, sorry to spring this meeting on her at the last minute, but Nina says, it’s fine. As he clearly stated, he’s her boss and she’s at his disposal. He thanks her for being so accommodating, and she says, he did put her in a bit of a bind. When the subject of this sudden cancelation comes up, and it will, she’s going to forward Erica Kane’s calls to him. He says, that’s fair. He’s happy to handle it. She thanks Madison and asks her to hold her calls. And don’t go far. She may need a witness. Madison says she’ll be right outside. She leaves, and Michael says, it’s interesting that she warned her assistant when they struck a truce, and Nina says, they did, but if she’s learned anything, it’s that when they have a meeting together, it could go sideways very quickly. He says he can’t disagree. So he’ll get straight to the point. He needs her help.

Kristina says, Molly isn’t saying anything. Does that mean she disagrees? She doesn’t think it went well? Molly says, no. From what she’s heard, the response has been really good. She’s sure a lot of people found Kristina to be very sympathetic. Kristina says, huh. Interesting choice of words. People, but not her. Molly says, TJ had some thoughts about the interview, and Kristina says, about which part? And why isn’t he the one here talking to her about this? What’s TJ’s problem now? Molly says she’s not going to speak for TJ, but they talked about it last night, and in order to settle his concerns – she takes out a folder – she agreed to bring by these papers for Kristina to sign. Kristina asks what this is about, and Molly says, her giving up her parental rights.

Molly says, Kristina is functioning as a surrogate for her and TJ, but she’s also the egg donor. And as their mother so eloquently pointed out, according to the laws of the State of New York, she’s legally the baby’s mother until she relinquishes her parental rights. Kristina looks through the papers, and says, not relinquish – terminate. That’s what these papers say over and over and over again. Terminate. Molly wants her to terminate her parental rights? Something relinquished can be taken back. Something terminated can’t. That’s a pretty big difference, doesn’t she think? Molly says, in order for her to legally be the baby’s mother, Kristina has to terminate her rights. This is what they agreed to in the beginning. Kristina says, let her get this straight. Molly and TJ saw the interview she did where she poured her heart out to the entire world, and this is their response? Molly says she doesn’t understand what the issue is here. Kristina is about to give birth. She’s going to have to sign these papers at that time to give her and TJ the baby. Why not just sign them now, when things are calm and there’s time? What possible reason could she have not to?

Dante says, when Anna tells him that Brennan disappeared, she means he escaped Pentenville? How? She says, that’s a good question. How do you escape from somewhere when you weren’t there to begin with? He asks what she’s talking about. They arrested this guy. They put him in a car and watched him get taken to Pentenville. She says, and she visited him there more than once. According to Pentenville’s records, Brennan was never in their custody. There’s no digital record of him, no paper trail, no video surveillance. He was never in intake, and he was never assigned a cell. It’s like Brennan’s association with Pentenville has completely vanished. Dante says, there have to be witnesses there who saw him and spoke to him, and she says, you’d think. Maybe she can rustle up a CO or two, an inmate maybe that can place him there. But at the end of the day, it’s not proof. It’s just hearsay. She says she’ll show him the best part, and hands him Brennan’s folder. The PCPD’s records have been purged also, both physically and digitally. He sees the folder is empty, and he says, this is crazy. Who has the power to erase the records of an inmate’s entire existence and buy the silence of that many people?

Michael says he understands Nina has a long-standing connection with Congressman McConkey, and she says, he went to Princeton with her father. She’s known him for her entire life, but Michael’s family also goes way back with him. He says, Tracy and his grandmother do, but he doesn’t want to get Tracy involved in this because she has a tendency to stick her nose into things that are none of her business. And his grandmother isn’t doing well, so he’d rather not ask her. But from what it sounds, Nina’s connection with McConkey is closer. She says, that’s probably true, but he still hasn’t told her what he wants, and he says, an introduction. She asks if he didn’t meet McConkey at the 4th of July party, but he says, it was very brief. All they really did was exchange small talk. What he needs is some face time. She asks, why is that? and he tells her that he’d rather not say. She says, he’s asking her to exploit a decades long family friendship with the congressman for his mysterious purposes? She’s sorry, but she’s going to need a lot more information before she puts McConkey on the spot. He says he needs to ask McConkey for a favor, and she says, is this for ELQ? Is ELQ in trouble? Is it Aurora? Should she be worried about Crimson? He says, no, don’t. They’re both fine. She says, then if it’s not a business matter, it’s personal, and he says he needs McConkey to help his mother.

Carly says, while Nina was keeping Sonny all to herself in Nixon Falls, the rest of them thought he was dead. And the Five Families (spaghetti sauce) were circling, ready to take over his territory. With him gone, they were racing for the opportunity. He says, anyone who would stake a claim on his business would be a target, and she says, that’s right. So she and Jason had to make a show of strength to prove to them that the territory was in safe hands. But Jason was hurt, and he couldn’t make it to the meeting with the Five Families (calzones), so she was the only option. He says he already knows all that. What he wants to know is how the FBI charged her with RICO violations. She says, someone at the meeting was wearing a wire. The FBI has a recording of her announcing that she was taking control of his entire organization. He says, that was a long time ago. Why are they digging in now? She says, because they have another use for the recording. They used it as leverage over Jason. The FBI played the recording for Jason and told him that they would charge her with everything they could unless he worked for them. That’s what Jason’s been doing, keeping her out of jail while working undercover for John Cates. (We see Sonny is starting to track.)

Diane says she was hoping Jason was going to give her documents or witnesses or, best case scenario, proof that the FBI’s recording had been improperly procured. Something she could actually use. He says, just use him, but she says, that’s a non-starter. The FBI’s evidence against Carly is hard. That recording is damning. He tells her, not if he says he coached her, and she says, that’s only going to tack on another conspiracy charge. It’s Carly’s voice on that tape. Carly was at the meeting. There’s no getting around that. He knows taking responsibility is only going to implicate him right alongside her. Who’s that going to benefit? He says, all he’s got to do is convince one juror there’s reasonable doubt and the whole thing’s worth it, and she says she promises that is not how this is going to work out. He won’t save Carly; he’ll condemn himself and strengthen the prosecution’s case against her. She knows he has the best of intentions, and actually, she could use his help in another aspect of this case. He says, what? and she says, her defense strategy will be to spin the story. She’s going to present Carly as a sympathetic defendant. Convince the jury that she lied at that meeting to saved herself and her children from a group of vicious mob bosses suspected in a wide range of crimes, including several brutal murders. That she feared for the lives of her children and herself, and that she literally bluffed to save her life, lying to these people to push them away. Jurors love stories like that. He says, Carly told him that Diane said her chance of acquittal is what? 30%? She says, they can do better than that… not much better.

Nina says, Carly was arrested? and Michael says, his mom was very publicly handcuffed down in the lobby. He thought the news would be all over the building by now. She says, her former MetroCourt employees don’t really have a reason to gossip with her anymore. What was Carly arrested for? He says, the charges don’t really matter. This whole thing is the work of this rogue FBI agent who has a vendetta against Jason and his mother and probably Sonny too. This agent needs to know he’s not above the law himself. She says, which McConkey can give him through congress, and Michael says, yes, exactly. McConkey is on the House selection committee for Intelligence. He could buy influence on his committee, but he feels a personal touch from Nina would be more subtle. She says, and safer. No money trail. It’s all very Watergate sounding, and they all know how that turned out. He says, according to the law, it’s only illegal if money actually changes hands, and she says, and they both know he’d do anything to save Carly. He would hand over that money in a heartbeat. So he’s asking her to potentially commit a crime to cover up Carly’s crime. Now is he ready to be labeled co-conspirator with her?

Sonny says, so Carly was arrested. Things must have broken down between Jagger and Jason. Carly says, Jason was supposed to do one more specific job for Cates, and then Cates was going to cut him loose. Jason kept up his end of the bargain, then Cates double-crossed Jason. He said he was going to send Jason to some prison somewhere to go undercover. He says, lying bastard, and Carly says, she and Jason got in a big fight. He said he’d rather keep working for Cates than see her tried and charged. He says, let him guess. Jason won. She says, he made her promise not to turn herself in, so she agreed, and he says, she lied to him, but she says she didn’t lie to him. She didn’t want to turn herself in, but when she saw Cates there in the MetroCourt, and he made a jab about Jason, she lost it. She couldn’t help it. He says he was there. He saw. She basically dared him to arrest her. She says, right. So here they are. He asks how she found out about this, and she says she found out about the recording about a month ago, and he asks if Diane knows about this. She says, Diane has to know because she has to work on a defense, and he asks what Diane says her chances are. She says, the odds are not in her favor, and he slams his hand down on the table.

Jason says he knows Diane will do her best and her best is better than anybody else’s. He just doesn’t see how Carly’s going to beat this. She says she’s sorry, but short of getting that FBI recording destroyed or having it deemed inadmissible as evidence, Carly will be arraigned and charged this afternoon. With any luck, she’ll be granted bail, and a trial date will be set. Then they prepare to go to war. He asks what she wants him to do, and she says she wants him to slap on a suit and tie and show up every day to that courtroom. Let Carly see him in her corner. He’s calm and he’s steady. Because the prosecution could clinch its case against her by provoking a courtroom meltdown out of her. They don’t want that. Are they clear? He says, they are, and she says, excellent. Now if he’ll excuse her, she has to go over her notes. He says, one more thing. Can they undercut Carly’s case by tarnishing Cates? She says, it could work. It’s worked before. But Cates’s testimony is going to carry a tremendous amount of weight simply because he’s FBI. There’s a presumption of authority and integrity. (Really? In 2024?) They’d have to come up with something substantial in order to make a jury doubt Cates. He says, it may be possible. He knows someone who can get them information on Cates. And she owes him.

Anna says, Brennan’s disappearance has the WSB written all over it, and Dante says he can see that, but to what end? Doesn’t this guy out of a prison cell open up a whole can of worms for the WSB? She says she thought that too, but then she’s wondering if freeing him solves more problems than it creates. He says he guesses so. But if they want to shut him up, he knows something they don’t want him to, why not just put him in a hole in Steinmaur and throw away the hole? She says, it’s possible. The only way of figuring this out is cornering the WSB with proof of their involvement. He says, Brennan was admitted to GH for a stabbing that happened in Pentenville, right? and she says, yeah. He says, the hospital has to have records of him being there, unless the WSB wiped those too, and she says, if he could check on that, that would be awesome. He says he’ll take care of it right now, and she thanks him. He says, this guy is the WSB’s problem, isn’t he? Why does the PCPD care what happens to Brennan?

Kristina says she’s kind of flying blind here, so can Molly just tell her what she said that upset her and TJ so much and gotten them so worried? Wait. This wasn’t because Perez asked her about the baby and she said it was private, was it? Molly says, it’s just common sense. You can’t sit down for an interview with Perez Hilton, be visibly pregnant, and when he asks about it, say, sorry, it’s private. (Um… yes, you can.) Kristina says, the interview wasn’t about the baby. It was about Allie and her and Allie’s mother. It wasn’t about the baby at all. Molly says, don’t act like she didn’t see those questions coming. She can’t be that naïve. Kristina says she’s not naïve. She was trying to protect Molly and TJ. She didn’t want to drag them or this baby into a mess that was really about Allie and her personal private life, and it’s now all over the news. Molly says, she made it seem like this baby was hers and Allie’s, but Kristina says, no, she didn’t. Molly says, there was a simple explanation that would have avoided all confusion. She only had to say that she was acting as a surrogate for her sister and left it at that. Instead, every lesbian on the internet is so excited about her and Blaze being parents, they’re all posting about which onesie they should buy them. Kristina says, that’s insane. That is not what’s happening. She’s shocked. She can’t believe Molly would misinterpret something she said this badly. Molly asks what she’s misinterpreting. It’s what they all heard. Kristina says, fine. Why doesn’t she call Kelly Ripa and tell her that she has an exclusive? Molly, her sister, has endometriosis and she was devastated to find out she can’t bear children, so she’s helping her sister and her partner by helping them become parents. Is that what she wants? Would she have preferred that? Would that make her happy? Because actually, she was just trying to take the attention off of Molly, but hey, if she really wants to become the public face of endometriosis, have at it. Molly says, she’s being ridiculous, and Kristina says, is she? Molly says, all she and TJ wanted was for Kristina to be clear about whose baby she’s carrying. Kristina says, then that’s what Molly should have told her before she did the interview. She’s sorry if anything she said was taken the wrong way, but this wasn’t her intention. This wasn’t her fault. Molly says, of course (🍷) not. Nothing ever is. Kristina didn’t even tell her that she was doing this interview, but they’re talking in circles, and she needs to get to the office. So can Kristina just sign these papers so she can go… Sign the damn papers. Kristina throws them down on the table and says, no.

Molly says, they have an agreement. Kristina has to sign these papers. Kristina asks if they can just talk about this for a minute, and they sit down. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea for her to sign the papers right now. Molly says, yes, it is. Kristina is about to give birth and she can’t legally adopt her baby until Kristina terminates her rights. Kristina says, there’s issues in play right now that weren’t happening when they agreed to this, and Molly says, what issues? Kristina says, her and TJ, and Molly says, what about them? Kristina says, what if they break up? and Kristina says she and TJ aren’t breaking up. That’s not even a question here. Kristina says, maybe Molly is too close to it and doesn’t want to see it, but things have been really rocky lately. Molly says, that’s so condescending of Kristina to think she can tell her about her own relationship, and Kristina says, maybe Molly doesn’t want to see it and she’s sorry to say this, but it’s true. She can’t deny there’s been so much tension between them lately. They can’t stop fighting. Molly says, all they fight about is her. So according to her, now she and TJ are going to break up because they fight? That’s what couples do. They fight and they make up and they wind up stronger for it. But Kristina wouldn’t know anything about that because she has never, not one single time, been able to keep anybody around long enough to form a real relationship. All she has is a string of embarrassingly misguided attempts with men, a crush that drove her teacher out of town, and a messed-up infatuation with a woman who was so ashamed of being gay that she was still in the closet until her mother caused a national uproar by publicly outing her. Look in the mirror. She’s not equipped to be a mother. She can barely take care of herself. (Needless to say, this doesn’t make me like Molly any more than I don’t already.)

Nina says, if this is found out, how does she know Michael won’t shift the blame entirely on her? and he says, nobody’s going to believe Nina cares enough about his mother to do something illegal to help her. Nina says she can’t argue with him there, and he says his mom is facing RICO charges because of the actions she did to protect her family when his father was in Nixon Falls. And that only happened because of Nina. His mother wouldn’t even be in this position if Sonny had been in Port Charles conducting business as usual. She says, so she owes him one? and he says, she owes his family. She can make this right with one phone call. All she has to do is get him a meeting with McConkey, and he’ll persuade McConkey into opening up an official inquiry into this FBI agent’s twisted vendetta against his family. She says, if she agrees to this, are they finally square? and he says he’ll give her something that’s even more important to her. When his mom goes free, he’ll make sure Willow knows all the credit goes to her.

Anna tells Dante that Brennan is also connected to this other case that’s unfolding right now, which is Carly’s. Agent Cates used evidence of Carly’s involvement in Sonny’s business to force Jason to work for the FBI. Dante says, okay. He knew Jason was an informant, and knew Jason was working for the FBI and they got him to flip. He just didn’t know how. It surprised him, but Carly explains it. She says, Agent Cates kind of showed interest in Brennan and implied at one point Brennan might have leverage over him. (I must have missed that, but they do have a tendency to make it up as they go along.) Dante says, and she wants to figure out what that leverage is? and she says, yeah. Either Brennan has committed such terrible crimes that the WSB just doesn’t want him to see daylight ever again, or he means something else to the Bureau entirely, and she wants to know which it is.

Sonny tells Carly that Jagger always had a chip on his shoulder because he took care of his brother Stone when he was dying of AIDS, and Jagger couldn’t show up. Jagger has been trying to take him down for 30 years. And you know why he can’t? Because he doesn’t know how. Now Jagger thinks he’s going to come at him through Carly and Jason? She says, he’s right. Cates is after him. But Sonny isn’t the only reason he’s here. He came to Port Charles for another job, something to do with Pikeman. Sonny says, that was his official reason, but Jagger will never pass up a chance to take him down. Does she know the way he does it? Jagger builds himself up by tearing him down. He started with nothing, he has nothing, and he’s going to die with nothing. He swipes a load of Styrofoam cups off the counter and says, no way in hell is Jagger sending his little girl’s mother to prison.

Kristina says, wow. Is that what Molly really thinks of her? Molly says she would feel infinitely better if Kristina would just sign the papers, but Kristina says, no. She can’t sign those papers right now. There’s too much uncertainty. If Molly and TJ break up, then she and TJ are the only ones with legal claim to this child. She has to be sure they’re going to make it before she signs those. Molly asks when that’s going to be. What’s the test? What criteria of commitment do she and TJ need to meet for her? Kristina says she doesn’t know, and Molly says she thinks when they do, Kristina is just going to come up with another reason not to sign the papers. This isn’t about her and TJ. This is about Kristina. She’s been lying to them this entire time and the truth is now coming out. She wants to keep this baby, doesn’t she? Kristina says she does wonder sometimes if maybe she and Allie would make better parents for this baby right now. Maybe they would be able to provide a more stable home than her and TJ. That’s all. Molly laughs, when there’s a knock at the door. Kristina says, let her get rid of them, but Molly says, don’t bother. This is going nowhere, and she needs to get to work. Kristina opens the door to Natalia, who asks if this is a bad time. She should have called first. Molly says, don’t worry. She was just leaving. Kristina says, wait. She thinks Molly forgot something. She indicates the papers, but Molly walks out without them.

Nina says, Michael sure knows how to sweeten a deal, and he asks if that’s a yes. She says, everyone knows that she’ll do just about anything to make sure her relationship with Willow is on track for good, but if she agrees to do this, it has to include peace with him as well. She’s sick of the ugliness between them. They have to put it behind them, in the past. He says, her getting him a meeting with McConkey will be a good start, and she says, if this is found out, it may or may not be bad for them. She doesn’t know, but does he know who it’s going to be bad for? Drew. Can he imagine the uproar if the media finds out that the nephew of McConkey’s handpicked successor leaned on him to tip the scales in his mother’s favor? It would be the end of McConkey’s legacy and the end of Drew’s campaign. He says, all he’s doing is bringing the acts of a rogue agent to McConkey’s attention. He’s sure he’ll be able to avoid even the slightest hint of impropriety. Drew will be fine. She says, he sounds confident about that, and he says, it’s just a conversation. One that will work to all of their benefit. So what does she say? Do they have a deal?

Kristina folds the papers and asks what she can do for Natalia. Natalia asks if Allison is here, but Kristina says, no. She’s out with Brook. Natalia says, that’s unfortunate. She was hoping to talk to them both together, but she can come back another time. Kristina says, no, don’t. She’s already here, and Kristina would rather they just have it out now. What is this about? Natalia says she came by because she wanted to… Saying thank you falls very short.

Carly says she knows Sonny is angry, but he can’t get arrested too. The officer comes in and asks, what’s going on here? Sonny says, Jagger is going to regret ever messing with him, and walks out. Carly tries to follow, but the officer says, she’s not going anywhere. It’s time to get her back to her cell. She says, not yet. He’s got to call Dante Falconari and have him come down here. She needs to talk to him.

Jason opens the door to John and says, he made a big mistake coming here. John says, what is he going to do? Beat him up? Jason says he was thinking more along the lines of reporting him for witness tampering, but John says, he still doesn’t get it. Jason is his witness. And when Carly’s trial starts, the US Attorney is going to put him on the stand, and they’ll produce a piece of paper with Jason’s signature on it, showing that they made a deal. Then the attorney will ask Jason why he agreed to work with the FBI. He can stonewall all he wants, but eventually, they’re going to get him to admit the truth, that he did it for Carly because he knows she’s guilty. Carly dug her own grave, but Jason is going to be the one who buries her in it. (I don’t see how this is going to make the FBI look any kind of good.) But there is still one way he can stop that from happening.

Natalia says she saw the interview Kristina and Allie did with Perez Hilton, and they were both very, very generous towards her. They were much more generous than she deserved. Kristina says she doesn’t really believe it’s right to police people’s speech or their perspectives, and Natalia says, that’s very big of her. Kristina says, don’t get her wrong. If someone refused to hire her or rent her an apartment just because she’s gay, she’d be livid, and honestly consider suing because that’s discrimination and that’s not okay. But someone just not approving of her or not agreeing with her lifestyle, she just doesn’t let it affect her because everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Natalia says she honestly doesn’t know what she believes anymore from one hour to the next, and it’s pretty disconcerting. But she has to say, Kristina’s live and let live attitude is a value she holds dear. She just needs to do better at living it. She’s just glad they can talk, and they can be honest with each other. Kristina says, okay, yeah. Just to be clear, she believes Natalia is entitled to her own thoughts and opinions, but she doesn’t have to like them, and she doesn’t. Natalia says, fair, and to be clear on her end, she admires Kristina’s principles and respects what she said.

Michael says he has McConkey’s office number pulled up. Do he and Nina have a deal? Nina says, he’s going about this the wrong way, and he asks if she’s turning him down. She asks if she said that. If Michael calls McConkey’s office, he’ll have to get through his bulldog of an assistant. He should call McConkey’s cell. Deal with him personally. She takes out her phone and calls McConkey. She says she’s calling because she’s going to be in DC next week and she thought they could go to that Italian place they both love… No. She insists that this time she’s paying… Okay, great. And she’s going to bring a friend. He’s a great guy, very interesting, very influential. You’re going to love him.

Dante says, Carly wanted to see him? and she says, Sonny’s lost it. He’s out of control. He asks what she’s talking about. What happened? She says, there isn’t time. He’s got to find Sonny. He says, where did he go? and she says she doesn’t know. But if Dante finds John Cates, he’s going to find Sonny. Sonny went after Cates, and God knows what will happen if Sonny finds him.

In his office on the phone, Sonny tells Brick to get him a location on Jagger Cates nowNo. He’s not at the MetroCourt anymore. Carly kicked him out. He opens a locked box with a gun inside, and says, yeah, he’s sure. He loads the gun and says, do whatever you have to do. Find Cates for him. He practice aims the gun.

John says he has a proposition for Jason, but Jason says, no. John failed to honor their deal. He’s not taking any new assignment from him. John says, he doesn’t have to go undercover. He doesn’t even have to leave Port Charles. And in the end, he can run back to his beloved Carly, who will be out from under the threat of prosecution for good. All Jason has to do is deliver Sonny to him.

On Monday, Kristina tells Alexis that if she’s going to make a move, it has to be now; Ava says she needs to know that she can trust someone; Carly says, there’s something important she needs Michael to do; and Sonny tells Dante, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. (Truth!)

🔐 Going Dutch…

I’ll have to look for him the next time I watch The Devil Wears Prada.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/thats-dutch-johnson-playing-warden-hayes-on-general-hospital

👠 Another Kind Of Scary Island…

This just sounds embarrassing. Hopefully they don’t keep the title Love Hotel. That just makes it sound worse.

🥂 For the Food Win…

I didn’t really keep up with this, although there’s always Hulu. An extra congrats to LVP.

🍸 Speaking Of…

Maybe having kids knocks the voice of reason into your head. She and Lala have made more sense than anyone else lately.

👑 Back In the Game…

Maybe he knows a little something by now. The ad is really cute.

https://people.com/kit-harington-ad-for-game-of-thrones-mobile-game-8684224

🦸🏻‍♂️ At a Theater Near You…

It’s here and apparently doesn’t disappoint. I probably won’t go this weekend, but I’m not letting this one wait for streaming.

https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/review-deadpool-amp-wolverine-is-exactly-that-and-its-awesome

Getting in the pool.

https://ew.com/chris-evans-deadpool-and-wolverine-johnny-storm-interview-exclusive-8684326

Missing the boat.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-bts-photo-reveals-one-cameo-that-didnt-make-the-cut—spoilers-a212334

The soundtracks have all been good. Since popular music isn’t often included on a soundtrack album, probably because of royalties, it’s great that we can just make our own now. Even better that someone compiled the titles.

https://www.thewrap.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-soundtrack-all-the-songs/

And last, but not least for the producers, the climbing box office.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/box-office-deadpool-wolverine-1236022761/

💥 From Gamer Screen To Big Screen…

Apparently, we’ve run out of original plot ideas, and are once again turning to video games. I haven’t hated it so far though, and this looks like another winner.

https://ew.com/borderlands-movie-adaptation-comic-con-2024-cover-story-8676778

https://ew.com/borderlands-cast-nothing-meaner-than-unhappy-gamer-comic-con-2024-exclusive-8684739

https://www.cbr.com/borderlands-final-trailer/

Just the facts, Jack.

https://www.space.com/borderlands-movie-release-date-plot-cast

🎬 Hardest Working Man In Hollywood…

I’d fight someone who put Tyler Perry down. I love his films, but nobody writes nighttime soap like he does. And he’s an angel to those who work for him.

https://ew.com/tyler-perry-blasts-highbrow-critics-of-his-movies-8683311

🦛 And You Get a Snow Day…

It’s kind of like a Christmas in July sale.

https://people.com/arizona-zoo-holds-summer-snow-day-for-animals-8682491

Pekingese In Snow

🐶 As It Should Be…

This is too precious. His wife is a definite keeper.

https://people.com/groom-surprised-by-dog-during-first-look-ahead-of-wedding-8680685

📢 Quotes of the Week

My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me.Steve Maraboli

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable – and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God. – Henry Emerson Fosdick

Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential. – Bruce Lee

For most of us the problem isn’t that we aim too high and fail – it’s just the opposite – we aim too low and succeed. – Sir Ken Robinson

I did come for the flying squirrel, but I want to stay for something more. – Whitney Thore, My Big Fat Fabulous Life

There is only one question to ask yourself: What would you do if you were not afraid?Unknown

🚶🏽‍♀️ On the Beaten Path…

Enjoy your weekend, whether in the sun or in the air con, then join me on Monday for soap and a cringeworthy Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay using sunscreen (yeah, I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again), and stay not policing people’s speech or perspectives, but fighting against discrimination.

July 19, 2024 – Lulu Has Visitors, Wave Hill, She’s a Legend, Previewing Dubai, Considering It, He’s the Worst, Arrested Mom, New Dance, Almost Here, Fur ‘N’ Fins, Just Over 8 Quotes & Time

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly says she would have lost her mind if she’d seen Jason jump from the footbridge, and he says, then it’s a good thing she wasn’t here. She says, nothing’s better than having him back home. Did she tell him how grateful she is? He says, yeah, and she says, two and a half years for her. She’s never going to be able to repay him for that. He says, there’s no debt, and she says, he gave up his freedom so she could have hers, but he says, no debt. Not ever. Not between them.

Tracy says, no, and we see James standing in the stable doorway. Cody asks what he’s doing here. It’s a little late for him to be out, isn’t it? James says, Grandpa Mac says he can’t take riding lessons from Cody anymore. Mac says he has to go to Two Trees Ranch now. Cody says he’s heard good things about that place, but James says he hates it there. Cody asks if he’s even been, and James says, no. Tracy says, let her ask the obvious question, where’s his mother? James says, at home, and Tracy asks, where’s Spinelli? James says, home too, and she asks how he got here. James says he took a Ride Share.

Josslyn meets Trina at the pool and says, it’s so good to get out of her uniform. Trina says she bets. Is Josslyn ready to head out? Josslyn says, in a minute, and sets her bag down. She has something for Trina. She’s been meaning to give it to her for the last few days. She found it when they were moving. Trina asks, what is it? and after digging in her bag, Josslyn says, it’s this little bird guy. She shows Trina the dove Spencer gave to her, and Trina takes it and says, it’s a turtle dove. Josslyn says she guesses she has to brush up on her ornithology. She can’t believe she knows that word. (I can’t believe I spelled it right on the first try.) She asks if Trina is all right.

Laura sits at Lulu’s bedside and says, her kids are doing beautifully. Charlotte is the happiest she’s seen her in months. She’s just gallivanting all over the globe. And Rocco continues to school her in video games – his words. She laughs and says, little does he know she lets him win half the time. But they’re growing up, and fast. And beautifully. She thinks Lulu would be really proud of the people they’re becoming. As for her – she massages Lulu’s hand – she’s really been missing Lulu a lot lately. She could really use Lulu as a sounding board. She’s got so much going on in her life, she’s got a lot of reasons to need her sweet, thoughtful, receptive daughter. Dante stands in the doorway, and Laura says, sweet girl. That’s got to feel better, doesn’t it?

Cody says, what does James mean, he ordered a Ride Share? He doesn’t even have a phone. He says, Georgie does, and Tracy says, the benefit of having an older sibling. Cody says, or the curse. Georgie ordered a car for him? James says, no. He stole her phone and got one himself. Tracy tries not to laugh, and Cody asks how James physically got out of his house without his mom or Spinelli knowing. James says he climbed out the window, and Cody says, from his bedroom? Tracy says, tell her it’s a one-story house, and Cody says, it is. James says, but it would be cool if it wasn’t, and Cody says, James knows he’s going to have to call his mom, and she’s probably not going to be happy. Tracy says, probably? and James says he’s not happy either. He wants to take riding lessons with Cody, not some stupid ranch. Cody says he knows, and James asks if he did something wrong. Was it too annoying having him here? Cody says, no, not at all. He loves every minute he gets to spend with James. James says, then why? and Cody says he wishes he could answer that, but where James rides and who he rides with isn’t up to him, as much as he wishes it was.

Carly says she just can’t get over Jason doing this for her, and he says, she’s going to have to try. Please. She says, he sacrificed everything, relationships with everyone, and he says he’d do it again. She says, he means that, and he says he does. Because the alternative would have been her paying the price for something she never would have been involved with if it wasn’t for him and Sonny. She asks if he’s saying she’s not cut out for gangster life, and he says, she’s a lot of things – she says, careful – but mob boss should not be one of them. She says she missed him so much, and he says he missed her too, and takes her hand. She says, now they don’t have to anymore.

Josslyn says, that was a gift from Spencer, wasn’t it? (why doesn’t she know this?) and Trina says, it was a set of two. He has… He had the other one. Josslyn says, Trina never told her, and Trina says, it was just their little thing. She just doesn’t understand why. Josslyn says, why what? and Trina says, why it’s still like this. Why it’s still so hard. Why Josslyn giving her a figurine is so upsetting. Josslyn says, because she’s still grieving, and Trina says, but when does it end? Josslyn says, it doesn’t, and Trina says, good pep talk. Thanks. Josslyn says, it’s true. Grief is a ride that you don’t get off of, but the ride morphs. It can change and eventually, it’s not going to be so painful. It can even be beautiful. Trina says she just wants to get there so badly, and Josslyn says, she will.

Dante knocks at the door, and Laura wipes her tears away. He says he can come back, but she says, don’t be silly, and hugs him. He goes over to Lulu and smooths her hair, saying, hey, you. Laura says she was just catching Lulu up about Charlotte and Rocco, and he asks if there were any Ace stories in there. She says, they didn’t get there yet, and he asks how Ace is doing. She says, he’s good. He’s meeting all his milestones, and she thinks he’s settling into life with her and Doc really well. Dante says, he should. He kind of won the lottery with them. She says she doesn’t know about that. They were pretty rusty, but they’re finding their way now. He says he didn’t get a chance to tell her how incredible he thinks what she’s doing is, being a mother to her grandson. She says, it’s not exactly what she saw for herself at this stage, and he says he bets not. She says she loves Ace and he’s family. She’ll take care of him as long as she’s able. He says, it sounds like it’s a no-brainer for her. He doesn’t know if it would be for everyone. She says she doesn’t know about that, but he says he does. She says, who knows? Maybe Lulu will wake up just in time to meet her newest nephew. He says he prays for that every day, and takes Lulu’s hand.

At the stable, Maxie says she can’t believe James snuck out of the house, and James says, she’s the one who took out the screens from the windows. Spinelli says, that was in case of a fire or another emergency, and James says, this was an emergency. Maxie says, seeing Cody was an emergency, and James nods. She says, he cannot, A, leave their house alone without telling anyone; B, steal his sister’s cellphone; C, use it to order a Ride Share. She’s sure there must be a D. Spinelli says, exiting their home via the windows, and Maxie says, there you go. Tracy and Cody must think they’re the worst parents. Cody says he doesn’t think that, and Maxie says, Tracy can refrain from answering that. Tracy says she’s headed back to the house, and Maxie says, speaking of, does she hang out at the stables often? Tracy says, goodnight, and leaves. Maxie says, now that they have the answer to how, let’s focus on why. Why was it so important for James to see Cody tonight? James looks at Cody, who says, it’s okay, buddy. Just tell his mom what he told him. James says, Grandpa Mac says he can’t do riding lessons here anymore, and Cody says he’ll abide by whatever the family says, but he needs James to know the decision isn’t coming from him. He loves teaching James. Maxie says she knows he does, and tells James that nobody loves Grandpa Mac more than she does, but he’s not in charge of where James takes riding lessons. James says he is? but Maxie says, no. She is. James asks if he can keep on taking them here, and Maxie says, that’s a conversation for another day. That is unless she’s decided he’s grounded for life. Spinelli says, then said conversation would be moot, and James asks what moot means. Spinelli says he’ll explain it on the way to the car, and guides James out, patting Cody’s shoulder as he passes. Maxie thanks Cody for calling her. She doesn’t even want to imagine the heart attack she would have had if she went to check on him in his room and his bed was empty. He says he’s glad they avoided that scenario, and she says her too. And she’s glad he’s still here. He says, a promise is a promise, and she says, make sure he keeps it, and leaves.

Trina tells Josslyn that she asked Spencer why he wanted her to have turtle doves. He said, because every time she saw them, she would be reminded of him. So she told him that she was keeping one and gave the other one to him for the same reason, because she wanted him to know she was always thinking of him. Josslyn says, that’s because they’re a pair, a perfect match, and Trina says, yeah, a perfect match. Josslyn sits next to Trina and puts her arms around her.

Laura asks, how are the kids? and Dante says, they’re good. Busy. Everyone’s busy, right? Scout was just saying she wanted to have a visit with Ace. She says she’s sure Ace would like that, and he says, she’s really into this babysitting thing. Not that she’s old enough to be left alone with the kids, but she’s really good at entertaining little kids. Laura says, then she’d be welcome any time, and they laugh. He says, it must be cool having a little one running around the house again, and she says, it’s exhausting. But it’s more fun than she could have imagined really. (I identify, having recently got a new puppy.) He says, it probably gives her an excuse to throw one of her kitchen floor country music tea parties, huh? and she says, he knows about that? He says, Lulu told him all about it. It was one of her favorite things as a kid, coming home from school and seeing everything set up, and Laura says she forgot about that. He tells her that Lulu always said she was the best, most creative mom, and Laura says, she made it easy. He says, now Ace gets to experience that, right? and she says she hasn’t thrown a tea party for him. Who knows? Maybe she should. He says he does have one question though. Why the kitchen floor? She says, easy clean up, and he says, it all makes sense why Lulu is such a great mom. She takes after her own.

Carly asks if Jason has decided how he’s going to get through to Sonny, but he says he’s not sure. Up until now, he hasn’t been able to tell Sonny anything. It just makes him angrier. She says, which is completely unfair, and he says, not completely, but she says, yes, it is. She gets that Sonny wanted answers – they all did – but the fact that Sonny refused to give him the tiniest benefit of the doubt after all Jason’s done for him… Jason says, it wasn’t like him, and she says, nothing Sonny’s been doing lately is like him, but this is good, right? Jason gets to explain everything to him. Where he’s been, what he’s been doing, and why he’s been doing it. Jason says, you know what’s funny about this whole thing? and she says she doesn’t think anything is funny about it. He says, all this talk about transparency and him being able to tell Sonny the truth… It’s going to come down to two words. She says, John Cates. Thank God he’s not going to be a problem anymore. Jason says, John may not be his problem, but he’s Sonny’s.

Maxie and Spinelli bring James home, and Georgie says, what took them so long? And why does James have to be such a brat? Maxie thanks her for staying here in case Bailey Lou woke up. She didn’t wake up, did she? Georgie says, no, and Maxie says, great. And don’t talk to her brother like that. Spinelli says, that tone is reserved for them, and gently pushes James toward Georgie. Georgie says, steal her phone again and he’ll be sorry, and Maxie asks what she just said. Georgie says, it slipped out, and James says he still doesn’t get why everybody is so mad. Maxie says, because it’s not safe to go out alone and get in a stranger’s car, but James says, she uses Ride Shares all the time. Maxie says she’s a grown-up, and Spinelli says, please tell them that he knows what he did was wrong. Maxie says, and that he will never ever do that again. James says he knows, and he won’t, and he’s sorry. She thanks him, and he asks if he’s grounded, but she says, undecided. Georgie says, if she did that, she’d never see the outside world again, and James says, okay, but he really did need to talk to Cody. Georgie says, about riding lessons? and he says, it’s more than that. He thought Cody might tell him the truth. Maxie says, about what? and James says, something weird’s going on, but nobody’s saying. He can tell. Spinelli says, smart boy, and Maxie says, you know what? James is right.

Sasha says she came as soon as she got Cody’s text. What’s wrong? He says, everything.

Tracy walks into the nook to find Gio eating a sandwich. She says she thought Sasha was done for the night, and he says, she is. He made this. She says, really? He just made himself at home in the kitchen. He asks if that’s a problem, and she says she doesn’t know. Did he make a mess? He says he always cleans up after himself. The kitchen’s spotless. She says, it better be, and he asks if she’s hungry. He can make her one too. She says, no. She already had her dinner. He says, so did he, but that was over an hour ago, and she laughs. She says, he must be ravenous. No sandwich, but a cup of tea sounds good. He says, she should have chamomile. It will help her sleep. She says, thanks for the tip, and he says, she’s welcome. She makes her tea and says, he would be smart to be afraid of her. It is her house after all. He says he thought it was Monica’s house, and she throws up her hands. He says, didn’t Tracy’s brother Alan give it to her? and Tracy smiles.

Dante says, Rocco told him how wonderful Laura was with him when he was in the hospital. She was a real comfort to him. She says, he was trying to be strong for Scout. It was so sweet, but he was terrified. Why wouldn’t he be? He says, Rocco told him that she went to the Quartermaines and sat with him and stayed with him. She asks if he told Dante about the video games, and Dante says, he certainly did, about a thousand times. He was very appreciative. As is he. She says, honestly, Rocco is a very special kid. He’s very perceptive and very sensitive. Dante says, thankfully, he doesn’t have that flying off the handle Falconari gene, and she says, or the brash Spencer gene. He’s quiet, she thinks, and treads lightly. He clearly thinks and feels things really deeply. He says, you know who Rocco reminds him of? Her.

Maxie tells James, when Grandpa Mac came home, something happened that upset him. It’s not a secret, but it’s private. Georgie says, that clears things up… Sorry. James asks if Grandpa Mac is mad at him, but Maxie says, no, not at all. Sometimes when people are upset, they don’t want to talk about it. Spinelli says, or they don’t know how to, and Georgie says, Grandpa Mac isn’t sick like Violet’s grandpa was, right? Maxie says, no. Grandpa Mac is fine. He’s just going through something and the best thing they can do is be patient. Georgie says she’s headed to bed, and Spinelli says, sweet dreams. She leaves, and Maxie says, it’s time for James to go to bed too – again. Spinelli says, and stay there this time, and James says, but it doesn’t make sense. What does any of this have to do with his riding lessons? Spinelli says, he can still take his riding lessons. They just might be in a different location. James says, but he wants to do his lessons with Cody. He’s the best. Maxie says she knows. They just have to take a break from the Quartermaine stables for a little bit. James says, until when? Until he’s back in school, the summer’s over, and it gets dark before 5 o’clock? Spinelli says, the timing isn’t ideal, and Maxie says, they know he’s disappointed. Spinelli says, James must be very confused, and James says, very. Maxie says, just give her a little bit and she’ll figure it out, okay? and James says, this stinks. He walks to his room, and Maxie tells Spinelli, yet another thing he’s right about.

Sasha says, James really ordered a Ride Share and came here by himself, and Cody says, he sure did. She says, Maxie must have been so freaked out, and he says, she definitely wasn’t pleased, but luckily, he called her before she realized James was missing. Sasha says, but why? What did James need to see him about? He says, apparently, Mac told him that he couldn’t take riding lessons here anymore. So James was obviously upset, but he’d thought he did something wrong. It killed him. It’s one thing for Mac to take his anger out on him, but to drag James into all of this? Although he can’t really blame Mac. If he was Mac, he wouldn’t want his grandson hanging around him either. But James keeps borrowing this hat. He picks up a black cowboy hat and says, it’s way too big for him. It keeps falling down over his face, covering his eyes; he’s riding blind. But James keeps insisting it’s perfect. She says, because it’s Cody’s, and he says, yeah. He just loves that kid. James is like family to him. She says, James is his family. He’s Maxie’s son, he’s Mac’s grandson, which makes him Cody’s nephew. Cody says, and now James is hurting and it’s totally his fault.

Josslyn asks if anyone knows what happened to Spencer’s turtle dove. Did anyone find it in his things? Trina says, when they were in Paris, he saw that she brought hers and showed her that he brought his too, and Josslyn says, that is beyond sweet. Trina says, he pulled it out of his pocket and told her that he brings it everywhere. Josslyn says, you know how people are always telling you that grief is bittersweet? and Trina says she’s heard that more than once. Josslyn says, Spencer being gone, that’s the bitter part, but he’s also still with Trina, and Trina says, that’s the sweet.

Jason tells Carly, Cates is fixated on Sonny. Cates came to his room, pressuring him for information. She says, about Sonny? and he says, there was nothing about Pikeman at all. It was all about taking Sonny down, and now Cates is using Ava. He thinks she’s Sonny’s next victim and wants to help her keep custody of Avery. Carly says, this is a problem, and he says he knows it is. She says, Cates has already proved he’s like a dog with a bone. If Sonny… He says, that’s why he has to get Sonny to let him back in, so they can figure this out together.

Dante says, Rocco wanted to visit, but his buddy Charlie got tickets to the Woodchucks game, and Laura says, just as well he’s there and not here. He says, is it? and she says she thinks so. It’s hard enough for him to see his mother like this. Dante wouldn’t want him to miss something fun because of it. He says he guesses so, and she asks how often Rocco visits. He says, often enough he guesses, whatever that means, and she says, it means whatever he needs it to mean. He says he doesn’t know what Rocco needs anymore. This just gets harder and harder. She says, for Rocco? and he says, yeah. He just knows his mother being in this bed than he does of her being out of it. He wants Rocco to know Lulu like he does. Strong and funny and energetic. He tells Rocco stories about her all the time, but it feels like he’s talking about some long, lost relative, not his mom. She says she gets that. She doesn’t like that for him either. He says, it gets to the point where, by Rocco coming to see her, he’s doing more harm than good.

Trina says, sometimes she feels so guilty, and Josslyn asks, why? Trina says, because of course (🍷) she loves and misses Spencer, but there are times she’s so mad at him. Josslyn says, for leaving her, and Trina says, he told her that he’d never do that to her. That whatever happened, they’d face it together. Now he’s gone and she’s alone. Josslyn says, she is not… and Trina says, Josslyn knows what she means. She just feels like Spencer lied to her and she knows that sounds insane. Josslyn says, she’s not insane, and Trina says, really? She’s mad at her dead boyfriend. Josslyn says, does she know what Spencer would say? You should be mad at me. I’m an idiot. Trina laughs and says, he would say that, wouldn’t he? (Yes, and he’d be right. I don’t really miss Spencer, and I’m all for Trio.)

Gio suggests Tracy join him, at least while she’s having her tea. She says, all right, and sits down. How’s his sandwich? Besides large. He says, delicious. All that’s missing are the amazing roasted red peppers he used to get on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. She says she thought he was a Brooklyn boy, and he says, through and through, but he went to college in the Bronx. She asks, where? and he says, Fordham University. She says, that’s a good school, and he says he loved it. She asks why he transferred to PCU, and he says, the music program’s better and when they offered him a scholarship… She says, they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and he says he’s so happy he’s here, but he does miss the city. She rolls her eyes, and he says, what? She says, New Yorkers call New York City the city, as if there are no other cities around (she’s right, but the whole tri-state area does it), and he says, well, it’s the best one (he is also right). She says, since he’s from Bensonhurst, she’s going to assume Brooklyn is the best borough, and he says, it depends on what you’re looking for. She says, concert halls, and he says, Manhattan. Lincoln Center. She says, really? Better than Carnegie Hall? He says, for him personally, yeah, and she says, huh. Pizza. He says, that’s a tough one. Luigi’s in Brooklyn is hard to beat though. She says, sports stadium, and he says, Citi Field, hands down. She says, and with that goes baseball teams, and he says, the Mets (agreed). He doesn’t look good in pinstripes. She says, so they’ve covered four of the five boroughs. She knows nothing about Staten Island. She’s never gone there. He says, don’t worry. No one does. (Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I love this conversation.)

Carly says, it’s ironic, and Jason says, what is? She says, by isolating himself and pushing everyone who cares about him away, Sonny’s getting it from all sides. He put his trust in Ava. Shockingly, a bad move. Now he’s about to be consumed with a nasty custody battle. And Agent Cates is willing to use anything to take Sonny down. Jason says, what’s scary is, Cates has hated Sonny for a long time and he’s never had an opening before. Now he does.

Maxie asks if everyone is accounted for, and Spinelli says, accounted for and fast asleep. She hands him a glass of wine, and they clink glasses. She says she still can’t believe James climbed out his window, and Spinelli says, he was a man on a mission and wouldn’t be deterred. She says, that is a very generous and Spinelli way of looking at it, and he asks how she’s doing with all this. She says she’s frustrated… sad… happy… excited... Did she say frustrated? He says, she did, and she says she knows she and Cody don’t share DNA, but he’s family. He says he’s sure Mac will come around, and she says she knows he will. She just wishes he would speed up the process. Not just for himself, but for James too. He says, and for her? and she says she lost a sibling once already. She’s not going to lose another one. He says, she had no control over what happened to her sister, and she says she knows, but she has control over this. She at least has sway over Mac. Think of all the kajillion times he forgave her when she lied to him. He can forgive Cody for this one.

Sasha says, so Maxie shows up… Cody says, with Spinelli, and she says, and they collect James. Did he tell them why he came here? Cody says, he did, and she asks what Maxie said. He says, basically that while she loves Mac, it isn’t up to him to decide where James takes his riding lessons. She says, or with who, and he says, pretty much. She says, that’s good, and he says, how is any of this good? She says, Mac is angry, and he has every right to be, and he says, absolutely. She says, but it doesn’t sound like Maxie feels the same way. And James obviously still thinks Cody hung the moon or he wouldn’t have come here. He says, but it’s Mac’s opinion that matters, isn’t it? and she says, to an extent. He’s having the reaction he’s having. Don’t overreact in response. She really doesn’t think he’s about to be banished from James’s life. Maxie and James clearly have faith in him. And for the record, she does too.

Tracy says, okay, last one. Parks. Gio says, Central Park is amazing for sure, and she says, but he prefers Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He says he’s a bigger fan of the one in the Bronx actually, and she says, New York Botanical? He says, it was right next to Fordham, and he used to go all the time. It’s enormous. So much to offer. But if you’re looking for gardens specifically, Wave Hill is out of this world. She says, never heard of it, and he says, it’s in the Bronx actually, but it overlooks the Hudson River. The view is – he kisses his fingers – and it might be one of the most relaxing places in the city. Sorry. New York City. She laughs and says, there are beautiful gardens here. Her mother gifted them to Port Charles. He says, really. Maybe she could show him sometime. She says, maybe I can.

Trina thanks Josslyn for letting her talk about Spencer and just being patient and understanding. These feelings have her feeling completely confused. Josslyn says she remembers that well. She remembers feeling so all over the place, but they can talk about Spencer whenever Trina wants. She misses him too. A lot. Trina says she hopes she’s not making Josslyn feel like she can’t talk about Spencer. She knows she’s not the only who lost him. Josslyn says, Trina doesn’t make her feel like that at all. She hesitates sometimes to bring him up because she doesn’t know if it’s going to make Trina feel better or worse. Trina says, that changes by the hour, and Josslyn says, how about this? If she brings up Spencer and Trina doesn’t like it, just tell her to stop talking and she will. Trina says, deal, but today is not one of those days. Josslyn hugs her and says she loves Trina. Trina says she loves Josslyn more, but Josslyn says, not possible.

Dante says he sounds like a jerk, not wanting to bring his kid to see his mom, but Laura says, he doesn’t. He says, it feels pretty awful, and she says, of course (🍷) it does. It’s an awful situation, but he’s handling this with grace and strength, like he does everything. But she thinks the question he raised is actually quite important. He asks if she’s got any answers for him, but she says she doesn’t think she has answers. She could offer some advice though, if it’s welcome. He says he’ll take whatever he can get, and she says she thinks Rocco is at an age where he knows what feels right and what doesn’t. She thinks when it comes to visiting his mom, she would leave that decision up to him. Dante hugs her

Carly says, if Jason wasn’t here, she’d be going through this on her own. Watching Sonny spiral, worrying about him, worrying about her kids, and she wouldn’t have him to bounce things off of. They make a good team. He says, they always did, and she says, nobody wants to be in a situation like this, but if she has to be in one, she’s so, so grateful she’s in one with him. He says, him too, and they clink beer bottles.

On Monday, Laura asks Anna to please tell her that she knows some way to get in touch with Valentin; Carly asks if somebody is having John Cates go after Sonny; and John says, Jason’s days as his informant are far from over

🌊 Ride the Wave…

TBH, I’d never heard of it either, but now it’s on my radar. It looks gorgeous.

https://www.wavehill.org/

🍻 Quite a Pair…

Everyone should have a Tracy in their life. I love her character and Jane Elliot sounds wonderful to work with.

🐪 Camel Extra…

For whatever reason, I don’t mind these Housewives as much. Besides loud fights being frowned upon, it’s just fun to look at the richest of the rich places. RHOBH have nothing on these women.

🍑 Too Bad They Haven’t Asked…

Kenya’s character may be flawed, but is Kim really the one who should be pointing that out?

🍸 Most Awful and Most Lowest IQ…

He should have done his due diligence? How about just reading the room. Seriously, are we being punked or is there a human being really this stupid?

https://people.com/tom-sandoval-drops-lawsuit-against-ariana-madix-8680565

Where do I sign?

🍹 Dancing In the Drunk…

Why does no one remember Uber when they’re drinking? Better yet, how about taking one there if you’re going to be drinking?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1405011/dance-moms-christi-lukasiak-arrested-for-dui

https://people.com/dance-moms-alum-christi-lukasiak-arrested-dui-charge-8678992

🩰 A New Set Of Moms…

This looks promising. The teacher seems kinder and gentler than Abby Lee, but a lot of dance teachers are kinda mean.

https://people.com/hulu-dance-moms-a-new-era-official-trailer-exclusive-8679808

🐺 Counting Down Now…

The final trailer, Easter eggs, a yellow suit that makes grown men weep, a joke, and of course, Dogpool.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-wolverine-final-trailer-spoiler-breakdown-lady-deadpool-a-shock-return-and-some-big-easter-eggs-a212194

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-and-wolverine-get-serious-in-emotional-final-trailer-as-spoiler-makes-their-mcu-debut-a212193#gs.bv8le5

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/deadpool-wolverine-hugh-jackman-yellow-suit-b2582775.html

https://people.com/blake-lively-jokes-husband-ryan-reynolds-is-trying-to-get-me-pregnant-again-8677044

🐼 Bringing Joy To the World…

I saw pandas in person (or bearson as it were) years ago when they were here on loan. They are unbelievably cute and don’t look real.

https://people.com/san-diego-zoo-shares-first-video-of-its-2-new-pandas-from-china-8680830

🦈 Sharks get a bad rap. Fish are friends, not food.

https://people.com/shark-facts-for-shark-awareness-day-8677521

🐕 A little more Messi.

https://www.filmwendy.com/post/hollywood-s-top-dog-of-2024

🐦‍🔥 Quotes of the Week

If you just go with the flow, no matter what weird things happen along the way, you always end up exactly where you belong. – Tom Upton

To be nobody but yourself — in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else — means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. – e. e. cummings

A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.Colin Powell

Those boos were from the heart. – Terry Moran, Republican National Convention

It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. – Dale Carnegie

Today is a new day. Hiding from your history only shackles you to it. We can’t undo a single thing we have ever done, but we can make decisions today that propel us to the life we want and towards the healing we need. – Steve Maraboli

Forever is composed of nows. – Emily Dickinson

Wrong turns are as important as right turns. More important, sometimes. – Richard Bach

You and I are like oil and vinegar. Oil and vinegar don’t mix.John McManus, 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?

🧸 Gummi Bear’s Picnic…

Be adventurous this weekend, or at least switch up your streaming genre. Then join me on Monday for soap and troublemakers on Deck. Until then, stay safe; stay enjoying the great outdoors, even if it’s just your backyard; and stay not overreacting to someone else’s reaction.

July 12, 2024 – Sasha Tells Cody What She Saw, NYC OG Reunion, Fired, New Knight, Real Darkness, Those Brats, 1½ Weeks To Go, Red Carpet Ugly, Quotes Numbering Nine & Summertime

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Maxie tells Cody that they’re just about to have dinner. He should join them. Felicia says, great idea, and Cody says he appreciates what they’re trying to facilitate here. Their hearts are in the right place, but Mac knows where to find him if he wants to talk. Maxie says, sorry… not sorry. She knows this wasn’t the best way to get the two of them in the same room, but she and her mom thought he and Mac needed to talk face to face. Then they can all have a conversation as a family. He says, that’s just it. We’re not a family; you guys are. He’s just the guy who gives her son riding lessons. Maybe it’s better they keep it that way. He leaves, and Mac says, care to explain the point to that humiliating exercise?

Michael meets Sasha in the stable doorway, and she says she was just on her way to the gatehouse. She hands him a picnic basket, and he says he didn’t expect her to be his delivery service when he put out the SOS, but she says, no problem. She was bringing a basket to Cody anyway. There’s fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans with garlic inside. He thanks her and says he didn’t know he’d have the kids for the evening. She says, there’s enough for Willow too. Where is she tonight? He says, she’s working late with Drew.

Doc says, one book, and Ace was out. He asks if Laura is reading that article, and she says, yeah. He asks what she thinks, and she thanks him for sending it to her. She’s not sure if it’s a good comparison to Heather’s case, because this guy got cobalt poisoning from industrial exposure. He says, true, but he suffered from extreme neurological disorders, dementia, and uncontrollable rage. She says, that’s exactly how they would have described Heather not too long ago. She wonders if this article could help people understand how Heather could have changed.

Curtis comes home to find Trina there, and asks, who is this stranger in his house? Kind of looks familiar. Kind of like someone who used to live here. She asks what he’s doing home already. Mom said they’d both be working late and Marshall’s at the club. He sees a beautifully set table, and says, so she thought she could have a romantic dinner at the house? Is there something he should know? She says, it’s actually a surprise dinner for him and mom. It was from the MetroCourt and the sommelier said he recommended the wine, which he didn’t sell her. It was a gift from the hotel owner. He says, she’s adorable, but she didn’t have to do this. She says, it’s an occasion that needs to be marked on the calendar. It’s been a year. He says, since he was shot and almost lost everything, and she says, it’s been a year since his family rallied around him and he found everything. And look at him now.

Jason lets Anna into his apartment, and she says she doesn’t have a lot of time. She’s on her way to Valentin’s right now. She’s going to drop by unannounced and walk out with the satellite phone he uses to communicate with Pikeman. Jason says, assuming it’s still there, and she asks why he’d move it. He doesn’t know she found it. It’s the best way they have to prove that Pikeman is trafficking illegal arms, and that Valentin is in charge of them. So where is she going to find Jason once she’s secured the evidence? He says he’ll be parked two cars down from Valentin’s house, but she says, no. She’s going it alone this time.

Doc says, the patient in the article was restored to baseline behavior. No more decrease in mental functions and no more rage. That’s a good indicator for recovery and it seems to be what’s happened with Heather. Laura says, ironically, the best argument for Heather’s transformed state of mind is that she doesn’t want her case reopened, and he says, based on what he’s learned from a medical and legal standpoint, a strong argument could be had that there was a rush to judgement and the case should be opened. If that were to happen, Heather could even get a new trial. Laura says, maybe she could, but that’s not what Heather wants.

Curtis says he thought he was the only one that kept track of his shooting at the MetroCourt, but Trina says, no. The whole family’s aware. She asked Aunt Stella if she should mention it to him or not, and she said, the heck with mentioning, we should celebrate. So, ta-da! She’s celebrating not only him being alive and well, but standing and walking. He hugs her and says, thank you, baby. Being able to walk again means everything, but what he’s most grateful for is spending time with his family. But he noticed there are only two place settings. She’s not joining them? She says, nope. She just wants her mom and dad to celebrate privately. The way they just pulled together was inspiring, so they deserve this. He says, it’s very thoughtful of her, but they are putting a dinner or cookout on the schedule, so it doesn’t matter how busy she is. She says, he had her at cookout.

Michael tells Sasha, the meeting came up suddenly, but it’s for the New Tomorrow Institute, so Willow could hardly say no. Sasha says, for sure. So how’s it been for him with Willow’s new job? He says he’s happy as long as Willow’s happy. He knows she was pretty conflicted with the long hours she was working at GH and not having the valuable time to spend with the kids, but luckily, Drew came up with a solution. He pitched Willow as spokesperson for the New Tomorrow Institute and got her on board. So Willow can now spend time with the kids and still do work she can be proud of. She says, a win-win, and he says, the kids sure think so. So does Willow. She does seem happier, doesn’t Sasha think? She says, no question, and he says he should get this to the troops. Thanks for dinner and have a good evening.

Jason says, the last time Anna went to Valentin’s alone, she came out empty handed, and she says she was searching the place. Now she knows where the evidence is. He asks if she meant to spend the night last time, but she says, it just happened. It’s none of his business and it won’t happen again. He says he’s not trying to call her out, but he is a little concerned. He knows how complicated this is. She says, noted. She still doesn’t want him there. Valentin has security cameras. He’ll notice if the same car with the same diver is parked outside each time she visit, so no. This is a solo operation. She’ll meet him back here once she’s acquired the phone. He gives her the key to his place, and she says she’s on her way then. She’ll be back when she has the phone. She leaves and Jason loads his gun.

There’s a knock at Jason’s door, and he opens it to Elizabeth. She says, sorry for just dropping by, but he says, it’s okay. Is everything okay with Jake? She hands him an envelope and says, see for himself. He starts reading something in Spanish and asks if it’s Barcelona Academy of Arts. He takes out a letter and says, his Spanish is not good, but is this an acceptance letter? She says, Jake has been accepted into the drawing and painting program.

Valentin opens the door, and Anna asks if he’s surprised. He says he is, but it’s his favorite kind of surprise. He invites her in and she presents him with some wine. He asks if she’d like to stay for dinner, and she says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t hoping he’d ask. He’s a wonderful cook and she’s just a lowly small town Police Commissioner in need of a hot meal and some good conversation. He says, then she’s come to the right place, because he’d never want her to waste away or be bored.

Sasha is unpacking a picnic basket, when Cody walks in. She says, he didn’t come up to pester her about dinner, so she figured he might be busy and brought it to him. Has he eaten? He says, no and thanks, but he really doesn’t have an appetite right now. She says, that’s impossible to believe. What’s going on? He says, nothing he wants to get into right now, but he’s glad she’s here. He could use the distraction. She says, there’s a lot of that going around, and he says, so keeping him fed isn’t what drove her out of the kitchen and down here. She says, of course (🍷) she’ll always care for his nourishment, but no, and he asks, what’s going on? She says, if she tells him, she has to swear him to secrecy. This has to stay between them.

Felicia says she’s not going to apologize for scheming to bring Mac and Cody face to face. She was hoping Mac would let reason take hold in that stubborn brain of his, and maybe, just maybe, he and his son could actually talk with each other. Maxie says she thinks stubbornness is an inherited trait, because Cody’s really digging in now, and Felicia says she doesn’t get it. Mac and Cody liked each other just fine before Cody told him the truth. Cody is the one who had to live with the secret and now it’s out in the open. He came to Mac of his own volition. Nobody forced him to do that. No one was twisting his arm. Why can’t Mac let it bring them closer together instead of driving them apart? Mac says, maybe he liked the liar better, but she says, don’t you do that. Don’t play this off like you don’t care. What you like better is your own pride. And Maxie’s right. Cody is just like him. Too proud to beg to be accepted as his son, and maybe deep down, Mac wants him to as penance for lying, until Mac can forgive him. He says, Cody jerked all of them around with his lies. He’s not letting anyone do that to his family. Not a relative, not anyone. Maxie says, funny. Now he’s the one that’s lying.

On the phone, Doc says, send her up, when Laura comes in and says, bad dream. Ace is down, then she stayed a while to watch him sleep. It’s just so beautiful, like an angel. Then she realized that Heather is never going to see that unless she takes a photo of it, and she will. She’s made a decision. She’s going to honor Heather’s request and let this go. It just feels like such a shame though. Now they’ll never know whether or not she could have gotten a reduced sentence. There’s a knock at the door, and he says, the doorman called. Trina is here to see her. Laura opens the door, and Trina says she’s sorry to just show up, but it’s important.

Portia comes home and sees the table. Curtis puts on some music, and she asks if he did this, but he says he can’t take credit. This is 100% their beautiful daughter’s idea. When he got home, she was putting on the finishing touches. The food, this amazing bottle of wine, it’s all from the MetroCourt. Trina thought that after the year they’ve had, they needed some time with each other. Portia says, she is so incredibly sweet. She has to call Trina right now and thank her. He says, she can call Trina tomorrow. Tonight is about them. She says, that’s perfect, because she’s been thinking about him all day. How happy she is that he’s here and that they’re still together. She was so afraid of losing him. He says, why don’t they celebrate what’s ahead, and they can leave all the pain and fear behind. She says, the pain maybe, but she’s having a hard time leaving the fear behind. She hates to admit this, but it’s hard for her to celebrate when she’s worried about the safety of her family.

Elizabeth tells Jason, it’s such a prestigious school, she didn’t want to discourage Jake, but she had no idea he’d actually get in. Not because she doesn’t recognize his talent. He’s amazing and his teacher references are glowing, but you never know if someone else is going to see your kid the way you see them. (Truth! Or your pets.) He asks if Jake is excited, and she says, he’s trying to be lowkey about it, but she can tell he’s over the moon. She actually made a point of not talking about it after he applied because she didn’t want to get his hopes up, but she guesses she worried for nothing because they think he’s the real deal. Jason says, that’s great, but he’s going to have to take her word for it. Does Jake even speak Spanish? She says, he’s had six years. Two years in middle school, then all through high school. This is a dream come true for him. Their son is going to study art in Spain. He thanks her for letting him know and asks if she thinks Jake would mind if he reached out to him about this. She says, that’s why she’s here. He might want to spend whatever time he can with Jake before he leaves. It’s sooner than he thinks. He says he’d like to do one more thing. Let him cover Jake’s tuition and expenses.

Laura says, Trina is always welcome, and invites her in. What’s going on? Trina takes a stuffed horse out of her bag and says, it’s an Ace emergency. She found this in her car. She was at her mom and dad’s house, trying to grab some clothes to take to her place, and this must have been there from the last time she babysat Ace. She hopes he hasn’t missed it too much. Laura thanks her and says, it’s so thoughtful. She’d have Trina give it to him herself, but he’s already gone down. Trina says, that’s okay, and Doc says, it’s good to see her, but he has some cases he still has to review tonight. He leaves, and Laura asks if Trina would like to sit down. She’d love the opportunity to catch up. She heard Trina moved onto the Quartermaine grounds. She thought maybe she would have seen Trina at the 4th of July. Trina says she’s been keeping a low profile. She thinks it’s important to vote and all, but she’s just not into the political scene these days. It’s just a little too chaotic and overwhelming. She knows what she’s for and what she’s against. She’s not saying she’s not interested in those issues, but she’ll make sure she’s up on them before she votes in November. Laura says she’s sure Trina will be. Her mother’s very invested. Trina says, yeah, because of Heather Webber. Has she said anything to Laura?

Portia tells Curtis that for years she lived in apprehension because Taggart was pursuing his career in law enforcement. She was so happy Curtis had left that job when they got together because she knew he would be safe. No risk of life or death every time he walked out the front door. Then this mad woman who was fixated on their daughter was finally captured and put in prison where she belongs. She thought she could actually have some peace and was doing real good for a while there, but now this mad woman might just be casually walking their streets again. He says he seriously doubts that will happen again, and she says she knows he thinks she’s being paranoid, but she thinks the lesson over the past few years is, maybe she hasn’t been paranoid enough. Because she didn’t listen to that scared inside voice; she tried to quiet it. And what happened? Trina almost died in France. Spencer did die. That’s why she’s sounding the alarm about Laura trying to reopen Heather Webber’s case. She just fears the worst… She knows it. The worst is yet to come. (This woman. There are so many layers as to why she’s overreacting. The first of which is, highly doubtful Heather would just be put back on the streets. At best, she’d be moved to Spring Ridge. It’s annoying how Portia is an intelligent doctor, yet doesn’t know basic facts. We’ve been here before.)

Valentin says, Anna is in luck. He just made a caprese salad and was about to sauté some filet of sole he picked up earlier. She asks why he enjoys cooking so much, and he says, it relaxes him. Charlotte’s gone now and he’s not used to cooking just for himself, so he almost always has too much. Open the wine and he’ll finish dinner. He’s really glad she’s here. She says, her too, and he kisses her. He says, one dinner for two coming up, and goes to the kitchen. She sets down the wine and goes to the bookcase behind the desk. He comes back with wine glasses and a corkscrew and asks if he can help her find something. She says, he found it, taking the corkscrew from him. He says he’s sorry, but he has to get back to the fish, and tells her to open the wine to let it breathe. She opens the wine, and he brings in their dinner.

Maxie says, nobody’s lied more to this family than her, but Mac says, that was different. She says, it was different because he forgave her. And when it was her turn, she wasn’t so quick to forgive. She remembers clinging to some sort of misguided pride and pushing her mother away, saying she didn’t want Felicia in her life. Even though it didn’t happen overnight, she realized her pride wasn’t nearly as comforting as her mother’s love. The moral of this story is, Mac never turned his back on her. Why can’t he do that for Cody? Mac says, they’ve been over this. He raised her. He always knew her intentions were good. Cody is a stranger who he happens to share biology with. He doesn’t know what she expects, that he suddenly forgives and forgets? Felicia says, they’re not suggesting that, but they’re also not letting him give up on his only child – his son.

Sasha says, Cody knows she and Michael dated, right? and he says, yeah, and they managed to be friends afterwards. She says, right. They’re better off actually. Now she’s stumbled into something that might blow up Michael’s life, not to mention his business with Aurora and ELQ. He says, sounds ominous, and she says, he promised to keep this between them, right? He says, yeah. What is it? She says, the other day, Nina confided in her that she was having an… affair isn’t really the right word. More like a situationship with Drew. He asks why that would bother Michael. Because they all work together? Oh, because him and Willow have bad blood with Nina. She asks if she’s telling this story, or does he already have it figured out? and he says, no, proceed. She says, during the fireworks on 4th of July, she walked into the solarium and saw Drew and Willow kiss, and Cody says, no, but she says, yes. He asks if she’s absolutely sure, and she says she wishes she wasn’t, but it was Drew and it was Willow, and they were lit up by the fireworks and they were too into the kiss to even notice she was there. He says, whoa. That’s a curveball. She says, right? She just had a conversation with Michael, and she was squirming the entire time. He clearly has no idea, and Drew and Willow are working together, and they’re out tonight at a meeting. She doesn’t know what to do.

Elizabeth says, it’s very generous of Jason, but she’s already looking into loan applications. He says, they’re going to forget the loans. Please just let him do this for Jake. It’s something he can do, and she’s been carrying the load for way too long. She says, okay, and thanks him. That’ll be a really big help. She’s still paying for Cameron, and she’s got Aiden coming up, and she’s looking at a lot of expenses for Jake with traveling. He’s got to go there for orientation and got to update his passport and get a student visa and the books and art supplies. He says, that’s fine. Does she think Jake will be okay with him helping? She says she guesses that will be up to Jake, but she got the impression that when they went to the game, things went well. He says he thought so.

Laura says, Heather inspires fear and rage in people and rightly so. If she were Trina’s mother, she would also be very protective of her. After all, Heather did target her. Trina says, but when she came to see Laura in the office, she was so great, and she understands why Laura feels the way she does. Laura says she appreciates that, but she has to tell Trina something. She just came from visiting Heather today, and Heather made it abundantly clear to her that she would like her to drop the whole thing. Trina asks if she’s going to, and Laura says, it’s Heather’s life. It’s her decision and she thinks she has to respect that. Trina says she’s glad to hear that, but Laura does raise an important question. If Heather wasn’t in her right mind and she wasn’t in control of her actions, should she be locked up for the rest of her life? Laura says she honestly doesn’t know what the right thing is here, but she does know she’s going to respect Heather’s wishes. She’s curious though. What does Trina think should have been done with Heather?

Portia says she needs to find out how many names she needs to have on a petition to have Laura recalled as mayor, but Curtis says, that’s been tried before. It didn’t work then, and he doubts it will work now. She says, then she’ll just have to make it an issue. She doesn’t think the public would take too kindly to their mayor’s attempts to try and overturn Heather’s conviction. He says he gets it. She’s fired up about this. She says, and he’s not. She gets that Laura’s his friend and hopefully, that woman will come to her senses, but she can’t afford to take that chance. And more importantly, Trina can’t. He says he hadn’t told her this before, but he went to Pentenville to visit with Heather. He had to see for himself. She says, so they’re just not telling each other things. Is that what’s happening now? He says he was still processing the whole thing and he didn’t know how to talk to her about it until he had. She says, why? Was it that bad? He says, it’s not that bad. After talking with Heather, he can see what Laura sees. From a legal standpoint, maybe Heather doesn’t deserve to be behind bars for the rest of her life.

Felicia says, when Mac thought Cody wasn’t his son, even afterwards he couldn’t let go of the connection he felt with him. Don’t even deny that. Mac says he’s not denying he likes the guy, but Cody lied to him and kept up that lie, every interaction they had, every conversation. Every laugh they shared, Cody was lying to his face. How does she expect him to accept that? Maxie says, Cody grew up with people he wasn’t close to. They never treated him like a son. Is Mac going to continue that and not treat him like one either? He says, the two of them are ganging up on him, but Felicia takes his hand and says, no. (Yes.) They’re loving him. They know how difficult it is for him to welcome Cody with open arms. Because he’s angry, and for good reason. Cody lied to him. He cost them a year of their lives. But ask himself, how much time is he willing to let his anger cost him now?

Sasha says she doesn’t know what Willow is thinking. Michael loves her so much and she knows Willow loves him. They have two small children. He says, all she saw was a kiss, so maybe that’s all it was. They were probably drinking, fireworks were going off. Maybe they just got carried away. She says, so it was a one-time thing? and he says, she knows these people better than he does. Do Willow and Drew seem like people to sneak behind Michael’s back? She says, absolutely not, and he says, okay. His advice is that she forgets that she saw it. Unless she wants to blackmail. His recommendation would be, Drew’s got deeper pockets. She says she needs to go finish cleaning up. Forget she said anything. He says he’s sorry, and takes her hands. He was just joking. He was just trying to lighten things up for her in his own clueless way. She says, he really is clueless, isn’t he? and he says, about most things, but with this, he sees pretty clearly. She asks, how is that? and he says, people can be reckless and crazy. He totally includes himself in that, but that doesn’t really matter right now. One of the hazards of working in someone else’s home is that sometimes you’re going to find out things you wish you hadn’t (been there). And the fact that the Qs are stinking rich only magnifies that problem.

Portia says, no, but Curtis says, she’s still Heather, but not cruel or violent. Nothing like the maniac he remembers. She says, it just makes her crazy to sit here and think he was sitting across from someone who’s an absolute threat to their family. He says he had to see it for himself and he’s glad he did. Because if Laura makes some kind of effort to free Heather – and he’s not saying she has, because she hasn’t – but if she does, they don’t have to fight her. Portia asks why he’s even saying this, and he says, because Heather made it clear to him that she doesn’t even want her case reopened. She told him that she’s right where she belongs, and she would tell that to any judge or parole officer who reviewed her case. She says, Heather said that, so… He says, she did, and she was adamant about it. So no matter what Laura does, he’s 100% confident that Heather Webber will stay right there in that cell where she is for the rest of her days.

Elizabeth tells Jason that Cameron is loving California, and she would never deprive Jake of this opportunity. Does he remember when she wanted to be an artist? He says he does remember. She was good. She says, but she gave up on it. She kind of went back to it a little bit after she met Franco. She knows how Jason feels about him, but he did a lot for those boys and for her. He says, she gets the credit for the boys. She’s done an amazing job raising them. She thanks him and tells him, like she said, it’s going to be up to Jake if he allows Jason to pay for Barcelona. She does want to say that she sees he’s trying to make up for lost time with Jake and Jake sees it too. He’s making good on his word to be a better father. She appreciates that.

Sasha says, Cody is right. The best thing she can do is ignore that it ever happened. And whatever is going on between Willow and Drew will work itself out. Just don’t try to blackmail them. He asks what it’s worth to her and laughs.

Mac says, Cody wanted him to believe he wasn’t his son, and now Cody wants him to know that he’s his son. If the circumstances have changed, that’s on Cody, but he doesn’t have to automatically fall in line and neither does Maxie. Cody can go through whatever he’s going through, but that has nothing to do with them.

Laura says she has to tell Trina that to a degree, she has compassion for whatever Heather is going through right now. As she becomes more lucid, maybe she can get some counseling. Maybe she can arrange for Heather to have a psychiatrist see her in Pentenville, somebody who can help her deal with the things she’s done. Because she believes Heather is truly remorseful. Trina says she’s been thinking about this a lot. Is it fair that someone who’s mentally ill gets punished for something they have no control over? Should they be treated the same as someone who knew what they were doing? She doesn’t think so. Heather couldn’t help that she was sick. She didn’t choose it. Laura says, it’s easy for her to see why Spencer loved Trina so much. She has a very loving, compassionate heart. Trina says, Laura asked what she thinks should be done to Heather, and she thinks Heather should get justice according to the laws of this country, because that’s what she’d want anyone to get. Laura says, her too.

Portia says she wishes she could believe that Laura will do what Heather asks and just let this whole thing go, and Curtis says he still believes in Laura’s integrity. She will do the right thing. Portia says she thinks they’ve talked about Heather Webber enough for one night. She certainly doesn’t want Heather to derail this absolutely lovely celebration that their daughter planned for them. He says, before the first course – he puts on some music – may he have this dance? He holds out his hand and she takes it. She says, it would be her absolute pleasure, and they kiss as they dance.

Valentin asks if Anna has given any thought to his proposition, and she says, leaving Port Charles with him and going… He says, wherever they feel like, and she says she’s thought about how hard it would hit her if he were to disappear without her. He sets down his wine and says, then don’t let him. They kiss and it looks like they’ll be getting busy.

On Monday, Jack tells Carly that he doesn’t like those odds, but maybe they can improve them; Willow tells Nina that she did something terrible; and Elizabeth says, the only way to know is to make the offer.

🗽 Reunited and It’s Not So Good…

Oh for Pete’s sake, Countess. Put on your big girl panties and don’t be all uncool.

https://people.com/bethenny-frankel-luann-de-lesseps-reunite-hamptons-party-8674417

🚣‍♂️ Bound To Happen…

That’s probably why most of them have their own businesses. Would you want a perpetually hung over 35 going on 14-year-old working for you?

⚔️ Spinning Off the Throne…

The latest look at the latest GoT spin-off.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-first-look-cast-confirmed-8665658

📺 Reality In the Dark…

The Vice channel’s Dark Side series is the best, and this sounds like it won’t disappoint.

https://www.ebosscanada.com/news/new-dark-side-series-from-vice-tv.html

Excellent article about reality TV.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/dype9v/is-reality-tv-too-scared-to-be-reality-tv

🍻 Back To the 80s…

If you’re a fan of the 80s youth quake in film, this documentary is for you. I watched this last weekend and loved it. I’m reading his book now.

https://people.com/andrew-mccarthy-hulu-brats-documentary-biggest-bombshells-8660143

🏊 Diving Into the Deadpool…

Just one more week and a half.

https://okmagazine.com/p/deadpool-and-wolverine-everything-to-know/

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/deadpool-wolverines-teaser-footage-ryan-reynolds-hugh-jackman-tva-cassandra-nova-mcu/

https://movieweb.com/the-history-of-deadpool-and-wolverines-relationship/

🐕 From Contest To Carpet…

I love this dog so much.

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/ugliest-dog-photo-contest-winner-stars-in-deadpool-and-wolverine-movie

https://ew.com/dogpool-gets-its-day-deadpool-and-wolverine-london-premiere-8677127

💡 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. – Erina Wright

The only thing standing between you and outrageous success is continuous progress. – Dan Waldschmidt

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.T. S. Eliot

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

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. – George Bernard Shaw

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. – Will Durant

A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn. – Helen Keller

The man used to have to get naked to count to twenty-one. – Dorothy (Bea Arthur) when asked if her ex had a head for numbers, The Golden Girls

The bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep. – E. Cossman (Or sometimes a good stiff drink.)

🪺 Time Of the Season…

Try doing something you’ve never done before this weekend, then meet me on Monday for soap and misbehavior on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay planning your road trip route in advance to avoid unnecessary delays, and stay letting reason take hold over stubbornness.

July 5, 2024 – Kristina Confronts Natalia, Celebration, VanderSuit, Woe Is Her, A Tease, Dead Talk, Possible Return, Responding, Almost Here, If They’re Lost, Pets (!) At the Polls, Close To 10 Quotes & Woman

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What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Drew sees Jordan at the pool, and says, she rarely leaves the Deputy Mayor’s office, so she must be undercover. She asks if she looks like she’s dressed for wearing a wire. Even her cell phone is in her locker. He says, she’s really just here to relax, and she says she is indeed. Laura asked her to take over one of the meetings for her. So many suits and so many horrible people wearing them. They were angry when they were done, but when the receptionist told them they don’t validate, she thought they were going to burst into flames. He bets she misses her old job, and she says, they do use nicer language, but after subbing for Laura at the mayor’s conference in DC and that dumpster fire of a meeting she just had, Laura told her to take the rest of the day off. For once, she took Laura up on it. What about him? He says he just took a chance to get some pool time in and take advantage of the last few days before he makes his announcement. Once he officially runs for Congress, he’s going to have to get his laps in at like 6 in the morning because the days are going to be crazy. She says, on the upside, at least he’ll probably have the pool to himself. And she’s thrilled for him, and for them when he wins. The campaign trail awaits.

Trina and Josslyn unpack at the new apartment, while Dex brings in boxes. He asks if Josslyn is sure all this came from the one dorm room, and she says, most of it, yes. That’s why it was so comfortable. He says, when he transferred units in the army, he had one backpack and one small bag, and she says she knows he’s making a point about packing light, but that just makes her sad for him. Trina says, it does. One cute pillow, and your tent becomes a home. He says, only if it’s really cute, and she says she was thinking about turning one of her bedroom walls into a gallery wall. He says, she has the space and the light, and she says, look at him, appreciating light. And her work is done. Josslyn says, there are some tools they might need in the garage. She and Dex can grab them. She and Dex leave, and Trina opens a box, taking out the Molyneaux art book that Spencer gave her. She looks at the inscription and closes it again. Gio walks in, and it falls off her lap onto the floor.

Maxie and Brook walk into Maxie’s office, and Maxie says she knows trolls live to be nasty, but some of these comments… Brook says, are over-the-top, even for a bunch of losers who don’t have lives. Maxie says, some of the lies they’re writing about Blaze and Deception… Brook says, make you want to track them down, and Maxie says, and teach them a lesson? She doesn’t know what’s worse. The homophobic trolls who are spamming them… Brook says, or the Deception customers that feel deceived and betrayed that Blaze wasn’t transparent. Because somehow, they’re entitled to know every single thing about her life, whether she wants them to or not. Maxie says, check this one out. Deception, it’s all in the name. She guesses they kind of walked into that one. Brook says, judging from all of the similar comments, she guesses they did. Trolls aren’t a particularly imaginative bunch, are they? Maxie says, no. This is a bona fide disaster. She hates that any Deception customers would think they want Blaze to hide who she really is. Brook says, or that Deception would be anything but supportive of the LGBTQ community, and Maxie says, it goes against who they are, personally and professionally, or as a brand. Brook says she feels so terrible for Blaze. Her mother knew the truth about her and still said those things. Maxie asks how much she thinks that had to hurt, and Brook says she can’t imagine. She talked to Blaze about being open with her fans, but she just wasn’t ready. Maxie says, and Brook respected that, but let’s be honest. She wasn’t ready because of her mom. And if it was up to Natalia, Blaze would never be ready. Brook says, probably not, but Blaze deserved to decide if and when she wanted to come out. She remembers a time when outing people was a thing. She hated it then and she hates it now. Maxie says she hated every single word that came out of Natalia’s mouth, but this is between Natalia and Blaze, and they deserve the space to navigate this privately. Someone took that away from them.

Kristina knocks at Natalia’s hotel room door, and Natalia lets her in. Kristina says, if Natalia wants to hate her, fine, she can. She doesn’t like Natalia much either right now, but she’ll survive. But what Natalia has just done to her daughter, to Allie, the person she loves, is unforgivable. Natalia says she didn’t know… and Kristina says, she didn’t know what? That she was being recorded? Of course (🍷) not. At the top of the list of the things she doesn’t know, she doesn’t even know her own daughter. Allie is amazing. She’s so special. How could she do this, reduce Allie to the things she said about her? Natalia is her mother. She’s supposed to protect her. What’s wrong with her?

Dante knocks at Sonny’s office door, and Sonny says, what can I do for you, officer? Dante says he just wanted to check in on Sonny; see how he’s doing. Sonny says, he checked in. He did his duty. He can tell the Commissioner he’s doing nothing. Dante says, so Natalia, huh? He knows Sonny liked her. He took her to the wedding, and it seemed like they were having a good time. Sonny says, that doesn’t mean he didn’t hate what she said on that recording, and Dante says, that makes two of them. Sonny says, but who he despises is Ava, because it was Ava’s fault, and he’s going to hurt her in ways she doesn’t even know.

Maxie says, to be honest, she’s said some things she wouldn’t want recorded and broadcast to the world, and Brook says, not her. She’s always been thoughtful and kind. Maxie says, she’s a real angel, and Brook says, even as a joke, it’s not believable. Maxie agrees and tells her, what Natalia said is out there on the internet forever and she can’t take that back, even if she wanted to. Brook says she doesn’t know how Natalia and Blaze move past this, try to repair their relationship, if they even can. Maxie says, they need to figure out how they can turn this around. Otherwise, Natalia’s comments are going to cancel Blaze and Deception. They need to shore up the company, figure out how to turn their public image around, and save their customer base. Otherwise… Brook says, otherwise, they lose everything, for everyone, including them and their careers. Maxie says, they’ll do whatever they can to support Blaze, and Brook says she’s sensing a but. Maxie says, but with everything going on, she senses that maybe they should take a break from Blaze being the Face of Deception.

Natalia asks if Kristina is done. Or does Kristina need her to order some room service so she can keep her energy up to keep yelling? Kristina asks if she’s actually making a joke right now, but Natalia says she’s taking this very seriously. Kristina says, but in her world, gay people aren’t serious about life. They’re not serious about it at all, right? That’s what she said. The alphabet soup that they call themselves? They’re very flighty? She will give Natalia this. She packed a hell of a lot of homophobia into one sentence. Natalia says, no. It was reckless and it was wrong of her to voice her private thoughts to somebody she barely knew. Kristina asks how she could even think them to begin with, and Natalia says she didn’t grow up the way Kristina did. She can’t change that and she’s not going to apologize for having grown up in a different way than Kristina did. Kristina says, part of her life she lived with her daughter. Allie is none of the things she said. She is the hardest working woman and she’s more serious about her career than anybody Kristina knows. And flighty? She doesn’t even know where Natalia got that. Natalia says, maybe she wasn’t referring to Allie.

Gio tells Trina, must be some book. It looked like she was far away from here. She says she was just caught up in a memory, and he says, a good one he hopes. She says, Spencer gave her this book. He was really into art and not the way people say they are. He really understood how important it was. Gio says, art was something they shared then, and she puts the book back in the box. She says, it really was, and they sit on the window seat. She says, Spencer traveled too. He’d actually been to places she’d dreamed of, and she used to imagine a future with him, and now none of it will ever happen. And even though she knows he’s gone, sometimes she looks up and expects to see him coming through the door. He says, it’s like you can still feel the person you lost. Sometimes you can only feel their absence.

Dante asks what Ava did now that’s got Sonny out for her blood, and Sonny says, Natalia showed up at his place to drop off something. She got to talking to Ava, and Ava recorded the conversation, and sent it to The Invader. Dante says, Ava’s behind that recording. He gets that she’s capable of worse, but why would she even bother doing this? Sonny says, because she’s jealous that he took Natalia to the wedding, and Dante says, so he was supposed to take Ava? So she’s going to completely wipe her memory of all sorts of things the Falconaris wouldn’t be forgetting about. Sonny says, he wasn’t going to offend Connie’s family by bringing Ava to the wedding. He told Ava that and made it very clear. But now that she’s gearing up for a custody battle, she’ll do anything to hurt him. Dante says, maybe he’s right about that, and Sonny says, you want to come after me, you’re an idiot. You want to come after my daughters, you’re a dead man. Dante says he gets that Sonny is furious right now. And what Ava’s done to Kristina definitely crosses the line. Sonny says he’ll take care of it. Dante can go ahead and go. Dante says he’s not going anywhere, and Sonny asks if he has a warrant. Dante asks, for what? and Sonny says, if he doesn’t have a warrant, then Dante needs to get out of his place. Does Dante want Sonny to make him leave? Dante says he’s just been shot again, and almost died again, so maybe they can save the threats and hating each other for never. Because that’s not what they do with each other. Sonny says, Dante told him a long time ago that a guy like him couldn’t live in his law-and-order life, so get out of his life, and Dante says he’s sorry, but no. Sonny says, who is Dante to come in here and say no to him? and Dante says, his son. And he loves Sonny, unfortunately, okay? So when Sonny hurts, he hurts. He knows Sonny is full of whatever it is right now – rage, aggression, he’s ready to pop. He feels like he needs to do something. He doesn’t. And the last thing Dante needs is to walk out that door and let Sonny do something that’s going to destroy him.

Jordan asks what Scout thinks about Drew’s campaign plan, but he says, she doesn’t know yet. She asks if he doesn’t think she’ll know when she turns on the TV and sees ads that say he’s running for office, and he says he just wants to make sure he’s got things lined up before he tells her. She says, it could be a challenge, and he says, Scout isn’t running for office. It’s really important that she just gets to be a regular kid. She says, this could be a pretty unique opportunity for the both of them. He could take Scout on the road with him, and she could see a political campaign in action. Hearts are going to melt when the voters see him and Scout together. She has no doubt Scout is going to be his secret weapon in this campaign. Curtis approaches them and says, Drew had his vote, even before he knew Scout was on the ticket, and Jordan says, what did she tell him? Curtis apologizes for being late. He was on the phone with the architect. But it’s nice to see that the Deputy Mayor got started without him. She says she’ll have him know she’s off the clock, and he says, she could never resist a good strawberry daiquiri. She says, why would she? They’re even delicious when they’re virgin. Drew suggests he and Curtis get in and start doing laps before they end up with margaritas in their hands, and Jordan says she’s going to soak up the sun, enjoy her drink, and maybe order some chips and guac. Curtis says, that’s just playing dirty, and he and Drew get ready to go in the pool.

Gio says he lost his mom when he was 10, and Trina says she’s so sorry. He thanks her and says, she was a musician, a violinist. She was his first violin teacher. She was great. She was a great mom too. She says, people always say that, but when he says it, she believes it. He says, it’s really true. He and his mother were like their own little family inside this big Cerullo clan. And then one day, she was gone. She says, then you’re stuck wondering how someone could just fill up your whole world and disappear all at once, and he says, that’s how it was with his mom. He didn’t mean to get them so off-track. She tells him not to apologize. She gets it. He says he knows she does, and gets up. It’s pretty hot outside, so he thinks he’s going to grab some waters from the house. She thanks him, and he leaves.

Kristina says, so she’s the flighty gay who’s not very serious? If Natalia thinks that about her, then Natalia knows less about her than she does her own daughter, which is saying a lot. Natalia says, that’s funny, because Kristina has a whole lot to say for someone who’s just seen a teeny tiny snapshot of a decades’ long relationship with her daughter. She carried her daughter in her body. She loved her before she was even born. Kristina says, then why can’t Natalia love her right now for exactly who she is? and Natalia says she does love her. She loves her very much. Kristina says, that’s not how it works. You don’t get to love somebody by picking and choosing pieces of them that you’re going to accept and expecting them to hide away the parts of themselves you don’t approve of. Natalia says, it’s pretty easy for Kristina to stand here and lecture her about things she knows nothing about, and Kristina asks what she’s even talking about. Natalia says, let’s see where Kristina is at in about twenty years, when that baby she’s carrying is hurting, and she would do anything, even if it means them hating her, to spare them the tiniest bit of pain. She knows Kristina isn’t having this baby because she wants to be a mother. She just thinks Kristina is in for some pretty big surprises. Kristina says, Natalia doesn’t know anything about why she’s carrying this child. She’s doing this for her sister because she loves her, and she’s never been more serious about anything in her entire life.

Dante says, Sonny knows he has to stay calm and take the emotion out of it. Think while the other guy’s reacting. He wants to do something he might regret because of Ava? That’s not like him. Sonny says, it’s not like him to let Ava live under his roof, and the only reason he did it was because he needed somebody to talk to. Dante says, Sonny is going through something right now and she was there. So was Avery. Maybe it felt like Sonny had his little family. Sonny says, the Jeromes aren’t his family. His family is dead because of them. Connie was murdered… Morgan… Ava messed with his medication. And he still, for whatever reason, made sure she was safe. Dante says, it seems to be what Sonny does, and Sonny says, what Ava does is stab him in the back, again, and hurt the people closest to him.

Curtis and Drew come out of the pool, and Curtis says he knows it’s been a while since they swam laps together, but Drew is part dolphin. Drew says, Curtis used to swim laps just fine. He’s going to get it back. Curtis says, remember he said that. He’s swimming laps with Drew from now on. He’s going to get his strength back. He can’t have Drew flapping his pruney feet in his face. Drew says he loves it, but Curtis says, Drew might love it less when Curtis starts flapping him. Drew says he’ll deal with that when it happens. In the meantime, he wants to tell Curtis that his congressional campaign starts with the Quartermaines’ July 4th picnic. Curtis says, he’ll be there cheering Drew on, and Drew says he knows, and he appreciates that. He also wants Curtis to know that he appreciates all the work he’s been taking on with the wellness division rollout. It’s been pretty much all him. Curtis says, alone is fine. Fewer people to butt heads with. Drew says, whatever he’s doing is working. He locked in the flagship property and also narrowed the target markets for the rollout. Curtis asks, what can he say? He loves the work. He loves what he’s doing. But Drew needs to focus on that congressional seat. It does no good to run a great campaign only to come in second. Drew says he only plans on doing the first part of that, and Curtis says, good. Because the woman he’s running against, Chelsea Grimes, is a populist reactionary. He’s convinced she’s only running to gratify her ego and to gain a few followers. Drew says, so her idea of public service is using the public services to get more for her, and Curtis says, pretty much. So when Drew accepted that nomination, he took on the responsibility of taking that woman down, and he’s going to do everything in his power to make it happen. Drew thanks him.

Josslyn slips off a chair while taking down a smoke alarm, but Dex catches her. She thanks him, and he says, happy to help. What is she doing? She says she’s changing the battery, not the smoke alarm. This one lasts five years, so you don’t have to get up in the middle of the night and turn it off a million times. He suggests getting a real ladder, but she says, no. She almost had it. He just has to spot her. He says he’s here to help, and she says, thank God. When she said she and Trina could do this themselves, she might have been a little bit over-confident. She still thinks they can do it. They just might need another week. He asks if he’s hearing she’s happy he’s helping, even though she’s too stubborn to ask for it, and she says, her? Stubborn? He sounds crazy. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

Blaze comes to Maxie’s office, and Brook asks if she texted, but Blaze says, no. She just showed up. She hopes she’s not interrupting. Brook says, no. They were just talking… Through her tears, Blaze says she’ll keep this brief. She’s so sorry about the things her mother said, and she’s so sorry for her decision to stay closeted for so long. Brook takes her hand, and Blaze says, it’s pretty clear she’s a liability to Deception, and that’s the last thing she wants. So she resigns.

Natalia says, maybe Kristina is able to just have that baby and hand it off and move on with her life and be completely indifferent to it. But her babies were her life. They still are. There wasn’t a single day she wasn’t grateful for them, not a single day. Her children are the best part of her. She didn’t just stop loving them or caring about their happiness even though they no longer needed her for their literal survival. Kristina says, her love is limited, and she can’t love Allie for who she is, and Natalia says she’s struggling to accept something she wasn’t raised to believe in. Kristina says, that gay people existed? and Natalia says, no, that gay people were confused. She tears up and says, that there was something not right, that they chose to be the way they were. It was wrong. Kristina says, okay, but she has to know now that’s not true. There’s science and genetics. It’s proven. Natalia says, it takes time to reconcile a past with a present that’s so different from what’s ingrained. So she’s sorry she’s not doing that quickly enough for Kristina. Kristina says, it’s not that Natalia’s not doing it quick enough. It’s that she’s a bigot because she’s choosing to be a bigot. She can blame her upbringing all she wants, but the reason she’s a bigot is her. And while she’s working so hard to become a decent human being, her daughter is hurting and she is in pain, and Natalia is the reason for that.

Josslyn says she’s never going to admit she’s stubborn because she’s not, and Dex says, she wins. She’s a human willow tree. She says, let’s not go that far. She’s just saying that she can adjust her attitude to situations or new information as it presents itself. He says, good to know, and she says, no one knows everything and no one’s perfect. He says, she comes pretty close though, and moves closer to her. He’s crazy about her just the way she is. They kiss, and she says she doesn’t want to rush this. He says, him either. That’s not true. He does want to rush it, but he won’t risk messing it up. She kisses him, when Trina and Gio walk in.

Nina sees Drew talking to Curtis, and tells Jordan, good afternoon, Deputy Mayor. It’s nice to see her out of her office. Jordan says she has to admit, it’s nice seeing sunlight for a while, and Nina says she hopes Jordan is enjoying the amenities. She looks over at Drew and Curtis, and adds, the view, and Jordan says she would prefer a view with fewer ex-husbands in it, but she guesses she can’t complain. Nina says she hopes Jordan enjoys herself. She deserves it. Jordan thanks her and says she thinks so too.

Nina goes over to Drew, and says she’s sorry to interrupt, but something’s come up and she wonders if they can speak. Drew asks, what’s going on? and Nina says, Blaze’s mother made some homophobic remarks and outed Blaze in the process. Clearly, the remarks were made in private, but The Invader got ahold of them and now they are everywhere. Social media has piled on from every conceivable corner. They are desperately trying to make this into a scandal. He asks what she wants to do, and she says, as publisher, she’s already done it. She held the Crimson print run, so she could give Deception time to pull the Blaze ad and replace it with a simple two-page statement – no one cancels love. He asks what kind of a delay in publication they’re talking about, and she says, twenty-four hours, give or take. So what does he think?

Dante says he hates what’s happened to Kristina, but he’s not worried about her because she’s a fighter. She’s a protector. He guesses he could say she got that from Sonny. Sonny says, all Kristina gets from him are mistakes, his mistakes. The first mistake was letting Ava back in his life. The second mistake was letting her live in his house. All that matters is Avery and he could have found a different way to keep her safe. Dante says, okay, but if he’s saying his different way would have been something happening to Ava, how does he think that would work out for Avery if something happened to her mom? Sonny says, it would have been the best thing for everyone. Avery’s mom is like the rest of the family, but everybody judges him. But he has a code. What does Dante want? Blood on the streets? Does he want drugs everywhere? That’s the Jeromes. Dante says, what’s sad is that the Jeromes aren’t around anymore, and Sonny says, Olivia Jerome’s bomb could have been the one that killed Morgan, but it doesn’t really matter because it was Ava who messed with his medication. Dante says, Olivia was a bona fide psychopath, and Sonny says, so is Ava. She just puts a face on it. That’s what makes her more dangerous. Dante says, now they know everything she’s capable of, okay? but Sonny says, they don’t know for sure. Look what she did to Connie. Look what she did to Morgan. How does he know she’s not going to do something to Avery? Dante says, she loves Avery. She’s not going to hurt her. Sonny says, Ava is what she is, the last of the Jeromes. And he’s going to take that last cycle down.

Natalia says, Kristina has every right to question the things she said. But don’t dare ever question her love for her daughter. Kristina asks, exactly where was that love in the things Natalia said about her? She has no idea what she lost. Allie is amazing, and unlike Natalia, Kristina appreciates and accepts her for the gift she is. Natalia says she thinks she’s seen and heard enough of Kristina for a lifetime, and honestly, the only reason she let Kristina go on this long is out of respect for her father. Kristina says, but not out of respect for her own daughter? That is consistent. Natalia is right. They are done. Natalia is a prisoner of her own prejudice and wouldn’t even free herself if someone was handing her the key. Natalia says, that’s enough. Come on. Kristina picks up her bag, and Natalia says, tell her daughter that she loves her, but Kristina says, nobody needs the kind of love Natalia has, and she’s going to make sure Allie doesn’t need Natalia again for anything. She walks out.

Maxie says, Blaze has nothing to be sorry for. They’re sorry she’s going through this. Her heart hurts for Blaze. Blaze says she appreciates that, and Maxie says, they were talking though. Given everything that’s going on, they think it might be a good strategy for Blaze to pause being the Face of Deception. Brook says, they’ll hit the ground running in the fall and let everything die down a little. Blaze says she doesn’t think… Brook’s phone chimes, and she says she’s sorry. She steps away, and Blaze tells Maxie that she appreciates them trying to keep her on, but she doesn’t think it’s the right move. Brook comes back and says she’s so sorry. The label just made an announcement. They’re dropping her. Blaze says, so that’s it then. There’s no reason for her to be the Face. Not anymore. Maxie says, that’s not true at all, and Brook says, absolutely not. They believe in her. They know what she has to offer. Blaze says, which is nothing without her music. They don’t want to say it, but they know it’s true. Maxie says, what she knows is, they’ve been counted down and out several times. And Lucy has come back a miraculous and upsetting number of times. Blaze is going to love when it happens. They live for payback. That’s not Deception’s official motto, but lowkey, it really is. Blaze thanks them both, and leaves. Brook and Maxie look at each other.

Drew tells Nina, this is really a tough situation. Not only for Deception, but also Crimson. He thinks she made the right call. She says she was concerned he be worried about the cost, and he says, normally, he would be, but in this case, he’s very impressed with the compassion she’s shown Blaze. And he thinks it’s a better business decision in the long run. It’s better to hold off for 24-hours and issue a statement of tolerance, than rush to meet the deadline and walk right into a firestorm. Nina thanks him, and he thanks her. Curtis says, Nina is real good with PR. It’s no small thing. This guy – he points to Drew – could use her help with his congressional campaign. She’d be a valuable asset. Jordan says, sorry to interrupt their meeting, but Drew’s phone is blowing up. She hands it to him, and says, he got five messages in the time it took her to walk over here. He looks at it, and Jordan asks if he’s okay. He says, yeah. It’s all good. Curtis says, he’s not really selling the all-good part, and Drew laughs. He says, it’s just that the name change is now legal and official. They’re now looking at Drew Quartermaine.

Trina sings as she and Gio put pillows on the couch. He stops to listen and she stops singing. He asks why she stopped. It was great. She has a fantastic voice. She says she doesn’t know about that. She loves to sing, but she usually saves it for her shower. He says, showers usually have good acoustics, and she says, the point of hers is that it has her alone in it. He says, she’s lucky. You can’t play the violin with the water running. She says, give her a break. When it comes to music, he’s like on a completely different level. He says he doesn’t think that at all. Trina’s voice is an instrument, and if an instrument gives you joy, that’s all that matters. She tells him that he has to say that because he’s her friend, but he tells her that he doesn’t say anything about music he doesn’t mean. She asks who he listens to, and he lists several musicians and says, and of course (🍷) Roman. She says, a legend, and he says, and her? Legend category. She says, Aretha, and he says, hard to imagine anyone giving her anything but R-E-S-P-E-C-T. They laugh.

Josslyn and Dex come back with a six-pack of beer, and says, it’s to christen the place. They each take a bottle, and Gio says, absolutely. Who wants to do it? Trina says she will. To good friends, independence, and new adventures. Josslyn says, cheers, and they clink bottles.

Brook says she can’t believe Blaze’s label dropped her. (Doesn’t Lois work for a music label?) They caved in to an anonymous mob. Maxie says, a mob who’s going to move on to somebody else’s mess in a few hours. She meant what she said. She’s not giving up on Blaze and neither will Deception. Brook says, but Blaze doesn’t want to be a model. She wants to be a singer. She is a singer. Maxie says she knows. It’s her passion. Brook says she may have lost her chance to sing, but there’s no way she’s letting Blaze lose hers.

Kristina comes home to find Blaze there and asks if something happened. She’s sorry. She means, did something else happen? Blaze starts to cry and says her label dropped her. It’s over. Everything she poured her heart and soul into for years. This was the thing her mother wanted for her more than anything else and now it’s gone. Kristina holds her as she cries.

Dante says, if Sonny goes after Ava, he’s going to cut his own throat. If he wants to beat her, he’s got to pull it together. Everyone needs him to pull it together.

On Monday, Laura says she’s putting all her faith in the experts’ opinions; Dante tells Sam that this might make it look like she’s got something to hide; Sasha says, this is about a thing that can only end in disaster; and Tracy wonders, who the hell invited her?

🎉 It’s Their Day Off Too…

I’m guessing we all celebrated pretty much the same way.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/see-how-the-stars-celebrated-independence-day

🍸 Just a Little Thirsty…

Normally, I’d never agree with Sandoval, but yeah, she’s just trying to extend her fame. If you want to call that fame.

⚖️ Make Good Choices…

Maybe she and Rachel Raquel can get together.

https://okmagazine.com/p/brandi-glanville-no-choice-sue-bravo-health-legal-issues/

🪝 Don’t Want To Know…

This might be a little too surreal.

https://www.etonline.com/surreal-life-villa-of-secrets-trailer-teases-kim-zolciak-and-chet-hanks-hookup-228311

⚰️ All Kinds Of Dead…

The longest interview ever. Centuries in the making.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/interview-with-the-vampire-season-2-finale-streaming-amc

https://ew.com/interview-with-the-vampire-rolin-jones-sam-reid-season-2-finale-season-3-preview-exclusive-8670980

Like we didn’t know.

https://ew.com/interview-with-the-vampire-cast-where-are-they-now-8671571

Directing the Dead.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/lauren-cohan-to-direct-episode-of-the-walking-dead-dead-city-season-2-01j17mb26vg0

In case you missed him.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/exclusive-andrew-lincoln-talks-the-ones-who-live-uk-release-in-this-exclusive-interview-01hyxhmh47by

Not sure why this is being rehashed. It’s a little late. Like years.

https://comicbookmovie.com/tv/amc/the-walking-dead/the-walking-dead-star-andrew-lincoln-reveals-the-moment-he-thinks-zombie-series-over-egged-the-omelette-a211820

🧹 You Can’t Keep a Good Witch Down…

I want Binx back.

https://ew.com/hocus-pocus-3-bette-midler-teases-return-winifred-8670794

👟 Get Off His Jackson…

You know what they say about opinions.

https://www.etonline.com/colman-domingo-responds-to-michael-jackson-biopic-criticism-exclusive-228383

🦸🏼‍♂️ It Won’t Be Long Now…

This looks like it’s definitely going to be the best one.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-cover-story-cameos-future-marvel-mutants-ryan-reynolds-hugh-jackman-8672079

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-cameos-shawn-levy-a-lot-of-characters-8672625

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-wolverine-star-ryan-reynolds-teases-taylor-swift-cameo-with-new-social-media-post-a211803

🐕 Finding Them…

What to do if, God forbid, your pet got or gets lost.

* Check animal shelters not just in your direct area. Pets can travel far when scared.

* Check Craigslist in case someone found them and is looking for you or are trying to sell them.

* Put posters up ASAP all over the place with a good pic of pet and a good description with your contact info.

🐢 Bring Your Pet To Vote Day…

I think I recognize that tortoise.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2503exwrwlo

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Overcome the notion that you must be regular. It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary. – Uta Hagen

Whatever you are, try to be a good one. – William Makepeace Thackeray

Every bad situation is a blues song waiting to happen. – Amy Winehouse

However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.Stephen Hawking

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

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. – Marie Curie

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music. – Jimi Hendrix

We never know when our last day on earth will be. So, love with full sincerity, believe with true faith, and hope with all of your might. Better to have lived in truth and discovered life, than to have lived half-heartedly and died long before you ever ceased breathing.  – Cristina Marrero

Why is my bowl full of non-football related foods on Superbowl Sunday? – Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill), Modern Family

🍔 Life Liberty and the Pursuit Of Barbecue…

Follow your happiness this weekend and join me on Monday for soap and messiness on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay never leaving a pet in a hot car, and stay not expecting someone you love to hide away the parts of themselves you don’t approve of.

June 28, 2024 – Jason Pleads With Carly, His Exit, Not Her Season, Kathy Time, Claims, Low Moments, WWDD, Dynamic Duo, Grouchy Dancer, Rescued, A Round Number Of Quotes & I Am   

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

The moss bowl🎍is back!!! Jason walks into Sonny’s old kitchen and asks why Carly needs to see him. She says, because she knows.

Chase comes back to the Q mansion and Brook hugs him. She asks how it went with Finn, and he says, okay, he thinks. He’s really owning what happened. He apologized for the lies and the other things he said. Finn thanked him for getting the restraining order. She asks if he actually said the words, and Chase says, he did. For that and for taking custody. He realized what he’s putting Violet through and he’s kind of torn up about it. She says, good… She means that in the most supportive way possible. He says he knows, and she tells him, when Violet said, I thought you died like grandpa, she lost it. He says he had to pull over on the drive back, and she leads him into the living room. She asks how he thinks the rehab is, but he says he didn’t go inside. Finn wanted to take that step on his own. She says, he made sure Finn went in, right? and he says, yeah. He watched him go all the way inside. But the outside was nice. Even at night, it was very peaceful. She says, sounds like just what he needs, and Chase asks how Violet is doing. Is she in bed? Brook says, she was out like a light. She was exhausted. They didn’t get a chance to discuss this before when Finn was here… He says, discuss what? and she says she had a long talk with her grandmother. She made a very strong case about how she thinks they should proceed. He asks what the empress had to say, and Brook says, she thinks it would be best if the two of them move in here with Violet.

Natalia meets Sonny at the pool (the glowing pool balls are back too!), and he thanks her for coming. She says she’s flattered he asked, and he says, it’s not too late for her, is it? She says, no. She’s a total night owl, always has been. And he couldn’t have picked a better location. Her room is right downstairs. The server asks what he can get them, and Sonny says, North Sterling scotch, neat, for the lady – she says, he remembered, and thanks him – and he’ll have the same thing. The server says, coming right up, and Natalia asks, what has Sonny up so late? He says he’s been feeling a little stifled lately at his place, and she says she can imagine. He says, so he had to change the living situation. She asks if he traded in the luxurious penthouse for the MetroCourt presidential suite, and they laugh. He says, nah, and she asks what he means then. He says, Ava moved out, and Natalia says, she seemed pretty ensconced. He says, even so, it’s time to go.

Ava thanks Laura for coming by so late, and Laura says she got Ava’s message. Has she heard from Nikolas? Ava says, not since he’s been transferred. She’s sorry. Did Laura think this was about him? Laura says, more like she was hoping. She hasn’t heard from him either. Anyways, she’s here. She didn’t realize Ava was staying at the MetroCourt. Ava says, as of this morning. It turns out she’s safer here than under the same roof as Sonny Corinthos.

Kristina looks at some paperwork with Blaze and says, some of this sounds impressive, but she can’t tell if it is or it’s a total line of BS. For example, oversaw the distribution of priority communication throughout a complex interdepartmental network. Sounds impressive or… Blaze says, sounds like mailroom? Is Kristina sure she wants to hand over the day to day running of the LGBTQ center to someone else? It is her baby. Kristina says she doesn’t want to. The Corinthos-Davis House was her idea. She’s really passionate about it, but she wants someone else to take charge right now. That’s what’s best for the center. Blaze asks, how exactly is Kristina stepping back what’s best for the center? and Kristina says, because she came up with a really powerful idea, but there are people more qualified than she is who can run the center and make her vision a reality. Besides she doesn’t want to start back up again at the Corinthos-Davis House, then have to go on maternity leave five seconds later. Blaze says, maternity leave?

Chase asks if Tracy’s suggestion they move in here an invitation or a demand? and Brook says, it was a very strong invitation. He says, she decided this unilaterally? and she says, Monica and Olivia both signed off on it. He says, Monica and Olivia agreed with Tracy? Both of them? She says she knows. It’s like the Seven Seals of the Apocalypse all burst open at once. Of course (🍷) she said she wasn’t going to make any decisions without discussing it with him first. He says, okay. Let’s discuss it. What are the pros? Brook says, her grandmother first pointed out that they can’t move into his brother’s place with Violet, what with her grandfather dying there and her finding her father passed out and bleeding on the floor. Chase says, that’s a good point. So they’ll move into his place. Brook says, yeah, it’s just… He says, that it’s too small. They can get a bigger place. They’ve been talking about doing that anyway. What better time? She says, they could, and he says, where would they stay here that has more privacy than their own place? She says, there’s a suite with two bedrooms and a private bath, and there are tons of kids running around. Not to mention, Monica and Olivia and Willow and Sasha. Lots of positive, nurturing maternal energy. He tells her that she didn’t say Tracy, and she says, neither did she. He says, so those were Tracy’s talking points, and she says, pretty much. She also said, Violet needs consistency now. Not when they move, but right now. He asks if she agrees, and she says she thought they were really good points. What does he think? He says, when he was driving back from the rehab place alone, he was thinking about something Finn said to him about how he was being the big brother, taking care of him. Chase’s whole life he had his dad to take care of him. Now he’s responsible for his family, to provide for them and make sure they’re safe. When he was driving, every minute, every mile, he was coming up with a plan and revising it because he’s never had a kid, and now he has custody of one. He knows it’s just temporary, but he doesn’t know how long it will be. Not really. But the whole way back, he thought, yes. He can step up for his niece. He can give her the home she deserves.

The server brings the scotch, and Sonny thanks him. Natalia says, after what Ava did to Kristina’s mom, she can imagine it got pretty tense in the house, and Sonny says, but not for long. He doesn’t know what he was thinking, letting her move into his place. She says, he was thinking about his daughter Avery. By the way, she thinks she can guess who came up with that name. He says, she’d be right. Still, he thinks it suits his little girl. She agrees, and says, it’s none of her business but… He says, fire away, and she says, aside from this recent cohabitation, Ava doesn’t seem like she’s the one who got away. He says, Ava can’t get far away enough, and she laughs. She says, to long distance, and they clink glasses. He says, there is one person he thought he could count on until his dying day. She turned her back on him. She asks if that’s his wife Nina, but he says, no. Nina was a different mistake, but what she did happened around the same time. These people he could count on, he figured out he couldn’t count on them at all. She tells him that he said people, so more than one, and he says he discovered that these two people were the closest to him of anyone, and they were conspiring against him. At that time, he didn’t think Ava was, so he let her in. He should have known better because Ava was and always will be a treacherous viper.

Laura says she knows Ava and Sonny have a complicated history, but she thought they’d come to an understanding of late. Ava says she certainly thought so. As far as she knew, she and Sonny were closer than ever. They’d become… Friends might be too big a word, but they’d begun to let their guard down. They were confiding in each other. There was a kind of trust. Laura says, and now? and Ava says, now she’s living in a hotel, scrolling through real estate apps. Laura says, it’s not like Sonny to put the mother of one of his children out on the streets, and Ava says she’s not exactly destitute. Laura says, that’s very true. Would Ava mind telling her what happened between them? Ava says she wishes she knew. She’s sure Laura’s noticed how erratic Sonny has been lately. He’s lashed out at almost everybody, and up until now, she’s avoided being a target of his wrath. Laura says, and she has no idea why he suddenly turned on her. Ava says, none. She wouldn’t be able to correct it even if she did. Because with Sonny, any offense is a capital crime, real or imagined. Laura says she’s aware of how he feels about loyalty, and Ava says she sees Laura’s been the brunt of it herself. Don’t worry. She won’t pry. Laura thanks her, and Ava says, if anything, she’s been trying to support Sonny, and he seemed to be appreciating it. Then today, he became completely irrational. He picked a fight with her over she doesn’t even know what. It was so unsettling. It was so unmoored from reality, she had no choice but to leave. Laura says she’s become aware just recently that Sonny is not the man she thought he was. Except that lately, it seems like he’s been giving in to all of his worst impulses. But she hasn’t known Ava to be a completely helpless victim, so come on now. Why doesn’t Ava tell her what they were really fighting about?

Carly says, the FBI used her to strongarm Jason into being an informant. Which means it’s her fault he lost two and a half years of his life that he could have spent with his family. He asks, who told her? but she says, it doesn’t matter. He says, it does matter. He needs to know. She says, Sam. Sam’s not happy about it and blames her and she gets it. He asks how Sam found out, and she says, how does he think? He says, Spinelli, and she says, Sam got Spinelli to hack into the FBI’s evidence file and they found a recording of her at that meeting with Cyrus Renault and the Five Families, announcing to everyone that she was head of the Corinthos organization. Spinelli wasn’t able to delete the file. He says, that’s good. He thinks they’d notice that. She says, he was able to make a recording though, and Sam played it for her. Jason had a choice. His freedom and his family, or her. Why did he pick her? (Ugh. Just get a room at the MetroCourt already.)

Ava says, apparently, Kristina made some petty accusation against her. And because Kristina is the apple of Sonny’s eye, she got the boot. She’s sure Kristina is throwing a party somewhere as they speak. Her concern is that the person who will suffer the most from her moving out is Sonny. Laura says, how so? and Ava says she’s tried to be a stabilizing influence. She hasn’t been very successful, especially considering what happened at that wedding. Laura says, what wedding? Oh, Brook Lynn and Chase. Ava says, yeah. Sonny beat a man within an inch of his life at the reception. Laura says, oh my God, and Ava says, it’s no surprise Laura hasn’t heard about this, because as usual with Sonny, no charges were filed.

Kristina tells Blaze that she just meant maternity leave like in the sense of the time period a woman takes after she gives birth, whatever that time period is called. Blaze says, so family leave, and Kristina tells her that she said whatever. Blaze says, obviously, she will need time to recover, but isn’t that like twelve weeks? and Kristina says, yeah. Blaze says, isn’t that so the new parents can get acclimated to raising their newborn? and Kristina says, it’s for whatever they need it to be for, but yes, most importantly for that. Blaze says, but if she’s not raising the baby, can’t she return to the center in the amount of time the doctors recommend? Kristina says, six weeks, and Blaze says, why give up running the center she built from the ground up when she can just start six weeks in? Kristina says, because she doesn’t know what’s going to happen. She doesn’t know if Molly and TJ are going to break up or if they’re going to stay together. She doesn’t know if they’re maybe going to stay together and then maybe a year later, they’re going to break up. She doesn’t know. And if TJ decides that he does want full custody, and he does because it’s his biological and legal right… Blaze tries to interrupt, but Kristina says, stay with her. Molly has no legal or biological claim to this child, but she does. Blaze says, hold on a second. Is she saying she would actually try to get custody for Molly?

Natalia says she hasn’t had much interaction with Ava, but Ava always seems so disingenuous to her, and Sonny says, that’s putting it kindly. She says, if she ever crosses paths with Ava again, she’ll have her guard up, and Sonny says, do him a favor. Don’t cross paths with her. She’s going in a different direction. Natalia laughs and says she’ll keep that in mind. She doesn’t scare easily though, so she doesn’t like to give anyone that power over her to be afraid. He says he’s not telling her to be afraid. He’s just saying, don’t underestimate Ava. She says, duly noted, and enough about her anyhow, and Sonny says, here you go, raising his glass. They clink glasses, and Natalia says, on to more pleasant topics. What were they talking about before her? He says, betrayal, and she says, that’s pleasant. He says, it’s a downer, he knows, and she says, well, it’s a beautiful night in a beautiful place. And the scotch is amazing… and the company... He says, loves misery, but she says, no. Not afraid of the dark. He says, to the darkness, they clink again, and she says, and to the light that follows. She doesn’t want to belabor the topic, but there just is no pain quite like the wound of betrayal. She’s so sorry he had to go through that. He says, the same. What about her? Did she ever forgive the person who betrayed her? She tells him, who said there was just one? and he says, oh, there was more than one. He didn’t know that. She says, forgive? She doesn’t know if she forgives. She moves on. She doesn’t forget. The Lord wants her to forgive, so she tries. What about him? He says, no, and she says, just no? That’s it? They laugh and he says, actually, with family he forgives. And his family forgives him. That’s what families do, right? She says, right, but doesn’t he find it harmful not tempering anger with mercy? He says, sometimes. He’s been thinking lately about the people who turned away from him, who he trusted, that they believed in him. They all have one thing in common – me.

Jason says he never wanted Carly or the moss bowl🎍to know about this, and Carly asks, why? It’s her life. She’s the one who could be charged. He says he made sure she wouldn’t be, and she says, by sacrificing himself. He says, because he knew if she found out, she would confront the FBI and dare them to charge her, and that wouldn’t make any sense at all. She says, and him becoming an informant does? For more than two years? He says he didn’t think it would be that long. He thought it would be six months. One undercover operation and he’s out, she’s safe, but then it was another year, and another year after that. She cries, and he says, there was never a moment when it was too much. He never once thought about bailing. She says, of course (🍷) he didn’t. This is what he does. He always protects her, but this time, she was the target. She deserved to know, and she should have a say in how they handle things. He says, there is no we. He’s handling it the way he’s handling it. She says, that’s not an option anymore. She’s not going to let him throw his life away because… He says he’s not throwing his life away. He agreed to do a job and that’s what he’s doing. She asks how he knows Cates won’t double-cross him. How does he know Cates won’t say, thanks for your help; here’s you next mission? Does he honestly believe the FBI and John Cates are ever going to let him go?

Kristina says she just wants to know what her options are, and Blaze says, options that keep the baby in the family so Molly can raise it, or does she want the baby for herself? Kristina says, now who’s going into hypotheticals? and Blaze asks if she’s actually looked into these options. Kristina says, no, she hasn’t, but she did ask her mom for guidance. Her mom just didn’t want to give her opinion. Blaze says, very wise, her mother, and Kristina says, her mother did direct her to the legal statute involved, if hypothetically, she did want to pursue custody. Blaze says she guesses that’s not so bad, and Kristina says, and she did draw up a mock petition that could arguably be filed in court. Blaze says, Kristina… and Kristina says she thinks her chances are better than 50%. The baby’s not just a package you can hand over. If the courts agree with her and she gets custody, she’s the one who’s going to have to raise this child. Blaze once said she wished this baby were theirs. How would she feel about co-parenting?

Laura tells Ava that this is the first she heard Sonny attacked someone at the wedding. Who was the victim? Ava says she tried to ask him, but Sonny was pretty distraught himself over losing control in front of Kristina. Laura says, Kristina saw it? and Ava says, from what she understands, Kristina witnessed the whole thing, and she became extremely upset. Not that it matters now, because all is forgiven. Kristina and her father are once again thick as thieves. Laura thanks Ava for telling her this, and gets up. She gets her bag, and Ava says she knows it’s not the happiest news to impart, but she thought Laura should know. Although it’s not why she asked Laura here. Laura says, oh. She didn’t think so actually. Ava says, but it is about Sonny. He’s become so erratic, she doesn’t know what he’s going to do from one moment to the next. And the way they left things, she’s afraid he’s become so unhinged and paranoid, that he’s going to try and get their custody agreement overturned to keep Avery for himself. She cannot allow that to happen.

Brook says, Violet is Chase’s niece, so of course (🍷) he wants to take the lead in figuring out the best course of action for how she moves forward. She gets up, heads for the door, and says, so she’s going to tell Tracy that they’re going to leave… He says, wait, and follows her. He’s so grateful to her and her family – she says, they’re his family too – for wanting to help and take the three of them in. She says, of course (🍷). He knows how much her grandmother loves Finn, and Chase’s father, may he rest in peace, and she also loves making decisions. He tells her, what he was trying to say earlier. When he was driving and planning and worrying what to do about Violet, he walked through the front door and saw her. And it made him realize, he doesn’t have to do this alone. He has his wife – he takes her hands – the best partner and co-pilot and teammate he could ask for. She says she not only loves him, she admires him, because he shows up for the people he loves most, and he never complains. He says he complains sometimes, and she says, he’s kind and strong and gentle and he leads with his heart. He says, she should write all this down for when they renew their vows, but she says she’ll remember, and kisses him. So now that they’ve said all those things, what does he think of Tracy’s idea?

Carly says, Jason has no way to be sure the FBI will ever let them off the hook, not now, not ever, and he says, no, he doesn’t, but that’s the risk and he’s willing to take it. She says, but she’s not. That’s why she started exploring other options. He asks who she’s been talking to, and she says she talked to Diane because she wanted to know her chances of acquittal if she turned herself in. He says he hopes Diane said zero, and Carly tells him, she said 30. He says, Diane’s a great lawyer, but he would round that number down, and she says she gets it. They’re not great odds. But what are the odds of the FBI letting him go and him getting his life back? The only way to stop them is to call their bluff. He says, she keeps talking about the time that he’s lost with his family. If she turns herself in, if she goes to prison, then everything he did – he raises his voice – everything he sacrificed to protect her means nothing. So please, do not throw all of that away.

Chase says, here’s the deal. When he married Brook, he knew that a boatload of Quartermaines, Falconaris, and Cerullos came with the package. Brook says, for better or for worse, and he says, and now that he’s met them… She tells him that she knows what he’s going to say, but they really do mean well, and he tells her that he was going to say, he definitely thinks it’s to the better. She says, oh. Well, they do mean well. Except for Cousin Patty; she’s a mess. Anyway, what was he going to say? He says he came from a pretty small family to begin with, and now that his dad’s gone, his mom is off to parts unknown, and Finn is getting back on track, her loud, crazy family full of meddlers and busybodies… She says, he’s skating on thin ice, and he tells her that he’s just saying, he shouldn’t be surprised that they’d welcome him and Violet into the fold. She says, of course (🍷). They adore Violet, and she’s pretty sure they already prefer him over her. He says he thinks it’s because he’s easier to get along with, and she says, that’s a lot of words for pushover. And yeah, the Qs and the Cerullos are a crazy mixed bag, but we love each other. He says, even Cousin Patty? and Brook says, she keeps getting invited to stuff, so she guesses so. Which only proves her point. When something is up with one of them, they come together. They step up for each other, and Chase and Violet are a part of that family. He’s stuck with them. They kiss, when Gio walks in. He says he’s sorry for interrupting. Violet heard him tuning his violin. She came looking for the sound and she got lost going back to her room, so he helped her find it. She was pretty tired, so he’s pretty sure she’s asleep now. Chase thanks him for looking out for Violet, and Gio says, if nobody minds, he’s just going to go outside and practice. Brook asks if this is for Ava’s gallery, and he says, yeah. She says, play badly, and he says, if only he knew how. He leaves, and Brook asks what Chase thinks of the move. He gives her a quick kiss and says, hold that thought. He’s going to check on Violet. He dashes out.

Laura asks if Ava wants her to assist in a custody battle with Sonny, and Ava says, yes. Laura says she really shouldn’t be getting involved with that, and Ava says, Laura once told her that they’re family, even after she and Nikolas divorced. Did she mean that? Laura says she did, because she believes Ava truly loved her son, and actually, she thinks Nikolas still loves Ava. Ava says she loves him too, but oil and water, and Laura says she knows. Ava says, at this point in her life, other than Avery, Laura and Trina are the closest thing she has to family. That means something to her. Laura says, family means a lot to her too, and while she cares about Ava, don’t dare use that to work her. If there’s something Ava wants from her, be direct and ask her. Ava says, okay. Cards on the table then. She spoke to Scotty, and he said if Sonny tries to smear her in court, it could work, and she cannot let that happen. She cannot let Sonny have Avery. He’s barely fit to care for himself. Laura says, she’s right, and Ava says, as she sees it, the best defense is a good offense, right? So she’s looking for character witnesses. Just in case. So may she give Laura’s name to Scotty as someone who would be willing to appear in family court on her behalf?

Chase finds Brook asleep on the sofa, kisses her forehead, and sits on the coffee table. She wakes and asks how Violet is doing. He says, she’s fine. Seeing her sleeping peacefully up in her bed, then coming down and seeing Brook sleeping peacefully on the couch, has him thinking, there’s no better place for the three of them to spend the summer. She says, really? Is he sure? He says, it’s the right thing to do for Violet. She’ll have kids to play with, boats to ride, docks to swim off of, horses… Brook says, she’s super jazzed about the horses, and he says he’s super jazzed about spending the summer with his amazing wife and her massive family – their massive family. Tomorrow, he’ll start moving their stuff, and Violet’s too.

Laura says she understands Ava’s need to keep Avery really close to her right now, especially since lately, Sonny’s behavior has been genuinely concerning. Ava asks if that means Laura will help her. Can she give Laura’s name to Scotty? Laura says, yes, but that’s because if Avery has to have only one custodial parent right now, she believes it should be Ava. Ava thanks her, and Laura says, don’t make her regret this. Ava says she won’t. She promises. Laura’s faith and support mean everything. She’s sure Scotty will be contacting her. Laura says, okay, and goes to the door. Ava says she promises if she hears from Nikolas, she’ll let Laura know. She really does want only the very best for him. Laura thanks her and says her too, and leaves.

Jason says, if Carly goes forward with this and gets convicted, this life she has now, with the moss bowl🎍, the kids, Bobbie’s, the hotel, it’s all done. She’s probably going to go away for twenty years. Josslyn and Michael can take turns bringing Donna to visit her until she’s old enough to visit Carly on her own. And all for what? All because she wanted to turn herself in when she didn’t have to. How’s Donna going to feel when Carly abandons her for him? Carly says, Donna will always know she loves her, and he says, enough to stay out of prison for her? She says, that’s not fair, but he says, that’s a fact. Here’s another fact. If she goes to prison, he’ll blame himself every day for the rest of his life. So if she doesn’t want her daughter to grow up without her and doesn’t want him to carry that guilt, just stop. Just back off and let him finish what he started. She says, okay, fine. She gets it. She gets that he has to follow through with all this. She gets it. He breathes a sigh of relief and thanks her. She says, but what if she can’t stand it?

Kristina says, honestly, if the situation presents itself, would Blaze want to co-parent this child with her? Blaze says, does she want kids at all? She thinks, someday maybe, but right now with her career on the upswing, she just doesn’t think it’s a good time for her to be a mom. She hopes Kristina’s not too disappointed. Kristina says, no. How could she be? It’s not exactly the right time for her to be a mom right now either. In a perfect world, Molly and TJ would peacefully and blissfully raise this child on rock steady ground. She wouldn’t have to think about this. Blaze says, then why think about it at all? Couples fight. She knows, not Molly and TJ, but yes, Molly and TJ. It will all blow over and Kristina will have wasted a lot of energy over nothing. Kristina says, no. She has to be prepared. If this goes badly and TJ wants custody of this child, she has to make sure her sister has access to this baby. And the only way to do that is by suing TJ for custody.

Natalia pushes one of the glowing pool balls with her foot and asks if Sonny usually has trouble sleeping. He asks if he looks tired, but she says, no. Restless maybe. But that might just be her projecting. There are so many nights that she lies awake with a million thoughts racing through her head. It almost feels like ghosts. Has that ever happened to him? He says, all the time, and she says she thinks he has the right idea. In situations like this, when you’re being swarmed by ghosts, you need to reach out to a friend – she picks up her glass – have a drink in the night air. It’s a good way to make all that noise stop. He raises his glass and says, to finding our friends in the darkness. They clink glasses, and she says, cheers. He says, cheers, and drains his glass.

Ava walks on to the patio with her martini. She says, to new beginnings.

Carly says she admits Jason is right about all of it, and he says, good. He’ll take it from here. She says, but what if it’s too much of a cost for her? What if she can’t live with knowing she’s the reason he hasn’t had a day of freedom since November of 2021? He says, she doesn’t have to live with it. He does. She says she wouldn’t be the person she is today if not for him. Her life wouldn’t be what it is if she hadn’t met him. So how does she let the FBI use him, knowing she had the power to stop it? He says, she told him that she was going to do this his way, and she says she knows, but she changed her mind. He says, she can’t change her mind, not about this. He chose to take the FBI’s deal. So please, he’s asking her, do not get in the way of it.

On Monday, Ava says, there’s got to be something Trina’s herd that she can use; Natalia tells Maxie, this is not what they agreed to; Josslyn tells Sonny that she’s not going to make the same mistake twice; and Kristina can’t stop thinking about what’s going to happen to her.

😭 Nobody Wants This…

Get out the tissues.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-jophielle-loves-emotional-farewell

On YouTube June 30th.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dont-miss-maurice-benards-interview-with-michael-easton

🍊 More About Beador…

All we know is, she wasn’t caught by the paparazzi picking up trash on the highway.

Well, she is just a wee bit volatile.

I almost feel sorry for her. It’s like they did it on purpose.

🎤 Hey Rapper Rapper Rapper…

Could his name have been Hunky Dory?

🥣 Stirring the Pot…

Not a fan of hers, but that doesn’t mean she’s wrong.

📺 Watch the Worst…

I’ll bet there were moments worse than these.

⚰️ Carol’s Turn…

The definitive date for Season 2 is September 29th. Be there or be an octagon.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/finally-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-release-date-has-been-revealed-plus-new-images-01hzq6smywpm

https://collider.com/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3-update/

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/norman-reedus-sets-high-expectations-of-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-01j08qn5shvk

🦸‍♂️ Together At Last…

How it all came to be and how it’s going to be. I don’t go to the movies a lot, but I’m definitely going to see this one.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-wolverine-news-hugh-jackman-one-in-a-billion-idea-1235932988/

https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-wolverine-mcu-x-men-elements/

https://ew.com/sabretooth-deadpool-and-wolverine-return-first-look-teaser-8671139

🩰 Dancer Unchanged…

Still confusing children everywhere she goes.

https://ew.com/abby-lee-miller-calls-fan-obnoxious-8670388

🐈 All About Them Rescues…

Dolly looks skeptical.

https://people.com/kaley-cuoco-adopts-dog-dolly-as-newest-pack-member-8671438

Well, she couldn’t just leave them.

https://people.com/meet-halle-berrys-two-new-kittens-boots-and-coco-8671178

Life imitates art.

https://people.com/lupita-nyongo-refused-change-her-rescue-cat-name-exclusive-8669582

🐝 Quotes of the Week

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

Redemption is through service. – Judge Greg Mathis

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. – Thomas Jefferson

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.Heraclitus

The most effective way to do it is to do it. – Amelia Earhart

She gets what she wants. We had to give her a Sweet 16 on her 13th birthday. – Jeremy Grey (Christopher Walken), Wedding Crashers

Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time. – George Bernard Shaw

You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine. – John C. Maxwell

A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life. – Muhammad Ali

If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. – Zig Ziglar

👠 Sissying My Walk…

Join me on the first Monday of next month for soap and TMI on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay letting your Pride flag fly no matter how you identify, and stay never giving anyone the power over you to be afraid.

May 8, 2024 – Carly Visits Jack In Pentenville, Lotsa Suds, VanderThoughts, What’s Cooking, Post Met Looks, Together At Last, Motel Drag, Pet (!) Gala Fashion & Maggie

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna answers the door to Jason, who says, Agent Cates came to see him about Pikeman. She says, he’d better come in.

Sam sits on the bed, waking up Dante, and says she wanted to be here when he got home from work, but don’t leave her in suspense. How did Anna take it when he told her that he was quitting the force? Did she want him to give a notice or something?  Like a month? That seems kind of fair. He says he didn’t resign.

At the MetroCourt, Doc says, they should do this more often, and Laura says she agrees. He says, barely eating and barely talking. What’s up? She says she’s sorry. She knows they’re supposed to be out for a nice meal, but she’s a million miles away. He says, this has to do with her visit with Heather. He takes it that it didn’t go well. She says, just the opposite. It went really well, and that’s why she’s troubled.

Chase goes to Finn’s office, and Finn asks what brings him by. Chase says he just wanted to say hi, unless this is a bad time, but Finn says, it’s actually a perfect time. He’s in between patients right now. He’s surprised Chase has any free time at all, considering it’s almost his wedding day. Chase says, they’re really in the homestretch, and Finn asks how he’s feeling. Chase says he’s excited. He can’t wait for Brook to walk down the aisle. There’s just one big problem. Finn says, only one? and Chase says he really doesn’t want their dad flying to Coney Island for the rehearsal dinner. The last thing he wants is for Gregory to be tired and wear himself out before the wedding. But how does he tell that to Gregory when he knows how much their dad is looking forward to it? Finn says, he doesn’t.

Walking into Bobbie’s, Brook thanks Lois for helping her pick out the gifts for the rehearsal dinner. She hopes everyone likes them. Lois says, Chase’s family is so gracious, they’re going to love what they bought them. And even if they don’t like it, they’re never going to say anything. Now Tracy on the other hand… Brook says, oh please. She thinks Tracy is secretly looking forward to going to Coney Island. She just won’t admit it to herself. They sit down, and Brook looks at a table near the window and says, no way. Lois says, what way? and Brook tells her not to be obvious, but that guy over there is that dirtbag FBI agent who tried to question Danny without Sam present. Lois looks over to see John and says, oh my God. That’s Jagger Cates.

Jack walks into the Pentenville visiting room and sees Carly. He says, well, well, well. This day just got 100% better.

Lois says she hasn’t seen Jagger in years. Brook said he’s with the FBI? Brook says she can’t believe Lois knows that jerk, and Lois says, that jerk happens to be a very nice man. Come on. Let’s go say hi. She grabs Brook’s hand, and Brook says, ma, no, but has no choice but to follow. Lois says, Jagger, hi, and John gets up and hugs her. He says, Lois Cerullo. He can’t believe how long it’s been. It’s so good to see her. She hasn’t changed. (Truth!) She says she doesn’t even care if he’s being nice. She’s going to take that compliment. Brook asks if she doesn’t care about what this guy did to Danny, and Lois says, she knows John knows her daughter, Brook Lynn. He says, they’ve met. Unfortunately, not under the best of circumstances. Brook says, that’s putting it mildly, and he says, actually, he’s been meaning to find her. She asks why he’d want to see her again. Does he want to interrogate her too? John says, not at all. He owes her an apology, and his thanks.

Laura tells Doc, Heather was so much more rational this time. She was more clear-headed than Laura’s seen her in years. It’s like she had a glimpse of the old Heather from way back when. He says, that makes sense now that she’s getting the medical attention she needs, and Laura says she gave Heather a picture of Ace. She was so grateful. It clearly meant so much to her. She loves that little boy. He says, of course (🍷) she does, but honestly, who wouldn’t? and she says, then they talked about Esme. He asks if Heather happened to say anything upsetting, maybe about Spencer? and she says, she did mention Spencer, but it was actually in the context of her regrets. She just realized in talking to Heather, that despite all the crimes she’s committed and her crazy outlook on life, she’s really just another grieving mother who’s missing her child. He says, of course (🍷) she can empathize with that, and she says she does. Can he see why she’s distracted? She’s empathizing with a serial killer.

Dante tells Sam that he went to Anna’s office to talk to her and put his resignation letter on her desk, and she refused to accept it. Sam asks, what exactly did Anna say? and he tells her, Anna said resigning from the force is not going to solve this conflict he’s having, that it was going to open the door to further overtures from Sonny, but the boundaries would be gone. Without his badge, Sonny would see no reason to have distance between Dante and his business. She basically said, to get out of Sonny’s orbit, he’d have to leave Port Charles. He’s not going to do that. He got to thinking, and realized he was running away from his duty. He’s a cop. It’s what he loves to do and kind of what he’s good at. It just means he can’t be on a case that Sonny’s a part of. Like right now, he’s involved in a criminal investigation… Can she say something? She’s quiet. She gets up and says she just doesn’t want to say the wrong thing, but he says, she can’t say the wrong thing. He wants to work through this with her, so just say whatever she wants to say. She says she should have known better than to get her hopes up.

Anna asks what Cates said about Pikeman, and Jason says, he asked a lot of questions about the ties between Pikeman and Sonny, and they talked about that guy up in Pentenville. Anna says, Jack Brennan, and shows him a file box labeled J. Brennan. He says, John talked about how Brennan was director of the WSB, and the alleged head of Pikeman. The funny thing is, he didn’t even mention Valentin. He doesn’t think Cates or the FBI are aware Valentin’s involved. She says, that’s interesting. Did he mention Valentin to Cates? He says, no. His deal with the FBI is to take Pikeman down. He doesn’t trust Cates. He’s not going to give him any more information than he has to. She says she can’t fault him there. If they’re going to do this, she feels that they should have full transparency. She needs to know what it is the FBI is holding over him and what evidence they have against Carly.

Jack says he certainly never expected Carly to show up, and she says she’s been thinking about him. (She’s wearing an orange top and I wonder she’s being ironic.) He says, that’s encouraging, and she says she’s been thinking he lied to her about who he is and he tried to abduct her from her own restaurant. He says he never had any intention of abducting her, and she says, he had zip ties. He says, yes, he did. He apologizes if she got the wrong impression, but the zip ties are… were standard in his profession, so he always carries them. He never had any intention of harming her in any way with zip ties. She says, they just happened to be in his pocket, and he says, and sadly she jumped to the wrong conclusion and nearly took off his head with that tray – she laughs – but no hard feelings over here. She says, just chalk it up to miscommunication, and he says, that works. She says she also remembers the night that Anna and Dante came in with their guns drawn and they arrested him. It’s still a little blurry, but she thinks Anna said something about him being involved with a company or organization named Pikeman. He says, Anna’s said a lot of things about him, but not all of them are true.

Sam says, while Dante was talking, she was running through all of these options in her head, and she has to tell him, there are no easy answers. He’s right. They can’t leave Port Charles because it’s their home. Their families are here. They’re happy here. He says, they are, and she says, and that thing about him being a cop, yes, if he gave up his badge, he’d probably get dragged in deeper into Sonny’s business. He says, they don’t know that, but they don’t really want that, and she says, when he told her that he wanted to give up his badge, she had this huge wave of relief come over her. It was like she could finally breathe for a second, because there was this tiny little glimpse into what their future could look like if she didn’t have to worry every time he went to work and walked out that door.

Finn tells Chase that he doesn’t think it’s safe for their dad to be flying right now either (what is it? a half hour flight?). He’ll go to him, and from a medical standpoint, he’ll break the news to him. Chase says he can’t let Finn do that. It’s going to be hard, but he owes it to their dad to have this conversation with him, especially after the huge effort he made to be a part of the wedding. Although telling him that he can’t be part of the fun the night before is a hell of a way of saying thank you. Finn says, just be honest with him. Just remind him that by staying home from the rehearsal dinner and resting, it ensures that he’ll be well enough to be there and enjoy Chase’s actual wedding day. Chase says, that’s true, but he doesn’t know if their dad is going to see it that way. Finn says, their dad wouldn’t want Chase to spend the most important day of his life worrying about him. And he’ll know it will put Chase’s mind at ease. He’ll understand because Chase has always been the devoted son. Chase says, Finn is a good son too, but Finn says, they both know that’s not true.

Brennan tells Carly that his arrest was purely political. He made a lot of enemies on his rise to director of the WSB. His rivals framed him just to get him out of the way. She says, he was locked up because people were jealous of him? and he says, mm-hmm. And there were also allegations – completely untrue, by the way – that he was secretly head of Pikeman. As if one could secretly head up a major arms manufacturer. So here he sits, a prisoner of his own ambition, one might say, framed for crimes he didn’t commit, so someone else can run the WSB. She says, that’s a sad story, and he says, it is sad. That’s why he tries not to dwell on it, so he suggests they talk about something else. Distract him from his misery. Tell him all about her.

Brook says, John wants to thank her? and he says he was wrong to question Danny without a parent present. It may have been technically legal, but he shouldn’t have done it. And she had every right to call him out, and he’s grateful she stopped him from doing something he would have regretted. Brook tells him, that’s very nice of him to say, if he really means it, and he says, once he walked away, he realized how furious he would have been if somebody had questioned his son when he was Danny’s age. She made him see that. Lois says, he has a son? and he says he does. His son is the best thing that ever happened to him. His name is Stone. Lois says, he named his son after his brother? What a beautiful way to honor his memory. John thanks her. He just wishes they could have met. Brook says, this is the perfect timing. She has to go meet Chase down at the station, so they can catch up. Lois says, whoa, whoa, whoa. She thought they were having coffee. Brook never said anything about meeting Chase earlier. Brook says she’s so sorry. She completely forgot. John says, if her daughter has to leave, please join him. Coffee’s on him. Lois says she would love that, and Brook thanks Lois for helping her shop. Lois says, she’s welcome, and they hug. Brook says goodbye to John and leaves. Lois says, they have so much to catch up on. (Yes. Lois and John. Let’s do this.)

Jason says he needs Anna’s word that she won’t use anything. That whatever he says stays between them. She says, of course (🍷). This is the FBI’s case; it’s not hers. She’s under no obligation to act on any information he might give her. Not that she would anyway. Whatever he tells her is between them. He has her word. He says, okay, and sighs. The FBI has a recording of Carly at a meeting with other heads of organized crime families, saying that she’s in charge of the Corinthos organization, and saying she controls all the business that goes through the Corinthos territory. Anna says she had no idea Carly was involved with the mob so deeply, but Jason says, she wasn’t. It’s when they thought Sonny was dead. His business was completely under siege. They were doing everything they could to hold it together and make it look as strong as possible. He was supposed to be at that meeting, but he’d been shot, so Carly went instead. She says, against his wishes she’s sure, and he says, yeah. He didn’t want her to go, but she didn’t have a choice. She had to protect herself; she had to protect her kids. She knew that any sign of weakness, somebody would try to eliminate her and target her kids. Anna says, so Carly’s best defense was to present herself as part of the mob, and he says, and the FBI has it all on tape.

Sam tells Dante that she can’t deny a part of her will always want that, but a cop is who he is. It’s who he was when she fell in love with him. She knew what she was getting herself into and she can’t try to ask him to change or be something he’s not. She can’t ask him to be another man. The only thing she can control is her response to his choices. He says, so will she stay with him if he’s still a cop?

Doc tells Laura, metallosis, cobalt poisoning, manifests differently in different patients. In Heather’s case, it seems to have tipped her from transgressive behaviors to a pathology that led to rampage. Laura says, okay. Then what’s next? Is it right to just leave Heather in prison for the rest of her life to pay for crimes that were actually brought on by the metallosis? On the other hand, what about all the victims and all of their loved ones? Their loss, their pain is still very real. Would it ever be appropriate to show Heather leniency?

Finn says, Chase is the reason he has a relationship with their dad today. Chase was tireless when he was trying to reconcile the two of them. He wanted nothing to do with their dad, and Chase refused to accept that. Chase says he knew Finn would regret it later, and Finn says he does. He hurt Gregory. He was so stubborn and self-righteous at the time. Chase says he knows Finn still feels guilty, but that was a long time ago. He and their dad are good now. Doesn’t he think it’s time to leave it in the past? Finn says he lost so much precious time with him because of his pride and his anger. Time he’ll never get back. Chase says, Finn’s got to stop beating himself up. Their dad has always loved Finn and he always will.

Anna asks why Jason doesn’t call the FBI’s bluff. Let them proceed against Carly. She has an excellent lawyer. She may well beat the charges. He says, but no guarantee. He couldn’t take that risk. At first, he thought it would just be three months, six months, but now he’s three years in. He’s in too deep. He doesn’t want Carly to know all of this was just to protect her. She says, why not? She’s a strong woman. She thinks Carly deserves to know what the FBI has on her. He says, because if she ever finds out, he knows exactly what her reaction is going to be. She’s going to try and save him. She’s going to do something crazy and wind up sending herself to prison.

Jack says, before things went sideways, he really looked forward to talking to Carly. He suggests they pretend he’s in her restaurant. He’s just ordered a coffee and some eggs, sunny side up. How’s the world been treating her? She says her daughter just had her first dance recital, and he says, soccer girl. She says, that’s the one. And she nailed her solo, so she’s a proud mom. He says, that must be a good feeling, and she says, it is. She recently went through a break-up. That’s been tough, but she’s getting through it, mostly because her best friend is back. He was missing for two years and now Jason is back in Port Charles, and all is right in her world. He says, Jason Morgan has gotten a lot of news coverage. At first, he was a fugitive, then he was exonerated, or at least the charges were dropped. She says, you can’t believe everything the news says, right? Jason didn’t do any of the things he was accused of. And enough talk about her. Let’s get back to him. He says, that’s right. She came here because she wanted to know about Pikeman, and she says, right. Is he sure he’s not involved with them? He says, if he was, he’d have their fleet of lawyers to secure his freedom instead of him paying his own little attorney out of his own little pocket. She says, so it would mean nothing to him if the FBI is investigating Pikeman.

Anna says, it was such a hard choice Jason had to make. Carly’s safety versus him having to allow the people he loves think that he was dead. He says he just weighed what he had to lose against what Carly had to lose. It just came down to her kids. He knew Jake and Danny would be okay. They have great moms and stable homes. But Donna is just a kid. She needs her mom. Anna says, that’s very admirable of him, and he says, there’s another reason. He chose to work for Sonny. He chose to come back into this life knowing the potential consequences. Carly never chose that. He and Sonny pulled her in. When Carly went to that meeting, she had no criminal intent. She was just going to try and protect her family. She says, he got Carly into this, and he says, it’s on him to get her out.

Brennan says he just doesn’t see Carly being tight with law enforcement. How would she know who the FBI is investigating? She says, because she’s friends with an agent, John Cates. He comes into Bobbie’s to eat sometimes. He says, and they struck up an acquaintance? and she says, they have people in common. John is originally from Port Charles and recently moved back. He asks, why? To work a case against Pikeman? She says, why the interest? Does he have a problem with John Cates being in town? He says, should he have a problem?

Lois says she’s been talking John’s ear off. Enough about her. Tell her about him. How did he wind up at the FBI? He says, after his first marriage to Karen broke up, he was kind of reeling, and that’s when he joined the Bureau. She puts her hand on his and says she was really sorry to hear about Karen’s death. He thanks her and says, it took him a while to make his peace with losing her. She tells him, they say that the ones we love never really leave us, but enough about that. Let’s talk about something happy. She wants to hear about his son. He says, talk about time flying, he’s 21 now. Stone’s on the spectrum, so he lives in a group home outside of Quantico. It’s the perfect place for him and he’s really happy there. She says, it’s got to be so hard for John though, being so far away, and he says, it is. He wishes he could see Stone more, but this is the way it has to be for now, so there’s a lot of texts and videochats. She says, thank God for cellphones, and he says, what about her? How’s it been coming back to Port Charles? So much has changed. She says she knows. All of their old hangouts are all gone, except for this place, but it used to be Kelly’s. He says, places aren’t the only thing that’s changed. They have too. He guesses he should only speak for himself, but he knows he’s changed. All the dreams he had when he was young turned out to either be wrong for him or slip through his fingers.

Doc says he does believe Heather’s metallosis was a major factor in her crimes, but it’s impossible to say if that was the only cause, and Laura asks if there couldn’t be some middle ground, at least from a legal point of view. He says, philosophically speaking, he believes that Heather should have a shot at building a better life, but not with absolving her of everything she’s done. His phone rings and he says, it’s the hospital. He needs to take this. She tells him, go ahead, and he leaves. Valentin approaches the table and says he hopes she doesn’t mind if he imposes. She says, that depends. What is it about?

Finn tells Chase, it’s settled then, right? He’ll go to dad and talk to him about staying home and resting during the rehearsal dinner, and Chase can just focus on getting married and having the best day of his life. Chase thanks Finn and hugs him, saying, he doesn’t know what he’d do without him. Finn tells him to remember that and be forgiving when he stumbles through his best man speech. Chase says, okay, and leaves.

Sam says, the only thing she knows for sure is that she loves Dante, and they have a family and a life together. Is something like this worth breaking up for? She’d have to tell him and Rocco to leave. What would be the point? To separate their children when they would be miserable apart while they’re still missing each other? He says, so she doesn’t want him to leave? and she says, it’s not like she would love him any less or be any less afraid for his safety if they weren’t together. All she would lose is him. So she’ll just have to learn to live with the fear. He says he’s sorry. He’s sorry for making her feel that way. He hates it, and if he could take that fear away from her, he would. She says she knows, and he says he’s really sorry he gave her this false hope that he was going to resign. She says she can’t pretend she’s not disappointed. She’s going to have to feel these emotions and learn to work through it. He says, whatever she needs, however he can help her, and she says, probably just a little time so she can process it all. He says, whatever she needs. He promises he’ll never take her for granted and what she’s sacrificing. He loves her. She says she loves him too, and they kiss.

Brook comes into the squad room, and Chase asks what she’s doing here. He thought she was going to spend the day with her mom. She says, her mom ran into a friend, so she came here to distract him from his very important work. He says he only just got here. He actually went to speak to Finn and he agreed to talk to their dad about not coming to the rehearsal dinner. She says, that was nice of him. She’s really sad that Gregory’s not going to be there, but she really thinks it’s what’s best. And now he’ll be well-rested for the actual wedding day. He says, that’s the idea, and she says she thought her mom was crazy for wanting to have the rehearsal dinner in Coney Island, but now that it’s here, she’s actually really excited. She can’t wait to show him all her favorite places and have cotton candy with him on the boardwalk and to ride all the rides together. He says, they’re going to be so busy, they won’t have time for any pre-wedding jitters, which everyone keeps warning him about. He keeps waiting for them to happen, but so far, nothing. She says, really? Because she’s a total wreck.

Lois says she totally gets what John is going through because she feels it too. Being back in Port Charles is harder than she thought it would be. He asks, what’s that saying? You can never really go home again. She says, ain’t that the truth? But don’t get her wrong. The last few months she’s spent here with her daughter, before she gets married and starts a family and doesn’t have as much time for her ma, has been amazing. It’s a gift she’s always going to treasure. But it’s like he said, being back here is a constant reminder of what her life was, what she thought it would be, and how it actually turned out. But different is not necessarily bad.

Valentin says he thought Laura might like to hear how Charlotte’s doing in Switzerland, and she says, that would be lovely. She always loves to hear about her granddaughter. He sits down and says, she’s busying herself with school, and she’s checking in with him once or twice a week by text or phone. They actually videochatted the other day and he saw her room, so she’s thriving. Laura says she didn’t realize how much she needed to hear that. That’s so great. Charlotte sent her a couple of emails, but not on a regular basis. He says, she’s a teenager. They take what they can get. She says, that’s true. She did talk quite a bit about how much she missed that school of hers, so she’s glad Charlotte is happy to be back there, but does he think now that she’s in Switzerland, she’ll be able to put everything that happened in Port Charles behind her?

Anna tells Jason, say this all goes according to plan, and he’s able to deliver to John whatever the hell it is he wants on Pikeman. Does he think the FBI is going to hold up their side of the deal? With her experience with intelligence agencies, she’d say it’s very hard to believe they would ever destroy that evidence. They might bury it for a time, but they’ll always have it to use against him and Carly. He says he plans to honor his part of the deal and help the FBI take Pikeman down, but after that, that’s it. He’s done. He has no intention of taking orders from John Cates or the FBI for the rest of his life.

Sam says she feels so lucky to have Dante, and he says he doesn’t know what he would have done if he’d lost her. They kiss and I’d bet the farm they’re about to get busy.

Finn pushes whatever is in front of him off his desk. He gets up, picks up his phone, and sits on the floor. He hits AA meeting near me on Spyder-Finder.

Brook says she knows they put so much work into planning this wedding, but there’s still so much that could go wrong. What if the flowers aren’t what they wanted? What if her dress gets ruined? He says, that’s not going to happen, but she says, don’t be so sure. She read this post about this custom designer gown. The bride was about to put it on, and somebody had left a black felt pen open, and there was a big, black blob in the middle of the dress. He says, no. Did they postpone the wedding? She tells him, the girl didn’t say, and he says, if that happens – she says, God forbid – then she can get married in blue jeans. She can get married in a bathrobe. She can wear the dress, ink stains and all. He doesn’t care. It doesn’t matter to him. She tells him, that’s so sweet of him to say. But that’s impossible because their wedding day has to be perfect. But there is one thing she’s not nervous about, and that’s marrying him. She can’t wait to be his wife. He says he can’t wait to be her husband, and she says she shouldn’t kiss him in the squad room. He backs up and says, no, she shouldn’t. It would be a bad idea. He takes her hand, brings her into the interrogation room, and closes the door. Inside, they kiss.

Anna says, the FBI made a deal with Jason, and they need to stick to it. If they don’t and they continue to abuse their power, frankly, in her book, they’re no better than Pikeman. He says, but they have to take Pikeman down first. She looks at the flowers from Valentin, and says, it seems to her that the FBI are not onto Valentin at all, but she still thinks he’s a key player in Pikeman. And luckily, he invited her out to dinner, and she accepted. She thinks it will be an opportunity for her to work him. He asks if she thinks Valentin will give anything up, and she says, the date on the photo Dex gave him proves Valentin was in Port Charles when there was the shooting at the MetroCourt, but he doesn’t know he was caught in the lie, so he has no reason to have his guard up. She thinks if she plays it right, he could lead them to whoever is in charge of Pikeman.

Laura tells Valentin that she’s delighted Charlotte is happy back at school, but she can’t help wondering if it might be too soon for her to be so far from Port Charles and all of her family. He says he was worried about that too, but as it happens, he has a new business venture that will be taking him to Switzerland quite often. He can keep an eye on her. That should ease both of their minds. She says, it does actually. So what’s the new venture? Is it something for ELQ? He says, something for ELQ.

Lois says she thinks John is looking at this all wrong. He’s achieved so much. Becoming an FBI agent, it’s so impressive. Does he like the work? He says, for the most part, yeah, and even when he doesn’t, he can tell himself that he’s accomplishing good things by enforcing the law. (Since when is blackmail enforcing the law?) His phone dings, and he says, speaking of his job, he’s so sorry, but he has to make a phone call. She says, absolutely. You go save the world. She gets up and says, it was so great running into him and catching up. They hug, and she says, don’t be a stranger. He says, her neither, and she leaves. He makes a call and says, Brennan’s got a visitor?… What is Carly Spencer doing there?

Brennan tells Carly that the only problem he has with this Agent Cates is, he still has his badge, his freedom, and most importantly, he gets to enjoy the pleasure of her company. The guard tells Brennan, time’s up, and Carly says, that’s her cue. Brennan says, time flies when a beautiful woman comes to see him, and Carly gets up. She says she’s sure he could have done a lot worse to her that day than some zip ties. For whatever reason, he didn’t. Thank you. He says, her visit really brightened up his day. Maybe she could come back sometime. She says, we’ll see, and he says he’ll live in hope. She leaves, and he says, watch your back, Valentin.

Tomorrow, Blaze thinks it’s going to be her best one yet; Sam asks Jason to promise her someone won’t be walking into something dangerous; Ava asks Sonny, how dare someone throw her daughter’s murder in her face; and Gregory tells Finn, by all means, lecture him on proper wedding etiquette.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It’s so ridiculous that this poor woman has to worry about how she looks during a tough time. Have they ever seen a British soap? They actually look like real people. As for weight, I met the so-called fat girl from One Life To Live when she was on Broadway. I was at my fighting weight and felt like a giant next to her.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kirsten-storms-opens-up-about-maxies-appearance-on-gh

Yeah. He ditched her too.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tabyana-ali-addresses-nicholas-chavez-exit-from-gh

Events in soap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/up-close-and-personal-with-the-ladies-of-general-hospital

I’m not sure how you can have an anniversary of something that was canceled decades ago, but more power to them.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/nbc/inside-the-another-world-60th-anniversary-reunion

You, too, can vote.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/daytime-emmys-2024-vote-for-the-winners

🍸 Post Rules Chatter…

There was a lot to unpack from the Vanderpump Rules finale last night, but it was late, and I needed to process. TBH, I’m not so sure this show is going to come back, at least with Ariana. It could just be the continuing recovery from Scandoval, but this finale seemed a little too final. And the Reunion probably isn’t going to help anyone. Reunions might be cathartic, but I wouldn’t call them healing.

For whatever reason, it left me feeling sad. Maybe because Lala was right when she said – and I’m really more rephrasing than paraphrasing – what happened to Ariana was horrible, but now she thinks she’s a demi-god, dictating how everyone must behave. Other than Sandoval himself, I don’t think anyone in the cast would argue that what happened to her was horrible. But I can honestly say, if that happened to me and I was suddenly given the consolation prize of Dancing with the Stars, Chicago, hosting Love Island, and just about every other media possibility, I’d be laughing my ass off at Sandoval who could barely sell a ticket to his concerts. I would never tell someone else how to feel. Only you know what’s best for you. But somehow, I don’t think this anger is helping her. Even when she grey rocks him, the hate is coming off her in waves. Seriously, I would pat him on his stupid head and rub his nose in it every chance I got. They say living well is the best revenge, and she was handed that on a platter. We were all thrilled to see the karma unfold before us. I’m now holding my breath, wondering if it’s going to backfire since she can’t contain her visible anger, even in public, probably feeling that since the world backed her during this tragedy, they’ll back her no matter what. Au contraire. The public is fickle, and this isn’t a good look. As Lala said – again rephrasing – no one died.

Yeah, he probably does just want to apologize for show, and if she doesn’t want to hear it, that’s fine. But, as several of the cast members pointed out, they’re on a reality show, like it or not, he’s in the friend group, and if you can never film with him, that makes it difficult for everyone. No one is saying she has to be friends with him or even forgive him, just reel it in for the group events. And expecting the others not to be friends with him – even when she’s not around – is unreasonable. They’re not five years old and all of the original cast members have a history with him. Katie was always a little free with her sarcasm, but the hate is now slopping onto her and she’s taking it out on people like Jo, whose only sin was to act on her feelings for Schwartz after he and Katie separated. And Katie wanted out. It’s painful to watch. I also think Jo could do better. That guy has always been commitment shy. That’s why he needs Sandoval to tell him things like what socks to wear.

On the plus side, one of the reasons I’ve stuck with this show – besides she who can do no wrong, LVP – is that it’s interesting to see how people grow over the years. That’s why I didn’t think they should have fired Stassi and Kristen. While I think Kristen has less growth potential, I would have liked to see how Stassi matured. In the early years, they were all kids. I read a review where someone said they wanted to cry when they showed the early clips. Same. After all these years, it’s like we know them. Some we might want to hang out with all the time; others are like those cousins you tolerate at family gatherings. (Hint for Ariana if she wants to continue with the show.) Apparently, Brock has been very grounding for Scheana, who had a revolving door of losers she fell in love with. She found her Prince Charming and is nearly living her best life. Kudos. She does still need some help with that anxiety, but I think she’ll get there. Whatever James is doing is working for him, and I hope he gets his dream of a family with Ally. We’ve seen him go from an unreasonable, nasty drunk to a man with a plan. Honors to him for staying California sober. IMO, Lala was the MVP of both last night and the show in general. She went from being a mean girl, calling out people for not working on their summer bodies, to being a wise and maternal woman.  Confetti parade for her. Color me impressed.

Here’s hoping the Reunion isn’t the final nail in the VPR coffin. But if it is and VanderWorld breaks up, I’d love to see Lala and Scheana move to The Valley. God knows that show could use a VanderBoost.

🔪 Tonight In Chefs…

Let Restaurant Wars commence.

Apparently, I haven’t been paying attention, but I saw a commercial for this today. Two of my favorites joining forces, sort of. It begins May 22nd.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1396174/lisa-vanderpump-is-joining-gordon-ramsay-for-season-2-of-food-stars

👘 After the Gala’s Over…

Afterparty fashion.

https://people.com/met-gala-2024-afterparty-photos-8644453

https://www.etonline.com/gallery/2024-met-gala-after-parties-224939

🦸🏻‍♂️ And It Feels So Good…

The trailer is here, and I can’t wait. In theaters July 26th.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-hugh-jackman-involvement-radically-changed-film-8640282

A Meta joke.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-wolverine/deadpool-wolverine-new-footage-features-a-meta-paul-rudd-joke-and-tension-between-wade-wilson-and-logan-a210815

🩱 All Pink All the Time…

Is there anything this drag queen doesn’t do?

https://ew.com/trixie-motel-season-2-drag-me-home-first-look-photos-exclusive-8643832

🐾 The Real Gala…

You didn’t think I’d forget the pets, did you?

https://people.com/pet-gala-will-recreate-met-ball-2024-looks-for-dogs-8644929

🎳 Will Bowl For Food…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a jab at those awful Summer people. Until then, stay safe, stay pushing in your chair when you leave the table, and if your life turned out differently than what you thought it would be, stay remembering, different is not necessarily bad.

April 19, 2024 – Sonny Calls Out Three Traitors, Pre-Med, Back Again, Arrested, One Out One In, Not Leaving, Together At Last, Pups (!) For All, Ten Quotes A-Quoting & Showers

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason does push-ups in his room so we can see his muscles and tattoos. Carly knocks at the door, and he lets her in. She says she really needs his help. There’s a guy downstairs and… She sees his sleeve and asks when he got that. He says, about a year ago, and she asks, why?

Adhering to protocol this time, Diane tells Madison that she’s here to see Nina. Nina’s expecting her. Madison says, yes, she is, and brings Diane into Nina’s office. Madison leaves, and Diane asks if Nina has news for her. Nina tells Diane, smile. She’s going to give Diane what she wants.

Brook says, it would be good to know what Olivia and Lois have planned for her for her bachelorette-slash-bridal shower, and Olivia says, it’s going to be fantastic. Doesn’t she trust them? Brook says, absolutely not, and Olivia says, wise girl. She knows whatever it is, it’s going to be fabulous, and with Brook’s mother running the show, it’s going to be one for the ages. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy her surprise. Lois comes in and says, speaking of surprises, she’s got one for them.

Sonny slams his hand on the table, and says, Dex is becoming a cop? Is Ava sure? Ava says she was with Trina and Trina told her. So unless she’s mistaken… He says, son of a bitch. If Dex goes to the cops, he’s going to tell them everything he knows, unless he stops Dex cold.

Josslyn thanks Anna for seeing her, and Anna says, of course (🍷). What’s on her mind? Josslyn says, Dex. She knows he applied to the police academy. Anna says, yeah. He took his fitness test today. Josslyn says, she can’t let him into the academy. She has to turn him down. Anna asks, why? and Josslyn says, because if Dex becomes a cop, Sonny will have him killed.

Nina looks through some paperwork while Diane peruses the dresses on a rack in the office. She says she thinks Nina will find everything in order, and as Nina is about to sign, Drew walks in. Nina says, they’re in the middle of something. So why doesn’t he leave word with Madison, and she’ll get back with him. Drew tells Diane that he needs to speak with Nina, and Diane says she has a court date anyway. She’s sure they can pick this up tomorrow. She picks up her bag, but Nina says, no. This is her office, and she can do what she wants when she wants to do it. So she’s sure Drew can wait until they finish their business. Nina signs the papers and says, done and done. Diane says, excellent, and double checks the paperwork. She says, fully executed. A pleasure doing business with her. They shake hands, and Diane leaves. Drew asks, what was that all about? and Nina says her current situation wasn’t working for her, so she made some changes. (Forget having sex with this guy. I’d be poisoning his coffee.)

Carly says she would have bet money Jason never got a tattoo, and he says he guesses she would have lost. She asks if she can see it, and he shows her his arm. (I see the word victory and a lion in the mix.) She asks why he did it, and he says, because he was alone. Obviously, he’s been alone before and he thought he liked it, but this time was different because he knew he couldn’t come home. So he guesses he just wanted something that was his, something that couldn’t be taken from him, or something he couldn’t be forced to leave behind. She asks if it hurt, and he says, it doesn’t really matter. It took a while. He never let himself think about home. He’d just shut it down; he wouldn’t think about it. There was nothing to do that night except sit there while this guy worked on him. He guesses he broke his own rule; he thought about home. He thought about Jake and Danny and how tall they were getting. If Jake still liked art and Danny still liked football. He thought about Elizabeth and hoped that they were happy. He thought about Monica and was just hoping she was okay, and she didn’t grieve for him. By that time, the guy was half done. That’s when he let himself think about her.

Lois says, Sonny is coming to the wedding, and Brook asks how she managed that. Since he didn’t RSVP, she assumed he didn’t want to come, and she didn’t want to push since he’s got all this stuff going on lately. Lois says, that is where she comes in. She pushes for Brook… gently and lovingly of course (🍷). Olivia says, of course (🍷). Good for her. Whatever she did, Olivia is glad she did it. Brook thanks her and says, the wedding just wouldn’t be the same without Uncle Sonny there. They hug, and Olivia says, and the Bensonhurst Brigade will be back together again. Brook asks if they should update the seating chart. Does she think Uncle Sonny will bring a plus one? Lois says she asked, but before he could answer, Ava interrupted. What is up with that one anyway? Sonny better watch out, because she’s putting those roots down fast. Brook says, she doesn’t think Uncle Sonny would bring Ava as his plus one, does she?

Sonny tells Ava that he should have taken care of Dex when he had a chance, but Carly talked him out of it. Why did he have to listen? Then Michael hires Dex to infiltrate him and spy on him. Ava says, Michael was definitely wrong, but children do lash out in anger… He says, how is he supposed to forgive? Carly said Michael redeemed himself, but Michael is his son. He wanted to destroy his father, then he changes his mind. No, I don’t want to destroy my father now. I’m going to hire Dex to protect him. What does he need protection from? She says, Michael and Carly definitely overstepped, and he says, yes. When Carly showed up, he should have had his men take her to the car. Or drag her to the car, whatever was needed. But she insisted that Dex was innocent and to let him go, so that’s what he did. He spared Dex’s life and let him go. And now he’s becoming a cop. She says she doesn’t know what Dex is thinking. She does have a soft spot for Dex – he saved her life – but he’s crazy to think he can get away with this. Sonny says he’s done… with all of them. He’ll get that divorce from Nina and deal with Dex, but what does he do about Michael and Carly, especially Jason?

Anna says she sees Josslyn’s concern, but she needs to calm down. Josslyn says, Dex told Anna about how Sonny ordered him to kill Cyrus. That alone is enough for Sonny to kill him. Anna says, Dex joining the PCPD is the best way for them to keep him safe, because Sonny is hardly going to target a police recruit. Josslyn says she’s sorry, but Anna is wrong. Does she know how Josslyn knows? Because last night, Sonny had an FBI agent beat up.

Jason says he figured Carly would be okay without him, but she says, he’s wrong. He says, come on. She’s tough, adaptive, and resilient. She asks where that came from, and he says, it’s something they say on assessments and fitness reports, that if you’re adaptive and resilient, you have a better chance for survival. And she’s the most resilient person he’s ever met. Nothing knocks her down for long. She says, losing him. When she was happy, she didn’t have him to share things with. When she was sad and miserable, he wasn’t there to fix it. It’s funny that he had a rule, because she had one of her own. When she would think she can’t do this because Jason’s not here, she’d tell herself, no. You do it for Jason. Jason wouldn’t let you quit. So even though he wasn’t with her, in a way, he was with her. She takes his hand, lifts his arm, and looks at the tattoo again. She says she likes it. It looks good on him. He thanks her.

Nina says she just needed to finalize some paperwork, and nosiest dude in the world Drew says, for the divorce from Sonny. She says, no. Why doesn’t he just say what he came to say and get out? He says he wants to hear about her business with Diane. What she does on company property affects him. So if she’s planning some new revenge scheme, she has to keep it away from him. She asks if he’s paranoid. That’s why she doesn’t want to tell him anything. But since he insists, she just sold her half of the MetroCourt to his brother… She thought the same thing. Jason’s just going to turn around and give it to Carly, but she has to hand it to Carly, she didn’t waste any time having Jason do her bidding. He says, a buyer can’t buy without a seller, so he’s sure she made a sweet profit on that. She says her father was in the real estate business. She learned a lot from him. You have to wait until somebody really wants your property, and then you make them pay. He says, so much for her loyalty to the MetroCourt, and she says, Carly can have the hotel. It brings her one step closer to the real prize. He says, which is? and she says, getting Sonny back.

Anna says, accusing Sonny of targeting a federal agent is a serious allegation. Does Josslyn have proof to back it up? Josslyn says she doesn’t need physical evidence to put two and two together. Her mom found Agent Cates on the ground, beaten up, not far from Corinthos Coffee warehouse. And it wasn’t a robbery, because he had his gun, he had his wallet. What does that tell her? Anna says, maybe the assailants were interrupted before they could rob him, and Josslyn says, come on. Anna knows that’s not true. She knows it was Sonny. He’s dangerous. And Dex becoming a cop is not protecting him. It’s making him even more of a target. She has to turn him down. Please. Anna says, all right. She can see how much this means to Josslyn, but assuming Dex gets accepted into the academy, ultimately, it’s his choice whether he decides to move forward or not. And she believes he understands the risks involved. Josslyn says, so she’s not going to do anything? Really? Josslyn walks to the door and says, okay, but when Anna throws him some big funeral after Sonny has him killed, and Anna invites all of his family, she doesn’t think they’re going to be there, but she will, and she’ll be sitting front row. And she’s going to look at Anna and they’ll both know Anna could have saved him and she chose not to. So do not hand her the flag from his coffin. She leaves and Anna picks up the phone. She asks someone to come to her office immediately. It’s important.

Ava says she understands Sonny’s anger. She’s been there. Not knowing who you can trust and who you can’t. Not even sure of the ground beneath your feet. She knows it’s tempting to turn his back on everyone that’s failed him, but please, tread lightly. Betrayal by family is a tricky thing. Sometimes family is all you’ve got. He says, they’re family because of Avery. That counts, right? She says, it does to her, and they’re on each other’s side. As for Michael and Carly and even Jason, up until now, they’ve been very loyal. He says, no. That’s wrong. Everything changed when he was in Nixon Falls. When he came back, the trust was broken. First of all, his wife was married, and he was gone what? Less than six months? Jason supposedly died and he was gone for over two years. He couldn’t pick up a phone and say, hey, I’m alive? He didn’t know what Jason was doing. Then Jason tells him to his face that he’s an informant for the Feds. All he knows is, Jason was on the roof with a guy who shot at him. He has to defend himself.

Jason asks if Carly needs him to help her with something, but she says, that’s okay. She can handle it. He says, Carly… and she says, the gas has been shut off downstairs, and there’s an obnoxious man from the city downstairs telling her that it’s all her fault. She could use some back-up. He says he’ll be right down, and she says, thanks. She can’t wait for him to meet Jason.

Lois brings out the seating chart and says, Sonny is seated unaccompanied. She purposely didn’t invite Ava, even though she was standing right there. Sonny knows not to bring her. Olivia says, she hopes, and Lois says, Sonny can read her like she can read Sonny, and he knows not to bring her. Olivia says, okay. Sounds like she has it all under control. She’s got to get back to work. Does Lois need anything else for the bachelorette party? Lois says, no, go on, and Olivia says she’ll see them tonight. She leaves, and Lois asks if Brook has started packing for the honeymoon. Brook says she’s narrowing down her choices. She can’t bring half her closet. She has to leave some space for shopping. She’s going to Florence. They both squeal, and Brook says she’s dreamed about this her entire life. And now, she doesn’t only get to go, she gets to go with the man she loves. How perfect is that?… Well, it’s not entirely perfect. Chase did have to sell his truck to pay for it. Lois says, which she thinks is very sweet of him and noble, and Brook says she does too. She very nearly ruined it though. Thank God Tracy stopped her. Lois asks if she just said, thank God for Tracy.

Drew says he knows he shouldn’t ask (then don’t), but how does Jason buying back the MetroCourt for Carly get Nina closer to Sonny? Nina says she didn’t know he cared, and he says he doesn’t. So forget he asked. You do you. Nina says she was hoping that Sonny would appreciate that she gave her stake up at the MetroCourt so his best friend could have it, and Drew says, good luck with that. She says, that’s it? What did he come here to talk to her about? He says, never mind. He’ll shoot her an email. It had to do with the wellness article she’s running. He’d like to look at some of the research; maybe talk to a reporter. He’ll let her know. He leaves, and Madison tells Nina, the update and revisions are in her inbox. Does Nina want her to print hard copies? Nina says, not yet. She wants Madison to contact the hotel manager because she wants to know when Olivia gets in. She has something very important to discuss with her.

Gas guy Mr. Tandy tells Carly, notifications about the essential repairs were sent, but she says she didn’t get a notification. Will he please have her gas turned back on? Jason joins them and Tandy says, the repairs will take three days. Her carelessness or disorganization is not the city’s fault. Danny walks by outside, and Carly says she’s not careless or disorganized, and unless he has proof those notifications were delivered, she has grounds to sue. He says, the city followed policy, and she says she guesses they’ll find out when her lawyer… Jason says, they know things get lost and misdelivered all the time, but they can’t run a business without gas for three days. Is there anything he can do to help them out? Tandy says he’ll speak with the gas company. They may be able to expedite repairs and get the gas restored by tomorrow. He’ll get right on that. Jason thanks him and he leaves. Jason asks what Carly needed him for, and she says, he’s been arrested enough times to know how good cop/bad cop works. He asks which cop he was, and she says, the good cop.

Danny goes onto the fire escape and enters Jason’s room through the wide-open window. (Really? In a city that’s crime ridden on and off?)

Ava says she knows it’s difficult for Sonny to trust anyone right now, but isolating himself from everybody who might care about him might put him at a disadvantage. He asks, who might that be. Carly? Michael? The only ones he has left are Kristina and Dante. And he can’t talk to Dante because he’s a cop. Michael, Carly, Jason, Dex, and Nina have all turned on him. She tells him that she’s not saying he doesn’t have the right to feel the way he does. She’s just suggesting that things aren’t always black and white. Carly and Michael, in their own warped way, probably thought they were protecting him. And Dex put his life on the line for Sonny more than once. She was in Puerto Rico. She saw it herself. He says, that was before Dex became a cop. And Michael and Carly can think whatever they want, but they put a spy in his organization. She says, at least he knows Jason didn’t have anything to do with that, and he says, based on what? Does she think Carly and Jason didn’t have any contact? She says, he doesn’t believe that, and he says, here’s what he believes. Carly and Jason are loyal to each other. He’s seen it for years with his own eyes. Carly would lie for him, do anything for him. So does he believe she may have had contact with him? Of course (🍷) he believes that. She may have known Jason was alive and didn’t tell him for months. Maybe even years. That’s unforgivable.

Anna thanks Molly for coming, and Molly says, of course (🍷). What’s going on? She said it was important. Anna says, it is. In this file, there are two statements, one from Cyrus Renault, one from Dex Heller. One details how Sonny Corinthos viciously attacked Cyrus at All Saints Chapel on New Year’s Eve, landing him in hospital. Molly looks at the statements, and Anna says, the other tells how Sonny Corinthos ordered his then employee Dex to kill Cyrus when he was a patient at GH. Molly sits down as she reads, and Anna says, questions? Molly says, yeah, one. She has to ask, what’s changed? May she speak plainly? Anna says, please do, and Molly says she thought Anna and Sonny were friends. Anna says she thinks they had a friendship of sorts, a mutual understanding maybe. Mostly because of his relationship with Robin. And she thinks at times, perhaps, they were on the same side, so to speak, battling a common enemy. That being said, when she was Police Commissioner before, she gave Sonny no passes and she gives him none now. And this case falls in her jurisdiction, and she has to pursue it, even if it implicates someone who has been kind to her in the past. Molly says, and why show it to her? Why not go directly to DA Scorpio? Anna says, Robert loathes Sonny, and she thinks he would enjoy it too much. Molly says, that can’t be the reason, and Anna says, in so many words, if Robert were to prosecute Corinthos, it’s just too personal to him. Molly says, it’s personal to her too.

Ava takes the drink out of Sonny’s hand and says, you know what you need? Some air. It’s beautiful out, so why don’t they go for a walk? They can walk across the park and get something to eat. It’ll do him good. Besides, if he’s seen out and about in public, he’ll let everybody know, as far as he’s concerned, it’s business as usual. They’re not getting to him. He says, yeah. He’s not going to get holed up in this place like he’s trying to hide something. He’s not going to be a victim. Come on. He’s hungry. Let’s go get something to eat. He takes Ava’s hand and they walk out.

Danny checks out Jason’s sunglasses and looks around the room. He picks up Jason’s razor and looks at it, then puts on Jason’s leather jacket.

Carly says, that bureaucrat messed up, but he didn’t want to admit it. That’s why she brought Jason into it. She knew Jason could get him to compromise without losing face. Jason says, or maybe he just didn’t want Carly to sue him, and she says she would have won, by the way. She didn’t want to lose three days of business. Her way was faster. Diane comes in and says, Carly is closed? Why? Carly says, it’s a long story. Is she here to see Jason? Diane says, no. She’s here to see both of them actually. She hands Jason some papers and says, there you go, signed, sealed, and delivered. He’s now half-owner of the MetroCourt. Carly says, he bought the MetroCourt? and Diane says, just Nina Reeves’ half. Now all that’s left to do is both of them sign the transfer of ownership, and Jason’s half is once again Carly’s. Jason thanks her and says he’ll get it back to her. Good job. Diane says she’s very happy for Carly, and leaves. Carly says, Jason can’t give her the MetroCourt, and he asks, why not? She says, because it’s on her to get it back. She’s the one who lost it. She did it all on her own. Drew and Michael told her not to invest, but she did it anyway. She put the MetroCourt up for… He says, okay. If he’d been here, does she think it would have happened that way? She says, no, and he signs the paper. He gives it to her and she hugs him, crying. He says, this deal is done. Enjoy it. He leaves.

Brook tells Lois that Tracy explained, if she bought Chase a brand-new truck, it would just devalue the sacrifice he made in order to pay for the honeymoon. Lois says, and she would be right, which is surprising for her to say. Brook says, it was surprising for her to take Tracy’s advice, which prompted her and Chase to talk about money, including her trust fund. Lois says, how did that go? and Brook says, really good. She’s glad they finally did it. It’s actually kind of a relief, and she thinks they’re in a really good place with it now. Lois says, that’s wonderful. She’s so proud of Brook. Brook says she never wanted to talk to Chase about a prenup or her money, because she never wanted him to think she’d believe he would take advantage of it or her. But the whole what’s mine is his wasn’t working either. It was actually doing quite the opposite. She’s just glad all that stuff is behind them. Lois says, it’s better late than never. Some people don’t even have those open lines of communication to discuss the important things. So it’s a good sign that she and Chase do.

Anna asks what Molly thinks. Can she get a conviction? Molly says, it’s pretty comprehensive. Someone could definitely make a case for assault, conspiracy, and attempted murder. Anna says, not someone. She’s giving it to Molly. Molly says she couldn’t possibly prosecute this case, and Anna asks, why not? Molly says, conflict of interest. Her sister is Sonny Corinthos’s daughter and currently pregnant with her child. Anna should give it to Robert. He’ll be aware of the stakes and do what he needs to do to keep emotion out of it. Or there are other ADAs who can work with him and give him the objectivity he needs. Maybe he’ll even assign the case to one of them. Anna says she’s not ready to move forward with it just yet, and Molly says, then why did Anna need to see her? Anna says, because she wants Molly to do it. So consider this fair warning. When she is ready to pull the trigger on it, she’ll be pushing Robert to give it to Molly to prosecute.

Sonny and Ava walk into the MetroCourt, and Olivia says she heard Sonny had a visit from Lois this morning. He says, she won’t take no for an answer, and Olivia says, does she ever? He says, not really, but he stopped fighting. How’s Dante? She says, good. She talked to him this morning. He’s back at work, grumbling about being behind a desk. Sonny says, at least he’s healing quickly, and Ava says, hear, hear. Carly comes in and says she needs to talk to Olivia. It’s very important. They step aside, and Olivia asks, what’s going on? Carly says, welcome her back, and Olivia asks what she’s talking about. Carly says she got her half of the MetroCourt back. She’s Olivia’s partner again. They screech, hug each other, and jump up and down. Sonny and Ava look at each other.

Molly tells Anna that Sonny is her uncle. He’s her sister’s father. It’s a clear conflict of interest. Anna says, that’s usually the judge’s call to make. Yes, of course (🍷) Molly can go to the court and inform them of their relationship, but ultimately, it will be the judge’s decision whether she stays on the case or not. Molly says, not if she recuses herself first, which she would, and Anna says, oh my God. She’s asking Molly to reconsider. Please. It has taken her a while to recognize the fact that Sonny isn’t the person she thought he was all these years. And she’s gravely concerned and disappointed in some of his recent actions. That is why she wants Molly, because she knows Molly will prosecute him fairly. She won’t seek to make him pay, or showboat; nor will she be too lenient. Molly asks if Anna feels that she’s been too lenient with him all these years, and Anna says, maybe. Sonny Corinthos is a larger-than-life figure in this community; he has been for decades. And he’s a generous benefactor, and in his own way, he’s kept Port Charles safe from others less scrupulous than he is about the drug trade. She imagines most city officials feel he’s the lesser of two evils, that he’s like a power to be tolerated and not eliminated. But that is over because she now has tangible proof of what Sonny has become, and frankly, it’s disturbing. And she’s going after him for something he actually did. And he needs to be stopped. Molly says she agrees. There’s absolutely a case here and it needs to be prosecuted. But not by her. There are four other ADAs in this office who don’t have close ties to Sonny. Anna says, in a perfect world, every case would be black and white. They’d know who was right and who was wrong. Who the good guys are and the bad. But that is not reality. In reality, most cases are layered, they’re complicated, they’re messy, and that is why they have to adhere to the rule of law. They can’t just decide who they’re going to pick and choose to investigate and who they’re going to prosecute. If they start relying on their own personal bias, that’s when the entire system breaks down. They have to do their duty, and it’s hers to investigate, and it may well be Molly’s to prosecute. (Um… but this isn’t some personal bias. She’s literally related to the guy. If she was a doctor, she wouldn’t be the one performing surgery either.)

Sitting at the counter in the nook, Lois says, Brook has never really asked about her dad, and Brook says she guesses she just accepted things didn’t work out between the two of them. Her dad was always present in her life, and they were really good at co-parenting. Lois says, and she’s very proud of that. Ned is a wonderful man, and they loved each other so, so much. They just didn’t agree with each other on things like money… and a bunch of other things, which was why she was so adamant about raising Brook in Bensonhurst. She didn’t want Brook to be around all that Quartermaine money and the drama that accompanied it. It’s a decision she’s never regretted. Brook says, she’ll forever be grateful for her upbringing. Growing up with the Bensonhurst Brigade was a gift. Lois says, oh ho! They’re all going to be there, right? And look – she points at the seating chart – she seated Sonny next to Kristina and her girlfriend Blaze, and then she put Michael on the whole other side of the room because something is still going on between Michael and Sonny. Hmm… She hadn’t even thought about that. Brook says, about what? and Lois says, should they invite Jason?

Jason opens the door to his room and sees Danny in his jacket. He heaves a Jason sigh and says, Danny…

Olivia says, how did this happen? and Carly says, Jason. Nina sold him her half, and he signed it over to her. Sonny looks grim, and Olivia says, this is so fantastic. She’s missed Carly so much. The hotel has missed her so much. Please tell Jason, thank you, a million, million times. Nina looks all happy and pleased with herself, and like a cloud of doom, Sonny walks over to Carly and asks if he can have a moment. Carly says, no. Whatever he has to say, he can just say it. He says, you, Jason, Nina. Three liars. Three traitors. You all deserve each other. Soap looks all around, and Nina catches Ava’s eye.

On Monday, dressed in a boa, Lois says, it’s showtime; Drew says he thought maybe Willow would like to know; Nina asks how long Ava’s been playing her for a fool; Sonny tells Carly, that’s proof someone is working against him; and Sam asks Jason how he can do this to their son.

🔬 Before He Was Finn…

This actually sounds like a pretty good story. My favorite role of his will always be the vampire Caleb on Port Charles though. No surprise there.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-shares-a-throwback-movie-clip-with-emma-samms

🏆 Feels Like We Just Did This…

Everyone is hopeful that the Daytime Emmys will be on time this year.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/the-2024-daytime-emmy-awards-nominations

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/daytime-emmy-awards-155953

🍻 Nature Or Nurture…

I don’t remember her well, but I do remember her as being a bit unhinged. Perhaps it’s true about the apple not falling far from the tree.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/tyler-campanella-stepson-of-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-star-siggy-flicker-arrested-on-jan-6-charges

🔄 The Circle of Minkoffs…

Where one Minkoff ends, another begins. Hey, wait. Has anyone ever seen them in the same room at the same time?

I’m going to miss her… sniff…

🍼 Daddy Don’t Go…

While I have mad admiration for Andy’s business sense, I don’t think he recognizes that the Housewives franchise is getting old, and Bravo should move on. Now it’s old and cranky and come back to bite him in the ass. I wouldn’t bet the farm on it, but I tend to think the lawsuits against him personally don’t have a lot of merit. I believe what he said about Brandi, who’s scrambling to get away from her own lawsuit, and as for Leah, no one complained at the time, and this isn’t the 80s.

https://people.com/andy-cohen-not-leaving-bravo-despite-legal-troubles-says-network-8635855

🦸🏻 A Bromance For the Ages…

Deadpool is the best and the trailer looks very promising.

https://www.gamesradar.com/deadpool-3-release-date-cast-trailer-plot-deadpool-and-wolverine-marvel

The tease.

https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-wolverine-secret-wars-psa-teaser-theaters

The cameo… maybe.

https://www.cbr.com/deadpool-wolverine-shawn-levy-taylor-swift-cameo

For theorists, conspiracy or otherwise.

https://www.escapistmagazine.com/taylor-swift-fans-think-her-new-album-confirms-her-role-in-deadpool-wolverine

🐶 Barking Up the Right Tree…

Celebrity dogs. They’re just like ours.

https://okmagazine.com/p/most-adorable-moments-celebrities-dogs

You, too, can be a celebrity in your dog’s eyes.

https://people.com/daniel-radcliffe-stephen-colbert-lies-about-puppies-dog-adoption-segment-8636078

🦧 Quotes of the Week

Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway. – Mary Kay Ash

Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong. Peter McIntyre

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. – Earl Nightingale

People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it. – George Bernard Shaw

Get your face out of my… look. – Debbie Johnson, 90 Day Fiancé: Tell All Part 5, after being told by Debbie Aguero, keep my name out of your mouth. (Obviously, comebacks aren’t her strong suit.)

Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones. – Thich Nhat Hanh

Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly. – Stephen R. Covey

A memory is a beautiful thing, it’s almost a desire that you miss. – Gustave Flaubert

So, Earth is round, Earth is flat, where are you guys at on that these days? – Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), Fallout

🪂 Pulling the Cord…

Have a weekend filled with places to go and people to see, or at least catching up on your streaming and sleep. Come back again on Monday really Tuesday for soap and Deck exploits. Until then, stay safe, stay knowing your audience, and stay having open lines of communication to discuss the important things.