Tag Archives: Denise Richards

March 25, 2020 – Sonny Suggests Another Option, a Tough Time For Denise, Friends Again, Comparing Decks, Reality Rates & the Bright Side

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Nina tells Nelle, welcome to Crimson. Carly walks in, and asks if she just heard that right. Nelle says, her girl got a job.

Monica formally welcomes Portia to General Hospital. She’s glad the board wooed her away from Mercy. Portia says she’s honored to be working there, and Monica says she won’t keep Portia, since she has a lot of paperwork to fill out. Michael and Sasha run in with Wiley, and Michael tells Monica, something’s wrong.

At Kelly’s, Delores says Sam seems to be staying on the straight and narrow, and Sam says, that’s because she is. Delores asks how Sam’s relationship with her ex Jason is going, and Sam says they exchange their son Danny, but they’ve been keeping their distance. (Refraining from a joke here.) She’s been taking Delores’s warnings seriously. They arrange pick-ups at the Quartermaines’. Delores asks if that’s been the full extent of their interaction, but her phone rings, and she tells Sam she has to take the call. She’ll be in touch. Delores goes outside.

Delores asks someone if they’re still on for this afternoon. She laughs, as Spinelli watches. When she leaves, he follows.

Ava makes notes for the auction catalog at the gallery. Trina comes in, and Ava asks what she’s doing there. Trina says she’s been thinking about the catalog, and has some ideas if Ava has time. Ava says, she meant, what is Trina doing at the gallery? She told Trina that she could take time off. Trina says she did, and she’s ready to go back to work. She asks Ava, please take a look. She’s dying for some feedback.

Jordan says, the only way to save TJ is to give Cyrus what he’s wanted all along – his freedom and a full exoneration. Sonny says, that’s exactly what she has to do, and Jordan tells him, don’t be in such a hurry to set Cyrus free. If he’s causing trouble behind bars, just wait until they see what he does on the outside. Sonny says, the guards at Pentenville are better than anyone Cyrus can hire. He’s safe behind bars; they can’t retaliate. Curtis says, once Cyrus is on the outside, Sonny can put an end to this?

Carly tells Nina, she’d love to think Nelle is lying about being hired, but it’s an easy contradiction, and Nina isn’t doing that. Nina says, Nelle will be working as her assistant, and Carly says she can’t believe Nina would make the same mistake twice. Nelle tells Carly, be careful. Carly can ban her from the MetroCourt, but it won’t look good in a custody hearing. She’d be preventing her grandson’s mother from working. Nina suggests Nelle come back tomorrow to fill out the paperwork. She and Carly have some things to discuss. Nelle thanks her for the opportunity, and says she won’t regret it. She can’t wait see Carly every single day. Have a blessed afternoon. She leaves, and Carly says Nina will absolutely regret hiring Nelle. Nina doesn’t think she will.

Michael tells Monica, it’s Wiley’s heart. Brad and Lucas hopes the condition would resolve on its own, but he has labored breathing, like he has a cold. Monica tells him it’s not good to worry until they know what’s going on. She asks Nurse Lynn for an assist; she’s sending Wiley for an EKG. Michael wants to go with him, but Monica doesn’t think that’s a good idea. If he’s nervous or upset, Wiley could pick up on it. She tells him to wait on the fourth floor. Michael hands Wiley off to Lynn, and Monica leaves with them. Sasha tells Michael, Wiley is in good hands. Now they have to do their part, and try to stay calm.

Portia gets a phone call from the school, and asks if they’re certain Trina isn’t there.

Ava says Trina’s research paid off. It’s excellent work. She tells Trina not to worry about finishing the catalog. She just lost her father; there’s no pressure to work. Trina says, thanks, but her parents divorced a long time ago. Her father was a long distance parent, and she had to visit him. In a way, it just feels like he’s gone home. Ava says, except he hasn’t. Trina says she’s fine. Can they just get back to work, and talk about art? Ava says Trina has already discovered something it took her a lot longer to learn; art can be a great solace. The work, but also the pieces themselves. Art is about emotion, and if you find your own emotions are too much to handle, you can step outside yourself, and focus on a piece that speaks to you.

On the phone, Sam tells Spinelli, be careful Delores doesn’t catch him following her. Tracking her is the best way to see what she’s up to. Let her know how it goes. Molly joins her, and Sam asks if she’s heard from TJ. Molly says, it’s been days now. She doesn’t know how Sam and Jason deal with not seeing each other. She’s about to rip her hair out. Sam figured TJ would have contacted Molly by now, and Molly asks, why? Has Sam heard from him? Does she know where he is?

Jordan tells Sonny, she can understand why he wants Cyrus free. He’s easier to eliminate. Sonny says, all he and his people want is for the violence Cyrus brought to Port Charles to end. Jordan says, based on her experience with turf wars, they don’t end; they just evolve. She hates Cyrus more than anyone, but she won’t trigger more violence. Sonny says, whatever happens to Cyrus, his hands are clean, and Jordan says, not because Sonny is innocent, but because he’s an expert in covering his own tracks. If she looks the other way, she’s complicit. Curtis says, whoever’s responsible, releasing Cyrus is effectively signing his death warrant, but by keeping him in jail, they’re signing TJ’s.

Carly says she’s going to give Nina some advice she wishes someone had given her. Nelle is a sociopath. Being near her will cripple Nina in ways she’ll carry the rest of her life. Nina says she gets it, but Carly says she doesn’t, or she wouldn’t have let Nelle in the front door, much less give her a job. She understands why Nina did it. Nina says she doesn’t think Carly does, and Carly says Nelle tugged on Nina’s heartstrings. She gave Nina a song and dance about how she was cruelly kept away from her child, and now Michael and his family want to make that permanent. Nina says, Nelle said that, and Carly says she needs to hear it in context, starting from the night her grandson was born. Nelle tried to kill Michael. Nina says she’s aware, and Carly asks if she’s aware Nelle trapped Michael in a car that was leaking gas. Nelle walked away, hoping the car would explode; hoping the father of her baby would burn to death. And it didn’t stop there. Brad was grieving his son, who’d died from SIDS. Nelle convinced Brad to switch babies with her. Nina says she knows, and Carly says, knowing it and feeling it are two different things. Can she imagine how Michael felt? He thought his baby was dead, and grieved for a year and a half. It’s what Nelle wanted him to do. She took Michael’s empathy, compassion, and generosity, and used them against him, and that’s what she’s going to do to Nina. Nina says, she tried. She said all that. She played on Nina as someone who wanted to be a mother, and said she needed a job on her resume for family court. Carly says Nina gave Nelle what she wanted, and Nina says, now she’s in a perfect position to turn the tables.

Sasha brings Michael some coffee. He wonders what’s taking so long. Sasha says, Wiley has a definite advantage. Michael is on the hospital board, and Wiley’s grandmother is chief-of-staff. He’s been bumped to the front of the line. Michael hates that Wiley is hooked up to machines, but she says the machines will help give an accurate diagnosis. They’ll give the doctors information they need to come up with a treatment plan. He says, Wiley doesn’t know that. He didn’t consider Wiley’s heart condition; it’s been so long since he had an incident. Now that he thinks about it, Wiley’s heart defect is genetic, and neither Shiloh or Willow had a record of it. It still didn’t occur to him that he and Wiley were related. She says, he was lied to and deceived. It’s Brad and Nelle’s fault, not his. He says, all he can think about is that he wants Wiley to be okay.

Sam tells Molly, she hasn’t spoken to TJ, but she and Spinelli tracked TJ through his cell phone. She wanted to go find him, but Jordan insisted on doing it. Molly doesn’t understand. If Jordan has been talking to TJ, why didn’t Jordan tell her?

Trina tells Ava, she wasn’t sure what to write about Franco. His early work still has a huge following. Ava says, his early work is still highly sought after. People have convinced themselves that his genius was a by-product of his brain tumor, and he’s no longer capable of significant work. Trina asks if she doesn’t think so, and Ava says, she thinks the collectors are short-sighted. She thinks Franco’s work has expanded. Portia runs in, saying she’s looking for Trina, and sees Trina is there. She asks why Trina isn’t in school where she belongs. Ava looks at Trina.

Spinelli follows Delores to a bar. He sits down and sees Delores sitting with a man, and says, it can’t be. He takes out his phone, and looks the man up. It’s Councilman Donald Raskin, working for a better Port Charles.

Jordan tells Sonny, okay. So she confesses that she tampered with evidence that sent Cyrus to prison. Cyrus is released, and vanishes in some way that leaves Sonny with his hands clean. Sonny says, Cyrus does business with dangerous people, and lost receipts. They don’t like losing money, and Cyrus has lost millions. What makes her think Cyrus won’t be a target when he gets out? She says, and she sits in prison for twenty years, or less for good behavior. Or more if she also confesses she abused the power of her office to clear the way for Cyrus’s shipment. Curtis says, this is insane. There’s no way he’s condoning her trading her freedom for Cyrus’s. They can forget it. There must be another way to find TJ.

Nina tells Carly, after Nelle filed for custody, Willow wanted her to do a true crime piece on Nelle in Crimson. Carly says she thought Nina and Willow didn’t get along, but Nina says, it’s ancient history. Willow wants to keep Nelle away from Wiley, and do does she. Carly asks, what about the Crimson piece? and Nina says, that’s not going to happen. Nelle isn’t a public figure, she doubts it will drive traffic, and she doesn’t want to open them up to a lawsuit. But that doesn’t mean she can’t help in other ways. She’s sure Carly has heard the old say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Carly says, and who better to testify than Nelle’s current employer. Nina says, exactly. She’s in the perfect position to monitor Nelle. Ideally, Nelle will break the law, but if she doesn’t, Nina can testify on her deceitful, manipulative behavior. She pathologically hates Carly’s family, and Carly especially. She just witnessed Nelle trying to goad Carly. She’s going to use Nelle’s tactics against her. She’s going to let Nelle believe she’s playing her, that she’s falling for it. Let her believe they’re friends, and she’s on Nelle’s side. Then, at the hearing… Carly says, Nina will tell the truth, and Nelle will lose Wiley for good. Nina smiles.

Monica tells Michael, unfortunately, the hole in Wiley’s heart hasn’t closed as they’d hoped. He asks what the next step is, and Monica says, surgery. He asks if she’s sure it’s necessary; Wiley is so young. She says, Michael was younger when he had the same surgery, and came through with flying colors. Once the defect was addressed, there was no more trouble. She’s hoping it’s the same for Wiley. Michael asks when it should be scheduled, and Monica says, it’s an elective surgery, but recommends scheduling it immediately.

Portia tells Trina, she had a meeting with the chief-of-staff at GH. Imagine her surprise when she got a call from the school, and found out Trina didn’t show up for chemistry. Trina says, she already got an A in the class. What’s the point of reviewing stuff she already knows, when she could be doing something meaningful? Portia says, Trina’s not an adult. She’s a student, and belongs in school. She was terrified; she thought something happened. Trina says she’s sorry for scaring Portia, but… Portia says, no buts. It’s unacceptable. Ava suggests they take a deep breath, and Portia asks if Ava didn’t find it odd that Trina showed up in the middle of a school day. Ava says she was surprised Trina was back so soon, and Portia says, maybe Ava should have reached out to the school, or Trina’s mother. Ava knows Trina’s father just died. Her judgement might be cloudy. Ava says, obviously Trina could have communicated better, but Trina is clearly safe. Portia says her daughter was already kidnapped once. Her father was murdered. Communicating better isn’t going to cut it. She looks at Trina, and says Trina knows better.

Sam tells Molly, she doesn’t know if Jordan spoke to TJ, but they’ve been texting. Molly says, Jordan told her, but that was two days ago. This is ridiculous. She admits she handled TJ’s proposal all wrong. She should have been sensitive, and done a better job explaining why it doesn’t feel right for her to get married, at least right now. She was defensive, and gave him a lecture. That’s on her, but he’s making it worse hiding out. She asks if Sam can use the tracker, and find out where he is, but Sam isn’t sure that’s a good idea. She’s sure he’ll get in touch. Molly says, she was sure too, but she was wrong. Nothing is going to be fixed until they’re face to face. Sam tells her, calm down, and messes with her phone. She says, TJ’s location is at 485 Paulson Street. Molly says, it doesn’t make any sense. That’s Jordan’s apartment complex.

Curtis asks if Jordan understands the kind of trouble she would face in Pentenville. She’ll be reunited with the criminals she helped put there. Jordan says, it kills her that she’ll be in prison and Cyrus will be free, but if it’s the only way to protect her son… Sonny says she’s doing what Cyrus wants. He wants her to let fear make her choices. She should step back and consider other options. Jason says, Sonny is right. She can exonerate Cyrus without taking the fall.

Sonny says Jason sees where he’s going, right? Jordan says she doesn’t. If it’s going to save her son, and keep her out of prison, tell her. Jason says, she was on a four-person team, and only the four of them knew the evidence against Cyrus was fabricated. Taggert and the other two are dead. She can claim they framed him without her knowledge or cooperation. She can claim she always believed the bust was legit. After Taggert was murdered, she went back over the evidence, and realized something didn’t add up. Sonny says, she can notify the DEA and the Justice Department of the discrepancy, and let them take over. Curtis likes this angle a whole lot better. It will only garner Jordan respect. She says, they’re asking her to throw her team under the bus?

Michael says, if Monica thinks Wiley should have surgery immediately, take the steps to make it happen. Monica is glad he’s on board, and Sasha says she’s there to help. Monica tells her to support her grandson. Once the paperwork is complete, they can prep Wiley for surgery. Monica pauses a moment, and says she just thought of something. Because it is elective and Michael’s custody agreement is agree still pending, both he and Nelle have to sign off on it.

Carly thanks Nina for putting herself out there. She’s sorry she jumped to conclusions. Nina says, it’s okay. She’s been snowed before. Carly just assumed she was being snowed again. Carly says Nelle snowed her. She prides herself on her instincts, and can usually spot someone like Nelle coming from a mile away, but she didn’t. Nina says, maybe Carly’s judgement was clouded because Nelle saved Josslyn. Carly says, but she didn’t. Carly knows Nina is seeing Jax, so this won’t come as a surprise. He’d do anything for his daughter, and he did. Josslyn needed a kidney, and Jax bought one from Nelle’s father. Jax has to live with that, and Carly pities Nelle for that, but Nelle didn’t choose to save Josslyn. She hasn’t chosen to save anyone in her entire life, and Carly can’t believe she didn’t see that. Nina says Carly didn’t want to see it. Like she didn’t want to see that Sasha wasn’t her daughter. She shows Carly the necklace, and says her daughter would have the other half, but Sasha didn’t; she didn’t even know what it was about. Nina was too busy believing her, and maybe Carly was too lost in her gratitude. Carly tells Nina, one thing she can say about herself is, she learns from her mistakes. She’ll never underestimate Nelle again. Nelle is working every angle all the time. She’d be even more dangerous if she wasn’t so crazy. Nina says she has a problem with that word, and Carly says they’ve both dealt with mental issues. They’ve put in the work, and come out the other side, but Nelle can’t. She lies when she doesn’t have to; she steals when she doesn’t need to. Nina gave her a job, and you’d think Nelle would be happy, but she won’t be. She’s going to do something shady. Nina says, and she’ll be there to catch her. Carly says Nina can’t do it alone. She’ll need help, and Carly is all in.

Ava says she’ll give Portia and Trina some space to talk it out, and goes in the back. Trina says she’s sorry she worried Portia, but she thought Portia trusted her to take mental health days when she needed to. Portia says Trina can’t run off like that. She needs to know where Trina is at all times. End of discussion. Trina says Portia used to trust her, but Portia says Trina never cut school before. Trina says, right; it was a dumb move. She couldn’t take the looks. It happened to Josslyn when Oscar died. Ava goes to her desk, and listens. Trina says, it’s like you’re under a microscope. She’s the girl who’s dad was just murdered. It’s like they’re waiting for her to have a meltdown. Portia asks why Trina didn’t tell her, and Trina says her parents got divorced years ago. Portia says, divorcing someone doesn’t mean you stop loving them. She’s always loved Trina’s father. Their marriage didn’t work out, but her father was a good man, an honorable man. He had a brave heart, and the best of intentions, always. Whenever Trina wants to talk about him, or anything else, she’s there. They hug.

Molly tells Sam, she doesn’t understand why TJ’s phone is at Jordan’s. Does Sam think he’s staying there? Sam says, it’s possible, and Molly wonders why Jordan wouldn’t tell her. Sam says, maybe TJ told her not to say anything. If the roles were reversed, their mom would do the same for her. Molly says she’s sick of guessing. She’s going to see what Jordan has to say. She grabs her coat, and jets. Sam’s phone rings, and Spinelli says he’s found something interesting. Sam says she’s listening, and Spinelli says he’s discovered the target of Delores’s phone calls. She’s at a bar, cozying up to city councilman Donald Raskin. Sam says, that is not a good look for a married woman, and Spinelli says, or a married man. He watches Delores and Donald laughing, and says his research indicates Donald has been married for two decades. Sam says, after all the cheating spouse cases they’ve worked on, they finally have something that works in their favor. He says his sentiments exactly. The game is afoot. Delores and Donald get up, and Spinelli says, their meeting at the bar is concluding. One can anticipate they’ll adjourn elsewhere. Sam tells Spinelli to follow them, and see what happens. He says if he can secure proof, it’s the kind of leverage they need to persuade Delores to give Sam more time with Jason, or maybe let him move back in. She thanks him, and tells him, please be careful. He reminds her that he’s a licensed professional in surveillance. She says, nice try. Cyber-surveillance. She’s the one who does the actual footwork. He says, never fear. He shall be stealth personified. Delores and Donald leave, and Spinelli follows.

Carly tells Nina to keep an eye on Nelle at Crimson, and she’ll take care of the rest. She can have security collect footage on Nelle. If she’s true to form, Nelle is already working a scam; she just has to prove it. Nelle will be back in Pentenville, and Michael will get full custody of his son. Nina says there’s only one part of the plan she’s worried about. Carly.

Nelle strides into the hospital, and asks Michael where her son is. He says, Wiley is being evaluated for surgery. Nelle asks what Michael did to him, and Michael says, nothing. Wiley had shortness of breath. Nelle says, because of his heart? How did Michael let it get this bad. Michael says, when Wiley was born, he was diagnosed with a heart condition. They’d hoped it would get better on its own, but it didn’t. He hands Nelle a clipboard, and she asks what it is. Sasha says, it’s a standard consent form, and Nelle says she didn’t ask Sasha. Michael says, as Wiley’s parents, they both have to sign it before he can have surgery.

Trina is glad she and her mother can remember her dad together, and Portia says, of course (🍷). They can talk about anything. Trina says she can’t call her dad, or send him stupid emojis. Porta says Trina is the reason Taggert could text at all, and Trina says he would send her a text out of nowhere, to let her know he was thinking of her. Portia says they had a special relationship. Trina says, now seems weird; normal, but different. It’s not like anything changed, but her dad will never send her a surprise text again. Now she knows how much his texts meant to her; how much it mattered that he was thinking of her. Trina says, she’s not making sense, is she? but Portia says she is. She understands exactly how Trina is feeling, and she misses him too.

Jordan tells Sonny, they were honorable men, who sacrificed everything for their work, including their lives. Their families are grieving, she’s not going to add to their suffering by tarnishing their memories. Curtis says if the tables were turned, what would Taggert do if they had his daughter, and it was a choice between honoring her memory and saving Trina’s life? She says if they go down, she does too. Sonny says, they already made the ultimate sacrifice. The most important thing now is to put a stop to Cyrus, and save her son. Curtis nods.

Sam’s phone rings, and she asks what did Spinelli find? Delores says, something very disappointing. Her friend is in a very compromising position. Two cops hold on to Spinelli at the bar.

Jordan says, okay, she’s committed, and Sonny says she made the right call. She hopes so, and Sonny says they’ll be in touch. He and Jason leave, and Jordan sits on the coffee table, even though she has a perfectly good couch. Curtis sits next to her, and says, TJ will be okay; he’ll be home in no time. She says it’s the only way to justify what she’s done, and he takes her hand.

In the hallway, Sonny asks if Jason thinks Jordan will see it through. Jason says, she’d do anything for her son. Sonny says, him too. That’s good news, because their friend will be on the outside where they can get to him. Molly comes out of another hallway, and has obviously heard them.

Portia tells Trina, it’s perfectly reasonable to want space. She needs time to process what she’s gone through. When the school called, her mind went to the worst place. She thought Trina had been kidnapped again. Ava continues to listen, and Trina says she’s sorry that she made Portia think that. She really means it. Portia says, Trina is so important to her; Trina is her whole world. Ava starts to tear up, and Portia says she’ll let Trina experience her life. At least until she’s eighteen, and Portia can’t tell her what to do. Trina says, then she’s on her own? Portia says, oh yeah. She’s kicking Trina to the curb. They leave, and Ava dabs at her eyes.

Nina tells Carly that she and Nelle have too much history for Carly to be effective. Just the opposite. Nelle is going to goad Carly as much as she can, and if Carly takes the bait, Nelle will use it against Michael at the trial. Carly says several people have already pointed that out, and Nina says the further away Carly stays, the better. Let Nelle think she’s working Nina. Nina will be friendly, sympathetic, a shoulder to cry on. Maybe she’ll let Nelle complain about Michael, and who knows what might let slip? Carly says she really can’t help? and Nina says, yeah. By staying away. No offense. Carly says, none taken. It’s Nina’s plan, and they’ll do it her way, but Nelle is going to lash out at Carly, and when she does, Carly will have to defend herself. Nina asks if Carly really thinks Nelle will do that, with everything she has at stake. Carly says Nelle can’t help herself. It’s a means to an end. Nelle came to Port Charles to destroy Carly, and she’s not going to stop until Carly stops her.

Nelle wants to know why she’s just finding this out now, and Sasha says, Michael just found out Wiley is his son. Nelle says she didn’t ask Sasha. Why should she consent to a dangerous procedure, when it might not be necessary? He says, Wiley needs this, but Nelle says she disagrees. There are too many risks. There are lifestyle changes that could resolve the issue. He says, surgery can resolve the issue. She says she wants something non-invasive that doesn’t involve cutting open her toddler son. He says, Monica recommended it, and she says, of course (🍷). Monica is a surgeon. He says, don’t do this, and she says, what? Exercise her parental right? She’s not signing off on this.

Tomorrow, Alexis asks if Delores will consider dropping the charges, Laura goes to see Neil, and Willow thinks this time it’s about her.

🌴 That Didn’t Take Long…

Denise is in the hot seat already.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-10-denise-richards-rumors?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_Dish

Not her year.

https://tvdeets.com/scandals/denise-richards-suing-former-landlords-rhobh

🌪 I Can’t Keep Up…

So who hates each other now? The shame of it is, now that Shannon and Kelly want to be social, they have to distance.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/shannon-beador-kelly-dodd-share-update-on-friendship-photo?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_Dish

🌗 Night and Day…

And really, as long as they’re getting paid, who cares?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/hannah-ferrier-reacts-to-adam-glick-insult-below-deck-sailing-yacht?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_Dish

📺 For the Ratings Geek…

90 Day Fiancé is going strong.

https://tvdeets.com/ratings/sunday-march-22-2020

🎉 We Made It…

We’re past the first hump of a non-zombie not-quite apocalypse.

March 22, 2020 – Michonne Returns Only To Leave, a Quote Extracted, an Exit, Talking Contained, Westworld Reviewed, Soap News, Denise Shares & Not Once

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

The Walking Dead

Michonne walks through the woods with two chained, armless, mouthless zombie buddies. She whacks a non-buddy and picks up some bullets from the ground. She sees Andrea running through the woods, with some zombies following her. Andrea hits one in the head with a rock, and stabs another, but she falls. She tries to scramble away from a third, as Michonne watches and does nothing, then turns away.

Michonne unlocks the chains binding Virgil to the boat. He says she could have done that five hours ago, but she asks why would she? They walk through the trees to a field, and she says she needs to get back. Virgil picks some flower blossoms, and says he can’t show up empty handed. His wife wouldn’t like it. He explains that he’s picking herbs. They’re good for everything; pain, nerves, and sleep. Michonne asks where the munition depot is, and he says, the old lab has structural damage. It’s best to stay away. They walk to a building where a sign says restricted area. Virgil tells her that his little boy seems to think a sailor left buried treasure in one of the grain silos. It’s hard to keep him from going inside. He’s just like his mom; when he decides to do something, there’s nothing you can do to stop him. Michonne whips around with her katana, and tells him, stop the bullsh*t. Where the hell is his family? He says he told her that he was coming home to his family, and he meant it.

Virgil stops in front of three open graves. He says he promised his wife when they got married, he’d bring her flowers every day. Michonne says he waited until now to tell her? and he says, the words don’t come easy, and neither does trust. He promised to help her, and he will. The island isn’t clear. It was until the others came and brought violence. The sickness came with it, and killed his family. He never got good at doing what she does. She’s good with a sword. She wonders what he’s asking, and he says his family is still in there; his wife and his babies. That’s why he asked her to come. He needed her to come.

They approach a building, where a zombie waits just inside the door. Michonne busts in, kills the zombie, and walks forward. Virgil closes the door behind them. A zombie is stuck inside a hallway that’s been partially blocked by a refrigerator. Michonne pierces it’s head, and kills it. Virgil drags it out of the way, as Michonne opens the next door. On his way back, Virgil knocks over some stacked furniture, and blocks the passage. He says, sorry, which hardly seems adequate. A small crowd of zombies is gathered in a room further on. The door is locked, and Michonne tells Virgil, stay close, and thunders in, rushing the zombies, holding a cot in front of her. There are about ten to fifteen of them, and she gives Virgil the cot, telling him to get behind it. She stabs and slashes, slicing off the tops of two zombies’ heads. Virgil is pushed back, and blocks himself in. Wow. Michonne is fast. The zombies all down, Virgil thanks her.

She opens the door to yet one more room. Zombies hang from ceiling, still moving. Virgil looks around, and sees a woman’s shoe. He picks it up, and gently puts it back on a zombie’s foot. This is depressing, and I wonder where Negan is when I need him.

As they walk past some chairs and stacks of books, Virgil says he wanted give them something his daughter loved to take with them, and she loved that book. Michonne says she knows how hard it is, but she’s sorry. She’s got to get back. He says he had a hard time, and his wife talked him through it. Without her, he doesn’t know who he is. She says, it’s not too late to find out. He thanks her again, and she tells him to show her what she came for, so she can go. He says, it’s late. The tide is low, and he’s not sure the boat will go through the channel. He suggests she stay night, and not risk it. They’ll need to hole up. She says she kept her end of the bargain; he needs to keep his. He says, it’s getting dark. Some of the buildings aren’t safe. They can do it in the morning. She says, first thing.

Michonne tries her radio, but gets nothing. She walks to another building, and shines her flashlight around. She sees wooden crates, and looks inside them, but none of them have guns. She sees a group of cages with dead rats in them, some just skeletons. She quietly walks through into another room, and hears a voice say, everyone be quiet. Virgil shuts her inside, and tells her, wait until morning; it’s not safe. He trusted her, and now she ruined it. She tells him, open the damn door, but he walks away.

Michonne bangs on the door to no avail. She sits, sword at the ready. A faucet drips, and she says, sh*t. She sees a food tray, and bangs on the door again. She hears someone say, calm down. They’ve been trying to talk to her. She asks how long she’s been in there, and a man’s voice says, a day maybe. We see two men and a woman in the next room. She asks why they didn’t answer when she was calling out, and the man says, Virgil blows up. He gets in a mood. The woman says, when he’s angry, it’s best to be quiet. The man says, don’t bother to try to escape; it’s boobytrapped. Virgil comes there as little as possible; he doesn’t like to see them. They were researchers together. They wrote papers, and had a life there. Michonne says, they knew each other? and he says, they were friends. She asks, what went wrong? and the woman says, stragglers came by boat, and they took them all in. One night, the food supply ran low, and a fight broke out over rations when Virgil was late. A stranger pulled a knife, and was killed. When Virgil came back, he panicked, and locked all the doors. But he didn’t know… Michonne says, what? and the woman says, his wife and kids were inside. He snapped. The man says, he was never the same, and the woman says they’ve been there ever since. The man asks if Michonne is okay, and she says she will be. She’s not staying there long. The man says she can’t kill if she doesn’t have the strength, and suggests she eat. He asks her name. Michonne bites into an apple, and says, Michonne. Virgil looks in, and says he’s glad she ate. She tells him, open the damn door, but he says he can’t do that. She says, why the hell not? and he says she’ll kill him. She says, we reap what we sow, a-hole, and he says he doesn’t want to fight. Michonne feels weird, and starts to hallucinate. Virgil says, Violet has a gift. It can help Michonne the way it helped him. She sees a woman, but then the woman disappears. She asks what Virgil did.

The room spins, and she asks, what did he do? He says, it makes a nice tea. He wants her to see. She’s in pain, like he is. She needs peace, like he does. She realizes he’s drugged her, and Michonne says she doesn’t drug people and toss them in a cell. He needs to hear her. Think about his daughter and son. He tells her that he said that too; no one listened. Everything he did was to protect his family. She laughs, and says she’s sure they’re proud of him now. He says, she’s no angel. She falls onto her side, and he says, picture the sun. She sees Siddiq, and he says she was supposed to protect them. She says she did her best, and he says she let him die. This is how it feels to be her family. She touches him, and sees blood on her hands. When she looks at him again, he’s a zombie. She yells, make it stop! The faucet continues to drip, and she gets up. Virgil tells her, stop fighting it. Suddenly, there are chains around her wrists, and she’s pulled forward.

In the woods, Michonne relives seeing Andrea crawling away from the zombie, and turns away. She goes back to Andrea’s body, and takes Andrea’s knife, wiping the blood off it. She also takes Andrea’s canteen. She goes to the road, where a car is going past. She tries to flag it down, but they keep going. The car slows, and stops. Daryl gets out, gets something from the trunk. Although Michonne yells for help, Daryl ignores her, and says, come on; let’s go. The car takes off, and Michonne runs after it. She goes back into the woods, and kills a zombie. Negan comes toward her, along with a few other people, and says, look what we have here. She takes a swing at him with her sword, but misses, and he knocks her down with Lucille. He says, this chick has cajones. She says she doesn’t want trouble, and he says she shouldn’t take a swing at him then. He picks up her sword, and says he’s not much on saving people on the road, especially those who try to take his head off, but he likes her and her massive lady nuts. Besides, it would be a waste for her to have a nice sword without the strength to use it. A woman tosses her an apple, and he says, the name’s Negan.   

Glenn comes into the room where Michonne is, and suddenly, she’s back at the Sanctuary with Rick and the Alexandrians (good name for a group!), who are shooting the place up. She shoots Glenn and Heath. Negan whistles, and we’re back to when Negan had them all on their knees in the woods, and he’s choosing who he’s going to kill. He points Lucille at each one, saying, eenie, meenie, miney, mo. He stops in front of Daryl, then says, just kidding, a-hole. He was going to do the next part himself, but his right hand gal Michonne is on a wicked-ass tear these days. Who the hell is he to stand in her way? He takes her sword, and holds it in one hand and the Lucille in the other. She chooses Lucille. She says, the Alexandrians didn’t know who they were or where they were from. They didn’t know sh*t about them, but they came in the dead of night and slaughtered them anyway. She faces Rick, and says, like a coward. Remember. They  did this. What happens next – she points the bat – is their fault. Welcome to the new world. She swings. Well, I hate to say it, but point well made.

Michonne is running through the woods, and is shot with an arrow. She drops to her knees, and Daryl walks over and kicks her down. She grabs for her sword, but he steps on her hand. Rick cocks his gun, and shoots.

Michonne throws up into a bucket. Virgil asks if she feels better. He says she will, and gives her some water. She stabs him with a fork. They struggle, but he takes off, and she follows. The woman in the next room calls to Michonne not to leave them. Michonne runs out of the building, and the people run out behind her. They run to the shore, but the boat is on fire. Well, that sucks.

They run through woods, and Michonne knocks Virgil down. Virgil says he wanted help. He wanted to let them go, but he wanted her to be there, so they wouldn’t kill him. Then he knew she’d kill him too. He’s sorry. One of the men says, sorry doesn’t cut it. Virgil says his wife always did the right thing. When she was gone, he didn’t know what to do. The guy tells Michonne that she has as much reason to kill the a-hole as they do. She says, she does, and he says, do it, or move. She says, look at him. He owes them more than can ever make right. In taking his life, they loose more of themselves. Their mercy gives them something; they get something. The woman asks, what? and she says, peace. They mull this over, and one of the guys slugs Virgil.

Now Virgil is in a locked a room. He sits up, and Michonne says, there’s nothing there. She checked every building, even the ones he said had structural damage. There’s not a goddam thing. He says he never lied about the weapons. He never saw them, but told her that he could show her the spots. She says he’s got to do better, but he says, sorry; he can’t. Sometimes he finds a stray shell; nothing more. She says she’s not going back empty handed. He tells her to take what she wants, and clear his debt with Oceanside. She took the risk. She says she had no choice. She had to find out. There’s no tea, so don’t even ask. She asks what he sees when he’s tripping anyway. He says, Violet with her damn camera pointed at everyone. His babies, and daughter sitting by the fire with that damn book, asking questions about a world she’d never know. Him and his son looking at stars; at heaven. He wanted, hoped, that she would see that too. She says he took her family from her, and she saw hell. He says he’s sorry. The only world he ever wanted, was the one they were in. He doesn’t know how to do without them. She says, he tries, like the rest of them. Now how about if he tries to find her stuff?

They look around, Michonne carrying the flashlight. She sees a pair of boots. She looks them over, and cries. She grabs Virgil, and asks where the hell did he get these?

There’s a large ship right off the shore. Inside, Michonne pushes Virgil into the captain’s quarters, and he says the boots washed up. He doesn’t know where they came from. She looks through the captain’s log, and whatever papers are there. She sees a dead cell phone, and realizes there’s a picture of herself and Judith etched into the glass, along with Rick and some figures. Virgil says, holy sh*t; it’s her and the kid? She says he knew. He came to find them at Oceanside. He asks why he’d do that, and she says, because of this. He says he’s never seen it, and she asks what it’s doing there. He says how would he know? and she says he knew the boat was there. He says, the world ended, boats wash up. She grabs him, and says he knew there were no munitions. He was setting a trap, and laid a trap for him. What did Virgil do to him? Virgil asks who she’s talking about, and she presses her sword lengthwise against his throat. She slowly releases him, and looks at the phone. He says he doesn’t know what she thinks he has, or who she’s looking for, but maybe it wasn’t an accident that they met. If the others help, he thinks he can get the engine working again. If the person was on this boat, maybe she can find him again.

Next to the road, Michonne caresses Rick’s boots. Virgil pulls a wagon, and the three people take their stuff from it. She says, it’s going to take some time, and Virgil says they’re out of time. She says they’re willing to let him come. There’s only one boat left. Either he leaves now, or doesn’t leave. He says, after everything, he can’t believe they’d want him to come, and she says, sometimes the most injured are the most forgiving. They’re good people. They’re giving him a chance; a way off the island. He says he promised her flowers every day.

The boat moves off. Michonne looks at Virgil, standing on shore.

Michonne cries as she looks at the phone. She takes out her radio, and says, Jojo, are you there? It’s Danto. Anyone? There’s dead air for a moment, and then crackling. Judith says she’s there. She’s been trying to get Michonne. Michonne says she’s sorry; she’s here now. Judith asks if she’s still with Virgil, and Michonne says, no, but she found three people she’s bringing back. She missed Judith and her brother so much. RJ says, mama? and she says, hey baby, and tells him to talk in code for safety. She asks how he is, and says she loves her little brave man. She asks Judith how she’s doing, and Judith guesses okay; better now. Michonne asks, how’s home? Anything with the Whisperers? Judith says they got them. Alpha can’t hurt them anymore. Michonne cries, and says she found something. It’s something really important to all of them. Judith asks, what does she mean? and Michonne says she found something that belonged to the brave man. It points to where he might have been recently. She doesn’t know what it means, or if means anything at all. Judith asks if he’s alive, but Michonne doesn’t know. Judith says if Michonne thinks he’s alive, she’s got to find him. Michonne says, not now. Judith and her brother need her with everything that’s going on in Alexandria. Judith says Michonne has to go. She has to. They’re okay. What if he needs her more? What if he’s trying come home and no one will help? Michonne says, if she goes, and Judith interrupts, saying, when she goes. Michonne says when she goes and finds the brave man… One of the men says, they’re at the coast, and Michonne says she has to go. Judith says, she knows. Listen to Uncle Daryl. Michonne says she’s going to try. She’s heading north. She’ll call every morning for as long as she can. Judith says she’ll take the walkie with her everywhere. Michonne says she loves Judith and her brother so much. Judith says they love her too. Go get him. Over and out. Michonne heaves a huge sigh.

Michonne cuts the arms and mouths off two zombies, and ties them to her. She walks through the woods, and sees a man and woman, stumbling through an overgrown field. They ask if she can help; they’ll leave without them. She asks, who? and looks out over the cliff, seeing a crowd of people forming a square. The woman says, please. They won’t wait.

Michonne remembers how Rick let her into the prison. The man asks who she is, and she swipes her sword across the necks of her zombie buddies, slicing their heads off. The couple is afraid as she comes toward them, but she holds out her hand, saying, come on, and helps them up.

The camera pans out to show several blocks of people in formation in the distance.

Next time, Alpha’s head on a pike, Negan tells Carol to hold up her end of the bargain, carol says she’s not coming back, Eugene is willing to be the fool, and Beta gathers the Whisperers.

⭐️ Best quote of the night: Sometimes the most injured are the most forgiving.

👋🏾 Exit Stage Left…

Scott Gimple explains.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2020/03/23/the-walking-dead-michonne-exit-movies-explained/

What’s next.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2020/03/22/the-walking-dead-whats-next-for-michonne-rick-grimes-movies-scott-gimple/

⚰️ A Very Special Episode…

You can’t keep a good Talking Dead down.

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/2020/03/20/coronavirus-talking-dead-special-video-chat-edition-surprise-cast-member/

🐎 Den of Geek Tells All…

Reviews of Westworld’s first two episodes.

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/westworld-season-3-episode-1-review-parce-domine/

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/westworld-season-3-episode-2-review-the-winter-line/

🧼 A Little Bit Of Soap…

Daytime Emmys canceled.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/daytime-emmys-ceremony-canceled/

The shut down.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/all-soaps-shutdown-due-to-coronavirus/

Poor Nelle.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/ghs-chloe-lanier-falls-ill/

🍾 Crossing Over…

Denise Richards gives a peek at RHOBH.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/bbs-richards-shares-trailer-for-the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/

🥱 I Don’t Know How It Happened…

Once again, I find it’s so late, it’s early, so I leave you with this.

TPTWD

March 19, 2020 – Lulu Is a Jerk, Top Chef Returns, GH Spoiler, New Beverly Hills, Surreal For Denise, Breaking Lala & Skeeter’s End

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Michael goes to the ELQ office, and asks to see Ned. Brook says, sorry. She doesn’t see him on the calendar, but she’ll see if she can find some time for him. Michael says she’s really good at this. She says if she’s going to spend the next five years waiting out her hella contract, she’s going to be the best assistant ELQ has had.

Carly tells Sonny, Nelle is so predictable. She did exactly what Carly said she was going to. She had her court appointed visit with Wiley, took a selfie to prove it, and came straight to the MetroCourt to wave it in Carly’s face. Sonny says, and…? and Carly says, nothing. She didn’t hit Nelle, or pull her hair out by the roots, although God knows she wanted to. Jason comes in, and Carly tells him, congratulate her. He asks, why? and Sonny says, Nelle tried to provoke her, but Carly didn’t take the bait. Jason says, good work; keep that up. Carly says, she’ll try, and asks if he’s there on business. She says she’ll leave them to it, but first, how’s it going with Brando?

At the gym, Brando hits the bag, and Spinelli asks if he minds if he cuts in.

Nina tells Jax, that’s it? Just no? He says, there are several reasons, and she says she’s not asking him to buy the Empire State Building. When she was otherwise occupied, Maxie stepped up. She went above and beyond for Crimson, and deserves a raise and recognition. Why can’t he give her the money she deserves?

Anna comes up behind Finn at the hospital, puts her arms around him, and says, hi, fiancé. He says he hopes that’s her, and she laughs. He asks how her appointment was, and she says her bloodwork is perfect. She thought she’d celebrate by going to the gym. He says, sounds terrible, and she says she wanted to talk to him about Violet’s birthday party. Has he done any preparations? He says he keeps making lists and gets stuck. How can he make sure his little girl’s birthday is perfect, when her mom’s not there to celebrate? Anna says just concentrate on her, her favorite things, her favorite color. She asks what that is, and he says, purple, obviously. Anna puts it in her phone and says she’ll order purple party decorations; nothing understated, the full swag.

Lulu says Maxie isn’t going to believe what Brook just posted on Facebook. Skootch. They sit closer together, and Lulu says, Brook just posted a video of her desk at ELQ. Maxie says they do that at Crimson for promotional stuff. It’s kind of cute Brook is excited. Lulu says, forget the cuteness. Look. Maxie gasps.

Peter comes in, and Robert says, working late? Peter says he is, and Robert says he figures Peter’s always got time for him. Sit a spell. He insists.

Carly asks Sonny how Brando likes the garage. Sonny says, he likes it okay. He wants to go back to Chicago, but understands he has to stay. She says, maybe once he settles in, and makes the garage his own, he’ll see Port Charles isn’t so bad. She’s taking a snack upstairs, where Josslyn and Avery are showing Donna The Little Mermaid; apparently, you’re never too young to start watching. Sonny asks Jason if he was right about Brando accepting that he has to stay there.

Brando instructs Spinelli, telling him, try to target his punches. Spinelli apologies, saying, despite his glove and attire, his skills are better served behind a computer. Brando says he can’t let his aggression out on a computer. (God knows I’ve wanted to.) Spinelli says, too true, and confesses he knows Brando, even though there’s no way Brando could know him. He introduces himself  to Brando, saying, Damien Spinelli at his service. He says he’s good friends with the Corinthos family and Jason, and he’s aware Brando saved Carly’s life. He’s deeply grateful. It must feel empowering to charge in to the rescue, guns blazing. Brando asks if Spinelli knows someone who needs rescuing, and Spinelli says, as a matter-of-fact, he does, but they refuse to be rescued. Hitting something makes him feel less helpless. He punches the bag again, sort of.

Maxie asks Lulu if that’s a confidential deal memo under the paperweight. Lulu says, you can actually read the fine print. It’s a merger between an ELQ owned company and Mertin Med Tech. One of the deal points is closing a local facility in Port Charles. According to Brook’s story, she’s the only one who has viewed this so far. Maxie tells her, a good person would call Brook before anyone else sees it, and Lulu says, what about a good reporter?  

Ned gives Brook some things to file, and sees Michael. He says it’s a nice surprise, and asks if Michael misses work that badly. Michael says he was running errands, and thought he’d bring Wiley by and give him a tour. Brook tells Wiley, if he takes over the company in the future, pay more attention to the aesthetics, and update the hold music. Ned tells Michael, Brook isn’t a fan of the music, and she asks if Michael has ever been on hold. The music is great for insomniacs. Michael says he never noticed, but maybe he can take care of it when he comes back from leave. She says maybe she’ll get to first. She tells Michael, better watch out. He’s not going to recognize the place when he gets back. Ned says it’s nice to have the whole family back in business at ELQ.

Robert approaches Peter at the MetroCourt bar, but Peter says he doesn’t have much time to talk; he has a deadline. Robert says, it must be nice to be able to work anywhere, like in an upscale restaurant. Peter says, it has its perks. Robert wonders what Peter is going to order, and says, there’s nothing like the taste of freedom. Peter asks Robert what his point is, and Robert says he just came from a meeting with Obrecht. Peter asks if she’s still claiming she’s innocent, and Robert tells him, she says Peter is the one who’s responsible for killing Drew, and sending the assassin after Andre and Franco. Peter says, it’s so sad, the lengths Obrecht will go to destroy him. Robert says he thought they had a truce, and Peter says, so did he. That’s why he hired her to write a column for The Invader. She had him fooled. She must have been trying to get him to lower his guard. Robert says, imagine if she’d framed Peter for her crimes. That means Obrecht would be sitting there tonight.

Anna goes over things for Violet’s birthday party with Finn; the guest list, balloons, games, party favors. Finn says he thought showering Violet with gifts would be enough. Anna says if he thinks this is too much, wait until they plan their wedding. He says, right, the wedding. She says it’s been almost a year since he gave her the ring, and they don’t have a date. It’s fine, but she feels like they’re dancing around the subject. She knows she’s been gone a while, and that didn’t make it any easier, but she’s here now. She’s happy he and Violet have moved back in. Finn says they’re happy too, and she says she was wondering if the three of them will be moving forward together. He says he thought that’s what they were doing, and she says, it is, but are they moving forward like they are now, or as a married couple?

Peter tells Robert, it looks like justice prevailed, and Robert says, it depends on your definition of justice. Olivia asks if Robert is harassing her customers again. He says only because it encourages her to come by and stop him. Peter says he has to get to work, and gets up to move to a table. Robert tells him, enjoy his meal. Olivia asks what she interrupted, and Robert says, it’s nothing to worry about. She asks if he has time for her, and he says, absolutely. What’s on her mind? She says, it’s been a month since she’s heard from the WSB. Does he have any news about Dante?

Nina tells Jax, Aurora has millions. How hard can it be to pad the budget to keep her best employee happy? Jax says he thought the reason of Crimson’s autonomy was to keep him away it the first place. She says, okay, Mr. CEO. Give her the money she wants, and she’ll leave him alone. He asks if that’s what it boils down to, and she asks what he means. He says, the reason he can’t give her the money is her.

Maxie tells Lulu, she’s not a fan of Brook’s, but reporting this could mess things up. Lulu asks why she should feel bad about that, and Maxie says, she wouldn’t just be messing things up for Brook, but for ELQ and the Quartermaines, some of whom are Lulu’s former in-laws. Lulu says, technically, she’s not doing anything wrong by reporting a data breach. Brook took the video, and if she didn’t want it to go viral, she shouldn’t have hit post. Maxie says, a lot of people they love work for and with ELQ, but Lulu says, none of them are Brook. Maxie says, it’s Lulu’s call. Lulu looks over at Peter’s table, and says, actually, it’s Peter’s. She’ll be right back.

Brook answers the phone, and says, Mr. Quartermaine is in a meeting. Can she take a message? She says she’ll totally squeeze them in asap. She plays with Wiley, who’s sitting in his stroller.

Michael asks if Ned has heard anything, and Ned says the contract was prepared, and sent out for Llewellyn’s signature. They’re keeping the merger quiet until it’s finalized. Michael says he doesn’t envy Ned when it goes public. Nobody is going to like the anticipated layoffs. Ned says he’ll spin it. It will be great news for the shareholders. Michael thanks Ned for picking up the slack. He obviously left the company in good hands.

Spinelli tells Brando, a woman near and dear to his heart has moved in with a dangerous man. Brando asks, how dangerous? and Spinelli says, he’s done despicable things, both in the past and the present. While the lady involved believes his criminal past is behind him, Spinelli knows he’s in as deep as ever. Brando asks if Spinelli has proof, but Spinelli says, he’s a master of deceit. Spinelli doesn’t know if he should respect her wishes, and leave them alone, or fight to protect her from harm and heartbreak.

Jason tells Sonny, Brando’s not happy, but he knows he’s not going anywhere. He had his first customer while Jason was there. Willow’s mom Harmony said she needed work on her car; a 2019 model, fresh off the lot. Sonny asks if he’s concerned, and Jason says he checked with Willow. Harmony is living in a halfway house, and working as an aid at Turning Woods. Sonny says, no way she could afford a new car. Jason says, at first Harmony was friendly, but then she got nervous. She said she was going to take the car back to the dealer, but he suggested she let Brando take a look. Brando said there was nothing wrong with car.

Lulu tells Peter, she knows finance isn’t her usual beat, but a deal between ELQ and Med Tech? It’s important to the local economy. Not to mention The Invader would be first with the scoop. He tell her, go for it. His phone rings, and he says, yes, of course (🍷). He’ll be right there. He tells Lulu, nice job.

Robert wishes he could help Olivia, but he doesn’t know Dante’s status or location. She says it breaks her heart that her son feels he has to lock himself away from people he loves to keep them safe. They never got a chance to hug him. Does Robert still want to help? Some people have forgotten him already.

Finn tells Anna, he’d like get to married, if she still wants to. She says, of course (🍷), with all her heart. He asks how she wants to do it? A big church wedding, or something simple? Paris? A county clerk? She says, mmm, Paris. Although with a county clerk, she can wear a suit and carry a spray of flowers; no fuss or anxiety is appealing, but she doesn’t think it would work for Violet. He supposes Violet would like something big and sparkly, and Anna says she might like that too. He says, then that’s what they’ll do. They kiss, and Anna asks if Finn has any idea how happy he’s made her. He says, if it’s anything like how happy she’s made him, he has a good guess. They kiss again.

Robert tells Olivia, he can try reaching out to a couple of friends; strictly off the record. She thanks him, saying she’d be so grateful. He says, don’t thank him yet. It could come to nothing. She looks at her phone, and says, Mary, mother of God. He says, bad news? and she says, you might say that. She has to take care of something.

Lulu goes back to her table, and suggests they talk about Maxie’s big news; her well-deserved promotion. It took Nina long enough. Maxie says she’s gone above and beyond for Crimson, and it’s nice to finally be compensated for it. Lulu says she deserves all this and more, and Maxie thanks Lulu for encouraging her to do it. She can’t stop thinking about all the projects, and the photo shoots she’ll get to arrange. Lulu says it calls for a celebration, but Maxie asks if it can wait. She has an idea to run by Nina. Lulu says, now? and Maxie says, no time like the present. Order the champagne, and she’ll be right back to drink it.

Sonny asks if Jason thinks Harmony brought the car to Brando because Brando is connected to him. Jason thinks it’s possible. Sonny owned the property for years. Sonny asks if she asked about him, and Jason says, she mentioned them, but it made sense, since Jason was there when she showed up. But there’s something he doesn’t like about it, so he went to talk to Willow, who said Harmony was distancing herself. His guess is, Harmony is into something shady. Maybe doesn’t want Willow to know, but whatever it is it’s connected to Sonny. Or he could be overthinking it, and Harmony got a loan for a car she couldn’t afford, and is hiding it from her daughter. Sonny tells him, keep looking. He needs to know one way or the other.

Brando says, it’s obvious Spinelli cares for his friend, and Spinelli says, more than words can express. Brando says, if Spinelli thinks this guy can hurt his friend, he should follow his gut. Spinelli says it could create conflict which might be a negative in his domestic harmony. Brando says, not as negative as someone dying, and Spinelli says, this individual thinks nothing of eliminating anyone who stands in his way. Brando tells Spinelli, he’s got to step up. Better she no longer talks to him, than no longer talks period. Brando’s phone rings, and he says he has to take it.

Nina says, it’s her fault? but Jax says he’s not saying it’s her fault. He’s saying if he gives money to Crimson, how will it look to the other departments? She says, because they’re sleeping together? He says, it would look like favoritism, and he doesn’t want anyone to thinking it’s a quid pro quo. She says, Maxie is a deserving employee, and he says if he could help, he would, but they have to keep their boundaries straight. Work is work, and fun is fun. She says, in that case, he needs to go. He asks if they’re fighting, and she says, oh yes, no, I don’t know. He needs to go, so she can figure out how to tell Maxie she’s not getting the raise she deserves.

Brook and Wiley are eating cookies when Ned and Michael come out. Brook tells Wiley they’re busted; she found them in the diaper bag. Ned asks, who’s answering the phone? and Brook says she can snack and answer the phone at the same time. She gives him a list of phone calls he needs to return, in order of importance. Michael tells Ned to keep him posted on the deal, and Brook tells Michael that Wiley is a wonderful assistant. Ned says, speak of the devil. Llewellyn is on the phone. He asks if Llewellyn got the contract, then says they didn’t post anything online… The Invader? He doesn’t know what Llewellyn is talking about. Michael’s phone dings, and Ned says he can’t hear Llewellyn. Olivia barges in, and asks Brook what she’s done.

Lulu calls ELQ, saying she’s from The Invader, and working on a follow-up to her post about the ELQ merger. She’d love to get Ned’s comments – or his daughter’s.

Ned asks how Brook could be so careless. That document represented millions to ELQ. Now that deal and the profits are gone. She says she was trying to give the company a little social media buzz, and he says, by posting confidential documents on the web? She says it was on her personal Facebook page. She never thought it would go viral. Michael says, it was an honest mistake; there was nothing malicious. Olivia says, that honest mistake cost ELQ millions of dollars. Brook says, tell her how to fix it, but Ned says, she’s done enough. They have to talk damage control – in private. Ned and Olivia go into Ned’s office, and Michael tells Brook that he’s blown his fair share of deals. She tells him not to try and make it better, but he says, Ned will take care of it. Tell Ned that he had to take Wiley home. Brook says she’ll watch Wiley. She’d consider it a personal favor if he cleaned up this mess for her. He hands her Wiley, and goes into Ned’s office.

Sonny gives Brando some coffee, and Brando thanks him for the garage set-up. It’s a nice shop. Sonny says Jason told him that Brando had his first customer. What did he think? Brando says if Jason filled Sonny in, he has nothing more to tell him. Sonny says he got Jason’s point-of-view, but he’d like Brando’s. Brando says, it was a new car, and there was nothing wrong with it. Sonny asks if Brando thinks she came to ask about him, and Brando says, it’s possible. He didn’t tell her anything. Sonny says he didn’t think Brando would, and Brando says he has nothing to tell. He knows Sonny set him up to keep him in Port Charles, and it wasn’t supposed to have anything to do with Sonny’s business. Yet Sonny’s business found him anyway.

Carly says she got Jax’s text that he needed to talk to her. What’s up? He asks if Josslyn mentioned their recent conversation, and she says, no; why? He says he offered Josslyn an extended vacation in Australia, and Carly says she suggested the same thing, but Josslyn doesn’t want to go. Jax says maybe they should reconsider. It might be a good idea for Josslyn to be on the other side of the planet for a while. Far away from the dangerous situation in Port Charles. She says he means far away from Sonny, and he says, yes.

Maxie goes to Nina’s office, and Nina says, perfect timing. She was just thinking about texting Maxie. Maxie says she has a great idea, and Nina says, that’s fantastic, but please sit down. Maxie sits, and Nina congratulates her, saying, as of tomorrow, her new title is Crimson’s senior vice president of creative marketing. She’s going to fly all over the world, meet fashion figures, oversee fashion shoots, and approve articles. Maxie says, and finally get the salary she deserves. Jax approved everything, right? Nina says, not in so many words.

Anna sees Spinelli at the gym, and asks about Ellie and Georgie. She asks how Ellie’s new job is, and he says she loves it, and Georgie loves her school. She’s made more friends already than he has in a lifetime. Anna suggests them getting together with Violet, and Spinelli says, if she’s suggesting a playdate, that’s a resounding yes. She says she’s planning a family get-together, and Maxie and Peter will be there. Jason comes in, and Anna says, perfect. She’d like to talk to both of them about Peter

Robert sees Finn at the hospital, and says, just the man he’s looking for. Finn asks to what he owes the pleasure, and Robert congratulates him on moving back in with Anna. Finn says, news travels fast, and Robert says he’s more concerned about Peter. Finn says he’ll always be concerned when it comes to protecting his daughter, but this was important to Anna, and evidence suggests Obrecht was behind Drew’s death and the attempts on Andre and Franco’s lives. Robert says, nice and neat, and wrapped up. He’d like Finn to do him a favor. Stay on guard when he sees Peter around Anna. Finn asks if Robert is asking him to spy on Anna.

Anna tells Spinelli and Jason, Peter and Maxie are living together, and Georgie is going to be spending time there. Children are susceptible to an undercurrent of emotion, so for Georgie’s sake, she wishes they would accept the fact that Peter has been exonerated. Dislike him if they want, but don’t treat him like a criminal. He’s not. Spinelli says he already had a conversation with Maxie on this topic, and he told her he’s doing his best to live and let live. Spinelli’s phone rings, and he excuses himself. He sees two unanswered voicemails from Maxie.

Nina tells Maxie that Jax can’t find money in the budget, and there’s no room to pay her what she deserves. It might be available next year, but in the meantime, she can give Maxie more vacation days, days to work at home, so she can spend more time with James and Georgie…  Maxie says, but no money for a raise. Nina says she’s sorry, and Maxie says she doesn’t understand. She’s done so much for Nina and Crimson. She’s covered for Nina so many times, and missed out on time with James. Nina says she understands, and understands Maxie deserves a raise. Maxie says, understanding it and making it happen are two different things, and walks out, Nina calling after her.

Lulu reads, Brook Lynn must be the most incompetent secretary in the history of secretaries – Clint Buchanan. She says, you got that right, Mr. B.

Coming out of the office, Michael says, Olivia will handle the press contacts, and Olivia says ELQ regrets the accidental publication of confidential documents, and is investigating the matter. Ned says he’ll get in touch with Llewellyn and smooth things over. Michael says they know where to find him. He thanks Brook for looking after Wiley, and she says, Wiley is a lot less judgy than some other family members. Ned tells Brook to get his PR team on the line. Never mind; he’ll do it. Hold his calls and order dinner. It’s going to be a long night. On second thought, he’ll order dinner. Go home and hunker down. She says she knows how to order dinner. She wonders what The Invader is doing on her Facebook page, and says, of course (🍷). Lulu Spencer. Why is she not surprised?

Brando tells Sonny, his mother lied, but he’s been transparent. He did prison time, but he’s cleaned up his act and made a good life. Anyone coming after Sonny, stands between him and that life. Sonny says if this is Brando’s way of asking how long he has to stay in Port Charles, he can’t answer that. It could be a day or a year, or somewhere in between. Brando says Sonny knows his history. If there’s anything he can do to help sort things out so they can move on with their lives, say the word.

Carly tells Jax, Josslyn agreed to be home schooled. She hired Josslyn’s favorite teacher as a tutor, and Josslyn can still be on the volleyball team. Jax says, with bodyguards, and Carly says, unfortunately yes. He says, she wouldn’t need a bodyguard in Australia, but Carly says, she doesn’t want to go. Jax asks if they can get real, and actually parent, and agree their daughter isn’t safe there. Carly says, it’s not perfect, but it works, and he tells her, stop putting a spin on it. This is no way for their daughter to grow up. She needs a normal life somewhere. Carly says, this is normal for Josslyn, but Jax asks if Carly hears herself. She already lost Morgan to mob violence. He’s not losing Josslyn to it.

Sonny says he thought Brando didn’t want to be involved in his business, and Brando says he doesn’t, but he seems to be involved one way or the other. If Sonny’s enemies come back looking for information, wouldn’t it be helpful if Brando tells them what Sonny wants? Sonny appreciates the offer, but thinks it’s best for all of them if Brando stays away from his business. Brando says he guesses that’s it then, and Sonny says, he’s afraid so. Brando says he’s going back to work. He’s got to earn his keep somehow.

Carly says how dare Jax use Morgan’s death to manipulate her; they’re done here. He apologizes, saying he was insensitive. He just wants to keep Josslyn safe. She asks if he thinks she doesn’t, and he says he knows it’s hard for her too. He doesn’t want to take Josslyn from Port Charles; he has plenty of reason to stay himself. But no reason is more important than their daughter’s safety. Can they talk as parents about how to keep their daughter safe? Carly says she wants things to stay the way they are, with them both monitoring the situation. They can figure out any changes they need to make together. If that means going to Australia, great. If it means staying here, great. But they need to make decisions for Josslyn together.

On the phone, Nina says, it could have gone better. Maxie didn’t take it well, and she could really use a friend.

Lulu asks Maxie how it went, and Maxie says, horrible. Lulu says she thought the promotion and raise was a done deal. She ordered champagne. Maxie says Lulu will have to drink it without her. She just got denied, and she’s going to get even.

Spinelli says, over his dead body, and jets. Anna says she knows Jason and Spinelli are good friends, and Jason has a tremendous influence over Spinelli; he admires Jason. She was wondering if Jason could soften Spinelli’s attitude toward Peter, but Jason says, he’s sorry. He can’t lie. He can’t pretend to believe something he doesn’t.

Robert says he wants Finn to stay on guard; nothing more. Finn says he wants to talk about Violet’s upcoming birthday party, and Robert says, he’s invited of course (🍷). Finn says, yeah, okay, but Anna also invited Peter. He wonders if Robert thinks he can be cordial for a couple of hours. Robert says he’ll try, but can’t promise anything. He tells Finn, eyes open.

Brook storms into the MetroCourt, and finds Lulu. She says, you bitch, and Lulu says she was just enjoying Brook’s Facebook post. Brook asks, how could she? and Lulu says she just reports news; Brook makes it. Publicly posting ELQ’s most top secret business plan? For a has-been, Brook sure knows how to stay relevant.

Tomorrow, Peter says he and Maxie are getting married, Nina asks if Maxie is entertaining other offers, and Anna asks Jason what it will take to convince him that he’s wrong.

👨🏻‍🍳 Top Chef returned tonight, and the chefs were in Hawaii for redemption. This season, previous contestants are returning to see how they’ve progressed since their last competition. The quickfire challenge was in three parts. First, the chefs had to break down an artichoke, and the fastest chef who did it correctly, moved on. The rest had to peel and separate and orange, with the fastest again moving on, and the last group had to shell twenty almonds perfectly – without a nutcracker. They then proceeded to split into three teams, with the three fastest chefs being captains, and were required to make two different dishes with the prepped ingredients. The one thing I learned, was that PFTS stands for, I got people for that sh*t, which one of the chefs said as he tried to break down an artichoke. I don’t, which is why I don’t make artichokes. Moving on to the elimination challenge, the chefs had to make a seafood feast on the beach, with no electricity or appliances – just their knives and their talent. They were to make three cohesive dishes, family style. Restauranteur Jeremiah Tower was guest judge, and pronounced Chef Gregory technically perfect as he got the winning spot. But poor handlebar mustache Joe (who I actually remember from a previous season) was out. As usual, all the food looked impressive to me, and I was craving blackened swordfish by the end. At this point in the game, there are too many people for me to even keep track of their names, but once they’re weeded out, I’ll be more detailed. It looks like a fun season, with the chefs going to Europe for the finale.

😭 Because Life Isn’t Sad Enough…

GH SPOILER ALERT. If you don’t want to know, don’t even look at this link.

https://www.generalhospitalblog.com/2020/03/15/general-hospital-spoilers-max-gail-wraps-up-mikes-story-line-the-corinthos-family-suffers-a-great-loss/

🍸 Coming April 15th

But with LVP gone, what’s the point?

https://www.eonline.com/photos/30581/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-10-cast-photos?source=email&medium=emn-content-2&cmpid=evening&content=emn-gallery

✈️ First Class Wasn’t Crowded…

And I’m already tired of celebrities giving updates on how they’re social distancing. In their mansions with their millions.

https://extratv.com/2020/03/17/denise-richards-says-it-was-surreal-flying-back-from-spain-amid-coronavirus-crisis/?adid=extra_eme_27429_2020-03-18_rightnow3

👰 Team Lala…

It broke my heart when Lala watched Brittany dance with her dad at the wedding.

https://www.bravotv.com/vanderpump-rules-after-show/season-8/videos/lala-kent-breaks-down-over-the-fact-that-her-father

🌻 The Friday I’ve Been Waiting For…

Finally, an end to this week. Shah you tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbZ9ILRYQ2o

January 15, 2020 – Nelle Reveals Herself, Mother’s Day In Jersey, Joe Obvious, Officially Uncoupled, Surprise Losses, Drama In the Hills, VanderMoments & Atmospheric January

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Carly tells Sonny that Avery and Donna are down for the count. She wonders when Ava will tell Avery about her new stepfather. She can’t believe Ava and Nikolas are married. Sonny says he doesn’t know who’s blackmailing who, but it’s not going to end well.

On the phone at the MetroCourt, Nikolas says he’s very much alive. He’s taking the Cassadine Industries jet, so file the flight plan. Ava joins him, saying she’s sure Laura is tied up at city hall. Is it so wrong to keep her handsome new husband company? She kisses his cheek, and he says. people are watching. She says, you bet they are. They’re the new hot couple. It’s a story of redemption – her – and resurrection – obviously him. Since she’s not going anywhere, get used to it. He says they’re married until he gets the codicil, and she says, even after, it’s not over. Until then, they have no reason not to spend time together. He says, yes they do.

Lulu tells Dustin, as much as she’d like to blame Brook for everything that’s ever gone wrong… Dustin says they obviously have a history, and she says they do, but even Brook doesn’t deserve to be grabbed by some slimeball. She says watching Dustin was hot, and he says chivalry is his thing. She says she likes it, and speaking of history, they seem to have some of their own, Dusty.

Brook says they have to let her go, and Chase says she assaulted a police officer. She says it was an accident; she was trying to hit a civilian. He asks if she’s aware that it’s a crime, and she says the forced grabbing of an intimate part of her body without her consent is a crime. Chase says, it won’t be without consequences, and looks at some paperwork. He tells her it says her last name is Ashton, and she says she changed it. Ned comes in and says she’s telling the truth. Brook is a Quartermaine through and through. Brook asks if she can go now, but Chase says, no. She asks Ned what he’s waiting for, and tells him to do something. Ned says Chase heard his daughter; lock her up.

Olivia puts out coffee, and Tracy says it looks like Olivia has been setting up board meetings her entire life. Olivia says, a compliment from Tracy? Tracy asks her not to tell anyone. She has a reputation to uphold. Olivia says she knows Tracy wouldn’t be acting nice unless there’s something in it for her. Let’s have it. What does she want?

At Shiloh’s memorial, the veiled woman says she didn’t know Shiloh long, but they shared a special bond. After all – she removes her veil, and we see it’s Nelle – he was her husband. Michael says he’ll start. What’s she doing out of prison? Harmony asks what does she mean, her husband? Nelle says she’ll answer their questions in order. She tells Michael, good news; she’s a free woman. And to her dear old cellmate, she’s Mrs. David Henry Archer. She removes a glove and shows off her ring, saying, they’re all her guests.

Carly tells Sonny, two people gaslighting each other isn’t a basis for a marriage. She wonders what Ava could have… The lightbulb comes on, and she realizes Ava must have the codicil, and is using it as leverage against Nikolas. The house phone rings, and Sonny says, of course (🍷). He tells Carly, she’s not going to believe this. They go to the door, and Stella is there. Sonny asks, what happened? Did the weather get so bad she got homesick? Stella says, something like that. Sonny wonders why he’s the only on not surprised, and Carly says she reached out to Stella to come and talk about his dad.

Ava says she needs to give Nikolas a gentle reminder. He hasn’t signed the post-nup yet. He doesn’t see why they need it. She has the codicil, and while she’s holding on to it, he’ll have to go on with this sham of a marriage. Ava says, just because it’s out of revenge doesn’t make it a sham. Their marriage is very real. A good spouse provides for their mate in case the worst happens. He says he’s not signing, He’s waiting for his mother. Ava says she can be the witness. Nothing says official like a signature from the mayor. He starts to read it, and says, she wants an island of her own? She says the Cassadines own a chain of them. What’s one tiny island? He says the water is shark infested, and she says she’s been swimming with sharks her whole life. She tells him not to be stingy.

Brook tells Chase, her father is obviously joking. The pervert should be charged for sexual assault. He told her to stop singing, she told him to shove it, and he put his paws on her.

In the interrogation room, Lulu says, then he put his hands down Brook’s pants. Laura asks what Brook did.

Brook says, so she slapped him, and tried to push him off, but he grabbed her. That’s when Lulu told him…

Lulu says she told him to keep his hands off Brook, and he said, back off, sweetie, and shoved her. That’s when Dustin stepped in, and grabbed him by the collar, and told him to keep his hands to himself. Dustin says, words were exchanged, there was shoving… and Lulu says before they knew it, somebody called the cops.

Chase says Brook hit him with a beer bottle, and she says she was trying to hit the guy who touched her. Ned asks if he’s in custody, and Chase says, he’s in a holding cell. Ned asks if Brook is all right, and she says, it happened so fast; she just wants to go home. She asks why Ned is against her, and he tells her he’s not saying the guy shouldn’t be punished. He’ll talk to Robert. She says Linc started it. Just drop the family name, and take her home. He says she spent years running from the family, and all it stands for. Now she wants to use the name to get out of trouble.

Tracy tells Olivia, she does have an ulterior motive, and it should appeal to her. Michael is a lovely young man, decent and polite. Olivia says, coming from Tracy, it doesn’t sound complimentary, and Tracy says it will take more than boyish charm to fill the Quartermaine shoes. Olivia says that’s the real reason Tracy is back. She wants to force Michael out. Tracy says she has no shares, vote, or say. On the other hand, Olivia’s husband has all three.

Michael asks how the hell Nelle got out. She tells him, like Shiloh said, keep believing and good things happen. It’s no wonder she wanted to honor his memory. Pentenville’s not the most romantic place, but it was good enough for them; her, Shiloh, the chaplain, and a witness. Daisy says she was honored to be included. The ceremony was beautiful, and deeply spiritual. Nelle says she’s sorry she didn’t tell Harmony; she didn’t want to break Harmony’s heart. She tells Willow, it’s a shame she feels she has to deny everyone’s feelings for Shiloh, especially since she took something precious from the time she was with him. Willow says she took her son, and Nelle says, Shiloh spoke about Wiley all the time. He spoke about reclaiming him, so they could be a family. Now he’s gone, and the responsibility falls on yours truly.

Sonny says he doesn’t know what’s left to discuss, and Carly says, hear her out. Stella says she didn’t come to preach. Carly says she asked Stella to come talk to Sonny; not as some expert in the field, but someone who cares deeply about his father. Sonny hopes Carly paid Stella’s airfare, and Stella says, first class, with a room at the MetroCourt, but she would have rowed there if she thought it would help his dad. Sonny says they all love him, and want to do the right thing. Did Carly tell her about the new trial? Stella says she’d heard about it, and did some research. It does sound promising; however, Mike’s condition is more advanced than the patients in the study. Sonny says that’s why they can’t afford to wait until all of his father is lost. Stella understands, and her heart goes out to him, but while he’s holding on to Mike, what is Mike holding on to?

Nikolas tells Ava, let’s get something straight. She says she lives for clarity, and he says she lives in his home. They don’t share a bed or a future. Once he has the codicil, they’re going their separate ways. She tells him to listen to himself. Codicil is all he ever says. What’s the point of marriage if it’s not forever? He says, till death do us part, and she says he won’t kill her. He asks why she’s so sure, and she says she could be wrong, but she doesn’t think she is. As for their marriage, he’s not going to get what he wants until she gets what she wants. So sign. She lifts her martini glass, and says, to true love…

Brook asks why it’s okay for Ned to change his name, and he says she did it to get out of a contract. He did it to embrace the family. She doesn’t seem to be interested in that. Brook says he wanted the power, influence, and privilege that the name affords. He says they could use it at the shareholder’s meeting, and she says what better place to take her rightful place in the clan. Laura, Lulu, and Dustin come out, and Brook thanks Dustin for the rescue. She tells Lulu, always a pleasure. They leave, and she says if they can go, so can she. She’s the victim. Chase says he spoke to Felicia and Mac, and they’re willing to let it go, as long as they’re reimbursed. Ned says he’ll cover the damages, and Brook says she’ll pay him back. He says, she will, and Chase uncuffs her, telling her that she’s free to go. Don’t let him see her back there. She promises he’s seen the last of her, and leaves with Ned.

Michael says Nelle isn’t getting involved with his godson, but she says it’s not up to him. He says he’s going to check her story, and she tells him, do that. He steps out, and Nelle says, out of curiosity, Willow chose Brad to be the baby’s father? Willow says, Brad and Lucas are Wiley’s legal parents. Not Shiloh, even if he was alive. Nelle says, harsh. She’s not trying to take Wiley from them. Not yet. Harmony asks if she’s planning to in the future, and Nelle says she didn’t say that. Jason says he wouldn’t worry about it, and she says, it speaks. She forgot he was there. He asks how she made parole, and she says, Harmony was set free, so was she. Harmony says she had remorse for her crime, and got early release. Nelle says, unlike Sam, who shot Shiloh in the back. She owes her release to Ryan Chamberlain. If he hadn’t tried to escape, she wouldn’t have risked her life to protect society at large. They’re welcome.

Jason sees Michael in the hallway, and tells him, Nelle just wants attention. Don’t give it to her. Michael goes back in, and says, now that Nelle has made her big entrance, what does she want? Nelle says she’s not greedy. All she wants is what belongs to her.

Sonny tells Sonny, they’re family, and Stella says, as much as he loves his family, is he willing to take Mike from his surroundings and routine, take him away from the one place he knows and trusts? Sonny says the doctors told him what might happen when they had the evaluation at the clinic. It’s better than doing nothing. Carly says they’re not doing nothing. Stella says Mike has people he trusts, a place he knows, his family nearby, and Yvonne. Sonny says, Yvonne is on a feeding tube, and Mike keeps asking where she is. Carly says he thinks if Mike is away, he’ll forget about her, and Stella says, he might know she’s missing, and it will be worse. Sonny says, it might give Mike more time. Even if it doesn’t work, he’ll know they tried everything. Stella says, that’s easy to say, but how is he going to feel if they try, and it still doesn’t work?

Nikolas tells Ava that he wants a lawyer to look at the post-nup before he signs. Laura arrives, apologizing for keeping Nikolas waiting. She says she didn’t know Ava was joining them, and Nikolas says, Ava was just leaving, but Laura tells Ava to stay if she wants. She’s not thrilled about the marriage, but they’re adults. What they do is on them. Spencer is another story. Ava says, Spencer doesn’t know? and Nikolas says it doesn’t concern her. Ava says she cares about Spencer, and now she’s his stepmother. It does concern her. Nikolas says Spencer doesn’t know he’s alive. Laura was right. It’s not something he can tell Spencer over the phone. Hello, it’s me, your father. I’m not dead. That’s why he’s flying to France to see Spencer tonight.

Dustin goes back with Lulu to her place, and she asks him to come in. He says, it’s late, and she says, nice try, Dusty. How does he know Brook? He says, it’s not that fascinating, but she says she’ll be the judge of that. Start at the beginning, and don’t leave anything out.

Walking into the mansion, Brook tells Ned, she had no choice. Should she have let Linc put his hands all over her? He says, of course (🍷) not. If she wants to be a Quartermaine, she has to think like one. Be smarter, and less impulsive. Olivia and Tracy join them, and Brook asks what they’d do if a man asserted his power by grabbing their butt. Tracy says, break his hands, and Olivia says, kick his ass. Brook says, that’s what she did, but Ned says, she went on the defensive and it escalated into a barroom brawl. Brook says it looks like everyone is at a meeting, and Tracy says, they are, but it’s no surprise their CEO is MIA.

Chase goes back to the memorial, and Nelle says sorry he got dragged in. She’s sure she can clear things up. Chase asks if Willow is okay, and Willow says, fine so far. Nelle says she just realized. Harmony said her daughter had a new man in her life, but she had no idea it was him. Good for her. She’s glad someone has filled the void Shiloh left. Not that anyone can. Chase says, for once in Nelle’s life, she’s telling the truth, and Michael says, she is. She’s Shiloh’s widow; the wedding was legit. Nelle says, it was true love of course (🍷).

Sonny tells Stella that he’s done his share of gambling, and knows the odds aren’t good. Carly asks, why risk it just to postpone the inevitable? and he says if it gives Mike more time, it’s worth it. Jason comes in, and asks if it’s a bad time. Stella says she has to get settled at the MetroCourt, and thanks Carly for the room. Carly says she deserves a night of luxury. Stella says she’ll be around if they want to talk, and Sonny says he’ll walk her out. Jason sighs, and Carly asks how the memorial was; how’s Michael? He says Michael is fine, but she needs to count to ten. She asks, why? and he says, Nelle showed up at the memorial. She made parole.

Nelle tells Willow and Harmony, the three of them should grab lunch sometime. They share a special bond. First Shiloh, now Chase, with Willow. Harmony wonders how they could share a cell, and she didn’t realize Nelle was delusional. I dunno. For years she didn’t realize Shiloh was delusional. Chase asks Nelle if she said what she had to say. Willow says, she said plenty, and Harmony says, yet she said nothing at all. Nelle says she has another appointment; she’ll see them later. She asks if they could do her the biggest favor. Hold on to Shiloh’s portrait, while she finds a place to hang it. She leaves, and I wonder what happened to the other people who were there, and disappeared.

Dustin tells Lulu, it was open mic night at a bar in lower Manhattan. He was nursing a beer, and working on writing some music, and he heard Brook’s voice. He looked up, and she was in the spotlight. Lulu says, Brook can sing; she’ll give her that. Dustin says Brook came down after her song, and started taking drink orders. Lulu says, she was literally working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, and he says, that much is true. I die laughing. Lulu asks if they sang outside of a convenience store. She’s seen that movie. He says, it ended as soon as it started. She dumped him for a piano player. She says, a guy as amazing as him, dated someone as dreadful as Brook, and she dumped him?

Michael arrives at the meeting, and Brook says she hopes he has his body armor on; knives are out. Tracy thanks him for joining them. It’s nice that he found the time. Ned asks Pascal where they’re at, and Pascal says, the roll call. Should he go over it again? Michael says, no. Pick up where they left off. Pascal says Tracy is there for Dillon in absentia, and Tracy says she has his proxy vote. Pascal says, Michael is present, so that concludes it. Ned says, there are several items on the agenda, the first being the question of selling Oscar’s shares.

Sonny thanks Stella for coming, and Stella says, but she should mind her own business. Sonny says she’s family as far as his father is concerned. What happens is her business. She says Sonny is still taking Mike to New York, isn’t he?

Carly tells Jason that Pentenville threw Nelle a jailhouse wedding before they cut her loose? Why bother? The only reason Nelle bothers with anything is money, revenge, or both. What did Shiloh have that Nelle can use?

Laura says Nikolas is flying out tonight? He says Spencer deserves to hear it from him, and he wants to see his boy. Laura says, after all Nikolas has done, he’s not going to pull a vanishing act. Ava tells Laura, don’t worry. She’ll make sure Nikolas stays in touch. Nikolas asks how she’s going to manage that, and Ava says, because she’s going with him.

Harmony asks what the hell that was about, and Chase says, it’s classic Jenelle. He says he can take Harmony back on his way home, and Willow says there’s something he needs to know. It’s about Wiley, not about her. Brad is overwhelmed, and Michael was concerned Brad doesn’t have enough support. It escalated until Brad turned to her and practically begged her to be Wiley’s nanny, so she’s going to help take care of him. Harmony thinks it’s a good idea, and Willow says, it’s a temporary situation. At some point, Brad won’t need her, Chase asks if she really thinks she’ll just be able to walk away.

Pascal says, Oscar has fifteen bequests, but Michael says, something came up that’s a major impact. Tracy suggests they stick to the agenda, and Brook says, Michael is allowed to talk. Michael says Oscar left his shares to Shiloh, but Ned says that’s in probate. Now that Shiloh is dead, they revert to the family regardless. Tracy says, the shares couldn’t find a better home in the hands of Olivia and her precious son… Olivia says, Leo, and Tracy says she knew that. Brook says they should put the shares where they’ll do the most good. Ned says, Olivia and Leo are family, and more than deserving. Michael agrees with Ned, and Brook calls Michael an idiot. She asks how he can be CEO of a major company, and not see a power play is being set up. Don’t let them do it.

Nikolas says he’s flying solo, but Ava says he’ll face the pain of a difficult reunion with her by his side. He says it’s not her place, but she says, it definitely is. She owes it to Spencer. She wants him know she’s trying to atone, and make sure what’s rightfully his is acknowledged. Laura reminds them, this is about Spencer, not redemption. Nikolas owes it to his son to be honest with him. Nikolas says, of course (🍷), and Laura says she wishes she could trust him. She misses being able to. All she’s asking is for him to think of Spencer, not himself – if that’s possible. Laura leaves, and Ava says she likes that woman. The more she knows Laura, the more she likes her, and the more glad she is that Laura is her mother-in-law. Nikolas says, a technicality. Ava says she hasn’t been to Europe in years. She’s going home to pack. Is he coming? She tells him, think of it as a honeymoon. Separate rooms of course (🍷).

Dustin tells Lulu, believe it or not, that’s how the story ends. Good guy, bad girl, bad girl breaks good guy’s heart. Lulu is glad Brook has terrible taste. He says Brook had a way of pushing his buttons. Lulu says, not just his. Brook is the absolute worst, and had everyone walking away from her. He says Brook did him a favor. Writing music wasn’t for him. He discovered teaching, and never looked back. Lulu says, not even after he came to Brook’s rescue? He says he didn’t know it was her, and would have done it regardless. The guy was a creep, but he has to admit, if it was anyone else, it wouldn’t have escalated into a low grade riot. Lulu says, no nostalgia? and he says, the last thing he needs in his life is a wrecking ball named Brook Lynn. Lulu is glad hear that. They cuddle.

Willow tells Chase that she hopes one day that Wiley will know who she is, and she’ll help him understand why she chose Brad and Lucas to raise him. Everything is up in the air right now, and all that matters is Wiley being loved and cared for. Harmony says let her know if she can do anything, although she knows she has no right to ask. The first thing she did was use her grandson to lead Willow back to Shiloh. She’s ashamed of that, and more than anything wants a chance to make it up to the two of them. She owes it to Willow. Willow says she’ll see what Brad says, but she’d like that very much. Harmony goes out to wait for Chase and Willow, and Willow says they’re alone now. Let her have it. All the reasons he thinks it’s a bad idea for her to take care of Wiley. He asks if she thinks she can handle it, and she says she does. He hugs her, and says, so does he.

Stella tells Sonny, every day is precious. Is it worth risking Mike’s fragile quality of life to roll the dice? Sonny says he knows it’s a long shot, but even if it’s one million in one that it could work, he’s taking the shot.

Carly tells Jason, Shiloh was out of money when he died. One of his followers had to post bail. They know Nelle isn’t a follower, and has no spiritual motive, so why?

Olivia asks if Tracy thinks she doesn’t know she has an angle. Tracy says, fill her in on the angle Olivia thinks she has. Olivia says she’s her own person, and not just voting the way Ned wants. Ned says he trusts her judgement. Brook says, Michael is either in a naïve state or doing a masterful job of sucking up. Pascal says, yay or nay, and Brook calls him Fish and Chips. He says, she’s delightful. Nelle walks in, and says, there must be some mistake. There’s no way they started without her, right?

Tomorrow, Lulu wants Nikolas to tell her that he’s sorry, Sam tells Alexis that Nelle is Shiloh’s widow, Olivia says they’re going to make Nelle’s life a living hell, and Sonny says he needs Jason’s help.

👠 Highlights Of New Jersey…

On The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Melissa told Joe #2 that she got a lot of calls inquiring about the men’s line after the fashion show, and because Teresa is defending Danielle, Margaret is going crazy. The fertility doctor called with their test results, and Melissa was more than okay, but Joe #2 had only 3 swimmers out of what should have been 15 million. Everyone found this hysterically funny, and the doctor said quitting a supplement he’d been taking should fix things. Marge had success with a drag queen brunch, and decided to have another one, as well as a Mother’s Day brunch. Because Teresa had been incommunicado, Marge decided not to invite her. Jackie agreed they weren’t in a good place, and Marge had to do what she felt was right. Jackie decided to invite the women to her Hamptons house, hoping they’d bond. While they were having a pedicure, Teresa told Dolores that she wanted to matchmake Gia and Frankie Jr., and Dolores let it slip about Marge’s brunch. She suggested Teresa talk to Marge, but Teresa wasn’t having it if Marge didn’t want to invite her.

Mother’s Day happened, and Teresa’s girls made breakfast. She said she was lucky to have them, and that Mother’s Day was difficult for her since she’d lost her mom. She griped that Marge knew it was difficult, and should have invited her. The girls gave Teresa a card, and counted down to Teresa crying over it. Joe #1 called, and Teresa told him that the girls had gotten her a necklace with her name on it. Since everything has to be about him, Joe claimed he’d gotten a name necklace for Teresa a while back, and criticized her for not remembering. Their daughters said he must be right, and in Teresa’s interview, she said it started out being a beautiful day, but Joe always gets the girls to go against her. She said she was no longer tolerating his disrespect.

At Marge’s Mother’s Day brunch, the drag queens greeted the guest moms, and flower crowns were passed out. We also learned, champagne for breakfast is totally appropriate. The drag queens put on a show, and Jennifer’s mother said she’d never been to anything like it. Up until then, the wildest thing she’d seen was the ugly naked guy in Times Square. We saw a photo of the Naked Cowboy, who wears briefs and is hardly ugly. Melissa was shocked that Marge didn’t invite Teresa, but Marge said they hadn’t talked at the fashion show, and Teresa was pissed because Marge said she was an embarrassment. Marge admitted to being embarrassed about her own behavior as well. In Melissa’s interview, she said Marge had only seen the namaste Teresa. It was her first rodeo with the going from zero to ten Teresa. At the brunch, the moms and daughters told stories from when they were growing up. They showed a picture of Marge Sr. as a young mother, and wowza! She was gorgeous. Everyone ended up crying. Jennifer noted that when the drag queens were performing, there was a lot of arm crossing and squinting from her mother.

Dolores said David didn’t think it was important when she asked him to show up for things, and he took advantage of her kindness. Maybe he doesn’t want to be seen on TV with this water-throwing, ponytail-pulling group. At least we’re actually seeing him this season. Jennifer asked her mom what she thought about the drag queens. Her mom said Dolores told her they were men, and she said, you’ve got to be kidding? which I guess is a compliment. Jennifer thought her mom had come a long way, and said she was raising her own children to be accepting of people  She brought up her brother being gay, but her mom wasn’t very comfortable talking about that, saying she was old-fashioned, and it was his life. If he’s happy, God be with him. Jennifer wanted her mother to be happy that he wasn’t living a lie.

Marge helped Marge Sr. do some organizing. In Marge’s interview, she said Marge Sr. claimed she wanted to be more of a mother, but they’re keeping their roles as they are. Marge is the mother, and is going to fix Marge Sr.’s life for her. Teresa didn’t want to go to the Hamptons because It was pouring out, and she was in a bad mood. She told Dolores that she was busting ass, but the kids take Joe’s side all the time. Dolores told her to put her foot down. No surprise, Jackie’s house in the Hamptons was fabulous. Marge told Melissa, at some point, you have to decide what’s right and wrong, and you can’t be friends with a certain type of person, by which I assume she meant Danielle. Melissa agreed, but said you can’t tell someone who to be friends with either.

When Teresa got there, she thanked Jackie for inviting her – and thanked Marge for not inviting her. So we started that way. Marge wanted to talk later, but Teresa said they were in the same friend group, and everyone else was talking about it. Marge said she had intended to invite Teresa, and even brought her a goody bag, which I thought was really tacky. I would never give someone a goody bag from a party I didn’t invite them to. Teresa didn’t want it, and I didn’t blame her.

Next time, more of the Hamptons, and Jennifer directs some loud and stupid at Melissa in public.

🎩 Like We Hadn’t Guessed…

Juicy Joe is old-fashioned? Really?

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2020/01/joe-giudice-admits-he-was-old-fashioned-husband/

💔 It’s Official…

What we already knew.

https://pagesix.com/2020/01/12/joe-giudice-reflects-in-emotional-post-after-teresa-giudice-split/

😥 Unexpected Roll Call…

Reality stars lost before their time.

https://radaronline.com/photos/when-death-isnt-scripted-reality-stars-who-have-passed-too-soon/

🔥 It Didn’t Take Long…

Again, not liking the mob mentality, no matter who the target is. Denise skated through her first season. I guess now she has to pay the price.

https://www.realitytea.com/2019/12/26/report-brandi-glanville-warned-denise-richards-that-kyle-richards-said-denise-would-be-targeted-on-real-housewives/

No surprise Brandi would be involved.

https://betches.com/why-is-brandi-glanville-slamming-denise-richards-on-twitter/

But definitely surprised this might be the reason.

https://betches.com/did-brandi-glanville-just-confirm-her-affair-with-denise-richards/

🍸 SUR, the Gift That Keeps On Giving…

Obviously, Ariana was not an English major.

https://betches.com/8-vanderpump-rules-moments-that-arent-talked-about-enough/

January Reaches Its Half Life…

Wherever your January is, I hope it’s going well. And if it’s not, it’s halfway over.

December 20, 2019 – Franco Learns About Drew, Close Call, Re-engagement, Wayne Revealed, Dog Tantrums, Ten Holiday Quotes Plus a Long One & Eight Crazy Nights

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I miss the first millisecond. Nothing important, except Lucas is now breathing on his own. Elizabeth tells Julian that they’re all pulling for Lucas. Franco says he’s ready to go home. Elizabeth says she missed Franco, and he says if he’d known he was away, he would have missed her too. She gives him back his wedding ring, he puts it on, and they kiss.

Michael opens the door to Willow, who asks if everything is okay. His text was vague. He says he has some fun things planned for today, and thought she might want to join in.

Anna looks over some folders at her desk. Finn tells her that he just put Violet down for a nap, and he wants one too. Anna says it will take time, and he says he’s never second guessed himself so much. He wants to do things right. Are cartoons good or bad? Anna says the answers will change with his mood. Wait until the first time he hears himself say, because I said so. He says he’s looking forward to that. He asks what all that is on her desk, and she says, research. He says, on? and she says, her son.

Sporting an elf hat, Maxie tells Peter it breaks her heart to see so many kids in the hospital at Christmas. Peter says GH does its best to make it special, and she made them smile. Maxie wishes Lucas was awake to make fun of her hat. Peter says they should have a progress report soon, and it is the time of year for miracles. She asks if he’s ready for their next stop, and he asks if she’s sure they’re not intruding. Maxie says, she’ll love it. She sees the guard outside Nelle’s door, and says, someone’s been naughty.

Martin tells Nelle that she’s looking well. She says hospital gowns have always suited her. He asks if this was her big plan, to get stabbed? and she says, of course (🍷) not. He asks, what happened? and she says, a serial killer happened.

Brad tells Lucas that he doesn’t know what to do. That’s a lie. He at least knows what Lucas would want him to do. Send Wiley back to his true father, but what if he can’t? If he hadn’t come across Nelle that awful night, and taken a baby that wasn’t his, Lucas wouldn’t be there. He wants to make it right, but doesn’t know what to do. Julian comes in, and tells Brad, the test results are in. Brad kisses Lucas’s forehead, and follows Julian.

Michael says he’s taking a personal day, and knows how Willow loves spending time with Wiley, but it’s awkward with Wiley’s dads around. He asks if it’s still hard on her, and she says, no. She was just thinking of Lucas, and how horrible it all is. Michael says, hopefully, Lucas will get better. In the meantime, they can keep Wiley laughing. Willow says Michael has been great taking care of Wiley, and Michael says, of course (🍷). He’s family.

Martin says, Nelle wanted to be released, and this is how she engineered it? If she’d gotten killed, he would have gotten bupkis for his hard work. She’s unreliable. He has one question; why is she doing this?

Anna tells Finn that she can’t get the conversation with Jason out of her head. The list of crimes he believes Peter orchestrated is unbelievable. At the same time, considering Peter’s recent behavior, she can’t dismiss it out of hand. She’s pulled everything she can find, and is trying to make a connection to Brice and the gunman’s deaths. The gunman spent a lot of time in Pentenville, but up until about a week ago, he was in Europe, where he has no arrest record. He worked security for two companies, Eurotech and another one I don’t catch, before and after his stint in prison. Finn thinks the company names should mean something to him, and Anna says they’re known by the WSB to be DVX companies. Finn says, shell companies. Peter lived in Germany, so that would be the connection. Anna says Andre also has connections in Europe, and Brice spent time there. Finn asks if there’s nothing to single Peter out, and she says, no.

Amy tells Elizabeth the paperwork will be ready shortly. Jordan asks Franco to look at a photo of his assailant, but when he does, he says he’s got nothing. But they weren’t really after him. They were after Drew. He’s not telling her how to do her job, but maybe she should be speaking to Drew. Elizabeth asks if Jordan needs anything else, but Jordan says, that’s it. Amy tells Franco that his walking papers are in. Enjoy his homecoming. Elizabeth says, they will, and Franco asks her, what’s going on with Drew? She says they have a lot to talk about, but they’ll do it at home.

Anna says, neither Brice, nor the assassin were in Afghanistan, and Finn says, that implicates Shiloh. She says, exactly, but Shiloh has no known connection to Faison. Finn says, that implicates Peter, but she says, there’s no implication anywhere. Finn says she wants to exonerate him, and she says she wants to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s not guilty. Finn says, that’s impossible. It comes down to what she feels. She says, nothing contradicts Jason’s version of the events, but Finn says, Jason has his own bias. In the absence of real evidence, it comes down to who or what she believes. The doorbell rings, and Finn goes to get it. He brings back Maxie and Peter.

Michael and Willow roll a ball back and forth with Wiley, and discuss a ball rolling Olympics event. Willow asks how Michael got to be so great with kids. Being a big brother? He says, that’s part of it. There was actually a time where he had custody of his sister Avery. It’s a long story, and not complementary of him. Willow doesn’t believe it, but he says, believe it. It was a very complicated, messy, human situation, where everyone acted badly. Willow says she’ll reserve judgment on that. Michael says his biological father was AJ Quartermaine. AJ and his mom didn’t get along, and she left him for Sonny when Michael was two years old. Sonny was the only father he knew. AJ wanted him back, so there was an ugly custody fight. Flash forward to five years ago. AJ and Sonny hated each other, and Ava got thrown in the mix. AJ attacked Ava, and Sonny shot him. He died, but Michael didn’t know it was Sonny who shot him until a month later, and he went a little crazy. It was pretty bad, and he trumped up a legal excuse to get custody of Avery. He wanted to hurt his father, and knew nothing would hurt him more than taking Avery away.

Nelle says maybe she doesn’t need Martin. She got herself out; she can find a way to stay out. Martin says he’s her only prayer to get out before her 60th birthday. If she does exactly what he tells her, and sticks with the program; be a model prisoner. She asks why she should trust him, and he says it’s his only chance of getting paid. Jordan comes in, and asks how the prisoner is. Nelle gives her two thumbs up.

The doctor asks Julian and Brad if they’re waiting for Lucas’s mother, but Julian says they convinced her to get some rest, so go ahead. The doctor says Lucas’s brain swelling is down, but he slipped into a coma. Julian says he’s been in a coma since he got there, but the doctor says it was medically induced to help his body heal. Even after they reduced the sedatives, he’s not waking up. Brad asks, what happens now? and the doctor says Lucas can’t stay there indefinitely. He’ll have to be relocated. They think Turning Woods is the best option; they have long term care. They’ll transfer him as soon as Brad signs off. Julian asks, what’s the rush? and Brad says, they need the bed. Lucas isn’t healing fast enough, so they’re kicking him out. He walks off, leans against the wall, and slides down.

Elizabeth brings Franco in, and says, ta-da! Franco says, check it out, and looks at the huge Welcome Home sign. He asks if Aiden did that, and she says, of course (🍷). Look at what else he did. Franco sees  a cake on the table, and says, chocolate ganache; his favorite. He asks where Aiden is, and Elizabeth says he was invited to spend Christmas in Ireland. He was torn; He wanted to go, but wanted to be there to welcome Franco home. Cameron convinced him that Franco would want him to experience new places, and they took him to the airport this morning. He’s come a long way from the uncertain withdrawn little boy, and it has a lot to do with Franco. Franco says he just followed her lead. She says they can still have a celebration. Cameron and Jake will be home soon. He has no idea how much the boys missed him. And how scared they were, although they tried not show it. He says he can imagine, and he’s sorry he put them through it. She says they’re sorry he went through it. He says he didn’t. It’s a matter of perspective. To him, no time passed. She got the raw end of the deal. She says she’s glad he’s home; that’s all that matters. She asks how it feels, and he says, safe and warm, and familiar and new at the same time. It’s weird that he hasn’t seen Drew. He must be busy. Elizbeth says, it’s worse than that. There’s a lot they need to deal with, and in time he’ll adjust. Drew handled it wonderfully, and was determined to get him back. Franco asks where Drew is, and she says, he’s missing, and presumed dead.

Julian tells Lucas, take more time to rest. Don’t worry about Wiley. He’ll fix this thing. By the time Lucas wakes up, everything will be back on track. He’s going to wake up. He has to.

Amy finds Brad, and sits next to him on the floor. She says, it’s not the end. Lucas probably just needs more time. Brad says it’s his fault, and she tells him, don’t say that. He says, it’s true. Between the two of them, everyone knows Brad is the bad one. Lucas doesn’t lie, cheat, or break the law. He’s perfect. Amy says Brad is no angel, but what everyone knows is how much Brad loves Lucas, and how much Lucas loves him. She asks if some gossip would cheer him up. Guess who traded their cellblock for a hospital bed? Nelle. That wacko is back in Port Charles. Brad says he has to do something, and jets. Amy wonders if it’s something she said.

Nelle tells Jordan, they can’t make her go back. Jordan says they can, and Nelle asks how heartless can they be? Ryan nearly carved out her one kidney. Jordan says she’s exaggerating, but Martin says her release is premature, given her medical history. She’ll need more extensive tests. Jordan says, if the doctor says she needs them, she’ll get them. Otherwise, it’s back to prison. Martin says, let’s find out. As he follows Jordan out the door, he turns back to look at Nelle, and she mouths, do something.

Anna quickly clears her desk, and Maxie says they brought gifts. Anna says they shouldn’t have, and Maxie says they’re not for her. She’s been going through Georgie’s old clothes, and thought Violet could use some of them. They’re out in the car. Anna asks Finn to help Peter get them. Anna tells Maxie that she’s glowing. Peter has an effect on her. Maxie says he’s made her happy. She didn’t think it was possible. After Nathan died, she thought that was it. How many chances does one person get? But in walks Peter, now they’re building a life together, and a family. Anna says she’s thrilled for Maxie, and they hug.

Willow asks how long Michael kept Avery, and he says, three or four months. He realized his revenge was tearing his family apart and hurting the people he loved, especially Avery. The only solution was to give Avery back, and forgive his father. Avery was the easy part; forgiving his father, not so much. Eventually, he got there. Willow says, remarkable, but he says, not really. It was a shift in perspective. Avery wasn’t a trophy; she was just a little girl. After he focused on that, everything else fell into place. The point he’s making is, he played dad for a minute. He laughs, remembering when he brought Avery to work, and a big investor came in. He found Michael on the floor, playing blocks with Avery. He already looked young, and  needless to say, Michael didn’t close the deal. Willow says, that investor was short-sighted. Anyone playing blocks is engaging, thoughtful, and committed. If it had been her, she would have totally invested with him. Michael’s phone rings. It’s Amy, who says she was just with Brad. Lucas is still in a coma, and being transferred to long term care at Turning Woods. Brad is taking it hard, so she was wondering if Michael could bring Wiley to the hospital. Brad needs to see his son.

Brad walks into Nelle’s room, and she says, nice work, talking his way in there, especially considering what he’s going through. He says his husband being in a coma, and his son without his fathers? All of it is her fault.

Franco asks Elizabeth if there was no body, and she says the plane was found in the water. When it was determined there were no possible survivors, the search was called off. Franco says, it was because of him, but Elizabeth says, Drew was on the plane because he felt it was the right thing to do. Franco says, it’s not fair.

Brad tells Nelle, none of this would have happened if he hadn’t gotten involved with her. All of it happened because he didn’t have the guts to stand up and do what he should have done all along. What Lucas would want him to do – what’s best for Wiley.

Michael and Willow come into the hospital through the loudest sliding door ever. Michael gives Wiley to Willow, and says he wants to give Brad a heads up. Willow tells Wiley that someone is going to be happy to see him.

Anna tells Maxie, she’s happy to hear she and Peter are moving in together. She was a bit surprised though. She thought Peter was getting his own place. Maxie says, he was, but the deal fell through. That’s why he was on the pier the night he helped Dev and Wiley. Anna says, everything happens for a reason, and Maxie says she thinks so. Peter is great for her and James. They’ve finally moved past the baggage. Finn and Peter come back in, and Finn thanks Peter for the stuff. Peter says he didn’t have much to do with it. Finn asks how it’s going since the excitement at the hospital. Peter says he feels horrible that a man lost his life, but Franco is back to himself. It must be liberating, not being bogged down with Drew’s memories. Finn says, it must be.

Elizabeth tells Franco that she’s sorry. Franco wishes he could have tried to save Drew, and she says he did. He got Drew out of the house, and away from that horrible man. Franco says Drew died as a direct result of what was going on with him. Elizabeth says what Franco did changed everything. He, as Drew, chose to give Franco back his life because of what he did all those years ago.

She says she dreaded this moment, telling him about Drew. She knew how hard to would be. He holds her, and says Drew is the closest thing he’ll ever have to a brother. She says he can’t bring Drew back. The only way to honor him is to learn from his own life. Be happy and make the people he loves around him happy. He says he’s an expert at being whiny and bitchy. She says, he is not. Maybe a little. He says he’s so grateful for her. From now on, he’s grateful for everything. She says he has no idea how unbearable it was to see him, and it not really be him. Not just the lack of recognition – that was painful enough – but everything. The way he carried himself, the way he spoke, the way he said her name. He wouldn’t make inappropriate comments, or make her laugh with his terrible jokes. He says, they’re funny because they’re terrible. She says she would look in his eyes and search, but she wouldn’t see it. She sees it now, and she’s so happy. he says, if he makes her happy, that’s the single greatest achievement of his life. She says she loves him so much, and they kiss.

Jordan sees Julian, and says she heard Lucas was being moved. He says he just got off the phone with Lucas’s mother, and told her about Turning Woods. She says they’ve received the final report about Brad’s car.

Michael looks at his phone; Brad called. Martin comes by, and introduces himself, saying he has the honor and privilege of being Nelle’s attorney. Michael isn’t sure that’s an honor, and Martin says, Nelle is a remarkable young woman whose gone out of her way to turn her life around. Michael says, Nelle destroys anyone who crosses her path. Stay away. He walks, and Martin says, tough crowd.

Michael sees Amy, and tells her that Wiley is waiting with Willow. Where can he find Brad?

Anna asks if Maxie and Peter can’t stay longer, but Maxie says, it’s Christmaspalooza. They have the coat drive at Rice Plaza next. Anna asks if they’re going to  be there for Christmas, and Finn says, that’s the day that’s merry not happy. Anna looks at him, and he says she lives in America now. Maxie and Peter leave, and Finn says, they seem good. Anna says, better than good, and he asks what she’s thinking. She says she’s thinking of taking his advice. She’s going to give Peter the benefit of the doubt. He says she’s taking his advice? and he tells her, enjoy it while it lasts. He goes upstairs to check on Violet, and she straightens her desk. She flips through a folder on Peter, and says, no.

Franco and Elizabeth kiss. She pulls away, and he asks, what going on? She says, you know how it is when your head and your body are feeling two different things? That’s how she’s feeling. She knows she shouldn’t be upset… He asks, what’s going on? Just tell him; they’ll get through it. She says, when Drew was in his body, he had sex with Kim.

Jordan tells Julian, they were unable to determine the cause of the crash. There was too much damage to the undercarriage, and they can’t pinpoint how the brakes failed. He asks if they’re closing the investigation, and she says they have nothing further to learn. She tells him, good luck with Lucas’s transfer. She hopes he comes out of it.

Anna says, Eurotech, and looks in the gunman’s folder. She says, ugh; no. Peter was there at the same company at the same time the gunman worked there. She looks through pictures of Peter, obviously taken without his knowledge.

Michael looks in on Lucas. He tells Brad, sorry. He knows it wasn’t the news Brad wanted to hear. None of them did. Brad says, it was a lot to take in, and Michael says he brought someone to cheer Brad up, if he’s up to it. Wiley is here.

In the hallway, Willow holds Wiley, and Nelle rolls up in her wheelchair. She says, what a beautiful baby boy.

On Monday, Monica reads A Christmas Carol to the kids at the hospital, Robert calls Finn a Scrooge, Obrecht says Christmas is the time put aside their differences and spread good will, and Finn becomes Scrooge. I’m really looking forward to that.

🏥 Her Choice of Friends Scares Me…

I love Denise, but her being good friends with Brandi is scarier than any medical emergency.

https://extratv.com/2019/12/18/denise-richards-reveals-emergency-medical-scare/?adid=extra_eme_27315_2019-12-18_rightnow4

💍 Congratulations, I Guess…

Since they were divorced, but never really apart, it’s hard to get excited.

https://extratv.com/2019/12/17/reality-stars-robyn-and-juan-dixon-engaged-again-after-2012-divorce/?adid=extra_eme_27314_2019-12-17_rightnow1

🎭 Whose Mask Is It Anyway…

I’ve loved Wayne Brady forever. I was blessed to see him in Chicago on Broadway, and hung out afterward, to ask him to sign my program. There were quite a few of us waiting, and every time the stage door opened, you could feel everyone get ready. Then, when it wasn’t him, there was a collective feeling of disappointment. Now we call every letdown after anticipatory feels, a Wayne Brady moment. He did eventually come out and sign programs just in case you were wondering.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/bbs-wayne-brady-wins-the-masked-singer/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🐕 God’s Best Invention…

Dogs are the best! If you keep watching, there’s a whole sequence of videos of dogs throwing tantrums for various reasons. This first one is annoyed by a cat in her bed. It reminds me of when our cat used to deliberately sit in the middle of the doorway because the dogs were too afraid to go past him. The cartoons have it backward.

https://digg.com/video/dog-throws-a-temper-tantrum-when-she-catches-cat-sleeping-in-her-bed?utm_source=digg&utm_medium=email

🔔 Quotes of the Week

Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words. – Harlan Miller

A good conscience is a continual Christmas. – Benjamin Franklin

Hanukkah is about the spark of the divine in all of us made in God’s image. – Suzanne Fields

We’re not doing anything that hasn’t been done better by Burl Ives, God rest his soul. Possibly. I don’t know whether he’s dead or alive. – Arthur Spooner (Jerry Stiller), King of Queens

Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room. – Nora Roberts

Just as Hanukkah candles are lighted one by one from a single flame, so the tale of the miracle is passed from one man to another, from one house to another, and to the whole House of Israel throughout the generations.Judah L. Magnes

And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent… –  Taylor Caldwell

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see. – The Polar Express

Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance—a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. – Augusta E. Handel

Ho-ho-ho!Santa Claus

🎁 And One More…

Scrooge was better than his word.  He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father.

He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.  Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but his own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.

May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

HappyHanukkah5

🎇 It’s a Mitzvah…

Have a happy, happy, happy, happy Hanukkah!

December 27, 2018 – A Stranger from Drew’s Past, Wars Begin, Some RealiNews & Beautiful Bites

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sonny meets Jason at the MetroCourt. He’s going to surprise Carly, and take her to the city. He says he’s been dealing with a lot with his father, and wants Carly to know she comes first. Jason tells Sonny that his problem is with the DA.

Griff doesn’t want wear out his welcome, but Anna says he’s family. He doesn’t think she and Finn need a house guest. Finn comes in, bringing Emma with him, who’s a young lady now (same actress though – brava!).

Kim says Oscar is sleeping and smiling. You’d never know what he’s fighting. Drew suggests she get a meal and massage, and she asks why he’s trying to get rid of her. He says, it’s New Year’s Eve. Oscar wants her to have fun. He feels bad, keeping her hostage at the hospital. She says she’s not a hostage, she’s his mother. Drew tells her Oscar said she would say that, and wants her to prove she cares by going out. Julian isn’t Drew’s favorite person, but he thinks Julian is what she needs right now. Kim asks how he knows what she needs. They didn’t even know each other until last year. He says he’s learned a lot in one year.

Laura goes to The Floating Rib, and asks Felicia if she can talk for a few minutes. She asks if Felicia is willing answer a few questions about when Doc had a breakdown, and started stalking her.

Not-Doc sees the back of someone sitting in not his desk chair. He asks if he can help them. A man turns around, and says, he guesses by the look on not-Doc’s face, he never expected to see him again. Not-Doc says he guessed right.

Emma tells Anna that her mom said she’s fine with the visit, as long as they don’t engage in international espionage. She asks Griff for a hug, telling him that she heard about Kiki, and she’s sorry. Griff appreciates that. She tells him that he shouldn’t be alone on New Year’s Eve. He says he’s happiest at the hospital helping people, so he’ll probably be there. She asks him to join them tomorrow for New Year’s Day. She wonders what Finn is holding behind his back; is it for her? He hands her a beautiful hatbox – the kind you only see on a soap opera – and tells her, open it and find out. It’s a fascinator. Anna puts it on Emma’s head, and Finn takes a picture of the two of them.

Laura tells Felicia that she’s trying to understand what’s going on with Doc. Felicia says she and Mac are trying to figure it out too. Laura says, it makes no sense. She thinks he’s headed for another breakdown. Felicia says, normally, she’d tell Laura to talk to a shrink, but Doc is the best one she knows.

Not-Doc assumes Peyton is there about the documentary on his brother, and asks how it’s going. Peyton says, great, thanks to him. Not-Doc asks if he wants a follow-up interview. He can even narrate to make it more authentic. Peyton says he has that wrapped it up with his own authentication. He’s here to shoot exteriors, but would love for him look at a rough cut. Think of it as a private screening. Not-Doc has a few things to clear up first, but will catch up with him. He asks if Peyton is still working out of the rental space at the pier. He is, and not-Doc says he’ll see him later. Peyton leaves, and not-Doc looks at his tablet. He sees an Invader article about the murders.

Jason tells Sonny that Margaux wants to take him down. Sonny says she stopped Marcus from having his dad arrested. She has a long game, but if her short game works for his dad, it will work for all of them. Margaux approaches their table, asking if it’s too soon to wish them a happy New Year. Jason says they were just talking about her. He was about to tell Sonny that she gave Drew the flashdrive with his memories. He’s not sure what she thought she’d get out of it, and she says, maybe she was just doing the right thing. Jason says, maybe. He has to go, and jets. Margaux apologizes to Sonny, saying she didn’t mean to drive his friend away. Sonny says she couldn’t if she tried. She has no leverage with Jason like she does with Drew.

Kim tells Drew that he and Oscar are trying to get her to go out with Julian, and Julian insisted she spend the evening with Oscar. Drew says, that’s generous; almost selfless. He doesn’t know if he could do that. If it was him, he’d want to celebrate with the woman he loves.

Anna says she’s going to get Emma settled. Emma tells Griff that she’s available to dance, if wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. They go upstairs, and Griff says, it’s amazing. All it takes is a funny hat and a memory of his father in a tutu, and all is right in Emma’s world. Finn says, it’s a good place to be. He tells Griff, what he’s feeling, he’s been there. Griff appreciates everything they’re doing, but nothing seems to help. Finn agrees, saying, people care when you don’t want them to, and inflict caring when you want to curl up in a ball alone. You don’t realize it until later. Griff wants to believe that – more than anything. He leaves, and Finn says, happy New Year.

Laura thanks Felicia. She knows none of these are good memories. Felicia says that’s why she and Mac went on the cruise, to get some distance from the anniversary of the murders. But she realized that if she was running from the coverage, she’d still be running from Ryan. A quarter-century later, he would still be affecting her. So she decided to do an interview with a television producer who’s doing a documentary. Laura asks, why? and Felicia says it would be done with or without her. She wanted them to know that Ryan wasn’t intriguing or glamorous. He was just a monster.

When not-Doc comes into Peyton’s work room, the film is running. Felicia is saying she survived Ryan, and his attempt to exorcise his own demons. Peyton says he’d appreciate not-Doc’s thoughts, but it’s a work in progress. He thinks Felicia is beautiful, and it’s easy to see why Ryan was obsessed. Felicia says, they first met in Texas. He was calling himself Todd Wilson. She should have sensed something was deeply wrong. Not-Doc breaks a pencil, and Peyton asks if he’s okay. Not-Doc apologizes, saying he’s fine. Felicia is dear old friend, and Ryan was his brother; his twin. It’s a bond even death can’t break up. Peyton says twins always talk about a special connection. Felicia touches on it; it’s a compelling interview. Felicia says Ryan made her life a living hell. It’s fitting that he died in a hell of his own making; an inferno.

Felicia feels just as in the dark about Doc as Laura. Laura says they both know he’s a good man. If he’s not acting like himself, something is wrong. Laura checks her phone, and sees the Invader headline: Two Gruesome Killings – One Killer?

At the hospital, Griff looks at the same article.

Margaux says Jason doesn’t approve of her. Sonny asks if she can blame him. Everyone knows she doesn’t approve of Sonny. She says he has his moments. He made a very compelling argument that she was losing herself in her vendetta against him. She decided to turn things around. He asks if that’s why she gave Drew the flashdrive. She says she was wrong to hold something as sacred as someone’s life and memories as leverage to get something on Sonny. She’s glad it didn’t work out. Sonny says he almost believes that.

Jason shoots pool at The Floating Rib. A strange man approaches him, and asks if he’s Drew. He can’t believe it; it’s really him. Jason says he’s Jason Morgan; Drew is his twin. The guy says he didn’t know Drew had one. He’d said he was brought up in a state home. Jason says they didn’t know until year ago, and the guy says, it’s such a trip. He knew Drew in Afghanistan. He was an independent contractor, and there was a lot of overlap with the SEALs. He introduces himself as Hank, and asks, how about a game? Jason racks, and Hank asks if Drew is still a SEAL. Jason can’t say, and Hank tells him that he didn’t mean to pry. Jason suggests he ask Drew himself; he’s living in Port Charles. The guy says, what are the odds of that? Jason almost clears the table in one shot.

Drew tells Kim that he can take her home, and there’s plenty of time to get ready. She says she’s not going anywhere, and reminds him about being stuck in New Year’s traffic last year. She asks if he remembers finding the CD, and says, Oscar is such a romantic. He was convinced she kept it in hopes of finding him. Drew says, it makes sense. He’s heard about himself, and he was fantastic. She says he was all right. She tells Drew, that kid never gives up, and Drew says, just like his mom. She adds, and his dad.

Margaux tells Sonny that Drew didn’t want the flashdrive. He said the past is past, and was more concerned about what’s best for his son right now. Sonny says, the kid’s got guts. It’s a shame he’s so young. Margaux says, it’s a shame for anyone; a kid or a jazz lover like Sonny’s dad. Sonny is grateful, and Margaux says he’s welcome, but wants it to be clear. He says, she’s the DA, and he’s an alleged criminal. Margaux says, alleged, and Sonny says, nothing has changed.

Emma gives Anna a bulldog keychain, and a bearded dragon keychain to Finn. She says the keys are to Anna’s house; it’s symbolic. Anna says, it’s very thoughtful, and Finn thanks her. She says she’ll leave them to discuss things. When she’s gone, Finn says he didn’t have the heart to tell her that he already has a key. Anna says, it’s not so much the gesture as the symbolism. Emma is saying that Finn should move in with her – again.

Griff is waiting at Doc’s office, and Laura asks if there’s a line. Griff says he’s not there. A shrink is like a cop or priest. There’s never one around when you need them. She’s glad she ran into him, and asks if he read Lulu’s article. He says that’s why he’s there; he needs answers. He thought someone who has looked into the darkest corner of the soul, and made a study, maybe… Laura says, maybe he can understand why Kiki had to die?

Doc is being interviewed in the film. Peyton asks what Doc can tell him about his brother. Doc says, he was misunderstood, like any artist, and he was an artist in his own way. He was too sensitive for this world. His pain was so intense, he needed others to feel it too. Like Goya and Van Gogh needed to experience it themselves to be appreciated. Not-Doc says, quite powerful, but he would cut all the stuff about Todd Wilson, and just focus on Ryan in Port Charles. Peyton says that would mean leaving out Gloria Wilson’s murder. Not-Doc suggests he just say Ryan killed his wife. Why mention Todd Wilson when there’s no such person? Peyton says, or is there? The funhouse is now a coffee franchise, and you’d never know it was there, which is fitting. Not one speck of Ryan’s DNA was found. That’s what inspired his ending. He asks if not-Doc would like a sneak peek. Not-Doc says, more than he could possibly know.

Hank tells Jason, good thing he didn’t bet money. He doesn’t remember Drew being this good. Jason says they’ve never played. Hank asks if Jason has Drew’s information. He wants to get in touch. Jason suggests he get Hank’s information, and he’ll pass it along. Hank grabs a napkin and pen, and writes it down. He says, tell Drew his buddy Hank is looking for him. He’ll remember. Jason says, memory is a funny thing, and takes a shot, finishing the game. Hank says remind him never to shoot pool with Jason again, and asks if he wants a rematch. Jason has somewhere to be, and Hank says, next time. When Jason is out of earshot, he calls Sam, saying there’s a quick change in plans. He needs to make a stop before coming over.

Margaux tells Sonny, don’t make problems for her, and she won’t for him. She has bigger fish to fry. He asks if she means a possible serial killer. She says two isolated homicides don’t make a serial killer, but he says, not according to the article. She says all it is, are theories. The police have yet make a connection between Kiki and Mary Pat’s murders. Sonny says, that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

Finn wonders if 2018 went uphill or downhill since his and Anna’s last New Year’s Eve. She says Cassandra tried to kill him, and he says Cassandra’s henchman tried to kill her. She says they lost Nathan. He remembers her pain, and he’s sorry he couldn’t take it away. Anna says he did. He says, not a lot, and she says, enough. She tells him that she found her son, and he says, pointing a gun at her. Anna asks, who hasn’t at some point? Finn tells her, on one hand, her fearlessness is attractive; on the other hand, it makes him realize how much he’d hate to lose her. She says she’s not going anywhere. Emma comes back downstairs, and asks if they’ve reached any important life decisions, like asking Finn to move in. Anna says she’s oddly old-fashioned, and thinks it should be up to him. Finn says, it’s 2018. He’s not sure that it’s necessary for the man to propose, and Anna quickly tells Emma, he means moving in. Finn says, there are no rules anymore for cohabitation; someone just asks. He begins to stumble over his words, says, yeah, and walks out. Anna says, did he just leave?

Griff doesn’t think they should just walk into Doc’s office, and Laura asks what Griff thinks he’ll do; get moodier? She just has one quick question, then Griff can talk to him. Doc took an oath to help people in pain. Griff is thinking of going to the gym; he just wants to smash something. To think it might be the same person, and the start of a pattern with more victims. He wants justice, but at the same time, it seems pointless. Any justice that comes will be too late for Kiki.

Not-Doc tells Peyton not to keep him in suspense; show him the ending. Peyton says it’s not taped yet. It just occurred to him last night. He hasn’t told another soul. He puts the film back on. Peyton is talking to the camera.What if Ryan didn’t die in the funhouse? No way out? What if there was a trap door, or the blast itself propelled him to safety? What if he walks among them? What does he look like? Perhaps anyone. Even me. Even you.

Sonny tells Margaux that he’s taking Carly to the city tonight, but just so she knows, Kiki was family. So if she needs help with whoever did this, all she has to do is ask. Margaux asks if he’ll reach out to his contacts in the legitimate coffee import business. He says he’s just trying help. He means what he said about paying back debts. Margaux says he owes her nothing, and she’s not sure they can ever be even. Some debts can’t be repaid. Some things can’t be taken back. He’s sorry she feels that way, and she says, it is what it is. He starts to leave, and she tells him, have a happy New Year. He says, same to her.

Kim tells Drew that she’s going to check on Oscar. He says he’ll go next; they can be a tag team. Oscar can spend double the time with his parents; he’ll love it. She says they’re getting good at it, but wishes they didn’t have to be. She leaves for Oscar’s room, and Jason comes in. He asks how Oscar is, and Drew says he’s sleeping, but all things considered, he’s pretty good. Jason doesn’t want to give him anything else to deal with, but a guy approached him at The Floating Rib, claiming he thought Jason was Drew. Drew says Jason doesn’t believe him, and Jason says he was too anxious to tell his story. He hands Drew the napkin, saying the guy said he used to call him Hank. Drew looks at the napkin.

Hank shoots pool badly by himself. He ponders while drinking a beer.

Emma tells Anna that she wanted the keychain to convince Finn to move back in. Anna says she wants that, and Emma asks if she doesn’t want it too. Anna says, he’s very tidy. Emma hopes she didn’t hurt his feelings, but Anna says he understands she meant well. It’s just that men like to think they make their own decisions. Emma says, then they should make them faster. Anna tells her, they’re not all the same. Some are more anxious and tightly wound souls, like Finn. It’s best not to push them. Finn let’s himself in, carrying a suitcase and Roxie’s cage. He says he used his keychain. So do they want him to move in or not? Anna and Emma say, yes! and Finn and Anna hug.

Laura tells Griff that she was never one to believe evil wins out. That’s why she chose to run for mayor. He says, to fight evil? and she says, to do some good. She’s sure she sounds naïve, and Griff says not to him, but he probably sounds naïve to a lot of people. She says they have that in common. She wants to make the world a better place. She’s sure he wanted that when he chose be a priest and doctor. He says he took an oath to do no harm, but if he could get his hands on the person who killed Kiki, and take a life for a life, part of him thinks he’d be doing the Lord’s work.

Not-Doc says, it’s a heck of an ending. Has he screened it for anyone else? Peyton says, not yet. When it’s put together, it’s going to be a real eye opener. Not-Doc says, that it might. Peyton asks what he thinks, and not-Doc says he has a few notes, and closes the door.

Tomorrow, Kim tells Drew that Oscar was conceived on New Year’s Eve, not-Doc says he’ll see if anyone is looking for Peyton tonight, and Laura tells Scotty that Doc is sleeping with Ava.

🍗 On Top Chef, the remaining twelve were surprised to hear they were going into restaurant wars in Lexington. On previous seasons, the wars didn’t happen until they were down to eight contestants, but this time, there would be three restaurants instead of two, with the teams already decided. First, a Quickfire challenge was in order. It was an amuse bouche-based challenge, and the chefs had to come up with the quick, perfect bite, that begins a meal to get you wanting more. Michelle won immunity with what Padma deemed, one beautiful bite. When the teams were divided, training the staff seemed to be harder than the cooking, with few having prior experience, and not many of them retaining what they had just learned. The show ended just as the chefs were about to open their restaurants, and Tom threw them a curveball, telling them it would be a double elimination.

🍵 A Little RealiTea…

Bad below deckhand.

https://pagesix.com/2018/12/25/below-deck-reality-series-cast-member-arrested-in-florida/

I’m looking forward to Denise joining the pack, but I’m still just in it for the LVP.

http://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-react-to-denise-richards-joining-season-9-cast?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_RHOBH_Dish

I’m more shocked that Anfisa is waiting for Jorge while he’s in the slammer.

https://www.eonline.com/news/995117/why-90-day-fiance-s-anfisa-nava-turned-to-body-building-after-her-husband-s-prison-sentencing

Stassi (Vanderpump Rules) got a cameo of them for Christmas from her beau Beau. I knew Beau was the right one for her. Colt and Larissa are possibly the most interesting 90 Day Fiancé couple this season. I think she’s really interested in him, which boggles my mind. And there’s already a cheating scandal. With him being the culprit. Mind more than boggled.

https://popculture.com/reality-tv/2018/12/07/90-day-fiance-colt-johnson-larissa-dos-santos-lima-married/

https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/colt-johnson-larissa-dos-santos-lima-spend-xmas-together/

And the sweetest 90 Day couple. Come on, let him come to this country. So he punched out a few dudes. It’s not like they were strangers or his SO. The football players we have here already have done much worse.

https://www.eonline.com/news/999732/90-day-fiance-s-jon-and-rachel-take-us-behind-the-scenes-of-their-romantic-reunion

🍤 Amuse Bouche…

 

 

 

August 8, 2018 – Peter is the Luckiest Man Alive, NYC After Cartagena, Lots of Gordon, a New Wife, & It Starts the Same

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I miss the very beginning, because, dogs.

Dr. Klein (is it the same actor?) tells Finn that he’s in no position to make demands. Finn knows Klein thinks he’s way out of his depth right, but they need him or he wouldn’t be here. He wants proof Anna is alive before he looks at the chart. Klein leaves the chart and walks out. Finn says sorry if he hurt Klein’s feelings. In my head, I fill in that Klein is working for the captor(s) and someone important has an infectious disease.

Klein tells Anna, time to wake up. Anna asks what for, and he says, proof, and takes her picture.

Peter tells Robert that he thought he knew everything about his father, but he only scratched the surface. Robert’s colleagues are more educated than he is. Robert says Peter claims to have information they want; show him. Peter wants his freedom guaranteed first.

Maxie tells Nina that the advertising department was swept away with Valentin’s ad block. Nina says to tell them anyone can sell a fantasy with pretty copy; a lie is still a lie. Valentin appears, and says nothing about his love for her is a lie.

Drew tells Kim it will be a feeding frenzy to meet him at the reunion. She says she’ll handle it for him. Margaux comes by, and says, funny running into him. Drew introduces her to Kim. He says they met because of their mutual love for baseball. Margaux says she’s actually there on DA business, and leaves. Kim says, baseball, huh?

At the courthouse, Alexis asks what Julian is doing there. He says he’s there to support his niece. She says he should be proud of her. It took a lot of courage to bring the case to court. Julian wants Kiki to know she’s not alone. Ava told him about the meeting. He had no idea they’d put up with that kind of harassment. Alexis says so many men don’t realize what they’ve had to get over, put up with, and deal with forever. They’re angry, and if one of them isn’t, there’s a problem.

Kiki tells Ava that she has to sit across from David, and knows how he’ll look at her. Ava says, don’t look at him. Give him nothing. Griff says he’ll use the same tactics he did at the hospital, and try to intimidate her. He agrees she should give him nothing. Ava tells her to think about how many of them support her; they’re the ones who are important. They see her as the beautiful, honest woman she is. Griff says, absolutely.

Scotty tells Franco that people are unpredictable, especially under oath. It kind of gets to them. They have secrets that should go to the grave, or at least a shrink, but feel the need to unburden themselves, leaving nothing but shrapnel.

When Klein Is gone, Anna sits up. She takes out a small scalpel.

Robert tells Peter that he won’t go to Steinmaur if he provides information regarding the patients in the Russian facility. Peter says he’ll need it in writing, but Robert says that could take weeks or months. Peter asks if he’s supposed to take Robert’s word for it. Peter says just before Jason, Dr. Klein had a record of varying signs of success with the other patients. They were taken to Liechtenstein for further study. Robert asks, why not Jason? and Peter says he’d have to ask Klein. Robert thinks it’s just a stall to keep him out of Steinmaur. If this is a test, he flunked it. Peter asks if Robert is sending him to supermax, but Robert says Anna would never let him hear the end of it. He’s going to offer a compromise.

Finn tells Klein a photo could have been taken weeks ago. He wants to see Anna in the flesh, speaking coherent sentences. Klein says, or what? Finn says his patient is in bad shape, and there’s a mutation he doesn’t recognize. Unless he kidnapped a panel of experts on infectious diseases… Klein gets what he’s saying. Klein leaves, and Finn says, that went well.

Robert tells Peter that they’ll shelve the charges. Peter asks what that means, and Robert says he’s not exonerated, and the charges can be refiled. He’s free for as long as Robert says so. Peter says, so he’s under Robert’s thumb. Robert tells him, should he want to use Peter for a WSB op, he’s to offer his full cooperation. If he causes his mother or anyone else grief, Steinmaur will be waiting. Robert opens the door, and Margaux is there. He says, perfect timing. Peter is no longer a WSB problem. She asks Peter if he’s ready for her.

Griff tells Ava he’ll meet them at the courthouse. She says it means a lot for him to be there by Kiki’s and her side. He’s family to them. He leaves, and Kiki asks what Ava thinks of her outfit. Ava says she thinks she knows what Kiki is trying to accomplish, and it’s not going to work.

Franco asks if Scotty is sitting on information that could hurt Kiki’s case. Scotty says it has nothing to do with the case. Franco asks what he’s talking about; maybe he can help. Scotty says, hypothetically, how do you tell your friend that her daughter had relations with her doctor, ex-priest boyfriend? Franco says that hypocritical bastard. Scotty couldn’t agree more, but now that Franco knows the truth, what is he going to do about it?

Alexis tells Julian, sorry; this issue gets her worked up. He understands. She says between the dock thing, photoshop (I guess she’s become a meme?), and phone calls, she’s on edge. Julian says he’s angry, thanks to her. The therapy session she dragged him to made him pissed off. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got with the double standard he grew up with. It was screwed up. Finding a good woman to save, and at the same time, keeping the same woman under his control. He doesn’t know as he’s met anyone who wants to be controlled. Alexis wonders if it’s an argument or an apology. He says he’s done a lot of both. He wants to thank her for Kiki being able to conquer the world he grew up in. Kiki is fortunate to have her. So are Sam, Molly, and Kristina. She teaches them by example not to accept the world he grew up in.

Elizabeth tells Kim that she’s testifying on Kiki’s behalf. She was thinking of having Franco bring Cameron to the trial.

Ava tells Kiki that’s not what Alexis told her to wear. Dressed in a dark blazer, blouse, and slacks, Kiki doesn’t think it sends the right message. Ava asks if she thinks the conservative look makes her seem serious and believable. Kiki says she wants to be seen as professional. Ava says if she wears this, she’s saying one thing to David – you win. He’s taken her confidence and power. Don’t let him get away with it. Didn’t she hear what they said the other day? They haven’t battled so hard for her to surrender. Get in there and fight.

Peter asks if Margaux is there to discuss fraud charges. She says she’s not chasing him for a fake resume or a phony name. She can’t get traction on attempted murder without Anna either. It’s beyond her how he’s not going to prison, but his crimes aren’t her jurisdiction. Peter says if it’s not her jurisdiction, then it’s not her business. She doesn’t like the idea of releasing him back out into public. She asks if he knew that ID theft is a federal offense, and he says he didn’t steal anyone’s identity. She says he aided and abetted changing Drew’s identity. He says she’s reaching, but she says if she can prove it, he’ll go to prison.

Valentin says James is looking well. Maxie says James is none of his business. Nina says she and Maxie are working. He just wanted to tell her that he had the stables rebuilt, and Lumiere is coming home tomorrow. He also bought a mare, so she and Charlotte can ride anytime. Maxie tells him to stop using what’s important to Nina to get to her. He says what’s important to Nina, is important to him. Maxie tells him all children’s well-being is important to her, and he took Peter as a child, giving him to Faison. He says he also protected Peter most of his life. Maxie says Nathan protected Nina most of her life, and because of him, Peter, and Faison, he’s gone.

Klein brings Anna in, holding her up. He tells Finn that if his patient dies, so does she.

Maxie tells Nina the Interruptions are making work impossible. She’s going to tell them to bring the food to the office. She realizes she forgot James has a doctor’s appointment. Nina says she’ll go with her, and Maxie says she’ll cancel the order. When she’s gone, Nina says, Maxie is right. He’ll do anything to try to get to her. He’ll use anything; the magazine, her horse, Charlotte. He already took out major ads. She gets it. He professed his feelings. He thinks it’s love, but it’s not respect. He says he respects her, but she says not enough to tell the truth. She’ll be glad to give Charlotte riding lessons, but not when he’s there.

Peter is tired of explaining that he had nothing to do with the memory transfer. She says he was an accessory, but he says, not according to Robert. She tells him he wasn’t given an everlasting get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s on record that he had the flash drive with Drew’s memories. He says he’s not the one who stole them, and a digital download of memory transfer isn’t include in the definition of ID theft. She says he was trafficking stolen information, using it to bargain for his freedom. It’s extortion and blackmail, and he’d be deemed a flight risk. He wonders why she’s so invested. She says she’s the DA, and it’s her job, but he thinks there’s more to it.  She wants to use his freedom as leverage for something else. She says he made a mess, and it’s on her to clean up. He asks how they’re supposed to do that, and she tells him to give back Drew’s identity, and all the charges will be dropped.

Kiki comes out in a navy-blue dress with bell sleeves. Ava asks if she feel like more herself. She does, and she feels more like Ava. She never realized the battles Ava had to face. Ava says she’s had her share of challenges, but the first time, there was no social media; it didn’t exist. Harassment is harassment. She survived, and so will Kiki. Kiki says it’s her favorite thing about Ava; she’s a survivor. She hopes Ava knows how much she loves her; she’s sorry. Ava says she has nothing to apologize for, and hugs her. She says nothing in this world would tarnish her love for Kiki – nothing.

Franco tells Scotty instead of them saying anything, has he considered not putting Griff on the stand? Cross him off the list. Scotty says, it’s not that easy. David thinks the picture is his ticket to ride, and wants Griff to testify. Franco suggests they go directly to Alexis. Scotty hopes by we, Franco means himself. Franco says, fine. He’ll warn her so she won’t be blindsided in case Griff wants to unburden himself. Scotty says better Franco than him. Scotty says the wrong question can blow the case, and ruin her client’s life.

Klein leaves Anna with Finn. He asks if she’s okay, and she kisses him, saying not to worry; she’s fine. He asks about the wobbly thing. She says she doesn’t want them to know she’s fine. They’ve been giving her phlebotomy treatments like clockwork. He says she has health conscious captors. She asks if he was kidnapped outright, or was it a botched rescue attempt. He says his kidnapping is part of the rescue; he’s working with Robert. He was brought in to cure a patient he’s never met from a disease he doesn’t recognize. Finn says he missed her, and she says she missed him too. They kiss, and she feels the tracking device that Robert implanted in his arm. She asks what it is, and he says, the cavalry is on the way. She says they can’t have that.

Peter says Drew is a good man who deserves his life back, and Margaux asks if he’ll do it. He says he left the flash drive when he was taken by Obrecht. If anyone knows where it is, it’s her. Drew walks in and says he doesn’t think Peter ever had it. Margaux asks if he wants to press charges, but he says the flash drive is gone. He wants to focus on his life as it is. If she wants to continue, have at it, but if she’s doing it for him, thanks for nothing. Peter asks if he’s free to go. Griff comes in, and says he needs to see his patient.

In the hallway, Margaux asks Drew if he’s sure he doesn’t want to press charges. He asks what’s the point? Even if Peter was convicted, it won’t change anything. Peter is as much his father’s victim as he is.

Peter tells Griff they’ve kept each other’s secret; let’s leave it. He says he’s there for Anna. Peter has reasons for hatred, anger, and sadness, with nowhere for it to go. He doesn’t want Peter to direct it at her. Peter says, wouldn’t it be great if he wasn’t there at all? and Griff says he’s free to go. Margaux comes back, and says an officer will come by with his release, and to get out before she changes her mind and charges him.

Franco tells Elizabeth they need to get to the courthouse. She says she was just suggesting maybe Cameron should come, but Franco thinks the subject requires some delicate conversations. They’ll talk later. Griff asks if Elizabeth is still working. She says for just another few minutes, and he says he’s consulting on a case. He tells them how Ava stepped up for Kiki, and Franco says he’s a lucky guy, and makes a mean face. Griff guesses he is. He leaves, and Elizabeth wonders what’s up with Franco. She thought he liked Griff. Franco says, so did he.

Peter gets dressed. Robert says it’s his lucky day. Peter says he’s an object of mercy for the first time. Robert says it might look like he’s free, but Peter’s ass belongs to him. He tells Peter here’s a gift from the WSB, and tosses Faison’s lighter on the bed. Peter says it gave him satisfaction to take it when Faison died, but now he doesn’t need it. Robert suggests it might get decent price; Faison’s estate was seized. Peter says he doesn’t want his father’s money. Robert says he should try selling the lighter. Until further notice, he’s penniless.

Julian thanks Alexis for hearing him. She’s glad the therapy had the effect it did. He says his son also became a father. He thinks Lucas and Brad will be great parents. Alexis says, Julian too. He’s improving as a grandfather. He tells her to get the SOB.

Peter sees Nina and Maxie at the hospital. He says he has no right to ask, but can he see the baby? He tell James he hasn’t seen him since his big debut; he’s gotten so big. Nina asks if he’ll be leaving Port Charles. Maxie asks where he’s going to go now. Peter looks more like Tim Allen every day. He needs to ditch that beard pronto. Peter says he can understand why Maxie would want him to leave and never come back. Maxie says she doesn’t hate him, but it would be for the best. He says he’s lived in different places, running from his father his entire life, and this is the closest he’s come to having a real home. He’s decided to stay and give things another chance.

Away from Nina, Valentin gets on the phone, and makes arrangements with the warden to visit a prisoner. Donna Mills? I read she’s coming back.

Drew asks if Margaux is disappointed that he’s not pressing charges. She says she’s actually happy it’s freed her schedule. He appreciates the effort, and says there’s a hotdog stand near by. He asks if she’d like one. He imagines they have mustard. They leave together.

Anna takes out the scalpel to remove the tracking device from Finn. He wonders why they can’t be rescued, and she says personally, she’s not all for it. Whoever these people are working for is powerful and dangerous. Finn adds, and sick. She says they can’t find out who they are, and they will if Robert comes charging to the rescue. She removes the device, and says, now they’re on their own.

On the phone, Robert says he lost Finn’s signal. Do they have it? He says, dammit!

Anna and Finn almost kiss, when Klein comes back. Anna pretends she can’t stand, and Finn pretends to hold her up. Klein says it’s time to roll. Finn asks, where? and Klein says he’ll know when they get there.

Julian asks how the team is, and Ava says his niece is quite a warrior. He supports her one million percent. She appreciates it, and Ava asks if she’s ready. She says, damn right. Franco and Elizabeth come in, and Franco says, she’s got this. Elizabeth tells her that nurses are coming to support her. Kiki bets no doctors will be, but Elizabeth thinks he might be surprised. Franco tells Alexis that he has to talk to her before her case falls apart.

Tomorrow, Ava asks to talk to Elizabeth, Alexis asks Franco what’s so important, and David asks Scotty if he’s trying to throw the case.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Dorinda visits Ramona in the Hamptons. It’s Ramona’s first major renovation, and it’s uplifting for her. Dorinda says it looks like a whole new place. Ramona tells her it’s the best feeling next to having her daughter. LuAnn and Sonja arrive. Ramona says she did everything online. In her interview, LuAnn says Ramona now thinks she’s the queen of design, but there are no flowers; not even a chia pet. Everyone is still recovering from the trip to Cartagena.

Tinsley comes by Carole’s place. Carole says, not to overshare, but it’s the first day she’s normal in the bathroom. Tinsley says, not to overshare, but she got worse later.

Sonja suggests wearing diapers. We see a picture of her reaching into an overhead rack, and her diaper is sticking up over her pants. In her interview, she says she doesn’t like to use the lavatory on a bus, and with a diaper, you don’t know what’s going on down there. Really? Does that diaper come with a handful of Xanax? They relive the boat trip from hell.

Tinsley didn’t think it was that crazy. Carole says it could have ended totally different. In her interview, Carole thinks Tinsley is nuts. It’s like she was on a different boat. Tinsley says, true, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Carole says she’s been in abusive relationships, and it sounds like her her go-to reaction – everything is okay. It’s the same reaction with their near-death experience. Tinsley gets weepy, saying she can’t help the way she is.

Everyone is all TMI about their diarrhea at Ramona’s house. She tells them she’s having a showcase for her anti-aging cream.

Sonja is worried about renting the townhouse. She’s only seen three or four people, but they’re coming into the prime month for real estate. Realtor Kristi comes over. Sonja explains that when the snow melted in the yard, the poop underneath was revealed. She has to be all over the poop situation; she’s inundated. Kristi says the client is pulling up, so Sonja needs to go. Kristi says she’ll text when they’re done and meet with Sonja.

Dorinda visits Bethenny at her new place. She says you know you’re moving up in world when you enter right into the apartment from the elevator. Bethenny says she was excited to come home, but dreading it. Normally she’s very involved in her own move, but everyone worked hard while she was gone to get the apartment ready. Calling it home after a trip like that is sweet. She gives Dorinda the tour. In her interview, Dorinda says it’s everything you’d want an apartment to look like. It has everything that makes living in NYC easy. I have to note that the closet is bigger than my first apartment. Dorinda is still under the weather. Bethenny says she was the only one not sick.

Bethenny says Dorinda had a real moment with LuAnn. Dorinda doesn’t want to talk about it, but she’s still pissed off. LuAnn needs to look at the bigger picture, and how Dorinda has stuck by her. In her interview, Dorinda says after she tried to speak to LuAnn, she still doesn’t get it. Every statement was loaded. LuAnn depended on her for three years, so don’t school her now. A handshake is only good if there are two hands. She tells Bethenny that she feels like she’s in a good place with John. In her interview, Dorinda says they didn’t break up, but she wants to be in a growing space. Bethenny says she’s glad he’s not going anywhere. Just because you love someone, that doesn’t mean they’re the right person. In her head, she gave Dennis ninety days. She says he might end up alone, but Dorinda doubts it. Bethenny says she’s not sharing the closet.

Kristi tells Sonja that her client likes it, but what’s coming up in every showing is the construction nearby. She thinks the price should be reduced. She’s even been doing vetting to make sure they can afford it. Sonja says, if you can’t afford it, don’t look. In her interview, Sonja doesn’t care who likes her. She wants her price.

LuAnn meets Bethenny at a place where you make your own lipstick. Bethenny suggests LuAnn make Countess Cabaret. Oddly, LuAnn’s bag matches Bethenny’s jacket. In her interview, LuAnn says, now that Carole is out of the way, she and Bethenny have been reconnecting. Bethenny says she saw Dorinda, and she’s going to therapy. She says Dorinda doesn’t think she did anything bad. In her interview, LuAnn says she and Dorinda have had no relationship after Cartagena. She was horrified to know what her friend thought of her, and hopes she looks at herself. She tells Bethenny that she doesn’t hold grudges, but it’s like a knot in her stomach that’s not going away. She does forgive Dorinda though. Bethenny says Dorinda doesn’t think she needs forgiving. In her interview, LuAnn says it’s hard to ignore. She’s heard you hurt the ones you love most, and unfortunately, Dorinda loves her in the wrong way. Bethenny tells her that Carole has been hanging out with Tinsley. She’d said she wanted lighter friends. Light and young, with no responsibilities. In her interview, Bethenny says her relationship with Carole is like burnt marinara; you can’t fix it. If it’s burned at the bottom, you can taste it at the top. LuAnn tells her about Ramona’s house. She’d said it was a total renovation, and everything is white. The top on the kitchen island looks like a headstone, and where she keeps the bodies. In her interview, Bethenny says rehab was freeing for LuAnn. She now doesn’t care if what she’s saying is inappropriate. LuAnn tells her the house was freezing. There was no warmth and no character. She says Ramona was the inspiration for Money Can’t Buy You Class.

Carole meets Dorinda for dinner. She just came from a meeting with her agent. The Widow’s Guide to Sex and Dating is being optioned for TV. It’s been a transforming year. She also has a party coming up for her article in Cosmopolitan. Dorinda asks if she’s dating, and if she’s gone out with Brian, the scarf guy from speed dating. Carole says Bethenny texted him, and Dorinda says Bethenny claimed it was a mistake text. Carole tells her that Bethenny says not nice things about him. She thinks it wasn’t a mistake, and Bethenny is two-faced. Dorinda says Bethenny told her they’d hit a wall in Cartagena. Carole says she heard that too, but Bethenny hasn’t said any more. Dorinda says she saw the new apartment, and Carole says she was never asked to, which speaks volumes. In her interview, Carole says when they were friends, she was the first person to see Bethenny’s old apartment, and the new one pre-construction. It’s indicative of where they are. Well, I doubt Carole would call Bethenny for any firsts either. Carole says she’s seeing Bethenny for the first time, or maybe just clearly. She needed to reframe the friendship, and create boundaries. She thinks Bethenny creates her own story, or perspective, where Carole isn’t there for her. Dorinda says she starts the story where she chooses, and Carole says, where she looks good.

Michele from Cosmopolitan is hosting the party with Carole. The attire is athletic chic, since they’ve been to too many cocktail parties that are all the same. Heather Thomas shows up. In her interview, Carole says Heather supports her. She misses Heather, and it’s nice to feel a connection again. Tinsley and Scott arrive, with Tinsley sporting a Columbia sweatshirt. In her interview, she says she played tennis for them when she went to college there. Adam shows up with a trophy for Carole. In her interview, Carole says they still love each other. He was a good boyfriend. She doesn’t crash and burn relationships, the way some people do. She talks to him about work. In her interview, Tinsley says Carole and Adam’s break-up was harder on her than them. They used to take trips together with her and Scott. She’s glad he’s there supporting Carole, and hopes they remain friends. Heather asks Carole what her having a voice means, citing some talk from last season. She thought Carole already had a voice. Maybe it needs to be about her occasionally. Carole says Bethenny isn’t a bad person, but it needs balancing out. Heather says Bethenny is self-absorbed, and doesn’t realize it. In her interview, Carole says Heather knows Bethenny, and gets it. She doesn’t have to overexplain. A group picture is taken, and Dorinda runs in at the last minute. She looks sleek, and Tinsley says no one talks about the upside of the Columbia cleanse. Dorinda looks good. Adam congratulates Carole, and says they should grab coffee sometime. She says she doesn’t drink coffee anymore.

Bethenny picks up Sonja. They’re going where SkinnyGirl jeans are made. In her interview, Bethenny says if she can help keep Sonja’s ass covered, she’s done her part. Sonja tells Bethenny that Mr. Watch TV was over. In her interview, Sonja says she likes monikers, since she doesn’t want to put the names out there. He’s her Netflix and chill kind of guy.

Bethenny is involved in all aspects of the jeans line, and is obsessed. They’re slap-your-ass good jeans. Bethenny explains that Sonja also has a clothing line, and is along for the ride. Manager Bill says, this is where the magic happens, and he’s going to take her behind the curtain. Bethenny wants to be inspired and be involved. They go past some gigantic washers, and Sonja jokes about hiding bodies. In her interview, Bethenny says the difference between Sonja and Carole is that Sonja doesn’t take herself seriously, and they laugh a lot. Sonja says it brings back memories of FIT. She’s back in her element. I used to live a few streets down from FIT, and I miss my element. Bill shows them some jeans that enhance a guy’s male parts. They’re called BPD – Big Package Denim. Bethenny and Sonja laugh their asses off. Someone wearing those might scare me. Remember, it’s not the size of the boat, it’s the motion of the ocean.

NYC is experiencing some nasty, rainy weather, and Dorinda’s umbrella turns inside out. She comes by the dry-cleaning place to see John. The manager tells John that his wife came to see him. In her interview, Dorinda says they call her his wife because she’s always storming around the castle like she’s the queen. John has a nice lunch set up in his office, with flowers and everything. He tells Dorinda that he’s going to be on Rachel Ray’s show. In her interview, Dorinda says she’s never seen someone grow so much in six years. He wants to be the best man he can for her. She brings out the best in men. I have to admit, I’m impressed. We haven’t seen John much lately, and I wasn’t crazy about him, but it definitely looks like he’s improved. John says it’s been an amazing six years; it was effortless. Dorinda says she realizes that she has to communicate better. He’s working hard, but it’s important to take time out. In her interview, she says he makes her happy. Not everything he does makes her happy, but that’s life. She tells him about LuAnn’s cabaret, and says there will probably be an after-party.

Ramona arrives for her Ageless pre-celebration. She wants people to test it, and tell her what they think. The venue is restaurant Megu, and Carole tells Dorinda that the last time they were there, there was a huge fight. We flash back to Carole telling Bethenny get off her jock. They go inside, followed by LuAnn in a cute, feathery, lavender jacket. Tinsley has a new idea; Tinsley Travels – a vacation so amazing, you’ll literally sh*t your pants. I literally LOL. They toast to Ramona. Sonja brings in a huge shopping bag with shoeboxes in it. She’s brought shoes for everyone. She shows off the pair she’s wearing, and they are cute. In her interview, Sonja says the people who buy Ramona’s skincare are the same demographic as her shoes. LuAnn puts her pair on, and those are cute too. In her interview, LuAnn says Sonja took a little away from Ramona’s party, but she loves the shade. Ramona tells Sonja it’s about her skincare, not Sonja’s shoes. In her interview, Ramon says she’ll give Sonja ten minutes. I’m flabbergasted that she’s even giving Sonja any time. I figured she’d pitch a fit. Sonja says he didn’t bring shoes for Carole and Dorinda. They don’t support her, and she doesn’t think they’d wear them anyway. We flash back to Dorinda being obnoxious about Sonja’s family crest slippers. Ramona tells Tinsley that she’s worried about Bethenny. In her interview, Ramona says Bethenny claims to support women, but if she did, she would have come or at least wished her luck. She got nothing.

Carole is looking forward to LuAnn’s cabaret. LuAnn tells her that the beatboxer worked on Hamilton. We see a clip of LuAnn rehearsing with Sonja. Dorinda says LuAnn should be proud of herself. She’s sorry about their mishap. Is that what we’re calling drunken fits now? She says she’s always supported LuAnn, and she’s sorry. In her interview, LuAnn knows Dorinda feels the need to apologize, but she’s not interested in fake apologies. Show her by doing something about her problem. She feels bad when people can’t cop to their own bad behavior. She laughs, and says she didn’t mean to use word cop. In her interview, Dorinda says she’s looking for her own I’m sorry. She feels like LuAnn lacks self-awareness. Or maybe their friendship isn’t as important as she thought.

Ramona makes a little speech. As the drinking commences, Carole tells LuAnn that her skin never looked better.

Next time – the finale – LuAnn’s cabaret; John’s not invited, but Scott is; Sonja has a wardrobe malfunction; Ramona calls out Bethenny for being unsupportive; and Dorinda and LuAnn go at it.

🍋 On MasterChef, the mystery box contained oil, and the challenge was to make a deep-fried dish. The contestants had access to the full pantry, and Viking stoves got a plug. The pantry never ceases to impress me, since it contains everything you could think of. I also like to kid myself that I’d be a great cook if I only had one like it. The judges cooked along with the contestants. Aaron made crispy oyster tacos; Joe recreated a dish from his childhood in Italy – Fritto Misto – that featured calamari; and I missed what Gordon’s endeavor was called, but it included crab and caviar, and looked stupendous. The home cooks got to taste the judges’ three entrées, and I was jealous. Shanika, hopefully humbled from past episodes, was the winner here, with a pancetta apple risotto. She also got a spot in the top three. Safe from the next challenge, involving citrus fruit, she chose which contestants would have to cook something savory and which got the sweet side. Gerron was a smarty pants, begging for sweet, so of course she gave him savory, which was what he really wanted. I don’t know how she didn’t figure that out, since I was only half paying attention and guessed that was his tactic right away. I’m not crazy about fruit, but Ashely made a scrumptious layer cake that I would not have minded eating. Gordon pronounced it bloody delicious, and said she took a massive risk that paid off. On the opposite end of the spectrum, SJ made something that you couldn’t even tell what it was except a mess on a plate. He claimed it was a torte. Gerron and Ashley were the winners, but it was the end of the road for Ralph, who Gordon said did not have the technical skills to execute the challenge. He was sad to leave, but said he’d accomplished a lot, learned so much, and wasn’t giving up his dream of opening a Filipino restaurant. He felt like he was leaving as a better person and a better cook. Next time, Gordon gives a master class in filleting a halibut, and only the sharpest cooks make the cut.

😱 24 Hours to Hell and Back featured Patrick Molloy’s, a family owned restaurant and bar in Hermosa Beach, California. The original owners were a husband and wife, and the husband’s good friend. The husband passed away, and son Patrick inherited his share of the place. Mom thought he got too much too soon. Friend Fred also became Patrick’s stepdad. There was friction between Patrick and Fred, and the staff used it to their advantage, goofing off while Patrick and Fred were busy arguing. The staff complained that they didn’t know who to go to for anything, and Mom (whose name I never caught) was caught in the middle. To add to the pressure, she had developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. When Gordon asked Patrick why he thought business was bad, he said it was because they didn’t get a lot of customers. Instead of just staring at him blankly, as I would have, Gordon told him that the only reason they had any customers was that there were so few local places to eat. They were a last resort. Hell on Wheels showed the staff acting like idiots, arguing bosses, and an unsanitary, filthy as hell kitchen. Gordon called the kitchen a war zone, and said business was hemorrhaging starting with that. Screwing his shrink hat on extra tight, Gordon found out that Fred really wanted out, and there had been animosity between Fred and Patrick’s dad that was being carried forward. Gordon wanted to see freshness and vibrancy, and the owners on the same page. He did the usual, renovation, cleaning, counseling, and teaching them to cook, and at last Patrick stepped up. Disappearing into the night, Gordon’s mission was accomplished. Next time, a combative owner in Santa Barbara, and a gas container next to a furnace.

🔥 Hell’s Kitchen will return on Friday, September 28th.

🔪 More on Gordon…

The hardest working man in the kitchen.

https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1140534/gordon-ramsay-new-show-nat-geo?utm_source=SheKnowsDailyRecipe&utm_medium=email

Rut-roh.

https://pagesix.com/2018/08/05/2-injured-at-gordon-ramsays-restaurant-in-las-vegas/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20180806&mpweb=755-7165774-711673032

🌴 Look Who’s Coming to Housewives…

I loved her reality show It’s Complicated. I hope we see some of her dad. And her billion pets.

https://pagesix.com/2018/08/08/denise-richards-joining-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills/

🌄 It’s a Real Place…

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein

🎪 But If You Misspell It, You Get…

Lichtenstein

Lichtenstein