What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sonny is working on a table he has turned upside down, and Lenny asks what he’s doing. Sonny says the table was wobbly, so he thought he’d fix it. He hopes he didn’t overstep. He also fixed the dishwasher door, tightened the hinges on the cupboards, and did a bunch of other stuff that he’s talking too fast for me to catch. Lenny asks what time he got up. He did all that this morning? Sonny says, it’s morning already? and Lenny asks if he’s been working all night.
Carly looks at a photo of her and Sonny, and thinks about hugging him. The doorbell rings, and when she opens the door, she says they have no idea how glad she is to see them, and how much she needs them today.
Nikolas says, now Ava thinks it’s too cold to ride? and she says she knows she agreed to go, but Carly called. She wants to meet to discuss Avery’s schedule, so she invited Carly there to talk about it.
Michael looks at the annulment papers, and tells Willow, it looks like everything is in order. She says, all they have to do is sign them, and their marriage… He says, is officially annulled, as if never happened.
At the MetroCourt, Maxie tells Sasha she thought they came there to talk about her story. A woman comes up to them, saying she’s from The Sun. She asks if it’s true the face of Deception almost died from an overdose.
Chase and Jackie sit at a table, and she says she thought he’d be too busy with the warehouse district blood bath to meet. He says he figured that’s why she asked him for coffee; to pump him for information. She says she asked him because she loves him and doesn’t get to see him enough, but she can’t help wondering if Cyrus is on his suspect list.
On the phone at the MetroCourt bar, Martin says he did what Valentin asked in defending Alexis. Now it’s Valentin’s turn. What’s happening with Valentin finding his mother? Valentin says he has a lead he’s following up on now. Martin asks, what lead? But Valentin has already hung up.
Jax answers the door, saying, he’s expecting a delivery. Valentin is there, and asks if Jax has a minute. Jax tells him not to think he can just drop by, and no, he doesn’t have a minute. Valentin asks if Nina knows what he’s doing for Carly, and Nina comes out, and says, good question. Does she?
Sonny rights the table, and Lenny asks if he got any sleep last night. Sonny says, what do they say? I’ll sleep when I’m dead. (Ha-ha! That’s what I always say.) Lenny says, right now, he’s lucky to be alive, and Sonny says he’s making the most of it. He checks over the table, and Lenny calls Phyllis. He says he knows she’s volunteering at the clinic today, but he needs her at the roadhouse. It’s about Mike. Hurry.
Bobbie says she was headed to Charleston, when she got Carly’s call. Carly asks how their leverage is, and Bobbie says she’s getting plenty of TLC. Carly asks if Bobbie trusts the nurses, and Bobbie says, they’re all former colleagues. They’re excellent nurses, and they’re discreet. She thinks it’s an unorthodox solution, but doesn’t suppose Cyrus gave them any choice. Carly says, he didn’t, and Bobbie says, that’s why she agreed, but she doesn’t suppose Carly invited her over for a progress report. They could have done that over the phone. Carly says she has to tell Bobbie something that could only be said in person. It’s about Nelle.
Nikolas tells Ava to call Carly, and cancel. He’s not standing by while Carly mothers another child who’s not her own. Avery is going to grow up with her mother. Ava says, of course (🍷) she will. This isn’t about Carly; it’s about Avery. Like it or not, Avery has a strong emotional attachment to Carly and her sisters. She keeps asking when she’s going home, and when she’s sleeping in her own room. It breaks Ava’s heart, so for Avery’s sake, she’s going to hammer out a regular visitation schedule. He commends her for compromising, but asks if it has to be today. He thinks Ava has better uses for her time.
Michael tells Willow, no rush. Diane isn’t expecting the documents until the end of the day, if she wants to take time to think. She asks if he needs time, and I think, here we go again. I’m so very tired of them going around this question. He says they’ve talked about it, and wanted to figure out how they feel about Chase and Sasha. They can’t do that if… She says, if they’re married. The good news is, they’re making the decision together. He says, the marriage served its purpose in keeping Wiley safe, and they can move on with no regrets or complications. Wiley comes in. He’s in college now. Just kidding, but he’s getting pretty big.
The reporter asks what Sasha has to say, and Maxie asks if she has no compassion or shame, in exploiting Sasha’s heath crisis, If the reporter doesn’t get out of Sasha’s face, Maxie will have Olivia escort her out. The reporter leaves, and Sasha tells Maxie, that’s what Nina was trying to protect her from, and Maxie says Nina meant well, but another sleazy reporter is just going to tell Sasha’s story. That’s why they need to control the narrative. She says she has an idea, and drags Sasha out of the room.
Martin approaches Chase’s table, and asks where Chase’s manners are. Kindly introduce him to this legendary, and exceedingly lovely lady. Jackie asks if she knows him, and he says, Martin Grey. Her next big story.
Nina says she knows the search for Sonny was called off, and Jax is doing his best to support Carly. Valentin says Jax is always willing to be a shoulder to cry on, but is he willing to be a partner in crime? Nina asks if someone standing by a friend in need is what Valentin calls a crime. She tells Valentin she’s not threatened by it. They’re clear where they stand with one another. Valentin says, Carly tells Jax everything. Since Nina and Jax are close maybe she knows where his attorney’s mother was taken. Nina says he lost her, and Valentin says Martin’s mother was taken; kidnapped from her long-term care facility in Vermont. Nina isn’t clear on how Jax is connected, and Valentin says, it might become clear when she knows the cast of characters. Martin’s mother was kidnapped, Jason is responsible, and if Carly knew, that means she played a wiling part in it. Which begs the question, how much does Jax know?
Nina asks what Valentin is talking about, and Jax says he has no idea. The only contact he’s had with Martin is when he represented Nelle in Wiley’s custody hearing. Valentin says, Martin wasn’t her only child. She had another son – Cyrus Renault. If Jax is withholding information that would lead to their mother’s safe return, that makes him an accomplice. Jax says he doesn’t involve himself in the criminal activities of Sonny or Jason, and neither does Carly. Goodbye. Valentin says, goodbye, and leaves. Jax says Nina doesn’t believe Valentin, does she? She says, of course (🍷) not, but Valentin isn’t the kind of guy who makes up stories. Martin and Cyrus’s mother disappeared, and if Jason is involved, it’s likely Carly is involved somehow.
Martin tells Jackie, without naming names, a prominent family is responsible for abducting an innocent woman from a medical facility, and holding her hostage. Chase says, there’s no evidence, besides Vermont isn’t their jurisdiction. Jackie sees Maxie signaling Chase, and says, looks urgent. Go see what Maxie wants. Don’t worry about her. She can handle Martin. Chase goes to see Maxie, and Jackie says, about Martin’s story. He said big with a capital B. She doesn’t do the lowercase alphabet. He says, with all due respect, his brother is just as worried as he is about their mother. She says, and his brother is? He says, Cyrus Renault.
Chase tells Maxie, it better be important, and she says, it is. She tells Sasha, she’s on, and tells them to sit. Chase sits down with Sasha, and asks, what’s going on? She says he needs to introduce her to his mom. She needs to ask Jackie a favor. Chase says, what favor? and Sasha says she wants Jackie to tell the world how she trashed her life.
Willow says, the most handsome man in the house. Sorry, Michael. Michael looks at Wiley’s stuffed tiger, and sees one of the ears needs mending. He says he thinks emergency surgery is needed, and Willow asks if he went to medical school. He says he didn’t, but he knows someone who did; Grandma Monica. She’s famous for sewing up the Quartermain stuffed animals. He says he’ll take the tiger to her, and see if she can sew it, and Willow says, it will give her more time with her favorite guy. Michael leaves with the toy, and Willow says Wiley doesn’t have to worry about Stripey. She promises the surgery won’t hurt. She glances at the annulment papers on the table.
Nikolas tells Ava to call Carly, and says she’s sorry, but she has other plans. She says, it needs to be figured out today, or Carly will keep calling, and Avery will keep asking when she’s going to see her sisters. She promises there’s a silver lining. If she accommodates Carly, it will put Carly in her debt. Does Ava live in a dream world? Fat chance of that.
Carly tells Bobbie, Nina already identifies with Nelle, and had Nelle buried at Woodlawn. She’s convinced Nelle’s life would have been totally different if someone had intervened. If she finds out Nelle was her daughter… Bobbie says, she’ll be devastated, and Carly says, and she’ll look for someone to blame. Carly was the last person to see Nelle alive. If Nina finds out the truth, it will not only be heartbreaking, it will stir up trouble Carly can’t handle. Bobbie says, Nina can’t learn that Nelle was daughter, but as long as there’s a chance she’ll see the necklace, she can see it was a match. Carly says, that’s where she’s going to need Bobbie’s help. She’s going to Windymere. She has a meeting with Ava to discuss visitation, and she wants her loyal mother to come along. Bobbie says, a person who knows their way around; she wants to find out where Avery is keeping the necklace. But if Avery thinks it’s her good luck charm, how are they going to steal it? Carly says she’s not going to steal it; she’s replacing it. She takes out a similar necklace, and says, it turns out a half-heart isn’t that uncommon. If Nina sees it… Bobbie says, it won’t fit. There’s no path to lead back to Nelle. Carly says, that’s right.
Nina tells Jax, Valentin didn’t come there out of the goodness of his heart, doing a favor for his attorney. He’s trying to drive a wedge between them, and what better way than Carly? Does he think Carly is involved with the abduction? He says, if by involved, she means backing Jason, he’d say so. Carly would follow Jason into a burning building. Nina doesn’t think Jason would kidnap an old lady, but Jax thinks it’s possible if it’s leverage against Cyrus, and that Carly would go along. He needs to talk to Carly. He has to convince her that taking Florence is a bad idea, and Jason needs to have the good sense to return the poor women to her family. Nina says, wait. She thinks that’s the last thing he should do.
Jackie tells Martin, despite Cyrus’s turn to philanthropy, he’s been long suspected as a drug trafficker. Is Martin not concerned about rumor or innuendo? He says he’s only thinking about his mother being found and returned unharmed. She says, it’s a compelling story. She’ll look into it.
Sasha tells Chase that Maxie and Lucy gave her the chance of a lifetime, and she repaid them by making the company vulnerable. He asks if the company won’t be even more vulnerable if her story goes public, and she says, a reporter already confronted her. If she sits with Jackie, she can tell her own story in her own words, and Jackie won’t sleaze it up. Chase says, if Jackie agrees, she’ll be fair, but she’ll ask the tough questions. Is Sasha prepared?
Willow tells Wiley, don’t be jealous, but she thinks his daddy is handsome too. Clearly Wiley takes after him. Not just in looks, but his sweet temperament and loving nature; the way they both made her feel like part of a family. The family she never had growing up. She flashes back to her and Michael with Wiley, and says she always wanted a family and home. This is more than a home. She found someone she could count on, who needed her as much as she needed him, and it became something more that she didn’t see coming. It makes her wonder… Michael comes back with Stripey, and says, the surgery was successful. Grandma Monica says the patient is going to survive. He asks Willow what he missed.
Sonny messes with the chairs, and Lenny tells Phyllis, see what he means? It’s worse than last night. Phyllis tells Sonny that he needs to stop; take a break for a while, but Sonny says, there’s so much work to get done. She says, not this minute. He just got out of the hospital. He could be making his injury worse. Sonny says, he feels so good, he could run a marathon, and not break a sweat. He goes back to work, and Lenny tells Phyllis, she was right. It must be something mental.
Carly thanks Ava for seeing her on such short notice. Bobbie looks around, and says, it’s not exactly bright and cheery, but it’s a definite improvement on what it looked like in Stephan’s day. Nikolas asks Carly if his wife is so scary she had to bring reinforcements, and Carly says her mom insisted they work things out. Ava thanks Bobbie for encouraging compromise, but Bobbie says, it’s about an innocent little girl, whose needs come first. Ava says, exactly. They need to put their differences aside, and do the best they can for Avery. Carly tells Ava, she couldn’t have said it better herself.
Jax asks if he’s supposed to look the other way, but Nina says, Carly is still grieving. If Jax tells her that Jason is wrong, and she should distance herself from him, won’t she do the opposite? He says, what if Cyrus retaliates, and goes after Josslyn? and Nina says, what if Jason believes striking Cyrus where he’s most vulnerable is the only way to keep everyone safe? He says, that’s exactly the kind of thinking that caused Sonny to go after Julian Jerome in the first place, which led to his death. Nina says, Valentin isn’t like Sonny. He’s relying on Jax’s determination to right a wrong, and Jax asks how that’s bad. She says, it’s not, but Valentin is setting Jax up to prove his first loyalty is, and always will be, Carly.
While Nikolas discusses a painting with Bobbie, Carly tells Ava, she knows Avery isn’t part of the meeting, but is she home? Ava says Avery has a playdate. She thought it best that Avery wasn’t there. Carly says she’s sure Avery was delighted to get her necklace back. Josslyn told her that Ava came by. Ava says she was under the impression Carly was having it repaired, but Josslyn found it in her jewelry box. Carly says, there was a lot going on. She guesses it just slipped her mind. Ava says, Avery insists it’s Sonny’s favorite, and she needs to wear it everywhere. She suggested Avery just wear it on special occasions. Can Carly imagine the meltdown if she loses it? Bobbie asks if she can go freshen up, and Ava says she knows where the bathrooms are. Carly tells her, don’t be long.
Martin tells Valentin, he’s too late. Jackie agreed to do a story on his mother’s abduction, and Jason won’t be able to escape public scrutiny. He tells Valentin, feel free to let him know how impressed he is. Valentin says Martin has made a serious miscalculation.
Jackie asks who Chase was talking to, and he says, Sasha Gilmore; she’s a friend who would like Jackie to tell her story. Jackie says, today must be her lucky day, and he says Sasha made some mistakes when she came to Port Charles, but she overcame them, and was doing well, but she lost way and nearly died, thanks to Cyrus Renault. She says, there’s that name again. Are they talking illegal drugs? He says, yes, and she asks why he’s involved, and he says, because he’s responsible.
Willow says, Michael missed quality time with their son, which she’s going to give him now. She’s going to check on breakfast for Wiley and Stripey. She leaves, and Michael asks if he’s told Wiley how much his mom loves him, and would do anything for him. She has a way of knowing what they’re thinking. He thinks back on his time with Willow, and says, before they became a family, he and Willow were good friends. Sometimes they acted like kids themselves, and before they knew it, their relationship had changed. He looks at Stripey, and says, Grandma Monica did a good job, and Wiley snatches the tiger back, which is hysterical. Michael looks at the annulment papers.
Ava says she knows how fond Avery is of Josslyn, Donna, and of course (🍷) Carly. Carly says, it makes sense considering Avery grew-up in their house, and considered it her home. Nikolas says, Windymere is Avery’s home now; Carly doesn’t want to confuse her. Carly says she just wants Avery to be happy, doesn’t he? Ava suggests Nikolas go riding, and Nikolas agrees it’s probably best for Ava to handle the visitation issue on her own. He leaves, and Ava apologizes for her husband’s tone. He just wants to be her advocate, but she’s sure she and Carly can work out a more than reasonable agreement. Carly says, Nikolas seems to want to lay claim on Avery, and isn’t interested in being reasonable, but Ava says, like it or not, Nikolas is a part of Avery’s life now. Carly’s phone dings, and she sees a text from Bobbie saying, can’t find the necklace. Ava asks if there’s a problem, and Carly says, yeah. Ava’s husband is the problem.
George Stephanopoulos, affectionately known as FU George in the GH fan circle, breaks in, but…
Nina tells Jax, Valentin didn’t go to the police with this suspicions, because his end game isn’t Florence Grey. It’s making her doubt Jax. He’s always predicted that one day, Jax would choose Carly over her. Jax says he’d never do that, and Nina says, there was a time she was threatened by his relationship with Carly, but not anymore. Not after what they said to one another. He says he meant every word, and she says, so did she. She suggests they show Valentin that nothing and no one can come between them.
Valentin tells Martin that Jason is proficient. If he’s taken Martin’s mother as leverage against Cyrus, he’s covered his bases. He doesn’t respond to pressure, and he doesn’t care about public opinion. How does Martin think he’s going to react when Jackie writes a story connecting him to this alleged crime? Martin says he’ll advise Jackie that he’s changed his mind, but Valentin says, it will just make her more curious. Martin asks what he should do. Give him something. What’s the best way to save his mother?
Jackie tells Chase, he’s truly a good guy. She wishes he and Sasha had come up with a less painful way of helping his friend get custody of his child. He says they couldn’t come up with another solution, but he thinks Willow understands why they came up with the extreme they did. At least he hopes she understands. Jackie asks if there’s any hope for Sasha and Michael, and he says he doesn’t know. He thinks right now, Sasha just wants to move on with her life. She thinks telling her story will give her some kind of… redemption. She asks if he told Sasha how she works; no subjects off limits, no punches pulled? He says she does, and Jackie says, and Sasha still wants her to tell her story? He nods, and Jackie says she likes Sasha already. She’ll hear what Sasha has to say, and see if there’s a story in it. Chase gets up, and motions Maxie and Sasha over. Maxie thanks her, but Jackie says, don’t thank her yet. She’s interested, but not committed. Sasha says she understands. Where does she start? Jackie says, how about at the beginning?
Willow comes back, and says, apple juice and pancakes are now being served in the kitchen. She hopes Stripey likes chocolate chips in his pancakes like Wiley. Michael says she’s sure Wiley will eat them if he doesn’t. He asks if Wiley is ready for breakfast, and picks him up, saying, it’s Wiley’s favorite. The three of them head to the kitchen. Zzzz…
Sonny sweeps the floor, and Phyllis tells Lenny she believes the cause must be an underlying psychological disorder. Lenny asks what they do, and she goes over to Sonny. She asks if he can do her a favor. Come back to the clinic with her. He asks, why? and she says she’d like a doctor to check him out; make sure he’s okay. He asks if she’s trying to get rid of him, and she says, of course ( 🍷) not. She’s trying to help him. He could have an illness he doesn’t know about, or something he doesn’t know he has. Sonny says, there’s nothing wrong with him that a little hard work won’t cure. He walks out of the room, and Phyllis sighs.
Ava says she thought Carly came there in good faith, not to take cheap shots at her husband. Carly says, the man who pretended to be dead so he could get his hands on his family’s fortune? (Well, to his credit, it was really his.) The man who let his own son believe he was dead? That’s the man Ava wants raising Sonny’s daughter? Ava says, Sonny’s dead. She’s there. She’s alive and well, and perfectly capable of raising her daughter. She suggests they examine Carly’s life, and see if she’s capable of taking care of hers. Bobbie comes back in, saying, hey, what’s going on? What happened? Carly says she needs a minute, before she says something she’ll regret. She leaves the room, and Ava tells her, don’t walk away. Bobbie says, leave her go. She tells Ava, she doesn’t know what was said, but try to remember, Sonny’s presumed dead. Carly is grieving. Why don’t the two of them work out Avery’s schedule? Outside in the hallway, Carly sneaks upstairs.
Carly sneaks into Avery’s room, and spies the necklace in Avery’s dollhouse. She says she’s so sorry, but Avery will never know the difference. She picks up Nelle’s necklace. Ava tells Bobbie, there’s nothing to work out. She wanted to include Carly in Avery’s life, but if this is how Carly thanks her, it’ll be a cold day in hell before Carly sees Avery again. Bobbie says Ava is absolutely right, and she doesn’t blame Ava for being angry. She loves her daughter, but Carly can be her own worst enemy at times. However, she has no doubt she and Ava can be the adults in the room.
Lenny asks what Phyllis thinks is wrong with Mike exactly, and she says his behavior is like one of her patients who has bipolar disorder. Mike needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. Hopefully, they can refer him to a psychiatrist to get an accurate diagnosis, and he can be put on the right medication. Lenny says, Mike won’t like it, and she says, most pre-diagnosed bipolar sufferers don’t. She’ll find a way to convince him it’s for his own good. Sonny stands in the hallway, listening in.
Willow and Michael come back to the living room, and Michael says, so, Mrs. Corinthos, what are we going to do about these? indicating the annulment papers. She reminds him that they said they’d always do what’s best for Wiley, and he says, Wiley before themselves. He says he wants her to be happy, and she says she wants the same for him. He says she deserves to find out what she wants, whether it’s Chase or someone else. She says, he deserves the same with Sasha. He picks up the pen, and asks what they’re waiting for. He signs the papers, and she takes the pen. She looks at him, and signs. Finally. Thank you, God.
Phyllis asks if Lenny has seen Mike, and Lenny says he thought Mike was in the back room. She says, he’s not there. She searched both floors, and he’s gone.
Jackie tells Sasha, she already told Chase that she wishes they’d found a less hurtful way of helping Michael get custody of his son. It sounds like Sasha paid an even bigger price than Chase did. Maxie asks if that means she’ll do the interview, and Jackie says, it won’t be a puff piece about Deception. Sasha says all she wants is a chance to tell her story, and show people that if she can learn from her mistakes, they can too. Jackie says, it’s very noble, but truth, like a lie, has a life of its own, and unintended consequences.
Valentin tells Martin, forget about Jackie Templeton. Despite what Martin thinks, Valentin is working on his behalf. Martin says he needs more than work; he needs results. Does Valentin have a location? Valentin says, soon. Jason may be unbreakable, but Carly is not. He lit a fuse under someone very important to her, and if he’s right, it will lead to Martin’s mother’s safe return.
Nina and Jax kiss, and Nina says, so much for Carly coming between them. Jax says, even so, they can’t continue to let Carly make this terrible mistake. Nina says, Carly doesn’t see it as a mistake. She trusts Jason implicitly, doesn’t she? Jax says she does, and Nina says, then Jax needs to trust Carly. Carly trusts Jason to protect her and the family. He asks when she started being Carly’s cheerleader, and she says she doesn’t think she and Carly will ever be best friends, but she admires any woman who fights for the people she cares about.
Carly stands there, with the necklaces in her hands. She hears someone coming.
Tomorrow, Finn wonders how he knows for sure, Chase is having second thoughts about Sasha’s interview with his mom, Bobbie says Ava can’t go after her daughter, and Carly tells Jax, it’s one vacation too many.
Below Deck
I have to start by wondering why anyone is interested in James. He’s not even all that attractive. Is desperation that bad on a yacht? Let’s not even talk about Ashling’s attraction to guest Justin.
Falmouth, Harbour, Antigua. The guests have breakfast, while some of the crew lounges in the crew mess. James asks to use Rob’s phone, and says he’s going to double-tap all the fit birds. Elizabeth gets up and leaves, and Izzy tells James to be considerate. In his interview, the producer asks James why he said what he did, and he says Elizabeth didn’t stick up for him. He’s effing loyal; a loyale with cheese. He thinks for a millisecond, and says maybe he made a mistake and shouldn’t have done it. He admits he’s an a-hole. First thing he’s gotten right all season. The captain pops into the galley, and Rachel says she has a stomach bug, but she’s not going to die. He says he’d rather she didn’t. There’s lots of paperwork and sh*t. Francesca asks if Ashling wants to see the doctor, but Ashling says no. Francesca says Ashling is like her. She’s not sick until she’s on her deathbed.
The guests use the slide. Eddie goes to get Dr. Williams, and tells her that they have a stew with a UTI, and a chef with a stomach problem. Eddie brings the doctor back to the boat, and Francesca gets Rachel and Elizabeth. Dr. Williams asks if Elizabeth is sexually active, and Elizabeth says she could be. The doctor gives her some medication. Elizabeth asks if a UTI is contagious, and I make a face like 😮. Rachel tells Dr. Williams what’s been going on, and Francesca asks Elizabeth to make some bellinis. The doctor says Rachel has gastro-something, and thinks she should come in for IV therapy, the rehydration one. Rachel asks if it can wait until tomorrow, and the doctor says okay, giving her something for the pain. In Rachel’s interview, she says it hasn’t impacted her ability to do her job. It hasn’t impacted anything. That’s the problem. A shirtless Justin wanders around, and Ashling gives him a drink. In her interview, she says it’s awkward. She has a crush on him, and doesn’t know how to talk to him. I make a face like 😣.
Francesca tells Captain Lee that Rachel has gastro-whatever, and is going to need an IV tomorrow. Eddie tells the deck crew to put the toys away, and Izzy and Eddie take in the slide. Eddie says she’s badass. Guest Erika takes GiGi (apparently how it’s spelled, even though it’s short for Georgia) to go potty, and in his interview, Rob tells us how he met his dog. He was sauntering with a falafel, and fell in love with a stray. He spent the next year and a half convincing her not to bite people. She now lives on a farm, eating all the chickens. It’s a love story. The guests play beer pong, which is just what I’d do on superyacht, not at all.
Elizabeth and Ashling eat in the crew mess, and James asks, what’s going on? Elizabeth says, it’s all good, and tells James that she’s not feeling well. He says, it’s a good thing she’s not working late. He looks at Ashling, and says, and she’s got someone covering. I have no words. Well, I do, but my blog is rated PG-13. Ashling asks what he means, and James says hopefully, Ashling will cover for Elizabeth. Elizabeth says she doesn’t know what’s going on, and jets. In her interview, she says she doesn’t like games, and she’s not someone who gets played. If this is how he rolls, it will be game over soon.
One of the guests remarks that there’s a super moon tomorrow. James farts, and says, lordy! And this is the coveted guy. I just don’t get it. Eddie tells Captain Lee that Izzy knows her stuff, and the captain says, she’s no creampuff. Eddie says, she’s a badass. He was wondering how she’d do as lead deckhand, and Captain Lee says he’s fine with that. Eddie says, she’s been busting her butt, and in his interview, Eddie says he wants to give Izzy the opportunity. When she first joined the deck crew, she was nervous and scared. We flash back to that, and Eddie says, now she’s blossomed into an invaluable member of the crew. That’s a lead deckhand. Eddie tells the captain that he likes to see someone progressing, and Captain Lee says he does too.
Elizabeth asks if Ashling thinks James likes her, but Ashling says, no. Elizabeth asks Ashling to tell her if she knows something, but Ashling promises there’s nothing. In Ashling’s interview, she claims she doesn’t know what Elizabeth is talking about. She’s not interested in James at all. Francesca radios for someone to clean up, and asks Ashling to deal with the crew mess. Elizabeth picks up outside, and James asks if they can chill tomorrow. Elizabeth wants to know if James is trying to get with Ashling; he’s been flirting with her, and didn’t acknowledge Elizabeth. James says Elizabeth knew how he was when he first got on the boat. He’s a flirt; it’s his personality. Does she trust him? Elizabeth thinks it’s a strange way to flirt, suggesting they go on a date. In James’s interview, he says, what man – boy, whatever he is – in his right mind would flirt with another girl in front of the one he’s dating, and not have them think it’s a joke? James tells her, it was a joke, and he didn’t think anything of it, but he’s glad Elizabeth got it off her chest. In James’s interview, he says, it’s his personality. He flirts.
Ooh, tiny dog! Eddie asks Izzy to meet him on the sundeck. He asks if she’s interested in being lead deckhand, and she says she wants to do it, and thinks she can. He says she knows what the job entails, and what needs to be done. She wonders if James will be upset, and in her interview, she says she’s worried about James and Rob supporting her. Or will they act like d*cks? Captain Lee joins the guests for dinner, and Rachel says her stomach is still bothering her. She’s even more crampy and gaseous tonight. The dinner is going to be simple AF. It looks impressive to me – some kind of pasta dish where it looks like a nest. Everyone literally shovels it in.
In the crew mess, James asks Ashling about continuing on with yachting, and says he kind of wants to settle down. Elizabeth comes in to get something, and leaves quickly. She tells Rachel that every time she sees James, he’s with Ashling. In Rachel’s interview, she says, hello? Told her so. Ashling wraps Gigi in a blanket and squees. I have to admit, I do too, in my head. Gigi is so very tiny! Rachel makes cannolis, and Elizabeth says they were her dad’s favorite dessert. Francesca tells Ashling to go to bed, and Eddie tells James that his bottle of hand sanitizer is worth 50 bucks. James says he thought this would blow over, and Eddie says, it’s pretty bad. It’s going to be in the islands. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, part of her thinks she’s being naïve again, and overly trusting someone she just met. But maybe she’s wrong, and he deserves another chance. She asks if James wants a cannoli, but he doesn’t know what that is. She radios him to meet her in the main salon, and brings a cannoli with her. Francesca pokes her head down from the staircase, and asks what they’re up to. She’s the only one slaving away. Elizabeth tells her to go to bed; she’ll take care of it. Francesca says she thinks Elizabeth is full of excuses, and that may be, but I fail to see how that applies here. Elizabeth says Francesca can radio her. She tells James, she’s tried every single way, and she’s not even on service right now.
Francesca tells Eddie that she found Elizabeth and James chatting on the aft deck. He tells her, go sleep; he’ll check. In his interview, he says he’s losing patience. He stuck his neck out for them. We flash back to him trying to explain to them how they can’t goof off while they’re at work. Eddie says, if they’re announcing what they’re doing on the radio, that’s not fine. Disappointed dad is coming out, and they don’t want disappointed dad. Francesca tells Ashling that she found Elizabeth and James taking a break, while Elizabeth should have been relieving her. She hasn’t even had a break. Ashling says she should go to bed, but Francesca says she’ll go when the captain does. Captain Lee thanks the guests for dinner, and Rachel radios Francesca, asking if the guests need anything else, but Francesca says, they’re fine. Eddie gives Elizabeth and James a mini lecture, and they clean up. They kiss in the crew mess, then go their separate ways.
It’s the final day of charter, and Captain Lee tells Eddie that he wants to be back at the dock at 11:30. Justin asks Ashling for aspirin, and in her interview, she says Justin is cute, handsome, and lovely. Apparently, we are looking at two different people. She says he lives in America, while she lives in Australia, so it’s not going to work. That’s just how the cookie crumbles. Francesca takes breakfast orders, and feels she hasn’t seen enough of Gigi. I agree. Gigi should have gotten a lot more screen time. The captain looks at the news, and says, Jesus effing Christ.
The guests look at the internet news, seeing there’s a recession in the US because of the virus. They wonder what covid has to do with money. A lot. Francesca asks Elizabeth what she thinks should be done next, and Elizabeth says, the cabins, but Francesca tells her to do laundry. Elizabeth heads for the laundry room, saying, she can’t do anything right. The captain heads out to Jolly Harbour. The interior changes into their whites, and the guests pack.
Captain Lee tells everyone to change, and James starts putting on his blacks until Izzy points it out. The guests say, goodbye, and the captain pets Gigi, as we all would. Primary Chris says, on behalf of himself, his family, and friends, he thanks them. Memories like this wouldn’t be possible without the captain and his crew. It was a great trip, and the crew was professional and in tune with their needs. He gives the captain the tip envelope, and when the guests are gone, Francesca tells the stews to change. Everyone complains about how hot it is. Ashling balances a platter on Rachel’s head, and Rachel walks back and forth with it, making Elizabeth and Ashling laugh. Elizabeth says Rachel is a natural, and Rachel says, she may have been on season 3 of America’s Next Top Model. We see photos, and yes, she was. She says, Tyra told her she wasn’t serious, and she said she likes snacks.
The crew meets in the mess for the tip meeting, and Captain Lee says, number six is in the books. It was a good charter, and a lot of fun. Not everyone was feeling up to par, but they powered through it, and stuck with it. They didn’t miss a beat, and did an outstanding job. The tip is a $17K, or $1400 a piece. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s used to $2000. I wonder if Eddie’s disappointed dad feels disappointed. The captain says they’re going to do something different today – adopt a beach. They’re going to do some clean-up work, and try to give back to the island. In his interview, James says, they’re going litter picking. Yay. Captain Lee says he hopes it’s fine because he volunteered all their asses. They’re going to do good for Antigua. In James’s interview, he says he wants to eat, drink, and relax, but he’s a team player because he’s a nice guy. I’m back to 😮.
James asks if he can drink, and Izzy says they’re cleaning up the beach. Why would he want to drink? He says, because they’re cleaning up the beach. She tells him that he doesn’t always have to drink. Rachel goes to see the doctor, and says she’ll meet them later. The captain says, let’s go, and they take a taxi. James talks about shaving his chest, but Elizabeth says she likes it hairy. They meet Jennifer, founder of Adopt a Coastline. She says they’re in Belfast Bay, and they want to sustain the marine industry, but still make it enjoyable. The crew goes litter picking, and the captain finds a pair of underwear. Jennifer says, when they’re on the boat, they see the beautiful shoreline, but when they get close up, they can see how humans behave. They pick up tons of trash, and I empathize, living near a beach myself. It’s disgusting what washes up. In Eddie’s interview, he says they rely on areas that are environmentally beautiful, and between the trash, pollution, and the mass killing of the habitat and marine environment, it’s going to destroy the industry they work in. It’s important to take care of the planet they have. Rachel comes back from the doctor, and goes to bed.
The crew returns around 10 pm, and Ashling says she’s dead. Elizabeth takes a shower, and Ashling calls her mom. She says she’s not feeling great; her stomach is not good. The chef is sick, and she might have the same thing. The crew eats take-out pizza, and James wonders why he and Rob don’t share a room. Rob says it’s his time with Eddie. He’s sleeping his way to the top. James texts Elizabeth, asking if she wants to meet in the guest cabin. She says, sure, and he says he’s a naughty boy. They go into the cabin, and we hear the sounds of TMI.
Eddie tells James and Rob that it’s Izzy’s first day as lead deckhand, and they applaud. He says, so when some sh*t goes wrong, call Izzy. His life is sitting in the wheelhouse now. In Rob’s interview, he says, Izzy does a good job, but does it need a title? Francesca tells Elizabeth to take charge of the laundry, and don’t finish until it’s done. She gives Ashling the crew mess, and asks if Ashling wants to see the doctor. Ashling says she’s got to go, and runs to the bathroom. Izzy tells Elizabeth that she looks like a dirty, aged hot mess, but Elizabeth disagrees, and says, she’s the one who’s aging. Izzy says, Elizabeth is 30 tomorrow, but 30 is the new 20. Francesca tells Ashling that she has an appointment with Dr. Williams at 1.
James soaps the windows, and Izzy asks if that’s what he was doing to Elizabeth in the guest cabin last night. Their cabin was lonely and quiet. He says they used the VIP, and in James’s interview, he says they work on a boat; there’s no secrets. If the options are, going to a guest cabin with Elizabeth, and potentially losing his job – yes. Ashling can’t get to Francesca fast enough, and tells her that Elizabeth slept in the guest cabin with James. What a POS she is. Francesca says, that’s not cool, and in her interview, says it’s a big fat no in the yachting industry unless authorized by either the captain or the chief stew. For them to have slept in a guest cabin without her knowing is so wrong. Rob calls Izzy a dictator because she expects them to work. She suggests one of them rinse, and one dry, and James asks why she has her hands on her hips like she has some kind of authority. In Izzy’s interview, she says she’s going through what every woman on deck has experienced before – a couple of men not listening because they think they’re better than her. James tells Rob he might be the captain on other boats, but not this one. The captain radios for Eddie, Francesca, and Rachel to meet him for the preference sheet meeting.
Jackie and David Siegel are returning guests. Francesca starts laughing when she sees Jackie is the Queen of Versailles, which only betrays her ignorance. In the captain’s interview, he says they’re no strangers to lavish vacations and extraordinary service. They’re going to be joined by son Steve, his wife Janessa, Jackie’s best friend Mia and her husband Orlin. The charter screams moneyed up. Captain Lee reads, hard boiled jalapeno pickled quail eggs, and says he’s salivating. Although David has requested cheese pizza and angel hair pasta. He thinks sliders would be a good idea, and in Rachel’s interview, she says she’s worked with people like David before. They want simple food that reminds them of home. Crew food combined with opulence. The captain says, they want to swim with marine life and use the water toys. Francesca asks Eddie if he heard anything about James and Elizabeth using the guest cabin, but he says he doesn’t know. Ashling comes back, and tells Francesca, the doctor said it probably had to do with food. She got a muscle relaxant and is supposed to rest. Francesca says, go rest.
In Francesca’s interview, she says as soon as she heard about the guest cabin, she thought it was just boat gossip, and it wasn’t true. The things in that room are probably worth all the crew tips they got the whole season. That Elizabeth thinks it’s okay to sleep there with James is so inappropriate. Francesca approaches Elizabeth while she’s eating, and asks if she slept in the guest cabin, which obviously takes her unaware. She says it wasn’t made up, and Francesca says, yes or no? Elizabeth says, she was in the cabin, and Francesca asks if she slept there; yes or no? Francesca says she was on the bed, but it won’t happen again. Francesca says, there won’t be a next time, and Elizabeth says she wants to keep it professional. Francesca says Elizabeth is far from professional, and she’s had enough of her.
I think Elizabeth is an air head, but she has a good heart. Ashling is a sneaky bitch, and Francesca has just had it out for Elizabeth for whatever reason all season. I’d love to slap her and Ashling silly.
Next time, the Queen of Versailles returns; Rachel says, Francesca sucks; Izzy calls James a perpetual twat; Captain Lee joins the guests for dinner, and needs a moment (Jackie’s daughter also died); Ashling tells Francesca to get rid of Elizabeth; and (it looks like) James gets the boot.
👠 About That Modeling Career…
I loved how Rachel’s response to Tyra saying she wasn’t serious enough was, I like snacks. Be sure to check out the video.
✈️ Thrilling To the Max…
If you get HBO, HBO Max is free for you. If not, it’s 15 bucks a month, but it might possibly be worth it if The Flight Attendant is any indication of their original programming, not to mention the first-run films premiering throughout 2021. Kelly Cuoco stars as a flight attendant with a messy life, who ends up in a messy and dangerous situation when she’s blackout drunk, and wakes up next to a dead man. Since I’d only seen Kelly in Big Bang Theory, I was amazed at her acting skills in this series. So many of the characters are likeable, despite their glaring faults, that I couldn’t help but root for them. Bad guys turn out to be good, and good guys turn out to be bad. I just never knew where they were going, and that’s saying a lot. It’s also been renewed for a second season.
https://www.npr.org/2020/11/28/938843484/the-flight-attendant-is-a-fizzy-dark-and-funny-mystery
🙃 Rolling Along Like the Caissons…
Remember the days when we used to go out, and didn’t have to wear a mask, or stay six feet away from each other in the grocery store check-out? Remember when kids went to school at school? And when movies were shown on a big screen instead of 140 streaming services? I hear there’s a future beyond the mask sometime soon, so don’t lose hope. And while you’re hanging onto that, stay safe, stay ready for a new day, and stay not flirting with someone else in front of the person you’re dating, and then saying it was a joke. We all know there’s a lot of truth in joking.