What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Margaux runs into Sonny coming out of the elevator. He asks if she’s on her way to prosecute Franco. She says she’s not bound tell him anything about the investigation, but he says he already knows Franco was ID’d.

Alexis asks Scotty if he had a rough night. He says, wouldn’t she like to know, but she says, actually, no. He asks what he can do for her. She has an update on Gail’s will. His phone buzzes. It’s Elizabeth, who’s been calling all night. He says he’s having a problem with modern technology. She tells him Franco has been arrested.

Jordan comes into the interrogation room, and asks if she should call Franco Mr. Baldwin or Franco. He says call him a lawyer. She says she’s just there to apprise him about the situation. He’s going to be remanded to Pentonville; no bail. They’re compiling evidence, and searching the house and the art therapy room. He says, search away. He’s going to sue them for false imprisonment and harassment. And when he’s done suing them, he’s going to own Port Charles.

Elizabeth sees the police tossing the art therapy room, and asks, what’s going on? Chase says they have a warrant. She asks why they’re making a mess. They’ve ripped the patients’ artwork apart, after they invaded her house. She asks if they don’t respect anything or anyone. Griff comes by, and suggests she take a second outside with him.

Not-Doc talks to himself, saying, Franco had such talent. It’s logical that he’d revisit it. He did. Ava comes in, and asks if he knew. He says she’ll have to be more specific. She says he knew Lulu ID’d her attacker, and someone was arrested, but she hasn’t found out their name. He says it’s standard protocol, since no formal charges have been filed. She asks, what about the right of the victim? Someone should have told her. The sick bastard who killed her daughter was caught, and he knew. He says she knows how it works, and there are two other reasons for not revealing the name. To help facilitate the investigation, and to protect the suspect from someone seeking retribution. She says, like her? and he says, no. Like him.

Oscar, Drew, and Kim wait in Terry’s office. Terry arrives, and says she has Oscar’s latest test results. Drew tells her to give them some good news. She shows them pictures of the scans, and says the progression shows the scan at the onset, where there’s considerable growth into the brain tissue. Compared to the end result, the tumor is slightly larger. They took a third scan this morning, and there are no discernible differences. Oscar says, the tumor has stopped growing? Terry says they’ve gotten a mild reprieve.

At Charlie’s, Julian asks Josslyn what he can get for her. She says she’s meeting Oscar, but he has an appointment, so she isn’t sure when he’ll get there. Julian is surprised they’re not going to Kelly’s, but she says Oscar likes the food at Charlie’s. Julian regrets letting Josslyn mess with his head. He’s not letting a teenager rule his life again. She says Oscar’s parents can now focus on him, and Julian is free to be with someone more his type. He’s welcome.

Griff asks Elizabeth why the police are there. Elizabeth tells Chase that everything had better be put back before Franco sees it. Chase says he’s in custody, and they don’t anticipate his release anytime soon. Griff asks, what happened? and Elizabeth says, they think Franco attacked Lulu.

On the phone, Scotty asks for case histories on hypnotism. He also wants dossiers on Doc and Lulu. He tells Alexis he has to go. She asks where the fire is, and he says, the PCPD. He asks what the bottom line is. Did a cousin come out of the woodwork? Alexis says the delay is by design, and the details aren’t going to be revealed until April 1^st. Does the date mean anything to him? Surprisingly, he doesn’t make a joke about April Fool’s Day, but says he’ll have to cancel his trip to the Bahamas. He thanks her for illuminating the situation. She leaves, and she opens her copy of Shiloh’s book, Every Day is a New Dawn.

Sonny tells Margaux it wouldn’t be the first time Franco nearly killed Lulu. Margaux is aware of the history. Before his brain tumor was removed, Franco created art installations based on the murders he committed. He was fixated on Jason, and terrorized everyone associated with him; Sam, Michael, Dante, and Lulu. Sonny says, then he used the brain tumor defense, and walked away free. He doesn’t want Franco getting away with it again.

Ava tells not-Doc it’s sweet of him to be her avenging angel, but it’s not his style. The retribution part doesn’t quite fit. He says she’s spent too long a time fighting for her place in the world alone. That’s over now. He’s by her side. She says he’s too good for her, and he tells her that’s the first time anyone has said that. She says surely Lucy or Laura would have said something, but he says, don’t bring up their names. They didn’t know him like she does, or inspire him like she does. She’s everything to him. If someone hurts her, they hurt him, and he will exact payment. He’d do anything for her. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Chase, who asks if has the file. Not-Doc asks if he has the warrant, and Chase gives it to him. Not-Doc wants to put it on the record that this goes against what he believes as a psychiatrist. Chase says, even if it prevents another murder? Ava asks if this is about Kiki’s killer, and if it’s one of not-Doc’s patients. Not-Doc tells Chase she’s going to find out soon enough, and tells Ava they believe Franco is the killer.

Elizabeth tells Griff that they took Aiden ice skating, and everything was fine until Jordan showed up. Lulu ID’d Franco as her attacker. Griff asks if Elizabeth thinks she’s lying, and Elizabeth says she thinks Lulu is confused. She believes Franco. She knows him, and knows didn’t attack anyone. They have a beautiful life. He would never throw that away. She has faith in him. Griff says he’s realized, faith isn’t something you just have; you choose it. If you don’t examine your beliefs, you’re just blind.

Scotty blows into the police station, and asks, where is he? Jordan says if he’s referring to Franco, he’s in the interrogation room. He asks, how bad is it? and she says, Lulu identified Franco as her attacker. Scotty says, sorry, but Lulu isn’t exactly a reliable source. Jordan says, Doc performed hypnotherapy, and Lulu was clear. If they get confirmation of her account, Franco is in a lot of trouble.

Ava says, Franco loved Kiki like she was his own. There’s no way he’d hurt her. Chase says he hasn’t been charged yet, but they know he’s connected. She asks what evidence they have, and what plans are there to file charges? Chase is sorry, and hopes her questions are answered soon. He leaves, and she asks not-Doc how long Franco has been suspected. He seemed at the ready with the file. He knew this was coming. He says, only since last night. He was there when Franco was arrested. She says it didn’t occur to him to tell her? He says, there was nothing definite. He thought they’d wake up to the news Franco was released. Apparently, Lulu’s statement was enough cause to hold him. The last Ava knew, Lulu couldn’t remember. He says, with help, she was able get past her memory block. Ava asks, what help? and not-Doc says, not what, whose. His.

Alexis watches Sonny talking to Margaux. Margaux says she doesn’t want the case tainted, and Sonny says it never crossed his mind. She tells him, don’t kid a kidder. She doesn’t need him ignoring or circumventing the law. He feels like she’s still after him or his family, but she says she doesn’t have it out for him. She has it out for lawbreakers. He’s just a humble coffee importer. She tells him, just keep roasting his beans, and keep his hands clean, and there will be no trouble. He wonders where he’s heard that before. She says he’s hearing it from her now. She decided to let it go and move on. She’s living in the present, and not ruled by her past – or his. She gets into the elevator, and Alexis and Sonny smile at each other.

Oscar says this means he can get going and meet Josslyn. They can finish up themselves. He wants to give her good news for a change. He dashes out, and Terry says it’s nice to see him in high spirits. Kim asks if she has anything else, and Terry says they’ll continue to monitor him. She tells them, keep in mind that, although the tumor didn’t grow, it didn’t shrink. Drew says, it’s not a miracle. Terry says, it’s a reprieve.  A temporary one. The prognosis remains same.

Sonny sits with Alexis. He notices she’s reading the book, and says Jason isn’t thrilled with Kristina’s new friends. She knows he doesn’t approve, and Sonny asks if she does. She says she’s not weighing in on her adult daughter’s choices – anymore. Sonny says she’s met Shiloh. Doesn’t she think he’s a little off? She says, the whole thing is weird. He says Kristina doesn’t think so. Alexis says she’d like Kristina to have a conventional life, but that’s what she wants, not Kristina. Neither of them have had conventional lives. She wonders what Sonny’s mother would think of his choices.

Terry says everything depends on how long this lasts, but eventually the disease will progress. The symptoms will become more pronounced, and his condition will deteriorate. His life will become more difficult. It’s in his, and their, best interest to have a plan, but there’s no need to get into it now. It’s a respite for them too. Take a breath, and treat themselves. Take Oscar on a trip. Enjoy each other’s company. Create memories they can keep forever. I like Terry, and hope she gets a real storyline someday.

Elizabeth doesn’t think Griff should be giving her advice on faith, having it or keeping it. He says he doesn’t want her to get hurt, but she says, too late. The man she loves has been wrongfully accused and locked up. When you love someone, you leave yourself wide open for heartache. Hasn’t he learned that? She asks Chase, how much longer? and he says they’re almost finished. He asks if an officer found something useful, and the officer tells him, have a look. Chase says, damn. Bag it. The commissioner will want to see it asap.

Margaux arrives at the station, and asks Jordan what’s the status on the suspect. She says he’s on hold, and conferring with counsel. Scotty just got there.

Scotty asks Franco how it’s going, and what did he tell them? Franco says he didn’t do it, and asks how Elizabeth is. Scotty says, she’s okay. They did a search of the house. Franco assumes the boys were home, and says, damn (WOTD). Aiden has been having a hard time, and Jake is just getting over his PTSD. It can’t be easy to see the cops going through their stuff. Scotty tells him, don’t worry. He’ll straighten it out when he gets out. Franco says, if Scotty gets him released.

Jordan tells Margaux, Lulu’s statement is compelling, but there’s not much physical evidence. Franco’s alibi is thin, but there’s no DNA evidence. It makes the case harder to build. Margaux reads through the file, and likes how the case is going, but Jordan says, it’s not a slam dunk. She gets a text message, and says, the case is getting stronger by the minute.

Not-Doc tells Ava that he’s licensed to practice hypnotherapy, and he’s good at it. He was tasked to help Lulu regain her memory, and he did. She says it couldn’t have been Franco, but he says Lulu was more than certain; she was viscerally terrified. Ava asks if it’s possible she saw someone who resembled Franco, or is mixing two memories. Not-Doc says, she clearly recalled Franco showing up at her office with a knife. In all likelihood, he’s responsible for the other murders. She says, something doesn’t feel right. He says she was so determined to find justice. Why isn’t she relieved? She says she witnessed Franco’s transformation first hand. The man he is now isn’t capable of harming someone he loved as much as Kiki. Not-Doc tells her, don’t try unraveling a serial killer’s mind. It will make you crazy. He tried with his brother. Ava says he was treating Franco. If Franco was unraveling, he would have noticed. Or did he?

Alexis tells Sonny that she’s not blind to the drawbacks, but Kristina is happier. She came back from Oregon with a broken spirit, and full of self-doubt. Now she’s happier. She’s working, maintaining herself, and they’re getting along. Sonny asks if she thinks it has to do with Shiloh, but she says it doesn’t matter who influenced her. She tells Sonny that she went to one of the seminars. He asks if it changed her life, and she says, oh yeah; she’s meditating now. She says it wasn’t horrible, and she had a moment. Sonny asks what the seminar was about, and she says, maintaining relationships while keeping your independence. He asks if her moment had anything to do with Julian.

Julian brings Josslyn the oatmeal she ordered, and she says she asked for strawberries. She asks why he’s being rude, but he says he’s keeping a healthy distance. Isn’t that what she wanted? She tells him what she said about Oscar and his family is the truth. Just because he doesn’t want to hear it, doesn’t mean it will go away. He says she sounds like her mother; a champion meddler. Carly needs to keep her nose out of other people’s business, and so should she. She says, Oscar is her business, but he says Kim isn’t. She says, it’s working; they’re a family. Julian says they’ll always be a family, no matter what. Josslyn asks what he means, and he says he and Kim are back together. Her little plot has come to an end. Oscar comes in, and says, what little plot?

Griff helps Elizabeth put the art therapy room back together. He rubs his shoulder, and she asks if he’s okay. He says he just overdid it at the gym. I’m assuming this exchange was for a reason that we’ll find out some other time. She thanks him, and looks at a drawing. He asks if she found something, and she says, a sketch. We see a cartoon of them in a car that says, just married. She says it’s an invitation to the wedding that keeps getting pushed back. There’s always something in the way. Griff supposes they’ll have to put it off longer. Elizabeth jets with the sketch, and when Griff turns around, she’s gone.

Franco tells Scotty that they’re saying he’s a serial killer who’s killed three people, including Kiki. Scotty says, they’re biased. It will work in his favor when they go to trial. Franco says, trial? They haven’t got enough to hold him, let alone connect him to the murders. Jordan and Margaux walk in. Jordan says she has some questions for Scotty’s client. Scotty says, he didn’t do it. Margaux would like to know about hi relationship with Doc. How would he characterize their sessions? Scotty says, don’t answer, but Franco says he’d characterize them as therapy. Why is she asking? Jordan asks what they discuss, and Scotty says, that’s privileged. Franco says, they discuss a lot; his childhood. Margaux asks if they discuss his bloodlust, and Franco says, what is he? A werewolf? He doesn’t have bloodlust. Jordan says, Dr. Collins disagrees.

Ava says not-Doc told Franco that he’d plateaued, and stopped seeing him. Not-Doc says he changed his mind. He thought maybe he’d been hasty, and they had more work to do. He asks why she’s grilling him, and she says there’s something he’s not telling her. Something captured his attention; what was it? He says he can’t discuss it, but she says she’s bound to find out. Tell her the truth. Was he concerned that Franco was capable of violence again, and a danger to others? Not-Doc says, yes.

Alexis tells Sonny that she no longer has a relationship with Julian. It’s not like Sonny is the guru of relationships. She suggests they stay out of each other’s personal lives. He wants to talk about Kristina, but Alexis thinks he should talk to Kristina. She gives him the book, and says maybe he should go to a seminar. He could stand to evolve a few million years. Sonny laughs, and she leaves.

Josslyn asks Oscar how the doctor’s appointment when, and he says he has decent news. The tumor has stopped growing. She says, amazing, and hugs him. She asks if this means the treatment worked, and the tumor is shrinking. He says he didn’t say that. It’s a reprieve. She says that’s good enough for her. They should celebrate. Oscar says, after she tells him what Julian was talking about. She says, literally nothing; it’s stupid. He says, just tell him, and she says, fine. She asked Julian to take himself out of the equation. Oscar asks, what equation? Josslyn tells him that she wanted Julian to give up Oscar’s mom so she could get closer to his dad, and he could have them both. It lasted five minutes. Julian just told her they’re back together. Oscar takes her hand, and says he appreciates what she’s trying to do, but he thinks they should let his parents do what they’re going to do without their help. She asks if he’s mad at her for meddling. He says, no, but if he gets to live way he wants, his parents should too.

Drew tells Kim, it’s not remission, but it’s something. Kim says, any reprieve is welcome. Drew asks where she’s at, and she says, crashing down to earth. Every day they get a little closer. The news slows things down, but Terry is right. They have to make plans for the end. Drew tells her that Terry also said they don’t have to do it today. They got a break. Kim says, normally, she’d be figuring out some strategy to help Oscar, but she hasn’t. Drew promises they’ll figure out what do, and figure it out together.

Ava says not-Doc knew Franco was going off the rails, and might kill again? He says his assessment was incomplete, and he didn’t feel it necessary to alert the authorities. She asks what he’s going to tell the court, and he says, his professional opinion. Franco was beginning lose control, and was susceptible to sustained bouts of rage. She asks, why not make an anonymous tip? He says he was bound by duty. She asks if he knew before or after Kiki was killed. He says he would have done anything to save Kiki. Does’t she know that? She’s not sure she knows anything. She starts to leave, and he grabs her arm, saying, don’t you walk away from me.

Jordan reads from Franco’s file; feelings of aggression and grandiosity, a failure to accept responsibility for his actions, superficial charm. Franco says Doc wouldn’t say those things, and Scotty says he can’t offer his opinion without consent. Jordan says they have a warrant. Franco says Doc’s been weird lately, but would never write those things about him. Margaux says, the assessment is that of a textbook serial killer. Scotty says Doc is a pompous jerk. They have no evidence because Franco didn’t commit the murders. Jordan says, these were just recovered from the art therapy room, and tosses a plastic bag full of driver’s licenses on the table.

Ava tells not-Doc, let go, and he does. He tells her, forgive him. They never fought before. He doesn’t know what came over him. He can’t say he likes it. Right now, she can’t say she likes him much at all. She leaves, and he wipes everything off his desk, and looks mighty pissed off.

Drew goes to the art therapy room, and sees Griff. He asks if Griff has seen Franco. Griff says he’s at the police station. He’s been arrested for the attempted murder of Lulu.

Kim goes to Charlie’s, and Julian says she just missed the kids. She’s sure Oscar told Josslyn, and asks if Julian heard. He says he wouldn’t mind hearing it again from her, and they kiss. Alexis walks in, and walks back out.

Sonny reads, says, it’s a piece of garbage, and tosses the book onto the bar. The bartender notices the book, and Sonny asks if he knows it. The bartender says it changed his life. Sonny picks up the book again.

Chase says he has to admit, she bought into Franco’s act. She thought he was just trying to help with his insight, but he was taunting them. Elizabeth arrives as Franco is being taken away. He says they’ll sort it out. Scotty tells her there are additional charges for the murders of Mary Pat, Peyton, and Kiki. Elizabeth lets the sketch fall to the floor.

Ava literally runs into Griff. She says she can’t deal with him. Not after everything that’s happened. They’re saying Franco killed Kiki. He was supposed to love her. How could he possibly…? Griff holds her, saying he doesn’t know. Not-Doc sees them together.

Tomorrow, Scotty says they’re not railroading his client after all, not-Doc talks to Griff, and Spinelli tells Jason the story checks out.

🍴 I missed the first half of Top Chef. Dr. Phil once again tempted me with a dude who thought he was Batman. Really. It wasn’t nearly as interesting as it sounds, and he lost all his fights. He was a Marine or something, so I’d hoped he at least kicked some bad guy ass. His fiancé was getting a little skeptical about marrying him, which is understandable. The worst thing was, not only did he not have a full costume, his mask was lame. He also agreed to come on without the mask, but painted black around his eyes, like he was from a bad KISS cover band. Anyway, halfway through, I changed the channel.

When I tuned in, the chefs were already at the Rupp Arena, where the Kentucky Wildcats were hosting a concession stand cook-off. Hunter Lewis, Food and Wine editor-in-chief, was the guest judge. The contestants had split into two teams – blue and white. To keep in the spirit of the game, there was trash talk from the white team that the blue team used boxed waffle mix for their chicken and waffles. Sarah was called out by Adrienne, who had to admit out they did, and got heckled for it. The white team won with their juicy Lucies, a stuffed slider I’ve heard about on Vanderpump Rules. Sarah squeaked by because her chicken was spot on, but not so much Michelle’s ribs, and it was her turn to pack her knives and hit the road. She talked about how much confidence she had, and her hopes for Last Chance Kitchen. Maybe it’s me, but I sense a disconnect with her. Her backstory is sad – her father committed suicide when she was a teenager – and it possibly affects her personality. Whatever it is, I always want to tell her to speak up and look at who she’s talking to. My money is on Eric at this point. Next time a fried chicken challenge and a Muhammad Ali inspired dish.

✈ What I Said About RHOA…

They should not be allowed to have passports.

https://www.distractify.com/entertainment/2019/02/04/lIUkahgIX/reality-stars-in-foreign-countries

🐋 It’s Almost Therapeutic…

And I could use some zen. More Deep Blue. And more crazy people.