Tag Archives: Erika Slezak

November 7, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Jack Threatens Josslyn, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Halloween Revels, October Tails, A Decapod Of Quotes & Weather

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…                                                                        

Monday:

Sonny went Miller and Davis to see Alexis.

Laura said she had no intention of working with Sidwell, but he said he was confident they could make Port Charles a better place. She suggested if that’s what he wanted, leave town. She’d buy his plane ticket herself. He said he had a more interesting proposal.

Porta told Elizabeth that Jordan figured out she was pregnant and ran straight to Curtis.

Curtis went to see Jordan and told her that Portia was pregnant.

Dalton introduced Emma to Britt, but had the feeling they knew each other. Emma said Britt once had an unfortunate relationship with her father. What was she doing here? Brook said Emma was all grown up, but still annoyingly precocious, and Dalton said Britt was joining his research team. Emma said he couldn’t give that psycho access to his lab.

Ronnie hesitated to sign and said she needed a minute. Outback ran in grabbed the papers and ran. Drew yelled, stop that dog!

Tracy found Monica’s real will along with a note to her, and she cried as she read it. Monica wrote that she suspected debate and subterfuge regarding her final wishes, especially where Drew was concerned. She left the will with Alan’s diplomas where she knew Tracy would find it. Tracy said, oh my God. This is Monica’s real will.

Laura reminded Sidwell that he’d tried to kill Lucky, Anna, and Jason, and said she didn’t care that no charges had been brought. Sidwell asked if his behavior since arriving hadn’t earned him leeway despite the unproven accusations, and Laura wondered if he thought launching a Molotov cocktail into Charlie’s Pub won her over, but he said it was an unproven accusation bordering on slander. Mob violence predated him in Port Charles, and if she wanted to find a common denominator, look no further than her good friend Sonny.

Alexis asked what Kristina had done now, but Sonny said, Kristina was fine. She’d told him about Alexis’s defense strategy for Willow. Alexis said Kristina didn’t know what it was, but he said, she wanted to free Willow and blame Michael.

Curtis told Jordan that Portia admitted she was pregnant when he confronted her, but wanted to wait until her first trimester was over before telling Trina. They weren’t telling anyone else, but he thought Jordan should know. She congratulated him and said it sounded like he and Portia were presenting a united front. He said having the baby was the only thing he and Portia agreed on.

Portia said she’d hoped to make it through the first trimester and quietly run a paternity test, and Elizabeth asked if Curtis knew he might not be the father. Portia said, not yet. She was trying to relax and focus on a healthy pregnancy, but every time she turned around, someone was poking their nose in her business. Now Britt was back on the scene and Brad wouldn’t be too far behind. Elizabeth said, back in the spring, Portia’s conflict with Brad had her worried about Portia and the hospital. If Brad found out Britt was home and decided to come back to town, would it be a problem?

Emma said Dalton didn’t want to work with Britt. She’d faked her death and was a liar and embryo stealer. Britt told her not to forget doll cremator, and Emma said Britt would destroy his research or rip it off and sell it. Britt suggested Dalton do a more thorough vetting process. Another habit Emma hadn’t grown out of was acting like she knew everything, while being utterly clueless. She was risky to keep around. Britt left.

Ronnie told Martin to just print another, but Martin said it would have to be recertified and notarized. Ronnie said text her when it was ready, but Drew said she was going to stay and sign. No more delays. This ended today. Brook and Chase came in, and Brook asked what the yelling was about. Cody arrived and asked if anyone had seen his dog. She answered to Princess Pie when she felt like it. Drew told him to find his dog and the paperwork, or they’d both be out on the street, when Olivia and Ned joined them. Olivia said no dogs were being thrown out on the street on her watch, and Ned asked if Drew was master of the manor yet. Brook said, Outback stole the paperwork, and Drew said they were handling this today. The house would be his and they’d be out on their asses. Brook said he should be ashamed of himself, and Drew said what they wanted didn’t matter. He made the decisions and was finally taking his place as head of the Quartermaine family in the Quartermaine family home.

Tracy told Monica, I’ve got this. Buckle up, Ronnie. I’m coming for you. She dashed off.

Sidwell said Laura shared a grandson with Sonny, and she said, his point? He said her alliances blinded her to resources that were valuable to her and the city. If he took over the piers, it would generate hundreds of millions of dollars. He could personally fund the school district. She said that wasn’t how it worked and sounded like a bribe, which wasn’t how she worked. He wasn’t interested in creating revenue, but needed the piers to set up a criminal enterprise. He was a violent thug who left destruction in his wake, and she wouldn’t be his mouthpiece or front, and she would never be his ally.

Alexis said Drew burned down Michael’s life and no one could blame him for wanting revenge, but Sonny said it was the same for Willow. Why was Alexis representing her? Alexis said Willow deserved a defense and she owed it to Scout. If she didn’t represent Willow, Drew wouldn’t let her have time with her granddaughter. But the ultimate reason didn’t matter. She was a lawyer, and it was her job to give her client the best defense possible. Sonny said he could help point her toward another suspect that wasn’t Michael.

Portia told Elizabeth that the Brad issue had been dealt with, but she wished the consequences hadn’t been so severe. She and Curtis were on their way to a divorce and might be having a baby. She couldn’t help wondering what her life and marriage would look like without outside interference. She suddenly realized she had something she needed to take care of and left.

Curtis told Jordan that he was committed to having and loving the child, but a baby didn’t magically make problems disappear. Some problems could be worked through, but some couldn’t, and the reasons for the divorce hadn’t changed. He’d always love Portia and respect her as the mother of his children, but their marriage didn’t work and to pretend it did, helped no one.

Emma told Dalton that she was sorry. It was inappropriate and unprofessional, but she thought he was making a mistake. He said Britt was right. She had no idea what was going on. He’d hired her to organize his files, not offer unsolicited insight and insolence. She was never to disrespect Dr. Westbourne again. She was critical to his research and Emma’s interference wouldn’t be tolerated. She could see herself out. Emma left.

Michael said Drew would never be head of the family, and Ned said they were Quartermaines. Drew said Alan was his father, and Ned said, if Alan was alive, he’d be the first to disown Drew. Drew said, every one of his moves was out of Edward Quartermaine’s playbook, but Olivia said he didn’t know Edward. Brook said he was an interloper who no one wanted, and Drew said nothing he’d done had been good enough for the family. The one time he stepped out of line, they rallied behind Michael to kick him out and close the gate. It didn’t matter that he was of Alan’s blood. Michale said it wasn’t about blood. It was about loyalty. Olivia said, and love, and Drew said he wished Tracy was there to see his victory. Cody walked in with the slobbered-on paperwork.

Ned said there would be no coming back from this. What kind of victory was a family home without a family? Olivia said, an empty one, like the guy who was claiming it, and Martin said Drew’s signature was still valid. Drew said it was up to Ronnie. Sign and she could head back to Durham or wherever she wanted to go. Do this, and she’d never have to deal with any of them again. This house and everyone in it would just be a bad memory.

Emma found Gio on Lulu’s deck and said she couldn’t get her hands on the key fob. But she knew who had it and how to get it, and they’d use Rocco to do it.

Britt apologized for being late, but Elizabeth said she knew it was Britt’s day off. Britt said she could use the overtime, and Elizabeth asked if she’d heard from Brad. Britt said he was off the grid. If he knew she was alive and back in town, it appeared he didn’t care.

Sidwell said their conversation had been constructive and he fully respected that Laura and her office wasn’t not for sale, but please keep in mind not all transactions were monetary. Everyone had their price, even her. He left and she slammed the door.

Alexis told Sonny to take it to the police, but he said they already had a suspect. But there was another viable suspect – Dr. Portia Robinson.

Tracy yelled, hold everything! Stop what you’re doing! The sale of the house is null and void. This is the real will.

Tracy told Ronnie, don’t you dare sign, but Brook said, she didn’t. Olivia said Ronnie tore it up, and Tracy said, of course (🍷). Ronnie heard her coming and knew she’d be exposed for the fraud she was. Michael said Ronnie told them she couldn’t do it, and Olivia said, before Tracy came. Brook said they all saw it, and Ned asked what this was about. Tracy said she found the real will in a box with Alan’s diplomas, along with a letter from Monica. This is Monica’s Last Will and Testament. The real one. Martin said, how convenient. Consider the source. It’s most likely a forgery. Michael said, it was notarized, but Martin said, it hasn’t been probated. Ronnie said she didn’t know if it was real, but she did know the will leaving the house to her wasn’t. It was forged. Tracy said she knew it, and Olivia said, Ronnie forged her sister’s will? Ronnie said, no, he did, and pointed at Martin.

Emma told Gio and Rocco that Britt had the key fob, but Britt hated her. She couldn’t get close enough to Britt to lift it, but Rocco… Rocco said he didn’t know, but Emma said, Britt liked him and wanted to spend time with him. He was their best shot. Rocco said he wanted to help, but he didn’t feel right stealing, and Gio said, borrowing. Emma said Rocco liked Britt and she’d just started working for Dalton. Britt had no idea what she was involved with. He was saving her from going down with Dalton.

Elizabeth said she wasn’t sure it wasn’t that Brad didn’t care about Britt. When he left, it seemed like he came into money. Britt said, legally or illegally? and Elizabeth said it was anybody’s guess. He probably wanted a fresh start. Britt said, so she didn’t think Brad was icing her out? and Elizabeth said he may not know she was back, and left.

Curtis said he might not have known Portia was pregnant if not for Jordan being willing to tell him the truth, and Jordan said she was happy for him. Did they talk about the future? Did they both want the baby? Curtis said, yes, they both wanted the baby, but he wanted to be a loving, committed, present father and wanted her, just her.

Alexis said Portia was highly respected, whose reputation was beyond reproach, and Sonny said, until it isn’t. She said give her a plausible reason, and he asked if she remembered Drew’s ketamine trip. She said, Congressman Body Shots (🍷)? Who could forget? Sonny said, Nina confessed to being behind it, but she wasn’t working alone. Alexis needed to figure out where Portia was on the night the congressman got shot.

Ronnie said Martin got in contact with her before Monica died. He said he and Monica were friends. Tracy said, Monica would have tazed him if he’d gotten near her, and Ronnie said she knew that now. After Monica passed, he painted a terrible picture of the family, saying they were all spiteful people who would betray each other at the first sign of weakness. He was right about two of them, but not about the rest. Michael asked if she knew the will was forged, and she said she knew Martin’s plan to ensure Monica’s estate would go to – in his words – someone worthy of it. Tracy said, and she decided it was her? but Ronnie said, no. She didn’t want to go along with it at all, but then there was that day in the crypt. She was saying goodbye to Monica when Tracy walked in. She was so awful. She was cruel and disrespectful and disdainful. Then and there she decided to take Martin up on his offer. Tracy said, so it was revenge, and Ronnie said, yes. Tracy deserved it, but it was misguided and so wrong. Monica loved all of them so much, even Tracy. It was clear in all of her letters. Since then, she’d seen why she couldn’t take their home. They may not believe it, but she was very glad Tracy found Monica’s will. Now, finally, Monica’s wishes would be honored.

Jordan took Curtis’s hands and said she wanted to be with him too, so much. But what if he changed his mind? She’d be devastated to have then lose him again. She didn’t want to set herself up for that. She deserved more. He said she deserved the best and he didn’t want to give her less. It was just complicated, but he wasn’t giving up when they had a second chance. That was, if she wanted that too.

Alexis asked why Portia would do it, and Sonny said, shoot or drug Drew? She said, both, and Sonny said, find out if Portia had a legit alibi. If she did, great. If she didn’t… Alexis said, she might want to point the finger at Portia instead of his son.

Gio said, no one was forcing Rocco into borrowing the key fob, but it wasn’t like he was breaking in. Emma said the rest was up to them, and Rocco said, okay, he’d do it, but he wanted them to stick around and hand out candy. Gio said, absolutely, and Rocco said he’d be back soon. He left, and Emma said, what’s with the boxes? Gio said Tracy was staying there. It was her stuff. Emma said they were Quartermaine memories, and Gio said he felt bad. Monica loved that house. Emma said, and the people in it. It was his house too. His family. Ignoring it wasn’t going to change that.

Tracy said Ronnie was nothing more than Martin’s dupe. She fell off the turnip truck and fell into a multimillion-dollar estate. Ned said, why sell? and Michael said, it couldn’t be about money. Ronnie said, it wasn’t. Martin was blackmailing her. Tracy laughed and said, there it is. Ronnie said she wanted to come clean, but Martin said if she didn’t sell to Drew, he’d charge her with fraud. Tracy said there was still time and told Chase that she wanted Ronnie arrested. Drew said he didn’t know anything about blackmail and fraud. He just made an offer on the house. Ronnie said, as far as she knew, it was all Martin’s idea. Drew was entitled and really obnoxious, but he never threatened her. Tracy said, the jury was still out – for now, Get out. Drew said he wasn’t done, and left. Ned asked where Martin thought he was going, and Martin said they couldn’t hold him hostage. Tracy said the police could and told Chase to handcuff them both. Brook said Ronnie had been torn up. They can’t arrest her. Olivia said, obviously Martin was running the show, and Tracy said, maybe. And Martin thought Lodi was bad. When she was done with him, he was going to big boy prison. Cuff him. Chase put handcuffs on Martin, but Ned said he thought he had a better idea.

Britt’s phone chimed and she said she needed to step away. Elizabeth said, go for it, and Britt went to an examining room. Rocco came into the hospital and he watched Britt as she went inside.

Jordan suggested to Curtis that they take this thing slow and not jump into anything too quickly, especially something they couldn’t take back. When his divorce was finalized, he’d be a free man. Curtis said he understood. He definitely wanted to do it the right way, from start to finish. At the door, Jordan said she thought it was good for them to wait, and he said, so did he. She said she didn’t want to wait for this, and they kissed. Portia arrived and saw them.

Alexis told Sonny, no promises, and he said, all he asked… Drew showed up and said, what the hell is this? (Well, they do have a child together.)

Britt gave herself a shot as Rocco was about to walk in.

Gio told Emma that he thought he wanted nothing to do with the Quartermaines. Now that they were losing their home, he finally got what Tracy was trying to tell him the night of the Nurses Ball. These things belonged to the Quartermaine house. That’s where their memories lived, his memories, his history, his family. He was a Quartermaine too.

On the phone, Laura asked someone to call her as soon as possible. They needed to talk about Jenz Sidwell. It’s important. Martin came in, and she asked, what’s wrong? He said he found himself in the middle of a difficult and regrettable circumstance.

Olivia said, leave it to Monica to know there would be funny business about her will, and Tracy said she bet Monica didn’t guess it would come from her sister. Ronnie said she was truly so sorry, and Tracy said she was delivering Monica’s grandson’s inheritance to him intact. He was welcome. She handed the paperwork to Michael, and he asked if she read it, but Tracy said she was too busy breaking the laws of physics to get there. He said, Monica didn’t leave him the house. She left it to Tracy.

Tuesday:  

Drew said Sonny wasn’t Alexis’s client, and Sonny said, neither was Drew. Drew asked if Sonny was there feeding Alexis lies, and Sonny said if Michael wanted Drew dead, he’d be dead. Drew asked if that was a threat, but Alexis said they weren’t doing this in her office, especially today.

Portia showed up at Jordan’s place and said, sorry to disappoint her. Was she expecting Portia’s husband?

Marshall and Curtis hugged and Marshall asked, what’s going on? Curtis said he wanted to see Marchall’s face when he told him that Portia was pregnant. Marshall was going to be a grandfather again.

Britt heard the door open and yelled. Rocco said, sorry, and left. She followed.

Gio said if Drew bought the house, the Quartermaines wouldn’t be together. There was no place big enough. He hated that they were splitting up. Emma said they were still together now. Why didn’t he visit while they were still there?

Martin told Laura that he found himself in the middle of a difficult and regrettable circumstance. It turned out the will was forged, and Monica didn’t leave the house to Ronnie. Laura said Ronnie didn’t seem like the type to do anything underhanded. When did he find out? He said he already knew. He was the one who forged it.

Jason came in and asked what was going on, and Michael said there had been a change in the will. Tracy said he can’t have read it right, and Ned read that Michael would get all of Monica’s financial assets, with the exception of 66 Harborview Drive in Port Charles, New York, the house that was given to Monica by her husband Alan, the house where they raised their family. This she left to the sister of her heart – Tracy Angelica Quartermaine.

Laura asked, why? and Martin said Tracy Quartermaine was why. She came after him first. She turned his exes against him, bankrupted him, and he spent time in jail. Laura said he’d probably be spending more time there. Tell her everything. He said he used to work for the lawyer who actually wrote up the will. He got a copy online and saw the house was left to Tracy, which proved Monica wasn’t in her right mind. She’d just reconnected with her long-lost sister, who was basically the polar opposite of Tracy, who didn’t need or deserve the house. Ronnie Bard was decent, hardworking, and had a big heart. Tracy was like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse rolled into one. It was a twofer, payback with karma on top. So he tipped the scales toward justice. Laura said, is that what he did?

Jason said, so the will was fake? and Michael said, the real one said Tracy was the owner of the house and estate. Tracy said she thought the house would go to Michael, and Michael said he hoped she’d let them stay. She laughed and said, of course (🍷). They could all stay. Ronnie said she hoped Tracy knew how deeply she regretted her part in this. She was just grateful and touched that Monica left her the locket. Brook wondered if that’s all Monica left her, and Ned read, to my sister, I bequeath my oldest and most cherished possession, a locket, and the funds to purchase the house of her choosing in Duke Forest. Ronnie said that was her favorite neighborhood in Durham. She couldn’t believe Monica remembered that. She looked up and cried, saying, when I was 16, you threw me away. Now you’ve given me a house. Thank you so much.

Britt told Rocco, wait. She was sorry she yelled. He’d startled her. It was a hospital, and he couldn’t just barge in. Rocco said he saw her go in and thought she was alone. She said she’d seen a patient and was cleaning up, and he said, sorry. She said it was okay. Why was he looking for her?

Drew said he was paying Alexis a retainer and came to discuss Willow’s case, but not in front of Sonny. He also wanted to talk about Scout, but if she was too busy… Alexis said she thought she and Sonny were done.

Marshall told Curtis, congratulations, and said he was surprised. Curtis said they made one last effort to make their marriage work and Portia got pregnant. They still realized the marriage was over, but he was overjoyed about the baby. However, he wouldn’t have known if Jordan hadn’t told him.

Portia said she knew Curtis was running to Jordan, but had no idea Jordan was throwing herself at him. Jordan said Curtis was no longer Portia’s problem, and Portia said, Jordan was. She’d done everything to undermine their marriage and now told Portia’s husband that she was pregnant. That wasn’t right. Jordan said all she did was tell the truth, which Portia seemed incapable of doing. She’d been lying to Curtis since they’d met, and she kept doing it until Curtis had to save her from Drew’s blackmail. Portia said, Curtis told her, and Jordan said Curtis trusted her and she valued that trust. She told him that Portia was pregnant because she knew Portia wouldn’t. Portia said, Jordan told him because it was the opening she needed.

Curtis told Marshall that Portia claimed she wanted to get through the first trimester before she told him, but after talking with her, he thought there was a good chance she wouldn’t have said anything until they filed for divorce. That would have made it harder to push for parental rights. Marshall said he heard a lot of speculation, but wasn’t sure how Jordan fit in, and Curtis said he found himself leaning on Jordan. Marshall said, leaning on or toward?

Portia said Jordan had been thirsting for Curtis for some time, and Jordan said Portia wouldn’t be threatened by her if she wasn’t so insecure. She created the distance with her lies and secrets. Portia said, so Jordan rolled the dice. She had to know there was the possibility of Curtis coming back for the sake of the baby. Jordan said it didn’t look like that happened, and Portia said Jordan used something wonderful to turn Curtis against her, but Jordan said Portia did that all on her own.

Sonny said he hoped Drew wasn’t blackmailing Alexis, but Alexis said he was her client. She’d have Diane follow-up with their earlier conversation. Sonny left, and Drew said it was good Alexis had her priorities straight. Alexis said Scout always came first, and he said that’s why he came. There had been a change of plans.

Britt asked why Rocco why came to see her, and Rocco flashed back to saying he’d steal the key fob. He asked if she’d like to grab a coffee, and she said she’d love to, but she was working and couldn’t leave. Maybe another time? He said, sure. He also wanted to let her know that he told his mom that he had dinner with her, her mom, and Nathan – after the fact. She was a little mad. Britt thanked him for the heads up and said maybe he should have called. Wouldn’t his mom be madder if they had coffee? He said, probably. See her later. He started to dash out and literally ran into Sidwell. He said he was sorry, but Sidwell said it was quite all right, and Rocco left.

Gio said he didn’t know if he was going, and Emma asked if he was still mad at the Quartermaines. He said, not anymore. And Lois made him see that Brook did want to do the best for him at the time. Emma asked why he was still holding the Quartermaines at arm’s length.

Martin told Laura that he knew it looked bad, but Ronnie was truly the salt of the earth good people. Laura asked him to skip to forging the will, and he said, because of Tracy, he lost everything. She deserved to be taught a lesson. Monica wanted Ronnie to have a house, and he made sure it was that one. Laura asked about the PickleLila relish, and he said, nice touch, right? He promised he hadn’t changed anything else and got no monetary compensation. He just wanted a little justice. Ronnie didn’t want to go along with it at first, but then she met Tracy. Tracy was so awful, Ronnie decided to go along with the plan. In a way, you could say Tracy brought it on herself. Laura said she could say a lot of things, but she wasn’t going to. Was he also the reason Ronnie agreed to sell to Drew?

Michael said the only thing that was changed was which house Ronnie got. Ned said, add to that a jar of PickleLila, and Tracy said, Monica would never be that cruel. Jason said Michael told him Ronnie said she wouldn’t sell even before Tracy showed up with the real will, and Ronnie said she couldn’t do it. Everyone was so kind to her, except Tracy. She was sorry she let it go as far as she did. She felt like she let Monica down. Jason said they all made mistakes – Monica made a few of her own – but owning up to them showed Ronnie’s real character. Ronnie thanked him and he left.

In the foyer, Chase asked if Tracy still wanted him to arrest Ronnie and Brook said, please. Drop it. She got what she wanted and more than she expected. The house was hers. Tracy said, all right. She wouldn’t press charges, but she was only letting Ronnie go because of Monica. Ronnie said she was very sorry about everything that happened. These were Tracy’s. She handed Tracy the keys, and Tracy said now she could lock the doors when she threw Ronnie out.

Alexis said Drew had a fund raiser in DC and Scout was going trick-or-treating with her, Kristina, and Molly, then sleeping over for a Davis Girls’ night. Drew said Scout was having a tough time today and wanted to be with her dad, so he was taking her to DC. Alexis said it was no longer a fun day because it was the day Scout lost her mom. But she was wondering why he was doing this today, when Scout should be surrounded by people who loved her mom and shared her grief and happy memories. She should be with family, including him. Why didn’t he bring Scout over to her place? Maybe they could put everything aside and be together for Scout’s sake.

In a stairwell, Sidwell asked if Britt and Dalton came to an understanding, and Britt said Dalton was a snake. He immediately suggested they cut Sidwell out and take the work to someone else, splitting the profits 50/50. Sidwell said, accept his offer, and Britt said she’d crunch numbers for him, but wouldn’t be a spy. He said she’d do what he told her to do. If not for him, the medicine that kept her upright and functioning would be withheld, and Huntington’s would make her a prisoner in her own body.

Martin said Drew wanted the house, so he made it happen by threatening to expose Ronnie, and Laura said, for going along with the plan he created? He said he didn’t force Ronnie. Initially, it was her choice. Laura said, don’t tell her that he really believes that. She didn’t think he’d be there if he’d gotten away with it. He said, Ronnie cracked. She decided she cared too much about the rest of the family and told the Quartermaines everything. To make matters worse, Tracy showed up at the 11th hour with a copy if the real will. Laura said, thank God for that. Was he going to be arrested? He said that was up to her.

Ronnie said she’d pack her stuff and be gone tomorrow, but Tracy said, leave now. She could pick up her things tomorrow… by the gate. Olivia said it wasn’t right, but Tracy said she wasn’t giving Ronnie the opportunity to steal anything else from the family. She was lucky she wasn’t in prison. Michael said he thought Tracy owed Monica more than throwing Ronnie out, but Tracy said Monica wanted Ronnie to have a house in Durham, not here, because she wasn’t family. She never was and was never going to be. Be grateful for her freedom and get out of her house.

Gio told Emma, the Quartermaines had the reputation of lying and stabbing each other in the back. Did he want to become a part of that really? Emma said, if he kept his distance, he’d stay safe, but he might miss out on something he really loved, like the violin. He thought music was worth it the night of the Nurses Ball. He said, it was, and she said, wasn’t his family?

Martin told Laura that Ned said the Quartermaines wouldn’t press charges if she personally asked them not to, and Laura said that was incredibly lenient, but Martin thought it was diabolical. The worst punishment was her look of disappointment. She said she didn’t think disappointment covered it. Okay. She’d call the Quartermaines. He thanked her and said he was grateful, and she said he should be. And not just to her. What he did was illegal and underhanded and just plain stupid. He could lose his law license. He won’t be able to shove this off. She was sorry, but he couldn’t live with her and Doc anymore. He had to move out. Sonny knocked at the door and asked if it was a bad time. Laura said they were just finishing up, and Martin said she was telling him what he did was illegal, yet she couldn’t manage to cut ties with Sonny Corinthos. How was that fair?

Curtis told Marshall that the connection was still there, but he and Jordan hadn’t crossed any lines. That hadn’t eased Portia’s jealousy though. Marhsall asked where they stood. Would the divorce be amicable enough to raise a child together? Curtis said he didn’t think they’d stay amicable when Portia realized he wanted to be with Jordan.

Portia said she didn’t tell Curtis about the pregnancy to spare him the pain in case she miscarried. Jordan never thought about that, and just assumed her pregnancy was another opening to make herself look good and her look bad. Jordan said, not everything was about Portia. She was never out to get her. Portia said it didn’t matter. Jordan was welcome to try meeting Curtis’s impossible standard. Jordan said being honest with her husband shouldn’t be an impossible standard to meet, and Portia said Curtis would end up disappointed like last time. Jordan might have Curtis, but she’d never get Portia’s child.

Drew said, Alexis was inviting him to her house? and Alexis said she’d do anything to make things comfortable for Scout. So, yes, he was invited to join them. Drew asked who else would be there, and she said, Kristina and Molly, and she would like to invite Danny. He’s Sam’s son and Scout’s brother. Drew said, absolutely not. Danny couldn’t control himself around him and would cause a scene and make it worse. If she let Danny around Scout, she’d never see Scout again.

Sidwell asked how fast Britt deteriorated without Faison’s experimental medication, and she said he made his point. She’d tell Dalton that she’s in. He asked if she thought Dalton had been approached by other buyers or was he blowing smoke, but she said she didn’t know. She’d find out. He said, see that she did, and left.

Britt came out and saw Jason at the reception desk.

Olivia said Tracy wasn’t making sense. Ronnie was Monica’s sister, which made her family. It was cruel. Tracy asked how she was the bad guy. Ronnie tried to steal the house. Michael said that proved she was one of them. She stood up to Drew and tore into him. Ned suggested Tracy take the win without humiliating Ronnie, but Tracy said, that’s not the Quartermaine way. They defeated their enemies and made examples of them. Olivia said maybe it was time to make a change, at least a little, and Brook said if Tracy insisted on throwing Ronnie out, they were leaving too. Tracy said that was ridiculous, and Ronnie said they didn’t need to do that. Olivia said Leo was out trick-or-treating, so she could pack some bags, and Ned said he’d help her. Michael said him too. Tracy had lost her mind. Brook said admit Ronnie was part of the family or they were leaving, and Tracy said they could all get out.

Marshall said Portia wouldn’t be happy about Curtis going back to Jordan. She’d always had insecurities about their relationship. Curtis said he’d never given her a reason, but Marshall said the heart didn’t always need a reason. He was sure the connection could be seen. Curtis asked if Marshall had an issue with him and Jordan, and Marshall said, no. He was happy for Curtis and hoped they both had a future together if that’s what he wanted. But the baby was the first priority. Curtis said he was committed to being a hands-on father, and Marshall said, the last thing he wanted to do was end up in family court, fighting for the next 18 years.

Emma told Gio that maybe getting close to the Quartermaines was risky, but maybe it was worth it. Rocco came back and Gio asked how it went with Britt. Rocco said, not great.

Jason said he brought the insurance card for Britt’s car. He figured she’d need it. She tried to take it and dropped it. He put it back in her hand and asked what was going on. She said, nothing. She was just busy. He asked, what was upsetting her? She could tell him.

Laura asked Sonny to excuse her for a minute and told Martin that she wasn’t cutting ties with Sonny and he couldn’t live in her house. Sonny didn’t live in her house. Martin said he lived there. He did business there all over her city. If he was out by Sunday, was that acceptable? She said it was fine, and Martin left. Sonny said he came to give her a heads up. Sidwell confronted him at the MetroCourt and it seemed like Sidwell was putting him on notice. Laura said her too.

Ronnie said she didn’t want the family to split up because of her. It was her fault. She went along with Martin’s fraud. Tracy told her not to be a martyr, and Ronnie said she was agreeing with Tracy, but Tracy said she didn’t need any help. Brook said it wasn’t about Ronnie. It was about her grandmother’s need to control everything. It didn’t take anything away from her to accept Ronnie into the family. Tracy asked if she was saying it was okay for Ronnie to go along with Martin’s fraud, but Brook said, no, but making a mistake – even a big one – didn’t exclude her from the family. Michael said, it was a requirement, but Tracy said she wanted Ronnie gone. If they didn’t like it, they could leave. Brook said, please don’t do this. Don’t be spiteful. Take it back. She knew Tracy and her heart. She was kind, generous, and warm, but none of it would matter if she didn’t stop being so vicious. She loved Tracy, but couldn’t keep making excuses for her. Please, back down.

Alexis told Drew that Danny wouldn’t be not seeing Scout. Would she be seeing both of them tonight? Drew said he didn’t want to put a strain on the evening, so he’d stick with the original plan. He’d go to DC and Scout would stay with her. When he came back from DC, he’d hear her plan to free Willow and make Michael look guilty. As soon as Willow was acquitted, he’d make sure Michael was arrested. He left, and Alexis looked at her notepad and read, Portia alibi?

Jordan wondered why Portia would think she was trying to take her baby? Curtis was the baby’s father, and a father had rights. Portia said she wanted Curtis to be part of the baby’s life, not Jordan. Jordan said when and if she and Curtis finally got together, it would be between them and Portia didn’t have a say. Portia said Jordan took Curtis, but wouldn’t take her child. When it came to Jordan or her baby, she knew who Curtis would choose. Portia left.

Curtis said he agreed with everything Marshall was saying, but even without Jordan in the equation, the marriage was over. Marshall asked if they’d filed, but Curtis said not until the investigation into Drew’s shooting was over. They needed spousal protection, so they weren’t compelled to testify against each other. Marshall said, so two good reasons to keep his distance from Jordan until the divorce was final.

Rocco said he was sorry. He was useless and it got awkward. He just wanted to get out. Emma said it was okay. He did the right thing. Gio said they’d find another way, and Rocco told them he said he’d get it and he would. He blew it this time, but Britt was nice and he knew he could try again. Emma said, we’ll see, but Rocco said he wasn’t being brushed off. He needed to save the animals in Dalton’s lab. He knew he could get close to Britt again and when he did, he’d get the key fob.

Jason asked if Britt’s symptoms were coming back, but she said it had been an emotional day. Rocco was there earlier. He barged into an exam room, she was startled and yelled. From the way he ran out, she didn’t think she’d be hearing from him again. He said Rocco wouldn’t be scared off that easy. He wanted to get to know her better and he thought Rocco should. She could be somebody good in his life. She told him, ridiculous. It was Halloween, not April Fool’s Day. She walked away.

Laura said Sidwell wanted her to publicly endorse Measure C and denounce Sonny. He was fixated on getting the piers and she was afraid of what he might do to make that happen. Sonny said, don’t worry. He’d get Sidwell to leave her alone. She said he couldn’t, and he said Sidwell didn’t fight fair. She said she appreciated his concern, but she couldn’t come to him to solve her problems. She’d deal with Sidwell in her own way.

Ned said it wasn’t too late for Tracy to change her mind, but she said Ronnie needed to leave immediately. And if the rest were going with her, get out. She opened the door, and they looked at each other. Ronnie left, and they followed, Ned last. He said Tracy needed her family. She had her whole life to learn that lesson and it still hadn’t stuck. Don’t throw her family out for spite. That wasn’t why Monica gave her the house. He left, and she slammed the door.

Wednesday:

Turner meets Sonny at hatchet range and said, a hatchet range on Halloween. What could possibly go wrong?

Gio went to the Quartermaine mansion and found Tracy. He said he thought Ronnie kicked her out, but Tracy said there had been a reversal of fortune… in her favor. Apparently, Monica hadn’t given the house to Ronnie. Monica gave it to her.

Outside of Bobbie’s, James complained to Spinelli and Felicia about not going to the street that had full-size candy bars. Felicia said they would have been late. They promised James’s dad they’d stop by so he could see James’s costume. They went inside and James ran to Cody.

Molly asked what Scout was looking at, and Scout said her friends were posting about her school’s Trunk Or Treat. Kristina said it wasn’t too late to go, but Scout said she didn’t want to dress up. She used to love Halloween. Not anymore.

Danny went to Alexis’s office, and she asked if she was keeping him from his Halloween plans. He said it only brought back memories of losing his mom.

Jason went to Anna’s office, and she said she needed a favor. He and Britt had a good relationship, right? Jason said he wasn’t sure really… and she said Britt trusted him more than anyone. She needed him to talk to Britt for her, because she needed to know if Faison was still alive.

Kristina said it was okay to feel sad, and Molly said they were sad too. Kristina said Scout’s mom would want her to celebrate, and Molly asked if Scout wanted to stay home and watch Hocus Pocus. Scout said she guessed that would be okay, and Molly said she ordered something better than candy. It was a surprise. She left to get it.

Felicia introduced Cody to Nathan and said he was James’s riding instructor and friend. James said, and his uncle. Did Cody like his costume? This year, he was a real cowboy, like Cody. Cody said they were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and James said, who? Cody said, never mind. He was old. James asked if Cody wanted to help him sort candy, and Cody looked at Nathan. Nathan said, go ahead, and went back to his table. Felicia followed and sked if he was all right. He said it was hard to compete with a real-life cowboy. Felicia said James was eager to get to know Nathan. Give it time and they’d form their own special bond.

Turner said Sonny promised her a home cooked meal, and Sonny said he was going to make pizza, but changed his mind and made lasagna. She wouldn’t mind after tasting it. She said they were eating lasagna here? and he said he paid the owner to use the oven. She asked if he’d rented the space, and he said there were no customers or staff. They could eat there, and her reputation would be intact. She said it was considerate… unless it was a trap. He’d invited her to a space with sharp weapons and no witnesses. He said if she didn’t feel safe, she didn’t have to stay, but she picked up a hatchet and said she didn’t scare that easily.

Tracy said she’d found the real will before Ronnie had a chance to sell to Drew, but Gio said Ronnie decided not to go through with it. She said if he believed her family’s story, it happened before she got there, but it wasn’t Ronnie’s to sell anyway. He said he came over to help everyone pack, but they were probably celebrating. Where was everybody? Tracy said she kicked them out.

Jason said, when Jack told Anna that Faison and Sidwell had been working together, he didn’t mean to imply Faison was alive, but Anna said she’d been to the funerals of two people who came back to town. Forgive her if she needed certainty. After Faison’s death, it was the first time she felt like she could breathe again. Now she had the familiar feeling in the pit of her stomach of Faison’s presence.

Alexis said Danny had been strong, especially for his sister. He didn’t have to hide his grief, especially from her. She knew he missed his mom. They all did. Danny said he did miss her a lot, but he could deal with it. It was Scout she should be worried about. He wasn’t alone, but thanks to Drew, Scout was. It wasn’t fair. Alexis agreed and said Drew was wrong, and Danny said, the worst part was, when his mom went into surgery, the one thing she asked him to do was look after Scout. Now he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t even see her. Alexis said none of this was his fault, but he said he’d screwed up. He let his mom down.

Kristina decorated pumpkins with Scout and said, Scout’s mom was so good at this. Scout said she liked hearing about her mom. Her dad didn’t talk about her. He only talked about Willow. Kristina said she loved talking about Scout’s mom. So did Molly and her grandma. If Scout missed her mom or wanted to hear stories about her, come ask.

Spinelli asked how it was going, and Nathan said he was trying to hide his jealousy over James being more attached to Cody instead of him. He was grateful that James had so many people in his life who cared about him, especially since Maxie wasn’t there. Felicia said, one night, James had a nightmare, and Cody was the only one who could help. Spinelli said that’s why it was imperative that they didn’t disrupt James’s life and he was surrounded by his loved ones. Nathan asked if that was a polite way of telling him not to enforce custody.

James said Cody could have all of the lollipops, since he said he liked them, but Cody suggested they check and see if James’s dad liked them. James said, when they were done sorting, when Molly approached the table. Cody asked what was in the box, and Molly said, Halloween cupcakes. Cody asked James if it was okay if he helped Molly take them to the car. Molly said she didn’t need help, but Cody insisted.

Turmer threw a hatchet, and Sonny said she threw it like she throws a softball. She said she’d improved greatly, but he said she was on the bench halfway through summer. She said she learned by watching other people play. She kept coming to make sure he didn’t cheat again, but just because she hadn’t caught him didn’t mean he didn’t cheat. Sonny said he’d managed to slip through her fingers once again.

Anna said she knew it sounded crazy, but Jason said, no. He knew she was scared of Faison. He’d done terrible things to her and other people. Anna said she felt guilty because she hadn’t stopped him early on, but Jason said she wasn’t responsible for Faison’s actions. She said maybe she felt like his reign of terror was her fault since he came to Port Charles because of her. If somehow he was still alive, she wanted to finish him. Jason said he’d be happy to talk to Britt. He’d asked her if Faison had any connection to the Five Poppies, but they’d had to put the conversation on hold. When he circled back, he’d fill her in. Anna thanked him and said she felt he was the only person she could trust. He thanked her and said he’d shot Faison. It wasn’t staged. It was real. The man was dead.

Danny told Alexis that he should have sucked up to Drew and acted sorry. Then maybe he could see his sister now. Alexis said, he could apologize a thousand times and it wouldn’t have changed. When Drew saw Danny, he saw his father. It wasn’t Danny or his father’s fault. It was all Drew’s fault. Danny said he couldn’t stop himself from ripping into Drew, and she said that was his mom. When she had something to say, she said it, and didn’t care what anybody thought. Danny said he missed her, especially tonight. He couldn’t believe it had been a year. She said neither could she (me too), but what made it bearable was him and his sister. When she looked at them, she saw the best parts of Sam and Sam lived on through the two of them. They hugged.

Scout asked what Kristina missed the most about Sam, and Kristina said, Sam loved adventure. She was always sky diving or scuba diving or riding motorcycles. And she could fix anything. She was really smart. Sam would tell her that it was okay to be sad, but it was important to have hope and remember that tomorrow could be a better day. Scout said sometimes it was hard, and Kristina said she was in a tough place right now, but she wasn’t alone. Sam was watching over her and Scout had her and Molly and her grandma. She was a Davis Girl, and they stuck together no matter what. Kristina and Scout hugged.

Spinelli said he was asking Nathan’s intentions and apologized for not being more direct. Nathan said he got it. It was a complicated situation. He had rights, but as much as he’d like to be a full-time dad, he didn’t think he was ready for it and neither was James. Spinelli asked if that meant James could continue living with him and James’s sisters, and Nathan said, yes. They’d revisit it down the road, but for now he’d like to get to know his son better. Cody said he had to help Molly and hustled her out. Outside, she asked what was wrong with him, and he said James was ignoring his dad because of him and Nathan felt bad. The cupcakes were an excuse leave when Molly came in. Molly said, that was actually really thoughtful.

Tracy told Gio that when Ronnie was exposed, she told Ronnie that she was no longer welcome and to leave immediately. Her family took exception and told her that she should apologize because Ronnie was family. Gio said he understood why she was mad, but Ronnie had already come clean and felt bad about it. She asked if he was siding with Ronnie, and he said Ronnie had been a regular at Bobbie’s since he started and he’d gotten to know her. She made a mistake, but she was still a decent person. Tracy said Ronnie tried to steal her home and he wanted her to apologize because Ronnie chickened out of her own scheme? He said he thought she should cut Ronnie some slack, but she said she wasn’t in the slack cutting business. If her family couldn’t accept that, they were free to live somewhere else. The good news was, there was more room for him.

Turner said the lasagna was mind blowing, and Sonny asked if that meant she forgave him. She said, for trapping her in such a way that she couldn’t prosecute his son? The PCPD was prosecuting Willow, not Michael. She didn’t have to recuse herself. He said he strongly suggested she did.

Anna said she knew it sounded far-fetched that Faison was alive, but Nathan also took a bullet to the chest. Jason said, Nathan was younger and stronger. Faison was old and battling Huntington’s Disease. There was no way he’d survive. She said, when it came to Faison, she had no rationale. It was like a form of PTSD. The fear just overwhelmed her and she felt paralyzed. He said maybe that’s exactly what they wanted, and she said, who? He said, Sidwell and whoever he was doing business with. Maybe they were using the threat of Faison to mess with her head.

James gave Nathan a lollipop, saying Nathan told him grape was his favorite when he was in the hospital. Nathan thanked him for remembering, and Felicia asked James to tell him what happened at Mrs. Somebody’s house. James said when she opened the door, her cat Toodles ran out, climbed up a tree, and wouldn’t get down. Spinelli said a squad car came by and the officers retrieved the cat, and James asked if Nathan rescued any cats when he was a cop. Nathan said he did, but the cat wasn’t happy and scratched him all the way down. Spinelli said, Toodles wasn’t happy either, and James said too bad Nathan couldn’t come with them. Maybe next year. Nathan said he’d love that.

Molly said she had to stop assuming the worst about Cody, and he said he’d done some stupid things. She said he was also kind, considerate, and heroic, like when he rescued her dad from the woods. She had to get going, but promised to look for ways to stop the sale of the Quartermaine estate. He said she didn’t have to. It was no longer going to be sold.  

Tracy said she knew it was awkward with Gio and his parents, but Brook and Olivia were gone, and Dante would want to clear out. He had his pick of rooms. Gio said things were good at his grandfather’s, but Tracy said he wasn’t safe at Sonny’s. He asked why she thought Monica left her the house in the first place, and she said she had no idea. She thought it would go to Michael. He said, the will didn’t say why? and Tracy said, nope. He asked if she wanted to hear his theory, and she said, nope, but he said he was going to tell her. He thought Monica left the house to her because Monica trusted her to hold the family together. Tracy laughed.

Jason said he had no trouble believing that Faison and Sidwell worked together. Now that Faison was dead, it seemed that Sidwell and his new partner realized making Anna think he was still alive would work to their advantage. She asked, how so? and he said she was a great Police Commissioner. If she was in her head and looking over her shoulder, it gave them a better chance of accomplishing their goals, whatever those might be. She said, the right form of manipulation, and he said, exactly. Don’t fall for it. His phone chimed and he said it was Danny. He had to go. She thanked him for talking her down, and he said if she needed him, let him know. She said it went both ways, and he left.

Turner said she couldn’t prosecute Michael because of her personal dealings with Sonny. That wasn’t an issue with Willow. Sonny suggested she have one of her assistants do it, but she said it was a high-profile case involving a US congressman. No way was she handing it off. He said, Alexis would put her on trial. She’d make Turner look like an overblown prosecutor out to make a name for herself by picking on innocent Willow. She said she knew Alexis was good at her job, but so was she. She wasn’t going to lose. He said, winning was just as bad. It was going to earn her the wrath of Congressman Cain. He’d do everything he could to make sure to end her career. She was damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. She asked if he was trying to protect her, and he said, yeah. She said she didn’t buy it for one second.

She said she could literally feel him working an angle. Her first guess was that he wanted someone with less experience. Michael would be safe, and Willow was the mother of his grandchildren. For their sake, he’d want Willow exonerated. Everyone would get off scot-free. He said it was no secret that she wanted to take him down, but to do that she had to keep her job. His advice was to stay clear of the trial.

Molly opened the box to a bunch of squashed cupcakes, and Scout said they looked really Halloweenie. Kristina asked, what happened? and Molly said, the cupcakes were a little manhandled. They’d still taste great. She ran into James and his family. Scout said she bet James was dressed like a cowboy, and Kristina wondered if he was the only cowboy. Molly said, Cody was there, and Kristina asked if he had anything to do with the manhandled cupcakes. Molly said, he did, but his heart was in the right place. She went to put the cupcakes in the kitchen.

Danny said, Alexis thought he was like his mom? and she said, 100%. He had her resolve, loyalty, and compassion, all of her best qualities. He said that meant a lot, and she said Sam would have been proud to see the young man he’d become. She was. Jason knocked at the door and asked if Danny was ready to go. Danny gave Alexis a bag of peanut butter cups and asked her to give them to Scout. They were their mom’s favorites and Scout loved them too. Tell her they were from him. He left with Jason and asked where they were sleeping tonight. Jason said he had good news.

Tracy asked why Monica would trust her to keep the family together, and Gio said she had already been doing it. She fought for her grandchildren to stay there when Michael was in the hospital. She stopped Drew from demolishing the crypt. She prevented the house from being sold. She said that was because she was always up for a good fight. She wasn’t the glue that kept the family together. She was too harsh and unforgiving. He said all they’d asked was for her to acknowledge Ronnie as part of the family and act a little nicer. That’s what heads of the family were expected to do. Whether she was ready or not, she was the head of the Quartermaines now.

In the car, Anna left a message for Jack. She said call her back when he had the chance. Sidwell and his associates were using the specter of Faison as a smokescreen. Maybe if they pooled their resources, they could figure out who Sidwell was working with. Call her back. As she started the car, someone in the back seat put a cloth over her face.

Turner said Sonny’s motives were suspect, but his argument made sense. She could end up in a no win situation. Sonny said, pass it on to someone else, but she said, no. She was a damn good prosecutor, and she’d beat Alexis and find a way to placate Congressman Cain. When she put her mind to something, she could overcome any odds. She threw a hatchet and got a bullseye.

Felicia put a birthday cake with one candle on the table, and James said, she got his mom a cake? Felicia said it was her birthday, and James said, but she wasn’t there to blow out the candles. Spinelli said, maybe James could do it for her, and Felicia said his mom would like that very much. Nathan asked what his mom would wish for, and James said, to be there with them, and blew out the candle.

Alexis arrived home, and Kristina said, Molly got cupcakes they weren’t allowed to eat until she got there. Alexis said she had something better, and brought out the bag of peanut butter cups. They toasted with the candy and said, to Sam. Scout said, to mommy, and they had a group hug.

Tracy said she wasn’t head of the family. It wasn’t a job she was suited for. Gio said, Monica thought she was. That’s why she left the house to Tracy. The house would tie her to the family and the family to her. Tracy asked if it was a hostage situation, and he said, exactly. Admit it. She needed them as much as they needed her. She said he was right. She needed her family and so did he. Jason came in with Danny, and Danny said there were no cars. Where was everybody? Tracy said she didn’t know, but hopefully they’d all be home soon. She looked at Gio.

Anna woke up cuffed to a chair in a basement or warehouse or wherever kidnappers put their victims. She yelled, help! Anybody! A man’s voice came over an intercom said, be at peace, Anna. You’re on your way to a new life. She yelled, noooo!

Thursday:

Lucas was on the phone about a patient when Ava came out. She told Lucas that she couldn’t hear enough about urine output first thing in the morning, or ever. But she was glad she was up because they needed  to have a serious conversation about his exit strategy.

Jack told Josslyn and Vaughn that they had no ID on the person running the operation at the Five Poppies. They knew it was the final project of Cesar Faison and Faison had been working with Jenz Sidwell. Sidwell was their next target. Josslyn wondered if they were going in through Sidwell’s son.

Jordan said the polls were too close to call. The city seemed to be evenly divided on Measure C. Marco said they’d have to call in every favor, and Sidwell said there was too much invested to lose. Pascal entered the room, and Sidwell introduced him to Jordan as his new butler. Pascal asked if he could offer them some coffee.

Britt brought Portia coffee, but Portia said she was fine with her tea. Britt said she needed a teeny tiny favor.

Alexis thanked Felicia for coming by, and Felicia asked what Alexis needed her to do. Alexis said, that depended on whether or not Felicia still had her PI license.

Ned, Olivia, Dante, Brook, and Chase went into Bobbie’s and Ned told Gio, breakfast for five. Dante said it looked like they’d be his new regulars.

Tracy answered the door to Ronnie, who said, Tracy wanted to see her?

Jack told Josslyn that Marco was where he was headed. Sidwell had retained him as an attorney. Vaughn said they didn’t know if Marco was aware of the project, much less involved, but Josslyn said they were close and lived in the same house. Jack said Josslyn’s Uncle Lucas was Marco’s boyfriend, which made Josslyn their way in.

Ava said she’d enjoyed having Lucas there and they’d gotten to know each other, and Lucas said he knew the apartment wasn’t big enough for both of them. She said, that’s it. Of course (🍷) he could stay until he found a place. Did he have any idea when he would? He said Marco had been dropping hints about living together and it would be great, but it was too soon.

Jordan said, barring mayoral support, it was highly unlikely Measure C would pass, and Marco said the mayor was in Sonny’s pocket. Jordan said they needed a back-up plan. Maybe Sidwell should look at another property on the waterfront. Sidwell said, absolutely not. The piers were across from Spoon Island and ideal for moving cargo. The piers were a blight on the city, as was their owner. Sonny Corinthos must be stopped.

Felicia said she kept her license up to date. Why? Alexis said she needed a PI and Felicia was in the unique position to investigate this particular matter. Felicia assured her that what Alexis said would stay between them whether she took the job or not, and Alexis said she needed to know Portia’s whereabouts the night Drew was shot.

Portia said, Britt wanted her to sponsor her reaccreditation as a doctor in the state of New York? Why? Britt said her talent was being wasted for no good reason, and Portia said, she’d faked her own death. Britt said going into hiding was personal and had nothing to do with her work, but Portia said it was fraud. Britt said no charges had been filed. She’d been in a fugue state, but was better now. Portia asked how she was feeling healthwise, and Britt said her symptoms seemed to be under control. That’s why she wanted to do what she was trained to do while she was still healthy. Portia said she understood, but had a full plate, and Britt said she’d take care of the red tape. All she needed was Portia’s support.

Gio said, congratulations. He heard Drew didn’t buy the house. Tracy told him when he stopped by. He thought they might need help packing, but was glad he was wrong. Brook said they might need help after all. They all moved out.

Tracy asked if Ronnie wanted some coffee. She supposed tea was out of the question… Too soon. Ronnie said she didn’t want anything. She had no time, so cut to the chase. She knew Tracy’s family wouldn’t come back until Tracy apologized to her. So let’s hear what you’ve got. Tracy said Ronnie attempted to hoodwink her family out of their estate. Luckily, she was unsuccessful. She thought Ronnie probably came clean to avoid a lengthy legal battle… but she’s very grateful that Ronnie admitted fraud… and very sorry if her reaction to Ronnie’s flagrant deceit upset her. Ronnie said, okay… Apology not accepted.

Jack said Josslyn was close to Lucas, and Vaughn said, because of Colette, Sidwell probably knew Josslyn was WSB. Jack said Josslyn would be dealing with Marco and Lucas exclusively. She’d have to walk a fine line and convince Marco that she was simply Lucas’s young friendly niece. Josslyn said she would and asked if all her assignments would involve her lying to her family.

Lucas told Ava that when he lived in Boston he didn’t date or socialize. He just threw himself into his work. When he came back, he had to face Brad. He thought they could be friends, but they fell into old patterns. In Miami, they fell into each other’s arms… almost. Brad admitted blackmailing Portia, and he was mad at himself for trusting Brad, so he had a few too many and there was Marco. Ava said he traded way up, but he said that wasn’t the point. There had been no time between Brad and Marco. What if Marco was just a rebound?

Sidwell said the most effective legal route was the election. If his sway with Mayor Collins was unsuccessful, he’d have to find another way to persuade her. In the meantime, he was looking at Jordan and Marco to see the campaign through to the end. Jordan spoke French to Pascal about coffee and welcomed him to Port Charles.

Ronnie said, it wasn’t a sincere apology, but Tracy told her that she’d said the words, I’m sorry. Ronnie said she didn’t want the family to deprive themselves of their home because of her. So she’d tell them Tracy apologized. Tracy said, no time like the present, and Ronnie said she’d tell them Tracy cried too. She was trying to help put the family back together again. Monica didn’t leave Tracy the house because Tracy cared about the property. She left it to her because Tracy took care of the entire family. She’d do anything to protect to protect them. Tracy said she protected the family from Ronnie, and Ronnie said she was glad. She made a terrible mistake, but the rest saw past that and welcomed her with kindness. She’d never forget that. Tracy had yet to admit she ever did anything wrong. Tracy said because she hadn’t.  

Felicia told Alexis that it made sense to cast suspicion elsewhere and Portia made some sense. The bad blood between Curtis and Drew was very public and rumor had it that Drew targeted Stella in the insurance investigation. Alexis said he did. She defended Stella and Drew instigated all of it. Felicia said Portia must have been furious that Drew used his political power to go after Stella, but that didn’t mean she’d shot him, and Alexis said she wasn’t accusing anyone. She was just looking to find out if Portia had been on call. If she was, it wasn’t an issue, but if she wasn’t, Alexis wanted Felicia to keep looking.

Portia said she needed to know Britt was committed to the job, and Britt said she wasn’t going anywhere. Portia said it was one thing to say it and another to actually do it. Why didn’t they revisit it in six months? Britt asked if that wasn’t when Portia would be going on maternity leave.

Lucas said he had legitimate concerns and it wouldn’t be fair to Marco to take the next step if he wasn’t sure, and Ava said she wasn’t telling him to move in with Marco. It was clear Lucas had deep feelings that had nothing to do with Brad. Don’t let a bad thing ruin a good thing. He said he wasn’t sure it was going to work out, and she said he wanted a guarantee, but there were no guarantees in life. The only guarantee was that if he didn’t choose to move on, he never would.

Marco wondered if it was wise for Sidwell to bring Pascal to Port Charles, but Sidwell said Pascal had the perfect cover. He’d done an excellent job at the Five Poppies and if the election didn’t go their way, they’d need a new strategy, which was in Pascal’s wheelhouse. Marco said he needed a favor. He’d like to ask Lucas to move in. Lucas was crashing with his Aunt Ava, and his living situation wasn’t ideal. Things were great between them, and he thought they were ready to take the next step. Sidwell said he was happy to hear it. Under normal circumstances, it would be fine, but most of Port Charles believed they were law abiding citizens when they were anything but. They were undertaking two monumental tasks – Faison’s final project and obliterating Sonny’s hold on Port Charles. One was illegal and the other effected Lucas’s family. They clearly had strong feelings, but don’t let Lucas become a liability. Marco said he could protect Lucas, but Sidwell said the best way to do that was to keep him far away.

Olivia said, Ronnie made several mistakes, and Dante said she committed actual crimes. Olivia said, but she couldn’t go through with it because she was a stand-up woman. She was talked into doing bad by that shyster Martin Green. Brook said, but she wouldn’t have gone through with it if granny hadn’t been so horrible, and Olivia said, Tracy finally got what she wanted, but couldn’t let it go. She said Ronnie would never be a member of the family and kicked her out. Michael said Ronnie was a member of the family and they walked out with her in solidarity. Gio asked what the end game was, and Brook said they wanted Tracy to apologize. When she did, they’d move back in. Ned said he needed to get an appointment with Lucy. They all did. His mother would die before she apologized.

Tracy asked what she did wrong. She’d been defending the family home, Monica’s legacy. Ronnie said Tracy had been judging her from the second they met. She took one look at Ronnie and decided she wasn’t good enough for the family and was here to pull a fast one. Tracy said she was right, but Ronnie said she was wrong. She’d come to say goodbye to her sister and hoped to meet some of her family. Thankfully, she did and they were wonderful to her. They made her feel like a part of the family. She thought that was her sister’s final gift to her – a family. She started to cry and said, so if Tracy said a proper apology, she’d accept it. Otherwise, just put a sock in it. Tracy said, what did you say?

Portia closed the door, and Britt said she could recognize a pregnant woman a mile away. Portia was avoiding coffee and the cafeteria, and looked exhausted… She meant, glowing. Portia said she preferred to keep it private until after her first trimester, and Britt said privacy was important during early pregnancy, but what else was important was that she was trying to get in the good graces of the medical establishment. Portia said, and if she agreed to sponsor Britt, Britt would keep her mouth shut. Britt said Portia was a fantastic problem solver.

Felicia said she’d search Portia’s schedule and patient records, unless it violated HIPPA. She’d be in touch and let Alexis know what she found. Alexis thanked her and said she knew Felicia had a full plate with Nathan. Was there any word on Maxie? Felicia said, Maxie was stable – no better, no worse. Last night, they had a birthday party for her at Bobbie’s. James blew out his mother’s candle. It was really hard, but good. The children missed their mother because they loved her of course (🍷), but more important, they believed in her. Alexis said they all believed in Maxie.

Jack said, if Sidwell succeeded in taking the project to fruition, it would cause innumerable miseries, and Josslyn said she’d do it and keep Jack apprised of her progress. Vaughn asked to speak with Jack in private, and Josslyn left. Vaughn said he was going to say what Josslyn couldn’t. The job was way too dangerous.

Ronnie asked how much she needed to repeat, and Tracy told her that she’d said, put a sock in it. That was something Monica used to say to her all the time. Ronnie told her that they always said that to each other as kids, and Tracy teared up. She said, okay. She was sorry that Ronnie didn’t get to reunite with her sister before she died. She was sorry that she judged Ronnie before she took the time to get to know her and so sorry she doubted Ronnie’s love for her sister and her sister’s love for her. She didn’t know if Ronnie could, but if she could find it in her heart, please forgive her.

Vaughn said there were too many variables in Port Charles that could lead Sidwell to ID Josslyn as an agent working an op, and Jack said, that’s why he was going to keep close eyes on her. She knew how to avoid Sidwell. Vaughn said she didn’t have experience in evaluating risk, and Jack said Vaughn’s personal feelings were clouding his judgment. Vaughn said he was overestimating Josslyn’s ability to understand this was absolutely imperative, and Jack asked if Vaughn understood. Vaughn said he did, and Jack said Marco was the only way in and they’d take it regardless of the risk. They had to shut the project down.

Josslyn went to see Lucas, who asked, what was the occasion? She said she had some free time and hadn’t bugged him in a while, and he suggested it wait until after breakfast. He’d make her an omelet. She said, absolutely, and he said she’d just missed Ava. She told him not to take it the wrong way, but how did he live with that woman? and he said he thought she’d be surprised how much she had in common with Ava.

Marco said Lucas had no use for Sonny and would probably vote for Measure C, and Sidwell said, what of the other matter? What they were doing was highly illegal and very dangerous. What if Lucas saw something he shouldn’t? Marco said it was a huge house. Half the time, Lucas was at the hospital, and they’d be together most of the time. It wouldn’t be a problem. Sidwell said, maybe, but why take the chance? and Marco said Lucas was being cautious about taking the next step. Pascal listened in, and Marco said he knew already that Lucas wanted to live together. He’d mentioned it briefly once before. He honestly believed once Lucas was there, he’d realize the next step wasn’t so scary and could be really great. He was falling in love with Lucas.

Gio said, don’t sign any leases yet. Tracy might surprise them. Ned said possibly, but his mother’s surprises were never good ones. Ronnie walked in and Olivia asked her to join them, but she said she just came to get a coffee to go. She was going to the airport and going home to Durham, but she was glad she ran into them because she just came from Tracy’s house. Michael said they all considered her family, no matter what, and Brook said, no matter what Tracy said, they did care about her. Ronnie thanked them, and Gio asked what Tracy did. Ronnie said, she didn’t apologize at first, but then…

Tracy opened the door, and everyone was there. She said they were back, and Ned said, rumor had it she apologized to Ronnie, and they owed her an apology as well. Brook said she was sorry. Tracy knew something about the will wasn’t right. She was right and they were wrong. She was wrong. Michael said so was he. He should have trusted her judgement and had the will investigated for forgery. He should have supported her. Olivia said, Tracy knew what Monica wanted and was willing to fight again for her family to make it happen. She didn’t know what she was thinking banning Tracy from the MetroCourt. Tracy said neither did she, and Olivia said she was sorry. Brook said she was sorry for questioning Tracy’s movies and intentions. She should have trusted how close Tracy and Monica were instead of giving her grief. Tracy said she was used to it, and Ned thanked her for sticking to her guns, fighting for the family, and showing how far a Quartermaine would go to protect those they loved. She worked things out – Tracy said she did – and they’d like to come back. Tracy said, welcome home, and Ned told everybody to show her how glad they were. Tracy said, no, no, no! but they enveloped her in a group hug. She laughed and yelled for help.

Gio said he was glad he saw Ronnie before she left town, and she said she knew he was working and came to see him. She also figured she’d pass on the news that Tracy apologized. She didn’t expect to see the whole family. He said, neither did he, but he wasn’t shocked. Tracy would do literally anything to keep the family together, and not just for Monica. All she had to do was say a few words, apologize, and it would be okay. Ronnie said, for some people, especially people like Tracy, nothing was harder than to say I’m sorry and mean it, because they thought it was risking too much if it should go sideways. He said, that was true of all of them sometimes, and she said it was also true that if you had the courage to say the words, most of the time, it worked out. It did for her. She could have ended up in prison. He said, here she was, and she said, here she was. She came to Port Charles to find a sister she lost a long time ago, and she did, but she also found a family. He said, even Tracy. You took the bad with the good. She said, he was so very good. She hoped he would allow her to consider him family too, and he said it was more than all right. She said, in that case, could she offer a tiny bit of unsolicited advice from his Aunt Ronnie? One day, he might say a few words to Brook and Dante. He said, maybe one day he would, and she said she hoped so. She had to get going and call her Ride Share. He said his shift just ended and he didn’t let family take cabs to the airport. He’d give her a ride. He held out his arm and she took it, saying she’d like that so very much.

Portia said, here’s the deal. She’d help Britt. She knew Britt was a good doctor and believed she wanted to stay at GH. But whatever influence Britt thought she had over her would go away soon. Everybody would know she was pregnant, but Britt would still need her help. So straighten up and fly right. Her word went both ways with the licensing board. She could help Britt or sink her.

Alexis said she knew it was hard for Felicia, and Felicia said she knew how much Alexis was missing Sam, especially now. They hugged, and Felicia said she’d let Alexis know what she learned about Portia. Alexis thanked her and she left.

Sidwell asked Pascal, open up the north tower and air it out. His son and his boyfriend were moving in together. Pascal said, if he may, while having Sidwell’s son here was wonderful, was cohabitating wise given their current endeavors? Sidwell said Lucas made his son happy. He trusted Pascal to keep an eye on Lucas and keep him away from anything he should go near. Should he learn something he shouldn’t, given his ties to the community, he would need to be dealt with.

Josslyn said she and Ava were nothing alike, and Lucas said, they both couldn’t stand each other and were stubborn and direct. Ava didn’t shy away from telling him it was time to move out. He appreciated her being direct rather than getting resentful. He thought she and Josslyn had a similar approach. They said what they thought. Josslyn had a better track record with honesty, but he learned a thing or two from both of them. He could stand to take more risks, especially with moving on from the past. She told him, easy to say; hard to do, but he said, eventually he’d have to take that leap. She asked if he was talking about a speculative leap, and he said he’d tell her over breakfast. As they headed for the kitchen, there was a knock at the door. Lucas opened it to Marco, who said he knew it was sudden, but hear him out. They should move in together.

Jack told Vaughn that he told Anna, he thought her concerns were overblown, but the truth was, she was right. Faison was a lunatic and whatever his plan, they needed to stop it. Vaughn said it would be easier if they knew what it was, and Jack said, whatever they thought, it was worse. His phone rang, and when he answered, Anna said, something happened.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Laura goes to Jack’s office, and he thanks her for coming. She says he’s welcome. Unless of course (🍷) the real reason is that he’d like to advocate for Charlotte to have more visits with Valentin. In that case, she has to warn him that he’ll be wasting his time, and hers. He says he invited her in her official capacity as mayor. He’s afraid it’s about her Polica Commissioner. She says, Anna? Does he have some kind of problem about how Anna is doing her job? He says, Laura is the one with the problem. Anna’s not doing her job at all. She’s gone.

At Bobbie’s, Emma tells Charlotte that she managed to get her hands on the PCU master key, but by the time she had her hands on it, Dalton had beefed up security to the lab. So now the only way to access it was with a key fob. Charlotte asks how they get their hands on one of those. Emma sees Britt at the counter.

On the phone, Britt says she’s not coming in. The mayoral debate will be a nightmare with the traffic. If they need her call. Better yet, don’t. She orders a triple-shot latte, when Emma says, it’s on her. A peace offering.

Lucas says, Marco wants him to move in? and Marco says he knows it’s a big step and they have a lot to consider and discuss. It’s a conversation he’d like to have… if Lucas wants to. Lucas says he does. Just not in front of his niece. Josslyn waves to Marco.

Lulu tells Charlotte, look what she found, handing her a tablet. She moved one of Tracy’s many boxes, and there it was. She also found ten dollars. Charlotte says they’re all having a great day, and Lulu says, now that the electronic emergency is over, she has news about Charlotte’s father.

Steinmauer. Valentin says he wasn’t expecting to see his lawyer quite so soon, and Carly (as Miss Saunders) says, don’t get used to it. If all goes according to plan, he’ll never see her in this place again.

Jason tells Sonny, the deal is done. The Rochester piers belong to them now. Sonny says, so if the election goes sideways, he’ll still have operational ports, and Jason says, it’s a decent back-up plan. Sonny says, it’s convenient and efficient, and Jason says, and expensive. Sonny says, moving to Rochester is a stop gap, not a permanent solution, and Jason says, there’s a simpler solution to all of this. Sonny says, getting rid of Sidwell.

At Windymere, Ava says, the piece will be perfect on the wall above the stairs in the east wing, and Sidwell says, given her eye for art and exquisite taste, he’s more than intrigued. He was hoping for her input on another subject. She asks, what would that be? and he says, Sonny Corinthos.  

Ava says she does her best not to disappoint her clients, but she’s afraid she can’t be of assistance. When it comes to Avery’s father, her policy is to maintain a healthy distance from Sonny’s affairs. Sidwell says he understands and guesses that there was no amicable parting of the ways, and Ava flashes back to Sonny about to shoot her after the fire she started. She says, they’ve had their ups and downs, but after years of conflict, they’ve found a fragile peace and she’d like to keep it that way. He says he does not in any way mean to threaten her arrangement. All he wants is what she has – peace with Sonny. He’d like her expert opinion on how to achieve that. She says her hunch is that once Charlie went up in flames, any chance of peace went up with it, and he says, she can’t suggest… She tells him that she’s not saying it was his doing, but Sonny must think it was. Sidwell says, Sonny’s imagination is rather limited in that regard, and she says, if Sonny Corinthos perceives him as a threat to his children, there will be no peace, no compromise, and there will be no place to hide.

Jason says, Sidwell wants the piers and will stop at nothing to get them, and Sonny says he doesn’t use them for anything illegal anymore and doesn’t want to put them into the hands of someone who will. Jason says, if they lose the vote, they lose the piers, but they won’t have to worry if Sidwell is gone, and Sonny asks what Sidwell is bringing in. Jason says, rare earth minerals, which are dangerous, but he can’t find anything else. Neither can Brick. Sonny says, they’ve got to figure out what Sidwell is into. If Boyle beats Laura, that will mean Sidwell has a congressman and a mayor in his back pocket. Looking at the polls, it could happen. Jason says, if it does, it will be harder to stop him, and riskier. So it’s time maybe to take a shot before it’s too late.

Lucas says he and Josslyn were just talking about breakfast, and invites Marco in to score some. Josslyn says she’s going to head out. They’ll catch up another time. Hi, Marco; bye, Marco. She tells Lucas that she won’t say anything to anybody, and leaves.

Marco says, so much for his big romcom moment, and Lucas says, despite his niece being here for Marco’s grand romantic gesture, his timing was kind of perfect. Ava said it was time for him to go. Marco says, so it works in Lucas’s favor, and Lucas says, it does, but he can’t move in with Marco. Not right now. Marco asks, why not?

Britt says she’ll let Emma buy her a latte, and tells the server, cold foam triple shot and the biggest most expensive muffin you have. Emma asks them to add it to her bill and suggests they grab a seat while they wait. They sit down, and Britt says, peace offering, huh? What’s going on? Is she sick? Emma says she was just trying to apologize, and Britt says, since when would she do that? Emma says, since they were in Dalton’s office. She was really out of line with the things she said. She reverted to the bratty little girl who hated Britt years ago. She was wrong, not to mention unprofessional. Britt says, she was, and Emma says she’s very sorry. Nothing like that will ever happen again. She looks forward to working with Britt and Dalton. Britt says she hates to burst Emma’s bubble, but they won’t be working together. Emma isn’t going anywhere near the lab.

Lulu says, Jack Brennan is talking about moving Valentin from Steinmauer to a prison stateside, and Charlotte asks, where exactly? but Lulu says she doesn’t know yet. If her father is transferred, she’ll have more access to him and be able to see him more. Charlotte says, and the more information Brennan can get from him, and Lulu says Charlotte is too smart for her own good sometimes. She doesn’t want Charlotte to get excited. The deal might not happen. They have to wait and see. Charlotte says she knows things with her dad are complicated, but seeing him without crossing an ocean sounds great. Lulu says she’s happy that Brennan can possibly make it happen, but to say she was worried would be an understatement.

Valentin says, their partnership isn’t even off the ground yet and Carly is walking away? She’s leaving Josslyn at the mercy of Jack Brennan? He thought she was a better mother than that. Carly says, at least her children never had to visit her while she was interred in a maximum-security prison, and he says, there’s still time. She says she’s more determined than ever to protect her children and take Jack down. Now he’s made it more easy than ever.

Laura asks what Jack means, Anna is gone, and he says he received a phone call from Anna and the WSB recalled her to do a classified assignment. She says, no. Come on. If that was true, she would have heard from Anna. She wouldn’t just walk out on the job. Jack says he realizes the timing is an issue, but they made their pitch, and she had to decide then and there, and she says, and Anna told them yes and got on a plane. He says he’s only recounting the information he was given, and she says, what if she’d like to hear it from Anna herself? He says, as is so often the case in situations like this, she’s unreachable, and Laura says, of course (🍷) she is. The thing is, there’s a process to take a leave of absence from the police department. Is he telling her that Anna skipped that? He says he understands it’s inconvenient, and she says, how long will the city of Port Charles be without their Police Commissioner? He says, all he knows is that Anna isn’t returning until the op is complete… assuming she returns at all. She says, do her a favor and pretend she has a whole life outside of this office. Tell her what he’s not telling her.

Britt says, if Emma thought her peace offering meant she could work in the lab, the lab is for authorized personnel only, and she’s not authorized. Britt’s phone rings and she digs in her bag, then dumps it on the table. As she talks, Emma tries to finger the key fob out. Britt says, you again. I’ll never tell you who I’m voting for because it’s none of your business. Call again and I’ll find a way to ruin your life. She tells Emma, nothing is private anymore, and Emma says, doesn’t seem like it. Britt thanks her for her apology and says she’s happy to put the past in the past, but understand the lab is off limits to her. Emma asks, why? and Britt says, thanks for the coffee, and leaves.

Jack says he promises he’s told Laura everything he knows about the Police Commissioner’s status, and Laura says she doesn’t know too much about his promises, and he says he extends his heartfelt apology to the city of Port Charles and her personally. And he extends the WSB’s assistance in Anna’s absence. She says, no thank you. She doesn’t want the WSB invading her city. He says, nor does he, but understand that the needs of national security outweigh those of local law enforcement. The WSB will keep its distance wherever possible, but she can’t shut them out. She says, okay. One thing. Her granddaughter Charlotte has already had a difficult life and she’s not a commodity to be traded for information from Valentin or anybody ever. Understand that? He nods, and she says, good, and leaves.

Marco says he knows he and Lucas have only dated a short time, but look at everything they’ve faced, more than most couples do in a lifetime. It proves they have what it takes. Lucas says he feels like it’s too soon. Like how everything rolled out with Brad. Marco says he’s not Brad.

Sidwell says he believes he, Sonny, and Ava share one thing in common. They’ll go to any lengths for their children. Ava says she supposes they share a protective nature in that regard, and he says, the recent episode with Marco made that abundantly clear, and she asks if he’s referring to Marco’s disappearance and the rumor that Sonny was involved. He says, very little escapes her. Does she think Sonny is responsible? She tells him that she might say that the timing of Marco’s disappearance was interesting, coming so soon after the fire at Charlie’s. It’s also interesting that after Marco’s reappearance, her nephew Lucas had quite a fight with his sister Carly, who’s Sonny’s ex. He moved out and it was pretty obvious it had something to do with Sonny. He says, as insightful and intelligent as she is beautiful, and she says, truer words…

At the hospital, Felicia is on the phone and says she was wondering what Brook’s schedule looked like. Spinelli is going to drop James off at the Quartermaines’ for his riding lesson with Cody. But he has a school function with Georgie and can’t pick him up, and she’s at work. A guy who looks like he could be a friend of Yuri’s comes in carrying a folder overflowing with papers, and Felicia says she knows Brook is working too… Thank you. She thought she was going to have to cancel James’s lesson and he’d have to join Georgie and Spinelli and who knows what trouble he’d get into? The guy sits down on a nearby bench and puts in earbuds.

Josslyn goes to Jack’s office, and he asks if she was able to get intel on Dr. Jones. She says she didn’t get much of a chance. Marco showed up while she was there. He says, that was convenient. What did he want? She says, he wanted her uncle to move in, and he says, that’s exactly the type of break they need, but she says, if Sidwell is as much of a threat as he thinks, the closer her uncle gets to Marco, the more danger he’s in.

Lucas says he knows Marco isn’t Brad, but he’s not sure he’s ready to house hunt, and Marco says they don’t have to commit to finding their own place yet. Move into Windymere with him. Lucas says, Marco wants him to live at Windymere? He’s on call and can’t live on an island. Marco says his dad made it easier to go back and forth to Spoon Island… Unless that’s not really the issue and Lucas is just looking for an excuse not to move in with him. He knows Lucas is scared. He’s scared too, but losing his mother made him realize that once you’ve found someone who makes you happy, you don’t push them away. You pull them closer. He loves Lucas. Lucas doesn’t have to say anything, but he needed to say exactly how he felt. He loves Lucas and wants to be around him all the time. Lucas makes him so happy.

On the phone with Cody, Felicia says, it all worked out. Spinelli will drop James off at the Quartermaines’ at the regular time and Brook will pick him up at 4:30… Is he sure? There’s nothing James loves more than helping in the stables, but she knows it’s an awful lot of work for him. She heard how last week James dumped out a barrel of oats, and the week before he tried lashing Tracy’s saddle out and dropped it. Then Cody spent hours polishing it. James would be there every day if they let him.

Lulu says, if Charlotte’s father is transferred to a prison here in the US, she’ll be seeing him more often. But every visit will raise the risk of her becoming leverage for anyone wanting to pressure Valentin, not just Jack. Charlotte says she doesn’t care about the risk. Seeing her dad is worth it. Lulu says she understands why Charlotte feels that way, but it’s her job as a mom to analyze the risks and if they should be taken. Charlotte says, if Grandpa Luke was alive and in prison, what would she do? and Lulu says, at Charlotte’s age… Who is she kidding? At any age, she would have done anything to see her father, no matter the risk.  Charlotte says her dad always put her first. When he knew she was in danger, he sent her back to Lulu. He won’t let her visit if he thinks it’s too dangerous. Lulu says she hopes that’s true, and Charlotte says, it is. Plus, her dad is valuable to the WSB. That means she is too, and they’ll protect her. Lulu says, they might, but it’s not their job; it’s hers. This isn’t about what’s happening right now. There could come a day when her dad’s value to the WSB is gone. What happens to her then?

Sonny says they need to think about making a move on Sidwell from every angle, especially with the authorities, and Jason asks what he means. Sonny says, here’s the thing. Turner is keeping an eye on him and Sidwell, like a hawk. She knows there’s bad blood. Jason says, with the judge getting killed and the custody case, and Sonny says, she turned up the surveillance on him, yeah, so if he makes a move on Sidwell… Jason says, they’ll hand her the evidence she needs, and Sonny says, she’s very ambitious. She wants to make a name for herself. She has her eye on Scorpio’s job. Jason says, and bringing Sonny down would do it, and Sonny says, here’s the other thing. She’s keeping an eye on her cops. Since she’s watching them, that means the WSB has eyes on Sidwell. Jason says, it’s a safe bet, and Sonny says, before they make a move, they have a fight on both fronts, local and federal, not to mention that the personal repercussions could be worse.

Carly tells Valentin that she planned the idea with Jack to move him to a prison in the US. He discussed the idea with Lulu and she’s open to it. Valentin says he certainly sees why that would make it easier, and she says, Jack is in the process of making the transfer now. He says, they have the proof they need that she’s Jack’s blind spot.  

Laura says she’s sorry to interrupt, but was wondering if Emma heard from her grandmother recently. Emma says she has. She left a voicemail. She’s out of town. It had something to do with the WSB. Laura said she heard the same thing. If Emma hears from her grandmother and could let her know she was asking about her, that would be great. She’ll leave Emma to her work. Charlotte joins them, and Laura says, oh my goodness. How lucky to run into them both at the same time. She hugs Charlotte and says she feels like she hasn’t seen her in ages. Does she have a couple of minutes to catch up? Charlotte says, right now, she has to talk to Emma, but she’ll text Laura and they’ll make a real plan to hang out. Laura says she would love that, and goes over to Lulu.

Laura sits down with Lulu and says, so beautiful. Did she interrupt something? Lulu says she and Charlotte were just having a lighthearted conversation about super max prisons and intelligence agencies. Charlotte made a strong case for more visits with Valentin. She’s sure Jack Brennan is thrilled.

Carly says, Jack listened to her suggestions and implemented them, and Valentin says, that’s from a man who questions everyone and analyzes every interaction for an ulterior motive. He doesn’t seem to do it with her. She says, Jack takes her at her word. He trusts her. Valentin says, that works beautifully for them, but they need to be vigilant. Jack is the most observant, savviest Bureau agent he’s ever known. If you make a mistake, he’ll spot it a mile away. Her deception has to be flawless. She asks if he thinks she can do that, and he says, she already is. She says, when it comes to protecting her daughter, she’ll do anything, and he says, it’s important she use her tenacity and skill, but she needs to understand the consequences. If Jack sees through her deceit, the retribution will be swift and merciless. He won’t just eliminate the target. He’ll eliminate everyone connected to the threat as well.

Jack says, they discussed the strategy at length. Josslyn was to get intel on Sidwell’s business and its relationship to Marco. Josslyn says, before she discusses how them moving in together, if Lucas says yes, he’s no longer dating Sidwell’s son. He’ll be in Sidwell’s world. She can’t stand around and let him get pulled deeper into that criminal family. Jack says she can and will. It’s her job. She says she needs to warn Lucas. She can tell him that she thinks he’s moving too quickly. She won’t mention Sidwell. He says, she can’t. If she does, she’ll be committing treason. If she does, he’ll have her arrested and taken out of Port Charles permanently.

Ava says she has a new piece that would be perfect where she envisions it. If Sidwell agrees, she’ll see him in person. Sidwell says he’s sure the work is beautiful. He’ll make an appointment with the gallery. She says, he’s welcome anytime, and he says, as is she here at Windymere. She does brighten up the house with her excellent taste and presence. She says she has to be on her way. Duty calls. He says he’ll walk her out, and takes her to the door. He says, until next time, and she leaves. Britt comes out and says, thank God. She thought Ava would never leave.

Sonny says, the fallout from the kidnapping drove a wedge between Carly and Lucas, and Jason says he knows Sonny hates when the family is affected by the business. Sonny says, Lucas threatened to go to the police and he did, so if they take Sidwell out, it’s going to be a problem. Lucas had no problem going to the police. He used to be family, but now he’s nothing but a wild card.

Lucas says, Marco makes him happy too, and Marco says, happier than living with his aunt in this tiny apartment? Lucas says, yes, way happier, and Marco asks what Lucas says. Should they give it a shot? Lucas says, yeah, let’s go for it, and they kiss.

Laura tells Lulu that she’s on the same page as Jack Brennan, but she thinks the guy is dangerous. He proved it again this morning. Lulu says, how’d he do it this time? and Laura says, without any warning, supposedly Anna has gone off the grid and doing a WSB assignment. Jack Brennan left her with no Police Commissioner on the eve of the mayoral debate. Ezra Boyle is breathing down her neck and she’s worried if he gets wind of the fact that Anna… Lulu says, he’s going to spin it into something to use against her, and Laura says, as if he needs more ammunition than he’s already got. Lulu says, that ammunition being Sonny.

Sonny tells Jason that Lucas getting close to Marco is a bad thing because Marco still thinks he killed Natalia. If they take out Marco’s father, he’ll double down and drag Kristina and Alexis into it. Jason says they know Alexis well enough to know she won’t be okay with them making Marco’s father disappear, and Sonny says he doesn’t want to be on bad terms with Alexis and put Kristina in the middle of the friction. He doesn’t think taking out Sidwell is worth alienating everybody he cares about.

At the hospital, the strange guy goes to the desk. He hands Felicia the overstuffed folder, deftly catching a pencil he knocks off the desk. He heads for the elevator, and Felicia says, wait. What is this?

Valentin says, if Jack Brennan discovers he and Carly are working together, he’ll whisk Charlotte away under the guise of the Witness Protection Program. There will be no warning, no mercy. Carly says, what about her? Doesn’t he think Jack would come after her directly? He says he thinks Jack would go through Josslyn and use the WSB to do that. One day her daughter would be there, then just vanish. She’s gone.

Jack says, the WSB takes precedence over all other considerations, including family relations, and Josslyn says she gets that. He says he doesn’t think she does. They had this conversation a number of times and it never seems to stick. Stay close to Lucas. Make sure she knows what Marco confides in him. Make sure she’s the one he comes to. Like it or not, Lucas is possibly their most valuable asset.

As they approach Windymere, Marco gives Lucas a key and says, his home is their home. Lucas says, sounds perfect. Should they tell his dad the news? Marco says, first, he has some business to take care of, and Lucas says, what? Marco says, that, and kisses Lucas.

Sidwell says, isn’t Britt the sneaky one. How did she get in? Britt says she used to live here. She knows how the place works. He says she was careless. What if she had been seen? She asks if he prefers that she call ahead, even if someone is listening in, and he says, fine. Get on with it. How is their problematic friend Professor Dalton? She says, Dalton is serious about cutting him out. He’s getting new buyers and inquiring about her father’s network. Sidwell says, best stay on him then, but Britt says she’s not a spy. She does the science part of this. Dalton is vile. Pay him off and send him away. Sidwell says he doesn’t take orders from her. He’ll keep Dalton as long as he wants. Luckily, she’s blooming with excellent health. Lucas and Marco come in.

Charlotte asks if Emma got the key fob, but Emma says, no. She was so close. She practically had it in her hand, but she couldn’t risk Britt catching her. Charlotte says, don’t worry. They’ll get it eventually. Emma says, that’s not good enough. It has to happen tonight.

Lulu asks what she can do to help, and Laura says, thanks, but she can’t. It’s up to her now. She’s got to be at her best tonight. She has to convince voters that Ezra Boyle has no character. He lied to his own constituents so he could get what he wanted. Lulu says, tonight could make or break Laura’s campaign, and Laura says, tonight could make or break Port Charles.

Emma tells Charlotte, tonight is perfect. PCU will be packed for the mayoral debate. Every security guard and administrator will have eyes on the auditorium. Charlotte says, it’s the perfect cover, and Emma says, the science building will be deserted. No one will notice her getting the evidence she’s been chasing since California. But she can’t get in without a key fob. She can’t believe she blew her shot. Charlotte says she’s got this. Leave it to her.

Carly says she knows Valentin thinks Josslyn and Charlotte are going to end up in Jack’s crosshairs, but as far as she’s concerned, they’re already there. Jack put her daughter in harm’s way and looked her in the face and lied about it. She has no choice but to fight back. Valentin says, all right. Give him everything she hears. Jack’s phone calls, routine, schedules. She asks what she’s looking for, and he says, give him everything she can. He’ll know what’s useful when he sees it. If Jack is starting the transfer, he should be stateside in a couple of weeks. She can fill him in then. She says she will, and he says, Jack thinks he’s invincible, but he has two weaknesses – his ego and you. There’s nothing they can do to stop his ego, so it’s just her. Together, they’ll bring Jack to his knees.  

Jack says, they’ve never been this close to Sidwell. Josslyn, and Josslyn alone, is in the position they need to take him down. If she doesn’t see it, all their work will be in vain. Josslyn says she won’t try to stop Lucas from moving in, but he says she has to do better than that. Encourage it. Be supportive. Get him to do it. He calls Vaughn on the phone and says he needs increased surveillance on Dr. Lucas Jones. He and his partner may be moving into their possible landing spot – Windymere… Yes. Jenz Sidwell’s address. Take the proper precautions to do this.

Sidwell says he invited Dr. Westbourne to Windymere because he was looking for a concierge doctor. But she wasn’t forthcoming that she’d lost her medical license. Lucas says, it’s just Miss Westbourne now, and Britt says she’s going to get her accreditation back and be back at GH sooner than he thinks. It will be just like old times. Sidwell says he thinks they’re finished. He’ll see her out. They leave, and Marco asks if Britt can really get her license back and be around patients… and people… and Lucas. Lucas says he thinks it’s possible. She might be a monstrous person, but she’s a good doctor. At least she was before she died. Marco says, if she becomes a doctor again, what does that mean for him? and Lucas says he doesn’t know, but he wouldn’t cut out bare knuckle boxing in the breakroom. Marco laughs, and Sidwell returns. He says, that’s done. He can’t believe she thought he’d overlook the fact that she’s no longer a doctor, let alone let her practice on him. They laugh and he says, it boggles the mind. But he didn’t want to be unkind. Miss Westbourne has been through a lot. It’s best not to mention her at the hospital. Lucas says he’s happy not to talk about Britt anywhere, and Sidwell says, they look happy. Has something happened? Marco says, Lucas agreed to move in, and Sidwell says, fantastic. Outside, Britt listens in at the window, and Sidwell says, welcome to your new home.

Sonny says they need to know what Sidwell is doing, who he works with, and what Marco’s role is in this. Killing Sidwell has to be a last resort. Once they’re out of options, they’d do it. Jason says, understood, and Sonny says, when the time comes… Jason says, I’ll be ready.  

On Monday, Brook asks Dante to promise something stays between them; Isaiah suggests Portia go to the police to clear things up; Alexis tells Willow that she has potential good news; and Sonny tells Michael that they have to make this go away now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Wish we could keep her… sniff… I doff my cap to the wonderful work she did with every scene partner she had, especially Jane Elliot.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-erika-slezak-reflects-on-ronnie-run-on-eve-of-final-episode-excl/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/ghs-erika-slezak-and-yrs-roger-howarth-dish-their-real-life-one-life-to-live-reunion-excl/

Revoilà Pascal!

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-the-familiar-face-arriving-in-port-charles-revealed/

Reflections on Carly.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/laura-wright-marks-20-years-as-general-hospitals-carly-relive-her-two-decades-of-drama/

A prayer request. Was she skiing or was it something stupid?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-carolyn-hennesy-undergoes-surgery-prayers-are-welcome/

Something fun.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/behind-the-scenes-stars-from-general-hospital-young-restless-and-more-share-octobers-best-snaps/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Beyond Deck Mediterranean

Chef Josh made a break for it because he didn’t want to lash out. In his interview, he said his nickname in the kitchen was Rottweiler. The primary bitched about the excursion being in a bad neighborhood, and when Josh got no complaints about the meal, he said it was the best compliment this d*ck could come up with. They seemed like people you just couldn’t please, and they called Josh to come and discuss dessert, an amazing fruit concoction served in a coconut bowl. It was hard to believe there was anything to complain about, especially if you’re having endless drinks with umbrellas in them. Surprising everyone, they said they loved it, and Josh wondered if pigs were flying. The biggest surprise was the $40K tip – $4000 each. It made me wonder if the guests were like secret shoppers. With Aesha’s blessing, V was moved to the deck team. Another boatmance triangle seems to be in the works with Eyebrows Joe, V, and Kizzy.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

Bronwyn spent the night on deck, while Mary and Angie went back to the chaos. In Mary’s interview, she said it would be a good time for Angie to go back sick so they could get back to the quiet. During the melee, Angie told Bronwyn that Lisa claimed Todd had been making out with one of her friends – and farting – and Bronwyn said Lisa was dead to her. It proved Lisa had been spreading rumors. In her interview, Mary said, if someone said her husband was making out and farting, she wasn’t sure which she’d be more embarrassed about. They had a beach excursion and Heather and Bronwyn went snorkeling. Heather swam with a stingray and I was all kinds of jealous. Batting 1000, Lisa brought up Bronwyn’s ex-in-laws, then apologized, but Bronwyn said it was just words. Britani got a little seasick, then went back to her tequila. Bronwyn wondered why she was drinking tequila if she’d just thrown up, and Britani said she was trying to feel better. Alrighty then. They had a zombie night, but I was less than impressed at their costume efforts. I mean, if you’re going to request a zombie night, bring your best zombie self.

Wife Swap: Real Housewives Edition

This week, it was Emily (RHOC) swapping with wife Caley, who did most of the work on a mini farm. Emily was no stranger to animals and such, and seemed to get a quick handle on things when she had to wrangle a horse five minutes in. Gina met Caley for lunch and wondered how she did so much work. I can safely say, it’s because if she doesn’t, it won’t get done.

Too funny!

Real Housewives Of Orange County – Reunion Part 1

Hard to believe this has been on for 19 seasons. Katie paid a visit, so the lie detector test was also revisited. Emily discussed challenges with son Luke, and Tamra wept over letting her daughter go off to school. Emily also touched on her Wife Swap episode. Lots of time spent on Tamra and Gretchen, rehashing who said what about who and/or Slade. I’m not so sure Gretchen is a prize, but Tamra is the worst. She makes all these faces when she harangues somebody, and it makes me want to slap her.

Random Reality Items

The latest on the upcoming season of RHOBH.

https://extratv.com/2025/11/05/kathy-hilton-talks-rhobh-season-15-drama-everybody-was-really-real-exclusive/

https://extratv.com/2025/11/05/amanda-frances-brings-the-drama-to-the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-season-15/

Coming December 2nd.

And while we’re on the VanderSubject, I wouldn’t hate this.

I have a Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie and more than one pair of her jeans, so I’ll be watching.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Deadstream. Shudder/AMC+/Tubi. An excellent found footage effort. A has-been influencer films himself investigating a haunted house. A few laughs, especially with the comments occasionally streamed in, and actually scary in spots. The main lesson? Never repeat words in Latin when you don’t know what they mean. Kudos to Joseph Winter, co-writer, director, and lead actor. He’s a true gem.

Game Night. Netflix. I can’t say enough good things about this film, even though there were no zombies in it. Jason Bateman has never disappointed me (Bad Words is one of my all-time surprise favorites), and this was no exception. A group of friends gathers weekly for a game night, and when the week’s game is a murder mystery, it turns all too real. You’ll have fun trying to figure out what’s part of the game and what’s not.

https://www.bgr.com/2017933/game-night-best-comedies-2010s-streaming-netflix/

https://www.cbr.com/jason-bateman-game-night-needs-a-sequel/

👻 Spooky, Scary Celebrations…

How the celebrities did it.

https://ew.com/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes-2025-11837259

Black Halloween is beautiful.

https://www.essence.com/beauty/halloween-weekend-best-beauty-looks-2025/

The reveal from the Queen of Halloween.

https://ew.com/heidi-klum-halloween-costume-2025-11841613

People who are more ambitious than I am, and also willing to be more uncomfortable than I am.

https://www.gettyimages.com/editorial-images/entertainment/event/new-york-city-halloween-parade/776407388?editorialproducts=all

https://www.brooklynvegan.com/nycs-village-halloween-parade-2025-in-pics/

https://nypost.com/2025/10/31/us-news/nyc-village-halloween-parade-2025-revelers-go-wild-in-elaborate-costumes/

🐾 Halloween Leftovers and Why Not…

🎃 Another view of the NYC Dog Parade.

https://people.com/photos-of-best-dog-costumes-from-2025-new-york-city-halloween-dog-parade-11832583

🦁 A Mouse who dressed as a lion.

https://people.com/police-discover-mysterious-lion-like-animal-in-the-woods-is-actually-a-dog-11844496

🐶 I’m definitely on board with this.

https://people.com/dia-de-muertos-ofrenda-for-beloved-dog-goes-viral-exclusive-11841501

🐕 And just because.

https://people.com/mans-best-friend-celebrity-guys-with-their-pets-photos-11842420

🤠 Quotes of the Week

My belief is that personal freedom cannot grow beyond personal responsibility. The more people that learn to be fully accountable for their lives, the more freedom each of us can enjoy and the more fulfilling all of our lives will be. – Ross Parmenter

The key to success is to start before you are ready. – Marie Forleo

Every time I do something that expands my personal comfort boundaries, I discover some strength I didn’t know I had. – Pamela Wilson

You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.Shonda Rhimes

She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it).Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

It is mental slavery to cling to things that have stopped serving their purpose in your life.Chinonye J. Chidolue

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. – Aristotle

You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.Henry Ford

I’m not the art police. Everybody is allowed to feel exactly how they want. – Taylor Swift

What’s that face on your face for? – Ingrid Kannerman (Allegra Edwards), Upload

🧋 Pumpkin Spice This…

Until next week, stay safe; stay practicing gratitude; and stay not letting a bad thing ruin a good thing.

September 26, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Monica’s Memorial, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Watching Soon, Already, Treasured Companions, Less Than a Dozen Quotes & Maggie

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Alexis met Molly at the coffee bar, and Molly said she couldn’t have this particular conversation in front of Kristina.

Brook interrupted Emma and Gio kissing in the stable.

Michael went to Sonny’s and told Sonny and Carly about Monica passing away.

Tracy looked at old photos, when the doorbell rang. She said nobody except her ever heard the front door, but if the oven door opened, there was a stampede. It was Lucy, and Tracy slammed the door in her face.

Britt went into Bobbie’s and saw Rocco with Charlotte. Rocco approached her and she said she was sure this must come as shock. Rocco said, kinda. His parents had seen her, but he was glad to finally get to meet her

Dante told Anna that he got more details about Nathan. He’d been pulled from a car wreck. But it couldn’t be Nathan. He was dead.

Elizabeth saw it was Nathan, but Lucas said, right now, he was a patient. They’d figure out the rest later.

Brook said she was looking for Cody, and Emma introduced her to Outback. Cody said she’d been bunking with him, and it would be hard giving her up. Brook said there was something they all should know.

Tracy told Lucy, go away, but Lucy said it was about Deception and important. The company could fold if they didn’t take action. She’d crawl through a window if Tracy didn’t let her in. Tracy opened the door and said, don’t talk. She told Lucy, have a seat… Monica died.

Michael said he found out when he got home and thought he was still in shock. Carly asked how Jason was, and Michael said Jason was holding up. Jason found her and thought she’d died in her sleep. Michael said, even though she’d been sick, they weren’t prepared for her to go so suddenly.

Dante said there was nothing in the car or on him, and Anna said it didn’t make sense. Dante said, Faison shot Nathan, and he was dead, but Anna said they thought the same about his sister. It wasn’t a coincidence.

Charlotte introduced herself, and Britt said she and Rocco had both grown. Charlotte left, and Britt said she’d seen pictures of Rocco on his social media. He asked if she followed him on MyFace, and she said she’d like to, if it was cool with him, and he asked her to send him a follow request.

Outside Bobbie’s, Charlotte told Lulu that Rocco was talking to Britt in the diner. Lulu said she was lucky Charlotte was her daughter and Rocco was lucky she was his sister.

Rocco said he’d asked Obrecht questions about her, and Britt said she’d tell him what she could. He said his mom was waiting, so another time, and she asked if he found his dog. He said he was still looking, and she told him not to give up hope.

Lulu asked how it went, and Rocco said Britt was nice, but it was kind of a lot. Lulu, Charlotte and Rocco headed for home.

Molly told Alexis about Kristina hiring Cody to come between Ava and her dad. She knew Kristina had good intentions, but it bothered her that she and Cody had been getting close and it screwed things up. She thought she had feelings for Cody.

Emma said Monica had always been kind to her, and Gio said him too. Cody said, everyone loved and respected Monica, especially the little guys. It would be rough on them. Emma said it would be rough on Brook and the family, and she was sorry for their loss. Cody asked how Tracy was taking it, and Brook said Tracy was composed, but devastated. Monica had been important to her.

Lucy said she was sorry, and Tracy said, Monica went peacefully in her sleep. She had to contact the hospital and write the obituary. Lucy handed her a shot and said, she needed it.

Lucas said Nathan appeared to be in good shape, and Anna asked why he was still unconscious. Lucas said, his brain activity was normal, but they’d know more when they did a CT scan. Officer Carson came in, and Anna asked him to get a sample to run a DNA test and take the patient’s fingerprints. Carson asked what the name was, and she said, Nathan West.

Brook said, sorry about the interruption, and Emma said they had to get Outback chipped first thing. Cody asked to say goodbye to his girl and told Outback that they hadn’t spent lot of time together, but were bonded for life. It would always be her home, so don’t be a stranger. He’d always have a sandwich for her. Brook said, why not make it her home?

Lucy said the Quartermaine home was something to aspire to, and Tracy said, Lucy was so inspired, she stole Monica’s husband. Lucy said she was surprised Tracy didn’t try to stop the wedding, but Tracy said, why bother? Monica and Alan found their way back to each other. Despite Lucy’s machinations, Monica triumphed over her.

Carly said Monica had loved Michael and was proud of him. The funeral home called Michael and he stepped away. Carly told Sonny that Michael had already been through enough this year.

Elizabeth said she couldn’t stop thinking about how it would affect Maxie and James, and Lucas said there had been no significant change in Maxie’s condition. Anna told them to keep it quiet for now and admit him as a John Doe.

Britt went back to Jason’s room and saw a gift on the bed. She opened it and said, oh my God.

Molly told Alexis that Cody had done it under the guise of helping her. His behavior was convoluted and backward, but at the end of the day, he had a good heart. He proved it tonight.

Brook said, half the time Rocco stayed with his dad. They could ask if he minded if Outback lived there. Cody said he’d love it, but the Q’s had made it clear he couldn’t have a pet. Brook said, if a Q made the rule, a Q can change it, and she declared it was okay. It couldn’t hurt to ask Rocco, and if he said, no, everything would stay the same. Cody said it was a dog’s paradise, and Emma said it sounded like the perfect solution.

Dante wondered what happened, and Anna said, he might not be Nathan. She didn’t want to give Obrecht false hope and thought she’d have to question Britt, since they were close when he died. It wasn’t impossible Nathan was alive, considering he and Britt were the children of Liesl Obrecht and Cesar Faison.

Lulu went to see Britt and said she was there to make peace for Rocco’s sake. Britt said it had been a long day, and Lulu said she was trying to stay open to Rocco getting to know Britt, but she wanted to set guidelines to protect him. She didn’t want him to get hurt. Britt said neither did she, and Lulu said, then they were on the same page, but Britt said she didn’t think so if Lulu was giving her guidelines about how and when she’d see her son.

Emma said Rocco was relieved Outback was fine and was cool with her staying there. Gio asked about the horses, and Cody said Outback got along with everyone. Brook said, welcome home Outback, and Cody said, the Princess of Port Charles has found a new castle.

Michael said the funeral director was going to get back to him with dates. There was so much to decide. Carly told him to give himself time to grieve, and he said he hadn’t told the kids yet. Carly said, instead of taking care of everyone else, let his dad and her take care of him, and she hugged him.

Lucy told Tracy that she’d been a different woman then. When she was younger, she didn’t know her power or her own strength. She thought all of her problems would be solved if she married Alan, but it was a complete disaster. He never stopped being in love with Monica. Tracy said they’d always been in love, even though they’d cheated on each other. They were the love of each other’s lives. Lucy said, Monica was an amazing surgeon and Chief of Staff, and everybody at GH loved her. People came from all over the world to see her. Tracy said Monica had a life well-lived, and Lucy said it was nice to think Alan and Monica were reunited. Tracy agreed and hoped so, and they toasted to Monica. Tracy said, may she rest in peace.

Dante told Anna that they were running the plates to make sure the car wasn’t stolen. Since Nathan and Britt were connected to Faison, did she want to notify the WSB? Anna said she wanted to have a better grasp of the situation first. It may not be Nathan. Elizabeth told them that the CT scan results were in.

Lulu asked why Britt and her mother thought they had a right to a relationship with Rocco. He wasn’t Britt’s son and she was nothing more than a test tube. Britt said she carried him for 9 months and they were connected in more ways than Lulu and Rocco were or ever would be. She birthed him, nursed him, and raised him for almost a year, and they both knew he wouldn’t exist if not for her. Lulu said Britt stole the embryo, and Britt said it was languishing in a cryochamber. Like it or not, they were establishing a relationship without constraints. Lulu said she’d been trying to give Britt the benefit of the doubt. She’d been told Britt had grown as a person and was a good Co-chief at GH. She saved Josslyn’s life, but they were all one-offs. She was still the same toxic, self-involved witch she’d always been. She left her own mother heartbroken when she faked her own death. Obrecht was still grieving when Britt waltzed into GH. She didn’t care about anyone but herself. Britt said Lulu was threatened by her because in her heart, she knew Britt was every bit a mother as she was. Maybe more. (Some peace maker Lulu is.)

Lucas told Anna that there was no sign of the brain swelling, but they had to wait to see if there were neurological deficits when he woke up. Anna called Carson to put a rush on the DNA and asked if he’d run the prints. Dante asked what he said, and Anna said, according to the PCPD database, the man lying in that bed is Nathan West.

Lulu said Britt wasn’t Rocco’s mother in any way, shape, or form. She was nothing more than an incubator of stolen goods. Britt said, not for long. She had stories from when Rocco was a baby, and she couldn’t wait to share them with him. Lulu said that wasn’t going to happen. Stay away from Rocco. Lulu walked out, and Britt said, his name is Ben! She slammed the door and took out the gift. She opened the box and we saw a note that said, DON’T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE, signed, C. 😮

Molly said Cody turned down Sonny’s $10K reward, and Alexis said she didn’t know if she was more stunned that Cody turned down the money or that Sonny put up that much for a dog. Molly said, he told Gio to give it to a shelter, and Alexis said it showed good character, but Molly seemed conflicted. Molly said Cody could be charming and sweet, but he was also frustrating and unpredictable. She was afraid she’d regret it. Alexis said Molly was smarter, braver, and had better taste in men than she did. Cody seemed like good guy. Take the risk. It wasn’t like she was sending out wedding invitations. Molly said maybe Alexis was right.

Gio asked Brook to tell Tracy that he was sorry about Monica, and he and Emma left. Cody said their vibe was hard to miss and asked if it was new. Brook said, maybe, and he said he thought everyone would be happy with the arrangement. Emma and Gio would be there more often, so it meant she’d be running into her son more often. Maybe it would bring them closer.

Michael said he and Monica talked about the custody battle for him as a kid, and Carly said she was sure Monica had a lot to say, especially about her and Sonny. Michael said he let Monica know that he wouldn’t be half the man he was if not for them, and eventually she conceded grudgingly that they didn’t ruin his life. Sonny said, that was a ringing endorsement, and Michael said she understood that they loved him and, on some level, she respected them. Carly said she hoped Monica knew they respected her a great deal too and they toasted, to Monica.

Lucy said she loved the staircase. It represented elegance and wealth. Tracy said, Alan wanted a grand staircase for Monica. He imagined her descending like royalty. She thought it and Monica were tacky, but she was wrong, wrong about so many things about her sister-in-law. She teared up, her voice cracking, and Lucy almost touched her shoulder, but just said goodnight and left. Tracy started to cry, went up the staircase a few steps, then laid on them and sobbed.

Tuesday:

Britt injected herself, when there was a knock at the door. It was Jason and she asked if he was there to fix the window.

On the phone, Martin said he had details about Monica’s memorial service. Might they be able to attend?

Lulu went to the Quartermaines and told Brook that she was so sorry about Monica. Brook thanked her and invited her in. She said she’d let her grandmother know Lulu was there.

Jordan visited Drew, and he asked if she was there as a friend or to make him see the error of his ways. She said, both

Marshall was welcomed home with hugs, and he said he’d tell them everything about the tour in good time, but right now they needed to come together as a family. Congressman Cain got what was coming to him, but he’d do everything in his power to make sure Curtis didn’t take the fall.

Felicia was glad to see Stella back at work.

Nina went to Anna’s office and said she wasn’t answering questions about Drew unless her lawyer was present, but Anna said it wasn’t about Drew. It involved Nina’s brother Nathan. Nina asked if it had something to do with Britt coming back, but Anna said she wasn’t sure. There was an unidentified individual recovering at GH. He was unconscious and she ran his DNA and fingerprints and confirmed a match for Nina’s brother. Nina said the tests were wrong.

Stella told Felicia that she was relieved the investigation was closed and needed to get back to focusing on her patients and friends who had bigger worries. How was Felicia doing? Felicia said she kept tabs on Maxie, but always heard the same thing – there was no change.

Curtis told Marshall that the worst was over and the charges against Stella had been dropped. She was back to work with a spotless record. Trina said now everyone would know they were trumped up charges, and Marshall said the fact Drew went after her proved there was no level that fool wouldn’t sink to get what he wanted, and he wanted to cause Curtis pain. Curtis said he was hardly the only person of interest. Congressman Cutthroat had plenty of enemies. Marshall said the one he wanted to protect was his son.

Drew said, the person who shot him was still out there, but Jordan said she was no longer on the force. She was sure Anna and the PCPD were making it a priority, but they had their work cut out for them. The way Drew hurt people left and right, there was a long list of suspects, some of them people he used to call friends. Drew said Curtis had turned against him and stole his company. He was possibly the man who pulled the trigger. Jordan said Drew was the one who went on the offensive, going after Stella, and Drew said, maybe she shouldn’t have broken the law. Jordan said, maybe he shouldn’t have abused his power to go against Curtis, and he said he didn’t want to fight. Monica just died. She said she heard. In fact, that was why she was there.

Britt said Carly was sending out a repair guy. Was it Jason? The window wouldn’t close and she needed to get to orientation after she ran the damn place. Jason easily closed the window and said, is that it? She said the closet was full, but he said he had commitments today. He came to grab something. He took out his suit, and she asked if there was a formal mob meet and greet, but he said it was a funeral. His mother died.

Michael said everyone’s memories about Monica helped Tracy, and Lulu asked how Tracy was. Brook said she couldn’t find Tracy anywhere.

Felicia said her heart broke for Spinelli, and Stella said, of course (🍷). No matter where they turned, somebody was hurting because Maxie wasn’t there. She wondered if Felicia was letting herself be distracted so she didn’t have to deal with her own broken heart. She was grieving too, and needed to let herself process it. If Felicia wanted time off, Stella would be happy to step in so Felicia could look after her family and herself.

Marshall said Drew was vindictive and wouldn’t give up until Curtis was thrown in prison for the shooting, but Curtis said the police had nothing on him. He’d stick to the facts, and given time, they’d find the suspect. There was a knock at the door, and Dante said he was wondering if he could have a word with Curtis.

Jordan said she was sorry to hear about Monica and thought, in the light of her passing and his own brush with death, Drew should use the time to take stock of his life. Drew said he was left with the memory of Monica refusing to let him back in the family estate, but Jordan said that didn’t mean Monica stopped caring. She’d expected more from him and wanted him to use his power and influence for good. He said, now she was gone, and Jordan said, her loss would be mourned. Could the same be said for him? If he couldn’t be a better man for Monica, be one for his daughter. Be the man he used to be, the man Scout needed. It was his chance turn his life around and grow from the experience. Ask himself what was truly important. Do that, and there might be hope for him yet. She left.

Britt said she was so sorry. She hadn’t known Monica was ill. Jason said she’d had a bad fall and her health had been up and down afterward, but they took care of her at home. Britt asked when she passed, and he said, yesterday morning. She said, that was the call he got when she was locked out? and he said Tracy wanted him to come back to the house. No one told Monica about Drew’s shooting and Tracy thought it best if he was the one who told her. He went to her room, but she was already gone. Britt said she was so sorry, and he said he just wasn’t prepared to find her that way.

Ned thought Tracy probably took Hades out for a ride, and Michael went to the stable. Ned said when Lulu saw Tracy, she’d probably complain about having to plan the memorial and brush off Lulu’s condolences with a sarcastic remark, but that was on the outside. The truth was, Monica’s death hit her hard. He’d never seen her so fragile.

Nina said, no way Nathan was alive, but Anna said she was at GH when he was brought in. She couldn’t believe it. That’s why she ran tests. She wanted to tell Nina first, since Obrecht probably couldn’t handle the shock after Britt. Nina wondered if Britt knew something. She showed up alive, then a couple of days later… Anna said the timing was questionable, but Nina said it couldn’t be Jay. They were all at the funeral. Anna said that’s why she ran tests. They couldn’t deny the DNA results or the fingerprint match. Nina said they knew all too well who could have arranged this – Cesar Faison. (A whodunnit, spy stuff and Faison? My head might explode.)

Dante said ADA Turner was nitpicking every line in every statement. He wanted to go over Curtis’s statement to make sure he had it correct. He’d start at the beginning of the night in question. Curtis paid Stella’s bail and took her home? Curtis said, correct, and Dante said, then he went to see Alexis. Did he go anywhere in between? Curtis said he stopped for gas, but didn’t remember the station name. He could check his credit card statement. That was between 8:30 and 8:45. Dante said, then Curtis went from Alexis’s to The Savoy and was there at 10:15, and Curtis said he went in the back and straight to his office, so no one could verify he was there. Dante said, then after The Savoy, Curtis went to the Brown Dog Bar and met Jordan for drinks, and Curtis said, right. Portia didn’t look happy.

Martin saw Stella and said the rumors were true. Something was going right in this crazy world. Stella asked how he was doing, and he said his back was fine. He wanted to see her face because he needed a shot in the arm before he paid a visit to Drew. She said she thought he was done being Drew’s lawyer.

Anna said it crossed her mind it had something to do with Faison, but she saw his brain in a jar, and Nina asked if she was sure. Anna said, 99%. She was going to follow up on everything, but needed a positive ID. Nina said, absolutely not, but Anna said she couldn’t go to Obrecht because she wouldn’t be objective. Nina asked if Anna thought Britt was part of it, and Anna said she needed a second pair of eyes before he regained consciousness. Please, come with her to the hospital.

Felicia went into Nathan’s room and asked how their John Doe was doing. When she saw his face, all of her paperwork slipped from her hands.

Ned said Monica and Tracy became each other’s favorite sparring partners. Their battle kept them sharp as tacks and kept the rest of them amused. Things changed when Monica became ill. Britt said, Tracy became Monica’s fiercest guardian and advocate, and Ned said he thought Monica saw her great-grandchildren every day. Lulu should have seen it when Willow tried to take the kids away. Brook said, or when Drew tried to destroy the family crypt and Tracy defended it for Monica. Lulu said it made sense for Tracy to fight that hard. Monica probably would have done the same for her. Ned said, for all her effort, there was one fight Tracy couldn’t win, and losing was one thing his mother didn’t handle well. Michael came back and said he checked the whole property, but couldn’t find Tracy and her car was gone. She could be anywhere.

Martin said he and the congressman came to an agreement, and Stella said, one minute, she was under investigation and arrested, and the next minute, the case was closed. He agreed to go back to work for Drew if the case went away. He said, yeah, but if he’d kept his mouth shut in the first place, there would have never been an investigation. It was his responsibility to end this thing. She said she didn’t like the idea of him going to work for Drew again for her sake, but he said he was being well compensated. He knew who Drew was, how far he was willing to go on Drew’s behalf, and knew when to stop. If there was anything he could do to keep Drew away from her, it was well worth it.

Felicia looked like she was in shock, and a nurse asked if she was okay. Anna said she needed to sit down, and asked Felicia to come with her. She took Felicia out to the hallway, and Felicia stared at Nina.

Britt said, when Drew was shot, Jason had been in Croatia for three days. She was doing the math, and if she was right, he was on his way home when she called him back to the Five Poppies. If he hadn’t gone to look for her and come back when she called, he would have been home with his mother for her last days. Jason said he was exactly where he needed to be.

Brook said Tracy’s bed wasn’t slept in and her overnight bag was missing. Her fine jewelry was gone, including Lila’s brooch. Ned said he had no tracker on Tracy’s phone because she refused to be tracked like a bear, and Brook said, maybe the right question was should they try to find Tracy or let her be. Michael said she could definitely take care of herself, and Ned said, under normal circumstances he’d agree, but she just lost her friend of 50 years and was grieving. They needed to find her.

Dante said the only time Curtis couldn’t account for was when Drew was shot. Did he make any phone calls? Curtis said, no, and Dante said that was all he needed. He left and Portia told Curtis it was time for her to go.

Anna told Felicia that she didn’t know if the man in the room was Nathan. She needed to find out more before she told anyone anything. Felicia said, Mac didn’t tell her either. She didn’t understand how… Anna said she didn’t either. She ran the number on the car he was found in and it was listed as having been in a crusher in Mississippi. He had no ID or phone, so she ran his DNA and fingerprints, and it came up as a match for Nathan. Felicia said Anna brought him on the force. Did she really think it was him? Anna said Nathan died and was buried, but then, so was Britt and she was back. She needed more to go on before she drew a definitive conclusion. Felicia said, the only person who knew for sure was lying in a coma.

Nina went in and looked at Nathan. She started to leave, but then turned back and sat by his bedside.

Jordan asked Stella how it felt to be back, and Stella said she wasn’t gone that long. Of course (🍷), it could have been longer if not for Jordan. Curtis told her that Jordan was instrumental in figuring out how Drew sicced the authorities on her to hurt him. Jordan said she’d do anything for Stella. What Drew did was awful. Stella said she was afraid the damage was already done.

Curtis followed Portia outside and said this was not the time. Portia said he made his choice and couldn’t admit he chose Jordan over her like always.

Trina listened at the door, but Marshall told her to stay out of her parents’ business. He was going to make coffee and needed her help.

Britt said she was sorry Jason wasn’t with Monica, but he said he’d never regret what he was doing instead. Monica wanted him to do the right thing, and he was. She said she knew what Monica meant to him and he should have had more time with her, and he said he did. After Sam died, she talked him into moving back with the Quartermaines, so Danny, Rocco, and Scout could be together. He told himself that he was doing the right thing for his son, but he was doing the right thing for himself too. Monica wasn’t sleeping a lot and neither was he. If her light was on, he’d check on her and see if she needed anything. Most of the time, he’d just sit with her, and sometimes they’d watch the sun come up together. Britt said she was sure Monica loved it, and he said he did too. He was so grateful for the time they had. He just wished he’d known that was all he was going to get.

Martin told Drew that he had an update on his safe. Turner was challenging the injunction, and he was waiting on the ruling, but didn’t know if the injunction would be upheld. The odds weren’t on their side. Drew said he wasn’t focused on the contents of his safe. He was focused on Monica. Martin said Drew had his sincere condolences, and Drew said, Monica treated him like a son until… Tracy and Michael and the rest of the family turned her against him.

Michael said he’d call Brick, and Ned said he’d see if Tracy filed a flight plan for the ELQ jet. They left to make the calls, and Lulu said, maybe staying in the house was too painful for Tracy. Brook said, it was Tracy, so who knew what she wanted, and Lulu said, if it was her dad, he’d go on a bender and be gone… She thought she knew where Tracy was.

Britt told Jason that maybe it was better not to know. Monica’s passing was unexpected, and they could just be together without worrying how to say goodbye. She spoke from experience. He grabbed his suit, told her, good luck on her first day, and left.

Drew said he thought he and Monica had a real relationship, when she turned her back on him. It was even more painful knowing it wasn’t her choice. The family made her do it. They poisoned her against him. Martin said, just so they were clear, he was Drew’s attorney and that was all. This time was billable, so it might be in Drew’s best interest to work through his grief with a therapist or the hospital chaplain… No, definitely a therapist. Drew said he knew exactly who he was talking to. Monica may have cut him out of her life, but he’d be damned if he was going to be cut out of her will.

Ned said they needed to find Tracy and bring her home. If she wasn’t there when they said goodbye to Monica, she’d be in more pain than she was. Michael asked how quickly they could get to her, and Ned said he knew someone who could get to her fast. On the phone, he said, it’s me… Thank you. Monica will be greatly missed… Actually, there was something they could do. He needed help with his mother.

Jordan told Stella that she had faith Curtis wasn’t involved in Drew’s shooting. They met for drinks that night and there was no way Curtis shot Drew. He had way too much to lose.

Portia said, when things were tough, or even when they weren’t, Curtis ran to Jordan. She didn’t know why she was surprised he was with her the night Drew was shot. Where else would he be? Curtis said they had a drink, and he’d been protecting Portia. The only reason she hadn’t been questioned was because of him. She said, stop protecting her. Don’t do anything for her. She was done pretending they had any kind of marriage. She walked off, and Curtis went back inside where Trina was waiting for him.

Felicia told Anna, if that was Nathan, what would it do to James? He was already struggling with his mom in the hospital. Anna said, maybe it would help to have another parent around, but Felicia said it was a parent he’d never met and had no relationship with. And if it wasn’t Nathan, it would mess up James even more. Anna said, don’t do anything until she found out the truth, and she was determined to find it.

Nina took Nathan’s hand and he squeezed hers. He turned his head and opened his eyes, and she said, Jay.

Wednesday:

Nathan woke up and Nina hugged him. She went to get a doctor and told Anna that Nathan was awake.

At the stable, James told Cody that his mom said his dad was watching over him and wondered if his mom was watching over him now too.

Curtis wondered how much Trina heard, and she said she saw the look on Portia’s face when he said he was with Jordan the night of Drew’s shooting. That said it all.

At the hospital, Portia ran into Jordan said Curtis was at his house. It wasn’t her home anymore.

On the ELQ jet, Brook hoped Tracy was still at the casino, and Ned promised they’d track her down. There was something he thought Brook should know. He had an affair with Monica.

Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tracy played blackjack in a private room, when Lois joined her and said, deal her in.

Nina told Anna that the second he smiled, she knew it was Nathan. Isaiah came out and said the patient was alert and stable. He’d sustained head trauma, so they were treating him for a concussion, and he had a scar from a previous gunshot wound, but there was no lasting trauma, and he seemed in excellent health.

Cody told James that his dad was watching him, but his mom wasn’t gone. He bet she was dreaming about him riding Comet. Felicia came in and James said he’d be a riding pro by the time his mom woke up.

Anna came into Nathan’s room, and he asked what was happening. She said, what was the last thing he remembered?

Curtis told Trina that Jordan wasn’t the reason for the strain in his and Portia’s marriage. Drew was a factor, but the problems already existed. Whatever happened, one thing that would never change was that they’d always love her and he’d always have respect for her mother.

Jordan said leave her out of it, and Portia said she owed Jordan an apology. She laid the friction between her and Curtis at Jordan’s door, and it wasn’t fair or right. The flaws in their relationship were there from the beginning, and her marriage was over.

Brook said Ned and Monica’s affair was the stuff of family legend, but Ned wanted to shed light on why. He was a tennis pro, and they were using different names. He didn’t know who she was or that she was married to his uncle. Brook begged him to stop, but he said he knew Monica in a way the rest of the family didn’t. He and Monica knew each other without the family politics and dysfunction. Monica was a remarkable, dynamic, insanely brilliant woman and he thought he let her down.

Tracy said if Lois left now, she’d leave a winner, and Lois gave her some hints. Tracy said she was going to find another table where the dealer was the only one who spoke, and Lois asked her not to go. Tracy said Lois was right. This was her room and her private dealer. Lois should be the one to leave. Lois said she would when she’d said her piece, and told the dealer to take a break, slipping him some cash. He left, and Tracy said Ned sent Lois. Lois said he was worried, and Tracy said he must be desperate, and Lois said Tracy was right. She’d done wrong by Ned in the past. Tracy said, alert the media. Lois was admitting fault. Lois said she considered it a moment of reflection. It happened when you lost someone important to you. It became clear how short life was and you were afraid you’d run out of time for the chance to make up for mistakes, and Tracy was going to make a mistake right now.

Ned said he didn’t show enough consideration for Monica when he went after AJ, and Brook said AJ had issues. Ned said he’d compounded them when he undermined and double-crossed AJ, but Brook said, that was life at the Quartermaine’s. Ned said nothing was more painful than seeing your child struggle. Monica had so much loss – the death of her three children and Alan – he didn’t want to lose sight of what he had. Being a father was the most important thing in the world. He needed her to know that he loved her endlessly. She said she’d always known.

Marshall said, some homecoming, and Curtis said, sorry. The police visit probably ruined the celebratory mood. Marshall said it was nice being home in the good times, but more important in the not so good times. He didn’t know if he was more worried about Curtis being a suspect or watching his family and marriage fall apart.

Trina went to see Jordan and said she was afraid her parents were splitting up.

Nathan said the last thing he remembered was Cesar Faison shooting him. He looked down his shirt and said, impossible. How could it be healed? Did it not happen? Nina said, it happened, and Anna said, seven years ago.

Lois said Tracy was the de facto Quartermaine matriarch. Didn’t she want to send a message to society that the family was being preserved? Tracy said society would be just fine, but Lois said Tracy wouldn’t be. She loved Monica. Tracy said her debt to Monica had been paid. Monica didn’t need her to show up, nor did anybody else.

Cody asked James to fill up the oats to feed the horses, and when James left, he asked Felicia what was wrong. Felicia said it sounded insane, but there was a man who looked exactly like James’s father admitted to GH. Cody said he thought… and Felicia said, he did. There was a funeral and everything, but somehow Nathan might be alive.

Nathan said that couldn’t be right, and Anna said it was 2025. He asked if he’d been in a coma, but Nina said he’d been declared dead. There was a funeral and a gravesite she’d been visiting for seven years. It was a miracle. Anna said it was definitely something they had to figure out, and he said they were both shocked and here. So did Maxie not know he was alive?

Curtis told Marshall that Drew’s shooting was the final straw with his marriage. Drew had tentacles in his life and was the reason Stella was arrested. He was the reason Trina and Kai broke up, and Portia lied to him for months about Drew blackmailing her. Marshall said he didn’t blame anyone for taking Drew out, and Curtis said, on paper, few people had more motive than him and the cops knew that. Marshall said it sounded like his family was under attack and they never needed each other more.

Isaiah went to Portia’s office, and she said, the last time they spoke, she’d told him the time they shared was all they had. He said, she told him they had no future, and she said she’d reconsidered.

Lois said Tracy was underestimating the importance of saying goodbye, but Tracy said Monica was dead and wouldn’t care. Lois said it was important for Tracy, when Ned came in. Tracy said, right on time. His minion stalled until he got there. Ned thanked Lois, and Lois said she was sorry for their loss. Ned told her that Brook was on the boardwalk, and she left. Tracy asked why he did that.

Felicia told Cody that Nathan died before James was born. James heard about him and had seen pictures, but never met him, and Maxie wasn’t there. She had to be there. Cody said until he was, they’d take it one step at a time. First, they’d have faith that the cops would figure out who he was. She said, and if it was Nathan? and he said they’d deal with it. She said she didn’t want James to be hurt or scared or confused, but he said confused was unavoidable, but they’d make sure the rest was taken care of, when James came back.

Anna suggested they go through the facts as they knew them. A motorist found Nathan in a wreck and called 911. He was extricated from the car and unresponsive. Nathan said he had no ID or cellphone? and she said that’s why she ran his DNA and fingerprints. The car was listed as destroyed, crushed in Mississippi. Nathan said he’d just appeared out of nowhere and had been missing for seven years? It was ridiculous. Where was Maxie? He needed to see her.

Trina said Dante came to question her dad about the night Drew was shot, and Jordan said he was establishing a timeline of Curtis’s movements and Curtis said he was with her. Trina said her mom heard, and Jordan said she just ran into Portia at the hospital. She’d made it clear things were strained. Now she understood why. Trina said her dad insisted Jordan wasn’t the issue in their marriage, but was that true? and Jordan said she respected Curtis and Portia’s relationship. She hadn’t pursued Curtis, and he hadn’t pursued her. Trina said she believed that, but unfortunately, her mom didn’t seem to. They were splitting up and that couldn’t happen. Jordan said she didn’t think there was anything Trina could do. They had to navigate their own relationship. Trina said she wasn’t trying to keep them together as a couple, but keep them out of prison.

Isaiah said Portia seemed adamant. So what changed? She said her marriage was over. She hadn’t told Trina, but Trina saw the writing on the wall. He asked if Curtis did, and Portia said he was at the end of his rope, like her. There were only so many times you could try to fix a relationship before you had to call it. She thought she and Isaiah would be a good thing, but only if he was interested too.

Ned said his main concern was Tracy, but she said she was where she wanted to be. He said he didn’t believe that, and she said she was under no obligation to attend the funeral. Monica was deceased and wouldn’t care. He said, no, but Tracy would.

On the boardwalk, Lois brought Brook some pink cotton candy and said she went to three different vendors. All they had was blue and she knew Brook didn’t like blue. It was always pink or bust. It was small, but she thought they could share.

Curtis told Marshall that he hated not trusting his wife. Every time they started fresh, they hit another wall. Marshall said, two people could love each other and still not be right for each other, and Curtis said they could make promises they intended on keeping. He didn’t believe Portia set out to lie. Marshall said, but she did. It was good they were both brave enough to acknowledge the situation. Curtis said it was no kind of marriage and no way to live.

Isaiah asked if Portia was sure her marriage was over, and she said she wasn’t playing games. He said he needed time to think about it, and she said she didn’t want to pressure him. He said he loved working there and wouldn’t do anything that risked him losing his job.

Brook told Lois, no thanks, and asked, how’s granny? Lois said, in a private card room playing blackjack and not winning, and Brook said she was grieving. Lois said it was deeply hard for a woman like Tracy to lose someone like Monica. They’d been sparring their whole lives. It was like the greatest tennis match of all time. Brook said she’d miss that, and Lois said they all would. Brook thanked her for coming, and Lois asked how she knew Tracy was there. Brook said Lulu told her that Tracy had bolted there before, and Lois said it wouldn’t have been her first choice. The Leprechaun Casino in Atlantic City didn’t scream Quartermaine. Brook said, Luke went there when he was banned from the strip, and Lois said she was proud of Brook and Lulu working together for her grandmother, and Brook said, and Maxie. Lois said she was sorry to her about Maxie. She did reach out. Brook said she knew. She saw the text. Lois said she knew. She saw Brook’s read receipt

Tracy said she didn’t need Ned telling her what she wanted or where she should be, and he asked if she didn’t want to honor Monica. She said she honored Monica plenty when she was alive, and he said, why abandon her now? She said she was sick of it. She went to a funeral for her father, a funeral for her mother, a funeral for her brother, and two for Luke. And let’s not forget Gregory. She was done burying people she loved. He asked if she didn’t think she’d regret it, but she said she didn’t want to listen to another tribute. She wanted Monica back and to be fighting with her, not burying her, but they didn’t always get what they wanted. She wouldn’t sit in a room and listen to platitudes about what a wonderful woman Monica was. She should still be there, but she wasn’t. She was dead. The end.

Nina told Nathan that she was so sorry. Maxie collapsed last month. She lost consciousness, but they weren’t sure why. Anna said her condition was stable, but unchanged, and Nathan said they were expecting. Did she have the baby? Was the baby okay? Nina said, the baby is now a wonderful, adventurous little boy named after his father – James Malcolm West.

James asked if Cody would teach him how to jump, and behind him, Felicia shook her head. Cody said, at some point, and Felicia suggested they go. She thanked Cody, and James said sometimes he wished Cody was his dad.

Trina told Jordan that the reason this all happened was because her parents were trying to protect her. If they broke up, the police might figure out they had motive and look in their direction. Jordan said Trina wasn’t responsible for fixing their relationship, but Trina said she couldn’t do nothing. Jordan said that’s exactly what she should do and let the investigation run its course, and Trina said, what if it led to her mom and dad? Jordan said, what if it led to Trina? Trust her. Stay far, far away from Drew’s shooting.

Marshall said, so they were calling it quits, and Curtis said he thought it’s what they both wanted. Marshall said they couldn’t while the investigation was ongoing, and Curtis said, if the police found out they split because of Drew, he didn’t want Portia to be a suspect. Marshall asked if Curtis thought she was guilty.

Portia told Isaiah that she loved her job too, and came close to losing it. The time they shared was amazing and she selfishly wanted more. He said he also thought it was amazing, but if they did this, it had to be quiet. Not just under the radar, but off the radar completely. No one could know. She said she understood, and he said he’d been down the same road before. Things got complicated and he got hurt. Whatever this was or became, he wasn’t signing up for that again.

Lois told Brook about the time Ned’s ex Kathryn Bell was poisoned. That’s when she realized she wasn’t in Kansas anymore, or Bensonhurst. Kathryn fell down the stairs, and they were all there – Alan, Monica, EJ, Jason, and Lila. They were all accusing each other of being guilty, while at the same time, working together to cover it up. Brook asked if Tracy was in the mix, and Lois said she hadn’t met Tracy yet, but her presence loomed large. She realized, as loony as it was, in their own twisted, convoluted way, the Quartermaines loved each other. Brook asked, who poisoned Kathryn? and Lois said, Reginald the butler, but that wasn’t the point. Family was family, ride or die, and Monica was at the heart of all of that. Brook said there really was a lot of love, and they shared the cotton candy.

Ned said Tracy had the right to deal with Monica’s death any way she chose. If she wanted to do her mourning by staying there, he’d stay and play as long as she wanted to do it, but it would be with a heavy heart. She said she could live with that, and he said he knew if she didn’t go to the service and pay tribute to the woman whose house she lived in and shared the majority of her life with, if she didn’t tell people who Monica was to her, she’d regret it. And he didn’t want her to have any regrets about anything. Tracy suggested they leave it up to the cards, and he said, as anyone with an enormous life decision would. She said she had 17. If she lost the next hand, she’d stay. If she won, she’d go with him. Deal? He asked if he had a choice, and she said, no. Hit me.

Thursday:

⚠️ Warning: This is nearly a whole enchilada since it was Monica’s memorial service.

Monica’s memorial was set up at All Saints. Elizabeth hugged Jason who said it didn’t seem real. She asked if he needed help, but he said Michael was there. She said she was glad he had Michael to lean on since she knew Sonny and Carly wouldn’t be there, and Jason said Monica blamed Sonny for a lot. It took her a long time to realize it was his choice to keep his distance from the family, and he knew he’d caused her pain. Elizabeth said, what happened in the past made him living at her house later that much sweeter. Monica was beyond happy to have her son back under her roof.

In the foyer, Ned looked at a photo of Monica and flashed back to talking to her about marriage and her saying he was an insightful man and irreplaceable friend. Olivia joined him and said it was a great picture, but Monica didn’t take bad ones. He said, she didn’t believe in them, and Olivia asked how he was holding up. He said some part of him didn’t believe this was possible. Even when she was sick, Monica had a presence in the house. Olivia said, and in the family. Whether she was there or not, it didn’t matter. It would always be Monica’s house. Brook, Chase, and Dante joined them, and Chase said he’d see them at the church, and left. Ned asked if they were ready to go, but Brook said she didn’t know if she’d ever be ready. She was staying strong for Monica. Olivia asked if Ned had the letter, when Tracy came down the stairs. She asked what they were all standing around for. Let’s say goodbye to Monica.

At the hospital, Drew asked Martin to help him with his tie, and Martin said he wasn’t ready to be released. Why was he out of bed and dressed up? Drew said he was going to his mother’s memorial.

Laura hugged Jason and said she was sorry for his loss. Speaking as the mayor, it was impossible to overstate how important a pillar of the community his mother was. She was at the heart of it. She respected Monica more than she could possibly say. Monica was also her friend, and she’d miss her a lot. Jason said, him too, and Laura said her mother planned on coming and came down with a bug. She couldn’t travel, but she’d be fine. She could still remember how her mother and Monica made peace. In the end, her mother thought of Monica as a friend.

Michael and Lulu hugged, and she said his grandmother was an extraordinary woman. She was glad she’d had time with her and would always be grateful for living at the Quartermaines when her dad married Tracy. When Monica threatened to throw him and Tracy out, she said Lulu could stay.

Stella told Jason that Monica was one of a kind and admired by everyone in the hospital, and Portia said she was honored to walk the halls with her. Michael joined them, and Portia said his grandmother was a remarkable woman. Stella said it was an honor to be there, and they sat down. Michael said, the small talk must be torture, and Jason said it was, but it was okay. He wanted to thank everyone who came to honor his mother.

Martin asked if Drew was sure this was a good idea, since the service was private, but Drew said he was still her son. Martin said he was still recovering, and Drew told him, say it. The family didn’t want him there, but he didn’t care about them or what they thought. He had every right to be there. It wasn’t about how things ended up. His mother loved and accepted him the second she found out he was Alan’s son and it meant something. She’d reached out to him, but he’d never returned her call. He’d thought she was calling about him protecting Scout. Martin asked if he meant the restraining orders, and Drew said he thought she’d side with the family. He never imagined it would be the last time they talked and he’d always regret it. He wasn’t letting his anger at the rest of the family stop him from saying goodbye to his mom.

Jason thanked Lucy and Felicia for coming, and Felicia said she loved hanging out with Monica. She was a good friend and had been Maxie’s heart surgeon. Monica’s hands gave Maxie new life. Lucy said, she was a brilliant surgeon. She was brilliant period. The truth was, Lucy was jealous, although Monica was no saint. Felicia said, stop it, and Lucy said, Monica was a brilliant doctor and family mattered more than anything.

Lulu asked if Laura knew what she was going to say, and Laura said she had a good idea. She and Monica had been through so much together. She flashed back to when she was a teenager and talking to Monica when Monica was a patient at the hospital. She told Lucy that Monica was battling a life-threatening disease and still had time to launch a support group. She was going to speak from the heart and hoped she found the words to tell them what Monica meant to her.

Gio said he hoped it was okay that he was there, and Jason said he was glad Gio came. Gio said he didn’t come as a member of the family, but was there for Monica. When she didn’t know they were related, she’d welcomed him into her home. He hoped the others didn’t get the wrong idea. Jason said he couldn’t control what other people thought, but he appreciated Gio being there. Brook and Dante walked in.

Brook said Monica would be touched that Gio came, and Gio said he didn’t know her long, but knowing her couldn’t have been better. Brook said Monica loved hearing him play. She talked about how talented he was. Dante said Gio was welcome to sit with them, but Gio said he was okay and would see them inside. Brook watched as Gio hugged Lulu, and Dante said Gio was there and it was a good thing. Brook said, progress, when Chase came in. Chase said Gio was there, and Brook said, to honor Monica. Baby steps.

Tracy and Ned arrived, and Ned told Michael, sorry they were late. Michael said Jason took care of everything, and Tracy said it would have made Jason’s mother very happy. Michael suggested they get started, and they walked in. Tracy looked at the photo collage, exchanged nods with Stella, walked to the front, and sat down.  

Martin told Drew that it wasn’t a question of what was right, but of what Monica wanted, and Drew said he knew they would have reconciled if they’d had more time. She wouldn’t have called if she’d given up on him. They loved each other and she was the only mother he’d ever known. Drew flashed back to bringing Monica a bunch of pizzas (presumably on Thanksgiving) just in case, and them hugging. He said he wasn’t letting the Quartermaines keep him from Monica’s celebration of life. He’d been kept from her actual life and wasn’t going to let Jason pretend he was her only son. Martin said he sounded angry already, and Drew said he was. Martin said, exactly. He just said the family wasn’t getting in the way of him mourning his mother, but was showing up really about Monica, or another way to screw with his family?

At the podium, Ned thanked everyone for coming on behalf of the family. They were here to honor Monica Bard Quartermaine. She had strong opinions on how her memorial should go and was clear she didn’t want it to be a sad occasion. She wanted to have a gathering of friends and family to remember her and celebrate her life, and he thought she was right – as usual. This was a celebration because they were all lucky to have known Monica and spent quality time with her, either in person or professionally. He cherished the years he had with Monica. She was the anchor of the family and always ready to welcome people into her house. Tracy flashed back to Monica telling her not to argue. They were welcoming a new baby into the house Alan gave her. Tracy asked if she was going to let one day go by without… Monica laughed, and Tracy asked why she was laughing. Monica said, because it got Tracy every time.

In the present, Ned said, to be honest, the house felt empty without her and he thought they were all a little lost. Olivia flashed back to Monica saying that she’d stood up for Drew, and that made Olivia aces in her book. This place wouldn’t be a home without Olivia being there, and she wanted Olivia to think of this as her house. Ned said it would take time for them to figure out how to live their lives without her love and guidance, but at least for today, they didn’t have to do that because Monica left one final message for them. Ned took out a letter and read: To my dear friends and family. Thank you for being part of my life. I have so many beautiful memories of all of you and hope you do too. Please share them with each other and be happy. I’m sorry to leave you, but I had a wonderful life and was truly loved, just as I’ve loved all of you.

Elizabeth said she’d known Monica almost her entire life. Her grandmother considered Monica to be one of her closet friends. Monica and Audrey worked together at General Hospital and her mother used to tell her that she had the utmost respect for Monica as a doctor. When Elizabeth started working at the hospital, she was intimidated, but didn’t need to be. Monica was so patient and willing to teach anyone who was willing to learn, no matter their position. She saw no title, but saw people, and that’s how she saw her patients too – people she spent time with and connected with. She treated them with honesty and compassion, and they loved her for it. It was the same for all of them, the staff. They were a second family, and she took care of them like she took care of the Quartermaines. She encouraged them to be the best version of themselves, and they loved her for that. Monica also inspired her to be the best version of herself and days she couldn’t, Monica forgave her, and she loved her for that. Elizabeth flashed back to Monica saying she wished she had gotten to know her grandchild. She lost Emily and AJ, and Jason was her only surviving child. If it were Elizabeth, wouldn’t she want to know she had another grandchild? In the present, Elizabeth said she was lucky to be part of the family, and her son Jake was lucky to be Monica’s grandson.

Laura said she was truly honored to be asked to speak. Like Elizabeth, she’d known Monica most of her life. When she was 15 years old, she volunteered at General Hospital as a Candy Striper, and when she met Monica, she was so impressed at how poised she was. As the years went by, she watched Monica navigate around the Quartermaine family, something even the Quartermaines might say was not such an easy task. Even though Monica married into the family, she was a Quartermaine through and through. Another job Laura had was working for Monica’s father-in-law Edward Quartermaine, a formidable and intimidating man. Even though she was young, she could see how much Edward truly loved and respected Monica. Tracy flashed back to Monica telling her that she hoped they lived happy lives for her father’s sake. Tracy said Monica loved Edward as much as she did, and Monica said, yes. And she knew the reason Edward was so healthy was because Tracy had taken good care of him after his heart attack. (Yeah, after she kept his pills from him.) Tracy said she could grow to like Monica, and Monica told her, don’t get carried away. In the present, Ned took Tracy’s hand and looked at Brook, who put her hand on Tracy’s shoulder.

Laura said, Monica saw caring for patients as an act of reverence. She only loved her own family more and she loved them very much. She treasured the time she had with them and sadly, also saw a lot of loss. She lost a son, AJ, and two daughters, Emily and Dawn, and finally, Alan, her husband. She battled breast cancer and alcoholism, and it only served to deepen her compassion for others. Felicia flashed back to giving Monica a card from Maxie and saying Maxie told her that Monica saved her life. Maxie said she knew Monica would be okay because General Hospital was the best hospital and had the best doctors and nurses. Monica said Maxie was right, and opened a handmade card. She told Felicia to thank Maxie and she’d write Maxie a note.

Laura said, Monica was generous with her time and philanthropy, two of the biggest reasons General Hospital and Port Charles were the amazing places they were today. She’d miss Monica with all her heart and knew Monica lived on in her family and in her legacy at General Hospital. She sat down, and Ned told Tracy that it was her cue. Was she really not going to say anything? Tracy said she couldn’t, and Lucy told Felicia that Tracy had to speak, or she’d regret it for the rest of her life. Felicia agreed, but said it wasn’t their call, and Lucy said, maybe Tracy needed someone to buy her more time. She went up to the podium and said she wasn’t asked to speak or scheduled to speak. Why would she be? She wasn’t part of the family and not really Monica’s friend per se. They were so-called rivals, enemies. She had a unique perspective on Monica Quartermaine and thought they all should know it. Felicia looked stunned.

Lucy said she shared a passion with Monica that everyone knew about – the Nurses Ball. As the founder and organizer, she worked closely with Monica. As a doctor, Monica saw the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS up close and firsthand and was as devoted to the cause as she was. Monica performed at many Balls and was amazing. She was amazingly generous with her time and money, and she couldn’t have done it without Monica. She was going to miss having somebody that cared as much about their special event as she did. And of course (🍷), they also shared a husband, dearly departed Alan. She knew what they were thinking. It was unorthodox for the other woman to be speaking at the memorial, but Monica believed in facing things head on. They hated each other. We flashed back to Monica telling Lucy to stop seeing her husband. If she didn’t, Monica would make sure the hospital knew what a cheap little tramp they had running their daycare. Lucy said Monica shouldn’t make high-handed threats… People who live in a glass house. Monica asked what Lucy was implying.

Lucy said, Alan and Monica could fight. They would leave, but they’d always came back. They were the love of each other’s lives. So what they can learn is that love doesn’t look the same for very couple, but they know true love when they see it. They did make their peace. She was going to miss Monica and was sorry she was gone, but so happy to know Monica and Alan were back together again. She sat down, and Olivia asked Ned if no one else from the family was going to speak.

Jason went to the podium and said Lucy was right. Monica loved Alan so much that she took him in when he was a baby. She chose to be his mother, and from that moment on, she was his mom, no matter how he distanced himself or pushed her away. She let him be his own person and go his own way. She had faith and trust that he’d find his way back to her and eventually he did. He flashed back to Monica saying, no matter what was said in anger, he was her son, and she loved him very much. In the present, he said he wasted so much time. It took him so long to figure out that she wasn’t making him someone he wasn’t. She really just loved him for who he was, in the same way she loved everybody in the family – unconditionally. She told him that he wouldn’t be able to see all the forms love could take until he had a child of his own. She was right. Not until he had his son did he realize that what he saw on her face every day was love. Sometimes there was laughter or sometimes frustration behind it, but it was always love. And that kind of love made her the best mom to Emily, AJ, and to him. So speaking for all of her kids, he wanted thank them for being there. He went to the casket and said, I don’t think I said it enough, but I love you, mom.

Jason sat down, and Tracy asked why they were waiting. Michael asked if she was sure she didn’t want to say something. Tracy said Michael was supposed to be the last one to speak, and Ned said it was okay if she wanted time to collect her thoughts. She says she didn’t, and they were holding things up. Michael went to the podium and thanked everyone for coming. It meant a lot. He grew up hearing stories about Monica. People talked about her being a brilliant surgeon and respected her, but to him, she was just grandma. It wasn’t until later he found out what a powerful woman she was, busy saving lives. He understood that intellectually, but it didn’t feel that way. She made time to sit and ask about his day. It didn’t matter if he was in elementary school or the office at ELQ. She made the time and made time for his kids. He considered himself very lucky to spend time with his grandmother. The consolation is knowing that she’ll never really be gone as long as they remember her. He hoped they would help in remembering by celebrating the incredible life she lived in joining them back at Monica’s house. So unless anyone else wanted to say something…

Michael looked at Tracy, when the door opened. Drew wheeled himself inside and he and Michael locked eyes.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…  

At the podium, Michael says he considers himself very, very lucky to have spent time with his grandmother in the past few days, and there’s some consolation in knowing she’ll never really be gone. Not as long as they remember her. He hopes it helps them remember the celebration of the incredible life she lived by joining them back at Monica’s house. So unless anyone else would like to say something… The door opens, and Drew wheels himself into the church and up to the front. Chase asks, what the hell is this guy is doing? Felicia says, talk about inappropriate, and Lucy says, and Felicia was worried about her. Drew says his name is Drew Quartermaine and he’s here to honor his mother, Monica. Jason approaches him, but Tracy says, allow her to fact check. His name is Drew Cain and he’s in no way related to Monica and in no way was he invited. Drew says he has every right… but Tracy says, he’s delusional. Drew says, she wants to deny him the family name? That’s fine, but Monica called him her son, so he has every right to say goodbye. She says, he forfeited that right when he broke Monica’s heart, and starts to push his chair back down the aisle. He asks what she’s doing, and she says, escorting him out. She wheels him out the door and into the foyer. He says, she can stop, but she says, oh no. She’s just getting started. She parks his chair near the sign-in book and says, your presence here is neither required nor desired. In fact, it’s detested. She goes back in and closes the door. She says, well, that felt good. She walks to the front and says she guesses she’s supposed to say something about her sister-in-law. She doesn’t want to do it… She has tried to avoid it… She just doesn’t know if she can do it… Okay. She’s going to try… because she knows if she doesn’t… she’ll regret it… because… because Monica means that much to her.

Tracy says, so. When she first met Monica, Monica was already engaged to her brother Alan. Her initial thought was that Monica was beautiful and would never last. She assumed her brother would grow tired of her as he usually did, and it would be over as quick as it started. Monica was beneath them. She wasn’t good enough to marry into the Quartermaine family, much less carry the Quartermaine heir. Now Monica had bamboozled her father, her mother, and her brother, and it was up to her to make sure all their eyes were open – everyone laughs – but she underestimated Monica. Monica was nobody’s victim, least of all, hers. Monica gave as good as she got, and somewhere between, during, or because of their epic battles, she grew to respect Monica. In fact, that respect grew to love. In the 45 years they were family, she came to accept that Monica was not only good enough to be one of them, she was the best of them. The Quartermaine family wouldn’t be what they were without her. Monica would do anything for the Quartermaines. Monica took care of them when they lost both of her parents and her brother. Monica was the one who kept their memories alive, and it meant so much to her. She was sorry she never told Monica… Maybe she did. She probably phrased it like an insult. Everyone laughs, and Tracy says, that was their love language. It was how they knew they cared. She never for a moment thought that she would have to live her life without Monica, but she was wrong again. She was going to have to find her way in this world without Monica. Her brother made Monica her sister-in-law, but Monica became her sister. So, my sister, it looks like I’m the last one standing, but don’t you worry. That house is yours – everyone laughs – Alan gave it to you. And as long as I’m alive, I promise you, it’ll stay that way.

Drew is back in his hospital room, and Martin says, that was fast. Did he change his mind about going to the service? Drew says, no. He went. Martin says, briefly, and Drew says, Tracy kicked him out. Or should he say, rolled him out, and nobody tried to stop her. Martin says he’s shocked, and Drew says, it’s not right. There was a time when Monica loved him, really loved him. Martin says he’s sure she did, once upon a time, and Drew says he loved her too. She was amazing. She was there for him when he lost Oscar. She sat with him at the hospital and held his hand for hours. Now all of a sudden that’s not supposed to count for anything? That just gets erased like it never even happened? Martin says, it happened… along with a lot of other things, and Drew says, now the Quartermaines see him as an enemy? Martin says, they’re angry about the role he played in what happened between Michael and Willow, and Drew says he’s angry too. The point is, that shouldn’t even matter. Martin asks what he means, and Drew says, they’re all angry. The Quartermains live for a good fight, then come together in the end because family comes first. Martin says, not always. That didn’t happen today. Drew says, it didn’t. It’s the ultimate proof that they don’t see him as family. Martin says, so? and Drew says, it’s more clear than it’s ever been that he’s not a Quartermaine and never will be.

Back at the mansion, Laura says, her heart goes out to all of them. She thought it was a beautiful ceremony. Ned says, it was, wasn’t it? and Laura says she thinks Monica would have loved the way everyone came together. Michael says, everyone except Drew, and Laura says, oh well. She doesn’t know, but she thinks Monica is looking down watching and got a big kick out of it when Tracy showed Drew the exit. If only they could get him out of congress as quickly and easily as Tracy got him out of that church. Ned says, truer words… Refreshments are in the living room. Laura says, if Tracy needs anything, she’s here, Tracy thanks her, and they hug.

In the nook, Dante wonders, where’s the staff? Why is it a one-woman operation? Olivia says she gave them the day off. She wanted it to just be family. Isn’t he supposed to be working? Dante says he got someone to cover his shift, but she says he didn’t have to. He says, Monica was important to her and she’s important to him. Monica opened the doors of her home to him, Danny, Rocco, and Scout. She was an incredible woman. Olivia says, the best, which is why she made all of Monica’s favorites. Dante says he’ll give her a hand, and she says, remember how she had him deliver the hors d’oeuvres to the block party? He says he was zigzagging through the guests and never dropped one pig in a blanket, and she says, he was the cutest little server ever. He says, they’ll see if he’s still got it, and she tells him to take the bacon wrapped eggs. It’s Gio’s favorite and he won’t be able to resist. Dante says, it’s not the time or place to try and have a conversation with him, but she says she’s not trying to pressure it. She’s just saying he showed up at the church. That says something. If he shows up at the house, she thinks it says even more. Dante says, we’ll see, and she says, get out there. The bacon wrapped eggs aren’t going to deliver themselves. He says he loves her, and leaves with the platter.

In the living room, Lucy tells Felicia, when she lived here, she did steal some of these glasses. Felicia says, of course (🍷) she did, and they clink them. Dante comes in, and Brook says, Olivia let him do something? She got tossed out of the kitchen twice already. Dante says, she knows her way around serving tray? She looks like she might be a dropper. How is she holding up? She says, pretty much how you’d expect, and he says, any truth to the rumor that Lois and Tracy were gambling in Atlantic City last night? She says she doesn’t think they were gambling together. Tracy wasn’t doing much winning, and her mom won’t put a dime on the table if the vibe or the math is off. He says, that’s true, and she says she’s not done being mad, but she admits her mom came through for them. He says he’s not happy with Lois either, but it’s true what they say about the Quartermaines. They stick together, even if they do literally try to kill each other at times. She says, they show up when it really matters, and he says, even the ones who don’t like them. She says she’s hoping Gio comes, but doesn’t expect him to, and Dante says him neither. Maybe next time, he’ll say hi and bye to them. She says she doesn’t know. Maybe her shields are worn down with everything going on, but Gio’s anger hurt more than usual. Dante says, at times like these, everything lands a little harder, and she says she hopes she lives long enough to see Gio less angry. Not just for their sake, but his. Dante says they have to just keep showing up. It’s all they can do. Speaking of showing up, Tracy’s speech was incredible. Brook says, it was perfect. She’s so proud of her. He says, Tracy reminded him of her.

Lulu joins Jason outside the boathouse and says she thought she’d find him out here. She saw him greeting people at the church. That must have been a lot. He says he did it for Monica, but he can’t do it again here, and she says she doesn’t blame him. She thinks everyone would understand if he wanted to take off. He says, it’s tempting, but he needs to be here. So many times, he wasn’t and should have been. She says, that’s not true, and he says, that he wasn’t here? She says, no. That he wasn’t present. When she lived here with her dad, she doesn’t think a day went by that Monica didn’t mention him. She loved telling stories about him, and he gave her a lot to choose from. So even though he wasn’t physically here, his presence was felt. His mom made sure of it.

Martin says, Drew and Monica were close once and not even the almighty Quartermaines can take that away from him. Drew says, right, but Michael is the golden boy and always has been. He thought Monica still loved him enough to get past the whole Michael and Willow situation. Martin says, maybe if she’d had more time, she would have, but Drew says, with Tracy spewing poison in her ear, he doubts it. The only thing that stopped him from going full steam ahead and telling the police Michael shot him was to protect Monica, but now that she was gone, forget it. All bets are off. Martin asks if he’s saying he remembers it was Michael who shot him, and Drew says he doesn’t remember a damn thing, but the police don’t have to know that. He can tell them that it all came back at any time. Martin says, whoa. Take a deep breath. It’s possible he doesn’t have to perjure himself to get revenge. Drew says, perjury is the least of what he’ll do. He’ll stop at nothing to make Michael pay for what he’s taken. If convincing the cops that Michael is the one who pulled the trigger and put two bullets in his back is the way to do that, so be it.

Michael thanks Dante for being here, and Dante says, is he kidding? Monica opened her home to him and the kids when Sam died. That was everything. She was great with his mom and Leo too. Chase says, same here. She welcomed him into the family on day one. She was such a special person. Dante says, it’s weird to refer to her in the past tense. He can’t get past that. Michael says, it’s hard to believe she’s really gone, and Dante says, whatever he needs. Michael says, he’s doing it. Showing up and putting Drew’s investigation on the back burner for a minute. Dante says, they’re with family today and that’s all that matters

Lulu asks how Laura is doing, and Laura says, fine. Why? Lulu says, other than Monica’s family, Laura is the one who’d known her the longest, and Laura says, they did go way back. Further than she’d like to admit, before she even met Lulu’s father. Lulu says, really? and Laura says, Monica came to their wedding. Lulu says, along with the rest of the world (truth!), and Laura says, Monica was the type of person who you could count on when things got tough… and things did get tough. Lulu says she’s glad Laura had Monica, and Laura says, her too. She’s a better person because she knew Monica. She hopes she never forgets that. Lulu says she’ll help Laura remember. Deal? Laura says, deal. She’s going to miss Monica so much. They hug.

Dante says, it was one heck of a remembrance, and Tracy says she wasn’t going to do it. Then she was on her feet evicting Drew. Stella says, in spectacular fashion, and Tracy says she figured she was halfway there, so… Stella asks if she’s glad she did it, and Tracy says she is. Don’t tell her family. They were all over her about paying tribute, blah-blah-blah. Stella says, tell the truth. How is she holding up? Tracy says, it’s hard losing the people she loves – obviously, her parents, her brother Alan, losing Luke, Gregory, and now, Monica. They just keep leaving. Stella says she knows how Tracy feels, but she’s still here, and Tracy says, the last man standing, but Stella says, look around, not the foyer, but this house. That big old crazy family adores her. The door opens and Stella says, the family that keeps growing. Gio walks in.

Tracy says she’s so glad he came, and Gio says he wants to offer his condolences. He’s very sorry about Monica. Tracy thanks him and says she’s sorry for his loss as well. He says he wishes he’d gotten to know Monica better, and she says, you would have loved her, and she, you. Actually, she had a head start. He asks what she means, and she says she thinks Monica played his Nurses Ball performance at least a hundred times. She couldn’t get enough of it. Who could blame her? They didn’t see eye to eye a lot, but when it came to him, they were of one mind. She’s grateful he’s here. He says him too. He saw a different side of the family today. No drama. She says, really? and he says, actually, a little with Drew in the church. What else was she going to do? She tells him, some might say she had options, but he says, not him, and she says she’s glad to hear it. He says, the family coming together to support each other made him proud to be a part of the family. He’s proud to be her great-grandson.

Dante says he talked to Brook, and Olivia says, she keeps asking to help. He says he told her that she looked like a dropper, and Olivia says, facts are facts. He says, no matter what, the family seems to come together, and she says, it’s not always pretty, but it’s true. He says, apparently, Gio is here, but he hasn’t seen him, and she says she knew he’d still be angry, but he’d still show up. It says something. He knows deep down what’s truly important. Dante says, let’s hope, and Olivia says she doesn’t have to hope. She knows she’s right. He says, Brook told him about the trip to Atlantic City. It was good Lois stalled Tracy until Ned got there. Olivia says, Lois knows her way around Atlantic City, and he says, yeah, she does. Olivia hands him a tray and says, just out of the oven. They should be served warm. He kisses her cheek and leaves.

Dante sees Gio in the living room and puts the platter on the table. Gio tells Ned that he’s so sorry about his loss, and Ned thanks him. He says, it’s been a while. Is he doing okay? Gio says, yeah. He’s taking time to figure things out. Ned says he’s glad Gio is here now, and Gio says him too. Ned says, they spent time together when Gio was living here. Little did he know Gio was his grandson. Gio says, surprise! and Ned says, no pressure, but when he’s ready, if he’s ever ready, he’d love the chance to connect. Gio says, Ned was a musician, and Ned says he still is. He’d like to think he is. He’s never played the violin. Gio says, not a lot of people can say they have, and Ned says, a rarified few play like him. His performance at the Nurses Ball showed unbelievable talent, passion, and skill. You can’t teach that. It’s just part of who he is. Gio thanks him, and Ned says, don’t tell Brook, but it’s pretty obvious Gio got his musical talent from him.  

On the phone, Portia says, perfect. Thanks. She tells Elizabeth, it’s all set for later, and Elizabeth thanks her for spearheading it. Portia says, of course (🍷). How is Jake doing with all of this? Elizabeth says, he’s devastated. He loved Monica an awful lot. She thinks he felt relieved that there were no kids at the service. It made him feel less guilty. Portia says she was wondering if it was by design, and Elizabeth says, since Scout wasn’t allowed to go… Portia says, the restraining order, and Elizabeth says, even if Jake could be here, Michael and Tracy thought it best not to include the kids. Portia says, they’re probably right with Drew crashing the service, and Elizabeth says, even if the kids had been there, she doesn’t think it would matter. Nothing could dampen Monica’s memory in their eyes. Monica’s bond with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was strong. Portia says, the kids will carry the memory of Monica forever, and Elizabeth says, her legacy.

Tracy sits in the foyer looking at the family photographs, then gets up and goes out the front door.

Ned, Olivia, Michael, Gio, Dante, and Jason have drinks in the nook, and Ned says, hand to God. The elevator door opened and there was Monica on top of his mother, strangling his mother, or at least trying to. Olivia says, Tracy is nothing if not difficult to snuff out, and Gio says, this family is insane. Ned says, it is, but they wear it with pride, and Olivia says, maybe too much pride. Gio says he loves all these stories. Monica had a full life. Michael says, she remembered everything, and when she told a story, she had a picture to go with it, so it was like you were there. Jason says, she told one to him recently that he’d never heard before, and Gio says, don’t leave them in suspense. Let’s hear it.  

Brook asks if Portia has seen Tracy, but Portia says she hasn’t. Stella says, neither has she, for some time, and Portia says, maybe she took a minute for herself, but Brook says, those don’t always work out so well. She asks Dante and Lulu if they’ve seen her grandmother, and Dante says, no, and Lulu says, but they haven’t been on the lookout for her.  Brook says she thinks Tracy is nervous, and Lulu says, she should be proud. She was so vulnerable at the church. She’s never seen Tracy that way before. Brook says, her either, but in front of all those people talking, she rose to the occasion, and Lulu says, Tracy always does.

Ned says, if he hasn’t told Olivia already, she did an incredible job with all this, and Olivia says she wanted the operation to be a reflection of who Monica was – warm and welcoming and filled with beauty and class. He says, it was all those things and more, and she says, after all the years, she knows what Monica likes. She knows how Monica felt about her entertaining and fundraising, and she just did the opposite of that. Ned laughs and says he knows it was a lot of work. He thanks her, and she says, Tracy’s speech hit home. He asks, how so? and she says she thinks she and Monica were more alike than she thought. Monica wasn’t born a Quartermaine – Monica became one – and that’s how she feels too. Ned says, she’s brilliant and beautiful and a Quartermaine through and through. He kisses her and says, God help her. They kiss again.

As they leave, Chase tells Portia and Stella, thank you for coming, and Brook turns around to see Gio. She says she’s so glad he came, and Gio says he wanted to pay his respects, for Monica. She says, Monica would appreciate it. She thought he was pretty great. She really loved having him live here. She would look out the window and listen to him practice. He thanks her for telling him that and says, see them later. He leaves, and Chase says, he showed up, didn’t he? Brook says, he showed up, yeah, and Chase says, baby steps. Brook says, yeah, and they hug.

Lucy says, what about the will? and Michael says, sorry? Lucy says she just means, what about the house? Is it going to be for sale, because the market is sizzling hot. Felicia says, let’s go, and steers Lucy to the door. Lucy says, maybe a little too soon? Felicia says, yes, and they leave.

Lulu says, it’s been a minute since she’s seen Tracy, and Michael says he was thinking the same thing. Lulu says she was hoping to say goodbye.

As she walks outside, Elizabeth sees Jason. He thanks her for being here, and she hugs him.

Drew says, Monica would have been gutted to find out Michael was arrested and he was trying to spare her that, and Martin says, so he sat on something he didn’t remember? Drew says, Monica’s not a consideration anymore and Jason is gonna hate Michael going back to prison, and Martin says he knows things between Drew and his brother and nephew are strained. But doesn’t he think he’s missing the mark? Tracy is the reason he wasn’t in the church, and she insisted on changing his name. Doesn’t he think Tracy is the Quartermaine who deserves all this fury? Drew says, she’s going to get it. She orchestrated his exile and turned the whole family against him. She deserves a world of pain, but Michael out-destroyed them all. With one phone call, he can take them all down. Martin says, Tracy only suffers if the Quartermaine legacy crumbles, and Drew says, she deserves a lot more than that. Martin says, and he has the feeling someday she’ll get it. You know what they say, in the end, karma catches up with all of us. Drew says, and when it catches up with them, he’ll have a front row seat.

Ned says, they got through it somehow, and Olivia says, it was a touching, emotional, beautiful day. Michael says, exactly what Monica would have wanted. Everyone gathered to celebrate her, not mourn her. Ned says, to Monica, a woman who fought for this family until her last breath. As his mother said, she was not just one of us. She was the best of us. Michael says, I’ll miss you, grandma, and Jason goes to the foyer.

Jason goes up the stairs and stops midway. He looks up and says, I once told you… that you never lost me. I won’t lose you either. You will always be my mom. I love you. He raises his glass and we flash back over Monica’s life. Her journey with Alan, them meeting and getting married, sharing her cancer battle with him. With Emily and young Jason. Performing at the Nurses Ball with Tracy, toasting with Tracy, telling Tracy, this is my house, and Alan gave it to me, and Alan’s death. Jason says he knows she loves him and he loves her too. He flashes back to Monica hugging him, and he sighs.

Portia, Stella, Felicia, Elizabeth, and Laura gather at the GH memorial G GH Memorial wall. They look at the new photo of Monica, and Laura says, you worked so hard. Now rest. Elizabeth hugs Laura.

Tracy sees the crypt door ajar and goes in. She sees a woman facing the plaques and says, who are you and why the hell are you trespassing? The woman turns around and says, you must be Tracy Quartermaine. Tracy says, and you are? and the woman says, someone who’s been waiting quite a while to meet you.

It’s Victoria Lord Erika Slezak!

On Monday, Anna says there’s been a turn of events; Nina tells Obrecht and Britt that they’re going to need each other to get through this; Felicia tells Spinelli that James has the right to know his father is alive; and Willow introduces herself to Nathan.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It’s about time, although I have to say, they did a bang-up job.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-pays-tribute-to-leslie-charleson-and-monica-quartermaine/

Leslie Charleson’s last interview IRL.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-leslie-charlesons-final-interview-reflecting-on-her-decades-as-monica-excl/

More from the real side. It was a weird world for all of us.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-steve-burton-on-jasons-monica-memorial-monologue-i-was-there-emotionally/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-jane-elliot-on-tracys-and-her-own-mourning-for-leslie-charlesons-monica/

She seems like she’d be amazing to work with.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-giovanni-mazza-on-jane-elliot-one-of-the-great-joys-of-my-life-excl/

I can’t wait to see how she stirs the pot. I can tell already that she and Jane Elliot will be making enemy magic.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/one-life-to-live-alum-erika-slezak-on-her-completely-different-general-hospital-role/

I don’t remember him, but if he was a Cassadine, he deserves a final bow.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/andre-landzaat-the-first-cassadine-on-general-hospital-dies-at-81/

To end on a lighter note, actors who began their careers on soaps.

https://extratv.com/photos/image_jpg_20100105_6a0dc430b95a5ecaa804e02330515779/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

The first thing I noticed was that Heather has Ozempic face. Brrr… After their pseudo Blair Witch escapade, the women talked about their lives. Heather said she’d gritted her teeth while being a good Mormon wife and mother and felt guilty. Bronwyn moved her daughter’s boyfriend in so her daughter wouldn’t move out just yet. Whitney said she now wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but couldn’t, especially after their business had been a fail. Mary said, some days, Robert Jr. was good, and some days he wasn’t. She was taking it one day at a time and letting him figure it out. She gave kudos to the women raising kids by themselves and said it was an accomplishment. Heather met with Lisa for lunch and told her about the dismissed lawsuits being discussed. Lisa got weepy and condescending at the same time. Bronwyn and Whitney discussed the possibility that Lisa had a side piece paying for her lip filler. Once again, more real than any of these women’s petty bullsh*t was Robert Jr., who told Mary that he felt like he was at a standstill. He wasn’t in a dark place, but it was still there. Mary said he had to retrain his mindset, and he said it was scary. He didn’t hang out with anyone anymore. In Mary’s interview, she said she’d been a helicopter mom and felt it led Robert to not telling her the truth. Bronwyn met Heather, wanting to talk outside the friend group and see if they could be friends or needed to just co-exist. Heather was concerned about the back and forth with Bronwyn and Lisa, and Bronwyn said Lisa had been talking smack about her, and it could either be called retaliatory or meeting Lisa where she was. Heather said it shouldn’t affect the rest of them. Later at a party, Lisa called Bronwyn a gout d*ck sucker. Huh?

Real Housewives Of Orange County

I think maybe these women need to read more… or something. In their respective interviews, Shannon had a hard time with the fool me once credo, and Gina said don’t make a mountain out of a mouse hill, trying it several more times before a producer took her out of her misery. There were some good moments with Tamra and her daughter Sophia, but those were counteracted when she nearly belted Gretchen then walked out because Gretchen had been talking sh*t about her. Which also made me wonder if there wasn’t a grain of truth about her banging the band member. And really, who cares? After pitching a screeching fit – why must Tamra always screech? – she walked out. Is she quitting again, or…? Gretchen also arranged for the group to take a self-defense class, and in her interview, Fancy Pants Heather thought because she lived on the 38th floor with lots of security downstairs, nothing could possibly happen to her. Does she never leave her apartment? Has she never heard the phrase, don’t sh*t in your own backyard?

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhoc-recap-tamra-judge-melts-down-over-boy-band-affair-rumor/

Real Housewives Of Miami

I didn’t get a whole lot out of this episode, except for more arguments at parties. Oh, and Adriana probably shouldn’t set her sights on a music career, even though she sang about her dog. This was the finale, but even the factoids at the end were ho-hum. However, the three-part Reunion looks promising.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhom-finale-recap-real-housewives-is-where-friendships-go-to-explode/

Welcome To Plathville

I’m including this one this week because several people on this show are totally psycho. Ethan is a big baby man who likes to have literal tantrums where he throws things around. And Micah’s girlfriend Veronica doesn’t just stir the pot. She molds it on a pottery wheel, glazes it, and fires it. In her interviews, she looks absolutely insane as she comes up with every insult and scenarios that are only in her head involving the Plaths and their significant others. At a wedding, she schmoozes with the cows on the farm rather than attending like a normal human, while at the reception, Ethan throws her seashell place card across the field. I’m trainwreck fascinated by this whole peculiar crew that I’ve watched grow even weirder since the first season where they merely seemed unconventional.

Random Reality Items

In case you were wondering.

Hopefully, he doesn’t need new teeth.

A VanderBaby!

You can’t keep a good Morgan down.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Superman. HBO/MAX. I really enjoyed this. I didn’t read much about it beforehand, so I had no preconceptions, and was delighted to find a lot of the plot revolved around Krypto, Superman’s dog. Which should be no surprise to anyone who knows me. I could also identify, since Krypto doesn’t listen, much like my own dogs. The overworked and sometimes frustrated Man of Steel was more humanized, which I appreciated, and I loved the inclusion of a few other Superheroes. The acting was worthy and the special effects, a chef’s kiss. If there wasn’t so much streaming, so little time, I’d watch this again.

https://people.com/see-the-superman-2025-cast-vs-their-original-characters-11770576

Never Let Me Go. Netflix. One of the most depressing movies I’ve ever seen. People live to be over 100 years old because they’re harvesting organs from clones. The clones are required to make three organ donations once they turn 18, and by donation three, well, they’re dead. The depressing part was the clones thought they were actual people and had feelings. It has a supremely sad ending and I was bummed for the rest of the night. I noticed director Mark Romanek also directed One Hour Photo, a magnificently acted, but also disturbingly depressing film that I will never, ever watch again.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/never-let-me-go-15-year-anniversary

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

I’m so looking forward to this. Premiering December 17th. And I don’t think the teaser spoiled anything.

https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-movies-shows/fallout-season-2-teaser-sets-release-date-and-introduces-new-vegas-but-did-it-spoil-too-much-video

🎺 Early Roll Call…

Stars we’ve lost so far in 2025:

https://extratv.com/photos/image_jpeg_20250923_25e72ac1c25143dea5ea001dd403bfd0/

🐾 Lifestyles Of the Rich and Furry…

🐩 Historically famous pets.

https://www.loveproperty.com/gallerylist/389888/historic-photos-show-celebrities-and-their-pets-at-home-through-the-years

💰 Spoiled pets.

https://www.kinship.com/pet-lifestyle/how-the-rich-spoil-pets

🐕 Bollywood pets.

🦉 Quotes of the Week

The point is not to pay back kindness, but to pass it on.Julia Alvarez

Someone who has never failed somewhere, that person cannot be great. Failure is the true test of greatness. – Herman Melville

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself. – Harvey Fierstein

In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion. – Albert Camus

Silent and listen is the same word, just misspelled. – CyHi the Prynce

Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping-stones to success. – Dale Carnegie

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. – James Baldwin

How you think when you lose determines how long it will be until you win. – Gilbert K. Chesterton

Fireball makes you talk a lot of sh*t.Tamra Judge, Real Housewives of Orange County

Superman doesn’t have time for selfies. – Superman (David Corenswet), Superman

🍁 Bring On the Flannel…

Until next week, stay safe; stay buying your Halloween candy early or risk them being out of mini Tootsie Pops (and get the Holiday Barbie while you’re at it); and stay never forgetting, it’s Monica’s house. Alan gave it to her.

September 19, 2025 – GH Weekdays, The News Of Monica’s Death Is Not Premature, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, The Emmy Went To, Happenings In the Wild, Quotes Of Three Squared & Song

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Drew thanked Martin for coming to see him. Drew said he needed a lawyer, and it had to be Martin.

Chase told Anna that he didn’t know if anything had been taken from Drew’s safe, but he noticed something pertaining to a completely different crime.

While Sidwell and Marco waited for the launch, Marco asked if Sidwell had killed Judge Haran. Sidwell said he didn’t, but Marco did.

Jason went to Sonny’s office, and Brick said, long time, no see. Sonny told him, welcome back, and Carly said it was about time he showed up.

Josslyn wondered about getting information from Colette, and Jack said she hadn’t caved, but there might be a workaround. He told Josslyn and Vaughn that their getaway was against regulations, and Josslyn asked, since when did he care about regulations? Jack said he’d earned the right, and their little stunt was going to cost them both.

Nina said it had been an emotional evening. She was sure Obrecht didn’t mean to slap Britt, but Britt said it was the mother she’d always known. Shoot first. Obrecht was about to  react, when Nina said, stop. They were family, like or not. They’d all grieved when they lost Nathan, and she and Obrecht grieved when they thought they lost Britt, but she was back with them. It was like a miracle. Could they focus on that and could Obrecht say she was sorry… please? Britt asked if Obrecht was sorry, and Obrecht said she was. Sorry she’d wasted a second of time grieving for Britt.

Jack said personal relationships were strictly forbidden, and Vaughn said it wasn’t Josslyn’s fault. Jack said it mad agents emotionally compromised, which affected their judgment, and they became vulnerable and made bad judgements as a result. Like Jason needing to rescue them. Vaughn said he wouldn’t have needed to if there hadn’t been a double agent working under Jack’s nose for months, and Jack asked if he’d made his point clear. He should send them to opposite hemispheres, so they never worked together again, but it would be inconvenient for him. He needed them both close to home. So regardless of their bad judgement… He told Vaughn, congratulations. You’ve been promoted.

Carly asked where Jason was, and Sonny asked if he found Britt. Jason said he did.

Obrecht said she’d just spent the last two years reliving Britt’s death, holding Britt in her arms, sensing her slip away, and exactly the moment she was gone. She would imagine what would have happened if Britt had lived. Now she found out Britt’s death was a lie, and she was living it up. She could never imagine Britt could be this cruel. She was selfish, just like her father. Britt said she was exactly like Obrecht.

Marco said he had nothing to do with Judge Haran’s death, and Sidwell said Marco killed her when he went behind his back and told Drew about the payoff. She had to be silenced. There were other factors, but he couldn’t risk her folding under pressure. She’d called, telling him that a detective was asking questions about the Corinthos custody case. If she was worried over something minor, imagine if real pressure was applied. Even though Marco’s actions caused her demise earlier than planned, she dealt her fate the moment she took the bribe.

Martin said, if Drew remembered, he’d quit, but Drew said he was pretty sure he fired Martin. Martin said, six of one, and Drew said Martin couldn’t afford not to take the job. Martin said there were some things more important than money, and why would Drew want him to be his counsel? Drew said they’d known each other a long time (I thought, aww, a nod to AMC) and despite their differences, Martin had a certain flexibility that he appreciated. Martin said he’d never work for Drew again, and Drew said, even if it meant saving Stella Henry?

Martin asked what exactly Drew was offering, and Drew said he could make the whole investigation go away. He could get the charges dropped and get Stella reinstated at GH like nothing happened. In return, he’d have access to Martin’s unprecedented legal services, and he’d give Martin a raise. But he needed to know right now what it was going to be. Martin said he’d start right after Drew got off the phone with the Insurance Fraud Division.

Anna said it put a new spin on things, and Chase said it could be a set-up to implicate Drew in the judge’s death. Anna called Turner and asked her to come to the office. She thought Turner should see something that was brought to her attention. It had to do with Judge Haran’s murder.

Vaughn wasn’t sure how anything Jack said led to him being promoted, and Jack said he wasn’t happy about it, but Colette was at the Hague being charged with treason, he needed a second in command, and Vaughn knew the players. His undercover days were over. Josslyn asked if she’d finally get to tell her friends and family that she was an agent, but Jack said, not yet. He had a different assignment for her.

Carly asked if Britt was alive, and Jason said she was. He thanked Brick for his intel on the Five Poppies, and Brick said there was a rumbling in Dalmatia. Was that him? Carly asked where he was, and Jason asked if she remembered that he’d seen Britt at the airport in Paris. She said she thought he let that go, but Jason said he tracked her to a resort in Dalmatia, the Five Poppies. Brick said Jason had reached out and he gave Jason a rundown on the place. There were rumors it was more than it seemed. Carly said she guessed Sonny must have known and wondered why they didn’t let her know. Jason said he’d asked Sonny not to say anything because someone went to a lot of trouble to fake Britt’s death. If she didn’t want to be found, he was going to respect that and leave her alone. Sonny said, Britt could have been forced, like Jason was with Jagger and the FBI. Carly said, so Jason found her. Did he leave her there? Jason said, no. He brought her back to Port Charles.

Britt said Nina bought Obrecht’s act, but she knew the real her, the one who thought birthday presents made a child soft. Obrecht said, apparently, she was right, and Britt said, Obrecht was never satisfied, and she was always an afterthought, merely to be endured, especially when Obrecht was running around with Cesar. She was sickeningly desperate for that man’s attention. Britt learned who was important and it wasn’t her. Obrecht said she was tough on Britt to make her strong, to help her survive, and Britt said, then Obrecht should understand why she made a life when she still had one. She couldn’t watch Obrecht be sad and waste more of the little time she had left to make Obrecht feel better about her diagnosis. Obrecht said, that was a monstrous thing to say, and Britt said she was the monster Obrecht raised her to be.

Marco said he didn’t want murder to happen, and Sidwell said he didn’t make the decision lightly. If she’d taken the money, maintained her composure, and kept her mouth shut, everything would be fine. Cracks eventually spread. What was done, was done, and Marco should think of the bigger picture. Think about his mother and how Sonny made her suffer.

On the phone, Drew said he appreciated it. So they’d call HR at General Hospital and get Stella Henry reinstated… Wonderful. Thank you. He asked if Martin was happy now, and Martin said, ecstatic. Stella should never have been persecuted for sticking up for patients, but he appreciated Drew getting involved. Drew said, close enough. He needed an injunction. He didn’t want the PCPD going through the contents of his safe. Martin asked what he was afraid they’d find, reminding Drew that he now had attorney/client privilege. Drew said his safe contained evidence that Dr. Portia Robinson tampered with test results. It could cost her medical license, and she could even be sent to prison. Martin said blackmail was a bad look and asked if Drew realized it could be considered a crime, and Drew said, make sure the police never see the evidence.

Obrecht said Britt pretended to die a hero’s death, then ran like a coward, and Britt said she needed a break from Obrecht making everything about herself. If she was having such a wonderful life, why would she come back? Obrecht said, something went awry, and Britt said, the WSB got wind of her research and stuck their nose in. Silly her. She thought she was happy. Obrecht thought for a moment, then laughed. She asked if Britt was broke, and Britt said she didn’t need or want their money. Nina said if the WSB was poking around, Britt was in trouble, and Britt said, no. She just had to leave Dalmatia quickly. She’d appreciate it if Nina could float her a short-term loan. Obrecht said, there it is. When the WSB shut down her research, they blocked her funds. Nina told Britt, of course (🍷), and Obrecht said, don’t you dare. Nina gave her a look.

Jack said Josslyn was going back to school, but Josslyn said she left so abruptly, she doubted Dalton would let her in the lab. Jack told her not to worry about Dalton. He wanted her in place in PCU. Vaughn asked what they should tell people, and Josslyn said her mom would have a lot to say about her dating an agent. Jack said he assumed Carly knew, thanks to Jason, but Josslyn said she didn’t think so. She’d asked Jason not to say anything and he’d respect that. Even though her mom and Jason were close, he made it a point to stay out of other people’s business, and he knew it wasn’t his secret to tell. It was hers.

Jason said, the WSB arrived, and Britt wanted out, so he brought her back. Brick said, nicely done. He liked how Jason kept things interesting. Carly said she hoped Britt was grateful, and Jason said, she was Britt. Carly said, a lot happened when he was gone. Did he hear someone tried to kill Drew? Jason asked if they knew who did it, and she said, not yet, but they were looking at Michael. He asked if Michael had an alibi.

Anna told Turner that they’d found a wire transfer to a Swiss bank, Judge Haran’s personal in Drew’s safe. Turner said, on its own, it was shaky, and Anna said, it was dated a day before the judge granted Michael custody and denied the mother visitation, which was highly irregular. Turner said she agreed, but why pay the judge to go against his fiancé? Wouldn’t he pay to ensure she won? Chase said Drew didn’t care what Willow wanted. He was manipulating her because he wanted to have her all to himself. Anna said, Willow agreed to marry him only after she’d lost custody, and Chase said, she was desperate. Turner said, if the bribe was exposed… and Anna said, Drew would be highly motivated to stop Haran from implicating him.

Jack said if Jason kept their secret, Josslyn would be in the clear. If he told Carly, he’d have to inform her of the State Secrets Act. Josslyn can’t tell anyone she’s WSB. Josslyn said she highly doubted that would be Carly’s first concern, but she’d throw herself over that bridge when the time came. If she was needed at PCU, she’d be at PCU. Jack said, good. There would be a setback for whoever Pascal, Britt, and Dalton were working for, but they were still a long way from solving the problem. They’d Dalton was at the end of the pipeline, so Vaughn would focus on him. Vaughn said he thought they’d decided Dalton was a small player, but Jack said he was still their best lead. It was no coincidence that Britt was back in Port Charles. Dalton’s research was in cold fusion, which could be dangerous if the application was misused. They ran the risk of a catastrophic error. Vaughn had to establish a connection and do it fast.  

Britt said she didn’t expect anything. They could keep their pride and their money. She could earn a living as a doctor. Obrecht said, without her license? and Britt said she thought Obrecht liked her better when she was dead. Then she could imagine Britt the way she wanted her to be instead of dealing with the person she actually was. Obrecht said Britt was right. As far as she was concerned both of her children were dead. At least Nathan deserved her tears. Nina said, don’t do this, but Britt said, no, it was good they both knew the truth now, and walked out.

Sonny said the cops didn’t have much at the moment. He had an appointment to see them. Diane was representing Alexis. Before Drew was shot, he served Alexis, Kristina, and Molly with restraining orders to stay away from Scout. Carly said he also served Rocco, and now that Jason was back in town, he’d probably get served. Brick said he’d take Drew down himself if he had the chance, and Carly said she already gave Anna an alibi. She was with Jack. She said she needed to get home and hugged Brick. Jason asked if she was okay, and she said she was still mad that he and Sonny left her out, but she was glad he was home. They hugged and she left.

Sidwell asked about the suspects in Drew’s shooting, and Marco said Alexis was one and Diane was representing her. He was representing Michael. Michael had reservations, but agreed to have him at the initial questioning. Sidwell asked if he said anything of interest, and Marco said Michael’s alibi was that he was with an escort. He doubted it would hold up under scrutiny. Brook called him during that time, and it proved Michael wasn’t home. Sidwell said the Judge Haran subject was closed, and Marco agreed. Sidwell said, very good. Never betray him again.

On the phone, Turner said, when? and told Anna, two minutes ago, the PCPD was barred from examining the contents of Drew’s safe. It would be an illegal search. Anna said, it was open and in plain sight, but Turner said, everything would be inadmissible. Anna said they couldn’t use it, and Turner said it seemed Drew’s lawyer wasn’t aware it had been inventoried. She was going to interview Drew before a judge said she couldn’t. Anna thanked her and Turner left. Chase said the document would incriminate Drew, but Anna said, forget him. He’s Turner’s problem now. They had another one – him.

Jason asked what they were doing about Michael’s cover, and Brick said he had an idea. Sonny asked if Jason had checked in with his son. Did Danny tell him that he and Rocco had found a dead body. They weren’t in danger, and they called him. It was Judge Haran, and he didn’t think it was a coincidence that her body was found near his piers. Jason said, Sidwell, and Sonny said, right. Jason said he had to get going.

Josslyn said she wasn’t sure how significant Jason and Britt’s connection was, but Jason was the only reason Britt came back. Jason got her out of a bad situation that had nothing to do with what was going on at the Five Poppies. Jack said, she might know about the work going on there. She’d have to be debriefed or taken into custody. Josslyn said they were alive because of Britt. She told Jason where to find them. Vaughn said, Pascal was ready to kill them and considered Britt a traitor, and Jack said, good. More incentive for her to cooperate.

Britt sat on a bench at Pier 54 and flashed back to several tender moments with her mutter. Britt said Obrecht was right. She was dead.

Turner went to see Drew, and he said she’s the woman who could have prevented this nightmare. She should have arrested Michael after the assault. Now Michael tried to kill him. Turner said the PCPD was investigating the shooting. She was here to discuss the contents of his safe. He said he was filing an injunction and wasn’t answering any questions, but she said his lawyer must not know the injunction was too late.

Anna said Chase’s conduct confirmed her concerns. He was too emotionally invested in taking down Drew. Chase said, Willow had been through hell. She had a breakdown and went to the hospital. She had to know that Drew was the one who had her kids taken away. Anna said, maybe she already did. If Willow knew Drew was responsible for the judge ruling against her, that could give her a motive to shoot him. Chase said, she’d never do that, and Anna said, there was his bias. He said he thought Willow had a right to know how far Drew was willing to go, and she said if Willow even sensed Drew was involved to the point he’d bribe the judge, it would be a motive to kill him. He said, anyone who knew Drew had a motive to kill him, and she told him that she was only going to say this once. Do not tell anyone.

Turner said they found an interesting document, and Drew said she knew they couldn’t act on what they found if they obtained it during an illegal search. She said she’d be challenging that. The injunction remained to be decided. If he didn’t do anything wrong, it was in his best interest to clear up any misperception. He asked what document she was referring to, and she said, a receipt for a wire transfer of one million dollars to Judge Eve Haran. Why would he have it unless it was his money? It looked like a bribe that came from him.

Brick said he had to get going. He had business in LA. Sonny asked if his business had to do with the beautiful model he heard Brick was hanging with, but Brick said, hearsay. Sonny said he appreciated everything Brick did, and Brick said, don’t worry. He planted evidence that would hold up. Sonny said if he heard the cops were focusing on Michael, Brick was going to hear from him again, and Brick said he’d do what he had to so it would stop. Sonny had his word.

Jack asked if they were both clear on their assignments, and Vaughn said he was returning to Port Charles an official WSB agent. Josslyn said she’d stay there and resume her normal life, and Jack said, that didn’t include them dating. He was headed to the airport. Vaughn said he’d grab his things, but Jack said he wasn’t coming. Personal relationships were a violation and would cease to exist the moment they left. that’s why he’s giving them 24 more hours together. Enjoy it. It was never going to happen again. He left.

Obrecht said Britt would come crawling back for money. Nina would and must say no. Britt deserved nothing. Nina said she knew Obrecht was hurting. Obrecht was a mother like her, and she got it. Britt deceiving her was terrible, but she knew Obrecht still loved her daughter. Obrecht said she did love Britt. She always would, but she would never forgive her.

Britt said it was an epic fail. Only her mother could make her miss Pascal. She tried her phone, but there was no connection. Jason joined her and asked if she was okay. She said, no. It was a mistake coming back here at all.

Tuesday:

Gio asked the Brown Dog bartender to put up a flyer about Outback, then sat down with Emma. He suggested there was one other thing they could do.

Elizabeth met Molly at the bar and Molly asked if she’d heard from Ric.

Kristina told Ava that Elizabeth responded Ric’s email. She said she understood why he was away, but what if she went looking? Ava said Elizabeth didn’t have the time or income, and once she talked to Willow, Elizabeth wouldn’t want anything to do with Ric.

Willow went to see Nina and said there was an issue with lawyer. Nina was the only one who could help her.

Brook went to Maxie’s to take her turn looking after the kids, and Lulu said, James insisted on seeing Cody and was at the stables. Brook had no idea what their truce was costing her. The Britch was back.

Britt asked why Jason was at the piers. Was he stalking her? He said no, and she said, good. She wanted him to stay away from her.

Felicia said Cody was the only person James wanted to see, and James said he dreamed he was looking for his mom. It was his fault his mom wasn’t waking up.

Brook asked if Lulu saw Britt, and Lulu said she had. Brook asked if Rocco had seen her, and Lulu said no, but he would. She was still angry, but Brook was right and had just moved up the inevitable. Now Rocco was even more curious about Britt.

Britt said, so of all the piers in all of Port Charles, Jason just happened to walk onto hers. Admit it. He was keeping tabs. Jason said his son found a dead body in the water two days ago, and Britt asked, how? Jason said, Danny and Rocco were taking his boat out, and Britt said Rocco was a stupid name. He’d always be Ben to her.

Ava told Kristina that she’d bcc’d Willow on Ric’s invoice. He told everyone that he was representing Willow pro bono, but Nina was footing the bill. Willow was going to be furious and would go to Elizabeth, who wouldn’t look for him after that. Kristina said it was genius, and Ava said, as an added bonus, Willow would fire Ric. Kristina said, but wasn’t Nina Ava’s friend?

Willow told Nina about Ric’s email and confronted her about hiring Ric.

Gio suggested a cash reward, and Emma thought they could get Tracy to do it, but he said he’d ask his grandfather, Sonny. Tracy was honest and he’d considered her a friend, but now that she was his great-grandmother, she’d totally changed.

Elizabeth told Molly that she’d been concerned, but after reading Ric’s email, it made sense. She was starting to think it would do him some good. Molly said Ric never made it a secret that he cared about Elizabeth, and she was good for him, better than Ava. Elizabeth said, before Ric left, he’d said things were over with Ava, and Molly said it was because of Kristina.

Ava told Kristina that she didn’t feel good about outing Nina, but if it kept Ric on ice and got them what they needed, sometimes you had to make a deal with the devil. Kristina agreed, but said they had to make sure no one found Ric, get their money back, and not be discovered. Lucas came in and was surprised to see Ava and Kristina together.

Willow asked if Nina was paying Ric, and Nina said, yes. Willow explained how she found out, and Nina said she wasn’t going to let Willow lose her children. Willow could be angry, but all Ric was doing was trying to get her children back. Willow wondered if Ric’s legal advice for her to stay away from Drew was from him or Nina.

Felicia said James had nothing to do with his mother being sick, and Cody asked where he got the idea. James said, when he broke his arm, his mom said he nearly gave her heart failure, but Cody said, that’s not how it worked. Felicia agreed and said they didn’t know the reason, but James had nothing to do with it. His mother always loved that he was up for an adventure. Cody said she would want James to keep adventuring, and he could tell her about it when she woke up.

Jason said Dante and Sam had been raising Rocco and Danny together and they considered themselves brothers, and Britt asked if he spent time with Rocco. He said, a fair amount, and Britt asked what he was like. Jason said, Rocco was thoughtful, perceptive, kind, and asked deep questions. He loved baseball and was pretty responsible. He tried to do the right thing. Britt said he was nothing like her, and laughed.

Kristina said she was just going and thanked Ava for letting her take Avery to dance class. She left, and Lucas said, no bullets or bloodshed. What was going on? Ava said they were making baby steps to peace, and he asked, why? She said it was better for Avery, and he said it seemed like a giant leap. She asked if he’d had a tough day, and he said, a dead woman walked into the ER.

Cody said James had to plan his next adventure. He suggested arranging for James to ride Comet, and Felicia said she thought it was a marvelous idea. Cody said he, James, and Comet this Friday, and he and James spit shook on it. Felicia asked if James was ready for a good night’s sleep, and James said he was going to dream of riding Comet for practice.  

Gio told Emma, before the truth came out, he’d earned Tracy’s respect, but now he could feel how much she wanted him to be her great-grandson. Sonny always treated him like family and he could always go to Sonny for help. Emma said Sonny chose Gio before he knew Gio was family, while Tracy did afterwards. Emma’s phone rang, and she said, they had information about her dog? They were on their way.

Brook asked if Lulu told Rocco that Britt was alive, and she said she wand Dante told Rocco what they knew. Brook asked how he reacted, and lulu said he wanted to meet Britt and see what she was like. Brook asked what she was like, and Lulu said, she was the same. The nightmare part was she hoped Britt was her same awful self and Rocco would want nothing to do with her. But what if Rocco opened up like he did with Obrecht and Britt rejected him? What if he got hurt?

Britt told Jason that Rocco wasn’t really her son. She didn’t even raise him. She was just his surrogate, or thief if she was honest. Was he a good kid? Jason said he was a thinker and planner. Danny was a risk taker. She said, they balanced each other out, and he said they were good for each other. Britt said, if Danny was like his father, she knew he was good for Rocco. Jason asked what she was doing there in the middle of the night. He wasn’t leaving her out there alone. Where was she staying?

Nina told Willow that Michael said he’d never let her see her kids as long as Drew was in the picture, so she instructed Ric to advise her to keep her distance. She needed to stay away. Willow asked why she should take advice from Nina. All Nina had done was lie to her. Nina said she didn’t know how to tell Willow because she didn’t want to hurt her, and Willow said Nina always had good reasons, but the real reason was that Nina wanted to control her. Nina said the only person calling the shots was Drew because Willow kept letting him.

Lucas told Ava that he’d been stitching up Rocco when Elizabeth ran in going on about a non-existent protocol. He picked up on her stall, and afterward, she told him that Britt was alive and well. Ava asked why Britt’s resurrection interested him, and he said she had a bigger part in his life than he wanted thanks to Brad.

Molly told Elizabeth about Kristina hiring Cody to seduce Ava and said Kristina was hoping Ric would into Elizabeth’s arms. Elizabeth said she cared about Ric, but they were better as friends, and Molly promised not to be like her sister. Even if they weren’t together, Elizabeth was still a good influence.

Kristina found Cody at the stables, and he asked if she was there to ream him out for telling Ava about her plan. Kristina said she didn’t love that, and he said, sorry for killing her plan. She said, apology accepted. It still worked out, but that wasn’t why she was here. She was here about Molly.

Lucas told Ava that Brad and Britt were literal partners in crime. They schemed and brought out each other’s worst impulses. Ava said, maybe Brad felt he could be honest with Britt ways he couldn’t be with Lucas, and Lucas said probably, but they both contributed to their relationship failing. After Britt supposedly died, Brad grief dialed him, but after the conversation Brad would ask to meet up and he would say he couldn’t. If Brad knew Britt was alive the whole time, what if Brad was using his sympathy for fake grief to get him back?

Lulu told Brook that Britt was self-centered and didn’t give a damn about Rocco. The only reason she’d stolen the embryo was to trap Patrick Drake. Brook said it was beyond a violation, and Lulu said, now that she was back, it was bringing that back up again. Brook said, on the bright side, Rocco knew how much Lulu and Dante loved him and wanted what was best for him, and Lulu said if she tried to keep them apart, in Rocco’s eyes, she was the bad guy. It would just make him more curious than before.

Britt said she didn’t want Jason to take her anywhere, but he said since she was on the pier in the middle of the night, he was guessing she had no place to go. She said maybe she wanted to look at the skyline and the water, and he asked why she wasn’t at Nina’s or her mother’s. She said her mother wasn’t happy to see her. She didn’t have a long friend list, but Brad would be happy to take her in. He said Brad didn’t live there anymore, and she said, fine. She was resourceful and would figure it out. He said, stop. She may not think so, but she still had a friend in Port Charles.

Kristina said Cody agreed to help Molly, so she knew he still cared. Tell her how they left things. Cody said Molly was cordial, and Kristina said, cordial Molly was the worst. He said she asked him not to call unless it was an emergency, and Kristina said nothing scared Molly more than feelings. That’s how she knew Molly cared about him. He said Molly made it clear she didn’t want to hear from him, and he was leaving her alone. He left to check on the horses, and Kristina said, the cowboy protests too much.

Emma said she should have gotten Outback chipped, and Gio said, the person who called found her collar. He’d talk to his grandfather about the reward. Emma was worried Outback was taken to a kill shelter. All Outback wanted was love, and she screwed that up like she screwed up everything. What if Outback was lost or hurt? Gio sat next to Emma and put his arm around her.

Nina said Willow refused to see what was right in front of her face, that she threw her life away for a terrible man. She wasn’t the first and wouldn’t be the last. Willow said it wouldn’t have happened if Nina told the truth, but Nina said she used to believe it would have made a difference, but all anyone heard over and over from Willow was that Drew was a good man.  Willow continued to blame her and everyone else for her own failure to see what was in front of her. Drew’s daughter ran away from camp twice to see her family. Willow said she didn’t agree with that decision, and Nina asked if she told that to Drew… That’s what she thought. Willow said Drew was Scout’s father, and Nina said she was still making excuses for him. She could find a freezer full of heads in Drew’s basement and still go on about him being a good man. Willow said that was true once, but she saw who he was, and Nina asked why she let him control her. Willow said he’d promised to get her children back, but Nina said he used her children to get Willow to do what he wanted. Willow said he had power and influence, and Nina said, over Willow. Willow said, if Nina was right and she’d given up control of her life to Drew, Nina was the one who stood by and watched him do it. (Wow. Zero accountability.)

Brook said, Britt might hurt Rocco, but whatever happened, he’d be fine with Lulu and Dante backing him. It sounded like Rocco needed his mom.

Gio wiped Emma’s tears as they sat side by side. He said he didn’t buy that she’d given up. She didn’t do that. She said he was right and she damn sure wasn’t going to start now. Grab a flyer. They were going to find Outback.

Cody came back with a sandwich and said Kristina didn’t know what she was talking about. He got a beer from the cooler, and when he turned around, his sandwich was gone. He looked around and laughed when he saw Outback eating it.  

Lucas told Ava that it was possible Brad knew Britt was alive and might have helped, but how could he know for sure? If Brad denied it, he couldn’t believe him, but if he admitted it, he couldn’t believe him. Ava asked why Brad would lie about helping Britt, and Lucas said because in Brad’s mind, if he told the truth, he could push Lucas away to protect him. She said she got it, and he said Brad was in the past and he was moving on with Marco. She said if Britt’s best friend was in town, how long did Lucas think he’d stay away?

Britt told Jason, of course (🍷) she wasn’t friendless. She had options and enough for a room at the Pinecone Hotel. He said it was condemned last year – black mold – and she said, then it was free, but he said he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She said, fine, but just for one night.

Molly said her dad would never try to change, but Elizabeth said she thought Molly was selling him short. He’d made some terrible choices, but since he’d been back, he was trying to make better ones. Molly said, for example… and Elizabeth said he was fighting hard for Willow. She knew it was his job, but he was doing it pro bono, and she thought it spoke well of him.

Nina said Willow still blamed her for her own terrible decisions. People said she only cared about what she wanted and never took responsibility for her own actions. Like mother, like daughter, she guessed. Willow said she was nothing like Nina. She could try to blame Drew, but Nina was the one responsible. Nina said they were back where they started. Drew sleeping with her and destroying Willow’s family and marriage and committing adultery. Willow ignored the warnings of everyone about what a bad man Drew was, but it was still her fault. Willow said Nina and her secrets and lies had taken everything from her. Maybe someone should do that to Nina. She left.

Wednesday:

Cody read the headline in The Invader about the judge’s murder. Outback barked and he told her if Tracy found her, there would another murder – him.

Britt woke up in Jason’s room wondering where the hell she was. When she realized, she said, it wasn’t just a nightmare.

Jason met Carly at Bobbie’s, and she told him that Drew was going to blame Michael for his shooting. She needed him to find a way to protect her son. There was chance he may be guilty.

In Australia, Josslyn and Vaughn came back from surfing and kissed.

Kai met Trina at the coffee shop and Trina asked what was going on with Drew.

Dante found Chase in the nook and asked about the Judge Haran investigation. Dante said they had proof Drew bribed her. Maybe he killed her to cover his tracks.

It was Wiley’s first day of school, and Tracy said he’d set a new standard for style, brains, and character. Minds were going to be blown. The doorbell rang and Willow was there with Scout. Wiley hugged her.

Britt complained to herself and said the place didn’t even have a bathroom. She got her towel and headed out.

Jason asked if Carly thought Michael shot Drew, and she told him about Michael punching Drew at the MetroCourt and no one corroborated Drew’s story and the charges were dropped. She asked him to see if he could get Michael to come clean. He owed her. He’d kept the secret about Sasha’s baby, but if he found out something else about her kids, he had to tell her. No more secrets.

Vaughn demanded a rematch on neutral ground, but Josslyn said she’d still beat him. He said she might, but they’d never find out. It was the end of the line for them.

Dante told Chase that they didn’t know for sure. The wire was to a Swiss bank account, but the receipt was in Drew’s safe, and the money was deposited one day before her ruling. They couldn’t do anything because of Drew’s lawyer’s injunction. Chase said it sounded counterintuitive, but Drew would want Willow all alone.

Willow said she thought she’d bring Scout to see Monica on her first day of school, and Scout said it was a tradition. Monica wished her luck, and they had a hug swap. Willow asked if she could take both of the kids to see Monica.

Cody told Outback that he wasn’t always a rule follower, but they were both screwed if she was found there. He’d be forced to take her to the pound. She jumped on him, and he said it wasn’t going to work… Okay. She could stay, but just for a little while. If anyone found her, she didn’t know him. She barked in acknowledgement.

Kai told Trina that he thought Drew bought his loyal intern act. If he hadn’t, he didn’t think Drew would have asked him to clean out the safe and bring him the contents. Trina said, he didn’t, did he? and he said he wanted no part of where Drew was going in his head. When he said he didn’t feel comfortable with it – plus, it was a literal crime scene – Drew backed off. She asked why he didn’t tell her last night, and he said he thought he might be a suspect. The police knew he had access to Drew’s house and he thought it was better to limit contact with her. He didn’t think they should meet up anymore.

Josslyn said, way to kill a mood, and Vaughn said their 24 hours was almost up. She said she was happy for him. He deserved it. He said he wished they could be together, and she said, at least they were in the same city. He said, unless she was exposed, but she said, Jason promised not to say anything. He said, what about Britt?

Britt came back to Jason’s room in a towel, with a towel around her hair. She found the door locked and yelled, why do you hate me? She stomped off, and we saw there was a camera in the hallway.  

Jason said, if Michael did it, he’d make sure Michael didn’t go down for it, and Carly said Michael couldn’t go back to prison. She wished he’d been there to be the voice of reason instead of on the other side of the world finding Britt. Why didn’t he tell her that Britt was alive? Britt came down in her towel and asked why Jason didn’t tell her that the door locked automatically.

Tracy told Willow, no way, and Brook said she had to ask Monica something anyway. She hustled the kids upstairs, and Tracy said, a word. She, Michael, and Willow went into the living room, and Tracy said what Willow did was unconscionable. She used Monica’s first day of school tradition as an excuse get in. Willow said, Scout wanted to see her grandmother. Judge Haran was gone, and a new judge was likely to sympathize with her. It was Michael’s chance to make nice and for his sake, she hoped he took it.

Carly said she heard Britt was alive and here she was, in the flesh. Britt said no one told her that she needed a key, and Jason told Carly that his room was empty, and he let Britt use the room to crash. Britt said it was a dumpy room above a greasy spoon, and Carly said the dumpy room in the greasy spoon was hers. She owned it.

Josslyn said the one person who could convince Britt to keep her secret was Jason, but Vaughn said it seemed like Britt did what she wanted. Josslyn said, if she was exposed, did he think Brennan would relocate her? and he said part of her value was that she looked like a college student. If people found out, her value was gone, and Jack would think she was better off in a different town. She said she didn’t want to leave. They may never see each other again. He said, that might be for the best.

Trina said Kai had no motive. Drew thought he was amazing, and he’d proven his loyalty. He was the last person they’d suspect. Kai said that would change fast if the police knew they’d been there, but she said they hadn’t figured it out yet and there was no reason to think they would. He said he didn’t want her to get in trouble, and Trina said they broke in because of her family and they had a legit reason to hang out, but he said people knew they broke up. She said maybe they were trying to work things out, but he said he didn’t want her to have to lie. She said, maybe it wasn’t a lie.

Dante said if Drew got Willow’s children back, he’d be her hero, but Chase said he wanted to isolate her, leaving her nothing but him, completely dependent, while Michael was the bad guy. Willow only agreed to marry him after she lost the kids. Dante said it was risky. She could find out and not forgive him. Chase said it gave him motive to take the judge out, and Dante said, if Willow found out, it gave her a motive to shoot Drew.

Tracy said Willow had nerve using Monica’s granddaughter… Michael said he’d make his argument in court. Until then, Judge Haran’s ruling stood. He’d felt bad for Willow for a while after the ruling. Now he wouldn’t change it if could because she was an unfit mother. Willow said Drew told her that he thought Michael shot him. When the police proved it, he’d go to prison, she’d get custody, and she’d make sure he never laid his eyes on Wiley and Amelia again.

Vaughn told Josslyn that it was against the rules for good reason. It made it easier for an enemy to force an agent to do what they wanted. She learned firsthand when Pascal threatened to torture him. For the sake of the WSB and their careers, they had to find a way to sever their feelings. Josslyn said a different city wouldn’t make it easier. She couldn’t think of anything that would.

Michael said that was pure fantasy and Willow was the only one living in it. He didn’t shoot Drew and wasn’t going anywhere. Brook came back with the kids and said, Monica was thrilled. Scout said she loved being there and seeing Grandma Monica, and Willow said she was glad she could make Scout’s day special. Wiley asked if they were going to school together, and Willow said, no, but it wouldn’t be long before they could spend time together.

Dante knocked at the stable door, and Cody said, the law. Quick, hide! Outback ran to the back and Cody said he didn’t think that would work. Dante came in and asked Cody to do him a favor. Stop him from doing something stupid to Jason.

Britt said she wasn’t surprised Carly owned the place, and Carly asked how long she was staying. Jason said there was a time Carly had no place to go and stayed there. It was a great place to crash. Britt was surprised Carly wasn’t more welcoming, since she saved her daughter’s life, and Carly said she was grateful, especially when she thought Britt had sacrifice herself, but it turned out she didn’t. Britt said as soon as she was on her feet, she’d be out, and Jason said Carly told him that he could do what he wanted with the room and Britt had no other options. She wasn’t going anywhere. His phone rang, and Tracy said he needed to come home now. She’d explain when he got there. Jason said he had to head home and asked Carly to handle the key situation.  

Chase flashed back to telling Willow about talking to the judge at Bobbie’s, and Willow saying she had already come up with a way get her kids back. Brook told Chase about Willow using Scout to see her own kids, and he asked if Brook could blame her. Brook said, kinda, and Chase said none of it would have happened if Drew hadn’t coerced Willow into making horrible decisions and Drew had done something Willow didn’t know about. Brook asked, what? but he said he couldn’t talk about it because the investigation was ongoing. But if Willow knew, she’d leave him for good. He couldn’t tell her because it would violate his duties as a cop.

Kai asked if Trina was sure they shouldn’t keep their distance, and she said she was. She was sorry she dragged him into this. He said he wanted to help, and she said, thanks to him, her mom was free of Drew, even if she didn’t know it. She was going to tell her, but her mom said she was no longer doing Drew’s bidding and if he outed her, she’d face the consequences. She’d taken back her power and wasn’t stressing, so Trina kept it to herself. They’d keep this between them. He said he hoped they covered their tracks, and she said she was worried they missed something.

Brook told Chase to consider that everyone tried to talk sense into Willow, so she’d see what Drew really was, but even when she found out he’d slept with her mother, she stayed with him. Why would he think this was different? Chase said it was different. Willow would never forgive Drew for this. She asked if he was willing to stake a career he loved and lose his job. If Willow stayed with Drew, he’d have done it for nothing, but whatever he decided, she was with him.

Cody asked if Dante had a new beef with Jason or was he back to the Danny/Rocco thing, and Dante said it was new. Britt Westbourne was back in Port Charles and Jason brought her there. Cody said she was dead, but Dante said, no, she was alive and living in Europe. They were with Rocco at the hospital, and she walked in. He was glad Rocco didn’t run into… Sorry. He forgot she and Cody had a thing. Cody said, it was short lived. He got why Dante wasn’t happy Britt was back. Dante rehashed the embryo story, and Cody said, it worked out. They got an amazing kid. Dante said it didn’t change what Britt did and he couldn’t forgive her, and Cody said, she knew she was wrong and was trying to turn her life around. Dante said Britt let her mother believe she was dead for two years and was still just as twisted and deceitful.

Carly said, funny how Jason rescued Britt when she was in trouble, and Britt said, unless Carly was in trouble. She was Jason’s top priority, which made Britt wonder why Carly thought she was threat. Carly said she’d never been threatened by Britt. She couldn’t hold a candle to her and Jason’s history and trust. Britt said, them and their unbreakable trust, and Carly asked what that was supposed to mean.

Jason asked what was going on, and Tracy said, while he was out of town, Drew was shot. He said he knew, and she said, what he didn’t know was, she saw Michael fleeing the scene of the crime. He was parked up the street and was pulling out when she arrived. She wasn’t planning on telling the police. She didn’t know if he was guilty, but couldn’t let him get convicted. Jason said he was on it already, and she said she’d managed to keep Monica from finding out, but it was just a matter of time before she did. She was thinking it was probably the best idea if Jason told her. He said he’d do it right now and break the news as gently as he could.

Willow snuck into the nook and remembered Michael saying she was an unfit mother. Chase asked what she was doing there, and she said Scout panicked because she’d left her favorite water bottle there. she said she’d find it and bring it to her. She was hoping not to run into anyone. There was drama earlier. He said Brook told him, and she asked if he had any new information on the judge’s murder, but he said, sorry, no.  

Trina said she and Kai heard Drew come in and hid. Drew went the safe and then back to the living room. Kai said, not long after, they heard two shots, and she said she felt like there was something else, something out of place at the time. He said, like a little kids’ song. Like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. She said, that was Scout’s ringtone. Scout must have been calling Drew. Kai said they went out the back door, closed it, then he decided to check on Drew, and Trina said he told her to stay, but she followed him anyway almost tripping over the baseball bat. He said, the bat. He left it and it had his fingerprints all over it.

Josslyn said she didn’t want to pretend like they never happened, but Vaughn said they had no choice. Brennan was clear. Their feelings had to stay in this room. She said they would, but not yet, and they got busy.

Britt said Carly and Jason made everyone painfully aware of how close they were, and she had zero desire to compete with their bond. As soon as she was on her feet, she was out. If she was lucky, she’d never cross paths with Carly or Jason ever again. But first, she needed to get back in the room. Carly said the rent was due on the first of the month, and Britt went upstairs.

Drew told Cody that it was like a knife to Lulu’s heart. He’d thought things were more civil with him and Jason, but Jason wasn’t thinking about the effect on the family. He just brought Britt back into their lives. It was thoughtless. He had to stay clear of this guy.

On the phone, Tracy asked how Willow made it onto the property… She made it clear that Willow was to be nowhere near the house unless she told them different. Understood?… Good. Jason came back, and she asked, how did Monica take it? Jason said he never had to tell her. She was already gone.

I was torn between feeling sad and thinking, thank God. Finally.

Thursday:

Britt tried to get Elizabeth to get her prescriptions cleared without being on the waiting list, but it was a no. Britt asked about Ben, and Elizabeth reminded her that his name was Rocco. Britt said he was still the boy she gave birth to.

Charlotte met Lulu at Bobbie’s after putting out flyers for Outback. Lulu said something had come up with Charlotte’s father.

Cody told Outback to get used to co-existing with the horses. Otherwise, someone from the main house would catch him and she’d be on her own again – or worse. Molly came in and fussed over Outback.

Gio went to Sonny’s house and Donna asked how her favorite nephew was. She said he looked sad, and Sonny invited him in.

Tracy refused to believe Monica was gone and told Jason that Monica said Wiley reminded her of him at Wiley’s age. He said, she wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. He took her hand, and she was cold. It probably happened in her sleep. He called 911 and said he needed to report a death… No. It wasn’t an emergency. He gave the address and said, unfortunately this was expected. He and Tracy hugged and cried.

Jason found Monica’s DNR and Tracy was grateful no one else was home. Everybody would take it bad and she was relieved it was only them. He said, Monica wouldn’t like a fuss, and Tracy said it was a battle she was going to lose. The ambulance came and brought a gurney upstairs.

Sonny said they were having a cookout and Donna said, Kristina, Molly, and Dante were coming. Sonny asked her to set up games with Pilar, and she left. Sonny asked what brought Gio by, and Gio said he needed $10,000.

Charlotte asked if something was wrong with her dad, but Lulu said her dad was fine. She was surprised Charlotte called him dad, but Charlotte said it felt babyish to call him papa. Lulu said she guessed he was fine, but he’d be better once he saw her, and Charlotte asked if they were going to video chat. Lulu asked how she felt about a visit in person.

Molly asked what the dog’s name was, but Cody said he hadn’t figured it out. She said the kids would love to give him suggestions, but he said he didn’t loop the main house in. Technically, he wasn’t allowed pets and didn’t want to risk it. She said his secret was safe with her and she owed him an apology.  

Elizabeth put Britt’s name on a list and said a doctor would see her as soon as one was available. Britt argued and wanted to speak to the head nurse, but Elizabeht said she was the head nurse. Britt said, of course (🍷), and wanted to talk to Terry. Elizabeth said that Terry would tell her the same thing, and Britt sat down to wait.

Elizabeth told Lucas to brace himself, and pointed at Britt. He said there had to be another doctor, but she said she just told Britt that no one got special treatment, and he took an oath. He asked what he could help Britt with. If she preferred someone else, she could go back on the list. Elizabeth said nine more patients had checked in, and Britt said, let’s get it over with.

Lulu asked if Charlotte remembered when she met with Agent Brennan, and Charlotte asked if that’s why he’d been there. Lulu said, yes, and Charlotte was surprised she’d said okay. Lulu said she didn’t at first, but she realized it was Charlotte’s decision to make. Charlotte wondered what Brennan got out of this, and Lulu said, from them, nothing, but from Charlotte’s father, she didn’t know. No one was forcing her to do it, but if Charlotte decided to go, Lulu would be with her the whole time.

Gio told Sonny about Outback, and Sonny said the money was his. He’d also have his have guys look out for her too. Gio said he’d find way return favor, and Sonny said Gio could do him a favor by sticking around. He wasn’t pressuring Gio and would give him the money, but he wanted Gio to think about it. He didn’t expect Gio to make up with Dante – it would take time – but they were family and had to spend time together. Kristina came in with Dante.

Lucas said he couldn’t prescribe anything without examining Britt, and she said she had Huntington’s and was taking an experimental drug to keep it in check. She no longer had access to the drug and had been off of it for three days. She needed it asap to keep her symptoms at bay. Lucas suggested Britt cooperate. No gown, no meds.

Tracy gave one of the EMTs the contact at the funeral home, when the doorbell rang. Jason said it was probably the sheriff. The dispatcher said he needed to be present. Tracy said she’d talk to him since Jason was allergic to law enforcement, and went to the door. The sheriff said he’d been notified of an at home death, and Tracy said it was her sister-in-law, Dr. Monica Quartermaine. He said he was sorry for her loss, and she took him upstairs. Jason looked around the living room and picked up a photo of Monica.

Lucas said, before he gave Britt a prescription, he was obligated to tell her that she had no symptoms, and she said, give it time. He said he’d phone it in to the pharmacy, but there was one hiccup. He wasn’t sure the undead had insurance plans. Britt said she’d find a way to cover it, and he said he hoped so. These meds cost a pretty penny.

Cody asked what Molly had done for him to warrant an apology, and she said she talked about his private business behind his back. She needed to vent and told Elizabeth about Kristina paying him to break up Ava and her dad. It spilled out and she was sorry. Did he accept her apology?

At the desk, Elizabeth asked Britt if there was something else, and Britt asked if Dr. Randolph and Dr. Robinson were there.

The sheriff told Tracy that Monica was a wonderful person and a figure in the community. She would be missed. Tracy agreed and thanked him. He left, and Jason said he’d never known this place without her. Tracy said, of course (🍷) he hadn’t. It was Monica’s house. She touched his face. (I was conflicted, feeling sad about something I’d felt sad about almost a year ago.)

Terry said it was hard to believe Britt was there and they were talking to her now, but Britt said, believe it. She was alive and it was good to be back at GH. She’d save them the time and hassle of asking. Of course (🍷) she’d come back to work.

Rocco joined Charlotte and Lulu, and Charlotte wondered if he’d had better luck, but he said he wished he had. He was mad at himself. Outback wouldn’t have gotten away if he hadn’t been distracted. Charlotte told him not blame himself, and Lulu said Outback was a stray and knew how to survive on her own. He couldn’t change what happened. All he could do was try to fix it and he was doing that. She was proud of them.

Sonny went with Donna to put dessert in the freezer, and Dante asked Gio how it was going. Gio said he’d been better, and Kristin asked, what’s up? Gio said Outback was missing, and Kristina said she was sure they’d find her. Donna came in and hugged Kristina. She asked if Kristina brought the buns with seeds, and Kristina said she did, enough for seconds, thirds, and fourths. Donna said, then Gio had to stay.

Terry said they were thrilled Britt was alive and back safe and sound, but she’d been gone over two years. Dr. Robinson had taken over for her. Britt said she wasn’t after Portia’s job. She’d be happy to go back to her regular job and specialty as an OB/GYN. Terry said they couldn’t just hire her back. Serious medical fraud had been committed. She’d been declared dead and someone was responsible for carrying on that charade. Portia said they needed more information about what really happened.

Tracy said, it’s Monica’s house. It was the stupidest stunt her brother ever pulled. No community property. No joint ownership. It belonged to Monica and Monica alone and she never let anyone forget it. Jason said, especially her, and Tracy said especially her. Every time they’d clash, Monica would hold it over her, acting like she was doing her a favor allowing her to live in her family home. Jason said it wasn’t her home. It was Monica’s. Tracy said, because her moronic brother gave it to Monica. We flashed back to Monica and Tracy fighting over how things should be decorated for Christmas, and Tracy said, on a good day, they could barely stand one another. On a bad day, they’d practically come to blows. But through it all, and maybe because of it – she didn’t know – her respect for Monica just kept growing.

Britt said she wished she could tell them everything about the last project she was working on, but it was considered top secret. Her employer insisted on total discretion. Terry said, they insisted she fake medical records and  commit fraud? and Britt said, yeah, pretty much. Technicaaly, she didn’t do that. Terry said they still couldn’t have her back, and Portia said there would be a lot of sensitivity about her showing up again. Terry said Britt was a good doctor. If she worked hard to get her medical license back, she could apply at Mercy. Britt said she knew she and Terry had their problems, but admit it – she crushed it, especially when Monica made them Co-Chiefs. She wanted to be at General Hospital. It meant something to her, and she believed in this place. She wanted back in. Terry said Britt did change a lot of lives, but she couldn’t get past the fact Britt falsified records. Portia said it was a serious matter, but she thought they all understood that life put them in difficult situations. She thought she and Terry should have sidebar and see if they could find something for her.

Cody said Molly thought he was a money grubbing himbo, so she could talk trash about him, and Molly protested. He laughed, and she said he was evil. She genuinely felt awful. He said, why? She wasn’t lying. She said she gossiped and it wasn’t cool, but he said if Elizabeth hadn’t heard it from her, she would have heard it from Ava. Remember this moment for the next time he screwed up. She asked if they were good, and he said they were. She won’t tell anyone about the dog? She said, no, but he should.

Sonny said he’d love to have Gio stay, and Donna said, please. (No one, even me, could possibly resist this child.) Gio said he’d stay for a minute, and Donna told Sonny, fire up the grill. She, Gio, and Sonny went to the backyard, and Kristina asked if Dante could be any stiffer. He said, probably, but he thought he was doing okay. Gio was sticking around for Donna. Who cares? Kristina said, baby steps. It was a chance to spend time with his son. He should find something they had in common, like movies, sports, baseball. Dante said they had serious stuff to unpack, and she said, baby steps. They had to start spending time together, share some mustard. There would be time to unpack the serious stuff later.

Tracy said they knew Jason moved back in for Danny, but she couldn’t tell him how happy it made Monica. It meant the world to her. He said, it meant a lot to him too, and she said, they had a special relationship. He said, not always. He had a hard time after his accident, but Monica wanted him to be something he wasn’t. It took him a long time to figure out that she loved him no matter what. Tracy said, she did, and we flashed back to that time, when Jason was practically a baby and Monica wasn’t far ahead. He said he never cared about what he couldn’t remember, and Tracy asked if that changed. With tears in his eyes, he said, yes. He wished he had the memories of growing up with Monica. He should have asked her. Tracy said he could ask her. Monica told her practically everything.

Britt watched everyone bustling around, when Terry said they were ready for her. She went back into the office and said, so, what’s the verdict? Terry said she had to consult the board, but the agreed to give her a chance. There was a position available, but she’d be on probation for a year. Britt said she’d take it. They wouldn’t regret it. She’d be the best doctor. Portia said it wasn’t for a physician. It was for an intake supervisor. Terry said, in the ER, and Britt said that was practically entry level and insulting. Terry said it was a major step to getting her medical license restored, and Portia said if she really wanted to be there, it was the only option and hers if she wanted it. Britt said she did want to be there. Okay. She’d take it. Terry said, welcome back to General Hospital.

On the patio, Donna said she learned the back stroke and wanted to teach Outback, but Kristina said she wasn’t so sure dogs could do that. Dante said, unfortunately, Outback was missing, but Gio said they’d definitely find her. Her dad put up a reward. Dante said, the PCPD was keeping a look out. Rocco appreciated everything everyone was doing to help. Gio said they’d find her, and Dante said, yeah, they would.

Rocco said he was going to put up flyers, and Charlotte said she’d help. Lulu said, text her when they finished and she’d pick them up. She hugged them, and Charlotte said Lulu was the best.

Molly said the Quartermaines obviously loved Cody. There was a good chance if he told them, it would be totally fine. Cody said, or force him to get rid of her, but Molly said, if that happened, she was sure they’d give him time to find her a good home. The only person making it hard right now was him.

Tracy told Jason that it took her and Monica decades to become figures in each other’s lives. Since she came back, they’d had tea almost every evening. They talked about anything and everything. A lot of the time, they talked about him. Jason asked, why him? and she said, Monica was hurt deeply by Alan’s affair with Susan Moore and even deeper when the affair resulted in a pregnancy. When Jason was born, Monica wanted nothing to do with him. She wouldn’t even let him live in the house. He lived at the gatehouse with Susan and Scott Baldwin. But one night, he got sick, and Monica was called in to take care of him. We flashed back to Monica picking up Baby Jason, and Tracy said, when Monica walked into the gatehouse, she saw the child her husband had with another woman, but when Monica left, she said – and she quotes – you are my son. Jason thanked her, and Tracy said, Monica loved him very much. He said he knew, and Monica loved Tracy too. Tracy said she knew, and hugged him.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

There’s been a car accident and Lulu asks the driver is okay. Can he hear her? She calls 911 and said she needs help. She’s on route 415 and just passed exit 21B. There’s been an accident. Single vehicle, one person inside, and he’s unresponsive. Hurry.

At the hospital, Lucas asks, is the coast clear? and Elizabeth says, sorry. Not only is Britt still here, she’s in a meeting with Dr. Robinson and Dr. Randolph. One guess what that could mean.

Cody tells Outback, you’re such a good girl. Yeah. You’re probably one of the only females in my life who can stand being around me cuz you’re not a judger, no. Molly comes in and says, hi, and he says, back so soon? She says she did a search for missing dogs when she got in her car. Look – she shows him her phone – I found her. I found the owners.

Laura thanks Anna for squeezing her in, and Anna says, no, not at all. She hopes Laura doesn’t mind, but she asked Detective Falconari to join them. Laura says, of course (🍷) not. It’s nice to see him. Dante says, it’s nice to see her too, and Laura says she thought Mac taking the lead in the Judge Haran murder case, but they just told her it was transferred to Anna. Anna says, yes, correct, and Laura says, that’s good. She needs to be briefed. She needs to know what progress the PCPD has made in solving her murder. Anna says, right. Okay. So they have new evidence that’s come to light that suggests Judge Haran’s murder and Drew Cain’s shooting may be related.

Danny walks into Drew’s hospital room and Drew asks if he really thinks it’s a good idea for him to be here.

Jason walks into a dark gatehouse and we hear Tracy’s voice say, you were living at the gatehouse with Susan and Scott Baldwin, but one night you got sick, and Monica was called in to take care of you. She walked into the gatehouse, and you were the child her husband had with another woman, but when she left – and I quote – you were my son, she said. Jason sighed, when Michael walked in and said he’d seen Jason heading down here. When did he get back? Jason says, late last night, and Michael asks if he’s okay. Jason says he got some upsetting news.

Brook asks Ned if there’s any chance he got a text from granny too, and he says he was summoned with a rather enigmatic message. She says, any idea what it’s about? and Ned says, no, but it seemed important, so he got here as soon as he could. She says, her too. She had a meeting at Deception. She hopes everything’s okay. Tracy comes in, and Ned asks if she’s all right. What is it? What happened? Tracy says, Monica died, and starts to cry.

Molly tells Cody, the post has the lost dog’s name on it. Are you Outback? Outback makes dog mumbles, and Molly says, she knows her name. Cody says he didn’t hear anything, and Molly says, oh my God. She totally did. She got all excited. This is definitely her. Same ears, same nose… Cody says, a lot of dogs look alike, and she says, yeah, alike, but these two are identical. There’s no name for the owner, but she’ll call and tell them that they found her. He says, no, no, no. Don’t.

Anna says, obviously, it’s imperative we find Judge Haran’s murderer as soon as possible, but she thinks the location where the body was found is also a problem. She was found in the water off of Pier 55. Laura says, Sonny’s piers. As they know, the Measure C people, one of their talking points is that Sonny’s piers are a magnet for criminal activity and for violence. So finding the body, wouldn’t she say, sort of plays into that narrative? Anna says, yeah, it might, and Laura says, so she wonders of the location of Judge Haran’s body was an intentional choice. And Drew is one of the biggest supporters of Measure C. Dante says they can’t rule it out, and Drew says, speaking of Drew, Anna said Drew’s shooting and the judge’s murder might be connected somehow. What evidence does she have to suggest that? Anna says, Drew had a very strong motive to kill Judge Haran.

Danny says he’s here because of Scout, and Drew says, that much he figured. Danny says, Carly told him that Drew wouldn’t change his mind about the restraining order, and Drew tells him that he rarely says this, but Carly is right. They’re all staying in place, especially now. Danny says, the thing is, his dad’s been out of town and he’s a minor, so his order has to go to his dad. He hasn’t been served yet, so technically he’s not breaking any rules if he went to see Scout. Drew says, look at you, finding ways to circumvent the law. You are your father’s son. Danny says he doesn’t want to break the law or use some loophole. That’s why he came to talk to Drew. Scout is scared. She still misses her mom and now he’s in the hospital and she’s not at home or with her family, which is what she needs more than anything right now. He just wants to help her and doesn’t want to sneak behind Drew’s back to do it. So doesn’t him coming to talk face to face mean something? Can he just see his little sister?

Lucas says, let him guess. Britt wants her job back. Elizabeth says, if she had to guess, she would say, yeah, and he says, of course (🍷) she does. This is so like Britt. She thinks she can play dead for two years and just waltz right back in here and have everything be just the same like the world revolves just around her. Eliabeth stares at the computer screen, and he says, what is it? She says, Monica Quartermaine died.

Ned says he was just visiting with Monica yesterday. She asked about Leo. She was so happy he’s doing so well in school. She gave him a hard time about not finishing the Sunday crossword puzzle faster than she did. They’ve had a friendly competition about that for years. Tracy says, sounds like Monica. Did he ever beat her? He says, no, and she says, sounds like Monica too. Brook asks, what happened? She just saw Monica this morning with Wiley and Scout. She was joking with them and slipped them money and winked at her. She seemed a little tired, but otherwise okay. Tracy says she’s so grateful that Monica’s last moments were spent with her granddaughter and great-grandson and they were filled with laughter.

Michael tells Jason, so yeah, someone did shoot Drew, and the PCPD has been scrutinizing his every move from the night it happened, but there’s nothing to worry about. It’s not his first round with the PCPD. Everything is under control. Jason says, it’s not that, and Michael says, then what is it? Jason says, it’s Monica. Monica died.

A paramedic says, still unresponsive, and Chase asks if Lulu is okay. Does she need to sit down, or does she need water? She says, no. She’s okay. It just really isn’t something she wanted to see. He says he was in the area, and the dispatcher sent him to the scene. Is she the one who called it in? She says, yes, and he asks her to walk him through what happened.

Rocco and Charlotte find Emma at Bobbie’s and Emma says, please tell her that they found Outback, but Rocco says, sorry. Emma wonders, where could she be? but he says he doesn’t know. He really thought they would have found her by now. Emma says, yeah, her too. She must be scared all alone. Charlotte says, if they didn’t have to meet their mom here now, she and Rocco would have kept looking, and Emma thanks them for not giving up. She’ll search all night if she has to. She came to get caffeine first, but Gio is already out there investigating a lead, so hopefully it all pans out.

Cody tells Molly that the dog is all settled in. She has food, water, and her favorite pillow. Molly says, now tell her why she shouldn’t contact the owner, and he says, she told him it had no name, just a phone number. That’s weird. Maybe it’s a scam. Maybe they want her for some kind of underground dog fighting ring. Molly says, that darling dog? She doesn’t think so. He says, there’s got to be a reason she ran away, and Molly says, maybe she just accidently got out, and he says, and stayed out. She went on the run because her owners are not very nice to her. Molly says, or maybe because she’s a dog and that’s what dogs do, and he says, her owners obviously don’t care about her. She isn’t chipped, she doesn’t have a collar, and why wasn’t she on a leash? He goes in the back, and Molly follows. She says she knows the dog is cute and he’s taken to her, but she’s not his dog. Pets get loose for all kinds of reasons. And he said it himself, he can’t have a dog in the stables. He sits down dejectedly, and she joins him. She says she knows he and the dog have developed a rapport, but she’s healthy, well fed, and taken care of, signs someone loves her. Someone who’s probably really missing her right now. Does he really want to be responsible for keeping that sweet dog from her owner? Gio comes in and says he didn’t mean to interrupt, but Cody says, trust him. It’s no problem. He’s probably looking for one of the Quartermaines. They’re in the main house. Gio says, that’s okay. He’s here to see Cody.

Michael tells Jason, Wiley just saw Monica this morning before his first day of school. He was so excited when he left. Monica said she was going to help him with his spelling words, like last year. He loved it. Jason says he’s sure she loved it too, and Michael says, he was wearing this outfit that he picked out himself. Monica said he looked handsome and the compliment meant a lot. It made him a foot taller today. She sounded just like herself. Jason says, she was, according to Tracy, but you know… Michael says he should have been there. He should have taken Wiley and Scout to see her so he could too, but Willow showed up and he had to deal with that. Jason says, that’s understandable, but Michael says, no , it’s not. He talked to Monica every morning before work. He never skipped a day. He’d bring her fresh juice and tell her that he loved her. He’d ask if he needed anything and would kiss her goodbye. Why didn’t he do that today? He should told his grandmother that he loved her today. Jason says, she knew, and puts his hand on Michael’s shoulder. He says, Michael showed her all the time in a million different ways. Trust him. She knew.

Ned asks why Tracy didn’t call right away. They would have come over to help and she wouldn’t have had to deal with this all alone. As Tracy speaks, she periodically cries, then composes herself. Tracy says she wasn’t alone. Jason was with her. He was actually the one who found her. She’d asked if he would go up and tell her about Drew. Then he came down and told her that Monica was gone. She went up to see Monica… Oh my God. She was so still. She told Monica that she didn’t have to worry. She was going to take care of everybody Monica loved, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. So many people that I have loved are gone. Daddy, mother, Alan, my Luke, and now Monica. What am I going to do without Monica? Brook and Ned surround her in a hug.

Dante tells Laura that one million dollars was deposited into the judge’s bank account the night before she granted full custody to Michael Corinthos, and Laura says, that’s a lot of money and the timing can’t be ignored. Dante says, no, it can’t, and not a lot of people can afford to give away that kind of money. Anna says, the most obvious suspects are Sonny and Michael, and Laura asks if there’s any evidence to support that. Anna says, no, and Laura asks, who then? Dante says, when they inventoried Drew’s safe after he was shot, in the paperwork, they found evidence of a wire transfer of one million dollars to Judge Haran.

Drew says, yeah, he doesn’t think so. He can’t let Danny anywhere near Scout. Danny says he knows Drew is hurting him as a way to get back at his dad, but the only person he’s hurting is Scout, and Drew says he doesn’t see it that way. Danny says, then look again. Scout is hurting a lot. She’s the one who called him and Charlotte to pick her up from camp – two separate times. She just wants to be with them. Drew says, the thing is, Scout is a little girl and doesn’t know what’s best for her. As her father, that’s his job to know. He knows at Danny’s core he’s not a bad kid and he knows Danny loves Scout. Really, none of this is his fault. It’s his father’s.

Emma says, Gio texted her that Sonny is offering a reward for Outback’s return, and Rocco says, that’s really cool of grandpa. Charlotte, asks, how much is the reward? and Emma says, 10 thousand dollars. Can they believe it? Rocco says, no… yes. He knew his grandpa was a generous guy, but that’s way above and beyond, even for him. He should update the online post, and the flyers he’s been handing out are out of date. They should print new ones. Emma says she’ll pick up printer toner on her way home, and Charlotte says she doesn’t know. If they put that there’s a reward on the flyer, she doesn’t think they should say how much. They don’t know what kind of scam someone might come up with to get their hands on that kind of money.

Cody asks, what’s up? and Gio says, Rocco’s dog Outback is missing. They’ve been looking all evening for her and he got a tip that a dog that looks like her was seen down the road from the Quartermaines. Cody spends more time walking around the grounds than anyone in the family. Can he keep an eye out and maybe tell the Q’s, Yuri, and the groundskeeper too? He’d really appreciate that. He hands Cody a flyer, and Cody asks how the dog got lost. Gio says, Rocco was untangling her leash when a car backfired and startled her, and she took off. Molly gives Cody a side-eye, and Gio says, Rocco is crushed. They all are. Outback is the sweetest dog ever. Hopefully, they’ll find her soon and Cody can see how great she is for himself.

Lucas tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t get it. How can Monica Quartermaine just be gone? Elizabeth tells him, it says she died earlier today in her home, and he says he heard she had health issues. Still… She says she knows. This place will not be same without her. Even though she’s not walking the halls, you could still feel her presence, especially with the new atrium. He says, and she was Jake’s grandmother. He’s so sorry for her loss and for Jake’s. She thanks him and says, when Monica first found out about Jake, she couldn’t have been more welcoming to her. And she was so encouraging of Jake and his dream to be an artist. Did Lucas know she was his first paying customer? Lucas says he didn’t know, and she says, Monica commissioned Jake’s first piece of art and insisted on paying for it. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. He says, that sounds like Dr. Quartermaine. She was incredibly generous with her time and money. Elizabeth says, and her heart. She was really an inspiration. He says, as a cardiologist, she was a total legend and her surgical skills were just brilliant. He couldn’t begin counting all the lives she saved. It’s a huge loss for General Hospital and Port Charles. Elizabeth says, yeah. There will never be another Monica Quartermaine.

Ned says, mother… but Tracy says, it’s not necessary. He says, no. She needs to hear this. He loves her. He always has and always will. He needs her to know that. None of them know how much time they have in this life. Every second is precious and he’s so grateful that she is his mother. He knows their journey is not always easy, but it’s always cherished. They don’t express affection enough in this family and always think there’s time in the future for that, but as they know, that’s not always the case. So just the same way she knows the sun always rises in the east and knows that gravity exists, know that he loves her. She says, thank you. She loves him. She loves both of them tremendously. Brook says she loves them both too, and takes their hands. Every day, she’s so grateful to be part of this family. Tracy laughs.

Michael asks, what happened? Was anyone with her when she passed away? Jason says, no, and Michael says he hates that. He hates thinking of her being all alone. Jason says, yeah. He thinks she just fell asleep and didn’t wake up. She’d been sick for so long and was a lot more frail than any of them wanted to admit. Michael asks if Jason thinks Drew getting shot played a part, but Jason says, no. Brook and Tracy made sure she didn’t hear about it, but Tracy knew it couldn’t be kept quiet forever. She insisted he be the one to tell Monica. Michael says, she must have been upset, and Jason says, but he never got the chance. When he walked into the room, the air felt different, like her energy and spirit were just… gone. He checked her pulse, but deep down, he knew… He checked her breathing, but… he just took her hand and sat with her for a while. She looked at peace.

Gio says he can’t believe it. We’ve been looking everywhere for you, Outback. Hey baby. Cody says, she didn’t have a chip or collar or anything. He didn’t know who to call. Gio says, this is amazing. He doesn’t even know how to thank Cody… Maybe he does. Does Cody know there’s a reward for finding her? 10 thousand dollars. Cody says, seriously? He had no idea there was a finder’s fee. Gio says he didn’t have a chance to update anything yet, but his grandfather, Sonny, will be very happy pay. Cody says, it wouldn’t feel right to take it, and Molly says, really? Gio says, Cody should take it. He definitely deserves it. Cody says, nope. Technically he didn’t even return her. Outback came to him. Why not take the reward and donate it to an animal shelter?

Tracy says, the sheriff and paramedics got here quickly. Monica had advanced directive, and all of her paperwork was in order. So she just stayed with Monica until they left to make sure she was well taken care of. Brook says, Tracy’s been so strong for every second through this. Tracy doesn’t have to do this alone anymore. She can make some calls, so Tracy doesn’t have to keep repeating herself. She can help write the obituary. Tracy thanks her and says, the next step is dealing with the funeral home. Monica will rest in the family crypt of course (🍷), but there are other arrangements to be made. She’s sure Monica’s paperwork indicted whether she has to find an urn or casket for her, but whatever she chose, she… Oh God. She wants to be the one to make the final selection. However, Brook’s company would be greatly appreciated. Brok says, of course (🍷). Nobody knows what Monica would want better than Tracy.

Jason tells Michael that it took him a long time to understand Monica, but in all fairness, he didn’t make it easy for her at all. After his accident, he pulled away and stayed away. Michael says, it was all so long ago now, and Jason says he knows, but he and Carly worked so hard to make sure the Quartermaines couldn’t control Michael like they tried to control him. He didn’t even invite them to the christening, but of course (🍷), they just showed up. Michael says he heard that story once or twice, and Jason says, when he looks back… he just has a lot of regrets, the biggest one is keeping Michael from the Quartermaines. Michael says he may have not grown up with his grandmother, but he came to know her as a teenager and that was special. They had a really strong bond and talked all the time. She loved to text. They used a lot of emojis and that made her really happy. She loved having Jason and Danny under the same roof as her, so no matter what happened in the past, know that Monica had nothing but love for him.

Drew says, it’s unfair that Danny’s father has rubbed off on him like this. The truth is, Danny does a lot of reckless things. Danny says he doesn’t agree with that, but let’s say Drew was right. What about Rocco and the Quartermaines? They’re Scout’s family. She loves being at their house. She loves the horses. That’s why she asked them to bring her there. Drew says he understands, but Monica barred him from the estate, so he’s not going to let his daughter go someplace that he can’t go. He’s sorry, but it’s got to be this way. Danny says, fine, and starts to leave, but turns around. He says his mom wanted nothing more than him, Rocco, and Scout stay together. She would hate that Drew was doing this. It would break her heart. He hopes Drew can live with that. He leaves.

Laura asks if they’re certain the wire transfer originates with Drew, and Anna says, the only thing they’re certain of is that Judge Haran’s bank account did receive that money. The Swiss banking laws are such that they’re prevented from identifying the owner of the paying account. Dante says, so they don’t know that Drew actually sent the money. He might have just gotten proof of the transfer. Laura says, then why wouldn’t he report it? and Anna says they don’t know. Honestly, this evidence of a bribe has just given them more questions than answers because it casts suspicion for Drew’s shooting on anyone who cares about Wiley and Amelia’s custody. Dante says, so until they know who paid her off, they won’t have a viable suspect in Judge Haran’s murder, and Laura asks if Drew has been brought in for questioning about the wire transfer. (Um… He’s been in the hospital.) Anna says, ADA Turner interviewed him, but she would like to talk to him directly just to see what he has to say. She doesn’t expect him to tell the truth. Laura says, but he might reveal something while he’s lying, and Anna laughs. Laura says, okay. Please keep her in the loop about everything. Drew is their congressman for God’s sake. If it turns out that he was actually involved in something like this, it could have a huge impact on the future of Port Charles.

Michael says, they’re gathering together up at the house. Does Jason want to come? Jason says, no. He’s good. He’s just going to stay here a while longer. Tracy told him a story about… He guesses he lived here with his biological mother when this was a cottage. One night, he was sick, and Monica took care of him, so he thought being here might make him feel closer to her. Michael says, Jason knows where he’ll be, and leaves. Jason sits down and says, I’ll miss you, mom… I love you.

On the phone, Gio asks if Emma can meet him at the Quartermaine stables. There’s something he wants to show her. She says, first, tell her what happened with the lead, but he says, it’s a long story. He’ll explain when she gets there. She says she’s on her way.  She tells Rocco and Charlotte that she’s got to meet Gio. Text her with any updates. She leaves, and Rocco asks if Charlotte thinks they should have told Emma that Britt is alive. Her dad dated Britt for a while, and Emma was the first person he went to when he was asking about Britt. Charlotte says, Emma is dealing with enough right now. Remember when they talked about Britt and her dad? She’s thought about it and doesn’t think he should be afraid to talk to their mom. Their mom told her that she wouldn’t stand in the way of her seeing her dad. Their mom is okay with her having a relationship with him, so she might support Rocco meeting Britt too. Rocco says, maybe, but he’s not sure that’s what he wants.

Lulu tells Chase that she was on her way to pick up her kids and saw the car. She didn’t see the accident, but when she saw the car, she pulled over. Chase says, then what happened? And she says she checked to make sure it was only the driver inside. Then she tried to see if he was conscious or responsive, but he wasn’t answering, and she couldn’t see his face. Chase asks if she has any idea how long vehicle had been there, and she says, no but it was still smoking when she pulled over. He asks if she saw any other cars or people around, but she says, no. No other vehicles and no one fleeing from the scene. She just tried to keep talking to him. She wishes there was something more she could have done, but she wouldn’t have moved him in case of a head or spinal injury. Chase says, smart, and she says, oh, and the airbag had been deployed. He says, right. Look, she did everything she could. Now he’s on his way to the hospital. All they can do is hope for the best.

On the phone, Elizabeth tells Jake, it’s mom. How is he?… Nice. It sounds like he’s having fun… She’s calling because she has some bad news. Grandma Monica passed away. Danny is there and says, what?

Ned asks how Tracy is holding up. Honestly, he thinks he’s still in shock. She says, that’s not surprising. He and Monica had a complicated relationship. He tells her, you could say that. Monica was just so resilient. He assumed she would recover from her latest struggles because she always did. Her breast cancer, losing Emily, AJ, Alan. She always came through stronger than before. She says, this time was different, and he says he just can’t wrap his head around it. Brook says, her either. Monica welcomed her when walked through the door and every minute thereafter She was their rock and it’s hard to imagine this family without her. Michael walks in.

Michael thanks Tracy, and she says, for what? He says, for everything she did for his grandmother, how she took care of her. He knows she probably didn’t say it, but Tracy was her best friend. She loved her. Tracy says, they never talked about things like that. They developed a mutual appreciation over the years. She truthfully never thought Monica was worthy of the Quartermaine name, but she was wrong. Monica was the foundation of this family, and he was her pride and joy, which was why it was fitting this should all be his now.

Elizabeth asks how Drew is feeling, and he says his nephew was just here. She says she just saw Danny, and he says, Danny wants to see his sister. The thing is, the Quartermaines used to be such a safe place for all of them to be there, but Jason and Michael just ruined all of it. They’ve got Monica wrapped around their finger. Elizabeth says, please just stop. She’s here because she has something to tell him. Monica passed away.

Jason cries, when Danny comes in and sits next to him. Jason puts his hand on Danny’s knee, and Danny puts his arm around Jason’s shoulders.

Molly says she knows it was hard, but Cody did the right thing telling Gio the truth about Outback. Cody says, if he didn’t, she would have, and she says, sorry, no. He did it because it was the right thing to do. He might not know that about himself, but she does. She leaves and Emma arrives. She asks if he’s seen Gio, and Cody says, yeah. He’s inside. She goes in and says, he found her? She runs over to Outback and says, hi, puppy. She’s so happy to see her. They missed her. She can’t believe Gio found her. He says him neither, and kisses her.

Chase tells Lulu, great. That’s all he needs. He thanks her for calling it in and waiting for the first responders. Does she think she can give them a statement? She says, of course (🍷). She just hopes whoever it is, is going to be okay. Does he think it would be okay if she goes now since he has everything he needs? She’s supposed to be picking up her kids at Bobbie’s and she’s late.

Charlotte says she thought for sure Rocco would want to meet Britt. He wanted to know more about her ever since he found out she gave birth to him. He even got in touch with her mom. Now if he wants to know something, he can go directly to Britt. Rocco says, asking questions when she wasn’t around felt safe, but now that she’s alive and in Port Charles, it changes everything. That makes it feel a lot more real.

Anna tells the nurse at the desk that she and Dante are here to see Drew Cain. Is he still in the same room? The nurse says, he’s still up on 10, and Anna thanks her. As they head for the elevator, a gurney is brought in. Lucas says, what do we have? and the paramedic says, male, single vehicle crash, unresponsive on the scene. Possible head injury, 15 liters a minute right now, facial lacerations, responsive to pain. Anna looks at Dante who looks at a shocked Lucas. The car accident victim is Nathan.

On Monday, Molly thinks she has feelings for Cody; Anna tells Dante that they have to keep this completely quiet until they know what’s going on; and Lulu says she and Britt have to make peace for Rocco’s sake.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I smell a Daytime Emmy coming up.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-rory-gibson-previews-powerful-performance-by-steve-burton-over-monicas-death-excl/

All the Q goodbyes.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/general-hospitals-quartermaines-how-the-show-said-goodbye-to-alan-edward-and-more-beloved-characters/

Almost the whole gang is here.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/when-does-ryan-paevey-return-to-general-hospital-his-first-airdate-revealed/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-ryan-paevey-promises-to-stir-the-pot-with-his-return-to-port-charles/

Star of the show. I wish I could get mine to be so well-behaved.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-josh-kelly-on-his-adorable-new-co-star-outback-the-dog-exclusive/

I didn’t know she was on OLTL. Good for Erika sticking up for her. She is a true OG.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-nancy-lee-grahn-dishes-about-her-reunion-with-erika-slezak-a-true-joy/

This would be awesome. I loved when they watched the Nurses Ball together on TV.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/is-general-hospitals-brad-returning-kelly-thiebaud-and-head-writers-tease-a-comeback-excl/

Brava and Bravo.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-jane-elliot-dayss-james-reynolds-among-honorees-at-2025-daytime-emmys/

Another legend leaves us.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/soap-alum-patricia-crowley-dies-at-91-actress-starred-on-dynasty-and-port-charles/

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck

Chef Anthony managed to finish the season without spiraling to the point of no return. Fraser felt like he’d been chased by a feral dog with rabies, but they’d pulled it off. In Rainbeau’s interview, she said Solene was the worst person she’d ever worked with. I’m not sure if she’s the worst of all the Below Deck crews, since there’s a lot of competition, but yeah, she was definitely up there. The tip was a fat $28K, and Captain Kerry said they’d made $195,490 for the whole season. In Fraser’s interview, he made a chart for the boatmances like a detective board with strings all over the place, many of which led back to Solene. I wasn’t sad to see this season over with. Captain Kerry and Fraser are fine – although, sorry not sorry, they can’t hold a candle to Captain Lee and Kate – but I just couldn’t get into the focus on the crew’s interpersonal relationships. It was hard to keep track of and got old quickly.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

For whatever insane reason, the group decided to go camping and took an RV to get there. They began the trip with the RV being surrounded by a SWAT team looking for Whitney. No surprise, it was a prank by Whitney, and they were strippers. Like Angie, I thought they looked kind of young, and in Mary’s interview, she wondered, where were the muscles? In Whitney’s interview, she said it had been harder than she thought to find male strippers in Utah. And no judgement, but Whitney’s face is looking a little plastic. We found out Bronwyn was a germophobe, which surprised me. Once they got rolling, the women did shots, but I dunno if I’d want to do shots in a moving vehicle. Lisa passed on the trip, saying she had to work, but we saw a clip of her telling Angie that she couldn’t stand Bronwyn. Of course she was talked about since she wasn’t there, but Bronwyn had a point in saying Lisa had a lot to say about their lives, but never shared her own messiness. When they hit the campgrounds, Heather reminded them of a local legend, Molly Sorensen, who punished young sinners. In her interview, Mary said, if something was really coming for them, in scary movies, the Black person always got killed first. (Absolutely true in the older films, not so much anymore.) Everyone got camcorders, and it looks like we’re headed for their take on The Blair Witch Project. Maybe The Salt Lake Bitch Project? It actually looks to be a good season. Plus there’s the Below Deck crossover.

I don’t think Molly Sorensen is a real thing, since all I get is an actress and singer when I google it. And don’t bother adding legend. I tried.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/meredith-marks-reveals-shocking-unaired-rv-trip-moment-exclusive

Real Housewives Of Orange County

Heather had a fancy pants sleepover with Emily and Gretchen, complete with a butler and canopied beds adorned with fairy lights. In Emily’s interview, she said she liked fun, drunk Gretchers best. I thought if Emily called Gretchen Gretchers one more time, I was going to go out of my mind. Meanwhile, Gina, Shannon, and Tamra went swimming and smoked a joint, except for Shannon whose had a cough for over a decade. What? Go to the doctor and not Dr. Moon. Did Katie leave? Did Tamra eat her? Stay tuned.


Real Housewives Of Miami

I was busy with something else, but I did get three takeaway points. 1) Lisa was smart to take the art when she got divorced. I was once told if you were going to invest in anything, invest in art, and sure enough, when the stock market tanked, the only stocks that didn’t were in art. 2) Adriana needs a dictionary because ratchet is not synonymous with racist. 3) And shame on Kiki. Adriana had made it loud and clear how much she wanted to ignore her age. There was no way it wasn’t age-shaming to put it on the cake. Although Julia did have a point in saying, what goes around, comes around aka karma.

Random Reality Items

This looks like a maybe.

Jill didn’t say a million was not what she asked for.

The Housewife who never sleeps.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

aka Charlie Sheen. Netflix. This documentary was endlessly enlightening. Charlie grew up with Sean Penn, who had a good deal of interview time. They grew up in Malibu, and I was surprised to see from home movies that it was basically rural/blue collar, no mansions, and not much different from where I grew up in Ohio. As Penn described it, Huckleberry Finn on the water. Denise Richards again proved why I like her when she asked why Charlie’s hookers shouldn’t get a share of her white trash, turkey sandwiches. They had to eat too. Although I wondered what was white trash about a turkey sandwich. Heidi Fliess was a bit of a surprise, very real and very smart. Charlie’s father told him, your word in this business will take you further than any big movie. Charlie must have been quite the disappointment, although there seems to be hope for him yet. Sober Charlie comes off as a self-depreciating, honest, and decent human being.

https://deadline.com/2025/09/aka-charlie-sheen-director-explains-documentary-revelations-1236530783/

https://people.com/charlie-sheen-ex-wife-brooke-mueller-addiction-netflix-documentary-11811473

Tales from the Apocalypse. Amazon Prime. An anthology of five stories. Mostly in outer space. I was bored. I kept hoping the next segment would be better, but that didn’t happen. If you like a space opera, you might enjoy it.

The Amaranth. Amazon Prime. I always appreciate a tale of a Shangri-La that isn’t what it seems to be. A man and his wife move to a retirement resort where life is nothing but rainbows and unicorns. He’s into it, but she’s much younger and bored and wondering what exactly is going o behind the scenes. A case of be careful what you wish for. I wanted to like this more than I did, but it wasn’t a total waste of time.

https://nofilmschool.com/2018/10/amaranth-interview

🏆 Roll Out the Carpet…

The Emmy winners.

https://ew.com/emmys-2025-winners-list-11806047

The best and worst moments.

https://ew.com/emmys-2025-best-and-worst-moments-11807003

The red carpet fashion.

https://ew.com/emmys-2025-red-carpet-photos-11809563

I’m personally offended by them leaving out Tony Todd.

https://ew.com/emmys-in-memoriam-leaves-out-hulk-hogan-jerry-adler-danielle-spencer-11808661

🫏 Breaking the Status Quo…

🐻 Hibernation is in the air along with rotund bears.

https://people.com/fat-beat-week-2025-everything-you-need-to-know-11813934

🪽 More confused than you.

https://people.com/rare-bird-spotted-texas-first-time-64-years-11813219

🦤 Along with purse charms, they’re coming back.

https://people.com/colossal-biosciences-makes-breakthrough-in-dodo-bird-de-extinction-exclusive-11811466

🫗 Quotes of the Week

Sometimes I lie awake at night and I ask, Is life a multiple choice test or is it a true or false test? …Then a voice comes to me out of the dark and says, We hate to tell you this but life is a thousand word essay. Charles M. Schulz

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

Thinking is a habit, and like any other habit, it can be changed; it just takes effort and repetition. – John Eliot

You’re only as young as the last time you changed your mind. – Timothy Leary

Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it. – Laurence J. Peter

Words are the clothes thoughts wear. – Samuel Beckett

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream. – Eleanor Roosevelt

She buys makeup and keeps buying makeup, and gets more makeup. – Aaron Phypers talking about Denise Richards (His point?)

Fondant doesn’t float on air. – one culinary artist to another on Halloween Wars

🤸‍♂️ Collapsing Into Fall…

Until next week, stay safe; stay keeping some of those warm weather clothes out (I learned the hard way the first time it went to 80* in October); and stay saying what you need to say to whomever you need to say it. None of us knows how much time we have in this life.

June 13, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Maxie Sets Up Brook and Lulu, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Un-Undead, City Bear, Best In Stage, Notable Pets (!), 3 Quotes 3 Times & Have a Cup

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

At the hospital, Drew told Ric about seeing Michael and Willow together with the kids. Things were definitely thawing. Whatever reconciliation was happening, he was going put an end to it right now.

Michael called Willow and said it was nice last night with the kids, and he thought they might speak privately at the courthouse. She said she’d like that and told Nina about it. Nina said it was a good sign. Michael wanting to talk might be what they’ve been hoping for.

Lucky brought Elizabeth to work and said it was the last time he could make sure she got there.

Chase found Brook at the boathouse, and she said she felt closer to Gio there. He practiced there and loved how the sound carried. He may never play the violin again and it was all Lulu’s fault.

Rocco told Lulu that Gio wasn’t answering his texts, and Lulu admitted she could have handled it better. Rocco said both his dad and Gio were hurting, but she said it would eventually blow over.

At the pool, Ava came in and Marco approached her.  

Cody asked if Carly had a minute. How did she feel about love?

Kristina brought Wiley and Amelia to the hospital, and Lucas said he knew they were here to see… Wiley said, Daisy, and Kristina left with Amelia after parking Wiley on a bench with a snack. Lucas asked how meeting Daisy was, and Wiley said, very fun. Lucas had to go to the desk, when Drew saw Wiley sitting alone. The wheels turned in his head, and he told Ric that things had to go their way. They needed custody of Wiley and Amelia. Now that Michael had the new baby, he didn’t want them.

Marco told Ava that they’d met at Miller & Davis, and she’d sold some artwork to his father Jenz Sidwell. He was lucky he ran into her. His father needed to get a Van Gogh through customs, and he thought she might have connections. She said, no problem, and he said he didn’t even have to name drop Lucas. She asked how he knew Lucas, and he said they were dating.

Cody told Carly that every Tuesday night could be the MetroCourt’s weekly singles night at the pool with a $50 buy in. He’d get the proceeds, but when couples hit it off, they’d want to get a hotel room, and she’d get the revenue. She said it was a five-star establishment, and they didn’t rent rooms by the hour, but he said they could get influencers and sponsors. The MetroCourt pool would be the hottest hang out for wealthy singles. Who could say no to love?

Elizabeth said Lucky had a lot of goodbyes to make, and he said, none of them were as hard. She said they were 15 when they fell in love and weren’t the same people, but it was okay. He said he still loved her as much today as back then and always would. She said she loved him, but they both knew he struggled with Port Charles, and it fit him even less now. They just ended up wanting different things, but it was better they parted now than wound up unhappy. They hugged and he said, goodbye.

Brook told Chase that she begged Lulu not to say anything, but she couldn’t do it. She didn’t know if she was more furious at Lulu or her mom. Chase showed her his response to Lois’s text, saying that Brook needed space and he refused to be a go-between. Forgiveness was Brook’s choice and he supported her decision. He told Brook that she could always count on him loving her.  

Drew told Ric that Michael now had a family with Daisy and Sasha, and it was what he wanted. Wiley listened as Drew said it was the only reason Michael came back. Ric said it would make it easier for them, and Drew walked away. Ric noticed Wiley sitting on the bench and followed Drew.

Willow told Nina that maybe Jason was right. She and Michael needed to just talk, face to face, with no one else in their ear. Nina said the kids needed both parents, but the way things had been headed, she wondered if Michael was even going to get visitation.  

Ric asked if Drew’s performance was for Wiley’s sake and wondered if it was a good idea to use the kid. Drew said he hated himself for it, but he loved Willow and had to derail any softening between her and Michael. Ric asked if it would be so terrible, and Drew said, yes. Because if Willow agreed to shared custody, it would only benefit Michael. Michael was losing and knew it. Compromises weren’t good and they had to stay the course. Hopefully with Wiley’s help they would.

Michael asked Wiley, what happened? and Wiley said, Michael didn’t want him and Amelia anymore. Michael said that wasn’t true. He loved them more than anything and there wasn’t anything he wanted more. Their phone calls were what got him better. All he wanted was to come home to them. Wiley said, what about the new baby? and Michael said he’d need Wiley more than ever to be a big brother and teach Amelia how to be a big sister. Where did he get that idea to begin with? Wiley said he heard Uncle Drew say it.

Ava said Lucas was quite the catch, but Marco was no slouch himself. Marco said she might change her mind when she found out his mother was Natalia Ramirez.  

Carly said she appreciated Cody’s idea, but they had themed nights at the pool every night of the week. If that changed, she’d let him know. She loved his hustle. She left, and Cody asked Gio how he was holding up. Gio said, for a guy who just found out his whole life was a lie, he was fine. Cody asked if Gio needed money, but Gio said he was staying with Emma and her grandmother and had everything he needed.

Lucky went to Lulu’s and said he came to say goodbye. He was leaving Port Charles for good. Lulu said, when they’d talked, things with Elizabeth were going great, and he said, they were, but it couldn’t last and that was on him.

Willow told Nina that it was like old times. Not in a romantic way, but just nice. That Michael shouldn’t be kept away from his kids. Nina said Willow told her that Michael was a good dad, and Willow said she’d just been disappointed. He was acting like the old Michael, and he’d compromised in the past. She could return the favor by compromising now. Nina said, that was the way, to be open and honest, and Willow said, if that was true, why had Nina kept secrets?  

Michael, Kristina, Wiley, and Amelia looked at Daisy, and Kristina said she would need Wiley to teach her the tricks of the trade. Michael gave Wiley his phone and told him to find out which cartoons Daisy needed to know about while he talked to Aunt Kristina. He told Kristina that things were never going to get better with Drew in the picture.

Seeing Elizabeth, Lucas said all was right with the world again, and they hugged. He asked what was wrong, and she said, Lucky was leaving. She told him to go after he proposed.

Lulu said, staying in one place had never been Lucky’s thing, and he said he and Elizabeth were opposites. Her comfort was in stability. Lulu asked where he was going, but he said he didn’t know. He was going to travel with Aiden over the summer, like they did with their mom and dad. Lulu said she hated this, but it sounded like he and Elizabeth were being mature, and he said, Elizabeth was, and he was trying his hardest to be. She asked if he was sure he could walk away, and he said he loved Elizabeth too much not to.

Ava said she apologized for her part in exposing Marco’s mother’s unlovely opinions, and Marco said Lucas had told him, but he knows how deep his mother’s intolerance runs. Ava said she couldn’t imagine not accepting her child for who they were, and he said he appreciated that. Ava said she’d be in touch, and left.  

Rocco asked if Gio got his texts, and Gio said he was sorry. He was still spinning. Rocco. Rocco said he got it and was sorry, but Gio said, Rocco didn’t lie to him. Rocco said he’d never lie to his own brother.

Nina asked, what secret? (really?) and Willow said, that Michael and Sasha slept together. Nina said she just found out the other day… Willow said she wasn’t mad. She was grateful. She knew how close Nina and Sasha were and couldn’t imagine how difficult it was. Nina said she knew if she was going to make sure Willow got the kids, she needed to tell Ric. She loved Willow so much and would do anything for her. Willow told her that a lot of people said the words, but never backed them up with action. Nina did and put her first. Michael joined them and told Willow that Wiley thought he didn’t want him and Amelia anymore, and she said, because of the new baby? Wiley was thrilled to see her. Where did he get that idea? Michael said, from Drew.

Kristina went to the pool and told herself to take a deep breath. She looked up at the window and Gio asked if she was okay. She said she thought she could do it, but maybe it was a bad idea. It’s her first time back at the pool since… Gio said she was pale and suggested she sit. He’d get her some water. He brought her a bottled water and asked if he could take her to the elevator, but she told him that she said she’d do it, and she was going to. He said, if she needed him, let him know, and he left. Ava walked by on the phone, talking about the Van Gogh, and saw Cody on the end. She said she believed he was on her chaise.  

Chase said Gio would come around, but Brook said when he heard it was her choice to give him away, it shredded him. Chase suggested she give him time to process, and she said it was her choice to give him up and now he knew. Chase said she did the best she could, but she said she gave Gio away. The part that hurt most was that she didn’t want him. Chase said that’s not how it was, but Brook said, it was for Gio. He was in pain, and she caused it.

Rocco said finding out he and Gio were brothers and living together, he had no idea, and Gio said he always wanted a brother. Rocco said him too. He had Danny, but he was glad to have Gio too. Gio said, growing up, he was lonely sometimes. He was envious of people with crazy families and when his mom died, he wished he’d had even one person to go through it with him. Things were weird, but finding out he had a brother was one of the best things to come out of all these lies. Rocco said he knew it was tough with Dante. He could talk to him again and make him get it so they could move past that night.

Cody said he was so sorry and offered to get Ava a drink for commandeering her chaise. She said she wouldn’t say no to an ice tea, and he apologized again. He left as Kristina watched.

Michael said he found Wiley in tears and Wiley told him that he heard Uncle Drew saying he didn’t want him or his sister. Drew was tearing apart their family. Willow insisted he misunderstood, but he told her that Dre said it and he bet Drew meant for Wiley to overhear. Willow said, Drew would never do something like that. Wiley either misconstrued something or Michael was making it up to turn her against Drew. Drew as a good man who loved her and her children. He would never do something to hurt them. Michael told her to remember this moment, the moment she could have ended things, but refused. She chose Drew over her kids. He went into the courtroom, and Nina asked if Willow was okay, but Willow said, no. Drew asked what was wrong, and Willow said Michael claimed Wiley heard Drew say that Michael didn’t want him. Wiley is upset now, but she knew he’d never do that. He said, no, never, and hugged her. He said he was so sorry. It just showed that Michael wasn’t well, and the kids belonged with them.

Michael told Diane to stick to the plan. Do what she had to do for him to get the kids. They weren’t safe with Willow.

Ava said she had some loose ends to tie up, and Cody thanked her for chatting. He was sorry about the chair. She said, no problem, and started to leave, but Kristina asked if she was back to the scene of the crime. Ava said, days like this made you appreciate your freedom. Enjoy it. She left and Kristina saw Ava’s sunglasses on the table.

Elizabeth said it was crazy how much she and Lucky loved each other. Maybe if she was the same girl he’d met outside Kelly’s and was willing to throw caution to the winds and follow… Lucas said, but she wasn’t that girl anymore, and she said, no, but she knew her and was grateful for her. And she was grateful for the boy she met outside Kelly’s all those years ago. They would always love each other, but it wasn’t going to work this time. He said she was doing the right thing. Truly loving someone was wanting what was best for them. She said, in their case, just not each other.

Lulu said she’d miss Lucky. She was counting on him to help her through this rough patch. He said he saw the video from the Nurses Ball. Thanks to her? She said, not on purpose, and he said he took that as a yes. She said she never meant to hurt Gio. She was just trying to find out the truth.

Chase told Brook that he wanted to lash out when his world fell apart and punish everybody. He guessed Gio felt that way, but it wasn’t forever. Emotions would fade and Gio would see Brook’s decision for what it was, the ultimate sacrifice. She said, even if Gio forgave her, she didn’t know if she could forgive herself. What if Gio never allowed her to be his mother because of the secrets and lies she didn’t know about? He said there would be no keeping the big stuff from their child. They would learn from this and their child would know they were adopted as soon as possible. Brook agreed and promised she learned from her mistakes, but Lulu never would.

Gio told Rocco that he wasn’t being rude, but he wasn’t ready, and Rocco said his dad had no idea about any of this either. Gio said it didn’t matter. Dante made it clear what he thought of him, and he didn’t care if Dante changed his mind because they were related. He got that Rocco loved his father, but Dante meant nothing to him

Ric called Willow as his next witness. He said she had two children and had been married two years, correct? and she said, yes. He asked if she believed Michael was a good father, and she said she used to believe that more than anything. He said, and now? and she said, absolutely not.

Kristina approached Cody, and he said, hello Molly’s sister. She asked how he would like to make some money.

Lucas said there was power in acceptance, and Elizabeth said she was proud of her and Lucky. Staying together would end in heartbreak. He said, she did the responsible thing, and she asked why it hurt so much. They hugged.

Lucky said Lulu was just trying to do the right thing and one day Gio and Dante would be able to see that. Lulu said she hoped so, and Lucky said he was taking off. She was in charge of holding all things down that were Spencer. She said she was up for the challenge. Was he sure she couldn’t convince him to stay? Lucky said she was the reason he came back, and he was so glad he did. The one thing he’d change was that he wished he’d been the match that saved her. She said he’d saved her more times than he realized. He said, back at her. And if she ever needed him… She said, use the bat signal? and he said, or text. He loved her. She said she loved him to, they hugged, and she cried.

Rocco said he got that Gio wasn’t ready to talk about their dad and didn’t want people to treat him differently. But they’d always gotten along. If they hung out more, it wouldn’t be a big change. Gio suggested they put the brother stuff on the back burner and go back to just being friends, and Rocco said he’d like that. See him soon? Gio said he could count on it, and Rocco left.

Brook thanked Marco for coming to the boathouse. She reached out before he was new in Port Charles and she needed a lawyer with no ties or conflict of interest. Did he have any ties to Lulu Spencer? He said, none that he was aware of, and she suggested they get started. (I like it!)

Willow said it was more obvious after the fire when Michael chose to go to Germany for treatment rather than Baltimore where he’d be closer. Ric said, and the children could visit, and Willow said, before that, work at Aurora and ELQ made him miss things like school events, sports, family dinners, and weekend trips. Ric asked if that was difficult for Wiley and Amelia, and she said very. It converted the message that Michael liked the idea of being a father more than the act of being one.  Ric said, beyond Michael’s family’s violent lifestyle, it was clearly an abandonment issue, and Willow said she tried to keep it civil. She even flew to Germany, but Michael refused to see her. She tried, but Michael couldn’t or wouldn’t meet her halfway. Michael wrote something on a pad, showing it to Diane, and Ric said, no further questions. Diane said, Willow testified under oath that the children were her number one priority, and Willow said, yes. Diane said, so tell her and the court honestly, which was more important, being with them or being with Drew Cain?

Tuesday:

Tracy found Brook at the boathouse and asked if Jenz Sidwell’s son just left. Brook said he was a lawyer, and Tracy wondered who she was going to sue. Brook said, if she was, it would be her mother and grandmother, but no damages could make up for the look of pain on her son’s face.

Ava talked to Trina about an upcoming art opening. They were going all out, the whole shebang. The nightmare was over, and Ava was back.

Cody asked if Kristina needed a bartender, but she said she wanted him to seduce someone.

Martin went to Laura’s office and told her that he’d lied about where he was.

Lucky found Isaiah at the hospital and said he was there to repay a debt.

Kai went to Portia’s office and wanted to know about the congressman.

Diane asked Willow, what mattered more, being with the children or being with Drew? and Willow said Michael had given her a similar ultimatum. He’d grant her access to the children, but only if she left Drew. The hearing was really about her relationship with Drew. Why should she have to choose?

Tracy said Lois and Gloria had betrayed Brook, and Brook said she’d given them the boot. Her mother only thought about how it affected her, yet she’d lied to her, Gio, and everyone. Her whole life she’d tried to live up to their expectations and be good and honest. Look where it had gotten her.

Martin said he’d told Laura that he’d taken care of the unpleasantness with his ex-wife, but he was in a jail cell in Lodi. All of his ex-wives had gotten together and decided to strip him of his assets. He was broke.

Cody said he thought it was progressive of Kristina. He’d always felt Alexis was attractive… She told him, stop. God no. He said, then who? and she said she wanted him to seduce Ava. He said, why her?

Ava said she was able to refinance her second property and Jenz Sidwell had made several large purchases. It was touch and go for a while, and she wouldn’t have gotten though without Trina’s help. Trina said she was there when Ava needed her, except for tomorrow. She was going to GH with Kai for his post-op scan. She was still worried, but it was Kai’s choice. Ava asked why it still wasn’t sitting right with her, and Trina said it was hard to accept Kai getting closer to Drew, even though she got why he felt grateful. Ava said Trina’s original assessment of Drew was spot-on and she advised Trina to be careful around that man.

Kai thanked Portia for inviting him to the barbecue. It was really fun and great to meet Trina’s granddad, but he owed her and Curtis an apology. He shouldn’t have gone on about Drew. He tried not to judge and make up his own mind about a person, but didn’t understand how someone so good to him didn’t get along with them. Portia said it had nothing to do with anyone else, and he said he knew there was an issue at Aurora between Drew and Curtis. Was there something else he wasn’t seeing about Drew?

Diane said, going back to the beginning of the affair, what happened? and Willow said she and Drew fell in love. She tried to stay away from him, but she couldn’t. Diane asked if Drew pursued her, but she said, no. Diane said, she pursued him? but she said, no. Diane wondered if they’d fallen in love for no reason, and Ric objected, saying Diane was badgering the witness. Judge Haran overruled it, and Willow said she didn’t understand what this had to do with her ability to be a mother. Diane said, it had no bearing on the affair? Even them having sex on the floor of the children’s nursery?

Lucky gave Isaiah the deed to a cabin by the lake that his dad built. He wanted Isaiah to have it. He wouldn’t be able to use it because he was leaving Port Charles.

Brook said she’d tried to live up to their standards and they were total hypocrites, and Tracy said, now she knew who they were. She didn’t have to please or defend them. She was free. Brook said her son was still a Cerullo, but Tracy said, he was still a Quartermaine, like Brook. Brook said as soon as Lulu came at her, she should have ground Martin down for information. She should have looked for her son.  

Ava said, the congressman was very cunning, and Trina had a right to be concerned about what he had in mind for Kai. Trina said she knew what Drew was capable of and didn’t like it, but she was going along for Kai’s sake. Ava said, Portia had to deal with Drew because of the Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷), and Trina said Portia had been stressed. Maybe that was why.

Portia told Kai that Curtis and Drew were best friends, then Drew changed. They hardly recognized him. Kai wondered why, and Portia said Drew had gone to prison for insider trading. While he was there, he was attacked and nearly died. She didn’t know if that was why, but once he got out, he was opportunistic, selfish, and extremely manipulative. He was willing to use anyone to get what he wants. That’s why she, Trina, and Curtis were so concerned. He asked how he could turn his back on someone who’d done so much for him, but Portia said they’d never ask him to do that. She just wanted him to be aware of the kind of person Drew really was. She and Curtis had trusted him, and he did things to hurt them. They didn’t want Drew to exploit Kai. Kai asked if she thought Drew was capable of that, and she said she knew he was.

Willow said she and Drew didn’t plan on it. Sam had just died. Diane said, so the only way to comfort him was to have sex in the nursery. In that instant, she’d put Drew’s needs ahead of her children’s. They could have come in at any point and seen them in flagrante delicto. Ric objected for badgering again, and the judge sustained it. Diane said, when Michael was at General Hospital being treated for third degree burns, did Willow bar the family’s access to him? Willow says, because… Diane said, yes, or no? and Willow said, yes, but… Diane said Willow wasn’t so sure of her course of action. What convinced her otherwise? Willow said Drew helped her realize it was the only way to get her children back from the Quartermaines. Diane asked why she didn’t consult Michael before taking Wiley to Drew’s inauguration in DC, and Willow said, Wiley waws excited and she and Drew thought it was a great opportunity. Diane said, when Michael chose to seek treatment in Germany, it frustrated her. She didn’t want the best possible medical treatment for him? Willow said, of course (🍷) she did, but she didn’t think he’d abandon his children. Diane said, to choose the best treatment was abandoning his children, and Willow said, yes. Diane asked why she chose to move Wiley and Amelia into Drew’s home without consulting Michael, and Willow said she and Drew felt it was the best stable home. Diane asked how the children felt, and Willow said, they loved it. Diane asked if they’d expressed a desire to return to their own home, and Willow admitted they’d asked to move back home.

Cody asked why Kristina was going after Ava and why she thought Ava would be into him. Kristina said Ava was easily distracted and Cody was charming and a shiny new object. She wanted to help Ric see how horrible she was. She was looking out for Molly. He said Molly was pretty great, and she said, Molly was amazing. She loved her father and was appalled that he was dating Ava. Molly hated Ava as much as she did. If not for Ava, she wouldn’t have fallen and lost their baby. Ava was the reason her brother Morgan was dead, and if Cody could come between Ava and Ric, he’d be doing a good thing, and she’d make it worth his while.

Ava asked how Trina’s parents were acting weird, and Trina said Marshall came for a visit and they were having a family get together, but her parents had a vibe, and it wasn’t the first time. Ava asked, when was the first time? and Trina said, since the Nurses Ball. They left early, saying they had to work, but she felt there was something more happening. Ava said relationships went through phases and it was normal. There was nothing to worry about. Trina said Ava was probably right. She was sure she was making a big deal of nothing.

Martin told Laura that it was embarrassing. He was so skint, he couldn’t afford his room and he was wondering if he could impose on her and Doc and move in for a while. Laura said, of course (🍷). Lulu just moved out and Lucky was spending all his time with Elizabeth. She was hoping it would become permanent. They had plenty of room. They hugged and she said he could stay as long as he liked. He said he was going to get back on his feet even though his most lucrative client was in prison for life. He was going to make a full financial recovery, and Tracy Quartermaine was going to pay for it.

Tracy said what if Brook had looked and it led to Gio. He could still be just as angry. Brook said only if he knew who she was. She wouldn’t have wanted to destroy his memories of Camilla. She wished she’d come clean on her own terms instead of keeping Lois and Gloria’s secrets. She’d begged Lulu to keep quiet. Tracy said she thought she’d convinced Lulu too. She was sorry. Brook said she was going to remind people never to come for Brook Lynn Quartermaine, and Tracy asked if by people, she meant Lulu. Brook asked if she didn’t think Lulu needed to be held accountable.

Diane asked why Willow didn’t want shared custody, and Willow said she loved her children and had wanted their father to be in their lives. Diane asked why she used the past tense, and Willow said, up until an hour ago, she thought it was possible. Michael seemed open to compromise. They were getting along last night, showing Wiley and Amelia their new baby sister. Diane asked, what changed? and Willow said, Michael gave in to his animosity for Drew. Before the hearing, he approached her and made it clear he wouldn’t agree to a joint custody arrangement, so she had no other option than to petition for full custody. Diane asked if she thought she was the perfect parent, but Willow said she’d made mistakes. She regretted the way her marriage ended, but when she fell in love with Drew, her marriage was already over. She and Michael were going through the motions and neither one of them was able to admit it.

Ric said, for months, Willow was the primary caretaker of the children, and she said, when Michael was in Germany, she was the sole parent. Drew was a godsend. He helped them move into a safe home. He cared for them, read to them, and played with them. He made them feel safe and loved. She might have made mistakes, but she was Wiley and Amelia’s mother, and they belonged with her.

Lucky told Isaiah that he’d proposed, but it didn’t take. Part of him was heartbroken, but the rest felt like he knew it was the right thing for both of them and Aiden. Isaiah asked why he didn’t give the cabin to his son, but Lucky said, Aiden told him that his wilderness phase ended when he was a PC Pioneer. Isaiah saved his sister’s life, and he couldn’t begin to thank him. Isaiah said Lucky got him out of Sidwell’s compound and was almost killed. Lucky said rescue missions and life or death poker games were his jams, and Isaiah said, when they met, he said he was soul searching, but he was hiding. Coming to Port Charles, he found a place to practice and found a place to live. He faced himself. Because of Lucky and his sister, he was back in the OR. If anybody owed anything, Isaiah owed him. Lucky said Isaiah was welcome and they hugged. He told Isaiah that he had to take off, and Isaiah said, good luck. Lucky told Isaiah to fix the place up for him. Isaiah owed him.

Kai thanked Portia for her time and said he thought now that he knew Drew’s background better, he understood why Trina didn’t trust him. Portia said, a word of advice. Drew didn’t have to be an issue for him and Trina. Focus on what brings them together.

Judge Haran said both sides had given her a lot to consider. She’d be making a propriety determination on which parent should get custody and would keep the welfare of the children first and foremost in her mind. They’d be notified when she reached a verdict. Court was adjourned. Drew hugged Willow and said she was great. Carly said, what now? and Diane said they waited and hoped the judge made the right decision.  

Tracy said she thought Brook made up her mind, and Brook said she’d tried to live down the Dante and Lulu thing and make up for it. Tracy said she did more than make up for it, and Brook said she should have been more like Tracy. Tracy was who she was and made zero excuses for it. She’d do anything for her family and didn’t pretend otherwise. Mess with her and she’d mess right back. Tracy said she loved seeing this strength, but Brook needed to know that exercising that strength came at a cost.

Cody said he got that Kristina was looking out for her sister, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to get mixed up with Ava. Kristina said she’d make it worth his while, and he asked, how? She said she had resources. She was good for it. He said he wasn’t un-interested, but needed to know she was serious. She asked his terms, and he said, cash, money up front, and he wouldn’t tell what she was up to.

Trina said she was happy Ava was back on her feet, and the gallery was safe. Port Charles wouldn’t be the same without it. Ava said she’d had some lucky breaks, and Ric had been a help. Trina said she noticed ava and Ric had been spending a lot of time together, and Ava said Ric was a good man. She was getting to know him on a professional and personal level. Trina asked if she was happy, and Ava said she thought she was. Trina said, if Ava was happy, she was happy.

Laura suggested Martin settle in before he declared war with Tracy, and Martin said he wasn’t kidding. Tracy was going to foot the bill for his pain and suffering. Laura said she’d steer clear of Tracy, but he said Tracy had it coming. Laura said her home was his home, but if he broke one law in getting back at Tracy… Martin said she had his word. He was being meticulous, thorough, and 100% legit. For once, the law was on his side.

Tracy told Brook that she’d spent most of her adult life wrangling her great-grandparents. No doubt she would have lived a happier life if she’d stepped away from the conflict instead of leaning in. Were scheming and conflicts where Brook wanted to put her energy, or having a relationship with her son and strengthening her marriage? It was amazing that she’d found the love of her life. Brook said Tracy had Luke, and Tracy said she did, but she had five or more marriages before him. The grifter, three mobsters, and a serial killer… and two other marriages to Luke. Brook is in a different position than she was. Brook was surrounded by good people who loved her. She wanted Brook to think carefully before she put her energy and strength toward revenge.

Trina said she wondered if Ric was right for Ava. She knew his reputation because of Josslyn. Ava said Josslyn was hardly objective, and Trina said he fought to get Heather released. She got that it was his job, but she thought Ava was great and wanted him to be worthy of her.

Cody said it wasn’t going to happen overnight and Kristina said she wasn’t being impulsive. She’d thought it through and was playing the long game. He said he’d have to access the situation, for a fee, and she said, how much? He said $1000 would get her a trial run, and she said here was his way in, handing him the sunglasses. They had a deal.

Lucky knocked at Laura’s office door, and she asked what was on his mind. He said he needed to tell her that he was sorry, but he was going to disappoint her again. She said he was leaving, wasn’t he?

Portia left a message for Nina and said she was calling again. Call her back. She knew Nina was busy, but she needed to find Jacinda. It was an emergency. Portia threw her phone and said, dammit! The phone nearly hit Isaiah, who was standing in the doorway.

Brook said she appreciated the warning, but thought Tracy was underestimating her. She could love Chase and be a good wife and build a relationship with her son. Tracy said she was concerned about the revenge, but Brook said she didn’t look at it as revenge. She was being true to herself. She was doing what she felt was right, fair, and just.

Michael said Willow held her own better than he thought she would, and Carly said Willow may think she had the last word, but the judge would see through it. He said he hoped she was right. Something wasn’t making sense. Was she sure Willow went to Germany? Carly said, Jason convinced her to go, and he said, then why did no one tell him that she was there?

Willow thanked Nina for her support, and Nina said she’d do anything for Willow. Willow said she couldn’t believe Michael would lie about something Wiley said. It made her more certain she was doing the right thing. As if Drew would ever say such a thing.

Ric told Drew that he hoped the outcome was what Drew was hoping for. He did what he could. Drew said so did he. Staging the scene in front of Wiley guaranteed there would be no compromise between Michael and Willow. Ric said he guessed when you went up against the Quartermaines, you had to pull out all the stops, and Drew said, Willow stood strong. They were going to win. (I say, no, they won’t, because Willow said Drew’s name one too many times, and obviously excluded Michael from all decisions.)

Wednesday:

Lucky told Laura that he wanted to make it work, but this wasn’t where he belonged, at least not right now. She asked if he genuinely believed this was what was best for him, and he said he was. She said then there was nothing to apologize for.

At the hospital, Martin approached Elizabeth and said he was looking for a client. She asked what their name was, and he said that remained to be seen.

Trina and Kai went to the pool, and Kai said he had something he needed to tell her. When he was at her parents’, he heard something he wasn’t supposed to.

Isaiah asked if everything was okay, and Portia said it was a spam call. He said he was worried it had something to do with her lying to her husband.

Felicia went to Curtis’s office and asked why he wanted to see her. He said he wanted to hire her.

Nina said she thought Willow handled herself well on the stand. She was steady, calm, focused, and fought for her children. Willow said Ric had her prepared, but she wished things hadn’t gone so far, and Nina told her that Michael said something about Wiley overhearing Drew say Michael didn’t want Wiley and Amelia. Willow insisted Drew would never say that. It showed Michael was even willing to lie about Wiley.

Sonny asked how it went, and Jason said the judge was making her decision. Michael said he didn’t know, but him losing was a definite possibility, and if he did, he was taking Wiley and Amelia and leaving the country.

Lucky said he’d felt guilty that he was gone when Laura and Lulu needed him most. He’d promised not to abandon them again. Laura said he hadn’t abandoned them. There were times he left when he had to and times he was running away, but this time it felt like he was going because it was what was best for him. What changed? Lucky said he’d asked Elizabeth to marry him and she wisely turned him down.

Elizabeth asked if Martin’s client was a patient, and he asked her to point him in the direction of any patient who was feeling litigious. She said, so he was ambulance chasing, and he said he had no choice thanks to Tracy and his ex-wives. Elizabeth was just in a car accident and might be entitled to compensation. Elizabeth was like, thanks, but no thanks, when Tracy came out of the elevator. She asked, who let Martin out?

Kai said Trina’s mom and dad were talking about the escort who was partying with Drew. Her dad said he wanted to find her and have her claim that Drew paid her for sex and took the ketamine on purpose. He said they couldn’t figure out their marriage until her mom was safe and her mom wasn’t safe until he found the escort.

Curtis said he knew Felicia had stepped away from P.I. work, but he admired her skill and professionalism. She said she felt the same way about him. Why did he need her? He said he was too busy at Aurora to tackle a project and was hoping she’d be interested in moonlighting. She said, what’s the job? And he said, it was less a what and more of a who. He wanted her to locate someone off the grid who was a key part in a major story Aurora was running, an escort named Jacinda… She said, the escort seen with Drew doing body shots? and he said, that’s the one.

Portia said she didn’t know what Isaiah meant, and he closed the door. He said, the last time he came to her office he overhead her conversation, and she said, he eavesdropped. He said he didn’t need to. Anyone could have heard, but it happened to be him. She asked what he heard, and he said, if her husband found out she was lying, her marriage would be over. She asked what he wanted, and he said it was obvious something was weighing on her. If she needed to vent before things got worse, he was available.

Willow said she thought they’d had a breakthrough when she saw the version of Michael that she used to know, and Nina wondered if his change in attitude was because of what Drew said. Willow told her it was what Michael claimed he said, and Nina said, maybe Wiley heard something. Willow said, anything was possible, but it was more likely that Michael was doing what he had to in order to get sole custody. Nina asked if she thought Michael was lying, and Willow said she thought he was trying to manipulate her. First, he showed her the side she fell in love with, and when she let her guard down, the real Michael showed up. If he made her uncertain and vulnerable, he’d swoop in and take her children. She wasn’t going to let that happen.

Sonny said Michael didn’t sound optimistic, and Michael said Willow came off as sympathetic and the truth about the baby might have been enough. Carly asked if he was going to leaved his life behind. What about Sasha and Daisy? Michael said he and Sasha would cross that bridge when they came to it. Drew set Wiley up and he didn’t want the kids around Drew anymore. Willow thought he was a liar and Drew walked on water when Drew was actively hurting his kids. Willow wouldn’t see it, so they couldn’t be with her.

Laura said it must have been hard for Elizabeth too, and Lucky said she didn’t turn him down because she didn’t love him. They loved each other and wanted what was best for each other. They’d taken different paths and needed different things. It was better they acknowledged that now. If they didn’t, they’d just end up hurting each other.

Tracy asked if Martin had been released early from the pokey, and he said his ex-wives had bled him dry thanks to her. She said she’d gotten handwritten notes and Blair’s floral arrangement was decadent. His exes had good taste, except in men obviously. Martin said she should be nicer to him. She just might need his services sooner than she might think.

Trina wondered what Drew had to do with her parents’ marriage, and Kai said he was just telling her what he’d heard and wished he hadn’t. He got the impression her dad wanted to track down the escort and pay her to lie about Drew.

Curtis said he wanted Felicia to nail down Jacinda’s location and circle back to him, and she said she was guessing someone paid her to leave town and stay hidden. It might be tough to track her down. He said he’d make it worth her time, and she said she could absolutely find Jacinda, but needed assurance that had nothing to do with money.

Isaiah said Portia was an excellent physician and a fantastic administrator. She seemed stressed. Maybe for her own sake, she should take a step back. Portia said he was out of line, but he said he didn’t think he was. If she kept going like this, she was going to make a mistake. She said she appreciated his concern, but strain and stress were part of the job. She was fine, and as far as her marriage went, that was none of his business. He said, understood, and left.

Carly said Michael couldn’t leave his new baby, and Michael said he didn’t want to, but what choice did he have? He’d promised to let Sasha raise the baby on her own terms and his kids were his everything. Daisy had her mom, so he had to put Wiley and Amelia’s interests first. Jason said he’d be there if Sasha need anything, and Sonny said he’d be there for everything. Michael said he never wanted to keep Daisy a secret, but was respecting Sasha’s wishes. It didn’t help with custody. Carly said, now that the truth was out, it might cost Michael when the judge ruled.

Isaiah told Elizabeth that he was down one best friend and up one cabin. It was a gift from Lucky. Elizabeth said, he never mentioned it, and Isaiah said, maybe they had other things to talk about. Was she okay? She said, yeah, and he said he was a little surprised when she told Lucky to go. She said Port Charles was where Lucky was from, not where he belonged, and Isaiah said Lucky wanted to be with her. Why not roll the dice? She said it was tempting and would have been great for ten minutes, but it wouldn’t work and they’d both be heartbroken again.

Laura said love stories didn’t really have fairytale endings in real life, and Lucky said he’d like to think once in a while they did. She and his dad weren’t big on fairytales. Laura said they liked adventures. She never questioned Lucky’s need to be out in the world, seeing it, saving it, changing it. She was grateful he came home and reconnected with the people he loved and who loved him and would always love him no matter where he went.

Trina said Tracy being arrested for drugging Drew made no sense, and Kai asked if it was possible. She said she didn’t know, but Drew had screwed over her father and destroyed his own nephew’s marriage. He was a politician trying to save his career, so he could be lying. Kai said, what if he wasn’t?

Curtis asked, what kind of assurance? and Felicia said she was guessing Jacinda didn’t anticipate the full-blown media circus. She needed to know that if she located Jacinda and Jacinda chose to stay hidden, she’d honor that. He said he had no intention of sensationalizing it. He just wanted to talk with her and make her an offer. If she refused, he’d respect that. Felicia said, in that case, they had a deal, and they shook hands. There was a knock at the door and Jordan said she was sorry for interrupting, but Felicia said she was just leaving. She left, and Jordan said, let her guess. He hired Felicia to track down Jacinda.

Nina said, if Michael was warm and caring, did Willow think they could reach a compromise? and Willow said she wanted to. The kids loved their dad and missed him when he was gone. But if he was willing to lie about the children and Drew, what else was he willing to lie about? How could she trust him? Drew came in and said Willow was incredible in court. She was about to get her kids back because of it. She showed what kind of person and mother shew was. She could have had it in the bag when Sasha took the stand and said she was pregnant. As soon as the truth was out, it was game over.

Carly said if Michael took the kids out of the country, it was kidnapping and there was no coming back from that. Michael said it wasn’t a move he was making lightly, and she said, what about his family, his brothers and sisters he was leaving behind? He said he didn’t want to, but it was no life without his kids. They were his first priority, but not Willow’s. She asked if Willow didn’t entertain the possibility that Drew said what he did, but Michael said, he could do no wrong in Willow’s eyes. She might trust him with the kids, but he couldn’t.

Tracy asked why she’d need Martin, and he asked if she wasn’t out on bail. She was facing charges of drugging a sitting congressman. She said she was framed, and he said they found the evidence in her car. She said, Drew put it there. Did he think anybody would believe she was stupid enough to keep evidence in her car of a crime she’d committed? He said he didn’t know, but she had a checkered past. He’d had plenty of time to do the research and there were all kinds of ways Drew could make her life miserable. Maybe he should talk to Drew about them.

Jordan told Curtis that Felicia was one of the best P.I.s to find someone off the grid – present company excluded. She had no doubt Felicia could track down Jacinda. Curtis said, the question was, what could he get Jacinda to say about her involvement with Drew?

Trina wondered why her father would pay an escort to make up a story about Drew, and Kai said he didn’t know. It seemed like he wanted to protect her mom. She asked if he thought it was connected to the woman they thought drugged Drew, and he said he thought that’s what it sounded like, but she said, it made no sense. She didn’t know what was going on, but she was sure there was an explanation. Kai asked what she wanted to do.

Drew said Michael’s lies came to light, but Willow put the ugliness aside and delivered her husband’s mistress’s baby. She’s practically a saint. Willow said she was a nurse and Sasha was in labor, but he said it was more than that. The judge would see that Michael deserved to lose his kids, and when she got full custody, they could put it behind them and get a fresh start in DC. Willow said she wouldn’t relax until the kids were back with her. She needed to get some air and would be back soon. She left, and Nina asked if Drew meant one word of what he just said.

Sonny said, whatever Michael needed, he was there, and Michael asked what Jason thought. Jason said he thought Michael was doing what he thought was right for the kids. He’d do what he promised and look out for Sasha and Daisy and get them to visit. Whatever Michael decided. Michael thanked Jason for looking out for them when he couldn’t, and Jason said, of course (🍷). Michael said Carly was being too quiet, and Carly said she thought he was wrong and making a huge mistake. There had to be another way. If he crossed that line, he’d be a fugitive in the eyes of the court and make Drew and Willow right. He said he could live with that as long as the kids were safe. They were out of time, and he couldn’t leave the children with Willow and Drew. He was going to pick up Wiley and Amelia and take them to the park, and he left.  

Lucky guessed it was time to head to the airport, and Laura told him to give Aiden a hug and send lots of pictures. Wherever he ended up, try a little harder to keep in touch. Let her know how and where he was once in a while. He promised, and she said she was grateful he came home. She was going to miss him. She hugged him and cried. She said she was happy he was here and wanted him to know he had her blessing to go. He said it meant the world to him and thanked her for the welcome home. Also, for letting him go. She said if he ever needed her, she was there. She would always be his mom.  

Isaiah told Elizabeth that Aiden would have an amazing time. He was coming back, but Lucky wasn’t. It may be the last time she’d see him in who knew how long. Was she sure she’d said everything she needed to?

Jordan said Curtis was taking a chance. He was not the only one with a Drew problem and might not be the only one searching for Jacinda. Curtis said that’s why he needed to get to her first, and she said, what then? He said, it stayed between them, and she said she trusted him with her cover working for Sidwell. He could trust her with this. He said he intended to find Jacinda and pay her to tell him a story on record that would protect Portia and destroy Drew. Jordan said, if it worked, it would solve his problem, but what if it created another?

Trina said they wouldn’t do anything, unless Kai had a better idea, and he said, maybe she should talk to her parents. She said, ask them if they were planning on paying a sex worker to defraud the congressman? She didn’t know what was going on, but it was none of their business. She trusted her parents, but didn’t trust Drew. She was asking him to let it go. He said she was right. it was none of their business, and suggested they get in the pool.

At the airport, Aiden thanked Lucky for taking him, and Lucky said he hoped it was the first of many trips. He had so many places to show Aiden. Aiden asked how long they’d be in Paris, and Lucky said it was a pit stop for now and they’d circle back. they were going to start with his grandpa’s old stomping grounds, Amsterdam. Lucky got a text from Elizabeth: Wait for me.

Nina said Drew was enjoying this, but Willow wasn’t. It was tearing her apart. He said he wasn’t enjoying it. He wasn’t the bad guy; Michael was. She said, from where she was standing, it was a photo finish. Everyone was getting along great, and they could have reached a compromise, but then suddenly, something changed. Wiley apparently heard that his father no longer wanted him and Amelia because of the new baby. He wouldn’t know anything about that, would he?

Carly told Sonny that they just got Michael back. She couldn’t lose him and her grandchildren. Talk to him. Sonny said he hated this, but Carly said he seemed ready to put Michael on a jet. He said she’d do the same, and Jason said, Carly was in the courtroom. Was it as bad as Michael thinks? Sonny’s phone rang and he left to take the call.

Willow was in the park when Wiley ran up to her and hugged her. She looked up and saw Michael with Amelia.

Tracy asked if Martin was digging up dirt on her. They both knew he didn’t have the money to rent a bulldozer. He said it would be harder for her to dig her way out of the charge. His help was going to cost her.

Jordan said she’d be a bad friend not to say that so far, Jacinda had been discreet, for a price. Portia had a Drew problem, but if he pursued Jacinda, he might have a Jacinda problem. In paying the escort to lie about the congressman, he would muddy himself and risk losing everything – his reputation, his integrity, maybe even his freedom. He could end up in prison or under Drew’s thumb for the rest of his life. He said it was a risk he was going to take. He and Portia shared a child, and he couldn’t have the mother of his daughter go down by Drew’s hand. He’d rather have a Jacinda problem than have Portia lose her medical license or go to prison. He wasn’t going to let that happen.

Nina wondered if Drew was depraved enough to set up her sweet grandson and tell him that his father no longer wanted him because he had a new baby. Even Drew couldn’t be that cruel. Drew said, what Wiley heard was exactly what Willow and the judge needed to hear. And when her daughter got full custody of her grandchildren, Nina would agree.

Carly told Jason that she saw what Michael saw. Willow clinging to Drew and Drew having no remorse. Jason asked if she thought it would go in Michael’s favor, but she said she didn’t know. Who was to say who the judge would believe? Jason said he could see why Michael thought he had to go, and Carly said she hated it. He said him too, and she said she thought she couldn’t stand Willow and Drew before. Their selfishness cost her not only Michael, but Wiley and Amelia.

Michael told Wiley to look out for his sister, and the kids ran off to play. Willow said she guessed they had the same idea, and he said, the kids loved the park. She said she couldn’t count how many times they’d brought the kids here together, and he said, good times. She said, they were… It didn’t have to be this way. He said, it didn’t. She made a choice. They both made choices. Willow’s phone rang and it was the courthouse. Michael said, they must have reached a decision.

In her office, Laura took a picture of Lucky as a child out of her wallet. She kissed it and said, my baby. She held it to her heart.

An airline guy told Lucky that he needed to board, and Lucky said his son was already on the plane. He was waiting for his son’s mother. Could he have five minutes? The guy said, one, and Elizabeth ran in saying she was there. She said he waited for her, and Lucky said he’d always wait for her. He noticed she had no luggage, and said, for a second, he thought maybe she was coming. She said she’d thought about it, but couldn’t let him leave without him know she did love him. That hadn’t changed and she’d never stop loving him. He said he loved her too, more than ever, and she told him, be happy. Take care of himself, yes? He said, yes, and she said, get Aiden home safely. He promised and the guy said it was time. They kissed, and he said he’d still think of her whenever he saw something beautiful. He said, goodbye, and gave her one last look before walking onto the ramp. She sighed and said, bye, Lucky.

Thursday:

Sonny got into a car in the hospital parking lot and Natalia was in the driver’s seat. She said she was in serious trouble, and so was he.

Kristina went to Alexis’s office and said she thought she just solved their problem with Ava.

Cody went to the gallery and Ava asked if she could help him. He said, no, but he thought he could help her.

Elizabeth met Laura in the breakroom, and Laura said she wanted to check in with Elizabeth about Lucky. Elizabeth said she was sorry. Laura had every right to blame her for Lucky leaving town.

Willow said the judge was fast and wondered what it meant, but Drew said he had no idea. His gut instinct said the woman Michael cheated with giving birth during the hearing was not a good look.

Drew said it had to be a good sign and that the judge was going to award the kids to Willow, but Ric said, not necessarily. She could have decided on shared custody. Willow said she’d rather not. It was already uncomfortable. She ran into Michael in the park with the kids, but they barely had a chance to talk before they were called back. Michael came into the courtroom with his supporters, and asked if Jason made arrangements in case things didn’t go their way. Jason said he’d be in the air before anyone realized the kids were gone.

Alexis asked what Kristina did to solve their problem, and Kristina said Alexis told her that the only way to stop the blackmail was for Ava and Ric to turn on each other and break up their united front. Alexis said she told Kristina to leave it to her, but Kristina said the opportunity fell in her lap and she had to take it. She hired someone to seduce Ava.

Ava asked how Cody thought he could help her, and he said she’d left some pretty fancy looking sunglasses at the pool. He handed them to her and she said they were her favorite pair. She couldn’t believe she left them. He said it was exciting to see the works of art, and she thanked him for finding her sunglasses. A less honest person would have kept them. He said they looked better on her than on him, and she asked who he knew where to bring them. She didn’t recall giving him her name.

Laura hugged Elizabeth and said she didn’t blame her, but Elizabeth said if she’d told Lucky yes, he would have stayed. Laura said they both would have ended up miserable. She was grateful that Elizabeth knew Lucky would never be content in Port Charles, even though she was happy having him here. She knew he’d be happy traveling the world and helping people, and Elizabeth gave him the opportunity to make that choice with no regrets. Laura was grateful to her.

Sonny asked, what kind of trouble? and Natalia said it was risky for her to be talking to him. Yesterday, after they talked at the pool, she was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence. She was upset after talking to Marco and drank more than she should have. She was ashamed of herself, but lucky that it wasn’t worse. It wasn’t her first offense, and she was facing up to five years in prison. Unless… Sonny said, unless what? and she said unless she helped ADA Turned build a case against him.

Judge Haran said the request for divorce was hereby granted. The marriage was dissolved. Willow got the 2024 Range Rover, the art collection, and any jewelry and clothing she acquired during the marriage. But what was of the utmost importance was the determination of custody of the two minor children.

Alexis asked if Kristina hired a gigolo, but Kristina said she didn’t hire a professional. She hired Cody Bell. She saw him and Ava bump into each other and there was something there. Ava was taken with him. Alexis asked if she thought Ava would dump Ric for Cody, and Kristina said it would take come work on Cody’s part, but she thought in time, Cody would have Ava eating out of the palm of his hand.

Cody said he wasn’t stalking Ava. Everyone knew who Ava Jerome was. Her reputation proceeded her. Ava said, not in a good way, and he said he preferred to make his own conclusions about people. His reputation wasn’t too great either. She said, in her book, he was a hero. The sunglasses were from a special collection that was sold out and she wasn’t telling him how much they cost. He said the gallery must be doing well. He’d driven by and wanted to come in, but he knew nothing about art. She said, so he was interested in or curious about art, and he said, definitely. He’d love it if she’d explain it to him. She said she loved talking about art and was happy to share her knowledge. She had time right now.

Sonny said they both knew Natalia had nothing to offer Turner. He’d never confided anything about his alleged illegal activities. She had nothing that would incriminate him. She said, actually, she did. And if she gave Turner what she had, he could be put in prison for a long time.

Judge Haran said there were different factors to consider in determining the custody of young children and it came down to which parent was better suited to keep them safe and secure and would put their welfare and best interests above all else. Mrs. Corinthos had exclusive custody since December 12th, 2024, and moved them from home to home four times. She transported Wiley across state lines without his father’s knowledge and had him stay in the same hotel suite she stayed in with Congressman Cain. In the wake of Michael’s catastrophic injuries, she’d made no attempt to promote contact with the children and their father. In addition, she filed paperwork giving legal guardianship to Congressman Cain and ignoring Michael’s custodial rights. She had demonstrated a consistent pattern of neglecting regard for her children’s emotional well-being and violated the law. Now that Michael was recovered, he was capable of caring for the children, along with support from his many family members. Consequently, the decision of the court was to award full physical and legal custody to the children’s father, Michael Corinthos. (What I said.)

Ava told Cody that abstract art wasn’t meant to be taken completely literally and showed him a painting. She said it was the 1919 eclipse that led to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but he said he thought it looked like a guy with snakes coming out of his eyes. She must think he’s an idiot. She said, no. Art was subjective and at its best should affect the motions, but sometimes the connection wasn’t there and that was okay too. He said he was worried if he told her the truth, she’d feel like she was wasting her time teaching him, but she said she’d only feel that way if he’d said he saw what she did. She was glad he told the truth. He said he felt destined to be an uncultured dope, and she said she didn’t give up that easy. She liked a challenge. He said so did he.

Alexis said Kristina’s plan had the potential to backfire spectacularly. What if Ava found out? Kristina said Cody had experience as a conman. She thought he could do it. Alexis asked if she thought he could steal Ava away from Ric, and Kristina said it wasn’t going to be easy, and he’d need help. That’s why she needed to push Ric on someone else. Alexis asked if Kristina hired a gigolo for him too, but Kristina said, with Lucky out of the picture, Elizabeth was single, and they both knew Ric wasn’t over her. Alexis said Kristina couldn’t push Elizabeth on Ric. She didn’t deserve it. Kristina said Elizabeth didn’t have to share Ric’s feelings, but given their past, he was the perfect person. Ava would be insecure and jealous and run into Cody’s waiting arms. They could use this to their advantage. Alexis said she thought Kristina hadn’t learned a damn thing from her mistakes.

Laura asked Elizabeth to come to dinner soon. Martin was back from California. Elizabeth said he was there earlier. He thought she should fila a lawsuit against the car manufacturer. He thought it would be a big payday. Laura said maybe Elizabeth should consider it, since she’d had pain and suffering as a result, but Elizabeth said she’d like to put it behind her. Laura said she understood. She could wrangle her brother. He wouldn’t badger Elizabeth. Elizabeth said she’d come if she could bring dessert, and Laura said it was a deal.

Sonny asked what information Natalia had, and she said when she was fired, she was in the middle of analyzing the financials and put a copy on her home computer. She still had it because she wanted to make sure to protect herself. The authorities were keeping a close eye on her ex’s involvement with Deception, and she wanted to make sure she could prove she didn’t do anything wrong. He asked what that had to do with him, and she said it included all the records of his involvement. She followed the money and there were discrepancies. None of them added up to more than a slap on the wrist… Sonny said, but they’d give probably cause to get a warrant to search his holdings, and she said she was guessing they’d find more than enough to take him down.

Willow said she didn’t understand what was happening, and Ric said she lost. She said they couldn’t be right, and he said he was sorry. She got up and said, please. The judge couldn’t give her kids to Michael. They belonged with her. She started to hyperventilate, and Ric told her to control herself. Judge Haran said visitation would be negotiated at a later hearing after the children had consulted with a psychologist. Willow told Ric, do something, shaking him. She started to flip out and said her children needed her. The judge banged her gavel and called for order, telling Ric to restrain his client. Willow said, how could they do this? Michael had cheated with Sasha and had his baby. All she’d done is love her children and try to do her best. She screamed, it isn’t right, and Judge Haran said court was adjourned. She asked the bailiff to clear the court, and Willow ran over to Michael. She cried and told him that Wiley and Amelia needed their mom. Tell the judge that she’d made a terrible mistake. Diane said they need to go, and Willow grabbed Michael’s hand. She said, they need their mother, and Michael shook her off. He left, and Nina held Willow, who continued her hysterics.  

Alexis said, acting first and thinking later was what got them in this mess, but Kristina said she was doing the opposite. She’d thought this through before speaking to Cody. It was a plan for the long game and had flexibility. They could pivot as it progressed. Alexis said there were a lot of variables they had no control over that had to go right at the right time. Kristina said Cody had to see if it worked first, but it was a sure-fire way to break up the united front of Ric and Ava. It wasn’t illegal. Alexis said it was unethical, and Kristina said they were extorting her. Alexis thought they should wait for a better opportunity, but Kristina said it may never come. In the meantime, Alexis had to embezzle money from Ace and the more likely she was to get caught. Alexis’s phone rang, and she said, great. It was Laura. Laura asked if Alexis could stop by. She had something important she needed to discuss, and Alexis said she’d come right over. Kristina asked if Alexis thought she knew about the embezzlement, and Alexis said she guessed she’d find out.

Ava asked Cody to think of something beautiful, and he said, Angelina Jolie. She said, maybe something less prurient. Something beautiful, not a woman, that got him in the gut. He said, a horse running in a field at sunrise, and she said there was so much beauty to be found in nature. She handed him a flyer and said she was having a show. Joel Sartore was a talented wildlife photographer, and she thought he should come. He said, hors d’oeuvres. It sounded fancy. He doubted she’d want him there. She said it could be stuffy and the likes of him could liven it up a little bit. Think about it. He said he would and thanked her for the crash course in art. Ava thanked him for rescuing her sunglasses.

Sonny asked if Turner knew Natalia had the Deception financials, but Natalia said she only told Turner that there was a slight possibility she could find something. No promises. He said he assumed she was going to keep quiet, but she said she was in a bind. She didn’t want to do anything to hurt him, but she was backed in a corner. If she didn’t cooperate, she’d go to prison. He asked if she was blackmailing him, but she said, no. She was loyal to him and hoping they could figure something out. She needed his help.

Carly asked if Michael was okay, and he said he won custody of his kids, but seeing Willow fall apart, he didn’t want that. Diane said she felt for Willow, but her outburst validated that the judge made the right decision. Michael said he had to see his kids.

Still freaking out, Willow said she needed to see Wiley and Amelia. They need to know how much she loved them. Nina promised they knew, and Drew said he thought they should get her home. They helped Willow up, and Willow said Drew told her that she’d win, then keeled over.

At Charlie’s Cody told Kristina that he went to the gallery. He and Ava had an interesting conversation and as far as he was concerned, he completed the trial run, which meant Kristina owed him $1000. She said she’d send it now, and used her phone. She asked how it went, and he showed her the flyer, saying it was his ticket to see Ava again. Based on their interaction, he thought he pulled it off. He’d definitely see how far it could go. How far did she want it to go? Kristina said, whatever needed to happen for Ava to leave Ric, and he said he could do that, but there was one catch.

At Laura’s office, she apologized to Alexis for being vague. Martin was back in town and trying to convince Elizabeth to file a lawsuit over her car accident. Alexis said she was surprised Elizabeth didn’t want to put it behind her, and Laura said, she was going to do that, but Martin was desperate for work and thought it would be quite a bit of money. She thought Elizabeth deserved it since the accident was caused by a vehicle malfunction. Alexis said the car had been destroyed. To find evidence would require a lot of investigation. Laura said her brother had his own agenda and she wanted an unbiased, honest opinion. If Alexis thought Elizabeth had a strong case, she may try talking her into pursuing it.

Drew and Nina brought Willow to the hospital, and Elizabeth said she heard Willow fainted. How was she feeling? Willow didn’t respond, and Elizabeth said she had a room set up. Was it okay to get her settled in? Willow barely nodded, and Elizabeth wheeled her away. Drew said it was a travesty He didn’t understand how Willow lost. Nina asked if he heard anything the judge said. She lost because Drew had her take Wiley across state lines and tried to make himself the children’s legal guardian. Willow lost her children because Willow did everything that he wanted her to since their egregious affair began. In the eyes of the court, that made Willow a bad mother.

Natalia said she knew she’d betrayed Sonny’s trust not telling him that she’d been married to Sidwell, but she valued their friendship and hoped he felt the same way. He said he did and was grateful for her discretion. He’d make sure both of them came out unscathed. When did she have to report back? She said tomorrow at 3, and he said they’d talk before that. Stay calm and he’d handle everything.

Elizabeth said she was going to give Willow IV fluids and draw up some labs. Try to rest. Everything would be okay.  

Carly asked if Michael was okay, and he said, it was gut wrenching watching Willow. He couldn’t help thinking about when he first fell in love with her. She was great with Wiley and when she was pregnant with Amelia, she risked her life to carry the baby to term. He couldn’t reconcile the Willow he married with the one he divorced today. He didn’t know how it ended up like this. Carly said she didn’t either. Maybe it would be a wake-up call for Willow to get her act together and have a relationship with her children. He said he hoped so. In the meantime, he had to figure out a way to tell them that they wouldn’t be seeing their mom for a long time.

Nina asked how Willow was, and Elizabeth said, physically, she was fine. She started Willow on IV fluids, but her vitals were good. She thought Willow was in shock. Drew said he was going to sit with her, but Elizabeth said she was dozing off. It was best to let her rest before she had a psyche consult. Drew asked if Elizabeth thought she had a mental breakdown, and she said she couldn’t be sure, since Willow wasn’t responding, but they’d know more soon.

Natalia thanked Sonny for everything. She was afraid he wouldn’t take her call. He said it was water under the bridge. They’d work together. Natalia said maybe he’d trust her like he used to and wondered if they could get back to where they were. He said coming to him was the first step, and she said she was glad she did. It had been a nightmare. She’d never felt more trapped and alone. This was the first time she felt like maybe things would turn out okay. He said she had to trust him, and she said she did. He was such a constant. They hugged.

Alexis told Laura that a lawsuit might take a long time. She wasn’t sure it was worth the trouble, but she’d speak to Elizabeth and get the details. See if Martin was right to pursue it. Laura thanked her and said she knew she could count on Alexis’s unbiased, honest opinion.

Kristina asked, what catch? and Cody said he did his research on Ava. He knew she wasn’t a saint, but had no idea how downright lethal she was. She shot Mama Q. Kristina said, if it helped, she was trying to shoot someone else, and he said, she also killed Mama Q’s cousin, definitely on purpose. If Kristina wanted him to be Clyde to Ava’s Bonnie, he needed hazard pay – a lot – added to his original fee. She said, fine, and suggested they negotiate and get him started.

Ava left Ric a message that she was thinking about him. She wondered how it went in court and hoped they ruled in his favor. Call her back when he got the chance. She picked up her sunglasses and pondered.  

At the hospital, Ric asked Elizabeth how Willow was, but she said he knew she couldn’t tell him. HIPPA. He said, of course (🍷). He’s been doing this a long time, but if she’d seen what he saw… She said she couldn’t imagine losing custody of her children, especially that young. Her heart hurt for Willow. Ric said he hated losing because of his pride, but this one hit differently. He never felt so horrible losing a case. She said he did everything he could, and he said he wished it had been a different result. She put her hand on his.

Carly gave Jason a beer and said Michael was outside telling Wiley about the divorce and what it meant for everybody. It was going to be rough for a while. If Michael had gone on the run, it would have been worse. Jason said Michael and the kids would be okay, but he wasn’t sure he could say the same about Willow. Carly said, it was awful. Drew led her down the wrong path. Jason said now she was suffering the consequences. Drew shattered Michael’s family and shattered Willow. This was on Drew.

Drew said he was going in to sit with Willow, but Nina said she was resting and not to disturb her. He said he felt helpless, and she said if he wanted to help, go home. He said he wouldn’t abandon Willow. She needed him. Nina said he was the last person Willow needed. He didn’t get it. He did this to her. He cost her the children. If he truly loved Willow as much as he said he did, he’d walk away right now and never look back.

On the patio, Wiley asked if they could go back to the park and see mommy, but Michael said he was sorry. They wouldn’t be able to spend time with mommy for a while. Wiley asked, why? and Michael said they went to court, the place that made the rules grown-ups had to follow. Even though he and mommy loved them, they decided it was probably best if they weren’t married anymore. The judge agreed and also decided Wiley and his sister should live with him. Wiley said, what about mommy? and Michael said, for now, it was the three of them. Mommy loved him and his sister so much. Soon she’d come and visit. They hugged and Michael said he loved Wiley so much.  

Willow opened her eyes and looked around. She remembered the judge saying that it was the decision of the court to award full physical and legal custody to the children’s father, Michael Corinthos.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

At Pozzulo’s, Sonny tells Jason, Michael wasn’t sure he’d get custody of the kids, much less full custody, and Jason says, it’s what’s best for the kids, as long as Drew is in the picture. Sonny asks, how’s Willow? but Jason says he hasn’t heard yet. It was really rough seeing her in the courtroom yesterday. Sonny says he hopes she get the help she needs, and Jason says, they all do, especially Michael. He still cares about her. Sonny says, of course (🍷) he does. He’s Michael and she’s the mother of his children. He loved her very much. Jason says, he still does, but Sonny says he doesn’t know if they could have made it together, but it doesn’t matter. They know who’s to blame.

Drew meets with Martin and says, Willow is in bad shape. Martin says he’s not surprised. Nothing, not even partial custody. Drew says he can’t stand seeing her like this. Can they appeal? Can they argue that Ric was a last-minute substitute and get the judge’s ruling thrown out? There had to be something they could do to get Willow her children back.  

Maxie calls Brook, who says, what’s up? Maxie says, James is home sick from summer camp and Georgie wants him to stay in the garage, so she doesn’t get infected by his cooties. It’s been a pretty normal day. She was wondering if Brook could come over to work with her. Brook says, who could say no to that? She’s on her way. The doorbell rings and Maxie opens the door to Lulu. Lulu says she got Maxie’s text. That must mean Maxie is still speaking to her.

Tracy says, good, Brook is still here, but Brook says she’s on her way out. She’s headed to Maxie’s. Tracy asks if the weekend starts on a Thursday now, and Brook says, it probably does somewhere, but they’re working from there. Tracy says, as long as the work gets done. It will do Brook a world of good to focus on work. Brook says, as opposed to what? Revenge?

Anna says, Natalia Ramirez? and Molly says she was assigned to the case, but had to recuse herself. Anna says, Molly’s sister was involved with Natalia’s daughter. Right. Natalia is… Molly says, Natalia has a complicated relationship with her whole family. She’s afraid she doesn’t have many details about the case. Anna wonders why it was reassigned to an attorney on Molly’s level, and Molly says, it should have been. Who took it? Anna says, acting DA Justine Turner.

Marco thanks Alexis for sitting in on the meeting, and Alexis says, not a problem. She knows what it’s like to shepherd her family through legal troubles. Marco says Alexis is helping his mother, even after the terrible things she said about Kristina and his sister when they were together, and Alexis says, they came to an understanding. He asked for her help and she’s happy to help. What’s past is past. Natalia comes in and says, Alexis’s assistant told her to come in. Alexis says, it’s fine, and Natalia asks what this is about. Marco says, it’s about her arrest, and Natalia says, really? Now he cares?

In the squad room, Chase says, it’s been a minute since he and Dante talked, and Dante says, if they keep it to work, they should be good. Chase asks, is that possible? Or are they going to have a problem here?

Drew says he doesn’t understand what happened, and Martin says he’d love nothing more than to run up some billable hours, but at this point, pursuing an appeal is unlikely to change the outcome. Drew asks, why? He doesn’t understand how Willow lost. (Boy, is he an idiot. The judge even explained why.) Martin says, for starters, he reviewed the judge’s ruling, and while it’s harsh, her reasoning was straightforward. Willow took Wiley over state lines without Michael’s permission, then turns around and tries to make Drew, the man she had an affair with, guardian of her children. Again, without consulting the father. Drew says, Michael was halfway around the world and unreachable, but Martin says he’s not sure the argument that Michael getting the best possible medical care was abandoning his children endeared them to the judge. In legal parlance, they’d say it was disregard for the father’s parental rights. Drew asks if there’s some way they can appeal. There has to be. Martin says, maybe, but the odds of winning are so low, all it would do is cause Willow more pain. Is that something Drew wants to do?

Anna says, Justine took the case herself. Does Molly have any idea why she might do that? Molly says she doesn’t know. Since Turner stepped in for Robert as the interim DA, she’s been cherry-picking high profile cases, but a DWI? Anna says her thoughts exactly. There must be something in this DWI that caught her attention. She’d love to know what it is.

Dante says, work isn’t a problem for him, and Chase says, good. Dante asks, what have we got? but Chase says, we don’t have anything. The case was assigned to him… alone. Dante says, Chase is telling him that Anna doesn’t want him on it? but Chase says, not Anna. ADA Turner wants him to work it alone. Dante asks, why? and Chase says he’s guessing there’s a conflict. Dante wonders if it’s his dad, but Chase says he hasn’t been informed as to the nature of the conflict. The ADA said to report to her and no one else. Dante asks if Anna knows, but Chase says he hasn’t had a chance to discuss it. Dante says he’ll talk to her himself, but Chase says he doesn’t think it’s necessary. Dante says he sure as hell does.

Maxie tells Lulu, don’t be ridiculous. Of course (🍷) she’s still talking to her. Lulu says, she’s one of the few who are, and Maxie says she’s been Lulu, meddling in people’s lives until it blew up in her face. That was her jam. Lulu says she had the best intentions and she’s not sure it was a total disaster. Maxie says, that’s the part she’s not sure about? and Lulu says, Gio finally knows the truth about his parents. He thought he was an orphan. Now he knows he isn’t and has huge family who loves and accepts him. Maxie says, what Lulu did affected a lot of lives. Does she understand? Lulu says she tried to get Brook to tell the truth. Brook had decades to do it. As far as she’s concerned, she did nothing wrong.

Tracy says she’s glad Brook is taking her advice and is focusing on work instead of revenge, and Brook says she plans on spending today solely focused on Deception. Tracy says, it’s a more appropriate outlet for Brook’s hurt and rage, but Brook says she’s not sure rechanneling her rage is the best practice. Tracy says, getting Erica Kane on the phone is a worthwhile outlet and Erica will probably respect her for it, and Brook says she’ll put it on her to-do list. Tracy says, it will be a more affective pursuit than Brook’s ill-conceived vendetta against Lulu. She’s glad to see Brook let it go. Brook asks, who said anything about letting it go?

Natalia says she needed Marco and called him repeatedly. He didn’t pick up once and now he’s summoned her here. He says he got her messages this morning and set up a meeting as soon as he knew, and Alexis says, he does want to help. Natalia says she’s already handled it. The ADA offered her a deal. Alexis says she strongly advises Natalia not to represent herself. Let them help her navigate the deal. Without counsel, it would be precarious. Marco promises Sidwell won’t know any of this, and Alexis says, no one will. Natalia says, great, and they sit down. Alexis asks, what led up to the deal and what are they offering? and Natalia says, last night, she was arrested for a DWI, not her first, Alexis says, that’s a felony and can mean up to five years in prison, and Natalia says, that’s what the DA told her before she offered the deal. Alexis says, she’s the interim DA. What are the terms? Natalia says, they want her to turn over everything she has on every single interaction she’s had with Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny says, Willow isn’t the same Willow he knew when Michael started going out with her, and Jason says, if that Willow still exists, there will be no change with Drew in the picture. Sonny says he’s happy about what’s going on with Michael and thanks Jason. Jason was there when the ruling came in. He was supposed to go, but he couldn’t. He had something important to take care of. Jason says, business? and Sonny says, kind of. Natalia is starting to be a real problem for him.

Tracy says, let the emotions settle and clear, calm minds lead to letting it go, but Brook says, if someone had done that to Tracy’s kids, Tracy wouldn’t be so willing to let it go. Lulu hurt Tracy’s grandkid – her – and destroyed Gio’s memory of the woman who loved and raised him. If it had been anyone other than Lulu who’d done that, Tracy would be ready for war. Tracy says, there’s truth in that, and Brook thanks her. She also thanks Tracy in advance for not telling her to let it go again. She won’t. Now she has to get to work. Lucy won’t be happy if she lets this affect her job. Tracy says, Lucy is inconsequential. Maxie wants what’s best for her. That’s what they all want. They want her to heal.  

Maxie says, Lulu destroyed the memory of the woman Gio thought was his mother and went against a dying woman’s wishes, but Lulu says she’s not the one who lied. Gio is Dante’s son and not once in 22 years did Brook tell Dante that she’d had a baby. She chose not to and if Dante wants to be mad at someone, he should be mad at Brook. Maxie says, Brook made an impossible choice, and Lulu says, no one is judging Brook on her decision to give Gio up, but Maxie says, Gio might disagree. Lulu says, it was Brook’s decision not to tell the truth, and Maxie says, it was Brook’s truth and not hers to tell. Lulu says, somebody had to, and Maxie says, why her? Lulu says, because she knows exactly what it’s like to be kept in the dark when it comes to her child. Dante deserved to know, like she did. She’s not trying to make Maxie feel guilty about Georgie. She made a mistake. Britt and Valentin committed crimes. Maxie says she appreciates the distinction, but this situation is about Brook. And in order for everyone to move on, including Gio and Dante, Lulu needs to take accountability for what she did.

Alexis says, sorry. She has to recuse herself. Sonny is Kristina’s father and a close friend. Natalia says she was afraid of this, and Marco says he wouldn’t have asked Alexis if he’d known. Alexis says he did nothing wrong and everything that was said is covered under attorney/client privilege. Natalia thanks her, and Alexis says, good luck. Sorry. She leaves, and Marco says, Natalia could be in real danger. Tell him exactly what she has on Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny says, Natalia was the CFO of Deception and had access to the financial records, and Jason asks if he didn’t let her go. Sonny says, she kept them at home, and Jason says, that’s not good, but it’s a legitimate business. What’s the problem? Sonny says, the problem is, the money he invested wasn’t clean and there are some discrepancies. Jason says, that’s not a mistake Sonny would make, and Sonny says, the money guy screwed up and is now in the Pine Barrens. Natalia got a DWI and it’s not her first. She could go away for a long time. Jason asks if that’s why she’s trying to make a deal, and Sonny says he knows the records she has wouldn’t be incriminating… Jason says, but it would open the door to a bigger investigation, and Sonny says, Turner could do a deep dive into his financial records, everything he’s had in the last 20 years. Jason asks how he knows, and Sonny says, Natalia warned him. She told him everything. Jason asks how he wants to handle it, and Sonny says he can’t let Natalia let Turner know anything.  

Marco says, Natalia hasn’t handed anything off to the DA and it doesn’t sound too damning to begin with. Where is the evidence? She says, on a portable drive in a safe deposit box in a Port Charles bank. She’s supposed to hand it over this afternoon. Marco says, that’s not going to happen. Not until he meets with Turner and gets the best possible deal. She says she’s not in a hurry, and he says he’s more concerned about her safety. Does Corinthos know she and Turner are talking? She says, he has no idea, but Marco says, that doesn’t mean her life isn’t in jeopardy. He knows they have a history, but he would never want to see her get hurt. She says she’ll be fine, but he says she doesn’t seem to understand the severity of the situation. Not only did she get another DWI, which is irresponsible enough, she’s wrapped up in Sonny Corinthos’s life and is in danger. She says she appreciates his concern, but Sonny would never hurt her.

Sonny says he knows that Natalia is a liability. If it was anybody else, he’d deal with them permanently. Jason says he gets why Sonny doesn’t want to, and Sonny says, Natalia kept his confidence about his heart problem and she’d been good to him. She saw him through. Jason says, so she’s a good friend? and Sonny says, not just to him, to Kristina. When Kristina was in the car accident, Natalia was there and called him. She stayed until he got there. At Ava’s trial, she got on the stand and lied to protect Kristina. Jason says he remembers, and Sonny says, she could have kept quiet about Turner’s deal, but she came to him. He’s grateful for that. Jason says, it’s always better to know, and Sonny says, it’s not like he trusts her. Jason says he feels like he owes her. How can he cut his losses and protect himself? Sonny says, and do it without hurting Natalia.  

Drew says he hates it, but Martin is probably right. Let the judge’s ruling stand… for now. Martin says, it’s the smart thing, and Drew says, it makes no sense. The judge ruled in Michael’s favor. (Apparently, he didn’t listen to what anyone is saying.) Martin says, it’s not the norm. In most cases the standard is shared. Drew says, Michael wouldn’t hear of it. It was all or nothing. He was contentious. Martin says he was hoping for 60/40 split in Michael’s favor. He didn’t expect full custody with no visitation built in. Drew asks if there’s anything they can do, and Martin says, there is, but he’s not going to like it. They could run around Diane Miller and talk to Michael. Michael is angry, but he’s not cruel. He loved Willow and given time, he might grant her access. Drew says, were it that simple. Michael made it clear that as long as he’s in Willow’s life, he’ll make sure she never sees her children again.

Anna says, keep her posted, and Molly says, what she learns, Anna will learn. As Molly is leaving, Dante comes in, and they hug. Molly says she hasn’t seen him since the Nurses Ball. How is he doing? Dante says he’s hanging in there, and she says, call her if he wants to talk. Anna thanks her, and she leaves. Anna asks what she can do for Dante, and he says his so-called partner told him… Anna says, so-called? and Dante says, Chase is working on a case he’s not allowed to be part of. Anna says she read the file. The DA’s office assigned Chase the case and embargoed him. He asks if she has any insight, and she says, not yet, but she can’t do anything about it unfortunately. He says he guesses Chase was telling the truth, and she says, doesn’t he usually? Dante says, he used to, and she says she thought they were solid. All she’s hearing is hostility. Why? What’s going on? He says, it’s a family matter. He shouldn’t have brought it to work. She says, it’s too late for that.

Maxie tells Lulu to put herself in Brook’s shoes, see things from her perspective, but Lulu says, that’s all she’s been doing for months. Maxie says, clearly, that’s not all she’s been doing, and Lulu says she feels for Brook. It can’t have been easy to find out Gloria and Lois knew she had a son all this time and never told her. Maxie says, exactly. Brook’s relationships with her mother and grandmother are, at the very least, damaged. They’re not the same and never will be. Lulu says, it’s not her fault. They were the ones who lied. Maxie says, Gio is the son Brook has been thinking about every day for 22 years, who she’s known her whole life and had no idea who he was. Lulu says, that’s on Gloria and Lois too, and Maxie says, if Brook messed with Lulu’s relationship with Rocco, she’d be angry. Lulu says, of course (🍷) she would, but it would never happen. She doesn’t lie to her kids. She never has and never will. The doorbell rings, and Brook walks in with her face in her phone, saying Maxie will never believe the numbers… She sees Lulu and stops.  

Brook says she shouldn’t be surprised that Lulu got Maxie to lure her over here, so Lulu could ambush her or get Maxie to run interference. She is surprised Maxie would let herself be used. Maxie says, excuse me, and Lulu says, Brook is the last person she wants to see. Maxie says she needs them both to shut up right now. First of all, she would not let herself be used and when Brook says such a thing, she feels like Brook doesn’t know her. And she’s perfectly capable of scheming herself, which is exactly what she did. Brook asks, why? and Maxie says, the two of them need to be in a room, face to face – no Dante, no Chase, no Quartermaines – and have it out. Lulu says, Maxie doesn’t want that, and Brook says, too many breakable objects. Maxie says, this has to end. What they’re doing is affecting more than them. It’s affecting people they love.

Anna says, Dante and Chase are her best detectives. Whatever they’re going through, now work is a problem, so she has to get to the bottom of it. He says, don’t worry, and she says, obviously, this has something to do with what happened at the Nurses Ball. He says, it does. His whole life changed that night. He found out he had a son, Gio. For 22 years, he’s lived his life without him. Anna says, he’s right to feel how he does. What did Chase do? He says, Chase knew for months, and she says, that Gio was his son? He says, not Gio, but Chase knew Brook had his kid and kept it to himself, and she says, he didn’t expect Chase to betray his wife’s trust. He says, Chase should have at least convinced her to tell him, and she says, convince Brook? Other than they had a child together, she’d have thought Dante never met her. Dante says, he puts his life in this guy’s hands every day. How can he trust him? She says, he’s going to hate what she has to say next. She could see why Chase kept it from him.

In the solarium, Alexis asks, what legal entanglement did Tracy get into this time? Does it have anything to do with her arrest at the Nurses Ball? Tracy says, Drew is accusing her of drugging him. He has a flair for the theatrical. Alexis says, he isn’t the only one, and Tracy says, he’s a thorn in her side, but whether Alexis sees it or not, he’s a problem for her also. As luck would have it, there might be a solution to their Drew problem. Alexis says she has no idea what Tracy is talking about, and Tracy says, Alexis is Scout’s grandmother and as such, has legal standing in the city of New York. She needs to sue Drew for custody of Scout.

Drew says, Michael can be ruthless, but he’s also reasonable, and Martin says, it sounds like there’s still something to hope he’ll be reasonable about. Drew says, unlike his less trustworthy family members, he believes Michael would stand by what he says. Willow told him in the past that at his core, Michael is a good person. According to the whole town, he’s the problem and derailed Willow’s life. Whether that’s true or not – and he doesn’t believe that it is – it’s the perception. Martin says, all too often, perception is reality, and Drew says, exactly. If he ends things with Willow, takes Scout and goes to DC, Michael will give Willow access to her children. Martin asks if that’s something he’d be willing to do, and Drew says he loves Willow and knows she loves him. Between Michael’s demands and everything that’s been spewed at her about him, he has to ask himself the question, would she be better off without him?

Dante says he can’t believe Anna is taking Chase’s side, but she says she’s not taking his side. Like Brook, she chose not to tell her child’s father about his child’s existence. Dante says, she didn’t tell Robert about Robin because she had to keep Robin safe, and Anna says she did, but she didn’t end things on good terms with Robin’s father, and it wasn’t fair to Robert. It was mostly deeply unfair to Robin. She got lucky and Robin forgave her. She thinks partly because Robin was a child. Gio will be a bit trickier. Dante says, he already is, and she tells him that she’s not saying he doesn’t have a right to be angry about being betrayed. But as much as he thinks what Brook should have done or said, he’s not in Brook’s shoes. It’s never easy and it’s never clear cut. He says, Robert handled it, and she says she was lucky there too. He embraced Robin and made the choice to accept that what happened, happened. Better decisions could have been made, but they weren’t. He focused on his relationship with Robin. He could have chosen not to have one, but he did his best to not dwell on the past. Dante says, good on him for being able to do that, but he doesn’t think he can swing it. Anna says she thinks she understands if he can’t, but he can do the bare minimum and keep things professional with his partner. In fact, she insists on it.

Molly goes to Alexis’s office and sees Marco. She says she’s sorry to interrupt, but she’s looking for her mother, Alexis Davis. He says, she just stepped out and he’s not sure when she’ll be back, and she says, he must be Marco Ramirez. Her mother’s said great things about him. He says, they’re all true. He’s met Kristina, so she must be… She says, Molly Lansing Davis, and shakes his hand. She works in the DA’s office. He says he was just about to call there. He needs to discuss the Natalia Ramirez case.

Natalia goes into Sonny’s office, and he says, she wasn’t followed. She asks how he knows, and he says his drivers are good. She thanks him for seeing her. He asks if she has information for him, and she says she just saw her son at Miller & Davis. They discussed the deal, but she didn’t tell him that she tipped Sonny off. She would never. He says he appreciates that, and she says, they’re in this together. Don’t worry about her. He says he’s glad she said that because he thinks he has a way out for both of them.

Alexis says, Tracy wants her to sue Drew for custody of Scout. Why doesn’t she do it herself? Tracy says she was falsely accused of drugging a sitting congressman. Alexis is the next best thing. Alexis says she’s thought a lot about Scout’s well-being. She’s thought about it every day since Sam died, and of course (🍷) since Drew’s scandal. Tracy says, so she’s on board, and Alexis says, Scout loves her father, and he loves her. Tracy says, oh please. Drew doesn’t know about love. He just knows how to mimic love. Alexis tells her, say what you will about Drew – and she’s said a thing or two of her own – the bottom line is, his daughter believes in him. He’s a good father and loves Scout. The last thing she wants to do is upend that little girl’s life more than it has been. Tracy says, Drew pretended to be a loving father, who pulled his daughter out of the house and separated her from Danny and Rocco – again. Alexis says, Scout has suffered more and lost more than a child should, and Tracy says, Alexis should have told Drew to leave Willow alone. Alexis says she didn’t want him to make a run for DC and take her granddaughter with him. Things have changed. Michael has custody and Willow’s not leaving the kids. Tracy says, she would if she cared what was best for them, and Alexis says she’s telling Tracy to find another way to get back at Drew. She’s not letting Tracy use her granddaughter to do it.

Maxie says, Brook and Lulu have so many people in common. Tracy is Brook’s grandmother and Lulu’s stepmother. Lulu says she knows who Tracy is, and Maxie says, then she probably knows Tracy is seeing two people she cares about who are breaking her heart. Brook says, with all the backstabbing going on at that house, and Maxie says, fair point. How about Dante? How much pain he must be in seeing the mothers of his children despising each other – two of the most important people in his life. Gio is Rocco’s brother. What do they think will happen if they’re constantly at war? Brook says she doubts Gio knows. He won’t talk to her. Maxie says, it’s only a matter of time before it trickles down to Gio and Rocco’s relationship. She’s not asking them to do it for her, even though she’s tired of it, and she’s not asking them to do it for themselves. Do it for the people they both love.

Dante says, Chase is right. He’s not on the case. Chase says he wouldn’t lie about that, and Dante says, just about the son he didn’t know he had. Chase says, they’re not letting personal feelings impact work. Dante can’t do that. Dante says, or what?

Marco tells Molly that he’d like everything to go through him and needs the details, starting with the deal. Molly says, he’ll have to speak to ADA Turner, and he asks if she can offer advice on how to handle Turner. She says, Turner is fair, but ambitious. She’s determined to make a name for herself. She’s got political ambition and if she wants something, she’ll stop at nothing to make it happen.

Natalia says, Belize? and Sonny says he owns property there and knows people. She can start over. He’ll help her with a new life and a new identity. She says she doesn’t know. She may not have the best relationship with her kids, but leaving them behind and never speaking to them again… He says, it’s a lot to ask, but they don’t have more options. They’re on the clock. Turner will send her to prison unless she takes the deal. Natalia says she promised she wouldn’t. In tipping him off, she sacrificed her future. He says, in Port Charles. He guarantees she can have a life somewhere else. He’s going to make sure she’s protected and that she has a great life. She has his word.

Tracy tells Alexis that it was worth a shot. About that absurd ketamine charge… Alexis asks if it’s really that absurd, and Tracy says, I beg your pardon. Alexis says she knows Tracy thinks Drew framed her, but she’s living proof of Tracy’s ability to orchestrate a situation. Tracy says, let it go. The two situations are completely different. She did that. This, she did not. She was framed, plain and simple. Alexis says, if only that were the case. There’s only one solution. Tracy says, out with it, and Alexis says, the only way the case will move forward is if Drew testifies. Don’t give him a reason to do that. Tracy says she doesn’t mean… and Alexis says she does. Apologize. Tell Drew not to pursue it. Ask him, plead with him, grovel. Her fate is in his hands.

Jason meets Drew and asks what he wants, and Drew says, it’s about Michael. Jason says he figured that much, and Drew says he needs Jason’s help. Jason has a good relationship with Michael. Jason says, so did Drew until he blew it, and Drew says he’s not asking for a fight. For everyone’s sake, especially Willow’s, he needs Jason’s help to fix things. Jason says, how? and Drew says he needs Jason to take a proposal to Michael from him.

Chase tells Dante, or nothing. Calm down. Dante says, don’t tell him what to do. Don’t tell him anything. Chase knew he had a son. He sat here across from him knowing the truth and didn’t tell him anything. How could he do that? Chase said he was honoring his wife’s wishes, and Dante says, he should have manned up and told his wife to tell the truth. Chase says he doesn’t tell his wife what to do. It wasn’t his secret to tell. It was her child. Dante says, and his. Remember that? Anna tells them to lower their voices. They have a situation that apparently, she has to handle.  

Lulu says she has to admit she didn’t consider the long-term effect on Gio and Rocco, and Maxie says, it’s not too late to start. If Gio sees her set her anger aside maybe he will too. Show him anything is possible. Brook says, fine. Maxie is right. Maxie says, she is? and Brook says, for Gio and Rocco’s sake, she’s willing to accept Lulu’s apology. Lulu laughs and says she owes someone an apology, but that someone sure as hell isn’t Brook. She owes Gio an apology. She feels terrible about the pain she caused him, but she’s not sorry for what she did to Brook and never will be.

On Monday, Martin tells Tracy, there is a way they both can win; Josslyn tells Vaughn, if the information is on his phone, she’ll get it; Anna says Drew and Chase aren’t going anywhere until they figure it out; and Jason tells Drew, until Willow sees it, there will be no compromise.

🧼 The Only Soap News Fit To Print…

Lucky’s last day.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/what-happened-on-jonathan-jacksons-last-general-hospital-episode-as-lucky/

No. Just no. He is Lucky.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/jonathan-jackson-on-gh-recasting-lucky-i-respect-that/

I’m psyched. Maybe she’ll be an ex-wife of Martin’s?

https://ew.com/one-life-to-live-legend-erika-slezak-joins-general-hospital-11753991

Woah.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/eva-larues-real-life-stalker-nightmare-subject-of-new-documentary/

Apparently, it’s going to be a wild ride.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kelly-thiebaud-says-her-general-hospital-return-will-be-a-wild-ride/

https://parade.com/news/general-hospital-stars-tease-enjoy-the-ride-amid-cast-shake-up-steve-burton-bradford-anderson

He’s with Lesley now.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-chris-robinson-dies-at-86/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

Chef Lawrence was done (that was quick), and Fraser suggested Chef Anthony from last season as a replacement. Captain Kerry wasn’t so sure about that, since he’d had to let Anthony go, but Fraser swore he was a changed chef, now with more experience. Solène spiraled over finding a poopie in a toilet she had to clean, quickly shouting for help. She’ll be lucky if that’s the worst thing she finds. And I guess just flushing it wasn’t an option? This one is a real germophobe, which makes me wonder why she chose a career where she has to clean up after people and the crew is cramped together even during their off hours. Primary Sam said Lawrence’s curry was even better than his mom’s, which was an excellent note to go out on. Sam was also surprisingly complementary upon departure. The tip was a fatty – $30K.

Why he said goodbye.

The Valley

Kristen and Luke had a housewarming party where the outcasts were invited. They left their house messy, which would cause me untold anxiety. I once found a pair of underwear that had missed the laundry basket after a party, and ten years later, I’m still not over it. Michelle paid a visit to Lala, and Jasmine and Melissa met with Janet and Jason to squash their beef. Jasmine apologized for her Karen tirade, saying she just felt it in the moment. How old are you again? In watching Brittany’s interviews, I’ve decided she should have picked a different dress other than the keyhole neckline number. It makes her boobs look totally off center. Because Jax was being sprung from rehab soon, the gang turned Jax’s bar into Britt’s for a night and threw her a party. With all the nonsense Jax continues to put her through, she’s lucky to have such a great support system.

Agreed.

Next Gen NYC

Teresa and Meridith had dinner with Gia and Brooks, proving that you don’t have to go home again to go home again. Ava met with her dad, Damon Dash, and he said he wanted her to run one of his companies. He thought she’d make a great CEO, which I thought was one of the best compliments a dad could give his daughter. My favorite moment – possibly my favorite moment so far – was Georgia proving she wasn’t blackout drunk by saying, 7 x 5 = 45. (Hint: It does not.) I’m still loving this show, but not so much crypto trader Charlie. Apparently, I’m not alone since Ariana said – and I quote – you been a dick since I met you.

🐎 Smushed in between these shows was a watch party for a 2024 reality show, The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, with cast members from Below Deck, Southern Charm, and The Valley. I was only half paying attention, and all I know is that they owe a ton of money on their ranch and their second season will be showing up on Bravo. It’s always a good time when Kate and Fraser get together, but it just made me long for another season of Outer Range.

https://people.com/the-mcbee-dynasty-real-american-cowboys-moves-to-bravo-for-season-2-exclusive-8730303

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/the-mcbee-dynasty-real-american-cowboys-season-2-everything-to-know-trailer-cast-premiere-date

🌴 Love Island looks like the dumbest sh*t ever. And all I watched was the credits.

Random Reality Items

I kinda sorta watched this.

Returns on July 31st. The first time I randomly watched this show, I was surprised at how much I liked it. Those who can’t do, watch it on TV.

I thought I felt a collective exhale from the direction of the city.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

28 Weeks Later. Hulu. For whatever reason, I missed this one and wanted to get it in before 28 Years Later comes out. Lots of gore, lots of speedy zombies, and lots of Robert Carlyle. If you like a good zombie romp, you’ll like this movie. The ending was a bit abrupt, but fitting.

https://www.cbr.com/28-weeks-later-streaming-hulu/

https://collider.com/28-years-later-danny-boyle-explains-virus-sunshine-trilogy/

Presence. Hulu. A family moving into a spectacular house that’s also haunted is nothing new, but that doesn’t mean there still can’t be some surprises, and the ending sure surprised me. The acting was as impressive as the house, and main character Lucy Lui has been one of my favorites since Kill Bill. I was particularly impressed with the one-sided phone conversations which are difficult to do convincingly. Be forewarned though, the overall tone is depressing, as many ghost stories are.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/presence-streaming-hulu-i-think-its-the-most-original-haunted-house-movie-in-years

Carriers. Paramount+. In a post-apocalyptic world where a highly contagious virus has wiped out most of the world, two brothers and their girlfriends set off on a trek for whatever is out there. Meeting a man traveling with his daughter, who’s infected, they learn a doctor has developed a serum that combats the virus. No surprise, their trip isn’t an easy one and fraught with obstacles.  While the concept isn’t exactly a new one, it’s a favorite genre of mine, and both the acting and script were satisfactory.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/carriers-review/

A Minecraft Movie. Soon to be on HBO/Max. I can’t believe I forgot to include this last week. I went to see literally the last showing at my local cinema and I was so glad I did because I loved it. Quite a bit. Jack Black and Jason Momoa make a great team, one living his childhood dream and the other stuck in his glory from the 80s. The entire cast rocks, but what I loved best were the creatures. They were cuteness squared. Lambs! Pandas! Dennis! There was nothing deep here, just a lot of fun and playfulness.

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/didnt-expect-a-minecraft-movie-to-be-one-of-favorite-experiences-of-year-then-watched-with-kids

https://www.cbr.com/hope-may-be-lost-for-a-minecraft-movies-chances-at-1b/

Sirens. Netflix. While I covered this last week, I finished the series and found the ending to be genuinely satisfying.

🏌️‍♂️ He’s Not Really Dead…

It’s kind of like the time someone dumped milk on Susan Lucci at the grocery store, believing she was really Erica Kane.

https://ew.com/last-of-us-co-creator-reacts-to-fans-angry-over-pedro-pascal-shocking-exit-11750367

⚰️ Speaking Of Dead…

Somewhat of a spoiler, but I don’t care. This was one of the best moments ever.

https://ew.com/zombie-bear-attack-walking-dead-dead-city-11744356

🎭 The Toniest Awards In Town…

The winners.

https://playbill.com/article/tony-awards-2025-live-updating

The best and worst moments.

https://ew.com/tony-awards-2025-highlights-best-and-worst-moments-11747808

And as always the most important, the fashion.

https://people.com/tony-awards-2025-best-dressed-stars-11750333

🐾 Famous, Fabulous, and Fuzzy…

🐶 Who doesn’t love a pet moment?

https://zeenews.india.com/photos/entertainment/national-pet-day-2025-8-celebrity-pet-moments-that-won-the-internet-and-fans-hearts-2884657

🐕 To be fair, my non-famous dogs influence me every day.

https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/who-are-the-top-dog-influencers

👑 Adding crown snatching to his resumé.

🎬 Hooray for Hollywood pets.

https://www.tmz.com/2025/05/10/hollywood-famous-pets/

🎺 Quotes of the Week

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.Joshua Reynolds

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic. It is such a simple and such an extraordinary part of the lives we live. – Nora Roberts

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

If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. – Lewis Carroll

Every champion was once a contender that didn’t give up.Gabby Douglas

Ideas do not reach perfection in a day, no matter how much study is put upon them. – Alexander Graham Bell

New Yorkers are very friendly… sometimes. – stranger Ariana Biermann met on the street, Next Gen NYC (She’s not wrong.)

You wanna act some type of way in your corduroy pants?Hudson McLeroy to Charlie Zakkour, Next Gen NYC

Happy Pride Month!

🍃 Blowin’ Through the Jasmine In My Mind…

Until next week, stay safe; stay prioritizing hydration; and stay remembering, all too often, perception is reality. So act accordingly.

January 29, 2024 – Esme Fakes Out the PCPD, Talk to Nik, Returning Soon, A Loss, Chef Slam, She Sipped, VanderSoon, Live Reading, New Captain, Dolly’s Gala & Gloom

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. Trina and Spencer are seated at a restaurant that looks suspiciously similar to the PC Grill. Trina says, Spencer said thank you, and the waitress said… something right away. He says, very good. She said she’ll be back right away. She says, this place is incredible. This is one of his favorite spots? He says, actually, he’s never been in this restaurant before. He wanted to go to a place that’s new to both of them to start their new beginning together. She says she loves that. She loves everything about Paris so far… except, tonight, considering he’s left her completely in the dark about what he has in store for them. So let’s hear it. He says, and spoil the surprise? No.

Portia and Laura go into Doc’s hospital room, and Laura says, he’s asleep again. She should have been here when he woke up. Portia asks, how are his vitals? and the nurse says, the same. He’s been in and out. Portia suggests Laura speak to him and let him know she’s here. Laura sits by the bed and says, it’s her. She’s here. She doesn’t know if he can hear her, but she really needs him to wake up. Can he do that? Can he open his eyes for her? He does, and she thanks him for coming back to her.

Toronto, Canada. Dante and Chase approach an apartment where a Canadian officer stands guard. Dante introduces himself and Chase, and the officer says, they were told the detectives were coming. Chase says, any updates? and the officer says, they’ve been monitoring the apartment for 24 hours. No one matching the nanny’s or Esme Prince’s description have exited. Dante says, so the apartment’s still occupied? and the officer nods. Dante thanks him for holding off and waiting for them. This could be trouble. Dante and Chase put their hands on their weapons, and the officer knocks at the door. He says, police. Open up.

PT therapist Ben asks if Curtis felt that as he squeezes Curtis’s leg. Curtis says he felt a pinch, and Ben says, so far, so good. The surgery confirmed Curtis’s body is capable of healing from his injury. To what extent, they’ll find out. Curtis says, yes, they will. He’s guessing physical therapy is going to change now that he has feeling in his legs. Ben says, yes, but keep in mind, they still have a long road ahead, and Curtis asks, how long exactly? Ben says, each patient is different, so it’s hard to say, and Curtis says, fair enough. Stella walks in behind Curtis, and Curtis suggests they see if he can stand, but buttinsky Stella says, oh no he won’t.

Tracy walks into the courtroom, and says she gathers court is in recess. Finn says, the prosecution just rested their case, and Tracy says, then he’s up next, but Finn says, Diane already called him as a witness. His time on the stand is done. Alexis comes in and says she’s sorry she’s late. How did it go? Tracy says, Finn just told them that he was called as a witness for the plaintiff, and Alexis says, and? Finn says, eh, and she says, that good. Elizabeth says, it was bumpy, but Sam may have saved the day, and Alexis says, Sam? Where is she? Martin says, chasing down more information, and Alexis says, pertaining to? Finn says, Muldoon saw an oncologist weeks before Muldoon came to see him, and Alexis asks how an oncologist could miss late-stage cancer. Gregory says, he didn’t.

Martin tells Alexis, the theory is, after losing his shirt in the market and cashing in a life insurance policy, Muldoon finds out he has late-stage cancer, not much time left. Rather than bankrupting his family with medical bills, he goes after Finn for malpractice. Tracy says, total con job, and Finn asks what Alexis thinks. She says, the reasoning is sound. What kind of circumstantial evidence did Sam uncover? Elizabeth says proof that Muldoon went to the medical pavilion where he saw an oncologist before he ever went to see Finn, but there are other medical offices in that building. Alexis says, so it’s far from conclusive. And even if Muldoon did set Finn up, they don’t know if the wife had knowledge of it. Elizabeth asks if it isn’t enough for the judge to throw out the case, and Tracy says, correct her if she’s wrong. If they don’t have hard evidence of Muldoon’s cancer diagnosis, they’ve got nothing. So put her back on the stand. Make her crack. Make the attempted fraud public record.

Stella says she’s sorry to interrupt like this, and Ben says, as she can see, they’re in the middle of a therapy session. Curtis asks what she’s doing here, and she says, just peeping in since she was here at the hospital. Is this his first session since the surgery? Curtis says, she knows good and well it is. She doesn’t have to check on him. He’s got this. She says, that’s what he’s been saying since he was a little boy, always getting ahead of himself, and Ben says he’s got to get some more towels, wisely making himself scarce. Curtis says, she doesn’t need to check on him and she doesn’t need to worry, but she says, it’s too late for that. She’s been doing that all his life. Does he remember when he insisted that he could play basketball with the neighborhood teenagers? He was eight years old. He says he knows Tommy made those kids let him play, and she asks, does he remember how many times he limped home with a skinned knee or a bloody nose when an elbow went awry? (Oh, like all kids?) He says, yeah, and she always patched him up and he lived through it. He didn’t give up then and he’s not going to give up now. He just wants to assess how the surgery went. She says, he needs to do that today? and he asks if that isn’t the point of physical therapy, to get him walking again. She says, and they call her stubborn. She calls to Ben, asking if he’s got enough towels yet, and he comes back. She says she can’t tell her nephew what to do, but please… Curtis says, that would be a first, and she says, hush. Please tell them, isn’t it dangerous for Curtis to try and push himself to stand too quickly?

Trina says, coq au vin is a classic. She thinks she’ll try that. What kind of vin does he think they should drink with it? Rouge or blanc?… Monsieur Cassadine? He says he’s sorry, and she asks, what’s on his mind? He says, they have black caviar here. When he was younger and a little bit more… She says, cute? and he tells her that he was going to say pretentious. He once went to a restaurant with his father, and they had black caviar and he asked if they could get it. His father said, no, so he asked if they could have it at home. He asked and asked and asked, and eventually his father gave in and had it served. And he loved it. Trina asks how old he was, and he says, young enough to be served black beans and believe it was caviar. (True story. For my sister’s 18th birthday, she was having a dinner party at home and had caviar. I was still in elementary school, but insisted on trying it and promptly spit it into the sink as she said, what are you doing? That’s stuff’s expensive! My tastes have, however, changed since then.) He says he hopes Ace grows up a bit more grounded than he did, and she says she’s sure his father has learned a lot since him. Maybe even from him. He says, they don’t have to talk about that. He doesn’t want to ruin their night. She says, he’s not ruining her night by telling her his feelings. She wants to hear his stories, share his troubles. That’s what couples do. He takes her hand and says he guesses he’s still getting used to being in a healthy relationship. She’ll have to be patient with him. She says, of course (🍷). She loves him. He kisses her hand and says he loves her too.

Portia asks if Doc can tell them where they are, and he says, General Hospital. He assumes on the 10th floor. She says, that’s correct. What about what year it is? He says, 1912? and Laura laughs. He says, 2023… No, 24. Sorry. He’s still getting used to saying it. Laura asks, who did this to him? and he says, it was Esme.

Maggie opens the door with the chain lock still on it, and the officer says, Miss Fitzgerald? She asks what he wants, and he says, these are American law enforcement officers. They have questions for her. She says she doesn’t have to answer them, but the officer says he’d cooperate if he was her. She’s an Irish Nationalist, not a Canadian citizen. American law enforcement is looking for her. She recognizes Dante, and he asks if they can come in and talk with her a minute. She lets them in and asks, how’s Dante’s lovely lady friend? Dante says, Sam is doing great. Thanks for asking. She says she’s doing great too. Shortly after they came to see her in Devon, she started a new position here with a family in Toronto. Things have been quiet for her. She’d like to keep them that way. He says, they’ll make this quick. They’re not looking to cause her any trouble. They’re just looking for Esme Prince.

Laura says, when they found Doc on the floor of Alexis’s office, they assumed it was Esme, and he asks if she’s in custody. She says, no. Esme is gone, but Dante and Chase got a lead that Esme traveled to Toronto. She has an old nanny there that she was going to see. They’re looking for her now. Does he have any idea why Esme attacked him? He says he found her in the office. They were talking. He thought he was getting through to her. They were seated, and she started pacing when she was talking about her hopes for Ace’s future. Then the world went black. Laura says, that’s probably enough for right now. He should probably get his rest. She looks to Portia for confirmation, and he says, actually, he’s kind of hungry. Portia says, that’s a good sign. She’ll let the nurse know. Laura’s right though; get some rest. He says, what else is he going to do in here? and Portia leaves. He tells Laura not to look so worried, but she says, it was so scary finding him on the floor like that, unconscious. And she couldn’t wake him. He says he didn’t survive Ryan all these years just to be done in by his daughter, but all that concern isn’t just for him, is it? She says she’s really upset about Esme. She believed in Esme. She really believed Esme’s love for her baby Ace was going to be the thing that gave her the strength to turn her life around. And it did. She was doing so well. She was a good mom, and then she got her memory back. She thinks Esme didn’t have a chance to reconcile her two identities before Nikolas came back and took her son. Ace is a grounding force for Esme, and she thinks Esme losing her son pushed her over the edge. He says, love is a powerful motivator… both for good and ill. (That Doc is a real philosopher.) She asks if he’s in pain, but he says, no, but he’s bothered by the assumption that Esme went to Toronto to see her nanny. He thinks she’d go after Nikolas. Laura says, her too, but she thinks Esme doesn’t have anything to go on. She has no resources and Toronto isn’t very far and wouldn’t put too much strain on Esme’s credit card to travel there. He says, Esme’s credit card? and she says she forgot to tell him. The PCPD found out Esme charged a bus ticket to Toronto. He says, something’s off. It’s like something happened in Alexis’s office that he can’t quite remember.

Maggie says, Dante is telling her that he doesn’t want to cause trouble, but there are three police officers from two countries in her apartment. Chase and the Canadian officer go into another room, and she asks what those two are doing. Dante says, like he told her; they’re not here for her. They’re looking for Esme. She says, they’re looking in the wrong place. She hears a noise and yells, don’t go throwing things about! Dante tells her, if she’s saying Esme isn’t here, then she’s got to come clean. She’s got to tell them where she is. She asks how she would know that, and he says, they have reason to believe Esme came her to see her. She says, that’s pure rubbish. She hasn’t seen Esme in years.

Trina says she thinks shell try every coq au vin to see which is the best one in Paris, and Spencer says, that’s a good idea. Considering the fact he doesn’t know how to cook, he thinks they’ll be doing a fair amount of dining out. But if she only has coq au vin, won’t she miss out on a lot of other fantastic French food? She says she thinks she’ll have plenty of opportunities to try other tasty dishes, and he says, there’ll be a lot more to this trip than just food. She says, like what? Studying? He says, very important, and she says, dancing? He says he’s sure they’ll wander into a club or two, and she says, starting tonight? Is he going to tell her what he has planned? He says, she’ll certainly be getting the VIP treatment, and she says, he’s enjoying this secrecy a little too much. he says, maybe… Okay, fine. He doesn’t want to drag it out if she really wants to know. She says, and ruin the surprise? How dare he? He says, she certainly keeps him on his toes.

Curtis tells Stella, it won’t be dangerous. Ben is right here. Ben says he supposes there’s no harm in trying. He’ll be with Curtis, and Curtis will have the parallel bars to stabilize him. Curtis says, let’s do it.

Curtis hoists himself out of the chair, grabbing onto the parallel bars. Ben tells him to align his hands above his hips and use his arms to push his way up. Three, two, one. Curtis stands for a moment, then falls back into the chair. Ben says, good work. Curtis wanted a gauge and now they know. Curtis wheels himself away from the bars, and Ben asks if he wants to get to work, but Curtis says, no. that’ll be it for today. Ben asks if he’s sure. There’s still twenty minutes to their session. Stella asks if they can have a moment, and Ben leaves. Curtis says, she was right. It was a mistake to try and stand so soon. She asks if he made a slam dunk on the first try. No. So why did he think this was going to work on the first try?

Martin says, Alexis is right. At this point, their first step should be to compel the oncologist to expose that Muldoon had a cancer diagnosis prior to his visit with Finn. That would establish intent for Muldoon, but to accuse his wife of complicity with circumstantial evidence, that’s risky. They have no way of proving she had prior knowledge of his condition. To point a finger at her and start ranting about fraud would be a complete Hail Mary on their part. Tracy asks if that’s not what lawyers are supposed to do, throw out alternative possibilities. At least if the accusation is out there, the GH lawyers can run with it, especially if she has anything to say about it. Elizabeth asks what Finn thinks, and Finn asks, what will happen to Mrs. Muldoon if they accuse her of fraud? Tracy says, who cares? and Gregory says he could use some water. He asks Tracy to come with him, and she says, if he insists. They leave, and Martin says, in answer to Finn’s question, she’d be charged with fraud. If those charges are proven, she’d be looking at jail time. Elizabeth says, if she knew her husband was lying. That’s the question, but how do they know if Mrs. Muldoon was in on the fraud or not? Martin looks over at Diane and says he’s got one idea.

Trina says, Tuesday will be non-stop, but she thinks she can meet Spencer for a quick dinner, and he says he’d love to spend every single day with her here if he could. But he understands that she’s here first and foremost for school. So if she needs to prioritize her classes, that’s okay. She doesn’t have to worry about him. He’ll keep himself busy. She asks, how? and he says he’s been giving it a lot of thought. She’s so passionate about art, the way she talks about it and lives her life for it. He’d like to figure out what that is for him, what his passion is. Maybe he’ll figure that out in Paris. She says, there’s always Le Cordon Bleu, but he says he doesn’t think even they could help him with his cooking skills. Maybe it’s a good option, but he thinks there are a lot of things here for him to explore. So they’ll have to see. He just hates that he wasted so much time when he was here… before. Being angry with his father and planning to get back at Ava… She says, he had help. Esme stoked his anger and did everything she could to manipulate him. He says, first Esme, then Uncle Victor, but he’s just very glad they can finally put that all behind them. He’s very sorry he dragged her into all that. She didn’t deserve it. She says, neither did he, and he asks how she does that. She’s so supportive and so sweet. And she’s so hot. She makes him want to be better. She says she thinks he’s pretty amazing (ugh), and he thanks her, but he thinks there’s still plenty of room for improvement. (Agreed.) She says, he’ll get there.

Dante says, Esme hasn’t reached out to Maggie? Called her, texted her, mailed her a letter? Maggie says she wrote Esme with her address here in Toronto, but that was months ago. Esme never wrote back. She hasn’t heard from her. He says, they’ve got a letter that Maggie wrote to Esme, inviting Esme here to see her, and she asks if he had the handwriting analyzed, because she never extended any such invitation. The family she works for now are very private, very security conscious. Esme’s a troubled girl with a criminal record. She feels terrible for Esme, but she doesn’t want to jeopardize her current employment. Writing letters is one thing. Seeing Esme face to face, she’d never do it. Chase and the officer come back out, and Chase says, there’s no sign of Esme, nothing to suggest she’s ever been here.

Stella says she knows Curtis is disappointed, but he’s got to be patient with himself. He says he’s been nothing but patient. He feels like he’s been beating back this feeling of powerlessness forever, doing everything he can to make things better. He was at that point of acceptance, but this procedure has renewed his hope. Now that it has, he wants to move forward. She says, but he is moving forward. Just slower than he’d like. He says, so slow, he’s standing still. Oh, his bad. He can’t even stand. She says, now he’s feeling sorry for himself, and that’s not like him. Listen to her. He’s going to keep at it and he’s going to get this one effort at a time. What’s the alternative? Giving up? He asks if she wasn’t the one saying pushing it was a bad idea, and she says she’s always offering her two cents where it’s not needed, but the last thing she wanted was to undermine his belief in himself. He says, that wasn’t her; his legs did. She says, he’s always exceeded people’s expectations. Wasn’t he the only freshman who made varsity basketball in high school? He says, the coach didn’t even want him to try out, and she says, but he proved the coach wrong, didn’t he? She guesses all those skinned knees playing street ball eventually paid off. He proved everybody wrong. He says, what if his streak is over? but she says, it’s not. He just needs to pace himself. He’ll get there. She believes that, and she believes in him. Portia comes in and says she’s glad Stella is here too. Doc is awake and he’s doing better. Stella says, praise be, and Curtis says, good news. Portia asks, where’s Ben? Is his physical therapy session over? Stella looks at Curtis and says, is it?

Back in the courtroom, Gregory sips some water and says he needed this. He thanks Tracy, and she says, anything for a friend. He asks if that’s what they are, and she says she only allows friends and family to manipulate her, so she guesses so. He says he really did need the water, but she has to admit, she wasn’t exactly helping. She says, yes, she was. This is no time for Finn to be noble or selfless. He’s losing patients because of this groundless lawsuit, and he’s such a good doctor. Gregory says, no argument here. He’s just glad Finn has her on his side.

Mrs. Muldoon tells Diane, her children not only lost a father, Dr. Finn has jeopardized their future. Without Dennis, how is she going to pay for their schools, their college? Diane says she’s doing everything she can to get a settlement that will meet the needs of her children, when Martin asks if he can have a word. Diane says, of course (🍷), and tells Mrs. Muldoon that she’s going to confer with Martin. She’ll be right back. Take this moment for herself. Do some deep breathing. It sounds trite, but it does help. And whatever she does, do not engage with the defendant.

Finn asks Alexis what she thinks. Should he let Martin accuse Mrs. Muldoon of fraud? Elizabeth says, heads up. She’s coming. Instead of listening to her high-priced lawyer, Mrs. Muldoon makes a beeline for Finn. She says, if he had any shred of decency, he would change his plea to guilty and end this right now. Alexis says, they shouldn’t be speaking, but Finn says, it’s okay. He wants to hear what she has to say. Go ahead. Let’s talk about decency.

Curtis says he’s just on a break and asks Stella to find Ben and tell him they still have work to do. Stella says she’d be happy to, and leaves. Portia asks what she missed, and Curtis says he messed around and pushed too hard, but nothing was hurt except his ego. He’s really glad Doc is okay. Has she heard anything about Esme? She says, nothing yet. She’s hoping Dante and Chase find her in Toronto, apprehend her, and put her in prison where she belongs. She’s absolutely done with Esme and never wants to worry about Esme Prince again.

Dante tells Chase that it looks like Esme played them. She gave them a false lead. Chase says, if Esme didn’t come looking for Maggie, where did she go? Dante tells Maggie that he’s not sure if she knows, but Esme’s regained her memory. She just assaulted a man and put him in the hospital, nearly killed him. So any insights into Esme would be greatly appreciated. Places she would go, people she’d want to see. Maggie says she doesn’t know. She did her best by Esme. She tried to steer her right, but nothing would sway her. She was dead set on reuniting with her family. Dante says, her family. Maybe that’s the key.

Detective Bennet asks, what happened when Doc arrived on the scene? and Doc says he came into Alexis Davis’s office, and Esme was already there. She was seated, she had her laptop open, and she startled when she realized he was there. It was like she thought he caught her doing something. He flashes back to that, and says, Laura told him that Esme used her credit card to purchase travel to Toronto. Her own credit card? Laura says, yeah, and he says, then what was she doing with The Invader’s corporate card? She had it in her hand. He saw it when he came into the room. Laura says, they’d better call Alexis, and takes out her phone.

Spencer says, they should get the check. He doesn’t want them to be late. Trina says, late for what? and he says, she’ll see.

Martin says he’d like to add someone to the witness list, and Diane says, it’s a little late in the game. He agrees, it is and apologizes for the short notice, but some new information has suddenly come to light. She asks, who’s the witness? and he says, Dr. Powell. Doesn’t ring a bell? She says, no. Should it? He says he guesses they’ll find out, and walks off.

Mrs. Muldoon whines to Finn that they’ll have to sell their home, when Alexis gets a text from Laura: Call me, 911. She tells Elizabeth, and Mrs. Muldoon says, their futures were all planned. Her husband went to Finn and now he’s dead. (Um… Apparently, they didn’t plan that well. Sounds like they played fast and loose with the kids’ college fund.) She asks if he was just another faceless patient to Finn, but Finn says, none of his patients are faceless, not ever. He’s very sorry for her loss, but he did tell her husband that he needed follow-up testing and he failed to do that. She says, that’s not Dennis. He’s wrong. Dennis would have taken proper steps if he’d understood something was seriously wrong. He never would have left her and the children. Even at the very end, all he could think about was the kids. That’s why he told her to sue, so he could make sure his family was taken care of. Finn says, so the malpractice suit was her husband’s idea, and she says, that’s how much he loved them. And when he was in terrible pain, he didn’t worry about himself; he was worried about his family. It’s not right a man that loving should die so young. Finn says, no, it isn’t.

Diane comes running in, saying, no, no, no, no, no. She thought she asked Mrs. Muldoon not to talk to Dr. Finn. What did Finn say? Finn says, not much. Her client, however, said plenty. Diane leads Mrs. Muldoon to the other side of the courtroom, and Gregory asks what she said to Finn. Martin says he’d like to hear the answer to that question himself, and Elizabeth says, she made a lot of accusations, but Finn says, it doesn’t matter. She’s in pain. How did it go with Diane? Martin says, Diane has the best poker face he’s ever seen, but he honestly thinks she doesn’t know why he’s calling a late witness. He mentioned the oncologist’s name and there was nothing. No indication of recognition whatsoever. Tracy asks if Martin mentioned he was an oncologist, and he asks if he looks like an idiot. She says, well… and Gregory clears his throat. Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Diane would be an accessory to fraud, and Finn says, probably Mrs. Muldoon isn’t either. He didn’t get the feeling she knew. Elizabeth says neither did she, and Tracy says, that is for her lawyer to prove. Finn says, if Mrs. Muldoon goes to prison, what will happen to her kids? and Tracy says she thinks the question he should be asking is, if he doesn’t win this case, what will happen to his kid?

Dante asks Maggie to excuse them for a minute, and steps into the hallway with Chase. He says, they have to explore the family aspect, and Chase asks, what family? Esme’s mother is in Pentenville, and since Esme attacked Doc, that rules out any support she’d get from him and Laura. Who else is left? Dante says, her son, and takes out his phone. He looks at Laura’s number.

Laura says, Alexis should be here any moment now, when her phone rings. She says, this is Dante, and tells Dante that she’s here with Doc and Detective Bennet and he’s on speaker. Dante asks how Doc is doing, and Doc says, his head hurts. Otherwise, he’s okay. Dante says, good to hear, and Laura asks if they’ve found anything in Toronto, but Dante says, it’s a dead end. He thinks Esme was just trying to buy some time. He was wondering if she heard from Nikolas. Laura says, the last person to speak to him was Spencer. Why? He says, they were thinking Esme might track down Nikolas to reclaim Ace before she goes into hiding, and Laura says she’s sure that’s what Esme would like to do, but she has no means of tracking down Nikolas. However, they might have a new lead on their end. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, actually, Alexis just walked in right now. She tells Alexis that she has Chase and Dante on speaker phone from Canada. Did she find anything? Alexis says she had her assistant email every charge on the corporate credit card in the last 72 hours, and Bennet asks if she was aware the credit card was stolen. She says, no, but Esme, as her assistant, had the authority to use the card and she continually used it. She looks at her phone and says, here’s the email right now… Whoa. What is this here?

Spencer says, shall we go? and he and Trina get up. She asks where they’re off to, and he says, the rest of their lives. He kisses her hand.

Elizabeth tells Finn, as much as she hates to say it, Tracy has a point. if he doesn’t push this fraud angle, he could lose this case and his position at GH. He says he could always go back to research, and she says, really? Here in Port Charles? Or would he and Violet have to move away from everyone who loves them? Is that really what he wants to do? He says, no, of course (🍷) not. But he doesn’t want to see Mrs. Muldoon go to prison for fraud. Those kids already lost their father. She’s all they have. Believe it or not, he can almost understand the desperation Dennis Muldoon was feeling. He was in an impossible situation and made the only choice he thought he could to take care of his family. She says she gets that he was in an impossible situation and just trying to take care of his family, but for Mr. Muldoon to use Finn as a scapegoat, someone who was only trying to help him, and make Finn pay for his misfortune? He asks if it’s any better to throw a grieving widow under the bus. It seems like no matter what, someone’s going to get hurt.

Ben tells Curtis, good work today, and Curtis thanks him for letting the session run over, especially since they ran him in and out of there for an hour. Ben says he’s glad they got it all in. See him next Thursday? Curtis says, you bet, they fist bump, and Ben leaves. Portia says, it looks like Curtis had a pretty good workout, and he says he sure did. Stella says, his first step to a first step, and Curtis says he sees what she did there. He will be walking when Trina comes home from Paris.

The bailiff says, court will reconvene in five minutes, and Mrs. Muldoon says she’s going to splash some water on her face. Diane asks if she’s sure she doesn’t know a Dr. Powell, but she says, no, and leaves.

Martin tells Finn that his assistant is drawing up a subpoena to have the oncologist testify. He got the motion to add a late witness. Finn says, already? and Martin says, if they’re going to do this, they’ve got to get the ball rolling. They’ve got less than five minutes here. How would Finn like him to proceed? Gregory says he’ll support whatever decision Finn makes, and Finn says he doesn’t want to risk Mrs. Muldoon going to prison. Martin says, he may have to, to clear his name.

In the hallway, Tracy tells Mrs. Muldoon that she needs a word, but Mrs. Muldoon says her attorney advised her not to speak to Dr. Finn or any of his supporters. (Like she listened before.) Tracy says, that’s okay. She’ll do all the talking.

The bailiff asks everyone to take their seats, and Gregory asks Elizabeth, where did Tracy go? Martin tells Finn, all right, doc. It’s go time. What are we doing?

Alexis says, there’s an airline charge on the corporate credit card, and Esme’s name is on the ticket. Dante says, ticket to where? and Doc says, Paris. She was booking a flight to Paris. (Okay, so Esme didn’t save Alexis money.) Alexis says, he’s right. Esme’s ticket was to Paris. Laura says, oh my God. She’s going after Spencer and Trina.

Spencer and Trina leave the French PC Grill restaurant, and Trina says, he’s too cute. He tells her that she’s beautiful. Take it all in. It’s all for them. She says she can’t believe this is all happening, and he says, she’s too cute. (All right already with cute.) Is she ready for her next surprise? She says she doesn’t need a surprise. She’s got him. That’s all she could ever need. He kisses her and they continue walking. Apparently, Trina needs some Spidey-sense too, since Esme steps out of the shadows and follows them.

Tomorrow, Martin tells Finn, they go with what they planned, or go with this new theory; Anna tells Jordan that someone is playing games, and she wants to find out why; and Sonny tells Ava, things have changed and so have the threats.

🍼 Ask Where Ace Is…

IMO, the best Nikolas of them all. Wednesday, January 31, 3 pm.

🚑 She’ll Be Back…

OG Josslyn is getting there.

🥀 Way Too Soon…

It doesn’t give details, but regardless, so sad.

🛸 Bring On the Space Cake….

I’m not saying anyone is wrong here. Maybe Denise is owning what’s hers; maybe she’s a big a-hole. It’s hard to tell judge everything that’s going on in two minutes of film out of an entire evening. But in regard to her saying she might have been slipped something, until this chef went apesh*t, I didn’t think for once she meant him. I thought she was inferring it might have been one of the other cast members. Which, considering past behavior, isn’t a stretch.

💎 She Knows Nothing…

I’ve been leaning this way too. Only because the whole thing looks so awkward. Mauricio is so high all the time, it doesn’t seem like he gives a flying what’s going on, and Kyle seems like a bad actress in a script she wrote herself.

🍸 Latest Rules…

But is it still the best time of our life?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/something-about-her-in-vanderpump-rules-season-11-intro-details

🎬 Très Amusant…

Because sitting through the reality of it wasn’t enough.

https://ew.com/all-star-live-reading-of-vanderpump-rules-scandoval-8551139

New Boat Daddy…

Sorry, Captain Kerry, I will forever miss Stud of the Sea, Captain Lee. It’s nice to see Ben again though.

🐩 Furbaby Fête…

Spoiler: They’re all cute.

🍳 Putting All My Eggs In One Frying Pan…

IKR? Early today. Come back tomorrow for soap and VanderTalk. Until then, stay safe, stay not being that person in the express checkout lane, and stay always exceeding people’s expectations.

December 19, 2023 – Brennan’s Secret Is Out, Erika’s Update, A Farewell, Getting Ready, All About Emmy, Don’t Sell, Rude, Menu Reveal, Thirsty Or Not, Married, Surviving, Santa Pets (!) & Farm

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lucy meets Doc at the PC Grill. She says, no wine? and he says he thought he’d wait to order. Aren’t Laura and Martin joining them? She says she doesn’t think they’d mind them having a pre-dinner cocktail. She could use one. It’s been a rough day… week… month… year. He says, that’s a bad time. They see Scotty sitting at the bar, and Doc says, looks like Scotty’s had a rough day as well. Before she says, it, he knows the decent thing to do is to invite him over. She says, Good God, no.

Tracy holds a snow globe and says she misses Luke so much, when Lois walks in with Brook. Tracy puts the snow globe behind her back, and Lois says she spies Tracy looking at that, but don’t worry. They won’t tell anyone that they saw her showing some Christmas spirit. Tracy asks why Brook hasn’t responded to her texts, and Brook says she was Christmas shopping with Chase and Leo and Violet. Tracy says, of course (🍷). Her phone doesn’t work in the proximity of small children. Brook says, she stops looking at it when she’s celebrating the joy of the season, and Tracy says, they have a business meeting tomorrow morning to figure out how this arrangement with Deception works. Brook says, tomorrow’s Christmas Eve, and Tracy says she’s well-aware, but now that Brook is going to be her business protégé, she’s going to have to change her priorities. Ned comes in and says, what’s that? Brook says, it’s true. She’s going back to work at Deception. Tracy says, but this time, it’s going to be different. This time, she’s going to be the boss. He asks if Lois knew about this, and she says she did, and she thinks it’s great.

There’s a knock at Ava’s door, and she opens it to Nina. Ava says she thought they were meeting at Rice Plaza to watch Avery and Donna in the Living Nativity, and Nina says she knows, but she needed to see Ava in private, without Sonny and the girls. Ava asks, why? and Nina says she needs Ava’s help before her whole world comes crashing down.

Just when you think Donna can’t get any cuter, they put her in a lamb costume. She asks if she looks okay, and Sonny says, she looks amazing. Michael joins them, and Donna asks if he’s here to watch her and Avery. He says, of course (🍷) he is. She’s going to be an amazing lamb. Donna says, Avery’s a shepherd, and he says, she’s going to be amazing too. He asks if she’s excited about being in the Living Nativity, and she nods. Cyrus approaches and says he is too.

Carly pours coffee for Sam and sees the headline about Brennan being head of the WSB on Sam’s phone. She asks if that’s the guy Sam and Dante are investigating, and Sam says, yes. He’s the new head of the WSB. Carly says, really. Because he told her that he was a security consultant. Sam says, she knows him? and Carly says, John Brennan. He’s been here in the diner a few times. He was here a half hour ago. Sam asks if he said where he was going, but Carly says, no. He got a phone call, and he took off.

At the pier, Anna says her Interpol contact is going to be here in twenty minutes, and Dante asks if she’s sure she can trust this guy. She says, absolutely. She’s confident they’re on the up and up. He says, it wouldn’t be a stretch for the head of the WSB to request interagency cooperation and make them disappear, but she says, not this time. Brennan’s been trying to ruin her life for months, but that all changes tonight. He’s going down.

Lucy tells Doc, sorry. It’s just that Scotty’s been pushing her to travel with him to Florida at Christmas to see Serina and the manatees. He says, Christmas with her daughter. What’s wrong with that? She says, nothing. She’s very tempted, but Scotty didn’t bother telling Serina about his plans and she found out Serina has a brand-new boyfriend… first Christmas and all. Fortunately for her and Serina, Scotty saw reason, and decided not to make the trip. He says he’s sure it will be nice for her and Martin to spend the holidays together, and she says, yeah. Together.

Ava says, Ned is blackmailing Nina too? and Nina says, it’s like a line is forming. If she doesn’t tell Ned information on Aurora, he’s going to tell Sonny that she’s the one who reported Carly and Drew to the SEC for insider trading. Ava says she guesses Nina better find some information that Ned will find useful, but Nina says she doesn’t have access to the inner workings of Aurora. Let’s just say in a perfect world she magically comes up with something and she tells Ned, and Michael finds out. He’s going to retaliate and tell Sonny. This is an impossible situation. Ava says, it is and she feels for Nina, but she’s got problems of her own.

Cyrus tells Sonny that he’s going to be one of the Wise Men. Melchiore, he believes, but they won’t be wearing nametags. He’s just on his way to pick up his crown and robe. Michael says, Cyrus isn’t coming anywhere near his little sister, but Sonny says, that’s all right. He’s taking care of it. Michael says, Sonny knew about this? and Sonny says he’s watching Cyrus like a hawk. No robes or crowns for him today. Cyrus asks Sonny to be reasonable. It’s a Christmas pageant. Sonny asks Michael to take Donna to the Nativity, and they leave. Cyrus says he doesn’t understand. What is the harm in him participating in the celebration of the holy season? Sonny says, celebrate on his own. He’s already been replaced. (Aww.) Laura and Martin join them, Martin wearing a robe, and Cyrus says, et tu, brother? Martin says, the name’s Melchiore, and Laura tells Cyrus, please don’t make a scene. Cyrus says he’s just surprised. Martin’s been averse to Christmas pageants ever since second grade when he tripped on the robe and knocked over the manger. Laura laughs, and Martin says he’ll make sure to watch his step this time. Laura asks if Cyrus will do this for her. Not as the mayor, but as his sister. Cyrus says he wishes them all the joys of the holiday season, and he leaves. Martin says, that’s what he’d call a Christmas miracle, and Laura suggests they be grateful he decided to play nice for whatever reason. Sonny says, thank you, Lord, for making the Wise Man swap, and Martin puts on his crown. Laura says, it looks like the other kings are gathering over there. Perhaps Martin should join them. Martin asks them to say a prayer he doesn’t trip over something, and this is over before they know it. He tells Laura to remember Lucy and Doc are waiting dinner for them, and he leaves. Laura asks if Sonny thinks Cyrus knew Avery and Donna were in the Living Nativity or it was just a coincidence, and he says he’s not sure, but he’s not taking any chances. Like he said before, he doesn’t think Cyrus killed Austin, but he’s not going to trust Cyrus anywhere near anyone he cares about.

Ava brings out the locked box and puts in the combination. It opens, and Nina says, she bought another gun? Ava says she didn’t buy it. It just appeared. She found it in the drawer the day she moved in, along with an ominous note saying, you’ll never know when you’ll need it. Nina says, so someone’s stalking her, and Ava says, or trying to frame her. They’re getting bolder.

Ned asks what Brook is thinking, and Lois tells Tracy that she’s going to need Brook all day tomorrow for last minute Christmas details. Unless of course (🍷) Tracy would like to help. There are cookies to bake, presents to wrap, and then of course (🍷), she got everybody matching PJ sets. She hopes she got Tracy the right size… Tracy says she can move the business meeting to December 26th. The pajamas? That’s a hard pass. She leaves, and Brook says, matching PJs? Really? Lois says, it worked with Tracy, didn’t it? and Ned asks if Lois has lost her mind. How can she, of all people, be happy that their daughter is giving up music to be a corporate executive. Lois tells him to use the good sense God gave him. Obviously, there’s an angle. He says, what angle? and Lois says, Brook isn’t going back to work at Deception for herself. She’s going back to outsmart Tracy and make things right with her friends.

Sam asks if Brennan said why he’s in Port Charles, and Carly tells her, he just said he was a security consultant here on business. He never said he was head of the WSB, but why would he? Sam asks if he said how long he was planning on staying, and Carly tells her, he said he’d be here for a little while. He was a little flirtatious and he seemed harmless. Does Sam know different? (Seriously? Have all those years with Sonny taught Carly nothing?) Sam says she doesn’t have all the facts, but if Carly sees him again, keep her distance and call Dante. Sam jets.

Anna tells Dante, if Forsythe hadn’t come after that report, she doesn’t know if she’d have realized she still had it. It had been stuck in that trunk for decades. But Brennan sending Forsythe is kind of like he dug his own grave. Hume listens from the shadows.

Carly looks at the article again on her phone and sets it on the table. She starts to clean up when she hears the door open. She says, we’re closed, and sees it’s Brennan. He asks if she has time for one more.

Lucy says, Doc is too compassionate for his own good, and he always has been. He says, okay. He’ll bite. What does she mean by that? She says, he really doesn’t understand that they’re completely surrounded by cutthroats and thieves, and sometimes, just sometimes, you really need to look out for number one. He says, just an observation, but it seems like she’s talking about something specific. Care to share? She says, Quartermaines. They never change their spots. He probably knows Tracy stole the company from her, but now she’s given Brook a job at Lucy’s company. This is the very woman who stole all the proprietary information on Lucy’s Deceptor, so she could give it to her grandmother to allow Tracy to file this pernicious lawsuit against them. He asks if it’s possible she’s more hurt than she is angry, but she says she’s so angry… but he’s right. She’s also very, very hurt by the whole betrayal. She trusted Brook. She let Brook in on the team and she turns out to be worse than her grandmother. Even more than Lucy imagined. He says he’s glad she’s getting these feelings off her chest, rather than keeping them bottled up inside, and she asks how he does that. He’s always such a good listener. She thanks him for letting her vent, and he says, she’s welcome. It’s what he does. Just a thought, but isn’t it better that Brook is in the office every day rather than her having to deal with Tracy day in and day out? She says, good point. She guesses she could rise above it, sort of, maybe. Try to make the best out of a bad situation. Scotty comes over to the table and says he can’t believe his ears. Is Lucy going to roll over and let Tracy win?

Lois asks if Ned really thinks she’d be encouraging their daughter to work in an office instead of following her dreams if there wasn’t a hidden agenda. Brook says, mom’s been hounding her for weeks to give in to Tracy. Once Tracy hands over the company to her, then she can give it back to Maxie and make things right. He says, if she thinks her grandmother is going to make this easy, she’s in for a very rude awakening, but Brook says she knows exactly what she’s in for. She either has to convince granny that she’s totally on board, making her completely comfortable enough to give her controlling interest, or due to their close proximity, she’ll have to dig something up in order to blackmail her with. He says, spoken like a true Quartermaine, and Lois says, not that that’s always a good thing, but in this case, Brook would be blackmailing for a worthy cause. He says, as long as her grandmother doesn’t figure it out and turn the tables, and Lois asks if he’s doubting their daughter. He says, absolutely not.

Nina asks if Ava still thinks it’s Nikolas sending her these notes, and that, and Ava says, well, who else? She left him for dead. He’s not going to let that go. Nina asks why he’d send her a gun if his plan is to attack her, and Ava says, or to frame her. For all she knows, this is the gun that killed Austin. Nina says, Ava thinks he’d go that far. That he’d come all the way here just to kill Austin to frame her for murder? Ava says she doesn’t know what to think anymore. For months, she thought Nikolas was dead and she was the one that killed him, and she thought that she could trust Austin. Nina says, she needs to calm down a bit, but Ava says she doesn’t have anyone to talk to about this. Her head has been spinning since Austin died. Nina says she thinks Ava needs a distraction. Why don’t they go to Rice Plaza? Ava says she thinks that’s a good idea. She thinks seeing Avery in that Living Nativity will make her feel better.

Michael tells Donna that she’s all set, and she thanks him for fixing it. He says, of course (🍷), and she asks if they’re going to see Wiley and Amelia on Christmas. He says, yeah, and she wonders if they can hang their stockings together. He says, it’s a great idea, but he thinks she’s going to be at her mom’s on Christmas Eve, and she says, daddy says Michael’s going to be with him and Nina on Christmas Eve. Cyrus watches from the shadows, and Michael says, he, Willow, Wiley, and Amelia and daddy and Nina. Donna tells him, daddy said this is going to be the best Christmas ever now that Nina’s part of the family.

Sonny asks how Laura is holding up, and she says she’s still worried about Charlotte. Physically, she’s on the mend, but emotionally, she’s struggling. He says he thinks she’s old enough to benefit from therapy, and Laura says she agrees. What about Anna? Has he spoken to her? He says, she’s very hard to get in touch with. She blames herself for what happened to Charlotte. Laura says, it was a terrible accident, and he says, they know that, but Anna just blames herself.

Anna tells Dante, the irony is, Brennan covered his tracks so well, he didn’t even realize he was implicated in the report. He kind of just brought this on himself. Dante’s phone rings, and he says he should take this. Hume stands in the shadows, holding a gun, and Dante asks Sam, what’s going on? She tells him, Brennan is in town. Carly saw him in Kelly’s. He must have come into town to take care of Anna himself. He asks if she can call the PCPD and tell the desk sergeant what’s going on, and she says she will. She tells him to be careful, and he says, always. He tells Anna that they have to get someplace less exposed, and they start to walk, but Hume pops out and shoots at them. They duck behind some crates.

Carly says, look who’s back, and Brennan says, apologies. That call pulled him away before he could even put in an order. Now they’re closed and he’s missed his chance. She says, he can stay. The cook is gone for the night, but she can heat up some meatloaf. It won’t be fancy… He says, simple works for him. She’s very kind.

Lucy tells Scotty that she took the deal for Maxie and Sasha’s sake. And besides, 49% of a viable company is a heck of a lot better than 100% of nothing. He says, but she gave away her ELQ tie-breaking vote, and she says she did not. It was extorted out of her by Tracy. If she hadn’t given up her precious share of ELQ, Tracy would have blown the whole deal, and she, Maxie, and Sasha would have been completely bankrupt. He says, so she’s just going to let Tracy trample over the company she built, but she says, absolutely not. She has just begun to fight back. He says, it doesn’t seem like it, and Doc says, what it seems like is Scotty rubbing salt in the wound. Maybe it’s time to head home. Scotty says, all right. He’s not going to justify having to take flack for doing his job. Doc says he doesn’t even know what that means, and I’m glad he said that because I don’t either. Scotty says he’s not going to apologize for representing Doc’s wife’s criminal brother Cyrus or for representing Elizabeth. His Liesl just won’t give him a second chance. Tracy blows in and goes to the bar, where she puts down her bag. Scotty follows and Lucy gets up, but Doc says, Lucy… Stay. She sits back down, and she asks if he isn’t going after Scotty, but he says he doesn’t care about Scotty. He cares about her. Besides, he wants to watch this.

Tracy orders a dirty martini, top shelf vodka, no such thing as too dirty. Scotty sits down near her, and she says, go away. He says, as she can see, his coat was here – he indicates the coat on the back of his stool – so if he’s going to bother her, he suggests she vamoose. She says, nothing he does has any effect on her at all, and he says, fine. She says, fine.

Ava says she’s going to see Avery and will catch up with Nina later, and Nina joins Sonny and Laura. She says, nice to see them. Rice Plaza looks amazing. Laura thanks her, like she did it all herself, and says she’s very proud of their town. It’s really good to see Nina, but she has some things she needs to attend to. She leaves, and Sonny asks why Nina is so late. She says, she and Ava had some girl talk. Why? Did he miss her? He says, always, and kisses her.

Ava says she understands Martin has to learn his Wise Man duties on the job, and Martin says he was a last-minute substitution. Michael joins them, and Ava sees Cyrus going by. She asks, what is that monster doing here? She doesn’t want him anywhere near Avery. Michael says, don’t worry. His dad took care of it. She says, good. Because she doesn’t believe that man’s conversion for a second. Ava flashes back to Sonny telling her that Austin’s boss is Cyrus Renault, and she says she knows Cyrus is as dangerous as he always was.

Carly says she’s glad Brennan is okay with meatloaf. Although it’s going to take a while to heat up. He says he hopes he’s not putting her out. He can just come back another… She says, that’s okay. She wasn’t done closing down the kitchen yet, so she’ll be right back. It’ll just take a minute. She heads for the kitchen, but says, oh, her phone, and turns around. He says, is this it? and picks it up. He sees the article about himself and tells Carly that he sees she knows his secret.

Anna and Dante draw their guns, and Hume says, there’s no way out. Give him what he wants and nobody else gets hurt. She tells Dante, that’s not Brennan, and Hume says, is she willing to add Detective Falconari to her long list of collateral damage? She says she wants to talk to Brennan, and Hume says he’s here to help her before this all gets worse. He hears her latest shooting victim is out of the hospital. Charlotte Cassadine? A child? Really? I say, really? to Hume trying to psyche Anna out. He says, all because of something that happened in the 80s? Let’s end this now. Anna tells Dante, he’s right.

Brook tells Ned that she can’t let granny push her around. The only way to deal with Tracy is to face her head on. He says, sadly, it took him a few more years before he learned that particular lesson, and she says she knows working back at Deception will temporarily take her away from her music career, but she won’t let down her clients. She’ll work 24/7. She’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that granny is out of Maxie’s company. Lois says, Maxie’s company? What about Lucy? Brook says, Lucy has made it perfectly clear she won’t work with her, and Ned says, sounds like she’s facing an uphill battle. Brook says she’s not scared. Nothing is going to stop her from making this right.

Anna says, don’t shoot. She’s coming out. She stands up with her hands in the air and puts her gun down. She says she knows where the evidence is. It’s in a safety deposit box and she has the key right here. She points to her pocket, and he says, slowly. She takes a key out of her pocket, and he says, toss it to him. She says, he knows Brennan’s just tying everything off right now. Forsythe’s dead. Does Hume think he’s going to be next? He says he’s not worried. He earns his keep. She says she’s sure that’s what Forsythe thought too, but Brennan only keeps people who are useful around him. Everyone has a sell by date. Doesn’t he think his is up? In the meantime, Dante has run around behind Hume, and clocks him in the head. Hume goes down, and Sam comes out. Dante asks what she’s doing here, and she says, checking on him. Is he okay? He cuffs Hume, and Sam says, they don’t know who this is. Dante takes out Hume’s wallet and looks at his ID. He says, Roman Hume. It says he works for Pikeman. Hume comes to, and Dante hoists him up. Anna says, where’s Brennan? and Hume says, make him a deal. Dante says, not a chance, and Anna says, they have to find Brennan before he realizes they’ve got his lieutenant. Sam says she thinks she may know where he is.

Carly says, if Brennan had told her that he was the director of the WSB, she would have thought he was a liar, and crazy. He chuckles and says he’s curious as to how she figured it out. She says she looked it up on the internet. (How is he director of the WSB? Not exactly the brightest bulb in the box.) There’s many John Brennans, but only one director of the WSB. She clicked on the link and magic! his picture popped up. Anyway, she’s going to go heat up the meatloaf. He says, Hume told him that her former son-in-law was involved. Falconari, right? The connection’s in there somewhere. She asks how he knows Dante, and he says he’s director of the WSB. If there’s something he wants to know, he knows it. Just as he made it his business to know about Sonny Corinthos, his operation, the people he holds dear. There’s just one thing he doesn’t know. What is he going to do with her?

Nina sees Michael buying cookies and says, they need to talk. In private. They walk off together.

Laura tells Ava that Avery looks adorable, and Ava says, doesn’t she? She’s been talking about her costume for weeks. Laura says, she’s taking her role so seriously, and they laugh. Ava says she knows it’s a difficult topic for both of them, but does Laura have any more information about Nikolas’s whereabouts? Laura says she doesn’t unfortunately, and Ava asks if she thinks she’ll keep looking for him. Laura says she wanted to stay in Europe and keep looking, but she got that call from Valentin about Charlotte and knew she was needed at home. Also, Doc told her that Nikolas will come home when he’s ready to face the people he left behind.

In a more private area, Michael asks what Nina wants, and Nina says, Ned knows she’s the one who tipped off the SEC. He asks what that has  to do with him, and she says, he wants information on Aurora to use against Michael and Drew, and if she gives him that information, he’ll keep taking the blame. He says, she doesn’t know anything about Aurora. What was Ned thinking? She says, he’s thinking she’ll find a way. That’s why she’s talking to him. He needs to help her get Ned off her back. He asks why he’d do that, and she says, think about it. This is like Blackmail 101. If Ned tells Sonny, Michael will have nothing to hold over her head. If he wants her to continue keeping her distance from her daughter and grandchild, he’ll help her out. He says he only kept quiet to protect Willow. She’s going to be devastated when she finds out what Nina did, but maybe it’s best to get it all over with. Nina says, all right. She’ll play his game. If Ned tells Sonny the truth, then guess what? She’ll tell Carly the truth that he knew she was the real informant this whole time and he never said anything. (Wouldn’t a better idea be to tell Willow?)

People run past, startling Ava, and Sonny says, why so jumpy? She asks if he really needs her to answer that question. First of all, they still don’t know who killed Austin. Then there’s the fact that Nikolas is alive and out there somewhere. She can only assume he’s plotting his revenge against her. He asks what she’s not telling him. Did something else happen? Donna runs up and asks if Michael is back with the cookies, and Sonny says, not yet, but he’ll be here any minute. Ava asks if Donna is having fun with Avery. They’re not too cold, are they? Donna says, no. They’re having a great time. Only one thing could make this Christmas even better. Sonny asks, what’s that? and Donna says she wants to open presents with Avery on Christmas, but Avery has to be with her mom. Can Avery and Ava come over to join them? Sonny and Ava look at each other.

Scotty says, that’s a stiff one. How come Tracy is drinking alone? She asks why he cares when he’s clearly doing the same thing, and he says he just figured she’d be at the mansion with the servants and the family. Of course (🍷) they don’t like her any more than he does. She asks if he’s been overserved. Maybe he should go home before he embarrasses himself further. He says, all right. He’s going to raise the white flag right now. It wasn’t that long ago that he was her lawyer. They thought she’d killed that guy, but his assistant had done it. Then remember? They got hot and heavy. (I don’t remember. When was this???) She says she doesn’t know what he’s talking about. That doesn’t sound like something she’d do. He says he can’t believe she’d forget the look on Lee and Gail’s face when they came in and caught them going at it on top of his desk. The look was priceless. She says, the only thing she remembers was them asking her why she was slumming with him, and he says, so she does remember. She says, correction. She’s trying not to remember. He says, why the high hat all of a sudden? She’s the one who was married to Luke, that no good, criminal jackass. She throws her drink in his face.

Carly says, Brennan has seriously miscalculated. If anything happens to her… He says he knows all about the mobster ex-husband, and she says she’s talking about the Navy SEAL boyfriend, but Sonny will kill him too. He says he was really starting to like her. Now that he’s seen how she parades under duress, he likes her even more. Sadly, they seem to be the victims of rotten luck. He takes out some brass knuckles, and she says, get away from her. She grabs something off the counter and whacks him with it. He stumbles back, as Anna and Dante come in, guns drawn. Anna says, hands where they can see them, and Brennan puts his hands up.

Ava says she knows Donna wants to be with her sister on Christmas, but her family is so big and family gatherings can be tricky. Sonny tells Donna, that’s a great idea, but why doesn’t she let the grown-ups talk? Go find Avery at the Nativity. Donna says, yay! and skips off. Ava says she knows the girls want to be together on Christmas morning, but she knows the situation is prickly. So please don’t do this for her. Sonny says he’s not doing it for her; he’s doing it for his daughters. She says, right. Of course (🍷). But they won’t stay long. She knows this is his first Christmas with Nina as husband and wife. She wouldn’t want to intrude on that. He says he doesn’t think Nina would mind at all. They’re going to have so many Christmases ahead of them.

Michael says he can explain to his mother what he did and why. Can Nina do the same thing with his father? Nina says she’s sorry. She shouldn’t have said that. It doesn’t have to be this way. Willow doesn’t need to know. Can he just make up something about Aurora so she can pass it on to Ned? It helps both of them if Sonny never finds out. Cyrus listens from the shadows, which seems to be the trend in Port Charles, and Michael says, okay, fine. He’ll take care of Ned.

Ned pours some wine, and Lois says, their marriage might not have worked out, but they did raise one hell of a daughter. He clinks her glass and says, agreed. Brook comes in and asks, what’s going on? What did she miss? Ned says, she didn’t miss anything. He and her mom were just having a nice conversation. Brook says, nice conversations and Quartermaines do not go together, and Lois says, but she’s not a Quartermaine. They were just talking about how much they love her. Brook says, is that all? and Ned hugs her while Lois smooths her hair.

Detectives arrive and Brennan is cuffed. Carly asks how Dante knew to come here, and he says, Sam told him about the conversation they had about Brennan. Carly thanks Sam, and Sam says, of course (🍷). She’s just glad they got here in time. Anna hands a detective the folder, and says, this is the evidence Brennan was so desperate to get ahold of. He asks, what’s the significance of the wallet? and she says, if he pulls back the lining, he’ll see a sequence of numbers that lead to a Swiss bank account. She goes over to Brennan and says, long time, huh? She calls him ex-director Brennan and asks if he thinks they’ll invite Frisco back to clean up his mess. He says, at least she’s been exposed as a double agent. Now everyone knows who she is. She says, that’s right, but her past can’t come back to hurt her anymore. He says, she almost killed a child. What does she have left? She says she has herself, and he says, good luck then. She’ll need it. Brennan is led out, and as he goes past Carly, he says, rotten timing? Dante says, it looked like Anna was willing to risk her life for his back there, and Anna says, if it had come to that, she would have. Brennan is right about one thing. She won’t allow anyone else to get hurt because of her mistakes.

Doc tells Lucy, as if on cue. Scott Baldwin can get under someone’s skin unlike than anyone he’s ever known.

Tracy tells Scotty that she’d say she just wasted some premium vodka, but when a better use comes along, you go for it. She walks out, and he says he’ll send her the dry-cleaning bill.

Lucy watches Tracy leave, and Doc says, don’t. Whatever she’s thinking, whatever she’s scheming, he promises her it will not end well. She says, who, me? She doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He really does worry too much. Laura comes in, and asks, was that Tracy Quartermaine she just saw storming through the parking lot? Doc says, yes, and kisses her. Lucy says, so good to see her, but she thought Martin was coming with her. Laura says she’s so sorry, but Martin is still participating in the Living Nativity at Rice Plaza. Lucy says, that’s great. When Laura asked him, she encouraged him to do it. She just didn’t think it would go so late. Laura says, sorry about that. She’s afraid he’s not going to be able to join them for dinner.

Michael gives Donna the cookies and says, she did a great job being in the Living Nativity. She asks if she can share them, and Michael says she can. She goes over to Martin, who says, it’s so nice of her to offer, and takes one.

Nina runs up to Sonny, who says he was just about to look for her. She says she’s so sorry. There was a minor crisis at the MetroCourt, but she handled everything. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, everything she could possibly ever want is right here.

Martin says, serving as a Wise Man was more arduous than he thought. Donna did a stellar job as their lamb tonight. She was better behaved than the angel. He thinks the angel had a dented halo. Cyrus watches from a distance as Martin talks to Donna.

Tomorrow, Portia asks what Spencer really knows about love; Finn tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t know what to do at this point; Charlotte asks Laura, what could he possibly be doing on Christmas Eve; and Anna tells Valentin that she can’t be part of his family.

💝 Erika Thanks You…

I still miss One Life To Livesniff…

🥀 Best At Bad…

The soap world loses a great villain.

🎄 Christmas Prepping…

How the soap stars are doin’ it.

🏆 Best In Daytime…

Daytime Emmy winners.

What you didn’t see.

The fashion. Again, so much black. Thank you, Susan Lucci.

Here, I expected black.

Daytime Emmys 2023: The Guys

🏰 We’re Not Ready…

I see her point, but I’d hate to lose that house. Oh wait. I don’t really live there.

💎 In Agreement…

I’m sure Annemarie wants to be relevant, but she came across as a bully. It’s like when you have a disorder that’s not visible, and someone says, you don’t look sick.

🍔 Something About a Menu…

Now if they’d only actually open.

🫦 Giving You Lala…

While I begrudge Ariana nothing, Lala’s not wrong. I think what’s happened is, Ariana is being looked upon as an Everywoman. I also think it’s exaggerating to say her posts are thirsty. And if they are, then she’s always been thirsty.

👰🏻‍♀️ Wishing Them Happiness…

I wouldn’t have thought of pairing them up, but they’re two of my favorite celebrities. I’m a huge 2 Broke Girls fan and I’ve loved Andrew W.K. since Party Hard. I’ve often suggested he run for President. Mazel tov!

https://www.buzzfeed.com/larryfitzmaurice/kat-dennings-andrew-wk-married-wedding-details

🤪 All Those Shrinks Can’t Be Wrong…

Some practical tips to get you through the holidaze.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/life-without-anxiety/201212/10-tips-surviving-the-holidays

🎅🏽 If All Else Fails…

Dress your pet up like Santa or one of his elves or one of his reindeer. And if you don’t have a pet, get one.

https://people.com/celebrity/santa-pets-your-cats-and-dogs-in-holiday-style/

👖 Sisterhood Of the Homebody Pants…

Join me tomorrow for soap and whatever annoyances I can point out during RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay recognizing the beauty in imperfections, and stay watching your step if you’re a Wise Man in a Christmas pageant.

January 11, 2023 – Nina Confronts Michael, Happy Anniversary, Returning, She’s Out, Golden News, 16th Birthday & Blues

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In one of the yoga classrooms, Chase does a plank and then some push-ups. Sasha and Gladys walk in, and Gladys says, now that is some hot yoga.

Brook works at the keyboard, and wonders why it’s so hard. She tells herself not to call Chase, when Cody walks in. He says, sounding pretty good in here, and she asks what he’s doing at the main house. He says he found Leo with Thor, the new foal. He had a blanket and everything. He was all ready to sleep in the stables. He thought he should probably get the kid to bed. Plus, he found these in the kitchen on the way in. He munches on a biscotti, and says, a little dry. Don’t tell Mama Q he said that though. She says, you’re supposed to dip them in coffee, or wine in the old country. They’re supposed to be dry. He asks what she’s doing, and she says, working on another new song for Chase and Blaze. He says. not going too well? and she says, at the moment, she’s singing the blues.

Drew says, Nina is Willow’s birth mother? and Carly says, yes. She could be a perfect match. She has to call Michael and Willow. He says, Willow already has a match. He was there when the call from the donor registry came through. She says, thank God, and he asks her to back up a second. She did a DNA test on Nina and Willow, and said it came back negative. She says, the results were actually positive, and he says, so she lied to him… again.

Josslyn tells Sonny, before he says anything, she has a few things to say about the way she chooses to live her life, and how it’s none of his damn business. He says he didn’t ask her here to lecture her about her life. He knows Michael must be going through a hard time right now, and he’s sure she is too. He just wanted to see if she could get Michael to understand, if he or Willow need anything, he’s here. He just doesn’t want Michael’s pride to stand in the way if he needs help. She says, help with what?

Michael tells Nina that it’s not a good time, and she says she understands that, and knows he doesn’t want her here. She’ll make it quick. She needs to talk about her grandson. He asks if she remembers the visitation hearing; the one she forced them to have. The ruling was, she has no right to see Wiley. She says she knows they found a way to shut her out of Wiley’s life for the unforgiveable crime of wanting Wiley to know about his biological mother. He tells her not to drag up Nelle, and she says she can’t even speak Nelle’s name because Wiley must believe Willow is his one and only mother. Now Willow put her life at risk so Michael could have another baby. Where does that leave Wiley if Willow dies?

Chase asks if they’re coming or going, and Gladys says, sorry? He asks if they finished class or they’re just starting, and Sasha says, they just got here. How has he been? He says, good. Her? Gladys says, Sasha is great and deserves congratulations. They have a buyer for Brando’s garage. Chase says, that’s amazing, but Sasha says, they haven’t accepted the offer yet. Gladys says, sure. They’re going to play hardball, do the whole counter thing, but it’s good news. Doesn’t Chase think it’s good news? He says, if Sasha thinks it is, and Gladys says, of course (🍷) she thinks that. Sasha asks if Gladys lost an earring, and Gladys says, like she’d wear those to yoga. She tells Chase that Sasha got her the most beautiful diamond studs for Christmas, and Sasha says she’s so glad Gladys likes them. Gladys says she forgot her water; she’ll be right back. When she’s gone, Chase asks if everything is okay between Sasha and Gladys, and Sasha says, everything’s great. Why? He says, she’s not pushing Sasha to sell the garage? and Sasha says, she is, but that’s just Gladys. Technically, Gladys doesn’t even need her to agree, since she’s in charge of Sasha’s finances, but Gladys would never do that. Sasha trusts her.

Cody asks if Brook wants the last biscotti, but she says, no thanks. He says he can’t let it just go to waste, and she says, he could return it to the kitchen. He says, too far, and eats it. He tells her that he heard through the grapevine that she and Chase broke up, and she says, he heard through one little grape, and his name is Leo. He says, correct, but to be fair, what Leo actually said was, he’s happy Brook and Chase won’t be kissing anymore. She says, that makes one of us, and he says he’s sorry, but she says, don’t be. She and Chase might be just singer and manager right now, but she’s hopeful things will change. He says, so Chase is still willing to work with her, and she says, that’s the kind of guy Chase is. He honors a commitment, even when he doesn’t want to. He asks what that’s like, and she says, beats her. He says, she can use this though, their working relationship. She says she could, and he says, so she’s thought of that. She says, Chase and Blaze have this radio performance tomorrow. She may have concocted a plan to get Chase over here. He says, so she can remind him how good they are together? and she says, something like that. Chase is huge on honesty though. She can’t use lies to get him back.

Michael says, how dare she? and Nina says, she dares because she’s Wiley’s grandmother. And she has to look out for him; his emotional needs. She knows Willow has Stage Four leukemia. He asks how she knows that, and she says she read a memo that was mixed up in Britt’s paperwork. She’s so sorry. What Willow is going through is horrible, but she also knows Willow’s an adult, and she chose to delay her treatment. He asks if she just happened to read that too, and Nina admits she did. That’s how she knows months passed from the time Willow was diagnosed to the time she received her first chemo treatment. Months where her leukemia progressed, when her cancer got worse. Months. Michael and Willow put the future of their unborn baby before Wiley, risking his happiness and security. Now that little boy may lose the one and only mother he’s ever known; that Michael’s allowed him to know. And that’s selfish. Michael tells her to get out, opening the door, but she says he has to explain it to her. Willow found out she had leukemia when she was in her first trimester. Why didn’t she get chemo immediately? He says, that’s none of her business, but she says, Wiley makes it her business.

Sonny says he appreciates Josslyn’s loyalty, but she’s not betraying Michael’s trust by talking to him. He knows what’s going on with Willow. It must be very difficult for them; the leukemia, and then being pregnant. Josslyn says, hold on. Leukemia?

Drew says, he and Carly just had this whole conversation, and she made it seem like everything was solid, but yet she was still holding back. She says she’s sorry; she didn’t think it mattered. She sees her romantic evening with Drew and the moss bowl🎍 – which is looking lovely and surrounded by candles – going down the drain, and Drew says, how does Nina being Willow’s mother not matter? Carly says she didn’t know Willow had cancer, and that’s a secret Drew kept from her. He says, that’s not the same thing, and she knows it. Willow swore him to secrecy. He can’t believe he’s going to say this, but he needs her to be honest with him. She says, of course (🍷), and he says, was she ever going to tell Willow that Nina is her mother? She says, no.

Chase says he’s been meaning to reach out, but Sasha says, he doesn’t have to worry about her. She’s fine. He says he wasn’t worried about her, but he is now. What’s going on? She says, it’s nothing specific… It’s like she was braced for the holidays. She knew they would be hard, so she went into them prepared. All of her friends and family were on high alert too. Chase says, she had a ton of distractions, and a lot of people looking out for her, and she says, the holidays are over, and it’s just her now. No Brando. No Liam. Of course (🍷) she knew that. He says, but she’s not as prepared as she was before Christmas, and she says, it was nice having a goal. Just make it through to New Year’s Day; she could handle that. Make it through the rest of your life…? He says, that sounds daunting, and she says, it is. She knows she’ll figure it out, but she’s feeling a little adrift right now. He says he gets that, and for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks she’s coping really well. She says she’s definitely feeling stronger and more stable, and he says, maybe Gladys won’t have to be her guardian much longer. She says, maybe. Some days she’s so ready to march in and demand the judge reevaluate her case. He says, and other days? and she says, nights are so hard. After Gladys goes to bed, the apartment is just so quiet. She tears up, and says she finds herself listening for Brando’s humming while he’s brushing his teeth. She’ll go to bed, hoping she dreams about him, so she can touch his face again. So that’s not really facing reality. He says he thinks she’s doing what every grieving widow would do. She misses her husband, and wants to imagine him next to her. Who wouldn’t? She says she’s just afraid if she lets herself pretend, she’ll get lost in the fantasy, like she did when she thought she was holding Liam.

Willow dreams that she and Michael walk into the gatehouse, and she’s holding her new baby. She tells Michael that she knows every parent says it, but their little girl is the most beautiful baby she’s ever seen. He says, their child is perfect, just like her mother. She says, stop, and he says, can’t fault him for speaking the truth. She says, we did it, but he says, you did it. You beat cancer and protected our child in the process. He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too. They kiss, and Willow smiles in her sleep.

Josslyn says, Willow has cancer? and Sonny says he’s sorry. He thought Michael and Willow would have said something to the family. She says, Michael hasn’t said anything. How does Sonny know this? He says, it doesn’t matter, and she asks if her mom knows. He says he doesn’t know, and she says, if her mom knew, she would have told her, but then again, she thought Michael would have too. She cries, and says, oh my God. The baby. Does this affect the pregnancy? Sonny says, Nina did some research, and apparently if you’re pregnancy and still have chemo, it doesn’t hurt the baby. She says, it sounds so scary and complicated, and he says, Michael and Willow are going to get the best treatment possible. She knows that, right? Dex knocks at the door, and asks if everything is okay. Sonny says, yeah; she just heard some bad news. Josslyn says she has to go, and Dex says he’ll see to it she gets home safe. Sonny closes the door, and in the hallway, Dex asks if Josslyn is okay. She falls into his arms, and he holds her while she cries.

Drew says, Carly hates Nina. Nina’s done terrible things to her. Then Carly gets handed this perfect opportunity to get back at her. Carly says, that’s not what this is about, and he says, no? She says, this was about Willow. At the time she had that DNA test run, Willow and Nina’s relationship was toxic. Willow couldn’t stand Nina. She looked Carly in the face, and said she didn’t want to know who her birth mother was, because she could turn out to be someone like Nina. She believes Willow’s exact words were, I’d rather not know, so how does she tell Willow that this woman she hates – that she doesn’t want anywhere near her son – is her mother? Drew says, so she lied, and Carly says, you’re damn right I lied. Because she knew the truth would hurt Willow, and she wanted to spare Willow that pain. He says, this is what he doesn’t understand. If she was so sure she was in the right, why did she lie to him? Why did she lie to him about the DNA results? She says she didn’t want to put him in that position, but he says he thinks she didn’t tell him because she knew he wouldn’t go along with it. She knows she’s wrong.

Chase says, the fact Sasha is worried about losing touch with reality makes him sure she won’t. She says she hopes that’s true, and he says, the next time she feels adrift, just call him. She says, it’s usually in the middle of the night, and he says, so? His phone is always on. It’s an old habit from being a cop. His phone rings, and we both say, see? He sees it’s a call from Brook, and Sasha says, don’t not answer on her account. He answers, and Brook says she’s so glad he picked up. She fixed it. He says, fixed what? and she says, the song. He says, great. They can discuss it at the radio station tomorrow. She says, that’s the song she fixed; the one he and Blaze are singing tomorrow. She always thought his verse was missing something, and she found it. He says, she wants to change the song he’s singing in twelve hours? and she says she’s not just talking about it; it’s happening and he’s going to like it way better. Can he come over to learn it? It won’t take too long. Is he busy? He says, no, but… and she says, great. She’ll see him when he gets here. She asks Cody, how was that? and he says, perfection. They high-five.

Nina asks Michael if Wiley knows Willow is sick, and she might die, and Michael closes the door. He says, it’s too soon for that, and she says, they don’t want to frighten him until it’s absolutely necessary. He says, of course (🍷) they don’t, and she says, but if Willow had done the responsible thing and gotten chemo during her first trimester, it wouldn’t be necessary. He asks what gives her the right to judge, and she says she understands he could have lost his little baby. It would have been devastating, and he and Willow would have grieved, but it’s better for them to grieve than a four-year-old boy grieving his mother for the rest of his life. He says he can’t hear any more of this, when Wiley yells, grandma! and runs downstairs into Nina’s arms. He says he missed her, and she says she’s missed him too. Shouldn’t he be asleep? He asks if she’ll play with him. Mommy’s too tired, and daddy’s too busy taking care of mommy. Nina looks at Michael.

In the car, Dex asks if Josslyn wants to talk about it, but she doesn’t know what to say. He says, because Sonny didn’t take his head off, he takes it that she didn’t tell Sonny about them, and she shakes her head. He thanks her, and says he’d be in serious trouble if Sonny knew they were involved. She says, Sonny has bigger things on his mind; they all do. He takes her hand, and asks if that’s the bad news Sonny was talking about, and she says, her family’s falling apart, and she doesn’t know what to do about it.

Drew says, Carly keeping the truth about Nina and Willow to herself isn’t about sparing Willow. It’s about maintaining control. She says, no, but he says, if she doesn’t tell him, she doesn’t risk the possibility of him telling Willow. She says, it’s not like that, but he says, from where he’s standing, if she’s the only one that knew, she’s ensuring this plays out exactly the way she wants it. She says, wow. He’s talking like she’s some puppet master who just wanted to carry this secret. He says, she carried it for months. How long did she know… May of last year. She says, a pretty eventful time, as she recalls, and he says, yes. Willow was going through a lot. Harmony was dying, and finding out Harmony wasn’t her birth mother, and was killing people. He understands why she didn’t tell Willow right away, but she had months to come clean. Carly says, for months, Willow was telling her that she didn’t want to know. It wasn’t until November… He says, which is when Carly started sabotaging his search, and she says she didn’t know Willow was sick. He says he knows she would never intentionally hurt Willow, but intentionally or not, keeping the secret almost cost Willow her life.

Frank tells Sonny that he has a visitor, and Gladys comes in, still dressed in workout wear. He asks if she’s going to the gym, and she says, she and Sasha were supposed to go to yoga, but something came up. He asks, how’s Sasha? and she says, that’s why she’s here. Her daughter-in-law needs his help.

Brook comes out all dressed up, spins around, and says, better? Cody says, Chase won’t be able to resist her, and she says she knew it. The doorbell rings, and she thanks Cody for everything. He says he’s dismissed then, and she says, basically. In an English accent, he says he’ll let Master Chase in on his way out. Good luck. She poses on the couch, then asks what she’s doing. Just act normal. She stands up, when Chase walks in, and she thanks him for coming. He says she didn’t give him much of a choice, and she says, that’s pretty on brand. Sasha walks in, and Cody comes back in behind her.

Dex asks what he can do, and Josslyn says, nothing. That’s the worst part. There’s nothing any of them can do. He says, she can talk about it to him. Whatever it is, he’ll listen. She says, Willow has leukemia, and he asks if Willow just found out. She shakes her head, and says, Sonny thought she already knew, so she guesses not. It’s shocking nobody told her considering her reaction. He says, it’s scary finding out someone you know is sick. She’s allowed to feel however she wants to feel. She says, her first serious boyfriend had cancer… He died. Dex says he’s so sorry. What was his name? She says, Oscar. He had a brain tumor. They found out in September, and eight months later, he was gone. Dex asks how old he was, and she says, sixteen. She knows this is different. Willow’s cancer’s different. Everything’s different really, but she just doesn’t want this for Michael. He says, she and Michael are really close, huh?

Drew tells Carly, if the donor registry hadn’t found a match for Willow, they wouldn’t have known Nina was a match until it was too late. She says she knows; the thought of that is terrifying. Thank God it didn’t come to that. Do they know if the transplant is going to affect the baby? He says he’s not sure, and she says she’ll call Michael and Willow first thing in the morning. She can’t believe Michael didn’t tell her. What the hell was he thinking? She could have helped him. Drew says, maybe he takes after his mother that way, and thinks he can shoulder everything alone. She says, it’s her M.O., right? Handle everything on her own so she doesn’t need other people. He asks if that’s what he is; other people. She says, no, but he says, she could have fooled him.

Willow dreams she’s holding the baby – I really wish they’d make an effort to make it look more like a real baby – and says she loves her baby girl so much. She calls for Wiley to come meet his sister, and Nina comes out, holding Wiley’s hand. Willow asks what Nina is doing, and tells Wiley, come here, but Wiley doesn’t budge. Willow tells Nina, get out of our house, but Nina says she’s sorry. Willow has gotten too weak to take care of Wiley. Willow is now in a wheelchair, hooked up to an IV. Michael comes in with the baby, and Willow says she’s not weak. She tries to get up, but falls back. Nina says, Willow is fading fast, and Michael has his hands full with work, so she should probably take the baby as well. Willow says, Michael can’t let her do that, but Michael gives the baby to Nina, as Willow screams, no! Nina tells Wiley, time to go, and they walk past Willow to the door. Willow begs, please stay with mommy, and Nina asks, how’s her new baby girl? She’s Nina’s second chance. How does she like the name Nelle? Willow screams, and sits up in bed.

Josslyn tells Dex, Michael is more than a brother. He’s one of her best friends. He’s a rock. Dex asks if she doesn’t think that bodes well for him in a situation like this, and she says, except she knows what it’s like. She knows what it’s like to sit at someone’s bedside, and watch them fight as hard as they can. And all you can do is love them and be there for them. You can’t change anything; you can’t fix anything. You can’t fight the battle for them. It’s the most helpless feeling, and Michael doesn’t deserve that. He says, she didn’t either, and she says, it’s like she hears cancer, and she’s right back in it; sitting next to Oscar, reading to him. He says, she read to him? and she says, to help with the pain. He tells her, she keeps saying there was nothing she could do. He kisses her hand, and says, it sounds like she did a whole lot.

Sasha says she hopes it’s okay that she tagged along, and Brook says, of course (🍷). Were Sasha and Chase together when she called? Chase tells her, she said it wouldn’t take long, so he invited Sasha to come with. Brook says, great, and Cody asks if they’re hungry. Brook starts to introduce Cody and Sasha, but Cody says, they’ve met. Sasha says, Christmas Day, pregnant Virgin Mary giving birth… Chase says, that is a story he needs to hear, and Sasha says, remind her to tell him. Cody suggests he and Sasha raid the kitchen, and let Brook and Chase do their thing. Sasha says she’s skipping her workout, so she might as well go all in, and they leave. Brook thanks Chase for coming, and he tells her that she already said that. He asks if she has the sheet music, so he can see the changes, and she tells him to sit at the keyboard. He picks up the music, and she says, he can’t read a word she wrote, can he? Move over. She sits next to him, and says, let’s get to work.

Gladys tells Sonny that they have an offer on the garage, and Sasha’s on the fence about taking it. He asks, what’s the offer? and she says, $300,000, cash. He says, she’s right not taking it; it’s worth more than that. She says, they can’t wait, and he asks, why? It’s not like Sasha needs money, right? Gladys says, it’s not about money; it’s about Sasha hanging onto Brando’s things. She thinks it’s keeping Sasha from moving forward. He says, the last time they spoke, Sasha seemed to be doing good. He thinks it helped her that they built Brando’s motorcycle. He knows it helped him. She says, Brando would have loved seeing them working together like that, and he says, so what’s the issue if it’s not money? Is there something going on he doesn’t know about? Is Sasha all right? She says, nothing specific, and gets up. He says, it’s going to be okay. They’ve got to look after each other. Deal? She says, deal, and they shake hands.

Michael says, it’s bedtime not playtime, and Wiley says, but grandma’s here, and runs back to Nina. She says, it’s been a long time since she visited, and she’s sorry about that. She wishes she could play with him until the sun comes up, but his daddy is right. He should be in dreamland right now. She hugs him, and Willow flies down the stairs, yelling, get away! Michael intercepts her, and tries to get her to go back upstairs, and Nina tells Wiley, it’s okay. Willow says she’s not dead. Nina cannot have her children. She can’t.

Carly says she hated lying to Drew, but he says, she still did it. She says, for what she truly believed were the right reasons, and he says he knows how this works. He knows how she operates, so it’s not like this should come as a huge surprise. She says, but it does, and he says he was just starting to trust her, and she says, starting to? He says, not friends, but as a couple. He was opening his heart to her, and to find out she was lying to him this whole time, actively working against him. He just… He really thought they had something deeper. This is a wake-up call to find out they don’t.

Nina says she would never take Willow’s kids away from her, and Willow reaches for Wiley, who runs to her. He asks, what’s wrong? and Willow says, it’s okay. It’s nothing they can’t fix. Nina is a bad person, and she doesn’t want Nina talking to him. He asks, why not? and she says she’ll explain upstairs, leading him away. Nina says she’s going, and Wiley yells, mommy! Michael runs over to the stairs to find Willow crumpled at the bottom of them.

Standing outside the car, Dex holds Josslyn. She thanks him for being here, and for not pushing… and just thanks. He says, any time, kissing the top of her head. He asks if she’s cold, and she says, just a few more minutes. He tells her, as long as she wants.

Chase says, so Brook wants to add a key change at I can’t forget your lies? She says, I can’t forget your eyes, and he says, sorry. She says, it’s an understandable mistake to make, considering… He says, considering her handwriting is illegible? and she says, it’s not that bad. He puts his face an inch from the music, and she says, he’s so dramatic, picking it up. She reads, I can’t forget your eyes, no matter how tired and high… No, that’s not it. He says, she can’t even read her own handwriting, and she says, give her second. No matter how hard I try. Booyah!. He says, she calls him dramatic, and she says, Chase… Her phone rings, and Chase hands it to her. She asks Michael, what’s up?… What?… Oh my God.

On the phone, Sonny asks Brick to do him a favor. Find him the best oncologist in the country… No. It’s for Willow.

Carly says, that’s it? One mistake, and she’s out? He asks if she’d really classify this as one mistake. She paid a woman to lie to him. She hid a photo she knew he was looking for; that was important to him and Willow. She says, because she was trying… and he says, she was trying to protect Willow. He understands that, but that excuse only goes so far. Secrets and lies. That’s not the kind of relationship he wants. She says, that’s not what she wants, but now that everything is out in the open, it doesn’t have to be that way. Her phone rings, and he picks it up. He says she should probably answer this, and shows her it’s Nina. She answers, and Nina says, please don’t hang up. It’s Willow. Carly says, what about Willow? and Nina says, she collapsed. Michael called an ambulance. They’re on their way to the ER. Carly says she’s on her way, and Drew says he’ll drive. They jet.

There’s a short and sweet Epiphany montage. At the end, it says, In Loving Memory: Sonja Eddy. I hope we get more than that.

Tomorrow, Brook tells Chase, they have to put a stop to this; Cody asks if Sasha’s mother-in-law’s name is Gladys; and Drew tells Carly, Willow and Nina deserve to know the truth.  

🌲 Fifty Two Years Ago…

All My Children through the ages.

📺 Back To Blood…

She’s always so gracious. That’s soap people for you.

🍹 Dwindling In the South…

Are the phasing out this show? At this point, the only one I’d miss is Patricia, but maybe she’ll show up on Southern Hospitality.

🏆 All About Those Globes…

The basics.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/10/entertainment/golden-globe-winners-2023/index.html

Everything you could possibly want to know.

Home Page

Complaints.

https://www.avclub.com/the-golden-globes-posted-some-of-their-crappiest-rating-1849978281

Brad Pitt.

https://people.com/movies/golden-globes-2023-every-star-who-shouted-out-brad-pitt-hes-right-there/

And most important, the fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/35549/golden-globes-2023-red-carpet-fashion

Happy 16th Birthday, Maro & Felicia!

☕️ Parched January…

Join me tomorrow for news of Port Charles and a selective brew of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not being your own worst critic, and stay remembering, the fact you’re worried about losing touch with reality, means you won’t. At least according to Chase. Who is neither a doctor, nor plays one on TV.

December 28, 2021 – Sonny Is Called To the Stand, Lala Gives Them a Party, All About Wu, How They Celebrated, Erika’s Edict & My Year

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Scotty asks Willow if Sonny touched on the nature of his relationship with Nina, and she says, he did. Sheridan objects, but Judge Milford says, overruled, and Scotty asks if Willow can be more specific. She says, she overheard Sonny say, whatever happened between us in Nixon Falls has to come from me, and it will. Scotty asks, and what was that? What went on between the alleged victim and the accused? Willow says, love, and Scotty asks if she’s saying Sonny and Nina fell in love in Nixon Falls. She says he’d have to ask them that question.

Brook asks if Chase thinks she wants space, and he says, what else can he think? Sometimes she’s happy that he’s around, but other times, it’s like he’s annoying her or in the way. Olivia comes in with Leo, followed by Ned, and tells Leo that Brook and Chase are in charge; they’re going to be watching him. She seats him at the counter, and Chase asks what he’s got there, looking at Leo’s fidget spinner. Brook asks how Olivia and Ned are feeling, and Ned says, they’re ready for whatever they have to learn. Olivia says, whatever Leo needs, and asks if Brook is okay with being in charge. The last time… Brook says, lose a kid once, you can never live it down, and Olivia says, Leo has two sets of eyes on him today. It’s nice having Chase around. She and Ned leave, and Brook says, too nice.

Obrecht goes to Britt’s office, and Britt says she’s early for lunch. Obrecht says she couldn’t wait one more minute for Britt to open her Christmas present, and hands Britt a thick envelope. Britt thanks Obrecht for understanding why she wanted to work on Christmas, and Obrecht says, she tried not to be offended that Britt would rather be there than celebrating the holiday with her mutter. Britt says, with Obrecht and Scotty practically fused at the hip, she would have been a total third wheel. Obrecht says, Britt could be in love too. In fact, once she opens her gift, she’ll never have to spend another holiday alone.

TJ thanks Shawn for showing him around The Invader, and Shawn says he’s determined to reboot The Invader as a reputable, credible resource for inquiring minds. TJ says, it’s a great new beginning for the paper and Shawn. Now that the PCPD has cleared him of shooting Hayden, nothing can hold him back. Shawn says, what about TJ? Did he forget about their plans to enjoy the game? He didn’t return Shawn’s texts. He’s either crazy busy or something has him preoccupied. Is there something he’s holding back?

At the Bistro, Stella wonders what Curtis wanted to ask her, and he says he just discovered something unexpected about Marshall. It occurred to him how little he knows about the man. She says, that’s not surprising, considering his father hasn’t been in his life since he was a child. So what did he discover? He says he discovered his dad is a musician, and she says, a fine one too. He says, that’s why he called her here, so she could fill in the blanks about his father. Tell him everything there is to know about Marshall Ashford.

Sheridan asks where the relevance is in this line of questioning, and Sonny tries to get Carly to leave, but she says she wants to hear every word. Sheridan asks what bearing this has on the charges, and Scotty says, there is relevance, and he can explain. Sheridan says, it’s not a trial, the witness hasn’t been deposed, and there’s been no appropriate discovery related to her testimony. Scotty says, hell. Sheridan put her on the stand, and he has every right to question her.

Ned and Olivia sit on a bench at the hospital, and she says, the waiting is making her crazy. Ned says he’s nervous too, but they’ve done the research, asked the questions, and observed Leo’s behavior. They’re as prepared as they can be. She doesn’t think any amount of preparation can really prepare a parent for the possibility they can’t… that she can’t provide for her child’s needs. He says, the diagnosis doesn’t change how they feel about their son, and she says, of course (🍷). It doesn’t change how much they love Leo, but Leo needs something she can’t give him. Dr. Newman comes out and says, it’s time to talk about Leo.

TJ says he has something to tell Shawn, but it’s a tricky topic. It’s about someone who makes his Uncle Curtis incredibly uncomfortable, and TJ didn’t feel it was his place to announce his arrival. Even though he wants to reconnect with family, TJ doesn’t want to get to know him without telling Shawn. Shawn says, so some distant family member resurfaced? but TJ says, not so distant. Marshall Ashford is here in Port Charles. Shawn says, Tommy and Curtis’s dad is alive?

Stella asks how Curtis realized his father was a musician, and Curtis says, a group of volunteers was playing for the patients at GH, and there was Marshall playing the clarinet. She says it sounds like his dad, and he says, that’s an example of what he’s talking about. He has no idea of what sounds like Marshall. He doesn’t know the guy, but Stella does. She says, when Curtis was growing up, he never asked about Marshall, and Curtis says, that’s because when his name came up, they saw how much it hurt her and their mom. So he and Tommy made a pact. They weren’t going to cause her and mom anymore grief by asking a bunch of questions about dad. She says, it breaks her heart. She and Irene never wanted them to feel they couldn’t ask questions about their daddy. He says, he and Tommy just decided to go another way, and she asks what he means. He says, it means they made up stories. In their imagination, their dad was courageous and brave; he was a hero. Then Curtis met him, and he was just a man, but he has no idea who that man is. Does she?

Scotty asks how Willow knows Sonny and Nina were in love, and she says, Nina said so. He asks what exactly Nina said, and Willow tells him, she said their love was the purest thing she’s ever known. He asks if she thinks Sonny reciprocated that, and she says, Nina told her that Mike felt the same way. He says, Mike being Mr. Corinthos, and she says, yes, but Nina also said it ended once he got his memories back. Scotty says, once he got his memories back, he decided Miss Reeves wasn’t legally at fault. How telling. No further questions. Sheridan asks for a redirect, and Judge Milford tells him, proceed. Sheridan apologizes that his colleague put Willow in this position. He only has two more questions for her. First, has she ever asked Mr. Corinthos about his alleged romantic relationship with Miss Reeves? Willow says, no, and he says, so they’re taking the defendant, a woman who’s been charged with fraud, at her word. Scotty objects, and the judge tells Sheridan, less editorializing. Sheridan says, final question. Does Willow believe the feelings Miss Reeves had for Mr. Corinthos motivated her to fraudulently conceal his identity? Scotty objects, saying, the DA is asking the witness to speculate what was going on in his client’s head at the time, but the judge overrules, and says, Scotty opened this door. The witness will answer the question.

Brook asks if Leo is ready for some breakfast, but Leo says he had breakfast hours ago. She says, they can’t all be such early risers, and asks what he wants to do today. Does he want to go to the movies, or visit the aquarium? Maybe play with some super nifty action figures his cool stepsister got him? Leo doesn’t say anything, continuing to play with his fidget spinner, and Brook says, okay. She knows what to get him next year. Chase says he thinks they’re pretty cool, and she says now she knows what to get him too. He says, going back to that boundary conversation. How much of it is her dad, and how much is her? Is he getting on her nerves? If he’s around too much, just say the word. Maybe that’s why she’s so grumpy. She flashes back to her dream, and says she’s not grumpy; she’s frustrated.

Britt says, Obrecht signed her up for a matchmaking service? and Obrecht says, not just any matchmaking service. Society Setups is an elite service catering to upwardly mobile professionals. Britt says, uck. Could this be more pretentious? Obrecht sits down, and says she knows Britt is struggling, and for good reason. For all his flaws, Jason Morgan was a remarkable man, but he’s gone; there’s no use pining. Learn from her example instead. She and Scotty bonded while mourning the loss of Franco. If she can find love in the midst of grief, who’s to say Britt can’t too?

Sheridan asks if Willow believes Nina’s personal feelings for Sonny motivated her to fraudulently conceal his identity, but she says she’s not in Nina’s head. She couldn’t tell him what Nina’s motive was, and he says, fair enough. Let him ask a less speculative question. Is it true, the man who called himself Mike in Nixon Falls was single and available to Miss Reeves, while Sonny Corinthos has a wife and a family? She says, yes, and he thanks her, saying, he appreciates her honesty. He has no further questions, and the judge tells Willow to step down. She makes a beeline for the hallway, and Michael follows her. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she never meant for him and his family to find out this way. She didn’t want them to find out at all. He says he’s having a hard time understanding this.

Shawn says, Tommy and Curtis thought that man was dead. Now he shows up? Where’s he been? TJ tells him, he won’t say. He just wants to move forward, but Curtis isn’t having it. He thinks Marshall can’t be trusted. Shawn says he completely agrees with Curtis. Showing up after all these years without any explanation? They both know the past can be complicated. TJ asks if he means like his complicated past with Tommy, and Shawn asks if Marshall knows. TJ says, Marshall knows he’s not his biological grandfather. He saw the Father’s Day post TJ dedicated to Shawn on social media, but he loved Tommy as a father, and Tommy considered TJ to be his son. Marshall knows that too. He still wants to get to know TJ, but if that makes Shawn uncomfortable… Shawn says, it’s up to TJ. He’s a grown man. Curtis is entitled to his feelings about Marshall, but so is TJ. Just be cautious. There’s a knock at the door, and Marshall comes in, saying, he’s looking for the arts and culture… TJ? What is he doing in a newspaper office? TJ says, him first, and Marshall says, he’s putting together a band, and was hoping to generate some interest from an arts and culture reporter. TJ says he’d have to talk to the publisher, who happens to be standing right here; his father, Shawn Butler. He tells Shawn, this is Marshall Ashford, and Shawn holds out his hand, saying, nice to meet him. Marshall says he has no intention of shaking hands with the man responsible for his son Thomas’s death.

Scotty would like the court to note, for the record, the DA questioned the voracity of what his client said to Miss Tate, but he didn’t recall Mr. Corinthos. Judge Milford says, so noted. While it’s the prosecution’s right to call the witnesses they deem appropriate, it’s also within his discretion to call the witness he feels are pertinent. Given there are some questions as to the nature of the relationship between the accused and the alleged victim, he recalls Sonny to the stand. Sonny gets up, and Carly looks like she might explode.

Willow tells Michael, she wishes to God she’d never heard Sonny and Nina. She was in the wrong spot at the wrong moment. He says he’s not blaming her for happening on a private conversation, but why didn’t she tell him? She says, Nina convinced her not to say anything. That keeping quiet was somehow protecting him and his family. He says, she was wrong.

The judge asks if Sonny had a personal relationship with Nina in Nixon Falls, and Sonny says he had many personal relationships when he knew himself as Mike, the bartender. He forged friendships; he built a life. Judge Milford says, they just heard Willow testify under oath that she heard him and the defendant allude that they had a prior romantic relationship. Did she perjure herself? Sonny says, no, she did not. Willow told the truth. The judge says, that truth being what? and Sonny says he and Nina had a relationship, and they ended up falling in love.

TJ tells Marshall, that’s not fair, but Shawn says, it’s okay. He can understand why Marshall feels the way he does. Marshall says, Shawn understands because it’s true. Shawn shot his son, after he slept with his wife. Shawn says he’s made mistakes in his life, and his last encounter with Tommy is something he’ll always regret, but Marshall doesn’t have all the facts. Marshall says, fact: Shawn had an affair with his son’s wife. Fact: he fathered a child with her. Fact: when Tommy confronted him about his betrayal, Shawn shot him in cold blood. Now if he’s missing something, please enlighten him. TJ says, it was in self-defense, and Shawn says, he had no choice. Tommy wasn’t in his right mind.

Curtis asks what he doesn’t know about Marshall, and Stella says, what she knows about Marshall is limited to a few years, decades ago. He says it’s still more than he knows, and she says, Marshall was a very private person, but Curtis’s mom Irene was the center of his world. He waited on that woman hand and foot, unless he was playing that darn clarinet. Curtis will never believe this, but Marshall loved that old thing so much, he gave it a name. Curtis asks what he called it, and she says, Henrietta. He carried it everywhere he went. Irene used to scold him for leaving the case on the kitchen table. Curtis says, then what? and she tells him, like she said, Marshall was very private, but he was also very generous. It seemed Curtis and Tommy would get a pair of new shoes, and barely break them in before Marshall was donating them to the local group home. It drove his mama crazy, but Marshall would just smile and say, his sons have a daddy who can pay for a new pair of shoes with just one gig, but those other boys don’t have nobody.

Chase asks if Brook is saying he’s frustrating her, but she says, it’s not him; it’s the situation. The uncertainty is overwhelming. He says, because she doesn’t know how long it’s going to last, and she picks up an action figure. She says, even though the bad guy is out of commission, it’s only temporary, and they’re stuck in limbo. Chase says, what if the bad guy wakes up, and starts fighting the good guys again? They may have to play these roles indefinitely. She says, yes, and in a perfect world, the villain would retire forever, they could take down the bat signal, and Krypton could return to normal. He says she doesn’t know much about the superhero multiverse, does she? and she says, who cares? The point is, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel, bat signal or not. He says, that’s not true. If the bad guy loses his powers, then a woman can get her child back. She says, and another woman has to let go.

Dr. Newman says, when it comes to developmental disabilities, they can’t use straight forward diagnostic tools, like blood tests or X-rays. They rely on history and behavior for diagnosis. Based upon the recent developmental assessment, language evaluation, and the social screening he conducted recently, as well as the supplemental information they provided, it’s his diagnosis that Leo has autism spectrum disorder. Ned takes Olivia’s hand, and she asks if that’s conclusive. The doctor says they’re always free to get a second opinion, but he believes other physicians will concur with his findings. Ned asks, so what’s the next step? and the doctor says, for Leo, they talk about the many state and hospital resources available. For them, he recommends they take some time to process this diagnosis and all emotions it may bring.

Britt tells Obrecht that she doesn’t know how to say this, but she’s not interested. Obrecht says, fine, but people in control of their own romantic destiny often make ein Durcheinander (I’m guessing – it means a mess). Look at Nina. She pinned her hopes on an unavailable man, and her life is unraveling as a result. Britt asks if it’s the guy Nina was seeing in Nixon Falls, and Obrecht nods. Britt asks if Obrecht knows him, and Obrecht says, they both know him. Nina fell for Sonny Corinthos.

Judge Milford tells Sonny, should this case go to trial, the defendant may be found guilty of a crime. In the eyes law, he’d be the victim. Does he consider himself the victim of a crime? Sonny says, no, and the judge tells him, step down. Carly fumes.

The judge asks for closing statements, and Scotty says his client does not stand accused of fraud for monetary benefits. His client is charged with deliberate deception to damage a victim. In his own testimony, Mr. Corinthos, the alleged victim, claims he wasn’t one. No victim, no crime. That’s why he’s asking that the court dismiss the charges today. Sheridan says, whether or not Mr. Corinthos considers himself the victim of a crime isn’t relevant in their system of jurisprudence. This circus today doesn’t negate an undisputed fact; Nina Reeves committed a criminal and civil infraction when she deceived Sonny Corinthos and all who knew him. The state has met its burden of proof. The fact that Miss Reeves deceived a man, who we now know she was in love with, only emphasizes the depth of her depravity.

Willow says Michael parents must be devastated, and he says, Nina claims to love his dad, yet she let this happen? Willow says, she’s not sure Nina knew it would come out, but he says, of course (🍷) she did. Willow might not realize it, but in keeping Nina’s secret, she played into Nina’s hands. Nina got exactly what she wanted.   

Marshall asks what Shawn is implying, and Shawn says he’s not trying to cast aspersions on Tommy; just the opposite. Tommy had every right to  be angry with him, but that day, he went so far beyond anger. He’s sure PTSD was part of it, but Tommy was in crisis and out of control. He pulled a gun on Shawn. He had a black eye coming. It was completely justified and he owned that, but he never expected Tommy to try and kill him. And he never thought he’d have to stop Tommy the way he did. TJ says he fully believes if Tommy had gotten help for his PTSD, it never would have ended that way. It’s not Tommy’s fault, and it’s not his dad’s fault. Marshall says, he’s right. It was his fault.

Chase says he gets it. Brook has been able to keep Bailey safe for months, despite negative attitudes and assumptions coming her way, and however long this lasts, there will come a time when it’s over, and things will go back to their natural state. She’ll have to make yet another huge sacrifice; it’s heroic. She says she’s not calling herself a hero, and he says, maybe not, but he is. Whatever she needs to keep this going, he’s here to help, and when the time comes to say goodbye, he’ll be by her side. She says she appreciates that, but doesn’t want him to feel obligated. He says, they’re not just co-parents to Bailey, she’s his friend. She says, even when she’s grumpy? and he says, yes; the friendship goes both ways. She’s seen him at his worst, and didn’t give up on him. She says, she’s also seen him at his best, and he says, like the time she saw him n-a-k-e-d? Leo says he can spell, and Brook says, of course (🍷) he can, so he needs to w-a-s-h up for lunch.

Olivia gets up and says, processing emotions? It’s not about them, it’s about Leo. Dr. Newman says, learning your child is going to have lifelong disabilities can be challenging. They’ll have to readjust their expectations about how Leo will grow into adulthood, and his diagnosis will likely change what they thought their parenting experience was going to be. It’s okay to be emotional about it. Ned puts his arm around Olivia, and says, they just want to give Leo all the support and opportunities possible. Olivia says she agrees with Ned. They can handle their emotions together. She’s just afraid this will make Leo’s life so much more difficult. The doctor says, it’s an understandable fear, but the good news is, this diagnosis means they can offer appropriate intervention programs for Leo right away. Programs that will help them engage with their son, and help their son engage with the world. It may be helpful to think of raising a child with autism like a road trip. They won’t reach their destination in a straight line; there will be detours, but those detours will lead to discoveries along the way. Ned says he likes that analogy, and asks the doctor to be honest with them. Does that journey lead to Leo having meaningful relationships and living independently as an adult? Olivia says, please tell them it’s possible, and the doctor says, it’s definitely possible for Leo to lead a happy and fulfilled life. GH has extensive resources, and can work with Leo’s school to implement a plan. Ned says, so Leo will be able to remain in school? and the doctor says, every case is different, but many children on the spectrum benefit socially and developmentally from learning I non-ASD classrooms. Olivia asks, what happens next? Does Leo come in to see him again, or…? Dr. Newman says he’d like to check on Leo periodically. He’s also going to refer Leo to a geneticist for further testing. It won’t change the diagnosis, but it might help diagnose medical conditions associated with symptoms of ASD. Just for a complete picture. Do they have any other questions for him? Olivia shakes her head, and Ned thanks the doctor, saying, he’s been very helpful. Dr. Newman says, there’s no reason Leo can’t live his best life. The journey may look different now, but the goal is still the same.

TJ asks how it can be Marshall’s fault; he wasn’t even around. Marshall says, that’s his point. Perhaps if he’d been present to guide his son, Tommy might still be there. TJ says, that’s a lot to carry, but Marshall says, it’s his job to carry it, and he’s been off his job for a long time. He’s glad TJ has a dad to do what he couldn’t – protect his son.

Curtis asks if Stella thinks Marshall even wondered who bought their shoes after he left, but she says she can’t answer that. He asks what Marshall did, outside of his music gigs. Who were his friends? Did he have any other family? She says, he’s asking the wrong person; he needs to ask Marshall. He says he tried. Marshall doesn’t tell him much. She says, could it be he’s asking the wrong questions? Maybe going about it the wrong way? Nobody appreciates being interrogated. Curtis says, Marshall abandoned him, now he wants Curtis to let him back in his life. Doesn’t he deserve answers? She says, of course (🍷). It’s natural for him to be curious, but Marshall is within his right to keep his own counsel. He asks where that leaves them, and she says he should know she met privately with Marshall. She told Curtis that she won’t let anyone agitate this family, and she had to be sure of his motives. He says, and? and she says Marshall wants to get to know Curtis, and it sounds to her like Curtis wants the same thing. So talk to the man. Start small and build from there.

Michael says, Nina swore Willow to secrecy so she could use this as a bombshell, and play it to her best advantage, but Willow says she doesn’t know. Nina seemed grateful that she was keeping her secret; she seemed eager not to cause any more pain. He says, Nina played all of them. Judge Milford says they’re going to take a recess. He’s going to weigh the testimony and evidence presented, and consider the charges. Carly flies out of the courtroom, and Nina says, she didn’t want this. She’s so sorry. Sonny follows her, and Michael wonders what’s going on. Sonny says, he’s going to make this right. Don’t worry about it.

Obrecht tells Britt, Nina’s only hope of avoiding a trial is for Scotty to get someone on the stand to admit Sonny and Nina were in love. Britt says, that would explain why Nina kept going back to Nixon Falls, and what Peter was holding over her head. She wasn’t just trying to protect James, she didn’t want to lose her boyfriend. Obrecht says, now she’s in legal jeopardy, and Britt says, she’s also going to face the wrath of Carly when this comes out.

Chase says he’ll help Brook clean up. Today was a lot of fun, but he never wants to be a source of stress in her life, Maybe her dad is right. Maybe they should set some boundaries. She says. no boundaries. She wants him here.

Marshall leaves, and TJ says he’s sorry for the way Marshall treated Shawn, but Shawn says he has nothing to apologize for. He can’t blame Marshall for wanting to protect his son. He’d do the same thing, forever, if he knew someone hurt TJ. TJ says he knows his uncle has questions about all the years Marshall’s been gone, but everything he’s seen leads him to believe Marshall just wants to be part of this family. He hopes Curtis comes to see that too.

On the phone in his hotel room, Marshall talks to someone he calls Chief, and says he thought he’d be done by now, but he has some unfinished business in Port Charles. The last thing he wants to do is set their progress back… He’s following protocol. There’s a knock at the door, and he says he’ll be in touch. He opens to door to Curtis.

Chase says, he wants to be here too, but after everything Brook has given up, he also wants to respect that she’s entitled to a life of her own. She says, then they’re on the same page. He’ll be there just for appearances. He says, to co-parent Bailey, for as long as it takes. He’ll stay out of her way otherwise. She says, great. Deal. He says, deal, and she asks if there’s anything else. He says, tell their daughter he’ll see her soon.

Olivia says, the doctor seemed nice, and Ned says, yes, and very knowledgeable. Leo will be fine. She cries, and thanks him for bringing her to her senses. She asks where they go from here, and he says, home to be with their son. She tells him, like Dr. Newman said, they start their road trip today, as a family, and she hugs Ned.

Britt says, Obrecht still hasn’t heard from Scotty? and Obrecht says, nein. She has no idea if Nina’s going to get out from under the charges. Britt says, if she does, she might find out that freedom can be worse.

Nina asks what Scotty has done, and he says, he kept her out of a hamster cage. No thanks necessary. She walks out, and sees Willow and Michael. Willow says, Nina used her.  

Sonny tells Carly, wait, and she stops. He tells her to just let him explain. Will she listen to him? She says, listen to who? Mike? Sonny? Or someone else completely?

Tomorrow, Stella is afraid the reality will crush Curtis, Curtis asks if Marshall intends to play house in Port Charles, and Carly asks Sonny how he can say that to her.

Vanderpump Rules

Schwartz and Katie worked out, and in Schwartz’s interview, he said he missed working out in Sandoval’s state-of-the-art gym. Katie asked if he was going through withdrawal, but he claimed he wasn’t. He said, you can mix business with pleasure, but not pleasure with business. Although I’m not sure what the difference that makes. Raquel’s sister Kate paid a visit to Raquel, and James told her about his plan to be totally sober. She said, if he felt his good not without alcohol, imagine how he’d feel quitting everything, Raquel talked about getting Sunstone Villa and Winery for their engagement party, and Kate asked about a bachelorette party. Raquel said that was down the line, but she didn’t want any penis straws. James agreed and added, no strippers, saying, he didn’t want it to be trashy. In his interview, he said strippers were tacky, old, and boring, and we flashed back to someone’s bachelorette, maybe Scheana’s. After James left, Kate asked if he was always overprotective and stern. It sounded like he wasn’t giving Raquel opinions, but making decisions. Raquel said James thought he knew what was best for her, but Kate wasn’t cool with James’s controlling side.

In Lala’s interview, she said, Scheana needed a lot of reassurance in a friendship. Rather than telling Scheana that she had her back, she wanted to show Scheana that she was her friend. She invited Scheana over for a spa day, while a whiskey sommelier catered to their men, since Brock had said he drank scotch. In Brock’s interview, he said he was really more of a tequila guy, but scotch had sounded good at the time. Lala told Scheana about getting an assistant, and in her interview, she said it was time to elevate her brand’s game. She wanted to target an audience she hadn’t tapped into yet. Brock told Randall that he was going to propose to Scheana, and in Brock’s interview, he said, this summer, he realized this could be a thing. By a thing, I assume he means serious. He said he was getting a rooftop place, and telling everyone it was a movie premiere of one of Randall’s movies, so they’d come dressed up. His double-surprise was, they were going to get married right then and there. In his interview, Brock said, he and Scheana had both been married before, and a big wedding wasn’t for them. The surprise factor and quirkiness spoke to them both. Randall was honored and excited.

Katie came by Sandoval and Ariana’s house. Sandoval asked how Schwartz was (remember? they were taking a break), and Katie said he was a little mopey. In Schwartz’s interview, he said he was trying to look at the break as a positive thing. He’d have an opportunity to get things done, but he still missed Sandoval. Katie told Ariana, you’d think someone went off to war. Ariana asked about the sandwich shop, but Katie said Schwartz kept saying, eventually, or telling her that she should do it. Ariana said she was game, and in her interview, she said she wasn’t into owning a bar. She preferred starting and finishing early, and not dealing with stinky alcohol and people puking. In Katie’s interview, she said she was ready to move on from the Schwartz and Sandy mess. They agreed to open a shop together, and clinked glasses.

In her interview, Lala said she was grateful for the women who were helping her raise Ocean. Otherwise, there was no way she could be a mother and have a brand at the same time. James came by, and they discussed James DJ’ing Lala’s launch party. She told him that the party was from seven to ten, and he misunderstood, thinking it was seven to ten hours long, which was pretty amusing. Lala said she’d seen James step into a position of control with Raquel more than once, the latest when he shut down the bachelorette discussion. He told Lala that he wasn’t saying Raquel couldn’t have it, but he was entitled to his feelings.

Lala and Randall met with Brock in Lala’s new office space, and went over the plans for the surprise engagement. He said he had everything for the wedding, including a dress. In Lala’s interview, she said, Scheana loved surprises and a man sweeping her off her feet, but she thought  Scheana was going to be shocked. Brock said the rooftop rental hadn’t worked out, and Randall suggested using an actual movie theater. In her interview, Lala said, Brock wanted to make this happen in two days, and that wasn’t doable. Even though it was a half-baked plan, she still wanted Scheana to enjoy it. And nothing would stop her from making it happen. Randall told his assistant and Lala’s that they were on wedding duty.

In Charli’s interview, she said her feet pics were still for sale. They didn’t raise enough money for Raquel’s nose job, but she loved making money, and wasn’t ashamed of her game. Raquel was concerned about future employment. See You Next Tuesday had begun again, and there was a party for Schnookie’s birthday. In Lisa’s interview, she said she liked to do things for the men in her life. On Ken’s birthday, she did something special, and on Schnookie’s birthday, she did something incredible. Outside, behind SUR, Brock said he’d heard from Lala about James not wanting Raquel to have a bachelorette. James said he was kind of pissed that everyone was nitpicking, especially about something as petty as a c*ck straw. We saw a clip of James saying he thought Raquel liked him making the decisions, and her saying it was the one thing she couldn’t stand.

Lala invited Sandoval over to get glam before the party. Scheana met Charli for lunch, and they were both glad to end their beef. Charli said she’d gotten exhausted, having the same conversation over and over. She asked if Scheana and Brock were getting married, and Scheana said Brock had been planning a surprise, which apparently wasn’t very good as surprises go, since she knew about it. Lala told Sandoval that she was shook; Brock was talking about getting married. Sandoval said he venue fell through, and Lala said, forget the venue. He’d had nothing else planned. In Sandoval’s interview, he said he couldn’t plan a birthday party in two days. James and Raquel’s engagement took him over a month to plan. In Lala’s interview, she said her assistant reached out to Brock for his credit card number, and got radio silence. She told Sandoval that Brock wanted the James Kennedy discount, meaning for her and Randall to pay. In her interview, she said she felt bad that she’d told everyone about Brock’s past, but not bad enough to pay for a wedding. Charli asked if Scheana was down for a surprise wedding, and Scheana said she’d already gotten a couple of dresses. In Charli’s interview, she said she didn’t know the definition of surprised in the dictionary, but she was pretty sure you weren’t supposed to know about it. She asked Scheana if Brock’s visa was ending, and Scheana said he didn’t have a green card, but he’d told her mom he was marrying Scheana because he loved her. The green card was just a bonus. Lala asked if Sandoval was doing Brock’s Homebody shoot, and Sandoval said he was, and he’d signed up for tumbling lessons. He’d always wanted to do an amazing backflip. She said James had told her that Raquel couldn’t have penis straws at her bachelorette. In her interview, Lala said James was insecure when it came to Raquel. Her theory was that one day Raquel would grow a pair of hefty ovaries when she couldn’t deal with the control anymore.

Everyone came to Lala’s Give Them Lala launch party, and in Schwartz’s interview, he said it was weird seeing Sandoval. He suddenly felt self-conscious about the boundaries in their friendship. In Lala’s interview, she said tonight was a party, but it was still business. She had to work the room, and form relationships. GG and Reza from Shahs of Sunset were there, and Lala said she had to be on her effing game. James DJ’d, and Katie and Ariana talked to Lisa about opening the sandwich shop, since the boys wouldn’t let Katie in on the new bar. Lisa told them, don’t get mad, get even. Brock said the venue wanted $20K, and he just started paying child support. In her interview, Lala said, anything to do with payment, Brock drops the ball. Sandoval told James that Lala claimed he’d put a damper on Raquel’s bachelorette, and James said it had just been a suggestion. He thought penis straws were tacky and lame. Sandoval said, sometimes they were funny, and in his interview, he wondered why James was so against c*ck straws. Did he have a bad experience with one? Did he think it was a gateway drug to real c*cks? James admitted he’d been controlling in the past, but he wasn’t now. In James’s interview, he said, Lala had an opinion on literally everything. Everyone had problems, but Lala loved talking about his problems. He told Tom that he didn’t give a f*** what Lala thought of his relationship.

Surprisingly, people actually bought some feet pics. Ariana had sold two to someone she thought was called foot lover in French. She only knew two people who spoke French, and one of them was Lisa. Lisa admitted it was her, saying the phrase was lover of feet. In her interview, she said she didn’t want the girls to be embarrassed that no one bought their feet. She felt like a heel, and didn’t want to toe the line. She wanted to help them get a foot in the door, so she bought the pics. James confronted Lala, saying, Brock and Sandoval told him that she’d thought he was controlling. Lala said she wasn’t worried about anyone’s relationship other than her own, and James said, she was either worried or talking sh*t, but she said it was more casual conversation within the friend group. He seemed to accept this, and in James’s interview, he said that he wasn’t lashing out at Lala proved he wasn’t controlling, angry, and crazy. Everyone needed to mind their own business.

Randall brought out a gorgeous cake, much like a simple and elegant wedding cake, white with gold accents, a giant flower on the side. In Lala’s interview, she said, life was perfect, and wondered, how did she get here?  

Next time, Schwarz and Sandy’s gets a sign, Sandoval is ignorant about what things cost, Scheana’s engagement ring comes and it’s huge, and James gets controlling, angry, and crazy at Brock.

🕶 Meet Celina Selena…

Okay, so I’ve been spelling her name wrong. What else is new?

🎄 Ghosts Of Christmas Passed…

How the soap stars did the holiday.

📜 A Holiday Message…

Erika Slezak brings tidings of great joy.

🚶🏽‍♀️ Slipping Out the Back, Jack…

No OC tomorrow, but I’ll be here for soap and perhaps a drop of tea. Until then stay safe, stay not bothering with those pesky resolutions, and stay knowing that on every road trip, even if there are detours, there will be discoveries along the way.

November 8, 2021 – Sonny Bestows a Favor, Off the Cast List, Soapy Christmas, Obnoxious Drunks On Deck & Ain’t Workin’

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly and Sonny have lunch at the MetroCourt, and she says she missed nine months of lunches with him (like they do this every day). She thanks him for making the time before his meeting with Ms. Wu. He says, what he learned from his time away was prioritizing what’s important, and she’s at the top of his list. She says, they were apart for so long. She’s so grateful for every moment with him. She puts her hand on his.

At Kelly’s, Esme tells Cameron, the more she thinks about them getting away, the more excited she gets. One of the best things about boarding school was that so much was an hour away; London, Berlin, Geneva. What’s a really cool place that’s an hour away from here? She’s open to anything. He says, it’s not exactly London or Paris, but Joss has a family cabin in the mountains that’s real pretty. It might be their best bet since they’re going on a budget. She says, not for long. She thinks Spence is handling that situation as they speak. He asks if that’s why Spence took the delivery bike, and she says, he wants to make things right with his dad. Cameron says he’s all for peace in the family, but Spencer’s shift starts in five minutes, so who knows when he’ll actually be there. Outside the door, Spencer flashes back to telling Nikolas that he doesn’t want one penny of their family’s money, and from now on, he’s going to find his own way in the world. He’s no longer his father’s son and no longer a Cassadine. He says, Esme is so not going to like this news, and goes inside. Esme asks if Cameron has ever been to Cabo; it’s still warm enough to lie on the beach. He says, look who’s here on time, and Esme runs to Spencer, giving him a kiss. She says, lying on the beach sounds great, doesn’t it? But first, tell her, what happened with his dad?

Alexis says Harmony isn’t going to believe what just happened, and Harmony asks if she had a conflict with another inmate. Did she have an argument? Alexis says, no, and Sam and Diane walk in. Sam hugs Alexis, saying, she can’t believe it. Diane called her with the news. Is this really happening? Alexis asks if it’s true, and Diane says, congratulations. She’s finally going home.

Peter goes in to Britt’s room, and Britt asks, where’s her mother? He asks if that’s any way to great her host, and she says she needs to check Obrecht’s injury. He says, Liesl is resting comfortably, and she says, what about Jason? He says, Jason isn’t as comfortable, but he’s alive. At least for now. She says she wants to see her mother with her own two eyes; his word means nothing to her. He says that’s actually why he’s there. He wants them to come to an understanding. After all, they are family.

In chains in the wine cellar, Jason tells Drew to answer him. He gets no response, and yells for Drew to get on his feet. Drew, also in chains, gets up, and says, what the hell? Where are they? Jason says, Cassadine Island, and Drew asks what he did.

Alexis says, so there’s been no mistake. This is an actual pardon. Diane says, correct. She got the call, reached out to Sam, and they rushed right over. Sam asks how soon Alexis can be released, and Diane says, the paperwork is being processed. Alexis is going to sleep in her own bed tonight. Alexis says, that’s great, and Harmony says she’s truly happy for her. Sam says she knows Harmony works there, but has she become friends with Alexis? Harmony says, she’d like to think so, but she knows how Sam feels about her, and deservedly so, so she’s not going to step on this terrific moment. She tells Alexis that she hopes they get a chance to talk before Alexis goes, and leaves. Sam tells Diane, she’s so grateful, and Diane says she’d like to take all the credit, but she’s just the messenger. It wasn’t her who arranged this pardon. Sam asks, who did? when Nikolas walks in, and says, he did. Sam says, that’s amazing, and Alexis says, amazing, but not benevolent. It was Nikolas who was going to withhold that pardon if she didn’t do his bidding.

Cameron says he was just about to bet Esme that Spencer was going to show up at least an hour late for work, but Spencer says, of course (🍷) he was on time. He understands how this job works. He doesn’t know why Cameron always thinks the worst of him, and Cameron says, because Spencer always gives him reasons to. Like the time he disappeared halfway through his first shift. Esme says, the main thing is, Spence is here. Talk to her. What happened with his dad? Spencer says he’ll get to that in a minute. Why were they talking about Cabo when he walked in? Esme says, for their weekend getaway. She and Cameron were discussing possible destinations. Spencer says, her and Cam, when did that happen? and she says, that’s not what she meant, and he knows it. She still thinks it’s a great idea for them, Cam and Joss, and Trina and… somebody. She wants to get to know all his friends. What better way to do that than a mini vacay? They can rent a cabin with three bedrooms, or four if Cam and Joss want separate rooms. Spencer says, this weekend getaway, Cam and Joss are on board with this? Cameron says, as long as it’s not too pricey. That’s why he thinks that Joss’s family’s cabin is still their best bet; it’s free. Esme’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Spring Ridge. It must be about her internship. She leaves to take the call, and Spencer says, it’s just like Esme to get carried away. He and Joss don’t have to go if they don’t want to. Cameron says, it’s complicated, and Spencer says, he means because of the separate rooms? He and Joss haven’t had sex yet?

Ms. Wu goes over to Sonny, and says it’s wonderful to have him back, safe and sound. He tells her that Jason and Carly told him about her giving them inside information that saved their lives, and Wu says, it was the right move to make. She thanks Sonny for agreeing to meet with her; they have so much to discuss. He says they need to come to an understanding of how to move forward now that Novak and Buscema are gone.

Britt says, if they’re family, Peter will let her see her mother, and he says, they’re pretty much estranged siblings. If she wants to see her mother, she’ll have to earn it. She asks, how? By telling him that she understands what he’s doing? He says, if anyone does understand, it would be her. They’re Faison’s children. She says she sure as hell tries to forget that, and he tells her not to be shortsighted. There’s only one way off this island for her – by his side.

Jason asks what’s the last thing Drew remembers, and Drew says, his cell at the compound. Peter showed up, and said he had a job for him. He tried to jump Peter… then he’s got nothing. Jason tells Drew, he wasn’t there, but can tell him what the others said, and Drew says, please tell him; all information is welcome. Jason says, Peter ordered the head guard Russel to kill Valentin and Victor Cassadine. Then Drew showed up, and shot Russel. Drew kind of wishes he remembered that, and Jason says, he shot Russel in the leg, and he survived. Then Drew and Valentin took off. They were headed to a dock and had to cross a footbridge. Anna and Robert were waiting, and they saw Peter ambush them. Peter shot Valentin, Drew turned back to give cover fire, and then Peter shot Drew point-blank three times. He fell off the bridge into the sea. Drew says, all he has is a graze on his arm, and Jason says, Peter must have given him a bullet proof vest. Drew says, so Peter staged the whole thing. Why would he do that? Jason says, Peter must need him for something.

Sonny and Wu go to a private area, and Sonny says he knows trust among the families is difficult to maintain, especially since he was away, and everybody thought he was dead. It pretty much proves that if Wu hadn’t warned Carly and Jason, he would have lost the two people closest to him. He wants her to know that she’s very much a trusted ally. She says, Novak and Buscema saw his presumed death as an opportunity for them to stop working together as a group. She was tired of their greed upsetting their very delicate balance. She doesn’t revel in anyone’s death, but she’s happy they’re no longer here to cause trouble. And as she understands it, Joey Novak is in the hospital, after almost being beaten to death. He says, she had nothing to do with that beating? and she says, no, they did not. He says he went to visit Joey in the hospital, and Joey wants out of the family business, so the Corinthos organization is going to take over their family holdings. She smiles, and says she thought that might be the situation, and he laughs. He says, he thought it would only be fair if he gave her half of Novak’s assets. She says she’ll happily accept his generous offer, but she wants to be clear. That’s not why she asked to meet with him today. He says he can’t say enough how important Jason and Carly are to him. So if she ever needs help, he wants her to come to him. She says, by giving her half of the Novak holdings, she considers his debt paid. They’re even. However, the reason she asked for this meeting, she does have a favor to request.

Spencer tells Cameron, don’t be embarrassed, but Cameron says his relationship with Joss is none of Spencer’s business. Spencer says, of course (🍷), and Cameron says, they’ve both been really busy recently. They both started college, and moved into dorms, Joss’s stepdad came back from the dead. They’ve just had a lot on their plate. Spencer says he’s sorry if it sounded like he was judging Cameron, and Cameron says, Spencer was judging him. Spencer says Cameron is right; he was. But life in a boarding school is very different. There are teachers, but no parents, so sex is pretty much a constant topic. Everybody knows who’s done what with which person, but when he stops to think about Cameron and Joss, he guesses it’s not that much of a surprise. Cameron asks what that means, and Spencer says, it means he knows Joss isn’t the type of person to take something like that lightly. He’s not trying to be nosy. He’s honestly trying to be a friend. Is that a problem for the two of them? Cameron says, no, but it hasn’t happened yet. Esme comes back, and asks what they’re talking about. What hasn’t happened yet?

Britt asks if Peter is giving her the join-me-and-we’ll-rule-together speech. He has been on the run for far too long. He’s completely lost touch with reality. He says, she’s the one who refuses to see the truth. There’s nothing for her in Port Charles. She says she’s Chief of Staff at GH. People respect her. She has friends. He says, Brad was in Pentenville last time he checked, but she says, Brad’s not her only friend. Maxie’s her friend. Peter says, please. Maxie’s so kind-hearted, she’d befriend anyone. She says, even him? and he says, even him. She accepted him when no one in Port Charles would. Britt says, news flash, that was then; now she hates his guts. He says, Maxie is the mother of his child, and she asks, where is that child? Because of that psychopath he hired, Maxie’s baby was kidnapped. He says, Louise is his daughter too. Does she think he’s not in agony every day, worried sick about where his child is? Is she safe? Is she all right? She says she can tell him one thing, Peter isn’t going to find her on Cassadine Island. He says she’s right, that’s true. He needs to wrap things up here, and get on to more important things. She says, wrap things up here, how exactly?

Drew asks how Jason found him, and Jason says, Russel. He was trying to escape; he took Britt hostage. Drew says, Britt Westbourne? She’s looking for her mom. Jason says, that’s right. Peter took Drew and Obrecht, and Russel said he was headed there. Drew says, so Jason and Britt are working together, and Jason says, yes. Drew says he thought Sam would be with him, and Jason says, Sam made it as far as Crete. Then she heard Drew got shot and was missing again, so she and Dante decided to go back. Drew says, Dante? and Jason says he and Sam aren’t together anymore. Sam and Dante have gotten close, and Dante came to help find Drew. Drew says, that’s the problem. Spending years as a prisoner, you kind of miss out on everything. Jason says, he knows that feeling, and Drew says, so he and Britt tracked them to Cassadine Island. Then what happened? Jason says he got Peter at gunpoint, but by then, Drew got Britt at gunpoint. Drew says, Jason should have shot him.

Sonny and Wu sit down, Sonny pulling out her chair for her, and he says, whatever she needs, name it. If it’s within his power, he’ll make it happen. She says she knows he has pull with the parole board at Pentenville. Her nephew’s parole hearing is coming up. She was hoping Sonny could convince the board to grant him parole. Sonny asks what her nephew’s name is, and she says, Brad Cooper.

Alexis says, Nikolas is the one who had Hayden shot, and Nikolas says, that’s Shawn’s theory. Of course (🍷) there is no proof to back that up, and as a reminder, Hayden is still very much alive. Sam says, Nikolas still had to very much cover his tracks, even if he had to pressure her mom. He says, her mother refused his deal, but even after that, he made sure her pardon came through. Sam says, that’s probably because it was too late to cancel, and he says he never intended to cancel the pardon. Alexis says, he threatened he would, and he says, Shawn has no evidence, but spreading false rumors about him is damaging. So he tried to help himself as well as his aunt. Is that really so wrong? Sam and Alexis both say, yes.

Esme asks, what’s the big secret? And don’t tell her it’s nothing, because she can see it in their faces. Cameron says he was just telling Spencer that he and Joss haven’t had a chance to get away since they’ve become a couple, and she says, then they’re overdue. Since this is a getting-to-know-you trip, she thinks they should find a place that suits all of them, so they can all discover it together. Cameron says, that actually won’t be too hard for him, since he’s hardly been anywhere. They did do a trip to Niagara Falls once, but that did not end well. Esme asks, why? Did his family tag along? He says, no. It was him, Josslyn, Trina, and Oscar, and she says, Oscar, Josslyn’s first boyfriend who died of brain cancer, right? That’s so sad. Cameron says, yeah, it was rough. Niagara was their last road trip. She says, if Oscar and Josslyn were together on the trip, does that mean Trina and Cameron were a couple? Cameron says, no, but it was actually the beginning of him and Trina getting close. Esme tells him, you don’t say. Exactly how close did he and Trina get?

Drew asks if Jason had a clean shot, and Jason says, yeah. Drew asks why he didn’t take it, and Jason says, Monica, Danny, Sam. Drew says, they never had to know, but Jason says, they want him back. Drew says, not like this. Not when Peter can activate the conditioning whenever he wants, and get Drew to do whatever he wants. He knows Jason knows what it’s like to be a prisoner, but Jason has no idea what it’s like to wake up and have no idea how you got here. No idea what you’ve done, who got shot, or who got hurt. Nothing. What scares him most is the possibility of waking up the next time, and finding out he took an innocent life. Jason says, there’s a way to make sure that doesn’t happen, and Drew says he’s listening. Jason says, get rid of Peter. Take him out. If he’s dead, he can’t control Drew.

Diane asks if she can join Carly, and Carly says, please. Diane says Sonny asked her to meet him to discuss some legalities about the Novak property. Carly says she knows. He’s at a private table with Ms. Woo, discussing things Diane doesn’t want to know about, which now are above her paygrade. Diane says, sounds like Carly is missing being the one in charge, but Carly says, not really. It’s refreshing seeing Sonny in business mode. It’s like having a visit from the Sonny she used to know. Diane says, a visit? and Carly says, Nixon Falls did a number on Sonny. To be more accurate, it did a number on them. Diane knows they’ve never been the picture of domestic bliss. Diane says, that’s true, and Carly says, it didn’t matter because they knew each other so well. Now they know each other less. Nina months less, thanks to Nina Reeves.

Sonny says, he forgot Brad was related to Wu’s family, and she says, he’s her brother’s son. Then he was adopted by the Coopers. Still, he’s her family. Sonny says, Brad stole his grandson, and he watched his own son grieve for a year for his son who was alive. She says she knows that, and she’s very sorry; so is Brad. She visited him in prison and he swore it wasn’t his idea. He was grief stricken over the death of the real baby he and his husband Lucas adopted. Brad made some horrible decisions, and he’s paid a high price and deeply regrets his actions. But he’s her family. He’s been in Pentenville for 18 months, and won’t survive much longer. Can Sonny find it in his heart to help, as a personal favor to her?

Nikolas says he’s getting Alexis out of there. He did a good thing. She says she doesn’t appreciate the way he did it, and he says, bottom line, his tactics get results. She says, the ends justifies the means. That’s so very Cassadine of him. He says he’s sick of everyone saying it’s a curse to be a Cassadine. Even Spencer is saying he wants nothing to do with him. Sam laughs, and Alexis says, what about the Cassadine money? He says, Spencer claims he wants give up the trust fund, and Alexis says, good for him. He listened to her. Nikolas says she encouraged his son to turn his back on him? and she says, she encouraged him to find out what kind of man he was going to be, and if that means cutting out the bad influences in his life, then so be it.

Cameron tells Esme, he and Trina never dated; they decided they were better off as friends. Spencer asks if that means they were considering dating, and Cameron says, there was a time they were, but that was a million years ago. Before they can decide where they’re going on their weekend getaway, they have to figure how much they can afford. Cameron asks if Spencer patched things up with his dad. Did Ava give him access to his money? Spencer says, not exactly, and Esme asks, what happened? His dad didn’t accept his apology? Spencer says he didn’t apologize. He told Nikolas that he didn’t want any Cassadine money.

Sonny says, he’s sorry; he can’t grant Wu that favor. She says, can’t or won’t, and he says, if Brad had merely hurt him, he’d do it, but Brad hurt a lot of people; especially Michael and Wiley. Brad had a year to tell the truth, and he didn’t. He can’t intercede on behalf of the man who hurt his son and his grandson. She says she sees. Then they really have nothing further to discuss. He says, you know what? There’s something else he can do for her.

Diane says she has to admit, when she found out Nina knew where Sonny was all along, and lied about it, she’s been waiting for a call from the PCPD to come defend Carly from assault charges. Carly asks if Diane could get her off, and she says, she’s Diane Miller, but she’s glad she didn’t have to. Why should Carly endure with another bout with the legal system courtesy of Nina Reeves, especially after all Nina’s done to her? She congratulates Carly on her rare display of forbearance, and Carly says, don’t give her the credit. She would gladly attack Nina physically, financially, any way she could, but Sonny doesn’t want her to. Diane says, that’s too bad. She could file one hell of a lawsuit. When she was done, that spoiled little brat of an heiress, wouldn’t have a dime to her name. Carly says, Sonny doesn’t want to dwell on the past, or making Nina pay, and Diane says, she could file a lawsuit for Carly and her children, and base the damages on her pain and suffering; leave Sonny out of it entirely. Carly says, it’s not gonna happen, and Diane says, because Sonny doesn’t want it to. That’s not like him at all. Carly says, that’s what makes it so hard. Sonny wants her to leave Nina alone and she agreed. Of course (🍷) she agreed. Sonny thinks it’s the best way for them to move forward, and maybe for him it is. Diane says, but not for her, and she says, hell no. Not for her.

Drew says he hopes Jason is right, and one of them gets a chance to kill the bastard, but it doesn’t seem feasible at the moment. Jason says, Peter’s already made mistakes. He’s made another one by leaving them alone in this room together. Drew wonders how that is. They’re chained to the wall, and Peter can control him. Jason says, what if he’s wrong? and Drew says, if Jason is going to tell him to fight the conditioning, Obrecht already told him that; she told him to focus on Scout. You’d think thinking about his little girl would give him the strength to fight back, but obviously that didn’t work. Jason says, the last time Peter activated the conditioning , Drew was in his cell at the compound. The conditions worked in Peter’s favor; Drew was isolated with no way to fight back and nobody to help him. It’s different now. They’re here together in this wine cellar; the more Peter has to improvise, the more things can go wrong. They can use that to their advantage. Drew says, Peter’s not in control. Not here.

Esme says, Spencer did what exactly? and he says, he knows the last time they talked, he was going to acquiesce, and tell his father and Ava whatever they wanted to hear. Esme says, right. Not out of weakness; he was just being practical. He says, but then Trina told him exactly what he needed to do. She says, Trina helped him change his mind? and he says, she helped him get his head on straight. Cameron says, Trina gives great advice, but did she really tell him to go to his dad, and tell him to take his money and shove it? Spencer says, in a much more sophisticated way, but that was the gist of it. Cameron asks if he’s crazy. That is literally the dumbest thing he’s ever heard. Spencer says, really? Cameron is Mr. Get-a-job-and-support-yourself, and he thinks Spencer did the wrong thing? Cameron says Spencer has been working less than a week. He has no idea what it takes to survive in the real world. Spencer says, he might not be the best waiter, but he’s getting better. Cameron says, he’s living for free. The clothes he wears, and the lifestyle they lead, being a waiter isn’t going to support that. Get a grip. He’s lived a very pampered life, and Cameron thinks it’s in his best interest to go to his father and beg his forgiveness. Spencer says, Esme has been unusually quiet. What does she think? Does she agree with Cameron? Does she think he should crawl back to his father?

Nikolas says, so now Alexis is calling him a bad influence on his son? No matter how sanctimonious she is, he’s not going to call the governor back and cancel the pardon. He walks out, and Sam runs after him. Alexis tells Harmony that she’s sorry for the way Sam talked to her; it was rude. Harmony says, no one can says she didn’t earn it. She congratulates Alexis on her pardon, and asks how she’s feeling about life on the outside. Alexis says, apprehensive, grateful, relieved, terrified of making the decisions she doesn’t have to make in there, including staying sober on her own. Harmony tells her to do what she has to, to remind herself that she’s not alone. Alexis says she’ll miss their talks, and Harmony says, Alexis has her number. She doesn’t work 24/7. They can grab a coffee and talk. Alexis has her family, but she has friends too. Wow. Alexis forgot about Shawn pretty fast.

Peter says Britt has a choice to make. She can either be part of his plan, or collateral damage. It’s up to her, but he does want her to make an informed decision. He opens the door, and says, come with him.

Carly tells Diane, she wants it to be over too, but she’d have more closure if she knew Nina was going to pay. Diane says, she is facing criminal charges, and Carly says, thanks to Michael. Diane says, the face of a choirboy; the heart of an assassin. It’s a pity he didn’t go into law. He would have done very, very well. Carly says, Sonny told Michael he was wrong for what he was doing. Her head almost exploded. (I’d like to see that.) She said nothing, because she’s not going to fight with Sonny over that bitch. Why would she do that? Diane asks when Jason is coming home, but Carly doesn’t know. Diane says, the moment he does, take him somewhere, some dive bar, and cut loose. Get hammered and confess to him every vicious scheme she’s concocted for torturing Nina, and let him talk her off the ledge. Carly says, Nina took that away from her too, and Diane says, tell her. Carly says, if Sonny hadn’t come back, she and Jason were going to be together as husband and wife that night. Sonny is having a hard time with that. It doesn’t matter that they thought he was dead; it doesn’t matter that they just said their wedding vows. To Sonny, it’s his wife and best friend. It’s going to take time for Sonny. So she doesn’t have Jason the way she used to. She doesn’t have her best friend to run to, and dump all her problems on. She can’t go to him and say all the horrible things she wants to, and feel safe, because… She just can’t. So for the sake of her marriage, she has to put her friendship with Jason on hold. Diane asks if Jason knows, and Carly says they haven’t talked about it, but she’s pretty sure it’s the reason he left town. She knows he wants to help Britt. Of course (🍷), but she’s pretty sure he’s giving her and Sonny some space. Diane says, based on her considerable experience with Sonny, that seems to be the best course, and Carly says, that doesn’t make it easier.

Sonny tells Wu that he won’t help Brad, but if Brad is granted parole on his own merit, he won’t stop it. She says, what about Michael? and he says, Michael has every right to talk about what Brad did to him and Wiley. She says, but Michael can do more than speak at the hearing. He’s a Quartermaine; he has powerful connections. He could pull strings and block Brad’s parole altogether. Sonny says, he’ll make sure no strings are pulled for or against, and Wu says, if parole is granted, it won’t mean much, if Brad meets with a fatal accident after he’s freed. Sonny says he gives her his word that he will not retaliate against Brad, but he has to stay away from Michael and Wiley. Wu says, that seems more than reasonable, but he’s not the only Corinthos who might wish Brad ill. Is he speaking for himself, or as head of the entire family?

Diane tells Carly that she has another client who needs to be bailed out.. literally. Please tell Sonny, she’ll call and reschedule. She’s obviously not Jason, but any time Carly needs to vent, she’s here. Friend to friend. Carly says she might take Diane up on that.

Wu tells Sonny, please know, she means no disrespect, but there have been a lot of changes in his organization in the past year. So she just wants to be clear on what his favor entails. Will he personally leave Brad alone, and ensure that no one in his family will hurt her nephew? Sonny says he’s back in charge, and speaks for his entire family.

Esme asks if Spencer is kidding. No, she doesn’t agree with Cameron. She hugs him, and says she’s super proud of the man he’s becoming. He says, she’s proud of him? and she says, of course (🍷). He has to stay true to himself. Cameron says, he thinks this new true self is boring, and goes behind the counter. Spencer thanks Esme for standing with him, and she asks if he’s really that surprised. He says, yeah, a little. They’ve always lived a pretty extravagant life. She asks if that’s why he went to Trina instead of her. Did he think she woudn’t understand? He says, it wasn’t like that, and she says she wishes he felt like he could confide in her. He says he does. She’s the most important person in his life. She has to know that. She says she does know that; it’s just nice to hear it once in a while. Cameron says he’s sorry to interrupt, but just because he’s standing around doesn’t mean Spencer’s on time. Get to work. Spencer goes in the back, and Esme sits at the counter. She asks Cameron if she’s really that horrible of a person that her boyfriend can’t talk to her. He says, it’s not like that. Trina’s just super easy to talk to. Even though he completely disagrees with the advice Trina gave Spencer, she’s a solid friend. Esme says, it’s very clear how persuasive Trina can be. She’ll have to get to know Trina better. Asap.

Nikolas tells Sam, he’s not in the mood for any more hypocritical moralizing; he’s heard enough for today. She says she just wanted to actually say, thank you. She may not always agree with his methods, but she’s beyond grateful that he got her mother out of prison. Scout and Danny are going to be beyond thrilled that their grandmother is coming home. He says he appreciates it, and leaves.

Harmony says she’s happy for Alexis, when the warden walks in, Sam behind him. He says, her release has been fully processed. She’s free to go. I’ve never been to prison, and have the feeling it might be more complicated than that, but okay. Alexis tells Harmony, here I go, and Sam says, let’s get out of here. Alexis finally gets her life back.

Wu thanks Sonny for his generosity. She looks forward to their continued partnership. He says, so does he, and Carly joins him. Wu says, it’s good to see her again, and Carly says, her too. Wu goes to the elevator, and Carly asks what Ms. Wu was thanking Sonny for.

Britt walks into the wine cellar, and sees Jason. Peter comes in behind her, putting a gun in her back, and saying, don’t be shy. He doesn’t want her to miss the show. It looks like Drew is back to his normal self. Drew says, you bastard. He’s going to kill Peter. Peter says, that’s what’s not going to happen, but he will kill someone. Britt looks at Jason.

Tomorrow, Willow says someone is the last person she expected to see, Peter says he’ll be taking it out on Britt, Drew is reporting for duty, Carly asks why she’s having this conversation, and Jason says next time he and Peter meet, there will be a different ending.

😔 Quel Disappointment…

From what I read on Twitter, it’s not the first time. I feel sad about that.

🎄 Ho-Ho-Ho…

I’m not one to rush the season, or watch Hallmark movies, but if you’re into that sort of thing, this has quite a few soap stars in it. Erika Slezak is one of them, which makes it almost worth watching for me. Almost.

Below Deck

The crew gets up hungover from the night before. In Rayna’s interview, she says she kissed Jake. Whatever. Who cares? It was so hot. Fraser says he drank too much, and Jake says, he was drunk before dinner last night. In Heather’s interview, she says she’s irritated with her team. They have to do better. They begin cleaning the boat, and Captain Lee calls Heather, Eddie, and Rachel to the crew mess for the preference sheet meeting. The primary is Michael, a real estate broker, who appreciates fine whiskey. He’s bringing his broker friends. The captain points out that Michael’s photo is the classic real estate broker pose. He says, they’re big bourbon drinkers, and want his presence at a white party/whiskey tasting dinner. They also want a luau, but it’s a late pickup, so Rachel doesn’t have to worry about lunch. Another request is golf balls off the back of the boat. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s playing nice with Eddie, but what he’d said last season felt like a betrayal, since he was a friend to her face. She has a tad of bitterness, but needs to get rid of it. It’s not her flavor. Fraser tells Rayna that he was a bit tipsy to put lightly, and asks if he did anything stupid. She says he went to bed, which I’m sure is a relief. He teases her about Jake, and she says she likes someone who lives in Canada. In her interview, she says, they’re just talking, and trying to figure it out. She tells Fraser that she’s still single, but doesn’t want to mess it up. He says, it was just a friendly flirt.

Rachel calls for provisions, asking for a pig for a luau and a spit. She asks to talk to Eddie in the main salon. She tells him that she wants to have a little chat. Last season, the things he said about her were a vicious attack. He went straight for her integrity and character, and it was uncalled for. It threw her for a loop, and it was hurtful. So far, it’s stayed for the duration of the season. Eddie says he’s sorry. They didn’t get along, and he’s sorry he didn’t talk directly to her. In his interview, he says, they started off good, but when Rachel started drinking, she was a different person. We flashed back to some of Rachel’s drunken antics, and Eddie says he should have talked to her personally. The only thing he can do is be better. He tells her that he gets it, and thanks her for giving him another chance be her friend. In Rachel’s interview, she says she thinks they can play in the same sandbox without stabbing each other with spades. Eddie calls the provisioner for golfclubs, biodegradable golf balls, and AstroTurf. Jessica calls her mom, who’s smoking a cigarette, and gambling on her phone in the garage. In Jessica’s interview, she says, when she wanted to go into cosmetology, her mom told her to be a mortician, so Jessica could do hair and makeup on her body. Jessica said no.

Heather tells Jessica to iron the captain’s clothes, and provisions come in. The captain calls the crew to the sky lounge, since he hadn’t had a formal meeting with them, and they have time because of the late pick-up. He says he only expects them to do their jobs. The radio is his pet peeve. If they’re looking for their radio, odds are he already has it, and he’s going to have their ass. He gives them the two rules: do not embarrass yourself and do not embarrass the boat. Whoomp! There it is! He says he has no problem getting rid of someone in the middle of a charter. He hopes he doesn’t have to use his pocketful of plane tickets, but he’s not afraid to use them. It will be swift and hard. In Rayna’s interview, she says Captain Lee reminds her of her dad. (Me too!) He’s like a chocolate chip cookie that’s hard on the outside, and soft and mushy in the middle. At least she hopes Captain Lee is like her dad. He tells them, do their jobs, or they’re fired. Afterward, he tells Eddie this could be the year; he likes what he’s seeing. Eddie says he wants to promote Jake to lead deckhand, and in Captain Lee’s interview, he says, it’s not like he doesn’t want to, but he’s seen that backfire. Give someone too much responsibility too soon, and they can crash and burn. And it’s your fault because you set them up to fail. He tells Eddie that he wants to observe first. In Heather’s interview, she says, the had a bad start, and it’s lingering. They don’t have it together. She’s done every sh*t job there is. She busted her ass, and expects it from her team. There’s no room for error. She meets with Fraser and Jessica, and tells them that she needs them to be fluid. She also needs them to step it up on the laundry and cocktails, but not drop the standard. She wants to keep the ball rolling. In Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s the same as the last load of sh*t. He’s never worked for a chief stew who wasn’t impeccable, and he feels insecure with Heather as his leader. In Jessica’s interview, she says, Heather reminds her of her grandma, micromanager Marian. They have to do everything the way Heather wants. I’m confused. Isn’t that how it is with most bosses? The captain radios for the crew to change into their whites.

The guests arrive, and Jake says, they’re definitely boozy. Eddie says the crew has no idea what’s in store. The group seems very aggressive, and are apparently already drunk. Captain Lee says Heather will give them a tour of the boat, and they’ll get the hell out of Dodge, and have some fun. Primary Michael says, sounds like a good plan. One of the guests admits they finished a bottle of Tito’s while they were waiting, and in Heather’s interview, she says, it’s a great sign. They’ll have hangovers in three hours, and probably skip dinner. Omg, I like bourbon too, but this one dude is chugging it. The boat heads out, and Heather reminds the guests they have a white party/whiskey pairing tonight. She goes over the various whiskeys, Guest Justin asks for a thermal cup, and in Heather’s interview, she tells us, nothing says classy like whiskey out of a thermos on a mega-yacht. Wes asks how Jessica’s department works, and she says she’s the third, so she does the grunt work. Anchor is dropped, and Heather checks in with the captain about dinner. He says he can join the guests for dinner, but can’t take part in the whiskey tasting. She suggests apple juice, and he tells her to put in a little lime. She predicts they’ll be a couple of guests down, and he says, the guests weren’t lying when they said they had mouths like sailors. The dudes shoot golf balls off the back of the boat, and Eddie bugs the captain about promoting Jake again. Captain Lee say,s they can use a lead deckhand, but he’s concerned it’s too soon. He wonders if Jake can step up to the plate, without his nerves getting the better of him, and coming apart like a cheap suit. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Captain Lee hired him because he trusts him. He hopes the captain respects his decision. He thinks Jake will be a good lead deckhand, and then he can move off the deck. He tells the captain that Jake is goofy, but has a good head on his shoulders. The captain tells Eddie that he hopes he doesn’t regret it, but if he does, so will Eddie. He calls Jake to the wheelhouse, and Eddie offers Jake the position. He says the other crew members don’t have Jake’s experience, but he thinks Jake can lead them.   

Rayna squeals when Jake tells her the news, and in her interview, she says, that’s perfect for her. What’s he going to do? Yell at her? That’s not going to happen. In Wes’s interview, he says he thinks Jake is solid. It’s mostly the moustache. It commands respect. Jake invites Rayna to help him cover-up the sundeck furniture. Guest Justin says he’s excited to sit next to the captain. Captain Lee joins them, and Heather calls Jessica to help with service. Justin gets super insulting to the one female guest, Terri, saying that he’s surprised she went to college, and asking how many words does she use in a day? The first pairing is served, and Justin burps loudly. Fraser says, the poor captain. Justin says, they’re a bunch of real estate buffoons, and asks for tequila. Another guest points out that they’re in the middle of a whiskey paring, and Justin says, f*** you. Colin tells him, STFU. Justin says he’s throwing himself off the boat, and storms off, sitting on the edge of the boat.  

Heather tells Rachel that they’re down a guy; he left the table. Justin tells Wes that he can’t stand a formal dinner with a bunch of kiss asses. He’s going to sit and enjoy himself. Wes keeps an eye on him, and in the captain’s interview, he says They’re  drunker than a four-peckered goat. Than a herd of four-peckered goats. Morons. Bored and alone, Eddie says, anchor watch is pure excitement. Wes asks if he can get Justin something, and in Wes’s interview, he says, never give him whiskey. He’s a goddam gremlin. He had a fight with a jeep once. Justin asks to have his dinner there, and at the table, Captain Lee looks grim. A little table is set up for Justin, and Fraser mumbles as he does the guest cabins. In Jessica’s interview, she says, Fraser is entitled to his opinions, but he needs to put his feelings in a balloon, and let it go. At the table, Michael says, he feels fat. After Michael insults Florida where the captain lives, Terri repeatedly asks the captain where he grew up – Michigan – and says they grew up in the same place. Guest Colin leans over and says he loves her, but she’s repeating herself. Jessica says, Justin is happy as a clam, and she and Wes laugh. Captain Lee thanks them for dinner, and on the way downstairs, tells Heather that he got hit with two root canals. He says, it was brutal. Justin is just flat out rude, and he doesn’t know how many times Terri asked him about Michigan. Dinner was good though.

Terri suggests Michael go to bed, and he somehow makes it down the stairs without falling headfirst. Colin calls down to Justin, telling him to go f*** himself; he’s a d*ckhead. Terri says she’s so effing pissed. She asks Eddie, what’s going on with Justin, and Eddie says, he’s just sitting there. Terri goes down, and tells Justin to go f*** himself. Rayna wonders if this is normal, and Justin says he’s comfortable. Terri says he’s being a jackass. Rayna tells Jake, white folks crazy as hell, and I die laughing. In her interview, she says, drama finally, and it’s not her drama. Justin says he’s wonderful and comfortable, and Terri goes back to the table. Eddie says, now he’s babysitting, and Rayna tells Wes about Terri and Justin fighting.

Justin goes back to the table, and Terri says she doesn’t like him. He says he doesn’t give a f***, which was to be expected. She tells him that they were all at dinner, but he didn’t show up. Fraser calls Heather to come listen, and Terri says, they came together as a family, but he wasn’t there. Guest Colin (I think – they all look the same) says she doesn’t understand STFU. In Heather’s interview, she says she thinks Terri and Justin are secretly screwing, and Justin is finally drunkenly taking the upper hand in the relationship. Justin tells Terri that he’s confident sitting there. Guests Sean and Colin have wandered upstairs, and can still hear them. Rachel joins Heather and Fraser listening in. In Fraser’s interview, he says, it’s not chic. They probably won the trip. Justin tells Terri he’s doing her a favor. He’ll walk her back to her room and she’ll STFU. Get her ass up, and get TF down the stairs. Let’s go. Rachel sees Heather watching from the sidelines, and says, crouching tiger, hidden stew. Justin says, it’s a circus, and in Heather’s interview, she says she’s nervous something will happen they can’t control. Terri  tells Justin to stop, and Justin orders Heather to come here. He points at Terri, and says, she needs to go away now. Heather asks him to elaborate, and he says, Terri needs to go to her room and STFU. Eddie says, this is out of control. It’s overly aggressive, and unacceptable behavior from a charter guest. It’s dangerous. Justin starts following Heather, and Eddie suggests he and Terri stay away from each other. Eddie stops Teri from following Justin, who says, someone is being shoved off the boat tonight. Wow…

There was no preview.

🍂  Falling Back…

See you tomorrow for some soap and a few Pumptinis. Until then, stay safe, stay being a solid friend, and stay away from whiskey if it turns you into a gremlin.

July 16, 2020 – When Nikolas Heard From Spencer, a Seven In the Berkshires, GH Events, a Movie For Erika, Catch Up With Ricky, Days Restart, Goodbye Hope, an Interruption, This Makes Twice, Hero’s End, Creating the Child & Feelin’ It

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Even though the guide tries to convince me this GH Flashback is from May 12th, 2020, I know it’s from May 4th. Refresh yourself below, or go here for the full monty:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/05/may-4-2020-spencer-agrees-to-see-nikolas-adam-wants-to-drive-away-literally-a-list-for-santa-here/

Jason saw Brando at the gym, and Brando wondered if there had been some kind of cease fire; the kids were off house arrest. Sonny told him that he was free to go back to Chicago, but he’s decided to stay. Ava called Franco to confirm her last portrait sitting. She sent out the invitations, and wanted to make sure there was something to unveil at the unveiling. He assured her the portrait would be finished. At Windymere, Nikolas walked in, and told Ava this had to stop. Franco poured over the bills at his hospital studio, and Elizabeth saw Ava’s invitation on his desk. She started reading it, saying it sounded swanky. The smile left her face, and he asked, what is it? Molly, Kristina, and Sam sorted clothes for the clothing drive, which Molly said was to give professional wardrobe options to women in challenging situations. Neil showed up at Charlie’s, grabbed Julian by the collar, and asked if Julian had any idea what he’d done to Alexis.

Brando said Sonny was okay with him staying, and told Jason that he liked Port Charles and running his own place. Jason asked if he could use another customer. Alexis was late, and Molly stressed about sleeping with someone else when TJ was literally tied up. Sam wondered if Molly shouldn’t tell TJ the truth. Julian asked Neil what the problem was, and Neil said Julian had made his and Alexis’s personal business public. Julian accused Neil of taking advantage of Alexis, and driving her to drink. Because of Julian, the medical board got word that he had lied about their relationship, and it cost Neil his career. On the phone with Diane, Alexis said she’d lied at the hearing, and asked if Diane thought the bar would see it as perjury. Franco asked Elizabeth what was wrong, and Elizabeth read from the invitation that Ava’s portrait had been painted by notorious bad boy Franco, ten years after his fall from grace. She said Ava was dredging up Franco’s past for her vanity party. He said his past was no secret, and it’s what people thought about when they heard his name. Nikolas told Ava that the adolescent games had to stop. She’d given instructions to have trees cut down, but she didn’t get to change the house or grounds. Ava accused Nikolas of putting the snake in her purse at Violet’s party, but he said he didn’t do petty revenge. Ava noticed a letter from Spencer had arrived. Neil said Julian made a public spectacle of him and Alexis, and Julian said Neil had abused his privilege as Alexis’s therapist, doing damage to her. Neil said what Julian had done was worse.

Sam asked Molly what happened after she left Charlie’s, and Molly said she’d decided to tell Brando about her decision not to tell TJ that they’d slept together. When she got to the garage, Sam was there. Sam said she wanted to know where Brando stood, which Molly thought was inappropriate and unnecessary. Sam said she didn’t want Brando taking advantage of Molly, but Molly said she didn’t need Sam running to her rescue. Alexis showed up, and asked what they were fighting about. Jason told Brando that he needed a stabilizer for his Fatboy, and Brando said he’d thought Sam was Jason’s mechanic. She’d been at the garage, and seemed to know a lot about bikes. Jason asked why Sam had gone there. Elizabeth told Franco that Ava knew he’d changed his life around, and just because her life was trainwreck, it was no reason to expose Franco. Franco said a producer had reached out to him about participating in a documentary about Ryan, since he’d been involved in Ryan’s capture. It had also been ten years since his Francophrenia show, the night tried to frame Jason for pushing him off a roof. Nikolas read Spencer’s letter, and told Ava that Spencer was willing to accept him back in his life if he left Ava. Spencer hadn’t forgiven her for selling out to Valentin, and said Nikolas’s turncoat wife had to go. Ava said Spencer needed someone to blame and focus his anger on, but it was wonderful that he wanted to give Nikolas a second chance. Spencer deserved to have his father in his life. She assumed Nikolas would be wanting a divorce. He said, sorry. He’d do anything to reconcile with Spencer. She said she understood, and asked when he was moving out.

Molly told Alexis that they weren’t fighting, and Sam said it was just a spirited debate. Alexis asked what the debate was about, and Kristina said it was about Molly and TJ. Molly had news. Julian said his relationship with Alexis didn’t concern Neil, but Neil said what Julian had done to her was very much his concern. Julian asked if Alexis confided to Neil in therapy or in bed, and Neil said Julian was in denial about holding a knife to Alexis’s throat, and terrorizing a woman he’d said he loved. Then Julian had made their private business public. Julian said Alexis had a reason to be angry at him, but he didn’t know why Neil wasn’t thanking him. Elizabeth told Franco that ten years ago seemed like a lifetime; Franco wasn’t the not same man he was today. Franco said it was because of her. He’d been put in the spotlight, and asked for his side of the story. He was being offered a lot of money, and it was an incredible opportunity. Elizabeth said, absolutely not. She knew it was painful, and didn’t want Franco to relive it, but these were strangers. Ava was supposed to be his friend. Franco said, like or not, scandal sells, and there had been an uptick in purchasing his old artwork. His old paintings had become more valuable. He taught sick kids, had kept the hospital afloat with donations, and single-handedly stopped Ryan, but his past would always be there. Nikolas asked if Ava thought he was giving her Windymere. She said, and the island as well. It was part of the 90% she’d get if they divorced. He said there had been no failing on his part, and it was because of his son. Why was she doing this? He thought she’d wanted him to have a relationship with Spencer. She said she did, but the terms were clear and binding. Nikolas said she was about to overplay her hand, and if she tried to keep his son from him, it wouldn’t end well for her.

Ava told Nikolas, threats were unnecessary. She wasn’t standing in the way of his reconciliation, but a deal was a deal. She wasn’t walking away without her fair share. He accused her of trying to steal Spencer’s inheritance, but she said the remaining 10% was more than enough for Spencer to live on, and Nikolas had agreed to the terms. He said she only cared about herself, and had proved it by driving her daughter away. Ava slapped him, and told him not to talk about her child. He said to stop using his child as a pawn. Ava said now was his chance to prove he loved Spencer. Give up his fortune, and give Spencer the father he wanted – or not. He could stay married to her and keep the money. He insisted she’d fooled him, but she told him not to kid himself. It was his choice – his money or his son. Franco told Elizabeth that they should cash in on the publicity before it crashed. He didn’t think anyone had bought any paintings because of his talent in a long time. It was about his reputation. He didn’t care, and neither did the college fund. Elizabeth said, not at the expense of his art’s integrity; she preferred her art speak for itself. Franco said she wasn’t a real artist. Julian told Neil that he’d treated Alexis like a dirty secret, but now it was out in the open. Neil said Julian was being simplistic and selfish. Alexis had been hurt. She’d lied to the medical review board, and was looking at disciplinary action and possible disbarment. Julian said they were the ones who’d jumped into bed together and lied about it. Neil got what he deserved, but Julian was sorry it was coming back to bite Alexis. He asked if Alexis had kicked Neil to the curb, and Neil said, no, but maybe she should. Brando told Jason about fixing Molly’s car, and said they were on good terms, but Kristina and Sam couldn’t stand him. Molly told Alexis about how TJ had suggested a domestic partnership. Alexis asked if Molly was happy, and Molly said it was more than she’d hoped for. Alexis didn’t buy it, and asked what was really going on.

Realizing what he’d said, Franco told Elizabeth, of course (🍷) she was a real artist. She just didn’t have a lot of experience with the idiots who were in charge of professional work. He wasn’t trying to offend her. Elizabeth said he was right; she had no idea how the art world worked like he did. He told her that it was Ava’s last sitting, and there had to be something to unveil at the unveiling, and she told him not to keep the gravy train waiting. Neil told Julian that Alexis deserved a clean slate, and he’d done more harm than good. Julian asked if Neil was walking away after what Alexis had gone through. She’d risked everything for Neil, now he was going to disappear? It wasn’t about helping Alexis, but about Neil. He was running away to protect himself. Jason asked Brando why he had a problem with Kristina and Sam, and Brando said he’d offended Kristina, and Sam was offended on Kristina’s behalf. He’d been talking to Sam about how she’d helped take down Shiloh, and said people who join cults are idiots. Then Sam told him about Kristina being involved with DoD. He tried to apologize, but the damage had been done. I still fail to see why this was so horrible. Didn’t Kristina think she’d been an idiot? Molly told Alexis that she was sorry she’d kept quiet about it, and Alexis said it was her fault. She’d been too focused on her own thing, and hadn’t been there for Molly. Molly said Alexis had nothing to feel bad about, and Alexis said she thought the domestic partnership was a great idea. Molly was very sensible, and Alexis was proud of her. Molly said Alexis was making her out to be perfect, but she’d jumped in bed with someone when TJ disappeared.

Nikolas went to the hospital to see Elizabeth, who snapped at him, saying she was working. He said she seemed upset. He’d come looking for a friend, but was there any way he could help? Franco went to Windymere, where he found Ava crying, martini in hand. He asked, what happened? but she said she was fine. Franco told her that he was feeling down, and could use a hug. He held her while she cried. Julian told Neil to try and put Alexis first. Use his shrink intuition, figure out what she needed, and act accordingly. He didn’t need to bail. Neil asked if Julian wanted him to be with Alexis, and Julian said, hell no, but Alexis wanted to be with him. He wanted Alexis to be happy. Neil said he couldn’t make up for Julian’s failings, and Julian said he could try not to add to them. He told Neil to fight for her. She was going to need his help. She didn’t let a lot of people in, and had laid herself on the line for him. Julian didn’t know what Neil’s issues were, but told him to conquer them. He’d be a fool to walk away. Brando said Sam was protective of her sisters, and Jason agreed. Brando said he’d apologized, and hoped they were good now. Jason asked if he’d fixed Molly’s car, and Brando said he did. Molly’s boyfriend had come to pick it up. Sam said she was there for the same reason, but it could have just been an excuse to chew him out. Jason suggested Brando not mess with Sam or her sisters, and Brando said he’d learned his lesson.

Molly told Alexis that she’d slept with Brando, who was Sonny’s cousin, but they weren’t related. Alexis said, thank God for small favors. Molly said she’d just had a fight with Jordan, who’d said TJ was done and it was Molly’s fault. She felt frustrated and angry. She’d thought TJ had bailed on a ten year relationship, and let his mother deliver the news. She ran over a curb, damaging her car, and Brando’s was the closest garage. They got to talking, and one thing led to another. Molly flashed back to kissing Brando, and told Alexis that Brando didn’t even know she had a boyfriend. When she explained, he couldn’t have been more decent. Nothing he did was wrong; it was her. Kristina said, it was one night. There was no good reason for Molly to tell TJ and risk the relationship. Molly didn’t think she could swallow her guilt, and Sam told Kristina that Molly didn’t handle her problems the same way Kristina did. Kristina handled them or not until they blew up in her face. Kristina said Sam had been pushing Jason to meet her in secret, and Sam said Kristina was the reason she was on parole in the first place. Kristina asked if Sam was blaming her, and Sam said, yes.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Ramona says, earlier, the energy was bad. She’s hoping that tonight, everyone will be lighter and in a better place. Restaurant guy Ben delivers a load of food. Dorinda pops out in a sequined number with huge angel sleeves that looks like it’s from Danceteria in the 80s. In the time it takes for Ben to put the bags in the kitchen, Ramona tells him that she looks good, but she’s sloppy, and she looks thin, but likes to eat. Nothing like giving herself a couple of compliments. She puts the food into bowls. Dorinda says she doesn’t know why Sonja puts up with LuAnn, and Ramona says Sonja loves LuAnn and likes to perform. Dorinda thinks maybe Sonja should do her own show, and Ramona says Sonja was doing cabaret before anyone else. LuAnn has supersonic ears, and asks what Ramona is talking about. Ramona repeats herself, and LuAnn says, it was caberlesque, and not the same thing. We flash back to Sonja’s show, and LuAnn tells Ramona, she didn’t think Sonja was that good. In the kitchen, Sonja mumbles that she knows the Countess is a major cabaret star. Dorinda tells LuAnn to stop it; she’s being nasty. In LuAnn’s interview, she says Dorinda was trying to protect Sonja, but Sonja was capable, and didn’t need defending. Sonja says she doesn’t care what Lu Ann is saying. She loves LuAnn. LuAnn explains to Sonja that the show is called Countess and Friends; it’s about her, but she brings Sonja in because she loves her. Don’t tell her what to do.

Sonja sits at the table, and says she’s done with LuAnn and her show. In the kitchen, LuAnn tells Len that she has a professional show because that’s what she does. Len says, eat. Sonja says LuAnn disrespected her, and LuAnn asks, how? Sonja says LuAnn thinks she sucks, and LuAnn tells her that she didn’t say that. She said she didn’t want her to be in the show. Ramona says LuAnn isn’t paying Sonja, and it’s insulting. Dorinda says Sonja was with LuAnn when she was down and out. In Ramona’s interview, she says LuAnn is using Sonja for laughs, and not paying her, when LuAnn could afford it, and Sonja could use the money. Dorinda gets weepy, and says, shame on her, and repeats that Sonja was with her when she was down and out. LuAnn says she doesn’t know what going on, and Dorinda leans over the table. They start yelling, fingers in each other’s faces. Dorinda says LuAnn has a mugshot of her drunkenness, and she’s an effing fool. In Leah’s interview, she says, it sucks to hear that coming from Dorinda. All of  them are one drink away from a mugshot. Ha-ha! I want that on a T-shirt – I’m one drink away from a mugshot. LuAnn walks out of the room, and Ramona tells Dorinda that she’s being aggressive. In her interview, Ramona says Dorinda is like a dragon, and she’s after whoever’s in front of her. When she’s drinking, she’s vicious. She went after Tinsley, then her, and now LuAnn. Who’s next? LuAnn hiccup cries as she packs. Ramona tells Dorinda that she’s shocked, and Dorinda says, karma’s a bitch. She doesn’t want to fight, but LuAnn uses them. She used Jovani, which Dorinda gave her. LuAnn continues to pack, and says no way is she staying in this house. Dorinda says Ramona is making her feel ashamed and bad, and that’s not what a girlfriend does. Dorinda sees the Jovani logo on LuAnn’s bag, and starts singing Feelin’ Jovani.

LuAnn tells Dorinda, get over it. Dorinda follows her out, but then comes back without incident. She says, LuAnn never says thank you. What’s wrong with her? Leah goes outside, and tells LuAnn to stop. Dorinda announces that her dress cost $400, and LuAnn says, she’s drunk. In Leah’s interview, she says you would think Dorinda owns stock in Jovani, the amount of times the word has come out of her mouth. It doesn’t make any sense. LuAnn suggests going to pub, and Leah says, they’ll hang out with the locals. Sonja falls over backward in her chair, hitting the floor. LuAnn cries, and Leah hugs her. LuAnn says Leah is so drunk, and Leah says, no, LuAnn is. Leah goes inside and calls for Ramona. She finds Ramona on Sonja’s lap, and tells her that LuAnn is outside hysterically crying. Ramona agrees to come with them – no doubt wanting to look for new men – but Sonja wraps her arms around Ramona’s waist. Outside, LuAnn says she’s not staying, and Leah tells Ramona, LuAnn is in a bad place. LuAnn keeps repeating, I need to go. In Ramona’s interview, she says she’s never seen LuAnn like this. She’s in pain. Dorinda went for the jugular, and it’s not cool. Ramona says she has no phone, money, or card, and LuAnn says she’s got her. They get in a cab, and drive away. Sonja decides to go to bed, and the others follow, even though it’s 8 pm. Len is left to clean up, although it could be worse. It could be the Hamptons.

In the morning, Dorinda finds Ramona in the kitchen. Ramona asks how she’s feeling, and Dorinda says she shouldn’t have gotten involved. She could tell Sonja was drunk; they were all drunk. The rosé gets you every time. She felt defensive of Sonja. In Ramona’s interview, she says Dorinda doesn’t realize how nasty she gets. She used to go from 0 to 60, and it lasted a second or two. Now she goes from 0 to 100, it lasts 30 minutes, and she gets vicious and evil. Sonja sits in bed reading, and Elyse comes in. Sonja says LuAnn is at a hotel, and Elyse asks, what’s the issue? Sonja says, LuAnn is back on her high horse. In Sonja’s interview, she says, all is forgiven because they were partying, and it doesn’t bother her. But LuAnn thinks Sonja’s time isn’t as important as hers, and that bothers her. Ramona tells Dorinda, she she saw the old LuAnn come out. Leah tells Sonja and Elyse that they went to an old school bar that had a jazz band. In her interview, she says, LuAnn was dancing, and she thought LuAnn wanted to sing, but they weren’t interested. In Leah’s interview, she says she had some martinis, flirted with the bartender. Ramona did nothing. What? Sonja says, at least they had fun, and Leah says there were a bunch of 90 year olds there; it was geriatric central. Sonja says she should have gone, and Leah says she would have loved it.

Dorinda decides she has to call LuAnn. Surprisingly, LuAnn answers the phone, and Dorinda says she loves her. LuAnn says she loves Dorinda too. She doesn’t know what happened. Dorinda says, rosé happened. Another T-shirt I want. Dorinda says she woke up, and ran to LuAnn’s room, wondering where she was. She loves LuAnn, and wants them to stay good place. She was feeling defensive of Sonja, and she doesn’t use liquor as an excuse, but can she do it this time? LuAnn says she was also over-served. In her interview, LuAnn says she’s not going to let one night ruin their relationship, but this behavior is hurtful to Dorinda’s friends, and she hopes Dorinda wakes up and smells the roses. Dorinda tells LuAnn, they peaked too soon. She loves LuAnn, and wants her to come back. LuAnn says she just ordered room service, and suggests meeting them shopping. They’ll chalk it up to bad… Dorinda says, rosé. Ramona says Dorinda always knows how to make it nice. In Ramona’s interview, she says she doesn’t understand it, but it’s not worth fighting the battle. It’s easier to just say, okay, and bury it under the rug.

Sonja, Elyse, and Leah join them in the kitchen, and Sonja says she heard a lot of laughing. Dorinda tells the others that she spoke to LuAnn. She got in trouble defending Sonja, even though she had no skin in the game. Leah asks, what happened? and Dorinda says she doesn’t remember. In Sonja’s interview, she says Dorinda is off the hook. Dorinda lost it, but Sonja knows where it’s coming from. They visited Richard’s grave. We see a clip of them in the cemetery, and Dorinda talking to Richard. Dorinda tells the others, Richard is good, and unfortunately, that was his journey. Sonja tells us, it takes a while to get over pain like that. She’s still grieving her ex. I love how Sonja compares her divorce to Richard’s death. Dorinda tells the women, it’s a beautiful little town. In Dorinda’s interview, she says, being stuck in the house isn’t a good thing for these women. They need something fun and different. They need to change it up. Ramona talks to Sonja, saying LuAnn and Dorinda made up after two seconds; what about them? Sonja says she’ll always love LuAnn, but she’s not doing her show; she’s too busy. Dorinda says they were all in the same mindset – rosé. Leah says she’s happy she was the least drunk, and she’s not getting yelled at. The women applaud. Dorinda says Leah was the best behaved, and Leah says she can’t be the psycho bitch forever.

Dorinda points out The Red Lion Inn, a restaurant she worked at, telling Elyse and Sonja that she was Senator and Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s favorite. She brownnosed her way to the top. They pick up LuAnn, who gets in the other cab with Ramona and Leah. LuAnn says she’s glad they get over things quickly and move on. It’s how they roll. She says, now she knows how Ramona feels. Ramona says Dorinda doesn’t realize how she gets; it’s hurtful. In her interview, LuAnn says, Dorinda pushes resentments down, and doesn’t deal with them. Then it rears its ugly head. She should have played dead like Ramona did at the Halloween party. When they all get out, Dorinda, LuAnn, and Sonja hug. LuAnn says it feels like she had a lovers quarrel. They go to Annie Selke. I love their stuff, but I so can’t afford it. LuAnn tells Sonja that she wants her in the show, and if she gets a bigger venue, she can pay Sonja. Sonja says she wants LuAnn to know that she enjoys it. LuAnn says she didn’t mean to act like Sonja was doing her a favor. It’s good for both of them. It’s a creative thing they can do together, and it’s fun. In Sonja’s interview, she says she can’t help but move forward. It’s not a big deal. She just wants LuAnn to know her time is valuable, and that was accomplished. Leah says she and LuAnn made out. LuAnn says, they did? That’s hot.

Dorinda leads the women to a wine and cheese shop. Dorinda mention for the 47th time that she grew up there, and says she has to pick up some cheese. Ramona says, it smells delicious, and they taste various cheeses. In Dorinda’s interview, she says Colin Cowie is a friend of hers – we flash back to them together – and he’s an incredible host, entertainer, and event planner. She was looking to have a fabulous dinner party, and he’s at her stove cooking right now. The cheese guy says the triple cream is from Burgundy, and Sonja says her lover is from there. In her interview, she says, Frenchie has always been in the picture, and we see a clip of them together. She says, ideally, he’d like her to live in France, but she has too much going on where she is. She tells everyone that Frenchie is an amazing intellect, and a jet set guy. Leah talks about going out with a prince, and peeing on him. In her interview, she says she doesn’t normally pee on people, but when would she have another chance to pee on a prince? I can’t say that one is on my bucket list. LuAnn says she’s had prince boyfriends, but has never peed on one. Leah says, don’t judge her, and LuAnn says she’ll give Leah a trophy. In Sonja’s interview, she says she has other ideas about what she’d like to do with a prince.

Dorinda’s taxi gets to Bluestone Manor first, and she says, let’s take our shoes off. Ramona and Elyse go, ahhh. I know the feeling. Sonja tells Leah that she tried to be real, and got in trouble, and Leah says, when keeping it real goes wrong. The table is set, and everything looks amazing. Upstairs, Ramon has clogged the toilet, and works at it with a plunger. I wonder why she doesn’t roll up her sleeves. In her interview, she says she doesn’t want Dorinda to get upset and rage on her. Sonja relaxes in a bubble bath. Not in the same bathroom. Ramona tells the toilet, please flush, but it doesn’t. Leah comes in, and Ramona tells her about the toilet being clogged. Leah says she’ll do it, but it flushes on Ramona’s next try. In Leah’s interview, she says she saw the nastiest little sh*t she’d ever seen in her life. Dorinda comes in, and asks what Ramona did to the toilet. Apparently, the clog is still going on, and Dorinda works at the toilet with the plunger. She tells Ramona, let it sit, and Leah says Ramona can use her bathroom. Why? So she can clog that too?

Ramona brings out a breathalyzer, and LuAnn shows her how to use it. In Ramona’s interview, she says she thought it would be fun to bring. They can get toasty, and now they can’t yell at her about having another drink. The breathalyzer doesn’t lie. LuAnn calls Ramona a bad blower, and says she’s a pro. Everyone gets ready for dinner. Dorinda’s sister Melinda arrives, and Dorinda hugs Colin for doing the dinner. In her interview, Dorinda says Colin has planned weddings, and done events for Oprah and Michelle Obama, so she’s appreciative that he did this because he’s her friend. She welcomes Melinda, and everyone gathers in the living room for cocktails. Leah says she wants to text the bartender; she’s thinking of inviting him. Melinda asks what’s up with that? and Leah says she’s desperate for d*ck. In Leah’s interview, she says she loves a hot bartender. They’re a therapist, eye candy, and get you drunk. What’s not to love? She asks Dorinda if it’s okay for him to stop by, and Dorinda says, no problem. She has a long history as a waitress and hostess there, and how can she say no to a fellow Red Lioner. Dorinda’s friends Sam and Lyle come in, and Leah asks Elyse if Erica is coming out to play. In Elyse’s interview, she says Erica was the nickname she had when she was on Wall Street. It’s her alter-ego, who would come out when she drank. Erica is a party girl. Leah hopes to meet Erica, and Leah says she can’t handle Erica. Leah says, bitch, yes I can. Heather Thompson and husband Jon arrive. In LuAnn’s interview, she says she hasn’t seen Heather in ages, and she’s looking hot. Sonja hits on Colin. In her interview, Dorinda says Heather lives close by, and when you live in the Berkshires, you all know each other. It’s that kind of environment. Everyone sits for dinner, and Dorinda says Colin has graced them, not just with a meal, but a fantasy. Even the salad is impressive. Elyse asks for straight vodka, and Leah tells Ramona that Elyse is wasted. Colin brings out the lamb, and Heather says, what a rack. BA-DUM-CHH! In her interview, LuAnn says, a rack of lamb and a hot man. What more can a girl ask for? I can think of quite a few things, but okay. Dorinda asks Sam if he can help her with online dating. Ramona tells Sam that it doesn’t work for her. If the woman is more successful, the man can’t get it up. In her interview, she online dating is difficult for her. Because she’s just so special. Okay. I added that last part.

Dorinda says she loves Leah because she’s unfiltered, but confident. Leah understands and owns her sh*t, and she’s a good mother and businesswoman. Dorinda is impressed by her. In Dorinda’s interview, she says, once Tinsley was out of the picture, she realized she loves Leah. Leah is her mini me. She tells Leah that she has chutzpah, and Leah says she’s slightly edited. She gets up, and says she’s a work in progress, and feeling herself. She’s honored and humbled, and doesn’t know what to say. She’s happy to be the only one with her period. Everyone cheers. Heather says, everybody take your pants off. Leah hugs Elyse, and in Elyse’s interview, she says, Leah is the type of girl Erica would have a crush on. They kiss. LuAnn asks Leah about the bartender, and Leah tells her that he said he was into casual living. She doesn’t know what that means. Probably that he doesn’t have any money.

Bartender James shows up, and Leah introduces him. In her interview, she says, it’s a good thing to have one available straight guy around, adding to the vibe. Dorinda tells James that she was The Red Lion Inn. She finds out James also grew up there, and says they’re true Berkshireites. She waitressed her way out. Leah asks for more vodka. Dorinda says Leah is amazing. LuAnn thanks Dorinda for a wonderful time. She slept with the fishes, and swam with the saints. She’s happy they’re together. They’ll always have each other’s backs, and LuAnn will always love her. They hug, and Leah tells James that he’s brave to come there; it’s crazy. In Dorinda’s interview, she says she never expects a perfect trip in the Berkshires, but gives it a seven out of ten. They’re like sisters, and have to work stuff out, but the fun outweighs the lingering issues. Ramona and Sonja kiss.

Next time, LuAnn speaks at a meeting, Ramona has her party, Sonja dances on a mirror, and Ramona wants to shut down the party.

🎉 Now the Party Can Start…

GH has some virtual fan events coming up. At least you won’t have to fight the crowd for a good seat.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/virtual-fan-events

📽 One More Life To Live…

Check out Vicki’s latest effort.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/one-life-to-live/erika-slezak-movie-guest-artist

💡 I Actually Remember Him…

Considering my brain deadness of late, it’s a miracle.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/ricky-paull-goldin-catching-up

🏎 Start Your Engines…

Hopefully, this one sticks.

https://deadline.com/2020/07/days-of-our-lives-september-production-restart-date-greg-meng-out-1202976808/

🛩 Hope Moves On…

What she said:

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kristian-alfonso-opens-up-about-days-exit/

And what they’re saying:

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/stars-react-to-kristian-alfonsos-days-exit/

🤸 Made You Laugh…

It made me laugh anyway. I love the whole Ryan Reynolds/Hugh Jackman thing. Deadpool 2 is one of my favorite movies.

https://people.com/movies/ryan-reynolds-crashes-x-men-reunion-global-citizen/

🥀 Double the Sadness…

I’d forgotten John had a great love before Kelly. Seriously, 2020 hasn’t been a good year for anyone.

https://nypost.com/2020/07/13/john-travoltas-first-love-diana-hyland-also-died-of-breast-cancer/

🤰🏽 No Greater Love…

Not to belabor a celebrity death, but it touched my heart that they think Naya died after saving her son.

https://extratv.com/2020/07/14/naya-riveras-cause-of-death-revealed/

🧙🏽‍♂️ Finishing On the Lighter Side…

Who doesn’t love Baby Yoda?

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/star-wars-the-mandaloiran-vfx-supervisor-explains-how-baby-yoda-created/

🤷🏽‍♀️ TGIWhat…?

I hope you’ve been able to keep some structure in your life, even if you don’t know what day of the week it is. I had that problem prior to the pandemic (how’s that for alliteration?), so nothing new there. Do everything you can, or do nothing; it’s your weekend. Stay safe, stay gracious, and stay using SPF, even if it’s just on the top half of your face.