Tag Archives: film

Apr22

April 21, 2018 – Double the Dead with Catch-up & a Side of Random Thoughts

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What I Watched Today

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

 

I couldn’t do this last week because the wind blew my internet away. But now, I’m all caught up, and if you weren’t, you will be too. Sorry for the different tenses between shows. It just came out that way.

The Walking Dead

Rick wondered how it happened that Carl got bit. Siddiq explained that his mom believed the dead’s souls were trapped. Carl wanted to honor her to gain Siddiq’s trust, and died paying respects to a woman he never knew. Siddiq had a brainfart, and forgot it was dangerous. Which didn’t exactly answer the question.

Ezekiel told Jerry to justify what they’ve lost, be prepared to lose everything. but they weren’t going to lose sh*t. Daryl still thought Dwight could be setting them up. Morgan got weird, thinking that something was happening, and nearly skewered Henry with his pokey stick. Maggie wouldn’t let the stray Saviors come along for the battle. Morgan insisted on coming, even though Rick was skeptical. Morgan said they were worse than they were, and it was wrong for Rick to have given his word, then double-cross the renegade Saviors. They lost everything good, and can’t go back. Morgan wanted to finish it.

Negan told Dwight that he had nothing, and told his guys to load Dwight up. Eugene personally checked and quality controlled all of the ammunition, and Negan tested it on an effigy of Rick. Eugene suggested a one-fell swooper. Negan decided Gabriel should tag along; he had things to confess.

Negan set up a roadblock, using his own people as bait. He told Gabriel that Rick thought he got the real story. Now he’ll find the map with the time and place, and believe it, because he’s going to kill everyone who could have told him otherwise. Sure enough, Rick kills them all, even the last guy begging for his life. Morgan saw Jared in a vision, and he told Morgan that he should try dying sometime. Ezekiel found the map on one of the dead Saviors, and Carol figured they could get to Negan before he knew what happened.

Gabriel was surprised that Negan wanted to kill everyone; he’d thought Negan didn’t want that to happen. Negan told him it wasn’t about want; it never was. Gabriel bounced out of the moving car, but Eugene helped hunt him down. Negan remembered Gabriel saying he didn’t want to die a fruitless death, and told him you can’t always get what you want, while I got a Rolling Stones earworm. He told Eugene to put Gabriel back in the car.

Jesus tried to explain the conundrum of safety to Morgan, and proposed the pokey end of his stick for the dead, and the blunt end for the living. When Rick and company came out into the open, they heard whistling. It looked like the Saviors had Rick’s people outnumbered by about 300%. Negan said he met Rick’s ambush with a bigger one, and to come out and face them. He wanted to make it fun, so he brought some old friends. He told them that Eugene made today possible; the same with Dwight. He told Dwight he was going to watch them die, and live with that. He was going to clean house, starting with Gabriel. He told Rick there never had to be a fight, if he’d just accepted how things are. Negan started to count down, and they looked like the Jun horde from The Beastmaster coming over the top of the mountain.

They joke was on them, because Eugene had quality controlled the bullets to shoot backward, and they shot themselves. Pretty good trick. Rick announced the charge, and there was lots of shooting, but Negan took off. The ex-Saviors Maggie didn’t want there came anyway. A bunch of Saviors who came out of nowhere, nearly nailed the group, but got blown up by the Oceansiders, who’d decided to join in too. The remaining Saviors kneeled in front of Maggie, and said, it’s over.

Rick went after Negan on his own, but ran out of bullets. They kicked each other’s asses for a while, by the tree where Carl is buried. During a break, Negan told Rick he was bullsh*tting with the eenie, meenie, minie, mo business in the beginning. He just didn’t want to kill a kid’s dad in front of him, but if he had, the kid might still be alive. Negan always makes good points. He told Rick he’s bigger, badder, and has a bat. Rick wanted to talk about the future. He told Negan that Carl said there didn’t have to be a fight. Despite looking somewhat weepy, Negan said Carl was wrong, and Rick slit his throat. Surprising the hell out of me, and probably everyone else, although somehow, it seemed anti-climactic and rude.

Everyone was like, whoa, and then, now what? Rick said Negan was still alive, and told Siddiq to save him. Maggie freaked out, saying they had to end it, and it wasn’t over until Negan was dead. Rick said they were all going home. Negan might be alive, but his way of doing things was over. Anyone who couldn’t live with it would pay the price. He said they were going to live in peace and fairness, and find common ground. The world was theirs, but others would come for them unless they stood together. The new world was going to begin, and there had to be something after. Rosita gave props to Eugene for the sabotage, but punched him in the face anyway for the puke.

Morgan gave Carol his pseudo armor for Henry, and walked off. Rick got teary, as Rick is wont to do these days, and said, mercy prevails over the land. He sat where Carl was buried, and cried.

The ex-Saviors decided to go back to the Sanctuary, hoping to get something out of it.  The guy whose name I can never remember told Maggie that he’d been reading the book, and could make some things. He has a passion for building things, and said she gave him his life.

Daryl took Dwight to the woods. Dwight started crying and saying he knew what he did, and knew he’d have to face it and pay. He was ready; it was enough to see Negan taken down. He cried, saying how sorry he was, and Daryl told him to shut up. He tossed Dwight some car keys, and said to keep going. If he saw Dwight again, he’d kill him. As Dwight walked away, Daryl told him to find her. I assumed he meant Sherry.

Gymboree Jadis was reading at the trash heap when Morgan showed up. He told her that Rick said she could come back if she wanted. He explained that Rick wanted to show people that things can change, and needed all the hands he could get. He told her that she didn’t want to be alone, and everything in life worth a damn, is people. She told him her name is Ann, which was kind of a let-down. He told her he needed to be alone, and go back without him, which made perfect sense considering what he’d just said.

Dwight went back home to the cabin in the woods (no, not that one), where he found a note. it just said honeymoon, with an infinity symbol below it.

In Maggie’s office, she told Jesus that he was right. She had no regrets, but he and Rick were right. Rick wasn’t right about Negan though. She said they had to make it thrive for the people who live there. They needed strength, and the ability to defend themselves better, but RIck was wrong; Michonne too. She said they were going to bide their time, wait for the right moment, and then show him. Daryl came out of the shadows, and said, yeah, they will. I don’t like this.

Negan woke up, his neck bandaged, handcuffed to a bed. Michonne said she needed to tell him some things. They planned on making him watch what happens. Rick said it wasn’t about who he killed, but what he did to so many, making them live for him and putting them under the boot. Negan struggled to say, he saves people, and Michonne put her hand on his throat. Rick suggested they could open his stitches for a while. Rick said Carl pitched something better; working together for something bigger than all of them. Michonne added, being an example. They weren’t going to kill or hurt him, but his fate was to rot in a cell for the rest of his life, evidence that they’re making and getting back a civilization like they had. He’ll get to see how wrong he was about what people and life can be. They’ll show people things changed by keeping him breathing. Michonne said after all this, he’s good for something.

Gabriel went to the burned out church and thanked God. He said he understood, and knew now. He’s been given so much, and now he can see.

Rick wrote to Carl. As he wrote, we saw them in the old days, walking down a road. He told Carl that he forgot who he was, and Carl made him remember. He remembered walking with him, and knew who he was for the first time. They were walking side by side, but Carl was bringing him somewhere. To the new world. He made it real. Rick sees it and remembers. Officer Rick and little Carl continued to walk down the road.

Moving right into…

Fear the Walking Dead

Out in the middle of nowhere, a man stands by a truck. He hears something, and asks if anyone is there. He longs to hear someone else’s voice, and suggests they come out and have something to eat. He talks about his life before, and says he can make popcorn. He also has books. He says, since no one is there, before he goes quiet again for another year, he has a story. He talked to a woman who showed up. He let her stay. They had feelings for each other, and one day, they allowed it. He hoped by saying it, he would see it. He did. It was nice, and there hasn’t been a lot of nice. We hear a zombie. The man shoots it, and we see Morgan just behind. The man introduces himself as John Dory, like the fish. He asks Morgan what’s his story?

Morgan is at the trash heap. Jesus knocks at the entrance. He thought they could continue their acquaintance. He insists Morgan cares about people, and tries to get him to come back.

Morgan is alone again. There’s another knock at the entrance, and this time it’s Carol. She asks him to come back. He helped her, so let her help him. She’s not going to tell him what to do, but he belongs with people who care about him.

Again, Morgan is alone. Rick shows up, and says he can hide, but he can’t run. He wouldn’t be alive if not for Morgan. Rick was hurt, and Morgan brought him in. Morgan wasn’t shot, but he’s been hurt. He asks Morgan to come back, and not to waste another second. He’s alive and part of the world. A lot of people are there because he helped them. Morgan says that’s not him anymore. Rick disagrees, saying he’ll end up with people one way or another. He’s part of the world already, so just come back. Rick leaves.

Morgan packs up his stuff, and gets his stick. He takes a long last look at the trash, and moves on down the road. He thinks about Rick’s words, and starts to run. He hotwires a car, and the gas tank is miraculously full. He walks some more. He sees a group of people, and avoids them. He finds another car, and drives again. He goes into a town and sees a cluster of zombies.

He opens a car to find someone who’s sick and shaky. He starts to leave some supplies, but the guy doesn’t want them. Morgan says, sorry. He thought the guy was on his own. The guy says, we all are. Morgan moves along, and it starts to rain.

Morgan comes up behind a zombie in the woods. A shot rings out, the zombie falls, and we’re back to the beginning. John tells Morgan he’d like company, but Morgan is hesitant. John asks if he’s seen a woman with a pistol like his; he’s looking for her. Morgan says he hasn’t, and starts to leave, but John suggests he stay the night; he can take the back of the truck. Morgan sees the wisdom in a good night’s rest. He slips out later while John is snoring.

Morgan finds a tent with a lantern lighting the inside. He sets down his stick and gets whacked in the head. I jump a mile.

Dude tells Morgan, whatever he’s thinking, don’t. Morgan says keep the food, and he’ll go. Dude doesn’t want him telling no one. Morgan says he has no one to tell, and doesn’t want to know anyone. John is suddenly there, and shoots dude in the arm. He says he’s looking out for his friend, and dude says he has friends too. They’re surrounded, and John says now he got himself captured. He’s reminiscent of Eugene in how he speaks.

A big ass truck drives into the tent city, or whatever it is. The woman behind the wheel asks what’s going on, and remarks they have new people. She likes new people. She has a cake and some Cup O’Noodles, the good kind, and she’ll throw in some Pall Malls. Apparently, dude likes Pall Malls. She opens the hatch of the truck to reveal a couple of machine guns. She tells dude, there’s always a choice, and this is an easy one. Morgan and John get in the truck.

The woman’s name is Althea; Al for short. John asks if she’s an officer of the law, and she says, not exactly. She tells them that they owe her. She didn’t save them out of the goodness of her heart. John draws his gun, but she says she just wants to ask them questions. What they’ve seen, who they’ve met, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. She tells them that she’s a journalist, pulls over, and picks up a video camera.

Al interviews John, who talks about Laura. Al asks how they got split up. He says it’s not a happy story, and gets vague. Morgan asks why it matters; there are no news stations anymore. She says he owes her. He tries to give her some food instead, but she only wants his story. He just wants to go. John gives him some clean socks for the road.

Dude comes back with his friends to hassle Al. They want the truck. Dude asks for Morgan’s stick. Morgan slams him with it, and he and john get the better of dude and several of his guys. John gets his gun back. Morgan jumps onto a truck, and John inadvertently lets a bunch of zombies loose. Dude tries to steal Al’s truck, but doesn’t have the keys. Al flings them away, and dude tries to run for them, but a zombie goes after him. Morgan gets shot in the leg by a sniper, who’s been a bad shot up until now. Morgan knocks him around on the roof. The sniper falls off, but hangs onto the ledge, dangling above a gaggle of zombies. Morgan holds out his hand, and pulls him back up. As thanks, the sniper punches Morgan. This is a good example of no good deed going unpunished. They both tumble through the roof. No surprise, Morgan does not help a second time, and gets the hell out. He throws a grenade or something, ducks, and the room blows up. He goes back outside.

John and Morgan shoot and pike zombies. Dude harasses Al for the keys until John finally shoots him, and leaves him for zombie food. Al gets in her truck, opens up the guns, and kills the rest of the zombies. And they all lived happily ever after. Not quite, but they lived.

Al says Morgan still owes her. He tells her to pull over. She films as he talks about Alexandria and the Kingdom. He says there was a big fight, but he left before he left. She asks why he left, but he thinks she should talk. He asks why it’s important, but she doesn’t want to return the favor. She says one real thing, and they’re even. Why did he leave? He tells her that he loses people, then he loses himself. He starts walking down the road again.

Morgan sees the station wagon the sick guy was in, and sees someone walking in the distance. He follows them, but some zombies, feeding by the side of the road, decide to follow Morgan. Since his leg was injured in the fight, he can’t go too fast, and he falls. They’re on him, but John appears once again, and pikes them in the heads.

Morgan needs to know who it is walking up the road. I guess he’s hoping the guy made it, but that’s a no, and he ends up spearing now-zombie guy in the head with his stick. He says he’ll travel with them until his leg heals, and no asking questions. Al says she’s not going to stop, and he says, no answers then. John says she’s taking him to look for Laura in exchange for more story.

Al sees someone in the middle of the road. Both Morgan and John inform her that they don’t kill. She tells them it’s a great moment to share that information. It’s a girl, hunched over. Al asks if she’s injured, and tells Morgan to get the first aid kit. The girl says there are bad people there, then grabs Al in a headlock. It’s Alicia. Victor, Madison, ♫ and the rest ♫, come out from the forest. Al asks what Alicia’s story is.

And there we have it. Until tomorrow night.

🔎 An Observation…

Andrew Lincoln always looks like a businessman on an interview when he’s a guest on Talking Dead.

🎬 Another Thing I Watched…

Mourning Son is a 2015 documentary about the murder of Dave Navarro’s mother, and how it’s affected him throughout his life. It’s also a glimpse into what an incredible artist he is. I had no idea about his background, but always thought he was a very honest and kind man. When Bill Maher was hosting Politically Incorrect – before he fully turned into a mean curmudgeon, and was just working on it – I saw Dave put him in his place when he was talking out of his ass. I’ve admired him ever since. Even more so after seeing this excellent film.

🎆 Right now, I’m (finally) watching Girl’s Trip, and between this and Star, can confirm that Queen Latifah wears more fabulous wigs than the entire cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta put together.

🛀 Enjoy the Remaining Weekend Like…

Minions

Mar6

March 5, 2018 – Port Charles Feels the Earth Move, the Toms Do Business in Vegas, a Few Opinions & a Little Steampunk

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Oscar and Josslyn go to the freezer so they can be alone. Everything starts to shake. The party is rocking, and not in a good way. The Quartermaine mansion is shaking, Jim’s office is shaking, the church is shaking, and Sonny’s place is shaking. Everyone ducks and runs for cover.

Sonny finds Michael knocked out. Things are flying and falling everywhere. What did Jim hit during his excavation?

Elizabeth asks if everyone is all right at the church. Ava calls for Kiki. She’s fine, but Ava is bleeding. Griff looks for a portable radio.

The lights go on at Jim’s site. He’s like, omg. Franco has been knocked out by a metal cabinet, and is trapped beneath it.

Funny, the station looks just fine, except for the lights being out. The phones are down, and an officer says Charles Street was the hardest hit. Curtis looks grim.

Sonny asks if Michael can hear him. Michael starts to come to, but fades.

Jason and Sam look around. She runs upstairs to check on the kids.

At the party, Drew asks if everyone is okay. Kim can’t find Josslyn and Oscar, and wonders where they can be. Check the freezer, which is where all of us go to make out.

Oscar and Josslyn come out from under the table. Josslyn thinks it was an earthquake. She was in one once, but it wasn’t this big. Oscar tries to open the door, but it’s jammed.

Sam says the kids slept through the whole thing. I identify, having slept through the worst of Hurricane Sandy right in the middle of it. Jason says there’s no cell phone service. Ned and Olivia come in. Ned says they’re lucky. Jason says the mansion was built on bedrock, rather than the sediment landfill closer to town.

Lulu calls for help. Transgender kid Dakota has been hurt. Trina says Dakota saved her by running interference. Kim says she’s a doctor, and they have to pop Dakota’s dislocated shoulder back. I cringe, and Dakota screams.

Josslyn and Oscar yell for help. Oscar doesn’t think anyone can hear. Josslyn says they can’t do nothing, but Oscar tells her his parents will notice they’re gone. Josslyn says, unless they’re hurt. Oscar is sure someone will find them.

Jordan gives everyone instructions. Curtis starts to leave, but she says he’s still in custody. Just because it’s an emergency, it doesn’t mean the charges were dropped. She tells him to sit down and let her deal with this.

Jim asks if Franco can hear him, but Franco is out cold. Don’t move the cabinet or anything, Jim. Jim runs out. Hopefully to get help, but who knows; he’s such a jerk.

On the radio, there’s an announcement of a massive earthquake. Residents are told to stay indoors. Griff looks at Ava’s wound, and says it should be fine. Ava asks if anyone was hurt, but he doesn’t think so. The radio says the epicenter is where the main damage is, and it’s minimal in the outside neighborhoods. Residents are advised to stay off the roads. Doc sees Scotty knocked out.

Ned says he needs to be downtown. Olivia-Q says she owns a hotel, and should be checking on the guests. Jason tells them the roads need to be kept clear for first responders to get through. Sam asks if Jason can take her to town on his bike.

Kim makes a sling for Dakota. Drew can’t find Oscar and Josslyn. He says it’s bad out there. Two buildings have collapsed, and the construction across the street is a sinkhole. He asks if the kids have any idea where Josslyn and Oscar might have been before the earthquake. Trina says she saw them headed to the back room, probably to be alone. Kim and Drew go to look for them.

Oscar says there’s still no phone service, like this would change in two minutes. It’s still freezing, and he says there must be a backup generator to keep it cool even if the power goes out. Josslyn says it’s working, and Oscar gives her his coat, saying her goosebumps have goosebumps. She says they wanted to be alone; they got their wish. He asks if she’s played Never Have I Ever, and explains if you’ve done something, you take a sip. They both have cans of… soda? I can’t imagine it would be anything else, since Oscar has the fear of Sonny and Carly in him. He says never have I ever broken curfew, and they both drink. Josslyn says, never have I ever cheated on a test, and neither drink. Oscar says never have I ever fallen in love, and they both drink again, making googly eyes at each other.

Jordan sends out units to evacuate the area. There’s a broken gas main, and a fire spreading. She wants a mandatory evacuation. Curtis says he’s going to check on TJ, Molly, and Stella, but Jordan calls Officer Tucker over. She tells him to go to the 300 block and look for them. She describes Stella, but Tucker remembers her from almost being arrested. Curtis says if he finds her, be polite. His auntie has no patience for bad manners. Jordan asks Curtis to show his gratitude by not trying to escape custody.

Michael comes to again. Sonny helps him sit up. He wants to check on Avery, but Sonny says Ava took her for a sleepover. The generator kicks in, and Max asks if everyone is okay. He checks Michael, and asks him questions about things like what month it is. Michael says the one after February, and Max thinks Michael has a concussion. He has to be kept awake until they get some help. Michael insists he’s fine. He asks about his mom, but Max says there’s no sign of Carly or Mike.

Scotty starts to get up, and Elizabeth sees that his leg has been impaled by something. She calls Griff over, and he tells Scotty not to mess with it. Scotty wonders if he’s going to have to live with something sticking out of his leg, but Griff tells him that he doesn’t want to bleed out; right now, it’s keeping that from happening. Scotty says, no, he doesn’t. He tells Elizabeth that Franco loves her, and mumbles something about a secret. Elizabeth asks, what secret? 

Franco opens his eyes, and tries to get the cabinet off of himself. It won’t budge, and he yells for help. Someone comes in. It’s Mike. Wth? Was he wandering around and is totally unhurt? Franco asks for a hand. Mike asks if he’s all right, and Franco says, does he look all right? Mike asks if this is Post Street, and wonders where the apartments went. Franco says they were demolished for construction, since they didn’t know an earthquake was going to get them out of the way. He says if Mike doesn’t mind, he has somewhere to be, and could he give him a hand? Mike tries to lift the cabinet.

Scotty passes out. Griff says the longer he’s there, the more opportunity there is for infection. Ava says the radio is out, but they’d said there was minimal damage west of Broadway. They decide to take Scotty to the hospital. Kiki says she’s coming too, but Ava thinks they should stay together. Kiki says she’s needed at the hospital, and Ava tells her to be careful. Griff asks for help with the tourniquet.

Jordan wonders how she’s supposed to manage the crisis and Curtis at the same time. She tells him if he leaves, he’s a fugitive, and if she lets him leave, it’s corruption. He tells her that he can do work she can’t. There hasn’t been an earthquake since 1991. Then Jim arrived. What if his excavation caused the condition for the quake? She says he can investigate when she’s legally able to release him. Curtis says if Jim is involved, his ass should be in a jail cell. Suddenly, his leg gives out from under him.

Sonny asks Max to check the grounds. Max tells Michael not to fall asleep. Michael tells them to find Mike and his mom. He’s not going anywhere until he knows they’re safe.

Sam needs to know Drew is okay, but Jason says he can take care of himself. Ned agrees, like he gets a vote (no pun intended). Sam begs, and Jason says he’ll take her.

Oscar starts to kiss Josslyn, but she seems really groggy, and loses her balance. Drew and Kim call out, asking if they’re back there. Oscar yells, telling them they’re in the freezer and need help. Josslyn says they’re not hurt, but really cold. Drew can’t get the door open, and looks around for something to pry it with. Kim tells the kids to hang on.

Elizabeth tells Doc she’s going to stay and wait for Franco. Doc asks if she’s sure. Elizabeth says unless Doc knows something she doesn’t, he’s coming. She doesn’t know why he’s not there, but her instinct says he loves her and will come for her. The cheese Elizabeth stands alone in the church.

Mike tells Franco the cabinet is too heavy. Franco tells him to find a board or something for a lever, or find someone else to help. Mike says, can do, and leaves. Great. He’ll forget two seconds out the door.

Jordan takes Curtis to the hospital, telling Amy that his leg went out from under him. Amy asks Dr. Park to check him. The doctor asks if he was hit by any debris. Curtis says nothing terrible, but Jordan adds that he was thrown to the ground and something fell on him, so there’s that. Jordan’s phone rings. It’s Ned. Jordan asks how everybody is, and says she’s waiting for a unit update. She finds out that Ned has talked to the governor, and she says they can use all the resources state can provide. She shows Amy a picture of TJ and Molly, but Amy hasn’t seen them.

Lulu finishes up Dakota’s sling. Trina thanks Dakota for saving her life. Dakota thinks that’s a slight exaggeration, but Trina says either way, Dakota was brave. She wishes bigoted Troy would stop being an idiot. Besides being the paintball dude, Troy must be the bully Oscar fought with. Dakota says Troy thinks freaks like him are sinful, and should be punished. Troy probably thinks the earthquake was the wrath of God. Lulu says Dakota is a hero, and as a mom, she’d be proud if her kids showed the same courage. Everyone smiles.

Josslyn starts to feel tired. She takes off Oscar’s coat, but he’s afraid she’ll get frostbite, and insists she wear his shirt. They sit, and get under the coat. Josslyn is glad she’s with him, and he says, him too.

Jason tells Sam the roads are blocked, and they’ll have to walk from where they are. Mike sees Jason. He’s confused. Wonderful.

Sonny asks if Michael is seeing double, and Michael says he’s better. Max tells them there’s no sign of Mike. Sonny wants all of his guys looking. He needs to get Michael to the hospital.

Jordan visits Curtis, who’s lying in a hospital bed. She tells him there’s still no word on TJ, Stella, or Molly, and he hopes no news is good news, Jordan asks if he’s going to live. He says he’s got a bandaged leg, a saline drip, and the hottest law enforcement official with him. Who could be luckier? She cuffs him to the bed, and says he’s still under arrest.

Elizabeth hears the sirens. She picks up a bouquet of flowers, and goes down Memory Lane about Franco. We flash back to them becoming friends, their first kiss, and their developing relationship. She remembers him telling her that he’d never intentionally hurt her, and her telling him that they’ll face things together or not at all. We flash back to them deciding to get married, and Franco’s proposal. She says Franco will be there. She knows it.

Kim tells Oscar and Josslyn to hang in there. Drew tries a crowbar, but has no luck. How about taking the hinges off the door?

Franco says he’s got to get to Elizabeth.

Mike asks who Sam is. When she reintroduces herself, he says she’s Jason’s wife. Sam asks if he hit his head, and Jason asks if he needs to rest. Mike thinks he’s okay, but tells them he was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Jason asks why he’s there, and he says he came for a reason. He just can’t remember it.

Drew gets the door partway open, but something is blocking it. He and Kim see Josslyn and Oscar, who look like they’re sleeping.

Tomorrow, Jason asks Mike who is trapped and where, Michael needs to find out about Nelle and the baby, Nelle feels a contraction, and Oscar and Josslyn aren’t okay.

Vanderpump Rules

The SUR staff is back at work. Scheana thinks it’s amazing how fast Lisa gets things done. She says all SUR needed was a little Botox, just like everyone else in West Hollywood. Lisa talks to Tom about the designs for TomTom. He asks how early the appointments are, and she says he’s going to learn what it’s like to have a day in the life of the Vanderpump regime. Jax tells Lisa that he’s coming to supervise the girls. She asks if they had fun in Big Bear, and Jax thinks James still likes Lala. Tom says it was awkward. Lisa says she’ll see Tom in Vegas, and will be avoiding Jax.

Lala brings Scheana to the recording studio. Scheana says she used to bring Shay there when she recorded, but thinks this will be a better experience. Lala wants to start taking music seriously, since it’s therapeutic for her. She wrote the song For You for her man. She put her own money in, because she doesn’t want her man coming to collect when she hits the Billboard number one spot. I advise her not to hold her breath.

Scheana tells Lala that Jax has been talking about Rob. She says maybe she is more in love than Rob, but Lala says even if he said that, why is it a big deal? He’s a man. She says this is called dating, and welcome to adult life. In her interview, Lala thinks Scheana needs to slow it down, and wait on the marriage and baby talk. Men get spooked. You need to ease them in.

Katie and Schwartz pack. Schwartz feels like he has a lot to prove. It’s his first real business trip.

Brittany tells Jax he’d better behave. He says they’ll probably party the whole time. The priorities are drinking, then business.

Tom says he and Schwartz are walking toward their future and can’t screw it up.

They check into Planet Hollywood. The Toms get VIP treatment. Jax claims not to be jealous, but…

Ariana says the suite is insanity, and if this is what it’s like working with Lisa, sign her up. The couch suspended from the ceiling is pretty cool. Schwartz says he’s been known to walk the line between business and pleasure. Sometimes it gets blurred, but they’re going to be on their best behavior. They toast to business, and move on to the pool where there’s an amazing water slide.

Back home, Lala, Scheana, and Billie order drinks. Billie says she’s an emotional mess. Her ex can’t commit. He can’t get over that she once had a penis, and she wishes he could look at her soul and spirit instead. Scheana says she used to feel lousy with Shay, and now that she’s with walking-on-water Rob, she knows he’s the right person. Lala tells them that she has a meeting with Stassi to help plan her showcase. In her interview, she says she wouldn’t have believed it a year ago, but Stassi’s events have been stellar. She’s nervous about working with James. Scheana thinks he should be as good of a friend to Lala as she is to him. Lala says he is, until he has one sip too many. She says she’d take a bullet for him, and gets emotional. Billie suggests he might have feelings for her or a crush on her. Isn’t that the same thing?

Ariana and Katie get ready to go out. In her interview, Ariana says Katie is different when she’s not with Stassi and Kristen, creating the three-headed monster.

The guys do some gambling and have shots. They toast again to business.

Brittany meets the girls, wearing almost nothing, and carrying a pregnancy test. She’s been throwing up, and doesn’t think there’s any way, but wants to know for sure. She’s not on birth control. Katie asks if they “pray and spray,” and Brittany says that’s best way to say it. In her interview, Katie doesn’t think they should be rolling the dice. I can barely understand a word, since my mind clouded over when she said they don’t use birth control. Are they insane??? And aren’t you supposed to do the test in the morning? Brittany goes to the bathroom. Ariana says she’s not ready for this. Neither am I. Brittany comes out, they wait for the results.

Tom declares the curfew to be one thirty-ish. The girls join them. Brittany tells Jax that she keeps getting sick, and he asks if she’s pregnant. In his interview, he says she can’t be. He’s very careful, and pulls out every time. Well, not every time, but a solid 75% of the time. I don’t even know what to say; I’m so stunned. Brittany takes out the test, and he says, are you really? She tells him to read it, and laughs. Schwartz is like, omg, and Brittany says Jax is lucky. If they lived in Kentucky, they’d have at least two kids by now. He’s living in Neverland. She’s not pregnant, and in his interview, Jax says he’s 10% disappointed. He thinks be a good father, and he’s almost forty. I’m sure he’d make a great father. Except for that leading by example part. I’m going to assume this was done for the show, since no one seemed to be having much of a reaction, except for laughing at the end, but I can only pray that they’re lying about not using birth control. Please. People can’t be this stupid and breed on top of it.

Stassi meets Lala at the bar. She hates sake, but Lala is a client, so she’s drinking it. I love sake, but it’s sneaky. It goes down smooth, and you think you’re good, then you get up to go home. Lala says even though they had issues, she’s always kind of liked Stassi. We flash back to earlier times when they were at each other’s throats. Stassi relates to Lala because she gets over-emotional and defensive, and reminds her of herself. Lala admires that Stassi is loyal, and stands up for what she believes in. Stassi thinks the venue should be somewhere that already has a bar. Lala says James is performing one song, but it’s her showcase. She’s been connected musically with him in the past, but this time, the showcase is all about Lala. In her interview, Lala says it’s time she spread her legs [sic], and be the person she’s meant to be musically. The producer points out that she said, “spread her legs.” She laughs, and says she meant, spread her wings. That was a good one, and seemed genuine.

Lala tells Stassi about James coming for her when they were at Big Bear. She wonders how they can make it so he has no alcohol until he’s done with his job. Stassi says she needs to decide if she’s okay with having him around in a professional manner.

The group goes to a robot bar. Jax says he would think it’s cool if he wasn’t a bartender. He thought it was a safe zone. They move on to gambling, which I know nothing about, so have no idea what game they’re playing. Schwartz says the rules are no shots after 6 a.m., water with each drink, and no going to the ATM. He also puts the vampire law into effect. Once the sun comes up, you run to your room.

The couples tumble into bed. Schwartz says he has a big day coming. Tom thinks they must be the only people up in Vegas, but Ariana says Jax is wide awake. A few hours later, Schwartz is impressed that he and Tom are ready on time. They’re not sitting at the kiddie table anymore.

Jax says Brittany freaked him out. Brittany thought he’d be mad, and at least he has the decency to ask why. In her interview, Brittany thinks Jax would be a good dad. He’d have fun playing with the kids, but it would be like the dog situation, and she’d have to take care of everything. I hear you, sister.

The Toms go to a showroom with Lisa and Ken to look at restaurant stuff. Lisa tells us that each restaurant has its own personality, And TomTom will be different than the others; she has a vision. It’s not going to be pretty, but industrial romantic. She wants wrought iron, chandeliers, Edison bulbs, and to be more architectural. Sounds kind of like Steampunk to me. She and Schwartz look at dishware. Lisa tells him that his opinion matters. She’ll never use it, but it matters. In her interview, she says she wants the restaurant to have a masculine edge – unlike Tom and Tom. The sales VP gives Lisa a BOGO deal. In his interview, Schwartz says shopping with Lisa is like playing one on one with LeBron James. Lisa says they were actually on time and looked pretty good. It’s nice to know they can listen and learn, and maybe it will work out after all. She tells them there’s a meeting at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Schwartz feels professional. He takes portable Jell-O shots out of his pocket at the store.

The group gathers around the suspended sofa. Jax gives Tom a guitar for his birthday, and everyone sings Happy Birthday. Tom says Jax does sh*tty things, but can also be a nice guy. There’s a kind heart buried underneath somewhere. Tom plays, and the girls get a birthday cake together. It has a penis drawn on it because Tom just turned fourteen.

Lisa has reserved a private dining room for the Toms and their ladies. They sip rosé, and Tom wonders if this is what it’s going to be like working with Lisa. Ariana says it feels like being a trophy wife. In her interview, Katie says it’s all she’s wanted for Schwartz. He’s finally excited about and committed to something. They agree that James would order a pizza.

James does a photo shoot with Lala and Raquel as an audience. His DJ gig is doing well, and he wants bigger and better things. Next, he’s throwing a party under a blimp. Lala tells them about going to the studio with Scheana. She says since Scheana had recorded before, she put her ass in a booth. We see a clip, and she stinks to high heaven. Lala says she loves Scheana with all her heart, but she’s tone deaf, and that part is getting cut. Lala’s boyfriend isn’t coming to the showcase because he has to work. James thinks if her man can’t take a night off to support his girl, it’s sad. Lala says it’s not James’s showcase, and he’s not allowed to drink until after the performance. He claims to be professional when comes to music, and they toast to no drinking.

Tom won’t stop making jokes involving the word quack, because they’re having duck. Schwartz asks what the curfew is, and Tom says 3 a.m. at the latest. In his interview, Tom says they’ve matured now, and are climbing the mountain to success. Nothing is getting in his way.

At eleven o’clock, they take a limo to Tao, and the others meet them there. In his interview, Tom says he only has so much restraint. A line of women come out with neon signs spelling out Tom’s name, and a giant cupcake with a candle in it. Many, many shots happen. Jax stops Schwartz from drinking directly out of the bottle. Schwartz says he’s letting Tom take the lead, and Tom says the same thing about Schwartz. Tom tells Schwartz another hour, but somehow, they get back in the limo shortly after three.

Lisa meets with the Caesar’s entertainment guy. Her rosé is going to be served there. Pandora is also at the meeting, and wonders where the Toms are. Lisa is getting concerned.

At 10:20, Ariana and Katie tell their significant others they’re late for the meeting. Schwartz says he’ll have to take an Adderall to focus. No judgement, but that makes two cast members openly using that not for its intended purpose. Lisa wonders where those two little twits are.

Lisa is getting worried, and only has so much patience. Schwartz says he’s sweating Fireball, and his hair smells like cigarettes. Lisa says it’s not looking so good. It’s the antithesis of what happened yesterday. She’s not impressed by their actions, or their odor; they smell like a brewery. Lisa doesn’t want them lagging behind. They go to the designer’s showroom.

Lisa calls him a genius, and says he’s more than a designer; he’s a craftsman. They look at some pieces, and I’m thinking definitely Steampunk. I love it. Lisa picks some things out. She says there’s a lot to think about in putting a restaurant together. It has an image. It’s not just about food, but a whole experience. She sketches some things for the designer, and he gives her some ideas. Lisa tells the Toms to settle down or do something else; they’re making her nervous. They tell her they’re just excited, but it’s that point in the hangover when you’re still a little drunk, and God knows what they took in the morning to wake up. In her interview, Lisa says that when someone knows more than you do, you have to understand when to zip it. This could be that time. Lisa talks to Ken in the other room, saying they’re driving her crazy. Tom interrupts, wanting to show them something, but Lisa tells him to wait. In his interview, Tom thinks he said too much because he drank too much. He hopes Lisa isn’t questioning their partnership. Schwartz tells Tom that his liver is pickled.

Next time, Jax wears a man romper, James’s dad comes to his gig, and Billie is going on a date with someone Stassi thinks is creepy.

🏊 The parents came for a visit on Summer House. The only thing sadder than people still being prepubescent in their thirties, are the parents encouraging that behavior. After they left, Kyle had a birthday party, with the theme being a protest to growing up. I can’t imagine someone like him being in my circle of friends when I was thirty-five. Or even twenty-five. The party was filled with guests in Colonial costume – an ode to the Boston Tea Party – and Stephen dressed like the queen. Stephen seems to be the voice of reason on this show. Probably because, being gay, he isn’t distracted and brain-addled by so many boobies living in the house.

🌌 I’d love to see A Wrinkle in Time. It was one of my favorite books as a kid. I must have read it at least ten times. However, I’ve vowed to avoid anything under an R rating after seeing Secret Window with Johnny Depp. He was in the movie; he wasn’t my date. I felt like I was in the middle of a field trip, surrounded by lit-up phone screens. Unfortunately, my peripheral vision is really good, and it was totally distracting.

😩 The latest in TV advertisement stupidity are the commercials for medicine, both prescription and OTC, warning us not to take it if we’re allergic to it. And while you’re at it, let me remind you, that plastic bag is not a toy.

🎩 A Little Steampunk…

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Feb24

February 23, 2018 – Andre Gets Sprung, Ash Vs My Digression, Get Out, SextupQuotes & the Weekend

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

It’s GH’s 14,000th episode.

New detective Chase comes to the gallery. Ava says the insurance value of the sculpture Mike broke is $14,000. The man is deranged and she wants him caught.

Sonny asks David if he knew something was wrong before referring him to Griff, but David thinks Griff is the doctor he should be talking to. Sonny says he must have seen the signs. Why didn’t David warn him?

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s exactly where he wants to be. Elizabeth is glad they’re going to be spending the rest of their lives together. Epiphany sees them, and says, hell no.

Anna sees Finn talking to Alexis at the hospital desk, and turns away. Alexis bemoans another article about her tanking the election. She says no one should run who has skeletons in their closer. Finn mentions there’s an elephant in the room. Alexis sees Anna.

Carly goes with Jason to the station. She says she’s been getting calls for weeks. She says if the police can’t help them, they have Spinelli as a fallback. She wonders if she’s being ridiculous, and Jason says he wants to help her find out what happened. Dante asks them what’s going on, and Carly tells him that she’s been getting calls from a local number and no one is there. She called back, but no one answers. On one call, a male voice said, I’m here, then twenty minutes ago (two days in our time) she got this. She shows him her phone and says she heard an explosion. She wants Dante to trace the number, and he says okay. It must be nice to have friends in high places. There’s no way they’d bother with this IRL. You might even get reprimanded for being a time-waster.

Epiphany says she can’t let Elizabeth defy tradition; she doesn’t want to invite misfortune. Doc pops out of his office, and tells Franco it’s time to get started. Epiphany asks Elizabeth what her plans are for tonight, the night before the wedding. Elizabeth says she’s going to take a bubble bath, and Epiphany says, wrong. Epiphany is taking her out for a drink. Elizabeth is concerned that Epiphany wants to talk her out of marrying Franco, but Epiphany says Elizabeth’s friends spent the better part of the past year trying to convince her not to marry him. What would be the point?

In Doc’s office, Franco is worried that if Elizabeth finds out he’s keeping another secret, she’ll never trust him again.

Alexis tells Anna that they just came from an AA meeting, and Anna says she was there for an appointment. She says she’s sorry about the election. Alexis was trying to do a good thing, and didn’t deserve what happened. Anna leaves, and Alexis calls Finn a silver-tongued devil. He couldn’t even choke out her name. She tells him to clear up the misconception, and go after her. He doesn’t see a need for that. He told her how he feels, and she shot him down.

David says he’s told Sonny what he could. Technically, he shouldn’t be discussing Mike’s case with him. Sonny says Mike didn’t believe the diagnosis, and stormed out. They haven’t seen him since. They don’t have the greatest relationship, but Mike has always been a capable guy, and able to think on his feet. This has to be worst thing in the world.

Ava talks to Chase, who says it will help if she gives him the security footage.  Griff shows up, and asks what’s going on. Ava says a disoriented guy came into the gallery, broke a statue, and ran off. He asks if she was threatened, and she says no, but she felt unsafe; the guy was out of control. She goes to her laptop to get the footage. Chase tells her that he’ll forward it to all local units, and leaves. Griff looks at the screen and says he knows that guy. We see a still shot of Mike at the gallery.

In the interrogation room, Jason asks Carly when the phone calls started, and she tells him the beginning of February. At first, she thought it was a wrong number, but the calls kept coming. All three of them? Then on Valentine’s Day, she heard a young man’s voice say, I’m here. Jason says that was a week ago, and asks why she waited so long. Carly didn’t think it was important. He says, maybe, but if it’s bothering her, it’s important to him. She says this is why she missed him. She can always come to him no matter what shows up. He’s the first person who did that for her. She counts on him, and knows she takes advantage, but he loves her. He says he does, and if something is bothering her, he wants to fix It. She wants him to let her do the same. She says the only reason Sam married Drew is because she’s running. Jason tells her to stop. Dante comes in, and says he got a hit on the phone number.

At the bar, Elizabeth is worried that Epiphany has set her up, but Epiphany says it’s just them. Elizabeth tells her it’s hard being surrounded by friends smiling and wishing her well, when they’re thinking it’s a mistake. Epiphany tells her to forget her friends; what does she think?

Franco wants Doc to be able to tell him that Elizabeth and the kids are safe, and there’s no weird monster inside of him. Doc says he can’t do that. He can help Franco with what’s troubling him, but Franco has to tell him. Franco says he and Drew were playing hide and seek. He found Drew in a toy chest, locked it, and left him in it.

Sonny asks how long the progression is, and David says it’s not his area of expertise, but some medications work in some cases. Even so, the best that can be hoped for is to slow the deterioration. The long term is inevitable. Sonny says it sounds grim, and David says he’s sorry. Sonny appreciates his honesty, and that he’s not sugarcoating. Sonny gets a call from Griff. Griff asks if he’s found his father. Sonny says, no, and Griff tells him to get to Ava’s gallery.

Anna sits at the bar, messing with her phone. Andre asks if this seat is taken, and she asks what took him so long.

Dante tells Carly it’s a pay phone off of Route 35 by the river. There haven’t been any reports of an incident in the vicinity, but he has to follow up.

Elizabeth tells Epiphany that she and the boys see the real Franco, but everyone else seems to be waiting for him to prove he’s as bad as they thought. Epiphany says they trust her judgement. She just hopes Elizabeth is right. They love her, and remember Franco’s life before the tumor was removed.

David sees Kiki studying in a booth at the bar. She groans over her studies, and he tells her that she’s going to need more than coffee to survive; she needs sustenance. He orders ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and two plates. He says he can’t have his future intern collapsing from hunger, and asks, what’s stumping her?

Anna tells Andre she’s glad he’s there, and he says he is too. He didn’t expect it. The bureau is reviving the memory mapping program. In exchange for his cooperation, his sentence was commuted and his record expunged. He says it had to have come from someone high up. She wouldn’t know about that, would she? Whoever it is, he owes them. Anna asks if he thinks he can duplicate the procedure without his research notes, and he says he’s reasonably confident. He’d rather it be funded by the WSB than a faceless backer who turns out to be Faison. Anna says even though know she knows he’s dead, she still feels sick hearing his name. Andre says she suffered severe trauma at his hand, especially when she thinks about the baby. She says she has no one to blame but herself, but Andre says she still doesn’t have to endure it alone. She needs  to confide in someone. She says she told him, but he says what about the man she’s grown close to? Has she told him?

Alexis tells Finn that the downside of running for mayor – besides losing – is that it negates the anonymous part of AA. People must either be thinking, hooray, she lost, or poor thing, she lost. He asks if she’s projecting a little, and says she shouldn’t second guess her campaign. She did something valuable. She says a lot of good it did, but he tells her to fight harder next time. She says this was the only time, and he says find another way to fight. She cared enough about the community to put herself out there; don’t be sorry for making an effort. She appreciates the encouragement, but tells him not to feel an obligation to prop her up because of last night. And last night can never happen again.

Sonny gets to the gallery. Ava says his father was disoriented, got agitated, and broke something, and she called the police before she knew who he was. Sonny wonders why he went there, and she says he thought it was Luke’s club. Sonny says Mike worked there as a bartender when he first came to Port Charles. Griff says it’s like when he went to Kelly’s. Sonny says ,but it was the same diner in the same spot. Aside from the address, the gallery has nothing to do with the club. Sonny asks if he’s that far gone, and Griff says the disease isn’t a steady or consistent process. Times of lucidity can be followed by disorientation, especially after emotional strain. Sonny wonders if hearing the diagnosis made everything worse. Sonny’s phone rings, and it’s Mike. He tells Sonny that he’s at the station.

Anna tells Andre that she hasn’t said anything; there’s no need. He says there is if she wants a healthy relationship. She says she and Finn have no relationship. Andre says the word was out that they were seeing each other. Anna says her plan was to use him to gain access to Cassandra. One thing led to another, and they pretended to be lovers, but Finn insisted  on staying when she wanted him to quit. He refused to listen to anything, and almost got killed twice. First, Cassandra drugged him, and the second time she knocked him out when Faison wanted her to shoot him. Andre says Cassandra is comatose, and Faison is dead. Andre isn’t saying it’s not complicated. She can find a million reasons for them not to be together, but can’t change her feelings. She says feelings aren’t the point. Finn deserves love, and also deserves the truth. In order for them to mean anything to each other, he has to know about her past, and the worst thing she ever did. It doesn’t matter anymore though. By the time she got to him, it was already too late.

Alexis says she and Finn have been in recovery about the same amount of time, and know it’s a bad idea for AA members to sleep with each other. She likes him and gets him; they’re both fighting the same demons. The last thing she wants is to compromise their sobriety. Finn says the back and forth with Anna taught him that he’s in no place to pursue a relationship, but he could use a friend. He’d be sorry if last night messed it up.

David sits next to Kiki, and shows her something that sounds like an algebraic formula. She says he makes it sound simple, and he tells her when you’ve been doing it as long as he has, it is. The food arrives, and he tells her to eat.

Elizabeth says Epiphany is the smartest person in the hospital. She knows there were medical reasons for Franco doing what he did. Epiphany says if she didn’t believe it, Milo would disappear him. Elizabeth says she doesn’t need protecting, and Epiphany asks if Jason knows that.

Franco tells Doc that he locked Drew in a toy chest and pushed him down the stairs. Doc says he’s putting adult judgment on a child’s actions. There could be number of reasons they need to explore. Franco says he’s marrying Elizabeth tomorrow, and asks if Doc can tell him that there’s no darkness inside, and he’ll never commit violence again. Doc says if he chooses to go forward without disclosure, he has to live with the consequences. Franco says he’s not doing this anymore. He’s not letting anything coming between him and the best thing that’s happened to him. He tells Doc not to blow it for him, and leaves. Doc’s phone rings. He says he did ask for the tests to be fast-tracked. He listens, and says, interesting. He wants a copy of everything.

Ava tells Griff that she’ll probably be on the phone half the night; he should go. Griff says he’s not going anywhere. She says okay, if he wants to listen to her wrangle with the claims adjuster. He says he’s not leaving until they talk about Valentine’s Day.

Sonny comes to the station, and is directed to Chase. Chase tells him that he picked up Mike wandering around the pier. Sonny goes into the interrogation room to see him. Mike is sorry for the trouble. He didn’t mean to break the lady’s sculpture. Sonny says it’s all taken care of. Mike says he wanted to go to Luke’s, but it wasn’t there. Sonny says it burned down, and Mike says he knew it; how could he forget? Sonny tells him it’s okay, but Mike says it’s not. You don’t forget things like that unless something is seriously wrong, and the doctor says he has Alzheimer’s. He starts to cry.

Mike says he screwed up this time; scaring the woman, and breaking things. Sonny says Ava has seen and done worse; one day at a time. He’s getting Mike out of there. He asks Chase what he has to do, but Chase says unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Mike was arrested for trespassing and vandalism. The reports aren’t even filed yet. He can’t let him go tonight.

Ava tells Griff there’s nothing to discuss. He asks why she’s pushing him away. He knows he should have called her about Kiki, but Ava says it’s not about Kiki; it’s about her. Since the surgery, she’s been afraid he’ll see her for who she really is, and find someone else who can be a saint like him. He says he sees and accepts her for who she is. She says he doesn’t understand. It’s new to her, being in love.

Anna tells Andre that it’s for the best not to say anything to Finn. The less people know, the better; most of all for her daughter. Andre says she opened a door that might be harder to close than she realizes. She says it’s mostly to protect her children. She can’t imagine how Robin would react. It would shatter Robin’s faith in her. The only gift she can give her other daughter is to not know who her father was. Andre respects her decision. Anna says, but he doesn’t agree, and he tells her it’s not his call. She asks if that’s as a shrink or as her friend? He needs to make arrangements for his room, and she offers him her place. He says maybe another time; he’s been looking forward to some privacy. I’ll bet.

David tells Kiki that life will be easier if she does what he says. She thanks him for dinner and the tutoring. He tells her organic chemistry is the weeding out course, and if she needs more help, just ask.

Elizabeth tells Epiphany that she hasn’t even had a chance to process that Jason is alive and home. She says the first time she saw him, he came out of nowhere and attacked Franco. Ever since then, she’s been trying to tell him Franco has changed, but he can only think about how Franco hurt Michael and Sam.

Dante, Jason, and Carly go to the phone booth. Carly wonders who would be calling her from out there. Um… someone up to no good? For a woman who’s so slick and trying to stay a step ahead all the time, she’s pretty dense.

Sonny tells Chase that he’ll call Dante, but Chase says it’s not going to change anything. Mike committed  a crime. Sonny says he was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Chase says, sorry; it must be hard for him. Sonny says he’ll compensate Ava, and it will all be over. Let him take his father home.

Ava tells Finn it’s the first time she’s ever been in a healthy relationship. It’s the first time she’s been in love with someone who’s actually good for her, and it scares her -a lot – so that’s it; he has it. She was going to tell him on Valentine’s Day that she loves him.

Alexis tells Finn that she enjoys their friendship, and never wants to lose it. She’s never going to sleep with him again. He agrees, and they pinky swear. He says now that his stomach has uncoiled, would she like to get something to eat? She says she always wants to eat. Anna sees them. Finn tells Alexis that his and Anna’s relationship was over before it started. She made an attempt to open up. She wanted to, but won’t, and he doesn’t know why.

Doc runs into Anna. He tells her that Faison’s diagnosis said that he had Huntington’s disease. It’s a genetic disorder that he could have passed on to his children.

Franco meets Elizabeth at the bar. He wanted to get a glimpse of her before midnight. Epiphany says that’s her cue to leave. Elizabeth thanks her, and gives her a hug. Epiphany hugs Franco, and tells him good luck, and if he hurts Elizabeth, he’ll have her to answer to.

Carly says the calls came at night. Why would someone call from out in the middle of nowhere? Dante says maybe it’s a prank. She says she heard an explosion. Dante says she can see it’s nothing. Carly starts wandering around, saying maybe they missed something. Dante tells Jason that Morgan was killed about a hundred yards from there, and he died in an explosion.

On Monday, Brad tells Julian he won’t be a part of his grandchild’s life, Ava asks Griff if he’s breaking up with her, and Josslyn asks Nelle if she’s getting back together with Michael.

🎢 How’s This for Digression?

Last week, I caught a marathon of Ash Vs the Evil Dead, which is returning to STARZ on Sunday, February 25th, 9 pm. You can also catch the second season there, earlier on Sunday. This is one of those shows I feel like I have no business watching. Ash is sexist and racist, and probably a bunch of other ists, but I still love him. I feel the same way about Two Broke Girls. It’s embarrassing, but they still make me laugh. Or at least snicker. Maybe I also feel a little bit guilty because I once mistook Garrett Morris for a homeless thief. For a couple of years, I worked in the Manufacturer’s Hanover bank in Rockefeller Center, and just about everyone who worked at NBC banked there, including the SNL cast. I didn’t normally work on the ground level, and was filling in for someone. Most of the news people and Dan Aykroyd (who was dating one of the tellers at the time) did their banking downstairs, and I had never met Garrett. He handed a counter deposit slip to me with only half of the account numbers filled in, saying he didn’t remember the rest. You need to know that this is a way thieves rip people off. They make a phony deposit using a counter slip, but say they don’t know their account number offhand. Shortly afterward, they try to cash a bogus check against the same account, saying they were just here and made a deposit. You’d be surprised with what grifters come up with. Anyway, it was very busy, and I had barely glanced up at the guy who looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and was wearing a rumpled coat, and this was my first thought. Then I looked at the name. And looked at him again. Thank God I hadn’t said anything.

🚫 Right Now

I’m almost at the end of Get Out (on HBO rotation). Everybody is great, but IMO, Lil Rel Howery steals this film. His delivery is The. Best. I also love seeing some old character favorites like Stephen Root (News Radio) and Richard Herd (V). Nice to see it’s getting a lot of nods/awards. It’s confusing as to which category it belongs though, since it seems to have one all its own. Funny, creepy, and gory, wrapped in a message, the story is definitely unique.

Quotes of the Week

Life is hard and dangerous, and sometimes you have to chop off somebody’s head to survive. – Ash (Bruce Campbell), Ash Vs the Evil Dead

You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. – Rabindranath Tagore

Change may not always bring growth, but there is no growth without change. – Roy T. Bennett

There was a certain elegance to it. I kind of miss it. – LeVar Burton, referring to television in the 70s on The Seventies

The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them. – Ernest Hemingway

… the flick dances by with the same cadence and mediocrity viewers have come to expect. – Erin Huestis, The Celebrity Café review of Insidious: The Last Key

👇 It’s Here..                 

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Nov3

November 2, 2017 – One Jason Too Many, You Need a Bit of Shock Treatment & Tidbits

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Real Jason visits Sam’s room. She says, it’s you, and he says, yeah, it’s me.

On the docks, a very popular spot, Klein sees Valentin, who’s been ignoring his messages. He says Valentin owes him a debt, but Valentin says it’s been paid in full. Klein promises to do him a favor if Valentin gets him out of Port Charles.

Cassandra sees Finn at the MetroCourt. She tells him about being evacuated the night before, and he tells her he was at the hospital and missed the chaos at the party. She says it must be hard on him, tearing himself away from Anna.

Andre visits Anna. He’s come to say goodbye.

In Andre’s office, Franco takes the paper out of the printer. He says there are two Jasons out there with the same memories, and remembering how much they hate him. Elizabeth shows up, and asks what he’s doing there.

Real Jason asks how Sam is. She says she feels like she’s going crazy; she’s losing her mind. He tells her it’s okay, and sits by her bed, hesitantly taking her hand. He tells her again that it’s him. Sam says it doesn’t make any sense, and he says not for him either. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen, but wanted her to know she’s not crazy. He’s here, and he’s Jason. Danny comes bouncing in, and asks who he is.

Real Jason asks if he’s Danny, and tells him he’s his mom’s friend, and a friend of the uncle Danny was named after. Danny wonders why they’ve never met, and he says he’s been away since Danny was a baby. Danny asks why Sam is crying, and she tells him that she’s happy to see him. He shows her a card he made. Real Jason helps him up on the bed, and Other Jason is suddenly in the doorway. He tells Real Jason to let go of his son.

Valentin can’t believe how Klein screwed everything up, but Klein says it wasn’t his call. Valentin says his wife was at the party, and Klein says he had no idea what was going to happen. Valentin tells him their was a siege, and he couldn’t even get his wife home without running into one of Klein’s goons. He was shot and on the docks, throwing Klein’s name around, and Valentin wanted no part of it. Klein says he was fulfilling an obligation to a client, but never knew the price would be so steep. Hasn’t Valentin ever wished he could change the past? Valentin flashes back to Cassandra showing him the picture. I get a good look at it this time. It’s Claudette holding a newspaper toward the camera. Klein says Valentin is his only option. Valentin says he understands more than Klein knows.

Andre tells Anna that he’s leaving Port Charles today. She asks if there’s an explanation, and he says he came to town suddenly, so it makes sense to leave the same way. No, it doesn’t. She asks about his patients, and he says they’ll be in good hands. She says capable hands, but not his. He helped her when she thought she’d killed Carrrlos, and was having panic attacks. He tells her that he was happy to remind her of her inner strength. Anna tells him that he gave her back her life. She was lost in grief, and he showed her the way out. Andre says it’s nice to have a satisfied customer. He tells her no matter what she hears about him, he tried to help people. She asks what happened.

Franco tells Elizabeth to go back to her room, but she says she’s cleared. She wants to see the boys and sleep in her own bed. She tells Franco that she has a few days off, so while the boys are at school, they’ll have the house to themselves. He likes the sound of that, and asks how she knew he was there. She says she wasn’t looking for him, but thought she’d make an appointment for Jake while she was walking around. She saw him looking at the painting and knows why he’s there

Other Jason tells Real Jason to get out. Danny asks if he did something wrong, and Other Jason says Real Jason shouldn’t be there. Danny doesn’t understand, since he’s mommy’s friend. Other Jason asks if that’s what Real Jason told him. Carly shows up, and says they all had the same idea. She asks Sam how she is. Sam says she’s doing great, and shows her the card Danny made. Carly tells Danny there are some new, cool games in the playroom, and she’ll take him there. Other Jason acts like a cretin, saying he doesn’t know what’s going on and couldn’t care less, but he wants Real Jason out. He says Real Jason will be lucky if he doesn’t have him arrested. Real Jason says he doesn’t know what happened any more than Other Jason does, but he knows he’s Jason.

Cassandra tells Finn she’s more convinced than ever that he’ll put her on the road to health. She asks about the test findings, but Finn wants to discuss it in the proper setting at her appointment later. She says she’ll bow to his professional etiquette. Assuming the results aren’t dire, she’s inviting Finn and Anna to dinner tonight. Finn says there’s something she should know about his relationship.

Andre tells Anna that in both their professions, they see people at their best and worst. She says sometimes their work overlapped, and she’s grateful to have used his ability as a profiler. He says his ability to determine a person’s character. She says he turned his back on a WSB job to work at GH (apparently, I missed that conversation), and asks if he doesn’t want to settle anymore. He says he’s not going back to the spy game, but GH wasn’t settling. He loved his time there, helping all sorts of people, and will miss it. Anna says something is wrong, and asks him to tell her about it; she’s his friend and won’t judge. He thanks her. She proved he could trust her when they danced disco together. Anna says there’s no distrust on the dance floor. Andre gives her a mini disco ball to remember him at his best.

Franco tells Elizabeth he can explain. She says he never meant to sell the painting that Andre bought, and thinks he wants it back. He says it means a lot to him. She asks were Andre is, and Franco says he received life-changing news and split. He hasn’t just left the hospital, but left Port Charles altogether. He says he should be offended that Andre didn’t take the painting. Elizabeth is upset because Jake was having sessions with him, and they haven’t reconciled him seeing the man with Jason’s old face in the park. Franco puts his shirt tail over the paper sticking out of his back pocket. He’ll be happier when he gets her home, and says he’ll come back for the painting.

Other Jason tells Real Jason to let whoever set this up know it’s not going to work. Real Jason says he doesn’t know where he’s been for the last five years, but Other Jason doesn’t need to hear his lies, and says Sam doesn’t either. Real Jason says he needs to know one thing, but Other Jason says no, he doesn’t. Real Jason tells Sam that Danny looks like Jake. Sam says that Heather lied, and so did Franco. Danny is her son with Jason. Other Jason tells him to leave. He says Real Jason is a threat to his family, and he’s going to stop him. Carly returns, and says she got here just in time. Other Jason says this man refuses to leave, and to call security before things escalate. Carly says she can’t do that. She’s the one who told him that he needed to see Sam.

Anna asks Andre. please don’t leave; a good dance partner is hard to find. He wishes there was another way. A choice he made before coming there caught up with him. She asks if it’s about the WSB. He says it started out like all the devil’s work, with good intentions. He never told her, but he’d set out to conquer humanity’s great fear – the loss of one’s identify by loss of memory. He touches his briefcase, saying it’s his life’s work, so many pieces of paper. He’d hoped it would be his legacy, but it’s his curse. Anna says she’ll help, and he says he wants to tell her. She suggests making some tea, saying the ritual of pouring and drinking tea helps you focus. He says it sounds good, and I say, don’t leave him there alone! He looks at the disco ball.

Cassandra asks Finn if there’s anything wrong. She wouldn’t be surprised if there were problems. Her first impression was that Anna isn’t right for him. He’s so dedicated; practically married to his work. Anna is lovely, but she doesn’t get the sense Anna understands and appreciates his work. Finn says it was Anna who encouraged taking her on as a patient. She stands corrected. He tells her that Anna makes her own schedule, and it’s a bad idea for him to speak for her. He’ll see if she’s available, and let Cassandra know when he sees her at her appointment. When he’s gone, she asks herself what that was about.

Klein says there’s no need to involve Valentin’s family. He just needs safe passage out of Port Charles and a new identity. Valentin knows people who can make that happen, and he’ll help Valentin in the future like he has in the past. Valentin gets on the phone, saying he has a friend who needs the help they can provide. He’ll be waiting at Dock 55.

Carly says Real Jason and Sam need to talk, but Other Jason says Real Jason has nothing to say to his wife. Epiphany arrives, and when she sees Real Jason, says, I’ll be damned. He says hello, and she asks if he’s the cause of the disturbance. He tells her, pretty much, and she says he needs to go. The patient need to rest. Real Jason and Carly leave, and Epiphany tells Other Jason he has to go too. Sam was prescribed rest, and she’s going to rest. Other Jason tells Sam he’ll be right outside. Epiphany says it looks like Sam’s had a shock, and asks if she wants a sedative. Sam says she just needs time to think, and Epiphany says, I’ll bet.

Carly babbles at Real Jason about how it’s all her fault. She badgered him, and shouldn’t have told him to come, but it was important that he did. He tells her that he’s glad she made him do this. He got to see Sam and Danny, and found out Danny is his son. She says Danny looks just like him, and acts just like him. He’s a terror running around the Quartermaine mansion, driving everyone nuts. Real Jason sees Franco talking with Elizabeth. He strides over, and punches Franco out. Carly is like, uh-oh.

Epiphany calls security. Carly tells Real Jason it’s not worth it, and he asks why Franco is still alive.

Anna finds Andre gone, as I predicted. She grabs her phone and runs out.

Epiphany tells Real Jason he can’t be attacking anyone. She’s disappointed; he used to used to have better sense. Real Jason keeps going after Franco, even after security grabs him. Carly says it’s not his fault, but they take him away.

Klein tells Valentin that once he’s relocated, he’ll wire more than enough; name his price. Valentin says you can’t put a price on payback, and suddenly we see flashing lights. Klein says he heard Valentin on the phone, and Valentin says so did the PCPD. He asks if Klein thinks he would help after Klein almost got his wife killed. He tells the cops this is the man they’re looking for, and Klein calls him a treacherous bastard. He says what goes around, comes around, and someone will sell Valentin out the same way. Probably, but I don’t think this will be why.

Other Jason sees Carly and says, that’s it? She believes Real Jason? Carly knows it’s hard, and he says it’s impossible. He wouldn’t have known who he was if she hadn’t proved it. Now all that’s out the window? If that guy is Jason, what doesn’t that make him? She wishes she knew.

Elizabeth doesn’t understand. Carly called the guy Jason, and he looks like Jason used to look. She flashes back to everything Franco has told her about Jason having and not having a twin, ending with Monica saying the only way it’s possible, is if there are two Jasons. She says, omg, he’s alive, and Franco knew.

Valentin orders a drink at the bar. Cassandra says it’s early for happy hour, but then again, he doesn’t look very happy. He says he just severed a significant tie with his past, and would rather drink alone. She says not their past; they’re still bound together. He says she doesn’t need him, and she says she doesn’t need anyone, but wants him. No one else is able to meet her exacting standards. She tells him that he’s free to walk away, but there is the small issue of the woman who carried his baby, and it’s time to consider the next step. She has an appointment with Finn, and hopes he has an insight into her health issues. She bemoans that all the good ones are taken. Valentin says he isn’t positive, but he thinks Finn’s girlfriend dumped him.

Anna runs into GH, and tells Finn that Andre is leaving Port Charles. His office is empty, and she asks if Finn knows anything. Finn says Andre goes his own way, and asks if they’re friends. Anna says they were almost more than that, and Finn says he’ll be in good company with the rest of her exes. She says technically, Finn is one of them, but he says not yet. Cassandra invited them to dinner, and he hasn’t told her. Anna asks why not?

At the station, Carly babbles some more to Real Jason, who wonders why Franco isn’t in jail. Real Jason tells her to call Diane, and she says Diane can explain, since Franco is free because of her. He had a brain tumor, making him not accountable for his crimes, and the charges were dropped. Franco had thought Jason was his brother, but Heather lied; they’re not related. She asks Real Jason not to hate her, but she almost married Franco. He asks why, and she says that she thought he was Jason’s twin, and was desperate to hold on to him. She married Sonny instead. Real Jason is like, wtf? and she says she was a real mess. She needed him so much; she was a rolling disaster. He says he gets it, and he’s sorry she had to go through all that. Carly says everything is okay; he’s back. Klein is brought in.

Andre is at the docks. He takes his life’s work out of the briefcase, and puts it in a trash can. He sets it on fire. Nice going, Andre. Now you’ll never be able to reverse anything. You could have given that to Franco too. He watches it burn. Idiot.

Finn tells Anna that she has unfinished business with Cassandra, and he doesn’t want to screw it up. Anna thanks him, but says it wouldn’t be the end of the world, or the operation; couples break up all the time. He says unexpectedly too, and she’s like, oops, sorry. He tells her that he’s giving the test results to Cassandra, and she can finish the job. Finn tells Anna to be careful of Valentin. She says she can take care of herself, and he says he never doubted it.

Valentin tells Cassandra that he doesn’t know Finn, but he’s pretty sure his fiancé walked out on him. She says she didn’t know it had progressed that far with Anna. Valentin says, who? and Cassandra says, Anna Devane. She asks if he knows her.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he doesn’t know anything. She says Monica claimed to have seen Jason at the MetroCourt, and Jake saw him in the park. Franco knew there was more to the story, and knew Betsy was lying. There was a twin. Franco says yes.

Other Jason returns to Sam’s room, and Epiphany says she needs to rest. Anything else can wait. She leaves, and Other Jason tells Sam that he doesn’t know what’s going on, but everything is going to be okay. She knows who he is. She opens her eyes, but doesn’t look at him.

Real Jason tells Carly to tell Diane not to work too hard to get him out; not yet. He says Sam’s husband is right about one thing. This is a set up. Somebody did this to the both of them, and he has to find out who.

Tomorrow, Griff won’t take no for an answer, Franco tells Elizabeth everything, Curtis has Other Jason’s back, and Real Jason and Klein meet in jail.

💍 Still working on my 90 Day Fiancé diatribe thesis.

👯 Not a Sequel, an Equal

Once in a while, I recommend a film, and this is one of those times. Released in 1981, Richard O’Brien‘s Shock Treatment was billed as a sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, no doubt contributing to its downfall. Due to Tim Curry not wanting to reprise his Frank-N-Furter role, among other obstacles, the script was revised until the only remaining ties were the main characters of Brad (Cliff De Young) and Janet (Jessica Harper), who are now married and living in Denton. There’s where all links to its predecessor end.

In a nutshell, Denton is a place much like Stepford, where everyone gets along, there’s “tolerance for the ethnic races,” and just about everything is a reality show. Any comparison to our world today is merely a coincidence. Brad and Janet, who is disappointed with her marriage, become contestants on a show called “Marriage Maze.” Brad sucks at the game, and ends up in “Dentonvale,” which is a hospital, insane asylum, and yet another reality show, while a little black dress is whipped up for Janet, and she’s groomed to be the next big star.

The brains behind the entire operation is TV executive, Farley Flavors (also Cliff De Young), who turns out to be Brad’s twin. They were separated at birth, and Farley grew up poor. Now that he’s wealthy and powerful, he’s on a mission to ruin Brad’s life, and seduce Janet. On national TV of course. His plan is foiled when Janet snaps out of her ego trip, reveals that she never signed any contracts, and Brad gets sprung.

While the characters are different, some of the RHPS actors returned – Richard O’Brien, Patricia Quinn, Little Nell, and Charles Gray. Two favorites of mine are also in the cast – Rik Mayall (BBC TV’s The Young Ones and Drop Dead Fred) and Barry Humphries (Dame Edna Everage). The music is an absolute treat, and Jessica Harper has a voice like honey. She also starred in Phantom of the Paradise (another film I highly recommend), and I could listen to her sing all day long. Funny story about Barry Humphries. Just after the earth cooled, and before Tickmaster was omnipotent, I worked for a place that took ticket orders for shows in NYC. We frequently got freebies, he was doing a Dame Edna show, and a bunch of us went. One of the girls was late, and naturally, her seat was right in front of the stage. Dame Edna stopped the show, had a spotlight follow her to her seat and stay there a while, and kept referring to her throughout the entire production, calling her “Lobes.” It had something to do with her earrings, maybe because they looked heavy. It was seriously a long time ago. I can still see her walking to her seat though. I’ll bet she remembers too.

The film also has an interesting development history, the script constantly evolving because of continuous wrenches being thrown in the works. Originally slated to be filmed in Denton, Texas, when an Screen Actor’s Guild strike happened, everything had to be rerouted to a studio in England. This also caused the story to now take place entirely in the DTV (Denton Television) studio. They were nothing if not resourceful.

Although not well-received at the time, I’ve always loved this film. Maybe even more than RHPS in some ways, and more so as time has gone on and I’ve watched as my world becomes more and more like Denton. Besides the suggestion that it was a sequel, there were also “floor show” screenings and audience participation, which I think worked against it. Having been one of the RHPS “pioneers” (a title bestowed on me in Sal Piro’s Creatures of the Night), take it from me, it can’t be forced. Go ahead and give it a look. A bit of Shock Treatment will get you jumpin’ like a real live wire.

👵 My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet. She’s now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia. – Barry Humphries/Dame Edna

😄 Never be afraid to laugh at yourself. After all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century. – Barry Humphries/Dame Edna

🌞 The sun never sets on those who ride into it. – Narrator, Shock Treatment

😎 I Will Forever Be Brad…

 

 

 

Oct31

October 30, 2017 – Jason Meets Jason, Vicki Rides in an Icelandic Ambulance, an Engaging Two Days in Dallas & More Halloween

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Carly asks Sonny what’s going on, and who was that guy who came through the skylight? He tells her it was Jason.

At the docks, Real Jason tells Klein it’s his last chance. Klein says Real Jason can kill him or save Sam, but not both, and pushes her into the water. Real Jason jumps in after her.

Other Jason asks Monica what happened. She says whatever is going on, it’s not over. Another man came in, and took Sam.

Dante tells Jordan they’re cleaning up the security footage. It was scrambled at the restaurant. He tells her about the two thugs who were arrested, and she says there was a report of three. He says the other one took Sam as a hostage.

At the hospital, Griff gives Ava some water. She asks if there’s any vodka to go with it. He says sorry, he’s not carrying, but maybe he should start after tonight. She asks how Elizabeth is. He says she’ll be okay; she’s with Franco and Jason. Ava says another guy grabbed Sam, and their friend from Russia crashed through the skylight. She wonders if Monica is going to tell Other Jason. Griff thinks they need a change of scenery.

Josslyn arrives at Oscar’s house dressed like Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, and Oscar greets her as Jon Snow. She needs some dragons, and he just happens to have some GoT dragon action figures. She says they need to take pictures, and thinks his mom should take them. He says no, and she asks why he doesn’t want her to meet his mom. He says she’ll get all nosy, and why bring another adult into their business? She hears him but her mom is pushing to meet her so why not get it over with? He says she’s at work. Josslyn thinks they should make the most of having the place to themselves.

Jordan goes over what happened at the MetroCourt with Dante. He says the guy had a gun but didn’t shoot. He thinks it’s significant. She asks if he’s leaving something out, and he says he’ll talk to her after he checks out the footage. She leaves to talk to Jason, and he goes back to footage work.

Monica tells Franco and Jason about the guy crashing through the skylight, and says he went after the guy who took Sam. Jason says not the skylight man, and she says no. It looked like he was trying to rescue Sam. Andre listens in.

Sonny tells Carly that he knows it’s hard to imagine. Carly says it’s impossible. Jason left with Elizabeth and Griff. Sonny starts talking about the guy they know as Jason, Jake Doe or whoever he is – and noooooo! it’s an interruption. I hate you, George Stephanopoulos. We can totally wait 45 minutes to hear about Russia. I check Verizon live TV, and it’s the same crap. I’m sick of being informed. Screw you, George.

Thank God, it’s only about ten minutes. Oscar says sorry, no. Josslyn asks if every kid doesn’t look for presents when they’re little. She says they should look for clues about his dad, and wonders what he thought she meant. He goes to check his mom’s room. I’m assuming he thought she meant they should get busy while his mom isn’t there.

Jason brings Sam up to the surface.

Carly wants it from Sonny in order. He says Max called about someone in one of his safe houses, who used a code from 2012. When he got there, the door was unlocked, so he knew they weren’t hiding. He heard Jason’s voice call his name, turned around, and there he was. It sent chills down his spine. He knew it was Jason right away but didn’t want him to know. They had guns drawn. Carly says no way their Jason would pull a gun on Sonny. Whoever he is; he’s not Jason.

Jordan talks to Monica at the hospital. She asks if there’s anything she wants to add to the statement; any detail might be vital. Monica says it doesn’t make sense. The man who dropped down looked like – it’s not possible. Jordan says they’ll talk later. Franco tries to talk to Monica, but she says not now.

Andre’s phone rings, and he asks why Klein is calling him. Klein says they have to meet. Andre tells him that would be unwise, but Klein says he’s in no position to turn him down.

Other Jason asks Dante what he knows. He tells Other Jason that the perp scrambled the footage. They looked at the perp taking Sam, and it looked like he injected her with something. He tells Other Jason that a guy came down from the skylight with a gun, but didn’t fire any shots. He went after the perp. They look at a shot from the skylight, but can’t make anything out.

Real Jason pulls Sam out of the water. He tells her to answer him, and performs chest compression. She coughs out water, and he says okay; he’s got her. She says, you’re here.  They stare at each other. She asks how he found her, and he says he just did. She passes out, and he picks her up in his arms, carrying her.

Jason says it’s horrible footage, and he can’t get anything. Dante thought it was worth a shot. He says the camera in the lobby wasn’t scrambled, but it’s at a bad angle. They got a partial image of a the skylight guy; Sonny came in with him. Dante says Sonny stonewalled him when he asked about it. Other Jason says he’s got to be kidding, and leaves.

Sonny tells Carly that Jason wasn’t going to shoot him, but she thinks he’s making excuses for a guy who’s taking advantage of him. A guard calls, saying Jordan is there, and Sonny tells Carly not to say anything. She says she doesn’t know what’s going on anyway. Jordan thought they might want an update, and says the perps lawyered up and aren’t talking. Elizabeth was shot, and she’ll make it, but her focus is on finding Sam. Sonny says theirs is too, and she says help her then. What else does he know? Sonny tells her that he got a call from Carly that there was trouble, and he ran over there. He thinks he might have helped a little, but he’d never seen the perps before. Jordan asks what about the friend he came with, who crashed through the skylight? Sonny says he saw what everybody else did. The guy went after Sam. Jordan gets a call, and has to leave to debrief the mayor.

Sonny tells Carly thanks for trusting him. Carly says, of course she does. She knows it’s been hard on the both of them with how much Jason has changed, and it might be affecting his judgment. Sonny tells her that he knows his best friend.

Elizabeth asks Monica if anyone else was hurt. Monica tells her some lunatic abducted Sam, but she’s sure the police will bring her back safe and sound. She thinks it will be sooner rather than later, since there was a man on their tail. Elizabeth asks if it was someone from party, and Monica says, yes and no. If she didn’t know better, she’d say it was Jason, but Jason was at the hospital with Elizabeth. Franco listens in.

Griff and Ava have dinner at The Floating Rib. He’s glad they went out, and says she is too. Imagine that; the two of them in public. She asks how he’s holding up, and if he’s feeling eyes on him. He says only two.

Oscar asks Josslyn if she found anything, but she hasn’t. He hasn’t either. She thinks it might be easier if they knew what they were looking for. They need way to narrow it down; they need a clue. She says they should go over what they know. Oscar says he met her mom in San Diego about fifteen years ago, but that’s all he’s got. Josslyn asks what they know about San Diego, and Oscar says, beaches, zoos, and Mexican food. She says her dad sometimes surfs there, and Oscar adds that there’s a military base. His grandpa was in the navy. He says maybe there’s nothing to find. Maybe it was a hookup that didn’t mean anything. Josslyn doesn’t buy it. She says Oscar is special, and that doesn’t come out of nowhere.

Josslyn says maybe it was too much to hope for. She gets a text from Trina, and Oscar suggests they leave before she brings the party there. Josslyn can’t believe she failed. She always finds her mother’s hiding spots. Oscar says his mother probably does the opposite of what most parents would do. Josslyn says, hide in plain sight? She sees the Ask Man Landers book on the table, telling Oscar he’s the hot new advice expert, and Dante’s PCPD partner. It all came out at the launch party. She opens the book, and finds a letter postmarked 2003 from San Diego.

Griff suggests he and Ava work off some ribs by playing darts. She tells him she’s good, but don’t have too much fun. People will think they’re on date. Griff says let them; they don’t have to put a label on it, but he’s not seeing anyone else. Ava says that’s something.

Elizabeth asks Monica how could Jason be there and somewhere else? Monic says the only way that could be real is if there were two Jasons. Franco grabs Andre. He wants to talk to him about Jason and Andrew.

Sonny tells Carly that if the guy was up to no good, why wouldn’t he have shot him? Carly insists if it was Jason, he wouldn’t have pulled a gun. Sonny thinks it wasn’t him he was worried about, but Other Jason, who might shoot first and asks questions later. He tells Carly that Jason put the gun on the table when saw Sonny was alone; he wasn’t going to shoot him. Carly asks where he’s been for five years, but Sonny says he doesn’t know. She says how convenient, but Sonny says if it was a set-up or plant, he would have come up with some lie. It’s Jason. Carly says they have a DNA test, fingerprints, and Spinelli’s program. They saw his face. Sonny says there’s no way to convince her, so why keep talking. Other Jason arrives, and asks wth is going on. I say, well, for one, you’re not Jason.

Josslyn asks if Oscar is going to read the letter, but he’s not sure he should, since it’s private. She says not if it’s about his dad, but she gets it if he doesn’t want to know. He opens it. It says sorry that he had to go. He misses her, and hopes she likes the gift. It makes him think of the both of them, and hopes it’s the same for her. There’s no signature. Josslyn says now they have a new lead; a gift that’s supposed to remind his parents about them as a couple. If they can find the gift, she bets they can find out who his father is.

Ava tells Griff that he just hustled her. She says she’s at her limit, and Griff says he’ll take her home. She wants to call a car, but he says it’s the gentlemanly thing to do. She tells him that would be walking her to her door, giving her a modest kiss, and leaving, but she knows if they got there, she’d want to ask him in. Griff says he’d want to accept. She adds, and stay, and he says he would. Ava says what she means is for there to be more to this than that, so if he doesn’t mind, she’d like a raincheck on his gallantry. He says fine, if she agrees to a second date. She does.

Franco tells Andre that the incident at the MetroCourt has something to do with Jason and Andrew. Andre gets testy, saying he showed Franco the death certificate, and if he wants to talk about it further, make an appointment. He jets, and Franco looks after him suspiciously.

Other Jason tells Sonny and Carly that some guy took Sam. He needs a lead, but doesn’t know who those guys are who crashed the party. Sonny says he doesn’t either. Other Jason says he saw the footage from the lobby, and Sonny came in with the same guy who crashed through the skylight. Who is he?

Franco visits Elizabeth. She feels like she’s floating, and he says they gave her the good stuff. She asks about Sam.

Other Jason asks if the guy is one of Sonny’s people, and Sonny says it’s someone he trusts. Other Jason tells Sonny to call him, but Sonny says he can’t reach him. Other Jason says someone kidnapped his wife, and he doesn’t know where she is. He wants to know where his wife is. Real Jason comes in through the patio doors, carrying Sam. Everyone looks at each other.

Tomorrow, Finn tells Anna it’s time for this to be over, Dante asks Valentin if he knows anything, Andre has to make other plans if he’s been compromised, and Jordan asks what she’s looking at.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Vicki says she hasn’t felt well all day. A doctor is sent to her room, and the ambulance comes. Peggy explains to the doctor that she’s had a fever and been having heart palpitations. Vicki tells the doctor she’s under cardiology care, but doesn’t know exactly what her issue is. Tamra horns in, and says maybe she should go to the hospital. Peggy tries to thin out the crowd so the doctor can work. Shannon says she’s had the same thing, and we flash back to her saying heart palpitations are common. The hotel manager asks them to all get lost.

The doctor asks what she was going before this happened, and Vicki says she hasn’t felt well for the past few days. Lydia prays for her with the others in the hallway. Peggy feels the need to nurture her. It reminds her of when she was in the hospital and needed support. In her interview, Tamra can’t understand why Peggy is upset. The doctor wants Vicki to go to the hospital. Kelly thinks Peggy wants to swoop in and freeze her out. She tells Peggy to quit telling her what to do.

They take Vicki out, and Lydia asks if she wants anyone to go with her. She comes out with a robe over her head, and Shannon wonders if she’s Michael Jackson. Somebody needs to tell her that he died years ago. We flash back to how Vicki was out all night, and Shannon thinks she’s just exhausted. Vicki says she’s fine as she’s loaded in the ambulance. Remind me not to get sick around any of these people.

Everybody agrees they need to eat. Peggy says they’re more interested in eating and drinking than seeing Vicki in the hospital. At the restaurant, Kelly says she’ll go to the hospital after she eats, and Meghan asks if she feels guilty. Kelly says no, but she’d want someone there if it was her. They order, and Lydia says the car is there. She wants Vicki to know someone is there, and says when she comes back, they can change places. In her interview, she says if she was in a hospital in another land, please come, and don’t continue with dinner. Exactly. I mean, the care is probably decent in Iceland – it’s not a third world country – but who knows?

Tamra and Shannon join them at the restaurant. Tamra is surprised Lydia went to the hospital. What’s wrong with these women? Meghan asks if Peggy is having dinner, but she’s calling Diko. Peggy tells him what happened with Vicki. She’s grateful for Diko’s love and support with everything she’s gone through with her cancer, and asks him what she should do. He thinks she should catch a cab, and make sure Vicki is getting the proper care. Makes sense to me. He knows what she’s thinking. In her interview she says her father had a stoke that led to dementia, and his death was unbearable. I tear up, thinking about my own father.

Shannon toasts to good health and Vicki getting better. Kelly says she had been feeling dizzy and nauseous. Shannon asks what the plan is. Tamra thinks they should all go, but Kelly says they should take shifts. Meghan wants to stay, and doesn’t think Shannon or Tamra should go. We flash back to Vicki’s dune buggy accident, when they acted like a-holes. In her interview, Shannon tells us about how they were criticized for not visiting her then. She complains about Kelly having dinner and a cocktail, when she’s supposed to be Vicki’s friend. Tamra says Peggy makes everything about herself.

Peggy walks in, and they tell her that Lydia went to the hospital. She says she’s going too, but then decides to wait. In her interview, she thinks Kelly is selfish. Peggy tells them that Diko said she should go, and Peggy says she doesn’t have to just because he says. Peggy asks why she’s getting angry, and Kelly says it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme. In her interview, Peggy explains that she and Diko have respect for one another, and it makes a good marriage. As soon as she leaves, Kelly belittles Peggy, saying her grandma told her to get an education so no man tells you what to do. They totally don’t understand where Peggy is coming from, which is possibly why they have sh*tty marriages. I might add Kelly and Shannon are in the process of divorce, Tamra is on her second marriage, and Meghan’s husband is on his third. And I’m pretty certain, if Peggy didn’t agree it was a good idea, she wouldn’t go.

Lydia calls, and Vicki gets on the phone. They took blood tests and an EKG. Shannon says Peggy is on her way, but the way she says it is really nasty. Meghan thinks she should bring pajamas, and they order a casserole from the kitchen.

Vicki is released, and Peggy and Lydia walk her out. She says she had elevated blood pressure. The combination of everything happening on the trip, including the different atmospheric conditions, sent her over the edge. They gave her some medicine, in addition to the tests. Lydia says it was scary. In her interview, she feels like Vicki’s diagnosis is probably Vicki. Ha-ha! I think it’s stress. While they’re in the hotel limo, Steve calls. Vicki tells him they gave her blood thinners for her clot, and she’ll have to give herself a shot, and he jokes around. They get back to the hotel, and the girls present her with the casserole. I’ll bet it’s better than one of those tuna and cream of mushroom soup casseroles I ate as a kid. Vicki says it’s about time. Lydia suggests they get some sleep, and goes back to her room.

The others are all still up at 2 am, drinking in Shannon’s room. Shannon finds it interesting that after the hospital, Vicki would have champagne. Why? I would. Kelly thinks Vicki and Tamra should talk. Tamra wonders if what they’re fighting over matters, and thinks they can now have a conversation that matters. Tamra tells Vicki that Eddie is her best friend, and what if she spread rumors about Steve. Tamra says she’d never do this, and wants an apology. Vicki says she’s been apologizing for six months. Kelly tries to put in her two cents, and Tamra tells her to zip it. She says Kelly it’s between A and B, and C you’re way out. Ha-ha! I’ve never heard that before.

Shannon asks if Vicki wants her to back up Tamra. Um… Tamra just told Kelly to butt out. Apparently, Shannon is a beat behind. Tamra asks how Vicki would like it, and Vicki says Tamra did that with Brooks. We see a few clips of Tamra screaming, and yelling, and hopping up and down, and getting in Brooks’s face. Vicki says she had to find out for herself. Tamra says she wanted the best for Vicki, and knew he was lying to her. She was protecting Vicki, and Vicki chose him over her. I guess what she means is that Vicki chose to believe him over her, but it came out sounding middle schoolish or like a jealous ex. Vicki asks why it has to be a choice? In her interview, Vicki says it’s not something you should have to make a choice about. Tamra gets squeaky and begins to cry. She moves to bawling, and they hug. Kelly says it’s sweet. Why are these people even here? While these two are having a heart to heart, the rest of them are sitting there watching and kibitzing. Shannon says it’s making her sick, and that Vicki has never been a real friend. She keeps leaning over and talking in Meghan’s ear, saying Vicki is an effing liar. Meghan tells her this isn’t the time. Thank you. Occasionally, Meghan can be the voice of reason. In her interview, Meghan gets where Shannon is coming from. Her best friend is getting along with someone who sh*t on her. Vicki tells Tamra not to hurt her, and she won’t hurt Tamra. Shannon says Vicki does it every week. In her interview, Vicki thinks Shannon wants Tamra all to herself. Well, duh. Vicki tells Tamra they messed up, but it wasn’t vindictive. Shannon says Tamra calls her all the time, crying about Vicki. Vicki has had enough of Shannon’s remarks, and says she’s out. She leaves, and Peggy hugs Tamra. Shannon is the biggest a-hole in the world. In her interview, Tamra feels like they hadn’t completely moved on. Shannon, who just can’t shut up, says Vicki is putting stories out about Eddie. Tamra tells us that she’s done with negativity, fighting, and pain. She sits next to Shannon, and Shannon says seeing her cry to Vicki upsets her. Tamra is like, too bad. In her interview, Shannon says they don’t understand.  Shannon gained weight because she swallowed a nasty troll who now lives inside her.

Kelly tells Lydia to come to her room. She says she’s broke down; she went to bed at 5 am. Vicki calls, asking what’s going on. Lydia tells her that everyone is just waking up. Kelly says it was a sh*t show last night. She’s annoyed that Peggy tells her what to do, like her mom, and she wants to know what everything Kelly says means. We see some stupid exchange between them, that ends with Kelly saying her dad can beat up Peggy’s dad, which of course Peggy doesn’t understand. Vicki tells her to be nice. We flash back to various girls’ trips over the seasons, and Lydia says she’d be more surprised if nothing happened.

Tamra shows up in a mask and wooden slippers. She tells them that she peed herself without knowing last night, and still wearing her pants. No Red Baron pizza wings for you. Kelly thinks it’s weird how Shannon got upset last night. Lydia is like, huh? because she wasn’t there, and Kelly says Vicki had a moment with Tamra. Tamra says Shannon doesn’t think she should give Vicki another chance. In her interview, Lydia says Shannon keeps whispering in Tamra’s ear, reminding her of the things Vicki has done. Tamra says she knew she had to move on. When someone gets hurt or sick, it brings out emotions. It doesn’t mean they’re best friends again, but it feels good to be in a place where they can have fun. I think they should all just stay home.

Vicki and Tamra hug in the hallway. Vicki says they had a breakthrough, and they should put their differences aside and whoop it up. Life is about having fun. Tamra thinks she’s still drunk. They knock on Peggy’s door, but there’s no answer. Tamra thinks Peggy got upset, but should talk about it so they can fix it. Vicki says these road trips are going to kill her.

Everyone gets ready to go out. Vicki knocks on Peggy’s door again, but she still doesn’t answer. Vicki feels badly about leaving her. Tamra thinks maybe she needs to chill. and Lydia says must be tired if she’s turning down a shopping trip. She says they’ll check on her when they get back, and Tamra suggests buying her a present. Kelly says Peggy keeps correcting her, and it’s annoying her. Her trigger is people trying to control her.

Kelly says it’s shocking to see Vicki and Shannon laughing together. They do some shopping, and find some pretty fur hats. Tamra decides to get one for everyone. Lydia tells Shannon it makes her happy to see her and Vicki getting along. Shannon says it’s a trip, but when she gets in her room, there’s a pit in stomach because of what Vicki is doing. That pit is the troll she ate. In her interview, Lydia wishes Shannon would move forward. It’s getting ridiculous.

Outside of her door, Vicki tells Peggy she has a present for her. Lydia and Tamra are there, and Lydia asks her to open the door; she hasn’t responded to her calls or texts. In her interview, Peggy says this has been one of the worst experiences of her life. Kelly insulted her, while the other ladies sat around and laughed. Why would she want to be around creatures like that? Lydia asks her to at least say something, so she knows Peggy is okay. Peggy tells Lydia that she needs a few minutes time to herself. She’ll talk in a bit.

Next time, the girls whoop it up Viking style, Shannon takes the stage with a choral group, Meghan and Peggy argue, and Shannon gets involved. No surprise.

The Real Housewives of Dallas

LeeAnne and D’Andra visit the party planner. LeeAnne says it’s her engagement party, and his last chance to run. The planner says they want them to experience a theme – a carnival engagement party. D’Andra hopes it’s Cirque du Soleil, and not a local county fair. D’Andra is having an engagement brunch the next day as well. LeeAnne hasn’t seen her mother in two years, but she’s coming. She hopes they can resolve some things before the party. She was left with her grandparents when she was a toddler, and they’ve never patched the hole. She doesn’t know that either one understands how to begin. D’Andra wonders if she should add the stress beforehand.

Construction has begun on Stephanie’s new house. She calls the living room pool, the pool of broken dreams. She tells Travis about her plans for the kitchen. She says it will be awesome, and he says unless she keeps adding crap. He thinks the house screams Vegas, but tells her do what she needs to. Stephanie calls the house her bitch, and says it will be amazing when it’s done.

LeeAnne asks Rich if he’s excited about seeing her mother, and he chokes on his drink. The doorbell rings, and she tells him to get it. That’s a no. In her interview, she says they haven’t been able to communicate in peaceful manner for years. Freud would blow his brains out over them. LeeAnne has been in therapy, and wants to break the chain and make things different. Her mother, Margaret, has arrived. In her interview, LeeAnne says Margaret has softened over the years. She was different when LeeAnne was a kid, and LeeAnne didn’t understand why she left. Margaret checks out the ring.

Brandi is making a magical birthday party for her daughter. In her interview, Brandi tells us that when her daughter sees a little person, she thinks an elf is spying on her. Like her mama, she lives in her own world. They all mess with silly string and confetti.  The kids go upstairs, and Brandy tells Bryan that her pregnancy test was negative. She can get pregnant, but her fertility is on the decline. The have six moths to year. She says it’s been an emotional roller coaster.

LeeAnne has boxes to open that her mother brought. She says her mother packrats everything from her past, and if you went into her house, you’d think LeeAnne was dead, since there’s a shrine. She takes a pageant crown out of a box. In her interview, she says that when she was a child everything was unstable. She only saw her mom in the summers when they traveled with the carnival, but she was working the whole time. She never said anything, but the pain was there. They’ve never had an authentic conversation about it. LeeAnne and Margaret look at pictures. LeeAnne wants a mother/daughter relationship, but doesn’t know how. She tells Margaret that they only have a surface relationship, and wants to make it better. She explains that she’s been seeing a therapist for a year, and thinks they should go together. Margaret says they could discuss their different perceptions. LeeAnne tells her be truthful, so they can resolve it. Margaret says she’s cautious because LeeAnne flies off the handle. LeeAnne says they need to learn to be themselves without killing one another. Margaret hopes she has good therapist.

Stephanie meets Cary for lunch. Stephanie feels like a lot of drama comes out of the friendship between LeeAnne and Brandi. She says the nanny comment was a wake-up call for her. There was an intent to be hurtful, which was out of character. Cary doesn’t think it’s how Brandi normally behaves. Brandi arrives, and Stephanie says she wants it to be how it used to be. She loves them both, and doesn’t know where to start. Brandi says she’s disappointed in herself for what she said about Mark, and apologizes. Cary accepts, but isn’t clear about what’s going on. Stephanie tells Brandi that she sounded more like LeeAnne, but Brandi takes ownership of what she said. She brings up what Cary said about not wanting to be friends with them. Cary says they’d been teasing Kameron, and when she got off the boat, she heard LeeAnne saying Stephanie and Brandi were ruining their reputations. After she said it, she saw LeeAnne’s smirk, and realized she’d been had. Brandi says LeeAnne was trying to get her to say something she could use. Stephanie says LeeAnne makes things up, and reminds them about LeeAnne coming as two-faced Stephanie to Stephanie’s party. She tells Brandi to be careful. In her interview, Cary says Brandi needs to see reality, LeeAnne is not a positive influence. Stephanie feels like LeeAnne puts her in the position of choosing between her and whoever she doesn’t like. I get distracted by the food being served, some kind of raw tuna dish. It looks incredible. Brandi says LeeAnne told her that she wanted to be friends, but would call and gossip about them. Stephanie says she’s a manipulator. Cary says Brandi knows both she and Stephanie love her. This is like a LeeAnne intervention. In her interview, Brandi says that what hurts most, is that Stephanie never stopped loving her, even when she was mad at her. She wonders if LeeAnne was using her. Stephanie says if LeeAnne can’t behave herself, she can’t be friends with her.

D’Andra is sweating bullets, having to tell her mother that the new product is delayed. She’s afraid Dee will lose confidence in her. It feeds into her worst fears about turning over the company. She brings the samples to Dee’s office. Dee likes the product, and asks if they’re on schedule. D’Andra says they’re not going to be on time; they’ve had a snafu. They’re missing an ingredient. When Dee finds out it’s the main one, she says it’s upsetting, and it’s a very expensive mistake. D’Andra explains that there wasn’t enough in the lab, but the order was coming from Europe, and would take four weeks. The bottom line is they don’t have it, and she made a mistake, but it won’t happen again. Dee likes that D’Andra took responsibility. They learn good lessons from mistakes; they make us better. She tells D’Andra it’s spilled milk, but take the mistake and make lemonade out of lemons. She asks if D’Andra is ready to take over the company. She’s really tired, and going to be seventy-seven. She loves it, but she’s exhausted. She’s ready to hand D’Andra the key, and tell her it’s hers. D’Andra asks if she’s serious. She is, but D’Andra has to take responsibility for the legacy she’s built. She’ll always be there for her, but in her heart, she believes D’Andra will be more successful than she’s been. In her interview, D’Andra says she’s never felt that her mother trusted her before. It’s a huge step, and they can move forward as mother and daughter, without financial constraints of business between them.

Cary is enjoying staying home, but Zuri is a mini Mark. Playing with her is like working with Mark, but she doesn’t get paid. Mark comes in, and tells her happy anniversary. He and Zuri have a surprise. Zuri gives her a box, and helps her open it. It’s a Hermes wallet ($8,000). Mark says Zuri couldn’t decide between the handbag and wallet, so he thought she needed two presents. The next box contains a Birkin bag ($12,000).

Leeanne and Margaret go to therapy. Margaret has mixed feelings. The therapist says to pretend she’s not there. Margaret says when she’s afraid to talk, a shield goes up. Everything she says upsets LeeAnne, and she’s literally terrified every time she opens her mouth. She doesn’t understand LeeAnne saying she abandoned her. LeeAnne talks about how she would beg her mother not to leave, but Margaret says she doesn’t know how she would cry when she got in her car. She would call her mother and cry. LeeAnne’s biological father walked out. She was nineteen, and had a child. She had no idea what to do, and didn’t even have a job. She didn’t know what she was doing, but tried to do what was right for LeeAnne. LeeAnne didn’t know anyone wanted her. Margaret says she love LeeAnne very much, and is sorry from the bottom of her heart. LeeAnn thought her mother dropped her off, and was never bothered by it. He realizes her mother did love her. LeeAnne says she loves Margaret too, and wants her to be a part of her life. They hug.

The party begins. Stephanie feels awkward, but wants to be supportive. She thinks Rick is a great guy. LeeAnne says it’s also their eight-year anniversary. It’s beautifully decorated, and quite elegant for a carnival. Kameron is blown away, except she thinks there’s not enough pink. Brandi is confused in her head, hearing what Cary and Stephanie said. She knows they have her best interest at heart.

D’Andra talks to Kameron, who says her SparkleDog is officially in a store now. She thanks D’Andra for help. D’Andra is proud of her. LeeAnne introduces her mom to her doctor. Cary and Mark arrive. Cary says she respects Rich, and has known him longer than she’s known LeeAnne. Mark wants to be there for Rich, and so does she. She wonders how many times LeeAnne has threatened to kill him. She says probably the double digits, but eight years? I think triple at least.

D’Andra gives a toast, saying Rick is the man of LeeAnne’s dreams, and how lucky she is, and how much in love they are. Zzzzz… LeeAnne and Rich join her up front, and LeeAnne says that life is filled with ups and downs, highs and lows, and she’s grateful to them for their friendship. Rich looks uncomfortable being on display.

LeeAnne tells Brandi that she’s glad she’s here. She tells Brandi what a great friend she is, and if she ever does anything to hurt her, to let her know. But if she crosses her, she’ll slit her throat. She laughs, and says she give her heart to few people. In her interview, Brandi is certain LeeAnne would come after her; she’s seen it. LeeAnne tells Margaret it feels like they’re in a different place. It’s a new brick in the foundation of the life she’s building.

Moving on to the brunch. Wow. D’Andra has fantastic, huge red earrings. LeeAnne says she has to think about the list. She thinks Cary and Mark were standoffish at the party. D’Andra isn’t sure Cary should be part of it if they can’t get along.

Brandi and Stephanie have a kiki before the brunch. Brandi tells Stephanie what LeeAnne said to her, and wonders who makes a joke about harming someone. Stephanie says it’s not normal and not okay. LeeAnne likes to control by intimidation. She says joke or not, LeeAnne scares her.

D’Andra says the engagement brunch is a tradition for women, but I don’t think it is where I’m from. I never heard of it. Cary doesn’t want to be disrespectful to D’Andra, and is taking the high road. D’Andra toasts to the bride to be. She asks Cary if they can get along long enough to get through all the wedding events. Cary and LeeAnne bicker about who hurt who more, and LeeAnne tells Cary that she never thinks about her when she’s not around. Brandi calls bullsh*t. She tells LeeAnne that she claims honesty and truth are important, but she didn’t really want Brandi making up with Stephanie. LeeAnne says she wanted it if it was good for Brandi, but Brandi says that’s not what LeeAnne told other people. She says that LeeAnne manipulated Cary and Kameron in Mexico, when she said she and Stephanie would ruin their reputations. Kameron insists LeeAnne never said that, and that Brandi wasn’t there. She wonders what little bird told her, and Cary says it was her.

Brandi says LeeAnne festers off of negativity, and uses it. She got off on Brandi and Stephanie not being friends. LeeAnne says she told her she hoped they made up, if that’s what Brandi wanted. We flash back, and that’s not exactly what she said. Brandi says she did, and calls LeeAnne delusional. She lives off of what goes wrong. She calls LeeAnne a liar and a bitch, says eff-you, and good luck with the wedding, and she’s out the door. Stephanie follows her. D’Andra is on their tail, asking wtf happened. Brandi says if LeeAnne wants to slit her throat for being honest, fine. Cary joins them and says she threatens to kill people; she just can’t. Inside, LeeAnne says this is heartbreaking – not to mention rude at the brunch. Kameron says she has never seen LeeAnne lie. Outside, D’Andra tells the others they should take notes in an argument. Actually, that’s not a bad idea.

This was the finale, but there wasn’t anything very interesting in the blurbs, except SparkleDog is a thing now, and Brandi was not invited to the wedding.

Next time, I assume the reunion, but they didn’t say.

🎃 Technically, it’s here…

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Sep9

September 8, 2017 – Maxie Wants a Job, Tarantino’s Dogs, Quotes to Ponder & It

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Maxie and Nathan kiss, but she stops because of her makeup. She says her meeting is too important to arrive smudged. She asks if he’s told her the whole truth about Amy.

On the phone, Ava asks why Valentin can’t come to her. He says that he’s otherwise engaged. She sees that Griff is calling her, and makes arrangements to meet Valentin.

At The Floating Rib, Lulu tells Valentin that Nina isn’t a part of discussing Charlotte’s custody, but Nina tells Lulu that she and Valentin are back together.

Stella tells TJ he’s a hard-working young man like his father and brother. She says Curtis didn’t come home last night, and thinks he must have been on a stake out.

Nope, he’s in bed with Jordan. She wonders how they managed to stay away from each other.

Elizabeth comes downstairs, and Franco puts the photo under the couch. He tells her that the kids are on the bus. She says all three? and he goes, you mean we have three? Ha-ha! I love him. He called the hospital, and asked someone to cover for her. He tells her that she needs sleep. He says he was worried about her. She keeps thinking about Jason, and Franco says he does too. He says her son’s father is in a coma, and it’s as good a reason as any for a personal day. She asks what if Jason isn’t okay? She’ll always wonder if the time she stole from him would have made a difference. Franco is pretty sure everyone is going to blame themselves, but thinks that Elizabeth can make more productive use of her time than beating herself up. He suggests inviting Monica over. She says they’ll talk about it when she gets home from work.

Elizabeth runs into Scotty on her way out. Franco asks if he knows him. Scotty says it’s not his fault they haven’t seen each other in ages. Franco tells him about Jason, and says he’s the last person who’s qualified to give comfort. Scotty says he’s not going to make things better.

Stella asks if TJ needs help paying for school. He tells her not to worry; he’s good. She jokes that the wages must be considerable, and there’s no shame in talking help, but he wants to do it on his own. She says Curtis was the same way. They never needed much looking after. TJ says that doesn’t mean they don’t love her. She says it’s time she went back home and left them in peace.

Curtis tells Jordan that he stated his position clearly. Jordan repeats that he’s dangerously this close to falling in love with her. He asks if she has something to say, but she says the person she needs to talk to is Stella. They have to tell her they’re back together.

Nathan says he’s told Maxie everything. She says she knows; she’s just pulling his chain. She tells him it’s a rare opportunity, and she wants to enjoy someone else in the hot seat. Amy comes by. She fumbles trying to talk to Maxie, and Maxie says she understands. She would have done anything for her sister, but she’s hoping that’s all they have in common. She tells Nathan to wish her luck and jets. Amy tells Nathan that she doesn’t blame Maxie, especially since it’s not over between them.

Valentin tells Lulu that the hearing is a mere formality. Lulu says that she and Dante have custody, but Valentin reminds her that it’s temporary custody. The charges were dropped, and there’s no proof of criminal wrongdoing on his part. They’re just as fit to parent as Dante and Lulu. Lulu says the only reason he got back together with Nina was to score points in family court. Really nice, since Nina has been nothing but gracious. Nina says they got back together because they love each other, and Lulu tells her that she hopes Nina isn’t counting on Charlotte being included in their life. Valentin tells her he wants joint custody, because he wants to act in his daughter’s best interest; does she?Lulu says they have different ideas of what that means. Valentin suggests all four of them go with Charlotte for her first day of school. Lulu thinks that’s a good idea, but wishes they had even more family members to join them. She tells him her mom is still in Europe, taking care of Spencer –  remember him? Nina says it’s hard to forget false accusations, and Lulu says that Valentin killing Spencer’s father is hard to forget too.

Stella tells TJ that she’s cramping Curtis’s style. He never said it, but he’s been waiting for her to go since she got there. TJ says they’ll both miss her. She tells him that she wanted to make sure he had a good head on his shoulders, and that Curtis had his screwed on straight. Now that it’s confirmed, her work here is done.

Curtis tells Jordan that deep down Stella wants him to be happy, and Jordan makes him happy. He’ll do whatever it takes to convince her, but he can’t figure things out on an empty stomach. He suggests breakfast, but Jordan says she can wait. They get busy again.

Ava listens to Griff’s message. He feels terrible, and tells her that he doesn’t want it to get in the way of her recovery. He wants to fix things, but even if that’s not possible, he’s her friend. Ugh. Friend zone.

Elizabeth sees Griff in the chapel. She wants to say a quick prayer before her shift. He’s surprised that she’s working, but she says it’s good to keep busy. He hopes she isn’t doing it to avoid her feelings. Elizabeth says he sounds like Franco, and Griff says that’s a first. She says that Franco can be very perceptive, but can understand how he would seem.

Scotty tells Franco about Lee passing away. He says it’s not like Franco knew his grandfather, and didn’t want to bother him. Franco says he’s Scotty’s son, and hugs him.

Valentin meets Ava at The Floating Rib. She accuses him of picking a public place on purpose, to give her incentive to take the deal. He tells her that he was there already, and as for the deal, he just needs a yes or no.

Maxie walks into Nina’s office. She says Nina looks great, and Nina says that Maxie is probably sensing she’s back with Valentin. Maxie says she’s back in Port Charles for good. Nina says Nathan must be excited to be in the same time zone. She tells Maxie that she has to prepare for a meeting, and Maxie says it’s with her. Nina says of course – Max Jones – and asks if she was in Portland figuring out to catfish her old employer, Maxie says that she didn’t think Nina would see her otherwise. She wants to come back. Seriously? Nina didn’t give pause over that name?

Amy tells Nathan just one more time. and Nathan says she tells him that every time. She explains that Quinn has arranged for a book launch party, and Man Landers needs to be there. She talked to her lawyer, but the fine print states that if Man Landers doesn’t hold up his end of the bargain, the contract is null and void. He suggests finding someone else, but she says Quinn has already met him, and it would raise questions. She’ll have to give the advance money back, and won’t have anything to pay for her brother’s recovery.

Stella tells Tj that she’ll visit, or he can come to Baltimore and she’ll take him out for real crab cakes. She says med school is a serious undertaking, and as long as he keeps his eyes on the prize, it’s fine with her. She’ll be back sooner if Curtis can’t keep his act together. Curtis and Jordan walk in holding hands.

Scotty says Franco isn’t known for his affection, and Franco says he’s just being supportive. Scotty tells him that he misses Lee every day. He was kind, fair, and had unshakable integrity, none of which Scotty has ever lived up to, but he knows Lee loved him. Franco says he doesn’t know a whole lot about the family or his own life. Scotty asks if it’s something in particular, and Franco says his relationship with Jason, and shows him the photo.

Scotty says that it’s Franco and some blonde kid. Franco says Monica would say it’s Jason. Scotty says even he looked like that as a kid, and wonders where Franco is going with this. Franco tells Scotty that he spent most of his adult life obsessing about Jason, and this proves they knew each other. Scotty says it proves him and whoever it is, happened to cross paths. Franco points out that they’re dressed identically, and thinks it’s odd. Scotty says that doesn’t mean anything, and it’s just Franco and a friend. Franco says he didn’t have any friends; he made them up. He’s thinking his imaginary friend might not have been imaginary.

Jordan asks if Curtis wants to do this by himself. He tells her that from now on, they do everything together. Curtis tells Stella that he didn’t come to make trouble, but they have something to settle. Jordan and he are together, and staying together. They’ll have to figure out a way to live with that peacefully.

Nina says she offered Maxie her job back, and she declined. Maxie says circumstances have changed – to Nina’s benefit.  She shows Nina her portfolio. Nina tries not to act interested, but she is she. She tells Maxie that she’ll have no problem finding a job. She didn’t fire her because of her work, but because she didn’t trust her

Elizabeth says she knows something is bothering Griff. He doesn’t have to say anything, but she’ll listen. He says that he did something stupid, but he’s not sure he knew he was doing it. He treated someone that he cared about clumsily, which is a really strange word choice. Elizabeth suggests an apology, but Griff says he needs to do more. She asks what it would take, and he says figuring out how he feels.

Valentin is surprised that Ava agreed to meet. She says he’s not her favorite person, and he says she’s in no position to compare transgressions. She tells him that she thought she could piece together a life, but if there a chance to look normal. she wants it. He suggests they talk terms.

Scotty says he has no recollection of the picture, and Franco is creating a half-baked theory. He says they look like a million other blonde kids. Maybe it was a coincidence they had the same outfit on, met by chance, and his mom took the picture. Franco tells him that he’s grasping at straws, and Scotty asks why he wants to revisit the past. Franco says he wants to know what it means.

TJ wishes Curtis and Jordan well. Stella says so this is where Curtis was, and he says sorry to worry her, but he doesn’t know if she would have felt any better knowing where he really was. He knows how she feels, but they have to find a way to work together. He loves her, but he loves Jordan.

Nathan wants to do what he can. Amy says that he made huge difference in Chet’s life. He’s doing a lot better, but rehab is tough, and he isn’t always the happiest camper. She wants to move him to Port Charles, where he can be surrounded by familiar faces. Nathan says that Chet is lucky to have her; not everyone would do so much. Amy says he would. Look what he did for a complete stranger. He’s continued to come through over and over, but she doesn’t know any other way. He admits being Man Landers isn’t his favorite thing, but he doesn’t regret it, and won’t stop now. He has one condition – that he gets wardrobe approval. Amy hugs him.

Nina says she valued Maxie’s work, but relationships are based on trust, and Maxie went behind her back. Maxie says she’s right. Nina’s family is none of her business, and she has no right to insert herself in it, but was it the worst betrayal she ever suffered? If she can forgive others, why not Maxie?

Valentin has two contracts. The first is Ava’s agreement to have the surgery done. Ava gives him photo of a 16th century tapestry. She says she thought it would look good at Wyndemere, and add considerable value to his assets. He’s like, cool, and says the other contract is a retraction of her statement about Nikolas. She doesn’t want to sign it, but he says that’s the deal. She says the tapestry is the deal. He tells her if that’s the case, she’s wasting his time and her own.

Amy has no idea how to repay Nathan. She says she’ll dedicate her next book to him – the man behind the woman behind the man. He just wants his identity not to be revealed. He’s thinking about Chet too. She tells him she can name on one hand the people who know – her, Nathan, Nina, and Maxie – they’re totally in the clear. Nathan looks like he’s not too sure about that.

Nina tells Maxie that she might consider giving her a second chance, but needs more than a promise of loyalty. She wants something valuable, something Crimson needs that no one else has. She tells Maxie she has meeting to prepare for.

Curtis tells Stella that he hopes she understands, and they can be family. She says that she loves them too much to sacrifice a future with them now. She leaves, and Curtis is like, wow, he saw that going worse. TJ realizes that she left her phone, and follows her out.

Outside, Stella says she doesn’t know what she’d do without him. He says the way she handled that was pretty impressive. She says her illness has taught her to deal with adversity, and not let adversity deal with her. TJ suggests that they all have dinner before she leaves, but she says she’s reconsidered her plans. Port Charles suits her fine for now.

Griff asks Elizabeth if she has any words of wisdom. She tells him that she would go and talk it out, and make sure the last words spoken are how he really feels.

Lulu and Maxie are having lunch at The Floating Rib. Lulu stares at Ava. Maxie asks if they can put their lunch on hold.  She tells Lulu that the future of her career depends on something, and she’ll give her the details later.

Valentin tells Ava that Spencer has the mistaken belief that her statement will help in his wrongful death suit, but nothing could be further from the truth. She asks why he wants her to rescind it then. He says that he wants to spare Charlotte from the whole mess of a trial, and Spencer from hearing that Nikolas might have faked his death a second time. Valentin says there’s no proof he’s dead, and doesn’t want Spencer to wonder if his father abandoned him. Ava insists that she knows Valentin killed Nickolas. Valentin says she has two choices; she can look like that for the rest of her life, or sign.

Scotty says that he won’t stand in Franco’s way, and Franco says he was hoping that Scotty would volunteer to be an asset. Scotty tells him that he didn’t even know Franco was his son until a few years ago. Franco asks who he might talk to, and Scotty suggests Monica. Franco is hesitant, since Jason is in a coma. Scotty tells him to go to the one who set everything in motion. Heather Webber.

On Monday, Franco believes that he and Jason were always connected, Sam wonders if Jason has woken up, and Lulu wants to know what that was about.

🐶  I watched Reservoir Dogs last weekend, and now Stuck in the Middle with You is Stuck in my Head. If you’ve never seen Quentin Tarantino’s first effort, and don’t mind a lot of blood, you should do yourself a favor and check it out. A story about a heist gone wrong, it also has a killer cast. Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn, Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen and Tarantino himself, kick ass and get their asses kicked. It leaves no doubt that Tarantino found his true calling early on.

📌 Quotes of the Week

Learning starts with failure. The first failure is the beginning of education. – John Hersey

Wherever the truth is injured, defend it. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

If you fall, make it part of the dance.  – Luann de Lesseps

⛵ Because It

Take a look at the It Experience where there are a lot of clowns. I wondered if the somewhat accommodating clown was pissed off because he couldn’t find his nose. The lit up floor with the bugs is fantastic. It would be great for a Halloween party.

https://the-line-up.com/the-it-experience?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20Lineup%20Weekly%20Tuesday%20Newsletter%202017-08-29&utm_term=The%20Lineup

ItClowns

Battle of the It Clowns

Aug26

August 25, 2017 – Nina Says No, Finding Fantastic Beasts, Tossed Thoughts & Quotes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Holy! It’s been a long week.

General Hospital

Dante comes home to snacks on the table and Lulu dressed in a baseball outfit holding a bat. I wonder if Dante has ever seen The Warriors.

Kiki is trying to get to the bottom of organic chemistry, and Dillon tells her that he has something she can get to the bottom of – a margarita. She says if she’s going to get into the accelerated med school program, she can’t be sitting around drinking.

Ned closes the blinds, and looks like he has a headache. Michael comes in, and wants to talk about ELQ. He asks if there was a coup while he wasn’t looking.

Valentin has made dinner reservations. Nina says she’ll give him her answer then. She asks if he’s going to hang around her office all day, and that he’d told her he was a patient man. He says he is, and she tells him he’s being tested on that.

Scotty thinks it’s a good thing that the judge was quick, but I think just the opposite. Alexis tells Julian he was honest and compelling on the stand. He hopes his honesty was enough to save him. Ava and Griff show up at the courtroom. Ava asks if he’s there to see his father get justice, but he’s there to offer her support.

Court is back in session. The defendant rises. Conspiracy, guilty; hindering prosecution, guilty; criminal facilitation, guilty. Guess that honesty thing didn’t work. The judge has an opening in four weeks for a sentencing hearing. Scotty asks for Julian to remain free on bail in the meantime, but Julian wants immediate sentencing. He says every day is one more day that his family has to suffer. Prosecutor Will Smith is down with saving time and money.

Ned asks if he made a decision Michael isn’t happy with. Michael says that ELQ made a donation to Mayor Lomax, and Ned tells him that they need her to back their fracking whatever. Michael doesn’t want the company tied to Lomax or fracking. Ned says Michael should have briefed him. Michael says if Ned is setting the groundwork for a takeover, he’ll have a fight on his hands.

Nina tells Valentin that he’ll get her answer at dinner – take or leave it. Valentin takes it. Nina tells Nelle to come in as soon as she’s sure Valentin is gone. She wants Nelle to get ten of the best cocktail looks they have in her size – it’s a make or break for her marriage. Nelle thought they were divorced, but Nina says that’s just details. She needs to look better than she ever has tonight.

Lulu gives Dante beer and a pretzel. She says their quality time has taken a backset to their jobs and kids. He wonders where the kids are, and she’s locked them outside. Not really; they’re being looked after elsewhere. She tells him that he’d better be careful or he’ll strike out. He doesn’t though, and they start to get busy on the couch. I understand role-playing, but this is weird.

Nina tells Nelle, no, no, no, none of them are good. Nelle says that’s everything, and Nina says it can’t be. Nelle pulls one out, saying it’s beautiful. Nina says it has to be perfect. Nelle says she’s happy for Nina and Charlotte. Nina says she’s assuming they’re getting back together. Nelle doesn’t think she’d be going through all of this trouble if they weren’t. Me neither.

Lulu tells Dante that they have to make up for lost time, so of course the doorbell rings. It’s Valentin and Charlotte. He hopes they’re not interrupting. Figures.

Michael says that Ned wanted him to be CEO, and he was going to concentrate on his music. He asks if Ned’s focus has changed. He tells Ned that they’re investing in renewable energy, and fracking doesn’t go with the plan. Ned says he knows decisions have to be made quickly, he was in charge, and sorry. He tells Michael that he has no interest in taking over ELQ.

The judge asks if Julian wants to address the court. Scotty tells him to make it good; maybe he can shave time off the sentence. Julian says his crimes nearly cost the people he loves their lives, and destroyed their trust, which is worse than whatever the court can impose. He says they deserve a better life without him, and asks to be kept away from them. The judge says that his family suffered grievous harm, as did many of his fellow citizens, and he cast doubt on his character when he threatened a witness. Yeah, telling Winston he was going to kill him was probably a bad move. She agrees he’s a danger to his family, but no less to the community. She imposes a term in Pentonville for no more than twenty years and no less than fifteen. Court adjourned. I’m wondering how this is going to play out, since Julian just signed a new contract.

Dante asks Valentin to what do they owe this pleasure? Valentin tells Charlotte to put her PJs on, while they talk. Valentin tells them that something pressing came up. He says it’s a sacrifice not to spend time with Charlotte, but he’s hoping it pays off in the long run. His and Charlotte’s lives will be better if it pans out, and so will theirs.

Dillon tries to entice Kiki. She says he can parade around naked all he wants, but she won’t be distracted. He wishes she could find time for both her studies and their relationship. She suggests he quit Crimson. He says that’s his job, and she says studying is hers, and he needs to understand that. Nina calls, asking if Dillon’s passport is valid. He tells Kiki that he has to fly to Morocco tonight, and asks if she wants to come.

Michael tells Ned sorry for overreacting, but fracking doesn’t jive with ELQ’s long-term goals. He says that Ned has been supportive, but they should have communicated more. Michael tells Ned that he has valuable insights and experience, and asks if he’d be interested in working for him at ELQ.

Ava tells Julian that she’s sorry, and asks if she can do anything. He tells her to just take care of herself. Griff tells Ava how sorry he is. Ava says that Julian did it to himself, just like she did with her face. Julian tells Alexis that it could have been worse. He meant what he said, and his real sentence is knowing what he did to her and their family. He hopes she can move on and forget about him. She starts crying, and Julian is led away.

Michael thinks the more Quartermaines at ELQ, the better, and Ned says he doesn’t have a grasp of their history. Michael says the company will be stronger if they work together. Ned asks what he had in mind, but Michael says it just came to him, but he’s thinking VP of new business. He has to pick up Nelle, but asks Ned to think about it. He thinks it would be good for ELQ and the family.

Nina wants Dillon to fly to Morocco and do the shoot himself, since the photographer got too handsy with the models, and isn’t working out. He tells Kiki that he can have Nina make room for her. Kiki says if she misses the test, she’ll have to wait a year for the next one, and will miss the opportunity for the accelerated program.

Nina talks the model down on the phone, saying she’s on her way. She says that she’s shocked at the photographer’s behavior, and already has a replacement. Nelle purchases the tickets, and Nina tells her three tickets; Nelle is going too. Nelle gets all excited, but Nina says it’s not a vacation; they’re in full damage control mode. Nelle says they’re all set, and the flight leaves in two hours. Nina is like, oh no, remembering her dinner with Valentin.

Lulu wonders how anything coming from Valentin will benefit them. Valentin says they’ve probably wondered why he stays in Port Charles, when he has properties everywhere. Lulu says that she has custody of Charlotte, but he says only temporarily. Allegations can’t deny him custody. It’s just her opinion that he’s a horrible person. He’s been custodial parent since Charlotte was born, and Lulu could lose, but he has a third option where no one loses. If all goes well tonight, he’ll have every reason to stay. He and Lulu can present united front. He’s decided Charlotte’s life is better with both parents in it, and hopes they reach the same conclusion, for Charlotte’s sake. He leaves, smiling to himself.

Charlotte is asleep. Lulu talks to Dante about how much Charlotte loves ballet. She thinks Valentin can exploit Charlotte’s feelings to get what he wants, but Dante thinks he has a good point. (And really, if she likes ballet, why shouldn’t her father encourage that? I’m sure he was indulging her before Lulu came along.) Dante says that Valentin could end up with full custody. Lulu says obviously Charlotte loves him. She’s too young to know what he is, and he has two very different sides. He’d do anything for his little girl, but he’s also a monster. If she lets Charlotte have one, she has to accept the other.

Nina tells Valentin that she can’t do it.

Nelle forgot Michael was coming. He says he’ll try not to be offended, but knows how she can make it up. She explains that she has to go to Morocco. The shoot is falling apart. The photographer is hitting on the models, and they’re threatening to walk. He asks if he can come along, saying he can write it off as business. She asks what happens to ELQ while he’s gone. It’s going to totally fold. What does she think? Geez.

Ned tells Dillon about Michael’s proposition. Dillon thinks it’s great. Ned says it’s Michael’s ELQ. Dillon says that Ned told him Michael is a shark, and Ned says he’s a shark with a different vision. Dillon says if it’s about pride, he has to get over it. Michael admires and respects him. If he goes back to ELQ, he can carve out a new role, and draw the family closer together. Isn’t that why he took the name, to actually be a Quartermaine?

Griff asks if Ava is ready to go, but she tells him to go ahead. He has a life to get back to. The only person she had waiting for her is her brother, and he just got sent to prison. For all he’s done wrong and made her mad, he’s always been there for her. They’ve been there for each other, but there was nothing she could do to save him from himself. She thinks he wanted to impress Alexis, and got what he asked for – the next twenty years rotting in a cell, like she’ll rot in the penthouse. She knows what she did, but she says with him, it was just a gesture, and now he has to live with the reality.

A reporter comes busting into the empty courtroom with a camera, and sticks a mic in Ava’s face. Like this would happen. He asks if she’s glad he’s going to prison, and goes, oh wow, you are permanently disfigured. Griff goes after him, and smashes the camera. The reporter starts squawking that Griff assaulted them, but Griff says that they cornered and abused Ava. She threatens to sue them, and tells them what great lawyers she has, and they leave. She asks what Griff was thinking. He says he was defending her, but apparently he didn’t need to. He thinks he saw the real Ava Jerome, and tells her welcome back.

Scotty tells Alexis that he’s going to get a couple of martinis; he hates to lose. She says he was right; Julian shouldn’t have testified. He says it was Winston’s testimony and Julian threatening him that cooked his goose. He’s thinking appeal, but Alexis says the judge is good, and he shouldn’t give Julian false hope. Scotty thinks she should talk to Julian and give him some encouragement. She says that he doesn’t want her there, and told her to move on. Scotty says good luck with that.

Julian is shown to his cell. Fastest. Prisoner. Processing. Ever. Nina must be in Morocco by now.

Kiki tells Dillon that she wants to go, but she can’t. Dillon gets it, but thought it would be fun to get away together, and doesn’t like being without her. She says it’s only a few days. She’ll be there when he gets back, with no book in sight. They kiss.

Nelle says she’d love for Michael to come, but doesn’t want his job to suffer. Ned calls, and tells Michael that he thinks he gave the wrong impression about the offer. Michael says he did seem underwhelmed, and Ned says it’s a lot to process. Michael tells him that the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks it’s a good idea. Ned says that he’s intrigued, but Michael has to promise no scheming or back-stabbing. He’s had more than enough of the family’s machinations with ELQ. Michael says that he has to leave town to check on their South African holding (wink-wink), and he’d like Ned to sit in for him, and see how it feels. Ned swears he won’t steer the company off a cliff.

Lulu tells Dante it’s not exactly the romantic evening she’d planned. I don’t want to know. He says they managed to squeeze some romance in, until Valentin put the squeeze on them. Lulu wonders what the plan is, but Dante isn’t worried. He says Valentin isn’t going to change. He’s going to screw up one day, and they’ll be waiting.

Valentin asks Nina, so the answer is no? She says it’s not no, but no, she can’t give her answer right now. She has to leave for a fashion emergency, and will give her answer when she gets back. He’s like, why are you doing this? She tells him that he’s sexy when he’s frustrated, and she’ll see him soon.

On Monday, Griff tells Ava that he cares about her, Alexis talks to Sam about Julian, and Kristina brings Valerie to lesbian night at The Floating Rib. Sounds like fun!

🚑 I’m not into GH for the couples – I’m more interested in the spy stuff, the Quartermaines, and seeing what Roger Howarth will come up with – but I do like Valentin and Nina. I hope her answer is yes, and I wonder if he’s going to show up in Marrakesh. I also like Franco and anyone, for the reason I already mentioned. My pick wouldn’t be Elizabeth though. I don’t know who, but not her.

🦄 Occasionally, I recommend a movie, usually one that’s on cable, because the movie theater costs so much now, you have to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for a ticket. God forbid you want to buy popcorn. Luckily, when I do get the chance to go, there’s a dollar store close by and I have a big purse. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on one of the movie channels (okay, I forgot which one – either HBO or SHO). In a nutshell, this guy has a bunch of fantastic beasts he keeps in a bag he carries, which also leads to another world, and he’s being chased by some people who want to steal them. A hapless stranger ends up along for the ride, so there’s also a fish-out-of-water element. It’s a spin-off of Harry Potter, but since I’m unfamiliar with those books/films, it obviously stands on its own. While the story was delightful, the beasts were truly fantastic, and it’s worth watching for that alone. CGI has come a long way from the days of Night of the Lepus. While the films I enjoy aren’t often the ones that leave you with a smile on your face, this left me with one, which is rare.

🦁 I did remember to watch Zoo this week. Patting my own back…

👀 I’m afraid to watch Game of Thrones on Sunday. It took me a good three days to recover from the last episode. I also want to cry, because it will be who-knows-when in 2018 until we get more. And even then, I think it’s only six episodes. Write faster, George R.R. Martin! I will need sustenance through this long hiatus.

Quotes of the Week

Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right. – Angie Thomas

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. – Paulo Coelho

Fear nothing. Do what you want to do, but be educated and intelligent and confident about it. – Idris Elba

🐻 Whenever I hear Idris Elba’s name, I think of this poem: Algy met a bear. The bear met Algy. The bear was bulgy. The bulge was Algy. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the rhythm.

We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. – Laverne Cox   Great. This means I’m dogs and brownies.

You’re in charge of your own book. – Kevin Hart

Weekend-Decisions

 

Jul7

July 6, 2017 – The Night Before the Wedding Goes Awry, a Sad Note & a Quote

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Olivia-F brings food to Ned, Dillon, Michael, and Dante, who are getting ready for Ned’s bachelor party. She wants them to be well-fed before the wedding tomorrow. Olivia says she’s not interested in having a bachelorette party, but Laura and Lulu show up with feather boas and a tiara, surprising her.

Curtis tells Aunt Stella she has to accept his relationship with Jordan. Jordan asks if they can make something work for TJ’s sake. Stella suddenly collapses.

Josslyn texts Australia here I come to Oscar. He says he’s going to miss her. Carly tells her that they have to talk, but Josslyn says she has to pack. Carly says they have to talk about her father.

At the hospital, Jason asks Elizabeth if she’s seen Sam. He was supposed to pick her up, but she left.

That’s because she went to Pozzulo’s. Sonny tells her Jason left, but she says she’s there to see him and give him a gift. She stabs him repeatedly with a surgical scalpel, and he stumbles back and drops to the floor.

Laura tells Olivia that they’re taking charge, and Lulu says she made the executive decision to have a party. Olivia says she wasn’t planning on doing anything crazy; she doesn’t want to jeopardize the wedding mojo. Laura says it’s not going to be anything crazy, just dinner at the MetroCourt, but hints that a stripper might be at The Haunted Star later. Ned tells her to go and have a good time.

Jordan thinks Stella had a stroke.

Josslyn tells Carly that nothing will change her mind. Carly is sorry for the upheaval and understands, but she can’t move in with Jax. Josslyn says it’s not up to her alone, since there’s joint custody. Carly says that Jax isn’t going to be in Australia for six months, because he has business in Abu Dhabi. Josslyn thinks Carly interfered, and Carly tells her to ask him herself.

Elizabeth asks Jason if Sam is okay. He says since Scout was born, she’s been running a little ragged, and Elizabeth tells him that’s normal. When she gets back on a regular sleep schedule, she’ll be good as new.

Sonny says Sam’s name. The stabbing was all in her head, although she is holding the scalpel.

The guys play poker. Dillon breaks out some Cuban cigars. Ned says it’s a non-smoking hotel, but Dillon says what good is a bachelor party without cigars? Ned doesn’t want to annoy Olivia, so Dillon ditches the cigars.

At the MetroCourt, Olivia asks if this is all necessary. Laura says it is, and tells her to have a martini. She says tonight is the night for Olivia to get the five-star treatment. Olivia doesn’t want to risk being hungover, and thinks she should take it easy. Laura says she’s been responsible her whole life, and she should take a night off. Olivia decides what’s one night?

Ned asks for help with a surprise for tomorrow, but instead a fire starts in the trashcan, no doubt from the cigar that Dillon thought was out.

On the phone, Josslyn tells Jax she understands. Carly says she can’t say she’s sorry that Josslyn has to stay, but knows she wanted to be with her father. She understands why Josslyn is upset, but she’s not the bad guy. Josslyn says that Sonny is. She says the reason Jax had to invest elsewhere is because he can’t do business in the US. Carly says it’s complicated, but Josslyn says she’s condoning it by being with him, and asks her to explain it. Carly gets an emergency call from the hotel. She tells Josslyn she loves her, and they’ll talk about it tomorrow.

Sam says that since Jason got a text from Sonny, she figured he’d be there. Sonny says he told Jason that it wasn’t important. She says when Sonny says jump, Jason asks how high. Sonny tells her that he’s always done right be her and her family. Sam suggests if he wants to do right by them, to leave them alone and stay as far away as possible.

Carly and a fireman come up to Ned’s room. The fireman tells the guys to be more careful. He goes off to check the other rooms as a safety measure. Ned apologizes, thinking it was going to be a quiet bachelor party. Carly tells him there’s no such thing, and says to take it easy on the room. Dante says they dodged a bullet; it could have been his mother.

Laura has to make some calls, and when she’s gone, Olivia downs martini’s like a pro. By the time Laura gets back to the table, Olivia is already drunk. Laura says that she was only gone for fifteen minutes, and asks if Olivia has eaten today. Olivia says the dress isn’t going to fit itself. She thought about tomorrow, and how much she hates public speaking, and supposed she should get a head start on liquid courage. She says she’s ready for the stripper. Laura says they’re cancelling phase two, and getting a room upstairs.

Sonny tells Sam that they’re his family. Sam asks if he’s there when she puts her kids to bed and worries if their father is coming home. She lost him because of Sonny, and they made their way back to each other. It’s going to stay that way because Jason decided to leave the business, and he’s not getting pulled back in. Sonny says there’s something she doesn’t know, but Jason calls, asking Sam where she is. He came to pick her up and she was gone. She says she took a car, and he says he’ll meet her at home. She suggests they meet at the MetroCourt for dinner. Sonny wonders what’s wrong, and Sam apologizes. She doesn’t know what happened; she just snapped. He says with a new baby at home, it makes sense. She asks him not to mention it to Jason, and he agrees.

Curtis tells Jordan that Stella practically raised him, and the thought of her dying before they’ve made peace is devastating. Griff comes out, and tells them that Stella is doing better. She suffered a mild stroke, but they have reason to hope for a good outcome since they got her there so quickly. Jordan asks about permanent damage, but Griff says it’s tough to tell with someone who has a history of it. Curtis is surprised to hear that, and at first, Griff doesn’t want to say anymore. Curtis says she’s like his mother, and Griff tells him that they were able to contact her primary physician, and this has happened before.

Jason meets Sam at the bar. He asks what the doctor said, and she tells him she has an iron deficiency. All she needs is vitamins and sleep. And major psychotropic drugs and therapy. I added that last part.

Carly meets Sonny at Pozzulo’s. He tells her about Sam stopping by, but then says it was nothing. Carly says things aren’t getting better with Josslyn; they’re getting worse. He says that it’s because of him.

Josslyn texts Oscar that she’s stuck in Port Charles after all. He asks if she’s okay, and she says family drama. He asks if she wants to talk about it.

Curtis and Jordan visit Stella. She says she’s sorry; she doesn’t know what happened. Curtis tells her that she needs to rest, but she had him scared, and Jordan says, the both of them. Stella tells them that the handsome doctor told her she’ll be fine. Curtis says that Griff told them she had a stroke, and it wasn’t the first time. She says he had no business telling them that; it was years ago, shortly after his mother died. She didn’t tell him because he’d just lost his brother and mother, and she didn’t want to burden him. He says he loves her, but she says she listened to her doctor, and got it under control. She was doing fine until she showed up in Port Charles. She looks pointedly at Jordan.

Lulu and Laura get Olivia to a room. Lulu wants to cancel the rest of the evening. When Olivia protests, Laura says they can always book a stripper for her anniversary. She asks if Olivia would like to talk about why she downed four martinis; maybe there’s something else she’s terrified about – like getting married. Olivia laughs, and then says she is terrified. Laura says there’s no guarantees in life, even when you love someone. The only questions she has to ask herself is if she wants to spend her life without Ned. Olivia says not a chance, thanks Laura for being a good friend, and passes out.

Dillon leaves to find Michael. Dante tells Ned that maybe they can find  a way to salvage the evening, adding that he’d walk through fire before hurting Olivia. Ned says that Dante tries to do the most right for the most people, and if he’s earned Dante’s approval, it’s a major achievement. Dante says that Ned is a good guy, and his mother is the same way, putting others needs before her own. He welcomes Ned to the family.

Olivia snores. Someone bangs on the door, and she stumbles to open it. It’s the fireman. She says Lulu brought the entertainment to her. She asks if he doesn’t have a fire to put out, but he says he has to inspect her room. She says she’ll inspect his room, rips off his jacket, throws him on the bed, and suggests the get the party started. That was funny, but I have to say it. I doubt a hotel manager would let a lone fireman inspect the rooms by himself.

Olivia looks out from a jail cell door, still wearing her feather boa and tiara.

Michael gets back to the bachelor party, and says he missed a lot. Dante tells him to just be glad he wasn’t there when his mother showed up. Michael has brought back something from the Quartermaine private reserve. Dillon toasts to Ned and Olivia’s happiness, and hopes it will rub off on the rest of the family. Dante gets a call from the station. Ned says if someone asked five years ago he’d be living in the Quartermaine mansion with them, he’d have laughed, but he couldn’t be happier they’re all together. On the phone, Dante says, my mother is where?

Olivia tells a cop to talk to her son, Dante. He says he knows Dante’s mother isn’t a streetwalker. She’s offended, but then notices what she’s wearing, and says maybe she can’t argue with that. I’m guessing most streetwalkers don’t wear tiaras though.

Curtis says he’s not losing Stella. She says he saved her, but he says it was Jordan who knew what was happening. Elizabeth comes in to take Stella’s vitals. Jordan leaves to call TJ. Stella thanks her for saving the day.

In the hallway, Griff asks if Jordan is all right. She says Stella has been through a lot of stress lately, and asks if it’s possible that’s the reason for the stroke. He says it’s impossible to predict, but the survival rate decreases with every stroke. He’s going to do everything possible to make sure there isn’t another one.

Sonny tells Carly that he’s sorry about Josslyn. She says at the end of the day, she’s the parent, but wishes that Josslyn wasn’t so stubborn. Sonny wonders where she got it from. Carly thinks that Jax wouldn’t want her living there anyway, but it’s not possible to sit down and discuss it between the three of them.

Sam asks Jason what Sonny wanted. Jason says he’s quitting the business and seemed serious. He’s looking for a successor. In her head, Sonny tells Sam, that’s right, and she knows who it will be.

Carly asks Laura where the bride-to-be is, and Laura says in for the night. Four martinis on an empty stomach, and she’s down for the count. Laura thinks she just wanted a quiet night in anyway, and she got it.

Dante says, that’s her, and the cop apologizes, saying she looks young enough to be his sister, which makes Olivia happy. Dante asks if she’s okay, and she says that depends. She feels humiliated.

Jordan tells Curtis that she thinks Stella wants to spend time with her family, so she’s going to go. Curtis says they’ll meet up later, and thanks her for everything she did.

Josslyn texts to Oscar that no one is listening to her. Oscar says it sucks, but Port Charles would be boring without her.

Sonny calls someone. He says he has a job for them.

In Sam’s head, Sonny says they’ll never get rid of him. She asks Jason if Sonny asked him to take over. He says no. He’s out of the business, and now that Sonny is too, maybe their families can have some peace. Delusion Sonny tells Sam that he’s never going to let Jason go.

Tomorrow, Sonny hopes Josslyn can forgive him one day, Amy doesn’t think she and Nathan should do this anymore, and Olivia-F says the wedding is off.

😿 A dear friend, who I met through an online Pekingese dog group, passed away in her sleep last night, so I’ll just leave it at this…

Apparently, then, our lifelong nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy, but the truest index of our real situation. And to be at last summoned inside would be both glory and honour beyond all our merits and also the healing of that old ache… The whole man is to drink joy from the fountain of joy. – CS Lewis, from The Weight of Glory, compiled in Words to Live By

PupEntranceToHeaven

 

Jul4

July 3, 2017 – Not Much TV & Celebrating Independence

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital was a rerun from March today, and will also be tomorrow, which is really today for some of you. I remember the days (putting on my shawl) when they actually had new episodes on holidays. Although it did give me more of a chance to get sucked into the world of Game of Thrones. I didn’t stay up all night during the marathon, but the only episodes I fully missed were when I was sleeping. It was like, wait, let me just watch this one part; oh yeah, there’s this part; that’s right, in the next episode (insert your favorite villain here) bites the dust; and before I knew it, it was the end of season six.

🗽 Have a Happy and safe Independence Day, and please, please keep your pets inside well before fireworks time. 🐱More pets are lost on this day than any other.🐶

🙌 Also, don’t forget what we’re celebrating, besides a day off from work. My favorite way to commemorate the occasion, besides a trip to Oceanfest (i.e. glorified flea market with sandcastles) and hoisting a few, is to watch 1776. If you don’t like musicals, it might not be for you, but I probably learned more about the signing of the Declaration of Independence from this film than any history class. It also gives a glimpse into the personal lives of our forefathers and humanizes them. The cast is superb – William Daniels (John Adams), Ken Howard (Thomas Jefferson), Howard Da Silva (Benjamin Franklin), and a host of others, including several actors from the original Dark Shadows. Full of humor, wittiness, and spirit, it never gets old for me.

A Few Quotes from the Film…

I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress!  – John Adams

Oh Mr. Dickinson, I’m surprised at you. You should know that rebellion is always legal in the first person, such as “our rebellion.” It is only in the third person – “their rebellion” – that it is illegal. – Benjamin Franklin

To place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent. – Thomas Jefferson, on the purpose of the Declaration

I’m concerned over the continued absence of 1/13th of this Congress. Where is New Jersey? – John Hancock, and in reply, Somewhere between New York and Pennsylvania. – John Dickinson

Revolutions, Mr. Dickinson, come into this world like bastard children – half improvised and half compromised. – Benjamin Franklin

This is a revolution, dammit! We’re going to have to offend somebody! – John Adams

At a stage in life when other men prosper, I’m reduced to living in Philadelphia. – John Adams

💻 You can see the whole film here… 

May17

May 16, 2017 – Nelle is Found, Julius Visits Randal, Naked People on a Boat & Some Extra Stuff

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Michael sees Nina at the MetroCourt and asks if she’s spoken to Nelle, but she hasn’t, and she hasn’t checked her messages. He says she might want to listen to the message Nelle left; she’s quitting. Charlotte comes running up to Nina. Lulu has her there for ice cream. Lulu tells Nina that no one picked Charlotte up from school, so they called her. Nelle was a no-show.

That’s because she’s unconscious on the docks.

Elizabeth and Franco bring the boys home. Franco tells Jake that he totally scored with his magic act, and they’ll open the rest of the presents tomorrow, when Jason and Sam are there. Ack. This show has a bit of a problem with continuity at times – they said they were doing that yesterday. Elizabeth and Franco go to the kitchen, and Jake tells Aiden not to tell anyone what he saw, not even Cameron. It’s a secret.

Griff is washing up, since we have to see him shirtless as often as possible. He makes a call to Anna and leaves a message. He says he wants to make sure she’s taking care of herself, and if she needs anything, he’s there.

In London, Anna tries to speak, and the doctor calls for a sedative. He prepares the injection, and she says, no, it’s a mistake. He tells Sister Caroline that the patient has to be sedated at all times.

We revisit fake Anna and Valentin’s scene from yesterday. She says she only wants him, and he rips the chimera necklace off of her. He says she just wants the Chimera, and after all this time, he’s a step ahead of her. She squawks about the necklace, and he says that can be fixed, but the watch probably can’t. He tells her that it’s just as well. He doesn’t want anyone listening in on what’s going to happen.

The doctor tells Sister Caroline that the patient is disoriented, and he doesn’t want her causing herself harm. He tells Caroline to do her job and he’ll do his. In her mind, Anna tells herself not to give in and to fight it.

Valentin says the watch explains how “Anna” knew where and when to find him, and why she didn’t want to take the watch back. She admits to spying on him, and says he’s created the life he’s wanted for himself. It includes Nina and Charlotte, but it’s the illusion of a family. They come from the same place and have made the same compromises. Nina will never understand, and maybe that’s why he wants more. Within their lies is a truth that Nina can never understand. Valentin says he understands she wanted the Chimera so much, she was willing to trash his life, so good luck seducing it out of him.

Jake tells Aiden that he wasn’t supposed to see it, and Jake is the only one who can use it. Elizabeth and Franco come back in. Elizabeth thinks Aiden is tired, so she sends him upstairs. Jake won’t let Franco touch the box, saying a magician never gives up his secrets. Franco says he has a point. Franco asks if he wants to do an encore of last year for the Nurses Ball, but Jake wants a solo. He’s going to do magic.

Griff sees Charlotte at the bar eating ice cream. I guess Port Charles has no laws prohibiting children sitting at bars like like we do IRL. He tells her that he and her father had angry words, but he didn’t mean to scare her. He asks if they can be friends. Charlotte says she’s supposed to be polite to him. He asks if he can join her.

Lulu doesn’t understand why Valentin can’t be bothered to pick up his messages. Nina says he was otherwise engaged. She asks Lulu if she didn’t want to spend more time Charlotte. They all wonder where Nelle is. Michael leaves to find out. Lulu says Nina is being quiet, and Nina says her feelings are none of Lulu’s business. Lulu says as Charlotte’s mother, she has a right to know what’s going on, and she’d care less about Nina’s life if it didn’t impact her daughter’s.

Charlotte shares her ice cream with Griff. She shows him a flyer for a spring festival at her school. He thinks she should invite everyone. She says she’ll invite him if he doesn’t fight with her poppa. He apologizes for losing his temper, and asks her to forgive him.

Nina tells Lulu sorry that she’s not getting dramatic, but she’s trying to show Charlotte that when things don’t go your way, you adjust and move on. Michael comes back, telling them that the housekeeper at Windemere hasn’t seen Nelle, even though all of her things are there, and Nelle isn’t answering her phone. He wants to go out to Windemere, and Nina tells him to call them when he finds out anything. Nina says she doesn’t have time to deal with Lulu. Lulu says Charlotte thought her father left her like Claudette did. Nina says he would never do that. Lulu says to tell Valentin it’s going to cost him. Nina says tell him herself, because she’s not going back to Windemere.

Elizabeth asks if Jake feels better about things. Franco says he was on the island and it’s a scary place. Jake says he’s not scared anymore. Franco suggests he practice some magic.

Sister Caroline says she’s grateful for the doctor saving “Alex’s” life. He tells her that he doesn’t need her gratitude, just her cooperation. Anna thinks, just help me, and Caroline tells her not to fight it, and just rest.

Valentin says “Anna” didn’t care about the reach of the Chimera when she asked him to steal it, now she’s using her powers for good? She says it’s for them. He calls her delusional and arrogant. (Who else is delusional and arrogant? Keep thinking.) She says their pull toward each other is stronger than the lies they tell themselves. He’s still alive because she cared about him. She gets testy about the Chimera, and says just tell her where it is, so it can be over. Then she corrects herself, saying then they can be together, if he wants.

Lulu asks Nina if there’s trouble. Nina says she’s going to be working into the night, and so is Valentin. Griff joins them with Charlotte, and tells them he was invited to the spring festival. Nina says it’s Charlotte’s night, and she can invite whoever she wants. Charlotte goes to get her backpack, and Lulu says Charlotte is coming home with her.

Michael calls out for Nelle at the docks. He sees the crates toppled, and finds her. He tells her she’s going to be okay, and calls 911. Yeah. You’re the jerk who left her there alone in the dark, when there have been 47 murders there.

Franco shuffles the cards. Elizabeth picks one. Jake says don’t show it to him. He makes the correct guess, a queen of hearts. Franco says they’re all queens, and turns them over. Sure enough, they are. Jake says not all, and tells Franco to look in his wallet, where he finds a king of hearts. Jake says a magician never tells his secrets, and goes upstairs. Franco says he must have done it at the park, and Elizabeth says maybe he can do magic. They agree it’s good to see him acting normal.

“Anna” tells Valentin that it’s always been about them and what they need. Passion and betrayal goes hand in hand. If he didn’t want it as much as she did, he wouldn’t have let Nina leave. She talks about what she heard when listening in, and says the marriage was never going to last, because Nina doesn’t know who he really is. He tells her to stop it. She asks if he’s going to kill her or make love to her. I was actually hoping for him ripping off her mask.

Nelle is brought into the hospital. Michael says she came to briefly and seemed to recognize him, but he thinks she was attacked. Her purse and phone are nowhere to be found. He tells them she only has one kidney. Griff wheels her in.

Nina tells Lulu not to be ridiculous; Charlotte is coming with her. Lulu asks if she’s going to sleep on the office floor, and says she’s taking her home. Nina says if the judge finds out, Lulu is going to have a problem, but Lulu says the judge will see that Valentin’s perfect life isn’t so perfect. Nina says they didn’t call her, and Lulu says that’s because she’s not Charlotte’s mother. Nina says she couldn’t love Charlotte more if she’d given birth to her. Lulu says she should want what’s best for Charlotte then.

Franco moves in for a kiss, but Elizabeth is like, not now. He says she was glad to see him at the park, but she says the problem is that he lied. He says he just left out some details. She says she thought they were in it together, and he tells her that she would have tried to talk him out of it. They argue a little, say I love you, and kiss.

“Anna” asks why Valentin is doing this, when what they want is to be together. He says they don’t always want what’s best for themselves. She asks what’s the alternative, deny what they want? She says separately, they’re forces to be reckoned with, but together, they’re unstoppable. No more games. He says she’s right. Game over. She loses.

Caroline tells real Anna, sorry, and calls her Dr. Merrick. Anna thinks she has to resist, but the more she fights, the weaker she becomes. She tells herself it’s like a current, and to slip away and rise to the surface. She tries to mess with the tube in her arm, and Caroline starts to call for Dr. Lancaster, but Anna grabs her arm.

Elizabeth says that Franco was trying too hard to protect her, and he says that she was trying too hard to protect him from Jason. He says whatever should come up in their lives together, he’ll trust her. She says from now on she’ll trust that he can take risks. He thinks they’re good at the relationship thing. They kiss some more, and Jake comes downstairs.

Charlotte says she’s ready to go home. Lulu asks if she’d like to spend night. Nina says she and Charlotte’s poppa are both working late, and she can do a sleepover. Charlotte agrees and leaves with Lulu.

Anna wonders why she’s there at the hospital. Caroline says Dr. Lancaster found her in her flat. Anna says that’s not right, and Caroline says she’s just disoriented and she’ll get the doctor.  Anna says, please don’t. She’s not Alex; she’s Anna Devane.

“Anna” tells Valentin there’s still a way they can both win. Tell her where the Chimera is, and they’ll both be free and be equals. They’ll be two people who understand each other. Valentin tells her that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result, but he says that’s not true. It’s really drinking the same poison over and over, and thinking you can handle it. He’s been addicted to her, but he’s cured now. She says just like that, and he says it’s like a fever broke, and he knows what he has to do. He grabs a scarf and begins to wrap the ends around his hands, saying she’s pushed him too far. He comes toward her.

Michael remembers his last conversation with Nelle, and telling her she had no reason to stay. Griff is concerned with potential kidney trauma.

Jake forgot his magic box. Elizabeth says they’ll be back after tucking Aiden in. When they’re gone, Jake opens the box.  He takes out the Chimera. He says he wishes he was a real magician, because he’d make it disappear and would never have to think about it again.

Caroline tells Anna that she’s Alex Merrick. Anna says she doesn’t know how she got here, but the doctor is in on it. Caroline says this is her clinic, and that the doctor will explain everything. Anna stops her, and says she’s not sick. She’s being held against her will and Caroline has to help her. Dr. Lancaster overhears and makes a mean soap opera face.

Nina looks at her ring. She remembers Valentin giving it to her. Valentin walks in, and says he has so much to tell her. She asks if he was with Anna. He says he was, and thanks her for forcing him to admit what he knew all along – Anna was playing him. He says she won’t be coming between them again – ever.

Tomorrow, Valentin says he’ll get Nina to trust him again, Lulu says life is full of unexpected surprises, Martina tells Sonny that he has the most to lose, and Dr. Lancaster asks what’s going on.

If Loving You is Wrong

The officer, whose name no one ever says, tells Kelly he has a warrant for her DNA. She says she had nothing to do with Ramses’ murder, but he says since she’s been in the house, they need to exclude her. Kelly starts to argue, and he says they have to eliminate everyone who was there. Kelly says she’s not doing anything without a lawyer; she doesn’t trust him. He asks if her temper gets her in trouble. He tells Kelly that she can call her lawyer, but he has an actual warrant, and asks what it’s going to be. She says fine, take it. She sees Travis and is like, wth?

Commercial break with vital information. The Haves and the Have Nots is back on June 20.

Travis says that he got a call from his parents that he was wanted at the station. Kelly starts making a fuss, so Rick takes her to get the test done. The officer tells Travis that he didn’t listen to Rick when he told Travis to stay away from Kelly, so stay away. Travis insists she wanted him to pick up Justice, and asks if he has to call every time Kelly wants a favor. The officer doesn’t understand why he would help her if she’s so crazy. Travis says he’s a child of God and she asked for help, and the officer says even God wants him to use common sense. Travis says he has the evidence. The officer says he has a restraining order against her too, so stay away from both Kelly and Justice, and block her number. Travis asks if he can go, and the officer tells him have a nice day, but won’t shake his hand. Officer No-Name and I didn’t start off on the right foot, but he’s growing on me. I have the feeling he’s thinking more than he’s saying.

Kelly asks the officer if he’s just going to let Travis leave. He says he told Travis to stay away from her and block her number. She asks what happened to serving and protecting. He says he’s seen this kind of situation go bad. She says she hasn’t done anything. He says, sorry. She walks out, and he calls after her, saying that she should really let this go.

Esperanza is watching the kids in the park. She calls Kelly, and asks what happened. Kelly says she doesn’t want to know. Esperanza tells her that she has Justice. Kelly asks why Alex is always leaving people’s children, and Esperanza says they both called and texted her five times. Kelly tells her about how Travis was let go. Esperanza says ever since the captain’s been gone, nothing has been done right, so she’s going to check into it. Kelly says the officer gave him a warning, but Travis isn’t going to listen. She says she’s never had a man like this before. Esperanza says she has, and Kelly is doing all the right things. She asks about the restraining order, and Kelly says she has to get a new lawyer. She tells Esperanza about them wanting DNA because she was in Ramses’ house. Esperanza says she had to do it once, and it’s normal procedure. Esperanza offers to drop off Justice, and Kelly says she’ll watch Alex’s kids until she gets home. I have to add that Esperanza is not dressed like anyone dresses to play with kids in the park. She’s wearing a tight sweater that couldn’t be cut any lower, and velvet pants. And boots. I didn’t notice what kind of heels they had. I was too busy staring at her cleavage. Geez.

Natalie’s phone rings. It’s a collect call from Joey in prison. He says he’s sorry, and asks how she is. She asks if they’re taking care of him, and he says he’s fine. He tells her that it’s his fault; he shouldn’t have carried the gun. She says he shouldn’t have, but she’s glad he did. If he hadn’t had the gun, he’d be dead. She tells him she loves him, and he says he loves her too. She tells him everything is going to be okay, and she’s getting him out of there. He says that would be great, but he just wants her to be happy. The recording tells them one more minute. Natalie says he makes her happy, and Joey thanks her for saying that. She says he was doing good. He could have gone back out on the streets, but didn’t; she’s proud of him. They have thirty seconds, and say another I love you. Natalie says she’ll see him soon, and he says he’ll be waiting. She hangs up, and starts to cry.

Lushion comes in, and Natalie says she’s all right. He says no she’s not, but it’s okay. He tells her to take a break, but she says she has too much to do. He says to let it go and let her heart break. She cries on his shoulder. He says he’s got her, and rocks her like a baby. Lushion is the best.

There’s a knock at Randal’s door. It’s Julius. Randal and I make the same astonished face, and Randal says it’s a surprise. Julius asks to come in. He says that Randal has done something different with the house, but Randal says he just had the carpets cleaned. There are no carpets, so I don’t know what to think about that. Do you send carpets out to be cleaned? Julius tells Randal that his father cut him out of the will, and it’s because Randal gave the attorney an evaluation of him. He reads from it. It says, among other things, that he’s a narcissist, and for his own good, shouldn’t be in control of anything without a trustee. Randal says he’s sorry. He and Julius Sr. had a history; he’d testified in a lot of his court cases. Julius says his father is gone now, but he’s going to give Randal an opportunity to right this wrong. He wants him to rewrite the evaluation. Randal says sure. Julius says make sure he gets it to the attorney, who’s his attorney now.

Julius says he heard some racist wanted to hang Randal. Randal says it’s true. Julius says if the evaluation had gone to the court, he would have wished they’d succeeded. He changes his mind, saying that he’ll pick up the evaluation himself. Randal says he’ll have it by tomorrow, and the next one will be so much better. He tells Julius that his attorney will have to sign and notarize it. Julius says when his attorney’s hand is better, he will, explaining that he was stabbed with a letter opener. He asks Randal if they’re friends, and Randal says sure. Julius hugs him. He tells Randal, burn him again, he’ll be the one who hangs Randal. Randal isn’t having the best week, but that’s okay with me.

Eddie bursts into Brad’s office. Brad asks Eddie to leave him alone. Eddie gets loud about Lushion banging Brad’s wife. He tells him on top of it, Lushion is undercover FBI. Brad tells him the drugs are making him paranoid. Eddie says he’s working on proof. Brad says he has a client coming, and Eddie has to leave. Alex walks in, and Eddie wastes no time in calling her a slut. Brad says Eddie is leaving, but Eddie says he’s not letting her work her snake charm on him, because he doesn’t understand what a snake charmer does. Brad pushes him out the door and I laugh. Eddie is a borderline comic character to begin with, since he’s so ridiculous.

Brad tells Alex, sorry, and asks what’s up. She says she doesn’t know; she doesn’t even know why she’s there. She just wanted to see him. She says she’s sorry. She knows she’s said it a million times, and Brad says they both have. She says he didn’t do anything, and he says he called her parents. She says she did that too. He asks what now, and she says she wants to thank him for saving her son. He tells her she’s welcome. She knows the kind-hearted man she fell in love with is still in there, and wants to thank him.

Idiot Eddie comes back in with Marcie. Brad pushes him back out the door again, and I laugh again. Brad asks what Marcie is doing there. She says she came to take him to dinner, and calls him her handsome lover. Brad says he told her to stop doing this. Alex says bye, and Marcie taunts her as she leaves. Brad asks why she’s doing this, and she says, sorry. Brad tells her that he can’t go to dinner, and Marcie asks what Alex wanted. Brad says she thanked him for saving her child. I wonder why Marcie acts like she’s high half the time. He tells her he has to get back to work, and she leaves. Someone get Brad some Tylenol.

Pete calls Lushion and asks if it’s true that Andrew is missing. Lushion says it is, and Pete asks if it was Eddie. Lushion thinks it was, and Pete says he has to be stopped. Lushion is thinking it needs to go to the FBI, but thinks they’re already on to it. He asks Pete why he thinks the FBI guy is outside his door. Pete asks about the tape, and Lushion says they couldn’t find it. He tells Pete that the most important thing is stopping Eddie. Lushion says the FBI is already outside his door, but if he wants to, go for it. Pete says they have to find Andrew, and Lushion says they’re trying. Pete thinks Ben might know. He was outside trying to distract the officer when Eddie tried to put a needle in Pete’s IV. Lushion says to make sure he tells them that too. Pete thinks Andrew might be dead, since Eddie is a stone-cold killer. Lushion tells him to tell the officer everything, and says he’ll drop by later.

Randal goes to Marcie and Brad’s apartment, with the excuse that he brought her mail. He talks about what a dump it is and she says it’s better than a shed for sex. She tells him to get out, but he won’t leave. He asks what’s in the other room. She says the bed where they have sex every night, now go. He says he’s not done yet, and she says fine, he can watch how she greets Brad. Randal says if she has to say how great he is, he must be terrible. Marcie says she used to say the same about him, and pretends to fake it. She says it’s called acting, and asks why he’s there. He thought she might want to know the child might not be his after all. She doesn’t care. He says it might be Lushion’s and she tells him to get out with all of it. She says he’s trying to get her to make trouble for Natalie, but he says he already told her, and he’s surprised they didn’t break up. Marcie says they’re solid, and he says maybe Natalie isn’t as “ghetto-dumb” as he thought. Randal says it smells like broke in the apartment, and Marcie says in a minute it will smell like glorious sex. She says next time he wants to spread a lie, find someone stupid. He tells her he misses her and that she must miss it. She tells him to get out. He finally leaves.

Kelly has a flat tire. She changes her shoes, saying if it’s not one thing, it’s another. She opens the trunk and Travis pops out, scaring us both. He throws her down, and puts his hand over her mouth. He asks why she went to the cops, and threatens to kill her. She struggles and tries to scream, and he puts one hand over her mouth and the other on her throat.

Next time, Lushion can’t get anything out of Alex about Andrew, Brad talks to Alex, and Lushion tells Eddie to get out of his face. There’s one more episode before the finale.

Below Deck Mediterranean

We flash back to the crew’s night out and Bobby going apesh*t on Hannah for basically no reason. She asks what she’s done to him, and he says she threw him under the bus. Malia says they weren’t talking about him, but he doesn’t believe it. Hannah keeps asking what she said, and he finally closes the door in her face. She calls him a steroid injected d*ckhead, and says she’ll be remembering the conversation for a long time.

In the morning, Hannah and Malia whisper about what happened. Hannah says sometimes Bobby’s ego gets overly inflated, and Malia is like, sorry. Meanwhile, Bobby is talking smack about Hannah to the deckhands. Hannah tells Lauren that Bobby went psycho. Lauren says she doesn’t remember Hannah ever saying anything bad about him. In her interview, Lauren tells us that she was supposed to go on a date with Bobby, and he brought a couple of other girls along. They ran into Hannah, who couldn’t believe it, and told Lauren it was disrespectful. That never happened to me, but I’m pretty sure if it had, I would not have gone on the date.

The primary guest is a dude named Jim aka Mr. Skin, who has a website devoted to nakey celebs. His wife Michele and some key employees will also be in attendance. Hannah remembers the Tilted Kilt cruise, and how it didn’t end well with one of the crew members. As usual, there are a million dietary restrictions, which are different for everyone, and the guests also want to film a naked news segment.

Bobby tells Lauren that he wants to talk to Hannah, but Lauren doesn’t want to get involved. He says it’s happening, and she tells him to work it out with Hannah himself. He says he’s pulling her in and she’d better have his back. Bobby put the d in d-bag.

Chef Adam goes shopping at the outdoor market. Supplies are brought on board. In her interview, Hannah says there’s no coming back from the altercation with Bobby.  Wes almost puts regular cardboard in the microwave.

Bobby apologizes for insulting Hannah, BUT (Dr. Phil would say that negates the apology) says all he could think about is her trashing him to Lauren. Hannah says all she told Lauren was that it was unfair of him to bring other women on their date. A-hole Bobby calls Lauren to come to the deck. He’s annoyed that Hannah called him aggressive. Maybe he doesn’t know what that word means, because his picture is the definition. Lauren joins them, saying to call her the liar. She says they were drinking, and she doesn’t even remember what was said. She asks why he’s so upset, and he says the two of them are playing games. Lauren asks to go back to her work, and Bobby asks why she doesn’t go screw Ben. Ben gets my vote, but where did that come from, especially since he’s not on this charter?

In his interview, Bobby talks about taking Lauren somewhere, and her leaving with Ben. That actually sounds like poetic justice, considering that he brought extras to their date. Hannah says this has nothing to do with her, but Bobby insists they’re conspiring against him. Lauren calls Ben. She tells him she’s getting along great with Hannah. In her interview, she says that she and Ben hit it off, and he’s more her type than Bobby. She tells Ben about Bobby being a jerk, and telling her to go off with him. She tells Ben she misses him, and he says ditto.

Bobby calls his mommy. He tells her he’s been blindsided and duped. He says he got screwed over by Lauren. His mother’s heart is broken. In his interview, he tells us that he took this job to meet women. How’s that workin’ for ya? He starts bawling about some woman named Alex. He claims her mother thought he didn’t make enough money. His mom heaps him with praise, and makes raise-the-roof hand gestures.

Hannah has a stew meeting. She explains what Mr. Skin does, how tacky it is, and tells them there’s going to be a naked news filming.

Captain Sandy wants to make sure the deckhands can drop anchor successfully, and has them practice. In his interview, Bobby says that the captain doesn’t get on you when you make a mistake, but you feel it, and it’s worse. I translate that to mean it’s tough for Bobby to actually work and do things right.

Malia chats with Wes while they hose off the deck. Bugs gets a call from her mother. Her grandmother has passed away. Hannah says whatever she needs, she has. The captain talks about losing her mother when she was on a boat, and tells Bugs she’s there for her. In her interview, Bugs tells us how close they were, and how she wants to pull herself together, because it’s what her grandmother would want.

Everyone gets ready to greet the guests. After they arrive, Hannah does the tour. Lauren wants to stay as busy as possible to keep her mind off of idiot Bobby. Captain Sandy instructs the deckhands, while Mr. Skin instructs his employees about the photos he wants. Adam chops fruit. Hannah gives him a list of guest demands. All gluten free. The guests begin to film, and the captain is concerned about a family-centric boat coming past.

Lauren says it’s awkward with Bobby, who’s going out of his way to ignore her. Bugs is asked for help with a shot at the hot tub, and says there are unmentionable parts staring her right in the eyeballs. Wes is hoping not to mess up the anchor with all the naked ladies around.

The lunch table isn’t naked, and is beautifully adorned with a beach theme. Lunch is served. One of the guests is mistakenly served octopus when she opted out of that, but chooses not to get a replacement dish. She says that Adam’s cooking is so good, she might become a convert. Mr. Skin mentions a breast reduction, and one of the women doesn’t understand why anyone would do that. Bobby says you can’t not look.

Bobby wants Malia to know the fun Bobby instead of the pissed off Bobby. That should last all of five minutes. Max is impressed with how well Bugs is holding up. It’s dinnertime. In his interview, Adam says he’s never eaten raw, as one guest has requested, but if something makes him uncomfortable, bring it on. Lauren thinks Bobby has built up resentment from before. Another gorgeous table and meal is presented.

Lauren asks to talk to Bobby. She hates confrontation, and wonders if he wants a hug or milkshake. In her interview, Bugs says losing her grandma is one of many challenges, and she’s proud of how she held up. Lauren tells Bobby that she’s sorry she hurt him, however she hurt him. He says he jumped to conclusions about Hannah talking smack about him. Lauren says so did she, confusing Bobby. That’s probably not hard, but it does sound like she’s waffling. She tells him that he needs to own up to things. He’s 31 and a grown-ass man. He got drunk, and attacked both her and Hannah. They end up with no resolution and time wasted. No surprise. I don’t like the way Lauren is playing both sides – no doubt to avoid a conflict, but just making it worse – but Bobby is one of those people who will never admit he’s wrong.

Captain Sandy wants a rock to tie on; it helps to create a private sanctuary among the cliffs for the guests. Bobby complains to Wes in the crew mess. Lauren suggests they take it to their room instead of making it awkward. In the galley, Lauren asks if she can talk to Hannah. Hannah jokes around, asking Adam what he did to her. They go out on the deck, and Lauren tells Hannah about Bobby talking smack to the deckhands about her, making her uncomfortable. In her interview, Hannah says she has no time for tears and tantrums, but she’s concerned with Lauren’s well-being at work. She tells her not to let it affect her mentally.

Another glorious meal happens. Max and Wes go out to put a chain on the rocks they’ll anchor to. The guests are impressed with the location, which is beyond beautiful, with a private grotto. Bobby is stressed because he knows the captain is watching. She tells them excellent job. More food! A sink starts to overflow. Adam, Hannah, and Malia all help Lauren, who is desperately bailing water out of it. Hannah says it’s their job to make sure the guests don’t know what’s happening. The water finally starts to recede.

Some guests take photos and others play in the water. The wind picks up, and the boat is getting too close to the cliffs. Captain Sandy wants Max to push the boat with the tinder, but he seems to be ignoring her.

Next time, Lauren thinks it’s unfair, Adam gets stressed and snippy, and there are issues with the anchor chain.

🍸 I checked out What Happens at The Abbey. It looks like a trash heap. The Abbey is a celebrity bar in Hollywood that’s gone through several incarnations. One bartender tells us if you have a dream, it’s the place to make it come true, but I find that hard to believe. Another says it’s the only place where a lesbian and a straight woman will fight over who’s going to have a gay man’s baby. I’ll take their word for it. Some guy named Daniel tells us he started the man bun, and I hate him already. After the first couple of minutes, I wonder if I can even watch this, and then Brandi Glanville walks in, and I’m pretty sure I can’t. She’s just as creepy as ever. As a matter-of-fact, most of these people seem creepy. And needless to say, extremely into themselves. There was an upside when Tori Spelling arrived. I’ve loved her ever since I saw her in Trick. If you’ve never seen that movie, I highly recommend it, especially if you like musicals. The plot revolves around a gay guy who’s writing a musical, and Tori is his best friend. She also has the Best. Monologue. Ever. Said guy, played by Christian Campbell, is also trying to get his date alone, but everything possible happens to thwart them. It’s very sweet and clever, and his song that keeps cropping up, Enter You, will be your ear worm forever. The fact that I got so off track just goes to show how bad The Abbey is, and how I want to get it out of my mind as quickly as possible.

🚛 I also watched one of my favorites, Hoarders. I also love Hoarding: Buried Alive, but, same thing. They were airing quite a few of them, and the last episode I caught showed two fails, which is unusual. One was a woman who was of the mindset that when the world was in its last days, people would come to her for stuff. Because we’ll all need moldy blankets and broken birdcages. She just wouldn’t accept that she had a mental disorder or accept the help, although for a while, they moved things from pile to pile. At the end, Corey talked about her victim mentality, and that she’ll have the perverse satisfaction of thinking that she’s been screwed over again. The other hoarder was also a woman, and they were able to clear out her place, but she wasn’t happy because of what she had to give up. More moldy blankets and broken birdcages. She had a really cute home when it was over too. I thought it was brave of the program to air unsuccessful efforts.

Why should they have to lose any more than they’d lost? – Hoarding: Buried Alive