What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny finishes cleaning up the mess he made smashing his glass, when the guard brings Laura in. He hugs her, and she says she’s so glad he’s home. The thought of not seeing him again was a terrible feeling. He says he’s so happy; he missed her. She sees the decanter, and says she noticed he poured himself a drink. Has he heard the news? He says, what news? and she says she’s sorry to have to tell him this. It’s about Luke. She starts to cry, and he asks if she’s telling him that Luke died. She says, yeah, and he says he’s so sorry, hugging her again.

Elizabeth meets Finn in his office, and he says she looks beautiful. She thanks him, and he asks, what’s the matter? She shows him her wedding ring, and says she found this in her locker.

In the MetroCourt elevator, Curtis kisses Portia’s neck, and she says, if they keep this up, they’re going to end up back in her bed (like this is a bad thing). He says, fine with him, and kisses her some more. She says, they’re acting like teenagers, and he asks why teenagers should have all the fun. The doors open, and Trina is standing there.

Back at Laura and Doc’s place, Esme looks at the prescription bottle, and says, if one is good, two must be better. Apparently, she’s been back in the U.S. for too long, since that’s the motto here. Spencer comes in, and she shoves the bottle in her purse. She says she barely beat him home; what’s up? He puts the to-go bag on the table, and says, it’s his dinner from the MetroCourt. After his meeting with Ava, he didn’t want to eat there, but he wasn’t going to waste it, since he paid for it. Esme says, wait, what? Ava made him pay for it with money he made at Kelly’s? He says, worse. Ava used his money from the trust fund to pick up the tab. Can she believe that? Ava is throwing it in his face that she’s in charge of his money. She asks what Trina had for dinner, and he says, what? She says, Trina. Or was he not going to mention Trina was part of his restitution meeting?

On the phone, Nina says her meeting ran late. She’ll meet them in the conference room in five minutes. Carly comes in, and says, Nina’s not going to make that meeting. Nina says she’s working, but Carly says, now, Nina’s dealing with her.

Spencer asks why he wouldn’t tell Esme that Trina was at his meeting with Ava, and she says, her point exactly. He says, it’s just another way for Ava to humiliate him, because when he goes to work for her, after he serves his time in Spring Ridge, Trina is going to be his supervisor. She says, that’s outrageous. Ava is really milking this restitution thing to death. He says, according to Ava, he hurt Trina’s feelings as well, and Esme wonders how Ava figures that. Spencer says, he did douse Trina with fake blood, and Esme says, which washed right out. (Really? Highly doubtful.) He asks if she’s hungry. They can split his steak, which is medium rare. She says she has a better idea. No one else is home. Let’s take advantage of the privacy. She kisses him.

Curtis says, this is kind of awkward, and Trina tells Portia that she doesn’t have to apologize. Portia says she wasn’t going to, and Trina says, Portia knows she wants her to be happy. Portia says she does, but this is a new dynamic for them. Trina takes it they had a good New Year’s Eve, and Portia says, they did actually. Curtis asks what Trina is doing with her time off from PCU, and Trina says, working at the gallery; hanging out. She and her friends are going to Josslyn’s father’s cabin in the mountains for a few days. Portia says, that’s actually happening? She knew it was in the works, but wasn’t sure if it was planned. Trina says, yep. They’re definitely going.

Marshall sees TJ at the hospital, and says he was told he could find TJ on this floor. Infectious diseases doesn’t sound like much fun to him, but is TJ enjoying it? TJ says, he likes helping people, and Marshall says, great. How was TJ’s New Year’s Eve? Did he and Molly paint the town red? TJ just looks at him, and Marshall says he gets it; this is TJ’s work. He never should have come here. TJ says, that’s not it. Come with him.

Finn says, it’s Elizabeth’s wedding ring from Franco, and she says, yes, which she decided to take off. He says he remembers. She said she was comfortable with the decision, but if she’s having second thoughts… She says, that’s not it. She hasn’t changed her mind. Her ring was in her locker, and she has no idea how it got there.

Laura tells Sonny that she doesn’t know why this hurts her so much. She thinks it’s the state her family is in. Lucky is so far away, she never gets to see him, and Lulu is still in a coma, and there isn’t anybody to cry with. She can’t do it with Bobbie; she’s taking it all so hard. He says, Luke’s her brother… Luke always seemed like somebody who was going to live forever. She says she wanted to tell him and Carly at the same time. Is Carly here? He says, no, she’s out, and Laura asks if everything is okay. He says, yeah, everything is… not really, but she’s got too much to worry about this time. How is she really? She says, it’s hard. She liked knowing Luke was out there somewhere. He was her partner for a really important part of her life. She knows it was a long time ago; she’s a completely different person now. She likes who she is now. They laugh, and Sonny says, she’s a mayor; it’s very impressive. She says, and she has Doc, and he’s her life partner now. She’s actually more worried about some of Luke’s other loved ones. He says he knows how strong she is, and she has Doc to depend on. He just wants her to know that if she ever needs anything, she can come to him. She thanks him, and says, it goes both ways.

Nina asks what Carly wants, and Carly says, what she wants is to never lay eyes on Nina again. Nina says, that would be a lot easier if Carly stayed out of her office. Ha-ha-ha! Carly says Nina is constantly claiming she doesn’t want to hurt Sonny’s family, and Nina says, because it’s true. Carly says, then tell her what she wants to hear. What exactly happened between Nina and her husband in Nixon Falls? Nina says she thinks that’s between Carly and her husband, but Carly says she disagrees, because Nina put herself between her and Sonny when she seduced him, and didn’t tell him that he had a family back in Port Charles. Nina says, that’s not what happened, and Carly says, then tell her what happened. Nina says, Carly heard Sonny on the stand; she’s not going to add to it. She’s sorry Carly found out the way she did, but she’s trying to respect Sonny’s wishes. Carly says, Nina doesn’t get to do that. She doesn’t get to act all virtuous. She’s so far from the high road, she’s under water. The only reason Nina kept her affair with Sonny a secret, is because she’s trying to hang onto him. Nina asks if Carly is kidding. She tried to leave Sonny alone. He told her to stay away from him, and she did her best. Carly says, bull. Nina knows as long as she and Sonny had a secret, she was constantly attached to him; she was always going to be in his life. Nina says, that’s ridiculous, and Carly says, and it worked. How many times did Nina and Sonny got together to keep their story straight? Nina says she’s not the one who drove Sonny to get practically falling down drunk at Charlie’s on New Year’s Eve. If Nina hadn’t been there… Oh, something else Sonny decided not to tell Carly.

A shirtless Spencer makes out with Esme on the couch, when there’s a knock at the door. He says, ignore it, but she says, answer it, and make them go away. He opens the door to Victor, who says, well, well.

TJ brings Marshall to an office, and says, this will be more private. They can talk in here. Marshall asks what TJ wants to talk about, and TJ says he’s going to be straight with Marshall. Marshall says, okay, and sits down. TJ sits, and says he’s not going to have a relationship with Marshall if it makes his uncle uncomfortable. Marshall says that disappoints him, although he can’t say he’s surprised. Did Curtis warn TJ off him? TJ says, that’s not what happened. Curtis is just looking out for him, and he respects that. Marshall says, wow. He had a brief moment of hope when Curtis came to see him at his hotel. TJ says, he did? TJ takes it that it didn’t go well, and Marshall says, no it did not. He just can’t give Curtis what he wants.

Portia says she wants to hear all about this weekend trip. She knows Trina is home for winter break, but still, they barely get a chance to see each other. Trina says that’s not all on her. Besides, she doesn’t think Curtis wants to hear about some weekend trip. Curtis says he doesn’t mind, but thinks he should let them have some mother/daughter time. Trina says he doesn’t have to go, but Portia asks if she wants to hang out with mom for a while. Trina says she does, and Curtis says, then he’ll go check on TJ, and see what he’s been up to. Trina says she’ll get a table, and leaves. Portia tells Curtis, don’t get her wrong. She’s excited to spend some time with Trina – she can tell something’s going on with her – but she’s sad to say goodbye to him. He says, it’s only temporary. Have fun with her daughter.

Elizabeth tells Finn, the last time she saw the ring was when she put it in the drawer on New Year’s Eve. How did it get in her locker? He asks if she thinks one of the boys put it in her pocket, and somehow it fell out in her locker, and she says, she doesn’t have another explanation, but if that’s the case… He says, one of her sons might have a problem with her dating him.

Sonny says, so Cyrus claims to have found religion? and he and Laura laugh. She says, it was quite a performance. He was quoting Scripture, chapter and verse. Sonny says, that’s not sincere, and she says she doesn’t think so. It didn’t stop him from dropping hints that there’s a new player filling the power vacuum he left on the West Coast. Sonny says, so finding God has forced him to give up mob politics? and she says, she has no idea what game he’s playing, but it’s not her concern anymore. Sonny rubs his head, and she asks if he wants to talk about it. He says, talk about what? and she says, whatever has him so upset that he’s drinking alone and breaking up things in his kitchen. He says he really screwed up this time. He doesn’t think he and Carly can fix it.

Nina says, she saw Sonny on New Year’s Eve at Charlie’s, trying to drown his pain after Carly turned her back on him. All he wants… Carly says, don’t tell her what Sonny wants. She knows her husband better than Nina ever will. Nina asks if Carly knows where he is right now, or is that why she’s here? To make sure he didn’t come to Nina after Carly spat in his face. Carly says, Sonny came home, like he always will. Nina says, how generous of Carly, to allow him to come back to his own home. Carly tells her to save her sarcasm; Nina’s opinion means nothing to her. Nina says she’s had it. She can’t win. If she doesn’t talk about Sonny, she’s hiding something; if she does talk about Sonny, she’s a… Carly says, she’s a conniving bitch, and always will be.

Elizabeth tells Finn, it doesn’t make any sense. Her boys were happy when she told him that she was going out with Finn. She doesn’t think they’d lie to her. He says, maybe lie is a strong word. Maybe one of them wants to feel happy for her, but deep down feels it might mean rejection of feelings for his stepdad. Or maybe it’s not about Franco; maybe it’s about Jason. Maybe Jake doesn’t want to share his mom with anyone because she’s all he has. She says, if Jake felt that way, he would have told her. If it’s even Jake they’re talking about. Is one of her boys that upset they felt the only option was to put her wedding ring in her pocket? He says, maybe it is about Franco then, and one of the boys doesn’t not want her moving on from his memory yet.

Trina says, it looks like Portia and Curtis are no longer – quote, unquote – taking things slow. Portia says, they’re past that point, and Trina says, just to be clear, she’s happy for Portia. Portia says she appreciates that. Does Trina know what she wants to get for dinner? Trina says she’ll just have a coffee. She already ate with Ava and Spencer. Portia says, Spencer, and Trina says, part of Spencer’s deal for restitution was that, after he serves his time, he works in Ava’s gallery for free. So the meeting was to go over his responsibilities. Portia says, a plea deal. That’s lovely. The waitress comes by, and Portia says, they’ll just have coffee. She says, Trina doesn’t look all that happy about it, and Trina says she didn’t like the way Ava used her power over Spencer. Don’t get her wrong. Spencer needs to learn his lesson, but Ava went out of her way to humiliate him, and Trina’s never seen that side of her. Joss has. She can’t stand Ava. Portia says, because of her brother, and Trina says, Morgan. That’s a sad, ugly story. Morgan had bi-polar disorder, and Ava messed with his medication. He had a breakdown and was killed, and Joss has always said it’s Ava’s fault. If she were in Josslyn’s situation, she’d feel the same, but Ava’s been nothing but great to her. She figured Ava made a mistake with Morgan, and now she’s trying to make amends. Portia says she’s sure that’s true, but Trina says, today, for the first time, she saw the Ava that Joss was warning her about; the one Joss and Spencer despise. Portia says, it looks like Ava taught Trina a very important lesson today, inadvertently. None of them is entirely good, or entirely bad; they’re all capable of both. Ava may have been a wonderful mentor – and Portia knows she was – but that doesn’t make her beyond reproach.

Esme shoves Spencer’s shirt at him, and he says, Uncle Victor. Victor says, how is he? And Esme; lovely to see her too. Esme says, hello, and invites him in, and Spencer asks what brings him by. Victor says he was concerned. He dropped by Kelly’s, and Spencer wasn’t working today. Spencer says, it’s his day off. He met with Ava to discuss what kind of work he’d be doing to make restitution, and Victor says he’s sorry. It couldn’t have been much fun. Spencer says, it wasn’t. He can’t even believe he has to work for that woman. She loves lording that power over him, but if she or his father think he’s going to come crawling back… Victor says, nonsense. Spencer will meet with them with his head held high. Spencer asks what that means, and Victor says, it’s time this family came together, all the Cassadines, in a united front.

Trina tells Portia, she’ll supervise Spencer because it’s her job, but she’s not going to order him around, or treat him like a flunky. Portia says she knows that’s not Trina’s style, but make him work hard. The waitress brings their coffee, and Trina says, although being Spencer’s boss will make it even more awkward. Portia asks what she means, and Trina says, when they get to this cabin, she doesn’t know what she’s going to do. Portia asks if she’s still feeling like the fifth wheel, and Trina asks if it’s weird that she hangs out with Joss and Cam so much. Portia asks why that would be weird, and Trina says, it was different when they were all just friends, but now that they’re dating, she feels like she’s always in their space, bugging them. Portia says, Josslyn never struck her as a girl who had trouble speaking her mind, and if Trina really feels this way, why is she even considering going on this trip? Trina says, because Esme got in her face with, poor Trina, so alone. It made her so mad, she just told Esme that she was going to shut her up.

TJ says, Marshall has a lot to make up to Curtis, and Marshall wholeheartedly agrees. TJ asks, then why not give Curtis what he wants? and Marshall says, because he can’t even talk to Curtis unless he tells Curtis where he’s been and what he’s been doing all these years. TJ says, that sounds like a reasonable request, but Marshall says he wants to put the past behind him. It’s just too painful; he can’t talk about it. TJ says, is his son not worth the pain? but Marshall says, it’s not that. If he opens up to Curtis, his answers are going to drive Curtis further away from him.

Laura says, so Carly found out Sonny fell for Nina when he was on the witness stand? and Sonny says, she has to understand. He didn’t fall in love with Nina; Mike did. She says, but he has Mike’s memories and feelings, and Carly didn’t know about any of that until he testified. He says, he would never hurt Carly like that, and Laura says, she’s not judging him; she’s just curious. Was he ever going to tell Carly about this? He says he wanted to, then Jason died. Then his cousin Brando and his girlfriend lost their baby. It was two painful things at once, and he didn’t want to pile everything on Carly, and tell her about Nixon Falls when he didn’t know there was a family mourning him. He became friends with Nina; she was caring and smart, and they fell in love. But once he found out he was Sonny, he went home. Why is it so hard for people to understand – he gets choked up – that he wanted to leave Nixon Falls behind him and just move on? Laura says, she understands why he did what he did, and he says, he appreciates her saying that; it means a lot. He asks if she thinks Carly will ever come to terms with what he did.

Nina asks what Carly is even doing here. She thought Carly was smart, but she’s an idiot. Carly says, she was stupid to think Nina would be straight with her, but Nina says, that’s not what she’s talking about. Sonny is home, and Carly is here, sniping at her. If Carly’s big goal is to keep her husband from turning back to Nina, she’s doing the complete opposite. Carly says, Sonny wouldn’t have given Nina a second glance if he’d remembered her, and Nina suggests Carly get over herself, and be glad he’s home. Carly says Nina knows nothing about her marriage, but Nina says, she knows this. Sonny isn’t going to let Carly beat him up for very much longer. He’s going to come back to the woman who loves him without all the anger, and Carly will lose him for good. If Sonny comes to her, she’s definitely not going to send him away.

Carly calls Nina pathetic, and says, Nina can wait all she wants, but Sonny is never coming back to her. Nina’s relationship was an illusion. Mike was an illusion. The second Sonny remembered, he came home. He didn’t give Nina a backwards glance. Nina says, Carly is awful worried about an illusion. Does she want to know what happened between her and Sonny in Nixon Falls? Carly asks if Nina slept with her husband, and Nina says, almost, but they didn’t because she stopped it. She said no, but if she hadn’t, Sonny would have made love to her.

Laura says, infidelity is tough to get past, and Sonny says, but this situation is different. It’s not like he was cheating. He didn’t know or remember who Carly was; he didn’t know who he was. She says she gets that, but thinks he has to try and see it from Carly’s point-of-view. She found out he fell in love with Nina on the witness stand. That’s information he kept from her. How could she not feel he’d been unfaithful? He says he does understand that, but she’s not allowing him to prove to her how much he loves her. Nina doesn’t matter anymore. Laura asks, then why is he protecting Nina? He said he didn’t think he was Nina’s victim. Doesn’t he think what Nina did was wrong?

Elizabeth tells Finn, if the boys had a problem with her dating, they would have been more direct. Using her wedding ring as a symbolic token of her and Franco seems awfully manipulative. He says, he has no experience with boys that age, other than when he was that age, so he trusts her judgement. She says, maybe they just found it in the drawer, and assumed she forgot to put it back on. They know she takes it off when she does the dishes. Maybe they were returning it, not realizing she’d decided to stop wearing it. Maybe this isn’t some big statement about her and Franco, and they were just being thoughtful. He says he supposes it’s possible.

Spencer tells Victor, his father is no longer part of his family, and Ava never will be. Victor says he thought Spencer understood the importance of the Cassadine legacy, and Spencer says he’s fine with Victor and Alexis being his family. Can’t they just leave it at that? Victor says, they can’t. There’s Alexis, there’s Nikolas, there’s Valentin… Spencer says, Valentin tried to kill him, and Victor says, for heaven’s sake, stop exaggerating, and take a more pragmatic view of what happened. He doesn’t doubt Valentin deliberately intimidated Spencer, and it’s not the kindest way to treat a child, but it’s a far cry from trying to kill Spencer. Blowing these things out of proportion is understandable, when you’re ten. At Spencer’s age, clinging to some fantasy is an unacceptable display of weakness. Is he understood? Spencer says, so Valentin gets a free pass then? and Victor says, Valentin is a member of this family, as is Ava. Esme clears her throat, and Victor says, and Esme, of course (🍷). Spencer, his father, and Valentin need to put these past slights behind them… Spencer says, they’re more than slights, and Esme says, it’s too much to expect Spencer to forget how his dad and Ava have treated him. First, Spencer’s father pretends to be dead for three years, then Ava slithers in, and takes control of Spencer’s trust fund. Victor says, the Cassadines have been plotting against each other, and fighting each other for generations, and that includes actual threats of murder. That’s one of the reasons this family is in such a sorry state today, and it needs to end. It’s time Spencer lived up to his mantle as Cassadine heir, and started putting family first. Spencer says, but Ava… and Victor says Ava and Spencer’s father are a team. They need to bring them in to the larger family circle, and in time, Spencer will see Ava’s influence over Nikolas will begin to lessen. It’s what Spencer wants, isn’t it? Spencer says he guesses it makes sense, and Victor tells him, don’t worry. He’s still young, and he’ll soon learn women will come and go in his life, but family is forever.

Marshall tells TJ that he can’t the change past. He wants Curtis to get to know who he is now, not who he was. TJ says, that’s not what Uncle Curtis wants. He can tell Marshall doesn’t know Curtis very well. When Uncle Curtis makes his mind up, he cannot be moved. Is the truth so awful, Marshall can’t risk telling him? Honestly, Curtis’s opinion of Marshall can’t get worse. So if Marshall wants to know his family, if he really wants to know who they are, he has to let them know who he is. Curtis comes in smiling, but his smile drops as soon as he sees Marshall.

Portia tells Trina, going on a trip to prove to Esme that she’s fine being single is not a good reason. Trina says she knows, but Esme got all in her face with her fake pity, and Trina didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. Then she reminded herself that the real reason they’re going is to give Spencer some fun memories before he has to report to Spring Ridge. Intellectually, he knows he got off easy. He’s been spoiled and privileged his entire life. He’s had emotional hardships, but never physical ones. He’s scared to go to Spring Ridge, even for minimum security, even for thirty days. So this trip is his last chance to enjoy himself. Portia says, taking care of Spencer isn’t Trina’s job, first off, and it sounds to her like Trina is dreading going on this trip. Trina tells Portia, she wouldn’t say dreading, and Portia asks if she’s talked to Josslyn about any of this. Trina says, no, and Portia asks, why not? Trina says she doesn’t want Joss to think she resents her and Cam’s happiness, which she doesn’t. But sometimes she feels left out. Portia says, it sounds like Trina has a decision to make. What’s worse, going on a trip where she’ll possibly feel out of place, or staying home and feeling like she’s missing out?

Curtis says, Marshall has turned into a full-blown stalker. His nephew works here. TJ says, he and Marshall were just getting things straightened out, and Marshall says, for the record, every time he talks to his grandson, TJ impresses him more. TJ says he made it clear, there won’t be any more conversations unless Marshall proves Curtis can trust him. Curtis takes TJ aside, and says, he was hoping they could have dinner. TJ says his break is almost over, but they can go to the cafeteria and grab a quick bite. His phone beeps, and he says, sorry. He has to check on a patient. Curtis says, his nephew, the busy doctor, and TJ promises they’ll get together soon. He tells Marshall, have a good night, and leaves.

Elizabeth says she’s not going to figure out who put the ring in her locker until she talks to the boys, and Finn says, he’ll be happy to be there when she has that talk. She says she appreciates that, but feels it’s something she needs to do on her own. If one of her boys is struggling with the idea they could potentially be more than friends, she wants them to feel comfortable enough to talk to her about it. HE nods, and she says, he doesn’t have to look so relieved. He says he meant what he said, and she tells him, she realizes that, but also realizes he’s happy she turned him down. He says, about dinner. Does she think they should reschedule?

Sonny tells Laura, of course (🍷) what Nina did was wrong; she put his family through hell. She asks why he’s protecting Nina then, and he says he doesn’t want to see her prosecuted. She says, why not? and he says, because he has feelings for Nina. He doesn’t want to have feelings for her, but Carly wanted to know the truth, so he gave it to her. Laura says, all of it, and he says, not the gory details. She says, that would be hard to hear, and he says, Carly’s not satisfied with the answers he’s given her to her questions, and he’s not satisfied either. He’s trying to figure out how he feels. She asks, what’s confusing him? and he says he still has dreams, when he was back in Nixon Falls. He knows it’s a separate thing from his life in Port Charles, and his feelings for Nina have nothing to do with his family. She says, now he and Nina are both here in Port Charles, and he says, he can’t keep them separate now, and he doesn’t know what to do with it.

Nina asks if Carly got what she came there for, now that Carly knows for sure Sonny loved her. Nina opens the door, and Carly says, Mike loved Nina; Sonny loves her. Nina says, she doesn’t think Carly would be there if she really believed that. So Carly didn’t get what she really wanted, did she? Carly says, tell her what she wanted, and Nina says, what Carly wanted was for her to say, what happened between her and Sonny in Nixon Falls could never happen again, but they both know that would be a lie. Carly slaps Nina across the face.

Elizabeth says, Finn doesn’t mind? and he says, he’d love to have dinner with her, but he can see this situation with the ring is bothering her. She thanks him for understanding, and he says, there will be plenty of dinners in the future. She says, absolutely. This is only a postponement. She goes to the door, and says, she’s still looking forward to going out with him, and leaves.

Trina tells Portia, she wants to be with her friends, even if it means putting up with Esme. She thinks they’ll have fun… probably. Portia says she thinks Nina needs to trust her friends. Her, Joss, and Cam have been through so much together; they have years of friendship. Focus on that, and enjoy herself no matter what Esme thinks.

Curtis tells Marshall, TJ is gone. There’s no reason for him to stick around. Marshall says, wait. Please. Curtis says, nothing has changed. He only wants to hear one thing from Marshall, and Marshall says, he knows Curtis has questions. And if he doesn’t want Curtis to continually walk away from him, he has to answer them.   

Sonny’s phone dings, and he sees it’s a message from the pharmacy. He’s out of refills on his prescription for lithium. Dr. Sullivan will need to send a new script, and Sonny will have to call. He looks at his contacts, and sees Carly’s picture and number.

Nina says, the truth hurts, doesn’t it? and Carly says she’s putting Nina on notice. Sonny’s home where he belongs. Stay the hell away from her husband. She walks out.

Laura comes home, and calls out for Doc and Spencer. Victor gets up, and says, hello, Laura. It’s so lovely to see you again.

Felicia asks Maxie what she needs, Britt tells Austin that dating is war, Nina asks Willow how they’re going to do that, and Carly tells Sonny that they can’t act like their life isn’t falling apart.

Below Deck

Fraser leaves threesome of him, Jake, and Rayna, and says he’s happy on his own. I’m guessing the twosome got busy, since Jake does not want to talk about it in his interview. Oh wait maybe not. Rayna says, thank you God. She didn’t want to sleep with anyone. Well, she certainly did a good imitation.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and the captain meets with Eddie, Rachel, and Heather in the crew mess. The primary is Tony, a naval officer who now has his own business, and his wife, Porcha, who stays at home. They’re bringing along several long-time couple friends. In Eddie’s interview, he says his family has a history with the Navy, and he thought he’d go into the Navy after college, but joined yachting instead. He’s thinking he made a mistake. The guests want a beach picnic and a black tie dinner, where they want to celebrate marriage and Black excellence. The food preferences are all over the place, with one being highly allergic to shellfish, and another with a dairy allergy. Captain Lee says, a new stew will be joining them, and it should make it easier on all of them. Heather tells Eddie that she’s excited about the new stew, and he tells her that they have to keep an eye on Fraser to make sure he doesn’t get down on himself.

Heather calls for provisions, and the boat is cleaned up. The crew gets take-out pizza, and it looks really good; lots of toppings. Heather tells the others that stew is coming mid-charter, and is from a boat she worked in Florida. She’d given Captain Lee her CD. In Fraser’s interview, he says he feels threatened. Someone who knows Heather might have an advantage over what they’ve just built. His unhappiness shows, and Heather asks if he wants help or not. He says he doesn’t think it’s the best idea, and Heather says, it’s help or no help; there’s no one else. In his interview, he says he’s worried it will disrupt the balance, and doesn’t think it’s the best idea. In Heather’s interview, she says she’s furious. They’ve all been carrying the weight of one less person, and need extra hands. She’s excited, and tells Fraser to take it as a good thing. In his interview, Fraser says he’s come a long way from an insecure, dorky child, dressed by his mom, but there’s a voice in his head telling him that he’s not good enough. He needs to shake it off right now. He feels like sh*t.

Jake calls pseudo-fiancé Paris, and tells her about the three-way kiss. She calls him a wanker, and in his interview, he says she’ll let kissing slide, but he doesn’t know how she’d feel about him hooking up with a co-worker. It wasn’t worth blowing what they have. Captain Lee calls Eddie to the bridge, and says he thinks Eddie should take the boat off the dock if he’s up for it. Eddie is game, and he asks if Eddie is nervous. Eddie says, yeah, and the captain says, he should be. In Eddie’s interview, he says, undocking is stressful to begin with, and this marina is tight. There’s no room for error. Captain Lee tells him not to take his eyes off the dock. If someone is on fire, he’ll put it out. Eddie radios Jake to tell him that he’ll be dropping anchor, and he wants Wes and Rayna to put out the Nauti Boys. In his interview, Eddie says he’s done all this before, but not with Captain Lee looking over his shoulder. Provisions come in, and Heather tells Fraser to focus on the cabins.

South Friars Bay, St. Kitts. Eddie takes the boat out, while the captain back seat drives, and in Eddie’s interview, he says he’s proud of himself. It’s all downhill from here, right? Heather sets up for lunch, and in Fraser’s interview, he says he’s on edge. He’s worried someone will come in and be better than him. He doesn’t want any inside jokes and buddy-buddy stuff that will make him feel like a third wheel. Captain Lee says, Rayna sounds like she’s in a good mood, and Eddie says she can be difficult. It’s obvious when her eyes roll off her head while he’s talking. We flash back to Eddie calling out Rayna, and her saying it had nothing to do with him. In the captain’s interview, he says, it’s late in the season, and it’s not like he can pull another deckhand out of his ass. They have to figure out a way to make it work. It’s time to dig deeper. Eddie says, Rayna is doing the work, but needs to lose the attitude.

Captain Lee tells everyone, ten minutes to show time. Everyone gets ready. The slide is out, and the champagne is poured. The guests come in a water taxi, and primary Tony requests permission to come on board. In Wes’s interview, he says, it’s nice to see all Black couples who travel together, and they have the swag. Wingtip shoes; his dream. The captain says, Heather will show them around, then they’ll get this party started. Heather gives the tour, and Rachel says she’s in let’s kill it mode. Fraser tops off the guests’ champagne, and Tony confers with Rachel and Heather in the galley. He tells Rachel that although some guests have food issues, don’t minimize what the rest of them are eating. Tomorrow, they’re doing the black tie dinner, and the couples are renewing their vows. Heather suggests having Captain Lee officiate. She goes to the bridge, and tells the captain that he’s been invited to dinner, as well as officiating at the vow renewal. He asks who suggested that, and she says she did. In his interview, he says he doesn’t appreciate anyone volunteering him for anything without consulting him. It’s a huge effing no-no. He tells Heather, next time, check with him first.

Rachel tells us, the lunch theme is Caribbean, because they’re in the Caribbean. Since the guests like it spicy, she’s making her scotch bonnet burner sauce. Tomorrow when they look for their toilet paper in the freezer, they’ll scream her name. Tony says, the sauce is like their wives, sweet and hot. Aww! Wes radios Jake to tell him that a fishing boat is coming in. Fraser tells Rachel that her food was brilliant, and she rocked their socks off. The guests play on the water toys. The captain says, goddammit, and radios Eddie. He tells Eddie to check where the jet skis are going, and asks where Wes and Rayna are. Eddie says, they’re at lunch, and Captain Lee says, they lost sight of the jet skis. Eddie has to make sure someone always has eyes on them. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, the deck crew’s not thinking. If one’s not f***ing up, the other is, at every turn. It’s a common sense thing. We flash back  to some of those f*** ups, and  the captain says, they’re not staying focused. You’re on a mega yacht; act like it. Jake radios for a hand and everyone applauds.

The captain asks why Eddie is washing the jet skis, and Eddie says, because he was there. Captain Lee says he wants to see someone else doing it. In his interview, the captain says, Eddie’s not a deckhand; he’s a first officer. Eddie is doing menial tasks, and he wonders why the deckhands aren’t doing it. They’re probably texting, and that sh*t is coming to an abrupt halt. He tells Eddie, get them up here. He’s not happy. Eddie radios Rayna and Wes to meet him at the bow. He tells them to fuel the jet skis, and goes back to the bridge. The captain reminds him that they have ten minutes to get into their blacks, and Eddie relays the message. Captain Lee tells Eddie that he can see the eyeroll. If he sees it again, it’s going to be an issue. In Rachel’s interview, she says she’s excited about a new task, and wants to make these people happy. The last charter sucked – literally. We flash back to primary WhatsHerFace, whose jaw was wired shut. Rachel says she needs to work bigger, better, faster, and smarter. There’s no room for error.

Captain Lee calls Jake and Eddie to the wheelhouse, and asks how it’s going. He saw Rayna’s eyeroll, and if he sees it one more time, he’s going to come apart like a cheap suit. He also wants no headphones; it’s a safety issue, and if he sees them texting, he’s going to come apart. Jake needs to have a sit-down with the deckhands. In Eddie’s interview, he says, Captain Lee will rip their souls out through their butts if he doesn’t deal with it. Heather sets up for the Greek dinner, including putting out huge fake columns. She tells Fraser that she’s looking for him to teach the new stew. She wants him to take the role of her righthand man. In Heather’s interview, she says she can tell Fraser is still bothered, but at this rate, she feels he’s overreacting. Drop it, and focus on the job at hand. Deal with the other sh*t when she gets here. Jake tells the deckhands that no one is to be using their phones or earbuds, and tells Rayna, no eyerolling. Eddie says, careful, eyeroll happening, and Rayna says, sounds good, eyerolling in her mind.

In Rayna’s interview, she says she loves cooking, and she’s been learning so much in the galley. She enjoys it, and loves seeing another woman being such a boss. The captain joins the guests for dinner, and they start with tapas. Heather tells them, linguine is coming, and Tony says, it’s fabulous. Guest Melissa says guest Peter (also her husband) will collapse if he eats cheese, and do they have some lamb that hasn’t touched feta? Another guest says, they don’t eat shrimp. Heather tells Melissa, the preference sheet said minimal cheese, and goes back to the galley. In Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s an absolute nightmare. This is what happens when you’re tired. When Heather goes back to the table, Melissa says, they’re still waiting on lamb and chicken. She’s disappointed. Heather insists the preference sheet said, light dairy, not intolerant, and in her interview, Rachel says she’s about to lose her sh*t. Melissa insists they were very clear, and Heather says she’ll be sure it never happens again. She’s so sorry. Melissa says she’s appalled at the service; they like to eat together. Heather tells Rachel that the preference sheet said minimal dairy, but they double-check, and realize it was a mix-up. Heather tells Melissa that she misunderstood the sheets, and she’s so sorry for the mix-up, but Melissa refuses to eat anything else. Her loss, I say.

Heather serves dessert, and Rachel comes to the table. She asks how they’re doing, and promises to make sure there are no lactose garnishes. She’ll also have chicken available at all times, so no one needs be cranky. She says, when she’s hangry, she gets the eye droop and wants to snack on the youngest deckhand; her cougar coming out. Everyone but Melissa is amused, and Tony says he looks forward to breakfast. Everyone turns in after dinner, and Rachel says, tonight was a disaster. Rayna does affirmations in her bunk, saying, she’s a lead deckhand on her next vessel. Good luck with that. Fraser tells Jake that he feels insecure. He’s going to give the new stew the side-eye. Rachel says she’s sleeping in her uniform. It’s a whole other level.

Captain Lee tells Eddie that he doesn’t want to see eyerolls. There’s always a reason for someone’s behavior. People don’t do things for no reason. On deck, Rayna tells Wes that Eddie attacked the sh*t out of them. Don’t speak to her like a dad. The whole charter has been chill, and she doesn’t know where this came from. Wes says he thought maybe Jake and Heather. The captain tells Eddie that there’s something they don’t know, and it’s about time to find out what’s going on, so Eddie can get hold of things before they get blown out.

Heather and Rachel dance around the galley, singing about caviar. Rayna talks to Wes about his sailboat, and he says, it’s an easy way to make money, and it’s fun. She says she doesn’t know how to sail. In Eddie’s interview, he says, the crew morale is in the dumps. All Captain Lee is seeing is negatives, and he wants it to be the opposite. They need to look good so they get positive reinforcement – atta boys, and atta girls of course.

The breakfast special is shrimp and grits. I’m not a fan of grits, but I think maybe I just haven’t had them done right. I’m willing to give them another chance. Rachel breaks an egg that has two yolks, and says, twins. She hopes it means good luck. Eddie instructs Rayna on pulling up the anchor, and Rachel says she needs someone to help cut strawberries. The captain tells Rayna that’s one of the best anchor pulls they’ve had, and Rayna tells Wes that she doesn’t like it. Heather radios, asking if Rayna will help cut the strawberries, and Rayna tells Wes, it’s not okay to play with people’s emotions. She can’t flip the switch. Wes says, you’re being punished, but we’re going to Disneyworld tomorrow, and she says, it’s not right; they’re trying to play with her head. Clearly, these two do not understand work, bosses, or work related situations versus personal situations. Fraser comes over and gives Rayna a hug, asking if she’ll help. She goes with him, and Heather asks if she’s okay. Captain Lee tells Eddie to check on Rayna, and Rayna says she’s getting her glasses, then she’ll help Rachel. Heather tells Eddie that Rayna was crying, and Eddie goes to Rayna’s cabin, and knocks on the door.

Next time, the new stew arrives, Fraser says he’s still the baddest bitch, the guests renew their vows, and Jake gets naked… again.

🦢 Feather Ball Time…

You have an open invite to join me tomorrow for soap and to see what’s new in VanderCountry. Until then, stay safe, stay never giving up on your dreams, even if you have to modify them, and stay knowing that none of us is entirely good or entirely bad. We’re all capable of both.