Tag Archives: Garcelle Beauvais

February 1, 2022 – Vow Renewal At the Quartermaines, New Jersey Pool Party, Who’s Who, New Nose, Abandonment, Housewife Tease, Called Out, Sad News & Brighter

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase finds Brook getting coffee in the nook, and tells her that Bailey is conked out. She says she wishes Bailey slept this much at the beach house, but Chase says, she’ll get used to the new digs; just give her a minute. She says, they’ll probably be out of there by the time that happens, and Chase says, then Peter will be locked up, and Bailey can go home. She says, and they can officially stop pretending. They hear Bailey cry on the monitor, and touch hands as they’re both reaching for it. Chase says, he’ll go, and leaves.

Michael says, Wiley is excited to see his cousin Bailey today, and Willow says, he misses her. Michael asks if she’s ready to go to the house, but she says, she’s actually waiting for her mom to drop by. She still can’t find any record of her birth certificate, and needs to get her passport application in. He says, oui, oui, and she asks if that’s the only French word he knows. He says, oui, and she laughs, saying, she really hopes her mom has a copy. He says they can’t go to Paris without one, and kisses her.

Kristina shows up at Alexis’s office with coffee, and says, stop the presses. Local editor’s down, unharmed, coaxed from behind the desk with caffeine. Alexis reaches for the cup, and says, bless you. She takes a sip, and says, hello, my daughter. Kristina says, hello, mother. She came to observe Alexis in her natural habitat. She picks up a placard from Alexis’s desk, and reads, truth never damages a cause that is just. She says she likes it, and Alexis says, Harmony gave it to her. Kristina says, just the person she wanted to talk about.

Britt meets Austin in Kelly’s, and he says he wants to get a female perspective. What does it mean when a woman kisses a man?

Maxie adjusts the chairs for the vow renewal at the Quartermaines, and flashes back to kissing Austin. Brook asks if she’s ready. Guests are arriving; it’s time to open the doors. Maxie says, first, she has to tell Brook something, and Brook says, uh-oh. Unless it’s not an uh-oh. Maxie says, it’s definitely an uh-oh. Austin remembered something. Brook says, something as in… and Maxie says, he remembered hearing them talking the night Louise was born.

Dante tells Leo that he’s looking sharp (we’re back to the usual Leo), and Leo says, it’s not itchy. Ned says, Leo is wearing a T-shirt under his shirt instead of a button-down. Dante says, button-downs can be itchy; what’s with that? Leo shrugs, and Dante says, it doesn’t matter. Once Leo’s mother walks in the room, no one is going to notice them anyway. Ned tells him, you can say that again, and Olivia walks down the stairs, smiling at Ned.

Drew sees Carly alone in one of the rooms, and asks what she’s doing there. She says she’s hiding, and he says he hates to break it to her, but she’s not going to be very successful looking like that. She says, still the charmer, and he says, it’s the truth. He tells her, hiding isn’t usually her style, and she says she doesn’t feel like herself these days. She’s nervous to see Sonny. How ridiculous is that? He asks what exactly she’s nervous about, and she says she doesn’t want their issues to cast a shadow over Olivia and Ned. He says, she doesn’t think Sonny gets that? and she says, here’s hoping.

Sonny comes in as Ned is thanking Laura for officiating today. She says, it’s an honor. She wouldn’t have missed it for the world. She’s so sorry Doc couldn’t be here, but there was another patient emergency. Olivia says they’re sorry too, and excuses herself. She goes over to hug Sonny, and he tells her that she looks good. She thanks him, and asks how he’s doing. He says he’s good, and asks if Carly’s there, and Olivia says, Carly came early to help her get ready. She would have understood if he couldn’t make it today. It’s hard to celebrate someone else’s happiness when you’re not exactly in the best place yourself. He says, he and Carly will be back together before she knows it. Just you bet on it.

Britt says, Austin was a doctor last she checked, and he says he still is. She says she’s pretty sure human sexuality was covered in his studies, and he says, it was, but he’s a grown man and she’s a grown woman, so he’s asking her. If you kiss a man who’s your friend, why would you apologize? She says she assumes they’re talking about… He says, Maxie, and she says, was it good? He says he thought so, and she says, why didn’t he ask Maxie what she meant? He says, her mom kind of interrupted them, and she says, so this happened in high school? He says, she’s hilarious. What happened was, he and Maxie went to Pawtuck with Anna and Felicia to try and jog their memories about what happened the night Louise was born. She says, oh wow. And? Did either of them remember what happened? He says he doesn’t know. That part’s even more confusing than the kissing.

Maxie tells Brook, she tried to convince Austin that he was misremembering – if that’s even a word (FYI, it is according to spellcheck) – but she doesn’t think it worked. Brook says she has to try harder, and Maxie says, she did everything she could think of. She even kissed him. Brook says, that is an interesting and creative strategy. They’ll revisit that later. Maxie says, it wasn’t a strategy. Austin’s gone above and beyond to help her out. The problem is, what he thinks is helping could probably ruin everything. Brook says they shouldn’t panic. They just need to come up with a plan. Maxie says, ya think? when Tracy comes in, and asks, what’s going on in here? The two of them having their heads together doesn’t look suspicious at all, while the guests are milling around outside. Brook says, they have everything under control, and Tracy says her confidence knows no bounds. Maxie thanks her for keeping all of this under wraps, and Tracy says, Peter August is a despicable human being, who doesn’t deserve to be a father, and she’s very sorry Maxie has to be separated from Louise. Maxie says she knows Louise is in good hands, but she can’t wait to have her daughter back in her arms.

Harmony arrives at the gatehouse, and says, she was so happy to get Willow’s call. What did she want to talk about? Willow says she needs a copy of her birth certificate, and Harmony asks, how come? Willow says she can’t find hers. It must have gotten lost in all the moving around. Normally, it wouldn’t be anything urgent, but she needs to get a passport. Harmony asks where she’s headed, and Willow says, Michael is taking her to Paris. Michael comes in, and Harmony says, how wonderful. Are they taking Wiley with them? Michael says, not this time, and tells Willow that he’s heading to the house; he wants to see how his mom and dad are doing. Willow says she’ll be right behind him with Wiley, and he says it was nice seeing Harmony. (Since when?) She says, him too, and he leaves. Willow tells Harmony, the first step to her getting a passport is getting a copy of her birth certificate, and she can’t find any record of it online. How can that be?

Alexis says, just so Kristina knows, Harmony is a non-issue. They won’t be spending time together anymore. Kristina says, because of her, and Alexis says, she and Harmony both think it’s best. Kristina says, so that’s the end, but she really wants Alexis to hear her out on this. Sam way overstepped when she told Harmony to stay away from Alexis. Sam just assumed the friendship would make her uncomfortable. Alexis says, it doesn’t? and Kristina says, whatever she feels, it wasn’t Sam’s place to speak for her. Alexis says, Sam was just protecting her, and Kristina says she’s sure there was a sincere desire to protect her, but Sam was also avoiding focusing on her own mess of a life.

Ned says, Olivia takes his breath away, and she says, stop. Dante says, it’s true; she looks beautiful. Right, Leo? Leo says he loves her sparkly dress, and Olivia says, that’s why she wore a sparkly dress. She’s so grateful to have all her guys here with her today. Ned says, they’re a lucky crew, and she says, they sure are. Tracy comes in with Brook and Maxie, and Maxie says they can come in. Tracy says, hopefully, they’ll deem it worth the wait. Olivia tells Maxie, it’s just gorgeous, and Ned says she captured the mood perfectly. Brook asks, what mood would that be? and he says, you know, bliss, gratitude – he takes Olivia’s hand – love. Brook hugs him, and says she’s so glad this day came. She’s so sorry… Olivia says, they’re not doing any of that today. Today, they’re all looking forward; they’re not looking back. Ned says, it means everything to them that they’re all here together, and Brook says, it means everything to her too.

Sonny asks Laura if there’s any word on Cyrus, but she says, all’s quiet on that front. She asks how he is, and he says, things were a little bumpy for a little bit, but things are back on track. She says, good, and he says, things are definitely looking up. She says, with him and Carly? and he says, he just has to prove they belong together. He sees Carly standing in the doorway.

Britt tells Austin, feelings can be tricky, and aren’t always accurate. Maxie suffered severe emotional trauma that night, and Austin was knocked unconscious. She’s not shocked the recall is a little fuzzy. He says he guesses, and she says, back to that kiss. He says, what about it? and she says, only Maxie can tell him what it meant. So he has to put on those big boy pants and talk to her. He asks if there’s a B option, and she says, call her. He says he can’t; she’s coordinating at the Quartermaines. She’s in charge of Ned and Olivia’s vow renewal. She says, to which he was invited, and he says, to which he declined. She says, he might want to revisit that decision, and he says, just to see Maxie? She says, there isn’t even the tiniest part of him that wants to get to know his family? and he says, he already knows them. She says, get to know them better. Maybe even get close. He says, maybe she’s right. Maybe he did decline that invitation a little too quickly. She laughs, and Brad walks in. He says he’s fifteen minutes late, so technically, he’s on time. Britt says, that’s not what technically means, and he says, for him, it’s still on time. He and Austin say, hello, and Austin starts to get up. Britt says he doesn’t have to leave, but Austin says he has somewhere to be, right? She says, he does. Good luck. He leaves, and Brad sits down. Brad says, he seems nice, and Britt says, he’s straight. And she just sent him off into the arms of another woman.

Maxie says, according to Britt, Peter’s getting transferred to Pentenville tonight, and Brook says, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Once Peter is finally locked away, this whole thing is going to be over. Once that happens and this nightmare is behind them, what is Maxie going to do about Austin? Maxie asks what she means, and Brook says, it’s pretty obvious Austin is into her. Maxie says, obvious to who? and Brook says, everyone. The question is, is Maxie into him? Maxie says she thinks so, but it’s hard to tell when all she’s doing is lying to his face. Brook says she can see that being an obstacle, and Maxie says she can’t think about Austin right now. Brook doesn’t think he’s going to show up there, does she? Brook says, with her family? It’s the last place he wants to be.

Willow gives Harmony a cup of coffee, and Harmony says she’s sure she has a copy of Willow’s birth certificate with her important documents. She’ll look for it right away. Willow thanks her, and says, it was so strange she couldn’t find it online. Harmony says, maybe not every piece of information is on the internet, and Willow says, not to rush her, but time is of the essence if she wants to get a passport. Harmony promises to look for it right away, and Willow asks if she wants to see Wiley. She says she’d love that, and Willow leaves to get him.

On the phone in the nook, Dante says, keep him posted. Chase comes in and asks if something is up, but Dante says, it can wait. His mother will kill him if he misses the ceremony. Chase asks if it’s sad that just hearing the words keep me posted makes him nostalgic. He hands Dante a cup of coffee, and Dante says, kinda. Is he missing the job? Chase says, big time. He hates being in limbo. Dante says he hears that, and Chase asks if Sam is coming. Dante tells him, she said she was, and Chase wonders why he’s saying it like that. Dante says, never mind, but Chase says, come on; tell him. Dante says, ever since Drew came back… Chase asks if they’re having problems, but Dante says, no. That’s the problem. It’s nothing as tangible as that. They had some good momentum going for a while, then Drew came back, and it stopped. They were full steam ahead for a while there. Chase says, but now they’re stuck in neutral.

Alexis asks what mess Sam’s in now, and Kristina says, maybe mess is too harsh. Let’s say, Sam seems conflicted. Who can blame her, torn between two men? Alexis says, Kristina… and Kristina says, if she were Sam and had to choose between Dante and Drew, it would be tough. Both are charming, both are handsome, and both are sincerely good guys. Drew is Scout’s father, so he has that in his favor, but Dante’s been with Sam for months, helping her rebuild her life when she and Jason split. Alexis hopes she didn’t share any of this with Sam, and Kristina says, of course (🍷) not. None of this is really any of her business, but Alexis is their mom, so… Alexis says, that’s true. She is Kristina’s mom, and as such, she gets the feeling Kristina is talking about Sam in order not to talk about what she came there to talk about, and she thinks for once, they need to talk about it. She wants Kristina to tell her how she feels about her friendship with Harmony.

Carly walks over to Sonny, and he says she looks gorgeous. She says he cleans up pretty well himself. Tracy asks if she can borrow Laura for a moment, and as they walk away, Laura asks if something is wrong, but Tracy says she just wanted to get Laura out of the line of fire. Laura says, good job. Sonny says he misses Carly, and she says she just saw him this morning for breakfast. He says she knows what he means. He’s not trying to pressure her, or tell her how to feel, but they can still be honest with each other, right? She says she hopes so, and he says, they’re still seeing each other tonight, right? She says she told him that she could give him an hour or so to talk. She’s not going to back down. Michael comes in, and Carly hugs him. She asks, where’s Wiley? and he says, he and Willow should be coming. Carly says she’s going to check if Olivia needs anything, and leaves. Michael asks if everything is okay, and Sonny says, it’s not like they’re a bomb ready to go off. Michael asks if he’s sure, and Sonny says, yes. He just wants to work things out. He’s got everything under control.

Ned offers Sonny some champagne, and promises it will be pathogen free. Sonny says, Leo is a trip, and Ned agrees. Sonny says he has to decline. He has to stay sharp tonight. Ned says, right. The bold move he was talking about with Carly, and Sonny says, that’s the one.

Willow walks in, and Michael says, no Wiley? but she says, he was intercepted by Monica; they’re in the playroom. She sees his parents are here; have they crossed paths? He says, yeah, and she says, and? He says, it was painfully polite, which is the best thing they can expect right now. He asks how it went with Harmony, and if she was able to help Willow with her birth certificate, and Willow says, she thinks she has a copy, so Paris, here we come. Michael says, oui, oui, and she kisses him.

Kristina says, Alexis doesn’t need her permission to be friends with someone, but Alexis says, it’s not just someone, and Kristina knows it. It’s Harmony. Kristina is her daughter, and Alexis loves her. Hurting her is clearly not an option, but she needs to know how Kristina actually feels about this, so let her give an example. If Kristina came home, and Harmony were there for dinner, would that make her uncomfortable? Kristina says, maybe give her a heads up until she gets used to it? and Alexis says, so yes, she’d be uncomfortable. Kristian says she doesn’t know what Alexis wants her to say, and Alexis tells her to say what she really feels. Kristina says, seeing Harmony brings up a lot for her, like everything that happened at Dawn of Day, how utterly stupid she was… Alexis says she wasn’t stupid; she was trusting. That’s different. Kristina says, Shiloh was a master manipulator, and intellectually, she knows Harmony was just another one of his victims. Alexis says, but Kristina can’t forget what she did.

Laura asks when Tracy is going back to Amsterdam, and Tracy says, later today. Laura says, and after the next memorial, then what? and Tracy says she has some ideas, and was actually able to remove a piece of the Ice Princess that she’s going to use to fund her future endeavors. Laura says, Tracy knows how she feels about that diamond, but she wishes Tracy the best, and Tracy thanks her.

Austin comes in, and thanks Ned for his kind invitation. He hopes it still stands. Ned says, of course (🍷), and Olivia says they’re glad he’s here. He shakes hands with them, and Leo runs up, saying, he knows Austin. Austin says Leo has the best memory; he’s Dr. Austin. Leo brings out his fidget spinner, and Austin says, oh wow. He still has it; that’s great. He’s good at looking after his things. Ned says, the things he cares about, and Leo asks if it’s time yet. Olivia says she guesses it is, and suggests he round everybody up. Leo yells, we’re starting, and Ned says, that’s one way to do it. Austin waves to Maxie, who waves back, and Ned says, they heard the man. It’s time for him to marry the woman of his dreams – again.

Kristina tells Alexis, she wants to get to the point where seeing Harmony doesn’t bother her, but she doesn’t think she’s there yet. Alexis says, fair enough, and Kristina says, Sam told her that Harmony stopped Alexis from drinking on New Year’s Eve. Alexis says, when she was in prison, Harmony was there for her when she needed someone to be there for her, and Kristina says, sounds like a good friend. Alexis says, she is, and Kristina says, then Alexis should hang out with her. Alexis says she wants Kristina to be sure; is she sure? Kristina says, Shiloh preyed on Harmony like the rest of them, and let’s be real. She wouldn’t want someone holding her past against her, so permission granted. Alexis deserves a great friend. Alexis says she has a really great daughter, and they hug.

Brad says, so Austin was the new wing man Britt was telling him about. First clubbing, now a coffee date; is there something he should know? Britt says, no. He has eyes for another woman. Brad asks, more important, does he have BFF competition? She says, never, and he says, good answer. She says she’s surprised he wanted to meet here. Isn’t this a little public? He says, Kelly’s? His aunt would never come to a place like this. She says, so she’s a snob and controlling? and he laughs, and says, dare he ask about Peter? He hasn’t relapsed or anything, right? She lowers her voice, and says, does he mean did he end up killing Peter with that poison? No, Peter’s fine. Enough to be heading back to Pentenville tonight anyway. He wonders if his Aunt Selena will let Peter get there alive.

Laura says, they’re here to celebrate something really wonderful – the persistence of love. Every couple gets tested. Every couple has problems. It’s how we come through them that matters. Ned and Olivia have come through theirs stronger, and more committed, and more in love than ever. Olivia says, they have, and Laura says she has the sneaking suspicion they have some things they want to say to each other. Ned says, ladies first, and Olivia says, Ned, Ned, Ned. He says, oh boy, and she says, it’s all good, she promises. She also promises to love him, cherish him, and honor and keep him for the rest of their lives. They will celebrate together, commiserate together. They’ll watch movies and eat Chinese food together. They’ll raise their son together. He says he likes the sound of that, and she says she looks into the future and sees him; the three of them. All of them. She can’t believe how blessed she is. He asks if it’s okay if he makes some promises, and she says, copycat. He says, his beautiful, extraordinary, animal loving wife. He too, vows to love, cherish, honor and keep her the rest of their lives. He’ll fight the good fight with her, and celebrate with her. He’ll sing duets with her. She says, slightly off key, and he says, hey, that’s his wife she’s talking about. And he will raise their son with her. He loves her endlessly. She says she loves him too, and he says, how he got this lucky he’ll never comprehend, but he’s holding onto her, and he’ll be damned if he ever lets go again. He puts a wedding ring on her finger, above the set she’d wearing, and she says, they weren’t doing new rings. He says, he couldn’t resist, but it’s not a replacement ring; it’s a companion ring. She says, it’s perfect, and Laura says, by this renewal of vows in front of family and friends, they’ve once again proclaimed their commitment to their life together. Olivia says, Ned better kiss her if he knows what’s good for him. He asks Laura, may I? and she says, she thinks he better. They kiss and everyone applauds, all happy for a hot minute.

Maxie says she never expected Austin to be here, and he says, Ned invited him. She says, that she expected, but she didn’t expect he’d come. He tells her, he said no at first, but then realized he wanted to know his family… most of them anyway. Plus, he knew she’d be here. She says, an added draw? and he says, maybe. Who is he kidding? Definitely.

Monica congratulates Ned, and hugs him. She says she knew he and Olivia would find their way back, and he thanks her for believing that, even when he had his doubts. She says, some couples are just built for the long haul. They bend, but never break. Ed and Lila were like that; so were she and Alan actually. She thinks he and Olivia fit that pattern, and he says, then they’re in good company, and they hug again.

Dante says he’d ask how Olivia is doing, but she’s absolutely glowing. Sam says she looks beautiful, and she thanks them. She says she had no idea how official the whole thing would feel. She really feels like a new bride all over again. Dante says, Ned better treat her right, or Ned’s going to have to answer to him, and Olivia says she couldn’t love Dante any more than she does. He says he loves her too, and they hug.

Carly looks out the window, and Drew says, they meet again. Is she okay? She says she needed a breather. They were perfectly civil, and that’s what makes it so awful. He says, she means her and Sonny? and she says, there was no screaming; there was no yelling. Clearly, they can be in the same room together. That should make her happy, right? He says, that’s a pretty low bar for happiness, and she says, that’s where she is these days, just trying to keep the peace for their family. He says he’s going to do his part and steer clear of Sonny, just to be safe. She asks, why? Did something happen between him and Sonny?

In the nook, Brook tells Chase, her dad was practically levitating, he’s so happy. She’s so glad everything worked out for them. He says, Ned and Olivia seem like the real deal, and she says, they definitely are. He says he forgot to tell her, she looks great today, and she thanks him, and says, he looks pretty good too. They hear Bailey cry on the monitor, and he says, someone is awake. Why don’t they both go? She says, deal, and they go upstairs.  

Drew tells Carly, he walked in on Sonny and Curtis having… let’s call it a heated discussion. She says, at The Savoy? and he says, yeah. He tried to intervene, but he just made everything worse. He flashes back to Sonny saying, Drew is just a poor shadow of his brother, and tells her, Sonny was acting pretty erratic. She says, in what way? And what was he doing there? Drew says, he was determined to buy out the club for the night, and she says, she told Sonny that she needed time, not some big, romantic gesture, and he says, Curtis shot him down; it’s not going to happen. But she says, he knows Sonny. Once Sonny sets his mind on something, it’s really hard to talk him out of it.

Kristina says, Alexis has hardly talked about her time in Spring Ridge, and Alexis says, it was prison. Lightyears better than Pentenville, but still prison. When she was paying her debt to society, it was hard, and lonely sometimes. Kristina says, and Harmony helped, and Alexis says, she did. Because Harmony had also done time in prison, she could meet Alexis where she was, as an equal. There’s tremendous relief in that kind of shorthand. She didn’t have to explain anything to Harmony. Harmony knew where she was coming from, and knew what she’d be going through when she got out. She thinks the most interesting realization for her was that, like Kristina, Harmony was Shiloh’s victim. Like Kristina, she was desperate for some enlightenment, and he weaponized it against both of them. She gives Harmony a lot of credit for recognizing her mistakes. She testified against him, and didn’t do it in exchange for anything. She got no deal. She went to prison and took her lumps. She did it because she knew it was the right thing to do. Kristina says, kind of like Alexis pleading guilty, and Alexis says, kind of like that. She knows they thought she was out of her mind for doing that, but Harmony understood why, and it’s nice to be able to be that honest with someone, and have someone get you. Isn’t that the essence of a good friendship, to be honest with somebody? Kristina says, sounds right to her.

Britt asks if Brad thinks his aunt is going to try and kill Peter again, but he says he doesn’t know her plans, and doesn’t want to. She says, good, because he needs to be the perfect parolee. He asks if she cares, and she says, if he went back to prison? He says, no, if Peter died, and she says, the world would be a far better place, but she will say this. If Peter meets with an accident of some kind, she doesn’t want GH involved in any way. Get that guy out of her hospital. Brad says, amen.

Sonny says, sorry to interrupt, and congratulates Olivia and Ned again. He says, he wishes he could stay, but he has to get going. Olivia says, he has something more important than them? and he says he’s got some details he needs to take care of. He leaves, and Ned laughs, and Olivia says, okay. When did Ned and Sonny start sharing secrets? He says he’s not quite sure, and she asks, what’s the secret? He says he doesn’t know much, but evidently Sonny is planning a big surprise for Carly. She says, oh no. What is he doing? Carly thinks they’re just getting together to talk. He says he told Sonny it was a bad idea, but he wouldn’t hear it. Olivia says she’s got to warn Carly, but Ned says, maybe they should stay out of this. Olivia says, ha! and goes over to Carly. She says she just heard something she thinks Carly should know about, and Carly says, Sonny is planning something really big, isn’t he? Olivia says, apparently Carly already heard it, and Carly says, she’s on it, and leaves.

Carly asks if she can talk to Sonny a minute in private, and Michael says, no one is at the gatehouse; they could go there. They leave, and Willow asks what he thinks that’s about. Michael says, based on his mom’s tone, nothing good.

Austin says, Maxie disappeared, and she says, she’s in charge, and she needed to take a break. He says, she’s not avoiding him? He’s not a creeper. She says she knows, and he says, she kissed him. She says, she did, and he says, then her mom interrupted, and they couldn’t talk about it. Think they can talk about it now? She says, sure, and he says he knows how he feels. Does she want to tell him what that kiss meant to her?

Harmony knocks at Alexis’s office door, and Alexis says, good. Harmony has impeccable timing; Alexis was just about to call her. She looks at Harmony, and says, what’s wrong? Harmony says she needs Alexis’s help. It’s Willow.

At the gatehouse, Sonny tells Carly, don’t try to get anything out of him, because he’s not talking. She says she already knows he has something planned, and he asks, who ruined the surprise? She says, the surprise was realizing he’s still not listening to her, and that stops now.

Ned and Tracy are alone in the living room, and Tracy closes the doors. Ned says, worried about witnesses? and she says, no. She just wanted a little privacy. They’ve barely had a chance to talk today. He says, it has been a hectic day, and she says, that was not a criticism. Everybody wanted to wish him well because they love him. She just wanted him to know that she loves him too. He says, mother, are we having a moment? She says, they could have, but he ruined it. The doors open, and Michael and Brook come in with some official looking guys. Ned asks, what’s going on? and Michael says, they asked for Tracy. Tracy asks the head official guy if she can help him, and he says she’s under arrest. She says, for what? and he says, felony fraud; trafficking in counterfeit goods. She says she did no such thing. What did she counterfeit? He says, the Ice Princess. By now, everyone else has come in, and Laura looks horrified.

Tomorrow, Maxie tells Austin, not yet; Harmony says, Alexis might not want to be her friend after she hears this; Anna thinks she knows all she needs to know; and Carly says, as far as grand gestures go, it’s pretty perfect.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

We get a preview of the season, and it looks to be a lively one, full of yelling, screaming shrews.

Teresa talked with her daughters about blending families with Luis, who has two sons. She’d always wanted sons, although only one would be living with them; the other was twenty and on his own. She was having a summer kick-off party, and told the girls that she’d invited Melissa and Joe #2. The girls were pissed at Joe #2 for talking smack about Joe #1, and in her interview, Teresa said she and Joe #2 had made peace, but her daughters wanted him to take it back.

Frankie was working for Luis, and said Luis was a good worker and had a good heart. The house was still being renovated, so Dolores had rented a townhouse, but then Frankie graduated from college and Gabby from vet school. In Delores’s interview, she said, Frank’s priorities were off since he had a new young girlfriend, so she hassled him until he said he’d get some things finished.

Some video came out with Luis in it, and we saw tweets that said everything from, it was horrifying, to what the hell is this? Marge said Teresa was going to loose her mind, and I felt out of the loop, since I had no idea what this video was all about. Jackie came over to Marge’s to discuss the video, and described it as, Luis being in the middle of a pack of men, and they were all naked. It looked like Luis had been dragged through the river, and was begging for forgiveness. He was apologizing for something, and obviously had done something wrong. They showed it, but I’m guessing a lot was cut out. It actually looked like someone being artistic and not doing the best job. Like maybe it was the first video they made. Joe #4 said Theresa had to get a clue, but Marge said he forgot they were talking about Teresa. Marge told Jackie that it looked like Luis was on an apology tour in the video, and there were allegations out there. We flashed back to Watch What Happens Live where it was mentioned that Kim D said Luis had been abusive to past girlfriends. Marge said, Jennifer was an unhappy liar who was all smoke and mirrors, and had talked all kinds of smack about her.

Melissa and Joe #2 were glad to get out after quarantine. They met with new Housewife Traci and her husband Tiki Barber. In Melissa’s interview, she said they’d met through a mutual friend, and Joe had been excited about meeting Tiki because of his Giants background and being a sports commentator. Traci asked if Joe and Melissa had gotten a house, but Melissa said they were temporarily living in a rental until their new house was ready. Teresa had just bought a house nearby, and it seemed like Melissa had mixed feelings about that. She said, Luis was like a knight in shining armor to Teresa, but Joe wasn’t so sure. They’d seen Joe #1 make her happy too, and there were a lot of rumors about Luis. In Traci’s interview, she said she didn’t put much stock in rumors. She and Tiki had been married nine years, and he was already separated from his wife when they met. His wife had been eight months pregnant, and it was a media circus with rumors swirling. In Joe #2’s interview, he said, Luis told him about the camp depicted in the video, but when the video came out, he said he wasn’t into that kind of camp. That’s when the lightbulb came on for me. The video was from some kind of men’s retreat, where no doubt they did drum circles and such. In other words, all these horrified, freaked out people were making something out of nothing. On top of it, it had been privately sent to his girlfriend at the time.

Jennifer gotten her nose and chin done when she was in Turkey for her nephew’s christening. In her interview, she said, when she’d gotten her tummy tuck, Bill said she was the worst patient ever, and he was never doing surgery on her again. During the past year, Jennifer had been in a bad place with her mom, because Jennifer’s ailing father had moved in with Jennifer and Bill. Her mom was in Turkey, so Jennifer approached her when she was there, and they hugged it out, her mom crying, and saying, let’s be done with this. Bill said, some issues were better off not being fully addressed, and Jennifer said she wished it was as easy with girls. Marge had a Pride party, and hadn’t invited her.  

Joe #2 had been part of a comedy show in Atlantic City, and when asked about Luis, he hadn’t wanted to talk about it, so he just said something funny. Now Luis was upset with him. Melissa said he did Luis a favor, but Joe said he thought it best if he stayed away, and wasn’t going to Teresa’s pool party. Marge told Joe #3, the last time Teresa had a party, Jennifer was a drunken mess. We flashed back to that, and Joe told Marge that Bill had to pay two grand to get the vomit out of his car. Marge said, some behavior wasn’t forgivable, and Jennifer was getting there.

Dolores said she didn’t know how Luis couldn’t be nervous, but if everyone knew what was good for them, they’d keep their mouths shut. It was the pink elephant in the room. Just for the record. A pink elephant is what you see when you have the DTs; an obvious thing that everyone refuses to talk about is the elephant in the room. In Melissa’s interview, she said they weren’t going to come, but Teresa called Joe #2 the night before. Melissa thought if they didn’t go, it would create more tension. She felt for Joe. He and Teresa put things under the rug, but sh*t never went away. In Jackie’s interview, she said it was better to be friends than enemies with Teresa, because that woman would come for you. Oh yeah, that’s another thing. I hate watching adults behave like middle schoolers.

Dolores told Teresa, when Joe #2 had done the show in Atlantic City, someone asked how he felt about Luis. He’d told them that he was missing Joe #1. Teresa threw Dolores a curveball, and said it was nice of him. In Teresa’s interview, she said, nobody should be getting in Luis’s business. Jackie told Marge that you couldn’t have all this sh*t out there and not expect people to talk about it. When you addressed things, they went away. Joe #3 said, the video was creepy. In Joe #2’s interview, he said, Luis was acting like they were a big happy family, and it was all bullsh*t. In Marge’s interview, she said when someone pretended not to care, and lied about it, that made it seem like they did care. Yeah, she lost me too. She thought Luis needed to address the video, but Teresa said he didn’t owe anybody any explanations. It was part of his past. She said it was her party, and asked that they both be given respect. Okay, I’m definitely down with that. What I hate about all of the Housewives shows are how these women bring up issues at inappropriate times, like someone else’s party. And it’s never just an argument. It’s always a rip-roarer with lots of screaming and yelling and throwing things. Other people’s things. Not acceptable. I had a family member once create a scene at a party I was hosting. Albeit, she was drunk, but her boyfriend (now husband – good luck with that) steered her out and took her home.

Marge told Teresa that everyone loved her and was concerned, but she said she was a big girl. Wow. When Teresa is the voice of reason, I don’t know whether to take notes, or run before there’s an explosion. Jennifer and Bill arrived, and Marge the last time Jennifer was there, her face was on the pavement. Bill told Jennifer, just water. Jackie told Marge that Jennifer had tried to destroy her friendships, and called Melissa and Joe #2 crooked. Marge said Jennifer hadn’t supported her about being sexually harassed. Jennifer had been wearing a bandage, and her party entrance was also her nose reveal, but I wasn’t so sure I liked it. Apparently, I had company because both Dolores and Marge agreed with me; she’d looked better before. Jackie walked past Jennifer, but barely said hello, and no one else talked to her, so Jennifer whined to Teresa. She said she knew Marge was still mad at her because she hadn’t invited Jennifer to her party, but she’d thought she and Jackie had let bygones be bygones. Teresa wasn’t having it, and dragged Jackie over. Jennifer asked if Jackie was mad at her, and said she thought they’d ended on a good note. Jackie said Jennifer had tried to drive s wedge between her and Marge, and Jennifer said she regretted what she said, but it was like all three of them – Jackie, Marge, and Melissa – were against her. Jackie said Jennifer did it to herself, and Jennifer said that she was friends with Teresa and Dolores, but they didn’t stick by her like the other three. She got all weepy, and Jackie said she was a forgiver, but thought Jennifer needed to talk to the others. Marge had already headed over to them, and said Jennifer had called her a snake on social media. Jennifer said, it was tit for tat, but Marge said Jennifer didn’t know when to stop. She thought Jennifer was unhappy. Jennifer insisted she felt blessed, and said Marge was jealous. Marge said Jennifer wasn’t being honest. Jennifer had attacked her from beginning, and called her mother a slut. She made like she was better than everyone. We flashed back to all that, and Marge said, Bill left his job because he’d had an affair with the office manager. Jennifer told her to get it right, it was a pharmacy representative.   

Quote of the night: The chances of her going nuts are pretty high. – Dolores referring to Teresa

There was no preview for next week, because it was a rerun/encore performance/second showing.

👠 Refresher Course…

Prep for this season of RHONJ.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-season-12-cast-updates-spoilers

👃 You Decide…

Check out the new nose for yourself.

⚖️ Not So Sweet…

I dunno. Any ambulance chaser attorney who calls himself Sweet James is suspect to me.

https://people.com/tv/rhoc-noella-bergener-says-estranged-husband-abandoned-autistic-son-he-denies-claims/

🗺 Foot Back In the Door…

I’m sure she’ll make it nice.

💎 On the Warpath…

Garcelle is not letting Erika off the hook.

https://radaronline.com/p/garcelle-beauvais-calls-out-erika-jayne-refusing-to-return-1-million-diamond-earrings-tom-girardi-victims/

🥀 Gone Too Soon…

A member of The Walking Dead family has walked his last, and was way too young.

https://ew.com/tv/moses-j-moseley-dies-walking-dead-actor/

🍕 Midnight Snacking…

Hope to see you tomorrow for some soap and OC doings. Until then, stay safe, stay distinctive, and stay remembering that the essence of a good friendship is to be honest with someone.

January 28, 2022 – Peter Sees His Daughter, Subbing, Connections, Parry’s Start, New Venture, Rinnafish, Salty Talk, Unfollowed, Calendar, Puppies (!), a Countdown’s Worth Of Quotes & 28th

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook backs into an examining room with Bailey in her stroller. Chase is there in his briefs, and she says, sorry to interrupt. TJ said he’d be in here, and it’s really important. She turns around, and says, oh, hi.

Esme asks if Spencer heard what Josslyn just called her. Trina’s a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, and somehow that makes her a manipulative bitch? Josslyn asks if she wasn’t clear. Esme’s always been a bitch from the moment she got into town. Playing that stupid drinking game is just her stupid way of proving it. Cameron thinks it’s settled; the bar is closed for tonight. No more alcohol for any of them. Josslyn says she’s not going to let Esme blame alcohol for what happened tonight. She’s jealous of Spencer’s friendship with Trina, so Esme deliberately set out to humiliate her by dredging up the past. Trina ran out of here in tears, but she’s guessing that’s exactly what Esme wanted. Esme says, really? Josslyn thinks it was her goal to hurt Trina? Josslyn says, hurt her, embarrass her, one or the other. Josslyn looks at Spencer, and says, and what about him? Can he finally see Esme for who she really is?

Stella meets Curtis at Charlie’s, and he says she looks fantastic. She thanks him, and sits down. He says, her time at the wellness center agreed with her, and she says she can’t thank him enough for arranging that. She feels better than ever. Catch her up on everything. She doesn’t need to hear about him and Portia; she can tell by the look on his face. He says, that obvious, huh? and she says she’s happy for both of them. TJ’s been texting her about the latest doings at GH, but there’s at least one empty space in her family album. How are things going with him and Marshall? He says, improving. Kind of. But at least he’s not in the dark anymore. Marshall told him everything. She says, he did what?

Marshall (temporary Marshall – see below) walks into Kelly’s, and puts a little plant on the table Epiphany is sitting at. He says, he was told he could find her here, and sits down. She asks, what’s up with the plant? and he says it’s to thank her for looking out for him after he spoiled their date. She says, he didn’t spoil anything. He had a health crisis. She’s just glad it wasn’t anything serious. He says, it was his serious chance to get to know her better. He just hopes he gets another crack at it.

Martin sees Laura at the Bistro, and she says thanks for meeting her. He sits down, and says he’s just sorry he missed Luke’s memorial. He never met the man, but he wanted to be there to support her. You know what they say about the life of an attorney; it’s either feast or famine. She says, right now, as she understands it, he’s feasting on Peter August’s retainer, and he asks, who told her? She says she’s the mayor, remember? The DA is a good friend of hers. Does he have any idea what he’s in for?

Peter pulls at his handcuffs, and flashes back to talking to Victor saying, Brook and Maxie conspired to pass off Louise as Brook and Valentin’s child, so Peter would be convinced his child had been kidnapped and disappeared into thin air. Dante comes in, and Peter asks if it’s an official visit, or is Dante just dropping by as a concerned friend? Dante laughs, and says, he’s there to tell Peter that he’s now being transferred to Pentenville tomorrow. They want to do some more tests; make sure they dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s. Peter says, they already cleared him to go, and Dante asks, what’s a few more hours? Does he have someplace to be? Peter laughs.

Valentin shows the reception nurse his driver’s license, and says, she can check Bailey’s file and see he’s her father. The nurse leaves, and Victor says he couldn’t help but overhear. What does Valentin want with Bailey’s medical records? She’s not his daughter. Valentin says, legally, she still is. For whatever reason, Brook hasn’t updated Bailey’s birth certificate or medical records. Victor says, makes you wonder, doesn’t it? and Valentin says, wonder what? Victor says, whether Brook is hiding something.

Chase puts on his pants, and asks if Brook ever knocks. She says she’s sorry. When the nurse said he was in this room, she didn’t mention he’d be doing a strip routine. He says, that tends to happen when you’re having a physical, and she asks if he’s all right. Did he have a setback? He says, no. His blood pressure’s stabilized, and he passed with flying colors. She says, good, and he says, which is ironic. If he wasn’t suspended, he’d be cleared from desk duty and back out in the field. But the upside of being suspended is, he gets more time with Bailey. He tells Bailey that she’s the best little workout buddy. He’s never run so many miles so fast. Brook says it’s too bad Chase is her father in name only. Bailey could get used to having him around.

Esme tells Spencer to say something, and he asks, how’s Trina? Is she okay? Josslyn says, no, she’s not okay. He saw her; she ran out of the room in tears. She won’t even come out of the room. Josslyn had to talk to her through the door. Cameron says, the alcohol hit her hard, but Josslyn says, the problem was not what was in the mug. Cameron says he’s never seen Trina drink before, and he thought that might have been it. Josslyn says, the problem was Esme implying Trina had feelings for Cameron, but Cameron says, it doesn’t make sense. It’s ancient history. Why would it bother her now? Esme says, maybe it never stopped bothering Trina, or she didn’t want to bother them with it. Or maybe Trina’s just a drama queen. They had plenty of those at boarding school. Spencer says he doesn’t think Trina’s a drama queen. He thinks she’s legitimately upset. Esme says, Josslyn and Cameron must be thrilled. Now they’ve even got Spence doubting her. All roads lead to Trina. Trina has Spencer wrapped around her little finger, and he doesn’t even see it. She stomps off, and Josslyn asks if Spencer heard her; how she’s trying to make this Trina’s fault. What is wrong with him? Trina is his friend. She’s given him chance after chance. Why can’t he call Esme out for the snake she is?

Stella asks Curtis, when he said Marshall told him everything, what exactly did he mean? Curtis tells her, he said he got mixed up with some shady characters, and he was afraid they were going to use his family as a bargaining chip to keep him in line. So Marshall decided, in order to keep his wife and kids safe, he would disappear and make everyone think he was dead. She sighs, and he asks if she’s okay. He knows it comes as a shock. She says, he has no idea, and he tells her, Marshall didn’t say it in so many words, but his father was in the Witness Protection Program. She says, he believes that? and he asks if she’s saying he shouldn’t.

Epiphany says, Marshall needs to keep taking those new pills the doctor prescribed, and focus on lowering his blood pressure, and she needs to get back to work and finish her shift. He says, the medication is working already; he can feel it. But why does she sound like the one with a problem? She says, no problem. The doctor that wrote him the prescription reminded her of something. That there are some dreams, no matter how sweet, that deserve to die.

Peter tells Dante, the only place he’s going is the courtroom, and the sooner, the better. His attorney is going to get all these charges dismissed, and he can move on with his life. Dante says, the only life Peter is going to have is inside a prison. The question is, is it going to be in Pentenville or Steinmaur? Peter tells Dante, he’s going to beat these charges. Then he’s going to do what everyone, including the PCPD, failed to do. Find his daughter. Dante asks, what makes him think he’s going to find Louise when no one else has? Peter says he has some resources that have yet to be tapped into, and Dante says, like what? Peter says, he could tell Dante, but then he’d have to kill him, and Dante asks if he’s threatening a police officer. Peter asks if Dante is trying to entrap an innocent man. Come on. Don’t they have some tests to run to initiate his transfer? Or is Dante going to risk getting charged with police brutality by compromising Peter’s mortality?

Valentin asks, what makes Victor think Brook is hiding something? and Victor says he’s not the one looking into Bailey’s medical records. Think about it. He starts to leave, but Valentin says, hang on. If he tells Victor something, can he trust him?

Spencer asks what Josslyn wants him to say. Esme’s his girlfriend. Back in boarding school, when he thought his father was dead, she stood by him. When they came to Port Charles, she repeatedly had his back. She thought she was going to be living at Windymere, and when he told her that he’d decided they were living at his grandmother’s house, she didn’t complain at all. Josslyn and Trina made it well-known that they don’t like Esme. She hasn’t felt accepted by any of his friends. Josslyn says she knows that Esme has some kind of hold over Spencer, but he’s got to wake up and see all the hurt she’s done. When she’s not burning down a car, she’s burning down his friendship with Trina. He asks what Cameron thinks. Cameron has always tried to mediate, and see Esme’s perspective. Cameron says he can’t believe Spencer has to ask him that. Cameron saw how Esme treated Trina. The question is, did Spencer?

Esme goes into the master bedroom, and says, perfect.

Stella tells Curtis that she’s not saying he should doubt Marshall’s story. It just really surprises her. He says he’s sorry if it upsets her, but at least now they know why Marshall felt the need to disappear. But when he tries to find out more, like who those guys were and if they’re still a threat, Marshall tells him to back off. It’s funny to him, since he was the one who wanted no part of Marshall. Now Marshall is telling him to lay off. She tells him, maybe he should do as Marshall says, and set aside his interrogation for a while. He says, wait a minute. She’s his Bible scripture quoting auntie, who’s always reminding him that the truth shall set you free. So where is it written that Marshall gets a pass?

Marshall tells Epiphany, dreams don’t die, unless you give up on them. He doesn’t know her well, but she doesn’t strike him as a quitter. She says, that’s the thing. She thought she knew what kind of treatment he needed, but that wasn’t her place. He says, her place was to speak her mind, and he’s grateful she did. She thanks him, but says, it’s the last time she’s going to tell a doctor what to do. He says, even if the doctor is wrong? but she says, that’s the thing; Dr. Rose wasn’t wrong. Marshall just needed to adjust his blood pressure medication, right?

Martin tells Laura, every defendant is entitled to legal counsel. It’s right there in the Constitution, and Peter August is no exception. She asks if he’s saying he took the case in the spirit of justice under the law, and he asks, why shouldn’t he? His little sister isn’t the only person who cares about the public good. She says, how noble of him. And does doing the public good come along with a big, fat check made out to Martin Grey, Esquire?

Victor says he’s Valentin’s father. Of course (🍷) Valentin can trust him. Valentin says, but he’s a one-time ally to Peter August, and Peter says, it was strictly a business arrangement that terminated on the Island of Crete, when Peter crossed the line. Doesn’t he remember? It was the first time he and Valentin teamed up together. And when he got back to the states, he provided information to help track Peter down. What does he have to prove? Whatever’s troubling Valentin, he shouldn’t carry this burden alone. It’s too bad lovely Anna isn’t here by his side. And why this interest in medical records of a child that’s not even his, and what has it got to do with Peter?

Chase says, he could get used being around… Bailey, and Brook says, he missed a button. She fixes it for him, and says she hopes he gets to be a real father someday. He’s got the touch. He says, so does she. She didn’t tell him why she was looking for him. Did she hear from Maxie? She says, no. She’s been sitting on pins and needles. What if being in Pawtuck somehow jars Austin’s memory, and he remembers Maxie handing Louise off to her? He says, Maxie knows what’s at stake; keeping her precious little girl away from Peter. Come on; let’s go home. They leave, as Peter is being wheeled around the corner. Peter looks at Bailey, and I wonder, did Peter get a perm???  Peter says, what a beautiful baby, and Brook says, they think so. Chase says he’s one proud dad, and Peter says he’s sure Chase is. Chase asks Dante what Peter is doing here, and Dante says, a final bit of clearance before Pentenville. Peter says, he never saw the resemblance before, but now he gets it. Bailey looks just like her mother. Chase says, get him out of here, and Dante says, sure thing, and they wheel Peter into the elevator. He stares at Bailey until the last possible second, and then gives a creepy smile.

Martin tells Laura, they were in hiding for months. He couldn’t work. It’s not like he doesn’t have expenses; his mother’s around the clock care for one thing. Then there’s the herd of ex-wives, none of whom will ever get married, because they’re having way too much fun playing the alimony mambo. Of course (🍷) there’s his private wine collection. It should be a tax deduction, since he only has it to impress his clients, but try telling that to the IRS. She asks if he’s going to tell them about the expenses of courting Lucy, and he says, no, and neither is she, especially when Valentin is around. He’s got this thing about conflict of interest. She says, as the mayor, and defender of their Constitution, she wholeheartedly believes in Peter’s right to competent legal counsel, but as his sister, does it have to be him? Peter has hurt so many people; Maxie and her baby. He says, about that. She doesn’t think Peter will ever get his hands on that little baby girl, does she? Nobody’s known about her whereabouts for months. She says, that’s her point. The only way Peter will get his hands on that little girl is if someone as smart as Martin finds a way to exonerate him. Martin says, fine. Laura is going to make a play for the cheap seats.

Valentin tells Victor that Brook used Bailey to help the Quartermaine family regain control of ELQ. He would say, turnabout is fair play, wouldn’t Victor? Victor says, so Valentin is hoping to find something in the medical records he can use to his advantage. Like what for instance? Valentin doesn’t know; he’s fishing. He’s throwing a line in the water and seeing if anything bites. Victor tells him, happy fishing. He hopes Valentin catches something. The nurse comes back with Bailey’s folder, and asks if there’s something in particular Valentin is looking for in Bailey’s records.

Marshall tells Epiphany, changing medications isn’t going to heal the family he abandoned. She says, but he came back. He’s here now, and the longer he lives, the better chance he stands of making his family whole again. He says he’d rather talk about her dream of becoming a doctor, and she says, while she appreciates his interest, she thinks he should save some of his concern for that family of his.

Stella says she’s not giving Marshall a pass. She’s just asking why Curtis can’t accept his father’s version of events, and move on. Or is he using this as an excuse to keep from letting his father into his life? He says, Marshall’s already got one foot in the door. This is about his family’s safety; him, her, and TJ. What if the trouble that caused him to leave all those decades ago is still out there? If he opens that door just a little more, and trouble follows Marshall in, doesn’t she think he deserves to know what to expect? Or is none of this news to her? Does she know something he doesn’t?

Esme comes out with her coat, and says she’s leaving, but Spencer suggests taking a minute to cool off. She says she’s not spending another minute with small-minded people who have never, and will never, accept her for who she is. Josslyn says, the problem is, they know who she is. That’s why they don’t accept her. Esme asks if Spencer is coming or not, and he says, they all had those hot toddies, and with icy conditions, he doesn’t think it’s safe for either of them to drive right now. She says she ordered a car, but it seems he’s made his choice. He’s choosing them over her. Spencer says he’ll go with her, but first, he’s going to check on Trina. Then he’ll get their bags, and he’ll meet her outside. Esme says, Trina’s asleep, and they can send for their things; let’s go. Spencer says, sorry, guys, and follows her out. Cameron says, so much for their weekend getaway. He’s so sorry this all blew up. Josslyn says she’s not. She can’t stand Esme, and she’s thrilled that she doesn’t have to pretend otherwise. She feels horrible for Trina, but remember when they got drunk on the Haunted Star? The only cure is to sleep it off, so she guesses for now, it’s just the two of them.

Outside, Cameron tells Josslyn, the stars are very beautiful tonight; very close. Josslyn says, the more she thinks about it, this whole getaway was Esme’s idea. He says, so? and she asks if he thinks this was Esme’s plan all along; to embarrass them, and humiliate Trina? He says he hopes not. The funny thing is, he always thought Esme was so sure of herself, but after tonight, he realizes how insecure and terrified she is of losing Spencer. She says, here’s hoping by the time they’re down from the mountain, Spencer realizes Esme was trying to hurt his friends, and he dumps her. Cameron says he’s tired talking of talking about Esme, and Spencer. He thinks they should stop talking altogether. They kiss, and she nods, and they go inside. 

Stella tells Curtis, honestly, until this moment, she never suspected Marshall was mixed up in dirty business. He says he’s not trying to upset her, but now that she knows, does it ring any bells? Can she think back 40 years ago, and remember any names or faces that might have been mixed up with Marshall? She says she wasn’t even there, and Irene is no longer with them. All the more reason to consider what Marshall is saying, and leave things alone.

Marshall says, things are good with TJ, and getting better with Curtis, but Epiphany says, that’s not what he said when they went out to dinner. He says, while Curtis owns a nightclub, he still thinks like a P.I.; he questions everything. But he’s sure in time, Curtis will come around. She says, remember what she told him about her son? and he says, yeah, that they don’t always have as much time as they think they do. But doesn’t that apply to her as well, with her dream of becoming a doctor?

Brook asks if Chase saw the way Peter was smiling at Bailey. It’s almost as if he knows the truth. He tells her, Peter said she looks just like her mother; he meant her. She says, did he? What If he suspects the truth? What if he was saying Bailey looks like Maxie? Chase says, she has to remember, that’s just who Peter is. He wants to get under your skin, if not with poison, than with words. But Peter can’t possibly know. Laura approaches them, and says, Peter can’t possibly know what?

Peter says he can’t wait to get back to Pentenville, and Dante says, really? The place where he was poisoned, and it almost killed him? Peter says he’ll take the risk of lax security if it means getting to trial faster. (Ha Security doesn’t get any less lax than at GH.) Martin walks in, and Peter says, speaking of which, here’s his attorney. Martin asks if Dante will do him a favor, and give him five minutes with alone with Peter. Dante says he’ll be right outside, and leaves. Peter asks, what brings Martin here? Good news he hopes. Martin says, that depends on which side of those handcuffs you’re on. He’s sorry, but he finds it necessary to recuse himself from Peter’s defense. Peter says he sees. If Martin no longer wishes to represent him, they’ll go their separate ways; no hard feelings. Martin asks, what’s the catch?

Valentin asks if he and Victor can meet later, and Victor says, of course (🍷). He’ll make a reservation at the PC Grill. Valentin thanks him, and he leaves. Valentin thanks the nurse for getting his daughter’s file, and she tells him that the file can’t leave this floor. He says, understood. He’s looking for a sonogram from the third trimester. He’s a bit of a sentimental, and wants a copy. He’ll treasure it for always. He flips through the file, and says, there’s no sonogram in the file. How’s that possible? He was there when it was taken. Did somebody deliberately remove it? She says, no, it was never in here, and he says, of course (🍷). It would be in her mother’s file. He doesn’t suppose she could let him have a look at Brook’s information without permission, and she says, no. He says, so he can be prepared in case of an emergency, his daughter’s blood type is O negative, right? She says, no, his daughter is O positive, and he thanks her.

Brook tells Laura, they were just talking about what an awful human being Peter is. How much harm he’s caused to Maxie, and Elizabeth; to her family, especially to Monica. Between Jason dying, and Drew being locked away in that prison for all that time, Peter deserves to be locked up until the end of time. Chase says, they’re hoping when Peter goes to trial, he’ll be convicted, and sentenced to life. Laura says she has the same hope. It’s really easy for young adults, new parents, to lose their sense of faith with all the responsibility, but they can’t let that happen, for Bailey’s sake. Because she will grow up in a better, safer, kinder world, where Peter can’t come back to haunt any of them. Brook says, amen to that, and Chase tells Brook, anything to protect Bailey

Peter tells Martin, there’s no catch. If Martin can’t give his defense the time and attention it deserves, he’ll find someone who will. Martin thanks him for being so understanding, and Peter says, naturally, Martin will be returning his retainer. Martin says, ordinarily, he’d deduct the time he’s already spent working on Peter’s case, but what the hell? It’s a small price to pay for his conscience. Peter says he didn’t know Martin had one, when Dante comes back. He asks if everything is okay here, and Martin tells him, he’d say so. Peter no longer requires his services. He wishes them both a good night, and leaves. Dante says, Peter fired Martin? but Peter says, no. Martin walked away from him. Dante says, smart man. He’ll leave Peter with Officer Bridges in case he gets scared. Peter tells him, sleep tight, and Dante says he’s sure he will, and leaves.

Epiphany tell Marshall that she doesn’t have time for dreams, and her break is almost over. He says he was about to go too, but not before she hears him out. Whatever Dr. Rose told her, he had his reasons, but he wants her to know that he trusts her with his life any day. He knew he was in good hands that night because she was there. He puts some money on the table, and tips his hat. He leaves, and Epiphany smiles.

In the car, Spencer asks Esme, was Joss right? Did she get everyone to the cabin to humiliate them, and blow up his friendships? She looks at him coldly.  

Cameron and Josslyn go into the bedroom, and there’s a song part. They kiss, and he asks, is she sure? She says, she’s so sure, and they get busy. I used to work at a women’s clinic, and a brochure popped into my mind that had a cartoon condom saying, wait! Stop! Put me on!

Esme asks Spencer, what difference does it make what she says? He’s so ready to believe the worst of her. He says, that’s not an answer. He needs to know if what Joss accused her of is actually true. Esme remembers going into the master bedroom, and looking in the mirror. She wipes some tears away, and takes out her phone. She sets up the phone behind some plants on a dresser, pointing the camera toward the bed, and putting it on to film. In the present, she tells Spencer, all she wanted to do was get to know his friends better, and for him to make great memories before he goes to prison. Does he think she planned this weekend to be something diabolical? It just makes her sad.

Basking in their first afterglow, Cameron tells Josslyn, wow. Don’t get him wrong. He’s glad they waited, but…  She says she’s glad they waited too, but she’s also really glad they had this moment. To think how close they came to letting Esme ruin this for them… He says he doesn’t want to think about Esme right now. He wants to focus on her. They start getting busy again, and we see the phone camera filming. I have to say, I don’t see the purpose. They’re exclusive and in college, for Pete’s sake. Even if Esme was going to doctor it in some way, both Cameron and Josslyn are sober, and who would everyone believe?

Stella says, Curtis clearly has a choice to make. Does he want answers that might tell him things he doesn’t want to know, or does he want his father back in ? Marshall walks in, and says, small world. Do they mind if he joins them?

On the phone, gliding through the hall, Martin says, la Lucy, his sexy, sexy thing. His schedule just opened up. What say they catch a flight to the Big Easy and get themselves a nice heaping helping of Mardi Gras?

Laura goes into Peter’s room, and he says, madame mayor. To what does he owe this honor? She says she just saw Martin, and he was smiling ear to ear, because he no longer represents Peter. He told her that Peter didn’t argue or put up any fight to try and keep him. She had to wonder, why so magnanimous? Peter flashes back to seeing Bailey, and saying she looks just like her mother. He says he has faith in the system. Somehow, he just knows things are going to work out for the best.

Valentin walks through the hospital parking lot, leaving a voicemail for Anna. He tells her to call him. He’s got a lead on Louise. A thug runs up behind him, chloroforming him, and knocking him out. Someone picks up Valentin’s car remote, and we see it’s Victor. He says, be careful; that’s his son. He opens a hatchback, and a fancy – and very clean and spacious – trunk opens up. He tells the thug, oh, and cancel his dinner reservations. The thug puts Valentin in the truck, and it’s closed up.  

On Monday, Phyllis asks if she knows Stella, Esme says she doesn’t want to go home with Spencer, Carly says that happiness seems further away, and Ned tells Sonny that he should reconsider whatever he’s planning.

👨🏽‍🔧 Filling In…

For how long, no one knows.

https://www.soapoperanews.net/2022/01/damien-leake-books-role-on-general.html

👥 Shared Experience…

I love how Maurice Benard has mastered his illness, and used it, and his position, for good.

🎬 First Time Out…

Before he was Brad, he danced. Sort of.

🧼 Nuevo Suds…

This looks pretty good, and it’s got some great people in it.

💋 Checking Motive…

I tend to agree that it’s probably a bad spray tan job.

https://screenrant.com/rhobh-lisa-rinna-blackfishing-image-erika-jayne-instagram/

🧂 Bringing the Salt…

What went on in Salt Lake City last week.

I have the feeling she’s not coming back.

The cast keeps getting smaller.

https://people.com/tv/bravo-fires-jennie-nguyen-from-rhoslc-after-racially-insensitive-posts-resurface/

🚫 Next Comes Blocking…

I can’t believe people keep track of this stuff.

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-sutton-stracke-garcelle-beauvais-feuding-with-erika-girardi-source/

🏆 All the Awards…

This year’s calendar of events.

https://www.etonline.com/sag-awards-grammys-and-more-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2022-awards-season-177460

🐕 Pup Alternative…

I can’t think of better hosts.

https://people.com/pets/martha-stewart-and-snoop-dogg-hosting-puppy-bowl-2022/

A sneak peek.

https://ew.com/tv/puppy-bowl-xviii-first-look-penalty-french-bulldog/

🐘 Quotes of the Week

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Indian Proverb

It’s like a summer camp for drunk third graders. – Kate Chastain, referring to some guests on Below Deck

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. – Robert H. Schuller

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee

There are no regrets in life. Just lessons. – Jennifer Aniston  

Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman

Speak out on behalf of those who have no voice, and defend all those who have been passed over. – Proverbs 31:8 (TVT)

Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance. – Jean Antoine Petit-Senn

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. – Leonardo da Vinci

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France

🚙 Am I There Yet…?

I’ll be stepping out until another month is ripped off the calendar, if you’re still using one of those. Three sunsets for the rest of you. See you then for some soap and the Deck. Until we meet again, stay safe, stay bending, but not breaking, and stay remembering, dreams don’t die, unless you give up on them.

Nina Runs Into Peter, Catching Up, Getting Out, Adieu, Returning, Staying, Christmas Quad, a Parade, Not So Shamazing, For Sale, a Feud, Not Funny, Up For Grabs, Brainless, Not Twelve Quotes & Boudoir

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In the elevator, Carly says Sonny is going to have to help her keep it together. She doesn’t want to cry in front of Sasha and Brando. He says, they have to help Sasha and Brando. He doesn’t want them to feel alone, and he doesn’t want her to feel alone. They get out of the elevator just as Nina turns around at the reception desk. She asks if they’re here to see Sasha and Brando; there aren’t any other visitors. Carly says, they don’t need an update, and they keep walking. Nina says, it’s just that they’re trying to tough it out, but they’re pretty fragile, so please be gentle. Carly glares at her.

Brando tucks Sasha in, and asks if she’s worried about the news about their baby, but she says she’s not worried. Is he? He says, of course (🍷) not. In fact, when the three of them get home, he’s going to buy their son his first baseball mitt. She wonders if he’s a little young to be playing catch, but Brando says, not with a name like Liam Mike. He’s strong willed, and like Mike Corbin, he’ll be able to defy the odds and live his life to the fullest. She asks if he knows what the name Brando means, but he says he doesn’t, and she says, sword or fiery torch. He says he will fight for their family with a sword or fiery torch, and she says she knows he will. He says, one day, they’ll tell their grandchildren about their heroic dad who was strong willed and defied the odds, and she says, they’re going to say they were worried for nothing and laugh at them.

Brook tells Chase, Maxie is emotionally exhausted. Not that she blames Maxie, but second guessing isn’t going to get them anywhere. They’re in this thing now; they’ve got to see it through. He says he doesn’t know. Maxie made some strong points. Brook says, she did, but they’re committed, which means they have to deal with it, especially now that Valentin is furious with her. With them, and there’s no telling what else Valentin might do. The doorbell rings, and Brook opens the door to see Valentin on the porch. Chase says, they had enough trouble the last time Valentin was there, so turn around and walk away. Anna joins Valentin, and says, no one wants any trouble. Brook asks, then what does he want?

Drew is getting some coffee at the Quartermaine’s when Maxie walks in, saying, sorry. She just wanted to get a glass of water. He turns around, and says, hi, Maxie; long time no see. She says, Drew, and he says, in the flesh. He’s not a hologram or a figment of her imagination. She says she heard he was alive. She just hadn’t processed it yet. He says, until now, and she hugs him, saying, it’s so processed.

In the hospital, Peter says he’s fine, despite Jason Morgan’s best attempt to kill him, and Austin says, he’s a lucky man. It’s good he was only shot in the arm. He might have some nerve damage, but nothing serious. Peter says, not like getting shot in the chest, right? and Austin says, no. If he was shot in the chest, he’d be in the ICU. Peter takes it Austin doesn’t believe the rumors, and Austin says he hears a lot of rumors. Which one is Peter talking about? Peter tells him, the ones that say he doesn’t have a heart, and Austin says, don’t be silly. If he didn’t have heart, he wouldn’t be alive. Peter says, how clinical of him – he looks at Austin’s ID tag – Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt. Now where does he recognize that name… Of course (🍷). Austin delivered his daughter.

Valentin says he’s not there to hurl accusations or make threats, and Brook says, why not? He did plenty of that before he moved out. Don’t tell her that he lost steam. Chase says, or maybe Valentin found out he was suspended from the force for throwing a punch at him, and came there to gloat. Valentin says he regrets that happened, and Brook asks if he regrets feeding Thanksgiving dinner to the family dog. Valentin says, not really, and Anna says, she understands that passions were running high. It was Thanksgiving; that’s what happens on family occasions. Valentin says, he’s not family, and Chase says he knows this doesn’t help, but when he started putting things together, he was totally blindsided to find out he was Bailey’s father. Valentin says, Brook used both of them, and Brook says, she had her reasons. Anna suggests they not rehash that; it’s not why they’re here. Brook asks if Valentin is there to talk ELQ business with her dad, now that he’s solidified his position as CEO, but Valentin says, no. He’s just there because he wants to say goodbye to his… to Bailey.

Maxie says, Anna told her that Drew was back, but the story was too incredible to be true. Peter faked a plane crash, and then held him captive for over two years? Drew says he wouldn’t have believed it himself if he hadn’t lived through it. Unfortunately, others weren’t so lucky. She says she still hasn’t wrapped her mind around Jason’s death. If only she could go back in time, before Peter was in their lives, when Nathan was still alive. He asks how she’d change the past. Could she stop Nathan from being killed? She says she would if she could, but she guesses at best, she would go back to before she met Peter and fell in love with him. He says, but they can’t go back in time, no matter how much they’d like to. When he was in prison, he just kept focusing on the future, holding on to that, when he’d see Scout again. She says, and Sam… Oh wow. She should just keep her big mouth shut. He says, it’s okay. He went to see them first thing, both of them. She says, Scout and Sam? How did that go? He says, Dante was with them, and she says, it’s been sort of a slow process with them. They kind of got together trying to find him. James is going to be excited to see him. He says he can’t wait, and asks how James is doing. She says, great, and he says she doesn’t have to protect his feelings. He and Sam were done long before Peter abducted him. She asks if he’s saying he’s okay with Sam and Dante, and he says he’s trying to be. It’s not like he has another choice. She says, it must have been great to see Scout, and he says, it made everything he had to do to get home absolutely worthwhile. She says she knows what he means. If she could go back in time, she doesn’t think she would, because then, she wouldn’t have Louise. He says, she found her daughter? Is Louise finally home?

Peter asks Austin to tell him about the circumstances surrounding Louise’s birth. It kills him that he wasn’t there to welcome his daughter into this world. Austin says he certainly was not. He was too busy running from the police to make it to the cabin; Austin’s cabin. And the nurse he hired to kidnap Maxie tried to induce birth. Peter put Maxie, and his own child, at great risk. Peter asks, who’s been feeding Austin all of this? and Austin says, he was there. Peter knows that. Thank God he was hiking in the woods. When he found Maxie, she was already in labor. Peter says, then Austin may have been the last person to see his daughter before she was abducted, and Austin says, it’s a possibility. Peter says, then Austin was in the right place at the right time. Austin knows what became of his daughter.

Sonny wonders if they should take turns visiting Sasha so she’s not overwhelmed, but Nina tells them, go ahead. She just got done visiting Sasha. Carly asks why Nina is still there, and Sonny says, Carly… but Nina says, it’s fine. She knows Carly is upset over the loss of Jason. Carly says, don’t say his name. Nina knows nothing about her and Jason. Carly tells Sonny that she can’t. She’s going to go see Monica. Sonny says, let him come with her, but Carly says she’s just going to go, and walks away. Sonny circles back to Nina, and says, baby’s fine? Nina says, yeah. Sasha should hear an update soon. He says, all right, and walks in toward Sasha’s room.

Sasha says, how can anything possibly be wrong with their baby; look at him. He’s adorable. It’s just that… Brando says he knows. All those tubes are hooked up to Liam, but she has to remind herself, those are making their little boy healthy. She says, yeah, like the cooling blanket, and he says, exactly, and the love of his mommy and daddy. What else does the little guy need? Britt comes in, and says she wants to introduce them to Dr. Fleming, their baby’s neonatologist. Sasha tells the doctor, she’d say it’s nice to meet her, but… Dr. Fleming says she understands, and Brando says, they were told she has news about their baby.

Anna promises Valentin isn’t there to make a scene, and Brook asks if Anna is there to vouch for him. Valentin says, Anna is his friend. This isn’t easy for him. Chase says, of course (🍷) this isn’t easy. None of this is easy. Anna says, especially for Valentin. Brook allowed him, in fact encouraged him, to fall in love with her little girl, knowing he wasn’t her father. Does she expect him to just throw a switch and not love her any longer? Chase says, nobody’s thinking that, but first, Valentin showed up mad as hell, lashing out at Brook in the most hurtful way imaginable, and now he’s here asking for her understanding? What does he want her to believe? Brook feels guilty enough. How much longer is he going to pile it on? Valentin says, he’s not there to pile on any more guilt. That’s not why he’s there. Chase asks if he wants closure with Bailey, but Valentin says he doesn’t believe in closure. Do they think just because he says goodbye, he’ll stop loving her? Chase asks, then why is he here? and Anna says it’s her fault. She insisted he needed to do this. Valentin says, no. Nobody makes him do anything he doesn’t want to do. Bailey is far too young to understand any of this. He hasn’t told Charlotte that she doesn’t have a sister, and he isn’t going to be able to do that until he says goodbye to Bailey. Brook stomps off, and Chase follows her. Valentin tells Anna, he knew this was how she was going to react. She’s not going to let him see Bailey.

Maxie tells Drew, Louise isn’t back yet. She’s just holding out hope that she will be. He asks if there are any breaks in the case, and she says she’s just hoping now that Peter is in custody, whoever has taken Louise will feel it’s safe to bring her back. He says, so she thinks someone took Louise to protect her from Peter? and she says, he thinks she’s deluding herself, doesn’t he? He says, no. He thinks she wants her little girl back more than anything in the world, and if he could make that happen, he would. She thanks him, and says, but she knows in her heart that Louise will be home one day, and it will make all of this worth it. He says, all of what? and she says, things she had to do because of Peter. Things she never thought she’d be forced to do. He says he knows what she means.

Austin says, even if he did know where Louise was – and he doesn’t – Peter is the last person he would tell. Make a fist. That way he can draw blood. This won’t hurt a bit. He plunges the syringe into Peter’s arm, Peter jumps, and I laaaugh. Austin says, oh, goodness me. He’s so sorry; he seems to have missed the vein. He’ll just try that one more time. He does it again, Peter jumps again, and Austin says, oh yeah, there we go. Success. Sorry about that. Normally, he’s not so clumsy. I officially love Austin. Peter says, he’s enjoying this, isn’t he? and Austin says, absolutely. He loves his job, always. Peter says, and that Hippocratic Oath he took to be a doctor? and Austin says, yeah, right, do no harm. It’s sticky though. That’s the question; who gets harmed and who does not? Peter says he supposes it’s the patients who aren’t to be harmed, but he couldn’t tell by the way Austin just stuck him. Austin says, that’s his point. Maxie is also his patient, so do no harm should apply to her as well. Peter asks, and what is Maxie to Austin?

On the phone, Carly says, she went by Monica’s office, but she wasn’t there. She wanted to talk to Monica in person, but it’s probably better it’s on voicemail; she can just hang up if she wants. Carly really hopes she doesn’t. She’s so sorry about Jason. She’s so sorry Monica has to grieve him all over again. He was Carly’s best friend, but he was Monica’s son, and Carly knows what that kind of pain feels like. In all the years of squabbling and fighting, she doesn’t know if she ever thanked Monica for Jason, for the incredible human being he was. He loved Monica so much. Carly knows Monica knows that, but she thought Monica might want to hear it. That’s all. She hangs up, and we see Nina sitting alone on a bench elsewhere at GH.

Sasha asks Dr. Fleming if it’s about Liam’s hypothermia therapy. Is it working? Brando asks if Liam can come home soon, and the doctor’s phone beeps. She says she’s sorry; there’s an emergency in the NICU. Not their baby. Britt says, it’s okay; she’s got this. Dr. Fleming leaves, and Britt says, getting back to their question, hypothermia therapy can take up to 72 hours, as they know. They still need to give the baby’s brain time to cool. What Dr. Fleming wanted to tell them was, the EEG has been scheduled. Sasha says, then what happens? but Britt says they won’t know until they get the results. But they have an entire team dedicated to caring for Liam, and she’ll be the liaison between them and Brando and Sasha. Brando asks what they can do to help, and Britt says, just keep doing what they’re doing, sending a lot of love to that beautiful baby boy, and let the team at GH give him the best possible care. Sasha says, the waiting is so excruciating, and Britt says she knows, but they have to take it a day at a time. Let the therapy run its course. In the meantime, their baby needs them to take care of themselves. Brando tells Sasha, Liam’s strong, but they have to be stronger, and she says, they will be.

Maxie says she knows this is going to sound ridiculous, but she kind of envies Drew. He’s not sure why, and she says, he got the chance to confront Peter. Drew let Peter take his best shot, and he survived. He actually came out on top. He says, at the cost of Jason’s life, and she says she knows. She hates that part, but at least Peter doesn’t have power over Drew anymore. She’d give anything to take away Peter’s power to frighten her. Drew says, when Scout and Danny would have a bad dream, he’d tell them, look under the bed, look in the closet, and when you see nothing but dustballs and clothes, you’ll know that the boogie man has no power over you anymore.

Peter says, do tell. Just how friendly is Austin with the mother of his child? Austin says, Maxie has a lot of friends. He’d be happy to be one of them. Peter says, but he’s not? He suggests Austin keep it that way. Austin asks if that’s a threat, but Peter lifts his hands, showing he’s cuffed to the bed, and says he’s clearly in no position to threaten anyone. But he is a born romantic, and does believe the fates will conspire to reunite his family. Austin says he doesn’t believe in fate, but Peter says he does. Sometimes fate needs a helping hand. Austin smiles, and starts to walk out, and Peter says, bye-bye. Such fun meeting him today.

Carly is looking at a picture of her and Jason on her phone, when Britt comes by. Carly calls her over, and says, Sonny is around here somewhere. They just came to see Sasha. Britt says she just came from Sasha’s room, and Carly asks how she is. Britt says, she’s good; strong. She’s sure Sasha would love to see Carly. Carly says, maybe in a few minutes, heaves a sigh, and sits. Britt is about to go to the desk, but turns back, and sits next to Carly, asking her how she is. Carly says, she just went to say fine, and kind of laughs. She says she came here to support Sasha and Brando, but it’s not like there’s anything she can do for them. Just like she can’t do anything for Jason. How is she? She’s sad, and scared. She doesn’t know what the rest of her life looks like without him. Britt says Carly will figure it out. Know how she knows? Jason told her. He had complete faith in Carly, and she knows Jason doesn’t say things just to be nice. He said it because he believed it; that Carly is strong enough to get through anything. Carly says, she was, when she had Jason to back her up. She didn’t have to be good enough or strong enough for Jason. She could just be her. That’s an amazing feeling, to have someone you can count on no matter what. Jason gave her that feeling. Now he’s gone. She knows how grief works, and the only way out is through. Then someday, when she says she’s fine, she’ll mean it. Britt says, right now, Carly can’t even imagine that day, and Carly says, no. Britt says, her neither; it sounds ridiculous. Carly says, it doesn’t; not to her. She tells Britt to take care of herself, and gets up to go to Sasha’s room.

Chase comes back, and tells Valentin, he’s sorry. Brook wanted to be alone. Valentin says he did warn Chase that honor is in short supply in this house, and so is compassion. If he were Chase, he’d take that beautiful daughter and go far, far away before Brook turns her into a Quartermaine. He tells Anna, let’s go, but Brook says, not yet, walking in with Bailey. Someone misses him very much. She gives Bailey to Valentin, and both Valentin and the baby smile. Chase thinks maybe they should give Valentin some privacy, but Valentin says, that’s not necessary. He and Bailey have no secrets, unlike others in this house. He tells Bailey that she’s a beautiful girl. He has to go, and they may never see one another again. At least not for a long, long time. But he wanted to say goodbye, and he doesn’t know how to find the strength to do that. So what shall they call this? He kisses Bailey’s head.

Carly sees Sonny in the hallway, and asks if he’s been in to see Sasha, but he says he was waiting for her. She thanks him, and says she’s ready. He says, let’s do this, and takes her hand. Brando asks if he can get Sasha anything, but she says, the only thing she needs is for their baby to get healthy, and she knows he will. No child made by a sword and defender of man can be otherwise. He says, Sasha means defender of man? and she says she looked it up when she looked up Brando. He says, strong willed son, daddy is a sword, and mommy defends them both. They’re quite the family. She says, family. She can’t tell him how good that sounds. Family, people she can lean on. Brando says, when she’s scared, and vulnerable, and she says, she’s not the Face of Deception. He says, he’s her family, she’s his family, and Liam’s their family. She says, small… and he says, but plenty big in heart. There’s a knock at the door, and Carly and Sonny come in. Carly says, rumor has it they’re up for visitors, and Sasha says, the more, the merrier. Carly hugs her, and Sonny hugs Brando. Sonny tells Brando, they have his and Sasha’s back. If they need anything, just ask.

Austin sees Britt, and says he just met her brother. She says, he’s not a brother to her; they share a father. Austin says Peter is his patient now, and Britt asks if he wants to be taken off the case, but he says, not at all. He wants to keep on it.

Peter is wheeled down the hall, accompanied by two officers, and he says, how about if he passes on that CT scan? He’s been feeling claustrophobic since that tunnel fell on him. No? All right. In that case, he’ll take a very large muscle relaxant. At the other end of the hall, the elevator doors open, and Nina comes out on the phone. She says she’s running late, and probably won’t make it to the office. She turns to get back in the elevator, but the doors have just closed. Peter is being wheeled toward her, and says, Nina Reeves. Look at her. Still alive and well. It looks like they’re both extra hard to kill.

Valentin shows Bailey a tiny stuffed bear, and says, this is the oldest thing he has. It was his, and got him through some tough nights. He wants her to have it. Drew and Maxie stand quietly just outside the door, and Valentin says, and one day, Bailey will ask her mommy and  daddy where it came from, and they’ll have to tell her it came from someone that loved her so much.

Carly says, they came to cheer Sasha and Brando up, not make them emotional. Brando tells her, they were just saying how important it is to have family to lean on, and Carly says, it is, and Sasha and Brando have them. And they have each other. She and Sonny know how terrifying it is waiting to hear about your baby’s health. Sasha says, Brando told her that Donna had spina bifida. They must have been scared out of their minds. Sonny says, that’s an understatement, and Brando asks how they got through it. Sonny says, they leaned heavily on each other, and Carly says, when she was scared, Sonny let her be scared. He really was strong for her. Sonny says, and she was for him. Carly says, frightening as it was, it brought them closer together, and Sonny says, he’s sure it’s doing the same for them, right? Sasha says she’s sorry they missed Thanksgiving. It must have been wonderful having everyone together. Sonny says, next year, all three of them are coming, and Brando says, they look forward to it. Carly asks if they’ve named their son yet, and Brando says, Liam Mike, short for Michael, after the man who was so good to him when he was growing up. Sonny says his dad would have been very honored, and Brando asks if Sonny wants to see him. Sonny says he’s been waiting for Brando to ask, and they leave. Sasha says, Brando wants to be so strong for her, and Carly takes her hand.

Maxie jets, and Drew follows. Chase tells Brook, he knows Valentin said otherwise, but let’s give him some privacy. Valentin asks Anna not to go, and she stay’s behind. She tells Bailey, it’s quite a little gift Valentin is giving her, and tells Valentin, so beautiful. Outside, Drew asks Maxie, what’s wrong? and she says, it upsets her to see someone separated from a child they love. Brook says, it couldn’t be helped, and Chase tells Drew, Valentin thought he was Bailey’s father, and Drew says, and Chase is; Monica told him. He knows Valentin and the Quartermaines have had their issues, but he might not be there if not for Valentin, Anna, and his brother Jason, may he rest in peace. Maxie quickly walks away.  

Britt asks if Austin feels this loyalty to all the mothers of the babies he’s delivered, and he says, given the circumstances of Louise’s birth, and her bizarre disappearance, can she blame him? She says, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep an eye on Peter, and he says, right. Your enemy’s enemy and all that. She says he has a peculiar habit of being around when things go wrong, whether it’s Maxie giving birth in the woods, or Peter showing up at GH, and he says, and when she loses a dear friend? He doesn’t think things could get much worse, so let’s hope they get better soon.

Nina asks why Peter is here. Why isn’t he locked up in Pentenville? Peter says, she didn’t hear about Jason nearly killing. Because of Jason, he requires medical attention. Nina says, what a shame. Too bad his aim wasn’t better. Peter tells the officers that he and Nina are practically family, and they know how family squabbles can get. Tell him, did her friend Mike finally fly to her rescue, or what? She gets down so they’re face to face, and says, you son of a bitch. There’s a place in hell reserved just for you. He says, people keep telling him that, but he ventures to think she’ll beat him there.

Sasha tells Carly, she made a vow; no more waterworks. Her baby and Brando need her. Carly says, Liam and Brando need her to be healthy, which means she needs to rest. And like it or not, it means doing what the nurses tell her. Sasha says, Epiphany and Elizabeth are having great fun bossing her around, and Carly laughs, saying, she bets. She knows it’s not the experience Sasha looked for, but it sounds like she’ll be able to go home soon. Sasha says, and they’re taking Liam Mike with them. Carly says she likes the name. She kisses Sasha’s forehead, and says she’s going to go, and let Sasha rest. Sasha thanks Carly for being a good friend to her, and Carly says, her pleasure. She’s always here for Sasha. Always. She leaves, and Sasha picks up her and looks at Liam’s picture. She says, you hear that, Liam. You will be coming home with us.

Brando tells Sonny, the tubes feed Liam, and he has a special blanket to cool him down, to help his brain recover from the lack of oxygen. Sonny says, it sounds backwards, and Brando laughs, saying, you’d think it was to keep him warm, but it’s the opposite. Sonny says, you’re never more raw and vulnerable as when you become a father, and Brando asks how Sonny does it. How does he handle the constant fear? Sonny says, you just don’t let it dominate your life. He always pictures Donna’s smile, Avery’s laugh. Kristina, Michael, and Dante are all grown up, but he still worries about them. He’s not Josslyn’s biological father, but he considers her his daughter; he’s her dad. One thing he’s learned about raising kids is, you have absolutely no control. Brando says, that’s a lesson that’s tough for him to learn, but Sonny says, Brando did a great job. He gave his son a great name; Liam Mike. A little Irish charm; his dad’s fighting spirit. Brando asks what makes Sonny sure Liam’s got it, and Sonny says, what makes him think Liam’s not a quitter? Because it runs in the family.

Britt says she has the feeling Austin doesn’t want to keep tabs on Peter out of some professional interest. Austin says he is concerned about Maxie’s physical and emotional well-being, especially now that he’s met the father of her child. Britt says, no one is underestimating the harm Peter is capable of causing, but he’s under guard 24/7, and once he’s released from the hospital, he’ll be locked away for the rest of his unnatural life. Austin says, maybe, but after spending even just a little time with him, he doesn’t sound like a guy who’s giving up on getting his family back. He sounds like a high stakes poker player who’s very pleased with himself because he still has an ace up his sleeve.

Valentin walks into the foyer with Bailey, and tells her, in France, they say, au revoir, mon cheri, which means, until we meet again. Au revoir, mon cheri. He tries not to cry, and gives Bailey to Brook. He and Anna leave, and Brook sighs. Outside, Valentin cries, and Anna holds him. She asks, it’s done. Is he okay? She takes his face in her hands, and says, ready to go? He nods.

Maxie grabs her coat and bag, and says, too many lies, too many hearts broken and lives destroyed. This has to stop. She walks out.

Nina asks the guards if she and Peter could have a second. He’s not going to go anywhere; please? Peter tells them, he’ll be fine. They can go. They leave (highly unlikely IRL), and Nina leans down again, and asks what Peter is intending. He says, me? and she says, yeah, you. He says he doesn’t have to lift a finger. She sealed her own fate in beautiful Nixon Falls when she fell in love with another woman’s husband, and not just any woman, the feisty Carly Corinthos. Frankly, he’s surprised to see Nina in town. He would have thought Carly had run her out of town on a rail by now, right after tarring and feathering her first of course (🍷)… or doesn’t she know. Nina gets up to see Carly standing behind Peter. Rut-roh.

On Monday, Chase says there’s something someone needs to know, Laura wants out of the safe house now, Sonny sees why Britt was special to Jason, and Peter tells Nina to let Carly be the judge of that.

🩰 She Knows Him…

I did know she had a dance background, but didn’t know about Cats.

🏚 She Wants Out Now…

Laura returns to the Port Charles canvas.

🥀 What a Dahl…

Another farewell. I’d forgotten she was Lorenzo Lamas’s mom.

https://people.com/movies/arlene-dahl-actress-turned-beauty-mogul-dead-at-96/

👸🏼 The Princess Returns…

Mac’s better half is home for the holidays.

⚖️ Oh No She Isn’t…

I hadn’t heard this rumor, but I’m glad it’s not true.

📽 Four’s Not a Crowd…

It must have been like old GH home week on this set.

🥁 Soaping the Season…

A good time for a worthy cause.

🏔 She’s Too Good…

Ugh. This woman. She’s like the fly in the Salt Lake ointment.

📿 Housewife Side Hustle…

Garcelle sells her glitzy wares.

🧨 Already It Starts…

And one of them isn’t even on the show.

🃏 I Resemble That…

Eboni did not find it a laughing matter.

😭 Boo-Hoo-Hoo…

Attention ladies, Juicy Joe is once again available.

📺 Sadly, She’s Right…

I’m sure I lose many braincells every time I watch reality TV. Actually, it’s surprising I have a brain at all at this point.

📡 Quotes of the Week

It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. – Mahatma Gandhi

A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. – George Moore

Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore. – Florence Nightingale

To be a revolutionary you have to be a human being. You have to care about people who have no power. – Jane Fonda

It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting. – Paulo Coelho

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast. – William Shakespeare

Success is a collection of problems solved. – I. M. Pei

With no positivity, there is no hope; with no negativity, there is no improvement. – Criss Jami

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education. – Mark Twain

Is your secret job in a red flag factory?Kalani Faagata, 90 Day Fiancé

People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion. – Steve Maraboli

🗼 Au Revoir, Not Goodbye…

Enjoy your next two days off, or on, or whatever your status. See you at the finale of the Dead. Until then, stay safe, stay living without regret, and stay knowing that when you see only dustballs and clothes, the boogie man has no power over you.

October 15, 2021 – Jason Agrees To Help Britt, Amber Remembers, a Wedding, Busy, a Refusal, Poor Thing, Harry Rumors, an Attack, VanderTalk, Girls Trip, Magnificent Digs, Close To a Dozen Quotes & Mash

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny comes in, and Carly says, howdy, stranger. He says, howdy to her too. He’d think after twenty years they’re no strangers. She says, no, they’re not, but the man who wore this hat is a mystery to her.   

Britt says Jason got there fast, since she just sent the text. Was he already at the hospital, or did he fly here? Where are her manners? Let her take his cape. He asks if everything is okay, and she says, no. She’s at a standstill, and doesn’t know how to move forward. As much as she hates to ask, she could really use his help.

At Windymere, Doc tells Nikolas, he’s sorry it took a while. He had clients back to back. What does Nikolas need? Nikolas says he needs to discuss his mother; she’s not answering his texts. Is everything all right? Doc says, she’s tied up in a meetings all day, but they’re going to speak tonight. He can let her know Nikolas wants to reach her. Is this an emergency? Nikolas says he’s having a hard time processing something that happened last night. He and Ava found out who was stalking them. Doc says, don’t tell him that his brother found a way to do this, but Nikolas says, sadly, it was his son.

Spencer asks if Ava is there to gloat, and she says, he still doesn’t get it, does he? She derives no pleasure in his situation. He asks where his father is? Arranging bail? She says, no. If it were up to her husband, the PCPD could keep him locked up and throw away the key. She’s all he’s got.

Anna tells an officer, the gunman was a professional; he knew exactly what he was doing. The shots were targeted and precise. This wasn’t some local feud gone wrong. It was an ambush. Dante and Sam arrive, and Dante says, it looks like they showed up late to the party. Sam asks, what the hell happened here?

Drew looks at the bullet wound in his arm, and says, what the hell? What happened?

Peter drags Obrecht down the hall, and she throws his hand off her arm. She says she’d sooner die than help him, and he tells her not to tease him.

Sonny says, he’s still him; he’s still Carly’s husband. What about her? Is she still the same as she was nine months ago, or has something changed? She says, that’s an odd question, and he says he spoke to Jason about what he walked in on the night he came back. She said it was her wedding, but he didn’t know it was her actual wedding night… in every sense of the word. Did he interrupt something? She says, if he hadn’t come back, she and Jason would have slept together, as husband and wife. He says, give him one second. He doesn’t know how he can be okay with that.

Jason asks if Britt is in trouble, because she can tell him anything. She says, this isn’t not about her; it’s about her mother. Rescuing her doesn’t seem to be a top priority at the WSB. It is with her and Scotty, but they’ve hit a brick wall, and they’re out of options. Jason is their only hope of finding her mother alive.

Obrecht asks if Victor is aware Peter is giving her orders, and threatening her. He says, she rejected Victor, then she tried to kill him. So she’s been downgraded from her swanky accommodations to this dank cell. She’ll see how much Victor gives a damn about her. She says she doesn’t care. Nothing can get her to help him. He says, we shall see, won’t we?

Anna says she’s glad they’re here, and Sam asks, what happened? Anna says, she and Robert were ambushed. The gunman was a professional who knew what he was doing. They managed to return fire and drive him off. Robert joins them, and asks if Anna filled them in. Dante says, she was starting to. They don’t know who the shooter was? Robert says, nothing yet. There are no prints, no footprints. They’ve got some ballistics the police are checking on. Sam says, Peter is the obvious suspect, and Anna says, he is, but they have no proof. Robert says, Peter might not have pulled the trigger, but his stench is all over this, and Dante says, Peter is the reason for Drew’s disappearance. They’re getting too close for comfort. Anna says, he seems sure of that. What do they have? Sam says, Dallas Kirby confirmed that Drew’s plane crash was staged, and Dante says, the flight that Drew was on sent a fake distress signal, turned off its beacons, and flew away. Dallas Kirby was paid two million dollars to dump a bunch of plane parts into the Gulf of Adan, and the plane flew off radar. Anna says, that tracks with what Chloe Jennings told her, that Drew is alive and being held against his will. Sam says, then where is he? And where’s Valentin? Wasn’t he with Anna? Anna says, there’s been a complication. Robert says, of the Cassadine nature.

Doc tells Nikolas, Laura is going to be devastated. She believed Spencer when he insisted he wasn’t responsible. Nikolas says, they all did, and Doc says, he’s sorry. He saw glimpses that something was amiss, and he didn’t voice his concerns. It’s difficult to reconcile the prankster they know Spencer can be, with the calculated intimidation Nikolas and Ava have faced. Nikolas says, that’s why he wants to talk to his mother. He’s not sure he took the right actions when Spencer confessed. Doc asks what he did, and Nikolas says, he threw Spencer and his girlfriend out of Windymere. He cut Spencer off from his trust fund and credit cards, and Spencer had no access to any of Nikolas’s financial resources. Doc asks if Nikolas is comfortable with that, and Nikolas says, for now. Alexis doesn’t like it. She’s urging him not to abandon his son. Doc says, what about Ava? and Nikolas says, Ava is all for Spencer facing the consequences of his actions, but not at the expense of their relationship. Doc asks what Nikolas wants, and Nikolas says he appreciates where Ava is coming from, but he’s still confused. Doc says, punishment and enforced guidance don’t need be mutually exclusive, and Nikolas says, no offense, but that didn’t work with Ryan. Doc says, Spencer’s no Ryan, and Nikolas asks if he’s sure. Doc says, it’s true that the extremes Spencer took things to is disturbing, but Spencer knows right from wrong, and he feels remorse. So how did he think it was a good idea to convince Ava she was being stalked? And how did he find the time to even pull it off? Nikolas says, he had help. Spencer didn’t do it alone. The doorbell rings, and Esme is there. She tells Nikolas that he needs to get to the police station as soon as possible. He asks if something happened to Spencer, and she says Nikolas’s wife had Spencer arrested.

Spencer says he wants nothing to do with Ava. He didn’t ask her to come, and certainly doesn’t want to talk to her. She says she’s not keen on talking to the sullen young man who terrorized her for months, but here she is. He might want to shut up and listen for once. He asks what she could have to say that would be useful to him, or what he could say that would be useful to her. She says, for starters, he’s welcome. By all accounts, he had nowhere to sleep and now he does. He says, thank you, stepmother. He’ll never forget she made it possible for him to experience a night in jail, and she tells him not to act so put upon, or has he forgotten he’s guilty of the crimes for which he’s been arrested? He says she’s going to lecture him about his criminal acts? Let’s talk about hers. Let’s get Josslyn in here and ask her about how Morgan died. Ava says she’s not the one in custody, and he says, that’s kind of his point. All the misery she’s inflicted, people who’ve died, and she’s walking free. He allegedly played a few unkind pranks and she had him arrested. She says she knows deep down, Spencer’s father still wants him in his life; he just needs reminding. She can do that. She can remind him that he has the resources to hire Spencer the very best counsel. She can remind him of his connections in the justice community, and his considerable sway. She can remind him that Windymere is Spencer’s home. All of which he thank her for later. He says, should he remind her that his grandmother is mayor of Port Charles, and she can do all of that? Ava says she doesn’t see Laura anywhere around here. Does he? Laura’s not coming to Spencer’s rescue. Nobody but her – with conditions. He can take his chance in court, or she can offer him a way out.

Peter tosses Obrecht into Drew’s cell, and Drew says, Peter looks frazzled. Did his sinister plans go off the rails lately? Peter throws Obrecht’s bag in the cell, and tells her to take care of Drew’s wound. Make sure it’s clean. He leaves, and Obrecht digs furiously in her bag. Drew asks if she has anything they can use, but she says, no. Might as well get to work. She looks at his wound, and says, it’s from a bullet. Fortunately, he was only grazed. Who shot him? He says he has absolutely no idea.

Peter runs into Victor in the hallway, and Victor asks him, what’s wrong? Nervous? He should be. He has a lot to answer for.

Anna tells Sam and Dante that after she came back from seeing Chloe, Valentin was missing. They questioned a local musician she’d seen the night before. Robert says, who promptly lied to their face, and Anna says, he tried to convince them that Valentin faked being drunk, and took off with an accomplice in a car. Robert says, something he was all too willing to accept, and Anna says, well, she wasn’t. After that, things got heated, and they discovered the musician had a tattoo, the Cassadine crest. Sam asks if he was a Cassadine, and Anna says, affiliated with the family somehow, but before they were able to question him further, the gunman opened fire and all hell broke loose. By the time the shooting had ceased, they decided to take the musician in for questioning. Robert’s phone rings, and he says, now?… Okay, he’s on his way. He tells them, it’s his turn with the musician. Maybe now they’ll get some real answers.

Esme follows Nikolas into the living room, whining, didn’t he hear her? Spencer’s being interrogated at the police station. He says he heard her. He already knew. She asks why he hasn’t shown up to help Spencer, and he says he’s helping Spencer take responsibility for this actions. She says, by kicking him out of his home, and sitting back and watching while his wife uses the police as an instrument of revenge? That sounds like abuse, not help. Doc says he’s not sure Esme is seeing the entire picture here. What Spencer did to Ava is criminal behavior. Nikolas says, Esme knows better than anyone. She’s lucky she’s not getting booked at the PCPD right along with Spencer.

Spencer tells Ava, he won’t do it. If this is what she calls an olive branch… She says if anyone is owed an olive branch, it’s her, but she knows better that to expect that. He’s far too attached to his resentment, so she’ll settle for a transactional agreement. They don’t have to be friends; they just need to coexist. She needs to know he’s learned his lesson, and won’t mess with her marriage again. A show of good faith would be to agree to her terms. He says he trusted her once and she stabbed him in the back. Never again. She says, suit himself, and gets up. But a word to the wise. The lobby for the holding cell, the one with the torn mesh in the window; it has its share of bedbugs, but the tear lets in the tiniest bit of sunlight and provides ventilation when the drunk and disorderly show up and puke their guts up. Goodbye; good luck. She leaves, and the door closes. 

Sonny tells Carly, Jason said the same thing, but it’s different hearing it from his best friend, than hearing his wife say if he hadn’t interrupted, they would have slept together. She says, because they didn’t know. For nine months they didn’t know he was alive. Losing him was hell. They searched and searched for him, and waited and prayed; she couldn’t let go. Cyrus and Sonny’s enemies were circling like vultures. The nights were the worst; lying in bed or cradling Donna night after sleepless night. She held it together because she had to, and she and Jason got married for the same reason, because they had to. They had to show a united front. He says, so that’s all it was, a message? I just have to say, they searched and searched not all that hard. Sonny’s picture was apparently never on the news or passed to police departments in Pennsylvania.

Jason says, of course (🍷) he’ll help Britt. He said it that morning at the gym. She says, and she turned him down. She can be stubborn that way… He could pretend to disagree with her. He says, she is stubborn, and a very reckless driver. She says she’s an excellent driver. She supposes there’s some misplaced pride wrapped up in this. She wanted not to need him. He says, they all need someone, and she says, she feels guilty. Her mother was on her way to St. Lucia to attend a conference on hereditary diseases. He says, like Huntington’s? and she says, yes. It was a fake, a ruse to get to her mother. He says, she told him it was a set up at the gym, but didn’t give him any details, and she says, Scotty agreed to go with her mother. He got a deal on a private jet rental, also a ruse. Scotty took an impromptu parachute ride, and her mother just vanished. He asks her to go back to the conference. He thinks someone set it up to trick her mother, but she says, that means they know she has Huntington’s. That’s impossible.

Victor tells Peter, he heard there’s been a gunfight in a tavern in Panapolvia (sounds like; I have no idea if that’s the right name). Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane were inside. A masked gunman showed up, and started firing. Peter asks if anyone was injured, and Victor says, Robert and Anna walked away, but one of his men was taken into custody. Thanks to Peter, the WSB can compel that man to reveal their location. Peter asks, what was he to do? Robert and Anna were sniffing around, and he had to stop them. Victor says he’s lived there for years without giving anyone the slightest provocation to look his way. Now, suddenly, the place is crawling with WSB agents, combing the area and asking questions. Then he discovered that Drew’s ex-wife has shown up, with Detective Dante Falconari in tow. Peter says he’ll take care of it, but Victor says, Peter will stay out of it. He’ll handle it.   

Sam asks if Chloe told Anna anything about Drew’s physical being or state of mind, but Anna says, nothing she hasn’t already told Sam. Chloe said Drew sacrificed his opportunity for freedom to get her out. Sam says, what if Peter, or whoever’s holding Drew, wants to kill him because he helped Chloe escape? Anna says she doesn’t think so. Chloe said he’d already been roughed up a few times, and received medical aid, which is how Chloe got to meet him in the first place. That leads her to believe Drew’s tried to escape before. Otherwise, why keep someone patched up for two years if they’re not useful to you? Dante joins them, and says, as a bargaining chip, and Anna says, they know Peter is dangerous, but he’s also an opportunist. If Drew serves a purpose, Peter is going to keep him alive.

Nikolas asks if Esme wants to explain her involvement to Doc, or should he? She says, she didn’t mean any disrespect. Spencer didn’t mean for it to go that far, but Spencer loves Nikolas so much. Back at school, he talked about how saddened he was, despite the distance between them, and her heart went out to him. When he asked her for help, she couldn’t say no. Truly, she only wanted to help them reconnect. Nikolas says, help by setting his wife’s car ablaze, and taunting her with a memento from her dead daughter? Doc says, that was Esme? and she says, she shouldn’t have given in to Spence’s worst impulses. She rationalized it because she knew the ultimate goal was for him to make up with his father. Spence was so melancholy at school. He covered it, but the more she got to know him, the more she realized how much he missed Nikolas. She’d never seen him happier than when he moved back home. He told her that even if Nikolas never forgave him, at least he’d cherish the time they got to be a family. Nikolas says, that meant a lot to him too. That’s why this is so disturbing. She says, of course (🍷) it is, but there are good times still ahead. Just give Spencer the help he needs. Nikolas knows Spencer doesn’t belong in a cell. She asks if Doc doesn’t think someone as confused and vulnerable as Spencer needs protection, not punishment? Doc says, what he or anyone else thinks is immaterial. Nikolas is Spencer’s father, and this is a family matter. Nikolas says, Spencer’s lucky to have such a loyal girlfriend. He’s going to need all the support he can get. Esme stomps out, and Nikolas asks if Doc thinks Esme is right about Spencer needing his protection. Doc says, she’s selling a bill of goods.

Carly tells Sonny that she and Jason decided to get married as a last resort. It was the only way they could handle the pressure from the Five Families canned Italian wedding soup. He says, it makes sense, but there was a lot more going on. She says, not at first, but by that night, yes. She and Jason decided they could have a real marriage, and it would be safe to fall in love, and they were headed in that direction. He says, that’s a lot. I’m not a Carly supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but really, Sonny? Did he expect time stood still? I think if the moss bowl 🎍 were still there, it might absorb some of the tension.

Sonny says, so Carly is telling him that she was falling in love with Jason, not some stranger she met while she was grieving, or Jax. She was falling in love with his best friend. She says, yes, but then the door opened and he walked in. Since he’s been home, she and Jason just went back to the way it’s been, best friends. He says, now she has no leftover feelings? and she says, Jason’s her best friend. That’s all she wants from him; that’s all he wants from her. Sonny says, so they were falling in love, and she expects him to believe that now they’re not in love? She says she’s not in love with Jason; she loves Sonny. He’s her husband, and the father of her kids. He says, does she know Jason is like a brother to him? She says, they weren’t cheating on him or going behind his back, and he says he knows that. They thought he was dead. She says, they did, and have Nina to thank for that, and he says, but it doesn’t feel like that. He doesn’t know how to explain it, but it doesn’t feel great.

Jason asks how anyone would know to exploit Obrecht’s interest in Huntington’s, and Britt says she doesn’t know. She got her diagnosis in Canada using an alias, so it’s not on her medical records. Only a few people know; her, her mother, him, and Scotty. He says, they need to take a closer look at Scotty, but she says her mother swore him to secrecy. She knows he’s not the most reliable person, but Scotty and her mother… She hesitates to use the words in love, but they’re very much infatuated with one another. She doesn’t think he’d risk it giving away her mother’s most closely guarded secret. He says, okay, so what do they know? She says, fake conference, missing plane, Scott made it to safety in a parachute, and a possible Peter involvement. He says, she told him Peter wasn’t involved in this, but she says, that’s what she thought, until she found out her mother was going to kill Peter in St. Lucia.  

Obrecht tells Drew, congratulations. He’s obviously skilled at dodging bullets. He says, he got hit, didn’t he? and she says, he was grazed. He lost some blood, and he’s dehydrated. His greatest risk is infection. He guesses that means another shot, and she says, one can’t be too careful. She prepares the shot, and asks what he remembers. He says he remembers Peter finally showed his face, and held him at gunpoint. As she gives him the shot, she says, typical, threatening to shoot a man in handcuffs, and Drew says, Peter told him that he should be grateful he’d been kept alive, but he called Peter out on that. He told Peter that it was the same crap he did to Jason; make the world think he’s dead and keep him on ice. Peter said there were problems with Jason that there wouldn’t be with him. She asks if Peter said why, and he says he told Peter to screw himself. He was a Navy SEAL, and Peter couldn’t screw with him that way. She asks how Peter took it, and he says he doesn’t know. That’s all he remembers until he was getting a bandage put on him. What time is it? She looks through the small window, and says, it’s early; perhaps 2 am. He says, so he lost an entire day? and she says, it’s not unheard of. He says he left his cell, got shot, and retuned without a single recollection. She says, they’re talking about Peter and Victor. Has this ever happened to Drew before? He says, where he’s lost time, woke up with injuries he can’t explain, smelling like gunpowder? Yeah. That happened a lot to him in Port Charles when Helena Cassadine was controlling him, but that’s supposed to be over. Obrecht fears it is not.

Esme goes back to the interrogation room, and Spencer says she’s been gone a long time. She says, sorry, but he hasn’t been taken to his cell. That’s a good sign. He says, for now. Ava came by. Esme says, to drop the charges? but Spencer says, no. She offered him a lose-lose proposition.

Nikolas asks Doc if he’s being too hard on Spencer. Esme told him that Spencer just wanted his family back. Doc says he recalls warning Nikolas about Esme. Every time she tries to she express Spencer’s remorse, she’s just manipulating everyone. Nikolas should follow own conscience. Nikolas says he doesn’t know what to do. That’s why he wants to speak to his mother. She has a way of cutting  through the noise. Doc says he’s there, and he’d be happy to be Nikolas’s sounding board, but Nikolas says, no offense, but every time he asks Doc a question, Doc does the shrink thing and turns the question back around. Doc says, fair enough. He’ll give Nikolas this. He thinks Nikolas doesn’t want to turn his back on his son completely, so he has two options; to bail spencer out literally, or give him the support he needs to take responsibility and face the consequences of his actions. Ava walks in, and says, it’s his call. But his son hasn’t learned his lesson yet. Not even close.

Nikolas says, Ava saw Spencer? How did he seem? She says, unrepentant. Something is just not clicking with that kid. He says, meaning…? and she says, she offered Spencer the deal they discussed. She’d help dig him out of the hole he dug for himself, for the assurance that he not mess with them again. He made it clear that he’s disinclined to cooperate.  

Carly tells Sonny, she and Jason didn’t get married because they wanted to. They got married because Nina lied. For nine months. She lied to them, and lied to Sonny. He says, Nina’s not the real problem, and she asks what that means. He says he went to visit Nina at Crimson, and he told her if she wanted to stay in Port Charles, she’d better stay away from his family. Carly says, after what she did, leaving them alone doesn’t seem nearly enough.

Britt tells Jason, Nina said Peter had been warned about her mother’s plan, and he says, Peter had an accomplice. She says, but who? How did they know her mother was going to lure Peter to St. Lucia and kill him? He says, they have to assume someone working for Peter knew her mother’s agenda. Maybe they set up the fake conference to lure her mother to St. Lucia. She says, and when they knew her mother was headed there, they realized it was a trap and warned him. Maybe she should fly to St. Lucia and do a little research.

Robert returns, and says, send the right man, and you get the right answers. Sam asks if the musician said anything, and Dante asks, who’s he working for? Anna says, hold on, and asks if Robert got the musician to talk, and Robert says, he talked. He told the musician that he was potentially in a lot of trouble, but Robert saved his miserable neck, and he became quite chatty. Anna asks if he got a location, because wherever Drew is, Valentin is going to be. Sam asks if she thinks Valentin is alive, and Anna says, she does. If they were going to kill Valentin, he’d be dead. Why go to the bother of capturing him? Robert says he has a location, but more important, he got another interesting piece of information. The secret compound is owned by none other than Victor Cassadine.  

Esme says, Spencer’s pride isn’t worth going to prison. Just tell Ava what she wants to hear. Remember what they learned about Napoleon? Continuer avec deux options; proceed with two options. Let Ava think she’s won. She’ll relax her card, and they’ll swoop in and beat her at her own game. He says he won’t let Ava control him the way she’s controlling his father. An officer comes to take Spencer to a holding cell for the night, and says his arraignment is in the morning. Esme asks Spencer to let her call Ava, but he says, no chance in hell, and the officer cuffs him.

Nikolas tells Ava, there’s only one thing he can think of to do. He doesn’t want this for his son’s future, but he’s standing with Ava. If Spencer won’t own up to what he’s done, a night jail might scare him enough to do so tomorrow. She says, maybe this will be his turning point, and he says, he’d like to think so, but the Cassadine arrogance, and that trait of never backing down, is hard to overcome. But if he doesn’t reach his son now, his family’s worst pattens will live on in a new generation.

Anna says, Victor Cassadine, the former director of Creighton-Clark and the WSB? and Dante says, no way. He saw that place blow up. And that was after Obrecht shot him. There’s no way Victor made it out of there. Robert says, apparently he did. Victor is back in business. Anna says, of course (🍷) he is. What about Valentin? Sam says, and Drew, and Robert tells them, they’re both alive for the moment, but there’s more. Vic is not working alone. He’s thrown in with Peter; they’re allies. Anna says, that certainly explains why Peter keeps escaping, if he’s got Victor backing him up. Robert says, precisely. Faison meets Cassadine. Everybody strap in, because we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Victor tells Peter, the gunman retreated; maybe he was hit. Interestingly enough. Obrecht isn’t in her cell. So if he was to visit Drew’s cell, what are the odds she’d be tending a gunshot wound? Peter’s been lying to him. Two guards come out, and Victor says Peter has known all along how to activate Drew. He sent Drew on an op, twenty miles from Victor’s compound, without his knowledge or permission. Did Peter really think that would go unanswered? The two guards move in on Peter.

Drew tells Obrecht, the doctor said the procedure got rid of the conditioning, and she says, yes, but it was Cesar who did the original conditioning. He must have installed a second level that only he could access. He asks, how would that work? and she says, a shortcut, if you will. A simple code phrase or image that would reactivate the conditioning. He says, but Faison is dead, and she says, but his son is not. Drew says, Peter is controlling him.

Jason tells Britt, if they go to St. Lucia, it could be a dead end. There are definitely steps they can take first. She says, if the accomplice set up the fake conference, that means they wanted her mother on the island. Since the plane disappeared, they figure it’s the last place anyone would look. Like hiding in plain sight. Her mother could be there right now. He says, she’s getting ahead of herself. If we go to St. Lucia, we could be wasting valuable time your mother doesn’t have. She tells him, he said we. Is he coming with her? He says, wherever this leads

Carly tells Sonny, they’re standing in their kitchen, trying to piece their lives back together, because they’ve been apart for nine months. It doesn’t have to be this way. She didn’t choose to think she was a widow. He didn’t chose to stay in Nixon Falls. Nina did that to both of them. So why should she get to pick her life up where she left it, and move on, when they can’t? This hat isn’t some souvenir he picked up while he was away. It’s a symbol of everything they don’t know about each other; of time lost they’re not getting back. She’s not going to give Nina one more minute. She’s going to focus on their marriage, and their kids, and their life together. Please tell her that he wants the same thing. He says, yeah, but she’s right. They’ve had nine months of separation. They have to rebuild. She says, she wants to start. She loves him. She holds out her hand, and says she cherishes him, always. He takes her hand, and says he cherishes her too.

We see the hat, that’s now replaced the faux lily pond, that replaced the sacred moss bowl 🎍.   

On Monday, Portia says there’s something Curtis needs to know, Peter says killing him is the last thing Victor wants to do, and Anna asks someone not to put her in this position.

🏥 Sharing…

She was great on Watch What Happens Live. Keep scrolling for a tribute to Stuart Damon.

More tributing.  

👰🏻 They Do…

I’m glad to see she’s bouncing back from covid. She looks amazing.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/20211010123642/bbc-news-simon-mccoy-marries-emma-samms/

🏋️‍♂️ The Once & Former AJ…

Sean Kanan is a busy guy. And a film with Bruce Willis? I’m impressed.

👠 How Many Do I Give…?

I dunno about being friends in the future.

💸 Oh Boo Hoo…

If all else fails, she does know how to waitress, right?

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-reunion-erika-girardi-says-show-is-her-main-source-of-income/

💋 What Did Harry Do…?

I actually don’t quite get her comeback, but it doesn’t really matter anyway.

Back Off, Sistas…

Garcelle is only under attack because she’s part of the very small percentage called voice of reason.

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-reunion-garcelle-beauvais-claims-lisa-rinna-took-issue-with-her-bringing-race-into-the-show/

📴 Revealing…

Is there an off button? Some of this I did not need to know.

🛥 They’re Tripping…

I don’t know if I’d call it the ultimate girls trip, but it’s something.

🏰 Sending You Off In Style…

These homes have to be seen to be believed. I don’t know what I liked more the private island, the house with a moat, or Patrick Duffy’s Airstream.

https://www.lonny.com/25+Unconventional+Celebrity+Homes+You+Need+To+See+To+Believe

🖋 Quotes of the Week

Maybe this world is another planet’s hell. – Aldous Huxley

Progress is not possible without deviation. – Frank Zappa

Do you think she’s infected? ** Not infected. Just crazy. – Characters from the Korean Netflix series, Sweet Home

Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world. – Miyamoto Musashi

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie: A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. – George Herbert

To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone. – Reba McEntire

Study is the bane of childhood, the oil of youth, the indulgence of adulthood, and a restorative in old age. – Walter Savage Landor

To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time. – Leonard Bernstein

That food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. – Ann Wigmore

What did Columbus discover? People were already here. It’s like crashing your car into Starbucks & saying you discovered coffee. – Jimmy Kimmel

🃏 Folding My Cards…

Another seven day stretch has come to a close, or six, depending on when you start counting. If your bored with the status quo, do something different. Or at least change your screen saver. See you when the Dead are feared. Until then, stay safe, stay being the change you want to make, and stay not being too attached to your resentments.

October 8, 2021 – No Queen, Grilled, Nasty, Worse, Unsure, Dirty, Salt Lake Woes, a Tease, Going Down, New Bar, L.A. Return, Tiger’s Back, Mistress Of the Book, Best Costumes, As Many Quotes As Lords Leaping & Magic

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly takes a sip of her coffee, and says, this never gets old. Sonny says, the coffee, or this? He kisses her, and she says, don’t make her choose. She suggests they stay home and shut the world out all day. He says, what world? It’s just the two of them. They kiss again, and a guard interrupts, saying, someone is at the gate to see Sonny.

Britt sits down with Nina at the MetroCourt, and says, welcome back. Nina thanks her and says, it’s been quite the homecoming. Any word on Liesl? Britt says, no, not a whisper. It seems her mother disappeared into thin air. Nina says she’s sorry. She can’t help but feel responsible. Britt says, Nina called and got her mother involved in a scheme to kill Peter. She’s sure it wasn’t a hard sell. Nina says, at the moment, it was the only way to protect Maxie and James. Britt says, if that’s all Nina was doing, she’d be on board, but they both know that SOS call was to protect herself.

Portia tells Trina that she likes their new tradition of weekly breakfast check-ins, and Trina says she does too. She’s not thrilled with the dining hall, and she’s already tired of take-out. Portia is glad to contribute to Trina’s healthy eating habits, and asks Trina to tell her about classes. How it is working at Ava’s gallery without Ava? Trina says, it turns out, Ava’s not leaving, and Portia asks, since when? Trina says she’s pretty sure Ava is staying there, and staying married, and Portia says, Trina can’t drop that kind of bomb on her and play coy. What happened with the stalker? Trina says, thanks to her, the stalker’s been unmasked.

Nikolas comes up behind Ava and kisses her on the neck. She says he’d better be her husband; he’s a very jealous man. He says he’s her husband all right. For now and for always. She says, it’s going to be a beautiful day, and he says, a beautiful life. He’s never letting her go again. That’s a promise.

The guard says, Mr. Corinthos is in the living room, and he leads Phyllis in, carrying a box. Sonny says, what a pleasant surprise, and she says, my goodness, look at you. He introduces her to Carly, saying she’s a dear friend of Mike’s and his. He and Phyllis smile at each other.

Josslyn tries to study at the Kelly’s counter, when Cameron brings her a glass of ice water. She asks if it has magical properties that will help her focus, and he says he can’t stop thinking about yesterday too. He can’t get over the fact that Spencer was the stalker. Trina was so right; he shouldn’t have given them so much pushback. She says, Trina was the one who figured it out, and Cameron asks how Trina is doing. She seemed pretty beat up about it. Josslyn says they were up half the night talking about it. She feels awful about setting a trap for Spencer. She’s not happy about it either, but if they hadn’t, Ava and Nikolas still wouldn’t know the truth. He says he guesses it was worth it, but she says he doesn’t sound all that convinced. He says, Nikolas has Ava back, but Spencer’s life just imploded. Did they end up helping that family, or just hurt them? She says, both.

Spencer walks into his and Esme’s hotel room. Still in bed, Esme asks where he was. He says, working out, and she says, so early? Did he sleep at all? He says, no. Every time he closed his eyes, he kept replaying the whole train wreck. It never should have happened. She says she doesn’t know what possessed him to confess, and he says his father was in danger. She says he had nothing to do with his Uncle Sonny turning up, and he says, no, but she did. Why the hell would she tell his uncle, the alleged mob kingpin, that his father was taking his daughter away?

Nikolas’s phone beeps, and he looks at it. Ava asks if something is wrong, and he says, it’s an alert he placed on Spencer’s credit card. Apparently, he’s holed up at the MetroCourt. She asks how he feels about that, and he says he’s glad Spencer didn’t spend the night on the street. But given the fact Spencer robbed them of months together, he can think of better ways of spending their first reunited morning than discussing Spencer. He’ll make breakfast.

Carly says, so she’s Phyllis, and thanks Phyllis for taking care of her husband when he was injured. Phyllis says, it was their pleasure. Mike… Sonny was a godsend to them in more ways than one. Carly says, it goes both ways. Sonny has told her a lot about Phyllis. She’s so sorry about Phyllis’s husband. She thanks Carly, calling her Mrs. Corinthos, but she says, call her Carly. Had they known she was coming, they could have spared her the security check. Phyllis says, it’s a beautiful home. Much different from his room at the Tan-O. Carly asks if Phyllis drove in, and Phyllis says she did. She was on the road too early to call. She hopes she didn’t intrude. She found some of Sonny’s belongings, and thought he might want them. Wow. His flannel shirts survived the fire?

Nina tells Britt, she feels terrible. If there’s anything she can do to help find Aunt Liesl, please let her. Britt says she’ll take the help; Scotty’s beside himself. Nina says she also got a voicemail from Valentin. He and Anna have a lead on Peter, but he didn’t give her any details. How is Britt otherwise? Britt says she’s busy. She’s throwing herself into work; restructuring the hospital budget, working with her new Co-Chief of Staff, keeping her head above water. Nina says, and Britt and Jason? Britt asks what she’s talking about. There is no her and Jason. Nina says, and that’s because of her.

Portia asks Trina, so the young man she met at the park was Spencer, not Victor, and Spencer was Ava’s stalker? Trina says, Spencer and his girlfriend, and Portia asks, which one drenched Trina in the fake blood? Trina says, Spencer, and Portia says, hell no. Trina protests, but Portia asks when all this went down. Last night? Trina says, yes, Spencer got kicked out of Windymere, and his relationship with his father is worse than ever, and it’s her fault. Portia says, in what universe? and Trina says she convinced Cam and Joss to set him up. If she hadn’t… Portia tells her not to finish that sentence. Trina’s not responsible, and it’s not her fault. This is Spencer’s mess; it has nothing to do with Trina. Trina says she just feels bad for him, and also guilty that she wasn’t honest with Ava. Portia asks why Trina would feel guilty? Thanks to her, Ava knows the truth now, and Ava can stay here with her husband and little girl. Although she might want to let that marriage dissolve. Clearly the Cassadine men are not to be trusted.

Esme tells Spencer that she’s sorry for how things turned out. She was only doing it for him. He says he knows. That’s why he defended her, but some of the ideas she came up with… She says, getting his father back in his life was what he wanted, so she did what she could to make that happen. She guesses she’s still learning how to make him happy. He says she really is the best, and nothing that has happened is her fault. But he’d be happier if they cut out the scheming, and did better. She says, whatever he wants. Too bad he can’t count on his so-called friends. What were they thinking, especially Josslyn? Doesn’t that girl have enough to worry about without setting him up and calling him out? He says, Josslyn is a real friend; so’s Cameron. They’re probably the only real friends he’s ever had.

Josslyn tells Cameron, they totally ambushed Spencer, but if his behavior hadn’t been so messed up, there’d be nothing to confess. Cameron says, her stepdad is one menacing dude. Spencer was absolutely terrified for his father. She says, everyone knows not to mess with Sonny, especially when it comes to his family, but none of that would have happened except for Esme. He says he doesn’t see how she’s to blame for the lie about Bora Bora, and she asks if he’s giving Esme a pass. He says, not at all. They both bear responsibility. She says, Trina told her that Spencer and Esme work as a team. Every team she’s ever been on has a captain. It makes her wonder if Esme is the one calling the shots.

Cameron asks what makes Josslyn think Esme is more involved than Spencer is saying. She says, Spencer admitted Esme was the one who torched Ava’s car, and Cameron says, he did at first, but then he walked it back. She says, to protect her. Does that surprise him? She’s seen the way Esme hangs on Spencer. No wonder he can’t think straight. He says, this is Spencer they’re talking about; he’s no angel. She says, this is so messed up. She knows Spencer set it in motion – everything he did was bad, but she still wants what’s best for him. He says, what if Esme is what’s best for him? but she says, no. Esme brings out the worst in Spencer.

Esme asks why Spencer isn’t furious. First, they set him up, then stand by and watch him humiliate himself. He says, he humiliated himself? and she says, he confessed and he apologized. He says she’s forgetting the part where they’re actually guilty, and she says, fine. They’re no innocents, but his real friends aren’t either. They lied to his face, and set a trap that almost got his father killed. His father kicked him out of Windymere, while his wicked stepmother gloats. If they expect Spencer to beg forgiveness, they’d better think again. They’re the ones who should be coming to him. There’s a knock at the door, and a woman asks if he’s Spencer Cassadine. She’s sorry, but his credit card was declined for the second night. Esme says, there’s more than enough funds… but he says, there’s no need. This isn’t a fund problem; it’s a father problem. The woman says, they contacted the account holder, Nikolas Cassadine, and the card’s been canceled. He says, checkmate, and Esme asks what this means. He says, it means they pack.

Nikolas tells Ava, breakfast is in the dining room, unless she would rather have it served in the bedroom. She tells him to choose, and he says, the bedroom it is. She asks what the call was that he made earlier, and he says he cut Spencer’s access to his bank and credit card accounts. She says she’s all for tough love, but if Nikolas cuts Spencer off, what will he do? He says, Spencer’s about to figure it out. His son’s been given every possible advantage. He’s bright, he’s willful, let him put that cunning to good use, and figure out how to support himself. She says, that sounds fine in theory, but the timing is terrible. Won’t Spencer see this as punishment, and won’t it further stoke his dangerous resentment?

Trina tells Portia that Ava told her to be careful of bad boys. Spencer falls under that definition, except he’s not that bad. At heart, she thinks he’s just lost. Portia tells her, says every woman in defense of a dysfunctional relationship with a bad boy. She was at the hospital that night when Ava’s car was burned. She sat with Ava afterward, and Ava couldn’t stop shaking. And to leave Kiki’s ID badge near the car? That’s just cruel. Trina says, Spencer didn’t do it. She doesn’t even think it was his idea. Portia says Trina certainly seems determined to let him off the hook, and Trina says she’s not denying Spencer’s made some seriously mess up choices. Portia says, anyone who asks you to cover for them isn’t your friend. Remember what Maya Angelou said, when someone shows you who they are… Trina finishes, believe them. She’s sorry she didn’t tell Portia about this earlier; there’s just been a lot going on. Portia says, even though Trina will always be her baby, she’s a young woman now, and she’s entitled to privacy. But Portia can proudly say, Trina has always had a good head on her shoulders.

Carly says Obrecht was devastated when she heard Jason got engaged to Carly because she knew how important Jason was to Britt. Britt says, that’s old news now, and Nina says, if she hadn’t kept Sonny away from Port Charles… Britt says Nina might have hurt a lot of other people, but Nina did her a favor. Carly will always come first with Jason, and she’s nobody’s second. Nina says, good for her. She hopes Britt doesn’t mind, but she doesn’t think she can stay for breakfast. She can’t justify paying Carly’s inflated prices for eggs and toast. Britt says, it’s Nina’s call; she’s not offended. Nina takes Britt’s hand, and says, it’s good to see her. If Britt hears from her mom, if there’s anything Nina can do, call her and let her know. Britt says, will do, and tells Nina to watch her back. She has the feeling Carly isn’t done with her yet.   

Phyllis sits down, with Sonny and Carly, and Carly says, may I? pointing to the box. Sonny tells her, go ahead, and she starts taking things out. She takes out a flannel shirt, and says she saw Sonny in one of these. She still can’t believe it. She takes out a few more, and asks how many he has. She says, wow, and takes out the cowboy hat. She says, Mike definitely had a distinct fashion style, and Phyllis says, not to mention a mean two-step. Sonny says, that’s high praise coming from the lifelong dance partner of Lenny Caulfield, the greatest dancer in the world. Phyllis says, that man was so light on his feet, he defied gravity. Sonny takes her hand, and I’m not sure how to read Carly’s face. Uncomfortable maybe.

Carly says, Lenny sounds like the best of men. Sonny told her that Lenny gave him a hard time when he first showed up, and wound up standing up for him, and treating him like a brother. She wishes she could have met him. Phyllis says, Lenny was one of a kind, and Sonny says, amen. Carly says she’s going to give them a chance to catch up; they must have a lot to talk about. Forget about her suggestion about staying home. She has tons of paperwork at the MetroCourt. Enjoy their time together. She tells Phyllis that it was a pleasure meeting her, and hopes Phyllis comes back. She’s always welcome. Carly leaves, and Sonny thanks Phyllis for bringing the box. Phyllis says she has a confession. That’s not the only reason she’s here. She wanted to meet him properly. He holds out his hand, and says, Sonny Corinthos. She says, Phyllis Caulfield, and shakes his hand. They turn the handshake into a hug.

Trina tells Portia that she and Josslyn have this code – sisters before misters. She feels like she’s breaking that code with Ava. Ava is her friend too. She feels bad that she kept it secret that Spencer was in town for weeks, but after everything that happened, she feels like it’s too late to say anything. What does Portia think? Portia says, the fact that Trina feels bad tells her something, especially now that she knows the damage secrets can cause. So what is she going to do? Trina says she thinks she’ll skip breakfast. Raincheck? Portia says, of course (🍷). She wants Trina to do what she’s got to do. She’s proud of Trina. Trina thanks Portia and says she loves her. Portia says she loves Trina too. Same time, same place next week? Trina says she wouldn’t miss it.

Nikolas says he can’t stand back after how Spencer treated his wife, and Ava says she appreciates his outrage, but she’s a big girl and can take care of herself. As he well knows. He says he’s aware, but in no way does it excuse Spencer for what he did. She says, Spencer has witnessed Nikolas’s plots and schemes his entire life. If Nikolas wants to punish Spencer for learning the behavior he’s modeled, don’t do it on her account. Her phone dings, and she says, breakfast and anything else will have to wait. She has a visitor.

Walking into the MetroCourt, Spencer tells Esme, there’s enough cash for breakfast, but after that, they’re broke. I thought she had money? Esme says, this is a temporary set-back. His father just needs time to cool off. He says, maybe Joss and Came will cool off too. One of the most annoying things about his friends is that he actually cares what they think. He sees Britt, and says he has an idea, but he needs to have this conversation alone. Esme says, no worries. She trusts him. Text her if he needs back-up. He goes over to Britt’s table, where she’s just finished with a call. He says, wheeling and dealing? Good. Does he have a deal for her.

Cameron tells Josslyn that he doesn’t know what to make of Spencer and Esme’s relationship, but so what? Who says they have to understand it? Josslyn asks when he got so wise, and he says when he started dating her. She says he really is wise; that was such a good answer. They kiss, and Nina walks in. Nina says she imagines she’s the last person Josslyn wants to see, and Josslyn says, good call. She asks if Cameron doesn’t have to go back to work, and he asks if she’s sure. She says, it’s fine, and he says he’ll go back to work… outside. Nina says she just came to get a bite to eat, but can leave if Josslyn is uncomfortable, but Josslyn asks why she would be uncomfortable. She’s not the one who stole 9 months of Sonny’s life, and left his family to grieve. She’s not the one who’s a total hypocrite.

Britt asks what the deal is, and Spencer says, room and board with her in exchange for his witticisms. She says, pass, and he says, and Esme’s French cooking techniques. She says, absolutely not, and he says, why not? They’ll be fun roommates, and Esme can cook dinner. Britt says she lives in a hotel room, and he says, she’s Chief of Staff, and still lives in a hotel room? and she says, demanding job, no pets, no kids, room service. Works for her, but not for him. He says she won’t even notice them. She’s at work all day, and he promises they won’t touch the minibar. She asks, what is going on? Why would he leave cushy Windymere for a rollaway bed in her hotel room? He says he and his father had a falling out, and Britt says, he left? Spencer shakes his head, and she says, Nikolas kicked him out? Why is Nikolas acting so self-righteous after all the crap he’s pulled? Spencer says, it’s a little complicated, and she says, please don’t tell her that he hasn’t done anything that will make her have to defend his father.

Ava sees Trina, and says, what a nice surprise. Trina says she’s glad Ava is still there. Does this mean… Ava says, thanks to Trina, she and Nikolas are back together. They’ll have a lifetime of mornings ahead of them. What Trina did was risky, and she doesn’t condone the plotting, but Trina did uncover the truth, and Ava is grateful. Trina says, don’t thank her.

Phyllis says Sonny’s coffee is delicious. He says, of course (🍷) it is. He’ll send her home with a pound. She looks at a photo, and asks who it is with him, and Sonny says, Mike, his dad. He died of Alzheimer’s a year ago. He was one of a kind. He and Lenny would have hit it off. Phyllis says she’s so sorry. He has a beautiful family; they must have missed him. She bets they’re happy he’s back, and he says, so is he; so is Carly. She says, Carly seems wonderful. It must have been hard on her. He says, yes she is, and yeah it was. Phyllis says she found pictures of him and Nina, but didn’t want to include them in the box. She wasn’t sure he’d want them. He thanks her, and she says she has another confession. She didn’t drive there to return the box. She thought he might need someone to talk to who understands. He says she’s still looking out for him, and she says, Lenny would call it putting her nose where it doesn’t belong. He says, Lenny loved that she did that; so does he. She says she knows he left a complicated situation in Nixon Falls. Is the situation there complicated too?  

Esme sees Cameron outside Kelly’s, and says she’s so glad she found him. She needs him desperately.

Josslyn tells Nina to consider a delivery app, if she has to leave every establishment where there are people who love Sonny. Nina says she’ll take that into consideration. She’s truly sorry. She starts to leave, but Josslyn tells her to wait. She has something for Nina.

Britt asks what Spencer was thinking, and he says he was saving his father from Ava. She says, so he could have his father to himself? and he wonders if that’s too much to ask. He thought his father was dead for three years. She says, Spencer claims he wants to make up for lost time, but what he means is, he wants to control who his father is with. What bothers her the most is the lengths he went to, the lies he told, and the people he hurt, including her. Nikolas accused her of being the stalker, and Spencer said nothing. He says, because Nikolas didn’t think that anymore, but she’s right. He’s sorry. It’s one of the many mistakes he made. She says she gets making mistakes. He knows she’s fond of him, while she’s not fond of his father, but he needs to go make amends. He says he can’t; his father doesn’t want to see him. Maybe he and Esme could just stay one night, until they can figure it out. Carly comes over to the table, and says, not in her hotel. He terrorized Ava by implying a threat to Avery, and manipulated Sonny the second he got home. It’s totally unacceptable. Spencer says Carly is right. He screwed up, and he doesn’t blame anyone for not wanting him around. She tells him, don’t play the martyr. Stand on his own two feet instead of waiting for someone to bail him out. That’s the problem. Someone has been enabling him his entire life. He says, again his apologizes, to them both, and leaves.  

Cameron tells Esme, he’s working, so… She says he’s the only one who can help her… and Spence. He asks, what’s going on with Spencer? and she says, Spencer has been tossed out and cut off. They’re almost with no money. Cameron says, first of all, they’re hardly starving and destitute, and second, they kind of deserve what they get. What Spencer did was terrible. She says, maybe she should have done more to rein Spence in, but he was in so much pain. He wanted his father back, and now he’s lost his father all over again. Cameron says, things are bad right now, but Spencer will bounce back. He always does. She says, not this time. I don’t know if she’s faking it, but I think it’s the first time Esme hasn’t smiled through a conversation, whether it was appropriate or not.

Trina tells Ava, the day she realized Victor was really Spencer, was the day she realized he’d been lying about how long he’s been in Port Charles. Obviously, he needed to cover for his creeping around, leaving nasty little threats. Ava says, then he convinced Trina to keep his secret, and Trina says, he told her he had troubled relationship with his dad, and that’s why he didn’t approach Nikolas right away. And she bought it. Ava wonders if there’s anyone in this town Spencer hasn’t deceived, and Trina says she helped him by keeping quiet. Ava says, Spencer deceived Trina too. He lied to her, he manipulated her, and took advantage of her trust. Trina says, if she’d come to Ava sooner, maybe they could have figured out Spencer was the stalker. Before her car got torched. Can Ava ever forgive her? Ava says, there’s absolutely nothing to forgive her for. She wishes she’d had a friend as loyal and trustworthy as Trina years ago. Trina says Ava has her now, and Ava says she’s sorry for what Trina lost. She remembers how excited Trina  was when Victor swept into her life, and she hates how he robbed Trina of that feeling.

Nikolas comes out of the elevator as Portia is waiting for it, and she says, perfect timing. If him or his son ever hurt her daughter again, they’ll regret it. He looks at her blankly, and she says, he needs reminding. His deviant stunts at the party at Windymere, Spencer drenching Trina in fake blood, pretending to be Victor, and convincing Trina to lie about his presence in Port Charles, so that he could stalk Ava. Nikolas says he’s so sorry. Last night, Spencer admitted he’d come home from school early, but he had no idea Spencer had deceived Trina in that way. She says, his son is walking through the world like he can do whatever he wants. And Nikolas, as the adult, needs to shut that down. Nikolas says he’s truly sorry, and she says, next time he sees his son, let him know if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away from her daughter. I smell a romance in the works.

Sonny says, being home has been an adjustment, and asks Phyllis, what’s the deal with the Tan-O? She says she filed a claim with insurance, but the adjuster is still investigating, so the wait is on. He asks if she wants to rebuild, but she’s not sure. Without Lenny, she feels a bit at sea. He says, it didn’t help that he took off, but she says, he needed to get back to his family. He says he considers Phyllis family; whatever she needs, he’s there for her. She says he doesn’t owe her anything, but he says she saved his life. The least he can do is put her up, there or at the MetroCourt. And he’s not taking no for an answer. She says she appreciates that. She does have some unfinished business in town. He says she didn’t come just to see him? and she says, she came to see Nina.

Josslyn says she’s glad she ran into Nina. She holds up the journal, and asks if Nina recognizes it. Nina says, it’s the journal she gave Josslyn as a graduation present, and Josslyn says, she’d actually stopped writing, but didn’t tell Nina at the time because she was being polite. She tries not to cry, and says she started writing again after Nina gave it to her, and used it to process her feelings. She flips through it, and says, she wrote about Sonny’s funeral. She rips it out, and says, she wrote about the nights she heard her mom quietly sobbing. She tears that out too, and says, and she wrote about the good days where they still felt like a family. And the bad ones where all any of them could think about was missing Sonny. But Nina didn’t just lie to them, she lied to Josslyn’s father. He went to Nixon Falls to see her and try to win her back, but instead he got shot defending her and her friend. When Jax came to Nina, saying he thought he saw Sonny when he was on the gurney, and she lied and said he hadn’t. Nina deceived him too. She rips all the pages out, and says, it’s all there, updated as of last night. She’ll be keeping her thoughts, but this gift from Nina? She never wants to see it or Nina again. She hands the journal to Nina.  

Cameron says he has to get back inside, but Esme says, Spence needs him. He just lost his father, and now he’s lost Cameron too, and she can’t handle it. She doesn’t want to come between Spence and his real friends. That’s what he calls Cameron and Josslyn. They’re his real friends, and Spence is hers.

Trina tells Ava, she started off really liking Victor, but he was just a put-on, a façade. She can’t believe she let Spencer play her like that. She’ll never trust him again after what he did to Ava. Ava says, she’s not encouraging Trina to have a relationship with Spencer – far from it. She appreciates Trina’s loyalty, but what happened between her and Spencer is between them. Trina is free to do her. Spencer calls out for his father, and walks into the room. Trina gives him that look. You know the one.

Cameron tells Esme that Spencer hasn’t lost him; he’s still Spencer’s cousin. He really dislikes what Spencer did to his father, Ava, and Trina, but he doesn’t hate Spencer. She asks, what about Joss? and he says, she’s mad, but she’s also the kindest person he knows. He’s sure she’ll move past it. Esme says Cameron is such a good guy, when Josslyn comes out of Kelly’s. It looks like she’s not liking what she sees.

Carly tells Britt, breakfast is on the house. She apologizes for interrupting Britt’s conversation with Spencer. Britt says, it’s okay; she’d already turned him down. He made himself a hell of a mess and she can’t fix it for him. She hopes he figures it out. He’s a good kid in spite of everything. Carly says, technically, he’s an adult, but when she was his age, she didn’t behave like one either. Britt says, even as adults, we don’t always behave as adults, and starts to leave, but Carly says she knows Britt has a lot going on; so does she. She’d like to clear the air between them, and asks if Britt is ready for some radical honesty. Britt says she’s ready if Carly is.

Phyllis says she still has things she needs to say to Nina, and Sonny wonders why Phyllis would still want to talk to her after everything she did. She caused Phyllis to lose the Tan-O. She says, she thought about all the horrible things Nina did to Sonny and his family, and the lives she endangered, including her own. But she also knows Nina’s heart. All the things Nina did for her and Lenny, and their town, even for Sonny as Mike. A person has to be in a lot of pain and confusion to balance all that love and desperation. Lenny always said she had a bleeding heart, and maybe she does, but she can’t write Nina off just yet. Can he?   

On Monday, Alexis tells Nikolas that it’s no time for him to turn his back on Spencer, Jax asks Shawn how something circles back to him, and Britt tells Carly, it’s not going to happen.

👑 She’ll Never Be Queen…

Kyle stands by her good friend. Unless things start going bad.

She thinks they’re good.

She’ll walk away when they stop paying her.

🔥 On the Barbie…

I’m sure she had an answer for everything, but I’ll be on the lookout for squirming.

🍸 Belle Of the South…

Good. Erika has no business trying to intimidate the weak one because things didn’t go as planned. And I agree that no woman should ever say that to another woman. Actually, I don’t think anyone should use that word ever. And I have a potty mouth. What can I say? I was raised by a sailor.

😶 Can’t Read the Room…

I don’t even know what to say here.

💎 Don’t Fence Her In…

It would be a shame if Garcelle left. She’s the voice of reason, and of color.

🧹 On the Other Hand…

I’m all for LVP, Garcelle, and Sutton having a show.

⛪️ Meanwhile, In the Lake Of Salt…

Methinks they suddenly realized what a bad look it was.

Lisa tries to balance it with a good look.

🗽 Still Clueless…

I hardly think there was a stigma attached to single working moms in 2010.

⛺️ Downsizing…

I guess this is what happens when you do really, really stupid things.

💤 Uninspired…

Are they really going to name it Schwartz and Sandy’s? Will they be serving egg creams?

https://www.bravotv.com/vanderpump-rules/style-living/tom-sandoval-tom-schwartz-opening-a-new-restaurant-details

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/tom-schwartz-tom-sandoval-new-bar-lisa-vanderpump-reacts

🏠 Coming Back Home…

I loved the Homecoming show they did for Real World New York. I’m hoping this one is as good. I’d love to see San Francisco, but now that Pedro is gone, it would be sad. And I’m not sure if I could stomach Puck again.

https://ew.com/tv/real-world-homecoming-season-2-los-angeles-1993-cast/

🐅 Tiger Take Two…

I can’t imagine it topping, or even being equal to, the first one. I was mesmerized.

https://ew.com/tv/tiger-king-season-2-coming-to-netflix/

🧛🏻‍♀️ All In the Timing…

Why shouldn’t Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira have a memoir coming out when it’s almost Halloween? And who knew all this stuff? I can’t wait to read this.

https://nypost.com/2021/09/21/elvira-reveals-sexuality-wilt-chamberlain-encounter-more/

https://nypost.com/2021/09/23/elvira-reveals-photo-of-her-girlfriend-says-theyre-relieved/

🎃 23 Days To Halloween…

And so it begins.

https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes

📣 Quotes of the Week

A good friend will always stab you in the front. – Oscar Wilde

The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears, or the sea.Isak Dinesen, author of Out of Africa

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. – Shari R. Barr

Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors. – Fred Rogers

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. – J.R.R. Tolkien

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy. – Albert Clarke

There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

Your dream is a reality that is waiting for you to materialize. Today is a new day! Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny! Learn from your past so that it can empower your present and propel you to greatness. – Steve Maraboli

You’re only as sick as your secrets. – AA saying

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. – Plato

👢 Walking Into the Weekend Like…

I have an early day tomorrow, but before we know it, it will be Dead time. Until then, stay safe, stay changing it up now and then, and stay believing them if someone shows you who they are.

August 27, 2021 – A Plan To Lure Peter To St. Lucia, Million Dollar Finale, Team KJ, Guessing, a Surgery, Salem Preview, Tributes, More Troubles, Shade Feud, VanderShare, Doom’s Rouge, Dead Talk, a Half Dozen Quotes & Feeling

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jax goes to the MetroCourt, and Carly says she’s not in the mood, but he says she came to apologize. She says, go on, and he says he’s sorry he made Josslyn’s special dinner awkward. She says she hopes he plans on apologizing to Josslyn, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. He asks if they can start over. Mr. Buscema comes in, and Carly welcomes him to the MetroCourt, saying, it’s an honor. He says it’s an honor to be her guest. He received her save-the-date, hand-delivered no less. She says she wanted to make sure he got it, and he says, consider this his RSVP. He wouldn’t miss it for the world. He’s sure all of her late husband’s business associates won’t either. Jason comes by, and says, excuse them, steering Buscema to the bar. Jax tells Carly, if that guy is any indication of the guest list, their daughter isn’t getting within a mile of the wedding.

Harmony tells Alexis that she has two visitors. Spencer and Esme are there, and Alexis says, no way, Spencer! He’s all grown up. He says, that depends on who you ask, and wonders if there are rules against hugging loved ones. She says, since when did he care about rules? and they hug. Alexis says, Nikolas said he was back, but didn’t say anything about him visiting. He says, his father hasn’t been keeping up with what he’s been doing, and he intends to keep it that way.

Ava puts sunflowers on Kiki’s grave, and says, her sweet girl. She misses Kiki so much. Ever since the stalker left Kiki’s ID, Kiki is all she can think about. A cruel reminder of how she couldn’t protect Kiki, and pointed her in Ryan’s direction. Then Ryan took Kiki’s life in a sick desire to please her. She’ll always regret… She doesn’t know where to begin. She has so many regrets. Nikolas appears, and says, so does he.

At the MetroCourt, Austin gives Scotty the paper from Edward’s office, and says, that ought to do the trick. Maxie runs in, looking around for something, and Austin asks if he can help. She says she thought she left something there, but it seems to be gone. He says they probably have a lost and found, and she says she’ll check there. He says, the last time he saw her, she was leaving town. Did it help? She says she’s afraid not. The thing with some problems is, no matter where you go, they follow you.

Obrecht asks Nina what the problem is, and Nina says, Peter is alive. Obrecht asks if she’s certain, and Nina says he’s there in Nixon Falls.  

Outside the Tan-O, Sonny says Peter isn’t just a business associate of Nina’s, and Peter says he’d like to think they’re friends. Sonny asks why he gets the feeling Nina doesn’t like Peter much. Peter says Sonny doesn’t mince words, and Sonny says he calls it the way he sees it. And the way he sees it, Peter makes Nina very uncomfortable. He thinks it’s time for Peter to get out of town.

Obrecht tells Nina, that schwein. She knew they hadn’t seen the last of him. She asks if he’s made contact, and Nina says, unfortunately, he’s as malignant as ever. Obrecht says, since Nina is freely speaking, he must not be with her, and Nina says, he’s outside, so she has to make it fast. Obrecht says, if Nina is jeopardy, call for help, but Nina says she’s not. He made threats, but she’s not in immediate danger. Not yet. Obrecht says it’s good Nina hasn’t called the authorities. The jailhouse is too good for Peter. She has much better plans for him.

Peter admits he and Nina aren’t exactly friends. They’re professional rivals, and what Sonny thinks is tension, is nothing more than healthy competition. Sonny asks if Peter thinks he’s a good liar. Peter’s got a better shot at playing the lottery than playing him. Phyllis returns, and asks if that’s how Sonny treats Nina’s guest.  

Austin says he’s happy to see Maxie back, and she thanks him, calling him Dr. Gatlin-Holt. He says he loves being a doctor, but after everything they’ve been through, she should call him Austin. She says, of course (🍷). She has a lot on her mind. He says, of course (🍷), and she says, goodbye, Dr… Austin. She leaves, and Scotty says, well, well. Austin is making himself at home. Austin says, it’s just a routine follow-up. Back to business. Scotty says. this document is gold. It’s Austin’s ticket to ride.

Carly tells Jax, that guy is a colleague, but Jax says, everything about that guy screams gangster. She says, go to hell, and he says, his name is Buscema? Doesn’t she think he knows who the Five Families Ragu alla Bolognese are? He learned everything about them when Sonny became Josslyn’s stepfather, and just gave himself a refresher course when that Joey Novak guy approached her. Carly says Josslyn is not just going to be at the wedding, she’s going to be the maid of honor. Josslyn is an adult, and makes her own decisions. He says, they should be informed decisions. Won’t Josslyn be heartbroken when she finds out she’ll be standing up for a sham marriage?

Buscema thanks Jason for meeting him, and says he’ll be brief. Like Jason, he’s concerned about the Novak organization’s lack of control over Joey. Joey approaching Carly’s daughter was unacceptable, and he intends to make his feelings known. Jason says, like Buscema, like any of them, he won’t tolerate his family being threatened. Especially now that his and Carly’s family are about to become one. Buscema says he respects that, and they shake hands.  

Ava asks how Nikolas found her… Wait, don’t tell her. He asked her bodyguard. He tells her not to blame the bodyguard; it’s his fault. She says she should have hired her own. She offered the job to Shawn, but he’s busy tracking down whoever framed him. Nikolas knows it’s dangerous for them to be seen together. He says he figured they wouldn’t have much of an audience there, and she says, they had an audience at the gallery, but he’s here now. Say what he came to say. He says he feels bad, intruding on her there, and asks what’s in her hand. She shows him Kiki’s ID, and says, a gift their stalker left after they torched her car. He says he’s so sorry. He convinced himself that Spencer was the stalker, and  he was wrong, very wrong. She says, which leaves them with one very alarming fact. The danger is real.

Spencer introduces Esme as his girlfriend, and Alexis says he brought his girlfriend to prison; how lovely. Esme says the pleasure is all hers. Spencer’s been positively enthused about Alexis. Alexis says he’s been tight-lipped about Esme, and Esme asks Spencer, why is that? but Spencer is busy staring at Ryan. He says, so it’s true. Ryan Chamberlain is here. Alexis says, every single day, and Spencer says, someone should make sure that freak of nature never draws another free breath.   

On his way out, Buscema says, it’s good to see you, Mrs. Corinthos, or shall I say, the future Mrs. Morgan? He’s looking forward to her nuptials. She says they’re happy to have him, and he tells her, until then, good health, and a long life. She says, same to him, and Buscema leaves. Jax asks what the deal is, and Carly says she doesn’t know how many times she has to tell him, she and Jason really do love each other. It’s sad that he can’t accept that. He says every move she’s made since Sonny died was to shore up Sonny’s illegal business. This sprint to the altar is nothing more than theater, with Josslyn as an unwitting player. She tells him not to expect an invitation, and don’t crash the wedding. He asks if she’s really comfortable putting their daughter on display in front of those dangerous people; her business associates. She tells him that he needs to leave, and he says she needs to care enough about her kids not to paint bullseyes on their backs. But hey, if Josslyn gets killed, she’ll still have Sonny’s blood money to keep her warm. He leaves, and Carly asks if Jason heard that. Jason says, he heard enough, and she says she has to get back to work. He says, not like this, and she says she needs a drink, but she’s on the job. Although, she’s the boss. She can do what she wants. She turns, but he grabs her hand, and asks her to come with him.

Scotty says, the correspondence shows Edward intended to include Austin’s father in inheriting ELQ voting shares. He’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow, and see if he can get the hearing moved up. Austin wonders how long it will take to hear back, and Scotty says, the wheels of justice turn very, very, very slowly, so don’t panic while he’s our of  town. Austin asks where Scotty is going, and Scotty says, to a tropical, romantic island where he’ll be doing all kinds of fun stuff you do on an island. When he gets back, they’ll get Austin his ELQ shares. Can Austin get this drink? He’s going to be rolling in dough soon. Scotty leaves, sticking Austin with the tab.

Ava tells Nikolas, Doc gave her the broad strokes. Has he spoken to Spencer? He says his son refuses to have anything to do with him. Spencer is ignoring his calls, texts, and emails. He even messaged Spencer on social media, but nothing. She wonders if Laura can’t run interference, but he says his mother made it clear she’s sick of his antics too. Ava says she’s so sorry, and he says she told him not to accuse Spencer unless he was absolutely sure. And he knows she sent his mother and Doc to stop him. She says she didn’t know what else to do, and he says she did what she could. He just wishes he’d listened. She says she wishes she’d been wrong. Things would be so much better for everybody if Spencer had been their stalker.

Harmony takes Ryan outside, and Spencer says, pretty sweet gig for a serial killer; minimum security, full-time attendants. How is that legal? Alexis says, it’s absurd. When she inquired about it, she was told to butt out, and if she didn’t like it, there was a cement wall and a shiv waiting for her at Pentenville. Esme says Spencer told her that he was Doc’s brother, but it didn’t quite prepare her, and Spencer says he’s glad Ryan is a vegetable now. Alexis says, his condition is called locked-in syndrome, and Esme says, he can’t move or speak, but his mind is as sharp as ever. She saw a movie based on a locked-in guy’s memoir, which he’d written by communicating letters one by one. Spencer says, it sounds like hell. Good. Alexis says, have a seat. She doesn’t want to spend their visit talking about Ryan. He asks how she is, and she says, pretty much as he sees her; this is as good as it gets. She asks, what’s going on with his father? She figured if Spencer could forgive Nikolas for faking his death, he could forgive anything. Spencer says, she’d be mistaken, and Alexis says, clearly, Nikolas didn’t heed her advice. He accused Spencer of staking Ava, didn’t he?

Maxie gets her notebook from behind the bar, and thanks the employee. Some papers fall out, and Jax helps her pick them up. He says he sees she’s back to planning weddings, and she say she’s planning Carly and Jason’s. Isn’t it great that they’re getting married?

Phyllis tells Peter to please forgive her friend Mike. He’s the most loyal and protective guy he’ll ever meet. Which means, sometimes, courtesy takes a backseat. Peter laughs, and says, no apology necessary. He’s just glad to know Nina has such good friends there in Nixon Falls. Knowing Nina, he’s sure she’d want to make sure all of them are protected in return.

Nina tells Obrecht that Peter wants her to use her connection to Valentin to help him find Louise. If she doesn’t, he said he’ll take James. Obrecht says Peter is targeting her grandson? and Nina says, his exact words were, if she doesn’t help him, James would be more than an adequate replacement. Obrecht says Nina knows there’s only one way to deal with him, and Nina says she does. If Obrecht can’t for any reason, she’ll do it herself. Obrecht says she can most definitely manage it. She has to go, but whatever happens, do not panic. Keep her head on straight. Nina hangs up, and Peter walks in. He asks, who was that?  

Spencer says he bets Alexis’s clients were never able to lie to her, and she says, rarely; stop deflecting. She and his father know about the letter Ryan wrote him. He says, which he returned, and she says, unopened. Esme says she saw a coffee machine in the lobby (prisons have a lobby?) and asks if they want anything. They say, no thanks, and Esme leaves. Alexis says, lovely girl; intuitive. Spencer says, lovely and intuitive, just like her. She says clearly, he’s picked up his father’s tactic for evading uncomfortable conversation, but Spencer says, he’s nothing like his father.

Nikolas says, if Spencer had been the stalker, they could have gotten him help, and Avery would be home. Instead, they’re more alienated than ever. Now, here they are. Ava says, together. It’s open provocation to the stalker. He says, the irony isn’t lost on him that they’re going against the express wishes of the stalker, but he already lost his son and his mother. He can’t lose her too

Outside, Harmony asks if Ryan would like to continue with Moby Dick, or read Frankenstein again. He blinks, and she says, it’s interesting that he’s so fascinated in a book about a monster. Esme comes out, and she says she was hoping Harmony could help. She’s there visiting her boyfriend’s aunt, and she was telling Esme that Ryan has locked-in syndrome. She’s never heard of it before. Harmony says, put simply, he’s lost voluntary control of all his muscles except the eyes, but his cognitive functions are unaffected. He’s fully alert and aware of his environment. Esme asks if she can speak to him, and Harmony asks Ryan if it’s okay. He blinks, and she tells Esme, he said go ahead. Esme says, hello, and Ryan blinks. She asks what he said, and Harmony tells her, hi there.   

Scotty tells Obrecht, good evening my waffle strudel. Is she excited to go to St. Lucia and soak up the sun? She says, perhaps now is not the right time for this venture, and he asks, why not? She was all about going to the medical conference to find out about Britt. What’s going on? What changed her mind?   

Phyllis says she wondered why Sonny was hustling her out. It’s a good thing she came back for her glasses. Sonny says, the guy is creepy; he doesn’t deserve courtesy, but she says, if he’s in her bar, he does. Sonny says that’s why he took Peter outside. She asks, what’s with him? He always takes an immediate dislike to anyone who gets close to Nina. He says, it’s been two people; Peter and Elijah. She says maybe he should question why he’s suspicious of anyone from Nina’s former life.

Peter asks if Nina was talking to Valentin, but she says, no; it was just Crimson business. If he’d just leave, she could calm down, call Valentin, and get what he needs. Peter says if she double-crosses him before he leaves to start a new life with James, he’ll not only wreck this little fantasy she’s got going in the middle of nowheresville, he’ll make sure she can never show her face in Port Charles again.

Jason brings Carly to the pool (🍷), and she asks, what the hell is going on? Where are her servers? He says he arranged for a private party, and she says, when? He says, when he saw Jax unloading on her. It was this, or punch him in the face. He stopped himself. Josslyn doesn’t deserve to be in the middle of this. Jax doesn’t get why they’re getting married, and the way he’s acting, Jason is starting to think Jax doesn’t know anything about Carly. She says, maybe not, but Jason does.

Maxie sits with Jax at the bar, and she asks if he’s feeling weird about Carly getting married, especially since he’s single. He says, Carly is important to him. They share a child together, and he doesn’t want to see anything bad happen to her, so… That’s not what she asked him. She asked if he felt weird about Carly getting married, and the answer is, no. She says, forgive the observation, but he seems less than thrilled. He asks how Nina is doing, and Maxie says, she seems happy. Jax says, she seems happy to have a relationship with Wiley again, and he hopes they can be friends when she comes back. Maxie says she didn’t get the impression that Nixon Falls was a detour for Nina. She got the feeling Nina was putting down roots.

Peter asks how Nina will feel, not holding her precious grandson ever again. When Michael and Carly find out what she’s been keeping from them. When Mike discovers this grandson she’s so afraid of losing, is also his. She says he’s made his point, and he says he hasn’t even gotten started with Jax yet. Her knight in shining armor. How’s he going to feel when he finds out she’s been playing footsy with Carly’s husband, a man he loathes?.

Obrecht tells Scotty, it’s imperative that she find out about the latest research on Huntington’s, but there’s no need for Scotty to sit through boring presentations. He says he’s been to his fair share of legal conferences, and one he’s learned is, once you’re signed in, your colleagues don’t know whether you’re sipping martinis, laying on the beach, or elsewhere. She says he’s a genius, and he says he’s heard rumors of that. She says, they shall discuss how much, or how little she should pack, but she has to make a quick phone call.

Ava says Nikolas hasn’t lost her; he has her heart. If anything their stalker’s attempt to come between them backfired magnificently, hasn’t it? It just made them love each other more. He says, so there is a silver lining; who knew? She says, but they are under siege. Until they find out who’s doing this… He says, they will find out, and she says she hopes so. The threats are escalating. Nobody has been hurt, but how long before that happens? She can’t live like that. Can he? He says, no, but he can’t live without her either. She says, then they’re at an impasse. Their stalker doesn’t want them together, but they can’t seem to stay apart. So it will be her job to keep them apart. He asks, how far apart? and she says, oceans apart.

Alexis says Nikolas was just trying to teach Spencer a lesson, and Spencer says, by pretending to stab him? Alexis says she told Nikolas it was a bad idea, but he did anyway. She’s sorry if it hurt Spencer, but she’s also sorry for his father. He asks how she can possibly be sorry for his father, and she says, because he was raised in the middle of a tug-of-war for power between Helena and Stephan. Can he imagine how hard it is to grow up in that environment and have a moral compass; to know right from wrong? Does Spencer have any idea how lucky he is?

Esme says it’s nice to speak to Ryan. It’s incredible. Does he communicate through Harmony? Harmony wonders why she’s asking, and Esme says she’s starting classes at PCU; she’s going to medical school. She imagines in working with patients who have that diagnosis, there’s never a dull moment. Harmony says, sure enough, and Esme says she has an idea. Maybe she could volunteer there. Ryan blinks like crazy, and she asks what he’s saying. Harmony tells her, he’s saying, go, go, go, over and over.

Jax says he thought all Nina needed was a reason to come home, and Maxie says, now she has a reason to stay. He says, Phyllis? and she says she should get back to wedding planning. He says, no, come on. What’s the real reason Nina is staying in Nixon Falls? She says, it’s not a what; it’s a who. Nina has found someone special, and Maxie is under the strong impression it’s getting serious.

Peter says, Nina has been keeping Sonny’s identity a secret to get back at Carly, and she asks if he doesn’t think she knows what she’s done, what she has to lose. He says, but it’s so much fun to remind her, and she says, why don’t you just get out, you psycho? So she can get him a lead on Louise. Sonny and Phyllis come back in, and Sonny asks if Nina is okay. She says she’s fine. She’s going to walk Peter out. Phyllis says it was nice meeting him, and she hopes Peter drops by again. He says she can count on it, and he and Nina leave. Sonny says, see what he means? and Phyllis says, there was definitely some tension. He says, some tension? and she says, Nina will either explain or she won’t. Until she does, they have to respect her privacy. If Nina doesn’t like Peter hanging around, she’ll tell him where to go.

Outside, Peter says Nina has twenty-four hours, before the people she loves suffer the consequences of her stalling.  Are they clear? She says, yes, and he says, good, and leaves. Nina calls Obrecht, who says she can tell by Nina’s voice things have gotten worse, and Nina tells her, she could say that. Obrecht says she knows under normal circumstances, Nina would rely on lawful means to end Peter’s reign of terror, but since Peter has threatened James, that’s not an option, right? Nina says Obrecht read her mind.

Esme says, Ryan can’t want her gone already. Is Harmony sure that’s what he’s saying? Harmony says, sometimes when they’re tired, people with locked-in syndrome can suffer eyelid spasms, and Esme says, that must be it; he’s just tired. Ryan glares at her, and she tells him, get some rest. She thanks Harmony for her time, and says she didn’t catch her name. Harmony introduces herself, and Esme says, she’s Esme. Harmony says she was going to guess that. She looks like an Esme. Esme says she knows, right? She hopes to come back and visit both of them. 

Ava says she needs to get as far away from Port Charles as possible, and Nikolas says maybe they can figure out an alternative. She says, there’s no alternative that includes the two of them together. She’s hoping to get far enough off the grid that the stalker loses interest. He suggests they grab Avery and go, but she says it would defeat the purpose. There is something he can do for her though. He says, anything, and she says, make peace with Spencer. He says he wants to, and he’s trying, but Spencer and his girlfriend have moved in with his mother. She says, girlfriend? and he says, Spencer had a secret, just not what he suspected. She says, poor Trina.   

Spencer asks Alexis, how is he lucky? Look at everything that’s been done to him. He has every right to be angry. Alexis says, furious, livid; yes, he does. But isn’t the real reason he’s angry, because Nikolas didn’t trust him and accused him of stalking Ava? She knows things will be difficult to fix between him and his father, but it’s worth it. Don’t be so focused on punishing his father that he ends up punishing himself. Esme comes back and stares at them.

Carly says, the pool (🍷) looks beautiful, and Jason says, they did a good job. She says, it’s a long way from Jake’s, and he says, Jake’s was okay too. She says, Jake’s was paradise, and he says he woudn’t go that far. She says, that’s because to him, it was a place to shoot pool and drink beer. For her, she spent all day, every day, running, lying, and manipulating; chasing she doesn’t know what. Some idea of what she thought would make her happy, but what really made her happy was when she was with him.

Obrecht tells Nina, it would be a blessing to wipe Peter off the map, and Nina asks what she needs to do. Obrecht says, tell him that Anna and Valentin got a lead in St. Lucia. Nina asks, what’s there? and Obrecht says, a medical conference… and her alibi. Nina says, Peter is as good as there, and Obrecht tells her, take a breath, drink some champagne, and give herself a hug. Soon, Peter will never bother anyone ever again.

Jax asks Maxie who Nina’s mystery man is, and Maxie says she doesn’t have a lot of details, but she’ll say this. Lately, Port Charles has given Nina nothing but pain. She thinks Nina wants to keep her life in Nixon Falls separate from her life there, including the people in it. She only told him because she thought he should know that Nina moved on. Maybe he should too.

Esme tells Spencer and Alexis that she’s sorry to interrupt, but from the looks of the guard, time’s up. Alexis says it was nice meeting Esme. She’s sorry they didn’t get more time to chat. Come and visit her in prison any time. Spencer too, and remember what she said. They hug, and Harmony wheels Ryan back in. Esme looks at him, and gives him a little wave. She and Spencer leave, and Harmony tells Alexis, her nephew’s girlfriend, Esme, she’s trouble. Alexis says, she thinks so? and Harmony says she’s had a lot of experience with wayward girls. Some are victims, some are not. If Alexis’s nephew knows what’s good for him, he’ll steer clear of that one.   

Nikolas asks if Ava knows where she’s going, and she says there are a couple of artists she’s been trying to woo in Europe. That will take a few weeks. After that, who knows? He says, maybe she’ll come back, but she says, only if the stalker is caught, but at this rate… She’ll miss him. He says all he wants to do is talk her into staying, and she says, all she wants to do is let him. He says, unfortunately, he had one more lesson to learn. He’s done trying to control people he loves. She says, it’s a lousy time for him to start building character, and he says he hopes she comes back. She promises to love him wherever she is.

Carly says, back then, when she walked into Jake’s and Jason was there, he always gave her a good night. He says, him too, and she says she always thought she annoyed him. He says, she did… sometimes… most of the time, but he always liked seeing her. She says, know what she liked? and he says, oh no. She says, dancing. He brought her here to make her feel better, and dancing would make her feel better. They put down their beer bottles, and he says, will she dance with him? They dance, and she smiles. They come close to kissing, and I cringe. She suddenly pulls away, and says she has to get back to work. Thanks for the beer. He says, anytime, and she leaves, while he ponders.

Phyllis tells Sonny, whatever is going on with Nina and Peter, it’s definitely not romantic. He says, that’s not what bothers him about the guy, and she asks, what is it? He says, when he and Peter first met yesterday, he got the feeling Peter knows who he is.

On Monday, Anna tells Obrecht that she’s not giving up until she finds Peter dead or alive, Carly says someone is going to find out why Jason has the reputation he does, and Sonny asks if Peter knows who he is.

Million Dollar Listing New York

KJ told husband Stefano that she was ready to sit at the table with the big boys – i.e. start her own team. Kemba called Tyler with an offer on Whitney’s 77th Street apartment. The buyers loved Whitney’s style, and wanted a lot of things included. She said, Whitney wasn’t married to the furniture, right? but Tyler said she was married to everything. If she could peel the paint off the walls and take it to Florida, she would. Fredrik was in L.A., but called team member Charlë in NYC, who said she’d done a deal with KJ at the Baccarat. Woman to woman, they did pretty good.

Ryan went to a listing appointment in downtown Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Point building, and met with developer Ari. In Ryan’s interview, he said, not in his wildest dreams did he think one of the biggest developers would call his new company. They’d completely changed the skyline in NYC, everywhere. If he got this, it would be a complete game changer; everyone would call. It was the tallest building in Brooklyn, with 483 apartments, and a 25 year tax abatement. That means no property taxes, folks. You know the drill; luxury appliances, custom cabinetry, amazing fixtures, some of them copper. Ryan didn’t know you could get views like that outside of Manhattan. The building had from studios to 3 bedrooms, and the top floor had extra high ceiling, giving the feeling of a penthouse. The three bedrooms ranged from $2.5 to $3.5 million, and the 2 bedrooms ranged from $1.8 to $2.5 million. The amenities included a state of the art fitness center, with a 35’ rock climbing wall, and a 65’ salt water pool. Ryan told Ari, if he lived there, he’d retire, since he’d have no reason to leave. Yep, me too. In his interview, Ryan said he was no longer working for a firm; he was the firm. Everything was on his shoulders, so he had to get this listing, which would be over $400 million in value. Ari wanted to know what Serhant was all about, and what Ryan’s competitive advantage was. Ryan told Ari that Serhant was a real estate firm that sold real estate, and I wondered where all his Rico Suave went. In Ryan’s interview, he said he was nervous, and his palms were sweating. Get it together. He admitted to Ari that his new company hadn’t signed any new buildings yet, and Ari said they were aware. Like this guy wouldn’t have checked Ryan out ahead of time. Ryan said they were in the middle of negotiations, but they’d just started. The building would get his personal attention, since it would be his baby. He’d decided he wasn’t going to change even though it was his company. He’d still show, because he loved it; he’d still sell, because it was what he was best at; and he’d still focus on brands, because that was how he’d built his career. Ari said they were eager to make a decision, and Ryan said, let’s go. Ari said they would take a leap of faith, and in his interview, Ryan said he was so effing freaked out. The potential sales were $460 million.

KJ met developer Alex at 175 w 95th Street. Alex’s family had bought the remaining rental units in a condo from the previous developer. As the rent stabilized tenants left, they renovated the apartments, getting them ready for buyers. At the beginning of the pandemic, she’d been tasked with selling nine of their units. In her interview, she explained that developers were sitting on finished units, and it was costing them a ton in carrying costs. They still had five units to sell, and we flashed back to KJ advising Alex to lower the price to $1.495 million. I know, I write this like it’s some every day cost, but when in NYC… She’d gotten an offer of $1.425 for a mid-floor apartment, all cash, and the buyer would pay the closing costs. Alex said, a year ago, the apartments were $1.6 million, and KJ told him for the billionth time that the market was competitive right now, and everyone was looking for an opportunity (aka, lowballing). Alex said he appreciated her honesty, and decided to roll with the deal. In KJ’s interview, she said, now she had to move on to the next one on a lower floor. She told him that she’d gotten an offer of $1.35 million for that one, and Alex was like, oh my God, but understood the market is what it is, and agreed on that one too. KJ said she had one more for the highest floor, starting at $1.35 (she should have gotten the defibrillator ready for Alex), but she had a good feeling. Alex pointed out the beautiful view, and she said the buyers were investors from Hong Kong, and had all cash; it was an attractive offer. They wanted to take it sight unseen, at least not in person, and she thought she could get them to come up to the 1.4’s. Alex said he needed $1.5 million to make the deal work, and KJ called Karishma. Karishma said she’d spoken to the clients, and they were willing to come up to $1.4 million, but KJ said she needed something closer to $1.5 million. The developer was getting more for apartments on the lower floors, and the clients would be getting a good deal. In her interview, KJ said that it was a smart move to sell the property at a lower price. Rip the bandaid off and move on. Karishma called back, and KJ told Alex, they countered at $1.435 million, but Alex was concerned if they accepted the lower pricing on the higher floors, they’d be setting a precedent. She told him that there was a lot of competition and a lot of inventory. Eventually, the market would change, but it was time to move on, and focus on the apartments coming up. She thought it was the best offer they could get, and a one-off because it was during covid. It was time to get it off the books, call it a day, and move on. Alex agreed, as long as KJ would get him better pricing next time. Sold at $1.435 million, KJ’s commission being $126K.   

Ryan did a video shoot at Brooklyn Point from the roof, telling his viewers that it was the highest infinity pool in the Western Hemisphere. Steve invited the brokers to an open house at Hudson Yards. 

Fredrik was in L.A., and spoke to developer Cliff, owner of the $15 million penthouse Fredrik was now living in. We flashed back to Cliff saying he’d extend the listing with Fredrik if he agreed to live there, and promote it on his social media. In Fredrik’s interview, he said, the strategy was a little awkward – we flashed back to a broker telling him that he needed to make his bed – but there had been interest. However, the feedback had also been unanimous – the price was too high. You couldn’t argue with the market, and the price reduction had worked. There was a huge amount of interest, and he’d done a lot of showings. He called Cliff, and said he’d gotten an offer of $9.995 million, full asking price. Fredrik thanked Cliff for the opportunity, and said social media was his best selling tool. Cliff thought social media was a colossal waste of time, but Fredrik asked if $10 million was a waste of time. As we know from General Hospital, two things can be true. After Fredrik hung up with Cliff, broker Glenn called. His clients had made an offer of $9.8 million, but Fredrik had told him to come up. So, sorry not sorry. Glenn whined that the apartment had been on the market for a long time, but Fredrik said he’d told Glenn to move fast. Glenn was pissed off, and Fredrik told him the only way was to come in over the asking price substantially. They had another deal. It would have to be cash and quick, with the buyer paying closing costs. No playing around. Glenn said his buyers told him to go to $10.7, all cash, and paying the closing costs, but he needed to know he had the deal. They wanted it done in three days. Fredrik told Glenn to promise he wouldn’t back out, and he’d call him right back. Fredrik left the car by the side of the road – a convertible, open to any and all thieves – jumped out, and ran across the street where he jumped around in a fountain. He called Cliff with the offer, and in his interview, Fredrik said it felt good to close a deal at a pre-covid price. New York is waking up and roaring. She is back. He was returning soon, and going to do a victory lap when he got there. He got back in the car, and as he continued to drive, yelled, I love New York… and L.A.! I love both coasts!

Steve went to the Sky Rink, meeting his hockey buddy Adam to play ice hockey. In his interview, Steve said it brought him back to childhood. It was fun and he played once or twice a week. It was good for him both physically, and psychologically, and was like real estate; super competitive, sometimes you got in fights, and there was a winner and a loser. He liked to win. They were also meeting Preston, the broker who had a possible renter for Steve’s client, and also an old hockey buddy. We flashed back to Steve showing the rental, and in Steve’s interview, he said he’d told Preston to bring him the offer on the ice. Steve had played competitively when he was younger, and knew his way around an ice rink, but it was only a hobby. Preston said the six month lease was a challenge. His clients didn’t want a one-year term. Steve said furnished properties of that caliber were few and far between. Right now, he had the only one. The owner had to turn the apartment over, painting and taking care of repairs, in between renters. A shorter term meant more wear and tear. In Steve’s interview, he said he thought this might actually be beneficial. In six months, the market would be different, and his client could raise the price. He’d bought it as an investment property. Steve called his client, telling him it wasn’t ideal, but the offer was 6 months at $60K a month. Right now, rentals were up because of the uncertainty of the market. People wanted to see what was going to happen. Steve saw an opportunity, and suggested they offer full ask for six months, then get a long term offer after the market was better. Steve came back to Preston with an offer of $60K a month if it was one-year, or the full price of $69.5K a month for six months. Steve continued to play hockey while Preston made the call, and came back with 6 months at the full ask, and in his interview, Steve said, six months from now, he’d get to rent it again. It was a win-win for him.

Tyler has a dog named Peggy, which I find worth mentioning, since I think it’s amusing when pets have human names. In his interview, Tyler said, before he could turn Whitney’s apartment back into a whitebox, buyers came along who said it was their exact taste, and loved everything. They made a $4.1 million offer, but wanted some of the furniture and curtains included. In Tyler’s interview, he said, it wasn’t uncommon, but it was far from his favorite thing to do. Buyers didn’t consider what the seller had paid for it, or the sentimental value. He just had to try and make it work. He told Whitney that she should be flattered, and she said she was, but it didn’t sway her. We flashed back to Whitney saying she was taking the curtains, and I flashed back to the previous owner of my house wanting to keep her curtains when we’d already agreed they came with the house. It has 21 windows. I held firm. And seriously, what was she going to do with them in senior living? Whitney told Tyler, it was like, my furniture is coming with me; thanks for coming. He asked if she didn’t want her legacy to live on. Plus, she didn’t need nursery furniture. She said she’d poured her heart and soul into her son’s room, and wasn’t giving his crib to a stranger. He managed to wheedle most of the furniture the buyers wanted, minus the crib, and made a deal at $4.1 million. He told Whitney, well done-ish. He would take an ish. His commission? $123K.    

In her interview, KJ said, after some hard conversations about the future – we flashed back to her talking to Ryan and Fredrik – she decided it was time for her to start her own team. Elliman had the best infrastructure, and the top producing agents in the city. She gathered her new team – Benjamin, Karishma, and Jill – and told them that it wasn’t just like she was moving to a different firm, she was creating a team. Jill was her COO, and would be keeping them on brand and helping grow the business, but they had room for another agent or two, so keep their eyes open. In her interview, she said she’d hand-selected people who were in line with her values and also had incredible experience.  Getting teary, she said she’d spent years thinking that others did it better. If you believed in yourself, you could do it, but it took time. It didn’t happen overnight, but one day you woke up and said, holy sh*t; it’s real. She felt a ton of pressure, an told her team they’d be working a lot.

Steve said, the $29.5 million penthouse at Hudson Yards was the accumulation of years of hard work. It was a game changer. Since he could only have a limited amount of people at an event, he’d invited the top brokers for an open house. In Ryan’s interview, he reminded us that he was the reason Steve got the listing; he’d brought Steve a buyer for the other apartment. We flashed back to that, and Ryan said, you’re welcome. To refresh your memory, the penthouse was 5211 square feet, 4 bedrooms, and 5.5 baths, two floors, 26’ ceilings, and 270* unobstructed views. In his interview, Ryan said he’d seen a lot of apartments, and this one screamed penthouse. It was a piece of art, and whoever bought it would crush it. $30 million today will be $60 million tomorrow. Watch. KJ and Tyler joined them, and in Tyler’s interview, he said he was excited to be invited, but even more excited to see the penthouse. It was everything. This was the dream. He thought Steve looked good in his tux. He’d brought prom to the penthouse.  Steve gave them the tour, and said they were the first to see it.   

Steve broke open the champagne, and in KJ’s interview, she said, in the future, she saw expansion of the business. She saw herself getting larger deals and building a well oiled machine that would run until she died. She’d be doing this to the grave. In Tyler’s interview, he said he’d busted his ass. He was proud of himself and his team. They’d sold more than they ever had before. He didn’t just want to build a team in the city. He was also starting one in the Hamptons. Even though there had been challenges, he was most excited about their growth. Fredrik arrived, wearing a bright yellow jacket, and in his interview, he said, since he moved to L.A., he’d been dressing brighter. He was the sunshine of New York, and when Freddy came back, it brightened everything. He’d moved past the Ryan thing. He didn’t need that kind of negativity in his life, and he was closing so many deals, chose to focus on that. In Ryan’s interview, he said Fredrik had been arguing with him for nine years. He was over it. They’d never be best friends, and never see eye to eye on everything, because they were naturally born competitors who played in the same market. We saw they both had property listings in buildings across from each other.

Steve showed Fredrik the 88th floor views from the primary bathroom, and Fredrik mentioned that the old Steve wore scarves and wrinkled T-shirts. Steve said, the old Steve wasn’t in a committed relationship with a child. People changed. In Steve’s interview, he said it had been a horrible market, but the downs only made them more successful. He and Luiza were stronger as a couple, and baby Rose was almost two. He wanted to continue to be competitive and be better, but at the end of the day, he had all he needed. Look where they were standing. The sky was literally the limit. In Fredrik’s interview, he said he wouldn’t change anything about the past year. His business was very different than it was 10 years ago. He moved to L.A. when the pandemic hit. He’d wanted to have a foot in each coast. He couldn’t travel, but he moved with it, just like Robot Freddy. Would it ever replace the real thing? Never. He expected to be number one in New York and L.A. in the coming year.

Steve thanked everyone for coming, and in his interview, Ryan said it had been a lot of work, but super exciting. If they handled this year, they could handle anything. He thought he said that about last year too, but scratch that. This year was f***ed. They were all new people. He’d spent more time at home in 2020 than he ever thought he would. He worked the entire time, and wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else other than Amelia and Zena. When people looked back in ten years, they would say, this was the start of the greatest real estate boom in the history of New York City. Steve said, to the next chapter and a brighter future. To New York. Ryan said, New York is back, baby!

This was the season finale, so no preview.

🎺 Getting On the Bandwagon…

KJ on starting a new chapter.

https://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-listing-new-york/style-living/kirsten-jordan-talks-starting-her-own-team

🤔 Sonny’s Speculation…

But what about poor Nina?

👉 Blackie’s Trigger Finger…

Some people will do anything for an Instagram story.

https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/john-stamos-undergoes-surgery-reveals-hospital-photos/

🧼 Release the Trailer…

Behold Beyond Salem. It looks pretty good.

💖 Loved By All…

Tributes to Michael Nader from those who worked with him.

👠 Can’t Catch a Break…

Well, she wanted to be famous.

It’s even more XXPEN$IVE to be her now.

Get in line I’m sure.

https://people.com/tv/tom-girardi-law-firm-owes-101-million-in-debt-bankruptcy-case-filing/

🧮 But She Is Annoying…

And irrelevant, and boring, and hardly accountable, and yeah, what is she doing here?

https://screenrant.com/housewives-garcelle-teddi-feud-twitter-guest-shady-comment/

🍸 Sharing…

I’m kind of over Vanderpump Rules. I’ll always watch LVP, but I miss that show where she got the celebrities drunk. She was really in her element with that one. And Vanderpump Dogs. That was good too.

💣 Doom Addition…

Doom Patrol was one of my favorite comics as a kid. I haven’t seen the series yet, but this woman looks just like the one in the comic book.

https://ew.com/tv/michelle-gomez-madame-rouge-doom-patrol-season-3-photos/

https://screenrant.com/doom-patrol-season-3-images-madame-rouge-villain/

⚰️ Dead Start…

Everyone weighs in on The Walking Dead’s first episode of the last season. Daryl, Maggie, and even Negan.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-norman-reedus-daryl-negan-maggie-archeron-premiere/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-maggie-negan-premiere-archeron-angela-kang-showrunner/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-jeffrey-dean-morgan-negan-glenn-season-premiere-archeron/

🖋 Quotes of the Week

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. – Martin Luther King Jr.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. – e.e. Cummings

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. – John Lubbock

The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action. – Alexander Graham Bell

If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. – Shirley Chisholm

I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer – its dust and lowering skies.Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

☮️ Peace Out…

Thus ends another week, or seven Xs, however you’re counting. Until we meet on the Deadside, stay safe, stay leaving them wanting more, and stay letting the downs only make you more successful.

August 6, 2021 – A Letter From Ryan, James Finally Makes a Decision, Sadness On Set, a Dinner, the Latest On Erika, Block Lifted, Everything Dead, Slightly More Than 10 Quotes & Free

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At Spring Ridge, Nikolas asks Sam how the investigation into Hayden’s shooting is going; any progress? Sam says, working on it, and he says, if anyone can figure it out, it’s her. The hard truth is, they may never know who shot Hayden. Alexis comes in, and says she’s glad to see Sam. They hug, and Nikolas asks if he can cut in on that. Does Alexis have a hug for her favorite nephew? She hugs him, and Sam says, he’s her only nephew; there’s no competition. Alexis says, it wouldn’t matter, and Sam asks if Alexis is doing okay. Alexis says she is, but the company leaves a lot to be desired. Sam says, Ryan? and Nikolas asks, how is Ryan?

Ava sits at a table by the pool (🍷), and Shawn comes along. She says, as she lives and breathes, and he says, good to see she’s still doing both. She says, despite the efforts of many. She heard he was out of prison. How long was it? He says, six years, and she says, all to protect Sonny. Was it worth it?

Carly leads Jax to a private room, and says they can talk in there instead of by the pool (🍷). No one can hear them. He says they didn’t need to before, and she says, before, they weren’t talking about the Novaks. He says, she means the mobster who accosted Josslyn? and she says, Josslyn wasn’t accosted; she was approached. He says, it wasn’t an act of violence, just the threat of one. She just got through telling him that nothing she and Jason have done has put Josslyn in harm’s way. It was obviously a lie.

Laura thanks Dante for meeting her at the MetroCourt, and he says, of course (🍷). They sit at a table, and he asks how New York was. She says, fine: very little traffic, and he says he assumes she didn’t want to meet up to talk about congestion on the FDR. She says, no. She was there to meet with Lulu’s doctors. He asks how Lulu is doing, and she says, the news is not good.

Anna is getting a shake at Kelly’s (which seems to be a thing now), when Finn and Elizabeth come in with Violet. Violet runs to Anna, who hugs her, and says, what a great surprise. She asks how Violet is, and Violet says, daddy’s team won the softball game. Anna congratulates Finn, and says she was just on her way out. Finn says, Violet’s excited about coming over for afternoon tea this Saturday, and Anna says she’s going to make some scones; it will be great. She gives Violet a kiss, and leaves. Outside, Joey Novak sits with his cronies, being loud. Elizabeth tells Violet, victory milkshakes are on her.

Jason does pushups in the boxing ring, and Spinelli calls. Jason says, Joey Novak approached Josslyn… No, she’s fine. He just needs to have a talk with this guy. Can Spinelli fine out where he is right away? Obrecht approaches the ring, dressed like a spy from a James Bond film, and asks if Jason is plotting an assassination, or is he busy arranging his upcoming nuptials? He tries to leave the ring, but she steps in front of him and says, nein. He will not get away free and clear this time. He was with her Britta at the most vulnerable moment of her life. She gets in the ring, and says, then he abandoned her for his best friend’s widow. What kind of man is he?

Jason tries to get past her, but that’s not happening. She says her daughter trusted him with her heart. She trusted him with her life. More important, Obrecht trusted him with Britt’s heart and life. Her Britta might be jaded, but next to Obrecht, she’s Heidi the something-I-don’t-catch maiden. He says he doesn’t… and she says, Heidi the orphan girl. She swears, he’s as illiterate as he is inconsiderate. He’s one of only three people who knows Britt has the genetic marker for Huntington’s, and when she needed him, he walked away. He says he knows. He let her down.

Violet says, the game was so fun. For a while, she thought their team was going to lose. Finn says, they were all worried they were going to lose, and Elizabeth says, Violet’s daddy really gave his all today. She couldn’t believe it when he stole third. Finn says having his daughter there to cheer him on really inspired him, and they clink milkshake glasses. A woman comes in, and says, Violet, is that you? Doesn’t Violet know her? She’s grandma. Violet runs to her and hugs her. Finn and Elizabeth look at each other like, whaaat?

Carly tells Jax, Josslyn is their daughter, not just his. He asks if she’s sure, because he’s the only one acting like a parent. She says he needs to calm down and back off, and he says, he needs to back off? She painted a target on Josslyn’s back, and he’s the one who needs to back off? Carly says she didn’t paint a target on Josslyn’s back; it’s the first time she’s been approached. He says, it better be the last, and she says, it will be. He says, good. Josslyn should never be put in the position where a rival crime family can threaten Carly by approaching her. Carly says she’s handling it, and he says, of course (🍷) she is. She is the head of the Corinthos Organization.

Shawn sits with Ava, and she asks if he regrets giving up years of his life for Sonny, only to be released after Sonny is no longer around to reward him? He says he can live with the decisions he’s made. Can she say the same? She says, touché, and asks if he’s there to get marching orders from the belle of the mafia, Carly. He says he doesn’t work for Carly; his choice. She says, in that case, she has a proposition for him. She needs a man.

Alexis says, Ryan is as locked in as ever, but there’s something she finds troubling. He has an aid who’s been helping him write letters. Sam says she thought his condition had him locked off from the rest of the world. How’s he even communicating? Alexis says, with his eyes; he blinks. She saw him dictate a letter that way. An excruciatingly slow process, but psychopaths are notoriously patient, and he’s got nothing but time, right? She was wondering if he’s abetting Ava’s stalker or actually is the stalker by proxy and using these coded messages through his writing. Nikolas says, anything is possible with that guy. They need to talk to his aide. Alexis says, one more thing. His aide, they know her. Sam asks, who is it? and Alexis says, there she is now. They see Harmony dealing with a patient.

Carly says she had to step up after Sonny died, and Jax says, had to? He hears, chose to. I wonder if Carly shouldn’t be wearing some foundational support with that dress, and she says it was the only way to protect her family. He says, that’s the biggest lie right there. If she’d walked away from Sonny’s business after he died, there would be nothing to protect them from. She says, that’s not how it works. It’s really easy for him to judge a complicated situation he knows nothing about. He says he knows his daughter – sorry, their daughter – is in danger because Carly is determined to hold on to Sonny’s territory. Just like he knows her marrying Jason is a business arrangement.

Laura tells Dante, Lulu’s doctors were very direct. They’ve been caring for her for eight months, and there’s been no improvement. He asks if she’s thought about looking at medicine beyond Western medicine; some kind of alternative medicine? She says she has, but it hasn’t produced any results. He says he doesn’t get it. She’s young, she’s healthy; there’s got to be something they can do. She says she’ll never give up on Lulu, but she’s given this a lot of thought, all the way back to Port Charles, and she thinks giving up isn’t the same as moving on.

Shawn says he’s listening, and Ava asks if he’s heard about the troubles she’s been having. He says he knows she and her husband are getting a divorce, but she says, a stalker. He says he also heard she had some trouble at the gallery, and she says, that was one incident of many. That’s why she needs a bodyguard. He looks at a guy lying on a lounge chair, and says, it seems she already has one; he can tell when someone’s carrying. She says, he works for Nikolas, and she has to make it perfectly clear that she’s cut all ties with Nikolas. He says, she needs to prove that o her stalker? and she says, yes. Sadly, it’s necessary, so she needs to hire her own protection. She was impressed with him back in the day. He says he didn’t think she liked him very much, and she says, he worked for Sonny. It was the competition, and his competence made her life difficult. She’s been out of the game for quite a while now, and so has he. They woudn’t have any conflicts of interest; they’d be on the same side. So what does he say? Will he protect her? She bats her eyelashes, and he laughs.

Nikolas says, isn’t that Shiloh’s disciple from Dawn of Day, who drugged Kristina? Sam says, Harmony. She actually flipped on Shiloh, and helped get him convicted. Alexis says, after aiding and abetting him for years. Nikolas says, maybe Ryan doesn’t need to send letters to the stalker. Maybe it’s someone he sees every day. He goes over to Harmony, and says they haven’t met, but he’s Nikolas Cassadine. She knows his cousin Sam. Harmony says hello to Sam, and he says it’s his understanding that she works for Ryan Chamberlain. She says, not exactly. She works for the Department of Corrections as a health aid at this facility. Mr. Chamberlain is one of several inmates she assists. Nikolas asks if her duties include doing Ryan’s dirty work, and Sam says, Nikolas. He says, just answer the question, and Harmony says, which is? He says, someone has been using Ryan’s playbook, including recordings of his voice to stalk and threaten his wife, so if she was involved in any way, it’s in her best interest to come clean right now.

Finn says he didn’t know Naomie was planning to visit, and she apologizes for the lack of advance notice, but she just couldn’t wait to see her granddaughter. He says she couldn’t call, text, or shoot off an email? and she tells him, you know what they say about hindsight. She says hello to Elizabeth, who barely responds, and says, Violet looks so much like her mother. Violet asks, where’s mommy?

Obrecht says she must hand it to Herr Morgan. His façade of quiet concern for her Britta, fooled even her, and she lowered her guard, letting him in. He says he hasn’t broken that confidence, and she says he only broke her Britta’s heart. Tell her, was everything they discussed that day a lie, or is his sole redeeming trait that he made sure Peter August’s absence continued? Anna has come in during the conversation, and has been listening. She asks what’s going on, but Jason gets a text, and jets while he can.

Obrecht puts on gloves, and Anna say she didn’t know Obrecht boxed. She says she doesn’t; she just likes to hit things. Anna says Obrecht proved that at the Rage Room, and Obrecht says Anna was pretty good herself. She could use a spotter. Anna holds the bag as Obrecht punches, and Obrecht says, Jason Morgan is lucky there’s no sledgehammer available today. Anna says, not to undermine her righteous anger at Jason, but Obrecht does realize he was just humoring her by listening to her tirade? Obrecht says, of course (🍷) she knows that. Despite his many glaring faults, he’s a chivalrous person. Perhaps he thought listening to her tirade was a way of paying penance for failing Britta. Anna says, perhaps. He doesn’t normally let people down. Obrecht says, then there really is a first time for everything. Anna asks what this has to do with Peter, and Obrecht says she thought, or at least hoped, that Jason played a role in Peter’s disappearance, which would mean Peter is six feet under the Pine Barrens where he’s no longer a trouble to anyone. Obrecht makes one last punch, and goes to towel down. She says she heard on the news that Anna is working with local investigators to locate Peter, and Anna says they’re sharing information. Obrecht says, perhaps in the spirit of generosity, Anna wants to share what the investigation has uncovered. Anna says, nein, and Obrecht says, no need to say anything now. Her inability to bring Peter to justice has taken it’s toll. So – she shoves the gloves at Anna – it’s her turn.

Shawn tells Ava that he’s not for hire anymore. He already has a job; finding the person who shot Hayden. She says someone hired him to investigate a cold case? but he says he’s working for himself now. She says, a noble pursuit, and she sees why he’d want to do it, but so much time has passed. He says, a cold trail is still a trail. Whoever did this needs to pay for what they did to Hayden, and him.

Harmony says she knows some people – Nikolas’s aunt among them – still think Ryan is dangerous. Sam says, Ryan is dangerous, and Harmony says, maybe before he was locked in. Sam says, as long as Ryan can communicate in any way – hell, as long as he’s breathing – Ryan Chamberlain is a threat. Nikolas asks how they know Harmony isn’t following his orders. She has access to him, and he communicates through her. Harmony says, it’s not telepathy. She points to letters on a board, and he blinks to let her know which ones he wants her to wrote down. Nikolas asks if Ryan is dictating letters or issuing instructions, and she says, okay. She’s sorry for whatever happened in his life that’s made him so afraid, but she’s there to assist Ryan with his comfort and correspondence. She’s not doing anyone’s bidding outside of this facility. Sam says, they’re supposed to take her word for that after everything Harmony did to her, and especially her little sister? Harmony says she can’t apologize enough for what she did. She was literally brainwashed, but she’s not anymore. What she is, is on parole, and she has no intention of going back to prison. She’s trying to turn her life around. Sam says she actually believes Harmony. From someone who’s also on parole, she knows where Harmony is coming from. Can Harmony at least tell them how long she’s been working with Ryan? Harmony says, a few weeks, and Alexis says, the stalker’s threats were going on long before that. Nikolas asks who he writes to, and Harmony says, lots of people; she doesn’t remember their names. Most of them don’t write back. In fact, most of the letters are returned unopened. Sam asks if the letters are at Spring Ridge, and Harmony says, yeah, but their harmless. There are no threats, there’s nothing unusual. They’re screened before they’re mailed. Nikolas says, maybe Ryan’s sending coded messages, and Alexis says, it woudn’t be the first time. Nikolas asks to see the letters.

Carly tells Jax, if she’s marrying Jason for love, business, or because she has nothing better to do on Thursday, that’s her business, not his. He says, that’s funny, because the last time he checked, where Josslyn’s safety is concerned, that is his business. He says, never mind. Just tell him what this incident with the Novak family actually means. Carly says, it wasn’t the Novak family, just one rogue idiot named Joey Novak.

Joey peeps into Kelly’s window, looking like a creeper, and Violet asks if her mommy is with Naomie. Naomie says she’s sorry, but no, and Elizabeth says Violet must be sticky from her milkshake, and suggests they get her cleaned up. They go to the bathroom, and Finn asks what the hell Naomie was thinking. She says, regarding? and he says, just stopping in like this after ignoring Violet for a year. She says she was in Europe, and he asks, what was the guy’s name? She says, what does it matter? It didn’t work out. Now all she wants is her family around her, and since she doesn’t know where her daughter is, that means her granddaughter. He doesn’t think that’s a good idea, but she says, please. Let her make it up to Violet. She’s begging him. Don’t punish her for her daughter’s mistakes. Finn asks what that’s supposed to mean.

Outside Kelly’s, one of Joey’s cronies asks why they’re hanging around; there’s no action here. Joey says, there’s about to be, and gets up. Jason walks up, and Joey says, took him long enough. If I were Jason, I’d grab Joey by the ear, and bring him to his uncle.

Harmony says she can’t let them see the letters. Ryan still has a right to privacy, never mind that they’re someone else’s letters, and that’s illegal. Alexis says, mail theft. It’s a Federal crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years. Nikolas says, then he won’t get caught, and Harmony says, he won’t, because he’s not getting anywhere near those letters. Nikolas asks if she did any research. Does she have any idea what Ryan’s done? She says she’s aware, and Nikolas says, if there’s any chance Ryan is sending coded messages, and continuing to torment people, how can she let that continue? She says, because she can’t lose her job, and she can’t do more time. She’s sorry.

Shawn brings Ava a drink, and she says, now that he’s back out in the world, where is he staying? He says, TJ and Molly, and Alexis’s house, and she says, that’s great. She hopes he and TJ are making up for lost time, but he says, TJ and Molly are so busy, they’re hardly ever there. In the meantime, he’s looking for his own place. She says she can understand that. She has to ask. Now that he’s a free man, and she’s a free woman, him and Jordan? He says, that’s the past, and she says she thought they were pretty serious before he went to Pentenville. He says, before he found out Jordan was a DEA agent, or TJ was his son? She says, sometimes a fresh start is best, and toasts to fresh starts. They clink glasses.

As Anna punches the bag, she says, Obrecht knows she can’t share information from an ongoing investigation with her, but Obrecht doesn’t see why not. She’s hardly a stranger to the case. Did her family not suffer because of Peter? Anna says, yeah, and Obrecht says, was Nathan not killed because Peter lured Faison to Port Charles? Maxie was terrorized, and her baby kidnapped on Peter’s orders. Anna says she agrees with Obrecht; Peter has a long reach. Obrecht says, how disappointing to hear her speak of him in the present tense.

Dante asks if Laura has been talking to his mother, and Laura says, about what? He says, about what’s going on with Lulu. He guesses Olivia is just worried about him. Between being a cop and being a dad, and these visits with Lulu, she thinks he might be a little stuck in limbo. Laura asks if that’s how he feels too, and he says he didn’t think about it until Olivia brought it up. Laura says, now that she has? and he says, life is busy. With Rocco and being back on the force, he’s got a full plate. She says, but? and he says, there are things he could have in his life beyond being a cop and being a dad, and he doesn’t want to run anymore. He never stopped loving Lulu. She says she knows, but she doesn’t expect him to wait for her.

Carly says she’s texting Jax the contact information for Josslyn’s bodyguard, and Jax says, fantastic. A bodyguard. What every college freshman dreams of. Carly says, Devon is discreet, and he looks young, so he’ll blend in on campus. He says she just got him thinking. His daughter’s first year of college, having someone there to look out for her might not be such a bad idea. She says, Cameron will be there too, and Trina. He says, Josslyn’s been through a lot. Having two good friends there is fantastic.

Finn asks what Naomie means by Hayden’s mistakes, and she says, abandoning Violet of course (🍷). He asks if she’s sure she doesn’t know where Hayden is, and she says she only wishes she did. Now will he give her a chance to reconnect with her granddaughter? Violet and Elizabeth come back out, and Violet asks if Naomie is staying, Finn says, grandma has to go, but they’ll see about setting up a playdate in the future. Violet says they can have a tea party, and Naomie says she’d like nothing more. She’s staying at the Woodbridge Motel until she finds a more permanent place. Finn says, she’s moving to Port Charles? and Elizabeth says, permanently? Naomie says she’s wasted too much of her granddaughter’s life already. She doesn’t want to waste another second. She sends Finn her number, and says she hopes he calls soon. He says, like he told her, they’ll figure something out. Naomie says she’ll see Violet soon and leaves. No hug, no anything, which is really weird. Elizabeth says, what was that?

Jason tells Joey that he crossed the line when he spoke to Josslyn Jax. Joey says he doesn’t know; she seemed receptive. (Another clueless man!) He says, a pretty girl like that, and Jason steps closer. He says, further contact with Josslyn will result in full retaliation. Joey asks if this is coming from him or from Mrs. Corinthos. She’s the one in charge, right? Jason says Joey is in over his head, making trouble nobody wants, not even his own family. His uncle will not tolerate this show of disrespect, and neither will the other families. Joey literally snorts, and says he’ll take his chances. He walks off, the rest of his idiots following.

Laura says she prays for Lulu’s recovery every day and always will, but she knows her daughter, and knows Lulu wouldn’t want her to put her life on hold just to sit by her bedside every day. Lulu wouldn’t want that for him either. Every day they get to be in the world, laughing, crying, watching the sunrise; they are all precious, and she knows Lulu would want him to live them to the fullest. For Rocco too, because Dante has to show him how. Dante knows Laura is right, and Lulu would be okay with whatever changes may come… She asks if he’s met someone.

Sam hugs Alexis goodbye, saying she has to pick up something for her kids. The next time she won’t bring Nikolas’s problems with her. He says he heard that, and she says she meant for him to hear it. Next time he wants to question someone, go away and let her do it. Nikolas says, pity she has to go, and Alexis tells them to quit it. Kiss the kids, and get a brownie at Kelly’s; tell them it’s from her. Sam leaves, and Alexis tells Nikolas it’s too bad they couldn’t get through to Harmony. He says, maybe Sam was right and he pushed too hard, and Alexis says, she was and he did. But she understands why it’s important to him. He says, the only way to stop the divorce is to identify the stalker, and prove there’s no longer a threat. Harmony comes in with a stack of files and sets them on the table. She says, dammit. She hopes she doesn’t accidentally misplace Ryan’s file with those letters in it. She’ll just come back and look for them in about 20 minutes. She leaves, leaving Ryan’s file behind.

Shawn tells Ava that he’s sorry about Kiki. He sees her face, and says he didn’t mean to upset her, but she says, it’s okay. She’ll take any reminder. He says, and Avery? and Ava says, she’s perfect. She’s wonderful. She’s a delightful little chatterbox, always has been. She misses her dad, of course (🍷). Right now she’s staying with Carly, since Ava doesn’t think it’s safe for Avery to be with her. He says she really thinks the stalker would hurt Avery? and she says, yes. He broke into their hotel suite, and left a teddy bear for her to find; a bear with Ryan Chamberlain’s voice. He says, that’s messed up, and she says, it’s very messed up. She can’t forget it. Avery standing there with an unfamiliar toy with an unmistakable voice.

Finn puts headphones on Violet, and sets her up with an activity book. Elizabeth asks if Naomie said anything about Hayden, and Finn says, only that she doesn’t know where Hayden is. Elizabeth wonders how much contact Naomie should have with Violet, and he says he’s just worried it will make Violet miss her mother more, and ask more questions that he doesn’t know the answers to. How does he explain Hayden’s absence when he doesn’t understand it himself?

Anna says, one usually refers to the subject of a manhunt in the present tense, and Obrecht asks if she’s saying it wasn’t Peter’s body that had law enforcement crawling in the basements and subbasements of GH. Anna tells her, she can say this, if Peter were dead, she’d tell Maxie right away. She couldn’t allow Maxie to continue to be in fear of her life. Obrecht says she’ll continue to hope Peter has been dispatched, but until they know for sure, they must all be on their guard. Peter is his father’s son, and she and Anna know better than anyone how people underestimated Faison. They would assume he was dead, only to meet their own demise. Anna says she won’t believe Peter’s dead until she sees his body herself.

Anna and Obrecht sit on a bench near the ring, sipping drinks from Kelly’s, agreeing that they’re refreshing. Anna says, they could do with a smoothie bar, and Obrecht says, or a water fountain. As for Kelly’s, their attempt at schnitzel was an attempt at sadness. It’s good to know they can get something right. Anna says, despite their differences, she doesn’t think anyone understands their aggression the way they do. Obrecht says, in the meantime, she looks forward to Peter’s capture… or death. She’s partial to the latter. May it be slow, excruciating, and final.

Finn packs up Violet’s stuff at Kelly’s, and Violet says, now that grandma’s back, maybe she can take her to see mommy. He says, we’ll see, and she says, that means no, doesn’t it? Elizabeth pays the check, and Sam comes in. She says she was going to call Sam, and Sam asks what she did this time. Elizabeth says, yesterday, Sam asked her about Hayden. Guess who showed up in town today? Her mother, Naomie Dreyfuss.

Dante says he’s not seeing anyone, and Laura says, don’t panic. She’s not there to give him the third degree. Besides, she thinks Olivia probably has that one covered. He says, she does. He thinks she should be recruited for the PCPD because if she doesn’t badger a confession out of a perp, she can coax it out of them with her ziti. Laura says if he needs mayoral approval, he’s got it. When he starts dating again – and he will – she doesn’t want him to feel he needs to hide it from her. She considers him a part of her family; he’ll always be a part of her family. All she wants for him is his happiness.

Carly says, so both she and Jax are going to PCU’s Parents Week? and he says, them, and her security team. She tells him to give it a rest, when there’s a knock at the door. She says, come in, and Jason asks if she’s got a minute. Jax asks if Jason knows Josslyn was approached by Joey Novak today. Did he handle it? Jason says he did, and Carly says they can talk about Parents Week another time. Jax says he can see the happy couple wants to whisper sweet battle plans into each other’s ears, and Carly says he needs to let it go. He says he doesn’t think he will, and leaves. Jason closes the door, and Carly asks, what’s going on? He says, something’s up. Joey was way too confident when he confronted him about Josslyn. She says, confident how? and he says, when he told Joey that his uncle and the other families woudn’t tolerate this show of disrespect, he laughed it off. She asks if he thinks Joey has allies, and he says, could be. Let’s go. They leave and Jax watches.

Shawn tells Ava, this was actually quite pleasant, and she says he doesn’t have to sound so surprised. He says he’s not. He tells her to take care of herself, and leaves. His phone rings, and it’s Sam, who says she just got some very interesting news. Hayden’s mother is in town.

Ava calls Avery and asks, how was her day?… She misses her too. So much.

Nikolas and Alexis go through the letters, and Nikolas says, Seattle, Chicago, Milwaukee, Chicago again, Venezuela, Russia… It’s mostly university professors and psychiatrists. She says, offering his medical expertise on mental health. When she  thinks of the arrogance… She stops, and he says, what is it? She shows him an envelope addressed to Spencer in France.

On Monday, Scotty wonders if they’re about to get rich, Austin thinks he has a way to turn this long shot into a sure thing, and Alexis says, no need to panic.

Million Dollar Listing New York

Steve talked about how much he loved living in the apartment in Chelsea; it was where they brought Rose home and became a family. He’d convinced the owners to let him sell apartments there, and done well, so he asked for more apartments. He’d been given two 3 bedroom apartments and one 4 bedroom. They were harder to sell, so he actually put on a suit, which was rare. First up was a 3 bedroom, 4 bath, just under 3000 square feet, going for $7.450 million. Steve said the building was a piece of art in architecture, and I had to agree. It was designed by Zaha Hadid, a Pulitzer Prize winning architect, who, sadly, had passed away. The coolest thing about it was the glass curtain wall construction with hand-hammered steel, which was a constant photo op for people passing by. Amenities included a 75’ skylit pool, a spa suite that could be booked privately, a kids innovation lab that I would have loved to play in. In Steve’s interview, he said he could show the amenities with passion and pride since he knew what it was like to live there. There was a private IMAX theater, and an automated parking garage, although the garage was a little pricey, costing around another $500K for a spot. But if you’ve ever had to park in NYC, you might actually think that was worth it. In his interview, Steve said the building was amazing, but there was a lot of inventory on the market, so he had his work cut out for him.

Ryan’s Australian buyer James had been shown a million place, but none of them hit home for him. Really? Ryan was super frustrated, and I didn’t get WTF this guy wanted either. All the showings were being done virtually, and since James didn’t even know the city, he was an ignoramus. In Ryan’s interview, he wanted to sell an apartment on the other side of the world without the client actually being there, since it would be a major achievement.

Meanwhile, KJ was in Switzerland with her family, visiting her in-laws. While she was there, good friend Giovanni called he about selling one of his assets in Tribeca. He’d been renting it at $30K a month, but the tenants were moving, and Giovanni thought it was time to sell and invest in something new. Because of travel restrictions, Giovanni couldn’t travel from Italy, but agreed to have mutual friend Jacopo show her around. The apartment had been KJ’s first big sale for $3.6 million in 2012. It had been a foreclosure and took a year of negotiations. It had made her feel like a badass broker. The apartment was gorgeous (like there are ugly ones on this show), 3652 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, and 10½’ ceilings. It was the old Sugarloaf building, built in 1882, which had been converted into condos in 1992, and housed a lot of celebrities, like Orlando Bloom, Taylor Swift, and the Olsen Twins. Although it had been renovated, a lot of original details remained, like cast iron columns. In her interview, KJ said those details equaled dollars. Jacopo thought KJ could bring in $10 million, but she thought that was a little ambitious for the market. She was thinking along the lines of $9.4, but Jacopo said Giovanni didn’t need to sell, and would rent again until the market improved if he couldn’t get the price he wanted. She had a two-week window to sell, which she said in her interview, was nearly impossible. The potential commission was $300K, and KJ said, it would be like closing the circle.

Ryan had a place on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street that he thought would be perfect for James, and checked all the boxes. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, all on one level, a full-service building, and within James’s budget. He met with the seller’s rep Michelle, and noted the spectacular views (he was not kidding about that – they were to die for) and beautiful finishes. In his interview, he said you couldn’t get more NYC than being on Fifth Avenue. He got James and broker Sammi on separate phones to give the tour. The apartment was 1554 square feet and 10’ ceilings for $3.950. James said it was just what he was looking for, and they were almost there. He wanted something bigger. Michelle said she did have something bigger, but it was in the mid sixes, so a different price point. I had the feeling there was just no pleasing this jerk. In Ryan’s interview, he said it was called the upsell. You thought he didn’t have any more listings in his pockets? That’s what he had pockets for. The other apartment had the same views, but was 1954 square feet, had 2.5 baths, was on a higher floor with 11’ ceilings, and priced at $6.725 million. Ryan said he’d have to invent new boxes for James to find more to check. James whined that it was hard to tell what you could fit without it being furnished, and Ryan was like, really? James said, spot on, mate, but still made no commitment, saying he’d get back to Ryan after he and Sammi had a chat.

Emelia brought Zena over to Steve’s for a playdate with Rose, since the girls were besties now. Steve told Zena that she had better style than her father in her sweet bunny outfit. Ryan thought he might have some buyers for the 4 bedroom, but wanted to check it out himself first, so they were killing two birds with one stone. As apartments had gone down in price, Steve’s had been $12 million, but now the same one upstairs was going for $8.995 million. Steve showed Ryan around his own place, and his closet was pretty amusing with a clothes rack where 50 of the same white T-shirts were hanging. Ryan thought if the price was right, the upstairs apartment would work for his clients. He thought Chelsea was the perfect neighborhood for a family new to NYC.

KJ was busting her ass looking for buyers, but had no offers yet. She told Jacopo that it was against odds, but she was hopeful for the weekend. In her interview, she said it would mean a lot to her to sell it the second time around. KJ had several showings, including a virtual one with an Italian architect who was looking for a second home, but she said the market was speaking loud and clear, and confirming what she thought – it was overpriced.

Ryan had good news and bad news for James. The apartment he’d liked had been sold. In Ryan’s interview, he said someone had literally swooped in and bought it, which sucked, since it was the only one James showed real interest in. The good news was that there was another off-market apartment available. It was the same exact layout and footage, but on the 46th floor (the other had been on the 50th), and on the opposite side of the building. The original price was $6.7 million, and had been dropped to $6.1 million, but Ryan thought he could get it down the mid fives. James wanted to see the view, but Ryan said there was no time. There was already a potential buyer who hadn’t pulled the trigger, but was in conversation. By the time he was able to show it to James, it would already be too late. This sloth of an Australian was literally learning the meaning of the American phrase, you snooze, you lose. Still, he said he’d need to see the floorplans and have a chat with Sammi before submitting an offer. In his interview, Ryan said James needed to act quickly or he’d lose this one too. He got on the phones with James and Sammi, and James suggested starting with 30% off the original asking price, which was $4.750 million. I literally laughed out loud. In Ryan’s interview, he said, while it could sometimes be bad giving a low offer when other buyers were already bidding, he didn’t know what the other offers were, and at least James’s foot was in the door. He sent Michelle the offer, which she said was too low, but $5.5 million would get the deal done. Since James seems to have a brain issue, he offered $5 million, to which Michelle said if he didn’t come up, they were going with the other buyer. Back on the phones, Sammi suggested $5.2 million, and Ryan said he was like the United Nations of real estate right now. Ryan put in the offer, and told James and Sammi that they’d pushed, and he was sorry, but James would have to buy a condo in NYC for $5.2 million. In his interview, he said, this was the future of real estate, selling anywhere, and it felt good.

Next time, an apartment 900 feet in the air selling for $29 million, and Ryan calls one of Fredrik’s clients directly

Photo

Steve’s Chelsea Building

📽 Could Be Worse…

At least he died doing what he loved.

https://ew.com/tv/general-hospital-jay-pickett-dies-movie-set/

🍽 Drama Be Damned…

No matter the drama, you still gotta eat.

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/03/ramona-singer-eboni-k-williams-have-dinner-amid-rhony-drama/

👠 And This Is Just the Beginning…

Speaking of Wives drama, the latest Erika news.

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/05/erika-jayne-accuses-garcelle-beauvais-of-betraying-her/

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/05/erika-jayne-feels-bravo-pulled-a-fast-one-with-garcelle-spat/

https://pagesix.com/2021/07/30/erika-jaynes-inconsistent-statements-from-rhobh-to-be-used-in-court/

🔧 David’s Condition…

These kids have a shrink already, right?

David Beador Allows Daughters to Film RHOC Under This One Condition After Producers Step in, Plus Shannon Beador Shares Why Ex Wanted to Block Kids From Show

⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…

What’s going on with Season 11.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-original-story-not-from-comics-producer-denise-huth-the-reapers/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-lauren-cohan-maggie-returns-different-person-denise-huth/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-trailer-live-for-them-fight-survival-alexandria/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-two-new-cast-members-ian-anthony-dale-laurie-fortier/

📬 Quotes of the Week

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.Oscar Wilde

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll

What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming. – Muhammad Ali

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. – Dennis P. Kimbro

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. – Mark Twain

If you can’t laugh at yourself, at least let me do it. – Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men

You’ve been given the innate power to shape your life…but you cannot just speak change, you have to LIVE change. Intent paired with action builds the bridge to success. You can’t just want it; you have to do it, live it…BE it! Success isn’t something you have, it’s something you DO!Steve Maraboli   

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. – Brad Meltzer

When two opposite points of view are expressed with equal intensity, the truth does not necessarily lie exactly halfway between them. It is possible for one side to be simply wrong. – Richard Dawkins

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

🛣 Am I There Yet…?

This week has been at least a year long, but hey, there’s another one coming. Regrouping, but until then, stay safe, stay doing things you love, and stay being notoriously patient. It’s not just for psychopaths anymore.

July 2, 2021 – Trina Meets the Stalker, In Memory, Goodbye Joe, Baby It’s Real, What’s On, Best Dressed, Double Farewell, Garcelle Spills, a First Look, Another One, Many Short Quotes & Back

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Britt sits down in the prison visiting room, and picks up the phone. She says, lookin’ good, hot stuff, and Brad says, what’s with the red-rimmed eyes? Oh my God. Did they cancel Grey’s?

Michael says, for as long as he can remember, Jason and Carly have been friends. Friends doesn’t even cover the loyalty they have for each other. Even when they disagree, they’re still on each other’s side. He has no doubt they love each other, but he does doubt that’s the reason they have to get married. Jason says, it’s the best option they have right now under current circumstances, and Michael asks, what circumstances? Carly says, there are problems with the business.

Jax walks into Trina’s party, and sees Cameron and Josslyn. He says he heard Cameron is going to PCU. Maybe the two of them could keep each other out of trouble? Josslyn says, like Jax never got in trouble. Curtis says, Taggert made it, and Taggert says, he has so much to celebrate. He thanks Curtis for everything he’s doing for Trina, and Curtis says, no problem, but watch out. That daughter of his is going to keep him on his toes. Portia joins them, and says, she gets it from her mom, and Taggert says, that’s right.

Ava and Nina walk in, and Ava says, this is great. Maybe they could get Curtis to offer Nina’s boyfriend Mike a job there. Nina says, first of all, he’s not her boyfriend, and secondly, he’s not moving to Port Charles. Jax tells Josslyn he never got in trouble in college, and Nina asks if Ava can just drop it. Ava says her lips are sealed, and Nina walks over to Jax. Jordan arrives, and Ava tells her, congratulations. She heard Jordan took down Cyrus Renault. Too bad she couldn’t shoot to kill. Jordan thanks Ava, and tells her to enjoy her night. Ava says, highly unlikely, since she has a madman terrorizing her and her family. She wants Jordan to tell her what she’s doing about it.

At Charlie’s, Laura asks if Doc is ready to go. He looks at his phone, and says, yeah… and she asks, what’s wrong? He says he hasn’t been able to reach Nikolas. She says, he left without saying goodbye, and he was preoccupied when he was here. He’s not in a party mood; he has a stalker and a divorce looming. He says, Nikolas isn’t planning on a divorce. He’s determined to fight for his marriage at any cost.

Trina walks into the dark gallery, and literally bumps into someone. She sprays them with pepper spray, and we see it’s Nikolas, who throws up his hands and yells in pain.

Taggert wonders if Trina is going to make a grand entrance, and Portia says, Trina texted her, and she needed to make a stop before she came. Taggert says, that gives him time to practice his speech, but she says, no speeches. Don’t embarrass Trina. He tells her, speak for herself. There’s only three times a grown man gets to cry over his daughter; graduation, marriage, and childbirth. He will not be deprived. She says, so get ready for the waterworks. Ava tells Jordan that she believes she’s entitled to a thorough investigation; this has been going on for months. Taggert excuses himself, saying, his former partner needs rescuing. He picks up a couple of glasses of champagne, and goes over to Jordan. Portia tells Curtis, Taggert likes to seem tough, but he’s full of emotion when it comes to Trina. Curtis says he doesn’t doubt it. It seems Portia and Taggert are getting along well. It gives him hope with him and Jordan as exes. She says they keep it civil for Trina, but they both still have their moments. As a matter-of-fact, Taggert mentioned to her that he knew about her and Curtis’s prior relationship.

Britt tells Brad, they’d never cancel Grey’s, but there’s talk that the series might end soon. He says, no, and she says she can’t even go there right now, but she still has a DVD player, and they’re going to watch all the box sets she’s been keeping. As soon as he gets out, she’s going to take a couple of days off, and they’ll do the ultimate binge watch. He says, and Meredith hasn’t found true love, since Derek… She says, true love doesn’t even exist. The hot guys aren’t even what they used to be. He says, liar, and she says she just doesn’t want to make him feel bad. He says, in this Eden of teardrop tattoos and toilet wine? And she says, don’t tell her he drinks that. He says, it’s like 200 proof, and only on Sundays. She says he has no idea how much she missed him, and he says he might have some idea, She says, of course (🍷) he does. She’s sorry she hasn’t come by more, and he says, it’s okay. He knows she’s busy. She says he has no idea, and he asks, how’s Wiley? She says she hears he’s growing like a weed. They don’t travel in the same circles, but she’s sure Michael and Willow are taking good care of Wiley. Not as good as him of course (🍷).

Carly says, as Michael knows, when Jason was on the run and unavailable, she took Sonny’s seat at a meeting with the Five Families spaghetti sauce with mushrooms. She told them she was in charge, and then Jason came back. Jason says, the other families expect one of them to push the other out, and Carly says, specifically, they want Jason to push her out. Jason says, that hasn’t happened. One family in particular, the Novaks, sees an opening, and the Novaks have hit them a couple of times. Michael asks, how bad? and Jason says, they took out a warehouse. Michael asks if they retaliated, and Jason says, last night, the Novaks lost a building where their main offices are located. No one was hurt, but the building was burned to the ground. They also had 27 trucks stolen. Michael says, it’s impressive, and Jason says, it sends a message. Carly says, her and Jason’s engagement will send a message too.

Josslyn says hi to Nina, who says she hopes it’s okay that she crashed the party. Cameron says, it’s Trina’s party, and he’s sure Trina will be happy to have her. Nina congratulates Josslyn and Cameron, and gives Josslyn a gift. Josslyn thanks her, and says it’s great that she’s there. She’s sure Wiley will be glad to get to know her. Will they be seeing more of her? Nina says, maybe, and Jax smiles.

Ava tells Jordan, in the absence of a viable suspect, she’s had to upend her life. Taggert comes over, and hands Jordan a glass, saying, he thought she could use this. She thanks him, and tells him to grab a table while she and Ava finish up. He leaves, and Jordan suggests Ava come by her office, and they can talk.

Laura tells Doc, Nikolas isn’t answering her calls either. What else did he say? Doc says, that he’s not taking this stalker business lying down, and she says, that’s what she was afraid of. He mentioned something about setting a trap for the stalker. Doc says he has a bad feeling that trap might have been sprung.

Nikolas rubs at his eyes, and Trina says she’s so sorry. Don’t rub at your eyes! He asks, what the hell was that? and she says, pepper spray. Her dad gave it to her to fend off attackers. He says, congratulate him on a job well done, and she tells him, sit down. She helps him wash out his eyes with a bottle of water. He asks why she sprayed him, and she says she thought he was an intruder trying to snatch her. She didn’t know it was him. Why is he even there? He says he’s trying to save his family. The ninja peeks out, and sees them. Trina tells Nikolas, be still. Pepper spray is a thousand times hotter than if he wiped his eyes after handling a jalapeno. He says that’s not making him feel any better, and she says he needs to concentrate on something else. Psychologically, it might be better to have something to take his mind off the pain. He says the only thing he wants to think about is why he’s there; he’s looking for Ava’s stalker. She says, and they thought the stalker might be there? They might have told her. She’d like to know if someone is creeping around Ava’s place of business. He says he didn’t want to scare her; he thought he could catch the person responsible. Why is she there, and not at her party? She says she heard about the divorce, and she wanted to check on Ava. Maybe she should call Ava… He says, no, please. She’s not going to be happy. She needs to hear it from him. He suggests she go to her party, and says, her friends are waiting there. She says, no; she’s not leaving him like this. She’s getting him help whether he likes it or not. If it’s not Ava, who’s it going to be? He hands her his phone, and she asks if he has communication issues.

Laura says, Nikolas should have gotten back to them by now, and Doc says, maybe he’s giving his statement to the police. Her phone rings, and she says, there he is. Trina says, it’s her. She’s at the gallery, and Laura’s son needs her. Laura says she’ll be right there. Doc says, what? and she says she’ll tell him in the car.   

Curtis says, Taggert spoke to Portia too, and she says, Taggert told Curtis that he knew about them? He says, not in so many words, but he got his point across. Luckily with a shrug of his shoulders, and not a fist to Curtis’s chin. Portia says she’s glad Taggert didn’t make a huge deal about it, and Curtis says, him too. Did he with her? She says, no; he was pretty understanding. It’s all water under the bridge anyway, but she should have mentioned it to Curtis, and sort of warned him. He says, well, they haven’t been connecting lately. He’s beginning to think it’s intentional.

Cameron and Josslyn step outside, and Cameron wonders what happened to Trina. Josslyn says, maybe she wants to make an entrance, and Cameron suggests she open Nina’s present while they’re waiting. Josslyn says she doesn’t know. Things are still kind of weird between Nina and her dad, so she didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. He says, she’s worried it’s going to be what? Rolling papers? I wonder where that came from. She tells him, stop it, and he says, open it; let’s see what it is. She hands him the bow, and opens the box, because on soaps, there is never traditional wrapping paper. She says, it looks like a book, and he says, maybe it’s a hangover cookbook for college. Josslyn takes out a leather-bound volume, and says, it’s a journal. Wow. Is Cameron ready to party, or what? He seems to be down for some weed and wine.

Jax says, it’s sweet of Nina to give Josslyn a gift, and she says, it’s nothing really. He says she looks great. Has she been seeing Wiley? She says, yes. Michael and Willow, and Carly surprisingly enough, have been very gracious… especially given the circumstances surrounding the invitation. He says he doesn’t regret clearing the way, and she says, even if it means things are difficult with Carly? He says he thinks he’s the farthest thing from Carly’s mind, and she asks why he’s saying that. Did something happen? He says she’ll find out sooner or later, but Carly and Jason are getting married.

Jason tells Michael, the Novaks and the other families are watching for signs of a power struggle. If they see him and Carly fighting, they’ll up the pressure, hoping to rip this family and the organization apart, and they’re going to step in and help themselves to their territory. Michael says, but there is no power struggle? and Jason says, no. They know that, but the other families don’t. Carly says, their marriage will send a message that she and Jason are a united front. Michael says, but do they want to get married?

Britt holds her phone up to the glass, and Brad says, thanks; he’s good. She says she thought he’d want to see Wiley, and he says he does, but there’s only so much he can take before it goes from heartwarming to gut wrenching. Where did she get the pictures? She says, they were all around Bobbie’s office, and he says he thought Bobbie got the boot. She says, she did, but she and her stink-eye are back patrolling the halls, now that Cyrus is kicking rocks. He says he can’t keep up. He assumed she’d gotten the photos from Jason. She asks why he said that, and he says, please. He saw her slobbering after him on Valentine’s Day. She says, shut up; she did not. He says, whatever. He can almost see it. Jason has the looks, the body, the smarts; factor in the – he lowers his voice – contract killing and mob boss BFF, it’s a helluva catch. She says Brad doesn’t know what he’s talking about. There’s more to Jason than that. He asks, how would she know? Is she sleeping with him? She says, no… not anymore.

Doc examines Nikolas’s eyes, and Laura asks, what happened to calling the police? Nikolas says, for all he knows, the stalker could be in law enforcement. Obviously, they’re familiar with Ryan Chamberlain, and have enough technical knowledge to bypass the security at Windymere, and using Ryan’s voice in that toy bear. Trina asks how Nikolas is. Is there going to be permanent damage? Doc says, he’s going to be fine. She got him good though. Trina says she thinks she emptied her cannister, and Doc says, it was excellent aim given the pressure she was under. She says her dad taught her well. Laura asks if Doc thinks they should  take Nikolas to GH, and he says, he thinks they should, to be on the safe side. They get on either side of him, and Laura tells Nikolas to walk while they steer. She tells Trina, sorry. She hopes they didn’t ruin her big night, but Trina says, it’s okay. She’ll just be fashionably late. Laura says she’s such a good sport, and when they leave, Trina turns out the lights. The ninja comes back out.

Brad tells Britt, do not leave a single thing out; he’s deprived. The gossip in there centers around who got jumped, the menu, and how to score two-in-one shampoo. Start talking. Go. She says laughs and says, okay. Cyrus sent two thugs to kill her, and Jason saved her life. As they were escaping, in a jailbreak of sorts, Jason got shot. They went on the run, and she was taking care of him. They wound up in a lighthouse in Canada, and they got really close. He says, and? and she says, if he was hoping for a play-by-play, forget it. He says he’ll forego position for the sake of accuracy. Was Jason everything she’d hoped he’d be? She asks what he thinks, and he asks why she looks like that then. She said not anymore. Does she mean to tell him that she scored the city’s hottest gangster, and it was a one and done? And since when does she withhold details? She says, she and Jason experienced something extreme together, and now that’s over. No hearts, no flowers, no frou-frou romance. It was all circumstantial, and that was all it was every going to be. He says, holy crap. She really cares about the guy.

Carly says she wants to be married to Michael’s father, but that’s not possible. This is a business arrangement, but she wouldn’t do it with anyone else but Jason. Jason says, Carly’s right. This is for the business. The only reason it makes sense is because they understand each other, and they know it’s going to work. Michael says they’ve obviously thought this through, and know what they’re doing. Have they set a date?

Nina says, Carly and Jason are getting married? She never thought of them as anything other than just friends. Jax says, back day, they were much more. For the first few years of Michael’s life, everybody thought Jason was his father. Nina says, is this a reunion of sorts? and Jax says, or a return to disfunction. He knows Carly’s personal life is none of his business, he just doesn’t want to see her make the same mistakes over and over. Nina says, it is his business, because Carly is the mother of his child, and Jax loves her. He says, it might seem ridiculous, but he doesn’t want to see her get hurt, and she says, that’s his M.O., but try as you might, you can’t control someone else’s choices. Even if you can stave off the pain and stop the hurt, maybe you shouldn’t. He says, why? Because it’s not his place? She says, because sometimes hurt is necessary. They grow out of pain and find out how strong they are. They can rebuild their lives, and sometimes if they’re lucky, be happier than they were. He thanks her for her wise perspective. He’s missed that, and he missed her too. He touches her arm.

Josslyn says, Nina must have remembered that she journaled last year, and Cameron says, but she gave that up, right? He supposes she can start again, and Josslyn flashes back to Trina telling her that Dev showed her journal to Cameron. She says, why, so he can read it like the other one? and walks away.

Curtis says, ever since that kiss… and Portia says, they discussed this. He made it clear that wasn’t something he wanted. He says he remembers something different. He remembers being in the hospital, and it was just after surgery. She told him it had been a mistake. Portia says she was agreeing with him. Why are they revisiting this conversation if they’re of the same mind? Curtis says, maybe they aren’t.

Taggert bets Jordan is grateful he ran interference with Ava. What is her problem? Jordan says, she’s got a fan… super dedicated.

The ninja steals though gallery, and a light comes on. The ninja knocks a device off the desk, and Trina comes in. The ninja slips away, and Trina picks it up. She says, damn. She’s really late. Stop screwing around, Trina. The ninja touches Trina’s shoulder, and Trina turns around. The ninja puts a finger to their lips.

At the hospital where Nikolas lies with a mask on his eyes, Laura says she can understand Nikolas wanting to hold on to his marriage no matter what. Nikolas says, but it’s not worth it? and she says, on the contrary. She can see how much they love each other, but she also understands how terrified Ava must be right now, knowing how close the stalker came to Avery. Maybe down the line, things will be different, but right now he has to honor Ava’s wishes, and let her have her space so she feels safe. Doc says, not to alarm him, but his pushback could actually endanger Ava. Nikolas sits up, taking off the mask, and says, that’s exactly what the stalker wants them to think. He won’t stand by and be forced out of his marriage. He tells Laura, don’t worry. He’ll make sure nothing happens to Ava, and she doesn’t get hurt. Laura says, even if he’s right, what if something happens to someone else?   

Trina tries using her pepper spray, but she was right; she emptied the cannister. She asks the ninja, please don’t hurt her.

Josslyn runs through the club with Cameron on her heels, saying, wait. He follows her out the front door, and says, it’s not at all what she thinks. She says, so he did read her journal. He says he didn’t go hunting for it, and she says she knows; Dev showed it to him. He asks if Trina told her. How long has she known? She says, not long, but this isn’t about Trina; it’s about them. How can they be friends if he’s not honest? He asks where she gets off lecturing him about honesty, when the proof of everything she doesn’t say was in her journal? Like what she really thinks about him.

Curtis says he’s sorry if he put Portia on the spot, and she looks over at Jordan and Taggert. She says she knows he didn’t mean to, but nothing can come of it. He asks how she knows, and she says, because it wouldn’t be received well. She excuses herself and walks away.

Jax says he didn’t mean to overstep, and she says, it’s okay. She hopes she didn’t give him mixed signals, and he says she didn’t. He just thought that maybe… Forget it. He thought wrong. She says, it’s good to see him, and he says, it’s good to see her too, and she moves on.

Carly tells Michael, this all just happened. They haven’t planned a ceremony yet… She means she hasn’t planned a ceremony. Jason says, there are people they need to tell in person, and Michael says, like grandmother? Carly says she knows Monica is going to hate it, but she needs to hear it from them. Maybe Jason should handle it solo. Jason says he’ll figure it out, and Carly says, Josslyn doesn’t know, but she didn’t want to overshadow Josslyn’s graduation celebration. Michael says, a lot of people are going to be surprised, but once they have a chance to think about it, they won’t be surprised at all. Carly says she told Jason the same thing. Even people who don’t know the business part, she doesn’t think that many people will be surprised. Jason flashes back to Britt saying he told her that he wasn’t good at what ifs, and she really liked that about him. Don’t lose it now; just get out.

Britt asks Brad, how pathetic was she? What was she thinking? That they’d be a couple? That they would pick out furniture and move in together? When did she get so lame? He reminds her that she’s talking to a man behind bars, who conspired with a homicidal maniac to steal a baby from the child’s father. She says, they were running for their lives, and following the 10-hour rule. She let herself get caught up in dreaming of a future, when actually she doesn’t have one. Brad asks what’s stopping her, and she flashes back to Jason saying it could be thirty years. It’s her life and her choice, but for what it’s worth (🍷), he’d still like to know her six months from now. She says she wants to know him too. Britt tells Brad, with Jason, she means. Brad says she obviously likes him. He had no idea Jason was so smooth. She says, he was just kind to her and she ate it up like a hot fudge sundae. Poor Britt, starved for affection, took common decency for a love connection. He says he’d thank her not to make fun of his best friend. She’s smart, beautiful, funny as hell, and a doctor, which makes her fierce. He knocks on the glass, and asks if he’s getting through to her. She says, thanks; she’s a catch. Just not one you catch and keep. He says, that’s on Jason, and if he’s not smart enough to realize it, too bad for him. Britt says, there’s only room for one woman in Jason’s life, and it’s not her. He asks, who would that be? but she says she doesn’t want to get into it. She thinks she should see a doctor. She feels like a hippo is squatting on her chest, and someone is playing her stomach like a marimba. Brad says, she’s not sick, just heartbroken.

Doc says, the messages are a direct threat. This person has physically intruded into their lives, their home. Nikolas says, if the stalker wanted to hurt them, they’d have done it, or worse. They can get in and out of Windymere, and their room at the MetroCourt. Why’d they stop with the messages? Why not take the opportunity to do worse? They’re trying to scare him and Ava, and he thinks it’s time he calls their bluff.

Trina says, please, and the ninja reaches for the device. Trina runs across the room and throws it at them. It bounces off the ninja and onto the floor. They both look up.

Taggert tells Jordan that she’s not going to solve the case tonight while they’re celebrating Trina’s graduation. Portia approaches their table, and says she’s glad Jordan could make it. They make small talk, and Curtis watches.

Josslyn says she doesn’t know what Cameron is talking about. What exactly did he read? He says, nothing. Dev read it. He didn’t want to intrude on her privacy, but Dev insisted he hear it, and once he heard it, he couldn’t unhear it. So if she wants to be friends again, the radical honesty starts with her.

Jax walks out of the Savoy, telling himself that he’s such an idiot.

Brad tells Britt, the guard is giving him the wrap-it-up glare. He’s sorry if he said something that set her off, and she says she shouldn’t have come there and dumped this on him. He says, please. It’s the most normal he’s felt in a long time. She says she’s happy to oblige, and he says he’s sorry Jason hurt her, but it might be a blessing in disguise. Staying away from Jason will probably add years to her life expectancy. She says, of course (🍷) it does, and he says, do him a favor. Go do some self-care. She says, it’s too late for a massage, but he says he was thinking more like, get drunk and make a mess. She says, without her wingman? No way. They’ve got to get him out of there. He says he has a parole hearing coming up, and she says he’d better work it. The Nurses Ball is coming up this fall. He says, she’ll have the ice cream? and she says, and Sam’s red carpet whoopsie on loop. He laughs, and says he’s there. They fist bump through the glass.

Carly tells Michael, she and Jason are going what they need to do to protect Sonny’s legacy and their family. Michael says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks dad would understand and approve. He realized, he never asked, but does Jason want to run the business? Jason says he never wanted to, but he knows how to run it, and to keep things stabilized for this family; it’s necessary. Carly says she appreciates Michael’s concern, but they’re going into this with eyes wide open. Michael says, then they know some people won’t like this at all. Jason says he knows.   

Carly walks Michael to the door, and thanks him for looking out for them. He says if Jax gives her any trouble, let him know; Jax owes him one now. She says, does he? and Michael says, it’s all good. Congratulations. He’s happy for the both of them. He leaves, and Jason asks, what was that about Jax? She says she’s 99% sure Jax blackmailed Michael into letting Nina see Wiley, and he says, blackmailing with what? She says, that’s the detail she doesn’t know, and Michael refuses to tell her, and she’s sure he’s doing it to keep the peace with Josslyn. Jason says, it makes sense. The last thing Josslyn or any kid wants is friction between their parents. She says, so Jax gets what he wants by taking advantage of Michael’s concern for his sister? He asks if she wants to pick a fight with Jax, and she says she wouldn’t be the one picking the fight. He asks again, and she says, no. Jax is really angry that they’re getting married. He asks what Jax said, but she says, he didn’t have to say anything. She could tell what he was thinking. Sonny tied her to the business, and all the risks that come with it. Jax was thinking, with Sonny gone, she was free, but now she’s marrying Jason, which ties her to the business again. He says, sorry, and she asks, why? He’s not forcing her to make this decision; they made this decision together. He’s not having second thoughts, is he? He says, no. They’ve looked at it from every angle possible. Getting married is the best way to stabilize the business, and more important, the best way to protect this family. She says she was just making sure, and he says, what about her? Is she having second thoughts? She says, no. She’s just not excited about the judgment that’s coming her way. Maybe if Jason had spent years trying to run off every man she wanted in her life… Although many could make the argument that he did. He asks, how’s that? and she says, because of all the times she turned to him and he was there, especially when her life was falling apart. It never bothered Sonny, but Jax hated it. So maybe he is just as responsible for them winding up together. He asks if that makes her happy, and she says, sure. A shared blame is better than taking the fall alone. She looks at her wedding set, and says she guesses it’s time; she has to take these off. Jason takes her hand, and says, only if she’s ready. She says she’s not, but it has to be done. She always loved them. They were just so flashy and so Sonny. He loved showing off. She cries, and says she misses him. Jason says he misses him too.

Jax is having a drink by himself. I don’t know where, but Britt walks in, and asks, is this seat taken? He shakes his head, and she sits down. She says, so. Did he get a save the date?

Laura tells Nikolas, baiting and taunting a stalker who wants to emulate Ryan is dangerous. Doc says, Laura is right. Let the police handle this. Nikolas says his family isn’t PCPD priority, but it’s his. So he’s going to do what they can’t. He’s going to string this bastard up by his toes before he can make another move. She says, and he could get killed in the process. He should be thankful that the only thing he encountered tonight was Trina and her pepper spray.  

Josslyn says, what hasn’t she been honest about? and Cameron asks why she couldn’t have said she just wanted to be friends. He might not have liked it, but he would have accepted it. She left him hanging. Instead of talking to him, she wrote in her journal that he was a bad kisser, that he was gross and clumsy and sloppy. She asks what he’s talking about. She doesn’t think he’s a bad kisser. He says, he read it in her journal. Is he not supposed to believe her own words? She grabs his lapel and says, believe this, and kisses him.   

Nina tells Curtis, nice soft launch, and he thanks her. She asks, what’s going on with the mother of the graduate? Any progress? He says, not really, but he thinks he’s figured it out. Portia didn’t back away from him on her own. She was pushed. He looks at Jordan and Taggert, talking to Ava. Ava asks Portia, any idea where their girl is? and Portia says, she should have been here by now. She was stopping at the gallery. Portia decides to text her, and Taggert says he doesn’t want to monitor Trina, but if she doesn’t show in the next ten minutes, he’s going to start texting her.   

Trina walks slowly into the room, and everyone looks horrified. Trina is covered in blood. She says, mom?  

Today’s theory. Whatever that is the ninja dropped set off something that broke the skylight.

Curtis tells Nina that someone warned Portia away from him, Cameron asks if he confirmed what was in Josslyn’s journal, Shawn has some bad news, and Trina says, it was a trap.

👑 Fit For a Prince…

An upcoming tribute to Stuart Damon is in the works.

Another Star Falls To the Sky…

Ray MacDonnell, aka Joe Martin from All My Children, has joined the ranks of heavenly soap stars.

🤰🏻 IRL…

Sasha’s baby bump is the real deal.

🎇 Holiday Schedule…

GH will be on. Not so some of the others.

👰🏽 Who Wore It Best…

I voted for Anna from GH. Right now, she’s coming in second.

🎞 More Than Soaps…

Another loss, for both the soap and anime world.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/philece-sampler-dies-digimon-mimi-voice-actress-anime/

💎 But Would She Really…?

On Watch What Happens Live, Garcelle literally said that Denise would come back if someone left. When Andy suggested that someone might be LisaR, Garcelle laughed like a hyena, which said it all. I wish.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-garcelle-beauvais-denise-richards-would-return-wwhl-video/

⚰️ Latest On Dead…

Fancy. The trailer looks like something Zack Snyder directed.

https://ew.com/tv/the-walking-dead-season-11-mercer-first-look/

🦈 It’s Getting Closer…

The newest of the new Suicide Squad trailers. It looks good. Love the shark guy.

https://www.dccomics.com/videos/the-suicide-squad-official-rain-trailer

🐓 Quotes of the Week

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. – George Bernard Shaw

Only the paranoid survive. – Andy Grove

Happiness is an inside job. – William Arthur Ward

To be inspired is great, but to inspire is an honor. – Stacey T. Hunt

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. – Elmer Davis

Deserve your dream. – Octavio Paz

The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do. – Andy Warhol

Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. – Carl Sagan

Discovering the truth about ourselves is a lifetime’s work, but it’s worth the effort. – Fred Rogers

It takes 30 seconds to make an impression that last 30 years. – Loren Brovarnik’s father, 90 Day Fiance: Pillow Talk

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!Audrey Hepburn

Liberty is the breath of life to nations. George Bernard Shaw

A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you. – Elbert Hubbard

Be the change that you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

Without music, life would be a mistake. – Friedrich Nietzsche

I call her BF, which doesn’t stand for best friend. It stands for bitch face. – woman on Dr. Phil whose sister slept with her boyfriend

We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. – William Faulkner

💥 Be a Firework…

July 4th is here once again, and whether you watch Hamilton or the kinder, gentler 1776, remember although the forefathers made mistakes, they also dumped the tea, and gave their all for today’s freedoms. While we still have miles to go, if not for them, you might be paying for Queen Elizabeth’s hats. Until we meet again, stay safe, stay keeping your pets safe from the fireworks, and stay making them go, oh! oh! oh! as you shoot across the sky (sky, sky).

August 14, 2020 – Ava’s Portrait Unveiled, Ball Rolling Soon, Lotsa GH News, Clare’s Roses, Quit It, Lu’s Hopes, Whining Again, Still Sad, Not Now, Dark Return, Bad Endings, All About the Dead, Catch Up, Learn Something New, Almost 10 Quotes & Hooray

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Ava calls to Nikolas, telling him, the guests are starting to arrive. She’s wearing a black sequined number and he says, quite the outfit. He’s only wearing a towel, and she says, him too, trying not to look. She tells him, you should probably get chest… dressed. He says, don’t worry, and she says they need to sizzle tonight. If he ruins the night for her, he’ll regret it for a looooong time.

Franco thinks about Elizabeth saying he’s about money like everyone else. He took Ava’s commission for it, and he’s playing into her hands. Scotty comes in and says, the man of the hour, and Franco thanks him for coming. Scotty says he wouldn’t take the ferry if not for Franco. He’s sure Franco would like to see some nice friendly faces for his big comeback. Franco says, Ava calls it a revival, and Scotty says, a lucrative reboot. Franco’s got to get work, make money, and pay the bills. Where’s his wife?

At the hospital, Terry sees Elizabeth, and says, just the person she needs. Enlighten her; rumors are flying. Elizabeth says, the rumors are true. Unfortunately, Cyrus is on the board. Terry asks why it’s unfortunate. Now they have enough money to run the hospital. Elizabeth says, money is all they care about. Cyrus is involved in the drug trade, and now he’s right in the heart of the hospital.

Lucy walks up to the door at Windymere with Maxie and Peter, but says she’s afraid she’s not up for a party. The Nurses Ball is tomorrow, and she has a million things to do. Maxie says she thought Lucy would want to  be there for Deception. They need to see and be seen, and talk up the company. Lucy says Maxie is more than capable of doing that by herself. Go schmooze. She’ll see Maxie later. Ta-ta! Maxie grabs her arm, and says she’s staying. They go inside, and Lucy says she’ll be right there, and pretends to look at the artwork in another room. Maxie tells Peter that she thinks Lucy is hiding something, and Peter thinks she’s right. Maxie hopes it’s not too terrible.

Lulu thanks Dustin for letting her drag him there, and he tells her to stop acting like he’s doing her a favor. Talent is talent, despite the subject matter.

Franco tells Scotty that Elizabeth isn’t coming. She’s upset that Ava is dredging up his past. It’s the ten year anniversary of Francophenia. Scotty says he can see why she’d be upset, but there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Franco says he tried to explain that, and Scotty says, but she’s not buying it? Franco says, not at all. Even worse, he thinks Elizabeth would prefer to pretend his past never happened at all.

Anna and Finn go over their wedding list at The Floating Rib. Anna says, Chase and Sasha? but Finn isn’t sure of their status. Anna says, just Chase then. He suggests she add Robin and Patrick, but she says they’re not finished with his family yet. He says, Violet? and she asks if he isn’t going to invite his father.

Peter goes to get drinks, and Lulu says, Maxie didn’t tell him she was pregnant? Maxie says, shhh. Nina comes in with Jax, and he says, it can’t be easy, being back. She says this big, drafty house is part of the gloomy past that she’s glad to forget. She’d rather focus on her bright, handsome future.

Ava says, shall we, darling? And tells Nikolas to smile. It’s going to be a night to remember. I think, so was the sinking of the Titanic.

Lucy tells Ava, some people would think it was tasteless to have a private function just before the biggest, brightest charity event of the year. Ava says, you’d think Lucy would be at home before the one night of the year when she’s actually socially relevant.

Nina tells Franco that she’s glad he’s painting again. She’ll make sure he and Ava are in their Out and About page. He thanks her for her support. Lulu tells Maxie, she hates to point out the obvious, but Peter is the dad, and the longer she keeps the secret, the worse it will be. Maxie says, it’s not a secret. She just hasn’t found the time to tell him. Lulu says, really? and Maxie amends that to, the right time. Lulu asks what time will be right, but Maxie says she doesn’t know. Like she said, she and Peter have never even discussed having a child; not once. She’s not sure how Peter feels about it. Lulu says she knows how to find out, and Maxie says, how? Lulu says, by telling him.

Terry tells Elizabeth that Lucy almost single-handedly organizes the Nurses Ball. You’d think she’d vote with the Quartermaines. Elizabeth says, apparently Valentin backed the relaunch of Deception, and Lucy couldn’t jeopardize it. Terry asks if there was no one except the Quartermaines who could help, and Elizabeth tells her, Nikolas stepped up, but it was too late. At least he was willing to do it. It’s too bad he won’t get rid of Ava. He’s going to be at her side when her portrait is unveiled. Ava made tonight about resurrecting the old Franco, who couldn’t tell the difference between good and evil, because he had a brain tumor. He became famous for the wrong reasons, and that’s not her husband. She’s not supporting or celebrating him.

Ava tells Franco, sorry. He deserves better, especially from his wife. Nikolas says Ava is all about being a supportive spouse, and she tells him, not now. Nikolas says, sorry. He’s out of sorts since Spencer said he wants nothing to do with him unless he has the Cassadine money. Franco says, it’s got to be rough, being rejected by a kid he lied to for three years. Ava says she’s sorry Spencer took a hard line with Nikolas, and Nikolas says, they both lost a child. As much as they’d love to be celebrating with Kiki and Spencer, it’s not meant to be. Ava says they’ve all made their choices, haven’t they? She says she needs some air, and leaves. Franco says, what the hell? Spencer thinks Nikolas is an ass, but Kiki is dead. There’s no comparison. Nikolas says, Ava barely bated an eyelash, but Franco says, she finds any mention of Kiki devastating. Anyone who cares about her knows that.  

Lulu and Maxie go outside, and Lulu asks if that’s the only reason Maxie hasn’t told Peter. Or is she on the fence about having a baby? Maxie says, the timing is all wrong. She thinks about how incredible it would be, having a child with Peter, but she’s not sure Peter feels the same way. Lulu asks if they don’t get along, and Maxie says, growing up with Faison caused Peter to doubt himself. What if he’s made the choice not to be a father? Well, I’m guessing Peter knows how babies are made, so wouldn’t he have thought about that before?

Finn says he hasn’t seen his father since he diagnosed him with Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, and Anna asks if Finn isn’t happy about that. He says, he is, but they mostly communicate through Chase. She says, what about Violet? Doesn’t she deserve to have a relationship with her grandfather?

Nina asks how well Jax knows Lucy, and he says, not that well, but he’s known her forever. She asks if he has any idea why she voted for Valentin  to be in charge of ELQ. He says, of course (🍷) he does, and so does she. He bought into Lucy’s company to have leverage. He has no respect for Valentin, but admits it was a good business move. Elizabeth shows up, and Nikolas says he thought she wasn’t coming. She says she changed her mind, and needs to find Franco. He thinks Franco is out on the parapet, and says he’ll take her.

Franco finds Ava in the stables, and tells her that Nikolas is out of line, but she says he can’t get to her. He asks what she’s doing out there then, and she tells him, like she said, she just needed some air. Franco says, if she was looking for fresh air, it’s probably better in the stables, and she laughs. She sits, and wonders if she’ll ever be able to hear Kiki’s name without it breaking her heart. Franco says Nikolas was deliberately trying to wound her, and she says, maybe with cause. She thinks she’s gone too far.

Lulu says Maxie has to figure out what to do. Peter is a father, and needs to know. Nikolas and Elizabeth come out, looking for Franco, and Maxie grabs Lulu, saying they’re going to start their own search party. Nikolas tells Elizabeth, sorry. He thought Franco was there, but since they are, they might as well enjoy the view. He can have a nice moment where he can pretend his life is fantastic. She says, Spencer will come around, and he says he hopes so. He tells him that he did the right thing, offering to help the hospital financially. He says, if only Cyrus hadn’t gotten there first. He can’t believe the hospital is taking money from him. She says, it gets better. Cyrus is the new chairman.

Dustin shows Peter a little toy car that Rocco gave him as a present. He wanted to come, but Dustin asked if he really wanted to listen to grown-up conversation while looking at a painting, and Rocco decided video games and pizza were better. Peter says, kids never stop surprising you. James and Georgie keep him on his toes. Dustin asks if Peter didn’t ever want kids, and Peter says he’d never thought about it until Maxie came into his life. Maxie and Lulu come out, and he says, there she is; the love of his life.

Scotty tells Lucy, with all the problems Monica has caused, maybe the family can finally earn some money now. Lucy says, the most important thing is that GH was saved, no matter where the money came from. He says, that’s crazy talk. They don’t want a new benefactor coming in, and changing the policies and the staff. They could change what makes the hospital special. Lucy says, no more hospital talk, and suggests they focus on Deception. It was no walk in the park, reviving a company from the 90s, but she did it. She had help, but it was her vision and inspiration that made it happen. Finances don’t fall from the sky. Entrepreneurs make compromises sometimes. He says, Lucy… What have you done?

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, sorry he was too late, but she says, at least he was willing to provide the funding. That’s the Nikolas she remembers. He says he’s trying to get back to who he was. She tells him, hurry up; she misses him. He says he misses her too. He hates the distance between them. She says she needs to find Franco. There are some things between them she needs to clear up.

Lucy tells Scotty, Valentin was adamant about ELQ not bailing out the hospital, and she voted with him. Scotty says, what? She repeats that she voted with Valentin. She knew there was someone else who was going to help. He says, that Cyrus guy. He’s a threat to the community. Lucy tells him, the Commissioner said he’d been framed, wrongly jailed, and was focused on doing good for the community. So she voted with Valentin. Scotty says, she owed him, and knew the day would come when he’d need her tie-breaking vote. She says, it’s not her fault he got controlling interest. It’s on the shoulders of the family members who sold him their shares. The hospital will be fine. ELQ couldn’t do it, so Cyrus did. He says, you can’t trust him; especially since he’s a guy with a ponytail, for cryin’ out loud. She says she doesn’t know anything about that, and Maxie asks for a word with her. Scotty leaves, and Lucy says she knew this would happen, and one day she’d be the town pariah again. Maxie asks if that’s why she didn’t want to come, and Lucy wonders why no one can understand why she did it. She had no choice. She knew if she didn’t, Valentin would pull his money out. There would be no Deception, no launch; they’d have nothing. Jax asks if Lucy minds if he talks to her for a second. She says, that depends. Is he going to harp on her betraying the Quartermaines too?

Anna says she knows for a fact Chase told Finn’s father about Violet. He asks if his father has made any effort to get to know Violet, and Anna says he’s respecting Finn’s boundaries, and waiting for an invitation. Finn says he’s uncomfortable with his father and his father’s wife, and thinks Violet will pick up on it. Say he does let his father in, they don’t get past it, and it gets more uncomfortable. It’s the last thing Violet needs; someone being there, and suddenly gone. Anna thinks there’s another obstacle, and it’s not just because his father remarried.

Ava tells Franco that she’s ashamed to admit it, but she turned Spencer against his father. He says, if there’s anyone to blame, it’s Nikolas, but she says Spencer sees her as a traitor, and gave Nikolas an ultimatum. He’ll be in Nikolas’s life if she’s out. He says, then why not walk away? and she says, money. According to their post-nup, if Nikolas divorces her, she gets 90% of everything. Franco asks if she’s serious, and she says, the remaining 10% would be put in a trust for Spencer, but the kid wants to inherit the entire estate. So if she stays married to Nikolas, Spencer stays on the other side of the world. Franco says, it’s not her responsibility. The person to blame is Nikolas. Ava says she contributed to the problem and can solve it. If she ends the marriage, and doesn’t take the money, Spencer will take his father back. He asks if she can do it, and she says, just imagine if Kiki was still out there. If there was a possibility of Ava seeing her face again, it would be worth anything. What if she could do that? Give Spencer and Nikolas the healing and closure she and Kiki never had. Elizabeth listens in.

Elizabeth says hi to Ava, who says they weren’t expecting her. Elizabeth says, surprise, surprise, and Ava says, it’s good to see her. She has to get back to her guests, but she’s glad Elizabeth made it. She goes inside, and Franco thanks Elizabeth for changing her mind. She says she came to stand by her man and see his masterpiece unveiled. He says she’s made him happy. She’s made his whole night.

Anna says Finn’s father has been married for a decade. She understands, but thinks Finn’s estrangement from his father is going to affect Violet. Finn disagrees. He thinks Violet should know her grandfather, but he lives in California. It’s not like he has a presence in her life. Anna says she lives the same distance from Robin, but they stay in touch. Kids live half their lives on a screen, and it’s made long distance relationships easier. Although she does wish she lived closer. There’s nothing she loves more than giving her grandchildren a hug.

Maxie stumbles, and Peter asks if she’s okay. She says she just slipped on her heel.

Lucy thanks Jax for being a gentleman, and not berating her. He says he’s a businessman, and understands the deal she made, but Cyrus is another story. She says, that’s not her fault, and he says, that may be true, but she defended him earlier. She needs to understand, Jax’s daughter was almost caught in the crossfire when Cyrus went after Sonny’s family. She could have been killed; Laura too. She says, that was Cyrus? and he says, there’s no official proof, but Sonny is convinced, and on this subject, he trusts Sonny. Lucy tells him, but Jordan said… and he says he doesn’t pretend to understand why Jordan did that, but technically, it’s true. Cyrus was wrongfully imprisoned, but he’s still a dangerous criminal. If he were her, he’d be careful.

Ava sees Nina on the parapet, and asks if Nina was looking for her. Nina says she wondered where Ava disappeared to, but came out for a breath of fresh air. She loved coming out there when she lived at Windymere. Ava asks if she misses it, and Nina says, parts of it. She misses family time with Charlotte, but she’s accepted the fact that a relationship based on lies and secrets can’t last. Ava says she’s starting to think a relationship based on extortion can’t last. They laugh, and Ava says, trapping Nikolas into a loveless marriage seemed like a good idea at the time, but now she sees it’s not only hurting Nikolas, but Spencer too.

Lulu tells Nikolas, she wanted to check in with him about Spencer. Nikolas hopes their relationship is improving, and Lulu asks, how? He says Spencer told him that he wanted to be his son again if he divorced Ava. She says, clearly, that’s not happening, and he says he’d rather not go into detail. She asks, why? He’s her brother, and she knows he loves his son. It makes zero sense, accepting what’s going on. He says he’s not accepting it, and she asks if keeping one secret is more important than their relationship. Is it more important than regaining her trust? He says, no; it isn’t.

Maxie says she takes full responsibility for dragging Lucy there, but she neglected to inform Maxie that she totally sold out the Quartermaines. Lucy says she did it to save Deception, their bread and butter. Maxie says, no judgement, but Lucy needs to leave. She’s not the best brand ambassador right now. Lucy says, sorry, and Maxie says, this too shall pass. Go rest, so she can be her dazzling self at the Nurses Ball. Lucy suggests Maxie also call it an early night; she’s looking peaked. They need to knock them dead, and be on point tomorrow. Scotty says he got a new convertible; let’s go. Lucy leaves with Scotty, and Peter says, Lucy is right. Maxie looks pale. Is she sure she’s okay? Maxie says she just wants to schmooze the artist, and get it over with. She asks Franco, how long until the great unveiling? How much did Ava pay him to glorify her, and make himself relevant again? Franco says, hostile, and she says she remembers him, but he proved he’s a changed man. He convinced a judge he was a changed man, and now he’s free to be living his best life. Instead, he’s reliving his bad boy genius. The whole thing makes her nauseous. Elizabeth says Maxie has a point. He says the only important thing is, he’s the guy who gets to be married to her, but she wonders where that guy is. The only important things seem to be about everything except the man she loves.

Lulu says Nikolas recruited Spencer to be involved in his power struggle with Ava, but Nikolas says, Spencer jumped at the chance. She says he’s not understanding. He needs to have faith in Spencer that he’ll choose his father over money, not recruit him to be his accomplice. Nikolas says, Spencer is fighting for his inheritance, but Lulu says he’s bonding with Spencer by making his son his partner in crime.

Ava tells Nina, she never had the opportunity to see Spencer and Nikolas together, but she did see how Spencer mourned his father. They had a special bond, and seeing how upset Spencer was when he found out Nikolas was alive spoke volumes. She sees how Nikolas is taking their estrangement. Nina says, it’s one thing to help them reconcile, but the question is, can Ava give up her revenge? Ava doesn’t know. Nikolas made her think she was crazy, and that she saw his ghost. He used Kiki against her, and said they were in hell together. Although she wasn’t much better. The only thing stopping a reconciliation is the stupid post-nup she forced Nikolas to sign. Nina says, revenge is not all it’s cracked up to be. At least for her it wasn’t. Even if you hurt the person, it just ties you more closely to them. She exposed Valentin’s lies at the altar, and got zero satisfaction. It was only when she turned away from the bitterness and ugliness that she found peace. Ava knows what she has to do.

Franco says he thought Elizabeth was there to support him. She says she was, but she’s not comfortable with any of it. She can’t stay. He says he’ll try not to be late, then wonders if she wants him to come with her.

Maxie tells Peter, Franco and Ava are in there all smug and satisfied. She couldn’t help herself. Franco was dishonest. Elizabeth married him and brought him in as a stepfather, but he’s loving his first chance in the spotlight. Franco isn’t like Peter. Peter put in hard work to turn his life around. He says he hopes he never disappoints her, and she says he won’t, as long as he’s honest. She thinks her water smells weird, and he asks, what’s going on with her? She says this is working her last nerve, and he says she’s been dizzy and lightheaded recently. He’s seen her navigate a playground in stilettos. Is she okay?

Jax asks if Nina found Ava. She says she did, and dared to give Ava advice. He says, giving advice can be tricky, but she says she was willing to risk it. It was because of him. He’s proof she can make smart life decisions. Ava comes out wondering where her husband disappeared to.

Lulu says, so Nikolas and Spencer are working together, and he says he has his son back. She asks if she should be happy about him dragging Spencer into the game he’s playing with Ava. He asks, what’s the alternative? Let Ava walk away with 90%? It’s unacceptable to Spencer and him. She asks if it ever occurred to him that Spencer just wants to please him. Spencer isn’t going along for the money, but for his father. Nikolas is missing his moment to turn this around, and stop manipulating. Choose his son, and let Ava decide if she’s going to keep the money. He says he can’t take that risk. Ava has to give up before the marriage ends. She says, he’s pulling Spencer into a lie, and he says, Ava forced his hand. He has to get back out by manipulating the situation. Lulu says, wow. He’s as set on revenge as much as he was when he first came back, and refuses to see what it’s costing.

Anna says she and Finn have been telling Violet that the wedding is about family. Having his father there will show her that he’s part of the family. Finn says maybe he would like them to get to know each other, but that’s not the only problem. He’ll leave it at that. She says, she’s not leaving it at that; it’s about his stepmother. He says he can’t imagine her at their wedding. It will take away from the day – for him anyway. If he invites his father, he can’t exclude her. It’s too complicated. She says she hates to break it to him, but families are complicated. His father is still family, so can’t he put their differences aside for one day? For Violet’s sake?

Dustin says Lulu looks pissed, and she says, once again, her brother has gone below her worst expectations. Ava tells Nikolas, it’s showtime. Franco tells Elizabeth that Ava can take over after the unveiling, but she says she has to leave. Is he coming or not?

Ava tells her guests, on behalf of herself and Nikolas, she thanks them for coming to this celebration of revival and redemption. She teased the return of a talented artist for some time, and would like him to come join her next to her portrait. Franco looks at Elizabeth, but she doesn’t look at him. He goes up front, and Ava says she was going to make a speech, but she realized what she had planned doesn’t seem important anymore. So she’s just going to say she was so happy when Franco agreed to paint her portrait. She’s proud to share it with them tonight. So without further ado… Franco unveils the portrait, and everyone looks shocked. Elizabeth shakes her head, and Franco and Ava look at each other.

Is she naked maybe?

On Monday, Maxie says she has something to tell Peter, Elizabeth tells Nikolas that Ava will destroy what good is left in him if he’s not careful, and Ava says she plans to remedy the situation perfectly.

💝 Coming Soon To a TV Near You…

Welcome to the Nurses Ball.

https://www.tvinsider.com/945286/general-hospital-nurses-ball-2020-preview/

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/2020-general-hospital-nurses-ball-will-air-august

🕵🏽 Dante Tells All…

Get the skinny on Lulu’s absent ex.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dominic-zamprogna-reveals-why-he-left-and-returned

🔌 Can’t Say I Blame Her…

Some people give Trolls a bad name.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-young-the-restless/michelle-stafford-is-taking-a-break-from-social-media

👯 Will the Real Sam Please Stand Up…?

Hopefully, Brook isn’t far behind.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-is-back-at-general-hospital

⚖️ From Cop To Corporate…

The original Jordan finds success as a lawyer.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/vanessa-antoines-series-diggstown-renewed

🌹 If You Must…

Every time I hear Clare Crawley, I think they’re talking about Downton Abbey. I’m not a huge fan of The Bachelor franchise, only because I can smell the desperation, and become embarrassed for the contestants, but no judgement.

MEN: Can she steal you for a sec? According to Glamour, Bachelorette Clare Crawley “will have extra men on hand, just in case” anyone gets coronavirus during taping. Meanwhile, we will have extra men on hand, just in case we can’t reach the Tate’s cookies we forgot were on the top shelf of the pantry…Newsette

https://www.glamour.com/story/the-bachelorette-2020-everything-we-know-about-clare-crawleys-season

😭 Leave Denise Alone…

Denise and Garcelle should have their own spin-off. With a little Sutton on the side.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6186250/garcelle-beauvais-denise-richards-rhobh-reunion/?platform=hootsuite

🎤 The Countess Has All the Feels…

LuAnn’s hopes and dreams for the reunion.

https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/07/31/luann-de-lesseps-rhony-reunion-secrets-bethenny-frankel-interview/

🧀 Like Some Cheese With That Whine…?

NeNe comes up with a new reason she should be rewarded for bad behavior.

https://pagesix.com/2020/08/01/nene-leakes-alludes-to-mistreatment-from-bravo-amid-contract-negotiations/

👨🏽‍🍳 Poor Kiko…

He’s so sweet, but those nachos…

https://www.inquisitr.com/6197289/below-deck-mediterranean-chef-kiko-apologizes/

🐣 Not Yet…

For now, the unfreezing of Scheana’s eggs is on hold.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6199574/scheana-shay-pregnant-plans-miscarriage/?platform=hootsuite

🔮 Back In the Dark…

I loved this show. Except for that monkey. I hated the monkey.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/his-dark-materials-season-2-trailer-spoilers-hbo-comic-con-2020/

📺 Up For Debate…

Is it Lost? Game of Thrones? Dexter? A new time waster brought to you by social media.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/twitter-reacts-worst-ending-ever-television-debate/

⚰️ Spoiling the Dead…

Teases about the season 10 finale.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-finale-spoilers-father-gabriel-doomed-dies-seth-gilliam/

🚶🏼‍♂️ Keep Walking…

All you need to know about season 11.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-season-11-delayed-2021-1304283

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-11-maggie-negan-relationship-showrunner-angela-kang-comic-con-2020/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-11-negan-hershel-maggie-glenn-son-jeffrey-dean-morgan/

🧛🏻 Get Your Full Episodes Here…

On Sunday night, it seems to be either feast or famine. If you’ve missed any of season 2 of NOS4A2, you can catch it here.

https://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/nos4a2/video-extras/nos4a2-season-2-comic-con-teaser

🦖 Just In Case…

You never know when you might need a prehistoric life skill.

https://www.wired.com/story/how-outrun-dinosaur/?utm_source=digg&utm_medium=email

Quote-Kindness

🦪 Quotes of the Week

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. – Oscar Wilde

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll

What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming. – Muhammad Ali

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.Dennis P. Kimbro

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. – Mark Twain

If you can’t laugh at yourself, at least let me do it. – Charlie (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men

People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion.Steve Maraboli

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. – Lucille Ball

🌃 Hey, It’s Still Dark Out…

Long story short, the new site editor causes difficulty for some links. So until I have a minute to figure out a way around it, I switched back to the classic version, an upscale word for the way it was done before. Thank God it’s Friday. We still call it that, right? Keep that weekend sacred, and change your environment for a moment. But while you’re doing that, stay safe, stay authentic, and stay like Bill Murray in Meatballs, telling yourself, it just doesn’t matter.

August 12, 2020 – The Verdict Is Read, Last Night In Rome, Garcelle Spills It, Sutton’s Complaint, Trek Laughs, Brandi’s the Worst, a Movement & Dawn

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Ned asks if Lucy is voting with the family to save the hospital she loves so much. Lucy asks if she can have a moment in private with Valentin, but Ned says, no one is leaving until the matter is settled. If she has something to say, they all want to hear it.

Jason opens his eyes, and says, Sam.

Nina looks at the latest issue of Crimson, and a post-it note from Nelle that says, the issue is awesome, boss! Jax asks if it’s a bad time, but Nina says it’s just the normal chaos. He tells her she gave him that excuse last night, and he knows she can handle a deadline. Does she want tell him what’s really going on? She hands him the note, and says, a reminder of the brief moment she thought Nelle might be decent. Jax crumples it up, and says now she doesn’t have to think about it. She says she can’t get rid of her thoughts as easy as that note.

Outside the courtroom, Michael tells Willow, whatever the judge decides, they’re in this together, and they’ll make it okay for Wiley. Inside, Nelle looks at the passports for her and Wiley, then at the tracking device on her phone. Michael and Willow walk in, and they face each other. Nelle tells them, spending time together won’t fool the judge. He knows their marriage is a sham. Willow says, after Nina’s testimony, the judge knows Nelle blackmailed Julian into marrying her. Michael asks where Julian is, and Nelle says he’ll be there. Carly walks in, and says, good. Nelle won’t be alone when the judge makes his decision.

Sam says she’ll get the doctor, and Jason asks how long he’s been there. She says a day, but it feels like forever. He asks why he’s there, and she says he had an accident on his bike; he crashed. Jason says, his motorcycle… How? She suggests the doctor examine him first, then they can fill each other in. They don’t need to rush. They have all the time in the world now.

Lucy says she’d like to speak to Valentin alone, if they may, but Valentin says, no. If anybody has something they’d like to say to him, go ahead. He’s all about transparency. Olivia asks if he was about transparency when he was buying up the shares. He says he was so transparent, he was invisible. That’s really a good one, and I laugh. Ned tells Lucy, GH needs ELQ’s backing to stay solvent; she knows what’s at stake. Valentin says he agrees with Ned. She knows what’s at stake. She says she’s breaking the tie by voting with… Valentin Cassadine. Everyone is like, whaaat?

Sonny tells Mike, he told him that he can let go. He knows how much Sonny loves him. He doesn’t have to stick around if he doesn’t want to. Mike says he’s ready to go home, and Sonny asks what that means. Felix comes to the door, and Mike says, baseball… music… and friends. Sonny says, Brooklyn? and Felix says, sorry to interrupt, but since he’s been taking care of Mike, he senses how Mike communicates. He thinks Mike is saying he wants to go back to where he feels at home. Mike says, home.

Nina tells Jax, Nelle was on a tear. She accused Nina of betraying her and siding with Carly. She believed every single person had let her down, stabbed her in the back, and double-crossed her. Nina finally said, if every single person double-crossed her and stabbed her in the back, maybe they’re not the problem. Maybe the problem is Nelle. Jax says she was just being honest, but Nina says Nelle believes she double-crossed her because Nelle was counting on her to be a character witness. Nelle thought Nina would go in the courtroom and tell  the judge what a great mother she’d be, and how she deserved to get custody of Wiley. Instead, she went in and told the judge how Nelle blackmailed Julian into marriage. Jax says she did, but she didn’t make it up. She says, maybe she should have stayed out of it. Michael didn’t need her help, and she made Nelle feel more alone. He tells her, don’t take the blame. It was Nelle’s choice to manipulate Julian. Don’t let Nelle make her doubt herself.

Diane comes into the courtroom, and says she tried calling Nelle’s lawyer, but he’s not picking up. Nelle says, that’s because she fired him, and Diane asks if she’s proceeding without the benefit of counsel. Nelle says Martin wasn’t benefiting her, he was sabotaging her case. She wouldn’t be surprised to find out Carly was paying him off. That’s why she requested a closed hearing, so Carly can’t be there. Carly says, the hell she can’t, but Diane says, Nelle is correct. The judge agreed the only people who can be in the room are Michael, Nelle, their respective spouses, and counsel. Carly tells Diane to appeal, but Diane asks if she wants to risk annoying the judge, and snatch the verdict from the jaws of victory. Carly says all right, she’ll go. She tells Michael they’ve more than proved they’re the best parents for Wiley, and tells Nelle to enjoy her last act of spite. When this is over, Wiley will be safe with people who know and love him, and the only thing he’ll know about her is what they tell him.

The doctor says Jason’s overall prognosis is excellent, but he needs to rest. She’ll check in on him later. When she’s gone, Jason says, he had exploratory surgery for what? Sam says, the doctors thought he might have a traumatic brain injury. Carly gave her consent. He says, that must have been rough on Sam; sorry for scaring her. She asks if he can tell her what happened, and he says he just remembers picking his bike up from Brando’s garage, and driving off. She asks if he doesn’t remember the accident or where he was going. He says, when he crashed, he was looking out for Jordan. She was meeting Cyrus, and he was on his way just in case. He asks if Sam isn’t supposed to be there. She needs to go or she’ll get in trouble. She says, no; she doesn’t have to leave. She can be there as long as she likes.

Valentin says, it’s settled. GH won’t receive a bailout from ELQ. Ned says, ELQ is known for its philanthropy, and Valentin says, then the board can vote on causes as they come up. GH needs to get its own house in order. They can find another white knight. Olivia says, white knights don’t just gallop through Port Charles all the time. Lucy says one has shown his face – Cyrus Renault. Maybe he’ll do it. Ned says, he’s no white knight. Cyrus is a known drug trafficker. He’ll hook Port Charles on opiates, and keep the hospital busy with ODs. Lucy says she didn’t know. He gave her a large donation for the Nurses Ball, so maybe they should give him a chance. Ned says he’s glad Alan isn’t there to see what she did with the one share he shouldn’t have given her. Lucy says he doesn’t get to go there. It’s Monica’s fault. If she’d followed proper procedure, maybe none of this would have happened. Ned says, there’s plenty of blame to go around. Isn’t there, Brook? Lucy says she’s going to take her check and go, but Valentin says, there’s one more vote he wants them to take. Ned asks if he wants to vote on a caterer for the shareholders’ lunch, or maybe he wants to change the music. Valentin says, he wants to vote in a new CEO, and smiles. He’s been doing a lot of that lately.

Nina tells Jax that Nelle brought out a strong point about her not being able to find the child she can’t remember giving birth to. She feels like her child is out there. Jax tells her, trust her feelings. Don’t listen to Nelle. She doesn’t know the first thing about being a mother, and doesn’t love Wiley. Everything is just a means to an end. What she wanted was to hurt Carly, and everything else was collateral damage. Nina says, he’s right. She doesn’t know why she let Nelle get to her so easy. He says her mom taught her not to trust herself. He has the feeling that’s why her mother left a clue for her to find the baby she gave away. Nina says, or left it so she could torture her. Jax says she can believe that and get on with her life, or search for the other half of the necklace that might lead to her missing child. She says she already did that, and the jeweler told her there was no lead. He says, just because one jeweler couldn’t help her, doesn’t mean another can’t. She says, it’s the only expert she knew at the time, and doesn’t have… unless he does. He says he has purchased precious gems on one or two occasions. She says, or three, or four, or five. He tells her, don’t get carried away. He makes a call to an Evelyn, and says he knows it’s short notice, but he needs her expertise… for a special friend.

Michael says, Carly must be climbing the walls, and Willow says, she’ll keep Carly company. If the judge asks, tell him the truth. She didn’t want Wiley’s grandma to be alone, since she was forced to leave. Julian arrives, and Diane says she’s surprised. He has a penchant for saving his own skin. Out of curiosity, how long does he predict he’ll stay married to Nelle? Nelle protests, and he tells her, give it up. She can thank Nina that the judge knows how she got him to the altar. Diane says Nelle petitioned the court to have a closed hearing. That means he can be there, but can sit in the gallery if he wants. Nelle says she’s making it up, and Diane laughs. Julian says, fine by him, and sits in the back.

Carly says Willow is kind and considerate, but this is wrong. She should get back inside, so the judge sees she’s at Michael’s side rather than stay there. Willow says she’s afraid she’ll lose it if he grants joint custody. She has to be the kind, calm alternative to Nelle. Carly is sure they’ll leave with a verdict in their favor.

Judge Lowe tells everyone to be seated, and reads the details of the case. He said he’s read the documents presented, and listened to their arguments. He asks where Nelle’s attorney is, and Nelle says she fired him. She’ll be representing herself, since she seems to think the case is still going on. He says, since he’s already made his decision, any request for continuance will be denied. Nelle remembers what Nina said, that maybe she’s the problem.

Sam tells Jason, just like that, Delores was gone for good. She’s been replaced with a new parole officer. He’s a kind man, and has no intention of keeping them apart.

Olivia asks what Valentin is thinking, and Ned says he’ll call the lawyers. This can’t be legal. Valentin says they work for him now, and he made that call already. He needs all of the passwords, and a list of all the employees. He grabs Lucy’s arm, and tells her, let’s go. He doesn’t want to overstay his welcome. Brook says she’s going to, but Ned says she’s staying right there, and looking him in the eye – if she can.

Sonny says Felix could be right. Mike’s old room is where he got married, played checkers with Josslyn and Dev, and heard Brook singing. He asks Mike if Turning Woods is home. Felix says he’d be happy to arrange it; it would be his pleasure. Mike is the best, and Sonny should cherish every minute they have left. I feel the burden lift from me, and Sonny tells Mike, guess what? He’ll be going to Turning Woods real soon. Sonny says they should watch baseball, but he checked, and there isn’t a day game scheduled. Mike says, until next season, and Sonny repeats, until next season.

Jax, Nina, and Evelyn sit at a table in the MetroCourt. Evelyn uses a jeweler’s loupe to look at Nina’s necklace. She says she can trace it back to its origin; she thinks she knows the craftsman. She’ll do her research, and get back to them. She’s gone before Nina can say anything, and Nina tells Jax, she’s a woman of few words. Jax says, but every word counts. Evelyn picked up on something. Chin up. It could be the break Nina has been hoping for.

Carly tells Willow, pace herself. Court rarely goes quickly. Willow says she’s better off not being in there. She has no idea how Michael stays calm.

The judge says, the court’s primary concern is the health, safety, and welfare of the child. To be clear, there are no angels in this courtroom. Both parents have served time in prison on serious charges, and have paid for their crimes, being released and on parole. He’s looked at the current situations. They both married quickly, saying they desired to provide a loving family for Wiley. Michael and Willow have made it clear to the court that they have a deep and abiding love for the child, even before it was realized that Wiley really was Michael’s child. At the same time, the birth mother also married. Her witness claimed there was devious and ill-intent. Although there was n no evidence provided to support it, he can’t help but feel Nelle showing up in her wedding dress was a stunt performed to upstage Michael and Willow’s marriage. He’s seen the records of Nelle’s selfish, cynical, maniacal behavior, and considering the way she conducts her life, the court believes she’d treat her child the same way. Sole custody is granted to Michael and Willow. Diane hugs Michael, and I wonder why Nelle looks shocked.

Carly says she’s thrilled, and Willow says, Michael did it. He says, we did it. Diane was amazing. Diane says it wasn’t too difficult to prove they’re perfect parents. She congratulates Carly on no outbursts in court; she’s improving. Nelle’s visitation with Wiley has also been terminated, effective immediately.

Nelle tells the judge, she’s Wiley’s mother; she gave birth to her son. They can’t pretend she doesn’t matter. Judge Lowe says, it’s because she matters that he’s denying visitation. She failed as a mother when she accused an innocent woman of pushing her down the stairs, and confessed to the murder of her fiancé. Nelle says she’s made mistakes, but she’s grown and moved on. The judge says if she’s learned from her mistakes, and puts Wiley above her own selfish interests, she can appeal. Her case will be revisited, and if she’s found fit, she’ll get limited visitation. Nelle sees everyone all happy in the hallway, and says, it’s not fair. They start to leave, and she stomps out, asking where they’re going. She’s not done yet.

Jason asks how Sam got rid of Delores. She says she reached out to someone who could deal with it. He asks, who? and she says, Valentin.

Ned asks what Brook was thinking, and she says she was thinking of getting out of her contract. The only way Linc would let her was for her to sell him her shares. By the time she figured out that he was a front, there was nothing she could do. He asks why she didn’t warn him. She knew how serious it was, and she chose to do nothing; to say nothing. Never mind the family – they’ll survive – but the hospital… She says she didn’t know they were going to vote about GH, and he says she doesn’t know anything. She just takes what she wants, regardless of the consequences. Olivia think he should take a step back, and Brook tells him, look in the mirror. He had a million chances to help her, but he wouldn’t or couldn’t. She had to help herself.

Nelle tells Michael, congratulations. The judge made his decision, so she had no choice but to accept it. Diane says she’s leaving it at that. She’s got other clients, and is sure they want to spread the good news. Nelle says she’s not finished. They may have won this round, but she’s still Wiley’s mother, and will always have a part in his life. Michael says, good; she’s taking the high road. Willow says she could have had her son, a loving little boy with a great smile and endless curiosity. A boy whose happy, and makes everyone around him happy. Instead, she chose to hurt Michael for an insane reason. She thought revenge would be more rewarding than loving her baby. Willow feels sorry for her. Michael and Willow leave, and Julian says he’s heading home. Nelle says, wait. They have things to discuss. He tells her, whatever you say, dearest. Carly says she’d like to talk to Nelle alone. Diane says, they’re consenting adults. As long as there’s no bloodshed. She leaves, and Carly says the judge made the right decision. Nelle doesn’t know how to parent. It’s not entirely her fault; she learned from Frank. She didn’t have one moment of genuine love, and he used her. She won’t do any good for Wiley, so she should be happy that her son will have a chance at a life she never did. A home where two people love him. Nelle says, it was never her intention to take Wiley away from Michael. A spot in her son’s life was all she wanted, and she’ll have it.

Jason asks Sam what Valentin wanted in exchange, and she tells him Danny and Scout’s ELQ proxy to vote their shares. He asks when it happened, and she says he made the offer before Jason’s accident, in exchange for solving her Delores problem. She didn’t take the offer, but when Delores showed up, Sam called him and took the deal. He asks why she trusted Valentin.

Lucy says, how dare Valentin make her choose between Deception and GH? He’s truly heartless. He says he’s a business man, and wants to focus on reinvesting and increasing profits. They’re not losing money on a hopeless hospital. She’d said Cyrus was willing to save them from their mismanagement. Lucy says, it’s also about the Quartermaines. She cares about them, despite their differences and checkered past. Now they resent her. He says he has no ax to grind with the family. They’ll come around when ELQ is stronger and more profitable. She says, whatever. He can go on and have a celebratory drink with himself. He says, first, she’s coming with him, and he drags her over to Nina and Jax’s table. He says he’s giving them the inside scoop, and Jax can give it to his people at Aurora Media. ELQ has a new CEO. Nina asks, what happened to Michael? and he says, Michael was busy learning a new skill set, and Ned wasn’t focused. Jax asks, who’s calling the shots? and Valentin says, him.

Ned says, when they needed Brook most, she chose Valentin over the family. Olivia says, that’s an exaggeration, and Brook says, at least Valentin believes in and encourages her talent. He’s going to boost her career. Ned asks if he’s renting a stadium, and Brook says when she tried to get Ned to buy out her contract, he told her to grow up; he was going to stop coming to her rescue. She’s all grown up, and came to her own rescue, like a good Quartermaine would. He tells her, get out. She’s no longer welcome in this house. She goes upstairs.

Sonny tells Mike that he has visitors. Mike says he’s tired; tell them to wait. Michael says he and Willow couldn’t wait. They wanted to share the good news. Michael won full custody of Wiley. He’s there now and forever. Sonny says, congratulations to all three of them, and Willow says, it was a group effort. Sonny says, what matters is Wiley will stay with the people who love him.

Carly says she might feel differently if Nelle had been a mother to Wiley. She can’t change Nelle’s past actions, but they can give Wiley what he needs in life – a family that doesn’t include her. Nelle asks how Carly would feel if someone took everything she wanted, but Carly says, only Michael didn’t take her child. She gave him away the night she passed him off as Willow’s baby. She did all this, and if she doesn’t like what’s going on, too damn bad.

Ned holds the door open, and Brook walks out. He says he’ll send the rest of her things when she gets a place. He slams the door in her face, and she walks away.

Sam tells Jason, she has everything in writing. The voting proxy reverts back to Danny and Scout when they’re 18. Jason says, that’s years from now. If Valentin gets a foothold in ELQ, mistakes can happen. Michael stepped away from the business, but Ned is doing okay without him. Valentin could be a lot of trouble. Sam doesn’t think he’d harm the company, and Jason says, it’s not about harm. He’s never cared about ELQ, but his great-grandfather built the company for the family, and wanted it to stay in the family. And the family doesn’t want Valentin near it.

Nina says, Valentin is the new CEO? How did that happen? Jax says he didn’t realize Valentin had a connection with the Quartermaines, and Valentin says there’s a lot he doesn’t know. When Nikolas took over Cassadine Industries, he had to find a new situation. He consolidated his resources, and made new friends. Jax says, Lucy is the tie breaker. What does Valentin have on her? Lucy says she hopes Jax continues to finance and support a very worthy cause, and he says she can always count on his support for the Nurses Ball. He’s sure the Quartermaines are thrilled with her loyalty. She leaves, and Valentin says Lucy can be very productive. When she’s not promoting the Nurses Ball or running Deception, she’s consolidating real estate. Nina says, congratulations. She hopes he’s finally found what he wanted. He says, not quite.

Michael asks if Mike remembers Wiley, and shows him pictures. He says Mike knew right away Wiley was his son, and the judge made it official. Wiley is staying with him and Willow. No one can take him from his home. Mike says, home, and Sonny smiles at him.

Julian tells Nelle, he’s played the part of the doting husband long enough. Now he wants to make up for lost time, face his mistakes, and get the marriage annulled. There’s nothing more he can do for her. She says, isn’t there? She’ll be in touch. Julian leaves, and she looks at her phone.

Carly joins everyone in Mike’s room, and Sonny says, it’s finally over. Wiley is staying with the family where he belongs. Michael shows Mike a picture of Mr. Hopsicle. Willow says, Mr. Hopsicle brings good luck, and Michael says, maybe she’s right. They were definitely lucky today.

Nelle says, the tracking device is still working. Hang on to that kangaroo. Mom’s coming.

Tomorrow, Olivia yells at Ned, Ava tells Nikolas to prove it, Carly tells Jax to meet her halfway, and Sonny hears about Cyrus’s involvement with the hospital.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Kyle says she’s struggling. Teddi doesn’t believe Brandi said that (that she’d had sex with someone in the group). LisaR says she doesn’t think Brandi ever said that. Don’t even put that out there. Denise says Brandi said it the first time she met her. In Denise’s interview, she says she’s not naming names. She doesn’t know if it’s true, and doesn’t care. Teddi asks, when are these conversations happening if Denise doesn’t talk to Brandi? Denise says Brandi called her, and Teddi says, she answered; it’s friendly enough. Do these idiots ever hear themselves? In Dorit’s interview, she says, Teddi’s not fond of Denise. Maybe she believes the worst? Dorit asks what the issue is, and Teddi says, it doesn’t add up. Denise had Brandi come to her work set, and said negative things about them. Denise says Brandi was doing an interview; that’s a different situation. Dorit says, they weren’t getting plastered, and LisaR says, they still got together. Denise says, she and Brandi have a mutual agent. I hope not anymore. Teddi says, there was a friendship, and Dorit tells, Denise didn’t say there was no communication. Even if Brandi said those things first, they had dinner, and were on good terms. Brandi had a podcast, and came to Denise. Teddi says, if they can’t get the full story, then she shouldn’t go there. Denise says Brandi said this about them. In Garcelle’s interview, she thinks Denise should stand up for herself. Now’s the time to set the record straight. Garcelle doesn’t feel like this is going the right way. LisaR says, it feels dirty, like someone isn’t being honest. In her interview, LisaR says that it’s frustrating watching Denise dance around this, deny, and blame. She tells Denise, if she’s chosen to sit there, she needs to own it. Denise says, she has, but that’s not good enough. Now they know why she gets up and leaves. LisaR says if Denise doesn’t want to be there, then go. I call her a nasty effing bitch. Garcelle asks why they’re choosing to believe Brandi over Denise, who they have a relationship with. She doesn’t know Brandi, except for what she’s heard in the press, but why are they taking her side? Kyle says she’s not taking a side (I’m not sure what she calls it then), and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she doesn’t know why they’re making what Brandi says like the Bible. Kyle says, it’s not about believing one over the other. Only they know the truth. Garcelle wonders how they move forward, and Teddi says, she can move forward, but her guard is up. She’s proceeding with caution. In Teddi’s interview, she says when there’s a pattern, she’s not hoping it’s going to change. She’d love to be proven wrong, but that hasn’t happened. LisaR says the restaurant has to open up as a club, and they move to the couches.

Erika says Denise didn’t tell Brandi that she was an icy bitch? Denise swears on her mother’s grave that Brandi is lying. Brandi said that; she would never say that. In Denise’s interview, she says Brandi told her that she heard Erika had been cold to her, and Denise confirmed that she had. She didn’t lie, but she did agree with what Brandi brought up. Erika asks if Brandi said that Teddi is desperate to be in the group, and was tired of riding on her father’s coattails. Teddi asks why Denise didn’t say anything last night, and she says she did. We flash back to Denise telling them Brandi was the one who called Teddi pathetic, and she was desperate to get into the group because she was tired of living in her father’s shadow. In her interview, Denise tells us, she’s said worse things about Teddi. That’s why she’s confused. Denise says she’s been totally honest, and LisaR says, okay, in that way you know it’s not really okay. In Erika’s interview, she says she likes Denise. She thinks Denise is a good time. We flash back to some fun times, and she says, but if Denise is calling her a cold-hearted bitch when she’s being nice to her face, it leaves them in a strange place. Garcelle says, she and LisaR took a dance class, and she’d asked if LisaR thought her body image affected her daughter. LisaR is like, f***, and in Kyle’s interview, she says LisaR opened up the Pandora’s Box. She said she wanted honest. We see a clip of Garcelle asking if LisaR is worried her image hurts her daughter. Garcelle says she doesn’t have a daughter, so she can’t say, but thinks she wouldn’t dance nearly naked on Instagram. Dorit doesn’t understand, and Garcelle says LisaR doesn’t have to be dancing in in bathing suit or underwear. LisaR says she doesn’t think that’s what caused Amelia’s eating disorder, and Garcelle tells her, she’s not saying that, but wonders if Amelia sees it and feels bad. LisaR says people are going to judge them, and Garcelle says, she’s not judging LisaR, but the situation. LisaR says, of course she’s judging, because she doesn’t understand what Garcelle just said since she’s so focused on being right. Garcelle says she’s just being honest. Teddi says, you can’t nail it on one thing, and LisaR says she’s proud of her daughter for coming out and talking about it. Garcelle says, 100%. She’s proud as a mom of all of them. Denise dabs at her eyes. In Dorit’s interview, she says, another night in Rome, and there’s still no result. There’s tears, anger, and frustration, and a dark cloud is now over them. It’s not going away unless they have a real, honest conversation. How is that going to happen? She has no idea.

The next morning, Teddi calls Erika, and asks if she wants to go to the spa. Garcelle calls Sutton, and Sutton asks if Garcelle wants to join her for mass at St. Peter’s. Garcelle says, absolutely. LisaR – who I happily notice again looks like sh*t in the morning – calls Kyle, and says she heard Kyle had fun last night. She’s sorry she missed it. We flash back to Kyle and Dorit out drinking and being kooky. LisaR asks if Kyle is going out on a Vespa, or is she still drunk? Kyle says she loves nothing more than driving a Vespa in the rain, drunk. She’s going to have some coffee and attempt to be human. Erika and Teddi go to the spa, and Erika says, the pregnant lady feels better than she does. Dorinda asks why Kyle kept her up so late. In Kyle’s interview, she says she cares about Dorit being happy, and they’re in a good place. She tells Dorit, it feels like Vegas on a Sunday morning. I have no idea what that means.

In her interview, LisaR says she texted Denise, but didn’t hear back. She thinks Denise is mad at her, and it’s a friendship worth fighting for. In the car, Kyle tells Dorit that she was a hot mess last night. LisaR finds Denise in the lobby, and sits with her. She says, she’s sorry, and Denise says the energy LisaR is projecting comes off like attacking; like interrogating. It’s happened at several big dinners, and she comes off as a mean friend. She wonders why she was invited. LisaR says she loves Denise, and she’s her friend. Denise says, it doesn’t come off that way. If she saw LisaR crying and everyone coming after her, she would tell them to stop. It’s hurtful, and not okay. LisaR says Denise claimed Brandi said she’d had sex with someone at the table, and they don’t need tit for tat. Denise does that with her sometimes; don’t do it anymore. Denise says she defended LisaR at Kyle’s house when Kyle told her, f*** off and f*** you. We flash back to that, and Denise says, for the last 20 years, when people were coming at LisaR, she told them to stop. LisaR hasn’t been a friend to her. LisaR says she was trying to clear the air, and did it in a terrible way. Denise asks, is that a friend? She’s never experienced this with LisaR, and she’s known her a long time. She’s not mad; she’s hurt. LisaR says she doesn’t want to hurt Denise, and starts sobbing – making it about her. Nice move. LisaR says she’s just trying to make it so they can move on, and she doesn’t know what to do. Denise says, just be herself. She’s strong and does stand up for what’s right. That’s the LisaR she loves. LisaR wails that she should have warned Denise; sent a text, but she didn’t. She feels bad now, and knows Denise would have warned her. Denise says she would have. LisaR was mean and angry, and it’s not like her. She doesn’t know what’s going on. She’s sorry. Denise says, it’s not her; it’s the rest of them. She doesn’t know why they want her around and then try to destroy her family. For what? She hates to see LisaR like this, and suggests LisaR come to church. She loves her. They hug, and LisaR vows to be a better friend.

Dorit and Kyle go to where the Vespas are. Dorit doesn’t want to wear a helmet, but the guide says it’s the law. He tells Kyle, she’s the only one in a sidecar. He puts caps on them to go under the helmets, and in Dorit’s interview, she says, it’s the fashion capital of the world. Kyle takes a picture. In Kyle’s interview, she says, Dorit looks great in a hairnet. They laugh, and Dorit says she’ll see Kyle when she sees her. At the spa, Erika asks Teddi what she’s got going on when they get home. Teddi says they’re going right into Thanksgiving, and Erika says she’s going to Laguna, to Tom’s daughter’s house. She’s a chef. In her interview, Erika says she’s lucky Tom has nice kids. She’s their age. Sutton, Garcelle, LisaR, and Denise leave in a taxi. LisaR says, everything happens for a reason, and Denise says, at least they got to something. In Dorit’s interview, she says, finally. The part of the friendship with Kyle that she loves so much. It almost compensates for the sh*tty things she does. LisaR is glad they worked it out, and says she needs church more than anyone. Garcelle asks, why? and LisaR says she hasn’t been back to her true self for a while. In Sutton’s interview, she says, there’s a better side to LisaR? In their interviews, each woman talks about the religion they grew up in, and where they’re at now. LisaR says she went to different churches every time she changed best friends. Hmmm… I say out loud. Her church hopping, depending on who she was hanging out with, speaks to her character now.

They pass LisaR’s house. She says Harry lived there with Ursula Andress. She explains that Ursula and Harry met during Clash of the Titans, and had a child. Sutton says she loves that movie so much. I do too. LisaR says Ursula was the movie star you would imagine, and she lived there. She got pregnant the first time she and Harry hooked up, and it was her first pregnancy at age 44. Kyle and Dorit finish riding, and Kyle can’t get the hairnet off. The others go to St. Peter Square. In her interview, Sutton says, who knew the line would be around the block? She did. It’s a two-hour wait, but she’s not worrying about it, since it’s not her trip. If anyone had asked, she would have told them to get a ticket. It might have been nice if she’d volunteered that information. On Instagram, LisaR says it’s the closest they could get, and takes video of them in the Square.

Kyle and Dorit go to lunch, and Dorit says she’ll never get the hairnet visual out of her head. Where does Kyle think LisaR went? Kyle hopes she’s okay. LisaR runs in, and says she’s so sorry. She had a bit of a breakdown. She saw Denise in the lobby, and it was tough for her last night. LisaR insists she tries to fix things when it’s a group situation. She feels responsible for getting to the truth. They talked, and Denise was pretty upset with her; they’ve been friends a long time, and Denise said she’s not being a good friend. She had to take a look at that. In Kyle’s interview, she says she feels for Denise, but thinks LisaR is just trying to get to the truth. Of course she does. LisaR says she cried a lot, and Kyle asks if Denise cried. Who asks something like that? LisaR says, she did. She thinks Denise is reeling, and hurt because of the accusations. She’s afraid for her children; it’s a lot. In LisaR’s interview, she says they need to have empathy for Denise. She’s in pain. Kyle says she understands, but it started with them hearing things. It didn’t come out of the blue. LisaR says, in the end, she felt badly. She’s a better friend than that. She hasn’t been good friend. Dorit says, maybe Denise feels they shouldn’t be vocal, but it’s not personal. Huh? How is it not personal? LisaR says she’s glad she and Denise had the conversation. She thinks she was probably too harsh, and Dorit says, it was intense; she doesn’t want Denise to shut down. Kyle says, the thing is, to be honest. LisaR says she can’t force someone to be honest, and needs to take a breath and allow it to come out, whatever it is.

The women get ready for their pizza party. Mikey puts Erika’s coat on her, and Sutton has her hair done. Dorit calls home, and Phoenix asks if she can have her cake pop. Dorit tells her, after lunch, and Phoenix says, breakfast is lunch. Dorit tells her that she should be a lawyer. In the taxi, Dorit says the restaurant room she’s designing is gutted and demoed. We flash back to her conversation with the restaurant owner. In Sutton’s interview, she struggles with the name of the restaurant, and the producer says, Buca di Beppo. She asks if it’s like Olive Garden. She’s not being disrespectful, but she’s never heard of it. I usually like Sutton, but that is disrespectful, comparing it to Olive Garden. Come on. Dorit says she’s thinking about putting together Teddi’s baby shower there, but they have to keep it a secret. Why do people always think startling a pregnant woman is a good idea? Kyle says Teddi was firm on not wanting to open gifts in front of everyone. In Kyle’s interview, she says, thank God she has Dorit. She’s been busy, and by the time she gets the shower organized, the baby will be attending it. In Denise’s interview, she says she’s taking control tonight. She’s had it. She’s going to say her peace, and at least they’ll know how she feels.

At the restaurant, Denise says she doesn’t think she’s had a vegetable there except for tomatoes. Erika says she had a ham and cheese sandwich from the kid’s menu at the hotel. In Denise’s interview, she says she’s listening to them now, but she has something to say. She asks when the others are getting there, and Garcelle asks why she cares. She says she wants to prepare herself, and they laugh. The others arrive, and Kyle shows them a video of her in the sidecar. Dorit tells them about the helmets, and says she laughed so hard, it was like she did a thousand sit-ups. She points out it’s their last night together, and Denise says she wants to make a toast and then she’d love to talk about something. She thanks LisaR for bringing them on the trip, the clink glasses, and she smiles. I see the wheels turn in her head.

She says she’s glad she and LisaR got to talk. LisaR is an advocate for being your authentic self, so she’s going to be brutally honest. There’s so much judgement in this group. Every single effing dinner she’s been on the receiving end of being attacked as soon as she sits down. It’s not effing cool. In her interview, Garcelle says Denise never told her, tonight’s the night. She didn’t see this coming. Denise says her husband didn’t want her to go on this trip. He had a feeling, and he was right. Kyle says, when things are out in the open, they have to be addressed. Denise says, do not. In Teddi’s interview, she says, Denise said she was done talking about it, then prepared a speech. What else is she going to do to make them look bad, and make herself look like the victim? I don’t think Denise has to do anything. They’re making themselves look bad just fine on their own, and Teddi is pissed because Denise isn’t being a victim. Denise says, it’s okay when they’re having fun, and Kyle tries interrupting, but Denise continues, saying, it’s the worst trip she’s ever been on. She doesn’t deserve this, and Kyle knows it. Kyle says they just want her to be honest, and Denise says, when she is, no one believes her. Kyle dragged Brandi into it, and it’s not cool. It’s gotten to the point where it’s mean girls. In Erika’s interview, the ice queen she says, if being a mean girl means standing up for yourself and not backing down, then she’s a mean girl. Again, WTF? Do these dolts not hear what comes out of their own mouths? Teddi says she’s glad Denise is sharing, but when she says she’s not judgmental and calls them mean girls, that’s f***ed up.   Denise says, that’s her experience, and her observation. They want her to be brutally honest, and they’ve been bombarding her. It’s not effing cool. In LisaR’s interview, she says, are they afraid to face each other and go at it? Absolutely not. But they were bullied and called mean girls last year – we see some articles online – and it’s a cop out. It wasn’t easy, and Denise knows it’s not cool. Dorit says she doesn’t think anyone tried to deliberately hurt Denise, but Denise disagrees. Dorit says she’s been on the receiving end of some barbs, and it’s not a comfortable moment. Garcelle says she wants to hear them out, but has to excuse herself for a moment. She leaves the table, saying she’ll be back. If I were her, I’d be getting a stiff drink. Kyle says, what’s up with the dramatic exit? once again totally exaggerating, since Garcelle just quietly excused herself and left. Denise says she’s going to go; she’s had enough. She’s done. She walks out, and Sutton says, she likes to leave. In Erika’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Denise would be in this situation if she didn’t leave all the time. No. She wouldn’t be in this situation if these MEAN GIRLS didn’t jump all over her all the time.

Denise sees Garcelle outside, and says she’s leaving. She asks if Garcelle is okay, and Garcelle says she’s just tired, and she misses her family. She’d rather be home with her kids. I’d rather be home with her kids. At the table, Erika says, it’s easy to point a finger and leave, leaving them to pick up the pieces. Denise tells Garcelle, they crossed the line. It’s evil, and detrimental, and not cool. In her interview, Garcelle says, Denise is finally speaking up. She doesn’t deserve this, and it’s not okay. She’s proud of Denise, but thinks if there isn’t full closure, it will be brewing underneath. Garcelle says she’s going back. She sits back down at the table, and tells the group that she’s tired and misses her kids.

Outside, Denise says she wants her car, and a producer says, going back is a big mistake. I say, f*** you, and there’s a commercial, so everyone thinks he’s going to threaten her with being fired. When they come back, Denise says, they’re a-holes, and he says, you can’t make a big speech, and then not hear everyone’s opinion. She says, she’s done, but he says they need to figure out how to move past this, like he cares about anyone’s feelings and not his paycheck. She says, fine. She’s not interested – she’s been hearing what these bitches have to say for months – but she has a friend in there. Teddi says she was willing to be cool about it, and they were called mean girls. Teddi, cool is something you will never be, daddy’s coattails or not. Dorit says they have to listen too; it’s not easy. Denise comes back, and Erika thanks her. Denise says she wants to move past this, and doesn’t want to leave. Kyle says she’d like to resolve it, move on, and have more laughing and having fun. They do have fun. Denise says she knows; she’s experienced it. Kyle says she doesn’t want anyone to be hurt, but Denise says it doesn’t feel that way. LisaR says she thinks it’s best if they don’t label each other or call each other names. Denise tells her, she’s not saying they do that; she said it feels like that. LisaR says she’s asking if, as a group, they can do that. She understands and accepts how Denise feels. Denise appreciates that, and the pizza comes. It looks amazing, with the cheese all the way to the edge of the crust. In Kyle’s interview, she says she’d love it if they could have a nice dinner, wrap this up, and move forward. They do love each other, and can put the bullsh*t aside, and have a good time.

LisaR says, going back to the first night they were there… We flash back to them talking about the worst trouble they got in as teenagers. LisaR asks Denise the same question, and Denise says when she was 15, they moved to San Diego. The drinking age in Tijuana was 18, so she snuck out with her boyfriend and some friends, and they went there, but she got caught. Garcelle asks what’s the craziest place the women have had sex? Sutton says she’d rather talk about the most romantic place, and tells them about a campground in France. Erika talks about doing it with her boyfriend when she was in the hospital, and LisaR says she and a good friend had sex next to each other in a station wagon. Kyle says, they are family cars. Ew. Garcelle tells them to brace themselves – Denise? Denise says, it was in a church parking lot, and Kyle says no wonder they couldn’t get into the Vatican. Everyone laughs, and I sort of identify, since early on in my dating life, a dude wanted to make out in a church parking lot, but I was like, are you kidding?

In Denise’s interview, she says, she knows the issue is still open, but she doesn’t give sh*t. In Kyle’s interview, she says, after everything that’s gone on, this proves they can get along, have fun together, and forgive. Garcelle says she wants them to drop everything that’s negative right now, and move forward, and they toast to that. They order more wine, and laugh. Yeah, this will last all of five minutes.

Next time, Teddi’s shower, the women (minus Denise) confront Brandi, Brandi says she has texts to back it up, and a lot of the conversation is bleeped. It’s my understanding that the only thing the texts prove is that they stayed together, and Denise asked Brandi not to say anything because her kids were there and Brandi doesn’t have the best reputation. So…

👄 Garcelle Tells All…

Or some of it anyway.

https://realityblurb.com/2020/08/07/garcelle-beauvais-scared-to-return-to-rhobh-after-warning-from-lisa-rinna-at-reunion-about-coming-back-next-season-says-more-than-one-costar-was-sent-a-cease-and-desist-and-tal/

💰 Unwarranted Offense…

I like Sutton most of the time, but she does tend to overreact. At least she’s low-key about it.

https://realityblurb.com/2020/08/07/rhobh-sutton-stracke-claps-back-at-dorit-kemsleys-claim-of-buying-friends-plus-who-is-her-ex-husband/

🛸 Humor On the Bridge…

Some fun from The Next Generation.

https://comicbook.com/startrek/news/star-trek-the-next-generation-tng-outtakes-intakes/#1

🐍 Brandi Strikes Again…

I wish she’d just crawl back under the rock from whence she came.

https://realityblurb.com/2020/07/30/more-text-messages-from-denise-richards-and-brandi-leak-showing-brandi-accusing-denise-of-making-her-out-to-be-a-cheater-and-a-liar-as-denise-accuses-rhobh-cast-mates-of-using-them-as-scapegoats/amp/

💃🏿 A Movement, Not a Moment…

This show is now on rotation on Bravo. I saw it the other night, and it’s excellent. Catch it if you can.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/empowering-race-in-america-a-movement-not-a-moment-bravo-special-details

A concurring PSA.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/black-lives-matter-psa-starring-real-housewives-bravo-stars

Ally Leah.

https://pagesix.com/2020/08/08/leah-mcsweeney-wants-more-diversity-on-rhony-says-everyone-should-be-an-ally-to-blm/

🤦🏽 How Did It Happen…?

How does it get to be such an hour without my knowledge? At least we’re on the other side and moving toward the weekend, whatever that means to you. Until next time, stay safe, stay empathic, and stay being honest, but not brutal.