Tag Archives: General Hospital

December 8, 2022 – Two Surprises Arrive In Ireland, Horrendous House, Tiffany, Nominated, Novel Debut, His Thanks, Million Dollar News & Permanent

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Valentin opens the door, and Martin is standing there. Valentin says, you, and pulls him inside. He asks what Martin is doing here, and Martin says he knew one way or another, Valentin would lead him to Lucy’s killer.

Elizabeth says, sorry, but Finn says, there’s nothing to be sorry for. It felt good to have her in his arms. She says, it felt good to her too. He says he hasn’t seen much of her lately, and she says he got more than he bargained for when he came looking for Terry. He says he came looking for her.

Victor says, it’s wonderful to have Spencer here for the holidays, isn’t it? They should host a big family Christmas dinner; invite Alexis, Molly, Kristina, and maybe Samantha and her brood. Spencer suggests they not get ahead of themselves. Father hasn’t responded yet. Maybe his silence says it all. Victor says he’s sure that’s not the case. There’s no problem, is there? Nikolas says he’s just surprised to see Spencer, and Spencer says, he told Victor this was a horrible idea. His father doesn’t even want him here.

At the PC Grill, Rory asks if Trina is okay, and she says she hasn’t been out much in public lately. Her parents and Curtis have been on her case about the risk from The Hook killer. She guesses it’s gotten to her a little. He asks if she wants to leave, but she says, no; she’ll be fine. He promises she’s safe with him, and she says she knows. He says, plus, she looks way too beautiful to hide out at home. She says, he’s mentioned that a few times already, and he says, so he’s being repetitive. That doesn’t make it any less true. She says, for the record, he’s looking handsome himself, and he says he tried to step his game up, going to a fancy place with her on his arm. It’s their three month anniversary. She says she would have been just as happy celebrating at Charlie’s. He didn’t have to spend all this money. He tells her, don’t worry about it. She’s worth it.

Ryan is wheeled into the rec room, and Jordan says, per their agreement, she’s here to ask him a few questions. Does he know anything regarding the whereabouts of Esme Prince? She knows Esme was very insistent about working with him. Perhaps she confided in him? Ryan’s caregiver (who doesn’t seem to have a name) tells her that Ryan has something to say. He says, no deal. Ava comes in, apologizing for being late; traffic. Jordan says, they were just getting started. Mr. Chamberlain was hesitant to begin without her. Ava says, is that right? Well, I’m here now, so get blinkin’.

Elsewhere in Spring Ridge, a guard brings Sonny to a door, and says, this is the room. He’s afraid he’s going to have to lock Sonny in, since the patient is dangerous and considered high risk for escape, but Sonny says he’ll be fine. He asks how the guard’s dad is doing, and the guard says, fine, and thanks Sonny for getting him into Turning Woods. He’ll be right here, so when Sonny’s ready, just knock. Sonny says he won’t be too long and goes inside. The guard closes the door, and Sonny moves a chair, banging it on the floor. Heather sits up in bed, and says, Sonny Corinthos. He says, Heather Webber.

Ryan blinks, and the caregiver tells Ava, you’re beautiful. Ava says, their deal was that he answers the PCPD’s questions. That’s what gets her to stay; not compliments, cooperation. Jordan suggests they try this again. Did Esme tell him anything about herself? Any details of her past. The caregiver says, no; one blink is yes, two blinks is no. Jordan says, got it. Ryan was a patient at GH during March of this year, and Esme managed to sneak into his hospital room. Did she talk to him about anything in particular? The caregiver says, worried about me, and Jordan says, so Esme cared about him. Were they close? The caregiver says, yes, and Jordan asks if Ryan thinks Esme is capable of murder. He blinks, and Ava says, yes.

Nikolas says, of course (🍷) he wants Spencer here; this is his home. Victor says, exactly. It’s high time this family came together. Spencer says, it may be his home, but father doesn’t want him living here. Let him take a wild guess. Nikolas somehow convinced Ava to forgive him for sleeping with Esme, and now he doesn’t want Spencer back here to say or do anything that could jeopardize his horror show of a marriage. Does that sound about right? Because, despite everything they’ve been through together, Ava still comes first. He’s out of here. He starts to leave, and Nikolas says, Spencer thinks he has everything figured out, but he doesn’t. This isn’t about Ava. Victor says, of course (🍷) not. How could it be? Nikolas and Ava are getting divorced.

Anna tells Martin, she’s only going to say this once. She doesn’t know how much time she has, since her location has been breached. She didn’t kill Lucy. Valentin says he thought he got through to Martin that night at the docks, and Martin says, please. He’s willing to entertain the notion that Anna didn’t kill his Lucy. Anna says, she didn’t, which means she’s said it twice, and Martin says, which means she and Valentin are here looking for the real killer. Are they, or are they not? Valentin asks how he found them, and Martin says, it’s not rocket science, for God’s sake. He’s Valentin’s lawyer. He’s got access to Valentin’s bank accounts. When Anna went on the run, he started keeping track of Valentin’s travel plans. The minute Valentin bought a ticket to Ireland under an assumed name, he bought one too. Valentin says, Martin accessed his personal information? They’re going to deal with that when he gets home. Martin says, the point is, he’s here to help them track down whoever really took Lucy’s life. That is what they’re doing here, is it not? Hell, he’ll even represent Anna if she’s prosecuted for the jail break. Valentin says, they appreciate Martin being willing to help, but they’ve got this, and Anna says, they need to get out of here before Whitten finds them, and Martin needs to leave too, now, or he’ll be charged with aiding and abetting. Martin says he guesses he’ll have to represent himself, because he’s going with them. They’re not leaving without him.

Heather asks if Sonny is here to kill her, and he asks why she’d think that. She says, he shows up in her room in the middle of the night, and it’s a locked ward. How did he get in here? He says he goes wherever he wants; Port Charles is his town. She’d be wise to remember that. She says, okay… So what does he want? He says, she was in the transport prison van when it crashed, when Anna Devane escaped, and she says, yeah, but she didn’t try to run. She turned herself in. He says, and she went to Kelly’s and had a BLT, and she says, he would have done the same; the bacon melts in your mouth. He says, she offered to give a description to the cops of the guy who was driving the van, who they think helped Anna escape, and she says she offered to talk to the cops. She thought it might help her stay here a little longer. He pulls the chair closer to the bed, sits down, and says, he’d appreciate it if she talks to him first.

Finn says he saw Elizabeth’s dad leave. Terry told him that she’d spoken to him. Elizabeth says, for all the good it did, and he asks if Jeff is still pushing to be part of her life. She says, he’s not pushing anymore. He definitely wants to be a part of her life, but he claims this was his last effort, and he’s waiting for her to contact him now. He asks if she believes him, and she says she doesn’t know. But he’s flying back today, so at least he can’t ambush her again. He says he’s sorry Jeff is making this difficult for her, but maybe now she can process all the things she’s been feeling, and drop all this guilt. She asks if she’s supposed to feel better knowing she caused Reiko’s death, but Finn says, Reiko died from Blackwood’s. Elizabeth says, that Reiko got in the hospital recovering from the fall she caused. He says, she didn’t mean to, but she says she can’t talk with him about this. Doesn’t he understand? He says he does, but does that mean they can’t talk at all?

Rory asks Trina, how’s the exhibit the Chuck? It starts next weekend, right? She says, it opens next weekend, and wow. It’s so different from opening an exhibit at Ava’s gallery; from the concept development to watching the actual pieces being hung. And Beaufoy’s work is amazing. She was really struck by his seminal piece The Temple. He says he knows this. That’s the one with… the temple. They laugh, and she asks how he’s doing; keeping the peace, battling bad guys, and appreciating fine art. He says he has a great teacher, and she says, that’s sweet of him. She knows she has a tendency to get carried away. If she goes on and on, he can tell her to pause. He says, that’s not going to happen. He likes it when she gets passionate. He’s not working on Sunday. Maybe she could walk him through the exhibit. She says, like a vernissage? That’s a private preview of an exhibition. He says, sounds fancy. He’s not sure he rates. She says, he absolutely does, and she thought he had a pick-up game on Sunday. He says, at 4. They could go to the exhibit in the morning, and get lunch after. She says, sounds great, but she can see the paintings anytime. Is he sure he won’t be bored? He says, if he gets bored, he can look at his favorite work of art – her.

Spencer asks if that’s the truth; Nikolas and Ava are finally over? Nikolas says, Ava moved out before she was attacked, and she has no intention of ever coming back. Spencer says, they’ve split before though. Ava had to blackmail Nikolas into marrying her, and he forgave her for that. What’s stopping Ava from forgiving Nikolas? Victor says, because Nikolas knows he has no future with Ava, and Nikolas says, he made a horrible, stupid mistake, and he hurt Ava, and he hurt Spencer. Ava can walk out, but he and Spencer are family. Despite what Spencer thinks, Nikolas will always love him, and that will never change. That said, he’s afraid Spencer can’t stay here.

Heather asks why Sonny is interested in this fake driver, and Sonny says, Anna is a friend of his. If Heather gives the cops a legitimate description, they’re going to find her before he does, and he doesn’t want that. She says, if? Does he think she’s lying? He says, that’s been known to happen. How does he know she’s not making it up to stay out of D’Archam for as long as possible? Some fake description she can sell to the cops. She says, no way. She remembers that guy clear as day. He was five-tennish, blue eyes, nice build. She can’t remember his hair because he was wearing a hat, but he’s probably a blond, very cute. She’d recognize him immediately if she saw him again. Sonny says, that’s unfortunate.

Anna says she doesn’t want to hurt Martin. She doesn’t have time for this. Whitten has a lead on her whereabouts, and could be here any minute. Martin says, then they best get a move on, and both Anna and Valentin protest. Valentin says, he’ll slow them down, but Martin says he disagrees. He’s extremely motivated. He will not rest until Lucy’s killer is both captured and brought to justice. Anna says, oh for God’s sake. They have reason to believe Lucy is still alive. She has no time to explain, but the best chance he has of seeing Lucy alive again is to let them get out. Martin asks if they can at least tell him why they think she’s alive, but Anna says, no, and Valentin peeks out the window. He says, there’s a car coming up the driveway with no lights on, and she says, Whitten. He says, they have to go out the back, and Martin asks why they don’t pretend they’re not here. Anna says, the lights are on, and Valentin asks, where’s Martin’s car? Martin says, down the road, and Anna says, give her the keys. Martin hands them to her, when there’s a knock at the door. Whitten says, open up. US Marshall.

Outside, Whitten tells an agent to have his men search the grounds, but the agent asks if they don’t need a warrant. Whitten says he’ll take the heat, and bangs on the door again, saying, open up. Martin answers, and Whitten and the agent barge in. Martin asks, what’s going on? and Whitten says, where’s Anna Devane? Martin says he has no idea, and Whitten asks what he’s doing in Ireland. Martin says he could ask Whitten the same question. Wait. He did, and he’s still waiting for an answer. How dare they? He has nothing to hide. He’s here to grieve. He thought a manor house in the Irish countryside would be the perfect place to make peace with his Lucy’s passing. Whitten asks if Martin expects him to believe he’s here on vacation, and Martin says, more of an emotional retreat. Whitten tells the agent, search the house.

Spencer says he doesn’t know why he came here. Nikolas is the one who betrayed him. He should be begging Spencer’s forgiveness, and instead, he’s slamming the door in Spencer’s face. Victor says he’s sure that’s not what Nikolas meant, and Nikolas says he’s just being pragmatic. He and Spencer can’t be in the same room without Spencer going for his throat. Spencer says, so he’s to blame for Nikolas kicking him to the curb? and Nikolas tells him, he didn’t say that, but Spencer’s proving his point. He’s trying to salvage their relationship. Right now it’s too volatile, and too soon to cohabitate. Spencer asks if Nikolas hears himself, and Nikolas says, they have to maintain some distance. Victor says, but it’s Christmas, and Spencer’s early release is conditional. He had to assume full responsibility for Spencer until the end of his sentence, which means he has to keep Spencer close. Nikolas says, then he assumes Victor will have to leave too.

Heather asks what Sonny is saying exactly. He doesn’t want her to recognize this guard? He says he’ll explain it. The cops can’t find Anna, and he wants to keep it that way. If she says anything that can help them… Let him explain something to her. Prisons are very violent, even minimum security prisons. Things happen. She says she gets it. She hates to admit it, but she’s not really good with faces. She gets the guards mixed up all the time. As a matter-of-fact, the description she gave him, she’s pretty sure it was one of the nurses at GH; there were so many guys coming in and out of her room all the time. He smiles, and says, good. He’ll let her rest. She says she probably doesn’t have anything to offer the cops anyway. He tells her to take care of herself, since no one else will, and leaves.

Jordan says she understands Ryan has taken an active interest in the media coverage of The Hook attacks, including this letter. She takes it out of a folder, and asks if he thinks it’s genuine. Could Esme have written it? The caregiver says, yes and no, and Ava says, as much as she enjoys seeing Ryan trapped in that chair like a beetle pinned to a board, she has other things to do. Answer the Commissioner’s question; yes or no? Ryan blinks, and the caregiver says, both. Ava suggests they try another time; maybe Ryan will be more cooperative. The caregiver says, wait. He’s got a lot to say. Jordan and Ava step away, and Jordan says she appreciates Ava’s help with the questioning. She knows this is hard. Ava says, just looking at him makes her skin crawl. Of course (🍷) she’ll do whatever’s necessary to protect Trina. Jordan says, if the killer is Esme, so far she hasn’t made any direct moves on Trina. The Hook seems to be focused on tormenting Trina by targeting the people around her. Ava says, once all those people are dealt with, Trina will be left. The caregiver says, Mr. Chamberlain is finished, and they come back. He tells them, Ryan says, the killer wrote the letter, but Esme is not the killer. Look at the wording; me and mine. Esme has no one, feels completely alone. The caregiver looks at Ava, and says, Mr. Chamberlain had one last thing to say. Why are you still wearing your wedding ring when it’s obvious you and Nikolas are over? Come back to me.

Elizabeth says she can’t talk about Reiko with Finn. If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t have lost his wife. He says he can’t blame her for what happened, and she says, how could he not? How can he look at her and not see the person who killed his wife? He says, she didn’t kill Reiko. Reiko contracted a disease he couldn’t cure. She says, the facts don’t change how she feels. She feels responsible, and doesn’t feel they can get past this. He says he’d like to think they can, and she says she knows he’s very logical, but he says he doesn’t care about being logical. He just wants to do what he feels in his heart, and the only thing he feels if that he loves her.

The agent says, the grounds are already covered, and Whitten tells him to check for any signs of Devane upstairs, but Martin says, no you don’t. He may not be a practicing attorney in Ireland, but he’s pretty sure they need a court obtained warrant to burst in here and turn things upside down. Do they have one? Whitten asks if he’s the owner of this house, and Martin says, yes. Whitten says, interesting. He happens to know that Tiffany Hill, a known associate of Anna Devane, owns this property, and Martin says, let him finish. If Whitten had allowed him to continue, he would have clarified that he’s acting on behalf of the owner. Miss Hill is a client of his, and that’s how he found out about this house in the first place. Now may he see that warrant? He holds out his hand, and the agent says, they don’t have a warrant, but Whitten says, they can get one. Martin says, then he suggests they wait on the other side of the door until they do, because he didn’t give them permission to come in here. The agent says he has to call this in, and Whitten says, make it fast. The agent leaves, and Martin says, Whitten can close the door on his way out. Whitten puts his hand on his gun, and says, Martin doesn’t know him, so perhaps Martin doesn’t realize standing in his way is a bad move. He’ll give Martin one more chance. Tell him where Anna Devane is right now.

Ava says, her marriage is none of Ryan’s business. Where is he getting this stuff? Has the staff taken to gossiping with the inmates? The caregiver says, Mr. Chamberlain likes to keep up with the news, and some of the online sites mentioned that Ava didn’t go home after her hospital release. Ava tells him not to waste his time with that trash. Certainly don’t feed it to Ryan. Sonny comes in, and Jordan asks if Ava will be all right for a moment. Ava says, of course (🍷). What can Ryan do to her? Jordan goes over to Sonny, and asks, what brings him to Spring Ridge? Sonny says he met with the warden. He’s thinking of funding a continuing educational program. She says, isn’t he quite the philanthropist? and he says he always gives back. Ava says, don’t look so smug, and the caregiver says he’s just translating what Ryan is saying. She says, not him; Ryan. He’s enjoying this, isn’t he? But he’s wrong. She and Nikolas are just fine. Here’s a little nugget the gossip sites didn’t tell him. She leans closer, and says she loves Nikolas. She’s crazy about him, and she never cared for Ryan at all.

Finn says, right now the only thing knows for sure is, he loves Elizabeth, and she says she loves him too. He says, that’s a pretty good start, and she glances at the bottle of vitamins on Terry’s desk. She flashes back to telling Nikolas that he’s going to need a nurse when Esme gives birth, and says she doesn’t deserve Finn’s love. She’s done things… He says, she deserves everything. He knows she grew up thinking her parents abandoned her, so it’s easy to feel like she doesn’t deserve love. She says she was sure her parents gave up on her because there was something wrong with her, and he says, there’s nothing wrong with her. He’s sorry she ever had to feel that way, but at least now she knows it’s not true. Although her parents were misguided, their intentions were good. She says, intentions and actions are two totally different things. He’s also been betrayed in his past. His dad married Jackie, Hayden kept Violet from him, and now thanks to her, he knows Reiko cheated on him. Is he really willing to do this again?

Trina asks what Rory is doing on Christmas, and he says, working. She says, on Christmas day? and he says, rookie. It’s okay. His family is getting together on Christmas Eve. She says she loves that. She knows he has a big family. He says, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles. His youngest cousins usually wear him out playing tag. Somehow, he’s always It. She wonders how that happens, and he says, they’re maniacs, but they’re a lot of fun. It’s pretty casual. People come in the afternoon, lots of food… She says, it sounds like fun, and he says, it is. Would she like to come with him?

Spencer says, Nikolas is right. He’ll grab a suite at the MetroCourt. Nikolas says, his treat, but Victor says, that is ridiculous. He just moved out of the MetroCourt. He just settled in here. Spencer says, then Victor can stay here; he’ll go alone. Victor says, that won’t work either. Spencer is his responsibility until the end of his sentence. Spencer says he doesn’t care. He’ll go back to Pentenville if he has to, but he’s not staying where he’s not welcome. Victor suggests he take Spencer to the Port Charles Grill, and Spencer asks if they have rooms to rent above it like they do at Kelly’s. Victor says, no, but they do have dinner. After months of prison food, he’s sure Spencer would enjoy a lamp chop or two, and mashed potatoes made with actual potatoes. He asks Nikolas to join them, but Nikolas says, no, for the same reason he’s saying no to Spencer staying here. They’re not ready. He wants his son home, but only if Spencer wants to be here, and only if they can finally put the hostility aside, and come to some sort of common ground, and build back the relationship they used to have. Spencer says, okay then, and he and Victor leave. Nikolas says, damn you, Esme, and smashes a vase.

Martin asks if Whitten is threatening him, and Whitten says, tell him where Anna Devane is. Martin asks if Whitten seriously expects him to believe he’ll open fire here in the middle of the drawing room, and Whitten says he doesn’t have to kill Martin. A bullet to the knee is… Martin says, he’s not resisting anything, but Whitten says, it’s Martin’s word against his. Martin says, he knows nothing; he’s simply here to grieve. Valentin says, stop, and walks out with his hands up. He says, Martin’s right; he knows nothing. In fact, he’s an idiot. He followed Valentin to Ireland. Valentin came here looking for Anna, hoping she’d turn to Tiffany for help; he was wrong. Whitten asks if Valentin expects him to believe that, when Anna puts a gun in his back, and says, maybe he’ll believe this. Take his hand off the gun, and put his hands where she can see them. Whitten raises his hands, and says, there’s a squad of WSB agents outside. They’re not getting away. Valentin wonders why he doesn’t think Whitten brought a squad, but Whitten says he brought enough. They’re not going anywhere. Anna says she’ll have to disagree with him, and hits him with the butt of her gun, knocking him out. Martin says, that’s gonna leave a mark, and thanks them for the save. Anna thanks him for stalling. He’s not getting up for a bit. Valentin says, they have to deal with the agents outside, and Martin asks how they’re going to do that. Anna suggests they invite them in.

Trina says, Rory wants her to meet his folks? and he says he’s met hers. Why shouldn’t she meet his? It’s not like he’s bringing her over for an inspection. The house will be full of people coming and going, and they don’t have to stay long. It’s really not that big of a deal. People bring friends over all the time. He’ll let her win at tag. She asks how you win at tag, and he says, the way his maniac cousins play, the first kid to end up at the top of the heap after they all turn on It and take him down, is the winner. She says, now that she wants to see, and he asks if that means she’ll come. She says, count her in.

Finn tells Elizabeth, they’ve both been hurt, and been damaged. That’s why they need to hang on to the good things in their lives. She says she’s lied to him and kept things from him. How can he just forgive her? He says, because she’s worth it. Maybe she’s the reward for all the past pain. She says she’s far from perfect, but he says he doesn’t want perfect. He just wants someone to walk through this life with. He knows she’d make it better just by being there to experience it with him. She says she wants that so much, and he says, she can have it.

Jordan asks if everything is okay, and Ava says, they’re just shooting the breeze. Sonny says he doesn’t know how she can look at that piece of garbage, and Jordan says, Ava is also giving back. She tells the caregiver that they’re done for tonight, and to return Ryan to his room. Sonny says, buh-bye, as Ryan is wheeled away, and Ava tells him that she’s here to entice Ryan to cooperate with the police. Jordan says, they’re developing a profile on Esme Prince. She was an intern here, and developed an interest in Ryan, and he certainly knows how a killer’s mind works. Sonny says, no argument here, and Ava asks if Jordan thinks Ryan is right about the use of me and mine. Jordan tells Sonny, they showed Ryan the letter supposedly written by the killer, and Ava says, he doesn’t think Esme wrote it because of the phrase me and mine. He thinks Esme is too much of a loner to refer to anybody else in her life, and she thinks he has a point. She was always playing the lonely orphan for sympathy. Jordan says, it’s certainly worth considering, and Sonny says, so she doesn’t think Esme Prince is the killer?  

Martin yells for help, and the agents run in. He says, thank heaven they’re still here. Whitten just fell over. An agent asks, what happened? but Martin says he doesn’t know. He just collapsed. Maybe he had a stroke or a heart attack. He doesn’t know; he’s not a doctor. Whitten struggles to get up, saying, stop, but Martin pushes his head back to the floor, and says, stay down. He needs an ambulance.

Anna and Valentin sneak around outside. She tells him to wait for the agent to go, and he says, it looks like Marty did a good job of luring the agents into the house. She says, it’s the least he can do, since he led Whitten right to them. Valentin says, at least now they can do what she wanted to do; go after Victor. She says, together. Okay, let’s go. They run.

Whitten says, his head, and Martin says he’ll need a judge’s ruling on this one. Should he be moving? Whitten says, arrest this man.

Elizabeth says, so much has happened, and Finn says he wants to move forward with her. Not ignoring the past, but fighting for their future. Elizabeth’s phone rings, and he says, it might be Aiden or Jake, but she sees it’s Nikolas. She says she’ll deal with Nikolas later. She knows Finn and Nikolas don’t get along, but she and Nikolas have always been there for each other. He asks if she’s sure she can trust Nikolas, and she says, he’s one of her oldest friends. Finn says, he just got kind of a strange vibe from Nikolas when he saw him earlier. She says, he saw Nikolas? and he says he went to Spoon Island. She asks, why? and he says he was looking for Esme Prince.

Leaving a message for Elizabeth, Nikolas says, for now he dodged a bullet, but things are still complicated. Hopefully Spencer can convince Victor to take up residency at the MetroCourt, and leave him alone with his… guest. Call him.

Trina says, she and Rory will have to stop holding hands to dive into this delicious dessert. He says he’s glad she’s having a good time, and she says she is. This is so thoughtful of him. He makes her feel so special. He says, that’s because she is, and she says, so is he; incredibly so. He says he’s glad she thinks so because he loves her. She says, pardon? and he says he loves her, as Spencer walks in with Victor.

Ava tells Jordan that she’d wait before closing the file on Esme. Anything Ryan says is suspect. Jordan says she’s aware, but he picked up on something her people have been working on; that wording in the letter. Ava asks if Jordan thinks it wasn’t Esme who attacked her, but Jordan says, it’s too soon to focus on Esme exclusively. They’re working on another line of inquiry. They’ll be in touch if they need to speak with Ryan again. Good job tonight. Have a nice evening. She leaves, and Sonny asks if she’s done contributing to society, especially when it comes to Ryan, and she says, spending time with him was harder than she thought it would be. He says, don’t let that freak get in her head. Because when he walked in, she was a little jumpy and stuff, and maybe Ryan saw it too. She says, Ryan heard some gossip that she and Nikolas are having problems, and he says, it’s not just gossip. She and Nina are supposed to be living together. Isn’t that a done deal? Let him explain this to her. Nikolas Cassadine is bad news. She’s got to cut loose. He leaves.  

Ryan clenches and unclenches his fist, and says, Esme, where the hell are you? What have you gotten yourself into now? The door handle rattles, and Ryan goes back to his locked-in look. Someone wearing a bathrobe comes inside and closes the door. Heather says, hello… lover.

Tomorrow, Finn tells Elizabeth that he’s even more convinced he’s on the right track; Heather says, her and Ryan together again for the first time; Nina says she can take it if Josslyn can; and Sonny tells Dex, some mistakes are too big to make.

❄️ On the misery that is Winter House, Amanda felt that Carl didn’t have the whole truth about Lindsay, and Kyle bugged Austen about Carl needing the truth. In Ciara’s interview, she said, with Austen comes drama. Even the best cleaning lady couldn’t clean up his mess. Jason and Rachel – the only halfway sane ones in the house – snuggled at the bar. In Amanda’s interview, she said, all of them had the information, and everyone was talking about it, but Lindsay and Carl didn’t know. It was awkward. Not being able to help herself, Amada told Lindsay that she’d heard rumblings, and Lindsay asked what the rumor mill was grinding up. Amanda said, it wasn’t a rumor; it was coming from Austen. He said, on Amanda and Kyle’s wedding night, Lindsay tried to touch his d*ck, and then Lindsay texted him not to tell anyone. I can barely type that; it’s like something from a middle school cast party after the spring play. Lindsay said, that didn’t happen, and Amanda said she was just giving Lindsay the information. Lindsay said, Amanda’s delivery was kind of aggressive, and in Lindsay’s interview, she said she passed out with a bottle of red in one hand and McDonald’s in the other. She had no third hand to touch Austen’s d*ck. Talking with the other girls, Jess wondered if she had on goggles, or was Kory attractive? and Craig talked nonsense as usual. Lindsay confronted Austen, who quickly changed the particulars of the story to, Lindsay had made an advance for his d*ck. We saw the video rewind, and Austen clearly saying he had to move her hand off. Luke came right out and asked if Lindsay had tried to grab Austen’s d*ck, and she said, in the middle of eating McDonald’s? which seemed to be a query from nearly everyone. Apparently, McDonald’s is considered the anti-aphrodisiac. In Austen’s interview, he said, Lindsay not copping to it meant Carl didn’t know, and it sucked that it was brought up. It wasn’t brought up; he brought it up. Carl joined them, and Lindsay said, putting her hand on Austen’s leg had turned into her putting it on his d*ck. Kyle pointed out that a d*ck and a leg are two different things, and Carl said, it must have been a busy night. In Carl’s interview, he said Austen was sometimes still an immature f***boy. (Sometimes?) He wasn’t concerned with what happened before he and Lindsay were officially dating, and was secure where they were. It was old news. Lindsay said she had no recollection of an advance on Austen’s pee-pee, and in his interview, Austen said he wanted to go back in time and slap himself in the face. I’d slap his face at any moment in time.  

Jess wondered why Kory wasn’t making more of an effort, and he said he didn’t think 2 am while drunk was a good time to talk about the relationship. Amanda told Kyle she loved him, and he said he loved maple syrup. I am not kidding. One more example of why no one should watch this, me included. In Carl’s interview, he said he loved a winter get-together, and was excited to show everyone the new versions of him and Lindsay, but now he was ready to get out. In Lindsay’s interview, she said, it was a different experience than last year, and we flashed back to that mess. She had fun, and that’s all she cared about. Kory talked to some people about the gym he was opening in Charlotte, and said he was planning on moving in the early spring. Hmm… Just in time for the new season of Southern Charm? In Kyle’s interview, he explained that Gaper Day was an opportunity for people who knew how to ski to make fun of the people who didn’t. It was his favorite day on the mountain. No surprise, since he’s 14. They dressed in stupid costumes, and headed to the slopes. Talking to the girls, Rachel said she wasn’t sure if she and Jason would see each other after Vermont. She was in Brooklyn, and he was in Harlem; it was a long distance relationship on its own. Jess told Jason (why him, I have no clue) that she wanted to be exclusive with Kory, and in Jason’s interview, he said, all the signs were pointing to a fun time, but maybe not a long fun time. He suggested she take it slow and keep it light, but she said she didn’t want to. Kory discussed the same topic with Austen – another why; it’s not like he’s any relationship guru – and it sounded like he wasn’t interested in exclusivity just yet.  

At lunch, the girls discussed having kids, making me shudder at another generation of housemates. Rachel said she was going to die in the city (NYC to those not in the know), and Paige said she never saw having kids in the city or moving to the surrounding areas, but she didn’t know if she could adapt to Charleston. In her interview, she said, it was all florals, and a lot of smiling, and no one wears black. She never saw anyone in a black leather pant, and that was her whole personality. After they reconvened for the evening drinking, Austen told Ciara to drink her shot, she said, don’t tell her what to do, and Paige said, that was her cue to go. Jess whined to Kyle that people were trying to minimize what she and Kory had, and instead of telling her what Kory said, Kyle told her to trust her heart. Even if she got hurt, at least she put it out there. Takeout sushi arrived, and Amanda wanted to play a truth drinking game. This sounded like an awful idea, but it didn’t quite happen.

Austen asked, when was the last time everyone had sex? and when Ciara said, just before Vermont, he got all mad that he couldn’t bring his girl there, but Ciara got to bang whoever she wanted. In Ciara’s interview, she said she was confused. What was Austen yelling about? Did he think he was the last person she had sex with? Amanda said, it was a drinking game, not an argument, apparently forgetting what show she’s on. Austen said, there was hypocrisy in the house, like it was a British mystery, and in his interview, he said, if Ciara had brought someone,  he would have been polite, but him bringing Olivia was disrespectful to Ciara. This made no sense, since Ciara didn’t bring anyone, and that wasn’t her point. In her interview, Ciara said, if Austen didn’t act like an a-hole, Olivia could have come. Paige said, Austen let Lindsay get away with everything, and he hadn’t talked to Ciara in four months. In Paige’s interview, she said, the night of the dog wedding, Austen said he was done with Olivia. Since she was seeing other people, he was going to see other people, adding, he didn’t even like Olivia that much. He and Ciara slept together, and the next day, he ghosted Ciara, and went back to Olivia. Don’t come to the house and get mad at Ciara hooking up with someone. Ciara stormed off, and Amanda demanded Austen apologize. Hoping to get a pat on the head, Austen tried, but Ciara wasn’t having it. She said he was always coming at her, taking every opportunity. She told him to get the f*** out. All she did was defend him, and he made her look like an idiot. Then she called him a f***ing a-hole, slamming her bedroom door, and saying she was done with his apologies.

Everyone was pretty much done at that point, and headed for their rooms. Austen pouted, and said, everyone was lame; this night was a dud. Ciara told Paige that Austen had f***ing nerve, and Kyle told Amanda about what he’d discussed with Jess. Amanda said, Jess had been going back and forth, but she’d speak up if people were talking negatively about her and Kory. The next day, a bike skiing excursion was planned, but the girls weren’t interested. This included Craig, who was joined to Paige’s hip. Jess decided to stick with the boys, and in her interview, she said, it was hitting her that the trip was going to be over, so she wanted to spend as much time with Kory as possible. I never heard of bike skiing, but it was literally the front of a bike on skis, which looked easier than regular skiing, since there’s something to lean on. The girls and Craig went to a wine tasting, and Rachel said it was Jess’s birthday tomorrow. Amanda said Jess was upset that everyone wasn’t being supportive of her and Kory, especially Paige and Jason, which was news to Paige. Rachel told them, Jess had said she got all the guys because she was pretty, but girls like Rachel kept them, playing on Rachel’s insecurities. Craig said, Jess was L.A. catty.

Getting back together after their excursions, Kyle said blah-blah-blah, shredding the gnar, and Amanda asked what everyone would miss most. Craig said, the mini fridge, and Amanda said, Craig started off angry. We flashed back to that, and Craig said he just didn’t like to be told what to do. Amanda said he seemed like himself again – not that they didn’t like all sides of him. Ciara said, but they didn’t, and Craig said he came to understand he was an extension of Paige. Rachel said she liked riding downhill on Jason’s back, and because the attention was off of him, Craig asked how Paige felt about spending all that time with him. She said she liked going to bed and waking up with him, but didn’t account for the time in between, and Craig said he didn’t want to leave. He couldn’t figure out Austen, and everyone agreed Austen could get into a dark place and take it out on other people. Ciara said he was continuously doing it to her, and Craig said, it was unfair. Ciara said she was at the point where she didn’t need any kind of relationship with Austen, including friendship.

Next time, Kory isn’t sure about going from zero to dating in two weeks; Jess tells Kory that she’d like to be exclusive; Rachel tells everyone that said she couldn’t get guys because she has no t*ts or ass; and Ciara says, it’s not worth Austen coming at her – she’s done. And it’s the finale! Woohoo. Oh wait… Summer House.

👒 Elsie Mae Krumholtz To You…

In case you don’t know her, all about Tiffany.

🎭 For Her Direction…

Proving there’s life after GH.

✍🏼 A First…

Proving there’s life in addition to GH.

🙌🏼 Happy To Be Here…

It’s nice to be appreciated.

💰 Latest On Listing…

I’ll miss Fredrik, but I get it.

https://people.com/home/mdlla-tracy-tutor-reaction-fredrik-eklund-departure-season-14-exclusive/

The interest rates are up, but the prices aren’t down.

https://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-listing-los-angeles/photos/listing-recap-so-many-demands-so-little-time#10567601

A little crossover never hurt anyone.

🎁 Not Shooting My Eye Out…

Tomorrow, join me for soap, tea, words deserving of attention, and a musical oeuvre. Until then, stay safe, stay being respectful of others’ beliefs and traditions, and stay hanging on to the good things in your life.

December 7, 2022 – Spencer Gets a Conditional Release, Salty Talk, New Materials, Addams Adaptions, Puppies (!) & Remember

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

County Kerry, Ireland. Valentin walks into a dark house and calls for Tiffany. Anna comes up behind him, putting her hand on the back of his neck. She says, hello stranger, and he says, hello darling, and they kiss.

Robert lets Felicia and Laura into his office, and says, they can speak freely. He’s had the place checked for bugs. Laura asks if he does that often, and he says, on the regular. He asks where the wonderful Deputy Mayor thinks Laura is, and Laura says, Ashby thinks she’s meeting with campaign donors, and she sent Ashby to a rezoning meeting, so she’ll be handling questions from Laura’s constituents for hours. They laugh, and Felicia says, in the meantime, don’t hate her, but she told Valentin that Lucy is alive. He’s going to try to find her, so Anna can come home. Robert says, that was a dangerous move to make. However, Valentin looking for Lucy leaves them free to go after Victor, and make him pay for what he did to Luke, Holly, and any other poor bugger who crossed his path.

Spencer says he didn’t expect to see Victor today, and Victor hopes it’s a pleasant surprise. Cyrus says he’ll leave them to their visit, but Victor says, please, do stay. He has some news about his great nephew’s future. He called in some favors, and Spencer is getting out – today.

As they go into the PC Grill, Sam asks if Dante can believe it; both of them getting off in time for happy hour. He says, maybe they broke one of the seals of the Apocalypse, and kisses her in case it’s their last one. They go inside, and Cody is at the bar, half in the bag, toasting to new adventures. Sam tells Dante, he was saying? Dante says, very funny, and they go over to the bar. Cody says, Dante’s here! He wants Dante to meet some of his new friends. The other guys at the bar have disappeared, but Cody says, they’ll be back, and Dante asks if everything is okay. Cody says, not one damn thing – he drains his beer glass – but he’s made a decision. He’s leaving town. He knows what Dante is going to say, but this time he’s serious. There’s nothing keeping him in Port Charles; not anymore.

On the phone, Britt says she’s looking into renting out the Haunted Star for New Year’s Eve… That’s right. She wants to buy it out for the whole night… Not to worry. Money is not a problem… That’s right. Party like there’s no tomorrow. So they don’t already have a boatload of reservations?

Elizabeth asks what Jeff is doing here, and he says he took a chance showing up where she worked since she won’t let him into her house. He came to tell her that he’s leaving in the morning. She asks, why not just go and not say anything? and he says he promises to get out of her hair. Just hear him out one last time. It’s important. She glances at the bottle of prenatal vitamins in her hand.

Nikolas tells Finn that it isn’t a good time, but Finn says he’ll make it quick. It’s about Esme Prince.

Anna puts a blanket on Valentin, and says, it’s still freezing, isn’t it? That’s the downside of 18th century construction. They didn’t think of central heating. He uses the blanket to dry his hair, and she says, he’s here, but distant. He says he’s happy to see her… She says, but… and he says, Felicia told him that Tiffany is helping her, but his coming here was a mistake; it’s too risky. She says, he travels to Europe all the time for business. He has the perfect cover. He says he wanted to see her, but this is dangerous, and she says she thought it was important, especially after Holly’s accident. For God’s sake, what is going on in Port Charles?

Robert says, here’s what we know. Victor coerced Holly into stealing the necklace for him. Laura says, so they can assume this portion of the Ice Princess is somehow crucial to his plan, but to what end? (Victor’s plan is like Sonny’s business – no one quite knows what it is.) She’s spent some time online, and it’s amazing. Diamonds are used for so many things; lasers, monitoring cancer, artificial visual technologies, specialized audio… It could be anything. Felicia says she can think of one way to narrow it down, and takes something out of her bag. Laura asks if she always carries a jeweler’s loop, or is this a special occasion? Felicia says, maybe there’s some detail in the pieces of the diamond that none of them has discovered… yet.

Spencer asks if he’s really going home today, and Victor says, they’re processing his release as they speak. Spencer asks, how? and Victor says he revisited a few old connections, and told them how Esme had been threatening Spencer’s loved ones. He persuaded them that it would be best for Spencer to spend time with his family during these troubling times. Spencer says he can’t believe Victor went through all this trouble for him, and Cyrus says, indeed, Victor’s efforts on young Spencer’s behalf are uncharacteristically generous. Who so boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. Victor says, then call him rainmaker. He’s afraid it’s not an unconditional release. There are certain restrictions. Spencer says he can live with anything if he’s not behind bars, and Victor says he knows they had their differences the last time he visited, so please, consider this his attempt to make almonds amends. He hopes it proves, once and for all, that he really does have Spencer’s best interest at heart… no matter what others want Spencer to believe. Now let’s get him out of this wretched place.

Dante asks why Cody’s leaving town. What about his inheritance? What about Britt? Cody laughs, and Dante asks what he did. Cody says, why does Dante assume it’s his fault? Dante asks if Cody is saying it wasn’t him. He guesses there is a first time for everything. Cody says, he wants the truth? Britt was being ridiculous and unreasonable. Dante says, about what? and Cody tells him, Britt said she was miserable about something she inherited; something her father gave her. So he said, you don’t want it? Give it to me. You don’t want, I do. Win-win. He thought she was talking about the necklace, but his mistake. Dante asks what she was talking about, but Cody says he doesn’t know. Something is going on with Britt. Whatever she’s dealing with is heavy. But whatever. The necklace is gone, Britt’s gone – he looks at his glass – this beer’s gone. Dante says he’ll get Cody something, and Cody yells, bartender, next round’s on this guy! as Dante gets up. Dante says, no, a coffee is. Cody tells Sam, go ahead. He’s sure she has something to say. She tells him, just one thing. Him getting out of Port Charles for good sounds like a helluva idea to her.

Jeff tells Elizabeth that he wouldn’t have come here if it wasn’t important. Please just hear him out. She says, nothing’s changed. She can’t imagine what’s left to say. Terry asks if everything is okay here, and Jeff says, it’s nice to see her again. It seems like she’s always running interference for his daughter. Terry starts to respond, but Jeff interrupts, saying, he’s just glad to see someone is looking out for his daughter. He tells Elizabeth, please, just a few minutes. Then he’ll be out of his life forever if that’s what she wants.

Nikolas lets Finn inside, and says, what about Esme? Has she been spotted? Finn says, no, that’s part of the problem, and Nikolas says he’d think everyone would be happy to never lay eyes on Esme again. Finn says, she’s the one who’s been terrorizing Port Charles. Her victims would like to see her locked up, including Elizabeth. Nikolas says, of course (🍷). He didn’t mean to sound callous, but it seems like the attacks have stopped as of late. Maybe Esme’s altercation with Elizabeth scared her out of town, and she’s packing up her hook for good. Finn says he thinks she’s still in town, and has the feeling she’s closer than Nikolas thinks. Nikolas says, if Esme were still in town, surely the PCPD would have found her by now, and Finn says, she’s pretty good at flying under the radar, right? And don’t call me Shirley. Nikolas says, Finn has a point, but he doesn’t see how he fits in, and Finn says, what if Esme is on Spoon Island?

Spencer thanks Cyrus for looking out for him, and Cyrus says, Spencer is his family. He’ll always look out for him. Spencer says, it might be hard from in here, and Cyrus says, God is always watching. And if Spencer feels so compelled, come visit. Or if Spencer would rather not see the inside of these walls again, by all means, write to him. They shake hands, and Cyrus tells Spencer, please let him know if he decides to give half his gift to the one who has his heart. Victor says, yes, yes, very nice, but the guard has been more than patient. It’s time to go. He’ll see Spencer on the other side. Spencer thanks Cyrus and Victor again, and says, without the two of them, who knows what might have happened? He leaves with the guard, and Cyrus tells Victor, lovely to see him again. Victor says, did he or did he not warn Cyrus to stay away from his nephew? and Cyrus says, our nephew.

Cody says, Sam doesn’t like him much, does she? and she asks, what gave that away? She’s not Britt’s biggest fan, but Cody did trick her into a relationship to find that necklace. He says, that necklace was his birthright. At least until it went up in flames. She says she doesn’t know about that. Given the records she found on him, she doesn’t think it was a late in life decision to start doing shady things. He asks what that’s supposed to mean, and she says, forget it. He tells her, if she has something to say… but she says, Forget. It. Dante returns, saying, one coffee for you, putting the cup in front of Cody. Sam’s phone dings, and she steps away to make a call.

Elizabeth tells Jeff, Terry was kind enough to let them use her office, so let’s return the favor and keep this brief. He thanks her for this chance, and says he fully intended to respect her boundaries, but since he’s leaving… She says, he didn’t have to keep his word? but he says, no. He came here today because he saw himself for the first time, and didn’t like what he saw. She asks, what brought on this revelation? and he says he went to see Heather Webber this morning. He heard she had a run-in with his grandson. He needed to make sure she wasn’t a danger to anyone in their family, but talking to Heather made him face some things about himself; things he’s not proud of. She says she’s listening, and he says, instead of acknowledging his shortfalls, and taking responsibility for them and making almonds amends, he runs away. He lies to and deceives the people who care about him, and denies any wrongdoing; he makes them think it’s all in their head. She says, so when he told her that he brainwashed her for her own good, what he really meant was, it was for his own good. He says, he and her mother truly did what they thought was best to protect her, but there’s no denying that be sending her away, he was running again. Now he sees he was wrong, and he’s sorry.

Nikolas asks Finn, why in the world would Esme be here? She knows she has no friends here. Finn says, she attacked Elizabeth on the pier when Elizabeth was on her way to see Nikolas. That got him thinking, maybe Esme is hiding out somewhere secluded. She used to live here, and knows the ins and outs of this place. Nikolas says, he has a full staff here, including security. He would at least know if Esme was in his house. Finn says, right, but there’s plenty of places outside she could hide. Did he search the entire property? Nikolas says, if Esme was here, he would know about it, and Finn says, maybe he needs to look again. Nikolas asks when Finn was deputized. The PCPD hasn’t even been here since Esme became a person of interest in the hook attacks. Finn says, all he’s asking is, is it possible Esme could be here without Nikolas knowing it? He’s concerned about Elizabeth’s safety. He just wants to get to the bottom of this. Nikolas asks if there’s still tension going on between Finn and Elizabeth. Is that why Finn is feeling such a keen desire to play the hero? Finn says, this has nothing to do with being a hero. This was a mistake. He thought he’d give Nikolas the courtesy of coming to see him in good faith, but Nikolas doesn’t deserve it. Finn opens the door, and says, the cops could search this place better than he could anyway. Nikolas says he’s sorry, and Finn stops, turning around. Nikolas says he cares about Elizabeth too, and wants to see the attacker caught. He’ll talk to his staff. Wait here. Finn goes back inside, and sees the empty vitamin bottle as I knew he would.

Elizabeth tells Jeff, she honestly doesn’t know how to feel right now. Part of her has waited a lifetime for him to admit what he and her mom did was wrong. It was such a betrayal. He says he understands that now, and she says, all the times he claimed her was protecting her, he was really just protecting himself from being held accountable. He says he didn’t see that at the time, but now he realizes he was trying to have it both ways, He convinced himself that he was saving her life, but he was also saving himself from taking responsibility for having an affair, and Elizabeth’s emotional trauma at seeing him with another woman, and everything that followed. He missed years of her life. Not just the dark painful times when she needed her family the most, but also the good times, when she could have felt how much he and her mother truly love her. Instead, he convinced Carolyn that the best way to save Elizabeth and preserve their family was by sending her away. He didn’t give Elizabeth an explanation, but allowed that distance to grow. He failed at his responsibilities as a father, and he was wrong. He wishes he could take it back. She says, but he can’t. Nothing he says or does will ever take away the damage he did to her.

Britt sees Terry, and says, hey, Co-Chief. Terry says, someone is downright friendly today, and Britt says she’s planning her birthday party. What are Terry and Yuri doing New Year’s Eve? Terry says she had no idea Britt’s birthday was coming up. Does this mean she wasn’t invited last year? Britt says she never makes a big deal about her birthday; she’s never even had a party. But this year, she decided to do it up. There’s going to be a photobooth, and dancing, and an open bar. Hell, she’s even thinking of renting a red carpet. It’s going to be the party of the century. Terry says she’s there, and thanks Britt for inviting her. Britt says she can’t imagine celebrating without Terry. She knows they were at each other’s throats when they started out as Co-Chief, but now the idea of this without her… it’s not as appealing as it once was. Terry says, against all odds, they make a great team, and Britt says, it seems that Monica was right all along. Terry says she’s glad they stuck it out for the long haul, and asks Britt where this is coming from.

Cody asks if Dante believes in karma, and Dante says, does he? Cody says, for a second there, it looked like everything was going great for him. He thought, this is it; it’s finally his time to get everything he wants; an inheritance, Britt. He was really happy with it too. Then it all went to hell overnight. Dante says, and he thinks it was karma? and Cody says, probably. Dante says, tell him this then. What could Cody have possibly done to deserve all that?

Victor says, make no mistake. He and Cyrus may share a family, but they’re not family. Cyrus says, family or no, he serves a higher power, and Victor says, then he’d be familiar with the tale of the fruit from the poisonous tree. Cyrus says, the legal concept kept him out of prison for decades. As for the parable, what does that have to do with anything? Victor says he won’t allow Cyrus’s venomous lies to corrupt his nephew, and Cyrus asks what lies he’s referring to. As far as he knows, he’s uttered no falsehoods against Victor. Victor says, that’s exactly his point; Cyrus doesn’t know anything. So it’s best not speak on such matters unless he does. Cyrus says, one of them is clearly false, and they both know it’s not him. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Victor asks if that’s Cyrus’s way of threatening him, but Cyrus says, it’s not for him to assign punishment. That’s in God’s hands. Victor says, fortunately, since he’s arranged for Spencer’s release, Cyrus’s influence on his nephew comes to an end. And he sincerely hopes Spencer never lays eyes on Cyrus again. But if he does, even Cyrus’s God won’t be able to save him.

Felicia looks at the necklace through the loop, and says, there’s a series of numbers and letters on this diamond. Laura says, that’s probably just a serial number; all diamonds have them these days. Felicia says, she’s never seen a serial number look like this. She asks to use Robert’s computer, and sits in his chair. She puts the number in at the diamond registry, and says, if it’s a serial number, it’s not coming up. Laura says, if it’s not a serial number, is it possible it’s some kind of a code? and Robert says, or something a whole lot more dangerous.

Valentin and Anna cuddle on the couch, and she says, thank God Lucy is alive. He tells her, says Felicia’s reputable source, and Anna wonders why Victor didn’t kill her. She’s glad obviously, but what does he have to gain by keeping her alive? He says, leverage, just as he was using Charlotte as leverage over him. She says, he has to explain this to her. His father is a man of significant means. All of this for the Ice Princess? Not even the whole diamond; it’s a fragment of a cursed gemstone. It doesn’t make any sense. He says he doesn’t know Victor’s endgame; he wishes he did. She says, at least they have Lucy, and he says, if she’s alive, he’s going to find her. Anna asks how he’s going to do that, and he says, Charlotte is safe with Laura. He’s going to search some of Victor’s old haunts. Maybe he won’t be lucky enough to find Lucy, but hopefully, he’ll find some trace of where Victor’s taken her. She says, that’s as good a plan as any, and he says he’s going to find Lucy, clear Anna’s name, and bring Anna back home safe. She kisses him, and says, he’s not going to do that. He can’t go be a hero all by himself. Does she strike him as a damsel in distress, trapped in a tower? Okay, basically she is trapped in an 18th century manor, but she doesn’t need a knight to save her, even one as gorgeous as him. He asks if she thinks he doesn’t know how capable she is, and she says, let’s ditch the white horse then. He says, she’s too much of a target. He won’t let her get caught. She says, the only other people who know she’s here are Tiffany and Annie. She hasn’t been laying low. She’s been doing her research; looking for leads. And he’s given her the most actionable piece of information. She at least knows where to start now. He says, she can’t do it by herself, and she says, Neither can he. They could do it together, as a team. He kisses her

Cody tells Dante, all the wrong things are important to him. Now he’s greedy, selfish, greedy… Dante says, there’s nothing wrong with Cody wanting that necklace, and Cody says, except he tore the ticket with his family. Probably the only good thing about him being Leopold Taub’s son was he had some money coming to him. Now he doesn’t have a family, and he doesn’t have an inheritance. Dante says, Cody’s got him and his little brother, and Cody says, Dante’s playing the Leo card. Dante says he is. He can’t leave town until Leo wins some kind of riding trophy or medal. Cody says, Dante and Leo might be the only people who would miss him, and it might not be great for Dante if he stayed. Dante asks, why not? and Cody says, Dante might not have given him a second thought if he hadn’t crash landed into Britt, but their friendship meant a lot to him when they were kids. Dante says, same here, and Cody says, they both know there’s a world of hurt coming for them if anyone finds out what happened back then.

Nikolas tells Finn that he talked to the staff, and no one’s seen anything suspicious. He’s instructed everyone to tell him anything that happens, no matter how small. They’re going to keep detailed logs about the comings and goings here, and he’s made sure guards are posted at every access point on and off the island. Finn thanks Nikolas for checking, and Nikolas says, if he hears anything, he’ll let Finn know. He absolutely has Elizabeth’s best interests at heart. Finn says, given their history, he’d like to believe that, but he doesn’t. Finn leaves, and Nikolas realizes the empty vitamin bottle is there.

Elizabeth says she’s glad Jeff had his moment of realization. She hopes it helps him heal, but it won’t help her at all. Because while he was shielding himself from taking responsibility for his actions, he was keeping her from doing the same thing. He says he knows. He told himself that he was saving her life, but he shifted the burden from himself to her. He left her with those feelings of abandonment she’s had to live with her whole life, but he’s taking ownership now. He’s willing to take on his share of the burden. She says, it’s too late. He forced her to start life without him. She’s been through traumas, violations, weddings, funerals, births; he wasn’t there for any of it. She’s a parent now, and knows how hard it is to see your child in pain. He took away her opportunity to heal from one horrible moment in her life. He left her with no family. He left her untethered to this world, and left room for a tragic mistake to come back 25 years later. She wants to lash out at the world. She wants to punish people like the teenager who came to Port Charles years ago. Instead, she had to deal with those memories and face her actions. Now that’s her burden that he can’t take away. She has to live with the choices she’s made, and he’s going to have to live with his too. He tells her, there’s really nothing left to say, except that he and her mother thought they were doing what was best for her and their family. Obviously, they were wrong and he’s sorry. They love her, Sarah, and her boys very much, but they understand the mistakes they made caused her great pain. He hopes she can find it in her heart to forgive him, and let him in just a little. Nothing would make him happier, but he’ll give her the space she needs. If she ever feels like reaching out, he promises they’ll be there. He’s going to head home now. He doesn’t know if it’s going to be another 25 years before he sees her again, but he hopes it isn’t. He leaves, but she keeps her back turned to him.

Britt tells Terry, nothing’s wrong; she’s just distracted. She’s never thrown a bash like this before, and she can’t stop going over the details in her head. Terry says, she could try to think about work at some point, and sees Finn walking past. She runs over to him, and asks if he’s spoken to Elizabeth. He says, they still have a lot to work out, and she says she’s sorry things are still tense. He says, him too. He keeps hoping they can work through this. Jeff comes out of the elevator, and tells Terry goodbye. She just folds her arms and looks at him, and he leaves. Finn wonders if that’s why she was asking about Elizabeth. Terry says, Elizabeth just went to speak with him in her office, and Finn jets.

Nikolas picks up the empty bottle, and flashes back to Esme saying she already planted a seed with Elizabeth. She bets Elizabeth is too dedicated of a nurse to let him get away with attempted murder. When things start to unravel, and the police get involved, he’s going down, and taking Ava with him, and maybe even Nurse Nightingale too. He hears Victor outside the door, and ditches the bottle. Victor walks in with Spencer.

Dante says, the past is the past. Why does Cody want to bring it up? Cody says, Sam found his juvie arrest record, and Dante says, she told him at Thanksgiving. Cody says, summer, 1996, and Dante says, those records are sealed. He didn’t give her any specifics; he’s trying to downplay the whole thing. Cody says he can tell, and Dante asks, what’s that supposed to mean? Cody says, come on, man. It’s been the elephant in the room since he came to town. Dante says, that was a long time ago, and Cody says, they both know the world of trouble that could come if Sam unseals that record. Not just for him, but for both of them.

Laura says, the Ice Princess Mikkos had 40 years ago was the largest uncut diamond in the world, but she does remember something about there being a formula in the base. Robert says he wouldn’t count out the fact that there could be other codes engraved in other parts of the diamond as well. Felicia asks, what kind of codes? when there’s a knock at the door. Robert shoves the necklace away, and says, come in. An officer hands him a folder, saying, here’s the file he requested, and thanks Felicia for the Thanksgiving dinner for the guys working on the holiday. She says, her pleasure. She guesses she’d better get going, and tells Robert, they’ll catch up later. In the hallway, she tells the officer that she needs to catch up with her husband, and asks if he’s seen Mac. The officer says, he’s at an all-hands-on-deck meeting, and she says, anything exciting? and he says, she didn’t hear it from him, but Agent Whitten has a lead on Anna Devane’s whereabouts.

Laura says she’ll never forget the horror the Ice Princess brought to Port Charles the first time, and Robert says, it’s possible Victor’s not after the diamonds themselves, but rather the message hidden inside them.

Valentin says he hopes Anna knows that he just wants to protect her, and she says she does. She thanks him, and says, how about if they make a deal? From here on out, they protect each other. He nods, and kisses her. His phone rings, and he says, it’s Felicia. He says, hello…. Understood. Thank you. He tells Anna that Felicia got wind from the PCPD, Agent Whitten has a lead on where Anna is. He’s headed to Europe. She asks, what kind of lead? but he tells her, she didn’t say. This must be his doing. Interpol will figure out she’s in Ireland. She says, with Tiffany, and he says, they’ve got to go, now.

Spencer thanks Victor, and Nikolas thanks him for helping his son. Victor says, it’s the least he can do, and Nikolas says, being Spencer was only in Pentenville because he wouldn’t tell the authorities Victor arranged for his escape from Spring Ridge. Victor says, because Spencer is family, and family is very precious. In the meantime, Spencer is only out on a conditional release. Nikolas asks, what might those conditions be? and Spencer says he’s to remain under supervision for the remainder of his sentence. Which means, one false move and he’ll go back to Pentenville. Victor says, isn’t it wonderful? They’ll all be together for the holidays under the same roof.

Elizabeth picks up the bottle of vitamins, when Finn walks in. He asks if she’s okay, she says, no, and he holds her.

Britt asks Terry if everything is okay with Finn. He seemed even doomier and gloomier than usual. Terry tells Britt, it’s not her place to say, and Britt says, oh, it’s about Elizabeth. Okay, she’ll let it go, as long as whatever’s going on doesn’t affect the hospital. Terry says, she promises to loop Britt in if it does. After all, they’re Co-Chiefs. Britt says, for the record, she thinks Terry would make a great Chief if they ever let her fly solo, and Terry says, obviously, but she doesn’t think it would be half as much fun. Britt says, only because Terry hasn’t done it any other way, and Terry asks, what’s with her? Is Britt quitting on her? Britt says, nothing lasts forever, and walks off.

Dante says, Cody’s Ride Share is here, and Sam says, he’s leaving. Cody says, Dante didn’t have to get him a car, but Dante says, they look out for each other; it’s what they do. Cody says, thanks. Dante is a good friend. He leaves, and Sam asks if he’s going to be okay. Dante says, he’s just going through a rough time. Try not to make it worse. Sam says, worse how? and Dante says, bringing up things like his juvie arrest record. He doesn’t think that helps. Dredging up that kind of stuff isn’t going to get him on the right path. Maybe they can just let all that go.

Robert asks Laura, what if Victor never wanted the diamonds for their own sake? What if what he wants is a code hidden inside those diamonds? She says, then they need to crack that code first, and he says, the sooner they crack that code, the sooner they uncover what Victor’s real intentions are. She says, and we’re one step closer to stopping Victor before his plan unfolds.

Valentin and Anna are ready to leave. Valentin opens the door, and stops short. He says, you.  

Tomorrow, Rory asks Trina to go somewhere with him; Nikolas says he’s afraid Spencer can’t stay here; Valentin asks how someone found them; and Sonny says he’d appreciate it if someone would talk to him first.

🧂 Three Teaspoons Of Salt…

They didn’t have tonight’s recap yet, but it continues to boggle my mind how no one thinks anything of physically attacking another person. It used to just be RHONJ, but it’s spreading everywhere in reality TV. I’ll say it again, Andy isn’t going to be happy until there’s a lawsuit. The first season of Salt Lake had promise, but it’s quickly deteriorated.

Meredith spills the tea, or at least speculates.

Just for fun. This woman is seriously unhinged.

💥 In the Dark…

Season 3’s premiere.

I still hate that monkey.

https://ew.com/tv/his-dark-materials-season-3-ruth-wilson-mrs-coulter-monkey-redemption/

👨🏻 Ranking the Family…

They’re right on the money.

https://ew.com/movies/addams-family-adaptations-ranked/

🐶 Bowling For Pups…

The line-up for the next Puppy Bowl.

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2023-puppy-player-photos/

🥣 Mixing and Mingling…

Stop in tomorrow for soap and massive amounts of shade toward the trainwreck that is Winter House. Until then, stay safe, stay not letting advertisers tell you what you need, and stay acknowledging your shortfalls, taking responsibility for them, and making almonds amends, instead of running away.

December 6, 2022 – Cyrus Has a Gift For Trina, Return Possible, Revelation, About That Diamond, News On Deck, Pets (!) & Heart

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis knocks on Jordan’s office door, and she asks what she can do for him. He says, she can check the joyfully accept box, handing her an envelope. He came to invite her to their wedding.

At the hospital, Portia hugs Stella, and asks how her follow-up went. Stella says, just like all the others. She doesn’t understand why she needs to be poked and prodded every few months. Can’t they see she’s her old self again? Portia asks who she’s calling old, when Marshall joins them, telling Stella that she left her purse in the exam room. Stella snatches her purse from him, saying, she didn’t leave it. She was just giving him something to do. Portia says, just the man she wanted to talk to. Has he given any more thought to what they discussed on Thanksgiving? Stella asks what she missed, and Marshall says, nothing. He tries to leave, but Stella grabs his arm, and says she’s not going anywhere. Somebody better start talking now. Portia says she suggested Marshall might want to get some genetic counseling.

Trina walks with Ava through the Christmas bizarre in Rice Plaza, and thanks Ava for talking Curtis into letting her ditch house arrest. Ava says, Trina’s not under house arrest, but Trina says, it sure feels that way sometimes. Ava says, Curtis just wants to keep her safe; they all do. But it’s broad daylight in a public place, she has a gun in her purse. She has a permit and knows how to use it. Enough about security though. Let’s get into the holiday spirit. They look at a table with Christmas decorations, and Trina asks how many gifts Ava has gotten for Avery. Ava says, probably too many, but she loves spoiling her little girl. This is nice, isn’t it? Spending time together? Trina says she misses seeing Ava every day at the gallery, but Ava says, not any more than she misses seeing Trina. She sees Rory, and tells Trina that she has some competition. Someone else who covets Trina’s time and attention.

Cyrus finds Spencer reading a book in the library, and says, you woudn’t know it, but outside these walls, it’s Christmastime with all the magic and merriment it entails. Spencer tells him, if he says so, and Cyrus says, it’s not lost on him that Spencer’s been keeping his distance ever since his great uncle’s visit. Spencer says, how perceptive. Would he like a prize? Cyrus says, what he’d like is some common sense on Spencer’s part. Tell him that he’s realized which side of his family he can trust.

Victor checks out some Christmas things at Rice Plaza, while Ashby does the same nearby. She says, happy holidays, and he asks if she has something for him. She says, her intel informs her that Holly Sutton has a long recovery, and he says, and the necklace? She says, the authorities still believe it was destroyed in the fire, and he says, unacceptable, squishing the ornament in his hand. You break it, you buy it, Victor.

Heather goes into the rec room at Spring Ridge, and says she thought the guard told her that she had a visitor. Jeff comes in, and says, hello, Heather. Long time, no see.

Alexis sees Finn at the Plaza, and he says, yay or nay for Violet’s stocking? showing her a package of ornaments. She says, yay. Look at him, all Christmassy. He used to be all bah humbuggy. He tells her, Violet changed everything… for the better. She says, that’s what kids do, and significant others do. He holds up an ornament, and says, too blingy? She says, he’s too blingy. Is this his way of avoiding her advice that he should talk to Elizabeth?

Nikolas thanks Elizabeth for coming so quickly, and unlocks Esme’s room. She asks if Esme is faking again, and he says he doesn’t think so, but Elizabeth is the professional. Elizabeth goes over to Esme, who’s lying on the bed with her eyes closed, and asks, what’s wrong with her? Has she been given any meds? He says, just the prenatal vitamins Elizabeth brought her, and she asks if she can see them. He picks up the empty bottle, and she says, those were supposed to last a month. He asks if she’s suggesting Esme took all of them, and Elizabeth digs in her medical bag.

Jordan says, Curtis didn’t have to include her, but he says, we wanted to. They discussed it, and it just feels right having her there. She asks, why? and he says, because she’s important to him, and she’s TJ’s mother. TJ is like family, which makes her like family, and she knows he throws a mean party. She says, he always has, and he says, hopefully, she’ll have caught The Hook killer by then, and everyone in Port Charles can breathe easy. She says, he sounds confident, and he says, after that recent article in The Invader, it’s only a matter of time now, right? She says, not necessarily. Alexis and her paper might have hurt their investigation, not helped it.

Nikolas says, you can overdose on vitamins? and Elizabeth says, you can overdose on pretty much anything. They need to pump her stomach immediately. Esme pops up, and asks if Elizabeth is insane. She jumps out of bed, and Elizabeth says, this little routine of hers is getting pretty old. She should try some new material. Nikolas asks if Esme believed they’d fall for another fake out, and Esme says, but he did. He even called his Florence Nightingale here. She starts stuffing her face with the meal he’s brought up, and he says, excuse him for caring about his child. Esme says, our child, and was Elizabeth seriously going to pump her stomach to force her to come clean? Elizabeth says, if she had to, but she knew it wouldn’t get that far, and Esme says, Elizabeth is sick. Elizabeth says, look who’s talking, and Nikolas says, so Esme didn’t take all of those pills? Talking with her mouth full, Esme says, she took one, and threw the rest away, and Elizabeth says, Esme actually took a prenatal vitamin? Esme says, Elizabeth told her it was good for the development or whatever, and Elizabeth says, don’t look now, but Nikolas might not be the only one who cares about this baby.

Spencer says he appreciates all the help Cyrus has given him, but he’s out of line suggesting his Uncle Victor tried to kill his grandmother. That’s just… no. Cyrus says, Spencer would be wise not to put his faith in his great uncle, and Spencer says, so he should put his faith in Cyrus instead? but Cyrus says he was referring to a higher power. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Spencer says, doing his time in here will set him free, not the truth. And by the way, for a guy who quotes Scripture, Cyrus is quick to sit in judgement of his uncle. Cyrus says, believe him, he didn’t accuse Victor of anything new, but Spencer says, that doesn’t make him guilty. Cyrus says, it doesn’t make him innocent either, and Spencer says, that’s for a jury to decide, just like they did with Cyrus. By the way, there’s a glaring difference between Cyrus and his Uncle Victor. Victor is on the outside, while Cyrus is stuck in here. Cyrus says, my dear Spencer, the difference is, I am a sinner seeking redemption, while your uncle wouldn’t know the meaning of the word.

Ashby says, Victor is brimming with holiday cheer, and he says, the necklace may be a dead end, but his plans are still very much alive. She asks if he has another angle, and he says, always. She asks if he cares to fill her in, and he says, in due time. Her job is to keep Laura distracted, and his family intact. Did she pull the necessary strings? She says she’s working on it, and he says, work harder.

Ava says she’ll leave Rory and Trina to catch up, but Trina says, Ava doesn’t have to go. Ava says she saw an ornament that caught her eye. She wants to snap it up before someone else does. She says, it’s nice to see Rory, he says, her too, and she leaves. Rory gives Trina a quick kiss, and asks if she’s free for dinner tonight. Cops know the best places to eat. It’s a documented fact. He wants to take her someplace special for their anniversary. Three months ago today, they became official.

Ava glances over, and smiles. She sees Victor next to her, and he says, it’s true what they say; love is wasted on the young. Woudn’t she agree?

Spencer says his history isn’t exactly spotless, and Cyrus says, no one’s is. Spencer says, but people can change, right? That’s what redemption’s about. Cyrus says, before redemption comes repentance. Is Victor prone to asking for forgiveness? They both laugh, and Cyrus says he didn’t think so. And then, there’s us. Putting in the work, trying to make amends for our mistakes. That’s a bond even stronger than blood. But they have both, and he truly hopes that bond continues when Spencer is released. And when that day comes – he reaches in his pocket – there’s something he wants Spencer to take with him. Consider it an early Christmas present. He slides a small white box across the table to Spencer.

Ava tells Victor that she disagrees. True love is a gift, no matter when you find it. No matter how hard certain people try to take it from you. He’s never experienced a love like that, has he? He picks up a pair of goofy glasses from the table and looks through them, saying, hope springs eternal. And when she’s free from that dysfunctional marriage to his nephew, who knows? Maybe there will be hope for them.

Jordan holds a bunch of letters, and tells Curtis, each of these claims to have been written by the killer. So now she’s wasting valuable time and manpower chasing every one, even though they basically know they’re all bogus. He says he gets the frustration, although he believes when Alexis printed that letter, she only had good intentions. Jordan says, she interfered with a confidential investigation. Yes, they have a theory that points toward Esme Prince, but if Alexis takes it upon herself to decide what to leak and when, that just makes it harder for them. Curtis says, a theory. A legitimate one with actual evidence? Jordan says nothing and goes back to her desk, and he says, his soon-to-be stepdaughter’s life may be at risk here. if she has a way to end this nightmare, he needs to know about it.

Alexis asks why Finn is avoiding her question, and he says, they already discussed this. She says she wants to discuss it again, so let’s rehash. The last time they talked, he was upset about his late wife cheating on him. He says, and that’s pretty much the end of the story, but she says, is it? He says, look around. This isn’t really the time or place for this. She asks what he’s afraid of, and he says, who’s afraid? She asks if there’s another reason he’s not talking to Elizabeth, and he says, off the record? She tells him, everything they say is off the record, and he says, the man that Reiko slept with was Elizabeth’s father.

Heather asks if Jeff flew all this way to see her, and he says he won’t lie to her. She says, really? Why turn over a new leaf at this late date? He says he’s definitely not interested in dredging up the past, and she says, a past that includes their son, Stephen Lars. Or is he still more invested in saving the world than in his own family? He says he woudn’t be here if he wasn’t invested in his family, and she says, he thinks of her as family? He says, never. He came to tell her to stay the hell away from his.

Esme tells Elizabeth, of course (🍷) she cares about the baby. It’s the only thing stopping this maniac from killing her. Nikolas tells Elizabeth not to listen to her, and Esme says, remember what she told Elizabeth when she first came here? Elizabeth says, that Nikolas tried to kill her? She didn’t believe it then, and still doesn’t. Continuing to shovel in food, Esme asks why she’s make that up, and Nikolas says, because she’s a desperate criminal who’s willing to say or do anything to continue her reign of terror, but Esme says, for the last time, she is not The Hook. She looks at Elizabeth, and says, Elizabeth is starting to wonder. Why wouldn’t she? She’s curious to see what her friend is capable of. Go on. Ask him. Ask Nikolas what happened on the parapet that night. She, for one, can’t wait to hear the answer. Nikolas says, no one has any interest in her lies, and Esme says, but they’re not lies. She tells Elizabeth, think about it. How did she manage to disappear; just vanish into thin air. She looks at Nikolas and says, but it wasn’t exactly her choice, was it? Thanks to him and Ava… He says, leave Ava out of this, and Esme says, so protective. Elizabeth asks what Ava has to do with anything, and Nikolas says, she doesn’t, and Esme says, who’s the liar now? as she munches a piece of toast.

Finn  tells Alexis, it was a lifetime ago. They were in Doctors Without Borders, and assigned to different islands in the South Pacific. He guesses Reiko got lonely and Jeff Webber was there. She says, got it. She’s sure it was very disappointing, and she’s not trying to minimize it, but like he said, it was a lifetime ago, so doesn’t he think he should have gotten past that by now? He says, there’s more to it than just the affair, but it’s not his story to tell, and she says, so it’s Elizabeth’s story. He says, it’s new to her, and she’s understandably having trouble processing her feelings, and Alexis says, she probably has lots of feelings. He says, confusion, pain, anger… She says, but not at him, and he says, mostly at the situation, but they haven’t connected in weeks, and at some point, he stopped trying. She asks why he would do that, and he says, what if there’s no point? She asks if he loves Elizabeth, and he nods. She says, that’s the point. If he stays in his corner, and she stays in her corner, it will just drive them further apart.

Heather says, here she thought Jeff missed her, but he tells her, knock it off. And don’t pretend she didn’t try to contact his family. Making a beeline for his grandson when she had her big chance to escape. She says, he works at Kelly’s, home of the famous BLT. They don’t write that on the menu, but they should; it’s to die for. He says, stay away from Cameron, and she asks where this newfound concern is coming from. Last she checked, he didn’t give a damn about his grandsons, or their mother. He says, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she asks if he was there when Elizabeth married her Franco. Was he there when for her when he died? No. He loves the idea of being a family man, but when it comes to stepping up and doing the right thing, he cuts and runs. They see Ryan being wheeled in, and he says, is that… She says, the one and only.

Jordan says, Curtis knows she can’t share privileged in formation, and he says, even if it could bring a murderous criminal to justice? Trina is exhausted. She’s constantly looking over her shoulder. It’s just too much for her, and he’s not even going to touch on what it’s been like for Portia. She says, and him? and he says, it’s true Trina’s not his biologically, but to him it feels like she is. Does that make any sense? She says, it does, and he says, then help him protect his family, but she says she can’t.

Portia says, so much has changed since Marshall was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She just doesn’t see the harm in getting some current genetic testing done. Stella asks if she’s implying Marshall’s diagnosis is wrong, and Portia says she’s sure the doctors drew on the best knowledge they had at the time, but there could be other factors that are involved. Stella asks, what kind of factors? and Marshall says he’s standing right here. Stella tells him, and not saying a damn thing, and he says, as if he could get a word in edgewise. He doesn’t need reevaluation; he knows what’s wrong with him. He spent his life ensuring it wouldn’t harm his family. Portia says she understands, but… He says, no buts. He’s at peace with his condition. Can she please drop this?

Ava tells Victor, her marriage to Nikolas, as complicated as it may be, hasn’t ended yet, despite his best efforts. They know that Esme is alive, and the prime suspect in The Hook attacks, which makes Nikolas’s bogus confession useless. So what will Victor hold over his nephew’s head now? Victor says, perhaps they should put their heads together, and come up with a plan, but she says she’ll pass. He says, besides, something tells him that he won’t need to coerce Nikolas into a divorce. He gets the distinct impression Nikolas is more than ready to move on.

Esme tells Nikolas, don’t be shy. Tell Elizabeth how he and Ava thought they were rid of her forever, until he discovered she was carrying the heir to the throne. Elizabeth asks what she’s talking about, and Nikolas pulls her aside, and tells her that he’ll explain everything, but right now Esme needs more of those vitamins. Can she go back to GH and get some? She says, he’s trying to get rid of her, but he says he’s just thinking of what’s best for the baby. And right now he’s seeing an opening of Esme actually showing maternal instinct. He wants to jump on it before it closes. Elizabeth says, this conversation is not finished, and he says he’s well aware. Elizabeth leaves, and Nikolas tells Esme, that was a mistake.

Ava tells Victor, that was an excellent attempt to poison the well, but she doesn’t do jealous, and he says he imagines a woman like her wouldn’t have to. But don’t forget Nikolas is a human being with needs and desires of his own. Until next time. She says, bated breath, and he leaves. As he passes Ashby, she says, the favor she called in has been handled, and he keeps walking.

Trina tells Rory that she totally forgot; it has been three months. He came into her life at the craziest time. She can’t believe he hasn’t run for the hills. He says he might have been a rookie, but he knew she’d been framed, and she thanks him for always believing in her. He says, always. He’s got to get back to the station. He’ll see her tonight. He’ll text her the details. He leaves, and Ava joins her. She says, about that young man of Trina’s… Trina says she knows Rory’s not an art lover, and he hasn’t seen the world, or studied abroad… Ava says, who cares? She envies Trina.

Spencer says he doesn’t feel comfortable accepting gifts from Cyrus, but Cyrus says, he misunderstands The gift is for Spencer’s friend Trina. He opens the box, showing Spencer two silver doves, and says, he thought twelve drummers drumming would be overkill. This is more appropriate. Spencer keeps one for himself, and Trina takes one as a token of Spencer’s affection. Spencer says, Trina would love these, but he can’t give them to her, and Cyrus says, of course (🍷) he can. Spencer says, Cyrus doesn’t get it. Trina finally has her life back; the life she deserves. Cyrus says, a life without Spencer, and Spencer says, all he brought Trina was pain and heartache, so the best gift he can give her is to stay as far away from her as possible.

Curtis says, here we go again. This is the exact damn reason he and Jordan got a divorce in the first place; she insists on keeping secrets from him. She says, that’s not fair. They’re talking about a police investigation. He was a cop. He knows how this works. He says, he also knows how willing she is to break the rules and cross the lines, but clearly only when it suits her. She tells him, listen to her. She’s just as anxious to protect Trina and everyone in her world as he is. He says, if she means that, then throw him a bone, but she says she’s sorry. He says, so is he.

Finn says, it’s not just the past that’s an issue, and Alexis says, what else? He says he read the account in The Invader about Esme attacking Elizabeth on the pier. It didn’t mention what she was doing there. Alexis says she doesn’t know; they weren’t given that information. He says, off the record again, she was going to visit Nikolas Cassadine. It’s not a jealousy thing; he just doesn’t trust Nikolas after what he did to Hayden. He wanted to kill Nikolas, but if Elizabeth wants to be friends with him, it’s her choice. But he has to admit it bothers him that instead of coming to him, she went to Nikolas. Alexis makes a face, and he says, what? She says, now they know why Elizabeth was on the pier, but why was Esme on the pier? Was she targeting Elizabeth, or was Elizabeth just in the wrong place at the wrong time? He says, any more questions? and she says, yeah. Where’s Esme now?

Esme says, Nikolas doesn’t scare her; he can’t. Not with this little bundle of joy as her insurance policy. She cradles her bump, and he says, for now. But once that baby is born… She says, spare her the threats. She’s already planted the seed with Elizabeth. He says, Elizabeth is loyal to him, and she says, we’ll see. Her bet is that Elizabeth is too dedicated of a nurse to let him get away with attempted murder. And when things start to unravel, and the police get involved, Nikolas is going down, and taking Ava with him. Maybe even Nurse Nightingale too. He asks what she wants, and she says she thought he’d never ask. It’ll be Christmas soon, and she’s missing out on all of it. The music, the decorations, magic. She can’t even see out the window, and it’s not very festive in here. He says he’ll bring her some candy canes, but she says, no. She wants a tree, with lights and ornaments; the whole deal. He says he’ll have Demetrius bring her a fake one, pre-decorated, but she says, no. She wants a live tree, and wants to pick it out herself. He says, not a chance, and she says, why not? He wonders if that’s an actual question, and she says, it’s not like she can make a run for it anymore. Please? He says, no, and she says, this is really important to her. He says he almost believes she meant that, and she says, her childhood was lonely. She was adopted, but not parented. Her nanny was basically paid to raise her. Christmas was a non-event in her house. She did have one friend whose family had a tradition of chopping down their own tree and bringing it home to decorate. It sounded like heaven. She begged her nanny to do the same thing, and she said yes, but then she slipped and fell, and wasn’t able to take her. Her nanny asked the super’s son to do it. They picked out the tree, and he even let her use the saw. They decorated it together, and it was the best afternoon of her life. She can’t tell him how much it meant to her. Those few hours actually changed her. All she’s asking is for a chance to feel that way again. Please? He gathers up the breakfast dishes, and leaves. She says, is that a yes? and hears the door lock. I fail to see, under any circumstances, why he’d trust Esme with anything sharp.

Ryan looks at Heather, and Jeff tells her, steer clear of his family. No Christmas cards, no fruitcakes, no surprise visits like the one she gave Cameron. Are they clear? She doesn’t say anything, and he says he’ll take that as a yes. Enjoy her time here. He gets up, and she grabs his arm, saying, she knows it’s difficult being married to a shrink. They can just turn it off, can’t they? So if he’s ever in need of some holiday cheer, he knows where to find her. She runs her hand up his arm, and he says, she hasn’t changed a bit. As he walks out, and she says, they even have eggnog, and she looks at Ryan, who’s stoic.

Trina says, Ava envies her? and Ava asks if that’s so hard to believe. Trina laughs, and says, she’s Ava Jerome. She’s beautiful, powerful, and successful. She has everything. Ava says, trust her; everything is highly overrated. She’d settle for a guy like Trina has. Somebody trustworthy, dependable; a guy who tells you how he feels. Trina says, Rory is the greatest, and Ava says, uh-oh. What is this? Trina says, no, he is. He really is. So why can’t she forget about Spencer?

Cyrus asks if Spencer has heard the parable about the Prodigal Son, and Spencer says, refresh his memory. Cyrus says, he runs away from home, and squanders both his fortune and his good name. Then comes crawling back, expecting to be rejected. Spencer says, he wasn’t? and Cyrus says, he was embraced, celebrated. He was dead, and now he’s alive again. He was lost and now he’s found. Just take the gift – he puts the box in Spencer’s hand – and follow your heart. Victor walks in, and frowns.

Jordan says she wishes she could help Curtis, but he says, she doesn’t She can, and she just won’t. There’s a knock at the door, and Rory says, sorry to interrupt. She wanted a report on the security at Rice Plaza. Curtis says he was just leaving, and tells Jordan, don’t forget to RSVP. He leaves, and in the hallway, he takes out his phone.

Alexis tells Finn, it’s like a jigsaw puzzle without all the pieces. If Esme’s the killer, why didn’t she just finish Elizabeth off? He tells her, Elizabeth said she called the cops before her fall. Maybe if Esme thought the cops were on their way, it makes sense she would run. Alexis says, but to where? It’s not like she’s out hooking people in broad daylight. Wherever she is, she’s staying low to the ground. Her phone dings, and he says, Invader business? She says, yep, and he tells her, why doesn’t she deal with that. She just gave him an idea. She says she loves it when she does that, and he says, there’s another piece of the puzzle they overlooked. He thanks her, and jets.

Portia says she just wants what’s best for Marshall, and Stella suggests she abide by Marshall’s wishes, and just forget genetic counseling. Instead, in this season of miracles, focus on a few of their own. Marshall asks what miracles those would be, and Stella says, his return for starters. Her continued good health – he says, amen – Portia and Curtis’s upcoming wedding – Portia says, yes – and the blessing that Trina is safe. Marshall says, they do have a lot to be thankful for, and Stella says, let’s put our energy into that. The elevator comes, and Stella and Marshall get in, Marshall locking eyes with Portia before he does.

Spencer says he didn’t expect to see Victor today, and Victor hopes it’s a pleasant surprise. Cyrus says he’ll leave them to their visit, but Victor says, do stay. He has some news about his great nephew’s future.

Ava tells Trina, Spencer’s release is weeks away; a lot can change before then. Want to know what she thinks? Trina says, please, and Ava says, there’s something she wishes she’d learned long ago, long before she met Nikolas Cassadine. Complicated men create chaos. Maybe it’s best if they avoid them altogether.

Rory says, all that’s left is for Jordan to sign off on the plans for Christmas Eve. She seems engrossed in a folder, and he says, Commissioner? She says, sorry. Of course (🍷). Leave the report, and she’ll look it over. He leaves, and she picks up the invitation. She opens the RSVP, and writes on it. We see she regretfully declines.

Alexis joins Curtis at the PC Grill, and he thanks her for meeting him. He asks if he can get her something, and she says, a club soda, but there’s no hurry. Why did he want to meet her? He says he’s trying to catch a killer, and she says, that makes two of them. He says he just left Jordan at the PCPD, and it’s clear they know more about those attacks than they’re admitting. Maybe much more. She asks how they find out what that is.

Elizabeth walks into the hospital, and sees Jeff. He walks toward her, then stops. They stare at each other.

As she’s walking out, Heather asks if Ryan enjoyed the show. If he could speak, she imagines they’d have a lot to discuss. She leaves with the guard, and Ryan clenches his fist.  

Ryan puts his hand on Esme’s shoulder, and says, a winter stroll to pick out a Christmas tree? What’s she planning? She says, don’t worry, daddy. I know exactly what I’m doing. She removes his hand, and she’s alone.

Nikolas puts down the empty vitamin bottle, when there’s a knock at the door. He opens it, and Finn is there.

Tomorrow, Felicia tells Robert that she thinks there’s one way to narrow it down; Sam thinks something is a great idea; Victor asks if Cyrus is threatening him; and Finn asks Nikolas, where’s Esme Prince?

🗝 Open Door…

The future for Holly in Port Charles.

🌲 Ned the Cad…

I didn’t know this.

💎 For Your Information…

It was over a year ago when some of the characters were complaining about how cold it was in July. I thought it must be the Ice Princess then, but they never got back to that. Although, I’m still waiting to hear what that teapot was all about in the painting Helena left Nikolas, and that was like a decade ago.

All About That Deck…

This is actually a good idea. As long as he comes back.

Well, Austen is a narcissistic t**t. I don’t know if he’s the biggest one on Bravo though. That’s a long list to choose from.

Apparently, this began with two narcissistic t**ts.

🐕 Keeping It Cute…

And to get the bad taste of Bravolebrities out of our mouths.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/g41829957/celebs-with-pets/

🍪 Let the Cookies Commence…

Join me tomorrow for much of the same, and as always, a musical break. Until then, stay safe, stay being part of the solution, and stay keeping in mind that having everything is highly overrated.

December 5, 2022 – Sonny Asks If Dex Is Up For More Responsibility, Doctors But No Truffles On Deck & Tale

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex says he’s trying to do the right thing here, and Josslyn tells him, try being honest instead. He says, she wants honest? and kisses her, when Sonny knocks at the door. Josslyn asks what Sonny is doing here, and Dex tells her to pretend no one’s home. Sonny says he knows Dex is in there; open up. Josslyn asks, what’s Plan B?

Robert is looking at photo of him and Holly, when Olivia comes to his office. She asks if it’s a bad time, but he says he’s not sure what a good time is anymore. She says she’s so sorry about what happened with Holly, and he says he visited the doctor. He says she has a long road ahead of her, but he says she’ll pull through. Olivia says, thank God, but she was actually talking about what went down between the two of them.

At the MetroCourt with Mac and Felicia, Laura asks if Robert’s changed his mind and is going to join them, but Mac says, Robert hasn’t answered his texts. Felicia thinks he needs some time, but Mac says he knows his brother. He’s brooding. Sitting around worrying and waiting to hear about Holly’s injuries. It’s not good for him. Felicia tells Laura, says the other stubborn brother, when Valentin approaches the table, and asks if there’s any news on Holly. Laura says, word has it, she’s holding her own, and Valentin says, good. Hopefully, that continues, and she makes a full and speedy recovery. Felicia says, they appreciate the well-wishes, but Mac gets up and says, whatever happened to Holly has Valentin’s family’s fingerprints all over it. Everyone knows where the Ice Princess is involved, the Cassadines aren’t far behind.

Cody comes out of the hospital elevator, when his phone dings. He looks at a text from Mac: At the MetroCourt. Can we meet? Important. Britt sees Austin at the reception desk, and says, he’s not on the schedule New Year’s Eve; does he have plans? He says, not yet. He and Maxie will probably make reservations somewhere. Why? She sings, I’m throwin’ a birthday party, and Cody hears, and says, sounds like fun. Is he invited?

Michael says he knows Willow wanted to keep it private, but the secrecy is working against her; against them. She says she’s just not ready for people to know about her diagnosis. It’ll change the way people treat her, and she’s afraid Wiley will pick up on it. He says, Wiley is going to pick up on it eventually anyway, but she says she needs to do this in her own time, on her own terms. He says he wants to support her in this, but it’s impossible.

In the home of the beloved moss bowl🎍, Carly says she thought Drew was hitting dead ends in looking for members of the commune where Harmony had Willow. He says, one of his contacts was doing a story about a firefighter in Clairborne County, and found out the subject was a member of the Peace and Love Commune. He realizes there’s no guarantee in getting them to talk, but he likes his odds. She asks, why? and he says, because the firefighter agreed to fly here and meet with him. They’re checking into the MetroCourt tonight.

Britt says she’s sure Cody will be much to busy to attend her birthday celebration; grifting women with shiny inheritances takes time. He says, au contraire. His charm offensive only take half an evening at most. Unless he heiress is as closed off and secretive as she is. She asks Austin not to leave, telling him that Cody was just leaving, and tells Cody that she’ll thank him not to barge into her birthday celebration the way he just barged into her private conversation. Cody says he knows he hasn’t behaved well, and gets why she’s angry with him, but she says, anger implies investment. They went out a few times; they shared a couple of laughs. He says, it was more than that, and she knows it, but she says, what she knows is, there’s no future here. He’s a gambler. He knows how to cut his losses. He says, what if he doesn’t want to? and she says, we don’t always get what we want, do we? He didn’t get Taub’s necklace, so he should know better than anyone.

Mac says, where there’s trouble, there’s Victor, and Valentin asks if Mac has evidence his father is behind Holly stealing the necklace and absconding with it. Mac says he can’t connect Victor directly, but Victor’s been all over town, pulling strings, causing people to make desperate decisions, of which he’s sure Valentin is aware. He doesn’t want to hear Valentin defending his father, considering how he framed Anna for what happened to Lucy. Valentin says he and Anna are very close, and Lucy is his business partner. If Mac has evidence, he’d very much like to hear it. Felicia says, Anna is their good friend too, just as Lucy is their friend, and Mac says he’s trying to remain optimistic about Lucy, but there’s still no sign she survived. Felicia says, they’re still trying to work things out, and Valentin says he’s not trying to defend anybody. Mac would be wise not to assume where his loyalties lie. Mac says, he would be wise, would he? Let him give Valentin a piece of advice. If it takes the rest of his life, Valentin’s father is going down. Just take care not to be too close when it happens. Mac storms off toward the bar.

Olivia says, the last thing she expected to find was Robert staring at pictures of the woman who double-crossed him, and he says, however wrong Holly was, it can’t erase the memories they have together. He wishes he could. She says she knows how very much Holly mattered to him. She just wishes his feelings would have mattered a little more to Holly. He says, Olivia is going to think he’s making excuses for Holly, but in many ways, she got a raw deal. Holly had some hard choices to make. She says, even if he is making excuses for Holly, she’d say that’s very generous. She’s not sure Holly deserves that kind of generosity. He says, despite everything that happened, Holly didn’t deserve what happened, and she says, of course (🍷). Is he going to visit her during treatment? He says he can’t, and she says she hears him; his generosity can only extend so far. He says, it’s not that. He doesn’t think it will give them the closure they need. He’s not sure that closure exists. She says she’s not sure a therapist would agree, and he says, that’s why he doesn’t have one. Maybe he and Holly were never destined to work out. Every time they get close, it goes up in smoke, and this time it took the Ice Princess with it. Olivia says, that’s why Holly stole that necklace; it was part of the Ice Princess. He says, might be. He wanted his people to look at it, and confirm that one way or the other. She says, he must be on such bad terms with the WSB, and he says, they’re not happy, but he can handle it. She says, he’s the DA, and he’s working with the WSB. Holly had to have known how much it would cost him. There has to be more to this than greed. With all he and Holly have been through together, there had to be a bigger reason for Holly to betray him.

Carly says, Drew is amazing. Getting that guy to fly all the way here to talk. He says, a woman actually; Clairborne County’s first female firefighter. That’s why his guy was doing the story on her. Carly says, that’s impressive. What makes him think she has anything to offer? He says he’s not sure what she knows, but Denise and Harmony were friends for a while back then, and he’s hoping Denise can either confirm or deny Harmony’s story of how she came to have Willow. Carly says she sees, and he says, she has doubts. She says, no. She just thinks he’s putting a lot of expense and effort into finding Willow’s birth parents, and hopes he’s not disappointed if it doesn’t pan out. He says he knows the possible pitfalls, but he’s still got to try. He should call Willow… but she tells him that he doesn’t want to do that.

Michael says, look what happened when Willow was arguing with Nina. If Nina had known… Willow says she doesn’t want Nina pitying her, and Michael says he understands. She says, the best thing for her health is staying as far away from Nina as possible, and Michael says he feels the same way about Sonny, but Willow says, there’s no comparison.

Dex opens the door, Josslyn having disappeared, and Sonny asks, what took him so long? Dex says he was in the middle of something, and Sonny says he has to talk to Dex about a business opportunity. Dex asks if he should meet Sonny in his office, and Sonny asks, what’s going on? Dex says, if it’s a business conversation, they should have it where Sonny does business, and Sonny asks why Dex wants him out of here. Is he hiding something? Josslyn listens from the hallway.

Valentin sits down, and says he’s sorry if he upset Mac, but Felicia says, he just needs a minute to cool down. He’s been running himself ragged with Lucy’s disappearance, and Anna being framed and on the run. Now this thing with Holly. It’s very personal to him. Valentin says he can understand Mac’s hostility toward his father. Did he have anything to do with what happened to Holly? Laura says, Robert believes Holly was passing information to Victor, and she suspects it has something to do with Ethan because no one’s been able to reach him. Valentin asks if Ethan is Holly’s son, and Laura says, yes. He asks if they think something happened to him, and Laura says, they don’t know. All they know is that he’s done a disappearing act. Valentin says he might be able to help. He still has some associates at the Bureau. He’ll make a call. Felicia says, oh no. He can’t.

As they walk into Britt’s office, Austin asks, what just happened with Britt and Cody? but Britt says she’d rather talk about her birthday. What does he think about renting the Haunted Star? He says, if she wants to go all-out, and she says she’s never had a birthday party in her life, but he says, she’s exaggerating. She says, no, and he says, even the unpopular kids got a cupcake. She says she had an untraditional upbringing, and thinks it’s high time she throw the fiesta to end all fiestas. He asks if there’s any particular reason she wants to do that this year, and she asks if this is him treading lightly, but he says, apparently not. She says, they both know there’s no telling how many birthdays she has ahead of her, so she might as well go out with a bang.

Carly says, Willow fainted yesterday, and Drew asks if she’s all right. Carly says, she seems to be. Nina came over to pick a fight, and when Willow fought back, she collapsed. He says, Nina is relentless, and Carly agrees. She suggests they question Denise first, then see if there’s anything to report back. He says he appreciates her insights, but he thinks it’s better if he questions Denise one-on-one, so she’s more comfortable; so she doesn’t feel outnumbered. Carly says, he’ll fill her in afterward? and he says, she’ll be his second call after Willow. He doesn’t want to get Willow’s hopes up, but wants to keep her in the loop. So many people have lied to her in the past.

Willow says she knows how betrayed Michael feels by his father, and Michael says, for months Nina and Sonny have caused them nothing but grief. She says, everything that’s happened is because of Nina. That woman is fixated on causing trouble for their family, and Sonny is actively supporting her. Michael says, agreed. So what is he missing? She says, just how much his anger at Sonny is costing him.

Sonny asks where Dex laid low after he got shot, and Dex says he was on foot. There was no way he could make back here, and didn’t want to compromise Sonny, so he found a spot that was secure spot. Sonny says, on his own? and Dex doesn’t answer. Sonny says, that’s what he’s talking about. Dex is always holding things back. Dex says he promised the person who helped him that it wouldn’t come back, and Sonny says, Dex also promised he could trust him. Dex says, Sonny can, but he can’t prove that by betraying someone else. Sonny says, that’s not good enough, but Dex says, it’ll have to be. Sonny says, Dex has one last chance. Who stitched him up? Who gave Dex the means to email him? Who helped him out? Josslyn comes out, and says, it was her.

Austen says, he appreciates this living life to the fullest thing, but it’s not going to be Britt’s last birthday. She says, it might as well be. How can she sing karaoke if she’s slurring the lyrics, and barely able to stand? (I have news for her, a lot of people do, especially after a night of drinking.) He says she doesn’t know that’s going to be the case, but she says she doesn’t know it’s not. If he’s thinking she’s given up or made peace with it, she hasn’t. She’s not at peace, and mad as hell. She’s so mad that she’s renting out the Haunted Star and wearing four-inch heels. And she knows she doesn’t have enough friends to even fill her mother’s apartment bedroom, but she doesn’t give a damn; she’s going to do it anyway. She’s going to throw the biggest, baddest birthday party. And co-workers, family, and friends, and casual acquaintances can all come, as long as they look fabulous, and are prepared to party on the dance floor, which is what she’s going to do. He says, fear of death is for those who have regrets, and she says she has loads of those. She doesn’t fear death; she fears the getting to it. She knows how this is going to end. That’s why she’s choosing to live in this moment, and not think about tomorrow; she may not like tomorrow. So she’s going to dance like it’s 1999, and revel under the bright lights, and lose herself on the dance floor. He says he’s in, and she says, yay. She wants to do it with those nearest and dearest to her, and she doesn’t even care if he sings off-key. (Again, there’s a lot of that too.)

Cody meets Mac at the MetroCourt bar, and Mac says he figured Cody wasn’t coming. Cody says, Mac texted that it was important, and Mac says, it is. He gestures toward his whiskey, and asks if Cody wants one. Cody says he’s normally a beer guy, but something tells him that he’s going to need it. Mac asks the bartender for the drink, and says he’s got some news. That necklace that belonged to Leopold Taub, the one Cody was due to inherit, was stolen. Cody says, so that story in the news, the woman who left, that was his necklace, and Mac says he’s glad Cody is up on current affairs. He doesn’t have to explain what happened. Cody says, the hell he doesn’t. He can start with how he’s going to track it down. Mac says he’s afraid it’s unrecoverable, and Cody asks if Mac is just giving up, but Mac says, they know where it is, or was. It was destroyed in a fire.

Laura asks why Valentin can’t look for Ethan, and Felicia says, not everything with Holly is what it seems. Laura asks what that means, and Felicia says, the person Laura really wants to talk to is Robert. Laura says, before she forgets, Charlotte wanted her to invite Valentin for dinner. Any night this week is fine, so let her know. She really has to run. Valentin says, of course (🍷). He’ll be in touch. Laura tells them, have a nice night, and jets. Valentin asks Felicia if he’d be right to assume his contacts at the Bureau would turn up zero trace of Ethan, and she says, that’s a theory. He says, it’s a good one. Victor has taken Holly’s son hostage as well, hasn’t he?

Robert asks if it really matters why Holly did what she did at this point, and Olivia says, of course (🍷) it does. If that necklace holds the key to something bigger… Whatever Holly’s reasons, she’s paying for them now, and so is he. If he ever needs to talk… He thanks her, and says he appreciates her dropping by. She tells him, whatever happens, he’s not alone, and leaves. Robert opens a desk drawer, takes out a box, and takes out the necklace.

Carly stares off in space, and Drew asks where she went. Did something happen? Did Nina do something, or Sonny? She says she wanted to tell him that Nina saw her and Brick together, and got the wrong idea. She went running to Sonny, and told him they were having an affair; the same thing she said about TJ and Willow. She can’t stand that woman. He says, that’s why Carly told Sonny about them, and she says she’s sorry, but she heard Sonny was giving Brick a hard time and she couldn’t stand it. He says, it’s too bad Michael and Sonny are on the outs. They could have used Sonny’s resources to track down Willow’s birth parents. She says, who needs Sonny when Drew Cain is on the case? She thinks he handles things just fine. He says, does she now? and kisses her.

Josslyn says, Dex wouldn’t tell her how or why he got shot, but she figured it had something to do with Sonny, and Sonny just confirmed it. Dex says he needs to talk to Sonny. He’ll call her later. She says, fine, and tells Sonny that she doesn’t know why Dex is so loyal to him, since so far it’s gotten him shot and hung from a meat hook, but it’s Dex’s call. It’s got nothing to do with her. She starts to leave, but Sonny says, hold on. Did she come over alone? She says she did, and Sonny tells her to have Frank drive her home, but she says she doesn’t want a ride from him. She doesn’t want anything from him. She leaves, and Sonny says, out of everybody in the city, Dex goes after his stepdaughter for help? Dex says, he would never purposely put Josslyn in that position, and Sonny asks, how so? Dex says he was weak and barely thinking. He remembered the Quartermaine boathouse had supplies. She was on the grounds, he collapsed, and she found him. She took him back to her dorm room. Sonny punches the wall, and something falls to the floor. He says, big mistake.

Michael says his focus is on Willow and their baby. He’s dedicated to helping her fight this cancer. She asks, how can he be if he’s fighting his father at the same time? She’s not asking him to drop his anger for Sonny’s sake, or defending anything Sonny’s done, but the more Michael feeds into his anger, the more he’s letting Sonny win. He’s smarter than that. He says, now she’s appealing to his vanity, but she says she’s stating a fact. He knows the difference between what seems important and what truly matters, doesn’t he? He says, what truly matters is her and their children. He asks if it would be okay if he stepped out for an hour or so, and she says, sure. Is everything all right? He says he just has one last thing to take care of, and then he’s all hers. He kisses her and leaves.

Dex tells Sonny that he was out of it when Josslyn took him back to her dorm. He didn’t want to stay, but when you’re losing blood and developing an infection, options are limited. Sonny says, and not telling him? and Dex says, Joss saved his life. The least he could do was minimize her exposure. If that cost him this job, so be it, but just know, he’ll never speak of their dealings either. Sonny says he doesn’t want to talk about this; they’ll deal with it later. But this thing with Josslyn cannot become a habit. Dex says, he’s tried telling her, and Sonny says, then try harder. They’ve come to him with an offer to use his facilities for some unofficial exports. If he decides to take the offer, Dex is going to be stepping into a role with more responsibility. Is he up for that? Dex says he is, and Sonny says, he’d better be. There’s no more room for mistakes. Sonny leaves and Dex closes the door.

Josslyn walks into the kitchen where Carly and Drew are kissing, and says, don’t mind her. Carly asks if everything is okay, and Josslyn says, everything’s great. Her? Carly says, everything will be great when they don’t have to worry about getting caught kissing. Josslyn flashes back to kissing Dex, and Sonny interrupting, and says, I hear ya.

Austin says he hasn’t spoken to Maxie about New Year’s Eve, but put them down as will attend, and Britt says, excellente. Partying with her peeps; her final epic turn-up. He says, final? and asks if she’s planning on making an early exit. She asks if that isn’t her choice, and he says, what about the peeps she just said she wanted to party with? She tells him, don’t worry. Her oath to do no harm extends to herself. She’s just not into being a burden. He asks if she’s leaving Port Charles, and she says, after the party. He says, again, what about the peeps that want to be there for her? but she says, it’s not about them. It’s about how she wants to go out. She’s not pushing anyone away; she’s protecting her privacy. He asks, what just happened with Cody? but she says she doesn’t want to talk about it. He asks if she’s really done with that guy, or is she pushing everyone away because of her illness?

Cody tells Mac, so he lost another inheritance. That’s got to be some kind of record. He downs his drink, and Mac asks if he wants another; Mac is buying. Cody says, diamonds are notoriously hard to destroy. Is Mac sure there’s nothing left? There was this place he used to work where there was a wild mustang everyone said was untrainable. It was a beautiful animal, and he was smitten immediately. He took to gaining the horse’s trust, and would feed and groom him. Finally he got a saddle and harness on him; it was one of the greatest days of his life. Two minutes in the saddle, and he bucks up and tosses Cody off. He broke his wrist, and most of pride in the fall, but the horse didn’t care, It was not in his nature to be ridden. Cody didn’t know Leopold Taub, and he’s glad; he sounds like a rotten guy. But was it his nature or was it something he chose? And what about him? Are the things he does his nature, or does he just keep making the wrong choice over and over? For a second, he thought the was going to have an inheritance; something of worth that would make him worthwhile. Now he’s back to nothing. Mac says, money isn’t everything, and Cody tells him, says people who have it. Mac must think he’s shallow. Mac says he thinks it’s a shame Cody grew up without a father. He gets why Cody was invested in Taub’s money. It’s likely the only good thing he’d get out of being Taub’s son.

Robert flashes back to Holly telling him, the Ice Princess has a bad habit of destroying those who covet it, and telling him to be careful. Laura knocks at the door, and he hides the necklace. He tells her, come in, and she says she just had a very interesting chat with Felicia. It seems there’s more going on that Robert hasn’t told her about. He says, she’s right. There is, and she deserves answers. Starting with this. He takes out the necklace, and shows it to her. She’s like, whoa…

Felicia says, it’s true, Victor has Ethan, and Valentin says, of course (🍷) he does. She asks what he meant by, Victor has Ethan as well. Who else has Victor captured? He says, it’s Victor’s M.O. Ask Drew Cain or Liesl Obrecht. He had Valentin locked in his prison in Crete. But who is she thinking of? What is it she’s not telling him?

Drew says he’s got to get going, and leaves. Josslyn says, that’s going good, and Carly says, yeah, but they can’t keep it from the world forever. Josslyn says she’s going to shower, and gives Carly time alone with the moss bowl🎍.

Michael goes to Dex’s apartment, and Dex says, close call. Sonny was just here. Michael says, that won’t be a problem anymore, and hands Dex an envelope, saying, here’s what he owes Dex, plus a bonus for his excellent work. The job is over. How soon can he get packed to leave?

Austin asks if Britt is just afraid Cody won’t be able to handle her illness, and she says, they know what’s ahead of her; years of progressively painful slow decline. She doesn’t want her mother to see it. Why would she want Cody to deal with it; a guy she barely knows. Austin says, what about the people she knows well, and who know her well? They’re going to worry about her and look for her. They’re going to be hurt if they’re not by her side in all this. She says she hopes they realize she’s sparing them, but he says, she’s not sparing anybody. She’s trying to spare herself. She doesn’t want to see her reflection in their eyes; anyone other than her being her vibrant, beautiful, feisty self. She says, what if she doesn’t? Is that so wrong? Austin says, it’s not wrong, but it’s selfish.

Laura says, so that’s why Holly let her go, and Robert says, she was never at any risk. She says, it would have been nice to know that. He couldn’t let her in on any of it? He says, Holly was petrified that any leak at all would endanger her son, and Laura says, okay. She’s glad Holly didn’t betray him. He says, and she’s now free to rescue Ethan. Victor is going to lose another prisoner. She says, Victor needs to lose everything.  

Felicia says, forget she said anything, and Valentin says, Lucy is alive, isn’t she? She tells him that she never said that, but he tells her, she didn’t have to. His father prefers keeping his assets as leverage. Lucy’s body was never found. She says, a reliable source says Lucy was shot with a rubber bullet, retrieved from the harbor, and spirited away. He says, that explains the two shots. The first, a rubber bullet to push Lucy in the water; then a live round to leave a shell casing for the police. There’s no time to waste. He needs Felicia to tell him where Anna is now.

Robert tells Laura, Victor gave directives, but no explanations. They know the diamonds came from the Ice Princess. She says, and they know Victor doesn’t care about the rest of it, since he planted it on Jennifer Smith. He says, there are secrets hidden in these diamonds, and she says, they’ve got to uncover them. They’ve got to stop Victor Cassadine once and for all.

Valentin says, Anna needs to know Lucy is alive, but Felicia says, she’s way off the grid. He asks if she’s left the country, but Felicia says she doesn’t want to jeopardize Anna’s security. He says he doesn’t either, but this is information Anna needs. She’ll have to trust him. She writes something down, and gives it to him. She says, if Anna sought refuge in Europe, there’s one person who will know where she is, and that person can get word to her. He looks a little shocked, rips up the paper, and puts it in his full glass. He thanks her, but she says, don’t thank her yet. Getting word to Anna won’t be easy.

Mac says he doesn’t know Cody well, but he can see Cody’s not the same man as his father, and Cody says, about that… Felicia asks if Mac is ready to go, and Mac says, almost. Cody was saying? Cody tells him, the DNA test result was his loss, and Mac says, theirs too, and leaves with Felicia.

Britt tells Austin, ouch. What is this? Painful truth day? He says, sure, let’s do that. Maybe selfish is too harsh of a word. Let’s call it proud. His father was a very proud man, and wanted to spare them, so he avoided a lot of conversations they should have had. In the end, COPD made those conversations impossible. He gets she’s trying to spare them, but has she considered she’s robbing them of precious moments they want to spend with her? She says she hadn’t, and he suggests she give it some thought. And another thing while they’re at it. What is the dress code for this party? She tells him to have Maxie pick out his clothes, and he says, cool. It’s painful truth day. He thanks her, and says, it means a lot to him. She said she was only inviting her nearest and dearest, and he’s grateful he made the cut.

Drew goes to the gatehouse, and worries he woke Willow up, but she says, this baby is active; he wears her out. He says she does look pale, and she says, anemia. Britt has her on a regimen. What’s up? He says he says he wanted to check in, and make sure she’s 100% committed to finding her biological parents. She says, more than ever. Has there been a development? He says, possibly, and she should know that whatever he finds out could possibly be a disappointment. So before he goes down that road, he wants to make sure nothing has changed. She says she and Michael are ready to do whatever it takes to find answers.

The moss bowl🎍 stands in all its glory, as Carly calls Olivia, who says she was just thinking about Carly. Does she remember how they rewarded themselves when they completed payroll? Carly says, chocolate martinis, and Olivia says, it’s not the same without her. What’s up? Carly says she needs a favor; no questions asked. Olivia says, she’s got it, and Carly says, there’s a woman named Denise McKenzie staying at the MetroCourt tonight. She needs Olivia to notify her when Denise checks in.

Dex tries to hand the envelope back, but Michael says, Dex got shot because of Sonny. He got tortured because of him. Dex says he’s still standing, and Michael says he appreciates Dex’s dedication, but his priority is his family now. Dex says, Michael’s family overlaps with Sonny’s. As long as Sonny is a target, they are too. Isn’t that what Michael told him when he hired him? Michael says he did, but things have changed, and Dex says, the best way to protect them is to stop Sonny. Sonny was here telling him about a new business opportunity. It sounds highly profitable and highly illegal.

At the MetroCourt, Valentin presses the elevator button – Dex says, something big is coming. Sonny didn’t provide details but I know one thing – Sonny comes out of the elevator, and passes Valentin going in – we can’t quit now – Sonny and Valentin exchange glances – not when we’re this close to taking Sonny down.

Tomorrow, Stella asks if Marshall’s diagnosis is wrong; Curtis says, Jordan has a way to end this nightmare; Cyrus hopes Spencer has realized which side he can trust; and Victor says something is unacceptable.

Below Deck

Rodney Bay, 6:30 am, Turnover Day. Captain Lee struggles to get to the bridge, and radios Ross, telling him, the weather is clear. They’re going to be moving to the dock. In the captain’s interview, he says he’s not getting better. As a captain, he’s used to being in control, and to relinquish that, even to own his body, is hard to deal with. It pisses him off.  Hungover, Rachel wonders where she is. She tells Fraser that she’s tired, so she’s going to be quiet, and in her interview, she says, it’s a new crew learning a new boat that’s bigger than Moby’s d*ck. She has to do better next charter, and needs to get her sh*t together. In Ross’s interview, he says he’s pissed at Katie, who’s still asleep. Sometimes, you’re bleeding alcohol out of your skin, but you need to show up for work. He goes to her cabin, and tells her that they’re already doing the tendering. She says she didn’t know what time they were supposed to be up, and he says, he told them last night, 7:15. We flash back to that, and that’s confirmed. He tells her to get on deck; they’re going to dock. Anchor is pulled and in the pocket, and Fraser teaches Hayley how to fluff a pillow. In Hayley’s interview, she says, when she was 20, she had a chief stew from hell, and was made to sleep in the laundry room for two months. Fraser is patient and kind. He’s her boat mummy. She tells him that he’s the bed whisperer. The captain radios for the crew to get their sh*t straight now. He’s going to dock, and wants radio silence. One peep from the interior, and their asses are on the line. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, the first time docking a new boat is always tough. His job is to get to the dock. Quit sniveling. In Tony’s interview, he says he’s never been scared of hard work, but he doesn’t want to make a mistake and get whacked by Captain Lee’s stick. The captain radios for the deck team to come to the bridge, filling them with fear. He tells them that he thought they did a good job docking, and he appreciates it. Carry on. Fraser calls an interior meeting in the Sky Lounge. He tells the stews, obviously they have overall teething issues, and it got dark, but they got through it, and they’ll get through it again. He thinks they’re getting along well, and Camille says, generally, which is an odd word to use. We flash back to Allison whining to Fraser about Camille, and Fraser tells them, try not be short with each other. On deck, Ross tells Katie that he’s sure he told her 7:15, and he’s not happy. They can’t be late on deck, and it’s probably not coincidental it’s after an evening out where alcohol was involved. In Katie’s interview, she says, getting chewed out by her boss sucks, but it sucks more in front of a guy she has a crush on. Ross says, she has to work harder. If it happens again, he’ll have to let the captain know.

Captain Lee still isn’t satisfied with his laundry, and goes over how it’s done with Camille. In his interview, he says, they’re on a superyacht, not a tramp steamer. His shirt had more wrinkles than a basketball, but he has no problem teaching how to do it. Rachel and Tony trade adventure stories, and Rachel says she’s jumped out of a plane still drunk from the night before. Tony tells her about playing with sharks, and in his interview, he says, Rachel is crazy as hell, and she feeds him. He loves her. The captain radios Ross, Rachel, and Fraser to come to the Sky Lounge for a preference sheet meeting. The next charter is a group of female doctors from Seattle, who became friends during their residency, and have been traveling the world together for ten years. The primary is Michelle Pearl, and they’ve requested a Hollywood glam night, and a dinner highlighting truffles. In Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s going to be epic, and the guests are going to love it. She’s the menu murderer. They also want a beach picnic, and a red, black, and gold Moulin Rouge night. The captain says, it’s going to be a good time, and laughs, I assume sarcastically. Camille’s second round of laundry passes his inspection. Tony and Ben find common ground in having experienced racism, and fist bump. The boat is readied, and Captain Lee tells his leg to pay attention and start working. Pizza arrives, and the crew eats in the mess. Fraser says he feels badly for the captain, and in Camille’s interview, she says, the captain can’t move fast at the moment. She doesn’t want him to be in a sticky situation, and not be able to perform to his full capacity. Her father is sick and can’t physically accomplish what he’d like to, so she feels like she has a bit of understanding. It makes her sad.

In the morning, Tony works out and makes noises. In his interview, he says he’s exhausted. Working out is therapy for him. He thought working in yachting would be traveling and working at the same time, but it’s not like that. You finish work, and there’s more work waiting. I can never understand when a crew member is surprised this is a real job. Obviously, they never watched the show. It’s five hours to charter, and provisions come in. Just as I’m thinking, there are no unfit people in yachting, Hayley says she feels like she did an hour of Zumba. In Katie’s interview, she says she’s feeling the pressure. In Miami, people thought she must be a sugar baby. She might be a pretty face, but she knows how to rock it. Alissa complains to Hayley about Camille, and in Alissa’s interview, she says, Fraser needs to stop being lenient. It’s backfired on the team, and makes her feel like sh*t. She whines that Camille took a cigarette break and didn’t finish her work. The captain tells the crew to be on the aft deck in five, and the guests arrive.

Captain Lee tells the guests, welcome. The crew is here at their service, and they’re going to knock it out of the park. ⚾️ In the captain’s interview, he says, it’s nice to do something for those who have sacrificed for them. These are the doctors in the ER who are going to save lives. If they want to get drunk and puke over the side of the boat, cappy will hold their hair. Their service and dedication mean that much to him. Fraser mistakenly calls them nurses, and in his interview, he says, awkward. He’s glad he did it now though. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, the boat isn’t as responsive as he would like. They could do a lot of damage. Ross is concerned they’re going to hit where they can’t put a fender, but they make it. Ross says, that was close, and in his interview, the captain says, close doesn’t count. If you miss by two inches or twenty miles, you still miss. That’s why we get paid the big bucks. Alissa talks to the guests about Jamaica, and in her interview, she says she got her work ethic from her dad. He moved to Delaware from Jamaica at age ten, and got made fun of in school. He went on to become a pilot, a real estate agent, and an entrepreneur. He’s controlling and strict, but even if they’re not close, she wants to make him proud. In Ross’s interview, he says, the team is doing well. It’s important for him to delegate key responsibilities. Otherwise, he’s running around the boat like a mental man. It’s exhausting. Rachel tells Fraser that dinner is going to be Italianesque/Mediterranean, and in her interview, she says, at a real Hollywood dinner, they wouldn’t eat because they’d be anorexic; fueled by cocaine, vodka, and hate. Since the guests have requested truffles, and they’re all females, she’s calling it the Muff-truff Experience. Fraser, Camille, and Hayley put up Hollywood themed decorations, and Rachel can’t find her truffles. She says, it’s a truffle kerfuffle. The guests walk a red carpet, and hand out Oscars at the bar. Rachel says, if she doesn’t find the truffles, she’s going to retire. Alissa takes group photos, and guest Jewell gets pissed when guest Hollie messes with her wig – while it’s still on her head – causing it to slide. Even I say, why? Who does that? Wisely heading to the restroom, Hollie tells guest Alla that she was just being silly. Jewell tells Michelle to check her friend or she will, and that sh*t will not go okay. It took everything in her not to react. Rachel continues to look for her truffles, and in her interview, she says, on a bigger sized vessel, it’s easy to lose sh*t. She decides to pull out everything that has truffle in it, and make lots of mushrooms. Maybe they won’t notice. At the dinner table, Hollie tells Jewell that it wasn’t her best moment, and apologizes. Jewell says, at a certain age, you know not to be an a-hole (you’d think so, but sadly, not true for many people), and Hollie says she messed up; she’s sorry. In Rachel’s interview, she says, she’s not proud of it, but she pulled off a truffle tasting menu with no truffles. She resuscitated dinner service. The guests get in the hot tub, and pronounce it amazeballs. Alissa gives orders to Camille, and in Camille’s interview, she says, no one as any regard for the amount of work she does. All everyone sees is, it’s not enough, yet she’s doing twice the word being a deck stew. She feels like the runt baby who can’t get to the nipple. The guests request Ben remove his shirt, and when he does, they put nipple covers on him, and he dances. Well, captain, they might save my life in the ER, but here, just no. Alissa asks Camille to do literally what she’d told her to do; make sure the bottles are fully stocked in the pantry. Camille suggests if Alissa has so much time to check on this stuff, she should just stock it herself. In Alissa’s interview, she says, Camille doesn’t want to do the job or be corrected. It’s childish. I hate to say it, but Camille does kind of have a point. I honestly don’t know on which side the problem lies, since we don’t see everything, but I don’t know if Alissa should be giving Camille orders.

Captain Lee calls the doctor in the morning, and says he’s lost feeling in his left leg. It gives out and won’t support him. The doctor says, they need figure this out. In Ben’s interview, he says he feel the vibes. There’s something different; a disturbance in the force. Fraser serves the guests wellness shots, and Jewell says she’s not drinking anymore. Another guest points out that she ordered a mimosa, and she says she’s not drinking after that. As Camille walks by, Alissa starts to give her some things to do, but Camille says she’s on deck and Alissa isn’t her boss. As she keeps walking, Alissa says, that’s the lazy sh*t she’s talking about. Camille tells Ben that Alissa acts like she’s her boss, then asks if Alissa is her boss. Jewell wonders how she’s supposed to live normally after this. She can’t go back to daily life. At the beach, Tony gets in the water for a dip, and in his interview, he says, it’s what they call pura vida. Camille radios that they’re coming with the guests, and Alissa tells her to bring the coolers. Camille says she hasn’t seen them, and wonders why they’re her responsibility. Alissa says, they’re by the ice machine, but Camille says, they’re already on their way with the guests. Alissa says, the guests can’t come to the beach without the coolers, and in Fraser’s interview, he says, he can’t be Mr. Nice Guy. He has to put his foot down. He’ll have to be that bitch.  

Next time, Alisson flirts with Ross… or is it Ben; Katie cries in her cabin; and Captain Lee says, his mind and heart are there, but his body won’t cooperate. He’s made a decision.

🧜🏽‍♂️ Ruling the Waves…

Come by tomorrow for soap and whatever rabbits I pull out of my blog hat. Until then, stay safe, stay not feeling like you have to do it all, and stay dancing like it’s 1999, reveling under the bright lights, and losing yourself on the dance floor. Even if it’s just in your living room.

December 2, 2022 – Victor Meets Cyrus, Absent, Jackie’s 45th, Remembrance, Cover Boy, Rudest, Sailed, Amends, That Cake, Only a Donor, Daryl’s Spin, Holiday Horror, First List, New TV, a Handful of Quotes & 1963

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dante walks into Pozzulo’s and knocks on Sonny’s office door. On the phone, Sonny tells Brick to let him know what he comes up with. He asks Dante, what’s up? and Dante thanks him again for Thanksgiving. They had a great time seeing everybody, and he thinks it must have meant a lot to Gladys and Sasha to be included. Sonny says, his commitment is always to his family, no matter what Michael thinks, and Dante says, that’s the real reason he’s here. They both know Michael was right about Sonny.

Drew goes into Sonny’s ex-kitchen to visit the moss bowl🎍, and sees Michael. He thanks Michael for meeting him, and Michael says, it sounded urgent. He asks why Drew asked to meet at his mom’s house, and Drew says, this conversation has to be completely confidential, and there’s too many potential eavesdroppers at the Quartermaines, and probably at Aurora too. Michael asks, what’s going on? and Drew says, they have to be prepared, because he and Carly could be facing criminal charges.

Josslyn checks out a shirtless Dex (another possible drinking game!), and says, his wound is almost healed. Dex says he told her he was fine; nothing to worry about. She says, that sounds so familiar. That’s what he said when he was bleeding and fighting a 104 fever in her dorm room, so excuse her for checking it out herself. He says, so she just came to provide medical attention? and she asks what else she’d come here for. He says he thought maybe she wanted to see him.

Sam struggles to put up a wreath, and Sasha helps her. Sam says, Sasha’s timing is impeccable; good reach. Sasha says she appreciates Sam helping, and Sam says, Dante texted her, and said she was helping with the community decorations. Sasha says, it was Nina’s idea. Nina thought she might be at loose ends as the holiday approached. Sam says, good for Nina, and good for Sasha too, and Sasha says, Nina really deserves all the credit. Not only is she a good person, she’s thoughtful and generous too.

Willow tells Nina, Sasha was just the latest excuse for Nina to get closer to her, and scheme her way back into Wiley’s orbit. Which after the lies Nina spread, is just ludicrous. Nina says she didn’t spread any lies, and Willow says, so Nina didn’t tell Michael that she and TJ were having an affair, when nothing could be further from the truth? Nina says, she made that one mistake. Can Willow calm down? And when she apologized, Willow told her to drop dead. Willow says, that’s because nothing else gets through to her. She doesn’t listen. She doesn’t stop; she just keeps pushing and pushing. Go away, and leave her family the hell alone. Carly walks in, and Willow drops to the floor. Carly and Nina run to her, and Nina says, she’ll call 9-1-1, but Carly says, no. Help her with Willow first.

On the phone in the hallway at Pentenville, Victor says he needs to know what happened to that necklace. If it burned up in the cabin, sift through the ashes. He must have those diamonds. They’re pivotal to his next step. He goes into the visitor’s room, and Nikolas is there. Nikolas says he thinks this is a bad idea; his son doesn’t want to see him. Victor says, Nikolas is Spencer’s father. Spencer misses him, even if he’s angry. The guard lets Spencer in, but Spencer says he wishes to return to his cell. Victor asks if that’s any way to treat family. No matter how many times they might disagree, Cassadines always come together in the end. Nikolas says he’s glad to see Spencer, even if Spencer doesn’t feel the same.

Sonny tells Dante that he can’t believe he’s hearing this. They both know Michael’s anger is out of control. He keeps trying to reconcile, but Michael doesn’t bend. Dante says he’s not condoning the way Michael is treating Sonny – he doesn’t like it – but Michael was telling the truth when he said Sonny abducted Dex Heller and had him beaten. He saw some of Dex’s injuries, and the only reason he didn’t arrest Sonny is because Dex lied and covered for him. Sonny says, that was after Brando’s funeral, months ago. Why is Dante bringing it up now? Dante says, because he looked the other way. Sonny committed a felony, and now he’s doing it again. He does know what Sonny does for a living, right?

Josslyn tells Dex that he can put his shirt on now, and he says he didn’t mean to make her feel uncomfortable, but she says she’s not uncomfortable. He says, true, she’s seen him in less, and she says, he slept in her bed. He says, too bad all he did was sleep, and she says, wow. He really went there. He says he can’t help it. Of all the rotten luck to be lying in her bed, too feverish to do anything but sleep. She says, there’s always next time.

Sasha says, Sam must be on decoration overload. She’s helping get Rice Plaza ready for Christmas, and also has her own house to decorate. Sam says she does have three elves to help with that; she hopes anyway. Scout’s down to help, but she doesn’t know if Danny and Rocco will think they’re too old for decoration. Sasha says, too bad if they are. At least Scout is on board. Christmas is magic at any age, but especially for the little ones. She used to… How about adding some ribbon to this? Sam says, Sasha doesn’t have to edit herself with her. Whatever she was going to say, whatever she’s feeling, she can say it.

Drew tells Michael, he spoke to his legal team, and they think there might be a case against him and Carly for insider trading; even though Carly didn’t make any money, and the merger between ELQ and Aurora didn’t happen. Michael asks if Drew really thinks Ned would go to the SEC, and Drew says he doesn’t think Ned would go that far, but he can’t afford for it to happen. They shared pizza together at Thanksgiving, but he can’t assume that peace offering is going to make Ned forgive and forget. Michael says, the Quartermaines are famous for holding a grudge, and Drew says, exactly. That’s why he has to back way off. He can’t afford to provoke Ned more than he already has. Michael says, given Ned’s anger at feeling they abandoned him, he doesn’t blame Drew, and Drew says, in addition to Leo’s sweet desire for family peace, it’s in their best interest for him and Carly to mend fences with Ned. Michael says he will too, and Drew thanks him. Michael asks what else Drew and Carly can do to protect themselves, and Drew says, they could stop seeing each other.

Nina brings in a cold towel, while Carly props up Willow’s feet, and tells Willow to open her eyes. Willow opens her eyes, and Carly tells her to take it easy. Nina says she’s going to call 9-1-1, but Willow sits up and says, no.

Victor says, Nikolas is Spencer’s father, and Spencer is going to need his father’s support when he’s released, but Spencer says, not if Victor fulfills his end of the bargain. Nikolas says, what bargain? and Spencer says, Victor didn’t tell him? Victor says, he didn’t see the need, and Spencer says, if he agreed to keep his mouth shut about Nikolas sleeping with Esme, Victor promised Spencer would get his birthright ahead of schedule. So he doesn’t need Nikolas anymore; he’s obsolete. Uncle Victor made sure of it. Nikolas says he can’t say he blames Spencer. He hasn’t been a good father, and doesn’t deserve Spencer’s forgiveness, despite his mistakes. Spencer is a better man than he is, and he envies how Spencer gives his whole heart. He hates that he broke it. Spencer says he’s used to it, and Nikolas says he hates that too. Spencer has no reason to trust him, but if Spencer lets him in his life, he gives Spencer his word that he’ll never hurt him again. Spencer says he’d settle for not having to listen to another of these disingenuous speeches, and Nikolas says he told Victor this was a bad idea. He leaves, and Victor tells Spencer, sit down. Spencer sits, and Victor says he’s so disappointed in Spencer. Spencer says, Victor and his father both disrespected his wishes, but Victor says he’d do it again, even though Spencer squandered the time he bought, so Spencer could realign with his father. Spencer says, Victor may be all powerful on the outside, but he has competition in here. Cyrus walks in.

Michael says he didn’t know Drew and his mother were seeing each other. Although the looked cozy at the Quartermaine picnic, and Drew did go to Florida to help his mom with her adoptive mother’s grave, which was above and beyond. Drew says, to be honest, he’s had a thing for Carly for a while now, and Michael says, since they came back from Jacksonville, he just got a friendship vibe. Drew says, the point is, if he and Carly are going to openly be a couple (or perhaps a throuple with the moss bowl🎍), it could strengthen the SEC’s case that he gave her privileged business information. So they’ve got to be casual in public, and probably in private too. How uncomfortable is this conversation making Michael right now? Michael says he knows Drew and his mom are adults, and he’s got to admit, since his mom came back from Florida, this is the happiest he’s seen her in a long time. Drew says, Carly makes him happy too. Unfortunately, this relationship may be short-lived. Michael asks if it has to go that far, and Drew says he thought they could meet in private, but it isn’t fair. They can’t meet at the Quartermaines because he lives there, and there’s always someone popping in and unexpected moments in that house. Like when Olivia walked in on Chase in Brook’s bedroom, for example. Michael says, he heard about that? It was a moment. Drew says, if they meet here in Carly’s house, they have to time their visits to when Donna and Joss aren’t here. It seems dishonest. Maybe he has to accept the timing isn’t right. Michael asks, what if this is the only time they’re going to get?

Tucked in on the couch, Willow says she’s fine. Please don’t call an ambulance. Carly feels Willow’s forehead, and asks if she still feels dizzy. She going to check Willow’s temperature. Willow says she’s not dizzy, and she’s not running a fever, but Nina says, at least let them take her to the hospital, so she can notify her OB. Willow asks, what part of I’m fine doesn’t Nina understand? She’s not in pain; she just needs to rest. Carly gives her some water, and says she needs to stay hydrated. She asks Nina if they can chat outside.

Sonny says he thought things were good with him and Dante, and Dante says, maybe they’re too good. They spend holidays together; they’re neighbors. It seems like the further apart Sonny and Michael get, the closer they get. Sonny asks, what’s wrong with it? and Dante says, there’s been this boundary that he’s always had to keep, between his love for Sonny as a son, and his duty as a cop. And that line is starting to blur. Sonny asks, how so? and Dante says, if this was anyone else, he would pursue the case into Dex’s abduction. He’d get more evidence, and talk to witnesses. He’d build a case, bring it back to Dex, and try and get him to cooperate. And instead, he called Michael a liar. He did that for Sonny’s benefit. He wanted Sonny to know he knew what Sonny had done, and had to tell him to his face that he knows Sonny is behind what happened to Dex. Sonny says he’s never asked Dante to cover for him, and never would, and Dante says, that’s good. Maybe Sonny can tell him about Anna’s escape then.

Josslyn tells Dex to take it easy, and limit all activity for one more week. He says, no offense, but how does she know? Did she consult a medical professional about him? She says she’s been doing some research online, and he asks, where? BulletWounds.com? She says, GH’s website. She went through all this trouble to take care of him, so it woudn’t make sense to bail before he’s healed. He says, that’s exactly what she needs to do – bail.

Cyrus wonders when Spencer is coming back to their chess game, and Spencer tells Victor that he’s improving his game in here. Victor says he’s glad Spencer’s not without friends, but Cyrus says, they’re not just friends; they’re family. Victor says he’s Spencer’s actual family, and Cyrus says he knows who Victor is. Victor says, and he is? and Cyrus says, Cyrus Renault. He’s sure Victor’s heard of him. Victor says, so he’s the famous Cyrus Renault, and Cyrus says, same name, different man, but the Bible says, the memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Dante says, less than an hour before he found out about Anna’s escape, he heard Sonny on the phone, asking someone how it went with Anna. Sonny says, he told Dante, he provided her help when she reached Pentenville. He walks out into the restaurant, and Dante follows, saying, the guy who was supposed to be driving the van was found in the parking lot, tied up with a bag over his head; he was unharmed. Sonny says he’s happy to hear that, and Dante says he’s sure Sonny is. Because whoever conducted Anna’s escape, clearly didn’t want to hurt anyone else. All they wanted was for Anna to get out of there. Sonny sips his espresso, and Dante asks, what happened to Anna? Where is she? Who else has a whole bunch of safe houses in the area? Sonny doesn’t say anything, and Dante says, see what he’s talking about here? It all adds up. Sonny broke Anna out of police custody, and he’s not doing a damn thing about it.

Michael tells Drew that he doesn’t want to be too involved in his mom’s personal life, but he knows from experience, you have less time than you think. He’s sure Drew would like to believe he has years and decades to spend with the person he loves, to do what he dreamed  of. He hopes Drew gets that time, but it’s not guaranteed. Drew asks if this is about the tension between Michael and his father. Is he worried Sonny is going to retaliate?

Josslyn says she’s sorry if her medical skills don’t meet Dex’s high standards, but he says she knows better. If she’d taken him to a hospital, the ER doctor would have had to report the bullet wound, and he’d be behind bars. He owes her. She says, he’s welcome, and he says, she asked him before how he got shot, and she says, and he didn’t tell her. He says, she doesn’t need to know the details to know it was something illegal, and she says, he works for Sonny. Of course (🍷) it’s something illegal (ha-ha!). Dex flashes back to Michael telling him, none of this is fine, and that Dex needs to find a way to keep Josslyn at arm’s length. He tells Josslyn, that’s why he needs her to leave now, and never come back.

Sasha tells Sam, it’s not easy for her to acknowledge her feelings. It’s something she’s working on in therapy; taking time to process her emotions, instead of bottling them up until the overwhelm her in a public and messy explosion. Sam says, it can be really scary, admitting to yourself how you really feel; revisiting dreams for someone whose gone that you know aren’t going to come true. She’s learned, the more time passes, the more she’s able to accept those dreams, and even smile a little. Sasha asks what Sam dreams about, and Sam says, her first child, a daughter, was stillborn. Sasha says she had no idea. She’s so sorry. Sam says she thinks about her all the time, and Sasha says, Liam would have been about a year; he was born near Christmas. He’d have been too young to understand who Santa was, but she thinks she and Brando would have still taken him to see Santa. It never happened, but the thought of it still makes her smile.

They walk outside, and Nina tells Carly that she doesn’t need another lecture. She didn’t come here to pick a fight with Willow. She didn’t come here to orchestrate a run-in with Wiley. She just came her to reach out to Willow on Sasha’s behalf. Carly says she believes Nina.

Willow says she’s sorry to the baby. She should have been more careful. She didn’t mean to get so upset. She’s afraid they’re in for a bumpy ride, but they’re going to make it. She’s their mommy, and she’s going to bring them safely into this world. She promises.

Spencer says he may not have a father he can count on, but he’s lucky to have uncles that look out for him; Cyrus and Victor, and of course (🍷) Uncles Sonny and Martin. Cyrus says, Victor knows his brother Martin, and Victor says, Martin is his son’s attorney, but Cyrus says, they both know Martin is much more than that. Victor gets up, saying, he doesn’t want to interrupt Spencer’s game, but he hopes Spencer reconsiders mending fences with his father. Cyrus says, Victor Cassadine mediator? and Spencer says, Uncle Victor wants peace for their family. Cyrus asks if that’s why Victor tried to kill his. Victor caused his brother great harm. Victor says, the implication that he had anything to do with Lucy Coe’s disappearance is unfounded, and frankly insulting, but Cyrus says he’s not talking about Ms. Coe. He’s referring to the attempt on his brother’s life, and that of their sister Laura.

Carly says, she and Nina aren’t friends, but she doesn’t think Nina came here with the intention of upsetting Willow so much, she fainted. But she has to stay away and accept the fact that seeing her upsets Willow so much, and they both know that’s not good for the baby. Nina says she’d never hurt that baby, and Carly says she believes Nina. Nina says, all right, she’ll go. If Carly will just tell… don’t tell her anything. Nina leaves, and Carly goes back inside. She tells Willow, Nina’s gone, and Willow thanks her. Carly says, but she’s not wrong. Willow needs to see her doctor. Let Carly take her to GH.

Sonny says he doesn’t need Dante’s protection. He can investigate and act on whatever he wants. Dante says, he’ll do that. He just hopes Sonny covered his tracks this time. Because next time – and there will be a next time, and a time after that – he might not have an employee who lies to take a beating. Sonny might slip up, and then Dante will have to do something he doesn’t want to do. Sonny says, so Dante feels the same way Michael does; that he should lose his family, that he should have everything he loves taken from him? Dante says he’s not Michael. He’s not out to get Sonny. He loves Sonny, but he took an oath to uphold the law, and he’s going to keep that oath. Sonny says he doesn’t expect anything less, and if it gets worse, and Dante is forced to arrest him one day, he won’t love Dante any less. Dante says he woudn’t blame Sonny if he did, but Sonny says, it’s not going to happen… ever, and they hug.  

Sam says she can cover if Sasha wants to take a break, but Sasha says she’s having fun. It feels good to be doing something useful and positive. Not that putting up Christmas decorations is going to change the world. Sam says, maybe not, but people seem to take extra care of each other this time of year. She sees a lot of smiles at the decorations and the trees lit up. Sasha says she’s grateful to be part of it, even if in a small way. It turns out what people have been telling her is true. Helping others is a great way to help yourself.

Michael tells Drew that he doesn’t believe he’s in any physical danger from his father, and the emotional damage has already been done. But this whole rift with his father has made him value his family even more. He spent the first year and a half of Wiley’s life believing Wiley was dead. Now he has Wiley… he has Willow and a baby on the way. Every day is precious to him. He wants to freeze time, and live in this place of joy with Willow and the kids. Drew says, if only they could, and Michael says, life has a way of messing up your plans. When it happens, all he can do is deal with it the best he can. Drew says he can’t argue with that, and Michael says, what he won’t do is waste any more time, or overlook the little things. Like the look of wonder on Willow’s face when she feels the baby kick. Or Wiley insisting he read Willow’s baby bump a bedtime story. Drew says, which of course (🍷) he does, and Michael says, those things only come around once. You don’t get do-overs. So if Drew and his mom feel the need to hide, then hide, but don’t pass up the chance of something really good. Now he’s going to go home to Willow.

Spencer asks if Cyrus is talking about the attack on his grandmother and Uncle Martin at the safe house last year. His Uncle Victor had nothing to do with it. Cyrus says, his sources don’t lie, nor do his instincts. Victor tells him, says the man who held Trina Robinson and her mother at gunpoint, and tried to kill Spencer’s friend Britt Westbourne. Or does the attack on Dr. Westbourne not count because Cyrus sent his minions to do his dirty work? Cyrus says he doesn’t hear Victor denying what he did to Laura and Martin, but Victor says he doesn’t answer to Cyrus. Cyrus says, Victor will if he goes near Cyrus’s family again, and that includes Spencer. Victor says, Cyrus doesn’t want him as an enemy, and Cyrus says, or he’ll go on Victor’s hit list too? Victor tells Spencer, don’t let this man manipulate him, but Spencer says he doesn’t get manipulated, and he won’t again. If there’s nothing else Victor has to say… He points toward the door, and Victor tells Spencer, like he said, he doesn’t want to interrupt his game. But remember, your pawns need to be guarded, and you won’t always have a knight to ride to your rescue. He leaves, and Spencer tells Cyrus, could he be more obvious? Cyrus says, instantly, there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales, and he could see once more. He’s sorry Spencer had to learn about Victor this way. Spencer says he’s not in the mood to play chess. He’s going back to his cell.

Willow thanks Carly for hooking her to the portable fetal monitor and checking for herself. Carly says, the baby’s heartbeat looks fine, and Willow’s blood pressure is good, but she’s no OB. She’s not going to insist Willow go to GH, but she wants Willow to promise to see her doctor in the next couple of days. Michael walks in, and asks, what happened? but Willow says, it’s nothing. Michael asks why she needs to see her doctor then, and Carly says, because she fainted. Willow says, she’s fine. Once again, she forgot to eat. Carly says, Willow didn’t want to call an ambulance, but she thinks Willow should see her OB. Willow needs to rest, and needs some TLC. Michael says he’ll make sure of it, and Carly leaves. Michael takes out his phone, and says he’s going to call Terry. She needs to know Willow fainted.

Nina goes to Rice Plaza, and Sasha asks what she thinks of the progress so far. Nina says, it’s great; everyone is doing a fantastic job. Sasha says, Nina doesn’t have to pretend with her. Did something happen? Nina says, sometimes she’s afraid that she’s really as awful as Willow thinks she is.

Dante tells Sam that she’d better pace herself; she has a penthouse to decorate. She says she was just telling Sasha that Scout will definitely want to help decorate, but does he think the boys will think they’re above it all? He says, Rocco seems like he’s going through something right now, but Danny will step up for Scout’s sake. The minute the ornaments and candy canes come out, they’ll get into it. Their boys aren’t as old as they think they are, thank God. Sam wonders where that came from, and he says he loves his father, but their relationship has always been a bit of a minefield. He’s hoping he and Rocco don’t turn into that when he’s an adult.

Josslyn says, Dex is out of bandages and antibiotic ointment, so she’s going out to get some. He tells her not to bother. He can order that stuff online. He doesn’t need her to come back. She says, skip it. It’s not going to work. He says, what? and she says, the big speech. He tries to warn her about how dangerous he is, and tries to push her away for her own good. She knows he’s dangerous. He was beating up some guy under Sonny’s orders the night they met. He can do so much better than Sonny. He’s resourceful; he keeps his head in a crisis. He’s loyal, and doesn’t complain even when he’s hurt. He says, Dex Heller, hero, and she tells him, stop it. She found him bleeding. She nursed him through a fever. She sat up with him all night to make sure he was still breathing. So she’s not going to walk out and pretend what they went through doesn’t mean something.

Sam says, most of the tension between Dante and Sonny is because Dante’s a cop, and Sonny is… Sonny. As long as Rocco doesn’t want to grow up like his grandfather, she doesn’t think Dante has anything to worry about. He says, fathers and sons butt heads about stuff, and she asks if she looks worried. She sees him and Rocco interact every day, and she sees love. Not only Dante’s love for Rocco, but Rocco’s love for him. You know what that tells her? He says, that they’re love is so strong it can survive anything, and she hugs him, saying, don’t make fun of her. He’s so smart. He says he just gets it through osmosis living with her. He thanks her for making him look forward to Christmas, and for their blended family. For the traditions they’re going to make. He’s already got his Christmas presents. She says, her too, and they kiss.

Nina says, too bad she doesn’t have a flask of brandy to go with this hot chocolate, and Sasha says, that bad? Nina says, it’s her fault Willow fainted. She never should have gone over to Willow’s place. For a smart women, she does a lot of stupid things. If something happens to Willow and that baby, she’ll never forgive herself. Sasha says, Nina made a mistake. Welcome to the club. The important thing here is to take a breath, figure out how it happened, and how to avoid it happening again. Nina says, she knows the answer, and oddly enough, got it from Carly. Sasha says, Carly’s a smart lady, and Nina says, even though it galls her to admit this, Carly helped her to see that the only thing she can do for Willow is stay away from her.

Willow thanks Michael for the soup, and says she’s feeling much better. Staring at his phone isn’t going to make Terry call back any faster. Michael says, maybe they should go to GH. If the chemo is causing her to faint… She says, it’s not the chemo. It was Nina, or rather her response to Nina. He says, Nina was here? and Willow says, Nina volunteered Sasha to oversee the decorations in Rice Plaza, and showed up to ask her to help. When she tried to decline, Nina said she was selfish. Things went downhill from there. She snapped and started screaming at Nina, and next thing she knew, it was lights out. He says he’ll make sure Nina never comes here again, but she says she doesn’t think that will be a problem. She thinks her fainting scared Nina more than it scared her. Michael says he doubts Nina would have gotten in an argument with Willow if she’d known Willow just had chemo. They need to find Willow a bone marrow donor, and need for people like Nina to treat her with consideration. They need to tell people Willow has leukemia.

Drew surprises Carly with a kiss as she walks into the kitchen. She says not that she’s complaining, but what’s going on? He says he has it on good advice that they should take full advantage of their time together while they’re lucky enough to have it. She says she’s not arguing with that, but she thought they were staying away from each other. He says he can’t stay away from her. And they’re lucky enough to have this big house on acres of grounds, with secluded nooks and crannies, and the moss bowl🎍. They kiss, and his phone chimes. She insists he get it, and he says, good news. They have a lead on Willow’s birth parents.

Josslyn tells Dex, she won’t hang around where she’s not wanted, but she’s not going to deny what’s standing in front of her, and neither can he. It’s like this wall went up between them, and Dex remembered he had to protect little old her from big bad him. She calls BS on that. She makes her own decisions, and knows the risks she’s taking. If he doesn’t want her, just say that. He says he’s trying to do the right thing here, and she suggests he try being honest instead. He says, she wants honest? and kisses her. There’s a knock at the door, and Sonny says, open up.

On Monday, Cody tells Britt, it’s more than that and she knows it; Willow tells Michael that she needs to do this on her terms; and Valentin says, if Mac has evidence, he’d like to hear it.

🤷🏻 Where In the World…

God forbid she gets some free time.

🏥 Happy Anniversary…

More pictures would have been nice.

🌱 A Mother’s Memories…

This is still just the saddest thing.

🧼 Wait, What…

I never knew he was on the cover of Playgirl, but then again, it was never on my list of publications to buy.

👠 Love Bubble My Foot…

No surprise whatsoever. I love how Andy says she must have been provoked. Yeah, they said her name.

🍹 Ahoy…

Leva dishes on Southern reality.

💞 Aww…

I’m sure it won’t last for long.

👰🏾 Speaking Of Which…

The cake is ridiculous, but I love the traditional theme.

https://people.com/food/porsha-williams-husband-simon-guobadia-wedding-cake-sword/

🍼 No Chances…

Can’t say I blame her. Randall wasn’t much of a step up from James. As a matter-of-fact, aside from the money, he was a step down.

⚰️ Resetting Daryl…

More on viva le Daryl.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-norman-reedus-reset/

🎄 Sub-Genre…

I never thought of The Thing as a Christmas movie, but why not? I have my own cinematic quirks.

https://ew.com/movies/best-christmas-horror-movies/

🥀 Early Roll Call…

Those we’ve lost.

https://ew.com/celebrity/stars-we-lost-in-2022/

📺 Rushing the TV Season…

What’s coming up next year.

https://ew.com/tv/2023-tv-premiere-dates/

📬 Quotes of the Week

Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided. – Paracelsus

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor. – Sholem Aleichem

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.Lou Holtz

You get to decide where your time goes. You can either spend it moving forward, or you can spend it putting out fires. You decide. And if you don’t decide, others will decide for you. – Tony Morgan

Compassion is the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment. – Arthur Jersild

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.Aristotle

I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste. – Marcel Duchamp

If a zombie bear isn’t the problem, what is? – Doc (Russell Hodgkinson), Z Nation

🕰 Time Keeps On Tickin’…

Boomerang back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and my favorite Boat Daddy. Until then, stay safe, stay never settling for less than, and stay helping others. It’s a great way to help yourself.

December 1, 2022 – Valentin Brings Sonny a Business Proposal, Worst House In the World & Long

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha and Nina walk into Rice Plaza with some boxes. Nina says, the volunteers aren’t hear yet, but Sasha says, that makes sense, considering they’re early. Nina thanks Sasha for doing this; it’s no small task supervising the decorating of Rice Plaza. Sasha says, it should be fun. Besides, she should be thanking Nina for putting her in charge. She doesn’t exactly have the best rep these days. Nina tells her not to be ridiculous; she’s the perfect person for the job. Sasha says, if that’s the case, get out of here. Start her day. Nina asks Sasha to text her if there’s any issues, but Sasha says, there won’t be any issues. Nina says she can’t wait to see the finished product. Good luck. She leaves, and Sasha says she’s going to need it. Chase comes along, and says, fancy meeting her here. What’s she up to? Sasha says she’s decorating Rice Plaza. Does he want to help?

Brook thanks Dante for coming over. She’s sorry it’s so late, but voila! One highly-anticipated letter to the Civilian Complaint Review Board. She hands him a manila envelope, and says she knows she could have just sent an email, but she thought it would be better if a cop delivered it… Dante is that cop, FYI. He doesn’t say anything, and she says, he’s the one who begged her to write it; all the circumstances surrounding Chase punching Valentin and Linc. It’s very persuasive if she does say so herself. She took full responsibility for both incidents. He says, it sounds like an awesome letter. Unfortunately, it’s too late.

Michael and Willow enter the gatehouse, and he asks if she wants to go upstairs and rest, but she says, the couch is fine. She tells him that he can go back to work, but he doesn’t want to leave her alone. She says, there’s an estate with an entire staff right up the driveway. Please. It helps to know he and Wiley are keeping things as normal as possible. He says, fine. He’s going to take care of a few things and he’ll be back. He puts a blanket on her, and she says she doesn’t deserve it, but he says, she deserves the world, and he intends to give it to her. Lay back and close her eyes. She does, and he leaves. She tells the baby, that daddy of yours worries too much.

Dex dozes on his couch, and dreams about kissing Josslyn. He sits up with a start.

Carly sees Josslyn in the kitchen near the beloved moss bowl🎍, and tells her, good morning. Josslyn is concentrating on her laptop, and Carly asks if it’s an important assignment. Josslyn says, an application actually. She’s changing her major. Carly says, to what? and Josslyn says, pre-med. She wants to become a doctor.

Valentin knocks at Sonny’s office door, and Sonny waves him in. He asks how Anna is and if she needs anything from him, and Valentin says, she wants to be left to her own devices for a while. If she needs anything, she’ll reach out. Sonny asks why he’s here, and Valentin says he’s got a business proposal for Sonny.

Josslyn says, she has a 4.0, but she’s weak in sciences, and Carly says she can’t imagine Josslyn is weak in anything. Josslyn says, it’s true. She only took bio her freshman year. Luckily, the application includes an essay where she can explain her reasons for changing. Carly asks if she’s going to include treating a gunshot wound off the books, but Josslyn says she doesn’t think she can include that. Carly asks, what prompted this? Changing majors is a big deal. Josslyn says, not really. Communications was just a place holder until she figured out what she really wanted to do. Now she knows. Carly asks, what made her realize she wanted to study medicine? and Josslyn says she hates feeling helpless. And that’s exactly how she felt when Dex got shot.

Dex lets Michael in, and Michael hands him a phone, saying, he believes this belongs to Dex. Dex thanks him, and Michael asks how it ended up outside the gatehouse. Dex says he dropped it, and Michael says, that’s pretty careless; not Dex’s usual M.O. Dex says, it wasn’t a usual night; he’d just been shot. Michael says, shot doing what? and Dex says, helping Anna Devane escape… on Sonny’s orders.

Sonny says he collaborated with Valentin for Anna’s sake, because she’s more than a friend of his, and Robin’s mother. Valentin says, and Sonny would do anything for Robin, and Sonny says, and Stone’s memory, but that doesn’t make them allies. Valentin threatened Spencer as a kid. Valentin says, Spencer was never in any real danger from him, and Sonny says, Valentin is telling him that now, but it didn’t seem that way at the time. He doesn’t know what Anna sees in Valentin, but he does know that Valentin’s first loyalty is always to himself. Valentin says he’s here as an intermediary bringing Sonny an offer from a third party. And yes, there’s something in it for him, but there’s a helluva lot more in it for Sonny.

Dante tells Brook, the CCRB is already reviewing Chase’s appeal. The meeting started 15 minutes ago. She says, so take the letter over; do his whole lights and sirens thing. He’s the one who begged her to write it. He says, they needed this information last Friday; he’s sorry. She says she’ll go with him. She’ll talk to the Review Board herself, and make them see she has pivotal information… He says, that she didn’t give them, and she says, because she was unavoidably delayed. He says, they won’t let her in the meeting, but let’s say for argument’s sake, they did. What’s the unavoidable delay? She says she’ll come up with something crazy convincing, but Dante says, Chase wouldn’t want that. They both know Chase wouldn’t want her to save his badge with a lie.

Sasha tells Chase that she’s overseeing the decorating, and he says, it’s generous of her, but she says she’s glad to have something to focus on. She pitches in where she can at Deception, but after all the PR she generated last year – and not in a good way – there’s only a limited amount she can do. Who doesn’t love decking the halls? He asks if she’s really supposed to do this all on her own, and she says, volunteers should be arriving soon. Fingers crossed they actually show up. He says, one of them’s already here, so put him to work, but she says she was just teasing before. He says, it will be good for him, and she asks if he needs something to focus on too. He says, actually, he does, and she asks if everything is okay. He says he and Brook broke up.

There’s a knock at the door, waking Willow. She answers it, and Nina is there. Nina asks if she woke Willow, but Willow says she was just resting her eyes. What can she do for Nina. Nina says, she knows it’s bizarre that she’s here, but she was wondering if she could come in for a few minutes. Willow says, Wiley’s at school, so if this is an attempt to accidentally run into him… Nina says, it’s not. She actually chose this time because she knew Wiley wouldn’t be home. The last thing she wants is for him to be confused. Willow lets her in, and says, if she’s not here about Wiley, then why? and Nina says she was hoping Willow might want to help out a friend.

Valentin asks if Sonny is familiar with the Pikeman Security Group, and Sonny says, he’s heard they do munitions for mercenary operations. Valentin says, that’s exactly right. Pikeman is interested in moving certain classified merchandise through Port Charles without the interference of government or law enforcement. They feel Sonny’s organization’s facilities would be perfect for their purposes. Sonny asks what he gets out of the deal, and Valentin says, money, a lot of it. For every successful shipment, Sonny will get ten million.

Dex says, in a last minute change, an inmate from D’Archam was added to the transport, and Michael says, the inmate had a guard of their own. Dex nods, and says, he was made when the guard realized he wasn’t headed to Pentenville. The guard drew his gun, they struggled, Dex got shot, and the van crashed. Michael says, and Anna? and Dex says, she managed to get away. Fortunately, his wound wasn’t too bad. Michael asks how Dex ended up at the gatehouse, and Dex says he was on foot, bleeding, and actually looking for Michael. He was hoping Michael could get him medical attention, or at least a ride home. Michael says, but he wasn’t there, and Dex says, but Josslyn was.

Josslyn says she did what she could to help Dex, and Carly says, she did a helluva lot more than most people would or could have done. Josslyn says, but if Carly hadn’t shown up, and figured out a way to get antibiotics, who knows what would have happened? and Carly says, Josslyn would have had two choices. Josslyn says, take him to the hospital, where he probably would have been arrested, or wait it out, and he might be dead. She never wants to get put in that position again. If someone in front of her is sick or hurt, she needs to be able to help them. She needs those skills and training to be able to treat them. Carly says she gets that, but wants Josslyn to be honest with herself. Is that the real reason she wants to be a doctor? Josslyn asks, what other reason is there? and Carly says, her feelings for Dex.

Dante asks why Brook didn’t just write the letter the first time, or the eighth time, and she says, because she was selfish. Shocked, right? She wanted to have her cake and eat it too, which is the dumbest expression ever. Who has cake and doesn’t want to eat it? Dante says, it means you can’t have everything, and she says she gets it. Of course (🍷) after it’s too late, but she did. She wanted it all; revenge on Linc, make Chase a star, keep her and Chase together. She was so scared if he went back to being a cop, it would mess with her first two objectives. She guesses she just wanted the music and her to matter more. She wanted to keep Chase in this world they were making, not doing police work. He says, so she stalled on the letter, and she says, now Chase knows. Now it’s over. She lost him.

Sasha says, if Chase doesn’t want to talk about it, she completely understands. God knows she’s had her fair share of people nosing into her business lately. But if he wants to talk, she’s here to listen. He says, the details are incredibly convoluted because… well, Brook. But the underlying issue is really simple. He and Brook have different priorities. She says, how different? and he says, hers was making him a popstar, when all he wanted to do was get his badge back, and it turns out Brook could have helped him with that, but she chose not to.

Nina tells Willow, the hotel is sponsoring the Community Decoration Project, and she pinned Sasha to oversee the decorating. Willow says she’s sure Sasha will do a great job, and Nina agrees, saying, she’s at Rice Plaza right now with a crew of volunteers. If she knows Sasha, she’s probably trying to do all the work herself. She could probably use some helping hands. Willow asks if that isn’t what volunteers are for, but Nina says she means helping hands that belong to a friend. Would Willow be willing to pitch in? Willow says, this isn’t a great day for her, and Nina apologizes for it being last minute, but this is a bigger project than they thought. She’s sure Sasha would be grateful for Willow’s help. Willow says, it’s not that she doesn’t want to help, and Nina says, Sasha has had a tough time this year, and with Christmas around the corner, it’s a triggering time. Sasha really needs her friends to rally around her.

Carly says, it’s safe to say most of Josslyn’s interactions with Dex have been under highly stressful circumstances, right? When emotions are running high like that, it’s easy to get confused. Josslyn says, Carly doesn’t want her to go into medicine? But Carly tells her, that’s not what she’s saying. Pre-med is really hard, and it’s a lot of time she could be spending doing other things with other people. Being a doctor is amazing, but she thinks it’s important for Josslyn to be clear on her why and her motivation. Is Dex a factor in her decision? Josslyn says she’s not switching to pre-med to be Dex’s on-call doctor, if that’s what Carly is implying, and Carly says she just wants Josslyn to be truthful with herself. Josslyn says she doesn’t know what that means, and Carly asks if she wants to become a doctor because it’s safer than admitting her feelings for Dex.

Michael says, they’ve been over this, and Dex says, he knows. Michael wants Josslyn nowhere near their plans to take Sonny down, but she insisted on helping him. Michael says, it makes sense now. He knew Josslyn was acting strange that night, but he was distracted, so he didn’t press her on it. Dex says, Josslyn helped patch him up. He was actually in the gatehouse when Michael and Willow got home, but he slipped out. Michael says he’s not faulting Dex, but he doesn’t like it, and Dex says, Michael’s really not going to like what happened next.

Sonny says, in his experience, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, but Valentin says, this isn’t a something for nothing situation; the risks are significant, and the rewards should be substantial. Sonny says, before he even considers the offer, what’s in it for Valentin? and Valentin says he’s worked for Pikeman several times as a logistics coordinator. It was their idea to use him as an intermediary. Sonny says, that’s not what he asked, and Valentin says, he’d be doing them a favor, hoping they return it. Sonny says, what’s the favor? but Valentin says, it has nothing to do with Sonny or his organization. Sonny has his word. Sonny says, Valentin’s word don’t mean much to him at this point, and Valentin says, that’s fair enough. Sonny either believes him or doesn’t, but Pikeman wanted him to bring Sonny the offer, and here he is in. They want to do business with Sonny, and in Valentin’s opinion, it’s in Sonny’s best interest to agree.

Josslyn tells Carly, the situation with Dex definitely shifted her perspective. It not only showed her that she wanted a change, but it showed her what that change was. Carly says, to change her major and medicine, and Josslyn says, so she can eventually practice medicine. This is a decision she’s making for her future. She’s sorry, but she thinks parents are usually excited when their kid comes to them and says they want to be a doctor. Carly says, she will support Josslyn 1000%, but she’s Josslyn’s mother, and it’s her job to offer Josslyn advice. If Josslyn does have feelings for Dex, there are two things she needs to consider. Josslyn says, he works for Sonny, and Carly says, and he’s already been shot. The odds are good he’s going to have more violence in his life. Josslyn grew up in Sonny’s world. She knows what that life costs. Josslyn says, Carly is right, and Carly says she saw so much heartache during her years with Sonny, selfishly, she doesn’t want that for Josslyn. Josslyn says, Carly is getting way ahead of herself. They’re not there; not even close. Josslyn consults her tablet and the moss bowl🎍, and Carly says, Josslyn’s not there yet. Josslyn says she’s not going to lie to Carly. She does feel something for Dex. She has yet to define what it is. She doesn’t even know if it will last. Half the things she knows about him, she doesn’t like. The things she does like are significant, but that’s not the reason she wants to change her whole life. She knows she can be a doctor. She knows she’s smart enough and hardworking enough, and she’ll do what it takes; she’ll put in that time and dedication. So she’ll never have to feel helpless the way she did with Ava. Dex saved Ava’s life, not her. She didn’t think about it until now, but if Ava had died because she didn’t know what to do, she couldn’t put that down. So she’s doing this so she knows what to do. And Dex is a part of that, because he did.

Dex tells Michael, Josslyn got him back to her dorm. He’s not sure how, since he doesn’t remember. By then, he was spiking a fever. Michael says, it’s not that he doesn’t care about Dex’s health, but Dex understands how concerning this is, right? Was he delirious? Dex says he was pretty out of it, but doesn’t think he said anything compromising. Michael asks how he can be sure, and Dex says, Josslyn would have called him on it. She’s not one to shy away from asking questions. Michael agrees, and Dex asks if Josslyn asked him anything about it. Michael says, about them working together? No. She would have been all over him if she was suspicious. They dodged a bullet on that one (well, Michael did), but that doesn’t change the fact Dex committed a crime by helping Anna escape. Now if Dex goes down, Josslyn could go down with him.

Willow asks Nina to tell her if she’s got this right. She wanted Sasha to be busy over the holidays, so she took over the Community Decoration Project, and nominated Sasha to run it with no input from her. Nina says she thought it would be nice for Sasha to do something for someone else, and it seems like she’s right. She just left Sasha at Rice Plaza, and she was upbeat and energetic. Willow says, yet Nina’s first stop was to see her. If Sasha’s dong so great, why does she need her friends to rally? Nina is spinning her own narrative like she always does, with zero consideration for anyone else. Pick a lane. Is this project good for Sasha or not? Willow is losing me here, since, even if it was good, Sasha could still be feeling badly about her first holidays without Brando. Nina says, God forbid there should be shades of grey. She came here because Willow is Sasha’s friend. Clearly it was a mistake. She was foolish to think Willow could put their differences aside to help a friend. Willow says, there goes that narrative again, and Nina says, other people might buy Willow’s goody two-shoes image, but not her. Willow is as selfish as they come.

Chase tells Sasha that he doesn’t know if Brook’s letter would have made an impact on the Review Board’s decision, but the point is, she didn’t even try. He thought Brook knew how much his badge means… meant to him, since he told her every five seconds. She either didn’t understand or didn’t care. Sasha doubts the latter is true, and says, maybe Brook thought she knew what he needed better than he did. She’s not saying Brook’s right, but neither were they when they decided they knew what was better for Michael and Willow. In their minds, they were doing the right thing; taking themselves out of the equation so Michael and Willow could win custody of Wiley. They were convinced everything they were doing was for the greater good. Maybe Brook thought she was too. Chase says, her greater good, and Sasha says, what if Brook sincerely thought he’d be better off as a singer? What if, in her heart, she was doing it for the both of them?

Dante says he’s sorry, but Brook says, he’s not. He never thought she was good enough for Chase. He says he actually thought she was very good for Chase. Instead of moping around about losing his badge, she lit a fire under him. She had him engaging in things again. Then they started going out together, and Chase hasn’t been that happy since he split with Willow. She asks if he really thinks Chase was happy, and he says he does. Why wouldn’t he be? She’s smart, fun, creative… She says, a very generous description, and he says he’s serious. She could actually do some good if she got out of her own way. She wonders why that’s so hard for her sometimes. It’s like she had tunnel vison, and couldn’t or wouldn’t see that what made Chase truly happy was being a cop. She asks if he’s sure there’s no way to fix this, and he says, not unless she has connections with the CCRB, but he doesn’t think she should use them even if she did. Chase wouldn’t want her to do that. She sighs, he says he’ll see her soon, and leaves.

Sonny says, this better not be take the deal or else, because that usually doesn’t turn out well, but Valentin says he’s just the messenger. He’s not threatening anyone. If Sonny doesn’t want to do business with Pikeman, they’ll just go to another guy. Sonny says, that seems like the best thing to do; go to another guy in a different city. Valentin says, that’s the thing; Port Charles is the city. It’s the shipping hub with access to both Atlantic and Canadian sea lanes. Pikeman’s going to be moving their merchandise through Port Charles no matter what. Unfortunately, now that Sonny knows their plan, and doesn’t want to cooperate, that makes him a problem they’re going to want to remove.

Carly hugs Josslyn, and says she’s proud Josslyn’s decided to be a doctor. She didn’t have that kind of clarity at Josslyn’s age. She spent so much time chasing what she thought she wanted, she couldn’t see what was right in front of her. She couldn’t see that she was in love with Jason until it was too late. Josslyn says, Carly is going way too far with this; she’s not in love with anyone. Carly asks, where’s Cameron in all this? and Josslyn says she does love Cameron. They grew up together, but things are not how they used to be. She doesn’t know why or when it happened… Carly says, but Josslyn’s feelings have changed? and Josslyn says, yes, but this is not about Dex; it’s about her. Something shifted. She does care so much for Cam, but they don’t have the same connection they used to have anymore. She doesn’t feel like half a couple. Carly asks if she’s shared any of this with Cameron, but she says, no. She can’t stand the thought of hurting him. Carly hugs her, and says, because she’s kind, sweet, and amazing, but the longer she waits, the harder it’s going to be for Cameron. This isn’t going to be easy. Josslyn says, breaking up with her best friend; it’s going to be brutal. Carly tells her to prepare herself. She’s probably going to be labeled the bad guy, and part of that’s her fault. People are going to say, like mother, like daughter. Josslyn says, screw those people, and Carly agrees, but says, it will be easier to withstand the criticism if she knows in she was honest with herself, and Cameron. Josslyn says she’s going to change, and Carly asks if she’s going for a run. Josslyn asks how she knew, and Carly says, because Josslyn says it always helps her thing. Josslyn says, let’s hope today is no exception.

Michael says, Dex is lucky his fever broke; he obviously had an infection. Dex says, it was more than lucky. Josslyn was able to get him antibiotics with Carly’s help. Michael says, his mom’s involved in this now? and I laugh because Michael’s head is thisclose to exploding. Dex says, they just know he was shot, not how. He’s guessing with the timing, and the fact they know he works for Sonny… Michael says he’s sure they assume he was helping Anna escape, and Dex says, but that’s fine as long as they don’t know he’s working for Michael. Michael says, none of this is fine. He wants to dismantle Sonny’s life, but not at the cost of his mom and sister. Dex says, their involvement was a one-time thing, and Michael says, for his mom, but they both know Josslyn is an issue. He’d rather blow this whole operation up than put his sister at risk. Dex needs to find a way to keep Josslyn at arm’s length. Dex says he understands, and Michael leaves.

Brook reads, as you can see, both incidents were entirely my fault. Detective Chase acted in my defense because he embodies all the qualities you should want in a police officer. He’s protective, courageous, and above all, he is compassionate. Detective Chase is committed to his badge and his duty, and deserves to be reinstated. Port Charles will only be the better for it. She cries a little, throws the letter down, and says, there has to be way out of this. There has to be.

Chase says, Sasha has a point. Playing God with someone’s life, no matter how good the intentions isn’t fair to them. She asks if he can say karma. She’s in a guardianship, which by definition means she has no control over her life. Meanwhile, Brook made decisions for Chase that had a direct impact on his future. He says, so it’s payback time? and she says, seems a little ironic, no? He asks if that means she thinks he shouldn’t judge Brook, that he’s a hypocrite if he does, and she says she’s simply pointing out that they all make mistakes. Dante comes by, and Chase asks if Dante’s heard back from the Review Board about his case.

Nina asks if Willow can’t see everything she has in comparison with everything Sasha lost. She’s lost Liam; she’s lost Brando; she’s had nervous breakdowns multiple times. She’s under a guardianship now, but Willow has a perfect life. Willow just graduated nursing school with flying colors, and gets to take days off whenever she wants to rest her eyes. She lives on this beautiful estate with the man she loves. She has a son she adores, and a baby on the way. Her life is perfect, but she can’t be bothered to show even an ounce of compassion for the woman she claims is a… Willow screams, shut up! Shut. Up.

Dante tells Chase that he wasn’t there. He’d already said his piece. He made the best case he could for Chase to be reinstated. Chase thanks him, saying, he appreciates it, and Dante says, everyone is pulling for him. Chase says he knows it’s a long shot, and it probably won’t go his way, but he still can’t help but hope. Sasha says, Chase has been burning off nervous energy by helping her decorate, and asks if Dante wants to join. Dante says, he could throw up a wreath or two before he goes to work, and Sasha says she’ll be right back. She leaves, and Dante asks if Chase volunteered here, but Chase says, no. He just happened upon Sasha and offered to pitch in. Dante says, of course (🍷) he did, when Chase’s phone chirps. Chase looks at it, and makes a sad face. He says, it’s final. The Review Board turned down his appeal. Dante says he’s sorry, and Chase says he’s not a cop anymore, and never will be again.

On the phone, Brooks says she’s so glad they answered… It’s Brook Lynn… Yes, that Brook Lynn. She made a mess. She’s got to fix it and can’t do it alone.

Dex is about to text Sonny, when there’s a knock at the door. He opens it to Josslyn.  

Sonny asks if Valentin is threatening to remove him, but Valentin says he’s not threatening anyone. He knows these people, and knows how they operate. Sonny’s been in power a long time. They’re satisfied he can achieve their objectives. Sonny says, if he refuses? and Valentin says, they’ll go with someone else, and Sonny will be reclassified as a liability. So he can either make a boatload of money, or make a whole new set of powerful enemies and lose everything. The ball is in his court, but however he chooses, he should choose quickly. These folks are not known for their patience. He leaves, and Sonny calls Brick. He says he needs Brick to get as much information on the Pikeman Security Group, and Brick’s got to get it to him as soon as he can.

Willow says, how dare Nina? This isn’t about Sasha; it’s about Nina. Just like everything is always about Nina. Nina says, that’s not true… and Willow says, Sasha was just the latest excuse for Nina to try and get closer to her, so she can steamroll her way back into Wiley’s orbit. Willow laughs, and says, which after the lies Nina spread is just ludicrous. Nina says she didn’t spread any lies, and Willow says, Nina didn’t tell Michael that Willow and TJ were having an affair, even if nothing can be further from the truth? Carly comes up the walk, and Nina says, she did do that, but it was a mistake, and she said she was sorry, and Willow told her to drop dead. Willow says, that’s right, because nothing else would get through to her. She doesn’t listen. She doesn’t stop; she just keeps pushing. Go away. Leave her family the hell alone. Carly comes in, and Willow drops to the floor. Carly says, oh my God, and runs to her.

Tomorrow, Victor tells someone that they don’t want him as an enemy, Drew tells Michael that he and Carly could be facing criminal charges; and Nina calls 9-1-1.

🏂 And for Winter House, and the creepiest too-old-for-this people in the world… Jason requested a sit-down with Lindsay, and told her that some of her actions created unintentional consequences. When she broadcasted her miscarriage story, he wasn’t involved, got caught unawares, and people started asking questions he couldn’t answer. It hurt. She said, there was no handbook on how to handle these things, and for most women pregnancy was terrifying. Really? I think plenty of unterrified women give birth every day just fine. She said she told Jason that she was putting it out there, but it wasn’t like she sought out the media. I’m not sure what she thought would happen when she put it out there, like websites wouldn’t pick it up. In her interview, she was pissed because Jason wasn’t acknowledging her feelings, which had nothing to do with him. I didn’t quite grasp why he should acknowledge feelings that had nothing to do with him, but that’s the kind of contrary talk that comes out of her. In Jason’s interview, he felt he should have been involved in the conversation, and she ignored his feelings. With all these feelings flying around, apparently, no one saw the red flags. Lindsay apologized, but I doubted the sincerity. True to form, Kyle put a foxtail in his pants to represent a penis, which is about the level of this show. Lindsay whined to Carl, saying, Jason attacked her character. How? By saying he felt left out of something he was very much a part of? Carl said she’d communicated as best she could in a way that was comfortable for her, which was basically Jason’s complaint – she’s incredibly selfish. Good luck down the road, Carl, when you get tired of being supportive of that. Jason said he was cool after getting things off his chest, and moved on with Rachel. Like this show isn’t bad enough, there were a lot of kissing smacky noises. I always wonder if they put the mics in their mouths. Does anyone really kiss that loud?

Jess was all in love with Kory, but in his interview, he said he wasn’t ready for the L-word, and I don’t blame him. Luke announced he was going ice fishing, and told those who wanted to join him, bring their best lures and good luck charms, and hopefully they’d catch something. Austen, Kyle, Carl, Lindsay, and Jess joined him, Jess wondering if the fish were still alive since they were in ice. That was definitely a Jim from The Office moment for me, as I stared at the camera in my mind. However, it was impressive that they were out in minus 2 degrees. Carl was the TMI winner this week, talking about his intimate relationship with himself. In Kyle’s interview, he said the Carl/Lindsay pairing was a headf*** for him. His concern was, what happens when Lindsay starts drinking again? The end result of the expedition was Austen saying, it was a good thing they weren’t fishing for sustenance or they’d be starving. Kory, Rachel, Craig, Ciara, and Amanda stayed behind and day drink, continuing to talk about the Lindsay/Carl/Austen timeline. In Paige’s interview, she took the grabbing of Austen’s weenie a step further, and said she thought Austen and Lindsay must have slept together. In Lindsay’s interview, she said she appreciated Austen giving up his room, but he’d disrespected her super publicly. This had nothing to do with the weenie grabbing incident, but a guest spot Austen had on Watch What Happens Live, where it was some stupid Ciara or Lindsay game. Jess said she was in love with Kory, and in her interview, she said, even though they’d only been in the house six days, in house years it was two months. So technically, it wasn’t too soon to be in love.

Luke tapped some trees, which was cool. I like the outdoorsy side of Luke. It’s the rest of him I can’t stand. Kyle sabered a champagne bottle. Is that still a thing? In Ciara’s interview, she said she felt like Snow White with two dwarves, Sleepy and Dopey (i.e. Austen and Luke, or the other way around, I’m not sure), that she couldn’t get rid of. Still, she gossiped about Carl and Lindsay with them. Austen said he’d told the girls in confidence about Lindsay touching him, and now it was spreading. I don’t know why he thought it wouldn’t. Maybe he’s Dopey. Jason was happy with the gradual growth of his and Rachel’s relationship, which was the opposite of what he’d had with Lindsay, and what he needed. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Jason. He stays lowkey, and cooks amazing meals. Luke wanted Lindsay to get ahead of the curve, and told her about the Austen talk, adding how annoyed he was that it was being talked about, but leaving out the part about him being in on that talk.  He said they were in the house with wicked people (!), but Lindsay said it was a non-issue. In her interview, she said, the girls had slut shamed her last summer, and wanted to keep doing it. We flashed back to Lindsay bringing home yet another stranger, and Paige asking, what kind of brothel are we running here? Lindsay told Carl that Ciara was starting sh*t, conveniently leaving out all the others starting sh*t along with her. In Carl’s interview, he said, he and Lindsay had been together throughout the whole wedding, but then he was tired, and she and Austen wanted to hang out. Lindsay told him that she and Austen slept in the same bed, but nothing happened, and he believes her. Amanda predicted another awkward tension night up in this bitch, and they went to that weird empty gymnasium/ cafeteria bar, where they played cornhole or whatever.

At the bar, Austen asked Lindsay for a talk, and they sat by themselves. He said he felt they were in line over the summer (whatever that means), and they’d had fun at the wedding. Watching from another table halfway across the room, Amanda told the girls, Carl should know what’s being said. WTF? I can’t stand Lindsay, but she’s not allowed to talk with anyone else privately? Is this the 1950s on planet Stepford Wives? Austen said their friendship was and is important to him, and he felt he couldn’t give her a run of the mill apology. Then he apologizes for the nonsense on WWHL, totally leaving out the weenie grab story. Lindsay, also avoiding the subject, said, sh*t happens in a friendship, and they hugged it out. In Austen’s interview, he said he couldn’t bring up the d*ck touch thing. Jess was clinging to Kory like he was that scrap of wood in Titanic, and he told her that he wasn’t into PDA. It didn’t seem to faze her. Austen told Amanda, who is apparently the overseer of this group, that he could only apologize for one thing at a time. Craig’s gossip antennae alerted him, and he asked if Austen talked about the wedding night. No one had told Carl, and Craig wondered if Austen was protecting Lindsay or himself. Amanda decided to clock out, and fled the table, and Paige said she thought it was sh*tty that Carl didn’t know. If it was her, and Craig had touched a who-ha, she would break up with him.

Next time, skiing; Paige sees herself moving to Charleston (beautiful place; too hot); Austen says he can’t bring his girl to the house of evil, but Ciara can bang who she likes; Ciara calls Austen an a-hole; and Amanda tells Carl that Austen’s been telling tales.

🍃 Gonna Make Like a Tree…

Drop by tomorrow for Friday’s soap, a pile of tea leaves, a variety of quotes, and an appropriate tune. Until then, stay safe, stay cultivating composure, and stay not playing God with anyone’s life. No matter how good the intentions, it isn’t fair to them.

November 30, 2022 – The Necklace Changes Hands, the Real Ka-Boom, Carly’s First Day, Where’s the Exit, Her Opinion, the Tree & Traditions

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the bullhorn, Jordan tells Holly that it’s her last chance and to give herself up. Inside the cabin, a woman grabs the briefcase, knocking the lantern over and starting a fire – we can’t see her face. Jordan says she doesn’t like this, and tells Mac to give the order to move, but Robert says, give her a chance to do the right thing. Jordan says, she’s had a chance, multiple ones. Time’s up. There’s an explosion inside the cabin, and debris blows everywhere. Robert says he has to get in there, but Mac holds him back.

Curtis and Portia struggle over a piece of pie, and Curtis says he promised N’neka, but Porta says, N’neka gets plenty of pies and other things from her Savoy suitors. This pie is for Terry. It’s praise-worthy pie. He says he knows; he baked it. She says, with her sweet potato pie recipe, and he says he’ll surrender that piece of pie in exchange for something just as sweet. They kiss, and Trina slips out the back door. On the patio, Marshall says, sneaking out?

Brook tells Chase that she’s starving, and Olivia will kill them if they hold things up. She starts to leave, but he says, look at him. Was she ever going to tell him about the CCRB letter she never wrote? She acts like she’s not sure what he’s talking about, and he says, the letter she told Dante that she’d write; the one that might give him a fighting chance to get his badge back.

Britt goes up to the bar at The Savoy, bumping Ava as she sits down. She orders a Cosmo, tells Ava, her bad, and asks how Ava’s Thanksgiving was. Ava says, it was great; she had Avery. Britt tells N’neka to put Ava’s drinks on her tab, and Ava says, not necessary, but very nice. She asks how Britt’s Thanksgiving was, and Britt says, amazing. It had highs, lows, my mother, cranberry from a can. It was very traditional. Now it’s time for her to get her groove on. Cody walks in, and Britt says, one more box to check. Ava says, which is? and Britt says, a little somethin’ somethin’, when Nikolas walks in, and catches Ava’s eye.

Also at The Savoy, Victor sits alone at a table, and Selina tells him, happy Thanksgiving. He says, and to her, and she asks if he enjoyed a family celebration earlier. He gestures for her to sit, and says, just with his nephew. Sadly, he couldn’t gather the other Cassadines for a celebration of turkey and conviviality. His phone dings, and Selina says she’s sorry, but he tells her not to shed any tears on his account. That’s all going to be changing going forward. He sees a text from Gavin (no doubt the guy I’ve been calling Johann): Have approx. location on Holly. En route. Victor texts back: Necklace top priority. Holly expendable. He tells Selina, he hopes soon to have the incentive he needs to bring his family together.

The woman in the cabin, now consumed by fire, runs out and flails around the yard before finally falling down. Robert screams, Holly! and breaks away from Mac, grabbing a blanket and throwing it over her. Mac runs over, and Robert looks under the blanket, and yells, no! I guess it must be her. Jordan tells an officer to cordon off the area. Canvas the cabin, and find out if anyone within a one-mile radius saw or heard anything. The paramedics tend to Holly, and Mac pulls Robert away. Robert says, she needs him, and one of the paramedics says, they need to move her, or she’s not going to make it.

Selina tells Victor, family can be so troublesome, and ungrateful. She’s been tempted to disavow herself of the whole lot. He laughs, and says, not so easily done. Biological imperative compels us to protect our clan, no matter how sorry a bunch they might be. She says, it seems they have much in common, and asks if she can call him Victor. He says, if he can call her Selina, and she says she’d like to continue their conversation. Perhaps they can compare notes. He raises his glass to her.

Ava tells Britt that she never associated Thanksgiving with trysts. Most people just want a nap. Britt says, when you’re in her position, you carpe diem and carpe dictum, and Ava asks, what position is that? Britt says, hard up. She’s been without since Jason, and before him, there was one forgettable wham-bam with Jax, then a fling thing with Ava’s brother. She hasn’t had relationship sex since… wow… 2014. Nikolas joins them, and Britt adds, with Ava’s husband.

Obrecht stomps over to Cody and says, you – with me, and he follows her out.

Curtis asks what Portia thinks about their first family Thanksgiving, and she says, definitely deserving of high marks. And the food was fantastic. She even overheard his father telling Stella that his son’s turkey was so good. It’s true; she’ll give him that. Curtis says, he’s just so grateful that he has a father to fuss with. Tommy never got that chance, and he intends to make the most of his, just in case this disease tries to take his father away again. What are the chances it rears back up? I’m guessing none, since I don’t think Marshall has schizophrenia.

Trina asks if Marshall pulled guard duty, and he says he’s just minding his own business, cleaning his clarinet. She wraps a blanket around herself, and asks if he isn’t cold. He says he’s wearing a sweater. Curtis busted his chops, and highly suggested he could keep Trina company. He figured boredom would drive her out here sooner or later. She says, here she thought she and Curtis were making progress, and Marshall says, he means well. She says she knows, but it’s not like she’s out here asking to be attacked by a freak with a hook. She just needs to breathe. She’s climbing the walls being shut up most of the time. He says he knows the feeling. Been there; done that.

Brook says, Dante told Chase about the letter? and he says, Dante assumed he knew; that Brook had looped him in. He figured she just hadn’t had the time to write it yet, what with making music and scamming Linc. She says, they’ve been crazy busy, right? Every day, all day, she’s hustling for every number Chase performs, setting up interviews and promos. She can barely breathe. He says, it’s a lot of work, and she’s thrown herself into it, and she says, letting all her responsibilities at Deception slide… He says, so maybe she wanted to and just didn’t find the  time. Maybe she thought she did tell him, or maybe she drafted the letter, and didn’t want to spring it on him until it was perfect. He’d understand anything; just tell him. When was she going to let him know Dante asked her to write a letter to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, recommending he get his badge back? She doesn’t say anything, and he says, never? She says she meant to tell him once they got Linc, but he says, that’s not a sure thing. She says, neither is her letter, but he says, Dante told him that her account of his run-ins with Valentin and Linc would go a long way in getting him right with the Board. She says, what’s to stop Linc from having his say? That liar could deny everything. Chase’s best shot at getting his badge back is after they beat Linc, and expose him for the skeeze that he is. She takes Chase’s hands, and says, once they prove Linc has no credibility, is when he can march into the CCRB with her letter, and prove he never gave up on law and order, just because law and order gave up on him. He says, that timetable doesn’t work; which he could have told her if she’d let him in on what was happening. But she didn’t. He can’t think of a single reason why she wouldn’t just tell him. She says, there is only one good reason; the only reason she needed. Us.

Trina says she didn’t mean compare being shut up with family with what Marshall went through when he was hospitalized, and Marshall says, let’s see. You can’t leave when you want to. Your mother and Curtis watch your every move. You can’t see the man in your life, Officer Cabrera. They share enough similarities to make them understand one another. She says she doesn’t think she could ever really understand what he went through, and he says he hopes she never does. She says, he doesn’t talk much about it… you know… He says, having schizophrenia. Why dwell on yesterday, when today’s so rich, and tomorrow’s so bright.

Portia says she can’t tell Curtis if Marshall is going to have another schizophrenic episode. She’s not a psychiatrist; she’s not even up on the latest science. He tells her, Marshall said he never had an episode, not since the arrest that institutionalized in the first place. Maybe Marshall caught a break, like he did, dodging his father’s genetic markers.

Ava and Nikolas gaze into each other’s eyes, and Britt says, they’re so cute. Look at them; coupled up, wedded bliss. Ava says, aren’t they though? and Nikolas says he saw Britt’s mother over there. Britt tells him, her mother says marriage is for the bourgeois. Britt thinks it would be nice if her significant other knew what toppings she likes on her hot dog, or took the wine glass out of her hand when she fell asleep on the couch. Someone who would throw her a birthday party and serve her favorite cake… or just say happy birthday. Ava says, Britt never had a birthday party? and Britt says, no birthday party, no husband. Nikolas says, she still has time, and Britt says, ain’t it the truth? She asks N’neka to get her and her friends another round.

Selina says, Victor’s nephew appears to be occupied with his wife, and Victor says, soon to be ex-wife. Selina says she’s sorry to hear that, but he says, don’t be. It was an imprudent match to begin with; harmful to both of them. It was never meant to last. Selina says, love never is, but that alone never stopped anyone from fighting for it.

Robert goes with Holly to the ambulance, saying, he loves her; hang in there. Mac stops a paramedic, and asks about Holly’s condition, and the paramedic tells him, on observation, it looks like she has burns over 75% of her body. GH is good, but she needs better, so they’re taking her to a burn unit. They’ve radioed for a medivac. Robert says he’s going with her, but Mac says, he’ll just get in the way of the paramedics. He’ll drive Robert to the airfield. Robert tells Mac to get out of his way before he belts him one, when Jordan interrupts, saying, this is a crime scene. She needs her Chief of Detectives. She tells Robert to move, and he leaves.

Portia says, Curtis and his father are lucky, no matter what the reason is. She hopes some of that luck rubs off on Trina. She can’t wait for Esme to be brought to justice. Speaking of Trina, where is she? They look outside, and see her on the patio with Marshall.

Trina says, Marshall has a way of putting things into perspective, and he says, everybody has their burdens. But no one carries it with grace such as hers. Curtis comes out, carrying the piece of pie, Portia behind him. He tells Marshall, the game is on, and Marshall gets up. He says he guesses Portia is going to watch the game with him, and she says she’ll definitely be watching. Enjoy the pie. Marshall asks if that’s the last piece of pie; he doesn’t believe this. He and Portia go inside, and Curtis puts down the pie near Trina, and sits down. She pushes it away, and he says, okay, her loss. He thought it would take the edge off after being caught in his net.

Chase says, Brook took away his best chance at getting his badge back for them? She says she’s never had this before. She’s been with other guys – she’s not exactly Snow White – but true intimacy? Not once. She was starting to think she wasn’t capable of a true connection, but then he came along. She realized, not only was intimacy possible, but it’s here, between them. Since they started working together, it’s only gotten deeper and stronger. If she never gets Linc, if she never gets her songs back, if she never exposes Linc for the creep that he is, she’d be okay. She’s be frustrated and disappointed, but she’d still be okay. Because the true gift is, every minute, she gets closer to him. She thought he felt the same way. He says he does, and she says, that’s why she didn’t tell him about the letter. She thought everything they were doing together was better than anything they’ve done alone. She thought, given enough time, he’d forget about the badge, and what he really wanted would be here with her. Just tell her she’s right.

Outside The Savoy, Cody says he thought he and Obrecht were getting along better. Is he still in the hole for punching Scotty? She says she was moved by his apology, as well as Britt’s endorsement of him. Her feelings are immaterial; only Britta’s matter. She’s a fundamentally lonely person, yearning for what she’s never had; someone to rely on. Now is no time to look for a substitute. Britt can’t do with a romantic distraction; she needs her mother. They both know Britt is headstrong, and behaves contrary to wisdom, and Cody is persistent. So… If it’s money he wants, then it’s money he shall have.

Britt asks Nikolas to be her wingman, and help scope out the sponge-worthy. She stumbles a little, and he asks if she’s okay. Ava suggests she sit down, when Selina comes over with Victor, and asks if there’s a problem. Britt says she just slipped, and Selina asks if she’s been overserved. Britt says she just had one drink, and Selina says, come with her. She tries to take Britt’s arm, but Britt throws Selina’s hand off, and almost falls again. Victor comes on the other side of her, putting her drink on the bar, and he and Selina head for a table with her.

The ambulance stops in the middle of nowhere, and the paramedics get out. Dressed as one of them, Felicia opens the back, and says, all clear. Holly sits up, and takes her head covering off. Robert asks if she’s all right, and she says, right as rain. She’s all fired up. Wow. I really thought it must be someone else, since we couldn’t see who she was. Well done.

Chase tells Brook, singing’s been a pleasant surprise. He had more fun than he thought he would. And it’s not just the performing or celebrity; it’s her. He would have never tried to be Chase the singer with anyone but her. She says, he’s got her, so there’s no problem, but he says, the problem is, he’s not Chase the singer. That’s just some face he was wearing that’s not his. She says, but it could be. She’s seen him when he gets up on stage; he comes alive. He’s so in the moment when he sings. He says, and right when he’s done, he’s checking his newsfeed. He has this fantasy that he’s the one who finds Brando’s killer; that he could still do some good at the PCPD. She says, he can. She never expected him to give up the cop forever; just put him on mute for a while. He says, until he forgets the sound of his voice altogether? Maybe she’s right. He can forget he’s a cop, and focus all his energy on singing, given enough time. But it has to be his choice. Does she get that? And she took that away from him.

Trina says she thought she and Curtis had an understanding after their discussion on boundaries, and he says he thought he’d given her a wide berth. She says, it doesn’t feel that way, and he says, they agreed he wouldn’t go behind her back and butt into her life. He did that. He even refrained from butting in from the front. He’s up for a Nobel Peace Prize. She says, which he’ll lose after assigning his father to guard her, but he says, all he did was set up a watch to keep eyes out for Esme Prince. A man is allowed to protect his castle, and all who reside in it.  

Marshall tells Portia, Trina’s not going anywhere. She’s just feeling hemmed in. She thanks him for talking to Trina, and helping her get some of that out, and asks if he’d mind possibly playing for them tonight. He says, sure, and she asks if his illness ever gets in the way of him playing. She’s sorry… He says, no, that’s okay. No one’s ever asked. The only way schizophrenia got between him and his music was when he had to go underground to protect his family from the stigma. She says, so it never inhibited his performance? and he says, just his ambitions. Why all the questions?

Mac asks Jordan if there’s any idea what caused the explosion, and she says, the theory is a faulty stove. She has to get her people inside. Hopefully there’s some evidence to explain Holly’s strange behavior. He hands her an evidence bag, and says, maybe this will help. The firefighters pulled it out. She asks what it is, and he says, the remains of Robert’s briefcase; the one he put the necklace in. She says, so where’s the necklace?

Holly thanks Felicia for the clothes, and Felicia says she’s happy she got the sizes right. She has Holly’s new passport and her international driver’s license. Does she feel better? Holly says, just a little singed around the edges. Robert joins them, and says, that was something. Holly says she’s just sorry he and Mac had to see it; she can’t imagine what it looked like. Felicia says, the danger was minimal. She and Holly worked it out to a tee. Holly tells her, thank you for that… We see Felicia meeting Holly, and Holly says, Felicia was waiting for me when I arrived at the cabin last night. They go inside, and Felicia gives Holly some things out of a duffel bag. Holly says, with fireproof garments, and fire retardant gel to make the ruse look real. Felicia tells her to put it on her face, and Holly says, we went over the instructions on how to rig the stove at the appointed time. Back at the ambulance, Felicia says, Holly flambé. She can’t believe Holly was able to work it out in time. Robert says, they had no choice, and Holly says, they were operating on Victor’s timetable. She couldn’t just hand over the necklace. Robert says, she couldn’t defy Victor either, and Holly says, or Ethan would have paid the price. She and Robert faked Robert’s drugging, so she’d have the opportunity to steal the necklace, and lay a trail to the cabin for the PCPD to find. Robert says, it only works if they have a credible witness to Holly’s injuries, and Holly says, because Ethan’s only chance of survival is if Victor believes she’s of no more use to him.

Cody says, Obrecht’s willing to pay him to stay away from Britt? and she says she’s prepared to give him six figures. He says he doesn’t want her money. He just wants what, by rights, should belong to him. She says, Dominique’s inheritance, and he says, yeah, and he wanted something else; not something, someone. She says, her daughter, and he says he thought he could have both. Boy, did he misjudge that situation. Now it looks like he can’t have either, but maybe all he wanted was Britt. Obrecht will be happy to know, he blew it big time. Her daughter wants nothing to do with him. She says, perhaps Britta’s learned some wisdom after all, and he says, she can tell Britt that he can take no for an answer, and he can take living hand to mouth. So Obrecht can keep her money, and not worry about him dogging Britt. He doesn’t want to go where he’s not wanted. Obrecht says she’ll make sure Britt knows, and he says he’s sure she will. One more thing. What’s wrong with Britt? Why is Obrecht willing to go broke just to keep him away from her? Obrecht says, sorry. Answers were never on offer.

Britt shakes off Victor and Selina as they get to the table, and Victor says he’s going to get her mother. Britt says, leave her mother out of this, and leave her alone. Selina says she’s getting Britt a cab, but Britt says, this is ridiculous. She had one drink. Victor says, not counting the drinks she had on the way over, and Britt says she can handle her liquor. Selina says, but she can’t even stand up straight unaided, and Victor says, wait. This isn’t alcohol, is it? Britt’s sick.

Ava says, Victor won’t be very pleased, seeing Nikolas consorting with the enemy, and Nikolas says he has no intention of divorcing her. She says she had no intention of becoming bait for the PCPD, but sometimes, one never knows what the day may bring. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says, Mac Scorpio thinks Ryan Chamberlain can lead them to Esme if she convinces him to.

Victor says, Faison’s legacy, and Britt says, shut up about that, when Obrecht flies in between them. She slaps Victor, and says, touch her daughter, and she’ll kill him. Selina says, everyone, calm down, and Cody hustles Victor off, suggesting they take a walk. Britt says, he’s going to tell people, but Obrecht says, he wouldn’t dare. There’s a special place in hell for men like that. Selina says, the Ninth Circle… I’ve heard it said.  

Robert gives Holly some keys, and says, the car’s untraceable. Drive it over the border to Canada, and with her new ID, she can disappear. She says, Victor will follow up, but he says, witnesses will recall there was a woman placed in a medivac. Felicia says, yours truly. She’ll be dropped off outside Port Charles, and flight plans will indicate Holly Sutton was transferred to a plane transporting her to a burn clinic halfway across the world. Robert says, very private, very secure, and Felicia says, reports will have her comatose with a long, difficult recovery. Robert says, and Victor will probably lose interest, leaving her free to rescue her son. Holly says she won’t squander their efforts, and Felicia says she knows that. Holly thanks them for everything they’ve done on her behalf and her son’s. She just wishes they didn’t have to leave Mac in the dark, but Felicia says, this way, Mac can’t lie to Jordan about Holly. Besides, he’d be the first to agree she’s worth it. Holly wonders how she can ever repay them, and Felicia hugs her, saying, get her son back, and get Victor. Holly says she’s working on it. She remembers…

Selina holds up a diamond, and says, interesting. Holly says, satisfied? and Selina says, she’d prefer the entire necklace, but Holly says, that’s all that’s available, and only in exchange for the guarantee that Victor Cassadine ingests this. She holds up a vial, and asks if it can be done. Selina says she sees Victor at The Savoy on occasion, but she can’t have the club associated with a death. Holly says, if she wanted Victor dead, he’d be dead. He’ll only feel the effects of this drug if the circumstances arise… or don’t. Selina asks, what did Victor do to earn Holly’s animosity? and Holly says, Victor fancies himself a family man, whilst he’s holding her son hostage. She’ll never get Ethan back if Victor is dead. In the meantime, a dose of this will pay him back in kind. Selina says, there’s a special place in hell for such men, and Holly says, the Ninth Circle. Will she do it? Selina says, Holly has her word, and takes the vial.

N’neka brings Victor another drink, and he raises his glass to Selina, who looks at the vial in her hand. She says, and my word is my bond.

Curtis says, Trina’s not a prisoner. He just wants to make sure she’s safe and sound while she’s here. If she doesn’t like his rules, they’re only temporary. But he does need her to respect them, just as he respects her boundaries. And while he hopes this doesn’t compromise the friendship they decided to try out, he’ll understand if it does. She says, two steps forward, one step back is still progress. Fork? He gives her the fork, and she snatches the pie away, telling him, don’t squander that progress. He says he made that pie, and she says, from her mom’s recipe. He throws up his hands in surrender.

Portia says she guesses she’s just curious that none of Marshall’s doctors ever suggested genetic counseling or screening like Curtis had. He says, things like that weren’t around back when he was in the hospital, but she says, those things are commonplace nowadays. Has he ever considered it? and he says, what’s the point? He already has a diagnosis. What would genetic counseling tell him that he doesn’t already know? Um… what I said before.

Chase tells Brook, the only way he’d want to become a singer is if he decides himself, but she never gave him that option. She says she thought he wanted it as much as she did, and he says, to take down Linc? Sure, but she knew how bad he wanted to return to the PCPD. So when Dante asked her to write the letter, she didn’t tell him because she knew he’d be all for it. She says she never thought of it like that, and he says he’s been where she is, making decisions for others, and personal experience showed him just how wrong it was. He did it with Willow. She says, so that’s it? He’s hanging up the mic? She gets it. He says, she doesn’t. It’s not just the mic; it’s us. His singing career is over, and so are they.

Nikolas tells Ava that she can’t be in Ryan’s presence; it’s too dangerous. She says, Ryan is a  turnip, and any danger would be worth it to protect Trina. Esme is out there killing people, and she has to do what she can to stop her, even if it means she pays the price for Esme going over the parapet… or he does.

Marshall asks, what would be the benefit after all these years, to get confirmation of what he already knows? when Trina and Curtis come back in. Portia says, somebody enjoyed the pie, and Curtis says, the pie that he barely got to taste. Is Marshall ready for some football? Marshall says, let’s do this, and puts on the TV.

Brook tells Chase to think about what he’s saying, and he says, she’s the most exciting person he’s ever met. She made him feel like the luckiest guy alive. She says, he made her feel the same way, and he says, but then they went in on this plan to expose Linc, and it muddied things up for the both of them. They should have set boundaries; either working together as singer and manager, or two people who can’t get enough of each other. But not both, because now they don’t work as anything. She tells him, don’t say that. That’s not true. They can work this out. He says, she lied to him. She kept him from the thing that makes him who he is. There’s nothing to work out. It’s over. He leaves, and she cries.

Britt tells Obrecht, everything was fine. She could swallow her drink, then suddenly, her feet fell out from under her. Obrecht says she’s so sorry. Let’s go home. Britt asks why Obrecht’s never thrown her a birthday party, and Obrecht says she must have some time, but Britt says, she didn’t. She’s going to throw herself a birthday party to end all parties. If she’s going down, she’s going down dancing, even if she’s dancing on her own. Obrecht helps Britt out of the club, as Cody watches.

Holly tells Robert, so this is goodbye. She’s sorry for everything. Most of all, she’s sorry for coming back to him only to leave again. If there was any other way… He says, there isn’t, and she says, this isn’t their moment. He says, it never is, but she says she recalls a certain… Goodbye, Robert. He asks if she isn’t forgetting something, and she kisses him, but he says he actually meant something else. She says, oh? and he says, the necklace.

Mac says, the firefighters didn’t see a necklace, and Jordan says, call CSU. They need to conduct their own search. They need to make sure nobody walked out with it. He says, it’s possible Holly ditched the necklace, or handed it off to Victor before holing up, and Jordan says, or she had it on her when she left with the paramedics. He says he’ll check with Robert. It’s possible it got destroyed in the fire. She says, a diamond necklace? and he says, a hot enough fire can turn diamond to ash. It might be gone for good. She says, the WSB is going to be pissed

Victor swirls his drink, and drains his glass. His phone dings, and a text from Gavin says: Holly disabled. Necklace missing. Victor shatters his glass on the table.

Holly tells Robert, oh, the necklace. She almost forgot. They laugh, and she takes it out of her pocket, giving it to him. She asks why Victor wanted it so badly. What’s so special about it? He says, it came from the Ice Princess itself. He thinks it has something to do with the diamonds. She says, the Ice Princess has a bad habit of destroying those who covet it. Be careful. He says he’s always careful, and she says, except with his heart, touching his chest. He says, be seeing you, and she slowly walks away. She turns, blows him a kiss, and walks into the mist.

Tomorrow, Sasha tells Chase, in her heart, Brook was doing it for them both; Nina says she hopes Willow can help out a friend; Carly asks Josslyn if Dex is a factor in her decision; and Sonny says, if something is too good to be true, it usually is.

🔥 Like a DVD Extra…

It was pretty impressive.

🚑 Entering the Hospital…

The final (TBD) Carly recalls her beginnings on GH.

🥱 More Old News…

Blah-blah-blah, Ramona, blah-blah-blah, Andy.

🚂 She Thinks They Can…

Why is Teddi weighing in on this? Is she a relationship coach now? Apparently, this site likes her, but still not a fan.

🎄 Light It Already…

Yeah, yeah. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are cute, but it was like, come on and flip the switch. Not as bad as waiting for the Best Picture Oscar though.

https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting/

🤸‍♀️ Holly Jollying…

Tomorrow, soap and another episode of that horrifying House. And I’m not talking about The Watcher. Come suffer with me. Until then, stay safe, stay serene in a stormy world, and stay not dwelling on yesterday, when today’s so rich, and tomorrow’s so bright.

⚠️ Warning: Some words not for sensitive ears:

November 29, 2022 – A Quartermaine Thanksgiving Or Mr. Wattles Man Of the Hour, Her Takeover, Most Hated, Soapgiving, Family Holidays, LA Return, Celeb Celebrations & Caught

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

🥳 Welcome to a bigger font.

General Hospital

As Leo helps her prepare Thanksgiving dinner, Olivia scolds Ned for taking a bite of potatoes, but he says he prefers to look at it as quality control. She says she told him to stay out of the kitchen. It’s almost time to eat. He asks if he should rally the troops, but she tells him that she said, almost. Besides, they’re still waiting on the man of the hour.

Dante thanks Sam for going to Sonny’s, and she says, of course (🦃). He says, they’ll have a drink and maybe one or two appetizers, and she says, Sonny is his family, which means he’s her family too. They’re a package deal, remember? He says he doesn’t forget anything when it comes to her, and they kiss.

Inside the penthouse, Nina says, that tahini sauce smells like heaven, and Sonny says, not like Thanksgiving? She says, Thanksgiving is what we make it, and he says he’s switching gears this year. He asks if she can grab the watch out of his pocket, and she asks when he lost the feeling in his hands. She reaches into his pocket and takes out a jewelry box. She hands it to him, but he tells her to open it. She says, it’s for her? and opens it, revealing a pair of earrings. He says, no, it’s for him; he’s trying out a new look. He just wants to thank her for being here and changing his life. She says, he could have just said that, but he says he wanted to show her. She thanks him, and says, they’re beautiful; she loves them. He says, and he loves her, and they kiss.

Carly finds Drew making a drink in the Quartermaine sitting room, and he says, she looks beautiful. She says, he’s not so bad himself, and he says, she smells amazing too. Does she have any idea how much he’d like to drag her out of here, and kiss her until she can’t breathe? She says she’s game if he is, when Michael walks in with Willow, and says, happy Thanksgiving.

Brook lets Chase in, and he gives her a bottle of wine. She says, no pie? but he says, they were sold out. She thanks him for the wine, and he asks if she has anything for him.

Laura comes into the station, and asks Jordan if there are any updates. Jordan says, Laura should be resting after the night she had, but Laura says she’s fine. Holly didn’t hurt her, and even called Doc so she’d be found quickly. Ashby appears, and says, how considerate, but Holly does get demerits for holding Laura at gunpoint. Laura says, Ashby didn’t have to give up her holiday to be here, but Ashby says she’d like to be kept in the loop. Robert says, what an understatement, when Alexis walks in. She says, Jordan summoned her? What could Jordan possibly need from her on Thanksgiving? Jordan says, a reason not to arrest her.

In a cabin, Holly listens to a newscaster say, the police are actively looking for a suspect who kidnapped Mayor Collins last night. She’s in possession of valuable jewels, and considered armed and dangerous. She takes out the necklace, and looks at it, saying, it looks like they have something in common; they’re both damn near indestructible. She holds it up to her neck. I really wish they would remember to make the necklace seem heavier than it is IRL.

Alexis says, arrest her for what? and Jordan says, obstruction. Materially compromising this investigation by printing sensitive information in today’s Invader. Alexis says she gave Jordan a chance to comment before publication, but Jordan says, Alexis had no business naming Esme Prince as an official suspect in the Hook slayings. Alexis says, Jordan promised her an exclusive and didn’t deliver.

Mac says, they’re tracking the GPS on the mayor’s car, and Ashby asks if he knows where Holly is headed. Laura says she got a call today from the County Administrator. They wanted a status report, and she hasn’t been able to call him back. Could Ashby handle that for her? Ashby says, certainly, and leaves. Robert asks, how much longer do they have to tolerate that traitorous individual in their midst? and Laura says, long enough for her to be useful in helping them incriminate Victor. Now tell her where he thinks Holly is.

Holly is now wearing the necklace, and rubs her arms to get warm. She checks out the little stove, and (I think) a space heater.

Leo asks if it’s someone they know, or a stranger, and Ned says, or is it someone they know of; a celebrity. Olivia says, they’re so off-base, and Ned says, then just tell them who this mystery guest is. She says, and essentially, completely ruin the surprise, and Ned and Leo both say, yes. She asks, where’s the excitement in that? but Ned says, don’t worry. This holiday is never short of excitement. Leo says, something always happens on Thanksgiving, but Olivia says, not this time. No siree. She’s taken every precaution. Leo tells her that she says that every year, and she says, mark her words; this Thanksgiving is going off exactly according to plan.

Michael thanks Carly for doing this. He knows the last place she wants to be is anywhere near Ned right now. Carly says, Wiley wants her here, so she’s here, and Willow says, she’s such a wonderful grandma… Not that she looks like a grandma. Carly says she loves the flattery, but Willow says she speaks the truth. Michael asks if Josslyn is coming, but Carly says, she and Trina are volunteering at a soup kitchen, she she’ll have to pass on pizza this year. Drew says, don’t let Olivia hear her say that. She’s determined to serve a turkey this year. Michael says, Olivia should know that’s impossible, but Carly says she admires Olivia’s optimism. Although she thinks the kids would prefer pizza. Where are they? Drew says, upstairs in the family room; there’s a major arts and crafts thing going on. Michael says he’s glad this Thanksgiving will hold better memories for Drew, and Drew says, him too. Carly asks if it’s really been a year, and Drew says, since he came back, yeah, and broke the news about Jason.

Brook tells Chase, this day is really about giving, not receiving, but she has something for him. She kisses him, and he flashes back to Dante telling him about the letter Brook said she’d write to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and saying that she hadn’t done it yet. He says, that’s it? and she says, mind out of the gutter, mister. This is a family event. They’ll get to the rest later.

Nina puts on the earrings, and tells Sonny that she loves them. He says, they look beautiful, and she thanks him. She asks how he is, really. It must be hard for him to be away from his girls. He says he spent time with them last night. Their faces lighting up when they saw the parade balloons, and their eyes got all big. She says, but what about him? His old house and old traditions? Doesn’t he miss them? He says, this is his house, and with her in it, that makes it his home. So what does she say? Does she want to make some new traditions with him? She says she’d love nothing more, and they kiss.

Jordan tells Alexis, she had every intention of holding up her end of the agreement, but not at the expense of a sensitive investigation, and it doesn’t get more sensitive than this. Lives are at stake. Alexis says, which is why she brought the letter to Jordan’s attention in the first place. They both have a duty to the city, and she’s not apologizing for fulfilling hers. She’s sorry Jordan has to work tonight, but she has a Thanksgiving dinner she needs to go to. She flounces out.

Laura points to the screen, and says, so her car is somewhere in this vicinity? There’s not much out there. Robert says, the theory is, she abandoned the car outside the woods, then continued on foot, and Laura says, she could be anywhere. Mac says he has officers on the scene in Baylor Woods. One of them found a well with drinking water. Laura says, then there must be a house or building nearby, and Mac says, that’s the assumption. Ashby messes with her phone, and sees there’s a residence in Baylor Woods. Laura walks over, and asks if she managed to get in touch with the County Administrator. Ashby says she relayed the relevant information, which answers that question not at all, and it looks like Laura knows it.

Sonny thanks Sam and Dante for stopping by, and Sam says, of course (🦃). They wanted to see him. Dante says, the walk down the hall is pretty grueling. Maybe Sonny could move closer. Sasha and Gladys arrive, and Sonny says he’s glad they came by. Gladys says, as if she’d miss a traditional Thanksgiving, but Sonny says he’s doing things different this year. Gladys says, she can tell, and Sasha says she’s sure it will be delicious. Nina says she’s glad Dante and Sam could make it. Is their friend Cody coming? Dante says he didn’t invite Cody. He’s not into social gatherings. Nina says, he’s not alone in that, and excuses herself. Dante tells Sam, out with it, and she says, out with what? He says, whatever’s going on in that beautiful head of hers, and she says she’s just wondering if it’s social gatherings Cody doesn’t like, or questions. He asks where this is coming from, but she tells him, forget she said anything. He says he can’t now. It’s not the first time she’s thrown shade Cody’s way. Dante thought she thought Cody was a good guy. What changed?

Carly looks out the window, and Drew asks if she’s okay. She says, she was just thinking about Jason, and everything that’s happened since. He says, it’s been quite a year, and she says, that’s an understatement. He says, but she made it, and she says, if someone had told her she’d have to go through what she went through, and do it without Jason, she would have said it was impossible. He says, but look at her now. Not only is she still standing, she’s thriving, and stronger than ever. She says, no small thanks to him.

Brook goes into the sitting room, and asks, what’s with the mood in here? Michael says, there’s no mood, but she says she’s sensing a mood. Carly says, they were just talking about the anniversary of Drew’s homecoming, and Willow says, a blessing to everybody. Michael says, a moment to remember for sure, and Brook says, especially Drew at the door holding pizzas. It was quite an eventful Thanksgiving. Remember? Chase clocking Valentin? Chase says, the first time he lost his badge.

Ned says, they won’t stop asking, and Leo says, or guessing. Olivia says, all right. She ordered a turkey from Dinde Vivante. It’s a French company with a local farm. They have only the finest, most organic turkeys; fresh as they come. And get this. It comes completely roasted, ready to eat. What could be better than that? Ned tells her, it almost sounds too good to be true, but Olivia says, that’s the point. It is not too good to be true; it is true. She’s not taking any chances this year. Ned says, so a turkey is the man of the hour? How does she even know it’s a male bird? Leo says, male turkeys are bald, and Olivia says, male turkeys are also bigger than female turkeys, which makes it exactly perfect to feed this whole big crazy family of ours. Ned says, Drew and Michael can eat the giblets, but Olivia says, they’re not doing any of that this year. Everyone is going to get along. Everyone is going to sing Kumbaya. Because she wants… she needs this Thanksgiving to be perfect. Ned says, then perfect it is, and kisses her. Accompanied by Michael, a man walks in, wheeling a covered crate, gobbling sounds coming from it, and Michael asks where they want it. Olivia asks, what’s that smell? and Leo says, what’s that sound? Michael says, that’s our dinner. Ned says, this is as fresh as they come, and Olivia tells the man that she most definitely didn’t order a live turkey from Dinde Vivante. He says, the company name literally means turkey alive, and she looks at the paperwork on his clipboard. She says, it’s all in French; you need a translator to read this stupid thing. Michael says, too bad Valentin’s not here, and Olivia tells the man that he needs to march this turkey right back to the farm, but he says he just delivers. No backsies. Michael says he’ll show the man out, and they leave. Olivia gets on her phone, and Ned asks if he should fire up the grill. She asks if he’s seriously making jokes right now.  

Brook tells Chase, she’s sorry for bringing up Valentin; she wasn’t thinking. She knows he’s sensitive about losing his badge. He says he misses being a cop every day, and she says she knows. He says, that doesn’t mean he’s not grateful for everything she’s done for him. He is. He’s just really praying the department gives him a second chance. She says she wants what he wants, and he says, does she really?

Willow asks if Carly ended up confronting Nina, and Drew asks what she’s talking about. Carly says, now that Nina’s run out of homes to wreck, she’s taken up idle gossip. And she sure as hell did.

Sasha says, a casino buffet? Does Gladys mean a buffet at an actual casino? Gladys says she knows it sounds cheesy, but she and Mike loved it. They would get Brando all dressed up, and told him that he could eat as much as he wanted. One year, she hit it big, and they upgraded to the surf and turf. Sonny says, sounds like they had a great time, and Gladys says, they did… or maybe that’s just the way she remembers it. Maybe Brando hated being there. All the sounds and the lights and the smoke. He probably wanted to be in regular restaurant. Sasha says, Gladys did the best she could, when there’s a knock at the door. Nina goes to answer it, and Sonny says, that’s all any of them can do. Nina opens the door to Alexis, who says, sorry she’s late. She was busy defending the First Amendment. Nina says, as one does on Thanksgiving, and invites her in.

Dante and Sam kiss, and he asks if she’s trying to distract him. She asks if it’s working, and he says, maybe. She says, clearly she’s lost her touch, and he asks, what’s her problem with Cody? She says she doesn’t know. She guesses she didn’t like his reaction to her investigating Britt’s necklace. Dante says, that necklace might be Cody’s inheritance. That kid grew up nothing. He was on that estate, looking out at everything he couldn’t have. She says he’s defending his friend, and she loves him for that, but what if Cody doesn’t deserve it? I love how they act like Cody grew up so horribly. He worked in the stables, which he loves, and he even got sent to camp, so really? Oh horrors, he didn’t have designer sneakers.

Olivia says she’s going to call the chef at the MetroCourt. Maybe he can help them out. She yells to Leo not to touch that thing; it could be diseased. Leo says, only animals get rabies, and she says, it could have bird flu or something; who knows? Ned says, and she wanted to serve it to them for dinner? She looks at him, and he says, sorry; not helping. She says, one more remark from him, and she’ll stuff him in that crate with the turkey. Turning her attention back to the phone, she says, it’s Olivia. They have a little situation here, and she’s hoping he can help them out. Leo tells the turkey, they want to cook you, but don’t worry, Mr. Wattles. I won’t let that happen. The turkey gobbles, and he smiles.

Jordan asks, where’s Laura? and Mac says, getting the Deputy Mayor out of her hair. Felicia walks in with an officer, both of them carrying trays of food. She says, she knows none of them can make it to their Thanksgiving dinners, so she brought dinner to them. Mac says, she’s the best, and she says she can’t have her guy and his colleagues starving on turkey day. Laura comes back, and asks if Felicia is the Thanksgiving fairy. Mac says, his officers located a trapper’s cabin in the northwest corner of Baylor Woods, not far from the Canadian border. Robert says, footprints? and Mac says, fresh, but no vehicle. Jordan says, it’s her. She’ll call for back-up along the way. Considering Holly’s still armed… Laura says she’ll wait with Felicia for the news. And make sure this ends peacefully. Robert says, that’s the goal, and they leave. Felicia says, here we go, and Laura says, yep.

Johann walks out of the woods where the stakeout tent is, and an officer says, PCPD; state your business. Johann says, just walking off the meal. Is there an issue? The officer says, it’s off-limits, and Johann says, he heard there’s a manhunt for a jewel thief… Never mind; he’ll head back. Stay safe. He walks back into the woods, like two feet away, and takes out his phone.

Holly looks at a map, then looks out the cabin window.

Sam tells Dante, she may or may not have done some digging, and he says, and? She says, Cody has a juvenile arrest record, and he asks if she knows what for, but she says, the files are sealed. Dante says, Cody got into trouble as a kid; so did he. So what? She asks if they got into trouble together, and he says, they were wild kids. That’s why they ended up at camp. They both needed structure. She says she’s not judging anyone. She’s done her fair share of shady things, and your past definitely should not define you… He says, that’s like the biggest but he’s ever heard, and she says, however… He says, that’s the same thing, and she asks if it’s possible Cody’s issues are not as in the past as Dante thought. They hear Gladys yell, how could you? and go back to the other room. Gladys says, Alexis printed information about Brando’s killer before his family even knew. Who does that? Nina says, Gladys wasn’t informed that the PCPD consider Esme Prince they’re prime suspect? and Gladys says she sure as hell wasn’t. Dante says, that’s because they don’t have a prime suspect. That’s why they don’t want the press releasing information prematurely. It’s never a good idea.

At the tent, Jordan says, one suspect inside, and Mac says he has officers at the exits. Jordan says, the suspect is armed, and tells him to keep their people away from any windows. Mac tries to give Robert a vest, but Robert says he doesn’t need it. Mac says, put it on, and Robert says, Holly wouldn’t hurt him, but Mac asks if she hasn’t hurt him already. Holly looks out, locks the door, closes the curtains, and walks over to the space heater. Johann watches from a distance. Jordan says, Robert knows Holly best. Is she willing to die for a diamond necklace? Robert says, no, but she’d risk everything for freedom. Mac gives a bullhorn to Jordan, but Robert says, it should be him.

Brook says, something’s bothering Chase, and he says he’d like to think they’re honest with each other. She says, aren’t they? and he says, you tell me. Is there anything that’s happened recently that she hasn’t filled him in on? She says, if this is about Linc… but he says, it’s about them. He wants to be in a relationship where they have each other’s backs; where they support each other, even when it’s hard. Otherwise, what is the point?

Still on the phone, Olivia says she understands, and thanks them. Ned says, well? and she says she offered the new chef triple his normal pay to wring that turkey’s… to ready the beautiful bird. No dice. Michael asks, how hard can it be to ready a bird? and Ned says, people have been doing it since the dawn of time. He’s willing to try if Michael is. Olivia says, that’s what she’s talking about. That’s the spirit. Now it’s starting to feel like Thanksgiving. Michael says he’ll grab Drew and Chase, but Leo says, there will be no turkey today. Olivia tells him, don’t say that. She promises there will be turkey; don’t worry. Leo says he’s not worried. Now neither is Mr. Wattles. Mr. Wattles walks around on the window seat, takes a poop on it (I kid you not), and wanders off into the mansion. This is pretty funny.

Carly asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow asks what she means. Carly says, with her pregnancy, and Drew asks if Willow just forgot she’s pregnant. Willow says, sometimes she could with how amazing this little one is. It’s been a dream so far. Drew says he bets she’ll be relieved to find her birth parents. Getting as much medical history as possible is great for the baby’s sake. Willow says, that’s exactly why she’s looking for them, and he says, on that note, a reporter he knows tracked down some members of the commune to the Mohave Desert. Willow says she told him it would be a struggle, but he says, the good news is, somebody offered to help. Willow asks, who? and Carly says, me.

Brook says, she thought she and Chase supported each other, but he says, she supports the life she wants for him; not the life he actually wants. Leo runs past, telling them, there’s a turkey on the loose.

Felicia tells Laura, spill. She’s had a helluva 24 hours. How is she? Laura says she’s fine; she’s far more worried about Robert. This was the last thing he needed. He was already worried sick about Anna. Felicia says she can’t believe Holly would go this far over a necklace, but Laura says, it might be more complicated than that. Felicia says she’s sure it is, She just can’t stand it. She gets up, and walks out.

Holly loads a gun, and hears Robert say, it’s him. The place is surrounded. It’s over. There’s no escape this time. Mac says, they’ve got to go in, but Robert says, not yet. Holly calls to Robert, asking if Laura is all right. Robert says, she’s fine, and Holly asks him to apologize to her. She never wanted anyone to get hurt, especially him. He says he doesn’t want her getting hurt, and wants her to come out of there unscathed. She knows what she has to do to make that happen.

Inside the cabin, a woman puts a gun down, but I’m not so sure it’s Holly.

Sonny asks if they can all take a breath. Today is supposed to be about family and food… Gladys says, Brando was her family; her only child. He was murdered, and now Alexis is helping the killer get away with it. Alexis says, actually, she intended for the opposite to be true. She’s truly sorry Gladys was caught off-guard. She thought Gladys would be aware of Esme. Gladys says she was not, and Sasha says, at least the police have a credible lead. Dante says, they’ll get justice for Brando, and Sonny says, whatever it takes. She has his word.

From outside the house, everyone looks into the Nook, where Mr. Wattles has taken over and is tearing up the place. Ned says, behold. The pièce de resistance. Olivia says she can’t believe this is happening, and Willow asks, what is happening? Michael says, Olivia ordered a turkey for Thanksgiving, and it arrived alive and well. Chase says, and strong, as Mr. Wattles jumps onto the table. Carly says, this dinner is for the birds, and Olivia says she’s glad they find it so amusing. She’s not laughing. Another Thanksgiving totally ruined. Brook says she gives Olivia a lot of credit. Many have tried in the past, not the least great grandmother Lila, but at some point, you’ve just got to accept it’s tradition. Drew says, Monica is going to love this story, and Ned says, at least there’s still pie. Carly says, and stuffing, and Michael says, and cranberry sauce. Mr. Wattles pulls the tablecloth off the table, things crashing to the floor, and Olivia says, but they need a main course. Ned says, there is an easy fix, and everyone says, Luigi’s. Mr. Wattles steps through the wreckage, and moves on.

Brook wonders why they can’t have a normal Thanksgiving for once, and Chase says he needs to ask her something, and he needs an honest answer. Leo comes in, says, pizza’s here, and runs out again. Brook says she’s starving, and starts to leave, but Chase stops her, and asks, was she ever going to tell him about the CCRB letter she never wrote?

Olivia walks into the sitting room with the pizza, and asks where Brook and Chase are. The pizza is going to get cold. Leo says he told them, but they were talking close. Everyone goes, ooh, and Ned says, to be young and in love. Olivia says, watch it. They are still both of those things. He says, now and forever, and Drew looks at Carly. Michael reaches for a slice, but Olivia says, he knows the rules. They all say, first we sing, then we eat, and Olivia says, they’re going to get one thing right this Thanksgiving, so help her. Drew reaches behind him, and takes Carly’s hand so no one sees.

Sam says, her mom couldn’t get out fast enough, and Dante says, can Sam blame her? She says, not the most festive Thanksgiving, but he says, it’s his favorite one yet. She asks, why? and he says, he gets to spend it with the person he loves, who he shares his home and life with. She says, and his toiletries. She can’t believe how good his new hand lotion smells. He tells her to keep her hands off his stuff, and she says, all his stuff? but he says, actually she has full access to all his stuff. She says, that’s what she thought, and they kiss. She asks if he’s ready for some pizza, and he says he wouldn’t put it past his mother to have made a turkey. Sam says she wants some pepperoni.

Sasha looks out the window, remembering when she married Brando. Sonny asks how she’s holding up, and she says she’s okay. Another first in the books. She got through a whole year after Liam, and now she gets to do it all over again with Brando. He says, she doesn’t have to do it alone, and she says she knows, and she’s so grateful. Gladys says she’s got to make a phone call; she’ll be right back. Sasha tells Sonny that she knows Brando would want her to embrace life, even when it hurts; maybe especially then. He’d want her to be with family. Nina listens from the doorway, and Sonny says, Sasha is welcome here. As far as Gladys, is she still hands-on? What’s going on? Sasha says, always for her benefit. She feels like she and Gladys finally understand each other.

On her phone, pacing in the hallway, Gladys looks at the card Selina gave her. She says she’s having a rough day and could use a little fun. When is the next game?… Great. Count her in for a seat at the table.

We hear the Quartermaines sing We Gather Together, while the family interacts in the sitting room, laughing and hugging. Carly finds a big feather, shows it to Olivia, and they hug. They eat, and Drew and Carly exchange glances.

A woman picks up a briefcase in the cabin, leaving the gun, and knocking over a lantern. On the bullhorn, Jordan says, Holly Sutton, this is your last chance. Come out with your hands visible. The lantern starts a fire inside, and Jordan says she doesn’t like this. She tells Mac to give the order to move in, but Robert says, give her a chance. Jordan says, she’s had multiple chances. Time’s up. There’s an explosion inside the cabin, sending debris everywhere. The cabin burns, and Robert says he has to get in, but Mac holds him back. Robert says, Holly could be hurt, and a woman runs out of the cabin, totally on fire. She falls on her face, and Robert cries, no!  

I have my doubts it’s Holly. I’m thinking Ashby, and that briefcase is empty.

Tomorrow, Ava tells Nikolas, sometimes, one never knows what the day may bring; Britt says, one more box to check; and Selina says, it’s seems she and Victor have much in common.

🔪 Being Heather…

She’s a great Heather. You can tell she’s having a good time.

💣 But Is He Single…?

I kinda sorta remember him.

🥧 Soap Gratitude…

How the soap stars did Thanksgiving.

🎊 Who’d You Rather…?

After holidays with some of these people, your own family might start to look good.

💰 Meanwhile, In LA…

They’re back, and more expensive than ever.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/million-dollar-listing-los-angeles-season-14-trailer-watch

🍗 Celebrity Turkey…

How the stars celebrated.

Someone please tell me how the hell the Winter House cast is at the top of the page? Once again, I live in Bizarro World.

🎅 Rushing the Season…

Half my neighborhood has their Christmas decorations up, and I’m trying not to feel alternately annoyed and inadequate. Join me tomorrow for another round of soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay setting your own pace during the holiday season, and stay keeping old traditions, making new ones, or both. It’s all good.

November 28, 2022 – Ava Pays a Visit To Ryan, Playboy Debauchery On Deck, About That Reunion, New Reality Down South & Late

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Guard Craig lets Dante in to see Heather, who’s doing some painting. She tells him, hello again, Detective Handsome, and asks if he’d like to model for her.

On the phone at the MetroCourt, Mac asks how his brother is, and at the hospital, Jordan says, TJ is with him right now. Mac says he should be with Robert too, but she says she needs him to stay on task. He knows how important this is. He says he’s on it, and looks at a table where Doc and Ava are sitting. Ava tells Doc that she’s officially all his, and he says he appreciates her meeting at the last minute. He wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important. She asks, what’s up? and he says he’ll let Mac explain. Mac sits down, and she says, now she’s doubly intrigued. What would the Chief of Detectives and GH’s top psychiatrist want with her? Mac says, they need her help catching Esme Prince.

Esme screams, then apologizes for waking Ace up. She still can’t believe Ace is moving around. Elizabeth walks in, and Esme asks why she’s here. Elizabeth says she’s here to help Esme.

Nikolas leaves a message for Ava, saying he loves and misses her, when the doorbell rings. It’s Victor, and Nikolas says, it’s not a good night, but Victor says he’s here to move in.

At Rice Plaza, Scotty tells Laura that Obrecht is with Britt, and Laura says, it’s nice Obrecht can spend the holiday with her daughter. He asks, what about her and Doc? and she says, they’re not going anywhere because she doesn’t want to leave her brother Martin alone right now. She knows it’s affecting Scotty too, and promises she won’t rest until she’s brought Lucy’s real shooter to justice. Holly sits at a bench nearby.

Elizabeth takes Esme’s blood pressure, and Esme says, Elizabeth was misleading. She thought Elizabeth was here to help her. Elizabeth says she is helping Esme. The baby is fine, but she’s got to stop with the screaming; it’s stressful for her and the baby. Esme says she’s locked in a tower, and Elizabeth covering for Nikolas doesn’t help. Elizabeth says she’s doing the best she can to help Esme have a healthy pregnancy. She assumes Esme’s had no prenatal care. She should take pregnancy seriously; there could be complications. Esme asks if she shouldn’t be under a doctor’s care then, and not under house arrest, but Elizabeth says, Esme will have to make do with her. Don’t worry. She knows what she’s doing. Esme asks how she can’t worry. She’s locked in here with no idea what’s to become of her. Elizabeth has to convince Nikolas to let her go. Elizabeth says, even if she wanted to, she doubts Nikolas would listen, not after Esme attacked him, but Esme says, Nikolas is making that up. Elizabeth says she’s not making up Esme attacking her, and Esme says she was in fight or flight mode. Elizabeth asks if she’s making up Esme filming revenge porn, and victimizing Josslyn and her son, and Esme says, so that’s it. Elizabeth is committed to being Nikolas’s accomplice. Elizabeth asks if Esme would rather have her baby in prison, and Esme says, this is a prison, with no oversight or chance of parole. And what happens to her after she gives birth? Did Nikolas tell Elizabeth that? Elizabeth says, he did. Esme will be taken to Greece, where she’ll live a life of luxury on Cassadine Island. Esme asks if Elizabeth really believes Nikolas is going to take care of her for the rest of her life.

Ava tells Mac that she wants Esme to rot, but she’s already told the cops everything she can think of. She hasn’t seen Esme in months. Mac says, they know Esme’s back in Port Charles, but the trail went cold after she crossed paths with Elizabeth Baldwin at the docks. Ava says, if she knew where Esme was, she’d serve her up, head on a platter… figuratively speaking, of course (🍷). Doc says, they don’t think Ava knows where to find her, but they think she knows someone who does.

Ryan’s new caregiver tells him that he doesn’t see any new articles about The Hook killer, but how about this? Prisoner Anna Devane remains at large after escaping a prison transport. Ryan blinks twice, and the caregiver says, how about sports? There’s football, basketball… Oh look, they’ve got pickleball.

Dante says he’s there to ask Heather about the prison transport crash, but she says, that’s old news. He says, it’s an ongoing investigation, and she says, right to business, huh? Not even a, hi, how are you? He asks how she is, and tells her that he’s here on official police business, but if she doesn’t want to cooperate, he’ll go. She says, cool your jets, Mr. Serious. I’ll tell you everything you want to know… for a price. Quid pro quo, Clarice; she does her best Anthony Hopkins impression.

TJ tells Diane and Jordan that Robert’s okay; he’s sleeping it off. Diane asks if she can see him, and TJ nods. She goes into Robert’s room, and Jordan asks if TJ really thinks Robert had too much to drink. He says, could be. They ran a tox screen, and he’s waiting for the results. What is she thinking? She says she thinks the DA was drugged.

Nikolas asks, why the urgency? Why does Victor have to move in tonight? Victor says, there’s been a development in his plans, and Nikolas says, plans that necessitate Victor hiding out on a secure island. Victor says, it had better be secure. He needs to prepare his family for what’s to come. It seems Nikolas and Spencer are the only Cassadines he can trust right now. Of course (🍷), the snail’s pace of Nikolas’s divorce from Ava is a continuing cause of concern. Now more than ever, Nikolas needs to get his house in order. He hands Nikolas a drink, and Nikolas says, if Victor is moving in to ensure his cooperation, he already told Victor that he agrees to his terms. Victor says, forgive him if he needs more assurance than Nikolas’s word, and Nikolas says, the house is still undergoing renovations. It’s not prepared for Victor yet. Victor says, then prepare it. Tonight the tide turns for this family.

Holly says, she just saw an enormous woodchuck floating up to the sky, and Scotty says, she probably hasn’t seen a parade in a while. Laura says, the mayor gets priority seating, and Holly’s welcome to join them, but Holly says, it sounds lovely, but she has somewhere to be. She told her Ride Share to pick her up at the Plaza. Laura asks if she has plans with Robert, but Holly says, not tonight; it’s business, not pleasure. Scotty says he didn’t know Holly had a job, and Laura says, the night before Thanksgiving? What kind of business?

Dante tells Heather that he’s not authorized to make a deal, but if he was her, he’d want to assist them. Who knows how it will work out for her down the wire? She tells him, if he wants her help, come back with someone who can make a deal, and he says, good luck with her painting. She’ll have plenty of time to get good at it. He leaves, and Heather has an epiphany. She knocks at the window, and thanks Craig for letting in the charming detective. She asks if he’d be an absolute dear, and escort her to make a teeny weeny phone call

TJ tells Jordan that he won’t know anything until the tox screen comes back. He’ll put a rush on it. She asks him to keep her posted, and he leaves.

Diane says, oh good; Robert’s up. He asks where he is; it looks like a hospital. She asks if he doesn’t remember, and he says he remembers tequila. She says, he and Holly shared some tequila shots, he had a bad reaction, and Holly took him back to his room. She asked Diane to give his WSB contact a message. He asks where Holly is, and where’s his briefcase? She says, he didn’t have it on him when he stumbled out of the elevator, and she hasn’t seen Holly since she left the MetroCourt to take him back to his room. He tells her, get Ashford here – now.

Holly says, unfortunately, some work won’t wait. As mayor, she’s sure Laura understands more than anybody. Laura says she absolutely does, with the ongoing hunt for Anna, and the search for Lucy’s real shooter. She imagines she’ll be working tonight, but she’ll find some time to spend with Martin, since they both saw their holidays going very differently. Scotty’s phone rings, and he steps away. Heather says, it’s his old pal, and he says, for cryin’ out loud. What does she want? She says, don’t be a grouch. Come to Spring Ridge, visit her, and find out. She promises it will be worth his while.

Esme tells Elizabeth, think about it. She gets whisked away, and holed up on some foreign island, with no one looking for her. Does Elizabeth really believe Nikolas is going to keep her around indefinitely? Once she gives birth to his child, she’ll be completely disposable. Elizabeth says, what Esme is suggesting won’t happen, but Nikolas is loyal to the people he cares about. So her advice is, make sure Nikolas cares about her. Esme says, like Nikolas cares about his son? and Elizabeth says, Esme is behind in her bloodwork; she’ll be sure to do it next time. Esme asks, which is when? and Elizabeth says she’ll come every couple of days until Esme delivers. She gives Esme a bottle of prenatal vitamins, and tells her to take one every day. She’s guessing Esme hasn’t taken them before, and Esme says she’s been a little busy. Elizabeth says, now she has the time. They’ll make her baby healthy and strong. Esme says, getting out of this room would work wonders in that regard, but Elizabeth tells her to take her vitamins. She’s not getting out of here any time soon. She leaves, and Esme looks at the bottle.

Ava asks why Mac is wasting time talking to her when he knows someone who can find Esme, but Mac says, she’s a pivotal part of their plan. Doc says, and she has the right to refuse, and Ava says, refuse what exactly? Doc says, Esme is cunning and dangerous, and Mac says, they’ve questioned everyone Esme has had a relationship with in Port Charles. Doc says, except one – his brother. Despite his best efforts, Esme forged a connection with Ryan when she was interning at Spring Ridge. Ryan will know how to find Esme. Mac says, Ryan refused to communicate with Doc, and it’s unlikely he’ll cooperate with the police. They thought if they gave him some incentive to cooperate… and Ava says, they want to use her as bait. Mac says he understands the gravity of what they’re asking her to do, and it’s completely up to her. Doc says, she’s the one person Ryan is likely to communicate with, but it’s not worth it if it’s going to cause her trauma. She tells them, say no more; she’s in. Doc suggests she take some time to think about it, but she says, they don’t have time. Esme terrorized this town long before she started her murderous rampage. They have to get to her before she gets to Trina. That’s the theory, right? That Esme is the killer and her ultimate target is Trina. Mac says, it is, and Ava says, then they have to find Esme and stop her. If she has to see Ryan to get it done, so be it. She’ll do whatever they ask. When do they need her? Mac says, right now.

Esme says, come on, think. What would daddy do? Ryan appears on the bed, and says he thought she’d never ask. She says, did he hear Elizabeth? She calls herself a nurse, but didn’t even help her. She’s too busy holding a grudge because of that stupid sex tape. He says he told her; don’t get distracted by Spencer… She says she has no time for I told you so. Help her figure a way out of here. He says he gets so tired of repeating himself. Use the baby. She asks, how? and he says, the baby’s health is dependent on her. She saw how frightened Nikolas was when he thought she was in distress. She says, until Nurse Baldwin threatened to do a C-section with no anesthesia, and he says, Elizabeth called her bluff, but that’s no reason she can’t build on a successful tactic. Throw out the vitamins Elizabeth gave her. She asks, what good that would do? and he says, refuse to take care of herself. If her health suffers, the baby suffers. She says, but if she harms the baby, she could lose…. her only leverage, and he says, the baby is her only leverage. She doesn’t have another option. Make sure Nikolas knows what’s at stake.

Craig lets Scotty into Heather’s room, and she says, it’s good of him to come. He says, hiya, Heather. He’s here because she’s Franco’s mother, so what does she want? She tears up and says, their boy was such a beautiful soul. She hates that he was taken in such a violent, cruel way. He says he knows. He sees she’s still painting, and she says, it’s what she and Franco shared in common. These works lack her usual depth. He asks how she can she tell, and she says, because of her neck. He asks, what’s wrong with her neck? and she says, didn’t he hear? Her prison transport van crashed, horribly. She’s been in agony ever since; she can hardly paint. He says, for cryin’ out loud, that’s why she’s in rehab, and she says she has half a mind to sue the city of Port Charles and the PCPD for physical and emotional distress. Isn’t that his area of expertise? He says, no judge is ever going to sign off on an institutionalized crackpot, but she says, what if she was a free woman? He asks, who’s going to let her out? and she says, he is.

Victor says, think of the perks. This way, Nikolas won’t have to spend Thanksgiving alone. Nikolas says he’s not in a celebratory mood this year, and Victor asks if that’s because of Spencer, Ava, or both. Nikolas says, among other things, when Elizabeth walks in. Victor says he’s sorry. He doesn’t remember Nikolas saying he had company, but Nikolas says he recalls telling Victor that it’s not a good time. Elizabeth says she’s sorry to interrupt, but Victor says, she’s not. The staff is moving him in; he’s the one interrupting. She says, he’s moving in tonight? How cozy. Victor says he’s sick and tired of living out of suitcases, and found himself craving family. He’ll start unpacking, and not detract from their evening any further. He’ll pick out a suite in the north tower. Nikolas says, no. The repairs aren’t finished yet; it’s not safe. Victor will have to stay in the south tower. Victor says, that’s a pity; the views are so much nicer in the north tower. He tells Elizabeth that it was a delight to see her, and leaves. Elizabeth says, what the hell? He’s living here now? Is Nikolas trying to get caught? In the foyer, Victor calls Gavin, and says, he’s arrived on Spoon Island. What did Gavin find out about the necklace, and where the hell is Holly Sutton?

Laura tells Holly that she can’t believe Scotty went to see Heather. Whatever she’s up to can’t be good. Holly wonders what happened to her Ride Share, and Laura asks where she’s going. Holly says, her meeting is out of town, and Laura says, it’s going to cost her a fortune. Why isn’t Robert taking her? Holly says, Robert doesn’t know. She’s going back to doing some contract work for government agencies, and she knows he wouldn’t approve because of her memory issues and how her last assignment ended, but she’s as sharp as ever. She needs purpose. Laura says she’d be happy to take Holly wherever she’s going, but Holly says she couldn’t trouble Laura. Laura says she insists. She won’t take no for an answer. Robert is a good friend, and she knows he woudn’t want Holly taking a Ride Share out of town tonight. Unless of course (🍷) Holly wants to call him. Holly says, thank you, she’d love a ride, but Laura says, no thanks necessary. It will give them a chance to talk. Holly picks up the briefcase, and follows Laura.

Nikolas asks how the baby is, and Elizabeth says, fine, for now. Esme has had no prenatal care, and she doesn’t know how they’re going to accomplish it with Victor here. It’s only a matter of time before Victor figures out he’s holding Esme prisoner here. He says, the north tower will be locked at all times, and Demetrius will be keeping an eye on Victor. He’s going to put his uncle in the south tower, which is on the opposite side of the house. He even soundproofed Esme’s room. Don’t worry; he has it under control. She says, this whole thing is going to blow up in their faces. It’s bad enough what they’re doing, and now Victor is going to be looking around. Victor comes back in, and Elizabeth says she was just on her way out. It’s good to see them both. Nikolas says he’ll walk her out, but she says, no need. Happy Thanksgiving. She leaves, and Nikolas tells Victor, she’s going through a tough time, and came here to talk. Victor says, stop lying to him. He knows exactly what’s going on.

At Spring Ridge, Mac thanks Dante for joining them, and asks how his conversation with Heather panned out. Dante says, not really, but they can talk about it later. What’s this all about? Mac says, Ava agreed to speak with Ryan, and Ava says she wishes Doc could be here. Mac says, him too, but Doc’s right; Ryan might not want to communicate in his presence. They walk into the rec room, and Mac asks if she’s sure she wants to do this now, but she says, no time like the present. Ryan’s eyes follow her as she walks over to him, and she asks if he’s still locked in. He blinks once, and the caregiver says, one blink for yes, two for no, but she says she’s familiar. Is he Ryan’s new caregiver? He says, one of them, and Ryan does a bunch of blinking. The caregiver tells her, he says… but she says she doesn’t care what he’s blinking. She’ll do the talking. She sits down, and asks if Ryan remembers his little friend Esme, his protégé. It turns out Esme is the one who attacked her. The audacity. How would he like the chance to get back at her for trying to take what’s his?

Scotty asks why Heather thinks he can get her out, and she says, it would behoove him. Once she’s a free woman, the judge will find her more credible when she sues the pants off the PCPD and the city. They’ll find her the victim of gross negligence, not some loon. It’ll be ka-ching, ka-ching for the both of them. He says he has a news flash for her. There are a lot details involved. He doesn’t know why she thinks he can get her sprung. She says, Detective Falconari was just here, and wanted to interview her about the crash, and the prisoner escape. He says, so? and she says, clearly her eyewitness testimony is very valuable to them. He says, that depends on the testimony, and she says, what if she can ID who helped Anna Devane escape?

Robert says he has to get out of here, and TJ says he appreciates the urgency, but Robert can’t leave. Robert says, TJ doesn’t understand. Holly is missing and could be hurt. There’s a $35 million necklace out there, and he has to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Diane comes in with Jordan, and Robert asks if she found Holly or the necklace; somebody might have hurt Holly. Jordan says she wouldn’t worry. She took a look at the security footage, and Holly appears to be fine. He asks if she saw who took his briefcase, and she says, yes, and it’s someone he knows very well.

In the car, Laura tells Holly that her mother’s new place is in the center of town, near her favorite cafes and restaurants. Holly says she feels awful. Laura just came back, and she’s keeping her away from Doc. Laura says, Doc is working tonight. Besides, it gives them a chance to catch up. Holly says, without memories, there won’t be much catch up on her end, but Laura says she’s sure they’ll come back. So what agency did Holly say she was meeting with tonight? Holly says, Laura knows that’s classified, and Laura laughs, saying, she never assumes. She likes to keep her mind open to possibilities. Holly says, the mark of an effective mayor, when Laura’s phone rings. Laura says, and duty calls, and stupidly puts it on speaker. She tells Jordan that she can’t really talk. She’s sitting here with… Jordan says, it’s important. Robert Scorpio was mugged tonight. He’s all right, but the attacker stole his briefcase containing a necklace of diamonds from the Ice Princess. The suspect is Holly… The phone disconnects, and Holly takes out a gun. She tells Laura, no more questions. She’s so sorry it’s come to this.

The caregiver asks, what’s in it for Ryan? and Ava says, for every interview he gives, she’ll be there too. He can bask in her presence while he gives law enforcement the information they need to take that wretched Esme down. So he gets her company, and gets credit for doing a public service for once in his life. The caregiver says, maybe he doesn’t understand, but Ava says, he understands all right. He’s toying with her. She tells Ryan, just imagine how much more toying he could do with her as a captive audience. Enough stalling. Do they have a deal or not?

Heather tells Scotty, she reads the papers. Everyone is hot to trot to find Anna, from the WSB to the PCPD. And who’s the only one who can put them on the right trail? Little ol’ her. Strike this bargain with her. Free her, and they can squeeze this city for a tidy sum. He says he doubts anybody is going to make that deal, but she says, he’ll never know until he tries.  Doesn’t he want a windfall to ease his grief? Anna killed Lucy Coe, the woman who was the mother to the only child he has left. He can get revenge and strike it rich at the same time. What does he say? He says, no. Nein. His German girlfriend taught him that.  She says she can’t believe he’s turning down a way to make a fast buck, and he says he’s got a full life right now. He’s not going to let her screw it up. She says, is this all because of his new girlfriend? Why did he come here if he didn’t want to help her? He says he wanted to see if she was up to anything crazy, so he could tell the cops. She says, think it through. She never forgets her friends, or her enemies. He says, neither does he, tells the guard to let him out of this nuthouse, and leaves.

Nikolas says he doesn’t know what Victor thinks is going on, and Victor says, the loaded looks, the hesitation about him moving in? He wasn’t born yesterday. He’s not shocked. He’s rather relieved Nikolas is behaving like a single man again. Nikolas says, it’s not what Victor thinks. He and Elizabeth are just friends. She’s been going through some things. Victor says, it’s nice they can comfort each other. He won’t cramp Nikolas’s style. Nikolas tells Victor, just do him a favor. Ava can’t know Elizabeth has been coming over. Victor says, of course (🍷) not. No need to make this divorce more complicated than Nikolas has made it already by sleeping with Spencer’s girlfriend. Nikolas thanks him for his discretion, and Victor says he’s on Nikolas’s side. All the more reason to put an end to this marriage once and for all.

Holly says, do as she asks, and no harm will come to Laura, and Laura says, like no harm came to Robert? She knew Holly wasn’t to be trusted, and hates that she was right. Holly says she doesn’t want to hurt Laura, and Laura says, Holly has a funny way of showing it. Put the gun down. Holly says she wishes she could, and Laura says, she can; just do it. Holly tells her to take the next exit, but Laura says, no. Holly says, they have a long history, but that won’t save her. She has no choice in this. Laura says, she always has a choice, but Holly says she doesn’t, and she will do what she has to. Laura says, why? Because she’s working for Victor Cassadine? Is that why she was whispering to Eileen Ashby? Is that why she stole Robert’s briefcase? Holly says, here’s the exit. It’s now or never.

Jordan says she thought Holly and Robert were friends. Why would she do something like this? He says, you tell me, and she says, if there’s something she should know, now’s the time to tell her. Her phone rings, and she steps outside to take it. Diane says, it seemed like he wanted to say something to the Commissioner. Why didn’t he? He asks what she means; he’s an open book. She says, come on. Holly is his ex-wife, but it’s obvious she stole the necklace and drugged him. He says he hasn’t had tequila in a while, and she says, he’s going to be in a lot of trouble with the WSB, but he says he can handle it. She tells him, said every cocky defendant she’s ever represented. She hopes he won’t mind being one of them, but her rates are exorbitant. She hopes whatever Holly got herself into doesn’t drag him down as well.

Nikolas tells Victor, they’ve been through this. He’ll divorce Ava, it’s complicated, he needs some time. Victor says his patience is wearing thin, but Nikolas says he’ll do what he must. He knows what’s at stake. Victor’s phone rings, and he says he hopes for Nikolas’s sake that’s true. They’re already on the launchpad. He goes out to the foyer, and tells Gavin, talk to him. What’s the status?… What does he mean, she’s disappeared?  

Outside of the car, Laura asks Holly if this is the end of the line. Is Holly going to kill her and leave her by the side of the road? Holly says, there’s been enough death. She punches some numbers into Laura’s phone, and says, perfect; there’s some recent calls. Laura asks what she’s doing, and Holly says, Laura’s family needs her, throwing the phone toward Laura. We hear a ring, and Doc says, hello? Laura picks it up, and says, help her please. She’s on Route 31 by the side of the road, near mile marker 35. Call Jordan. Tell her that Holly stole her car, and that she’s armed and dangerous.

The caregiver tells Ava that Ryan says, I can’t wait to see you again, my love. Mac says, tell him they’ll be in touch to schedule the first interview. They start to leave, but the caregiver says, he wasn’t done. He said, never fear, Ava. We’ll find Esme together. Ava and Ryan lock eyes (no pun intended) and Ava leaves with Mac and Dante.

Esme comes out of the bathroom, and says, that’s that. She shakes a few vitamins into her hand, and tosses the empty bottle on the bed. She says, don’t worry, Ace. Elizabeth will be back soon. They’ll tell her that they trashed the vitamins, and she’ll bring them more before these run out. She looks at the few vitamins in her hand, and says, all they have to do is scare her. Show her and Nikolas that they can’t be steamrolled. She knows what Ace’s grandfather would say, but she can’t risk hurting Ace, and being at Nikolas’s mercy. She’ll do what it takes to survive. She swallows a vitamin.

Heather walks into the rec room, and sees Ryan. She gasps, and the caregiver asks if they know each other. She says, everyone knows Ryan Chamberlain, and the caregiver says, the same could be said of you, Heather Webber. Heather backs up a bit, and the caregiver wheels Ryan out as Ryan stares at Heather.

Tomorrow, Olivia says, they’re still waiting on the man of the hour; Sonny asks if Nina wants to make new traditions; Laura wants the police to make sure it ends peacefully; and Alexis says, Jordan promised her, but didn’t deliver.

Below Deck

Alissa harps on Camille stocking the refrigerator, and in her interview, she says, Camille should respect her second stew position. She’s just doing her job, and getting bad vibes. Camille says she’s going to lose her sh*t, and on deck, Tony works out. In his interview, he says, working out is how he deals with stress. In 2011 he got depressed when his dad got sick, and tried to find a healthy way to deal with it. Working out is replacing soul pain with physical pain. In Fraser’s interview, he says, day one was bad, and he’s not feeling good about things, including his future in yachting. They need to work harder, better, and smarter. How? He’s not sure, but he needs the enthusiasm first. Guest Chad is up and looking for coffee, and Hayley tells Fraser that Chad looks incredibly hung over. In Hayley’s interview, she wonders, who the hell gets up that early after getting sh*tfaced night before? Fraser serves breakfast, and tells the guests they’ll be going to be beach later. Alissa tells Fraser that Camille stomped feet when she said Camille needed to back up the crew. In his interview, Fraser says he appreciates Alissa’s communication, even though it’s not the best news. In his last stint as chief stew, he let people off too easy. He needs to be more of a bitch. In Katie’s interview, she says she’s never worked on a boat this size, but she’s hardworking wants be doing the same as the guys. Owning her own boat is her goal. Rachel discusses the beach picnic with Fraser, and tells him that she’s making up serving boxes. In Rachel’s interview, she says, primary Peng is from Thailand, and she can’t wait to make the lunch. She lived in Thailand for a while, near the clubs where the ladyboys party. Fraser tells Camille, there’s a Reiki sound bath person coming to the beach, and she leaves with Alissa and Katie to help with service. At the beach, Camille says she can’t wait to get in the water, and Katie wonders if that’s allowed. In Camille’s interview, she forgets this is a job, and says, yachting is supposed to be fun. She and Ben get in the water, and Fraser radios that the guests are on the way. In Alissa’s interview, she says, they’re supposed to be working, but apparently Ben and Camille don’t give a f***.

Katie and Ben greet the guests, and Dr. Tanya arrives to do the sound bath thing. One of the guests – Ben? Chad? I don’t know – tells Camille, being gay is exhausting, and Camille says she should try it sometime. Dr. Tanya does her thing, and on the boat, Fraser helps Rachel pack the lunches. He heads for the beach with the food, and Captain Lee tells Rachel that he’s hoping to get rid of his crutches soon. In the captain’s interview, he says, the pain is gone; he just doesn’t look pretty walking. But he was never going to be a runway model anyway. Lunch is served on the beach, and the guests are thrilled with Rachel’s choice. Peng says, it’s like what his mom would pack him for a school lunch, and he got made fun of. Another guest – Chad? Ben? Jared? I don’t know – says, the kids with the bologna are teasing me. The guests return to the boat, and demand to see Tony’s abs. In Fraser’s interview, he says he’s a perfectionist. Mummy loves a challenge. In Rachel’s interview, she says, it’s important the dinner go well. She can’t have a repeat of the day before. When the guests’ experience is sub-par, you have to work harder to make them think it’s good. Fraser radios the crew to tell them, dress-up clothing for the Playboy mansion debaucherous evening is available. Hayley says some things in her interview that I’m not even repeating, and Rachel realizes the fish smells bad. In her interview, she says she ordered 45 pounds of frozen fish, but it wasn’t not frozen fresh. Dinner is f***ed. She calls Fraser to the galley, and says, the branzino is off. F*** my life.

Calling it the deadliest snatch, Rachel wonders how she’s going to pull off surf and turf without the surf. She hates her f***ing life. The captain asks what the dinner dress attire is, and Fraser says, debaucherous playboy. The captain is less than happy. In Tony’s interview, he says he likes his abs, but because of what he can do. We see clips of his various athletic talents, and he says, sometimes he feels like a piece of meat, but for the family, he will do it. In Ross’s interview, he says he enjoys the company of the fairer sex; sex being the operative word. Ugh. Hayley and Alissa discuss who fancies who, and Captain Lee mumbles that he’s being tossed to the wolves, as he gets ready to join the guests for dinner. He thanks them for the invite, and apologizes for being absent. He says, it’s a nerve issue, which will hopefully be resolved quickly, but until then, he’s the best they’ve got. In his interview, he says, it’s uncomfortable, but he can’t toss in the towel. Suck it up, cupcake. Truffle fries are served, and the captain says, Rachel is a treasure. In Rachel’s interview, she says, somehow, some way, she pulled it off. Per the guests’ request, Peng’s face is everywhere in the décor. The guests take photos and drink shots, and Camille radios the crew that they’re asking for exotic dancers. Ben wakes up Tony, and says, they have to dance. In Tony’s interview, he says, whatever the guests want, they get. Peng sits in a chair, while they do what maybe could pass for a lap dance at a distance. In his interview, Tony says, he doesn’t know what to do. He’s got nothing. He’s the worst Latino ever. Alissa tells Camille to clean the salon, and when Camille is eating something in the crew mess, Alissa tells her what she didn’t do. She says she doesn’t want any pouting, and Camille says, it’s her delivery.

Tony makes a lot of noises while he works out. The sea is rough, and Captain Lee says, don’t f*** with him; he’s not in the mood. In his interview, he says, the weather there in unpredictable. It’s called Windward Islands for a reason. The docking is going to be challenging. The wind is at 29 knots, and he says, the boat is like a pinball in a machine. WTF? Camille delivers the captain’s laundry, and Alissa calls her mother. Fraser says, her mom sounds adorable, and she tells him that she’s closest with her mom. When her parents divorced, she lived with her dad, and he was pretty negative. He had primary custody, and her mom would get them on weekends. Her dad was mean, and was hard on her. In Alissa’s interview, she says, her dad was a strict, devout Christian, and having a controlling parent caused her to become soft and submissive. Her mom was inconsistent. One time, she said she’d see them next weekend, and they didn’t see her for two and a half years. Being a kid, she automatically forgave, but it feels like standing up for herself is important now. Captain Lee’s shirt is way too tight, and he tells Fraser, it’s the wrong size. Fraser gets Camille, and they search for a large, but can’t find one. The captain tells her that he should have three, and she apologizes. He calmly dons a polo. Ross goes over anchoring with the deckhands, and in his interview, he says, they have great attitudes, and he loves them, even though Tony is green. It’s a load on him, and he hopes to spread his load… his work load. He laughs at his own awful joke, and I’m not liking him a whole lot. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says he’s as nervous as a whore in the front row pew at church. The have mountains all around, and a pass that the wind funnels through. They’re big sail. It’s a tricky dock, but you get paid the big bucks to make the hard calls. The wind is at 37 knots, and the captain curses his life.

At 27 knots, the captain heaves a sigh. He calls the deck crew to the wheelhouse, and in his interview, he says, Mother Nature is a bad ass bitch. He tells the deck crew that they’re going to find a spot for the guests to disembark, and ferry their asses in. In the captain’s interview, he says, it’s a 200 foot boat, and a lot to spend if they f*** up. They anchor outside of the marina, and Captain Lee tells Fraser, they’re going to launch a tender. The guests pack, and guest Jared thinks he’s leaving with more than he came with. I identify. Captain Lee radios the crew to be on the aft deck in five minutes in their whites. Camille asks if the captain is upset, but he says, if he was, there would be no doubt in her mind. Fraser promises to fix the situation. Peng tells the crew that service was great, except for having to find the soap and toilet paper. But they were brought all the alcohol, and they love to drink. They did feel bad waking Tony up, and Tony says, it was a new experience. Peng gives the captain the tip envelope, and the guests get in the tender, yelling, wooooo! as they leave. The crew changes, and Captain Lee radios them to meet in the Sky Lounge. He says, the guests loved the crew’s involvement, and thanks them for going above and beyond. The tip is $25K, or $2100 each. The captain says, it’s a healthy start, and in Hayley’s interview, she says, she’s already envisioning the Louis Vuitton handbag she’s buying in the airport on the way home. Captain Lee says, that put some smiles on their faces, and the crew gets ready to go out. Tony tells Ben that the girls are all beautiful, but he’s not vibing, and Ben says he likes Camille. He wasn’t keen on Allison, but he’s starting to warm up to her. In the galley, Fraser hands Rachel a cucumber, and says, sometimes you don’t need words. In Camille’s interview, she says she wants to know Ben more. He’s a little shy, and she wants to open up so he can come in. I’m not quite sure what she means by that. Alisson tells Hayley that she knows Camille likes Ben, but Camille’s been a bitch to her, so she’s going to flirt with him. She doesn’t owe anybody anything. As usual, the yachting industry finds the least likeable and most immature people.

The crew heads out, taking a tender to shore. At the restaurant, Camille asks everyone to join hands, and says she hopes they all have a great season and stay safe. They’re going to get f***Ing slammed tonight because they had great charter. She makes small talk with Ben, but Alisson tries to block her with some flirting, and telling him that she should have worn underwear. In Hayley’s interview, she says, as uncomfortable as this is, she’s enjoying watching it. Who should she put her money on? Ben says he thought his last girlfriend was serious, and he ended up heartbroken. In his interview, he says he lost her to drugs and alcohol. So he got out, and came to join the big white boats. Camille asks, what do they call the guys in yachting? and Ben says, sluts? She says, lost boys, and in Camille’s interview, she says, she dated a big deal quarterback who cheated on her. She was depressed and anxious, and just wanted to get away. She didn’t want anyone to know her. A lot of people get away from their demons in yachting. Fraser tells Hayley that yachting is misunderstood, and she says, people assume they work on cruse ships. He says he’d rather his funeral be rotting in a car park than setting foot on cruise ship. The crew goes back to the boat, and they change to get in the hot tub, but it’s cold, so they go back downstairs. Camille twerks, and gives Ben a lap dance. In Alissa’s interview, she says, she’d never chase a man. Camille is a man chaser, but she’s not. If you don’t have a brain, you have to use something, and Camille uses her ass. Camille asks if Ben enjoyed it. He gets up, and… OH MY GOD, MY EYES!!!! Yeah, he liked it. In her interview, Alissa says, Camille lowered her value. She’s a dirty, disgusting, trashy, swampy bitch.

The morning dawns in a gorgeous place, and it’s 31 hours before charter. Captain Lee says, f*** me, and in his interview, he says, everything is numb. He’s not progressing at the rate he anticipated, and the pain is worse. He can barely stand. In fact, he can’t stand. He says, mother***er.

Next time, a charter of medical doctors; Fraser mistakenly calls the doctors nurses; Alissa and Camille clash; and Camille says, Alissa isn’t her boss. I wonder if that’s the actual problem, since Camille is a floater. Technically, Fraser and Ross are her bosses.

⛴ Oh yeah, the Below Deck Mediterranean Reunion. It was boring AF. Natasha and Jason weren’t there. No doubt with Jason it was sour grapes, since he didn’t end on a great note. Tasha said she was working, but hard to buy that, since almost everyone else was too. Nothing was new news, except there was a show of hands for who thought Tasha did Dave dirty. Everyone raised their hands except Kyle, who said they were both at fault, and that gets my vote too. Tasha had no business stringing Dave along, but he did get overly aggressive, which wasn’t cool when you’re trapped on a boat. Oh, and it was revealed Natalya and Storm got busy in a secret location during charter. The show was one of those Watch What Happens Live virtual things, which I think takes a lot away from it, but maybe no one was that interesting to start with.

🥃 Southern Hospitality is worth a look. It’s like Vanderpump Rules, but in the south. Seriously, it’s not much different. If you like one, you’ll like the other.  

💳 Black Friday For Days…

Join me tomorrow for more Thanksgiving in Port Charles, some tea, and music. Until then, stay safe, stay being open to new viewpoints, and stay finding healthy ways to deal with heartache. Like replacing soul pain with physical pain.

November 23, 2022 – Martin Teams Up With Valentin, Everything Parade, Thanksgiving & Song

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Drew punches the heavy bag at the gym when his phone rings. It’s a reporter from the Aurora affiliate in Tucson, and she tells him that she tracked down the last known location of the Friends of Peace and Love commune. He says, great work, but she says, unfortunately, that commune pulled up stakes years ago, and vanished into the Mohave Desert. Sonny walks in, and Drew says he appreciates the effort, but she’s got to keep searching. Somebody somewhere has to remember something; they have to remember Willow. Sonny says, sounds like he hit a dead end, and Drew says, it’s starting to seem impossible actually. Sonny asks what he means, and Drew says he’s looking somebody who remembers Willow when she was Callie Miller. He’s looking for Willow’s biological mother.

At the MetroCourt, Nina asks if Carly would care to see the cocktail menu. She recommends the Kir Royale. Carly says she’s just biding her time until her room is ready.

Chase asks what letter Brook was supposed to write, and Dante says, he doesn’t know? He knows Chase wants to be a cop again, so he mentioned to Brook that the Civilian Complaint Review Board might be open to reinstating Chase again if she wrote a letter explaining what happened with the incidents. Chase says, punching Valentin and Linc, and Dante says, if she told them Chase was defending her, and put some context around what happened, they would be open to reinstating him perhaps. Chase asks when he suggested this to Brook, and Dante says, a few weeks ago, but she’s busy so… Chase says, yeah, maybe.

Brook says, let her get this straight. Linc is offering to return her music, the songs she put her heart and soul into that he’s been profiting off of; selling as commercial jingles for dog food and paper towels. Linc says, the commercial tunes are non-negotiable; they’re sold forever. The rest of her songbook can be hers. She says, as long as she keeps her mouth shut about all those women Linc sexually harassed, including her.

Britt says, that’s a first; her mother is speechless. Obrecht says, this isn’t funny. When Britt says she’s sick, does she mean the Huntington’s disease has progressed? Britt says, they’ve known for over a year she has the marker. Still, to hear the doctor say it’s no longer theoretical, that the disease is affecting her, is pretty shocking. They can’t deny the truth. Obrecht says, they’ll get a second opinion, and a third. There’s a specialty clinic in Zurich. She’ll fly Britt there. Britt says, this isn’t not a matter of opinion; it’s a fact. The symptoms have started, and they’re not going away. They’re here to stay.

Valentin sees Martin at the pier, sitting with a cake that has one long thin candle in it. Valentin asks what Martin is doing here, and Martin says, missing Lucy. Valentin says, what’s with the cake? and Martin says, once upon a time, he told her how much he loved hummingbird cake, and how hard it was to find in upstate New York. She threw herself into learning how to bake one. Valentin says, that was thoughtful, and Martin says, yes and no. It was touch and go for a while; some of them were just dreadful. But she never gave up. He lights the candle, and says, eventually, she perfected it. So to answer Valentin’s question, what he’s doing here is trying to remember, because Valentin’s girlfriend murdered his.

Diane sees Robert at the MetroCourt restaurant, and asks if she can finally buy him that drink. Or is he waiting for somebody? He says, yes and yes, and she sits down. He says he’s waiting for his contact from the WSB to relieve him of this. He indicates the briefcase, and she says, he must have some very important papers in there, and he asks if she’s ever heard of the kid’s game Rock, Paper, Scissors. She says, Rochambeau. Paper covers rock, rock breaks scissors, scissors cut paper. But what does that have to do with that? He says, diamonds cut anything. She says he’s got diamonds in that case, and he says, not just any diamonds. Did she ever hear of the Ice Princess? Holly walks in, and flashes back to confessing to Robert that she’s been doing Victor’s bidding.

Sonny asks why Drew is interested in finding Willow’s biological mother, and Drew says, Willow is actually looking for her biological father as well… for her own reasons. Sonny asks if Drew is saying it’s none of his business, but Drew says he’s not trying to be mysterious. It’s no secret Willow was raised in a commune by a woman she thought to be her mother. The way Willow explained it to him was that she knew Harmony wasn’t the best parent, but Harmony was still her mom, and it gave Willow’s life a little structure. Now her life is one big mystery, so Willow’s made the decision to track down her parents, and Drew said he’d help, for Willow, and for Sonny’s son.  

Carly says, let her know when her room is ready, and Nina says, Carly’s staying here, in Nina’s hotel? Carly says she’s surprised Nina doesn’t know; she booked the honeymoon suite. Only the best. Brick’s on his way. He’s going to stay the night. Nina says, Carly spoke to Sonny, and Carly says she did. And she and Nina need to have a little chat. Nina says she doesn’t think it’s necessary, but Carly says, they need to get a few things straight before Nina tells more lies about her and her family.

Dante says, maybe Brook didn’t want to get Chase’s hopes up, so she didn’t tell him about the letter, and Chase says, that’s one explanation. Dante says, maybe she’s waiting for the right time. Although time is of the essence. The Review Board meets every quarter, and the next meeting is next week. Chase asks if Brook knows, and Dante says he tried to convey that to her. Chase says, which makes him wonder if Brook changed her mind about sending the letter ,or ever intended to send one at all.

Linc says, Brook is entitled to her opinion, but so is he. They don’t live in a corporate world with HR departments. They’re artists. They live by a different set of rules. She says, please, don’t give her that tired old line, and he says, they’re both adults here. What they’re talking about is a he said/she said situation, and in those situations, no one usually wins. That’s why his solution benefits them both. Once Brook signs an NDA, he’ll continue to promote Blaze, and Brook can focus on making Chase the next big thing. She can hear him perform her music the way she always dreamed it to be. Do they have a deal, or don’t they?

Valentin says he knows Martin needs somebody to blame for Lucy’s disappearance, but he’s wrong about Anna. Martin says, is he? In spite of all that evidence. The drone footage of Anna shooting Lucy was enough for the police, and enough for Commissioner Ashford to have Anna arrested and arraigned. And let’s not forget, when her prison transport miraculously crashes on the way to Pentenville, what does she do? She escapes. Forgive him, but he’s been around courtrooms long enough to know innocent people don’t run away. Valentin says, not if they’re if framed. Listen to him. She wasn’t just thinking about herself when she crawled out of that prison van. She wanted to find Lucy, hopefully alive, and bring her home. She wanted to identify the real perpetrator. More than anything, she wanted to make sure justice was served. That’s why he’s on the pier. He’s doing his part to help Anna. He’s retracing the steps of whoever… Martin asks if Valentin hears himself. He’s in love with the woman. His judgement is questionable at best. They got video. Even Valentin’s father thinks she did it. Valentin says, it’s in Victor’s best interest for the world to think Anna is guilty. Martin asks, how? and Valentin says, is he going to make a wish or what? Martin picks up the cake, and says, for Lucy. Valentin says, for Lucy, and Martin blows out the candle. Valentin says he hopes Martin’s wish comes true. He really does.

On the phone, Holly says, Robert’s in the MetroCourt restaurant with the briefcase handcuffed to his wrist… She understands. They can’t let Robert hand off the briefcase to the WSB… Yes, she knows. If the Ice Princess falls into the hands of the WSB, Ethan pays with his life. She knows… Get it to her soon. That’s what she needs to get the diamond. Sooner rather than later.

Diane tells Robert, everyone has heard of the Ice Princess; it’s the stuff of legend. He says, there’s a necklace made out of diamonds from the Ice Princess in the case, and Diane asks if she could have a look. Just a little one; she won’t tell anyone. Robert says, absolutely not. The less she knows about this, the better. Holly comes by, and asks if she can join them. Robert says, have a seat, and introduces Diane Miller, attorney extraordinaire and his frequent opponent in court. He tells Diane, meet Holly Sutton, his ex-wife, and a woman he trusts with his life. Holly says, Diane’s name sounds familiar. Didn’t she just… Diane says, cheat death? Yes. She thinks that’s one thing she and Holly have in common. Holly says, yes, but make that two. Clearly they’re both fond of this chap, even if he is a little paranoid. Robert says, he’s just cautious, and Holly says, nothing is going to happen in the middle of a restaurant. She has to powder her nose, but suggests a round of tequila shots, on her, for old time’s sake. (Bleh. Why is it always tequila?) She leaves, and Diane says, she’s lovely. She understands why Robert fell so hard for her back in the day. He tells her, don’t be fooled; she can be quite lethal. He guesses it’s a combination he finds irresistible. Trish comes by, and he asks for a round of tequila shots, something top-shelf. Trish says, coming right up. Johann sits at the bar, and Holly stands behind him, looking at her phone. She asks, have you got it? and he says, just as she asked, surreptitiously slipping her a vial. She says, this should do trick.

Dante says, Chase and Brook are both his friends. The last thing he wants to do is cause trouble for them. Chase says he appreciates Dante’s honesty. He just wishes Brook would have done the same and told him about the letter. Dante tells him, don’t go dredging up trouble. He knows Brook cares for Chase. He’s sure Brook meant to tell him, but… Chase says, show biz always seems to get in the way, and Dante tells him, Sam says the same thing to him about police work.

Linc says he’s offering Brook what she’s been asking him for, for months; ownership of her songs. Her music, her way, with a bonus that they’ll be sung by the guy who rocks her world. Tell him it’s not a win-win situation for everyone. She says, tell that to Blaze, and tell it to the next girl who comes off a flight from the Midwest with her own artistic dreams, but with the unfortunate luck of meeting him as her first contact in the music business. He says, they all come here with their wide open eyes. He just gives them what they want. She says, he’s just going to keep treating those future women the same way he treated her, as long as she keeps her mouth shut. He asks if he said that. She misunderstands him. He doesn’t want her silence. She asks if that isn’t the whole point of the deal he’s offering, but he says, to close this deal of theirs, he’s going to need much more.

Obrecht says, time is of  the essence. As it happens, there’s a conference in Toronto, and one of the leading experts in Huntington’s is attending. Britt says, Dr. Talone? Thanks to Austin, she was examined by Dr. Talone earlier today. Obrecht says, and? and Britt says, it turns out while she was on the run with dear old dad, and in prison, she was experiencing Stage 1 of Huntington’s without even knowing it. What she thought was just fear and anxiety turned out to be the opening stages of the disease. And now she’s progressed to Stage 3. Obrecht says she wishes Britt had told her that she was seeing Dr. Talone, so she could have been there for support, but Britt says, Austin was there, and he’s become a good friend to her. Obrecht says she’s glad Britt wasn’t alone. Was the doctor able to give her a prognosis? Britt says, five to fifteen years, but being realistic, Dr. Talone said, a year and a half from now, she could be in assisted living needing full-time care. Obrecht says, now that they have her prognosis, they can begin experimental treatments. They’ll engage a nutritionist; whatever it takes. Britt says she doesn’t need a doctor; she needs a mom. They hug, and Obrecht cries, saying, that, you shall always have.

At the gym, Drew says, Sonny is still here, and Sonny says he’s curious why Willow feels the need to search for her birth mother, when she didn’t want to be a part of her life. Drew says, that’s true, but now that Willow is pregnant, he thinks the doctors could use any family history, medically speaking. Sonny says he’s also interested in why Michael wouldn’t come to him to help find Willow’s birth parents, and went to Drew for help. Apparently, Sonny hasn’t been paying attention. Drew says he’s family too, and he and Michael they’re business partners, had the merger of ELQ and Aurora gone through. Sonny says, the merger that didn’t happen. He heard it’s caused problems for Drew and his ex.

Nina says she doesn’t need Carly to tell her that she misinterpreted something, and Carly says, misinterpreted her ass. Nina saw what she wanted to see, and couldn’t wait to accuse Willow of cheating on Michael. Nina tells Carly that she apologized to Willow, and does she know what America’s sweetheart said in return? And I quote, drop dead. Carly laughs, and Nina says, of course (🍷) Carly would think that’s funny, but Carly says she doesn’t think it’s funny. Willow has been struggling since her pregnancy began, and this kind of gossip isn’t helping. And Nina couldn’t give a damn. Nina says she was thinking about Wiley growing up in a broken home, and Carly says, the only home wrecker she knows is standing in front of her. Nina says, Carly had to bring in Sonny, but Carly says, let her make it clear. She doesn’t care about Sonny. Nina is welcome to him. And Nina can spread whatever malicious lies she wants about her and Brick. She could not care less. Nina wants to come at her? Bring it on. But when Nina goes after Carly’s son and his family, don’t pretend she’s thinking about Wiley. Nina is looking for payback because they don’t want someone like her around their son? How’s that working for her? Is she spending any time with Wiley?

Sonny says, when he brought Josslyn back to the house, Drew was there, and it’s no surprise. He wasn’t there for a family visit, and Carly confirmed as much today. Drew says, Carly told him about them? and Sonny says he knows they have to be discreet because of trading issues. He doesn’t know why Carly felt the need to tell him, but she pretty much told him about her and Drew. Drew says, honest to a fault, but Sonny says he doesn’t know anyone who knows Carly who would describe her as honest to a fault. Drew says, after Carly told him, how did Sonny react? and Sonny says, the thing with ex-spouses, it takes a while to find your way forward with each other. He told Carly that Drew’s not a threat to him, and he’s happy for her. Drew tells Sonny, it’s nice of him to say, but does he mean it?

Chase tells Dante, Sam makes a good point. If and when he’s lucky enough to wear the badge again, the last thing he wants to do is take work home. Dante says, Brook wouldn’t like that any more than Chase likes her keeping things from him, and Chase says, maybe she’s just being careful not to make things more complicated by writing the letter.

Brook says, assuming she agrees to keep her mouth shut about what a miserable misogynist Linc is, unfortunately, she knows firsthand that Linc sexually harasses women. What else could he possibly want? He says, like he told her, he’s not interested in her silence. He’s looking for a different narrative. Like she said, they worked together in the past, and she’s uniquely qualified to tell the world what kind of man he is. She says she doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He can’t be serious. He wants her to paint a good picture of him? He says, in every interview she gives, in every PR release she writes, she’ll sing his praises… Poor word choice. She can’t sing now, can she? He says, all he’s asking is that she speak from her heart, and she tells him, her heart says he’s a loathsome dirtbag who preys on vulnerable women. He says, fine, don’t speak from her heart; speak from her head. Because at the end of the day, she knows she’s not going to get a better deal than this. All she has to do is swallow her pride, and paint a picture of him that’s so warm and winning, it counters any false accusations that are out there… and those yet to come, from Blaze or anyone else. She says, he’s telling her, think defensively, because if there’s a bad narrative about him, she can be dragged down with him? He says, she has a reputation for being strong, some might even say feisty. So if she goes on the record in his favor, she’ll be extra motivated to nip in the bud any outrageous complaints about his less than gentlemanly behavior. Otherwise, she’ll look like a traitor to her sisters, or just a sellout who only cares about herself. She says, make no mistake, she sees him for exactly who he is, and he says, great. So this is a no brainer, right? If she really believes in Chase, she’ll go this extra mile.

Holly comes back, and asks why Robert and Diane are waiting to do their shots, and Diane says she just came back from an extended stay at General Hospital. Her doctors put the kibosh on alcohol for the next three weeks. Robert says he was being a gentleman, and waiting for Holly to return. She says, wait no more. Cheers. She downs her shot, and says, his turn. He says he knows she has holes in her memory, but surely she hasn’t forgotten their ritual? She says, he’s absolutely right and don’t call her Shirley. It’s not too late. She points to Diane’s shots, and Robert says, there’s only one way to drink a tequila shot. He says he was on a cruise… Holly sneaks the salt off the table, switching it with another salt shaker, and Robert says he met a woman who told him a phrase he never forgot. He puts the salt on his hand, and says, lick it. He licks the salt, and says, slam it. He downs the shot, puts the glass upside down on the table, and says, suck it. He bites into a lime, and says he’s still got it. Holly says, he certainly does.

Sonny tells Drew, he wouldn’t say he was happy for Carly if he didn’t mean it, and Drew says, he doesn’t mean to question Sonny’s word, but he knows Sonny and Carly had a long, complicated history. It woudn’t be a huge surprise if Sonny had mixed emotions about her moving on. Sonny asks if Drew has mixed emotions about Sam and Dante moving in together, and Drew says he guesses he waked into that one. Sonny says, Carly will always be Donna’s mother, and he only wants what’s best for her.

Nina says, Carly can’t waltz in here and insult her like she used to. Has she forgotten? She doesn’t own this hotel anymore; Nina does. Has she looked around? Nina not only hired a new chef, she’s added subtle yet significant touches to every aspect of this hotel. It’s thriving, from the restaurant to the spa. But she wouldn’t expect Carly to appreciate such things. Trish comes by, and Carly calls her over. Carly says, let her see this, taking a bowl off the tray Trish is carrying. Nina tells her, don’t, but Carly says she wants to see for herself the subtle changes Nina made. This looks like soup. Nina says, it’s potage, with a dollop of white truffle cream, so put it back. Carly says, does Nina want it? Because she can have it. Ugh. I hate when Carly acts like a middle schooler.

Dante says, Brook wants Chase to have it all; the star on his door, the badge on his chest, everything. He should have kept his mouth shut. Chase says he’s happy Dante told him about the letter. He just has to trust that Brook knows the right thing to say, and the right time to send it.

Brook calls Linc a bastard. She didn’t think he could sink any lower, now he wants her to cover for him? He says he’s just asking her to present a counter narrative, but she says she’s not doing it. He says, her choice, but then his offer goes away. And all she has left of her precious songs is more dog food jingles and a singing cop without a badge, or a future.  

Holly drinks her other shot, and Robert asks, what happened to their ritual? She says, times change, and she has to limit her salt intake, but come on, his turn. He says he thinks he’s had enough, and Holly says, Diane is her witness. She noticed since she came to Port Charles that their dashing and daring Aussie is in a bit of a rut. Robert is looking woozy, and she says, the right diet, the right exercise, a straight and narrow job. He even has the right friends. Personally, she thinks he needs to indulge in a few more unpredictable evenings, like tonight. Even with a hint of danger, and a few acquaintances that are slightly unreliable. Diane says, such as? and Holly says, her English accent always fools people into thinking she’s posh and proper, but she’s never claimed to be respectable. Has Diane? Diane says, she was involved with someone who worked for the mob, so there are a few people out there who would say she’s less than respectable, but she thinks Robert deserves a say in this. What does he say? Robert nods out, his forehead hitting the table.

Carly says she’s sure it’s amazing, putting the bowl back on Trish’s tray. Trish gets the hell out of there, when Drew and Sonny join them. Drew asks if everything is okay, and Carly says she was about to throw a bowl of soup in Nina’s face, but she changed her mind, because she has too much respect for this place and the people who work here. Not for herself apparently. Sonny tells Drew, thanks for helping Willow out with the search, and tells Nina, let’s go. They leave, and Carly asks if it’s true that Drew is going to help Willow find her birth mother, and he asks if that’s a problem.

Dante says, duty calls, and Chase says he’s glad they had this talk. Dante asks if Chase is sure. Maybe Chase is lying and he’s not happy Dante brought all this up. Chase says, Dante is just being a true friend, to him, and Brook. They bro hug, and Dante leaves.

Obrecht tells Britt that she’s so sorry. It’s her natural instinct to fix something, not nurture it. Her training, her medical knowledge comes so easily to her, but being a good mutter… She was given two children to love, and twice she failed. Britt deserves better. She deserves a mutter who will say and do all the right things, not her; not the woman whose obsession with Cesar Faison did this to her. She sobs, and Britt tells her, stop. Her Huntington’s disease isn’t Obrecht’s fault. And as much as she hates to admit it, it’s not her father’s fault either. She inherited it from him, but he inherited it too. It’s just the luck of the genetic draw. Obrecht says, no. She won’t let it win that easily. They’re both doctors, intelligent and well-trained. They have to fight back. They can’t let it win this easily. Britt says, there’s something she needs Obrecht to do, and Obrecht says, of course (🍷). Anything. Britt says, go home to Scott, but Obrecht says she can’t. Britt says she’s asking a favor. Please. Obrecht unexpectedly found love at this stage of her life with Scotty. She starts to cry, and says she wants Obrecht to embrace that, just like she needs to embrace being alone.

Linc says, either Brook is all in or… Chase asks if everything is okay over here. The conversation looked pretty intense. Linc says, they’re just getting the details of their agreement nailed down, but Chase says he wasn’t talking to Linc. He was asking his manager. Is Brook okay with Linc’s terms?

With not much cake left, Martin says, so much for the hummingbird cake. He doesn’t know about Valentin, but he doesn’t feel any better. Lucy’s still gone. Valentin says, Anna’s still out there on her own, but Martin says, at least Valentin knows she’s alive. He has people offering unsolicited advice, telling him, until they find a body, there’s reason to hope. It’s getting harder and harder to keep hoping. He guesses he misses her too much. Valentin says he’s sorry, and Martin says, so is he. If only she hadn’t come down here the night that shot was fired. Valentin says, two shots. There were two shots fired, weren’t there? Martin asks, what his point? and Valentin says, why two shots? If Anna was the shooter, she wouldn’t need two, especially at close range. Martin says, in the heat of the moment, but Valentin says, think about it. The police only found one bullet casing from Anna’s gun; the second one was never found. Martin says, so? and Valentin says he doesn’t know, but when he figures it out, that’s how he’s going to save Anna.

Diane shakes Robert, who’s dead to the world, and asks Holly if they should call an ambulance. Holly says, no; he’s just passed out after doing one shot. She guesses it’s true; they’re not as young as they used to be. Diane says she’s going to order him some black coffee, and Robert says he’s okay. Holly says, he’s hardly okay after one shot doing him in like this. She’s going to take him downstairs, and let him sleep it off. He says he’s got to wait for his contact. They should be here any minute. Holly says, he’s in no shape to do business, and asks Diane to do them a favor. Wait for Robert’s contact, and direct them to Robert’s room. Holly takes Robert away, as he babbles, but Diane isn’t liking it.

Diane tells Trish, she’s got to leave, but if Trish sees a man asking for Robert Scorpio or a man with a briefcase, please have them call the front desk and ask for Robert’s room. Sonny comes in with Nina, and says, it’s nice to see Diane up and about. They hug, and Diane says, it’s nice to be up and about. She greets Nina, and says she’s calling it a night. She leaves, and Nina hangs her head. Sonny says, she’s just got to let it go, and she says she’s trying, but someone needs to tell Carly that.

Drew says, Carly sounds surprised he’s helping Willow find her birth parents. She’s not opposed, is she? Carly flashes back to finding out Nina is Willow’s mother, then telling Drew that she isn’t. She says she has no objection, but she thinks it will be like finding a needle in a haystack. He’s going to need all the help he can get. He says, sounds like she has someone in mind, and she says, he’s looking at her.

Brook tells Chase, everything is clear to her now, and tells Linc, they’re good. Linc says, terrific. He knew he could count on her. Now to let Blaze in on the good news. Linc leaves, and Chase says, it’s not too late. Brook says, for what? and he says he trusts her to do the right thing for both of them. She knows that, doesn’t she? They walk to the door.

Obrecht says she can’t leave Britt at a time like this, but Britt says she means it. She needs time alone to gather her thoughts. Obrecht says, from the time Britt was tested, they’ve known Huntington’s disease would be a part of her life, but there was no way to know the timetable. It could have been decades before Britt showed the symptoms. But now that it’s happening… Obrecht cries, and says, if Britt needs a mom, then she needs her daughter, more than ever. They hug and cry.  

Martin tosses the cake box away, and tells Valentin, all gone, just like Lucy. Valentin says, not gone; missing. There’s a difference. Anna was set up to take the fall. Come on. They have work to do. Martin asks where they’re going, and Valentin says, they’re going to find out what really happened to Lucy.

On the phone, Diane leaves a message for Robert, saying, she doesn’t feel right leaving him alone with Holly. She has a bad feeling about all of this. So would he please call her when he gets this? Robert stumbles out of the elevator, looking disheveled, the handcuffs dangling empty from his wrist.

Holly opens the briefcase, and takes out the jewelry box. She removes the necklace, looking it over.  

Next week, in the hospital, Robert tells Diane, get Ashford here now; Jordan tells TJ, the DA was drugged; Laura tells Holly that she won’t take no for an answer; and Heather says she’ll tell everything… for a price.

🥁 Before the Parade Passes By…

Absolutely everything you need to know.

https://www.macys.com/social/parade/

The condensed version.

https://ew.com/tv/how-to-watch-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-2022/

Thanksgiving is the holiday that encompasses all others. All of them, from Martin Luther King Day to Arbor Day to Christmas to Valentine’s Day, are in one way or another about being thankful.Jonathan Safran Foer

Be thankful for what you have. Your life is someone else’s fairy tale. – Wale Ayeni

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. – Charles Dickens

After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations. – Oscar Wilde

🦃 Giving Thanks…

Clocking out early for Thanksgiving break, but join me on Monday for some soap and OG Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay thankful no matter what day it is, and stay remembering, until they find a body, there’s reason to hope. And on a soap, they can even find a body, and there’s reason to hope.