Tag Archives: Giovanni Mazza

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

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

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

Brook interrupted Emma and Gio kissing in the stable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday:

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

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

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

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

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

Felicia was glad to see Stella back at work.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s Victoria Lord Erika Slezak!

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

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

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

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

Leslie Charleson’s last interview IRL.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

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

Real Housewives Of Orange County

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

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

Real Housewives Of Miami

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

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

Welcome To Plathville

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

Random Reality Items

In case you were wondering.

Hopefully, he doesn’t need new teeth.

A VanderBaby!

You can’t keep a good Morgan down.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

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

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

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

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

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

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

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

🎺 Early Roll Call…

Stars we’ve lost so far in 2025:

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

🐾 Lifestyles Of the Rich and Furry…

🐩 Historically famous pets.

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

💰 Spoiled pets.

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

🐕 Bollywood pets.

🦉 Quotes of the Week

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🍁 Bring On the Flannel…

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

June 6, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Anna Gives Sonny a Warning, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Watch Of the Future, Worth Barking About, Decuplet Of Quotes & Summer  

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Elizabeth asked what Lucky knew about her accident, and he said he knew Kristina caused it.

Kristina went to see Michael and said she had so much to tell him.

Laura told Alexis, as Ace’s legal guardian, she got statements from the trust. It looked like 10 million dollars had been removed from the Cassadine estate in the past month and a half.

Rocco showed Lulu the video of Gio smashing his violin at the Nurses Ball and asked, what happened?

Gio showed up at Sonny’s and said he had a question. Did Sonny know?

Brook told Lois, two things would always be true. Gio would always know she gave him up and she would always know Lois lied to her. Gio didn’t want anything to do with her, and she didn’t want anything to do with Lois. Gloria walked in and told her not to talk to her mother like that. If Brook wanted to have it out with someone, have it out with her.

Brook asked if Lois was hiding behind Gloria, but Lois said she was trying to get Brook to understand. Brook said there was nothing to understand. Two people she’d loved and trusted lied to her. Gloria said that was enough.

Rocco asked if it was true that Brook and Dante were Gio’s parents, and Dante said, yeah. Gio was his son and Rocco’s brother.

Alexis told Laura that what she’d seen were investments and apologized for not telling her sooner. She’d thought it was best to diversify some of the trust portfolio and moved some of it to a mutual fund that was high rated. She wanted to make sure Ace’s inheritance remained strong. There was nothing more important than family.

Elizabeth wondered what Kristina had to do with her accident, and Lucky told her about Kristina cutting the brake line to what she thought was Ava’s car. Elizabeth said, it wasn’t Ava’s car though. It was Ric’s.

Michael asked how the family was, and Kristina said she and Molly were great. Her and her mom were… fine. Family was complicated. She couldn’t believe Michael was finally home and walking into a custody battle, but he said it needed to be settled once and for all. Kristina said she knew he wanted to do right by his kids. If he was telling himself that deep down Willow was a good mother and made compromises, it would be the wrong move.

Sonny said Gio had questions and so did he. Why didn’t he come in and get answers? Gio said Sonny didn’t tell him, no, so he must have known, but Sonny said he didn’t know. The first time he heard was when Gio announced it to the world. He hadn’t known Brook was pregnant, which was surprising since he was so close to Lois. Gio said, if he didn’t know, why had Sonny always been so nice to him? Sonny had paid for his lessons, music, and education. Why had he been so generous? Sonny said he knew Gio was special and that hadn’t changed.

Lulu told Rocco that his dad and a lot of people were trying to make sense out of it, and Rocco said, Gio’s mom was Camilla, and his dad was a soldier who died in the war. Dante said they were led to believe that. Gio was lied to and so was everyone else.

Gloria told Brook to calm down and cool off. Emotions were high. She knew it was a lot to process, but Brook’s mother was still her mother, and she was still Brook’s grandmother. She had to show some respect. Brook had been a pregnant teenager, and it didn’t just affect her. Imagine the position she’d put her mother in. Lois said Brook told her that she wasn’t ready to be a mother and she trusted Brook to know herself and respected her wishes. Brook said, by lying? and Lois said, by protecting Brook and doing the best she thought she could for Brook’s child. Gloria said Brook’s mother lied to spare her and it ate her alive, and Brook asked if that’s what Lois told herself, that she was sparing her. Lois said keeping Gio in the family was the only way to ensure he was going to be taken care of and happy. And he was. Gloria said Camilla was a godsend. Would Brook rather they gave him to strangers, and she never saw him again?

Kristina told Michael that she thought Willow would come to her senses and realize being with Drew was a mistake, but Willow was more consumed with Drew now than she ever was, like how it was with Shiloh. She’d been bouncing the kids around and they hardly saw them anymore. Michael said if Drew had his way, it would only get worse. Word had it that Drew bought property in DC.  

Elizabeth told Lucky that they had to tear the car apart to get them. They both had surgery. Ric almost died. How long had he known? Lucky said, since the night it happened. He’d been covering for Kristina ever since.

Gio said there had to be more to it. Did Lois ask for Sonny’s help? Sonny said, she did. She was his oldest friend and the Cerullos were family. He was more than happy to help. That’s what family does. Gio said, Lois lied, but Sonny said it was more complicated than that. Had Gio heard the story about Dante being his son? Gio said, bits and pieces, and Sonny said, when Lois found out, it was before Camilla died. Gio asked Olivia pulled a Lois and never told him about Dante, and Sonny said, she kept it from everybody. He thought she was worried about his affiliations. He wasn’t defending Lois, but she made her choices for a reason. He and Dante knew where Gio was coming from.

Dante said he didn’t know he had a child and definitely didn’t know it was Gio, and Rocco asked, when were he and Brook together? Dante said they’d been camp counselors one summer. They were kids not much older than Rocco. They were teenagers and got careless. They made a mistake. Brook didn’t tell him that she’d gotten pregnant, had a baby, and put it up for adoption. Rocco said, Brook never told him that he had a son? and Dante said he found out the same way everyone else did – when Gio announced it and smashed his violin.

Brook said, if it was up to Gloria and Lois, she wouldn’t have known Gio was hers. She’d continue hoping and praying her son was out there living a safe and happy life. Lois said, he was happy, and Gloria said Brook was acting like they didn’t make sure Gio was loved and well-protected. He was their priority. Brook said they were acting like they’d done nothing wrong and didn’t regret everything. She asked if Lois regretted giving Gio to Camilla, and Lois said, no. Brook asked if Lois didn’t regret lying to her for 22 years and letting her see Gio, never knowing he was her son. Gloria said they made the decision they thought was best, and Brook said, when Camilla died, Gio was an orphan, but they said nothing.

Laura told Alexis not to overextend herself. The Cassadine fortune carried a lot of baggage. Don’t allow it to add to her stress level. Alexis said she needed to follow her conscience, when Suzanne came in and gave Alexis the balance sheets for the Dolos fund, since Laura had been asking about it. Alexis asked if Laura wanted to go over them, but Laura said, in the future, just keep her more informed. Suzanne said she heard congratulations were in order. Laura’s extended family had a new addition. Laura said, excuse me?

Rocco wondered why Brook didn’t tell Dante that he had a kid. He was the best dad. Dante said he didn’t know how much Brook knew, and Rocco said, she knew she had a baby. Lulu said Dante couldn’t answer his questions yet. He was trying to make sense of it himself. Rocco said Gio was his brother, and he missed out on nearly everything with him, and Lulu said she was sorry. His dad would get answers and so would he. Rocco said it was a lot. If it was some big secret, how did Gio find out the truth?

Brook said, Gio was 12 when Camilla died. Didn’t they think he needed a mother? Lois said, it tore Gio apart. They were just getting him through it. Gloria said, the poor boy would have been traumatized all over again, and Brook said her son was alone at his lowest point, but Lois said he was loved and cared for. Brook said, not by her. She was an adult, and they kept her son away from her when he was all alone. She’d never forgive them for that.

Sonny said now that Gio knew Brook and Dante were his parents, circumstances were different, but he got it. Gio asked if it was easy with him and Dante, but Sonny said, not at all. It changed everything. Dante went from being an adversary to being his son. Gio asked if they were cool now, and Sonny said he was proud of that. It took years and it might take time to build a relationship with Dante. Gio said, what if he didn’t want that?

Kristina said taking Michael’s children away didn’t sound like the Willow she knew. She didn’t recognize Willow anymore. Michael said at first, he thought Drew was manipulating her, but she was responsible for her choices. She chose to prioritize Drew and chose to destroy her family.

Lucky told Elizabeth that Kristina showed up at Charlie’s, then ran out. He went after her. She called Ava to try and warn her. Elizabeth said, Ava wasn’t in the car, and Lucky said he found Kristina pulled over near the crash, totally freaked out. She was in shock when she saw Ric and said she’d thought it was Ava. That’s when he knew she’d caused the crash. Elizabeth asked why he hadn’t turned Kristina in to the police.

Lucky said, Kristina could get charged with three counts of attempted murder and go to prison for life, and Elizabeth said maybe that’s where she belonged. He said she didn’t see Kristina’s regret. It wasn’t premeditated, but a crime of passion, a lapse in judgement. When she realized what she’d done, she tried to stop it. Elizabeth said, but she couldn’t. She and Ric could have died. He said the only reason Kristina wasn’t behind bars was because she didn’t die. It was a miracle she survived, and she and Ric were okay. He didn’t see how it benefited anyone to send Kristina to prison. Elizabeth said, what if it kept Ava from being killed? (I don’t know if I’d consider that a benefit.)

Michael told Kristina that he wasn’t the perfect husband, but he loved Willow. He didn’t think they’d ever seen each other clearly and only showed the parts they wanted the other to see, not the dark parts. Kristina said, that would have been honest, and they’d have handled the dark parts, but Michael said Willow couldn’t have handled his.

Lulu told Rocco that Gio found out the truth because of her. She uncovered some information and thought his dad deserved to know the truth. She investigated and found out the baby was Gio. Rocco said Gio was living with them. He didn’t get why Brook kept it from them, and Lulu said she didn’t know what Brook knew. She’d struggled over the right thing to do, but he needed to understand that she respected adoption as well as Brook’s right to make her choice. She took issue with the lies. Gio was his half-brother, and his dad was an amazing father, so when she found out he was here in their lives, she couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

Sonny said he couldn’t tell Gio how to feel, but Dante was a good man and a great father. If Gio give him a chance, Dante would show him. Gio said Dante didn’t like him. He made that perfectly clear after Rocco’s alcohol poisoning. He wasn’t interested in having a relationship because of biology. Sonny said he understood Gio felt hurt, angry, and betrayed. It wasn’t the best state of mind to make decisions. Take his time and see how he felt. Figure it out then and make a decision to what he was open to or not. Gio said, Olivia lied. Did Sonny ever stop hating her for that? Sonny said he never hated her. He was angry and it took a long time to get past that, but loves her. At times he thought about how much time he missed with Dante, but he forgave her and didn’t regret it.

Gloria said she and Brook’s mother her did their best. Brook owed her beautiful life to Lois. Stop hating her and try thanking her. Brook said her child was in pain because they’d both misled him his entire life, but Gloria said they’d made a decision that wouldn’t destroy her life or Gio’s. Brook said they didn’t know what life she would have given Gio, or he would have given her.

Elizabeth asked, what would keep Kristina from trying to kill Ava again? and Lucky said it was a wake-up call, but Elizabeth wasn’t convinced. Why was it on him to cover for her? Her mother was a lawyer. Lucky said it was too late. He helped cover it up, which made him an accessory. She said, so if he went to the police, he’d be charged too, and Lucky said if she felt the need, he’d go, but she told him not to risk prison. It didn’t just affect them. They had to think of Aiden, Ric, Molly, and Alexis, who was still grieving the loss of Sam. She wasn’t sending one of Alexis’s remaining daughters to prison. Lucky said when he saw Lulu, he thought of how much he owed Sam. He thought that’s what drove him to protect Kristina in the first place and didn’t think she would try it again. Elizabeth said it would only harm more people who didn’t deserve to be hurt. She’d keep Kristina’s secret.

Suzanne told Alexis that she was sorry. She assumed Laura knew what happened at the Nurses Ball. Alexis said Suzanne’s knack of oversharing worked out this time. Mayor Collins had the right to know. There was a knock at the door and Marco said he needed to discuss the Dolos fund statement. Suzanne left and Alexis asked what they needed to address.

Michael said he made an error in judgement when it came to Willow. He’s sure she felt the same way. Kristina said it’s not like Drew would make her happy and Michael said he wouldn’t. She destroyed her life to be with him, so it had to seem worth it. He was more important than the children. Kristina said everyone tried to tell Willow and she claimed the children were happy, and he said, the truth was, Wiley and Amelia were no longer emotionally safe. He was going to take the children, no matter the cost to Willow.

Brook said she loved her Quartermaine family, but didn’t trust them. Not until now did she realize they were the family she wasn’t safe with. Gloria said that wasn’t fair or true. Brook’s mother loved her more than anything and every decision she made was to protect her and Gio. Gio wasn’t hurting because of them. That honor went to Lulu Spencer who was messing around in things that were none of her business. Brook said Lulu hated her, so she didn’t expect anything from Lulu. But if this is how they showed her love, she didn’t want any part of it. Lois said she knew Brook was angrier than she’d ever been, but please say she believed Lois loved her.  

Rocco asked if Lulu told Gio, but Lulu said, no. She thought Gio overheard a conversation between her and Lois. She was going to tell Rocco’s dad, but Gio went public before she could. Rocco asked if they wanted him to talk to Gio, and Dante said he appreciated that, but it was on him. He had to figure out where to start. He left.

Sonny told Gio that if he needed a place to stay, he was Gio’s grandfather, so his home was Gio’s home. Even if he wasn’t Gio’s grandfather, it would still be. If there was anything Gio needed, he was here. Gio thanked him, but said, whatever he did next, he’d do on his own for himself, and he left.

Michael said he put his kids in this situation, and it was his responsibility to get them out, and Kristina said she’d help any way she could. Michael said if there was no other option, he’d break Willow down to nothing to keep the kids away. She was going to see a Michael Corinthos she’d never seen before.  

Marco told Alexis that the company was brand new, incorporated in the Grand Keys and in existence less than a month. Their only asset was the 10 million dollars from the Cassadine estate. It had the makings of a shell company, and he wondered if they were dealing with a case of fraud. Alexis said there was no fraud and assured him that they’d been vetted, and he said he realized he was new, but he liked her and the firm. He’d seen set-ups like this before, and it looked like a set-up for money laundering. Was she sure it was good?

Lucky said he was sorry. He owed Elizabeth the truth. She said she was glad he was being honest, but why now? What changed? He said if they’re really doing this, he couldn’t lie to her. He wanted to be worth of her trust. she was the most important thing in the world to him. If she hadn’t survived the crash, he couldn’t have handled it. She said it would be nice when she got her cast off and could move on from all this, and he said that was all he wanted, kissing her cheek. She said, in some ways, they’d taken a horrible situation and made it surprisingly wonderful. Being under one roof was unexpected and part of her would miss this. He said they could still look forward to amazing things like the dinner he was making for her tonight. He went to the kitchen and Elizabeth moved her blanket, uncovering a ring box.

Rocco said he was sure Dante hated how hard it was on Gio, and Lulu said she thought he was right. She had some regrets too, but now she thought Gio needed to figure out how great it was to have Dante for a father. Rocco said he was a good guy. Gio had to see that. Lulu said she thought he would, and he’d see how great it was to have Rocco for a brother. They hugged, when Laura came to the door. She told Lulu that heard it was a very eventful Nurses Ball.

Dante showed up at Sonny’s, and Sonny said he just missed Gio. Dante said he didn’t just miss Gio. He missed 22 years with his kid. He guessed that was Brook’s fault.  

Brook said she believed Lois loved her and believed Lois thought she was doing the right thing, but it was wrong. Not at the Nurses Ball. Were they thinking about Gio, standing up on stage, all alone, smashing his violin? He left the room shattered with nowhere to go and no one to trust. Think about that and tell her that everything they did was for the best for Lois’s grandson. Lois cried and Gio walked in.

Tuesday:

The pool is open! Trina and Kai went to the pool and met Emma there. Emma said her AC went out coming back from Niagara Falls with Gio, and Trina asked where he was now. Emma said she dropped him off at Sonny’s.

Dante told Sonny that he had a hard time seeing Brook the same way and owed Sonny an apology. When he found out Sonny was his father, he didn’t welcome Sonny with open arms. Sonny said they’d gone past that and moved on, and Dante said his mother lied and he gave her the benefit of the doubt, but he was having a hard time doing the same with Brook. Sonny said Dante could be angry with who he wanted, but the important thing was he had a son who was hurting.

Gloria said, thank God Gio came home to his family, but Gio said he wasn’t home and none of them were family. He was grabbing his stuff and leaving.

Alexis wondered if Marco was asking if she was laundering money, but he said, no. He had experience in international banking law and if she found herself entangled or the investment not working out the way she planned or she got in trouble, he was here to help.

Diane gave Ric her witness list and said she’d offered Willow a generous settlement. Ric said he had a few tricks up his sleeve and saw Kristina on the witness list.

In the hallway, Michael told Kristina that he was ready for this to be over, and Jason told Carly to keep cool on the stand. Do what it took to get her grandchildren away from Willow, even if she had to be civil. Drew and Willow came in with Nina, and Willow said she was terrified. Drew said he was here for her and so was her mother, and Nina said, don’t worry. Everything would work out just fine.

Tracy arrived and told Drew, sorry. She was fresh out of ketamine. Willow and Drew went into the courtroom and Drew told Ric that he was counting on him to convince the judge that Michael was no altar boy.

Sasha worried that Ric knew about her and Michael, but Jason said, he didn’t. But if she was called to the stand, she was good under pressure.

Diane said they were about to start and everyone went in. Michael told Jason that they had a problem.

Nina said hi to Sasha, who barely looked at her.

Lois said Gio had every right to be angry, but Brook had nothing to do with this. Gio asked Brook if they’d made her give him up.  

Dante said Gio was reeling, and Sonny said Dante knew what it was like to meet his father as an adult and could relate. Dante said he had a lot of years to make up for, and Sonny said if he and Dante got past it, Dante and Gio could work their way to each other. Dante said he had to get to the courthouse. He was testifying on Michael’s behalf. Sonny told him to go help his brother for both of them, they hugged, and Dante left.

Diane said she wasn’t putting Jason on the stand. Ric would question him about the incendiary device and would say his proximity to Sonny posed a danger to Michael’s children. He wasn’t wrong. Jason said he still wanted to support Michael, but she told him to support Michael from a distance. She asked if Michael was okay, and Michael said, no, but she was right. She said, always, and Michael said he’d be right in. He thanked Jason for understanding. Even after what she’d done, he hated raking Willow over the coals. Jason said it wasn’t about Willow. It was about the kids, and he had to keep them away from Drew. Michael was a great father, and his kids needed him. Jason left and Michael went inside.

Alexis thanked Marco, but said there was nothing to be concerned about. Dolos wasn’t a shell company, and she was perfectly comfortable with the investment. He said if she changed her mind or the investment came under scrutiny, there were ways to mitigate her personal risk. She thanked him, when her phone rang, and he left. She asked what Ric wanted, and he told her to get to the courthouse now. She said she didn’t have a court date, but he said, Kristina did.

Ric said Diane had added Kristina to the witness list. If she testified, she’d most like tell the story about Willow using Michael’s torched body as a bargaining chip. Alexis said, if Willow was worried about that, she shouldn’t have done it in the first place, and he said, like if Kristina didn’t want to go to prison, she shouldn’t have cut his brake lines. Alexis wondered what Diane could ask Kristina that had to do with the divorce, and Ric said, maybe nothing, but she never knew what her daughter might say that would open up a line of questioning. They were starting, so whatever she wanted to do, do it fast.

Josslyn walked into the pool area and Emma glared at her.

Sidwell and Jordan came to the pool and met Dalton at a table. Sidwell introduced Jordan and told her that Dalton was doing cutting edge research at PCU. Jordan said Sidwell told her that he was about to change the world, and Dalton said that was the plan. Josslyn told Trina and Kai that she had to work, but would see them on her next day off. She went over to Dalton’s table and Emma said she was sashaying over like she owned the place and cozying up to Dalton. Trina said Josslyn was working for him, and Emma said Trina’s bestie sabotaged her and stole the job that was practically hers.

Brook told Gio that she had no idea she had a son, but no one made her give him up. She was a teenager and wanted him to have parents who could love and care for him without needing to grow up themselves. Gio thanked her for being honest and got that she didn’t want him, but she said knowing she couldn’t care for him wasn’t the same thing. Gio said she would have found a way, and Brook said it was the hardest thing she’d ever done and carried it with her every day. Lois said, Brook loved Gio enough to give him a better life, even if it meant never seeing him again.

Judge Haran came in and asked to hear from the plaintiff. Diane said her client was seeking full custody of his minor children. They were going to prove the children’s mother abdicated her parental responsibility, beginning with her actions during an extramarital affair with Michael’s uncle. They were offering a 5-million-dollar settlement. Ric said Willow couldn’t be bought. She was a devoted mother and was seeking full custody. The judge told Diane to call her first witness.

On the stand, Carly said she was present at the Quartermaine Christmas party where the video of Willow and Drew having sex in the children’s nursery played, and Diane asked, what happened after it was viewed? Carly said she realized Willow and Nina had left, so she went to the gatehouse where Michael and Willow were living. She found Willow and her mother attempting to remove the children without Michael’s knowledge. Michael showed up before they could sneak away. Diane asked if he stopped them from leaving, but Carly said, he did not. He wanted to avoid confrontation, and Willow was emotionally unaware of how her actions were impacting the children. They were upset, but Willow was only concerned about how the night’s events were affecting her. Diane asked if it was difficult for Michael to watch Willow leaving with the children, and Carly said, it was heartbreaking, but he understood their well-being came first. Diane asked about Willow accompanying Drew to his inauguration, and Carly said Wiley called her. They were spending the night in a hotel suite, and she didn’t think Willow was aware he’d called. He said she was in Uncle Drew’s room. Diane asked if Michael had authorized the children’s transport across state lines, and Carly said, absolutely not.

Josslyn told Dalton that she’d sent out his proposal, and he introduced her to Sidwell. Sidwell said she seemed familiar, and Jordan said she was Carly’s daughter. Dalton said Josslyn was his new assistant, and Sidwell invited her to join them. Josslyn sat down, and Sidwell asked how she enjoyed working with Dalton. She said she couldn’t wait to get into the lab, and Dalton said his screening process was rigorous. He had to find people he trusted. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

Chase took the stand, and Diane asked if he’d collected Wiley and Amelia from their grandmother’s penthouse. He said they had a court order to do so, and Diane asked if the children were upset. Chase said, not at all. Wiley was especially eager to go home. Diane asked if he hadn’t once been married to Willow, and he said, yes. She asked if Willow had been faithful, and he said, it was complicated. Diane said, yes, or no? and he said, no, she wasn’t.

Jason went to Sonny’s and told him that Diane changed her mind about him taking the stand. Sonny said he hated that the only thing he could do for his son was stay away and the only thing he could do for his grandson was wait him out. Gio had come by earlier and was angry, but Sonny hoped he could make up with his family. Jason said Gio wanted nothing to do with the Quartermaines, and Sonny said, he was especially mad at Lois and Gloria. Jason said, so were the Quartermaines. They were furious and they weren’t the only ones.

Gio asked why he should believe anything they said, and Lois said maybe he shouldn’t. They’d lied to him for his entire life, and she was sorry for that. Gloria told her not to apologize and told Gio not to act like they did a terrible thing. He had a good home, and Camilla was a wonderful mother. She loved him with all her heart, and he loved her the same. He said, then why did she lie to him every day of his life? Even on her deathbed, she didn’t tell him. Lois said they’d spoken to her before she passed, and she’d agreed it would be too confusing to tell him the truth. Brook said, she agreed? Did they pressure a dying woman into keeping their secret?

Ric asked who Willow cheated with, and Chase said, Michael. Ric asked if Michael knew she was married to Chase, and Chase said, he did. Ric had nothing further, and Diane asked to redirect. Did Willow know she was married to him? Chase said, of course (🍷), but… Diane thanked him. The judge told him to step down, then called for a 10-minute recess.

Drew asked if Ric planned on fighting back or was he going to hand the children over to Michael. Ric said, so far, there had been a lot of pearl clutching, even from Michael’s own mother, about him letting Willow take the kids. There were no kidnapping charges filed, and Diane was retreading old territory while they had new and compelling evidence to offer.  

Alexis got to the courtroom and asked to borrow her daughter. In the hallway, she told Kristina that she was getting her out before Kristina got them both thrown in prison.

Dalton said Sidwell had been generous in his support, and Sidwell said Dalton’s research was going to benefit the whole world. Dalton said, if only everybody saw it that way.

Trina told Emma that Josslyn wouldn’t take a job she hadn’t earned, and Kai said Josslyn would be spending the summer in a lab while they hung out at the pool. He intended to make the most of his freedom before training. He asked if Trina wanted to join him and they went into the pool.  

Gloria said Brook should be ashamed to accuse them of such a thing. It was Camilla’s choice. Lois said she didn’t want to pass on and have Gio grieving and questioning his entire life. Camilla made her wishes clear. She didn’t want to die with Gio thinking she wasn’t his mother. Gloria said if Camilla had wanted to tell him, they would have worked things out, and Brook said she got why they didn’t tell him before Camilla died, but afterward, she could have helped him. They made sure she never got the chance.

Diane told Dante that he was up next. Then Kristina, Tracy, and Michael was last. Dante said, Kristina left with Alexis, and Diane said she was testifying that Willow kept Michael’s family from him while he was fighting for his life in the burn unit. Carly said Diane could put her back on the stand, but Diane said they needed to hear from someone close to Michael who could clearly convey what happened. Michael said he thought he knew who could do it.

Sidwell asked Dalton to tell Jordan about his research, and Dalton said he was devising a process to help generate clean energy. Josslyn’s phone rang, she said she had to take it, and left.  

Back at her office, Alexis told Kristina that she was sorry if her absence hurt the case, but there was no choice. Marco came in and said Diane was looking for Alexis. Why wasn’t Kristina in court? Kristina said she was going to tell Diane that it was too triggering, and she was getting flashbacks from the last time Ric shredded her. It was believable. She told Marco that she didn’t think they’d met and introduced herself as the family embarrassment.

Jason asked how much forgiveness Lois needed from Sonny, and Sonny said he didn’t condone what she’d done, but he stood by their friendship because it was Lois. Dante and Brook were spinning and Gio felt the people he trusted the most lied to him. When he was on stage and broke his violin, it broke Sonny’s heart. (Same.) That instrument was his life, and he destroyed it. Jason suggested Gio was taking out his anger out on himself, and Sonny said he knew what it was like and didn’t want it for his grandson.

Brook told Lois and Gloria that they kept saying they wanted to protect Gio, yet they left him without any parents at all. Get out. They weren’t welcome there anymore. Lois said she’d pack her stuff, but Brook said she’d have the staff do it and send it to Bensonhurst. She wanted them out of her sight right now. Lois and Gloria left, Lois giving Brook a long stare (that I couldn’t exactly read).

On the stand, Dante said Michael wasn’t the intended target of the incendiary device. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Diane said, nothing further, and Ric asked Dante to tell the court what this was, giving him a folder. Dante said it looked like Michael’s criminal record, and Ric asked him to read the flagged passage. Dante read that Michael was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served time in Pentenville, and Ric said, nothing further. Diane asked for a redirect and asked Dante to please describe the surrounding circumstances. Dante said, Claudia Zacchara kidnapped Carly who was pregnant. By the time Michael found them, Carly had given birth to Josslyn. Claudia absconded with the baby and in stopping her, Michael accidentally killed her. So he went to prison for protecting his baby sister. Ric then asked, what was the weapon in question? and Dante said, an ax handle. Ric said, for the record, Michael was charged with involuntary manslaughter, not self-defense or justifiable homicide. He had nothing further.

Tracy was sworn in, and Carly got a text from Josslyn: Stay calm on the stand. Don’t lose your temper. Diane said Michael and Tracy had a publicly contentious relationship, yet she was a character witness. Why? Tracy said they had a contentious business relationship. Michael was the lynchpin of the Quartermaine family and was her late brother Alan and his wife Monica’s only biological grandson. He was the future of her family. Drew wanted everything Michael had, including his wife, who enthusiastically obliged. Ric objected and it was sustained.

Ric asked Tracy to explain her arrest, but Tracy asked, why? It was irrelevant. Judge Haran told her to answer the question, and Ric asked if Tracy was arrested for kidnapping Wiley and Amelia. Tracy said she was babysitting at Michael’s request. The children were restless, so she had her bodyguard Yuri take them for a drive. Ric asked if she was refusing to answer, and Tracy said it wasn’t about her. It was about Willow’s fitness as a parent. Willow professed to being the perfect mother, but she was so willing to let Drew use her children as a weapon against their family. Ric asked if she was charged with kidnapping, and the judge told her to answer. Tracy said, yes.  

Tracy left and Diane said she’d like to call Michael, when Josslyn walked in. Diane said, actually, she’d like to request a brief recess to confer with her witness, but Ric said she could prepare on her own time, not the court’s. Judge Haran said she was inclined to agree. Call her next witness or rest her case.

Sidwell said he had another engagement, but Jordan should stay and enjoy the sunshine. He left, and Jordan said she’d love to read more about Dalton’s work. He said he appreciated her interest, but his research was hush-hush, and she said that made her want to read it even more. Why the need for secrecy? He said, the simple answer was that he didn’t want his work subject to public scrutiny until it was complete.

Kai and Trina called for Emma to come in, and she got in the pool. Dalton looked at her and she looked back. (Again, hard to read. Is he a creeper? Is she annoyed?)

Marco said he was the new associate and had only heard good things about Kristina. He left and Alexis said they couldn’t risk Ric questioning her. Kristina wondered if this was how it was going to be. Ric would say jump and Alexis would ask, how high? Alexis said Kristina tried to kill someone and almost killed two people. She didn’t get to be picky about how Alexis covered it up.

Lois went to Sonny’s and said she and Gloria were heading back to Bensonhurst. Her daughter wanted nothing to do with her. Sonny said, she would, but Lois said they’d see about that. Sonny offered to talk to Brook on Lois’s behalf, but Lois said, don’t bother. She was worried about Gio. He had no one looking out for him. Sonny said he’d do everything he could for their grandson, and she said that was all she could ask. She thanked him and left.

Brook said she’d like it if Gio stayed. They could work through this. He said he got it. They were both lied to, but the fact was, none of them wanted him. The feeling was mutual. He walked out.

On the stand, Josslyn said, Willow used the status of Michael’s medical proxy to bar the family from him. He’d filed for divorce, so they were estranged. Michael needed to be surround by family, but it didn’t matter. Willow used Michael’s life-threatening medical condition to get what she wanted and ignored the impact on the family, putting her child’s father’s health in jeopardy. Diane asked where Drew was, and Josslyn said, next to Willow. Diane gave it over to Ric, who said, when Willow forbade the family from seeing Michael, was it after Josslyn’s mother ruthlessly stole the children from their home? Josslyn said, no, and Ric said she didn’t have her niece and nephew taken by her mother? Josslyn said she did, but they were staying with their grandmother. They weren’t removed from their home. Her mother had a court order, so a judge felt they shouldn’t be under Willow’s care. It was perfectly legal. Ric said Josslyn testified that Willow took drastic action after the family used the legal system to separate her from her children. Wouldn’t any mother do anything to fight for her children? Diane objected and said Josslyn wasn’t an expert in motherhood, and the judge said, sustained. Ric said Willow’s only desire was to be reunited with her children. Wasn’t that all she wanted? Carly whispered, don’t take the bait, and everyone waited.

Wednesday:

Anna thanked Jack for stopping by her office. It wasn’t about official police business, but entirely personal.

Emma got out of the pool and Gio gave her a towel. He said he’d been hired as a lifeguard, but was pitching in. He couldn’t stay with her and her grandmother forever. She asked if he’d gotten all the answers he needed.

Lucky directed Elizabeth, sans cast, to a gazebo where a beautiful table was set for dinner. She asked what the occasion was, and he said, her getting her cast off. He thought she’d appreciate a change of scenery and they had a lot to celebrate.

Sonny met Laura at a table by the pool, and she asked if it wasn’t the day of Michael’s hearing. He said he thought it was better if he stayed away. She congratulated him on his new grandson and said that’s why she wanted to meet. She was afraid it would have huge repercussions for the entire family.

Brook stormed into Lulu’s house and Lulu asked what she wanted. Brook said she wanted to know why Lulu blew her son’s life to hell.

Ric asked Josslyn if it wasn’t true that her sister-in-law only desired to be a good mother, but Josslyn said she didn’t know. They weren’t close. She did recall something Willow said at the Nurses Ball though. They were in the ladies’ room and Willow told her that nothing was more important than being with Drew.

Elizabeth said the cast kept her from doing the things she loved, like dancing with him, and Lucky took out his phone. She said, not here, but he said, why not? and put on music. They danced.

Gio told Emma that he’d gotten some answers from Sonny, who had no idea Gio was his grandson. He went back to the Quartermaines’ to get his stuff and ran into Brook, Lois, and Gloria. It was World War III. Lois confirmed that Brook didn’t know he was her son, but that didn’t change the fact that she didn’t want him. Emma said she was sorry, and he said he didn’t know what to believe. Aside from her, the only person he trusted was Sonny. He saw Sonny sitting with Laura and said, and now he wasn’t sure about that.

Laura said there was tension between Lulu and Dante, when Gio interrupted. He asked if Sonny was keeping tabs on him.

Brook said she’d had another ugly encounter with her son, and Lulu said she wasn’t the one who gave up Gio and lied to Dante. Brook said, but she was the one digging into things that were none of her business and was responsible for Gio finding out in the worst way possible. Lulu went at it with Lois backstage where anyone could overhear. Lulu said if she could change it, she would, but Gio was suffering because Brook’s mother perpetuated a huge lie. That wasn’t on her. Brook said she blamed her mother and grandmother, but Lulu couldn’t deny her part in it. She was no way off the hook.

Willow jumped up and said, that was out of context, and the judge told her to sit down and refrain from further outbursts. Ric asked if there was anything more, and Josslyn said it was fuzzy after that. Things escalated when Drew barged in the ladies’ room, threatened her, and told her to stay away from Willow. He said Michael would lose his kids. Ric had no further questions, and Diane called Michael Corinthos III to the stand.

Diane asked if Michael loved his wife and he said he did. She said he not only married her, but made her the adoptive mother to his biological son Wiley, so he must have held her in the highest esteem. He said he did, and she asked if that continued today. He said he was in love and thought it had blinded him to certain red flags. Willow grew up in a cult, Dawn of Day, and he thought she’d suffered from that upbringing more than he’d realized. Ric objected, saying it was speculation, but Diane said Michael had direct insight on his wife’s character. Judge Haran allowed it, and Diane asked him to elaborate. Michael said Willow was taught not to think for herself and to bend to the will of others. She did that with the cult leader Shiloh and was doing it now. She was willing to do whatever Drew wanted even to the detriment of her children. Diane asked for an example, and he said she was a very damaged person. Unless and until her issues were resolved, he didn’t believe she was capable of providing a safe and stable home for their children.

Dalton sat next to Emma and said it was nice to see her again.

Jack said he’d never heard of Dalton, and Anna said he was a world-renowned physicist working on a highly classified project in Port Charles. He was working at Northern Coastal in Berkeley up until a year ago in a secure restricted lab. A student group tried to break in and vandalize the lab, but security caught them before they did any damage. What he was working on was so classified, rather than risk exposure, they had the students sign an NDA and expelled them instead of pressing charges. Within the month, Dalton left Northern Coastal and wound up in Port Charles. Jack said, it could be innocuous, but Anna said it had the earmarks of someone avoiding scrutiny. Dalton specialized in cold fusion. He asked what she thought was going on, and she said her gut was telling her that he was working on something big and potentially dangerous.

Laura told Gio that she asked Sonny to meet her there. It was her idea. Gio apologized and said he was on overload. Sonny said everything was confusing and introduced Laura, saying she was Rocco’s grandmother. Laura said she’d been meaning to reach out and thank him for what he did for Rocco the night he had alcohol poisoning. He was a good friend. Gio said he wished he’d done more. Now he was Rocco’s half-brother. Laura said she was looking forward to getting to know him better, and Gio said he had to get back to work. He left, and Laura said, clearly, Gio was in pain. Sonny said he wished he could do more to help.

Brook said she’d asked Lulu to back off, but Lulu kept digging, even after she said it would hurt her son. Lulu said once she suspected Gio was Dante’s son, she couldn’t drop it, and Brook asked how she figured it out. Lulu said she got suspicious when Dante ripped into Gio after Rocco’s alcohol poisoning and Lois got over the top protective. Things fell into place, especially when she found out Camilla was never pregnant. Brook said she should have stayed out of it, and Lulu asked if Brook really didn’t want to know she was Gio’s mother.

Ric said Michael alleged that Willow was incapable of giving their children a safe and stable environment due to her upbringing, but they should look at Michael’s. He was raised by Sonny Corinthos, a well-known crime lord. Diane started to object, and Ric said, withdrawn. There was no denying that Michael grew up surrounded by violence. He was shot in the head as a child with a bullet meant for his father and Dante had testified that he was caught in a firebomb at the penthouse, which was why he’d been absent from his children’s lives. Even if he wasn’t the target, it didn’t seem like a safe and stable environment for children to grow up in.

Ric said it wasn’t the first time Michael had manipulated the legal system to exact revenge. He’d sued his own father for custody of his half-sister Avery. Ric wanted to revisit the topic of Claudia Zacchara. Involuntary manslaughter was a serious crime.

Elizabeth thanked Lucky for going to all this trouble, and he said he’d thought about this since they were kids. She said, a picnic in a gazebo? but he said it was just the setting for the main event. She asked, what main event? and he said, this, showing her the ring.

Jack asked how Anna knew about the break-in, and she said she did some digging. He said, because Emma was a student? and she said that’s why it was personal. She would involve herself, but he had more resources and latitude. She knew she was on to something. He said he thought it was more like she was being an overprotective grandmother and wondered if it was impairing her usually impeccable judgement.

Dalton said he knew Emma was upset at not getting the job and hoped she didn’t hold it against him, and she said she was sorry she took it badly. She’d been disappointed. He said he had no idea it meant so much to her, and she said she enjoyed his class. She was jealous that Josslyn got to work so closely with him. Vaughn watched them from a nearby table.

Sonny told Laura that he’d spoken to Gio, who wanted to know if he’d known the truth. He hadn’t and thought Gio believed him. He hoped they could keep building a solid relationship. Laura said she thought they could. Gio knew he could talk to Sonny. Sonny said Gio was upset with Dante and Brook, and Laura said she knew Dante had a terrible fight with Lulu. She expected there would be friction for a while. That’s why she thought it was important for both of them to keep an eye out for Rocco. She had the feeling he could use the extra support.

Brook asked if Lulu expected a thank you, and Lulu said she at least expected Brook to stop acting like it was the worst thing ever. Brook said it was up there, and Lulu wasn’t the heroine in the story. Lulu said she wasn’t the villain either, and Brook said, whatever she had to tell herself. Yes. She’d rather be in the dark and sparing Gio the pain. Lulu said Gio would have a family – a father, brother, and a mother again – but Brook said she didn’t know if that was true. Gio pushed them away, and based how furious he was, she didn’t think that was ever going to change.

Diane asked if Michael had contact with his children while he was recovering in Germany, and he said they spoke on the phone. She asked if Willow facilitated the calls, but he said his sister Kristina did. Diane asked if Willow made a concentrated effort to connect him with his children, but he said, no. She said, since the adultery was exposed, had Willow made every action to separate him from his children? and he said, yes. Diane said Willow transported them across state lines for a trip with Drew and he was not advised? and he said, yes, correct. She asked if he’d been advised that on April 14th, Willow signed and filed a document appointing Drew Cain as the children’s guardian in the event anything happened to her, and Michael said, no. She said, no further questions, and submitted photos of Congressman Drew Cain, the guardian of her client’s children, engaging in a frolic with a woman convicted multiple times for solicitation. She asked for the court’s attention on the monitor and showed proof of Willow’s adultery with her uncle-in-law in the children’s nursery playroom. The video played and she rested her case.

Ric said Nina had seen the footage before, and Nina said, at the Quartermaines’ Christmas party. He asked how it came about, and Nina said, Tracy accidentally played it from Michael’s phone. It was from an app. Michael had secretly installed a nanny-cam without her daughter’s knowledge. (Not sure how this applies, since it wasn’t like he would think that would happen.) Ric said it was odd that Michael knew and never said anything, and Nina said, at first, he kept it a secret from Willow. Ric asked if she agreed with what Carly said went down at the gatehouse, and Nina said they did want to leave, and Carly tried to stop them. But when Willow insisted the children needed be with their mother, Michael never put up a fight and gave her permission to take the children. He asked if the children were upset, but she said, not at all, and he asked if it was fair to say Willow loved her children and they loved her back. Nina said Willow was the best mother she’d ever seen. Her children adored her. In her opinion, Michael didn’t want custody. He was just angry and punishing Willow for falling out of love with him.

Diane asked when Nina last spoke with her son-in-law, and Nina said she tried to speak with him at the Nurses Ball, but he was too busy snatching her grandson. Diane said, just answer the question, and Nina said, not since before he went to the hospital. Diane said, the same night he filed for custody, so her opinion on his motives for wanting custody was just speculation, and Nina said, yes.

Felicia went to Anna’s office and asked if she was interested in a bite, but Anna said she’d lost her appetite. Jack was there and she asked him to investigate something she was suspicious of that involved Emma. He accused her of being over-protective. She asked Felicia to put on her P.I. hat. She’d give Felicia the facts and Felicia could tell her if that was the case.

On the phone, Vaughn said he was hanging by the pool… No problem. He’d come right over. He left.

Dalton asked what Emma’s plans for the summer were, but she said she hadn’t figured them out. She might take an internship with a cosmetics lab, but it wouldn’t be like working in his lab. Was there any chance they could meet met up sometime? She had so many questions about things they’d talked about in class. He said he’d be delighted. His door was always open.

Josslyn’s phone dinged and she told Carly that it was work. She left, and Ric asked Sasha her occupation. She said she’d been the cook at the Quartermaines’ for a little over a year. He asked if during that time she witnessed any interaction between Michael and Willow, and she said she had. She even babysat the kids. He asked her to describe their relationship, and she said there was nothing out of the ordinary until she saw Willow kiss Drew on the 4th of July last year. He asked how she felt, and she said she was stunned and felt bad for Michael. They were friends. He said they were once engaged. Was their romantic relationship sexual in nature? Diane said it was irrelevant, but Ric said it spoke of the nature of their relationship, and the judge told Ric to proceed with caution. Sasha said, during the course of their relationship, they had sex, and Ric asked when their relationship ended. She said, 2021, and he asked, when was the last time they had sex?

Vaughn said he had Dalton under surveillance, and Jack said they hit a major snag. As they suspected, Anna was on to Dalton and close to launching her own investigation. Vaughn said, that could spook Dalton and send him underground, and Jack said, or worse, he could halt his research. They didn’t want him selling it, but they did want the technology for themselves. Anna couldn’t get in their way.  

Felicia wondered how Emma would feel about Anna asking the WSB to look into her professor, and Anna said, Emma would tell her that she was overstepping. But she felt she was on to something. Felicia said, was she, or was she overcompensating because of Robin?

Dalton told Emma to let him know when she wanted to meet up, and she said she’d be in touch.

Laura said she was sure everything would be done to shield Rocco, and Sonny said he was a sensitive kid. He’d figure it out. Laura said she thought it was important that he knew he could talk to them. She thought they should present a united front to show the whole family wasn’t torn apart. Sonny said he thought Rocco had a wise grandma, when Boyle approached the table with his phone recording. He said it was their esteemed mayor with Public Enemy Number One. Smile for the camera. It was a livestream for the people of Port Charles.

Lulu said she was sure Gio would come around, but Brook said she wasn’t. It didn’t have to be this way and would have been different if Lulu had come to her and let her decide. Lulu said she thought Brook would keep lying, and Brook said Lulu made a huge life-changing decision for her and her kid. She should have respected Brook as a mother instead of trashing her entire life. Congratulations. Lulu always wanted to destroy her life and finally succeeded.

Ric asked, when was the last time Sasha and Michael had sex? and Sasha said she didn’t understand why he was asking. He said he thought she did, and Diane objected. Judge Haran told him to get to the point, and he asked if Sasha was at the Brown Dog Bar on October 30, 2024. She said, yes, and he asked what she did. She said, drink, and he asked, how many? She said she didn’t know. She was upset after finding out her boyfriend was her cousin. He said, when she left, was she alone? and she said it was none of his business. The judge told her to answer, and she said she left with someone. Ric asked who she left with and reminded her that she was under oath. She said she left with Michael.  

Vaughn suggested Josslyn get involved, but Jack said she was too green to go up against a former agent. Vaughn said he knew how to handle Devane.

Anna said she’d always regret not being there for Robin when Stone died and she was diagnosed with HIV, and Felicia said she didn’t have to be over-protective because of it. Anna said, what if both things were true? She over-compensated, but she also trusted her instincts and they were telling her Dalton was working on something illegal.

Gio asked, who was that guy? and Emma said her professor. Gio said, the physics guy, and she asked if he was still there. He said, yeah. Why? She took off her towel, revealing her bikini bottoms, and Dalton watched.

Lucky said he’d loved Elizabeth almost his entire life, since the first day they met. They had their had ups downs, and he knew they’d been through so much. It seemed like madness, but they’d also matured a lot – her more than him perhaps, but deep down, the connection was still there. He believed more than ever they could still have the life they’d envisioned since they were teenagers. He got down on one knee and said all he wanted was to spend the rest of his days with her and Aiden and her boys. So would she do him the honor of marrying him… again? She said she loved him so much, but the answer was no.

Sonny said he was in no mood, and Boyle said this was why when the people hit the polls, they should vote for Ezra Boyle for mayor and vote yes on Measure C. Laura asked if he was done, but Boyle said he had so much more. Gio walked by with a stack of towels and accidentally on purpose knocked him into the pool. Gio said he was so sorry. He hadn’t seen Boyle. Laura and Sonny laughed as Boyle flailed around in the pool, and Laura said she liked that grandson of Sonny’s. Sonny said, he’s a winner.

Lulu said it was unbelievable. She was just trying to do the right thing and Brook and Dante were thinking the worst of her. Brook said she was glad to hear Dante didn’t believe Lulu’s act, and Lulu said, at least they knew Gio was their son. How it played out was up to them. She was out. She started to walk away, but Brook asked if she thought it was going to be that easy. Lulu was going to blow up her life and walk away? If she did, she was in for a rude awakening. Brook walked out.

Ric said Sasha and Michael left the bar after consuming a lot of drinks. Did they have sexual relations that night? Unless she wanted her baby born in Spring Ridge, answer truthfully. Sasha said, yes. They left the bar and had sex, and he said, here they were, 9 months later. He understood she was claiming Jason Morgan was the father. Was that really true? Or is Michael Corinthos actually the father? Sasha said Ric was a disgusting creep. Yes. It was true. Michael was the father of her baby.

Thursday:

Lucky asked Elizabeth to marry him – again – and she said she loved him so much, but her answer was no. He asked if she meant no now or forever.

At the pool, Lucas met Marco with a Mai Tai, and they clinked glasses.

Maxie met Sonny at a poolside table and asked why he wanted to meet privately. He said he didn’t want Lucy’s spin on it and asked how badly Deception needed Sidwell. She said, right now, they needed Sidwell more than they needed him.

Curtis told Portia to relax, and she said they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. How was she supposed to relax? He said he didn’t want the family to figure out something was wrong and ask questions.

Kai and Trina arrived at her house, Kai bearing flowers.

Jason met Anna at the park, and she said she needed his help. He’d be helping Carly too.

Jack said, Josslyn saw Sidwell and Dalton together? and she said she’d seen on Dalton’s calendar that he had a meeting at the pool. It being Sidwell was just a lucky break, and she was asked to join them. Jack asked if she’d learned anything interesting, and she said Sidwell was sponsoring Dalton’s research.

Ric said, on October 30th, Sasha had sex with Michael which resulted in her pregnancy, and she said, yes. He said, on October 30th, the night before Willow and Drew made love (gag), but she said she wasn’t there. She had no idea. He said, to the best of her knowledge, as far as she knew, was Michael unfaithful first?

Elizabeth said told Lucky that she didn’t see a way of their lives fitting together, and Lucky said he’d disappeared before and didn’t blame her for thinking he wasn’t going to stick around for the long haul, but he knew he could, and he wanted to. She said she loved having him there, and he’d hold on to the ring and prove every day that he was in it for the long haul. She said she believed him, but he had to ask himself, would it really make him happy?

Trina said she hoped Drew would focus on someone else and get off Portia’s back for a while. The doorbell rang, and Trina opened the door to Marshall. He asked how his favorite granddaughter was, and they hugged.

Maxie said, Sonny’s investment kept Deception afloat at a crucial time, but they’d made the money back several times over. Their Youth Truth serum was going through the roof, and the more demand for the product, the more zincite they needed. Sonny asked if Sidwell was the only one who could access it, and she said if he knew someone else who was sitting on a pile of it, introduce her. She’d heard the stories, and wasn’t happy working with Sidwell, but right now they were making money because of him. Money she needed because her kids refused to stop growing and eating. So she was putting her misgivings aside until he gave her a reason not to. Natalia walked in, saw Marco, went to the bar, and ordered a vodka soda.

Jason asked what Carly had to do with it, and Anna said, the new professor at PCU, Henry Dalton, was doing extensive research. It looked above board, but she was concerned that it was more dangerous than he was letting on. She needed help to prove she was right. Jason said he didn’t see what that had to do with Carly, and she said, Dalton hired a new research assistant – Josslyn.

Josslyn asked if she should get close to Sidwell, but Jack said he’d take care of Sidwell. Concentrate on monitoring Dalton. What was inside this box would allow her to clone the contents of his phone. He also knew Anna was suspicious of Dalton. She said, because of Emma, and he said Anna was determined to go after him. She said they needed to find a way to discredit Emma so Anna would stop looking, and he said they couldn’t attract Anna’s attention to the Bureau and had to let it blow over.

Ric asked, how inebriated was Michael? but Sasha said he’d have to ask Michael. He asked if drugs were involved, and she said, absolutely not. He asked if Michael had cheated with other women, and Diane objected. He withdrew the question and said, her witness. Diane said, let’s talk timelines. Sasha testified that she’d witnessed Willow and Drew share a kiss on July 4th, 2024. In a subsequent conversation, did she tell Sasha about a second kiss in early September? Sasha said, yes, and Diane asked if Willow confessed the nature of her feelings. Sasha said Willow told her that she had feelings for Drew that she couldn’t control, and Diane said, let the record reflect both the kisses and Willow characterizing her feelings happened before October 30th. Judge Haran said, so noted, and Diane had nothing further. The judge told Sasha to step down, but Ric had a redirect and asked how much Michael paid her to hid the fact she was carrying his baby.

Natalia said she was glad she ran into Marco, and he introduced her to Lucas. She said, nice to meet him. She needed to talk to Marco alone. Lucas said he’d be at the bar, and left. Marco asked if she realized how incredibly rude she was, and she said she was sorry, but they had important family business to discuss. Allison still wasn’t returning her calls. Could he please ask her to return one text or call. She’d like to join Allison on tour, and they needed to discuss things. Marco said, despite his better judgement, he introduced her to Lucas, who was important to him. Instead of making an effort, she wanted him to convince his sister to bring her on tour. Natalia said stop making her the bad guy. Allison needed to stop her tantrum and realize she needed her.  

Maxie told Sonny that she needed to take care of something quick and went over to Lucas. She said, please tell her that complete snack wearing the hell out of that swimsuit was Marco. He said it was, and she said she needed details. He could start with what Marco and his mother were fighting about. They didn’t look happy. Natalia told Marco to let her explain, as Sonny watched them.

Marshall said it was good to see them, and Curtis said, Aunt Stella and TJ were sorry, but they had to work late. Marshall said he was sorry he wouldn’t be there long enough to them, but it was just a short stop over, then the tour was back on the road. Curtis said they loved him and were proud of him. He was touring with Wynton Marsalis. Trina introduced Kai to Marshall, and Kai said it was nice to finally meet him. Marshall said he’d enjoyed Kai’s games. He had impressive improv skills and Marshall was sorry his career got cut short. Kai said he was on his way back to playing. It was miraculous. He’d met some who made it their mission to get him on the field again.

Elizabeth said she fell in love so young. The feeling had never gone away, and she couldn’t imagine it ever would. Loving him meant she wanted his happiness as much as her own. He said, being with her made him happy, but she said it meant being in Port Charles, the same town, the same house, and the same routine. She knew it was too small of a place for him and the last thing she wanted was for him to live an unfulfilled life just to prove himself to her. Was Port Charles really where he wanted to be?

Sasha said, Michael didn’t pay… She doubled over and Ric asked if she was all right. She said she was fine, and he asked if Michael told her to keep their tryst a secret, but she said they both felt no one else needed to know. He asked, why? and she said because she worked for his family, loved her job, and didn’t want to jeopardize it. He asked what Michael’s reason was, and she said she couldn’t speak for him, but she knew he still loved Willow, even after he found out she’d kissed his uncle, so maybe that. He said, when she found out she was pregnant, did she tell Michael? and she said, yes. He asked if Michael instructed her to keep it secret, but she said, no. She was the one who insisted. Michael was willing to claim the child publicly, but she asked him not to. She knew what was coming for Michael and Willow and didn’t want her baby going through that. She wanted to protect her baby from a life where the people around them tear each other… She gasped in pain.

Lucky said he loved Elizabeth and wanted to be with her, but maybe she was right. Port Charles would always be important, but it wasn’t his home anymore. Being there full time wouldn’t fulfill him, at least right now. Elizabeth thanked him for being honest, and he said he’d give anything to be the kind of person who was content staying, but she said, if he was, he wouldn’t be the person she loved. He said it was unfair. They’d just found their way back to each other. She said it would be more unfair if she asked him to stay, and he suggested she leave with him instead. They could go see the world together.

Trina told Marshall about the day Josh came early and Kai was on his pain meds. He just kept petting her sweater and saying, fuzzy. They all laughed, and Kai said Josh was a great guy, but he couldn’t wait until he could play again and his part in the documentary was over. Trina said, or they could go out in public without someone following them asking questions. Marshall said it was both flattering and a chore, and Kai said, Congressman Cain was generous enough to arrange and pay for his surgery. He felt the documentary was the least he could do.  

Anna said Josslyn would be working closely with Dalton, and Jason said she needed to tell him everything she knew about the professor. Anna said she became suspicious when the Emma thing didn’t add up. Dalton taught at Emma’s previous university. She was arrested for protesting his research, but instead of charging the students, the university swept it under the rug. It was almost as if the school didn’t want to call attention to it. After that, Dalton turned up there at PCU. Jason said none of that told him that it was worth investigating, but she said, the fact that the WSB was looking into it should.

Marco said Ally had worked up the courage to tell Natalia who she really was, and Natalia pushed her aside, like she did him. Natalia said she was trying to be better, and she was better, but Marco said, not enough. In the years when he needed a mother, she wasn’t there. The best thing to do was leave Ally alone and stay away from him too.

Sasha said she thought she was in labor, and Rick suggested it was cheap theatrics. Michael yelled at him to back off and ran up to Sasha, and Judge Haran adjourned the court while the witness got medical attention. Michael promised Sasha that it would be okay, and she said it wasn’t supposed to happen for another month. She couldn’t lose the baby. It couldn’t be like Liam. He said it wouldn’t. They’d get her to the hospital on time. She said there was no time. The baby was coming now. Willow said, let her help.

Willow asked if Sasha was feeling pressure or the urge to push, and Michael asked if she thought she could make it to the hospital, but Sasha said she wasn’t going anywhere. The pain was too strong. He said the paramedics were on their way, but Willow said they wouldn’t be on time. Sasha’s water broke and her contractions were two minutes apart. The baby was coming any second.

Lucky said they could see the world together. Elizabeth was an amazing nurse. Think of the good they could do. Every day would be an adventure. (Packing now.) Elizabeth said, what about their son? and Lucky said he could come too. His parents bounced around. She said he was born into that life and didn’t know any different. Aiden had friends and family here. He had school and Tobias. He was graduating soon and would apply for college. She didn’t know if he wanted to be uprooted. He said, Aiden came first, but when he went to college, they were free and could go wherever they wanted. Elizabeth said it wasn’t just Aiden. She had a life here too, that she loved. She had friends and family and a career that she didn’t want to leave behind. It would make her as unhappy as he would be if he stayed.

Natalia said she knew she made a mistake and wanted to make it right if Marco would give her the chance, but Marco said he had. And she disappointed him every time. He was done thinking she was going to change and done with this conversation. Go get drunk somewhere else. She walked away and Sonny asked her to have a seat. She sat with him and said, when she tried to fix things with her kids, why did she make it worse? He said they were hurt. She needed to give them space. They’d come around when they were ready. She said Marco’s father was doing everything in his power to keep them apart, and Sonny said, Marco seemed like a smart guy. Sooner or later, he’d realize he needed his mommy. Natalia asked why Sonny was being so nice.

Jason asked how Anna knew the WSB was involved, and she said, Brennan. He said, Jack told her? and she said, he may as well have. When she told him her suspicions, he completely dismissed them out of hand. He said her judgement was clouded because of Emma. Jason asked if there was any chance he was right, and she said she was good at what she did. It didn’t behoove Jack to wave off her suspicions. He asked if she thought Jack was trying to throw her off, and she said she was certain of it. The fact that he said there was nothing there meant there was definitely something there. She had no idea about the WSB’s plan, but if it warranted their attention… He said, it’s got to be big, and she said, and therefore dangerous. Josslyn had no idea what she was being pulled into.

Jack said, in order to avoid Anna’s scrutiny, she needed to believe Josslyn was who she thought Josslyn was, and Josslyn said she was a hard-working college student with a job in a science lab. Josslyn said, if Anna asked any questions, she didn’t know what Anna was talking about. Jack said if Anna popped in the lab, Josslyn would be surprised. Under no circumstances was she to run interference. Was he clear?   

On the phone in the hallway, Carly said, what did they mean, the paramedics couldn’t get through?… There was a protest about Measure C? Tell them that a woman was having a baby and to come now.

Drew told Ric that he was nervous at first… Nina interrupted and said, what the hell was Ric doing? He said his job, and she said she gave him everything, even the contact information on the bartender who saw Sasha and Michael leave together. All he had to do was establish they’d had an affair. Carly stormed over and said, it was her. Nina was the reason Ric found out it was Michael’s baby.

Lucky said he fell in love with Elizabeth the moment he saw her sneaking a cigarette outside Kelly’s all those years ago, and he never stopped loving her. He’d always love her. She said she’d always love him. She wouldn’t be who she was today without him. They used to want the same things, but the people they grew into… He said, not so much.

Lucas asked what was with Marco’s mom, and Marco said, same as always. Lucas said he was sorry. If Marco wanted to talk, he was there. Natalia seemed upset. Marco asked if that was Lucas’s way of telling him that he was too hard on her.

Sonny said he’d been where Natalia was at with his son Michael. They were able to find their way back to each other and he thought her kids would do the same. She had to back off and let it happen. Maxie waved to him from the bar, and he said he had a meeting and asked her to think about what he said. She said, yeah, and thanked him. Sonny left, and she looked at Marco. She called Sidwell and said she was done letting him put her off. He owed her and she was coming over to collect. She drained her drink and left.

Portia said, Michael showed up? and Trina said she left out the part about Willow seeing Wiley running into Michael’s arms. It was quite an entrance and exit. He picked up Wiley and walked out. Portia said she was sorry she missed it, and Trina asked why they had to leave early. Portia said she told Trina. They both had work in the morning, plus her father had to phone some affiliates in Japan. But they were there for the most important part, Trina’s song.  

On the patio, Marshall said Kai seemed like a solid young man, and Curtis said he was and he treated Trina well. Marshall said that was all that mattered, but something Kai said had him worried, and Curtis said he thought positively about Drew. Marshall said they both new Drew Cain didn’t deserve his admiration, and Curtis said Drew had been good to Kai, but he hoped Drew didn’t turn on Kai the way Drew turned on him.

Willow said Sasha was doing great. She could do this. Sasha said she couldn’t lose another child, and Michael said the baby would be fine. From the information she’d sent him, he knew the baby was healthy and strong. She’d done everything right and she was going to come through the pregnancy. She was one of strongest people he’d met, and he knew she could do this one last thing. Willow said the baby was crowning. This was it. Take a deep breath and one last big push. Sasha pushed.

Carly said Sasha was Nina’s friend. How could Nina betray her like this? Drew said it happened because Carly insisted on a court date. Now Michael would know she betrayed him, and he’d lose custody of his children. Carly said he didn’t give a damn about Wiley and Amelia. He was helping Willow to hurt Michael. Nina said Carly was trying to take Willow’s children from her to hurt Willow, but Carly said she was protecting her grandchildren. Willow had lost all sense of decency and common sense to be with Drew. Drew said they loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. He didn’t know why she couldn’t accept that. Carly said she wasn’t the only one who had a problem with him. She knew for a fact Nina was the one who hired Jacinda and had him drugged.  

Sasha wondered why the baby wasn’t crying. Please tell her the baby was okay. The baby began to cry, and Willow picked up the biggest preemie in history. She said, it’s a girl.  

Elizabeth asked if Lucky planned on leaving Port Charles soon, and he said, yeah. He knew it was sudden, but being here and knowing they couldn’t be together hurt too much. He should find Aiden and talk to him. He had no clue how to tell Aiden that he was leaving again. Elizabeth said she might have a thought.

Josslyn told Jack that if she saw Anna, she was her friendly neighborhood student assistant, and he said he’d take care of Devane. She asked what he was going to do, and he said he was just informing her. It was her job to concentrate on the mission and not question outside her purview.

Anna said she couldn’t be 100% certain her suspicions were correct, but Jason said, the fact that the WSB was interested pointed to her being right. Anna said, now Emma was going after Dalton. Emma denied it, but she knew and couldn’t allow her to get involved where she might get hurt. She needed to find out what Dalton was working on and what he intended to do with it. Jason said, and if Josslyn is in danger, and Anna said she couldn’t get directly involved. Dalton would know the WSB had eyes on him. She needed him to look into Dalton for her, but promise not to confront him directly. He said he’d take care of it.

Sonny thanked Maxie for the meeting, and she said she wanted to make sure he wasn’t offended. He said, no, but he thought they should be more careful. Sidwell knew when he invested in Deception that Sonny was an investor. He was positive Sidwell’s interest in Deception was actually an interest in him.

Lucas told Marco that his relationship with his mom had a lot of ups and downs, but they were both willing to work on their issues and got through it. It was hard to believe she was gone. They lost a lot of time fighting, but when they worked things out… Marco asked if it was Lucas’s subtle way of telling him not to cut his mother out, but Lucas said it wasn’t his place. He was just offering his own experience. Marco said he was glad Lucas did, and took his hand.

A police officer gave Natalia a breathalyzer test and said it was .12, way over the limit. Natalia said she felt fine, but the officer said she was under arrest for driving while intoxicated. She argued as he cuffed her and read her rights.

On the patio, Kai left to get Marshall a refill, and Trina said, so? Marshall said he seemed like a nice young man. Did he make her happy? She said, so happy, and he said that was all they needed to worry about. She said she missed him, and he said he missed her too. More than he could ever say.

Portia said she’d told Trina that she and Curtis left early because they had work in the morning and he had a call from affiliates in Japan, and he said she was good at making up stories these days. Portia said she was sick of it. The snide comments, the tension, and straight up anger he’d been throwing her way. He said, deal with it. They can’t figure out what to do about their marriage until he finds Jacinda and pays her off to say Drew hired her for sex then took ketamine on purpose. (He’s out of the loop.)

Willow gave the baby to Sasha and Sasha said she was so beautiful. Michael said she was amazing, and thanked Willow, who nodded. They all looked at the baby, and the paramedics came in with a gurney.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Marshall says he’s overjoyed at how happy Trina is with Kai, but Kai’s admiration for Drew Cain is a bit unsettling. Curtis says he doesn’t like it either, but he hopes Kai sees the truth about Drew. Marshall says he hopes it happens sooner rather than later.

Molly goes into the interrogation room and as she’s looking at a folder, she says she’s here to ask a few questions of… Miss Ramirez. A still drunk Natalia says she doesn’t appreciate being held like a common criminal. She holds up her cuffed wrists and says, look at this. It’s harassment because she knows Sonny Corinthos. Tell the police they’re not going to get away with it.

Jordan says, since the Nurses Ball, Sidwell has been well-received. She thinks he should donate to the July 4th celebration, keeping him in the spotlight as a philanthropist both corporately and as a citizen. He says he’d like to look into it, when Marco comes in. Marco says he doesn’t mean to interrupt, but Sidwell says, he’s not. They’re just wrapping up. Unless of course (🍷) … Jordan says she has one last question, about Henry Dalton.

Jason says he’ll get what he can on Henry Dalton and confirm the WSB’s interest in him, and Anna thanks him. He says he’ll be discrete, and she says she appreciates it. ADA Turner comes by and says, it’s a nice night for a stroll, but a curious place for a chat. Or did she interrupt a meeting?

In Sasha’s hospital room, Michael says, the baby is so beautiful, and Sasha says, the doctors say she’s perfect, even if she did come early. Sonny comes in and says he could have told her that. He and Michael hug, and he asks how Sasha feels. She says, better than ever, and Sonny says, congratulations to both of them. Michael introduces him to his new granddaughter Daisy, and Sonny says, hello, little one. Welcome to the world.

Carly and Felicia hug, and Felicia says, Bobbie would be so pleased. Another Spencer woman in the world who also happens to be a Scorpio. Carly says, Daisy has a flair for the unconventional, which means she’ll fit right in with in both families. She’s just thankful Daisy is healthy and safe. Felicia says she thinks the woman Carly should thank is Willow, and Carly turns to see Willow standing there.

Nina knocks on Drew’s door and says she knows he’s in there. He needs to listen to her. He opens the door and says, don’t waste her breath. It’s too late. Nina says, Willow knows? and he says, not yet, but the second she comes home, he’s telling her that her own mother set him up. She tried to destroy his life and reputation. She says, if he does that, they’ll both lose Willow. She guarantees it.

Curtis says he really missed Marshall, and Marshall says he missed his family too. He’s sorry Portia got called back to GH. He kind of got the feeling that she was using work as an excuse to get out of the house. Is there something Curtis wants to tell him?  

Molly says, according to the arresting officer’s report, Natalia blew a .12 on the breathalyzer. Then she grabbed the breathalyzer out of the officer’s hand. Natalia says she doesn’t want to cause any more trouble. This has taken so much of her time already. Just let her pay the fine or whatever. She wants to go. Can she go? Molly says she doubts that’s going to happen, but it’s up to whoever is prosecuting the case, and Natalia asks if she isn’t it. Molly says, normally she would be that, but she’s going to recuse herself because of personal bias. Otherwise, Natalia’s lawyer could claim she’s not impartial. Natalia says she doesn’t know Molly, but Molly says she knows Natalia, for the homophobe that disrespected her sister.

Sidwell tells Jordan, Henry Dalton has innovative ideas on forms of clean energy and he’s funding Dalton’s research. She says she thinks that would be more proof of him being a philanthropist, but he says, not yet. The research is promising, but he’d like to wait to highlight his involvement once it’s successful. Marco says he assumes this is part of Sidwell’s push to position himself as a legitimate alternative to Sonny Corinthos, and Sidwell says, maybe. Before Jordan goes, he’d like her to show Marco more of the latest polling. She says, the latest polls show that 62% of the voters want Sonny’s piers taken from him using imminent domain. That means Measure C is on track to pass. Marco says, that’s the last thing Sidwell wants.

Anna says, not that it’s any of Turner’s business, but she and Jason were discussing her granddaughter, Emma. Emma and Jason’s cousin Gio left the Nurses Ball together. She can understand their concern. She was there, wasn’t she? Turner says she was, and nothing brings you closer together than family. Jason asks if this is official or is he free to go, and Anna says she doesn’t know. Maybe Turner is going to arrest him for speaking to her or her for talking to him. Turner says, they’re both free to go, and Jason leaves. Turner says, Anna has to see how bad it looks meeting in secret. Even if nothing happened, the implication of impropriety is there. Anna is a public servant and needs to be aware of how she’s perceived. Anna says, suspicious minds will always find something wrong. There’s nothing she can do about that. Turner says, her behavior is compromising the public’s trust in the city of Port Charles and their leaders, and Anna says, save it for her stump speech. Turner asks how Anna knows, and Anna says she respects ambition. In Turner’s case, it’s the sheer volume. She’s obviously set her sights on being the new DA. Turner says, Port Charles needs newer, younger blood and a DA who actually lives in Port Charles and is doing their job. Anna says, Robert is a hard man to beat. She’s going to need more than mudslinging.

Curtis tells Marhsall that when he found out about Trina, he and Portia agreed that the only way they could continue their marriage was to be completely honest with each other. He just found out she’s been lying to him for months. Marshall asks if he’s talking about… Curtis says, she hasn’t been unfaithful. That’s all he thinks he wants to say right now. Marshall says he’s truly sorry, but something is different this time. Whatever happened, Curtis is still here. Curtis asks what he means, and Marshall says, he could have walked away, but he didn’t. Why not?

Nina says, if Drew tells Willow about Jacinda, she’ll tell Willow that while they were falling in love, he was also sleeping with her mother. She’ll turn her back on both of them and be completely alone at Michael’s mercy. Is that what he wants? He says he can’t see Willow forgiving either one of them, but he can’t believe Nina had him drugged and paraded around Port Charles. Nina says, no one made him go clubbing or take body shots off a sex worker, and technically speaking, she didn’t drug him. He asks how she could do this to Willow. Willow’s pain at being betrayed was horrible. What kind of mother would do that? She says, the kind desperately trying to save her daughter from him, but now she knows that’s impossible.

Carly says she owes Willow a huge thank you for coming to Sasha’s aid, and Willow says she’s glad she was there to help. She’s happy for Sasha and Michael, and Carly. Carly thanks her, and Willow says, hopefully this means no more fighting. The truth is out there, and the judge’s decision should be obvious now. Carly says her greatest hope is that her grandchildren, all her grandchildren, end up where they’re safe and loved. She leaves, and Felicia asks if Willow is good. Willow says, yeah, but Carly doesn’t understand. Now that Michael’s secret is out, Michael lost.

Michael says he’s sorry he didn’t see Sonny before this, but Sonny says he hears Michael’s been busy. Michael says he’s not the only one. Sonny’s seen two new grandchildren is just as many days. Gio, now Daisy. Sonny says, life is full of surprises and miracles, and he and Michael hug.

Nina says, Willow is completely in love with Drew and will believe anything he tells her. It’s cost her so much. She doesn’t want Willow to lose her kids too. Drew asks, how could she? It’s out there now on record that Michael cheated first and fathered another child. When the judge rules, they’ll finally be free to get out of Port Charles. Nina asks what he’s talking about, and he says they’re about to start a new life in DC, away from all this. Away from all his haters. She says she knows that’s what he wants, but what does Willow want?

Sasha tells Daisy that she’s been waiting for her all along. She loves Daisy so much. In a baby voice, Cody says, I love you too, mama, and comes in. He says he won’t stay. He wanted to make sure she was okay after her courtroom birth. Sasha says, she’s perfect, and he says, they both are. She thanks him and tells Daisy that this is her big old cousin Cody. He says, hey, Daisy. I have so much wisdom to pass on, tiny grasshopper. He tells Sasha that he guesses he has a few apologies to give to Jason, and she says, yeah, he does. Daisy was conceived on the night they broke up. She was at the Brown Dog Bar, and she was devastated. Michael was there. He says, at least something good came from their doomed romance. He’s glad she found her happily ever after. She thanks him and says she hopes he finds his too.

Natalia says, Molly’s sister forgave her, and Molly says, Kristina has a big heart. Now Natalia sees why she can’t be the prosecutor. Another ADA will come. Natalia asks, how long will that take? She didn’t even get her phone call, and someone has to take these off. She shows Molly the handcuffs again, and Molly says she’ll talk to the desk sergeant. Good luck. She leaves and Natalia says, thanks… for nothing.

Curtis tells Marshall that the knows Portia loves him and God knows he loves her too, but the lying hurts. It’s twice that he knows of and he doesn’t want to make the same mistakes he made with Jordan. Marshall asks what he means, and Curtis says he reached a boiling point. It was one lie too many and that was it. In retrospect, Jordan’s lies were work related. They were tied up around bringing Cyrus to justice. For him to ask her for answers just wasn’t fair. Marshall says, he was just trying to make it work, and Curtis says he was fighting for what they had. He quit and sometimes he thinks he gave up too soon. Marshall says, from the sound of things, maybe he should give Portia the second chance he didn’t give Jordan. Curtis says, maybe.

Michael says, Jason told him that there was another attempt on Sonny’s life, and Sonny says, yeah. Brick saved his life. He’s thinking the person behind it could be responsible for whoever bombed the penthouse. He hates that Michael was hurt because of it, and not for the first time. Michael paid a high price for being his son. Michael says he wouldn’t change it if he could. Nothing his kids could ever do would make him stop loving him and the same went for them. Sonny says, thank God, and Michael says, Sonny did everything in his power to protect him, but now he’s an adult and he’s protecting himself and his family. Sonny pats his shoulder.

Marco says, support for Measure C would be going against Sidwell’s own interests. If Sonny sold him the piers and Measure C passed, it would be his property that would be seized. Sidwell says, it won’t come to that. They’re using Measure C as a strategy to get rid of Sonny. Jordan says, so far the strategy is working, and Sidwell says, in passing Measure C, they’re using it to pressure Sonny into selling the piers. Once the piers are his, the voters wouldn’t care about Measure C. Sonny’s hold on Port Charles will be gone. Jordan says, on that note, good night, gentlemen, and she leaves. Marco says he hopes Sidwell has a Plan B, and Sidwell asks, why? Marco says, Sonny Corinthos isn’t the type of man to give up without fight.

Sonny tells Michael how Diane thought Michael would probably be better off if he stayed away from the hearing, and Michael said he knew. She’d said something to Jason. Sonny asked how it was going, and Michael said, honestly, he didn’t know. When his paternity came out, he thought his biggest nightmare came true, but when Sasha gave birth, he got to be there. It felt like a miracle. Sorry he didn’t tell the truth about the baby. Sonny says, as long as the baby is healthy and he and Sasha are on the same page, and Michael says he thinks they are. Sonny says, Drew has been pulling Willow’s strings, and Michael says, it pushed him to the point where he had to fight for Wiley and Amelia. Sonny says, maybe everybody coming together will bring them an opportunity. A smart man knows sometimes compromise is the only solution. And Michael is a very smart man.

Jason visits Sasha, and he says, the baby is beautiful. It looks just like her. Congratulations. She thanks him for everything he did for them. He took a lot of flak from a lot of people for nothing. The secret came out anyway. Jason says they did the best they could in the situation. The good news is she and Michael get to be Daisy’s parents. She wonders if she can ask one more favor. She’s had no time to run it by Michael, but she’s sure he’d agree. Would Jason be Daisy’s godfather? He says, it would be an honor, when Carly asks if she can come in.

Jordan tells Curtis that she’s sorry to just drop by. TJ told her that Marshall was in town and she wanted to say a quick hello. Curtis says, he would have loved that. Unfortunately, he had a late flight. She says she’s sorry she missed him, but please tell her that they had a good visit. He says, it was wonderful and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He needed his dad’s insights. She asks if Portia is there, and he says, no. She’s at GH. They’re both making a lot of excuses not to be alone together. She says she’s sorry, and he says, so is he. He doesn’t know what’s happening with his marriage.

An officer uncuffs Natalia and gives her phone to her, and she says, it’s about time. Privacy please. She makes a call.

Marco’s phone rings and Sidwell asks if he needs to get that, but he says, no. He’s already said all he needs to say to her.

Natalia says, voicemail. Perfect. She leaves a message saying she gets it. Things ended badly earlier at the MetroCourt, but she’s in real trouble. She needs him, so can he please come to the PCPD as soon as he can? Please, Marco. Please.

Molly goes to the pool and sees Cody with a beer, his feet in the water. He yells, Molly! Come join the celebration! Even she must be off the clock by now. She says she has to be… Why the hell not? and he says, a beer for the lady, but she says, actually, she’ll have white wine.

Turner tells Anna she’s not campaigning. Not yet. She’s doing her job. Two of the city’s top officials – the mayor and the Police Commissioner – have close personal ties to known criminals, Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan. Why not bring them up on charges? Anna says, give her evidence that will stick in court and she’ll arrest them immediately. Turner says, sounds good, but she’s read Mr. Morgan’s arrest record. All the times he was arrested, he never once saw a conviction. Anna says, that’s the DA’s department, not hers, and Turner says, the DA’s office is limited by the evidence collected, or lack thereof, by the PCPD. Anna says, goodnight, and leaves. Turner says, goodnight, and answers her phone. She says, really? They made an arrest… You know what? She’ll take care of it herself.

Sidwell asks if something happened between Marco and Natalia, but Marco says, just more of the same. She is who she is. He suggests they focus on Sonny. It’s not going to be easy dealing with him. He’s been running Port Charles for decades and stopped other hostile takeover attempts. Sidwell says he sees Marco has done his research, and Marco says, you bet. Sonny’s a heavy hitter. He should never be taken lightly. Sidwell says he’s also done his research. Marco’s friend Lucas is an extended member of Sonny’s family. Marco says, another reason he wants nothing to do with Sidwell’s campaign for getting Sonny out of town.

Nina says, Drew is the main reason Michael and Willow’s custody fight got so vicious so quickly, but now they have the opportunity to cool things down. So why doesn’t he step back a little bit and give Michael and Willow room to talk about a custody arrangement that doesn’t include ripping the family apart? If he advocates for that, Willow will give him all the credit. Drew says, Michael is a Quartermaine, and those people don’t stop until they have everything. So the only way to protect Willow is to convince her that Michael is relentless and not to be trusted. Willow needs to get custody of the kids. Otherwise, Michael will take them from her.

Willow sees Michael at the elevator and asks if he’s leaving. He says he’ll be right back. He’s picking up Wiley and Amelia so they can meet their baby sister. He gets in the elevator.

Jason says he’ll give them a minute, but Carly says, don’t go far. He says he’ll be right outside, and leaves. Sasha says, Michael knew everything, and Carly says she understands. She knows Sasha did everything she could to protect Michael’s baby. All she can ask is that they be honest with each other. Sasha thanks her, and Carly thanks Sasha back. She says, if Sasha and her daughter need anything, please ask her.  

On the phone, Drew asks if Willow is coming home soon, but she says she’s sticking around a little longer. Michael is bringing Wiley and Amelia and she’s hoping to see them. He says, don’t worry. Soon she’ll have full custody, and she’ll get to see them every day.

Cody says, get over here. The water’s great. Molly says she has a few more emails and she’s not messing up her suit. He asks if she can’t be the least bit spontaneous, consequences be damned, and she says she’s perfectly comfortable. Besides, the pool is closed. He says, that’s an easy fix. Just turn the sign over. Does she sleep in her business suit? Does she color code her underwear and organize her socks? She says, okay, okay. Fine. She’ll show him that she’s not uptight. She takes her shoes off and rolls up her pants. She sits next to him and puts her feet in the ware. She says, happy? and he says, elated.  

Turner tells the desk sergeant that she heard Natalia Ramirez was brought in this evening, and he says, she was. Is the acting DA taking DWI cases now? She says she’d like to see Natalia’s file, and he gives it to her. She flips through it and says she needs them to check on priors. She wants everything she can get her hands on about Natalia Ramirez.

Sidwell asks how it’s going with Lucas, and Marco says, they’re taking it slow. But he’s not unsure about the feeling that Lucas could be someone special. He doesn’t want to screw it up. Sidwell says he’s happy for Marco and Port Charles to have the both of them. Marco asks why he wants the piers, and Sidwell says, it’s the perfect place to expand his interests as a mineral importer, as well as his less public pursuits. Marco says he’s going to stop Sidwell there. He represents Sidwell in his legitimate business dealings only. That’s their agreement. He has nothing to do with anything illegal. Sidwell says he does business all over the world. What’s illegal in one place is legal in another. Marco says, Sidwell is a successful businessman many times over. Does he really need to push for more?

Curtis says he told Jordan at the Nurses Ball, Drew was pressuring Portia to have him run favorable coverage about what he’d doing. She asks if he found out what Drew has on Portia, and he says, it’s pretty bad. It could ruin Portia’s life. He saw all the signs, but didn’t want to believe Portia would lie to him to do Drew’s bidding. She says she’s sure Portia felt backed into a corner, and he says, the problem is even worse. The pictures of Drew’s mystery woman. Portia set him up. She hired Jacinda and gave her ketamine to give to Drew. Jordan says, wow. What a mess. Curtis says, after Trina, Portia promised him, no more lies. She broke her promise and chose to manipulate him instead of telling him the truth.  

Nina visits Sasha, who says, she just missed the star of the show. Nina says, that’s okay. She’ll go to the nursery and see her through the glass. She came to see if Sasha was okay. Sasha says she’s a bit tired, but so happy, and Nina says, good. She’s sorry for the way Ric went after her. She’s sure the shock of his harsh treatment probably led to Sasha’s premature labor. She never meant for anything to happen to Sasha or her baby. Sasha says, that’s on Ric, not Nina, and Nina says she wishes that were true. She was the one who told Ric that Sasha and Michael had sex.

Jason tells Carly that Michael asked him not to tell her. At first, he only knew they’d slept together, but when Michael asked for her in the burn ICU was when he put it all together. Carly says, what about the rumors he was the father? and he says he didn’t deny them because they were trying to protect Michael and Sasha. She says, that’s awfully noble. She has to know. For Michael, would he have continued to lie to her?

Sasha asks how Nina knew, and Nina says she just recently figured it out. She was in the Brown Dog Bar and the bartender confirmed it. Sasha says, and she ran to Ric. How could she do that? Nina says she hated doing. She’s sorry she exposed Sasha’s secret, but she couldn’t let Willow’s children be taken away. Sasha says she knows Nina loves Willow, but does she really think the children will be better off with Drew full time?

Jordan says she doesn’t believe Portia set out to lie. Fear is the driving force behind a lot of lies and bad decisions. Curtis says he realizes that, but they just want to keep how far apart they are from Trina, and she says, they can’t keep it from her indefinitely. Trina is too smart. Curtis says, she definitely is and will figure it out. Jordan says, the kindest thing for him and Portia to do for each other is not rush to judgment. Take a beat and look for a way to repair what’s broken instead of fixing his discomfort by ending the marriage. He says, easier said than done, but she says he’s the strongest man she knows. If he wants to save his marriage, he’ll find a way.  

Molly says, Cody told her that he was celebrating, and he says, Sasha had a baby. It was a little premature, otherwise, she’s perfect. She says she can definitely drink a toast to that, and he says, it was a big adjustment finding out Sasha was his cousin. He didn’t react well. She says, yeah. She thinks she remembers a few arrests. They laugh and he says he was feeling pretty miserable and sorry for himself. But seeing how happy Sasha is reminded him that sometimes things don’t you don’t expect to be happy turn out to be great.

At the hospital, Anna congratulates Sonny and says she guesses he and Robert are officially related. He should probably expect a box of cigars. He says, the big exploding kind? and she says, even enemies can find common ground. They have Robin and now they have the baby. He says, love is a powerful thing, and she says, it is. In the spirit of peaceful coexistence, she’d like to share a conversation she had with ADA Turner. She’s making it her mission to go after him. He says he’s aware. Many have tried. Anna says, Turner wants Robert’s job, and she doesn’t think Turner will rest until she puts him behind bars.

Wiley runs to Willow, and she says she’s happy to see him. She loves him so much. He tells her, daddy says they have a new baby sister. He’s taking them to meet her. Can mommy come too? Michael says, absolutely. Please join them.

Molly says she’s surprised Cody came here for a one-man celebration, and he asks if she means instead of a dive bar. Dive bars are more his speed. He guesses he was just feeling nostalgic. This was the spot where he first arrived in Port Charles. Actually, he parachuted in right here. He knocked Britt Westbourne into the pool. Molly says she remembers. There’s a GIF out there of Britt looking like a wet rat. He says that was his fault. It took her a while to forgive him. To Britt. They clink glasses. He says, it was three years ago. That’s a long time. Molly says, it’s not that long, and he says, before he lived here, he barely ever stayed in any place more than a few months at a time. This time he’s glad he stayed.

Sidwell says he understands what Marco is asking of him, but respects him too much to tell him what he wants to hear. Instead, he’ll be honest. He has no interest in changing the way he does business or lives his life. Marco asks what Sidwell is telling him, and Sidwell says, the offer for Marco to be his righthand man is still on the table.

Anna says, Turner wasn’t sharing anything, but she knows Turner is actively investigating Sonny, and Sonny says he appreciates the warning. ADA Turner can dig all she wants. He’s a law-abiding citizen and she ain’t going to find anything.

Turner goes to the interrogation room and Natalia asks if her son is here. He’s her lawyer. Turner says, not yet, and Natalia says, Turner can’t ask her anything without her lawyer present. Turner says, fine, and sits down. Why don’t they talk about Sonny Corinthos while they wait?

Jordan says she’s sure Curtis will figure out the right thing to do, and he says he appreciates her faith. He only knows for sure that Portia is completely vulnerable to Drew. He can’t decide what to do about his marriage until he knows she’s safe from Drew.

Jason says, it would have been difficult, and Carly says if she’d asked if Jason was the baby’s father, would he have lied to her? He says he’s glad she never did, and she wonders why Michael didn’t trust her enough to tell her. He says, Michael thought once she knew, she would be too exited and never be able to hide it, and she says she doesn’t know if she’s mad or grateful, but now that the truth is out that Michael cheated, Willow is convinced she’ll get full custody of the kids. He asks if she thinks Willow is right, and she says, yeah. She’s afraid Willow is right.

Nina said she couldn’t defend what Willow and Drew were doing, but she loved her daughter. As a mother, she had to tell Ric about Sasha and Michael. But she loves Sasha and she’s very sorry that what she did hurt her. Sasha says she’s too tired to fight or hold a grudge. She has her daughter now and that’s all that matters. She does feel sorry for Nina though. They both know Willow is making terrible choices and she’s going to keep making them as long as Drew’s in her life.

Michael and Willow look at the baby along with Wiley and Amelia. They smile at each other as Drew watches.

On Monday, Drew tells Portia that they’ve barely scratched the surface of what she can do; Lulu says she and Danny need to get a few things straight; Jason asks if Dante is threatening to charge Danny with manslaughter (again, no one died, so what the…?); and Sidwell wants to make a deal with Sonny to their mutual advantage.  

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Boo! Hiss! I’m not really into the romance on the show, but why is it every time I like a couple together, one of them leaves?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/its-official-jonathan-jackson-is-leaving-general-hospital/

That whole thing was so powerful, from his violin performance to him smashing it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/gh-exclusive-how-giovanni-mazza-brought-gios-pain-to-life/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

The OG Deck is back with Captain Kerry and Chief Stew Fraser. I will miss Captain Lee and Kate forever, but this is what we’ve got. Deckhand Kyle is also back, so turn on your closed captions. The other deckhands and stews were all new to the boat. The only stews that stood out to me were Rainbeau de Roos, whose name I would love to steal, and Solène Favreau, who seemed inept, harried, and not good at receiving correction. They were off to a great start, leaving the guests’ luggage at the dock, and the bosun saying too many things were happening. The first charter brought small children, and Fraser playing princess with the primary’s little daughters was precious. Primary Sam was not as precious, using a black light to comb his room and being super nit-picky with the food. After sending steaks back and having the chef making new dishes, he decided they didn’t want them. It didn’t look like anyone else got a vote, so good thing there were more courses. By the end of the episode, Chef Lawrence babbled at production and was ready to quit.

Meet the cast.

The Valley

I really feel badly for Brittany, the recipient of rage texts and failed party plans. She tried – the operative word being tried – to organize a nice trip to the beach, but apparently Jasmine had been storing up beef at Janet and let fly. Apparently, Janet is a sh*t ass friend, a vibe killer, exhausting, had sh*tty friends, and gave Karen energy. Now tell us how you really feel. Seriously, like Summer House, these people are too old for this. Hell, people ten years younger are too old for this.

Next Gen NYC

I already like this series a lot, but whenever a show is set in NYC, I wonder how much of my liking it is about loving the city. Poor Georgia, the only native New Yorker, is wondering why she suddenly feels like an alien when she gets questions like, who the f*** is Ben Affleck? and discovers that no one saw When Harry Met Sally. Riley Burress says she doesn’t know that show. Perhaps it reminds me of my early NYC days. If I’d the looks of a model, the money of a rock star, and an apartment that wasn’t a railroad flat with a triangular closet. Regardless, it was more fun than you can imagine, and I hope to relive a little of that with this group.

Meet the cast.

Summer House

In the Reunion Part 2, there was a lot of rehashing Lexi and Jesse’s on and off situationship. I was very much over this already, so I kind of tuned out. Not to mention how much I cringe everyone someone talks about Toegate. Oddly enough – or maybe not, since motherhood will mature you – Lindsay was the voice of reason, one of the cast calling her Mother Hubbard. Not so surprisingly, Kyle was an a-hole and did his best to steal her thunder. Gabby’s dress, if that’s what we’re calling it, continued to be distracting.

Random Reality Items

Because he got high.

Will make beds to stay there.

Slade Smiley! NOLA! Shannon’s vajayjay! Premieres July 10th.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Creep. Netflix. I thought this film was genius budget-wise. Two actors, one handheld camera, and no need for special effects, this could have been made for about 25 bucks, so kudos. It didn’t hurt that the story was original and pretty intriguing. A filmmaker takes a gig documenting a dying man’s story for his unborn son. It isn’t long before the filmmaker, and the audience, start to wonder if that’s what’s really going on. Well executed, with twists and turns, and an ending I never saw coming, which is saying a lot. This is kind of an old film, 2016, so there wasn’t a whole lot on it, but apparently, there’s a sequel.

https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/creep-netflix-horror-movie-mark-duplass/

Fear Street: Prom Queen. Netflix. Adapted from RL Stine’s book series, this is the third in a trilogy. Nothing new to see here and it’s been done better, but it was worth a quick trip to the 80s. There’s also something to be said for a movie you need absolutely no brain power to watch.

https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles2/2025/06/03/new-release-review-fear-street-prom-queen/

Sirens. Netflix. Julianne Moore is one of my favorite actresses. She is incredible in Boogie Nights, the Midnight Cowboy for the 90s. But I digress. I’ve only watched a couple of episodes so far, but I’ll be in for the rest. The bad sheep sister, who also takes care of a homebound, sick father, tries to rescue her younger sibling from what she believes is a cult. Funny, witty, and keeps you guessing.

Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders. Netflix. A three part docuseries on the obvious cold case. I really didn’t know a whole lot about it, especially what was most disturbing. James William Lewis who was tied to the murders, has never been tried.

https://decider.com/2025/05/27/cold-case-the-tylenol-murders-netflix-review/

Day of Reckoning. Amazon Prime. This was a weird film, and I could see why a lot of people didn’t like it, but I enjoyed it. Fifteen years after a load of weird monsters have devastated mankind, they’re back for the survivors. There’s never a concrete explanation as to why this is happening, or why people aren’t better prepared for their return. The plot has more holes than Swiss cheese, but I didn’t care. I loved the monsters. They were reminiscent of the old Ray Harryhausen effects, but a lot gorier. And they all can’t be Godzilla Minus One. I thought it was a good time.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5742568/

Some user reviews. A few spoilers here.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5742568/reviews/

🔮 Looking Forward To Watching…

The second part of Squid Game Season 6 premieres June 27th.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-3-trailer

Season 7 of Stranger Things premieres November 26th, December 25th, and December 31st. Cute, huh?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1418123/stranger-things-final-season-premiere-date-revealed

https://deadline.com/2025/05/stranger-things-5-premiere-date-netflix-1236414933/

The Black Phone 2 is in theaters October 17th, and will eventually stream on Peacock. I honestly don’t know how I feel about this. The first one had such a perfect ending, I can’t fathom a sequel being as good. That doesn’t mean I won’t watch it though.

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-black-phone-2-debuts-eerie-official-trailer-for-blumhouse-sequel

🐶 Snips, Snails, Puppy Dog Tales…

🏆 The Stanley Pup returns June 6th on TruTV, as well as on NHL Network on June 8th.

https://people.com/stanley-pup-dog-hockey-game-returns-how-to-watch-11749775

🐕 A dog-endorsed book.

https://people.com/the-dogist-elias-weiss-friedman-new-book-exclusive-11749240

🐩 The ray of sunshine that is Pilaf meets some new friends.

https://people.com/demi-moore-announces-she-and-her-tiny-dog-pilaf-are-caring-for-even-smaller-baby-ducks-11748457

🪅 Quotes of the Week

If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?John Wooden

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. – William Shakespeare

A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.Serena Williams

Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. – John F. Kennedy

I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare. – Dr. Maya Angelou

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. – John Powell

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil McGraw

A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations.Jodi Picoult (I vote for lowering expectations.)

The border to eternity is never ahead of us. It runs parallel to life and can be crossed over at any moment by old and young. – Reinhard Bonnke

There’s plenty of time for finger pointing later. Let’s stay focused. – Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom), Beyond the Gates

🎡 Are You Ready For the Summer…

Until next time, stay safe; stay being careful to watch out for rogue waves at the beach; and stay knowing that sometimes compromise is the only solution.

May 23, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Two Bombshells At the Nurses Ball, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Wait List, Rites Of Pet (!) Passage, Two Quartets Of Quotes & Glow

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Brook called a family meeting, and Ned asked Lois if something was going on at Deception. Tracy seemed distracted lately. Lois said it seemed like Tracy being Tracy.

Dante saw Sasha in the nook, and she asked how Rocco was doing. He said he thought Rocco had learned his lesson, and she said he was a really good kid. So was Danny.

Ned asked Brook what the meeting was about, and Brook said it had been tense since Rocco went to the hospital and Gio was walking on eggshells. He’d been beating himself up. Jason said, so had Danny, and Brook said, for the sake of family unity, could they please move on. Gio listened from outside the door.

Cody it was strange there was no record of Gio being born, but was still skeptical, but Lulu said, the more she thought about it, she thought Camilla had never been pregnant. Camilla had been on tour and the Bensonhurst crew wouldn’t have known.

Drew said he was surprised Portia had said anything to Curtis. In order to be blackmailed, a person had to do something wrong, something that could even cost a doctor their medical license.

Sonny said he knew Willow didn’t want an ugly custody fight. Nobody would win. Willow said it was the last thing she wanted for Wiley and Amelia, but Carly and Michael seemed determined to take her kids from her.

Nina asked Carly if Michael was coming home, and Carly said she hadn’t expected the hearing so soon. Nina said the simple solution was to postpone it, but Carly said, nothing doing. Nina said she’d thought they were together on this, but Carly said Willow would never leave Drew and she had to protect her grandchildren. Nina said they were her grandchildren too, and Carly wasn’t doing this.

Drew gave Curtis a hypothetical situation that was actually real about Portia tampering with Heather’s test results. He assumed the hypothetical doctor’s career would be over and it would be devastating for her daughter too.

Lulu found the name of the group Camilla toured with- The Nicola Quartet. They’d been performing in New Zealand when Gio was supposedly born in LA. Cody said they had to be certain if they were going to upend people’s lives, and Lulu said she wasn’t stopping until she had proof. She was going to find the other members of the quartet.

Tracy didn’t think two teenage boys getting drunk was unheard of and Brook said none of them would have called Rocco’s parents when they were Gio’s age. Gio came in and said he’d used bad judgement that Rocco had almost paid for. He couldn’t change things, but would work to gain back everyone’s trust. Lois followed him out to the foyer, and he said she and Brook needed to stop making excuses for him.

Sasha said Danny was sorry for talking Rocco into going to the party, and Dante said Danny was a good kid, but still reckless. Sasha said Danny was taking it seriously, and Dante said he loved Danny, but he was too much like Jason for his own good.

Sonny said Carly should never have interfered and he thought Willow should get a postponement, but Willow said she was sick of having it hanging over her head and Ric said she could win. Sonny said nobody would win, especially the kids. She should wait until Michael got home and they should compromise. Michael had told him that he wasn’t looking for full custody.

Carly said she was hoping Nina would get through to Willow, but she wanted the kids away from Drew now. Willow would never see him for who he was and she had to do something to protect the kids. Nina asked if Carly had just been pretending to work with her to keep her distracted.

Cody looked up a song that Camilla had once played in concert and found it on a file sharing site. Lulu looked for contact info on the remaining quartet musicians and told him that she’d say she was doing a story on touring musicians and had known Camilla. After doing a search, she found the viola guy.

Ned said he was impressed with Gio, and Jason told them, Gio said it all, and left.

Lois told Gio that she wasn’t excusing his behavior, but they’d all made mistakes. It was part of growing up. Gio said he wasn’t a kid anymore, but she said he always would be to her. He said he didn’t know what he would have done without her. Thanks to her and Sonny, he had an amazing life. He could stand on his own now because of them.

Sasha said she thought Jason was fundamentally a good man, and Dante said Jason loved his kids, but wasn’t a huge help when disciplining them. Danny needed boundaries and with Sam gone, he wasn’t getting a lot of them. Jason had to step up the way father should. Jason walked in.

Lulu left a message for the viola guy.

Curtis told Drew to keep his daughter’s name out of his mouth, but Drew claimed it was just hypotheticals. What if the patient found out a doctor was trying to deny her freedom and got a lawyer? The doctor would be facing a crippling lawsuit, and the doctor and her husband would be responsible for part of the enormous settlement.

Sonny said he’d talked with Michael before the accident, and he’d only asked for full custody as a negotiation tactic. If he hadn’t gotten hurt, he and Willow would have worked out joint custody. Willow said Michael wasn’t open to a compromise anymore. She’d flown to Germany, but he’d refused to see her. Sonny said it didn’t seem like Michael at all.

Nina said Carly had gone behind her back and lied to her face. Carly said she never made any promises and Nina was the one lying to her daughter. Nina said she had to stay on Willow’s good side, but Carly thought it was just an excuse to stall. Nina wasn’t a mother and never would be.

Nina said she was a good mother, and Carly said, then act like it. She was acting like a friend. Nina said she’d already lost Nelle and wasn’t losing Willow. Carly said Willow would come around. A good mother sacrificed their own happiness for the good of their child. Nina said Carly had never sacrificed anything. She did what she wanted no matter who it hurt. Carly said Willow should be thankful Nina didn’t raise her, or she’d be a worse mother than she was now.

Dante jetted and Jason wondered what he’d interrupted. Sasha said they’d been talking about Danny, but she should have kept her mouth shut. Jason was glad Danny had so many people looking out for him. There was a knock at the door and a woman served Sasha with papers. Sasha told Jason that she’d been called to testify in Willow’s custody hearing, and Jason said, thanks to Carly, it had been fast tracked. Sasha wondered if Willow knew that Michael was her baby’s father.

Dante came back, and Tracy said he’d missed the family meeting. Dante asked what it had been about, and Brook said, him and Gio. Olivia said the consensus was, Dante was being too hard on Gio and she agreed.

Curtis said, there was no proof, but Drew said a hypothetical doctor wouldn’t give in without it. He was sure the hospital’s system could verify it. A digital footprint lasted forever. Curtis said, so did photos and videos, and no amount of good press would erase the damage done.

Willow said the receptionist was clear that Michael didn’t want to see her, but Sonny said he knew Michael. He wouldn’t want to put his kids through what he’d been through. Willow said she’d been shocked, and Sonny said all the more reason to let it go. Call for a postponement until Michael came home and could speak for himself.

Nina said Willow was an excellent mother, but Carly said Willow was too blind to see who Drew really was. Even if she could, she’d be too gutless to admit it. she just whined and blamed other people. For all they knew, Drew would move them all to DC. Drew was going to do everything in his power to keep the kids from Michael, and Willow would blindly follow. Willow didn’t deserve the kids or to be a mother. Nina slugged Carly and they got into some hair pulling.

Josslyn came in and broke up the fight. Carly told Nina, get the hell out, and Nina said, gladly. There was no way she’d let Carly take willow’s children away and would do whatever it took to stop her. Josslyn asked what was going on.

Jason said only he, Sasha, Diane, and Michael knew Michael was the father. Danny only knew that the father wasn’t him. Sasha said she hadn’t told anyone, and Michael’s name wasn’t on any paperwork. She wondered how Ric thought she could help Willow’s case.

Drew said he intended to prove he was drugged, but Curtis said people would think he was a politician who would say whatever he could to save himself. They’d dismiss him and think less of him. Drew said he had the situation under control, and Curtis said they’d see what happened. Drew said he looked forward to Aurora’s endorsement of Ezra Boyle and Measure C, suggested some editorials on how organized crime was bad for Port Charles, and left.

Dante said he was surprised at Olivia, but she said Dante wasn’t a saint back in the day. Dante said she’d done something about it and gotten him on the right track. No one was doing anything about Gio. Just talking.

Gio said he never realized how much Lois and Gloria shielded him when he was younger, but Lois said, Dante was exaggerating. Gio said he wasn’t. He needed it when he was younger, but didn’t anymore. Lois said family looked out for each other, and Gio said it was clear nothing would change Dante’s mind about him.

Lulu left messages for everyone involved and mentioned Camilla. Her phone rang and it was the cellist, Margaret Harper, returning her call. She said she hadn’t thought of Camilla in years, and it was a tragedy she’d died so young. Camilla had quit the tour with no notice and left them in the lurch, which wasn’t like her. They’d had to cancel the New Zealand leg of the tour. Lulu asked if Camilla had been having a rough pregnancy, but Margaret said, Camilla wasn’t pregnant.

Brook said Gio regretted what he’d done, yet when he was young, Dante couldn’t see that breaking in and stealing was wrong. Gio didn’t need the tough love that Dante had needed. Dante said, as a parent, he got it, and knew Olivia had been trying to make him a better person. He didn’t think Gio was trying to hurt Rocco, but had screwed up, and sometimes you had to be hard on a kid. Brook would see it when she had her own kids.

Gio told Lois that he was sure Dante was trashing him right now.

Josslyn was surprised about the hearing, and Carly said Willow needed be out of Drew’s house. Josslyn wondered how a hearing could be scheduled when Michael was still in Germany, and Carly said she was looking for emergency custody. Josslyn said Carly needed to call Michael and tell him about the hearing.

Jason said some witnesses were never actually called, and Sasha wondered if Ric was hedging his bets. Jason said it was no secret she and Michael had dated and were still friends. Maybe Ric thought she’d overheard or seen something make Michael look bad. Sasha said Ric would be disappointed.

Lois said Dante didn’t think Gio was a bad person, but Gio said Dante had a terrible opinion of him. He’d just stay out of Dante’s way. There was no reason they needed be friends. Olivia came out and told Gio that there was something she needed to say.

Willow said it was only right Michael should be there. She didn’t want Carly to be speaking for him. Nina ran in all disheveled, and Willow asked, what happened to her face? Nina said, Carly happened. She went to see Carly, and she refused to postpone the hearing and said Willow didn’t deserve custody. She told Sonny that Carly had made it clear she was trying to take the kids from Willow, and Willow said there was no room for compromise with Carly involved. She was calling Ric and would tell him to do whatever it took to keep the kids with her where they belonged. She left and Sonny told Nina that he came this close to getting Willow to postpone the hearing. Nina said his ex was a psycho bitch and there was nothing they could do at this point. Carly had gone too far. Sonny said Nina was the one who got Willow’s kids taken from her.

Jason told Sasha not to worry, and she agreed that Ric had no reason to suspect Michael was the father of her baby. Her secret was safe.

Sonny told Nina that he’d been Willow’s last hope. He’d come there for her. If Willow lost her children, Nina had no one to blame but herself. 

Carly said she wasn’t calling Michael, but Josslyn said they were Michael’s kids. He had the right to know. Carly said she didn’t want him to cut his recovery short and come home, and Josslyn asked if she really thought the judge would side with her over Willow who was the children’s mother. Carly said she hoped the judge would look at the facts and see that the kids were in an unhealthy environment. If her strategy didn’t work and Michael lost custody of Amelia and Wiley, he was never going to forgive her.

Dante said when Brook had a child, she’d look at things differently. She was going to be an awesome mom. Brook thanked him, but wouldn’t let him dismiss her opinion. Gio had apologized over and over. What did he want?

Olivia told Gio that it took guts to own up to his mistake. Next time he’d do better. Period. The end. He thanked her and she said her son would come around too. He told her, that’s what Lois had said, but he didn’t think so. She said Dante was upset because he saw so much of his younger self in Gio. 

Lulu told Cody that Margaret was going to send her a picture of her and Camilla on the beach. When the picture came through, Cody said Camilla was hot, but didn’t look pregnant. Lulu said Lois and Brook had been hiding Dante’s son in plain sight.

Curtis listened to the recording he’d made of the conversation with Drew. He looked at Portia’s number in his phone.

Drew called Mac and said he remembered more from that night. He knew who’d drugged him.

Tuesday:

Nina and Drew both tell someone on the phone that the answer is no.

Nina and Drew host on the Nurses Ball red carpet. Nina made sure to make a dig at Drew, asking if his name is Cain or Quartermaine. He tells her, Quartermaine, like there was never any question.

Tracy complained about being late and Olivia asked if Tracy shouldn’t be on vocal rest since she was singing lead. Tracy said she was nervous about Lucy, who was a walking, standing, singing disaster. She didn’t want Lucy’s underwear ruining her act. Olivia said, at this point, Tracy was basically fate’s passenger, and in unison with Ned, she told Tracy, something always happens at the Nurses Ball.

Lulu told Cody that she was riding over with Dante, and he asked if she was going to tell him about her theory. She said she was, but not yet. She had no definitive proof, but if she was right, he deserved to know.

Ric showed up to bug Alexis as she was leaving. He brought her all the paperwork she’d need to cover up her embezzlement and make the investments look legit. She told him to give it a rest.

The Mistress of Ceremonies, Lucy, arrived with a llama. The llama was too precious, and Lucy looked so cute in a red twirly skirt and Nurses Ball T-shirt that I must have.

Nina asked Lucy to tell them about her date, and Lucy said the devastatingly handsome and soft fella was Sebastian. They were on a mission to promote rescue for llamas. She thanked Drew and Nina for replacing the original host who had to drop out. She said they made a glamorous, fabulous, gorgeous pair. Nina asked about Lucy’s special guest, but Lucy said, a lady never tells, but promised it would be worthwhile and fantastic. She told them, Sebastian says, ta, and they left. Sonny and Donna came in.

Brook wondered why Lulu was at the Quartermaines, and Lulu said Dante had offered her a ride. Lois was meeting Sonny at the Ball, and Tracy called her a traitor. Dante was like, really? They were surrounded by Sonny’s family. Olivia and Ned left, Ned telling Tracy to get a ride with Brook and Chase.

Drew blabbed about Measure C to Sonny, but Sonny said the people of Port Charles needed to choose what was best for the city. That was politics, but tonight they were here for something more important. Nina welcomed Donna, who is the cutest child on earth and has Sonny’s dimples. Carly was next, and Drew said, too bad Michael couldn’t be there. Carly said she was sure he missed his favorite nephew. She knew how much they loved to share things. (Snap!) Drew said it was tragic that Michael had been the unintended victim in the attempt on his father’s life and they should pass Measure C for Michael’s sake. (Hard to believe even Drew would think this was the appropriate place and a good look for him.)

Carly said she was against Measure C, which was clearly one politician’s attempt to make himself important at the expense of one of Port Charles’s most generous citizens. Nina asked, what politician? and Carly said, Councilman Boyle. Jordan came in with Sidwell, and Nina asked about her resignation. Jordan said it was about opportunity, and she was now the COO of Sidwell’s company, SRE Worldwide. Sidwell was also picking up the tab for the entire Ball. Sidwell said he’d gotten such a warm welcome from the good people of Port Charles, it was his way of saying thank you to the city. Drew started talking about his own agenda again, when Felicia and Isaiah arrived. Felicia said Isaiah was her friend and co-worker, but not her date, and Nina pointed out that she was married to Chief of Police Mac Scorpio. She asked if Isaiah was single, and he looked at Jordan and said, very.

Ric thought the paperwork would help, but Alexis said it would help if he’d stop blackmailing her. Ric said it wouldn’t be happening if Kristina hadn’t tried to murder Ava, but if their arrangement was unacceptable, he could have Kristina thrown into prison. Kristina came in and wondered why Ric was always there.

Some guy named George told Nina and Drew that they made a great team, and Nina said, lucky her. She introduced Port Charles’s favorite power couple, Ned and Olivia. Drew said he was happy to see how well the family was represented at the Ball, and Ned said he didn’t realize how important the family was to Drew other than using the name. Olivia hustled him off. Portia, Curtis, and Trina came in, and were introduced. Drew said they had a last minute arrival, and Kai said, surprise!   

Kai told Trina that Stella talked to the doctors who gave him the all clear for the night. There was no way he was going to miss her performance. Nina asked about Kai, when Drew interrupted and introduced him as the once and future football star at PCU. Kai said if he got back into football, it was because of the congressman’s generous support. Curtis said he thought the next arrival was coming.

Tracy wanted to walk the red carpet with Lulu and Brook, but Lulu said she was walking with Dante. Dante said he’d promised Charlotte and Rocco that he’d escort their mom. Tracy said, at least her beautiful granddaughter wouldn’t desert her, but Brook said she was planning on walking the red carpet with her husband. However, Tracy was welcome to join them.

Dante and Lulu came in, and Nina remarked on Lulu’s triumphant return. Josslyn and Gio followed, and Josslyn talked up Gio’s violin playing. Gio said he played mostly classical music, but was changing it up tonight, and Josslyn said his performance wouldn’t make up for Nina’s piece of trach co-host. She and Nina had their differences, but she was sorry Nina was stuck working with him. Nina said Josslyn had a feisty spirit like her late grandmother Bobbie Spencer.

Chase’s phone rang and he said it was work. He told the others to go ahead, and Brook walked in with Tracy. On the phone, Chase said, Mac wanted him to what?

Alexis told Kristina that Ric came to see if Molly was there, but she told him that they were meeting at the Ball. Kristina said the Ball wasn’t there, so why was he? Ric asked what happened to her putting her anger away, and she said, that stopped when he decided to help Willow steal her brother’s children from him. Ric said Michael’s mother had pushed the date and reignited the custody battle, and Kristina told him that it said a lot about Willow to choose a bottom feeder like him to represent her. Ric suggested she might want to watch being on her high horse. All it took was one little push. He left and Alexis said Kristina needed to be nicer to him. Kristina said maybe Alexis was losing her mind.

Gio asked if Sonny had seen Lois, but Sonny said it was hard to keep track of her. They talked about Gio’s upcoming number and Sonny asked, how was Gio’s first red carpet? Gio said, Josslyn made it memorable. Josslyn told Carly about taking shots at Drew on the red carpet, and Carly said Drew tried to use Michael to bait her so he could use it at the custody hearing, but she kept cool. Tracy and Brook were introduced, and Tracy grabbed the mic to express support for Measure C. She added that she was heartened her congressman nephew was leading the charge to rid the city of the blight that was Sonny. Drew said it was nice to be on the same side for once, when Chase approached. Nina asked if he wasn’t slated to perform, but Chase said he’d been put back on duty. He asked to talk to Tracy, but she said, in a minute. She was talking about an issue important to the people of Port Charles. Chase said it couldn’t wait, but she said, this couldn’t either. He said he was sorry to do this, but she was under arrest.

Nina took the mic, and Chase suggested he and Tracy discuss it off camera. Tracy said, clearly, it was an erroneous accusation, and she wanted the people of Port Charles to see how ridiculous it was. He said he was arresting her for assault, drugging an individual without their knowledge or consent. Tracy asked, who was drugged? and Chase said, Congressman Drew Cain. Tracy said it was a mistake, but Drew said, no, it wasn’t, and Chase handcuffed Tracy. Dante told Lulu that he hoped Tracy didn’t make Chase use the taser, and Chase read Tracy her rights as he led her away. 

Portia said Curtis seemed distracted, and he said he had some calls to make. He left, and Isaiah looked at Portia, remembering overhearing her say if Curtis found out she lied, her marriage was over. Isaiah brought her a glass of champagne and said, if she ever needed to talk, come find him. Dante told Sonny that he missed Chase arresting Tracy. Drew accused her of drugging him. Sonny said, it couldn’t happen to a nicer person.

Nina introduced Anna and Emma, and said she heard Anna was slated to perform not one, but two acts. Anna said that remained to be seen. The leading vocalist in one act had been led off in handcuffs, and her partner in the other act was the arresting officer. Nina said she was sure Anna would figure it out. Her resourcefulness was legendary. Drew asked if Robin was coming, and Emma said her mom couldn’t make it, so they were here to represent. Anna said there had been so much progress since the first Nurses Ball in 1994. People with HIV were living long and happy lives thanks to the dedication and resourcefulness of scientists and researchers. She believed it was just a question of time before a cure was developed. (Truth. I have a high school friend who has been living with HIV for many, many years now.)

Alexis suggested they not let Ric ruin the evening, and Kristina wondered why she was defending Ric. Alexis said they’d made a truce for Molly’s sake, but Kristina said, since he was going after Michael, all bets were off. Alexis said it would be better to keep things even, and Kristina asked if was because she was emotionally volatile and asked if Alexis was going to have her committed.

Cody saw Molly outside, and they smiled.

Cody continued to stare at Molly, who asked if she had a stain on her dress. Cody said, no, and asked if she was heading in. She said she was waiting on her mom and Kristina, but they hadn’t responded to her texts. Cody said, in that case, and held out his arm. He said he promised to leave his pants on, and she took his arm.

Alexis asked if every time they had a difference of opinion, Kristina was going to accuse her of thinking she was crazy. Kristina said Alexis had tried to have her thrown into a mental institution without her consent and It was hard let go of. Alexis said she was just trying to give Kristina advice, but Kristina said she wasn’t going to be nice to Ric when he was fighting to have her brother’s children taken away. Alexis suggested she stay out of Ric’s face. He wasn’t someone they could afford to piss off for Kristina’s sake. Kristina asked what she was talking about.

Nina asked if Molly and Cody were an item, and Cody said Molly had the pleasure of prosecuting him more than once. Molly said she didn’t technically prosecute him, and Cody said they met while he was in custody. Part of his sentence was to escort beautiful women on the red carpet.

Ned said the MetroCourt looked amazing, and Carly and Olivia clinked glasses. Carly left to check on the waitstaff, and Brook asked if Ned saw what happened to granny. Ned asked what she’d done now.

Chase brought Tracy to the interrogation room where Mac was waiting. He uncuffed her and said, for what it’s worth… (🍷) She told him, save it, and Mac asked him to tell Felicia that he was sorry he couldn’t make it. This was definitely going to take a while.

Lucy said there was a problem, and Anna said she’d heard about Tracy. Lucy asked if she or Felicia could sing, but they were both like, no way. Lucy suggested Maxie could replace Tracy, but Felicia said Bailey Lou was sick and Maxie was home with her. Spinelli had brought Georgie and James without her. Anna said she thought Felicia might have solved their problem. 

Curtis told Jordan that Drew was definitely blackmailing Portia – hypothetically – and she asked what he had on Portia – hypothetically. He said he needed to confirm some things before he said, and she asked if he’d talked to Portia. He said, not yet, but he would… eventually. He looked over and saw Portia with Isaiah. A guy named Scott asked Molly who her date was and said he looked familiar. He wondered if he’d seen Cody in Deception ads, and Cody said that was in his past. He was no longer in the Deception business. Molly told Scott, so he says, and Cody said he’d better get her inside before she realized how much better she could do. 

Nina said it had been the last of the arrivals and their work was mercifully done. She thanked Drew, but he said it seemed they’d saved the best for last. Willow stood at the end of the red carpet sporting a funky new haircut.

Drew walked to Willow, said she looked incredible, and kissed her as cameras flashed. Nina looked sick.

Molly told Cody that neither her mom nor Kristina were responding to her texts. 

Alexis said she thought it was healthier if Kristina let go of her anger. That was the plan and as despicable as Ric was, it was a good plan. Kristina said she changed her mind, and Alexis said, change it back. Kristina accused Alexis of trying to control her like she’d done since Kristina was a child. Alexis was policing what she thought and did, and she was sick of it. Alexis said she was trying to keep Kristina from making a terrible mistake, but Kristina said her mistakes were her own. She didn’t need Alexis to protect her. Alexis said, she did, and if she didn’t protect Kristina, they’d both be going to prison. Ric knew Kristina had tried to kill Ava. 

Mac tossed a folder on the table, and told Tracy that Drew said she was the last person he’d remembered being with the night he was drugged. Tracy said that didn’t mean she drugged him, and she wasn’t the last person he’d been with. Mac said he’d seen the video, but he got a search warrant, and they found a vial of ketamine in her car. Tracy asked why she would have… He framed her.

Ned said if Tracy did drug Drew, she wouldn’t have gotten caught. Something was fishy. Brook got a text from Chase: On my way back, will explain everything when I get there.

Nina said Willow looked amazing and introduced her beautiful daughter who was also one of General Hospital’s finest nurses. She said Willow looked absolutely radiant and asked, what was her secret? Willow said she thought it was because she’d never been so happy.

We saw a man watching the red carpet on a tablet in a private plane. Willow said it was all because of Drew, and Nina said, obviously, they were serious. Willow said they were absolutely, totally committed to each other and to their future. She was thrilled to be blessed with blending a beautiful family. Michael The man continued to watch on the tablet.

 To Be Continued…

Wednesday:

Lucy screeched for her gown and Amy brought it. Lucy said all of their hard work was about to pay off, and Sebastian wanted to say, all of you folks, it’s showtime.

Alexis said she knew Kristina tried to kill Ava. It didn’t matter why she did it. She did it and it couldn’t be undone, so they had to cover it up.

Drew and Willow walked into a less than warm reception, and Willow left to change for her performance.

An announcer said, ladies and gentlemen, please help give a warm welcome to our host Lucy Coe, and Lucy came out in a sparkly gown. She said she was excited to be host for the celebration of community and contribution and was so delighted to welcome everyone to the 2025 Nurses Ball. She promised it would be a night they’d never forget. There was applause and a scream was heard from backstage.

Lucy said she was sorry. Everything was fine. Apparently, a stagehand got too close to Sebastian and llamas were very territorial. The stagehand… Let’s just say he won’t do it again. So yay. Moving on. She shared that she’d started the Nurses Ball 31 years ago – applause – to raise awareness and funds in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It was a teeny idea, and a one-time event grew into a Port Charles institution that she was proud of. They got together with the community to do something for the greater good. Some might think they didn’t have to do so much now, but they had to continue to fight the good fight. She thanked everyone for being there and thanked their amazing benefactor who underwrote the entire ball. That meant every penny went right to the cause. There was more applause, and she thanked everyone. She said they were also going to see all the fine, home-grown talent showing off their stuff. If you saved a life, you were a hero, but if you saved a thousand lives, you were a nurse. She was excited to start the evening by bringing back to the Nurses Ball stage the talented, hardworking, gorgeous medical staff at General Hospital. Once again, proving angels weren’t always wearing wings. Sometimes, they were in scrubs. A group performed Holiday, with Amy and Deanna on lead vocals. Willow and Isaiah also joined them, and they got a standing ovation.

Kristina said she did cover it up and wondered how Alexis knew. Lucky was the only person who knew. Alexis said she talked to Lucky, but after she knew the truth. Kristian said she never meant to hurt Ric and Elizabeth. She’d meant to cut Ava’s brakes. Alexis asked what the hell difference it made. (Right?) Kristina tampered with a car with the intention of hurting somebody and she did hurt two people. Good thing it wasn’t worse. Kristina said she felt terrible. It was all she could think about. She’d give anything to go back and change what she did. She tried to stop it. She called Ava to warn her, but Ava didn’t pick up and she was too terrified to leave a message. Alexis said, good thing she didn’t. It would have been another piece of evidence against her. They knew what she did and could prove it.

Kristina asked, who was they? Ava and Ric or the police? Alexis said Ava and Ric. Ava showed her a video from the security cameras in the garage of Kristina holding the wire cutters and heading toward Ric’s car. They had the car. Kristina said, the car was destroyed. Lucky checked. Alexis said she was sure Ava paid off the impound lot person to say that. They hid the car and only Ric and Ava knew where it was. If the police found it, they would see the brake lines were cut and Kristina would be charged with attempted murder. Kristina said, they hadn’t gone to the police. Why go to Alexis? Alexis said because they were blackmailing her.

Josslyn said she was happy Kai didn’t have to go back, and Kai said he had help. Trina said, Aunt Stella, and Josslyn said, now Trina didn’t have to rush off to see Kai and they could hang out. Trina said, Kai would also get to watch them in person, and Kai said he couldn’t wait. Josslyn noticed Willow and Drew coming in and watched as Willow went past them. She said she’d be back, and left.

Chase apologized for being late, but Brook said she was just glad he made it back. What was going on with granny? She didn’t drug Drew, did she? (Try saying that three times real fast.) Chase said that Mac took over before he got any details, and Brook said she knew Tracy hated Drew, but she couldn’t imagine her doing anything that horrible. Dante suggested her anger had reached epic proportions, and Cody called Drew trash with abs. Chase said Tracy would want Brook to have fun, and she said they had to be there or Gio’s performance. Tracy probably had her legal team on it and there was nothing worry about.

Josslyn found Willow in the bathroom and said she didn’t think Willow could sink any lower, but somehow, she had. It took a lot of nerve being here and all over Drew. Willow said she wasn’t leaving and asked if that was all. Josslyn said Willow would never take Michael’s children away from him.

Drew asked how Kai was feeling, and Kai said, pretty good. He thanked Drew again for everything, and Drew said he was sorry he wasn’t there more after Kai’s surgery. Kai said he’d read about it and hoped everything was okay. Drew said it would be. The documentary was going to be great for both of them. Since Drew is always working, he zeroed in on Portia.

Sonny asked if ADA Turner  was enjoying herself, and she said, perhaps it was the only Nurses Ball they’d be at together. He might find it difficult doing business in Port Charles if Measure C passed. Perhaps he’d relocate to a more welcoming climate. Sonny said Port Charles was his home. Nobody was pushing him out

Drew said he needed Portia to do something, but Portia said he needed to leave her alone. He asked if she’d check on Willow in the ladies’ room, but she said she wasn’t answering to him tonight. She was enjoying a night out with her husband.

Willow said it was none of Josslyn’s business. She was Wiley and Amelia’s mother, and they belonged with her. Josslyn asked, what about their father, the one she was still married to? Out of sight, out of mind? Willow said she hadn’t forgotten Michael. She flew to Germany to talk about all that and he refused to see her. She wanted to work things out, but he didn’t. It made her realize that she couldn’t sit around waiting for Michael to come home and there was nothing more important than moving on with her life and being with Drew. (Wow. Not too admittedly selfish.) She wasn’t going to let Josslyn or anyone else harass her. Drew knocked at the ladies’ room door and asked if Willow was all right. Josslyn said Willow’s hero was there now. Did Willow think he was late because he and his white horse were off scoring blow? Drew walked in and Josslyn reminded him that he was in the ladies’ room. Was he looking for his girlfriend or another hooker? She was sure Willow could help him out. She left. 

Portia met Curtis in the garden and said, the Nurses Ball was a magical night. It made you feel like anything was possible. She was lucky to be there with her handsome husband who she adored… What was wrong? Curtis said it was hard to enjoy the night when he knew she wasn’t being honest with him. She said, about? and he said, Drew blackmailing her.

Lucy introduced Gio, listing his accomplishments, and saying he combined classical sophistication with fresh street energy. It was his first time on the Nurses Ball stage and she asked for a warm welcome. There was applause and Gio did this amazing performance, leaping around the stage while playing. A light show went on around him and smoke from dry ice covered the stage floor. Lulu watched Lois get emotional while watching him. (I have never seen a musician perform on any instrument like this guy just did. It was phenomenal.)

Lois told Gio it was the best performance she’d seen him give. She’d told everybody in the neighborhood to watch him on TV and her phone was blowing up. He made them all so proud. Gio said he missed performing the most. He felt close to his mom on the stage. He felt like she was with him. She would have loved the Nurses Ball. Lois agreed, and Lulu asked to talk to Lois. Before she could, Lucy came backstage and said they needed the area clear for the magician’s water tank act. She told Lois that she needed her – chop-chop – and Lois told Lulu that Lucy was chop chopping already. She left with Lucy, and then Gio left.

Chase said he didn’t know Gio was that good, and Brook said even she was blown away and she saw him rehearse. She asked if it changed Dante’s mind. Or did he still think Gio was spoiled and irresponsible? It took a disciplined, responsible, hard-working guy to play like that. Dante said he thought Gio was great.

Kristina said, Alexis was stealing from the Cassadine estate to pay off Ric and Ava? Alexis said Ace would be fine. There was enough money that he couldn’t spend it in five lifetimes. The real issue was, now she was involved in an embezzlement scheme with the two of them. She needed to play by their rules. If she didn’t, they’d go after Kristina for attempted murder. Kristina was worried about Alexis getting caught, but Alexis said she wasn’t so sure. Ava and Ric thought they had it planned beautifully with shell companies, so their names were hidden. But the bottom line was, if she went down, so did they. The money would stop flowing and all three of them would be in jail. Kristina said they were dangerous. She hated them and they couldn’t be trusted. Alexis said there was no other way, but Kristina said they could tell her dad.

Cody asked if Lulu talked to Lois, but she said she couldn’t get Lois alone. She saw Lois’s face when Gio performed, and she knew she was right. She just needed to confirm her suspicions.

Jordan asked how Sidwell was enjoying his first Nurses Ball, and he said it was absolutely delightful. Isaiah joined them and said Jordan looked beautiful. He congratulated Sidwell. It was shaping up to a very successful event, and it was nice to see his blood money do some good for a change. Sidwell laughed, Isaiah told them to enjoy their night and left. 

Portia admitted Drew was blackmailing her, and Curtis said, over what? She said, Brad figured out that she’d altered Heather Webber’s cobalt levels – which Curtis knew – and he was using it as leverage over her. At first, he asked for small things and she didn’t want to tell Curtis because it was a hospital matter. She thought she’d handle it herself. Curtis was already dealing with so much at Aurora, she didn’t want to add to his stress. She was managing it. Curtis said, until Drew got involved, and she said, that’s when it escalated and became something much bigger. He said, how big? He needed to hear everything now.

Alexis said Kristina couldn’t go to her father. He’d take extreme measures. Kristina said she couldn’t let Ric and Ava blackmail Alexis, but Alexis said she was going to do what they told her. It wasn’t just about doing this for Kristina. She was doing it for Kristina’s sister too.

Curtis said he didn’t get how Portia put them in this position after everything they’d been through in the past, the secrets and lies. She was doing it again. She said she was afraid of exactly what was happening right now, and it was a hospital issue. It snowballed when Drew found out. Then it was too late to tell him. She knew he’d be furious. He said that’s one thing she got right. When he found out Trina was his daughter, Portia promised no more secrets, they’d always be honest. After all that, here they were. Portia said she meant it. She’d never keep something that affected him as much as that did. It was a hospital issue… He said she didn’t get it. It did affect him, all of them. It could be the end of her career. She could end up in prison and it could destroy everything.

Olivia and Carly got on stage, and Carly said they were honored and proud to be the hosting venue. Olivia said the incomparable Lucy Coe was going to delight them with the next performance, and introduced Lucy, Anna, and Felicia… Carly said, hold on. In another expect the unexpected Nurses Ball snafu, welcome to the stage a surprise guest. Anna, Lucy, and Felicia came out in Western wear, along with Spinelli who sang lead on These Boots Are Made For Walking (a karaoke go-to for me).

Kristina said Alexis drew up the commitment papers because Alexis knew what she’d done, and Alexis said it was a strategy to mitigate Kristina’s culpability for what she’d done. She was afraid to tell Kristina because she might tell her sister. Or Molly would find out that she had a mother, sister, and father who were criminals and going to jail. Kristina said she’d be all alone, and Alexis said Molly was also an officer of the court. She’d have to turn Kristina in or look the other way and become an accessory after the fact. She had to protect Kristina to prevent her from going to prison and had to do what Ava and Ric were asking. Kristina needed to let her handle this. Kristina said she’d judged Alexis harshly when Alexis was trying to protect her, as if the guilt she felt about Elizabeth and Ric wasn’t bad enough. Now she had to live with this too. Alexis said it was a mother’s job to protect her children and this was her choice. They exchanged I love yous, and Alexis said Kristina needed to let her handle Ric and Ava. Let her do it her way. Kristina said she was so sorry. Alexis was an incredible mother and woman, and she was so lucky. They hugged.

Curtis asked what Drew was making Portia do, and she said Drew wanted her to get Aurora Media to run positive stories. He said, not only was she lying to him, she was manipulating him. She used their love and marriage to make him play nice with a man that treated him like garbage and was treating her the same way. She said she knew it was wrong, but at that point, she was trying to protect their marriage. He said she didn’t. What she did was keep her mouth shut, first about Brad, then about Drew blackmailing her. She lied because Drew ordered her to and left him and the entire family vulnerable. She didn’t protect their marriage; she ruined it. What kind of marriage runs on lies and manipulation? She asked him to please not walk away. He couldn’t throw away their marriage.

Lois said Spinelli brought down the house. She knew he was brought in at the last minute to replace Tracy, but he was spectacular. Spinelli said, it was an honor to be asked. He didn’t know the music or the moves… Anna said they wouldn’t take no for an answer, and he asked how he could refuse the terrifyingly charming trio. He needed a stiff drink. He left, and Lucy thanked Anna for her brilliant idea. She saved the Nurses Ball. Felicia suggested they get changed and get back to their seats, and they danced out. Lois started cleaning up, and Lulu said she needed to talk to Lois. It couldn’t wait. She had to talk to Lois now. 

Brook told Gio that he was a star, and Gio thanked her and said it meant a lot. Dante watched them, frowning. 

Lois asked what this was all about, and Lulu said she saw Lois watching Gio performing, how emotional and proud she was. Lois said, of course (🍷). He was amazing. Did Lulu not see him play? Lulu said, he was truly great. His mother passed down her music gene. Lois said, she did, but Gio did the work, and Sonny helped with his education and training. She told Lulu that she was going to watch the rest of the Ball. She was sure Dante was waiting. Lulu said Dante was a patient guy. He didn’t mind waiting. That’s what made him a good detective. Lois said Lulu didn’t have to sell her on Dante. She was already a fan. Lulu said he was more than that. He was family. So was Gio and Brook. Lois asked what she wanted, and Lulu said she wanted the truth. She knew Camilla cut her tour short, but not because she was pregnant. Camilla didn’t give birth to a son in LA, but she know Brook did give birth to a son with Dante. And that son was Gio.

To Be Continued…

Thursday:

Portia told Curtis not to walk away. They had a beautiful daughter in there. He said, the daughter she’d lied about and kept from him for years. She said Trina loved him and was part of both of them. Don’t undo what they’d built because she’d made a mistake. He said he was the only one thinking about their family and Trina. He didn’t put them at risk, and what was already done couldn’t be undone.

Nina found Carly in the ladies’ room, and said she was hoping to get Carly alone, but not for round two. Carly asked what she wanted, and Nina said Carly had forced her hand by pushing up the court date. Whatever happened next was on her.

Ned said it was very generous of Sonny to pay for Gio’s musical education. What he saw on stage was exceptional. Sonny said Gio was a great kid and he was happy to help out. Ned said there was no denying Gio’s training had paid off. He noticed Willow and Drew walking in and excused himself. He walked over to Drew and said, you son of a bitch. Don’t think for one second I’m going to let you get away with setting up my mother.

Brook praised Gio’s performance and said her goosebumps had goosebumps. Dante said Brook was right. Gio was awesome and incredibly talented. He congratulated Gio, when Lucy grabbed him and Cody. She told them, let’s go to the dressing room now, and hustled them off.

Lulu asked why Lois looked surprised. She already knew Gio was her grandson and she’d been keeping the truth from him for his entire life.

Curtis said he knew what he and Portia had and what it took to build. She took what they built and broke it. She didn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth, so she lied. Portia said she was sorry. She didn’t know what to do. He said, so she manipulated him. She did Drew’s bidding and left their whole family, and herself, open and vulnerable to Drew. She asked him not to give up on them, and he said he wasn’t. At least not tonight. It would send a signal to Drew that they weren’t a united front and leave her exposed. He wouldn’t do that to her or Trina. They were going to smile and be every bit the loving, happy couple everyone expected. She said, and tomorrow? and he told her, let’s get through tonight, and walked away.

Drew said he had no idea what Ned was talking about, and Ned told him to cut the crap. They both knew his mother wasn’t sloppy. She’d never leave evidence of a crime she committed in her own vehicle. It had Drew written all over it. Drew said Tracy thought she was above the law. That kind of confidence caught up with someone and made them sloppy. Ned said they were going to find out who planted the drugs in Tracy’s car, and told Willow that Drew was an unconscionable ass. They’d all attempted to give her the benefit of the doubt. They’d believed Drew manipulated her and she was as much a victim as Michael. Willow said she was no victim and neither was Michael. He couldn’t be a victim when he wouldn’t even try to solve the problem. Olivia asked what she was talking about, and Willow said she flew to Germany to compromise with Michael, and he wouldn’t see her. Drew was the only person acting in her best interest. Olivia said Drew wreaked havoc and Willow stuck by his side cheering him on. Don’t expect sympathy when the whole thing blew up in her face. Ned and Olivia left.

Carly asked what was next, and Nina said they were going to prove Michael abandoned his children. Perspective was a funny thing. The night of the holiday party, when Michael played the video of Willow and Drew, he wanted Willow to take the children. Carly said, Michael didn’t want to scare the children. That’s how much he loved them. Nina said that was open to interpretation. The facts were the facts. Michael left the children with their mother without so much as a challenge and went to Germany, abandoning the kids. Carly said, for burn treatment, and Nina said, then he refused to see Willow, to speak to the children’s mother, when she flew over. She made the effort and was rejected. That looked bad for Michael. Carly said it was Nina’s spin. Like she’d said, everything was open to interpretation. Nina said there had only been one parent there, a consistent, loving, and stable force for the children, giving them everything they needed, and it wasn’t Michael. It was their mother, and she was going to make sure the court saw that. She left.

Emma talked to Gio about his performance, and Brook said he was great. Gio told Emma that maybe they should make this a regular thing. 

Lois said whatever Lulu suspected, it was absolutely none of her business. Stay out of it. Lulu said she knew Gio was Brook and Dante’s son and could prove it. Dante got Brook pregnant at summer camp. Should she finish or was Lois starting to remember now? (For a while, I couldn’t remember why I hated Lulu before she went into the coma. Now I remember. She’s an entitled mean girl.)

Lucy thanked the audience and told them to check on their silent auction items. We want to take your money away for a good cause. Two detectives, a gifted surgeon, and a cowboy sounded like the beginning of a joke, but she assured them it was no joke. They were the finest Port Charles had to offer, and they were lucky to have them. She introduced Chase, backed up by Cody, Isaiah, and Dante, singing The Look of Love. Chase is a dynamite singer, and the back-up guys were cute.

Lucy wanted to acknowledge one of the newest residents of Port Charles, the CEO of SRE Worldwide. Jenz Sidwell had moved his business and a member of his family to their fair city. He was fitting into their city of communal generosity and had sponsored the festivities. There was scattered applause, but Lucy said they could do better, and the audience applauded more enthusiastically.

Backstage, Chase and Brook kissed, and she said he sounded amazing. Lucy came in and said, no PDA. They’d make people jealous, like her, and it was a working area. Lois joined them and asked if they’d seen Gio. Lucy said he was in his dressing room, and Lois said the tango was about to start.

Portia said she and Curtis couldn’t wait to see Trina on stage, and Trina said she hoped she didn’t let them down. Curtis said she could never let them down, and left to get Portia a drink. Portia asked if Trina and Kai were enjoying themselves, and Kai said they were. They were going to the silent auction. Portia said she was going to wait for Trina’s father and that drink. Bid on something for her. Surprise her. They left, and Nina came in. She told Portia that Curtis was suspicious, but Portia said he was more than suspicious. He knew about Brad and Drew and what they were holding over her. She was worried about what he’d do next.

Jordan said Curtis didn’t seem to be enjoying the evening like the rest of them, and Curtis said Drew was blackmailing Portia. Portia confirmed it. Jordan said she was hoping his instincts were wrong for once, and he said him too. She asked what he was going to do.

Josslyn asked what Vaughn was doing there, and he said, enjoying the evening, supporting a good cause, and keeping an eye on her. Carly joined them and asked, who was Josslyn’s friend?

Lulu told Lois, Brook confided in Cody. Dante got her pregnant at summer camp. Cody drove her the bus station and Lois took her on tour with Miguel Morez, so no one knew. Cousin Camilla was going to keep the baby and went on tour with the Nicola Quartet to cover it up. Gio was born, but not in LA on June 4th. He was born in San Francisco on May 15th as Baby Boy Cerullo.

Vaughn said he knew Josslyn from PCU, and Carly introduced herself. Vaughn said the event was a lot of fun. He’d see Josslyn around and it was nice to meet Carly. He left, and Carly said, he’s cute. What’s the deal with that guy?

Lois asked why Lulu was digging up information on a situation that had nothing to do with her and messing with people’s lives. Lulu said Lois was the one messing with people’s lives. (No, you.) She’d been lying for decades and lying to Gio his entire life. She’d hidden him in plain sight, Dante’s son. She knew Lois and Brook were lying. Lois said Brook didn’t know about Gio. For all she knew, her sone was on the other side of the world and no one could tell her otherwise. She and her mother Couldn’t let Gio go, so they kept him close and kept it a secret from Brook. As Brook’s mother, she made the best decision she could at the time. Lulu said, maybe for her, but not Gio. His whole life was a cover-up. He had no idea where he came from. He wasn’t Camilla and Francis Palmieri’s son. He was Dante and Brook’s. The only question was, who would tell the truth? Gio stood outside the door, overhearing everything.

Lucy said, the next performer was from Australia, but she lived and made music in sunny LA. She asked for a warm welcome for Edie, who sang Old Her

Lois asked if Lulu knew how many lives this would touch and destroy, and Lulu said, like hers? She didn’t mean to be callous. She’d thought of nothing else for months. What Lois had been doing was wrong. Enough lies. It ends now. Either Lois was going to tell Gio and Dante the truth or they’d hear it from her tomorrow. Lulu walked out.

Sonny asked if Anna got a chance to talk to Robin, and Anna said Robin was sorry she couldn’t be there. She and Emma were holding down the fort, and Emma was taking behind-the-scenes photos. Anna said she’d missed a lot of important years, and it felt good to honor Robin and others impacted by HIV, like Stone. ADA Turner asked if she was interrupting, and Anna said, not at all. She had to change for another performance. Mr. Corinthos was all hers. She left, and Turner said, it certainly looked intimate, but Sonny said they were talking about Robin and his great friend Stone Cates. They’re the reason this is happening tonight. She should look them up. He walked away, leaving her look like the jerk she is.

Jordan told Isaiah, nice moves. She wasn’t at all surprised. He said that was nice of her to say, especially since he wasn’t friendly to her date. Jordan said Sidwell wasn’t her date. He was her boss. Isaiah said she was on his arm. Was that part of the job description? She should be on his arm tonight.

Willow said she was relieved Drew’s name was cleared. It made her more confident about her custody hearing. Drew said they were on a winning streak. (Winning!) She’d get permanent custody and then they’d figure out how to start their lives, here in Port Charles or even in DC. Nina approached and said she hoped they were having a great evening. Ric called her and asked if she’d testify on Willow’s behalf at the custody hearing. She told him nothing would give her more pleasure than telling the court what a wonderful mother Willow is. The children belong with her and Drew. She wants them to know, with Tracy’s arrest and Drew’s exoneration, going forward, they had her full support. Willow thanked Nina and hugged her. Drew said it made them happy to hear they had Nina’s support. It meant the world to have her in their corner. Watching all this, Josslyn told Carly that they made her want to throw up. She couldn’t wait for Carly to take Wiley and Amelia away from Willow. Carly said it wouldn’t be long now.

Emma told Anna and Chase, break a leg, and Chase said he had a great partner. He just followed her lead. Emma said her mother would be proud and asked if anyone had seen Gio. Anna said if he didn’t turn up soon, she’d have to put out an APB. Emma left to find him.

Willow told Isaiah that he’d been fantastic, and he said he was glad to contribute to his first Nurses Ball. Maybe she could be his date next year. She said, after his performance, the odds were good. He seemed to be having a good evening. He told her that Willow said the same thing.

Emma found Gio in the garden and said she’d been looking everywhere for him. What was wrong?

Lulu told Cody that she confronted Lois. Lois stonewalled and didn’t make it easy, but finally copped to the whole thing. He asked where she left it with Lois, when Dante approached and asked, what’s going on? 

Kai thought he might contribute to the next Nurses Ball, and Trina asked if he had a hidden talent. He said, other than creating ridiculous paintings, not that he knew of, but he was up for dancing and singing classes if it meant performing with her. She said, a two person act, and he said, the best were. Team work makes the dream work. Trina agreed and they kissed.

Lois saw Lulu talking to Cody and grabbed Brook. Brook asked if it was about granny, and Lois said, no, but they needed to get out of there right now.

Anna and Chase practiced, and Lucy asked where Gio was. Anna said she wasn’t sure, but Emma went to find him. Lucy said that meant he was missing or lost, but Chase said he was probably somewhere. Lucy said he had to be on stage. Nobody liked a silent tango. He wasn’t being professional, like Tracy. Where was he?

Emma asked, what’s going on? Her grandma and Chase were about to go on and were waiting. They needed him to play. Gio said he had to play. That was the gift he got from his mother. He was a violinist, and his mother taught him everything. It was all he had left of her. Emma asked if he was okay. If he was sick, she could tell them that he couldn’t go on. He didn’t have to do this. He said, yeah, he did. The show must go on. He walked to the stage. 

Lucy said Gio scared her half to death, and they were running behind. She handed him his violin.

Dante said Cody and Lulu looked intense, and Cody said Lulu didn’t want to tell Dante, but she’d confided he was by far the standout in their number. No one was looking at the rest of them. Dante said he knew Cody was lying. They were only looking at Chase, who had another performance with Anna. They’d better get a seat.

Lois said she’d explain it at home, but they had to leave, and Brook said, only if it was about granny. Anything else could wait. Gio was about to play, and her husband was dancing the tango. She’d seen the rehearsals, and she wasn’t missing it. Brook left, and Sonny asked if Lois was all right. What was going on? Lois said she was in terrible trouble, but he said they’d fix it after the show.

Lucy said it was a great night. The next act started in the streets of Buenos Aires and Montevideo and was still going bright, this beautiful and ever-evolving art form. She introduced Anna and Chase, with Gio accompanying them, and there was applause. Gio started to play, but stopped and stared into space. Anna went over to him, and he said he wanted to do something he’d never done before. He was dedicating this performance to his parents – Brook Quartermaine and Dante Falconari. Two people who didn’t want him and who didn’t claim him. Who gave him away and lied his entire life. He smashed his violin on the stage floor and walked off.

I wanted to cry and hoped Lulu was happy now.

To Be Continued…

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Lucy asks if everybody is having fun and there’s applause. She says, it’s such a great night and a lot of fun. The next act started in the streets of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. She wishes she could take them there, but she can’t. She can do this – present this beautiful, ever-evolving art form. Keep a long, cool drink handy, because coming at you to tango is Police Commissioner Anna Devane and Detective Harrison Chase and accompanying them on the violin once again is the extraordinary Giovanni Palmieri. There’s more applause, and the three of them come out. Looking grim, Gio begins to play. Anna and Chase begin dancing, but after the first few measures, Gio plays a sour note and stops. Anna goes over to him, saying his name, and he looks at the audience. He says, ladies and gentlemen. I want to do something I’ve never done before… I’m going to dedicate this performance to my parents… Brook Quartermaine and Dante Falconari. Two people who didn’t want me, who didn’t claim me, and gave me away. They lied to him for his entire life. He smashes the violin on the stage floor, looks at a piece of it in his hand, throws it down, and walks out. Everyone looks shocked, and Dante looks at Brook, who has tears in her eyes.

At home watching on TV, Elizabeth says, that was intense even for the Nurses Ball. Poor Gio. Lucas knocks at the door, and she tells him, come in. He walks in wearing a tuxedo and she asks what he’s doing here. He shows her a bottle of champagne and says, happy Nurses Ball.

Emma jets, and Lucy says she told them anything can happen at the Nurses Ball and it just did, but never fear. The show will go on. The show must go on. Picture it like a tiny hiccup. Brook and Lois both leave, and Lucy says, if you have a hiccup, you can drink backward from a glass of water. Have they ever heard that? No? What about a bag? She read if you breathe in and out of a bag it stops the hiccups. Right about this time she bets some of them would like to grab a bag for obvious reasons. Let’s get a drink. Then she’ll get the show going again. Cody goes over to Dante and Dante says he had a child? What was Gio talking about? Lucy says she’s going to do an intermission. Please don’t leave. Have two drinks. She’ll figure something out. They’re going to do something. Dante asks Cody, what happened? as Lucy walks off the stage.

At the station, Mac says it’s the first time he’s ever been glad to see Jason, and Jason says, thanks, I guess. Mac says, the prisoner is in there, nodding at the interrogation room. Jason goes in, and Tracy says, please. Now is not the time for the strong silent act. Get me out of here.

Sonny leaves the room, and Olivia and Ned follow. Lulu starts to go out, but Carly stops her and says, don’t. Hasn’t she done enough already?

Olivia asks if Sonny knew Gio was their grandson, and he asks if she knew anything about Brook having a baby. Ned tells Sonny that he’s embarrassed to say he did not. Chase joins them and Olivia asks, what the hell is going on? 

Walking into an empty room, Dante asks Cody, what was that? What the hell just happened in there? Cody wanted to talk to him. Let’s talk. Cody says he knows it’s a lot to take in, and Dante says, what is this? What does Cody know? Cody says he doesn’t know the whole story, but he knows one thing for sure. Brook had Dante’s baby.

Jason tells Tracy that Diane is calling the judge. Once she’s finished, he’ll post bail, and Tracy will be released. She says, the charges should be dropped. She was framed by that wretched brother of his. He says, even if that happened… She says, even if? Drew sailed up in that barge of his and trespassed on the property. Then he planted that… Jason says, ketamine, and she says, yeah, that, in her car, then called the PCPD and lied that she drugged him. Jason says, that’s probably what happened, and she says, that is what happened. Why is he giving her the dead eye? He says he’s thinking it wasn’t a good idea to team up with Drew.

Josslyn and Trina go backstage, and Josslyn says, could this be happening? Could Brook and Dante be Gio’s birth parents? Trina says she thinks so, and Josslyn says, he’s been told a lie his entire life. He looked crushed. She feels so bad for him. Trina says so does she, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Trina knows the feeling better than anybody. Trina says, when she found out Curtis was her dad, that one little piece of information changed everything. Josslyn says she wishes there was something they could do, but Trina says, all they can do is be a safe space for him. Josslyn says, Trina is her safe space. She doesn’t know what she’d do without her. Trina says, I got you, and Josslyn says, maybe they should find him, when Lucy comes in. She says, there they are. What are they doing? Why are they not in costume? Josslyn says, they’re not on for another twenty minutes, but Lucy says, they’re on now. Come. Go change. Run like the wind.

Chase says, it’s not his story to tell, and Olivia says, Brook had a baby? When? This is family they’re talking about. Is it true or not? Chase says, yes, and she says, yes what? He says, yes, Brook had a child in high school with Dante, but they need to talk to Brook. Ned asks what he means. Where did Gio get the idea they were his parents? Clearly Chase knew and was sitting on this. Chase says he has no idea. For all he knows, Gio is just as confused as the rest of them. Sonny says he bets he knows who could clear this up, and Olivia says, not Lois… She was the first one to run out after him. Sonny says, Lois has to know something. He’s sure of it.

Dante asks how Cody knows about this, and Cody says he’s known since that summer. That’s why Brook left camp early. She was pregnant. Dante says, she went to Cody? and Cody says, she needed a ride to the bus and he took her. She was freaking out. Dante says, because she was pregnant with his kid and Cody knew about this and didn’t tell him. They were supposed to be best friends. Why didn’t Cody tell him? Cody says, Brook swore him to secrecy. It’s not a great excuse, but he didn’t know what to do. He was young and stupid. When he didn’t hear anything else about it, he assumed she’d terminated the pregnancy. So what was the point in telling Dante? Dante says, she had the baby, his baby, and Cody says he just found that out yesterday, he swears. Dante says, and that baby was… is Gio, and Cody nods. Dante says, Gio Palmieri is his son, and Cody says, yeah. Dante says his brain is short circuiting, and Cody says he doesn’t blame him. Dante says, Gio is still the little kid lighting sparklers at the 4th of July block party. That was his boy. Cody says, yeah, and Dante asks if Brook knew. Cody says he doesn’t know. Dante has to ask her.

Lucas says, Elizabeth was watching the Nurses Ball? and she says, of course (🍷). The nurses were fantastic and knew she was there in spirit. Lucas says his spirit is there too, but it’s staying off the stage and completely dressed this year. She says, speaking of being dressed, isn’t he overdressed? He says he was working and heard she’d be home because of her injured wheel, so he thought he’d bring the Nurses Ball to her. She says sorry to disappoint him, but she’s not changing, and she won’t look as hot as he does. He takes out a paper crown and puts it on her head and says, there it is. It works on her. She has the perfect head for the camera. She tells him that she’s been saying that all her life, and he says he’s sorry he doesn’t have one for Lucky. She says, Lucky stepped out to run an errand. She’ll fill him in on everything he missed. She’s sure he’s not in a hurry to get back. He’s missing out. Lucas asks if she’s on medication, and she says, no. He says, then she’s not missing out, and he pours the champagne. 

Tracy says, teaming up with Drew was inspired, and Jason says, until it wasn’t. Look at where she is. She says she has no regrets about what she did, but Drew is going to regret what he did to her. Mac comes in and says he doesn’t know how she does it, but Diane worked her magic again. As soon as Tracy signs off, she’s free to go. Tracy goes into the squad room with Mac, and Jason gets on the phone. He asks what they need him to do.

Tracy signs the paperwork and says Mac is lucky she’s not suing the entire department. He says, for what? and she says, false arrest springs to mind. Anyone with a brain can see she was framed. He says, she might want to get a move on unless she wants him to arrest her again for harassment. She asks who she’s harassing, and he says, she’s looking at him. Jason comes out, and Mac says, good. He’s here. He’d say he was going to miss Tracy, but… She says, the feeling is mutual, and tells Jason to take her home. He says he can’t. She’ll have to find another ride. She says, what? and he says he’s got someplace to be. She says, someone’s got to take her home, but Mac says, they’re not a taxi service. Although she happens to be in luck. The number 8 bus stops out front. He leaves.

Lulu and Carly go into the ladies’ room, and Carly asks how Gio found out. Did Lulu tell him? Lulu says, no. She would never do that. Carly says, but… and Lulu says, but she did confront Lois in one of the dressing rooms. It’s possible Gio overheard. She’s got to find Dante. Carly asks, why? It doesn’t matter how Gio found out. At this point, they both know the truth and it’s what Lulu wanted all along. Lulu says, not like this, and Carly says, Dante needs to learn the truth, but he needs to hear it from the people who were actually involved. That means Lois and Brook, not her. She needs to calm down. She set this train in motion and needs to get off the track before she gets leveled. Carly heads for the door, and Lulu asks where she’s going. Carly says she’s going to watch her daughter perform. She suggests Lulu do the same, but the decision is hers. She leaves.

Olivia tells Sonny that Lois is her best friend. How could Lois not let her know they share a grandchild? How could she not let any of them know? Dante comes by and asks if they know where Brook is. Did Sonny know about this? Did Olivia? Olivia says, none of them knew. This is crazy. Dante says, it’s a lot to take in right now, but he has to find Brook. Sonny says, no one knows where she went, and Dante asks if she didn’t tell Chase. Chase says, no, and Dante leaves. Chase starts to follow, but Sonny stops him. Chase says he can’t let his wife go through this alone, but Sonny says, it’s not just about Brook anymore. It’s about Dante too. Ned says, they have to let them hash it out. Does Chase understand what he’s saying?

Lucy gets back on stage and says, see? It’s back? It’s fine. Everything is fine. It’s going to be more than fine. It’s going to be fabulous. The next act is especially powerful and by two PCU students. You know how people say, what’s wrong with kids today? These are two perfect examples of what’s exactly right – Trina Robinson and Josslyn Jax. There’s applause and Trina and Josslyn sing a duet, I’ll Be with You. When they finish, there’s lots of applause and a standing ovation. They hug.

Elizabeth says, it’s more fun to watch with someone else, and Lucas agrees. She asks if he wishes he was there, but he says he doesn’t know. She says, as she recalls, Brad proposed to him at the Nurses Ball. He says, Brad did. And as he remembers, Ric proposed to her at one as well. Elizabeth says, and Carly shared an insight or two with the entire audience, and he says, some things never change. She says, and some things do, and Lucas says, to friends who we love. She says, to friends who love you. They clink glasses and she says, the kids are performing the last song, and he says, yeah, per tradition. His initial instinct was to go watch them perform, but then it hit him. It’s not his job to sit in the audience and fawn over Wiley. She says, they’re in a private living room and he can gush all he wants if he wants. He says, buckle up. It’s going to be a night to remember since they’re in a private living room. She says, they can say all the inappropriate comments they want that they couldn’t say if they were there, and he says, that doesn’t sound like the Elizabeth Baldwin he knows… Like what? She says, the kids are going to be so off-key. Tracy got arrested on the red carpet and she wonders if they had to use a taser. Lucas says he’s just hearing about it now. He’s so glad he came. She says her too. 

Backstage, Portia and Curtis applaud Trina, and Portia says, she was wonderful on stage. Curtis says, it was an amazing performance. She never sounded better. He’s seen a lot of acts at The Savoy, and she and Josslyn killed it. Kai says, her dad is right. She blew him away. It was the best act of the night. Portia says, hands down, and Kai gives Trina a bouquet. Curtis says, nothing can top her and Josslyn tonight, and Kai says, no way. Portia says, that’s why they’re heading home, and Trina asks if everything is okay. Portia says, everything’s fine. It’s just been a long day, and they have work tomorrow. Curtis says, obviously, Trina should stay, and Portia says, have fun and socialize. Trina says she loves them, and Curtis says, they love her too. They leave, and Trina thanks Kai for coming. He says he wouldn’t miss it. Now can he get her autograph? They kiss. In the hallway, Curtis thanks Portia for making it easy, and she says she didn’t want to ruin Trina’s night. Look at how happy she is.

Carly tells Josslyn that their performance was so good, and Josslyn says Lucy begged them to go on early. They were supposed to go on after Anna and Chase’s performance. Then Gio did whatever Gio did. What does she even call that? Carly says she doesn’t know. It was awful. You would have never known Josslyn and Trina were put on the spot. They were amazing and she’s so proud. Josslyn thanks her and says she can’t stop thinking about Gio. It feels awful. And if he’s right, then what? Sonny is his grandfather? Willow and Drew approach, and Willow says they’d like to talk to Carly for a second. Drew says, preferably in private, and Josslyn asks if Carly is all right. Carly says, yeah, and Josslyn leaves. Willow says she wants to end this terrible fight over the kids. It’s not good for anyone, especially Wiley and Amelia. Drew says they want a peaceful path moving forward. That’s why they’re willing to find common ground. He guesses the question is, is Carly?

Olivia says she’s got to find Dante, and Sonny says he knows Dante is hurting, but Dante doesn’t want to hear what he has to say. She says, Dante heard what he had to say. This is life altering, relationship changing, never going to be the same kind of huge. He says, they have to let their son handle things himself. He knows where to find them if he needs support. The same goes for Chase and Brook. They know where to find them. What they need to do is go back into the ballroom and distract their minds. Let the kids do what they’re going to do. Olivia leaves with Sonny, and Ned says he’s right behind her. He says, clearly, Brook confided in Chase and for that, he’s grateful. Chase says, Ned wants to know why she didn’t tell him the truth, and Ned says he’s her father. Did she think she couldn’t trust him with that?

Drew says, Carly knows they have the upper hand when it comes to the custody hearing, but Carly says she doesn’t believe that at all. Drew says, now who’s being delusional? He and Willow talked and really want to try and find a compromise. Carly says, it would be nice if Willow could speak for herself, and Drew says, they’re a unit. (We are Borg.) Carly says she knows. The whole ballroom knows. But the kids are Willow and Michael’s, not his. Willow says she and Drew believe that together they can come up with a custody arrangement that satisfies both sides. Carly says, great. Joint custody. Willow tells her to be realistic, but Carly says she is being realistic. Willow says, they’re willing to let Michael have the kids every other weekend, and Drew says, plus two weeks in the summer. Carly says, really? and Drew says, that way, if they move to Washington, it won’t be as much burden on the kids. Carly asks if Willow agrees with moving Wiley and Amelia to DC. And don’t get her started on Drew. Scout just lost her mother, but they’re going to take her away from her remaining family. Drew says they’re the only family Scout needs, and Willow says she never intended to take the kids away from Michael. They love their father. Carly says she knows that, and Drew says, it’s a fair deal. Carly says she’ll see him in court, and Willow leaves. Drew tells Carly that she can’t say they didn’t try, and she says he may want to run after Willow, but grab some tissues first. He says, the best part about this is when she loses Michael’s kids, he’s only going to have her to blame. He walks away.

Ned says he feels terrible about what Brook had to go through. He had no idea. Chase says, he couldn’t, but Ned says he should have. He could have been there for his little girl. My God. Going through pregnancy and labor at that age, then giving the child up for adoption. Imagine what she went through and how it affected her emotionally. He knows he needs to talk to Brook. chase says, Brook is his daughter, and she loves him so much. She agonized about keeping that part of her life from him. He thinks she thought the truth might hurt Ned. Ned asked if that was really what Brook thought or what Lois made Brook think.

Lucy said, good news, everybody! We did it. We broke our fundraising record. There’s applause and she says, awareness and support for HIV/AIDS research is amazing. She thanks all of them. She’s proud to be a part of all of them. She thanks the amazing performers and the incredible hard-working crew and all the people who did the tiny jobs that made this night possible. Give themselves a round of applause. She thanks them again.

Lucas comes out with a plate of baked goods and says he can’t believe Elizabeth has all these lying around. She says, Aiden is always perfecting his craft, and he says, that kid has a gift. What else did he miss while he was working and driving over. Did anyone faceplant on the red carpet? She says, just Tracy’s arrest and the Quartermaines have a new family member. He asks if someone gave birth on stage, and she says, not exactly. The show comes back on, and Lucy sits in the audience.  

Lucy says she’s very excited for the last performance of five up and comers. It’s special because as they close out this wonderful evening it reminds all of them of what’s truly important. Please enjoy. Georgie, Scout, Wiley, James, and Donna come out, and Elizabeth says, how cute. Lucas says, the cutest, and the kids sing I’ll Be There, cutest kid in the world Donna starting them off. The song ends and there’s applause. Suddenly, Wiley says, daddy! and nuMichael walks toward the stage. Wiley runs to him, and Michael picks him up. Everyone is totally shocked, as one always is at the Nurses Ball, but they’ve outdone themselves this year. Michael looks at Willow, and says, come on, buddy. We’re going home. He walks out carrying Wiley.

Alrighty then.

On Monday, Cody tells Lulu that he doesn’t know if they made the right call; Kai asks if Trina is sure she wants to do this; Emma says she’s not trying to stop Gio, she’s going with him; and Brook says what Lois did was unforgiveable.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit to Print…

The die has officially been cast. We’re moving on.

I still can’t get over his performance.

https://parade.com/news/does-gio-on-general-hospital-really-play-violin

A major part of the Nurses Ball. Why can’t we all have that T-shirt… sniff…

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I’m not even pretending to watch this. Too boatmancy. I’m saving myself for the OG Decks.

The Valley

Is it me, or do all these people look alike? Other than Brittany. Luke looked at a $14K engagement ring for Kristen. When Danny said it made a statement, Luke said the statement was that he had more money than he did. That much for an engagement ring is insane to me. Unless you actually are a millionaire, why? A good portion of the episode revolved around the discussion of Danny being an alcoholic. My jury’s out, but unless it’s an obvious problem, I’m not too keen on making those judgements.

Summer House

The best part about the finale is that the Jesse/Lexi saga is put to rest – for now anyway – and no more Toegate. Although I’m sure all that will be rehashed at the Reunion. The show finally caught up to real life news with Paige and Craig breaking up. No surprise that Craig was a big baby about the whole thing. Hey, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Get over it and move on. I do love a costume party and there was a huge party with a spooky theme. The specifics were unclear, but it looked Halloween-ish. Lots of gravestone decorations and such. Amanda had zombie contacts which were pretty cool.

Thumbs down on the wardrobe overall.

He’s dead to her.

Random Reality Items

I’m with Melissa. Just make a damn decision already.

Her lawyers are probably exhausted.

You can’t fire me; I quit.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Crimes of the Future. Hulu. I’d wanted to see this when it came out, figured I’d wait for streaming, and then forgot about it. It’s another one you might not want to eat dinner while watching, but it’s Cronenberg, so what else would you expect? Taking place in a grim future world, new organs spontaneously grow in random people. It’s some sort of evolution, but it’s not clear whether it could actually be beneficial in the long run. A sort-of cult has turned it all into performance art and murders abound. The whole thing is rather weird and depressing, but the special effects were amazing, as was to be expected. I’m not sorry I watched it, but I doubt I’d watch it again. If you’re a fan of Cronenberg, this is definitely for you.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/crimes-of-the-future-movie-review-2022

Well, I didn’t think it was that disturbing.  

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14673037/Disturbing-horror-film-caused-mass-crowds-people-walk-screening-set-air-BBC.html

I’m still waiting for The Substance to come to more mainstream streaming.

https://www.cbr.com/body-horror-movie-like-the-substance/#thread

Nonnas. Netflix. On the other end of the spectrum, this is a tug at your heartstrings, feel good, mostly true story that made me want to move to Staten Island. I loved the cast and it brought me back to the days of Sunday dinners in my Aunt Agnes and Uncle Jimmy’s home – Italian and Lithuanian food for days on the table. It was feel good without being saccharin, and I just loved it.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/nonnas-movie-review-2025

https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/vince-vaughn-called-his-netflix-hit-nonnas-outlaw-movie

Con Mum. Netflix. I love a true crime story and this one didn’t disappoint. A documentary about a con artist who conned her own son, it has twists and turns, and I have to admit, at one point I wondered if it was possible she was telling the truth. It’s not a story I was familiar with beforehand, so that’s always a plus. It also makes you wonder what you’d actually fall for. I’d like to think I was smarter than that, but you never know until you’re in it.

https://people.com/where-are-graham-hornigold-and-dionne-now-con-mum-11704400

🪤 Will Wait For You…

Coming for sure, I think, June 27th.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-three-theory

Hopefully, the apocalypse doesn’t come before Season 2.

https://deadline.com/2025/05/fallout-renewed-season-3-prime-video-1236394147/

I still haven’t finished Season 3 yet, but I’m in.

https://deadline.com/2025/05/yellowjackets-renewed-season-4-showtime-paramount-plus-1236405285/

🎉 Business In the Front, Party In the Tail…

🐈‍⬛ I’m sure I’ve spent money on worse things and kudos for helping a shelter while she’s at it. Love the cake!

https://people.com/15-year-old-cat-gets-lavish-quinceanera-exclusive-11740275

🐶 That one led to this one. Admittedly, it’s a big chunk of change, but if I had that kind of money, I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same. Hey, don’t judge.

https://people.com/pets/gabriel-iglesias-throws-100k-quinceanera-for-his-chihuahua-risa/

🐕 They stole my idea.

https://people.com/animal-shelter-holds-puppy-prom-for-rescue-dogs-11738785

🪻 Quotes of the Week

It doesn’t have to be the ten year plan. Just the next step. – Kristen Kish, Top Chef

To bear defeat with dignity, to accept criticism with poise, to receive honors with humility — these are marks of maturity and graciousness. – William Arthur Ward

Sometimes all you need is a ticket to Disneyland. – Jamal Menzies, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé, The Last Resort

Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions. – Albert Einstein

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into visible. – Tony Robbins

I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear. – Rosa Parks

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Aim for the middle. You’ll never miss. – Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen), Deadpool & Wolverine

Remembering those who served on Memorial Day.

❤️‍🩹 Hope In Valor…

Until next week, stay safe; stay never leaving a lit grill unattended; and stay letting the truth be told by those actually involved.

December 13, 2024 – Another Patient Flatlines At GH, Soap Suds, VanderLockUp, Extra Charm, More Pilaf Please, Practically 10 Quotes & Hollis

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

The restaurant manager tells Ava that her card has been declined. Does she have another card she’d like to try? Ava says she doesn’t understand. These cards should definitely work. Ric says, what about his? and the manager says, the second card Ric gave him has also been declined. Ava says, what is going on? and the manager says, they have a $179 bill before gratuities and now it seems they have no way to pay.

Dante and two other officers kick in the door at Windymere and find Lulu in the living room. She raises her hands and says, don’t shoot, officer. She smiles at Dante.

At the Quartermaines’, everyone is cheering the game, when Tracy turns it off. She says, it’s giving her a headache, and they yell for her to turn it back on. She messes with the phone and brings up the video of Willow and Drew getting busy instead. Everyone is shocked, but Tracy laughs out loud and Ned chuckles. Drew says, turn it off, but Tracy says, oh no. Let it play.

Drew shuts off the TV, and Ned says, they’d all thought he’d sunk as low as possible when he kissed Willow. Little did they know he was having sex with her, his nephew’s wife, in his daughter’s nursery. His father would be so proud. Drew tells him, back off. It’s none of his business. Ned says, Drew made it his business when he did that in this house, and Olivia says, that’s enough. Willow looks sick, and Tracy tells Nina, her daughter sleeping with the man she’s gotten so close to must really sting. Josslyn wonders how Willow could do that to Michael, and Trina says she didn’t think Drew was the kind of guy to mess with a married woman. Gio says, wait until Uncle Sonny hears about this. Drew is a dead man.

The manager asks if there’s another card Ric would like to try, but Ric says he’s down to his library card. The manager says he’s sure someday they’ll all look back on this and laugh, but today is not that day. Ric says he already made a few purchases against the check Ava gave him and now he’s overdrawn. (Seriously? He has no money saved?) He asks if there’s another form of payment they can accept. Maybe they can do dishes. Ava says she doesn’t wash dishes at home. She’s certainly not going to do them here. The manager says, maybe it’s time for him to call the police and have them sort it out, but Ava says, that’s not going to be necessary. It’s not a simple case of dine and dash here, especially not in these shoes. The manager says, they’re quite nice, but they won’t cover the bill, and Ava says, there’s been a bit of an unexpected hiccup here. They’ve called some people. Please just give them a little bit more time. Lucas walks in and says he got here as soon as he could. What’s going on? The manager says, his friends have run up quite a large bill and have no way to pay for it. He’s hoping that’s what Lucas is here for. Lucas hands him a credit card, and the manager says, hopefully, this one will go through. He leaves, and Lucas says, please tell him this isn’t why Ava had him rush over here.

Dante tells the officers that they can holster their weapons and asks them to hit the lights. He knows who this is. She’s only a danger to herself, maybe. Lulu says, hilarious, and Dante says he’s got this. He’ll see them back at the station. And call Windymere’s alarm company. Tell them that everything is working fine. It’s a false alarm. One of the officers says, they’ll call when they get back to the boat, and Dante asks him to send the boat back for them. They leave, and Dante says, no broken glass anywhere. How did she get in? She says, he knows her dad taught her how to pick locks before he taught her how to ride a bike, and he asks what she’s doing here. She knows there’s nothing but bad memories in this place. She says, Valentin and Charlotte lived here. She’s praying they left something behind that will help her find them, because she’s going to find her daughter and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop her.

Josslyn, Gio, and Trina go into the foyer, and Josslyn says she doesn’t really want to leave, but Trina says she thinks it’s best that they let the people involved talk. Josslyn says, but he’s her brother, and Trina says, yes, and he might need her later. For now, she thinks it’s best if they stay out here. Gio says he agrees with Trina, and Josslyn sighs and says, fine.

Carly hugs Michael, and Tracy says, Drew is every bit as despicable as she thought he was. Drew tells her to get off her moral high horse. Everyone knows her precious Ned slept with his aunt while she was still married. Ned says he had no idea Monica was his aunt when he slept with her, and Drew asks if he had any idea he was married to Lois when he and Kathryn Bell tied the knot. Ned says, that was a long time ago and Lois forgave him, and Drew says, that was her mistake. Brook tells him to keep her mother’s name out of his mouth. She’s not here to defend herself, but she can get Lois on the phone if he’d like to hear how she feels. Chase says, it’s probably best if no one calls anyone right now, and Brook says, fine, but if Drew says one more word about her mom… Ned says, the golden boy, thinking he was better than everyone else. Oh how the mighty have fallen – right on top of his nephew’s wife. Drew says, if he has to tell Ned to back off one more time, it’s going to get ugly, but Tracy says she thinks they passed ugly right around the time they saw Willow on top of him. Willow goes over to Michael and says, everyone else was shocked. He’s the one who took that video, isn’t he?

Michael says, Willow is right. He recorded it, accidentally. He wanted to check on the new nanny they hired, so he bought a nanny cam. He got a notification on his phone about activity in the nursery and when he checked his phone, that’s what he saw. She says she was with Drew that one time, on the day that Sam died, which means he’s had that video for weeks. Why did he play it now in front of everyone? She starts to cry and asks, why did he do this? Carly says she’s sorry, but Willow is cheating on Michael and trying to make it seem like it’s his fault? After everything he’s done for her, how could she treat him like this? Michael says, let him handle this, but Carly says she’s not going to let Willow try to gaslight him into thinking it’s his fault. Willow says, that’s not what she’s doing. She knows she was wrong. She gave in to her feelings for Drew and she regrets it more than she can say. But Michael has known she and Drew slept together for weeks, and he didn’t say anything. Why? Michael says, because he wanted to wait until after the holidays. He wanted the kids to have one more Christmas together as a family.

Ava thanks Lucas for coming and says she’s so sorry she had to call him. It really was an emergency. Lucas says, an emergency is when someone has a heart attack, not when you can’t pay for dinner, and Ava says, that very judgmental man Lucas just gave his credit card to was about to call the police. She was just acquitted of killing a baby. She can’t have any more run-ins with the law. Lucas says, that makes sense, when the manager comes back. He gives Lucas back his card, thanks him, and says, his card went through without a hitch. He leaves, and Ava asks if Lucas would like to stay and help them finish this dinner he so generously paid for. Lucas says, normally, he hates being a third wheel, but he didn’t have a chance to eat when he was at the hospital, so he’s going to take her up on that. He pulls a chair over and asks the manager if he can get a menu and another bottle of champagne. The manager holds out his hand, and Lucas says, oh, getting his card out again. The manager says, of course (🍷), sir, and Lucas sits down.

Dante tells Lulu, no other people have lived here since Valentin and Charlotte. (Huh? Weren’t Nikolas and Ava the last ones who lived there?) He’s sure whatever was theirs is long gone by now. She says, he’s probably right, but she’s going to tear this house apart board by board if there’s even the slightest chance of something that can help her find her daughter. He says, maybe don’t tell the cop about the future crimes she’s planning on committing, and she says, he’s off the hook. She’s already searched Windymere’s poorly maintained and not so secret tunnels. She didn’t find anything. He says he gets it. They all have someone they love so much, they’re willing to do anything for them. Even coming back to a place that gives you nightmares. She says, people make all kinds of sacrifices for love. Some people care about someone so much, they’re willing to do anything for them, even give their own life if it comes down to it. He says, doesn’t he know it, and she says she’s so sorry. He must hate her so much.

Dante says he doesn’t hate Lulu. He never could. Why would she say something like that? She says, Lucky told her about Sam being her donor, and he says he wanted to tell her about that. It was just crazy. There was a lot going on and she woke up with no warning. She says, her waking up from a four-year coma required a warning? and he says, it would have been good to get a heads up. He could have prepared things like clothes, and food, and Rocco. She says she was so focused on how weird everything was for her. She’s sorry. She didn’t even think about how crazy it was for him and Rocco. He says, crazy doesn’t even scratch the surface. When he saw her, he wanted to ask her a lot of things. There were a lot of things he wanted to tell her. She says, he must have been overwhelmed. She was. But she appreciates him not dumping four years of life on her all at once. He says he wanted to tell her about Sam, and she says she understands why he didn’t. It would have been hard to handle learning that Sam died saving her while her head was spinning. But she knows that now and it’s obvious how much Sam loved him. He says, she did, but she didn’t help Lulu because of him and Rocco. That’s just who she was. She says, his expression changes when he talks about her. It’s also obvious how much he loved Sam. He says he still does. He just can’t believe she’s gone. But he wants her to know he’s happy she’s awake, and it’s just really challenging to balance that with losing Sam. She puts her hand on his arm and says she knows he and Rocco are grieving. And she understands what her waking up cost Sam… and him.

Josslyn says she already knows how this is going to play out. Michael is just going to forgive Willow for cheating on him. Trina says, it’s Michael’s life. He’s the only one who gets to choose how he handles this. Josslyn says she doesn’t want to see him get hurt again. She’s got to get out of here. She can’t look at Drew’s smug face anymore. She’s going to see Dex in the hospital. She leaves, and Gio says he thinks he’s had enough of this Quartermaine party time too. He’s going to go practice now. Trina says she’s probably going to work on her Art History project… On second thought, does he still have that all-access stadium pass he got when he was playing the National Anthem earlier? He says, yeah. Why?

Chase, Brook, and Sasha walk into the nook, Sasha carrying a plate of hors d’oeuvres. She puts it on the table and says, might as well dig in. Chase says, thanks, and Brook says, that was quite a party. She really thought Drew was different, but he’s really living up to the Quartermaine name. Chase asks what she means, and Brook says, fidelity isn’t exactly a top priority for the Quartermaines and they sleep with people they’re not married to. Not her. Obviously. She takes Chase’s arm and says, lucky for him, loyalty and fidelity mean everything to the Cerullos and she’s a Cerullo through and through. He says he’s glad, but he wasn’t worried in the least. Because he knows her and what kind of person she is and he has complete faith in her. They kiss and he says he has been thinking about something though. Maybe he and Sasha shouldn’t have played God with Michael and Willow’s lives all those years ago. Maybe Michael and Willow were never meant to be together.

Willow says she wanted the same thing, one more Christmas as a family. She was going to tell Michael after. Carly says, well, thank God Tracy spared her from having to tell Michael that she slept with his uncle, and Olivia says, okay. They can all stop judging each other. There are no saints in this room. Carly says, is she kidding? What if it were Dante whose life was blown apart? Olivia says she thinks Michael can speak for himself, and Carly says, Willow had an amazing life with Michael. He supported her career. He took care of her when she was sick. He gave her a family and she threw it away. Willow walks out, and Carly tells Drew, and you, you son of a bitch. She knew Jason had a reason for going after him. Jason knew he slept with Willow, didn’t he? He finally found someone who would put him first, even if it meant destroying a family. She hopes it was worth it. He says he’s not going to talk about this in front of the entire family, and Tracy laughs. She says, but he was willing to sleep with Willow in this house where anyone could have walked in on them. He involved them in his tawdriness, so he doesn’t get to keep anything private. Ned says, she’s right, and Tracy says, even his father Alan, with his terrible taste in women and string of sordid affairs, never would have stooped this low. He never would have slept with his nephew’s wife.

Carly goes upstairs, and Drew says, this wasn’t anything that he planned. A woman he once loved, the mother of his child, had just died (getting out my tiny violin) and he was a wreck. He was falling apart and Willow reached out to him. Ned says, I’ll say she did, and Drew says, shut your damn mouth. What happened between him and Willow is between them. It’s none of his damn business. Tracy says she thinks they already determined that it is, and Drew says, just stay out of his life. Please. She says, gladly. And by the way, she thinks he should move to DC now, because once Monica finds out that he slept with Michael’s wife, she’s going to kick him out. And they’re going to leak the video and show the whole world what a low life he is. Drew says, they can do whatever they want to him. Just don’t hurt Willow. Michael says, so now he’s worried about how his actions will affect Willow.

Sasha says she doesn’t see it that way. Michael and Willow wouldn’t have been together this long if there wasn’t something real between them. Chase says, that’s true, and Sasha says she really tries not to judge people and doesn’t want to think badly of Willow, but she’s really struggling to understand why she would cheat on Michael with Drew. Brook says she was shocked too, but he did save Willow’s life by bringing Leisl Obrecht back to Port Charles. It had to change the way she feels about him. Sasha says, that’s understandable, but Willow has this starry-eyed view of Drew. If Drew was the decent guy he wants everyone to think he is, he would have been flattered and left it at that. Brook says, Willow’s a big girl. She’s responsible for her actions too. Chase says, there’s plenty of blame to go around here. Sasha says, none of it is Michael’s, or her and Chase’s for something they did years ago.

Dante says he should have told Lulu about Sam a lot sooner. He’s sorry about that. He didn’t want it to affect her health negatively. She says, he has nothing to feel guilty about, and he says, not about Sam, but he messed up when she went into that coma. She asks, how? and he says he didn’t keep Rocco and Charlotte together. He just let Valentin take her. She says, that would have been next to impossible to get custody of Charlotte. Remember how hard they fought the first time? And she wouldn’t have been there to help. He says, yeah. Valentin is her father, and she wanted to be with him. She says, none of this is his fault. It’s Valentin’s. He manipulated Charlotte so she would never want to get to know the Spencer side of the family. He says his mom kept her close to the Spencers, and she says she’s glad Valentin at least allowed that to happen. But he’s still keeping the fact that she’s awake away from her daughter. She hates that, because of him, she can’t tell Charlotte that she loves her. It does feel like a piece of her is missing without Charlotte here. He says, they’re both going through a lot right now. He’s grieving Sam. He’s going to be doing that the rest of his life. But right now, she’s looking for Charlotte and that’s what’s important right now. So if she wants to tear Windymere apart top to bottom, he’s here to do that with her.

At the stadium, a reporter congratulates Tai on the PCU victory and says, but for most of the game, it looked like a stunning defeat. How did he pull off this win? Kai says, a lot of credit goes to their offensive line. Their defense is great too. They kept him in the game until he could figure out a way to get the ball into the endzone. The reporter says, he certainly did that. Congratulations again and good luck in the upcoming Bowl game. Kai thanks him, and the reporter says, that’s quarterback Kai, taking PCU to their first Bowl game ever. He and Kai shake hands, he thanks Kai and leaves with the camera crew. Kai sees Trina and asks if he should alert security that there’s an intruder in the tunnels. She says, very funny, but no. Her friend just played the National Anthem and gave her his pass. He says, the guy with the violin. He was amazing. Trina says, that’s sweet. She’ll tell him that Kai said that. Kai says, please do. He didn’t expect to see her today, especially not down here. She says she just came to congratulate him, and he says, on their Art History project? She says, no, but she did read what he sent her, and she thought it was amazing. She came to congratulate him on the game. He says he thought football wasn’t her thing, and she says, it wasn’t, but she watched it with some people who are totally into it and they were losing it over his performance. And that was just in someone’s living room, so she can’t imagine what it’s like when he’s playing in an actual stadium. He says, it’s very, very loud, and she says she bets. He had a lot of people rooting for him and he was amazing.

Josslyn comes out of the hospital elevator and doesn’t see anyone around. She hears beeping and Isaiah asking for vitals and saying, continue chest compressions. She goes to Dex’s room and listens at the door. She opens it and sees Isaiah using the defibrillator on Dex. Anna comes up behind Josslyn and says, come with me.

Kai says he was just doing his thing, and Trina says, maybe, but his thing is incredibly difficult. She’s been really hard on him and she’s sorry. He says, no. She’s been calling him out on things he needed to be called out on. He’s glad she held him to high standards. Because of her, he looked into his class schedule and discovered things he never would have known. So he’s grateful actually. She says, that’s nice considering she guilted him into staying up all night and working on their project. He was so exhausted, he almost got killed on the field today. She’s sorry. He says, that’s not why he didn’t play well for most of the game. Llanview’s defensive ends are some of the best in the league. They did a good job of keeping PCU’s offense from finding its rhythm. She says, it all sounds like gibberish to her, and he says he remembers. Football’s not her thing. She says, it isn’t, but she’d like to learn more about it today. Starting with everything he just said. Something about defensive enders? He says, defensive ends, and she says, sounds like a good place to start.

Anna tells Josslyn that she stopped by to check on Dex. When she got to his room, they were already working on him. Josslyn says, but she was just talking to him on the phone. Like, just now. They were talking and laughing and joking. Anna says, when she just talked to him, he was fine too, and Josslyn says, maybe it’s a reaction to one of his medications. Maybe he’s in anaphylactic shock. He could have a blood clot. They were using the defibrillator which has to do with the heart. Anna says, they’re just guessing right now. The best thing to do – she knows it’s hard – is to wait for his doctor to come out and tell them. Josslyn says, yeah, but seeing him like that… Anna suggests they just focus on him having the best of care. She’s going to call Josslyn’s mom. She starts to make the call, and Josslyn says, Dex is so young and healthy. She was told that the injury wasn’t even that serious, so he’s going to be fine. He’s recovered from a lot worse. So he’s going to be fine now. She knows he’s going to be fine. Anna puts down the phone and smooths Josslyn’s hair.

Ava thanks Lucas for rushing over. She’s going to pay him back as soon as she gets things straightened out with her bank. Lucas asks if she’s having problems with them, and she says she assumes so. She’s waiting for a call back from her business manager. Everything was fine yesterday. Now her credit cards don’t work, her debit cards don’t work, nothin’. Ric says his accounts are frozen too. Probably because the check Ava gave him for his legal services bounced. (I’m not getting how Ric has no money other than that check.) Lucas asks if Ava thinks her identity was stolen. That’s been happening a lot these days. Ava says, who on earth would want her identity right now? She’s so sorry she disrupted Lucas’s night. She’s sure he has better things to do than come here. He says he had plans, but she seemed desperate, and he had the feeling he wasn’t her first call. She says, he wasn’t, but he’s the only one who came.

Lulu and Dante walk into the living room, Dante carrying a box. She says she knew she’d find something to lead her to Charlotte, but he tells her not to get her hopes up. She says, that’s the Cassadine crest, and he says, it is, but this could belong to Nikolas or Victor or Spencer. Ava lived here. This could be hers. She says, that’s why they have to get it open, and she knows he’s curious about what’s in there too. He says he guesses he wouldn’t mind seeing, and she picks the lock. She says, got it, and opens the box. She takes out a sparkly top and smells it. She says, this was Charlotte’s, and holds it to her chest. She takes out a toy horse and says she got Charlotte this. She loves horses and she wanted to get Charlotte one that she could carry around and play with. She searched all over for the perfect gift because she wanted Charlotte to like her. She just left it here. He says he thinks she’s looking at it the wrong way. She kept it. It’s got to mean something.

Nina and Willow go into the gatehouse, and Nina says, Willow can stay at her place for the night, or maybe a few nights. Willow says she doesn’t think she can do this. She doesn’t want to take Wiley and Amelia away from Michael, not without telling him first. Nina says, listen to her. They have to play this smart, really smart. Michael is one of the richest, most powerful men in the state. He has connections on both sides of the law. He is a Quartermaine and a Spencer and a Corinthos. All those people are going to take his side and go against her. This is going to get ugly. Willow says, Michael would never do anything to hurt his children, and Nina says, he’d do everything to protect them. Willow says, from her? and Nina says, this is war. If Willow wants any chance of getting custody or even seeing her children ever again, she’ll go get them right now.

Michael says, the time to worry about Willow would have been before Drew slept with her, and Tracy says, Michael’s right. Where was Drew’s concern when he was playing footsie with Michael’s wife? Drew tells them that he’s just saying he doesn’t want Willow dragged into a scandal. He doesn’t want Scout to read about this online when she’s still grieving her mother. Olivia says she agrees with Drew, and Tracy asks if she’s out of her mind. Olivia says, that footage goes public, it only hurts innocent people, and Tracy says, that footage didn’t look innocent to her. Olivia says she’s talking about the kids. Amelia and Wiley, and as Drew just pointed out, Scout just lost her mother. She’s gone through more than any human should have to go through. If this gets out, she will certainly hear about it, and it’s the last thing that kid needs. Whatever blowback Drew deserves, the children do not deserve this, and Tracy knows she’s right. She and Tracy leave, and Drew tells Michael that he knows how badly this footage could play out. For him, absolutely, but for everyone. That’s out of his hands now. It’s up to Michael.

Kai teaches Trina some football stuff, and she says she wants to learn. That way, she’ll know what people are talking about the next time she watches a game. He says, so there’s going to be a next time? She says, yeah, sure, and he says, she’s just in time. They only have one more game and it’s going to be a big one. She says, bigger than this one? and he says, way bigger. The Bowl game. She says she’s not missing that. What’s a Bowl game? He says, just watch and she’ll see, and she says, okay. She kind of wanted to talk to him about something. She really thinks they should do the presentation together. So is the extension still a possibility?

Chase says, when Willow left him for Michael, he was so angry and jealous of him. He thought Michael got everything and he was left with nothing. Sasha says, breakups are hard, and he says, they are, but that wasn’t his point. He was wrong to think he’d never fall in love again. He didn’t realize how wrong – he takes Brook’s hand – until he met Brook. Willow is great, but she wasn’t right for him. He couldn’t see that until he found the person who was. Brook is perfect for him and she always will be. Brook says, right back at him.

Ava’s phone ding-a-lings and she says she’s still getting alerts. She doesn’t have any more credit cards to cancel… It seems she has had something stolen. Just not her identity. She hands Ric her phone and says, please tell her this isn’t saying what she thinks it’s saying. Lucas asks what it says, and she tells him that her entire divorce settlement from Nikolas, the Cassadines have taken it back.

Josslyn asks Anna, what’s taking so long? They should have heard by now. Isaiah comes out of Dex’s room, and Josslyn asks, how’s Dex? He says he’s sorry. They did everything they could. Dex didn’t make it. Josslyn says, what?

The monitor is on flatline, and it’s turned off. Elizabeth removes the tubes attached to Dex and says, this isn’t right. He’s the second person to die like this. It just doesn’t make any sense. Something very wrong is going on here.

Lulu says, they should get going, and Dante says he’d love to, but they’ve got to wait for the boat. She says, islands. They’re a real pain in the butt sometimes. He says, especially this one, and she says, it’s stuffy in here. Does he want to wait outside and get some fresh air? She picks up the box and he asks if she’s kidding him with that right now. She says, this box is coming with her, even though it technically doesn’t belong to her. She knows he’s a cop and doesn’t expect him to get involved. He says, which part? The trespassing, the destruction of personal property, or the theft of stolen goods? She says, all of it, but he says he already is. He takes the box from her and says, why doesn’t she hold the door, and he’ll carry her box of stolen stuff? She says, gladly, and they go outside.

Tracy says, Drew is taking advantage of the Quartermaine name and laughing at them while he’s doing it. Ned says, he spent a lot of time buttering up Monica, only to turn around and sleep with Willow, and Olivia says, what Drew did was despicable, but however they feel about him, if Michael wants to make things up with Willow, they have to support him… Right? Ned says, of course (🍷), and Tracy says, once a cheater, always a cheater, but if that’s what Michael wants, she can play nice with Willow. Olivia says, good. Because Michael is going to have to know they’re here for him, no matter what.

Michael says he won’t be the one who leaks the video, for all the reasons Drew mentioned. To protect his children, to protect Drew’s daughter, to protect Willow from her own humiliating mistake. And that protects Drew too. So Drew is using them to protect his own reputation. So much for Willow’s hero. Drew says, Michael knows nothing about him and Willow, and Michael says, yeah? Why doesn’t Drew tell him?

Nina says, first one to the car gets a treat, and tells Wiley not to trip. Willow says, sorry they had to wake them up. They’re going over to Grandma Nina’s for a little sleepover adventure. Wiley says, okay! and Nina says, let’s go, but before they get to the door, Carly walks in. She asks where they’re all going in such a hurry. They wouldn’t be trying to take Michael’s children away from him, would they?

On Monday, Portia tells someone to take a step back from patient care; Drew asks Michael, would Willow have cheated if it wasn’t real; and Willow says, what happens next isn’t up to Carly.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

You know this now, but still, what a shock.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/evan-hofer-out-at-general-hospital

This is actually kind of ick. No. No future.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-previews-drew-and-willows-future-on-gh

This happened today, but I’m sure it’s on YouTube. Alan Locher does a great interview.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chat-live-with-soap-star-rick-hearst

Gio’s side gig is impressive.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/giovanni-mazzas-new-film-is-premiering-at-sundance

Love this story!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kimberly-mccullough-opens-up-about-her-son-otis

I didn’t know he’d been in GH, but I doff my cap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-alum-michael-cole-dead-at-84

🍸 Not a Good VanderLook…

So I guess he’s drinking again? That’s a real shame.

https://people.com/vanderpump-rules-james-kennedy-arrested-on-suspicion-of-domestic-violence-8760616

Wow. It didn’t take long for his life to start unraveling.

https://people.com/vanderpump-rules-james-kennedy-removed-from-las-vegas-residency-following-domestic-violence-arrest-8761602

Team Thirsty has to put in their two cents. Bitch, please.

https://people.com/rachel-leviss-reacts-to-james-kennedy-domestic-violence-arrest-8760749

But for how long? Not if he keeps this up.

https://www.tmz.com/2024/12/13/james-kennedy-ally-lewber-not-splitting-after-domestic-violence-arrest/

👒 Working Like a Charm…

Yeah, Shep did a really weird toast at the Easter dinner too. Something about Jesus and Pontius Pilate, but it didn’t make a whole lot of sense and had nothing to do with Easter. It was just weird.

Wow. When Venita gives up on you, you’re hopeless.

So glad it’s only a rumor. I’d hate to see Craig regress, even if he doesn’t think pandas are real.

🪓 But It’s an Undisputed Masterpiece…

I think this film is perfect as is. Christian Bale is Patrick Bateman.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/american-psycho-remake-austin-butler-patrick-bateman

🐕 It’s a Dog’s Life…

I’m pretty sure Pilaf is living a better life than I am, but I’m okay with that.

https://www.instyle.com/demi-moore-molly-ringwald-dogs-photos-8759246

https://www.instyle.com/demi-moore-snake-print-bikini-pilaf-birthday-8743074

📫 Quotes of the Week

We’re not in the Midnight Realm. It’s just the suburbs. –  Owen (Justice Smith), I Saw the TV Glow

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

It is, of course, quite true that God will not love you any the less, or have less use for you, if you happen to have been born with a very second-rate brain. He has room for people with very little sense, but He wants everyone to use what sense they have.C. S. Lewis, from Mere Christianity (He sounds like Anthony Hopkins in my head.)

Do I seem like the kind of guy who has the energy to argue?Niles Valentine, 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days

Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny. – Tyron Edwards

When we talk about understanding, surely it takes place only when the mind listens completely — the mind being your heart, your nerves, your ears- when you give your whole attention to it. – Jiddu Krishnamurti

There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.Ray Bradbury

Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it. – Ann Landers

As a mortician, I always tie the shoelaces together of the dead. Cause if there is ever a zombie apocalypse, it will be hilarious. – Caleb Wilde, from a post on X or what we still call Twitter

⛄️ Pretending He’s Parson Brown…

Amid your holiday or everyday tasks, take time to smell the poinsettias. Then join me on Monday for soap and Deck doings. Until then, stay safe; stay not drinking and driving home from holiday events (I can never say it enough); and stay never sleeping with your nephew’s wife.

July 23, 2024 – Ava Snares John In Her Web, Soap Bubbles, Best Doc Ever, Meanwhile In Dubai, Almost Here, Latest Dragons, Old Throne, The Cutest & Shining

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

At the stable, Tracy hears someone behind her. She says, stop right there. She’s sleep deprived, hasn’t had her second cup of coffee, and Hades bit her and she’s in a bad mood, so consider themselves fully warned. Ned says, those are pretty good odds.

Kristina meets Michael at Bobbie’s, and he says, pregnancy looks good on her. She says she should be savoring every moment. There are some great aspects of pregnancy. It’s a life enriching experience, but if this baby is one day late, she’s inducing. She senses he didn’t want to meet to discuss her birthing plan, and he says he wanted to see how she was doing, how she’s feeling. She says she’s known him long enough to know that she wants to ask her something and he’s hesitating, and he says, the last thing he wants to do is increase her blood pressure, but she says, it’s just going to make her more stressed. Just tell her. He says he thinks they have a problem, and she says, with dad?  

Carly goes to the penthouse and tells Sonny that they need to talk. He says he guesses she’s already talked to Michael, and she asks, what happened? He says, stay out of it, and she says she’d love to stay out of his problems, but all of his troubles land in her lap. She’s here to let him know that Cates wants to take him down.

Ava opens the door to John, and says, what a lovely surprise. He asks if she has a moment. It’s about Sonny. She says, of course (🍷), and invites him in.

Jason goes to Anna’s office, and she says, Carly was here. He asks what Carly told her, and she says, Carly told her that John paid him a visit and she believes it had something to do with Sonny. Jason says, she was half right.

Tracy says, if Ned has wife drama, ex-wife drama, or ex-lover in-law drama, she doesn’t want to hear it. She took a ride to clear her head and wants to hold on to the feeling for as long as she can, so spare her the agita. He says, everyone at the house is getting along fine, and asks where Hades bit her. She says, it was just a nip. He has a mean streak. He asks if she bit him back, and she says, it’s really her fault. Ned gets the first aid kit, and she says she didn’t read him right. Hades wanted to run, and she was going too slow for him. Ned takes out an ice pack and puts it on her, and she tells him to be careful of her wrist. He says she should have it looked at. Or he could call the local glue factory. She says, he’d better not touch Hades, or she’ll make glue out of him. The kids know better than to go near him without Cody. What is it this time? He says he came check on her. She can ride as far as she wants, but she can’t escape it. He knows what today means just as much as she does.

Michael says he’s assuming Kristina knows it’s tense between dad and Ava, and she says, of course (🍷). Ava got her mother disbarred, then maliciously leaked Natalia’s recording to The Invader. He says, dad told him and he’s sorry. She says, Ava baited Natalia into expressing her homophobia, then like the coward she is, extracted her own audio and turned it over to The Invader. Now their dad is out for her blood and filed for sole custody of Avery. He says, if the blow-up he just had with Sonny is any indication, he’s not going to win. He’ll be lucky if he walks away without a restraining order keeping him away from Avery.

Carly tells Sonny that Cates is on the warpath. She thinks Sonny has been his main objective all along. He has something on Jason. Sonny says, Jason is an informant, but she says she was there when Cates showed up and dragged Jason away from Danny to have a private conversation. She thinks it was about Sonny. He says, if Cates doesn’t know to keep his nose out of other people’s business. It’s about time somebody beat that lesson into him.

Jason says, the FBI lost Valentin, and Anna says, in one day. He says, Valentin is still gone, and asks if that isn’t what she wanted. She says she wanted to give him a head start, so he had a chance to disappear and make a new life with Charlotte. The FBI will mount a search that could last years. They won’t give up and declare him untraceable after one day. Jason says, it’s been long enough for Cates. According to Cates, he failed to meet the terms of their agreement, and he’s been given a new assignment out of town.

John says he thought he’d stop in and see how Ava is, and she says, that’s thoughtful of him. The last couple days has been difficult. She’s used to Avery being with her and it’s not easy being alone. She’s glad he stopped by. She and Scotty have been strategizing on how to fight Sonny’s petition for sole custody. He says, that’s no mean feat. Sonny is powerful, corrupt, and violent, and he’s convinced a legion of otherwise intelligent people that he’s just misunderstood. He’s automatically right, and anyone who opposes him is automatically wrong. Ava says, and they’re willing to take up arms on his behalf. It’s terrifying going up against Sonny, and she feels alone. He says, she’s not alone now.

Ned says, Tracy has been extra spicy and standoffish all day, and she says, hence her desire for solitude. He says, it’s Luke’s birthday. It was on Monica’s calendar. She says, he always had a soft spot for Monica. He’d be pleased she remembered. He says, Olivia and Lois’s too, and she says she guesses he had a soft spot for most women. He says, it’s on his calendar too, and Luke had no soft spot for him, nor he for Luke, but he does have a soft spot for his mother, so he knows to keep his eye on her on this particular day. He and Luke had their differences, and he definitely had reservations about their quasi-legal marriage. She says, legal or not, her marriage – or more accurately, marriages – to Luke marked a significant turning point in her life. They knew each other for years and after they each went through their separate misadventures, suddenly, they were together. And from that moment on, she realized… Ned says, he was the love of her life.

Jason says he has an assignment to infiltrate a gang in a federal prison at Lompoc. He was supposed deliver Pikeman and failed to deliver. Anna says, she gave him a phone with records of illegal arms deals and proof Valentin was in charge, but he says, as far as Cates is concerned, he delayed handing over the evidence, and he aided and abetted Valentin’s escape. Anna says, Jason was coerced by the FBI into helping and now they’re breaking their word. Go public and let the world know. It will shame them into backing down. He says, then what happens to Carly? They’ll use the recording to convict her. If he goes public, Carly will be seeing her family from behind bars for the rest of her life.

Michael says, Sonny asked to see him in the hope he’d testify on Sonny’s behalf in family court, and Kristina asks if he declined. He says, they didn’t get that far. He had to point out the problems they’ve had and the public blow-ups that could be used to Ava’s advantage, and that he could cause more harm than good. Kristina asks, what’s the problem? and he says, Sonny took it the wrong way, and said it was proof of his disloyalty. Sonny is as angry at him now as he ever was. He wants to help, but if he gets on the stand and uses the wrong word and it sets Sonny off, imagine what it will do if he loses it in front of a judge. She says she keeps hoping Sonny and Michael will mend fences, but he says he’s getting used to this kind of treatment. Obviously, it hurts sometimes. Kristina says, no matter how old you get, you never stop craving the love of your parents. And they both know, it’s good to stay on Sonny’s good side. He says, Avery is the one they have to protect. All of Sonny’s failings pale in comparison to Ava’s. She says, no question, and he says, Sonny needs someone who can testify, and if he can’t do it, who can?

Ava tells John that she appreciates having someone to talk to about this. She has to pay for her other support. Taking Sonny to court is going to cost a pretty penny. John says he’s sure she has enough. Or has she already blown through her Cassadine divorce settlement? She says he’s been looking into her finances, but he says he’s been looking into her, like any potential witness or suspect. She asks which one she is, and he says, the jury’s still out. She asks what he’s learned so far, and he says, she and Sonny are more alike than he thought. She says, if she’s like Sonny, why is he working with her? and he says, she’s turned a corner Sonny never did. He still victimizes every woman who crosses his path, and those who don’t bow down at his feet, he crushes, but she’s broken that mold. She says, she and Sonny were never a match made in heaven. Avery is a miracle born out of a moment of poor judgment. He says, they managed to co-exist until recently, and she says she had to fight tooth and nail for a truce. He says, she was living with Sonny, and she says, Sonny made her believe he respected her and considered her a friend. It felt real at the time. Maybe because she was so vulnerable, she needed to believe it. He says, maybe Sonny is that good of a liar, and she says, Sonny become so erratic and volatile. She doesn’t think he realizes what he’s doing from one moment to the next.

Carly tells Sonny not to go after Cates like last time, but he says, there was no last time. She asks if he expects her to believe it was just a coincidence that John was beat up one block from the coffee warehouse, and he says, she thinks he ordered a hit on a federal agent? She says she thinks he’s smart enough not to have it linked to him. He’d better hope John doesn’t find out about Dex. He says, that’s doesn’t fall in the FBI’s jurisdiction, and he made peace with Dex. Dex isn’t going to talk to Jagger. She asks if anybody else knows about the beating, and he says, Ava.

Tracy says, they take so much for granted in the moment. The sheer depth of happiness isn’t appreciated until later on. She feels that when she thinks about her time with Luke. She misses the buoyancy Luke created. He was so resilient and managed to stay afloat. He improvised and adapted. Without him, she feels like she’s barely keeping her head above water. Stop her please. This is getting maudlin. He says, and miss a chance for her to share her feelings? It’s as rare as a comet. She tells him to set his clock for another 75 year wait, and he says, she can go on like this anytime she likes. He won’t think less of her for being human. He’s never thought less of her for choosing Luke. He saw how happy Luke made her and he likes seeing her happy, even more than he hates seeing her sad. He asks if there’s anything he can do, but she says, no. He already has. She tries to leave, but he grabs her arm and says, come here. He hugs her, and she thanks him.

Anna says, there has to be a way to block John, and Jason asks if there’s anybody in her contacts that she thinks can rein him in. She says, sometimes interfering with an FBI investigation can backfire, and he says he’s asking a lot, like she asked him to wait two hours to turn the phone in. She says she didn’t mean for this to happen, and he says, it doesn’t matter what she meant. He’s supposed to be on a bus to Quantico tonight.

John says, the only thing he’d like more than removing Sonny from Ava and Avery’s life is removing Sonny from society and locking him up in Pentenville once and for all. Imagine the ramifications to Avery’s custody battle if it was revealed sonny was under an FBI investigation. She asks if he is, but John says, not yet. He needs something more substantial to work with. She says she has no information to give him, but he says, she was living with Sonny for months and they spent extended periods of time together. Does she mean to tell him that she has no prosecutable intel? She has to help him first before he can help her. She says she’s in a delicate situation. Put himself in her shoes. Sonny’s not happy about the custody suit, but he’d be relentless and remorseless if he saw her as a threat. He says, Sonny won’t lay a hand on her if he’s charged, but she says, what if the charges don’t stick? He murdered a Quartermaine and was pardoned. He’ll retaliate and take Avery someplace she can’t reach. Or worse, get rid of her.

Sonny says he made a mistake telling Ava about Dex, and Carly says, Ava must have told Cates by now. She wonders when they hooked up, and Sonny says, he and Ava were having an argument in Ava’s suite when Jagger walked by and came in to defend Ava. He left and he’s sure she threw herself on Jagger’s mercy. She says, it’s typical for Ava to play the damsel in distress, and he says, Jagger loves playing the hero. Carly says, if Jagger takes Ava’s side in the custody hearing, it will be a major problem for Sonny. He needs all the witnesses he can get. He says he’s already messed up with Ava. He had a meeting with Michael. He wanted Michael to be a character witness. It didn’t go well. They fought and he blew up and said things he regrets. He was wondering if maybe she could talk to Michael on his behalf and smooth things over.

Kristina asks if Carly would stand up for Sonny, and Michael says, especially if the alternative is Ava getting full custody of Avery. But her testimony could end up working against him. When they were together, there was a lot of tragedy and danger. Scotty will take anything that happened when they were together as fair game. She says, what about Brook or Dante? and he says, there’s only so much Brook can say, and Scotty will have Dante show the judge the scar from when his own father shot him. Sonny needs someone who sees the best in him, and can’t point out the ways he’s a good, loving, generous father. That person is her.

Anna says she’ll use every resource to make sure this doesn’t happen, but there are no guarantees, and Jason says he needs to know there’s a real chance of success, or Carly will take things into her own hands. Anna says, tell Carly that she’ll get him out of this. What else can she do? He says, clean up the mess she made. He ignored his own instincts and let her warn Valentin because she asked him to, and it was important to her. She asks if he thinks he’d have done a better job going it alone, and he says, if he had, and it fell apart, he’d have nobody to blame but himself. She says she did warn Valentin, which put Jason at risk. That’s on her and she’s sorry. But what’s on him and Carly? What responsibility do they bear for the decisions they’ve made that have led them here? They decided to live outside the lines, and she thinks they’re suffering the consequences of that. He says, she’s right. They did this to themselves, but he can’t change what happened and has to work with what he has now. He’s asking her to give him the same consideration she gave to Valentin. She says she will fix this, one way or another. She swears. She won’t rest until he’s out from under the FBI. He says he knows she’ll do her best, but there’s no guarantees like she said. He leaves, slamming the door.

Michael says, Sonny has the strongest, warmest relationship with Kristina, but she says, it wasn’t always like that. He says, Sonny has always been in her corner. He didn’t even bat an eye when she came out. They worked through the hard stuff when she was young, so when the court asks if he was a good father, Diane can call on her as proof. She says, what if they ask if she witnessed dad beating up Dex at the wedding? He’ll not only lose custody, he could lose his freedom. She wants to help him as much as Michael does, but she’s as much of a liability on the stand as he is. He says, that may leave dad on his own.

Carly says, it’s not up to her to fix things between Sonny and Michael. That’s Sonny’s job. He says, Michael doesn’t listen to him. He knows he said things he shouldn’t have said, but as long as she gets them in the same room, he knows they can fix this. She asks what he’s going to do. Yell at Michael again? Call him a traitor? Disown Michael as his son? Sonny says he lost his temper; he’s stressed. Michael will understand. He’s a father and this is about Avery. She says, it’s not. This is about Sonny behaving like everyone in his life is disposable. They only matter when he wants something. Everyone he hasn’t pushed away is walking away. Name one single person who will defend him who isn’t one of his children or an employee, one friend who will stand beside him no matter what. He says, her, and she says she stood in this very room, and he called her a traitor. Their years and their kids together meant nothing. It’s the way he wanted it and it’s the way it is. She’s not cleaning up his mess. He’s on his own. With tears in her eyes, she leaves

Ava says she’ll fight Sonny for Avery, but delivering him to the FBI is something she can’t do. John says he has a child too, and she doesn’t have to explain it to him. There are plenty of other people that he can get enough evidence to get Sonny another way, and when he does, she can be damn sure he’ll never see Avery again. She asks if he means that. Does he think it’s possible? He says, she seems surprised, and she says, it’s been a long time. She works up some tears, and says she forgot what it feels like to receive a kind gesture. He says he has a code too, but unlike Sonny, he sticks to his. He’s not going to let that poor excuse for a man push her around anymore. She says she almost believes him, and he asks what it would take to get her all the way there, and kisses her. (Ugh, a thousand times.)  

Anna calls someone named Jim and says she doesn’t have time to chat. She needs him to to arrange a face to face with one of the agents in his jurisdiction… John Cates. He’s out of control, and if the FBI doesn’t reel him in, she’s going to be forced to.

Michael wonders if he was being naïve, thinking there might be a way back for him and Sonny, but Kristina says, he’s not being naïve. He’s being courageous. He’d be well within his rights to write Sonny off completely, but he keeps trying and that’s admirable. Michael says he’s given a lot of thought to ignoring dad’s past and maintaining a superficial connection, but when will it get to be too much for him? He thinks about his mom and AJ and the price they paid for the lifelong grudges they held. He doesn’t want that for his kids. He wants Wiley and Amelia to know it’s okay to hold people accountable for their actions, but holding onto bitterness stunts you. She says, that’s very perceptive, and he says he learned it from Willow. She’s giving Nina another chance and it appears to be paying off. If she can do that for her mother, it’s the least he can do for his dad, She says, even if Sonny doesn’t extend the same courtesy to him? and he says, what’s happening now doesn’t erase what’s happened before. He raised, loved, and protected Michael. For him to be a good father to his kids, he needs to know he tried his best. She says, after Sonny beat up Dex, she couldn’t see him for a while. It still scares her, but like Michael said, it doesn’t outweigh the years of love. Carly comes in and says, sorry to interrupt. She heard Michael had a run-in with his father… Jason comes in and tells Carly, sorry to interrupt, but he needs to talk to her. She says, yeah, and they step aside.

Tracy finds Sonny somewhere unfamiliar outside and stands next to him. She says, Luke’s club was across the street. Is he indulging in a little walk down Memory Lane? He says, maybe it’s the day for it, and she says, it’s his birthday. He says, you were never on your own with a friend like Luke, and she says, finally, something they can agree upon. Sonny says, they didn’t just celebrate by drinking tequila. One time he woke up in a barn with hay in his hair and a horse in his face. She says, it was her house. It was a gift from Luke for her birthday. He says, Luke was very generous. He was big on gestures. She says, and he never passed up an opportunity to celebrate. He always said, if somebody was going to buy him drinks, why not accept? Sonny says, that’s the thing he loved about Luke. He always enjoyed himself. She says she thinks it’s because some of his life was just not enjoyable.

John’s phone rings, and he tells Ava that he has to take it. He says, Agent Cates… No, he wasn’t… Yes, loud and clear… Okay. He’s on it. He tells Ava that he has to go, and she asks if there’s trouble, but he says, there are a few provincial egos that need massaging. He asks if they can pick this up where they left off, and she says, they most definitely can, and soon she hopes. He leaves and she smiles.

Jason and Carly go to his room, and she asks, what happened with Cates? He says, Cates is sending him on another assignment. He leaves for Quantico tonight.

Tracy says, Luke made up his mind at a very young age that he was going to go for every opportunity that presented itself. She thinks it was her favorite thing about him. Sonny says, the last time he saw Luke was at the waterfront. They were saying their goodbyes and Luke walked off into the sunset, which she knows was Amsterdam. She says she’ll deny it until her last breath that she went to Amsterdam in search of him. She happened upon him in a little café. How could she consider that anything but fate? The time they had together, as Luke would say, they had an absolute blast. He says, Luke was always a good time, and she says, he was the best.

Kristina says, someday Avery is going to go through what she and Michael are going through with dad, and he says, she’ll find out everything there is to know about him. And just like them, they’ll see if it changes the way she feels about him and if she wants him in her life. Kristina says, that has to be Avery’s choice. Ava can’t decide for her.

On the phone, Ava asks, how much will it help her case if Sonny is busted by the FBI?

Cates bursts into Anna’s office and says, she’s been talking to his boss. She says, whatever she needs to do. Set Jason free now or she swears she’ll bury him.

Carly says, Jason’s not leaving, but he says, it’s already been decided. She says, he did what Cates wanted, and he says, she has to listen. There’s a way he can still beat Cates. There’s a way around this. But she has to stay patient and calm. She says, while Cates whisks him away to some other dangerous job where he’ll be killed? She doesn’t think so. She’s turning herself in and there’s nothing he can say to stop her.  

Tomorrow, Nina tells Ava to be thankful if the worst Sonny does is take sole custody of Avery; Carly says, Jason is out of his mind if he thinks she’s going to stand by while Cates takes him away again; and Anna says she’s going to do everything in her power to stop John.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

We should all have off days this good.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/giovanni-mazza-opens-up-about-his-disastrous-gh-audition

Love this. Style and fashion for all.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-tabyana-ali-has-a-spectacular-new-project

It’s sweet that they’re keeping in touch.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-reunites-with-gregory-harrison-see-the-photo

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he was the best Nikolas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-reaches-out-to-his-gh-fans

Another loss to the soap world.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/amc-stars-remember-esta-terblanche

And while we’re at it, the mid-year roll call.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/remembering-the-soap-stars-we-lost-this-year

👺 Best Of the Worst…

Last weekend, I was finishing Season 2 of Outer Range, and since I was on Amazon, I consulted an article I’d read about the best documentaries on Prime. I chose to watch Best Worst Movie and it’s one of the best things I’ve seen lately. In 1989, a film called Troll 2 came out. It has nothing to do with the Norwegian film Troll or the film Troll with June Lockhart. Actually, it has nothing to do with trolls at all. Written by an Italian film director and his wife, it’s original title was Gremlins, but we see how that could be confusing in the USA.

Years later, when the film was shown on late night TV and cable, a cult began to form around it. Little conventions, late night showings, and watch parties sprang up, and documentary is mainly about that. I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the whole thing because, although it’s not my movie, it’s their movie, and I get it. I’ve been that person who watches something 10,000 times and just wants to watch it again. Of course I had to watch the actual film afterward, and it’s bad. So bad. Not even Ed Wood bad. But I get that too. The fans see something in it that others don’t. Been there, and I hope they never lose that. It can keep you sane.

The cast of Troll 2 is also involved, and it’s an interesting tributary to see how it affected each of their lives. For some it was a blessing, for some a curse, and one actress doesn’t want anything more to do with it, although she reenacts one of the scenes from the movie with two of her co-stars. The only one who doesn’t realize the film is bad is the director, who thinks he made an artistic masterpiece, and the actors are a bunch of whiney egoists.

So give it a whirl. I hope it brings you as much joy as it did me.  

https://theindependentcritic.com/_best_worst_movie__review

🐪 Eat, Pray, Camel…

Taleen wants you to know that she did not beg to be on the show.

🦸🏻‍♂️ A Few More Days…

I probably won’t go the first weekend if it’s crowded, but I can’t wait to see it on a big screen. A selection of everything Deadpool & Wolverine. The finances.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/deadpool-wolverine-box-ofice-1235955857/

The fashion.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/07/23/deadpool–wolverine-scenes-from-the-red-carpet-premiere/

The reviews.

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/deadpool-wolverine-first-reviews/

The kudos.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/deadpool-and-wolverine-is-kick-in-the-nuts-the-mcu-needs

The not-so kudos.

https://ew.com/deadpool-wolverine-review-relentlessly-irritating-cheap-jokes-instead-stakes-8682433

The music.

https://ew.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-soundtrack-the-greatest-showman-song-8679476

The cutest couple.

https://www.purewow.com/news/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-movie-releases

🐉 Dragons In the House…

Possible spoilers if you didn’t see the last episode.

https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-paddy-considine-viserys-cameo-harrenhal-daemon-8681112

Netflix competition.

https://www.unilad.com/film-and-tv/netflix/netflix-the-last-kingdom-game-of-thrones-364207-20240723

👑 Original Game…

We know one of them is not doing a Jon Snow spinoff.

https://ew.com/game-of-thrones-cast-where-are-they-now-8677595

🐶 Rescued By Killer Miller…

Good for her. My rescue chihuahua El Wray has issues, which he’s slowly overcoming, but I’ve never regretted adopting him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-carolyn-hennesy-adopted-the-cutest-dog

✈️ Flight Now Boarding…

Join me tomorrow for soap, Listings talk, and whatever else is entertaining. Until then, stay safe, stay not overdoing your fragrance, and stay holding people accountable for their actions, but not holding onto bitterness.

May 9, 2024 – Gregory Makes a Decision, Hey Cuz, Reflection, Houses Of Awful, Possible VanderMove, Off the Runway, Them Again, Nepo Furbabies & Home

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase says, Finn’s going to do the talking, right? and Finn tells him, that’s what he said. It’s just he was thinking Chase could say it better. Chase asks why he could say it better, and Finn says he’s not exactly known for his bedside manner. Chase, on the other hand… Chase says he what? and Finn says, he does things with care and compassion. Chase says, Finn can be caring and compassionate when he tells their dad that they don’t think he should come to the rehearsal dinner tonight. And he can’t wait to go to Coney Island. Gregory comes in and says, good morning. He’s sorry it takes him so long to get up and get dressed. Did he miss seeing Violet off to school? and Finn says, yeah. She’s only going for a half-day, and he’s going to pick her up so she can change before going to the airport. Gregory says, sounds like a plan, and Finn says, speaking of plans, they wanted to talk to him about this evening, and he… Chase?

Alexis opens the door to Laura and says she was just preparing for her hearing next week. Laura says she was so happy to hear Alexis was taking steps to overturn her disbarment. How’s it going? Alexis says she thinks she’s as prepared as she can be, but at this point, she’s just spinning her wheels. Laura says she thinks Alexis is going to do great. She knows Alexis is an excellent lawyer. As a matter of fact, that’s why she’s here.

At the MetroCourt, Ava tells Sonny that she contacted two of their most high-profile artists to see if either of them would like a large commission to create a piece for the city. Sonny watches Jordan talking with Olivia, and says, turns out that’s not going to be necessary because he’s moved on to another idea. Ava looks over at Jordan and Olivia.

There’s a knock at Blaze’s hotel room door, and Blaze opens it to Natalia. Natalia asks if she can come in. She doesn’t want to see anything she shouldn’t see. Blaze says, since she knocked instead of barging in, she thinks Natalia is safe. What brings her by? Natalia says she wanted to see what outfit Blaze is going to go with for the Quartermaine wedding, and Blaze says she hasn’t decided yet. Why? Natalia says she doesn’t want to clash with it.

Jason is doing actual work at the coffee warehouse when Sam runs in and asks, where’s Danny?

Laura says she went to see Heather in Pentenville the other day, and Alexis asks how she’s doing. Laura says, pretty well. She’s still recovering nicely from the surgery, but other than that… Alexis says, she’s still the same Heather, but Laura says, no. She’s really not. Since the replaced the bad hip, the changes in Heather are striking. Alexis says, in a good way? and Laura says, it appears so. Alexis says, appears being the operative word, and Laura says she knows Alexis and Doc talked about this a few weeks back. She just wondered if Alexis was able to find anything that would suggest they might be able to revisit Heather’s case. Alexis says she’s surprised Laura actually wants to move forward with this, and Laura says, it’s just that the more she talks to Heather, the more she believes the cobalt poisoning was affecting her ability to reason. Alexis says, so the metallosis was the reason she killed those people, and tried to kill all those other people, and had two decades of horrendous and cruel behavior? Laura says she’s not qualified to say. All she can say is, up until this point, Heather has always felt justified in her actions. Alexis says, and now? and Laura says, now she’s beginning to question her violent behavior. And she’s showing signs of real remorse. She thinks in general, Heather is feeling more in control of herself and containing her anger better. That she actually witnessed. Alexis asks if Laura thinks Heather is actually growing a conscience, and Laura asks if Alexis was able to find anything to help her. Alexis says, actually, she did.

Gregory says, of course (🍷) he wants to hear everything Chase has to say, but first, there’s something he needs to say. If it’s all right. Chase says, please, and Finn says, by all means. Gregory says, having the rehearsal dinner on Coney Island is such a fun idea. (I actually wish I’d thought of something like that) And it’s beyond generous of Tracy to bring them all down there, so that Brook can revisit one of the great joys of her childhood. Everything about it seems unmissable… Chase says, the thing is… but Gregory says, please let him finish. He hopes they won’t be upset with him. He promises he’ll apologize to Brook and her family, but he really feels he needs to conserve his energy for the wedding itself. Chase asks if he’s saying… and Gregory says he’s thought long and hard about it. As much as he wants to go, he’s not going to go. He’s asked Tracy if she would stand in for him at the rehearsal. Chase says he really wishes Gregory could make it too, but he understands, and he’ll make sure everybody there does too. Gregory thanks him, and Finn says he knows it must have been a hard decision, but for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks it was the right one. He can call a home help agency and see if he can get someone to stay with Gregory. Gregory says, no. That’s not necessary.

Blaze says, since when is Natalia going to Brook’s wedding? and Natalia says, since Blaze’s invitation arrived. Or did she not get a plus one? Blaze says she did and she’s taking Kristina, and Natalia asks, why? Blaze says, because Kristina’s her girlfriend, and Natalia says, how could she forget? Blaze says, it seems to slip her mind a lot, and Natalia says, Blaze’s relationship with Kristina is always on her mind, especially at times like this. Blaze says she knows she’s going to hate herself for asking, but times like what? and Natalia says she thinks it’s unwise for Blaze and Kristina to go as a couple to such a public event. She thought they had an understanding about that. Blaze says, so did she. Apparently, they were both wrong.

Jason says, Danny’s not here, and Sam says, all she knows is that he’s not in school. She got a call from his counselor. He was concerned because Danny missed an appointment. He asks why Danny is seeing a counselor, and she says, because Danny occasionally has trouble following the rules. Anyway, he wasn’t marked as present in his first period class, so she used that location app on his phone to see where he was… He says, she’s tracking Danny? and she says, the app said his phone was at home. So she went upstairs to his bedroom and his phone was on his bed under a pile of clothes, which means he deliberately doesn’t want her to know where he is. Jason says, maybe he just forgot his phone, but she says, no teenager ever let’s their phone out of their sight. Especially Danny, considering she just gave his phone back to him. He says he hasn’t seen Danny, and doesn’t she see that she’s training Danny to lie to her?

Sam says, first of all, Jason doesn’t know anything about her relationship with Danny. Danny knows he can trust her. Jason asks, how would he know that? Every time Danny brings up the truth in wanting to spend time with him, he gets into trouble. He thinks maybe if he lies, there’s a chance he won’t get caught and won’t get in trouble. She says she just warned Danny that being around Jason is dangerous and their son refuses to listen to her. He says, okay. If they agree that he and Danny can spend some time together, he won’t be somewhere dangerous. She says, what happens if he just shows up at Jason’s place like he did the other day? Can he promise her that Danny won’t be walking into something dangerous? He says, no, and she says, exactly. And that’s what terrifies her. It’s not just about Danny getting to know him and spending time with him. He wants the danger. He chases it just like Jason. Just like she used to. He says, this is different. There was a time when he didn’t care if he lived or died. He doesn’t see that in Danny. She says, then tell her what it is he sees in their son as opposed to the last time he was in town, and he says he just sees a kid who likes freedom. She says, he’s a teenage boy. They all want their freedom. He just doesn’t know what to do with it. Jason really doesn’t know anything about raising a teenager. He says, maybe not, but she says, definitely not. Because the first rule in raising a teenager is being there, and he wasn’t. He was alive and she still has no idea where he was or what he was doing. And nice tattoo by the way. Did he show that to Danny? Did he at least explain to him where that came from? What are the odds Danny is going to want a tattoo too? (Ha-ha! Tattoo too.) Let’s just hope he goes for one and doesn’t go full out with a whole sleeve. She actually doesn’t know. Maybe that just happened one tattoo at a time over the past two plus years. He says he’ll explain to Danny… and she says, he’ll explain to Danny that he should just hide Jason in the boathouse and not tell her. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), Danny walked in on him in the boathouse. He didn’t seek Danny out. She says, he told their son to lie to her about it, and he says, because that was the safest thing for Danny right then. That was his decision. Be mad at him. She says she is mad at him, but she’s afraid for their son, and he says, she’s afraid that she can’t control him. He doesn’t even think she sees it. And no matter what Danny does, it feels like he’s in trouble, and it’s wrong. He’s a kid. If he skips school, he’s going to get into trouble. He’s got detention, he gets grounded, take the phone away. He’s going to pay the price. Life goes on. She says, if he knows so much about their son, where is he right now?

Alexis tells Laura that she found two cases where post-condition release was granted because the key witnesses recanted their testimony. The most relevant was a forensic psychiatrist who acknowledged his findings were based on incomplete evidence. Laura says, so then a diagnosis of cobalt poisoning would have helped Heather’s defense, and Alexis says, possibly. If Laura can get a transcript of Heather’s court appearance, she’ll take a look at it. Laura thanks her, and she says, but Laura has to manage her expectations. Metallosis or not, there is no judge that will want to vacate her conviction because the body count is too high, and she confessed, and she pled guilty. Laura says, yes, but all of her actions were under the influence of something out of her control, and Alexis says, maybe she didn’t murder anyone before the metallosis, but Laura can’t pretend Heather was some sort of quirky free spirit. Laura says, she’s right, and Alexis says, it’s a long shot. Laura asks if Alexis is saying she can’t help anymore, because she certainly would understand that, and Alexis says, as a citizen of Port Charles, as a human being, she’s hesitant. As a once and hopefully future attorney again, she believes everyone is entitled to a fair defense, even Heather. Laura says, then she’ll see about getting Alexis those transcripts.

Blaze says she’s taken Natalia’s advice on keeping her private life private. As much as she hates to say it, Natalia has a point. She hates that people are so intolerant. Even a quarter of the way through the twenty-first century, things for queer people… Natalia says, please don’t refer to herself that way, and Blaze says, things for people like her are getting harder and harder. All of this to say, this is a family wedding, not a public event. Natalia says, sometimes Blaze can be such an innocent. Yes, this is not a public wedding, but everybody is going to read about it, and all the lucky invitees are going to be plastering their social media with photos and selfies, especially since there’s going to be a celebrity in their midst, which Blaze is. Blaze says she doesn’t think anything is going to change because they saw her standing next to Kristina, but Natalia says, that doesn’t even count all the professional photos that are going to be out there on the newswire. And that’s not just locally. It’s going to start at The Invader and then it’s going to proliferate outward. Blaze says she wouldn’t worry. The Quartermaines are used to protecting their privacy from the press. Yes, it will be a well-attended event, but only by close family and friends, and she’s going with Kristina. Natalia says, she’s thinking about this in the absolutely wrong way, and Blaze asks how she should be thinking about it. Natalia says, she’s not going as just a regular person, and certainly not as somebody’s girlfriend. She has to think about herself as a brand. Sure, Ally can go to any old wedding she wants to with whoever she wants to, but the second somebody takes a photo of her and puts it online, she’s no longer Allison, she’s Blaze. And they’ve worked too hard to create this brand so carefully. She doesn’t want to see all this hard work and effort just be for nothing.

Olivia asks Sonny how he likes the new menu, and he says he loves it. He wants one of each. Ava says, so does she. She’s heard wonderful things about the new chef. Olivia says, they were a real find. She hopes Sonny wasn’t bothered by the guys in the ballroom. They’re pulling out all the stops. They want everything to be perfect for Chase and Brook’s wedding. Ava says she’s sure the reception is going to be absolutely beautiful, and her phone rings. Sonny says, whatever Olivia needs, she knows he’s here, and Ava says, it’s Trina at the gallery. They’re expecting a new piece today. Excuse her. Olivia says, hurry up. She doesn’t want to miss that. Ava leaves, and Olivia says, please. Tell her that he’s not bringing that one to the wedding.

Gregory says, Violet will be away with them, and while the caregivers are all perfectly nice, he could use a break from this endless procession of strangers in this apartment. Finn says, they’ve been through this before, and Chase says he’d feel more comfortable knowing Gregory isn’t alone. Gregory says, they won’t even be gone overnight. They’re flying back this evening. Chase says, they’ll probably be pretty late, and Gregory says, regardless, he’ll be fine. Finn says, it’s one thing if he spends the evening worrying about Gregory, but it’s Chase’s rehearsal dinner. He should be able to enjoy it without wondering if he’s abandoning Gregory. Gregory says, and Finn of all people would know what it’s like to be abandoned before his wedding. He recalls feeling great at his rehearsal dinner with Jackie, and then wondering where the hell Finn was when the wedding started. But by all means, lecture him on proper wedding etiquette. (Touché and ouch.) Finn says, okay. He thinks that Chase can take the conversation from here, and leaves.

Sam’s phone rings, and she tells Jason, it’s Danny’s school. She answers and listens a moment. She thanks them for letting her know, and tells Jason, that was Danny’s counselor. He got the time wrong. Danny’s at his appointment right now. Jason says, so where’s he been? and she says, in class. The first period teacher didn’t put the attendance into the computer until after the class was over, so go ahead and just say it. Tell her, I told you so. He says he’s just glad Danny is safe, and she says, her too. She’s going to get out of his way, and Sonny’s. He says, Sonny’s not here, and she asks where he is. Jason says he doesn’t know, but she says, of course (🍷) he would know where Sonny is. What’s going on? Did something happen between him and Sonny?

Blaze says, Brook’s wedding has nothing to do with her branding, and Natalia says, maybe she hasn’t been clear enough, but this wedding, her manager’s wedding, has everything to do with her branding. It’s like the most amazing photo op. An event like this, as prestigious as this Quartermaine wedding, and her going as Brook’s client, this is incredible PR. Photos of her and Brook together or even of the two of them together is all brand awareness for Blaze and her music. Blaze says she won’t use her friend’s wedding as a career steppingstone, and Natalia says, but her friend is also her manager, and she should be all over this. Blaze says she loves Natalia and she’s so grateful for everything Natalia has done for her finances. Not just when she started making money, but even before, to help her with her singing. From voice lessons to paying for studio time and everything, every little detail that’s helped her get this far. Natalia says she hears a but, and Blaze says, but there are decisions about her life that only she can make. And this is one of them.

Alexis tells Finn, come on in, and he thanks her for letting him come over. She says, of course (🍷). Start at the beginning. Tell her everything. He says he and Chase both thought it would be best for Gregory if he didn’t go to the rehearsal dinner tonight in Coney Island. So they went over to talk to him, and he beat them to the punch. He said he was going to stay home and rest for tomorrow. She says, okay. That’s great. He says, except he wanted to bring in a caregiver to keep an eye on him while they were all away, and she says, oh. So she guesses he didn’t like that idea. Finn says, no. Gregory reminded him that he slept with Jackie and didn’t show up at his wedding. She says, whoa. That wasn’t the turn she expected this to take. Finn says, him either, and she asks what he said. Finn says, nothing. He left, called her, and here they are. He abandoned his father again. She says, he walked away from an unwinnable argument. That is not abandonment. He says he kept Gregory out of his life for almost thirty years. He convinced himself that after what he’d done, staying away was the right thing to do. He blamed Gregory for moving on so quickly when Finn’s mom died. He even changed his name. He tried to distance himself from his father as much as he could. She says, and then they found their way back together. They worked it out. Finn says, if he ever thought Gregory was going to forgive him, this morning proved otherwise.

Sonny tells Olivia that he’s not bringing Ava. Lois made it a point to not invite her. She doesn’t even know those people. Olivia says, she may not know those people, but those people definitely know her. Ava comes back and says, what people? Olivia says, the Cerullos, the Falconaris, all the people from the old neighborhood. They’ll be at her stepdaughter’s wedding tomorrow. She tells Sonny that she’ll send the waitress right over, and leaves. Ava says, not that he asked, but just in case Sonny wants a plus one for the wedding, she did pick out a pretty spectacular outfit. No pressure. He says, there is no pressure because she’s not going.

Chase tells Gregory that he’s making himself breakfast if he wants anything, and Gregory says he’s so sorry. He shouldn’t have said what he said. Now he feels like he’s spoiled the evening for Chase and his brother. Chase says he doesn’t think Gregory spoiled anything. He and Finn just want to make sure he’s okay here and has help if he needs it. Gregory says he understands. He shouldn’t have lashed out like that. He let his nerves get the better of him. Chase says, he’s nervous? And Gregory says, of course (🍷) he’s nervous. Tomorrow is a huge day. Tonight’s an important night too. It’s the night before his son starts his life as a married man. And as much as he wants to be there with Chase and Brook and everybody, tomorrow is more important. He wants to go over everything he wants to say and make sure he gets a good night’s sleep, and he can’t do all that if some stranger he’s never laid eyes on before is asking him if he’s all right every fifteen minutes like he’s a toddler. Chase says he’s sorry, but Gregory says he doesn’t blame Chase. He doesn’t even blame Chase’s brother. He knows Finn’s just doing it out of concern for him. He’s sure from Finn’s perspective, he thinks he’s right. Chase says, it’s not just that. Sometimes he wonders if he and Brook made a mistake asking him to preside over the wedding. What was Gregory supposed to do? Say no? Chase is concerned that with Gregory’s illness, they’re putting too much pressure on him. Gregory says, presiding over Chase’s wedding is the opposite of pressure. He puts his hands on Chase’s shoulders and says, it’s the greatest honor of his life.

Blaze says she’s going to this wedding with Kristina, period, and Natalia says, she’s made that clear. Blaze says, but Natalia keeps trying to talk her out of it, and Natalia says, no. Blaze has made her decision… a bad one. She apologizes if Blaze has found her concern and her honesty disagreeable. Blaze says she actually understands Natalia’s concerns. She knows how hard Natalia has worked for her continued success. Not just for herself; she knows Natalia is doing it for her too. Natalia says, for her first, and Blaze says she knows how important her image is, especially how important it is to Natalia, but nothing she’s done – nothing that she and Kristina have done – is a threat to her career. On the contrary, her music is taking off. Her fans are going nuts on social media, demanding she release her new single, and she thinks it’s going to be her best one yet because she’s so happy with Kristina. Natalia says, happy musicians don’t make great music, and Blaze asks if Natalia is saying she has to be miserable to have a successful career. Natalia says she just knows Blaze made her decision. Do what suits her and they’ll see which one of them is right. She picks up her bag and walks out.

In her office on the phone, Laura says, Webber. W-e-b-b-e-r. First name, Heather. Jordan walks in, and Laura says, there won’t have been a jury trial, but look for the arraignment, expert witness hearings. Maybe one or two of those would be medical and psychiatric, then sentencing… Okay. Thank you. She tells Jordan, sorry about that. What can she do for her? Jordan says she wanted to give Laura an update on the progress for that urban renewal project, and Laura says, that’s moving forward already? Jordan says, mm-hmm, and it just got a big boost. Laura says, from where? and Jordan says, McConkey. Laura says, Congressman McConkey? That’s amazing. Tell her more. Jordan says she will, but first, she needs to ask Laura something. What was all of that about Heather Webber?

Sam asks if this is about Dante’s shooting, because everyone knows it wasn’t Jason. Jason pretty much saved his life. Jason says he’s been working as an undercover informant for the FBI, and she says, what? She doesn’t understand. How? He says, it doesn’t matter, but she says, of course (🍷) it does. He says, what matters is, the undercover part is over, but his connection to the FBI is not.

Ava asks what Olivia said about her, but Sonny says, she didn’t say anything. The Cerullos and the Falconaris are going to be there, and they have long memories. She says she knows what they think she did, but there is… He says, they don’t need to have proof. They know because Olivia knows, and he knows. She walks into that wedding, it’s disrespecting Connie’s memory and he can’t do that. She gets up and says, if that’s how he feels, maybe she should rethink her place in his house, and he says he can’t believe… She says, what happened to being the only person he could trust? and he says he can’t believe she doesn’t see this. It doesn’t matter that the – he lowers his voice – evidence was destroyed. She still did what she did. She says, what happened was a very long time ago, and he asks, how long before she lets go of what Ryan did to Kiki? She says, how dare he throw her daughter’s murder in her face? and he says, that’s how the family’s going to feel if she walks into the wedding. He gets up and says, listen to him, okay? If she wants to move out, she can move out. It’s safe now, so he’ll buy a place for her, and Avery or Avery can stay with him. She says she’ll take care of her daughter herself, just as she always has, and walks out. He sits back down.

Laura says she’s taken it upon herself to investigate what legal proceedings were held in Heather’s case, and Jordan says, for the Hook murders? Laura says, yes, and for everything that happened on Spoon Island with Ryan and Esme. Jordan asks what she’s hoping to find, and Laura says she just wants to see what expert testimony was given, if any. She doesn’t know much about the case. She distanced herself from it at the time it happened. Jordan says, that sounds wise, but why this sudden interest? and Laura suggests they sit down. She says, it has recently come to light that Heather has been suffering from a medical issue that was brought about by a disintegrating hip replacement. Jordan says, that sounds awful, but what does it have to do with her case? Laura says, the hip raised her levels of cobalt and other metals in her system to the point of toxicity, and it’s quite possible that chemical imbalance was affecting her judgement. Jordan says, driving her to commit a series of kidnappings, jailbreaks, acts of terror, and murders. Laura says, metallosis, or cobalt poisoning, is not permanent. So once the bad hip replacement is removed, the patient can begin to recover. Jordan says, that sounds great for Heather, but… Laura tells Jordan that she’s not saying this excuses Heather for any of the violence she unleashed on this city. She’s just saying it’s possible that it may mitigate some of her responsibility for those crimes.

Sam says, if Jason has been working with the FBI, does that mean he’s working with that Agent Cates, the one that tried to question Danny? He says, yes, it does, and she says, and that’s why Sonny’s turned his back on him. He nods, and she says, and why he hasn’t been in Port Charles. He says, yes, and she says, how the hell did he of all people, get involved with the FBI? but he says he can’t tell her. She says, he means he won’t, and he tells her that he’s saying this because he didn’t choose to stay away from his family. He would never do that.

Alexis says she knows what Gregory said hurt Finn, but Finn says, it was true. She says, what is also true is that Gregory has forgiven him now, ten times over, and Finn says, he hasn’t forgotten. She says, it wasn’t that easy to forget, but it’s history. She can tell him, most people would not have been able to overcome that. He says, if this is a pep talk, it’s not going really well, and they laugh. She says, but they both overcame it. Unforgivable things can be forgiven. She knows this. She’s been on both sides of the sword. He says, like with her daughters? and she says, yeah. She and Sam did not have a great relationship when Sam found out she gave her up for adoption. And Kristina. She thinks they’ve been duking it out since Kristina was in the womb. He says, and Molly? and Alexis says, she’s perfect… No, there’s been things. She’s not perfect. He asks what lesson she learned from angering her daughters, and she says, sometimes she was the injured party. He says, of course (🍷). He’s sorry. He apologizes. She thanks him and says, but what they’re talking about is his lesson here. Which is, the fact that Gregory felt safe enough to snap at him, means that he has faith in this relationship. Finn says he’s glad Gregory feels safe, and she says, Finn doesn’t. He says, not particularly, and she asks, why not? How does he feel? He says he needs a meeting. She gets up and says, let’s find you one, and he says he’s his brother’s best man. But how can he even think about getting on a plane tonight and flying down to that rehearsal dinner while his father is sick and refuses to let anyone stay with him? She says, he’s not missing his brother’s rehearsal dinner, but he says he doesn’t see any other way around it. Not that his dad would even want him there at this point. She says she has an idea.

Laura asks if Jordan has any questions, and Jordan says, just one. What is she hoping to discover? That Heather can no longer be held responsible for her crimes and be let off? Or that she can still be held responsible and kept safely away from the public? Laura says she’s just trying to get to the truth, and Jordan says, and then what? Look, she can’t be objective. Not only did Heather terrorize Curtis’s daughter, which hits very close to home with her, but Trina’s involvement with Spencer was part of the motive for Heather to commit this series of murders, including a cop. Laura says, Rory Cabrera (I feel guilty because I’d totally forgotten him), and Jordan says, yeah, and all of this was to avenge Heather’s daughter, who clearly didn’t need help avenging. Laura says she’s well-aware, and Jordan says, then she must be aware how this must make the families of the victims feel. Laura says she’s not taking this lightly. Quite the opposite. Jordan says she’s glad to hear it. Because the entire city suffered during Heather’s reign of terror. Does Laura want her advice? Laura doesn’t look like she does, but says, please, and Jordan says, do not go near this. Don’t challenge the convictions Heather Webber so clearly deserved. Laura says, but from an objective, legal standpoint, and Jordan says, Laura is not a lawyer and neither is she. If Laura feels Heather needs a lawyer, then find a third party to hire one, but for her to get involved would be political suicide. Laura says, but she’s not trying to have Heather exonerated, or even released from custody necessarily. Jordan says, necessarily will give her political rivals enough rope to hang her and her constituents will line up to cheer them on. This city needs her. She’s a strong and effective mayor. She’d hate to see Laura sacrifice her career and the welfare of this city for the likes of Heather Webber.

Natalia walks into the MetroCourt and sees Sonny, who looks like he has a headache. She says, good morning, and he says, it’s better now. She says she sees he’s waiting for someone, and he says, how does she know it’s not her? (Oh man, dude is smooth, even in his spiral.) Have a seat. She thanks him and sits down. They smile at each other.

Gregory says he’s so sorry, and Chase says, again, he doesn’t have to apologize. Gregory says he feels like he does, especially to Chase’s brother, and Chase says he’s sure Finn knows he didn’t mean it. Gregory says he hopes so. Anyway, tonight isn’t about him, so go ahead and call the home help agency. Chase thanks him… for breakfast, and goes in the back. Gregory’s phone rings, and he asks Alexis, to what does he owe this pleasure? She says, her anxiety? She’s heading to Albany in the morning. He says, already? He thought she had a little more time before she had to make her case. She says, yeah, but she’s doing some last-minute research, and she could use his ears and his brain. How would he feel about her bringing over some Chinese or Mexican food and they can go over her plea to the Appeals Court? He says, tonight? It… Sure. He’d be happy to help. Alexis gives a thumbs up to Finn.

Sam thanks Jason for telling her and apologizes for jumping to conclusions about him and Danny. He says he’s just glad Danny is where he’s supposed to be, and she says, her too. And about the whole boundaries thing they discussed about Danny… He says he’ll honor those, and she thanks him. She leaves, closing the door behind her.

Outside, Sam makes a call. She says, I need to see you, and keeps walking.

Tomorrow, Ava says she thought she’d come to the expert; Josslyn asks Dex to race; Sonny asks Natalia if she’s in a hurry, because he’s not; and Anna tells Jason that it makes their job exponentially harder.

👋 Nice Knowin’ Ya, Spence…

There’s a new love interest in town.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/newcomer-giovanni-mazza-joins-general-hospital

🥀 They Never Leave Us…

It was definitely worth the wait.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/laura-wright-reflects-upon-ghs-tribute-to-jacklyn-zeman

🤽 This…

On unsupportive partners night, I’m not sure who was worse. Kyle who literally freaked out and went on a drunken rampage when Amanda dared have a dream outside of his precious Loverboy. Or Lindsay, who wouldn’t support an idea of Carl’s if it came notarized and delivered in the Publisher’s Clearing House van. She isn’t afraid Carl will be pigeon-holed, she’s afraid she’ll have to quit drinking.

And these people who should have run while they had the chance instead of feeding into the perpetually immature machine.

🍼 They’re Reading My Mind…

GMTA? Do I get a cut if it happens?

🧜‍♀️ Project Runway On Meth…

I have to admit, I didn’t really know Julia Fox except for some vague recollection of her name. Another fashion designer competition, but speedier and so far outside the box, it’s got it’s own box without borders. The creations are amazing, and I’m fascinated. I barely have the patience to sew on a button, but those who can’t do, watch.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/julia-foxs-omg-fashun-review-a-glorious-f-u-to-fashion-normies

👹 More Scarier the Second Time Around…

I watched this the first weekend it was out, and it lived up to the first season. I’m a big fan of a horror story paralleling real life horrors, and it was a treat to see Pam Grier. There’s a nod to the first season at the end, but you needn’t have watched it to understand this one.  

Them Season 2 Review: Deborah Ayorinde’s Horror Series is Truly Terrifying

https://mamasgeeky.com/2024/04/them-the-scare-review.html

🐈‍⬛ Fame In the Fur Family…

I would definitely dress as Choupette for the Met Gala.

💣 Love Is a Minefield…

Come back tomorrow for soap and a bouquet of entertaining distractions. Until then, stay safe, stay not blocking the baggage conveyor at the airport, and stay remembering that unforgivable things can be forgiven.