Tag Archives: Goo Goo Dolls

January 4, 2024 – Nina Makes Her Big Confession, Whitney Has A Russ Meyer Arty 60s Softcore Soirée & Better

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia asks Nurse Rachel if she has any resolutions, and Rachel says, maybe not working on New Year’s Eve next year. Portia says she’s with her on that, and Rachel asks why their Co-Chief of Staff is working the late shift tonight of all nights. Portia says she was doing a favor for Dr. Batel, and Rachel says, hopefully their bad luck on New Year’s Eve isn’t an omen for the coming year. Portia says, it certainly won’t be for her. She has big plans for 2024.

Going into her dorm room, Josslyn says she’s glad Dex got along with her friends, and he asks if she was afraid that he wouldn’t. She says, no, but you never know what can happen when mix different parts of your life together. He says, for her to consider them friends, he figured they had to be pretty great, and they were, and she says, most of the time. He wasn’t bored, was he? He says he could never be bored with her, and she says, judging by how it’s going, she thinks 2024 is going to be a very good year. He says he has no complaints, and they’re about to kiss, when someone starts fiddling with the door handle. Dex opens it to find Adam there, and Adam asks what Dex is doing in his room.

Still at the PC Grill, Doc takes Laura’s hand and says, she’s thinking about Bobbie. She says she’s thinking about all of them. First Luke, then Bobbie, then Lulu. She knows Lulu’s not gone, but she’s lost to them for now. And then Lucky, who’s out there searching for… something; some part of himself she thinks. The Spencers have lost an awful lot. Doc says, they have, and he’s so sorry. She thanks him, when her phone rings. She says, it’s Ace’s babysitter, and answers. She says she doesn’t know. When did Esme say she was going to be home?… It’s not like her to be an hour late, no… Oh my goodness. Where could she be?

Nikolas says, Esme only came to town because that psycho Ryan Chamberlain told her to, and Ava says, he means, that psycho her father. He says, whatever the reason, she came here to ruin their lives. Now it’s time for payback. She asks what he’s planning to do to Esme, but he says, no. It’s what they’re going to do together. FYI: Ava’s lipstick matches her blazer. I appreciate how she always looks put together.

Esme says she needs a drink and walks into the Grill, where she sees Doc and Laura. Still on the phone, Laura says, she just walked in…. yes, she’ll tell her. She says she’s relieved to see Esme. Where was she?

Willow asks if Michael knows why Nina has been canceling plans with her lately, and he says, because he told her to limit the time she spends with Willow and the kids. She says, and in exchange he kept quiet about Nina turning Carly and Drew in to the SEC? and he says, yes. She says, he was blackmailing Nina?

Carly opens the door to Nina, and asks what she’s doing here. Nina says she’s sorry. She knows it’s late, but there’s something she has to tell Carly. Carly invites her in, and Drew comes out. Nina says she didn’t realize he was back in town. Actually, she’s glad he’s here. There’s something she needs to tell them both.

Sonny looks at the Christmas tree in All Saints, when Cyrus comes out behind him and says he’s glad Sonny found his way here in his hour of greatest need. Give up your burden to God. The truth will set you free.

Portia goes into her office to find Curtis there holding a red rose. She says, what a wonderful surprise, and asks what he’s doing here. He says, ringing in the New Year with the woman he loves.

Dex tells Adam, this is Josslyn’s room, and Adam says, that’s why the door was locked. Josslyn says, they just got back from a New Year’s Eve party. She looks at the Solo cup in his hand and says, looks like he found one too, but he says he just had one Kama…something. Maybe two. Josslyn says, he’d better sit down before he falls down, and he stumbles inside, sitting on the bed. She asks, what’s going on? He’s not a drinker. He tells her, it’s over. It’s all over. His parents know the truth about him.

Ava says, Nikolas thinks they’re going to work together? and he says, look at it as giving them closure. He thinks she’ll find it very satisfying. She says she looks at it as not happening. That ship sailed when he threatened her daughter. He says, they both made mistakes. Yes, he threatened to take Avery in the heat of the moment, but as angry and upset as he was, it was still wrong. She thanks him for saying that, and he says, but she thought she killed him. And after a few minutes of calm reflection, she decided to ditch his body and walk away. She says, that’s not calm at all. She was completely panicked. She couldn’t even think when she thought she’d killed him. She just wanted to stop him from taking her daughter. She didn’t want him dead. He says he guesses that’s something. Their marriage wasn’t all bad, was it? She says, they had their moments, and he says, they did. She says, they were talking about Esme. Esme has no memory and she’s completely devoted to her son. He says, his son, and she asks if he thinks she’d forget that. He says, she knows he’s sorry about that, and she says, according to Trina, so is Esme. He says, Esme will never change. Eventually, she’ll return to her selfish, spiteful ways. That’s who she is. But if they work together, they can get rid of her before she does any more damage. Ava asks him to level with her. Is he planning to kill Esme?

Sonny tells Cyrus, get out of here. He has no place here. Cyrus says, there’s a place for everyone in God’s plan, but Sonny says he’s never going to buy Cyrus’s religious saved act. Stop pretending. Cyrus says, Sonny is so certain in his judgement. Has he never been wrong about someone? Sonny says, not about Cyrus. Tonight is not the night to be pushing him. Cyrus says, she told you, at last, and Sonny asks what he’s talking about. Cyrus says he’s sure Nina only did what she thought was right when she reported Carly and Drew to the SEC.

Nina says, let her start by telling them that she’s sorrier than they’ll ever know, and Carly asks how she found out. Nina asks what she’s talking about, and Drew tells Carly that they’re waiting to hear back. Carly asks if he can handle it. Whatever he decides, she’s okay with it. He asks if he’s sure, then tells Nina, let him get the door, but Nina says, please. Can he just listen? She has something to tell them. Carly tells Drew that she doesn’t want to keep them waiting. She’ll handle Nina. He leaves, and she asks Nina, what’s so important? Nina says, as Carly knows, she was very angry when Willow was dying, and she found out Carly had kept the truth from her when Willow needed her the most. Carly asks if this is what Nina came here for, because she can’t do this again. She can’t do this tonight. Nina says, beyond angry, and so she wasn’t considering the consequences. What she’s trying to say is that she’s done making excuses. She’s not going to make excuses to herself, and she’s not going to do it to Carly. Carly says she’s not Nina’s friend and she’s not Nina’s therapist. So if she has something to say, please say it. Nina says she’s the one who tipped off the SEC about Carly’s insider trading.

On the phone, Esme says, Ace is still asleep though, right?… Great. She’ll be home right away. She says she’s so sorry she worried Laura, but Laura says, it sounds like a simple miscommunication. It happens. Doc comes back with a coffee with whipped cream on top (hopefully, Irish coffee), and tells Esme, this should warm her up. He picks a glove up from the floor and says he thinks she dropped this. Esme thanks him, but says, it probably won’t do her much good. She already lost the other one. Laura asks if she knows where. Esme doesn’t say anything, and Laura says she does. Windymere, when Esme broke in Christmas Eve.

Michael says he didn’t want to tell Willow or his dad what Nina did to his mom and Drew, so he thought it would be best to mitigate the damage. Willow says, so Michael went behind her back and interfered with her relationship with her mother? and he says he was just trying to protect… She says, he was manipulating her, but he says, that’s not what he was trying to do. She tells him, no, stop. She didn’t know where her relationship with Nina was going to go, but instead of letting her make up her own mind, he blackmailed Nina? She doesn’t understand. If he was so worried about Nina’s influence on their kids, why wouldn’t he tell her the truth?

Carly says, Nina is the one who called the SEC? She’s the reason Drew went to Pentenville? She took him from his daughter. because she can’t help herself, Nina says, well, Carly kept her daughter from her, and Carly says, Drew was almost beaten to death and Nina’s still the victim? Nina tells her, what she’s trying to say is, the emotions were running high back then. There was a lot of hostility. There was a lot of pressure, and she felt like Carly’s family’s punching bag. She reached her breaking point. She snapped and she lashed out. Carly says, children lash out. Nina was trying to get back at her and Drew was just collateral damage? That man has been nothing but decent to Nina, and she almost got him killed. Nina says she had no idea the judge was going to give him such a harsh sentence. Everyone was shocked. It shouldn’t have happened. Carly says, he shouldn’t have been sitting in the courtroom to begin with, and Nina says, they did commit… It doesn’t matter. What she’s trying to say is, she knows Carly will never forgive her. She’s just trying to set the record straight. Carly asks, why? Nina was doing just fine keeping her mouth shut. Why? Nina had no problem. Everyone believed Ned called the SEC. Why? Nina says she did feel terrible about that, but Carly says, not terrible enough to tell the truth. Why tonight? Nina says she knows Carly isn’t going to believe her, but the guilt was eating her alive. She regretted all of it. She just came to a point… She didn’t know how to fix it. Carly laughs and says, really? Nina doesn’t feel guilt or regret for anyone but herself… Oh. She got busted, huh? That’s why she’s here. Who knows? Nina says, Sonny.

Sonny asks what Cyrus knows about Nina, and Cyrus says, in her time of distress, she also found her way to this place for guidance. He offered her his counsel. There should be no lies between husband and wife. He’s glad that his simple truth could help them both. Sonny punches him in the face, and Cyrus stumbles back. He says, whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn the other also, and Sonny punches him again. Cyrus says he forgives Sonny, and Sonny pushes him. He says, fight back. Come on. Cyrus says, God forgives Sonny, and Sonny hits him again, this time knocking him down. Sonny says, fight back, as he beats the crap out of Cyrus.

Carly says, of course (🍷). Is he the reason Nina came over here? Nina says, Sonny suggested she apologize to Carly. He is very angry. Carly asks if Nina can blame him. She’s been lying to his face for months, and more importantly, she snitched on his family. Nina says she never meant for any of this to happen, and Carly says, Nina never meant to get caught. She’s not here to make things right. She’s not here to set things straight. She’s here because she doesn’t want to lose Sonny. Nina says she’s here because she wants to make things right, but Carly says, Nina is the most selfish person she’s ever met. She does nothing but hurt everyone around her, mostly the people she claims to care about. Nina says, that’s not fair, and Carly says, Nina is going to talk to her about fair? It’s not fair that Drew almost died in prison because Nina had a temper tantrum. It’s not fair that Nina gets to show up whenever she wants with a fake apology because she wants Sonny to forgive her. Nina is nothing but a selfish bitch, and she hopes Nina rots in hell.

Opening a bakery box, Curtis says, Eckerd’s was closed, but the donut window was open all night, and Portia squeals. She says, he never has to apologize for Eckerd’s lemon donuts. She takes one and says, as he can see, she’s not offering him any. He says he noticed, and she says, this is the best. He’s the best. He says he’s impressed. There’s not many people who would be happy to work on New Year’s. At least they don’t have to set an alarm. They can sleep in and make up for these late-night donuts. She says she doesn’t know if she’ll be able to sleep; she’s so excited about his upcoming surgery. If this works, he could be on the way to walking again. He says, that’s the plan. What if it doesn’t work?

Nikolas says he doesn’t want to kill Esme, and Ava says, he can see why she might be the tiniest bit skeptical, right? He says, yes, but he’ll settle for getting her out of his sons’ lives, and she says, is that all? He asks if she really thinks Esme is equipped to raise a child – his child? and she says, obviously, she doesn’t. She just doesn’t know what he wants her to do. He moves closer and says, what he wants from her… He’s sorry. He has trouble concentrating when he’s around her. He touches her hair, and she asks what he’s doing. He says, remembering the good times. And there were a lot of them. She says, there were a couple, and those days are over, and he asks if that’s why she doesn’t want to help him with Esme. Because if they spend too much time together, she won’t be able to resist him?

Laura says, Esme was at Windymere on Christmas Eve, wasn’t she? and Esme says, yes. She’s really embarrassed. Doc says, speaking of warming up, he’s going to get a little more coffee and let them speak privately. Laura thanks him and he leaves. She tells Esme, breaking into Windymere was dangerous and illegal. What was she doing there? Esme says, Elizbeth Baldwin told her that’s where Nikolas kept her prisoner last Christmas, and she thought if she was there at the same time as last year, it might help spark something that helped her remember. Laura says she sees, and Esme says she’s really sorry she broke in, but she was really cold and a little crazy. She never should have damaged the property. She’ll pay for the broken glass right away. Can she borrow the money? Laura says she’s sorry Esme had such a bad night. Esme should have called her; she can do that. Esme agrees she should have and thanks Laura for understanding. Laura has always been so good to her. Laura says, they’re family, and they all have their crazy moments, and Esme says she’s glad it’s not just her. Laura says, it’s not. Did it work? Did she remember anything?

Dex trades a bottle of water for Adam’s Solo cup, and Josslyn asks what his parents found out about him that was so bad he started pounding Kamikazes? Adam says, they know he lied about the internship he said he was going to do over winter break. They just kept pushing and pushing about why he didn’t come home for the holidays as planned, and it all just came out – his lousy grades. She says she was sitting next to him when he got an A in Organic Chemistry, and he says, A minus is what he got. (Ha! If I’d gotten close to an A in any chem class, my father would have bought me a car.) And there’s no way he can get away with that B he got in Anatomy. She says, that Anatomy class is killer; a B in that class is like top of the curve. He says his parents don’t care. They’re threatening to pull him out of PCU and send him to a local college so he can live at home. They don’t want to waste their money paying for PCU if he’s not performing up to their standards. Josslyn says, that’s crazy, and Adam says, that’s why he went to that frat party. He just wanted to forget for a while. His parents are really mad actually. Why is he such a scrub?

Michael tells Willow that he had every intention of exposing Nina. He went to his dad first. He was going to tell him, but his dad was so happy and so in love, he couldn’t do it. If he couldn’t tell his dad, he couldn’t tell her. Then he realized, why should either one of them hurt even more because of Nina? So he made a deal with her. He told her that he’d keep quiet if he gets to decide when and if she can see Willow and the kids. Willow says, he had no right, and he says he knows that and he’s sorry, but she’d already been through enough. He’s not going to apologize for trying to protect her. She says, it’s not that. He didn’t trust that she could protect herself. She thought they were partners. He says, they are partners, but she says, neither of them acted like it. She didn’t tell him that she had cancer, and he didn’t tell her what Nina did. They’re not honest with each other. What kind of marriage is that?

Nina says, what she’s trying to do is, make things right, but Carly says, too little too late. Drew went to prison because of her. She deserves every bit of payback that’s coming to her. Nina says, Carly should be thanking her. All the horrible things Carly has done to her, and she made herself the bad guy for Carly. She’s welcome. I get distracted by the Christmas decorations, and Carly says, Nina has no one to blame but herself. And her coming over here trying to apologize, is she kidding? There’s no way she’s coming back from this. No way. Nina says she knows Sonny values loyalty more than anything, and Carly says, he sure does. She’s going to be really clear here. She’ll never forgive Nina. She knows Nina doesn’t care, but Willow, Nina’s daughter, is going to see Nina hasn’t changed and she’s still just as toxic as ever – Drew comes back in – and she’s never going to see Amelia and Wiley, ever. Nina says she never meant for things to go this far, and Carly says, Nina never meant to get caught. Let’s be honest. But she did mean to make her and Drew suffer. Drew says, suffer how?

Back at the penthouse, Sonny takes a bottle of liquor out of a paper bag, sets it on the coffee table, and looks at it.

Carly tells Drew that Nina is the one who called the SEC, and he says, is that right? Nina says she’s so sorry about what happened to him. She had no intention… He says, yes or no? Is she the one who called the SEC? Nina says, yes, and he asks what he’s supposed to do now. Nina says she doesn’t understand, and he says, because he can’t do all the things he could do if she was a man, right? He backs her up as he talks, and says he can’t grab her and he can’t hit her, but she’s vile and she’s the worst kind of hypocrite. Scout told him that she saw Nina at the Halloween party and Nina was so nice to her, and the whole time, Nina knew she’s put Scout’s father away in prison. Nina says she had no idea Drew was going to be put in prison, and Drew says, and Donna and Wiley were there, and they had no idea she tried to put Carly away, but they will. Nina says, no, but Drew says, why shouldn’t they find out after living a lie? They think Nina is some good and kind person when she’s not. She doesn’t even love her kids. Nina says, of course (🍷) she does, but Drew says, she has no idea how to be a mother and a grandmother. She could never put her kid’s needs ahead of her own, and that’s what she needs to do. Nina says, do not tell her how she feels about her daughter or her grandchildren. He and Carly are standing here like they’re so saintly. They did commit a crime, by the way. Let her remind them of that. Carly is the one who set all this in motion anyway. Carly kept the truth from her about both her daughters, first Nelle, then Willow. Carly kept her away from Willow for months. Carly yells, stop! She can’t handle this tonight. Her mom died. Nina says, Bobbie’s dead? She’s so sorry. She didn’t know. Carly says, she didn’t care. And Nina isn’t here for her or Drew. She’s here for herself, and she’s said everything she needed to say, so get out of her house. Nina says she didn’t know, and Carly says, get the hell out of her house. Get out! Nina leaves, and Drew closes the door. Carly says she doesn’t want to live in a world where Nina gets to exist and her mom can’t. Drew holds her, and she asks why her mom is gone. While that’s mega sad, I’m going to say it, Nina’s motivation stinks, but she’s not wrong. And it’s not surprising that she doesn’t know how to be a mother or grandmother, considering who she had as an example. Carly just got done talking about how vile she was until Bobbie came into her life.

Ava tells Nikolas not to flatter himself. He’s quite resistible. He asks why she’s running away then, but she says she’s not running anywhere. He says, then she’ll help him get to Esme? and she says she’ll admit, she’d be happier with Esme out of the picture. He says, that’s great. Now all she has to do is throw a party. She says, come again? and he says, and make sure Esme is among the attendees. He’ll get her a full guest list. She asks why Esme would come to a party she threw? and he says, Ava has one of the most fertile imaginations he’s known, just one of her many alluring traits. She says, that’s true, but a party? and he says he’s sure she’ll think of a reason to throw one. Who doesn’t love a party? She asks if he really expects her to believe that he’s not going to hurt Esme, and he says, hand to God. And if she can’t take him at his word, who can she trust?

Esme tells Laura that she walked around Windymere and… nothing. She doesn’t remember a single memory. Laura asks if Esme was still at Windymere when she got there, and Esme says she was. She panicked and ran out before Laura could see her. Laura says, but she left her glove, and Esme says, it must have fallen out of her pocket or something. She’s sorry. It’s kind of hard to explain, but she couldn’t risk getting arrested. She didn’t want to miss Ace’s first Christmas. Laura says she understands. She really does, but Esme broke the law. She’s going to have to turn herself in.

Drew calls Josslyn and says he’s sorry to disrupt her night, but her mom needs to talk to her. Can she come home? Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Is her mom okay? He says, yeah. Just come home and she’ll explain everything. So drive safe, and they’ll see her soon. Josslyn tells Dex, that was Drew. She has to go home. Her mother wants to talk to her. Adam says he should go, but Dex says, stay here; don’t move. Dex walks with Josslyn to the hallway and asks if she wants him to go with her. He can take Adam back to his room first. She says she’s worried about leaving Adam alone like this in his condition, and Dex promises to keep an eye on him. She thanks him, and he asks her to text when she can. She leaves, and Dex goes back inside.

Michael says, he and Willow have both made mistakes, but they love each other. They can get through this. She says, Nina’s lies are one thing, but he’s her husband. His hurt so much worse. She’s going to need some time to sift through all of this. He says, let’s go home. He’ll do anything he can to make this right. She tells him, sleep somewhere else tonight, when his phone rings. He wonders who’s calling at this time of night, and she says, answer it. It might be about the kids. He says, it’s Drew, and she says, take it. There’s nothing left to say. Not tonight. She leaves, and he asks Drew, what’s going on?

Curtis tells Portia, the surgery is experimental. There’s no guarantees. If it doesn’t work, is she going to be upset? She says she’s going to be upset because she knows how much he values his independence, but she loves him and she’s going to love him no matter what, whether he can walk or not. That’s it. That’s the truth. He says he does know that, and she asks how he’s feeling about the procedure. He says he’s trying not to be too hopeful. He just wants to be able to sweep his brilliant, kind, absolutely beautiful wife off her feet – she says, he’s doing that now – and carry her to their bedroom, where they make love. She sits on his lap and says, he sweeps her off her feet every single day with that smile. He smiles, and she says, that’s the one, and kisses him.

Portia and Curtis come out of the elevator, and Curtis asks how he is. She says, the attendant said it was touch and go in the ambulance. She should call… He says he’ll make the call. Just go. She thanks him, and goes into one of the rooms.

Esme tells Laura that she can’t go to jail. What about Ace? Laura says she thinks Esme will be granted bail. She probably won’t even have to stay overnight. Esme says she doesn’t get it. She thought Laura understood. Laura says she does, but actions have consequences. But if Esme turns herself in and admits what she’s done, she’ll probably just get some community service, maybe a fine. Esme says she should have known better, and Laura says, yes, she should have (even though it’s doubtful they’re talking about the same thing). Laura says, breaking into Windymere was a very foolish thing to do, but if Esme takes responsibility for what she’s done, she thinks Esme is going to feel better. So tomorrow morning, they’ll go together to the PCPD. Esme says, Laura is coming with her? and Laura says, of course (🍷) she’ll go with Esme. She wouldn’t make Esme do something so awful by herself. Laura’s phone rings, and she tells Esme, Curtis. Curtis says he hopes he’s not bothering her, but she needs to get to the hospital. It’s about her brother.

Dex tells Adam that he never felt like his parents saw him for who he really was. He could have used a friend like Joss back then. Adam says, it’s amazing Dex can relate to his problems. He’s so together. Dex says, things got a lot better for him when he got out of his parents’ house, and Adam asks how he got out. Dex says he enlisted, but Adam says he can’t do that. Dex tells him that he’s not saying Adam should. He’s just saying there’s a big world out there, way beyond his parents’ judgment. He’s just got to stick with it until he can see it. Things do get better. Adam asks if he really thinks so, and Dex says he knows so.

Josslyn meets Michael at Carly’s door and asks if he knows what this is about. He says, only one way to find out, and Drew opens the door. He thanks them for getting here so quickly. Their mom’s in the living room. They go in and Josslyn asks Carly, what happened? Carly says, it’s about grandma. She passed away.

Sonny sets a glass down near the bottle. He flashes back to Nina saying she’s sorry, and him telling her, stop saying that. Ava comes in and asks what he’s doing in the dark. She sees his grim face and asks, where’s Nina? He says, gone.

Dex puts a blanket on Adam in and turns out the light. He gently turns Adam on his side and puts pillows behind him so he can’t roll back. Adam thanks him, and Dex says, happy New Year.

Josslyn asks, what happened? and Carly takes her hand. She says, grandma was staying in Uncle Luke’s apartment. She went to sleep, and she never woke up. She passed away peacefully. Josslyn says, grandma seemed fine when she spoke to her on Christmas. She was happy. Carly says, she was happy, and the two of them were a big reason why she was. Michael says, grandma always had his back no matter how many times he screwed up, and Josslyn says, she was their rock. What are they going to do without her? Carly says she doesn’t know, but they’re going to get through this together, and she hugs them as they all cry.

Doc and Laura go into the hospital, where Curtis is waiting, and Laura thanks him for calling her. He says he’s glad he could help, and she asks what he knows about what happened. Curtis says, the paramedics told them the priest found Cyrus at the All Saints chapel. He was alone. He’s inside.

On the phone and leaving the PC Grill, Esme tells the babysitter, she’s on her way now. She’ll be there in ten minutes. She runs off, and Nikolas steps out of the shadows, watching her.

Laura sees Cyrus hooked up to machines and on oxygen, and gasps. She asks, how is he? and Portia says she got him stabilized, but he hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Laura asks, who did this to him?

Ava suggests Sonny get his hand cleaned up. Avery can’t see him like that. He goes in the back, and Ava hears the door. She opens it to Nina, who’s looking for Sonny. Ava asks if she told him the truth about the SEC, and Nina nods. Ava says she doesn’t think Nina should be here. He’s in a bad way. Nina says she just needs to talk to him, just for a minute. She told Carly and Drew everything. She just came from there. Sonny comes back out and walks slowly to the door, looking ominous, full-on old Sonny. Ava steps away, and Nina says she just came from… Sonny slams the door in her face.

Tomorrow, Cyrus says, once Laura knows the answer, she may be sorry she asked; Drew asks if Sam gets the final word on what’s best for their daughter; and Sasha tells Nina to let it be, and she might get what she wants.

Southern Chumps Charm

I get confused since I expect it to be New Year’s Eve on the show. Whitney calls the others about the soirée he’s having to christen his new cottage/pub/office. The theme is Russ Meyer arty 60s softcore movies, and he suggests channeling Return of the Valley of the Dolls or Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! for inspiration.

Leva meets Olivia, who’s wearing Connor’s jacket, for soup. Leva says, the soda has a strange aftertaste, and Olivia says, it sounds like their trip. Leva says she wondered how healthy it was for Olivia to be in Jamaica with Austen, and Olivia says she thought they could do the friend thing, but she catches him saying things she wants to hear. Leva says, that’s wrong knowing where she’s at, and in Leva’s interview, she says, Olivia is super fragile, and you have to be conscious of what you’re saying and how you’re acting with around someone in that space. She doesn’t think Austen can. Olivia says, it’s inconsistent with Austen. They were laughing in Jamaica, then yelling at each other. We flash back to that, and Olivia says she doesn’t want to fight. She wants to figure out their friendship. Leva says, Olivia is giving Austen more power than he has. In Olivia’s interview, she says she was hanging on to the shred of hope that Austen could change, but after Jamaica, she’s done with him. Leva says, Olivia has a lot going on, but she’s learned she’s strong.

Rod comes by JT’s event space, and they try on their party outfits. Rod says he’s rocking 60s leggings. Was that a thing then? Isn’t that more 80s or 90s? JT says, they talked about his feelings for Taylor, and Rod thought he was eligible. Rod says, there’s a slight possibility, and in JT’s interview, he says he’s had a crush on Taylor, but since Jamaica, his feelings are getting real. They laugh all the time, and it means a lot. If you can laugh together, you can overcome a lot. He wonders if he should tell Taylor, and Rod says, it’s what he’d do. JT says he’s nervous about the party. He’s not talking to Austen. He’s just going to have some snacks and be on his way. He has no respect for Austen, and he’s good with never talking to him again. In his interview, JT says, Austen cares about nobody but himself. Deep down, he’s a self-serving, insecure, me-first coward. He tells Rod that he’s going to ghost Austen and make Taylor giggle at the party. Good Lord, he is obsessed with Austen.

Brett brings Madison champagne for breakfast, and she calls it the breakfast of champions. She tells him, no more champagne once he gets a baby in her. She can’t wait, but she’s scared. She’s going to be fat and pissed off. He says he doesn’t care, and suddenly, she says she feels nauseous. She runs to the toilet and throws up, making us all wonder if she’s already pregnant, but she says she took her vitamins on an empty stomach. Hmm… In Madison’s interview, she says she’s freaked out. Selfishly, she doesn’t want to do it, but it’s definitely worth it. It’s hard in the beginning.

Patricia is in a wheelchair after her compression fracture. In her interview, she says she can’t move, but she has health care professional Paul, who also does her makeup and skincare. She says, why look like a tousled mess because you can’t bend your back? (Agreed!) And she still wears nice lingerie. Whitney comes over, and she asks for Peaches. I love Peaches. Whitney tries to wrangle the dog, who barks at him and hides under a chair. He brings the next best, Roy, to her. She says, it’s her hour up. She feels 60% better, but gets tired after 40 minutes. Whitney tells her that his party is tomorrow, and his cottage is almost there, about 80%. The party’s overriding homage is Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, a softcore film from the mid-60s by his favorite filmmaker Russ Meyer. Patricia says, no one but him knows who Russ Meyer is, and asks if he invited any young ladies? He says, no, and you can’t rush these things. Patricia says, but he has to look, and he says, it’s not as easy as she thinks. In Patricia’s interview, she wonders if her having had three husbands affected Whitney’s outlook. She wants him to get married. She tells him, when she kicks the bucket, who’s going to take care of him? and he says, Shep. (Can you imagine? Shep can’t even take care of himself.) In her interview, Patricia says she wants Whitney to have a family. He’s an only child, and with his father passing and her accident, it seems like life is slipping away. She gives Roy back to Whitney, and says she’s got dog fur in her mouth. Yep. Rich people. Just like us when it comes to their pets.

Everyone gets ready, and Shep tells Little Craig that Whitney wants to be one of The Who, so now they have to dress like what he wants to be. Whitney supervises the party set-up outdoors, but it starts to rain. On the way there, Paige and Craig discuss the moon landing being fake. It begins to pour, and Paige tells Craig that her hair is the most important thing here. The cottage is impressive, and in Craig’s interview, he says, if Whitney was trying to build a place to bring single Charlestonian girls, he achieved his goal. Shep comes in and says he’s Dieter from Dusseldorf. He likes fashion and new wave sh*t. While getting ready, Taylor tells a friend Chelsea that Shep said he wants to talk to her. Their friendship is confusing, and everyone says he still loves her. In Taylor’s interview, she says, her interactions in the last few weeks with Shep have been positive and good. We flash back to that, and she says, she’s glad to be able to have a good friendship with him, but sometimes she hopes there’s something still there. She still loves him and misses their relationship. Austen tells sister Katie that he’s hoping Olivia apologizes. He can’t walk on eggshells anymore around all these people.

In Shep’s interview, he says, he may not be able to have a friendship with Taylor at this point. What they’re doing isn’t working. We flash back to Whitney saying that Shep may be leading her on, and Shep says he wants to draw some lines in the sand. In Olivia’s interview, she says, it’s a relief not to act like her friendship with Taylor is worth fighting for, because it isn’t. In Taylor’s interview, she says she’d hoped to mend things in Jamaica. She’s owned up to everything and can’t do any more. Whitney says, Madison looks like a porno Jackie O, and she asks if that’s not the point. There’s brick oven pizza, lots of food porn, and whatever you can think of to drink. The party half-moves to Patricia’s house, and Madison says she wants to take Patricia some champagne. She asks Brett to get a coupe for her, and goes upstairs, Brett following with the goods. Patricia says she feels like in another couple weeks, she’ll be back to getting into trouble, and Brett wisely leaves the women to it. Patricia says she’s never seen Madison’s boobs so contained, but Madison says, it still gets the point across. Patricia asks about Jamaica, and Madison says she looked at it as her last hurrah, since it’s time she had a baby. Patricia asks how she feels, and Madison says, scared. Patricia says she saw Madison at nine months pregnant with Hudson, then didn’t see her for three months because of her broken pelvis. Madison says she was on bedrest and had to use a walker. She has no idea how long it might take her to get pregnant since she never tried. She loves Hudson, but she’d love to have a daughter. Who will take care of her? Patricia says, Whitney is an only child. When she kicks the bucket… Madison says, she’s never kicking the bucket, and Patricia says she’s not planning on it, but Whitney is an only child and needs to have a family. In Madison’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Whitney is ready. He hasn’t found the right girl. She hopes and prays he does, but until then, he’ll have to put up with her as his sister. She tells Patricia that if she has twins, she’ll give her one. In my head, I see Patricia as Rumpelstiltskin.

JT asks if he can talk to Taylor, and they go out on the porch. He asks if she knows she’s one of his best friends. They had a lot of fun laughing in Jamaica. Taylor agrees, and says, when she needed comedic relief… He says, he’s her guy. When they when hung out, it was constant laughter and joy. He says a few other things, but way to quickly he says he loves her and would marry her tomorrow. She looks super uncomfortable, as we all would. Venita, Madison, and Olivia are hanging out together when Austen asks to talk to Olivia. Since Olivia is incapable of speaking for herself, Venita says, that’s not happening, but Olivia says, okay.

Taylor says, she and JT haven’t crossed the friendship threshold. He doesn’t know her. She could be a psychopath. JT says, she is a psychopath, making her laugh and him hopelessly hopeful. Going for full awkwardness, he says, what’s psychopathic is, knowing they could die tomorrow and not giving it a try. She tells him that she’s got a lot going on. Shep is still in her head, and she still needs time to process, heal, and move forward. In Taylor’s interview, she says she wishes she could wake up tomorrow and JT would be her person, but she’s more attracted to a-holes. I’m not sure what to say here, since JT is a total a-hole, just in a different way. And I’m not sure he’s anyone’s person. Shep approaches, which I’m sure thrills JT. Shep says, JT is looking like Justin Bieber (again, not very 60s), and JT says, he’s washed-up Justin Bieber’s dad. Shep asks to talk to Taylor, and Taylor takes this opportunity to run from one a-hole to another one. JT says he’ll go back to suppressing, and in his interview, he says, the good guy never wins. It happens in every movie, except Braveheart. Maybe he’s not the one for Taylor, but he knows she’ll eventually find a good guy, and guys like Austen will lose. He says this, even though it was Shep who interrupted. Obsessed. Inside, Shep asks what JT was talking about. Did he and Taylor hook up in Jamaica? Taylor says, nooo. They haven’t crossed that threshold. Shep says she doesn’t want to do it again, but Taylor says, she doesn’t regret what happened with Austen. Shep looks stunned.

Austen tells Olivia, in lieu of Jamaica, he wants to get to the bottom of things. I don’t think in lieu means what he thinks it means. He says, it seems one way when they talk like this, and another way in public. Olivia says she knows she’s been inconsistent, but it’s not a good friendship. Nothing is genuine. Austen says he’s trying to be here for her, but she says, he’s not. He gets off on getting two girls pit against each other. Look at the paper trail of pissed off women he’s left behind, and they all say the same thing. He needs to stop having these conversations and have one with himself. I’m not backing Austen or anything, but he is the one going to therapy and seems to actually be working his program.

Shep tells Taylor that he wants to get to a place where they can be super supportive and kind. He thinks they made a cool step. Taylor says she’d hoped for something more, and Shep asks if she wants to get back together. She says, possibly. Olivia says she appreciates Austen having been there at times, and Austen tells her that he thought she’d say her emotions got the best of her. She says, he thought she was going to apologize? In Olivia’s interview, she suggests he take his head out of his narcissistic a-hole. She’s going through a lot of things, but an apology to him isn’t one of them. Austen says, things are not right. There’s a major f***ing disconnect. Olivia agrees and leaves. Taylor says, Shep loved and cared about her, but she also cared about them as a couple. He tells her, us is over; it’s not reparable. She asks why they’re talking then, and he says he wants to if they can be supportive of one another. Taylor asks, what if she wants to date Austen?

Shep wonders if Taylor wants to date Austen, but she says, what if she did? He says he’d shake his head and be like, wowza. She asks if it would bother him, and he says, if they were genuinely in love, he wouldn’t stand in their way. Outside, JT acts like a two-year-old, banging his wineglass on the railing like he’s winding up to have a tantrum. Rod brings bourbon shots over, and JT says he told Taylor that he loved her. And she was like, I appreciate you, bud. Shep takes Taylor’s hand and asks why she’s mad at him, and she says she’s not, but she doesn’t get it. He asks if they can co-exist and be supportive and forget the romantic stuff. He’s still going to message her, but if it messes with her head, tell him. Taylor says, she might need to be selfish and take some time, and he thanks her for talking. They give each other a side hug, and Shep says he’s sorry for anything from the past. In the future, he’ll try to be her biggest advocate. She says, water off a duck’s back, and leaves. Outside, she cries. In Shep’s interview, he says, it breaks his heart. He wants to make her happy, even if he’s not with her. He made the right decision. Maybe they can be happy for each other in the same realm. That’s his big goal.

30 minutes later. Everyone is hanging around the bars and drinking, and Austen tells Craig that he’s done with Olivia. In JT’s interview, he says he can’t stop thinking about Taylor kissing Austen. And she doesn’t want him, an actually successful, good, positive man. JT is kind of kneeling on the bar stool, and Austen says, they’re finally eye-to-eye. JT says, Austen is a snake coward, the genesis of so much pain and tears, and in Austen’s interview, he says, JT is the one initiated the whole thing when he put his nose where it didn’t belong. We flash back to JT talking about the sleepovers, and Austen says, what the f***? like four times. JT says, Austen is an at arm’s length friend who can’t be trusted around women, and Austen asks why he’s upset. JT says he wants to understand how Austen can be such a piece of sh*t. How many people has he hurt? Taylor asks why JT has to come after Austen, and JT gets pissed that she’s taking Austen’s back. She says she’s not, but JT says he’s never going to forget this, like the kindergartener he is. Austen asks what he’s upset about, and in his interview, he says he gets it. JT is jealous of him. JT wanted Taylor so bad, but he gets the girl and JT doesn’t. Guys like him don’t. JT says, Shep had it right in saying Austen is like a boy in a sandbox who wants everyone else’s shiny toys. Austen asks why JT is so upset, and JT says, Austen f***ed Shep’s girlfriend. Everyone in the whole place goes, whoa, and Austen calls JT a child and pushes him off the stool. JT is unfazed and headbutts Austen like a tiny wrestler. They start to fight, and production comes in to break it up. JT says, Austen loses. See him never. Austen says, JT can’t help himself, and JT tells Whitney that he didn’t want to go there. Whitney suggests he go outside, and tells Austen to calm down. In Shep’s interview, he says, his and Austen’s relationship is frayed. He gave Austen the benefit of the doubt. He did wrong. He was a bad friend, and it hurts. He hates to say it, but Austen kind of deserves it. No one can dispute that.

Next time – the Reunion – JT wants to do a f*** boy exorcism; Shep wishes the finish line for girls was simple like it is for guys (apparently, he doesn’t want to even put any work in there); no one thinks Paige is moving to Charleston; JT says, blah-blah-blah-blah Austen; Austen says, JT is obsessed with him; Andy asks if Taylor hooked up with Whitney; Shep says he made a mistake with Taylor; and Olivia and Austen argue.

🧀 Confused, Full Of Cheese, Unsure Of the Day Of the Week….

Revisit tomorrow for soap and post New Year combo platter of nonsense and wisdom. Until then, stay safe, stay open to changing your mind, and stay not putting your nose where it doesn’t belong.

January 4, 2023 –Bad Endings In the New Year, PSA For Pet Owners, New Year Soap, Andy’s Shots, Roll Call 2022, Best In Chic, What They Did & Better

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura thanks Ava for letting her stop by; she knows it’s late. Ava says, Laura told her it’s important, and invites her in. She asks, what’s up? and Laura says she’s worried. She has to find a way to help Nikolas. Ava says, and Laura came to her? and Laura says, Ava probably knows him better than anyone else now. She’s hoping Ava can shed some light on why Nikolas is afraid. What does Victor have on her son?

Dante says, Miss Prince? and introduces himself. He says, they’ve met before. Can she tell him what happened to her? She looks around, and asks, what happened? He says, she’s being treated for hypothermia, and she asks, why? He says he was hoping she could tell him. And also where she’s been hiding out the last six months.

Spencer says he knows Nikolas claims he’s there out of concern for him, but he always has an ulterior motive. What is it? Nikolas says his motive is his family, and Spencer says, right. He tells Trina, if she doesn’t mind, he’d like a moment alone with his father. They step away, and Trina tells Elizabeth, that seemed intense.

Nikolas says, finding Esme like that must have been a shock, and Spencer asks Nikolas to level with him for once. Is his psycho ex-girlfriend carrying Nikolas’s kid?

Cameron is closing up Kelly’s, when Scotty comes in, and asks what he’s doing here. Cameron says, working, and Scotty asks why he’s not out and doing what young people do on New Year’s Eve. Cameron says, technically, it’s January 1st, and Scotty says, his point exactly. Why isn’t he out with that beautiful girlfriend, bringing the New Year in with a bang?

Dex and Josslyn bask in the afterglow on the couch, and Dex asks how she is. She says, from one to ten, eleven, and he says, him too, and kisses her. He says he meant what happened on the dock. Someone tried to kill her tonight. She says, oh, that. She feels lucky and uneasy, but somehow here with him, she feels safe. He says, she is, and kisses her.

Obrecht says, Britt’s dress is torn. Is she bleeding. Britt starts to walk, and drops to the floor. Obrecht asks, what’s wrong? and Britt says she guesses she had more to drink than she realized. Obrecht says she’s calling for help, but Britt says, don’t. Obrecht says, obviously, something is wrong, and Britt says, it’s too late.

Josslyn says, this wasn’t the plan, and Dex says, it’s not like he never thought of it. She says she’d just try to push those thoughts down, and he asks, why? She says, he works for Sonny, and she’s never going to be okay with that. All those lies she used tell herself, that Sonny was actually an honorable man and his behavior was justified? She’s never going to tell herself those lies again. Her phone dings, and Dex hands it to her. She sees a text from Cameron: NYE re-do when I’m off work? Can’t wait to see you.

Cameron says, it’s Scotty’s lucky day; it’s the last one. He puts a plate in front of Scotty who says, a brownie. He’s not going to touch it yet. He texted his schnitzel to come join him. Cameron says, he didn’t ring in the new year with Dr. Obrecht? and Scotty says he was at Britt’s birthday party, but got a call from a client, and had to go. Cameron asks if someone spilled champagne, fell, and broke their hip, and Scotty says, collarbone. Cameron says, and they’re suing? and Scotty says, it will keep him in brownies until 2024. Cameron says, sounds like he should work for Scotty, and Scotty says, if Cameron every needs any money or anything… Cameron says he’s fine, but Scotty says, Cameron has to squeeze in some fun. It’s true what they say; life is short.

Obrecht tells Britt not to be defeatist. It’s not a good look on anyone, especially her. It’s only a scratch. How did this happen? Obrecht cleans the wound, and Britt says, Obrecht knows her; two left feet. Obrecht says, the Huntington’s? and Britt says, it definitely doesn’t help. She suggests getting Britt home, cleaned up, and in bed. No MetroCourt. She wants Britt to stay with her. Britt says, Obrecht never made a toast, but Obrecht says she thinks Britt’s had enough for tonight. She can barely keep her eyes open. Britt says, humor her. It’s her birthday. Obrecht picks up a glass, and says, to many more nights like this, draining the glass. She says she’s been thinking a lot about wasted time lately, and Britt says, her too. Obrecht says she wasn’t affectionate enough; too focused on molding Britt. Too focused to appreciate her, and Britt was unable to see the plain truth. Britt’s life was a miracle, and she robbed them both. She never held Britt enough, and never held her brother at all because she gave him up. She didn’t even get to hold him at the end. Britt coughs up blood, and Obrecht says, Britt’s not drunk, and this isn’t Huntington’s. What’s happening to her?

Laura tells Ava, Nikolas led her to believe he was in pretty big trouble. He wouldn’t tell her what it was, but he did say his Uncle Victor could either save him or ruin him. Does Ava have any idea what he was referring to? Ava flashes back to Esme falling off the parapet, and says she wishes she could tell Laura, but as they both know, Nikolas doesn’t tell her everything. Laura says she’s sorry Nikolas hurt Ava. What he did to her was unforgiveable, but she remembers a time when the two of them shared everything. Ava says she thought so too, but now she’s questioning everything, even the happy moments, and Laura says, she knows for a fact Nikolas regrets his choices. If she’s being perfectly honest, she has a few regrets too.

Nikolas tells Spencer to keep his voice down, and Spencer says, Nikolas thinks he can keep this a secret. When Esme wakes up, she’s going to blow Nikolas out of the water. He doesn’t know how pregnant she is, but he knows it’s definitely not his, which leaves Nikolas. They see a nurse go into Esme’s room, and Trina wonders if that means she’s awake.

The nurse tells Esme that she’s paged the doctor, and he should be here soon. Esme asks for water, but the nurse says she’s not cleared for that yet, and Dante says, stop stalling. Esme says she’s not stalling; she’s freezing. The nurse says she’ll get another blanket, and leaves. Dante asks if Esme wants him to repeat the question, calling her Miss Prince. Esme asks why he keeps calling her that.

Nikolas sees TJ headed for Esme’s room, and asks how she is. TJ says, that’s what he’s about to find out, and goes inside. Nikolas tells Elizabeth, this is unacceptable. What’s the point of being on the Board if no one tells him anything? Elizabeth tells him to come with her, and they leave. Trina says, Spencer’s dad is really invested in Esme, and Spencer says, she has no idea. She asks what they were talking about, but he says, nothing important. She says, it didn’t seem that way, and he says, that’s the thing about Cassadines. Our conversations always seem fraught. It’s part of the mystique. They should be celebrating; their plan worked. They lured The Hook out of hiding by pretending to be together. She says she’s not so sure they did.

TJ says, any nausea or headache? but a shivering Esme shakes her head. He says, what about tenderness? and she says, no. TJ asks the nurse to order him a fetal heart monitor, and an OB consult with an ultrasound. Esme asks why he’d need that, and he asks, when was the last time she felt the baby move? She says, baby? and looks under the blanket. She says, oh my God. I’m pregnant?

Ava asks what regrets Laura could have, and Laura says she hates that her son couldn’t be a better husband to Ava. Ava says, that’s his fault, not Laura’s, and Laura says, maybe. But looking back, she repeatedly encouraged Ava to stay with Nikolas. Maybe she shouldn’t have done that. Ava asks how Laura could have known that. Nikolas, and Nikolas alone, is at fault for the demise of their marriage. So she doesn’t want to hear about regrets; not Laura’s anyway. Laura says she doesn’t like to think of herself as naïve, but she thought Nikolas’s relationship with Ava could make him a better man. Ava says she thought so too, and for a while she thought it did. She guesses they’re both naïve.

Josslyn hurries to get dressed, and Dex tells her to slow down, but she says she can’t. She has to talk to Cameron. He says, it’s after midnight, but she says she can’t let Cameron go into the new year thinking they’re something they’re not. It’s not fair. He asks if she regrets it, and she says, this? No. But it was wrong for her to give in to her feelings for Dex while she was still with someone else. She owes Cam the respect of a conversation. He’s not just her boyfriend, he’s… Dex says, her best friend. He gets it. She says she’s about to break Cameron’s heart, and Dex starts getting dressed. She asks what he’s doing, and he says, there’s a killer on the loose, and she’s out for Josslyn. He can’t let her go by herself. She says, Cam can’t see him, but he promises to stay out of sight. She almost died tonight. She’s not going anywhere alone.

Cameron asks if Scotty saw Josslyn at Britt’s party, and Scotty says he didn’t, but he told Cameron that he had to leave early. Cameron says, it’s just that he texted her, and hasn’t heard anything back, and Scotty says, they’re good, right? Cameron says, yeah. They’ve just been super busy; him with soccer, her with volleyball. Now that it’s winter break, they’re going to be spending a lot of time together. As soon as he’s done here, he’s going to do a New Year’s do-over. Scotty asks what he’s doing? Go grab her.

On the phone, Obrecht says, please hurry. She’s having an anaphylactic reaction of some kind. Obrecht goes back to Britt, and says, because of the holiday, the closest ambulance is ten minutes out, but they’ll be here. Britt says she was coming back for Obrecht, and Obrecht asks if she’s in pain. Britt shakes her head, and says she wanted more time with all of them. Obrecht says she’ll have more time. She’s just having some sort of immune response. Britt says she didn’t want to die alone, so she came back. Now it’s close. Obrecht says, she’s not making sense, and Britt coughs. Obrecht says she’ll drive Britt to the hospital herself, but Britt says, they won’t make it. Obrecht asks what she means. The hospital is a few blocks away, and she’s an excellent driver. Britt says, the scratch is from a hook. She’s been poisoned. Obrecht can’t save her.

Outside Kelly’s, Dex says he’ll be here if Josslyn needs him, and she says she doesn’t know how she’s going to do this. Inside, Scotty tells Cameron to seize the day, and Cameron says he’s going to do it. Seize the day. He starts to leave, when Josslyn walks in. He says he literally was just about to look for her, and she says, they need to talk. Ugh. No guy ever wants to hear those words.

Ava laughs, and says she was thinking how horrified Laura was when she discovered Ava was her new daughter-in-law. Laura says, Ava wouldn’t be her first choice, and Ava says, who could blame her? Laura’s his mom. Laura says, Nikolas doesn’t see it that way. He thinks she oversteps and judges too harshly. Maybe he’s right. Ava says she wishes she’d been the kind of mother Laura is. If she had been able to set aside her anger and sadness, and had been there for Kiki… Laura says, no. Don’t do this to herself. Look how much she’s there for Avery. She’s setting a great example by showing Avery that she’s not accepting less than she deserves. Ava thanks her, and not just for saying that, but for always being so kind to her, despite all the bumps in this very tumultuous road. Laura says, being with Ava is the happiest she’s seen Nikolas. The fact that it fell apart… Ava says, it feels like a failure, and Laura says, divorce always does; it’s like a death. How is Ava dealing with that? Ava says, vodka helps. She’s not going to lie. She’s mad as hell at Laura’s son. Laura asks what she intends to do about that.

Nikolas says he should have put the Cassadine Island plan in motion earlier, and Elizabeth tells him, stop. That ship has sailed. Esme could be in there telling the police where she’s been all this time. Do they need to call Scotty? Should she call her boys and tell them she’s about to be arrested? He says he won’t let that happen, and she asks, how? He’s going to be in the police van next to her. He says he needs to make a call, and walks off.

TJ asks if Esme knows what day it is, and she asks, what’s happening to her? He says, she’s safe. Everything is okay, and she’s going to be fine. Does she know where she is? She looks at Dante, and tells TJ, he said this was a hospital. TJ says, it’s normal to be confused after a medical event, so why doesn’t she start by telling him her name? She says she can’t.

Spencer says he thought Trina would be thrilled they don’t have to pretend anymore, and she says, assuming Esme is The Hook. He says, not this Ryan Chamberlain theory again, but she says, think about it. Esme is pregnant; like pregnant pregnant. Can he really see her out there, attacking people, getting the best of someone like Rory or Ava? He says he doesn’t know, but he does know he’s not going to stand here while Esme ruins both of their lives. Dante comes out, and Elizabeth asks, how’s Esme? Spencer asks if she’s talking, and Trina asks if she’s awake. Dante says, she’s awake, and Spencer asks if she confessed. Dante says, she’s not saying much of anything, and Spencer says, of course (🍷). She’s probably already lawyered up, but Trina says she doesn’t think that’s it. Why isn’t Esme talking? Dante says, she claims she doesn’t remember anything.

Obrecht tell Britt that they have to move, but Britt says she can’t. Obrecht says, she has to try; the hospital will have an antidote. Britt says, no time, and coughs. She says she’s glad she came back. She’s glad she’s with Obrecht. In the beginning, and in the end. Obrecht says, this is not the end. There must be something she can do. Britt says, hold her like she wanted to hold Nathan, and Obrecht gets down on the floor, taking Britt in her arms. She cries as she says, Britt could talk before she could walk. So intelligent, so brave. Into everything. She remembers one evening she looked away for two minutes, and Britt managed to open her briefcase pulled out the contents. Fine motor skills that should have been beyond her. Britt had gotten hold of a pen and drawn all over herself. She was annoyed, but she should have kissed Britt, and smiled at how silly and wonderful she looked. She should have picked Britt up, and kissed her and kissed her, instead of scrubbing her up, and putting her to bed. Britt is starting to fade, and Obrecht says, all those kisses she never gave Britt. All those nights she put Britt to bed, and never once rocked her to sleep, her precious girl. My schone tochter. She realizes Britt is gone, and kisses the top of her head, and says, I love you, sweetheart. Mama loves you.

Scotty tells Josslyn and Cameron to have a good New Year’s, and leaves. Josslyn asks if they can sit, and Cameron says, of course (🍷). They sit down, and he asks, what’s going on? She says she really doesn’t want to do this, and he says, do what? She cries, and says, things have changed between them, and she really can’t ignore it anymore.

Laura gets her coat, and tells Ava, just for the record, she knows Ava owes Nikolas nothing. Ava says, less than that, and Laura says, but if Ava thinks of something that could help Nikolas get out from under Victor’s thumb, could Ava just tell her? Ava’s phone rings, and she says, Laura’s son has impeccable timing. She asks what Nikolas wants, and he says, what Ava wants; not to be implicated in a crime. Esme is at General Hospital. Ava asks if anyone knows she’s there, and he says, the PCPD for starters. They’re questioning her as they speak. They need to get their story straight about what happened that night on the parapet. Ava says she’s leaving now, and Laura asks, what happened? Ava says, Esme Prince has been apprehended.

Trina says, this is crazy. Esme is suffering from memory loss? Dante tells her, that’s what Esme is saying, and Spencer says, that is a load of… crap. She’s lying. Dante says he has to the update station, and steps away. Nikolas joins them, and asks what Dante said. Elizabeth says she’ll fill him in, and leads him away. She tells him, Esme claims she doesn’t remember anything, and Nikolas says, anything about the last few weeks? but she says, sounds like about anything at all, and Nikolas wonders, what the hell is her angle now?

Trina wonders if Esme could really not remember who she is, but Spencer says, no way. It’s just one more in a long line of Esme’s tricks. She says, but what if it’s not? and he says, believe him, it is.

Esme tells TJ that she’s scared.

Cameron says he doesn’t understand, and Josslyn says, they’re growing apart. He says he knows he hasn’t been around a lot. He’s just been busy with soccer, his brothers, and work. She says, it’s not that, and he says, then they’ll spend more time together, but she says, it’s not about physical distance. It’s about her, and what she feels. He asks if that’s changed, and she says, yes. He says, relationships evolve, right? They grow, and they’ve been through so much in the last year. She says she kept telling herself that too. And that if they cared about each other enough, they can recapture what they used to have. He says, haven’t they? He’s sorry; he’s confused. He thought things were fine. She says, things aren’t fine. They’ve been struggling. He knows this; they talked about this. He says he knows they talked about it, and then they… She says, they had sex. She thought it would fix things, but it didn’t. He says he thinks they need to talk about this. Think it through, and figure out a way to get back to where they were. She says, no, they can’t, and he says, that sounds final. She says, it is, and he says he sees. She didn’t come here to fix things. She came here to break up with him.

On the phone, Dante says he hasn’t figured out yet where Esme was when Britt Westbourne was attacked, but he has her personal belongings… He’ll bring them to the lab to be analyzed. It’s a bag of her personal belongings; clothes mostly, and a Christmas ornament. See if CSI can do something with it. Spencer walks over, and Dante says he’ll call them back with any updates. Spencer asks Dante, please tell him that he isn’t falling for this.

Ava comes out of the elevator, and sees Trina. She asks if there’s any news on Esme. She heard Esme was here with the cops. Trina says, she claims she doesn’t remember anything, and Ava says, nothing? Trina says, apparently. She’s surprised to see Ava here. Ava says, Nikolas called her, and Trina says she thought he would. But if Ava doesn’t suspect Esme of being The Hook, why come?

Nikolas says, there’s no way Esme has amnesia after everything she’s pulled, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Esme is faking it. He asks how she can say that, and she says, her best defense against The Hook allegations is that she was being held captive at Windymere all this time. She could send the police over there right now; there’s evidence all over the north tower. The truth is her alibi. Laura comes along, and says, what’s this about an alibi?

Cameron says, so that’s it? He and Josslyn are done? He gets zero say in the matter? She says she’s trying to be fair. She wants them both to be happy. He says he is happy. He thought she was too; clearly, he was wrong. He’s such an idiot. He gets up, and she follows, saying, he’s not. He says, he’s been going through life thinking everything was fine; meanwhile, his girlfriend’s miserable? She says she was never miserable. She could just feel them going in different directions, without that not same connection used to have. She starts to cry, and says she’s sorry, so sorry. She should have come to him sooner, but she’s so scared. The thought of losing him terrifies her. He says, and the thought of staying with him is worse? Does she still love him? She says she’ll always love him. She’s just not in love with him anymore. She knows that this changes things… He tells her, don’t say it. Don’t think for a second that they can be friends after this. She says, but she wants to. Please. He asks how they can do that when he’s still in love with her. He can’t just go back. Not now, and maybe not ever.

Scotty sees Obrecht on a bench at the hospital, and asks if she’s all right. She says she’s alone. She tried to protect them, and she’s still all alone. He says, she’s not alone. He’s right here. What happened? She tells him, she said she came back for me. What’s that mean? If she hadn’t come back… He asks, who? Look at him. If who hadn’t come back? She says, her Britta. She’s gone. Her little girl is gone.

Nikolas tells Laura that they were just wondering how Esme was going to talk her way out of this, and Elizabeth says, Nikolas told her that he’d talked to Laura about them. It must have been a shock. Laura says, actually, she’s mostly concerned about her grandchild; she’s concerned about all of her grandsons. She asks why Nikolas is here. Aside from being Spencer’s ex-girlfriend, she didn’t think he knew Esme all that well. He says, Esme’s action affected so many people In Port Charles… Elizabeth says, they just want to see Esme pay for what she’s done.

Ava tells Trina, Esme terrorized her. Esme set her car on fire, and left Kiki’s hospital ID next to it. Not to mention what she did to Trina. How could she not be here? Trina doesn’t think Ava will be as heated when she sees Esme, and Ava asks what that means. The nurse brings TJ the fetal heart monitor he wanted, and says she ordered the OB consult. Trina tells Ava, Esme is pregnant.

Cameron says he has to get back to work, and Josslyn grabs his arm. He tells her, don’t make this harder than it already is. Goodnight. He goes to the counter, turning his back to her, and she says, goodnight. She lingers at the door a moment, then leaves. Cameron cries, and outside, Dex asks if Josslyn is doing okay. She shakes her head, and he says he’ll take her home. Inside, Cameron yells in frustration.

Ava says, Esme is pregnant? and Trina says, and get this. Spencer doesn’t think the baby is his. Ava says, Spencer’s right, and walks over to Dante. Dante tells Spencer that what he believes is irrelevant, and Spencer says, Esme needs to go to prison whether she remembers what she did or not. Ava strides over, Trina following, and asks how far along Esme is, but Dante says he can’t give her that information. Trina asks if TJ said whether Esme was capable of physical violence, and Dante says,  that’s also privileged information that he can’t give them. Ava says, so a  wanted criminal’s right to privacy is greater than public safety? and Dante asks what she wants. Esme is being held and questioned. Ava says, she also heard Esme is saying she doesn’t remember anything. Dante had better take everything she says with a grain of salt. Does he hear her? He says he thinks the whole hospital hears her, and she says, at best, Esme is a conniving liar, who terrorizes people and torches cars. Trina says, and films people without their knowledge, and Spencer says, and frames innocent people for it. Ava says, at worst, she’s a murderer, responsible for a spree of brutal attacks, of which she’s a victim. Dante says, he gets everyone’s concern and interest, but he can’t give them answers yet. Nikolas asks if he and Ava can talk in private, and she asks when Esme conceived. He suggests they go somewhere quiet, but she says she’s fine where she is, and she asked him a question. Laura asks, what’s going on? and Ava asks if he isn’t going to answer his mother. Elizabeth says, now is not the time, and Ava asks if she hasn’t stood up for Nikolas enough. The baby Esme is carrying, it’s his, isn’t it? He says, yes, and she smacks him across the face, and says, that’s all she needed to know.

Scotty calls Nina, and tells her that he has horrible news.

Alone with Britt, Obrecht says, five years ago this month, she lost Britt’s brother. Now Britt has left her too. She can’t fathom it. A world without Britt’s brilliance, her humor, her utter determination. A world without her… Where does that energy go? It can’t just disappear. Their time together was far too short. She’s so proud to have been Britt’s mutter. To have witnessed the woman Britt grew up to be. Give Nathan a message for her. She whispers something in Britt’s ear, and kisses her forehead. She pets Britt’s hair, and says, Godspeed, Britta. Until we are all reunited.

Tomorrow, Nina knows something Maxie and Brad don’t; Ryan tells Heather to confess, so their daughter goes free; and Esme recognizes someone.

🐶 First, a PSA For Pet Owners…

This is hard to read, but it would feel wrong not to pass this info along. I’m really careful about treats I give my dogs.

🧼 Onto Soap Business…

Those we lost.

GH Year in Review.

How the soap stars celebrated the New Year.

Things in soap history that happened on January 1st.

🥃 And the Beef Goes On…

I’ll bet they got wasted afterward.

This is so stupid.

🥀 Roll Call…

Celebrities we lost in 2022.

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

https://people.com/celebrity/celebrities-whove-died-in-2022/

👠 Fashion Fabulousness…

The best in movies.

https://ew.com/movies/best-fashion-moments-movies-2022/

The best in music.

🎉 Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight…

How the stars celebrated.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/35521/stars-celebrating-new-years-eve-2022

🤸 Rolling Into the New Year Like…

Tomorrow, join me to find out what’s happening in Port Charles, and for more new year tea. Until then, stay safe, stay giving grace to yourself as well as others, and stay seizing the day, because life is short.

January 4, 2022 – Bad News Travels Fast, Brock Makes New Wedding Plans & Friend

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis wakes Portia with kisses, and says, good morning, gorgeous. Happy New Year. She tells him, good morning, and happy New Year to him too. She supposes he has to go to the club and check on things after last night, but he says, nope. Nika’s got it covered. The club’s closed today. What about her? Does she have to go to the hospital? She says she’s off all day long, and he says, then there’s no reason for either one of them to leave this bed anytime soon. They get busy.

Brook feeds Bailey, and Leo says, Bailey is drinking a lot of milk. She’s going to burp a bunch. Brook laughs, and tells him that he’s correct. When he was this age, she used to help his mommy burp him. Leo makes a face and takes off, and Olivia says, not much of a filter on this guy. Brook says, that’s why he fits in so well with the Quartermaines. If only she’d taken what Austin said more seriously, maybe they wouldn’t have… Olivia says, no. She’s just as guilty, but that’s over now. They’re moving forward and moving on, and they can handle this. Together, they’re so much more strong as a family, and that includes Brook’s beautiful little baby girl.

Ava and Nikolas see Victor sitting in the MetroCourt lobby, and Ava suggests they take the opportunity to get to know dear old Uncle Victor. He has information that he can hold over Nikolas. They approach Victor, who says it’s good to see them both. Ava tells him, happy New Year. They were just headed upstairs for some breakfast. Would he like to join them? Victor thanks her, but says he’s already eaten. She asks if they can join him for a bit, and he says, it would be his pleasure. He apologizes for all the newspapers; he was catching up on the news. Call him old fashioned, but he still prefers the print edition instead of that digital garbage. Nikolas sees The Invader, which now looks like a legit newspaper, and asks, what the hell is this?

Valentin comes into the hospital, but Bobbie intercepts him, saying, no, she doesn’t think so. He says, hello to her too. She’s looking resplendent this New Year’s Day. She says, thank you, but she knows what he’s up to. He’s not getting in to see Peter August.

Drew walks into the Quartermaine mansion, and Monica tells him, happy New Year. It must have been a good night if he’s just getting in now.

Tracy tosses and turns on Laura’s couch, and Laura touches her, startling her awake. Laura apologizes, and says Tracy was having a nightmare. Tracy says, the worst kind; the kind when you wake up and realize it’s real. She can’t believe he’s gone. Luke’s gone. Laura takes Tracy’s hands.

Doc gives Tracy and Laura coffee, and Laura says she hopes Tracy was comfortable last night. She tried to wake Tracy, and move her to the guest room, but she wouldn’t budge. Tracy says, probably because she hasn’t slept in two days. She takes a sip of coffee, says, this is terrible, and hands it back to Doc. Laura says she was able to reach Lucky, and he’d heard about the cable car crash in Austria, but he didn’t know his father was on it. Laura starts to cry, and Tracy says, it was horrifying. She was glued to the television, watching the wreckage and flames, and she was hoping Luke wasn’t on it. But then the authorities brought her his personal effects, and told her that they’d identified his remains. She convinced herself that Luke was going to be all right. She was the reason he was in that accident in the first place. It’s her fault Luke is dead.

Monica says she heard Drew was going over to see Sam and Scout. Dare she hope there’s a reunion in the works? He says, he and Sam are co-parents, and that’s enough. She says she’s sorry. She’s been up half the night with a heart-to-heart with Ned and Olivia, and she saw him come in, and… She’s sorry. He asks if it’s more ELQ drama, but she says, no; family matter. She’ll let Olivia tell him about that. It’s not her place really. But speaking of ELQ, there are some issues Drew needs to settle. He says he came home to shower and change. He has some unsettled business of his own to deal with.

Brook asks how Leo is doing with the specialist, and Ned says, he’s doing well. They’re consulting experts on the best way to explain to Leo that he’s on the autism spectrum. They want to have that conversation with Leo first, before he hears the term autism from anybody else. They think he’s old enough to understand. Brook says Leo is lucky to have them, and Olivia says, they’re also starting the process of Ned adopting Leo. Brook hugs Ned, saying, she’s so happy for him. She’s no longer an only child. He says, Leo is his son in every way that matters. It’s about time they made it official, and tell the world that Leo is a member of this family. Olivia asks Bailey what she thinks about that. Leo Quartermaine has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? How’s Bailey going to feel having that cute little boy as an uncle?

Bobbie tells Valentin, she has no love for Peter. If she could, she’d rough him up herself, but as a nurse and a staff member of this hospital, it’s her responsibility to keep him alive. Valentin says he has no intention of killing Peter. He just wants some information. She says, then talk to Victor. He just came to see Peter. He says, she’s telling him that Victor Cassadine, the man who claims to be his father, has been there to see Peter?

Ava says, The Invader looks so different. What does the article have to say? Nikolas says, it’s about a bullying retaliation accusation against a plant manager. Top management at the company said the best course of action is to pay off both parties to circumvent more bad P.R., and the payoff is conditional on them signing a non-disclosure agreement. This article is specifically designed to make Cassadine Industries, and more specifically to make him out to be the bad guy, like he had any part in this. Shawn walks in, and says, what’s the old saying? The buck stops here? He sees Nikolas has a copy of his new paper. How does he like it?

Portia says, before last night, she couldn’t help but wonder if it would feel the same, her and Curtis being together after almost twenty years. He says, it seems like just yesterday. Has it really been twenty years? She says, just about, and he asks how it felt. She says, it felt so much better in every way. They know who they are now. They know what they want, and it feels right this time. He says, because it is. When they got together the first time, mistakes were made. What if they could go back in time and do things differently? Just waited until they were free and ready. Maybe they wouldn’t have wasted so much time. She says she’s sorry, but she woudn’t take back what happened all those years ago even if she could. She wouldn’t change a thing.

Drew says, Peter August is awake, and Monica says, that’s unfortunate. He says he needs to see Peter before he gets transferred back to Pentenville, but Monica says, bad idea. He says he has questions about his conditioning; about how to get rid of it for good. She asks if he thinks Peter is going to help him, but he says, no, but Peter has the information he needs. He’s going to figure out a way to get it from him. He can’t go on with his life with this hanging over him. He knows she’s aching to talk him out of it, but she says she could never talk Jason out of anything, so she doubts she’ll have any better luck with him. Just please be careful. She lost one son to Peter. She doesn’t want to lose another. They hug.

Valentin asks Bobbie if Peter asked to see Victor, or Victor came there on his own, but she doesn’t know. He asks what they talked about, and she says, it was a private conversation. No one else was in the room, but she has to imagine, it wasn’t anything good. She was here when Victor and his brother Mikkos came to town years ago. They hurt a lot of people. He says, then it’s even more important that he talk to Peter. He needs to know what Victor wanted. She asks if she needs to call security. Don’t think she won’t. Alexis comes along, and asks if there’s a problem. Bobbie says, Valentin wants to see Peter August, and won’t take no for an answer. Her phone dings, and she says, it’s Laura; she says it’s important. Alexis tells her, then go; she’ll corral Valentin. Bobbie thanks her, tells Valentin, behave, and leaves. Alexis says, he heard her.

Doc says, it’s not Tracy’s fault Luke died in a freak accident, but she says, Luke had a tip on a can’t miss scam opportunity. This time it was in Austria. He did say he wouldn’t go without her blessing, and instead of simply saying she wished he wouldn’t go, she screamed at him, and said if he was even considering going back to that life, he didn’t care about her at all. Laura says, Tracy knows there’s nothing she could have said to stop Luke from doing what he wanted to do, and Tracy tells Laura that she said terrible things; things she can’t take back. She laughs, and says, leave it to Luke to get himself killed, so he gets to have the last word. Doc says he can rearrange his schedule if she wants to talk, or he can arrange for a referral, but she says she doesn’t need a shrink. She just needs Luke. He can’t give her that. Laura’s phone dings, and she says, it’s Bobbie; she’s on her way over. Tracy gets up, thanking them for the kind offer, but she needs her family. Laura says she’s not waiting for Bobbie? and Tracy says, no. If she sees Bobbie, she’ll just dissolve, so… She opens the door, and Laura says she’s welcome there anytime. Tracy tearfully says she knows, and leaves. Laura closes the door, and Doc asks how Laura is doing. She says she wishes she could have done something more to help Tracy. She’s devastated, but she’s so strong; Laura knows she’ll survive. He says, she’s tough, but he wasn’t asking about Tracy. Laura starts to cry, and he holds her.

Leo asks if Brook knows octopus have nine brains, three hearts, and blue blood. She says she knew about the blue blood, but not about all those brains and hearts. They must be very smart and very kind. Leo says, they are, and playful. Does she want to see the Photo Ark book he got for Christmas? It has a big picture of one up close. Brook says, sure, and Olivia tells her to hand Bailey over. Brook asks if Olivia is sure, and Olivia says she may never get Bailey back. Brook takes Leo’s hand and they leave. Olivia puts Bailey in the bassinette, and Ned says she’s a natural. She says, that’s the one benefit of having a baby when you’re young; you can get all sorts of advice, and you’re still very moldable. He says, she’s a pro now. He’s so happy they’ve settled the matter of him adopting Leo. Now, they just have one outstanding matter. Us.

Alexis asks if Valentin is going to be a good boy and forget about Peter, and Valentin says, if Victor was in there with Peter, he needs to know why. She says, that is concerning, but she can’t let him make a liar out of her, because Bobbie is really scary when she’s aggrieved. Trust her. He says there’s a lightness to Alexis, like a calm, and asks if she had a relaxing evening last night. Alexis says, hell no. She just came from a meeting. She almost fell of the wagon last night.

Olivia says, us? and Ned says, our relationship. She says she guesses with everything going on with Leo lately, it’s been easy to kick that particular can down the road. He says they don’t have to do this now, but she says she wants to. It’s time. They sit down, and she says, when she found out he cheated on her, it ripped her heart in shreds. He says he knows, and he’s so sorry, but she says, let her finish. A lot of marriages survive infidelity, but only if the partner who’s strayed is willing to make changes, and really commit to putting things back together. He promises it will never happen again, and says, the question is, can she forgive him? She says she already has. That indiscretion was the symptom of a bigger problem in their marriage. They lost faith in each other, and forgot how to communicate. He says, guilty as charged, and she says, so is she. In the last few months, little bits at a time, piece by piece, she started remember. She can see him again as a partner, as a confident. The way he stood up for her son – their son. She looks at him now, and she sees he’s the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. They kiss.

Monica opens the door to Tracy, and says, oh my God. Brook asks what Tracy is doing here, and Tracy says she really needs her family.

Laura says she’s so sorry; she didn’t want to burden Doc with this. He says, burden? Because she’s affected by Luke’s death? He’d be worried if she wasn’t. If she thinks he’s going to be threatened by her past with Luke, he’s sorry to break it to her, but she has the wrong guy. She says, no, she has the right guy. She’s so lucky she found him. He says, they’re both lucky, and hugs her. He says he doesn’t want her to hold in her grief on his account. Luke was a pivotal part of her life. She says, he really was, and cries. She thinks it was a month ago, she found herself looking at the calendar, and realized it was 40 years to this day she and Luke got married. She can remember it like it happened yesterday. That chapter of her life has been over for so long… How is she going to tell Lulu when she wakes up? He says, she has plenty of time to figure it out, when there’s a knock at the door, and she says, here we go. She wipes her eyes, and opens the door. She thanks Bobbie for coming right away, and Bobbie says, Laura told her it was urgent. What’s going on? Doc says he has to go out, and tells Laura to call if she needs him. They exchange I love yous, and he says he’ll see Bobbie soon. He leaves, and Bobbie says, something terrible has happened, hasn’t it?

Nikolas asks why anyone would want to publish this dreck. What the hell is The Invader trying to prove? Shawn says, the new direction of The Invader is to promote or expose issues of social or political relevance. When he pointed his team in the direction of Cassadine Industries, they were pretty shocked at the things they uncovered. Nikolas says, so Shawn is directly responsible for this, and Shawn says, his non-profit purchased The Invader over the holidays. Nikolas says, the non-profit he funded, and Shawn says, he figured, other than purchasing sporting goods and equipment to fund after school programs, they should tackle something more substantial. So in a sense, this is all possible because of Nikolas. He’s sure Nikolas will be hearing more from his team. He leaves, and Victor says, it seems Mr. Butler is becoming a bit of a nuisance. Nikolas says, to put it mildly, and Victor tells him, say the word, and he’ll handle the situation for him.

Curtis says he’s sorry. He assumed after all the pain their affair caused, Portia had regrets. She says, of course (🍷) she has regrets about how things went down back then, but she has no interest in changing the past, only learning from it. Every decision they made led them to where they are right now. If they hadn’t had that past relationship, they might not have reconnected. He might not have been there to save Trina when she needed him. She wouldn’t have encouraged him to start a new life with The Savoy. He says, to that point, he thanks her, because she pushed him in that direction to open a new club, and start a new life. It meant everything to him. She means everything to him. She says she feels the same way about him. She’s starting to feel a little nervous. She knows they decided to take things slow, and they are, but she’s starting to… He says, don’t be nervous. There’s something he’s wanted to say to her all morning. He’s falling in love with her.

Victor says, a long walk on a short pier can be arranged, and Ava says, except when Naomi Dreyfuss took a walk off that pier, it only brought the spotlight closer to them. Nikolas says, besides, that’s not how they deal with their problems, and Victor says, maybe not nowadays, but shall they revisit what happened in a certain garage seven years ago? If Nikolas doesn’t want his help, fine, but he should know this. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. Winds of change are coming, my dears. This family needs to be ready. Nikolas says, it’s not the first time Victor has alluded to some grand plan for the family. Why doesn’t Victor stop hinting at it, and come out and tell them? Victor says, they’ll get their answers, as soon as he gets the answer he needs. Doc walks in, and says he’s glad he found Nikolas. Nikolas needs to check in with his mother. Nikolas asks if everything is all right, but Doc says he’s afraid not. Luke has been killed.

Ned says, does this mean…? and gets down on one knee. Olivia laughs, and he says he’s making it official. Let’s renew our vows, and tell the world we’re back. She tells him, get up, and they hug. She says, she’s in, but it’s going to be different this time. They’ve got to be honest and start to put each other first. They have to drown out all the noise from the people who want to interfere, like… He says, his mother? and she says, yes. Tracy walks in, and Olivia says, although she doesn’t have to worry about his mother since she’s on the lam. Olivia turns around, and says, Tracy.  

Laura asks how much Bobbie has been keeping up with the news over the holidays, and Bobbie says, not as much as usual. It’s been busy. She asks if Bobbie heard about the cable car crash in Austria, and Bobbie says, it’s sad, especially after holidays. There were a few casualties, weren’t there? Laura says, it took the authorities a few days to identify the victims… Bobbie says, stop. She doesn’t want to hear it. Laura says she’s so sorry to have to tell her, and Bobbie gets up and takes her phone out of her bag. She calls Luke’s number, and says, it’s his sister Barbara Jean. Drop everything and call her. Laura says, he’s not going to call, and Bobbie says, stop. Laura says she’s so sorry. She didn’t want to believe it either, but she’s afraid it’s true. Luke is gone. Bobbie cries, and Laura hugs her.

Valentin asks what triggered Alexis? Was it being around all that unbearable holiday cheer? Alexis says she’s sure it didn’t help, but when you’re an alcoholic, you don’t need a reason, right? She admits she’s been feeling directionless, and it’s gotten worse, not better, since her release. He says he’s sorry to hear that, and asks her to tell him if there’s anything he can do. She says she’s working on it. The person who gave her the pep talk last night, reminded her that the answers are not at the bottom of a bottle. Valentin says, a little help from a friend, and she says she guesses so. She’s got to go. Please keep her in Bobbie’s good graces. He says he’s not making any promises, and she says, at least she tried. They fist bump, and she leaves.

Nikolas asks how his mother is, and Doc says, she’s with Bobbie now. Of course (🍷) she’s worried about everyone else. She spoke with Lucky, but then there’s Ethan, who’ll be the hardest to find. Nikolas says he thinks he knows a way to reach him, and Doc says, that would be a help. Victor tells Doc, his condolences to him and his family. As Doc knows, his wife and Victor go way back, as does he with Luke. Doc asks if he means when they stopped Victor’s brother from blackmailing world governments, and Victor was aiding and abetting him, but Victor says, his brother is long buried, as Luke soon will be from a senseless accident. Luke was so much larger than life. It’s a shame he had to go out in such a trivial way.

Ned asks why Tracy didn’t call when it happened. He would have come to Amsterdam to be with her. She says, because telling them or anyone would make it real. She was riding in the cab, and just kept thinking, everything looks so normal. People walking around like nothing’s changed, and for them, nothing has changed, but for the people who know… knew Luke, the world’s empty. So to answer his question, she just wanted to get back home. The thing is, they all know how she and Luke used to battle. She pours herself a drink, and says, but when they got together in Amsterdam a few years ago, she was so sure this was it. They were going to be together to the end. The joke’s on her. She didn’t know how soon the end would come. Ned puts his arm around her.

Bobbie says she should have known something was wrong. Luke always calls her around this time of year. If he was a few days late, he’d say, it still counts, Barbara Jean. Laura says, Luke loved her so much, and she knows how much they meant to each other. Bobbie says, they didn’t always show it. None of this makes any sense. Laura says, she knows. He cheated death so many times. For him to go out in a random accident is just… Bobbie says, it was no accident. Someone did this on purpose. Someone killed Luke.

Curtis says he wasn’t sure he was ready to move on. This all happened quicker than he expected. He loves her, but doesn’t expect her to say it back until she’s ready. She says she’s falling in love with him too, and they kiss. She asks if they can just do one thing. Can they make a deal? Since they can’t go back and change the past, can they leave it there where it belongs? The only thing she wants to do is focus on him, and focus on a new life with him. He says, so does he. A new year; a new start. They kiss some more.

Shawn meets Alexis outside her house, and says, special delivery, handing her The Invader. He thought she deserved a personal copy. She says, a first edition. Should she frame it? He says, not before reading it, he hopes. She looks at it, and laughs, saying, he certainly executed his new vision. He says he had a pretty clear idea of how he wanted to set the tone. He needs to focus on the day to day end of things – they go inside – but what he really needs is someone to work under him, a second in command who can support his editorial vision of the paper. She says, sounds like a plan. Got anyone in mind? He says he’s looking at her.

Drew walks into the hospital, and Valentin says, hello. He assumes Drew is there for the same reason he is, and Drew asks if he’s seen Peter. Valentin says, there’s a Pentenville guard outside the door. They’re not allowing any visitors; it’s probably just as well. Drew tells him, he can’t say he agrees, and Valentin says, Peter is responsible for the death of Drew’s brother, and held him captive for how many years. What good is it going to do Drew to see him? Drew says, he has questions only Peter can answer, and Valentin says, Peter is treacherous on the best of days; now he’s desperate. Drew would be giving him an invitation. If there’s a chance he could activate Drew’s  conditioning, he’d say, stay away. It’ll be safer for everyone that way. Drew asks why Valentin wanted to see Peter, but Valentin says he didn’t get in; it doesn’t matter. Good to see him. Valentin starts to leave, and Drew says, one more thing. He’s had a lot to process, and ELQ has been far down the list. Valentin says, don’t let the Quartermaines hear him say that; he’ll get disowned. Drew says, they’re very passionate about that company, and Ned has been dropping hints that Drew could figure into a power play, but he’s not clear on the details. Valentin says, it’s pretty simple. He controls Drew’s voting stock.

Olivia says, whatever Tracy needs, they’re here for her, and Ned says, if she needs help with arrangements… but she says, no. She doesn’t want anybody to drop their plans to attend a funeral. Brook says, Luke would be disappointed if there wasn’t a wake or something, where his friends could knock a few back in his honor, and Tracy says, she supposes that’s more like it. There are a lot people who need to know. Ned says, they can handle that. He’ll call Dillon. Monica says, she’ll call Skye, and Ned suggests Olivia contact Robert and let him know. Everyone disperses, except for Tracy and Brook. Bailey cries, and Brook goes to her, saying, she just ate. Tracy says, okay, it’s just them. Why is Brook still pretending that baby is hers?

Doc says, not many people would characterize an accident with multiple fatalities as trivial, and Victor says, bad choice of words. His apologies. It’s a tragedy, of course (🍷), but what he meant is, Luke cheated death so many times, and in such spectacular fashion, one would have expected when he went out, when it was his time, he’d go out in a blaze of glory. Ava suggests Nikolas reach out to Ethan now, so Doc can speak to him. Nikolas tells Doc that they’ll find a quiet spot, and they leave. Ava says, they’ll be seeing Victor soon, and goes upstairs. Victor picks up The Invader, and his phone rings. He sees an incoming call from a blocked number.

Bobbie tells Laura, Luke had enemies out there. Somebody sabotaged that cable car. Somebody was targeting Luke, and those other poor souls paid the price. They have to find out who was after him. Laura says she knows it would be easier if they had someone to blame, and she knows Bobbie wants to make sense of it, but she can’t. It was a senseless accident. Bobbie says, no, and Laura hugs her.

On the phone, Victor says, the hit on Mayor Laura Collins can be dropped now that Luke has been neutralized. He thinks it’s time to proceed to phase two.

Tomorrow, Tracy tells Brook that she finds it hard to believe; Alexis asks if Sam really thinks she can do this; Victor tells Valentin, never say never; and Robert says he has bad news.

Vanderpump Rules

Katie visited Lala, and they talked about Lala’s party. Lala said Ariana didn’t say one word to her. She didn’t know why she was shocked, since Ariana didn’t acknowledge anything in her world. In Katie’s interview, she said she didn’t want to be in the middle. She thought it was easier for Ariana and Lala to say they didn’t give a f*** about each other, than admit they’d been hurt by each other. She told Lala about the sandwich shop, and in her interview, she said she’d gotten into business with a best friend before. We flashed back to the Witches of WeHo Wine enterprise, and Katie said, it ended terribly. When things went south with the friendship, the business went south, but she didn’t have to worry about where one began and one ended with Ariana. Katie said she’d told Randall at the pickleball tournament, when she opened a business, he could invest in it, and Lala said, Randall had been waiting for his moment to invest. Katie asked if Lala had any advice, and Lala suggested Katie go in offering to name a sandwich after him. All he wanted was something named after him, and she didn’t think he was getting a boy anytime soon. He’d have to live on through the sandwich.

James visited Schwartz with some sound equipment, and in Schwartz’s interview, he said he and Sandoval were still on a break. He wanted to soak up some of James’s experience and confidence. It had always been a dream of his to play music in his own bar. James said he was coming up on two years of not drinking alcohol, and told Schwartz that he was going to stop smoking weed. He was going to try giving up everything for a month. In James’s interview, he said, weed made him feel normal, and he didn’t think he could function without it, but he was willing to give it a shot. James asked what Schwartz would say to a crowd, and Schwartz said, hey, everybody; hope you’re having a good time. Very original. James laughed, and said it was worse than he thought.

Brock went over to Sandoval’s home gym to work out. Sandoval said he was sorry about the wedding falling through, and asked how long Brock had been thinking about it. Brock said it had been a while, and we flashed back to him broaching the subject to Randall six days ago. In Brock’s interview, he said, between Homebody, child support, and the engagement ring, he couldn’t afford $20K right now for a party. He asked Sandoval what was up with Schwartz, and Sandoval said he was okay with Katie right now, but didn’t want to be the source of any problems. He and Schwartz were taking a step back, except for business situations. Schwartz told James that he’d lost his spark, and everyone had been upset with him. He’d thought maybe he and Sandoval shouldn’t hang out as much until they were further along with the bar. It was a healthy break. James told Schwartz that Sandoval had made a post of him and Brock working out – #NewBesties. James and Schwartz took a picture with James giving two middle fingers – #NextRealDuo. Sandoval laughed, but said, it hurts.

Lala went over to Scheana’s place, and Scheana said her and Brock’s gym was opening this weekend. Lala told Scheana that she and Katie had been doing EMS, and her ass looked perkier. She asked Scheana how much she knew about Brock’s failed attempt at tying the knot, and Scheana said the rest of them probably knew more than her, but in Lala’s interview, she said, Scheana seemed to know more details than Brock, who was supposed to be planning it. Scheana said Brock didn’t want to compromise his vision, and in her interview, Lala said she wanted to give Brock the benefit of the doubt, but he’d wanted her and Randall to pay for the engagement/wedding. Brock already had two children he didn’t pay for, and now he wanted to marry Scheana. Scheana said she never thought she’d do a prenup, but after her divorce, and giving up half her bank account, she was doing it. In Scheana’s interview, she said, to get Shay to sign the divorce papers, she had to split her finances with him. She needed to protect herself and her daughter. Lala said she was all about plan B, and Scheana said, when Lala had talked about it, she’d thought it took all the fun out of it. You should be marrying someone you can trust. Lala said she wanted something clear that said, what’s yours is yours, and what’s mine is mine; go away.

The Toms met with Greg, designer Lucinda, and contractor Dan at the new bar. Greg said they as long as they had the materials and the game plan, they could get this off the ground. In Schwartz’s interview, he said, they were about to break ground, and every day was costing money. They were about twelve months behind. Dan thought they could do it in three or four months, but Lucinda said they needed to do it faster. In his interview, Schwartz said, he didn’t think Sandoval experienced time, deadlines, and pressure like other human beings. Sandoval said, once they broke ground, he would feel better, and they’d see what it looked like to have progress. He wanted to have a get together, so everyone would see the before, and appreciate the after. He just wished they had more progress done.

Raquel’s sister Kate came by to help Raquel finalize the engagement party plans. In Raquel’s interview, she said she had zero knowledge about flowers; only that they made every party pretty. Kate had been there, since she was married, and Raquel didn’t want to cry over dead flowers at her engagement party. They went over the seating chart, and talked about the Toms’ new bar. Kate said the engagement party sounded like a wedding, and Raquel said the venue was like one. James talked about stopping weed, and Kate said they’d had that conversation the last time. In James’s interview, he said, weed helped with his daily anxiety and his appetite. He was over the judgy thing. If you didn’t like what he was doing, too bad. Raquel said she was proud of James having two years of no alcohol under his belt, and Kate congratulated him.

Brock called Sandoval and Ariana, saying, he wanted to run an idea by them. He was going to propose to Scheana at home, and his prediction was that Scheana would say yes. He thought when they went to the engagement party venue, he and Scheana could get married on the sly. Only the four of them would know. Ariana could be a witness, and Sandoval could perform the ceremony. Ariana said, the only way to pull it off without being d*ckish was if no one knew, and in her interview, she said, she’d told Brock not to give up on it, but she didn’t think it would end up being at James and Raquel’s engagement party. Sandoval said, if James found out, he would be pissed. He’d go along with it, as long as no one knew until after the fact. Brock insisted it would stay secret, and Sandoval said it would ruin the trip if anyone found out.

Katie and Ariana met with Lisa about the sandwich shop. Katie said they’d kicked around ideas for a concept and vision, and Lisa asked if the Toms would be involved, but Ariana said, no. Jay Zee wasn’t a partner in Lemonade. She told Lisa that the guys wanted to have a progress party, and Lisa said everyone would have an opinion, and Sandoval didn’t like opinions. Katie said, she and Ariana wanted their shop to make a statement, and wouldn’t say no if Lisa wanted to invest. Lisa was like, pitch it to me, but Katie said they hadn’t practiced their pitch. They were also meeting with Randall, who wanted to invest. They wanted the space to be unapologetically feminine, and the name was Something About Her. In Lisa’s interview, she said it wasn’t what she’d call a bar, but she also wouldn’t call a bar Schwartz and Sandy’s, so go figure. Katie said she wanted more for herself, and didn’t want to sit at home and be a wife. Ariana said Katie was capable of so much, and Katie said she wanted feel the need to go somewhere. Lisa told her to be motivated by that, and Katie said she felt this shop was what she needed. It would be her baby. In Katie’s interview, she said she’d been having and existential crisis, and didn’t know who she was or what she wanted to do. Now she’d found something she could wake up and look forward to.

Tom and Brock went to see jewelry designer Kyle Chan. After a shot of Drambuie, Kyle brought out the ring, which was 12.97 carats. Sandoval said, his only issue about the wedding thing was James, and in Brock’s interview, he said he and Scheana could get away, and have a ceremony with people who care about them in a nice venue. It could be special for them. Yeah, and he wouldn’t have to pay for it. I’m starting to agree that this guy is a bit of a skater. The stone was huge, a rare pink diamond, and the total was $25K. Sandoval encouraged the purchase, and in his interview, he said, if it was a $25K vacation, he would say absolutely not, but an engagement ring was for the rest of your life, and he was for it. Brock said he had to put it on three cards, since his credit in America wasn’t active yet. He was going to be light. Between the ring and child support, he was going to be broke for the next six months. In Brock’s interview, he said, for the first time, he was making a commitment based on love. His cards went through, and Brock told Sandoval, sh*t just got real.

Everyone got ready for the progress party, but Sandoval wasn’t liking the plastic cups. Schwartz said, he felt it was time they came off their break, and they bro-hugged, after which Schwartz presented Sandoval with a friendship bracelet. He felt Sandoval completed him. Ariana and Katie arrived first, and in Ariana’s interview, she said she knew it was a work in progress, but thought she’d be able to sit. Oscar the Grouch would like it because it looked like a dump, but she’d like a chair. Schwartz said, his and Sandoval’s friendship was fully back, and in the Toms’ dual interview, Schwartz said, the only thing that hurt his feelings was Sandoval’s post with Brock. The usual suspects showed up, along with Lucinda’s design crew, and Lisa and Ken brought Puffy (!).  Schwarz welcomed everyone to the spot soon to be Schwartz and Sandy’s. In Lisa’s interview, she said, the point of a progress party was to see progress, but she was still seeing Mexican flags and piñatas. You didn’t see anchors and dildos at TomTom’s progress party. We flashed back to when Lisa and Ken originally looked at the space, and it had been a sex shop. Lisa added, they were in her handbag. Sandoval said he had an amazing team and an amazing partner, and told everyone, this is the before picture. Schwartz said he made a bootleg of their sign, and brought out something that said Schwartz & Sandy’s on it, probably on par with a set piece in a high school play. In Raquel’s interview, she said, she had higher expectations for the sign, but it was minimal effort. Maybe they could use a mood board. Sandoval said, when you saw it from the outside, it was unassuming, and they wanted to spin the effect. Lisa asked how much it was going to cost, but Sandoval said he didn’t have the exact dollar amount. Ken wondered if they had a budget, and in Sandoval’s interview, he said, he appreciated the concern, but it was his business and none of theirs. In Lisa’s interview, she said, the Toms had ideals in their heads, but no budget or timetable. She thought it was going to be more and longer than they thought. The Toms were two people who didn’t know what they were about to endure, and frankly, she was worried. Ken said that he was afraid they were going to lose a lot of money.

Scheana told Lisa that she and Brock were signing a prenup. Brock got to keep his motorcycle, and she got 7% of Homebody because she liked that number. In Scheana and Brock’s dual interview, she said she was Brock’s first investor, and they proceeded to argue about how much she’d put in and what he’d paid back. Brock got touchy, then weepy, saying, now he was taking a handout. Raquel asked Katie and Ariana if they knew about the dress code and color palette for the engagement party, and Ariana was worried they’d have to wear earth tones all weekend, but Raquel said it was just for the big party. Lisa asked Schwartz what the hold-up was with the bar, and he said, they’d had to wait on permits, and the financing took a while, but he got the business loan. Lisa said, they had the money and energy, why not start? He said the restaurant industry was tough, like this was something she didn’t know, and she said, they hadn’t even started yet. In her interview, she said, she wanted them to move forward, but they seemed to be stagnating. Ken said let them know if there was any way they could help.

Brock asked if James was excited about the engagement party, and wondered if there would be quiet time, or was the weekend jam packed? James said, there was an activity for every day, and the guests could work around that. In Brock’s interview, he said he was pretty sure they’d just celebrated James and Raquel’s engagement. We flashed back to Rachella, and Brock said, why not? What they didn’t know woudn’t hurt them. James said he wanted to quit weed, but it was a bit of a stressful time, and in his interview, Brock said, James was the last person to take blame for anything, but you had to be accountable for your actions and words. He told James not use stressed as an excuse, and James got loud, saying, he wasn’t; that wasn’t true. Brock was actually pretty articulate and collected, and said James needed to learn how to talk to people. This caused James to go back to his old schtick, acting like he was ten years old, making fun of Brock talking. Scheana suggested he not say something he couldn’t take back, and Brock said he only mentioned it because he cared. James whined that he and Brock never hung out anymore, and Brock said that James had been rude when he’d asked him to help with the Homebody shoot. We flashed back to Brock saying James had texted him, for free? lol, and in Brock’s interview, he said, James’s texts highlighted where they were in the relationship. It made him realize he didn’t have time for this. He had a newborn, was trying to work on his life, and James was exhausting to deal with. He told James not to do the shoot if he didn’t want to, and James told him to enjoy his whiskey, which was quite telling, and explained why James got so pissed so fast. He was not enjoying any whiskey. James told Raquel that Brock was ungrateful, and in his interview, he said, Brock wanted to throw down the friendship card, saying he was just looking out for James. James was over this, and Brock. He and Raquel left, and Ariana held up the water bottle James had been holding, which was totally squashed where his hand had been. She asked, what is that?

Next time, the Homebody shoot, Katie meets with Randall and Ariana is late, engagement weekend begins, and Sandoval gets nervous about Brock and Scheana’s wedding plans.

🩰 Pirouetting Off the Stage…

Closing the shop for tonight, but come back tomorrow, when I’m open for soap and whatever the OC is up to. Until then, stay safe, stay always learning something new, and stay not regretting or wanting to change the past, but learning from it.

January 5, 2021 – Franco Has a Talking Migraine, Landon Gets His Wish (One Of Them Anyway), Dallas Returns, New Wife On the Range & Better

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason opens the door to Laura, who says she needs to speak to Carly right away. Jason says, she’s out, and Laura says, that’s okay; you’ll do. Jason asks what it’s about, and she says she trusted Carly enough to share confidences about her family, and he turned it into a war.

At the MetroCourt, Maxie tells Peter that she and wedding planner Sarah are on the exact same page. He asks if that isn’t a wedding planner’s job, but she says he’d be surprised how often it doesn’t happen. He reminds her that it’s also Anna and Finn’s wedding, and she says, Finn doesn’t care as long as Anna is happy, and Anna left the details to her. Robert walks in, reading his invitation; you are cordially invited to the wedding of Maxie Jones, Peter August, Anna Devane, and Hamilton Finn. He walks over to Maxie and Peter’s table, and says there’s a misprint. All four of them can’t be getting married. Peter tells Maxie, he thought Anna agreed to it, and Maxie says, it’s true. They’re having a double wedding.  

Dante comes into the hospital, and tells Elizabeth that he got a text from Doc, who wants to meet him in the bioresearch room. She tells him that he’s on the right floor, and says she never had a chance to talk to him since Lulu was hurt. If it’s any consolation, the facility she’s in is one of the best in the country. She asks if everything is okay. She heard he was outside The Floating Rib when the bomb went off. Instead of running away, he ran into the building. Dante says he did what anyone would have done, and Elizabeth says she’s grateful. Cameron might not have made it if he hadn’t called emergency services.

On the phone, Sam talks to someone at the rehab from the brochure. She says, it’s not for her, but her mother. She was in recovery, and relapsed recently after a close friend died. There’s a knock at the door, and she says she’ll call back and schedule a tour. It’s Franco, and she asks what he wants. He says he would have called first, but Sam would have probably hung up. He’s there to see Jason. She says, Jason isn’t there anymore.

At the MetroCourt, Valentin tells Martin, the numbers are unacceptable. Call Hoffman and tell him ELQ is the only reason they’re still in business, so they’re entitled to half the profits. He wonders why Martin is distracted, and Martin says, he’s not distracted, but distressed. Valentin asks, why? then asks if he wants to know. Martin says, probably not. It’s a sensitive matter that could have a happy or tragic ending, depending on the efforts of a family member. Valentin asks if it’s about Cyrus, but Martin says, no. It’s about his sister, the mayor.  

Carly shows up at Jax’s house, and he says he takes it there’s no word on Sonny. She says, not yet, and Nina says she’s sorry. She hopes Carly hears something soon. Carly says she will, and Jax says, in the meantime, he’d like to know, if all hell breaks loose, will their daughter get caught in the crossfire? Carly says, Josslyn is fine, but he says she doesn’t know that. Sonny is missing, and Cyrus will take advantage of his absence. She says, Cyrus won’t be a problem, and he asks, why not? What did she do? Ha-ha! That’s exactly what Jason asked.

Maxie tells Robert, he’s allowed a plus one, and he says he plans on bringing one. She asks if it’s anyone they know, and he says, Jackie Templeton. Maxie unenthusiastically says, wonderful, and Peter asks, what’s wrong? She says, it’s just that any mention of Jackie, and she thinks of Lulu. Jackie was her idol. She’s missing so much; it’s not fair. Maxie leaves the table, and Robert tells Peter, she’ll be fine. It’s hormones talking. Peter says, Maxie’s best friend is in long-term care. Her reaction is more than hormones. Robert sits down, and says he doesn’t want to argue. It was a tragedy. One destructive act that affected so many lives. Peter asks if Robert would have sent regrets if it hadn’t been a double wedding with Anna and Finn.  

Valentin says Laura is Martin’s sister? Martin says, half-sister. They have a father in common, Gordon Grey. He was married to Martin’s mother, but that didn’t stop him from having an affair with his student Lesley Williams. Valentin says, that means Cyrus is Laura’s half-brother too, and Martin says, which she was not too pleased to find out. Valentin says he can’t imagine Laura was impressed to have an alleged drug trafficker join the family. He asks Martin, what kind of tragedy? and Anna interrupts. She asks if Martin minds if she talks to Valentin. It’s kind of important.   

Dante tells Elizabeth, he just reacted in the moment. He chalks it up to remembering his training. She says, it’s good he came back when he did. It will make life easier for Rocco and Charlotte. He says, speaking of which, they have to set up a playdate sometime. She says she’ll let him know what dates she has available. He says he’s looking forward to it, and Rocco is too. He asks where Doc is, and she points. He thanks her for her kind words.

Franco tells Sam that he was out of town. He didn’t hear about her and Jason. She says, in the future, call Jason directly, and he says, sorry to bother her. He sees the pamphlet in her hand, and she says, it’s not for her; it’s for her mom. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he knows what it’s like to have life get in the way. He suddenly doubles over in the hallway.

Dante knocks on the office door, and walks in. Obrecht is there with her back to him. She turns around, and he says, Dr. Obrecht. She tells him, forgive the subterfuge. Doc didn’t text him; she did. He asks, why? and she says she needed to see him face to face. They have their work cut out for them.

Jason tells Laura, if there’s a war, he didn’t start it, but he means to end it. She says, using an innocent woman as ammunition? She trusted Carly with personal family information. Don’t tell her it’s a coincidence that Cyrus’s mother is missing. He says Cyrus was there making accusations, but he has no proof. Laura says, right. Because Jason is a master at covering his tracks. Where is he hiding Florence?

Jax tells Carly, they’ve been through this before, more times than he can count. Tensions escalate, and people get hurt or worse. She says, that’s not happening, and he asks how she knows. She says, it’s been handled, and he says, Sonny is missing, Julian is dead, and the Floating Rib is being bulldozed. Does she call that handled? She says she can’t change what happened, and he says, then she should focus on what could happen. Her priority should be their daughter’s safety. Carly gets loud, and says she knows her priorities. Nina says maybe Josslyn should stay there until things cool off, but Carly says the last thing she needs is Nina telling her how to raise her daughter.

Dante says he and Obrecht don’t work together. To be honest, he wants nothing to do with her. She says, and she went through all this trouble to see the person whose hard work and investigative skills exonerated her. He asks if Dr. Kirk knows about this. He’s not returning Dante’s calls. Obrecht says she knows, and Dante asks if Kirk told her why. She says she and Kirk shared everything, one colleague to another, until… He says, what? and she says, it was a great loss to medical science. He asks, what happened? and she says she’s so sorry. Dear Dr. Kirk is dead.

Valentin asks Martin to give them a minute, and after he leaves, Valentin asks Anna if it’s about Dante. She says, it is. She’s been trying to follow-up with the WSB, trying to find someone who will tell her why he was really released, but she’s getting the runaround. Valentin wonders why Dante’s release would be classified if they felt it was safe. He’s asking Anna one last time if his daughter is safe around Dante, but she says she doesn’t have an answer. She promises she’s not giving up. She’ll find the person to cut through this whole… She sees Robert.

Maxie comes back, and says, sorry. What did she miss? Robert says they were discussing how much he’s looking forward to the wedding. He wants nothing but happiness for both of them. In the past, he and Maxie haven’t seen eye to eye on everything, but he’s thought of her as a daughter. Maxie says, then start thinking of Peter as the son he never had. He says he wishes them both lots and lots of happiness, and that goes for Peter too. Anna approaches their table, and says, this is what she likes to see. Everyone getting along. Do they mind if she joins them?

Franco grabs his head, and yells, stop it! Sam asks, what’s wrong? He hears Peter’s voice, and keeps yelling, stop it!

Carly says, sorry, but Nina says, it’s okay. Carly is dealing with a lot, and she’s not wrong. Nina isn’t an expert in raising a daughter. She wishes she was. She says, obviously, Jax and Carly have a lot to talk about, and she has to meet a Crimson advertiser for drinks. She’ll see Jax later. Jax walks her to the door, and after Nina leaves, Carly says she handled that well, didn’t she?

Laura tells Jason, reports are that Julian planted the bomb at The Floating Rib. If that’s true, she’s convinced he was acting on Cyrus’s orders. It was a brutal crime, and Cyrus deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but that still doesn’t give Jason permission to retaliate by kidnapping his mother. Jason doesn’t say anything, and she tells him, staying silent might work for the court, but not for her. He says he can’t help her, and she says, why? He says, because Cyrus deserves everything he gets. She says, maybe, but Florence doesn’t, and neither does she.  

Maxie looks at her phone, and tells Anna, It’s Sarah… the wedding coordinator. She wants to show her and Peter the chair slipcover choices. Does Anna mind? Anna says, no, and Maxie and Peter leave. Robert says Anna didn’t even know about the coordinator, did she? How could she possibly agree to a double wedding? Anna says, she didn’t, but Maxie had her heart set on it. Talking to Maxie is like being hit by a cyclone. Before she knew it, she was lost, and just nodding out of politeness. She can’t cut Maxie off on a good day, and she had a lot on her mind. He says, such as? and she says, Dante. She’s worried about him. He’s changed, and he’s so guarded. Robert says he can’t blame Dante, given what he went through. He’s just being cautious in reintroducing himself to Port Charles civilian life. She asks if Robert got any indication of the treatment Dante was receiving when he tool Olivia there. He says Dante wouldn’t see them, especially Olivia, but he understands Dante was receiving great treatment from Dr. Kirk. Anna says she’s not familiar with his work; is Robert? Robert says he was a field rat, doing damage control, and sometimes creating damage. Kirk is a science dork. Doc is familiar with his work. Anna’s phone dings, and she says she’s late for an appointment and has to go. Say goodbye for her

Dante says, Kirk is dead? How? Obrecht says, a random senseless act of urban violence. Hate crime is on the rise everywhere. It was an unnecessary death; a terrible tragedy. She swears to continue Kirk’s work until the criminal who stood by when her son died, and framed her for Drew’s death and the near-death of Franco, is handed over. Dante says, in English? and she says she’s talking about Peter. He says he’s not working with her until he confirms it with the WSB, but she says they’re not finished yet.

Sam brings Franco into the apartment, and tells him to sit down. She asks if he wants water, or for her to call 9-1-1, but he says he doesn’t need for her to call the paramedics. He has a migraine. She says, migraine’s don’t cause you to shout at imaginary people, and he says he was shouting at the migraine. She says, it sounded like someone was trying to hurt him. Who was it?

Valentin sees Nina at the MetroCourt, and asks if she’d care to join him. She says she can’t. She has a meeting – she looks at her phone – which is delayed. They’re running late. He says he wants to talk about Charlotte, and Nina asks how she is. She knows Charlotte is missing her mother. He says, she is, but she’s taken to writing in a journal. When Lulu wakes up, they can read it together. She says, that’s a great idea, and asks if he came up with it. He says he might have mentioned it in passing, and she says Charlotte is lucky to have a father like him. He says he had help. Charlotte adores her; Nina is a natural born mother. She says she thinks Carly disagrees.

Jax tells Carly to stop beating herself up; she’s stressed. She says she had no right to take it out on Nina. He says maybe she feels guilty for not telling Nina the truth about her daughter, but she says, he feels guilty. He says he does, and he also believes Nina should stop looking for her child, and believe her child is out there, living the life Nina would have wanted for her. Carly says, instead of finding out she’s a baby snatching, throat slashing psycho.

Laura tells Jason, she came to visit out of concern for Carly and her family. She wanted to reassure Carly that she thinks she has a way to keep Cyrus from taking advantage of Sonny’s absence. She told Carly that Cyrus and Martin are her half-brothers, and in doing so, mentioned their mother. She also told Carly that she believes Cyrus’s weakness is her. She knew Carly might share the information with him, but never dreamed he’d kidnap Florence. Jason says it was kind of Laura to visit Carly, but Laura says, it left her culpable. She gave the information to Carly, who handed it to him, and he exploited it with an act of brutality that Sonny would never condone. She asks if he’s met his hostage face to face. She’s frail, and easily disoriented; she has to be terrified. She’s surround by strangers, and doesn’t know the place. Laura has known Jason to be pragmatic to a fault, but she’s never known him to be cruel. She sees he’s made the decision to fight Cyrus with whatever means necessary, but if he plays by Cyrus’s rules, nobody wins. Nobody. She leaves, and Jason looks like he has a migraine.   

Obrecht tells Dante, the WSB designated her as his handler in Kirk’s place, and he says, it makes no sense. She knows he’d prefer it not to be her, but it’s what the brass wants. He guesses he has no say in the matter, but she says, don’t worry. She intends to complete their mission soon. She knows he’s anxious to give his full attention to his son. He says, Rocco needs him as much as he needs Rocco, and she says she was sorry to hear about Lulu. It must have been a blow to Maxie as well. He says, she has the wedding plans to occupy her. She’s marrying Peter; they’ve set a date and everything. They want to get married before the baby arrives. Obrecht says, Maxie is pregnant with Henrik’s child?

Peter asks Robert where Anna went, and Robert says she had an appointment. Where’s Maxie? He says, she’s still in the lobby with the wedding planner. They’re moved on to catering. Robert says he has to go, but looks forward to the wedding; tell Maxie. Peter asks if he can have a minute. He thanks Robert for being a good sport. Maybe it’s for Anna and Maxie’s sake, but whatever Robert’s motive, he appreciates it. Robert says he’s welcome. He meant what he said earlier about Maxie being like a daughter. They both know who Peter’s father was. Peter says he’s also Anna’s son, and Robert says that’s the only reason he’s given Peter a pass. Don’t make him regret it.   

Anna asks Elizabeth if she has a minute, and Elizabeth asks if she needs medical attention. Anna says she’s looking for Doc, but Elizabeth says, he’s not available, and asks if Anna wants to leave a message. Anna asks if she can wait, and Elizabeth says she and Franco have a date night. Anna asks if Franco is feeling better, and Elizabeth says, no, but he was hopeful about a doctor in Switzerland that Doc referred him to. He’s a specialist; someone who works with the WSB. Unfortunately… he died suddenly. Anna asks, what happened? and Elizabeth says he was the victim of random violence. Anna says, in Geneva? What was his name? Elizabeth says, Warren Kirk. Does Anna know him? Oh, okay. Now that Kirk is dead, they give him a first name. Thanks.

Franco tells Sam, okay. He’s outstayed his welcome. Not that he was welcome to begin with. Sam tells him, sit and drink some water. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s Jason. He says, sorry. He needs to talk to Danny. He sees Franco, and asks what he’s doing there. Franco says he came to see Jason, and Sam says the kids are at Monica’s, but she wants to give him his favorite sweater. She goes upstairs, and Franco says he wanted to give Jason a heads up. The doctor said his symptoms might not be the result of the tumor. He might not turn back into the person he was. Jason says, or he possibly could.

Laura interrupts Martin, who asks if she’s going to tell him that his mother is safe and sound, and back in her room in Vermont. She says she wishes she could, and he tells her, it’s just like Cyrus said. She told Carly, and Jason kidnapped an innocent, fragile women who never harmed a soul. Laura says she has no proof, and he says, maybe not, but he has no doubts.

Valentin tells Nina, Jax should have shown Carly the door. She needs to learn some manners. Nina says, Jax isn’t going to alienate Carly; they share a daughter. He says, that’s why she should be understanding, but Nina says, as painful as it was, Carly’s not wrong. Who is she to give advice? He says, Charlotte is living proof, and when she discovers her own… She says, no. It’s time to stop kidding herself. She’s never finding her daughter.

Jax says Carly isn’t responsible for Nelle’s death, but Carly says she doesn’t think Nina will see it that way. She’s already tried to redeem Nelle, and if she finds out, she’ll flat-out rewrite history, and turn Nelle into a victim. She’s anything but. He says, Nina would be devastated if she found out, and she’s been through enough. Carly says he’s a good guy. He feels it’s his sacred duty to protect both Josslyn and Nina. He says, then explain to him why neither one of them wants to be protected. Carly says, Josslyn is strong, and won’t run from a fight, especially if it involves her family. He says she told him it had been handled, but not how. If she wants him to trust her with their daughter’s life, she needs to trust him with what she did to keep their daughter safe.

Martin tells Laura, maybe Cyrus has it right. The only thing men like Jason understand is an eye for an eye. Laura says, it’s her fault. She made a mistake in telling Carly about Florence being related to him and Cyrus. On some level, she knew Carly would share the information with Jason, but she never believed he’d go after Florence. It’s out of character. Jason doesn’t take advantage of the weak, and never acts impulsively. Martin says, men like him can’t afford to. Jason has never made an impulsive decision in his life because he’s calculated and cold-blooded. Laura says if he wants to search, she can help, and give him support, but he needs to understand that any action he takes could put him in the middle of a war between Cyrus and Jason. He asks what the alternative is? Sit back and do nothing? Leave his mother to the mercy of a so-called hitman?

Franco says he appreciates Jason not telling Sam about his condition, and his willingness to help Franco to the other side if he shows past behavior, but it may not come to that. The doctor in Switzerland seemed to think that it’s happening because of them messing with his memory. Jason says, if he gets the right treatment, fine, no consequences, and Franco says, that’s why he’s there. He’s going to resume treatment in Port Charles now. Franco knows Jason has no reason to trust him, but he’s going to be okay. Jason says, what if he’s not? and Franco says, no doubt Jason will stick to their bargain.

Anna tells Elizabeth that she never met Kirk, but she was aware of his work. His methods were unusual, but he got amazing results. Elizabeth says, Dante was one of his patients. She just saw him. Doc wanted to meet with him in the bioresearch room. She says Franco will have to find another doctor now, and tells Anna that she has to go.   

Walking back to the table, Maxie says they have chicken, beef, and fish. They need a vegetarian option. Or maybe they should go vegan. She’s so glad Peter will eat anything. What about Robert? She stops, and asks if everything is okay.   

Valentin tells Nina, both he and Jax agree she should keep up the search, and they don’t agree on anything. He asks, what’s that look? Did Jax change his mind? She says Jax is just supporting her decision, and Valentin says if Jax wants her to give up, she knows it was in Jax’s best interest.

Carly tells Jax, they’ve been through this before, and he says, the less he knows, the better? That’s not going to cut it this time. She asks why he can’t trust her, and he says it’s not just about Josslyn, but her as well. It’s one thing for Jason to get involved with Cyrus, but now he made her… She says no one makes her do anything. Jason is handling Sonny’s business while he’s gone. Jax says she and Jason might believe Sonny is coming home, but she has to face the fact; the longer Sonny is gone, the more likely he is to stay gone. She says Jason believes Sonny is coming back, and so does she. He asks if she’s sure Jason does, or is he telling her what she wants to hear? He’s sorry, but sooner or later she’ll have to face the truth, as difficult as it may be. Carly storms out.  

Nina tells Valentin that Jax hasn’t shared everything, but it’s none of his business. She’s been contemplating not continuing for the past few weeks, and Jax was just putting her thoughts into words. Valentin says she wants to believe Jax has her best interests at heart, but he has his own. Nina gets up, and says let her know when she can see Charlotte. He says he’s not trying to be hurtful. He just wants her to open her eyes. Jax wants her all to himself, and he’ll sacrifice what’s rightfully hers to do it.

Laura says she’s known Jason a long time. He would never hurt Martin’s mother. Martin asks if he’s supposed to take that to the bank. What if it was her mother? Would she be comfortable with his assurances that she’d never get hurt? Laura says if she can get Carly alone, she can intervene, but Martin says, fat chance. He’s talked to her, and she’s made of steel. Her first loyalty is to Jason, and she’s immovable. Laura says, so what happens next? and he says, whatever it takes to find his mother, and keep her safe.

Obrecht tells Dante, it’s more important than ever that her presence in Port Charles remain a secret. He says, understood, and she says, duty first. Make sure no one sees him. He asks when he’ll hear from her, and she says when it’s time to strike at Peter’s heart. Now go.

Sam comes downstairs, and tells Jason, sorry she was so long. She couldn’t find the sweater he likes so much. She asks if everything is okay, and Franco says, hunky dory. He thanks her for her help, and says he’ll get out of their way. He leaves, and Sam asks, what was that about? Jason says, Franco’s just being Franco. What was he doing there? Sam says he was ill in the hallway, and said he had a migraine. Doesn’t Jason believe him? Jason says he doesn’t know, but do him a favor. If Franco shoes up again, call him.   

In the hallway, Franco doubles over again. He hears Peter’s voice saying, no choice.

Peter tells Maxie, he and Robert were fighting over the bill, and Robert says he’s decided Peter wins. Elizabeth sees Maxie, and says Maxie doesn’t have to send an invitation. She and Franco are definitely attending. Maxie is like, um… and Elizabeth says Finn and Anna invited them. They just need to find a gift for the man who saved Franco’s life. If it wasn’t for Peter, Obrecht might have killed her husband. They’re forever grateful. Peter made quite an impression on Franco.

Obrecht puts on a surgical mask and walks out. She goes to the elevator. Anna comes up behind her, and says she’s looking for Dante Falconari. Has she seen him?  

Tomorrow, Peter says it’s been worth it, Dante says they’ll never find out, Britt says it’s out of their hands, and Jordan tells Cyrus there’s nothing they can do from there.

The Haves and The Haves Nots

Wyatt tells Vinny that he’s sorry, and Vinny says he’s one lucky son of a bitch. Wyatt says he’s not. He’s there in the hospital. Vinny asks if he’d rather be dead, and Wyatt says that’s not what he meant. He just wants this to stop. Vinny asks what he wants to stop, and Wyatt says, this; what Vinny is doing. Vinny asks what he’s doing, and Wyatt says what he did to Vinny, but he did it one time. Vinny says, yet the stab wound is still there, and Wyatt says, so are the cuts on his wrists. Vinny asks, whose fault is that? and Wyatt says, his. Vinny asks him why it’s his fault, and Wyatt says because he stabbed Vinny. Vinny says, and? Wyatt says, he left Vinny to die, and Vinny says, in? Wyatt says, a pool of his own blood. Vinny says, right, and Wyatt says he’s sorry. Vinny says, there he goes again. He’s not sorry enough yet. Wyatt asks what he has to do. Money? Vinny says Wyatt’s mom won’t pay, and Wyatt says he’ll call his dad. Vinny says his dad doesn’t have any money; it’s all hers. Wyatt says he can get her to pay him, and Vinny says he wants a million dollars. If he doesn’t get the money, he’s going to come back and kill Wyatt. Wyatt says, okay, he’ll call, and Vinny leaves.

Jim comes downstairs, and his phone rings. It’s Wyatt, who says, a Malone just left. He said he’d kill him. Jim asks what Wyatt did, and Wyatt says if Jim doesn’t give him a million dollars, he’s going to kill him. Jim says, which Malone? and Wyatt says, the one he stabbed. Jim says, Vinny? Dammit. What did he say? Wyatt tells Jim, Vinny said he was going to kill him. Jim asks if Wyatt sees the sh*t he gets into. The sh*t Jim has to get him out of. Wyatt says he’s sorry, and Jim says, stop doing it. Wyatt says Jim has to get him out and into rehab, but Jim says, first, he has to get a Malone off Wyatt’s ass. He’ll talk to Vinny, but he wants Wyatt to stay put. Wyatt says, thanks, dad, and Jim says, now it’s thanks, dad. Next week, Wyatt will have a gun to his head. Wyatt says he’s sorry, and Jim says goodbye. He hangs up, and says Wyatt is just like his mother.

Wyatt says he can’t stay there. He presses the buzzer, and yells for the nurse.

David tells Hanna, something about her compels him to be honest with himself, so he also feels compelled to tell her how he’s really feeling. She thanks him, and he says she really is a beautiful woman. She says, and he’s very handsome… and so slick. He asks, how does she mean? and she says, he’s so slick. He comes in there, his charm turned all the way up. She can see how it would work. He says he’s not trying to work anything. He’s just telling her the truth. She says she can see how it would work on a weak ass fool, but she’s not a weak ass fool. He says, no, and she says, that’s why it doesn’t work. She’s not some girl, or a crazy one like he married. He says he’s not playing her, and she says, okay; bye. He asks if she remembers what he said when they first met. She says, are they doing this again? He said to get him a drink. He asks if she remembers what she was wearing, and she says, a maid uniform, but he says she was also wearing an ankle chain with a heart. He noticed that. She says, that’s nice, and he says he also noticed she hasn’t worn it since. She says she hasn’t wanted to, and he says, because things change; people can change. She says, so? He says she doesn’t believe any of it, and she says he’s reading her mind. He’s trying to seduce her to get Jim some money. He says, no, and she says, good. It will never work. He says, if he ever seduced her, it’s because he wanted to make love to her. She says, good; that will never work. He asks if she’s sure she’s not getting excited, and she tells him, look at this face. Does it look like she’s excited? Get the hell out. He says he knows she didn’t believe anything he said – she says, not a damn thing – but it’s the truth. He gets up, and thanks her for her time. She says, by the way, she already talked to Kathryn, and she said not to give Jim a dime. He says he’ll let Jim know. She says, do her a favor. Don’t come back again. David says, not unless he’s invited, and leaves. When he’s gone, Hanna says, he thinks she’s a damn fool. Sexy bastard.

At the hospital, Veronica gets a collect call from the jail, and says she’s charging $500 for every 10¢ she has to pay. Kathryn says, get over it, bitch, and Veronica laughs. She asks how Kathryn is, and Kathryn says she needs to see Veronica. Veronica says, that’s not happening, but Kathryn says, yes it is. Veronica says Kathryn is locked up; she should focus on that. Kathryn tells her to get her ass down there, and Veronica says Kathryn’s been telling the police she did it. Kathryn says she expects to see Veronica today, and Veronica says, or…? Kathryn asks if Veronica wants to know what card she can play, and Veronica says Kathryn can have any lawyer in the country she wants, but she can’t have her. Kathryn says there’s no other lawyer whose life she can ruin with a phone call. Veronica has a certain loan obligation. Veronica asks if Kathryn is threatening her, and Kathryn says, damn right. Veronica says, this is the game Kathryn wants to play? and Kathryn says, yes. Get down here now. Kathryn hangs up, and Veronica says, did this bitch just hang up on her? Be glad she can’t call back. Celine approaches Veronica, and tells her, they’re in there. Veronica says Celine acts like it’s the boogey man, and tells her, come on.

Veronica introduces herself to Celine’s supervisor and the hospital director. She says she’s representing Celine, and the director is surprised Celine retained an attorney. Veronica says, the best attorney; do her research. She asks what this is about, and the director says they’re there to talk about termination. Celine says, why? What did she do? The director says they had a complaint from Dr. Mendez. Celine says she didn’t talk to him. He came in while she was speaking to Jim, and… Veronica interrupts Celine, saying, she’s shy to talk about it. The doctor has been sexually harassing her. They have the emails and texts to prove it. Celine tries to interrupt, but Veronica says, she’ll talk for her. She knows English is not Celine’s first language. Just stand there and be quiet. They’re suing the hospital for $10 million dollars, or they can allow Celine to go back to her job, and keep the creep away. The director says she’ll need to talk to the Board, but Veronica says, no. They want it to be resolved now, today. Allow Celine to go back to her work… and they need a raise. She asks Celine how much she makes, and Celine says, $17. Veronica says, for the whole damn hour? and Celine says, yes. She tells Celine to get out of there, and Celine leaves. Veronica tells them, leave that poor broken down woman alone. She can’t afford a good foundation, and a doctor is harassing her. The director says the doctor is the one who complained, but Veronica says she doesn’t have time for this sh*t. Beautiful people don’t stoop so low. The director says they didn’t invite Veronica there, and Veronica says, maybe not, but they’re going to pay the damn price. Apparently, the director doesn’t know what women are going through in the world today, and who defends what they’re going through. The director says she knows Veronica is a liar, and Veronica says, obviously, she hasn’t researched who Veronica is. Do that before she comes for her. Research her, and then she’ll come back. She walks out talking Valley Girl.     

In the reception area, Celine asks why Veronica said those things, and Veronica says she got Celine’s job back. Celine says, they’re lies, and Veronica says, they don’t know that. Celine says she does, and Veronica says, the one who slept with her boss’s husband cares about lies. Celine says she doesn’t want to hurt anyone, and Veronica says, sometimes you have to, to be okay. They’re going let her keep working for $17 an hour. Celine says, what about Jim? and Veronica says she’ll take care of him. Go get her mop, and keep doing what she does. Celine says, thank you, and Veronica says Celine doesn’t have to be prompted. She likes that. Go. She’ll take care of Jim.

Jim walks into the Iron Bone, and orders bourbon, neat. Vinny asks what he can do for Jim, and Jim says, mind if he sits? Vinny gestures to a stool, and Jim says, thanks. He stopped by to congratulate Vinny. Vinny says, thanks, and Jim says he understands Vinny is running the business now. Vinny says, looks that way, and Jim says he thinks it’s terrific. Vinny asks what Jim wants to talk to him about, and Jim says, his son. He gave Vinny $75K to leave Wyatt alone. Vinny says, Jim gave him $50K, but Jim insists it was $75K. Vinny asks if Jim is challenging him, and Jim says, no. He gave Mitch $75K to deliver to Vinny. Vinny says, right; he forgot. Jim says he understands. So he wants Vinny to leave his son alone. Vinny says Jim’s son stabbed him, and Jim says, believe him; he understands. There’s nothing he can do to repay that, but this kid of his, he’s a problem. Vinny says, yes, and Jim says, he needs help. Vinny says Jim should get it for him, and Jim says, he is, but it takes time. Vinny says, here’s the deal. He wants a million dollars. Jim says, a lot of people do. What for? Vinny says, pain and suffering. He doesn’t think $50K is enough. Jim repeats that he gave Vinny $75K, and Vinny says, $50K, $75K; he’s a businessman. The terms have changed. Jim says, come on, Vincent, and Vinny says Jim says that like he knows him. Jim says he does. He’s known Vinny since before Vinny wiped his own ass. Be reasonable. Vinny says, that’s Jim’s mistake. Jim thinks he knows him, and he doesn’t. He suggests Jim take his ass and leave this establishment now, and don’t come back until he has Vinny’s million. Jim says he doesn’t have a million, but Vinny says, his wife does. Jim says his wife is in jail; she’s not going to help. Vinny says, he understands, but the problem is, if he doesn’t get the money, Jim is going to bury his child. Jim orders another bourbon, but Vinny says he thinks Jim can leave now. Bye, judge. Get his ass out of there before Vinny makes pay for the drink. Jim heads for the door, and Vinny says he hopes Jim feels better. Jim says, he will, and leaves. Vinny says he’s sure, and drinks the bourbon. He makes a call, and says he needs to know where Mitch is, but don’t tell Mitch he’s looking for him. He tells them to also check the serial number on the pills, and let him know if it’s the same batch.

A reporter waits for Hanna when she comes out to get in her car. She asks Hanna to talk about the pain her daughter experienced while growing up. Does she know about the rumors that Hanna abandoned her daughter, and that she was a prostitute? Hanna says, get off of her, and starts her car. She drives away, leaving the reporter at the curb.

Jim goes to David’s house, and asks how it went with Hanna. David says, it didn’t, and Jim says, the old Harrington charm didn’t work? David says he told Jim it wouldn’t, and Jim thanks him for trying. David says he felt like a fool, and Jim asks, why? David says because he sincerely likes her; he always has. Jim laughs, and asks if David is serious. David says he is, and Jim says, he sent David there to do him a favor, and he actually wants to sleep with Hanna? David shakes his head, and says, Hanna is a nice lady. She was looking right through him. Jim doesn’t know what David means, and David says, she sees people’s souls. Jim says, is he actually hearing this? and Davis says, it’s the first time they had a real conversation. Jim asks what the hell has gotten into David? Hanna is a witch. That woman cast a spell on him. David asks why Jim is there, and Jim says he talked to the Malones. David says, it didn’t go well? and Jim says, no, but it was interesting. David asks who Jim met with; Vinny? Jim says, Vincent. He said something that didn’t make sense. The bounty on Wyatt was $50K, and he gave Mitch $75K. David asks if Jim thinks Mitch skimmed it, and Jim says, of course he does. Mitch gave Vinny $50K and stuck $25K in his pocket. That’s what he’d do. David says, it would be hard to confirm, because Malones don’t like to be questioned. Jim says, he’s right. Maybe Mitch was counting on that. If the Malones find out that Mitch stole and lied to the family, Mitch will be cut off. Which means, no more protection for Candace, Benny, and Hanna. David says, leave Hanna out of it. She has nothing to do with this. Jim laughs, and says David honestly likes Hanna. David says, fair is fair. Candace and Benny stole Jim’s money, but Hanna did not. Jim says, okay; he gets it. David doesn’t want to discuss it further, and Jim says, wow. David says he’ll see what he can find out about Mitch. Jim asks, how? and David says, very carefully. David asks if Jim wants lunch, but Jim says he’s going home. He’d better not find Hanna’s ass in his house. David says, she works there, and Jim says, this is going to be fun. He puts his hand on David’s shoulder, and says he promises he won’t do anything to hurt David’s new girlfriend. David shakes him off, and says, this has got to stop. Jim says, wow, and heads out the door. Outside, he shouts, praise the Lord! and David says, yes.   

Veronica waits for Kathryn in the visiting room. Kathryn comes in, and Veronica asks what Kathryn wants to tell her about. Kathryn says, the $53 million loan. Veronica says, $54 million, and Kathryn says she hasn’t paid the mortgage. Veronica says she decided not to, and Kathryn says she’s going have to instruct Lloyd to take the facilities, and Veronica’s house. Veronica says her house isn’t in the deal, and Kathryn says she signed a personal guarantee. Veronica laughs, and says, she lied. It will tie Kathryn up in court for years. Kathryn asks if Veronica is broke, but Veronica says, not at all. Kathryn wonders if the facilities aren’t making money, and Veronica says, quite the opposite. Kathryn says, okay. Why isn’t she paying? Veronica says, because she’s paying Kathryn. Who does Kathryn think is testifying for the DA? Kathryn says the DA got to Veronica, and now Veronica is blackmailing her? Veronica says, not at all, and Kathryn says, then what is it? Veronica says she’s whitemailing Kathryn. She just wants to see Kathryn go away. Kathryn says, that will never happen, but Veronica says, yes, it will. When she finishes telling the judge how afraid she was when Kathryn pulled out a gun, and shot that innocent, sweet woman… Kathryn says, Veronica would do that? and Veronica tells her, cut it out. Nobody’s listening. She’s a lawyer. Kathryn says Veronica’s plan won’t work. Kathryn can’t pay her bills, and no longer has power over her estate. Veronica asks, who has? Jim? Kathryn says, no, and Veronica says, yeah; it’s Jim. Kathryn says, either she gets paid, or she’ll instruct the bank to take it all. Veronica takes Kathryn’s hands, and says she hopes Kathryn is having a good life. She’ll be there a long time. Kathryn tells her, don’t count on it, and Veronica says, she is. She calls the guard, and says they can take it back now. She laughs and waves, as Kathryn is led back to her cell. When Kathryn is gone, Veronica looks serious, and takes out her phone. She calls Don, and says she needs him to come to her house. He asks what it’s about, and she says she understands Lloyd has been talking about payment. Come in an hour. He says he’ll see her in a bit.

Benny is under the covers, and tells Candace that he thinks he’s getting sick. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s momma. Benny asks what she wants, but Candace doesn’t know. She just keeps calling non-stop. He says, just answer it, and she does. Benny tells her to put it on speaker, and Hanna says she just left the house, and a reporter was there, asking all kinds of questions. Benny says, about what? and Hanna says she was talking to his sister. Benny says, she’s right there, and Candace asks what they said. Hanna says they’re asking questions, talking about Candace being abused. Candace says, it’s in every paper, and Hanna tells her, the reporter said she put Candace out at 14. She didn’t put Candace out, and Candace needs to tell the truth. Candace asks, what is the truth? and Hanna says Candace ran off with her pimp. Candace says, it’s called child trafficking. Hanna says she told Candace to stay away from them. Candace says she tried to, and she got out, didn’t she? Hanna says Candace became a pimp herself, and Candace says, don’t talk to them. Hanna tells her, come back and tell the truth. She doesn’t want them to think she abandoned Candace. Stop with the lies. She tells Candace that she doesn’t want the reporters around, and Candace says she can’t do anything about that. Hanna tells her, do something, and Candace says, okay. She hangs up, and Benny says, reporters? Candace says, damn Landon, and Benny asks what he wants. She says for her to talk to Charles. She tries to call Landon, but says, he’s not answering. Benny says, Rihanna has a house she wants him to see. He’ll get up in a minute; maybe five. It feels good being rich and sh*t. They’re still getting out of the damn hotel though. She says she heard him, and calls him little bird. He says she’s never letting that go, is she? and she says, never.

Hanna is looking over paperwork, when Jim comes in, and sits down at the table. She asks if she can help him, and he says she’s one brave woman. Like a woman called Moses. She asks if that’s his attempt at an insult, but he says, not at all. She says, good. She can’t wait to get home, get a beer, and celebrate being in the mood to deal with his sh*t. He says he thought this was her home, but she says no, and if he keeps it up, she’ll have him removed from this house. He knows she can, right? He says he knows he needs a million… She says, people in hell need… He says, excuse me? and she says he didn’t know that saying? The people in hell need ice water. I laugh, because I said it out loud when she started the sentence the first time. She laughs, and says she thought all demons knew that. He tells her, cut the sh*t, and she says, watch his tone. He asks if she knows who the Malones are, and she says, yes. He says, the Malones are going to kill Wyatt unless he pays them a million dollars. She says her daughter scammed her a couple of times, and it sounds like that. Jim says he sees how she could feel that way, but this is not that. His son is in a lot of trouble, and needs his help. Hanna says, he does, and Jim says he has to pay them. She says she’s sorry, but she’s not just going to give him a million dollars. He says Hanna is talking like she has all the power; his wife has all the power. Give him power of attorney. She laughs, and he says, give him power of attorney, and he’ll give her $25 million. She laughs again, and he says she doesn’t want the money? She says, no, and he says, come on. Everybody has a price. She says, that’s his problem. He thinks money makes you sleep better. He says, he sure as hell won’t sleep worse, and she says, sorry. He says she can have a house; retire to any city. She says, and break his wife’s heart? He says, who cares about that bitch? He breaks her heart all the time. Hanna says she cares. He asks, why? and she says Kathryn has been very good to her. Jim says, she’s the maid; nothing more, nothing less. Does she have any idea what her dear friend says behind her back? Hanna says she doesn’t care, and Jim says, she’ll always be a maid because it’s the only job she can keep, because she’s simple. (I guess Jim forgot that Kathryn just gave Hanna power over everything, but okay.) Hanna says that sounds like him; simple. Those are his words, but he’s a liar. The truth is, he’s not getting a damn dime. He says his son’s life is in danger, and she says, then he needs to talk to his wife. He says he promises Hanna, if anything happens to his son… She says, watch the threats, and he says he’ll rephrase that. If anything happens to his son, he’ll kill her daughter. She says, and she will kill him. Jim says, that’s not a threat, and she says, neither is what he just said. He tells her, he’ll see himself out.

Oliver calls Landon, and says, they have a situation. Landon says, which is? and Oliver says, the President Elect isn’t coming out of his room. Landon says, maybe he’s resting, but Oliver says, it’s late in the day. Landon says, he rests some days, and Oliver wonders if he should wake him. Landon says, relax, and Oliver says, he has a meeting. Landon says, cancel all of his meetings; that’s what he did. Oliver says he’s going in, and Landon asks why Oliver isn’t listening. Leave him alone. Landon says, just get off the phone, and Oliver says he needs to know what to tell the staff. Landon says, tell them he’s resting, but Oliver says, when they were upstairs, he said he was getting up early. Landon tells him that he needs to relax. Charles is fine. Oliver asks if Landon spoke to him today, and Landon says he has. Oliver asks what Charles said, and Landon says, for him to stop calling. Oliver tells Landon, he didn’t say that, and Landon says he has to go. He hangs up, and answers a call from Candance. She asks where he is, and he says, one floor below her. She asks if he can see her now, and he says he’ll be right up.

Benny comes out of the bathroom, and tells Candace, he’s trying her. She says she knows, but she’s got it. Benny wants to stay, but she asks if he didn’t say he needed to meet his realtor. Go. He asks if she wants to come with him, and she says she’ll try to come tomorrow. Benny leaves, and Landon brings Charles in, looking scruffy and wearing a baseball cap.

Next time, Mitch thinks he needs to pay Jim a visit, Jim tells Hanna that one day the angel and the devil will have a showdown, Justin says he lost everything because of Madison, and a fire happens.

🤠 I checked out the new season of The Real Housewives of Dallas tonight. It premiered on New Year’s Eve, but… no. New Wife Tiffany seems promising, but Kary still just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Tiffany is an anesthesiologist, married, and a tiger mom to twins, telling us in her interview that every part of her body is an overachiever. Kameron is still my favorite, and sadly, her Yorkie Louie passed away. Even sadder, she’d been in NYC for Fashion Week, and blamed Cort for not giving Louie his medicine. While the autopsy couldn’t determine Louie’s cause of death, Kameron didn’t think she could ever move on. She did, however, get a Pomeranian puppy named Fancy, who was beyond adorable. She was also having a garage sale of a billion pink items, explaining that they’d been in the process of selling their home and buying her dream house when covid hit. The buyer freaked out and pulled out of the deal. Their house was still on the market, and Cort told her they had to sell their current house to get another one. It was a cute set-up, including a pink lemonade stand, but Kameron looked like someone on Hoarders, when she kept pulling items out that she wanted to keep. We saw a little bit of the women in quarantine, but the beginning had passed, since people were out and about, albeit wearing masks. Mama Dee had given D’Andra $100K to get by, saying that previously, D’Andra hadn’t proved herself, but now she’d taken full responsibility to make the company work. Stephanie had a pool party, and told everyone that quarantine had made her grateful for her friends, and made her appreciate what’s important in life… blah-blah-blah. They went around the table, saying their positives and negatives of quarantine (a lot of their businesses had somewhat tanked), and Brandi got emotional about the video she’d posted several years ago on social media where she made fun of Asian people. D’Andra defended her to Tiffany, saying that she hadn’t done it out of meanness. Tiffany told Brandi that she’d hurt a lot of people, and explained how her parents had immigrated when she was three. From age three to six, she lived with her grandparents, and then was put on a plane from Beijing to New York. She didn’t know a word of English, and when she was in school, the kids made fun of her eyes. The show ended with the both of them crying. I have to admit, most of the time, I think this franchise is useless, but this was a good thing for people to see. I think Brandi is a huge a-hole, but I don’t think she’s mean or racist, and it showed how something you might think is funny in an a-hole moment, can be hurtful to other people. I give it a 64 out of 75. <shrugging>

👠 A Little Bit Of Tiffany In Your Life…

Meet the newest Dallas Housewife.

https://people.com/tv/new-rhod-housewife-tiffany-moon-makes-her-debut-in-season-5-trailer/

😴 Hitting the Hay…

One more episode until Tuesday becomes an earlier night. Yay. Tomorrow it’s double Housewives duty. Meanwhile, stay safe, stay secure in who you are, and stay not telling Carly anything you don’t want Jason to know.